Article
Developmental Biology
Andreia C. Oliveira, Catarina C. F. Homem
Summary: This study demonstrates how neural stem cells coordinate their division rate with the pace of body growth, and identifies the important role of the steroid hormone ecdysone in regulating neuroblast division and maintaining the number of differentiated neurons.
DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Lihong Sheng, Emily J. J. Shields, Janko Gospocic, Masato Sorida, Linyang Ju, China N. N. Byrns, Faith Carranza, Shelley L. L. Berger, Nancy Bonini, Roberto Bonasio
Summary: By studying the changes in the number and gene expression of ensheathing glia in Drosophila melanogaster brain, it is found that dysregulated ensheathing glia can lead to lipid droplet accumulation, cellular dysfunction, and death, affecting brain health and lifespan. Inhibition of apoptosis can restore the declining number of ensheathing glia with age, improve the neuro-motor performance of aged fruit flies and prolong lifespan. Furthermore, an expanded ensheathing glia population can prevent amyloid-beta accumulation in a fly model of Alzheimer's disease and delay the premature death of diseased animals. These findings highlight the vital role of ensheathing glia in regulating brain health and animal longevity.
Article
Cell Biology
Eleni Dapergola, Pamela Menegazzi, Thomas Raabe, Anna Hovhanyan
Summary: Endogenous clocks regulate cellular processes, metabolism, and behavior, with dysregulation leading to metabolic disorders. In mouse and Drosophila, the circadian clock influences ribosome biogenesis factors and protein synthesis. Nutrition signals modulate cellular metabolism and growth through the InR/TOR pathways. disruptions to the circadian clock affect neural stem cell growth and proliferation, impacting ribosomal biogenesis and protein biosynthesis regulators.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biology
Yi-wen Wang, Chris C. Wreden, Maayan Levy, Julia L. Meng, Zarion D. Marshall, Jason MacLean, Ellie Heckscher, P. Robin Hiesinger
Summary: Explored the self-assembly of circuits from neuronal stem cells and identified sharp transitions in connectivity patterns at temporal cohort boundaries. Discovered a feed-forward circuit encoding the onset of vibration stimuli and proposed that sequential addition of neurons may be a fundamental strategy for assembling feed-forward circuits.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Fumito Endo, Atsushi Kasai, Joselyn S. Soto, Xinzhu Yu, Zhe Qu, Hitoshi Hashimoto, Viviana Gradinaru, Riki Kawaguchi, Baljit S. Khakh
Summary: This study provides comprehensive molecular data on the diversity and mechanisms of astrocytes in the central nervous system, highlighting the role of certain genes in astrocyte morphology and their association with diseases such as Alzheimer's.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jia-Yi Wei, Sao-Yu Chu, Yu-Chien Huang, Pei-Chi Chung, Hung-Hsiang Yu
Summary: Neurogenesis in the Drosophila central brain is influenced by a novel mutation called Nuwa, with significant impairment occurring during early larval stages. The mutation affects the generation of larval-born olfactory projection neurons but not embryonic-born neurons. Molecular characterization reveals that the Nuwa mutation is a loss-of-function mutation in the Drosophila septin interacting protein 1 (sip1). SIP1 expression is enriched in neuroblasts, and its knockdown leads to abnormal brain formation. The full-length SIP1 protein is necessary for rescuing the neurogenesis defect caused by the Nuwa mutation.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Rashmi Sipani, Rohit Joshi
Summary: Hox genes encode transcription factors that help specify the development of the anterior-posterior axis of an organism by interacting with TALE-HD containing factors. In the central nervous system of fruit flies, Hox genes play a role in segment-specific apoptosis of neural stem cells and neurons. This study identified a critical apoptotic enhancer and demonstrated the importance of the DNA-binding specificity of Abdominal-A-homeodomain for its interaction with Grainyhead and the execution of neuroblast apoptosis. Furthermore, Grainyhead was found to be a required cofactor for Hox-dependent neuroblast apoptosis in specific regions of the central nervous system.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Kassi L. Crocker, Khailee Marischuk, Stacey A. Rimkus, Hong Zhou, Jerry C. P. Yin, Grace Boekhoff-Falk
Summary: By studying the brain regeneration mechanisms in adult Drosophila, it has been discovered that after a traumatic brain injury, new neurons and glial cells can be generated in the Drosophila brain, leading to the repair of neural circuits and improvement in locomotor abnormalities. This indicates that adult Drosophila brains are capable of neuronal repair, which may provide insights into neural regeneration mechanisms relevant to human brain repair.
