Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor Gene Promoter Research Articles

Hypoxic Preconditioning Modulates BDNF and Its Signaling through DNA Methylation to Promote Learning and Memory in Mice.

Hypoxic preconditioning (HPC) as an endogenous mechanism can resist hypoxia/ischemia injury and exhibit protective effects on neurological function including learning and memory. Although underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear, HPC probably regulates the expression of protective molecules by modulating DNA methylation. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) activates its signaling upon binding to the tropomyosin-related kinase B (TrkB) receptor, which is involved in neuronal growth, differentiation, and synaptic plasticity. Therefore, this study focused on the mechanism by which HPC regulates BDNF and BDNF/TrkB signaling through DNA methylation to influence learning and memory. Initially, the HPC model was established by hypoxia stimulations on ICR mice. We found that HPC downregulated the expression of DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) 3A and DNMT3B. Then, the upregulation of BDNF expression in HPC mice was generated from a decrease in DNA methylation of the BDNF gene promoter detected by pyrophosphate sequencing. Subsequently, upregulation of BDNF activated BDNF/TrkB signaling and ultimately improved learning and spatial memory in HPC mice. Moreover, after mice were intracerebroventricularly injected with the DNMT inhibitor, the restraint of DNA methylation accompanied by an increase of BDNF and BDNF/TrkB signaling was also discovered. Finally, we observed that the inhibitor of BDNF/TrkB signaling prevented HPC from ameliorating learning and memory in mice. However, the DNMT inhibitor promoted spatial cognition in mice. Thus, we suggest that HPC may upregulate BDNF by inhibiting DNMTs and decreasing DNA methylation of the BDNF gene and then activate BDNF/TrkB signaling to improve learning and memory in mice. This may provide theoretical guidance for the clinical treatment of cognitive dysfunction caused by ischemia/hypoxia disease.

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Front cover Heat shock factor 1 (HSF1) is a master stress-responsive transcriptional factor, but its gene regulation in the brain remains elusive. This article firstly demonstrated that HSF1 was activated by neuronal stress in the hippocampus and bound to the gene promoters of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Different types of acute stress to animals produced different patterns of HSF1 biding to Bdnf promoters, while pCREB bound proximately to the HSF1 binding sites. HSF1 binding to Bdnf promoters was sufficient to induce the transcription. These results suggest the role of HSF1 gene regulation in stress-induced neuronal protection and plasticity in the hippocampus, together with pCREB. Image content Confocal image showing stress-induced nuclear localization of heat shock factor 1 (HSF1) in the hippocampal CA1 neurons. Immunohistochemistry was conducted 1 hour after kainic acid stress treatment, detecting HSF1 (red), nuclei (DAPI, blue), and neurons (NeuN, green). Note the co-staining of HSF1 in the nuclei of CA1 neurons, which appears purple to white. Read the full article ‘Heat shock factor HSF1 regulates BDNF gene promoters upon acute stress in the hippocampus, together with pCREB’ by H. Franks, R. Wang, M. Li, B. Wang, A. Wildmann, T. Ortyl, S. O'Brien, D. Young, F.-F. Liao, K. Sakata, (J. Neurochem. 2023, vol. 165 (2), pp. 131–148) on doi:10.1111/jnc.15707

Heat shock factor HSF1 regulates BDNF gene promoters upon acute stress in the hippocampus, together with pCREB.

