AKT isoforms have distinct hippocampal expression and roles in synaptic plasticity

Downregulated AKT-mTOR signaling pathway proteins in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in Schizophrenia

Abnormal neurotransmission is central to schizophrenia (SZ). Alterations across multiple neurotransmitter systems in SZ suggest that this illness may be associated with dysregulation of core intracellular processes such as signaling pathways that underlie the regulation and integration of these systems. The AKT-mTOR signaling cascade has been implicated in SZ by gene association, postmortem brain and animal studies. AKT and mTOR are serine/threonine kinases which play important roles in cell growth, proliferation, survival, and differentiation. Both AKT and mTOR require phosphorylation at specific sites for their complete activation. mTOR forms two functionally distinct multiprotein complexes, mTOR Complex 1 (mTORC1) and Complex 2 (mTORC2). mTORC1 mediates ribosome biogenesis, protein translation, and autophagy, whereas mTORC2 contributes to actin dynamics. Altered protein synthesis and actin dynamics can lead to an abnormal neuronal morphology resulting in deficits in learning and memory. Currently, there is a lack of direct evidence to support the hypothesis of disrupted mTOR signaling in SZ, and we have addressed this by characterizing this signaling pathway in SZ brain. We found a reduction in AKT and mTOR protein expression and/or phosphorylation state in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) from 22 pairs of SZ and matched comparison subjects. We also found reduced protein expression of GβL, a subunit protein common to both mTOR complexes. We further investigated mTOR complex-specific subunit composition and phosphorylation state, and found abnormal mTOR expression in both complexes in SZ DLPFC. These findings provide evidence that proteins associated with the AKT-mTOR signaling cascade are downregulated in SZ DLPFC.

The Long Isoform of Intersectin-1 Has a Role in Learning and Memory

Down syndrome is caused by partial or total trisomy of chromosome 21 and is characterized by intellectual disability and other disorders. Although it is difficult to determine which of the genes over-expressed on the supernumerary chromosome contribute to a specific abnormality, one approach is to study each gene in isolation. This can be accomplished either by using an over-expression model to study increased gene dosage or a gene-deficiency model to study the biological function of the gene. Here, we extend our examination of the function of the chromosome 21 gene, ITSN1. We used mice in which the long isoform of intersectin-1 was knocked out (ITSN1-LKO) to understand how a lack of the long isoform of ITSN1 affects brain function. We examined cognitive and locomotor behavior as well as long term potentiation (LTP) and the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and 3'-kinase-C2β-AKT (AKT) cell signaling pathways. We also examined the density of dendritic spines on hippocampal pyramidal neurons. We observed that ITSN1-LKO mice had deficits in learning and long term spatial memory. They also exhibited impaired LTP, and no changes in the levels of the phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2. The amount of phosphorylated AKT was reduced in the ITSN1-LKO hippocampus and there was a decrease in the number of apical dendritic spines in hippocampal neurons. Our data suggest that the long isoform of ITSN1 plays a part in normal learning and memory.

Phosphoproteomic analysis reveals Akt isoform-specific regulation of cytoskeleton proteins in human temporal lobe epilepsy with hippocampal sclerosis

Akt is one of the most important downstream effectors of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/mTOR pathway. Hyperactivation and expression of this pathway are seen in a variety of neurological disorders including human temporal lobe epilepsy with hippocampal sclerosis (TLE-HS). Nevertheless, the expression and activation profiles of the Akt isoforms, Akt1, Akt2, and Akt3 and their functional roles in human TLE-HS have not been studied. We examined the protein expression and activation (phosphorylation) patterns of Akt and its isoforms in human hippocampal tissue from TLE and non-TLE patients. A phosphoproteomic approach followed by interactome analysis of each Akt isoform was used to understand protein-protein interactions and their role in TLE-HS pathology. Our results demonstrated activation of the Akt/mTOR pathway as well as activation of Akt downstream substrates like GSK3β, mTOR, and S6 in TLE-HS samples. Akt1 isoform levels were significantly increased in the TLE-HS samples as compared to the non-TLE samples. Most importantly, different isoforms were activated in different TLE-HS samples, Akt2 was activated in three samples, Akt2 and Akt1 were simultaneously activated in one sample and Akt3 was activated in two samples. Our phosphoproteomic screen across six TLE-HS samples identified 183 proteins phosphorylated by Akt isoforms, 29 of these proteins belong to cytoskeletal modification. Also, we were able to identify proteins of several other classes involved in glycolysis, neuronal development, protein folding and excitatory amino acid transport functions as Akt substrates. Taken together, our data offer clues to understand the role of Akt and its isoforms in underlying the pathology of TLE-HS and further, modulation of Akt/mTOR pathway using Akt isoforms specific inhibitors may offer a new therapeutic window for treatment of human TLE-HS.

