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Chiang MH, Lin YC, Chen SF, Lee PS, Fu TF, Wu T, Wu CL. Independent insulin signaling modulators govern hot avoidance under different feeding states. PLoS Biol 2023; 21:e3002332. [PMID: 37847673 PMCID: PMC10581474 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Thermosensation is critical for the survival of animals. However, mechanisms through which nutritional status modulates thermosensation remain unclear. Herein, we showed that hungry Drosophila exhibit a strong hot avoidance behavior (HAB) compared to food-sated flies. We identified that hot stimulus increases the activity of α'β' mushroom body neurons (MBns), with weak activity in the sated state and strong activity in the hungry state. Furthermore, we showed that α'β' MBn receives the same level of hot input from the mALT projection neurons via cholinergic transmission in sated and hungry states. Differences in α'β' MBn activity between food-sated and hungry flies following heat stimuli are regulated by distinct Drosophila insulin-like peptides (Dilps). Dilp2 is secreted by insulin-producing cells (IPCs) and regulates HAB during satiety, whereas Dilp6 is secreted by the fat body and regulates HAB during the hungry state. We observed that Dilp2 induces PI3K/AKT signaling, whereas Dilp6 induces Ras/ERK signaling in α'β' MBn to regulate HAB in different feeding conditions. Finally, we showed that the 2 α'β'-related MB output neurons (MBONs), MBON-α'3 and MBON-β'1, are necessary for the output of integrated hot avoidance information from α'β' MBn. Our results demonstrate the presence of dual insulin modulation pathways in α'β' MBn, which are important for suitable behavioral responses in Drosophila during thermoregulation under different feeding states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Hsuan Chiang
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chun Lin
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Sheng-Fu Chen
- NHRI Institute of Biomedical Engineering & Nanomedicine, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Peng-Shiuan Lee
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Tsai-Feng Fu
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Chi Nan University, Nantou, Taiwan
| | - Tony Wu
- Department of Neurology, New Taipei Municipal TuCheng Hospital, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Lin Wu
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Department of Neurology, New Taipei Municipal TuCheng Hospital, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Brain Research Center, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
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2
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Chen SL, Liu BT, Lee WP, Liao SB, Deng YB, Wu CL, Ho SM, Shen BX, Khoo GH, Shiu WC, Chang CH, Shih HW, Wen JK, Lan TH, Lin CC, Tsai YC, Tzeng HF, Fu TF. WAKE-mediated modulation of cVA perception via a hierarchical neuro-endocrine axis in Drosophila male-male courtship behaviour. Nat Commun 2022; 13:2518. [PMID: 35523813 PMCID: PMC9076693 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30165-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The nervous and endocrine systems coordinate with each other to closely influence physiological and behavioural responses in animals. Here we show that WAKE (encoded by wide awake, also known as wake) modulates membrane levels of GABAA receptor Resistance to Dieldrin (Rdl), in insulin-producing cells of adult male Drosophila melanogaster. This results in changes to secretion of insulin-like peptides which is associated with changes in juvenile hormone biosynthesis in the corpus allatum, which in turn leads to a decrease in 20-hydroxyecdysone levels. A reduction in ecdysone signalling changes neural architecture and lowers the perception of the male-specific sex pheromone 11-cis-vaccenyl acetate by odorant receptor 67d olfactory neurons. These finding explain why WAKE-deficient in Drosophila elicits significant male-male courtship behaviour. The authors show that the Drosophila master regulator WAKE modulates the secretion of insulin-like peptides, triggering a decrease in 20-hydroxyecdysone levels. This lowers the perception of a male-specific sex pheromone and explains why WAKE-deficient Drosophila flies show male-male courtship behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiu-Ling Chen
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Chi Nan University, Nantou, Taiwan
| | - Bo-Ting Liu
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Chi Nan University, Nantou, Taiwan
| | - Wang-Pao Lee
- Department of Biochemistry and Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Sin-Bo Liao
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Chi Nan University, Nantou, Taiwan.,Institute of Biotechnology, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Yao-Bang Deng
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Chi Nan University, Nantou, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Lin Wu
- Department of Biochemistry and Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Department of Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan.,Brain Research Center, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Shuk-Man Ho
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Chi Nan University, Nantou, Taiwan
| | - Bing-Xian Shen
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Chi Nan University, Nantou, Taiwan
| | - Guan-Hock Khoo
- Department of Life Science and Life Science Center, Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Chiang Shiu
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Chi Nan University, Nantou, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Hsuan Chang
- Department of Life Science and Life Science Center, Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Institute of Systems Neuroscience, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan.,National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Wen Shih
- Department of Life Science and Life Science Center, Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Jung-Kun Wen
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tsuo-Hung Lan
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Tsaotun Psychiatric Center, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Nantou, Taiwan.,Department of Psychiatry, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.,Center for Neuropsychiatric Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Chien Lin
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chen Tsai
- Department of Life Science and Life Science Center, Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan.
| | - Huey-Fen Tzeng
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Chi Nan University, Nantou, Taiwan.
| | - Tsai-Feng Fu
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Chi Nan University, Nantou, Taiwan.
