Study Report
Reference
| Citation | Szewczyk, 2009 PubMed |
| Full Info | Szewczyk, B., Albert, P.R., Burns, A.M., Czesak, M., Overholser, J.C., Jurjus, G.J., Meltzer, H.Y., Konick, L.C., Dieter, L., Herbst, N. et al. (2009) Gender-specific decrease in NUDR and 5-HT1A receptor proteins in the prefrontal cortex of subjects with major depressive disorder. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol, 12, 155-168.
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Study
| Hypothesis or Background |
A variety of studies have documented alterations in 5-HT1A receptor binding sites in the brain of subjects with major depressive disorder (MDD). The recently identified transcription factor, nuclear deformed epidermal autoregulatory factor (NUDR/Deaf-1) has been shown to function as a transcriptional modulator of the human 5-HT1A receptor gene.
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| Sample Information | depressed and control subjects |
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| Method Detail | The present study was undertaken to document the regional and cellular localization of NUDR in the human prefrontal cortex and to examine the levels of NUDR and 5-HT1A receptor protein in prefrontal cortex of female and male depressed and control subjects. NUDR immunoreactivity was present in neurons and glia across cortical layers and was co-localized with 5-HT1A receptor immunoreactive neurons. NUDR immunoreactivity was measured by Western blot. |
| Method Keywords | immunoblotting |
| Result | NUDR immunoreactivity as measured by Western blot was significantly decreased in the prefrontal cortex of female depressed subjects (42%, p=0.02) and unchanged in male depressed subjects relative to gender-matched control subjects. Similarly, 5-HT1A receptor protein level was significantly reduced in the prefrontal cortex of female depressed subjects (46%, p=0.03) and unchanged in male depressed subjects compared to gender-matched control subjects. |
| Conclusions | Reduced protein expression of NUDR in the prefrontal cortex of female subjects with MDD may reflect a functional alteration in this transcription factor, which may contribute to the decrease in 5-HT1A receptors observed in the same female subjects with MDD. In addition, the gender-specific alterations in cortical NUDR and 5-HT1A receptor proteins could represent an underlying biological mechanism associated with the higher incidence of depression in women. |
Relationships reported by
Szewczyk, 2009
| Component A Approved Name (Name in Paper) |
Component A Type |
Component B Approved Name (Name in Paper) |
Component B Type |
Statistical Result |
Relationship Description |
Result Category (Positive/Negative)) |
|
MDD
|
syndrome |
Deformed epidermal autoregulatory factor 1 homolog (nuclear deformed epidermal autoregulatory factor (NUDR/Deaf-1)) |
protein |
P-value=0.02 |
NUDR immunoreactivity as measured by Western blot was significantly decreased in the prefrontal cortex of female depressed subjects (42%, p=0.02) and unchanged in male depressed subjects relative to gender-matched control subjects. |
Positive
|
|
MDD
|
syndrome |
5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 1A (5-HT1A receptor) |
protein |
P-value=0.03 |
5-HT1A receptor protein level was significantly reduced in the prefrontal cortex of female depressed subjects (46%, p=0.03) and unchanged in male depressed subjects compared to gender-matched control subjects. |
Positive
|