Heat shock factor 1 (HSF1) is a master stress-responsive transcriptional factor, protecting cells from death. However, its gene regulation in vivo in the brain in response to neuronal stimuli remains elusive. Here, we investigated its direct regulation of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene (Bdnf) in response to acute neuronal stress stimuli in the brain. The results of immunohistochemistry and chromatin immunoprecipitation quantitative PCR (ChIP-qPCR) showed that administration of kainic acid (a glutamate receptor agonist inducing excitotoxity) to young adult mice induced HSF1 nuclear translocation and its binding to multiple Bdnf promoters in the hippocampus. Footshock, a physical stressor used for learning, also induced HSF1 binding to selected Bdnf promoters I and IV. This is, to our knowledge, the first demonstration of HSF1 gene regulation in response to neuronal stimuli in the hippocampus in vivo. HSF1 binding sites (HSEs) in Bdnf promoters I and IV were also detected when immunoprecipitated by an antibody of phosphorylated (p)CREB (cAMP-responsive element-binding protein), suggesting their possible interplay in acute stress-induced Bdnf transcription. Interestingly, their promoter binding patterns differed by KA and footshock, suggesting that HSF1 and pCREB orchestrate to render fine-tuned promoter control depending on the types of stress. Further, HSF1 overexpression increased Bdnf promoter activity in a luciferase assay, while virus infection of constitutively active-form HSF1 increased levels of BDNF mRNA and protein in vitro in primary cultured neurons. These results indicated that HSF1 activation of Bdnf promoter was sufficient to induce BDNF expression. Taken together, these results suggest that HSF1 promoter-specific control of Bdnf gene regulation plays an important role in neuronal protection and plasticity in the hippocampus in response to acute stress, possibly interplaying with pCREB.

The mechanism of sevoflurane post-treatment alleviating hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy by affecting histone methyltransferase G9a in rats

ABSTRACT Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is recognized as the main cause of neonatal death, and efficient treatment strategies remain limited. This study aims to investigate the mechanism of sevoflurane (SF) post-treatment in alleviating HIE in rats. The HIE rat model and oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) cell model were established, and adeno-associated virus (AAV)-histone-lysine N-methyltransferase EHMT2 (G9a) was transfected after SF treatment. The learning and memory ability and the levels of nerve growth factor (NGF)/brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were evaluated and determined. The levels of G9a/histone H3 lysine 9 dimethylation (H3K9me2) and the enrichment level of H3K9me2 in the promoter region of BDNF gene were analyzed. After SF post-treatment, the neurons in cerebral cortex, the learning and memory skills and the contents of NGF/BDNF were increased, while the apoptosis and G9a/H3K9me2 levels were reduced. After overexpression of G9a in vitro/vivo, the enrichment levels of H3K9me2 in the promoter region of BDNF were increased, the levels of BDNF were decreased, the neurons were damaged and the learning and memory abilities of HIE rats were impaired. The conclusion is that SF post-treatment can promote the expression of BDNF by inhibiting H3K9me2 on the BDNF gene promoter and inhibiting G9a, thus alleviating HIE in rats.

SPION‐mediated miR‐141 promotes the differentiation of HuAESCs into dopaminergic neuron‐like cells via suppressing lncRNA‐HOTAIR

In this study, a bioinformatics analysis and luciferase reporter assay revealed that microRNA‐141 could silence the expression of lncRNA‐HOTAIR by binding to specific sites on lncRNA‐HOTAIR. We used superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) to mediate the high expression of microRNA‐141 (SPIONs@miR‐141) in human amniotic epithelial stem cells (HuAESCs), which was followed by the induction of the differentiation of HuAESCs into dopaminergic neuron‐like cells (iDNLCs). qPCR, western blot, immunofluorescence staining and HPLC all suggested that SPION‐mediated overexpression of miR‐141 could promote an increased expression of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), DAT and 5‐TH in HuAESC‐derived iDNLCs. The RIP and ChIP assay also showed that overexpression of miR‐141 could significantly inhibit the recruitment and binding of lncRNA‐HOTAIR to EZH2 on BDNF gene promoter. cDNA microarray analysis revealed that the expression levels of 190 genes were much higher in iDNLCs than in HuAESCs. Finally, a protein interaction network analysis and identification showed that in the iDNLC group with SPIONs@miR‐141, factors that interact with BDNF, such as FGF8, SHH, NTRK3 and CREB1, all showed significantly higher expression levels compared with those in the SPIONs@miR‐Mut. Therefore, this study confirmed that the highly efficient expression of microRNA‐141 mediated by SPIONs could improve the efficiency of HuAESCs differentiation into dopaminergic neuron‐like cells.

