Valproic acid induces monoamine oxidase A via Akt/forkhead box O1 activation.

ABSTRACT: Valproic acid (VPA) has been widely used in clinics for the treatment of multiple neuropsychiatric disorders, such as epilepsy and bipolar disorder. One of the mechanisms by which VPA exerts its effect is through regulating the brain levels of serotonin. However, the molecular basis of this VPA action is not fully understood. Here, we report for the first time that VPA activates monoamine oxidase (MAO) A catalytic activity, mRNA level, and promoter activity. MAO A is a key enzyme that degrades a number of monoamine neurotransmitters, including serotonin. Our results show that VPA increased the phosphorylation of both Akt and Forkhead box O1 (FoxO1), whereas pretreatment of cells with 2-(4-morpholinyl)-8-phenyl-1(4H)-benzopyran-4-one hydrochloride (LY294002) (a phosphoinositide 3-kinase inh

SUBMITTER: Wu JB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3187529 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature