1
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Bacon EK, Donnelly CG, Bellone RR, Haase B, Finno CJ, Velie BD. Preliminary investigation of potential links between pigmentation variants and opioid analgesic effectiveness in horses during cerebrospinal fluid centesis. BMC Vet Res 2024; 20:311. [PMID: 38997753 PMCID: PMC11245827 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-024-04139-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The pleiotropic effects of the melanocortin system show promise in overcoming limitations associated with large variations in opioid analgesic effectiveness observed in equine practice. Of particular interest is variation in the melanocortin-1-receptor (MC1R) gene, which dictates pigment type expression through its epistatic interaction with the agouti signalling protein (ASIP) gene. MC1R has previously been implicated in opioid efficacy in other species; however, this relationship is yet to be explored in horses. In this study, analgesic effectiveness was scored (1-3) based on noted response to dura penetration during the performance of cerebrospinal fluid centisis after sedation and tested for association with known genetic regions responsible for pigmentation variation in horses. RESULTS The chestnut phenotype was statistically significant (P < 0.05) in lowering analgesic effectiveness when compared to the bay base coat colour. The 11bp indel in ASIP known to cause the black base coat colour was not significant (P>0.05); however, six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the genomic region encoding the ASIP gene and one within MC1R were identified as being nominally significant (P<0.05) in association with opioid analgesic effectiveness. This included the location of the known e MC1R variant resulting in the chestnut coat colour. CONCLUSIONS The current study provides promising evidence for important links between pigmentation genes and opioid effectiveness in horses. The application of an easily identifiable phenotype indicating variable sensitivity presents a promising opportunity for accessible precision medicine in the use of analgesics and warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elouise K Bacon
- Equine Genetics and Genomics Group, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - Callum G Donnelly
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithica, NY, 14850, USA
| | - Rebecca R Bellone
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
- Veterinary Genetics Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Bianca Haase
- School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Carrie J Finno
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Brandon D Velie
- Equine Genetics and Genomics Group, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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2
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Sweeney P, Gimenez LE, Hernandez CC, Cone RD. Targeting the central melanocortin system for the treatment of metabolic disorders. Nat Rev Endocrinol 2023; 19:507-519. [PMID: 37365323 DOI: 10.1038/s41574-023-00855-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
A large body of preclinical and clinical data shows that the central melanocortin system is a promising therapeutic target for treating various metabolic disorders such as obesity and cachexia, as well as anorexia nervosa. Setmelanotide, which functions by engaging the central melanocortin circuitry, was approved by the FDA in 2020 for use in certain forms of syndromic obesity. Furthermore, the FDA approvals in 2019 of two peptide drugs targeting melanocortin receptors for the treatment of generalized hypoactive sexual desire disorder (bremelanotide) and erythropoietic protoporphyria-associated phototoxicity (afamelanotide) demonstrate the safety of this class of peptides. These approvals have also renewed excitement in the development of therapeutics targeting the melanocortin system. Here, we review the anatomy and function of the melanocortin system, discuss progress and challenges in developing melanocortin receptor-based therapeutics, and outline potential metabolic and behavioural disorders that could be addressed using pharmacological agents targeting these receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Sweeney
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, USA
| | - Luis E Gimenez
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | | | - Roger D Cone
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, College of Literature Science and the Arts, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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3
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Ji RL, Liu T, Hou ZS, Wen HS, Tao YX. Divergent Pharmacology and Biased Signaling of the Four Melanocortin-4 Receptor Isoforms in Rainbow Trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss). Biomolecules 2023; 13:1248. [PMID: 37627313 PMCID: PMC10452266 DOI: 10.3390/biom13081248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) is essential for the modulation of energy balance and reproduction in both fish and mammals. Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) has been extensively studied in various fields and provides a unique opportunity to investigate divergent physiological roles of paralogues. Herein we identified four trout mc4r (mc4ra1, mc4ra2, mc4rb1, and mc4rb2) genes. Four trout Mc4rs (omMc4rs) were homologous to those of teleost and mammalian MC4Rs. Multiple sequence alignments, a phylogenetic tree, chromosomal synteny analyses, and pharmacological studies showed that trout mc4r genes may have undergone different evolutionary processes. All four trout Mc4rs bound to two peptide agonists and elevated intracellular cAMP levels dose-dependently. High basal cAMP levels were observed at two omMc4rs, which were decreased by Agouti-related peptide. Only omMc4rb2 was constitutively active in the ERK1/2 signaling pathway. Ipsen 5i, ML00253764, and MCL0020 were biased allosteric modulators of omMc4rb1 with selective activation upon ERK1/2 signaling. ML00253764 behaved as an allosteric agonist in Gs-cAMP signaling of omMc4rb2. This study will lay the foundation for future physiological studies of various mc4r paralogs and reveal the evolution of MC4R in vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ren-Lei Ji
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA; (R.-L.J.); (T.L.)
| | - Ting Liu
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA; (R.-L.J.); (T.L.)
| | - Zhi-Shuai Hou
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA; (R.-L.J.); (T.L.)
| | - Hai-Shen Wen
- The Key Laboratory of Mariculture, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China;
| | - Ya-Xiong Tao
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA; (R.-L.J.); (T.L.)
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4
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Markov DD, Dolotov OV, Grivennikov IA. The Melanocortin System: A Promising Target for the Development of New Antidepressant Drugs. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076664. [PMID: 37047638 PMCID: PMC10094937 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Major depression is one of the most prevalent mental disorders, causing significant human suffering and socioeconomic loss. Since conventional antidepressants are not sufficiently effective, there is an urgent need to develop new antidepressant medications. Despite marked advances in the neurobiology of depression, the etiology and pathophysiology of this disease remain poorly understood. Classical and newer hypotheses of depression suggest that an imbalance of brain monoamines, dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPAA) and immune system, or impaired hippocampal neurogenesis and neurotrophic factors pathways are cause of depression. It is assumed that conventional antidepressants improve these closely related disturbances. The purpose of this review was to discuss the possibility of affecting these disturbances by targeting the melanocortin system, which includes adrenocorticotropic hormone-activated receptors and their peptide ligands (melanocortins). The melanocortin system is involved in the regulation of various processes in the brain and periphery. Melanocortins, including peripherally administered non-corticotropic agonists, regulate HPAA activity, exhibit anti-inflammatory effects, stimulate the levels of neurotrophic factors, and enhance hippocampal neurogenesis and neurotransmission. Therefore, endogenous melanocortins and their analogs are able to complexly affect the functioning of those body’s systems that are closely related to depression and the effects of antidepressants, thereby demonstrating a promising antidepressant potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitrii D. Markov
- National Research Center “Kurchatov Institute”, Kurchatov Sq. 2, 123182 Moscow, Russia
| | - Oleg V. Dolotov
- National Research Center “Kurchatov Institute”, Kurchatov Sq. 2, 123182 Moscow, Russia
- Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory, 119234 Moscow, Russia
| | - Igor A. Grivennikov
- National Research Center “Kurchatov Institute”, Kurchatov Sq. 2, 123182 Moscow, Russia
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Singh U, Saito K, Khan MZ, Jiang J, Toth BA, Rodeghiero SR, Dickey JE, Deng Y, Deng G, Kim YC, Cui H. Collateralizing ventral subiculum melanocortin 4 receptor circuits regulate energy balance and food motivation. Physiol Behav 2023; 262:114105. [PMID: 36736416 PMCID: PMC9981473 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2023.114105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Hippocampal dysfunction is associated with major depressive disorder, a serious mental illness characterized by not only depressed mood but also appetite disturbance and dysregulated body weight. However, the underlying mechanisms by which hippocampal circuits regulate metabolic homeostasis remain incompletely understood. Here we show that collateralizing melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) circuits in the ventral subiculum (vSUB), one of the major output structures of the hippocampal formation, affect food motivation and energy balance. Viral-mediated cell type- and projection-specific input-output circuit mapping revealed that the nucleus accumbens shell (NAcSh)-projecting vSUBMC4R+ neurons send extensive collateral projections of to various hypothalamic nuclei known to be important for energy balance, including the arcuate, ventromedial and dorsomedial nuclei, and receive monosynaptic inputs mainly from the ventral CA1 and the anterior paraventricular nucleus of thalamus. Chemogenetic activation of NAcSh-projecting vSUBMC4R+neurons lead to increase in motivation to obtain palatable food without noticeable effect on homeostatic feeding. Viral-mediated restoration of MC4R signaling in the vSUB partially restores obesity in MC4R-null mice without affecting anxiety- and depression-like behaviors. Collectively, these results delineate vSUBMC4R+ circuits to the unprecedented level of precision and identify the vSUBMC4R signaling as a novel regulator of food reward and energy balance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uday Singh
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Kenji Saito
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Michael Z. Khan
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Jingwei Jiang
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Brandon A. Toth
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Samuel R. Rodeghiero
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Jacob E. Dickey
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Yue Deng
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Guorui Deng
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Young-Cho Kim
- Department of Neurology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Huxing Cui
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, United States; Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, United States; F.O.E. Diabetes Research Center, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, United States.
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6
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Glazova NY, Manchenko DM, Vilensky DA, Sebentsova EA, Andreeva LA, Kamensky AA, Dergunova LV, Limborska SA, Myasoedov NF, Levitskaya NG. Effects of Semax in the Rat Models of Acute Stress. J EVOL BIOCHEM PHYS+ 2023. [DOI: 10.1134/s0022093023010179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/15/2023]
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7
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Eliason NL, Martin L, Low MJ, Sharpe AL. Melanocortin receptor agonist melanotan-II microinjected in the nucleus accumbens decreases appetitive and consumptive responding for food. Neuropeptides 2022; 96:102289. [PMID: 36155088 PMCID: PMC10152796 DOI: 10.1016/j.npep.2022.102289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Obesity is a major health problem worldwide. An understanding of the factors that drive feeding behaviors is key to the development of pharmaceuticals to decrease appetite and consumption. Proopiomelanocortin (POMC), the melanocortin peptide precursor, is essential in the regulation of body weight and ingestive behaviors. Deletion of POMC or impairment of melanocortin signaling in the brain results in hyperphagic obesity. Neurons in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus produce POMC and project to many areas including the nucleus accumbens (NAcc), which is well established in the rewarding and reinforcing effects of both food and drugs of abuse. OBJECTIVE These studies sought to determine the role of melanocortins in the NAcc on consumption of and motivation to obtain access to standard rodent chow. METHODS Male, C57BL/6J mice were microinjected bilaterally into the NAcc (100 nl/side) with the melanocortin receptor 3/4 agonist melanotan-II (MT-II; 0.1, 0.3, and 1 nmol), and ingestive behaviors were examined in both home cage and operant food self-administration experiments. In addition, the ability of MT-II in the NAcc to produce aversive properties or affect metabolic rate were tested. RESULTS MT-II injected into the NAcc significantly decreased consumption in both home cage and operant paradigms, and furthermore decreased appetitive responding to gain access to food. There was no development of conditioned taste avoidance or change in metabolic parameters following anorexic doses of MT-II. CONCLUSIONS MT-II in the NAcc decreased both the motivation to eat and the amount of food consumed without inducing an aversive state or affecting metabolic rate, suggesting a role for melanocortin signaling in the NAcc that is selective for appetite and satiety without affecting metabolism or producing an aversive state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole L Eliason
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States of America
| | - Lynne Martin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Feik College of Pharmacy, University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, TX, United States of America
| | - Malcolm J Low
- Department of Molecular & Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America
| | - Amanda L Sharpe
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States of America; Harold Hamm Diabetes Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States of America.
