Neurogranin mRNA Research Articles

Molecular Characterization of Neurogranin (NRGN) Gene from Red‑Bellied Pacu (Piaractus brachypomus)

Neurogranin (NRGN) is a small brain protein expressed in various telencephalic areas and plays an essential role in synaptic plasticity by regulating the availability of calmodulin (CaM). The study aims to characterize the neurogranin gene in Colombian native fish, red-bellied pacu, Piaractus brachypomus, its basal tissue expression and differential expression in brain injury and sublethal toxicity by organophosphates. NRGN gene contains an open reading frame of 183 nucleotides encoding for 60 amino acids. Bioinformatics analysis showed an IQ motif necessary in the interaction with CaM. NRGN mRNA was detected in tissues with higher expression in brain, gills, and head kidney. In brain regions, NRGN showed high expression in the telencephalon (TE) and olfactory bulb (OB). In the sublethal toxicity experiment, NRGN mRNA was upregulated in individuals under organophosphate exposure in the OB and optic chiasm (OC). In brain injury experiment, NRGN showed upregulation at 14 days in OC and at 24 h and 7 days in TE. These findings demonstrate the differential expression of NRGN under different experimental conditions which make it a candidate for a biomarker in the brain of P. brachypomus.

과산화수소에 의한 산화스트레스가 영아형 바텐병에서 neurogranin의 인산화에 미치는 영향

영아형 바텐병은 PPT1 결핍 및 기능장애로 인해 발병하며, 12,500명 당 1명의 발병률을 가진 신경 퇴행 질환이다. 전 세계적으로 수많은 연구가 진행 중 이지만, 아직 명확하게 밝혀진 발병원인 및 치료방법에 대해서는 알려지고 있지 않다. 본 연구에서는 뇌에서 풍부하게 발현되는 neurogranin의 발현수준이 WT과 EBD KO 쥐에서 어떤 변화를 보이는지 확인하기 위해 mRNA, 단백질, 배양된 neurospheres를 이용하여 실험을 수행하였다. real-time PCR을 통한 neurogranin의 발현수준 비교 결과 WT에서는 노화와 무관하게neurogranin mRNA 수준에 차이가 없었으나, EBD KO 쥐에서는 노화가 진행됨에 따라 neurogranin mRNA 발현수준이 감소하였으며, 뇌에서 추출된 단백질을 이용한 western blot 분석에서도 real-time PCR과 동일한 결과를 확인할 수 있었다. 또한 WT, EBD KO 쥐의 태아로 부터 neural stem cell 인 neurospheres를 배양하여 western blot 분석을 수행한 결과 PPT1 결핍에 의해 neurogranin의 정상적인 인산화에 문제가 발생함을 확인하였다. 이러한 결과들을 바탕으로 neurospheres에 산화스트레스 유발물질인 <TEX>$H_2O_2$</TEX>를 처리하였고, 24시간 경과 후 항산화제인 NAC을 처리하자 <TEX>$H_2O_2$</TEX>를 처리한 시료에서는 mock control인 인산화된 neurogranin에 비해 그 수준이 증가하였으며, <TEX>$H_2O_2$</TEX> 처리 후 NAC을 투여한 시료의 인산화 수준은 mock control 보다는 높았지만 <TEX>$H_2O_2$</TEX>만을 처리한 시료 수준보다 neurogranin의 인산화 정도가 감소하는 결과를 확인하였다. 이러한 결과들을 통해 PPT1 결핍으로 인해 신경세포 내에 과다하게 인산화된 neurogranin이 존재하며, neurogranin 인산화 정도는 세포가 지닌 산화스트레스 정도에 의해 변화함을 알 수 있었다. 또한 항산화제를 사용하여 세포의 산화스트레스 수준을 감소시킬 경우 neurogranin의 기능을 정상적으로 회복시킬 수 있는 가능성을 확인하였다. Early onset of Batten disease (EBD), one of the most lethal neurodegenerative storage disorders of childhood, is caused by inactivating mutations in the Ceroid Lipofuscinosis, Neuronal (CLN1) gene. Neurogranin, a calmodulin-binding protein, is expressed in the brain and participates in the protein kinase C (PKC) signaling pathway. While oxidative stress is the suggested cause of neurodegeneration in EBD, its molecular mechanism(s) remains obscure. In this research, we examined the levels of neurogranin in the brain mRNA of wild-type (WT) mice and EBD knockout (KO) mice, as well as the proteins. We also performed neuronal cultures to measure the expression levels of neurgranin and phosphorylated-neurogranin with or without oxidative stress inducers and anti-oxidants. Results showed that neurogranin in both EBD KO mice brain mRNA and protein extracts decreased in an age dependent manner. However, high amounts of phosphorylated-neurogranin were detected in the 6-month brain. This pattern was also confirmed by cultured neurospheres samples. Moreover, neurospheres treated with <TEX>$H_2O_2$</TEX>, an oxidative stress inducer, showed increased phosphorylated-neurogranin patterns. Interestingly, this pattern returned to normal status when treated with N-acetyl-L-cystein, an anti-oxidant, after <TEX>$H_2O_2$</TEX> treatment was performed. Our results suggest that the phosphorylation of neurogranin is affected by oxidative stress status in EBD, and appropriate anti-oxidant treatment will relieve hyper-phosphorylation of neurogranin.

