Article
Biology
Saul Bello-Rojas, Martha W. Bagnall
Summary: The study found that sister V2a/b neurons in the zebrafish spinal cord receive input from distinct presynaptic sources, do not communicate with each other, and connect to largely distinct targets.
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
Neurosciences
Saadia Hasan, Michael S. Fernandopulle, Stewart W. Humble, Ashley M. Frankenfield, Haorong Li, Ryan Prestil, Kory R. Johnson, Brent J. Ryan, Richard Wade-Martins, Michael E. Ward, Ling Hao
Summary: This study identified PGRN as a critical regulator of lysosomal pH and degradative capacity in neurons, influencing global proteostasis. The newly developed proteomic methods in neurons and brain tissues provide useful tools and data resources for studying dynamic neuronal lysosome biology.
MOLECULAR NEURODEGENERATION
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Qianru He, Fanhui Yu, Meng Cong, Yuhua Ji, Qi Zhang, Fei Ding
Summary: Peripheral nerve repair and functional recovery depend on the rate of nerve regeneration and the quality of target reinnervation. A quantitative proteomic technique was used to analyze the protein expression pattern between injured motor and sensory nerves, revealing 176 proteins with differential expressions. Functional categorization indicated that these differentially expressed proteins are linked to various molecular functions, which might play a crucial role in peripheral nerve regeneration.
JOURNAL OF PROTEOME RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Kelly A. Rich, Megan G. Pino, Mehmet E. Yalvac, Ashley Fox, Hallie Harris, Maria H. H. Balch, W. David Arnold, Stephen J. Kolb
Summary: KIF5A is a motor protein responsible for axonal transport. Loss of function variants in the N-terminal domain are associated with hereditary spastic paraplegia and hereditary motor neuropathy, while gain of function splice-site variants in the C-terminal domain are associated with ALS.
NEUROBIOLOGY OF DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yeonhwa Kim, Seong Soon Kim, Byeong Heon Park, Kyu-Seok Hwang, Myung Ae Bae, Sung-Hee Cho, Suhyun Kim, Hae-Chul Park
Summary: This study found that exposure to BPF leads to significant changes in locomotor behavior, histology, and neurochemistry in zebrafish embryos. BPF induces motor degeneration and myelination defects in zebrafish larvae, as well as alters the metabolic profiles of neurotransmitters and neurosteroids, potentially impacting locomotion and motor function.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Yuki Minegishi, Junji Nishimoto, Minori Uto, Kaichi Ozone, Yuichiro Oka, Takanori Kokubun, Kenji Murata, Hidenori Takemoto, Naohiko Kanemura
Summary: Motor function recovery is often poor after peripheral nerve injury. The effect of different numbers of nerve crushes on muscle reinnervation and spinal circuit plasticity is varied. However, exercise intervention may improve motor function recovery regardless of the number of crushes.
Article
Biology
Anam Anjum, Yt Jun Cheah, Muhammad Da'in Yazid, Muhammad Fauzi Daud, Jalilah Idris, Min Hwei Ng, Amaramalar Selvi Naicker, Ohnmar Htwe Ismail, Ramesh Kumar Athi Kumar, Geok Chin Tan, Yin Ping Wong, Mohd Kaisan Mahadi, Yogeswaran Lokanathan
Summary: Chemical excitotoxicity-induced spinal cord injury models are simple, low-cost, and produce similar clinical manifestations to humans, making them valuable for research purposes.
BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Sara Bolivar, Esther Udina
Summary: Specificity in regeneration after peripheral nerve injuries is crucial for functional recovery. This study found that cutaneous mechanoreceptors regenerated faster than other neuron populations, followed by motoneurons and then proprioceptors. Additionally, all neuron types initially preferred to regenerate into the cutaneous branch, but in the long term, they mainly regenerated through their original branch. Furthermore, motoneurons had more collateral branches than proprioceptors, and myelinated neurons extended more regenerative sprouts in the cutaneous branch.
EXPERIMENTAL NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Timothy D. Wiggin, Jacob E. Montgomery, Amanda J. Brunick, Jack H. Peck, Mark A. Masino
Summary: The ability to find food, locate a mate, and avoid predation is crucial for the survival of vertebrate animals. These behaviors require motor control, which is determined by kinematic properties. While we have a good understanding of how locomotor frequency is established, the mechanisms for establishing locomotor amplitude are less well-known. Recent evidence suggests that a subset of excitatory spinal interneurons called V2a interneurons regulate locomotor amplitude in larval and adult zebrafish. This study provides direct evidence that V3 interneurons, a population of ventromedial glutamatergic spinal neurons, are active during swimming in larval zebrafish and may contribute to locomotor amplitude independently of locomotor frequency.
