1
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Liu D, Liang M, Zhu L, Zhou TT, Wang Y, Wang R, Wu FF, Goh ELK, Chen T. Potential Ago2/miR-3068-5p Cascades in the Nucleus Accumbens Contribute to Methamphetamine-Induced Locomotor Sensitization of Mice. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:708034. [PMID: 34483916 PMCID: PMC8414410 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.708034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Dysregulation of microRNA (miRNA) biogenesis is involved in drug addiction. Argonaute2 (Ago2), a specific splicing protein involved in the generation of miRNA, was found to be dysregulated in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) of methamphetamine (METH)-sensitized mice in our previous study. Here, we determined whether Ago2 in the NAc regulates METH sensitization in mice and identified Ago2-dependent miRNAs involved in this process. We found a gradual reduction in Ago2 expression in the NAc following repeated METH use. METH-induced hyperlocomotor activity in mice was strengthened by knocking down NAc neuronal levels of Ago2 but reduced by overexpressing Ago2 in NAc neurons. Surprisingly, miR-3068-5p was upregulated following overexpression of Ago2 and downregulated by silencing Ago2 in the NAc. Knocking down miR-3068-5p, serving as an Ago2-dependent miRNA, strengthened the METH sensitization responses in mice. These findings demonstrated that dysregulated Ago2 in neurons in the NAc is capable of regulating METH sensitization and suggested a potential role of Ago2-dependent miR-3068-5p in METH sensitization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Liu
- College of Forensic Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China.,The Key Laboratory of Health Ministry for Forensic Science, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Min Liang
- College of Forensic Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China.,The Key Laboratory of Health Ministry for Forensic Science, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Li Zhu
- College of Forensic Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China.,The Key Laboratory of Health Ministry for Forensic Science, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Ting-Ting Zhou
- College of Forensic Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China.,The Key Laboratory of Health Ministry for Forensic Science, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yu Wang
- College of Forensic Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China.,The Key Laboratory of Health Ministry for Forensic Science, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Rui Wang
- College of Forensic Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China.,The Key Laboratory of Health Ministry for Forensic Science, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Fei-Fei Wu
- College of Forensic Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China.,The Key Laboratory of Health Ministry for Forensic Science, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Eyleen L K Goh
- Department of Research, National Neuroscience Institute, Singapore, Singapore.,Neuroscience and Mental Health Faculty, Lee Kong China School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Teng Chen
- College of Forensic Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China.,The Key Laboratory of Health Ministry for Forensic Science, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
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2
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Greening DW, Notaras M, Chen M, Xu R, Smith JD, Cheng L, Simpson RJ, Hill AF, van den Buuse M. Chronic methamphetamine interacts with BDNF Val66Met to remodel psychosis pathways in the mesocorticolimbic proteome. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:4431-4447. [PMID: 31822818 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-019-0617-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2018] [Revised: 11/17/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Methamphetamine (Meth) abuse has reached epidemic proportions in many countries and can induce psychotic episodes mimicking the clinical profile of schizophrenia. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is implicated in both Meth effects and schizophrenia. We therefore studied the long-term effects of chronic Meth exposure in transgenic mice engineered to harbor the human BDNFVal66Met polymorphism expressed via endogenous mouse promoters. These mice were chronically treated with an escalating Meth regime during late adolescence. At least 4 weeks later, all hBDNFVal66Met Meth-treated mice exhibited sensitization confirming persistent behavioral effects of Meth. We used high-resolution quantitative mass spectrometry-based proteomics to biochemically map the long-term effects of Meth within the brain, resulting in the unbiased detection of 4808 proteins across the mesocorticolimbic circuitry. Meth differentially altered dopamine signaling markers (e.g., Dat, Comt, and Th) between hBDNFVal/Val and hBDNFMet/Met mice, implicating involvement of BDNF in Meth-induced reprogramming of the mesolimbic proteome. Targeted analysis of 336 schizophrenia-risk genes, as well as 82 growth factor cascade markers, similarly revealed that hBDNFVal66Met genotype gated the recruitment of these factors by Meth in a region-specific manner. Cumulatively, these data represent the first comprehensive analysis of the long-term effects of chronic Meth exposure within the mesocorticolimbic circuitry. In addition, these data reveal that long-term Meth-induced brain changes are strongly dependent upon BDNF genetic variation, illustrating how drug-induced psychosis may be modulated at the molecular level by a single genetic locus.
