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Shen G, Chen L, Liu Y, Zhu Q, Kang Y, Luo X, Wang F, Wang W. ANK3 rs10994336 and ZNF804A rs7597593 polymorphisms: genetic interaction for emotional and behavioral symptoms of alcohol withdrawal syndrome. BMC Psychiatry 2024; 24:335. [PMID: 38702695 PMCID: PMC11067186 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-024-05787-z] [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] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) is a complex condition associated with alcohol use disorder (AUD), characterized by significant variations in symptom severity among patients. The psychological and emotional symptoms accompanying AWS significantly contribute to withdrawal distress and relapse risk. Despite the importance of neural adaptation processes in AWS, limited genetic investigations have been conducted. This study primarily focuses on exploring the single and interaction effects of single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the ANK3 and ZNF804A genes on anxiety and aggression severity manifested in AWS. By examining genetic associations with withdrawal-related psychopathology, we ultimately aim to advance understanding the genetic underpinnings that modulate AWS severity. METHODS The study involved 449 male patients diagnosed with alcohol use disorder. The Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BPAQ) were used to assess emotional and behavioral symptoms related to AWS. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood, and genotyping was performed using PCR. RESULTS Single-gene analysis revealed that naturally occurring allelic variants in ANK3 rs10994336 (CC homozygous vs. T allele carriers) were associated with mood and behavioral symptoms related to AWS. Furthermore, the interaction between ANK3 and ZNF804A was significantly associated with the severity of psychiatric symptoms related to AWS, as indicated by MANOVA. Two-way ANOVA further demonstrated a significant interaction effect between ANK3 rs10994336 and ZNF804A rs7597593 on anxiety, physical aggression, verbal aggression, anger, and hostility. Hierarchical regression analyses confirmed these findings. Additionally, simple effects analysis and multiple comparisons revealed that carriers of the ANK3 rs10994336 T allele experienced more severe AWS, while the ZNF804A rs7597593 T allele appeared to provide protection against the risk associated with the ANK3 rs10994336 mutation. CONCLUSION This study highlights the gene-gene interaction between ANK3 and ZNF804A, which plays a crucial role in modulating emotional and behavioral symptoms related to AWS. The ANK3 rs10994336 T allele is identified as a risk allele, while the ZNF804A rs7597593 T allele offers protection against the risk associated with the ANK3 rs10994336 mutation. These findings provide initial support for gene-gene interactions as an explanation for psychiatric risk, offering valuable insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in AWS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanghui Shen
- Key Laboratory of Psychoneuroendocrinology, Wenzhou Seventh People's Hospital, Wenzhou, 325006, China
- School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Li Chen
- School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Yanlong Liu
- School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Qi Zhu
- School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Yimin Kang
- Psychosomatic Medicine Research Division, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
| | - Xinguang Luo
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA.
| | - Fan Wang
- Beijing Hui-Long-Guan Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China.
| | - Wei Wang
- School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China.
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Affiliated Wenzhou Kangning Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.
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Rahman MT, Chaminda Lakmal HH, Hussain J, Jin C. Targeting the relaxin-3/RXFP3 system: a patent review for the last two decades. Expert Opin Ther Pat 2024; 34:71-81. [PMID: 38573177 PMCID: PMC11027024 DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2024.2338099] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The neuropeptide relaxin-3/RXFP3 system belongs to the relaxin/insulin superfamily and is involved in many important physiological processes, such as stress responses, appetite control, and motivation for reward. Although relaxin-3 is the endogenous agonist for RXFP3, it can also bind to and activate RXFP1 and RXFP4. Consequently, research has been focused on the development of RXFP3-specific peptides and small-molecule ligands to validate the relaxin-3/RXFP3 system as a novel drug target. AREAS COVERED This review provides an overview of patents on the relaxin-3/RXFP3 system covering ligand development and pharmacological studies since 2003. Related patents and literature reports were obtained from established sources including SciFinder, Google Patents, and Espacenet for patents and SciFinder, PubMed, and Google Scholar for literature reports. EXPERT OPINION There has been an increasing amount of patent activities around relaxin-3/RXFP3, highlighting the importance of this novel neuropeptide system for drug discovery. The development of relaxin-3 derived peptides and small-molecule modulators, as well as behavioral studies in rodents, have shown that the relaxin-3/RXFP3 system is a promising drug target for treating various metabolic and neuropsychiatric diseases including obesity, anxiety, and alcohol addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Toufiqur Rahman
- Center for Drug Discovery, Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | | | - Javeena Hussain
- Center for Drug Discovery, Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Chunyang Jin
- Center for Drug Discovery, Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
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Van Voorhies KJ, Liu W, Lovelock DF, Lin S, Liu J, Guan D, Gay EA, Jin C, Besheer J. Novel RXFP3 negative allosteric modulator RLX-33 reduces alcohol self-administration in rats. J Neurochem 2023; 167:204-217. [PMID: 37674350 PMCID: PMC10592109 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15949] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
There is much interest in identifying novel pharmacotherapeutic targets that improve clinical outcomes for the treatment of alcohol use disorder (AUD). One promising target for therapeutic intervention is the relaxin family peptide 3 (RXFP3) receptor, a cognate receptor for neuropeptide relaxin-3, which has previously been implicated in regulating alcohol drinking behavior. Recently, we developed the first small-molecule RXFP3-selective negative allosteric modulator (NAM) RLX-33. Therefore, the goal of the present work was to characterize the impact of this novel NAM on affective-related behaviors and alcohol self-administration in rats. First, the effects of RLX-33 were tested on alcohol and sucrose self-administration in Wistar and alcohol-preferring P rats to determine the dose-response profile and specificity for alcohol. Then, we assessed the effects of systemic RLX-33 injection in Wistar rats in a battery of behavioral assays (open-field test, elevated zero maze, acoustic startle response test, and prepulse inhibition) and tested for alcohol clearance. We found that the lowest effective dose (5 mg/kg) reduced alcohol self-administration in both male and female Wistar rats, while in alcohol-preferring P rats, this effect was restricted to males, and there were no effects on sucrose self-administration or general locomotor activity. The characterization of affective and metabolic effects in Wistar rats generally found few locomotor, affective, or alcohol clearance changes, particularly at the 5 mg/kg dose. Overall, these findings are promising and suggest that RXFP3 NAM has potential as a pharmacological target for treating AUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kalynn J. Van Voorhies
