Specialized astrocytes mediate glutamatergic gliotransmission in the CNS.

Multimodal astrocyte-neuron communications govern brain circuitry assembly and function1. For example, through rapid glutamate release, astrocytes can control excitability, plasticity and synchronous activity2,3 of synaptic networks, while also contributing to their dysregulation in neuropsychiatric conditions4-7. For astrocytes to communicate through fast focal glutamate release, they should possess an apparatus for Ca2+-dependent exocytosis similar to neurons8-10. However, the existence of this mechanism has been questioned11-13 owing to inconsistent data14-17 and a lack of direct supporting evidence. Here we revisited the astrocyte glutamate exocytosis hypothesis by considering the emerging molecular heterogeneity of astrocytes18-21 and using molecular, bioinformatic and imaging approaches, together with cell-specific genetic tools that interfere with glutamate exocytosis in vivo. By analysing existing single-cell RNA-sequencing databases and our patch-seq data, we identified nine molecularly distinct clusters of hippocampal astrocytes, among which we found a notable subpopulation that selectively expressed synaptic-like glutamate-release machinery and localized to discrete hippocampal sites. Using GluSnFR-based glutamate imaging22 in situ and in vivo, we identified a corresponding astrocyte subgroup that responds reliably to astrocyte-selective stimulations with subsecond glutamate release events at spatially precise hotspots, which were suppressed by astrocyte-targeted deletion of vesicular glutamate transporter 1 (VGLUT1). Furthermore, deletion of this transporter or its isoform VGLUT2 revealed specific contributions of glutamatergic astrocytes in cortico-hippocampal and nigrostriatal circuits during normal behaviour and pathological processes. By uncovering this atypical subpopulation of specialized astrocytes in the adult brain, we provide insights into the complex roles of astrocytes in central nervous system (CNS) physiology and diseases, and identify a potential therapeutic target.

Novel Genes Involved in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: Data of Transcriptome and Methylome Profiling.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common inherited heart disease; its pathogenesis is still being intensively studied to explain the reasons for the significant genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity of the disease. To search for new genes involved in HCM development, we analyzed gene expression profiles coupled with DNA methylation profiles in the hypertrophied myocardia of HCM patients. The transcriptome analysis identified significant differences in the levels of 193 genes, most of which were underexpressed in HCM. The methylome analysis revealed 1755 nominally significant differentially methylated positions (DMPs), mostly hypomethylated in HCM. Based on gene ontology enrichment analysis, the majority of biological processes, overrepresented by both differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and DMP-containing genes, are involved in the regulation of locomotion and muscle structure development. The intersection of 193 DEGs and 978 DMP-containing genes pinpointed eight common genes, the expressions of which correlated with the methylation levels of the neighboring DMPs. Half of these genes (AUTS2, BRSK2, PRRT1, and SLC17A7), regulated by the mechanism of DNA methylation, were underexpressed in HCM and were involved in neurogenesis and synapse functioning. Our data, suggesting the involvement of innervation-associated genes in HCM, provide additional insights into disease pathogenesis and expand the field of further research.

KDM6B cooperates with Tau and regulates synaptic plasticity and cognition via inducing VGLUT1/2.

The excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate shapes learning and memory, but the underlying epigenetic mechanism of glutamate regulation in neuron remains poorly understood. Here, we showed that lysine demethylase KDM6B was expressed in excitatory neurons and declined in hippocampus with age. Conditional knockout of KDM6B in excitatory neurons reduced spine density, synaptic vesicle number and synaptic activity, and impaired learning and memory without obvious effect on brain morphology in mice. Mechanistically, KDM6B upregulated vesicular glutamate transporter 1 and 2 (VGLUT1/2) in neurons through demethylating H3K27me3 at their promoters. Tau interacted and recruited KDM6B to the promoters of Slc17a7 and Slc17a6, leading to a decrease in local H3K27me3 levels and induction of VGLUT1/2 expression in neurons, which could be prevented by loss of Tau. Ectopic expression of KDM6B, VGLUT1, or VGLUT2 restored spine density and synaptic activity in KDM6B-deficient cortical neurons. Collectively, these findings unravel a fundamental mechanism underlying epigenetic regulation of synaptic plasticity and cognition.

Circadian clock outputs regulating insect photoperiodism: A potential role for glutamate transporter.

