A5062827262- Olfactory and Sensory Function Studies
- Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research
- Biochemical Analysis and Sensing Techniques
- Alzheimer's disease research and treatments
- Animal Genetics and Reproduction
- Axon Guidance and Neuronal Signaling
- Neurogenesis and neuroplasticity mechanisms
- Developmental Biology and Gene Regulation
- Epigenetics and DNA Methylation
- Mitochondrial Function and Pathology
- Marine Invertebrate Physiology and Ecology
- Genetics and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Immune Response and Inflammation
- interferon and immune responses
- Photochromic and Fluorescence Chemistry
- Cytokine Signaling Pathways and Interactions
- Long-Term Effects of COVID-19
- Retinal Development and Disorders
- Electron Spin Resonance Studies
- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
- Supramolecular Self-Assembly in Materials
- Photoacoustic and Ultrasonic Imaging
- Circadian rhythm and melatonin
- Coral and Marine Ecosystems Studies
- Marine Ecology and Invasive Species
University of California, Davis
2015-2025
University of California System
2008
Rockefeller University
1996-1999
University of Cincinnati
1994
Mitochondrial fusion and fission are essential processes for preservation of normal mitochondrial function. We hypothesized that proteins would be decreased in heart failure (HF), as the mitochondria HF have been reported to small dysfunctional. Expression optic atrophy 1 (OPA1), a protein, was both human rat HF, observed by western blotting. OPA1 is important maintaining cristae structure function, preserving inner membrane protecting cells from apoptosis. Confocal electron microscopy...
Abstract Methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2) is critical for proper brain development and expressed at near-histone levels in neurons, but the mechanism of its genomic localization remains poorly understood. Using high-resolution MeCP2-binding data, we show that DNA sequence features alone can predict with 88% accuracy. Integrating MeCP2 methylation a probabilistic graphical model, demonstrate previously reported genome-wide association part due to MeCP2’s affinity GC-rich chromatin, result...
Abstract MeCP2 plays a multifaceted role in gene expression regulation and chromatin organization. Interaction between methylated DNA the of is well established. However, widespread distribution suggests it has additional interactions with chromatin. Here we demonstrate, by both biochemical genomic analyses, that directly interacts nucleosomes its correlates H3K27me3. In particular, methyl-CpG-binding domain shows preferential We further observe impact on transcriptional changes histone...
The spatial and temporal expression patterns of several extracellular matrix molecules--laminin fibronectin cell surface molecules, neural adhesion molecule (NCAM), L1, tenascin, chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan, peanut agglutinin (PNA) binding sites--were investigated during early olfactory nerve development. NCAM L1 have similar patterns: They are expressed in the on receptor neurons (ORNs) commencing with earliest axon outgrowth (E12-E15). Their suggest that both associated extension...
The global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), persists in part due to emergence new variants. Understanding variant-specific infection dynamics and pathogenesis murine models is crucial for identifying phenotypic changes guiding development countermeasures. To address limitations earlier studies that investigated only a few variants or used small sample sizes, we evaluated clinical disease, kinetics, viral titers, cellular...
Abstract Although glial cells have been implicated widely in the formation of axon tracts both insects and vertebrates, their specific function appears to be context-dependent, ranging from providing essential guidance cues playing a merely facilitory role. Here we examine role retinal basal glia (RBG) photoreceptor Drosophila. The RBG originate optic stalk thought migrate into eye disc along axons, thus precluding any guidance. show following. (1) can, fact, even absence axons stalk; they...
Abstract Olfaction relies on a coordinated partnership between odorant flow and neuronal communication. Disruption in our ability to detect odors, or anosmia, has emerged as hallmark symptom of infection with SARS-CoV-2, yet the mechanism behind this abrupt sensory deficit remains elusive. Here, using molecular evaluation human olfactory epithelium (OE) from subjects succumbing COVID-19 hamster model SARS-CoV-2 infection, we discovered widespread downregulation receptors (ORs) well key...
There is growing recognition regarding the role of intracellular amyloid beta (Aβ) in Alzheimer's disease process, which has been linked with aberrant signaling and disruption protein degradation mechanisms. Most notably, intraneuronal Aβ likely underlies oxidative stress mitochondrial dysfunction that have identified as key elements progression. In this study, we employed fluorescence imaging to explore ability a bifunctional small molecule reduce aggregates attenuate stress. Structurally,...
During postnatal development, neuronal activity controls the remodeling of initially imprecise connections through regulation gene expression. MeCP2 binds to methylated DNA and modulates expression during development MECP2 mutation causes autistic disorder Rett syndrome. To investigate a role for in circuit refinement identify activity-dependent transcription regulations, we leveraged precise organization accessibility olfactory sensory axons manipulation odorant exposure vivo. We...
Abstract Olfactory sensory neuron (OSN) axons extend from the olfactory epithelium to bulb without branching until they reach their target region, glomerulus. In this report, we present evidence support involvement of sonic hedgehog in promoting rat branch and enter into Sonic (Shh) protein is detected glomeruli bulb, whereas its transcript expressed mitral tufted cells, suggesting that Shh produced by cells. primary OSN cultures, Shh‐N peptide promotes axon branching. When function...
