• Animal cells and systems
• /
• 제9권3호
• /
• pp.107-111
• /
• 2005

C. elegans DLK-1 has been reported to play an important role in synaptogenesis by shaping the structure of presynaptic terminal. In this study, we investigated the expression pattern and regulation of the dlk-1 gene in C. elegans. To determine the expression pattern, we made a dlk-1::gfp fusion construct, named pPDdg1, which consisted of -2.2 kb 5' upstream region, the first exon, the first intron, and a part of the second exon of the dlk-1 gene. By microinjecting this construct into the worm, we observed that the DLK-1::GFP was expressed mainly in neurons. We next examined the regulatory elements of gene expression by deletion analysis of pPDdg1. Removal of a large portion of the 5' upstream region (${\Delta}-361$ to -2246) of the gene had little effect on the expression pattern, whereas deletion of the first intron led to elimination of the DLK-1::GFP expression in most of the neurons. Our results suggest that the first intron of the C. elegans dlk-1 gene contains the regulatory element critical for gene expression.

• Animal cells and systems
• /
• 제3권3호
• /
• pp.259-267
• /
• 1999

The expression of the neural cell adhesion molecule-180 (NCAM-180), which accumulates at contact sites between cells and may be responsible for the stabilization of cell contacts, was studied in the olfactory system and retina of developing and adult rats. From embryonic day 12 onwards, which was the earliest stage examined, the NCAM-180 pathway directing to the presumptive olfactory bulb was observed. In later stages, olfactory neurons and fasciculating axons in the olfactory epithelium and nerve fiber layer and glomeruli of the olfactory bulb expressed NCAM-180. From postnatal day 0, immunolabelling pattern of the olfactory epithelium and olfactory bulb were the same as that during later stages. NCAM-180 immunoreactivity was present on differentiating retinal cells and persisted on those cells throughout adulthood. However, contrary to the olfactory nerve which remained detectable in the adult, the optic nerve was only transiently expressed with NCAM-180 and was no longer detectable in the adult. The presence of NCAM-180 in olfactory tissues suggests their possible role in pathfinding, differentiation, fasciculation and synaptic plasticity. The continued presence of NCAM-180 in the olfactory system examined may underlie its continuous cell turnover and regenerative capacity. The continuous expression of NCAM-180 in ganglion cells, bipolar cells and photoreceptor cells, also suggests potential regenerating capability and some plastic functions for these cells in the adult. Since the expression of NCAM-180 by the optic nerve was restricted to the period of special histogenetic events, for example, during axonal growth and synaptogenesis, it is possible that the lack of NCAM-180 in the adult optic nerve might cause a nonpermissive environment for the regeneration and result in regenerative failure of this system.

• Toxicological Research
• /
• 제6권2호
• /
• pp.191-204
• /
• 1990

Trimethyltin (TMT) induced lesions in the rat hippocampal formation was reviewed. Adult rats were treated with a single dose of 6.0 mg TMT/kg b.w. and were sacrificed between 3-60 days following exposure. On the hippocampal formation, the granule cells of fascia dentata showed early changes which subsided considerably at a later time when the destruction of the pyramidal neurons of the Ammon's horn became increasingly pronounced with time, leading to severe destruction of the structure. It is interesting to note that there was an inverse relationship of pathological involvement between the f.d. granule cells and the Ammon's horn neurons; i.e., when there was a large sparing of the granule cells. there was an extensive damage to the Ammon's horn and vice versa. This inverse relationship was also true between the $CA_3$neurons and the $CA_{1,2}$neurons in the Ammon's horn. Progressive zinc loss, as demonstrated by Timm's method, on the Mossy fibers was also observed. Similar Mossy fiber zinc depletion has been demonstrated in electrical stimulatory excitation condition of the perforant path to the hippocampus. Depletion of corticosterone, an inhibitor to the hippocampal neurons, by means of adrenalectomy will exaggerate the TMT induced hippocampal lesion. Neonatal study revealed that a unique degenerative pattern of the Ammon's horn could be established in accordance with exposure to TMT at specific maturation periods of the fippocampal formation: increasing destruction of the Ammon's horn with increasing synaptogenesis between the f.d. granule cells and the Ammon's horn neurons. Thus it is apparent that the damage of the Ammon's horn, upon exposure to TMT, may depend on the integrity and functional state of the f.d. granule cells. A hyperexcitory scheme and mechanism as the toxicity basis of TMT in the hippocampal formation is proposed and discussed.