Minimal traumatic brain injury causes persistent changes in DNA methylation at BDNF gene promoters in rat amygdala: A possible role in anxiety-like behaviors

Minimal traumatic brain injury (MTBI) often transforms into chronic neuropsychiatric conditions including anxiety, the underlying mechanisms of which are largely unknown. In the present study, we employed the closed-head injury paradigm to induce MTBI in rats and examined whether DNA methylation can explain long-term changes in the expression of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the amygdala as well as trauma-induced anxiety-like behaviors. The MTBI caused anxiety-like behaviors and altered the expression of DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) isoforms (DNMT1, DNMT3a, and DNMT3b) and factors involved in DNA demethylation such as the growth arrest and DNA damage 45 (GADD45a and GADD45b). After 30days of MTBI, the over-expression of DNMT3a and DNMT3b corresponded to heightened DNMT activity, whereas the mRNA levels of GADD45a and GADD45b were declined. The methylated cytosine levels at the BDNF promoters (Ip, IVp and IXp) were increased in the amygdala of the trauma-induced animals; these coincided negatively with the mRNA levels of exon IV and IXa, but not of exon I. Interestingly, treatment with 5-azacytidine, a pan DNMT inhibitor, normalized the MTBI-induced DNMT activity and DNA hypermethylation at exon IVp and IXp. Furthermore, 5-azacytidine also corrected the deficits in the expression of exons IV and IXa and reduced the anxiety-like behaviors. These results suggest that the DNMT-mediated DNA methylation at the BDNF IVp and IXp might be involved in the regulation of BDNF gene expression in the amygdala. Further, it could also be related to MTBI-induced anxiety-like behaviors via the regulation of synaptic plasticity.

Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Mediated Perfluorooctane Sulfonate Induced-Neurotoxicity via Epigenetics Regulation in SK-N-SH Cells.

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), a new kind of persistent organic pollutant, is widely distributed in the environment and exists in various organisms, where it is also a neurotoxic compound. However, the potential mechanism of its neurotoxicity is still unclear. To examine the role of epigenetics in the neurotoxicity induced by PFOS, SK-N-SH cells were treated with different concentrations of PFOS or control medium (0.1% DMSO) for 48 h. The mRNA levels of DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) and Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), microRNA-16, microRNA-22, and microRNA-30a-5p were detected by Quantitative PCR (QPCR). Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) was used to measure the protein levels of BDNF, and a western blot was applied to analyze the protein levels of DNMTs. Bisulfite sequencing PCR (BSP) was used to detect the methylation status of the BDNF promoter I and IV. Results of MTT assays indicated that treatment with PFOS could lead to a significant decrease of cell viability, and the treated cells became shrunk. In addition, PFOS exposure decreased the expression of BDNF at mRNA and protein levels, increased the expression of microRNA-16, microRNA-22, microRNA-30a-5p, and decreased the expression of DNMT1 at mRNA and protein levels, but increased the expression of DNMT3b at mRNA and protein levels. Our results also demonstrate that PFOS exposure changes the methylation status of BDNF promoter I and IV. The findings of the present study suggest that methylation regulation of BDNF gene promoter and increases of BDNF-related-microRNA might underlie the mechanisms of PFOS-induced neurotoxicity.

