Article
Cell Biology
Jing Zhang, Na Wu, Shubo Wang, Zitong Yao, Fuchuan Xiao, Jing Lu, Baian Chen
Summary: The relationship between neuronal loss and A beta deposits in Alzheimer's disease is controversial, with conflicting results due to the confounding effects of pathologic tau. However, a study using mouse models found that neuronal loss is restricted to the core area of A beta deposits, likely due to microglia being attracted to the core area where A beta toxicity and neuroinflammation are restrained.
Article
Neurosciences
Catherine Lepolard, Cynthia Rombaut, Florence Jaouen, Ana Borges, Elodie Caccomo-Garcia, Natalia Popa, Eduardo Gascon
Summary: This study developed optimized fluorescence reporters that could be expressed in precise cellular subsets and used to accurately quantify miRNA content. Different reporter designs were tested and shown to faithfully translate miRNA levels in vitro. The tools developed here are expected to significantly contribute to future miRNA research.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
David Zapletal, Karel Kubicek, Petr Svoboda, Richard Stefl
Summary: RNase III Dicer plays important biological roles in eukaryotes by generating small RNAs for sequence-specific regulations. RNA interference (RNAi) and microRNA (miRNA) pathways are the major Dicer-dependent mechanisms, which produce distinct types of small RNAs. Structural analyses of animal and plant Dicers have revealed the contributions of different domains to substrate recognition and cleavage, highlighting the ancestral role of siRNA generation and the derived features of miRNA biogenesis. The functional divergence is mainly attributed to a RIG-I-like helicase domain, while the dsRNA-binding domain showcases the impressive functional versatility in Dicer-mediated small RNA biogenesis.
Article
Neurosciences
Chien-Sung Chiang, Ssu-Ju Fu, Chia-Lang Hsu, Chung-Jiuan Jeng, Chih-Yung Tang, Yi-Shuian Huang, Sung-Chun Tang
Summary: The study revealed significant differences in exosomal miRNA expression levels released by neurons under simulated ischemia/reperfusion injury, potentially involving multiple pathways related to cell survival, death processes, and neuronal signaling. Moreover, exosomes from oxygen and glucose-deprived conditions significantly impacted neuronal cell viability and neurite outgrowth, compared to exosomes from normoxic conditions.
NEUROMOLECULAR MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Min Wei, Chen Li, Zhengcun Yan, Zhengwei Hu, Lun Dong, Jun Zhang, Xingdong Wang, Yuping Li, Hengzhu Zhang
Summary: Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a severe condition with high mortality and morbidity, where secondary brain injury plays a key role. The involvement of exosomes and miRNAs in this process is significant, particularly in the regulation of neuronal necroptosis. Further research is needed to fully understand these mechanisms and potentially develop new strategies for treating ICH.
NEUROCHEMICAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wei-Fang Chang, Min Peng, Jing Hsu, Jie Xu, Huan-Chieh Cho, Hsiu-Mei Hsieh-Li, Ji-Long Liu, Chung-Hao Lu, Li-Ying Sung
Summary: SMN is crucial for RNA spliceosome assembly and plays important roles in stem cell biology. Overexpression of SMN enhances the proliferation and potency of SSCs, positively influencing spermatogenesis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biology
Jormay Lim, Hsiao-Hsin Tai, Wei-Hao Liao, Ya-Cherng Chu, Chen-Ming Hao, Yueh-Chun Huang, Cheng-Han Lee, Shao-Shien Lin, Sherry Hsu, Ya-Chih Chien, Dar-Ming Lai, Wen-Shiang Chen, Chih-Cheng Chen, Jaw-Lin Wang
Summary: Accumulating evidence suggests that transcranial low-intensity ultrasound could be a non-invasive neural modulation tool for treating brain diseases. Low-intensity ultrasound can activate neurons in the mouse brain and induce adult neurogenesis in specific regions. ASIC1a is identified as the molecular determinant involved in the mechano-signaling of low-intensity ultrasound for neural activation in the mouse brain.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Juan A. Sanchez, Maria C. Ingaramo, Maria P. Gerve, Maria G. Thomas, Graciela L. Boccaccio, Andres Dekanty
Summary: The adipose tissue plays a crucial role in metabolism, stress resistance, and longevity. The depletion of Dicer1 in the fat body leads to changes in lipid metabolism, enhanced resistance to stress, and increased lifespan. The JNK-FOXO axis controls nutrient responses in the fat body by suppressing Dicer1 expression, providing a novel understanding of physiological responses at the organismal level.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Balagopal Pai
Summary: Maintaining cellular homeostasis requires precise control of gene expression, with miRNAs playing a crucial role. While our understanding of miRNA biogenesis and function has advanced, different cell types in diverse organisms may have evolved distinct mechanisms for regulating miRNAs. In this issue, Oikawa and colleagues explore the molecular dynamics of miRNAs in adult skeletal muscles, raising intriguing questions for further investigation into alternative mechanisms of miRNA biogenesis.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Jeanette M. Metzger, Yuyuan Wang, Samuel S. Neuman, Kathy J. Snow, Stephen A. Murray, Cathleen M. Lutz, Viktoriya Bondarenko, Jesi Felton, Kirstan Gimse, Ruosen Xie, Dongdong Li, Yi Zhao, Matthew T. Flowers, Heather A. Simmons, Subhojit Roy, Krishanu Saha, Jon E. Levine, Marina E. Emborg, Shaoqin Gong
Summary: Genome editing of somatic cells using CRISPR offers hope for treating genetic disorders, including neurological diseases. However, the complex brain parenchyma and post-mitotic state of neurons pose challenges for efficient editing. Our study developed non-viral and biodegradable PEGylated nanocapsules that successfully delivered Cas9-sgRNA ribonucleoproteins to neurons in the mouse brain, resulting in safe and efficient genome editing.
