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Peeters LD, Wills LJ, Cuozzo AM, Ivanich KL, Turney SE, Bullock LP, Price RM, Gass JT, Brown RW. Modulation of mGlu5 reduces rewarding associative properties of nicotine via changes in mesolimbic plasticity: Relevance to comorbid cigarette smoking in psychosis. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2024; 239:173752. [PMID: 38521210 PMCID: PMC11088493 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2024.173752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
RATIONALE Antipsychotic medications that are used to treat psychosis are often limited in their efficacy by high rates of severe side effects. Treatment success in schizophrenia is further complicated by high rates of comorbid nicotine use. Dopamine D2 heteroreceptor complexes have recently emerged as targets for the development of more efficacious pharmaceutical treatments for schizophrenia. OBJECTIVE The current study sought to explore the use of the positive allosteric modulator of the mGlu5 receptor 3-Cyano-N-(1,3-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)benzamide (CDPPB) as a treatment to reduce symptoms related to psychosis and comorbid nicotine use. METHODS Neonatal treatment of animals with the dopamine D2-like receptor agonist quinpirole (NQ) from postnatal day (P)1-21 produces a lifelong increase in D2 receptor sensitivity, showing relevance to psychosis and comorbid tobacco use disorder. Following an 8-day conditioning paradigm, brain tissue in the mesolimbic pathway was analyzed for several plasticity markers, including brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), phosphorylated p70 ribosomal S6 kinase (phospho-p70S6K), and cadherin-13 (Cdh13). RESULTS Pretreatment with CDPPB was effective to block enhanced nicotine conditioned place preference observed in NQ-treated animals. Pretreatment was additionally effective to block the nicotine-induced increase in BDNF and sex-dependent increases in cadherin-13 in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), as well as increased phospho-p70S6K in the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) shell found in NQ-treated animals. CONCLUSION In conjunction with prior work, the current study suggests positive allosteric modulation of the mGlu5 receptor, an emerging target for schizophrenia therapeutics, may be effective for the treatment of comorbid nicotine abuse in psychosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loren D Peeters
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, James H. Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, United States of America
| | - Liza J Wills
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, James H. Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, United States of America
| | - Anthony M Cuozzo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, James H. Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, United States of America
| | - Kira L Ivanich
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, James H. Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, United States of America
| | - Seth E Turney
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, James H. Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, United States of America
| | - Luke P Bullock
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, James H. Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, United States of America
| | - Robert M Price
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, United States of America
| | - Justin T Gass
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, James H. Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, United States of America
| | - Russell W Brown
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, James H. Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, United States of America.
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Chen Y, Guan W, Wang ML, Lin XY. PI3K-AKT/mTOR Signaling in Psychiatric Disorders: A Valuable Target to Stimulate or Suppress? Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2024; 27:pyae010. [PMID: 38365306 PMCID: PMC10888523 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyae010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Economic development and increased stress have considerably increased the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in recent years, which rank as some of the most prevalent diseases globally. Several factors, including chronic social stress, genetic inheritance, and autogenous diseases, lead to the development and progression of psychiatric disorders. Clinical treatments for psychiatric disorders include psychotherapy, chemotherapy, and electric shock therapy. Although various achievements have been made researching psychiatric disorders, the pathogenesis of these diseases has not been fully understood yet, and serious adverse effects and resistance to antipsychotics are major obstacles to treating patients with psychiatric disorders. Recent studies have shown that the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a central signaling hub that functions in nerve growth, synapse formation, and plasticity. The PI3K-AKT/mTOR pathway is a critical target for mediating the rapid antidepressant effects of these pharmacological agents in clinical and preclinical research. Abnormal PI3K-AKT/mTOR signaling is closely associated with the pathogenesis of several neurodevelopmental disorders. In this review, we focused on the role of mTOR signaling and the related aberrant neurogenesis in psychiatric disorders. Elucidating the neurobiology of the PI3K-AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in psychiatric disorders and its actions in response to antidepressants will help us better understand brain development and quickly identify new therapeutic targets for the treatment of these mental illnesses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Chen
- Department of Neurology, Nantong Third People’s Hospital, Affiliated Nantong Hospital 3 of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wei Guan
- Department of Pharmacology, Pharmacy College, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Mei-Lan Wang
- Department of Neurology, Nantong Third People’s Hospital, Affiliated Nantong Hospital 3 of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiao-Yun Lin
- Department of Neurology, Nantong Third People’s Hospital, Affiliated Nantong Hospital 3 of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
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Han S, Li Y, Gao J. Peripheral blood MicroRNAs as biomarkers of schizophrenia: expectations from a meta-analysis that combines deep learning methods. World J Biol Psychiatry 2024; 25:65-81. [PMID: 37703215 DOI: 10.1080/15622975.2023.2258975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study aimed at identifying reliable differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) for schizophrenia in blood via meta-analyses combined with deep learning methods. METHODS First, we meta-analysed published DEMs. Then, we enriched the pool of schizophrenia-associated miRNAs by applying two computational learning methods to identify candidate biomarkers and verified the results in external datasets. RESULTS In total, 27 DEMs were found to be statistically significant (p < .05). Ten candidate schizophrenia-associated miRNAs were identified through computational learning methods. The diagnostic efficiency was verified on a blood-miRNA dataset (GSE54578) with a random forest (RF) model and achieved an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.83 ± 0.14. Moreover, 855 experimentally validated target genes for these candidate miRNAs were retrieved, and 11 hub genes were identified. Enrichment analysis revealed that the main functions in which the target genes were enriched were those related to cell signalling, prenatal infections, cancers, cell deaths, oxidative stress, endocrine disorders, transcription regulation, and kinase activities. The diagnostic ability of the hub genes was reflected in a comparably good average AUC of 0.77 ± 0.09 for an external dataset (GSE38484). CONCLUSIONS A meta-analysis that combines computational and mathematical methods provides a reliable tool for identifying candidate biomarkers of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiyuan Han
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yongning Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Department of International Medical Service, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jun Gao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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4
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Hill MA, Sykes AM, Mellick GD. ER-phagy in neurodegeneration. J Neurosci Res 2023; 101:1611-1623. [PMID: 37334842 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.25225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
There are many cellular mechanisms implicated in the initiation and progression of neurodegenerative disorders. However, age and the accumulation of unwanted cellular products are a common theme underlying many neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and Niemann-Pick type C. Autophagy has been studied extensively in these diseases and various genetic risk factors have implicated disruption in autophagy homoeostasis as a major pathogenic mechanism. Autophagy is essential in the maintenance of neuronal homeostasis, as their postmitotic nature makes them particularly susceptible to the damage caused by accumulation of defective or misfolded proteins, disease-prone aggregates, and damaged organelles. Recently, autophagy of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER-phagy) has been identified as a novel cellular mechanism for regulating ER morphology and response to cellular stress. As neurodegenerative diseases are generally precipitated by cellular stressors such as protein accumulation and environmental toxin exposure the role of ER-phagy has begun to be investigated. In this review we discuss the current research in ER-phagy and its involvement in neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa A Hill
- Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia
| | - Alex M Sykes
- Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia
| | - George D Mellick
- Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia
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Torunoglu ST, Zajda A, Tampio J, Markowicz-Piasecka M, Huttunen KM. Metformin derivatives - Researchers' friends or foes? Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 215:115743. [PMID: 37591450 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
Metformin has been used for ages to treat diabetes mellitus due to its safety profile and low cost. However, metformin has variable pharmacokinetics in patients, and due to its poor oral absorption, the therapeutic doses are relatively high, causing unpleasant gastrointestinal adverse effects. Therefore, novel derivatives of metformin have been synthesized during the past decades. Particularly, after the mid-2000 s, when organic cation transporters were identified as the main metformin carriers, metformin derivatives have been under intensive investigation. Nevertheless, due to the biguanide structure, derivatives of metformin have been challenging to synthesize. Moreover, the mechanisms of metformin's action are not fully understood to date, and since it has multifunctional properties, the interests have switched to re-purposing for other diseases. Indeed, metformin derivatives have been demonstrated in many cases to be more effective than metformin itself and have the potential to be used in different diseases, including several types of cancers and neurodegenerative diseases. On the other hand, the pleiotropic nature of metformin and its derivatives can also create challenges. Not all properties are fit for all diseases. In this review, the history of the development of metformin-like compounds is summarized, and insights into their potential for future drug discovery are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sema Tuna Torunoglu
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland.
| | - Agnieszka Zajda
- Laboratory of Bioanalysis, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Drug Analysis and Radiopharmacy, Medical University of Lodz, ul. Muszyńskiego 1, 90-151 Lodz, Poland
| | - Janne Tampio
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | | | - Kristiina M Huttunen
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland.
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6
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Tomita Y, Suzuki K, Yamasaki S, Toriumi K, Miyashita M, Ando S, Endo K, Yoshikawa A, Tabata K, Usami S, Hiraiwa-Hasegawa M, Itokawa M, Kawaji H, Kasai K, Nishida A, Arai M. Urinary exosomal microRNAs as predictive biomarkers for persistent psychotic-like experiences. SCHIZOPHRENIA (HEIDELBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 9:14. [PMID: 36906656 PMCID: PMC10008540 DOI: 10.1038/s41537-023-00340-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2023]
Abstract
Psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) occur occasionally in adolescence and mostly disappear with increasing age. Their presence, if persistent, is considered a robust risk factor for subsequent psychiatric disorders. To date, only a few biological markers have been investigated for persistent PLE prediction. This study identified urinary exosomal microRNAs that can serve as predictive biomarkers for persistent PLEs. This study was part of a population-based biomarker subsample study of the Tokyo Teen Cohort Study. A total of 345 participants aged 13 (baseline) and 14 (follow-up) years underwent PLE assessments by experienced psychiatrists using semi-structured interviews. We defined remitted and persistent PLEs based on longitudinal profiles. We obtained urine at baseline and the expression levels of urinary exosomal miRNAs were compared between 15 individuals with persistent PLEs and 15 age- and sex-matched individuals with remitted PLEs. We constructed a logistic regression model to examine whether miRNA expression levels could predict persistent PLEs. We identified six significant differentially expressed microRNAs, namely hsa-miR-486-5p, hsa-miR-199a-3p, hsa-miR-144-5p, hsa-miR-451a, hsa-miR-143-3p, and hsa-miR-142-3p. The predictive model showed an area under the curve of 0.860 (95% confidence interval: 0.713-0.993) for five-fold cross-validation. We found a subset of urinary exosomal microRNAs that were differentially expressed in persistent PLEs and presented the likelihood that a microRNA-based statistical model could predict them with high accuracy. Therefore, urine exosomal miRNAs may serve as novel biomarkers for the risk of psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasufumi Tomita
- Schizophrenia Research Project, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Suzuki
- Schizophrenia Research Project, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Psychiatry, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan.,Department of Community Mental Health, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Syudo Yamasaki
- Unit for Mental Health Promotion, Research Center for Social Science and Medicine, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuya Toriumi
- Schizophrenia Research Project, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mitsuhiro Miyashita
- Schizophrenia Research Project, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo, Japan.,Unit for Mental Health Promotion, Research Center for Social Science and Medicine, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shuntaro Ando
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kaori Endo
- Unit for Mental Health Promotion, Research Center for Social Science and Medicine, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Akane Yoshikawa
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Koichi Tabata
- Schizophrenia Research Project, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Satoshi Usami
- Center for Research and Development on Transition from Secondary to Higher Education, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mariko Hiraiwa-Hasegawa
- Department of Evolutionary Studies of Biosystems, The Graduate University for the Advanced Studies, SOKENDAI, Hayama, Japan
| | - Masanari Itokawa
- Schizophrenia Research Project, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hideya Kawaji
- Research Center for Genome & Medical Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kiyoto Kasai
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.,International Research Center for Neurointelligence, University of Tokyo Institutes for Advanced Study, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Atsushi Nishida
- Unit for Mental Health Promotion, Research Center for Social Science and Medicine, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Makoto Arai
- Schizophrenia Research Project, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo, Japan.
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Integrative Roles of Dopamine Pathway and Calcium Channels Reveal a Link between Schizophrenia and Opioid Use Disorder. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24044088. [PMID: 36835497 PMCID: PMC9966501 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24044088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 02/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Several theories have been proposed to explain the mechanisms of substance use in schizophrenia. Brain neurons pose a potential to provide novel insights into the association between opioid addiction, withdrawal, and schizophrenia. Thus, we exposed zebrafish larvae at 2 days post-fertilization (dpf) to domperidone (DPM) and morphine, followed by morphine withdrawal. Drug-induced locomotion and social preference were assessed, while the level of dopamine and the number of dopaminergic neurons were quantified. In the brain tissue, the expression levels of genes associated with schizophrenia were measured. The effects of DMP and morphine were compared to vehicle control and MK-801, a positive control to mimic schizophrenia. Gene expression analysis revealed that α1C, α1Sa, α1Aa, drd2a, and th1 were up-regulated after 10 days of exposure to DMP and morphine, while th2 was down-regulated. These two drugs also increased the number of positive dopaminergic neurons and the total dopamine level but reduced the locomotion and social preference. The termination of morphine exposure led to the up-regulation of th2, drd2a, and c-fos during the withdrawal phase. Our integrated data implicate that the dopamine system plays a key role in the deficits in social behavior and locomotion that are common in the schizophrenia-like symptoms and opioid dependence.