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3
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Lee WP, Chiang MH, Chang LY, Shyu WH, Chiu TH, Fu TF, Wu T, Wu CL. Serotonin Signals Modulate Mushroom Body Output Neurons for Sustaining Water-Reward Long-Term Memory in Drosophila. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:755574. [PMID: 34858982 PMCID: PMC8631865 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.755574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Memory consolidation is a time-dependent process through which an unstable learned experience is transformed into a stable long-term memory; however, the circuit and molecular mechanisms underlying this process are poorly understood. The Drosophila mushroom body (MB) is a huge brain neuropil that plays a crucial role in olfactory memory. The MB neurons can be generally classified into three subsets: γ, αβ, and α′β′. Here, we report that water-reward long-term memory (wLTM) consolidation requires activity from α′β′-related mushroom body output neurons (MBONs) in a specific time window. wLTM consolidation requires neurotransmission in MBON-γ3β′1 during the 0–2 h period after training, and neurotransmission in MBON-α′2 is required during the 2–4 h period after training. Moreover, neurotransmission in MBON-α′1α′3 is required during the 0–4 h period after training. Intriguingly, blocking neurotransmission during consolidation or inhibiting serotonin biosynthesis in serotoninergic dorsal paired medial (DPM) neurons also disrupted the wLTM, suggesting that wLTM consolidation requires serotonin signals from DPM neurons. The GFP Reconstitution Across Synaptic Partners (GRASP) data showed the connectivity between DPM neurons and MBON-γ3β′1, MBON-α′2, and MBON-α′1α′3, and RNAi-mediated silencing of serotonin receptors in MBON-γ3β′1, MBON-α′2, or MBON-α′1α′3 disrupted wLTM. Taken together, our results suggest that serotonin released from DPM neurons modulates neuronal activity in MBON-γ3β′1, MBON-α′2, and MBON-α′1α′3 at specific time windows, which is critical for the consolidation of wLTM in Drosophila.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wang-Pao Lee
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Meng-Hsuan Chiang
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Li-Yun Chang
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Huan Shyu
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Tai-Hsiang Chiu
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Tsai-Feng Fu
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Chi Nan University, Nantou, Taiwan
| | - Tony Wu
- Department of Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan.,Department of Neurology, New Taipei Municipal Tucheng Hospital, Tucheng, Taiwan.,Department of Neurology, Xiamen Chang Gung Hospital, Xiamen, China
| | - Chia-Lin Wu
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Department of Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan.,Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Brain Research Center, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
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4
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Yang DM, Fu TF, Lin CS, Chiu TY, Huang CC, Huang HY, Chung MW, Lin YS, Manurung RV, Nguyen PNN, Chang YF. High-performance FRET biosensors for single-cell and in vivo lead detection. Biosens Bioelectron 2020; 168:112571. [PMID: 32892119 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2020.112571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Revised: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Forms of lead (Pb) have been insidiously invading human life for thousands of years without obvious signs of their considerable danger to human health. Blood lead level (BLL) is the routine measure used for diagnosing the degree of lead intoxication, although it is unclear whether there is any safe range of BLL. To develop a practical detection tool for living organisms, we engineered a genetically encoded fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based Pb2+ biosensor, 'Met-lead 1.44 M1', with excellent performance. Met-lead 1.44 M1 has an apparent dissociation constant (Kd) of 25.97 nM, a detection limit (LOD) of 10 nM (2.0 ppb/0.2 μg/dL), and an enhancement dynamic ratio of nearly ~ 5-fold upon Pb2+ binding. The 10 nM sensitivity of Met-lead 1.44 M1 is five times below the World Health Organization-permitted level of lead in tap water (10 ppb; WHO, 2017), and fifteen times lower than the maximum BLL for children (3 μg/dL). We deployed Met-lead 1.44 M1 to measure Pb2+ concentrations in different living models, including two general human cell lines and one specific line, induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cardiomyocytes, as well as in widely used model species in plant (Arabidopsis thaliana) and animal (Drosophila melanogaster) research. Our results suggest that this new biosensor is suitable for lead toxicological research in vitro and in vivo, and will pave the way toward potential applications for both low BLL measures and rapid detection of environmental lead in its divalent form.
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Affiliation(s)
- De-Ming Yang
- Microscopy Service Laboratory, Basic Research Division, Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, 11217, Taiwan; Institute of Biophotonics, National Yang-Ming University, 155 Sec-2, Li Nong Street, Taipei, 11221, Taiwan; Biophotonics and Molecular Imaging Research Center (BMIRC), National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, 11221, Taiwan.
| | - Tsai-Feng Fu
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Chi-Nan University, Nantou, 54561, Taiwan
| | - Choun-Sea Lin
- Agricultural Biotechnology Research Center (ABRC), Academia Sinica, Taipei, 115, Taiwan
| | - Tai-Yu Chiu
- Microscopy Service Laboratory, Basic Research Division, Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, 11217, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Chang Huang
- Core Facilities for Translational Medicines, BioTReC, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 115, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Yi Huang
- Microscopy Service Laboratory, Basic Research Division, Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, 11217, Taiwan; LumiSTAR Biotechnology, Inc., National Biotechnology Research Park, Taipei, 115, Taiwan
| | - Min-Wen Chung
- LumiSTAR Biotechnology, Inc., National Biotechnology Research Park, Taipei, 115, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Syuan Lin
- Microscopy Service Laboratory, Basic Research Division, Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, 11217, Taiwan
| | - Robeth Viktoria Manurung
- Research Center for Electronics and Telecommunication, Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), Indonesia
| | | | - Yu-Fen Chang
- LumiSTAR Biotechnology, Inc., National Biotechnology Research Park, Taipei, 115, Taiwan.
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5
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Lee WP, Chiang MH, Chang LY, Lee JY, Tsai YL, Chiu TH, Chiang HC, Fu TF, Wu T, Wu CL. Mushroom body subsets encode CREB2-dependent water-reward long-term memory in Drosophila. PLoS Genet 2020; 16:e1008963. [PMID: 32780743 PMCID: PMC7418956 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Long-term memory (LTM) formation depends on the conversed cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB)-dependent gene transcription followed by de novo protein synthesis. Thirsty fruit flies can be trained to associate an odor with water reward to form water-reward LTM (wLTM), which can last for over 24 hours without a significant decline. The role of de novo protein synthesis and CREB-regulated gene expression changes in neural circuits that contribute to wLTM remains unclear. Here, we show that acute inhibition of protein synthesis in the mushroom body (MB) αβ or γ neurons during memory formation using a cold-sensitive ribosome-inactivating toxin disrupts wLTM. Furthermore, adult stage-specific expression of dCREB2b in αβ or γ neurons also disrupts wLTM. The MB αβ and γ neurons can be further classified into five different neuronal subsets including αβ core, αβ surface, αβ posterior, γ main, and γ dorsal. We observed that the neurotransmission from αβ surface and γ dorsal neuron subsets is required for wLTM retrieval, whereas the αβ core, αβ posterior, and γ main are dispensable. Adult stage-specific expression of dCREB2b in αβ surface and γ dorsal neurons inhibits wLTM formation. In vivo calcium imaging revealed that αβ surface and γ dorsal neurons form wLTM traces with different dynamic properties, and these memory traces are abolished by dCREB2b expression. Our results suggest that a small population of neurons within the MB circuits support long-term storage of water-reward memory in Drosophila.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wang-Pao Lee
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taiwan
| | - Meng-Hsuan Chiang
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taiwan
| | - Li-Yun Chang
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taiwan
| | - Jhen-Yi Lee
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Lun Tsai
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taiwan
| | - Tai-Hsiang Chiu
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taiwan
| | | | - Tsai-Feng Fu
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Chi Nan University, Taiwan
| | - Tony Wu
- Department of Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Lin Wu
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taiwan
- Department of Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taiwan
- * E-mail:
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6
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Yang DM, Manurung RV, Lin YS, Chiu TY, Lai WQ, Chang YF, Fu TF. Monitoring the Heavy Metal Lead Inside Living Drosophila with a FRET-Based Biosensor. Sensors (Basel) 2020; 20:E1712. [PMID: 32204388 PMCID: PMC7146181 DOI: 10.3390/s20061712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Revised: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The harmful impact of the heavy metal lead on human health has been known for years. However, materials that contain lead remain in the environment. Measuring the blood lead level (BLL) is the only way to officially evaluate the degree of exposure to lead. The so-called "safe value" of the BLL seems to unreliably represent the secure threshold for children. In general, lead's underlying toxicological mechanism remains unclear and needs to be elucidated. Therefore, we developed a novel genetically encoded fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based lead biosensor, Met-lead, and applied it to transgenic Drosophila to perform further investigations. We combined Met-lead with the UAS-GAL4 system to the sensor protein specifically expressed within certain regions of fly brains. Using a suitable imaging platform, including a fast epifluorescent or confocal laser-scanning/two-photon microscope with high resolution, we recorded the changes in lead content inside fly brains ex vivo and in vivo and at different life stages. The blood-brain barrier was found to play an important role in the protection of neurons in the brain against damage due to the heavy metal lead, either through food or microinjection into the abdomen. Met-lead has the potential to be a powerful tool for the sensing of lead within living organisms by employing either a fast epi-FRET microscope or high-resolution brain imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- De-Ming Yang
- Microscopy Service Laboratory, Basic Research Division, Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei 11217, Taiwan;
- Institute of Biophotonics, School of Medical Technology & Engineering, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan; (Y.-S.L.); (T.-Y.C.)
