Oligonucleotide-induced alternative splicing of serotonin 2C receptor reduces food intake.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Zhang Z
PROVIDER: S-EPMC4967942 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Project description:The central nervous system-specific serotonin receptor 2C (5HT2C) controls key physiological functions, such as food intake, anxiety, and motoneuron activity. Its deregulation is involved in depression, suicidal behavior, and spasticity, making it the target for antipsychotic drugs, appetite controlling substances, and possibly anti-spasm agents. Through alternative pre-mRNA splicing and RNA editing, the 5HT2C gene generates at least 33 mRNA isoforms encoding 25 proteins. The 5HT2C is a G-protein coupled receptor that signals through phospholipase C, influencing the expression of immediate/early genes like c-fos. Most 5HT2C isoforms show constitutive activity, i.e., signal without ligand binding. The constitutive activity of 5HT2C is decreased by pre-mRNA editing as well as alternative pre-mRNA splicing, which generates a truncated isoform that switches off 5HT2C receptor activity through heterodimerization; showing that RNA processing regulates the constitutive activity of the 5HT2C system. RNA processing events influencing the constitutive activity target exon Vb that forms a stable double stranded RNA structure with its downstream intron. This structure can be targeted by small molecules and oligonucleotides that change exon Vb alternative splicing and influence 5HT2C signaling in mouse models, leading to a reduction in food intake. Thus, the 5HT2C system is a candidate for RNA therapy in multiple models of CNS disorders.
| S-EPMC5873585 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The serotonin receptor 2C plays a central role in mood and appetite control. It undergoes pre-mRNA editing as well as alternative splicing. The RNA editing suggests that the pre-mRNA forms a stable secondary structure in vivo. To identify substances that promote alternative exons inclusion, we set up a high-throughput screen and identified pyrvinium pamoate as a drug-promoting exon inclusion without editing. Circular dichroism spectroscopy indicates that pyrvinium pamoate binds directly to the pre-mRNA and changes its structure. SHAPE (selective 2'-hydroxyl acylation analysed by primer extension) assays show that part of the regulated 5'-splice site forms intramolecular base pairs that are removed by this structural change, which likely allows splice site recognition and exon inclusion. Genome-wide analyses show that pyrvinium pamoate regulates >300 alternative exons that form secondary structures enriched in A-U base pairs. Our data demonstrate that alternative splicing of structured pre-mRNAs can be regulated by small molecules that directly bind to the RNA, which is reminiscent to an RNA riboswitch.
| S-EPMC3616728 | biostudies-literature
Project description:To meet the challenge to human health posed by obesity, a better understanding of the regulation of feeding is essential. Medications targeting 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT; serotonin) 2C receptors (htr2c; 5-HT2CR) improve obesity. Here we probed the functional significance of 5-HT2CRs specifically within the brainstem nucleus of the solitary tract (5-HT2CRNTS) in feeding behavior. Selective activation of 5-HT2CRNTS decreased feeding and was sufficient to mediate acute food intake reductions elicited by the 5-HT2CR agonist obesity medication lorcaserin. Similar to pro-opiomelanocortin neurons expressed within the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (POMCARC), a subset of POMCNTS neurons co-expressed 5-HT2CRs and were activated by 5-HT2CR agonists. Knockdown of POMCNTS prevented the acute appetite-suppressive effect of lorcaserin, whereas POMCARC knockdown prevented the full anorectic effect. These data identify 5-HT2CRNTS as a sufficient subpopulation of 5-HT2CRs in reducing food intake when activated and reveal that 5-HT2CR agonist obesity medications require POMC within the NTS and ARC to reduce food intake.
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Project description:Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) describes a group of metabolic disorders characterized by defects in insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity. Insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells is an important factor in the etiology of T2DM, though the complex regulation and mechanisms of insulin secretion from β-cells remains to be fully elucidated. High plasma levels of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) have been reported in T2DM patients, though the potential effect on insulin secretion is unclear. However, it is known that the 5-HT receptor 2C (5-HT(2C)R) agonist, mCPP, decreases plasma insulin concentration in mice. As such, we aimed to investigate the expression of the 5-HT(2C)R in pancreatic islets of diabetic mice and the role of 5-HT(2C)R signaling in insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells. We found that 5-HT(2C)R expression was significantly increased in pancreatic islets of db/db mice. Furthermore, treatment with a 5-HT(2C)R antagonist (SB242084) increased insulin secretion from pancreatic islets isolated from db/db mice in a dose-dependent manner, but had no effect in islets from control mice. The effect of a 5-HT(2C)R agonist (mCPP) and antagonist (SB242084) were further studied in isolated pancreatic islets from mice and Min-6 cells. We found that mCPP significantly inhibited insulin secretion in Min-6 cells and isolated islets in a dose-dependent manner, which could be reversed by SB242084 or RNA interference against 5-HT(2C)R. We also treated Min-6 cells with palmitic acid for 24 h, and found that the expression of 5-HT(2C)R increased in a dose-dependent manner; furthermore, the inhibition of insulin secretion in Min-6 cells induced by palmitic acid could be reversed by SB242084 or RNA interference against 5-HT(2C)R. Taken together, our data suggests that increased expression of 5-HT(2C)R in pancreatic β-cells might inhibit insulin secretion. This unique observation increases our understanding of T2DM and suggests new avenues for potential treatment.
