Topiramate normalizes hippocampal NPY-LI in flinders sensitive line 'depressed' rats and upregulates NPY, galanin, and CRH-LI in the hypothalamus: implications for mood-stabilizing and weight loss-inducing effects.

Topiramate is currently used in the treatment of epilepsy, but this anticonvulsant drug has also been reported to exert mood-stabilizing effects and induce weight loss in patients. Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is abundantly and widely distributed in the mammalian central nervous system and centrally administered NPY markedly reduces pharmacologically induced seizures and induces antidepressant-like activity as well as feeding behavior. Two other peptides, galanin and corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), have also been proposed to play a modulatory role in mood, appetite, and seizure regulation.

A presenilin-1 Thr116Asn substitution in a family with early-onset Alzheimer's disease.

Mutation in the presenilin-1 (PS-1) gene at chromosome 14q24.3 is the most common cause of autosomal dominant early-onset Alzheimer's disease. Here, we report a novel missense mutation in the presenilin-1 gene found in a three-generation Danish family with autopsy-verified early-onset Alzheimer's disease.

Molecular cloning of linotte in Drosophila: a novel gene that functions in adults during associative learning.

The linotte (lio) gene was identified in a screen for mutations that disrupted 3 hr memory after olfactory associative learning, without affecting the perception of odors or electroshock. The mutagenesis yielded a transposon-tagged gene disruption, which allowed rapid cloning of genomic DNA. The lio transcription unit was identified via rescue of the lio1 learning/memory defect by induced expression of a lio+ transgene in adults.

Different binding site requirements for binding and activation for the bipartite enhancer factor EF-1A.

The human transcription factor EF-1A binds to the purine-rich E1A core enhancer sequence in the adenovirus E1A and E4 and polyomavirus enhancer regions. The consensus binding site for EF-1A resembles that of members of the ets domain protein family. EF-1A activation of transcription requires a dimeric binding site.

Interaction of nuclear factor EF-1A with the polyomavirus enhancer region.

Enhancer factor 1A (EF-1A) is a mammalian nuclear protein that previously was shown to bind cooperatively to the repeated core enhancer element I sequence in the adenovirus E1A enhancer region. We now have characterized three binding sites for EF-1A in the polyomavirus A2 (Py) enhancer region. Site 1 resides in the Py A enhancer domain, and sites 2 and 3 reside in the Py B enhancer domain.