- Biophotonics and Molecular Imaging Research Center (BMIRC), National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 112, Taiwan
| | - Robeth Viktoria Manurung
- Research Center for Electronics and Telecommunication, Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), Bandung 40135, Indonesia;
| | - Yu-Syuan Lin
- Institute of Biophotonics, School of Medical Technology & Engineering, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan; (Y.-S.L.); (T.-Y.C.)
| | - Tai-Yu Chiu
- Institute of Biophotonics, School of Medical Technology & Engineering, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan; (Y.-S.L.); (T.-Y.C.)
| | - Wei-Qun Lai
- Microscopy Service Laboratory, Basic Research Division, Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei 11217, Taiwan;
- Institute of Biophotonics, School of Medical Technology & Engineering, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan; (Y.-S.L.); (T.-Y.C.)
| | - Yu-Fen Chang
- LumiSTAR Biotechnology, Inc., Taipei City 115, Taiwan;
| | - Tsai-Feng Fu
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Chi-Nan University, Nantou 54561, Taiwan;
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Shyu WH, Lee WP, Chiang MH, Chang CC, Fu TF, Chiang HC, Wu T, Wu CL. Electrical synapses between mushroom body neurons are critical for consolidated memory retrieval in Drosophila. PLoS Genet 2019; 15:e1008153. [PMID: 31071084 PMCID: PMC6529013 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2019] [Revised: 05/21/2019] [Accepted: 04/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Electrical synapses between neurons, also known as gap junctions, are direct cell membrane channels between adjacent neurons. Gap junctions play a role in the synchronization of neuronal network activity; however, their involvement in cognition has not been well characterized. Three-hour olfactory associative memory in Drosophila has two components: consolidated anesthesia-resistant memory (ARM) and labile anesthesia-sensitive memory (ASM). Here, we show that knockdown of the gap junction gene innexin5 (inx5) in mushroom body (MB) neurons disrupted ARM, while leaving ASM intact. Whole-mount brain immunohistochemistry indicated that INX5 protein was preferentially expressed in the somas, calyxes, and lobes regions of the MB neurons. Adult-stage-specific knockdown of inx5 in αβ neurons disrupted ARM, suggesting a specific requirement of INX5 in αβ neurons for ARM formation. Hyperpolarization of αβ neurons during memory retrieval by expressing an engineered halorhodopsin (eNpHR) also disrupted ARM. Administration of the gap junction blocker carbenoxolone (CBX) reduced the proportion of odor responsive αβ neurons to the training odor 3 hours after training. Finally, the α-branch-specific 3-hour ARM-specific memory trace was also diminished with CBX treatment and in inx5 knockdown flies. Altogether, our results suggest INX5 gap junction channels in αβ neurons for ARM retrieval and also provide a more detailed neuronal mechanism for consolidated memory in Drosophila.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Huan Shyu
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Wang-Pao Lee
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Meng-Hsuan Chiang
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Ching Chang
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Tsai-Feng Fu
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Chi Nan University, Nantou, Taiwan
| | - Hsueh-Cheng Chiang
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Tony Wu
- Department of Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Lin Wu
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Department of Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan
- * E-mail:
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8
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Abstract
Appropriate sexual selection or individual sexual attractiveness is closely associated with the reproductive success of a species. Here, we report that young male flies exhibit innate courtship preference for female flies that are raised on higher-yeast diets and that have greater body weight and fecundity, but reduced locomotor activity and shortened lifespan. Male flies discriminate among females that have been fed diets that contain 3 different yeast concentrations-1, 5, and 20% yeast- via gustatory, but not visual or olfactory, perception. Female flies that are raised on higher-yeast diets exhibit elevated expression levels of Drosophila insulin-like peptides (di lps), and we demonstrate that hypomorphic mutations of di lp2, 3, 5 or foxo, as well as oenocyte-specific gene disruption of the insulin receptor, all abolish this male courtship preference for high yeast-fed females. Moreover, our data demonstrate that disrupted di lp signaling can alter the expression profile of some cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) in female flies, and that genetic inhibition of an enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of CHCs in oenocytes, elongase F, also eliminates the male courtship preference. Together, our findings provide mechanistic insights that link female reproductive potential to sexual attractiveness, thereby encouraging adaptive mating and optimal reproductive success.-Lin, W.-S., Yeh, S.-R., Fan, S.-Z., Chen, L.-Y., Yen, J.-H., Fu, T.-F., Wu, M.-S., Wang, P.-Y. Insulin signaling in female Drosophila links diet and sexual attractiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Sheng Lin
- Graduate Institute of Brain and Mind Sciences, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital Yunlin, Yunlin, Taiwan
| | - Sheng-Rong Yeh
- Graduate Institute of Brain and Mind Sciences, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shou-Zen Fan
- Department of Anesthesiology, National Taiwan University Hospital, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Liang-Yu Chen
- Department of Biotechnology, Mingchuan University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Jui-Hung Yen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA
| | - Tsai-Feng Fu
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Chinan University, Nantou, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Shiang Wu
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Yu Wang
- Graduate Institute of Brain and Mind Sciences, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Neurobiology and Cognitive Science Center, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Center for Systems Biology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
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9
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Shyu WH, Chiu TH, Chiang MH, Cheng YC, Tsai YL, Fu TF, Wu T, Wu CL. Neural circuits for long-term water-reward memory processing in thirsty Drosophila. Nat Commun 2017; 8:15230. [PMID: 28504254 PMCID: PMC5440665 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms15230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2016] [Accepted: 03/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The intake of water is important for the survival of all animals and drinking water can be used as a reward in thirsty animals. Here we found that thirsty Drosophila melanogaster can associate drinking water with an odour to form a protein-synthesis-dependent water-reward long-term memory (LTM). Furthermore, we found that the reinforcement of LTM requires water-responsive dopaminergic neurons projecting to the restricted region of mushroom body (MB) β′ lobe, which are different from the neurons required for the reinforcement of learning and short-term memory (STM). Synaptic output from α′β′ neurons is required for consolidation, whereas the output from γ and αβ neurons is required for the retrieval of LTM. Finally, two types of MB efferent neurons retrieve LTM from γ and αβ neurons by releasing glutamate and acetylcholine, respectively. Our results therefore cast light on the cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible for processing water-reward LTM in Drosophila. Distinct subsets of dopaminergic PAM neurons have been shown to be involved in short-term and long-term memory for sugar reward. Here the authors report the neural circuits and the cellular and molecular mechanisms for short-term and long-term memory for water reward in thirsty Drosophila.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Huan Shyu
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan
| | - Tai-Hsiang Chiu
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan
| | - Meng-Hsuan Chiang
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chin Cheng
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Lun Tsai
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan
| | - Tsai-Feng Fu
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Chi-Nan University, Nantou 54561, Taiwan
| | - Tony Wu
- Department of Neurology, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Lin Wu
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan.,Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan.,Department of Neurology, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan
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10
