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Rani A. RAR-related orphan receptor alpha and the staggerer mice: a fine molecular story. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 14:1300729. [PMID: 38766309 PMCID: PMC11099308 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1300729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The retinoic acid-related orphan receptor alpha (RORα) protein first came into the limelight due to a set of staggerer mice, discovered at the Jackson Laboratories in the United States of America by Sidman, Lane, and Dickie (1962) and genetically deciphered by Hamilton et al. in 1996. These staggerer mice exhibited cerebellar defects, an ataxic gait, a stagger along with several other developmental abnormalities, compensatory mechanisms, and, most importantly, a deletion of 160 kilobases (kb), encompassing the RORα ligand binding domain (LBD). The discovery of the staggerer mice and the subsequent discovery of a loss of the LBD within the RORα gene of these mice at the genetic level clearly indicated that RORα's LBD played a crucial role in patterning during embryogenesis. Moreover, a chance study by Roffler-Tarlov and Sidman (1978) noted reduced concentrations of glutamic acid levels in the staggerer mice, indicating a possible role for the essence of a nutritionally balanced diet. The sequential organisation of the building blocks of intact genes, requires the nucleotide bases of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA): purines and pyrimidines, both of which are synthesized, upon a constant supply of glutamine, an amino acid fortified in a balanced diet and a byproduct of the carbohydrate and lipid metabolic pathways. A nutritionally balanced diet, along with a metabolic "enzymatic machinery" devoid of mutations/aberrations, was essential in the uninterrupted transcription of RORα during embryogenesis. In addition to the above, following translation, a ligand-responsive RORα acts as a "molecular circadian regulator" during embryogenesis and not only is expressed selectively and differentially, but also promotes differential activity depending on the anatomical and pathological site of its expression. RORα is highly expressed in the central nervous system (CNS) and the endocrine organs. Additionally, RORα and the clock genes are core components of the circadian rhythmicity, with the expression of RORα fluctuating in a night-day-night sigmoidal pattern and undoubtedly serves as an endocrine-like, albeit "molecular-circadian regulator". Melatonin, a circadian hormone, along with tri-iodothyronine and some steroid hormones are known to regulate RORα-mediated molecular activity, with each of these hormones themselves being regulated rhythmically by the hypothalamic-pituitary axis (HPA). The HPA regulates the circadian rhythm and cyclical release of hormones, in a self-regulatory feedback loop. Irregular sleep-wake patterns affect circadian rhythmicity and the ability of the immune system to withstand infections. The staggerer mice with their thinner bones, an altered skeletal musculature, an aberrant metabolic profile, the ataxic gait and an underdeveloped cerebellar cortex; exhibited compensatory mechanisms, that not only allowed the survival of the staggerer mice, but also enhanced protection from microbial invasions and resistance to high-fat-diet induced obesity. This review has been compiled in its present form, more than 14 years later after a chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) cloning and sequencing methodology helped me identify signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (STAT5) target sequences, one of which was mapped to the first intron of the RORα gene. The 599-base-long sequence containing one consensus TTCNNNGAA (TTCN3GAA) gamma-activated sequence (GAS) and five other non-consensus TTN5AA sequences had been identified from the clones isolated from the STAT5 target sites (fragments) in human phytohemagglutinin-activated CD8+ T lymphocytes, during my doctoral studies between 2006 and 2009. Most importantly, preliminary studies noted a unique RORα expression profile, during a time-course study on the ribonucleic acid (RNA), extracted from human phytohemagglutinin (PHA) activated CD8+ T lymphocytes stimulated with interleukin-2 (IL-2). This review mainly focuses on the "staggerer mice" with one of its first roles materialising during embryogenesis, a molecular-endocrine mediated circadian-like regulatory process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aradhana Rani
- Medical Biochemistry, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Pondicherry, India
- Human Resource Development and Management, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur, West Bengal, India
- Immunology, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
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2
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Seward CH, Saul MC, Troy JM, Dibaeinia P, Zhang H, Sinha S, Stubbs LJ. An epigenomic shift in amygdala marks the transition to maternal behaviors in alloparenting virgin female mice. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0263632. [PMID: 35192674 PMCID: PMC8863255 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0263632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Adults of many species will care for young offspring that are not their own, a phenomenon called alloparenting. However, in many cases, nonparental adults must be sensitized by repeated or extended exposures to newborns before they will robustly display parental-like behaviors. To capture neurogenomic events underlying the transition to active parental caring behaviors, we analyzed brain gene expression and chromatin profiles of virgin female mice co-housed with pregnant dams during pregnancy and after birth. After an initial display of antagonistic behaviors and a surge of defense-related gene expression, we observed a dramatic shift in the chromatin landscape specifically in amygdala of the pup-exposed virgin females compared to females co-housed with mother before birth, accompanied by a dampening of anxiety-related gene expression. This epigenetic shift coincided with hypothalamic expression of the oxytocin gene and the emergence of behaviors and gene expression patterns classically associated with maternal care. The results outline a neurogenomic program associated with dramatic behavioral changes and suggest molecular networks relevant to human postpartum mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher H. Seward
