Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rhiannan H. Williams, Therese Riedemann
Summary: Researchers are extensively studying cortical interneurons to understand their specific functions in the brain and potentially target them for therapeutic purposes. Among the different classes of interneurons, this review focuses on parvalbumin or somatostatin-containing cells.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
J. Ellegood, S. P. Petkova, A. Kinman, L. R. Qiu, A. Adhikari, A. A. Wade, D. Fernandes, Z. Lindenmaier, A. Creighton, L. M. J. Nutter, A. S. Nord, J. L. Silverman, J. P. Lerch
Summary: The study validated decreased levels of Arid1b mRNA and protein in Arid1b(+/-) mice, with altered gene expression patterns in the cerebellum. Behaviorally, the Arid1b(+/-) mice showed impairments in ultrasonic vocalizations and developmental growth, as well as deficits in motor skills and learning and memory tasks. This study highlights the importance of examining both sexes in NDDs and reveals unique neuroanatomical differences in the mouse model.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Stephanie Dooves, Liza M. L. Kok, Dwayne B. Holmes, Nicole Breeuwsma, Marjolein Breur, Marianna Bugiani, Nicole Wolf, Vivi M. Heine
Summary: Using iPSC-derived cultures, researchers found reduced ARX expression, increased neuronal network activity, and altered development of interneurons-particularly parvalbumin lineage-in patients with 4H leukodystrophy, a rare white matter disorder. 4H is a rare genetic disorder characterized by hypomyelination, hypodontia, and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. The discovery of the role of RNA polymerase III mutations in 4H has expanded the understanding of the disease beyond its classic phenotype. This study's importance rating is 8 out of 10.
Review
Neurosciences
Alfredo Llorca, Ruben Deogracias
Summary: This review describes the diversity of interneurons that make up local circuits in the neocortex and summarizes the mechanisms underlying their development and assembly into functional networks.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Catherine Fleitas, Pau Marfull-Oromi, Disha Chauhan, Daniel del Toro, Blanca Peguera, Bahira Zammou, Daniel Rocandio, Rudiger Klein, Carme Espinet, Joaquim Egea
Summary: Neuron migration is important in nervous system development, with FLRTs controlling the distribution of cortical inhibitory interneurons through Unc5 receptors, potentially impacting the development of psychiatric disorders.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Manal Tabbaa, Allison Knoll, Pat Levitt
Summary: Previous models of neurodevelopmental disorders have limitations in capturing the genetic diversity and symptom heterogeneity seen clinically. In this study, we tested whether introducing genetic background diversity in mouse models could replicate population and individual differences in response to a specific mutation in the autism risk gene, CHD8. Results showed that clinically relevant traits were disrupted in a manner similar to clinical observations, with significant strain and sex differences. Some strains exhibited large effect-size trait disruptions, while others showed resilience. Therefore, systematically incorporating genetic diversity in models of neurodevelopmental disorders provides a better framework for understanding individual differences in symptom etiologies.
Review
Neurosciences
Emily Ling-Lin Pai, April M. Stafford, Daniel Vogt
Summary: The development and maturation of cortical GABAergic interneurons involve both transcriptional regulation via nuclear factors and cellular signaling cascades including mTOR, MAPK, and Wnt/beta-catenin pathways. These signaling families play important roles in regulating various developmental milestones and properties of interneurons. The coordination between transcriptional and signaling mechanisms is crucial for the complex diversity observed during cortical interneuron development and maturation.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Logan J. Voss, Violet Garcia
Summary: In brain slice experiments, high frequency field potential activity is used to probe the functional state of the GABAergic system. The activity is strongly associated with GABA(A) and is prominently displayed in no-magnesium seizure-like events. As time passes, the success rate of generating high frequency responses declines rapidly.
Article
Neurosciences
Carmen Navarro-Gonzalez, Hector Carceller, Marina Benito Vicente, Irene Serra, Marta Navarrete, Yaiza Dominguez-Canterla, Angela Rodriguez-Prieto, Ana Gonzalez-Manteiga, Pietro Fazzari
Summary: The study reveals that Nrg1 haploinsufficiency primarily affects the inhibitory circuits in the cortex, leading to behavioral deficits similar to schizophrenia. The Nrg1 haploinsufficient mice exhibit symptoms resembling schizophrenia, possibly due to a decrease in inhibitory neurons, a reduction in the density of excitatory buttons, and a decrease in frequency of spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents.