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Chen SL, Chen YH, Wang CC, Yu YW, Tsai YC, Hsu HW, Wu CL, Wang PY, Chen LC, Lan TH, Fu TF. Active and passive sexual roles that arise in Drosophila male-male courtship are modulated by dopamine levels in PPL2ab neurons. Sci Rep 2017; 7:44595. [PMID: 28294190 PMCID: PMC5353583 DOI: 10.1038/srep44595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2016] [Accepted: 02/09/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The neurology of male sexuality has been poorly studied owing to difficulties in studying brain circuitry in humans. Dopamine (DA) is essential for both physiological and behavioural responses, including the regulation of sexuality. Previous studies have revealed that alterations in DA synthesis in dopaminergic neurons can induce male-male courtship behaviour, while increasing DA levels in the protocerebral posteriolateral dopaminergic cluster neuron 2ab (PPL2ab) may enhance the intensity of male courtship sustainment in Drosophila. Here we report that changes in the ability of the PPL2ab in the central nervous system (CNS) to produce DA strongly impact male-male courtship in D. melanogaster. Intriguingly, the DA-synthesizing abilities of these neurons appear to affect both the courting activities displayed by male flies and the sex appeal of male flies for other male flies. Moreover, the observed male-male courtship is triggered primarily by target motion, yet chemical cues can replace visual input under dark conditions. This is interesting evidence that courtship responses in male individuals are controlled by PPL2ab neurons in the CNS. Our study provides insight for subsequent studies focusing on sexual circuit modulation by PPL2ab neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiu-Ling Chen
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Chi Nan University, 54561 Nantou, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Hui Chen
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Chi Nan University, 54561 Nantou, Taiwan
| | - Chuan-Chan Wang
- Department of Life Science, Fu Jen Catholic University, 24205 New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Yhu-Wei Yu
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Chi Nan University, 54561 Nantou, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chen Tsai
- Department of Life Science and Life Science Center, Tunghai University, 40704 Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Hsiao-Wen Hsu
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Chi Nan University, 54561 Nantou, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Lin Wu
- Department of Biochemistry and Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, 33302 Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Department of Neurology, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, 33305 Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Yu Wang
- Graduate Institute of Brain and Mind Sciences, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, 10051 Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Lien-Cheng Chen
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, Chung Hwa University of Medical Technology, 71703 Tainan, Taiwan.,School of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, 11031 Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tsuo-Hung Lan
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming University, 11221 Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Psychiatry, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, 40705 Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Tsai-Feng Fu
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Chi Nan University, 54561 Nantou, Taiwan
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11
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Abstract
The possible neurological and biophysical effects of magnetic fields on animals is an area of active study. Here, we report that courtship activity of male Drosophila increases in a magnetic field and that this effect is regulated by the blue light-dependent photoreceptor cryptochrome (CRY). Naïve male flies exhibited significantly increased courtship activities when they were exposed to a ≥ 20-Gauss static magnetic field, compared with their behavior in the natural environment (0 Gauss). CRY-deficient flies, cryb and crym, did not show an increased courtship index in a magnetic field. RNAi-mediated knockdown of cry in cry-GAL4-positive neurons disrupted the increased male courtship activity in a magnetic field. Genetically expressing cry under the control of cry-GAL4 in the CRY-deficient flies restored the increase in male courtship index that occurred in a magnetic field. Interestingly, artificially activating cry-GAL4-expressing neurons, which include large ventral lateral neurons and small ventral lateral neurons, via expression of thermosensitive cation channel dTrpA1, also increased the male courtship index. This enhancement was abolished by the addition of the cry-GAL80 transgene. Our results highlight the phenomenon of increased male courtship activity caused by a magnetic field through CRY-dependent magnetic sensation in CRY expression neurons in Drosophila.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Lin Wu
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 33302, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 33302, Taiwan
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 33302, Taiwan
- Department of Neurology, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, 33305, Taiwan
- * E-mail:
| | - Tsai-Feng Fu
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Chi-Nan University, Nantou, 54561, Taiwan
| | - Meng-Hsuan Chiang
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 33302, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Wei Chang
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 33302, Taiwan
| | - Jim-Long Her
- Division of Natural Science, Center for General Education, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 33302, Taiwan
| | - Tony Wu
- Department of Neurology, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, 33305, Taiwan
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12
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Sun L, Wang PH, Lee CH, Fu TF, Chou MM, Hwang SF, Ke YM, Hsu ST, Lu CH. Clinical parameters associated with absence of endocervical/transformation zone component in conventional cervical Papanicolaou smears. Taiwan J Obstet Gynecol 2016; 55:81-4. [PMID: 26927255 DOI: 10.1016/j.tjog.2014.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/17/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To study clinical factors predicting the absence of endocervical/transformation zone (EC/TZ) components of conventional cervical Papanicolaou (Pap) smears. MATERIALS AND METHODS The medical charts of patients who received Pap smears between March 2006 and August 2006 in the hospital were reviewed. The results of their Pap smears were retrieved while their demographic and clinical information were obtained from the medical charts. After excluding 378 cases with incomplete demographic data and 1397 cases with a history of pelvic irradiation, pelvic malignancy, and hysterectomy, 5662 cases were enrolled for data analysis. The relationship between clinical parameters and the absence of EC/TZ component was analyzed by Pearson Chi-square tests with Yates continuity correction and binary logistic regression tests. RESULTS The incidence of satisfactory but absence of EC/TZ component was 8.7% (491/5662). Pregnancy increased the absence of EC/TZ component [odds ratio (OR}: 2.84, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.14-3.77, p<0.0001]. Postpartum status and endocervical polyps decreased incidence (OR: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.38-0.98, p = 0.043 and OR: 0.33, 95% CI: 0.25-0.44, p<0.0001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Pregnancy is the only clinical factor associated with increased incidence of absence of EC/TZ cells. For these pregnant women undergoing a Pap smear, a more effective strategy may be needed to get a satisfactory smear with adequate EC/TZ components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lou Sun
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Peng-Hui Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Yang-Ming University School of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chen-Hui Lee
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Tsai-Feng Fu
- Graduate Institute of Biomedicine and Biomedical Technology, National Chi Nan University, Nantou County, Taiwan
| | - Min-Min Chou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Sheau-Feng Hwang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Min Ke
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Tien Hsu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan; School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Hsing Lu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Yang-Ming University School of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan; Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Chung-Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan; Rong-Hsing Research Center for Translational Medicine, National Chung-Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan.
