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Baker MR, Lee AS, Rajadhyaksha AM. L-type calcium channels and neuropsychiatric diseases: Insights into genetic risk variant-associated genomic regulation and impact on brain development. Channels (Austin) 2023; 17:2176984. [PMID: 36803254 PMCID: PMC9980663 DOI: 10.1080/19336950.2023.2176984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent human genetic studies have linked a variety of genetic variants in the CACNA1C and CACNA1D genes to neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders. This is not surprising given the work from multiple laboratories using cell and animal models that have established that Cav1.2 and Cav1.3 L-type calcium channels (LTCCs), encoded by CACNA1C and CACNA1D, respectively, play a key role in various neuronal processes that are essential for normal brain development, connectivity, and experience-dependent plasticity. Of the multiple genetic aberrations reported, genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have identified multiple single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in CACNA1C and CACNA1D that are present within introns, in accordance with the growing body of literature establishing that large numbers of SNPs associated with complex diseases, including neuropsychiatric disorders, are present within non-coding regions. How these intronic SNPs affect gene expression has remained a question. Here, we review recent studies that are beginning to shed light on how neuropsychiatric-linked non-coding genetic variants can impact gene expression via regulation at the genomic and chromatin levels. We additionally review recent studies that are uncovering how altered calcium signaling through LTCCs impact some of the neuronal developmental processes, such as neurogenesis, neuron migration, and neuron differentiation. Together, the described changes in genomic regulation and disruptions in neurodevelopment provide possible mechanisms by which genetic variants of LTCC genes contribute to neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madelyn R. Baker
- Neuroscience Program, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, New York, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, USA
| | - Andrew S. Lee
- Neuroscience Program, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, New York, USA
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, New York, USA
| | - Anjali M. Rajadhyaksha
- Neuroscience Program, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, New York, USA
- Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, USA
- Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, USA
- Weill Cornell Autism Research Program, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, USA
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2
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Lin S, Zhang C, Zhang Y, Chen S, Lin X, Peng B, Xu Z, Hou G, Qiu Y. Shared and specific neurobiology in bipolar disorder and unipolar disorder: Evidence based on the connectome gradient and a transcriptome-connectome association study. J Affect Disord 2023; 341:304-312. [PMID: 37661059 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.08.139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Distinguishing bipolar disorder (BD) and unipolar disorder (UD) remains challenging. To identify the common and diagnosis-specific neuropathological alterations and their potential molecular mechanisms in patients with UD and BD (with a current depressive episode). METHODS Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging was obtained from 279 participants (95 BD patients, 107 UD patients and 77 health controls). Connectome gradients analysis was performed to explore the shared and diagnosis-specific gradient alterations in BD and UD. The Allen Human Brain Atlas data was used to explore the potential gene mechanisms of the gradient alterations. RESULTS BD and UD had shared hierarchical disorganisation, including downgrading and contraction from the unimodal sensory networks (vision and sensorimotor) to the transmodal cognitive networks (limbic, frontoparietal, dorsal attention, and default) (all P < 0.05, FDR corrected) in gradient 1 and gradient 2. The BD patients had specific connectome gradient dysfunction in the subcortical network. Moreover, the hierarchical disorganisation was closely correlated with profiles of gene expression specific to the neuroglial cells in the prefrontal cortex in BD and UD, while the most correlated gene ontology biological processes and function were concentrated in synaptic signalling, calcium ion binding, and transmembrane transporter activity. CONCLUSION These findings reveal the shared and diagnosis-specific neurobiological mechanism underlying BD and UD patients, which advances our understanding of the neuromechanisms of these disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiwei Lin
- Department of Radiology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Union Shenzhen Hospital, Taoyuan Ave 89, Nanshan district, Shenzhen 518000, PR China
| | - Chao Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, People's Republic of China
| | - Yingli Zhang
- Department of Depressive Disorder, Shenzhen Kangning Hospital, Shenzhen Mental Health Center, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518020, People's Republic of China
| | - Shengli Chen
- Department of Radiology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Union Shenzhen Hospital, Taoyuan Ave 89, Nanshan district, Shenzhen 518000, PR China
| | - Xiaoshan Lin
- Department of Radiology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Union Shenzhen Hospital, Taoyuan Ave 89, Nanshan district, Shenzhen 518000, PR China
| | - Bo Peng
- Department of Depressive Disorder, Shenzhen Kangning Hospital, Shenzhen Mental Health Center, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518020, People's Republic of China
| | - Ziyun Xu
- Department of Radiology, Shenzhen Kangning Hospital, Shenzhen Mental Health Center, Cuizhu AVE 1080, Luohu district, Shenzhen 518020, China
| | - Gangqiang Hou
- Department of Radiology, Shenzhen Kangning Hospital, Shenzhen Mental Health Center, Cuizhu AVE 1080, Luohu district, Shenzhen 518020, China.
| | - Yingwei Qiu
- Department of Radiology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Union Shenzhen Hospital, Taoyuan Ave 89, Nanshan district, Shenzhen 518000, PR China.
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Hackett J, Nadkarni V, Singh RS, Carthy CL, Antigua S, Hall BS, Rajadhyaksha AM. Repeat investigation during social preference behavior is suppressed in male mice with prefrontal cortex cacna1c (Ca v1.2)-deficiency through the dysregulation of neural dynamics. bioRxiv 2023:2023.06.24.546368. [PMID: 37425963 PMCID: PMC10326975 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.24.546368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Impairments in social behavior are observed in a range of neuropsychiatric disorders and several lines of evidence have demonstrated that dysfunction of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) plays a central role in social deficits. We have previously shown that loss of neuropsychiatric risk gene Cacna1c that codes for the Cav1.2 isoform of L-type calcium channels (LTCCs) in the PFC result in impaired sociability as tested using the three-chamber social approach test. In this study we aimed to further characterize the nature of the social deficit associated with a reduction in PFC Cav1.2 channels (Cav1.2PFCKO mice) by testing male mice in a range of social and nonsocial tests while examining PFC neural activity using in vivo GCaMP6s fiber photometry. We found that during the first investigation of the social and non-social stimulus in the three-chamber test, both Cav1.2PFCKO male mice and Cav1.2PFCGFP controls spent significantly more time with the social stimulus compared to a non-social object. In contrast, during repeat investigations while Cav1.2PFCWT mice continued to spend more time with the social stimulus, Cav1.2PFCKO mice spent equal amount of time with both social and non-social stimuli. Neural activity recordings paralleled social behavior with increase in PFC population activity in Cav1.2PFCWT mice during first and repeat investigations, which was predictive of social preference behavior. In Cav1.2PFCKO mice, there was an increase in PFC activity during first social investigation but not during repeat investigations. These behavioral and neural differences were not observed during a reciprocal social interaction test nor during a forced alternation novelty test. To evaluate a potential deficit in reward-related processes, we tested mice in a three-chamber test wherein the social stimulus was replaced by food. Behavioral testing revealed that both Cav1.2PFCWT and Cav1.2PFCKO mice showed a preference for food over object with significantly greater preference during repeat investigation. Interestingly, there was no increase in PFC activity when Cav1.2PFCWT or Cav1.2PFCKO first investigated the food however activity significantly increased in Cav1.2PFCWT mice during repeat investigations of the food. This was not observed in Cav1.2PFCKO mice. In summary, a reduction in Cav1.2 channels in the PFC suppresses the development of a sustained social preference in mice that is associated with lack of PFC neuronal population activity that may be related to deficits in social reward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Hackett
- Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065
| | - Viraj Nadkarni
- Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065
| | - Ronak S. Singh
- Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065
| | - Camille L. Carthy
- Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065
| | - Susan Antigua
- Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065
| | - Baila S. Hall
- Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Weill Cornell Medicine Graduate School of Medical Sciences, New York, NY 10065
| | - Anjali M. Rajadhyaksha
- Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065
- Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Weill Cornell Medicine Graduate School of Medical Sciences, New York, NY 10065
- Weill Cornell Autism Research Program, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065
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Fender H, Walter K, Kiper AK, Plačkić J, Kisko TM, Braun MD, Schwarting RKW, Rohrbach S, Wöhr M, Decher N, Kockskämper J. Calcium Handling Remodeling Underlies Impaired Sympathetic Stress Response in Ventricular Myocardium from Cacna1c Haploinsufficient Rats. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:9795. [PMID: 37372947 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24129795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
CACNA1C encodes the pore-forming α1C subunit of the L-type Ca2+ channel, Cav1.2. Mutations and polymorphisms of the gene are associated with neuropsychiatric and cardiac disease. Haploinsufficient Cacna1c+/- rats represent a recently developed model with a behavioral phenotype, but its cardiac phenotype is unknown. Here, we unraveled the cardiac phenotype of Cacna1c+/- rats with a main focus on cellular Ca2+ handling mechanisms. Under basal conditions, isolated ventricular Cacna1c+/- myocytes exhibited unaltered L-type Ca2+ current, Ca2+ transients (CaTs), sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ load, fractional release, and sarcomere shortenings. However, immunoblotting of left ventricular (LV) tissue revealed reduced expression of Cav1.2, increased expression of SERCA2a and NCX, and augmented phosphorylation of RyR2 (at S2808) in Cacna1c+/- rats. The β-adrenergic agonist isoprenaline increased amplitude and accelerated decay of CaTs and sarcomere shortenings in both Cacna1c+/- and WT myocytes. However, the isoprenaline effect on CaT amplitude and fractional shortening (but not CaT decay) was impaired in Cacna1c+/- myocytes exhibiting both reduced potency and efficacy. Moreover, sarcolemmal Ca2+ influx and fractional SR Ca2+ release after treatment with isoprenaline were smaller in Cacna1c+/- than in WT myocytes. In Langendorff-perfused hearts, the isoprenaline-induced increase in RyR2 phosphorylation at S2808 and S2814 was attenuated in Cacna1c+/- compared to WT hearts. Despite unaltered CaTs and sarcomere shortenings, Cacna1c+/- myocytes display remodeling of Ca2+ handling proteins under basal conditions. Mimicking sympathetic stress with isoprenaline unmasks an impaired ability to stimulate Ca2+ influx, SR Ca2+ release, and CaTs caused, in part, by reduced phosphorylation reserve of RyR2 in Cacna1c+/- cardiomyocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hauke Fender
- Institute of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Biochemical and Pharmacological Center (BPC) Marburg, University of Marburg, 35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Kim Walter
- Institute of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Biochemical and Pharmacological Center (BPC) Marburg, University of Marburg, 35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Aytug K Kiper
- Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Vegetative Physiology, University of Marburg, 35037 Marburg, Germany
- Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior (CMBB), University of Marburg, 35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Jelena Plačkić
- Institute of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Biochemical and Pharmacological Center (BPC) Marburg, University of Marburg, 35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Theresa M Kisko
- Behavioral Neuroscience, Experimental and Biological Psychology, University of Marburg, 35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Moria D Braun
- Behavioral Neuroscience, Experimental and Biological Psychology, University of Marburg, 35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Rainer K W Schwarting
- Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior (CMBB), University of Marburg, 35032 Marburg, Germany
- Behavioral Neuroscience, Experimental and Biological Psychology, University of Marburg, 35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Susanne Rohrbach
- Institute of Physiology, University of Gießen, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Markus Wöhr
- Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior (CMBB), University of Marburg, 35032 Marburg, Germany
- Behavioral Neuroscience, Experimental and Biological Psychology, University of Marburg, 35032 Marburg, Germany
- Social and Affective Neuroscience Research Group, Laboratory of Biological Psychology, Research Unit Brain and Cognition, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Niels Decher
- Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Vegetative Physiology, University of Marburg, 35037 Marburg, Germany
- Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior (CMBB), University of Marburg, 35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Jens Kockskämper
- Institute of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Biochemical and Pharmacological Center (BPC) Marburg, University of Marburg, 35032 Marburg, Germany
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Nunes EJ, Addy NA. L-type calcium channel regulation of dopamine activity in the ventral tegmental area to nucleus accumbens pathway: Implications for substance use, mood disorders and co-morbidities. Neuropharmacology 2023; 224:109336. [PMID: 36414149 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2022.109336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
L-type calcium channels (LTCCs), including the Cav1.2 and Cav1.3 LTCC subtypes, are important regulators of calcium entry into neurons, which mediates neurotransmitter release and synaptic plasticity. Cav1.2 and Cav1.3 are encoded by the CACNA1C and CACNA1D genes, respectively. These genes are implicated in substance use disorders and depression in humans, as demonstrated by genetic-wide association studies (GWAS). Pre-clinical models have also revealed a critical role of LTCCs on drug and mood related behavior, including the co-morbidity of substance use and mood disorders. Moreover, LTCCs have been shown to regulate the neuronal firing of dopamine (DA) neurons as well as drug and stress-induced plasticity within the ventral tegmental area (VTA) to nucleus accumbens (NAc) pathway. Thus, LTCCs are interesting targets for the treatment of neuropsychiatric diseases. In this review, we provide a brief introduction to voltage-gated calcium channels, specifically focusing on the LTCCs. We place particular emphasis on the ability of LTCCs to regulate DA neuronal activity and downstream signaling in the VTA to NAc pathway, and how such processes mediate substance use and mood disorder-related behavioral responses. We also discuss the bi-directional control of VTA LTCCs on drug and mood-related behaviors in pre-clinical models, with implications for co-morbid psychiatric diagnosis. We conclude with a section on the clinical implications of LTCC blockers, many which are already FDA approved as cardiac medications. Thus, pre-clinical and clinical work should examine the potential of LTCC blockers to be repurposed for neuropsychiatric illness. This article is part of the Special Issue on 'L-type calcium channel mechanisms in neuropsychiatric disorders'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric J Nunes
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, United States; Yale Tobacco Center of Regulatory Science, Yale School of Medicine, United States.
