Differential functions of phosphatidylinositol 4-kinases in neurotransmission and synaptic development.

Phosphoinositides, such as PI(4,5)P, are known to function as structural components of membranes, signalling molecules, markers of membrane identity, mediators of protein recruitment and regulators of neurotransmission and synaptic development. Phosphatidylinositol 4-kinases (PI4Ks) synthesize PI4P, which are precursors for PI(4,5)P, but may also have independent functions. The roles of PI4Ks in neurotransmission and synaptic development have not been studied in detail.

The Helping Hand in Ukraine: feasibility and potential impact.

Background: New services are needed to prevent the mental health consequences of the war in Ukraine. Ten adolescents self-recruited to use and evaluate the Ukrainian version of the Helping Hand (HH) in Odesa, Ukraine. From April to June 2023, they participated in a 10-session group program where they played the cognitive behavioral game app, shared stories, and engaged in activities to enhance their coping skills.

Immunofluorescence as a Method to Study Golgi Organization in Larval Salivary Glands of Drosophila melanogaster.

Immunofluorescence is an important research tool in cell biology that reveals structural organization of subcellular organelles by detecting their associated constituents. Here, we describe an antibody staining method to detect Golgi-associated proteins in Drosophila larval salivary glands, using the cis-Golgi protein Lava lamp and the clathrin adaptor AP-1 as a suitable example. Golgi bodies immunostained using this protocol can be visualized using confocal or structured illumination microscopy.

Mutant IP3 receptors attenuate store-operated Ca2+ entry by destabilizing STIM-Orai interactions in Drosophila neurons.

Store-operated Ca entry (SOCE) occurs when loss of Ca from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stimulates the Ca sensor, STIM, to cluster and activate the plasma membrane Ca channel Orai (encoded by Olf186-F in flies). Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (IPRs, which are encoded by a single gene in flies) are assumed to regulate SOCE solely by mediating ER Ca release. We show that in Drosophila neurons, mutant IPR attenuates SOCE evoked by depleting Ca stores with thapsigargin.

NAADP-sensitive Ca2+ stores in permeabilized rat hepatocytes.

Nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAADP) is a nucleotide that is potent to release calcium from intracellular stores in different cell types. NAADP was shown to target specific type of intracellular store namely endolysosomal system or acidic store. Despite intense studies, its effect on endoplasmatic reticulum (ER) still remains to be elucidated.