Effects of sleep deprivation for 24 hours on long-term potentiation and neurogranin mRNA expression in hippocampus of rats

Objective To study 24 hours of sleep deprivation(SD)on long-term potentiation(LTP)and neurogranin(Ng)mRNA expression of hippocampus in rats.Methods Male Wistar rats were divided into two groups:sleep deprivation group(SD group)and control group(C group).After 24 hours of SD by sleep deprivation box,LTP was induced in hippocampal dentate gyrus(DG)by high-frequency stimulation(HFS).One step methods by Trizol was used to extract hippocampus neuronal total RNA.The changes of Ng mRNA expression were detected by SYBRA green ⅠRT-PCR.Results Compared with the C group,the changes of amplitude of population spike (PS)were lower in SD group,especially at 25min,30min,35min,40min,45min and 50rain after HFS(P＜0.05).The expression of Ng mRNA of SD group(0.48±0.38)Was significantly lower than that of C group(1.40±1.07,P＜0.05).Conclusion The expression of Ng mRNA was down regulated by 24 hours of SD,which might be relevant to the impairment of LTP in hippocampus of rats. Key words: Sleep deprivation; Hippocampus; LTP; Neurogranin

The effects of retinoic acid on the expression of neurogranin after experimental cerebral ischemia

Retinoic acid (RA) is an active metabolite of Vitamin A, and plays an important role in the normal development of the central nervous system. Neurogranin (NG) is a brain-specific postsynaptic kinase C (PKC) substrate and calmodulin-binding protein. The effects of RA-NG interaction on ischemic brain injuries are still unclear. We investigated the effects of exogenous RA on cerebral ischemia, the involvement of NG after distal middle cerebral artery occlusion (dMCAO), and the mechanism of RA neuroprotection in rats. Focal cortical infarction was developed in the dMCAO model, followed by intraperitoneal treatment with either vehicle or RA; then the rats were evaluated with neurological deficit scores according to a beam-walking test. The infarction volume was analyzed in hematoxylin and eosin (HE)-stained sections; NG mRNA expression level was measured with a real-time PCR; and NG protein expression was determined immunohistochemically at 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after dMCAO. The RA-treated rats showed a significant improvement in functional deficits and a significant decrease in infarct volume after dMCAO, compared with the vehicle group. The RA group showed an increase in NG protein or mRNA expression, compared with the vehicle group. In conclusion, administration of RA decreased the infarct volume, and promoted neurological functional recovery. This neuroprotective effect is attributed, at least in part, to NG mRNA and NG protein expression.

