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Gogos A, Sun J, Udawela M, Gibbons A, van den Buuse M, Scarr E, Dean B. Cortical expression of the RAPGEF1 gene in schizophrenia: investigating regional differences and suicide. Psychiatry Res 2021; 298:113818. [PMID: 33639407 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2021.113818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Rap guanine nucleotide exchange factor 1 (RAPGEF1) is involved in cell adhesion and neuronal migration. Previously we found lower RAPGEF1 mRNA levels in Brodmann's area (BA) 9 in subjects with schizophrenia compared to controls. This study aimed to determine whether RAPGEF1 expression was altered in other brain regions implicated in schizophrenia and whether this was associated with suicide. Using qPCR, we measured the levels of RAPGEF1 in post-mortem BA 8 and 44 from 27 subjects with schizophrenia and 26 non-psychiatric control subjects. To address the effect of antipsychotic treatments, Rapgef1 mRNA levels were measured in the cortex from rats treated with typical antipsychotic drugs. There was no difference in RAPGEF1 normalised relative expression levels in BA 8 or 44. However, in BA 8, schizophrenia subjects had higher raw Ct RAPGEF1 levels compared to controls. There were higher RAPGEF1 levels in suicide completers compared to non-suicide schizophrenia subjects in BA 8. Rapgef1 expression levels in the rat cortex did not vary with antipsychotic treatment. Our findings suggest changes in RAPGEF1 expression may be limited to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex from subjects with schizophrenia. Further investigation of the function of RAPGEF1 may lead to a greater understanding of the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Gogos
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
| | - Jeehae Sun
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Madhara Udawela
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia; Affinity BIO, Scoresby, VIC, Australia
| | - Andrew Gibbons
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia; Department of Psychiatry, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Maarten van den Buuse
- School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia; Department of Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia; The College of Public Health, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | - Elizabeth Scarr
- Melbourne Veterinary School, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Brian Dean
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
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Kidnapillai S, Bortolasci CC, Udawela M, Panizzutti B, Spolding B, Connor T, Sanigorski A, Dean OM, Crowley T, Jamain S, Gray L, Scarr E, Leboyer M, Dean B, Berk M, Walder K. The use of a gene expression signature and connectivity map to repurpose drugs for bipolar disorder. World J Biol Psychiatry 2020; 21:775-783. [PMID: 29956574 DOI: 10.1080/15622975.2018.1492734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
To create a gene expression signature (GES) to represent the biological effects of a combination of known drugs for bipolar disorder (BD) on cultured human neuronal cells (NT2-N) and rat brains, which also has evidence of differential expression in individuals with BD. To use the GES to identify new drugs for BD using Connectivity Map (CMap).Methods: NT2-N (n = 20) cells and rats (n = 8) were treated with a BD drug combination (lithium, valproate, quetiapine and lamotrigine) or vehicle for 24 and 6 h, respectively. Following next-generation sequencing, the differential expression of genes was assessed using edgeR in R. The derived GES was compared to differentially expressed genes in post-mortem brains of individuals with BD. The GES was then used in CMap analysis to identify similarly acting drugs.Results: A total of 88 genes showed evidence of differential expression in response to the drug combination in both models, and therefore comprised the GES. Six of these genes showed evidence of differential expression in post-mortem brains of individuals with BD. CMap analysis identified 10 compounds (camptothecin, chlorambucil, flupenthixol, valdecoxib, rescinnamine, GW-8510, cinnarizine, lomustine, mifepristone and nimesulide) acting similarly to the BD drug combination.Conclusions: This study shows that GES and CMap can be used as tools to repurpose drugs for BD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srisaiyini Kidnapillai
- Centre for Molecular and Medical Research, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Chiara C Bortolasci
- Centre for Molecular and Medical Research, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Madhara Udawela
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Australia
| | - Bruna Panizzutti
- Laboratory of Molecular Psychiatry, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA) and Programa de Pós-graduação em Psiquiatria e Ciências do Comportamento, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Briana Spolding
- Centre for Molecular and Medical Research, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Timothy Connor
- Centre for Molecular and Medical Research, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Andrew Sanigorski
- Centre for Molecular and Medical Research, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Olivia M Dean
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Australia.,IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, School of Medicine, Barwon Health, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia.,Department of Psychiatry, the University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Tamsyn Crowley
- Centre for Molecular and Medical Research, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia.,Bioinformatics Core Research Facility (BCRF), Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Stéphane Jamain
- INSERM U955, Psychiatrie Translationnelle, Université Paris Est, Créteil, France
| | - Laura Gray
- Centre for Molecular and Medical Research, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia.,The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Australia
| | - Elizabeth Scarr
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Australia.,Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Marion Leboyer
- INSERM U955, Psychiatrie Translationnelle, Université Paris Est, Créteil, France
| | - Brian Dean
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Australia.,Faculty of Health Arts and Design, Centre for Mental Health, Swinburne University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Michael Berk
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Australia.,IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, School of Medicine, Barwon Health, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia.,Department of Psychiatry, the University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia.,Orygen, the National, Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, Parkville, Australia
| | - Ken Walder
- Centre for Molecular and Medical Research, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
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Abstract
Objectives: ATPase Type 13A4 (ATP13A4) is a cation-transporting, P5-type ATPase that has been implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders. Our recent microarray study reported a significant increase in ATP13A4 mRNA levels in Brodmann's area (BA) nine in subjects with schizophrenia compared to controls. Following this discovery we have sought to determine whether ATP13A4 expression was altered in other regions of the CNS that are affected in schizophrenia.Methods: Quantitative PCR was used to measure the levels of ATP13A4 in BA 44 and BA 8, collected post-mortem, from 30 subjects with schizophrenia and 30 non-psychiatric control subjects. To address the potential confound of antipsychotic medication on our data, qPCR was used to measure Atp13a4 levels in rats treated with haloperidol.Results: There was a 2.6-fold increase in ATP13A4 expression (P < 0.001) in BB 44 from subjects with schizophrenia. Results from BA 8 were less clear. ATP13A4 levels were not affected by antipsychotic treatment.Conclusions: Our findings suggest ATP13A4 is involved in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. The increase in ATP13A4 contrasts genetic studies that report ATP13A4 gene deletions in patients with schizophrenia. A greater understanding of the function of ATP13A4 in the CNS may lead to improved treatment strategies for the symptoms of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew S Gibbons
- The Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Australia.,The Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Laura M Bell
- The Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Australia
| | - Madhara Udawela
- The Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Australia
| | - Brian Dean
- The Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Australia.,The Centre for Mental Health, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Australia
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Parkin GM, Gibbons A, Udawela M, Dean B. Excitatory amino acid transporter (EAAT)1 and EAAT2 mRNA levels are altered in the prefrontal cortex of subjects with schizophrenia. J Psychiatr Res 2020; 123:151-158. [PMID: 32065951 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2020.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Revised: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Excitatory amino acid transporter (EAAT)1 and EAAT2 mediate glutamatergic neurotransmission and prevent excitotoxicity through binding and transportation of glutamate into glia. These EAATs may be regulated by metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5), which is also expressed by glia. Whilst we have data from an Affymetrix™ Human Exon 1.0 ST Array showing higher levels of EAAT1 mRNA (+36%) in Brodmann's are (BA)9 of subjects with schizophrenia, there is evidence that EAAT1 and EAAT2, as well as mGluR5 levels, are altered in the cortex of subjects with the disorder. Hence, we measured mRNA levels of these genes in other cortical regions in subjects with that disorder. EAAT1, EAAT2 and mGluR5 mRNA were measured, in triplicate, using Quantitative PCR in BA10 and BA46 from subjects with schizophrenia (n = 20) and age and sex matched controls (n = 18). Levels of mRNA were normalised to the geometric mean of two reference genes, transcription factor B1, mitochondrial (TFB1M) and S-phase kinase-associated protein 1A (SKP1A), for which mRNA did not vary between diagnostic groups in either region. Normalised levels of EAAT1 and EAAT2 mRNA were significantly higher in BA10 (EAAT1: U = 58, p = 0.0002; EAAT2 U = 70, p = 0.0009), but not BA46 (EAAT1: U = 122, p = 0.09; EAAT2: U = 136, p = 0.21), from subjects with schizophrenia compared to controls. mGluR5 levels in BA10 (U = 173, p=0.85) and BA46 (U = 178, p = 0.96) did not vary by cohort. Our data suggests that region-specific increases in cortical EAAT1 and EAAT2 mRNA are involved in schizophrenia pathophysiology and that disrupted glutamate uptake in schizophrenia may be of particular significance in BA10.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgia M Parkin
- The Molecular Psychiatry Laboratory, The Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; The Cooperative Research Centre for Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Andrew Gibbons
- The Molecular Psychiatry Laboratory, The Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Madhara Udawela
- The Molecular Psychiatry Laboratory, The Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; The Cooperative Research Centre for Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Brian Dean
- The Molecular Psychiatry Laboratory, The Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; The Cooperative Research Centre for Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; The Centre for Mental Health, The Faculty of Health, Arts and Design, Swinburne University, Hawthorne, Victoria, Australia
