@phdthesis{Kriegebaum2009,
  author    = {Kriegebaum, Claudia},
  title     = {Spatio-temporal Expression Patterns of the Serotonin Synthesis Enzymes TPH1 and TPH2 and Effects of Acute Stress},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-40839},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2009},
  abstract  = {Several lines of evidence implicate a dysregulation of tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH)-dependent serotonin (5-HT) synthesis in emotions and stress and point to their potential relevance to the etiology and pathogenesis of various neuropsychiatric disorders. However, the differential expression pattern of the two isoforms TPH1 and TPH2 which encode two forms of the rate-limiting enzyme of 5-HT synthesis is controversial. Here, a comprehensive spatio-temporal analysis clarifies TPH1 and TPH2 expression during pre- and postnatal development of the mouse brain and in adult human brain as well as in peripheral organs including the pineal gland. Four different methods (real time PCR, in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis) were performed to systematically control for tissue-, species- and isoform-specific expression on both the pre- and posttranslational level. TPH2 expression was consistently detected in the raphe nuclei, as well as in fibres in the deep pineal gland and in the gastrointestinal tract. Although TPH1 expression was found in these peripheral tissues, no significant TPH1 expression was detected in the brain, neither during murine development, nor in mouse and human adult brain. Also under conditions like stress and clearing the tissue from blood cells, no changes in expression levels were detectable. Furthermore, the reuptake of 5-HT into the presynaptic neuron by the serotonin transporter (SERT) is the major mechanism terminating the neurotransmitter signal. Thus, mice with a deletion in the Sert gene (Sert KO mice) provide an adequate model for human affective disorders to study lifelong modified 5-HT homeostasis in interaction with stressful life events. To further explore the role of TPH isoforms, Tph1 and Tph2 expression was studied in the raphe nuclei of Sert deficient mice under normal conditions as well as following exposure to acute immobilization stress. Interestingly, no statistically significant changes in expression were detected. Moreover, in comparison to Tph2, no relevant Tph1 expression was detected in the brain independent from genotype, gender and treatment confirming expression in data from native animals. Raphe neurons of a brain-specific Tph2 conditional knockout (cKO) model were completely devoid of Tph2-positive neurons and consequently 5-HT in the brain, with no compensatory activation of Tph1 expression. In addition, a time-specific Tph2 inducible (i) KO mouse provides a brain-specific knockdown model during adult life, resulting in a highly reduced number of Tph2-positive cells and 5-HT in the brain. Intriguingly, expression studies detected no obvious alteration in expression of 5-HT system-associated genes in these brain-specific Tph2 knockout and knockdown models. The findings on the one hand confirm the specificity of Tph2 in brain 5-HT synthesis across the lifespan and on the other hand indicate that neither developmental nor adult Tph2-dependent 5-HT synthesis is required for normal formation of the serotonergic system, although Tph1 does not compensate for the lack of 5-HT in the brain of Tph2 KO models. A further aim of this thesis was to investigate the expression of the neuropeptide oxytocin, which is primarily produced in the hypothalamus and released for instance in response to stimulation of 5-HT and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Oxytocin acts as a neuromodulator within the central nervous system (CNS) and is critically involved in mediating pain modulation, anxiolytic-like