DNA methylation and expression of stress related genes in PBMC of MDD patients with and without serious suicidal ideation

Stress plays an important role in major depressive disorder (MDD) and is one of the state dependent factors in suicidal behavior. A dysfunctional hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis is a common feature in this disorder. The involvement of environmental factors has added additional complexity to understanding depression or suicidal behavior. In this regard, epigenetic regulation has been considered a mechanistic interface between environmental stress stimuli and altered functioning of underlying gene network that may increase susceptibility to depression or suicidal behavior. The present study examined whether epigenetic modifications of stress related genes are associated with MDD and whether there are differences in these epigenetic marks between depressed individuals with and without serious suicidal ideation. Using MeDIP analysis in genomic DNA isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of healthy controls (n = 20), MDD patients with (n = 14) or without serious suicidal ideation (n = 10), we studied methylation of the stress-associated genes, Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 3 Group C Member 1 (NR3C1), FK506 Binding Protein 5 (FKBP5), Corticotropin Releasing Hormone Binding Protein (CRHBP), and Corticotropin Releasing Hormone Receptor 1 (CRHR1). In addition, we determined their transcript levels in RNAs isolated from the same PBMC. We found that BDNF, FKBP5, CRHBP, and NR3C1 gene promoters were significantly hypermethylated in MDD patients with and without suicidal ideation. We also found concomitant reductions in expression of BDNF, FKBP5 transcript variants (1, 2 and 3), and NR3C1 genes in these patients, suggesting that promoter hypermethylation in these genes may functionally be associated with their observed downregulation in MDD patients. In a secondary analysis, methylation of these genes was compared between MDD patients with or without serious suicidal ideation and controls. The MDD with serious suicidal ideation were significantly different from controls while the MDD without were not, although MDD with or without suicidal ideation were not different from each other, likely owning to a relatively small sample size. Thus, our findings underline the importance of epigenetic modifications of stress-associated genes in depression and, possibly, suicidal behavior, which, in future, needs to be confirmed in a larger patient population.

Study on histone H3 acetylation of BDNF gene promoter in SAMP8 mice

Objective To explore the role of histone H3 acetylation modification of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease(AD). Methods 2 months and 8 months SAMP8 mice were used as AD model. Morris water maze was used to detect the impairment of learning and memory. Western blot was used to detect BDNF protein expression in the hippocampus, and chromatin immunoprecipitation(CHIP) was applied to study the changes of histone H3 acetylation in different BDNF promoters. Results The results of water maze test showed that the time across the target quadrant in 8 months SAMP8 mice(0.9±0.4) was significant declined compared with that of 2 months SAMP8 mice(3.7±0.9) and 8 months SAMR1 mice(3.3±0.6)(all P 0.05). Conclusion Histone H3 acetylation of BDNF exon IV and VI is reduced during the development of AD, which may be the mechanism underlying the impairment of learning and memory in AD. Key words: Alzheimer disease; Learning and memory impairment; BDNF; Histone H3 acetylation; SAMP8 mice

Demethylation regulation of BDNF gene expression in dorsal root ganglion neurons is implicated in opioid-induced pain hypersensitivity in rats

Repeated administration of morphine may result in opioid-induced hypersensitivity (OIH), which involves altered expression of numerous genes, including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. Yet, it remains unclear how BDNF expression is increased in DRG neurons after repeated morphine treatment. DNA methylation is an important mechanism of epigenetic control of gene expression. In the current study, we hypothesized that the demethylation regulation of certain BDNF gene promoters in DRG neurons may contribute to the development of OIH. Real-time RT-PCR was used to assess changes in the mRNA transcription levels of major BDNF exons including exon I, II, IV, VI, as well as total BDNF mRNA in DRGs from rats after repeated morphine administration. The levels of exon IV and total BDNF mRNA were significantly upregulated by repeated morphine administration, as compared to that in saline control group. Further, ELISA array and immunocytochemistry study revealed a robust upregulation of BDNF protein expression in DRG neurons after repeated morphine exposure. Correspondingly, the methylation levels of BDNF exon IV promoter showed a significant downregulation by morphine treatment. Importantly, intrathecal administration of a BDNF antibody, but not control IgG, significantly inhibited mechanical hypersensitivity that developed in rats after repeated morphine treatment. Conversely, intrathecal administration of an inhibitor of DNA methylation, 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine (5-aza-dC) markedly upregulated the BDNF protein expression in DRG neurons and enhanced the mechanical allodynia after repeated morphine exposure. Together, our findings suggest that demethylation regulation of BDNF gene promoter may be implicated in the development of OIH through epigenetic control of BDNF expression in DRG neurons.

