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Musical Training Shapes Structural Brain Development

By www.jneurosci.org
Published On :: 2009-03-11

Krista L. Hyde
Mar 11, 2009; 29:3019-3025
Development Plasticity Repair


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Beyond Glycolysis: Aldolase A Is a Novel Effector in Reelin-Mediated Dendritic Development

By www.jneurosci.org
Published On :: 2024-10-16T09:30:18-07:00

Reelin, a secreted glycoprotein, plays a crucial role in guiding neocortical neuronal migration, dendritic outgrowth and arborization, and synaptic plasticity in the adult brain. Reelin primarily operates through the canonical lipoprotein receptors apolipoprotein E receptor 2 (Apoer2) and very low-density lipoprotein receptor (Vldlr). Reelin also engages with noncanonical receptors and unidentified coreceptors; however, the effects of which are less understood. Using high-throughput tandem mass tag (TMT) liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)-based proteomics and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), we identified both shared and unique intracellular pathways activated by Reelin through its canonical and noncanonical signaling in primary murine neurons of either sex during dendritic growth and arborization. We observed pathway cross talk related to regulation of cytoskeleton, neuron projection development, protein transport, and actin filament-based process. We also found enriched gene sets exclusively by the noncanonical Reelin pathway including protein translation, mRNA metabolic process, and ribonucleoprotein complex biogenesis suggesting Reelin fine-tunes neuronal structure through distinct signaling pathways. A key discovery is the identification of aldolase A, a glycolytic enzyme and actin-binding protein, as a novel effector of Reelin signaling. Reelin induced de novo translation and mobilization of aldolase A from the actin cytoskeleton. We demonstrated that aldolase A is necessary for Reelin-mediated dendrite growth and arborization in primary murine neurons and mouse brain cortical neurons. Interestingly, the function of aldolase A in dendrite development is independent of its known role in glycolysis. Altogether, our findings provide new insights into the Reelin-dependent signaling pathways and effector proteins that are crucial for dendritic development.


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Spinal Cord Microglia in the Development of Touch

By www.jneurosci.org
Published On :: 2024-10-23T09:30:30-07:00


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EphB2 Signaling Is Implicated in Astrocyte-Mediated Parvalbumin Inhibitory Synapse Development

By www.jneurosci.org
Published On :: 2024-11-06T09:30:07-08:00

Impaired inhibitory synapse development is suggested to drive neuronal hyperactivity in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and epilepsy. We propose a novel mechanism by which astrocytes control the development of parvalbumin (PV)-specific inhibitory synapses in the hippocampus, implicating ephrin-B/EphB signaling. Here, we utilize genetic approaches to assess functional and structural connectivity between PV and pyramidal cells (PCs) through whole-cell patch–clamp electrophysiology, optogenetics, immunohistochemical analysis, and behaviors in male and female mice. While inhibitory synapse development is adversely affected by PV-specific expression of EphB2, a strong candidate ASD risk gene, astrocytic ephrin-B1 facilitates PV->PC connectivity through a mechanism involving EphB signaling in PV boutons. In contrast, the loss of astrocytic ephrin-B1 reduces PV->PC connectivity and inhibition, resulting in increased seizure susceptibility and an ASD-like phenotype. Our findings underscore the crucial role of astrocytes in regulating inhibitory circuit development and discover a new role of EphB2 receptors in PV-specific inhibitory synapse development.


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Pre- and Postsynaptic MEF2C Promotes Experience-Dependent, Input-Specific Development of Cortical Layer 4 to Layer 2/3 Excitatory Synapses and Regulates Activity-Dependent Expression of Synaptic Cell Adhesion Molecules

By www.jneurosci.org
Published On :: 2024-11-06T09:30:07-08:00

Experience- and activity-dependent transcription is a candidate mechanism to mediate development and refinement of specific cortical circuits. Here, we demonstrate that the activity-dependent transcription factor myocyte enhancer factor 2C (MEF2C) is required in both presynaptic layer (L) 4 and postsynaptic L2/3 mouse (male and female) somatosensory (S1) cortical neurons for development of this specific synaptic connection. While postsynaptic deletion of Mef2c weakens L4 synaptic inputs, it has no effect on inputs from local L2/3, contralateral S1, or the ipsilateral frontal/motor cortex. Similarly, homozygous or heterozygous deletion of Mef2c in presynaptic L4 neurons weakens L4 to L2/3 excitatory synaptic inputs by decreasing presynaptic release probability. Postsynaptic MEF2C is specifically required during an early postnatal, experience-dependent, period for L4 to L2/3 synapse function, and expression of transcriptionally active MEF2C (MEF2C-VP16) rescues weak L4 to L2/3 synaptic strength in sensory-deprived mice. Together, these results suggest that experience- and/or activity-dependent transcriptional activation of MEF2C promotes development of L4 to L2/3 synapses. Additionally, MEF2C regulates the expression of many pre- and postsynaptic genes in postnatal cortical neurons. Interestingly, MEF2C was necessary for activity-dependent expression of many presynaptic genes, including those that function in transsynaptic adhesion and neurotransmitter release. This work provides mechanistic insight into the experience-dependent development of specific cortical circuits.


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LA REPÚBLICA, José Graziano da Silva: A new path to development

By www.fao.org
Published On :: Tue, 26 Jan 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Bogotá- Latin America and the Caribbean is at a decisive juncture in its history. Thanks to its advancements in social, economic, and production-based terms, the region is on its way to [...]


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Canada launches AI watchdog to oversee the technology’s safe development and use

By www.cbc.ca
Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 19:17:56 EST

Amid rapid global advances and deployment of artificial intelligence technologies, the federal government has invested millions to combine the minds of three existing institutes into one that can keep an eye on potential dangers ahead.


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Hamilton council defers vote on banning encampments in parks to next year

By www.cbc.ca
Published On :: Wed, 06 Nov 2024 17:45:37 EST

City will wait for legal advice, staff report before voting early next year to avoid potential rights violations. While some people in the community argue Hamilton doesn't have enough shelter beds to justifiably remove encampments, others say they feel unsafe in their homes and unable to access parks.


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  • News/Canada/Hamilton
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Dutch PM 'ashamed' by Amsterdam attacks on Israeli soccer fans

By www.cbc.ca
Published On :: Sat, 09 Nov 2024 11:57:42 EST

Amsterdam banned demonstrations for three days from Friday while giving police emergency stop-and-search powers after overnight attacks on Israeli soccer supporters, as the Israeli government said it would fly many fans home.


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