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Identifier

000358011

Title

The role of RGSz1 protein in depression and the action of antidepressant pharmacological agents

Author

Τερζή, Δήμητρα

Thesis advisor

Ζαχαρίου, Βενετία

Abstract

Depression is a major mood disorder caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. The underlying pathophysiology of the disorder is rather complicating, including various brain regions, which interact with each other for the induction of a depressive phenotype. Pharmacological agents that are effective in reversing this phenotype are primarily based on their intervention in the monoamine system, though more targeted drugs are also under investigation. RGS (Regulators of G-protein Signaling) proteins are a family of proteins, interfering in the signal transduction of G-protein coupled receptors, by binding to G subunits and accelerating their return to the GDP inactive state. RGSz is a small RGS protein with a rather important role in the regulation of mu- opioid receptors signaling. Based on data showing that the Gαz subunit, which is specifically coupled to RGSz, is an important molecule for depression, since its absence leads to increased depression and anxiety-like phenotype, we investigated the behavioral phenotype of mice lacking the RGSz gene (knockouts-KO). We found that RGSz KO mice show an anxiety and depression-like phenotype and are more sensitive to the antidepressant effect of fluoxetine. Moreover, we identified the expression pattern of RGSz at protein level in various brain regions and we tried to establish a model of depression related to addiction and chronic pain, and investigate the role of RGSz in such mood disorders. Our data provide the first evidence for a role of RGSz in mood modulation and ntidepressant drug action.

Physical description

35 σ. : πιν. ; 30 εκ.

Language

English

Subject

Molecular Biology

Proteins

Μοριακή Βιολογία

Πρωτεϊνες

Issue date

2008-12-15

Collection