| | - Nii A Addy
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, United States; Yale Tobacco Center of Regulatory Science, Yale School of Medicine, United States; Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale School of Medicine, United States; Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale University, United States; Wu Tsai Institute, Yale University, United States
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6
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Abstract
The CACNA1C gene encodes the pore-forming subunit of the CaV1.2 L-type Ca2+ channel, a critical component of membrane physiology in multiple tissues, including the heart, brain, and immune system. As such, mutations altering the function of these channels have the potential to impact a wide array of cellular functions. The first mutations identified within CACNA1C were shown to cause a severe, multisystem disorder known as Timothy syndrome (TS), which is characterized by neurodevelopmental deficits, long-QT syndrome, life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias, craniofacial abnormalities, and immune deficits. Since this initial description, the number and variety of disease-associated mutations identified in CACNA1C have grown tremendously, expanding the range of phenotypes observed in affected patients. CACNA1C channelopathies are now known to encompass multisystem phenotypes as described in TS, as well as more selective phenotypes where patients may exhibit predominantly cardiac or neurological symptoms. Here, we review the impact of genetic mutations on CaV1.2 function and the resultant physiological consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin G Herold
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - John W Hussey
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ivy E Dick
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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7
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Klomp AJ, Plumb A, Mehr JB, Madencioglu DA, Wen H, Williams AJ. Neuronal deletion of Ca(V)1.2 is associated with sex-specific behavioral phenotypes in mice. Sci Rep 2022; 12:22152. [PMID: 36550186 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-26504-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The gene CACNA1C, which encodes the pore forming subunit of the L-type calcium channel CaV1.2, is associated with increased risk for neuropsychiatric disorders including schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorder, major depression, and bipolar disorder. Previous rodent work identified that loss or reduction of CaV1.2 results in cognitive, affective, and motor deficits. Most previous work has either included non-neuronal cell populations (haploinsufficient and Nestin-Cre) or investigated a discrete neuronal cell population (e.g. CaMKII-Cre, Drd1-Cre), but few studies have examined the effects of more broad neuron-specific deletion of CaV1.2. Additionally, most of these studies did not evaluate for sex-specific effects or used only male animals. Here, we sought to clarify whether there are sex-specific behavioral consequences of neuron-specific deletion of CaV1.2 (neuronal CaV1.2 cKO) using Syn1-Cre-mediated conditional deletion. We found that neuronal CaV1.2 cKO mice have normal baseline locomotor function but female cKO mice display impaired motor performance learning. Male neuronal CaV1.2 cKO display impaired startle response with intact pre-pulse inhibition. Male neuronal CaV1.2 cKO mice did not display normal social preference, whereas female neuronal CaV1.2 cKO mice did. Neuronal CaV1.2 cKO mice displayed impaired associative learning in both sexes, as well as normal anxiety-like behavior and hedonic capacity. We conclude that deletion of neuronal CaV1.2 alters motor performance, acoustic startle reflex, and social behaviors in a sex-specific manner, while associative learning deficits generalize across sexes. Our data provide evidence for both sex-specific and sex-independent phenotypes related to neuronal expression of CaV1.2.
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Li M, Li T, Xiao X, Chen J, Hu Z, Fang Y. Phenotypes, mechanisms and therapeutics: insights from bipolar disorder GWAS findings. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:2927-39. [PMID: 35351989 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01523-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Revised: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have reported substantial genomic loci significantly associated with clinical risk of bipolar disorder (BD), and studies combining techniques of genetics, neuroscience, neuroimaging, and pharmacology are believed to help tackle clinical problems (e.g., identifying novel therapeutic targets). However, translating findings of psychiatric genetics into biological mechanisms underlying BD pathogenesis remains less successful. Biological impacts of majority of BD GWAS risk loci are obscure, and the involvement of many GWAS risk genes in this illness is yet to be investigated. It is thus necessary to review the progress of applying BD GWAS risk genes in the research and intervention of the disorder. A comprehensive literature search found that a number of such risk genes had been investigated in cellular or animal models, even before they were highlighted in BD GWAS. Intriguingly, manipulation of many BD risk genes (e.g., ANK3, CACNA1C, CACNA1B, HOMER1, KCNB1, MCHR1, NCAN, SHANK2 etc.) resulted in altered murine behaviors largely restoring BD clinical manifestations, including mania-like symptoms such as hyperactivity, anxiolytic-like behavior, as well as antidepressant-like behavior, and these abnormalities could be attenuated by mood stabilizers. In addition to recapitulating phenotypic characteristics of BD, some GWAS risk genes further provided clues for the neurobiology of this illness, such as aberrant activation and functional connectivity of brain areas in the limbic system, and modulated dendritic spine morphogenesis as well as synaptic plasticity and transmission. Therefore, BD GWAS risk genes are undoubtedly pivotal resources for modeling this illness, and might be translational therapeutic targets in the future clinical management of BD. We discuss both promising prospects and cautions in utilizing the bulk of useful resources generated by GWAS studies. Systematic integrations of findings from genetic and neuroscience studies are called for to promote our understanding and intervention of BD.
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Klomp A, Omichi R, Iwasa Y, Smith RJ, Usachev YM, Russo AF, Narayanan NS, Lee A. The voltage-gated Ca2+ channel subunit α2δ-4 regulates locomotor behavior and sensorimotor gating in mice. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0263197. [PMID: 35353835 PMCID: PMC8967030 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0263197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Voltage-gated Ca2+ channels are critical for the development and mature function of the nervous system. Variants in the CACNA2D4 gene encoding the α2δ-4 auxiliary subunit of these channels are associated with neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders. α2δ-4 is prominently expressed in the retina and is crucial for vision, but extra-retinal functions of α2δ-4 have not been investigated. Here, we sought to fill this gap by analyzing the behavioral phenotypes of α2δ-4 knockout (KO) mice. α2δ-4 KO mice (both males and females) exhibited significant impairments in prepulse inhibition that were unlikely to result from the modestly elevated auditory brainstem response thresholds. Whereas α2δ-4 KO mice of both sexes were hyperactive in various assays, only females showed impaired motor coordination in the rotarod assay. α2δ-4 KO mice exhibited anxiolytic and anti-depressive behaviors in the elevated plus maze and tail suspension tests, respectively. Our results reveal an unexpected role for α2δ-4 in sensorimotor gating and motor function and identify α2δ-4 KO mice as a novel model for studying the pathophysiology associated with CACNA2D4 variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annette Klomp
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Ryotaro Omichi
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
- Iowa Institute of Human Genetics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Yoichiro Iwasa
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
- Iowa Institute of Human Genetics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Richard J. Smith
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
- Iowa Institute of Human Genetics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Yuriy M. Usachev
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Andrew F. Russo
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
- Department of Neurology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Nandakumar S. Narayanan
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
- Department of Neurology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Amy Lee
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
- Department of Neurology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Navakkode S, Zhai J, Wong YP, Li G, Soong TW. Enhanced long-term potentiation and impaired learning in mice lacking alternative exon 33 of Ca V1.2 calcium channel. Transl Psychiatry 2022; 12:1. [PMID: 35013113 PMCID: PMC8748671 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-021-01683-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The CACNA1C (calcium voltage-gated channel subunit alpha 1 C) gene that encodes the CaV1.2 channel is a prominent risk gene for neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders with cognitive and social impairments like schizophrenia, bipolar disorders, depression and autistic spectrum disorders (ASD). We have shown previously that mice with exon 33 deleted from CaV1.2 channel (CaV1.2-exon 33-/-) displayed increased CaV1.2 current density and single channel open probability in cardiomyocytes, and were prone to develop arrhythmia. As Ca2+ entry through CaV1.2 channels activates gene transcription in response to synaptic activity, we were intrigued to explore the possible role of Cav1.2Δ33 channels in synaptic plasticity and behaviour. Homozygous deletion of alternative exon 33 resulted in enhanced long-term potentiation (LTP), and lack of long- term depression (LTD), which did not correlate with enhanced learning. Exon 33 deletion also led to a decrease in social dominance, sociability and social novelty. Our findings shed light on the effect of gain-of-function of CaV1.2Δ33 signalling on synaptic plasticity and behaviour and provides evidence for a link between CaV1.2 and distinct cognitive and social behaviours associated with phenotypic features of psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheeja Navakkode
- grid.4280.e0000 0001 2180 6431Department of Physiology, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore ,grid.59025.3b0000 0001 2224 0361Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jing Zhai
- grid.4280.e0000 0001 2180 6431Department of Physiology, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yuk Peng Wong
- grid.4280.e0000 0001 2180 6431Department of Physiology, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Guang Li
- grid.4280.e0000 0001 2180 6431Department of Physiology, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore ,grid.410578.f0000 0001 1114 4286Present Address: Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan China
| | - Tuck Wah Soong
- Department of Physiology, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore. .,Healthy Longevity Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
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11
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Sridharan PS, Lu Y, Rice RC, Pieper AA, Rajadhyaksha AM. Loss of Cav1.2 channels impairs hippocampal theta burst stimulation-induced long-term potentiation. Channels (Austin) 2021; 14:287-293. [PMID: 32799605 PMCID: PMC7515572 DOI: 10.1080/19336950.2020.1807851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
CACNA1 C, which codes for the Cav1.2 isoform of L-type Ca2+ channels (LTCCs), is a prominent risk gene in neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative conditions. A role forLTCCs, and Cav1.2 in particular, in transcription-dependent late long-term potentiation (LTP) has long been known. Here, we report that elimination of Cav1.2 channels in glutamatergic neurons also impairs theta burst stimulation (TBS)-induced LTP in the hippocampus, known to be transcription-independent and dependent on N-methyl D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) and local protein synthesis at synapses. Our expansion of the established role of Cav1.2channels in LTP broadens understanding of synaptic plasticity and identifies a new cellular phenotype for exploring treatment strategies for cognitive dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Preethy S Sridharan
- Harrington Discovery Institute, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center , Cleveland, OH, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Department of Neuroscience, Case Western Reserve University , Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Yuan Lu
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine , Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Richard C Rice
- Weill Cornell Autism Research Program, Weill Cornell Medicine of Cornell University , New York, NY, USA.,Pediatric Neurology, Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medicine of Cornell University , New York, NY, USA
| | - Andrew A Pieper
- Harrington Discovery Institute, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center , Cleveland, OH, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Department of Neuroscience, Case Western Reserve University , Cleveland, OH, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine , Iowa City, IA, USA.,Weill Cornell Autism Research Program, Weill Cornell Medicine of Cornell University , New York, NY, USA.,Geriatric Psychiatry, GRECC, Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center , Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Anjali M Rajadhyaksha
- Weill Cornell Autism Research Program, Weill Cornell Medicine of Cornell University , New York, NY, USA.,Pediatric Neurology, Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medicine of Cornell University , New York, NY, USA.,Feil Family Brain and Mind and Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine of Cornell University , New York, NY, USA
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12
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Bavley CC, Kabir ZD, Walsh AP, Kosovsky M, Hackett J, Sun H, Vázquez-Rosa E, Cintrón-Pérez CJ, Miller E, Koh Y, Pieper AA, Rajadhyaksha AM. Dopamine D1R-neuron cacna1c deficiency: a new model of extinction therapy-resistant post-traumatic stress. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:2286-98. [PMID: 32332995 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-020-0730-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2019] [Revised: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is characterized by persistent fear memory of remote traumatic events, mental re-experiencing of the trauma, long-term cognitive deficits, and PTSD-associated hippocampal dysfunction. Extinction-based therapeutic approaches acutely reduce fear. However, many patients eventually relapse to the original conditioned fear response. Thus, understanding the underlying molecular mechanisms of this condition is critical to developing new treatments for patients. Mutations in the neuropsychiatric risk gene CACNA1C, which encodes the Cav1.2 isoform of the L-type calcium channel, have been implicated in both PTSD and highly comorbid neuropsychiatric conditions, such as anxiety and depression. Here, we report that male mice with global heterozygous loss of cacna1c exhibit exacerbated contextual fear that persists at remote time points (up to 180 days after shock), despite successful acute extinction training, reminiscent of PTSD patients. Because dopamine has been implicated in contextual fear memory, and Cav1.2 is a downstream target of dopamine D1-receptor (D1R) signaling, we next generated mice with specific deletion of cacna1c from D1R-expressing neurons (D1-cacna1cKO mice). Notably, D1-cacna1cKO mice also show the same exaggerated remote contextual fear, as well as persistently elevated anxiety-like behavior and impaired spatial memory at remote time points, reminiscent of chronic anxiety in treatment-resistant PTSD. We also show that D1-cacna1cKO mice exhibit elevated death of young hippocampal neurons, and that treatment with the neuroprotective agent P7C3-A20 eradicates persistent remote fear. Augmenting survival of young hippocampal neurons may thus provide an effective therapeutic approach for promoting durable remission of PTSD, particularly in patients with CACNA1C mutations or other genetic aberrations that impair calcium signaling or disrupt the survival of young hippocampal neurons.
