Memory formation is contingent on molecular and structural changes in neurons in response to learning stimuli-a process known as neuronal plasticity. The initiation step of mRNA translation is a gatekeeper of long-term memory by controlling the production of plasticity-related proteins in the brain. The mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) controls mRNA translation, mainly through phosphorylation of the eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E)-binding proteins (4E-BPs) and ribosomal protein S6 kinases (S6Ks).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFront Public Health
October 2024
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurobiologically complex condition with a heterogeneous genetic etiology. Clinically, ASD is diagnosed by social communication impairments and restrictive or repetitive behaviors, such as hand flapping or lining up objects. These behavioral patterns can be reliably observed in mouse models with ASD-linked genetic mutations, making them highly useful tools for studying the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms in ASD.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFis a famous perennial herb widely used as material for medicine and health-care food. Due to its various therapeutic effects, research work on has rapidly increased in recent years, urging a comprehensive review of research progress on this important medicinal plant. Here, we summarize the latest studies on the representative bioactive constituents of and their multiple pharmacological effects, like cardiovascular protection, anti-tumor, and immunomodulatory activities.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe integrated stress response (ISR), a pivotal protein homeostasis network, plays a critical role in the formation of long-term memory (LTM). The precise mechanism by which the ISR controls LTM is not well understood. Here, we report insights into how the ISR modulates the mnemonic process by using targeted deletion of the activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4), a key downstream effector of the ISR, in various neuronal and non-neuronal cell types.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most common genetic cause of autism spectrum disorder engendered by transcriptional silencing of the fragile X messenger ribonucleoprotein 1 () gene. Given the early onset of behavioral and molecular changes, it is imperative to know the optimal timing for therapeutic intervention. Case reports documented benefits of metformin treatment in FXS children between 2 and 14 y old.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFour new diterpenoids, isodosins A-D (-), together with nine known compounds (-) were isolated and identified from the aerial parts of (Maxim.) Hara. The structures of the new diterpenoids were elucidated based on the analysis of HR-ESI-MS data, 1D/2D-NMR-spectroscopic data, and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe surge of antibiotic resistance in calls for novel drugs that attack new targets. Developing antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) or antivirulence agents (AvAs) is a promising strategy to tackle this challenge. However, AMPs, which kill bacteria by disrupting cell membranes, suffer from low stability and high synthesis cost, while AvAs, which inhibit toxin secretion, have relatively poor bactericidal activity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFACTB: actin beta; AREG: amphiregulin; ATP6V0A4: ATPase, H transporting, lysosomal V0 subunit A4; Baf A1: bafilomycin A; BSA: bovine serum albumin; CLDN1: claudin 1; CTSB: cathepsin B; DEGs: differentially expressed genes; E: 17β-estradiol; ESR: estrogen receptor; GATA2: GATA binding protein 2; GLA: galactosidase, alpha; GO: gene ontology; HBEGF: heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor; IGF1R: insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor; Ihh: Indian hedgehog; ISH: in situ hybridization; LAMP1: lysosomal-associated membrane protein 1; LCM: laser capture microdissection; Le: lumenal epithelium; LGMN: legumain; LIF: leukemia inhibitory factor; LIFR: LIF receptor alpha; MSX1: msh homeobox 1; MUC1: mucin 1, transmembrane; P: progesterone; PBS: phosphate-buffered saline; PCA: principal component analysis; PPT1: palmitoyl-protein thioesterase 1; PGR: progesterone receptor; PSP: pseudopregnancy; PTGS2/COX2: prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2; qPCR: quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction; SP: pregnancy; TFEB: transcription factor EB.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArsenite is commonly used as an insecticide, antiseptic and herbicide. It can enter the food chain via through soil contamination, and harm human health, including the reproductive systems. Early embryos, as the initial stage of mammalian life, are very sensitive to the environmental toxins and pollutants.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFA substituent decorating strategy for modification of the functional cavity is of great importance in the design of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). Herein, three new isostructural cationic MOFs, [Cu(Xpip)]·NO·nHO (Xpip stands for X-substituted phenylimidazophenanthroline, where X = adm (SCNU-2), f (SCNU-3), and none for SCNU-4), have been successfully synthesized and shown gyroidal topology and large pore sizes which can be adjusted by different substituents (-N(CH), -F, and -H). Interestingly, the differences of the substituents (sizes and proton donor/acceptor) show essential effects on the adsorption abilities of carbon dioxide and dyes, where SCNU-4 exhibits the highest CO affinity and the biggest adsorption capacity for anionic dyes Fluorescein Sodium, and SCNU-3 adsorbs the largest amount (1503.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe difference between the skeletal muscle growth rates of Western and domestic breeds is remarkable, but the potential regulatory mechanism involved is still unclear. Numerous studies have pointed out that long intergenic noncoding RNA (lincRNA) plays a key role in skeletal muscle development. This study used published Yorkshire (LW) and Tibetan pig (TP) transcriptome data to explore the possible role of lincRNA in the difference in skeletal muscle development between the two breeds.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntramuscular fat (IMF) content is closely related to various meat traits, such as tenderness, juiciness, and flavor. The IMF content varies considerably among pig breeds with different genetic backgrounds. Long intergenic non-coding RNAs (lincRNAs) have been widely identified in many species and found to be an important class of regulators that can participate in multiple biological processes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOsUgp2, a rice UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase gene, has previously been shown to preferentially express in maturing pollens and plays an important role in pollen starch accumulation. Here, a 1943 bp promoter fragment (P1943) of OsUgp2 was characterized by 5' deletion and gain-of-function experiments. P1943 and its 5' deletion derivatives (P1495, P1005, P665 and P159) were fused to GUS reporter gene and stably introduced into rice plants.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArch Gynecol Obstet
July 2005