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Mazzeo F, Meccariello R, Guatteo E. Molecular and Epigenetic Aspects of Opioid Receptors in Drug Addiction and Pain Management in Sport. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24097831. [PMID: 37175536 PMCID: PMC10178540 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24097831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Opioids are substances derived from opium (natural opioids). In its raw state, opium is a gummy latex extracted from Papaver somniferum. The use of opioids and their negative health consequences among people who use drugs have been studied. Today, opioids are still the most commonly used and effective analgesic treatments for severe pain, but their use and abuse causes detrimental side effects for health, including addiction, thus impacting the user's quality of life and causing overdose. The mesocorticolimbic dopaminergic circuitry represents the brain circuit mediating both natural rewards and the rewarding aspects of nearly all drugs of abuse, including opioids. Hence, understanding how opioids affect the function of dopaminergic circuitry may be useful for better knowledge of the process and to develop effective therapeutic strategies in addiction. The aim of this review was to summarize the main features of opioids and opioid receptors and focus on the molecular and upcoming epigenetic mechanisms leading to opioid addiction. Since synthetic opioids can be effective for pain management, their ability to induce addiction in athletes, with the risk of incurring doping, is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filomena Mazzeo
- Department of Economics, Law, Cybersecurity and Sports Sciences, University of Naples "Parthenope", 80133 Naples, Italy
- Department of Movement Sciences and Wellbeing, University of Naples "Parthenope", 80133 Naples, Italy
| | - Rosaria Meccariello
- Department of Movement Sciences and Wellbeing, University of Naples "Parthenope", 80133 Naples, Italy
| | - Ezia Guatteo
- Department of Movement Sciences and Wellbeing, University of Naples "Parthenope", 80133 Naples, Italy
- IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Via del Fosso di Fiorano 64, 00143 Rome, Italy
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2
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Kononenko O, Galatenko V, Andersson M, Bazov I, Watanabe H, Zhou XW, Iatsyshyna A, Mityakina I, Yakovleva T, Sarkisyan D, Ponomarev I, Krishtal O, Marklund N, Tonevitsky A, Adkins DL, Bakalkin G. Intra- and interregional coregulation of opioid genes: broken symmetry in spinal circuits. FASEB J 2017; 31:1953-1963. [PMID: 28122917 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201601039r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2016] [Accepted: 01/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Regulation of the formation and rewiring of neural circuits by neuropeptides may require coordinated production of these signaling molecules and their receptors that may be established at the transcriptional level. Here, we address this hypothesis by comparing absolute expression levels of opioid peptides with their receptors, the largest neuropeptide family, and by characterizing coexpression (transcriptionally coordinated) patterns of these genes. We demonstrated that expression patterns of opioid genes highly correlate within and across functionally and anatomically different areas. Opioid peptide genes, compared with their receptor genes, are transcribed at much greater absolute levels, which suggests formation of a neuropeptide cloud that covers the receptor-expressed circuits. Surprisingly, we found that both expression levels and the proportion of opioid receptors are strongly lateralized in the spinal cord, interregional coexpression patterns are side specific, and intraregional coexpression profiles are affected differently by left- and right-side unilateral body injury. We propose that opioid genes are regulated as interconnected components of the same molecular system distributed between distinct anatomic regions. The striking feature of this system is its asymmetric coexpression patterns, which suggest side-specific regulation of selective neural circuits by opioid neurohormones.-Kononenko, O., Galatenko, V., Andersson, M., Bazov, I., Watanabe, H., Zhou, X. W., Iatsyshyna, A., Mityakina, I., Yakovleva, T., Sarkisyan, D., Ponomarev, I., Krishtal, O., Marklund, N., Tonevitsky, A., Adkins, D. L., Bakalkin, G. Intra- and interregional coregulation of opioid genes: broken symmetry in spinal circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Kononenko
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.,Key State Laboratory, Bogomoletz Institute of Physiology, Kiev, Ukraine
| | | | - Malin Andersson
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Igor Bazov
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden;
| | - Hiroyuki Watanabe
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Xing Wu Zhou
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anna Iatsyshyna