Article
Plant Sciences
Liqun Ma, Xi Zhang, Zhiqi Deng, Peiyu Zhang, Tian Wang, Ran Li, Jinyan Li, Ke Cheng, Jubin Wang, Nan Ma, Guiqin Qu, Benzhong Zhu, Daqi Fu, Yunbo Luo, Feng Li, Hongliang Zhu
Summary: The tomato DCL2b protein plays a crucial role in regulating the defense against tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) and maintaining normal leaf development.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Stella Uebbing, Marius Kreiss, Friederike Scholl, Ann-Kathrin Haefner, Duran Sueruen, Ulrike Garscha, Oliver Werz, Devaraj Basavarajappa, Bengt Samuelsson, Olof Radmark, Beatrix Suess, Dieter Steinhilber
Summary: The 5-lipoxygenase enzyme has been identified to modulate miRNA processing in monocytic cells by promoting transcription of specific miRNAs and inhibiting the processing of pre-let-7e, ultimately leading to changes in the miRNA profile. This interaction results in altered expression levels of miRNAs, impacting cell differentiation, proliferation, and the maintenance of leukemic stem cell functions.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kotaro Nakanishi
Summary: The biosynthesis pathways of microRNAs have been well characterized, with small RNAs shorter than 19 nt also binding to AGO proteins and regulating mRNA expression post-transcriptionally.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR BIOSCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Takuya Nanami, Takashi Kohno
Summary: The study proposes a Piecewise Quadratic Neuron (PQN) model based on qualitative modeling approach to reproduce the key dynamics behind neuronal activities. The results show that the PQN models accurately reproduce the responses of major neuronal classes to stimulus inputs of various magnitudes. Furthermore, the PQN model is designed to be efficiently implemented on digital arithmetic circuits for use as silicon neurons and consumes fewer circuit resources than ionic-conductance models.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Optics
Jun Zhu, Hercules Rezende Freitas, Izumi Maezawa, Lee-way Jin, Vivek J. Srinivasan
Summary: The 1700 nm OCM approach enables imaging deep cortical and sub-cortical regions of the mouse brain with unique intrinsic contrast, minimal invasiveness, and high resolution, highlighting its advantages for deep brain imaging.
LIGHT-SCIENCE & APPLICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Hui-Ru Bi, Cui-Hua Zhou, Yi-Zhi Zhang, Xu-Dong Cai, Mu-Huo Ji, Jian-Jun Yang, Gui-Quan Chen, Yi-Min Hu
Summary: Pen-2 is essential for neuronal survival in the adult cerebral cortex, and its loss results in astrocytosis, cortical atrophy, neuronal loss, as well as microgliosis and enhanced inflammatory responses in the cortex. The Notch signaling pathway does not appear to be involved in the neurodegeneration caused by the loss of Pen-2.
CNS NEUROSCIENCE & THERAPEUTICS
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
He Wang, Mengjia Liu, Gang Zou, Long Wang, Wenbin Duan, Xue He, Muhuo Ji, Xiaochuan Zou, Yimin Hu, Jianjun Yang, Guiquan Chen
Summary: Deletion of PDK1 gene results in abnormal oligodendrocyte development in the central nervous system and affects the myelination process. These research findings demonstrate the critical role of PDK1 in OL differentiation.
NEUROBIOLOGY OF DISEASE
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jian Wu, Chenwen Shao, Xiaolian Ye, Xiaojiao Di, Dongdong Li, Hu Zhao, Bing Zhang, Guiquan Chen, Hong-Ke Liu, Yong Qian
Summary: This study introduces a novel near-infrared fluorescent probe named CAQ for selective monitoring of A beta aggregates in vivo, which shows promise in providing comprehensive information for neurodegenerative disease research, promoting a deeper understanding of Alzheimer's pathological processes.