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Affiliation(s)
- David W Greening
- Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Molecular Proteomics, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Michael Notaras
- Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Maoshan Chen
- Australian Centre for Blood Diseases (ACBD), Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Rong Xu
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Joel D Smith
- Biological Research Unit, Racing Analytical Services Ltd, Flemington, VIC, Australia
| | - Lesley Cheng
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Richard J Simpson
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Andrew F Hill
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Maarten van den Buuse
- School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. .,Department of Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. .,College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia.
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3
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Reed JD, Blackwell KT. Prediction of Neural Diameter From Morphology to Enable Accurate Simulation. Front Neuroinform 2021; 15:666695. [PMID: 34149388 PMCID: PMC8209307 DOI: 10.3389/fninf.2021.666695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Accurate neuron morphologies are paramount for computational model simulations of realistic neural responses. Over the last decade, the online repository NeuroMorpho.Org has collected over 140,000 available neuron morphologies to understand brain function and promote interaction between experimental and computational research. Neuron morphologies describe spatial aspects of neural structure; however, many of the available morphologies do not contain accurate diameters that are essential for computational simulations of electrical activity. To best utilize available neuron morphologies, we present a set of equations that predict dendritic diameter from other morphological features. To derive the equations, we used a set of NeuroMorpho.org archives with realistic neuron diameters, representing hippocampal pyramidal, cerebellar Purkinje, and striatal spiny projection neurons. Each morphology is separated into initial, branching children, and continuing nodes. Our analysis reveals that the diameter of preceding nodes, Parent Diameter, is correlated to diameter of subsequent nodes for all cell types. Branching children and initial nodes each required additional morphological features to predict diameter, such as path length to soma, total dendritic length, and longest path to terminal end. Model simulations reveal that membrane potential response with predicted diameters is similar to the original response for several tested morphologies. We provide our open source software to extend the utility of available NeuroMorpho.org morphologies, and suggest predictive equations may supplement morphologies that lack dendritic diameter and improve model simulations with realistic dendritic diameter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan D Reed
- Krasnow Institute of Advanced Study, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, United States.,Department of Biology, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, United States
| | - Kim T Blackwell
- Krasnow Institute of Advanced Study, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, United States.,Department of Bioengineering, Volgenau School of Engineering, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, United States
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4
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Chang CY, Luo DZ, Pei JC, Kuo MC, Hsieh YC, Lai WS. Not Just a Bystander: The Emerging Role of Astrocytes and Research Tools in Studying Cognitive Dysfunctions in Schizophrenia. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22105343. [PMID: 34069523 PMCID: PMC8160762 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22105343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cognitive dysfunction is one of the core symptoms in schizophrenia, and it is predictive of functional outcomes and therefore useful for treatment targets. Rather than improving cognitive deficits, currently available antipsychotics mainly focus on positive symptoms, targeting dopaminergic/serotoninergic neurons and receptors in the brain. Apart from investigating the neural mechanisms underlying schizophrenia, emerging evidence indicates the importance of glial cells in brain structure development and their involvement in cognitive functions. Although the etiopathology of astrocytes in schizophrenia remains unclear, accumulated evidence reveals that alterations in gene expression and astrocyte products have been reported in schizophrenic patients. To further investigate the role of astrocytes in schizophrenia, we highlighted recent progress in the investigation of the effect of astrocytes on abnormalities in glutamate transmission and impairments in the blood–brain barrier. Recent advances in animal models and behavioral methods were introduced to examine schizophrenia-related cognitive deficits and negative symptoms. We also highlighted several experimental tools that further elucidate the role of astrocytes. Instead of focusing on schizophrenia as a neuron-specific disorder, an additional astrocytic perspective provides novel and promising insight into its causal mechanisms and treatment. The involvement of astrocytes in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia and other brain disorders is worth further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Yuan Chang
- Department of Psychology, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan; (C.-Y.C.); (D.-Z.L.); (J.-C.P.); (Y.-C.H.)