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Wen Liu
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Dennis F. Lovelock
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Sophia Lin
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Jiaqi Liu
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Dongliang Guan
- Center for Drug Discovery, Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, United States
| | - Elaine A. Gay
- Center for Drug Discovery, Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, United States
| | - Chunyang Jin
- Center for Drug Discovery, Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, United States
| | - Joyce Besheer
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
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Shen G, Yang S, Wu L, Chen Y, Hu Y, Zhou F, Wang W, Liu P, Wu F, Liu Y, Wang F, Chen L. The oxytocin receptor rs2254298 polymorphism and alcohol withdrawal symptoms: a gene-environment interaction in mood disorders. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1085429. [PMID: 37520225 PMCID: PMC10380931 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1085429] [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] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a common mental disorder characterized by repeated withdrawal episodes. Negative emotions during withdrawal are the primary factors affecting successful abstinence. Oxytocin is a critical modulator of emotions. OXTR, the oxytocin receptor, may also be a promising candidate for treating alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Previous studies indicated that people with different genotypes of OXTR rs2254298 were reported to suffer from more significant depressive or heightened anxiety symptoms when experiencing early adversity. The present study aims to explore the modulatory role of the polymorphism OXTR rs2254298 on mood disorders during alcohol withdrawal and to help researchers better understand and develop effective relapse prevention and interventions for alcohol use disorders. Methods We recruited 265 adult Chinese Han men with AUD. Anxiety and depressive symptoms were measured using the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale and Self-Rating Depression Scale. Alcohol dependence levels were measured using Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test. Genomic DNA extraction and genotyping from participants' peripheral blood samples. Result First, a multiple linear regression was used to set the alcohol dependence level, OXTR.rs2254298, interaction terms as the primary predictor variable, and depression or anxiety as an outcome; age and educational years were covariates. There was a significant interaction between OXTR rs2254298 and alcohol dependence level on anxiety (B = 0.23, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.01-0.45) but not on depression (B = -0.06, 95% CI: -0.30 - 0.18). The significance region test showed that alcohol-dependent men who are GG homozygous were more likely to experience anxiety symptoms than subjects with the A allele (A allele: β = 0.27, p < 0.001; GG homozygote: β = 0.50, p < 0.001). Finally, re-parameterized regression analysis demonstrated that this gene-environment interaction of OXTR rs2254298 and alcohol dependence on anxiety fits the weak differential susceptibility model (R2 = 0.17, F (5,259) = 13.46, p < 0.001). Conclusion This study reveals a gene-environment interactive effect between OXTR rs2254298 and alcohol withdrawal on anxiety but not depression. From the perspective of gene-environment interactions, this interaction fits the differential susceptibility model; OXTR rs2254298 GG homozygote carriers are susceptible to the environment and are likely to experience anxiety symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanghui Shen
- Wenzhou Seventh People’s Hospital, Wenzhou, China
- School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Shizhuo Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Liujun Wu
- School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
- Applied Psychology (Ningbo) Research Center, Wenzhou Medical University, Ningbo, China
- Cixi Biomedical Research Institute, Wenzhou Medical University, Ningbo, China
| | - Yingjie Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
- Cixi Biomedical Research Institute, Wenzhou Medical University, Ningbo, China
| | - Yueling Hu
- School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Fan Zhou
- Department of Pediatrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Wei Wang
- School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Peining Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Fenzan Wu
- School of Pharmacy, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
- Laboratory of Translational Medicine, Affiliated Cixi Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Ningbo, China
| | - Yanlong Liu
- School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Fan Wang
- Beijing Hui-Long-Guan Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Psychosomatic Medicine, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Li Chen
- School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Affiliated Wenzhou Kangning Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
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Curley DE, Vasaturo-Kolodner TR, Cannella N, Ciccocioppo R, Haass-Koffler CL. Yohimbine as a pharmacological probe for alcohol research: a systematic review of rodent and human studies. Neuropsychopharmacology 2022; 47:2111-2122. [PMID: 35760866 PMCID: PMC9556614 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-022-01363-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a significant public health concern, contributing to a myriad of social, psychological, and physiological issues. Despite substantial efforts within the alcohol research field, promising preclinical findings have failed to translate to clinical use, highlighting the necessity to develop safe and effective pharmacological probes with the ability to be used in preclinical and clinical research. Yohimbine, an α2 adrenergic receptor antagonist, is a well-validated pharmacological tool that has been widely employed in alcohol studies to evaluate noradrenergic activation. This scoping systematic review examines published literature in rodent and human studies involving the use of yohimbine relevant to alcohol research. We conducted a systematic literature review of MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science Core Collection, CINAHL, PsycInfo, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials to identify: (1) Experimental Characteristics and Methodology, (2) Sex Differences, (3) Neurochemical Systems and Brain Regions, and (4) Discussion of Applications for Medication Development. Sixty-seven (62 preclinical and 5 clinical) studies were identified meeting the stated criteria, comprising extensive evidence supporting the use of yohimbine as a safe, titratable pharmacological agent for translational alcohol research. Support for the use of yohimbine as a fully translational tool, however, is hindered by limited available findings from human laboratory studies, as well as a dearth of studies examining sex differences in yohimbine's mechanistic actions. Additional consideration should be given to further translational modeling, ideally allowing for parallel preclinical and clinical assessment of yohimbine, methodological assessment of neurochemical systems and brain regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dallece E Curley
- Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Department of Neuroscience, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Talia R Vasaturo-Kolodner
- Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Nazzareno Cannella
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Roberto Ciccocioppo
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Carolina L Haass-Koffler
- Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.
- Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.
- Carney Institute for Brain Science, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.
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Walker LC, Campbell EJ, Huckstep KL, Chen NA, Langmead CJ, Lawrence AJ. M 1 muscarinic receptor activation decreases alcohol consumption via a reduction in consummatory behavior. Pharmacol Res Perspect 2021; 10:e00907. [PMID: 34962108 PMCID: PMC8929368 DOI: 10.1002/prp2.907] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) have been shown to mediate alcohol consumption and seeking. Both M4 and M5 mAChRs have been highlighted as potential novel treatment targets for alcohol use disorders (AUD). Similarly, M1 mAChRs are expressed throughout reward circuitry, and their signaling has been implicated in cocaine consumption. However, whether the same effects are seen for alcohol consumption, or whether natural reward intake is inadvertently impacted is still unknown. To determine the role of M1 mAChRs in alcohol consumption, we tested operant self-administration of alcohol under both fixed ratio (FR3) and progressive ratio (PR3-4) schedules. Enhancing M1 mAChR signaling (via the M1 PAM-Agonist PF-06767832, 1 mg/kg, i.p.) reduced operant alcohol consumption on a fixed schedule but had no effect on motivation to acquire alcohol. To determine whether these actions were specific to alcohol, we examined the effects of M1 enhancement on natural reward (sucrose) self-administration. Systemic administration of PF-06767832 (1 mg/kg, i.p.) also reduced operant sucrose self-administration, suggesting the actions of the M1 receptor may be non-selective across drug and natural rewards. Finally, to understand whether this reduction extended to natural consummatory behaviors, we assessed home cage standard chow and water consumption. M1 enhancement via systemic PF-06767832 administration reduced food and water consumption. Together our results suggest the M1 PAM-agonist, PF-06767832, non-specifically reduces consummatory behaviors that are not associated with motivational strength for the reward. These data highlight the need to further characterize M1 agonists, PAMs, and PAM-agonists, which may have varying degrees of utility in the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders including AUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leigh C. Walker
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental HealthParkvilleAustralia
- Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental HealthUniversity of MelbourneParkvilleAustralia
| | - Erin J. Campbell
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental HealthParkvilleAustralia
- Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental HealthUniversity of MelbourneParkvilleAustralia
| | - Kate L. Huckstep
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental HealthParkvilleAustralia
- Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental HealthUniversity of MelbourneParkvilleAustralia
| | - Nicola A. Chen
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental HealthParkvilleAustralia
- Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental HealthUniversity of MelbourneParkvilleAustralia
| | - Christopher J. Langmead
- Drug Discovery BiologyMonash Institute of Pharmaceutical SciencesMonash UniversityParkvilleVictoriaAustralia
| | - Andrew J. Lawrence
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental HealthParkvilleAustralia
- Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental HealthUniversity of MelbourneParkvilleAustralia
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Wong WLE, Dawe GS, Young AH. The putative role of the relaxin-3/RXFP3 system in clinical depression and anxiety: A systematic literature review. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 131:429-450. [PMID: 34537263 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.09.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [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: 04/22/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The relaxin-3/RXFP3 system is one of several neuropeptidergic systems putatively implicated in regulating the behavioural alterations that characterise clinical depression and anxiety, making it a potential target for clinical translation. Accordingly, this systematic review identified published reports on the role of relaxin-3/RXFP3 signalling in these neuropsychiatric disorders and their behavioural endophenotypes, evaluating evidence from animal and human studies to ascertain any relationship. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO and Google Scholar databases up to February 2021, finding 609 relevant records. After stringent screening, 51 of these studies were included in the final synthesis. There was considerable heterogeneity in study designs and some inconsistency across study outcomes. However, experimental evidence is consistent with an ability of relaxin-3/RXFP3 signalling to promote arousal and suppress depressive- and anxiety-like behaviour. Moreover, meta-analyses of six to eight articles investigating food intake revealed that acute RXFP3 activation had strong orexigenic effects in rats. This appraisal also identified the lack of high-quality clinical studies pertinent to the relaxin-3/RXFP3 system, a gap that future research should attempt to bridge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Win Lee Edwin Wong
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Gavin Stewart Dawe
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Neurobiology and Ageing Programme, Life Sciences Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Allan H Young
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom; South London & Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Bethlem Royal Hospital, Monks Orchard Road, London, United Kingdom