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8
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Schizophrenia and psychedelic state: Dysconnection versus hyper-connection. A perspective on two different models of psychosis stemming from dysfunctional integration processes. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:59-67. [PMID: 35931756 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01721-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Psychotic symptoms are a cross-sectional dimension affecting multiple diagnostic categories, despite schizophrenia represents the prototype of psychoses. Initially, dopamine was considered the most involved molecule in the neurobiology of schizophrenia. Over the next years, several biological factors were added to the discussion helping to constitute the concept of schizophrenia as a disease marked by a deficit of functional integration, contributing to the formulation of the Dysconnection Hypothesis in 1995. Nowadays the notion of dysconnection persists in the conceptualization of schizophrenia enriched by neuroimaging findings which corroborate the hypothesis. At the same time, in recent years, psychedelics received a lot of attention by the scientific community and astonishing findings emerged about the rearrangement of brain networks under the effect of these compounds. Specifically, a global decrease in functional connectivity was found, highlighting the disintegration of preserved and functional circuits and an increase of overall connectivity in the brain. The aim of this paper is to compare the biological bases of dysconnection in schizophrenia with the alterations of neuronal cyto-architecture induced by psychedelics and the consequent state of cerebral hyper-connection. These two models of psychosis, despite diametrically opposed, imply a substantial deficit of integration of neural signaling reached through two opposite paths.
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9
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Rajagopal L, Huang M, He W, Ryan C, Elzokaky A, Banerjee P, Meltzer HY. Repeated administration of rapastinel produces exceptionally prolonged rescue of memory deficits in phencyclidine-treated mice. Behav Brain Res 2022; 432:113964. [PMID: 35718230 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2022.113964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Rapastinel, a positive N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) modulator with rapid-acting antidepressant properties, rescues memory deficits in rodents. We have previously reported that a single intravenous dose of rapastinel, significantly, but only transiently, prevented and rescued deficits in the novel object recognition (NOR) test, a measure of episodic memory, produced by acute or subchronic administration of the NMDAR antagonists, phencyclidine (PCP) and ketamine. Here, we tested the ability of single and multiple subcutaneous doses per day of rapastinel to restore NOR and operant reversal learning (ORL) deficits in subchronic PCP-treated mice. Rapastinel, 1 or 3 mg/kg, administered subcutaneously, 30 min before NOR or ORL testing, respectively, transiently rescued both deficits in subchronic PCP mice. This effect of rapastinel on NOR and ORL was mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)-dependent. Most importantly, 1 mg/kg rapastinel given twice daily for 3 or 5 days, but not 1 day, restored NOR for at least 9 and 10 weeks, respectively, which is an indication of neuroplastic effects on learning and memory. Both rapastinel (3 mg/kg) and ketamine (30 mg/kg), moderately increased the efflux of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin in medial prefrontal cortex; however, only ketamine increased cortical glutamate efflux. This observation was likely the basis for the contrasting effects of the two drugs on cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lakshmi Rajagopal
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Mei Huang
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Wenqi He
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Chelsea Ryan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Ahmad Elzokaky
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | - Herbert Y Meltzer
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.
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10
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Gock N, Follett J, Rintoul GL, Beischlag TV, Lee FJ. Endosomal recycling and dopamine neurotransmission: Exploring the links between the retromer and Parkinson's disease. Synapse 2022; 76:e22224. [DOI: 10.1002/syn.22224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nathan Gock
- Faculty of Health Sciences Simon Fraser University 8888 University Dr Burnaby BC V5A 1S6 Canada
- Centre for Cell Biology, Development, and Disease Simon Fraser University 8888 University Dr Burnaby BC V5A 1S6 Canada
| | - Jordan Follett
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Neuroscience Department of Neurology University of Florida 1149 Newell Dr Gainesville FL 32610‐0236 United States
| | - Gordon L Rintoul
- Department of Biological Sciences Simon Fraser University 8888 University Dr Burnaby BC V5A 1S6 Canada
- Centre for Cell Biology, Development, and Disease Simon Fraser University 8888 University Dr Burnaby BC V5A 1S6 Canada
| | - Timothy V Beischlag
- Faculty of Health Sciences Simon Fraser University 8888 University Dr Burnaby BC V5A 1S6 Canada
- Centre for Cell Biology, Development, and Disease Simon Fraser University 8888 University Dr Burnaby BC V5A 1S6 Canada
| | - Frank J.S. Lee
- Faculty of Health Sciences Simon Fraser University 8888 University Dr Burnaby BC V5A 1S6 Canada
- Centre for Cell Biology, Development, and Disease Simon Fraser University 8888 University Dr Burnaby BC V5A 1S6 Canada
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11
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EWAS of Monozygotic Twins Implicate a Role of mTOR Pathway in Pathogenesis of Tic Spectrum Disorder. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12101510. [PMID: 34680906 PMCID: PMC8535383 DOI: 10.3390/genes12101510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Tic spectrum disorder (TSD) is an umbrella term which includes Gilles de la Tourette syndrome (GTS) and chronic tic disorder (CTD). They are considered highly heritable, yet the genetic components remain largely unknown. In this study we aimed to investigate disease-associated DNA methylation differences to identify genes and pathways which may be implicated in TSD aetiology. For this purpose, we performed an exploratory analysis of the genome-wide DNA methylation patterns in whole blood samples of 16 monozygotic twin pairs, of which eight were discordant and six concordant for TSD, while two pairs were asymptomatic. Although no sites reached genome-wide significance, we identified several sites and regions with a suggestive significance, which were located within or in the vicinity of genes with biological functions associated with neuropsychiatric disorders. The two top genes identified (TSC1 and CRYZ/TYW3) and the enriched pathways and components (phosphoinosides and PTEN pathways, and insulin receptor substrate binding) are related to, or have been associated with, the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. Genes in this pathway have previously been associated with GTS, and mTOR signalling has been implicated in a range of neuropsychiatric disorders. It is thus possible that altered mTOR signalling plays a role in the complex pathogenesis of TSD.
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12
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Izumi R, Hino M, Nagaoka A, Shishido R, Kakita A, Hoshino M, Kunii Y, Yabe H. Dysregulation of DPYSL2 expression by mTOR signaling in schizophrenia: Multi-level study of postmortem brain. Neurosci Res 2021; 175:73-81. [PMID: 34543692 DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2021.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR)-signaling and dihydropyrimidinase-like 2 (DPYSL2), which are increasingly gaining attention as potential therapeutic targets for schizophrenia, are connected via Cap-dependent translation of the 5'TOP motif. We quantified the expression of molecules constituting the mTOR-signaling and DPYSL2 in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and superior temporal gyrus (STG) of postmortem brain tissue samples from 24 patients with schizophrenia and 32 control individuals and conducted association analysis to examine abnormal regulation of DPYSL2 expression by the mTOR-signaling in schizophrenia. The average ribosomal protein S6 (S6) levels in the PFC and STG were lower in patients with schizophrenia (p < 0.01). DPYSL2 expression showed a significant positive correlation with phospho-S6 expression levels, which were effectors of mTOR translational regulation, and the correlation slope between phospho-S6 and DPYSL2 expressions differed between cases and controls. Association analyses of these mTOR-signaling and DPYSL2 alterations with genetic polymorphisms and the clinical profile suggested that certain genetic variants of DPYSL2 require high mTOR-signaling activity. Thus, the findings confirmed decreased S6 expression levels in schizophrenia and supported the relationship between the mTOR-signaling and DPYSL2 via 5'TOP Cap-dependent translation, thus providing insights connecting the two major schizophrenia treatment strategies associated with the mTOR-signaling and DPYSL2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryuta Izumi
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, School of Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan; Department of Psychology, Takeda General Hospital, Aizuwakamatu, Japan
| | - Mizuki Hino
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, School of Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan; Department of Disaster Psychiatry, International Research Institute of Disaster Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Atsuko Nagaoka
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, School of Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Risa Shishido
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, School of Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Akiyoshi Kakita
- Department of Pathology, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Mikio Hoshino
- Department of Biochemistry and Cellular Biology, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasuto Kunii
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, School of Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan; Department of Disaster Psychiatry, International Research Institute of Disaster Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan.
| | - Hirooki Yabe
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, School of Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
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13
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Murray AJ, Rogers JC, Katshu MZUH, Liddle PF, Upthegrove R. Oxidative Stress and the Pathophysiology and Symptom Profile of Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:703452. [PMID: 34366935 PMCID: PMC8339376 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.703452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is associated with increased levels of oxidative stress, as reflected by an increase in the concentrations of damaging reactive species and a reduction in anti-oxidant defences to combat them. Evidence has suggested that whilst not the likely primary cause of schizophrenia, increased oxidative stress may contribute to declining course and poor outcomes associated with schizophrenia. Here we discuss how oxidative stress may be implicated in the aetiology of schizophrenia and examine how current understanding relates associations with symptoms, potentially via lipid peroxidation induced neuronal damage. We argue that oxidative stress may be a good target for future pharmacotherapy in schizophrenia and suggest a multi-step model of illness progression with oxidative stress involved at each stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex J. Murray
- Institute for Mental Health, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Jack C. Rogers
- Institute for Mental Health, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Mohammad Zia Ul Haq Katshu
- Institute of Mental Health, Division of Mental Health and Neurosciences University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- Nottinghamshire Healthcare National Health Service Foundation Trust, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Peter F. Liddle
- Institute of Mental Health, Division of Mental Health and Neurosciences University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Rachel Upthegrove
- Institute for Mental Health, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Early Intervention Service, Birmingham Women's and Children's National Health Service Foundation Trust, Centre for Human Brain Health, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
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14
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Kucera J, Horska K, Hruska P, Kuruczova D, Micale V, Ruda-Kucerova J, Bienertova-Vasku J. Interacting effects of the MAM model of schizophrenia and antipsychotic treatment: Untargeted proteomics approach in adipose tissue. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2021; 108:110165. [PMID: 33152383 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2020.110165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a severe neuropsychiatric disease associated with substantially higher mortality. Reduced life expectancy in schizophrenia relates to an increased prevalence of metabolic disturbance, and antipsychotic medication is a major contributor. Molecular mechanisms underlying adverse metabolic effects of antipsychotics are not fully understood; however, adipose tissue homeostasis deregulation appears to be a critical factor. We employed mass spectrometry-based untargeted proteomics to assess the effect of chronic olanzapine, risperidone, and haloperidol treatment in visceral adipose tissue of prenatally methylazoxymethanol (MAM) acetate exposed rats, a well-validated neurodevelopmental animal model of schizophrenia. Bioinformatics analysis of differentially expressed proteins was performed to highlight the pathways affected by MAM and the antipsychotics treatment. MAM model was associated with the deregulation of the TOR (target of rapamycin) signalling pathway. Notably, alterations in protein expression triggered by antipsychotics were observed only in schizophrenia-like MAM animals where we revealed hundreds of affected proteins according to our two-fold threshold, but not in control animals. Treatments with all antipsychotics in MAM rats resulted in the downregulation of mRNA processing and splicing, while drug-specific effects included among others upregulation of insulin resistance (olanzapine), upregulation of fatty acid metabolism (risperidone), and upregulation of nucleic acid metabolism (haloperidol). Our data indicate that deregulation of several energetic and metabolic pathways in adipose tissue is associated with APs administration and is prominent in MAM schizophrenia-like model but not in control animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Kucera
- Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment (RECETOX), Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Katerina Horska
- Department of Human Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic; Department of Human Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Hruska
- Department of Pathological Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Daniela Kuruczova
- Department of Pathological Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Vincenzo Micale
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy; National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Ruda-Kucerova
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Julie Bienertova-Vasku
- Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment (RECETOX), Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic; Department of Pathological Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.
