Dynamic up-regulation of prodynorphin transcription in temporal lobe epilepsy.

Abstract

Dynorphin neuropeptides are believed to act as endogenous anticonvulsants, though direct evidence for such a role in humans is sparse. We now report pronounced increases of prodynorphin mRNA expression in the dentate gyrus of patients with temporal lobe epilepsy in comparison to controls. We detected a conspicuously right skewed, bimodal distribution of mRNA levels among patients, suggestive of a dynamic up-regulation of prodynorphin expression in epilepsy. Highest transcript levels were seen postictally. Our data argue for an essential role of dynorphin in the termination of seizures.

• Authors: Susanne Pirker, Elisabeth Gasser, Thomas Czech, Christoph Baumgartner, Elisabeth Schuh, Martha Feucht, Klaus Novak, Fritz Zimprich, Günther Sperk
• Journal: Hippocampus (Hippocampus) Vol. 19 Issue 11 Pg. 1051-4 (Nov 2009) ISSN: 1098-1063 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 19437412 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Carbon Isotopes
• Enkephalins
• Protein Precursors
• RNA, Messenger
• Diprenorphine
• preproenkephalin

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Carbon Isotopes
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Dentate Gyrus (metabolism, physiopathology)
• Diprenorphine
• Enkephalins (genetics, metabolism)
• Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe (genetics, pathology, physiopathology)
• Female
• Genotype
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Polymorphism, Genetic
• Postmortem Changes
• Protein Precursors (genetics, metabolism)
• RNA, Messenger (metabolism)
• Up-Regulation (physiology)
• Young Adult