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Maaliki D, Jaffa AA, Nasser S, Sahebkar A, Eid AH. Adrenoceptor Desensitization: Current Understanding of Mechanisms. Pharmacol Rev 2024; 76:358-387. [PMID: 38697858 DOI: 10.1124/pharmrev.123.000831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) transduce a wide range of extracellular signals. They are key players in the majority of biologic functions including vision, olfaction, chemotaxis, and immunity. However, as essential as most of them are to body function and homeostasis, overactivation of GPCRs has been implicated in many pathologic diseases such as cancer, asthma, and heart failure (HF). Therefore, an important feature of G protein signaling systems is the ability to control GPCR responsiveness, and one key process to control overstimulation involves initiating receptor desensitization. A number of steps are appreciated in the desensitization process, including cell surface receptor phosphorylation, internalization, and downregulation. Rapid or short-term desensitization occurs within minutes and involves receptor phosphorylation via the action of intracellular protein kinases, the binding of β-arrestins, and the consequent uncoupling of GPCRs from their cognate heterotrimeric G proteins. On the other hand, long-term desensitization occurs over hours to days and involves receptor downregulation or a decrease in cell surface receptor protein level. Of the proteins involved in this biologic phenomenon, β-arrestins play a particularly significant role in both short- and long-term desensitization mechanisms. In addition, β-arrestins are involved in the phenomenon of biased agonism, where the biased ligand preferentially activates one of several downstream signaling pathways, leading to altered cellular responses. In this context, this review discusses the different patterns of desensitization of the α 1-, α 2- and the β adrenoceptors and highlights the role of β-arrestins in regulating physiologic responsiveness through desensitization and biased agonism. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: A sophisticated network of proteins orchestrates the molecular regulation of GPCR activity. Adrenoceptors are GPCRs that play vast roles in many physiological processes. Without tightly controlled desensitization of these receptors, homeostatic imbalance may ensue, thus precipitating various diseases. Here, we critically appraise the mechanisms implicated in adrenoceptor desensitization. A better understanding of these mechanisms helps identify new druggable targets within the GPCR desensitization machinery and opens exciting therapeutic fronts in the treatment of several pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dina Maaliki
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon (D.M.); School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina (A.A.J.); Keele University, Staffordshire, United Kingdom (S.N.); Applied Biomedical Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran (A.S.); Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran (A.S.); and Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar (A.H.E.)
| | - Aneese A Jaffa
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon (D.M.); School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina (A.A.J.); Keele University, Staffordshire, United Kingdom (S.N.); Applied Biomedical Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran (A.S.); Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran (A.S.); and Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar (A.H.E.)
| | - Suzanne Nasser
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon (D.M.); School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina (A.A.J.); Keele University, Staffordshire, United Kingdom (S.N.); Applied Biomedical Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran (A.S.); Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran (A.S.); and Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar (A.H.E.)
| | - Amirhossein Sahebkar
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon (D.M.); School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina (A.A.J.); Keele University, Staffordshire, United Kingdom (S.N.); Applied Biomedical Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran (A.S.); Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran (A.S.); and Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar (A.H.E.)
| | - Ali H Eid
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon (D.M.); School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina (A.A.J.); Keele University, Staffordshire, United Kingdom (S.N.); Applied Biomedical Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran (A.S.); Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran (A.S.); and Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar (A.H.E.)
