Connexin 30 locally controls actin cytoskeleton and mechanical remodeling in motile astrocytes.

During brain maturation, astrocytes establish complex morphologies unveiling intense structural plasticity. Connexin 30 (Cx30), a gap-junction channel-forming protein expressed postnatally, dynamically regulates during development astrocyte morphological properties by controlling ramification and extension of fine processes. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unexplored.

Prostaglandin D Controls Local Blood Flow and Sleep-Promoting Neurons in the VLPO via Astrocyte-Derived Adenosine.

Prostaglandin D (PGD) is one of the most potent endogenous sleep-promoting molecules. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms of the PGD-induced activation of sleep-promoting neurons in the ventrolateral preoptic nucleus (VLPO), the major nonrapid eye movement (NREM)-sleep center, still remains unclear. We here show that PGD receptors (DP) are not only expressed in the leptomeninges but also in astrocytes from the VLPO.

Pannexin 1 activity in astroglia sets hippocampal neuronal network patterns.

Astroglial release of molecules is thought to actively modulate neuronal activity, but the nature, release pathway, and cellular targets of these neuroactive molecules are still unclear. Pannexin 1, expressed by neurons and astrocytes, form nonselective large pore channels that mediate extracellular exchange of molecules. The functional relevance of these channels has been mostly studied in brain tissues, without considering their specific role in different cell types, or in neurons.

Mafa-dependent GABAergic activity promotes mouse neonatal apneas.

While apneas are associated with multiple pathological and fatal conditions, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain elusive. We report that a mutated form of the transcription factor Mafa (Mafa) that prevents phosphorylation of the Mafa protein leads to an abnormally high incidence of breath holding apneas and death in newborn Mafa mutant mice. This apneic breathing is phenocopied by restricting the mutation to central GABAergic inhibitory neurons and by activation of inhibitory Mafa neurons while reversed by inhibiting GABAergic transmission centrally.

MafA transcription factor identifies the early ret-expressing sensory neurons.

Dorsal root ganglia proceed from the coalescence of cell bodies of sensory neurons, which have migrated dorsoventrally from the delaminating neural crest. They are composed of different neuronal subtypes with specific sensory functions, including nociception, thermal sensation, proprioception, and mechanosensation. In contrast to proprioceptors and thermonociceptors, little is known about the molecular mechanisms governing the early commitment and later differentiation into mechanosensitive neurons.

GSK-3-mediated phosphorylation enhances Maf-transforming activity.

The Maf oncoproteins are b-Zip transcription factors of the AP-1 superfamily. They are involved in developmental, metabolic, and tumorigenic processes. Maf proteins are overexpressed in about 50% of human multiple myelomas.

MafA transcription factor is phosphorylated by p38 MAP kinase.

Basic-leucine zipper transcription factors of the Maf family are key regulators of various developmental and differentiation processes. We previously reported that the phosphorylation status of MafA is a critical determinant of its biological functions. Using Western blot and mass spectrometry analysis, we now show that MafA is phosphorylated by p38 MAP kinase and identify three phosphoacceptor sites: threonine 113 and threonine 57, evolutionarily conserved residues located in the transcription activating domain, and serine 272.

Pax6 interacts with cVax and Tbx5 to establish the dorsoventral boundary of the developing eye.

Dorsoventral pattern formation of the optic cup is essential for vertebrate eye morphogenesis and retinotectal topographic mapping. Dorsal and ventral aspects of the eye are distinct at early stages of development; cVax homeodomain protein expression is confined to the ventral optic cup, whereas Tbx5 (T-box transcription factor) expression domain becomes restricted to the dorsal region. Misexpression of cVax or Tbx5 induces profound defects in eye morphology and abnormal visual projections.

Comparison of maf gene expression patterns during chick embryo development.

Maf proteins are basic-leucine zipper transcription factors belonging to the AP1 superfamily. Several developmental processes require Maf proteins yet, the redundancy or complementarity of their respective roles in common processes has been only partially investigated. We present for the first time a complete comparative analysis of maf gene expression patterns in vertebrates.