Article
Biology
Christian Keine, Mohammed Al-Yaari, Tamara Radulovic, Connon Thomas, Paula Valino Ramos, Debbie Guerrero-Given, Mrinalini Ranjan, Holger Taschenberger, Naomi Kamasawa, Samuel M. Young
Summary: This study reveals the key regulatory role of Rac1 in synaptic transmission, mainly through modulating the dynamics of synaptic vesicle priming and potentially the release probability, affecting synaptic strength and short-term plasticity.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Min Liu, Xu Tan, E. Liu, Zhaofang Hang, Ruiheng Song, Shouhong Mu, Weikai Han, Qingwei Yue, Jinhao Sun
Summary: Repeated administration of methylamphetamine induces addiction and activates the expression of c-Fos in lateral hypothalamus (LH) neurons responding to conditioned place preference (CPP). Chemogenetic inhibition of LH disrupts addiction behavior. Methylamphetamine remodels LH synaptic plasticity and enhances neuronal activity, while overexpression of Kcnq3 reverses CPP score and alleviates addictive behaviors.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biology
Samuel J. Barnes, Georg B. Keller, Tara Keck
Summary: This study used two-photon imaging to observe changes in neuronal synaptic calcium signals in awake mice, revealing that spines correlated with intrinsic network activity undergo TNF-α-dependent homeostatic enhancement, while spines responsive to sensory stimulation do not. Following sensory deprivation, global sensory-evoked responses increased, despite identified sensory inputs not strengthening.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jia-Ray Yu, Gary LeRoy, Devin Bready, Joshua D. Frenster, Ricardo Saldana-Meyer, Ying Jin, Nicolas Descostes, James M. Stafford, Dimitris G. Placantonakis, Danny Reinberg
Summary: The study identified that H3K36me2 promotes tumorigenesis in H3K27M-DIPG by affecting the writing activity of NSD1 and NSD2, as well as the reading factors LEDGF and HDGF2. Loss of NSD1/2 impedes cellular proliferation and tumorigenesis.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Eleftherios Kosmidis, Christopher G. Shuttle, Julia Preobraschenski, Marcelo Ganzella, Peter J. Johnson, Salome Veshaguri, Jesper Holmkvist, Mads P. Moller, Orestis Marantos, Frank Marcoline, Michael Grabe, Jesper L. Pedersen, Reinhard Jahn, Dimitrios Stamou
Summary: Vacuolar-type adenosine triphosphatases (V-ATPases) play a vital role in establishing electrochemical proton gradients in cells. This study reveals that V-ATPases do not pump continuously, but rather switch between different modes stochastically.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maris Alver, Nikolaos Lykoskoufis, Anna Ramisch, Emmanouil T. Dermitzakis, Halit Ongen
Summary: Schizophrenia is a polygenic disorder characterized by changes in gene expression regulation. In this study, we integrated data on regulatory activity, gene expression, and genotypes to investigate the mechanisms underlying these changes. Our findings suggest that there are differences in regulatory element activity between individuals with schizophrenia and healthy controls, particularly in fetal-specific and adult-specific regulatory activity. Additionally, we found that changes in coordinated regulatory activity are associated with alterations in gene expression levels and identified changes in the regulatory machinery for genes related to synaptic function and dendritic spine morphology in schizophrenia.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hannah Schmidbaur, Akane Kawaguchi, Tereza Clarence, Xiao Fu, Oi Pui Hoang, Bob Zimmermann, Elena A. Ritschard, Anton Weissenbacher, Jamie S. Foster, Spencer Nyholm, Paul A. Bates, Caroline B. Albertin, Elly Tanaka, Oleg Simakov
Summary: This study reveals the unique genomic, topological, and regulatory organization of cephalopod genomes, identifies microsyntenies associated with cephalopod nervous system evolution, and suggests that microsyntenic profiling will be central to understanding cephalopod innovations.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Sophia Y. Y. Mah, Hannah K. Vanyai, Yuqing Yang, Anne K. Voss, Tim Thomas
Summary: ING5 is a component of KAT6A and KAT7 histone lysine acetylation complexes and functions as a 'reader' and adaptor protein by binding to trimethylated histone H3 lysine 4. The absence of ING5 during development leads to decreased foetal liver cellularity, hematopoietic stem cell numbers, and perturbed erythropoiesis. Additionally, Ing5(-/-) pups display hypoplastic spleens. However, competitive transplantation experiments show that the defects observed during the foetal stage are not cell intrinsic, suggesting that ING5 is dispensable for normal hematopoiesis but may be required for timely foetal hematopoiesis in a cell-extrinsic manner.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Meiyu Wan, Shengqi Sun, Xiaoke Di, Minghui Zhao, Fengjuan Lu, Zhifei Zhang, Yang Li
Summary: The study confirms that ICA can repair neuronal damage, enhance synaptic plasticity, and ultimately improve learning and memory impairment through the regulation of the BDNF-Tr kappa B signaling pathway.
JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ka Lung Cheung, Anbalagan Jaganathan, Yuan Hu, Feihong Xu, Alannah Lejeune, Rajal Sharma, Cristina I. Caescu, Jamel Meslamani, Adam Vincek, Fan Zhang, Kyung Lee, Nilesh Zaware, Amina Abdul Qayum, Chunyan Ren, Mark H. Kaplan, John Cijiang He, Huabao Xiong, Ming-Ming Zhou
Summary: This study uncovers a previously unrecognized mechanism of self-directed cell type-specific regulation of the master transcription factor Stat3 through its own transcriptional target Hipk2 in Th17 cell differentiation. These findings provide insights into the regulation of Th17 cell immune functions and suggest a therapeutic strategy for developing targeted therapies for Th17-associated inflammatory disorders.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Dany Khamsing, Solene Lebrun, Isabelle Fanget, Nathanael Larochette, Christophe Tourain, Vincent de Sars, Maia Brunstein, Martin Oheim, Damien Carrel, Francois Darchen, Claire Desnos
Summary: Memory and long term potentiation rely on de novo protein synthesis, with mTORC1 playing a key role in this process. In neuronal cells, NMDA receptor activation triggers mTOR translocation to lysosomes, with a possible contribution from BDNF through the TrkB receptor. Optogenetic tools can provide spatial and temporal control over mTOR localization, revealing a functional link between NMDA receptors and mTORC1 activation.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Jie Hao, Mengyi Sun, Dong Li, Tao Zhang, Jianjun Li, Daijun Zhou
Summary: This study developed a material modified with polydopamine and graphene oxide/sodium alginate, which exhibits antibacterial properties and moisturizing properties. The results showed that this material can promote wound healing, inhibit apoptosis, and improve the immune microenvironment.
JOURNAL OF NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY
(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
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Halima H. Schede, Pradeep Natarajan, Arup K. Chakraborty, Krishna Shrinivas
Summary: Through a physics-based model framework, the authors propose that nonequilibrium processes underlying gene activity play a central role in shaping the morphology, dynamics, and regulation of diverse nuclear condensates. The model predicts and recapitulates the morphological and dynamical features of various nuclear condensates, offering a unified mechanistic framework to study the interplay between non-equilibrium processes, spatially-varying transcription, and multicomponent condensates in cell biology.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Yihan Dong, Veli V. Uslu, Alexandre Berr, Gaurav Singh, Csaba Papdi, Victor A. Steffens, Thierry Heitz, Lyubov A. Ryabova
Summary: The target of rapamycin (TOR) acts as a central sensory hub connecting external stimuli to gene expression. The mechanism for stimulus-specific transcriptional reprogramming by TOR is not well understood. In this study, we analyzed Arabidopsis in silico and found that TOR-repressed genes are associated with bistable or silent chromatin states. These chromatin states are regulated by histone modifications, particularly H3K27me3, and the combination of H3K4me3 and H3K27me3 allows rapid transcriptional changes in response to stimuli.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2023)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Desirae Chandran, Alexandra Confair, Kaitlyn Warren, Yuka Imamura Kawasawa, Steven D. Hicks
Summary: This study aimed to identify mothers at risk of perceived inadequate milk supply (PIMS) early on by genotyping a specific lactogenic gene. Results showed that mothers with PIMS breastfed for a shorter period, had lower milk production, and their infants displayed reduced weight-for-length Z-score gains compared to mothers with perceived adequate milk supply (PAMS). Genotyping one lactogenic gene showed potential to aid in identifying mothers who may benefit from increased lactation support.