Article
Neurosciences
Jinxing Hou, Huiru Bi, Zhuoyang Ye, Wenhui Huang, Gang Zou, Xiaochuan Zou, Yun Stone Shi, Ying Shen, Quanhong Ma, Frank Kirchhoff, Yimin Hu, Guiquan Chen
Summary: Mutations on gamma-secretase subunits are linked to neurological diseases. While the role of gamma-secretase in neurogenesis is well-studied, its involvement in astrogliogenesis remains unclear. Recent evidence suggests that astrocytes can be derived from oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs), but the mechanism controlling this differentiation is not fully understood.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Qihui Wang, Leilei Gong, Susu Mao, Chun Yao, Mingwen Liu, Yaxian Wang, Jian Yang, Bin Yu, Guiquan Chen, Xiaosong Gu
Summary: Enhancing the intrinsic regeneration potential of neurons is crucial for promoting axon regeneration and nerve injury repair. This study identifies Vav1 as a key molecular switch that responds to axonal injury, playing a crucial role in promoting axon regeneration, and potentially serving as a novel molecular therapeutic target for clinical nerve injury repair.
EXPERIMENTAL NEUROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xiao-Yu Teng, Ping Hu, Yangyang Chen, Yanyu Zang, Xiaolian Ye, Jingmin Ou, Guiquan Chen, Yun Stone Shi
Summary: Leucine-rich glioma-inactivated protein 1 (LGI1) plays a key role in autosomal dominant lateral temporal lobe epilepsy (ADLTE). A novel mutation on the Lgi1 gene was identified, which may cause white matter abnormalities by inhibiting Sox10-dependent oligodendrocyte differentiation and myelination in the central nervous system.
Article
Developmental Biology
Yingqian Xia, Yizhi Zhang, Min Xu, Xiaochuan Zou, Jun Gao, Mu-Huo Ji, Guiquan Chen
Summary: Recent evidence suggests that Pen2 plays a critical role in corticogenesis, but its importance in hippocampal morphogenesis is unclear. This study demonstrates the crucial role of Pen2 in maintaining neural progenitor cells during hippocampal development, highlighting its significance for our understanding of hippocampal development.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Qing-Qing Li, Jiang Chen, Ping Hu, Min Jia, Jia-Hui Sun, Hao-Yang Feng, Feng-Chang Qiao, Yan-Yu Zang, Yong-Yun Shi, Guiquan Chen, Nengyin Sheng, Yun Xu, Jian-Jun Yang, Zhengfeng Xu, Yun Stone Shi
Summary: This study identified a rare variant in the GluN2A subunit of NMDAR, which enhanced receptor expression and affected synaptic transmission and plasticity, leading to learning and memory defects.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Chaoli Huang, Teng He, Di Wang, Zifeng Wu, Yuanyuan Wang, Hanyu Liu, Jiali Xu, Chun Yang, Guiquan Chen, Cunming Liu
Summary: This study found that repeated sevoflurane anesthesia during the neonatal period caused cognitive dysfunction in adult mice. Furthermore, it was observed that the tau protein was hyperphosphorylated and the level of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) was decreased in the hippocampus of mice after neonatal exposure to sevoflurane. Additionally, GSK-3 beta activity was found to be increased with repeated sevoflurane exposure. These findings suggest that PP2A-associated hyperphosphorylation of tau protein may contribute to sevoflurane induced developmental neurotoxicity.
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Xiaolian Ye, Lu Chen, He Wang, Shixiao Peng, Mengjia Liu, Liyang Yao, Yizhi Zhang, Yun Stone Shi, Ying Cao, Jian-Jun Yang, Guiquan Chen
Summary: Neuron-specific deletion of PDK1 robustly ameliorates AD-like pathology and improves spatial working memory in 5xFAD mice. We propose that genetic approach to inhibit PDK1 may be an effective strategy to slow AD.
NEUROPATHOLOGY AND APPLIED NEUROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tingting Liu, Xiaolei Zhu, Chaoli Huang, Jiang Chen, Shu Shu, Guiquan Chen, Yun Xu, Yimin Hu
Summary: The study shows that PP2A is critical for neuronal survival and inhibition of ERK may be an effective strategy to reduce cell death in brain diseases.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shanshan Cheng, Xian Liu, Linjuan Yuan, Nan Wang, Zi Chao Zhang, Junhai Han
Summary: Mutations in the PQBP1 gene are associated with Renpenning syndrome, which is characterized by microcephaly, intellectual deficiency, short stature, small testes, and distinct facial dysmorphism. Recent studies have shown that PQBP1 plays vital roles in neural development and function, including the regulation of neural progenitor proliferation, neural projection, synaptic growth, neuronal survival, and cognitive function through mRNA transcription and splicing-dependent or-independent processes. These findings provide insights into the pathogenesis of Renpenning syndrome and have implications for drug discovery and treatment.
