Serotonin Inhibition of Claustrum Projection Neurons: Ionic Mechanism, Receptor Subtypes and Consequences for Claustrum Computation.

The claustrum is a small but densely interconnected brain structure that is innervated by axons containing serotonin (5-HT), a neuromodulator that has been implicated in control of sleep and in the actions of psychedelic drugs. However, little is known about how 5-HT influences the claustrum. We have combined whole-cell patch-clamp measurements of ionic currents, flash photolysis, and receptor pharmacology to characterize the 5-HT responses of individual claustral projection neurons (PNs) in mouse brain slices.

A role for synapsin tetramerization in synaptic vesicle clustering.

Although synapsins have long been proposed to be key regulators of synaptic vesicle (SV) clustering, their mechanism of action has remained mysterious and somewhat controversial. Here, we review synapsins and their associations with each other and with SVs. We highlight the recent hypothesis that synapsin tetramerization is a mechanism for SV clustering.

Protocol to study dam-pup social transmission using a modified paradigm for transmission of food preference.

The social transmission of food preference, a rudimentary form of social learning, has primarily been studied in pairs of adult rodents. Here, we present a protocol to explore the parent-offspring context in social learning using an adaptation of this classic paradigm for rodent dam-pup dyads. We describe steps for studying weanling mice from the same mother and present a worked example using weight-based (food consumption) and time-based (exploration) indices of social learning.

Development of Novel KASP Markers for Improved Germination in Deep-Sown Direct Seeded Rice.

Background: The lack of stable-high yielding and direct-seeded adapted varieties with better germination ability from deeper soil depth and availability of molecular markers are major limitation in achieving the maximum yield potential of rice under water and resource limited conditions. Development of high-throughput and trait-linked markers are of great interest in genomics-assisted breeding. The aim of present study was to develop and validate novel KASP (Kompetitive Allele-Specific PCR) markers associated with traits improving germination and seedling vigor of deep sown direct seeded rice (DSR).

Optogenetic stimulation of neurons in the anterior cingulate cortex induces changes in intravesical bladder pressure and the micturition reflex.

Lower urinary tract (LUT) function is controlled by the central nervous system, including higher-order cognitive brain regions. The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) is one of these regions, but the role of its activity in LUT function remains poorly understood. In the present study, we conducted optogenetic experiments to manipulate neural activity in mouse ACC while monitoring bladder pressure to elucidate how the activity of ACC regulates LUT function.

Synapsin 2a tetramerisation selectively controls the presynaptic nanoscale organisation of reserve synaptic vesicles.

Neurotransmitter release relies on the regulated fusion of synaptic vesicles (SVs) that are tightly packed within the presynaptic bouton of neurons. The mechanism by which SVs are clustered at the presynapse, while preserving their ability to dynamically recycle to support neuronal communication, remains unknown. Synapsin 2a (Syn2a) tetramerization has been suggested as a potential clustering mechanism.

Integrating Association Mapping, Linkage Mapping, Fine Mapping with RNA Seq Conferring Seedling Vigor Improvement for Successful Crop Establishment in Deep Sown Direct-Seeded Rice.

Background: Ongoing large-scale shift towards direct seeded rice (DSR) necessitates a convergence of breeding and genetic approaches for its sustenance and harnessing natural resources and environmental benefits. Improving seedling vigour remains key objective for breeders working with DSR. The present study aims to understand the genetic control of seedling vigour in deep sown DSR.

Social memory deficit caused by dysregulation of the cerebellar vermis.

Social recognition memory (SRM) is a key determinant of social interactions. While the cerebellum emerges as an important region for social behavior, how cerebellar activity affects social functions remains unclear. We selectively increased the excitability of molecular layer interneurons (MLIs) to suppress Purkinje cell firing in the mouse cerebellar vermis.

The claustrum and consciousness: An update.

The seminal paper of Crick and Koch (2005) proposed that the claustrum, an enigmatic and thin grey matter structure that lies beside the insular cortex, may be involved in the processing of consciousness. As a result, this otherwise obscure structure has received ever-increasing interest in the search for neural correlates of consciousness. Here we review theories of consciousness and discuss the possible relationship between the claustrum and consciousness.

Different mechanisms of synapsin-induced vesicle clustering at inhibitory and excitatory synapses.

Synapsins cluster synaptic vesicles (SVs) to provide a reserve pool (RP) of SVs that maintains synaptic transmission during sustained activity. However, it is unclear how synapsins cluster SVs. Here we show that either liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) or tetramerization-dependent cross-linking can cluster SVs, depending on whether a synapse is excitatory or inhibitory.

Redirecting the JAK-STAT signal blocks the SARS-CoV-2 replication.

The distinct disease progression patterns of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus clade 2 (SARS-CoV-2) indicate diverse host immune responses. SARS-CoV-2 severely impairs type I interferon (IFN) cell signaling, resulting in uncontrolled late-phase lung damage in patients. For better pharmacological properties, cytokine modifications may sometimes result in a loss of biological activity against the virus.

A functional logic for neurotransmitter corelease in the cholinergic forebrain pathway.

The cholinergic system of the basal forebrain plays an integral part in behaviors ranging from attention to learning, partly by altering the impact of noise in neural populations. The circuit computations underlying cholinergic actions are confounded by recent findings that forebrain cholinergic neurons corelease both acetylcholine (ACh) and GABA. We have identified that corelease of ACh and GABA by cholinergic inputs to the claustrum, a structure implicated in the control of attention, has opposing effects on the electrical activity of claustrum neurons that project to cortical vs.

