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Tomiga Y, Higaki Y, Anzai K, Takahashi H. Behavioral defects and downregulation of hippocampal BDNF and nNOS expression in db/db mice did not improved by chronic TGF-β2 treatment. Front Physiol 2022; 13:969480. [PMID: 36091357 PMCID: PMC9452698 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.969480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Epidemiological evidence suggests that there is a link between diabetes and mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety. Although peripheral or central inflammation may explain this link, the molecular mechanisms are not fully understood and few effective treatments for diabetes or mood disorders are available. In the present study, we aimed to determine whether transforming growth factor (TGF)-β2, an anti-inflammatory substance, might represent a potential therapeutic agent for diabetes-related mood behaviors. TGF-β2 expression in the hippocampus is affected by anxiolytic drugs and stress exposure, it is able to cross the blood-brain barrier, and it is as an exercise-induced physiological adipokine that regulates glucose homeostasis. Therefore, we hypothesized that a chronic TGF-β2 infusion would ameliorate diabetes-related glucose intolerance and mood dysregulation. To determine the effects of the chronic administration of TGF-β2 on diabetes, we implanted osmotic pumps containing TGF-β2 into type 2 diabetic mice (db/db mice), and age-matched non-diabetic control wild type mice and db/db mice were infused with vehicle (PBS), for 12 consecutive days. To assess anxiety-like behaviors and glucose homeostasis, the mice underwent elevated plus maze testing and intraperitoneal glucose tolerance testing. Hippocampal and perigonadal visceral white adipose tissue perigonadal white adipose tissue samples were obtained 12 days later. Contrary to our hypothesis, TGF-β2 infusion had no effect on diabetes-related glucose intolerance or diabetes-related behavioral defects, such as inactivity. In db/db mice, the expression of inflammatory markers was high in pgWAT, but not in the hippocampus, and the former was ameliorated by TGF-β2 infusion. The expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and neuronal nitric oxide synthase, important regulators of anxiety-like behaviors, was low in db/db mice, but TGF-β2 infusion did not affect their expression. We conclude that although TGF-β2 reduces the expression of pro-inflammatory markers in the adipose tissue of diabetic mice, it does not ameliorate their obesity or mood dysregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Tomiga
- Division of Metabolism and Endocrinology, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, Japan
- Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Tokyo, Japan
- *Correspondence: Yuki Tomiga,
| | - Yasuki Higaki
- Fukuoka University Institute for Physical Activity, Fukuoka University, Fukuoka, Japan
- Faculty of Sports and Health Science, Fukuoka University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Keizo Anzai
- Division of Metabolism and Endocrinology, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, Japan
| | - Hirokazu Takahashi
- Division of Metabolism and Endocrinology, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, Japan
- Liver Center, Saga University Hospital, Saga, Japan
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2
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Integrative multi-omics landscape of fluoxetine action across 27 brain regions reveals global increase in energy metabolism and region-specific chromatin remodelling. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:4510-4525. [PMID: 36056172 PMCID: PMC9734063 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01725-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Depression and anxiety are major global health burdens. Although SSRIs targeting the serotonergic system are prescribed over 200 million times annually, they have variable therapeutic efficacy and side effects, and mechanisms of action remain incompletely understood. Here, we comprehensively characterise the molecular landscape of gene regulatory changes associated with fluoxetine, a widely-used SSRI. We performed multimodal analysis of SSRI response in 27 mammalian brain regions using 310 bulk RNA-seq and H3K27ac ChIP-seq datasets, followed by in-depth characterisation of two hippocampal regions using single-cell RNA-seq (20 datasets). Remarkably, fluoxetine induced profound region-specific shifts in gene expression and chromatin state, including in the nucleus accumbens shell, locus coeruleus and septal areas, as well as in more well-studied regions such as the raphe and hippocampal dentate gyrus. Expression changes were strongly enriched at GWAS loci for depression and antidepressant drug response, stressing the relevance to human phenotypes. We observed differential expression at dozens of signalling receptors and pathways, many of which are previously unknown. Single-cell analysis revealed stark differences in fluoxetine response between the dorsal and ventral hippocampal dentate gyri, particularly in oligodendrocytes, mossy cells and inhibitory neurons. Across diverse brain regions, integrative omics analysis consistently suggested increased energy metabolism via oxidative phosphorylation and mitochondrial changes, which we corroborated in vitro; this may thus constitute a shared mechanism of action of fluoxetine. Similarly, we observed pervasive chromatin remodelling signatures across the brain. Our study reveals unexpected regional and cell type-specific heterogeneity in SSRI action, highlights under-studied brain regions that may play a major role in antidepressant response, and provides a rich resource of candidate cell types, genes, gene regulatory elements and pathways for mechanistic analysis and identifying new therapeutic targets for depression and anxiety.