- Neurobiology and Cognitive Science Center, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan;
| | - Da-Zhong Luo
- Department of Psychology, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan; (C.-Y.C.); (D.-Z.L.); (J.-C.P.); (Y.-C.H.)
| | - Ju-Chun Pei
- Department of Psychology, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan; (C.-Y.C.); (D.-Z.L.); (J.-C.P.); (Y.-C.H.)
| | - Ming-Che Kuo
- Neurobiology and Cognitive Science Center, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan;
- Department of Neurology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei 100225, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Chen Hsieh
- Department of Psychology, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan; (C.-Y.C.); (D.-Z.L.); (J.-C.P.); (Y.-C.H.)
| | - Wen-Sung Lai
- Department of Psychology, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan; (C.-Y.C.); (D.-Z.L.); (J.-C.P.); (Y.-C.H.)
- Neurobiology and Cognitive Science Center, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan;
- Graduate Institute of Brain and Mind Sciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +886-2-3366-3112; Fax: +886-2-3362-9909
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5
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Lithium for schizophrenia: supporting evidence from a 12-year, nationwide health insurance database and from Akt1-deficient mouse and cellular models. Sci Rep 2020; 10:647. [PMID: 31959776 PMCID: PMC6971245 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-57340-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence suggests AKT1 and DRD2-AKT-GSK3 signaling involvement in schizophrenia. AKT1 activity is also required for lithium, a GSK3 inhibitor, to modulate mood-related behaviors. Notably, GSK3 inhibitor significantly alleviates behavioral deficits in Akt1−/− female mice, whereas typical/atypical antipsychotics have no effect. In agreement with adjunctive therapy with lithium in treating schizophrenia, our data mining indicated that the average utilization rates of lithium in the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database from 2002 to 2013 are 10.9% and 6.63% in inpatients and outpatients with schizophrenia, respectively. Given that lithium is commonly used in clinical practice, it is of great interest to evaluate the effect of lithium on alleviating Akt1-related deficits. Taking advantage of Akt1+/− mice to mimic genetic deficiency in patients, behavioral impairments were replicated in female Akt1+/− mice but were alleviated by subchronic lithium treatment for 13 days. Lithium also effectively alleviated the observed reduction in phosphorylated GSK3α/β expression in the brains of Akt1+/− mice. Furthermore, inhibition of Akt expression using an Akt1/2 inhibitor significantly reduced neurite length in P19 cells and primary hippocampal cell cultures, which was also ameliorated by lithium. Collectively, our findings implied the therapeutic potential of lithium and the importance of the AKT1-GSK3 signaling pathway.
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6
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Pei JC, Hung WL, Lin BX, Shih MH, Lu LY, Luo DZ, Tai HC, Studer V, Min MY, Lai WS. Therapeutic potential and underlying mechanism of sarcosine (N-methylglycine) in N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor hypofunction models of schizophrenia. J Psychopharmacol 2019; 33:1288-1302. [PMID: 31294644 DOI: 10.1177/0269881119856558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Compelling animal and clinical studies support the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) hypofunction hypothesis of schizophrenia and suggest promising pharmacological agents to ameliorate negative and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia, including sarcosine, a glycine transporter-1 inhibitor. AIMS AND METHODS It is imperative to evaluate the therapeutic potential of sarcosine in animal models, which provide indispensable tools for testing drug effects in detail and elucidating the underlying mechanisms. In this study, a series of seven experiments was conducted to investigate the effect of sarcosine in ameliorating behavioral deficits and the underlying mechanism in pharmacological (i.e., MK-801-induced) and genetic (i.e., serine racemase-null mutant (SR-/-) mice) NMDAR hypofunction models. RESULTS In Experiment 1, the acute administration of 500/1000 mg/kg sarcosine (i.p.) had no adverse effects on motor function and serum biochemical responses. In Experiments 2-4, sarcosine significantly alleviated MK-801-induced (0.2 mg/kg) brain abnormalities and behavioral deficits in MK-801-induced and SR-/- mouse models. In Experiment 5, the injection of sarcosine enhanced CSF levels of glycine and serine in rat brain. In Experiments 6-7, we show for the first time that sarcosine facilitated NMDAR-mediated hippocampal field excitatory postsynaptic potentials and influenced the movement of surface NMDARs at extrasynaptic sites. CONCLUSIONS Sarcosine effectively regulated the surface trafficking of NMDARs, NMDAR-evoked electrophysiological activity, brain glycine levels and MK-801-induced abnormalities in the brain, which contributed to the amelioration of behavioral deficits in mouse models of NMDAR hypofunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ju-Chun Pei
- Department of Psychology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Li Hung
- Department of Psychology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Bei-Xuan Lin
- Institute of Zoology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Min-Han Shih
- Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Liang-Yin Lu
- Department of Psychology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Da-Zhong Luo
- Department of Psychology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hwan-Ching Tai
- Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Vincent Studer
- Interdisciplinary Institute for Neuroscience, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France.,French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), Bordeaux, France
| | - Ming-Yuan Min
