Altered expression of preproenkephalin and prodynorphin mRNA in a genetic model of paroxysmal dystonia

Brain Research
José N NobregaA Richter

Abstract

The dtsz mutant hamster represents a model of primary paroxysmal dystonia, in which dystonic episodes occur in response to stress. Previous examinations demonstrated striatal dysfunctions in dtsz hamsters. In the present study, in situ hybridization was used to examine preproenkephalin and prodynorphin expression as potential indices of imbalances between the striatopallidal and striatonigral pathways. Brain analyses were performed in dtsz hamsters under basal conditions, i.e., in the absence of dystonia, as well as mutant hamsters that exhibited severe stress-induced dystonic attacks immediately prior to sacrifice. In the striatum the basal expression of prodynorphin tended to be higher, while that of preproenkephalin tended to be lower in mutant hamsters in comparison to non-dystonic control hamsters. Significant basal changes were restricted to higher levels of prodynorphin in the ventrolateral striatum and lower prodynorphin and preproenkephalin mRNA expression in the hippocampus and/or in subregions of the hypothalamus. After stressful stimulation, the neuropeptides increased in several regions in both animals groups. In comparison to stimulated control hamsters, a significantly lower prodynorphin expression was found in s...Continue Reading

References

Apr 1, 1992·Trends in Neurosciences·C R Gerfen
Oct 1, 1995·Annals of Neurology·M Demirkiran, J Jankovic
Dec 3, 1998·Experimental Brain Research·H Steiner, C R Gerfen

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Citations

Jan 4, 2006·NeuroRx : the Journal of the American Society for Experimental NeuroTherapeutics·Craig Evinger
May 19, 2012·Brain Research·Daniel Alvarez-FischerOliver Bandmann
Jul 26, 2005·Peptides·Richard J Bodnar, Gad E Klein

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