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Scarr E, Udawela M, Dean B. Changed cortical risk gene expression in major depression and shared changes in cortical gene expression between major depression and bipolar disorders. Aust N Z J Psychiatry 2019; 53:1189-1198. [PMID: 31238704 DOI: 10.1177/0004867419857808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mood disorders likely occur in someone with a genetic predisposition who encounters a deleterious environmental factor leading to dysregulated physiological processes due to genetic mutations and epigenetic mechanisms altering gene expression. To gain data to support this hypothesis, we measured levels of gene expression in three cortical regions known to be affected by the pathophysiologies of major depression and bipolar disorders. METHODS Levels of RNA were measured using the Affymetrix™ Human Exon 1.0 ST Array in Brodmann's areas 9, 10 and 33 (left hemisphere) from individuals with major depression, bipolar disorder and age- and sex-matched controls with changed expression taken as a fold change in RNA ⩾1.2 at p < 0.01. Data were analysed using JMP® genomics 6.0 and the probable biological consequences of changes in gene expression determined using Core and Pathway Designer Analyses in Ingenuity Pathway Analysis. RESULTS There were altered levels of RNA in Brodmann's area 9 (major depression = 424; bipolar disorder = 331), Brodmann's area 10 (major depression = 52; bipolar disorder = 24) and Brodmann's area 33 (major depression = 59 genes; bipolar disorder = 38 genes) in mood disorders. No gene was differentially expressed in all three regions in either disorder. There was a high correlation between fold changes in levels of RNA from 112 genes in Brodmann's area 9 from major depression and bipolar disorder (r2 = 0.91, p < 0.001). Levels of RNA for four risk genes for major depression were lower in Brodmann's area 9 in that disorder. CONCLUSION Our data argue that there are complex regional-specific changes in cortical gene expression in major depression and bipolar disorder that includes the expression of some risk genes for major depression in those with that disorder. It could be hypothesised that the common changes in gene expression in major depression and bipolar disorder are involved in the genesis of symptoms common to both disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Scarr
- Molecular Psychiatry Laboratory, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,CRC for Mental Health, Carlton, VIC, Australia.,Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Madhara Udawela
- Molecular Psychiatry Laboratory, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,CRC for Mental Health, Carlton, VIC, Australia
| | - Brian Dean
- Molecular Psychiatry Laboratory, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,CRC for Mental Health, Carlton, VIC, Australia.,Centre for Mental Health, Faculty of Health, Arts and Design, Swinburne University, Hawthorne, VIC, Australia
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Parkin GM, Udawela M, Gibbons A, Dean B. Β-actin does not show the characteristics of a reference protein in human cortex. Electrophoresis 2018; 40:247-253. [DOI: 10.1002/elps.201800328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2018] [Revised: 09/24/2018] [Accepted: 10/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Georgia M. Parkin
- The Molecular Psychiatry Laboratory; the Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health; Parkville Victoria Australia
- The Cooperative Research Centre for Mental Health; Parkville Victoria Australia
| | - Madhara Udawela
- The Molecular Psychiatry Laboratory; the Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health; Parkville Victoria Australia
- The Cooperative Research Centre for Mental Health; Parkville Victoria Australia
| | - Andrew Gibbons
- The Molecular Psychiatry Laboratory; the Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health; Parkville Victoria Australia
| | - Brian Dean
- The Molecular Psychiatry Laboratory; the Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health; Parkville Victoria Australia
- The Cooperative Research Centre for Mental Health; Parkville Victoria Australia
- Centre for Mental Health; the Faculty of Health, Arts and Design; Swinburne University; Hawthorn Victoria Australia
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7
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Gogos A, McCarthy M, Walker AJ, Udawela M, Gibbons A, Dean B, Kusljic S. Differential effects of chronic 17β-oestradiol treatment on rat behaviours relevant to depression. J Neuroendocrinol 2018; 30:e12652. [PMID: 30311279 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2018] [Revised: 10/08/2018] [Accepted: 10/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Sex differences are a prominent feature of the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders, such as major depressive disorder, which affects women at a higher incidence than men. Research suggests that the most potent endogenous oestrogen, 17β-oestradiol, may have therapeutic potential in treating depression. However, preclinical studies have produced mixed results, likely as a result of various methodological factors such as treatment duration. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of ovariectomy and chronic 17β-oestradiol treatment via a s.c. silastic implant on behaviours relevant to depression in adult female Sprague-Dawley rats. Rats were assessed in the forced swim test, saccharin preference test and novel object recognition memory test, as well as for possible confounding behaviours, including locomotion and anxiety (open field test) and motivation and anxiety (novelty suppressed feeding test). Treatment effects were verified using body and uterus weight, as well as serum concentrations of 17β-oestradiol, progesterone and testosterone. Compared to ovariectomised rats, chronic 17β-oestradiol treatment enhanced saccharin preference and novel object recognition performance. There were no group differences in passive or active coping behaviour when assayed using the forced swim test. Taken together, these results support an antidepressant-like action of oestrogens but highlight that the beneficial effects of chronic 17β-oestradiol treatment may be related to specific depression-related symptoms, particularly anhedonia and memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Gogos
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Madeleine McCarthy
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Adam J Walker
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Madhara Udawela
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Andrew Gibbons
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Brian Dean
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Centre for Mental Health, Faculty of Health, Arts and Design, Swinburne University, Hawthorn, VIC, Australia
| | - Snezana Kusljic
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Nursing, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
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Parkin GM, Udawela M, Gibbons A, Scarr E, Dean B. Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) genotypes are associated with varying soluble, but not membrane-bound COMT protein in the human prefrontal cortex. J Hum Genet 2018; 63:1251-1258. [DOI: 10.1038/s10038-018-0511-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2018] [Revised: 08/22/2018] [Accepted: 08/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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Parkin GM, Udawela M, Gibbons A, Dean B. Glutamate transporters, EAAT1 and EAAT2, are potentially important in the pathophysiology and treatment of schizophrenia and affective disorders. World J Psychiatry 2018; 8:51-63. [PMID: 29988908 PMCID: PMC6033743 DOI: 10.5498/wjp.v8.i2.51] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2018] [Revised: 05/15/2018] [Accepted: 06/09/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Glutamate is the predominant excitatory neurotransmitter in the human brain and it has been shown that prolonged activation of the glutamatergic system leads to nerve damage and cell death. Following release from the pre-synaptic neuron and synaptic transmission, glutamate is either taken up into the pre-synaptic neuron or neighbouring glia by transmembrane glutamate transporters. Excitatory amino acid transporter (EAAT) 1 and EAAT2 are Na+-dependant glutamate transporters expressed predominantly in glia cells of the central nervous system. As the most abundant glutamate transporters, their primary role is to modulate levels of glutamatergic excitability and prevent spill over of glutamate beyond the synapse. This role is facilitated through the binding and transportation of glutamate into astrocytes and microglia. The function of EAAT1 and EAAT2 is heavily regulated at the levels of gene expression, post-transcriptional splicing, glycosylation states and cell-surface trafficking of the protein. Both glutamatergic dysfunction and glial dysfunction have been proposed to be involved in psychiatric disorder. This review will present an overview of the roles that EAAT1 and EAAT2 play in modulating glutamatergic activity in the human brain, and mount an argument that these two transporters could be involved in the aetiologies of schizophrenia and affective disorders as well as represent potential drug targets for novel therapies for those disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgia M Parkin
- Molecular Psychiatry Laboratory, the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville VIC 3052, Australia
- CRC for Mental Health, Carlton VIC 3053, Australia
| | - Madhara Udawela
- Molecular Psychiatry Laboratory, the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville VIC 3052, Australia
- CRC for Mental Health, Carlton VIC 3053, Australia
| | - Andrew Gibbons
- Molecular Psychiatry Laboratory, the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Brian Dean
- Molecular Psychiatry Laboratory, the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville VIC 3052, Australia
- CRC for Mental Health, Carlton VIC 3053, Australia
- Research Centre for Mental Health, the Faculty of Health, Arts and Design, Swinburne University, Hawthorne VIC 3122, Australia
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Gibbons A, Udawela M, Dean B. Non-Coding RNA as Novel Players in the Pathophysiology of Schizophrenia. Noncoding RNA 2018; 4:E11. [PMID: 29657307 PMCID: PMC6027250 DOI: 10.3390/ncrna4020011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2018] [Revised: 03/29/2018] [Accepted: 04/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is associated with diverse changes in the brain's transcriptome and proteome. Underlying these changes is the complex dysregulation of gene expression and protein production that varies both spatially across brain regions and temporally with the progression of the illness. The growing body of literature showing changes in non-coding RNA in individuals with schizophrenia offers new insights into the mechanisms causing this dysregulation. A large number of studies have reported that the expression of microRNA (miRNA) is altered in the brains of individuals with schizophrenia. This evidence is complemented by findings that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in miRNA host gene sequences can confer an increased risk of developing the disorder. Additionally, recent evidence suggests the expression of other non-coding RNAs, such as small nucleolar RNA and long non-coding RNA, may also be affected in schizophrenia. Understanding how these changes in non-coding RNAs contribute to the development and progression of schizophrenia offers potential avenues for the better treatment and diagnosis of the disorder. This review will focus on the evidence supporting the involvement of non-coding RNA in schizophrenia and its therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Gibbons
- The Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, 30 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia.