Akt dependent adult hippocampal neurogenesis regulates the behavioral improvement of treadmill running to mice model of post-traumatic stress disorder

Physical exercise is well-established paradigm for improving adult neurogenesis and brain functions. As considered as an alternative therapeutic strategy, treadmill running could reduce cognitive impairment and psychiatric abnormalities associating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which might associate with the promote effects to adult neurogenesis. In current study, we aimed to address how treadmill exercise benefit adult hippocampal neurogenesis in PTSD model and the underlying molecular mechanism related with Akt signaling. PTSD was induced by exposure to aggressor and treatments were conducted with different intensity of compulsory treadmill running. We observed treadmill running improved hippocampal neurogenesis including proliferation and neural differentiation of neural stem cells (NSCs). Moreover, behavioral tests showed treadmill could attenuate the cognitive deficit and depressive/anxiety like behaviors in correlating with PTSD model. Moreover, treadmill running recovered the Akt activity in hippocampus. Interrupting treadmill running administrated mice with Akt inhibitor GSK690693 resulted in the blocked the effects of treadmill running to hippocampal neurogenesis and behavioral improvement in PTSD mice model. In conclusion, treadmill running could mediate behavioral functions and improve hippocampal neurogenesis in PTSD model by regulating Akt signaling.

Female Sex Hormones and Cardiac Pressure Overload Independently Contribute to the Cardiogenic Dementia Profile in Yucatan Miniature Swine

Post-menopausal women with heart failure (HF) frequently exhibit cardiogenic dementia. Using a pre-clinical swine model of post-menopausal HF, we recently demonstrated that experimental menopause (ovariectomy; OVX) and HF (6-month cardiac pressure overload/aortic banding; AB) independently altered cerebral vasomotor control and together impaired cognitive function. The purpose of this study was to examine the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus tissues from these animals to assess whether OVX and HF are associated with neurologic alterations that may contribute to cardiogenic dementia. We hypothesized that OVX and HF would independently alter neuronal cell signaling in swine with post-menopausal cardiogenic dementia. Immunoblot analyses revealed OVX was associated with reduced estrogen receptor-α in both brain regions and HF tended to exacerbate OVX-induced deficits in the hippocampus. Further, OVX was associated with a reduction in the ratio of phosphorylated:total Akt and ERK in the hippocampus as well as decreased total Akt and synaptophysin in the prefrontal cortex. In contrast, HF was associated with a trend toward reduced phosphorylated:total ERK in the prefrontal cortex. In addition, HF was associated with decreased β-amyloid (1-38) in the prefrontal cortex and increased β-amyloid (1-38) in the hippocampus. Regional brain lipid analysis revealed OVX tended to increase total, saturated, and monounsaturated fatty acid content in the prefrontal cortex, with the greatest magnitude of change occurring in the AB-OVX group. The data from this study suggest that OVX and HF are independently associated with regional-specific neurologic changes in the brain that contribute to the cardiogenic dementia profile in this model. This pre-clinical swine model may be a useful tool for better understanding post-menopausal cardiogenic dementia pathology and developing novel therapies.