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13
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Gupta PR, Prabhavalkar K. Combination therapy with neuropeptides for the treatment of anxiety disorder. Neuropeptides 2021; 86:102127. [PMID: 33607407 DOI: 10.1016/j.npep.2021.102127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Revised: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Anxiety is a neurological disorder that is characterized by excessive, persistent, and unreasonable worry about everyday things like family, work, money, and relationships. The current therapy used for the treatment has many disadvantages like higher cost, severe adverse reactions, and has suboptimal efficiency. There is a need to look for more innovative approaches for the treatment of anxiety disorder which overcomes the disadvantages of conventional treatment. Recent findings suggest a strong correlation of glutamate with anxiety. Some promising drugs which have a novel mechanism for anxiolytic action are currently under clinical development for generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder. Similarly, an interrelation of oxytocin with neuropeptide S or glutamate or vasopressin can also be considered for further evaluation for the development of new drugs for anxiety treatment. Anxiolytic drug development is a multi-target approach, with the idea of more efficiently equilibrating perturbed circuits. This review focuses on targeting unconventional targets like the glutamate system, voltage-gated ion channels, and neuropeptides system either alone or in combination for the treatment of anxiety disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priti Ramakant Gupta
- Department of Pharmacology, SVKM'S Dr. Bhanuben Nanavati College of Pharmacy, Mumbai 400 056, India
| | - Kedar Prabhavalkar
- Department of Pharmacology, SVKM'S Dr. Bhanuben Nanavati College of Pharmacy, Mumbai 400 056, India.
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14
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Nakao A, Matsunaga Y, Hayashida K, Takahashi N. Role of Oxidative Stress and Ca 2+ Signaling in Psychiatric Disorders. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:615569. [PMID: 33644051 PMCID: PMC7905097 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.615569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Psychiatric disorders are caused by complex and diverse factors, and numerous mechanisms have been proposed for the pathogenesis of these disorders. Accumulating evidence suggests that oxidative stress is one of the general factors involved in the pathogenesis/pathophysiology of major psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety disorder, and schizophrenia. Indeed, some clinical trials have shown improvement of the symptoms of these disorders by antioxidant supplementation. However, the molecular basis for the relationship between oxidative stress and the pathogenesis of psychiatric disorders remains largely unknown. In general, Ca2+ channels play central roles in neuronal functions, including neuronal excitability, neurotransmitter release, synaptic plasticity, and gene regulation, and genes that encode Ca2+ channels have been found to be associated with psychiatric disorders. Notably, a class of Ca2+-permeable transient receptor potential (TRP) cation channels is activated by changes in cellular redox status, whereby these TRP channels can link oxidative stress to Ca2+ signals. Given the unique characteristic of redox-sensitive TRP channels, these channels could be a target for delineating the pathogenesis or pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders. In this review, we summarize the outcomes of clinical trials for antioxidant treatment in patients with psychiatric disorders and the current insights into the physiological/pathological significance of redox-sensitive TRP channels in the light of neural functions, including behavioral phenotypes, and discuss the potential role of TRP channels in the pathogenesis of psychiatric disorders. Investigation of redox-sensitive TRP channels may lead to the development of novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akito Nakao
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Department of Synthetic Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Matsunaga
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Department of Synthetic Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Katsumi Hayashida
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Department of Synthetic Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Nobuaki Takahashi
- The Hakubi Center for Advanced Research, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
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15
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Abstract
Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have revealed multiple genomic loci conferring risk of bipolar disorder (BD), providing hints for its underlying pathobiology. However, there are still remaining questions to answer. For example, discordance exists between BD heritability estimated with earlier epidemiological evidence and that calculated based on common GWAS variations. Where is the "missing heritability"? How can we explain the biology of the disease based on genetic findings? In this review, we summarize the accomplishments and limitations of current BD GWAS, and discuss potential reasons for the "missing heritability." In addition, progresses of research for the biological mechanisms underlying BD genetic risk using brain tissues, reprogrammed cells, and model animals are reviewed. While our knowledge of BD genetic basis is significantly promoted by these efforts, the complexities of gene regulation in the genome, the spatial-temporal heterogeneity during brain development, and the limitations of different experimental models should always be considered. Notably, several genes have been widely studied given their relatively well-characterized involvement in BD (e.g., CACAN1C and ANK3), and findings of these genes are summarized to both outline possible biological mechanisms of BD and describe examples of translating GWAS discoveries into the pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Zhang
- Division of Mood Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Tao Li
- Mental Health Center and Psychiatric Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China. .,West China Brain Research Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
| | - Ming Li
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, China.
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16
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Pennington K, Klaus K, Fachim HA, Butler K, Trischel K, Dalton CF, Heald A, Reynolds GP. CACNA1C methylation: association with cortisol, perceived stress, rs1006737 and childhood trauma in males. Epigenomics 2020; 12:1739-1749. [PMID: 33169621 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2020-0034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: We investigated morning cortisol, stress, rs1006737 and childhood trauma relationship with CACNA1C methylation. Materials & methods: Morning cortisol release, childhood trauma and perceived stress were collected and genotyping for rs1006737 conducted in 103 adult males. Genomic DNA extracted from saliva was bisulphite converted and using pyrosequencing methylation determined at 11 CpG sites within intron 3 of CACNA1C. Results: A significant negative correlation between waking cortisol and overall mean methylation was found and a positive correlation between CpG5 methylation and perceived stress. Conclusion: CACNA1C methylation levels may be related to cortisol release and stress perception. Future work should evaluate the influence of altered CACNA1C methylation on stress reactivity to investigate this as a potential mechanism for mental health vulnerability.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kristel Klaus
- School of Psychology, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, UK.,Medical Research Council Cognition & Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Helene A Fachim
- Department of Diabetes & Endocrinology, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Salford, UK
| | - Kevin Butler
- School of Psychology, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, UK.,Translational Addiction Research Laboratory, Centre for Addiction & Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Caroline F Dalton
- Biomolecular Sciences Research Centre, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK
| | - Adrian Heald
- Department of Diabetes & Endocrinology, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Salford, UK.,The School of Medicine & Manchester Health Sciences Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Gavin P Reynolds
- Biomolecular Sciences Research Centre, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK
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17
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Bavley CC, Fetcho RN, Burgdorf CE, Walsh AP, Fischer DK, Hall BS, Sayles NM, Contoreggi NH, Hackett JE, Antigua SA, Babij R, De Marco García NV, Kash TL, Milner TA, Liston C, Rajadhyaksha AM. Cocaine- and stress-primed reinstatement of drug-associated memories elicit differential behavioral and frontostriatal circuit activity patterns via recruitment of L-type Ca(2+) channels. Mol Psychiatry 2020; 25:2373-91. [PMID: 31501511 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-019-0513-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2019] [Revised: 06/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/31/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Cocaine-associated memories are critical drivers of relapse in cocaine-dependent individuals that can be evoked by exposure to cocaine or stress. Whether these environmental stimuli recruit similar molecular and circuit-level mechanisms to promote relapse remains largely unknown. Here, using cocaine- and stress-primed reinstatement of cocaine conditioned place preference to model drug-associated memories, we find that cocaine drives reinstatement by increasing the duration that mice spend in the previously cocaine-paired context whereas stress increases the number of entries into this context. Importantly, both forms of reinstatement require Cav1.2 L-type Ca2+ channels (LTCCs) in cells of the prelimbic cortex that project to the nucleus accumbens core (PrL→NAcC). Utilizing fiber photometry to measure circuit activity in vivo in conjunction with the LTCC blocker, isradipine, we find that LTCCs drive differential recruitment of the PrL→ NAcC pathway during cocaine- and stress-primed reinstatement. While cocaine selectively activates PrL→NAcC cells prior to entry into the cocaine-paired chamber, a measure that is predictive of duration in that chamber, stress increases persistent activity of this projection, which correlates with entries into the cocaine-paired chamber. Using projection-specific chemogenetic manipulations, we show that PrL→NAcC activity is required for both cocaine- and stress-primed reinstatement, and that activation of this projection in Cav1.2-deficient mice restores reinstatement. These data indicate that LTCCs are a common mediator of cocaine- and stress-primed reinstatement. However, they engage different patterns of behavior and PrL→NAcC projection activity depending on the environmental stimuli. These findings establish a framework to further study how different environmental experiences can drive relapse, and supports further exploration of isradipine, an FDA-approved LTCC blocker, as a potential therapeutic for the prevention of relapse in cocaine-dependent individuals.
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18
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Burgdorf CE, Bavley CC, Fischer DK, Walsh AP, Martinez-Rivera A, Hackett JE, Zallar LJ, Ireton KE, Hofmann F, Hell JW, Huganir RL, Rajadhyaksha AM. Contribution of D1R-expressing neurons of the dorsal dentate gyrus and Ca(v)1.2 channels in extinction of cocaine conditioned place preference. Neuropsychopharmacology 2020; 45:1506-17. [PMID: 31905369 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-019-0597-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2019] [Revised: 11/30/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Cocaine-associated contextual cues can trigger relapse behavior by recruiting the hippocampus. Extinction of cocaine-associated contextual memories can reduce cocaine-seeking behavior, however the molecular mechanisms within the hippocampus that underlie contextual extinction behavior and subsequent reinstatement remain poorly understood. Here, we extend our previous findings for a role of Cav1.2 L-type Ca2+ channels in dopamine 1 receptor (D1R)-expressing cells in extinction of cocaine conditioned place preference (CPP) in adult male mice. We report that attenuated cocaine CPP extinction in mice lacking Cav1.2 channels in D1R-expressing cells (D1cre, Cav1.2fl/fl) can be rescued through chemogenetic activation of D1R-expressing cells within the dorsal dentate gyrus (dDG), but not the dorsal CA1 (dCA1). This is supported by the finding that Cav1.2 channels are required in excitatory cells of the dDG, but not in the dCA1, for cocaine CPP extinction. Examination of the role of S1928 phosphorylation of Cav1.2, a protein kinase A (PKA) site using S1928A Cav1.2 phosphomutant mice revealed no extinction deficit, likely due to homeostatic scaling up of extinction-dependent S845 GluA1 phosphorylation in the dDG. However, phosphomutant mice failed to show cocaine-primed reinstatement which can be reversed by chemogenetic manipulation of excitatory cells in the dDG during extinction training. These findings outline an essential role for the interaction between D1R, Cav1.2, and GluA1 signaling in the dDG for extinction of cocaine-associated contextual memories.