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.,Department of Human Genetics, Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Kiev, Ukraine
| | | | - Tatiana Yakovleva
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Daniil Sarkisyan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Igor Ponomarev
- Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research and The College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Oleg Krishtal
- Key State Laboratory, Bogomoletz Institute of Physiology, Kiev, Ukraine
| | - Niklas Marklund
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Neurosurgery, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | - DeAnna L Adkins
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, and.,Department of Health Sciences and Research, College of Health Professions, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Georgy Bakalkin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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3
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Muñoa I, Urizar I, Casis L, Irazusta J, Subirán N. The epigenetic regulation of the opioid system: new individualized prompt prevention and treatment strategies. J Cell Biochem 2016; 116:2419-26. [PMID: 25974312 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.25222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2015] [Accepted: 05/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The most well-known physiological effect associated with opiod system is their efficacy in pain reduction or analgesia, although their effect on a variety of other physiological and physiophological functions has become apparent in recent years. This review is an attempt to clarify in more detail the epigenetic regulation of opioid system to understand with more precision their transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation in multiple pyisiological and pharmacological contexts. The opioid receptors show an epigenetic regulation and opioid peptide precursors by methylation, chromatin remodeling and microRNA. Although the opioid receptor promoters have similarity between them, they use different epigenetic regulation forms and they exhibit different pattern of expression during the cell differentiation. DNA methylation is also confirmed in opioid peptide precursors, being important for gene expression and tissue specificity. Understanding the epigenetic basis of those physiological and physiopathological procesess is essential for the development of individualized prompt prevention and treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iraia Muñoa
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Itziar Urizar
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Luis Casis
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Jon Irazusta
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Nerea Subirán
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain
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4
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Dogra S, Sona C, Kumar A, Yadav PN. Epigenetic regulation of G protein coupled receptor signaling and its implications in psychiatric disorders. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2016; 77:226-39. [PMID: 27046448 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2016.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2016] [Revised: 03/21/2016] [Accepted: 03/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) act as a relay center through which extracellular signals, in the form of neurotransmitters or therapeutics, are converted into an intracellular response, which ultimately shapes the overall response at the tissue and behavioral level. Remarkably in similar ways, epigenetic mechanisms also modulate the expression pattern of a large number of genes in response to the dynamic environment inside and outside of the body, and consequently overall response. Emerging evidences from the pharmacogenomics and preclinical studies clearly suggest that these two distinct mechanisms criss-cross each other in several neurological disorders. At one hand such cross-talks between two distinct mechanisms make disease etiology more challenging to understand, while on the other hand if dealt appropriately, such situations might provide an opportunity to find novel druggable target and strategy for the treatment of complex diseases. In this review article, we have summarized and highlighted the main findings that tie epigenetic mechanisms to GPCR mediated signaling in the pathophysiology of central nervous system (CNS) disorders, including depression, addiction and pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shalini Dogra
- Division of Pharmacology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, UP 226031, India
| | - Chandan Sona
- Division of Pharmacology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, UP 226031, India
| | - Ajeet Kumar
- Division of Pharmacology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, UP 226031, India
| | - Prem N Yadav
- Division of Pharmacology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, UP 226031, India.