Akt3-Mediated Protection Against Inflammatory Demyelinating Disease

Akt is a serine/threonine protein kinase that plays a major role in regulating multiple cellular processes. While the isoforms Akt1 and Akt2 are involved in apoptosis and insulin signaling, respectively, the role for Akt3 remains uncertain. Akt3 is predominantly expressed in the brain, and total deletion of Akt3 in mice results in a reduction in brain size and neurodegeneration following injury. Previously, we found that Akt3-/- mice have a significantly worse clinical course during myelin-oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)-induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model in which autoreactive immune cells enter the CNS, resulting in inflammation, demyelination, and axonal injury. Spinal cords of Akt3-/- mice are severely demyelinated and have increased inflammation compared to WT, suggesting a neuroprotective role for Akt3 during EAE. To specifically address the role of Akt3 in neuroinflammation and maintaining neuronal integrity, we used several mouse strains with different manipulations to Akt3. During EAE, Akt3 Nmf350 mice (with enhanced Akt3 kinase activity) had lower clinical scores, a lag in disease onset, a delay in the influx of inflammatory cells into the CNS, and less axonal damage compared to WT mice. A significant increased efficiency of differentiation toward FOXP3 expressing iTregs was also observed in Akt3 Nmf350 mice relative to WT. Mice with a conditional deletion of Akt3 in CD4+ T-cells had an earlier onset of EAE symptoms, increased inflammation in the spinal cord and brain, and had fewer FOXP3+ cells and FOXP3 mRNA expression. No difference in EAE outcome was observed when Akt3 expression was deleted in neurons (Syn1-CKO). These results indicate that Akt3 signaling in T-cells and not neurons is necessary for maintaining CNS integrity during an inflammatory demyelinating disease.

Altered Insulin Signaling in Alzheimer's Disease Brain - Special Emphasis on PI3K-Akt Pathway

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) are both diseases with increasing prevalence in aging populations. T2D, characterized by insulin resistance and defective insulin signaling, is a common co-morbidity and a risk factor for AD, increasing the risk approximately two to fourfold. Insulin exerts a wide variety of effects as a growth factor as well as by regulating glucose, fatty acid, and protein metabolism. Certain lifestyle factors, physical inactivity and typical Western diet (TWD) containing high fat and high sugar are strongly associated with insulin resistance and T2D. The PI3K-Akt signaling pathway is a major mediator of effects of insulin and plays a crucial role in T2D pathogenesis. Decreased levels of phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase (PI3K) subunits as well as blunted Akt kinase phosphorylation have been observed in the AD brain, characterized by amyloid-β and tau pathologies. Furthermore, AD mouse models fed with TWD have shown to display altered levels of PI3K subunits. How impaired insulin-PI3K-Akt signaling in peripheral tissues or in the central nervous system (CNS) affects the development or progression of AD is currently poorly understood. Interestingly, enhancement of PI3K-Akt signaling in the CNS by intranasal insulin (IN) treatment has been shown to improve memory in vivo in mice and in human trials. Insulin is known to augment neuronal growth and synapse formation through the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. However, PI3K-Akt pathway mediates signaling related to different functions also in other cell types, like microglia and astrocytes. In this review, we will discuss the most prominent molecular mechanisms related to the PI3K-Akt pathway in AD and how T2D and altered insulin signaling may affect the pathogenesis of AD.

Adult-Onset Hypothyroidism Alters the Metaplastic Properties of Dentate Granule Cells by Decreasing Akt Phosphorylation

The expression of homosynaptic long-term depression (LTD) governs the subsequent induction of long-term potentiation (LTP) at hippocampal synapses. This process, called metaplasticity, is associated with a transient increase in the levels of several kinases, such as extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and Akt kinase. It has been increasingly realized that the chemical changes in the hippocampus caused by hypothyroidism may be the key underlying causes of the learning deficits, memory loss, and impaired LTP associated with this disease. However, the functional role of thyroid hormones in the "plasticity of synaptic plasticity" has only begun to be elucidated. To address this issue, we sought to determine whether the administration of 6-n-propyl-2-thiouracil (PTU) alters the relationship between priming and the induction of subsequent LTP and related signaling molecules. The activation of ERK1/2, JNK, and Akt was measured in the hippocampus at least 95 min after priming onset. We found that priming stimulation at 5 Hz for 3 s negatively impacted the induction of LTP by subsequent tetanic stimulation in hypothyroid animals, as manifested by a more rapid decrease in the fEPSP slope and population spike amplitude. This phenomenon was accompanied by lower levels of phosphorylated Akt in the surgically removed hippocampus of the hypothyroid rats compared to the euthyroid rats. The metaplastic response and the expression of these proteins in the 1-Hz-primed hippocampus were not different between the two groups. These observations suggest that decreased PI3K/Akt signaling may be involved in the compromised metaplastic regulation of LTP observed in hypothyroidism, which may account for the learning difficulties/cognitive impairments associated with this condition.