Expression of protein kinase-C substrate mRNA in the motor cortex of adult and infant macaque monkeys

To understand the molecular and cellular bases of plasticity in the primate motor cortex, we investigated the expression of three protein kinase-C (PKC) substrates: GAP-43, myristoylated alanine-rich C-kinase substrate (MARCKS), and neurogranin, which are key molecules regulating synaptic plasticity. Prominent signals for the three mRNAs were primarily observed in pyramidal cells. Large pyramidal cells in layer V, from which the descending motor tract originates, contained weaker hybridization signals for GAP-43 and neurogranin mRNAs than did the smaller pyramidal cells. We also performed double-label in situ hybridization showing that GAP-43 and neurogranin mRNAs were expressed in a subset of MARCKS-positive neurons. Quantitative analysis showed that the expression was different between the layers: layer VI contained the strongest and layer II the weakest signals for all three mRNAs. The expression levels of GAP-43 and MARCKS mRNA in layer V were higher than in layer III, while the expression level of neurogranin mRNA in layer V was almost the same as in layer III. Developmental analysis from the newborn to adult indicated that the expression levels of the three mRNAs were higher in the infant motor cortex than in the adult. The expression of both GAP-43 and neurogranin mRNAs transiently increased over several months postnatally. The present study showed that the expression of the three PKC substrates was specific to cell types, cortical layers, and postnatal developmental stage. The specific expression may reflect functional specialization for plasticity in the motor cortex of both infants and adults.

Expression of protein kinase C‐substrate mRNAs in the basal ganglia of adult and infant macaque monkeys

We performed in situ hybridization histochemistry on the monkey basal ganglia to investigate the mRNA localization of three protein kinase C substrates (GAP-43, MARCKS, and neurogranin), of which expression plays a role in structural changes in neurites and synapses. Weak hybridization signals for GAP-43 mRNA and intense signals for both MARCKS and neurogranin mRNAs were observed in the adult neostriatum. All three of the mRNAs were expressed in both substance P-positive direct pathway neurons and enkephalin-positive indirect pathway neurons. In the nucleus accumbens, the hybridization signals for the three mRNAs were weaker than those in the neostriatum. Double-label in situ hybridization histochemistry in the neostriatum revealed that GAP-43 and neurogranin mRNAs were expressed in a subset of MARCKS-positive neurons. While intense hybridization signals for MARCKS mRNA were observed in all of the other basal ganglia regions such as the globus pallidus, substantia innominata, subthalamic nucleus, and substantia nigra, intense signals for GAP-43 mRNA were restricted to the substantia innominata and substantia nigra pars compacta. No signal for neurogranin mRNA was observed in the basal ganglia regions outside the neostriatum and the nucleus accumbens. These results indicate that the protein kinase C substrates are abundant in some specific connections in cortico-basal ganglia circuits. Developmental analysis showed that the expression level in the putamen and nucleus accumbens, but not in the caudate nucleus, was higher in the infant than in the adult, suggesting that synaptic maturation in the caudate nucleus occurs earlier than that in the putamen and nucleus accumbens.

Northern blot and in situ hybridization analyses for the neurogranin mRNA in the developing monkey cerebral cortex

Neurogranin is a postsynaptic substrate for protein kinase C, and its expression is related to dendritic spine development and postsynaptic plasticity. Using both Northern blot analysis and in situ hybridization techniques, we investigated the developmental changes of neurogranin expression in the monkey cerebral cortex. In each of four neocortical areas examined, i.e., the prefrontal area (area FD of von Bonin and Bailey), the temporal association area (TE), the primary somatosensory area (PB), and the primary visual area (OC), the Northern blot analysis showed that the amount of neurogranin mRNA was low during the prenatal and perinatal periods until postnatal day 8. It increased during postnatal development and reached its peak value at postnatal day 70 (in area OC) or postnatal month 6 (in area FD, TE, and PB). After that, the amount of neurogranin mRNA in the cerebral neocortex decreased gradually until postnatal years 2–3. The in situ hybridization experiments also showed a transient increase of neurogranin mRNA in the neocortex during postnatal day 70 to postnatal month 6. The transient increase was prominent in layers II and III of areas FD and TE; deep in layer III of area PB; and in layers II, III, and IV of area OC. In the hippocampus, in contrast to the results in the neocortex, the expression of neurogranin mRNA was decreased almost continuously during the postnatal period. The transiently increased expression of neurogranin in the postnatal neocortex may be a molecular basis for the postsynaptic modification of afferent inputs possibly from subcortical structures.

