Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rotem Ruach, Nir Ratner, Scott W. Emmons, Alon Zaslaver
Summary: This study investigates whether simple neurons can perform local computations. By studying the neural network of Caenorhabditis elegans, it is found that chemical synapses are not randomly distributed, but form clusters that support local compartmentalized computations. In mutually synapsing neurons, connections of opposite polarity cluster separately, potentially implementing discrete compartmentalized feedback dynamics. In triple-neuron circuits, the nonrandom synaptic organization may facilitate local functional roles. These clustered synaptic topologies emerge as a guiding principle in the network, effectively increasing the computational capacity.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jennifer Radwitz, Torben J. Hausrat, Frank F. Heisler, Philipp C. Janiesch, Yvonne Pechmann, Michael Rubhausen, Matthias Kneussel
Summary: In this study, it was found that neuronal activity can affect microtubule growth and Tubb3 expression, with downregulation of Tubb3 accelerating microtubule growth specifically in axons and dendrites. This downregulation also led to an upregulation of the Tubb4 gene expression and reduced tubulin polyglutamylation, while increasing KIF5C motility and boosting the transport of synaptic cargo N-Cadherin. This suggests a feedback mechanism where neuronal activity regulates tubulin expression to influence microtubule dynamics and the delivery of synaptic cargoes.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Mathematics, Applied
Feifei Yang, Ya Wang, Jun Ma
Summary: The field energy in neuron can be changed under shape deformation due to external energy injection. Stimulating neurons in the same region enables energy pumping through electromagnetic field superposition, and synaptic connection can be created for local energy balance. Neurons in the network maintain energy balance through continuous energy propagation and exchange, with identical neurons forming a homogeneous state and non-identical ones supporting gradient spatial patterns. This study improves the Fitzhugh-Nagumo neural circuit by adding a thermistor and a phototube, making the neuron sensitive to light and temperature. The energy diversity between neurons controls heterogeneity and defects in the network, and local energy injection regulates the firing patterns by modulating wave propagation.
COMMUNICATIONS IN NONLINEAR SCIENCE AND NUMERICAL SIMULATION
(2023)
Review
Neurosciences
Chang Yin, Eric Peterman, Jeffrey P Rasmussen, Jay Z. Parrish
Summary: Recent research shows that epidermal signals play a crucial role in determining the patterns of somatosensory neuron innervation in the skin through various mechanisms, including targeting afferents to the epidermis, providing instructive cues for branching morphogenesis, and facilitating interactions between neurites.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Tatsuhiro Shimizu, Kayoko Sugiura, Yoshiki Sakai, Abdul R. Dar, Rebecca A. Butcher, Kunihiro Matsumoto, Naoki Hisamoto
Summary: Chemical communication plays a crucial role in axon regeneration, and the ascaroside signaling system serves as a unique example of regulating the regenerative pathway in the nervous system.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Wan-Ling Tsai, Chih-Ju Chang, Chih-Yang Wang, Tsung- Hsu, Ming-Yuan Chang, Yi-Hsin Wu, Pei-Shan Chang, Kai-Lun Lin, Jian-Ying Chuang, Artur Kania, Tzu-Jen Kao
Summary: The study demonstrates the essential role of paxillin in motor axon guidance in both chick and mouse embryos. Paxillin is involved in the Ephrin-Eph signaling pathway, influencing the trajectory selection of LMC axons.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Nicolas Delestree, Evangelia Semizoglou, John G. Pagiazitis, Aleksandra Vukojicic, Estelle Drobac, Vasilissa Paushkin, George Z. Mentis
Summary: Serotonin plays a crucial role in regulating neuronal networks responsible for various essential behaviors. Dysfunction of serotonergic neurotransmission is found in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a neurodegenerative disease. The study shows severe dysfunction of serotonergic neuromodulation in SMA mice, suggesting that targeting 5-HT neuromodulation could be a potential therapeutic approach.
Article
Biology
Victoria L. Czech, Lauren C. O'Connor, Brendan Philippon, Emily Norman, Alexandra B. Byrne
Summary: TIR-1/dSarm/SARM1, a key regulator of axon degeneration, inhibits axon regeneration while promoting axon degeneration by interacting with different MAP kinase pathways. This mechanism is conserved in human SARM1. These findings provide critical insight into the multidimensional regulation of axon injury response and may inform strategies for repair.
Article
Biology
Yu Wang, Meghan Lee Arnold, Anna Joelle Smart, Guoqiang Wang, Rebecca J. Androwski, Andres Morera, Ken C. Q. Nguyen, Peter J. Schweinsberg, Ge Bai, Jason Cooper, David H. Hall, Monica Driscoll, Barth D. Grant, Paschalis Kratsios
Summary: Research reveals that exophers produced by mechanosensory neurons in C. elegans are engulfed by surrounding hypodermal skin cells and broken up into smaller vesicles, which are gradually degraded by hypodermal lysosomes. This process relies on factors and pathways in the hypodermis, including actin and molecules related to lysosome activity. Furthermore, specific interaction between the neuron and phagocyte is crucial for an efficient exopher response.
