Analysis of oligopeptidase activity in an animal model for schizophrenia

• Grant number: 24/04617-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: May 01, 2024
• End date: August 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Pharmacology - Biochemical and Molecular Pharmacology
• Principal Investigator: Mirian Akemi Furuie Hayashi
• Grantee: Leonardo Basso de Souza
• Host Institution: Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São Paulo. São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 19/13112-8 - Study of molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in mental disorders: clinical and animal models analysis, AP.TEM

Abstract

The study on the activity of the oligopeptidases Ndel1 (Nuclear distribution element-like 1) and angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE) is motivated by the fact that these enzymes are neuropeptidases that act in the cleavage of neuropeptides such as neurotensin, which has already been demonstrated to be fundamental for response to antipsychotics and was also considered to be an endogenous antipsychotic. The neuropeptidergic pathway can modulate monoaminergic transmission, and changes in Ndel1 and ACE activity in individuals experiencing first-episode psychosis with schizophrenia have already been demonstrated. Therefore, we believe that evaluating the activity of these enzymes in animal models for mental disorders could contribute to better knowledge and perhaps to an understanding of the etiology of these disorders, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.