Distribution of enkephalin immunoreactivity in germinative cells of developing rat cerebellum

The cellular distribution of enkephalin, an endogenous opioid, in the developing rat cerebellum was determined by immunocytochemistry. Methionine and leucine enkephalin were concentrated in the external germinal layer, a matrix of proliferative cells; staining was confined to the cortical cytoplasm. Enkephalin was not detected by immunocytochemistry in differentiated neural cells. These results indicate that endogenous opioids are involved specifically in early phases of nervous system development, particularly cell proliferation and differentiation.     

Synaptogenesis in the rat cerebellum: effects of early hypo- and hyperthyroidism

The number of synapses in the molecular layer of the rat cerebellum is reduced by early hypo-and hyperthyroidism within 30 days. Hypothyroidism retards synaptogenesis after 10 days, while hyperthyroidism accelerates synaptogenesis initially, but by 21 days the number of synapses is reduced. The sensitivity of developing synapses to thyroid hormone may permit analysis of the events triggering synaptogenesis.     

Failure to confirm cyclic AMP as second messenger for norepinephrine in rat cerebellum

Microiontophoretic applications of adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cyclic AMP) to spontaneously active, electrophysiologically identified Purkinje cells of the rat cerebellum failed to mimic the strong depressant action of norepinephrine on the same cells. These findings, in combination with a reevaluation of other studies, cast doubt on the hypothesis that cyclic AMP mediates the depressant actions of norepinephrine in the cerebellum.     

雌激素对大鼠小脑神经元生长发育的影响

    为了观察雌激素对离体培养神经元的生长发育及神经分泌的影响,取1日龄SD大鼠,对小脑神经细胞进行培养,通过补充17β-雌二醇观察神经细胞生长发育情况及运用免疫组织化学SP法研究雌激素受体(ER)、神经生长因子(NGF)和胆碱乙酰转移酶(ChAT)的表达变化结果表明,雌激素对体外培养小脑神经元的生长、发育影响显著,可促进胞体的生长、突起的伸长;延长培养神经元的存活时间,阻止神经元的退化、萎缩和死亡雌激素对体外培养小脑神经元的神经分泌功能影响显著,可促进培养神经元ER、NGF和ChAT的表达,显著增加ER、NGF和chAT阳性神经元的数量并呈现出培养时间依赖性的变化说明雌激素通过ER可直接或间接地作用于培养神经元,发挥神经营养和调控神经信息传递的作用     

Frequency-dependent noradrenergic modulation of long-term potentiation in the hippocampus

Norepinephrine, briefly superfused during high-frequency stimulation of the mossy fibers in the rat hippocampal slice in vitro, produced a reversible increase in the magnitude, duration, and probability of induction of long-term synaptic potentiation in the CA3 subfield. Similar results were obtained with isoproterenol, whereas propranolol or timolol reversibly blocked long-term potentiation. Norepinephrine had little apparent effect on responses obtained during low-frequency stimulation of the mossy fibers. These data suggest that norepinephrine can mediate long-lasting, frequency-dependent modulation of synaptic transmission in the mammalian brain. Furthermore, the results suggest a plausible mechanism for some of the known associative interactions between synaptic inputs to hippocampal neurons.     

Heat shock elicits production of sexual inducer in Volvox

In the green alga Volvox carteri, heat shock had an unusual and adaptive effect mediated by induced production of a well-defined effector molecule. Females of this species normally reproduce asexually in the absence of a potent sexual inducer produced by mature sexual males, but they generated egg-bearing sexual daughters after a brief exposure to elevated temperatures. This response involved an "autoinduction" of sexuality, in which heat-shocked somatic cells made and released the sexual inducer, which then redirected development of the reproductive cells. Males, including a sterile mutant incapable of producing inducer in the usual manner, also produced the inducer in response to heat shock. The phenomenon probably is of significance in the wild, where Volvox reproduces asexually in temporary ponds in spring but becomes sexual and produces dormant, overwintering zygotes before the ponds dry up in the summer heat.     

