Article
Neurosciences
Kyle B. Fischer, Hannah K. Collins, Yan Pang, Dheeraj S. Roy, Ying Zhang, Guoping Feng, Shu-Jing Li, Adam Kepecs, Edward M. Callaway
Summary: Identification of synaptic partners is a fundamental task, but reliable techniques for whole brain labeling of downstream partners in a cell-type-dependent and monosynaptic manner are lacking. In this study, the authors developed a novel anterograde tracing system based on genetic manipulation of a virus, resulting in reliable labeling of postsynaptic partners in a brain-wide fashion. This system provides a valuable tool for studying neural circuits.
JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Mustafa C. Beker, Mahmud E. Pence, Sumeyya Yagmur, Berrak Caglayan, Aysun Caglayan, Ulkan Kilic, Hayriye E. Yelkenci, Mehmet O. Altintas, Ahmet B. Caglayan, Thorsten R. Doeppner, Dirk M. Hermann, Ertugrul Kilic
Summary: Deactivation of phosphodiesterase 10A (PDE10A) dose-dependently increases neuronal survival, angiogenesis, and neurogenesis in the peri-infarct striatum, reduces astroglial scar formation and brain atrophy, and enhances motor-coordination recovery and neuronal plasticity.
EXPERIMENTAL NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Review
Neurosciences
Chase A. Weinholtz, Michael J. Castle
Summary: Emerging techniques using axonal transport of adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors can precisely target gene expression in specific neuron populations based on their axonal connectivity, allowing researchers to dissect neural circuits and understand the structure and function of the nervous system in mammals.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Adam R. Fenton, Thomas A. Jongens, Erika L. F. Holzbaur
Summary: Mitochondria are transported along microtubules by opposing kinesin and dynein motors, linked by TRAK adaptor proteins. TRAK2 activates kinesin-1 for transport toward the plus-end of microtubules and acts as a dynein activating adaptor for transport toward the minus-end. At a sufficient level, the dynein-binding protein LIS1 is necessary for efficient dynein-mediated TRAK2 transport. TRAK2 forms a complex containing both kinesin-1 and dynein-dynactin, functionally linking these motors and coordinating their activities for proper mitochondrial transport.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Abhishek Sadhu, Kerriann K. Badal, Yibo Zhao, Adia A. Ali, Supriya Swarnkar, George Tsaprailis, Gogce C. Crynen, Sathyanarayanan Puthanveettil
Summary: Long-term memory formation requires the transport of certain proteins from the soma of a neuron to its synapses, and this study investigates the specific proteins involved and how they change in response to learning. The researchers used mass spectrometry to analyze the protein cargos of a molecular motor protein called ApKHC1 in Aplysia californica after short-term and long-term sensitization. They found that different proteins were enriched in the transport complexes at different time points, indicating experience-dependent changes in the communication between the cell body and synapses during learning.
Review
Cell Biology
Diksha Kumari, Krishanu Ray
Summary: Phosphorylation of Kinesin subunits and adaptors plays a crucial role in regulating the activity and interactions of Kinesin motors, influencing intracellular transport dynamics.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Ricardo Celestino, Jose B. Gama, Artur F. Castro-Rodrigues, Daniel J. Barbosa, Helder Rocha, Ennio A. d'Amico, Andrea Musacchio, Ana Xavier Carvalho, Joao H. Morais-Cabral, Reto Gassmann
Summary: The MAP kinase and motor scaffold JIP3 plays a role in preventing excessive accumulation of lysosomes in axons. The interaction between JIP3 and dynein and kinesin-1 is important for organelle clearance, but the specific mechanisms are not fully understood.