- Institute of Zoology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Brain and Mind Sciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Neurobiology and Cognitive Science Center, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Sung Lai
- Department of Psychology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Brain and Mind Sciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Neurobiology and Cognitive Science Center, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
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7
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Li Y, Xie X, Xing H, Yuan X, Wang Y, Jin Y, Wang J, Vreugdenhil M, Zhao Y, Zhang R, Lu C. The Modulation of Gamma Oscillations by Methamphetamine in Rat Hippocampal Slices. Front Cell Neurosci 2019; 13:277. [PMID: 31281244 PMCID: PMC6598082 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2019.00277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2018] [Accepted: 06/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Gamma frequency oscillations (γ, 30–100 Hz) have been suggested to underlie various cognitive and motor functions. The psychotomimetic drug methamphetamine (MA) enhances brain γ oscillations associated with changes in psychomotor state. Little is known about the cellular mechanisms of MA modulation on γ oscillations. We explored the effects of multiple intracellular kinases on MA modulation of γ induced by kainate in area CA3 of rat ventral hippocampal slices. We found that dopamine receptor type 1 and 2 (DR1 and DR2) antagonists, the serine/threonine kinase PKB/Akt inhibitor and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonists prevented the enhancing effect of MA on γ oscillations, whereas none of them affected baseline γ strength. Protein kinase A, phosphoinositide 3-kinase and extracellular signal-related kinases inhibitors had no effect on MA. We propose that the DR1/DR2-Akt-NMDAR pathway plays a critical role for the MA enhancement of γ oscillations. Our study provides an new insight into the mechanisms of acute MA on MA-induced psychosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanan Li
- The Second Affiliated Hospital, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China.,Key Laboratory for the Brain Research of Henan Province, Department of Physiology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Xin'e Xie
- Key Laboratory for the Brain Research of Henan Province, Department of Physiology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Hang Xing
- Key Laboratory for the Brain Research of Henan Province, Department of Physiology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China.,Department of Neurology, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xiang Yuan
- The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China
| | - Yuan Wang
- Key Laboratory for the Brain Research of Henan Province, Department of Physiology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Yikai Jin
- Key Laboratory for the Brain Research of Henan Province, Department of Physiology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Jiangang Wang
- Key Laboratory for the Brain Research of Henan Province, Department of Physiology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Martin Vreugdenhil
- Department of Health Sciences, Birmingham City University, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Ying Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Psychopharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Ruiling Zhang
- The Second Affiliated Hospital, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Chengbiao Lu
- The Second Affiliated Hospital, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China.,Key Laboratory for the Brain Research of Henan Province, Department of Physiology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
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8
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PKBγ/AKT3 loss-of-function causes learning and memory deficits and deregulation of AKT/mTORC2 signaling: Relevance for schizophrenia. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0175993. [PMID: 28467426 PMCID: PMC5414975 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0175993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2016] [Accepted: 04/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Psychiatric genetic studies have identified genome-wide significant loci for schizophrenia. The AKT3/1q44 locus is a principal risk region and gene-network analyses identify AKT3 polymorphisms as a constituent of several neurobiological pathways relevant to psychiatric risk; the neurobiological mechanisms remain unknown. AKT3 shows prenatal enrichment during human neocortical development and recurrent copy number variations involving the 1q43-44 locus are associated with cortical malformations and intellectual disability, implicating an essential role in early brain development. Here, we investigated the role of AKT3 as it relates to aspects of learning and memory and behavioral function, relevant to schizophrenia and cognitive disability, utilizing a novel murine model of Akt3 genetic deficiency. Akt3 heterozygous (Akt3-/+) or null mice (Akt3-/-) were assessed in a comprehensive test battery. Brain biochemical studies were conducted to assess the impact of Akt3 deficiency on cortical Akt/mTOR signaling. Akt3-/+ and Akt3-/- mice exhibited selective deficits of temporal order discrimination and spatial memory, tasks critically dependent on intact prefrontal-hippocampal circuitry, but showed normal prepulse inhibition, fear conditioned learning, memory for novel objects and social function. Akt3 loss-of-function, reduced brain size and dramatically impaired cortical Akt Ser473 activation in an allele-dose dependent manner. Such changes were observed in the absence of altered Akt1 or Akt2 protein expression. Concomitant reduction of the mTORC2 complex proteins, Rictor and Sin1 identifies a potential mechanism. Our findings provide novel insight into the neurodevelopmental role of Akt3, identify a non-redundant role for Akt3 in the development of prefrontal cortical-mediated cognitive function and show that Akt3 is potentially the dominant regulator of AKT/mTOR signaling in brain.