- Pacific Northwest Research Institute, Seattle, WA, United States of America
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, Urbana, IL, United States of America
| | - Michael C. Saul
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, Urbana, IL, United States of America
| | - Joseph M. Troy
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, Urbana, IL, United States of America
| | - Payam Dibaeinia
- Department of Computer Science, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States of America
| | - Huimin Zhang
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, Urbana, IL, United States of America
| | - Saurabh Sinha
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, Urbana, IL, United States of America
- Department of Computer Science, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States of America
| | - Lisa J. Stubbs
- Pacific Northwest Research Institute, Seattle, WA, United States of America
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, Urbana, IL, United States of America
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3
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Chen Z, Tao S, Zhu R, Tian S, Sun Y, Wang H, Yan R, Shao J, Zhang Y, Zhang J, Yao Z, Lu Q. Aberrant functional connectivity between the suprachiasmatic nucleus and the superior temporal gyrus: Bridging RORA gene polymorphism with diurnal mood variation in major depressive disorder. J Psychiatr Res 2021; 132:123-130. [PMID: 33091686 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2020.09.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2020] [Revised: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Diurnal mood variation (DMV), a common symptom of major depressive disorder (MDD), is associated with circadian related genes and dysregulation of the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). Previous research confirmed that the RORA gene is involved in the regulation of circadian rhythms. In this study, we hypothesized that polymorphisms of RORA may affect DMV symptoms of MDD through functional changes in the SCN. A total of 208 patients diagnosed with depression and 120 control subjects were enrolled and underwent a resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). Blood samples were collected and genotyping of 9 RORA gene SNPs were performed using next-generation sequencing technology. Patients were categorized as an AA genotype or C allele carriers based on RORA rs72752802 polymorphism. SCN-seed functional connectivity (FC) was compared between the two groups and correlation with severity of DMV was analyzed. Finally, a mediation analysis was performed to further determine FC intermediary effects. We observed that rs72752802 was significantly associated with patients' DMV symptoms. C allele carriers of rs72752802 showed significantly decreased FC between the right SCN and right superior temporal gyrus (rSTG). This was also correlated with DMV symptoms. In addition, the rs72752802 SNP influenced DMV symptoms through intermediary effects of SCN-rSTG connectivity. The study presented here provides a neurological and genetic basis for understanding depressed patients experiencing DMV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhilu Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, the Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Shiwan Tao
- Department of Psychiatry, the Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Rongxin Zhu
- Department of Psychiatry, the Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Shui Tian
- School of Biological Sciences & Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China; Child Development and Learning Science, Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education, 210096, China
| | - Yurong Sun
- School of Biological Sciences & Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China; Child Development and Learning Science, Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education, 210096, China
| | - Huan Wang
- School of Biological Sciences & Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China; Child Development and Learning Science, Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education, 210096, China
| | - Rui Yan
- Department of Psychiatry, the Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China; Nanjing Brain Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China
| | - Junneng Shao
- School of Biological Sciences & Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China; Child Development and Learning Science, Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education, 210096, China
| | - Yujie Zhang
- School of Biological Sciences & Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China; Child Development and Learning Science, Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education, 210096, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry, the Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Zhijian Yao
- Department of Psychiatry, the Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China; School of Biological Sciences & Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China; Nanjing Brain Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China.
| | - Qing Lu
- School of Biological Sciences & Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China; Child Development and Learning Science, Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education, 210096, China.