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13
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Lin WS, Huang CW, Song YS, Yen JH, Kuo PC, Yeh SR, Lin HY, Fu TF, Wu MS, Wang HD, Wang PY. Reduced Gut Acidity Induces an Obese-Like Phenotype in Drosophila melanogaster and in Mice. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0139722. [PMID: 26436771 PMCID: PMC4593636 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0139722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2015] [Accepted: 09/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
In order to identify genes involved in stress and metabolic regulation, we carried out a Drosophila P-element-mediated mutagenesis screen for starvation resistance. We isolated a mutant, m2, that showed a 23% increase in survival time under starvation conditions. The P-element insertion was mapped to the region upstream of the vha16-1 gene, which encodes the c subunit of the vacuolar-type H+-ATPase. We found that vha16-1 is highly expressed in the fly midgut, and that m2 mutant flies are hypomorphic for vha16-1 and also exhibit reduced midgut acidity. This deficit is likely to induce altered metabolism and contribute to accelerated aging, since vha16-1 mutant flies are short-lived and display increases in body weight and lipid accumulation. Similar phenotypes were also induced by pharmacological treatment, through feeding normal flies and mice with a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor (acetazolamide) or proton pump inhibitor (PPI, lansoprazole) to suppress gut acid production. Our study may thus provide a useful model for investigating chronic acid suppression in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Sheng Lin
- Graduate Institute of Brain and Mind Sciences, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital Yun-Lin branch, Yun-Lin, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Wen Huang
- Graduate Institute of Brain and Mind Sciences, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute of Biotechnology, National Tsing Hua University, HsinChu, Taiwan
| | - You-Sheng Song
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Chengchi University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jui-Hung Yen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Ping-Chang Kuo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Sheng-Rong Yeh
- Graduate Institute of Brain and Mind Sciences, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Yu Lin
- Institute of Biotechnology, National Tsing Hua University, HsinChu, Taiwan
| | - Tsai-Feng Fu
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Chinan University, Nantou, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Shiang Wu
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- * E-mail: (PYW); (HDW); (MSW)
| | - Horng-Dar Wang
- Institute of Biotechnology, National Tsing Hua University, HsinChu, Taiwan
- Institute of Systems Neuroscience, National Tsing Hua University, HsinChu, Taiwan
- Department of Life Science, National Tsing Hua University, HsinChu, Taiwan
- * E-mail: (PYW); (HDW); (MSW)
| | - Pei-Yu Wang
- Graduate Institute of Brain and Mind Sciences, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- * E-mail: (PYW); (HDW); (MSW)
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14
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Sze CI, Kuo YM, Hsu LJ, Fu TF, Chiang MF, Chang JY, Chang NS. A cascade of protein aggregation bombards mitochondria for neurodegeneration and apoptosis under WWOX deficiency. Cell Death Dis 2015; 6:e1881. [PMID: 26355344 PMCID: PMC4650446 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2015.251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- C I Sze
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Y M Kuo
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, ROC
| | - L J Hsu
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, ROC
| | - T F Fu
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, ROC
| | - M F Chiang
- Department of Neurosurgery, MacKay Memorial Hospital Taipei, and Graduate Institute of Injury Prevention and Control, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - J Y Chang
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, ROC
| | - N S Chang
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, ROC.,Advanced Optoelectronic Technology Center, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, ROC.,Department of Neurochemistry, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, NY, USA
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15
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Huang CW, Wang HD, Bai H, Wu MS, Yen JH, Tatar M, Fu TF, Wang PY. Tequila Regulates Insulin-Like Signaling and Extends Life Span in Drosophila melanogaster. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2015; 70:1461-9. [PMID: 26265729 DOI: 10.1093/gerona/glv094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2015] [Accepted: 05/30/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The aging process is a universal phenomenon shared by all living organisms. The identification of longevity genes is important in that the study of these genes is likely to yield significant insights into human senescence. In this study, we have identified Tequila as a novel candidate gene involved in the regulation of longevity in Drosophila melanogaster. We have found that a hypomorphic mutation of Tequila (Teq(f01792)), as well as cell-specific downregulation of Tequila in insulin-producing neurons of the fly, significantly extends life span. Tequila deficiency-induced life-span extension is likely to be associated with reduced insulin-like signaling, because Tequila mutant flies display several common phenotypes of insulin dysregulation, including reduced circulating Drosophila insulin-like peptide 2 (Dilp2), reduced Akt phosphorylation, reduced body size, and altered glucose homeostasis. These observations suggest that Tequila may confer life-span extension by acting as a modulator of Drosophila insulin-like signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Wen Huang
- Graduate Institute of Brain and Mind Sciences, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan. Institute of Biotechnology
| | - Horng-Dar Wang
- Institute of Biotechnology, Institute of Systems Neuroscience, and Department of Life Science, National Tsing Hua University, HsinChu, Taiwan
| | - Hua Bai
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - Ming-Shiang Wu
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jui-Hung Yen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Fort Wayne, Indiana
| | - Marc Tatar
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - Tsai-Feng Fu
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Chinan University, Nantou, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Yu Wang
- Graduate Institute of Brain and Mind Sciences, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
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16
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Shih HW, Wu CL, Chang SW, Liu TH, Lai JSY, Fu TF, Fu CC, Chiang AS. Parallel circuits control temperature preference in Drosophila during ageing. Nat Commun 2015; 6:7775. [PMID: 26178754 PMCID: PMC4518306 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms8775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2014] [Accepted: 06/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The detection of environmental temperature and regulation of body temperature are integral determinants of behaviour for all animals. These functions become less efficient in aged animals, particularly during exposure to cold environments, yet the cellular and molecular mechanisms are not well understood. Here, we identify an age-related change in the temperature preference of adult fruit flies that results from a shift in the relative contributions of two parallel mushroom body (MB) circuits—the β′- and β-systems. The β′-circuit primarily controls cold avoidance through dopamine signalling in young flies, whereas the β-circuit increasingly contributes to cold avoidance as adult flies age. Elevating dopamine levels in β′-afferent neurons of aged flies restores cold sensitivity, suggesting that the alteration of cold avoidance behaviour with ageing is functionally reversible. These results provide a framework for investigating how molecules and individual neural circuits modulate homeostatic alterations during the course of senescence. The capacity for thermoregulation deteriorates with age, particularly in cold environments. Here the authors demonstrate in Drosophila that age-related changes in cold avoidance result from a shift in the relative contribution of two parallel mushroom body circuits that are modulated by dopamine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsiang-Wen Shih
- Institute of Biotechnology, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Lin Wu
