RESUMO
NLGN4X was identified as a single causative gene of rare familial nonsyndromic autism for the first time. It encodes the postsynaptic membrane protein Neuroligin4 (NLGN4), the functions and roles of which, however, are not fully understood due to the lack of a closely homologous gene in rodents. It has been confirmed only recently that human NLGN4 is abundantly expressed in the cerebral cortex and is localized mainly to excitatory synapses. However, the detailed histological distribution of NLGN4, which may have important implications regarding the relationships between NLGN4 and autistic phenotypes, has not been clarified. In this study, we raised specific monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies against NLGN4 and examined the distribution of NLGN4 in developing and developed human brains by immunohistochemistry. We found that, in the brain, NLGN4 is expressed almost exclusively in neurons, in which it has a widespread cytoplasmic pattern of distribution. Among various types of neurons with NLGN4 expression, we identified consistently high expression of NLGN4 in hypothalamic oxytocin (OXT)/vasopressin (AVP)-producing cells. Quantitative analyses revealed that the majority of OXT/AVP-producing neurons expressed NLGN4. NLGN4 signals in other large neurons, such as pyramidal cells in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus as well as neurons in the locus coeruleus and the raphe nucleus, were also remarkable, clearly contrasting with no or scarce signals in Purkinje cells. These data suggest that NLGN4 functions in systems involved in intellectual abilities, social abilities, and sleep and wakefulness, impairments of which are commonly seen in autism.
Assuntos
Transtorno Autístico , Humanos , Arginina Vasopressina , Transtorno Autístico/genética , Hipotálamo/metabolismo , Neurônios/metabolismo , Ocitocina/metabolismo , Fenótipo , Sinapses/metabolismoRESUMO
The ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) is a membrane transporter that directly contributes to high-density lipoprotein (HDL) biogenesis by regulating the cellular efflux of cholesterol. Since ABCA1 plays a pivotal role in cholesterol homeostasis and HDL metabolism, identification of a novel substance that is capable of increasing its expression would be beneficial for the prevention and therapy of atherosclerosis. In the present study, we studied the effects of ethanolic extracts of Brazilian red propolis (EERP) on ABCA1 expression and cholesterol efflux in THP-1 macrophages. EERP enhanced PPARγ and liver X receptor (LXR) transcriptional activity at 5-15µg/ml, which was associated with upregulation of PPARγ and LXRα expression. It was also found that EERP increase the activity of the ABCA1 promoter, which is positively regulated by LXR. Consistent with these findings, treatment with EERP increased both mRNA and protein expression of ABCA1. Finally, EERP upregulated ApoA-I-mediated cholesterol efflux. Our results showed that EERP promote ApoA-I-mediated cholesterol efflux from macrophages by increasing ABCA1 expression via induction of PPARγ/LXR.
Assuntos
Transportador 1 de Cassete de Ligação de ATP/genética , Colesterol/metabolismo , Macrófagos/efeitos dos fármacos , Extratos Vegetais/farmacologia , Própole/química , Transportador 1 de Cassete de Ligação de ATP/metabolismo , Animais , Apolipoproteína A-I/efeitos dos fármacos , Apolipoproteína A-I/metabolismo , Transporte Biológico/efeitos dos fármacos , Bovinos , Linhagem Celular , Sobrevivência Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Humanos , Receptores X do Fígado , Macrófagos/metabolismo , Modelos Biológicos , Receptores Nucleares Órfãos/efeitos dos fármacos , Receptores Nucleares Órfãos/genética , PPAR gama/efeitos dos fármacos , PPAR gama/genética , Extratos Vegetais/química , Extratos Vegetais/isolamento & purificação , Regiões Promotoras Genéticas/efeitos dos fármacos , Regiões Promotoras Genéticas/genética , RNA Mensageiro/genética , RNA Mensageiro/metabolismo , Transcrição Gênica/efeitos dos fármacosRESUMO
AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of present study was to investigate the effects of ethanolic extracts of red propolis (EERP) on adipogenesis and evaluate the molecular basis for their anti-obesity effects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We tested whether EERP alone could induce differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells, regulate the expression of adipocyte-specific genes and reverse inhibitory effects of TNF-α on their differentiation. Next, we performed a luciferase reporter gene assay to test whether EERP could enhance transcriptional activities of PPARγ and adiponectin promoter activities. RESULTS: EERP strongly induced differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes into adipocytes, and enhanced the PPARγ transcriptional activity and adiponectin promoter activity. In addition, EERP attenuated the inhibitory effect of TNF-α on adipocyte differentiation and adiponectin production in mature adipocytes. CONCLUSION: The present study indicates that EERP enhance differentiation of 3T3-L1 adipocytes in part by its potency of PPARγ activation and are capable of reversing inhibitory effects of TNF-α on adipocyte differentiation and adiponectin expression. These results suggest the value of EERP as a diet supplement for prevention and treatment of obesity and obesity-associated disorders.