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8
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Micioni Di Bonaventura E, Botticelli L, Del Bello F, Giorgioni G, Piergentili A, Quaglia W, Romano A, Gaetani S, Micioni Di Bonaventura MV, Cifani C. Investigating the role of the central melanocortin system in stress and stress-related disorders. Pharmacol Res 2022; 185:106521. [DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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9
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Bacon EK, Donnelly CG, Bellone RR, Finno CJ, Velie BD. Melanocortin‐1 receptor influence in equine opioid sensitivity. EQUINE VET EDUC 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/eve.13661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Elouise K. Bacon
- Equine Genetics and Genomics Group School of Life and Environmental Sciences University of Sydney Sydney New South Wales Australia
| | - Callum G. Donnelly
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction School of Veterinary Medicine University of California Davis California USA
| | - Rebecca R. Bellone
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction School of Veterinary Medicine University of California Davis California USA
- Veterinary Genetics Laboratory School of Veterinary Medicine University of California Davis California USA
| | - Carrie J. Finno
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction School of Veterinary Medicine University of California Davis California USA
| | - Brandon D. Velie
- Equine Genetics and Genomics Group School of Life and Environmental Sciences University of Sydney Sydney New South Wales Australia
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10
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Copperi F, Kim JD, Diano S. Melanocortin Signaling Connecting Systemic Metabolism With Mood Disorders. Biol Psychiatry 2022; 91:879-887. [PMID: 34344535 PMCID: PMC8643363 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2021.05.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Obesity and mood disorders are often overlapping pathologies that are prevalent public health concerns. Many studies have indicated a positive correlation between depression and obesity, although weight loss and decreased appetite are also recognized as features of depression. Accordingly, DSM-5 defines two subtypes of depression associated with changes in feeding: melancholic depression, characterized by anhedonia and associated with decreased feeding and appetite; and atypical depression, characterized by fatigue, sleepiness, hyperphagia, and weight gain. The central nervous system plays a key role in the regulation of feeding and mood, thus suggesting that overlapping neuronal circuits may be involved in their modulation. However, these circuits have yet to be completely characterized. The central melanocortin system, a circuitry characterized by the expression of specific peptides (pro-opiomelanocortins, agouti-related protein, and neuropeptide Y) and their melanocortin receptors, has been shown to be a key player in the regulation of feeding. In addition, the melanocortin system has also been shown to affect anxiety and depressive-like behavior, thus suggesting a possible role of the melanocortin system as a biological substrate linking feeding and depression. However, more studies are needed to fully understand this complex system and its role in regulating metabolic and mood disorders. In this review, we will discuss the current literature on the role of the melanocortin system in human and animal models in feeding and mood regulation, providing evidence of the biological interplay between anxiety, major depressive disorders, appetite, and body weight regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Copperi
- Institute of Human Nutrition, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032
| | - Jung Dae Kim
- Institute of Human Nutrition, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032
| | - Sabrina Diano
- Institute of Human Nutrition, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York; Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York; Department of Physiology and Cellular Biophysics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York.
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11
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Tomassi S, Dimmito MP, Cai M, D’Aniello A, Del Bene A, Messere A, Liu Z, Zhu T, Hruby VJ, Stefanucci A, Cosconati S, Mollica A, Di Maro S. CLIPSing Melanotan-II to Discover Multiple Functionally Selective hMCR Agonists. J Med Chem 2022; 65:4007-4017. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Tomassi
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Napoli “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Marilisa Pia Dimmito
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Chieti-Pescara “G. d’Annunzio”, Via dei Vestini 31, Chieti 66100, Italy
| | - Minying Cai
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Antonia D’Aniello
- DiSTABiF, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Alessandra Del Bene
- DiSTABiF, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Anna Messere
- DiSTABiF, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Zekun Liu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Tingyi Zhu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Victor J. Hruby
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Azzurra Stefanucci
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Chieti-Pescara “G. d’Annunzio”, Via dei Vestini 31, Chieti 66100, Italy
| | - Sandro Cosconati
- DiSTABiF, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Adriano Mollica
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Chieti-Pescara “G. d’Annunzio”, Via dei Vestini 31, Chieti 66100, Italy
| | - Salvatore Di Maro
- DiSTABiF, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
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Watanabe K, Konno N, Nakamachi T, Matsuda K. Intracerebroventricular administration of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) enhances thigmotaxis and induces anxiety-like behavior in the goldfish Carassius auratus. Peptides 2021; 145:170623. [PMID: 34375685 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2021.170623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
α-Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) is a body pigmentation-regulating hormone secreted from the intermediate lobe of the pituitary in vertebrates. It is also produced in the brain, and acts as an anorexigenic neuropeptide involved in feeding regulation. In rodents, intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration of α-MSH has been shown to affect not only feeding behavior, but also psychomotor activity. However, there is still no information regarding the psychophysiological effects of α-MSH on behavior in fish. Therefore, we examined the effect of synthetic α-MSH on psychomotor activity in goldfish. Since this species prefers the edge to the central area of a tank, we used this as a preference test for assessing psychomotor activity. When α-MSH was administered ICV at 1 and 10 pmol g-1 body weight (BW), the time spent in the edge area of a tank was prolonged at 10 pmol g-1 BW. However, α-MSH at these doses did not affect locomotor activity. The action of α-MSH mimicked those of FG-7142 (a central-type benzodiazepine receptor (CBR) inverse agonist with an anxiogenic effect) at 10 pmol g-1 BW and melanotan II (a melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) agonist) at 50 pmol g-1 BW, whereas ICV administration of tofisopam (a CBR agonist with an anxiolytic effect) at 10 pmol g-1 BW prolonged the time spent in the central area. The anxiogenic-like effect of α-MSH was abolished by treatment with the MC4R antagonist HS024 at 50 pmol g-1 BW. These data indicate that α-MSH affects psychomotor activity in goldfish, and exerts an anxiogenic-like effect via the MC4R-signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keisuke Watanabe
- Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Graduate School of Innovative Life Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama, 930-8555, Japan
| | - Norifumi Konno
- Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, University of Toyama, Toyama, 930-8555, Japan; Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Faculty of Science, Academic Assembly, University of Toyama, Toyama, 930-8555, Japan
| | - Tomoya Nakamachi
- Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, University of Toyama, Toyama, 930-8555, Japan; Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Faculty of Science, Academic Assembly, University of Toyama, Toyama, 930-8555, Japan
| | - Kouhei Matsuda
- Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Graduate School of Innovative Life Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama, 930-8555, Japan; Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, University of Toyama, Toyama, 930-8555, Japan; Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Faculty of Science, Academic Assembly, University of Toyama, Toyama, 930-8555, Japan.
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13
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Martín-Sánchez A, Piñero J, Nonell L, Arnal M, Ribe EM, Nevado-Holgado A, Lovestone S, Sanz F, Furlong LI, Valverde O. Comorbidity between Alzheimer's disease and major depression: a behavioural and transcriptomic characterization study in mice. Alzheimers Res Ther 2021; 13:73. [PMID: 33795014 PMCID: PMC8017643 DOI: 10.1186/s13195-021-00810-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Major depression (MD) is the most prevalent psychiatric disease in the population and is considered a prodromal stage of the Alzheimer's disease (AD). Despite both diseases having a robust genetic component, the common transcriptomic signature remains unknown. METHODS We investigated the cognitive and emotional behavioural responses in 3- and 6-month-old APP/PSEN1-Tg mice, before β-amyloid plaques were detected. We studied the genetic and pathway deregulation in the prefrontal cortex, striatum, hippocampus and amygdala of mice at both ages, using transcriptomic and functional data analysis. RESULTS We found that depressive-like and anxiety-like behaviours, as well as memory impairments, are already present at 3-month-old APP/PSEN1-Tg mutant mice together with the deregulation of several genes, such as Ciart, Grin3b, Nr1d1 and Mc4r, and other genes including components of the circadian rhythms, electron transport chain and neurotransmission in all brain areas. Extending these results to human data performing GSEA analysis using DisGeNET database, it provides translational support for common deregulated gene sets related to MD and AD. CONCLUSIONS The present study sheds light on the shared genetic bases between MD and AD, based on a comprehensive characterization from the behavioural to transcriptomic level. These findings suggest that late MD could be an early manifestation of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Martín-Sánchez
- Neurobiology of Behaviour Research Group (GReNeC-NeuroBio), Department of Experimental and Health Science, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Carrer Dr Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain
- Neuroscience Research Program, IMIM-Hospital del Mar Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Janet Piñero
- Research Programme on Biomedical Informatics (GRIB), IMIM-Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lara Nonell
- Research Programme on Biomedical Informatics (GRIB), IMIM-Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
- MARGenomics core facility, IMIM-Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Magdalena Arnal
- Research Programme on Biomedical Informatics (GRIB), IMIM-Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elena M Ribe
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7JX, UK
| | - Alejo Nevado-Holgado
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7JX, UK
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, OX3 7JX, UK
| | - Simon Lovestone
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7JX, UK
- Johnson and Johnson Medical Ltd., Janssen-Cilag, High Wycombe, UK
| | - Ferran Sanz
- Research Programme on Biomedical Informatics (GRIB), IMIM-Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laura I Furlong
- Research Programme on Biomedical Informatics (GRIB), IMIM-Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Olga Valverde
- Neurobiology of Behaviour Research Group (GReNeC-NeuroBio), Department of Experimental and Health Science, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Carrer Dr Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain.
