Review
Neurosciences
Tingyan Wu, Weili Cai, Xi Chen
Summary: Neurotransmission signaling is a conserved system with important regulatory events. The role of excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitter systems in brain function is well established. Recent research has shown that epigenetic regulation plays a crucial role in controlling the expression of neurotransmitter-related genes and its dysregulation is associated with neurological disorders. This article explores the epigenetic regulation of dopamine, GABA, glutamate, and serotonin genes, and discusses how targeting these mechanisms can lead to improved treatments for neurological disorders.
NEUROBIOLOGY OF DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Gary Rudnick
Summary: Baruch Kanner and the author have parallel careers in investigating neurotransmitter transporters, collaborating and competing at various points but always learning from each other. This commentary focuses on interactions between the Kanner and Rudnick laboratories, specifically on transporters in the Neurotransmitter: Sodium Symporter (NSS) family of amino acid and amine transporters, with a key emphasis on the mechanism of chloride ion activation and transport driving.
NEUROCHEMICAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Deepthi Joseph, Smruti Ranjan Nayak, Aravind Penmatsa
Summary: This study investigates the structure and activity of GAT1 by modifying the dopamine transporter in Drosophila melanogaster. The findings suggest that the binding site undergoes substantial changes in order to accommodate GAT1 inhibitors, and an additional allosteric site is observed in the extracellular vestibule. The study also suggests a role for a specific motif in the selective control of neurotransmitter uptake.
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Ashwini Biradar, C. B. Ganesh
Summary: This study investigates the distribution and organization of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) neurons in the brain of the tilapia fish. Aggregations of 5-HT neurons are found in the olfactory bulb, preoptic area, and magnocellular subdivisions of the nucleus preopticus. The presence of 5-HT cells and fibers in previously unidentified areas suggests a unique organization of the serotonergic system in cichlid fishes. The findings imply that the 5-HT system in the tilapia brain may play roles in the regulation of reproduction and sensorimotor processes.
ANATOMICAL RECORD-ADVANCES IN INTEGRATIVE ANATOMY AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Microbiology
Saba Miri, JuDong Yeo, Sarah Abubaker, Riadh Hammami
Summary: The gut microbiome, influenced by diet, xenobiotics, genetics, and other environmental factors, acts as a metabolic interactome that affects the host's nutrient absorption, metabolism, and immune system. It also produces a variety of neuroactive metabolites that can impact brain function and cognition. The correlation between the gut microbiome and the central nervous system has sparked a new field of research called neuromicrobiology. Although microbiome-targeted interventions are seen as promising treatments, the mechanisms underlying host-microbiome interactions need further exploration to inform evidence-based therapeutic applications.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Xunjia Qian, Xinyi Zhao, Lulu Yu, Yujian Yin, Xiao-Dan Zhang, Liyun Wang, Jun-Xu Li, Qing Zhu, Jia-Lie Luo
Summary: This article discusses the role of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in neurotransmitter regulation, pain sensation, and neuronal development. GABA regulates pain sensation by directly acting on different types of receptors and signaling pathways. Further understanding of these GABA receptors and signaling pathways will contribute to the development of novel analgesics.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Matthew Lebovich, Lauren B. Andrews
Summary: Engineered probiotic bacteria have been proposed as a strategy for detecting biomarkers and investigating the gut-brain axis. However, creating the necessary biosensors has been challenging. Researchers have proposed an efficient approach to design metabolite biosensors by quickly testing gene expression and identifying optimal genetic designs. Using this approach, highly functional biosensors for specific metabolite concentrations were successfully engineered.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Smruti Ranjan Nayak, Deepthi Joseph, Georg Hofner, Archishman Dakua, Arunabh Athreya, Klaus T. Wanner, Baruch I. Kanner, Aravind Penmatsa
Summary: The structure of GAT1 has been reported, providing insights into the mechanism of GABA selection and reuptake. This study is important for the development of strategies to treat certain forms of epilepsy and the rational design of specific antiepileptic drugs.
