Article
Neurosciences
Limin Ma, Qingyuan Wu, Jinxian Yuan, You Wang, Peng Zhang, Qiankun Liu, Dandan Tan, Minxue Liang, Yangmei Chen
Summary: This study reveals a crucial role of ANXA2 in epilepsy. It regulates excitatory synaptic activity mediated by AMPAR subunit GluA1 to improve seizure activity, which provides novel insights for the treatment and prevention of epilepsy.
CNS NEUROSCIENCE & THERAPEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Dekun Gao, Hui Wu, Huiqun Jie, Min Liang, Dongzhen Yu, Yanmei Feng, Karthikeyan Balasubramanian, Guiliang Zheng, Jun Yang, Jingchun He
Summary: The study demonstrates that overexpression of XIAP gene in the cochlea can alleviate the ototoxic effects of gentamicin, suggesting XIAP plays a role in protecting hair cells from GM-induced damage.
BIOCHEMICAL PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Cell Biology
Edward Beamer, Sonia A. L. Correa
Summary: MK2, a downstream target of p38(MAPK), regulates gene expression and synaptic plasticity indirectly through control of RNA-binding proteins and cytoskeletal dynamics. While its role in inflammation and cellular stress is well-described, the involvement of neuronal MK2 in mediating synaptic plasticity in response to inflammation remains unclear.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Baomei Xia, Xiaoyan Huang, Guangda Sun, Weiwei Tao
Summary: The iridoids from Gardeniae fructus exert antidepressant effects by enhancing synaptic plasticity via AMPA receptor-mTOR signaling.
JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Isabel M. Alonso Bellido, Mercedes Posada-Perez, Francisco Hernandez-Rasco, Sandra Vazquez-Reyes, Maria Cabanillas, Antonio J. Herrera, Sara Bachiller, Jesus Soldan-Hidalgo, Ana M. Espinosa-Oliva, Bertrand Joseph, Rocio M. de Pablos, Jose L. Venero, Rocio Ruiz
Summary: The study aims to investigate the role of Caspase-3 in neurogenesis-related microglial functions. Using Caspase-3 conditional knockout mice, it was found that the reduction of Caspase-3 led to decreased microglia and neurogenic neurons in the hippocampus, as well as a lower phagocytic capacity of microglia. Behavioral analysis also showed impaired memory and learning in the absence of Caspase-3. These findings highlight the essential role of Caspase-3 in microglial function and the importance of a specific microglial phenotype in the maintenance of adult hippocampal neurogenesis.
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sebastian A. Hughes, Meng Lin, Ashley Weir, Bing Huang, Liya Xiong, Ngee Kiat Chua, Jiyi Pang, Jascinta P. Santavanond, Rochelle Tixeira, Marcel Doerflinger, Yexuan Deng, Chien-Hsiung Yu, Natasha Silke, Stephanie A. Conos, Daniel Frank, Daniel S. Simpson, James M. Murphy, Kate E. Lawlor, Jaclyn S. Pearson, John Silke, Marc Pellegrini, Marco Herold, Ivan K. H. Poon, Seth L. Masters, Mingsong Li, Qin Tang, Yuxia Zhang, Maryam Rashidi, Lanlan Geng, James E. Vince
Summary: This study reveals that genetic mutations in X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP) can lead to cell death-associated inflammatory diseases. The findings show that patients with XIAP deficiency-associated inflammatory bowel disease have increased inflammatory IL-1 beta maturation and cell death-associated caspase-8 and Gasdermin D (GSDMD) processing, which can be reduced by patient treatment.
Review
Neurosciences
Thomas Edward Chater, Yukiko Goda
Summary: The translation discusses the dependence of neurotransmission on the number, position, and composition of receptor proteins on the postsynaptic neuron. It specifically focuses on the role and regulation of alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid receptors (AMPARs) in synaptic activity.
FRONTIERS IN SYNAPTIC NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Neurosciences
Eric Jacobi, Jakob von Engelhardt
Summary: AMPAR auxiliary subunits play a pivotal role in modulating AMPAR function, influencing synaptic strength, temporal precision, and integrative properties, as well as participating in synaptic plasticity.
JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LONDON
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Miriam K. Bell, Padmini Rangamani
Summary: Synaptic plasticity involves modification of both biochemical and structural components of neurons. Many studies have revealed that the change in the number density of the glutamatergic receptor AMPAR at the synapse is proportional to synaptic weight update; an increase in AMPAR corresponds to strengthening of synapses while a decrease in AMPAR density weakens synaptic connections. The dynamics of AMPAR are thought to be regulated by upstream signalling, primarily the calcium-CaMKII pathway, trafficking to and from the synapse, and influx from extrasynaptic sources.
JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LONDON
(2023)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Nahid Mehrbeheshti, Zahra Esmaili, Mojdeh Ahmadi, Maryam Moosavi
Summary: This study demonstrated that oral gavage of nano-Al at doses of 5 and 10 mg/kg for 5 days impairs NOR memory in mice, along with an increase in phosphorylated p38, ERK, and cleaved caspase-3 in the hippocampus.
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Xingzhi He, Yang Wang, Guangjun Zhou, Jing Yang, Jiarui Li, Tao Li, Hailan Hu, Huan Ma
Summary: The γCaMKII isoform is highly expressed in hippocampal inhibitory interneurons and is activated by high-frequency stimulation. It co-localizes with the postsynaptic protein PSD-95 and regulates the phosphorylation and trafficking of AMPARs induced by chemical LTP.
NEUROSCIENCE BULLETIN
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Kristopher E. Plambeck, Chun-Wei He, Hector H. Navarro, Elva Diaz
Summary: This study identifies SynDIG1 and SynDIG4 as proteins that regulate excitatory synaptic strength and AMPAR number. They interact with AMPAR subunits and co-cluster with them, resulting in increased synaptic strength.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
John Jacob Peters, Jeremy Leitz, Juan A. Oses-Prieto, Alma L. Burlingame, Axel T. Brunger
Summary: Regulated delivery of AMPA receptors to the postsynaptic membrane is essential for synaptic strength modification, particularly long-term potentiation (LTP). In this study, AMPA-containing vesicles (ACVs) were isolated from mouse brains, characterized, and two distinct populations of ACVs were identified based on size and molecular composition. These findings provide insights into the molecular mechanisms of AMPAR delivery and vesicle trafficking related to LTP.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Judit Catala-Solsona, Pablo J. Lituma, Stefano Lutzu, Dolores Siedlecki-Wullich, Cristina Fabregas-Ordonez, Alfredo J. Minano-Molina, Carlos A. Saura, Pablo E. Castillo, Jose Rodriguez-Alvarez
Summary: Transcription factors called Nr4a have been found to play a crucial role in synaptic plasticity and cognitive function. In this study, it was discovered that neuronal activity enhances the expression and function of Nr4a2 in mouse hippocampal neurons through a pathway involving ionotropic glutamate receptors and other cellular factors. This activation of Nr4a2 promotes the production of a nerve growth factor called BDNF, which affects synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus. These findings suggest that targeting Nr4a2 could be a potential therapeutic approach for brain disorders associated with abnormal synaptic plasticity.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Yulong Jin, Kun Xu, Yanyan Huang, Huifei Zhong, Rui Zhao
Summary: The newly developed cell-permeable fluorescent probe can selectively exhibit a ratiometric response towards the apoptotic key enzyme caspase-3, offering potential for real-time quantification of caspase-3 activity to estimate apoptotic stages in living cells.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Rhalena A. Thomas, Amirthagowri Ambalavanan, Guy A. Rouleau, Philip A. Barker
MOLECULAR GENETICS & GENOMIC MEDICINE
(2016)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Julien Gibon, Philip A. Barker
Article
Biology
Rhalena A. Thomas, Michael G. Metzen, Maurice J. Chacron
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2018)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Aaron D. Johnstone, Robin M. Hallett, Andres de Leon, Bruno Carturan, Julien Gibon, Philip A. Barker
Article
Cell Biology
