Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kotaro Yamashiro, Yuji Ikegaya, Nobuyoshi Matsumoto
Summary: The complexity of brain functions requires precise manipulation of specific neuronal subtypes, which can be achieved through the combination of in utero electroporation and optogenetics. This method provides high spatiotemporal resolution control to study the functions and characteristics of specific regions, layers, and cell types.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Longbo Zhang, Stephanie A. Getz, Angelique Bordey
Summary: Precise regulation of gene expression is crucial for the establishment and maintenance of neuronal connectivity and higher-order cognition in cortical neurons during development. Dual in utero electroporation offers a precise and effective tool to label and manipulate gene expression in multiple neuronal populations within a circuit in a spatially and temporally regulated manner, allowing for morphophysiological investigations into neuronal development and connectivity following cell-specific gene manipulations.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Stephane Pages, Nicolas Chenouard, Ronan Chereau, Vladimir Kouskoff, Frederic Gambino, Anthony Holtmaat
Summary: The organization and plasticity of cortical sensory maps depend on experience, particularly on the role of higher-order thalamocortically mediated plateau potentials in whisker map plasticity. Blocking the plateau potentials can restore the typical organization of sensory maps.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jieun Kang, Kausik Bishayee, Sung-Oh Huh
Summary: This study assessed the neurotoxicity of the fungicide azoxystrobin (AZOX) on developing mouse brains, revealing adverse effects on neuronal viability, neurite outgrowth, and cortical migration. The research also identified potential treatments for these effects, including pretreatment with a ROS scavenger and forced activation of mTORC1 kinase.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Aurelie Brecier, Melodie Borel, Nadia Urbain, Luc J. Gentet
Summary: GABAergic inhibitory neurons play a crucial role in regulating cortical circuit activity during the sleep/wake cycle. This study investigated the activity dynamics of PV, VIP, and SST neurons in the somatosensory cortex of sleeping mice. The findings revealed that PV neurons were most active during both REM and NREM sleep, VIP neurons were most active during REM sleep, and the overall activity of SST neurons remained stable throughout the sleep/wake cycle. Furthermore, the study found that ongoing delta and theta oscillations influenced the activity of most neurons, except for SST neurons.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Hanseul Kweon, Won Beom Jung, Geun Ho Im, Jia Ryoo, Joon-Hyuk Lee, Hogyeong Do, Yeonsoo Choi, You-Hyang Song, Hwajin Jung, Haram Park, Lily R. Qiu, Jacob Ellegood, Hyun-Ji Shim, Esther Yang, Hyun Kim, Jason P. Lerch, Seung-Hee Lee, Won-Suk Chung, Daesoo Kim, Seong-Gi Kim, Eunjoon Kim
Summary: Deletion of the CHD8 gene in mice leads to near-complete elimination of neocortical structures, yet the mice display mostly normal behaviors, including hyperactivity and increased social interaction. These changes are accompanied by thalamic hyperactivity and enhanced somatosensory function, suggesting a critical role of excitatory neuronal CHD8 in neurodevelopment and a compensatory response in CHD8 haploinsufficiency-related macrocephaly.
Article
Neurosciences
Chris C. Rodgers, Ramon Nogueira, B. Christina Pil, Esther A. Greeman, Jung M. Park, Y. Kate Hong, Stefan Fusi, Randy M. Bruno
Summary: In a study involving head-fixed mice, it was found that neurons in the sensory cortex encoded touch, whisker motion, and task-related signals with a task-specific focus. During a shape discrimination task, neurons responded most to behaviorally relevant whiskers, indicating that sensory cortex employs task-specific representations compatible with behaviorally relevant computations.
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Chao Huang, Fleur Zeldenrust, Tansu Celikel
Summary: The study utilized a network model of cortical columns for simulations, finding that the simulated network replicated properties of touch representations and changes in synaptic strength. The simulations revealed the importance of the history of membrane potential in synaptic integration.