Many temperate ectotherms survive winter by entering diapause - a state of developmental (or reproductive) suppression or arrest - in response to short autumnal day lengths. Day lengths are assessed by the circadian clock, the biological time-keeping system that governs biological rhythms with a period of approximately 24 h. However, clock output molecules controlling this photoperiodic response are largely unknown for many insects. To identify these molecules in Hemiptera, we performed RNAi knockdowns of several candidate genes in the bean bug Riptortus pedestris to determine whether their silencing affects photoperiodic regulation of ovarian development (reproductive diapause). Knockdown of diuretic hormone 31, short neuropeptide F, neuropeptide F, ion transport peptide, neuropeptide-like precursor 1, and choline acetyltransferase had no effect on ovarian development and were therefore ruled out as regulators of the photoperiodic response. However, knockdown of vesicular glutamate transporter promoted ovarian development under diapause-inducing short days, and this is the first report of the functional involvement of glutamate signalling in insect photoperiodism. Improved knockdown of this transporter (or receptor) and RNAi of other genes involved in glutamate signal transduction is required to verify its role as an output of the circadian clock.

Maturation of Purkinje cell firing properties relies on neurogenesis of excitatory neurons.

Preterm infants that suffer cerebellar insults often develop motor disorders and cognitive difficulty. Excitatory granule cells, the most numerous neuron type in the brain, are especially vulnerable and likely instigate disease by impairing the function of their targets, the Purkinje cells. Here, we use regional genetic manipulations and in vivo electrophysiology to test whether excitatory neurons establish the firing properties of Purkinje cells during postnatal mouse development. We generated mutant mice that lack the majority of excitatory cerebellar neurons and tracked the structural and functional consequences on Purkinje cells. We reveal that Purkinje cells fail to acquire their typical morphology and connectivity, and that the concomitant transformation of Purkinje cell firing activity does not occur either. We also show that our mutant pups have impaired motor behaviors and vocal skills. These data argue that excitatory cerebellar neurons define the maturation time-window for postnatal Purkinje cell functions and refine cerebellar-dependent behaviors.

Preterm infants have a higher risk of developing movement difficulties and neurodevelopmental conditions like autism spectrum disorder. This is likely caused by injuries to a part of the brain called the cerebellum. The cerebellum is important for movement, language and social interactions. During the final weeks of pregnancy, the cerebellum grows larger and develops a complex pattern of folds. Tiny granule cells, which are particularly vulnerable to harm, drive this development. Exactly how damage to granule cells causes movement difficulties and other conditions is unclear. One potential explanation may be that granule cells are important for the development of Purkinje cells in the brain. The Purkinje cells send and receive messages and are very important for coordinating movement. To learn more, van der Heijden et al. studied Purkinje cells in mice during a period that corresponds with the third trimester of pregnancy in humans. During this time, the pattern of electrical signals sent by the Purkinje cells changed from slow and irregular to fast and rhythmic with long pauses between bursts. However, mice that had been genetically engineered to lack most of their granule cells showed a completely different pattern of Purkinje cell development. The pattern of electrical signals emitted by these Purkinje cells stayed slow and irregular. Mice that lacked granule cells also had movement difficulties, tremors, and abnormal vocalizations. The experiments confirm that granule cells are essential for normal brain development. Without enough granule cells, the Purkinje cells become stuck in an immature state. This discovery may help physicians identify preterm infants with motor disorders and other conditions earlier. It may also lead to changes in the care of preterm infants designed to protect their granule cells.

DNA methylation of Vesicular Glutamate Transporters in the mesocorticolimbic brain following early-life stress and adult ethanol exposure-an explorative study.

DNA methylation and gene expression can be altered by early life stress (ELS) and/or ethanol consumption. The present study aimed to investigate whether DNA methylation of the Vesicular Glutamate Transporters (Vglut)1-3 is related to previously observed Vglut1-3 transcriptional differences in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), nucleus accumbens (Acb), dorsal striatum (dStr) and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of adult rats exposed to ELS, modelled by maternal separation, and voluntary ethanol consumption. Targeted next-generation bisulfite sequencing was performed to identify the methylation levels on 61 5'-cytosine-phosphate-guanosine-3' sites (CpGs) in potential regulatory regions of Vglut1, 53 for Vglut2, and 51 for Vglut3. In the VTA, ELS in ethanol-drinking rats was associated with Vglut1-2 CpG-specific hypomethylation, whereas bidirectional Vglut2 methylation differences at single CpGs were associated with ELS alone. Exposure to both ELS and ethanol, in the Acb, was associated with lower promoter and higher intronic Vglut3 methylation; and in the dStr, with higher and lower methylation in 26% and 43% of the analyzed Vglut1 CpGs, respectively. In the mPFC, lower Vglut2 methylation was observed upon exposure to ELS or ethanol. The present findings suggest Vglut1-3 CpG-specific methylation signatures of ELS and ethanol drinking, underlying previously reported Vglut1-3 transcriptional differences in the mesocorticolimbic brain.