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4
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Nuclear Receptors as Regulators of Pituitary Corticotroph Pro-Opiomelanocortin Transcription. Cells 2020; 9:cells9040900. [PMID: 32272677 PMCID: PMC7226830 DOI: 10.3390/cells9040900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2020] [Revised: 03/29/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis plays a critical role in adaptive stress responses and maintaining organism homeostasis. The pituitary corticotroph is the central player in the HPA axis and is regulated by a plethora of hormonal and stress related factors that synergistically interact to activate and temper pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) transcription, to either increase or decrease adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) production and secretion as needed. Nuclear receptors are a family of highly conserved transcription factors that can also be induced by various physiologic signals, and they mediate their responses via multiple targets to regulate metabolism and homeostasis. In this review, we summarize the modulatory roles of nuclear receptors on pituitary corticotroph cell POMC transcription, describe the unique and complex role these factors play in hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis (HPA) regulation and discuss potential therapeutic targets in disease states.
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Tanaka M, Li H, Zhang X, Singh J, Dalgard CL, Wilkerson M, Zhang Y. Region- and time-dependent gene regulation in the amygdala and anterior cingulate cortex of a PTSD-like mouse model. Mol Brain 2019; 12:25. [PMID: 30922409 PMCID: PMC6438009 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-019-0449-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 03/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder is developed by exposure to a threatening and/or a horrifying event and characterized by the presence of anxiety, hyperarousal, avoidance, and sleep abnormality for a prolonged period of time. To elucidate the potential molecular mechanisms, we constructed a mouse model by electric foot shock followed by situational reminders and performed transcriptome analysis in brain tissues. The stressed mice acquired anxiety-like behavior after 2 weeks and exaggerated startle response after 4 weeks. Avoidance latency and freezing behavior were sustained up to 5 weeks post stress and abnormal static behavior was observed during the sleep period. RNA sequencing was performed in two of the emotional regulatory regions, anterior cingulate cortex and amygdala, at 2 and 5 weeks post stress. More than 1000 differentially expressed genes were identified at 2 weeks in both regions. The number of the regulated genes remained constant in amygdala at 5 weeks post stress, whereas those in anterior cingulate cortex were plummeted. Although synaptic remodeling and endocrine system were the most enriched signaling pathways in both anterior cingulate cortex and amygdala, the individual gene expression profile was regulated in a region- and time-dependent manner. In addition, several genes associated with PTSD involved in Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal axis were differentially regulated. These findings suggested that global gene expression profile was dynamically regulated in accordance with the disease development stage, and therefore targeting the distinct signaling molecules in different region and development stage might be critical for effective treatment to PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikiei Tanaka
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics, Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, 4301 Jones Bridge Rd, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA
| | - Hongyun Li
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics, Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, 4301 Jones Bridge Rd, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA
| | - Xijun Zhang
- Collaborative Health Initiative Research Program (CHIRP), Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, 4301 Jones Bridge Rd, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA
| | - Jatinder Singh
- Collaborative Health Initiative Research Program (CHIRP), Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, 4301 Jones Bridge Rd, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA
| | - Clifton L Dalgard
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics, Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, 4301 Jones Bridge Rd, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA.,Collaborative Health Initiative Research Program (CHIRP), Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, 4301 Jones Bridge Rd, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA
| | - Matthew Wilkerson
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics, Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, 4301 Jones Bridge Rd, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA.,Collaborative Health Initiative Research Program (CHIRP), Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, 4301 Jones Bridge Rd, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA
| | - Yumin Zhang
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics, Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, 4301 Jones Bridge Rd, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA. .,Collaborative Health Initiative Research Program (CHIRP), Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, 4301 Jones Bridge Rd, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA.
