Article
Neurosciences
Shikha Kalotra, Gurcharan Kaur
Summary: The study found that 5-NOT may serve as a potential neuroprotective candidate by promoting axonal growth and migration of neurons, as well as regulating the expression of synaptic plasticity and cell survival pathway proteins.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Fan Wang, Xueheng Xie, Xiaoyan Xing, Xiaobo Sun
Summary: Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability, with ischemia as the primary cause. Stroke patients experience changes in synaptic connections and neural network functions. Current studies focus on glutamate excitotoxicity and neuroprotective strategies. However, existing treatments often fail due to non-specificity and side effects, highlighting the need for new intervention targets.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Amjad H. Bazzari, Firas H. Bazzari
Summary: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is an important factor in the adult brain, playing essential roles in neuronal development, maintenance, transmission, and plasticity. Reduced BDNF levels are associated with various neuropsychiatric disorders, making it a potential biomarker. Restoring or augmenting BDNF transmission has shown promising therapeutic effects in animal models of neurological and psychiatric diseases, although the underlying mechanisms vary. This review summarizes the neurophysiology of BDNF and classifies the molecular mechanisms underlying its therapeutic potentials, including neuroprotection, synaptic maintenance, immunomodulation, plasticity facilitation, and preservation of cellular viability.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ildiko Piszar, Magor L. Lorincz
Summary: Serotonin plays an important role in regulating sensory inputs in the olfactory cortex by modulating synaptic transmission.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Mingxue Ma, Yao Ni, Zirong Chi, Wanqing Meng, Haiyang Yu, Jiangdong Gong, Huanhuan Wei, Hong Han, Xinran Wang, Wentao Xu
Summary: The research presents the design and fabrication of a synaptic transistor that emulates multiplexed neurochemical transmission of glutamate and dopamine, capable of performing specific functions under certain stimulus patterns. Through a balanced ternary system, the device can process logic signals in a manner more similar to human brain information processing than traditional binary neural networks. This work offers new insights for neuromorphic systems to replicate the complexity of a mammalian central nervous system from simple basic units.
NPJ 2D MATERIALS AND APPLICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Anna Bodzeta, Nicky Scheefhals, Harold D. MacGillavry
Summary: The various functions of glutamate in the brain are mediated by ionotropic and metabotropic glutamate receptors, which modulate synaptic transmission and plasticity. mGluRs play roles at both presynaptic and postsynaptic sites, acting as essential signal integrators that couple mechanisms of transmission and plasticity.
Review
Neurosciences
Brendan Hoffe, Matthew R. Holahan
Summary: Understanding the biological response of brain tissue to biomechanical strain is crucial in understanding the sequela of brain injury. The time after impact can be divided into four phases: hyperacute, acute, subacute, and chronic. Dendritic spines react to excitotoxic conditions after an impact, leading to a shift in morphology and potentially detrimental consequences on cellular signaling and survival. Studying the cellular mechanisms in the hyperacute phase can help understand the pathology and develop effective therapeutics.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Guang-ying Li, Qiu-zi Wu, Tian-jia Song, Xue-chu Zhen, Xiang Yu
Summary: Normal brain function relies on the complex neural network, which is formed and maintained through synaptogenesis and synaptic plasticity. Deficiency in growth hormone can lead to brain development abnormalities and impair learning and memory, while growth hormone replacement therapy has been shown to ameliorate cognitive deficits. However, the underlying mechanism is still largely unknown.
ACTA PHARMACOLOGICA SINICA
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Danmei Hu, Yi Guo, Maolin Wu, Yuanlin Ma, Wei Jing
Summary: This study conducted a preliminary investigation on the effect of GDAP2 overexpression on hippocampal neurons, revealing that GDAP2 overexpression increases neuronal complexity and dendritic spine number, and dysregulates excitatory synaptic transmission in cultured primary hippocampal neurons. Additionally, GDAP2 overexpression is associated with increased seizure frequency.
