Article
Physiology
Lisa Geis, Franz-Fabian Boudriot, Charlotte Wagner
Summary: The kidney expresses eight different connexin isoforms that play important roles in intercellular communication and functional synchronization. Using fluorescent RNAscope technique, the study accurately localized the expression of connexin mRNAs in healthy mouse kidneys. The results showed unique expression patterns of connexins in different cell types of the kidney, confirming previous data and highlighting their significance in renal function.
PFLUGERS ARCHIV-EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Khang T. Huynh, Sarah Walters, Emma K. Foley, Jennifer J. Hunter
Summary: In the retina, molecules involved in metabolism and visual cycle exhibit intrinsic fluorescence that can be utilized to understand functional differences and disease conditions. Phasor analysis, an alternate method to traditional fitting, improves the evaluation and segregation of photoreceptor data in the retina. This analysis allows for the tracking of functional changes and provides insight into normal and diseased conditions at the cellular level.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pavel Denisov, Alexander Popov, Alexey Brazhe, Natalia Lazareva, Alexei Verkhratsky, Alexey Semyanov
Summary: The study observed alterations in the spatiotemporal properties of Ca2+ signals in protoplasmic astrocytes in the CA1 stratum radiatum of hippocampal slices from mice exposed to a caloric restriction (CR) diet. The changes included shorter duration and smaller size of Ca2+ events, reduced velocity of expansion and shrinkage, higher amplitude, faster rise and decay rates. These alterations were attributed to CR-induced morphological remodelling of astrocytes.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biology
Munenori Ishibashi, Joyce Keung, Catherine W. Morgans, Sue A. Aicher, James R. Carroll, Joshua H. Singer, Li Jia, Wei Li, Iris Fahrenfort, Christophe P. Ribelayga, Stephen C. Massey
Summary: Electrical coupling mediated by gap junctions plays a crucial role in signal averaging, synchronization, and noise reduction in neuronal circuits. This study successfully reconstructed gap junctions between photoreceptors in the mouse retina using a combination of electron microscopy techniques, shedding light on the distribution and function of Cx36 at these sites.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yukari Takeda, Kazuma Sato, Yukari Hosoki, Shuji Tachibanaki, Chieko Koike, Akira Amano
Summary: This study investigates the divergent regulation of photoresponses in rods and cones. A detailed mathematical model based on the Hamer model was developed to analyze the differences in light sensitivity and desensitization between the two types of photoreceptor cells. The model successfully reconstructed the changes in concentrations of phosphorylated visual pigments, activated transducins, and phosphodiesterases in response to light intensity, ATP, and GTP.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Shiying Zhong, Conrad M. M. Kiyoshi, Yixing Du, Wei Wang, Yumeng Luo, Xiao Wu, Anne T. T. Taylor, Baofeng Ma, Sydney Aten, Xueyuan Liu, Min Zhou
Summary: Astrocytes transform into a spongiform morphology and express a high density of K+ conductance, enabling them to function as an isopotential syncytium in brain function. The spongiform morphology of individual astrocytes and their spatial organization reach stationary levels by postnatal day 15. Functionally, astrocytes begin to uniformly express a mature level of passive K+ conductance by postnatal day 11.
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
J. K. Radhakrishnan, M. Kumara, Geetika
Summary: The study reveals that microwave power has a direct impact on the characteristics of ZnO nanostructures, allowing for morphology changes by adjusting microwave power. The fast growth along the high energy polar faces of ZnO is the reason for the formation of one dimensional ZnO structures, while the formation of hollow ZnO rods is due to further etching/material removal from the tip of the rods under high microwave power conditions at long growth durations.
CERAMICS INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Sara K. Mayer, Jacintha Thomas, Megan Helms, Aishwarya Kothapalli, Ioana Cherascu, Adisa Salesevic, Elliot Stalter, Kai Wang, Poppy Datta, Charles Searby, Seongjin Seo, Ying Hsu, Sajag Bhattarai, Val C. Sheffield, Arlene V. Drack
Summary: Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS) is a genetic disorder caused by mutations in multiple genes, leading to early-onset retinal degeneration. This study phenotyped Bbs10 mice and identified a progressive degeneration of the outer nuclear layer, providing endpoints for preclinical trials.