JOURNAL OF CELL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Brandon L. Brown, Rachel M. Zalla, Courtney T. Shepard, Russell M. Howard, Jonathan A. Kopechek, David S. K. Magnuson, Scott R. Whittemore
Summary: The researchers utilized Fluoro-Ruby and dual-viral systems to label long ascending propriospinal neurons in the rat spinal cord, revealing differences in LAPNs labeling between different dual-viral systems, and highlighting the importance of optimizing viral systems to target specific neuronal populations.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROANATOMY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jayne Aiken, Erika L. F. Holzbaur
Summary: The development and proper function of the brain require the intricate formation of neuronal circuitry through synaptic connections between neurons, which must be maintained over a lifetime. Accurate trafficking of presynaptic and postsynaptic components, as well as readily accessible energy stores from localized mitochondria, are crucial for synapse-specific delivery and plasticity. Recent research has shed light on the importance of local regulation of cytoskeletal dynamics and organelle trafficking in establishing and maintaining neuronal circuitry.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jin-Sung Park, Il-Buem Lee, Hyeon-Min Moon, Seok-Cheol Hong, Minhaeng Cho
Summary: Researchers used a label-free interferometric scattering microscope to track cargo transportation in cells and discovered that cells employ strategies similar to human transportation systems to overcome transportation hurdles.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Darya Zeini, Joel C. Glover, Kenneth D. Knudsen, Bo Nystrom
Summary: The study found that dextran conjugates with lysine and TRITC of different molecular weights exhibited variations in molecular volumes and mobility within axons. Surprisingly, lower molecular weight conjugated dextrans showed higher efficiency in translocation despite having larger molecular volumes compared to higher molecular weight dextrans.
ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Ophthalmology
Ende Wu, XiaoHui Jiang, Jiaying Sun, Boyue Xu, Wenzhe Li, Qianling Liao, Yikui Zhang, Guangming Zhou, Wencan Wu
Summary: This study successfully created a model of persistent compressive optic nerve axonopathy in rabbits by implanting an artificial tube around the optic nerve. The results showed that after three months of mild compression, the thickness of the ganglion cell complex, retinal ganglion cell density, and optic nerve axon density significantly decreased, and only a portion of the optic nerve lost the ability of anterograde axonal transport. Therefore, mild compression does not require immediate surgical intervention, while severe compression warrants immediate surgery.
EXPERIMENTAL EYE RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Wenqian Wang, Jillian Clark, Guangzhao Mao
Summary: Neuroanatomical tract tracers (NaTTs) have a long history of application in neural circuit tracing and now have found new uses in disease diagnosis and drug/gene delivery. This Review discusses the different subclasses of NaTTs, their unique properties, recent developments in their design and performance, and their applications in neural circuit mapping, disease diagnostics, and targeted delivery to the nervous system. Incorporating NaTTs into nanomedicines offers exciting possibilities for bypassing biological barriers and delivering drugs to specific neurons, providing innovative therapeutic options for neurological diseases.
ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS
(2023)
Review
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Wenqian Wang, Jillian Clark, Guangzhao Mao
Summary: Neuroanatomical tract tracers (NaTTs) have been widely used for neural circuit tracing and have found recent applications in disease diagnosis and drug and gene delivery targeted to the nervous system. This Review discusses the different subclasses of NaTTs, their unique properties, recent developments in improving their design and performance, and the potential for drug delivery by incorporating NaTTs into nanomedicines. NaTTs have the advantage of being readily taken up by nerve endings and efficiently transported within the central nervous system to the brain, making them a promising tool for bypassing biological barriers. This Review aims to stimulate more discussions and collaborations among neuroscientists, biomedical researchers, and nanotechnologists to develop innovative therapeutic options for treating neurological diseases.
ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Xudong Qiu, Seth T. Gammon, James R. Johnson, Federica Pisaneschi, Steven W. Millward, Edward M. Barnett, David Piwnica-Worms
Summary: KcapTR488 is a dual-fluorophore peptide sensor that can report programmed cell death in real-time. The sensor has a complex structure that allows for intramolecular fluorescence resonance energy transfer, enabling quantitative analysis of enzyme rates and selectivity. Experiments in rat models confirmed the delivery kinetics of the sensor.