| S-EPMC3547871 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), the central circadian pacemaker in mammals, undergoes serotonergic regulation, but the underlying mechanisms remain obscure. Here, we generated a subclone of an SCN progenitor cell line expressing Ca(2+) sensors (SCN2.2YC) and compared its 5-HT receptor signalling with that of rat SCN neurons in brain slices. SCN2.2YC cells expressed 5-HT1A/2A/2B/2C, but not 5A/7, while all six subtypes were expressed in SCN tissues. High K(+) or 5-HT increased cytosolic Ca(2+) in SCN2.2YC cells. The 5-HT responses were inhibited by ritanserin and SB-221284, but resistant to WAY-100635 and RS-127445, suggesting predominant involvement of 5-HT2C for Ca(2+) mobilisations. Consistently, Ca(2+) imaging and voltage-clamp electrophysiology using rat SCN slices demonstrated post-synaptic 5-HT2C expression. Because 5-HT2C expression was postnatally increased in the SCN and 5-HT-induced Ca(2+) mobilisations were amplified in differentiated SCN2.2YC cells and developed SCN neurons, we suggest that this signalling development occurs in accordance with central clock maturations.
| S-EPMC3925950 | biostudies-other
Project description:The serotonin 2C receptor (5-HT(2C)R)-a key regulator of diverse neurological processes-exhibits functional variability derived from editing of its pre-mRNA by site-specific adenosine deamination (A-to-I pre-mRNA editing) in five distinct sites. Here we describe a statistical technique that was developed for analysis of the dependencies among the editing states of the five sites. The statistical significance of the observed correlations was estimated by comparing editing patterns in multiple individuals. For both human and rat 5-HT(2C)R, the editing states of the physically proximal sites A and B were found to be strongly dependent. In contrast, the editing states of sites C and D, which are also physically close, seem not to be directly dependent but instead are linked through the dependencies on sites A and B, respectively. We observed pronounced differences between the editing patterns in humans and rats: in humans site A is the key determinant of the editing state of the other sites, whereas in rats this role belongs to site B. The structure of the dependencies among the editing sites is notably simpler in rats than it is in humans implying more complex regulation of 5-HT(2C)R editing and, by inference, function in the human brain. Thus, exhaustive statistical analysis of the 5-HT(2C)R editing patterns indicates that the editing state of sites A and B is the primary determinant of the editing states of the other three sites, and hence the overall editing pattern. Taken together, these findings allow us to propose a mechanistic model of concerted action of ADAR1 and ADAR2 in 5-HT(2C)R editing. Statistical approach developed here can be applied to other cases of interdependencies among modification sites in RNA and proteins.
| S-EPMC3435259 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundApolipoprotein B (APOB) is an integral part of the LDL, VLDL, IDL, Lp(a) and chylomicron lipoprotein particles. The APOB pre-mRNA consists of 29 constitutively-spliced exons. APOB exists as two natural isoforms: the full-length APOB100 isoform, assembled into LDL, VLDL, IDL and Lp(a) and secreted by the liver in humans; and the C-terminally truncated APOB48, assembled into chylomicrons and secreted by the intestine in humans. Down-regulation of APOB100 is a potential therapy to lower circulating LDL and cholesterol levels.ResultsWe investigated the ability of 2'O-methyl RNA antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) to induce the skipping of exon 27 in endogenous APOB mRNA in HepG2 cells. These ASOs are directed towards the 5' and 3' splice-sites of exon 27, the branch-point sequence (BPS) of intron 26-27 and several predicted exonic splicing enhancers within exon 27. ASOs targeting either the 5' or 3' splice-site, in combination with the BPS, are the most effective. The splicing of other alternatively spliced genes are not influenced by these ASOs, suggesting that the effects seen are not due to non-specific changes in alternative splicing. The skip 27 mRNA is translated into a truncated isoform, APOB87SKIP27.ConclusionThe induction of APOB87SKIP27 expression in vivo should lead to decreased LDL and cholesterol levels, by analogy to patients with hypobetalipoproteinemia. As intestinal APOB mRNA editing and APOB48 expression rely on sequences within exon 26, exon 27 skipping should not affect APOB48 expression unlike other methods of down-regulating APOB100 expression which also down-regulate APOB48.
