Review
Cell Biology
Irina I. Stoyanova, David Lutz
Summary: The neuronal cell adhesion and recognition molecule L1 not only maintains cell adhesion through interactions, but also enhances cell motility when cleaved into fragments. These fragments can be released into the extracellular space or internalized into the nucleus, transmitting extracellular signals to the cell interior. Proteolysis of L1 contributes to its functional diversity and plays a vital role in morphogenic events and regenerative processes in neuronal cells. Stimulating L1 proteolysis shows promise as a therapeutic tool for injured nervous systems. The collective findings shed light on the diverse functions of L1 and its fragments, and provide mechanistic insights into adhesion molecule proteolysis in the developing and diseased nervous system.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Eric de Hoog, Gaynor E. Spencer
Summary: The metabolite of vitamin A, retinoic acid (RA), influences neuronal firing by inducing spike broadening and complex spiking, and modulates Ca2+ influx through CaV2 channels by enhancing inactivation of delayed rectifier voltage-gated K+ channels.
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Byeong Gwan Song, Su Yeon Kwon, Jae Won Kyung, Eun Ji Roh, Hyemin Choi, Chang Su Lim, Seong Bae An, Seil Sohn, Inbo Han
Summary: Synaptic cell adhesion molecules (SynCAMs), specifically SynCAM3, play a crucial role in synapse formation and maintenance as well as synaptic plasticity regulation. Through its involvement in the connection between axons and astrocytes, SynCAM3 has been found to be associated with astrocytic scar formation following central nervous system (CNS) injuries. This study explores the impact of selective removal of SynCAM3 on spinal cord injury (SCI) outcomes, highlighting its role in the prevention of scar-forming astrocytes and promoting extracellular matrix (ECM) reconstitution, ultimately leading to improved functional recovery.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Katherine Picard, Giorgio Corsi, Fanny Decoeur, Maria Amalia Di Castro, Maude Bordeleau, Marine Persillet, Sophie Laye, Cristina Limatola, Marie-Eve Tremblay, Agnes Nadjar
Summary: Sleep is regulated by various neuroanatomical and neurochemical systems, with microglia playing a significant role in sleep regulation. Depletion of microglia in female mice results in longer NREM sleep duration and increased number of sleep episodes.
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Aoi Jitsuki-Takahashi, Susumu Jitsuki, Naoya Yamashita, Meiko Kawamura, Manabu Abe, Kenji Sakimura, Akane Sano, Fumio Nakamura, Yoshio Goshima, Takuya Takahashi
Summary: The semaphorin family of proteins regulates formation of contextual memory by driving AMPA receptors into hippocampal synapses. This signaling process involves alteration of the phosphorylation status of collapsin response mediator protein 2, affecting Hebbian synaptic plasticity.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biology
Samuel J. Barnes, Georg B. Keller, Tara Keck
Summary: This study used two-photon imaging to observe changes in neuronal synaptic calcium signals in awake mice, revealing that spines correlated with intrinsic network activity undergo TNF-α-dependent homeostatic enhancement, while spines responsive to sensory stimulation do not. Following sensory deprivation, global sensory-evoked responses increased, despite identified sensory inputs not strengthening.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pedro Valada, Sofia Alcada-Morais, Rodrigo A. Cunha, Joao Pedro Lopes
Summary: Theobromine, a metabolite of caffeine, affects synaptic transmission and plasticity by antagonizing adenosine receptors, resulting in improved cognitive function and neuroprotection against disease-related conditions.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Zhe Zhao, Hui Ji, Cong Zhang, Jiamin Pei, Xiangjian Zhang, Yi Yuan
Summary: Through experiments on mice, it was found that ultrasound stimulation can significantly improve the whisker-dependent novel object discrimination ability of mice, enhance neuronal firing activity, and promote the growth rate of dendritic spines without promoting their extinction, resulting in enhanced synaptic plasticity. These results indicate that ultrasound stimulation can improve the learning and memory ability of mice and enhance the neuronal firing activity and synaptic plasticity that are closely related to it. This study provides a research basis for the application of ultrasound stimulation in the treatment of learning and memory-related diseases.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dylan J. Kiltschewskij, Paul F. Harrison, Chantel Fitzsimmons, Traude H. Beilharz, Murray J. Cairns
Summary: Differentiation of neural progenitor cells into mature neuronal phenotypes relies on extensive temporospatial coordination of mRNA expression. Cleavage and polyadenylation of mRNA has regulatory capacity through the alteration of mRNA stability and modulation of miRNA function. Our findings suggest poly(A) tail length and APA function as part of a rich post-transcriptional regulatory matrix during neuronal differentiation.