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3
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Goodman AC, Wong RY. Differential effects of ethanol on behavior and GABA A receptor expression in adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) with alternative stress coping styles. Sci Rep 2020; 10:13076. [PMID: 32753576 PMCID: PMC7403336 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-69980-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Variation in stress responses between individuals are linked to factors ranging from stress coping styles to sensitivity of neurotransmitter systems. Many anxiolytic compounds (e.g. ethanol) can increase stressor engagement through modulation of neurotransmitter systems and are used to investigate stress response mechanisms. There are two alternative suites of correlated behavioral and physiological responses to stressors (stress coping styles) that differ in exploration tendencies: proactive and reactive stress coping styles. By chronically treating individuals differing in stress coping style with ethanol, a GABA-acting drug, we assessed the role of the GABAergic system on the behavioral stress response. Specifically, we investigated resulting changes in stress-related behavior (i.e. exploratory behavior) and whole-brain GABAA receptor subunits (gabra1, gabra2, gabrd, & gabrg2) in response to a novelty stressor. We found that ethanol-treated proactive individuals showed lower stress-related behaviors than their reactive counterparts. Proactive individuals showed significantly higher expression of gabra1, gabra2, and gabrg2 compared to reactive individuals and ethanol treatment resulted in upregulation of gabra1 and gabrg2 in both stress coping styles. These results suggest that impacts of ethanol on stress-related behaviors vary by stress coping style and that expression of select GABAA receptor subunits may be one of the underlying mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander C Goodman
- Department of Biology, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha, NE, 68182, USA.
| | - Ryan Y Wong
- Department of Biology, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha, NE, 68182, USA.
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4
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Parolini M, Ghilardi A, De Felice B, Del Giacco L. Environmental concentration of fluoxetine disturbs larvae behavior and increases the defense response at molecular level in zebrafish (Danio rerio). ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 26:34943-34952. [PMID: 31659707 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-06619-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Accepted: 09/25/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Fluoxetine (FLX) is one of the main antidepressants used worldwide. After human use, FLX enters the aquatic ecosystems, where it has commonly detected in the high ng/L concentration range. Several investigations have shown that exposure to different concentrations of FLX caused different adverse effects towards a number of aquatic species. However, the information on the onset and the relationship between molecular and behavioral FLX-induced effects remains scant. The aim of this study was to assess the effects induced by two FLX concentrations, namely 50 ng/L and 500 ng/L, on swimming activity of zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae at 96-h post-fertilization (hpf) and to investigate if such behavioral effects were related to modulation of the expression of oxidative stress-related (sod1, sod2, cat, gpxa, and gst), stress- and anxiety-related (oxtl, prl2, npy, and ucn3l) genes, and genes encoding for the transporters of the main neurotransmitters (slc6a3, slc6a4a, slc6a4b, slc6a11). Fluoxetine exposure altered the swimming behavior of larvae, as shown by the reduction of the distance traveled by treated larvae in response to an external stimulus. Such behavioral change was related, at molecular level, to an enhanced expression of sod1, cat, and gpxa, suggesting an overproduction of pro-oxidant molecules. In addition, FLX modulated the expression of oxtl, slc6a4a, slc6a4b, and slc6a11, suggesting its capability to affect anxiety- and neurotransmitter-related genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Parolini
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, via Celoria 2, 20133, Milan, Italy.
| | - Anna Ghilardi
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, via Celoria 26, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Beatrice De Felice
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, via Celoria 2, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Del Giacco
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, via Celoria 26, 20133, Milan, Italy
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5
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Alpha-Synuclein RNA Expression is Increased in Major Depression. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20082029. [PMID: 31027150 PMCID: PMC6515395 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20082029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2019] [Revised: 04/18/2019] [Accepted: 04/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Alpha-synuclein (SNCA) is a small membrane protein that plays an important role in neuro-psychiatric diseases. It is best known for its abnormal subcellular aggregation in Lewy bodies that serves as a hallmark of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Due to the high comorbidity of PD with depression, we investigated the role of SNCA in patients suffering from major depressive disorder (MDD). SNCA mRNA expression levels were analyzed in peripheral blood cells of MDD patients and a healthy control group. SNCA mRNA expression was positively correlated with severity of depression as indicated by psychometric assessment. We found a significant increase in SNCA mRNA expression levels in severely depressed patients compared with controls. Thus, SNCA analysis could be a helpful target in the search for biomarkers of MDD.