大豆异黄酮对去卵巢大鼠小脑ERα、NGF、IL-2、AR mRNA表达的影响

建立去卵巢SD大鼠模型,运用原位组织杂交方法,通过补充不同剂量大豆异黄酮观察其对ERα、NGF、IL-2、AR mRNA在小脑中的表达和分布影响,探讨大豆异黄酮对小脑的作用机制和意义及其剂量关系。结果显示:ERα、NGF、IL-2、AR mRNA杂交信号主要分布于小脑皮质的蒲肯野氏细胞层和小脑室顶核、间位核和齿状核中,小脑皮质的分子层和颗粒层也有少量弱杂交信号表达;杂交信号主要定位于胞核,也存在于胞浆、胞膜和突起中,4种杂交信号变化的总趋势为去卵巢大鼠小脑皮质及小脑核中ERα、NGF、IL-2、AR mRNA的表达强度和阳性数目显著降低;而补充不同剂量大豆异黄酮后,4种物质的阳性杂交信号强度和数目均有不同程度回升,其中高剂量组基本恢复到假手术组水平,低剂量组仅有少许回升或无变化,中剂量组介于两者之间。从以上结果得出:大豆异黄酮可在基因水平上促进ERα、NGF、IL-2、AR在小脑中的表达,且存在剂量依赖性;这4种物质表达变化的相似性提示四者在大豆异黄酮对小脑的作用中是相互调节和影响的。     

Neuroscience. From molecules to memory in the cerebellum

Neuroscientists have long sought to elucidate the molecular underpinnings of the memories needed to learn, for example, a motor task. In his Perspective, Linden discusses new work (Koekkoek et al.) suggesting that long-term depression in Purkinje cells mediated by protein kinase C signaling is responsible for motor memory in a task called associative eyelid conditioning.     

Synaptic transmission at single glomeruli in the turtle cerebellum

We have recorded from the granular layer of the turtle cerebellum extracellular unitary potentials that appear to reflect pre- and postsynaptic events at the synapse between a single swelling of a mossy fiber and the dendritic tips of several granule cells. The presynaptic component is an all-or-none potential. It can be directly activated by spinal stimulation and is unaltered by repetitive activity or by high concentrations of magnesium. The postsynaptic component is a graded potential. It follows the presynaptic component by approximately 1 millisecond and is depressed by repetitive activity and by high concentrations of magnesium. The recording of large potentials produced by the flow of postsynaptic current within a single glomerulus suggests powerful transmission. Electron micrographs demonstrate large cerebellar glomeruli in the turtle and a substantial accumulation of mitochondria in the dendritic tips of granule cells.     

Overeating and obesity from damage to a noradrenergic system in the brain

A discrete, ascending fiber system that supplies the hypothalamus with most of its noradrenergic terminals was destroyed at midbrain level, both electrolytically and with local injections of 6-hydroxydopamine, a destructive agent specific for catecholaminergic neurons. The result was hyperphagia leading to obesity. Fluorescence histochemical analysis showed that loss of noradrenergic terminals in ventral bundle termination areas such as the hypothalamus was necessary for hyperphagia. Damage to dorsal bundle or dopaminergic projections was not. Prior treatment with desmethylimipramine to selectively block uptake of 6-hydroxydopamine into noradrenergic neurons prevented both hyperphagia and loss of norepinephrine fluorescence. The lesions that produced hyperphagia also reduced the potency of d-amphetamine as an appetite suppressant. It is concluded that this noradrenergic bundle normally mediates suppression of feeding, thereby influences body weight, and serves as a substrate for d-amphetamine-induced loss of appetite.     

Appearance of a substance in acute phase serum which elicits Cx-protein responses

Seromucoid was isolated from serum of rabbits during the acute inflammatory period following subcutaneous injection of an irritant and at times after whole body irradiation. It produced a Cxprotein response on intravenous injection into normal rabbits, an anamnestic response in immunized rabbits, leucocyte changes characteristic of inflammation, and marked toxicity in rabbits with reticuloendothelial system blockade. Normal seromucoid did not possess these properties.     

Role of noradrenergic signaling by the nucleus tractus solitarius in mediating opiate reward

Norepinephrine (NE) is widely implicated in opiate withdrawal, but much less is known about its role in opiate-induced locomotion and reward. In mice lacking dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH), an enzyme critical for NE synthesis, we found that NE was necessary for morphine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP; a measure of reward) and locomotion. These deficits were rescued by systemic NE restoration. Viral restoration of DBH expression in the nucleus tractus solitarius, but not in the locus coeruleus, restored CPP for morphine. Morphine-induced locomotion was partially restored by DBH expression in either brain region. These data suggest that NE signaling by the nucleus tractus solitarius is necessary for morphine reward.     

