Substance P in the medial amygdala regulates aggressive behaviors in male mice.

Behavioral and clinical studies have revealed a critical role of substance P (SP) in aggression; however, the neural circuit mechanisms underlying SP and aggression remain elusive. Here, we show that tachykinin-expressing neurons in the medial amygdala (MeATac1 neurons) are activated during aggressive behaviors in male mice. We identified MeATac1 neurons as a key mediator of aggression and found that MeATac1→ventrolateral part of the ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus (VMHvl) projections are critical to the regulation of aggression. Moreover, SP/neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-1R) signaling in the VMHvl modulates aggressive behaviors in male mice. SP/NK-1R signaling regulates aggression by influencing glutamate transmission in neurons in the VMHvl. In summary, these findings place SP as a key node in aggression circuits.

PRMT5-mediated homologous recombination repair is essential to maintain genomic integrity of neural progenitor cells.

Maintaining genomic stability is a prerequisite for proliferating NPCs to ensure genetic fidelity. Though histone arginine methylation has been shown to play important roles in safeguarding genomic stability, the underlying mechanism during brain development is not fully understood. Protein arginine N-methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) is a type II protein arginine methyltransferase that plays a role in transcriptional regulation. Here, we identify PRMT5 as a key regulator of DNA repair in response to double-strand breaks (DSBs) during NPC proliferation. Prmt5F/F; Emx1-Cre (cKO-Emx1) mice show a distinctive microcephaly phenotype, with partial loss of the dorsal medial cerebral cortex and complete loss of the corpus callosum and hippocampus. This phenotype is resulted from DSBs accumulation in the medial dorsal cortex followed by cell apoptosis. Both RNA sequencing and in vitro DNA repair analyses reveal that PRMT5 is required for DNA homologous recombination (HR) repair. PRMT5 specifically catalyzes H3R2me2s in proliferating NPCs in the developing mouse brain to enhance HR-related gene expression during DNA repair. Finally, overexpression of BRCA1 significantly rescues DSBs accumulation and cell apoptosis in PRMT5-deficient NSCs. Taken together, our results show that PRMT5 maintains genomic stability by regulating histone arginine methylation in proliferating NPCs.

A Nucleus Accumbens Tac1 Neural Circuit Regulates Avoidance Responses to Aversive Stimuli.

Neural circuits that control aversion are essential for motivational regulation and survival in animals. The nucleus accumbens (NAc) plays an important role in predicting aversive events and translating motivations into actions. However, the NAc circuits that mediate aversive behaviors remain elusive. Here, we report that tachykinin precursor 1 (Tac1) neurons in the NAc medial shell regulate avoidance responses to aversive stimuli. We show that NAcTac1 neurons project to the lateral hypothalamic area (LH) and that the NAcTac1→LH pathway contributes to avoidance responses. Moreover, the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) sends excitatory inputs to the NAc, and this circuit is involved in the regulation of avoidance responses to aversive stimuli. Overall, our study reveals a discrete NAc Tac1 circuit that senses aversive stimuli and drives avoidance behaviors.

Dysregulation of AMPK-mTOR signaling leads to comorbid anxiety in Dip2a KO mice.

Autism is often comorbid with other psychiatric disorders. We have previously shown that Dip2a knockout (KO) induces autism-like behaviors in mice. However, the role of Dip2a in other psychiatric disorders remains unclear. In this paper, we revealed that Dip2a KO mice had comorbid anxiety. Dip2a KO led to a reduction in the dendritic length of cortical and hippocampal excitatory neurons. Molecular mechanism studies suggested that AMPK was overactivated and suppressed the mTOR cascade, contributing to defects in dendritic morphology. Deletion of Dip2a in adult-born hippocampal neurons (Dip2a conditional knockout (cKO)) increased susceptibility to anxiety upon acute stress exposure. Application of (2R,6R)-hydroxynorketamine (HNK), an inhibitor of mTOR, rescued anxiety-like behaviors in Dip2a KO and Dip2a cKO mice. In addition, 6 weeks of high-fat diet intake alleviated AMPK-mTOR signaling and attenuated the severity of anxiety in both Dip2a KO mice and Dip2a cKO mice. Taken together, these results reveal an unrecognized function of DIP2A in anxiety pathophysiology via regulation of AMPK-mTOR signaling.

