Evaluation of the PTEN signaling effects over neurogenesis and cognition of mice u...
| Grant number: | 16/22996-9 |
| Support type: | Regular Research Grants |
| Duration: | July 01, 2017 - June 30, 2019 |
| Field of knowledge: | Biological Sciences - Pharmacology - Biochemical and Molecular Pharmacology |
| Principal Investigator: | Elisa Mitiko Kawamoto Iwashe |
| Grantee: | Elisa Mitiko Kawamoto Iwashe |
| Home Institution: | Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil |
| Assoc. researchers: | Cristoforo Scavone |
Abstract
PTEN (Phosphatase and tensin homolog on chromosome ten) is known as a tumor suppressor with its roles related or not to its phosphatase activity. Studies have been focused to investigate mechanisms relating PTEN to tumorigenesis. However, due to the broad characteristics of this phosphatase which is able to influence cellular proliferation, survival and migration, PTEN seems also to play a potential modulatory role on synaptic plasticity. Changes on physiological function of this signaling pathway are associated with some central nervous system (CNS) pathologies, such as autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia, etc. Hippocampus and cortex are important brain regions for cognition, playing essential roles in learning and memory processes. Several environmental factors, such as, physical exercise, have been shown to act as synaptic plasticity modulators, contributing to positive cognitive effects.The limitation to study this pathway due to the embryological lethality in the absence of PTEN was overcome with the use of PTEN conditioned knockout mice, which also is a good tool of tissue and time specific deletion, allowing exploring a certain protein physiological role. In this way, this study aims to evaluate, under biochemical and functional parameters, the effects of physical exercise on signaling pathway related to learning and memory, which can be modulated by PTEN deletion in neurons. Therefore, the results of this study can contribute to a better understanding about the potential use of physical exercise as a strategy to prevent or even to treat CNS related pathologies such as neurodegeneration and autism spectrum disorder. (AU)