Decreased levels of RGS4 in the paraventricular nucleus facilitate GABAergic inhibition during the acute stress response

• Published in: Biochemical and biophysical research communications Vol. 472; no. 1; pp. 276 - 280
• Main Authors: Jung, Soonwoong, Son, Hyeonwi, Lee, Dong Hoon, Roh, Gu Seob, Kang, Sang Soo, Cho, Gyeong Jae, Choi, Wan Sung, Kim, Hyun Joon
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 25.03.2016
• Subjects: Animals; Corticosterone; Corticosterone - blood; GABA-B Receptor Antagonists - pharmacology; GABAB receptor; Gene Knockdown Techniques; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Organophosphorus Compounds - pharmacology; Paraventricular Hypothalamic Nucleus - drug effects; Paraventricular Hypothalamic Nucleus - metabolism; PVN; Receptors, GABA-B - metabolism; RGS Proteins - antagonists & inhibitors; RGS Proteins - genetics; RGS Proteins - metabolism; RGS4; RNA, Small Interfering - genetics; shRNA; Signal Transduction - drug effects; Stress, Physiological; RGS4; PVN; GABAB receptor; Corticosterone; shRNA; GABA(B) receptor
• ISSN: 0006-291X; 1090-2104
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2016.02.108

A healthy acute stress response requires both rapid increase and rapid clearance of blood corticosteroids. We previously showed that regulators of G-protein signaling 4 (RGS4), which decreases in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) during acute stress, forms a complex with the GABAB receptor. In the present study, we show that this decrease in RGS4 levels in the PVN during an acute stress response facilitates the return of blood corticosteroids to basal levels. Moreover, the effect of RGS4 decrease is attenuated by a GABAB receptor antagonist. These results suggest that RGS4 in the PVN regulates blood corticosteroid-related GABAB receptor signaling during the acute stress response. •RGS4 and GABAB receptor make a complex in the PVN.•Down of RGS4 in the PVN decreases blood CORT and shortens termination process.•Low level of blood CORT is reversed by GABAB receptor specific antagonist.•RGS4 in the PVN regulates GABAergic signaling in the acute stress response.