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Zygmunt M, Piechota M, Rodriguez Parkitna J, Korostyński M. Decoding the transcriptional programs activated by psychotropic drugs in the brain. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2018; 18:e12511. [PMID: 30084543 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2016] [Revised: 07/25/2018] [Accepted: 08/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Analysis of drug-induced gene expression in the brain has long held the promise of revealing the molecular mechanisms of drug actions as well as predicting their long-term clinical efficacy. However, despite some successes, this promise has yet to be fulfilled. Here, we present an overview of the current state of understanding of drug-induced gene expression in the brain and consider the obstacles to achieving a robust prediction of the properties of psychoactive compounds based on gene expression profiles. We begin with a comprehensive overview of the mechanisms controlling drug-inducible transcription and the complexity resulting from expression of noncoding RNAs and alternative gene isoforms. Particular interest is placed on studies that examine the associations within drug classes with regard to the effects on gene transcription, alterations in cell signaling and neuropharmacological drug properties. While the ability of gene expression signatures to distinguish specific clinical classes of psychotropic and addictive drugs remains unclear, some reports show that under specific constraints, drug properties can be predicted based on gene expression. Such signatures offer a simple and effective way to classify psychotropic drugs and screen novel psychoactive compounds. Finally, we note that the amount of data regarding molecular programs activated in the brain by drug treatment has grown exponentially in recent years and that future advances may therefore come in large part from integrating the currently available high-throughput data sets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Zygmunt
- Department of Molecular Neuropharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Krakow, Poland
| | - Marcin Piechota
- Department of Molecular Neuropharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Krakow, Poland
| | - Jan Rodriguez Parkitna
- Department of Molecular Neuropharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Krakow, Poland
| | - Michał Korostyński
- Department of Molecular Neuropharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Krakow, Poland
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7
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Differential exosomal microRNA profile in the serum of a patient with depression. THE EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpsy.2017.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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8
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DNA Microarray-Based Screening and Characterization of Traditional Chinese Medicine. MICROARRAYS 2017; 6:microarrays6010004. [PMID: 28146102 PMCID: PMC5374364 DOI: 10.3390/microarrays6010004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2016] [Accepted: 01/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The application of DNA microarray assay (DMA) has entered a new era owing to recent innovations in omics technologies. This review summarizes recent applications of DMA-based gene expression profiling by focusing on the screening and characterizationof traditional Chinese medicine. First, herbs, mushrooms, and dietary plants analyzed by DMA along with their effective components and their biological/physiological effects are summarized and discussed by examining their comprehensive list and a list of representative effective chemicals. Second, the mechanisms of action of traditional Chinese medicine are summarized by examining the genes and pathways responsible for the action, the cell functions involved in the action, and the activities found by DMA (silent estrogens). Third, applications of DMA for traditional Chinese medicine are discussed by examining reported examples and new protocols for its use in quality control. Further innovations in the signaling pathway based evaluation of beneficial effects and the assessment of potential risks of traditional Chinese medicine are expected, just as are observed in other closely related fields, such as the therapeutic, environmental, nutritional, and pharmacological fields.