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6
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Richter-Levin G, Stork O, Schmidt MV. Animal models of PTSD: a challenge to be met. Mol Psychiatry 2019; 24:1135-1156. [PMID: 30816289 PMCID: PMC6756084 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-018-0272-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2017] [Revised: 08/13/2018] [Accepted: 09/11/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Recent years have seen increased interest in psychopathologies related to trauma exposure. Specifically, there has been a growing awareness to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in part due to terrorism, climate change-associated natural disasters, the global refugee crisis, and increased violence in overpopulated urban areas. However, notwithstanding the increased awareness to the disorder, the increasing number of patients, and the devastating impact on the lives of patients and their families, the efficacy of available treatments remains limited and highly unsatisfactory. A major scientific effort is therefore devoted to unravel the neural mechanisms underlying PTSD with the aim of paving the way to developing novel or improved treatment approaches and drugs to treat PTSD. One of the major scientific tools used to gain insight into understanding physiological and neuronal mechanisms underlying diseases and for treatment development is the use of animal models of human diseases. While much progress has been made using these models in understanding mechanisms of conditioned fear and fear memory, the gained knowledge has not yet led to better treatment options for PTSD patients. This poor translational outcome has already led some scientists and pharmaceutical companies, who do not in general hold opinions against animal models, to propose that those models should be abandoned. Here, we critically examine aspects of animal models of PTSD that may have contributed to the relative lack of translatability, including the focus on the exposure to trauma, overlooking individual and sex differences, and the contribution of risk factors. Based on findings from recent years, we propose research-based modifications that we believe are required in order to overcome some of the shortcomings of previous practice. These modifications include the usage of animal models of PTSD which incorporate risk factors and of the behavioral profiling analysis of individuals in a sample. These modifications are aimed to address factors such as individual predisposition and resilience, thus taking into consideration the fact that only a fraction of individuals exposed to trauma develop PTSD. We suggest that with an appropriate shift of practice, animal models are not only a valuable tool to enhance our understanding of fear and memory processes, but could serve as effective platforms for understanding PTSD, for PTSD drug development and drug testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gal Richter-Levin
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel. .,The Integrated Brain and Behavior Research Center (IBBR), University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel. .,Psychology Department, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel.
| | - Oliver Stork
- 0000 0001 1018 4307grid.5807.aDepartment of Genetics & Molecular Neurobiology, Institute of Biology, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Leipziger Str. 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany ,grid.452320.2Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Mathias V. Schmidt
- 0000 0000 9497 5095grid.419548.5Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
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7
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Bambico FR, Comai S, Diwan M, Hasan SN, Conway JD, Darvish-Ghane S, Hamani C, Gobbi G, Nobrega JN. High frequency stimulation of the anterior vermis modulates behavioural response to chronic stress: involvement of the prefrontal cortex and dorsal raphe? Neurobiol Dis 2018; 116:166-178. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2018.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2017] [Revised: 02/17/2018] [Accepted: 03/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
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8
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Liver-specific deletion of RORα aggravates diet-induced nonalcoholic steatohepatitis by inducing mitochondrial dysfunction. Sci Rep 2017; 7:16041. [PMID: 29167529 PMCID: PMC5700103 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-16077-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2017] [Accepted: 11/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitochondrial dysfunction may play a key role in the progression of steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH); however, the molecular mechanism that controls the structure and function of mitochondria in NASH is not clearly understood. Here, we demonstrated that RORα is a regulator of expression of Bnip3 and PGC-1α, and thereby enhances mitochondrial quality. First, we observed that liver-specific RORα knockout mice (RORα-LKO) were more susceptible to high-fat diet-induced NASH compared with control, probably due to mitochondrial dysfunction. Concordantly, mitochondrial fission in response to nutrient stimuli was abolished with downregulation of Bnip3 and phospho-Drp1 in the hepatocytes of RORα-LKO. RORα enhanced oxygen consumption rate and expression of genes associated with mitochondrial quality control. Finally, we observed the positive correlation of the expression levels of Bnip3 and PGC-1α with those of RORα in patients with steatohepatitis. Together, we demonstrated that RORα mediates mitochondrial quality under nutrient-overloaded conditions and propose RORα as a potential therapeutic target in treatment of NASH.