Article
Neurosciences
Megan M. Corty, Jaeda Coutinho-Budd
Summary: The importance of glial cells has gained recognition in the past 20 years, but our knowledge about these cells is still limited compared to neurons. Drosophila glia share similar molecular players and functions with their vertebrate counterparts, making them suitable models to study glial composition and roles. Drosophila genetics and in vivo imaging techniques provide valuable tools to investigate glial development and their interactions with neurons.
CURRENT OPINION IN NEUROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Neurosciences
Lenin David Ochoa-de la Paz, Rosario Gulias-Canizo
Summary: Brain edema is a pathological condition with potentially fatal consequences, where cell volume control processes are compromised, and astroglial network plays a pivotal role in the regulation of cell volume and water homeostasis.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Rachel Naomi Curry, Isamu Aiba, Jochen Meyer, Brittney Lozzi, Yeunjung Ko, Malcolm Ford McDonald, Anna Rosenbaum, Alexis Cervantes, Emmet Huang-Hobbs, Carolina Cocito, Jeffrey Peter Greenfield, Ali Jalali, Jay Gavvala, Carrie Mohila, Akdes Serin Harmanci, Jeffrey Noebels, Ganesh Rao, Benjamin Deneen
Summary: Seizures are a common feature of malignant glioma and recent studies have found that peritumoral synaptic dysregulation plays a role in brain hyperactivity and tumor progression. Through single-cell RNA sequencing and patient ECoG recordings, this study shows that seizure patients have enriched gene signatures related to synapse formation in their tumors. The gene IGSF3 is identified as a mediator of glioma progression and dysregulated neural circuitry, leading to spreading depolarization. Further investigation reveals that IGSF3 interacts with Kir4.1 to suppress potassium buffering and seizure patients have reduced expression of potassium handlers in proliferating tumor cells. In vivo imaging confirms that dysregulated synaptic activity originates from the tumor-neuron interface, validating findings in patients. This study highlights the importance of ion dyshomeostasis in tumor progression and seizures.
Article
Neurosciences
Diana J. Goode, Derek C. Molliver
Summary: This study identifies a mechanism for regulating mitochondrial function by Epac2 in DRG sensory neurons, contributing to acute inflammatory hyperalgesia in male mice. Systemic administration of the cyclooxygenase 2 inhibitor celecoxib can suppress Pdha1 phosphorylation in male DRG, thereby alleviating PGE2-induced heat hyperalgesia.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Neta Marmor -Kollet, Victoria Berkun, Gideon Cummings, Hadas Keren-Shaul, Eyal David, Yoseph Addadi, Oren Schuldiner
Summary: Astrocytes play important roles in synapse formation, maturation, and plasticity, but their function during developmental neuronal remodeling is not well understood. By analyzing astrocytes before and after remodeling, researchers identified 12 astrocytic genes, including Actin-related protein 2/3 complex and formin3, that are required for axon pruning of Drosophila neurons. The study suggests that actin-dependent astrocytic infiltration is a key step in axon pruning, contributing to our understanding of neuron-glia interactions during remodeling.
Article
Developmental Biology
Jordan A. Munroe, Chris Q. Doe
Summary: In Drosophila, the generation of neuronal diversity in the central brain involves the expansion and diversification of neural stem cells, neuroblasts (NBs), into intermediate neural progenitors (INPs). The RNA-binding protein Imp plays a role in determining neuronal morphology and central complex neuropil organization in INPs and newborn neurons.
