by Researchers at the MPI have been delving into the intricacies of epigenetics, focusing on the candidate gene FKBP5, which plays a crucial role in the development of stress-related psychiatric disorders. Recent findings have shown that this gene becomes increasingly activated in the brains of individuals facing stress, leading to permanent alterations in the stress response. In light of this, there is a pressing need to develop therapeutic strategies aimed at blocking the FKBP5 gene.
To identify potential targets for intervention, it is essential to understand which specific areas of the brain or cell types are involved. While it is currently not feasible to measure this in human brain tissue following stress system activation, the MPI research team has turned to the humanized mouse as a model organism for their investigations. By replacing the mouse gene with the human FKBP5 gene in these mice, researchers were able to compare the results obtained from mouse studies with data collected from human brains and blood samples.
Epigenetic changes, governed by environmental factors, play a critical role in gene regulation. Stress, exercise, diet, and other influences can impact whether certain genes are activated, leading to methylation patterns on specific DNA segments. However, the conventional mouse model lacks sufficient similarity in non-coding DNA sections to investigate these mechanisms effectively.
The introduction of the humanized FKBP5 mouse model presents a significant advantage, allowing researchers to explore epigenetic patterns associated with the FKBP5 gene. Through their investigation, MPI scientists have found that the transfer of the human FKBP5 gene into mice leads to the replication of epigenetic patterns, particularly in the brain, mirroring those observed in humans.
This breakthrough indicates that the humanized FKBP5 mouse model holds promise as a valuable tool for further studying and manipulating stress-related biological processes in the brain. Natan Yusupov, the lead author of the study published in Molecular Psychiatry, emphasized the model’s potential in shedding light on the specific brain regions where FKBP5 gene expression is heightened, as well as potential variations across different cell types.
MPI Director Elisabeth Binder looks ahead to the future with optimism, stating, “We will continue to investigate the molecular mechanisms to pave the way for the therapeutic utilization of an FKBP5 blocker in the future.” The ongoing research endeavors aim to deepen our understanding of epigenetic regulation and potentially unlock new therapeutic avenues for managing stress-related conditions.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
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