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5
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Brunner AM, Tweedie-Cullen RY, Mansuy IM. Epigenetic modifications of the neuroproteome. Proteomics 2012; 12:2404-20. [PMID: 22696459 DOI: 10.1002/pmic.201100672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2011] [Revised: 03/12/2012] [Accepted: 04/12/2012] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
In the central nervous system, epigenetic processes are involved in a multitude of brain functions ranging from the development and differentiation of the nervous system through to higher-order cognitive processes such as learning and memory. This review summarises the current state of the art for the proteomic analysis of the epigenetic regulation of gene expression, in particular the PTM of histones, in the brain and cellular model systems. It describes the MS technologies that have helped the identification and analysis of histones, histone variants and PTMs in the brain. Strategies for the isolation of histones that allow the qualitative analysis of PTMs and their combinatorial patterns are introduced, methods for the relative and absolute quantification of histone PTMs are described, and future challenges are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea M Brunner
- Brain Research Institute, University of Zürich and Department of Biology, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
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Butelman ER, Yuferov V, Kreek MJ. κ-opioid receptor/dynorphin system: genetic and pharmacotherapeutic implications for addiction. Trends Neurosci 2012; 35:587-96. [PMID: 22709632 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2012.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 151] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2011] [Revised: 04/27/2012] [Accepted: 05/17/2012] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Addictions to cocaine or heroin/prescription opioids [short-acting μ-opioid receptor (MOPr) agonists] involve relapsing cycles, with experimentation/escalating use, withdrawal/abstinence, and relapse/re-escalation. κ-Opioid receptors (KOPr; encoded by OPRK1), and their endogenous agonists, the dynorphins (encoded by PDYN), have counter-modulatory effects on reward caused by cocaine or MOPr agonist exposure, and exhibit plasticity in addictive-like states. KOPr/dynorphin activation is implicated in depression/anxiety, often comorbid with addictions. In this opinion article we propose that particular stages of the addiction cycle are differentially affected by KOPr/dynorphin systems. Vulnerability and resilience can be due to pre-existing (e.g., genetic) factors, or epigenetic modifications of the OPRK1 or PDYN genes during the addiction cycle. Pharmacotherapeutic approaches limiting changes in KOPr/dynorphin tone, especially with KOPr partial agonists, may hold potential for the treatment of specific drug addictions and psychiatric comorbidity.
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MESH Headings
- Adaptation, Biological/genetics
- Adaptation, Biological/physiology
- Animals
- Behavior, Addictive/drug therapy
- Behavior, Addictive/genetics
- Behavior, Addictive/physiopathology
- Disease Models, Animal
- Drug Discovery/methods
- Dynorphins/physiology
- Enkephalins/genetics
- Genetic Predisposition to Disease/genetics
- Humans
- Illicit Drugs/pharmacology
- Narcotic Antagonists/pharmacology
- Narcotic Antagonists/therapeutic use
- Polymorphism, Genetic
- Protein Precursors/genetics
- Receptors, Opioid, kappa/agonists
- Receptors, Opioid, kappa/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptors, Opioid, kappa/physiology
- Recurrence
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo R Butelman
- Laboratory of the Biology of Addictive Diseases, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
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Flaisher-Grinberg S, Persaud SD, Loh HH, Wei LN. Stress-induced epigenetic regulation of κ-opioid receptor gene involves transcription factor c-Myc. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2012; 109:9167-72. [PMID: 22615378 PMCID: PMC3384167 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1205565109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Exposure to stress is associated with adverse emotional and behavioral responses. Whereas the κ-opioid receptor (KOR) system is known to mediate some of the effects, it is unclear whether and how stress affects epigenetic regulation of this gene. Because the KOR gene can use two promoters (Pr1 and Pr2) and two polyadenylation signals (PA1 and PA2), it is also interesting whether and how these distinct regulatory mechanisms are differentially modulated by stress. The current study examined the effects of stress on these different regulatory mechanisms of the KOR gene. Results showed that stress selectively increased the expression of KOR mRNA isoforms controlled by Pr1 and terminated at PA1 in specific brain areas including the medial-prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, brainstem, and