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19
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Ortner NJ, Kaserer T, Copeland JN, Striessnig J. De novo CACNA1D Ca 2+ channelopathies: clinical phenotypes and molecular mechanism. Pflugers Arch 2020; 472:755-773. [PMID: 32583268 PMCID: PMC7351864 DOI: 10.1007/s00424-020-02418-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Revised: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The identification of rare disease-causing variants in humans by large-scale next-generation sequencing (NGS) studies has also provided us with new insights into the pathophysiological role of de novo missense variants in the CACNA1D gene that encodes the pore-forming α1-subunit of voltage-gated Cav1.3 L-type Ca2+ channels. These CACNA1D variants have been identified somatically in aldosterone-producing adenomas as well as germline in patients with neurodevelopmental and in some cases endocrine symptoms. In vitro studies in heterologous expression systems have revealed typical gating changes that indicate enhanced Ca2+ influx through Cav1.3 channels as the underlying disease-causing mechanism. Here we summarize the clinical findings of 12 well-characterized individuals with a total of 9 high-risk pathogenic CACNA1D variants. Moreover, we propose how information from somatic mutations in aldosterone-producing adenomas could be used to predict the potential pathogenicity of novel germline variants. Since these pathogenic de novo variants can cause a channel-gain-of function, we also discuss the use of L-type Ca2+ channel blockers as a potential therapeutic option.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine J Ortner
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy, Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - Teresa Kaserer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy, Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - J Nathan Copeland
- Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development, Duke Child and Family Mental Health and Developmental Neuroscience, Durham, USA
| | - Jörg Striessnig
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy, Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
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20
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Wang S, Cortes CJ. Interactions with PDZ proteins diversify voltage-gated calcium channel signaling. J Neurosci Res 2020; 99:332-348. [PMID: 32476168 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2020] [Revised: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Voltage-gated Ca2+ (CaV ) channels are crucial for neuronal excitability and synaptic transmission upon depolarization. Their properties in vivo are modulated by their interaction with a variety of scaffolding proteins. Such interactions can influence the function and localization of CaV channels, as well as their coupling to intracellular second messengers and regulatory pathways, thus amplifying their signaling potential. Among these scaffolding proteins, a subset of PDZ (postsynaptic density-95, Drosophila discs-large, and zona occludens)-domain containing proteins play diverse roles in modulating CaV channel properties. At the presynaptic terminal, PDZ proteins enrich CaV channels in the active zone, enabling neurotransmitter release by maintaining a tight and vital link between channels and vesicles. In the postsynaptic density, these interactions are essential in regulating dendritic spine morphology and postsynaptic signaling cascades. In this review, we highlight the studies that demonstrate dynamic regulations of neuronal CaV channels by PDZ proteins. We discuss the role of PDZ proteins in controlling channel activity, regulating channel cell surface density, and influencing channel-mediated downstream signaling events. We highlight the importance of PDZ protein regulations of CaV channels and evaluate the link between this regulatory effect and human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiyi Wang
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.,Department of Neurology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Constanza J Cortes
- Department of Neurology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.,Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
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21
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Redecker TM, Kisko TM, Wöhr M, Schwarting RKW. Cacna1c haploinsufficiency lacks effects on adult hippocampal neurogenesis and volumetric properties of prefrontal cortex and hippocampus in female rats. Physiol Behav 2020; 223:112974. [PMID: 32473156 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2020.112974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Revised: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The cross-disorder risk gene CACNA1C is strongly involved in the etiology of all major neuropsychiatric disorders, with women often being more affected by CACNA1C mutations than men. Human neuroimaging studies provided evidence that CACNA1C variants are associated with anatomical and functional brain alterations, such as decreased prefrontal volumes, microstructural changes in the hippocampus, and reduced hippocampal activity during memory tasks. In mouse models, Cacna1c alterations were repeatedly linked to disorder-like behavioral phenotypes and reduced adult hippocampal neurogenesis, which has been implicated in the pathology of neuropsychiatric disorders. Here, we applied a recently developed rat model and conducted two studies to investigate the effects of partial Cacna1c depletion on adult hippocampal neurogenesis and volumetric properties of the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex in adult female constitutive heterozygous (Cacna1c+/-) rats and wildtype (Cacna1c+/+) littermate controls. In study 1, we analyzed proliferation versus survival of adult-born hippocampal cells based on a 5-bromodeoxyuridine assay ensuring neuronal cell-type specificity through applying an immunofluorescent multiple staining approach. In study 2, we performed a detailed volumetric analysis with high structural resolution of the dorsal hippocampus and the medial prefrontal cortex, including their major substructures. Our results indicate comparable levels of cell proliferation and neuronal survival in Cacna1c+/- rats and Cacna1c+/+ controls. Additionally, we found similar volumes of the dorsal hippocampus and the medial prefrontal cortex across major substructures irrespective of genotype, indicating that Cacna1c haploinsufficiency has no prominent effects on these brain features in female rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias M Redecker
- Behavioral Neuroscience, Experimental and Biological Psychology, Department of Psychology, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Gutenbergstr. 18, D-35037 Marburg, Germany
| | - Theresa M Kisko
- Behavioral Neuroscience, Experimental and Biological Psychology, Department of Psychology, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Gutenbergstr. 18, D-35037 Marburg, Germany
| | - Markus Wöhr
- Behavioral Neuroscience, Experimental and Biological Psychology, Department of Psychology, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Gutenbergstr. 18, D-35037 Marburg, Germany; Center for Mind, Brain, and Behavior (CMBB), Hans-Meerwein-Str. 6, D-35032 Marburg, Germany; Laboratory for Behavioral Neuroscience, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, DK-5230 Odense M, Denmark
| | - Rainer K W Schwarting
- Behavioral Neuroscience, Experimental and Biological Psychology, Department of Psychology, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Gutenbergstr. 18, D-35037 Marburg, Germany; Center for Mind, Brain, and Behavior (CMBB), Hans-Meerwein-Str. 6, D-35032 Marburg, Germany.
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22
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Wöhr M, Willadsen M, Kisko TM, Schwarting RKW, Fendt M. Sex-dependent effects of Cacna1c haploinsufficiency on behavioral inhibition evoked by conspecific alarm signals in rats. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2020; 99:109849. [PMID: 31862418 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2019.109849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Revised: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Deficits in processing social signals leads to reduced social functioning and is typically associated with neuropsychiatric disorders, including autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia, and major depressive disorder. The cross-disorder risk gene CACNA1C is implicated in the etiology of all of these disorders and single-nucleotide polymorphisms within CACNA1C are ranked among the best replicated and most robust genetic findings from genome-wide association studies in psychiatry. Rats are highly social, live in large social groups, and communicate through ultrasonic vocalizations (USV), with low-frequency 22-kHz USV emitted in dangerous and often life-threating situations, such as predator exposure, serving an alarming function. In the present study, we applied an alarm 22-kHz USV playback paradigm to investigate the role of Cacna1c in socio-affective information processing in rats. Specifically, we assessed behavioral inhibition evoked by 22-kHz USV in constitutive heterozygous Cacna1c+/- females and males, as compared to wildtype Cacna1c+/+ littermate controls. To probe specificity, two sets of alarm 22-kHz USV were presented, i.e. 22-kHz USV elicited by predator urine exposure and 22-kHz USV emitted during a retention test on learned fear, together with acoustic control stimuli. Our results show that behavioral inhibition evoked by playback of alarm 22-kHz USV is robust and occurs in response to both sets, yet is modulated by Cacna1c in a sex-dependent manner. In male but not female rats, Cacna1c haploinsufficiency led to less pronounced and less specific behavioral inhibition, supporting the idea that Cacna1c haploinsufficiency results in a lower motivation and/or diminished capability to display appropriate responses to important socio-affective communication signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Wöhr
- Behavioral Neuroscience, Experimental and Biological Psychology, Department of Psychology, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Gutenbergstr. 18, D-35032 Marburg, Germany; Center for Mind, Brain, and Behavior (CMBB), Philipps-Universität Marburg, Hans-Meerwein-Str. 6, D-35032 Marburg, Germany.
| | - Maria Willadsen
- Behavioral Neuroscience, Experimental and Biological Psychology, Department of Psychology, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Gutenbergstr. 18, D-35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Theresa M Kisko
- Behavioral Neuroscience, Experimental and Biological Psychology, Department of Psychology, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Gutenbergstr. 18, D-35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Rainer K W Schwarting
- Behavioral Neuroscience, Experimental and Biological Psychology, Department of Psychology, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Gutenbergstr. 18, D-35032 Marburg, Germany; Center for Mind, Brain, and Behavior (CMBB), Philipps-Universität Marburg, Hans-Meerwein-Str. 6, D-35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Markus Fendt
- Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Leipziger Str. 44, D-39120 Magdeburg, Germany; Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Leipziger Str. 44, D-39120 Magdeburg, Germany
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Hopp SC. Targeting microglia L-type voltage-dependent calcium channels for the treatment of central nervous system disorders. J Neurosci Res 2020; 99:141-162. [PMID: 31997405 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2019] [Revised: 01/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Calcium (Ca2+ ) is a ubiquitous mediator of a multitude of cellular functions in the central nervous system (CNS). Intracellular Ca2+ is tightly regulated by cells, including entry via plasma membrane Ca2+ permeable channels. Of specific interest for this review are L-type voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels (L-VDCCs), due to their pleiotropic role in several CNS disorders. Currently, there are numerous approved drugs that target L-VDCCs, including dihydropyridines. These drugs are safe and effective for the treatment of humans with cardiovascular disease and may also confer neuroprotection. Here, we review the potential of L-VDCCs as a target for the treatment of CNS disorders with a focus on microglia L-VDCCs. Microglia, the resident immune cells of the brain, have attracted recent attention for their emerging inflammatory role in several CNS diseases. Intracellular Ca2+ regulates microglia transition from a resting quiescent state to an "activated" immune-effector state and is thus a valuable target for manipulation of microglia phenotype. We will review the literature on L-VDCC expression and function in the CNS and on microglia in vitro and in vivo and explore the therapeutic landscape of L-VDCC-targeting agents at present and future challenges in the context of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, neuropsychiatric diseases, and other CNS disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah C Hopp
- Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA.,Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
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24
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Li Q, Zhu ZY, Lu J, Chao YC, Zhou XX, Huang Y, Chen XM, Su DS, Yu WF, Gu XY. Sleep deprivation of rats increases postsurgical expression and activity of L-type calcium channel in the dorsal root ganglion and slows recovery from postsurgical pain. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2019; 7:217. [PMID: 31870460 PMCID: PMC6929318 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-019-0868-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Perioperative sleep disturbance is a risk factor for persistent pain after surgery. Clinical studies have shown that patients with insufficient sleep before and after surgery experience more intense and long-lasting postoperative pain. We hypothesize that sleep deprivation alters L-type calcium channels in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG), thus delaying the recovery from post-surgical pain. To verify this hypothesis, and to identify new predictors and therapeutic targets for persistent postoperative pain, we first established a model of postsurgical pain with perioperative sleep deprivation (SD) by administering hind paw plantar incision to sleep deprivation rats. Then we conducted behavioral tests, including tests with von Frey filaments and a laser heat test, to verify sensory pain, measured the expression of L-type calcium channels using western blotting and immunofluorescence of dorsal root ganglia (an important neural target for peripheral nociception), and examined the activity of L-type calcium channels and neuron excitability using electrophysiological measurements. We validated the findings by performing intraperitoneal injections of calcium channel blockers and microinjections of dorsal root ganglion cells with adeno-associated virus. We found that short-term sleep deprivation before and after surgery increased expression and activity of L-type calcium channels in the lumbar dorsal root ganglia, and delayed recovery from postsurgical pain. Blocking these channels reduced impact of sleep deprivation. We conclude that the increased expression and activity of L-type calcium channels is associated with the sleep deprivation-mediated prolongation of postoperative pain. L-type calcium channels are thus a potential target for management of postoperative pain.
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25
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Andrade A, Brennecke A, Mallat S, Brown J, Gomez-Rivadeneira J, Czepiel N, Londrigan L. Genetic Associations between Voltage-Gated Calcium Channels and Psychiatric Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E3537. [PMID: 31331039 PMCID: PMC6679227 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20143537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2019] [Revised: 07/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Psychiatric disorders are mental, behavioral or emotional disorders. These conditions are prevalent, one in four adults suffer from any type of psychiatric disorders world-wide. It has always been observed that psychiatric disorders have a genetic component, however, new methods to sequence full genomes of large cohorts have identified with high precision genetic risk loci for these conditions. Psychiatric disorders include, but are not limited to, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorder, anxiety disorders, major depressive disorder, and attention-deficit and hyperactivity disorder. Several risk loci for psychiatric disorders fall within genes that encode for voltage-gated calcium channels (CaVs). Calcium entering through CaVs is crucial for multiple neuronal processes. In this review, we will summarize recent findings that link CaVs and their auxiliary subunits to psychiatric disorders. First, we will provide a general overview of CaVs structure, classification, function, expression and pharmacology. Next, we will summarize tools to study risk loci associated with psychiatric disorders. We will examine functional studies of risk variations in CaV genes when available. Finally, we will review pharmacological evidence of the use of CaV modulators to treat psychiatric disorders. Our review will be of interest for those studying pathophysiological aspects of CaVs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arturo Andrade
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824, USA.
| | - Ashton Brennecke
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824, USA
| | - Shayna Mallat
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824, USA
| | - Julian Brown
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824, USA
| | | | - Natalie Czepiel
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824, USA
| | - Laura Londrigan
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824, USA
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26
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Redecker TM, Kisko TM, Schwarting RK, Wöhr M. Effects of Cacna1c haploinsufficiency on social interaction behavior and 50-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations in adult female rats. Behav Brain Res 2019; 367:35-52. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2019.03.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2018] [Revised: 03/03/2019] [Accepted: 03/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
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Li Q, Lu J, Zhou X, Chen X, Su D, Gu X, Yu W. High-Voltage-Activated Calcium Channel in the Afferent Pain Pathway: An Important Target of Pain Therapies. Neurosci Bull 2019; 35:1073-84. [PMID: 31065935 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-019-00378-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2018] [Accepted: 12/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
High-voltage-activated (HVA) Ca2+ channels are widely expressed in the nervous system. They play an important role in pain conduction by participating in various physiological processes such as synaptic transmission, changes in synaptic plasticity, and neuronal excitability. Available evidence suggests that the HVA channel is an important therapeutic target for pain management. In this review, we summarize the changes in different subtypes of HVA channel during pain and present the currently available evidence from the clinical application of HVA channel blockers. We also review novel drugs in various phases of development. Moreover, we discuss the future prospects of HVA channel blockers in order to promote "bench-to-bedside" translation.