BIOCHEMICAL SOCIETY TRANSACTIONS
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Wenhua Liu, Hao Xie, Xian Liu, Shoujing Xu, Shanshan Cheng, Zheng Wang, Ting Xie, Zi Chao Zhang, Junhai Han
Summary: The balance between cell proliferation and differentiation is crucial for brain development. This study reveals that the alternative splicing regulator PQBP1 plays a role in regulating striatal progenitor proliferation and differentiation. Deletion of PQBP1 leads to defective striatal development and impaired neurogenesis. These findings provide new insights into the post-transcriptional regulation of cell proliferation and differentiation.
Article
Neurosciences
Qi Cheng, Jing Wu, Yingqian Xia, Qing Cheng, Yinjuan Zhao, Peixiang Zhu, Wangling Zhang, Shihu Zhang, Lei Zhang, Yushan Yuan, Chaojun Li, Guiquan Chen, Bin Xue
Summary: This study investigates the role of protein prenylation in cerebellar morphogenesis by generating a mouse model with the inactivation of the Ggps1 gene in neural progenitor cells. The conditional knockout of Ggps1 leads to severe ataxia, deficient locomotion, decreased population and impaired proliferation of granule cell progenitors in the developing cerebellum, as well as increased expression of p21. These findings highlight the critical role of Ggpps-dependent protein prenylation in the proliferation of cerebellar granule cell progenitors during cerebellar development.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Weiqian Dai, He Wang, Yongkun Zhan, Nan Li, Fei Li, Jingmin Wang, Huifang Yan, Yu Zhang, Junyu Wang, Lingqian Wu, Huili Liu, Yanjie Fan, Yue Tao, Xi Mo, Jian-Jun Yang, Kun Sun, Guiquan Chen, Yongguo Yu
Summary: This study describes the genotype-phenotype spectrum of CCNK-related syndrome and investigates the underlying molecular mechanisms. By using patient-derived cell models and mouse models, the study demonstrates the critical roles of CCNK in neural progenitor cell proliferation and apoptosis. RNA sequencing analyses reveal transcriptomic signatures unique to CCNK-related syndrome and identify Wnt5a as a potential therapeutic target for intervention.
ANNALS OF NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kun He, Mengyi Xie, Weifeng Hong, Yonghe Li, Yaolin Yin, Xiaojin Gao, Yi He, Yu Chen, Chuan You, Jingdong Li
Summary: Centromere protein L (CENPL) is overexpressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and is associated with poor patient prognosis. Upregulation of CENPL promotes tumor proliferation and glycolysis in HCC cells by activating the MEK1/2-ERK1/2 signaling pathway.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOCHEMISTRY & CELL BIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yingzi Wang, Haozhong Huang, Huimin Weng, Chunsen Jia, Bin Liao, Yang Long, Fengxu Yu, Yongmei Nie
Summary: Talin protein plays a crucial role in transmitting mechanical forces by connecting the extracellular matrix to the cytoskeleton. It converts mechanical signals into biochemical signals and serves as diagnostic, therapeutic, and prognostic indicators in diseases.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOCHEMISTRY & CELL BIOLOGY
(2024)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hema Saranya Ilamathi, Marc Germain
Summary: Mitochondria are the central metabolic hubs in cells, relying on proteins encoded by nuclear DNA and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) for their function. The maintenance and distribution of mtDNA are crucial for proper mitochondrial function and are associated with mitochondrial diseases. mtDNA is organized into nucleoids that dynamically move and interact with each other. The replication and distribution of mtDNA nucleoids are regulated by the complex interplay of mitochondrial dynamics, ER-mitochondria contact sites, and cytoskeletal networks.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOCHEMISTRY & CELL BIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
K. K. Sruthi, Sirisha Natani, Ramesh Ummanni
Summary: The overexpression of TPD52 is associated with the emergence of neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC). TPD52 activates the NF-kappa B - STAT3 axis to induce neuroendocrine differentiation (NED) of prostate cancer cells. Therapeutic targeting of TPD52 is important for the treatment of prostate cancer.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOCHEMISTRY & CELL BIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Cui Li, Feifan Xiang, Yuqi Gong, Yi Fu, Ge Chen, Zhi Wang, Zhong Li, Daiqing Wei
Summary: Our study demonstrates the significant role of tumor-derived microparticles (T-MPs) in osteosarcoma metastasis and immune response. T-MPs promote macrophage polarization and stimulate migration and chemoresistance of osteosarcoma cells, thereby affecting the progression of osteosarcoma.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOCHEMISTRY & CELL BIOLOGY
(2024)