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9
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Liu L, Luo Y, Zhang G, Jin C, Zhou Z, Cheng Z, Yuan G. The mRNA expression of DRD2, PI3KCB, and AKT1 in the blood of acute schizophrenia patients. Psychiatry Res 2016; 243:397-402. [PMID: 27449010 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2016.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2015] [Revised: 06/03/2016] [Accepted: 07/04/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The phosphoinositide 3 kinase - protein kinase B (PI3K-Akt) signaling pathway plays an important role in the dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) pathway and in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. This study measured the mRNA levels of DRD2, PI3KCB, and AKT1 in peripheral blood samples from 24 acute schizophrenia patients and 20 healthy controls using real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (real-time qRT-PCR). We found that in the acute schizophrenia patients, the mRNA expression levels of DRD2 and PI3KCB were significantly lower than those in the healthy controls, while the AKT1 mRNA levels were significantly higher than those in the healthy controls. A significant relationship between the mRNA levels of DRD2 and PI3KCB was found only in the controls. In conclusion, the gene expression state of the DRD2-PI3K-AKT signaling cascade differed significantly between acute schizophrenia patients and healthy controls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Liu
- Wuxi Mental Health Center, Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, China.
| | - Yin Luo
- Wuxi Mental Health Center, Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, China
| | - Guofu Zhang
- Wuxi Mental Health Center, Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, China
| | - Chunhui Jin
- Wuxi Mental Health Center, Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, China
| | - Zhenhe Zhou
- Wuxi Mental Health Center, Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, China
| | - Zaohuo Cheng
- Wuxi Mental Health Center, Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, China; Wuxi Tongren International Rehabilitation Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, China
| | - Guozhen Yuan
- Wuxi Mental Health Center, Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, China; Wuxi Tongren International Rehabilitation Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, China
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10
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Chang CY, Chen YW, Wang TW, Lai WS. Akting up in the GABA hypothesis of schizophrenia: Akt1 deficiency modulates GABAergic functions and hippocampus-dependent functions. Sci Rep 2016; 6:33095. [PMID: 27615800 PMCID: PMC5018883 DOI: 10.1038/srep33095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2016] [Accepted: 08/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence implies that both AKT1 and GABAA receptor (GABAAR) subunit genes are involved in schizophrenia pathogenesis. Activated Akt promotes GABAergic neuron differentiation and increases GABAAR expression on the plasma membrane. To elucidate the role of Akt1 in modulating GABAergic functions and schizophrenia-related cognitive deficits, a set of 6 in vitro and in vivo experiments was conducted. First, an Akt1/2 inhibitor was applied to evaluate its effect on GABAergic neuron-like cell formation from P19 cells. Inhibiting Akt resulted in a reduction in parvalbumin-positive neuron-like cells. In Akt1−/− and wild-type mice, seizures induced using pentylenetetrazol (a GABAAR antagonist) were measured, and GABAAR expression and GABAergic interneuron abundance in the brain were examined. Female Akt1−/− mice, but not male Akt1−/− mice, exhibited less pentylenetetrazol-induced convulsive activity than their corresponding wild-type controls. Reduced parvalbumin-positive interneuron abundance and GABAAR subunit expression, especially in the hippocampus, were also observed in female Akt1−/− mice compared to female wild-type mice. Neuromorphometric analyses revealed significantly reduced neurite complexity in hippocampal pyramidal neurons. Additionally, female Akt1−/− mice displayed increased hippocampal oscillation power and impaired spatial memory compared to female wild-type mice. Our findings suggest that Akt1 deficiency modulates GABAergic interneurons and GABAAR expression, contributing to hippocampus-dependent cognitive functional impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Yuan Chang
