Molecular insights into the activation mechanism of GPR156 in maintaining auditory function.

The class C orphan G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) GPR156, which lacks the large extracellular region, plays a pivotal role in auditory function through G. Here, we firstly demonstrate that GPR156 with high constitutive activity is essential for maintaining auditory function, and further reveal the structural basis of the sustained role of GPR156. We present the cryo-EM structures of human apo GPR156 and the GPR156-G complex, unveiling a small extracellular region formed by extracellular loop 2 (ECL2) and the N-terminus.

Temperature cues are integrated in a flexible circadian neuropeptidergic feedback circuit to remodel sleep-wake patterns in flies.

Organisms detect temperature signals through peripheral neurons, which relay them to central circadian networks to drive adaptive behaviors. Despite recent advances in Drosophila research, how circadian circuits integrate temperature cues with circadian signals to regulate sleep/wake patterns remains unclear. In this study, we used the FlyWire brain electron microscopy connectome to map neuronal connections, identifying lateral posterior neurons LPNs as key nodes for integrating temperature information into the circadian network.

Posterior Basolateral Amygdala is a Critical Amygdaloid Area for Temporal Lobe Epilepsy.

The amygdaloid complex consists of multiple nuclei and is a key node in controlling temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) in both human and animal model studies. However, the specific nucleus in the amygdaloid complex and the neural circuitry governing seizures remain unknown. Here, it is discovered that activation of glutamatergic neurons in the posterior basolateral amygdala (pBLA) induces severe seizures and even mortality.

WDR20 prevents hepatocellular carcinoma senescence by orchestrating the simultaneous USP12/46-mediated deubiquitination of c-Myc.

The dysfunction of the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) facilitates the malignant progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). While targeting the UPS for HCC therapy has been proposed, identifying effective targets has been challenging. In this study, we conducted a focused screen of siRNA libraries targeting UPS-related WD40 repeat (WDR) proteins and found that silencing WDR20, a deubiquitinating enzyme activating factor, selectively inhibited the proliferation of HCC cells without affecting normal hepatocytes.

Alternate-day fasting delays pubertal development in normal-weight mice but prevents high-fat diet-induced obesity and precocious puberty.

Background/objectives: Childhood obesity, particularly in girls, is linked to early puberty onset, heightening risks for adult-onset diseases. Addressing childhood obesity and precocious puberty is vital to mitigate societal burdens. Despite existing costly and invasive medical interventions, introducing lifestyle-based alternatives is essential.

Deconstruction the feedforward inhibition changes in the layer III of anterior cingulate cortex after peripheral nerve injury.

The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) is one of the critical brain areas for processing noxious information. Previous studies showed that peripheral nerve injury induced broad changes in the ACC, contributing to pain hypersensitivity. The neurons in layer 3 (L3) of the ACC receive the inputs from the mediodorsal thalamus (MD) and form the feedforward inhibition (FFI) microcircuits.

Clinical characterization and founder effect analysis in Chinese amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients with common variants.

Objective: In the Asian population, variants are the most common cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). To date, more than 200 variants have been reported in . This study aimed to summarize the genotype-phenotype correlation and determine whether the patients carrying common variants derive from a common ancestor.

Metformin reprograms tryptophan metabolism via gut microbiome-derived bile acid metabolites to ameliorate depression-Like behaviors in mice.

As an adjunct therapy, metformin enhances the efficacy of conventional antidepressant medications. However, its mode of action remains unclear. Here, metformin was found to ameliorate depression-like behaviors in mice exposed to chronic restraint stress (CRS) by normalizing the dysbiotic gut microbiome.

Involvement of basolateral amygdala-rostral anterior cingulate cortex in mechanical allodynia and anxiety-like behaviors and potential mechanisms of electroacupuncture.

Aims: Chronic pain is highly associated with anxiety. Electroacupuncture (EA) is effective in relieving pain and anxiety. Currently, little is known about the neural mechanisms underlying the comorbidity of chronic pain and anxiety and the EA mechanism.

Multiple Glioblastomas Ablation by Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy (LITT): A Rare Case.

Multiple glioblastomas (GBMs) are aggressive, malignant, and sporadic brain tumors. We present the case of a 58-year-old patient with two GBMs in the right frontal lobe and associated edema. The patient presented with sudden left limb weakness accompanied by abnormal gait for five consecutive days.

Structural basis of tethered agonism and G protein coupling of protease-activated receptors.

Protease-activated receptors (PARs) are a unique group within the G protein-coupled receptor superfamily, orchestrating cellular responses to extracellular proteases via enzymatic cleavage, which triggers intracellular signaling pathways. Protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR1) is a key member of this family and is recognized as a critical pharmacological target for managing thrombotic disorders. In this study, we present cryo-electron microscopy structures of PAR1 in its activated state, induced by its natural tethered agonist (TA), in complex with two distinct downstream proteins, the G and G heterotrimers, respectively.

Two-photon imaging of excitatory and inhibitory neural response to infrared neural stimulation.

Significance: Pulsed infrared neural stimulation (INS, 1875 nm) is an emerging neurostimulation technology that delivers focal pulsed heat to activate functionally specific mesoscale networks and holds promise for clinical application. However, little is known about its effect on excitatory and inhibitory cell types in cerebral cortex.

Aim: Estimates of summed population neuronal response time courses provide a potential basis for neural and hemodynamic signals described in other studies.

Molecular Determinant Underlying Selective Coupling of Primary G-Protein by Class A GPCRs.

G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) transmit downstream signals predominantly via G-protein pathways. However, the conformational basis of selective coupling of primary G-protein remains elusive. Histamine receptors HR and HR couple with G- or G-proteins respectively.