The Ets transcription factor Fev is specifically expressed in the human central serotonergic neurons

Neurosci Lett. 2004 Mar 11;357(3):215-8. doi: 10.1016/j.neulet.2003.12.086.

Abstract

In the mouse and the rat brain, the Ets transcription factor pet-1 is exclusively expressed in the central serotonin (5-hydroxytryptaminergic: 5-HT) system. In pet-1 null mice, the defect of this factor induces early disruption of the 5-HT function, resulting in an increase in anxiety and aggression; thus indicating its pivotal role in this system. Here, we studied the expression of fev, the homologue of pet-1, in the human brain. We showed that this transcription factor is exclusively expressed in the midline part of the human brainstem containing raphe nuclei, which also specifically expressed 5-HT transporter (sert) and tryptophan hydroxylase (tph), two markers of the 5-HT neurotransmitter system. This clearly suggests that fev is expressed in human serotonergic neurons. While the deficiency of the central serotonergic signaling is a major factor involved in the development of some psychiatric disorders, Fev could be a good diagnosis marker as well as a good target for pharmacological treatments of these patients.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blotting, Northern / methods
  • Brain / cytology*
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Carrier Proteins / genetics
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism
  • Cell Line
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression*
  • Humans
  • Megakaryocytes
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / genetics
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / metabolism
  • Membrane Transport Proteins*
  • Mice
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins*
  • Neurons / metabolism*
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism*
  • RNA, Messenger / biosynthesis
  • Rats
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
  • Serotonin / metabolism*
  • Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Transcription Factors
  • Tryptophan Hydroxylase / genetics
  • Tryptophan Hydroxylase / metabolism

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • FEV protein, human
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • SLC6A4 protein, human
  • Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Slc6a4 protein, mouse
  • Slc6a4 protein, rat
  • Transcription Factors
  • Serotonin
  • Tryptophan Hydroxylase