- Department of Psychology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Wen Chen
- Department of Psychology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tsu-Wei Wang
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Sung Lai
- Department of Psychology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Brain and Mind Sciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Neurobiology and Cognitive Science Center, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
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11
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Weidenauer A, Bauer M, Sauerzopf U, Bartova L, Praschak-Rieder N, Sitte HH, Kasper S, Willeit M. Making Sense of: Sensitization in Schizophrenia. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2016; 20:1-10. [PMID: 27613293 PMCID: PMC5604613 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyw081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2016] [Accepted: 09/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Sensitization is defined as a process whereby repeated intermittent exposure to a given stimulus results in an enhanced response at subsequent exposures. Next to robust findings of an increased dopamine synthesis capacity in schizophrenia, empirical data and neuroimaging studies support the notion that the mesolimbic dopamine system of patients with schizophrenia is more reactive compared with healthy controls. These studies led to the conceptualization of schizophrenia as a state of endogenous sensitization, as stronger behavioral response and increased dopamine release after amphetamine administration or exposure to stress have been observed in patients with schizophrenia. These findings have also been integrated into the neurodevelopmental model of the disorder, which assumes that vulnerable neuronal circuits undergo progressive changes during puberty and young adulthood that lead to manifest psychosis. Rodent and human studies have made an attempt to identify the exact mechanisms of sensitization of the dopaminergic system and its association with psychosis. Doing so, several epigenetic and molecular alterations associated with dopamine release, neuroplasticity, and cellular energy metabolism have been discovered. Future research aims at targeting these key proteins associated with sensitization in schizophrenia to enhance the knowledge of the pathophysiology of the illness and pave the way for an improved treatment or even prevention of this severe psychiatric disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Weidenauer
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria (Drs Weidenauer, Bauer, Sauerzopf, Bartova, Praschak-Rieder, Kasper, and Willeit); Department of Clinical Pharmacology (Dr Bauer), and Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria (Dr Sitte)
| | - Martin Bauer
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria (Drs Weidenauer, Bauer, Sauerzopf, Bartova, Praschak-Rieder, Kasper, and Willeit); Department of Clinical Pharmacology (Dr Bauer), and Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria (Dr Sitte)
| | - Ulrich Sauerzopf
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria (Drs Weidenauer, Bauer, Sauerzopf, Bartova, Praschak-Rieder, Kasper, and Willeit); Department of Clinical Pharmacology (Dr Bauer), and Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria (Dr Sitte)
| | - Lucie Bartova
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria (Drs Weidenauer, Bauer, Sauerzopf, Bartova, Praschak-Rieder, Kasper, and Willeit); Department of Clinical Pharmacology (Dr Bauer), and Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria (Dr Sitte)
| | - Nicole Praschak-Rieder
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria (Drs Weidenauer, Bauer, Sauerzopf, Bartova, Praschak-Rieder, Kasper, and Willeit); Department of Clinical Pharmacology (Dr Bauer), and Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria (Dr Sitte)
| | - Harald H. Sitte
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria (Drs Weidenauer, Bauer, Sauerzopf, Bartova, Praschak-Rieder, Kasper, and Willeit); Department of Clinical Pharmacology (Dr Bauer), and Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria (Dr Sitte)
| | - Siegfried Kasper
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria (Drs Weidenauer, Bauer, Sauerzopf, Bartova, Praschak-Rieder, Kasper, and Willeit); Department of Clinical Pharmacology (Dr Bauer), and Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria (Dr Sitte).