A Novel Netrin-1-Derived Peptide Enhances Protection against Neuronal Death and Mitigates of Intracerebral Hemorrhage in Mice.

It has been reported that Netrin-1 is involved in neuroprotection following injury to the central nervous system. However, the minimal functional domain of Netrin-1 which can preserve the neuroprotection but avoid the major side effects of Netrin remains elusive. Here, we investigated the neuroprotective effect of a peptide E1 derived from Netrin-1's EGF3 domain (residues 407-422). We found that it interacts with deleted colorectal carcinoma (DCC) to activate focal adhesion kinase phosphorylation exhibiting neuroprotection. The administration of the peptide E1 was able to improve functional recovery through reduced apoptosis in an experimental murine model of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). In summary, we reveal a functional sequence of Netrin-1 that is involved in the recovery process after ICH and identify a candidate peptide for the treatment of ICH.

DIP2A is involved in SOD-mediated antioxidative reactions in murine brain.

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are highly associated with oxidative stress. We have recently shown that Disconnected-interacting protein homolog 2 A (DIP2A) functions in ASD pathophysiology by regulating cortactin acetylation for spine development and synaptic transmission. However, its role is not fully understood in the context of its abundant expression in mitochondria. In this paper, we found that DIP2A was involved in superoxide dismutase (SOD)-mediated antioxidative reactions. In mice, DIP2A knockout inhibited SOD activity and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in the cerebral cortex. In vitro gain-of-function experiments further confirmed the positive role of DIP2A in scavenging ROS upon oxidative stress. Moreover, DIP2A knockout caused irregular mitochondrial morphology in the cerebral cortex and impaired mitochondrial metabolism with an over consumption of lipids for energy supply. Taken together, these results revealed unrecognized functions of DIP2A in antioxidative protection, providing another possible explanation for DIP2A-mediated ASD pathophysiology.

Nucleus Accumbens Tac1-Expressing Neurons Mediate Stress-Induced Anhedonia-like Behavior in Mice.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) presents with two primary symptoms: depressed mood and anhedonia, which suggests that distinct neuronal circuits may regulate MDD. However, the underlying circuits of these individual symptoms linked to depression remain elusive. Herein, we identify a discrete circuit of tachykinin precursor 1 (Tac1)-expressing neurons in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) lateral shell, which project to ventral pallidum and contribute to stress-induced anhedonia-like behavior. Selective inhibition and activation of Tac1NAc neurons bidirectionally modulate stress susceptibility, revealing that Tac1 neurons in the NAc are critical for regulating anhedonia-like behaviors. We find that a subpopulation of VP neurons receives inhibitory inputs from Tac1NAc neurons and exhibits decreased excitability in susceptible mice. Furthermore, the inhibition of the neurokinin 1 receptor promotes susceptibility to social stress. Overall, our study reveals a discrete circuit regulating anhedonia-like behavior in mice.

Myosin X Interaction with KIF13B, a Crucial Pathway for Netrin-1-Induced Axonal Development.

Myosin X (Myo X) transports cargos to the tips of filopodia for cell adhesion, migration, and neuronal axon guidance. Deleted in Colorectal Cancer (DCC) is one of the Myo X cargos that is essential for Netrin-1-regulated axon pathfinding. The function of Myo X in axon development in vivo and the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Here, we provide evidence for the role of Myo X in Netrin-1-DCC-regulated axon development in developing mouse neocortex. The knockout (KO) or knockdown (KD) of Myo X in cortical neurons of embryonic mouse brain impairs axon initiation and contralateral branching/targeting. Similar axon deficits are detected in Netrin-1-KO or DCC-KD cortical neurons. Further proteomic analysis of Myo X binding proteins identifies KIF13B (a kinesin family motor protein). The Myo X interaction with KIF13B is induced by Netrin-1. Netrin-1 promotes anterograde transportation of Myo X into axons in a KIF13B-dependent manner. KIF13B-KD cortical neurons exhibit similar axon deficits. Together, these results reveal Myo X-KIF13B as a critical pathway for Netrin-1-promoted axon initiation and branching/targeting.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Netrin-1 increases Myosin X (Myo X) interaction with KIF13B, and thus promotes axonal delivery of Myo X and axon initiation and contralateral branching in developing cerebral neurons, revealing unrecognized functions and mechanisms underlying Netrin-1 regulation of axon development.

