Search results for "neuron"

Mechanisms of Hierarchical Cortical Maturation

2017

Cortical information processing is structurally and functionally organized into hierarchical pathways, with primary sensory cortical regions providing modality specific information and associative cortical regions playing a more integrative role. Historically, there has been debate as to whether primary cortical regions mature earlier than associative cortical regions, or whether both primary and associative cortical regions mature simultaneously. Identifying whether primary and associative cortical regions mature hierarchically or simultaneously will not only deepen our understanding of the mechanisms that regulate brain maturation, but it will also provide fundamental insight into aspects…

Discovery and characterization of two novel CB1 receptor splice variants with modified N-termini in mouse

2017

Numerous studies have been carried out in the mouse model, investigating the role of the CB1 cannabinoid receptor. However, mouse CB1 (mCB1) receptor differs from human CB1 (hCB1) receptor in 13 amino acid residues. Two splice variants, hCB1a and hCB1b, diverging in their amino-termini, have been reported to be unique for hCB1 and, via different signaling properties, contribute to CB1 receptor physiology and pathophysiology. We hypothesized that splice variants also exist for the mCB1 receptor and have different signaling properties. On murine hippocampal cDNA, we identified two novel mCB1 receptor splice variants generated by splicing of introns with 117 bp and 186 bp in the N-terminal dom…

Beyond protein-coding genes

2019

A long non-coding RNA called lnc-NR2F1 regulates several neuronal genes, including some involved in autism and intellectual disabilities.

Drosophila SMN2minigene reporter model identifies moxifloxacin as a candidate therapy for SMA

2018

Spinal muscular atrophy is a rare and fatal neuromuscular disorder caused by the loss of alpha motor neurons. The affected individuals have mutated the ubiquitously expressed SMN1 gene resulting in the loss or reduction in the survival motor neuron (SMN) protein levels. However, an almost identical paralog exists in humans: SMN2. Pharmacological activation of SMN2 exon 7 inclusion by small molecules or modified antisense oligonucleotides is a valid approach to treat SMA. Here we describe an in vivo SMN2 minigene reporter system in Drosophila motor neurons that serves as a cost-effective, feasible, and stringent primary screening model for identifying chemicals capable of crossing the conser…

2018

Summary Directed transport of transmembrane proteins is generally believed to occur via intracellular transport vesicles. However, using single-particle tracking in rat hippocampal neurons with a pH-sensitive quantum dot probe that specifically reports surface movement of receptors, we have identified a subpopulation of neuronal EphB2 receptors that exhibit directed motion between synapses within the plasma membrane itself. This receptor movement occurs independently of the cytoskeleton but is dependent on cholesterol and is regulated by neuronal activity.

Synchronized Activity in The Main and Accessory Olfactory Bulbs and Vomeronasal Amygdala Elicited by Chemical Signals in Freely Behaving Mice

2017

AbstractChemosensory processing in mammals involves the olfactory and vomeronasal systems, but how the activity of both circuits is integrated is unknown. In our study, we recorded the electrophysiological activity in the olfactory bulbs and the vomeronasal amygdala in freely behaving mice exploring a battery of neutral and conspecific stimuli. The exploration of stimuli, including a neutral stimulus, induced synchronic activity in the olfactory bulbs characterized by a dominant theta rhythmicity, with specific theta-gamma coupling, distinguishing between vomeronasal and olfactory structures. The correlated activation of the bulbs suggests a coupling between the stimuli internalization in t…

2016

Neuronal activity has been shown to be essential for the proper formation of neuronal circuits, affecting developmental processes like neurogenesis, migration, programmed cell death, cellular differentiation, formation of local and long-range axonal connections, synaptic plasticity or myelination. Accordingly, neocortical areas reveal distinct spontaneous and sensory-driven neuronal activity patterns already at early phases of development. At embryonic stages, when immature neurons start to develop voltage-dependent channels, spontaneous activity is highly synchronized within small neuronal networks and governed by electrical synaptic transmission. Subsequently, spontaneous activity pattern…

Alterations in reelin and reelin receptors in Down syndrome.

2019

Reelin is an extracellular matrix glycoprotein that modulates synaptic function and plasticity, with a crucial role in neuronal migration. Changes in the expression of this protein have been reported in neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). This molecule is produced by Cajal-Retzius neurons during development and by inhibitory neurons in the adult nervous system. Individuals with Down syndrome (DS) present an early development of AD; therefore, we analyzed the alterations in this molecule and its receptors in the murine model for DS Ts65Dn as well as in human with DS. We performed immunofluorescence analysis for reelin and its receptors very-low-density lipoprotein r…

Stem Cells and Other Emerging Agents as Innovative "Drugs" in Neurodegenerative Diseases: Benefits and Limitations.

2018

The brain has a limited process of repair/regeneration linked to the restricted and localized activity of neuronal stem cells. Consequently, it shows a reduced capacity to counteract the age-related loss of neural and glial cells and to repair the consequent injuries/lesions of nervous system. This progressively determines nervous dysfunction and onset/progression of neurodegenerative diseases, which represent a serious social (and economic) problem of our populations. Thus, the research of efficient treatments is encouraged. Stem cell therapy might represent a solution. Today, it, indeed, represents the object of intensive research with the hope of using it, in a near future, as effective …

Exosomes and other extracellular vesicles in neural cells and neurodegenerative diseases

2016

The function of human nervous system is critically dependent on proper interneuronal communication. Exosomes and other extracellular vesicles are emerging as a novel form of information exchange within the nervous system. Intraluminal vesicles within multivesicular bodies (MVBs) can be transported in neural cells anterogradely or retrogradely in order to be released into the extracellular space as exosomes. RNA loading into exosomes can be either via an interaction between RNA and the raft-like region of the MVB limiting membrane, or via an interaction between an RNA-binding protein-RNA complex with this raft-like region. Outflow of exosomes from neural cells and inflow of exosomes into neu…