BDNF Methylation and Maternal Brain Activity in a Violence-Related Sample

It is known that increased circulating glucocorticoids in the wake of excessive, chronic, repetitive stress increases anxiety and impairs Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) signaling. Recent studies of BDNF gene methylation in relation to maternal care have linked high BDNF methylation levels in the blood of adults to lower quality of received maternal care measured via self-report. Yet the specific mechanisms by which these phenomena occur remain to be established. The present study examines the link between methylation of the BDNF gene promoter region and patterns of neural activity that are associated with maternal response to stressful versus non-stressful child stimuli within a sample that includes mothers with interpersonal violence-related PTSD (IPV-PTSD). 46 mothers underwent fMRI. The contrast of neural activity when watching children—including their own—was then correlated to BDNF methylation. Consistent with the existing literature, the present study found that maternal BDNF methylation was associated with higher levels of maternal anxiety and greater childhood exposure to domestic violence. fMRI results showed a positive correlation of BDNF methylation with maternal brain activity in the anterior cingulate (ACC), and ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC), regions generally credited with a regulatory function toward brain areas that are generating emotions. Furthermore we found a negative correlation of BDNF methylation with the activity of the right hippocampus. Since our stimuli focus on stressful parenting conditions, these data suggest that the correlation between vmPFC/ACC activity and BDNF methylation may be linked to mothers who are at a disadvantage with respect to emotion regulation when facing stressful parenting situations. Overall, this study provides evidence that epigenetic signatures of stress-related genes can be linked to functional brain regions regulating parenting stress, thus advancing our understanding of mothers at risk for stress-related psychopathology.

P.1.a.001 Chronic psychosocial stress and endocannabinoid system interact to affect the transcription of SLC6A4, in the mouse corticostriatal circuits

Stress plays an important role in major depressive disorder (MDD) and is one of the state dependent factors in suicidal behavior. A dysfunctional hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis is a common feature in this disorder. The involvement of environmental factors has added additional complexity to understanding depression or suicidal behavior. In this regard, epigenetic regulation has been considered a mechanistic interface between environmental stress stimuli and altered functioning of underlying gene network that may increase susceptibility to depression or suicidal behavior. The present study examined whether epigenetic modifications of stress related genes are associated with MDD and whether there are differences in these epigenetic marks between depressed individuals with and without serious suicidal ideation. Using MeDIP analysis in genomic DNA isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of healthy controls (n = 20), MDD patients with (n = 14) or without serious suicidal ideation (n = 10), we studied methylation of the stress-associated genes, Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 3 Group C Member 1 (NR3C1), FK506 Binding Protein 5 (FKBP5), Corticotropin Releasing Hormone Binding Protein (CRHBP), and Corticotropin Releasing Hormone Receptor 1 (CRHR1). In addition, we determined their transcript levels in RNAs isolated from the same PBMC. We found that BDNF, FKBP5, CRHBP, and NR3C1 gene promoters were significantly hypermethylated in MDD patients with and without suicidal ideation. We also found concomitant reductions in expression of BDNF, FKBP5 transcript variants (1, 2 and 3), and NR3C1 genes in these patients, suggesting that promoter hypermethylation in these genes may functionally be associated with their observed downregulation in MDD patients. In a secondary analysis, methylation of these genes was compared between MDD patients with or without serious suicidal ideation and controls. The MDD with serious suicidal ideation were significantly different from controls while the MDD without were not, although MDD with or without suicidal ideation were not different from each other, likely owning to a relatively small sample size. Thus, our findings underline the importance of epigenetic modifications of stress-associated genes in depression and, possibly, suicidal behavior, which, in future, needs to be confirmed in a larger patient population.

