Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

A unique central tryptophan hydroxylase isoform.

Diego J Walther1, Michael Bader

  • 1Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC), Robert-Rossle-Strasse 10, D-13092 Berlin-Buch, Germany.

Biochemical Pharmacology
|October 18, 2003
PubMed
Summary

Scientists discovered a second gene for tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH), an enzyme crucial for serotonin synthesis. This finding reveals two distinct serotonin systems in vertebrates, explaining previous research inconsistencies.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Preparedness as a key factor for human biomonitoring programs after chemical incidents.

Journal of exposure science & environmental epidemiology·2021
Same author

Dorsal raphe serotonin neurotransmission is required for the expression of nursing behavior and for pup survival.

Scientific reports·2021
Same author

Targeting angiotensin type-2 receptors located on pressor neurons in the nucleus of the solitary tract to relieve hypertension in mice.

Cardiovascular research·2021
Same author

An environment for sustainable research software in Germany and beyond: current state, open challenges, and call for action.

F1000Research·2021
Same author

Knockout of aminopeptidase A in mice causes functional alterations and morphological glomerular basement membrane changes in the kidneys.

Kidney international·2020
Same author

Angiotensin-(1-7) Prevents Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Autophagy via the Mas Receptor in Skeletal Muscle.

International journal of molecular sciences·2020

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) is a key neurotransmitter and hormone involved in mood, sleep, appetite, and physiological processes.
  • The enzyme tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) catalyzes the rate-limiting step in serotonin synthesis.
  • Previous research suggested a single TPH gene in vertebrates, but experimental results were often contradictory.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the genetic basis of serotonin synthesis and resolve discrepancies in previous findings.
  • To identify and characterize novel genes involved in tryptophan hydroxylase activity.

Main Methods:

  • Gene targeting in mice to functionally ablate the known TPH gene.
  • Analysis of serotonin levels in the brain stem, periphery, and pineal gland of knockout mice.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Genomic analysis to identify additional TPH genes in humans, mice, and rats.

    • Main Results:

    • Mice lacking the classical TPH gene (TPH1) showed peripheral and pineal serotonin deficiency but near-normal brain stem serotonin levels.
    • Discovery of a second TPH gene, TPH2, predominantly expressed in the brain stem.
    • TPH1 is primarily expressed in the periphery (gut, spleen, thymus) and pineal gland, while TPH2 is brain-specific.

    Conclusions:

    • Vertebrates possess two distinct, independently regulated serotonin systems.
    • TPH1 and TPH2 represent the genetic basis for these two systems, explaining previously puzzling observations.
    • This discovery necessitates a revised understanding of serotonin's role in central and peripheral functions.