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Bahar and Faeder labs publish in ENeuro

Heterogeneities in Axonal Structure and Transporter Distribution Lower Dopamine Reuptake Efficiency

Abstract

Efficient clearance of dopamine (DA) from the synapse is key to regulating dopaminergic signaling. This role is fulfilled by DA transporters (DATs). Recent advances in the structural characterization of DAT from Drosophila (dDAT) and in high-resolution imaging of DA neurons and the distribution of DATs in living cells now permit us to gain a mechanistic understanding of DA reuptake events in silico. Using electron microscopy images and immunofluorescence of transgenic knock-in mouse brains that express hemagglutinin-tagged DAT in DA neurons, we reconstructed a realistic environment for MCell simulations of DA reuptake, wherein the identity, population and kinetics of homology-modeled human DAT (hDAT) sub-states were derived from molecular simulations. The complex morphology of axon terminals near active zones was observed to give rise to large variations in DA reuptake efficiency, and thereby in extracellular DA density. Comparison of the effect of different firing patterns showed that phasic firing would increase the probability of reaching local DA levels sufficiently high to activate low-affinity DA receptors, mainly due to high DA levels transiently attained during the burst phase. The experimentally observed non-uniform surface distribution of DATs emerged as a major modulator of DA signaling: reuptake was slower, and the peaks/width of transient DA levels were sharper/wider under non-uniform distribution of DATs, compared to uniform. Overall, the study highlights the importance of accurate descriptions of extra-synaptic morphology, DAT distribution and conformational kinetics for quantitative evaluation of dopaminergic transmission and for providing deeper understanding of the mechanisms that regulate DA transmission.

 

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Dr. Xiaojun Tian and Dr. Jianhua Xing co-authored a paper on Journal of American Society of Nephrology

Fibroblast-Specific β-catenin Signaling Dictates the Outcome of AKI

Dong Zhou, Haiyan Fu, Liangxiang Xiao, Hongyan Mo, Hui Zhuo, Xiaojun Tian, Lin Lin, Jianhua Xing and Youhua Liu

Abstract: AKI is a devastating condition with high morbidity and mortality. The pathologic features of AKI are characterized by tubular injury, inflammation, and vascular impairment. Whether fibroblasts in the renal interstitium have a role in the pathogenesis of AKI is unknown. In this study, we investigated the role of fibroblast-specific β-catenin signaling in dictating the outcome of AKI, using conditional knockout mice in which β-catenin was specifically ablated in fibroblasts (Gli1-β-cat−/−). After ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI), Gli1-β-cat−/− mice had lower serum creatinine levels and less morphologic injury than Gli1-β-cat+/+ littermate controls. Moreover, we detected fewer apoptotic cells, as well as decreased cytochrome C release; reduced expression of Bax, FasL, and p53; and increased phosphorylation of Akt, in the Gli1-β-cat−/− kidneys. Gli1-β-cat−/− kidneys also exhibited upregulated expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen and Ki-67, which are markers of cell proliferation. Furthermore, Gli1-β-cat−/− kidneys displayed suppressed NF-κB signaling and cytokine expression and reduced infiltration of inflammatory cells. Notably, loss of β-catenin in fibroblasts induced renal expression of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and augmented the tyrosine phosphorylation of c-met receptor after IRI. In vitro, treatment with Wnt ligands or ectopic expression of active β-catenin inhibited HGF mRNA and protein expression and repressed HGF promoter activity. Collectively, these results suggest that fibroblast-specific β-catenin signaling can control tubular injury and repair in AKI by modulating HGF expression. Our studies uncover a previously unrecognized role for interstitial fibroblasts in the pathogenesis of AKI.

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Nicole Munne selected as 2018 Regeneron Science Talent Search Scholar

Congratulations to 2017 DiSCoBio alumna Nicole Munne for being selected as a 2018 Regeneron Science Talent Search Scholar for her project, “Developing an in vitro Human Liver Model for Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease,” which was completed with her mentor, Dr. Larry Vernetti.

Each scholar receives a $2,000 award with an additional $2,000 going to their respective school.

For more information, please visit https://student.societyforscience.org/regeneron-sts-2018-scholars.