Search results for "Neural development"
showing 10 items of 23 documents
Dual effects of increased glycogen synthase kinase-3β activity on adult neurogenesis
2013
Adult neurogenesis, the generation of new neurons during the adulthood, is a process controlled by several kinases and phosphatases among which GSK3β exerts important functions. This protein is particularly abundant in the central nervous system, and its activity deregulation is believed to play a key role in chronic disorders such as Alzheimer's disease. Previously, we reported that in vivo overexpression of GSK3β (Tet/GSK3β mice) causes alterations in adult neurogenesis, leading to a depletion of the neurogenic niches. Here, we have further characterized those alterations, finding a delay in the switching-off of doublecortin marker as well as changes in the survival and death rates of imm…
In silico characterization of the neural alpha tubulin gene promoter of the sea urchin embryo Paracentrotus lividus by phylogenetic footprinting
2011
During Paracentrotus lividus sea urchin embryo development one alpha and one beta tubulin genes are expressed specifically in the neural cells and they are early end output of the gene regulatory network that specifies the neural commitment. In this paper we have used a comparative genomics approach to identify con- served regulatory elements in the P. lividus neural alpha tubulin gene. To this purpose, we have first isolated a genomic clone containing the entire gene plus 4.5 Kb of 5 0 upstream sequences. Then, we have shown by gene transfer experiments that its non-coding region drives the spatio- temporal gene expression corresponding substantially to that of the endogenous gene. In addi…
The development of aesthetic responses to music and their underlying neural and psychological mechanisms.
2011
In the field of psychology, the first studies in experimental aesthetics were conducted approximately 140 years ago. Since then, research has mainly concentrated on aesthetic responses to visual art. Both the aesthetic experience of music and, especially, its development have received rather limited attention. Moreover, until now, very little attention has been paid to the investigation of the aesthetic experience of music using neuroscientific methods. Aesthetic experiences are multidimensional and include inter alia sensory, perceptual, affective, and cognitive components. Aesthetic processes are usually experienced as pleasing and rewarding and are, thus, important and valuable experienc…
Isomer-nonspecific action of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane on aryl hydrocarbon receptor and G-protein-coupled receptor 30 intracellular signaling i…
2014
Abstract Extended residual persistence of the pesticide dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) raises concerns about its long-term neurotoxic effects. Little is known, however, about DDT toxicity during the early stages of neural development. This study demonstrated that DDT-induced apoptosis of mouse embryonic neuronal cells is a caspase-9-, caspase-3-, and GSK-3β-dependent process, which involves p,p’ -DDT-specific impairment of classical ERs. It also provided evidence for DDT-isomer-nonspecific alterations of AhR- and GPR30-mediated intracellular signaling, including changes in the levels of the receptor and receptor-regulated mRNAs, and also changes in the protein levels of the receptors…
Human SPG11 cerebral organoids reveal cortical neurogenesis impairment
2018
Abstract Spastic paraplegia gene 11(SPG11)-linked hereditary spastic paraplegia is a complex monogenic neurodegenerative disease that in addition to spastic paraplegia is characterized by childhood onset cognitive impairment, thin corpus callosum and enlarged ventricles. We have previously shown impaired proliferation of SPG11 neural progenitor cells (NPCs). For the delineation of potential defect in SPG11 brain development we employ 2D culture systems and 3D human brain organoids derived from SPG11 patients’ iPSC and controls. We reveal that an increased rate of asymmetric divisions of NPCs leads to proliferation defect, causing premature neurogenesis. Correspondingly, SPG11 organoids appe…
Analysis of NO synthase expression in neuronal, astroglial and fibroblast-like derivatives differen-tiating from PCC7-Mzl embryonic carcinoma cells
1999
We studied the expression of the NO synthase isoforms in an in vitro model of neural development using RT-PCR, Western blot and immu- nohistochemistry. Murine PCC7-Mzl cells (Jostock et al., Eur. J. Cell Biol. 76, 63–76,1998) differentiate in the presence of all-trans retinoic acid and dibutyryl cAMP along the neural pathway into neuron-like, fibroblast-like and astroglia-like cells. Undifferentiated cells showed immunofluorescent staining for neuronal-type NOSI and endothelial- type NOS III. This expression pattern was retained in those cells differ entiating into neurofilament- and tau protein-positive neuronal cells. Thymocyte alloantigen (Thyl.2/CD 90.2)-positive Fibroblasts, appearing …
Genetic Models of the Endocannabinoid System
2009
The endocannabinoid (ECB) system comprises cannabinoid receptors, ECBs and the whole machinery for the synthesis and degradation of ECBs. It has emerged as an important signalling system in the nervous system, controlling numerous physiological processes, including synaptic transmission, learning and memory, reward, feeding, neuroprotection, neuroinflammation, and neural development. This system is also implicated in various diseases of the nervous system, and thus has become a promising therapeutic target. The use of genetically modified mice has contributed crucially to our rapidly expanding knowledge of the ECB system. In this chapter, the existing mouse mutants targeting the ECB system …
Microtubule Dynamics and Neuronal Excitability: Advances on Cytoskeletal Components Implicated in Epileptic Phenomena
2020
AbstractExtensive researches have deepened knowledge on the role of synaptic components in epileptogenesis, but limited attention has been devoted to the potential implication of the cytoskeleton. The study of the development of epilepsy and hyperexcitability states involves molecular, synaptic, and structural alterations of neuronal bioelectric activity. In this paper we aim to explore the neurobiological targets involved in microtubule functioning and cytoskeletal transport, i.e. how dynamic scaffolding of microtubules can influence neuronal morphology and excitability, in order to suggest a potential role for microtubule dynamics in the processes turning a normal neuronal network in a hy…
The transcription factor Zfh1 is involved in the regulation of neuropeptide expression and growth of larval neuromuscular junctions in Drosophila mel…
2008
AbstractDifferent aspects of neural development are tightly regulated and the underlying mechanisms have to be transcriptionally well controlled. Here we present evidence that the transcription factor Zfh1, the Drosophila member of the conserved zfh1 gene family, is important for different steps of neuronal differentiation. First, we show that late larval expression of the neuropeptide FMRFamide is dependent on correct levels of Zfh1 and that this regulation is presumably direct via a conserved zfh1 homeodomain binding site in the FMRFamide enhancer. Using MARCM analysis we additionally examined the requirement for Zfh1 during embryonic and larval stages of motoneuron development. We could …
MPP1 links the Usher protein network and the Crumbs protein complex in the retina.
2007
Contains fulltext : 53571.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Closed access) The highly ordered distribution of neurons is an essential feature of a functional mammalian retina. Disruptions in the apico-basal polarity complexes at the outer limiting membrane (OLM) of the retina are associated with retinal patterning defects in vertebrates. We have analyzed the binding repertoire of MPP5/Pals1, a key member of the apico-basal Crumbs polarity complex, that has functionally conserved counterparts in zebrafish (nagie oko) and Drosophila (Stardust). We show that MPP5 interacts with its MAGUK family member MPP1/p55 at the OLM. Mechanistically, this interaction involves heterodimerization of both MAGUK mo…