- 1] Department of Biochemistry and Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan. [2] Department of Medical Research, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan
| | - Sue-Wei Chang
- Department of Power Mechanical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan
| | - Tsung-Ho Liu
- Department of Power Mechanical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan
| | - Jason Sih-Yu Lai
- Institute of Biotechnology, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan
| | - Tsai-Feng Fu
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Chi Nan University, Nantou 54561, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Chung Fu
- 1] Department of Power Mechanical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan. [2] Brain Research Center, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan
| | - Ann-Shyn Chiang
- 1] Institute of Biotechnology, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan. [2] Brain Research Center, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan. [3] Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Nankang, Taipei 11529, Taiwan. [4] Department of Biomedical Science and Environmental Biology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80780, Taiwan. [5] Kavli Institute for Brain and Mind, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093-0526, USA
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17
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Kuo SY, Wu CL, Hsieh MY, Lin CT, Wen RK, Chen LC, Chen YH, Yu YW, Wang HD, Su YJ, Lin CJ, Yang CY, Guan HY, Wang PY, Lan TH, Fu TF. PPL2ab neurons restore sexual responses in aged Drosophila males through dopamine. Nat Commun 2015; 6:7490. [PMID: 26123524 PMCID: PMC4491191 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms8490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2014] [Accepted: 05/14/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Male sexual desire typically declines with ageing. However, our understanding of the neurobiological basis for this phenomenon is limited by our knowledge of the brain circuitry and neuronal pathways controlling male sexual desire. A number of studies across species suggest that dopamine (DA) affects sexual desire. Here we use genetic tools and behavioural assays to identify a novel subset of DA neurons that regulate age-associated male courtship activity in Drosophila. We find that increasing DA levels in a subset of cells in the PPL2ab neuronal cluster is necessary and sufficient for increased sustained courtship in both young and aged male flies. Our results indicate that preventing the age-related decline in DA levels in PPL2ab neurons alleviates diminished courtship behaviours in male Drosophila. These results may provide the foundation for deciphering the circuitry involved in sexual motivation in the male Drosophila brain. We currently lack a detailed understanding of the neurobiological basis for the decline of male sexual desire with age. Here the authors demonstrate that restoring impaired dopaminergic signalling in a specific cluster of neurons in the Drosophila brain increases sexual behaviour in ageing male flies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu-Yun Kuo
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Chi Nan University, 54561 Nantou, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Lin Wu
- 1] Department of Biochemistry and Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, 33302 Taoyuan, Taiwan [2] Department of Medical Research, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, 33305 Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Min-Yen Hsieh
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Chi Nan University, 54561 Nantou, Taiwan
| | - Chen-Ta Lin
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Chi Nan University, 54561 Nantou, Taiwan
| | - Rong-Kun Wen
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Chi Nan University, 54561 Nantou, Taiwan
| | - Lien-Cheng Chen
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, Chung Hwa University of Medical Technology, 70703 Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Hui Chen
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Chi Nan University, 54561 Nantou, Taiwan
| | - Yhu-Wei Yu
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Chi Nan University, 54561 Nantou, Taiwan
| | - Horng-Dar Wang
- Institute of Biotechnology, Institute of Systems Neuroscience, and Department of Life Science, National Tsing Hua University, 30013 Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ju Su
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Chi Nan University, 54561 Nantou, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Ju Lin
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Chi Nan University, 54561 Nantou, Taiwan
| | - Cian-Yi Yang
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Chi Nan University, 54561 Nantou, Taiwan
| | - Hsien-Yu Guan
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Chi Nan University, 54561 Nantou, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Yu Wang
- Graduate Institute of Brain and Mind Sciences, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, 10051 Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tsuo-Hung Lan
- 1] Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming University, 11221 Taipei, Taiwan [2] Department of Psychiatry, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, 40705 Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Tsai-Feng Fu
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Chi Nan University, 54561 Nantou, Taiwan
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18
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Abstract
Animals have to judge environmental cues and choose the most suitable option for them from many different options. Female fruit flies selecting an optimum site to deposit their eggs is a biologically important reproductive behavior. When given the direct choice between ovipositing their eggs in a sucrose-containing medium or a caffeine-containing medium, female flies prefer the latter. However, the neural circuits and molecules that regulate this decision-making processes during egg-laying site selection remain poorly understood. In the present study, we found that amnesiac (amn) mutant flies show significant defects in egg-laying decisions, and such defects can be reversed by expressing the wild-type amn transgene in two dorsal paired medial (DPM) neurons in the brain. Silencing neuronal activity with an inward rectifier potassium channel (Kir2.1) in DPM neurons also impairs egg-laying decisions. Finally, the activity in mushroom body αβ neurons is required for the egg-laying behavior, suggesting a possible “DPM-αβ neurons” brain circuit modulating egg-laying decisions. Our results highlight the brain circuits and molecular mechanisms of egg-laying decisions in Drosophila.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Lin Wu
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- * E-mail:
| | - Tsai-Feng Fu
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Chi-Nan University, Nantou, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Yun Chou
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Sheng-Rong Yeh
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
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19
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Chin AL, Lin CY, Fu TF, Dickson BJ, Chiang AS. Diversity and wiring variability of visual local neurons in the Drosophila medulla M6 stratum. J Comp Neurol 2014; 522:3795-816. [PMID: 24782245 PMCID: PMC4265792 DOI: 10.1002/cne.23622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2012] [Revised: 04/21/2014] [Accepted: 04/22/2014] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Local neurons in the vertebrate retina are instrumental in transforming visual inputs to extract contrast, motion, and color information and in shaping bipolar-to-ganglion cell transmission to the brain. In Drosophila, UV vision is represented by R7 inner photoreceptor neurons that project to the medulla M6 stratum, with relatively little known of this downstream substrate. Here, using R7 terminals as references, we generated a 3D volume model of the M6 stratum, which revealed a retinotopic map for UV representations. Using this volume model as a common 3D framework, we compiled and analyzed the spatial distributions of more than 200 single M6-specific local neurons (M6-LNs). Based on the segregation of putative dendrites and axons, these local neurons were classified into two families, directional and nondirectional. Neurotransmitter immunostaining suggested a signal routing model in which some visual information is relayed by directional M6-LNs from the anterior to the posterior M6 and all visual information is inhibited by a diverse population of nondirectional M6-LNs covering the entire M6 stratum. Our findings suggest that the Drosophila medulla M6 stratum contains diverse LNs that form repeating functional modules similar to those found in the vertebrate inner plexiform layer.
