BDNF and TRiC-inspired reagent rescue cortical synaptic deficits in a mouse model of Huntington's disease.

Synaptic changes are early manifestations of neuronal dysfunction in Huntington's disease (HD). However, the mechanisms by which mutant HTT protein impacts synaptogenesis and function are not well understood. Herein we explored HD pathogenesis in the BACHD mouse model by examining synaptogenesis and function in long term primary cortical cultures.

Mechanosensor Piezo1 mediates bimodal patterns of intracellular calcium and FAK signaling.

Piezo1 belongs to mechano-activatable cation channels serving as biological force sensors. However, the molecular events downstream of Piezo1 activation remain unclear. In this study, we used biosensors based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) to investigate the dynamic modes of Piezo1-mediated signaling and revealed a bimodal pattern of Piezo1-induced intracellular calcium signaling.

Laser-Induced Shockwave (LIS) to Study Neuronal Ca Responses.

Laser-induced shockwaves (LIS) can be utilized as a method to subject cells to conditions similar to those occurring during a blast-induced traumatic brain injury. The pairing of LIS with genetically encoded biosensors allows researchers to monitor the immediate molecular events resulting from such an injury. In this study, we utilized the genetically encoded Ca FRET biosensor D3CPV to study the immediate Ca response to laser-induced shockwave in cortical neurons and Schwann cells.

Calcium Dynamics in Astrocytes During Cell Injury.

The changes in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca]) following laser-induced cell injury in nearby cells were studied in primary mouse astrocytes selectively expressing the Ca sensitive GFAP-Cre Salsa6f fluorescent tandem protein, in an Ast1 astrocyte cell line, and in primary mouse astrocytes loaded with Fluo4. Astrocytes in these three systems exhibit distinct changes in [Ca] following induced death of nearby cells. Changes in [Ca] appear to result from release of Ca from intracellular organelles, as opposed to influx from the external medium.

Why genetic modification of lignin leads to low-recalcitrance biomass.

Genetic modification of plants via down-regulation of cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase leads to incorporation of aldehyde groups in the lignin polymer. The resulting lignocellulosic biomass has increased bioethanol yield. However, a molecular-scale explanation of this finding is currently lacking.