Comparison of the Temporary Dynamics of NGF and BDNF Gene Expression in Rat Hippocampus, Frontal Cortex, and Retina Under Semax Action

Abstract

Neurotrophins are a family of structurally related proteins that regulate the survival, differentiation, and maintenance of function of different neuron populations. Some peptides are able to affect the production and activity of neurotrophins. One of these synthetic peptides is heptapeptide Semax, an analog of the N-terminal adrenocorticotropic hormone fragment 4-10. It is known that Semax has effects on learning and memory formation and exerts some neuroprotective effects in rodents and humans. Male Wistar rats were treated for 20 min, 40 min, 90 min, 3 h, 8 h, and 24 h with Semax. Nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene expression in rat brain and retina was analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. It was revealed that after Semax administration the multidirectional activation of the expression of the genes under investigation in the hippocampus, frontal cortex, and retina was observed. The expression of both neurotrophin genes was decreased in rat hippocampus and retina 20 min after Semax administration and was increased in the frontal cortex. The expression levels of NGF remained practically constant in the retina at the initial stage, whereas the expression levels of BDNF were significantly increased 90 min after Semax administration.

An integrated approach to study the molecular aspects of regulatory peptides biological mechanism

“…Heptapeptide Semax (MEHFPGP), chosen as a model peptide for the proposed technique, has been studied in detail at the physiological and gene levels, in animals and in cell cultures. A lot of data about this peptide biological activity have been published . Nevertheless, one of the key aspects of the Semax biological mechanism—its specific molecular activity (ligand‐receptor interactions and allosteric effects), remains poorly studied.…”

“…It should be also noted that rising evidence that biologically active peptides may affect the functional activity of different neuromediator systems by operating as a short‐time lived signal molecules which induce changes in expression of wide range of genes. It applies, for instance, to Semax which starts changes in nerve growth factor (NGF), brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and their receptors genes expression in normal conditions, VEGF, and other receptors genes—under experimental focal ischemia . In the light of all the points had raised, a new methodology for studying the molecular aspects of regulatory peptides mechanism is required.…”

Association between Nerve Growth Factor Gene Polymorphism and Executive Dysfunction in Japanese Patients with Early-Stage Alzheimer’s Disease and Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment

“…Secondly, an allele change in the localized frontal cortex might affect quantitative pro-NGF processing or expression, directly leading to executive dysfunction [13,21,22,23,54]. Thirdly, hippocampal atrophy as a result of NGF deficiency during early-stage AD or A-MCI might influence executive dysfunction among nonmemory impairments as disconnections with various brain regions [11,24,52,54,55,56]. However, as these views remain speculative, the association between the NGF genotype and neurocognitive function in patients with AD should be elucidated using neuroimaging or detailed neurophysiological methods in the future.…”

A New Generation of Drugs: Synthetic Peptides Based on Natural Regulatory Peptides

“…It was noted that the temporal dynamics of the changes in the expression of these genes under the influence of Semax in all tissues examined was similar. The greatest increase in the mRNA levels of both genes was observed in the hippocampus, frontal cortex, and retina 8 h after the administration of the peptide [96].…”