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28
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Kisko TM, Braun MD, Michels S, Witt SH, Rietschel M, Culmsee C, Schwarting RKW, Wöhr M. Sex‐dependent effects of
Cacna1c
haploinsufficiency on juvenile social play behavior and pro‐social 50‐kHz ultrasonic communication in rats. Genes, Brain and Behavior 2019; 19:e12552. [DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2018] [Revised: 12/22/2018] [Accepted: 12/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Theresa M. Kisko
- Behavioral Neuroscience, Experimental and Biological Psychology, Department of PsychologyPhilipps‐Universität Marburg Marburg Germany
| | - Moria D. Braun
- Behavioral Neuroscience, Experimental and Biological Psychology, Department of PsychologyPhilipps‐Universität Marburg Marburg Germany
| | - Susanne Michels
- Institute of Pharmacology and Clinical PharmacyPhilipps‐Universität Marburg Marburg Germany
| | - Stephanie H. Witt
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine MannheimRuprecht‐Karls‐Universität Heidelberg Mannheim Germany
| | - Marcella Rietschel
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine MannheimRuprecht‐Karls‐Universität Heidelberg Mannheim Germany
| | - Carsten Culmsee
- Institute of Pharmacology and Clinical PharmacyPhilipps‐Universität Marburg Marburg Germany
- Center for Mind, Brain, and Behavior (CMBB)Philipps‐Universität Marburg Marburg Germany
| | - Rainer K. W. Schwarting
- Behavioral Neuroscience, Experimental and Biological Psychology, Department of PsychologyPhilipps‐Universität Marburg Marburg Germany
- Center for Mind, Brain, and Behavior (CMBB)Philipps‐Universität Marburg Marburg Germany
| | - Markus Wöhr
- Behavioral Neuroscience, Experimental and Biological Psychology, Department of PsychologyPhilipps‐Universität Marburg Marburg Germany
- Center for Mind, Brain, and Behavior (CMBB)Philipps‐Universität Marburg Marburg Germany
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29
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Song JHT, Lowe CB, Kingsley DM. Characterization of a Human-Specific Tandem Repeat Associated with Bipolar Disorder and Schizophrenia. Am J Hum Genet 2018; 103:421-430. [PMID: 30100087 PMCID: PMC6128321 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2018.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2018] [Accepted: 07/13/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Bipolar disorder (BD) and schizophrenia (SCZ) are highly heritable diseases that affect more than 3% of individuals worldwide. Genome-wide association studies have strongly and repeatedly linked risk for both of these neuropsychiatric diseases to a 100 kb interval in the third intron of the human calcium channel gene CACNA1C. However, the causative mutation is not yet known. We have identified a human-specific tandem repeat in this region that is composed of 30 bp units, often repeated hundreds of times. This large tandem repeat is unstable using standard polymerase chain reaction and bacterial cloning techniques, which may have resulted in its incorrect size in the human reference genome. The large 30-mer repeat region is polymorphic in both size and sequence in human populations. Particular sequence variants of the 30-mer are associated with risk status at several flanking single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the third intron of CACNA1C that have previously been linked to BD and SCZ. The tandem repeat arrays function as enhancers that increase reporter gene expression in a human neural progenitor cell line. Different human arrays vary in the magnitude of enhancer activity, and the 30-mer arrays associated with increased psychiatric disease risk status have decreased enhancer activity. Changes in the structure and sequence of these arrays likely contribute to changes in CACNA1C function during human evolution and may modulate neuropsychiatric disease risk in modern human populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janet H T Song
- Department of Developmental Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Craig B Lowe
- Department of Developmental Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - David M Kingsley
- Department of Developmental Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
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30
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Ehlinger DG, Commons KG. Cav1.2 L-type calcium channels regulate stress coping behavior via serotonin neurons. Neuropharmacology 2018; 144:282-290. [PMID: 30176250 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.08.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2018] [Revised: 08/23/2018] [Accepted: 08/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Human genetic variation in the gene CACNA1C, which codes for the alpha-1c subunit of Cav1.2 L-type calcium channels (LTCCs), has been broadly associated with enhanced risk for neuropsychiatric disorders including major depression, bipolar and schizophrenia. Little is known about the specific neural circuits through which CACNA1C and Cav1.2 LTCCs impact disease etiology. However, serotonin (5-HT) neurotransmission has been consistently implicated in these neuropsychiatric disorders and Cav1.2 LTCCs may influence 5-HT neuron activity during relevant behavioral states such as stress. We utilized a temporally controlled and 5-HT neuron specific Cacna1c knockout mouse model to assess stress-coping behavior using the forced swim test and dorsal raphe (DR) 5-HT neuron Fos activation. Furthermore, we assessed 5-HT1A receptor function and feedback inhibition of the DR following administration of the 5-HT1A antagonist WAY-100635. We find that 5-HT neuron Cacna1c knockout disrupts active-coping behavior in the forced swim test and that this behavioral effect is rescued by blocking 5-HT1A receptors. Moreover, Cacna1c knockout mice display enhanced Fos expression in caudal DR 5-HT neurons and an enhanced response to a 5-HT1A receptor antagonist in rostral DR 5-HT neurons, indicating that loss of Cacna1c disrupts both 5-HT neuron activation and 5-HT1A dependent feedback inhibition across the caudal to rostral DR. Collectively, these results reveal an important role for 5-HT neuron Cav1.2 LTCCs in stress-coping behavior and 5-HT1A receptor function. This suggests that alterations in CACNA1C function or expression could influence the development or treatment of neuropsychiatric disorder through serotonergic mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel G Ehlinger
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Anesthesia, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Kathryn G Commons
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Anesthesia, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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31
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Kisko TM, Braun MD, Michels S, Witt SH, Rietschel M, Culmsee C, Schwarting RKW, Wöhr M. Cacna1c haploinsufficiency leads to pro-social 50-kHz ultrasonic communication deficits in rats. Dis Model Mech 2018; 11:dmm.034116. [PMID: 29739816 PMCID: PMC6031367 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.034116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2018] [Accepted: 04/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The cross-disorder risk gene CACNA1C is strongly implicated in multiple neuropsychiatric disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), bipolar disorder (BPD) and schizophrenia (SCZ), with deficits in social functioning being common for all major neuropsychiatric disorders. In the present study, we explored the role of Cacna1c in regulating disorder-relevant behavioral phenotypes, focusing on socio-affective communication after weaning during the critical developmental period of adolescence in rats. To this aim, we used a newly developed genetic Cacna1c rat model and applied a truly reciprocal approach for studying communication through ultrasonic vocalizations, including both sender and receiver. Our results show that a deletion of Cacna1c leads to deficits in social behavior and pro-social 50-kHz ultrasonic communication in rats. Reduced levels of 50-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations emitted during rough-and-tumble play may suggest that Cacna1c haploinsufficient rats derive less reward from playful social interactions. Besides the emission of fewer 50-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations in the sender, Cacna1c deletion reduced social approach behavior elicited by playback of 50-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations. This indicates that Cacna1c haploinsufficiency has detrimental effects on 50-kHz ultrasonic communication in both sender and receiver. Together, these data suggest that Cacna1c plays a prominent role in regulating socio-affective communication in rats with relevance for ASD, BPD and SCZ. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper. Summary: The present study suggests that Cacna1c plays a prominent role in regulating socio-affective communication in rats with relevance for neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa M Kisko
- Behavioral Neuroscience, Experimental and Biological Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Philipps-University of Marburg, Gutenbergstr. 18, D-35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Moria D Braun
- Behavioral Neuroscience, Experimental and Biological Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Philipps-University of Marburg, Gutenbergstr. 18, D-35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Susanne Michels
- Institute of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Philipps-University of Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch-Str. 1, D-35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Stephanie H Witt
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, J5, D-65189 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Marcella Rietschel
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, J5, D-65189 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Carsten Culmsee
- Institute of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Philipps-University of Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch-Str. 1, D-35032 Marburg, Germany.,Center for Mind, Brain, and Behavior (CMBB), Philipps-University of Marburg, Hans-Meerwein-Str. 6, D-35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Rainer K W Schwarting
- Behavioral Neuroscience, Experimental and Biological Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Philipps-University of Marburg, Gutenbergstr. 18, D-35032 Marburg, Germany.,Center for Mind, Brain, and Behavior (CMBB), Philipps-University of Marburg, Hans-Meerwein-Str. 6, D-35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Markus Wöhr
- Behavioral Neuroscience, Experimental and Biological Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Philipps-University of Marburg, Gutenbergstr. 18, D-35032 Marburg, Germany .,Center for Mind, Brain, and Behavior (CMBB), Philipps-University of Marburg, Hans-Meerwein-Str. 6, D-35032 Marburg, Germany
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32
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Michels S, Ganjam GK, Martins H, Schratt GM, Wöhr M, Schwarting RKW, Culmsee C. Downregulation of the psychiatric susceptibility gene Cacna1c promotes mitochondrial resilience to oxidative stress in neuronal cells. Cell Death Discov 2018; 4:54. [PMID: 29760952 PMCID: PMC5945680 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-018-0061-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2018] [Accepted: 04/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Affective disorders such as major depression and bipolar disorder are among the most prevalent forms of mental illness and their etiologies involve complex interactions between genetic and environmental risk factors. Over the past ten years, several genome wide association studies (GWAS) have identified CACNA1C as one of the strongest genetic risk factors for the development of affective disorders. However, its role in disease pathogenesis is still largely unknown. Vulnerability to affective disorders also involves diverse environmental risk factors such as perinatal insults, childhood maltreatment, and other adverse pathophysiological or psychosocial life events. At the cellular level, such environmental influences may activate oxidative stress pathways, thereby altering neuronal plasticity and function. Mitochondria are the key organelles of energy metabolism and, further, highly important for the adaptation to oxidative stress. Accordingly, multiple lines of evidence including post-mortem brain and neuro-imaging studies suggest that psychiatric disorders are accompanied by mitochondrial dysfunction. In this study, we investigated the effects of Cacna1c downregulation in combination with glutamate-induced oxidative stress on mitochondrial function, Ca2+ homeostasis, and cell viability in mouse hippocampal HT22 cells. We found that the siRNA-mediated knockdown of Cacna1c preserved mitochondrial morphology, mitochondrial membrane potential, and ATP levels after glutamate treatment. Further, Cacna1c silencing inhibited excessive mitochondrial reactive oxygen species formation and calcium influx, and protected the HT22 cells from oxidative cell death. Overall, our findings suggest that the GWAS-confirmed psychiatric risk gene CACNA1C plays a major role in oxidative stress pathways with particular impact on mitochondrial integrity and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Michels
- 1Institute of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany.,2Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior, Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany
| | - Goutham K Ganjam
- 1Institute of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany.,2Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior, Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany
| | - Helena Martins
- 2Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior, Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany.,3Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Systems Neuroscience, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Gerhard M Schratt
- 2Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior, Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany.,3Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Systems Neuroscience, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Markus Wöhr
- 2Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior, Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany.,4Department of Experimental and Biological Psychology, Behavioral Neuroscience, Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany
| | - Rainer K W Schwarting
- 2Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior, Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany.,4Department of Experimental and Biological Psychology, Behavioral Neuroscience, Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany
| | - Carsten Culmsee
- 1Institute of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany.,2Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior, Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany