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Affiliation(s)
- An-Lun Chin
- Institute of Biotechnology and Department of Life Science, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, 30013, Taiwan
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20
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Lin WS, Chen JY, Wang JC, Chen LY, Lin CH, Hsieh TR, Wang MF, Fu TF, Wang PY. The anti-aging effects of Ludwigia octovalvis on Drosophila melanogaster and SAMP8 mice. Age (Dordr) 2014; 36:689-703. [PMID: 24338263 PMCID: PMC4039272 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-013-9606-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2013] [Accepted: 12/02/2013] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
We investigated the anti-aging effects of Ludwigia octovalvis (Jacq.) P. H. Raven (Onagraceae), an extract of which is widely consumed as a healthful drink in a number of countries. Using the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, as a model organism, we demonstrated that L. octovalvis extract (LOE) significantly extended fly lifespan on a high, but not a low, calorie diet, indicating that LOE may regulate lifespan through a dietary restriction (DR)-related pathway. LOE also attenuated age-related cognitive decline in both flies and in the senescence-accelerated-prone 8 (SAMP8) mouse, without causing any discernable negative trade-offs, including water intake, food intake, fecundity, or spontaneous motor activity. LOE contained high levels of polyphenols and flavonoids, which possess strong DPPH radical scavenging activity, and was shown to attenuate paraquat-induced oxidative damage and lethality in flies. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses identified 17 known molecules, of which β-sitosterol and squalene were the two most abundant. We further demonstrated that β-sitosterol was capable of extending lifespan, likely through activating AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in the fat body of adult flies. Taken together, our data suggest that LOE is a potent anti-aging intervention with potential for treating age-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Sheng Lin
- />Graduate Institute of Brain and Mind Sciences, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 1, Renai Rd., Taipei, 10051 Taiwan
| | - Jun-Yi Chen
- />Institute of Neuroscience, National Chengchi University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jo-Chiao Wang
- />Graduate Institute of Brain and Mind Sciences, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 1, Renai Rd., Taipei, 10051 Taiwan
| | - Liang-Yu Chen
- />Department of Biotechnology, Mingchuan University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Che-Hao Lin
- />Hsiehyu Biotech Company Ltd., Taipei, Taiwan
| | | | - Ming-Fu Wang
- />Department of Food and Nutrition, Providence University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Tsai-Feng Fu
- />Department of Applied Chemistry, National Chinan University, Nantou, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Yu Wang
- />Graduate Institute of Brain and Mind Sciences, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 1, Renai Rd., Taipei, 10051 Taiwan
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Abstract
Different stimulus intensities elicit distinct perceptions, implying that input signals are either conveyed through an overlapping but distinct subpopulation of sensory neurons or channeled into divergent brain circuits according to intensity. In Drosophila, carbon dioxide (CO2) is detected by a single type of olfactory sensory neuron, but information is conveyed to higher brain centers through second-order projection neurons (PNs). Two distinct pathways, PN(v)-1 and PN(v)-2, are necessary and sufficient for avoidance responses to low and high CO2 concentrations, respectively. Whereas low concentrations activate PN(v)-1, high concentrations activate both PN(v)s and GABAergic PN(v)-3, which may inhibit PN(v)-1 pathway-mediated avoidance behavior. Channeling a sensory input into distinct neural pathways allows the perception of an odor to be further modulated by both stimulus intensity and context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Hao Lin
- Institute of Biotechnology, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan
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22
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Yeh TM, Liu SH, Lin KC, Kuo C, Kuo SY, Huang TY, Yen YR, Wen RK, Chen LC, Fu TF. Dengue virus enhances thrombomodulin and ICAM-1 expression through the macrophage migration inhibitory factor induction of the MAPK and PI3K signaling pathways. PLoS One 2013; 8:e55018. [PMID: 23383040 PMCID: PMC3557271 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0055018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2012] [Accepted: 12/18/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Dengue virus (DV) infections cause mild dengue fever (DF) or severe life-threatening dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF). The mechanisms that cause hemorrhage in DV infections remain poorly understood. Thrombomodulin (TM) is a glycoprotein expressed on the surface of vascular endothelial cells that plays an important role in the thrombin-mediated activation of protein C. Prior studies have shown that the serum levels of soluble TM (sTM) and macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) are significantly increased in DHF patients compared to levels in DF patients or normal controls. In this study, we investigated how MIF and sTM concentrations are enhanced in the plasma of DHF patients and the potential effect of MIF on coagulation through its influence on two factors: thrombomodulin (TM) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in endothelial cells and monocytes. Recombinant human macrophage migration inhibitory factor (rMIF) was used to treat monocytic THP-1 cells and endothelial HMEC-1 cells or primary HUVEC cells. The subsequent expression of TM and ICAM-1 was assessed by immunofluorescent staining and flow cytometry analysis. Additionally, the co-incubation of THP-1 cells with various cell signaling pathway inhibitors was used to determine the pathways through which MIF mediated its effect. The data provided evidence that severe DV infections induce MIF expression, which in turn stimulates monocytes or endothelial cells to express TM and ICAM-1 via the Erk, JNK MAPK and the PI3K signaling pathways, supporting the idea that MIF may play an important role as a regulator of coagulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trai-Ming Yeh
- Department of Medical Technology, National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Shu-Hsiang Liu
- Department of Medical Research, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
- Center of General Education, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Kao-Chang Lin
- Department of Neurology, Chi-Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan, Republic of China
- Department of Biotechnology, Southern Taiwan University, Tainan, Taiwan, Republic of China, C
| | - Chieh Kuo
- Department of Cardiology, Sin Lau Christian Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Shu-Yun Kuo
- Graduate Institute of Biomedicine and Biomedical Technology, National Chi Nan University, Nantou, Taiwan, Republic of China
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Chi Nan University, Nantou, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Tzuu-Yuan Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Sin Lau Christian Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Yong-Ren Yen
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, Republic of China
- Taichung Branch, Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection (BSMI), M.O.E.A., Republic of China
| | - Rong-Kun Wen
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Chi Nan University, Nantou, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Lien-Cheng Chen
- Department of Medical Technology and Graduate Institute of Biological Science and Technology, Chung Hwa University of Medical Technology, Tainan, Taiwan, Republic of China
- Medical Education and Research Center, Sin Lau Christian Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan, Republic of China
- School of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
