Molecular Biological Investigations into the Role of the NMDA Receptor in the Pathophysiology of Schizophrenia

1997 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stanley V. Catts ◽  
Phillip B. Ward ◽  
Andrew Lloyd ◽  
Xu Feng Huang ◽  
Gavin Dixon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nmda Receptor ◽  
Brain Development ◽  
Learning And Memory ◽  
Neural Plasticity ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Postmortem Brain ◽  
Normal Brain ◽  
Postmortem Brain Tissue ◽  
Synaptic Pathology

Objective:There is increasing acceptance that schizophrenia is associated with a generalised disorder in cortical neurodevelopment. The aim of this paper is to review the evidence that this disorder may be accounted for by abnormalities in mechanisms mediated by the main family of excitatory neuroreceptors in cortical brain systems, the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) glutamatergic receptors. Method:The neurobiological evidence is presented for an abnormality in cortical development related to synaptic pathology in schizophrenia. The unique functions of the NMDA receptor in information processing are described, especially its role in learning and memory, and in neural plasticity and brain development. It is argued that the cellular and molecular mechanisms which underlie learning and memory also govern normal brain development. Studies examining abnormalities in glutamatergic transmission in schizophrenia are reviewed. Results:There is a substantial literature in support of the possibility that NMDA receptor abnormalities may be involved in the neurodevelopmental predisposition to schizophrenia, as well as in symptom production. Conclusions:Research to determine the role of the NMDA receptor in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia is warranted and now feasible. To be successful, this research will require the application of molecular biology techniques to postmortem brain tissue studies, in addition to traditional histochemical approaches.

scholarly journals Protein farnesylation is upregulated in Alzheimer’s human brains and neuron-specific suppression of farnesyltransferase mitigates pathogenic processes in Alzheimer’s model mice

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela Jeong ◽  
Shaowu Cheng ◽  
Rui Zhong ◽  
David A. Bennett ◽  
Martin O. Bergö ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Small Gtpases ◽  
Specific Role ◽  
Postmortem Brain ◽  
Effective Prevention ◽  
Postmortem Brain Tissue ◽  
Mtorc1 Signaling ◽  
Behavioral Assessments ◽  
Human Brains

AbstractThe pathogenic mechanisms underlying the development of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) remain elusive and to date there are no effective prevention or treatment for AD. Farnesyltransferase (FT) catalyzes a key posttranslational modification process called farnesylation, in which the isoprenoid farnesyl pyrophosphate is attached to target proteins, facilitating their membrane localization and their interactions with downstream effectors. Farnesylated proteins, including the Ras superfamily of small GTPases, are involved in regulating diverse physiological and pathological processes. Emerging evidence suggests that isoprenoids and farnesylated proteins may play an important role in the pathogenesis of AD. However, the dynamics of FT and protein farnesylation in human brains and the specific role of neuronal FT in the pathogenic progression of AD are not known. Here, using postmortem brain tissue from individuals with no cognitive impairment (NCI), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), or Alzheimer’s dementia, we found that the levels of FT and membrane-associated H-Ras, an exclusively farnesylated protein, and its downstream effector ERK were markedly increased in AD and MCI compared with NCI. To elucidate the specific role of neuronal FT in AD pathogenesis, we generated the transgenic AD model APP/PS1 mice with forebrain neuron-specific FT knockout, followed by a battery of behavioral assessments, biochemical assays, and unbiased transcriptomic analysis. Our results showed that the neuronal FT deletion mitigates memory impairment and amyloid neuropathology in APP/PS1 mice through suppressing amyloid generation and reversing the pathogenic hyperactivation of mTORC1 signaling. These findings suggest that aberrant upregulation of protein farnesylation is an early driving force in the pathogenic cascade of AD and that targeting FT or its downstream signaling pathways presents a viable therapeutic strategy against AD.

scholarly journals Dynamic N6-methyladenosine RNA methylation in brain and diseases

Epigenomics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 371-380 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew M Shafik ◽  
Emily G Allen ◽  
Peng Jin
Keyword(s):  
Brain Development ◽  
Rna Modification ◽  
Normal Brain ◽  
Biological Processes ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
Neuropsychiatric Diseases ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Normal Brain Development