Article
Biology
Alexander S. Chockley, Gesa F. Dinges, Giulia Di Cristina, Sara Ratican, Till Bockemuehl, Ansgar Bueschges
Summary: Legged locomotion is crucial for the mating and survival of terrestrial animals. Insects have proprioceptive chordotonal organs that encode relative movement between segments. The femoral chordotonal organ (fCO) in Drosophila melanogaster consists of neurons with different encoding properties, and has been shown to contribute to interleg coordination and walking behavior. However, the exact roles of different subsets of fCO neurons have not been investigated. This study used optogenetic inhibition to demonstrate that a subset of fCO neurons replicates the effects of inhibiting the whole fCO, but individual subset types do not strongly affect single-leg kinematics. fCO subsets also seem to play a minor role in interleg temporal coordination. Future studies should further explore the functional classification of fCO neurons based on anatomy and encoding properties.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Wei Lu, Zhendong Jiang, Chunxiao Tang, Ping Wang, Lin Yang
Summary: This study found that the use of TMR can enhance the expression of NRG1, ErbB2, and myelin basic protein in the target muscles, protect the integrity of nerve fibers and myelin sheath, and improve hind limb motor function.
NEUROSCIENCE LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Valentina Dzreyan, Moez Eid, Stanislav Rodkin, Maria Pitinova, Svetlana Demyanenko
Summary: This study investigated the expression and localization of E2F1 after axonal injury and found that axotomy increased the expression of E2F1 in neurons. The study also suggested that E2F1 and downstream targets could be potential molecular targets for the development of neuroprotective agents.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Wei Lu, Jian-Ping Li, Zhen-Dong Jiang, Lin Yang, Xue-Zheng Liu
Summary: This study investigated the effect of TMR on injured motor neurons in rats. The results showed that TMR surgery can improve the reduction in hind limb motor function and atrophy caused by tibial nerve transection by enhancing nerve regeneration and increasing the number of myelin sheath and motor neurons.
NEURAL REGENERATION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Stewart Yeoh, Wesley S. Warner, Mark Bromberg, Mark A. Mahan
Summary: This study demonstrates that rapid-stretch nerve injuries result in various degrees of electrophysiological abnormalities. Low-severity injuries do not show durable abnormalities, while moderate-severity injuries may lead to partial recovery, and high-severity injuries can result in permanent damage.
Review
Genetics & Heredity
Kerstin Schott, Catharina Majer, Alla Bulashevska, Liam Childs, Mirko H. H. Schmidt, Krishnaraj Rajalingam, Markus Munder, Renate Koenig
Summary: SAMHD1, originally described as a major cellular dNTPase, has recently emerged as a key focus in cancer research due to its mutations in various cancer types and dysregulated expression. It is considered a tumor suppressor in certain cancers and may play a role in tumor development or mutator phenotype. Besides its traditional role, SAMHD1 also functions as a negative regulator of innate immune responses and facilitator of DNA end resection in DNA replication and repair processes.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR MEDICINE-JMM
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Nicola Hoppmann, Nora Heinig, Ute Distler, Ella Kim, Volker Lennerz, Yvonne Krauss, Ulrike Schumann, Alf Giese, Stefan Tenzer, Lynn Bitar, Mirko H. H. Schmidt
Summary: This study focuses on the role of stem cell-like glioma-propagating cells (GPCs) in the development and treatment resistance of glioblastoma multiforme. GPCs exhibit strong immunosuppressive activities, which limit the effectiveness of immunotherapies. The study shows that radio-selected GPCs with increased radio-resistance exhibit reduced immunogenic potential due to downregulation of antigen processing machinery, resulting in decreased MHC surface expression and weaker cytotoxic T lymphocyte recognition.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lisa Hahnefeld, Alexandra Vogel, Robert Gurke, Gerd Geisslinger, Michael K. E. Schaefer, Irmgard Tegeder
Summary: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) often results in long-lasting disabilities such as headache, fatigue, insomnia, hyperactivity, and cognitive deficits. A study conducted in mice found that persistent non-goal-directed hyperactivity is a characteristic behavior after TBI and is associated with low levels of endocannabinoids in the perilesional cortex. In a new analysis, lipidome patterns in the brain and plasma of TBI mice were compared to sham mice, revealing an increase in neutral lipids in the perilesional cortex. This lipid accumulation, along with a reduction in hexosylceramides and phosphatidylethanolamines, may contribute to the behavioral dimensions of post-TBI psychopathology.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lucie Valek, Bao Ngoc Tran, Irmgard Tegeder
Summary: The study found that nucleoredoxin (NXN) plays an important role in regulating thermal sensation and nociception. The loss of NXN in neurons leads to increased sensitivity to cold temperature and heightened heat nociception in mice. These abnormal responses are associated with changes in calcium influx, mitochondrial dysfunction, and increased density of neurite trees in sensory neurons.
