Role of Blueberry in modulating suicide gene SKA2 in an animal model of Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Abstract

Background and RationalePost‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been related to suicidal thoughts and behavior. The principal origin and the mechanism contributing to the suicidal thoughts in PTSD is not known. Understanding molecular mechanisms and identifying novel genes that might contribute to suicide in the context of PTSD might be vital in the prevention of suicide. Recently, SKA 2 (spindle and kinetochore associated complex subunit 2) a novel genetic and epigenetic target was shown to decrease in patients that attempted or committed suicide. In addition, it has been shown that SKA2 genes chaperone the glucocorticoid receptors from the cytoplasm to the nucleus, thereby possibly assimilating and protecting against stress. It has been well established that blueberries (BB) attenuate stress factors and inflammation. In addition, we recently showed that BB modulates serotonin levels in the brain of PTSD animals. Due to these beneficial properties of BB, in this study we explored the possible role played by BB in modulating SKA2 genes in an animal model of PTSDMethodsRats were fed with a blueberry‐enriched (2%) or a control diet. Rats were exposed to cats for one hour on days 1 and 11 of a 31‐day stress schedule to simulate traumatic conditions. At the end of the study, the rats were euthanized and prefrontal cortex (PFC), hippocampus (HC) and plasma were isolated. We measured plasma SKA2 levels in the experimental animals by ELISA. In addition SKA2 level was also measured in PFC and HC regions of the brain were quantified by western blotting and RT‐PCR.ResultsWe found that our PTSD animals had a decreased levels of SKA2 in the plasma, hippocampus and prefrontal cortex compared to control (non‐PTSD) animals. In contrast, treatment with blueberry in the PTSD animals increased SKA2 levels both in the blood and in the brain regions.ConclusionsThe finding that SKA2 gene is down regulated in the blood and brain indicates a possible target for further investigating into suicide prevention using our animal model of PTSD. Furthermore, the finding that non pharmacological agents like blueberry is able to modulate SKA2 gene in context of PTSD is novel. Further studies to understand the molecular mechanism of protection by BB might provide a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of PTSD.Support or Funding InformationThis work was supported by U.S. Highbush blueberry council (USHBC) grant to Dr. Francis.