- The Department of Psychiatry, the University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Madhara Udawela
- The Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, 30 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia.
| | - Brian Dean
- The Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, 30 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia.
- The Centre for Mental Health, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia.
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Dean B, Gibbons A, Gogos A, Udawela M, Thomas E, Scarr E. Studies on Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthase 1: Lower Levels in Schizophrenia and After Treatment with Antipsychotic Drugs in Conjunction with Aspirin. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2018; 21:216-225. [PMID: 30052978 PMCID: PMC5838806 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyx092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2017] [Revised: 09/18/2017] [Accepted: 10/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Antipsychotic drugs plus aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid), which targets prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 1 (PTGS1: COX1), improved therapeutic outcomes when treating schizophrenia. Our microarray data showed higher levels of PTGS1 mRNA in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex from subjects with schizophrenia of long duration of illness, suggesting aspirin plus antipsychotic drugs could have therapeutic effects by lowering PTGS1 expression in the cortex of subjects with the disorder. Methods We used Western blotting to measure levels of PTSG1 protein in human postmortem CNS, rat and mouse cortex, and cells in culture. Results Compared with controls, PTGS1 levels were 41% lower in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (P<.01), but not the anterior cingulate or frontal pole, from subjects with schizophrenia. Levels of PTGS1 were not changed in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in mood disorders or in the cortex of rats treated with antipsychotic drugs. There was a strong trend (P=.05) to lower cortical PTGS1 10 months after mice were treated postnatally with polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid sodium salt (Poly I:C), consistent with cortical PTGS1 being lower in adult mice after exposure to an immune activator postnatally. In CCF-STTG1 cells, a human-derived astrocytic cell line, aspirin caused a dose-dependent decrease in PTGS1 that was decreased further with the addition of risperidone. Conclusions Our data suggest low levels of dorsolateral prefrontal cortex PTGS1 could be associated with the pathophysiology of schizophrenia, and improved therapeutic outcome from treating schizophrenia with antipsychotic drugs augmented with aspirin may be because such treatment lowers cortical PTGS1.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/pharmacology
- Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/therapeutic use
- Antipsychotic Agents/pharmacology
- Antipsychotic Agents/therapeutic use
- Aspirin/pharmacology
- Aspirin/therapeutic use
- Bipolar Disorder/drug therapy
- Bipolar Disorder/enzymology
- Brain/drug effects
- Brain/enzymology
- Cell Line
- Depressive Disorder, Major/drug therapy
- Depressive Disorder, Major/enzymology
- Disease Models, Animal
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Drug Therapy, Combination
- Female
- Humans
- Male
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Middle Aged
- Poly I-C
- Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases/metabolism
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- Rats, Sprague-Dawley
- Risperidone/pharmacology
- Risperidone/therapeutic use
- Schizophrenia/drug therapy
- Schizophrenia/enzymology
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Dean
- The Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Centre for Mental Health, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Australia
| | | | - Andrea Gogos
- The Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Madhara Udawela
- The Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Elizabeth Scarr
- The Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Scarr E, Udawela M, Dean B. Changed frontal pole gene expression suggest altered interplay between neurotransmitter, developmental, and inflammatory pathways in schizophrenia. NPJ Schizophr 2018; 4:4. [PMID: 29463818 PMCID: PMC5820249 DOI: 10.1038/s41537-018-0044-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2017] [Revised: 01/10/2018] [Accepted: 01/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Schizophrenia (Sz) probably occurs after genetically susceptible individuals encounter a deleterious environmental factor that triggers epigenetic mechanisms to change CNS gene expression. To determine if omnibus changes in CNS gene expression are present in Sz, we compared mRNA levels in the frontal pole (Brodmann’s area (BA) 10), the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (BA 9) and cingulate cortex (BA 33) from 15 subjects with Sz and 15 controls using the Affymetrix™ Human Exon 1.0 ST Array. Differences in mRNA levels (±≥20%; p < 0.01) were identified (JMP Genomics 5.1) and used to predict pathways and gene x gene interactions that would be affected by the changes in gene expression using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis. There was significant variation in mRNA levels with diagnoses for 566 genes in BA 10, 65 genes in BA 9 and 40 genes in BA 33. In Sz, there was an over-representation of genes with changed expression involved in inflammation and development in BA 10, cell morphology in BA 9 and amino acid metabolism and small molecule biochemistry in BA 33. Using 94 genes with altered levels of expression in BA 10 from subjects with Sz, it was possible to construct an interactome of proven direct gene x gene interactions that was enriched for genes in inflammatory, developmental, oestrogen, serotonergic, cholinergic and NRG1 regulated pathways. Our data shows complex, regionally specific changes in cortical gene expression in Sz that are predicted to affect homeostasis between biochemical pathways already proposed to be important in the pathophysiology of the disorder. Anterior brain regions exhibit significant amounts of differentially-expressed genes which might cause dysfunction in schizophrenia. It’s thought that schizophrenia occurs when environmental factors trigger gene expression changes and downstream effects in the human brain, though this is not fully understood. An Australian research group led by Brian Dean, from the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, conducted a post-mortem human brain study in which they compared gene expression between 15 schizophrenia patients and 15 controls. They found 566 instances of altered gene expression in the most frontal part of the brain, Brodmann Area 10, and fewer changes in proximal regions. These are brain areas known to mediate schizophrenia-related traits and the changes in gene expression in these areas will affect a range of essential biological pathways. The group also found 97 differentially-expressed genes that have been shown to directly interact with each. This study paints a complex picture of the causes of schizophrenia but suggests modern technologies can help unravel these complexities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Scarr
- Molecular Psychiatry Laboratory, Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia.,CRC for Mental Health, Carlton, VIC, 3053, Australia.,Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Madhara Udawela
- Molecular Psychiatry Laboratory, Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia.,CRC for Mental Health, Carlton, VIC, 3053, Australia
| | - Brian Dean
- Molecular Psychiatry Laboratory, Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia. .,CRC for Mental Health, Carlton, VIC, 3053, Australia. .,Research Centre for Mental Health, the Faculty of Health, Arts and Design, Swinburne University, Hawthorne, VIC, 3122, Australia.
