Transsynaptic labeling and transcriptional control of zebrafish neural circuits.

Deciphering the connectome, the ensemble of synaptic connections that underlie brain function, is a central goal of neuroscience research. Here we report the in vivo mapping of connections between presynaptic and postsynaptic partners in zebrafish, by adapting the trans-Tango genetic approach that was first developed for anterograde transsynaptic tracing in Drosophila. Neural connections were visualized between synaptic partners in larval retina, brain and spinal cord and followed over development.

Codon-optimization in gene therapy: promises, prospects and challenges.

Codon optimization has evolved to enhance protein expression efficiency by exploiting the genetic code's redundancy, allowing for multiple codon options for a single amino acid. Initially observed in , optimal codon usage correlates with high gene expression, which has propelled applications expanding from basic research to biopharmaceuticals and vaccine development. The method is especially valuable for adjusting immune responses in gene therapies and has the potenial to create tissue-specific therapies.

Essential role of the conserved oligomeric Golgi complex in .

The Golgi is an essential eukaryotic organelle and a major place for protein sorting and glycosylation. Among apicomplexan parasites, retains the most developed Golgi structure and produces many glycosylated factors necessary for parasite survival. Despite its importance, Golgi function received little attention in the past.

Transsynaptic labeling and transcriptional control of zebrafish neural circuits.

Deciphering the connectome, the ensemble of synaptic connections that underlie brain function is a central goal of neuroscience research. The trans-Tango genetic approach, initially developed for anterograde transsynaptic tracing in Drosophila, can be used to map connections between presynaptic and postsynaptic partners and to drive gene expression in target neurons. Here, we describe the successful adaptation of trans-Tango to visualize neural connections in a living vertebrate nervous system, that of the zebrafish.