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15 pages, 7686 KiB

Open AccessArticle

TRIM67 Implicates in Regulating the Homeostasis and Synaptic Development of Mitral Cells in the Olfactory Bulb

by Chunyu Cai, Qihui Luo, Lanlan Jia, Yu Xia, Xinting Lan, Xiaoli Wei, Shuai Shi, Yucong Liu, Yao Wang, Zongliang Xiong, Riyi Shi, Chao Huang and Zhengli Chen

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(17), 13439; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241713439 - 30 Aug 2023

Viewed by 1469

Abstract

In recent years, olfactory dysfunction has attracted increasingly more attention as a hallmark symptom of neurodegenerative diseases (ND). Deeply understanding the molecular basis underlying the development of the olfactory bulb (OB) will provide important insights for ND studies and treatments. Now, with a [...] Read more.

In recent years, olfactory dysfunction has attracted increasingly more attention as a hallmark symptom of neurodegenerative diseases (ND). Deeply understanding the molecular basis underlying the development of the olfactory bulb (OB) will provide important insights for ND studies and treatments. Now, with a genetic knockout mouse model, we show that TRIM67, a new member of the tripartite motif (TRIM) protein family, plays an important role in regulating the proliferation and development of mitral cells in the OB. TRIM67 is abundantly expressed in the mitral cell layer of the OB. The genetic deletion of TRIM67 in mice leads to excessive proliferation of mitral cells in the OB and defects in its synaptic development, resulting in reduced olfactory function in mice. Finally, we show that TRIM67 may achieve its effect on mitral cells by regulating the Semaphorin 7A/Plexin C1 (Sema7A/PlxnC1) signaling pathway. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neurogenesis and Neural Plasticity 2.0)

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18 pages, 5525 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Decreased Hippocampal Neurogenesis in Aged Male Wistar Rats Is Not Associated with Memory Acquisition in a Water Maze

by Mikhail Stepanichev, Victor Aniol, Natalia Lazareva and Natalia Gulyaeva

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(17), 13276; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241713276 - 26 Aug 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1449

Abstract

Brain aging is associated with a progressive decrease in learning abilities, memory, attention, decision making, and sensory perception. Age-related cognitive disturbances may be related to a decrease in the functional capacities of the hippocampus. This brain region is essential for learning and memory, [...] Read more.

Brain aging is associated with a progressive decrease in learning abilities, memory, attention, decision making, and sensory perception. Age-related cognitive disturbances may be related to a decrease in the functional capacities of the hippocampus. This brain region is essential for learning and memory, and the lifelong neurogenesis occurring in the subgranular zone of the dentate gyrus may be a key event mediating the mnemonic functions of the hippocampus. In the present study, we investigated whether age-related changes in hippocampal neurogenesis are associated with learning and memory disturbances. Four- and 24-month-old rats were trained to find a hidden platform in a water maze. Though the older group showed higher latency to search the platform as compared to the younger group, both groups learned the task. However, the density of proliferating (PCNA-positive), differentiating (Dcx-positive), and new neurons (pre-labeled BrdU-positive) was significantly lower in the hippocampus of aged rats as compared to young ones. This inhibition of neurogenesis could be related to increased local production of nitric oxide since the density of neurons expressing neuronal NO-synthase was higher in the aged hippocampus. Thus, we can suggest that an age-related decrease in neurogenesis is not directly associated with place learning in aged rats. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neurogenesis and Neural Plasticity 2.0)

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25 pages, 6225 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Gut–Brain Axis: Insights from Hippocampal Neurogenesis and Brain Tumor Development in a Mouse Model of Experimental Colitis Induced by Dextran Sodium Sulfate

by Roberta Vitali, Clara Prioreschi, Laura Lorenzo Rebenaque, Eleonora Colantoni, Daniela Giovannini, Sarah Frusciante, Gianfranco Diretto, Francisco Marco-Jiménez, Mariateresa Mancuso, Arianna Casciati and Simonetta Pazzaglia

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(19), 11495; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms231911495 - 29 Sep 2022

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3840

Abstract

Chronic inflammatory bowel disorders (IBD) are idiopathic diseases associated with altered intestinal permeability, which in turn causes an exaggerated immune response to enteric antigens in a genetically susceptible host. A rise in psych cognitive disorders, such as anxiety and depression, has been observed [...] Read more.