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Scarr E, Udawela M, Thomas EA, Dean B. Changed gene expression in subjects with schizophrenia and low cortical muscarinic M1 receptors predicts disrupted upstream pathways interacting with that receptor. Mol Psychiatry 2018; 23:295-303. [PMID: 27801890 PMCID: PMC5794886 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2016.195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2016] [Revised: 08/24/2016] [Accepted: 08/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
We tested the hypothesis that, compared with subjects with no history of psychiatric illness (controls), changes in gene expression in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex from two subgroups of subjects with schizophrenia, one with a marked deficit in muscarinic M1 receptors (muscarinic receptor-deficit schizophrenia (MRDS)), would identify different biochemical pathways that would be affected by their aetiologies. Hence, we measured levels of cortical (Brodmann area 9) mRNA in 15 MRDS subjects, 15 subjects with schizophrenia but without a deficit in muscarinic M1 receptors (non-MRDS) and 15 controls using Affymetrix Exon 1.0 ST arrays. Levels of mRNA for 65 genes were significantly different in the cortex of subjects with MRDS and predicted changes in pathways involved in cellular movement and cell-to-cell signalling. Levels of mRNA for 45 genes were significantly different in non-MRDS and predicted changes in pathways involved in cellular growth and proliferation as well as cellular function and maintenance. Changes in gene expression also predicted effects on pathways involved in amino acid metabolism, molecular transport and small-molecule biochemistry in both MRDS and non-MRDS. Overall, our data argue a prominent role for glial function in MRDS and neurodevelopment in non-MRDS. Finally, the interactions of gene with altered levels of mRNA in the cortex of subjects with MRDS suggest many of their affects will be upstream of the muscarinic M1 receptor. Our study gives new insight into the molecular pathways affected in the cortex of subjects with MRDS and supports the notion that studying subgroups within the syndrome of schizophrenia is worthwhile.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Scarr
- Molecular Psychiatry Laboratory, Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia,CRC for Mental Health, Carlton, VIC, Australia,Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - M Udawela
- Molecular Psychiatry Laboratory, Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia,CRC for Mental Health, Carlton, VIC, Australia
| | - E A Thomas
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, Australia
| | - B Dean
- Molecular Psychiatry Laboratory, Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia,CRC for Mental Health, Carlton, VIC, Australia,Molecular Psychiatry Laboratory, Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, 30 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia. E-mail:
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Udawela M, Scarr E, Boer S, Um JY, Hannan AJ, McOmish C, Felder CC, Thomas EA, Dean B. Isoform specific differences in phospholipase C beta 1 expression in the prefrontal cortex in schizophrenia and suicide. NPJ Schizophr 2017; 3:19. [PMID: 28560265 PMCID: PMC5441535 DOI: 10.1038/s41537-017-0020-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2016] [Revised: 03/09/2017] [Accepted: 03/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Our previous study demonstrated that phospholipase C beta 1 mRNA was down-regulated in Brodmann's area 46 from subjects with schizophrenia. However, phospholipase C beta 1 protein has also been shown to be lower in Brodmann's area 8 and 9 from teenage suicide subjects, creating a potential confound in interpreting the findings in schizophrenia due to the high suicide rate associated with this disorder. To begin to reconcile and consolidate these findings, in this study, we measured mRNA and protein levels of phospholipase C beta 1 variants a and b in Brodmann's area 46 and Brodmann's area 9 from subjects with schizophrenia, many of whom were suicide completers, and determined the diagnostic specificity of observed findings. Consistent with our previous study, levels of phospholipase C beta 1 a and b mRNA, but not protein, were lower in Brodmann's area 46 from subjects with schizophrenia. In Brodmann's area 9, phospholipase C beta 1a protein levels were lower in subjects with schizophrenia, while phospholipase C beta 1b mRNA was higher and protein was lower in those that had died of suicide. Altered protein levels in Brodmann's area 9 appeared to be diagnostically specific, as we did not detect these changes in subjects with bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder or suicide completers with no diagnosis of mental illness. We further assessed the relationship between phospholipase C beta 1 and levels of muscarinic receptors (CHRMs) that signal through this protein, in both human and Chrm knockout mouse central nervous system tissue, and found no strong relationship between the two. Understanding central nervous system differences in downstream effector pathways in schizophrenia may lead to improved treatment strategies and help to identify those at risk of suicide.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Udawela
- Molecular Psychiatry Laboratories, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC Australia
| | - E Scarr
- Molecular Psychiatry Laboratories, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC Australia
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC Australia
| | - S Boer
- Molecular Psychiatry Laboratories, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC Australia
| | - J Y Um
- Molecular Psychiatry Laboratories, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC Australia
- Cardiovascular and Neurology Products Division, Drug Evaluation Department, National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, Osong Health Technology Administration Complex, Chungcheongbuk-do, South Korea
| | - A J Hannan
- Epigenetics and Neural Plasticity Laboratory, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC Australia
| | - C McOmish
- Molecular Psychiatry Laboratories, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC Australia
| | - C C Felder
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Neuroscience Research Division, Eli Lilly and Company, Lilly Corporate Center, Indianapolis, IN USA
| | - E A Thomas
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA USA
| | - B Dean
- Molecular Psychiatry Laboratories, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC Australia
- Cardiovascular and Neurology Products Division, Drug Evaluation Department, National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, Osong Health Technology Administration Complex, Chungcheongbuk-do, South Korea
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Dean B, Udawela M, Scarr E. Validating reference genes using minimally transformed qpcr data: findings in human cortex and outcomes in schizophrenia. BMC Psychiatry 2016; 16:154. [PMID: 27206773 PMCID: PMC4875643 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-016-0855-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2015] [Accepted: 05/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND It is common practice, when using quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), to normalise levels of mRNA to reference gene mRNA which, by definition, should not vary between tissue, with any disease aetiology or after drug treatments. The complexity of human CNS means it unlikely that any gene could fulfil these criteria. METHODS To address this issue we measured levels of mRNA for six potential reference genes (GAPDH, PPIA, SNCA, NOL9, TFB1M and SKP1) in three cortical regions (Brodmann's areas (BA) 8, 9 and 44) from 30 subjects with schizophrenia and 30 age and sex matched controls. We used a structured statistical approach to examine the characteristics of these data to determine their suitability as reference genes. We also analysed our data using reference genes selected by rank as defined using the average of the standard deviation of pair-gene ΔCt and the BestKeeper, NormFinder and geNorm algorithms to determine if they suggested the same reference genes. RESULTS Our minimally derived data showed that levels of mRNA for all of the six genes varied between cortical regions and therefore no gene fulfilled the absolute requirements for use as reference genes. As levels of some mRNA for some genes did not vary with diagnoses within a cortical region from subjects with schizophrenia compared to controls, we normalised levels of mRNA for all the other genes to mRNA for one, two or three reference genes in each cortical region. This showed that using the geometric mean of at least two reference genes gave more reproducible results. Finally, using the reference gene ranking protocols the average of the standard deviation of pair-gene ΔCt, BestKeeper, NormFinder and geNorm we showed that these approaches ranked potential reference genes differently. We then showed that outcomes of comparing data from subjects with schizophrenia and controls varied depending on the reference genes chosen. CONCLUSIONS Our data shows that the selection of reference genes is a significant component of qPCR study design and therefore the process by which reference genes are selected must be clearly listed as a potential confound in studying gene expression in human CNS. This should include showing that, using minimally derived qPCR data, levels of mRNA for proposed reference genes does not vary with variables such as diagnoses and CNS region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Dean
- The Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia. .,The Division of Biological Psychiatry and Mental Health and the Molecular Psychiatry Laboratory, The Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, 30 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.
| | - Madhara Udawela
- The Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC Australia
| | - Elizabeth Scarr
- The Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC Australia ,The Department of Psychiatry, the University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Lai CY, Scarr E, Udawela M, Everall I, Chen WJ, Dean B. Biomarkers in schizophrenia: A focus on blood based diagnostics and theranostics. World J Psychiatry 2016; 6:102-17. [PMID: 27014601 PMCID: PMC4804259 DOI: 10.5498/wjp.v6.i1.102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2015] [Revised: 10/20/2015] [Accepted: 12/17/2015] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Identifying biomarkers that can be used as diagnostics or predictors of treatment response (theranostics) in people with schizophrenia (Sz) will be an important step towards being able to provide personalized treatment. Findings from the studies in brain tissue have not yet been translated into biomarkers that are practical in clinical use because brain biopsies are not acceptable and neuroimaging techniques are expensive and the results are inconclusive. Thus, in recent years, there has been search for blood-based biomarkers for Sz as a valid alternative. Although there are some encouraging preliminary data to support the notion of peripheral biomarkers for Sz, it must be acknowledged that Sz is a complex and heterogeneous disorder which needs to be further dissected into subtype using biological based and clinical markers. The scope of this review is to critically examine published blood-based biomarker of Sz, focusing on possible uses for diagnosis, treatment response, or their relationship with schizophrenia-associated phenotype. We sorted the studies into six categories which include: (1) brain-derived neurotrophic factor; (2) inflammation and immune function; (3) neurochemistry; (4) oxidative stress response and metabolism; (5) epigenetics and microRNA; and (6) transcriptome and proteome studies. This review also summarized the molecules which have been conclusively reported as potential blood-based biomarkers for Sz in different blood cell types. Finally, we further discusses the pitfall of current blood-based studies and suggest that a prediction model-based, Sz specific, blood oriented study design as well as standardize blood collection conditions would be useful for Sz biomarker development.
