Modulation of DNA methylation and protein expression in the prefrontal cortex by repeated administration of D-lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD): Impact on neurotropic, neurotrophic, and neuroplasticity signaling

Repeated administration of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) to mice over seven days altered DNA methylation at 635 sites and changed the expression of 178 proteins in the prefrontal cortex. The affected genes and proteins are involved in nervous system development, axon guidance, synaptic plasticity, and cell viability. Four specific genes—Coro7, Pef1, Rps24, and Abhd6—showed both increased methylation and increased transcription. These results suggest that LSD modifies epigenetic and protein-expression pathways related to neuroplasticity, which may underlie its therapeutic effects in mental disorders.

Study at a glance

Abstract

AimPsychedelic compounds elicit relief from mental disorders. However, the underpinnings of therapeutic improvement remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated the effects of repeated lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) on whole-genome DNA methylation and protein expression in the mouse prefrontal cortex (PFC).MethodsWhole genome bisulphite sequencing (WGBS) and proteomics profiling of the mouse prefrontal cortex (PFC) were performed to assess DNA methylation and protein expression changes following 7 days of repeated LSD administration (30 μg/kg/day); a treatment we previously found to potentiate excitatory neurotransmission and to increase dendritic spine density in the PFC in mice. qRT-PCR was employed to validate candidate genes detected in both analyses.ResultsLSD significantly modulated DNA methylation in 635 CpG sites of the mouse PFC, and in an independent cohort the expression level of 178 proteins. Gene signaling pathways affected are involved in nervous system development, axon guidance, synaptic plasticity, quantity and cell viability of neurons and protein translation. Four genes and their protein product were detected as differentially methylated and expressed, and their transcription was increased. Specifically, Coronin 7 (Coro7), an axon guidance cue; Penta-EF-Hand Domain Containing 1 (Pef1), an mTORC1 and cell cycle modulator; Ribosomal Protein S24 (Rps24), required for pre-rRNA maturation and biogenesis of proteins involved with cell proliferation and migration, and Abhydrolase Domain Containing 6, Acylglycerol Lipase (Abhd6), a post-synaptic lipase.ConclusionsLSD affects DNA methylation, altering gene expression and protein expression related to neurotropic-, neurotrophic- and neuroplasticity signaling. This could represent a core mechanism mediating the effects of psychedelics.