Article
Psychiatry
Hannah B. Elam, Stephanie M. Perez, Jennifer J. Donegan, Daniel J. Lodge
Summary: The orexin system may be a novel pharmacological target for treating comorbid psychosis related to PTSD, reversing increases in dopamine neuron activity and behavioral deficits.
TRANSLATIONAL PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Darwin Contreras, Ricardo Pina, Claudia Carvallo, Felipe Godoy, Gonzalo Ugarte, Marc Zeise, Carlos Rozas, Bernardo Morales
Summary: This study demonstrates that methylphenidate can restore behavioral impairments and neuroplasticity in an ADHD mouse model induced by prenatal nicotine exposure. The restoration is achieved through changes in AMPAR subunit composition and distribution, as well as the maturation of dendritic spines.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Charlotte Day, John-Paul Silva, Rebecca Munro, Terry S. S. Baker, Christian Wolff, Angela Bithell, Gary J. J. Stephens
Summary: The GluR3 subunit of AMPARs has been identified as a target for autoantibodies in autoimmune encephalopathy and other diseases. The exact role of these autoantibodies in neuronal excitability is yet to be established.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chenhao Li, Yang Li, Wenwen Zhang, Zhenjie Ma, Shaobo Xiao, Wei Xie, Shuai Miao, Bozhi Li, Guangshuang Lu, Yingyuan Liu, Wenhao Bai, Shengyuan Yu
Summary: Clinical imaging studies have shown that the hypothalamus is activated in migraine patients before and during headache, and has increased functional connectivity with the spinal trigeminal nucleus. The dopaminergic system in the hypothalamus, particularly the A11 nucleus, may play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of migraine.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Huikai Sun, Holger Monenschein, Hans H. Schiffer, Holly A. Reichard, Shota Kikuchi, Maria Hopkins, Todd K. Macklin, Stephen Hitchcock, Mark Adams, Jason Green, Jason Brown, Sean T. Murphy, Nidhi Kaushal, Deanna R. Collia, Steve Moore, William J. Ray, Nicole Marion English, Mark Beresford Lewis Carlton, Nicola L. Brice
Summary: Parkinson's disease is a chronic and progressive movement disorder with an urgent need for efficient symptomatic therapies. GPR6 inverse agonists have shown potential in reversing symptoms and improving mobility, with the clinical compound CVN424 currently in development for the treatment of motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease.
JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jinnan Xiang, Shaoyang Zhang, Ruiyao Xu, Hongshang Chu, Soma Biswas, Shuxiang Yu, Dengshun Miao, Weidong Li, Shentian Li, Andrew J. Brown, Hongyuan Yang, Yuhong Xu, Baojie Li, Huijuan Liu
Summary: Obesity is common in middle-aged population and poses risks to various diseases. A study found that ectopic expression of HB-EGF in Nestin(+) neuroepithelial progenitors leads to spontaneous middle age obesity in male mice. This obesity model involves reduced energy expenditure and age-dependent changes in hypothalamus neurons.
Review
Clinical Neurology
Maria P. Mogavero, Alessandro Silvani, Giuseppe Lanza, Lourdes M. DelRosso, Luigi Ferini-Strambi, Raffaele Ferri
Summary: After describing orexins and their roles in sleep and medical disorders, the article discusses the clinical evidence on the effects of DORAs and SORAs on insomnia to provide recommendations for further assessment in personalized and precision medicine. Trials with orexin receptor antagonists have shown potential as a valid therapeutic option for insomnia in various medical conditions, but more studies are needed to determine the most suitable options for different patient populations.
NATURE AND SCIENCE OF SLEEP
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Anne Petzold, Hanna Elin van den Munkhof, Rebecca Figge-Schlensok, Tatiana Korotkova
Summary: By studying freely behaving mice using calcium imaging, optogenetics, and chemogenetics, researchers found that two neuronal populations in the lateral hypothalamus guide hungry animals to make behavioral choices between nutritional and social rewards. One population of neurons increased food consumption by inhibiting hunger signals, while the other population limited feeding and drinking and promoted social interaction despite hunger or thirst. These findings shed light on the neuronal mechanisms of balancing competing needs and provide insights into the flexible fulfillment of essential needs in animals.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Fei Luo, Jun -yang Deng, Xuan Sun, Jian Zhen, Xiao-dan Luo
Summary: Early-life stress has long-term impacts on the structure and function of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and raises the risk of adult neuropsychiatric disorders including social dysfunction. Maternal separation (MS) during the first three postnatal weeks in female mice leads to social impairment accompanied by hypo-activity in pyramidal neurons (PNs) of the ACC. Activation of ACC PNs improves MS-induced social impairment. The down-regulation of neuropeptide Hcrt, which encodes hypocretin (orexin), is observed in the ACC of MS females. Activation of ACC orexin terminals enhances the activity of ACC PNs and restores the diminished sociability in MS females through an orexin receptor 2 (OxR2)-dependent mechanism.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Peiqiang Liu, Danxue Qin, Hao Lv, Wenjun Fan, Zezhang Tao, Yu Xu
Summary: The study demonstrates that quinpirole can reduce neurotoxicity by modulating the expression and phosphorylation of AMPA receptors, improving olfactory function in mice. This provides a new approach for treating allergic rhinitis with olfactory dysfunction.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Anthony Markham
Summary: Daridorexant, an orally administered dual orexin receptor antagonist, has been approved in the USA for the treatment of insomnia based on the results of pivotal phase III trials.