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Plans L, Barrot C, Nieto E, Rios J, Schulze TG, Papiol S, Mitjans M, Vieta E, Benabarre A. Association between completed suicide and bipolar disorder: A systematic review of the literature. J Affect Disord 2019; 242:111-122. [PMID: 30173059 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2018.08.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 139] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2018] [Revised: 07/25/2018] [Accepted: 08/12/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Completed suicide is a major cause of death in bipolar disorder (BD) patients. OBJECTIVE The aim of this paper is to provide an overall review of the existing literature of completed suicide in BD patients, including clinical and genetic data DATA SOURCES: We performed a systematic review of English and non-English articles published on MEDLINE/PubMed, PsycInfo and Cochrane database (1970-2017). Additional studies were identified by contacting clinical experts, searching bibliographies, major textbooks and website of World Health Organization. Initially we did a broad search for the association of bipolar disorder and suicide and we were narrowing the search in terms included "bipolar disorder" and "completed suicide". STUDY SELECTION Inclusion criteria were articles about completed suicide in patients with BD. Articles exclusively focusing on suicide attempts and suicidal behaviour have been excluded. We used PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses) consensus for drafting this systematic review. RESULTS The initial search generated 2806 articles and a total of 61 meeting our inclusion criteria. We reviewed epidemiological data, genetic factors, risk factors and treatment of completed suicide in BD. Suicide rates in BD vary between studies but our analyses show that they are approximately 20-30-fold greater than in general population. The highest risk of successful suicide was observed in BD-II subjects. The heritability of completed suicide is about 40% and some genes related to major neurotransmitter systems have been associated with suicide. Lithium is the only treatment that has shown anti-suicide potential. LIMITATIONS The most important limitation of the present review is the limited existing literature on completed suicide in BD. CONCLUSIONS BD patients are at high risk for suicide. It is possible to identify some factors related to completed suicide, such as early onset, family history of suicide among first-degree relatives, previous attempted suicides, comorbidities and treatment. However it is necessary to promote research on this serious health problem.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Plans
- Mental Health Division of Althaia, Xarxa Assistencial Universitària de Manresa, Catalonia, Spain
| | - C Barrot
- Forensic Genetic Laboratori, University of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - E Nieto
- Mental Health Division of Althaia, Xarxa Assistencial Universitària de Manresa, Catalonia, Spain
| | - J Rios
- Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Laboratório de Bioestatística e Epidemiologia, Barcelona, Spain; Hospital Clínic, IDIBAPS, Bioestadística y Plataforma de Gestión de Datos, Barcelona, Spain
| | - T G Schulze
- Institute of Psychiatric Phenomics and Genomics (IPPG), University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany
| | - S Papiol
- Institute of Psychiatric Phenomics and Genomics (IPPG), University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany
| | - M Mitjans
- Clinical Neuroscience, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany
| | - E Vieta
- Bipolar Disorder Program, Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, IDIBAPS, CIBERSAM, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
| | - A Benabarre
- Bipolar Disorder Program, Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, IDIBAPS, CIBERSAM, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
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Rivero G, Martín-Guerrero I, de Prado E, Gabilondo AM, Callado LF, García-Sevilla JA, García-Orad Á, Meana JJ. Alpha2C-adrenoceptor Del322-325 polymorphism and risk of psychiatric disorders: significant association with opiate abuse and dependence. World J Biol Psychiatry 2016; 17:308-15. [PMID: 27007576 DOI: 10.3109/15622975.2016.1142608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Objectives α2C-adrenoceptors (α2C-AR) are involved in behavioural responses relevant to psychiatric disorders and suicide completion. The genetic polymorphism α2CDel322-325-AR confers a loss-of-function phenotype. Functional human studies have associated α2CDel322-325-AR polymorphism with major depression pathophysiology. The aim of this study was to analyse, for the first time, the association of α2CDel322-325-AR polymorphism with suicide completion and with related psychiatric disorders: major depression, schizophrenia, opiate and alcohol abuse and dependence. Methods Post-mortem brain DNA was extracted (n = 516) and genotyping performed by HaeIII restriction endonuclease digestion of PCR products and DNA fragment analysis on capillary sequencer. Amplified products were sequenced to confirm the presence of the polymorphism. Results The frequency of α2CDel322-325-AR in suicide (9%, n = 236) and non-suicide victims (11%, n = 280) was similar. Genotype frequencies for the α2CDel322-325-AR polymorphism in depressed (15%, n = 39) and schizophrenic subjects (18%, n = 39) were higher than in controls (7%, n = 187), but these differences did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.125 and P = 0.063, respectively). A selective and significant association of α2CDel322-325-AR polymorphism with opiate abuse and dependence was found (23%, n = 35, P = 0.011). Conclusions Our results indicate that α2CDel322-325-AR may play a role in the pathophysiology of opiate abuse and dependence and raise the interest for larger genetic associative studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guadalupe Rivero
- a Department of Pharmacology , University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM) , Spain ;,c BioCruces Health Research Institute , Spain
| | - Idoia Martín-Guerrero