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Dedic N, Pöhlmann ML, Richter JS, Mehta D, Czamara D, Metzger MW, Dine J, Bedenk BT, Hartmann J, Wagner KV, Jurik A, Almli LM, Lori A, Moosmang S, Hofmann F, Wotjak CT, Rammes G, Eder M, Chen A, Ressler KJ, Wurst W, Schmidt MV, Binder EB, Deussing JM. Cross-disorder risk gene CACNA1C differentially modulates susceptibility to psychiatric disorders during development and adulthood. Mol Psychiatry 2018; 23:533-543. [PMID: 28696432 PMCID: PMC5822460 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2017.133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2016] [Revised: 04/25/2017] [Accepted: 05/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in CACNA1C, the α1C subunit of the voltage-gated L-type calcium channel Cav1.2, rank among the most consistent and replicable genetics findings in psychiatry and have been associated with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depression. However, genetic variants of complex diseases often only confer a marginal increase in disease risk, which is additionally influenced by the environment. Here we show that embryonic deletion of Cacna1c in forebrain glutamatergic neurons promotes the manifestation of endophenotypes related to psychiatric disorders including cognitive decline, impaired synaptic plasticity, reduced sociability, hyperactivity and increased anxiety. Additional analyses revealed that depletion of Cacna1c during embryonic development also increases the susceptibility to chronic stress, which suggest that Cav1.2 interacts with the environment to shape disease vulnerability. Remarkably, this was not observed when Cacna1c was deleted in glutamatergic neurons during adulthood, where the later deletion even improved cognitive flexibility, strengthened synaptic plasticity and induced stress resilience. In a parallel gene × environment design in humans, we additionally demonstrate that SNPs in CACNA1C significantly interact with adverse life events to alter the risk to develop symptoms of psychiatric disorders. Overall, our results further validate Cacna1c as a cross-disorder risk gene in mice and humans, and additionally suggest a differential role for Cav1.2 during development and adulthood in shaping cognition, sociability, emotional behavior and stress susceptibility. This may prompt the consideration for pharmacological manipulation of Cav1.2 in neuropsychiatric disorders with developmental and/or stress-related origins.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Dedic
- Molecular Neurogenetics, Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - M L Pöhlmann
- Molecular Neurogenetics, Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - J S Richter
- Molecular Neurogenetics, Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - D Mehta
- Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
- Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - D Czamara
- Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - M W Metzger
- Molecular Neurogenetics, Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - J Dine
- Molecular Neurogenetics, Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - B T Bedenk
- Molecular Neurogenetics, Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - J Hartmann
- Molecular Neurogenetics, Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School and McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - K V Wagner
- Molecular Neurogenetics, Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - A Jurik
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - L M Almli
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - A Lori
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - S Moosmang
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - F Hofmann
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - C T Wotjak
- Molecular Neurogenetics, Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - G Rammes
- Clinic of Anaesthesiology, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - M Eder
- Molecular Neurogenetics, Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - A Chen
- Molecular Neurogenetics, Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
- The Ruhman Family Laboratory for Research on the Neurobiology of Stress, Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - K J Ressler
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School and McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - W Wurst
- Institute of Developmental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - M V Schmidt
- Molecular Neurogenetics, Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - E B Binder
- Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - J M Deussing
- Molecular Neurogenetics, Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
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Martínez-Rivera A, Hao J, Tropea TF, Giordano TP, Kosovsky M, Rice RC, Lee A, Huganir RL, Striessnig J, Addy NA, Han S, Rajadhyaksha AM. Enhancing VTA Ca v1.3 L-type Ca 2+ channel activity promotes cocaine and mood-related behaviors via overlapping AMPA receptor mechanisms in the nucleus accumbens. Mol Psychiatry 2017; 22:1735-1745. [PMID: 28194001 PMCID: PMC5555837 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2017.9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2016] [Revised: 11/30/2016] [Accepted: 12/23/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Genetic factors significantly influence susceptibility for substance abuse and mood disorders. Rodent studies have begun to elucidate a role of Cav1.3 L-type Ca2+ channels in neuropsychiatric-related behaviors, such as addictive and depressive-like behaviors. Human studies have also linked the CACNA1D gene, which codes for the Cav1.3 protein, with bipolar disorder. However, the neurocircuitry and the molecular mechanisms underlying the role of Cav1.3 in neuropsychiatric phenotypes are not well established. In the present study, we directly manipulated Cav1.3 channels in Cav1.2 dihydropyridine insensitive mutant mice and found that ventral tegmental area (VTA) Cav1.3 channels mediate cocaine-related and depressive-like behavior through a common nucleus accumbens (NAc) shell calcium-permeable α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor (CP-AMPAR) mechanism that requires GluA1 phosphorylation at S831. Selective activation of VTA Cav1.3 with (±)-BayK-8644 (BayK) enhanced cocaine conditioned place preference and cocaine psychomotor activity while inducing depressive-like behavior, an effect not observed in S831A phospho-mutant mice. Infusion of the CP-AMPAR-specific blocker Naspm into the NAc shell reversed the cocaine and depressive-like phenotypes. In addition, activation of VTA Cav1.3 channels resulted in social behavioral deficits. In contrast to the cocaine- and depression-related phenotypes, GluA1/A2 AMPARs in the NAc core mediated social deficits, independent of S831-GluA1 phosphorylation. Using a candidate gene analysis approach, we also identified single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the CACNA1D gene associated with cocaine dependence in human subjects. Together, our findings reveal novel, overlapping mechanisms through which VTA Cav1.3 mediates cocaine-related, depressive-like and social phenotypes, suggesting that Cav1.3 may serve as a target for the treatment of neuropsychiatric symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arlene Martínez-Rivera
- Dept. of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Neurology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA,Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jin Hao
- Dept. of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Neurology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Thomas F. Tropea
- Dept. of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Neurology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA,Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Thomas P. Giordano
- Dept. of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Neurology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Maria Kosovsky
- Dept. of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Neurology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA,Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Richard C. Rice
- Dept. of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Neurology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Amy Lee
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Richard L. Huganir
- Department of Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Kavli Neuroscience Discovery Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Joerg Striessnig
- Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria; Center for Molecular Biosciences, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Nii A. Addy
- Department of Psychiatry and Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale Graduate School of Arts and Science, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Shizhong Han
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USA,Corresponding author genetics: Shizhong Han, Department of Psychiatry - 22G GH, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, Phone: 319-353-8773,
| | - Anjali M. Rajadhyaksha
- Dept. of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Neurology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA,Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA,Corresponding author: Anjali Rajadhyaksha, Pediatric Neurology, Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Avenue, Box 91, New York, NY 10065, USA, Tel: 212.746.5999,
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Völkening B, Schönig K, Kronenberg G, Bartsch D, Weber T. Type-1 astrocyte-like stem cells harboring Cacna1d gene deletion exhibit reduced proliferation and decreased neuronal fate choice. Hippocampus 2017; 28:97-107. [PMID: 29116659 DOI: 10.1002/hipo.22811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2017] [Revised: 10/26/2017] [Accepted: 11/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
In the central nervous system, CaV 1.2 and CaV 1. 3 constitute the main L-type voltage-gated calcium channels (LTCCs) coupling membrane depolarization to gene transcription. We have previously demonstrated that inducible disruption of Cav1.2 in type-1 astrocyte-like stem cells of the adult dentate gyrus (DG) impairs hippocampal neurogenesis in a cell-autonomous fashion. To address the role of Cav1.3 channels (encoded by the Cacna1d gene), we here generated TgGLAST-CreERT2 /Cacna1dfl/fl /RCE:loxP mice which facilitate inducible deletion of Cacna1d in tandem with induction of EGFP expression in type-1 cells, allowing tracking of recombined cells and their descendants. Neurosphere cultures derived from fluorescence-activated cell sorting sorted Cacna1d-deficient (Cacna1d-/- /EGFP) hippocampal neural precursor cells (NPCs) exhibited a significant decrease in proliferative activity. Further, under differentiation conditions, Cacna1d deficiency conferred an increase in astrogenesis at the expense of neurogenesis. In like manner, type-1 cells lacking Cacna1d showed reduced proliferation in the dentate gyrus (DG) in vivo. Moreover, Cacna1d deficiency resulted in a significant decrease in the number of newly born cells adopting a neuronal fate. Finally, massive excitation induced by repeated electroconvulsive seizures rescued the proliferation defect of Cacna1d-/- /EGFP type-1 cells. Together, the effects of Cacna1d gene deletion closely recapitulate our earlier findings on the role of Cav1.2 channels expressed by type-1 cells. Similar to Cav1.2 channels, Cav1.3 channels on type-1 cells boost type-1 cell proliferation and promote subsequent neuronal fate choice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Völkening
- Department of Molecular Biology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim/Heidelberg University, J5, Mannheim 68159, Germany
| | - Kai Schönig
- Department of Molecular Biology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim/Heidelberg University, J5, Mannheim 68159, Germany
| | - Golo Kronenberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Rostock, Gehlsheimer Straße 20, Rostock 18147, Germany
| | - Dusan Bartsch
- Department of Molecular Biology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim/Heidelberg University, J5, Mannheim 68159, Germany
| | - Tillmann Weber
- Department of Molecular Biology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim/Heidelberg University, J5, Mannheim 68159, Germany.,Department of Addictive Behavior and Addiction Medicine, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim/Heidelberg University, J5, Mannheim 68159, Germany
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Burgdorf CE, Schierberl KC, Lee AS, Fischer DK, Van Kempen TA, Mudragel V, Huganir RL, Milner TA, Glass MJ, Rajadhyaksha AM. Extinction of Contextual Cocaine Memories Requires Ca v1.2 within D1R-Expressing Cells and Recruits Hippocampal Ca v1.2-Dependent Signaling Mechanisms. J Neurosci 2017; 37:11894-911. [PMID: 29089442 DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2397-17.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2017] [Revised: 10/03/2017] [Accepted: 10/25/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Exposure to cocaine-associated contextual cues contributes significantly to relapse. Extinction of these contextual associations, which involves a new form of learning, reduces cocaine-seeking behavior; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying this process remain largely unknown. We report that extinction, but not acquisition, of cocaine conditioned place preference (CPP) in male mice increased Cav1.2 L-type Ca2+ channel mRNA and protein in postsynaptic density (PSD) fractions of the hippocampus, a brain region involved in drug-context associations. Moreover, viral-mediated deletion of Cav1.2 in the dorsal hippocampus attenuated extinction of cocaine CPP. Molecular studies examining downstream Cav1.2 targets revealed that extinction recruited calcium/calmodulin (Ca2+/CaMK)-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) to the hippocampal PSD. This occurred in parallel with an increase in phosphorylation of the AMPA GluA1 receptor subunit at serine 831 (S831), a CaMKII site, along with an increase in total PSD GluA1. The necessity of S831 GluA1 was further demonstrated by the lack of extinction in S831A GluA1 phosphomutant mice. Of note hippocampal GluA1 levels remained unaltered at the PSD, but were reduced near the PSD and at perisynaptic sites of dendritic spines in extinction-resistant S831A mutant mice. Finally, conditional knock-out of Cav1.2 in dopamine D1 receptor (D1R)-expressing cells resulted in attenuation of cocaine CPP extinction and lack of extinction-dependent changes in hippocampal PSD CaMKII expression and S831 GluA1 phosphorylation. In summary, we demonstrate an essential role for the hippocampal Cav1.2/CaMKII/S831 GluA1 pathway in cocaine CPP extinction, with data supporting contribution of hippocampal D1R-expressing cells in this process. These findings demonstrate a novel role for Cav1.2 channels in extinction of contextual cocaine-associated memories.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Continued drug-seeking behavior, a defining characteristic of cocaine addiction, can be precipitated by contextual cues, yet the molecular mechanisms required for extinction of these context-specific memories remain poorly understood. Here, we have uncovered a novel and selective role of the Cav1.2 L-type Ca2+ channel and its downstream signaling pathway in the hippocampus that mediate extinction of cocaine conditioned place preference (CPP). We additionally provide evidence that supports a role of Cav1.2 within dopamine D1 receptor-expressing cells of the hippocampus for extinction of cocaine CPP. Therefore, these findings reveal a previously unknown role of Cav1.2 channels within the hippocampus and in D1 receptor-expressing cells in extinction of cocaine-associated memories, providing a framework for further exploration of mechanisms underlying extinction of cocaine-seeking behavior.