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9
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Sharma A. Systems Genomics Support for Immune and Inflammation Hypothesis of Depression. Curr Neuropharmacol 2016; 14:749-58. [PMID: 26733279 PMCID: PMC5050401 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x14666160106155331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2015] [Revised: 11/02/2015] [Accepted: 11/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immune system plays an important role in brain development and function. With the discovery of increased circulating inflammatory cytokine levels in depression over two decades ago, evidence implicating immune system alterations in the disease has increasingly accumulated. OBJECTIVE To assess the underlying etiology and pathophysiology, a brief overview of the hypothesis free genomic, transcriptomic and proteomic studies in depression is presented here in order to specifically examine if the immune and inflammation hypothesis of depression is supported. RESULTS It is observed that genes identified in genome-wide association studies, and genes showing differential expression in transcriptomic studies in human depression do separately overrepresent processes related to both development as well as functioning of the immune system, and inflammatory response. These processes are also enriched in differentially expressed genes reported in animal models of antidepressant treatment. It is further noted that some of the genes identified in genome sequencing and proteomic analyses in human depression, and transcriptomic studies in chronic social defeat stress, an established animal model of depression, relate to immune and inflammatory pathways. CONCLUSION In conclusion, integrative genomics evidence supports the immune and inflammation hypothesis of depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhay Sharma
- CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Sukhdev Vihar, Mathura Road, New Delhi 110025, India
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10
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Kroeze Y, Peeters D, Boulle F, van den Hove DLA, van Bokhoven H, Zhou H, Homberg JR. Long-term consequences of chronic fluoxetine exposure on the expression of myelination-related genes in the rat hippocampus. Transl Psychiatry 2015; 5:e642. [PMID: 26393488 PMCID: PMC5068807 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2015.145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2015] [Revised: 08/10/2015] [Accepted: 08/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) fluoxetine is widely prescribed for the treatment of symptoms related to a variety of psychiatric disorders. After chronic SSRI treatment, some symptoms remediate on the long term, but the underlying mechanisms are not yet well understood. Here we studied the long-term consequences (40 days after treatment) of chronic fluoxetine exposure on genome-wide gene expression. During the treatment period, we measured body weight; and 1 week after treatment, cessation behavior in an SSRI-sensitive anxiety test was assessed. Gene expression was assessed in hippocampal tissue of adult rats using transcriptome analysis and several differentially expressed genes were validated in independent samples. Gene ontology analysis showed that upregulated genes induced by chronic fluoxetine exposure were significantly enriched for genes involved in myelination. We also investigated the expression of myelination-related genes in adult rats exposed to fluoxetine at early life and found two myelination-related genes (Transferrin (Tf) and Ciliary neurotrophic factor (Cntf)) that were downregulated by chronic fluoxetine exposure. Cntf, a neurotrophic factor involved in myelination, showed regulation in opposite direction in the adult versus neonatally fluoxetine-exposed groups. Expression of myelination-related genes correlated negatively with anxiety-like behavior in both adult and neonatally fluoxetine-exposed rats. In conclusion, our data reveal that chronic fluoxetine exposure causes on the long-term changes in expression of genes involved in myelination, a process that shapes brain connectivity and contributes to symptoms of psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Kroeze
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Centre for Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Human Genetics, Centre for Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - D Peeters
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Centre for Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - F Boulle
- School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, European Graduate School of Neuroscience, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - D L A van den Hove
- School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, European Graduate School of Neuroscience, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - H van Bokhoven
- Department of Human Genetics, Centre for Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - H Zhou
- Department of Human Genetics, Centre for Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Molecular Developmental Biology, Faculty of Science, Radboud institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - J R Homberg
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Centre for Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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11
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Acute and chronic stress differentially regulate cyclin-dependent kinase 5 in mouse brain: implications to glucocorticoid actions and major depression. Transl Psychiatry 2015; 5:e578. [PMID: 26057048 PMCID: PMC4490283 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2015.72] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2015] [Accepted: 04/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Stress activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, which in turn increases circulating glucocorticoid concentrations and stimulates the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). Chronically elevated glucocorticoids by repetitive exposure to stress are implicated in major depression and anxiety disorders. Cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5), a molecule essential for nervous system development, function and pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders, can modulate GR activity through phosphorylation. We examined potential contribution of CDK5 to stress response and pathophysiology of major depression. In mice, acute immobilized stress (AS) caused a biphasic effect on CDK5 activity, initially reducing but increasing afterwards in prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus (HIPPO), whereas chronic unpredictable stress (CS) strongly increased it in these brain areas, indicating that AS and CS differentially regulate this kinase activity in a brain region-specific fashion. GR phosphorylation contemporaneously followed the observed changes of CDK5 activity after AS, thus CDK5 may in part alter GR phosphorylation upon this stress. In the postmortem brains of subjects with major depression, CDK5 activity was elevated in Brodmann's area 25, but not in entire PFC and HIPPO. Messenger RNA expression of glucocorticoid-regulated/stress-related genes showed distinct expression profiles in several brain areas of these stressed mice or depressive subjects in which CDK5-mediated changes in GR phosphorylation may have some regulatory roles. Taken together, these results indicate that CDK5 is an integral component of stress response and major depression with regulatory means specific to different stressors, brain areas and diseases in part through changing phosphorylation of GR.
