Columbia scientists have identified a gene that allows neurons that release serotonin -- a neurotransmitter that regulates mood and emotions -- to evenly spread their branches throughout the brain. Without this gene, these neuronal branches become entangled, leading to haphazard distribution of serotonin, and signs of depression in mice.
These observations shed light on how precise neuronal wiring is critical to overall brain health, while also revealing a promising new area of focus for studying psychiatric disorders associated with serotonin imbalance -- such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and autism. The findings were published in Science.
"By pinpointing the genes that guide the organization of neurons, we can draw a line between changes to those genes, and the cellular, circuitry and behavioral deficiencies that can occur as a result," said the studys' senior author.
The team focused on a group of genes called clustered protocadherins, or Pcdhs. More than a decade ago, the lab discovered the human Pcdh gene cluster, and later studies revealed that these genes encode a cell surface "barcode" by which individual neurons can distinguish themselves from other neurons.
Subsequently, collaborative studies revealed the precise mechanism by which the Pcdh code is assembled at the cell surface, and how this code is "read" when neurons come in contact with each other. This allows neurons to prevent entanglements by recognizing -- and steering clear of -- their own branches, a process known as self-avoidance.
In the two papers published in Science, the team examined the function of Pcdhs in the wiring of olfactory sensory neurons (which impart a sense of smell), and serotonergic neurons (which produce and release serotonin). The olfactory sensory neuron (OSN) study revealed that the diversity of Pcdhs, working together, produced the necessary combinations of cell-coating molecules to provide each neuron its unique identity. In the absence of diversity, OSNs fail to wire properly in the brain, and the mice fail to distinguish between different odors.
The serotonergic neuron study revealed another important function of Pcdhs.
"The main job of these neurons is to distribute serotonin uniformly throughout the brain, which is responsible for maintaining mood balance," said senior author said. "To do this, the neurons lay their branches out in a precise, evenly-spaced pattern -- a process called axonal tiling. However, the exact mechanism that allows them to do this remained elusive."
In a series of experiments in mice the team pinpointed a single gene within the Pcdh cluster, called Pcdh-alpha-c2, that was responsible for the ability of serotonergic neurons to assemble into a tiled pattern throughout the brain, and thus evenly distribute serotonin.
"We were surprised to find that, unlike other neurons that displays distinct barcodes of diverse Pcdhs, all serotonergic neurons display a single functional recognition protein," said the senior author. "Thus, serotonergic axonal branches can recognize and repel one another, leading to their even spacing."
"We found that deleting the Pcdh-alpha-c2 caused serotonergic neuron branches to become tangled and clumped together," senior author continued. "Serotonin was released, but it wasn't distributed evenly throughout the brain."
Silencing Pcdh-alpha-c2 also resulted in striking behavioral changes. Compared to normal, healthy mice, Pcdh-alpha-c2-deficient mice showed behavioral despair (reduced desire to escape) and enhanced fear memory (increased freezing when frightened) -- both classic signs indicative of depression.
"Serotonin imbalance has long been linked to a variety of psychiatric disorders, including depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, but most studies focus on problems with the production or uptake of serotonin, not on problems with the brain's wiring itself," said the senior author. "Wiring anomalies are clearly a new place to look."
These results may also inform studies of autism. After an exhaustive genetic analysis of autistic individuals and their families by an international consortium of investigators, several hundred genes have been identified that are associated with the disorder, as documented by the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI) human gene module. Among these genes is the Pcdh gene cluster -- including Pcdh-alpha-c2.
"For this pair of studies published today, we focused on two types of neurons that are well understood and have been deeply explored, but this is only the starting point," said the senior author. "If we are to truly understand how the brain is wired both in health and in disease, then the rest of the brain is where we have to go next."
http://zuckermaninstitute.columbia.edu/news/tangled-and-blue-neurons-faulty-wiring-leads-serotonin-imbalance-depression-behavior-mice
http://science.sciencemag.org/content/356/6336/406
http://science.sciencemag.org/content/356/6336/411
Neurons' faulty wiring leads to serotonin imbalance, depression-like behavior in mice
- 2,595 views
- Added
Edited
Latest News
Abusive drugs hijack natura…
By newseditor
Posted 23 Apr
Mechanism of action of the…
By newseditor
Posted 23 Apr
Role of fat in rare neurolo…
By newseditor
Posted 23 Apr
How protein synthesis in de…
By newseditor
Posted 22 Apr
Atlas of mRNA variants in d…
By newseditor
Posted 22 Apr
Other Top Stories
Epigenetic mechanisms control HIV susceptibility
Read more
Inflammation and microRNA connection to muscular dystrophy
Read more
A distinct function of regulatory T cells in tissue protection
Read more
Novel role of mitochondria in immune function
Read more
Sugar governs how antibodies work in the immune system
Read more
Protocols
A programmable targeted pro…
By newseditor
Posted 23 Apr
MemPrep, a new technology f…
By newseditor
Posted 08 Apr
A tangible method to assess…
By newseditor
Posted 08 Apr
Stem cell-derived vessels-o…
By newseditor
Posted 06 Apr
Single-cell biclustering fo…
By newseditor
Posted 01 Apr
Publications
Exploiting pancreatic cance…
By newseditor
Posted 23 Apr
Structure of antiviral drug…
By newseditor
Posted 23 Apr
Type-I-interferon-responsiv…
By newseditor
Posted 23 Apr
Selenium, diabetes, and the…
By newseditor
Posted 23 Apr
Long-term neuropsychologica…
By newseditor
Posted 23 Apr
Presentations
Hydrogels in Drug Delivery
By newseditor
Posted 12 Apr
Lipids
By newseditor
Posted 31 Dec
Cell biology of carbohydrat…
By newseditor
Posted 29 Nov
RNA interference (RNAi)
By newseditor
Posted 23 Oct
RNA structure and functions
By newseditor
Posted 19 Oct
Posters
A chemical biology/modular…
By newseditor
Posted 22 Aug
Single-molecule covalent ma…
By newseditor
Posted 04 Jul
ASCO-2020-HEALTH SERVICES R…
By newseditor
Posted 23 Mar
ASCO-2020-HEAD AND NECK CANCER
By newseditor
Posted 23 Mar
ASCO-2020-GENITOURINARY CAN…
By newseditor
Posted 23 Mar