Article
Neurosciences
Viktoria S. Pendeliuk, Igor V. Melnick
Summary: Synchronization of hippocampal interneurons (INs) relies on local cell interactions and intensity of network activity. In baseline conditions, a significant portion of inhibitory postsynaptic currents coincided between cells. Network activity induced excitatory and inhibitory events, with excitatory events capable of synchronizing IN firing. Glutamatergic mechanisms play a crucial role in initiating and dominating IN synchronization.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Michael J. Seibert, Chantell S. Evans, Kevin S. Stanley, Zhenyong Wu, Edwin R. Chapman
Summary: SYT9 is a Ca2+ sensor in neuroendocrine cells, but its function in neurons is unclear. In this study, it was found that SYT9 does not trigger rapid synaptic vesicle exocytosis in mouse cortical, hippocampal, or striatal neurons unless it is overexpressed. Loss of SYT9 in striatal neurons reduced the frequency of spontaneous neurotransmitter release events. Further investigation revealed that SYT9 is localized to dense-core vesicles containing substance P, and loss of SYT9 impaired SP release, causing the observed decrease in mini frequency. The study also showed that Ca2+ binding to the C2A domain of SYT9 triggered membrane fusion in vitro, and mutations disrupting this activity abolished SYT9's ability to regulate SP release and mini frequency. Therefore, it can be concluded that SYT9 indirectly regulates synaptic transmission in striatal neurons by controlling SP release.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Hang-ze Ruan, Li-Qing Wang, Fei Yuan, Shi-Jun Weng, Yong-Mei Zhong
Summary: The research found that orexin-A increases presynaptic glutamate release onto GCs by activating L-type Ca2+ channels in bipolar cells via OX1R, while it decreases presynaptic GABA release onto GCs by inhibiting L-type Ca2+ channels in amacrine cells via OX2R.
Article
Neurosciences
Fading Chen, Dan B. Swartzlander, Anamitra Ghosh, John D. Fryer, Baiping Wang, Hui Zheng
Summary: In this study, researchers found that astrocyte-secreted Clusterin co-localizes with presynaptic puncta of excitatory neurons in the central nervous system. Loss of Clusterin led to impaired presynaptic function and reduced spine density in vivo. Enhancing astrocytic Clusterin expression promoted excitatory neurotransmission and rescued synaptic deficits, offering potential therapeutic strategies for late-onset Alzheimer's disease.
MOLECULAR NEURODEGENERATION
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Thomas P. Cast, Daniel J. Boesch, Kim Smyth, Alisa E. Shaw, Michael Ghebrial, Soham Chanda
Summary: The amino acid substitution mutation (R101Q) in the NLGN4 gene impairs the maturation and surface trafficking of NLGN4 protein, leading to reduced synaptic localization and functional impact on neurons.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Maria Italia, Elena Ferrari, Monica Di Luca, Fabrizio Gardoni
Summary: AMPARs play a crucial role in excitatory synaptic transmission in the mammalian brain, with the GluA3 subunit being widely expressed and functionally relevant. Modulation of GluA3 through pharmacological means may offer a new approach for addressing altered glutamatergic synapses associated with neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders.