Genes in immune pathways associated with abnormal white matter integrity in first-episode and treatment-naïve patients with schizophrenia

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have inferred a strong genetic component in schizophrenia. However, the genetic variants involved in the susceptibility to schizophrenia remain unclear.AimsTo detect potential gene pathways and networks associated with schizophrenia, and to explore the relationship between common and rare variants in these pathways and abnormal white matter integrity in schizophrenia.

METHOD

The analysis included 100 first-episode treatment-naïve patients with schizophrenia and 140 healthy controls. A network-based analysis was carried out on the data collected from the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium Phase I (PGC-I). Based on our genome-wide association study and whole-exome sequencing data-sets, we performed a gene-set analysis to detect associations between the combining effects of common and rare genetic variants and abnormal white matter integrity in schizophrenia.

RESULTS

Patients had significantly reduced functional anisotropy in the left and right anterior cingulate cortex, left and right precuneus and extra-nuclear (t = 4.61-5.10, PFDR < 0.01), compared with controls. Generated from co-expression network analysis of the PGC-1 summary statistics of schizophrenia, a subnetwork of 207 genes associated with schizophrenia was identified (P < 0.01), and 176 genes were co-expressed in four gene modules. Functional enrichment analysis for genes in each module revealed that the yellow module was enriched with highly co-expressed, innate immune response genes. Furthermore, rare variants of enriched genes in the yellow module were associated with reduced functional anisotropy in the left anterior cingulate cortex (P = 0.006; Padjusted = 0.024) in patients only.

CONCLUSIONS

The pathogenesis of schizophrenia may be substantially influenced by genes involved in the immune system, via both pathway and network.Declaration of interestsNone.

EID1 plays a crucial role in proliferation of neural stem cell

EP300-interacting inhibitor of differentiation 1 (Eid1) regulates differentiation, transcription and acetyltransferase activity. But the main function of Eid1 in the brain is still unclear. To better understand this issue, we generated Eid1-knockout (Eid1-KO) mice. We found poorer learning and memory ability, and smaller volume of neonatal telencephalon in Eid1-KO group than wild-type (WT). Bioinformatics implied that Eid1 may directly regulate cell proliferation. We then isolated neural stem cells (NSCs) and discovered a slower proliferation rate in Eid1-KO NSCs. Moreover, based on bioinformatics results, we investigated the expression of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT/GSK3β pathway by Western blotting assay, which showed attenuated in Eid1-KO group. Our data proved the first comprehensive report of Eid1 regulating NSCs proliferation via PI3K/AKT/GSK3β pathway, and provide a foundation for the role of EID1 in the brain.

Neuron-Derived Estrogen Regulates Synaptic Plasticity and Memory

17β-estradiol (E2) is produced from androgens via the action of the enzyme aromatase. E2 is known to be made in neurons in the brain, but its precise functions in the brain are unclear. Here, we used a forebrain-neuron-specific aromatase knock-out (FBN-ARO-KO) mouse model to deplete neuron-derived E2 in the forebrain of mice and thereby elucidate its functions. FBN-ARO-KO mice showed a 70–80% decrease in aromatase and forebrain E2 levels compared with FLOX controls. Male and female FBN-ARO-KO mice exhibited significant deficits in forebrain spine and synaptic density, as well as hippocampal-dependent spatial reference memory, recognition memory, and contextual fear memory, but had normal locomotor function and anxiety levels. Reinstating forebrain E2 levels via exogenous in vivo E2 administration was able to rescue both the molecular and behavioral defects in FBN-ARO-KO mice. Furthermore, in vitro studies using FBN-ARO-KO hippocampal slices revealed that, whereas induction of long-term potentiation (LTP) was normal, the amplitude was significantly decreased. Intriguingly, the LTP defect could be fully rescued by acute E2 treatment in vitro. Mechanistic studies revealed that FBN-ARO-KO mice had compromised rapid kinase (AKT, ERK) and CREB-BDNF signaling in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex. In addition, acute E2 rescue of LTP in hippocampal FBN-ARO-KO slices could be blocked by administration of a MEK/ERK inhibitor, further suggesting a key role for rapid ERK signaling in neuronal E2 effects. In conclusion, the findings provide evidence of a critical role for neuron-derived E2 in regulating synaptic plasticity and cognitive function in the male and female brain.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The steroid hormone 17β-estradiol (E2) is well known to be produced in the ovaries in females. Intriguingly, forebrain neurons also express aromatase, the E2 biosynthetic enzyme, but the precise functions of neuron-derived E2 is unclear. Using a novel forebrain-neuron-specific aromatase knock-out mouse model to deplete neuron-derived E2, the current study provides direct genetic evidence of a critical role for neuron-derived E2 in the regulation of rapid AKT-ERK and CREB-BDNF signaling in the mouse forebrain and demonstrates that neuron-derived E2 is essential for normal expression of LTP, synaptic plasticity, and cognitive function in both the male and female brain. These findings suggest that neuron-derived E2 functions as a novel neuromodulator in the forebrain to control synaptic plasticity and cognitive function.