- Neuroscience Research Program, IMIM-Hospital del Mar Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain.
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14
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O'Grady A, Gray-Burrows K, Tahmassebi J. Inside the waiting room: process drama and dramatic distancing for involving children in research on dental anxiety. Arts Health 2021; 14:149-164. [PMID: 33651666 DOI: 10.1080/17533015.2021.1894465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Background: Dental anxiety in children is a major health concern. Process drama adopts distancing techniques that allow children to examine the possible causes of dental anxiety safely and with authority. Using this method to inform paediatric dentistry is novel and could be adopted in other fields where children experience health-related anxiety.Methods: A 90-minute process drama workshop was conducted in three primary schools in Batley,West Yorkshire. Sixty-three children participated in the study. Sessions were audio-recorded, transcribed and thematic analysis conducted.Results: Four key concepts emerged: 1) Fear of the unknown; 2) Unpleasant sensory experience; 3) Society's perception and portrayal of the dentist and 4) Learnt negative associations with the dentist.Conclusion: Process drama offers a novel approach to develop an understanding of dental anxiety in children. It elicits critical insights from a child's perspective and offers a participatory model for engaging children in health research on sensitive issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice O'Grady
- School of Performance and Cultural Industries, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Kara Gray-Burrows
- Department of Paediatric Dentistry, Leeds School of Dentistry, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Jinous Tahmassebi
- Department of Paediatric Dentistry, Leeds School of Dentistry, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
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15
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Micioni Di Bonaventura E, Botticelli L, Tomassoni D, Tayebati SK, Micioni Di Bonaventura MV, Cifani C. The Melanocortin System behind the Dysfunctional Eating Behaviors. Nutrients 2020; 12:E3502. [PMID: 33202557 PMCID: PMC7696960 DOI: 10.3390/nu12113502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The dysfunction of melanocortin signaling has been associated with obesity, given the important role in the regulation of energy homeostasis, food intake, satiety and body weight. In the hypothalamus, the melanocortin-3 receptor (MC3R) and melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) contribute to the stability of these processes, but MC3R and MC4R are also localized in the mesolimbic dopamine system, the region that responds to the reinforcing properties of highly palatable food (HPF) and where these two receptors seem to affect food reward and motivation. Loss of function of the MC4R, resulting from genetic mutations, leads to overeating in humans, but to date, a clear understanding of the underlying mechanisms and behaviors that promote overconsumption of caloric foods remains unknown. Moreover, the MC4R demonstrated to be a crucial modulator of the stress response, factor that is known to be strictly related to binge eating behavior. In this review, we will explore the preclinical and clinical studies, and the controversies regarding the involvement of melanocortin system in altered eating patterns, especially binge eating behavior, food reward and motivation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Luca Botticelli
- School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (E.M.D.B.); (L.B.); (S.K.T.); (C.C.)
| | - Daniele Tomassoni
- School of Bioscience and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy;
| | - Seyed Khosrow Tayebati
- School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (E.M.D.B.); (L.B.); (S.K.T.); (C.C.)
| | | | - Carlo Cifani
- School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (E.M.D.B.); (L.B.); (S.K.T.); (C.C.)
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16
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Yang Z, Liang XF, Li GL, Tao YX. Biased signaling in fish melanocortin-4 receptors (MC4Rs): Divergent pharmacology of four ligands on spotted scat (Scatophagus argus) and grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) MC4Rs. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2020; 515:110929. [PMID: 32615281 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2020.110929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Revised: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) plays a critical role in the regulation of energy homeostasis in both mammals and fish. Several fish MC4Rs recently characterized have high constitutive activities, potentially associated with food intake and growth rate. In the present study, we systematically investigated the effects of four human MC4R (hMC4R) antagonists, including agouti-related peptide (AgRP), Ipsen 5i, ML00253764, and MCL0020, on the cAMP and ERK1/2 signaling of two fish MC4Rs: spotted scat (Scatophagus argus) MC4R (saMC4R) and grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) MC4R (ciMC4R), with hMC4R as a control. We showed that both saMC4R and ciMC4R were constitutively active with significantly increased basal cAMP levels. AgRP acted as an inverse agonist in cAMP signaling pathway in both fish MC4Rs whereas MCL0020 functioned as an inverse agonist for ciMC4R but a weak neutral antagonist for saMC4R. Ipsen 5i and MCL0020 behaved as neutral allosteric modulators in the cAMP signaling of fish MC4Rs. The saMC4R and ciMC4R had similar basal pERK1/2 levels as hMC4R and the pERK1/2 levels of the two fish MC4Rs were significantly increased upon stimulation with all four ligands. In summary, our studies demonstrated the existence of biased signaling in fish MC4R. We also showed dramatic pharmacological differences of human and fish MC4Rs with synthetic ligands. Our data provided novel insights and led to a better understanding of fish MC4R pharmacology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao Yang
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, 36849, United States
| | - Xu-Fang Liang
- College of Fisheries, Key Lab of Freshwater Animal Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Huazhong Agricultural University, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Freshwater Aquaculture, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, China
| | - Guang-Li Li
- Fisheries College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524088, China
| | - Ya-Xiong Tao
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, 36849, United States.
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17
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Gawliński D, Gawlińska K, Frankowska M, Filip M. Maternal Diet Influences the Reinstatement of Cocaine-Seeking Behavior and the Expression of Melanocortin-4 Receptors in Female Offspring of Rats. Nutrients 2020; 12:E1462. [PMID: 32438560 PMCID: PMC7284813 DOI: 10.3390/nu12051462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2020] [Revised: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have emphasized the role of the maternal diet in the development of mental disorders in offspring. Substance use disorder is a major global health and economic burden. Therefore, the search for predisposing factors for the development of this disease can contribute to reducing the health and social damage associated with addiction. In this study, we focused on the impact of the maternal diet on changes in melanocortin-4 (MC-4) receptors as well as on behavioral changes related to cocaine addiction. Rat dams consumed a high-fat diet (HFD), high-sugar diet (HSD, rich in sucrose), or mixed diet (MD) during pregnancy and lactation. Using an intravenous cocaine self-administration model, the susceptibility of female offspring to cocaine reward and cocaine-seeking propensities was evaluated. In addition, the level of MC-4 receptors in the rat brain structures related to cocaine reward and relapse was assessed. Modified maternal diets did not affect cocaine self-administration in offspring. However, the maternal HSD enhanced cocaine-seeking behavior in female offspring. In addition, we observed that the maternal HSD and MD led to increased expression of MC-4 receptors in the nucleus accumbens, while increased MC-4 receptor levels in the dorsal striatum were observed after exposure to the maternal HSD and HFD. Taken together, it can be concluded that a maternal HSD is an important factor that triggers cocaine-seeking behavior in female offspring and the expression of MC-4 receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Małgorzata Filip
- Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, Department of Drug Addiction Pharmacology, Smętna Street 12, 31-343 Kraków, Poland; (D.G.); (K.G.); (M.F.)
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18
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Vasquez JH, Borniger JC. Neuroendocrine and Behavioral Consequences of Hyperglycemia in Cancer. Endocrinology 2020; 161:5810322. [PMID: 32193527 PMCID: PMC7174055 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqaa047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
A hallmark of cancer is the disruption of cellular metabolism during the course of malignant growth. Major focus is now on how these cell-autonomous processes propagate to the tumor microenvironment and, more generally, to the entire host system. This chain of events can have major consequences for a patient's health and wellbeing. For example, metabolic "waste" produced by cancer cells activates systemic inflammatory responses, which can interfere with hepatic insulin receptor signaling and glucose homeostasis. Research is just now beginning to understand how these processes occur, and how they contribute to systemic symptoms prevalent across cancers, including hyperglycemia, fatigue, pain, and sleep disruption. Indeed, it is only recently that we have begun to appreciate that the brain does not play a passive role in responding to cancer-induced changes in physiology. In this review, we provide a brief discussion of how oncogene-directed metabolic reprogramming disrupts host metabolism, with a specific emphasis on cancer-induced hyperglycemia. We further discuss how the brain senses circulating glucose concentrations and how this process goes awry as a response to distant neoplastic growth. Finally, as glucose-sensing neurons control diverse aspects of physiology and behavior, we link cancer-induced changes in energy balance to neuroendocrine and behavioral consequences for the host organism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan H Vasquez
- Department of Biology, University of Texas – San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Jeremy C Borniger
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York
- Correspondence: Jeremy C. Borniger, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724. E-mail:
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19
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Aykut A, Özen S, Gökşen D, Ata A, Onay H, Atik T, Darcan Ş, Özkinay F. Melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) gene variants in children and adolescents having familial early-onset obesity: genetic and clinical characteristics. Eur J Pediatr 2020; 179:1445-1452. [PMID: 32185475 PMCID: PMC7223532 DOI: 10.1007/s00431-020-03630-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2020] [Revised: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Melanocortin 4 receptor gene plays an important role in food intake, energy balance, and weight control. The autosomal dominantly inherited MC4R variants cause obesity by causing hyperphagia and decreased sense of satiety. Homozygous variants are rarely reported, and they cause earlier/severe obesity. Our objective is to determine the MC4R gene variant frequency in children and adolescents with familial early-onset obesity. One hundred thirty-nine children and adolescents (57 girls/82 boys) whose weight increase started before the age of 5 years and who had early-onset obesity in at least one of their first-degree relatives were included in the study. Obesity is defined as body mass index (BMI) of ≥ 95th percentile, and as extreme obesity is defined if the BMI ≥ 120% of the 95th percentile or ≥ 35 kg/m2. Children having genetic syndromes associated with obesity and mental retardation or taking drugs that promote changes in eating behavior or weight were excluded from the study. Coding region of the MC4R gene was sequenced by using the Illumina MiSeq Next Generation Sequencing System. The mean age of the patients was 7.3 ± 3.7 years, and the mean BMI SDS was 3.7 ± 0.7. While 118 patients (85%) were prepubertal, 21 patients (15%) were pubertal. Seven different variants were identified in 12 patients by giving a variant detection rate of 8.6%, of these five were previously identified missense variants p.N274S, p.S136F, p.V166I, p.R165W, and p.I291SfsX10. One homozygous variant p.I291SfsX10 (c.870delG) was detected in a severely obese 2-year-old boy, and other variants were heterozygous. Two novel variants were found: p.M200del and p.S188L. By using the in silico analysis software, these novel variants were predicted to be disease causing.Conclusion: MC4R gene variants are quite common in childhood obesity in Turkish population. Screening the variants in MC4R gene is necessary in patients with severe childhood-onset obesity. In such patients, comorbidities of obesity can be seen from early years. What is known • The frequency of MC4R mutations in obese patients was approximately 0-6.3%. What is new • In obese Turkish pediatric population, unlike other European countries, MC4R gene variants are quite common as we found a variant rate of 8.6% • We believe it is necessary to screen the variants in MC4R gene in patients with severe childhood-onset obesity and who had early-onset obesity in at least one of their first-degree relatives in Turkish population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayça Aykut
- Department of Medical Genetics, Ege University School of Medicine, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Samim Özen
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Ege University School of Medicine, İzmir, Turkey.
