Article
Biology
Panjiao Lin, Benjamin T. Gillard, Audrys G. Pauza, Fernando A. Iraizoz, Mahmoud A. Ali, Andre S. Mecawi, Fatma Z. Djazouli Alim, Elena Romanova, Pamela A. Burger, Michael P. Greenwood, Abdu Adem, David Murphy
Summary: This study focuses on the mechanisms of adaptive response to osmotic stress in the camel supraoptic nucleus, aiming to reveal the central control of water homeostasis in camels. By building three-dimensional models and comparing transcriptomic data, we identified unique adaptive genes in camels and common elements in the water deprivation transcriptomic response network.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Matthew K. Kirchner, Ferdinand Althammer, Kevin J. Donaldson, Daniel N. Cox, Javier E. Stern
Summary: This study investigated the trafficking dynamics of large dense core vesicles (LDCVs) in vasopressin neurons using two-photon imaging. The results revealed differential regulation of axonal and dendritic LDCV trafficking and suggested that changes in trafficking dynamics constitute a novel mechanism for peptidergic neurons to efficiently adapt to increased hormonal demand.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Tongrui Qian, Huan Wang, Peng Wang, Lan Geng, Long Mei, Takuya Osakada, Lei Wang, Yan Tang, Alan Kania, Valery Grinevich, Ron Stoop, Dayu Lin, Minmin Luo, Yulong Li
Summary: This study developed a genetically encoded G-protein-coupled receptor activation-based oxytocin (OT) sensor called GRAB(OT1.0), which enables imaging of OT release with high sensitivity, specificity, and spatiotemporal resolution. The research found that N-type calcium channels are predominantly involved in axonal OT release, while L-type calcium channels mediate somatodendritic OT release. By measuring OT dynamics in different brain regions during male courtship behavior, insights into the role of compartmental OT release in physiological and behavioral functions were obtained.
NATURE BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mehwish Abbasi, Rachael A. Augustine, Karl J. Iremonger, Colin H. Brown
Summary: Oxytocin neurons in the hypothalamic supraoptic nucleus and paraventricular nucleus secrete oxytocin to induce uterine contractions during parturition. The activation of oxytocin neurons at parturition involves a network of afferent inputs. Kisspeptin, which increases during pregnancy, only excites oxytocin neurons in late pregnancy. However, the excitation of oxytocin neurons by kisspeptin does not appear to involve the ERK1/2-p38 signaling pathway.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Hao-Hua Wei, Xiang-Shan Yuan, Ze-Ka Chen, Pei-Pei Chen, Zhe Xiang, Wei-Min Qu, Rui-Xi Li, Guo-Min Zhou, Zhi-Li Huang
Summary: The AVP neurons in SON and PVN receive similar input patterns from multiple brain regions, with PVNAVP neurons having broader and denser inputs compared to SONAVP neurons. Additionally, differentiated input sources were found, with SONAVP neurons receiving more projections from thermoregulatory nuclei and PVNAVP neurons receiving more afferent inputs from circadian rhythm-regulating nuclei. The study provides insights into the distinct afferent framework of AVP neurons in SON and PVN, laying the foundation for further research on their diverse roles.
EXPERIMENTAL NEUROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Shalini S. Kumar, Gregory T. Bouwer, Meliame K. Jackson, Michael R. Perkinson, Fiona J. McDonald, Colin H. Brown, Rachael A. Augustine
Summary: Oxytocin, synthesized in the hypothalamic supraoptic nucleus (SON) and paraventricular nucleus (PVN), plays a crucial role in triggering uterine contractions during parturition. In mice, kisspeptin neurons from the periventricular nucleus (PeN) innervate oxytocin neurons and exhibit increased activity during late pregnancy. However, eliminating kisspeptin neuron projections to oxytocin neurons does not affect the duration or timing of delivery, suggesting that they are not necessary for parturition in mice.
BRAIN STRUCTURE & FUNCTION
(2023)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Derick Thompson, Abiodun E. Odufuwa, Catherine A. Brissette, John A. Watt
Summary: The loss of axonal regeneration capacity is a major issue following traumatic brain injury and is associated with age-related decline in neuronal plasticity. In this study, we characterized the molecular mechanisms underlying this phenomenon by analyzing the transcriptome and DNA methylome of the supraoptic nucleus in rats of different ages. Our findings suggest that age-related downregulation of axonogenesis-related genes and differential methylation patterns contribute to the loss of regenerative capabilities, while upregulation of MHCI-related transcripts and enrichment of AP-1 binding sites may play a role in this process.
