Sleep deprivation changes thimet oligopeptidase (THOP1) expression and activity in rat brain.

Abstract

The consequences of sleep deprivation on memory, cognition, nociception, stress, and endocrine function are related to the balance of neuropeptides, with peptidases being particularly essential. Thimet oligopeptidase (THOP1) is a metallopeptidase implicated in the metabolism of many sleep-related peptides, including angiotensin I, gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH), neurotensin, and opioid peptides. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of sleep deprivation and sleep recovery in male rats on THOP1 expression and specific activity in the central nervous system. In the striatum and hypothalamus, THOP1 activity decreased following sleep deprivation and a recovery period. Meanwhile, THOP1 activity and immunoexpression increased in the hippocampal dentate gyrus during the sleep recovery period. Changes in THOP1 expression after sleep deprivation and during sleep recovery can potentially alter the processing of neuropeptides. In particular, processing of opioid peptides may be related to the known increase in pain sensitivity in this model. These results suggest that THOP1 may be an important player in the effects of sleep deprivation.

• Authors: Bruna Visniauskas, Priscila S R Simões, Fernanda M Dalio, Maria D G Naffah-Mazzacoratti, Vitor Oliveira, Sergio Tufik, Jair R Chagas
• Journal: Heliyon (Heliyon) Vol. 5 Issue 11 Pg. e02896 (Nov 2019) ISSN: 2405-8440 [Print] England
• PMID: 31828230 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2019 The Authors.