Chronic inflammatory bowel disorders (IBD) are idiopathic diseases associated with altered intestinal permeability, which in turn causes an exaggerated immune response to enteric antigens in a genetically susceptible host. A rise in psych cognitive disorders, such as anxiety and depression, has been observed in IBD patients. We here report investigations on a model of chemically induced experimental colitis by oral administration of sodium dextran sulfate (DSS) in C57BL/6 mice. We investigate, in vivo, the crosstalk between the intestine and the brain, evaluating the consequences of intestinal inflammation on neuroinflammation and hippocampal adult neurogenesis. By using different DSS administration strategies, we are able to induce acute or chronic colitis, simulating clinical characteristics observed in IBD patients. Body weight loss, colon shortening, alterations of the intestinal mucosa and fecal metabolic changes in amino acids-, lipid- and thiamine-related pathways are observed in colitis. The activation of inflammatory processes in the colon is confirmed by macrophage infiltration and increased expression of the proinflammatory cytokine and oxidative stress marker (Il-6 and iNOS). Interestingly, in the hippocampus of acutely DSS-treated mice, we report the upregulation of inflammatory-related genes (Il-6, Il-1β, S-100, Tgf-β and Smad-3), together with microgliosis. Chronic DSS treatment also resulted in neuroinflammation in the hippocampus, indicated by astrocyte activation. Evaluation of stage-specific neurogenesis markers reveals deficits in the dentate gyrus after acute and chronic DSS treatments, indicative of defective adult hippocampal neurogenesis. Finally, based on a possible causal relationship between gut-related inflammation and brain cancer, we investigate the impact of DSS-induced colitis on oncogenesis, using the Ptch1^+/−/C57BL/6 mice, a well-established medulloblastoma (MB) mouse model, finding no differences in MB development between untreated and DSS-treated mice. In conclusion, in our experimental model, the intestinal inflammation associated with acute and chronic colitis markedly influences brain homeostasis, impairing hippocampal neurogenesis but not MB oncogenesis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neurogenesis and Neural Plasticity 2.0)

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25 pages, 3298 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Susceptibility of Female Mice to the Dietary Omega-3/Omega-6 Fatty-Acid Ratio: Effects on Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis and Glia

by Noelia Rodríguez-Iglesias, Agnes Nadjar, Amanda Sierra and Jorge Valero

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(6), 3399; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23063399 - 21 Mar 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3733

Abstract

Maternal intake of omega-3 (n-3 PUFAs) and omega-6 (n-6 PUFAs) polyunsaturated fatty acids impacts hippocampal neurogenesis during development, an effect that may extend to adulthood by altering adult hippocampal neurogenesis (AHN). The n-3 PUFAs and n-6 PUFAs are precursors of inflammatory regulators that [...] Read more.

Maternal intake of omega-3 (n-3 PUFAs) and omega-6 (n-6 PUFAs) polyunsaturated fatty acids impacts hippocampal neurogenesis during development, an effect that may extend to adulthood by altering adult hippocampal neurogenesis (AHN). The n-3 PUFAs and n-6 PUFAs are precursors of inflammatory regulators that potentially affect AHN and glia. Additionally, n-3 PUFA dietary supplementation may present a sexually dimorphic action in the brain. Therefore, we postulated that dietary n-6/n-3 PUFA balance shapes the adult DG in a sex-dependent manner influencing AHN and glia. We test our hypothesis by feeding adult female and male mice with n-3 PUFA balanced or deficient diets. To analyze the immunomodulatory potential of the diets, we injected mice with the bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS). LPS reduced neuroblast number, and its effect was exacerbated by the n-3 PUFA-deficient diet. The n-3 PUFA-deficient diet reduced the DG volume, AHN, microglia number, and surveilled volume. The diet effect on most mature neuroblasts was exclusively significant in female mice. Colocalization and multivariate analysis revealed an association between microglia and AHN, as well as the sexual dimorphic effect of diet. Our study reveals that female mice are more susceptible than males to the effect of dietary n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio on AHN and microglia. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neurogenesis and Neural Plasticity 2.0)