DIP2B Interacts With α-Tubulin to Regulate Axon Outgrowth.

Axonal development is essential to the establishment of neuronal morphology and circuitry, although the mechanisms underlying axonal outgrowth during the early developmental stages remain unclear. Here, we showed that the conserved disco-interacting protein B (DIP2B) which consists of a DMAP1 domain and a crotonobetaine/carnitine CoA ligase (Caic) domain, is highly expressed in the excitatory neurons of the hippocampus. DIP2B knockout led to excessive axonal outgrowth but not polarity at an early developmental stage. Furthermore, the loss of DIP2B inhibited synaptic transmission for both spontaneous and rapid release in cultured hippocampal neurons. Interestingly, DIP2B function during axonal outgrowth requires tubulin acetylation. These findings reveal a new conserved regulator of neuronal morphology and provide a novel intervention mechanism for neurocognitive disorders.

Human antigen R-regulated mRNA metabolism promotes the cell motility of migrating mouse neurons.

Neocortex development during embryonic stages requires the precise control of mRNA metabolism. Human antigen R (HuR) is a well-studied mRNA-binding protein that regulates mRNA metabolism, and it is highly expressed in the neocortex during developmental stages. Deletion of HuR does not impair neural progenitor cell proliferation or differentiation, but it disturbs the laminar structure of the neocortex. We report that HuR is expressed in postmitotic projection neurons during mouse brain development. Specifically, depletion of HuR in these neurons led to a mislocalization of CDP+ neurons in deeper layers of the cortex. Time-lapse microscopy showed that HuR was required for the promotion of cell motility in migrating neurons. PCR array identified profilin 1 (Pfn1) mRNA as a major binding partner of HuR in neurons. HuR positively mediated the stability of Pfn1 mRNA and influenced actin polymerization. Overexpression of Pfn1 successfully rescued the migration defects of HuR-deleted neurons. Our data reveal a post-transcriptional mechanism that maintains actin dynamics during neuronal migration.

HuR in the Medial Prefrontal Cortex is Critical for Stress-Induced Synaptic Dysfunction and Depressive-Like Symptoms in Mice.

Chronic stress has been observed to increase the risk of developing depression and induce neuronal alterations of synaptic plasticity, yet the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we found that the ubiquitously expressed RNA-binding protein HuR was up-regulated in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of mice following chronic stress. In adult mice, AAV-Cre-mediated knockout of HuR in the mPFC prevented anxiety-like and depression-like behaviors induced by chronic stress. HuR was also required for the stress-induced dendritic spine loss and synaptic transmission deficits. Moreover, HuRflox/flox;Nex-Cre mice, which induce HuR loss of function from embryonic development, exhibited enhanced synaptic functions. Notably, we ascertained RhoA signaling to be regulated by HuR and involved in the modulation of structural synaptic plasticity in response to chronic stress. Our results demonstrate HuR is a critical modulator for the regulation of stress-induced synaptic plasticity alterations and depression, providing a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of depressive disorders.

Functional prediction and characterization of Dip2 gene in mice.

Disconnected interacting protein 2 (DIP2) is a highly conserved protein family among invertebrates and vertebrates, but its function remains unclear. In this paper, we summarized the conservation of gene sequences and protein domains of DIP2 family members and predicted that they may have a similar functional role in acetyl-coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) synthesis. We then used the most characterized member, disconnected interacting protein 2 homolog A (DIP2A), for further study. DIP2A is a cytoplasmic protein that is preferentially localized to mitochondria, and its acetyl-CoA synthetase activity has been demonstrated in vitro. Furthermore, the level of acetyl-CoA in HEK293 cells overexpressing DIP2A was increased, which is consistent with its metabolically related function. Together, these data enrich the evolutionary and functional characterization of dip2 genes and provide significant insights into the identification and application of other homologs of DIP2.