effects and decrease of stress response, thereby reducing the risk for emotional disorders. In this study, the expression levels of oxytocin in different brain regions of interest (cortex, hippocampus, amygdala, hypothalamus and raphe nuclei) from female and male wildtype (WT) and Sert KO mice with or without exposure to acute immobilization stress were investigated. Results showed significantly higher expression levels of oxytocin in brain regions which are involved in the regulation of emotional stimuli (amygdala and hippocampus) of stressed male WT mice, whereas male Sert KO as well as female WT and Sert KO mice lack these stress-induced changes. These findings are in accordance with the hypothesis of oxytocin being necessary for protection against stress, depressive mood and anxiety but suggest gender-dependent differences. The lack of altered oxytocin expression in Sert KO mice also indicates a modulation of the oxytocin response by the serotonergic system and provides novel research perspectives with respect to altered response of Sert KO mice to stress and anxiety inducing stimuli.},
  subject      = {Serotonin},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Eujen2009,
  author    = {Eujen, Andrea},
  title     = {Serotonerge Gene und NOS1 als Risikofaktoren f{\"u}r gewaltt{\"a}tiges Verhalten},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-36479},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2009},
  abstract  = {Pers{\"o}nlichkeit im Allgemeinen wird, neben Umwelteinfl{\"u}ssen, durch genetische Komponenten beeinflusst. Bisher konnten jedoch nur wenige funktionelle Genvarianten mit Verhaltensz{\"u}gen assoziiert werden. Aggressives Verhalten als spezifisches Verhaltensmuster wird durch eine Reihe von Genvariationen beeinflusst, die in serotonerge, dopaminerge und nitrinerge Regelkreise eingreifen. Neben der genetischen Komponente pr{\"a}disponieren aber hier ganz erheblich auch {\"a}ußere Faktoren in der Umwelt, wie z.B. das soziale Umfeld, in dem Kinder und Jugendliche aufwachsen, f{\"u}r die Entwicklung von gewaltt{\"a}tigem Verhalten. Ziel der vorliegenden Arbeit war es, einen m{\"o}glichen Einfluss von vier verschiedenen funktionellen Gen-Polymorphismen (MAOA-uVNTR, DAT-uVNTR, NOS1 Ex1f-uVNTR und NOS1 Ex1c-SNP) auf Gewaltt{\"a}tigkeit bzw. Aggressivit{\"a}t zu untersuchen. Außerdem wurden Gen x Umweltinteraktionen im Bezug auf ung{\"u}nstige soziale Bedingungen in der Kindheit untersucht. Eine aus 184 M{\"a}nnern bestehende Stichprobe von Straff{\"a}lligen wurde in eine Gruppe von gewaltt{\"a}tigen und eine Gruppe von nicht-gewaltt{\"a}tigen Straft{\"a}tern unterteilt. Durch die logistische Regressionsanalyse konnte ermittelt werden, dass der MAO-A Genotyp, wie auch ung{\"u}nstige soziale Bedingungen in der Kindheit, unabh{\"a}ngig voneinander f{\"u}r gewaltt{\"a}tiges Verhalten pr{\"a}dispositionieren. 45\% der Gewaltt{\"a}tigen, aber nur 30\% der nicht-gewaltt{\"a}tigen Studienteilnehmer sind Tr{\"a}ger des niedrig-aktiven kurzen MAO-A Allels. Die neuronale Isoform der Stickstoffmonoxid-Synthase (NOS-I) wurde, ebenso wie MAO-A, in Tierversuchen mit aggressiven Verhaltensweisen assoziiert. In der vorliegenden Arbeit konnte gezeigt werden, dass es auch einen Zusammenhang zwischen einem funktionellen Promotorpolymorphismus von NOS1 und menschlicher Aggressivit{\"a}t gibt. Im Gegensatz zu MAOA und NOS1 beeinflusst ein funktioneller Polymorphismus im DAT1-Gen Gewaltt{\"a}tigkeit nicht. Diese Ergebnisse legen komplexe Interaktionen zwischen genetischer Variation und Umweltfaktoren nahe und zeigen gleichzeitig, dass aggressives Verhalten nicht durch einfache Vererbungsmodi zu erkl{\"a}ren ist.},
  subject      = {Aggression},
  language  = {de}
}
@phdthesis{Hennig2002,
  author    = {Hennig, Thomas},
