title: Glycosides, depression and suicidal behaviour: the role of glycoside-linked proteins.
abstract: Nowadays depression and suicide are two of the most important worldwide public health problems. Although their specific molecular mechanisms are still largely unknown, glycosides can play a fundamental role in their pathogenesis. These molecules act presumably through the up-regulation of plasticity-related proteins: probably they can have a presynaptic facilitatory effect, through the activation of several intracellular signaling pathways that include molecules like protein kinase A, Rap-1, cAMP, cADPR and G proteins. These proteins take part in a myriad of brain functions such as cell survival and synaptic plasticity. In depressed suicide victims, it has been found that their activity is strongly decreased, primarily in hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. These studies suggest that glycosides can regulate neuroprotection through Rap-1 and other molecules, and may play a crucial role in the pathophysiology of depression and suicide.
authors: Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health and Sensory Functions, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Suicide Prevention Center, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Via Grottarossa 1035-1039, 00189 Rome, Italy. gianluca.serafini@uniroma1.it
authors: Gianluca
authors: G
authors: Serafini
authors: Maurizio
authors: M
authors: Pompili
authors: Marco
authors: M
authors: Innamorati
authors: Gloria
authors: G
authors: Giordano
authors: Roberto
authors: R
authors: Tatarelli
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Lester
authors: Paolo
authors: P
authors: Girardi
authors: Yogesh
authors: Y
authors: Dwivedi
mesh_terms: D003863:Depression / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006027:Glycosides / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology*
chemical_list: D006027:Glycosides