- b Department of Genetics, Physical Anthropology and Animal Physiology , University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) , Spain ;,c BioCruces Health Research Institute , Spain
| | - Elena de Prado
- b Department of Genetics, Physical Anthropology and Animal Physiology , University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) , Spain ;,c BioCruces Health Research Institute , Spain
| | - Ane M Gabilondo
- a Department of Pharmacology , University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM) , Spain ;,c BioCruces Health Research Institute , Spain
| | - Luis F Callado
- a Department of Pharmacology , University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM) , Spain ;,c BioCruces Health Research Institute , Spain
| | - Jesús A García-Sevilla
- d Laboratory of Neuropharmacology , IUNICS-IdISPa, University of the Balearic Islands (UIB), and Redes Temáticas de Investigación Cooperativa en Salud-Red de Trastornos Adictivos (RETICS-RTA) , Spain
| | - África García-Orad
- b Department of Genetics, Physical Anthropology and Animal Physiology , University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) , Spain ;,c BioCruces Health Research Institute , Spain
| | - J Javier Meana
- a Department of Pharmacology , University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM) , Spain ;,c BioCruces Health Research Institute , Spain
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Mirkovic B, Laurent C, Podlipski MA, Frebourg T, Cohen D, Gerardin P. Genetic Association Studies of Suicidal Behavior: A Review of the Past 10 Years, Progress, Limitations, and Future Directions. Front Psychiatry 2016; 7:158. [PMID: 27721799 PMCID: PMC5034008 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2016.00158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2016] [Accepted: 08/31/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Suicidal behaviors (SBs), which range from suicidal ideation to suicide attempts and completed suicide, represent a fatal dimension of mental ill-health. The involvement of genetic risk factors in SB is supported by family, twin, and adoption studies. The aim of this paper is to review recent genetic association studies in SBs including (i) case-control studies, (ii) family-based association studies, and (iii) genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Various studies on genetic associations have tended to suggest that a number of genes [e.g., tryptophan hydroxylase, serotonin receptors and transporters, or brain-derived neurotrophic factors (BDNFs)] are linked to SBs, but these findings are not consistently supported by the results obtained. Although the candidate-gene approach is useful, it is hampered by the present state of knowledge concerning the pathophysiology of diseases. Interpretations of GWAS results are mostly hindered by a lack of annotation describing the functions of most variation throughout the genome. Association studies have addressed a wide range of single-nucleotide polymorphisms in numerous genes. We have included 104 such studies, of which 10 are family-based association studies and 11 are GWAS. Numerous meta-analyses of case-control studies have shown significant associations of SB with variants in the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTT or SLC6A4) and the tryptophan hydroxylase 1 gene (TPH1), but others report contradictory results. The gene encoding BDNF and its receptor (NTRK2) are also promising candidates. Only two of the GWAS showed any significant associations. Several pathways are mentioned in an attempt to understand the lack of reproducibility and the disappointing results. Consequently, we review and discuss here the following aspects: (i) sample characteristics and confounding factors; (ii) statistical limits; (iii) gene-gene interactions; (iv) gene, environment, and by time interactions; and (v) technological and theoretical limits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bojan Mirkovic
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, CHU Charles Nicolle, Rouen, France; INSERM Unit U1079, Genetics of Cancer and Neurogenetics, University of Rouen, Rouen, France; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Claudine Laurent
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France; ICM - Brain and Spine Institute, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière - University Pierre and Marie Curie, Paris, France
| | | | - Thierry Frebourg
- INSERM Unit U1079, Genetics of Cancer and Neurogenetics, University of Rouen, Rouen, France; Department of Genetics, CHU Charles Nicolle, Rouen, France
| | - David Cohen
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France; UMR 7222, Institute for Intelligent Systems and Robotics, University Pierre and Marie Curie, Paris, France
| | - Priscille Gerardin
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, CHU Charles Nicolle, Rouen, France; Laboratoire Psy-NCA-EA-4700, University of Rouen, Rouen, France
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Sokolowski M, Wasserman J, Wasserman D. An overview of the neurobiology of suicidal behaviors as one meta-system. Mol Psychiatry 2015; 20:56-71. [PMID: 25178164 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2014.101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2014] [Revised: 06/19/2014] [Accepted: 07/22/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Suicidal behaviors (SB) may be regarded as the outmost consequence of mental illnesses, or as a distinct entity per se. Regardless, the consequences of SB are very large to both society and affected individuals. The path leading to SB is clearly a complex one involving interactions between the subject's biology and environmental influences throughout life. With the aim to generate a representative and diversified overview of the different neurobiological components hypothesized or shown implicated across the entire SB field up to date by any approach, we selected and compiled a list of 212 gene symbols from the literature. An increasing number of novel gene (products) have been introduced as candidates, with half being implicated in SB in only the last 4 years. These candidates represent different neuro systems