• BMB Reports
• /
• 제54권7호
• /
• pp.380-385
• /
• 2021

Proper targeting of the βPAK-interacting exchange factor (βPIX)/G protein-coupled receptor kinase-interacting target protein (GIT) complex into distinct cellular compartments is essential for its diverse functions including neurite extension and synaptogenesis. However, the mechanism for translocation of this complex is still unknown. In the present study, we reported that the conventional kinesin, called kinesin-1, can transport the βPIX/GIT complex. Additionally, βPIX bind to KIF5A, a neuronal isoform of kinesin-1 heavy chain, but not KIF1 and KIF3. Mapping analysis revealed that the tail of KIF5s and LZ domain of βPIX were the respective binding domains. Silencing KIF5A or the expression of a variety of mutant forms of KIF5A inhibited βPIX targeting the neurite tips in PC12 cells. Furthermore, truncated mutants of βPIX without LZ domain did not interact with KIF5A, and were unable to target the neurite tips in PC12 cells. These results defined kinesin-1 as a motor protein of βPIX, and may provide new insights into βPIX/GIT complex-dependent neuronal pathophysiology.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
• /
• 제22권2호
• /
• pp.171-180
• /
• 2019

Purpose: Malnutrition may influence neurocognitive development in children by directly affecting the brain structural development, or indirectly by affecting the children's cognition experience. Malnutrition alters the cell numbers, cell migration, synaptogenesis, and neurotransmission due to inadequate availability of necessary micronutrients to support cell growth. We aimed to analyze neurocognitive development in infants with malnutrition and its association with long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA), micronutrients levels and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) findings. Methods: The study included two groups; group 1, infants with malnutrition (n=24), group 2; healthy infants (n=21). Peripheral blood was obtained from the participants for studying micronutrients and LC-PUFA levels. The neurocognitive development was analyzed by the use of an Ankara Developmental Screening Inventory test. MRS were performed on all infants. Results: All parameters of neurocognitive development and serum calcium ($9.6{\pm}0.9mg/dL$ vs. $10.4{\pm}0.3mg/dL$, p<0.05) and magnesium ($2.02{\pm}0.27mg/dL$ vs. $2.2{\pm}0.14mg/dL$, p<0.05) levels were noted as being low in infants with marked malnutrition. No difference was found in LC-PUFA levels between healthy and malnourished infants. Thalamic choline/creatine levels were significantly high in infants with malnutrition ($1.33{\pm}0.22$ vs. $1.18{\pm}0.22$, p<0.05). Total neurocognitive development in infants was positively correlated with serum calcium levels (p<0.05, r=0.381). Conclusion: Calcium supplementation may improve neurocognitive development in malnourished infants.

• Genomics & Informatics
• /
• 제19권4호
• /
• pp.44.1-44.9
• /
• 2021

Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder, the prevalence of which has increased drastically in India in recent years. Neuroligin is a type I transmembrane protein that plays a crucial role in synaptogenesis. Alterations in synaptic genes are most commonly implicated in autism and other cognitive disorders. The present study investigated the neuroligin 3 gene in the Indian autistic population by sequencing and in silico pathogenicity prediction of molecular changes. In total, 108 clinically described individuals with autism were included from the North Karnataka region of India, along with 150 age-, sex-, and ethnicity-matched healthy controls. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood, and exonic regions were sequenced. The functional and structural effects of variants of the neuroligin 3 protein were predicted. One coding sequence variant (a missense variant) and four non-coding variants (two 5'-untranslated region [UTR] variants and two 3'-UTR variants) were recorded. The novel missense variant was found in 25% of the autistic population. The C/C genotype of c.551T>C was significantly more common in autistic children than in controls (p = 0.001), and a significantly increased risk of autism (24.7-fold) was associated with this genotype (p = 0.001). The missense variant showed pathogenic effects and high evolutionary conservation over the functions of the neuroligin 3 protein. In the present study, we reported a novel missense variant, V184A, which causes abnormal neuroligin 3 and was found with high frequency in the Indian autistic population. Therefore, neuroligin is a candidate gene for future molecular investigations and functional analysis in the Indian autistic population.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• 제30권4호
• /
• pp.320-327
• /
• 2022