DISEASE MODELS & MECHANISMS
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Xiao-Dong Gong, Yan Wang, Xue-Bin Hu, Shu-Yu Zheng, Jia-Ling Fu, Qian Nie, Ling Wang, Min Hou, Jia-Wen Xiang, Yuan Xiao, Qian Gao, Yue-Yue Bai, Yi-Zhi Liu, David Wan-Cheng Li
Summary: The study reveals that significant loss of Cx46 and Cx50, along with upregulation of Cx43 in aged human lenses, may contribute to the aging process and cataract formation. Similar findings were observed in mouse lenses, suggesting that prolonged downregulation of Cx46 and Cx50 levels may accelerate cataractogenesis.
Article
Neurosciences
Darya A. Nikolaeva, Maria A. Nekrasova, Alexander Yu. Rotov, Luba A. Astakhova
Summary: Visual rods and cones in vertebrates have the ability to adapt to a wide range of ambient illumination through light adaptation mechanisms. Previous studies have established three calcium-sensitive feedback loops in both rods and cones. New evidence suggests that the molecular mechanisms of light adaptation may be more complex. This study focuses on a novel phenomenon called "adaptation memory" in rods and cones, where the recovery of light sensitivity takes seconds and the sensitivity remains decreased for minutes. The nature of this phenomenon differs between rods and cones, with the former being associated with long-lasting modifications of the phototransduction cascade and the latter being caused by bleaching of the visual pigment.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
E. Anne Martin, Jennifer Carlisle Michel, Jane S. Kissinger, Fabio A. Echeverry, Ya-Ping Lin, John O'Brien, Alberto E. Pereda, Adam C. Miller
Summary: The subcellular positioning and molecular compositions of synapses are crucial for neural circuits. This study investigates the localization of the autism- and epilepsy-associated gene Neurobeachin, the Connexins, and the electrical synapse scaffold ZO1. It is found that Neurobeachin localizes to the electrical synapse independently, and its presence is necessary for the localization of ZO1 and Connexins. This research provides new insights into the molecular complexity and mechanisms of electrical synapse formation.
Article
Neurosciences
Joshua St. R. Clair, Matthew J. Westacott, Jose Miranda, Nikki L. Farnsworth, Vira Kravets, Wolfgang E. Schleicher, JaeAnn M. Dwulet, Claire H. Levitt, Audrey Heintz, Nurin W. F. Ludin, Richard K. P. Benninger
Summary: The secretion of insulin from beta-cells in the islet of Langerhans is regulated by metabolic and electrical events, which can be disrupted in type 2 diabetes (T2D). Inflammatory cytokines and free fatty acids can disrupt the gap junction coupling between beta-cells, affecting the coordination of calcium dynamics and insulin release. This study investigates the disruption of gap junction coupling and coordinated calcium dynamics in T2D, and explores the potential recovery of islet function through modulating gap junction coupling.
JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LONDON
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria Pechlivanidou, Ioanna Kousiappa, Stella Angeli, Irene Sargiannidou, Andreas M. Koupparis, Savvas S. Papacostas, Kleopas A. Kleopa
Summary: This study examined the changes in glial gap junctions (GJs) in the spinal cord of the 5xFAD mouse model of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The results showed increased astrocyte-to-astrocyte GJ connectivity and oligodendrocyte-to-oligodendrocyte GJ connectivity. Additionally, Cx32 protein levels were reduced while mRNA levels were upregulated. The findings suggest the importance of GJ pathology in neurodegenerative disorders.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mauricio Serrano-Rubi, Lidia Jimenez, Jacqueline Martinez-Rendon, Marcelino Cereijido, Arturo Ponce
Summary: Gap junctional intercellular communication is reduced in cancer cells compared to normal cells, but the plant-derived substance ouabain enhances this communication in various cancer cell lines through signaling mechanisms involving Csrc, ErK1/2, and ROCK-Rho. This finding suggests a potential therapeutic strategy for influencing cancer progression.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Riccardo Serra, J. Marc Simard
Summary: This article reviews 45 research articles on intercellular junctions in the ependyma, indicating the important role of ependymal lining ultrastructure in fluid flow interactions in the brain. These findings have implications for understanding and treating CSF-related disorders.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Neurosciences
Lorenzo Cangiano, Sten Grillner
FRONTIERS IN NEURAL CIRCUITS
(2018)
Article
Neurosciences
Giuseppe Federighi, Sabrina Asteriti, Lorenzo Cangiano
JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE NEUROLOGY
(2020)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Sabrina Asteriti, Valeria Ricci, Lorenzo Cangiano
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE METHODS
(2020)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Weidi Chen, Zeyu Shen, Sabrina Asteriti, Zijing Chen, Fei Ye, Ziling Sun, Jun Wan, Craig Montell, Roger C. Hardie, Wei Liu, Mingjie Zhang
Summary: A new calcium-dependent binding mode between calmodulin (CaM) and Drosophila TRP is discovered, with TRP tail containing two CaM binding sites and CaM showing lobe-specific binding to CBS1&2. Mutations in both CBS1 and CBS2 eliminated CaM binding in full-length TRP, but alternative mechanisms may govern the feedback on channel activity under physiological conditions. Additionally, the closest mammalian paralog of Drosophila TRP, TRPC4, adopts a similar CaM binding mode.
Review
Physiology
Lorenzo Cangiano, Sabrina Asteriti
Summary: This study explores the interactions between different photoreceptors in the vertebrate retina and their physiological effects on visual signal processing and perception. It discusses the impact of coupling on various aspects of vision, such as signal to noise ratio, spatial acuity, and color discrimination, emphasizing data from a range of vertebrate models. The study also highlights gaps in knowledge and unanswered questions in the field, pointing towards limited evidence of ancestral forms of photoreceptor coupling.
PFLUGERS ARCHIV-EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lorenzo Cangiano, Sabrina Asteriti
Summary: Ex vivo electroretinography (ERG) technique allows continuous and simultaneous recordings of mouse retinas' scotopic a-waves for long durations in a minimal amount of medium. This method is crucial for drug screening and studying retinal diseases.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sabrina Asteriti, Valerio Marino, Anna Avesani, Amedeo Biasi, Giuditta Dal Cortivo, Lorenzo Cangiano, Daniele Dell'Orco
Summary: This study explored the possibility of modulating the phototransduction cascade in mouse rods using direct or liposome-mediated administration of a recombinant protein. The results showed that the exogenous protein was fully incorporated into the mouse retina and induced a disease-like electrophysiological phenotype in the presence of a specific mutation. These findings are important for the treatment of autosomal dominant genetic diseases.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Charlotte Johanna Beelen, Sabrina Asteriti, Lorenzo Cangiano, Karl-Wilhelm Koch, Daniele Dell'Orco
Summary: This study presents a comprehensive biochemical model of phototransduction in mouse rods, accurately describing the rod impedance and enabling the interconversion of dim flash responses. The model reproduces experimental photoresponses and confirms recent findings in vertebrate phototransduction, including the requirement of dimeric activation of PDE6 by transducin and the role of recoverin-mediated Ca2+-feedback on rhodopsin kinase. Stochastic simulations also suggest the importance of transient complexes between dark rhodopsin and transducin in increasing the reproducibility of single photon responses.
COMPUTATIONAL AND STRUCTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Sabrina Asteriti, Lorenzo Cangiano
Meeting Abstract
Urology & Nephrology
L. Cangiano, G. Federighi
JOURNAL OF SEXUAL MEDICINE
(2019)