Article
Neurosciences
Tatsuhiro Shimizu, Strahil I. Pastuhov, Hiroshi Hanafusa, Yoshiki Sakai, Yasuko Todoroki, Naoki Hisamoto, Kunihiro Matsumoto
Summary: In Caenorhabditis elegans, axon regeneration is activated by a signaling cascade through the receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) SVH-2. Axonal injury induces svh-2 gene expression by degradation of the Mad-like transcription factor MDL-1. The F-box protein SDZ-33 regulates axon regeneration by targeting MDL-1 for poly-ubiquitylation and degradation, promoting axon regeneration through RTK signaling.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Developmental Biology
Cody J. Drozd, Christopher C. Quinn
Summary: This study reveals the role of UNC-116/KIF5C and NEKL-3/NEK6/7 kinase in axon targeting in Caenorhabditis elegans. UNC-116 and UNC-16/JIP3 play important roles in axon termination, and NEKL-3 functions with RPM-1 ubiquitin ligase to promote axon termination.
Article
Neurosciences
Ryan W. Castro, Mikayla C. Lopes, Lindsay M. De Biase, Gregorio Valdez
Summary: Microglia display region-dependent deleterious features with age and diseases in the brain, and it remains unclear if similar phenotypic heterogeneity exists in the spinal cord. The study shows that regardless of regional location, spinal cord microglia become increasingly activated during aging. However, microglia in the ventral horn lose spatial organization and aggregate around motor neurons, potentially affecting motor neuron function.
Article
Neurosciences
Sandeep Kumar, Sibaram Behera, Atrayee Basu, Shirshendu Dey, Anindya Ghosh-Roy
Summary: Restoration of lost function following a nervous system injury is limited in adulthood due to decreased regenerative capacity, with pharmacological approaches showing limited success. Physical activity and rehabilitation interventions, particularly swimming exercise, have been found beneficial in improving functional recovery after axotomy. Multiple exercise sessions are required in older age to enhance function restoration, with genetic analysis showing the dependence of exercise-mediated recovery enhancement on axon regeneration ability. Exercise promotes early regrowth initiation, proximal and distal end fusion, and post-regrowth function enhancement, mediated by the activity of cellular energy sensor AAK2/AMPK in muscle and neuron. This study established a paradigm demonstrating the systemic effects of exercise on functional regeneration at the single neuron level.
Article
Neurosciences
Daniel Sommer, Sandeep Rajkumar, Mira Seidel, Amr Aly, Albert Ludolph, Ritchie Ho, Tobias M. Boeckers, Alberto Catanese
Summary: This study combines high definition multielectrode array techniques and transcriptomic analysis to investigate how impaired synaptic activity contributes to motor neuron degeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), providing insights into the pathogenesis of this neurodegenerative disease.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biology
Ardalan Hendi, Long-Gang Niu, Andrew William Snow, Richard Ikegami, Zhao-Wen Wang, Kota Mizumoto
Summary: This study uncovers a novel role of gap junction protein UNC-9 in controlling the tiled arrangement of synapses, independent of its channel activity.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Salvatore J. Cherra, Alexandr Goncharov, Daniela Boassa, Mark Ellisman, Yishi Jin
JOURNAL OF NEUROGENETICS
(2020)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Millet Treinin, Yishi Jin
Summary: Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter with excitatory, inhibitory, or modulatory effects depending on the receptor and cell type. Research using the nematode C. elegans has contributed to the understanding of cholinergic transmission. Genetic screens and pharmacological reagents have helped identify the core cellular machinery for synaptic transmission and regulate acetylcholine-activated channels and receptors.
JOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Biology
Yunbo Li, Erin M. Ritchie, Christopher L. Steinke, Cai Qi, Lizhen Chen, Binhai Zheng, Yishi Jin
Summary: The conserved MAP3Ks DLK and LZK play critical roles in Purkinje cells, with DLK activation leading to rapid death and LZK activation causing slow degeneration. Each kinase induces JNK activation and apoptosis through distinct pathways. Deletion of CELF2 significantly attenuates LZK-induced Purkinje cell degeneration. Controlling the activity levels of DLK and LZK is crucial for neuronal survival and health.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Christopher A. Piggott, Zilu Wu, Stephen Nurrish, Suhong Xu, Joshua M. Kaplan, Andrew D. Chisholm, Yishi Jin
Summary: The study reveals that the Caenorhabditis elegans junctophilin JPH-1 localizes to specific membrane contact sites in neurons and muscles, playing important tissue-specific roles. Mutants lacking jph-1 show slow growth and development due to muscle contraction defects and reduced feeding. JPH-1 colocalizes with calcium channels in muscles and neurons, impacting animal movement and synaptic transmission.