NATURE STRUCTURAL & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Psychiatry
Andrew J. Cutler, Gregory W. Mattingly, Vladimir Maletic
Summary: The pathophysiology of major depressive disorder is associated with impaired connectivity in key brain networks, which involves the GABAergic system of neurotransmission. Defects in GABA and neuroactive steroids (NASs) have been observed in adults with depression, and treatment with antidepressants can normalize these levels. There is interest in using NAS GABA(A) receptor positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) as potential treatments for depression, with brexanolone, zuranolone, and PH10 showing promise in clinical development. These NASs may provide novel and effective treatments for patients with major depressive disorder.
TRANSLATIONAL PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Review
Psychiatry
Szymon Zmorzynski, Wojciech Styk, Waldemar Klinkosz, Justyna Iskra, Agata Anna Filip
Summary: There is a connection between gene polymorphisms affecting neurotransmitter functions in the central nervous system and FFM traits. For instance, polymorphism in the gene encoding the serotonin transporter protein is correlated with personality traits. Additionally, genome-wide association studies have identified specific gene regions associated with neuroticism, extraversion, and agreeableness.
ANNALS OF GENERAL PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Laurent Formery, Francois Orange, Antoine Formery, Shunsuke Yaguchi, Christopher J. Lowe, Michael Schubert, Jenifer C. Croce
Summary: The study investigated the neural anatomy of early juveniles of three echinoderm classes, revealing common neural structures such as basiepidermal nerve plexus, radial nerve cords, and peripheral nerves. The results supported the existence of two neural units in echinoderms and laid the foundation for more comprehensive comparisons with other animals to address controversies about deuterostome nervous system evolution.
JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE NEUROLOGY
(2021)
Review
Genetics & Heredity
Angelica Miglioli, Laura Canesi, Isa D. L. Gomes, Michael Schubert, Remi Dumollard
Summary: Nuclear Receptors (NRs) are transcription factors specific to metazoans that directly translate signaling molecule information. They play crucial roles in vertebrate and marine invertebrate development. Marine invertebrates are important for understanding NR superfamily evolution and ancestral states of NR-ligand interactions.
Article
Neurosciences
Matteo Bozzo, Thurston C. Lacalli, Valentina Obino, Federico Caicci, Emanuela Marcenaro, Tiziana Bachetti, Lucia Manni, Mario Pestarino, Michael Schubert, Simona Candiani
Summary: The study reveals that amphioxus glial lineages express genes typical of vertebrate astroglia and radial glia, segregate early in development, and form a spatially separate cell proliferation zone. This provides strong evidence for the presence of vertebrate-type glial cells in amphioxus, shedding light on the role of segregated progenitor cell pools in CNS development and offering insights into precursor cell deployment in the chordate nerve cord in an evolutionary context.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Bradley Arshinoff, Gregory A. Cary, Kamran Karimi, Saoirse Foley, Sergei Agalakov, Francisco Delgado, Vaneet S. Lotay, Carolyn J. Ku, Troy J. Pells, Thomas R. Beatman, Eugene Kim, R. Andrew Cameron, Peter D. Vize, Cheryl A. Telmer, Jenifer C. Croce, Charles A. Ettensohn, Veronica F. Hinman
Summary: Echinobase is a web resource supporting genomic research on echinoderms, leveraging previous database and web development experience to build a new version. It supports multiple echinoderm species, offers gene pages, publications, genome browser services, and integrates support for various species as a novel feature.