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9
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Impaired spatial performance in cerebellar-deficient Lurcher mice is not associated with their abnormal stress response. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2017; 140:62-70. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2017.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2016] [Revised: 12/19/2016] [Accepted: 02/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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10
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Hennings JM, Uhr M, Klengel T, Weber P, Pütz B, Touma C, Czamara D, Ising M, Holsboer F, Lucae S. RNA expression profiling in depressed patients suggests retinoid-related orphan receptor alpha as a biomarker for antidepressant response. Transl Psychiatry 2015; 5:e538. [PMID: 25826113 PMCID: PMC4429173 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2015.9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2014] [Revised: 12/05/2014] [Accepted: 12/19/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Response to antidepressant treatment is highly variable with some patients responding within a few weeks, whereas others have to wait for months until the onset of clinical effects. Gene expression profiling may be a tool to identify markers of antidepressant treatment response and new potential drug targets. In a first step, we selected 12 male, age- and severity-matched pairs of remitters and nonresponders, and analyzed expression profiles in peripheral blood at admission and after 2 and 5 weeks of treatment using Illumina expression arrays. We identified 127 transcripts significantly associated with treatment response with a minimal P-value of 9.41 × 10(-)(4) (false discovery rate-corrected). Analysis of selected transcripts in an independent replication sample of 142 depressed inpatients confirmed that lower expression of retinoid-related orphan receptor alpha (RORa, P=6.23 × 10(-4)), germinal center expressed transcript 2 (GCET2, P=2.08 × 10(-2)) and chitinase 3-like protein 2 (CHI3L2, P=4.45 × 10(-2)) on admission were associated with beneficial treatment response. In addition, leukocyte-specific protein 1 (LSP1) significantly decreased after 5 weeks of treatment in responders (P=2.91 × 10(-2)). Additional genetic, in vivo stress responsitivity data and murine gene expression findings corroborate our finding of RORa as a transcriptional marker of antidepressant response. In summary, using a genome-wide transcriptomics approach and subsequent validation studies, we identified several transcripts including the circadian gene transcript RORa that may serve as biomarkers indicating antidepressant treatment response.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Hennings
- Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany,Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Kraepelinstrasse 2-10, 80804 Munich, Germany. E-mail:
| | - M Uhr
- Core Unit Biobanking and Molecular Biology, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - T Klengel
- Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - P Weber
- Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - B Pütz
- Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - C Touma
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - D Czamara
- Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - M Ising
- Department of Clinical Research, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - F Holsboer
- Emeritus scientific member, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - S Lucae
- Department of Clinical Research, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
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11
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Genetics of psychotropic medication induced side effects in two independent samples of bipolar patients. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2014; 122:43-58. [PMID: 25129258 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-014-1290-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2014] [Accepted: 08/02/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The treatment of bipolar disorder (BD) usually requires combination therapies, with the critical issue of the emergence of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and the possibility of low treatment adherence. Genetic polymorphisms are hypothesized to modulate the pharmacodynamics of psychotropic drugs, representing potential biological markers of ADRs. This study investigated genes involved in the regulation of neuroplasticity (BDNF, ST8SIA2), second messenger cascades (GSK3B, MAPK1, and CREB1), circadian rhythms (RORA), transcription (SP4, ZNF804A), and monoaminergic system (HTR2A and COMT) in the risk of neurological, psychic, autonomic, and other ADRs. Two independent samples of BD patients naturalistically treated were included (COPE-BD n = 147; STEP-BD n = 659). In the COPE-BD 34 SNPs were genotyped, while in the STEP-BD polymorphisms in the selected genes were extracted from the genome-wide dataset. Each ADRs group was categorized as absent-mild or moderate-severe and logistic regression with appropriate covariates was applied to identify possible risk genotypes/alleles. 58.5 and 93.5 % of patients were treated with mood stabilizers, 44.2 and 50.7 % were treated with antipsychotics, and 69.4 and 46.1 % were treated with antidepressants in the COPE-BD and STEP-BD, respectively. Our findings suggested that ST8SIA2 may be associated with psychic ADRs, as shown in the COPE-BD (rs4777989 p = 0.0017) and STEP-BD (rs56027313, rs13379489 and rs10852173). A cluster of RORA SNPs around rs2083074 showed an effect on psychic ADRs in the STEP-BD. Trends supporting the association between HTR2A and autonomic ADRs were found in both samples. Confirmations are needed particularly for ST8SIA2 and RORA since the few available data regarding their role in relation to psychotropic ADRs.