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12
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Differential and converging molecular mechanisms of antidepressants' action in the hippocampal dentate gyrus. Neuropsychopharmacology 2015; 40:338-49. [PMID: 25035085 PMCID: PMC4443946 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2014.176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2014] [Revised: 06/19/2014] [Accepted: 07/11/2014] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Major depression is a highly prevalent, multidimensional disorder. Although several classes of antidepressants (ADs) are currently available, treatment efficacy is limited, and relapse rates are high; thus, there is a need to find better therapeutic strategies. Neuroplastic changes in brain regions such as the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) accompany depression and its amelioration with ADs. In this study, the unpredictable chronic mild stress (uCMS) rat model of depression was used to determine the molecular mediators of chronic stress and the targets of four ADs with different pharmacological profiles (fluoxetine, imipramine, tianeptine, and agomelatine) in the hippocampal DG. All ADs, except agomelatine, reversed the depression-like behavior and neuroplastic changes produced by uCMS. Chronic stress induced significant molecular changes that were generally reversed by fluoxetine, imipramine, and tianeptine. Fluoxetine primarily acted on neurons to reduce the expression of pro-inflammatory response genes and increased a set of genes involved in cell metabolism. Similarities were found between the molecular actions and targets of imipramine and tianeptine that activated pathways related to cellular protection. Agomelatine presented a unique profile, with pronounced effects on genes related to Rho-GTPase-related pathways in oligodendrocytes and neurons. These differential molecular signatures of ADs studied contribute to our understanding of the processes implicated in the onset and treatment of depression-like symptoms.
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13
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Duan D, Yang X, Ya T, Chen L. Hippocampal gene expression in a rat model of depression after electroacupuncture at the Baihui and Yintang acupoints. Neural Regen Res 2014; 9:76-83. [PMID: 25206746 PMCID: PMC4146319 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.125333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/20/2013] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Preliminary basic research and clinical findings have demonstrated that electroacupuncture therapy exhibits positive effects in ameliorating depression. However, most studies of the underlying mechanism are at the single gene level; there are few reports regarding the mechanism at the whole-genome level. Using a rat genomic gene-chip, we profiled hippocampal gene expression changes in rats after electroacupuncture therapy. Electroacupuncture therapy alleviated depression-related manifestations in the model rats. Using gene-chip analysis, we demonstrated that electroacupuncture at Baihui (DU20) and Yintang (EX-HN3) regulates the expression of 21 genes. Real-time PCR showed that the genes Vgf, Igf2, Tmp32, Loc500373, Hif1a, Folr1, Nmb, and Rtn were upregulated or downregulated in depression and that their expression tended to normalize after electroacupuncture therapy. These results indicate that electroacupuncture at Baihui and Yintang modulates depression by regulating the expression of particular genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongmei Duan
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine of South Building, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xiuyan Yang
- Institute of Health Maintenance, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Tu Ya
- School of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Liping Chen
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine of South Building, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
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14
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McIntire LBJ, Landman N, Kang MS, Finan GM, Hwang JC, Moore AZ, Park LS, Lin CS, Kim TW. Phenotypic assays for β-amyloid in mouse embryonic stem cell-derived neurons. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 20:956-67. [PMID: 23890013 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2013.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2013] [Revised: 06/07/2013] [Accepted: 06/13/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Given the complex nature of Alzheimer's disease (AD), a cell-based model that recapitulates the physiological properties of the target neuronal population would be extremely valuable for discovering improved drug candidates and chemical probes to uncover disease mechanisms. We established phenotypic neuronal assays for the biogenesis and synaptic action of amyloid β peptide (Aβ) based on embryonic stem cell-derived neurons (ESNs). ESNs enriched with pyramidal neurons were robust, scalable, and amenable to a small-molecule screening assay, overcoming the apparent limitations of neuronal models derived from human pluripotent cells. Small-molecule screening of clinical compounds identified four compounds capable of reducing Aβ levels in ESNs derived from the Tg2576 mouse model of AD. Our approach is therefore highly suitable for phenotypic screening in AD drug discovery and has the potential to identify therapeutic candidates with improved efficacy and safety potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Beth J McIntire
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
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15
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Tsapakis EM, Fernandes C, Moran-Gates T, Basu A, Sugden K, Aitchison KJ, Tarazi FI. Effects of antidepressant drug exposure on gene expression in the developing cerebral cortex. Synapse 2014; 68:209-20. [PMID: 24458505 DOI: 10.1002/syn.21732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2013] [Revised: 12/27/2013] [Accepted: 01/09/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