Neurodevelopmental disorders are complex conditions that pose difficulty in the modulation of proper motor, sensory and cognitive function due to dysregulated neuronal development. Previous studies have reported that an imbalance in the excitation/inhibition (E/I) in the brain regulated by glutamatergic and/or GABAergic neurotransmission can cause neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric behavioral deficits such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). NMDA acts as an agonist at the NMDA receptor and imitates the action of the glutamate on that receptor. NMDA however, unlike glutamate, only binds to and regulates the NMDA receptor subtypes and not the other glutamate receptors. This study seeks to determine whether NMDA administration in mice i.e., over-activation of the NMDA system would result in long-lasting behavioral deficits in the adolescent mice. Both gender mice were treated with NMDA or saline at early postnatal developmental period with significant synaptogenesis and synaptic maturation. On postnatal day 28, various behavioral experiments were conducted to assess and identify behavioral characteristics. NMDA-treated mice show social deficits, and repetitive behavior in both gender mice at adolescent periods. However, only the male mice but not female mice showed increased locomotor activity. This study implies that neonatal exposure to NMDA may illicit behavioral features similar to ASD. This study also confirms the validity of the E/I imbalance theory of ASD and that NMDA injection can be used as a pharmacologic model for ASD. Future studies may explore the mechanism behind the gender difference in locomotor activity as well as the human relevance and therapeutic significance of the present findings.

• 대한약침학회지
• /
• 제27권2호
• /
• pp.70-81
• /
• 2024

Objectives: Cognitive impairments, ranging from mild to severe, adversely affect daily functioning, quality of life, and work capacity. Despite significant efforts in the past decade, more than 200 promising drug candidates have failed in clinical trials. Herbal remedies are gaining interest as potential treatments for dementia due to their long history and safety, making them valuable for drug development. This review aimed to examine the mechanisms behind the effect of Polygonum multiflorum on cognitive function. Methods: This study focused primarily on the effects of Polygonum multiflorum and its chemical constituents on cognitive behavioral outcomes including the Morris water maze, the passive avoidance test, and the Y maze, as well as pathogenic targets of cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease (AD) like amyloid deposition, amyloid precursor protein, tau hyperphosphorylation, and cognitive decline. Additionally, a thorough evaluation of the mechanisms behind Polygonum multiflorum's impact on cognitive function was conducted. We reviewed the most recent data from preclinical research done on experimental models, particularly looking at Polygonum multiflorum's effects on cognitive decline and AD. Results: According to recent research, Poligonum multiflorum and its bioactive components, stilbene, and emodin, influence cognitive behavioral results and regulate the pathological target of cognitive impairment and AD. Their mechanisms of action include reducing oxidative and mitochondrial damage, regulating neuroinflammation, halting apoptosis, and promoting increased neurogenesis and synaptogenesis. Conclusion: This review serves as a comprehensive compilation of current experiments on AD and other cognitive impairment models related to the therapeutic effects of Polygonum multiflorum. We believe that these findings can serve as a basis for future clinical trials and have potential applications in the treatment of human neurological disorders.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
• /
• 제13권1호
• /
• pp.3-14
• /
• 2002