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Temme SJ, Murphy GG. The L-type voltage-gated calcium channel Ca V1.2 mediates fear extinction and modulates synaptic tone in the lateral amygdala. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017; 24:580-588. [PMID: 29038219 PMCID: PMC5647931 DOI: 10.1101/lm.045773.117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2017] [Accepted: 07/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
L-type voltage-gated calcium channels (LVGCCs) have been implicated in both the formation and the reduction of fear through Pavlovian fear conditioning and extinction. Despite the implication of LVGCCs in fear learning and extinction, studies of the individual LVGCC subtypes, CaV1.2 and CaV1.3, using transgenic mice have failed to find a role of either subtype in fear extinction. This discontinuity between the pharmacological studies of LVGCCs and the studies investigating individual subtype contributions could be due to the limited neuronal deletion pattern of the CaV1.2 conditional knockout mice previously studied to excitatory neurons in the forebrain. To investigate the effects of deletion of CaV1.2 in all neuronal populations, we generated CaV1.2 conditional knockout mice using the synapsin1 promoter to drive Cre recombinase expression. Pan-neuronal deletion of CaV1.2 did not alter basal anxiety or fear learning. However, pan-neuronal deletion of CaV1.2 resulted in a significant deficit in extinction of contextual fear, implicating LVGCCs, specifically CaV1.2, in extinction learning. Further exploration on the effects of deletion of CaV1.2 on inhibitory and excitatory input onto the principle neurons of the lateral amygdala revealed a significant shift in inhibitory/excitatory balance. Together these data illustrate an important role of CaV1.2 in fear extinction and the synaptic regulation of activity within the amygdala.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie J Temme
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2200, USA
| | - Geoffrey G Murphy
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2200, USA.,Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2200, USA.,Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2200, USA
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Kabir ZD, Lee AS, Burgdorf CE, Fischer DK, Rajadhyaksha AM, Mok E, Rizzo B, Rice RC, Singh K, Ota KT, Gerhard DM, Schierberl KC, Glass MJ, Duman RS, Rajadhyaksha AM. Cacna1c in the Prefrontal Cortex Regulates Depression-Related Behaviors via REDD1. Neuropsychopharmacology 2017; 42:2032-42. [PMID: 27922594 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2016.271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2016] [Revised: 11/01/2016] [Accepted: 11/25/2016] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The CACNA1C gene that encodes the L-type Ca2+ channel (LTCC) Cav1.2 subunit has emerged as a candidate risk gene for multiple neuropsychiatric disorders including bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and schizophrenia, all marked with depression-related symptoms. Although cacna1c heterozygous (HET) mice have been previously reported to exhibit an antidepressant-like phenotype, the molecular and circuit-level dysfunction remains unknown. Here we report that viral vector-mediated deletion of cacna1c in the adult prefrontal cortex (PFC) of mice recapitulates the antidepressant-like effect observed in cacna1c HET mice using the sucrose preference test (SPT), forced swim test (FST), and tail suspension test (TST). Molecular studies identified lower levels of REDD1, a protein previously linked to depression, in the PFC of HET mice, and viral-mediated REDD1 overexpression in the PFC of these HET mice reversed the antidepressant-like effect in SPT and TST. Examination of downstream REDD1 targets found lower levels of active/phosphorylated Akt (S473) with no change in mTORC1 phosphorylation. Examination of the transcription factor FoxO3a, previously linked to depression-related behavior and shown to be regulated in other systems by Akt, revealed higher nuclear levels in the PFC of cacna1c HET mice that was further increased following REDD1-mediated reversal of the antidepressant-like phenotype. Collectively, these findings suggest that REDD1 in cacna1c HET mice may influence depression-related behavior via regulation of the FoxO3a pathway. Cacna1c HET mice thus serve as a useful mouse model to further study cacna1c-associated molecular signaling and depression-related behaviors relevant to human CACNA1C genetic variants.
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Kabir ZD, Che A, Fischer DK, Rice RC, Rizzo BK, Byrne M, Glass MJ, De Marco Garcia NV, Rajadhyaksha AM. Rescue of impaired sociability and anxiety-like behavior in adult cacna1c-deficient mice by pharmacologically targeting eIF2α. Mol Psychiatry 2017; 22:1096-109. [PMID: 28584287 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2017.124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2016] [Revised: 04/12/2017] [Accepted: 05/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
CACNA1C, encoding the Cav1.2 subunit of L-type Ca2+ channels, has emerged as one of the most prominent and highly replicable susceptibility genes for several neuropsychiatric disorders. Cav1.2 channels play a crucial role in calcium-mediated processes involved in brain development and neuronal function. Within the CACNA1C gene, disease-associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms have been associated with impaired social and cognitive processing and altered prefrontal cortical (PFC) structure and activity. These findings suggest that aberrant Cav1.2 signaling may contribute to neuropsychiatric-related disease symptoms via impaired PFC function. Here, we show that mice harboring loss of cacna1c in excitatory glutamatergic neurons of the forebrain (fbKO) that we have previously reported to exhibit anxiety-like behavior, displayed a social behavioral deficit and impaired learning and memory. Furthermore, focal knockdown of cacna1c in the adult PFC recapitulated the social deficit and elevated anxiety-like behavior, but not the deficits in learning and memory. Electrophysiological and molecular studies in the PFC of cacna1c fbKO mice revealed higher E/I ratio in layer 5 pyramidal neurons and lower general protein synthesis. This was concurrent with reduced activity of mTORC1 and its downstream mRNA translation initiation factors eIF4B and 4EBP1, as well as elevated phosphorylation of eIF2α, an inhibitor of mRNA translation. Remarkably, systemic treatment with ISRIB, a small molecule inhibitor that suppresses the effects of phosphorylated eIF2α on mRNA translation, was sufficient to reverse the social deficit and elevated anxiety-like behavior in adult cacna1c fbKO mice. ISRIB additionally normalized the lower protein synthesis and higher E/I ratio in the PFC. Thus this study identifies a novel Cav1.2 mechanism in neuropsychiatric-related endophenotypes and a potential future therapeutic target to explore.
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Abstract
The L-type calcium channels (LTCCs) Cav1.2 and Cav1.3, encoded by the CACNA1C and CACNA1D genes, respectively, are important regulators of calcium influx into cells and are critical for normal brain development and plasticity. In humans, CACNA1C has emerged as one of the most widely reproduced and prominent candidate risk genes for a range of neuropsychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder (BD), schizophrenia (SCZ), major depressive disorder, autism spectrum disorder, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Separately, CACNA1D has been found to be associated with BD and autism spectrum disorder, as well as cocaine dependence, a comorbid feature associated with psychiatric disorders. Despite growing evidence of a significant link between CACNA1C and CACNA1D and psychiatric disorders, our understanding of the biological mechanisms by which these LTCCs mediate neuropsychiatric-associated endophenotypes, many of which are shared across the different disorders, remains rudimentary. Clinical studies with LTCC blockers testing their efficacy to alleviate symptoms associated with BD, SCZ, and drug dependence have provided mixed results, underscoring the importance of further exploring the neurobiological consequences of dysregulated Cav1.2 and Cav1.3. Here, we provide a review of clinical studies that have evaluated LTCC blockers for BD, SCZ, and drug dependence-associated symptoms, as well as rodent studies that have identified Cav1.2- and Cav1.3-specific molecular and cellular cascades that underlie mood (anxiety, depression), social behavior, cognition, and addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeeba D Kabir
- Pediatric Neurology, Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Weill Cornell Autism Research Program, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Arlene Martínez-Rivera
- Pediatric Neurology, Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Weill Cornell Autism Research Program, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Anjali M Rajadhyaksha
- Pediatric Neurology, Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
- Weill Cornell Autism Research Program, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
- Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
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Fischer DK, Rice RC, Martinez Rivera A, Donohoe M, Rajadhyaksha AM. Altered reward sensitivity in female offspring of cocaine-exposed fathers. Behav Brain Res 2017; 332:23-31. [PMID: 28552600 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2017.05.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2017] [Revised: 04/23/2017] [Accepted: 05/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Recent rodent studies have demonstrated that parental cocaine exposure can influence offspring behavior, supporting the idea that environmental insults can impact subsequent generations. However, studies on the effects of paternal cocaine exposure are limited and multiple inconsistencies exist. In the current study, we behaviorally characterize the effects of paternal cocaine exposure in a C57BL/6J intergenerational mouse model. Male sires were administered cocaine hydrochloride (20mg/kg) or saline (0.01mL/g) once a day for 75days, and bred with drug naïve females twenty-four hours after the final injection. Offspring, separated by sex, were tested in a battery of behaviors. We found that paternal cocaine exposure altered sensitivity to the rewarding and stimulant effects of psychostimulants and natural reward (sucrose) in female offspring; female cocaine-sired offspring showed blunted cocaine preference using cocaine conditioned place preference (CPP) at a low dose (5mg/kg), but displayed similar preference at a higher dose (10mg/kg) compared to saline-sired controls. Additionally, cocaine-sired female offspring exhibited higher psychomotor sensitivity to cocaine (10mg/kg) and amphetamine (2mg/kg) and consumed more sucrose. Cocaine-sired males exhibited increased psychomotor effects of cocaine and amphetamine. Male offspring also displayed an anxiety-like phenotype. No effect of paternal cocaine exposure was observed on depressive-like, learning and memory or social behavior in male or female offspring. Collectively, our findings show that paternal, chronic cocaine exposure induces intergenerational behavioral effects in male and female offspring with greatest impact on sensitivity to psychostimulants and sucrose in females.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Arlene Martinez Rivera
- Pediatric Neurology, Pediatrics, USA; Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Mary Donohoe
- Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA; Burke Medical Research Institute, White Plains, NY, USA; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Anjali M Rajadhyaksha
- Pediatric Neurology, Pediatrics, USA; Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA.
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Wang S, Stanika RI, Wang X, Hagen J, Kennedy MB, Obermair GJ, Colbran RJ, Lee A. Densin-180 Controls the Trafficking and Signaling of L-Type Voltage-Gated Ca v1.2 Ca 2+ Channels at Excitatory Synapses. J Neurosci 2017; 37:4679-91. [PMID: 28363979 DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2583-16.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2016] [Revised: 03/23/2017] [Accepted: 03/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Voltage-gated Cav1.2 and Cav1.3 (L-type) Ca2+ channels regulate neuronal excitability, synaptic plasticity, and learning and memory. Densin-180 (densin) is an excitatory synaptic protein that promotes Ca2+-dependent facilitation of voltage-gated Cav1.3 Ca2+ channels in transfected cells. Mice lacking densin (densin KO) exhibit defects in synaptic plasticity, spatial memory, and increased anxiety-related behaviors-phenotypes that more closely match those in mice lacking Cav1.2 than Cav1.3. Therefore, we investigated the functional impact of densin on Cav1.2. We report that densin is an essential regulator of Cav1.2 in neurons, but has distinct modulatory effects compared with its regulation of Cav1.3. Densin binds to the N-terminal domain of Cav1.2, but not that of Cav1.3, and increases Cav1.2 currents in transfected cells and in neurons. In transfected cells, densin accelerates the forward trafficking of Cav1.2 channels without affecting their endocytosis. Consistent with a role for densin in increasing the number of postsynaptic Cav1.2 channels, overexpression of densin increases the clustering of Cav1.2 in dendrites of hippocampal neurons in culture. Compared with wild-type mice, the cell surface levels of Cav1.2 in the brain, as well as Cav1.2 current density and signaling to the nucleus, are reduced in neurons from densin KO mice. We conclude that densin is an essential regulator of neuronal Cav1 channels and ensures efficient Cav1.2 Ca2+ signaling at excitatory synapses.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The number and localization of voltage-gated Cav Ca2+ channels are crucial determinants of neuronal excitability and synaptic transmission. We report that the protein densin-180 is highly enriched at excitatory synapses in the brain and enhances the cell surface trafficking and postsynaptic localization of Cav1.2 L-type Ca2+ channels in neurons. This interaction promotes coupling of Cav1.2 channels to activity-dependent gene transcription. Our results reveal a mechanism that may contribute to the roles of Cav1.2 in regulating cognition and mood.