Neuroprotection by Ovarian Hormones in Animal Models of Neurological Disease

Ovarian hormones can protect against brain injury, neurodegeneration, and cognitive decline. Most attention has focused on estrogens and accumulating data demonstrate that estrogen seems to specifically protect cortical and hippocampal neurons from ischemic injury and from damage due to severe seizures. Although multiple studies demonstrate protection by estrogen, in only a few instances is the issue of how the steroid confers protection known. Here, we first review data evaluating the neuroprotective effects of estrogens, a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM), and estrogen receptor alpha- and beta-selective ligands in animal models of focal and global ischemia. Using focal ischemia in ovariectomized ERalphaKO, ERbetaKO, and wild-type mice, we clearly established that the ERalpha subtype is the critical ER mediating neuroprotection in mouse focal ischemia. In rats and mice, the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model was used to represent cerebrovascular stroke, while in gerbils the two-vessel occlusion model, representing global ischemia, was used. The gerbil global ischemia model was used to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of estrogen, SERMs, and ERalpha- and ERbeta-selective compounds in the hippocampus. Analysis of neurogranin mRNA, a marker of viability of hippocampal neurons, with in situ hybridization, revealed that estrogen treatment protected the dorsal CA1 regions not only when administered before, but also when given 1 h after occlusion. Estrogen rarely is secreted alone and studies of neuroprotection have been less extensive for a second key ovarian hormone progesterone. In the second half of this review, we present data on neuroprotection by estrogen and progesterone in animal model of epilepsy followed by exploration into ovarian steroid effects on neuronal damage in models of multiple sclerosis and traumatic brain injury.

Neuroprotection by estrogen in animal models of ischemia and Parkinson's disease

AbstractEstrogen has been demonstrated to protect against brain injury, neurodegeneration, and cognitive decline. Furthermore, estrogen seems to specifically protect cortical and hippocampal neurons from ischemic injury. Here, the neuroprotective affects of estrogens, selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), and estrogen receptor α‐ and β‐ (ERα and ERβ) selective ligands in animal models of focal and global ischemia are reviewed. In rats and mice, the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model has been used as a model representing cerebrovascular stroke, while in gerbils the two‐vessel occlusion model, representing acute heart attack, has been used. Using focal ischemia in ovariectomized ERαKO, ERβKO, and wild type mice, it has been clearly established that the ERα subtype is critical for mediating neuroprotection in this model. The gerbil global ischemia model was used to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of estrogen, SERMs, and ERα‐ and ERβ‐selective compounds in the hippocampus. Analysis of neurogranin mRNA, a marker of viability of hippocampal neurons, with in situ hybridization, revealed that estrogen treatment resulted in complete protection in the dorsal CA1 regions, not only when administered before, but also when given 1 h after occlusion. The neuroprotection conferred by estrogen in an animal model of Parkinson's disease is also discussed. In the model of Parkinson's disease, although estrogen prevented the loss of tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity in the striatum following 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6 tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) treatment, the lesion and/or the estrogen treatment did not induce the expression of ERs in the striatum or substantia nigra, indicating a non‐ER‐mediating effect of estrogen. Drug Dev. Res. 66:172–181, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

Levothyroxin restores hypothyroidism-induced impairment of LTP of hippocampal CA1: Electrophysiological and molecular studies

