Phase locking of hippocampal CA3 neurons to distal CA1 theta oscillations selectively predicts memory performance.

How the coordination of neuronal spiking and brain rhythms between hippocampal subregions supports memory function remains elusive. We studied the interregional coordination of CA3 neuronal spiking with CA1 theta oscillations by recording electrophysiological signals along the proximodistal axis of the hippocampus in rats that were performing a high-memory-demand recognition memory task adapted from humans. We found that CA3 population spiking occurs preferentially at the peak of distal CA1 theta oscillations when memory was tested but only when previously encountered stimuli were presented.

Specification of female germline by microRNA orchestrated auxin signaling in Arabidopsis.

Germline determination is essential for species survival and evolution in multicellular organisms. In most flowering plants, formation of the female germline is initiated with specification of one megaspore mother cell (MMC) in each ovule; however, the molecular mechanism underlying this key event remains unclear. Here we report that spatially restricted auxin signaling promotes MMC fate in Arabidopsis.

Decreased anterograde transport coupled with sustained retrograde transport contributes to reduced axonal mitochondrial density in tauopathy neurons.

Mitochondria are essential organelle required for neuronal homeostasis. Mitochondria supply ATP and buffer calcium at synaptic terminals. However, the complex structural geometry of neurons poses a unique challenge in transporting mitochondria to synaptic terminals.

The Hydrophilic Loop of PIN1 Auxin Efflux Carrier Harbors Hallmarks of an Intrinsically Disordered Protein.

Much of plant development depends on cell-to-cell redistribution of the plant hormone auxin, which is facilitated by the plasma membrane (PM) localized PIN FORMED (PIN) proteins. Auxin export activity, developmental roles, subcellular trafficking, and polarity of PINs have been well studied, but their structure remains elusive besides a rough outline that they contain two groups of 5 alpha-helices connected by a large hydrophilic loop (HL). Here, we focus on the PIN1 HL as we could produce it in sufficient quantities for biochemical investigations to provide insights into its secondary structure.

Heat induction in two-dimensional graphene-FeO nanohybrids for magnetic hyperthermia applications with artificial neural network modeling.

We report the synthesis and characterization of graphene functionalized with iron (Fe) oxide (G-FeO) nanohybrids for radio-frequency magnetic hyperthermia application. We adopted the wet chemical procedure, using various contents of FeO (magnetite) from 0-100% for making two-dimensional graphene-FeO nanohybrids. The homogeneous dispersal of FeO nanoparticles decorated on the graphene surface combined with their biocompatibility and high thermal conductivity make them an excellent material for magnetic hyperthermia.

CHD8 haploinsufficiency links autism to transient alterations in excitatory and inhibitory trajectories.

Mutations in the chromodomain helicase DNA-binding 8 (CHD8) gene are a frequent cause of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). While its phenotypic spectrum often encompasses macrocephaly, implicating cortical abnormalities, how CHD8 haploinsufficiency affects neurodevelopmental is unclear. Here, employing human cerebral organoids, we find that CHD8 haploinsufficiency disrupted neurodevelopmental trajectories with an accelerated and delayed generation of, respectively, inhibitory and excitatory neurons that yields, at days 60 and 120, symmetrically opposite expansions in their proportions.

Proteomic characterization of isolated Arabidopsis clathrin-coated vesicles reveals evolutionarily conserved and plant-specific components.

In eukaryotes, clathrin-coated vesicles (CCVs) facilitate the internalization of material from the cell surface as well as the movement of cargo in post-Golgi trafficking pathways. This diversity of functions is partially provided by multiple monomeric and multimeric clathrin adaptor complexes that provide compartment and cargo selectivity. The adaptor-protein assembly polypeptide-1 (AP-1) complex operates as part of the secretory pathway at the trans-Golgi network (TGN), while the AP-2 complex and the TPLATE complex jointly operate at the plasma membrane to execute clathrin-mediated endocytosis.

MON-2, a Golgi protein, promotes longevity by upregulating autophagy through mediating inter-organelle communications.

The Golgi apparatus regulates the process of modification and subcellular localization of macromolecules, including proteins and lipids. Aberrant protein sorting caused by defects in the Golgi leads to various diseases in mammals. However, the role of the Golgi apparatus in organismal longevity remained largely unknown.

Mechanisms underlying TARP modulation of the GluA1/2-γ8 AMPA receptor.

AMPA-type glutamate receptors (AMPARs) mediate rapid signal transmission at excitatory synapses in the brain. Glutamate binding to the receptor's ligand-binding domains (LBDs) leads to ion channel activation and desensitization. Gating kinetics shape synaptic transmission and are strongly modulated by transmembrane AMPAR regulatory proteins (TARPs) through currently incompletely resolved mechanisms.

Auxin canalization: From speculative models toward molecular players.

Among the most fascinated properties of the plant hormone auxin is its ability to promote formation of its own directional transport routes. These gradually narrowing auxin channels form from the auxin source toward the sink and involve coordinated, collective polarization of individual cells. Once established, the channels provide positional information, along which new vascular strands form, for example, during organogenesis, regeneration, or leave venation.

Auxin signaling: Research advances over the past 30 years.