NEUROBIOLOGY OF DISEASE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Z. Yan Wang, Grace C. McKenzie-Smith, Weijie Liu, Hyo Jin Cho, Talmo Pereira, Zahra Dhanerawala, Joshua W. Shaevitz, Sarah D. Kocher
Summary: Social isolation, especially in early life, has harmful effects on the physiology and behavior of bees. This study used new high-throughput tools to investigate the impact of isolation on bumblebees from behavioral, molecular, and neuroanatomical perspectives. The study found that isolated bees showed increased social interactions and disrupted gene expression and brain development. Limited social experience in small groups, however, was sufficient to maintain typical brain development and social behavior.
Article
Neurosciences
Xiaosu Li, Guoping Liu, Lin Yang, Zhenmeiyu Li, Zhuangzhi Zhang, Zhejun Xu, Yuqun Cai, Heng Du, Zihao Su, Ziwu Wang, Yangyang Duan, Haotian Chen, Zicong Shang, Yan You, Qi Zhang, Miao He, Bin Chen, Zhengang Yang
Summary: The study elucidates the development of mouse cortical radial glial cells into intermediate progenitors and different subtypes of neural cells. It provides insights into the genetic logic underlying the specification and differentiation of cortical glial cells and OB interneurons.
NEUROSCIENCE BULLETIN
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
James Perna, Ju Lu, Brian Mullen, Taohui Liu, Michelle Tjia, Sydney Weiser, James Ackman, Yi Zuo
Summary: The study shows that perinatal penicillin exposure in mice leads to long-lasting negative effects on neural activity, cortical structure, and behavior in adolescents, including abnormal sensory processing, increased spontaneous neural activities, delayed maturation, and synaptic defects.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Chia-wei Chang, Meiling Zhao, Samantha Grudzien, Max Oginsky, Yexin Yang, Sung Eun Kwon
Summary: The primary somatosensory cortex (S1) plays an important role in movement control by encoding sensory input and receiving inputs from other sensorimotor areas. In this study, silencing the non-whisker S1 area disrupted hind paw movement during locomotion in mice. Furthermore, the S2 and M1 areas were found to provide major inputs to the non-whisker S1 area, with S2 projections preferentially targeting inhibitory interneurons.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biology
Mohit Dubey, Maria Pascual-Garcia, Koke Helmes, Dennis D. Wever, Mustafa S. Hamada, Steven A. Kushner, Maarten H. P. Kole
Summary: PV+ interneurons in the brain are powerful inhibitors that regulate important cognitive processes. However, they have unusual, patchy myelination, and it is unclear how this affects their function. Loss of myelin in these interneurons reduces signal strength and increases the power of slow brain waves, as well as triggering epilepsy-like brain activity. Restoring myelination helps reverse these deficits and could be a potential therapeutic strategy for cognitive impairments.
Article
Neurosciences
Kristina D. Micheva, Marianna Kiraly, Marc M. Perez, Daniel Madison
Summary: PV+ basket cells are specialized cortical interneurons that regulate local neuronal circuits with high temporal precision. During development, their connectivity undergoes rapid changes, including fast myelination of proximal axons, reduction in synaptic contacts on postsynaptic neurons, and reorganization of axonal paths towards more proximal locations. These structural refinements likely contribute to the robust inhibitory effects and fine temporal precision of adult PV+ basket cells.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jeffrey J. Moffat, Amanda L. Smith, Eui-Man Jung, Minhan Ka, Woo-Yang Kim
Summary: ARID1B haploinsufficiency is a common cause of intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder, leading to emotional disturbances. Research has focused on the molecular mechanisms of neurodevelopment and brain function regulation, as well as the development of treatment strategies for ARID1B-related disorders. Animal models have successfully replicated behavioral phenotypes of ASD and ID, aiding in understanding the role of ARID1B in brain development. Therapeutic potential has been identified, with positive results seen in the use of a GABA(A) receptor positive allosteric modulator for treatment.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Minhan Ka, Jeffrey J. Moffat, Woo-Yang Kim
Summary: The study reveals that MACF1 plays a critical role in promoting cortical progenitor proliferation and localization, its deletion leading to overproliferation and misplacement of radial progenitors, and impacting the formation of neuronal morphology.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Iliodora V. Pop, Felipe Espinosa, Cheasequah J. Blevins, Portia C. Okafor, Osita W. Ogujiofor, Megan Goyal, Bishakha Mona, Mark A. Landy, Kevin M. Dean, Channabasavaiah B. Gurumurthy, Helen C. Lai
Summary: This study investigates the anatomical features of neurons in the proprioceptive pathways using genetic tools. The researchers find distinct differences between the long-range direct and indirect spinocerebellar pathways as well as local intersegmental spinal circuits. They also discover that different subsets of neurons contribute to different pathways. These findings provide important insights into the functioning of proprioceptive circuits.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Plant Sciences
Eui-Man Jung, Geun-Shik Lee
Summary: Severe cases of COVID-19 are characterized by dysregulation of cytokine secretion, pneumonia, and acute lung injury, leading to multiple organ failure and death. SARS-CoV-2 directly or indirectly affects the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome, resulting in inflammatory disruption in severe COVID-19. Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) has been found to inhibit the NLRP3 inflammasome signaling and shows potential as a treatment for COVID-19.