Hypothyroidism impairs synaptic plasticity as well as learning and memory. Clinical reports are conflicting about the ability of thyroid hormone replacement therapy to fully restore the hypothyroidism-induced learning and memory impairment. Recently, we have shown that hypothyroidism impairs LTP and cognition in adult rats. We have studied the effect of thyroxin replacement therapy on hypothyroidism-induced LTP impairment using electrophysiological and molecular approaches. Recording from CA1 region of the hippocampus in anesthetized adult rat indicated that 6 weeks of thyroxin replacement therapy (20 μg/kg/day) fully restored LTP impaired by hypothyroidism. Western blotting showed reduction in phosphorylated (P)-CAMKII, total-CaMKII, neurogranin, and calmodulin basal levels in the CA1 region of the hippocampus of hypothyroid rats. The levels of these molecules were normalized by thyroxin replacement therapy. The hypothyroid-induced elevation of basal calcineurin levels and activity was also normalized by thyroxin treatment. However, thyroxin replacement therapy did not restore hypothyroidism-induced reduction in PKCγ basal protein levels. Additionally, real-time PCR, showed a reduction in basal neurogranin mRNA level that was normalized by thyroxin replacement therapy. In the sham (control) rats, induction of LTP by high-frequency stimulation increases P-CaMKII, and total CaMKII levels as well as CaMKII phosphotransferase activity. However, in hypothyroid rats, the same stimulation protocol induced an increase only in total-CaMKII. Thyroxin treatment normalized the levels and activity of these molecules. The results demonstrated that thyroxin therapy normalized the electrophysiological and molecular effects of hypothyroidism on the CA1 region and emphasized the critical role P-CaMKII plays in hypothyroidism-induced LTP impairment.

Cell type- and region-specific expression of neurogranin mRNA in the cerebral cortex of the macaque monkey.

Neurogranin is a postsynaptic substrate for protein kinase C (PKC). It has been identified in the central nervous system, and the expression has been related to postsynaptic plasticity. Using non-radioactive in situ hybridization histochemistry, we investigated whether mRNA expression of neurogranin varied among the cerebral region and cell types. In most areas of the neocortex excluding area OC (the primary visual area), intense signals were observed in the pyramidal cells in layers III, V and VI. In area OC, intense signals were observed in layers IV as well as layers III and VI. We previously showed that intense signals for GAP-43, a presynaptic PKC substrate, were observed in relay neurons of the lateral geniculate nucleus. From this result and the present result in area OC, we conclude that both pre- and postsynaptic PKC substrates (GAP-43 and neurogranin) are abundant in the geniculocortical synapses. In the hippocampus, intense signals were observed in the pyramidal cells in the subiculum. Taken together with our previous study showing intense signals for GAP-43 in Ammon's horn, the result indicates that both PKC substrates are abundant in the connections between neurons in Ammon's horn and in the subiculum.

Neuroprotection by estrogen in animal models of global and focal ischemia.

Estrogen has been demonstrated to protect against brain injury, neurodegeneration, and cognitive decline. Furthermore, estrogen seems to specifically protect cortical and hippocampal neurons from ischemic injury. Here our data evaluating the neuroprotective effects of estrogens, the selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), and estrogen receptor alpha- and beta-selective ligands in animal models of ischemic injury are discussed. In rats and mice, the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model was used as models representing cerebrovascular stroke, while in gerbils the two-vessel occlusion model, resenting acute heart attack, was used. Using focal ischemia in ovariectomized ERalphaKO, ERbetaKO, and wild-type mice, we clearly established that the ERalpha subtype is the critical ER-mediating neuroprotection in mouse focal ischemia. Because of the characteristic blood supply of the gerbil, the gerbil global ischemia model was used to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of estrogen, SERMs, and ERalpha- and ERbeta-selective compounds in the hippocampus. Analysis of neurogranin mRNA, a marker of viability of hippocampal neurons, with in situ hybridization, revealed that estrogen treatment resulted in a complete protection in the CA1 regions not only when administered before, but also when given 1 hour after occlusion. Our in vivo binding studies with (125)I-estrogen in gerbils revealed the presence of nuclear estrogen binding sites primarily in CA1 neurons, but not in the CA3 region, as we saw in rats and mice. Together, these observations demonstrate that estrogen protects from ischemic injury in both the focal and global ischemia models by acting primarily via classical nuclear receptors.

