The RNA-Binding Properties of Annexins.

Annexins are a family of calcium-dependent phospholipid-binding proteins involved in crucial cellular processes such as cell division, calcium signaling, vesicle trafficking, membrane repair, and apoptosis. In addition to these properties, Annexins have also been shown to bind RNA, although this function is not universally recognized. In the attempt to clarify this important issue, we employed an integrated combination of experimental and computational approaches.

Implication of NOTCH1 gene in susceptibility to anxiety and depression among sexual abuse victims.

Sexual abuse contributes to the development of multiple forms of psychopathology, including anxiety and depression, but the extent to which genetics contributes to these disorders among sexual abuse victims remains unclear. In this translational study, we first examined gene expression in the brains of rodents exposed to different early-life conditions (long, brief or no maternal separation). Hypothesizing that genes revealing changes in expression may have relevance for psychiatric symptoms later in life, we examined possible association of those genes with symptoms of anxiety and depression in a human sample of sexual abuse victims.

Neuropsychological deficits in mice depleted of the schizophrenia susceptibility gene CSMD1.

Recent meta-analyses of schizophrenia genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have identified the CUB and SUSHI multiple domains 1 (CSMD1) gene as a statistically strong risk factor. CSMD1 is a complement control-related protein suggested to inhibit the classical complement pathway, being expressed in developing neurons. However, expression of CSMD1 is largely uncharacterized and relevance for behavioral phenotypes is not previously demonstrated.

Silencing of doublecortin-like (DCL) results in decreased mitochondrial activity and delayed neuroblastoma tumor growth.

Doublecortin-like (DCL) is a microtubule-binding protein crucial for neuroblastoma (NB) cell proliferation. We have investigated whether the anti-proliferative effect of DCL knockdown is linked to reduced mitochondrial activity. We found a delay in tumor development after DCL knockdown in vivo in doxycycline-inducible NB tumor xenografts.