sensorimotor cortex, but not in the amygdala or hypothalamus. These effects correlated with altered epigenetic state of KOR Pr1 chromatin, as well as elevation and increased recruitment of the principal transcription factor c-Myc, which could activate Pr1. Stress-induced modulation of Pr1 was further validated using glutamate-sensitive murine hippocampal cell line, HT22. The results revealed a common molecular mechanism underlying the effect of stress on selected chromatin regions of this gene at the cellular level and in the context of whole animal and identified a critical role for c-Myc in stress-triggered epigenetic regulation of the KOR gene locus. This study sheds light on the mechanisms of stress-induced epigenetic regulation that targets specific chromatin segments and suggests certain KOR transcripts and its principal transcription factor c-Myc as potential targets for brain-area-specific intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shawna D. Persaud
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455
| | - Horace H. Loh
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455
| | - Li-Na Wei
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455
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Gräff J, Kim D, Dobbin MM, Tsai LH. Epigenetic regulation of gene expression in physiological and pathological brain processes. Physiol Rev 2011; 91:603-49. [PMID: 21527733 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00012.2010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 259] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past decade, it has become increasingly obvious that epigenetic mechanisms are an integral part of a multitude of brain functions that range from the development of the nervous system over basic neuronal functions to higher order cognitive processes. At the same time, a substantial body of evidence has surfaced indicating that several neurodevelopmental, neurodegenerative, and neuropsychiatric disorders are in part caused by aberrant epigenetic modifications. Because of their inherent plasticity, such pathological epigenetic modifications are readily amenable to pharmacological interventions and have thus raised justified hopes that the epigenetic machinery provides a powerful new platform for therapeutic approaches against these diseases. In this review, we give a detailed overview of the implication of epigenetic mechanisms in both physiological and pathological brain processes and summarize the state-of-the-art of "epigenetic medicine" where applicable. Despite, or because of, these new and exciting findings, it is becoming apparent that the epigenetic machinery in the brain is highly complex and intertwined, which underscores the need for more refined studies to disentangle brain-region and cell-type specific epigenetic codes in a given environmental condition. Clearly, the brain contains an epigenetic "hotspot" with a unique potential to not only better understand its most complex functions, but also to treat its most vicious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Gräff
- Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
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AP-2β enhances p53-mediated transcription of the αB-crystallin gene through stabilizing p53. Mol Biol Rep 2011; 39:209-14. [DOI: 10.1007/s11033-011-0727-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2010] [Accepted: 04/23/2011] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Wei LN, Loh HH. Transcriptional and epigenetic regulation of opioid receptor genes: present and future. Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol 2011; 51:75-97. [PMID: 20868272 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pharmtox-010510-100605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Three opioid receptors (ORs) are known: μ opioid receptors (MORs), δ opioid receptors (DORs), and κ opioid receptors (KORs). Each is encoded by a distinct gene, and the three OR genes share a highly conserved genomic structure and promoter features, including an absence of TATA boxes and sensitivity to extracellular stimuli and epigenetic regulation. However, each of the genes is differentially expressed. Transcriptional regulation engages both basal and regulated transcriptional machineries and employs activating and silencing mechanisms. In retinoic acid-induced neuronal differentiation, the opioid receptor genes undergo drastically different chromatin remodeling processes and display varied patterns of epigenetic marks. Regulation of KOR expression is distinctly complex, and KOR exerts a unique function in neurite extension, indicating that KOR is not simply a pharmacological cousin of MOR and DOR. As the expression of OR proteins is ultimately controlled by extensive posttranscriptional processing, the pharmacological implication of OR gene regulation at the transcriptional level remains to be determined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Na Wei
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, 55455, USA.