Article
Neurosciences
Dana T. Byrd, Yishi Jin
Summary: The completion of Caenorhabditis elegans connectomics four decades ago has guided mechanistic investigation of neuronal circuits. Recent technological advances have aided re-examination of this connectomics, uncovering previously unreported synaptic connections and generating models for neural networks underlying behaviors. Combining molecular information and cell-specific manipulation tools has enhanced the ability to investigate individual neurons in behaving animals precisely.
CURRENT OPINION IN NEUROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biology
Stephen M. Blazie, Seika Takayanagi-Kiya, Katherine A. McCulloch, Yishi Jin
Summary: The RNA-binding subunit EIF-3.G has a selective role in shaping the neuronal protein landscape by altering translation through interactions with 5'UTRs, dampening neuronal hyperexcitation.
Review
Neurosciences
Christopher A. Piggott, Yishi Jin
Summary: Junctophilins are a conserved family of ER-PM tethering proteins predominantly expressed in muscles and neurons. They play important roles in calcium signaling and lipid transfer, with functional studies in animals providing insights into their roles in excitation-contraction coupling, store-operated calcium entry, and afterhyperpolarization. Studies across different organisms have supported the evolutionary conservation of junctophilins.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Junmi M. Saikia, Carmine L. Chavez-Martinez, Noah D. Kim, Sahar Allibhoy, Hugo J. Kim, Lidiya Simonyan, Samraa Smadi, Kristen M. Tsai, Daniel Romaus-Sanjurjo, Yishi Jin, Binhai Zheng
Summary: This study reveals the crucial role of dual leucine-zipper kinase (DLK) and leucine zipper kinase (LZK) in axonal repair after spinal cord injury. Deletion of both DLK and LZK inhibits axonal regeneration and sprouting induced by PTEN deletion, as well as naturally-occurring axon sprouting after injury. Interestingly, DLK and LZK play a role in both injured and uninjured neurons.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Guan Wang, Jing Lei, Yifeng Wang, Jiahui Yu, Yinghui He, Weiqi Zhao, Zhechun Hu, Zhenzhong Xu, Yishi Jin, Yan Gu, Xing Guo, Bing Yang, Zhihua Gao, Zhiping Wang
Summary: Protein quality control is critical for maintaining protein homeostasis and accurate neurodevelopment. ZSWIM8, a homolog of EBAX-1, has been identified as essential for the stability of mammalian brain development by regulating the protein quality of key signal molecule Dab1. Loss of ZSWIM8 leads to cellular stress, neural progenitor cell migration defects, impaired spine formation and synaptogenesis, as well as learning and memory deficits in adult survivors.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rose Aria Malinow, Ming Zhu, Yishi Jin, Kyung Won Kim
Summary: The balance between development and stress responses is crucial for the survival of organisms. However, the cellular signaling controlling this mechanism is not well understood. This study reveals a novel role for the N-terminal acetyltransferase C complex and histone deacetylase, in the control of animal development. These signaling proteins act, at least in part, through a PMK-1 p38 MAP kinase pathway, which plays a critical role in the innate immunity against infection.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Kota Mizumoto, Yishi Jin, Jean-Louis Bessereau
Summary: Using the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans as a model organism, research has uncovered key regulators in the formation of functional synapses, highlighting the conservation of signaling networks across animals. This research contributes to advancing our understanding of the brain.
Correction
Biology
Yunbo Li, Erin M. Ritchie, Christopher L. Steinke, Cai Qi, Lizhen Chen, Binhai Zheng, Yishi Jin
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Stephen M. Blazie, Yishi Jin
Summary: The seCLIP method is suitable for studying the interaction sites between RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) and the transcriptome. This article provides a protocol for executing cell-specific seCLIP in Caenorhabditis elegans, including steps such as transgene construction, isolation of RBP-associated RNA fragments, library preparation, and sequencing.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yue Sun, Yishi Jin
Summary: The IFT-dependent feedback control on DLK-1 in ciliated sensory neurons is crucial for maintaining cilia integrity as well as regulating neuronal development and function.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Ian Shapiro, Jeff Stein, Calum MacRae, Michael O'Reilly
Summary: This study analyzed 72 million SpO2 values collected from over 33,000 participants using wearable devices. The results showed similar circadian patterns in SpO2 values for different demographic groups, with nadir near midnight and zenith near noon. Regression analysis revealed the impact of demographic factors on SpO2 trends. This study provides reference trends of arterial oxygen saturation for the healthy population.
NPJ DIGITAL MEDICINE
(2023)