Immediate and after effects of transcranial direct-current stimulation in the mouse primary somatosensory cortex.

Transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique consisting in the application of weak electric currents on the scalp. Although previous studies have demonstrated the clinical value of tDCS for modulating sensory, motor, and cognitive functions, there are still huge gaps in the knowledge of the underlying physiological mechanisms. To define the immediate impact as well as the after effects of tDCS on sensory processing, we first performed electrophysiological recordings in primary somatosensory cortex (S1) of alert mice during and after administration of S1-tDCS, and followed up with immunohistochemical analysis of the stimulated brain regions. During the application of cathodal and anodal transcranial currents we observed polarity-specific bidirectional changes in the N1 component of the sensory-evoked potentials (SEPs) and associated gamma oscillations. On the other hand, 20 min of cathodal stimulation produced significant after-effects including a decreased SEP amplitude for up to 30 min, a power reduction in the 20-80 Hz range and a decrease in gamma event related synchronization (ERS). In contrast, no significant changes in SEP amplitude or power analysis were observed after anodal stimulation except for a significant increase in gamma ERS after tDCS cessation. The polarity-specific differences of these after effects were corroborated by immunohistochemical analysis, which revealed an unbalance of GAD 65-67 immunoreactivity between the stimulated versus non-stimulated S1 region only after cathodal tDCS. These results highlight the differences between immediate and after effects of tDCS, as well as the asymmetric after effects induced by anodal and cathodal stimulation.

Gene Expression of Disease-related Genes in Alzheimer's Disease is Impaired by Tau Aggregation.

Neuronal hyperexcitability linked to an increase in glutamate signalling is a peculiar trait of the early stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and tauopathies, however, a progressive reduction in glutamate release follows in advanced stages. We recently reported that in the early phases of the neurodegenerative process, soluble, non-aggregated Tau accumulates in the nucleus and modulates the expression of disease-relevant genes directly involved in glutamatergic transmission, thus establishing a link between Tau instability and altered neurotransmission. Here we report that while the nuclear translocation of Tau in cultured cells is not impaired by its own aggregation, the nuclear amyloid inclusions of aggregated Tau abolish Tau-dependent increased expression of the glutamate transporter. Remarkably, we observed that in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of AD patient brain, the glutamate transporter is upregulated at early stages and is downregulated at late stages. The Gene Set Enrichment Analysis indicates that the modulation of Tau-dependent gene expression along the disease progression can be extended to all protein pathways of the glutamatergic synapse. Together, this evidence links the altered glutamatergic function in the PFC during AD progression to the newly discovered function of nuclear Tau.

Characterization of Neurons Expressing the Novel Analgesic Drug Target Somatostatin Receptor 4 in Mouse and Human Brains.

Somatostatin is an important mood and pain-regulating neuropeptide, which exerts analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antidepressant effects via its Gi protein-coupled receptor subtype 4 (SST4) without endocrine actions. SST4 is suggested to be a unique novel drug target for chronic neuropathic pain, and depression, as a common comorbidity. However, its neuronal expression and cellular mechanism are poorly understood. Therefore, our goals were (i) to elucidate the expression pattern of Sstr4/SSTR4 mRNA, (ii) to characterize neurochemically, and (iii) electrophysiologically the Sstr4/SSTR4-expressing neuronal populations in the mouse and human brains. Here, we describe SST4 expression pattern in the nuclei of the mouse nociceptive and anti-nociceptive pathways as well as in human brain regions, and provide neurochemical and electrophysiological characterization of the SST4-expressing neurons. Intense or moderate SST4 expression was demonstrated predominantly in glutamatergic neurons in the major components of the pain matrix mostly also involved in mood regulation. The SST4 agonist J-2156 significantly decreased the firing rate of layer V pyramidal neurons by augmenting the depolarization-activated, non-inactivating K+ current (M-current) leading to remarkable inhibition. These are the first translational results explaining the mechanisms of action of SST4 agonists as novel analgesic and antidepressant candidates.