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Kappa opioid receptor contributes to EGF-stimulated neurite extension in development. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2010; 107:3216-21. [PMID: 20133770 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0912367107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Epidermal growth factor (EGF), a mitogen, also stimulates neurite extension during development, but the underlying mechanism is elusive. This study reveals a functional role for kappa opioid receptor (KOR) in EGF-stimulated neurite extension, and the underlying mechanism. EGF and activated EGF receptor (EGFR) levels are elevated in embryonic spinal cords during late gestation stages, with concurrent rise in protein levels of KOR and axon extension markers, growth-associated protein 43 (GAP43), and transient axonal glycoprotein-1 (TAG-1). Both GAP43 and TAG-1 levels are significantly lower in KOR-null (KOR(-/-)) spinal cords, and EGFR inhibitors effectively reduce the levels of KOR, GAP43, and TAG-1 in wild-type embryonic spinal cords. For KOR(-/-) or KOR-knockdown dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, EGF can no longer effectively stimulate axon extension, which can be rescued by introducing a constitutive KOR expressing vector but not by a regulated KOR vector carrying its 5' untranslated region, which can be bound and repressed by growth factor receptor-bound protein 7 (Grb7). Furthermore, blocking KOR activation by application of anti-dynorphin, KOR antagonist, or EGFR inhibitor effectively reduces axon extension of DRG neurons. Thus, EGF-stimulated axon extension during development is mediated, at least partially, by specific elevation of KOR protein production at posttranscriptional level, as well as activation of KOR signaling. The result also reveals an action of EGF to augment posttranscriptional regulation of certain mRNAs during developmental stages.
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Abstract
This paper is the 31st consecutive installment of the annual review of research concerning the endogenous opioid system. It summarizes papers published during 2008 that studied the behavioral effects of molecular, pharmacological and genetic manipulation of opioid peptides, opioid receptors, opioid agonists and opioid antagonists. The particular topics that continue to be covered include the molecular-biochemical effects and neurochemical localization studies of endogenous opioids and their receptors related to behavior (Section 2), and the roles of these opioid peptides and receptors in pain and analgesia (Section 3); stress and social status (Section 4); tolerance and dependence (Section 5); learning and memory (Section 6); eating and drinking (Section 7); alcohol and drugs of abuse (Section 8); sexual activity and hormones, pregnancy, development and endocrinology (Section 9); mental illness and mood (Section 10); seizures and neurologic disorders (Section 11); electrical-related activity and neurophysiology (Section 12); general activity and locomotion (Section 13); gastrointestinal, renal and hepatic functions (Section 14); cardiovascular responses (Section 15); respiration and thermoregulation (Section 16); and immunological responses (Section 17).
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J Bodnar
- Department of Psychology and Neuropsychology Doctoral Sub-Program, Queens College, City University of New York, 65-30 Kissena Blvd, Flushing, NY 11367, United States.
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Golebiewska A, Atkinson SP, Lako M, Armstrong L. Epigenetic landscaping during hESC differentiation to neural cells. Stem Cells 2009; 27:1298-308. [PMID: 19489095 DOI: 10.1002/stem.59] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
The molecular mechanisms underlying pluripotency and lineage specification from embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are still largely unclear. To address the role of chromatin structure in maintenance of pluripotency in human ESCs (hESCs) and establishment of lineage commitment, we analyzed a panel of histone modifications at promoter sequences of genes involved in maintenance of pluripotency, self-renewal, and in early stages of differentiation. To understand the changes occurring at lineage-specific gene regulatory sequences, we have established an efficient purification system that permits the examination of two distinct populations of lineage committed cells; fluorescence activated cell sorted CD133(+) CD45(-)CD34(-) neural stem cells and beta-III-tubulin(+) putative neurons. Here we report the importance of other permissive marks supporting trimethylation of Lysine 4 H3 at the active stem cell promoters as well as poised bivalent and nonbivalent lineage-specific gene promoters in hESCs. Methylation of lysine 9 H3 was found to play a role in repression of pluripotency-associated and lineage-specific genes on differentiation. Moreover, presence of newly formed bivalent domains was observed at the neural progenitor stage. However, they differ significantly from the bivalent domains observed in hESCs, with a possible role of dimethylation of lysine 9 H3 in repressing the poised genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Golebiewska
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, International Centre for Life, United Kingdom
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