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Walker LC, Huckstep KL, Chen NA, Hand LJ, Lindsley CW, Langmead CJ, Lawrence AJ. Muscarinic M 4 and M 5 receptors in the ventral subiculum differentially modulate alcohol seeking versus consumption in male alcohol-preferring rats. Br J Pharmacol 2021; 178:3730-3746. [PMID: 33942300 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 04/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors mediate alcohol consumption and seeking in rats. While M4 and M5 receptors have recently been implicated to mediate these behaviours in the striatum, their role in other brain regions remain unknown. The ventral tegmental area (VTA) and ventral subiculum (vSub) both densely express M4 and M5 receptors and modulate alcohol-seeking, via their projections to the nucleus accumbens shell (AcbSh). EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH In Indiana alcohol-preferring (iP) male rats, we examined Chrm4 (M4 ) and Chrm5 (M5 ) expression in the VTA and vSub following long-term alcohol consumption and abstinence using RT-qPCR. Using a combination of retrograde tracing and RNAscope, we examined the localisation of Chrm4 and Chrm5 on vSub cells that project to the AcbSh. Using selective allosteric modulators, we examined the functional role of M4 and M5 receptors within the vSub in alcohol consumption, context-induced alcohol-seeking, locomotor activity, and food/water consumption. KEY RESULTS Long-term alcohol and abstinence dysregulated the expression of genes for muscarinic receptors in the vSub, not in the VTA. Chrm4 was down-regulated following long-term alcohol and abstinence, while Chrm5 was up-regulated following long-term alcohol consumption. Consistent with these data, a positive allosteric modulator (VU0467154) of intra-vSub M4 receptors reduced context-induced alcohol-seeking, but not motivation for alcohol self-administration, while M5 receptor negative allosteric modulator (ML375) reduced initial motivation for alcohol self-administration, but not context-induced alcohol-seeking. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS Collectively, our data highlight alcohol-induced cholinergic dysregulation in the vSub and distinct roles for M4 and M5 receptor allosteric modulators to reduce alcohol consumption or seeking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leigh C Walker
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kate L Huckstep
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nicola A Chen
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lexi J Hand
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Craig W Lindsley
- Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Christopher J Langmead
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Andrew J Lawrence
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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Domi E, Domi A, Adermark L, Heilig M, Augier E. Neurobiology of alcohol seeking behavior. J Neurochem 2021; 157:1585-1614. [PMID: 33704789 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2020] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol addiction is a chronic relapsing brain disease characterized by an impaired ability to stop or control alcohol use despite adverse consequences. A main challenge of addiction treatment is to prevent relapse, which occurs in more than >50% of newly abstinent patients with alcohol disorder within 3 months. In people suffering from alcohol addiction, stressful events, drug-associated cues and contexts, or re-exposure to a small amount of alcohol trigger a chain of behaviors that frequently culminates in relapse. In this review, we first present the preclinical models that were developed for the study of alcohol seeking behavior, namely the reinstatement model of alcohol relapse and compulsive alcohol seeking under a chained schedule of reinforcement. We then provide an overview of the neurobiological findings obtained using these animal models, focusing on the role of opioids systems, corticotropin-release hormone and neurokinins, followed by dopaminergic, glutamatergic, and GABAergic neurotransmissions in alcohol seeking behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esi Domi
- Center for Social and Affective Neuroscience, BKV, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Ana Domi
- Addiction Biology Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Louise Adermark
- Addiction Biology Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Markus Heilig
- Center for Social and Affective Neuroscience, BKV, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Eric Augier
- Center for Social and Affective Neuroscience, BKV, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
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Walker LC. A balancing act: the role of pro- and anti-stress peptides within the central amygdala in anxiety and alcohol use disorders. J Neurochem 2021; 157:1615-1643. [PMID: 33450069 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) is widely implicated as a structure that integrates both appetitive and aversive stimuli. While intrinsic CeA microcircuits primarily consist of GABAergic neurons that regulate amygdala output, a notable feature of the CeA is the heterogeneity of neuropeptides and neuropeptide/neuromodulator receptors that it expresses. There is growing interest in the role of the CeA in mediating psychopathologies, including stress and anxiety states and their interactions with alcohol use disorders. Within the CeA, neuropeptides and neuromodulators often exert pro- or anti- stress actions, which can influence anxiety and alcohol associated behaviours. In turn, alcohol use can cause adaptions within the CeA, which may render an individual more vulnerable to stress which is a major trigger of relapse to alcohol seeking. This review examines the neurocircuitry, neurochemical phenotypes and how pro- and anti-stress peptide systems act within the CeA to regulate anxiety and alcohol seeking, focusing on preclinical observations from animal models. Furthermore, literature exploring the targeting of genetically defined populations or neuronal ensembles and the role of the CeA in mediating sex differences in stress x alcohol interactions are explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leigh C Walker
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Vic, Australia.,Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic, Australia