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Cendelin J. From mice to men: lessons from mutant ataxic mice. CEREBELLUM & ATAXIAS 2014; 1:4. [PMID: 26331028 PMCID: PMC4549131 DOI: 10.1186/2053-8871-1-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2014] [Accepted: 04/21/2014] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Ataxic mutant mice can be used to represent models of cerebellar degenerative disorders. They serve for investigation of cerebellar function, pathogenesis of degenerative processes as well as of therapeutic approaches. Lurcher, Hot-foot, Purkinje cell degeneration, Nervous, Staggerer, Weaver, Reeler, and Scrambler mouse models and mouse models of SCA1, SCA2, SCA3, SCA6, SCA7, SCA23, DRPLA, Niemann-Pick disease and Friedreich ataxia are reviewed with special regard to cerebellar pathology, pathogenesis, functional changes and possible therapeutic influences, if any. Finally, benefits and limitations of mouse models are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Cendelin
- Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University in Prague, Lidicka 1, 301 66 Plzen, Czech Republic ; Biomedical Centre, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University in Prague, Plzen, Czech Republic
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13
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Fitzsimmons RL, Lau P, Muscat GEO. Retinoid-related orphan receptor alpha and the regulation of lipid homeostasis. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2012; 130:159-68. [PMID: 21723946 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2011.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2011] [Revised: 06/15/2011] [Accepted: 06/16/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Many nuclear hormone receptors (NRs) control lipid, glucose and energy homeostasis in an organ specific manner. Concordantly, dysfunctional NR signalling results in metabolic disease. The Retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor alpha (RORα), a member of the NR1F subgroup, is expressed in metabolic tissues. Previous studies identified the role of this NR in dyslipidemia, apo-lipoprotein metabolism and atherosclerosis. Recent data is underscoring the significant role of this orphan NR in the regulation of phase I/II metabolism (bile acids, xenobiotics, steroids etc.), adiposity, insulin signalling, and glucose tolerance. Moreover, oxygenated sterols, have been demonstrated to function as native ligands and inverse agonists. This review focuses on the rapidly emerging and evolving role of RORα in the control of lipid and glucose homeostasis in major mass metabolic tissues. Article from the special issue orphan receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca L Fitzsimmons
- Obesity Research Centre, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Services Rd St. Lucia, Queensland, 4072 Australia
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Effects of corticosterone synthesis inhibitor metyrapone on anxiety-related behaviors in Lurcher mutant mice. Physiol Behav 2010; 101:309-14. [DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2010.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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McGrath CL, Glatt SJ, Sklar P, Le-Niculescu H, Kuczenski R, Doyle AE, Biederman J, Mick E, Faraone SV, Niculescu AB, Tsuang MT. Evidence for genetic association of RORB with bipolar disorder. BMC Psychiatry 2009; 9:70. [PMID: 19909500 PMCID: PMC2780413 DOI: 10.1186/1471-244x-9-70] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2009] [Accepted: 11/12/2009] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bipolar disorder, particularly in children, is characterized by rapid cycling and switching, making circadian clock genes plausible molecular underpinnings for bipolar disorder. We previously reported work establishing mice lacking the clock gene D-box binding protein (DBP) as a stress-reactive genetic animal model of bipolar disorder. Microarray studies revealed that expression of two closely related clock genes, RAR-related orphan receptors alpha (RORA) and beta (RORB), was altered in these mice. These retinoid-related receptors are involved in a number of pathways including neurogenesis, stress response, and modulation of circadian rhythms. Here we report association studies between bipolar disorder and single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in RORA and RORB. METHODS We genotyped 355 RORA and RORB SNPs in a pediatric cohort consisting of a family-based sample