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Yu Wu, Xinyou Lv, Haiting Wang, Kai Qian, Jinjun Ding, Jiejie Wang, Shushan Hua, Tiancheng Sun, Yiting Zhou, Lina Yu, Shuang Qiu
Summary: Neuronal activity induces retrograde translocation and nuclear accumulation of endosomal adaptor APPL1, which is necessary for the regulation of gene transcription and maintenance of hippocampal late-phase long-term potentiation. These results illustrate an APPL1-mediated pathway that contributes to the modulation of synaptic plasticity via coupling neuronal activity with chromatin remodeling.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR CELL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ye Wang, Amy K. Y. Fu, Nancy Y. Ip
Summary: In the adult hippocampus, astrocytes, the most common glial cells, play a crucial role in regulating synaptic plasticity. Astrocytes are highly heterogeneous in response to changes in neuronal activity and can modulate synaptic communication through various pathways, ultimately influencing memory performance and cognitive functions. Dysregulation of astrocytic signaling can lead to hippocampal circuit dysfunction and cognitive impairment, as observed in conditions like Alzheimer's disease.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Maria Mensch, Jade Dunot, Sandy M. Yishan, Samuel S. Harris, Aline Blistein, Alban Avdiu, Paula A. Pousinha, Camilla Giudici, Marc Aurel Busche, Peter Jedlicka, Michael Willem, Helene Marie
Summary: The study discovered that both A eta-alpha and A eta-beta peptides acutely impair LTP at low nanomolar concentrations ex vivo, with the N-terminus being a primary site of activity. The research also showed that A eta-beta inhibits neuronal activity in vivo, similar to A eta-alpha, and confirmed the impairment of LTP by A eta-alpha in vivo.
ALZHEIMERS RESEARCH & THERAPY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lauren Taylor, Miriam Wankell, Pankaj Saxena, Craig McFarlane, Lionel Hebbard
Summary: Skeletal muscles are responsible for voluntary body movements and undergo a complex process of myogenesis for formation, maintenance, regeneration, and repair. This process involves satellite cells, transcription factors, cell adhesion molecules, and signaling cascades for effective muscle growth and function.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Li Meng, Cai-Ping Du, Chun-Yuan Lu, Kun Zhang, Lin Li, Jing-Zhi Yan, Xiao-Yu Hou
Summary: This study revealed that neuronal activity induced SUMOylation of Akt1 by SUMO1, mediated by PIAS3, which enhanced Akt1's enzymatic activity and facilitated its phosphorylation. This process is involved in ERK1/2-BDNF/Arc and mTOR-4E-BP1 signaling pathways, contributing to long-lasting excitatory synaptic responses and synaptic plasticity.
Review
Neurosciences
Akihiro Goto, Yasunori Hayashi
Summary: Memories are consolidated in the brain during sleep, with neuronal activity patterns being replayed in the hippocampus. This replay triggers changes in synaptic transmission, influencing long-term memory. Sleep induces offline synaptic plasticity, involving both potentiation and depression of synaptic transmission, which is different from online synaptic plasticity occurring immediately after a memory event.
NEUROSCIENCE RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Lin Luo, Mateusz C. Ambrozkiewicz, Fritz Benseler, Cui Chen, Emilie Dumontier, Susanne Falkner, Elisabetta Furlanis, Andrea M. Gomez, Naosuke Hoshina, Wei-Hsiang Huang, Mary Anne Hutchison, Yu Itoh-Maruoka, Laura A. Lavery, Wei Li, Tomohiko Maruo, Junko Motohashi, Emily Ling-Lin Pai, Kenneth A. Pelkey, Ariane Pereira, Thomas Philips, Jennifer L. Sinclair, Jeff A. Stogsdill, Lisa Traunmueller, Jiexin Wang, Joke Wortel, Wenjia You, Nashat Abumaria, Kevin T. Beier, Nils Brose, Harold A. Burgess, Constance L. Cepko, Jean-Francois Cloutier, Cagla Eroglu, Sandra Goebbels, Pascal S. Kaeser, Jeremy N. Kay, Wei Lu, Liqun Luo, Kenji Mandai, Chris J. McBain, Klaus-Armin Nave, Marco A. M. Prado, Vania F. Prado, Jeffrey Rothstein, John L. R. Rubenstein, Gesine Saher, Kenji Sakimura, Joshua R. Sanes, Peter Scheiffele, Yoshimi Takai, Hisashi Umemori, Matthijs Verhage, Michisuke Yuzaki, Huda Yahya Zoghbi, Hiroshi Kawabe, Ann Marie Craig
Article
Neurosciences
Akiko Terauchi, Emily Durlacher, Julia Pitino, Hisashi Umemori
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tao Li, Brian Chiou, Casey K. Gilman, Rong Luo, Tatsuhiro Koshi, Diankun Yu, Hayeon C. Oak, Stefanie Giera, Erin Johnson-Venkatesh, Allie K. Muthukumar, Beth Stevens, Hisashi Umemori, Xianhua Piao
