Regulation of Circadian Genes by the MAPK Pathway: Implications for Rapid Antidepressant Action
1 Savaid Medical School, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101408, China
2 Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences and PKU-IDG/ McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
3 National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory on Drug Dependence Research, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
4 Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
5 Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China
6 Institute of Mental Health, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
Abstract
Accumulating evidence suggests that the circadian rhythm plays a critical role in mood regulation, and circadian disturbances are often found in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway is involved in mediating entrainment of the circadian system. Furthermore, the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway has been shown to be involved in the pathogenesis of MDD and the rapid onset of action of antidepressant therapies, both pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical. This review provides an overview of the involvement of the MAPK/ERK pathway in modulating the circadian system in the rapid action of antidepressant therapies. This pathway holds much promise for the development of novel, rapid-onset-of-action therapeutics for MDD.
Keywords
Major depressive disorder; MAPK pathway; Circadian system; Rapid antidepressant therapy
