Chronic lithium chloride administration to rats decreases brain protein level of epsilon (epsilon) subunit of eukaryotic initiation factor-2B.

Abstract

The eukaryotic initiation factor-2B (eIF-2B) can regulate translation and protein synthesis. We used Western blot analysis to quantify the protein level of the catalytic epsilon (epsilon) subunit of eIF-2B in brains of rats fed lithium chloride (LiCl) for 6 weeks so as to produce a brain lithium concentration that is therapeutically effective in bipolar disorder. The ratio of eIF-2B (epsilon) to actin protein was significantly reduced (P<0.01) in LiCl-fed rats, 0.86+/-0.06 (SE) compared to 1.2+/-0.07 in control rats. These results suggest that a therapeutic level of lithium may downregulate the synthesis of proteins whose translation depends on eIF-2B.

• Authors: Francesca Bosetti, Ruth Seemann, Stanley I Rapoport
• Journal: Neuroscience letters (Neurosci Lett) Vol. 327 Issue 1 Pg. 71-3 (Jul 12 2002) ISSN: 0304-3940 [Print] Ireland
• PMID: 12098503 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Antimanic Agents
• Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-2B
• Lithium Chloride

Topics

• Animals
• Antimanic Agents (pharmacology)
• Bipolar Disorder (drug therapy, metabolism)
• Brain (drug effects, metabolism)
• Brain Chemistry (drug effects)
• Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-2B (metabolism)
• Lithium Chloride (pharmacology)
• Male
• Protein Biosynthesis (drug effects)
• Rats
• Rats, Inbred F344