Protective effects and regulatory pathways of melatonin in traumatic brain injury mice model: Transcriptomics and bioinformatics analysis.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the leading cause of disability and mortality globally. Melatonin (Mel) is a neuroendocrine hormone synthesized from the pineal gland that protects against TBI. Yet, the precise mechanism of action is not fully understood.

Tanshinone IIA reduces AQP4 expression and astrocyte swelling after OGD/R by inhibiting the HMGB1/RAGE/NF-κB/IL-6 pro-inflammatory axis.

This study aimed to investigate the role of tanshinone IIA (TSO IIA) in astrocytic swelling caused by ischemia-reperfusion-like injury in an in vitro model and the molecular mechanisms underlying this effect. Primary brain astrocytes were cultured under conditions of glucose and oxygen deprivation and reoxygenation (OGD/R). The study explored the effects of TSO IIA treatment on cell swelling and injury and the protein levels of aquaporin 4 (AQP4) in the plasma membrane.

A novel circular RNA, circIgfbp2, links neural plasticity and anxiety through targeting mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress-induced synapse dysfunction after traumatic brain injury.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can lead to different neurological and psychiatric disorders. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are highly expressed in the nervous system and enriched in synapses; yet, the underlying role and mechanisms of circRNAs in neurological impairment and dysfunction are still not fully understood. In this study, we investigated the expression of circRNAs and their relation with neurological dysfunction after TBI.

Fission Yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe: A Unicellular "Micromammal" Model Organism.

The fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe is a rod-shaped unicellular eukaryote, well known for its contributions as a model organism for our understanding of regulation and conservation of the eukaryotic cell cycle. As a yeast divergent from the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, S. pombe shares more common features with humans including gene structures, chromatin dynamics, and the prevalence of introns, as well as the control of gene expression through pre-mRNA splicing, epigenetic gene silencing, and RNAi pathways.

AKT/GSK-3β/β-catenin signaling pathway participates in erythropoietin-promoted glioma proliferation.

Purpose: Although erythropoietin (EPO) has been proven to significantly promote the proliferation of cancer cells, the mechanism for promoting glioma proliferation is poorly understood. Here, we examined the functional role of the AKT/GSK-3β/β-catenin signaling pathway in the EPO-mediated proliferation of glioma.

Methods: The distribution of EPO and Ki-67 among clinical samples with different WHO grades was plotted by Immunological Histological Chemistry analysis.

[Blocking ERK signaling pathway lowers MMP-9 expression to alleviate brain edema after traumatic brain injury in rats].

Objective: To investigate the effects of blocking the activation of ERK pathway on the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and the formation of cerebral edema in SD rats after brain injury.

Methods: Ninety SD rats were randomly divided into 3 equal groups, including a sham-operated group, modified Feeney's traumatic brain injury model group, and ERK inhibition group where the ERK inhibitor SCH772984 (500 μg/kg) was injected via the femoral vein 15 min before brain trauma. At 2 h and 2 days after brain trauma, the permeability of blood-brain barrier was assessed by Evans blue method, the water content of the brain tissue was determined, and the phosphorylation level of ERK and the expression level of MMP-9 mRNA and protein were measured by RT-PCR and Western blotting.

Correlation Between SNPs at the 3'UTR of the FGF2 Gene and Their Interaction with Environmental Factors in Han Chinese Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy Patients.

FGF2 is a neurotrophic factor that can act as a key regulatory molecule of neuroprotection, neurogenesis, and angiogenesis in various injuries. To explore the genetic background of the FGF2 gene on DPN development, this study analyzed the correlation between SNPs in the 3'UTR of the FGF2 gene and their interaction with environmental factors in DPN patients of Han Chinese nationality. Sanger sequencing was used to analyze the FGF2 genotypes at the rs1048201, rs3804158, rs41348645, rs6854081, rs3747676, rs7683093, rs1476215, and rs1476217 loci in 150 DPN patients, 150 NDPN patients, and 150 healthy control patients.

Phosphoproteomics Reveals Novel Targets and Phosphoprotein Networks in Cell Cycle Mediated by Dsk1 Kinase.

As the ortholog of human SR protein kinase 1 in fission yeast , Dsk1 specifically phosphorylates SR proteins (serine/arginine-rich proteins) and promotes splicing of nonconsensus introns. The SRPK (SR protein-specific kinase) family performs highly conserved functions in eukaryotic cells including cell proliferation, differentiation, development, and apoptosis. Although Dsk1 was originally identified as a mitotic regulator, its specific targets involved in cell cycle have yet been unexplored.

Patient-derived xenografts of different grade gliomas retain the heterogeneous histological and genetic features of human gliomas.

Background: Gliomas account for the major part of primary brain tumors. Based on their histology and molecular alternations, adult gliomas have been classified into four grades, each with distinct biology and outcome. Previous studies have focused on cell-line-based models and patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) from patient-derived glioma cultures for grade IV glioblastoma.

Comparative Genomic Screen in Two Yeasts Reveals Conserved Pathways in the Response Network to Phenol Stress.

Living organisms encounter various perturbations, and response mechanisms to such perturbations are vital for species survival. Defective stress responses are implicated in many human diseases including cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. Phenol derivatives, naturally occurring and synthetic, display beneficial as well as detrimental effects.

[Erythropoietin accelerates the proliferation of glioma cells via activating Akt pathway].

Objective: To determine whether erythropoietin (EPO) promotes rapid proliferation of glioma through Akt pathway.

Methods: We detected the expression of EPO in human glioma tissues using immunohistochemistry. A nude mouse model bearing human glioma U87 cell xenograft was established and given intraperitoneal injection of EPO or saline every other day, and the tumor growth was observed.

