Glioblastoma Mesenchymal Transition and Invasion are Dependent on a NF-κB/BRD2 Chromatin Complex.

Glioblastoma (GBM) represents the most aggressive subtype of glioma, noted for its profound invasiveness and molecular heterogeneity. The mesenchymal (MES) transcriptomic subtype is frequently associated with therapy resistance, rapid recurrence, and increased tumor-associated macrophages. Notably, activation of the NF-κB pathway and alterations in the gene are both associated with this malignant transition.

The Na/K pump dominates control of glycolysis in hippocampal dentate granule cells.

Cellular ATP that is consumed to perform energetically expensive tasks must be replenished by new ATP through the activation of metabolism. Neuronal stimulation, an energetically demanding process, transiently activates aerobic glycolysis, but the precise mechanism underlying this glycolysis activation has not been determined. We previously showed that neuronal glycolysis is correlated with Ca influx, but is not activated by feedforward Ca signaling (Díaz-García et al.

Delivery of AAV for Expression of Fluorescent Biosensors in Juvenile Mouse Hippocampus.

Genetically encoded fluorescent biosensors are versatile tools for studying brain metabolism and function in live tissue. The genetic information for these biosensors can be delivered into the brain by stereotaxic injection of engineered adeno-associated viruses (AAVs), which can selectively target different cell types depending on the capsid serotype and/or the viral promoter. Here, we describe a protocol for intracranial injections of two viral vectors encoding the metabolic biosensor Peredox and the calcium biosensor RCaMP1h.

The distinct roles of calcium in rapid control of neuronal glycolysis and the tricarboxylic acid cycle.

When neurons engage in intense periods of activity, the consequent increase in energy demand can be met by the coordinated activation of glycolysis, the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation. However, the trigger for glycolytic activation is unknown and the role for Ca in the mitochondrial responses has been debated. Using genetically encoded fluorescent biosensors and NAD(P)H autofluorescence imaging in acute hippocampal slices, here we find that Ca uptake into the mitochondria is responsible for the buildup of mitochondrial NADH, probably through Ca activation of dehydrogenases in the TCA cycle.

Quantitative in vivo imaging of neuronal glucose concentrations with a genetically encoded fluorescence lifetime sensor.

Glucose is an essential source of energy for the brain. Recently, the development of genetically encoded fluorescent biosensors has allowed real time visualization of glucose dynamics from individual neurons and astrocytes. A major difficulty for this approach, even for ratiometric sensors, is the lack of a practical method to convert such measurements into actual concentrations in ex vivo brain tissue or in vivo.

BAD and K channels regulate neuron excitability and epileptiform activity.

Brain metabolism can profoundly influence neuronal excitability. Mice with genetic deletion or alteration of (CL-2 gonist of cell eath) exhibit altered brain-cell fuel metabolism, accompanied by resistance to acutely induced epileptic seizures; this seizure protection is mediated by ATP-sensitive potassium (K) channels. Here we investigated the effect of BAD manipulation on K channel activity and excitability in acute brain slices.