Shati/nat8l and N-acetylaspartate (NAA) have important roles in regulating nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in neuronal and psychiatric diseases in animal models and humans

7Citations
Citations of this article
13Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.

This article is free to access.

Abstract

Shati/Nat8l was originally isolated as a methamphetamine-related-molecule from the nucleus accumbens of mice. Since then, Shati/Nat8l has been characterized as an N-acetyltransferase-8-like protein (Nat8l) that catalyzes N-acetylaspartate (NAA) synthesis from aspartate and acetyl-coenzyme A. It has been shown that elevated NAA levels detected by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) brain imaging indicates increased neuronal activity. Our group produced Shati/Nat8l knock out mice (Shati/Nat8l KO mice), which exhibit hyper locomotion, anxiety behaviors, and social dysfunction. These mice have a high sensitivity to methamphetamine, as evidenced by their results in assessments of locomotor activity and conditioned place preference, as well as their elevated dopamine levels. We used an adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector containing Shati/Nat8l (AAV-Shati/Nat8l) to overexpress the protein in different brain regions such as the striatum and the nucleus accumbens, in order to investigate their involvement in methamphetamine-induced behavioral and pharmacological changes. We showed that overexpression of accumbal Shati/Nat8l attenuates methamphetamine-induced behaviors.Recent clinical studies have revealed further novel roles of Shati/Nat8l in psychiatric and neuronal diseases. We are just beginning to appreciate the various actions of this intriguing, recently discovered molecule in the central nervous system.

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

Nitta, A., Noike, H., Sumi, K., Miyanishi, H., Tanaka, T., Takaoka, K., … Uno, K. (2018). Shati/nat8l and N-acetylaspartate (NAA) have important roles in regulating nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in neuronal and psychiatric diseases in animal models and humans. In Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Signaling in Neuroprotection (pp. 89–111). Springer Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-8488-1_6

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free