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15
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Jankowska U, Skupien-Rabian B, Swiderska B, Prus G, Dziedzicka-Wasylewska M, Kedracka-Krok S. Proteome Analysis of PC12 Cells Reveals Alterations in Translation Regulation and Actin Signaling Induced by Clozapine. Neurochem Res 2021; 46:2097-2111. [PMID: 34024016 PMCID: PMC8254727 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-021-03348-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Although antipsychotics are routinely used in the treatment of schizophrenia for the last decades, their precise mechanism of action is still unclear. In this study, we investigated changes in the PC12 cells’ proteome under the influence of clozapine, risperidone, and haloperidol to identify protein pathways regulated by antipsychotics. Analysis of the protein profiles in two time points: after 12 and 24 h of incubation with drugs revealed significant alterations in 510 proteins. Further canonical pathway analysis revealed an inhibition of ciliary trophic factor signaling after treatment with haloperidol and showed a decrease in acute phase response signaling in the risperidone group. Interestingly, all tested drugs have caused changes in PC12 proteome which correspond to inhibition of cytokines: tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1). We also found that the 12-h incubation with clozapine caused up-regulation of protein kinase A signaling and translation machinery. After 24 h of treatment with clozapine, the inhibition of the actin cytoskeleton signaling and Rho proteins signaling was revealed. The obtained results suggest that the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) and 2 (mTORC2) play a central role in the signal transduction of clozapine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Urszula Jankowska
- Proteomics and Mass Spectrometry Core Facility, Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7a str, 30-387, Krakow, Poland.
| | - Bozena Skupien-Rabian
- Proteomics and Mass Spectrometry Core Facility, Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7a str, 30-387, Krakow, Poland
| | - Bianka Swiderska
- Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawinskiego 5a, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Gabriela Prus
- Department of Physical Biochemistry, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, Krakow, Poland
| | - Marta Dziedzicka-Wasylewska
- Department of Physical Biochemistry, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, Krakow, Poland
| | - Sylwia Kedracka-Krok
- Department of Physical Biochemistry, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, Krakow, Poland
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16
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Boczek T, Mackiewicz J, Sobolczyk M, Wawrzyniak J, Lisek M, Ferenc B, Guo F, Zylinska L. The Role of G Protein-Coupled Receptors (GPCRs) and Calcium Signaling in Schizophrenia. Focus on GPCRs Activated by Neurotransmitters and Chemokines. Cells 2021; 10:cells10051228. [PMID: 34067760 PMCID: PMC8155952 DOI: 10.3390/cells10051228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a common debilitating disease characterized by continuous or relapsing episodes of psychosis. Although the molecular mechanisms underlying this psychiatric illness remain incompletely understood, a growing body of clinical, pharmacological, and genetic evidence suggests that G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) play a critical role in disease development, progression, and treatment. This pivotal role is further highlighted by the fact that GPCRs are the most common targets for antipsychotic drugs. The GPCRs activation evokes slow synaptic transmission through several downstream pathways, many of them engaging intracellular Ca2+ mobilization. Dysfunctions of the neurotransmitter systems involving the action of GPCRs in the frontal and limbic-related regions are likely to underly the complex picture that includes the whole spectrum of positive and negative schizophrenia symptoms. Therefore, the progress in our understanding of GPCRs function in the control of brain cognitive functions is expected to open new avenues for selective drug development. In this paper, we review and synthesize the recent data regarding the contribution of neurotransmitter-GPCRs signaling to schizophrenia symptomology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz Boczek
- Department of Molecular Neurochemistry, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Lodz, 92215 Lodz, Poland; (T.B.); (J.M.); (M.S.); (J.W.); (M.L.); (B.F.)
| | - Joanna Mackiewicz
- Department of Molecular Neurochemistry, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Lodz, 92215 Lodz, Poland; (T.B.); (J.M.); (M.S.); (J.W.); (M.L.); (B.F.)
| | - Marta Sobolczyk
- Department of Molecular Neurochemistry, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Lodz, 92215 Lodz, Poland; (T.B.); (J.M.); (M.S.); (J.W.); (M.L.); (B.F.)
| | - Julia Wawrzyniak
- Department of Molecular Neurochemistry, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Lodz, 92215 Lodz, Poland; (T.B.); (J.M.); (M.S.); (J.W.); (M.L.); (B.F.)
| | - Malwina Lisek
- Department of Molecular Neurochemistry, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Lodz, 92215 Lodz, Poland; (T.B.); (J.M.); (M.S.); (J.W.); (M.L.); (B.F.)
| | - Bozena Ferenc
- Department of Molecular Neurochemistry, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Lodz, 92215 Lodz, Poland; (T.B.); (J.M.); (M.S.); (J.W.); (M.L.); (B.F.)
| | - Feng Guo
- Department of Pharmaceutical Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China;
| | - Ludmila Zylinska
- Department of Molecular Neurochemistry, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Lodz, 92215 Lodz, Poland; (T.B.); (J.M.); (M.S.); (J.W.); (M.L.); (B.F.)
- Correspondence:
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17
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Goldstein Ferber S, Weller A, Yadid G, Friedman A. Discovering the Lost Reward: Critical Locations for Endocannabinoid Modulation of the Cortico-Striatal Loop That Are Implicated in Major Depression. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:1867. [PMID: 33668515 PMCID: PMC7918043 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22041867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Depression, the most prevalent psychiatric disorder in the Western world, is characterized by increased negative affect (i.e., depressed mood, cost value increase) and reduced positive affect (i.e., anhedonia, reward value decrease), fatigue, loss of appetite, and reduced psychomotor activity except for cases of agitative depression. Some forms, such as post-partum depression, have a high risk for suicidal attempts. Recent studies in humans and in animal models relate major depression occurrence and reoccurrence to alterations in dopaminergic activity, in addition to other neurotransmitter systems. Imaging studies detected decreased activity in the brain reward circuits in major depression. Therefore, the location of dopamine receptors in these circuits is relevant for understanding major depression. Interestingly, in cortico-striatal-dopaminergic pathways within the reward and cost circuits, the expression of dopamine and its contribution to reward are modulated by endocannabinoid receptors. These receptors are enriched in the striosomal compartment of striatum that selectively projects to dopaminergic neurons of substantia nigra compacta and is vulnerable to stress. This review aims to show the crosstalk between endocannabinoid and dopamine receptors and their vulnerability to stress in the reward circuits, especially in corticostriatal regions. The implications for novel treatments of major depression are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sari Goldstein Ferber
- Department of Psychology and the Leslie and Susan Gonda (Goldschmied) Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel; (S.G.F.); (A.W.)
| | - Aron Weller
- Department of Psychology and the Leslie and Susan Gonda (Goldschmied) Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel; (S.G.F.); (A.W.)
| | - Gal Yadid
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences and the Leslie and Susan Gonda (Goldschmied) Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel;
| | - Alexander Friedman
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, USA
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18
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Palumbo S, Paterson C, Yang F, Hood VL, Law AJ. PKBβ/AKT2 deficiency impacts brain mTOR signaling, prefrontal cortical physiology, hippocampal plasticity and select murine behaviors. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:411-428. [PMID: 33328589 PMCID: PMC7854513 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-020-00964-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Revised: 10/31/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The serine/threonine protein kinase v-AKT homologs (AKTs), are implicated in typical and atypical neurodevelopment. Akt isoforms Akt1, Akt2, and Akt3 have been extensively studied outside the brain where their actions have been found to be complementary, non-overlapping and often divergent. While the neurological functions of Akt1 and Akt3 isoforms have been investigated, the role for Akt2 remains underinvestigated. Neurobehavioral, electrophysiological, morphological and biochemical assessment of Akt2 heterozygous and knockout genetic deletion in mouse, reveals a novel role for Akt2 in axonal development, dendritic patterning and cell-intrinsic and neural circuit physiology of the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Akt2 loss-of-function increased anxiety-like phenotypes, impaired fear conditioned learning, social behaviors and discrimination memory. Reduced sensitivity to amphetamine was observed, supporting a role for Akt2 in regulating dopaminergic tone. Biochemical analyses revealed dysregulated brain mTOR and GSK3β signaling, consistent with observed learning and memory impairments. Rescue of cognitive impairments was achieved through pharmacological enhancement of PI3K/AKT signaling and PIK3CD inhibition. Together these data highlight a novel role for Akt2 in neurodevelopment, learning and memory and show that Akt2 is a critical and non-redundant regulator of mTOR activity in brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Palumbo
- Clinical Brain Disorders Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health Intramural Program, Bethesda MD 20892.,Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy (current)
| | - Clare Paterson
- Clinical Brain Disorders Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health Intramural Program, Bethesda MD 20892.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado, School of Medicine. Aurora, CO 80045
| | - Feng Yang
- Clinical Brain Disorders Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health Intramural Program, Bethesda MD 20892.,Division of Neurodegenerative Diseases and Translational Sciences Tiantan Hospital & Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection. Capital Medical University, Beijing, China (current)
| | - Veronica L. Hood
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado, School of Medicine. Aurora, CO 80045
| | - Amanda J. Law
- Clinical Brain Disorders Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health Intramural Program, Bethesda MD 20892.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado, School of Medicine. Aurora, CO 80045.,To whom correspondence should be addressed:
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19
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De Felice M, Renard J, Hudson R, Szkudlarek HJ, Pereira BJ, Schmid S, Rushlow WJ, Laviolette SR. l-Theanine Prevents Long-Term Affective and Cognitive Side Effects of Adolescent Δ-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Exposure and Blocks Associated Molecular and Neuronal Abnormalities in the Mesocorticolimbic Circuitry. J Neurosci 2021; 41:739-750. [PMID: 33268546 PMCID: PMC7842745 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1050-20.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2020] [Revised: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic adolescent exposure to Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is linked to elevated neuropsychiatric risk and induces neuronal, molecular and behavioral abnormalities resembling neuropsychiatric endophenotypes. Previous evidence has revealed that the mesocorticolimbic circuitry, including the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and mesolimbic dopamine (DA) pathway are particularly susceptible to THC-induced pathologic alterations, including dysregulation of DAergic activity states, loss of PFC GABAergic inhibitory control and affective and cognitive abnormalities. There are currently limited pharmacological intervention strategies capable of preventing THC-induced neuropathological adaptations. l-Theanine is an amino acid analog of l-glutamate and l-glutamine derived from various plant sources, including green tea leaves. l-Theanine has previously been shown to modulate levels of GABA, DA, and glutamate in various neural regions and to possess neuroprotective properties. Using a preclinical model of adolescent THC exposure in male rats, we report that l-theanine pretreatment before adolescent THC exposure is capable of preventing long-term, THC-induced dysregulation of both PFC and VTA DAergic activity states, a neuroprotective effect that persists into adulthood. In addition, pretreatment with l-theanine blocked THC-induced downregulation of local GSK-3 (glycogen synthase kinase 3) and Akt signaling pathways directly in the PFC, two biomarkers previously associated with cannabis-related psychiatric risk and subcortical DAergic dysregulation. Finally, l-theanine powerfully blocked the development of both affective and cognitive abnormalities commonly associated with adolescent THC exposure, further demonstrating functional and long-term neuroprotective effects of l-theanine in the mesocorticolimbic system.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT With the increasing trend of cannabis legalization and consumption during adolescence, it is essential to expand knowledge on the potential effects of adolescent cannabis exposure on brain development and identify potential pharmacological strategies to minimize Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-induced neuropathology. Previous evidence demonstrates that adolescent THC exposure induces long-lasting affective and cognitive abnormalities, mesocorticolimbic dysregulation, and schizophrenia-like molecular biomarkers that persist into adulthood. We demonstrate for the first time that l-theanine, an amino acid analog of l-glutamate and l-glutamine, is capable of preventing long-term THC side effects. l-Theanine prevented the development of THC-induced behavioral aberrations, blocked cortical downregulation of local GSK-3 (glycogen synthase kinase 3) and Akt signaling pathways, and normalized dysregulation of both PFC and VTA DAergic activity, demonstrating powerful and functional neuroprotective effects against THC-induced developmental neuropathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta De Felice
- Addiction Research Group, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Justine Renard
- Addiction Research Group, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Roger Hudson
- Addiction Research Group, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Hanna J Szkudlarek
- Addiction Research Group, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Brian J Pereira
- Addiction Research Group, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Susanne Schmid
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Walter J Rushlow
- Addiction Research Group, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 3K7, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Steven R Laviolette
- Addiction Research Group, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 3K7, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 3K7, Canada
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20
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Goh JY, O'Sullivan SE, Shortall SE, Zordan N, Piccinini AM, Potter HG, Fone KCF, King MV. Gestational poly(I:C) attenuates, not exacerbates, the behavioral, cytokine and mTOR changes caused by isolation rearing in a rat 'dual-hit' model for neurodevelopmental disorders. Brain Behav Immun 2020; 89:100-117. [PMID: 32485291 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2020.05.076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Revised: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Many psychiatric illnesses have a multifactorial etiology involving genetic and environmental risk factors that trigger persistent neurodevelopmental impairments. Several risk factors have been individually replicated in rodents, to understand disease mechanisms and evaluate novel treatments, particularly for poorly-managed negative and cognitive symptoms. However, the complex interplay between various factors remains unclear. Rodent dual-hit neurodevelopmental models offer vital opportunities to examine this and explore new strategies for early therapeutic intervention. This study combined gestational administration of polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (poly(I:C); PIC, to mimic viral infection during pregnancy) with post-weaning isolation of resulting offspring (to mirror adolescent social adversity). After in vitro and in vivo studies required for laboratory-specific PIC characterization and optimization, we administered 10 mg/kg i.p. PIC potassium salt to time-mated Lister hooded dams on gestational day 15. This induced transient hypothermia, sickness behavior and weight loss in the dams, and led to locomotor hyperactivity, elevated striatal cytokine levels, and increased frontal cortical JNK phosphorylation in the offspring at adulthood. Remarkably, instead of exacerbating the well-characterized isolation syndrome, gestational PIC exposure actually protected against a spectrum of isolation-induced behavioral and brain regional changes. Thus isolation reared rats exhibited locomotor hyperactivity, impaired associative memory and reversal learning, elevated hippocampal and frontal cortical cytokine levels, and increased mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) activation in the frontal cortex - which were not evident in isolates previously exposed to gestational PIC. Brains from adolescent littermates suggest little contribution of cytokines, mTOR or JNK to early development of the isolation syndrome, or resilience conferred by PIC. But notably hippocampal oxytocin, which can protect against stress, was higher in adolescent PIC-exposed isolates so might contribute to a more favorable outcome. These findings have implications for identifying individuals at risk for disorders like schizophrenia who may benefit from early therapeutic intervention, and justify preclinical assessment of whether adolescent oxytocin manipulations can modulate disease onset or progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jen-Yin Goh
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Medical School, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Saoirse E O'Sullivan
- School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Royal Derby Hospital, Derby DE22 3DT, UK
| | - Sinead E Shortall
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Medical School, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Nicole Zordan
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Anna M Piccinini
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Harry G Potter
- Division of Evolution and Genomic Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Kevin C F Fone
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Medical School, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Madeleine V King
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Medical School, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK.