Humanization of fibroblast growth factor 1 single-chain antibody and validation for its antitumorigenic efficacy in breast cancer and glioma cells.

Single-chain variable fragment (scFv) antibodies are the smallest immunoglobulins with high antigen-binding affinity. We have previously reported that fibroblast growth factor 1 played pivotal roles in cancer development and generated a mouse scFv (mscFv1C9) could effectively prohibit cancer cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Here, we further humanized this scFv (hscFv1C9) using a structure-guided complementarity determining region grafting strategy. The purified hscFv1C9 maintained similar antigen-binding affinity and specificity as mscFv1C9, and it was capable of inhibiting growth of different tumours in vitro and in vivo. These data strongly suggested that hscFv1C9 has antitumour potentials.

DCC-Mediated Dab1 Phosphorylation Participates in the Multipolar-to-Bipolar Transition of Migrating Neurons.

Newborn neurons undergo inside-out migration to their final destinations during neocortical development. Reelin-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of disabled 1 (Dab1) is a critical mechanism controlling cortical neuron migration. However, the roles of Reelin-independent phosphorylation of Dab1 remain unclear. Here, we report that deleted in colorectal carcinoma (DCC) interacts with Dab1 via its P3 domain. Netrin 1, a DCC ligand, induces Dab1 phosphorylation at Y220 and Y232. Interestingly, knockdown of DCC or truncation of its P3 domain dramatically delays neuronal migration and impairs the multipolar-to-bipolar transition of migrating neurons. Notably, the migration delay and morphological transition defects are rescued by the expression of a phospho-mimetic Dab1 or a constitutively active form of Fyn proto-oncogene (Fyn), a member of the Src-family tyrosine kinases that effectively induces Dab1 phosphorylation. Collectively, these findings illustrate a DCC-Dab1 interaction that ensures proper neuronal migration during neocortical development.

Regulation of neural stem cell proliferation and differentiation by Kinesin family member 2a.

In the developing neocortex, cells in the ventricular/subventricular zone are largely multipotent neural stem cells and neural progenitor cells. These cells undergo self-renewal at the early stage of embryonic development to amplify the progenitor pool and subsequently differentiate into neurons. It is thus of considerable interest to investigate mechanisms controlling the switch from neural stem cells or neural progenitor cells to neurons. Here, we present evidence that Kif2a, a member of the Kinesin-13 family, plays a role in regulating the proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells or neural progenitor cells at embryonic day 13.5. Silencing Kif2a by use of in utero electroporation of Kif2a shRNA reduced neural stem cells proliferation or self-renewal but increased neuronal differentiation. We further found that knockdown of Kif2a decreased the protein level of ß-catenin, which is a critical molecule for neocortical neurogenesis. Together, these results reveal an important function of Kif2a in embryonic neocortical neurogenesis.

[Resources and application of She's nationality wild medicinal plants].

To make a thorough investigation of the common She's nationality wild medicinal plants resources in our country, including the species, the distribution, the folk application and the endemic medicinal plant species, Field surveyed was conducted with 25 She people mainly lived area (county, district or city) throughout the country, the folk prescription and treatment cases provided by She's medical personnel, the drug usage and dosage, the commonly used traditional She's medicine and drug samples were collected. And the distribution, growing environment of these plants were investigated, their characteristics, photographs, GPS data and track were record , and the fresh wax leaf or plants specimens were collected. In total 1 600 varieties of folk medicine of She's nationality, 450 disease names and 1 016 prescriptions were collected. 520 kinds of these medicinal plants were commonly used, growing mainly distributed in the southeastern China, about 200 meters above sea level to 1 500 meters. There are 5 First-Grade State protection wild plants (medicinal), 15 second-Grade State protection wild plants (medicinal), and 11 She characteristic medicinal plants in our study, they belong to 144 families, 312 genera 494 species, 2 subspecies, 17 varieties, 3 forms and 1 cultivated varieties of She's nationality. Folk medicine usage is different from the traditional Chinese medicine and ethnic medicine. This survey finds out the common She's nationality wild medicinal plants resources in China, including the species, the distribution, the folk application and commonly used drugs, and found the rare and endangered medicinal plants and the She's nationality endemic medicinal plants, which provides a basis for further development and use the traditional She's medicine resources.