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Walker LC, Hand LJ, Letherby B, Huckstep KL, Campbell EJ, Lawrence AJ. Cocaine and amphetamine regulated transcript (CART) signalling in the central nucleus of the amygdala modulates stress-induced alcohol seeking. Neuropsychopharmacology 2021; 46:325-333. [PMID: 32826981 PMCID: PMC7852518 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-020-00807-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Revised: 07/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) is a key hub of the neural circuitry regulating alcohol and stress interactions. However, the exact neuronal populations that govern this interaction are not well defined. Here we examined the role of the neuropeptide cocaine and amphetamine regulated transcript (CART) within the CeA in stress-induced alcohol seeking. We found that CART-containing neurons are predominantly expressed in the capsular/lateral division of the CeA and are a subpopulation of protein kinase Cδ (PKCδ) cells, distinct from corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF)-expressing cells. Both stress (yohimbine) and stress-induced alcohol seeking activated CART cells within the CeA, while neutralisation of endogenous CeA CART signalling (via antibody administration) attenuated stress-induced alcohol, but not sucrose seeking. Further, blocking CART signalling within the CeA did not alter the motivation to obtain and consume alcohol but did attenuate stressor-induced anxiety-like behaviour during abstinence from alcohol. Together, these data identify CeA CART cells as a subpopulation of PKCδ cells that influence stress × alcohol interactions and mediate stress-induced alcohol seeking behaviours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leigh C. Walker
- grid.418025.a0000 0004 0606 5526Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC 3052 Australia ,grid.1008.90000 0001 2179 088XFlorey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3052 Australia
| | - Lexi J. Hand
- grid.418025.a0000 0004 0606 5526Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC 3052 Australia ,grid.1008.90000 0001 2179 088XFlorey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3052 Australia
| | - Bethany Letherby
- grid.418025.a0000 0004 0606 5526Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC 3052 Australia ,grid.1008.90000 0001 2179 088XFlorey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3052 Australia
| | - Kate L. Huckstep
- grid.418025.a0000 0004 0606 5526Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC 3052 Australia ,grid.1008.90000 0001 2179 088XFlorey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3052 Australia
| | - Erin J. Campbell
- grid.418025.a0000 0004 0606 5526Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC 3052 Australia ,grid.1008.90000 0001 2179 088XFlorey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3052 Australia
| | - Andrew J. Lawrence
- grid.418025.a0000 0004 0606 5526Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC 3052 Australia ,grid.1008.90000 0001 2179 088XFlorey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3052 Australia
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12
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Walker LC, Berizzi AE, Chen NA, Rueda P, Perreau VM, Huckstep K, Srisontiyakul J, Govitrapong P, Xiaojian J, Lindsley CW, Jones CK, Riddy DM, Christopoulos A, Langmead CJ, Lawrence AJ. Acetylcholine Muscarinic M 4 Receptors as a Therapeutic Target for Alcohol Use Disorder: Converging Evidence From Humans and Rodents. Biol Psychiatry 2020; 88:898-909. [PMID: 32331824 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2020.02.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [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: 11/15/2019] [Revised: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a major socioeconomic burden on society, and current pharmacotherapeutic treatment options are inadequate. Aberrant alcohol use and seeking alters frontostriatal function. METHODS We performed genome-wide RNA sequencing and subsequent quantitative polymerase chain reaction and receptor binding validation in the caudate-putamen of human AUD samples to identify potential therapeutic targets. We then back-translated our top candidate targets into a rodent model of long-term alcohol consumption to assess concordance of molecular adaptations in the rat striatum. Finally, we adopted rat behavioral models of alcohol intake and seeking to validate a potential therapeutic target. RESULTS We found that G protein-coupled receptors were the top canonical pathway differentially regulated in individuals with AUD. The M4 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) was downregulated at the gene and protein levels in the putamen, but not in the caudate, of AUD samples. We found concordant downregulation of the M4 mAChR, specifically on dopamine D1 receptor-expressing medium spiny neurons in the rat dorsolateral striatum. Systemic administration of the selective M4 mAChR positive allosteric modulator, VU0467154, reduced home cage and operant alcohol self-administration, motivation to obtain alcohol, and cue-induced reinstatement of alcohol seeking in rats. Local microinjections of VU0467154 in the rat dorsolateral striatum reduced alcohol self-administration and cue-induced reinstatement of alcohol seeking. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, these results identify the M4 mAChR as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of AUD and the D1 receptor-positive medium spiny neurons in the dorsolateral striatum as a key site mediating the actions of M4 mAChR in relation to alcohol consumption and seeking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leigh C Walker
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Alice E Berizzi
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nicola A Chen
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Patricia Rueda
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Victoria M Perreau
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Katherine Huckstep
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jirawoot Srisontiyakul
- Research Center for Neuroscience, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Salaya, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
| | - Piyarat Govitrapong
- Research Center for Neuroscience, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Salaya, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
| | - Jia Xiaojian
- Shenzhen Kangning Hospital, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China; Shenzhen Mental Health Center, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Craig W Lindsley