Synchrony in parent-offspring social interactions across development: A cross-species review of rodents and humans.

In humans, parent-child neural synchrony has been shown to support early communication, social attunement and learning. Further, some animal species (including rodents and bats) are now known to share neural synchrony during certain forms of social behaviour. However, very little is known about the developmental origins and sequelae of neural synchrony, and whether this neural mechanism might play a causal role in the control of social and communicative behaviour across species.

The cerebellum and anxiety.

Although the cerebellum is traditionally known for its role in motor functions, recent evidence points toward the additional involvement of the cerebellum in an array of non-motor functions. One such non-motor function is anxiety behavior: a series of recent studies now implicate the cerebellum in anxiety. Here, we review evidence regarding the possible role of the cerebellum in anxiety-ranging from clinical studies to experimental manipulation of neural activity-that collectively points toward a role for the cerebellum, and possibly a specific topographical locus within the cerebellum, as one of the orchestrators of anxiety responses.

Feedback inhibition underlies new computational functions of cerebellar interneurons.

The function of a feedback inhibitory circuit between cerebellar Purkinje cells and molecular layer interneurons (MLIs) was defined by combining optogenetics, neuronal activity recordings both in cerebellar slices and in vivo, and computational modeling. Purkinje cells inhibit a subset of MLIs in the inner third of the molecular layer. This inhibition is non-reciprocal, short-range (less than 200 μm) and is based on convergence of one to two Purkinje cells onto MLIs.

Topologically Organized Networks in the Claustrum Reflect Functional Modularization.

Using genetic strategies and viral-based directional tracers, we investigated the topological location and output networks of claustrum (CLA) neuron populations projecting to either the retrosplenial cortex, primary motor cortex, or basolateral amygdala. We found that all three CLA neuron populations clearly reside in distinct topological locations within the CLA complex and project broadly to multiple downstream targets. Each neuron population projects to different targets, suggesting that each CLA subzone coordinates a unique set of brain-wide functions.

A neural circuit for excessive feeding driven by environmental context in mice.

Despite notable genetic influences, obesity mainly results from the overconsumption of food, which arises from the interplay of physiological, cognitive and environmental factors. In patients with obesity, eating is determined more by external cues than by internal physiological needs. However, how environmental context drives non-homeostatic feeding is elusive.

Changing the Cortical Conductor's Tempo: Neuromodulation of the Claustrum.

The claustrum is a thin sheet of neurons that is densely connected to many cortical regions and has been implicated in numerous high-order brain functions. Such brain functions arise from brain states that are influenced by neuromodulatory pathways from the cholinergic basal forebrain, dopaminergic substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area, and serotonergic raphe. Recent revelations that the claustrum receives dense input from these structures have inspired investigation of state-dependent control of the claustrum.

Synapsins and the Synaptic Vesicle Reserve Pool: Floats or Anchors?

In presynaptic terminals, synaptic vesicles (SVs) are found in a discrete cluster that includes a reserve pool that is mobilized during synaptic activity. Synapsins serve as a key protein for maintaining SVs within this reserve pool, but the mechanism that allows synapsins to do this is unclear. This mechanism is likely to involve synapsins either cross-linking SVs, thereby anchoring SVs to each other, or creating a liquid phase that allows SVs to float within a synapsin droplet.

Self-Assembly and Mechanical Properties of Engineered Protein Based Multifunctional Nanofiber for Accelerated Wound Healing.

The present work reports a new route for preparing tunable multifunctional biomaterials through the combination of synthetic biology and material chemistry. Genetically encoded catechol moiety is evolved in a nanofiber mat with defined surface and secondary reactive functional chemistry, which promotes self-assembly and wet adhesion property of the protein. The catechol moiety is further exploited for the controlled release of boric acid that provides a congenial cellular microenvironment for accelerated wound healing.

Molecular Layer Interneurons: Key Elements of Cerebellar Network Computation and Behavior.

Molecular layer interneurons (MLIs) play an important role in cerebellar information processing by controlling Purkinje cell (PC) activity via inhibitory synaptic transmission. A local MLI network, constructed from both chemical and electrical synapses, is organized into spatially structured clusters that amplify feedforward and lateral inhibition to shape the temporal and spatial patterns of PC activity. Several recent in vivo studies indicate that such MLI circuits contribute not only to sensorimotor information processing, but also to precise motor coordination and cognitive processes.

Neuroscience: A Role for the Claustrum in Drug Reward.

The claustrum is a poorly understood but intriguing part of the brain: a new study has found that it plays an important role in drug reward by providing incentive salience to the location where the drug is administered.

An automated data extraction and classification pipeline to identify a novel type of neuron within the dorsal striatum based on single-cell patch clamp and confocal imaging data.

We employed electrophysiological and fluorescence imaging techniques to describe the characteristics of a novel type of neuron discovered in the mouse dorsal striatum. Transgenic mice that express YFP-tagged channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) in neurons driven by the promoter for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) were used and the intrinsic electrical properties of YFP-positive neurons in the dorsal striatum of these mice were characterized using whole-cell patch clamping in acute brain slices. Passive membrane properties - such as membrane capacitance, resting membrane potential and input resistance -and action potential properties- such as amplitude, kinetics and adaptation - were extracted from raw data files.