- In a 15-year study, University of Florida researchers discovered how a receptor called GPR158 works in relation to depression.
- A study of mice that experienced suppression of GPR158 was less likely to develop stress-induced depression.
- After researchers came up with the structure of GPR158, they were able to link it to the amino acid glycine.
Depression affects millions of people, and while there are many medications available to treat depression, finding the right one can be difficult.
While studying neurotransmitters, scientists at the Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation Technologies made discoveries that identify how amino acids are associated with depression.
This discovery builds on more than a decade of research to learn more about how brain cell signaling works. Finding a link with depression wasn’t the goal of the original study, but scientists are excited about their findings because they could shape the future of depression treatment.
Findings are published in the journal chemistry.
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Some people experience situational depression, which can be caused by circumstances (such as the death of a loved one), while others experience depression for a longer period of time, which can lead to major depressive disorder. There is also
Signs and symptoms of depression on the NIMH list include:
- grieve on a regular basis
- experience a feeling of emptiness
- low energy or feeling tired
- have trouble sleeping
- feeling thoughts of self harm
People with persistent symptoms of depression may need treatment. Doctors may prescribe drugs, suggest treatments, or recommend lifestyle changes to help improve symptoms of depression.
Some antidepressants include tricyclic antidepressants (such as imipramine and amitriptyline), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (such as sertraline and escitalopram), and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (such as duloxetine and venlafaxine). etc.) are included.
Antidepressants can cause side effects, such as suicidal thoughts, so people who take them should call their health care provider regularly to keep them informed of any such thoughts.
The authors did not initially attempt to establish an association with depression. When they started their research 15 years ago, their goal was to study how receptors in brain cells work.
“Fifteen years ago, we discovered a binding partner for a protein of interest, which led to this new receptor,” he said. Professor Kirill Martemyanov, one of the study authors. “We’ve been unspooling this all along.”
Professor Martemiyanov is a professor in the Department of Neuroscience at Florida Health University.
Then researchers discovered a receptor called GPR158. Through studies with mice, they learned that when mice experience suppression of their receptors, they are more resilient to stress-induced depression.
“Genetic suppression of GPR158 in mice results in a pronounced antidepressant phenotype and stress resilience, making GPR158 an attractive target for new antidepressant development,” the authors wrote.
Next, the authors wanted to answer the question of where this signal is coming from. 2021 Survey when they determined the structure of GPR158.
Learning about the structure of GPR158 was a game changer for researchers.
“Before we looked at the structure, we were barking up the completely wrong tree. We were like, ‘Wow, that’s an amino acid receptor. There’s only 20 of them, so we screened right away, and it’s a perfect fit.’ There was only one thing to do… and that was glycine.
– Professor Martemiyanov.
Glycine is “the most important and simple non-essential amino acid for humans, animals, and many mammals.”
After discovering that glycine signals and GPR158 binds to glycine, scientists were surprised to learn that it was an inhibitor and renamed it mGlyR (mebotropic glycine receptor).
The discovery of mGlyR should open the door to new research into treating depression that Professor Martemyanov plans to investigate.
Dr. Simon Feinboima doctor who has worked with the American Psychiatric Association discussed the study medical news today.
“This study basically shows that glycine can interact with the GPR158 system,” said Dr. Faynboym. “There is a biochemical pathway that researchers have documented, but more importantly, this pathway may be relevant to why glycine and taurine may have antidepressant properties. .”
Dr. Faynboym is currently president of the California Medical Association.
Dr. Faynboym noted the importance of the study, but noted that depression is “very complex” and involves multiple neurotransmitters.
“Many factors come into play when dealing with depression,” commented Dr. Faynboym. “Depression involves multiple neural networks, different neurotransmitters moving in and out of neurons at different rates, and all parts of the brain are involved. This makes it one of the most complex medical specialties.”
With that in mind, Dr. Faynboym emphasized the importance of this type of research. “This is why research papers like this move the field of psychiatry forward, because they give us another peak behind the great unknown of the brain.”
Dr. Jessica TurnerA psychiatrist based in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. MNT About research results.
“This paper proposes targeting a specific receptor in the brain, the medial prefrontal cortex, an area well known to be associated with depression,” said Dr. Turner. rice field. “The hope is that more targeted treatments in the future will help us find better and more effective remedies for people experiencing depression.
Dr. Turner calls the discovery “an exciting new development,” but notes that more research is needed.
“Scientists first need to find a way to specifically target glycine to mGlyR receptors in the brain,” said Dr. Turner.