Summary Thrombospondins are multimeric extracellular matrix glycoproteins that play important roles in development, synaptogenesis and wound healing mammals. We previously identified four putative thrombospondins the genome of starlet sea anemone Nematostella vectensis. This study presents first analysis these thrombospondins, with goals understanding fundamental Eumetazoa. Reverse transcriptase PCR showed each N. vectensis (Nv85341, Nv22035, Nv168100 Nv30790) is transcribed. Three include...
Abstract Olfactory sensory axons navigate from the nasal cavity to olfactory bulb and sort among 1,000 different odorant receptor‐expressing types converge upon same two or three glomeruli. To achieve this task during development, it is likely that multiple classes of regulatory molecules, including cell adhesion are involved. Cell molecules have been shown be important in controlling axon guidance, fasciculation, synapse formation. gain further understanding involvement circuitry we...
Stereotypical connections between olfactory sensory neuron axons and mitral cell dendrites in the bulb establish first synaptic relay for perception. While mechanisms of axon targeting are reported, molecular regulation dendritic growth refinement unclear. During embryonic development, distribution overlaps with terminals bulb. In this study, we investigate whether neurons epithelium influence outgrowth vitro. We report a soluble trophic activity conditioned medium which promotes...
Retinal axons in Drosophila make precise topographic connections with their target cells the optic lobe. Here we investigate role of Netrins and receptor Frazzled establishment retinal projections. We find that Netrins, although expressed target, are not required for Surprisingly, Frazzled, found on both fibers cells, is attracting fibers, while playing at best a redundant themselves; this finding demonstrates attraction necessary map formation. Finally, show differentiation target. Our data...
Abstract Background Olfactory discrimination depends on the large numbers of odorant receptor genes and differential ligand-receptor signaling among neurons expressing different receptors. In this study, we describe an in vitro system that enables expression exogenous receptors cultured olfactory sensory neurons. culture express characteristic molecules and, therefore, provide a to study function within its intrinsic cellular environment. Results We demonstrate endogenous Lentiviral...
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by depositions of the amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide in brain. The process develops over decades, with substantial neurological loss occurring before a clinical diagnosis dementia can be rendered. It therefore imperative to develop methods that permit early detection and monitoring progression. In addition, multifactorial pathogenesis AD has identified several potential avenues for intervention. Thus, evaluation therapeutic candidates lengthy trial periods...
Abstract An in vitro slice culture was established for investigating olfactory neural development. The epithelium dissected from embryonic day 13 rats; 400μm slices were cultured 5 days serum‐free medium on Millicell‐CM membranes coated with different substrates. grown the absence of their appropriate target, bulb, or CNS derived glia. cultures mimic many features vivo Cells differentiate into neurons that express marker protein (OMP). OMP‐positive cells have characteristic morphology...
Abstract Olfactory sensory neurons, located in the nasal epithelium, detect and transmit odorant information to central nervous system. This requires that these neurons form specific neuronal connections within olfactory bulb express receptors signaling molecules for functions. protocol describes a primary neuron culture technique allows vitro investigation of differentiation, axon outgrowth, receptor expression, function. epithelium is obtained from cavity enzymatically treated reduce...
Abstract Olfactory sensory neurons synapse with mitral cells to form stereotyped connections in the olfactory bulb (OB). Mitral cell apical dendrites receive input from expressing same odorant receptor. During development, this restricted dendritic targeting of is achieved through eliminating elaborated trees a single dendrite. Through genome‐wide microarray screen, we identified TARSH (Target NESH SH3) as transiently expressed molecule during refinement period. expression pyramidal along...
Development of a precise olfactory circuit relies on accurate projection sensory neuron (OSN) axons to their synaptic targets in the bulb (OB). The molecular mechanisms OSN axon growth and targeting are not well understood. Manipulating gene expression subsequent visualizing single terminal arbor morphology have thus far been challenging. To study function at cell level within specified time frame, we developed lentiviral based technique manipulate OSNs vivo. Lentiviral particles delivered...
Integrins are extracellular matrix receptors composed of α and β subunits. Here we describe two subunits four from the starlet sea anemone Nematostella vectensis. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that most closely related to RGD- LDV-dependent chordates. The cluster with previously described integrins hard coral Acropora millepora. expression one three was confirmed by reverse transcription PCR in situ hybridization. subunit is primarily expressed cells near muscles, a subset gastrodermal...
The olfactory neuroepithelium (OE) is one of the few neuronal tissues where environmental pathogens can gain direct access. Despite this vulnerable arrangement, little known about protective mechanisms in OE to prevent viral infection and its antiviral responses. We systematically investigated acute responses mucosa upon exposure vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) via RNA-seq. VSVs were nasally inoculated into C57BL/6 mice. Olfactory mucosae dissected for gene expression analysis at different...