Estrogen prevents the loss of CA1 hippocampal neurons in gerbils after ischemic injury

Estrogen replacement therapy is thought to attenuate the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease in women and enhance cognitive functions. In rodents, estrogen protects cerebral cortical neurons from ischemic injury and cultured neurons from a variety of perturbations. Because few nuclear estrogen receptors have been detected in the dorsal hippocampus, the present studies used a global ischemia model to evaluate the neuroprotective actions of estrogen in this region. Ovariectomized gerbils were treated with placebo, 0.5 mg or 1 mg pellets of estradiol for 13 days. On day 7, the common carotid arteries were occluded for 5 min and on day 13 the animals were killed. Analysis of neurogranin mRNA, a marker of hippocampal neurons, with in situ hybridization revealed a dramatic and selective loss of CA1 neurons in the placebo-treated ovariectomized gerbils, whereas both 0.5 mg and 1 mg pellets of 17β-estradiol prevented cell loss. Subsequent studies showed that a variety of estrogens, including diethylstilbestrol, estrone and 17α-estradiol as well as vitamin E, also protected CA1 neurons from ischemic injury in ovariectomized gerbils, whereas treatment with the estrogen antagonist tamoxifen was ineffective. The results of in vivo binding studies with 17α-iodovinyl-11β-methoxyestradiol revealed a concentration of nuclear estrogen binding sites in the CA1 region of the ovariectomized gerbil brain, whereas binding in other hippocampal regions was limited. Moreover, the binding studies revealed that the regional pattern of binding was not altered after ischemic injury, with the exception of the hippocampus, where the binding sites were attenuated in ovariectomized animals with time after ischemic injury. Together, these data demonstrate that a variety of steroidal and non-steroidal estrogens are potent neuroprotective agents in an animal model of global ischemia, agents that protect neurons critical for learning and memory and susceptible to neurodegenerative diseases.

Chronic ethanol consumption restores the age-related decrease in neurogranin mRNA level in the hippocampus of mice

Neurogranin (Ng) is a Ca 2+-sensitive calmodulin-binding neuron-specific protein that has been implicated in the regulation of numerous post-synaptic signalling pathways. Here, we investigate the effects of 5 months low level ethanol consumption (∼20% of total calories intake) on Ng mRNA expression in the brain of adult (∼7–8 months) and aged (∼21–22 months) mice using in situ hybridization histochemistry. Results showed that ageing was accompanied by a decrease in amounts of mRNA coding for Ng, especially in the hippocampus (∼25% of adults) known to play a critical role in higher cognitive functions. Chronic ethanol consumption restored this decline up to pre-senescent (adult) levels without altering Ng mRNA levels in adult mice. On the basis of recent data indicating a central role for Ng in the regulation of hippocampal synaptic plasticity and spatial learning, our results suggest that moderate ethanol consumption might have a beneficial influence on cognitive deterioration during senescence. Such a possibility is in fact congruent with recent follow-up studies conducted in elderly people.

Thyroid hormone-regulated expression of RC3/neurogranin in the immortalized hypothalamic cell line GT1-7.

The calmodulin-binding, protein kinase C substrate RC3/neurogranin is the product of a neuron-specific gene expressed in the forebrain that is under specific regional and temporal control by thyroid hormone (3,5,3'-triiodothyronine, T3). In vivo, some neuronal populations are sensitive and others are insensitive to T3. The goal of this study was to identify neuronal cell cultures that express RC3/neurogranin, to check whether they are sensitive to T3, and to examine the mechanism of regulation. We found that RC3 is induced by T3 in the hypothalamic cell line GT1-7 at the transcriptional level. The half-life of the mature mRNA was 20 h and was not affected by the hormone. Addition of T3 to the cell culture induces neurogranin mRNA after 6 h in the absence of new protein synthesis. These results suggest a direct transcriptional effect of T3 mediated through nuclear receptors. Indeed, GT1-7 cells express functional T3 receptors, as shown by northern blotting, nuclear T3-binding assays, and transactivation of reporter genes. The role of retinoic acid and glucocorticoids on RC3 expression was also evaluated, because we have previously noted the presence of consensus response elements for these hormones in the RC3 upstream promoter region. In contrast to T3, neither retinoic acid nor dexamethasone influences neurogranin expression despite the presence of respective functional receptors.