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20 pages, 48724 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Small Heat Shock Protein 22 Improves Cognition and Learning in the Tauopathic Brain

by Santiago Rodriguez Ospina, Danielle M. Blazier, Marangelie Criado-Marrero, Lauren A. Gould, Niat T. Gebru, David Beaulieu-Abdelahad, Xinming Wang, Elizabeth Remily-Wood, Dale Chaput, Stanley Stevens, Jr., Vladimir N. Uversky, Paula C. Bickford, Chad A. Dickey and Laura J. Blair

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(2), 851; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23020851 - 13 Jan 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2587

Abstract

The microtubule-associated protein tau pathologically accumulates and aggregates in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other tauopathies, leading to cognitive dysfunction and neuronal loss. Molecular chaperones, like small heat-shock proteins (sHsps), can help deter the accumulation of misfolded proteins, such as tau. Here, we tested [...] Read more.

The microtubule-associated protein tau pathologically accumulates and aggregates in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other tauopathies, leading to cognitive dysfunction and neuronal loss. Molecular chaperones, like small heat-shock proteins (sHsps), can help deter the accumulation of misfolded proteins, such as tau. Here, we tested the hypothesis that the overexpression of wild-type Hsp22 (wtHsp22) and its phosphomimetic (S24,57D) Hsp22 mutant (mtHsp22) could slow tau accumulation and preserve memory in a murine model of tauopathy, rTg4510. Our results show that Hsp22 protected against deficits in synaptic plasticity and cognition in the tauopathic brain. However, we did not detect a significant change in tau phosphorylation or levels in these mice. This led us to hypothesize that the functional benefit was realized through the restoration of dysfunctional pathways in hippocampi of tau transgenic mice since no significant benefit was measured in non-transgenic mice expressing wtHsp22 or mtHsp22. To identify these pathways, we performed mass spectrometry of tissue lysates from the injection site. Overall, our data reveal that Hsp22 overexpression in neurons promotes synaptic plasticity by regulating canonical pathways and upstream regulators that have been characterized as potential AD markers and synaptogenesis regulators, like EIF4E and NFKBIA. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neurogenesis and Neural Plasticity 2.0)

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24 pages, 6592 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Tissue-Specific Ferritin- and GFP-Based Genetic Vectors Visualize Neurons by MRI in the Intact and Post-Ischemic Rat Brain

by Marina Y. Khodanovich, Andrey E. Akulov, Tatyana V. Anan’ina, Marina S. Kudabaeva, Anna O. Pishchelko, Elena P. Krutenkova, Nikolay M. Nemirovich-Danchenko, Mikhail V. Svetlik, Yana A. Tumentceva, Chris Van den Haute, Rik Gijsbers, Veronique Daniëls, Irina Thiry, Alexandra G. Pershina, Maria M. Shadrina and Anna V. Naumova

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(23), 8951; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21238951 - 25 Nov 2020

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4652

Abstract

(1) Background: Neurogenesis is considered to be a potential brain repair mechanism and is enhanced in stroke. It is difficult to reconstruct the neurogenesis process only from the histological sections taken from different animals at different stages of brain damage and restoration. Study [...] Read more.