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience and Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee; Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience and Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Carrie K Jones
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience and Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee; Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience and Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Darren M Riddy
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Arthur Christopoulos
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Christopher J Langmead
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Andrew J Lawrence
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
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Tabbara RI, Rahbarnia A, Lê AD, Fletcher PJ. The pharmacological stressor yohimbine, but not U50,488, increases responding for conditioned reinforcers paired with ethanol or sucrose. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2020; 237:3689-3702. [PMID: 32840668 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-020-05647-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Environmental stimuli paired with alcohol can function as conditioned reinforcers (CRfs) and trigger relapse to alcohol-seeking. In animal models, pharmacological stressors can enhance alcohol consumption and reinstate alcohol-seeking, but it is unknown whether stress can potentiate the conditioned reinforcing properties of alcohol-paired stimuli. OBJECTIVES We examined whether the pharmacological stressors, the α-2 adrenoreceptor antagonist yohimbine (vehicle, 1.25, 2.5 mg/kg; IP) and the K-opioid receptor agonist U50,488 (vehicle, 1.25, 2.5 mg/kg; SC), increase responding for conditioned reinforcement, and if their effects interact with the nature of the reward (alcohol vs. sucrose). We subsequently examined the effects of yohimbine (vehicle, 1.25, 2.5 mg/kg; IP) on responding for sensory reinforcement. METHODS Male Long-Evans underwent Pavlovian conditioning, wherein a tone-light conditioned stimulus (CS) was repeatedly paired with 12% EtOH or 21.7% sucrose. Next, tests of responding for a CRf were conducted. Responding on the CRf lever delivered the CS, whereas responding on the other lever had no consequences. In a separate cohort of rats, the effects of yohimbine on responding just for the sensory reinforcer were examined. RESULTS Both doses of yohimbine, but not U50,488, increased responding for conditioned reinforcement. This enhancement occurred independently of the nature of the reward used during Pavlovian conditioning. Yohimbine-enhanced responding for a CRf was reproducible and stable over five tests; it even persisted when the CS was omitted. Both doses of yohimbine also increased responding for sensory reinforcement. CONCLUSIONS Yohimbine increases operant responding for a variety of sensory and conditioned reinforcers. This enhancement may be independent of its stress-like effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rayane I Tabbara
- Section of Biopsychology, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada. .,Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - Arya Rahbarnia
- Section of Biopsychology, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Anh D Lê
- Neurobiology of Alcohol Laboratory, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Paul J Fletcher
- Section of Biopsychology, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Lee HS, Wang SH, Daniel JT, Hossain MA, Clark RJ, Bathgate RAD, Rosengren KJ. Exploring the Use of Helicogenic Amino Acids for Optimising Single Chain Relaxin-3 Peptide Agonists. Biomedicines 2020; 8:biomedicines8100415. [PMID: 33066369 PMCID: PMC7602263 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines8100415] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Revised: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Relaxin-3 is a highly conserved two-chain neuropeptide that acts through its endogenous receptor the Relaxin Family Peptide-3 (RXFP3) receptor. The ligand/receptor system is known to modulate several physiological processes, with changes in food intake and anxiety-levels the most well studied in rodent models. Agonist and antagonist analogues based on the native two-chain peptide are costly to synthesise and not ideal drug leads. Since RXFP3 interacting residues are found in the relaxin B-chain only, this has been the focus of analogue development. The B-chain is unstructured without the A-chain support, but in single-chain variants structure can be induced by dicarba-based helical stapling strategies. Here we investigated whether alternative helical inducing strategies also can enhance structure and activity at RXFP3. Combinations of the helix inducing α-aminoisobutyric acid (Aib) were incorporated into the sequence of the relaxin-3 B-chain. Aib residues at positions 13, 17 and 18 partially reintroduce helicity and activity of the relaxin-3 B-chain, but other positions are generally not suited for modifications. We identify Thr21 as a putative new receptor contact residue important for RXFP3 binding. Cysteine residues were also incorporated into the sequence and cross-linked with dichloroacetone or α, α'-dibromo-m-xylene. However, in contrast to previously reported dicarba variants, neither were found to promote structure and RXFP3 activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Siean Lee
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; (H.S.L.); (S.H.W.); (J.T.D.); (R.J.C.)
| | - Shu Hui Wang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; (H.S.L.); (S.H.W.); (J.T.D.); (R.J.C.)
| | - James T. Daniel
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; (H.S.L.); (S.H.W.); (J.T.D.); (R.J.C.)
| | - Mohammed Akhter Hossain
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia; (M.A.H.); (R.A.D.B.)
- School of Chemistry, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Richard J. Clark
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; (H.S.L.); (S.H.W.); (J.T.D.); (R.J.C.)
| | - Ross A. D. Bathgate
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia; (M.A.H.); (R.A.D.B.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - K. Johan Rosengren
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; (H.S.L.); (S.H.W.); (J.T.D.); (R.J.C.)
