scholarly journals Is Phytomelatonin a New Plant Hormone?

Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marino Arnao ◽  
Josefa Hernández-Ruiz
Keyword(s):  
Neurotransmitter Release ◽  
Plant Hormone ◽  
Great Similarity ◽  
Peripheral Organs ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Made In

Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is of particular importance as a chronobiological hormone in mammals, acting as a signal of darkness that provides information to the brain and peripheral organs. It is an endogenous synchronizer for both endocrine (i.e., via neurotransmitter release) and other physiological rhythms. In this work we will try to add to the series of scientific events and discoveries made in plants that, surprisingly, confirm the great similarity of action of melatonin in animals and plants. The most relevant milestones on the 25 years of phytomelatonin studies are presented, from its discovery in 1995 to the discovery of its receptor in plants in 2018, suggesting it should be regarded as a new plant hormone.

scholarly journals Systemic AAV6-synapsin-GFP administration results in lower liver biodistribution, compared to AAV1&2 and AAV9, with neuronal expression following ultrasound-mediated brain delivery

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Danielle Weber-Adrian ◽  
Rikke Hahn Kofoed ◽  
Joseph Silburt ◽  
Zeinab Noroozian ◽  
Kairavi Shah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Delivery ◽  
Intravenous Injection ◽  
Viral Vectors ◽  
Focused Ultrasound ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Gfp Expression ◽  
Peripheral Organs ◽  
Neuronal Expression ◽  
Green Fluorescent ◽  
The Brain

AbstractNon-surgical gene delivery to the brain can be achieved following intravenous injection of viral vectors coupled with transcranial MRI-guided focused ultrasound (MRIgFUS) to temporarily and locally permeabilize the blood–brain barrier. Vector and promoter selection can provide neuronal expression in the brain, while limiting biodistribution and expression in peripheral organs. To date, the biodistribution of adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) within peripheral organs had not been quantified following intravenous injection and MRIgFUS delivery to the brain. We evaluated the quantity of viral DNA from the serotypes AAV9, AAV6, and a mosaic AAV1&2, expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) under the neuron-specific synapsin promoter (syn). AAVs were administered intravenously during MRIgFUS targeting to the striatum and hippocampus in mice. The syn promoter led to undetectable levels of GFP expression in peripheral organs. In the liver, the biodistribution of AAV9 and AAV1&2 was 12.9- and 4.4-fold higher, respectively, compared to AAV6. The percentage of GFP-positive neurons in the FUS-targeted areas of the brain was comparable for AAV6-syn-GFP and AAV1&2-syn-GFP. In summary, MRIgFUS-mediated gene delivery with AAV6-syn-GFP had lower off-target biodistribution in the liver compared to AAV9 and AAV1&2, while providing neuronal GFP expression in the striatum and hippocampus.

scholarly journals Molecular Mechanisms of Drug Resistance in Glioblastoma

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (12) ◽  
pp. 6385
Author(s):  
Maya A. Dymova ◽  
Elena V. Kuligina ◽  
Vladimir A. Richter
Keyword(s):  
Drug Resistance ◽  
Brain Tumor ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Primary Brain Tumor ◽  
Therapeutic Resistance ◽  
Molecular Characteristics ◽  
Blood Brain ◽  
Conventional Radiation ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Made In

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and fatal primary brain tumor, is highly resistant to conventional radiation and chemotherapy, and is not amenable to effective surgical resection. The present review summarizes recent advances in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of therapeutic resistance of GBM to already known drugs, the molecular characteristics of glioblastoma cells, and the barriers in the brain that underlie drug resistance. We also discuss the progress that has been made in the development of new targeted drugs for glioblastoma, as well as advances in drug delivery across the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and blood–brain tumor barrier (BBTB).

scholarly journals The role of CYP2D in rat brain in methamphetamine-induced striatal dopamine and serotonin release and behavioral sensitization

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marlaina R. Stocco ◽  
Ahmed A. El-Sherbeni ◽  
Bin Zhao ◽  
Maria Novalen ◽  
Rachel F. Tyndale
Keyword(s):  
Neurotransmitter Release ◽  
Behavioral Sensitization ◽  
Serotonin Release ◽  
Striatal Dopamine ◽  
Irreversible Inhibitor ◽  
Drug Concentrations ◽  
Metabolite Concentrations ◽  
The Brain