The CB₁ cannabinoid receptor signals striatal neuroprotection via a PI3K/Akt/mTORC1/BDNF pathway.

The CB1 cannabinoid receptor, the main molecular target of endocannabinoids and cannabis active components, is the most abundant G protein-coupled receptor in the mammalian brain. In particular, the CB1 receptor is highly expressed in the basal ganglia, mostly on terminals of medium-sized spiny neurons, where it plays a key neuromodulatory function. The CB1 receptor also confers neuroprotection in various experimental models of striatal damage. However, the assessment of the physiological relevance and therapeutic potential of the CB1 receptor in basal ganglia-related diseases is hampered, at least in part, by the lack of knowledge of the precise mechanism of CB1 receptor neuroprotective activity. Here, by using an array of pharmacological, genetic and pharmacogenetic (designer receptor exclusively activated by designer drug) approaches, we show that (1) CB1 receptor engagement protects striatal cells from excitotoxic death via the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 pathway, which, in turn, (2) induces brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression through the selective activation of BDNF gene promoter IV, an effect that is mediated by multiple transcription factors. To assess the possible functional impact of the CB1/BDNF axis in a neurodegenerative-disease context in vivo, we conducted experiments in the R6/2 mouse, a well-established model of Huntington's disease, in which the CB1 receptor and BDNF are known to be severely downregulated in the dorsolateral striatum. Adeno-associated viral vector-enforced re-expression of the CB1 receptor in the dorsolateral striatum of R6/2 mice allowed the re-expression of BDNF and the concerted rescue of the neuropathological deficits in these animals. Collectively, these findings unravel a molecular link between CB1 receptor activation and BDNF expression, and support the relevance of the CB1/BDNF axis in promoting striatal neuron survival.

DNA methylation analysis of BDNF gene promoters in peripheral blood cells of schizophrenia patients

Accumulating evidence suggests that epigenetic alterations in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) promoters are associated with the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders. Epigenetic changes in BDNF were reported not only in brain tissues but also in other tissues, including peripheral blood cells (PBC) and saliva. We examined DNA methylation levels of BDNF promoters I and IV using genomic DNA derived from PBC of healthy controls (n=100), and patients with schizophrenia (n=100), all from the Japanese population, by pyrosequencing. The examined CpG sites were chosen based on previous epigenetic studies that reported altered DNA methylation. We found a significantly higher level of methylation at BDNF promoter I in patients with schizophrenia compared to controls, although the difference was small. Subsequent analysis revealed that in controls, the methylation level of BDNF promoters was associated with sex, and the methylation difference observed in promoter I was more prominent in male patients with schizophrenia. Epigenetic alteration of BDNF in the PBC might reflect the pathophysiology of schizophrenia, and could be a potential biomarker.

Transcription Factor SCIRR69 Involved in the Activation of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Gene Promoter II in Mechanically Injured Neurons

The spinal cord injury and regeneration-related gene #69 (SCIRR69), which was identified in our screen for genes upregulated after spinal cord injury, encode a protein belonging to the cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB)/ATF family of transcription factors. Our previous study showed that SCIRR69 functions as a transcriptional activator. However, the target gene regulated by SCIRR69 and its roles in injured neurons remain unknown. In this study, we showed that SCIRR69 is widely distributed in the central nervous system. Full-length SCIRR69 is an endoplasmic reticulum-bound protein. Following mechanical injury to neurons, SCIRR69 was induced and proteolytically cleaved by site-1 and site-2 proteases, and the proteolytically cleaved SCIRR69 (p60-SCIRR69) was translocated to the nucleus where it bound to brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene promoter II. In addition, loss- and gain-of-function studies confirmed that SCIRR69 is involved in the regulation of BDNF expression in injured neurons. As expected, the culture supernatants of PC12 cells stably expressing p60-SCIRR69 contained higher levels of BDNF, and more remarkably promoted neurite outgrowth in a spinal cord slice culture model in vitro than the supernatants of control cells. These results suggest that SCIRR69 is a novel regulator of the BDNF gene and may play an important role in the repair and/or regeneration of damaged neural tissues by specifically activating BDNF promoter II.

Expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor is regulated by the Wnt signaling pathway

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a well characterized neurotrophin that mediates a wide variety of activities in the central nervous system, including neuronal differentiation, neuroprotection, and synaptic plasticity. The canonical Wnt signaling pathway is a critical regulator of embryonic development and homeostasis in adult tissues. Our group and others recently demonstrated that Wnt signaling induces BDNF expression in neurons and glia. However, the precise relationship between BDNF and Wnt signaling pathways is not understood. Here, we investigated Wnt signaling regulation of BDNF at the transcriptional level using a combination of bioinformatics and molecular analyses. Analysis of the BDNF gene promoter identified seven binding motifs for Wnt-dependent TCF/LEF transcription factors. Furthermore, specific BDNF promoters were induced by the Wnt3a ligand using chloramphenicol acetyl transferase reporter assays and a dominant-negative TCF4 gene reduced Wnt3a-mediated induction. Finally, Wnt3a induced expression of BDNF and other members of the BDNF signaling pathway in glia cells. Therefore, these data indicate that BDNF is a direct target of Wnt signaling, which provides a new insight into the interaction between two essential signaling pathways.

Effects of perinatal hypothyroidism on regulation of reelin and brain-derived neurotrophic factor gene expression in rat hippocampus: Role of DNA methylation and histone acetylation

Thyroid hormones have long been known to play important roles in the development and functions of the central nervous system, however, the precise molecular mechanisms that regulate thyroid hormone-responsive gene expression are not well understood. The present study investigated the role of DNA methylaion and histone acetylation in the effects of perinatal hypothyroidism on regulation of reelin and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene expression in rat hippocampus. The findings indicated that the activities of DNA methyltransferase (DNMT), methylated reelin and BDNF genes were up-regulated, whereas, the activities of histone acetylases (HAT), the levels of global acetylated histone 3 (H3) and global acetylated histone 4 (H4), and acetylated H3, acetylated H4 at reelin promoter and at BDNF gene promoter for exon II were down-regulated in the hippocampus at the developmental stage of the hypothyroid animals. These results suggest that epigenetic modification of chromatin might underlie the mechanisms of hypothyroidism-induced down-regulation of reelin and BDNF gene expression in developmental rat hippocampus.

Effects of olanzapine on brain-derived neurotrophic factor gene promoter activity in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells

Purpose Atypical antipsychotics have neuroprotective effects, which may be one of the mechanisms for their success in the treatment of schizophrenia. Growing evidence suggest that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is abnormally regulated in patients with schizophrenia, and its expression can be up-regulated by atypical antipsychotics. Atypical antipsychotic drugs may positively regulate transcription of the BDNF gene, but the molecular mechanism of atypical antipsychotic drug action on BDNF gene activity has not been investigated. The aim of the present study was to explore the possible involvement of some intracellular signaling pathways in olanzapine action on BDNF promoter activity. Methods We examined the effects of olanzapine on BDNF gene promoter activity in SH-SY5Y cells transfected with a rat BDNF promoter fragment (− 108 to + 340) linked to the luciferase reporter gene. The changes in glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) and cAMP response element (CRE) binding protein (CREB) phosphorylation were measured by Western blot analysis. Results Olanzapine treatment (10–100 µM) increased basal BDNF gene promoter activity in a dose-dependent manner and increased protein levels at high dose, and inhibitors of protein kinase A (PKA), H-89 (10 µM), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), wortmannin (0.01 µM), PKC (protein kinase C), GF109203 (10 µM), calcium/calmodulin kinase II (CaMKII), and KN-93 (20 µM) partially attenuated the stimulatory effect of olanzapine on BDNF promoter activity. In line with these results, a Western blot study showed that olanzapine (100 µM) increased phosphorylated levels of GSK-3β and CREB, which are notable downstream effectors of the PKA, PI3K, PKC, and CaMKII signaling pathways. Conclusions These results demonstrate that the up-regulation of olanzapine on BDNF gene transcription is linked with enhancement of CREB-mediated transcription via PKA, PI3K, PKC, and CaMKII signaling pathways, and olanzapine may exert neuroprotective effects through these signaling pathways in neuronal cells.