NEURAL DEVELOPMENT
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Joshua Kramer, Joana Neves, Mia Koniikusic, Heinrich Jasper, Deepak A. Lamba
Summary: Retinal homeostasis relies on the intricate coordination of cell death and survival in response to stress and damage, with Decapentaplegic (Dpp) signaling in Drosophila and its mammalian homologue, Transforming Growth Factor-beta (TGF beta) superfamily, identified as key mediators in this process. A dynamic response of retinal cells to Dpp signaling is observed, where stimulation of Saxophone/Smox signaling promotes apoptosis in the early phase while stimulation of the Thickveins/Mad axis promotes tissue repair and survival in a later stage. This dual role is conserved in the mammalian retina through the TGF beta/BMP signaling pathway.
Article
Cell Biology
Ambuj Upadhyay, Lindsay Moss-Taylor, Myung-Jun Kim, Arpan C. Ghosh, Michael B. O'Connor
COLD SPRING HARBOR PERSPECTIVES IN BIOLOGY
(2017)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kalpana Makhijani, Brandy Alexander, Deepti Rao, Sophia Petraki, Leire Herboso, Katelyn Kukar, Itrat Batool, Stephanie Wachner, Katrina S. Gold, Corinna Wong, Michael B. O'Connor, Katja Brueckner
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2017)
Article
Psychiatry
M. T. Pisansky, A. E. Young, M. B. O'Connor, I. I. Gottesman, A. Bagchi, J. C. Gewirtz
TRANSLATIONAL PSYCHIATRY
(2017)
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Aidan J. Peterson, Michael B. O'Connor
Article
Developmental Biology
MaryJane Shimell, Xueyang Pan, Francisco A. Martin, Arpan C. Ghosh, Pierre Leopold, Michael B. O'Connor, Nuria M. Romero
Article
Biology
Shaughna Langerak, Myung-Jun Kim, Hannah Lamberg, Michael Godinez, Mackenzie Main, Lindsey Winslow, Michael B. O'Connor, Changqi C. Zhu
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Lindsay Moss-Taylor, Ambuj Upadhyay, Xueyang Pan, Myung-Jun Kim, Michael B. O'Connor
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Agapi Dimitriadou, Nasia Chatzianastasi, Panagiota I. Zacharaki, MaryJane O'Connor, Samuel L. Goldsmith, Michael B. O'Connor, Christos Consoulas, Stuart J. Newfeld
G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS
(2020)
Article
Biology
Ambuj Upadhyay, Aidan J. Peterson, Myung-Jun Kim, Michael B. O'Connor
Article
Developmental Biology
Myung-Jun Kim, Michael B. O'Connor
Summary: The Activin pathway in Drosophila regulates larval muscle geometry and body size by promoting the activation of the InR/TORC1 pathway and the regulation of Mhc protein levels. This pathway also influences muscle fiber length, whether through positive regulation or despite a decrease in Mhc levels.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Samuel L. Goldsmith, Mary Jane Shimell, Petra Tauscher, Samantha M. Daly, Osamu Shimmi, Michael B. O'Connor, Stuart J. Newfeld
Summary: This paper discusses the challenges of studying the genes on the fourth chromosome of Drosophila melanogaster and presents new resources for the study of this chromosome. The authors have generated a pair of chromosomes that can be used for both unmarked and MARCM clones. Additionally, they have demonstrated that a specific mutation can create recombinant fourth chromosomes during female meiosis. These resources will be made available to the Drosophila research community and will contribute to filling the gaps in our understanding of metazoan development and physiology.
G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS
(2022)
Meeting Abstract
Cell Biology
X. Pan, M. B. O'Connor
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF THE CELL
(2017)
Article
Developmental Biology
Yuya Kaieda, Ryota Masuda, Ritsuo Nishida, MaryJane Shimell, Michael B. O'Connor, Hajime Ono
DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2017)
Article
Cell Biology
Wei Song, Daojun Cheng, Shangyu Hong, Benoit Sappe, Yanhui Hu, Neil Wei, Changqi Zhu, Michael B. O'Connor, Pavlos Pissios, Norbert Perrimon