To clarify the basis of limited responses in children and adolescents to antidepressant treatments considered standard in the treatment of adult major depressive disorder, juvenile Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to 21-day treatment with dissimilar antidepressant drugs fluoxetine, imipramine, or vehicle control. Total RNA was extracted from brain frontal cortices and hybridized to the Affymetrix 230.2 chip. A total of 18 microarrays were analyzed (i.e., six biological replicates in three treatment groups). Transcripts identified were validated using Taqman real-time quantitative PCR methodology, and the relative expression of each gene was also determined. In both the imipramine- and fluoxetine-treated animals, expression of six genes was down-regulated (ANOVA-filtered gene expression data using dChip [version 2005]): Gpd1; Lrrn3; Sult1A1; Angptl4; Mt1a; Unknown. Furthermore, four genes were over-expressed: P4Ha1; RDG1311476; Rgc32; and SLC25A18-like by both imipramine and fluoxetine. These data demonstrate that antidepressant drugs interfere with the expression of genes involved in cell signaling, survival, and protein metabolism. Our results show that antidepressants regulate the induction of highly specific transcriptional programs in the developing frontal cortex. These findings provide novel insights into the long-term molecular actions of antidepressant drugs in the developing brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evangelia M Tsapakis
- MRC Social Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, United Kingdom; Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience Program, Harvard Medical School and McLean Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
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16
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Abstract
While antidepressant therapy is an essential treatment of major depression, a substantial group of treated patients do not respond to therapy, or suffer from severe side effects. Moreover, the time of onset of the clinical improvement is often delayed. Antidepressants as currently available usually enhance serotonergic, noradrenergic and dopaminergic neurotransmission and may contribute to the inadequate remission rates for major depression. Therefore biomarkers enabling the identification of subgroups of patients and also finding unprecedented targets would provide the basis for personalized medication and thus improve treatment efficacy and reduce side effects. Several pharmacogenetic studies on antidepressant treatment response using single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) mapping have been performed but provided only modest findings. Therefore the analysis of gene expression to integrate genomic activity and environmental effects promises a new approach to cope with the complexity of factors influencing antidepressant treatment. Here gene expression studies focusing on candidate genes and genome-wide approaches using RNA derived from peripheral blood cells are reviewed. The most promising findings exist for hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, inflammation and neuroplasticity related genes. However, straightforward translation into tailored treatment is still unlikely. Contradictory results limit the clinical use of the findings. Future studies are necessary, which could include functional analysis and consider gene-environment interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Menke
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry , Munich , Germany
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17
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Korostynski M, Piechota M, Dzbek J, Mlynarski W, Szklarczyk K, Ziolkowska B, Przewlocki R. Novel drug-regulated transcriptional networks in brain reveal pharmacological properties of psychotropic drugs. BMC Genomics 2013; 14:606. [PMID: 24010892 PMCID: PMC3844597 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-14-606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2013] [Accepted: 08/29/2013] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Despite their widespread use, the biological mechanisms underlying the efficacy of psychotropic drugs are still incompletely known; improved understanding of these is essential for development of novel more effective drugs and rational design of therapy. Given the large number of psychotropic drugs available and their differential pharmacological effects, it would be important to establish specific predictors of response to various classes of drugs. Results To identify the molecular mechanisms that may initiate therapeutic effects, whole-genome expression profiling (using 324 Illumina Mouse WG-6 microarrays) of drug-induced alterations in the mouse brain was undertaken, with a focus on the time-course (1, 2, 4 and 8 h) of gene expression changes produced by eighteen major psychotropic drugs: antidepressants, antipsychotics, anxiolytics, psychostimulants and opioids. The resulting database is freely accessible at http://www.genes2mind.org. Bioinformatics approaches led to the identification of three main drug-responsive genomic networks and indicated neurobiological pathways that mediate the alterations in transcription. Each tested psychotropic drug was characterized by a unique gene network expression profile related to its neuropharmacological properties. Functional links that connect expression of the networks to the development of neuronal adaptations (MAPK signaling pathway), control of brain metabolism (adipocytokine pathway), and organization of cell projections (mTOR pathway) were found. Conclusions The comparison of gene expression alterations between various drugs opened a new means to classify the different psychoactive compounds and to predict their cellular targets; this is well exemplified in the case of tianeptine, an antidepressant with unknown mechanisms of action. This work represents the first proof-of-concept study of a molecular classification of psychoactive drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Korostynski
- Department of Molecular Neuropharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna 12, PL 31-343, Kraków, Poland.