Upregulation of DACT2 suppresses proliferation and enhances apoptosis of glioma cell via inactivation of YAP signaling pathway.

DACT2, one of the Dact gene family members, was shown to function as a tumor suppressor. However, its function in gliomas remains largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the role of DACT2, underlying molecular mechanisms and its clinical significance in glioma patients.

The Crucial Role of Cyclin-Dependent Kinase-5-Ataxia-Telangiectasia Mutated Axis in ICH-Induced Neuronal Injury of Rat Model.

Cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5) and ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM) are involved in normal human neurodevelopment and serves as a switch between neuronal survival and death. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying CDK5-ATM-induced neuronal injury caused by intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) remain unclear. In this work, we used rat ICH models and thrombin-induced cell models to investigate the potential role of CDK5-ATM signals.

Model Organisms for Studying the Cell Cycle.

Regulation of the cell-division cycle is fundamental for the growth, development, and reproduction of all species of life. In the past several decades, a conserved theme of cell cycle regulation has emerged from research in diverse model organisms. A comparison of distinct features of several diverse model organisms commonly used in cell cycle studies highlights their suitability for various experimental approaches, and recaptures their contributions to our current understanding of the eukaryotic cell cycle.

Neuroligin-1 Knockdown Suppresses Seizure Activity by Regulating Neuronal Hyperexcitability.

Abnormally synchronized synaptic transmission in the brain leads to epilepsy. Neuroligin-1 (NL1) is a synaptic cell adhesion molecule localized at excitatory synapses. NL1 modulates synaptic transmission and determines the properties of neuronal networks in the mammalian central nervous system.

Intravenous administration of Honokiol provides neuroprotection and improves functional recovery after traumatic brain injury through cell cycle inhibition.

Recently, increasing evidence has shown that cell cycle activation is a key factor of neuronal death and neurological dysfunction after traumatic brain injury (TBI). This study aims to investigate the effects of Honokiol, a cell cycle inhibitor, on attenuating the neuronal damage and facilitating functional recovery after TBI in rats, in an attempt to unveil its underlying molecular mechanisms in TBI. This study suggested that delayed intravenous administration of Honokiol could effectively ameliorate TBI-induced sensorimotor and cognitive dysfunctions.

Apolipoprotein E protects astrocytes from hypoxia and glutamate-induced apoptosis.

Apolipoprotein E (apoE) is predominantly synthesized by astrocytes in the brain. In this study, we investigated the role of apoE in astrocyte apoptosis. We demonstrated that apoE protects astrocytes from hypoxia-induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner.

Protective effects of erythropoietin on astrocytic swelling after oxygen-glucose deprivation and reoxygenation: mediation through AQP4 expression and MAPK pathway.

Recent in vivo studies have shown that erythropoietin (EPO) offers strong protection against brain edema. However, the intracellular and molecular mechanisms behind this beneficial effect have not been specified. The aim of this study was to determine whether human erythropoietin (rhEPO) reduces the astrocytic swelling created by oxygen-glucose deprivation followed by reoxygenation (OGD/Reox) in vitro and whether this effect can be mediated through the modulation of aquaporin4 (AQP4) expression in the plasma membrane (PM) and phosphorylation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway (MAPK) pathway.

Beneficial effects of carbamylated erythropoietin against oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion-induced astrocyte swelling: proposed molecular mechanisms of action.

Carbamylated erythropoietin (C-EPO), one of the erythropoietin derivatives, retains strong anti-edema and neuroprotective properties while lacking the hematopoietic complications of erythropoietin. This study investigated the intracellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the anti-edema property of C-EPO. An in vitro model of astrocyte swelling was created by 5h of oxygen-glucose deprivation and subsequent reperfusion (OGD/Rep).

[Blocking p38 signal pathway lowers MMP-9 expression and reduces brain edema in rats with traumatic brain injury].

Objective: To explore the role of p38 signal pathway in regulating matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) expression and brain edema formation in a rat model of traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Methods: A total of 130 adult male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 groups, namely the normal group (n=10), sham-operated group (n=40), TBI (induced by Feeney free falling methods) group (n=40), and SB group with intraperitoneal SB203580 treatment (10 µmol/L) 15 min before TBI (n=40). The rats were sacrificed 2 h and 2 days after TBI.

Interacting factors and cellular localization of SR protein-specific kinase Dsk1.

Schizosaccharomyces pombe Dsk1 is an SR protein-specific kinase (SRPK), whose homologs have been identified in every eukaryotic organism examined. Although discovered as a mitotic regulator with protein kinase activity toward SR splicing factors, it remains largely unknown about what and how Dsk1 contributes to cell cycle and pre-mRNA splicing. In this study, we investigated the Dsk1 function by determining interacting factors and cellular localization of the kinase.

[Role of P38 signaling pathway in neonatal rat astrocyte swelling and aquaporin-4 expression after oxygen-glucose deprivation and recovery].

Objective: To explore the role of P38 signaling pathway in neonatal rat astrocyte swelling and the expression of aquaporin-4 (AQP4) after oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) and recovery (OGD/R).

Methods: Primarily cultured neonatal rat astrocytes were subject to OGD for 5 h followed by oxygen-glucose recovery in the presence or absence of the P38 inhibitor SB203580 (10 µmol/L). The astrocytes were investigated at 0.

LAMMER kinase Kic1 is involved in pre-mRNA processing.

The LAMMER kinases are conserved through evolution. They play vital roles in cell growth/differentiation, development, and metabolism. One of the best known functions of the kinases in animal cells is the regulation of pre-mRNA splicing.