JOURNAL OF GINSENG RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yeong-Min Yoo, Eui-Man Jung, Eui-Bae Jeung, Bo Ram Jo, Seong Soo Joo
Summary: This study investigated the expression distribution of amylin protein in the rat brain and N2a cells, and found that progesterone and dexamethasone influence the expression of amylin protein.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Da Som Kim, Hyeseon Lee, Min Jae Kim, Keum-Yong Seong, Jea Sic Jeong, So Young Kim, Eui-Man Jung, Seung Yun Yang, Beum-Soo An
Summary: This study demonstrates that dissolvable and swellable microneedle patches made from hyaluronic acid (HA) or gelatin can improve skin elasticity. These patches increase dermal thickness by increasing elastin levels, preventing collagen degradation, and promoting fibroblast viability and proliferation.
JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL AND ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Sung-Ae Hyun, Moon Yi Ko, Sumi Jang, Byoung-Seok Lee, Jaerang Rho, Kee K. Kim, Woo-Yang Kim, Minhan Ka
Summary: The study found that BPA exposure alters synapse morphology and function in the cerebral cortex, impacting the size and number of dendrites and spines, as well as reducing the density of excitatory synapses. BPA also disrupts normal synaptic transmission and cognitive behavior, with RGS4 and the BDNF/NTRK2 pathway mediating the effects on neural function.
DISEASE MODELS & MECHANISMS
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Bhopal C. Mohapatra, Sameer Mirza, Aditya Bele, Channabasavaiah B. Gurumurthy, Mohsin Raza, Irfana Saleem, Matthew D. Storck, Aniruddha Sarkar, Sai Sundeep Kollala, Surendra K. Shukla, Siddesh Southekal, Kay-Uwe Wagner, Fang Qiu, Subodh M. Lele, Mansour A. Alsaleem, Emad A. Rakha, Chittibabu Guda, Pankaj K. Singh, Robert D. Cardiff, Hamid Band, Vimla Band
Summary: Ecdysoneless (ECD) protein is overexpressed in breast cancer and its overexpression predicts shorter survival in patients. In a mouse study, inducible overexpression of ECD led to mammary hyperplasia, pre-neoplastic lesions, heterogeneous tumors, and lung metastasis. ECD overexpression promoted epithelial to mesenchymal transition and cancer stem cell characteristics, and its oncogenic effects were mediated through regulation of c-MYC-mediated glucose metabolism.
MOLECULAR CANCER RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Minhan Ka, Hyung-Goo Kim, Woo-Yang Kim
Summary: This study reveals the important role of WDR5 in neuronal development, specifically in neuronal placement and dendrite polarization in the cerebral cortex. WDR5 deficiency leads to defects in neuronal migration and dendrite polarity, accompanied by changes in gene expression and histone modification. These findings provide new mechanistic insights into the neuropathology associated with histone methyltransferase dysfunction.
MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Donglin Yi, Kangmin Kim, Minsu Lee, Eui-man Jung, Eui-Bae Jeung
Summary: D5, a member of the cyclic siloxane family, is widely used in personal care products and as an industrial intermediate. This study found that maternal exposure to D5 resulted in developmental neurotoxicity and behavioral disorders in offspring mice. The offspring showed depression, decreased performance, repetitive activity, cognitive impairment, and social behavior deficits. These findings suggest that the usage of D5 needs to be carefully considered.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hyun Seung Shin, Soo Min Choi, Seung Hyun Lee, Ha Jung Moon, Eui-Man Jung
Summary: In this study, a novel early life stress (ELS) model was established, which led to negative effects on the offspring's brain and behavioral development, including anxiety, depression, social deficits, and memory impairment. The novel model induced more severe depression-like behavior and memory impairment compared to the established ELS model. Additionally, the novel ELS model caused upregulation of arginine vasopressin expression and downregulation of GABAergic interneuron markers in the mice's brains.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Yun Hee So, Hyun Seung Shin, Seung Hyun Lee, Ha Jung Moon, Hyeon Jung Jang, Eun-Hee Lee, Eui-Man Jung
Summary: This study aimed to determine the effects of maternal exposure to microplastics on mouse offspring brain. The results showed that mice exposed to microplastics exhibited impaired social novelty preferences, but no differences were observed in the levels of expression of genes related to brain cell markers or synaptic organization.