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18
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Wong RY, Oxendine SE, Godwin J. Behavioral and neurogenomic transcriptome changes in wild-derived zebrafish with fluoxetine treatment. BMC Genomics 2013; 14:348. [PMID: 23706039 PMCID: PMC3667115 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-14-348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2013] [Accepted: 05/16/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Stress and anxiety-related behaviors are seen in many organisms. Studies have shown that in humans and other animals, treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (e.g. fluoxetine) can reduce anxiety and anxiety-related behaviors. The efficacies and side effects, however, can vary between individuals. Fluoxetine can modulate anxiety in a stereospecific manner or with equal efficacy regardless of stereoisomer depending on the mechanism of action (e.g. serotonergic or GABAergic effects). Zebrafish are an emerging and valuable translational model for understanding human health related issues such as anxiety. In this study we present data showing the behavioral and whole brain transcriptome changes with fluoxetine treatment in wild-derived zebrafish and suggest additional molecular mechanisms of this widely-prescribed drug. Results We used automated behavioral analyses to assess the effects of racemic and stereoisomeric fluoxetine on male wild-derived zebrafish. Both racemic and the individual isomers of fluoxetine reduced anxiety-related behaviors relative to controls and we did not observe stereospecific fluoxetine effects. Using RNA-sequencing of the whole brain, we identified 411 genes showing differential expression with racemic fluoxetine treatment. Several neuropeptides (neuropeptide Y, isotocin, urocortin 3, prolactin) showed consistent expression patterns with the alleviation of stress and anxiety when anxiety-related behavior was reduced with fluoxetine treatment. With gene ontology and KEGG pathway analyses, we identified lipid and amino acid metabolic processes, and steroid biosynthesis among other terms to be over-enriched. Conclusion Our results demonstrate that fluoxetine reduces anxiety-related behaviors in wild-derived zebrafish and alters their neurogenomic state. We identify two biological processes, lipid and amino acid metabolic synthesis that characterize differences in the fluoxetine treated fish. Fluoxetine may be acting on several different molecular pathways to reduce anxiety-related behaviors in wild-derived zebrafish. This study provides data that could help identify common molecular mechanisms of fluoxetine action across animal taxa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Y Wong
- Department of Biology, North Carolina State University, Box 7617, Raleigh, NC 27695-7617, USA.
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19
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Gąska M, Kuśmider M, Solich J, Faron-Górecka A, Krawczyk MJ, Kułakowski K, Dziedzicka-Wasylewska M. Analysis of region-specific changes in gene expression upon treatment with citalopram and desipramine reveals temporal dynamics in response to antidepressant drugs at the transcriptome level. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2012; 223:281-97. [PMID: 22547330 PMCID: PMC3438400 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-012-2714-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2011] [Accepted: 03/30/2012] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE The notion that the onset of action of antidepressant drugs (ADs) takes weeks is widely accepted; however, the sequence of events necessary for therapeutic effects still remains obscure. OBJECTIVE We aimed to evaluate a time-course of ADs-induced alterations in the expression of 95 selected genes in 4 regions of the rat brain: the prefrontal and cingulate cortices, the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus, and the amygdala. METHODS We employed RT-PCR array to evaluate changes during a time-course (1, 3, 7, 14, and 21 days) of treatments with desipramine (DMI) and citalopram (CIT). In addition to repeated treatment, we also conducted acute treatment (a single dose of drug followed by the same time intervals as the repeated doses). RESULTS Time-dependent and structure-specific changes in gene expression patterns allowed us to identify spatiotemporal differences in the molecular action of two ADs. Singular value decomposition analysis revealed differences in the global gene expression profiles between treatment types. The numbers of characteristic modes were generally smaller after CIT treatment than after DMI treatment. Analysis of the dynamics of gene expression revealed that the most significant changes concerned immediate early genes, whose expression was also visualized by in situ hybridization. Transcription factor binding site analysis revealed an over-representation of serum response factor binding sites in the promoters of genes that changed upon treatment with both ADs. CONCLUSIONS The observed gene expression patterns were highly dynamic, with oscillations and peaks at various time points of treatment. Our study also revealed novel potential targets of antidepressant action, i.e., Dbp and Id1 genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Gąska
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna 12 Street, 31-343 Krakow, Poland.