Auxin, one of the first identified and most widely studied phytohormones, has been and will remain a hot topic in plant biology. After more than a century of passionate exploration, the mysteries of its synthesis, transport, signaling, and metabolism have largely been unlocked. Due to the rapid development of new technologies, new methods, and new genetic materials, the study of auxin has entered the fast lane over the past 30 years.

Low-field magnetic anisotropy of SrIrO.

Magnetic anisotropy in strontium iridate (SrIrO) is essential because of its strong spin-orbit coupling and crystal field effect. In this paper, we present a detailed mapping of the out-of-plane (OOP) magnetic anisotropy in SrIrOfor different sample orientations using torque magnetometry measurements in the low-magnetic-field region before the isospins are completely ordered. Dominant in-plane anisotropy was identified at low fields, confirming theaxis as an easy magnetization axis.

Minimally invasive protocols and quantification for microglia-mediated perineuronal net disassembly in mouse brain.

Enzymatic digestion of the extracellular matrix with chondroitinase-ABC reinstates juvenile-like plasticity in the adult cortex as it also disassembles the perineuronal nets (PNNs). The disadvantage of the enzyme is that it must be applied intracerebrally and it degrades the ECM for several weeks. Here, we provide two minimally invasive and transient protocols for microglia-enabled PNN disassembly in mouse cortex: repeated treatment with ketamine-xylazine-acepromazine (KXA) anesthesia and 60-Hz light entrainment.

TGFβ Signaling in Myeloid Cells Promotes Lung and Liver Metastasis Through Different Mechanisms.

TGFβ overexpression is commonly detected in cancer patients and correlates with poor prognosis and metastasis. Cancer progression is often associated with an enhanced recruitment of myeloid-derived cells to the tumor microenvironment. Here we show that functional TGFβ-signaling in myeloid cells is required for metastasis to the lungs and the liver.

Translating the Role of mTOR- and RAS-Associated Signalopathies in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Models, Mechanisms and Treatment.

Mutations affecting mTOR or RAS signaling underlie defined syndromes (the so-called mTORopathies and RASopathies) with high risk for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). These syndromes show a broad variety of somatic phenotypes including cancers, skin abnormalities, heart disease and facial dysmorphisms. Less well studied are the neuropsychiatric symptoms such as ASD.

Computational toolbox for ultrastructural quantitative analysis of filament networks in cryo-ET data.

A precise quantitative description of the ultrastructural characteristics underlying biological mechanisms is often key to their understanding. This is particularly true for dynamic extra- and intracellular filamentous assemblies, playing a role in cell motility, cell integrity, cytokinesis, tissue formation and maintenance. For example, genetic manipulation or modulation of actin regulatory proteins frequently manifests in changes of the morphology, dynamics, and ultrastructural architecture of actin filament-rich cell peripheral structures, such as lamellipodia or filopodia.

A coupled mechano-biochemical model for cell polarity guided anisotropic root growth.

Plants develop new organs to adjust their bodies to dynamic changes in the environment. How independent organs achieve anisotropic shapes and polarities is poorly understood. To address this question, we constructed a mechano-biochemical model for root meristem growth that integrates biologically plausible principles.

Cell surface and intracellular auxin signalling for H fluxes in root growth.

Growth regulation tailors development in plants to their environment. A prominent example of this is the response to gravity, in which shoots bend up and roots bend down. This paradox is based on opposite effects of the phytohormone auxin, which promotes cell expansion in shoots while inhibiting it in roots via a yet unknown cellular mechanism.

Optimizing AAV2/6 microglial targeting identified enhanced efficiency in the photoreceptor degenerative environment.

Adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) are widely used to deliver genetic material to distinct cell types such as neurons or glial cells, allowing for targeted manipulation. Transduction of microglia is mostly excluded from this strategy, likely due to the cells' heterogeneous state upon environmental changes, which makes AAV design challenging. Here, we established the retina as a model system for microglial AAV validation and optimization.

Evaluation of Gravitropism in Non-seed Plants.

Tropisms are among the most important growth responses for plant adaptation to the surrounding environment. One of the most common tropisms is root gravitropism. Root gravitropism enables the plant to anchor securely to the soil enabling the absorption of water and nutrients.

Mutually opposing activity of PIN7 splicing isoforms is required for auxin-mediated tropic responses in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Advanced transcriptome sequencing has revealed that the majority of eukaryotic genes undergo alternative splicing (AS). Nonetheless, little effort has been dedicated to investigating the functional relevance of particular splicing events, even those in the key developmental and hormonal regulators. Combining approaches of genetics, biochemistry and advanced confocal microscopy, we describe the impact of alternative splicing on the PIN7 gene in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana.

PaReBrick: PArallel REarrangements and BReaks identification toolkit.

Motivation: High plasticity of bacterial genomes is provided by numerous mechanisms including horizontal gene transfer and recombination via numerous flanking repeats. Genome rearrangements such as inversions, deletions, insertions and duplications may independently occur in different strains, providing parallel adaptation or phenotypic diversity. Specifically, such rearrangements might be responsible for virulence, antibiotic resistance and antigenic variation.