Differential effects of aripiprazole and haloperidol on BDNF-mediated signal changes in SH-SY5Y cells

Recent studies have suggested that first and second generation antipsychotics (FGAs and SGAs) have different neuroprotective effects. However, the molecular mechanisms of SGAs are not fully understood, and investigations into changes in intracellular signaling related to their neuroprotective effects remain scarce. In the present study, we compared the SGA aripiprazole with the FGA haloperidol in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells via brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)-mediated signaling, notably BDNF, glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β), and B cell lymphoma protein-2 (Bcl-2). We examined the effects of aripiprazole (five and 10 μM) and haloperidol (one and 10 μM) on BDNF gene promoter activity in SH-SY5Y cells transfected with a rat BDNF promoter fragment (− 108 to + 340) linked to the luciferase reporter gene. The changes in BDNF, p-GSK-3β, and Bcl-2 levels were measured by Western blot analysis. The haloperidol was not associated with a significant difference in BDNF promoter activity. In contrast, aripiprazole was associated with increased BDNF promoter activity only with a dose of 10 μM (93%, p < 0.01). Treatment with aripiprazole at 10 μM increased the levels of BDNF by 85%, compared with control levels ( p < 0.01), whereas haloperidol had no effect. Moreover, cells treated with aripirazole effectively increased the levels of GSK-3β phosphorylation and Bcl-2 at doses of five and 10 μM (30% and 58% and 31% and 80%, respectively, p < 0.05 or p < 0.01). However, haloperidol had no effects on p-GSK-3 β and Bcl-2 expression. This study showed that aripiprazole, but not haloperidol, appeared to offer neuroprotective effects on human neuronal cells. The actions of signaling systems associated with BDNF may represent key targets for both aripiprazole and haloperidol, but the latter may be associated with distinct effects. These differences might be related to the different therapeutic effects of FGAs and SGAs in patients with schizophrenia.

A set of differentially expressed miRNAs, including miR-30a-5p, act as post-transcriptional inhibitors of BDNF in prefrontal cortex

Expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is developmentally regulated in prefrontal cortex (PFC). The underlying molecular mechanisms, however, remain unclear. Here, we explore the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) as post-transcriptional inhibitors of BDNF. A sequential approach involving in silico, miRNA microarray, in situ hybridization and qRT-PCR studies identified a group of 10 candidate miRNAs, segregating into five miRNA families (miR-30a-5p/b/c/d, miR-103/107, miR-191, miR-16/195, miR-495), which exhibited distinct developmental and lamina-specific expression in human PFC. Luciferase assays confirmed that at least two of these miRNAs, miR-30a-5p and miR-195, target specific sequences surrounding the proximal polyadenylation site within BDNF 3'-untranslated region. Furthermore, neuronal overexpression of miR-30a-5p, a miRNA enriched in layer III pyramidal neurons, resulted in down-regulation of BDNF protein. Notably, a subset of seven miRNAs, including miR-30a-5p, exhibited an inverse correlation with BDNF protein levels in PFC of subjects age 15-84 years. In contrast, the role of transcriptional mechanisms was more apparent during the transition from fetal to childhood and/or young adult stages, when BDNF mRNA up-regulation was accompanied by similar changes in (open chromatin-associated) histone H3-lysine 4 methylation at BDNF gene promoters I and IV. Collectively, our data highlight the multiple layers of regulation governing the developmental expression of BDNF in human PFC and suggest that miRNAs are involved in the fine-tuning of this neurotrophin particularly in adulthood.