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20
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Ferreira FR, Oliveira AM, Dinarte AR, Pinheiro DG, Greene LJ, Silva WA, Joca SR, Guimarães FS. Changes in hippocampal gene expression by 7-nitroindazole in rats submitted to forced swimming stress. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2012; 11:303-13. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1601-183x.2011.00757.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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Benton CS, Miller BH, Skwerer S, Suzuki O, Schultz LE, Cameron MD, Marron JS, Pletcher MT, Wiltshire T. Evaluating genetic markers and neurobiochemical analytes for fluoxetine response using a panel of mouse inbred strains. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2012; 221:297-315. [PMID: 22113448 PMCID: PMC3337404 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-011-2574-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2011] [Accepted: 11/03/2011] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Identification of biomarkers that establish diagnosis or treatment response is critical to the advancement of research and management of patients with depression. OBJECTIVE Our goal was to identify biomarkers that can potentially assess fluoxetine response and risk to poor treatment outcome. METHODS We measured behavior, gene expression, and the levels of 36 neurobiochemical analytes across a panel of genetically diverse mouse inbred lines after chronic treatment with water or fluoxetine. RESULTS Glyoxylase 1 (GLO1) and guanine nucleotide-binding protein 1 (GNB1) mostly account for baseline anxiety-like and depressive-like behavior, indicating a common biological link between depression and anxiety. Fluoxetine-induced biochemical alterations discriminated positive responders, while baseline neurobiochemical differences differentiated negative responders (p < 0.006). Results show that glial fibrillary acidic protein, S100 beta protein, GLO1, and histone deacetylase 5 contributed most to fluoxetine response. These proteins are linked within a cellular growth/proliferation pathway, suggesting the involvement of cellular genesis in fluoxetine response. Furthermore, a candidate genetic locus that associates with baseline depressive-like behavior contains a gene that encodes for cellular proliferation/adhesion molecule (Cadm1), supporting a genetic basis for the role of neuro/gliogenesis in depression. CONCLUSION We provided a comprehensive analysis of behavioral, neurobiochemical, and transcriptome data across 30 mouse inbred strains that has not been accomplished before. We identified biomarkers that influence fluoxetine response, which, altogether, implicate the importance of cellular genesis in fluoxetine treatment. More broadly, this approach can be used to assess a wide range of drug response phenotypes that are challenging to address in human samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina S. Benton
- Division of Pharmacotherapy and Experimental Therapeutics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Genetic Medicine Building, 120 Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA
| | - Brooke H. Miller
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Florida, Jupiter, FL USA
| | - Sean Skwerer
- Department of Statistics and Operations Research, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC USA
| | - Oscar Suzuki
- Division of Pharmacotherapy and Experimental Therapeutics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Genetic Medicine Building, 120 Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA
| | - Laura E. Schultz
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Florida, Jupiter, FL USA
| | - Michael D. Cameron
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Florida, Jupiter, FL USA
| | - J. S. Marron
- Department of Statistics and Operations Research, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC USA
| | - Mathew T. Pletcher
- Orphan and Genetic Diseases Research Unit, Pfizer Global Research and Development, 200 Cambridge Park Drive, Cambridge, MA 02140 USA
| | - Tim Wiltshire
- Division of Pharmacotherapy and Experimental Therapeutics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Genetic Medicine Building, 120 Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA
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Abstract
Although well-studied in the context of neurodegenerative disease, a clear biological function for the synuclein proteins remains elusive. Emerging data indicate a role for synucleins in monoamine neurotransmitter homeostasis. A key regulatory component of monoamine neurotransmission is re-uptake of neurotransmitter by the dopamine transporter, norepinephrine transporter, and serotonin transporter, which are common drug targets in the treatment of depression and other mood disorders. Through interactions with these transporters, the neuronal cytoskeleton, and pre-synaptic scaffolding proteins, α-synuclein, β-synuclein, and γ-synuclein modulate trafficking, expression and function of monoamine transporters at the cell surface, thus playing a central role in regulating monoamine re-uptake.
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