Thi Thu Nguyen , Kohei Hashiguchi , James A. Waschek , Atsuro Miyata , Yuki Kambe
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
The neuropeptide pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) and its specific receptor (PAC1R) are widely present in the central nervous system (CNS), and PACAP/PAC1R signaling has been implicated in anxiety-related behaviors. The locus coeruleus (LC), with its extensive noradrenergic (NA) projections throughout the CNS, is also implicated in anxiety. Although the LC exhibits a high expression of PAC1R, the precise role of PACAP/PAC1R signaling in the LC's involvement in anxiety remains unclear. Histochemical analysis confirmed high levels of PAC1R mRNA in the LC and showed that PAC1R gene transcripts were highly localized to NA neurons. Targeted deletion of PAC1R from these cells led to a hyperactive/low anxiety phenotype in the open field and elevated-plus maze tests. Retrograde neurocircuit tracing indicated PACAP neurons from the anterior insular cortex (aIC) and a few other regions projected axons to the LC. The selective activation of PACAP neurons in the aIC led to significantly increased anxiety behavior without a change in overall locomotor activity. Moreover, shRNA PACAP knockdown in the aIC in wild-type mice led to a selective decrease in anxiety. The present results identify an aIC to LC neurocircuit controlling anxiety that critically requires PACAP/PAC1R signaling.
期刊介绍:
Neurochemistry International is devoted to the rapid publication of outstanding original articles and timely reviews in neurochemistry. Manuscripts on a broad range of topics will be considered, including molecular and cellular neurochemistry, neuropharmacology and genetic aspects of CNS function, neuroimmunology, metabolism as well as the neurochemistry of neurological and psychiatric disorders of the CNS.