Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jun Wu, Miao Zhao, Yu-chen Jin, Min Li, Ke-xin Yu, Hai-bo Yu
Summary: This study investigated the antiseizure effect of Schisandrin B (SchB) in mouse models of seizure and explored its underlying mechanisms. The results showed that SchB exhibited therapeutic potential in various mouse models of seizure and acted as a positive allosteric modulator of GABA(A)Rs and GlyRs.
ACTA PHARMACOLOGICA SINICA
(2023)
Review
Neurosciences
Davide Bassetti
Summary: Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the main neurotransmitter in the brain responsible for inhibiting neuronal activity. GABA(B) receptors play a crucial role in regulating proliferation, migration, and cell inhibition. They can shape neuronal activity and contribute to development by modulating the function of cells in response to varying levels of GABA concentration.
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Arnold M. Salazar, Amanda M. Leisgang, Andrew A. Ortiz, Andrew S. Murtishaw, Jefferson W. Kinney
Summary: The study demonstrates altered GABAergic signaling in an amyloid model of AD, with changes in GABA-related targets associated with disease-related memory and learning deficits.
NEUROBIOLOGY OF AGING
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Elena Petukhova, Daria Ponomareva, Karin Rustler, Burkhard Koenig, Piotr Bregestovski
Summary: In this study, it was found that Glyght can modulate GABAergic synaptic transmission by acting on extrasynaptic glycine receptors, without affecting postsynaptic GABA receptors and neurotransmitter release mechanisms.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kwabena Boahen
Summary: The study proposes a new learning method for artificial intelligence called dendrocentric learning, which arranges the input signals along dendrites to overcome the thermal constraints of three-dimensional chips. This approach allows for efficient AI computation with low power consumption.
Article
Biology
Pascal Dominic Rem, Vita Sereikaite, Diego Fernandez-Fernandez, Sebastian Reinartz, Daniel Ulrich, Thorsten Fritzius, Luca Trovo, Salome Roux, Ziyang Chen, Philippe Rondard, Jean-Philippe Pin, Jochen Schwenk, Bernd Fakler, Martin Gassmann, Tania Rinaldi Barkat, Kristian Stromgaard, Bernhard Bettler
Summary: Amyloid-beta precursor protein (APP) regulates neuronal activity through the release of secreted APP (sAPP) acting at cell surface receptors. A 17 amino acid peptide (APP17) derived from APP binds to the extracellular sushi domain 1 (SD1) of GABA(B) receptors (GBRs). However, APP17 does not influence GBR activity in heterologous cells, indicating that sAPP exerts its neuronal effects through receptors other than GBRs.
Article
Neurosciences
Keyrian Louis Le Gratiet, Christopher K. Anderson, Nagore Puente, Pedro Grandes, Charlotte Copas, Patrick C. Nahirney, Kerry R. Delaney, Raad Nashmi
Summary: We have identified three types of monosynaptic cholinergic inputs onto medial substantia nigra dopaminergic neurons in mice. These inputs have different effects on neuronal excitability, with cotransmitted ACh/GABA enhancing excitability.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Bradley M. Roberts, Emanuel F. Lopes, Stephanie J. Cragg
Summary: Striatal dopamine release is inhibited by striatal gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) acting via GABA(A) and GABA(B) receptors, which is regulated by plasma membrane GABA uptake transporters on striatal astrocytes. The regulation of striatal GABA-DA interactions serves as a potential therapeutic target for psychomotor disorders associated with dysregulated DA signaling.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anita J. L. Leembruggen, Yuqing Lu, Haozhe Wang, Volkan Uzungil, Thibault Renoir, Anthony J. J. Hannan, Lincon A. A. Stamp, Marlene M. M. Hao, Joel C. C. Bornstein
Summary: Glutamate is a major neurotransmitter in the central nervous system that plays a role in excitatory neurotransmission and synaptic plasticity. While it has a smaller role in neurotransmission in the enteric nervous system, this study found that Group-I metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGlu1 and mGlu5) have complex roles in gastrointestinal function. mGlu5 was found to affect excitatory enteric neurotransmission, while mGlu1 affected colonic motor complexes.
Article
Neurosciences
Ruth Westenbroek, Joshua Kaplan, Katie Viray, Nephi Stella
Summary: The study uncovers the molecular mechanism behind the therapeutic response of ABHD6 inhibition in reducing seizures. It shows that reducing ABHD6 activity can decrease the premature lethality and thermally induced seizures in a genetic mouse model of Dravet Syndrome. The mechanism involves the potentiation of extrasynaptic GABAAR currents without affecting synaptic GABAAR currents. This discovery provides insights for developing targeted therapies for controlling hippocampal hyperexcitability in Dravet Syndrome.