Both Myosin-10 isoforms are required for radial neuronal migration in the developing cerebral cortex.

During embryonic development of the mammalian cerebral cortex, postmitotic cortical neurons migrate radially from the ventricular zone to the cortical plate. Proper migration involves the correct orientation of migrating neurons and the transition from a multipolar to a mature bipolar morphology. Herein, we report that the 2 isoforms of Myosin-10 (Myo10) play distinct roles in the regulation of radial migration in the mouse cortex. We show that the full-length Myo10 (fMyo10) isoform is located in deeper layers of the cortex and is involved in establishing proper migration orientation. We also demonstrate that fMyo10-dependent orientation of radial migration is mediated at least in part by the netrin-1 receptor deleted in colorectal cancer. Moreover, we show that the headless Myo10 (hMyo10) isoform is required for the transition from multipolar to bipolar morphologies in the intermediate zone. Our study reveals divergent functions for the 2 Myo10 isoforms in controlling both the direction of migration and neuronal morphogenesis during radial cortical neuronal migration.

Involvement of headless myosin X in the motility of immortalized gonadotropin-releasing hormone neuronal cells.

Myosin X (Myo X), an unconventional myosin with a tail homology 4-band 4.1/ezrin/radixin/moesin (MyTH4-FERM) tail, is expressed ubiquitously in various mammalian tissues. In addition to the full-length Myo X (Myo X FL), a headless form is synthesized in the brain. So far, little is known about the function of this motor-less Myo X. In this study, the role of the headless Myo X was investigated in immortalized gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neuronal cells, NLT. NLT cells overexpressing the headless Myo X formed fewer focal adhesions and spread more slowly than the wild-type NLT cells and GFP-expressing NLT cells. In chemomigration assays, the NLT cells overexpressing the headless Myo X migrated shorter distances and had fewer migratory cells compared with the control NLT cells.

[Analysis on the status of Shigella spp antimicrobial resistance through data from the National Shigellosis Surveillance System in China, in 2005].

OBJECTIVE: The Ministry of Public Health released the National Surveillance project on Shigellosis in August, 2005. This study was to reveal the antimicrobial resistance status of Shigella isolates through the National Shigellosis Surveillance System in 2005 in China, so as to provide evidence for the development of surveillance, prevention and cure of Shigellosis. METHODS: All the lab assistants received training from Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The project prescribed the uniform experimentation, quality control method, reagent, etc. Disc diffusion test(K-B) was carried out, following the CLSI methods. Data were analyzed by WHONET 5.4 software. RESULTS: (1) 3 serotypes were identified and S. flexneri was common that accounted for 75.5% of all Shigella isolates followed by 24.4% of S. sonnei, but only 1 strain of S. dysenteriae was separated. (2) The resistant rates to tetracycline and ampicillin in Shigella spp were quite high, as over 90.0%. However, the resistant rate to Cefotaxime was the lowest, only 6.1%. The resistant rates were different between serotypes with the resistant rates of S. flexneri to ampicillin, ampicillin/clavulanate and ciprofloxacin were higher than those of S. sonnei (P < 0.001). (3) The multiple-antibiotic-resistance status in Shigella spp was quite serious and the resistant rate to five and more antimicrobials was 54.9%. The most common resistant patterns were seen on ampicillin, nalidixin, tetracycline and sulfamethoxazole. (4) There were some differences in subtypes and antimicrobial resistance among different provinces. CONCLUSION: Cefotaxime seemed the best in curing Shigellosis at the clinic level. Programs regarding monitoring subtypes and antimicrobial resistance of Shigella should be in a continuous manner so as to understand the pathogens timely and to control the disease pertinently.