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Park J, Willmott M, Vetuz G, Toye C, Kirley A, Hawi Z, Brookes KJ, Gill M, Kent L. Evidence that genetic variation in the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) gene influences social cognition in ADHD. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2010; 34:697-702. [PMID: 20347913 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2010.03.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2010] [Revised: 03/09/2010] [Accepted: 03/20/2010] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Some children with ADHD also have social and communication difficulties similar to those seen in children with autistic spectrum disorders and this may be due to shared genetic liability. As the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) gene has been implicated in social cognition and autistic spectrum disorders, this study investigated whether OXTR polymorphisms previously implicated in autism were associated with ADHD and whether they influenced OXTR mRNA expression in 27 normal human amygdala brain samples. The family-based association sample consisted of 450 DSM-IV diagnosed ADHD probands and their parents. Although there was no association with the ADHD phenotype, an association with social cognitive impairments in a subset of the ADHD probands (N=112) was found for SNP rs53576 (F=5.24, p=0.007) with post-hoc tests demonstrating that the AA genotype was associated with better social ability compared to the AG genotype. Additionally, significant association was also found for rs13316193 (F=3.09, p=0.05) with post-hoc tests demonstrating that the CC genotype was significantly associated with poorer social ability than the TT genotype. No significant association between genotype and OXTR mRNA expression was found. This study supports previous evidence that the OXTR gene is implicated in social cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Park
- Bute Medical School, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Scotland, KY16 9TS, United Kingdom
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Srivastava R, Chaturvedi CM. Effect of estrogen and tamoxifen on the shell gland AVT and VT3R of scotosensitive and scotorefractory Japanese quail. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2010; 167:104-12. [PMID: 20170655 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2010.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2009] [Revised: 01/17/2010] [Accepted: 02/12/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
The neurohypophyseal hormone arginine vasotocin (AVT) found in most vertebrate species is known to modulate different aspects of reproduction in quail. AVT system is sensitive to gonadal steroids. Previous studies have shown that estradiol benzoate stimulates the proliferation of shell gland and increases the AVT and the vasotocin 3 receptor (VT3R) in long day length. This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of estrogen and tamoxifen on AVT as well as its receptor VT3 under the short day condition (6L:18D). Estradiol benzoate (EB) was administered daily in sexually quiescent (scotosensitive) condition for 15days. After the initial period of sexual quiescence, the quail of control group exhibited sexual development (scotorefractory condition). Thereafter, scotorefractory quail were administered with anti-estrogen tamoxifen, which eliminated the reoccurrence of scotosensitivity. Immunohistochemical and in-situ hybridization studies indicate the expression of AVT and VT3R transcripts in both scotosensitive as well as scotorefractory conditions. Administration of EB to scotosensitive female quail produced an increase in AVT and VT3 while tamoxifen suppressed them in scotorefractory quail. The results indicate that in quail myometrium the expression of VT3R is upregulated by estrogen when kept under short day condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rashmi Srivastava
- Department of Zoology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India
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Gregory SG, Connelly JJ, Towers AJ, Johnson J, Biscocho D, Markunas CA, Lintas C, Abramson RK, Wright HH, Ellis P, Langford CF, Worley G, Delong GR, Murphy SK, Cuccaro ML, Persico A, Pericak-Vance MA. Genomic and epigenetic evidence for oxytocin receptor deficiency in autism. BMC Med 2009; 7:62. [PMID: 19845972 PMCID: PMC2774338 DOI: 10.1186/1741-7015-7-62] [Citation(s) in RCA: 402] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2009] [Accepted: 10/22/2009] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism comprises a spectrum of behavioral and cognitive disturbances of childhood development and is known to be highly heritable. Although numerous approaches have been used to identify genes implicated in the development of autism, less than 10% of autism cases have been attributed to single gene disorders. METHODS We describe the use of high-resolution genome-wide tilepath microarrays and comparative genomic hybridization to identify copy number variants within 119 probands from multiplex autism families. We next carried out DNA methylation analysis by bisulfite sequencing in a proband and his family, expanding this analysis to methylation analysis of peripheral blood and temporal cortex DNA of autism cases and matched controls from independent datasets. We also assessed oxytocin receptor (OXTR) gene expression within the temporal cortex tissue by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS Our analysis revealed a genomic deletion containing the oxytocin receptor gene, OXTR (MIM accession no.: 167055), previously implicated in autism, was present in an autism proband and his mother who exhibits symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder. The proband's affected sibling did not harbor this deletion but instead may exhibit epigenetic misregulation of this gene through aberrant gene silencing by DNA methylation. Further DNA methylation analysis of the CpG island known to regulate OXTR expression identified several CpG dinucleotides that show independent statistically significant increases in the DNA methylation status in the peripheral blood cells and temporal cortex in independent datasets of individuals with autism as compared to control samples. Associated with the increase in methylation of these CpG dinucleotides is our finding that OXTR mRNA showed decreased expression in the temporal cortex tissue of autism cases matched for age and sex compared to controls. CONCLUSION Together, these data provide further evidence for the role of OXTR and the oxytocin signaling pathway in the etiology of autism and, for the first time, implicate the epigenetic regulation of OXTR in the development of the disorder.See the related commentary by Gurrieri and Neri: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1741-7015/7/63.