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21
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Sargazi S, Heidari Nia M, Sheervalilou R, Mirinejad S, Harati-Sadegh M, Moudi M, Saravani R, Shakiba M. Relationship between Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms of GRHL3 and Schizophrenia Susceptibility: A Preliminary Case-Control Study and Bioinformatics Analysis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR MEDICINE 2020; 9:154-164. [PMID: 32934953 PMCID: PMC7489109 DOI: 10.22088/ijmcm.bums.9.2.154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Grainyhead-like (GRHL) transcription factors were recently linked to the etiology of neural tube defects (NTDs). Overlapping patterns in the variation of schizophrenia (SCZ) incidence with that of NTDs suggests the presence of common etiological risk factors. This preliminary study was designed to examine the relationship between two missense variants of GRHL3 gene (rs2486668C/G and rs545809A/T) and SCZ susceptibility among Iranians. Three hundred ninety subjects (192 patients confirmed with SCZ, and 198 healthy controls) were enrolled and genotyped. Statistical and bioinformatics analyzes were performed to determine the effects of the variants. In silico analyzes were performed to determine the effects of the variants on the secondary structure of GRHL3 protein and prediction of silencer motifs for each variation. Statistically significant differences were observed between the studied groups under codominant AA, dominant AT+AA, and recessive AA genetic contrast models for rs545809A/T. The presence of the A allele of rs545809A/T enhanced SCZ risk by 2.33 fold. In contrast, rs2486668C/G was not linked to SCZ susceptibility (P > 0.05). Bioinformatics analysis revealed that both missense SNPs caused substantial changes in the secondary structure of GRHL3-mRNA. Screening of the flanking sequences of rs545809A/T predicted silencer motifs for this SNP. Our results demonstrated that the rs545809A/T of GRHL3 gene could affect the risk of SCZ in Iranian populations. Replication studies are warranted to confirm these results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saman Sargazi
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Resistant Tuberculosis Institute, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
| | - Milad Heidari Nia
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Resistant Tuberculosis Institute, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
| | - Roghayeh Sheervalilou
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Resistant Tuberculosis Institute, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
| | - Shekoufeh Mirinejad
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Resistant Tuberculosis Institute, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
| | - Mahdiyeh Harati-Sadegh
- Genetics of Non-Communicable Disease Research Center, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
| | - Mahdiyeh Moudi
- Genetics of Non-Communicable Disease Research Center, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
| | - Ramin Saravani
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Resistant Tuberculosis Institute, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran.,Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
| | - Mansoor Shakiba
- Department of Psychiatry, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran.,Psychosomatic Research Center, Imam Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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22
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Zheng WQ, Zhang Y, Yao Q, Chen Y, Qiao X, Wang ED, Chen C, Zhou XL. Nitrosative stress inhibits aminoacylation and editing activities of mitochondrial threonyl-tRNA synthetase by S-nitrosation. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:6799-6810. [PMID: 32484546 PMCID: PMC7337905 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Revised: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Structure and/or function of proteins are frequently affected by oxidative/nitrosative stress via posttranslational modifications. Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRSs) constitute a class of ubiquitously expressed enzymes that control cellular protein homeostasis. Here, we found the activity of human mitochondrial (mt) threonyl-tRNA synthetase (hmtThrRS) is resistant to oxidative stress (H2O2) but profoundly sensitive to nitrosative stress (S-nitrosoglutathione, GSNO). Further study showed four Cys residues in hmtThrRS were modified by S-nitrosation upon GSNO treatment, and one residue was one of synthetic active sites. We analyzed the effect of modification at individual Cys residue on aminoacylation and editing activities of hmtThrRS in vitro and found that both activities were decreased. We further confirmed that S-nitrosation of mtThrRS could be readily detected in vivo in both human cells and various mouse tissues, and we systematically identified dozens of S-nitrosation-modified sites in most aaRSs, thus establishing both mitochondrial and cytoplasmic aaRS species with S-nitrosation ex vivo and in vivo, respectively. Interestingly, a decrease in the S-nitrosation modification level of mtThrRS was observed in a Huntington disease mouse model. Overall, our results establish, for the first time, a comprehensive S-nitrosation-modified aaRS network and a previously unknown mechanism on the basis of the inhibitory effect of S-nitrosation on hmtThrRS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Qiang Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China.,School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yuying Zhang
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Qin Yao
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Yuzhe Chen
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Xinhua Qiao
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - En-Duo Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China.,School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Chang Chen
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.,National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Xiao-Long Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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23
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Yang Y, Xu L. Autophagy and Schizophrenia. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2020; 1207:195-209. [PMID: 32671748 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-15-4272-5_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Schizophrenia (SCZ) is characterized by abnormal thoughts, behaviors and speech, along with a decreased perception of reality that can included visual or auditory hallucinations, withdrawal of social activity and lack of motivation, etc. Many hypotheses related to the causes of SCZ have been proposed, but the underlying neuropathological mechanism remains unclear. Recent studies have suggested that there is an association between autophagy and SCZ. The strongest evidence for this comes from the expression of ATGs in the BA22 of postmortem samples from SCZ patients, coinciding with some of the brain imaging studies and certain hypotheses about SCZ in interpreting the positive symptoms. Autophagy dysfunction in the hippocampus, especially in the CA2 region, may relate to deficits of social communication and interaction in SCZ patients. mTOR regulation of autophagy is also potentially a piece of strong supporting evidence for the autophagic neuropathogenesis of SCZ. In vitro studies show that antipsychotics often induce autophagy through distinct mechanisms of drug action, but they may all share common features as autophagy inducers and antagonists of dopamine receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuexiong Yang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms, Laboratory of Learning and Memory, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, 650223, China
| | - Lin Xu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms, Laboratory of Learning and Memory, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, 650223, China.
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24
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Chadha R, Meador-Woodruff JH. Downregulated AKT-mTOR signaling pathway proteins in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in Schizophrenia. Neuropsychopharmacology 2020; 45:1059-1067. [PMID: 31952070 PMCID: PMC7162985 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-020-0614-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Revised: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Abnormal neurotransmission is central to schizophrenia (SZ). Alterations across multiple neurotransmitter systems in SZ suggest that this illness may be associated with dysregulation of core intracellular processes such as signaling pathways that underlie the regulation and integration of these systems. The AKT-mTOR signaling cascade has been implicated in SZ by gene association, postmortem brain and animal studies. AKT and mTOR are serine/threonine kinases which play important roles in cell growth, proliferation, survival, and differentiation. Both AKT and mTOR require phosphorylation at specific sites for their complete activation. mTOR forms two functionally distinct multiprotein complexes, mTOR Complex 1 (mTORC1) and Complex 2 (mTORC2). mTORC1 mediates ribosome biogenesis, protein translation, and autophagy, whereas mTORC2 contributes to actin dynamics. Altered protein synthesis and actin dynamics can lead to an abnormal neuronal morphology resulting in deficits in learning and memory. Currently, there is a lack of direct evidence to support the hypothesis of disrupted mTOR signaling in SZ, and we have addressed this by characterizing this signaling pathway in SZ brain. We found a reduction in AKT and mTOR protein expression and/or phosphorylation state in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) from 22 pairs of SZ and matched comparison subjects. We also found reduced protein expression of GβL, a subunit protein common to both mTOR complexes. We further investigated mTOR complex-specific subunit composition and phosphorylation state, and found abnormal mTOR expression in both complexes in SZ DLPFC. These findings provide evidence that proteins associated with the AKT-mTOR signaling cascade are downregulated in SZ DLPFC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radhika Chadha
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1719 6th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL, 35294-0021, USA.
| | - James H Meador-Woodruff
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1719 6th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL, 35294-0021, USA
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25
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Ibarra-Lecue I, Diez-Alarcia R, Morentin B, Meana JJ, Callado LF, Urigüen L. Ribosomal Protein S6 Hypofunction in Postmortem Human Brain Links mTORC1-Dependent Signaling and Schizophrenia. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:344. [PMID: 32265715 PMCID: PMC7105616 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The mechanistic target of rapamycin (also known as mammalian target of rapamycin) (mTOR)-dependent signaling pathway plays an important role in protein synthesis, cell growth, and proliferation, and has been linked to the development of the central nervous system. Recent studies suggest that mTOR signaling pathway dysfunction could be involved in the etiopathogenesis of schizophrenia. The main goal of this study was to evaluate the status of mTOR signaling pathway in postmortem prefrontal cortex (PFC) samples of subjects with schizophrenia. For this purpose, we quantified the protein expression and phosphorylation status of the mTOR downstream effector ribosomal protein S6 as well as other pathway interactors such as Akt and GSK3β. Furthermore, we quantified the status of these proteins in the brain cortex of rats chronically treated with the antipsychotics haloperidol, clozapine, or risperidone. We found a striking decrease in the expression of total S6 and in its active phosphorylated form phospho-S6 (Ser235/236) in the brain of subjects with schizophrenia compared to matched controls. The chronic treatment with the antipsychotics haloperidol and clozapine affected both the expression of GSK3β and the activation of Akt [phospho-Akt (Ser473)] in rat brain cortex, while no changes were observed in S6 and phospho-S6 (Ser235/236) protein expression with any antipsychotic treatment. These findings provide further evidence for the involvement of the mTOR-dependent signaling pathway in schizophrenia and suggest that a hypofunctional S6 may have a role in the etiopathogenesis of this disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inés Ibarra-Lecue
- Department of Pharmacology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental CIBERSAM, Leioa, Spain
| | - Rebeca Diez-Alarcia
- Department of Pharmacology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental CIBERSAM, Leioa, Spain.,Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain
| | - Benito Morentin
- Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain.,Section of Forensic Pathology, Basque Institute of Legal Medicine, Bilbao, Spain
| | - J Javier Meana
- Department of Pharmacology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental CIBERSAM, Leioa, Spain.,Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain
| | - Luis F Callado
- Department of Pharmacology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental CIBERSAM, Leioa, Spain.,Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain
| | - Leyre Urigüen
- Department of Pharmacology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental CIBERSAM, Leioa, Spain.,Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain
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26
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Howell KR, Law AJ. Neurodevelopmental concepts of schizophrenia in the genome-wide association era: AKT/mTOR signaling as a pathological mediator of genetic and environmental programming during development. Schizophr Res 2020; 217:95-104. [PMID: 31522868 PMCID: PMC7065975 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2019.08.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2019] [Revised: 08/28/2019] [Accepted: 08/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Normative brain development is contingent on the complex interplay between genes and environment. Schizophrenia (SCZ) is considered a highly polygenic, neurodevelopmental disorder associated with impaired neural circuit development, neurocognitive function and variations in neurotransmitter signaling systems, including dopamine. Significant evidence, accumulated over the last 30 years indicates a role for the in utero environment in SCZ pathophysiology. Emerging data suggests that changes in placental programming and function may mediate the link between genetic risk, early life complications (ELC) and adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes, with risk highlighted in key developmental drivers that converge on AKT/mTOR signaling. In this article we overview select risk genes identified through recent genome-wide association studies of SCZ including AKT3, miR-137, DRD2, and AKT1 itself. We propose that through convergence on AKT/mTOR signaling, these genes are critical factors directing both placentation and neurodevelopment, influencing risk for SCZ through dysregulation of placental function, metabolism and early brain development. We discuss association of risk genes in the context of their known roles in neurodevelopment, placental expression and their possible mechanistic links to SCZ in the broad context of the 'developmental origins of adult disease' construct. Understanding how common genetic variation impacts early fetal programming may advance our knowledge of disease etiology and identify early critical developmental windows for prevention and intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Amanda J. Law
- Corresponding Author: Amanda J. Law, PhD, Professor of Psychiatry, Medicine and Cell and Developmental Biology, Nancy L. Gary Endowed Chair in Children’s Mental Disorders Research, University of Colorado, School of Medicine, , Phone: 303-724-4418, Fax: 303-724-4425, 12700 E. 19th Ave., MS 8619, Aurora, CO 80045
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27
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Xie R, Xie J, Ye Y, Wang X, Chen F, Yang L, Yan Y, Liao L. mTOR Expression in Hippocampus and Prefrontal Cortex Is Downregulated in a Rat Model of Schizophrenia Induced by Chronic Administration of Ketamine. J Mol Neurosci 2020; 70:269-275. [PMID: 31897968 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-019-01476-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2019] [Accepted: 12/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a severe chronic neuropsychiatric disorder, and it negatively affects individuals' quality of life, but the pathogenesis of schizophrenia remains unclear. This study aimed to explore whether the administration of ketamine in rats causes changes in mTOR (mechanistic/mammalian target of rapamycin) expression in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Ketamine was used to establish an animal model of schizophrenia. Rats were randomly divided into four groups: control group (normal saline), low-dose group (15 mg/kg ketamine), middle-dose group (30 mg/kg ketamine), and high-dose group (60 mg/kg ketamine). The rats were intraperitoneally injected with ketamine or normal saline twice a day (9 AM and 9 PM) for 7 consecutive days. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect mTOR protein expression in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex from rats at 13 h after the last treatment. Using immunohistochemistry, the expression of the mTOR protein was localized exclusively in the CA3 region of the hippocampus and in the Cg1 region of the prefrontal cortexes. Ketamine at 60 mg/kg decreased the expression of mTOR protein in the brain of rats. Ketamine successfully established a rat model of schizophrenia. This study helps elucidate the mechanisms of ketamine-induced schizophrenia and provides novel insights for drug discovery and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Runfang Xie
- Department of Analytical Toxicology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, People's Republic of China.,Department of Forensic Analytical Toxicology, School of Forensic Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiming Xie
- Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, The Third People's Hospital, Kunming, 650011, Yunnan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yi Ye
- Department of Analytical Toxicology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Xueyan Wang
- Department of Analytical Toxicology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Fan Chen
- Department of Analytical Toxicology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Lin Yang
- Department of Analytical Toxicology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Youyi Yan
- Department of Analytical Toxicology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Linchuan Liao
- Department of Analytical Toxicology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, People's Republic of China.