Abstract Rationale Cytochrome P450 2D (CYP2D) enzymes metabolize many addictive drugs, including methamphetamine. Variable CYP2D metabolism in the brain may alter CNS drug/metabolite concentrations, consequently affecting addiction liability and neuropsychiatric outcomes; components of these can be modeled by behavioral sensitization in rats. Methods To investigate the role of CYP2D in the brain in methamphetamine-induced behavioral sensitization, rats were pretreated centrally with a CYP2D irreversible inhibitor (or vehicle) 20 h prior to each of 7 daily methamphetamine (0.5 mg/kg subcutaneous) injections. In vivo brain microdialysis was used to assess brain drug and metabolite concentrations, and neurotransmitter release. Results CYP2D inhibitor (versus vehicle) pretreatment enhanced methamphetamine-induced stereotypy response sensitization. CYP2D inhibitor pretreatment increased brain methamphetamine concentrations and decreased the brain p-hydroxylation metabolic ratio. With microdialysis conducted on days 1 and 7, CYP2D inhibitor pretreatment exacerbated stereotypy sensitization and enhanced dopamine and serotonin release in the dorsal striatum. Day 1 brain methamphetamine and amphetamine concentrations correlated with dopamine and serotonin release, which in turn correlated with the stereotypy response slope across sessions (i.e., day 1 through day 7), used as a measure of sensitization. Conclusions CYP2D-mediated methamphetamine metabolism in the brain is sufficient to alter behavioral sensitization, brain drug concentrations, and striatal dopamine and serotonin release. Moreover, day 1 methamphetamine-induced neurotransmitter release may be an important predictor of subsequent behavioral sensitization. This suggests the novel contribution of CYP2D in the brain to methamphetamine-induced behavioral sensitization and suggests that the wide variation in human brain CYP2D6 may contribute to differential methamphetamine responses and chronic effects.

Krešimir Krnjević (1927–2021) and GABAergic inhibition: a lifetime dedication

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Yehezkel Ben-Ari ◽  
Enrico Cherubini ◽  
Massimo Avoli
Keyword(s):  
Canadian Journal ◽  
Chief Editor ◽  
Aminobutyric Acid ◽  
Gabaergic Inhibition ◽  
Inhibitory Neurotransmitter ◽  
Neuroscience Research ◽  
Personal Interactions ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Made In

After over seven decades of neuroscience research, it is now well established that γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. In this paper dedicated to Krešimir Krnjević (1927–2021), a pioneer and leader in neuroscience, we briefly highlight the fundamental contributions he made in identifying GABA as an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain and our personal interactions with him. Of note, between 1972 and 1978 Dr. Krnjević was a highly reputed Chief Editor of the Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology.

Abstract 306: Alamandine but not angiotensin-(1-7) produces cardiovascular effects in the Insular Cortex

Hypertension ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 64 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernanda R Marins ◽  
Aline C Oliveira ◽  
Fatimunnisa Qadri ◽  
Natalia Alenina ◽  
Michael Bader ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brain Region ◽  
Insular Cortex ◽  
Cardiovascular Effects ◽  
Endogenous Ligand ◽  
Renal Nerve ◽  
Renal Sympathetic Nerve Activity ◽  
Equimolar Dose ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Renal Sympathetic ◽  
Made In

In the course of experiments aimed to evaluate the immunofluorescence distribution of MrgD receptors we observed the presence of immunoreactivity for the MrgD protein in the Insular Cortex. In order to evaluate the functional significance of this finding, we investigated the cardiovascular effects produced by the endogenous ligand of MrgD, alamandine, in this brain region. Urethane (1.4g/kg) anesthetized rats were instrumented for measurement of MAP, HR and renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA). Unilateral microinjection of alamandine (40 pmol/100nl), Angiotensin-(1-7) (40pmol/100nl), Mas/MrgD antagonista D-Pro7-Ang-1-7 (50pmol/100nl), Mas agonist A779 (100 pmol/100nl) or vehicle (0,9% NaCl) were made in different rats (N=4-6 per group) into posterior insular cortex (+1.5mm rostral to the bregma). Microinjection of alamandine in this region produced a long-lasting (> 18 min) increase in MAP (Δ saline= -2±1 vs. alamandine= 12±2 mmHg, p< 0.05) associated to increases in HR (Δ saline= 2±2 vs. alamandine= 35±5 bpm; p< 0.05) and in the amplitude of renal nerve discharges (Δ saline = -2±1 vs. alamandine= 35±5.5 % of the baseline; p< 0.05). Strikingly, an equimolar dose of angiotensin-(1-7) did not produce any change in MAP or HR (Δ MAP=-0.5±0.3 mmHg and +2.7±1.2 bpm, respectively; p> 0.05) and only a slight increase in RSNA (Δ =7.3±3.2 %) . In keeping with this observation the effects of alamandine were not significantly influenced by A-779 (Δ MAP=+13± 2.5 mmHg, Δ HR= +26±3.6 bpm; Δ RSNA = 25± 3.4%) but completely blocked by the Mas/MrgD antagonist D-Pro7-Ang-(1-7) (Δ MAP=+0 ± 1 mmHg Δ HR= +4±2.6 bpm; Δ RSNA = 0.5± 2.2 %). Therefore, we have identified a brain region in which alamandine/MrgD receptors but not Ang-(1-7)/Mas could be involved in the modulation of cardiovascular-related neuronal activity. This observation also suggests that alamandine might possess unique effects unrelated to Ang-(1-7) in the brain.