| S-EPMC1784105 | biostudies-literature
Project description:mRNA for serotonin 2C receptor (5-HT(2C)R) undergoes editing which results in numerous isoforms. More highly edited isoforms exhibit decreased function. We recently found greater 5-HT(2C)R editing in suicide victims with prior bipolar disorder (BPD) or schizophrenia (SZ) compared with non-suicide patients and normal controls (NC). This study compares suicides and non-suicides with major depressive disorder (MDD(Suic) and MDD(NoSuic)) and non-suicide NC.mRNA editing was assessed in prefrontal cortex of 24 MDD(Suic), 21 MDD(NoSuic), and 56 NC using next generation sequencing. mRNA expression of 5-HT(2C)R and editing enzymes (ADAR1-2) was assessed by real-time PCR.Editing was lower in MDD(NoSuic) than in MDD(Suic), which did not differ from NC. No differences in the 5-HT(2C)R or ADAR1 expression were detected. ADAR2 expression was higher in NC than in MDD subjects, but did not differ between MDD(NoSuic) and MDD(Suic).Our findings suggest the presence of two factors associated with 5-HT(2C)R editing. One factor, which probably stems from decreased ADAR2 expression, is linked to MDD and is associated with less editing. The other, seen also in our previous study of suicide in BP and SZ, is linked to suicide alone and is associated with more editing and, therefore, less receptor function.
| S-EPMC4120662 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Lorcaserin, a selective 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)(2C) receptor agonist, reduces body weight. It is unclear whether weight loss is due to reduced energy intake (EI) or also to enhanced energy expenditure (EE).This study tested the effect of lorcaserin on EI and EE.In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, 57 (39 women) overweight and obese (body mass index, 27-45 kg/m(2)) adults were randomized to placebo (n = 28) or 10 mg twice daily lorcaserin (n = 29) for 56 d. Weight maintenance was imposed during d 1-7. Beginning on d 8, participants followed a diet and exercise plan targeting a 600 kcal/d deficit.At baseline and after 7 and 56 d of treatment, we measured body weight, body composition (dual x-ray absorptiometry), blood pressure, heart rate, EI at lunch and dinner, subjective appetite ratings, and 24-h EE and 24-h-respiratory quotient (RQ), measured by indirect calorimetry in a respiratory chamber.After 7 d of weight maintenance, EI was significantly (P < 0.01) reduced with lorcaserin but not placebo (mean ± sem for lorcaserin, -286 ± 86 kcal; placebo, -147 ± 89 kcal). After 56 d, lorcaserin resulted in significantly larger reductions in body weight (lorcaserin, -3.8 ± 0.4 kg; placebo, -2.2 ± 0.5 kg; P < 0.01), EI (lorcaserin, -470 ± 87 kcal; placebo, -205 ± 91 kcal; P < .05), and appetite ratings than in placebo. Changes in 24-h EE and 24-h RQ did not differ between groups, even after 24-h EE was adjusted for body weight and composition. Compared with placebo, lorcaserin had no effect on systolic or diastolic blood pressure or heart rate after 56 d.Lorcaserin reduces body weight through reduced EI, not altered EE or RQ.
| S-EPMC3047218 | biostudies-literature
Project description:DNA methylation is an important regulatory mechanism in the control of neuronal function. Both during development and following exposure to salient stimuli, plasticity in the methylation of cytosine residues leads to a change in neuron excitability that subsequently sculpts animal behavior. However, while the response of DNA methyltransferase enzymes in adult neurons to stimuli such as drugs of abuse have been described, less is known about how these enzymes regulate methylation at specific loci to change an animal’s inclination to ingest natural rewards. Specifically, we do not understand how changes in methylation within important brain areas known to regulate palatable food intake can affect ingestion, and detailed investigation of the neurophysiological and genomic effects of perturbing methyltransferase function has not been pursued. By deleting DNA methyltransferase 1 and 3a in the mouse prefrontal cortex, we observed the requirement for these enzymes in the regulation of nutrient rich food consumption in the absence of any effect on the intake of low fat and low sugar chow. We also determined that the deletion profoundly affected neuron excitability within pyramidal cells resident in superficial layers II/III of the cortex but had little effect in deep layer V neurons. Finally, reduced representation bisulfite sequencing revealed both hypo and hypermethylation in response to methyltransferase deletion, an effect that was observed in binding sites for retinoic acid receptor beta (RARβ) located within regulatory regions of genes known to affect neuronal function. Together, our data suggest that alterations in the actions of RARβ could shift neuronal activity to reduce palatable food intake.
2021-05-24 | GSE175380 | GEO