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Scarr E, Udawela M, Greenough MA, Neo J, Suk Seo M, Money TT, Upadhyay A, Bush AI, Everall IP, Thomas EA, Dean B. Increased cortical expression of the zinc transporter SLC39A12 suggests a breakdown in zinc cellular homeostasis as part of the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. NPJ Schizophr 2016; 2:16002. [PMID: 27336053 PMCID: PMC4898896 DOI: 10.1038/npjschz.2016.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2015] [Revised: 01/14/2016] [Accepted: 01/20/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Our expression microarray studies showed messenger RNA (mRNA) for solute carrier family 39 (zinc transporter), member 12 (SLC39A12) was higher in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex from subjects with schizophrenia (Sz) in comparison with controls. To better understand the significance of these data we ascertained whether SLC39A12 mRNA was altered in a number of cortical regions (Brodmann’s area (BA) 8, 9, 44) from subjects with Sz, in BA 9 from subjects with mood disorders and in rats treated with antipsychotic drugs. In addition, we determined whether inducing the expression of SLC39A12 resulted in an increased cellular zinc uptake. SLC39A12 variant 1 and 2 mRNA was measured using quantitative PCR. Zinc uptake was measured in CHO cells transfected with human SLC39A12 variant 1 and 2. In Sz, compared with controls, SLC39A12 variant 1 and 2 mRNA was higher in all cortical regions studied. The were no differences in levels of mRNA for either variant of SLC39A12 in BA 9 from subjects with mood disorders and levels of mRNA for Slc39a12 was not different in the cortex of rats treated with antipsychotic drugs. Finally, expressing both variants in CHO-K1 cells was associated with an increase in radioactive zinc uptake. As increased levels of murine Slc39a12 mRNA has been shown to correlate with increasing cellular zinc uptake, our data would be consistent with the possibility of a dysregulated zinc homeostasis in the cortex of subjects with schizophrenia due to altered expression of SLC39A12.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Scarr
- The Molecular Psychiatry Laboratory, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia; Department of Psychaitry, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; CRC for Mental Health, Carlton South, VIC, Australia
| | - Madhara Udawela
- The Molecular Psychiatry Laboratory, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia; CRC for Mental Health, Carlton South, VIC, Australia
| | - Mark A Greenough
- Oxidation Biology Laboratory, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health , Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Jaclyn Neo
- The Molecular Psychiatry Laboratory, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia; CRC for Mental Health, Carlton South, VIC, Australia
| | - Myoung Suk Seo
- The Molecular Psychiatry Laboratory, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health , Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Tammie T Money
- The Molecular Psychiatry Laboratory, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia; Department of Psychaitry, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; CRC for Mental Health, Carlton South, VIC, Australia; Department of Medicine, Royal Melbourne Hospital, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Aradhana Upadhyay
- The Molecular Psychiatry Laboratory, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia; CRC for Mental Health, Carlton South, VIC, Australia
| | - Ashley I Bush
- CRC for Mental Health, Carlton South, VIC, Australia; Oxidation Biology Laboratory, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Ian P Everall
- The Molecular Psychiatry Laboratory, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia; Department of Psychaitry, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; CRC for Mental Health, Carlton South, VIC, Australia
| | - Elizabeth A Thomas
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute , La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Brian Dean
- The Molecular Psychiatry Laboratory, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia; Department of Psychaitry, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; CRC for Mental Health, Carlton South, VIC, Australia
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Hopper S, Udawela M, Scarr E, Dean B. Allosteric modulation of cholinergic system: Potential approach to treating cognitive deficits of schizophrenia. World J Pharmacol 2016; 5:32-43. [DOI: 10.5497/wjp.v5.i1.32] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2015] [Revised: 11/26/2015] [Accepted: 01/04/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a psychiatric disorder affecting approximately 1% of the population worldwide and is characterised by the presence of positive and negative symptoms and cognitive deficits. Whilst current therapeutics ameliorate positive symptoms, they are largely ineffective in improving negative symptoms and cognitive deficits. The cholinergic neurotransmitter system heavily influences cognitive function and there is evidence that implicates disruption of the central cholinergic system in schizophrenia. Historically, targeting the cholinergic system has been impeded by poor selectivity leading to intolerable side effects warranting the need to develop more targeted therapeutic compounds. In this review we will summarise evidence supporting the roles of the cholinergic system, particularly the muscarinic M1 receptor, in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia and discuss the potential of a promising new class of candidate compounds, allosteric ligands, for addressing the difficulties involved in targeting this system. The body of evidence presented here highlights the dysfunction of the cholinergic system in schizophrenia and that targeting this system by taking advantage of allosteric ligands is having clinically meaningful effect on cognitive deficits.
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McOmish CE, Pavey G, Gibbons A, Hopper S, Udawela M, Scarr E, Dean B. Lower [3H]LY341495 binding to mGlu2/3 receptors in the anterior cingulate of subjects with major depressive disorder but not bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. J Affect Disord 2016; 190:241-248. [PMID: 26521087 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2015.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2015] [Revised: 09/10/2015] [Accepted: 10/02/2015] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The glutamatergic system has recently been implicated in the pathogenesis and treatment of major depressive disorders(MDD) and mGlu2/3 receptors play an important role in regulating glutamatergic tone. We therefore measured cortical levels of mGlu2/3 to determine if they were changed in MDD. METHODS Binding parameters for [(3)H]LY341495 (mGlu2/3 antagonist) were determined to allow optimized in situ binding with autoradiography to be completed using a number of CNS regions. Subsequently, density of [(3)H]LY341495 binding was measured in BA24(anterior cingulate cortex), BA17(visual cortex) and BA46(dorsolateral prefrontal cortex) from subjects with MDD, Bipolar Disorder(BPD), Schizophrenia(SCZ), and controls, as well as rats treated with imipramine (20mg/kg), fluoxetine (10mg/kg), or vehicle. RESULTS mGlu2/3 are widely expressed throughout the brain with high levels observed in cortex. [(3)H]LY341495 binding was significantly lower in BA24 from subjects with MDD (mean ± SEM=141.3 ± 14.65 fmol/ETE) relative to controls (184.9 ± 7.76 fmol/ETE; Cohen's d=1.005, p<0.05). There were no other differences with diagnoses, and chronic antidepressant treatment in rats had minimal effect on binding. LIMITATIONS Using this approach we are unable to determine whether the change represents fluctuations in mGlu2, mGlu3, or both. Moreover, using postmortem tissue we are unable to dissociate the irrevocable confound of suicidality upon binding levels. CONCLUSION We have demonstrated lower [(3)H]LY341495 binding levels in MDD in BA24-a brain region implicated in depression. Moreover we show that the lower levels are unlikely to be the result of antidepressant treatment. These data suggest that levels of either mGlu2 and/or mGlu3 are affected in the aetiology of MDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin E McOmish
- The Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health and the University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Geoff Pavey
- The Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health and the University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Andrew Gibbons
- The Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health and the University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Shaun Hopper
- The Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health and the University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Madhara Udawela
- The Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health and the University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Elizabeth Scarr
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Brian Dean
- The Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health and the University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Lai CY, Lee SY, Scarr E, Yu YH, Lin YT, Liu CM, Hwang TJ, Hsieh MH, Liu CC, Chien YL, Udawela M, Gibbons AS, Everall IP, Hwu HG, Dean B, Chen WJ. Aberrant expression of microRNAs as biomarker for schizophrenia: from acute state to partial remission, and from peripheral blood to cortical tissue. Transl Psychiatry 2016; 6:e717. [PMID: 26784971 PMCID: PMC5068884 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2015.213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2015] [Revised: 11/11/2015] [Accepted: 11/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Based on our previous finding of a seven-miRNA (hsa-miR-34a, miR-449a, miR-564, miR-432, miR-548d, miR-572 and miR-652) signature as a potential biomarker for schizophrenia, this study aimed to examine if hospitalization could affect expressions of these miRNAs. We compared their expression levels between acute state and partial remission state in people with schizophrenia (n=48) using quantitative PCR method. Further, to examine whether the blood and brain show similar expression patterns, the expressions of two miRNAs (hsa-miR-34a and hsa-miR-548d) were examined in the postmortem brain tissue of people with schizophrenia (n=25) and controls (n=27). The expression level of the seven miRNAs did not alter after ~2 months of hospitalization with significant improvement in clinical symptoms, suggesting the miRNAs could be traits rather than state-dependent markers. The aberrant expression seen in the blood of hsa-miR-34a and hsa-miR-548d were not present in the brain samples, but this does not discount the possibility that the peripheral miRNAs could be clinically useful biomarkers for schizophrenia. Unexpectedly, we found an age-dependent increase in hsa-miR-34a expressions in human cortical (Brodmann area 46 (BA46)) but not subcortical region (caudate putamen). The correlation between hsa-miR-34a expression level in BA46 and age was much stronger in the controls than in the cases, and the corresponding correlation in the blood was only seen in the cases. The association between the miRNA dysregulations, the disease predisposition and aging warrants further investigation. Taken together, this study provides further insight on the candidate peripheral miRNAs as stable biomarkers for the diagnostics of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- C-Y Lai
- Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan,Center of Genomic Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan,The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - S-Y Lee
- Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan,Center of Genomic Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - E Scarr
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia,Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Y-H Yu
- Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan,Center of Genomic Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Y-T Lin
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and National Taiwan University Hospital, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - C-M Liu
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and National Taiwan University Hospital, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - T-J Hwang
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and National Taiwan University Hospital, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - M H Hsieh
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and National Taiwan University Hospital, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - C-C Liu
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and National Taiwan University Hospital, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Y-L Chien
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and National Taiwan University Hospital, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - M Udawela
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - A S Gibbons
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia,Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - I P Everall
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia,Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - H-G Hwu
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and National Taiwan University Hospital, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - B Dean
