MicroRNA-335-5p modulates spatial memory and hippocampal synaptic plasticity.

MicroRNAs are endogenous, noncoding RNAs crucial for the post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. In this study, we investigated the role of miR-335-5p in spatial learning and synaptic plasticity. To this end we first showed spatial learning induced down-regulation of miR-335-5p. Next we found impairment in long-term memory and reduction in hippocampal long-term potentiation by exogenous administration of the miRNA. These findings demonstrate that miR-335-5p is a key coordinator of the intracellular pathways that mediate experience-dependent changes in the brain.

In vivo skin leptin modulation after 14 MeV neutron irradiation: a molecular and FT-IR spectroscopic study.

This paper discusses gene expression changes in the skin of mice treated by monoenergetic 14 MeV neutron irradiation and the possibility of monitoring the resultant lipid depletion (cross-validated by functional genomic analysis) as a marker of radiation exposure by high-resolution FT-IR (Fourier transform infrared) imaging spectroscopy. The irradiation was performed at the ENEA Frascati Neutron Generator (FNG), which is specifically dedicated to biological samples. FNG is a linear electrostatic accelerator that produces up to 1.0 × 10(11) 14-MeV neutrons per second via the D-T nuclear reaction. The functional genomic approach was applied to four animals for each experimental condition (unirradiated, 0.2 Gy irradiation, or 1 Gy irradiation) 6 hours or 24 hours after exposure. Coregulation of a subclass of keratin and keratin-associated protein genes that are physically clustered in the mouse genome and functionally related to skin and hair follicle proliferation and differentiation was observed. Most of these genes are transiently upregulated at 6 h after the delivery of the lower dose delivered, and drastically downregulated at 24 h after the delivery of the dose of 1 Gy. In contrast, the gene coding for the leptin protein was consistently upregulated upon irradiation with both doses. Leptin is a key protein that regulates lipid accumulation in tissues, and its absence provokes obesity. The tissue analysis was performed by monitoring the accumulation and the distribution of skin lipids using FT-IR imaging spectroscopy. The overall picture indicates the differential modulation of key genes during epidermis homeostasis that leads to the activation of a self-renewal process at low doses of irradiation.

Clinical and personality features of allodynic migraine.

Cutaneous allodynia (CA) is a frequent complaint during migraine attacks, recently associated with migraine transformation as well as psychiatric comorbidities. The aim of our study was to define the clinical features of allodynic migraineurs, in particular, the relationship between CA and personality profile. Between October 2008 and December 2009, 410 migraineurs admitted for the first time to our Headache Center underwent Allodynia Symptom Checklist, MIgraine DIsability Assessment Scale (MIDAS) and psychometric tests [Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire (TPQ), Toronto Alexithymia Scale, State and Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI Y 1-2), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)]. Allodynia was present in 63% of cases, mostly in females. In CA patients, an association with female sex, chronic migraine, higher values of MIDAS, BDI, harm avoidance (HA, a TPQ dimension) and STAI Y-2 was found. Interestingly, CA appears to be associated with depression and a particular personality profile characterized by higher values of HA, suggesting an involvement of the serotonergic system in the development of CA in migraine. In conclusion, CA is associated with progression of migraine and it could be a marker of psychiatric comorbidities, in particular, depression and anxious trait.

microRNAs Modulate Spatial Memory in the Hippocampus and in the Ventral Striatum in a Region-Specific Manner.

MicroRNAs are endogenous, noncoding RNAs crucial for the post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. Their role in spatial memory formation, however, is poorly explored. In this study, we analyzed learning-induced microRNA expression in the hippocampus and in the ventral striatum. Among miRNAs specifically downregulated by spatial training, we focused on the hippocampus-specific miR-324-5p and the ventral striatum-specific miR-24. In vivo overexpression of the two miRNAs demonstrated that miR-324-5p is able to impair memory if administered in the hippocampus but not in the ventral striatum, while the opposite is true for miR-24. Overall, these findings demonstrate a causal relationship between miRNA expression changes and spatial memory formation. Furthermore, they provide support for a regional dissociation in the post-transcriptional processes underlying spatial memory in the two brain structures analyzed.

Yield and post-harvest quality of tomato hybrids heterozygous at the loci alcobaça, old gold-crimson or high pigment

The effects of the fruit ripening mutant gene alcobaça (alc) and color development mutants, old gold-crimson (ogc) and high pigment (hp), on yield and post-harvest quality of tomato fruits were investigated. Five tomato hybrids were obtained by crossing near isogenic lines with Flora-Dade background [Flora-Dade (alc+/alc+ ogc+/ogc+ hp+/hp+), TOM-559 (alc/alc ogc+/ogc+ hp+/hp+), TOM-591 (alc/alc ogc/ogc hp+/hp+), TOM-593 (alc/alc ogc+/ogc+ hp/hp), and TOM-589 (alc/alc ogc/ogc hp/hp)] with the pollen parent line Mospomorist (alc+/alc+ ogc+/ogc+ hp+/hp+). Hybrid fruit was harvested at the breaker stage and stored on shelves at 15oC and 60 relative humidity for 16 days, and then evaluated for firmness, development of red color, and carotenoid contents. The different genotypic combinations at the loci alc, ogc and hp had no effect on fruit yield. The alc+/alc hybrid genotype significantly increased fruit firmness and significantly delayed the development of red color in maturing fruit. Simultaneous usage of ogc+/ogc and hp+/hp promoted an increase in the red color and lycopene content of alc+/alc hybrids, but did not have any additional effect on fruit firmness