  title     = {Regulation von Adenosin- und Glutamatrezeptoren bei M{\"a}usen mit molekularen Defekten des Serotoninsystems},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-5994},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2002},
  abstract  = {Wir untersuchten die Konzentrationen an Adenosinrezeptoren und Glutamatrezeptoren bei M{\"a}usen mit molekularen Defekten des Serotoninsystems. Dies betraf einerseits den Mangel an Serotonintransportern und andererseits den Mangel an Monoaminoxidase A (MAOA). Dabei verglichen wir M{\"a}use mit einem einzelnen Knockout des entsprechenden Gens mit Doppelknockout-Tieren, denen beide Gene fehlten. Desweiteren untersuchten wir die Ver{\"a}nderung der Konzentration an Glutamatrezeptoren bei alten Tieren mit einem Knockout des Serotonintransporters.},
  language  = {de}
}
@phdthesis{Herzog2008,
  author    = {Herzog, Anna Laura},
  title     = {Migr{\"a}ne und das serotonerge System},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-29380},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2008},
  abstract  = {Untersuchung zu single-nucleotid-polymorphismen (SNPs) der Serotoninrezeptoren 5-HT2A, 5-HT3A, des Neurotrophins BDNF und des Enzyms Tryptophanhydroxlase auf deren Korrelation mit Migr{\"a}ne mit und ohne Aura.},
  subject      = {Migr{\"a}ne},
  language  = {de}
}
@phdthesis{Wittlich2011,
  author    = {Wittlich, Meike},
  title     = {Interaktionen von allelischen Variationen von 5-HTTLPR mit Umweltfaktoren bei Patienten mit adulter Aufmerksamkeits-Defizit-/ Hyperaktivit{\"a}ts-St{\"o}rung},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-70087},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2011},
  abstract  = {Dysfunktionen des serotonergen Neurotransmittersystems, innerhalb dessen die allelischen Variationen des 5-HTTLPR-Polymorphismus wiederum einen zentrale Rolle einnehmen, werden f{\"u}r die Genese verschiedener psychischer Erkrankungen diskutiert. Untersucht wurde die Interaktion zwischen der allelischen Variationen des 5-HTTLPR-Polymorphismus und Lebensereignissen, die mit Hilfe des Life History Calendar von Caspi bei 123 aADHS-Patienten erfasst wurden. Die Teilnehmer wurden {\"u}ber Lebenserfahrungen bis zu ihrem 21. Lebensjahr genau befragt, die so in additiver Wertung in den Life-Event-Effekt einflossen. Zudem wurden mit Hilfe der Pers{\"o}nlichkeitstests TPQ und NEO-PI-R Punktescores erhoben. Eine Marker*Life Event-Interaktion wurde nachgewiesen. Bei aAHDS-Patienten, die die homozygot lange Variante des 5-HTTLPR-Polymorphismus tragen, ist eine h{\"o}here Zahl an erlebten Life Events mit einem gr{\"o}ßerem Risiko assoziiert, eine Cluster-B-Pers{\"o}nlichkeitsst{\"o}rung zu entwickeln. Eine geringere Anzahl an Life Events ist assoziiert mit einem geringerem Risiko f{\"u}r Pers{\"o}nlichkeitsst{\"o}rungen.},
  subject      = {Aufmerksamkeits-Defizit-Syndrom},
  language  = {de}
}
@article{WeidnerLardenoijeEijssenetal.2019,
  author    = {Weidner, Magdalena T. and Lardenoije, Roy and Eijssen, Lars and Mogavero, Floriana and De Groodt, Lilian P. M. T. and Popp, Sandy and Palme, Rupert and F{\"o}rstner, Konrad U. and Strekalova, Tatyana and Steinbusch, Harry W. M. and Schmitt-B{\"o}hrer, Angelika G. and Glennon, Jeffrey C. and Waider, Jonas and van den Hove, Daniel L. A. and Lesch, Klaus-Peter},
  title     = {Identification of cholecystokinin by genome-wide profiling as potential mediator of serotonin-dependent behavioral effects of maternal separation in the amygdala},
  series = {Frontiers in Neuroscience},
  volume    = {13},
  journal   = {Frontiers in Neuroscience},
  doi       = {10.3389/fnins.2019.00460},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-201340},
  pages     = {460},
  year      = {2019},