- Correspondence:
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Genders SG, Scheller KJ, Djouma E. Neuropeptide modulation of addiction: Focus on galanin. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 110:133-149. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.06.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2018] [Revised: 06/07/2018] [Accepted: 06/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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16
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Walker LC, Kastman HE, Lawrence AJ. Pattern of neural activation following yohimbine‐induced reinstatement of alcohol seeking in rats. Eur J Neurosci 2020; 51:706-720. [DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2019] [Revised: 03/25/2019] [Accepted: 04/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Leigh C. Walker
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health Parkville Victoria Australia
- Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health The University of Melbourne Melbourne Victoria Australia
| | - Hanna E. Kastman
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health Parkville Victoria Australia
| | - Andrew J. Lawrence
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health Parkville Victoria Australia
- Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health The University of Melbourne Melbourne Victoria Australia
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Ch'ng SS, Fu J, Brown RM, Smith CM, Hossain MA, McDougall SJ, Lawrence AJ. Characterization of the relaxin family peptide receptor 3 system in the mouse bed nucleus of the stria terminalis. J Comp Neurol 2019; 527:2615-2633. [PMID: 30947365 DOI: 10.1002/cne.24695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2018] [Revised: 03/19/2019] [Accepted: 03/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) is a critical node involved in stress and reward-related behaviors. Relaxin family peptide receptor 3 (RXFP3) signaling in the BNST has been implicated in stress-induced alcohol seeking behavior. However, the neurochemical phenotype and connectivity of BNST RXFP3-expressing (RXFP3+) cells have yet to be elucidated. We interrogated the molecular signature and electrophysiological properties of BNST RXFP3+ neurons using a RXFP3-Cre reporter mouse line. BNST RXFP3+ cells are circumscribed to the dorsal BNST (dBNST) and are neurochemically heterogeneous, comprising a mix of inhibitory and excitatory neurons. Immunohistochemistry revealed that ~48% of BNST RXFP3+ neurons are GABAergic, and a quarter of these co-express the calcium-binding protein, calbindin. A subset of BNST RXFP3+ cells (~41%) co-express CaMKIIα, suggesting this subpopulation of BNST RXFP3+ neurons are excitatory. Corroborating this, RNAscope® revealed that ~35% of BNST RXFP3+ cells express vVGluT2 mRNA, indicating a subpopulation of RXFP3+ neurons are glutamatergic. RXFP3+ neurons show direct hyperpolarization to bath application of a selective RXFP3 agonist, RXFP3-A2, while around 50% of cells were depolarised by exogenous corticotrophin releasing factor. In behaviorally naive mice the majority of RXFP3+ neurons were Type II cells exhibiting Ih and T type calcium mediated currents. However, chronic swim stress caused persistent plasticity, decreasing the proportion of neurons that express these channels. These studies are the first to characterize the BNST RXFP3 system in mouse and lay the foundation for future functional studies appraising the role of the murine BNST RXFP3 system in more complex behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah S Ch'ng
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jingjing Fu
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Robyn M Brown
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Craig M Smith
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Stuart J McDougall
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Andrew J Lawrence
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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Walker LC, Cornish LC, Lawrence AJ, Campbell EJ. The effect of acute or repeated stress on the corticotropin releasing factor system in the CRH-IRES-Cre mouse: A validation study. Neuropharmacology 2018; 154:96-106. [PMID: 30266597 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.09.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2018] [Revised: 08/31/2018] [Accepted: 09/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) is a key component of stress responsivity, modulating related behaviors including anxiety and reward. Difficulties identifying CRF neurons, using traditional approaches including immunohistochemistry, has led to the development of a number of transgenic CRF reporter mice. The Crh-IRES-Cre::Ai14 (tdTomato) reporter mouse is increasing in popularity as a useful tool to assess the localization, connectivity and function of CRF neurons in various stress-related behaviors. However, without proper characterization of reporter expression, the in vivo and in vitro manifestations resulting from the manipulation of these cells must be interpreted with caution. Here we mapped the distribution of tdTomato-expressing CRF cells throughout the rostro-caudal extent of the Crh-IRES-Cre::Ai14 mouse brain. To determine if reporter expression faithfully reproduced native CRF expression, we assessed the colocalization of CRF expression with tdTomato reporter expression across several brain regions. Good concordance was observed in the extended amygdala and paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN), while discrepancies were observed within the lateral hypothalamus and hippocampus. Finally, we examined the activation of CRF neurons in Crh-IRES-Cre::Ai14 mice in response to different types of stressors using Fos immunohistochemistry. Acute psychological (swim) and pharmacological (yohimbine) stress stimulated Fos-protein expression in PVN CRF neurons. Interestingly though, exposure to four daily restraint stress sessions followed by a novel acute stressor did not further recruit CRF neurons across any brain region examined. Our results highlight the importance of thoroughly characterizing reporter mice before use and suggest that acute versus repeated stress may differentially impact the CRF system. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'Hypothalamic Control of Homeostasis'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leigh C Walker
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia; Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Lara C Cornish
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Andrew J Lawrence
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia; Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Erin J Campbell
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia; Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia.
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McReynolds JR, Christianson JP, Blacktop JM, Mantsch JR. What does the Fos say? Using Fos-based approaches to understand the contribution of stress to substance use disorders. Neurobiol Stress 2018; 9:271-85. [PMID: 30450391 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2018.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [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: 02/15/2018] [Revised: 05/08/2018] [Accepted: 05/25/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite extensive research efforts, drug addiction persists as a largely unmet medical need. Perhaps the biggest challenge for treating addiction is the high rate of recidivism. While many factors can promote relapse in abstinent drug users, the contribution of stress is particularly problematic, as stress is uncontrollable and pervasive in the lives of those struggling with addiction. Thus, understanding the neurocircuitry that underlies the influence of stress on drug seeking is critical for guiding treatment. Preclinical research aimed at defining this neurocircuitry has, in part, relied upon the use of experimental approaches that allow visualization of cellular and circuit activity that corresponds to stressor-induced drug seeking in rodent relapse models. Much of what we have learned about the mechanisms that mediate stressor-induced relapse has been informed by studies that have used the expression of the immediate early gene, cfos, or its protein product, Fos, as post-mortem activity markers. In this review we provide an overview of the rodent models used to study stressor-induced relapse and briefly summarize what is known about the underlying neurocircuitry before describing the use of cfos/Fos-based approaches. In addition to reviewing findings obtained using this approach, its advantages and limitations are considered. Moreover, new techniques that leverage the expression profile of cfos to tag and manipulate cells based on their activity patterns are discussed. The intent of the review is to guide the interpretation of old and design of new studies that utilize cfos/Fos-based strategies to study the neurocircuitry that contributes to stress-related drug use.
