Decrease in neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit and PSD-93 transcript levels in the male mouse MPG...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Molecular Biology
• Urology

Background:

• Pelvic surgeries can lead to the loss of neural control over urogenital organs.
• Major pelvic ganglia (MPG) are crucial for regulating urogenital function.
• Neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) play a role in synaptic transmission within the MPG.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of cavernous nerve injury on transcript levels of nAChR subunits and PSD-93 in the MPG.
• To determine if surgical manipulation of the cavernous nerve affects these transcript levels.
• To correlate changes in transcript levels with functional alterations in MPG neurons.

Main Methods:

• Quantitative real-time PCR was used to measure transcript levels of nAChR subunits (α3, β4, α7) and PSD-93.
• Experiments involved in vivo cavernous nerve axotomy, crush, and manipulation (lateral stretch).
• Explant cultures of MPG were used to assess transcript changes over time.
• Electrophysiological recordings measured acetylcholine-induced currents in dissociated MPG neurons.

Main Results:

• Cavernous nerve injury (axotomy, crush) and manipulation significantly decreased α3, β4, and PSD-93 transcript levels in MPG.
• Transcript levels for α7 were not significantly affected by in vivo injury.
• A decrease in nAChR function, evidenced by smaller ACh-induced currents, was observed in cultured MPG neurons.
• Transcript levels recovered by 30 days post-surgery.

Conclusions:

• Downregulation of nAChR subunits and PSD-93 expression following cavernous nerve injury or manipulation can occur.
• This downregulation may disrupt synaptic transmission within the MPG.
• The findings suggest a mechanism contributing to the loss of neural control of urogenital organs after pelvic surgeries.