| | - Matthäus Willeit
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria (Drs Weidenauer, Bauer, Sauerzopf, Bartova, Praschak-Rieder, Kasper, and Willeit); Department of Clinical Pharmacology (Dr Bauer), and Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria (Dr Sitte)
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Cheng MC, Hsu SH, Chen CH. Chronic methamphetamine treatment reduces the expression of synaptic plasticity genes and changes their DNA methylation status in the mouse brain. Brain Res 2015; 1629:126-34. [PMID: 26496011 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2015.10.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2015] [Revised: 10/01/2015] [Accepted: 10/13/2015] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Methamphetamine (METH) is a highly addictive psychostimulant that may cause long-lasting synaptic dysfunction and abnormal gene expression. We aimed to explore the differential expression of synaptic plasticity genes in chronic METH-treated mouse brain. We used the RT(2) Profiler PCR Array and the real-time quantitative PCR to characterize differentially expressed synaptic plasticity genes in the frontal cortex and the hippocampus of chronic METH-treated mice compared with normal saline-treated mice. We further used pyrosequencing to assess DNA methylation changes in the CpG region of the five immediate early genes (IEGs) in chronic METH-treated mouse brain. We detected six downregulated genes in the frontal cortex and the hippocampus of chronic METH-treated mice, including five IEGs (Arc, Egr2, Fos, Klf10, and Nr4a1) and one neuronal receptor gene (Grm1), compared with normal saline-treated group, but only four genes (Arc, Egr2, Fos, and Nr4a1) were confirmed to be different. Furthermore, we found several CpG sites of the Arc and the Fos that had significant changes in DNA methylation status in the frontal cortex of chronic METH-treated mice, while the klf10 and the Nr4a1 that had significant changes in the hippocampus. Our results show that chronic administration of METH may lead to significant downregulation of the IEGs expression in both the frontal cortex and the hippocampus, which may partly account for the molecular mechanism of the action of METH. Furthermore, the changes in DNA methylation status of the IEGs in the brain indicate that an epigenetic mechanism-dependent transcriptional regulation may contribute to METH addiction, which warrants additional study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min-Chih Cheng
- Department of Psychiatry, Yuli Mental Health Research Center, Yuli Branch, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Hualien, Taiwan; Center for General Education, St. Mary׳s Junior College of Medicine, Nursing and Management, Yilan County, Taiwan.
| | - Shih-Hsin Hsu
- Department of Psychiatry, Yuli Mental Health Research Center, Yuli Branch, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Hsiang Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou and Department and Graduate school of Biomedical Sciences Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
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Huang CH, Pei JC, Luo DZ, Chen C, Chen YW, Lai WS. Investigation of gene effects and epistatic interactions between Akt1 and neuregulin 1 in the regulation of behavioral phenotypes and social functions in genetic mouse models of schizophrenia. Front Behav Neurosci 2015; 8:455. [PMID: 25688191 PMCID: PMC4310298 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2014.00455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2014] [Accepted: 12/18/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence from human genetic studies has suggested several functional candidate genes that might contribute to susceptibility to schizophrenia, including AKT1 and neuregulin 1 (NRG1). Recent findings also revealed that NRG1 stimulates the PI3-kinase/AKT signaling pathway, which might be involved in the functional outcomes of some schizophrenic patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Akt1-deficiency and Nrg1-deficiency alone or in combination in the regulation of behavioral phenotypes, cognition, and social functions using genetically modified mice as a model. Male Akt1+/−, Nrg1+/−, and double mutant mice were bred and compared with their wild-type (WT) littermate controls. In Experiment 1, general physical examination revealed that all mutant mice displayed a normal profile of body weight during development and a normal brain activity with microPET scan. In Experiment 2, no significant genotypic differences were found in our basic behavioral phenotyping, including locomotion, anxiety-like behavior, and sensorimotor gating function. However, both Nrg1+/− and double mutant mice exhibited impaired episodic-like memory. Double mutant mice also had impaired sociability. In Experiment 3, a synergistic epistasis between Akt1 and Nrg1 was further confirmed in double mutant mice in that they had impaired social interaction compared to the other 3 groups, especially encountering with a novel male or an ovariectomized female. Double mutant and Nrg1+/− mice also emitted fewer female urine-induced ultrasonic vocalization calls. Collectively, our results indicate that double deficiency of Akt1 and Nrg1 can result in the impairment of social cognitive functions, which might be pertinent to the pathogenesis of schizophrenia-related social cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ching-Hsun Huang
- Department of Psychology, National Taiwan University Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ju-Chun Pei
- Department of Psychology, National Taiwan University Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Da-Zhong Luo
- Department of Psychology, National Taiwan University Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ching Chen