Transcript Expression of Vesicular Glutamate Transporters in Rat Dorsal Root Ganglion and Spinal Cord Neurons: Impact of Spinal Blockade during Hindpaw Inflammation.

Studies in mouse, and to a lesser extent in rat, have revealed the neuroanatomical distribution of vesicular glutamate transporters (VGLUTs) and begun exposing the critical role of VGLUT2 and VGLUT3 in pain transmission. In the present study in rat, we used specific riboprobes to characterize the transcript expression of all three VGLUTs in lumbar dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) and in the thoracolumbar, lumbar, and sacral spinal cord. We show for the first time in rat a very discrete VGLUT3 expression in DRGs and in deep layers of the dorsal horn. We confirm the abundant expression of VGLUT2, in both DRGs and the spinal cord, including presumable motorneurons in the latter. As expected, VGLUT1 was present in many DRG neuron profiles, and in the spinal cord it was mostly localized to neurons in the dorsal nucleus of Clarke. In rats with a 10 day long hindpaw inflammation, increased spinal expression of VGLUT2 transcript was detected by qRT-PCR, and intrathecal administration of the nonselective VGLUT inhibitor Chicago Sky Blue 6B resulted in reduced mechanical and thermal allodynia for up to 24 h. In conclusion, our results provide a collective characterization of VGLUTs in rat DRGs and the spinal cord, demonstrate increased spinal expression of VGLUT2 during chronic peripheral inflammation, and support the use of spinal VGLUT blockade as a strategy for attenuating inflammatory pain.

Coexpression of VGLUT1 and VGLUT2 in precerebellar neurons in the lateral reticular nucleus of the rat.

Vesicular glutamate transporter (VGLUT) 1 and VGLUT2 have been reported to distribute complementally in most brain regions and have been assumed to define distinct functional elements. Previous studies have shown the expression of VGLUT1 mRNA and VGLUT2 mRNA in the lateral reticular nucleus (LRN), a key precerebellar nucleus sending mossy fibers to the cerebellum. In the present study, we firstly examined the coexpression of VGLUT1 and VGLUT2 mRNA in the LRN of the rat by dual-fluorescence in situ hybridization. About 81.89 % of glutamatergic LRN neurons coexpressed VGLUT1 and VGLUT2 mRNA, and the others expressed either VGLUT1 or VGLUT2 mRNA. We then injected the retrograde tracer Fluogold (FG) into the vermal cortex of cerebellum, and observed that 95.01 % and 86.80 % of FG-labeled LRN neurons expressed VGLUT1 or VGLUT2 mRNA respectively. We further injected the anterograde tracer biotinylated dextran amine (BDA) into the LRN, and found about 82.6 % of BDA labeled axon terminals in the granular layer of cerebellar cortex showed both VGLUT1- and VGLUT2-immunoreactivities. Afterwards, we observed under electron microscopy that anterogradely labeled axon terminals showing immunoreactivity for VGLUT1 or VGLUT2 made asymmetric synapses with dendritic profiles of cerebellar neurons. Finally, we selectively down-regulated the expression of VGLUT1 mRNA or VGLUT2 mRNA by using viral vector mediated siRNA transfection and detected that the fine movements of the forelimb of rats were disturbed. These results indicated that LRN neurons coexpressing VGLUT1 and VGLUT2 project to the cerebellar cortex and these neurons might be critical in mediating the forelimb movements.

