Vertebrate eyes are known to contain circadian clocks, but their regulatory mechanisms remain largely unknown. To address this, we used a cell line from human retinal pigment epithelium (hRPE-YC) with stable coexpression of reporters for molecular clock oscillations (Bmal1-luciferase) and intracellular Ca2+ concentrations (YC3.6). We observed concentration-dependent increases in cytosolic Ca2+ concentrations after treatment with histamine (1–100 µM) and complete suppression of histamine-induced Ca2+ mobilizations by H1 histamine receptor (H1R) antagonist d-chlorpheniramine (d-CPA) in hRPE-YC cells. Consistently, real-time RT-PCR assays revealed that H1R showed the highest expression among the four subtypes (H1–H4) of histamine receptors in hRPE-YC cells. Stimulation of hRPE-YC cells with histamine transiently increased nuclear localization of phosphorylated Ca2+/cAMP-response element-binding protein that regulates clock gene transcriptions. Administration of histamine also shifted the Bmal1-luciferase rhythms with a type-1 phase-response curve, similar to previous results with carbachol stimulations. Treatment of hRPE-YC cells with d-CPA or with more specific H1R antagonist, ketotifen, blocked the histamine-induced phase shifts. Furthermore, an H2 histamine receptor agonist, amthamine, had little effect on the Bmal1-luciferase rhythms. Although the function of the in vivo histaminergic system within the eye remains obscure, the present results suggest histaminergic control of the molecular clock via H1R in retinal pigment epithelial cells. Also, since d-CPA and ketotifen have been widely used (e.g., to treat allergy and inflammation) in our daily life and thus raise a possible cause for circadian rhythm disorders by improper use of antihistamines.

No abstract

No abstract

Cholecystokinin (CCK) and leptin are satiety-controlling peptides, yet their interactive roles remain unclear. Here, we addressed this issue using in vitro and in vivo models. In rat C6 glioma cells, leptin pre-treatment enhanced ca 2+ mobilization by a CCK agonist (CCK-8s). This leptin action was reduced by Janus kinase inhibitor (AG490) or PI3-kinase inhibitor (LY294002). Meanwhile, leptin stimulation alone failed to mobilize ca 2+ even in cells overexpressing leptin receptors (C6-ObRb). Leptin increased nuclear immunoreactivity against phosphorylated STAT3 (pSTAT3) whereas CCK-8s reduced leptin-induced nuclear pSTAT3 accumulation in these cells. In the rat ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH), leptin-induced action potential firing was enhanced, whereas nuclear pSTAT3 was reduced by co-stimulation with CCK-8s. To further analyse in vivo signalling interplay, a CCK-1 antagonist (lorglumide) was intraperitoneally injected in rats following 1-h restricted feeding. Food access was increased 3-h after lorglumide injection. At this timepoint, nuclear pSTAT3 was increased whereas c-Fos was decreased in the VMH. Taken together, these results suggest that leptin and CCK receptors may both contribute to short-term satiety, and leptin could positively modulate CCK signalling. Notably, nuclear pSTAT3 levels in this experimental paradigm were negatively correlated with satiety levels, contrary to the generally described transcriptional regulation for long-term satiety via leptin receptors. Food intake control is essential for animal survival, and multiple signalling mechanisms are involved in intake behavior 1,2. Cholecystokinin (CCK), which is a peptide hormone secreted from the intestine in response to food intake 3-5 , is the classic satiety-controlling molecules 6,7. The dominant receptor subtypes, CCK-1 and CCK-2 receptors, are both G q-coupled seven-transmembrane receptors 8,9. CCK-1 receptors influence satiety, as CCK-1 agonists reduce food intake 10,11 whereas pharmacological blockage of CCK-1 receptors stimulate food intake 10,12-19. CCK-1 receptors are localized in peripheral and central machinery known to control satiety, and their dense expression has been found in the pylorus, nodose ganglion, nucleus tractus solitarius, and hypothalamic satiety-controlling centres 20. Both peripheral and central administration of CCK induce satiety responses 21,22 , although permeability of peripheral CCK to the brain is still a matter of controversy. Hypothalamic neurons contain high levels of CCK peptides 23,24 and the central role of CCK to suppress food intake is reported to be dependent on neural circuits expressing CCK-1 receptors 25-29. The function of hypothalamic CCK-1 receptors is supported by CCK-2 receptors, as demonstrated by their functional compensation evident in CCK-1 receptor knockout mice 30. Whether such direct receptor-wide interactions could be present among other receptors in the brain is currently unknown. In the present study, we investigated the intracellular interaction between CCK signaling and another ...