Akt3 deletion in mice impairs spatial cognition and hippocampal CA1 long long-term potentiation through downregulation of mTOR

AIM

Loss-of-function mutation of Akt3 in humans has been associated with microcephaly and cognitive defects. Two Akt isoforms, Akt1 and Akt3, are highly expressed in hippocampal pyramidal cells. We explored the roles of Akt1 and Akt3, respectively, in spatial cognition and underlying mechanisms.

METHODS

We used Akt1 knockout (Akt1-KO) and Akt3 knockout (Akt3-KO) mice to examine the influence of Akt1 and Akt3 deficiency on spatial memory, as well as induction and maintenance of hippocampal CA1 NMDA receptor-dependent and protein synthesis-dependent long-term potentiation (LTP).

RESULTS

Long-term spatial memory was impaired in Akt3-KO mice, but not in Akt1-KO mice, as assessed by the Morris water maze task. Akt3-KO and Akt1-KO mice displayed reductions in brain size without concurrent changes in the number of pyramidal cells or basal properties of synaptic transmission. One-train high-frequency stimulation (HFS × 1) induced NMDA receptor-dependent LTP in Akt3-KO mice and Akt1-KO mice. Four-train HFS (HFS × 4) induced rapamycin-sensitive long-LTP in Akt1-KO mice, but not Akt3-KO mice. Basal level of mTOR phosphorylation was reduced in Akt3-KO mice rather than Akt1-KO mice. HFS × 4 induced an elevation of mTOR and p70S6K phosphorylation in Akt1-KO mice, which led to enhanced 4EBP2 and eIF4E phosphorylation along with an increase in AMPA receptor protein. However, the same protocol of HFS × 4 failed to trigger the mTOR-p70S6K signalling cascade or increase 4EBP2 and eIF4E phosphorylation in Akt3-KO mice.

CONCLUSION

The Akt3 deficiency via inactivation of mTOR suppresses HFS × 4-induced mTOR-p70S6K signalling to reduce phosphorylation of 4EBP and eIF4E, which impairs protein synthesis-dependent long-LTP and long-term spatial cognitive function.

Acute Physiology and Neurologic Outcomes after Brain Injury in SCOP/PHLPP1 KO Mice

Suprachiasmatic nucleus circadian oscillatory protein (SCOP) (a.k.a. PHLPP1) regulates long-term memory consolidation in the brain. Using a mouse model of controlled cortical impact (CCI) we tested if (1) brain tissue levels of SCOP/PHLPP1 increase after a traumatic brain injury (TBI), and (2) if SCOP/PHLPP1 gene knockout (KO) mice have improved (or worse) neurologic outcomes. Blood chemistry (pH, pCO₂, pO₂, pSO₂, base excess, sodium bicarbonate, and osmolarity) and arterial pressure (MAP) differed in isoflurane anesthetized WT vs. KOs at baseline and up to 1 h post-injury. CCI injury increased cortical/hippocampal SCOP/PHLPP1 levels in WTs 7d and 14d post-injury. Injured KOs had higher brain tissue levels of phosphorylated AKT (pAKT) in cortex (14d post-injury), and higher levels of phosphorylated MEK (pMEK) in hippocampus (7d and 14d post-injury) and in cortex (7d post-injury). Consistent with an important role of SCOP/PHLPP1 on memory function, injured-KOs had near normal performance on the probe trial of the Morris water maze, whereas injured-WTs were impaired. CA1/CA3 hippocampal survival was lower in KOs vs. WTs 24 h post-injury but equivalent by 7d. No difference in 21d cortical lesion volume was detected. SCOP/PHLPP1 overexpression in cultured rat cortical neurons had no effect on 24 h cell death after a mechanical stretch-injury.