Review
Neurosciences
Natasha C. Dale, Daniel Hoyer, Laura H. Jacobson, Kevin D. G. Pfleger, Elizabeth K. M. Johnstone
Summary: The orexin system consists of two G protein-coupled receptors, OX1 and OX2 receptors, along with two endogenous agonists. Orexin receptor coupling is diverse and can vary depending on tissue, cell, and context. Ligands, receptor-protein interactions, and cellular environment play important roles in the G protein coupling profiles of the orexin receptors. This has implications for understanding the function of the orexin system and developing drugs targeting it.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Miriam E. Reyes-Mendez, J. Manuel Herrera-Zamora, Fernando Osuna-Lopez, Ricardo A. Navarro-Polanco, Nestor Mendoza-Munoz, Jose L. Gongora-Alfaro, Eloy G. Moreno-Galindo, Javier Alamilla
Summary: The study found that constant darkness rearing in rats can affect synaptic transmission and function between the retinohypothalamic tract (RHT) and suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) during early postnatal ages but lead to synaptic response strengthening at later ages. The results suggest that the environmental conditions induce a compensatory mechanism in the glutamatergic signaling to enhance synchronization to light at adult ages, and that the synaptic properties of RHT terminals during postnatal development are not critically influenced by light exposure.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Wei Zhang, Ming Lei, Qianwen Wen, Dunke Zhang, Guangcheng Qin, Jiying Zhou, Lixue Chen
Summary: This study investigated the role of the dopamine D2 receptor in chronic migraine and its effect on GLUA1-containing AMPA receptor trafficking. The results suggest that the dopamine D2 receptor can modulate the trafficking of GLUA1-containing AMPA receptors through the PI3K signaling pathway and have an impact on central sensitization.
JOURNAL OF HEADACHE AND PAIN
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Satoko Nakajima, Nana Saeki, Haruna Tamano, Ryusuke Nishio, Misa Katahira, Azusa Takeuchi, Atsushi Takeda
Summary: The study reveals that in aged rats, the dysregulation of intracellular Zn2+ induced by AMPA receptor activation accelerates, leading to age-related vulnerability to Parkinson's syndrome.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Soojung Hahn, Gyuri Kim, Sang-Man Jin, Jae Hyeon Kim
Summary: This study utilized three-dimensional intestinal organoids to investigate the effects of metformin on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and found that metformin can enhance intestinal barrier function and reduce levels of inflammatory cytokines.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
V. V. Sudarev, M. S. Gette, S. V. Bazhenov, O. M. Tilinova, E. V. Zinovev, I. V. Manukhov, A. I. Kuklin, Yu. L. Ryzhykau, A. V. Vlasov
Summary: This study investigated the self-assembly processes of ferritin-based protein complexes and obtained structurally characterized oligomeric states. These results provide new potential and opportunities for the application of ferritin in various fields.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yalda Sabaghi, Farnaz Pourfarzad, Leila Zolghadr, Azita Bahrami, Tahereh Shojazadeh, Alireza Farasat, Nematollah Gheibi
Summary: p-Coumaric acid (p-CA) is a plant compound with anti-cancer activities. This study designed a nano-liposomal carrier containing p-CA to enhance its effectiveness against melanoma cells. The findings showed that the liposomal form of p-CA had a greater impact on the cells. Kinetic modeling indicated that the best fitting model was zero-order.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
M. D. Nazmul Hasan, Md Mahfuzur Rahman, Al Asmaul Husna, Nobuhiro Nozaki, Osamu Yamato, Naoki Miura
Summary: This study investigated the expression of ncRNAs other than miRNAs in different histologic subtypes of canine mammary gland tumors (MGT). Three aberrantly expressed ncRNAs were identified as potential biomarkers for differentiating MGT subtypes. YRNA and tRFs expression levels were found to be decreased in metastatic compared to primary MGT cell lines.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Seine A. Shintani
Summary: In this study, the researchers used signal analysis to study the instantaneous amplitude and phase of sarcomeric oscillations in skeletal muscle. They identified two types of oscillations, sarcomeric oscillations and sarcosynced oscillations, and visualized their behavior during propagating waves. The researchers discovered the presence of sarcomeric defect holes and sarcomeric collision holes, which are important indicators for understanding the oscillation properties of sarcomeres. This finding has important implications for improving our understanding of muscle function and its regulatory mechanisms.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shuanglin Zhang, Yuzhong Jia, Guolan Ma, Yanyan Yang, Zhenzhen Cao, Antao Luo, Zefu Zhang, Shihan Li, Jie Wen, Hanfeng Liu, Jihua Ma