Febrile Convulsions, by J. Gordon Millichap, M.D., M.R.C.P. New York: The Macmillan Company, 1968, 239 pp., $7.95

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1968 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 381-382
Author(s):  
Randolph K. Byers
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Febrile Seizures ◽  
Cerebral Injury ◽  
Extensive Review ◽  
Cerebral Disease ◽  
Febrile Convulsions ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Made In

This rather modest-looking monograph deals not only with the large experiences of the author in relation to febrile seizures, but also presents an extensive review of the modern relevant literature (266 references in the bibliography). The most useful point made in the book, it seems to me, is that febrile convulsions are just that: i.e., convulsions coinciding with fever, the result of illness not directly involving the brain or its meninges. Such a seizure may be an isolated occurrence in the life of the individual, or it may recur a few times with fever; it may be the first sign of idiopathic chronic epilepsy, or it may be evidence of more or less apparent cerebral injury of a static sort; or, it may be the presenting symptom heralding progressive cerebral disease.

scholarly journals Reward and aversion encoding in the lateral habenula for innate and learned behaviours

2022 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Mondoloni ◽  
Manuel Mameli ◽  
Mauro Congiu
Keyword(s):  
Animal Species ◽  
Brain Structures ◽  
Individual Member ◽  
Negative Events ◽  
Lateral Habenula ◽  
Sensory Stimuli ◽  
Aversive Events ◽  
Evolutionarily Conserved ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Made In

AbstractThroughout life, individuals experience a vast array of positive and aversive events that trigger adaptive behavioural responses. These events are often unpredicted and engage actions that are likely anchored on innate behavioural programs expressed by each individual member of virtually all animal species. In a second step, environmental cues, that are initially neutral, acquire value through the association with external sensory stimuli, and become instrumental to predict upcoming positive or negative events. This process ultimately prompts learned goal-directed actions allowing the pursuit of rewarding experience or the avoidance of a danger. Both innate and learned behavioural programs are evolutionarily conserved and fundamental for survival. Among the brain structures participating in the encoding of positive/negative stimuli and contributing to innate and learned behaviours is the epithalamic lateral habenula (LHb). The LHb provides top-down control of monoaminergic systems, responds to unexpected appetitive/aversive stimuli as well as external cues that predict the upcoming rewards or punishments. Accordingly, the LHb controls a number of behaviours that are innate (originating from unpredicted stimuli), and learned (stemming from predictive cues). In this review, we will discuss the progresses that rodent’s experimental work made in identifying how LHb activity governs these vital processes, and we will provide a view on how these findings integrate within a complex circuit connectivity.

The Occurrence and Morphogenesis of Melanocytes in the Connective Tissues of the PET/MCV Mouse Strain1

Development ◽  
1960 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-32
Author(s):  
Stuart E. Nichols ◽  
Willie M. Reams
Keyword(s):  
Neural Crest ◽  
The Body ◽  
Connective Tissues ◽  
Medical College ◽  
Genital Apparatus ◽  
Mouse Tissues ◽  
Harderian Glands ◽  
Neural Crest Origin ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Made In

Mammals, as a rule, are described as having melanocytes of neural crest origin confined almost entirely to the skin. Of the organs other than skin which have been described as possessing melanocytes are portions of the gonado-genital apparatus of the Opossum (Burns, 1939), and, in the house mouse, tissues of the nictitans, the meninges of the brain, the parathyroids, the thymus and harderian glands (Markert & Silvers, 1956), and the parathyroids of C58 mice (Dunn, 1949). The present investigation has been made in a strain of mice in which melanocytes are found in the connective tissues throughout much of the body. This strain originated several years ago in the Department of Genetics, Medical College of Virginia, from a cross between inbred C3H and black mice of unknown breed obtained from a local pet shop. Because of the latter circumstance, the line-bred progeny have been termed the PET/MCV strain.

Forward Dendritic Spikes

2011 ◽  
pp. 42-59
Author(s):  
Oscar Herreras ◽  
Julia Makarova ◽  
José Manuel Ibarz
Keyword(s):  
Action Potentials ◽  
Remarkable Property ◽  
Synaptic Inputs ◽  
Brain Circuits ◽  
Voltage Dependent ◽  
Dendritic Spikes ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Made In

Neurons send trains of action potentials to communicate each other. Different messages are issued according to varying inputs, but they can also mix them up in a multiplexed language transmitted through a single cable, the axon. This remarkable property arises from the capability of dendritic domains to work semi autonomously and even decide output. We review the underlying mechanisms and theoretical implications of the role of voltage-dependent dendritic currents on the forward transmission of synaptic inputs, with special emphasis in the initiation, integration and forward conduction of dendritic spikes. When these spikes reach the axon, output decision was made in one of many parallel dendritic substations. When failed, they still serve as an internal language to transfer information between dendritic domains. This notion brakes with the classic view of neurons as the elementary units of the brain and attributes them computational/storage capabilities earlier billed to complex brain circuits.

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