| | - Damla Gökşen
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Ege University School of Medicine, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Aysun Ata
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Ege University School of Medicine, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Hüseyin Onay
- Department of Medical Genetics, Ege University School of Medicine, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Tahir Atik
- Department of Pediatric Genetics, Ege University School of Medicine, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Şükran Darcan
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Ege University School of Medicine, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Ferda Özkinay
- Department of Medical Genetics, Ege University School of Medicine, İzmir, Turkey ,Department of Pediatric Genetics, Ege University School of Medicine, İzmir, Turkey
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20
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Ahi EP, Brunel M, Tsakoumis E, Schmitz M. Transcriptional study of appetite regulating genes in the brain of zebrafish (Danio rerio) with impaired leptin signalling. Sci Rep 2019; 9:20166. [PMID: 31882937 PMCID: PMC6934527 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-56779-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The hormone leptin is a key regulator of body weight, food intake and metabolism. In mammals, leptin acts as an anorexigen and inhibits food intake centrally by affecting the appetite centres in the hypothalamus. In teleost fish, the regulatory connections between leptin and other appetite-regulating genes are largely unknown. In the present study, we used a zebrafish mutant with a loss of function leptin receptor to investigate brain expression patterns of 12 orexigenic and 24 anorexigenic genes under different feeding conditions (normal feeding, 7-day fasting, 2 and 6-hours refeeding). Expression patterns were compared to wild-type zebrafish, in order to identify leptin-dependent differentially expressed genes under different feeding conditions. We provide evidence that the transcription of certain orexigenic and anorexigenic genes is influenced by leptin signalling in the zebrafish brain. We found that the expression of orexigenic genes was not affected by impaired leptin signalling under normal feeding conditions; however, several orexigenic genes showed increased transcription during fasting and refeeding, including agrp, apln, galr1a and cnr1. This suggests an inhibitory effect of leptin signal on the transcription of these orexigenic genes during short-term fasting and refeeding in functional zebrafish. Most pronounced effects were observed in the group of anorexigenic genes, where the impairment of leptin signalling resulted in reduced gene expression in several genes, including cart family, crhb, gnrh2, mc4r, pomc and spx, in the control group. This suggests a stimulatory effect of leptin signal on the transcription of these anorexigenic genes under normal feeding condition. In addition, we found multiple gain and loss in expression correlations between the appetite-regulating genes, in zebrafish with impaired leptin signal, suggesting the presence of gene regulatory networks downstream of leptin signal in zebrafish brain. The results provide the first evidence for the effects of leptin signal on the transcription of various appetite-regulating genes in zebrafish brain, under different feeding conditions. Altogether, these transcriptional changes suggest an anorexigenic role for leptin signal, which is likely to be mediated through distinct set of appetite-regulating genes under different feeding conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehsan Pashay Ahi
- Department of Organismal Biology, Comparative Physiology, Evolutionary Biology Centre, Uppsala University, Norbyvägen 18A, SE-752 36, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Mathilde Brunel
- Department of Molecular Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, BioCentrum, Allmas Allé 5, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Emmanouil Tsakoumis
- Department of Organismal Biology, Comparative Physiology, Evolutionary Biology Centre, Uppsala University, Norbyvägen 18A, SE-752 36, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Monika Schmitz
- Department of Organismal Biology, Comparative Physiology, Evolutionary Biology Centre, Uppsala University, Norbyvägen 18A, SE-752 36, Uppsala, Sweden.
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Exposure to di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate transgenerationally alters anxiety-like behavior and amygdala gene expression in adult male and female mice. Physiol Behav 2019; 207:7-14. [PMID: 31022410 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2019.04.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2018] [Revised: 02/21/2019] [Accepted: 04/19/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Phthalates are industrial plasticizers and stabilizers commonly found in polyvinyl chloride plastic and consumer products, including food packaging, cosmetics, medical devices, and children's toys. Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), one of the most commonly used phthalates, exhibits endocrine-disrupting characteristics and direct exposure leads to reproductive deficits and abnormalities in anxiety-related behaviors. Importantly, increasing evidence indicates that the impacts of DEHP exposure on reproduction and social behavior persist across multiple generations. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that transgenerational DEHP exposure alters anxiety-like behavior and neural gene expression in both male and female mice. Pregnant CD-1 mice were orally dosed daily with either tocopherol-stripped corn oil or DEHP (20 or 200 μg/kg/day; 500 or 750 mg/kg/day) from gestational day 10.5 until birth to produce the F1 generation. Females from each generation were bred with untreated, unrelated CD-1 males to produce subsequent generations. Behavior and gene expression assays were performed with adult, intact F3 males and females. Transgenerational DEHP exposure increased time spent in the open arm in the elevated plus maze for adult females (750 mg/kg/day lineage), but not males. In adult females, we observed a down-regulation of mRNA expression of estrogen receptor 1 in the 200 μg/kg/day and 500 mg/kg/day treatment lineages, mineralocorticoid receptor in the 200 μg/kg/day lineage, and dopamine receptor 2 in the 20 μg/kg/day and 750 mg/kg/day lineages. In adult males, we found an up-regulation of estrogen receptor 2 in the 20 and 200 μg/kg/day lineages, and dopamine receptor 1 in the 20 μg/kg/day and 750 mg/kg/day lineages. No hippocampal gene expression modifications were observed in response to treatment. These results implicate dose-specific transgenerational effects on behavior and neural gene expression in adult male and female mice.
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22
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Joksimovic J, Selakovic D, Jovicic N, Mitrovic S, Mihailovic V, Katanic J, Milovanovic D, Rosic G. Exercise Attenuates Anabolic Steroids-Induced Anxiety via Hippocampal NPY and MC4 Receptor in Rats. Front Neurosci 2019; 13:172. [PMID: 30863280 PMCID: PMC6399386 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2018] [Accepted: 02/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of our study was to evaluate the effects of chronic administration of nandrolone-decanoate (ND) or testosterone-enanthate (TE) in supraphysiological doses and a prolonged swimming protocol, alone and in combination with ND or TE, on anxiety-like behavior in rats. We investigated the immunohistochemical alterations of the hippocampal neuropeptide Y (NPY) and melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) neurons, as a possible underlying mechanism in a modulation of anxiety-like behavior in rats. Both applied anabolic androgenic steroids (AASs) induced anxiogenic effect accompanied with decreased serum and hippocampal NPY. The exercise-induced anxiolytic effect was associated with increased hippocampal NPY expression. ND and TE increased the number of MC4R, while the swimming protocol was followed by the reduction of MC4R in the CA1 region of the hippocampus. However, NPY/MC4R ratio in hippocampus was lowered by AASs and elevated by exercise in all hippocampal regions. An augmentation of this ratio strongly and positively correlated to increased time in open arms of elevated plus maze, in the context that indicates anxiolytic effect. Our findings support the conclusion that alterations in both hippocampal NPY and MC4R expression are involved in anxiety level changes in rats, while their quantitative relationship (NPY/MC4R ratio) is even more valuable in the estimation of anxiety regulation than individual alterations for both NPY and MC4R expression in the hippocampus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jovana Joksimovic
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Dragica Selakovic
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Nemanja Jovicic
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Slobodanka Mitrovic
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Vladimir Mihailovic
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Jelena Katanic
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Dragan Milovanovic
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Gvozden Rosic
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
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Bazhenova EY, Fursenko DV, Khotskin NV, Sorokin IE, Kulikov AV. Effect of lethal yellow (AY) mutation and photoperiod alterations on mouse behavior. Vavilovskii Zhurnal Genet Selektsii 2019. [DOI: 10.18699/vj19.461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Decrease in natural illumination in fall/winter months causes depressive-like seasonal affective disorders in vulnerable individuals. Obesity is another risk factor of depression. The lethal yellow (AY) mutation causes ectopic expression of agouti protein in the brain. Mice heterozygous for AY mutation (AY/a) are obese compared to their wild-type littermates (a/a). The main aims of the study were to investigate the effects of AY mutation, photoperiod and the interaction between these factors on daily activity dynamics, feeding, locomotor and exploratory activities, anxiety-related and depressive-like behaviors in mild stress condition. Six weeks old mouse males of AY/a and a/a lines were divided into four groups eight animals each and exposed to long- (14 h light and 10 h darkness) or short- (4 h light and 20 h darkness) day conditions for 28 days. Then the behavior of these mice was successively investigated in the home cage, open field, elevated plus-maze and forced swim tests. We did not observed any effect of AY mutation on the general activity, water and food consumption in the home cage; locomotion and exploration in the open field test; anxiety-related behavior in the open field and elevated plus-maze tests. At the same time, AY mutation increased depressive-like immobility time in the forced swim test (F1.28 = 20.03, p = 0.00012). Shortday conditions decreased nocturnal activity in the home cage, as well as locomotion (F1.28 = 16.33, p = 0.0004) and exploration (F1.28 = 16.24, p < 0.0004) in the open field test. Moreover, short-day exposition decreased time spent in the center of the open field (F1.28 = 6.57, p = 0.016) and in the open arms of the elevated plus-maze (F1.28 = 12.08, p = 0.0017) tests and increased immobility time in the forced swim test (F1.28 = 9.95, p = 0.0038). However, no effect of the interaction between AY mutation and photoperiod on immobility time in the forced swim test was observed. Therefore, short-day photoperiod and AY mutation increased depressive-like behavior in the forced swim test by means of different mechanisms.