Stephen D. Glasgow, Simon Labrecque, Ian Beamish, Sarah Aufmkolk, Julien Gibon, Dong Han, Stephanie N. Harris, Paul Dufresne, Paul W. Wiseman, R. Anne McKinney, Philippe Seguela, Paul De Koninck, Edward S. Ruthazer, Timothy E. Kennedy
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jacob W. Vogel, Renaud La Joie, Michel J. Grothe, Alexandr Diaz-Papkovich, Andrew Doyle, Etienne Vachon-Presseau, Claude Lepage, Reinder Vos de Wael, Rhalena A. Thomas, Yasser Iturria-Medina, Boris Bernhardt, Gil D. Rabinovici, Alan C. Evans
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2020)
Article
Neurosciences
Andres de Leon, Julien Gibon, Philip A. Barker
Summary: NGF and BDNF are important trophic factors for sensory neurons during development, but the signaling pathways leading to their death differ, with BDNF-dependent sensory neuron degeneration potentially involving BAX and ROS.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Omid Tavassoly, Esther del Cid Pellitero, Frederique Larroquette, Eddie Cai, Rhalena A. Thomas, Vincent Soubannier, Wen Luo, Thomas M. Durcan, Edward A. Fon
Summary: The study suggests that EGFR may regulate the propagation of alpha-syn in PD, and the EGFR inhibitor AZD3759 shows potential therapeutic effects on alpha-syn pathology in a mouse model.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Gilles Maussion, Rhalena A. Thomas, Iveta Demirova, Gracia Gu, Eddie Cai, Carol X-Q Chen, Narges Abdian, Theodore J. P. Strauss, Sabah Kelai, Angela Nauleau-Javaudin, Lenore K. Beitel, Nicolas Ramoz, Philip Gorwood, Thomas M. Durcan
Summary: This article introduces the open-source Python software Auto-qPCR for automated processing of qPCR data, saving time and improving the systematic approach to data analysis. The software supports multiple data processing modes, simplifying the complex data analysis workflow.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Review
Physiology
Mohamed A. Eldeeb, Rhalena A. Thomas, Mohamed A. Ragheb, Armaan Fallahi, Edward A. Fon
Summary: Mitochondria, as a central hub for cellular metabolism and signaling, play a crucial role in human diseases. Eukaryotic cells have developed sophisticated quality control mechanisms to monitor and repair/mitophagy abnormal proteins and dysfunctional mitochondria. Chaperones help refold unstable proteins, which are selectively degraded if repair is not possible. Autophagy-lysosomal and ubiquitin-proteasome systems mediate the degradation of abnormal proteins. Mitophagy is responsible for eliminating dysfunctional mitochondria to protect cells from damage.
PHYSIOLOGICAL REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Andres de Leon, Julien Gibon, Philip A. Barker
Summary: This study reveals the pro-degenerative role of APP in the development of the sensory nervous system during development and highlights its importance in the regulation of calcium signaling in sensory neurons.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Nguyen-Vi Mohamed, Julien Sirois, Janani Ramamurthy, Meghna Mathur, Paula Lepine, Eric Deneault, Gilles Maussion, Michael Nicouleau, Carol X-Q Chen, Narges Abdian, Vincent Soubannier, Eddie Cai, Harris Nami, Rhalena A. Thomas, Dingke Wen, Mahdieh Tabatabaei, Lenore K. Beitel, Karamjit Singh Dolt, Jason Karamchandani, Jo Anne Stratton, Tilo Kunath, Edward A. Fon, Thomas M. Durcan
Summary: This study used three-dimensional midbrain organoids differentiated from human-induced pluripotent stem cells to recapitulate key features of alpha-synuclein pathology in patients with synucleinopathies. The SNCA triplication human midbrain organoids express elevated levels of alpha-synuclein and exhibit an age-dependent increase in alpha-synuclein aggregation, providing a powerful system to study the pathogenesis of synucleinopathies.
BRAIN COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Carol X-Q Chen, Narges Abdian, Gilles Maussion, Rhalena A. Thomas, Iveta Demirova, Eddie Cai, Mahdieh Tabatabaei, Lenore K. Beitel, Jason Karamchandani, Edward A. Fon, Thomas M. Durcan
Summary: A multistep workflow has been established to evaluate newly generated iPSCs, testing key benchmarks such as cell growth, genomic stability, pluripotency, and the ability to differentiate into specific cell types. Simple cell growth tests and genomic integrity analysis are introduced to ensure quality control of iPSCs lines.
METHODS AND PROTOCOLS
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Aaron D. Johnstone, Andres de Leon, Nicolas Unsain, Julien Gibon, Philip A. Barker