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Olucha-Bordonau FE, Albert-Gascó H, Ros-Bernal F, Rytova V, Ong-Pålsson EKE, Ma S, Sánchez-Pérez AM, Gundlach AL. Modulation of forebrain function by nucleus incertus and relaxin-3/RXFP3 signaling. CNS Neurosci Ther 2018; 24:694-702. [PMID: 29722152 DOI: 10.1111/cns.12862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2018] [Revised: 03/22/2018] [Accepted: 03/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The nucleus incertus (NI) in the pontine tegmentum sends ascending projections to the midbrain, hypothalamus, amygdala, basal forebrain, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex, and has a postulated role in modulating several forebrain functions. A substantial population of GABAergic NI neurons expresses the neuropeptide, relaxin-3, which acts via the Gi/o -protein-coupled receptor, RXFP3, present throughout the forebrain target regions. Broad and specific manipulations of these systems by activation or inhibition of the NI or modulating RXFP3 signaling have revealed key insights into the likely influence of the NI/relaxin-3/RXFP3 system on modalities including arousal, feeding, stress responses, anxiety and addiction, and attention and memory. This range of actions corresponds to a likely impact of NI/(relaxin-3) projections on multiple integrated circuits, but makes it difficult to draw conclusions about a generalized function for this network. This review will focus on the key physiological process of oscillatory theta rhythm and the neural circuits that promote it during behavioral activation, highlighting the ability of NI and relaxin-3/RXFP3 signaling systems to modulate these circuits. A better understanding of these mechanisms may provide a way to therapeutically adjust malfunction of forebrain activity present in several pathological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Héctor Albert-Gascó
- Department of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Universitat Jaume I, Castellón de la Plana, Spain
| | - Francisco Ros-Bernal
- Department of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Universitat Jaume I, Castellón de la Plana, Spain
| | - Valeria Rytova
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Vic., Australia
| | - Emma K E Ong-Pålsson
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Vic., Australia
| | - Sherie Ma
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Vic., Australia
| | - Ana M Sánchez-Pérez
- Department of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Universitat Jaume I, Castellón de la Plana, Spain
| | - Andrew L Gundlach
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Vic., Australia
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Walker LC, Kastman HE, Krstew EV, Gundlach AL, Lawrence AJ. Central amygdala relaxin-3/relaxin family peptide receptor 3 signalling modulates alcohol seeking in rats. Br J Pharmacol 2017; 174:3359-3369. [PMID: 28726252 PMCID: PMC5595761 DOI: 10.1111/bph.13955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2017] [Revised: 06/21/2017] [Accepted: 07/13/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Alcohol use disorders are a leading cause of preventable deaths worldwide, and stress is a major trigger of relapse. The neuropeptide relaxin-3 and its cognate receptor, relaxin family peptide receptor 3 (RXFP3), modulate stress-induced relapse to alcohol seeking in rats, and while the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis has been implicated in this regard, the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) also receives a relaxin-3 innervation and CeA neurons densely express RXFP3 mRNA. Moreover, the CeA is consistently implicated in both stress and addictive disorders. Yohimbine precipitates relapse-like behaviour in rodents, although exactly how yohimbine induces relapse is unknown, possibly by increasing stress levels and inducing heightened cue reactivity. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH In the current study, we examined the effects of yohimbine (1 mg·kg-1 , i.p.) on anxiety-like behaviour in alcohol-experienced rats. Furthermore, we assessed CeA neuronal activation following yohimbine-induced reinstatement of alcohol seeking and the role of the relaxin-3/RXFP3 signalling within the CeA in yohimbine-induced reinstatement to alcohol seeking. KEY RESULTS Low-dose yohimbine was anxiogenic in rats with a history of alcohol use. Furthermore, yohimbine-induced reinstatement of alcohol seeking increased Fos activation in CeA corticotrophin-releasing factor, dynorphin and GABA neurons compared with naïve and vehicle controls. Bilateral intra-CeA injections of the selective RXFP3 antagonist, R3(B1-22)R, attenuated yohimbine-induced reinstatement of alcohol seeking. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, these data suggest that the CeA is a node where yohimbine acts to induce reinstatement of alcohol seeking and implicate the relaxin-3/RXFP3 system within the CeA in this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leigh C Walker
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental HealthParkvilleVICAustralia
- Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental HealthThe University of MelbourneParkvilleVICAustralia
| | - Hanna E Kastman
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental HealthParkvilleVICAustralia
- Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental HealthThe University of MelbourneParkvilleVICAustralia
| | - Elena V Krstew
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental HealthParkvilleVICAustralia
- Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental HealthThe University of MelbourneParkvilleVICAustralia
| | - Andrew L Gundlach
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental HealthParkvilleVICAustralia
- Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental HealthThe University of MelbourneParkvilleVICAustralia
| | - Andrew J Lawrence
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental HealthParkvilleVICAustralia
- Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental HealthThe University of MelbourneParkvilleVICAustralia
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