of 153 trios and an independent, non-overlapping case-control sample of 152 cases and 140 controls. Bipolar disorder in children and adolescents is characterized by increased stress reactivity and frequent episodes of shorter duration; thus our cohort provides a potentially enriched sample for identifying genes involved in cycling and switching. RESULTS We report that four intronic RORB SNPs showed positive associations with the pediatric bipolar phenotype that survived Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons in the case-control sample. Three RORB haplotype blocks implicating an additional 11 SNPs were also associated with the disease in the case-control sample. However, these significant associations were not replicated in the sample of trios. There was no evidence for association between pediatric bipolar disorder and any RORA SNPs or haplotype blocks after multiple-test correction. In addition, we found no strong evidence for association between the age-at-onset of bipolar disorder with any RORA or RORB SNPs. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that clock genes in general and RORB in particular may be important candidates for further investigation in the search for the molecular basis of bipolar disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Casey L McGrath
- Department of Psychiatry, Laboratory of Neurophenomics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
| | - Stephen J Glatt
- Department of Psychiatry, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - Pamela Sklar
- Center for Human Genetic Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Helen Le-Niculescu
- Laboratory of Neurophenomics, Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | | | - Alysa E Doyle
- Pediatric Psychopharmacology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital; Psychiatric Psychopharmacology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joseph Biederman
- Pediatric Psychopharmacology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital; Psychiatric Psychopharmacology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Eric Mick
- Pediatric Psychopharmacology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital; Psychiatric Psychopharmacology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Stephen V Faraone
- Department of Psychiatry, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - Alexander B Niculescu
- Laboratory of Neurophenomics, Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Ming T Tsuang
- Department of Psychiatry, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
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Doulazmi M, Capone F, Frederic F, Bakouche J, Boukhtouche J, Lemaigre-Dubreuil Y, Mariani J. CEREBELLAR PURKINJE CELL LOSS IN HETEROZYGOUSRORA+/−MICE: A LONGITUDINAL STUDY. J Neurogenet 2009; 20:1-17. [PMID: 16807193 DOI: 10.1080/01677060600685832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
The staggerer (sg) mutation is a spontaneous deletion in the Rora gene that prevents the translation of the ligand-binding domain (LBD), leading to the loss of RORalpha activity. The homozygous Rorasg/sg mutant mouse, whose most obvious phenotype is ataxia associated with cerebellar degeneration, also displays a variety of other phenotypes. The heterozygous Rora+/sg is able to develop a cerebellum that is qualitatively normal but which suffers a significant loss of cerebellar neuronal cells with advancing age. A truncated protein synthesized by the mutated allele may play a role both in Rorasg/sg and Rora+/sg. To determine the effects during life span of true haplo-insufficiency of the RORalpha protein, derived from the invalidation of the gene, we compared the evolution of Purkinje cell numbers in heterozygous Rora knock-out males (Rora+/-) and in their wild-type counterparts from 1 to 24 months of age. We also compared the evolution of Purkinje cell (PC) numbers in Rora+/- and Rora+/sg males from 1 to 9 months. The main finding is that in Rora+/- mice, for which only one-half the normal amount of protein is produced, the deficit was established as early as 1 month and did not change during the animals' adult lifespans. Thus, the effects of aging on PC number were apparent much earlier in Rora+/- than in Rora+/sg, although at 24 months of age the degrees of deficit were similar.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Doulazmi
- Université Pierre et Marie Curie-Paris 6, Unité Mixte de Recherche, Neurobiologie des Processus Adaptatifs, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Paris, France.
