Molecular Characterization of Novel Mycoviruses in Seven Strains.

The presence of viruses is less explored in Mucoromycota as compared to other fungal groups such as Ascomycota and Basidiomycota. Recently, more and more mycoviruses are identified from the early-diverging lineages of fungi. We have determined the genome of 11 novel dsRNA viruses in seven different strains with next-generation sequencing (NGS).

Passive Transfer of Blood Sera from ALS Patients with Identified Mutations Results in Elevated Motoneuronal Calcium Level and Loss of Motor Neurons in the Spinal Cord of Mice.

Previously, we demonstrated the degeneration of axon terminals in mice after repeated injections of blood sera from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients with identified mutations. However, whether a similar treatment affects the cell body of motor neurons (MNs) remained unresolved. Sera from healthy individuals or ALS patients with a mutation in different ALS-related genes were intraperitoneally injected into ten-week-old male Balb/c mice ( = 3/serum) for two days.

Passive Transfer of Sera from ALS Patients with Identified Mutations Evokes an Increased Synaptic Vesicle Number and Elevation of Calcium Levels in Motor Axon Terminals, Similar to Sera from Sporadic Patients.

Previously, we demonstrated increased calcium levels and synaptic vesicle densities in the motor axon terminals (MATs) of sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients. Such alterations could be conferred to mice with an intraperitoneal injection of sera from these patients or with purified immunoglobulin G. Later, we confirmed the presence of similar alterations in the superoxide dismutase 1 G93A transgenic mouse strain model of familial ALS.

Diazoxide blocks or reduces microgliosis when applied prior or subsequent to motor neuron injury in mice.

Diazoxide (DZX), an anti-hypertonic and anti-hypoglycemic drug, was shown to have anti-inflammatory effects in several injured cell types outside the central nervous system. In the brain, the neuroprotective potential of DZX is well described, however, its anticipated anti-inflammatory effect after acute injury has not been systematically analyzed. To disclose the anti-inflammatory effect of DZX in the central nervous system, an injury was induced in the hypoglossal and facial nuclei and in the oculomotor nucleus by unilateral axonal transection and unilateral target deprivation (enucleation), respectively.