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28
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Ibarra-Lecue I, Diez-Alarcia R, Morentin B, Meana JJ, Callado LF, Urigüen L. Ribosomal Protein S6 Hypofunction in Postmortem Human Brain Links mTORC1-Dependent Signaling and Schizophrenia. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:344. [PMID: 32265715 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00344/bibtex] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 05/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The mechanistic target of rapamycin (also known as mammalian target of rapamycin) (mTOR)-dependent signaling pathway plays an important role in protein synthesis, cell growth, and proliferation, and has been linked to the development of the central nervous system. Recent studies suggest that mTOR signaling pathway dysfunction could be involved in the etiopathogenesis of schizophrenia. The main goal of this study was to evaluate the status of mTOR signaling pathway in postmortem prefrontal cortex (PFC) samples of subjects with schizophrenia. For this purpose, we quantified the protein expression and phosphorylation status of the mTOR downstream effector ribosomal protein S6 as well as other pathway interactors such as Akt and GSK3β. Furthermore, we quantified the status of these proteins in the brain cortex of rats chronically treated with the antipsychotics haloperidol, clozapine, or risperidone. We found a striking decrease in the expression of total S6 and in its active phosphorylated form phospho-S6 (Ser235/236) in the brain of subjects with schizophrenia compared to matched controls. The chronic treatment with the antipsychotics haloperidol and clozapine affected both the expression of GSK3β and the activation of Akt [phospho-Akt (Ser473)] in rat brain cortex, while no changes were observed in S6 and phospho-S6 (Ser235/236) protein expression with any antipsychotic treatment. These findings provide further evidence for the involvement of the mTOR-dependent signaling pathway in schizophrenia and suggest that a hypofunctional S6 may have a role in the etiopathogenesis of this disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inés Ibarra-Lecue
- Department of Pharmacology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental CIBERSAM, Leioa, Spain
| | - Rebeca Diez-Alarcia
- Department of Pharmacology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental CIBERSAM, Leioa, Spain
- Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain
| | - Benito Morentin
- Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain
- Section of Forensic Pathology, Basque Institute of Legal Medicine, Bilbao, Spain
| | - J Javier Meana
- Department of Pharmacology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental CIBERSAM, Leioa, Spain
- Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain
| | - Luis F Callado
- Department of Pharmacology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental CIBERSAM, Leioa, Spain
- Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain
| | - Leyre Urigüen
- Department of Pharmacology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental CIBERSAM, Leioa, Spain
- Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain
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29
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AMBRA1, Autophagy, and the Extreme Male Brain Theory of Autism. AUTISM RESEARCH AND TREATMENT 2019; 2019:1968580. [PMID: 31687209 PMCID: PMC6811796 DOI: 10.1155/2019/1968580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2019] [Accepted: 09/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The extreme male brain theory of autism posits that its male bias is mediated by exaggeration of male-biased sex differences in the expression of autism-associated traits found in typical populations. The theory is supported by extensive phenotypic evidence, but no genes have yet been described with properties that fit its predictions. The autophagy-associated gene AMBRA1 represents one of the top genome-wide “hits” in recent GWAS studies of schizophrenia, shows sex-differential expression, and has been linked with autism risk and traits in humans and mice, especially or exclusively among females. We genotyped the AMBRA1 autism-risk SNP in a population of typical humans who were scored for the dimensional expression of autistic and schizotypal traits. Females, but not males, homozygous for the GG genotype showed a significant increase in score for the single trait, the Autism Quotient-Imagination subscale, that exhibits a strong, significant male bias in typical populations. As such, females with this genotype resembled males for this highly sexually dimorphic, autism-associated phenotype. These findings support the extreme male brain hypothesis and indicate that sex-specific genetic effects can mediate aspects of risk for autism.
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30
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Bentea E, Depasquale EA, O’Donovan SM, Sullivan CR, Simmons M, Meador-Woodruff JH, Zhou Y, Xu C, Bai B, Peng J, Song H, Ming GL, Meller J, Wen Z, McCullumsmith RE. Kinase network dysregulation in a human induced pluripotent stem cell model of DISC1 schizophrenia. Mol Omics 2019; 15:173-188. [PMID: 31106784 PMCID: PMC6563817 DOI: 10.1039/c8mo00173a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Protein kinases orchestrate signal transduction pathways involved in central nervous system functions ranging from neurodevelopment to synaptic transmission and plasticity. Abnormalities in kinase-mediated signaling are involved in the pathophysiology of neurological disorders, including neuropsychiatric disorders. Here, we expand on the hypothesis that kinase networks are dysregulated in schizophrenia. We investigated changes in serine/threonine kinase activity in cortical excitatory neurons differentiated from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from a schizophrenia patient presenting with a 4 bp mutation in the disrupted in schizophrenia 1 (DISC1) gene and a corresponding control. Using kinome peptide arrays, we demonstrate large scale abnormalities in DISC1 cells, including a global depression of serine/threonine kinase activity, and changes in activity of kinases, including AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK), and thousand-and-one amino acid (TAO) kinases. Using isogenic cell lines in which the DISC1 mutation is either introduced in the control cell line, or rescued in the schizophrenia cell line, we ascribe most of these changes to a direct effect of the presence of the DISC1 mutation. Investigating the gene expression signatures downstream of the DISC1 kinase network, and mapping them on perturbagen signatures obtained from the Library of Integrated Network-based Cellular Signatures (LINCS) database, allowed us to propose novel drug targets able to reverse the DISC1 kinase dysregulation gene expression signature. Altogether, our findings provide new insight into abnormalities of kinase networks in schizophrenia and suggest possible targets for disease intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduard Bentea
- Center for Neurosciences (C4N), Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Molecular Biology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Erica A.K. Depasquale
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Sinead M. O’Donovan
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Toledo College of Medicine, Toledo, OH, USA
| | | | - Micah Simmons
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - James H. Meador-Woodruff
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Ying Zhou
- Departments of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Cell Biology, and Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Chongchong Xu
- Departments of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Cell Biology, and Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Bing Bai
- Departments of Structural Biology and Developmental Neurobiology, Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, P. R. China
| | - Junmin Peng
- Departments of Structural Biology and Developmental Neurobiology, Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Hongjun Song
- Department of Neuroscience and Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Guo-li Ming
- Department of Neuroscience and Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Jarek Meller
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Departments of Environmental Health, Electrical Engineering & Computing Systems and Biomedical Informatics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Zhexing Wen
- Departments of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Cell Biology, and Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
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31
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Sullivan CR, Mielnik CA, O'Donovan SM, Funk AJ, Bentea E, DePasquale EA, Alganem K, Wen Z, Haroutunian V, Katsel P, Ramsey AJ, Meller J, McCullumsmith RE. Connectivity Analyses of Bioenergetic Changes in Schizophrenia: Identification of Novel Treatments. Mol Neurobiol 2019; 56:4492-4517. [PMID: 30338483 PMCID: PMC7584383 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-018-1390-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2018] [Accepted: 10/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
We utilized a cell-level approach to examine glycolytic pathways in the DLPFC of subjects with schizophrenia (n = 16) and control (n = 16) and found decreased mRNA expression of glycolytic enzymes in pyramidal neurons, but not astrocytes. To replicate these novel bioenergetic findings, we probed independent datasets for bioenergetic targets and found similar abnormalities. Next, we used a novel strategy to build a schizophrenia bioenergetic profile by a tailored application of the Library of Integrated Network-Based Cellular Signatures data portal (iLINCS) and investigated connected cellular pathways, kinases, and transcription factors using Enrichr. Finally, with the goal of identifying drugs capable of "reversing" the bioenergetic schizophrenia signature, we performed a connectivity analysis with iLINCS and identified peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) agonists as promising therapeutic targets. We administered a PPAR agonist to the GluN1 knockdown model of schizophrenia and found it improved long-term memory. Taken together, our findings suggest that tailored bioinformatics approaches, coupled with the LINCS library of transcriptional signatures of chemical and genetic perturbagens, may be employed to identify novel treatment strategies for schizophrenia and related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Catharine A Mielnik
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A8, Canada
| | | | - Adam J Funk
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA
| | - Eduard Bentea
- Neurosciences TA Biology, UCB BioPharma SPRL, Braine-l'Alleud, Belgium
| | - Erica A DePasquale
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Khaled Alganem
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA
| | - Zhexing Wen
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Vahram Haroutunian
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Pavel Katsel
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Amy J Ramsey
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A8, Canada
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Jarek Meller
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Department of Informatics, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Torun, Poland
- Department of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
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32
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Huckins LM, Dobbyn A, Ruderfer DM, Hoffman G, Wang W, Pardiñas AF, Rajagopal VM, Als TD, T Nguyen H, Girdhar K, Boocock J, Roussos P, Fromer M, Kramer R, Domenici E, Gamazon ER, Purcell S, Demontis D, Børglum AD, Walters JTR, O'Donovan MC, Sullivan P, Owen MJ, Devlin B, Sieberts SK, Cox NJ, Im HK, Sklar P, Stahl EA. Gene expression imputation across multiple brain regions provides insights into schizophrenia risk. Nat Genet 2019; 51:659-674. [PMID: 30911161 PMCID: PMC7034316 DOI: 10.1038/s41588-019-0364-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2017] [Accepted: 01/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Transcriptomic imputation approaches combine eQTL reference panels with large-scale genotype data in order to test associations between disease and gene expression. These genic associations could elucidate signals in complex genome-wide association study (GWAS) loci and may disentangle the role of different tissues in disease development. We used the largest eQTL reference panel for the dorso-lateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) to create a set of gene expression predictors and demonstrate their utility. We applied DLPFC and 12 GTEx-brain predictors to 40,299 schizophrenia cases and 65,264 matched controls for a large transcriptomic imputation study of schizophrenia. We identified 413 genic associations across 13 brain regions. Stepwise conditioning identified 67 non-MHC genes, of which 14 did not fall within previous GWAS loci. We identified 36 significantly enriched pathways, including hexosaminidase-A deficiency, and multiple porphyric disorder pathways. We investigated developmental expression patterns among the 67 non-MHC genes and identified specific groups of pre- and postnatal expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura M Huckins
- Pamela Sklar Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Genetics and Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
- Icahn Institute for Genomics and Multiscale Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Amanda Dobbyn
- Pamela Sklar Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Genetics and Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Gabriel Hoffman
- Pamela Sklar Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Icahn Institute for Genomics and Multiscale Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Weiqing Wang
- Pamela Sklar Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Genetics and Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Antonio F Pardiñas
- MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Veera M Rajagopal
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research, iPSYCH, Denmark
- Center for Integrative Sequencing, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Thomas D Als
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research, iPSYCH, Denmark
- Center for Integrative Sequencing, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Hoang T Nguyen
- Pamela Sklar Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Genetics and Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kiran Girdhar
- Pamela Sklar Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Genetics and Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - James Boocock
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Panos Roussos
- Pamela Sklar Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Genetics and Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Icahn Institute for Genomics and Multiscale Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Menachem Fromer
- Pamela Sklar Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Genetics and Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Robin Kramer
- Human Brain Collection Core, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Enrico Domenici
- Laboratory of Neurogenomic Biomarkers, Centre for Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Eric R Gamazon
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
- Clare Hall, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Shaun Purcell
- Pamela Sklar Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Genetics and Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Icahn Institute for Genomics and Multiscale Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ditte Demontis
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research, iPSYCH, Denmark
- Center for Integrative Sequencing, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Anders D Børglum