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is a dynamic RNA modification that regulates various aspects of RNA metabolism and has been implicated in many biological processes and transitions. m6A is highly abundant in the brain; however, only recently has the role of m6A in brain development been a focus. The machinery that controls m6A is critically important for proper neurodevelopment, and the precise mechanisms by which m6A regulates these processes are starting to emerge. However, the role of m6A in neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric diseases still requires much elucidation. This review discusses and summarizes the current body of knowledge surrounding the function of the m6A modification in regulating normal brain development, neurodegenerative diseases and outlines possible future directions.

scholarly journals The role of cellular development and cell death in neurochemical organization and integrative brain functions: Normal and pathological

2004 ◽  
Vol 57 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 120-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vladimir Sherstnev
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
Learning And Memory ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Prognostic Markers ◽  
Brain Functions ◽  
System A ◽  
Cellular Development ◽  
Mechanisms Of Development ◽  
Apoptotic Factors

In terms of systemic aspects of common molecular mechanisms of development, important part of which is the process of cellular death and integrative activity of nervous system, a omplex clinical-experimental study of effects of various neurotrophic and apoptotic factors (proteins S100b, HLDF, brain lectins CSL and R1) on learning and memory and ishemic stroke was performed. Data concerning specific and heterochronic participation of these factors in neurochemical mechanisms of learning and memory in mechanisms of ishemic stroke formation were established. Changes of examined factors and their antibodies as well as the dynamics of changes in sera and cerebro spinal fluid can be considered as prognostic markers of ischemic stroke and efficiency of therapy.

scholarly journals Prefrontal Cortex in Learning to Overcome Generalized Fear

2015 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. JEN.S26227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward Korzus
Keyword(s):  
Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Discrimination Learning ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Camp Response Element Binding ◽  
Normal Brain ◽  
Camp Response Element ◽  
Brain Functioning ◽  
Element Binding Protein

Normal brain functioning relies critically on the ability to control appropriate behavioral responses to fearful stimuli. Overgeneralized fear is the major symptom of anxiety disorders including posttraumatic stress disorder. This review describes recent data demonstrating that the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) plays a critical role in the refining of cues that drive the acquisition of fear response. Recent studies on molecular mechanisms that underlie the role of mPFC in fear discrimination learning are discussed. These studies suggest that prefrontal N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors expressed in excitatory neurons govern fear discrimination learning via a mechanism involving cAMP response element-binding protein-dependent engagement of acetyltransferase.

scholarly journals Neuronal megalin mediates synaptic plasticity—a novel mechanism underlying intellectual disabilities in megalin gene pathologies

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
João R Gomes ◽  
Andrea Lobo ◽  
Renata Nogueira ◽  
Ana F Terceiro ◽  
Susete Costelha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Synaptic Plasticity ◽  
Intellectual Disabilities ◽  
Learning And Memory ◽  
Neuronal Activity ◽  
Hippocampal Neurons ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Genetic Disorder ◽  
Cell Surface Receptor ◽  
Neuronal Cultures

Abstract Donnai-Barrow syndrome, a genetic disorder associated to LRP2 (low-density lipoprotein receptor 2/megalin) mutations, is characterized by unexplained neurological symptoms and intellectual deficits. Megalin is a multifunctional endocytic clearance cell-surface receptor, mostly described in epithelial cells. This receptor is also expressed in the CNS, mainly in neurons, being involved in neurite outgrowth and neuroprotective mechanisms. Yet, the mechanisms involved in the regulation of megalin in the CNS are poorly understood. Using transthyretin knockout mice, a megalin ligand, we found that transthyretin positively regulates neuronal megalin levels in different CNS areas, particularly in the hippocampus. Transthyretin is even able to rescue megalin downregulation in transthyretin knockout hippocampal neuronal cultures, in a positive feedback mechanism via megalin. Importantly, transthyretin activates a regulated intracellular proteolysis mechanism of neuronal megalin, producing an intracellular domain, which is translocated to the nucleus, unveiling megalin C-terminal as a potential transcription factor, able to regulate gene expression. We unveil that neuronal megalin reduction affects physiological neuronal activity, leading to decreased neurite number, length and branching, and increasing neuronal susceptibility to a toxic insult. Finally, we unravel a new unexpected role of megalin in synaptic plasticity, by promoting the formation and maturation of dendritic spines, and contributing for the establishment of active synapses, both in in vitro and in vivo hippocampal neurons. Moreover, these structural and synaptic roles of megalin impact on learning and memory mechanisms, since megalin heterozygous mice show hippocampal-related memory and learning deficits in several behaviour tests. Altogether, we unveil a complete novel role of megalin in the physiological neuronal activity, mainly in synaptic plasticity with impact in learning and memory. Importantly, we contribute to disclose the molecular mechanisms underlying the cognitive and intellectual disabilities related to megalin gene pathologies.