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Khotskin NV, Plyusnina AV, Kulikova EA, Bazhenova EY, Fursenko DV, Sorokin IE, Kolotygin I, Mormede P, Terenina EE, Shevelev OB, Kulikov AV. On association of the lethal yellow (A) mutation in the agouti gene with the alterations in mouse brain and behavior. Behav Brain Res 2019; 359:446-456. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2018.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2018] [Revised: 11/08/2018] [Accepted: 11/08/2018] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Blough B, Namjoshi O. Small Molecule Neuropeptide S and Melanocortin 4 Receptor Ligands as Potential Treatments for Substance Use Disorders. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2019; 258:61-87. [PMID: 31628605 DOI: 10.1007/164_2019_313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
There is a vital need for novel approaches and biological targets for drug discovery and development. Treatment strategies for substance use disorders (SUDs) to date have been mostly ineffective other than substitution-like therapeutics. Two such targets are the peptide G-protein-coupled receptors neuropeptide S (NPS) and melanocortin 4 (MC4). Preclinical evidence suggests that antagonists, inverse agonists, or negative allosteric modulators of these receptors might be novel therapeutics for SUDs. NPS is a relatively unexplored receptor with high potential for treating SUD. MC4 has a strong link to early-onset obesity, and emerging evidence suggests significant overlap between food-maintained and drug-maintained behaviors making MC4 an intriguing target for SUD. This chapter provides an overview of the literature in relation to the roles of NPS and MC4 in drug-seeking behaviors and then provides a medicinal chemistry-based survey of the small molecule ligands for each receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruce Blough
- Center for Drug Discovery, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.
| | - Ojas Namjoshi
- Center for Drug Discovery, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
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Balkan B, Pogun S. Nicotinic Cholinergic System in the Hypothalamus Modulates the Activity of the Hypothalamic Neuropeptides During the Stress Response. Curr Neuropharmacol 2018; 16:371-387. [PMID: 28730966 PMCID: PMC6018196 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x15666170720092442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2017] [Revised: 07/14/2017] [Accepted: 07/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The hypothalamus harbors high levels of cholinergic neurons and axon terminals. Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, which play an important role in cholinergic neurotransmission, are expressed abundantly in the hypothalamus. Accumulating evidence reveals a regulatory role for nicotine in the regulation of the stress responses. The present review will discuss the hypothalamic neuropeptides and their interaction with the nicotinic cholinergic system. The anatomical distribution of the cholinergic neurons, axon terminals and nicotinic receptors in discrete hypothalamic nuclei will be described. The effect of nicotinic cholinergic neurotransmission and nicotine exposure on hypothalamic-pituitaryadrenal (HPA) axis regulation at the hypothalamic level will be analyzed in view of the different neuropeptides involved. METHODS Published research related to nicotinic cholinergic regulation of the HPA axis activity at the hypothalamic level is reviewed. RESULTS The nicotinic cholinergic system is one of the major modulators of the HPA axis activity. There is substantial evidence supporting the regulation of hypothalamic neuropeptides by nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. However, most of the studies showing the nicotinic regulation of hypothalamic neuropeptides have employed systemic administration of nicotine. Additionally, we know little about the nicotinic receptor distribution on neuropeptide-synthesizing neurons in the hypothalamus and the physiological responses they trigger in these neurons. CONCLUSION Disturbed functioning of the HPA axis and hypothalamic neuropeptides results in pathologies such as depression, anxiety disorders and obesity, which are common and significant health problems. A better understanding of the nicotinic regulation of hypothalamic neuropeptides will aid in drug development and provide means to cope with these diseases. Considering that nicotine is also an abused substance, a better understanding of the role of the nicotinic cholinergic system on the HPA axis will aid in developing improved therapeutic strategies for smoking cessation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Burcu Balkan
- Center for Brain Research, Ege University, Bornova, Izmir, Turkey.,Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Ege University, Bornova, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Sakire Pogun
- Center for Brain Research, Ege University, Bornova, Izmir, Turkey
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Melanocortin-4 receptor regulation of pain. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2017; 1863:2515-2522. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2017.05.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2016] [Revised: 05/18/2017] [Accepted: 05/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Kokare DM, Kyzar EJ, Zhang H, Sakharkar AJ, Pandey SC. Adolescent Alcohol Exposure-Induced Changes in Alpha-Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone and Neuropeptide Y Pathways via Histone Acetylation in the Brain During Adulthood. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2017; 20:758-768. [PMID: 28575455 PMCID: PMC5581492 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyx041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2016] [Revised: 04/15/2017] [Accepted: 05/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Adolescent intermittent ethanol exposure causes long-lasting alterations in brain epigenetic mechanisms. Melanocortin and neuropeptide Y signaling interact and are affected by ethanol exposure in the brain. Here, the persistent effects of adolescent intermittent ethanol on alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone, melanocortin 4 receptor, and neuropeptide Y expression and their regulation by histone acetylation mechanisms were investigated in adulthood. Methods Male rats were exposed to adolescent intermittent ethanol (2 g/kg, i.p.) or volume-matched adolescent intermittent saline from postnatal days 28 to 41 and allowed to grow to postnatal day 92. Anxiety-like behaviors were measured by the elevated plus-maze test. Brain regions from adult rats were used to examine changes in alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone, melanocortin 4 receptor, and neuropeptide Y expression and the histone acetylation status of their promoters. Results Adolescent intermittent ethanol-exposed adult rats displayed anxiety-like behaviors and showed increased pro-opiomelanocortin mRNA levels in the hypothalamus and increased melanocortin 4 receptor mRNA levels in both the amygdala and hypothalamus compared with adolescent intermittent saline-exposed adult rats. The alpha-Melanocyte stimulating hormone and melanocortin 4 receptor protein levels were increased in the central and medial nucleus of the amygdala, paraventricular nucleus, and arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus in adolescent intermittent ethanol-exposed compared with adolescent intermittent saline-exposed adult rats. Neuropeptide Y protein levels were decreased in the central and medial nucleus of the amygdala of adolescent intermittent ethanol-exposed compared with adolescent intermittent saline-exposed adult rats. Histone H3K9/14 acetylation was decreased in the neuropeptide Y promoter in the amygdala but increased in the melanocortin 4 receptor gene promoter in the amygdala and the melanocortin 4 receptor and pro-opiomelanocortin promoters in the hypothalamus of adolescent intermittent ethanol-exposed adult rats compared with controls. Conclusions Increased melanocortin and decreased neuropeptide Y activity due to changes in histone acetylation in emotional brain circuitry may play a role in adolescent intermittent ethanol-induced anxiety phenotypes in adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dadasaheb M Kokare
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Department of Psychiatry (Dr Kokare, Mr Kyzar, and Drs Zhang, Sakharkar, and Pandey), and Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology (Dr Pandey), University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago; Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois (Mr Kyzar and Drs Zhang, Sakharkar, and Pandey)
| | - Evan J Kyzar
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Department of Psychiatry (Dr Kokare, Mr Kyzar, and Drs Zhang, Sakharkar, and Pandey), and Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology (Dr Pandey), University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago; Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois (Mr Kyzar and Drs Zhang, Sakharkar, and Pandey)
| | - Huaibo Zhang
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Department of Psychiatry (Dr Kokare, Mr Kyzar, and Drs Zhang, Sakharkar, and Pandey), and Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology (Dr Pandey), University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago; Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois (Mr Kyzar and Drs Zhang, Sakharkar, and Pandey)
| | - Amul J Sakharkar
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Department of Psychiatry (Dr Kokare, Mr Kyzar, and Drs Zhang, Sakharkar, and Pandey), and Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology (Dr Pandey), University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago; Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois (Mr Kyzar and Drs Zhang, Sakharkar, and Pandey)
| | - Subhash C Pandey
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Department of Psychiatry (Dr Kokare, Mr Kyzar, and Drs Zhang, Sakharkar, and Pandey), and Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology (Dr Pandey), University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago; Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois (Mr Kyzar and Drs Zhang, Sakharkar, and Pandey)
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Randall CL, McNeil DW, Shaffer JR, Crout RJ, Weyant RJ, Marazita ML. Fear of Pain Mediates the Association between MC1R Genotype and Dental Fear. J Dent Res 2017; 95:1132-7. [PMID: 27555332 DOI: 10.1177/0022034516661151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Fear of pain is experienced in acute and chronic pain populations, as well as in the general population, and it affects numerous aspects of the orofacial pain experience, including pain intensity, pain-related disability, and pain behavior (e.g., avoidance). A related but separate construct-dental fear-is also experienced in the general population, and it influences dental treatment-seeking behavior and oral and systemic health. Minimal work has addressed the role of genetics in the etiologies of fear of pain and dental fear. Limited available data suggest that variants of the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) gene may predict greater levels of dental fear. The MC1R gene also may be etiologically important for fear of pain. This study aimed to replicate the finding that MC1R variant status predicts dental fear and to determine, for the first time, whether MC1R variant status predicts fear of pain. Participants were 817 Caucasian participants (62.5% female; mean ± SD age: 34.7 ± 8.7 y) taking part in a cross-sectional project that identified determinants of oral diseases at the community, family, and individual levels. Participants were genotyped for single-nucleotide polymorphisms on MC1R and completed self-report measures of fear of pain and dental fear. Presence of MC1R variant alleles predicted higher levels of dental fear and fear of pain. Importantly, fear of pain mediated the relation between MC1R variant status and dental fear (B = 1.60, 95% confidence interval: 0.281 to 3.056). MC1R variants may influence orofacial pain perception and, in turn, predispose individuals to develop fears about pain. Such fears influence the pain experience and associated pain behaviors, as well as fears about dental treatment. This study provides support for genetic contributions to the development/maintenance of fear of pain and dental fear, and it offers directions for future research to identify potential targets for intervention in the treatment of fear of pain and dental fear.
