Study of the relationship between how ethanol affects learning and memory and the expression of p21 (WAF1/CIP1) in the female mouse hippocampus

摘要

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of different concentrations of ethanol on learning and memory in female mice and the corresponding interaction with histone deacetylase 1(HDAC1), estrogen receptor alpha(ER alpha) and p21 (WAF1/CIP1). Data from the Morris water maze test showed that mice in the 50% ethanol group might experience cognitive impairment, while mice in the 2% ethanol group might experience enhanced cognitive capabilities. The number of damaged neurons in the hippocampal CA1 area in the 50% ethanol group was higher than the numbers observed in other groups. The expression of HDAC1 and ER alpha proteins was lower in the 50% ethanol group than they were in the control group, while p21 (WAF1/CIP1) expression was increased. The expression of these proteins in the 2% ethanol group was completely reversed when compared to the 50% ethanol group. p21 (WAF1/CIP1) was involved in the cognitive change induced by ethanol. The f2 (-400 bp to -800 bp) and f7 (-2400 bp to 2800 bp) fragments in the p21 (WAF1/CIP1) promoter region were functionally active regions that experienced binding relating to HDAC1 and ER alpha.