Identification of Neurensin-2 as a novel modulator of emotional behavior

A TrkB cleavage fragment in hippocampus promotes Depressive-Like behavior in mice

Decreased hippocampal tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) level is implicated in the pathophysiology of stress-induced mood disorder and cognitive decline. However, how TrkB is modified and mediates behavioral responses to chronic stress remains largely unknown. Here the effects and mechanisms of TrkB cleavage by asparagine endopeptidase (AEP) were examined on a preclinical murine model of chronic restraint stress (CRS)-induced depression. CRS activated IL-1β-C/EBPβ-AEP pathway in mice hippocampus, accompanied by elevated TrkB 1-486 fragment generated by AEP. Specifi.c overexpression or suppression of AEP-TrkB axis in hippocampal CaMKIIα-positive cells aggravated or relieved depressive-like behaviors, respectively. Mechanistically, in addition to facilitating AMPARs internalization, TrkB 1-486 interacted with peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-δ (PPAR-δ) and sequestered it in cytoplasm, repressing PPAR-δ-mediated transactivation and mitochondrial function. Moreover, co-administration of 7,8-dihydroxyflavone and a peptide disrupting the binding of TrkB 1-486 with PPAR-δ attenuated depression-like symptoms not only in CRS animals, but also in Alzheimer's disease and aged mice. These findings reveal a novel role for TrkB cleavage in promoting depressive-like phenotype.

Enhanced TARP-γ8-PSD-95 coupling in excitatory neurons contributes to the rapid antidepressant-like action of ketamine in male mice

Ketamine produces rapid antidepressant effects at sub-anesthetic dosage through early and sustained activation of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptors (AMPARs), however, the exact molecular mechanism still remains unclear. Transmembrane AMPAR regulatory protein-γ8 (TARP-γ8) is identified as one of AMPAR auxiliary subunits, which controls assemblies, surface trafficking and gating of AMPARs. Here, we show that ketamine rescues both depressive-like behaviors and the decreased AMPARs-mediated neurotransmission by recruitment of TARP-γ8 at the postsynaptic sites in the ventral hippocampus of stressed male mice. Furthermore, the rapid antidepressant effects of ketamine are abolished by selective blockade of TARP-γ8-containing AMPAR or uncoupling of TARP-γ8 from PSD-95. Overexpression of TARP-γ8 reverses chronic stress-induced depressive-like behaviors and attenuation of AMPARs-mediated neurotransmission. Conversely, knockdown of TARP-γ8 in excitatory neurons prevents the rapid antidepressant effects of ketamine.

S100A10 and its binding partners in depression and antidepressant actions

S100A10 (p11) is an emerging player in the neurobiology of depression and antidepressant actions. p11 was initially thought to be a modulator of serotonin receptor (5-HTR) trafficking and serotonergic transmission, though newly identified binding partners of p11 and neurobiological studies of these proteins have shed light on multifunctional roles for p11 in the regulation of glutamatergic transmission, calcium signaling and nuclear events related to chromatin remodeling, histone modification, and gene transcription. This review article focuses on direct binding partners of p11 in the brain including 5-HTRs, mGluR5, annexin A2, Ahnak, Smarca3, and Supt6h, as well as their roles in neuronal function, particularly in the context of depressive-like behavior as well as behavioral effects of antidepressant drug treatments in mice. In addition, we discuss neurobiological insights from recently uncovered p11 pathways in multiple types of neurons and non-neuronal cells and cast major remaining questions for future studies.

Sex-specific transcriptomic and epitranscriptomic signatures of PTSD-like fear acquisition

Our understanding of the molecular pathology of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is evolving due to advances in sequencing technologies. With the recent emergence of Oxford Nanopore direct RNA-seq (dRNA-seq), it is now also possible to interrogate diverse RNA modifications, collectively known as the “epitranscriptome.”. Here, we present our analyses of the male and female mouse amygdala transcriptome and epitranscriptome, obtained using parallel Illumina RNA-seq and Oxford Nanopore dRNA-seq, associated with the acquisition of PTSD-like fear induced by Pavlovian cued-fear conditioning. We report significant sex-specific differences in the amygdala transcriptional response during fear acquisition and a range of shared and dimorphic epitranscriptomic signatures. Differential RNA modifications are enriched among mRNA transcripts associated with neurotransmitter regulation and mitochondrial function, many of which have been previously implicated in PTSD. Very few differentially modified transcripts are also differentially expressed, suggesting an influential, expression-independent role for epitranscriptional regulation in PTSD-like fear acquisition.

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PTSD-like trauma has sexually dimorphic effects on the amygdala transcriptome

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Most RNA modifications identified adhere to the known patterns associated with m6A

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There was enrichment of RNA modifications in neurological/PTSD-related genes

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There was little overlap between transcriptomic and epitranscriptomic signatures

Neurons and Astrocytes Elicit Brain Region Specific Transcriptional Responses to Prion Disease in the Murine CA1 and Thalamus

Progressive dysfunction and loss of neurons ultimately culminates in the symptoms and eventual fatality of prion disease, yet the pathways and mechanisms that lead to neuronal degeneration remain elusive. Here, we used RNAseq to profile transcriptional changes in microdissected CA1 and thalamus brain tissues from prion infected mice. Numerous transcripts were altered during clinical disease, whereas very few transcripts were reliably altered at pre-clinical time points. Prion altered transcripts were assigned to broadly defined brain cell types and we noted a strong transcriptional signature that was affiliated with reactive microglia and astrocytes. While very few neuronal transcripts were common between the CA1 and thalamus, we described transcriptional changes in both regions that were related to synaptic dysfunction. Using transcriptional profiling to compare how different neuronal populations respond during prion disease may help decipher mechanisms that lead to neuronal demise and should be investigated with greater detail.

Dysfunction of Glutamatergic Synaptic Transmission in Depression: Focus on AMPA Receptor Trafficking

Pharmacological and anatomical evidence suggests that abnormal glutamatergic neurotransmission may be associated with the pathophysiology of depression. Compounds that act as NMDA receptor antagonists may be a potential treatment for depression, notably the rapid-acting agent ketamine. The rapid-acting and sustained antidepressant effects of ketamine rely on the activation of AMPA receptors (AMPARs). As the key elements of fast excitatory neurotransmission in the brain, AMPARs are crucially involved in synaptic plasticity and memory. Recent efforts have been directed toward investigating the bidirectional dysregulation of AMPAR-mediated synaptic transmission in depression. Here, we summarize the published evidence relevant to the dysfunction of AMPAR in stress conditions and review the recent progress toward the understanding of the involvement of AMPAR trafficking in the pathophysiology of depression, focusing on the roles of AMPAR auxiliary subunits, key AMPAR-interacting proteins, and posttranslational regulation of AMPARs. We also discuss new prospects for the development of improved therapeutics for depression.

Identification of potential Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase-related key genes and regulation networks in molecular subtypes of major depressive disorder

BACKGROUND

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a heterogeneous and prevalent mental disorder associated with increased morbidity, disability, and mortality. However, its underlying mechanisms remain unclear.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All analyses were conducted based on integrated samples from the GEO database. Differential expression analysis, unsupervised consensus clustering analysis, enrichment analysis, and regulation network analysis were performed.

RESULTS

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway was identified as an associated pathway in the development of MDD. From transcriptional signatures, we classified the MDD patients into two subgroups using unsupervised clustering and revealed 13 differential expression genes between subgroups, which indicates the probably relative complications. We further illustrated potential molecular mechanisms of MDD, including dysregulation in the neurotrophin signaling pathway, peptidyl-serine phosphorylation, and endocrine resistance. Moreover, we identified hub genes, including MAPK8, TP53, and HRAS in the maintenance of MDD. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the axis of miRNAs-TFs-HRAS/TP53/MAPK8 may play a critical role in MDD.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, we demonstrated an overview of MAPK-related key genes in MDD, determined two molecular subtypes, and identified the key genes and core network that may contribute to the procession of MDD.

Activation of the p11/SMARCA3/Neurensin-2 pathway in parvalbumin interneurons mediates the response to chronic antidepressants

The delayed behavioral response to chronic antidepressants depends on dynamic changes in the hippocampus. It was suggested that the antidepressant protein p11 and the chromatin remodeling factor SMARCA3 mediate this delayed response by inducing transcriptional changes in hippocampal neurons. However, what target genes are regulated by the p11/SMARCA3 complex to mediate the behavioral response to antidepressants, and what cell type mediates these molecular changes remain unknown. Here we report that the p11/SMARCA3 complex represses Neurensin-2 transcription in hippocampal parvalbumin-expressing interneurons after chronic treatment with Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI). The behavioral response to antidepressants requires upregulation of p11, accumulation of SMARCA3 in the cell nucleus, and a consequent repression of Neurensin-2 transcription in these interneurons. We elucidate a functional role for p11/SMARCA3/Neurensin-2 pathway in regulating AMPA-receptor signaling in parvalbumin-expressing interneurons, a function that is enhanced by chronic treatment with SSRIs. These results link SSRIs to dynamic glutamatergic changes and implicate p11/SMARCA3/Neurensin-2 pathway in the development of more specific and efficient therapeutic strategies for neuropsychiatric disorders.