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Alejandro Gil-Galvez, Sandra Jimenez-Gancedo, Alberto Perez-Posada, Martin Franke, Rafael D. Acemel, Che-Yi Lin, Cindy Chou, Yi-Hsien Su, Jr-Kai Yu, Stephanie Bertrand, Michael Schubert, Hector Escriva, Juan J. Tena, Jose Luis Gomez-Skarmeta
Summary: This study suggests that the increased interconnectivity between signaling pathways and gene regulatory networks in vertebrates may have played a critical role in the origins of new cell types and morphological novelties.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Pascal Schmidt, Eva Leman, Ronan Lagadec, Michael Schubert, Sylvie Mazan, Ram Reshef
Summary: This study investigates the role of retinoic acid (RA) in the regulation of chordate and vertebrate pronephros formation through a comparative developmental approach. The results show that the conservation of Pax2 and Lim1 expressions in chordate pronephros homologs is present, but the responsiveness to RA and Hox-dependent regulation is a novelty in gnathostomes.
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Stephan M. Schulreich, David A. Salamanca-Diaz, Elisabeth Zieger, Andrew D. Calcino, Andreas Wanninger
Summary: The study found that in the invasive freshwater bivalve Dreissena rostriformis, all four genes are expressed during mesoderm formation, with some showing additional, individual sites of expression during ontogeny.
ORGANISMS DIVERSITY & EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Elisabeth Zieger, Thomas Schwaha, Katharina Burger, Ina Bergheim, Andreas Wanninger, Andrew D. Calcino
Summary: Intercellular lumen formation is crucial for animal development and physiology. The recruitment of aquaporin to cytokinetic bridges influences cavity expansion, and disrupting cytokinetic bridge microtubules impairs cellular osmoregulation.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Optics
Matteo Bozzo, Claudio Pasquale, Francesco Cuccaro, Sara Ferrando, Angelina Zekiy, Simona Candiani, Andrea Amaroli
Summary: This study evaluated the reliability of photobiomodulation therapy using a novel delivery probe on regenerating amphioxus. The results demonstrated that PBM improved wound healing and tissue regeneration, with daily irradiation showing better outcomes.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Nicolas Serge Matthieu Robert, Fatih Sarigol, Elisabeth Zieger, Oleg Simakov
Summary: This method bridges the gap between micro- and macrosynteny detection, providing detailed information on both synteny conservation and transformation throughout the evolutionary history of animal genomes.
Article
Cell Biology
Laurent Formery, Axel Wakefield, Maeva Gesson, Ludovic Toisoul, Guy Lhomond, Laurent Gilletta, Regis Lasbleiz, Michael Schubert, Jenifer C. C. Croce
Summary: This study provides a comprehensive description of the development of the sea urchin species Paracentrotus lividus, including details on embryonic, larval, and juvenile stages. It is an important resource for researchers in the fields of ecotoxicology, developmental biology, and evolutionary studies, as well as those interested in using marine invertebrates as alternative model systems for biomedical investigations.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sarah Amato, Monica Averna, Diego Guidolin, Cristina Ceccoli, Elena Gatta, Simona Candiani, Marco Pedrazzi, Michela Capraro, Guido Maura, Luigi F. Agnati, Chiara Cervetto, Manuela Marcoli
Summary: The interaction between oxytocin and dopamine through facilitatory D2-OT receptor-receptor interaction is considered to play roles in social or emotional behavior and has potential therapeutic benefits. However, the potential receptor-receptor interaction in astrocytes has been neglected. This study demonstrates the presence of D2-OT receptor heterodimers in striatal astrocytes and their involvement in the control of glutamatergic synapse functioning through modulation of astrocytic glutamate release.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Editorial Material
Cell Biology
Michael Schubert, Pierre Germain
Article
Cell Biology
Matteo Bozzo, Deianira Bellitto, Andrea Amaroli, Sara Ferrando, Michael Schubert, Simona Candiani
Summary: POU genes are a conserved family of transcription factors that play key roles in cell type specification and neurogenesis. This study aimed to investigate the role of retinoic acid (RA) signaling in the regulation of POU genes. Using amphioxus as a model, the expression patterns of POU genes were examined during development. It was found that RA signaling regulates the expression of Brn1/2/4 and Pou4 genes in specific tissues, indicating a dual role of RA signaling in providing patterning information and specifying neural cell types.