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Affiliation(s)
- C L Randall
- Center for Oral Health Research in Appalachia, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA Department of Psychology, Eberly College of Arts and Sciences, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - D W McNeil
- Center for Oral Health Research in Appalachia, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA Department of Psychology and Department of Dental Practice and Rural Health, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - J R Shaffer
- Center for Oral Health Research in Appalachia, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA Department of Human Genetics, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - R J Crout
- Center for Oral Health Research in Appalachia, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA Department of Periodontics, School of Dentistry, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - R J Weyant
- Center for Oral Health Research in Appalachia, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA Department of Dental Public Health, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - M L Marazita
- Center for Oral Health Research in Appalachia, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA Center for Craniofacial and Dental Genetics, Departments of Oral Biology, Human Genetics, Clinical and Translational Science, and Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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Agosti F, Cordisco Gonzalez S, Martinez Damonte V, Tolosa MJ, Di Siervi N, Schioth HB, Davio C, Perello M, Raingo J. Melanocortin 4 receptor constitutive activity inhibits L-type voltage-gated calcium channels in neurons. Neuroscience 2017; 346:102-112. [PMID: 28093215 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2017.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2016] [Revised: 12/16/2016] [Accepted: 01/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) is a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) that is expressed in several brain nuclei playing a crucial role in the regulation of energy balance controlling the homeostasis of the organism. It displays both agonist-evoked and constitutive activity, and moreover, it can couple to different G proteins. Most of the research on MC4R has been focused on agonist-induced activity, while the molecular and cellular basis of MC4R constitutive activity remains scarcely studied. We have previously shown that neuronal N-type voltage-gated calcium channels (CaV2.2) are inhibited by MC4R agonist-dependent activation, while the CaV subtypes that carry L- and P/Q-type current are not. Here, we tested the hypothesis that MC4R constitutive activity can affect CaV, with focus on the channel subtypes that can control transcriptional activity coupled to depolarization (L-type, CaV1.2/1.3) and neurotransmitter release (N- and P/Q-type, CaV2.2 and CaV2.1). We found that MC4R constitutive activity inhibits specifically CaV1.2/1.3 and CaV2.1 subtypes of CaV. We also explored the signaling pathways mediating this inhibition, and thus propose that agonist-dependent and basal MC4R activation modes signal differentially through Gs and Gi/o pathways to impact on different CaV subtypes. In addition, we found that chronic incubation with MC4R endogenous inverse agonist, agouti and agouti-related peptide (AgRP), occludes CaV inhibition in a cell line and in amygdaloid complex cultured neurons as well. Thus, we define new mechanisms of control of the main mediators of depolarization-induced calcium entry into neurons by a GPCR that displays constitutive activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Agosti
- Electrophysiology Laboratory, Multidisciplinary Institute of Cell Biology (IMBICE) Universidad de La Plata-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, CONICET, and Comision de Investigaciones de la Provincia de buenos Aires (CIC), La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - S Cordisco Gonzalez
- Electrophysiology Laboratory, Multidisciplinary Institute of Cell Biology (IMBICE) Universidad de La Plata-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, CONICET, and Comision de Investigaciones de la Provincia de buenos Aires (CIC), La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - V Martinez Damonte
- Electrophysiology Laboratory, Multidisciplinary Institute of Cell Biology (IMBICE) Universidad de La Plata-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, CONICET, and Comision de Investigaciones de la Provincia de buenos Aires (CIC), La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - M J Tolosa
- Electrophysiology Laboratory, Multidisciplinary Institute of Cell Biology (IMBICE) Universidad de La Plata-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, CONICET, and Comision de Investigaciones de la Provincia de buenos Aires (CIC), La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - N Di Siervi
- Instituto de Investigaciones Farmacológicas, ININFA, Universidad de Buenos Aires-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - H B Schioth
- Department of Neuroscience, Functional Pharmacology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - C Davio
- Instituto de Investigaciones Farmacológicas, ININFA, Universidad de Buenos Aires-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - M Perello
- Neurophysiology Laboratory, Multidisciplinary Institute of Cell Biology (IMBICE) Universidad de La Plata-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, CONICET, and Comision de Investigaciones de la Provincia de buenos Aires (CIC), La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - J Raingo
- Electrophysiology Laboratory, Multidisciplinary Institute of Cell Biology (IMBICE) Universidad de La Plata-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, CONICET, and Comision de Investigaciones de la Provincia de buenos Aires (CIC), La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Tapinc DE, Ilgin R, Kaya E, Gozen O, Ugur M, Koylu EO, Kanit L, Keser A, Balkan B. Gene expression of pro-opiomelanocortin and melanocortin receptors is regulated in the hypothalamus and mesocorticolimbic system following nicotine administration. Neurosci Lett 2017; 637:75-79. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2016.11.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2016] [Revised: 11/22/2016] [Accepted: 11/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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Navarro M. The Role of the Melanocortin System in Drug and Alcohol Abuse. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2017; 136:121-150. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2017.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
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Park S, Daily JW, Zhang X, Jin HS, Lee HJ, Lee YH. Interactions with the MC4R rs17782313 variant, mental stress and energy intake and the risk of obesity in Genome Epidemiology Study. Nutr Metab (Lond) 2016; 13:38. [PMID: 27213003 PMCID: PMC4875620 DOI: 10.1186/s12986-016-0096-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2016] [Accepted: 05/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) regulates metabolism by modulating eating behavior and MC4R variants (rs17782313 and rs571312) are associated with obesity in Asians and Caucasians. However, the impact of their interactions with nutritional and lifestyle factors on obesity are poorly described. Therefore, we investigated the interaction of MC4R variants and dietary patterns on the risk of obesity in Korean middle-aged adults. Methods Data collected included, genetic variations, anthropometric and biochemical measurements, dietary and lifestyle habits, and food intake. Data were obtained from the 8830 adults aged 40–69 years in the Ansung and Ansan cohort of the Korean Genome Epidemiology Study. Results The MC4R rs18882313 minor allele had a higher frequency in the obese group (P < 0.01). MC4R genotypes were not associated with differences in daily energy and macronutrient intakes. However, the intakes of processed foods and fat (as percentages of energy) were significantly higher and intake of fruits were significantly lower in subjects with MC4R minor alleles (P < 0.05). Interestingly, there was a positive interaction between MC4R variants and mental stress levels that were associated with the risk of obesity after adjusting for age, gender, residence area, daily energy intake, smoking status and physical activity (interaction P = 0.0384). Only in subjects with high stress were MC4R minor alleles associated with higher BMIs after adjusting for confounders. The association was present without modulating energy and nutrient intake. In the group with energy intakes higher than estimated energy requirement (EER), subjects with MC4R minor alleles had higher BMIs than those with the major alleles (P < 0.001). Conclusions The interactions of mental stress and energy intakes with the MC4R minor allele genotype might be associated with increased risk of obesity in Korean adults. This research might identify subjects with a specific MC4R minor alleles as a human subset of people with a low metabolic tolerance for excessive energy intake, especially when under stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunmin Park
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Obesity/Diabetes Research Center, Hoseo University, 165 Sechul-Ri, BaeBang-Yup, Asan-Si, Chung Nam-Do 336-795 South Korea
| | - James W Daily
- Department of R&D, Daily Manufacturing Inc., Rockwell, NC USA
| | - Xin Zhang
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Obesity/Diabetes Research Center, Hoseo University, 165 Sechul-Ri, BaeBang-Yup, Asan-Si, Chung Nam-Do 336-795 South Korea
| | - Hyun Seok Jin
- Department of Biomedical Science, Hoseo University, Asan, South Korea
| | - Hye Ja Lee
- Center for Biomedical Science, Korea National Institute of Health, Cheongju, South Korea
| | - Yong Hyun Lee
- Department of Nanobiomechatronics, Hoseo University, Asan, South Korea
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Qi X, Yamada H, Corrie LW, Ji Y, Bauzo RM, Alexander JC, Bruijnzeel AW. A critical role for the melanocortin 4 receptor in stress-induced relapse to nicotine seeking in rats. Addict Biol 2015; 20:324-35. [PMID: 24612112 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Tobacco addiction is characterized by a lack of control over smoking and relapse after periods of abstinence. Smoking cessation leads to a dysphoric state that contributes to relapse to smoking. After the acute withdrawal phase, exposure to stressors increases the risk for relapse. Blockade of melanocortin 4 (MC4 ) receptors has anxiolytic and antidepressant-like effects in animal models. The aim of these studies was to investigate the role of MC4 receptors in the dysphoria associated with nicotine withdrawal and stress-induced reinstatement of nicotine seeking. To study stress-induced reinstatement, rats self-administered nicotine for 16 days and then nicotine seeking was extinguished by substituting saline for nicotine. Nicotine seeking was reinstated by intermittent footshock stress. The intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS) procedure was used to assess the negative mood state associated with nicotine withdrawal. Elevations in the ICSS thresholds are indicative of a dysphoric state. The selective MC4 receptor antagonists HS014 and HS024 prevented stress-induced reinstatement of extinguished nicotine seeking. Drug doses that prevented stress-induced relapse did not affect responding for food pellets, which indicates that the drugs did not induce sedation or motor impairments. In the ICSS experiments, the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist mecamylamine elevated the ICSS thresholds of the nicotine-dependent rats. Pre-treatment with HS014 or HS024 did not prevent the elevations in ICSS thresholds. These studies indicate that MC4 receptors play a critical role in stress-induced reinstatement of nicotine seeking, but these receptors may not play a role in the dysphoria associated with acute nicotine withdrawal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoli Qi
- Department of Psychiatry; McKnight Brain Institute; University of Florida; Gainesville FL USA
| | - Hidetaka Yamada
- Department of Psychiatry; McKnight Brain Institute; University of Florida; Gainesville FL USA
| | - Lu W. Corrie
- Department of Psychiatry; McKnight Brain Institute; University of Florida; Gainesville FL USA
| | - Yue Ji
- Department of Psychiatry; McKnight Brain Institute; University of Florida; Gainesville FL USA
| | - Rayna M. Bauzo
- Department of Psychiatry; McKnight Brain Institute; University of Florida; Gainesville FL USA
| | - Jon C. Alexander
- Department of Psychiatry; McKnight Brain Institute; University of Florida; Gainesville FL USA
| | - Adrie W. Bruijnzeel
- Department of Psychiatry; McKnight Brain Institute; University of Florida; Gainesville FL USA
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Dental Anxiety and its Association with Behavioral Factors in Children. CURRENT HEALTH SCIENCES JOURNAL 2014; 40:261-4. [PMID: 26788356 PMCID: PMC4709712 DOI: 10.12865/chsj.40.04.05] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2014] [Accepted: 10/15/2014] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Background: Dental anxiety is a condition that causes a decrease in population addressability to the dentist with adverse consequences for long-term oral health. Assessment of behavioral factors that correlate with dental anxiety is important for accurate evaluation of dental fear. Its diagnosis in childhood is important for establishing therapeutic management strategies to reduce anxiety and promote oral health. Objective: To determine the prevalence of dental anxiety in a group of Romanian schoolchildren, and assess its correlation with behavioral factors. Methods: This cross-sectional survey included a number of 650 schoolchildren attending public schools, randomly chosen. Data were collected from September 2013 to October 2013. 485 children aged 6–12 years responded the questionnaires and were included in the study (248 female, 237 male). Each subject was asked to independently complete a questionnaire including Dental Anxiety Scale (DAS) and other questions about children behavior towards dental health education and practice. Children having a score of 13 and above were included in the anxious group while those scoring under 13 were placed in the non anxious group. The data collected was processed and analyzed using the SPSS statistical software. Results: The overall prevalence of dental anxiety was 22.68% amongst subjects included in the study. No significant differences in dental anxiety scores between boys and girls were found in this study. Dental anxiety scores decreased with increasing age. Dental anxiety correlated positively with chewing gum use and sweet consumption frequency and negatively with age and dental health education. Conclusions: Prevalence of dental anxiety in the 6–12 year old children of this study was 22.68%. Factors like chewing gum use, sweet consumption frequency, age and dental health education were correlated with dental anxiety.