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia,Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - W J Chen
- Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan,Center of Genomic Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan,Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and National Taiwan University Hospital, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan,Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, 17 Xu-Zhou Road, Taipei 100, Taiwan. E-mail:
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Merenlender-Wagner A, Malishkevich A, Shemer Z, Udawela M, Gibbons A, Scarr E, Dean B, Levine J, Agam G, Gozes I. Autophagy has a key role in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Mol Psychiatry 2015; 20:126-32. [PMID: 24365867 PMCID: PMC4320293 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2013.174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 149] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2013] [Revised: 11/06/2013] [Accepted: 11/07/2013] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Autophagy is a process preserving the balance between synthesis, degradation and recycling of cellular components and is therefore essential for neuronal survival and function. Several key proteins govern the autophagy pathway including beclin1 and microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3). Here, we show a brain-specific reduction in beclin1 expression in postmortem hippocampus of schizophrenia patients, not detected in peripheral lymphocytes. This is in contrast with activity-dependent neuroprotective protein (ADNP) and ADNP2, which we have previously found to be deregulated in postmortem hippocampal samples from schizophrenia patients, but that now showed a significantly increased expression in lymphocytes from related patients, similar to increases in the anti-apoptotic, beclin1-interacting, Bcl2. The increase in ADNP was associated with the initial stages of the disease, possibly reflecting a compensatory effect. The increase in ADNP2 might be a consequence of neuroleptic treatment, as seen in rats subjected to clozapine treatment. ADNP haploinsufficiency in mice, which results in age-related neuronal death, cognitive and social dysfunction, exhibited reduced hippocampal beclin1 and increased Bcl2 expression (mimicking schizophrenia and normal human aging). At the protein level, ADNP co-immunoprecipitated with LC3B suggesting a direct association with the autophagy process and paving the path to novel targets for drug design.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Merenlender-Wagner
- Adams Super Center for Brain Studies, and Sagol School of Neuroscience, Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - A Malishkevich
- Adams Super Center for Brain Studies, and Sagol School of Neuroscience, Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Z Shemer
- Adams Super Center for Brain Studies, and Sagol School of Neuroscience, Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - M Udawela
- Molecular Psychiatry Laboratory, Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia,Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - A Gibbons
- Molecular Psychiatry Laboratory, Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia,Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - E Scarr
- Molecular Psychiatry Laboratory, Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia,Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - B Dean
- Molecular Psychiatry Laboratory, Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia,Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - J Levine
- Psychiatry Research Unit, Beer-Sheva, Israel,Mental Health Center, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - G Agam
- Psychiatry Research Unit, Beer-Sheva, Israel,Mental Health Center, Beer-Sheva, Israel,Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel,Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology And Psychiatry Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and Mental Health Center, Beer-Sheva, Israel E-mail:
| | - I Gozes
- Adams Super Center for Brain Studies, and Sagol School of Neuroscience, Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel,Department of Clinical Biochemistry, The Lily and Avraham Gildor Chair for the Investigation of Growth Factors, Director, The Adams Super Center for Brain Studies and The Edersheim Levie-Gitter fMRI Institute, Head, the Dr. Diana and Zelman Elton (Elbaum) Laboratory for Molecular Neuroendocrinology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine and Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel E-mail:
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Gogos A, Sbisa AM, Sun J, Gibbons A, Udawela M, Dean B. A Role for Estrogen in Schizophrenia: Clinical and Preclinical Findings. Int J Endocrinol 2015; 2015:615356. [PMID: 26491441 PMCID: PMC4600562 DOI: 10.1155/2015/615356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2015] [Revised: 08/21/2015] [Accepted: 08/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Gender differences in schizophrenia have been extensively researched and it is being increasingly accepted that gonadal steroids are strongly attributed to this phenomenon. Of the various hormones implicated, the estrogen hypothesis has been the most widely researched one and it postulates that estrogen exerts a protective effect by buffering females against the development and severity of the illness. In this review, we comprehensively analyse studies that have investigated the effects of estrogen, in particular 17β-estradiol, in clinical, animal, and molecular research with relevance to schizophrenia. Specifically, we discuss the current evidence on estrogen dysfunction in schizophrenia patients and review the clinical findings on the use of estradiol as an adjunctive treatment in schizophrenia patients. Preclinical research that has used animal models and molecular probes to investigate estradiol's underlying protective mechanisms is also substantially discussed, with particular focus on estradiol's impact on the major neurotransmitter systems implicated in schizophrenia, namely, the dopamine, serotonin, and glutamate systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Gogos
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
- *Andrea Gogos:
| | - Alyssa M. Sbisa
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
- School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Jeehae Sun
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
- School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Andrew Gibbons
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Madhara Udawela
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Brian Dean
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
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Scarr E, Gibbons AS, Neo J, Udawela M, Dean B. Cholinergic connectivity: it's implications for psychiatric disorders. Front Cell Neurosci 2013; 7:55. [PMID: 23653591 PMCID: PMC3642390 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2013.00055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2013] [Accepted: 04/12/2013] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Acetylcholine has been implicated in both the pathophysiology and treatment of a number of psychiatric disorders, with most of the data related to its role and therapeutic potential focusing on schizophrenia. However, there is little thought given to the consequences of the documented changes in the cholinergic system and how they may affect the functioning of the brain. This review looks at the cholinergic system and its interactions with the intrinsic neurotransmitters glutamate and gamma-amino butyric acid as well as those with the projection neurotransmitters most implicated in the pathophysiologies of psychiatric disorders; dopamine and serotonin. In addition, with the recent focus on the role of factors normally associated with inflammation in the pathophysiologies of psychiatric disorders, links between the cholinergic system and these factors will also be examined. These interfaces are put into context, primarily for schizophrenia, by looking at the changes in each of these systems in the disorder and exploring, theoretically, whether the changes are interconnected with those seen in the cholinergic system. Thus, this review will provide a comprehensive overview of the connectivity between the cholinergic system and some of the major areas of research into the pathophysiologies of psychiatric disorders, resulting in a critical appraisal of the potential outcomes of a dysregulated central cholinergic system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Scarr
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of MelbourneParkville, VIC, Australia
- Molecular Psychiatry Laboratories, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental HealthParkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Andrew S. Gibbons
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of MelbourneParkville, VIC, Australia
- Molecular Psychiatry Laboratories, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental HealthParkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Jaclyn Neo
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of MelbourneParkville, VIC, Australia
- Molecular Psychiatry Laboratories, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental HealthParkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Madhara Udawela
- Molecular Psychiatry Laboratories, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental HealthParkville, VIC, Australia
- Centre for Neuroscience, The University of MelbourneParkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Brian Dean
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of MelbourneParkville, VIC, Australia
- Molecular Psychiatry Laboratories, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental HealthParkville, VIC, Australia
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Udawela M, Scarr E, Hannan AJ, Thomas EA, Dean B. Phospholipase C beta 1 expression in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex from patients with schizophrenia at different stages of illness. Aust N Z J Psychiatry 2011; 45:140-7. [PMID: 21091263 DOI: 10.3109/00048674.2010.533364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Our recent microarray study detected decreases in the expression of phospholipase C beta 1 mRNA in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex from subjects with schizophrenia at different stages of illness. Thus we aimed to validate and extend these findings. METHOD We measured levels of mRNA and protein for phospholipase C beta 1 variant a and b using real-time PCR and western blot analysis, respectively, in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex from subjects with schizophrenia, who had a short (< 7 years) or long (> 22 years) duration of illness. RESULTS Compared to age/sex matched controls, levels of phospholipase C beta 1 variant a and b mRNAs were decreased (-33% and -50%, respectively) in short duration schizophrenia. By contrast, only variant a mRNA was decreased (-24%) in long duration schizophrenia. There was no significant difference in the protein levels of either phospholipase C beta 1 variant in schizophrenia, irrespective of duration of illness (variant a; P = 0.84, variant b; P = 0.73). CONCLUSION Our data confirm that phospholipase C beta 1 transcript levels are decreased in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex from subjects with schizophrenia. However, the changes in levels of mRNA do not translate into a change at the level of protein. It is possible protein expression is regulated independently of mRNA and it remains to be determined whether there is a functional consequence of this change in mRNA relating to the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madhara Udawela
- Rebecca L. Cooper Research Laboratories, Mental Health Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
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Gibbons AS, Udawela M, Jeon WJ, Seo MS, Brooks L, Dean B. The neurobiology of APOE in schizophrenia and mood disorders. Front Biosci (Landmark Ed) 2011; 16:962-79. [PMID: 21196212 DOI: 10.2741/3729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
APOE is a major component of several lipoproteins. In addition to its role as a lipid transport protein APOE also serves a dual role as a glial derived, synaptic signalling molecule and thought to play an important role in synaptic plasticity and cognition. Polymorphisms within the APOE gene have been associated with the incidence of Alzheimer's disease. In light of the similarities in the cognitive deficits experienced in both Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia as well as the comorbidity of depression in Alzheimer's disease, aberrant APOE signalling has been implicated in the pathologies of schizophrenia and mood disorders. The schizophrenia candidate gene, reelin, also shares common receptors with APOE, further supporting a role for APOE in the pathology of these disorders. This review will summarise the current understanding of the involvement of APOE and its receptors in the symptomatology and pathology of schizophrenia and mood disorders and the implications of this involvement for drug treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Stuart Gibbons
- Rebecca L Cooper Laboratories, Mental Health Research Institute of Victoria, Parkville, Victoria, Victoria 3052, Australia.