NEUROBIOLOGY OF DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Ines Guerreiro, Zhenglin Gu, Jerrel L. Yakel, Boris S. Gutkin
Summary: The CA1 pyramidal neurons in the hippocampus interact with various interneurons in complex local circuits. Recent studies have shown that activating a7 nACh receptors expressed in OLMa2 interneurons can induce long-term potentiation (LTP) in SC-CA1 synapses. According to a biophysically based model, activation of a7 nAChRs increases OLM GABAergic activity, leading to the inhibition of fast-spiking interneurons that provide feedforward inhibition to CA1 pyramidal neurons. This disinhibition, coupled with synchronized SC stimulation, can result in potentiation of excitatory synapses in CA1 pyramidal neurons.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jun Wu, Zhipeng Hou, Yan Wang, Liping Chen, Chengxi Lian, Qingfei Meng, Chaoying Zhang, Xiufen Li, Longjiang Huang, Haibo Yu
Summary: A series of 7-alkoxy -[1,2,4] triazolo [1, 5-a] pyrimidine derivatives were synthesized and found to exhibit significant anti-seizure effects. The compounds mainly exerted their anticonvulsant activity by allosteric potentiation of GABA(A) receptors. Compound 10c, with potent activity, showed sensitivity to different subunit configurations of GABA(A) receptors and acted on distinct sites from benzodiazepines and barbiturates. These structural compounds may serve as a foundation for designing novel antiepileptic molecules.
BIOORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Caifeng Shao, Jiaxue Dong, Mingwei Zhao, Shenhao Liu, Xue Wang, Yang Yu, Lingyan Fang, Ziying Zhu, Qian Chen, Xu Xiao, Wei-Ning Zhang, Kun Yang
Summary: By combining cell type-specific optogenetics and whole cell recordings on mouse acute hippocampal slices, the study compared the GABA release from cholecystokinin-expressing (CCK) and parvalbumin-expressing (PV) interneurons onto CA1 pyramidal neurons. The results provide direct evidence that GABA(B) receptors differentially modulate GABA release from CCK and PV interneurons.
NEUROSCIENCE LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Martina Kirstein, Alba Cambrils, Ana Segarra, Ana Melero, Emilio Varea
Summary: This study using the Ts65Dn mouse model, found that increased cholinergic activity induces early senescence, resulting in the loss of cholinergic neurons.
NEUROCHEMICAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Alberto Roldan-Sastre, Carolina Aguado, Alejandro Martin-Belmonte, Rocio Alfaro-Ruiz, Ana Esther Moreno-Martinez, Rafael Lujan
Summary: The study investigated the expression and localization of G(alphao) in the cerebellar cortex, revealing its crucial role as a signal transducer of specific GPCRs in different neuronal populations. The results showed a complex distribution of G(alphao) at both cellular and subcellular levels, indicating its involvement in excitatory synapses and potential regulatory functions in the brain.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROANATOMY
(2021)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Maria Grazia Zizzo, Gaetano Caldara, Annalisa Bellanca, Domenico Nuzzo, Marta Di Carlo, Stefano Scoglio, Rosa Serio
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Maria Grazia Zizzo, Adele Cicio, Stefania Raimondo, Riccardo Alessandro, Rosa Serio
Summary: Age-related differences in GABAergic transmission were found in the human colon. Responses to GABA and GABA receptor agonists varied in intensity between different age groups, with a more pronounced effect in older patients. In older subjects, the efficacy of GABAA receptor agonists was influenced by nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitors.
NEUROGASTROENTEROLOGY AND MOTILITY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria Grazia Zizzo, Adele Cicio, Federica Corrao, Laura Lentini, Rosa Serio
Summary: This study investigates the contractile responses induced by Ang II in the jejunum of young and old rats, and evaluates possible functional differences associated with changes in receptor expression. The results show that Ang II modulates the spontaneous contractility of rat jejunum via postjunctional AT1 receptors and prejunctional AT2 receptors. Age-related changes in receptor expression are not reflected in the muscular contractile response to Ang II.
JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Federica Corrao, Maria Grazia Zizzo, Marco Tutone, Raffaella Melfi, Ignazio Fiduccia, Pietro Salvatore Carollo, Aldo Di Leonardo, Gaetano Caldara, Riccardo Perriera, Andrea Pace, Beatrice Belmonte, Selene Sammataro, Ivana Pibiri, Laura Lentini
Summary: This study investigated the acute toxicological effects of three Translational Readthrough Inducing Drugs (TRIDs) on mice and found that these drugs showed good tolerability without causing significant adverse effects in the mice.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Rocchina Colucci, Matteo Fornai, Luca Antonioli, Cristina Segnani, Chiara Ippolito, Carolina Pellegrini, Anna Nericcio, Maria Grazia Zizzo, Rosa Serio, Corrado Blandizzi, Nunzia Bernardini
Summary: This study examined the effects of different cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors on fibrosis in the inflamed colon. The results showed that COX inhibitors can reverse the histological, molecular, and functional changes in the fibrotic colon. Colonic fibrosis is associated with altered bowel motility and induction of profibrotic factors driven by TGF-beta signaling.
JOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Maria Grazia Zizzo, Adele Cicio, Rosa Serio
Summary: Growing evidence suggests that guanine-based purines can modulate smooth muscle contractile activity in blood vessels and the gastrointestinal tract. This study investigated the effects of guanosine and guanine on spontaneous uterine contractions and contractions induced by potassium depolarization and oxytocin in non-pregnant rats. The results showed that guanosine, but not guanine, reduced the amplitude of spontaneous contractions in a dose-dependent manner. Guanosine also inhibited calcium influx-induced contractions and oxytocin-induced contractions. The findings suggest that guanosine has tocolytic effects on the rat myometrium, likely due to its intracellular intake and its effects on extracellular calcium influx and intracellular calcium release.
NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERGS ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Adele Cicio, Rosa Serio, Maria Grazia Zizzo
Summary: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a group of intestinal disorders characterized by chronic inflammation. Extracts from the Brassicaceae family and their purified constituents have been found to have anti-inflammatory properties, suggesting their potential in the prevention and treatment of IBD. These effects are attributed to their regulation of inflammatory and oxidant mediators, immunomodulatory regulation, maintenance of intestinal barrier integrity, and intestinal flora balance. Future research should investigate the applications of bioactive-derived compounds from Brassicaceae for promoting intestinal health.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Danila Di Majo, Pierangelo Sardo, Giuseppe Giglia, Valentina Di Liberto, Francesco Paolo Zummo, Maria Grazia Zizzo, Gaetano Felice Caldara, Francesca Rappa, Giorgia Intili, Roelof Maarten van Dijk, Daniele Gallo, Giuseppe Ferraro, Giuditta Gambino
Summary: This study assessed the redox homeostasis in male Wistar rats after 8 weeks of high-fat diet (HFD) and found that it induced metabolic syndrome (MetS) by disrupting glucose and lipid metabolism. It also impaired the physiological antioxidant responses, leading to oxidative stress. Cross-correlation analysis suggested that the assessment of specific oxidative stress parameters can provide comparable information to widely acquired biomarkers of MetS, such as glucose tolerance.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Claudia La Corte, Nicolo Baranzini, Mariano Dara, Camilla Bon, Annalisa Grimaldi, Maria Giovanna Parisi, Maria Grazia Zizzo, Matteo Cammarata
Summary: This study investigates the differences and characteristics in injured and healthy tissues of the soft coral Anemonia viridis through histological investigation. In addition, positron emission tomography is used for the first time in invertebrates to study regeneration over a longer time period. The results indicate that Mediterranean anthozoan is a valuable model for studying regeneration and many events observed are highly conserved across different phyla.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pietro Salvatore Carollo, Marco Tutone, Giulia Culletta, Ignazio Fiduccia, Federica Corrao, Ivana Pibiri, Aldo Di Leonardo, Maria Grazia Zizzo, Raffaella Melfi, Andrea Pace, Anna Maria Almerico, Laura Lentini
Summary: Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease caused by mutations in the CFTR gene, leading to the synthesis of truncated CFTR protein. Ribosome readthrough, which bypasses premature termination codons (PTCs), can generate full-length protein. In this study, we investigated the potential mechanism of action of our synthesized TRIDs (NV848, NV914, and NV930) using in silico analysis and in vitro studies, and found a likely inhibition of FTSJ1, a specific 2'O-methyltransferase for tryptophan tRNA.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Adele Cicio, Stefania Sut, Stefano Dall'Acqua, Maurizio Bruno, Claudio Luparello, Rosa Serio, Maria Grazia Zizzo
Summary: P. maritimum L. is a plant species that grows on beaches and coastal sand dunes mainly in the Mediterranean Sea and Black Sea regions. In this study, the ethanolic extract of the bulbs from a local accession in Sicily, Italy, was analyzed. Several alkaloids were identified, including three previously unknown in the Pancratium genus. The extract showed no cytotoxic effects and exhibited antioxidant potential in human Caco-2 intestinal cells.
Article
Plant Sciences
Maria Grazia Zizzo, Adele Cicio, Maurizio Bruno, Rosa Serio
Summary: This study investigated the effects of Sicilian Prangos ferulacea essential oil on the contractility of rat small and large intestine, and the related mechanism. The results showed that the essential oil had different effects on the contractility of the small and large intestine, and it affected the contractions through enhancing neural cholinergic activity, blocking L-type voltage-gated calcium channel, and reducing intracellular calcium release.
JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)