Amyloid-beta1-42 induced glutamatergic receptor and transporter expression changes in the mouse hippocampus.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the leading type of dementia worldwide. With an increasing burden of an aging population coupled with the lack of any foreseeable cure, AD warrants the current intense research effort on the toxic effects of an increased concentration of beta-amyloid (Aß) in the brain. Glutamate is the main excitatory brain neurotransmitter and it plays an essential role in the function and health of neurons and neuronal excitability. While previous studies have shown alterations in expression of glutamatergic signaling components in AD, the underlying mechanisms of these changes are not well understood. This is the first comprehensive anatomical study to characterize the subregion- and cell layer-specific long-term effect of Aß1-42 on the expression of specific glutamate receptors and transporters in the mouse hippocampus, using immunohistochemistry with confocal microscopy. Outcomes are examined 30 days after Aß1-42 stereotactic injection in aged male C57BL/6 mice. We report significant decreases in density of the glutamate receptor subunit GluA1 and the vesicular glutamate transporter (VGluT) 1 in the conus ammonis 1 region of the hippocampus in the Aß1-42 injected mice compared with artificial cerebrospinal fluid injected and naïve controls, notably in the stratum oriens and stratum radiatum. GluA1 subunit density also decreased within the dentate gyrus dorsal stratum moleculare in Aß1-42 injected mice compared with artificial cerebrospinal fluid injected controls. These changes are consistent with findings previously reported in the human AD hippocampus. By contrast, glutamate receptor subunits GluA2, GluN1, GluN2A, and VGluT2 showed no changes in expression. These findings indicate that Aß1-42 induces brain region and layer specific expression changes of the glutamatergic receptors and transporters, suggesting complex and spatial vulnerability of this pathway during development of AD neuropathology. Read the Editorial Highlight for this article on page 7. Cover Image for this issue: https://doi.org/10.1111/jnc.14763.

Morphological and molecular correlates of altered hearing sensitivity in the genetically audiogenic seizure-prone hamster GASH/Sal.

Rodent models of audiogenic seizures, in which seizures are precipitated by an abnormal response of the brain to auditory stimuli, are crucial to investigate the neural bases underlying ictogenesis. Despite significant advances in understanding seizure generation in the inferior colliculus, namely the epileptogenic nucleus, little is known about the contribution of lower auditory stations to the seizure-prone network. Here, we examined the cochlea and cochlear nucleus of the genetic audiogenic seizure hamster from Salamanca (GASH/Sal), a model of reflex epilepsy that exhibits generalized tonic-clonic seizures in response to loud sound. GASH/Sal animals under seizure-free conditions were compared with matched control hamsters in a multi-technical approach that includes auditory brainstem responses (ABR) testing, histology, scanning electron microscopy analysis, immunohistochemistry, quantitative morphometry and gene expression analysis (RT-qPCR). The cochlear histopathology of the GASH/Sal showed preservation of the sensory hair cells, but a significant loss of spiral ganglion neurons and mild atrophy of the stria vascularis. At the electron microscopy level, the reticular lamina exhibited disarray of stereociliary tufts with blebs, loss or elongated stereocilia as well as non-parallel rows of outer hair cells due to protrusions of Deiters' cells. At the molecular level, the abnormal gene expression patterns of prestin, cadherin 23, protocadherin 15, vesicular glutamate transporters 1 (Vglut1) and -2 (Vglut2) indicated that the hair-cell mechanotransduction and cochlear amplification were markedly altered. These were manifestations of a cochlear neuropathy that correlated to ABR waveform I alterations and elevated auditory thresholds. In the cochlear nucleus, the distribution of VGLUT2-immunolabeled puncta was differently affected in each subdivision, showing significant increases in magnocellular regions of the ventral cochlear nucleus and drastic reductions in the granule cell domain. This modified inputs lead to disruption of Vglut1 and Vglut2 gene expression in the cochlear nucleus. In sum, our study provides insight into the morphological and molecular traits associated with audiogenic seizure susceptibility in the GASH/Sal, suggesting an upward spread of abnormal glutamatergic transmission throughout the primary acoustic pathway to the epileptogenic region.

Altered expression of glutamatergic and GABAergic genes in the valproic acid-induced rat model of autism: A screening test.

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) include neurodevelopmental disorders in which behavioral deficits can result from neuronal imbalance of excitation to inhibition (E/I) in the brain. Here we used RT-qPCR to screen for the expression of 99 genes associated with excitatory (glutamatergic) and inhibitory (GABAergic) neurotransmission in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum of rats in an established VPA model of ASD. The largest changes in the expression of glutamatergic genes were found in the cerebral cortex, where 12 genes including these encoding some of the subunits of the ionotropic glutamate receptors, were upregulated, while 2 genes were downregulated. The expression of genes encoding the presynaptic glutamatergic proteins vGluT1 and mGluR7 and PKA, involved in downstream glutamatergic signaling, was elevated more than 100-fold. Changes in GABAergic gene expression were found in the cortex, cerebellum and hippocampus; 3 genes were upregulated, and 3 were downregulated. In conclusion, these results revealed that, in the ASD model, several glutamatergic genes in the rat cerebral cortex were upregulated, which contrasts with small and balanced changes in the expression of GABAergic genes. The VPA rat model, useful in studying the molecular basis of ASD, may be suitable for testing experimental therapies in these disabilities.

