Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yue Liu, Abudureyimu Abula, Haonan Xiao, Hangtian Guo, Tinghan Li, Le Zheng, Biqing Chen, Henry C. Nguyen, Xiaoyun Ji
Summary: Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A2/B1 (hnRNP A2/B1) functions as a nuclear DNA sensor and is involved in antiviral immunity. The crystal structure of its RNA recognition motif (RRM) complexed with U-shaped single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) reveals a new protein dimer formation. Biochemical assays and mutagenesis studies confirm that hnRNP A2/B1 homodimerizes in solution by binding to ssDNA or double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) with a U-shaped bulge.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anqi Du, Na Li, Zhilu Li, Ruowu Shen, Nan Li, Yu Zhou
Summary: Ghrelin and its receptor GHS-R1a regulate synaptic function of hippocampal neurons, potentially impacting memory formation.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Yu Wu, Xinyou Lv, Haiting Wang, Kai Qian, Jinjun Ding, Jiejie Wang, Shushan Hua, Tiancheng Sun, Yiting Zhou, Lina Yu, Shuang Qiu
Summary: Neuronal activity induces retrograde translocation and nuclear accumulation of endosomal adaptor APPL1, which is necessary for the regulation of gene transcription and maintenance of hippocampal late-phase long-term potentiation. These results illustrate an APPL1-mediated pathway that contributes to the modulation of synaptic plasticity via coupling neuronal activity with chromatin remodeling.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR CELL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Krutika Deshpande, Vahan Martirosian, Brooke Naomi Nakamura, Mukund Iyer, Alex Julian, Rachel Eisenbarth, Ling Shao, Frank Attenello, Josh Neman
Summary: The study revealed that early interactions between tumor cells and neurons can lead to early CNS adaptation in brain metastases, characterizing the early induction of tumor cells in response to neurotransmitters and synaptic signaling, as well as changes in dependency within the neuronal environment.
Article
Neurosciences
Shaoqing Ma, Zhiwei Li, Shixiang Gong, Chengbiao Lu, Xiaoli Li, Yingwei Li
Summary: This study investigates the effect of 0.138 THz radiation on neuronal growth and synaptic transmission efficiency. The cumulative radiation promotes neuronal growth and improves synaptic transmission efficiency. This modulation can continue even after the radiation ends and is associated with an increase in dendritic spine density.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Fashui Hong, Xiao Ze, Xu Mu, Yuguan Ze
Summary: Nano-TiO2 inhibits the synaptic development of hippocampal neurons, leading to impaired dendritic development, decreased synaptic densities, and reduced expression of synaptic proteins, possibly through the inhibition of the BDNF-TrkB signaling pathway.
JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL NANOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Binod Timalsina, Md Nazmul Haque, Raju Dash, Ho Jin Choi, Nisha Ghimire, Il Soo Moon
Summary: TASE and thymol have potent capacities in promoting neuronal development and reconstruction, which are crucial for neurodegenerative disorders and acute brain injuries.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Peng Chen, Pengcheng Zhao, Mingliang Hu, Lili Wang, Tong Lei, Bin Liu, Li Li, Jianyu Shi, Cheng Lu
Summary: This study utilized artificial intelligence to investigate the anti-tumor effect of triptolide (TP) through various in vitro and in vivo experiments. The results showed that TP significantly inhibited tumor cell proliferation and migration, and promoted apoptosis. The X-TPP method identified HnRNP A2/B1 as a potential direct target of TP and revealed its role in the anti-tumor effects by inhibiting the HnRNP A2/B1-PI3K-AKT pathway.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pedro Valada, Sofia Alcada-Morais, Rodrigo A. Cunha, Joao Pedro Lopes
Summary: Theobromine, a metabolite of caffeine, affects synaptic transmission and plasticity by antagonizing adenosine receptors, resulting in improved cognitive function and neuroprotection against disease-related conditions.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Roberta Ribeiro, Emanuele Guimaraes Silva, Felipe Caixeta Moreira, Giovanni Freitas Gomes, Gabriela Reis Cussat, Barbara Stehling Ramos Silva, Maria Carolina Machado da Silva, Heliana de Barros Fernandes, Carolina de Sena Oliveira, Leonardo de Oliveira Guarnieri, Victoria Lopes, Claudia Natalia Ferreira, Ana Maria Caetano de Faria, Tatiani Uceli Maioli, Fabiola Mara Ribeiro, Aline Silva de Miranda, Grace Schenatto Pereira Moraes, Antonio Carlos Pinheiro de Oliveira, Luciene Bruno Vieira
