1
|
Florido A, Velasco ER, Soto-Faguás CM, Gomez-Gomez A, Perez-Caballero L, Molina P, Nadal R, Pozo OJ, Saura CA, Andero R. Sex differences in fear memory consolidation via Tac2 signaling in mice. Nat Commun 2021; 12:2496. [PMID: 33941789 PMCID: PMC8093426 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-22911-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Memory formation is key for brain functioning. Uncovering the memory mechanisms is helping us to better understand neural processes in health and disease. Moreover, more specific treatments for fear-related disorders such as posttraumatic stress disorder and phobias may help to decrease their negative impact on mental health. In this line, the Tachykinin 2 (Tac2) pathway in the central amygdala (CeA) has been shown to be sufficient and necessary for the modulation of fear memory consolidation. CeA-Tac2 antagonism and its pharmacogenetic temporal inhibition impair fear memory in male mice. Surprisingly, we demonstrate here the opposite effect of Tac2 blockade on enhancing fear memory consolidation in females. Furthermore, we show that CeA-testosterone in males, CeA-estradiol in females and Akt/GSK3β/β-Catenin signaling both mediate the opposite-sex differential Tac2 pathway regulation of fear memory.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Florido
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
- Departament de Psicobiologia i de Metodologia de les Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
| | - E R Velasco
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
| | - C M Soto-Faguás
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
- Department de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - A Gomez-Gomez
- Integrative Pharmacology and Systems Neuroscience Research Group, Neurosciences Research Program, IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute), Barcelona, Spain
| | - L Perez-Caballero
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
- Departament de Psicobiologia i de Metodologia de les Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
| | - P Molina
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
- Unitat de Fisiologia Animal, Departament de Biologia Cel·lular, Fisiologia i Immunologia. Facultat de Biociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
| | - R Nadal
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
- Departament de Psicobiologia i de Metodologia de les Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica En Red en Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Unitat de Neurociència Traslacional, Parc Taulí Hospital Universitari, Institut d'Investigació i Innovació Parc Taulí (I3PT), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
| | - O J Pozo
- Integrative Pharmacology and Systems Neuroscience Research Group, Neurosciences Research Program, IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute), Barcelona, Spain
| | - C A Saura
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
- Department de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - R Andero
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain.
- Departament de Psicobiologia i de Metodologia de les Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica En Red en Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
- Unitat de Neurociència Traslacional, Parc Taulí Hospital Universitari, Institut d'Investigació i Innovació Parc Taulí (I3PT), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain.
- ICREA, Pg. Lluís Companys 23, Barcelona, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Pan D, Wang K, Cao G, Fan K, Liu H, Li P, Li H, Chenguang D. Inhibitory effect of central ghrelin on steroid synthesis affecting reproductive health in female mice. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2020; 204:105750. [PMID: 32920127 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2020.105750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2020] [Revised: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Ghrelin is a 28-amino acid peptide hormone that regulates ovarian steroid hormone synthesis; however, there is limited evidence regarding the regulation of this pathway by ghrelin in mice ovary. Thus, we aimed to investigate whether central ghrelin action plays a role in murine reproductive health by inhibiting steroid synthesis. Further, we sought to examine the mechanism of central ghrelin action in ovarian steroid hormone synthesis. After the administration of intracerebroventricular ghrelin (1 nmol), we found reduced serum concentrations of oestradiol and progesterone and reduced secretion of follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinising hormone. Although ghrelin reduced 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase mRNA and protein levels in the hypothalamus, it did not affect the expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein and cytochrome P450 17A1. In the ovary, central ghrelin regulation indirectly inhibited the mRNA and protein levels of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, cytochrome P450 17A1, and 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. Moreover, no changes were observed in the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen and phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase. We hypothesised that central ghrelin regulation suppressed serum oestradiol and progesterone levels by indirectly inhibiting the expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, cytochrome P450 17A1, and 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in the ovary. In this regulation, the suppressed secretion of the follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinising hormone in the pituitary by ghrelin could be involved. Furthermore, hypothalamic 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase expression is reduced by ghrelin injection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Deng Pan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, 010018, China; Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Basic Veterinary Science, Hohhot, 010018, China
| | - Kun Wang
- Institute of Grain and Oil Crops, Hebei Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, Shijiazhuang, 050000, China
| | - Guifang Cao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, 010018, China; Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Basic Veterinary Science, Hohhot, 010018, China
| | - Kuikui Fan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, 010018, China; Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Basic Veterinary Science, Hohhot, 010018, China
| | - Haodong Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, 010018, China; Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Basic Veterinary Science, Hohhot, 010018, China
| | - Penghui Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, 010018, China; Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Basic Veterinary Science, Hohhot, 010018, China
| | - Haijun Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, 010018, China; Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Basic Veterinary Science, Hohhot, 010018, China