Brain-wide genetic mapping identifies the indusium griseum as a prenatal target of pharmacologically unrelated psychostimulants.

Psychostimulant use is an ever-increasing socioeconomic burden, including a dramatic rise during pregnancy. Nevertheless, brain-wide effects of psychostimulant exposure are incompletely understood. Here, we performed Fos-CreERT2-based activity mapping, correlated for pregnant mouse dams and their fetuses with amphetamine, nicotine, and caffeine applied acutely during midgestation. While light-sheet microscopy-assisted intact tissue imaging revealed drug- and age-specific neuronal activation, the indusium griseum (IG) appeared indiscriminately affected. By using GAD67gfp/+ mice we subdivided the IG into a dorsolateral domain populated by γ-aminobutyric acidergic interneurons and a ventromedial segment containing glutamatergic neurons, many showing drug-induced activation and sequentially expressing Pou3f3/Brn1 and secretagogin (Scgn) during differentiation. We then combined Patch-seq and circuit mapping to show that the ventromedial IG is a quasi-continuum of glutamatergic neurons (IG-Vglut1+) reminiscent of dentate granule cells in both rodents and humans, whose dendrites emanate perpendicularly toward while their axons course parallel with the superior longitudinal fissure. IG-Vglut1+ neurons receive VGLUT1+ and VGLUT2+ excitatory afferents that topologically segregate along their somatodendritic axis. In turn, their efferents terminate in the olfactory bulb, thus being integral to a multisynaptic circuit that could feed information antiparallel to the olfactory-cortical pathway. In IG-Vglut1+ neurons, prenatal psychostimulant exposure delayed the onset of Scgn expression. Genetic ablation of Scgn was then found to sensitize adult mice toward methamphetamine-induced epilepsy. Overall, our study identifies brain-wide targets of the most common psychostimulants, among which Scgn+/Vglut1+ neurons of the IG link limbic and olfactory circuits.

Association of a novel seven-gene expression signature with the disease prognosis in colon cancer patients.

Older patients who are diagnosed with colon cancer face unique challenges, specifically regarding to cancer treatment. The aim of this study was to identify prognostic signatures to predicting prognosis in colon cancer patients through a detailed transcriptomic analysis. RNA-seq expression profile, miRNA expression profile, and clinical phenotype information of all the samples of TCGA colon adenocarcinoma were downloaded and differentially expressed mRNAs (DEMs), differentially expressed lncRNAs (DELs) and differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMis) were identified. A competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network was constructed further and DEMs related with prognosis in the ceRNA network was screened using Cox regression analysis. Risk score models for predicting the prognosis of colon cancer patients were built using these DEMs. A total of 1476 DEMs, 9 DELs, and 243 DEMis between the tumor and normal samples were identified and functional enrichment analyses showed that the DEMs were significantly enriched in the nervous system development, ribosome biogenesis pathways in eukaryotes, and drug metabolism cytochrome P450. Twelve DEMs related with prognosis were screened from the ceRNA network. Thereafter, the risk score models of prognostic DEMs were obtained, involving seven DEMs (SGCG, CLDN23, SLC4A4, CCDC78, SLC17A7, OTOP3, and SMPDL3A). Additionally, cancer stage was identified as a prognostic clinical factor. This prognostic signature was further validated in two independent datasets. Our study developed a seven-mRNA and one-clinical factor signature that are associated with prognosis in colon cancer patients, which may serve as possible biomarkers and therapeutic targets in the future.

Glutamate/GABA co-release selectively influences postsynaptic glutamate receptors in mouse cortical neurons.

