Photoperiodic effects on monoamine signaling and gene expression throughout development in the serotonin and dopamine systems

Sci Rep. 2020 Sep 22;10(1):15437. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-72263-5.

Abstract

Photoperiod or the duration of daylight has been implicated as a risk factor in the development of mood disorders. The dopamine and serotonin systems are impacted by photoperiod and are consistently associated with affective disorders. Hence, we evaluated, at multiple stages of postnatal development, the expression of key dopaminergic (TH) and serotonergic (Tph2, SERT, and Pet-1) genes, and midbrain monoamine content in mice raised under control Equinox (LD 12:12), Short winter-like (LD 8:16), or Long summer-like (LD 16:8) photoperiods. Focusing in early adulthood, we evaluated the midbrain levels of these serotonergic genes, and also assayed these gene levels in the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) with RNAScope. Mice that developed under Short photoperiods demonstrated elevated midbrain TH expression levels, specifically during perinatal development compared to mice raised under Long photoperiods, and significantly decreased serotonin and dopamine content throughout the course of development. In adulthood, Long photoperiod mice demonstrated decreased midbrain Tph2 and SERT expression levels and reduced Tph2 levels in the DRN compared Short photoperiod mice. Thus, evaluating gene × environment interactions in the dopaminergic and serotonergic systems during multiple stages of development may lead to novel insights into the underlying mechanisms in the development of affective disorders.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biogenic Monoamines / metabolism*
  • Dopamine / metabolism*
  • Dorsal Raphe Nucleus / cytology
  • Dorsal Raphe Nucleus / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C3H
  • Photoperiod*
  • Serotonin / metabolism*
  • Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / genetics
  • Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / metabolism
  • Tryptophan Hydroxylase / genetics
  • Tryptophan Hydroxylase / metabolism
  • Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase / genetics
  • Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase / metabolism

Substances

  • Biogenic Monoamines
  • Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Slc6a4 protein, mouse
  • Serotonin
  • Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase
  • Tph2 protein, mouse
  • Tryptophan Hydroxylase
  • Dopamine