scholarly journals The endocannabinoid system in normal and pathological brain ageing

2012 ◽  
Vol 367 (1607) ◽  
pp. 3326-3341 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andras Bilkei-Gorzo
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Endocannabinoid System ◽  
System Level ◽  
Mitochondrial Activity ◽  
Normal Brain ◽  
Neuroprotective Effects ◽  
Cannabinoid System ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Brain Ageing

The role of endocannabinoids as inhibitory retrograde transmitters is now widely known and intensively studied. However, endocannabinoids also influence neuronal activity by exerting neuroprotective effects and regulating glial responses. This review centres around this less-studied area, focusing on the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the protective effect of the cannabinoid system in brain ageing. The progression of ageing is largely determined by the balance between detrimental, pro-ageing, largely stochastic processes, and the activity of the homeostatic defence system. Experimental evidence suggests that the cannabinoid system is part of the latter system. Cannabinoids as regulators of mitochondrial activity, as anti-oxidants and as modulators of clearance processes protect neurons on the molecular level. On the cellular level, the cannabinoid system regulates the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and neurogenesis. Neuroinflammatory processes contributing to the progression of normal brain ageing and to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases are suppressed by cannabinoids, suggesting that they may also influence the ageing process on the system level. In good agreement with the hypothesized beneficial role of cannabinoid system activity against brain ageing, it was shown that animals lacking CB1 receptors show early onset of learning deficits associated with age-related histological and molecular changes. In preclinical models of neurodegenerative disorders, cannabinoids show beneficial effects, but the clinical evidence regarding their efficacy as therapeutic tools is either inconclusive or still missing.

scholarly journals Modulation of MicroRNAs as a Potential Molecular Mechanism Involved in the Beneficial Actions of Physical Exercise in Alzheimer Disease

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (14) ◽  
pp. 4977 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex Cleber Improta-Caria ◽  
Carolina Kymie Vasques Nonaka ◽  
Bruno Raphael Ribeiro Cavalcante ◽  
Ricardo Augusto Leoni De Sousa ◽  
Roque Aras Júnior ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer Disease ◽  
Physical Exercise ◽  
Molecular Mechanism ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Regulation Of Gene Expression ◽  
Normal Brain ◽  
Physiological Processes ◽  
Normal Brain Function ◽  
Post Transcriptional Regulation

Alzheimer disease (AD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases, affecting middle-aged and elderly individuals worldwide. AD pathophysiology involves the accumulation of beta-amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain, along with chronic neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. Physical exercise (PE) is a beneficial non-pharmacological strategy and has been described as an ally to combat cognitive decline in individuals with AD. However, the molecular mechanisms that govern the beneficial adaptations induced by PE in AD are not fully elucidated. MicroRNAs are small non-coding RNAs involved in the post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression, inhibiting or degrading their target mRNAs. MicroRNAs are involved in physiological processes that govern normal brain function and deregulated microRNA profiles are associated with the development and progression of AD. It is also known that PE changes microRNA expression profile in the circulation and in target tissues and organs. Thus, this review aimed to identify the role of deregulated microRNAs in the pathophysiology of AD and explore the possible role of the modulation of microRNAs as a molecular mechanism involved in the beneficial actions of PE in AD.

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