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Neonatal melanocortin receptor agonist treatment reduces play fighting and promotes adult attachment in prairie voles in a sex-dependent manner. Neuropharmacology 2014; 85:357-66. [PMID: 24923239 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2014.05.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2014] [Revised: 05/15/2014] [Accepted: 05/23/2014] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The melanocortin receptor (MCR) system has been studied extensively for its role in feeding and sexual behavior, but effects on social behavior have received little attention. α-MSH interacts with neural systems involved in sociality, including oxytocin, dopamine, and opioid systems. Acute melanotan-II (MTII), an MC3/4R agonist, potentiates brain oxytocin (OT) release and facilitates OT-dependent partner preference formation in socially monogamous prairie voles. Here we examined the long-term impact of early-life MCR stimulation on hypothalamic neuronal activity and social development in prairie voles. Male and female voles were given daily subcutaneous injections of 10 mg/kg MTII or saline between postnatal days (PND) 1-7. Neonatally-treated males displayed a reduction in initiated play fighting bouts as juveniles compared to control males. Neonatal exposure to MTII facilitated partner preference formation in adult females, but not males, after a brief cohabitation with an opposite-sex partner. Acute MTII injection elicited a significant burst of the immediate early gene EGR-1 immunoreactivity in hypothalamic OT, vasopressin, and corticotrophin releasing factor neurons, when tested in PND 6-7 animals. Daily neonatal treatment with 1 mg/kg of a more selective, brain penetrant MC4R agonist, PF44687, promoted adult partner preferences in both females and males compared with vehicle controls. Thus, developmental exposure to MCR agonists lead to a persistent change in social behavior, suggestive of structural or functional changes in the neural circuits involved in the formation of social relationships.
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Gragnoli C. Hypothesis of the neuroendocrine cortisol pathway gene role in the comorbidity of depression, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. APPLICATION OF CLINICAL GENETICS 2014; 7:43-53. [PMID: 24817815 PMCID: PMC4012344 DOI: 10.2147/tacg.s39993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Depression, type 2 diabetes (T2D), and metabolic syndrome (MetS) are often comorbid. Depression per se increases the risk for T2D by 60%. This risk is not accounted for by the use of antidepressant therapy. Stress causes hyperactivation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, by triggering the hypothalamic corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) secretion, which stimulates the anterior pituitary to release the adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH), which causes the adrenal secretion of cortisol. Depression is associated with an increased level of cortisol, and CRH and ACTH at inappropriately “normal” levels, that is too high compared to their expected lower levels due to cortisol negative feedback. T2D and MetS are also associated with hypercortisolism. High levels of cortisol can impair mood as well as cause hyperglycemia and insulin resistance and other traits typical of T2D and MetS. We hypothesize that HPA axis hyperactivation may be due to variants in the genes of the CRH receptors (CRHR1, CRHR2), corticotropin receptors (or melanocortin receptors, MC1R-MC5R), glucocorticoid receptor (NR3C1), mineralocorticoid receptor (NR3C2), and of the FK506 binding protein 51 (FKBP5), and that these variants may be partially responsible for the clinical association of depression, T2D and MetS. In this review, we will focus on the correlation of stress, HPA axis hyperactivation, and the possible genetic role of the CRHR1, CRHR2, MCR1–5, NR3C1, and NR3C2 receptors and FKBP5 in the susceptibility to the comorbidity of depression, T2D, and MetS. New studies are needed to confirm the hypothesized role of these genes in the clinical association of depression, T2D, and MetS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Gragnoli
- Center for Biotechnology and Department of Biology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA ; Molecular Biology Laboratory, Bios Biotech Multi-Diagnostic Health Center, Rome, Italy
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Caruso V, Lagerström MC, Olszewski PK, Fredriksson R, Schiöth HB. Synaptic changes induced by melanocortin signalling. Nat Rev Neurosci 2014; 15:98-110. [PMID: 24588018 DOI: 10.1038/nrn3657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The melanocortin system has a well-established role in the regulation of energy homeostasis, but there is growing evidence of its involvement in memory, nociception, mood disorders and addiction. In this Review, we focus on the role of the melanocortin 4 receptor and provide an integrative view of the molecular mechanisms that lead to melanocortin-induced changes in synaptic plasticity within these diverse physiological systems. We also highlight the importance of melanocortin peptides and receptors in chronic pain syndromes, memory impairments, depression and drug abuse, and the possibility of targeting them for therapeutic purposes.
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Bhorkar AA, Dandekar MP, Nakhate KT, Subhedar NK, Kokare DM. Involvement of the central melanocortin system in the effects of caffeine on anxiety-like behavior in mice. Life Sci 2013; 95:72-80. [PMID: 24361398 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2013.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2013] [Revised: 12/07/2013] [Accepted: 12/10/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
AIMS To investigate the role of the melanocortin (MC) system in the framework of the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) in the differential effects of the adenosine receptor blocker caffeine on anxiety-like behavior, using the social interaction (SI) test. MAIN METHODS Caffeine was injected intraperitoneally, alone or in combination with alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH), the MC4 receptor agonist RO27-3225 or the antagonist HS014 via the intra-CeA route. The effects of chronic (21 days) caffeine, given alone or concurrently with α-MSH, or RO27-3225, were investigated. The effects of withdrawal of these treatments on SI time were also evaluated. Furthermore, the acute effects of HS014 were investigated in different sets of caffeine-withdrawn mice. KEY FINDINGS Acute injection of caffeine, RO27-3225, or α-MSH produced anxiety-like behavior. Prior treatment with α-MSH, or RO27-3225 potentiated the caffeine-induced anxiety-like behavior. Subchronic treatment with HS014 increased the SI time, which was attenuated by caffeine. Chronic administration of caffeine resulted in tolerance to caffeine's anxiogenic effect, while abrupt discontinuation of the treatment produced peak anxiety-like behavior at 72 h post-withdrawal. Concurrent administration of α-MSH, or RO27-3225 with chronic caffeine delayed the development of tolerance and prevented withdrawal-induced anxiety-like behavior. Moreover, acute treatment with HS014 at 72 h post-withdrawal attenuated the anxiety-like behavior. SIGNIFICANCE α-MSH, possibly via MC4 receptor in the neuroanatomical framework of the CeA, may contribute to the acute, chronic and withdrawal actions of caffeine associated with anxiety-like behavior in the neuroanatomical framework of the CeA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amita A Bhorkar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University, Nagpur 440 033, Maharashtra, India
| | - Manoj P Dandekar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University, Nagpur 440 033, Maharashtra, India
| | - Kartik T Nakhate
- Rungta College of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, Rungta Educational Campus, Kohka-Kurud Road, Bhilai 490 024, Chhattisgarh, India
| | - Nishikant K Subhedar
- Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Sai Trinity Building, Sutarwadi, Pashan, Pune 411 021, Maharashtra, India
| | - Dadasaheb M Kokare
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University, Nagpur 440 033, Maharashtra, India.
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Cui H, Lutter M. The expression of MC4Rs in D1R neurons regulates food intake and locomotor sensitization to cocaine. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2013; 12:658-65. [PMID: 23786641 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2013] [Accepted: 06/14/2013] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
While it is known that mice lacking melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) expression develop hyperphagia resulting in early-onset obesity, the specific neural circuits that mediate this process remain unclear. Here, we report that selective restoration of MC4R expression within dopamine-1 receptor-expressing neurons [MC4R/dopamine 1 receptor (D1R) mice] partially blunts the severe obesity seen in MC4R-null mice by decreasing meal size, but not meal frequency, in the dark cycle. We also report that both acute cocaine-induced anorexia and the development of locomotor sensitization to repeated administration of cocaine are blunted in MC4R-null mice and normalized in MC4R/D1R mice. Neuronal retrograde tracing identifies the lateral hypothalamic area as the primary target of MC4R-expressing neurons in the nucleus accumbens. Biochemical studies in the ventral striatum show that phosphorylation of DARPP-32(Thr) (-34) and GluR1(Ser) (-845) is diminished in MC4R-null mice after chronic cocaine administration but rescued in MC4R/D1R mice. These findings highlight a physiological role of MC4R-mediated signaling within D1R neurons in the long-term regulation of energy balance and behavioral responses to cocaine.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Cui
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
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Lerma-Cabrera JM, Carvajal F, Alcaraz-Iborra M, de la Fuente L, Navarro M, Thiele TE, Cubero I. Adolescent binge-like ethanol exposure reduces basal α-MSH expression in the hypothalamus and the amygdala of adult rats. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2013; 110:66-74. [PMID: 23792540 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2013.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2012] [Revised: 06/03/2013] [Accepted: 06/09/2013] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Melanocortins (MC) are central peptides that have been implicated in the modulation of ethanol consumption. There is experimental evidence that chronic ethanol exposure reduces α-MSH expression in the limbic and hypothalamic brain regions and alters central pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) mRNA activity in adult rats. Adolescence is a critical developmental period of high vulnerability in which ethanol exposure alters corticotropin releasing factor, neuropeptide Y, substance P and neurokinin neuropeptide activities, all of which have key roles in ethanol consumption. Given the involvement of MC and the endogenous inverse agonist AgRP in ethanol drinking, here we evaluate whether a binge-like pattern of ethanol treatment during adolescence has a relevant impact on basal and/or ethanol-stimulated α-MSH and AgRP activities during adulthood. To this end, adolescent Sprague-Dawley rats (beginning at PND25) were pre-treated with either saline (SP group) or binge-like ethanol exposure (BEP group; 3.0 g/kg given in intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections) of one injection per day over two consecutive days, followed by 2 days without injections, repeated for a total of 8 injections. Following 25 ethanol-free days, we evaluated α-MSH and AgRP immunoreactivity (IR) in the limbic and hypothalamic nuclei of adult rats (PND63) in response to ethanol (1.5 or 3.0 g/kgi.p.) and saline. We found that binge-like ethanol exposure during adolescence significantly reduced basal α-MSH IR in the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA), the arcuate nucleus (Arc) and the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) during adulthood. Additionally, acute ethanol elicited AgRP IR in the Arc. Rats given the adolescent ethanol treatment required higher doses of ethanol than saline-treated rats to express AgRP. In light of previous evidence that endogenous MC and AgRP regulate ethanol intake through MC-receptor signaling, we speculate that the α-MSH and AgRP disturbances induced by binge-like ethanol exposure during adolescence may contribute to excessive ethanol consumption during adulthood.
