Prostaglandin D2 and adenosine as endogenous somnogens

Abstract

Prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) is the most potent endogenous sleep-promoting substance thus far reported. We have extensively studied its action mechanism at the molecular level. PGD2 is produced by lipocalin-type PGD synthase, which is dominantly localized in the leptomeninges, choroid plexus, and oligodendrocytes in the brain; and it is secreted into the cerebrospinal fluid and stimulates DP1 receptors localized in the arachnoid membrane of the ventral surface from the basal forebrain to the hypothalamus to increase the extracellular concentration of adenosine as a paracrine sleep-promoting molecule. Adenosine diffuses into the brain parenchyma, suppresses cholinergic arousal neurons in the basal forebrain via adenosine A1 receptors, activates sleep-active neurons in the ventrolateral preoptic area via adenosine A2A receptors, and concomitantly suppresses the histaminergic arousal center in the tuberomammillary nucleus through GABAergic and galaninergic inhibitory projections. Administration of an inhibitor of lipocalin-type PGD synthase (SeCl4), an antagonist of DP1 receptors (ONO-4127Na) or an antagonist of adenosine A2A receptors (caffeine) results in sleep inhibition in rats and mice, indicating that the PGD2-adenosine system is crucial for the maintenance of physiological sleep. © 2011 The Author. Sleep and Biological Rhythms © 2011 Japanese Society of Sleep Research.