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- Design and optimization of an electrochemical genosensing platform for BDNF Val66Met polymorphism detectionPublication . Caldevilla, Renato; Santos, Marlene; Barroso, M. FátimaMajor depressive disorder (MDD) is a debilitating and highly prevalent psychiatric illness. Antidepressant drugs (AD) have remained the main pharmacological treatment for this condition, and since their discovery and despite their high efficacy, insufficient remission rates and treatment-resistant depression remain a cause of concern for clinicians. The BDNF gene is an extensively studied gene regarding depression and AD response rates. Moreover, the rs6265 (Val66Met) non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) has been linked to variable remission rates to ADs. Therefore, there is a growing interest in genotyping approaches to detect SNPs, such as the Val66Met, to better suit patients’ needs. Current SNP identification procedures are based on the polymerase-chain reaction (PCR) technique. This methodology, although extremely efficacious, is time-consuming, requires expensive equipment and highly trained personnel. Thus, the development of cheaper, faster and lower-cost genotyping tools, such as electrochemical genosensors, capable of detecting an electrochemical signal from a hybridization event between DNA probes, is warranted. To develop a genotyping platform based on the electrochemical biosensing principles, capable of distinguishing Val66Met genotypes. 2 specific target DNA sequences of interest from the Val66Met SNP were selected and designed. Employing screen-printed gold electrodes (SPGE) as transducers, the genosensor development protocol included four stages: pre-treatment; sensing phase; sandwich DNA hybridization and electrochemical detection. The electrochemical detection was carried out through chronoamperometry techniques. Several experimental conditions, such as capture probe and antibody concentrations, were successfully optimized. Furthermore, a calibration curve employing different target concentrations was obtained. The DNA sequence complementary to the capture probe showed greater current signals than the non-complementary, as expected. The developed methodology showed consistent results, with the genosensor exhibiting the ability to distinguish between both DNA targets. A linear relationship between DNA target concentration and current intensity was achieved between 0.10 nmolL-1 to 2.0 nmolL-1.
- The impact of BDNF, NTRK2, NGFR, CREB1, GSK3B, AKT, MAPK1, MTOR, PTEN, ARC, and SYN1 genetic polymorphisms in antidepressant treatment response phenotypesPublication . Santos, Marlene; Lima, Luis; Carvalho, Serafim; Mota-Pereira, Jorge; Pimentel, Paulo; Maia, Dulce; Correia, Diana; Barroso, M. Fátima; Gomes, Sofia; Cruz, Agostinho; Medeiros, RuiThis study aimed to investigate the influence of genetic variants in neuroplasticity-related genes on antidepressant treatment phenotypes. The BDNF-TrkB signaling pathway, as well as the downstream kinases Akt and ERK and the mTOR pathway, have been implicated in depression and neuroplasticity. However, clinicians still struggle with the unpredictability of antidepressant responses in depressed patients. We genotyped 26 polymorphisms in BDNF, NTRK2, NGFR, CREB1, GSK3B, AKT, MAPK1, MTOR, PTEN, ARC, and SYN1 in 80 patients with major depressive disorder treated according to the Texas Medical Algorithm for 27 months at Hospital Magalhães Lemos, Porto, Portugal. Our results showed that BDNF rs6265, PTEN rs12569998, and SYN1 rs1142636 SNP were associated with treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Additionally, MAPK1 rs6928 and GSK3B rs6438552 gene polymorphisms were associated with relapse. Moreover, we found a link between the rs6928 MAPK1 polymorphism and time to relapse. These findings suggest that the BDNF, PTEN, and SYN1 genes may play a role in the development of TRD, while MAPK1 and GSK3B may be associated with relapse. GO analysis revealed enrichment in synaptic and trans-synaptic transmission pathways and glutamate receptor activity with TRD-associated genes. Genetic variants in these genes could potentially be incorporated into predictive models of antidepressant response.
- Detecting BDNF gene polymorphisms using genosensors and molecular biology toolsPublication . Caldevilla, Renato; Morais, Stephanie L.; Cruz, Agostinho; Barroso, M. Fátima; Santos, MarleneMajor depressive disorder (MDD) is a complex and highly prevalent psychiatric disorder with a high impact on quality of life and negative effects on mood, behaviour, and cognition. Currently, the main medical treatment for MDD is antidepressant medication. The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), including fluoxetine, sertraline, fluvoxamine, paroxetine and citalopram, are the most commonly prescribed drugs. However, as with all antidepressant treatments, about 30–40% of MDD patients do not respond sufficiently to SSRIs. Several factors, including genetic factors, play important roles in antidepressant responses. BDNF is one of the most investigated genes regarding depression and antidepressant response. In fact, the rs6265 (Val66Met) non-synonymous polymorphism, has been demonstrated to decrease pro-BDNF processing, and consequently affect the dependent secretion of BDNF. Curiously, carriers of Met-allele have been described to have smaller hippocampal volume, either in healthy or depressed patients. So, it is likely they can contribute to the interindividual differences in patient´s responses to antidepressants. Therefore, it is crucial to develop methodologies to predict the individual antidepressant response. In this work, two analytical approaches based in molecular biology and electrochemical genosensor techniques are under development to create a low-cost genotyping platform able to genotype BDNF SNPs related with antidepressants therapeutic response.