Characterizing the Role of Akt2 in the Hippocampus

Immink, Lauren

Undergraduate Honors Thesis

Characterizing the Role of Akt2 in the Hippocampus Public Deposited

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Citeable URL: https://scholar.colorado.edu/concern/undergraduate_honors_theses/2f75r9329

Abstract

Astrocytes are a population of glial cell in the central nervous system (CNS) that have been implicated in various neuropathies and neurodegenerative diseases. Since astrocytes mediate a multitude of processes in the CNS, it is difficult to discern exactly how these cells are being implicated in these diseases. Akt is a protein kinase found throughout the brain and body that may hint at the underlying mechanisms of astrocytal neuroprotection and regeneration. It has been found to regulate a variety of functions in the CNS including cellular growth, proliferation, and metabolism through the Akt2 isoform, which is localized to astrocytes. Endocannabinoids have been found to elicit neuroprotective and neuroregenerative effects in astrocytes, although the molecular basis of this is not fully understood. Recent evidence for a potential role of astrocytes in modulating interneuronal communication may be impacted by endocannabinoids as they have shown to raise intracellular astrocytal Ca2+ levels, leading to glutamate release onto nearby neurons. Exposure to cannabinoids, especially Win 55-212, provokes an increase in phosphorylated Akt levels within the mouse hippocampus suggesting that the endocannabinoid system has some regulation over Akt pathways. This correlation seems to be somewhat sex dependent as males have shown a much greater variety of effect than females have shown. There is definite interaction between the endocannabinoid system and the Akt signaling system and this interaction could have potential effects on neuroprotection and regeneration in the CNS which could prove to be a pharmacological target aimed at regeneration after CNS injury or insult.

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