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Ye X, Shi Y, Huo K, Chen D. Establish a recombinant yeast detection system to study the effect of MIP on transactivation function of hMafF in US2-driven gene transcription. J Microbiol Methods 2009; 79:96-100. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2009.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2009] [Revised: 08/20/2009] [Accepted: 08/20/2009] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Jordan S, Emery S, Watkins A, Evans JD, Storey M, Morgan G. Associations of drugs routinely given in labour with breastfeeding at 48 hours: analysis of the Cardiff Births Survey. BJOG 2009; 116:1622-9; discussion 1630-2. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2009.02256.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Carter CS, Boone EM, Pournajafi-Nazarloo H, Bales KL. Consequences of early experiences and exposure to oxytocin and vasopressin are sexually dimorphic. Dev Neurosci 2009; 31:332-41. [PMID: 19546570 DOI: 10.1159/000216544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2008] [Accepted: 12/29/2008] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In the socially monogamous prairie vole, we have observed that small changes in early handling, as well as early hormonal manipulations can have long-lasting and sexually dimorphic effects on behavior. These changes may be mediated in part by changes in parental interactions with their young, acting on systems that rely on oxytocin (OT) and arginine vasopressin (AVP). Knowledge of both endogenous and exogenous influences on systems that rely on OT and AVP may be helpful in understanding sexually dimorphic developmental disorders, such as autism, that are characterized by increased anxiety and deficits in social behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Sue Carter
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Body Center, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Ill. 60612, USA.
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Liedman R, Hansson SR, Howe D, Igidbashian S, Russell RJ, Åkerlund M. Endometrial expression of vasopressin, oxytocin and their receptors in patients with primary dysmenorrhoea and healthy volunteers at ovulation. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2008; 137:189-92. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2007.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2007] [Revised: 08/16/2007] [Accepted: 10/23/2007] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Sharkey J, Olcese J. Transcriptional inhibition of oxytocin receptor expression in human myometrial cells by melatonin involves protein kinase C signaling. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2007; 92:4015-9. [PMID: 17726073 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2007-1128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Our laboratory recently characterized the expression of the melatonin receptors in the human myometrium and showed that the expression of these receptors is suppressed during late pregnancy. OBJECTIVE In an effort to understand better the significance of melatonin in the human myometrium, we explored the mechanisms through which this hormone influences the expression of the oxytocin receptor in vitro. DESIGN The stable melatonin analog iodomelatonin was presented to cultured telomerase-immortalized myometrial cells of the human telomerase reverse transcriptase line under physiological doses and durations. Pharmacological inhibitors of melatonin binding, gene transcription, phospholipase C, and protein kinase C signaling were used to define the mechanism of melatonin action. RESULTS Our results reveal that melatonin significantly inhibits oxytocin receptor mRNA expression primarily via the melatonin 2 receptor. The melatonin-dependent decrease in oxytocin receptor transcripts involves suppression of gene transcription rather than enhanced rates of transcript degradation. Melatonin effects were abolished by pretreating the cells with the phospholipase C inhibitor U73122 or the protein kinase C inhibitor C1. CONCLUSIONS Melatonin, like oxytocin, can negatively regulate oxytocin receptor transcription in human myometrial cells via modulation of protein kinase C signaling. This is consistent with the hypothesis that the reduced melatonin receptor expression during late pregnancy, which occurs at a time when oxytocin receptors are up-regulated, may be physiologically important for the subsequent timing of labor.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Sharkey
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Florida State University College of Medicine, 1115 West Call Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32306-4300, USA