and functions and might therefore be regarded as competing or redundant explanations. We then adopted a unifying approach by treating them all as parts of the same meta-system, using bioinformatic tools. We present a network of all components connected by physical protein-protein interactions (the SB interactome). We proceeded by exploring the differences between the highly connected core (~30% of the candidate genes) and its peripheral parts, observing more functional homogeneity at the core, with multiple signal transduction pathways and actin-interacting proteins connecting a subset of receptors in nerve cell compartments as well as development/morphology phenotypes and the stress-sensitive synaptic plasticity processes of long term potentiation/depression. We suggest that SB neurobiology might also be viewed as one meta-system and perhaps be explained as intrinsic unbalances acting within the core or as imbalances arising between core and specific peripheral components.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Sokolowski
- National Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention of Mental Ill-Health (NASP), Karolinska Institute (KI), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - J Wasserman
- National Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention of Mental Ill-Health (NASP), Karolinska Institute (KI), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - D Wasserman
- 1] National Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention of Mental Ill-Health (NASP), Karolinska Institute (KI), Stockholm, Sweden [2] WHO Collaborating Centre for Research, Methods Development and Training in Suicide Prevention, Stockholm, Sweden
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Furczyk K, Schutová B, Michel TM, Thome J, Büttner A. The neurobiology of suicide - A Review of post-mortem studies. J Mol Psychiatry 2013; 1:2. [PMID: 25408895 PMCID: PMC4223890 DOI: 10.1186/2049-9256-1-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2012] [Accepted: 02/15/2013] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The neurobiology of suicidal behaviour, which constitutes one of the most serious problems both in psychiatry and general medical practice, still remains to a large degree unclear. As a result, scientists constantly look for new opportunities of explaining the causes underlying suicidality. In order to elucidate the biological changes occurring in the brains of the suicide victims, studies based on post-mortem brain tissue samples are increasingly being used. These studies employ different research methods to provide an insight into abnormalities in brain functioning on various levels, including gene and protein expression, neuroplasticity and neurotransmission, as well as many other areas. The aim of this paper to summarize the available data on the post-mortem studies, to provide an overview of main research directions and the most up-to-date findings, and to indicate the possibilities of further research in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Furczyk
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Rostock, Gehlsheimerstrasse 20, 18147 Rostock, Germany
| | - Barbora Schutová
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Rostock, Gehlsheimerstrasse 20, 18147 Rostock, Germany
| | - Tanja M Michel
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Rostock, Gehlsheimerstrasse 20, 18147 Rostock, Germany
| | - Johannes Thome
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Rostock, Gehlsheimerstrasse 20, 18147 Rostock, Germany ; College of Medicine, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea, SA2 PP UK
| | - Andreas Büttner
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Rostock, St.-Georg-Strasse 108, 18055 Rostock, Germany
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Cottingham C, Chen H, Chen Y, Peng Y, Wang Q. Genetic variations of α(2)-adrenergic receptors illuminate the diversity of receptor functions. CURRENT TOPICS IN MEMBRANES 2011; 67:161-90. [PMID: 21771490 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-384921-2.00008-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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Valdizán EM, Díez-Alarcia R, González-Maeso J, Pilar-Cuéllar F, García-Sevilla JA, Meana JJ, Pazos A. α₂-Adrenoceptor functionality in postmortem frontal cortex of depressed suicide victims. Biol Psychiatry 2010; 68:869-72. [PMID: 20864091 PMCID: PMC3562997 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2010.07.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2010] [Revised: 07/14/2010] [Accepted: 07/16/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alterations in brain density and signaling associated with monoamine receptors are believed to play a role in depressive disorders. This study evaluates the functional status of α₂(A)-adrenoceptors in postmortem frontal cortex of depressed subjects. METHODS G-protein activation and inhibition of adenylyl cyclase (AC) activity induced by the α₂-adrenoceptor agonist UK14304 were measured in triplicate in samples from 15 suicide victims with an antemortem diagnosis of major depression and 15 matched control subjects. RESULTS Basal [³⁵S] guanosine γ thio-phosphate (GTPγS) binding and cyclic adenosine monophosphate accumulation did not differ between groups. In depressed victims, an increase in [³⁵S] GTPγS binding potency (EC₅₀ = .58 μmol/L vs. EC₅₀ = 3.31 μmol/L; p < .01; depressed vs. control) and a significant reduction in the maximal inhibition of AC activity (I(max) = 27 ± 4% vs. I(max) = 47 ± 5%; p < .01) were observed after incubation with the α(2)-adrenoceptor agonist UK14304. No differences were found between antidepressant-free and antidepressant-treated subjects. A significant relationship between EC₅₀ values for [³⁵S] GTPγS and I(max) values for AC assay was found (n = 30; r = -.43; p < .05). CONCLUSIONS The dual regulation of α(2A)-adrenoceptor signaling pathways raises the possibility that factors affecting the G-protein cycle and/or selective access of Gα(i/o)-protein to AC might be relevant to receptor abnormalities in depression, providing further support for the involvement of α₂(A)-adrenoceptors in the pathogenesis of depression.