Article
Neurosciences
Masahiro Yasuda, Sivapratha Nagappan-Chettiar, Erin M. Johnson-Venkatesh, Hisashi Umemori
Summary: The study reveals that JAK2 tyrosine kinase plays a crucial role in eliminating inactive synaptic connections in the brain through activity-dependent competition. Activation of JAK2 by signals from active synapses leads to the mediation of inactive synapse elimination by STAT1. JAK2 serves as an activity-dependent switch that regulates synapse refinement in multiple brain regions.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Naosuke Hoshina, Erin M. Johnson-Venkatesh, Miyuki Hoshina, Hisashi Umemori
Summary: Mutations in the PCDH19 gene can lead to early-onset seizures and cognitive impairment, affecting heterozygous females but not hemizygous males. Research has shown that PCDH19 is enriched at hippocampal mossy fiber synapses, and heterozygous female mice display impaired synaptic structure and function in this area.
Article
Neurosciences
Naosuke Hoshina, Erin M. Johnson-Venkatesh, Veronica R. Rally, Jaanvi Sant, Miyuki Hoshina, Mariel P. Seiglie, Hisashi Umemori
Summary: This study reveals the critical role of PCDH10 in excitatory synapse development in the dorsal amygdala and its regulation of anxiety-related, fear-related, and stress-related behaviors.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Patricia Nora Awad, Valerio Zerbi, Erin M. M. Johnson-Venkatesh, Francesca Damiani, Marco Pagani, Marija Markicevic, Sarah Nickles, Alessandro Gozzi, Hisashi Umemori, Michela Fagiolini
Summary: The study found that there are connectivity and functional alterations in the brain of CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder (CDD) patients, which are related to cognitive deficits. The results further demonstrate the important role of CDKL5 in neuronal connectivity and cognitive function.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Sivapratha Nagappan-Chettiar, Masahiro Yasuda, Erin M. Johnson-Venkatesh, Hisashi Umemori
Summary: The formation of appropriate synaptic connections is crucial for the proper functioning of the brain. This process involves the selective stabilization of active synapses and the elimination of less active synapses, known as activity-dependent synapse refinement. Defects in this process are associated with neuropsychiatric disorders. This review discusses the regulation and mechanisms of synapse elimination through activity-dependent competition and proposes a theoretical framework for the molecular mechanisms involved.
CURRENT OPINION IN NEUROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Sivapratha Nagappan-Chettiar, Timothy J. Burbridge, Hisashi Umemori
Summary: The refinement of immature neuronal networks into efficient mature ones is crucial for nervous system development and function. This process, known as synapse refinement, involves the competition and elimination of weak synaptic inputs and stabilization of strong ones, driven by neuronal activity. Recent studies have shed light on how neuronal activity is detected and converted into molecular signals that regulate synapse refinement. Understanding the mechanisms underlying synapse refinement can lead to novel therapeutic strategies for neuropsychiatric diseases characterized by abnormal synaptic function.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Akiko Terauchi, Patricia Yee, Erin M. Johnson-Venkatesh, Mariel P. Seiglie, Lisa Kim, Julia C. Pitino, Eli Kritzer, Qiyu Zhang, Jie Zhou, Yulong Li, David D. Ginty, Wei-Chung A. Lee, Hisashi Umemori
Summary: Dopaminergic projections play a role in various brain functions and are involved in neuropsychiatric disorders. Two groups of TGF-(3 family members regulate the development of dopaminergic synapses in nigrostriatal and mesolimbic neurons. Specific activation of Smad1 and Smad2 is required for the development and function of dopaminergic synapses in nigrostriatal and mesolimbic projections.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Masahiro Yasuda, Sivapratha Nagappan-Chettiar, Hisashi Umemori
Summary: The visual system is the best system to study activity-dependent sensory circuit development, with retinogeniculate connections undergoing extensive remodeling during early postnatal life. Techniques allowing early transgene expression in the developing retina are essential for studying visual system development. This protocol describes a method for expressing genes-of-interest in the developing mouse retina via in utero intraocular adeno-associated virus injections, with more details available in Yasuda et al. (2021).