- Department of Psychology, National Taiwan University Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Wen Chen
- Department of Psychology, National Taiwan University Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Sung Lai
- Department of Psychology, National Taiwan University Taipei, Taiwan ; Graduate Institute of Brain and Mind Sciences, National Taiwan University Taipei, Taiwan ; Neurobiology and Cognitive Science Center, National Taiwan University Taipei, Taiwan
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Pei JC, Liu CM, Lai WS. Distinct phenotypes of new transmembrane-domain neuregulin 1 mutant mice and the rescue effects of valproate on the observed schizophrenia-related cognitive deficits. Front Behav Neurosci 2014; 8:126. [PMID: 24782733 PMCID: PMC3995064 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2014.00126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2013] [Accepted: 03/26/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence suggests that neuregulin 1 (NRG1) might be involved in the neurodevelopment, neural plasticity, GABAergic neurotransmission, and pathogenesis of schizophrenia. NRG1 is abundantly expressed in the hippocampus, and emerging studies have begun to reveal the link between NRG1 signaling and cognitive deficits in schizophrenic patients. Because the transmembrane domain of NRG1 is vital for both forward and reverse signaling cascades, new Nrg1-deficient mice that carry a truncation of the transmembrane domain of the Nrg1 gene were characterized and used in this study to test a NRG1 loss-of-function hypothesis for schizophrenia. Both male and female Nrg1 heterozygous mutant mice and their wild-type littermates were used in a series of 4 experiments to characterize the impact of Nrg1 on behavioral phenotypes and to determine the importance of Nrg1 in the regulation of hippocampal neuromorphology and local GABAergic interneurons. First, a comprehensive battery of behavioral tasks indicated that male Nrg1-deficient mice exhibited significant impairments in cognitive functions. Second, pharmacological challenges were conducted and revealed that Nrg1 haploinsufficiency altered GABAergic activity in males. Third, although no genotype-specific neuromorphological alterations were found in the hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons, significant reductions in the hippocampal expressions of GAD67 and parvalbumin were revealed in the Nrg1-deficient males. Fourth, chronic treatment with valproate rescued the observed behavioral deficits and hippocampal GAD67 reduction in Nrg1-deficient males. Collectively, these results indicate the potential therapeutic effect of valproate and the importance of Nrg1 in the regulation of cognitive functions and hippocampal GABAergic interneurons, especially in males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ju-Chun Pei
- Laboratory of Integrated Neuroscience and Ethology, Department of Psychology, National Taiwan University Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Min Liu
- Department of Psychiatry, National Taiwan University Hospital Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Sung Lai
- Laboratory of Integrated Neuroscience and Ethology, Department of Psychology, National Taiwan University Taipei, Taiwan ; Graduate Institute of Brain and Mind Sciences, National Taiwan University Taipei, Taiwan ; Neurobiology and Cognitive Science Center, National Taiwan University Taipei, Taiwan
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Daniel ZC, Akyol A, McMullen S, Langley-Evans SC. Exposure of neonatal rats to maternal cafeteria feeding during suckling alters hepatic gene expression and DNA methylation in the insulin signalling pathway. GENES AND NUTRITION 2013; 9:365. [PMID: 24357221 DOI: 10.1007/s12263-013-0365-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2013] [Accepted: 11/10/2013] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Nutrition in early life is a determinant of lifelong physiological and metabolic function. Diseases that are associated with ageing may, therefore, have their antecedents in maternal nutrition during pregnancy and lactation. Rat mothers were fed either a standard laboratory chow diet (C) or a cafeteria diet (O) based upon a varied panel of highly palatable human foods, during lactation. Their offspring were then weaned onto chow or cafeteria diet giving four groups of animals (CC, CO, OC, OO n = 9-10). Livers were harvested 10 weeks post-weaning for assessment of gene and protein expression, and DNA methylation. Cafeteria feeding post-weaning impaired glucose tolerance and was associated with sex-specific altered mRNA expression of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma and components of the insulin signalling pathway (Irs2, Akt1 and IrB). Exposure to the cafeteria diet during the suckling period modified the later response to the dietary challenge. Post-weaning cafeteria feeding only down-regulated IrB when associated with cafeteria feeding during suckling (group OO, interaction of diet in weaning and lactation P = 0.041). Responses to cafeteria diet during both phases of the experiment varied between males and females. Global DNA methylation was altered in the liver following cafeteria feeding in the post-weaning period, in males but not females. Methylation of the IrB promoter was increased in group OC, but not OO (P = 0.036). The findings of this study add to a growing evidence base that suggests tissue function across the lifespan a product of cumulative modifications to the epigenome and transcriptome, which may be both tissue and sex-specific.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoe C Daniel
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, LE12 5RD, UK
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