Summary: Chronic consumption of hyperpalatable and hypercaloric foods has been shown to be associated with cognitive decline and memory impairment in obesity. This study investigates the effects of a highly palatable diet on neuroinflammation, glutamatergic dysfunction, and memory impairment. The results suggest that the diet leads to decreased memory reconsolidation and extinction, increased hippocampal glutamate levels, and elevated hippocampal fractalkine levels.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Ahmad H. Alhowail
Summary: This study revealed that doxorubicin treatment has dose-dependent effects on the survival rate of hippocampal neuronal cells and the expression of BDNF mRNA.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Ruiqing Zhou, Chengqing Huang, Nanxi Bi, Ling Li, Changqing Li, Xiaozhen Gu, Yang Song, Hui-Li Wang
Summary: This study found that lead exposure can lead to anxiety and depression-like behaviors, and excitatory neurons play a key role in this phenomenon. Through a series of experiments, the results showed that lead exposure can result in excitatory neuronal hyperexcitability, and the behavioral deficits caused by lead exposure were alleviated by inhibiting excitatory neuronal activity. The study demonstrates the significant role of excitatory neurons in lead-induced anxiety and depression-like behaviors under environmental exposure.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Alessandra Sperandeo, Claudia Tamburini, Zoe Noakes, Daniel Cabezas de la Fuente, Francesca Keefe, Olena Petter, William Plumbly, Nicholas E. Clifton, Meng Li, Kathryn J. Peall
Summary: The study reveals that SGCE mutations lead to hyperexcitability in cortical stem cells, both at the network and single cell level. This is accompanied by longer and more complex neurite morphology, as well as disruption of synaptic adhesion molecules. The findings shed light on the pathogenesis of myoclonus dystonia and provide potential therapeutic targets.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Yu Hu, Lei Wu, San-Qiao Yang, Hai-Jun Wei, Chun-Yan Wang, Xuan Kang, Jia-Mei Jiang, Ping Zhang, Xiao-Qing Tang
Summary: The study revealed that formaldehyde induces neurotoxicity by promoting ferritinophagy, and inhibiting ferritinophagy can alleviate formaldehyde-induced toxic damage in neuronal cells.
TOXICOLOGY AND INDUSTRIAL HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Miranda Mele, Pasqualino De Luca, Ana Rita Santos, Marta Vieira, Ivan L. Salazar, Paulo S. Pinheiro, Carlos B. Duarte
Summary: This study investigated the regulation of the synaptic protein GRASP1 by ubiquitin-dependent mechanisms, revealing an impact on the surface distribution and activity of AMPA receptors. Ubiquitination was found to decrease dendritic levels of GRASP1 and surface expression of GluA1 subunits, leading to a reduction in mEPSC amplitudes, effects that were partially reversed by cotransfection with GRASP1.
Article
Neurosciences
Sara R. Oliveira, Claudia Figueiredo-Pereira, Carlos B. Duarte, Helena L. A. Vieira
MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Neurosciences
Wibke Singer, Marie Manthey, Rama Panford-Walsh, Lucas Matt, Hyun-Soon Geisler, Eleonora Passeri, Gabriele Baj, Enrico Tongiorgi, Graciano Leal, Carlos B. Duarte, Ivan L. Salazar, Philipp Eckert, Karin Rohbock, Jing Hu, Joerg Strotmann, Peter Ruth, Ulrike Zimmermann, Lukas Ruettiger, Thomas Ott, Thomas Schimmang, Marlies Knipper
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2018)
Review
Neurosciences
Miranda Mele, Rui O. Costa, Carlos B. Duarte
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2019)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pedro Afonso, Pasqualino De Luca, Rafael S. Carvalho, Luisa Cortes, Paulo Pinheiro, Barbara Oliveiros, Ramiro D. Almeida, Miranda Mele, Carlos B. Duarte
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ana P. Piedade, Catia Veneza, Carlos B. Duarte
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2019)
Article
Neurosciences
Sara R. Oliveira, Joao Castelhano, Jose Sereno, Helena L. A. Vieira, Carlos B. Duarte, Miguel Castelo-Branco
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2020)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Miranda Mele, Pasqualino De Luca, Ana Rita Santos, Marta Vieira, Ivan L. Salazar, Paulo S. Pinheiro, Carlos B. Duarte
