Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jia Duan, Dan-Dan Shen, Tingting Zhao, Shimeng Guo, Xinheng He, Wanchao Yin, Peiyu Xu, Yujie Ji, Li-Nan Chen, Jinyu Liu, Huibing Zhang, Qiufeng Liu, Yi Shi, Xi Cheng, Hualiang Jiang, H. Eric Xu, Yan Zhang, Xin Xie, Yi Jiang
Summary: This study provides a structural basis for the allosteric-like agonism and G protein selectivity of a neuropeptide GPCR, galanin receptor. The unique binding pose of galanin and the important role of intracellular loop 2 (ICL2) in determining the selective coupling of G(q) to GAL2R are uncovered. These findings offer insights into peptide ligand recognition and allosteric activation of galanin receptors and reveal a general structural element for G(q) coupling selectivity.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xiao Teng, Sijia Chen, Yingying Nie, Peng Xiao, Xiao Yu, Zhenhua Shao, Sanduo Zheng
Summary: This study presents three cryo-electron microscopy structures of the D1 dopamine receptor (D1R)-Gs complex bound to three distinct D1R-selective drugs. The findings reveal the importance of drug binding modes for biased signaling.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Youjun Yang, Zhanqiong Zhong, Baojia Wang, Yili Wang, Weijun Ding
Summary: Lack of maternal care and attention during infancy and childhood can lead to neuropsychiatric disorders in adulthood, but the underlying neuroregulatory signaling has not been extensively studied. This study shows that unpredictable maternal separation in mice impairs neuronal development in the medial prefrontal cortex and causes long-lasting behavioral changes. The downregulation of dopamine D1 receptor in the mPFC appears to play a role in these abnormalities. Activating D1R signaling in the mPFC improves neuronal excitability and rescues the behavioral and cognitive dysfunction caused by maternal deprivation.
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Soo Youn Song, Ye Won Jung, WonKyo Shin, Mia Park, Geon Woo Lee, Soohwa Jeong, Sukjeong An, Kyoungmin Kim, Young Bok Ko, Ki Hwan Lee, Byung Hun Kang, Mina Lee, Heon Jong Yoo
Summary: Endometriosis, a common gynecologic disease, often leads to various pain symptoms such as dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and chronic pelvic pain. Inflammatory responses, nervous system sensitization, and altered distribution of nerve fibers may contribute to chronic pain in these patients. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial in guiding treatment decisions for endometriosis-related pain symptoms.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ashwini Prem Kumar, P. Prabitha, Subhankar Mandal, B. R. Prashantha Kumar, Ruby Mariam Raju, S. P. Dhanabal, Kalirajan Rajagopal, G. Rathika, X. Prisil Naveentha, Antony Justin
Summary: In this study, novel glitazones were designed and synthesized using imidazolidine 2, 4-dione and 2-thioxo thiazolidine-4-one ring structures as the central scaffold for PPAR-gamma binding and activation. Computational screening was performed to select four compounds for further investigation. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation confirmed the stable interactions between the designed glitazones and PPAR-gamma proteins. The synthesized compounds were characterized by various analytical techniques, and their binding affinity with PPAR-gamma was confirmed by in vitro assays. Compounds G5 and G7 showed potential as lead candidates for further research due to their specific binding at the LBD of PPAR-gamma and dose-dependent activation in transcriptional assays.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR STRUCTURE
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Haixia Zhan, Youssef Dewer, Jinping Zhang, Jiahui Tian, Du Li, Cheng Qu, Zhen Yang, Fengqi Li, Chen Luo
Summary: The whitefly Bemisia tabaci shows innate avoidance to the naturally produced compound R-curcumene by wild tomato S. habrochaites. The odorant-binding protein 1 of B. tabaci (BtOBP1) exhibits specific binding activity to R-curcumene and a single amino acid mutation in BtOBP1 results in decreased binding affinities to R-curcumene. Knock-down experiment with BtOBP1 impairs whitefly responses to R-curcumene, illustrating the crucial role of BtOBP1 in the perception and discrimination of R-curcumene.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Yukari Nakamura, Sophie Longueville, Akinori Nishi, Denis Herve, Jean-Antoine Girault, Yuki Nakamura