Article
Neurosciences
Sara M. Blazejewski, Sarah A. Bennison, Ngoc T. Ha, Xiaonan Liu, Trevor H. Smith, Kimberly J. Dougherty, Kazuhito Toyo-Oka
Summary: The study identifies a role for Rpsa in early cortical development and highlights the importance of the PEDF-Rpsa-Itga6 signaling pathway in neuromorphogenesis. These findings may contribute to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of neurodevelopmental disorders and provide potential therapeutic targets for related diseases.
Article
Cell Biology
Daniel Udvary, Philipp Harth, Jakob H. Macke, Hans-Christian Hege, Christiaan P. J. de Kock, Bert Sakmann, Marcel Oberlaender
Summary: The wiring specificity in the cerebral cortex is not only determined by synapse formation mechanisms, but also by the morphological properties of the neurons. The morphologically determined wiring specificity is reflected in the axo-dendritic projection patterns, packing density, and cellular diversity of the neurons. These factors determine whether the network topology is recurrent or feedforward.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Florentyna Bustos Plonka, Lucas J. Sosa, Santiago Quiroga
Summary: During neuronal differentiation, the exocyst complex protein Sec3 plays a key role in axon formation and the migration of neuronal progenitors.
JOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Geeske M. van Woerden, Melanie Bos, Charlotte de Konink, Ben Distel, Rossella Avagliano Trezza, Natasha E. Shur, Kristin Baranano, Sonal Mahida, Anna Chassevent, Allison Schreiber, Angelika L. Erwin, Karen W. Gripp, Fatima Rehman, Saskia Brulleman, Roisin McCormack, Gwynna de Geus, Louisa Kalsner, Arthur Sorlin, Ange-Line Bruel, David A. Koolen, Melissa K. Gabriel, Mari Rossi, David R. Fitzpatrick, Andrew O. M. Wilkie, Eduardo Calpena, David Johnson, Alice Brooks, Marjon van Slegtenhorst, Julie Fleischer, Daniel Groepper, Kristin Lindstrom, A. Micheil Innes, Allison Goodwin, Jennifer Humberson, Amanda Noyes, Katherine G. Langley, Aida Telegrafi, Amy Blevins, Jessica Hoffman, Maria J. Guillen Sacoto, Jane Juusola, Kristin G. Monaghan, Sumit Punj, Marleen Simon, Rolph Pfundt, Ype Elgersma, Tjitske Kleefstra
Summary: TAOK1 is a MAP3K protein kinase crucial for normal neuronal function, and its dysregulation due to variants can lead to neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by various symptoms. The identified TAOK1 variants, including truncating and nonsense variants, may have loss of function or dominant-negative effects on TAOK1, expanding the potential mechanisms underlying NDD.
Article
Neurosciences
Antoine Carton-Leclercq, Sarah Lecas, Mario Chavez, Stephane Charpier, Severine Mahon
Summary: The study investigated the characteristics of cell excitability and sensory responses in the thalamo-cortical pathway during an isoflurane-induced isoelectric brain state using a new in vivo rat model. It was found that a certain level of cell excitability and sensory integration persists in the isoelectric state and full recovery of cortico-thalamic functions occurs after restoration of internal cerebral activities.
JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LONDON
(2021)
Review
Neurosciences
Klas Kullander, Lisa Topolnik
Summary: The passage discusses the concept of a dynamic excitation/inhibition balance tuned by circuit disinhibition, and the different subtypes of GABAergic inhibitory interneurons in cortical circuits. It highlights the central role of a subpopulation of GABAergic cells expressing VIP in disinhibitory modulation, as well as the multiple layers of disinhibition across cortical circuits regulating behavior and maintaining an excitation/inhibition balance.
