Chronic ethanol consumption restores the age-related decrease in neurogranin mRNA level in the hippocampus of mice.
Neurogranin (Ng) is a Ca(2+)-sensitive calmodulin-binding neuron-specific protein that has been implicated in the regulation of numerous post-synaptic signalling pathways. Here, we investigate the effects of 5 months low level ethanol consumption (approximately 20% of total calories intake) on Ng mRNA expression in the brain of adult (approximately 7-8 months) and aged (approximately 21-22 months) mice using in situ hybridization histochemistry. Results showed that ageing was accompanied by a decrease in amounts of mRNA coding for Ng, especially in the hippocampus (approximately 25% of adults) known to play a critical role in higher cognitive functions. Chronic ethanol consumption restored this decline up to pre-senescent (adult) levels without altering Ng mRNA levels in adult mice. On the basis of recent data indicating a central role for Ng in the regulation of hippocampal synaptic plasticity and spatial learning, our results suggest that moderate ethanol consumption might have a beneficial influence on cognitive deterioration during senescence. Such a possibility is in fact congruent with recent follow-up studies conducted in elderly people.
Krazem
Ali
A
Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives, CNRS UMR 5106, Université de Bordeaux 1, Avenue des Facultés, 33405 Talence Cedex, France. a.krazem@neurocog.u-bordeaux.fr
Mons
Nicole
N
Higueret
Paul
P
Jaffard
Robert
R
D000375:Aging / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002148:Calmodulin-Binding Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D051579:Neurogranin; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D002148:Calmodulin-Binding Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; C496650:Nrgn protein, mouse; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D051579:Neurogranin; D000431:Ethanol