BREASTFEEDING MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Hideki Miwa, Ken Kobayashi, Shinobu Hirai, Mitsuhiko Yamada, Masahiko Watanabe, Haruo Okado, Yuchio Yanagawa
Summary: The study reveals the critical role of GABA in establishing connections between basket cells and Purkinje cells in the cerebellum, and its association with motor coordination in mice.
Article
Cell Biology
Anussara Kamnate, Juthathip Sirisin, Masahiko Watanabe, Hisatake Kondo, Wiphawi Hipkaeo, Surang Chomphoo
Summary: The study found that cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1) is localized on mitochondrial membranes in ovarian interstitial gland cells of adult mice, potentially modulating the synthetic process of progesterone through CB1.
JOURNAL OF HISTOCHEMISTRY & CYTOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Ken Matsuura, Shizuka Kobayashi, Kohtarou Konno, Miwako Yamasaki, Takahiro Horiuchi, Takao Senda, Tomoatsu Hayashi, Kiyotoshi Satoh, Fumiko Arima-Yoshida, Kei Iwasaki, Lumi Negishi, Naomi Yasui-Shimizu, Kazuyoshi Kohu, Shigenori Kawahara, Yutaka Kirino, Tsutomu Nakamura, Masahiko Watanabe, Tadashi Yamamoto, Toshiya Manabe, Tetsu Akiyama
Summary: The study reveals that SIPA1L1 is mainly localized to submembranous regions in neurons, and its deficiency may be associated with neuropsychiatric disorders related to dysregulated GPCR signaling.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Czarina Ramos, Stefano Lutzu, Miwako Yamasaki, Yuchio Yanagawa, Kenji Sakimura, Susumu Tomita, Masahiko Watanabe, Pablo E. Castillo
Summary: This study provides the first direct evidence of functional extrasynaptic kainate receptors (KARs) on mossy cells (MCs) in the hippocampus. These KARs are mainly located extrasynaptically and play a critical role in the activity of MCs. Increases in ambient glutamate can activate the KARs on MCs.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tadashi Tanioku, Masayuki Nishibata, Yasuyuki Tokinaga, Kohtaro Konno, Masahiko Watanabe, Hiroaki Hemmi, Yuri Fukuda-Ohta, Tsuneyasu Kaisho, Hidemasa Furue, Tomoyuki Kawamata
Summary: This study demonstrates the essential role of Tmem45b in inflammation- and tissue injury-induced mechanical pain hypersensitivity, highlighting it as a potential therapeutic target for future treatment.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Biology
Amy Cheung, Kotaro Konno, Yuka Imamura, Aya Matsui, Manabu Abe, Kenji Sakimura, Toshikuni Sasaoka, Takeshi Uemura, Masahiko Watanabe, Kensuke Futai, Nils Brose
Summary: The study reveals the involvement of Nrxn genes in the modulation of 5-HT transmission and behavior, suggesting a potential link between Nrxn mutations and ASD.
Article
Dermatology
Zachary T. Nolan, Kalins Banerjee, Zhaoyuan Cong, Samantha L. Gettle, Amy L. Longenecker, Yuka I. Kawasawa, Andrea L. Zaenglein, Diane M. Thiboutot, George W. Agak, Xiang Zhan, Amanda M. Nelson
Summary: There are no drugs as effective as isotretinoin for acne. Deciphering the changes in the microbiome induced by isotretinoin in the pilosebaceous follicle of successfully treated patients can pave the way to identify novel therapeutic alternatives.
