Regulation of depressive-like behaviours by palmitoylation: Role of AKAP150 in the basolateral amygdala.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Protein palmitoylation is involved in learning and memory, and in emotional disorders. Yet, the underlying mechanisms in these processes remain unclear. Herein, we describe that A-kinase anchoring protein 150 (AKAP150) is essential and sufficient for depressive-like behaviours in mice via a palmitoylation-dependent mechanism. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Depressive-like behaviours in mice were induced by chronic restraint stress (CRS) and chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). Palmitoylated proteins in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) were assessed by an acyl-biotin exchange assay. Genetic and pharmacological approaches were used to investigate the role of the DHHC2-mediated AKAP150 palmitoylation signalling pathway in depressive-like behaviours. Electrophysiological recording, western blotting and co-immunoprecipitation were performed to define the mechanistic pathway. KEY RESULTS: Chronic stress successfully induced depressive-like behaviours in mice and enhanced AKAP150 palmitoylation in the BLA, and a palmitoylation inhibitor was enough to reverse these changes. Blocking the AKAP150-PKA interaction with the peptide Ht-31 abolished the CRS-induced AKAP150 palmitoylation signalling pathway. DHHC2 expression and palmitoylation levels were both increased after chronic stress. DHHC2 knockdown prevented CRS-induced depressive-like behaviours, as well as attenuating AKAP150 signalling and synaptic transmission in the BLA in CRS-treated mice. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: These results delineate that DHHC2 modulates chronic stress-induced depressive-like behaviours and synaptic transmission in the BLA via the AKAP150 palmitoylation signalling pathway, and this pathway may be considered as a promising novel therapeutic target for major depressive disorder.

DHHC2 regulates fear memory formation, LTP, and AKAP150 signaling in the hippocampus.

Palmitoyl acyltransferases (PATs) have been suggested to be involved in learning and memory. However, the underlying mechanisms have not yet been fully elucidated. Here, we found that the activity of DHHC2 was upregulated in the hippocampus after fear conditioning, and DHHC2 knockdown impaired fear induced memory and long-term potentiation (LTP). Additionally, the activity of DHHC2 and its synaptic expression were increased after high frequency stimulation (HFS) or glycine treatment. Importantly, fear learning selectively augmented the palmitoylation level of AKAP150, not PSD-95, and this effect was abolished by DHHC2 knockdown. Furthermore, 2-bromopalmitic acid (2-BP), a palmitoylation inhibitor, attenuated the increased palmitoylation level of AKAP150 and the interaction between AKAP150 and PSD-95 induced by HFS. Lastly, DHHC2 knockdown reduced the phosphorylation level of GluA1 at Ser845, and also induced an impairment of LTP in the hippocampus. Our results suggest that DHHC2 plays a critical role in regulating fear memory via AKAP150 signaling.

Destruction of 4-chlorophenol by the hydrogen-accelerated catalytic Fenton system enhanced by Pd/NH2-MIL-101(Cr).

4-chlorophenol (4-CP) could be rapidly mineralized by using Fenton reaction. However, massive iron sludge will be generated because of the excessive consumption of iron salt and poor recycling of FeIII back to FeII. In this paper, by introducing hydrogen gas and solid catalyst Pd/NH2-MIL-101(Cr) to classic Fenton reactor, the novel system named MHACF-NH2-MIL-101(Cr) was constructed. Much less FeII was needed in this system because the hydrogen could significantly accelerate the regeneration of FeII. The catalyst improved the utilization of H2. The degradation reaction of 4-CP could be driven by using only trace amount of FeII. It could be rapidly degraded by the hydroxyl radical detected by the 4-Hydroxy-benzoicacid which is the oxidative product of benzoic acid and hydroxyl radical. The effects of dosage of ferrous salt, H2O2 and catalyst, H2 flow, Pd content, and initial pH of and concentration of 4-CP aqueous solution were investigated. The robustness and morphology changes of this catalytic material were also systematically analysed. By clarifying the role of this solid MOFs material in this hydrogen-mediated Fenton reaction system, it will provide a new direction for the research and development of advanced oxidation processes with high efficiency and low sludge generation in future.

mTORC1 Signaling Pathway Mediates Chronic Stress-Induced Synapse Loss in the Hippocampus.

Background: The mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling has served as a promising target for therapeutic intervention of major depressive disorder (MDD), but the mTORC1 signaling underlying MDD has not been well elucidated. In the present study, we investigated whether mTORC1 signaling pathway mediates synapse loss induced by chronic stress in the hippocampus. Methods: Chronic restraint stress-induced depression-like behaviors were tested by behavior tests (sucrose preference test, forced swim test and tail suspension test). Synaptic proteins and alternations of phosphorylation levels of mTORC1 signaling-associated molecules were measured using Western blotting. In addition, mRNA changes of immediate early genes (IEGs) and glutamate receptors were measured by RT-PCR. Rapamycin was used to explore the role of mTORC1 signaling in the antidepressant effects of fluoxetine. Results: After successfully establishing the chronic restraint stress paradigm, we observed that the mRNA levels of some IEGs were significantly changed, indicating the activation of neurons and protein synthesis alterations. Then, there was a significant downregulation of glutamate receptors and postsynaptic density protein 95 at protein and mRNA levels. Additionally, synaptic fractionation assay revealed that chronic stress induced synapse loss in the dorsal and ventral hippocampus. Furthermore, these effects were associated with the mTORC1 signaling pathway-mediated protein synthesis, and subsequently the phosphorylation of associated downstream signaling targets was reduced after chronic stress. Finally, we found that intracerebroventricular infusion of rapamycin simulated depression-like behavior and also blocked the antidepressant effects of fluoxetine. Conclusion: Overall, our study suggests that mTORC1 signaling pathway plays a critical role in mediating synapse loss induced by chronic stress, and has part in the behavioral effects of antidepressant treatment.

Catalyst-Controlled Switch in Diastereoselectivities: Enantioselective Construction of Functionalized 3,4-Dihydro-2H-thiopyrano[2,3-b]quinolines with Three Contiguous Stereocenters.

A tandem Michael-Henry reaction of 2-mercaptoquinoline-3-carbaldehydes with nitroolefins using hydrogen-bonding-based cooperative organocatalysts for the highly diastereodivergent synthesis of chiral functionalized 3,4-dihydro-2H-thiopyrano[2,3-b]quinolines with three contiguous tertiary stereocenters has been developed.