NEUROBIOLOGY OF DISEASE
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Giuseppina D'Alessandro, Deborah Quaglio, Lucia Monaco, Clotilde Lauro, Francesca Ghirga, Cinzia Ingallina, Michela De Martino, Sergio Fucile, Alessandra Porzia, Maria Amalia Di Castro, Federica Bellato, Francesca Mastrotto, Mattia Mori, Paola Infante, Paola Turano, Stefano Salmaso, Paolo Caliceti, Lucia Di Marcotullio, Bruno Botta, Veronica Ghini, Cristina Limatola
CELL COMMUNICATION AND SIGNALING
(2019)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Gabriele Murineddu, Cecilia Gotti, Battistina Asproni, Paola Corona, Katiuscia Martinello, Simona Plutino, Sergio Fucile, Veronika Temml, Milena Moretti, Paola Viani, Daniela Schuster, Sandra Piras, Francesco Deligia, Gerard A. Pinna
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2019)
Article
Neurosciences
Miriam Sciaccaluga, Petra Mazzocchetti, Guendalina Bastioli, Veronica Ghiglieri, Antonella Cardinale, Paolo Mosci, Carla Caccia, Charlotte Keywood, Elsa Melloni, Gloria Padoani, Silvia Vailati, Barbara Picconi, Paolo Calabresi, Alessandro Tozzi
Article
Clinical Neurology
Simone Martinelli, Viviana Cordeddu, Serena Galosi, Ambra Lanzo, Eleonora Palma, Luca Pannone, Andrea Ciolfi, Michela Di Nottia, Teresa Rizza, Gianfranco Bocchinfuso, Alice Traversa, Viviana Caputo, Andrea Farrotti, Claudia Carducci, Laura Bernardini, Susanna Cogo, Maria Paglione, Martina Venditti, Annarita Bentivoglio, Joanne Ng, Manju A. Kurian, Laura Civiero, Elisa Greggio, Lorenzo Stella, Flavia Trettel, Miriam Sciaccaluga, Cristina Roseti, Rosalba Carrozzo, Sergio Fucile, Cristina Limatola, Elia Di Schiavi, Marco Tartaglia, Vincenzo Leuzzi
PARKINSONISM & RELATED DISORDERS
(2020)
Article
Neurosciences
Petra Mazzocchetti, Andrea Mancini, Miriam Sciaccaluga, Alfredo Megaro, Laura Bellingacci, Massimiliano Di Filippo, Elena Nardi Cesarini, Michele Romoli, Nicolo Carrano, Fabrizio Gardoni, Alessandro Tozzi, Paolo Calabresi, Cinzia Costa
NEUROBIOLOGY OF DISEASE
(2020)
Review
Neurosciences
Andrea Mancini, Petra Mazzocchetti, Miriam Sciaccaluga, Alfredo Megaro, Laura Bellingacci, Dayne A. Beccano-Kelly, Massimiliano Di Filippo, Alessandro Tozzi, Paolo Calabresi
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2020)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Adele Mossa, Jessica Pagano, Luisa Ponzoni, Alessandro Tozzi, Elena Vezzoli, Miriam Sciaccaluga, Cinzia Costa, Stefania Beretta, Maura Francolini, Mariaelvina Sala, Paolo Calabresi, Tobias M. Boeckers, Carlo Sala, Chiara Verpelli
Summary: Mutations in SHANK family genes in humans are associated with autism spectrum disorders and intellectual disability. A new mouse model with simultaneous deletion of Shank1 and Shank3 showed low survival rate, reduced activation of signaling pathways, and severe behavioral impairments, suggesting the importance of Shank proteins in postnatal brain development and synaptic plasticity.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Article
Crystallography
Betsy D. M. Chaparro-Rico, Katiuscia Martinello, Sergio Fucile, Daniele Cafolla
Summary: This paper proposes a methodology for user-tailored orthosis design for 3D printing and successfully designs a finger and thumb orthosis using this method. Experimental results show that the method can generate simple and practical orthoses, and the biocompatibility of the PLACTIVE (TM) filament used is not affected after extrusion.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Alessandro Tozzi, Miriam Sciaccaluga, Vittorio Loffredo, Alfredo Megaro, Ada Ledonne, Antonella Cardinale, Mauro Federici, Laura Bellingacci, Silvia Paciotti, Elena Ferrari, Antonino La Rocca, Alessandro Martini, Nicola B. Mercuri, Fabrizio Gardoni, Barbara Picconi, Veronica Ghiglieri, Elvira De Leonibus, Paolo Calabresi
