snca and bdnf gene expression in the vta and raphe nuclei of midbrain in chronically victorious and defeated male micesnca和bdnf基因表达在腹侧被盖区和中脑中缝核的雄性小鼠长期胜利和失败了.pdfVIP

Snca and Bdnf Gene Expression in the VTA and Raphe Nuclei of Midbrain in Chronically Victorious and Defeated Male Mice 1 1 2 2 Natalia N. Kudryavtseva *, Natalia P. Bondar , Ul’yana A. Boyarskikh , Maxim L. Filipenko 1 Institute of Cytology and Genetics SD RAS, Novosibirsk, Russian Federation, 2 Institute of Chemical Biology and Basic Medicine SD RAS, Novosibirsk, Russian Federation Abstract Background: Alpha-synuclein (a-Syn) is a small neuronal protein that has been found to be expressed throughout the brain. It has been shown that a-Syn regulates the homeostasis of monoamine neurotransmitters and is involved in various degenerative and affective disorders. There is indication that a-Syn may regulate expression of the brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) which plays an important role in the mood disorders. Methodology/Principal Findings: The study aimed to analyze the mRNA levels of Snca and Bdnf genes in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and raphe nuclei of the midbrain in male mice that had each won or defeated 20 encounters (20-time winners and 20-time losers, respectively) in daily agonistic interactions. Groups of animals that had the same winning and losing track record followed by a no-fight period for 14 days (no-fighting winners and no-fighting losers) were also studied. Snca mRNA levels were increased in the raphe nuclei in the 20-time losers and in the VTA of the 20-time winners. After no- fight period Snca mRNA levels decreased in both groups. Snca mRNA levels were similar to the control level in the VTA of the 20-time losers and in the raphe nuclei of the 20-time winners. However Snca gene expression increased in these areas in the no-fighting winners and no-fighting l