The long term objectives of the proposed studies are to provide novel approaches towards treating women who suffer from hot flashes and mood disorders during menopause. Desensitization of serotonin 1A (5-HT1A) receptor signaling both in midbrain and forebrain regions (hypothalamus, amygdala) may be an underlying mechanism for the therapeutic effects of estrogen and of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), such as fluoxetine (Prozac (r) for depression, anxiety and hot flashes in post-menopausal women. However, unlike SSRIs, which require 7-14 days to induce a therapeutic response and a desensitization of 5-HT1A receptors, estrogen can produce a desensitization of 5-HT1A receptors within 2 days of administration. This competitive renewal will investigate the mechanisms responsible for the desensitization of post-synaptic hypothalamic 5-HT1A receptor systems during treatment with estrogen. The focus of the studies is on regulatory G protein signaling-Z1 (RGSZ-1), a protein that acts as a Galphaz protein GTPase Activating Protein (Gz-GAP) that regulates the interaction between 5-HT1A receptor-coupled Galphaz proteins and effector systems (such as adenylyl cyclase or potassium channels). The overall hypothesis is that estrogen-induced desensitization of 5-HT1A receptor signaling is due to increased expression of RGSZ-1. The following aims will test this hypothesis.
Specific Aim 1 will test the hypothesis that estrogen receptor-beta (ER beta) mediates the increased expression of RGSZ-1 protein and mRNA and desensitization of the 5-HT1A receptors.
Specific Aim 2 will test the hypothesis that up-regulation of RGSZ-1 mediates the estrogen-induced desensitization of hypothalamic 5-HT1A receptors.
Specific Aim 3 will test the hypothesis that a treatment combining SSRIs (such as fluoxetine) with estrogen leads to activation of two complementary mechanisms (reduced Galphaz proteins and increased RGSZ-1 proteins, respectively), leading to a synergistic desensitization of 5-HT1A receptor signaling. The proposed studies may lead to novel targets for medications which affect the regulation of RGSZ-1 to treat women who suffer from hot flashes and mood disorders during menopause

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01MH058448-10
Application #
7489823
Study Section
Neuroendocrinology, Neuroimmunology, and Behavior Study Section (NNB)
Program Officer
Nadler, Laurie S
Project Start
1999-08-05
Project End
2010-07-31
Budget Start
2008-08-01
Budget End
2009-07-31
Support Year
10
Fiscal Year
2008
Total Cost
$262,891
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Kansas Lawrence
Department
Pharmacology
Type
Schools of Pharmacy
DUNS #
076248616
City
Lawrence
State
KS
Country
United States
Zip Code
66045
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Li, Qian; Muma, Nancy A (2013) Estradiol potentiates 8-OH-DPAT-induced sumoylation of 5-HTýýýA receptor: characterization and subcellular distribution of sumoylated 5-HTýýýA receptors. Psychoneuroendocrinology 38:2542-53
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Muma, Nancy A (2012) RGS proteins: impact on the treatment of depression and anxiety. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 15:1199-200
Creech, R D; Li, Q; Carrasco, G A et al. (2012) Estradiol induces partial desensitization of serotonin 1A receptor signaling in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus and alters expression and interaction of RGSZ1 and Gýýz. Neuropharmacology 62:2040-9
Rossi, Dania V; Dai, Ying; Thomas, Peter et al. (2010) Estradiol-induced desensitization of 5-HT1A receptor signaling in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus is independent of estrogen receptor-beta. Psychoneuroendocrinology 35:1023-33
Grippo, Angela J (2009) Mechanisms underlying altered mood and cardiovascular dysfunction: the value of neurobiological and behavioral research with animal models. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 33:171-80
Grippo, Angela J; Johnson, Alan Kim (2009) Stress, depression and cardiovascular dysregulation: a review of neurobiological mechanisms and the integration of research from preclinical disease models. Stress 12:1-21
Xu, H; Qin, S; Carrasco, G A et al. (2009) Extra-nuclear estrogen receptor GPR30 regulates serotonin function in rat hypothalamus. Neuroscience 158:1599-607

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