  abstract  = {Converging evidence suggests a role of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) and tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (TPH2), the rate-limiting enzyme of 5-HT synthesis in the brain, in modulating long-term, neurobiological effects of early-life adversity. Here, we aimed at further elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying this interaction, and its consequences for socio-emotional behaviors, with a focus on anxiety and social interaction. In this study, adult, male Tph2 null mutant (Tph2\(^{-/-}\)) and heterozygous (Tph2\(^{+/-}\)) mice, and their wildtype littermates (Tph2\(^{+/+}\)) were exposed to neonatal, maternal separation (MS) and screened for behavioral changes, followed by genome-wide RNA expression and DNA methylation profiling. In Tph2\(^{-/-}\) mice, brain 5-HT deficiency profoundly affected socio-emotional behaviors, i.e., decreased avoidance of the aversive open arms in the elevated plus-maze (EPM) as well as decreased prosocial and increased rule breaking behavior in the resident-intruder test when compared to their wildtype littermates. Tph2\(^{+/-}\) mice showed an ambiguous profile with context-dependent, behavioral responses. In the EPM they showed similar avoidance of the open arm but decreased prosocial and increased rule breaking behavior in the resident-intruder test when compared to their wildtype littermates. Notably, MS effects on behavior were subtle and depended on the Tph2 genotype, in particular increasing the observed avoidance of EPM open arms in wildtype and Tph2\(^{+/-}\) mice when compared to their Tph2\(^{-/-}\) littermates. On the genomic level, the interaction of Tph2 genotype with MS differentially affected the expression of numerous genes, of which a subset showed an overlap with DNA methylation profiles at corresponding loci. Remarkably, changes in methylation nearby and expression of the gene encoding cholecystokinin, which were inversely correlated to each other, were associated with variations in anxiety-related phenotypes. In conclusion, next to various behavioral alterations, we identified gene expression and DNA methylation profiles to be associated with TPH2 inactivation and its interaction with MS, suggesting a gene-by-environment interaction-dependent, modulatory function of brain 5-HT availability.},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Jarczok2006,
  author    = {Jarczok, Tomasz Antoni},
  title     = {Genetische Einfl{\"u}sse auf topographische elektrophysiologische Korrelate motorischer Inhibition},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-20392},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2006},
  abstract  = {Go- und NoGo-Centroide und die NoGo-Anteriorisierung (NGA) sind topographische elektrophysiologische Parameter, die w{\"a}hrend eines Continuous Performance Test (CPT) gemessen werden k{\"o}nnen. Es wurde der Einfluss genetischer Varianten auf diese Messgr{\"o}ßen an gesunden Individuen untersucht. Zwei die Funktion des serotonergen Systems modulierende Gene (5-HTTLPR und MAOALPR) beeinflussten die topographischen elektrophysiologischen Parameter nicht. Varianten des Gens Dysbindin (DTNBP1), die mit Schizophrenie in Zusammenhang gebracht werden, waren mit Ver{\"a}nderungen der NGA assoziiert. Die Ergebnisse deuten auf einen m{\"o}glichen Einfluss des Dysbindin-Genotyps auf frontale Gehirnfunktionen.},
  language  = {de}
}
@article{WaiderPoppLangeetal.2017,
  author    = {Waider, J and Popp, S and Lange, MD and Kern, R and Kolter, JF and Kobler, J and Donner, NC and Lowe, KR and Malzbender, JH and Brazell, CJ and Arnold, MR and Aboagye, B and Schmitt-B{\"o}hrer, A and Lowry, CA and Pape, HC and Lesch, KP},
  title     = {Genetically driven brain serotonin deficiency facilitates panic-like escape behavior in mice},
  series = {Translational Psychiatry},
  volume    = {7},
  journal   = {Translational Psychiatry},
  number    = {e1246},
  doi       = {10.1038/tp.2017.209},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-170239},
