Oligodendroglial myelination requires astrocyte-derived lipids.

In the vertebrate nervous system, myelination of axons for rapid impulse propagation requires the synthesis of large amounts of lipids and proteins by oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells. Myelin membranes are thought to be cell-autonomously assembled by these axon-associated glial cells. Here, we report the surprising finding that in normal brain development, a substantial fraction of the lipids incorporated into central nervous system (CNS) myelin are contributed by astrocytes.

Astrocyte lipid metabolism is critical for synapse development and function in vivo.

The brain is considered to be autonomous in lipid synthesis with astrocytes producing lipids far more efficiently than neurons. Accordingly, it is generally assumed that astrocyte-derived lipids are taken up by neurons to support synapse formation and function. Initial confirmation of this assumption has been obtained in cell cultures, but whether astrocyte-derived lipids support synapses in vivo is not known.

The supramammillary nucleus and the claustrum activate the cortex during REM sleep.

Evidence in humans suggests that limbic cortices are more active during rapid eye movement (REM or paradoxical) sleep than during waking, a phenomenon fitting with the presence of vivid dreaming during this state. In that context, it seemed essential to determine which populations of cortical neurons are activated during REM sleep. Our aim in the present study is to fill this gap by combining gene expression analysis, functional neuroanatomy, and neurochemical lesions in rats.

Novel cell separation method for molecular analysis of neuron-astrocyte co-cultures.

Over the last decade, the importance of astrocyte-neuron communication in neuronal development and synaptic plasticity has become increasingly clear. Since neuron-astrocyte interactions represent highly dynamic and reciprocal processes, we hypothesized that many astrocyte genes may be regulated as a consequence of their interactions with maturing neurons. In order to identify such neuron-responsive astrocyte genes in vitro, we sought to establish an expedited technique for separation of neurons from co-cultured astrocytes.

High-fat diet ameliorates neurological deficits caused by defective astrocyte lipid metabolism.

The mammalian CNS is considered to be autonomous in lipid metabolism. Glial cells, in particular astrocytes, have been shown to be highly active in lipid synthesis and secretion. To determine the importance of astrocytes as lipid providers in the brain, we generated mice in which the sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP) cleavage-activating protein (SCAP) was deleted from astrocytes using cre/lox technology.

SCAP is required for timely and proper myelin membrane synthesis.

Myelination requires a massive increase in glial cell membrane synthesis. Here, we demonstrate that the acute phase of myelin lipid synthesis is regulated by sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP) cleavage activation protein (SCAP), an activator of SREBPs. Deletion of SCAP in Schwann cells led to a loss of SREBP-mediated gene expression involving cholesterol and fatty acid synthesis.

SREBPs: SREBP function in glia-neuron interactions.

The mammalian nervous system is relatively autonomous in lipid metabolism. In particular, Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system, and oligodendrocytes and astrocytes in the central nervous system, are highly active in lipid synthesis. Previously, enzymatic lipid synthesis in the liver has been demonstrated to be under the control of the sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP) transcription factors.

Characterization of the melanin-concentrating hormone neurons activated during paradoxical sleep hypersomnia in rats.

Although the main nodes of the neuronal network that regulate paradoxical sleep (PS), also called rapid eye movement sleep, have been identified in rodents, it still needs to be more thoroughly described. We have recently shown that 58% of a hypothalamic neuronal population, the melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) neurons, are activated after a PS hypersomnia and that MCH, when injected intracerebroventricularly, induces a dose-dependent increase in PS. This suggests that MCH plays a role in PS regulation.