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Uchida S, Fuke S, Tsukahara T. Upregulations of Gata4 and oxytocin receptor are important in cardiomyocyte differentiation processes of P19CL6 cells. J Cell Biochem 2007; 100:629-41. [PMID: 16960874 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.21094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Oxytocin induces P19 cells to differentiate into cardiomyocytes possibly through the oxytocin/oxytocin receptor system. We added oxytocin to the growth medium of P19CL6, a subline of P19, but they did not differentiate into cardiomyocytes as indicated by RT-PCR and Western blotting results. During the cardiac commitment time of P19CL6 cells, the mRNA expression levels of the oxytocin receptor were upregulated by the addition of oxytocin as well as DMSO, but an upregulation of Gata4 expression levels was only observed for the cells induced by DMSO. The in silico analysis of the upstream sequence of the oxytocin receptor predicted putative binding sites for Gata4 and Nkx2.5. These results suggest that upregulations of the oxytocin receptor and Gata4 are important for cardiomyocyte differentiation processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shizuka Uchida
- School of Materials Science, Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Ishikawa, Japan
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Ye X, Li Y, Huang Q, Yu Y, Yuan H, Wang P, Wan D, Gu J, Huo K, Li YY, Lu H. The novel human gene MIP functions as a co-activator of hMafF. Arch Biochem Biophys 2006; 449:87-93. [PMID: 16549056 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2006.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2005] [Revised: 02/14/2006] [Accepted: 02/16/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
The human transcription factor MafF (hMafF) lacks a transactivation domain, it contains a heptad-leucine repeat motif (viz., Leu-zipper) that may mediate protein-protein interactions to regulate transcriptional activities. A protein with a coiled-coil domain encoded by a novel human gene (GenBank Accession No. AF289559) was found to interact with hMafF in vitro and in vivo and is designated as a MafF interacting protein (MIP). Here, we provide evidence that the coiled-coil domain of MIP is essential for binding to the Leu-zipper of hMafF and that the interaction between MIP and hMafF causes the translocalization of MIP from cytoplasm to nucleolus in HELA cells. We used a promoter-reporter system containing six tandem repeats of the US2 element, located in the promoter of the human oxytocin receptor gene and reported to bind specifically to hMafF, to understand effects on transcriptional activation of hMafF, and its interaction with MIP. Expression of hMafF or MIP alone did not alter basal reporter transcription activity, whereas co-expression of hMafF and MIP activated transcription efficiently. Moreover, truncated MIP, still containing the coiled-coil domain, transactivated as well as the full-length MIP did, and highlighting that MIP acts as a co-activator of hMafF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxia Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
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Fleming JGW, Spencer TE, Safe SH, Bazer FW. Estrogen regulates transcription of the ovine oxytocin receptor gene through GC-rich SP1 promoter elements. Endocrinology 2006; 147:899-911. [PMID: 16254027 DOI: 10.1210/en.2005-1120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Establishment of pregnancy in ruminants results from paracrine signaling by interferon tau (IFNT) from the conceptus to uterine endometrial luminal epithelia (LE) that prevents release of luteolytic prostaglandin F(2alpha) pulses. In cyclic and pregnant ewes, progesterone down-regulates progesterone receptor (PGR) gene expression in LE. In cyclic ewes, loss of PGR allows for increases in estrogen receptor alpha (ESR1) and then oxytocin receptor (OXTR) gene expression followed by oxytocin-induced prostaglandin F(2alpha) pulses. In pregnant ewes, IFNT inhibits transcription of the ESR1 gene, which presumably inhibits OXTR gene transcription. Alternatively, IFNT may directly inhibit OXTR gene transcription. The 5' promoter/enhancer region of the ovine OXTR gene was cloned and found to contain predicted binding sites for activator protein 1, SP1, and PGR, but not for ESR1. Deletion analysis showed that the basal promoter activity was dependent on the region from -144 to -4 bp that contained only SP1 sites. IFNT did not affect activity of the OXTR promoter. In cells transfected with ESR1, E2, and ICI 182,780 increased promoter activity due to GC-rich SP1 binding sites at positions -104 and -64. Mutation analyses showed that the proximal SP1 sites mediated ESR1 action as well as basal activity of the promoter. In response to progesterone, progesterone receptor B also increased OXTR promoter activity. SP1 protein was constitutively expressed and abundant in the LE of the ovine uterus. These results support the hypothesis that the antiluteolytic effects of IFNT are mediated by direct inhibition or silencing of ESR1 gene transcription, thereby precluding ESR1/SP1 from stimulating OXTR gene transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joann G W Fleming