  year      = {2017},
  abstract  = {Multiple lines of evidence implicate brain serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) system dysfunction in the pathophysiology of stressor-related and anxiety disorders. Here we investigate the influence of constitutively deficient 5-HT synthesis on stressor-related anxiety-like behaviors using Tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (Tph2) mutant mice. Functional assessment of c-Fos after associated foot shock, electrophysiological recordings of GABAergic synaptic transmission, differential expression of the Slc6a4 gene in serotonergic neurons were combined with locomotor and anxiety-like measurements in different contextual settings. Our findings indicate that constitutive Tph2 inactivation and consequential lack of 5-HT synthesis in Tph2 null mutant mice (Tph2\(^{-/-}\)) results in increased freezing to associated foot shock and a differential c-Fos activity pattern in the basolateral complex of the amygdala. This is accompanied by altered GABAergic transmission as observed by recordings of inhibitory postsynaptic currents on principal neurons in the basolateral nucleus, which may explain increased fear associated with hyperlocomotion and escape-like responses in aversive inescapable contexts. In contrast, lifelong 5-HT deficiency as observed in Tph2 heterozygous mice (Tph\(^{+/-}\)) is able to be compensated through reduced GABAergic transmission in the basolateral nucleus of the amygdala based on Slc6a4 mRNA upregulation in subdivisions of dorsal raphe neurons. This results in increased activity of the basolateral nucleus of the amygdala due to associated foot shock. In conclusion, our results reflect characteristic syndromal dimensions of panic disorder and agoraphobia. Thus, constitutive lack of 5-HT synthesis influence the risk for anxiety- and stressor-related disorders including panic disorder and comorbid agoraphobia through the absence of GABAergic-dependent compensatory mechanisms in the basolateral nucleus of the amygdala.},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Hampe2006,
  author    = {Hampe, Michael},
  title     = {Evolutionsgenetische Untersuchung von Genvarianten monoaminerger Systeme bei nichtmenschlichen Primaten},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-19064},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2006},
  abstract  = {Die Verbindungen zwischen Genvariationen und Verhaltensmerkmalen bzw. psychiatrischen St{\"o}rungen sind in den letzten Jahren in den Blickpunkt vieler Studien gelangt. Auf der Suche nach neuen Polymorphismen bieten sich dem Menschen verwandte Affenarten an. Zeigen sich bei diesen Primaten den Menschen orthologe Polymorphismen, k{\"o}nnten so neue Erkenntnisse {\"u}ber deren evolutionsgenetische Entwicklung und die {\"U}bertragbarkeit auf menschliche Gen-Merkmal-Assoziationen gewonnen werden. Vergleicht man die unterschiedliche Transkriptionsaktivit{\"a}t des Monoaminoxidase A Gens beim Menschen, beeinflussen L{\"a}ngenvariationen innerhalb der repetetiven Sequenz (VNTR) des MAOA Promotors vor allem aggressive und antisoziale Verhaltensmerkmale. Zudem erh{\"o}ht sich das Risiko f{\"u}r psychiatrische St{\"o}rungen. In dieser Arbeit wurde die Anwesenheit und Variabilit{\"a}t der repetetiven Sequenz des MAOA Promotors bei mehreren Arten von nichtmenschlichen Primaten ausgewertet. Bei einigen Affenarten konnten L{\"a}ngenvariationen innerhalb der repetetiven Sequenz (VNTR) gefunden werden. Die Sequenzanalyse dieser Kontrollregion zeigte das Vorkommen von VNTRs in Pan troglodytes, Pan paniscus, Gorilla gorilla, Pongo pygmaeus, Macaca mulatta und Theropithecus gelada. Die Mehrheit von Pan troglodytes und Pan paniscus hatten ein einfaches Repeat mit einer der menschlichen VNTR Sequenz identischen Sequenz. Die VNTR Sequenz von Macaca mulatta zeigte die h{\"a}ufigsten