(1) Background: Neurogenesis is considered to be a potential brain repair mechanism and is enhanced in stroke. It is difficult to reconstruct the neurogenesis process only from the histological sections taken from different animals at different stages of brain damage and restoration. Study of neurogenesis would greatly benefit from development of tissue-specific visualization probes. (2) Purpose: The study aimed to explore if overexpression of ferritin, a nontoxic iron-binding protein, under a doublecortin promoter can be used for non-invasive visualization of neurogenesis using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). (3) Methods: Ferritin heavy chain (FerrH) was expressed in the adeno-associated viral backbone (AAV) under the doublecortin promoter (pDCX), specific for young neurons, in the viral construct AAV-pDCX-FerrH. Expression of the enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) was used as an expression control (AAV-pDCX-eGFP). The viral vectors or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) were injected intracerebrally into 18 adult male Sprague–Dawley rats. Three days before injection, rats underwent transient middle-cerebral-artery occlusion or sham operation. Animals were subjected to In vivo MRI study before surgery and on days 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after injection using a Bruker BioSpec 11.7 T scanner. Brain sections obtained on day 28 after injection were immunostained for ferritin, young (DCX) and mature (NeuN) neurons, and activated microglia/macrophages (CD68). Additionally, RT-PCR was performed to confirm ferritin expression. (4) Results: T2* images in post-ischemic brains of animals injected with AAV-pDCX-FerrH showed two distinct zones of MRI signal hypointensity in the ipsilesioned hemisphere starting from 14 days after viral injection—in the ischemic lesion and near the lateral ventricle and subventricular zone (SVZ). In sham-operated animals, only one zone of hypointensity near the lateral ventricle and SVZ was revealed. Immunochemistry showed that ferritin-expressing cells in ischemic lesions were macrophages (88.1%), while ferritin-expressing cells near the lateral ventricle in animals both after ischemia and sham operation were mostly mature (55.7% and 61.8%, respectively) and young (30.6% and 7.1%, respectively) neurons. RT-PCR confirmed upregulated expression of ferritin in the caudoputamen and corpus callosum. Surprisingly, in animals injected with AAV-pDCX-eGFP we similarly observed two zones of hypointensity on T2* images. Cellular studies also showed the presence of mature (81.5%) and young neurons (6.1%) near the lateral ventricle in both postischemic and sham-operated animals, while macrophages in ischemic lesions were ferritin-positive (98.2%). (5) Conclusion: Ferritin overexpression induced by injection of AAV-pDCX-FerrH was detected by MRI using T2*-weighted images, which was confirmed by immunochemistry showing ferritin in young and mature neurons. Expression of eGFP also caused a comparable reduced MR signal intensity in T2*-weighted images. Additional studies are needed to investigate the potential and tissue-specific features of the use of eGFP and ferritin expression in MRI studies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neurogenesis and Neural Plasticity)

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17 pages, 4634 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Elevated CLOCK and BMAL1 Contribute to the Impairment of Aerobic Glycolysis from Astrocytes in Alzheimer’s Disease

by Ik Dong Yoo, Min Woo Park, Hyeon Woo Cha, Sunmi Yoon, Napissara Boonpraman, Sun Shin Yi and Jong-Seok Moon

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(21), 7862; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21217862 - 23 Oct 2020

Cited by 30 | Viewed by 4151

Abstract

Altered glucose metabolism has been implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Aerobic glycolysis from astrocytes is a critical metabolic pathway for brain energy metabolism. Disturbances of circadian rhythm have been associated with AD. While the role of circadian locomotor output cycles [...] Read more.

Altered glucose metabolism has been implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Aerobic glycolysis from astrocytes is a critical metabolic pathway for brain energy metabolism. Disturbances of circadian rhythm have been associated with AD. While the role of circadian locomotor output cycles kaput (CLOCK) and brain muscle ARNT-like1 (BMAL1), the major components in the regulation of circadian rhythm, has been identified in the brain, the mechanism by which CLOCK and BMAL1 regulates the dysfunction of astrocytes in AD remains unclear. Here, we show that the protein levels of CLOCK and BMAL1 are significantly elevated in impaired astrocytes of cerebral cortex from patients with AD. We demonstrate that the over-expression of CLOCK and BMAL1 significantly suppresses aerobic glycolysis and lactate production by the reduction in hexokinase 1 (HK1) and lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA) protein levels in human astrocytes. Moreover, the elevation of CLOCK and BMAL1 induces functional impairment by the suppression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-positive filaments in human astrocytes. Furthermore, the elevation of CLOCK and BMAL1 promotes cytotoxicity by the activation of caspase-3-dependent apoptosis in human astrocytes. These results suggest that the elevation of CLOCK and BMAL1 contributes to the impairment of astrocytes by inhibition of aerobic glycolysis in AD. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neurogenesis and Neural Plasticity)

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21 pages, 7586 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Perinatal Exposure to Triclosan Results in Abnormal Brain Development and Behavior in Mice

by Dinh Nam Tran, Eui-Man Jung, Yeong-Min Yoo, Jae-Hwan Lee and Eui-Bae Jeung

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(11), 4009; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21114009 - 3 Jun 2020

Cited by 31 | Viewed by 5073

Abstract

Triclosan (TCS) is one of the most common endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) present in household and personal wash products. Recently, concerns have been raised about the association between abnormal behavior in children and exposure to EDC during gestation. We hypothesized that exposure to TCS [...] Read more.