TRENDS IN NEUROSCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jonas Schroer, Davide Warm, Federico De Rosa, Heiko J. Luhmann, Anne Sinning
Summary: During early brain development, the BAX/BCL-2 pathway plays a role in regulating cortical neuron removal, with electrical activity serving as a set point of regulation. The upregulation of BAX and downregulation of BCL-2 during the first postnatal week result in a high BAX/BCL-2 ratio, contributing to neuronal death rates. Pharmacological blockade of activity leads to upregulation of Bax, while elevated activity leads to increased BCL-2 expression, indicating the modulation of BAX/BCL-2 expression by electrical activity.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yuko Hara, Yoshitaka Mizobe, Yukiko U. Inoue, Yasumasa Hashimoto, Norio Motohashi, Yoshiaki Masaki, Kohji Seio, Shin'ichi Takeda, Tetsuya Nagata, Matthew J. A. Wood, Takayoshi Inoue, Yoshitsugu Aoki
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2020)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nariko Arimura, Mako Okada, Shinichiro Taya, Ken-ichi Dewa, Akiko Tsuzuki, Hirotomo Uetake, Satoshi Miyashita, Koichi Hashizume, Kazumi Shimaoka, Saki Egusa, Tomoki Nishioka, Yuchio Yanagawa, Kazuhiro Yamakawa, Yukiko U. Inoue, Takayoshi Inoue, Kozo Kaibuchi, Mikio Hoshino
Article
Biology
Kou Hiraga, Yukiko U. Inoue, Junko Asami, Mayuko Hotta, Yuki Morimoto, Shoji Tatsumoto, Mikio Hoshino, Yasuhiro Go, Takayoshi Inoue
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Cell Biology
Yukiko U. Inoue, Yuki Morimoto, Mayumi Yamada, Ryosuke Kaneko, Kazumi Shimaoka, Shinji Oki, Mayuko Hotta, Junko Asami, Eriko Koike, Kei Hori, Mikio Hoshino, Itaru Imayoshi, Takayoshi Inoue
Summary: Fluorescent reporter mouse lines and Cre/Flp recombinase driver lines are essential for investigating molecular functions in vivo. The study reverified and optimized the phospho-PCR method to obtain highly pure long ssDNAs for knock-in mouse generation, enabling successful generation of knock-in mice through microinjection and electroporation methods, thus broadening its applicability.
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Ryuichi Kimura, Yukiko U. Inoue, Takako Kikkawa, Misako Tatehana, Yuki Morimoto, Hitoshi Inada, Shinya Oki, Takayoshi Inoue, Noriko Osumi
Summary: The study confirmed the expression and localization of REST in the early stages of spermatogenesis, specifically in spermatogonia and Sertoli cells. This suggests that REST may modulate the epigenetic state of male germline cells, with implications for neurodevelopmental and age-related disorders. The knock-in mouse model generated in this study could be valuable for exploring REST-associated molecular mechanisms further.
DEVELOPMENTAL DYNAMICS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Toshiko Yamazawa, Takuya Kobayashi, Nagomi Kurebayashi, Masato Konishi, Satoru Noguchi, Takayoshi Inoue, Yukiko U. Inoue, Ichizo Nishino, Shuichi Mori, Hiroto Iinuma, Noriaki Manaka, Hiroyuki Kagechika, Arkady Uryash, Jose Adams, Jose R. Lopez, Xiaochen Liu, Christine Diggle, Paul D. Allen, Sho Kakizawa, Keigo Ikeda, Bangzhong Lin, Yui Ikemi, Kazuto Nunomura, Shinsaku Nakagawa, Takashi Sakurai, Takashi Murayama
Summary: The study shows that an oxolinic acid-derivative RyR1 inhibitor can effectively prevent and treat various malignant hyperthermia (MH) and heat stroke mouse models.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Yuko Nitahara-Kasahara, Shuji Mizumoto, Yukiko U. Inoue, Shota Saka, Guillermo Posadas-Herrera, Aki Nakamura-Takahashi, Yuki Takahashi, Ayana Hashimoto, Kohei Konishi, Shinji Miyata, Chiaki Masuda, Emi Matsumoto, Yasunobu Maruoka, Takahiro Yoshizawa, Toshiki Tanase, Takayoshi Inoue, Shuhei Yamada, Yoshihiro Nomura, Shin'ichi Takeda, Atsushi Watanabe, Tomoki Kosho, Takashi Okada
Summary: Researchers generated mouse models for musculocontractural Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (mcEDS) through CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, revealing pathophysiological features such as growth impairment, skin fragility, and muscle-related phenotypes caused by depletion of dermatan sulfate (DS). This study provides insights into the pathophysiology of mcEDS and may contribute to the development of novel treatment strategies.