L{\"a}ngenvariationen mit Allel-frequenzen von 35\%, 25\% und 40\% entsprechend den 5-, 6- und 7-Repeatvarianten. Das Ausmaß der Repeatvariationen des MAOA Promotors st{\"u}tzt die Annahme, dass ein Zusammenhang zwischen der Expression von MAOA und aggressiven und antisozialen Verhaltensmerkmalen bei Menschen und auch Rhesusaffen besteht. Neben dem MAOA Promotor wurden auch das Dopamin-Rezeptor-Gen D4 (DRD4), das Dopamin-Transporter-Gen (DAT) und der Promotor des Serotonin-Transporter-Gens (5-HTTLPR) untersucht. Ein Macaca mulatta (NIH Primate Center), der eine XL/L-Bande aufwies, zeigte bei der Sequenzanalyse des Promotors des Serotonin-Transporter-Gens (5-HTTLPR) eine 21 bp große Insertion kurz vor dem Int1- Primer. Sollten sich die Ergebnisse in weiteren Untersuchungen best{\"a}tigen, w{\"a}re dies ein erneuter Hinweis auf die mitbestimmende Rolle von MAOA und 5-HTTLPR und deren Allel-Variationen bei spezifischen menschlichen Charakterz{\"u}gen.},
  language  = {de}
}
@article{KarabegGrauthoffKollertetal.2013,
  author    = {Karabeg, Margherita M. and Grauthoff, Sandra and Kollert, Sina Y. and Weidner, Magdalena and Heiming, Rebecca S. and Jansen, Friederike and Popp, Sandy and Kaiser, Sylvia and Lesch, Klaus-Peter and Sachser, Norbert and Schmitt, Angelika G. and Lewejohann, Lars},
  title     = {5-HTT Deficiency Affects Neuroplasticity and Increases Stress Sensitivity Resulting in Altered Spatial Learning Performance in the Morris Water Maze but Not in the Barnes Maze},
  series = {PLoS ONE},
  volume    = {8},
  journal   = {PLoS ONE},
  number    = {10},
  doi       = {10.1371/journal.pone.0078238},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-129978},
  pages     = {e78238},
  year      = {2013},
  abstract  = {The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether spatial hippocampus-dependent learning is affected by the serotonergic system and stress. Therefore, 5-HTT knockout (-/-), heterozygous (+/-) and wildtype (+/+) mice were subjected to the Barnes maze (BM) and the Morris water maze (WM), the latter being discussed as more aversive. Additionally, immediate early gene (IEG) expression, hippocampal adult neurogenesis (aN), and blood plasma corticosterone were analyzed. While the performance of 5-HTT-/- mice in the BM was undistinguishable from both other genotypes, they performed worse in the WM. However, in the course of the repeated WM trials 5-HTT-/- mice advanced to wildtype level. The experience of a single trial of either the WM or the BM resulted in increased plasma corticosterone levels in all genotypes. After several trials 5-HTT-/- mice exhibited higher corticosterone concentrations compared with both other genotypes in both tests. Corticosterone levels were highest in 5-HTT-/- mice tested in the WM indicating greater aversiveness of the WM and a greater stress sensitivity of 5-HTT deficient mice. Quantitative immunohistochemistry in the hippocampus revealed increased cell counts positive for the IEG products cFos and Arc as well as for proliferation marker Ki67 and immature neuron marker NeuroD in 5-HTT-/- mice compared to 5-HTT+/+ mice, irrespective of the test. Most differences were found in the suprapyramidal blade of the dentate gyrus of the septal hippocampus. Ki67-immunohistochemistry revealed a genotype x environment interaction with 5-HTT genotype differences in na{\"i}ve controls and WM experience exclusively yielding more Ki67-positive cells in 5-HTT+/+ mice. Moreover, in 5-HTT-/- mice we demonstrate that learning performance correlates with the extent of aN. Overall, higher baseline IEG expression and increased an in the hippocampus of 5-HTT-/- mice together with increased stress sensitivity may constitute the neurobiological correlate of raised alertness, possibly impeding optimal learning performance in the more stressful WM.},
  language  = {en}
}