Triclosan (TCS) is one of the most common endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) present in household and personal wash products. Recently, concerns have been raised about the association between abnormal behavior in children and exposure to EDC during gestation. We hypothesized that exposure to TCS during gestation could affect brain development. Cortical neurons of mice were exposed in vitro to TCS. In addition, we examined in vivo whether maternal TCS administration can affect neurobehavioral development in the offspring generation. We determined that TCS can impair dendrite and axon growth by reducing average length and numbers of axons and dendrites. Additionally, TCS inhibited the proliferation of and promoted apoptosis in neuronal progenitor cells. Detailed behavioral analyses showed impaired acquisition of spatial learning and reference memory in offspring derived from dams exposed to TCS. The TCS-treated groups also showed cognition dysfunction and impairments in sociability and social novelty preference. Furthermore, TCS-treated groups exhibited increased anxiety-like behavior, but there was no significant change in depression-like behaviors. In addition, TCS-treated groups exhibited deficits in nesting behavior. Taken together, our results indicate that perinatal exposure to TCS induces neurodevelopment disorder, resulting in abnormal social behaviors, cognitive impairment, and deficits in spatial learning and memory in offspring. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neurogenesis and Neural Plasticity)

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17 pages, 4030 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of Targeted Deletion of the Circadian Clock Gene Bmal1 in Excitatory Forebrain Neurons on Adult Neurogenesis and Olfactory Function

by Amira A. H. Ali, Federica Tundo-Lavalle, Soha A. Hassan, Martina Pfeffer, Anna Stahr and Charlotte von Gall

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(4), 1394; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21041394 - 19 Feb 2020

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3265

Abstract

The circadian system is an endogenous timekeeping system that synchronizes physiology and behavior with the 24 h solar day. Mice with total deletion of the core circadian clock gene Bmal1 show circadian arrhythmicity, cognitive deficits, and accelerated age-dependent decline in adult neurogenesis as [...] Read more.

The circadian system is an endogenous timekeeping system that synchronizes physiology and behavior with the 24 h solar day. Mice with total deletion of the core circadian clock gene Bmal1 show circadian arrhythmicity, cognitive deficits, and accelerated age-dependent decline in adult neurogenesis as a consequence of increased oxidative stress. However, it is not yet known if the impaired adult neurogenesis is due to circadian disruption or to loss of the Bmal1 gene function. Therefore, we investigated oxidative stress and adult neurogenesis of the two principle neurogenic niches, the hippocampal subgranular zone and the subventricular zone in mice with a forebrain specific deletion of Bmal1 (Bmal1 fKO), which show regular circadian rhythmicity. Moreover, we analyzed the morphology of the olfactory bulb, as well as olfactory function in Bmal1 fKO mice. In Bmal1 fKO mice, oxidative stress was increased in subregions of the hippocampus and the olfactory bulb but not in the neurogenic niches. Consistently, adult neurogenesis was not affected in Bmal1 fKO mice. Although Reelin expression in the olfactory bulb was higher in Bmal1 fKO mice as compared to wildtype mice (Bmal1 WT), the olfactory function was not affected. Taken together, the targeted deletion of Bmal1 in mouse forebrain neurons is associated with a regional increase in oxidative stress and increased Reelin expression in the olfactory bulb but does not affect adult neurogenesis or olfactory function. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neurogenesis and Neural Plasticity)

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Review

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15 pages, 1714 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Role of Neurotrophin Signaling in Age-Related Cognitive Decline and Cognitive Diseases

by Tadahiro Numakawa and Haruki Odaka

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(14), 7726; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23147726 - 13 Jul 2022

Cited by 28 | Viewed by 3067

Abstract

Neurotrophins are a family of secreted proteins expressed in the peripheral nervous system and the central nervous system that support neuronal survival, synaptic plasticity, and neurogenesis. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its high affinity receptor TrkB are highly expressed in the cortical and [...] Read more.

Neurotrophins are a family of secreted proteins expressed in the peripheral nervous system and the central nervous system that support neuronal survival, synaptic plasticity, and neurogenesis. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its high affinity receptor TrkB are highly expressed in the cortical and hippocampal areas and play an essential role in learning and memory. The decline of cognitive function with aging is a major risk factor for cognitive diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. Therefore, an alteration of BDNF/TrkB signaling with aging and/or pathological conditions has been indicated as a potential mechanism of cognitive decline. In this review, we summarize the cellular function of neurotrophin signaling and review the current evidence indicating a pathological role of neurotrophin signaling, especially of BDNF/TrkB signaling, in the cognitive decline in aging and age-related cognitive diseases. We also review the therapeutic approach for cognitive decline by the upregulation of the endogenous BDNF/TrkB-system. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neurogenesis and Neural Plasticity 2.0)