FRONTIERS IN AGING NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biology
Simona Sacchini, Cristiano Bombardi, Manuel Arbelo, Pedro Herraez
Summary: This study provides the first description of the hypothalamic structure in beaked whales and identifies the presence of the suprachiasmatic nucleus, a structure not previously observed in other marine mammals. These findings have important implications for understanding the neuroanatomy of beaked whales.
Article
Neurosciences
Guang-Wei Zhang, Li Shen, Can Tao, A-Hyun Jung, Bo Peng, Zhong Li, Li Zhang, Huizhong Whit Tao
Summary: Research has found that anxiogenic stressors can elicit acute and prolonged responses in glutamatergic neurons of the mouse medial preoptic area, affecting the induction and expression of anxiety-like behaviors and the production of anxiolytic effects. These neurons interact to play important roles in coordinating emotional state and social behavior.
NATURE NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Caroline L. Wee, Erin Song, Maxim Nikitchenko, Kristian J. Herrera, Sandy Wong, Florian Engert, Samuel Kunes
Summary: This study reveals the impact of social isolation on the oxytocinergic circuit in the zebrafish brain and how chemical signals from conspecific animals modulate this circuit. The results provide a model for understanding how social stimuli mediate adaptive behaviors through neural circuits.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Marilena Marraudino, Beatriz Carrillo, Brigitta Bonaldo, Ricardo Llorente, Elia Campioli, Iciar Garate, Helena Pinos, Luis Miguel Garcia-Segura, Paloma Collado, Daniela Grassi
Summary: The study evaluated the distribution of GPER in the rat hypothalamus, showing that GPER immunoreactivity is expressed in neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes, with differences observed in different sexes, regions, and stages of the estrous cycle in females.
NEUROENDOCRINOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Takumi Oti, Keita Satoh, Daisuke Uta, Junta Nagafuchi, Sayaka Tateishi, Ryota Ueda, Keiko Takanami, Larry J. Young, Antony Galione, John F. Morris, Tatsuya Sakamoto, Hirotaka Sakamoto
Summary: Oxytocinergic neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus play a key role in the control of erectile function and male sexual behavior in mammals. The gastrin-releasing peptide system in the lumbosacral spinal cord is an important component of the neural circuits that control penile reflexes in rats. The functional interaction between the SEG neurons and the hypothalamo-spinal oxytocin system influences male sexual behavior.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nilufer Sayar-Atasoy, Connor Laule, Iltan Aklan, Hyojin Kim, Yavuz Yavuz, Tayfun Ates, Ilknur Coban, Fulya Koksalar-Alkan, Jacob Rysted, Debbie Davis, Uday Singh, Muhammed Ikbal Alp, Bayram Yilmaz, Huxing Cui, Deniz Atasoy
Summary: This study investigates the role of norepinephrine in appetite regulation and identifies a novel ascending noradrenergic circuit that conveys hunger signals to the melanocortin pathway. The researchers found that norepinephrine levels in the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus (PVN) increase with energy deficit signals and decrease with food access. They also discovered that the innervating catecholaminergic axon terminals from NTSTH-neurons target PVNMC4R-neurons and regulate appetite. These findings provide new insights into the mechanisms of appetite regulation.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Review
Physiology
Andre Souza Mecawi, Wamberto Antonio Varanda, Melina Pires da Silva
Summary: Water molecules equilibrate the potential gradient between intra and extracellular compartments due to the high permeability of the plasma membrane; Osmoregulatory mechanisms have evolved to maintain strict limits on the tonicity of extracellular fluid; Studies focus on key concepts and mechanisms in adjusting the internal environment to cope with challenges of water imbalance.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Julia R. Martz, Adriana Vasquez, Ross Gillette, Andrea C. Gore, Juan M. Dominguez
Summary: The medial preoptic area (mPOA) in the hypothalamus plays a crucial role in integrating neuroendocrine signaling and regulating reward responses. This study aimed to investigate the mPOA's involvement in sex differences related to cocaine response. Results showed that high-estradiol females exhibited increased cocaine-induced neural activity and locomotion, while high-estradiol males showed decreased cocaine-induced neural activity and locomotion. These findings highlight the mPOA's role in endocrine-mediated cocaine response and suggest its contribution to sex differences and vulnerability to cocaine use disorders.
HORMONES AND BEHAVIOR
(2023)