아동에 가해지는 정신적 외상의 충격은 아동의 심리발달에 지울 수 없는 상처를 남김으로써 향후 심각한 정신장애를 일으키는 결정적 원인이 된다. 아동기 외상의 현상학적 특징과 외상에 관여하는 신경생물학적 기전을 살펴보았고, 아동기에 경험하는 외상이 인격의 발달에 미치는 영향과 그와 관련한 정신병리를 알아보았다. 외상에 노출된 아동은 공통적으로 자신이 경험한 공포사건을 시각적으로 재경험하거나 그 기억을 반복하며, 놀이나 행동을 통해서도 외상사건을 반복하려는 경향을 보인다. 일회의 충격적 사건에 노출된 아동은 사건에 대한 지나친 기억과 집착을 보이고 지각왜곡이 심한 반면 장기간 반복되는 외상을 경험하는 아동은 정신적 무감각과 자기최면, 해리, 분노의 경향이 두드러진다. 소아·청소년에서는 외상 후 퇴행이 보다 현저하고 시간감각의 왜곡이 더 심하게 나타나며 아동의 연령이 어릴수록 자율신경계의 반응성이 증가하는 경향을 보인다. 외상적 충격에 노출되면 뇌내에서 즉각적이고 방대한 신경전달물질의 방출이 있게되는데, 자율신경계, 면역계, 시상하부-뇌하수체-부신피질 축(hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis)이 활성화된다. 외상시 internal opiate가 활발한 작용을 하면서 아동으로 하여금 외상에 반응하지 않도록 하고 외상에 대한 감정반응 자체를 봉쇄할 수 있도록 해준다. 아동기 외상의 경우 central noradrenergic system에 변화가 초래되어 카테콜아민에 대해 과민감한 비정상적 소견을 보이게 된다. 체내 순환되는 cortisol 수치는 감소하고, glucocorticoid 수용체 농도와 반응성이 증가한다. 외상 후 발견되는 기억력 장애는 해마의 구조적 변화와 관련이 있는 것으로 보고되고 있다. 아동기 외상은 자기(self)와 대상(object)에 대한 내적 표상(internal representation)이 지속적으로 분화 발전하는 발달과정에서 일어난다는 점에서 인격의 발달에 심각한 영향을 미치게 된다. 해리, 신체화, 자학성, 자기애 장애의 정신병리로 발전하면서 경계성 인격장애, 자기애성 인격장애, 다중인격장애 등을 초래하게 된다.

• Applied Microscopy
• /
• 제36권2호
• /
• pp.83-91
• /
• 2006

신경연접은 다양한 생리적 또는 병적 상태에 반응하여 구조 및 수적 변화를 보이며, 신경연접의 밀도 변화는 신경세포의 활성 조절에 중요한 역할을 하는 것으로 알려져 있다. 따라서 특정 생리적 또는 병적 상태에서 신경연접의 밀도 변화를 명확히 이해하기 위해서는 정확한 정량방법을 이용한 밀도 측정이 필수적이다. 본 연구에서는 physical disector법을 이용하여 흰쥐 뇌의 치아이랑에 위치하는 과립신경세포의 신경연접 수를 측정하였으며, 이를 통해 physical disector의 방법적 정확성을 확인하고자 하였다. 성체 흰쥐를 관류고정한 후 치아이랑의 연속 절편을 얻어 통상적인 전자현미경 시료제작법을 통해 Epon 혼합용액에 포매하였다. Physical disector법을 이용한 밀도 분석 시 연속절편의 정렬, 비교 및 disector frame이 필요하므로 Reconstruct 프로그램을 사용하였다. 동물 당 40장의 $1{\mu}m$ 연속절편을 제작하여 과립신경세포체의 밀도를 측정하였으며, 15장의 80nm연속절편으로부터 bidirectional disector법을 이용하여 과립신경세포와 내측 관통로(medial perforant path) 간 신경 연접의 밀도를 분석하였다. 과립신경세포의 세포체와 신경연접은 각각 과립층과 분자층에 위치하기 때문에 하나의 신경세포가 가지는 신경연접의 수를 측정하기 위해서는 각 층의 부피를 고려하는 것이 요구된다. 따라서 과립층에 대한 분자층의 부피비율을 측정하였다. 실험결과, 흰쥐 치아이랑에 위치하는 하나의 과립세포당 약 6,500개의 신경연접의 존재한다는 사실을 확인하였으며, 이는 다른 연구자들의 결과와 유사하였다. 본 연구로부터 physical disector법은 특정 생리적 또는 병적 조건에서 나타나는 신경세포 및 신경연접의 수적 변화를 정확히 측정할 수 있는 유용한 정량방법임을 알 수 있었다. 향후 physical disector법을 이용하여 다양한 실험동물모델의 신경연접 변화를 분석하는 것은 신경연접의 형태적 가소성을 이해하는데 이바지할 것으로 생각된다.