Summary: The study identified that alpha-synuclein disrupts dopamine system and striatal synaptic plasticity in early stages of Parkinson's disease. Subchronic treatment with L-DOPA was able to rescue alpha-synuclein-induced alterations, showing the critical role of dysfunctional dopamine system in disease progression.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Miriam Sciaccaluga, Alfredo Megaro, Giovanni Bellomo, Gabriele Ruffolo, Michele Romoli, Eleonora Palma, Cinzia Costa
Summary: Oligomeric A beta proteins exert toxicity through interaction with membrane receptors and formation of ion-permeable channels, affecting synaptic function and network structure.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Maria Di Bari, Vanessa Tombolillo, Francesco Alessandrini, Claudia Guerriero, Mario Fiore, Italia Anna Asteriti, Emilia Castigli, Miriam Sciaccaluga, Giulia Guarguaglini, Francesca Degrassi, Ada Maria Tata
Summary: The study reveals that the M2 agonist increases aberrant mitosis in glioblastoma cell lines, suggesting it may be a promising novel therapeutic target for glioblastoma treatment.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Stefania Scalise, Clara Zannino, Valeria Lucchino, Michela Lo Conte, Luana Scaramuzzino, Pierangelo Cifelli, Tiziano D'Andrea, Katiuscia Martinello, Sergio Fucile, Eleonora Palma, Antonio Gambardella, Gabriele Ruffolo, Giovanni Cuda, Elvira Immacolata Parrotta
Summary: This study investigates the effects of a SCN1A gene mutation on neuronal maturation and excitability using induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons. The results provide evidence for intrinsic cellular immaturity and support the importance of mutant Na(V)1.1 in the development of febrile seizures. The findings also suggest that diseased neurons can be a powerful tool for personalized therapy and drug screening for epileptic disorders.
Article
Biology
Katiuscia Martinello, Antonietta Sucapane, Sergio Fucile
Summary: Rat dorsal root ganglion neurons expressing 5-HT3 receptors play an important role in sensory signaling modulation and neurotransmitter release. The 5-HT3 receptors in adult DRG neurons are permeable to Ca2+ ions and can increase neurotransmitter release.
Meeting Abstract
Clinical Neurology
S. Galosi, S. Martinelli, V. Cordeddu, S. Fucile, C. Limatola, R. Carrozzo, M. Tartaglia, V. Leuzzi
MOVEMENT DISORDERS
(2019)
Article
Cell Biology
Dominic Tscherrig, Rajesh Bhardwaj, Daniel Biner, Jan Dernic, Daniela Ross-Kaschitza, Christine Peinelt, Matthias A. Hediger, Martin Lochner
Summary: Changes in Ca2+ levels regulate many physiological functions, and the endoplasmic reticulum is the major Ca2+ store in cells. Store-operated calcium entry (SOCE) is a refilling process that involves protein-protein interactions between Ca2+ sensing STIM in the ER and Orai proteins in the plasma membrane, forming selective Ca2+ channels. Abnormal SOCE is associated with diseases and cancers, making STIM and Orai important therapeutic targets. Novel GSK-7975A-based molecular probes have been developed for studying SOCE in different cells and settings.
Article
Cell Biology
Nicola Fameli, Cornelis van Breemen, Klaus Groschner
Summary: The study provides evidence for the importance of junctional membrane architecture in cellular function. Through modeling and prediction, it is shown that nano-scale membrane spacing plays a crucial role in junctional ER Ca2+ refilling and signaling efficiency. Additionally, interactions between Ca2+ and the phospholipid membrane surface are suggested to support interfacial Ca2+ transport and receptor targeting. This research introduces a new concept in pathophysiology.
Article
Cell Biology
Satomi Ohtsuka, Yumi Miyai, Hiroyuki Mima, Masaki Magari, Yoichi Chiba, Futoshi Suizu, Hiroyuki Sakagami, Masaki Ueno, Hiroshi Tokumitsu
Summary: This study characterized the splice variants of mouse CaMKKI3/2 and found that CaMKKI3-3 and I3-3x were functionally active and likely to be bona fide CaMKIV kinases involved in the regulation of spermiogenesis.