Although it is known that chronic stress can lead to depression, the mechanisms that regulate this relationship are not entirely clear. Now, new research is published in the journalPNAShas identified a protein that has a lot to say in this process.
When we are in stressful situations, our body produces greater amounts of cortisol, a hormone that, although in small doses has positive effects, can act negatively on our brain when stress becomes chronic. One of the consequences is the activation of glucocorticoid receptors, which in turn cause thedecrease in neuron productionin the hippocampus, an effect that has been observed in patients suffering from depression. The new research, conducted by scientists at King College London using cell and animal models, has revealed the role ofSGK1 proteinas a mediator in these processes. To do this, this molecule keeps glucocorticoid receptors active and, in addition, reduces the formation of new cells in a region of the hippocampus that is related to mood regulation.
On the other hand, the results reveal that, by blocking the SGK1 protein, the effects of stress on the production of neurons decrease, which is why it opensa new way to develop antidepressant treatments. “Since the reduction in neurogenesis is a part of the process that leads to depression, it is important to identify the mediating molecular pathways in these mechanisms,” explained Christoph Anacker, one of the authors. “Drugs designed to reduce SGK1 levels in depressed patients could therefore be a promising strategy for future antidepressant treatments,” he concluded.