Destruction of noradrenergic neurons in rabbit brainstem elevates plasma vasopressin, causing hypertension

When A1 noradrenergic neurons in the caudal ventrolateral medulla of rabbits are destroyed electrolytically or by local injection of the neurotoxin kainic acid, the concentration of vasopressin in plasma increases, causing hypertension. The A1 neurons may tonically inhibit the activity of vasopressin-secreting neuroendocrine cells through a direct hypothalamic projection.     

When fear is near: threat imminence elicits prefrontal-periaqueductal gray shifts in humans

Humans, like other animals, alter their behavior depending on whether a threat is close or distant. We investigated spatial imminence of threat by developing an active avoidance paradigm in which volunteers were pursued through a maze by a virtual predator endowed with an ability to chase, capture, and inflict pain. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, we found that as the virtual predator grew closer, brain activity shifted from the ventromedial prefrontal cortex to the periaqueductal gray. This shift showed maximal expression when a high degree of pain was anticipated. Moreover, imminence-driven periaqueductal gray activity correlated with increased subjective degree of dread and decreased confidence of escape. Our findings cast light on the neural dynamics of threat anticipation and have implications for the neurobiology of human anxiety-related disorders.     

Newcastle disease virus-based MERS-CoV candidate vaccine elicits high-level and lasting neutralizing antibodies in Bactrian camels

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus(MERS-Co V),a member of the Coronaviridae family,is the causative pathogen for MERS that is characterized by high fever,pneumonia,acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS),as well as extrapulmonary manifestations. Currently,there are no approved treatment regimens or vaccines for MERS. Here,we generated recombinant nonvirulent Newcastle disease virus(NDV) La Sota strain expressing MERS-Co V S protein(designated as r LaMERS-S),and evaluated its immunogenicity in mice and Bactrian camels. The results revealed that r La-MERS-S showed similar growth properties to those of La Sota in embryonated chicken eggs,while animal immunization studies showed that r La-MERS-S induced MERS-Co V neutralizing antibodies in mice and camels. Our findings suggest that recombinant r LaMERS-S may be a potential MERS-Co V veterinary vaccine candidate for camels and other animals affected by MERS.     

Erythrocyte and brain forms of spectrin in cerebellum: distinct membrane-cytoskeletal domains in neurons

Chicken cerebellum expresses a polypeptide antigenically and biochemically related to the alpha subunit of spectrin, an erythrocyte membrane-cytoskeletal protein. Most of this polypeptide is associated with a brain specific spectrin subunit, gamma-spectrin, and is localized in virtually all neuronal cell bodies and processes. Cerebellum also expresses polypeptides antigenically related to the beta subunits of erythrocyte spectrin and these are also found in association with cerebellar alpha-spectrin but are confined to the plasmalemma of the neuronal cell bodies. This suggests that there is a mechanism for segregating different spectrin complexes into distinct membrane domains within a single cell.     

Adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate: electrophysiological evidence for a role in synaptic transmission

Synaptic potentials and changes in resting membrane potentials of superior cervical ganglia of the rabbit were measured in the presence of adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate and agents that affect its metabolism. Adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate and its mono- and dibutyryl derivatives caused a hyperpolarization of the postganglionic neurons. Theophylline potentiated the slow inhibitory postsynaptic potential that follows synaptic transmission, as well as the hyperpolarization of postganglionic neurons caused by exogenous dopamine. Conversely, prostaglandin E(1) inhibited both the slow inhibitory postsynaptic potential and the dopamine-induced hyperpolarization. We hypothesize that the slow inhibitory postsynaptic potential as well as the dopamine-induced hyperpolarization result from increased amounts of adenosine 3'5'-monophosphate in the postganglionic neurons. The dibutyryl derivative of guanosine 3'5'-monophosphate caused a depolarization of the postganglionic neurons, which is consistent with the possibility that guanosine 3'5'-monophosphate mediates synaptic transmission at muscarinic cholinergic synapses.