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13 pages, 7190 KiB

Open AccessReview

Neurogenesis as a Tool for Spinal Cord Injury

by Katerina Havelikova, Barbora Smejkalova and Pavla Jendelova

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(7), 3728; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23073728 - 28 Mar 2022

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3977

Abstract

Spinal cord injury is a devastating medical condition with no effective treatment. One approach to SCI treatment may be provided by stem cells (SCs). Studies have mainly focused on the transplantation of exogenous SCs, but the induction of endogenous SCs has also been [...] Read more.

Spinal cord injury is a devastating medical condition with no effective treatment. One approach to SCI treatment may be provided by stem cells (SCs). Studies have mainly focused on the transplantation of exogenous SCs, but the induction of endogenous SCs has also been considered as an alternative. While the differentiation potential of neural stem cells in the brain neurogenic regions has been known for decades, there are ongoing debates regarding the multipotent differentiation potential of the ependymal cells of the central canal in the spinal cord (SCECs). Following spinal cord insult, SCECs start to proliferate and differentiate mostly into astrocytes and partly into oligodendrocytes, but not into neurons. However, there are several approaches concerning how to increase neurogenesis in the injured spinal cord, which are discussed in this review. The potential treatment approaches include drug administration, the reduction of neuroinflammation, neuromodulation with physical factors and in vivo reprogramming. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neurogenesis and Neural Plasticity 2.0)

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24 pages, 2224 KiB

Open AccessReview

Zinc in the Brain: Friend or Foe?

by Seunghyuk Choi, Dae Ki Hong, Bo Young Choi and Sang Won Suh

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(23), 8941; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21238941 - 25 Nov 2020

Cited by 63 | Viewed by 9254

Abstract

Zinc is a trace metal ion in the central nervous system that plays important biological roles, such as in catalysis, structure, and regulation. It contributes to antioxidant function and the proper functioning of the immune system. In view of these characteristics of zinc, [...] Read more.

Zinc is a trace metal ion in the central nervous system that plays important biological roles, such as in catalysis, structure, and regulation. It contributes to antioxidant function and the proper functioning of the immune system. In view of these characteristics of zinc, it plays an important role in neurophysiology, which leads to cell growth and cell proliferation. However, after brain disease, excessively released and accumulated zinc ions cause neurotoxic damage to postsynaptic neurons. On the other hand, zinc deficiency induces degeneration and cognitive decline disorders, such as increased neuronal death and decreased learning and memory. Given the importance of balance in this context, zinc is a biological component that plays an important physiological role in the central nervous system, but a pathophysiological role in major neurological disorders. In this review, we focus on the multiple roles of zinc in the brain. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neurogenesis and Neural Plasticity)

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20 pages, 1712 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Yin and Yang of Autosomal Recessive Primary Microcephaly Genes: Insights from Neurogenesis and Carcinogenesis

by Xiaokun Zhou, Yiqiang Zhi, Jurui Yu and Dan Xu

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(5), 1691; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21051691 - 1 Mar 2020

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 4558

Abstract

The stem cells of neurogenesis and carcinogenesis share many properties, including proliferative rate, an extensive replicative potential, the potential to generate different cell types of a given tissue, and an ability to independently migrate to a damaged area. This is also evidenced by [...] Read more.

The stem cells of neurogenesis and carcinogenesis share many properties, including proliferative rate, an extensive replicative potential, the potential to generate different cell types of a given tissue, and an ability to independently migrate to a damaged area. This is also evidenced by the common molecular principles regulating key processes associated with cell division and apoptosis. Autosomal recessive primary microcephaly (MCPH) is a neurogenic mitotic disorder that is characterized by decreased brain size and mental retardation. Until now, a total of 25 genes have been identified that are known to be associated with MCPH. The inactivation (yin) of most MCPH genes leads to neurogenesis defects, while the upregulation (yang) of some MCPH genes is associated with different kinds of carcinogenesis. Here, we try to summarize the roles of MCPH genes in these two diseases and explore the underlying mechanisms, which will help us to explore new, attractive approaches to targeting tumor cells that are resistant to the current therapies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neurogenesis and Neural Plasticity)

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