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Greenman Y, Kuperman Y, Drori Y, Asa SL, Navon I, Forkosh O, Gil S, Stern N, Chen A. Postnatal ablation of POMC neurons induces an obese phenotype characterized by decreased food intake and enhanced anxiety-like behavior. Mol Endocrinol 2013; 27:1091-102. [PMID: 23676213 DOI: 10.1210/me.2012-1344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Proopiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus are central components of systems regulating appetite and energy homeostasis. Here we report on the establishment of a mouse model in which the ribonuclease III ribonuclease Dicer-1 has been specifically deleted from POMC-expressing neurons (POMC(ΔDCR)), leading to postnatal cell death. Mice are born phenotypically normal, at the expected genetic ratio and with normal hypothalamic POMC-mRNA levels. At 6 weeks of age, no POMC neurons/cells could be detected either in the arcuate nucleus or in the pituitary of POMC(ΔDCR) mice. POMC(ΔDCR) develop progressive obesity secondary to decreased energy expenditure but unrelated to food intake, which was surprisingly lower than in control mice. Reduced expression of AgRP and ghrelin receptor in the hypothalamus and reduced uncoupling protein 1 expression in brown adipose tissue can potentially explain the decreased food intake and decreased heat production, respectively, in these mice. Fasting glucose levels were dramatically elevated in POMC(ΔDCR) mice and the glucose tolerance test revealed marked glucose intolerance in these mice. Secondary to corticotrope ablation, basal and stress-induced corticosterone levels were undetectable in POMC(ΔDCR) mice. Despite this lack of activation of the neuroendocrine stress response, POMC(ΔDCR) mice exhibited an anxiogenic phenotype, which was accompanied with elevated levels of hypothalamic corticotropin-releasing factor and arginine-vasopressin transcripts. In conclusion, postnatal ablation of POMC neurons leads to enhanced anxiety and the development of obesity despite decreased food intake and glucocorticoid deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yona Greenman
- Institute of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Hypertension, Tel Aviv-Sourasky Medical Center and Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
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Schwartz GJ, Zeltser LM. Functional organization of neuronal and humoral signals regulating feeding behavior. Annu Rev Nutr 2013; 33:1-21. [PMID: 23642202 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-nutr-071812-161125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Energy homeostasis--ensuring that energy availability matches energy requirements--is essential for survival. One way that energy balance is achieved is through coordinated action of neural and neuroendocrine feeding circuits, which promote energy intake when energy supply is limited. Feeding behavior engages multiple somatic and visceral tissues distributed throughout the body--contraction of skeletal and smooth muscles in the head and along the upper digestive tract required to consume and digest food, as well as stimulation of endocrine and exocrine secretions from a wide range of organs. Accordingly, neurons that contribute to feeding behaviors are localized to central, peripheral, and enteric nervous systems. To promote energy balance, feeding circuits must be able to identify and respond to energy requirements, as well as the amount of energy available from internal and external sources, and then direct appropriate coordinated responses throughout the body.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary J Schwartz
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Yeshiva University, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
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Abstract
A recent paper in Nature (Lim et al., 2012) describes the effects of melanocortin receptors in the nucleus accumbens. The studies connect a hypothalamic peptide system with brain reward centers and show effects on specific neuronal populations and behavioral components of mood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin B Land
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
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Kapoor S. Letter to the Editor: Melanocortin 4 Receptor Antagonists and Their Emerging Role in Pain Management. Int J Neurosci 2012; 122:547; author reply 548. [DOI: 10.3109/00207454.2012.683221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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Chu H, Xia J. Response to Letter to the Editor: Melanocortin-4 (MC4) Receptor Antagonists Will Be Better Used in the Future. Int J Neurosci 2012. [DOI: 10.3109/00207454.2012.687081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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Lim BK, Huang KW, Grueter BA, Rothwell PE, Malenka RC. Anhedonia requires MC4R-mediated synaptic adaptations in nucleus accumbens. Nature 2012; 487:183-9. [PMID: 22785313 PMCID: PMC3397405 DOI: 10.1038/nature11160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 283] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2011] [Accepted: 04/25/2012] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Chronic stress is a strong diathesis for depression in humans and is used to generate animal models of depression. It commonly leads to several major symptoms of depression including dysregulated feeding behavior, anhedonia, and behavioral despair. Although hypotheses defining the neural pathophysiology of depression have been proposed, the critical synaptic adaptations in key brain circuits that mediate stress-induced depressive symptoms remain poorly understood. Here we show that chronic stress decreases the strength of excitatory synapses on D1 dopamine receptor-expressing nucleus accumbens medium spiny neurons due to activation of melanocortin 4 receptors (MC4Rs). Stress-elicited increases in behavioral measurements of anhedonia, but not increases in measurements of behavioral despair, are prevented by blocking these MC4R-mediated synaptic changes in vivo. These results establish that stress-elicited anhedonia requires a neuropeptide-triggered, cell type-specific synaptic adaptation in the nucleus accumbens and that distinct circuit adaptations mediate other major symptoms of stress-elicited depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Byung Kook Lim
- Nancy Pritzker Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, 265 Campus Drive, Stanford, California 94305, USA
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Coquerel Q, Sinno MH, Boukhettala N, Coëffier M, Terashi M, Bole-Feysot C, Breuillé D, Déchelotte P, Fetissov SO. Intestinal inflammation influences α-MSH reactive autoantibodies: relevance to food intake and body weight. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2012; 37:94-106. [PMID: 21641724 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2011.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2011] [Revised: 05/04/2011] [Accepted: 05/09/2011] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Autoantibodies reacting with alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), an anorexigenic neuropeptide, are involved in regulation of feeding. In this work we studied if intestinal inflammation (mucositis) may influence α-MSH autoantibodies production relevant to food intake and body weight. Mucositis and anorexia were produced in Sprague-Dawley rats by methotrexate (MTX, 2.5mg/kg/day, for three days, subcutaneously). Plasma levels of total IgG and of α-MSH autoantibodies were measured during and after MTX-induced mucositis and were compared with pair-fed and ad libitum-fed controls. Effects of intraperitoneal injections of rabbit anti-α-MSH IgG (3 or 10 μg/day/rat) on MTX-induced anorexia and on plasma α-MSH peptide concentration were separately studied. Here we show that in MTX rats, intestinal mucositis and anorexia were accompanied by decreased plasma levels of both total IgG and of α-MSH autoantibodies while refeeding was characterized by their elevated levels. In spite of similar food intake in MTX and pair-fed rats, recovery of body weight was delayed by at least 1 week in the MTX group. During refeeding and body weight deficit in MTX rats, α-MSH IgG autoantibody levels correlated negatively with food to water intake ratios. Injections of anti-α-MSH IgG induced a dose-dependent attenuation of food intake and body weight regain in MTX-treated rats accompanied by increased concentrations of α-MSH peptide which correlated positively with plasma levels of α-MSH autoantibodies. These data show that intestinal inflammation, independently from food restriction, affects general humoral immune response which may influence food intake and body weight control via modulation of α-MSH plasma concentration by α-MSH reactive autoantibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quentin Coquerel
- Digestive System & Nutrition Laboratory (ADEN EA4311), Institute of Medical Research and Innovation, Rouen University, IFR23, Rouen 76183, France
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Yang AM, Ji YK, Su SF, Yang SB, Lu SS, Mi ZY, Yang QZ, Chen Q. Intracerebroventricular administration of neuronostatin induces depression-like effect in forced swim test of mice. Peptides 2011; 32:1948-52. [PMID: 21871935 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2011.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2011] [Revised: 08/11/2011] [Accepted: 08/11/2011] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Neuronostatin is a recently discovered endogenous bioactive peptide that is encoded by pro-mRNA of somatostatin. In the present study, we investigated the effect of neuronostatin on mood regulation in the forced swim test of mice. Our results showed intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of neuronostatin produced an increase in the immobility time, suggesting that neuronostatin induced depression-like effect. In order to rule out the possibility that neuronostatin had increased immobility time by a non-specific reduction in general activity, the effect of neuronostatin on locomotor activity was examined. Neuronostatin had no influence on locomotor activity in mice. In addition, the depression-like effect of neuronostatin was completely reversed by melanocortin 3/4 receptor antagonist SHU9119 or GABAA receptor antagonist bicuculline, but not by opioid receptor antagonist naloxone. These data suggested that the depression-like effect induced by i.c.v. administered neuronostatin was dependent upon the central melanocortin system and GABAA receptor. In conclusion, the results of this study report that neuronostatin induces depression-like effect. These findings reveal that neuronostatin is a new neuropeptide with an important role in regulating depressive behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ai-min Yang
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, 222 Tian Shui South Road, Lanzhou 730000, PR China
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Mazzone L, Mueller SC, Maheu F, VanRyzin C, Merke DP, Ernst M. Emotional memory in early steroid abnormalities: an FMRI study of adolescents with congenital adrenal hyperplasia. Dev Neuropsychol 2011; 36:473-92. [PMID: 21516544 DOI: 10.1080/87565641.2010.549866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Hormonal imbalances during development may have long-lasting effects. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we compared 14 youths with Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH), a genetic disorder of hormonal dysfunction, with 22 healthy controls on memory encoding of emotional faces. Patients remembered fewer faces than controls, particularly fearful faces. FMRI data to successfully encoded fearful faces revealed that males with CAH showed significant activations in amygdala, hippocampus, and anterior cingulate relative to unaffected males, while females with CAH demonstrated deactivations relative to unaffected females in these regions. Findings indicate that steroid abnormalities during development can have important effects on neural correlates of emotional memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Mazzone
- Division of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
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