Summary: Bupleurum is an antiarrhythmic agent that may exert its effects by inhibiting L-type calcium channels.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tomotaka Ohkubo, Yasuhiko Matsumoto, Hiroaki Sasaki, Kaoru Kinoshita, Yuki Ogasawara, Takashi Sugita
Summary: This study found that Citrobacter koseri inhibits the growth of Staphylococcus epidermidis, disrupting the balance between S. epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus, and exacerbating inflammation in atopic dermatitis.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Toshifumi Asano, Philipp Sasse, Takao Nakata
Summary: A Cre recombination-based fluorescent reporter system was developed to monitor cell-cell fusion. The system successfully detected the formation of multinuclear myotubes and placental syncytiotrophoblast. This tool could facilitate the study of cell-to-cell fusion.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ke Shi, Yunlong Shan, Xiao Sun, Kuida Chen, Qiong Luo, Qiang Xu
Summary: This study found that low expression of TP53INP2 is associated with poor survival in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. As the malignancy of CRC progresses, TP53INP2 expression gradually decreases. Knockdown of TP53INP2 promotes CRC cell proliferation and tumor growth. Mechanistically, TP53INP2 deficiency decreases phosphorylation of beta-catenin, leading to increased accumulation and enhanced nuclear translocation and transcriptional activity. Additionally, TP53INP2 sequesters TIM50, inhibiting its activation of beta-catenin. In conclusion, downregulation of TP53INP2 promotes CRC progression by activating beta-catenin.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Martina Rossi, Fabio Tomaselli, Alejandro Hochkoeppler
Summary: Oligomeric enzymes are known for their higher catalytic rates compared to monomeric enzymes, but the extent of additivity in their activity is still not well understood. This study used tetrameric rabbit lactate dehydrogenase as a model to examine the kinetics of its catalytic action. Surprisingly, when the concentration of the limiting reactant exceeded that of a single subunit, there was a significant slowdown in the enzyme's conformational rearrangements.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Amin Sahraei, Mohammad Javad Shamsoddini, Fakhrossadat Mohammadi, Leila Hassani
Summary: This study explored the inhibitory effects of gallium curcumin, indium curcumin, and vanadyl curcumin on the amyloid fibrillation of hen egg white lysozyme, as well as the binding interactions of these metal complexes with the enzyme. The results showed that indium curcumin and vanadyl curcumin exhibited higher binding affinities and stronger inhibitory effects on amyloid fibrillation compared to gallium curcumin.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Takahiro Sasaki, Yoshiki Kuse, Shinsuke Nakamura, Masamitsu Shimazawa
Summary: PGRN deficiency plays a significant role in cardiac remodeling and arrhythmias post-myocardial infarction (MI), potentially by promoting metabolic abnormalities in macrophages.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hongwei Zhao, Yiqiang Li, Yibo Zhang, Chi Zhang
Summary: Electrical brain stimulation technology is commonly used to treat brain neurological disorders, but it can cause side effects. This study investigated the impact of electric fields on nerve fibers and revealed the possible origin of side effects. The findings provide guidance for selecting electrical parameters in clinical stimulation therapy.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Julia S. Scott, Lake-Ee Quek, Andrew J. Hoy, Johannes V. Swinnen, Zeyad D. Nassar, Lisa M. Butler
Summary: The fatty acid elongation enzyme ELOVL5 plays a critical role in promoting metastasis in prostate cancer. Knocking down ELOVL5 leads to the accumulation of malonyl-CoA, which inhibits fatty acid oxidation in mitochondria. This study highlights the importance of fatty acid elongation in regulating cell viability and provides a potential target for prostate cancer treatment.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zan Zhou, Wen-jun Jiang, Li Li, Jun-qiang Si
Summary: This study investigates the effect of noise exposure on cognitive function in mice and explores the underlying molecular mechanisms. The findings suggest that noise exposure leads to increased inflammation, increased phosphorylation of Tau protein, and decreased levels of postsynaptic density protein, resulting in cognitive impairment.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2024)