- Center for Animal Biotechnology and Genomics, Texas A&M University, College Station, 77843-2471, USA
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Monstein HJ, Grahn N, Truedsson M, Ohlsson B. Oxytocin and oxytocin-receptor mRNA expression in the human gastrointestinal tract: a polymerase chain reaction study. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2004; 119:39-44. [PMID: 15093695 DOI: 10.1016/j.regpep.2003.12.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2003] [Revised: 12/23/2003] [Accepted: 12/23/2003] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM Oxytocin (OT) has a wide range of effects throughout the body. However, the role of OT on the gastrointestinal (GI) tract has to be settled. So far, the few studies performed reveal no conclusive results. The aim of this study was to examine the expression of OT and OT-receptor mRNA in the human GI tract. MATERIAL AND METHODS Full-thickness biopsies from all segments of the GI tract and the gallbladder were collected during operations at the Department of Surgery, Malmö University Hospital. Biopsies were taken and put immediately into fluid nitrogen and stored at -70 degrees C until total RNA was extracted after mechanical tissue homogenization. Subsequently, poly A(+) mRNA was isolated from the total RNA extract using an automated nucleic acid extractor and converted into single-stranded cDNA. PCR amplifications were carried out using gene-specific OT and OT-receptor primers. The specificity of the PCR amplicons was further confirmed by Southern blot analyses using gene specific OT and OT-receptor hybridization probes. RESULTS Expression of OT and OT-receptor mRNA was detected in nearly all segments of the GI tract analyzed. In most of the biopsy specimens analyzed, co-expression of both OT and OT-receptor mRNA appeared to take place. CONCLUSION The present study demonstrates that OT and OT-receptor mRNAs are expressed throughout the GI tract. A possible physiological and/or pathophysiological role of OT and OT-receptor expression in the human GI tract and the cellular location of its expression remain to be shown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans-Jürg Monstein
- Molecular Biology Laboratory-LMO, Strategic Development, University Hospital, S-581 85 Linköping, Sweden
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Ohlsson B, Ringström G, Abrahamsson H, Simrén M, Björnsson ES. Oxytocin stimulates colonic motor activity in healthy women. Neurogastroenterol Motil 2004; 16:233-40. [PMID: 15086877 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2982.2004.00507.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The effects of oxytocin in the gastrointestinal tract are unclear. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of infusion of oxytocin on colonic motility and sensitivity in healthy women. Fourteen healthy women were investigated twice. A 6-channel perfusion catheter, with three recording points (2 cm apart) proximally and three recording points distally to a barostat balloon, was inserted to the splenic flexure. An intestinal feeding tube was placed in the mid-duodenum. A 90-min duodenal lipid infusion of 3 kcal min(-1) was administered. Thirty minutes after the start of the lipid infusion, the subject randomly received either 20 or 40 mU min(-1) of oxytocin, or isotonic saline as intravenous infusions for 90 min. Meanwhile, the colonic motility was recorded. During the last 30 min of oxytocin and saline infusion, the visceral sensitivity to balloon distensions was examined. During lipid infusion the number of antegrade contractions per hour was 0.7 +/- 0.3 after saline and 3.9 +/- 1.4 after oxytocin (P = 0.03), indicating more pronounced lumen-occlusive contractile activity after oxytocin administration. Some of these consisted of high-amplitude (> 103 mmHg in amplitude) antegrade contractions. Lipid infusion evoked a decrease of the balloon volume, reflecting increased colonic tone, but there was no difference between saline and oxytocin. Sensory thresholds did not differ significantly between saline and oxytocin. Infusion of oxytocin stimulates antegrade peristaltic contractions in stimulated colon in healthy women. The effects of oxytocin on colonic motor activity deserve to be further explored, especially in patients with colonic peristaltic dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Ohlsson
- Department of Medicine, University Hospital of Malmö, Malmö, Sweden.
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