Summary: The study indicates that chemogenetic inhibition of D1-neurons reduces both spontaneous and cocaine-induced locomotor activity, prevents sensitization induction, and blocks sensitized locomotion in a two-injection protocol of sensitization, but does not reverse established sensitization.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Chang Liu, Rebecca Reese, Simon Vu, Lionel Rouge, Shannon D. Shields, Satoko Kakiuchi-Kiyota, Huifen Chen, Kevin Johnson, Yu Patrick Shi, Tania Chernov-Rogan, Demi Maria Zabala Greiner, Pawan Bir Kohli, David Hackos, Bobby Brillantes, Christine Tam, Tianbo Li, Jianyong Wang, Brian Safina, Steve Magnuson, Matthew Volgraf, Jian Payandeh, Jie Zheng, Alexis Rohou, Jun Chen
Summary: A non-covalent agonist, GNE551, has been discovered to activate TRPA1 ion channel differently from covalent agonists, inducing persistent pain. The cryo-EM structure of the TRPA1-GNE551 complex reveals a distinct binding pocket and ligand-interaction mechanism. This biased agonism of TRPA1 has important implications for the development of effective drugs tailored to different disease etiologies.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hong-chun Li, Jia-mei Zhang, Rui Xu, Yong-hai Wang, Wei Xu, Rong Chen, Xue-mei Wan, Hao-luo Zhang, Liang Wang, Xiao-jie Wang, Lin-hong Jiang, Bin Liu, Ying Zhao, Yuan-yuan Chen, Yan-ping Dai, Min Li, Hua-qin Zhang, Zhen Yang, Lin Bai, Jie Zhang, Hong-bo Wang, Jing-wei Tian, Ying-lan Zhao, Xiao-bo Cen
Summary: Behavioral sensitization is a process of progressive increase in locomotor or stereotypic behaviors in response to drugs, believed to be related to the reinforcing properties of drugs and play a role in relapse. The study showed that mTOR signaling was activated during behavioral sensitization to cocaine and inhibitors of this pathway attenuated cocaine-induced behaviors.
ACTA PHARMACOLOGICA SINICA
(2022)
Article
Respiratory System
Johnmary T. Arinze, Katia M. C. Verhamme, Annemarie Luik, Bruno Stricker, Joyce B. J. van Meurs, Guy G. Brusselle
Summary: The study reveals an association between chronic cough and chronic pain, suggesting they may share common risk factors and pathophysiologic mechanisms.
EUROPEAN RESPIRATORY JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Fuguo Liu, Alexander T. H. Cocker, Jason L. Pugh, Zakia Djaoud, Peter Parham, Lisbeth A. Guethlein
Summary: In this study, we conducted a comprehensive investigation on the population genetics and binding abilities of LILRB1. Our findings reveal the diverse repertoire of LILRB1 alleles and variants, with significant frequency differences among different populations. We also identified specific genetic polymorphisms in both LILRB1 and HLA class I genes that affect their binding interactions. Notably, electrostatic interactions play a critical role in the binding avidity of LILRB1 to HLA class I molecules.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dieter D. Brandner, Cassandra L. Retzlaff, Adrina Kocharian, Bethany J. Stieve, Mohammed A. Mashal, Paul G. Mermelstein, Patrick E. Rothwell
Summary: Chronic opioid use can lead to structural and functional changes in brain circuits, resulting in opioid use disorders. This study focuses on the role of synaptic cell-adhesion molecule NL3 in mediating opioid-induced plasticity in the brain. The findings suggest that the genetic knockout of NL3 in mice alters their response to chronic morphine, leading to a reduction in psychomotor sensitization and changes in locomotor stimulation. The study also reveals that NL3 expression by dopamine neurons plays a crucial role in opioid-evoked adaptations in brain function and behavior.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Andrea Tinnirello, Silvia Mazzoleni, Carola Santi
Summary: Research on pain in the elderly shows conflicting results, with some studies suggesting a modest decrease in pain sensitivity and others finding a reduced pain threshold. Elderly individuals are more prone to hyperalgesia, with pathologic changes in the central nervous system affecting pain processing.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Cristina Cebrian-Tarancon, Francisco Fernandez-Roldan, Rosario Sanchez-Gomez, Rosario Salinas, Silvia Llorens
Summary: The study aimed to evaluate the toxicity of Tempranillo, Cencibel, and Cabernet Sauvignon toasted vine-shoots in winemaking, revealing that these vine-shoots have no cytotoxic potential.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Laurent Misery
Summary: Pain can be classified into nociceptive pain, neuropathic pain, and nociplastic pain; similarly, itch can be classified into pruriplastic pruritus. Proper classification of pain and itch can help in better treating chronic pain and itch.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2021)