Summary: This study investigated the regulation of the synaptic protein GRASP1 by ubiquitin-dependent mechanisms, revealing an impact on the surface distribution and activity of AMPA receptors. Ubiquitination was found to decrease dendritic levels of GRASP1 and surface expression of GluA1 subunits, leading to a reduction in mEPSC amplitudes, effects that were partially reversed by cotransfection with GRASP1.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Miranda Mele, Ricardo Vieira, Barbara Correia, Pasqualino De Luca, Filipe Duarte, Paulo S. Pinheiro, Carlos B. Duarte
Summary: This study demonstrates the development of synchronized and spontaneous calcium transients in cultured hippocampal neurons after transient incubation in a Mg2+-free solution. Furthermore, rhythmic burst activity induced by the absence of Mg2+ was observed and could be prevented by antagonists of glutamate receptors. This model of epileptiform-like activity will be valuable for studying synaptic alterations contributing to hyperexcitability and testing new drugs for epilepsy treatment.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Ivan L. Salazar, Ana S. T. Lourenco, Bruno Manadas, Ines Baldeiras, Claudia Ferreira, Anabela Claro Teixeira, Vera M. Mendes, Ana Margarida Novo, Rita Machado, Sonia Batista, Maria do Carmo Macario, Mario Graos, Livia Sousa, Maria Joao Saraiva, Alberto A. C. C. Pais, Carlos B. Duarte
Summary: Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory and degenerative disease of the central nervous system, which lacks a clear diagnosis method. Therefore, finding reliable biomarkers is crucial for the diagnosis and prediction of disease progression in multiple sclerosis.
JOURNAL OF NEUROINFLAMMATION
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Rui O. Costa, Luis F. Martins, Emanuel Tahiri, Carlos B. Duarte
Summary: The neurotrophin BDNF plays multiple roles in the nervous system, including in neuronal development, synaptic potentiation, and neuronal survival. Its effects are mediated by the activation of TrkB receptors and involve the regulation of local protein synthesis. This local protein synthesis is crucial for neuronal development and synaptic plasticity.
WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-RNA
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Giorgio Belperio, Claudia Corso, Carlos B. Duarte, Miranda Mele
Summary: Epilepsy is a neurological disease characterized by abnormal brain activity leading to seizures and various symptoms. Apart from seizures, patients with epilepsy may also experience cognitive deficits, emotional issues, and psychiatric disorders. Current treatments include medication and surgery, but a portion of patients develop drug resistance. Therefore, further research is needed to understand the causes of epilepsy and develop innovative treatment strategies.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Elisa Corti, Carlos B. Duarte
Summary: AMPA-type receptors for glutamate play a crucial role in synaptic plasticity through their dynamic nature and ability to undergo post-translational modifications. These modifications, including phosphorylation, O-GlcNAcylation, ubiquitination, acetylation, palmitoylation, and nitrosylation, occur at different sites within the intracellular C-terminus tail of the receptor subunits. The diversity of modifications coupled with the assembly of different subunits creates multiple layers of regulation, impacting the subcellular distribution and synaptic activity of AMPA receptors.
BIOCHEMICAL SOCIETY TRANSACTIONS
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Filipe V. Duarte, Daniele Ciampi, Carlos B. Duarte
Summary: Mitochondria provide energy for synaptic activity and their transport along neurites is regulated by neuronal activity and extracellular cues. The distribution and activity of mitochondria at the synapse are controlled by signals that allow for the integration of different signals and the response to synaptic stimulation. This review examines the regulation of mitochondrial dynamics by neuronal activity and neuromodulators, and how changes in mitochondrial activity affect synaptic communication.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Francisca Silva, Gianluca Masella, Maria Francisca Madeira, Carlos B. Duarte, Monica Santos
Summary: Learned fear is regulated by a brain fear network consisting of the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex. Neurotrophin-3 and its receptor TrkC have been implicated in anxiety and fear-related disorders. In this study, we examined TrkC activation and expression in the key brain regions involved in fear during the formation of fear memory. Our results suggest that hippocampal TrkC inactivation through Erk signaling may play a role in the regulation of contextual fear memory formation.
MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY
(2023)