Investigating the Effects of Chronic Pharmacological SERCA Modulation on Mouse Behavior

Investigating the Effects of Chronic Pharmacological SERCA Modulation on Mouse Behavior

Presenter(s)

Aikaterini Britzolaki, Claire C. Cronin, Patrick Robert Flaherty, Riely Legiralde Rufo

Description

Neuronal cell survival and development are heavily dependent on intracellular calcium (Ca2+) homeostasis. Ca2+ ions not only regulate the electrophysiological properties of neurons, they also serve as pivotal second messengers in a cascade of intrinsic molecular pathways. Notably, intracellular Ca2+ dyshomeostasis has been shown to have detrimental consequences on synaptic activity, neuronal growth and may even lead to neuronal cell death, all common hallmarks of brain pathophysiology. Thus, nerve cells have developed intricate pathways to maintain intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis, with ER playing an important role serving as the intraneuronal Ca2+ reservoir. The major regulator of Ca2+ influx into the ER is the sarco-/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase (SERCA), a P-type ATPase that pumps two ions of Ca2+ into the ER in the expense of one ATP molecule. Importantly, SERCA’s pivotal role in brain physiology and pathophysiology has been supported by several studies associating SERCA dysregulation with debilitating brain disorders, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease. Hence, in the present study we sought to assess the effects of chronic SERCA modulation on mouse behavior by implementing widely used behavioral mouse paradigms. In the context of this presentation, we are demonstrating overwhelming behavioral data, highlighting a role for SERCA in regulating mouse behavior.

Publication Date

4-22-2020

Project Designation

Independent Research

Primary Advisor

Pothitos Pitychoutis

Primary Advisor's Department

Biology

Keywords

Stander Symposium project, College of Arts and Sciences

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

Good Health and Well-Being

Investigating the Effects of Chronic Pharmacological SERCA Modulation on Mouse Behavior

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