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Fukutake M, Hishimoto A, Nishiguchi N, Nushida H, Ueno Y, Shirakawa O, Maeda K. Association of alpha2A-adrenergic receptor gene polymorphism with susceptibility to suicide in Japanese females. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2008; 32:1428-33. [PMID: 18547701 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2008.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2007] [Revised: 01/31/2008] [Accepted: 02/08/2008] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES It has been suggested that noradrenergic system abnormalities are involved in suicide. Postmortem brain studies have shown that molecular and functional alterations in alpha2A-adrenergic receptor-induced signal transduction are associated with suicide and depression. Recently, a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) within a coding region of the alpha2A-adrenergic receptor gene (ADRA2A), which results in an Asn-to-Lys change at amino acid 251 (N251K), has been implicated in susceptibility to suicide in Caucasians. The aim of our study is to determine whether genetic variants of the ADRA2A gene are also associated with suicide in a Japanese population. METHODS Three SNPs, C-1291G, N251K and rs3750625C/A, and one insertion/deletion polymorphism in the ADRA2A gene were genotyped in 184 completed suicides and 221 control subjects with the polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. RESULTS Neither variation of the N251K SNP nor the insertion/deletion polymorphism was found in our Japanese samples. The C-1291G SNP in the promoter region was found to be significantly associated with suicide in females (P=0.043 and 0.013 for genotypic and allelic comparisons, respectively). One of the common haplotypes, CC of C-1291G and rs3750625C/A, was also associated with suicide in females (P=0.015). These associations were also significant in the female violent suicide victims (P=0.009 and 0.009 for allelic and CC haplotypic comparisons, respectively). Although the significance was nominal, it was maintained even after correction for multiple comparisons. By contrast, neither of these two SNPs showed any association with violent and/or non-violent suicide in males. CONCLUSION Our results raise the possibility that promoter genetic variation in the ADRA2A gene is associated with either suicide or violent suicide in females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaaki Fukutake
- Department of Psychiatry, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 7-5-1 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-Ku, Kobe, 650-0017, Japan.
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Abstract
Suicidal behavior is partly heritable. Studies seeking the responsible candidate genes have examined genes involved in neurotransmitter systems shown to have altered function in suicide and attempted suicide. These neurotransmitter systems include the serotonergic, noradrenergic, and dopaminergic systems and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. With some exceptions, most notably the serotonin transporter gene promoter polymorphism (HTTLPR), replication of candidate gene association studies findings has been difficult. This article reviews current knowledge of specific gene effects and gene-environment interactions that influence risk for suicidal behavior. Effects of childhood stress on development and how it influences adult responses to current stress are shown to be relevant for mood disorders, aggressive/impulsive traits, and suicidal behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dianne Currier
- Division of Molecular Imaging and Neuropathology, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, 1051 Riverside Drive, NYSPI Unit #42, New York, NY 10032, USA.
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Catapano LA, Manji HK. G protein-coupled receptors in major psychiatric disorders. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA 2007; 1768:976-93. [PMID: 17078926 PMCID: PMC2366056 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2006.09.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2006] [Accepted: 09/28/2006] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Although the molecular mechanisms underlying psychiatric illnesses such as depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia remain incompletely understood, there is increasing clinical, pharmacologic, and genetic evidence that G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) play critical roles in these disorders and their treatments. This perspectives paper reviews and synthesizes the available data. Dysfunction of multiple neurotransmitter and neuropeptide GPCRs in frontal cortex and limbic-related regions, such as the hippocampus, hypothalamus and brainstem, likely underlies the complex clinical picture that includes cognitive, perceptual, affective and motoric symptoms. The future development of novel agents targeting GPCR signaling cascades remains an exciting prospect for patients refractory to existing therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa A Catapano
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathophysiology, Mood and Anxiety Disorders Program, National Institute of Mental Health, NIH, HHS, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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