EXPERIMENTAL DERMATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biology
Khai C. Ang, Victor A. Canfield, Tiffany C. Foster, Thaddeus D. Harbaugh, Kathryn A. Early, Rachel L. Harter, Katherine P. Reid, Shou Ling Leong, Yuka Kawasawa, Dajiang Liu, John W. Hawley, Keith C. Cheng
Summary: This study focused on a Native American population with high Native American genetic ancestry, aiming to investigate the impact of this ancestry on skin color variation. The results showed that Native American genetic ancestry had the greatest effect on reducing skin pigmentation, while genetic mutations from European and African ancestries had smaller effects. However, the specific genetic variants responsible for light skin in Native American/East Asian populations remain to be identified.
Article
Biology
Kieran A. Boyle, Erika Polgar, Maria Gutierrez-Mecinas, Allen C. Dickie, Andrew H. Cooper, Andrew M. Bell, Evelline Jumolea, Adrian Casas-Benito, Masahiko Watanabe, David I. Hughes, Gregory A. Weir, John S. Riddell, Andrew J. Todd
Summary: This study investigates the role of interneurons that continue to express neuropeptide Y (NPY-INs) in the adult mouse spinal cord. The findings suggest that activation of NPY-INs reduces acute pain and pruritogen-evoked itch, while silencing them causes exaggerated itch responses. Silencing another population of inhibitory interneurons also increases itch, but to a lesser extent.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kohtarou Konno, Miwako Yamasaki, Taisuke Miyazaki, Masahiko Watanabe
Summary: The gold-standard fixative for immunohistochemistry is 4% formaldehyde; however, it limits antibody access to buried target molecules. To solve this problem, we used glyoxal as a fixative, which greatly improved antibody penetration, uncovering signals for buried molecules. Glyoxal also enhanced immunosignals of most other molecules, including the controversial synaptic adhesion molecule Neuroligin 1.
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Deepak Kumar Khajuria, Irena Nowak, Ming Leung, Vengadeshprabhu Karuppagounder, Yuka Imamura, Christopher C. C. Norbury, Fadia Kamal, Reyad A. A. Elbarbary
Summary: Maturation of eukaryotic mRNAs requires cleavage and polyadenylation. Alternative polyadenylation (APA) generates mRNA isoforms with different 3' untranslated regions (UTRs), which can affect gene expression. This study shows that APA impacts pathways involved in bone healing and that endochondral ossification involves global 3'UTR shortening. Mechanistic studies reveal that APA enhances the expression of Collagen genes by shortening their 3'UTRs and removing miR-29a-3p binding sites. This study highlights the crucial roles of APA in regulating gene expression during fracture healing.
Meeting Abstract
Behavioral Sciences
Brandon J. LaFever, Yuka Imamura-Kawasawa, Ayako Ito, Fumiaki Imamura
Article
Ophthalmology
Esma Yerlikaya, Allyson L. Toro, Siddharth Sunilkumar, Ashley M. VanCleave, Ming Leung, Yuka Imamura Kawasawa, Scot R. Kimball, Michael D. Dennis
Summary: In diabetic retinopathy, neuroglial dysfunction occurs early and Muller glia play a significant role in disease progression. This study investigates the common signaling pathways activated in Muller glia by both type 1 and pre-/type 2 diabetes. The findings suggest that the TREM2/DAP12 receptor-adaptor complex signals via SYK to promote HIF1a stabilization and increased angiogenic cytokine production by Muller glia.
INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hitomi Sasamori, Toshiaki Asakura, Chiaki Sugiura, Youcef Bouchekioua, Naoya Nishitani, Masaaki Sato, Takayuki Yoshida, Miwako Yamasaki, Akira Terao, Masahiko Watanabe, Yu Ohmura, Mitsuhiro Yoshioka
Summary: This study examined the role of dopamine D-5 receptors in impulse control and found that they are not necessary for impulse control. The results highlight the importance of time series analysis and detailed analysis of the learning process in understanding the behavioral functions of D-5 receptors.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