DISEASE MODELS & MECHANISMS
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Yuko Nitahara-Kasahara, Guillermo Posadas-Herrera, Shuji Mizumoto, Aki Nakamura-Takahashi, Yukiko U. Inoue, Takayoshi Inoue, Yoshihiro Nomura, Shin'ichi Takeda, Shuhei Yamada, Tomoki Kosho, Takashi Okada
Summary: Deficiency of dermatan sulfate in mcEDS causes pathological distribution and functional abnormalities of decorin in the skeletal muscle, leading to disturbances in muscle myogenesis.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Yukiko U. Inoue, Hideki Miwa, Kei Hori, Ryosuke Kaneko, Yuki Morimoto, Eriko Koike, Junko Asami, Satoshi Kamijo, Mitsuhiko Yamada, Mikio Hoshino, Takayoshi Inoue
Summary: This study utilized advanced genome editing techniques to generate a series of knock-in mouse lines, preserving the endogenous transcriptional regulations of the Oxtr gene. By using epitope tagging strategy and specific antibodies, the distribution of Oxtr protein on the neural membrane was visualized for the first time. Additionally, the expression of TdTomato reporter gene, Cre recombinase, and inducible Cre-ERT2 was successfully induced in Oxtr-expressing neurons. These tools provide valuable resources for future functional studies in Oxt-responsive neurons.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kotaro Oyama, Vadim Zeeb, Toshiko Yamazawa, Nagomi Kurebayashi, Fuyu Kobirumaki-Shimozawa, Takashi Murayama, Hideto Oyamada, Satoru Noguchi, Takayoshi Inoue, Yukiko U. Inoue, Ichizo Nishino, Yoshie Harada, Norio Fukuda, Shin'ichi Ishiwata, Madoka Suzuki
Summary: This study investigates the relationship between mutant Ryanodine receptor type 1 (RyR1) and malignant hyperthermia (MH) using an optically controlled local heat-pulse method. The results show that RyR1 mutants are more heat sensitive and induce intracellular calcium bursts through heat-induced calcium release (HICR). HICR is also observed in skeletal muscles. This study highlights the complexity of MH and the positive feedback of HICR in thermogenesis in MH patients.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Daiki X. Sato, Yukiko U. Inoue, Nahoko Kuga, Satoko Hattori, Kensaku Nomoto, Yuki Morimoto, Giovanni Sala, Hideo Hagihara, Takefumi Kikusui, Takuya Sasaki, Yuji Ikegaya, Tsuyoshi Miyakawa, Takayoshi Inoue, Masakado Kawata
Summary: This study introduces human-specific mutations into mice and investigates their impact on behavior, neurophysiology, and molecular level. The results show that the introduction of the Ile mutation leads to reduced anxiety-related traits and altered oscillatory activity in the amygdala under anxiogenic conditions. Transcriptome analysis confirms changes in gene expression in the amygdala, further supporting the observed phenotypes.
Article
Physiology
Yoshitaka Tsuboi, Kotaro Oyama, Fuyu Kobirumaki-Shimozawa, Takashi Murayama, Nagomi Kurebayashi, Toshiaki Tachibana, Yoshinobu Manome, Emi Kikuchi, Satoru Noguchi, Takayoshi Inoue, Yukiko U. Inoue, Ichizo Nishino, Shuichi Mori, Ryosuke Ishida, Hiroyuki Kagechika, Madoka Suzuki, Norio Fukuda, Toshiko Yamazawa
Summary: The R2509C mutation in RYR1 causes dysfunctional calcium dynamics in a mutant-gene dose-dependent manner in skeletal muscles, leading to MH-like episodes in heterozygous mice and embryonic lethality in homozygous mice.
JOURNAL OF GENERAL PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
