Short peptides stimulate serotonin expression in cells of brain cortex.

Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine2014PMID: 24909721

View on PubMed DOI: 10.1007/s10517-014-2496-y

Plain Language Summary

The short peptides Glu-Asp-Arg and Lys-Glu-Asp stimulate the production of serotonin in aging brain cortex cells by binding to and activating the gene that encodes a key serotonin-synthesizing enzyme. This epigenetic regulation of serotonin levels may be part of how these peptides provide both neuroprotective and anti-aging benefits. The finding identifies a specific molecular pathway through which these peptides act in the brain.

Abstract

Peptides Glu-Asp-Arg and Lys-Glu-Asp stimulate serotonin expression in aging cultures of brain cortex cells. Peptide regulation of 5-tryptophan hydroxylase gene encoding the enzyme involved in serotonin synthesis was demonstrated by the molecular docking method. The CCTGCC nucleotide sequence in 5-tryptophan hydroxylase gene was found to be complementary to these peptides. Hence, Glu-Asp-Arg and Lys-Glu-Asp peptides epigenetically regulate serotonin synthesis in the brain cortex, which indicates their neuro- and geroprotective activities.

Authors

Khavinson, V Kh; Lin'kova, N S; Tarnovskaya, S I; Umnov, R S; Elashkina, E V; Durnova, A O