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Money TT, Scarr E, Udawela M, Gibbons AS, Jeon WJ, Seo MS, Dean B. Treating schizophrenia: novel targets for the cholinergic system. CNS Neurol Disord Drug Targets 2010; 9:241-56. [PMID: 20053170 DOI: 10.2174/187152710791012062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2009] [Accepted: 12/08/2010] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Cognitive deficits in patients with schizophrenia are the biggest obstacle to achieving an independent and productive lifestyle, with these deficits being refractory to current drug treatments. Significantly, both nicotinic and muscarinic receptors (cholinoceptors) have been shown to have an important role in cognition and are therefore viewed as potential therapeutic targets for drugs designed to lessen cognitive deficits. Importantly, the demonstration that acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, which result in higher synaptic levels of acetylcholine, can reduce the cognitive deficits of schizophrenia suggested that under-stimulation of cholinoceptors could be associated with the cognitive deficits associated with this disorder. This has lead to a focus on the development of receptor agonists, partial agonists and allosteric agonists that can be used to stimulate cholinergic pathways and thus reduce the cognitive deficits of schizophrenia. In addition, muscarinic receptors have now been associated with the modulation of dopamine and may constitute an alternative target for the treatment of psychoses. Given these exciting new therapeutic initiatives, this review will outline current evidence that involves the cholinoceptors in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia and how these data can inform on approaches to more targeted treatments for the disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- T T Money
- the Mental Health Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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27
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Boer S, Sanchez D, Reinieren I, van den Boom T, Udawela M, Scarr E, Ganfornina MD, Dean B. Decreased kainate receptors in the hippocampus of apolipoprotein D knockout mice. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2010; 34:271-8. [PMID: 19963028 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2009.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2009] [Revised: 11/06/2009] [Accepted: 11/18/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Apolipoprotein D (ApoD) has many actions critical to maintaining mammalian CNS function. It is therefore significant that levels of ApoD have been shown to be altered in the CNS of subjects with schizophrenia, suggesting a role for ApoD in the pathophysiology of the disorder. There is also a large body of evidence that cortical and hippocampal glutamatergic, serotonergic and cholinergic systems are affected by the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Thus, we decided to use in vitro radioligand binding and autoradiography to measure levels of ionotropic glutamate, some muscarinic and serotonin 2A receptors in the CNS of ApoD(-/-) and isogenic wild-type mice. These studies revealed a 20% decrease (mean+/-SEM: 104+/-10.2 vs. 130+/-10.4 fmol/mg ETE) in the density of kainate receptors in the CA 2-3 of the ApoD(-/-) mice. In addition there was a global decrease in AMPA receptors (F(1,214)=4.67, p<0.05) and a global increase in muscarinic M2/M4 receptors (F(1,208)=22.77, p<0.0001) in the ApoD(-/-) mice that did not reach significance in any single cytoarchitectural region. We conclude that glutamatergic pathways seem to be particularly affected in ApoD(-/-) mice and this may contribute to the changes in learning and memory, motor tasks and orientation-based tasks observed in these animals, all of which involve glutamatergic neurotransmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Boer
- The Rebecca L. Cooper Research Laboratories, The Mental Health Research Institute, Australia
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28
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Udawela M, Christopoulos G, Morfis M, Tilakaratne N, Christopoulos A, Sexton PM. The effects of C-terminal truncation of receptor activity modifying proteins on the induction of amylin receptor phenotype from human CTb receptors. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007; 145:65-71. [PMID: 17884192 DOI: 10.1016/j.regpep.2007.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Receptor activity modifying proteins (RAMPs) interact with calcitonin receptors to produce novel amylin receptor phenotypes. We have recently demonstrated that the short intracellular C-terminus of RAMPs plays a key role in the function of amylin receptors derived from the CTa calcitonin receptor through the use of chimeric RAMPs and RAMPs that are truncated at the C-terminus [15, Udawela M, Christopoulos G, Morfis M, Christopoulos A, Ye S, Tilakaratne N, Sexton PM. A critical role for the short intracellular C terminus in receptor activity modifying protein function. Mol Pharmacol 2006;70:1750-60., 18, Udawela M, Christopoulos G, Tilakaratne N, Christopoulos A, Albiston A, Sexton PM. Distinct receptor activity-modifying protein domains differentially modulate interaction with calcitonin receptors. Mol Pharmacol 2006;69:1984-89.]. The calcitonin receptor in humans is expressed as two major alternatively spliced isoforms termed CTa and CTb. Relatively little is known about how alternate splicing of the receptor affects the interaction between calcitonin receptors and RAMPs. We have examined the effect of RAMP truncation, through use of mutant constructs that delete the last 8 amino acids of each of the 3 known human RAMPs, and characterised these for interaction with CTb receptors through co-expression in COS-7 cells. As seen with the CTa receptor isoform, RAMP truncation caused a marked loss in induction of AMYb receptor phenotypes as characterised by (125)I-rat amylin radioligand binding assays and cAMP accumulation assays; the latter as a marker of receptor signalling. The effect was most pronounced for RAMP1 and RAMP2 deletion mutants, but attenuated responses were also observed with co-expressed RAMP3 deletion mutants. These data support a direct role for the RAMP C-terminus in the interaction of RAMP/calcitonin receptor complexes with intracellular accessory proteins involved in signalling and/or receptor trafficking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madhara Udawela
- Howard Florey Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Victoria, Australia
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29
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Udawela M, Christopoulos G, Morfis M, Christopoulos A, Ye S, Tilakaratne N, Sexton PM. A critical role for the short intracellular C terminus in receptor activity-modifying protein function. Mol Pharmacol 2006; 70:1750-60. [PMID: 16912219 DOI: 10.1124/mol.106.024257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Receptor activity-modifying proteins (RAMPs) interact with and modify the behavior of the calcitonin receptor (CTR) and calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CLR). We have examined the contribution of the short intracellular C terminus, using constructs that delete the last eight amino acids of each RAMP. C-Terminal deletion of individual RAMPs had little effect on the signaling profile induced when complexed with CLR in COS-7 or human embryonic kidney (HEK)293 cells. Likewise, confocal microscopy revealed each of the mutant RAMPs translocated hemagglutinin-tagged CLR to the cell surface. In contrast, a pronounced effect of RAMP C-terminal truncation was seen for RAMP/CTRa complexes, studied in COS-7 cells, with significant attenuation of amylin receptor phenotype induction that was stronger for RAMP1 and -2 than RAMP3. The loss of amylin binding upon C-terminal deletion could be partially recovered with overexpression of Galpha(s), suggesting an impact of the RAMP C terminus on coupling of G proteins to the receptor complex. In HEK293 cells the c-Myc-RAMP1 C-terminal deletion mutant showed high receptor-independent cell surface expression; however, this construct showed low cell surface expression when expressed alone in COS-7 cells, indicating interaction of RAMPs with other cellular components via the C terminus. This mutant also had reduced cell surface expression when coexpressed with CTR. Thus, this study reveals important functionality of the RAMP C-terminal domain and identifies key differences in the role of the RAMP C terminus for CTR versus CLR-based receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madhara Udawela
- Drug Discovery Biology Laboratory, Department of Pharmacology, Bldg. 13E, Monash University, Clayton, 3800 Victoria, Australia