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Roca-Lapirot O, Radwani H, Aby F, Nagy F, Landry M, Fossat P. Calcium signalling through L-type calcium channels: role in pathophysiology of spinal nociceptive transmission. Br J Pharmacol 2017; 175:2362-2374. [PMID: 28214378 DOI: 10.1111/bph.13747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2016] [Revised: 01/24/2017] [Accepted: 02/08/2017] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
L-type voltage-gated calcium channels are ubiquitous channels in the CNS. L-type calcium channels (LTCs) are mostly post-synaptic channels regulating neuronal firing and gene expression. They play a role in important physio-pathological processes such as learning and memory, Parkinson's disease, autism and, as recognized more recently, in the pathophysiology of pain processes. Classically, the fundamental role of these channels in cardiovascular functions has limited the use of classical molecules to treat LTC-dependent disorders. However, when applied locally in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord, the three families of LTC pharmacological blockers - dihydropyridines (nifedipine), phenylalkylamines (verapamil) and benzothiazepines (diltiazem) - proved effective in altering short-term sensitization to pain, inflammation-induced hyperexcitability and neuropathy-induced allodynia. Two subtypes of LTCs, Cav 1.2 and Cav 1.3, are expressed in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord, where Cav 1.2 channels are localized mostly in the soma and proximal dendritic shafts, and Cav 1.3 channels are more distally located in the somato-dendritic compartment. Together with their different kinetics and pharmacological properties, this spatial distribution contributes to their separate roles in shaping short- and long-term sensitization to pain. Cav 1.3 channels sustain the expression of plateau potentials, an input/output amplification phenomenon that contributes to short-term sensitization to pain such as prolonged after-discharges, dynamic receptive fields and windup. The Cav 1.2 channels support calcium influx that is crucial for the excitation-transcription coupling underlying nerve injury-induced dorsal horn hyperexcitability. These subtype-specific cellular mechanisms may have different consequences in the development and/or the maintenance of pathological pain. Recent progress in developing more specific compounds for each subunit will offer new opportunities to modulate LTCs for the treatment of pathological pain with reduced side-effects. LINKED ARTICLES This article is part of a themed section on Recent Advances in Targeting Ion Channels to Treat Chronic Pain. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v175.12/issuetoc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Roca-Lapirot
- Interdisciplinary Institute for Neuroscience (IINS, CNRS UMR 5297), University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux Cedex, France
| | - Houda Radwani
- Interdisciplinary Institute for Neuroscience (IINS, CNRS UMR 5297), University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux Cedex, France
| | - Franck Aby
- Interdisciplinary Institute for Neuroscience (IINS, CNRS UMR 5297), University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux Cedex, France
| | - Frédéric Nagy
- Interdisciplinary Institute for Neuroscience (IINS, CNRS UMR 5297), University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux Cedex, France
| | - Marc Landry
- Interdisciplinary Institute for Neuroscience (IINS, CNRS UMR 5297), University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux Cedex, France
| | - Pascal Fossat
- Interdisciplinary Institute for Neuroscience (IINS, CNRS UMR 5297), University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux Cedex, France
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Bavley CC, Fischer DK, Rizzo BK, Rajadhyaksha AM. Ca v1.2 channels mediate persistent chronic stress-induced behavioral deficits that are associated with prefrontal cortex activation of the p25/Cdk5-glucocorticoid receptor pathway. Neurobiol Stress 2017; 7:27-37. [PMID: 28289693 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2017.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2016] [Revised: 02/13/2017] [Accepted: 02/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic stress is known to precipitate and exacerbate neuropsychiatric symptoms, and exposure to stress is particularly pathological in individuals with certain genetic predispositions. Recent genome wide association studies have identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the gene CACNA1C, which codes for the Cav1.2 subunit of the L-type calcium channel (LTCC), as a common risk variant for multiple neuropsychiatric conditions. Cav1.2 channels mediate experience-dependent changes in gene expression and long-term synaptic plasticity through activation of downstream calcium signaling pathways. Previous studies have found an association between stress and altered Cav1.2 expression in the brain, however the contribution of Cav1.2 channels to chronic stress-induced behaviors, and the precise Cav1.2 signaling mechanisms activated are currently unknown. Here we report that chronic stress leads to a delayed increase in Cav1.2 expression selectively within the prefrontal cortex (PFC), but not in other stress-sensitive brain regions such as the hippocampus or amygdala. Further, we demonstrate that while Cav1.2 heterozygous (Cav1.2+/−) mice show chronic stress-induced depressive-like behavior, anxiety-like behavior, and deficits in working memory 1–2 days following stress, they are resilient to the effects of chronic stress when tested 5–7 days later. Lastly, molecular studies find a delayed upregulation of the p25/Cdk5-glucocorticoid receptor (GR) pathway in the PFC when examined 8 days post-stress that is absent in Cav1.2+/− mice. Our findings reveal a novel Cav1.2-mediated molecular mechanism associated with the persistent behavioral effects of chronic stress and provide new insight into potential Cav1.2 channel mechanisms that may contribute to CACNA1C-linked neuropsychiatric phenotypes.
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De Jesús-Cortés H, Rajadhyaksha AM, Pieper AA. Cacna1c: Protecting young hippocampal neurons in the adult brain. Neurogenesis (Austin) 2016; 3:e1231160. [PMID: 27900342 DOI: 10.1080/23262133.2016.1231160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2016] [Revised: 06/29/2016] [Accepted: 07/09/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Neuropsychiatric disease is the leading cause of disability in the United States, and fourth worldwide.1,2 Not surprisingly, human genetic studies have revealed a common genetic predisposition for many forms of neuropsychiatric disease, potentially explaining why overlapping symptoms are commonly observed across multiple diagnostic categories. For example, the CACNA1C gene was recently identified in the largest human genome-wide association study to date as a risk loci held in common across 5 major forms of neuropsychiatric disease: bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, major depressive disorder (MDD), autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder.3 This gene encodes for the Cav1.2 subunit of the L-type voltage-gated calcium channel (LTCC), accounting for 85% of LTCCs in the brain, while the Cav1.3 subunit comprises the remainder.4 In neurons, LTCCs mediate calcium influx in response to membrane depolarization,5 thereby regulating neurotransmission and gene expression. Here, we describe our recent finding that Cav1.2 also controls survival of young hippocampal neurons in the adult brain, which has been linked to the etiology and treatment of neuropsychiatric disease. We also describe the effective restoration of young hippocampal neuron survival in adult Cav1.2 forebrain-specific conditional knockout mice using the neuroprotective compound P7C3-A20.
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Affiliation(s)
- Héctor De Jesús-Cortés
- Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology , Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Anjali M Rajadhyaksha
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics and Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA; Weill Cornell Autism Research Program, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Andrew A Pieper
- Weill Cornell Autism Research Program, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Department of Neurology, Department of Free Radical and Radiation Biology Program, Department of Radiation Oncology Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USA; Department of Veteran Affairs, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USA
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Striessnig J, Ortner NJ, Pinggera A. Pharmacology of L-type Calcium Channels: Novel Drugs for Old Targets? Curr Mol Pharmacol 2016; 8:110-22. [PMID: 25966690 PMCID: PMC5384371 DOI: 10.2174/1874467208666150507105845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2014] [Revised: 02/10/2015] [Accepted: 04/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Inhibition of voltage-gated L-type calcium channels by organic calcium channel blockers is a well-established pharmacodynamic concept for the treatment of hypertension and cardiac ischemia. Since decades these antihypertensives (such as the dihydropyridines amlodipine, felodipine or nifedipine) belong to the most widely prescribed drugs
world-wide. Their tolerability is excellent because at therapeutic doses their pharmacological effects in humans are limited to the cardiovascular system. During the last years substantial progress has been made to reveal the physiological role of different L-type calcium channel isoforms in many other tissues, including the brain, endocrine and sensory cells.
Moreover, there is accumulating evidence about their involvement in various human diseases, such as Parkinson's disease, neuropsychiatric disorders and hyperaldosteronism. In this review we discuss the pathogenetic role of L-type calcium channels, potential new indications for existing or isoform-selective compounds and strategies to minimize potential side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jörg Striessnig
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy, Center for Molecular Biosciences, University of Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
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Kabir ZD, Lee AS, Rajadhyaksha AM. L-type Ca 2+ channels in mood, cognition and addiction: integrating human and rodent studies with a focus on behavioural endophenotypes. J Physiol 2016; 594:5823-5837. [PMID: 26913808 DOI: 10.1113/jp270673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2015] [Accepted: 11/28/2015] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain Cav 1.2 and Cav 1.3 L-type Ca2+ channels play key physiological roles in various neuronal processes that contribute to brain function. Genetic studies have recently identified CACNA1C as a candidate risk gene for bipolar disorder (BD), schizophrenia (SCZ), major depressive disorder (MDD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and CACNA1D for BD and ASD, suggesting a contribution of Cav 1.2 and Cav 1.3 Ca2+ signalling to the pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric disorders. Once considered sole clinical entities, it is now clear that BD, SCZ, MDD and ASD share common phenotypic features, most likely due to overlapping neurocircuitry and common molecular mechanisms. A major future challenge lies in translating the human genetic findings to pathological mechanisms that are translatable back to the patient. One approach for tackling such a daunting scientific endeavour for complex behaviour-based neuropsychiatric disorders is to examine intermediate biological phenotypes in the context of endophenotypes within distinct behavioural domains. This will better allow us to integrate findings from genes to behaviour across species, and improve the chances of translating preclinical findings to clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z D Kabir
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA.,Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA.,Weill Cornell Autism Research Program, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - A S Lee
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA.,Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA.,Weill Cornell Autism Research Program, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - A M Rajadhyaksha
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA. .,Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA. .,Weill Cornell Autism Research Program, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA.
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Lancaster TM, Foley S, Tansey KE, Linden DEJ, Caseras X. CACNA1C risk variant is associated with increased amygdala volume. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2016; 266:269-75. [PMID: 26048451 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-015-0609-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2015] [Accepted: 05/28/2015] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Genome-wide association studies suggest that genetic variation within L-type calcium channel subunits confer risk to psychosis. The single nucleotide polymorphism at rs1006737 in CACNA1C has been associated with both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder and with several intermediate phenotypes that may serve as neurobiological antecedents, linking psychosis to genetic aetiology. Amongst others, it has been implicated in alterations in amygdala structure and function. In the present study, we show that the risk allele (A) is associated with increased amygdala volume in healthy individuals (n = 258). This observation reinforces a hypothesis that genetic variation may confer risk to psychosis via alterations in limbic structures. Further study of CACNA1C using intermediate phenotypes for psychosis will determine the mechanisms by which variation in this gene confers risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- T M Lancaster
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cardiff, Wales, UK. .,Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre (CUBRIC), School of Psychology, Cardiff University, 70 Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, Wales, UK.
| | - S Foley
- Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre (CUBRIC), School of Psychology, Cardiff University, 70 Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, Wales, UK.,MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Institute of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, UK
| | - K E Tansey
- MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Institute of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, UK
| | - D E J Linden
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cardiff, Wales, UK.,Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre (CUBRIC), School of Psychology, Cardiff University, 70 Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, Wales, UK.,MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Institute of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, UK
| | - X Caseras
- Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre (CUBRIC), School of Psychology, Cardiff University, 70 Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, Wales, UK.,MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Institute of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, UK
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Lee AS, De Jesús-Cortés H, Kabir ZD, Knobbe W, Orr M, Burgdorf C, Huntington P, McDaniel L, Britt JK, Hoffmann F, Brat DJ, Rajadhyaksha AM, Pieper AA. The Neuropsychiatric Disease-Associated Gene cacna1c Mediates Survival of Young Hippocampal Neurons. eNeuro 2016; 3:ENEURO.0006-16.2016. [PMID: 27066530 PMCID: PMC4819284 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0006-16.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2016] [Revised: 02/12/2016] [Accepted: 03/09/2016] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetic variations in CACNA1C, which encodes the Cav1.2 subunit of L-type calcium channels (LTCCs), are associated with multiple forms of neuropsychiatric disease that manifest high anxiety in patients. In parallel, mice harboring forebrain-specific conditional knockout of cacna1c (forebrain-Cav1.2 cKO) display unusually high anxiety-like behavior. LTCCs in general, including the Cav1.3 subunit, have been shown to mediate differentiation of neural precursor cells (NPCs). However, it has not previously been determined whether Cav1.2 affects postnatal hippocampal neurogenesis in vivo. Here, we show that forebrain-Cav1.2 cKO mice exhibit enhanced cell death of young hippocampal neurons, with no change in NPC proliferation, hippocampal size, dentate gyrus thickness, or corticosterone levels compared with wild-type littermates. These mice also exhibit deficits in brain levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and Cre recombinase-mediated knockdown of adult hippocampal Cav1.2 recapitulates the deficit in young hippocampal neurons survival. Treatment of forebrain-Cav1.2 cKO mice with the neuroprotective agent P7C3-A20 restored the net magnitude of postnatal hippocampal neurogenesis to wild-type levels without ameliorating their deficit in BDNF expression. The role of Cav1.2 in young hippocampal neurons survival may provide new approaches for understanding and treating neuropsychiatric disease associated with aberrations in CACNA1C. Visual Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anni S. Lee
- Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, New York 10065
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, New York 10065
| | - Héctor De Jesús-Cortés
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa 52242
| | - Zeeba D. Kabir
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, New York 10065
| | - Whitney Knobbe
- Department of Psychiatry, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390
| | - Madeline Orr
- Department of Psychiatry, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390
| | - Caitlin Burgdorf
- Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, New York 10065
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, New York 10065
| | - Paula Huntington
- Department of Psychiatry, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390
| | - Latisha McDaniel
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa 52242
| | - Jeremiah K. Britt
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa 52242
| | - Franz Hoffmann
- Institute of Pharmacology, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
- Research Group 923, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Daniel J. Brat
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30322
| | - Anjali M. Rajadhyaksha
- Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, New York 10065
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, New York 10065
- Weill Cornell Autism Research Program, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York 10065
| | - Andrew A. Pieper
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa 52242
- Weill Cornell Autism Research Program, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York 10065
- Department of Neurology, University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa 52242
- Department of Free Radical and Radiation Biology Program, Department of Radiation Oncology Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa 52242
- Department of Veteran Affairs, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa 52242
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