| | - Du Chenguang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, 010018, China; Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Basic Veterinary Science, Hohhot, 010018, China; Vocational and Technical College, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Baotou, 014109, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Wang K, Mao W, Zhang X, Zhao Y, Fan K, Pan D, Liu H, Li P, Hai R, Du C. Neuroanatomy of melanocortin-4 receptor pathway in the mouse brain. Open Life Sci 2020; 15:580-587. [PMID: 33817246 PMCID: PMC7874588 DOI: 10.1515/biol-2020-0063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Revised: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Melanocortin-4 receptors (MC4Rs) are key regulators of energy homeostasis and adipose deposition in the central nervous system. Considering that MC4R expression regions and function-related research mainly focus on the paraventricular nucleus (PVN), little is known about their distribution throughout the mouse brain, although its messenger RNA distribution has been analyzed in the rat. Therefore, MC4R protein localization in mouse neurons was the focus of this study. Methods MC4R protein distribution was assessed in mice through immunofluorescence and Western blotting. Results MC4R was differentially expressed throughout the arcuate nucleus (ARC), nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS), raphe pallidus (RPa), medial cerebellar nucleus, intermediolateral nucleus, and brainstem. The highest MC4R protein levels were found in the ARC and ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus, while they were significantly lower in the parabrachial nucleus and NTS. The lowest MC4R protein levels were found in the PVN; there was no difference in the protein levels between the area postrema and RPa. Conclusions These data provide a basic characterization of MC4R-expressing neurons and protein distribution in the mouse brain and may aid further research on its role in energy homeostasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kun Wang
- Institute of Cereal and Oil Crops, Hebei Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Shijiazhuang 050000, China
| | - Wei Mao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China
| | - Xiaoyu Zhang
- Vocational and Technical College, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Baotou 014109, China
| | - Yufei Zhao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China.,Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Basic Veterinary Science, Hohhot 010018, China
| | - Kuikui Fan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China.,Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Basic Veterinary Science, Hohhot 010018, China
| | - Deng Pan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China.,Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Basic Veterinary Science, Hohhot 010018, China
| | - Haodong Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China.,Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Basic Veterinary Science, Hohhot 010018, China
| | - Penghui Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China.,Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Basic Veterinary Science, Hohhot 010018, China
| | - Rihan Hai
- Vocational and Technical College, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Baotou 014109, China
| | - Chenguang Du
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China.,Vocational and Technical College, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Baotou 014109, China.,Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Basic Veterinary Science, Hohhot 010018, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Fan K, Li Q, Pan D, Liu H, Li P, Hai R, Du C. Effects of amylin on food intake and body weight via sympathetic innervation of the interscapular brown adipose tissue. Nutr Neurosci 2020; 25:343-355. [PMID: 32338170 DOI: 10.1080/1028415x.2020.1752998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Objective: Amylin acts on the lateral dorsal tegmental nucleus (LDT), resulting in anorexic and weight-loss effects and activates thermogenesis in the interscapular brown adipose tissue (IBAT). In addition, it induces neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT)-mediated feeding. However, the influence of the intact sympathetic nervous system (SNS) in mediating amylin's effects has not been fully characterised. We investigated whether extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), nNOS, and ChAT activities in the LDT are responsible for amylin's anorexigenic effects and whether this requires an intact SNS.Methods: C57BL/6J mice [wild-type (WT), sham, and sympathetic denervation of IBAT] were used. Food consumption, body weight, and distribution of pERK, nNOS, and ChAT positive neurons in the brain were examined following acute and chronic amylin administration.Results: Food intake was significantly decreased in WT and sham animals following acute amylin injection, but not in the denervated mice. Chronic amylin reduced body weight and serum glucose levels after 6 weeks, but increased insulin levels; no changes were observed in the denervated mice. Acute amylin increased the expression of nNOS, ChAT, and uncoupling protein-1 in the IBAT of WT and sham mice, while no changes were observed in the denervated mice and pERK from the above effect.Conclusions: Intact SNS of IBAT influences amylin-induced suppression of food intake and body weight, thus affecting nNOS and ChAT signalling in the LDT and locus coeruleus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kuikui Fan
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Basic Veterinary Science, Hohhot, People's Republic of China.,College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiang Li
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Basic Veterinary Science, Hohhot, People's Republic of China.,College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, People's Republic of China
| | - Deng Pan
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Basic Veterinary Science, Hohhot, People's Republic of China.,College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, People's Republic of China
| | - Haodong Liu
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Basic Veterinary Science, Hohhot, People's Republic of China.,College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, People's Republic of China
| | - Penghui Li
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Basic Veterinary Science, Hohhot, People's Republic of China.,College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, People's Republic of China
| | - Rihan Hai
- Vocational and Technical College, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Baotou, People's Republic of China
| | - Chenguang Du
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Basic Veterinary Science, Hohhot, People's Republic of China.,College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, People's Republic of China.,Vocational and Technical College, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Baotou, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|