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Sexton PM, Morfis M, Tilakaratne N, Hay DL, Udawela M, Christopoulos G, Christopoulos A. Complexing Receptor Pharmacology: Modulation of Family B G Protein-Coupled Receptor Function by RAMPs. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2006; 1070:90-104. [PMID: 16888151 DOI: 10.1196/annals.1317.076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
The most well-characterized subgroup of family B G protein-coupledreceptors (GPCRs) comprises receptors for peptide hormones, such as secretin, calcitonin (CT), glucagon, and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). Recent data suggest that many of these receptors can interact with a novel family of GPCR accessory proteins termed receptor activity modifying proteins (RAMPs). RAMP interaction with receptors can lead to a variety of actions that include chaperoning of the receptor protein to the cell surface as is the case for the calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CLR) and the generation of novel receptor phenotypes. RAMP heterodimerization with the CLR and related CT receptor is required for the formation of specific CT gene-related peptide, adrenomedullin (AM) or amylin receptors. More recent work has revealed that the specific RAMP present in a heterodimer may modulate other functions such as receptor internalization and recycling and also the strength of activation of downstream signaling pathways. In this article we review our current state of knowledge of the consequence of RAMP interaction with family B GPCRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick M Sexton
- Howard Florey Institute, Level 2, Alan Gilbert Building, The University of Melbourne, 161 Barry Street, Carlton South, 3053, Victoria, Australia.
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Udawela M, Christopoulos G, Tilakaratne N, Christopoulos A, Albiston A, Sexton PM. Distinct receptor activity-modifying protein domains differentially modulate interaction with calcitonin receptors. Mol Pharmacol 2006; 69:1984-9. [PMID: 16531504 DOI: 10.1124/mol.105.021915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Calcitonin receptors (CTRs) dimerize with receptor activity-modifying proteins (RAMPs) to generate high-affinity amylin (AMY) receptors; however, the relative contribution of individual RAMP domains to the formation of AMY receptors is poorly understood. We have used chimeras between RAMP1 and RAMP2 that specifically exchanged the N-terminal, transmembrane, or C-terminal domain and examined these in assays of [(125)I]amylin binding or peptide-induced cAMP signaling in COS-7 cells transiently transfected with wild-type or chimeric RAMPs and human CTRa. The specificity of peptides in competition for [(125)I]amylin binding was principally dictated by the N-terminal domain present in the chimeras; however, the maximal level of binding induced was dictated by the transmembrane domain present. This extended previous data (Zumpe et al., 2000) to provide a distinction between the transmembrane domain and the C terminus in this function. In contrast to the effects on binding, each of the RAMP domains played a role in the signaling phenotype of the receptors. In particular, the potency of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) was most influenced by the C-terminal domain present, in which the presence of the RAMP1 C-terminal domain led to increased potency over CTRa alone, whereas chimeras with the RAMP2 C-terminal domain did not induce increased CGRP potency. The data provide additional support for the importance of the N terminus in determining binding affinity but reveal a prominent role of the transmembrane domain in the strength of amylin binding and a unique role for the C terminus in signaling by peptides to stimulate cAMP production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madhara Udawela
- Department of Pharmacology, Building 13E, Monash University, Clayton, 3800 Victoria, Australia
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Rana K, Wang YY, Powell H, Jones C, McCredie D, Buzza M, Udawela M, Savige J. Persistent familial hematuria in children and the locus for thin basement membrane nephropathy. Pediatr Nephrol 2005; 20:1729-37. [PMID: 16235097 DOI: 10.1007/s00467-005-2034-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2005] [Revised: 05/15/2005] [Accepted: 05/30/2005] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
This study examined how often children with persistent familial hematuria were from families where hematuria segregated with the known genetic locus for the condition known as benign familial hematuria or thin basement membrane nephropathy (TBMN) at COL4A3/COL4A4. Twenty-one unrelated children with persistent familial hematuria as well as their families were studied for segregation of hematuria with haplotypes at the COL4A3/COL4A4 locus for benign familial hematuria and at the COL4A5 locus for X-linked Alport syndrome. Eight families (38%) had hematuria that segregated with COL4A3/COL4A4, and four (19%) had hematuria that segregated with COL4A5. At most, eight of the other nine families could be explained by disease at the COL4A3/COL4A4 locus if de novo mutations, non-penetrant hematuria or coincidental hematuria in unaffected family members was present individually or in combination. This study confirms that persistent familial hematuria is not always linked to COL4A3/COL4A4 (or COL4A5) and suggests the possibility of a further genetic locus for benign familial hematuria. This study also highlights the risk of excluding X-linked Alport syndrome on the basis of the absence of a family history or of kidney failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kesha Rana
- University of Melbourne, Department of Medicine, Austin Health/Northern Health, Melbourne, Australia
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Abstract
Receptor diversity for the calcitonin peptide family is created by the interaction of two 7-transmembrane proteins--the calcitonin receptor (CTR) or the calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CL-R)--with the receptor activity modifying protein (RAMP) family. The discovery of heterodimeric complexes of these proteins heralded a new era in the study of G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), whereby receptor phenotype is no longer governed by just the GPCR. In this article, recent advances in the study of RAMPs are discussed--from our current understanding of the molecular basis of RAMP-receptor interaction to a broader role for RAMPs outside the calcitonin receptor family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madhara Udawela
- Molecular Pharmacology Group, Howard Florey Institute, The University of Melbourne, Gate 11, Royal Parade, Melbourne, Vic. 3010, Australia
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Christopoulos A, Christopoulos G, Morfis M, Udawela M, Laburthe M, Couvineau A, Kuwasako K, Tilakaratne N, Sexton PM. Novel receptor partners and function of receptor activity-modifying proteins. J Biol Chem 2003; 278:3293-7. [PMID: 12446722 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.c200629200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 228] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The receptor activity-modifying proteins (RAMPs) comprise a family of three accessory proteins that heterodimerize with the calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CL receptor) or with the calcitonin receptor (CTR) to generate different receptor phenotypes. However, RAMPs are more widely distributed across cell and tissue types than the CTR and CL receptor, suggesting additional roles for RAMPs in cellular processes. We have investigated the potential for RAMP interaction with a number of Class II G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) in addition to the CL receptor and the CTR. Using immunofluorescence confocal microscopy, we demonstrate, for the first time, that RAMPs interact with at least four additional receptors, the VPAC1 vasoactive intestinal polypeptide/pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide receptor with all three RAMPs; the glucagon and PTH1 parathyroid hormone receptors with RAMP2; and the PTH2 receptor with RAMP3. Unlike the interaction of RAMPs with the CL receptor or the CTR, VPAC1R-RAMP complexes do not show altered phenotypic behavior compared with the VPAC1R alone, as determined using radioligand binding in COS-7 cells. However, the VPAC1R-RAMP2 heterodimer displays a significant enhancement of agonist-mediated phosphoinositide hydrolysis with no change in cAMP stimulation compared with the VPAC1R alone. Our findings identify a new functional consequence of RAMP-receptor interaction, suggesting that RAMPs play a more general role in modulating cell signaling through other GPCRs than is currently appreciated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur Christopoulos
- Department of Pharmacology and the Howard Florey Institute, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
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