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Le-Niculescu H, McFarland MJ, Ogden CA, Balaraman Y, Patel S, Tan J, Rodd ZA, Paulus M, Geyer MA, Edenberg HJ, Glatt SJ, Faraone SV, Nurnberger JI, Kuczenski R, Tsuang MT, Niculescu AB. Phenomic, convergent functional genomic, and biomarker studies in a stress-reactive genetic animal model of bipolar disorder and co-morbid alcoholism. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2008; 147B:134-66. [PMID: 18247375 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.30707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
We had previously identified the clock gene D-box binding protein (Dbp) as a potential candidate gene for bipolar disorder and for alcoholism, using a Convergent Functional Genomics (CFG) approach. Here we report that mice with a homozygous deletion of DBP have lower locomotor activity, blunted responses to stimulants, and gain less weight over time. In response to a chronic stress paradigm, these mice exhibit a diametric switch in these phenotypes. DBP knockout mice are also activated by sleep deprivation, similar to bipolar patients, and that activation is prevented by treatment with the mood stabilizer drug valproate. Moreover, these mice show increased alcohol intake following exposure to stress. Microarray studies of brain and blood reveal a pattern of gene expression changes that may explain the observed phenotypes. CFG analysis of the gene expression changes identified a series of novel candidate genes and blood biomarkers for bipolar disorder, alcoholism, and stress reactivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Le-Niculescu
- Laboratory of Neurophenomics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
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Fontaine C, Staels B. The orphan nuclear receptor Rev-erbalpha: a transcriptional link between circadian rhythmicity and cardiometabolic disease. Curr Opin Lipidol 2007; 18:141-6. [PMID: 17353661 DOI: 10.1097/mol.0b013e3280464ef6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review focuses on recent advances on the role of the orphan nuclear receptor Rev-erbalpha, a transcription factor participating in the control of circadian rhythm and cardiometabolic disease. RECENT FINDINGS Circadian patterns of cardiovascular vulnerability are well documented, with a peak incidence of cardiovascular events in the morning. Recent studies have outlined the importance of the Clock genes in the development of metabolic disorders predisposing to atherosclerosis. Rev-erbalpha is a nuclear receptor that regulates hepatic and adipose lipid metabolism as well as vascular inflammation. Moreover, Rev-erbalpha is also part of the clock transcription machinery and the target of some clock transcription factors. SUMMARY These findings identify Rev-erbalpha as a modulator of cardiovascular risk factors and as a determinant of the circadian regulation of metabolic pathways. Moreover, Rev-erbalpha crosstalks with other nuclear receptors which influence atherosclerosis susceptibility. Rev-erbalpha may thus serve to integrate metabolic and circadian signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Coralie Fontaine
- Institut Pasteur de Lille, Inserm U.545, Université de Lille 2, Lille, France
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Le-Niculescu H, Balaraman Y, Patel S, Tan J, Sidhu K, Jerome RE, Edenberg HJ, Kuczenski R, Geyer MA, Nurnberger JI, Faraone SV, Tsuang MT, Niculescu AB. Towards understanding the schizophrenia code: an expanded convergent functional genomics approach. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2007; 144B:129-58. [PMID: 17266109 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.30481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Identifying genes for schizophrenia through classical genetic approaches has proven arduous. Here, we present a comprehensive convergent analysis that translationally integrates brain gene expression data from a relevant pharmacogenomic mouse model (involving treatments with a psychomimetic agent - phencyclidine (PCP), and an anti-psychotic - clozapine), with human genetic linkage data and human postmortem brain data, as a Bayesian strategy of cross validating findings. Topping the list of candidate genes, we have three genes involved in GABA neurotransmission (GABRA1, GABBR1, and GAD2), one gene involved in glutamate neurotransmission (GRIA2), one gene involved in neuropeptide signaling (TAC1), two genes involved in synaptic function (SYN2 and KCNJ4), six genes involved in myelin/glial function (CNP, MAL, MBP, PLP1, MOBP and GFAP), and one gene involved in lipid metabolism (LPL). These data suggest that schizophrenia is primarily a disorder of brain functional and structural connectivity, with GABA neurotransmission playing a prominent role. These findings may explain the EEG gamma band abnormalities detected in schizophrenia. The analysis also revealed other high probability candidates genes (neurotransmitter signaling, other structural proteins, ion channels, signal transduction, regulatory enzymes, neuronal migration/neurite outgrowth, clock genes, transcription factors, RNA regulatory genes), pathways and mechanisms of likely importance in pathophysiology. Some of the pathways identified suggest possible avenues for augmentation pharmacotherapy of schizophrenia with other existing agents, such as benzodiazepines, anticonvulsants and lipid modulating agents. Other pathways are new potential targets for drug development. Lastly, a comparison with our earlier work on bipolar disorder illuminates the significant molecular overlap between schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Le-Niculescu
- Laboratory of Neurophenomics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
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