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research, iPSYCH, Denmark
- Center for Integrative Sequencing, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - James T R Walters
- MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Michael C O'Donovan
- MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Patrick Sullivan
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Michael J Owen
- MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Bernie Devlin
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | | | - Nancy J Cox
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Hae Kyung Im
- Section of Genetic Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Pamela Sklar
- Pamela Sklar Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Genetics and Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Icahn Institute for Genomics and Multiscale Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Eli A Stahl
- Pamela Sklar Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Genetics and Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Icahn Institute for Genomics and Multiscale Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
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33
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Zhao LX, Ge YH, Li JB, Xiong CH, Law PY, Xu JR, Qiu Y, Chen HZ. M1 muscarinic receptors regulate the phosphorylation of AMPA receptor subunit GluA1 via a signaling pathway linking cAMP-PKA and PI3K-Akt. FASEB J 2019; 33:6622-6631. [PMID: 30794430 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201802351r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
M1 muscarinic acetylcholine receptors are highly expressed in key areas that control cognition, such as the cortex and hippocampus, representing one potential therapeutic target for cognitive dysfunctions of Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia. We have reported that M1 receptors facilitate cognition by promoting membrane insertion of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor AMPA receptor subunit 1 (GluA1) through phosphorylation at Ser845. However, the signaling pathway is still unclear. Here we showed that adenylyl cyclase inhibitor 2',5'-dideoxyadenosine and PKA inhibitor KT5720 inhibited enhancement of phosphorylation of Ser845 and membrane insertion of GluA1 induced by M1 receptor activation. Furthermore, PI3K inhibitor LY294002 and protein kinase B (Akt) inhibitor IV blocked the effects of M1 receptors as well. Remarkably, the increase of the activity of PI3K-Akt signaling induced by M1 receptor activation could be abolished by cAMP-PKA inhibitors. Moreover, inhibiting the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) complex 1, an important downstream effector of PI3K-Akt, by short-term application of rapamycin attenuated the effects of M1 receptors on GluA1. Furthermore, such effect was unrelated to possible protein synthesis promoted by mTOR. Taken together, these data demonstrate that M1 receptor activation induces membrane insertion of GluA1 via a signaling linking cAMP-PKA and PI3K-Akt-mTOR pathways but is irrelevant to protein synthesis.-Zhao, L.-X., Ge, Y.-H., Li, J.-B., Xiong, C.-H., Law, P.-Y., Xu, J.-R., Qiu, Y., Chen, H.-Z. M1 muscarinic receptors regulate the phosphorylation of AMPA receptor subunit GluA1 via a signaling pathway linking cAMP-PKA and PI3K-Akt.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan-Xue Zhao
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan-Hui Ge
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jia-Bing Li
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Cai-Hong Xiong
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ping-Yee Law
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; and
| | - Jian-Rong Xu
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Qiu
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hong-Zhuan Chen
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Biomedical Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
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34
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Amorim IS, Lach G, Gkogkas CG. The Role of the Eukaryotic Translation Initiation Factor 4E (eIF4E) in Neuropsychiatric Disorders. Front Genet 2018; 9:561. [PMID: 30532767 PMCID: PMC6265315 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2018.00561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2018] [Accepted: 11/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein synthesis in eukaryotic cells is a complex, multi-step and tightly regulated process. Translation initiation, the rate limiting step in protein synthesis, is dependent on the activity of eukaryotic translation Initiation Factor 4E (eIF4E). eIF4E is the cap-binding protein which, in synergy with proteins such as the helicase eIF4A and the scaffolding protein eIF4G, binds to mRNA, allowing the recruitment of ribosomes and translation initiation. The function of eIF4E is tightly regulated in cells under normal physiological conditions and can be controlled by post-translational modifications, such as phosphorylation, and by the binding of inhibitory proteins, including eIF4E binding proteins (4E-BPs) and CYFIP1. Recent studies have highlighted the importance of eIF4E in normal or aberrant function of the nervous system. In this mini-review, we will highlight the role of eIF4E function and regulation in the pathophysiology of neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inês S Amorim
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Gilliard Lach
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Christos G Gkogkas
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.,The Patrick Wild Centre, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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35
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Ibarra-Lecue I, Mollinedo-Gajate I, Meana JJ, Callado LF, Diez-Alarcia R, Urigüen L. Chronic cannabis promotes pro-hallucinogenic signaling of 5-HT2A receptors through Akt/mTOR pathway. Neuropsychopharmacology 2018; 43:2028-2035. [PMID: 29748632 PMCID: PMC6098160 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-018-0076-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2018] [Revised: 04/13/2018] [Accepted: 04/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Long-term use of potent cannabis during adolescence increases the risk of developing schizophrenia later in life, but to date, the mechanisms involved remain unknown. Several findings suggest that the functional selectivity of serotonin 2A receptor (5-HT2AR) through inhibitory G-proteins is involved in the molecular mechanisms responsible for psychotic symptoms. Moreover, this receptor is dysregulated in the frontal cortex of schizophrenia patients. In this context, studies involving cannabis exposure and 5-HT2AR are scarce. Here, we tested in mice the effect of an early chronic Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) exposure on cortical 5-HT2AR expression, as well as on its in vivo and in vitro functionality. Long-term exposure to THC induced a pro-hallucinogenic molecular conformation of the 5-HT2AR and exacerbated schizophrenia-like responses, such as prepulse inhibition disruption. Supersensitive coupling of 5-HT2AR toward inhibitory Gαi1-, Gαi3-, Gαo-, and Gαz-proteins after chronic THC exposure was observed, without changes in the canonical Gαq/11-protein pathway. In addition, we found that inhibition of Akt/mTOR pathway by rapamycin blocks the changes in 5-HT2AR signaling pattern and the supersensitivity to schizophrenia-like effects induced by chronic THC. The present study provides the first evidence of a mechanistic explanation for the relationship between chronic cannabis exposure in early life and increased risk of developing psychosis-like behaviors in adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inés Ibarra-Lecue
- Department of Pharmacology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental CIBERSAM, Leioa, Spain
| | - Irene Mollinedo-Gajate
- Department of Pharmacology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental CIBERSAM, Leioa, Spain
| | - J Javier Meana
- Department of Pharmacology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental CIBERSAM, Leioa, Spain
- Biocruces Health Research Institute, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Luis F Callado
- Department of Pharmacology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental CIBERSAM, Leioa, Spain
- Biocruces Health Research Institute, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Rebeca Diez-Alarcia
- Department of Pharmacology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental CIBERSAM, Leioa, Spain
- Biocruces Health Research Institute, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Leyre Urigüen
- Department of Pharmacology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental CIBERSAM, Leioa, Spain.
- Biocruces Health Research Institute, Bizkaia, Spain.
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36
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Sumitomo A, Horike K, Hirai K, Butcher N, Boot E, Sakurai T, Nucifora FC, Bassett AS, Sawa A, Tomoda T. A mouse model of 22q11.2 deletions: Molecular and behavioral signatures of Parkinson's disease and schizophrenia. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2018; 4:eaar6637. [PMID: 30116778 PMCID: PMC6093626 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aar6637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2017] [Accepted: 07/12/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Individuals with chromosome 22q11.2 deletions are at increased risk of developing psychiatric conditions, most notably, schizophrenia (SZ). Recently, clinical studies have also implicated these recurrent 22q11.2 deletions with the risk of early-onset Parkinson's disease (PD). Thus far, the multiple mouse models generated for 22q11.2 deletions have been studied primarily in the context of congenital cardiac, neurodevelopmental, and psychotic disorders. One of these is the Df1/+ model, in which SZ-associated and developmental abnormalities have been reported. We present the first evidence that the mouse model for the 22q11.2 deletion exhibits motor coordination deficits and molecular signatures (that is, elevated α-synuclein expression) relevant to PD. Reducing the α-synuclein gene dosage in Df1/+ mice ameliorated the motor deficits. Thus, this model of the 22q11.2 deletion shows signatures of both SZ and PD at the molecular and behavioral levels. In addition, both SZ-associated and PD-relevant deficits in the model were ameliorated by treatment with a rapamycin analog, CCI-779. We now posit the utility of 22q11.2 deletion mouse models in investigating the mechanisms of SZ- and PD-associated manifestations that could shed light on possible common pathways of these neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akiko Sumitomo
- Department of Research and Drug Discovery, Medical Innovation Center, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kouta Horike
- Department of Research and Drug Discovery, Medical Innovation Center, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kazuko Hirai
- Department of Research and Drug Discovery, Medical Innovation Center, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Nancy Butcher
- Clinical Genetics Research Program, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Erik Boot
- Dalglish Family 22q Clinic, University Health Network, Toronto General Research Institute, and Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Takeshi Sakurai
- Department of Research and Drug Discovery, Medical Innovation Center, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Frederick C. Nucifora
- Department of Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Anne S. Bassett
- Clinical Genetics Research Program, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Dalglish Family 22q Clinic, University Health Network, Toronto General Research Institute, and Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Akira Sawa
- Department of Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Toshifumi Tomoda
- Department of Research and Drug Discovery, Medical Innovation Center, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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37
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Ryskalin L, Limanaqi F, Frati A, Busceti CL, Fornai F. mTOR-Related Brain Dysfunctions in Neuropsychiatric Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19082226. [PMID: 30061532 PMCID: PMC6121884 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19082226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2018] [Revised: 07/26/2018] [Accepted: 07/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is an ubiquitously expressed serine-threonine kinase, which senses and integrates several intracellular and environmental cues to orchestrate major processes such as cell growth and metabolism. Altered mTOR signalling is associated with brain malformation and neurological disorders. Emerging evidence indicates that even subtle defects in the mTOR pathway may produce severe effects, which are evident as neurological and psychiatric disorders. On the other hand, administration of mTOR inhibitors may be beneficial for a variety of neuropsychiatric alterations encompassing neurodegeneration, brain tumors, brain ischemia, epilepsy, autism, mood disorders, drugs of abuse, and schizophrenia. mTOR has been widely implicated in synaptic plasticity and autophagy activation. This review addresses the role of mTOR-dependent autophagy dysfunction in a variety of neuropsychiatric disorders, to focus mainly on psychiatric syndromes including schizophrenia and drug addiction. For instance, amphetamines-induced addiction fairly overlaps with some neuropsychiatric disorders including neurodegeneration and schizophrenia. For this reason, in the present review, a special emphasis is placed on the role of mTOR on methamphetamine-induced brain alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larisa Ryskalin
- Human Anatomy, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Fiona Limanaqi
- Human Anatomy, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
| | | | | | - Francesco Fornai
- Human Anatomy, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
- I.R.C.C.S. Neuromed, Via Atinense 18, 86077 Isernia, Italy.
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38
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Abundance of ribosomal RNA gene copies in the genomes of schizophrenia patients. Schizophr Res 2018; 197:305-314. [PMID: 29336872 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2018.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2017] [Revised: 08/23/2017] [Accepted: 01/01/2018] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The ribosome is a critical component of the translation machinery. The key component of ribosomes is ribosomal RNA (rRNA). Dysregulation of rRNA biogenesis has been implicated in some human diseases. One of the factors affecting rRNA biogenesis is the ribosomal RNA genes (rDNA) copy number in the genome. The aim of this study was to examine the rDNA copy number (CN) variation in the genomes of patients with schizophrenia (SZ) compared to healthy controls (HC). METHODS We evaluated rDNA CN in leukocytes of 179 subjects with SZ (108 male/71 female) in comparison with 122 HC (60 male/62 female) using two techniques: qPCR and nonradioactive quantitative hybridization (NQH), which is based on the use of biotinylated rDNA probes. RESULTS rDNA CN (NQH) and rDNA CN (qPCR) was higher in SZ patients than in controls (median 542 vs 384, p=10-25 and median 498 vs 370, p=10-12). NQH was experimentally proved to be less sensitive to severe DNA damage than qPCR. The more DNA damage, the higher the ratio R=CN (NQH)/CN (qPCR). 15% of the SZ patients had significantly higher rDNA damage degree than the HC. CONCLUSION Genomes of some SZ patients contain more ribosomal genes than those of HC. The elevated ribosomal genes copy number in human genome can be one of the genetic factors of schizophrenia development. This hypothesis requires further experimental studies to be corroborated or disproved.
