Cited by 622Stress Responses and CortisolNeurotransmitter Receptor Influence on BehaviorPosttraumatic Stress Disorder Research

Gene–Stress–Epigenetic regulation of FKBP5: clinical and translational implications

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Zannas, Anthony S, Wiechmann, Tobias, Gassen, Nils C, Binder, Elisabeth B·2016·Neuropsychopharmacology

Abstract

Stress responses and related outcomes vary markedly across individuals. Elucidating the molecular underpinnings of this variability is of great relevance for developing individualized prevention strategies and treatments for stress-related disorders. An important modulator of stress responses is the FK506-binding protein 51 (FKBP5/FKBP51). FKBP5 acts as a co-chaperone that modulates not only glucocorticoid receptor activity in response to stressors but also a multitude of other cellular processes in both the brain and periphery. Notably, the FKBP5 gene is regulated via complex interactions among environmental stressors, FKBP5 genetic variants, and epigenetic modifications of glucocorticoid-responsive genomic sites. These interactions can result in FKBP5 disinhibition that has been shown to contribute to a number of aberrant phenotypes in both rodents and humans. Consequently, FKBP5 blockade may hold promise as treatment intervention for stress-related disorders, and recently developed selective FKBP5 blockers show encouraging results in vitro and in rodent models. Although risk for stress-related disorders is conferred by multiple environmental and genetic factors, the findings related to FKBP5 illustrate how a deeper understanding of the molecular and systemic mechanisms underlying specific gene-environment interactions may provide insights into the pathogenesis of stress-related disorders.

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Crossref · 10.1038/npp.2015.235

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  • FKBP5 modulates HPA axis sensitivity and cortisol release; specific variants promote adaptive stress responses with proportional cortisol secretion and efficient downregulation.

    “The FKBP5 protein modulates hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis sensitivity, influencing cortisol release in response to stress. Specific FKBP5 variants promote adaptive stress responses, characterized by proportional cortisol secretion and efficient downregulation after exposure, preventing excessive HPA axis activation46,47.”

    From Resilience and brain health in global populations (2025) · cites this paper as [46]

    The Abstract says FKBP5 modulates glucocorticoid-receptor activity in response to stress, and the FKBP5 Genetic Variation section links its variants to altered HPA-axis feedback and cortisol responses. But that section describes the rs1360780 T allele as associated with prolonged cortisol responses and HPA-axis non-suppression, not the proportional secretion and efficient downregulation attributed to specific variants here. The paper does not establish the claimed adaptive variant response. (LLM, conf=0.88)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Trauma timing and frequency impact differential health outcomes owing to neurodevelopmental stages.

    “Trauma timing, and frequency also impacts differential health outcomes owing to neurodevelopmental stages (233).”

    From Epigenetic Modifications in Stress Response Genes Associated With Childhood Trauma (2019) · cites this paper as [233]

    The paper’s discussion of trauma timing reports differences in psychiatric risk by age of exposure, and its epigenetic-regulation section describes effects that depend on developmental stage. It says the effects of multiple exposures need further study, however, so it does not establish that trauma frequency affects health outcomes or that neurodevelopmental stage explains the claimed outcomes generally. Page numbers were not available in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.86)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • According to the World Health Organization, stress-induced chronic diseases are the leading cause of death in developed countries.

    “According to the World Health Organization, stress-induced chronic diseases are the leading cause of death in developed countries [1,2,3].”
  • Polymorphisms in genes such as the GR gene affect HPA axis activity and sensitivity to stress hormones.

    “Polymorphisms in genes such as the GR gene affect HPA axis activity and sensitivity to stress hormones.”
  • Chronic psychological stress can alter Neurexin gene expression and splicing patterns, impacting synaptic strength regulation and potentially contributing to aversive conditioning.

    “Chronic psychological stress can alter Neurexin gene expression and splicing patterns, impacting synaptic strength regulation and potentially contributing to aversive conditioning.”

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Authors
Zannas, A. S., Wiechmann, T., Gassen, N. C., & Binder, E. B.
Affiliations
  • Duke Medical Center (US)
  • Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry (DE)
  • Emory University (US)
Corresponding author
Binder, Elisabeth B
Venue
Neuropsychopharmacology
Published
2015-08-13
Volume
41
Issue
1
Pages
261-274
ISSN
  • 0893-133X (ISSN-L)
  • 1740-634X
OpenAlex
W2306482506
Cited by
622
References
149
Citations by year
2026: 68 · 2025: 82 · 2024: 73 · 2023: 68 · 2022: 58 · 2021: 74 · 2020: 63 · 2019: 43 · 2018: 44 · 2017: 27 · 2016: 20 · 2015: 2
FWCI
2.52
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Neuropsychopharmacology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Max Planck Digital Library (submittedVersion)
  • MPG.PuRe (Max Planck Society) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • Horizon 2020 Framework Programme
  • FP7 Ideas: European Research Council (281338)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
Keywords
FKBP5, FKBP51, stress response, epigenetic regulation, glucocorticoid receptor, gene-environment interaction, stress-related disorders, co-chaperones
MeSH terms
Tacrolimus Binding Protein 5, Animals, Gene Expression Regulation, Glucocorticoids, Humans, Stress, Psychological, Protein Biosynthesis, Genetic Variation, Signal Transduction, Tacrolimus Binding Proteins, Epigenesis, Genetic, Gene-Environment Interaction

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