Analysis of recovery mechanism from depression by in vivo imaging of CREB phosphorylation

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25350998
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Brain biometrics
• Research Institution: University of Toyama
• Principal Investigator: Ishimoto Tetsuya 富山大学, 大学院医学薬学研究部(医学), 助教 (40397170)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: ルシフェラーゼ / うつ病 / 抗うつ剤 / イメージング

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element binding protein (CREB) is a transcription factor that is considered important for memory consolidation. We generated a transgenic mouse line that expressed probe proteins that emitted light in response to CREB phosphorylation. We found increased light emission from cerebral cortex of live Tg mouse after the acute treatment of imipramine, a tricyclic antidepressant. Increase in CREB phosphorylation in cerebral cortex by the same treatment was confirmed using western blotting. These results demonstrate this Tg mouse strain can be used for the imaging of CREB phosphorylation in live mouse brain.
Furthermore, we demonstrated the correlation between the change in CREB phosphorylation at a particular region in the brain and depression-like symptom induced by the administration of reserpine, a psychotropic agent. This result indicates CREB phosphorylation at selective brain region is important for the induction of depression-like symptom.

Free Research Field

分子神経科学