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39
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Palladin Is a Neuron-Specific Translational Target of mTOR Signaling That Regulates Axon Morphogenesis. J Neurosci 2018; 38:4985-4995. [PMID: 29712777 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2370-17.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2017] [Revised: 04/09/2018] [Accepted: 04/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The mTOR signaling pathway regulates protein synthesis and diverse aspects of neuronal morphology that are important for brain development and function. To identify proteins controlled translationally by mTOR signaling, we performed ribosome profiling analyses in mouse cortical neurons and embryonic stem cells upon acute mTOR inhibition. Among proteins whose translation was significantly affected by mTOR inhibition selectively in neurons, we identified the cytoskeletal regulator protein palladin, which is localized within the cell body and axons in hippocampal neurons. Knockdown of palladin eliminated supernumerary axons induced by suppression of the tuberous sclerosis complex protein TSC1 in neurons, demonstrating that palladin regulates neuronal morphogenesis downstream of mTOR signaling. Our findings provide novel insights into an mTOR-dependent mechanism that controls neuronal morphogenesis through translational regulation.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT This study reports the discovery of neuron-specific protein translational responses to alterations of mTOR activity. By using ribosome profiling analysis, which can reveal the location and quantity of translating ribosomes on mRNAs, multiple aspects of protein translation were quantitatively analyzed in mouse embryonic stem cells and cortical neurons upon acute mTOR inhibition. Neurons displayed distinct patterns of ribosome occupancy for each codon and ribosome stalling during translation at specific positions of mRNAs. Importantly, the cytoskeletal regulator palladin was identified as a translational target protein of mTOR signaling in neurons. Palladin operates downstream of mTOR to modulate axon morphogenesis. This study identifies a novel mechanism of neuronal morphogenesis regulated by mTOR signaling through control of translation of the key protein palladin.
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40
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Renard J, Rosen LG, Loureiro M, De Oliveira C, Schmid S, Rushlow WJ, Laviolette SR. Adolescent Cannabinoid Exposure Induces a Persistent Sub-Cortical Hyper-Dopaminergic State and Associated Molecular Adaptations in the Prefrontal Cortex. Cereb Cortex 2018; 27:1297-1310. [PMID: 26733534 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhv335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Considerable evidence suggests that adolescent exposure to delta-9-tetrahydrocanabinol (THC), the psychoactive component in marijuana, increases the risk of developing schizophrenia-related symptoms in early adulthood. In the present study, we used a combination of behavioral and molecular analyses with in vivo neuronal electrophysiology to compare the long-term effects of adolescent versus adulthood THC exposure in rats. We report that adolescent, but not adult, THC exposure induces long-term neuropsychiatric-like phenotypes similar to those observed in clinical populations. Thus, adolescent THC exposure induced behavioral abnormalities resembling positive and negative schizophrenia-related endophenotypes and a state of neuronal hyperactivity in the mesocorticolimbic dopamine (DA) pathway. Furthermore, we observed profound alterations in several prefrontal cortical molecular pathways consistent with sub-cortical DAergic dysregulation. Our findings demonstrate a profound dissociation in relative risk profiles for adolescent versus adulthood exposure to THC in terms of neuronal, behavioral, and molecular markers resembling neuropsychiatric pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justine Renard
- Addiction Research Group.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology
| | - Laura G Rosen
- Addiction Research Group.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology
| | - Michael Loureiro
- Addiction Research Group.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology
| | | | | | - Walter J Rushlow
- Addiction Research Group.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology.,Department of Psychiatry, The Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5C1
| | - Steven R Laviolette
- Addiction Research Group.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology.,Department of Psychiatry, The Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5C1
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41
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Characterization of Behavioral, Signaling and Cytokine Alterations in a Rat Neurodevelopmental Model for Schizophrenia, and Their Reversal by the 5-HT 6 Receptor Antagonist SB-399885. Mol Neurobiol 2018; 55:7413-7430. [PMID: 29423817 PMCID: PMC6096968 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-018-0940-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2017] [Accepted: 01/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Post-weaning social isolation of rats produces neuroanatomical, neurochemical and behavioral alterations resembling some core features of schizophrenia. This study examined the ability of the 5-HT6 receptor antagonist SB-399885 to reverse isolation-induced cognitive deficits, then investigated alterations in hippocampal cell proliferation and hippocampal and frontal cortical expression of selected intracellular signaling molecules and cytokines. Male Lister hooded rats (weaned on post-natal days 21-24 and housed individually or in groups of 3-4) received six i.p. injections of vehicle (1% Tween 80, 1 mL/kg) or SB-399885 (5 or 10 mg/kg) over a 2-week period starting 40 days post-weaning, on the days that locomotor activity, novel object discrimination (NOD), pre-pulse inhibition of acoustic startle and acquisition, retention and extinction of a conditioned freezing response (CFR) were assessed. Tissue was collected 24 h after the final injection for immunohistochemistry, reverse-phase protein microarray and western blotting. Isolation rearing impaired NOD and cue-mediated CFR, decreased cell proliferation within the dentate gyrus, and elevated hippocampal TNFα levels and Cdc42 expression. SB-399885 reversed the NOD deficit and partially normalized CFR and cell proliferation. These effects were accompanied by altered expression of several members of the c-Jun N-terminal Kinase (JNK) and p38 MAPK signaling pathways (including TAK1, MKK4 and STAT3). Although JNK and p38 themselves were unaltered at this time point hippocampal TAK1 expression and phosphorylation correlated with visual recognition memory in the NOD task. Continued use of this neurodevelopmental model could further elucidate the neurobiology of schizophrenia and aid assessment of novel therapies for drug-resistant cognitive symptoms.
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Hudson R, Rushlow W, Laviolette SR. Phytocannabinoids modulate emotional memory processing through interactions with the ventral hippocampus and mesolimbic dopamine system: implications for neuropsychiatric pathology. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2018; 235:447-458. [PMID: 29063964 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-017-4766-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2017] [Accepted: 10/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Growing clinical and preclinical evidence suggests a potential role for the phytocannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD) as a pharmacotherapy for various neuropsychiatric disorders. In contrast, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive component in cannabis, is associated with acute and neurodevelopmental propsychotic side effects through its interaction with central cannabinoid type 1 receptors (CB1Rs). CB1R stimulation in the ventral hippocampus (VHipp) potentiates affective memory formation through inputs to the mesolimbic dopamine (DA) system, thereby altering emotional salience attribution. These changes in DA activity and salience attribution, evoked by dysfunctional VHipp regulatory actions and THC exposure, could predispose susceptible individuals to psychotic symptoms. Although THC can accelerate the onset of schizophrenia, CBD displays antipsychotic properties, can prevent the acquisition of emotionally irrelevant memories, and reverses amphetamine-induced neuronal sensitization through selective phosphorylation of the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) molecular signaling pathway. This review summarizes clinical and preclinical evidence demonstrating that distinct phytocannabinoids act within the VHipp and associated corticolimbic structures to modulate emotional memory processing through changes in mesolimbic DA activity states, salience attribution, and signal transduction pathways associated with schizophrenia-related pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger Hudson
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Walter Rushlow
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6A 3K7, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Steven R Laviolette
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6A 3K7, Canada. .,Department of Psychiatry, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada.
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Al Eissa MM, Fiorentino A, Sharp SI, O'Brien NL, Wolfe K, Giaroli G, Curtis D, Bass NJ, McQuillin A. Exome sequence analysis and follow up genotyping implicates rare ULK1 variants to be involved in susceptibility to schizophrenia. Ann Hum Genet 2017; 82:88-92. [PMID: 29148569 PMCID: PMC5813151 DOI: 10.1111/ahg.12226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2017] [Revised: 09/18/2017] [Accepted: 09/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a severe, highly heritable psychiatric disorder. Elucidation of the genetic architecture of the disorder will facilitate greater understanding of the altered underlying neurobiological mechanisms. The aim of this study was to identify likely aetiological variants in subjects affected with SCZ. Exome sequence data from a SCZ cas–control sample from Sweden was analysed for likely aetiological variants using a weighted burden test. Suggestive evidence implicated the UNC‐51‐like kinase (ULK1) gene, and it was observed that four rare variants that were more common in the Swedish SCZ cases were also more common in UK10K SCZ cases, as compared to obesity cases. These three missense variants and one intronic variant were genotyped in the University College London cohort of 1304 SCZ cases and 1348 ethnically matched controls. All four variants were more common in the SCZ cases than controls and combining them produced a result significant at P = 0.02. The results presented here demonstrate the importance of following up exome sequencing studies using additional datasets. The roles of ULK1 in autophagy and mTOR signalling strengthen the case that these pathways may be important in the pathophysiology of SCZ. The findings reported here await independent replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariam M Al Eissa
- Molecular Psychiatry Laboratory, Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
| | - Alessia Fiorentino
- Molecular Psychiatry Laboratory, Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK.,Current address: Institute of Opthalmology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Sally I Sharp
- Molecular Psychiatry Laboratory, Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
| | - Niamh L O'Brien
- Molecular Psychiatry Laboratory, Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
| | - Kate Wolfe
- Molecular Psychiatry Laboratory, Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
| | - Giovanni Giaroli
- Molecular Psychiatry Laboratory, Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
| | - David Curtis
- University College London Genetics Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | - Nicholas J Bass
- Molecular Psychiatry Laboratory, Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
| | - Andrew McQuillin
- Molecular Psychiatry Laboratory, Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
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Liu L, Luo Y, Zhang G, Jin C, Zhou Z, Cheng Z, Yuan G. Correlation of DRD2 mRNA expression levels with deficit syndrome severity in chronic schizophrenia patients receiving clozapine treatment. Oncotarget 2017; 8:86515-86526. [PMID: 29156812 PMCID: PMC5689702 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.21230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2017] [Accepted: 08/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a complex, severe, chronic psychiatric disorder, and the associated deficit syndrome is widely regarded as an important clinical aspect of schizophrenia. This study analyzed the relationship of deficit syndrome severity with the mRNA levels of members of signaling pathways that associate with the pathophysiology of schizophrenia, including the dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2), protein kinase B (AKT1), and phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3KCB), in peripheral blood leukocytes (PBLs) of 20 healthy controls and 19 chronic schizophrenia patients with long-term clozapine treatment. The DRD2 expression levels in chronic schizophrenia group were statistically higher than those in controls (t=2.168, p=0.037). Moreover, in chronic schizophrenia group, correlations were observed between the expression levels of DRD2 and PI3KCB (r=0.771, p<0.001), DRD2 and AKT1 (r=0.592, p=0.008), and PI3KCB and AKT1 (r=0.562, p=0.012) and between the DRD2 mRNA levels and the Proxy for the Deficit Syndrome score (r=0.511, p=0.025). In control group, the correlation between PI3KCB expression levels and DRD2 expression levels was only observed (r=0.782, p<0.001). In conclusion, a correlation was observed between increased deficit syndrome severity and elevated expression levels of DRD2 in PBLs of chronic schizophrenia patients receiving long-term clozapine treatment.
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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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Cannabidiol Counteracts Amphetamine-Induced Neuronal and Behavioral Sensitization of the Mesolimbic Dopamine Pathway through a Novel mTOR/p70S6 Kinase Signaling Pathway. J Neurosci 2017; 36:5160-9. [PMID: 27147666 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.3387-15.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2015] [Accepted: 02/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Schizophrenia-related psychosis is associated with disturbances in mesolimbic dopamine (DA) transmission, characterized by hyperdopaminergic activity in the mesolimbic pathway. Currently, the only clinically effective treatment for schizophrenia involves the use of antipsychotic medications that block DA receptor transmission. However, these medications produce serious side effects leading to poor compliance and treatment outcomes. Emerging evidence points to the involvement of a specific phytochemical component of marijuana called cannabidiol (CBD), which possesses promising therapeutic properties for the treatment of schizophrenia-related psychoses. However, the neuronal and molecular mechanisms through which CBD may exert these effects are entirely unknown. We used amphetamine (AMPH)-induced sensitization and sensorimotor gating in rats, two preclinical procedures relevant to schizophrenia-related psychopathology, combined with in vivo single-unit neuronal electrophysiology recordings in the ventral tegmental area, and molecular analyses to characterize the actions of CBD directly in the nucleus accumbens shell (NASh), a brain region that is the current target of most effective antipsychotics. We demonstrate that Intra-NASh CBD attenuates AMPH-induced sensitization, both in terms of DAergic neuronal activity measured in the ventral tegmental area and psychotomimetic behavioral analyses. We further report that CBD controls downstream phosphorylation of the mTOR/p70S6 kinase signaling pathways directly within the NASh. Our findings demonstrate a novel mechanism for the putative antipsychotic-like properties of CBD in the mesolimbic circuitry. We identify the molecular signaling pathways through which CBD may functionally reduce schizophrenia-like neuropsychopathology. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The cannabis-derived phytochemical, cannabidiol (CBD), has been shown to have pharmacotherapeutic efficacy for the treatment of schizophrenia. However, the mechanisms by which CBD may produce antipsychotic effects are entirely unknown. Using preclinical behavioral procedures combined with molecular analyses and in vivo neuronal electrophysiology, our findings identify a functional role for the nucleus accumbens as a critical brain region whereby CBD can produce effects similar to antipsychotic medications by triggering molecular signaling pathways associated with the effects of classic antipsychotic medications. Specifically, we report that CBD can attenuate both behavioral and dopaminergic neuronal correlates of mesolimbic dopaminergic sensitization, via a direct interaction with mTOR/p70S6 kinase signaling within the mesolimbic pathway.
