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Berberine and evodiamine influence serotonin transporter (5-HTT) expression via the 5-HTT-linked polymorphic region
1Avera Institute for Human Behavioral Genetics, Avera Behavioral Health Center, Sioux Falls, SD, USA.
The Pharmacogenomics Journal
|June 8, 2011
Summary
Berberine and evodiamine herbal compounds significantly increase serotonin transporter (5-HTT) expression. Their effects vary based on genetic variations in the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism, impacting psychiatric gene expression.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
Background:
- The serotonin transporter (5-HTT) is a key target in psychiatric research.
- Allelic variations in the 5-HTT promoter region, specifically the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism, are associated with altered gene expression and psychiatric conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of berberine and evodiamine on 5-HTT expression.
- To determine how 5-HTTLPR genetic variations modulate the impact of these herbal compounds on 5-HTT expression in a serotonergic neuronal cell line.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the RN46A serotonergic neuronal cell line.
- Assessed changes in 5-HTT mRNA and protein expression.
- Measured 5-HTT promoter activity across different 5-HTTLPR alleles (S, XS(11), L(G), L(A), XL(17), XL(18)) following treatment with berberine and evodiamine.
Main Results:
- Both berberine and evodiamine, individually and in combination, significantly increased 5-HTT mRNA and protein expression across all tested alleles.
- Berberine (100 μM) and evodiamine (2 μM) demonstrated varying degrees of 5-HTT promoter activity enhancement depending on the specific 5-HTTLPR allele.
- The differential effects highlight the influence of genetic variation on the response to these compounds.
Conclusions:
- Herbal compounds berberine and evodiamine can modulate the expression of the serotonin transporter (5-HTT).
- The genetic variations within the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism significantly influence the extent to which these compounds affect 5-HTT promoter activity.
- This study provides a model for understanding how natural compounds interact with critical psychiatric genes and their genetic variants.
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