Cultured rat cortical neurons co-expressing VGLUT1 and VGAT (mixed synapses) co-release Glu and GABA. Here, mixed synapses were studied in cultured mouse cortical neurons to verify whether in mice mixed synapses co-release Glu and GABA, and to gain insight into how they may influence excitation/inhibition balance. Results showed the existence of synapses and autapses that co-release Glu and GABA in cultured mouse cortical neurons, and the ability of both neurotransmitters to evoke postsynaptic responses mediated by ionotropic receptors. We studied the short-term plasticity of glutamatergic, GABAergic, and mixed responses and we found that the kinetics of mixPSC amplitude depression was similar to that observed in EPSCs, but it was different from that of IPSCs. We found similar presynaptic release characteristics in glutamatergic and mixed synapses. Analysis of postsynaptic features, obtained by measuring AMPAR- and NMDAR-mediated currents, showed that AMPAR-mediated currents were significantly higher in pure glutamatergic than in mixed synapses, whereas NMDAR-mediated currents were not significantly different from those measured in mixed synapses. Overall, our findings demonstrate that glutamatergic and mixed synapses share similar electrophysiological properties. However, co-release of GABA and Glu influences postsynaptic ionotropic glutamatergic receptor subtypes, thus selectively influencing AMPAR-mediated currents. These findings strengthen the view that mixed neurons can play a key role in CNS development and in maintaining the excitation-inhibition balance.

The light-sensitive dimerizer zapalog reveals distinct modes of immobilization for axonal mitochondria.

Controlling cellular processes with light can help elucidate their underlying mechanisms. Here we present zapalog, a small-molecule dimerizer that undergoes photolysis when exposed to blue light. Zapalog dimerizes any two proteins tagged with the FKBP and DHFR domains until exposure to light causes its photolysis. Dimerization can be repeatedly restored with uncleaved zapalog. We implement this method to investigate mitochondrial motility and positioning in cultured neurons. Using zapalog, we tether mitochondria to constitutively active kinesin motors, forcing them down the axon towards microtubule (+) ends until their instantaneous release via blue light, which results in full restoration of their endogenous motility. We find that one-third of stationary mitochondria cannot be pulled away from their position and that these firmly anchored mitochondria preferentially localize to VGLUT1-positive presynapses. Furthermore, inhibition of actin polymerization with latrunculin A reduces this firmly anchored pool. On release from exogenous motors, mitochondria are preferentially recaptured at presynapses.

Local protein synthesis is a ubiquitous feature of neuronal pre- and postsynaptic compartments.

There is ample evidence for localization of messenger RNAs (mRNAs) and protein synthesis in neuronal dendrites; however, demonstrations of these processes in presynaptic terminals are limited. We used expansion microscopy to resolve pre- and postsynaptic compartments in rodent neurons. Most presynaptic terminals in the hippocampus and forebrain contained mRNA and ribosomes. We sorted fluorescently labeled mouse brain synaptosomes and then sequenced hundreds of mRNA species present within excitatory boutons. After brief metabolic labeling, >30% of all presynaptic terminals exhibited a signal, providing evidence for ongoing protein synthesis. We tested different classic plasticity paradigms and observed distinct patterns of rapid pre- and/or postsynaptic translation. Thus, presynaptic terminals are translationally competent, and local protein synthesis is differentially recruited to drive compartment-specific phenotypes that underlie different forms of plasticity.

The autism/neuroprotection-linked ADNP/NAP regulate the excitatory glutamatergic synapse.

Activity-dependent neuroprotective protein (ADNP), essential for brain formation, was discovered as a leading de novo mutated gene causing the autism-like ADNP syndrome. This syndrome is phenotypically characterized by global developmental delays, intellectual disabilities, speech impediments, and motor dysfunctions. The Adnp haploinsufficient mouse mimics the human ADNP syndrome in terms of synapse density and gene expression patterns, as well as in developmental, motor, and cognitive abilities. Peripheral ADNP was also discovered as a biomarker for Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia, with nasal administration of the ADNP snippet peptide NAP (enhancing endogenous ADNP activity) leading to partial cognitive and functional protection at the cellular, animal and clinical settings. Here, a novel formulation for effective delivery of NAP is provided with superior brain penetration capabilities. Also provided are methods for treating pertinent clinical implications such as autism, cognitive impairments, olfactory deficits, and muscle strength using the formulation in the Adnp haploinsufficient mouse. Results showed a dramatically specific increase in brain/body bioavailability with the new formulation, without breaching the blood brain barrier. Additional findings included improvements using daily intranasal treatments with NAP, at the behavioral and brain structural levels, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), translatable to clinical practice. Significant effects on hippocampal and cerebral cortical expression of the presynaptic Slc17a7 gene encoding vesicular excitatory glutamate transporter 1 (VGLUT1) were observed at the RNA and immunohistochemical levels, explaining the DTI results. These findings tie for the first time a reduction in presynaptic glutamatergic synapses with the autism/Alzheimer's/schizophrenia-linked ADNP deficiency coupled with amelioration by NAP (CP201).