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Shin JG, Kim JH, Park CS, Kim BJ, Kim JW, Choi IG, Hwang J, Shin HD, Woo SI. Gender-Specific Associations between CHGB Genetic Variants and Schizophrenia in a Korean Population. Yonsei Med J 2017; 58:619-625. [PMID: 28332369 PMCID: PMC5368149 DOI: 10.3349/ymj.2017.58.3.619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2016] [Revised: 12/09/2016] [Accepted: 12/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Schizophrenia is a devastating mental disorder and is known to be affected by genetic factors. The chromogranin B (CHGB), a member of the chromogranin gene family, has been proposed as a candidate gene associated with the risk of schizophrenia. The secretory pathway for peptide hormones and neuropeptides in the brain is regulated by chromogranin proteins. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential associations between genetic variants of CHGB and schizophrenia susceptibility. MATERIALS AND METHODS In the current study, 15 single nucleotide polymorphisms of CHGB were genotyped in 310 schizophrenia patients and 604 healthy controls. RESULTS Statistical analysis revealed that two genetic variants (non-synonymous rs910122; rs2821 in 3'-untranslated region) were associated with schizophrenia [minimum p=0.002; odds ratio (OR)=0.72], even after correction for multiple testing (p(corr)=0.02). Since schizophrenia is known to be differentially expressed between sexes, additional analysis for sex was performed. As a result, these two genetic variants (rs910122 and rs2821) and a haplotype (ht3) showed significant associations with schizophrenia in male subjects (p(corr)=0.02; OR=0.64), whereas the significance disappeared in female subjects (p>0.05). CONCLUSION Although this study has limitations including a small number of samples and lack of functional study, our results suggest that genetic variants of CHGB may have sex-specific effects on the risk of schizophrenia and provide useful preliminary information for further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joong Gon Shin
- Department of Life Science, Sogang University, Seoul, Korea
- Research Institute for Basic Science, Sogang University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jeong Hyun Kim
- Research Institute for Basic Science, Sogang University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Chul Soo Park
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Korea
| | - Bong Jo Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Korea
| | - Jae Won Kim
- Division of Life Science, Research Institute of Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Korea
| | - Ihn Geun Choi
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Hallym University Hangang Sacred Heart Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jaeuk Hwang
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Soonchunhyang University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyoung Doo Shin
- Department of Life Science, Sogang University, Seoul, Korea
- Research Institute for Basic Science, Sogang University, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology, SNP Genetics, Inc., Seoul, Korea.
| | - Sung Il Woo
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Soonchunhyang University Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
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Renard J, Norris C, Rushlow W, Laviolette SR. Neuronal and molecular effects of cannabidiol on the mesolimbic dopamine system: Implications for novel schizophrenia treatments. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2017; 75:157-165. [PMID: 28185872 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2017.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2016] [Revised: 01/31/2017] [Accepted: 02/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Growing clinical and pre-clinical evidence points to a critical role for cannabidiol (CBD), the largest phytochemical component of cannabis, as a potential pharmacotherapy for various neuropsychiatric disorders. In contrast to delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is associated with acute and neurodevelopmental pro-psychotic side-effects, CBD possesses no known psychoactive or dependence-producing properties. However, evidence has demonstrated that CBD strongly modulates the mesolimbic dopamine (DA) system and may possess promising anti-psychotic properties. Despite the psychotropic differences between CBD and THC, little is known regarding their molecular and neuronal effects on the mesolimbic DA system, nor how these differential effects may relate to their potential pro vs. anti-psychotic properties. This review summarizes clinical and pre-clinical evidence demonstrating CBD's modulatory effects on DA activity states within the mesolimbic pathway, functional interactions with the serotonin 5-HT1A receptor system, and their downstream molecular signaling effects. Together with clinical evidence showing that CBD may normalize affective and cognitive deficits associated with schizophrenia, CBD may represent a promising treatment for schizophrenia, acting through novel molecular and neuronal mesolimbic substrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justine Renard
- Addiction Research Group, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, N6C 5A1, Canada; Dept. of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, N6C 5A1, Canada
| | - Christopher Norris
- Addiction Research Group, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, N6C 5A1, Canada; Dept. of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, N6C 5A1, Canada
| | - Walter Rushlow
- Addiction Research Group, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, N6C 5A1, Canada; Dept. of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, N6C 5A1, Canada; Dept. of Psychiatry, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, N6C 5A1, Canada
| | - Steven R Laviolette
- Addiction Research Group, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, N6C 5A1, Canada; Dept. of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, N6C 5A1, Canada; Dept. of Psychiatry, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, N6C 5A1, Canada; Dept. of Psychology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, N6C 5A1, Canada.
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Mostaid MS, Lee TT, Chana G, Sundram S, Shannon Weickert C, Pantelis C, Everall I, Bousman C. Peripheral Transcription of NRG-ErbB Pathway Genes Are Upregulated in Treatment-Resistant Schizophrenia. Front Psychiatry 2017; 8:225. [PMID: 29163244 PMCID: PMC5681734 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2017.00225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2017] [Accepted: 10/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Investigation of peripheral gene expression patterns of transcripts within the NRG-ErbB signaling pathway, other than neuregulin-1 (NRG1), among patients with schizophrenia and more specifically treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS) is limited. The present study built on our previous work demonstrating elevated levels of NRG1 EGFα, EGFβ, and type I(Ig2) containing transcripts in TRS by investigating 11 NRG-ErbB signaling pathway mRNA transcripts (NRG2, ErbB1, ErbB2, ErbB3, ErbB4, PIK3CD, PIK3R3, AKT1, mTOR, P70S6K, eIF4EBP1) in whole blood of TRS patients (N = 71) and healthy controls (N = 57). We also examined the effect of clozapine exposure on transcript levels using cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 15 healthy individuals. Five transcripts (ErbB3, PIK3CD, AKT1, P70S6K, eIF4EBP1) were significantly elevated in TRS patients compared to healthy controls but only expression of P70S6K (Pcorrected = 0.018), a protein kinase linked to protein synthesis, cell growth, and cell proliferation, survived correction for multiple testing using the Benjamini-Hochberg method. Investigation of clinical factors revealed that ErbB2, PIK3CD, PIK3R3, AKT1, mTOR, and P70S6K expression were negatively correlated with duration of illness. However, no transcript was associated with chlorpromazine equivalent dose or clozapine plasma levels, the latter supported by our in vitro PBMC clozapine exposure experiment. Taken together with previously published NRG1 results, our findings suggest an overall upregulation of transcripts within the NRG-ErbB signaling pathway among individuals with schizophrenia some of which attenuate over duration of illness. Follow-up studies are needed to determine if the observed peripheral upregulation of transcripts within the NRG-ErbB signaling pathway are specific to TRS or are a general blood-based marker of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Shaki Mostaid
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne and Melbourne Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,The Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Mental Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Ting Ting Lee
- Centre for Neural Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Carlton, VIC, Australia
| | - Gursharan Chana
- Centre for Neural Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Carlton, VIC, Australia.,Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Department of Medicine, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Suresh Sundram
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,NorthWestern Mental Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University and Monash Health, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Cynthia Shannon Weickert
- Schizophrenia Research Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Schizophrenia Research Laboratory, Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Christos Pantelis
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne and Melbourne Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,The Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Mental Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Centre for Neural Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Carlton, VIC, Australia.,Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,NorthWestern Mental Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Ian Everall
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne and Melbourne Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,The Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Mental Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Centre for Neural Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Carlton, VIC, Australia.,Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,NorthWestern Mental Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Chad Bousman
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne and Melbourne Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,The Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Mental Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Medical Genetics, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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Canitano R, Pallagrosi M. Autism Spectrum Disorders and Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders: Excitation/Inhibition Imbalance and Developmental Trajectories. Front Psychiatry 2017; 8:69. [PMID: 28507523 PMCID: PMC5410649 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2017.00069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2016] [Accepted: 04/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD) share clinical and genetic components that have long been recognized. The two disorders co-occur more frequently than would be predicted by their respective prevalence, suggesting that a complex, multifactor association is involved. However, DSM-5 maintains the distinction between ASD, with core social and communication impairments, and SSD, including schizophrenia (SCZ), with hallucinations, delusions, and thought disorder as essential features. ASD and SSD have common biological underpinnings that may emerge early in development and unfold over time. One of the hypotheses supporting the similarities in the social and cognitive disturbances of ASD and SSD relates to abnormalities in the ratio of excitatory to inhibitory cortical activity (E/I imbalance). E/I imbalance in neurodevelopmental disorders could be the consequence of abnormalities in genes coding for glutamatergic and GABAergic receptors or synaptic proteins followed by system derangements. SSD and ASD have been characterized as polygenic disorders in which to the onset and progression of disease is triggered by interactions among multiple genes. Mammalian target of rapamycin signaling is under intense investigation as a convergent altered pathway in the two spectrum disorders. Current understanding of shared and divergent patterns between ASD and SSD from molecular to clinical aspects is still incomplete and may be implemented by the research domain criteria approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Canitano
- Division of Child Neuropsychiatry, University Hospital of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Mauro Pallagrosi
- Department of Psychiatry, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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50
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Lee SA, Huang KC. Epigenetic profiling of human brain differential DNA methylation networks in schizophrenia. BMC Med Genomics 2016; 9:68. [PMID: 28117656 PMCID: PMC5260790 DOI: 10.1186/s12920-016-0229-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Epigenetics of schizophrenia provides important information on how the environmental factors affect the genetic architecture of the disease. DNA methylation plays a pivotal role in etiology for schizophrenia. Previous studies have focused mostly on the discovery of schizophrenia-associated SNPs or genetic variants. As postmortem brain samples became available, more and more recent studies surveyed transcriptomics of the diseases. In this study, we constructed protein-protein interaction (PPI) network using the disease associated SNP (or genetic variants), differentially expressed disease genes and differentially methylated disease genes (or promoters). By combining the different datasets and topological analyses of the PPI network, we established a more comprehensive understanding of the development and genetics of this devastating mental illness. Results We analyzed the previously published DNA methylation profiles of prefrontal cortex from 335 healthy controls and 191 schizophrenic patients. These datasets revealed 2014 CpGs identified as GWAS risk loci with the differential methylation profile in schizophrenia, and 1689 schizophrenic differential methylated genes (SDMGs) identified with predominant hypomethylation. These SDMGs, combined with the PPIs of these genes, were constructed into the schizophrenic differential methylation network (SDMN). On the SDMN, there are 10 hypermethylated SDMGs, including GNA13, CAPNS1, GABPB2, GIT2, LEFTY1, NDUFA10, MIOS, MPHOSPH6, PRDM14 and RFWD2. The hypermethylation to differential expression network (HyDEN) were constructed to determine how the hypermethylated promoters regulate gene expression. The enrichment analyses of biochemical pathways in HyDEN, including TNF alpha, PDGFR-beta signaling, TGF beta Receptor, VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 signaling, regulation of telomerase, hepatocyte growth factor receptor signaling, ErbB1 downstream signaling and mTOR signaling pathway, suggested that the malfunctioning of these pathways contribute to the symptoms of schizophrenia. Conclusions The epigenetic profiles of DNA differential methylation from schizophrenic brain samples were investigated to understand the regulatory roles of SDMGs. The SDMGs interplays with SCZCGs in a coordinated fashion in the disease mechanism of schizophrenia. The protein complexes and pathways involved in SDMN may be responsible for the etiology and potential treatment targets. The SDMG promoters are predominantly hypomethylated. Increasing methylation on these promoters is proposed as a novel therapeutic approach for schizophrenia. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12920-016-0229-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng-An Lee
- Department of Information Management, Kainan University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Kuo-Chuan Huang
- Department of Psychiatry, Beitou Branch, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan. .,Department of Nursing, Ching Kuo Institute of Management and Health, Keelung, Taiwan.
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