FREE RADICAL BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kathrin Barth, Verica Vasic, Brennan McDonald, Nora Heinig, Marc-Christoph Wagner, Ulrike Schumann, Cora Roehlecke, Frank Bicker, Lana Schumann, Konstantin Radyushkin, Jan Baumgart, Stefan Tenzer, Frauke Zipp, Matthias Meinhardt, Kari Alitalo, Irmgard Tegeder, Mirko H. H. Schmidt
Summary: Mature neurons, neural stem cells, and neural precursor cells secrete the neurovascular protein EGFL7 to shape the neurogenic niche of the hippocampus. Ablation of EGFL7 leads to increased neurogenesis and is correlated with elevated expression of VEGF-D. Infusion of VEGF-D increases neurogenesis, while its knockout decreases neurogenesis. Furthermore, EGFL7 knockout mice show improved spatial memory and memory consolidation in the hippocampus.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Oncology
Sukrit Mahajan, Mirko H. H. Schmidt, Ulrike Schumann
Summary: Immune cells are a significant part of the tumor microenvironment and play a crucial role in regulating tumor development. Scientists have been focusing on immunotherapy to enhance immune response against cancer. However, immunotherapy faces challenges in glioma treatment such as the blood brain barrier, tumor heterogeneity, and immunosuppressive microenvironment. The interaction between the peripheral immune system and the central nervous system also poses a challenge. Knowledge about different immune cell populations in the glioma microenvironment is important for modulating immune response against glioma cells.
Article
Cell Biology
Barbara K. Stepien, Verena Pawolski, Marc-Christoph Wagner, Thomas Kurth, Mirko H. H. Schmidt, Hans-Henning Epperlein
Summary: Posterior elongation of the embryonic body axis is driven by the neural plate/tube and notochord, followed by the presomitic mesoderm (PSM). In axolotl embryos, the neural plate-derived PSM is pushed posteriorly by convergence and extension of the neural plate. PSM morphogenesis, as well as the movements of other tissues, such as the epidermis, lateral plate mesoderm, and endoderm, contribute to the axial elongation process.
Correction
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kathrin Barth, Verica Vasic, Brennan McDonald, Nora Heinig, Marc Christoph Wagner, Ulrike Schumann, Cora Roehlecke, Frank Bicker, Lana Schumann, Konstantin Radyushkin, Jan Baumgart, Stefan Tenzer, Frauke Zipp, Matthias Meinhardt, Kari Alitalo, Irmgard Tegeder, Mirko H. H. Schmidt
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES
(2023)
Editorial Material
Oncology
Sukrit Mahajan, Mirko H. H. Schmidt
Editorial Material
Oncology
Samir Vaid, Mirko H. H. Schmidt
Editorial Material
Oncology
Madhukrishna Kolothara Unnikrishnan, Mirko H. H. Schmidt
Article
Cell Biology
Maximilian Vogt, Madhukrishna Kolothara Unnikrishnan, Nora Heinig, Ulrike Schumann, Mirko H. H. Schmidt, Kathrin Barth
Summary: This study explores the expression and role of the c-Cbl protein in neurogenesis within the subventricular zone of mice. The findings suggest that c-Cbl plays a pivotal role in neural stem cell proliferation and differentiation, particularly within EGFR-expressing cells. However, its function extends beyond EGFR signaling and its loss stimulates progenitor cell proliferation in neurosphere cultures.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Heiko Endle, Guilherme Horta, Bernardo Stutz, Muthuraman Muthuraman, Irmgard Tegeder, Yannick Schreiber, Isabel Faria Snodgrass, Robert Gurke, Zhong-Wu Liu, Matija Sestan-Pesa, Konstantin Radyushkin, Nora Streu, Wei Fan, Jan Baumgart, Yan Li, Florian Kloss, Sergiu Groppa, Nils Opel, Udo Dannlowski, Hans J. Grabe, Frauke Zipp, Bence Racz, Tamas L. Horvath, Robert Nitsch, Johannes Vogt
Summary: Hypothalamic AgRP neurons control cortical excitability, hyperphagia, and body weight gain by regulating peripheral and central levels of lysophospholipids in association with food deprivation. Changes in peripheral metabolism affect brain lipid levels and cortical excitability. Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) species are elevated after fasting and contribute to higher cortical excitability. This effect is mediated by hypothalamic AgRP neurons and plays a role in fasting-induced hyperphagia.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Juliane Mooz, Kristina Riegel, P. S. Hari, Anguraj Sadanandam, Federico Marini, Matthias Klein, Ulrike Werner, Wilfried Roth, Annett Wilken-Schmitz, Irmgard Tegeder, Krishnaraj Rajalingam
Summary: The expression level of ARAF kinase is decreased in lung cancer and is associated with lymph node metastasis and poor patient survival. Depletion of ARAF promotes anchorage-independent growth and metastasis through activation of AKT signaling in a subset of lung cancer cells. ARAF suppresses ERBB3-AKT signaling and tumor metastasis by inhibiting ERBB3 expression.