- School of Medical Laboratory and Biotechnology, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, Republic of China
- * E-mail: (LCC); (TFF)
| | - Tsai-Feng Fu
- Graduate Institute of Biomedicine and Biomedical Technology, National Chi Nan University, Nantou, Taiwan, Republic of China
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Chi Nan University, Nantou, Taiwan, Republic of China
- * E-mail: (LCC); (TFF)
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Kuo SY, Tu CH, Hsu YT, Wang HD, Wen RK, Lin CT, Wu CL, Huang YT, Huang GS, Lan TH, Fu TF. A hormone receptor-based transactivator bridges different binary systems to precisely control spatial-temporal gene expression in Drosophila. PLoS One 2012; 7:e50855. [PMID: 23239992 PMCID: PMC3519826 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0050855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2012] [Accepted: 10/29/2012] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The GAL4/UAS gene expression system is a precise means of targeted gene expression employed to study biological phenomena in Drosophila. A modified GAL4/UAS system can be conditionally regulated using a temporal and regional gene expression targeting (TARGET) system that responds to heat shock induction. However heat shock-related temperature shifts sometimes cause unexpected physiological responses that confound behavioral analyses. We describe here the construction of a drug-inducible version of this system that takes advantage of tissue-specific GAL4 driver lines to yield either RU486-activated LexA-progesterone receptor chimeras (LexPR) or β-estradiol-activated LexA-estrogen receptor chimeras (XVE). Upon induction, these chimeras bind to a LexA operator (LexAop) and activate transgene expression. Using GFP expression as a marker for induction in fly brain cells, both approaches are capable of tightly and precisely modulating transgene expression in a temporal and dosage-dependent manner. Additionally, tissue-specific GAL4 drivers resulted in target gene expression that was restricted to those specific tissues. Constitutive expression of the active PKA catalytic subunit using these systems altered the sleep pattern of flies, demonstrating that both systems can regulate transgene expression that precisely mimics regulation that was previously engineered using the GeneSwitch/UAS system. Unlike the limited number of GeneSwitch drivers, this approach allows for the usage of the multitudinous, tissue-specific GAL4 lines for studying temporal gene regulation and tissue-specific gene expression. Together, these new inducible systems provide additional, highly valuable tools available to study gene function in Drosophila.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu-Yun Kuo
- Graduate Institute of Biomedicine and Biomedical Technology, National Chi-Nan University, Nantou, Taiwan
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Chen CC, Wu JK, Lin HW, Pai TP, Fu TF, Wu CL, Tully T, Chiang AS. Visualizing long-term memory formation in two neurons of the Drosophila brain. Science 2012; 335:678-85. [PMID: 22323813 DOI: 10.1126/science.1212735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Long-term memory (LTM) depends on the synthesis of new proteins. Using a temperature-sensitive ribosome-inactivating toxin to acutely inhibit protein synthesis, we screened individual neurons making new proteins after olfactory associative conditioning in Drosophila. Surprisingly, LTM was impaired after inhibiting protein synthesis in two dorsal-anterior-lateral (DAL) neurons but not in the mushroom body (MB), which is considered the adult learning and memory center. Using a photoconvertible fluorescent protein KAEDE to report de novo protein synthesis, we have directly visualized cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) response element-binding protein (CREB)-dependent transcriptional activation of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II and period genes in the DAL neurons after spaced but not massed training. Memory retention was impaired by blocking neural output in DAL during retrieval but not during acquisition or consolidation. These findings suggest an extra-MB memory circuit in Drosophila: LTM consolidation (MB to DAL), storage (DAL), and retrieval (DAL to MB).
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Chao Chen
- Institute of Biotechnology and Department of Life Science, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan
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25
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Lu CH, Chang CC, Chang MC, Chen SJ, Jan YJ, Fu TF, Ho ESC. Clinical parameters associated with unsatisfactory specimens of conventional cervical smears. Diagn Cytopathol 2011; 39:87-91. [PMID: 20091895 DOI: 10.1002/dc.21329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Although The Bethesda System 2001 attempted to standardize the criteria for specimen adequacy, much confusion still exists, which includes the significance of unsatisfactory smears, the causes and clinical conditions related to unsatisfactory smears, and the appropriate management of unsatisfactory smears. The aim of this study is to find out the clinical factors associated with unsatisfactory cervical smears. We reviewed the medical charts of patients who received conventional Pap smears between March 2006 and August 2006 in a tertiary care center. After excluding 378 cases with incomplete demographic data, the clinical data of 7,059 cases were processed for analysis. Clinical parameters retrieved included: history of pelvic malignancy, pelvic irradiation, conization, hysterectomy, pregnancy status, within 3-months postpartum. Vaginal bleeding, abnormal vaginal discharge, intrauterine device, and cervical polyps found during pelvic examinations were also documented. The 1,397 cases with history of pelvic irradiation, pelvic malignancy, and hysterectomy were excluded. Finally, 5,662 cases were enrolled for data analysis. The relationship between clinical parameters and unsatisfactory smears were analyzed by Pearson's chi-square test with Yates' continuity correction and multivariate binary logistic regression test. The incidence of unsatisfactory smears was 4.5% (252/5,662). Clinical parameters correlated with unsatisfactory smears were postpartum status (OR = 1.92, 95% CI = 1.23-3.01, P = 0.004), vaginal bleeding (OR = 2.02, 95% CI = 1.30-3.16, P = 0.002), and endocervical polyps (OR = 2.62, 95% CI = 1.39-4.947, P = 0.003). In conclusion, if any of these parameters are noted prior to obtaining a Pap smear, optimal collecting devices, better sampling techniques, and liquid-based cytology should be considered to decrease the incidence of unsatisfactory smears.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chien-Hsing Lu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, 160 Chung-Kang Road Sec. 3, Taichung City, Taiwan.
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26
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Lu CH, Chang CC, Ho ESC, Chen SJ, Lin SJ, Fu TF, Chang MC. Should adequacy criteria in cervicovaginal cytology be modified after radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or hysterectomy? Cancer Cytopathol 2010; 118:474-81. [DOI: 10.1002/cncy.20110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2010] [Revised: 08/10/2010] [Accepted: 08/12/2010] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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27
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Xia S, Miyashita T, Fu TF, Lin WY, Wu CL, Pyzocha L, Lin IR, Saitoe M, Tully T, Chiang AS. NMDA receptors mediate olfactory learning and memory in Drosophila. Curr Biol 2005; 15:603-15. [PMID: 15823532 PMCID: PMC3045563 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2005.02.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 170] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2004] [Revised: 02/13/2005] [Accepted: 02/14/2005] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Molecular and electrophysiological properties of NMDARs suggest that they may be the Hebbian "coincidence detectors" hypothesized to underlie associative learning. Because of the nonspecificity of drugs that modulate NMDAR function or the relatively chronic genetic manipulations of various NMDAR subunits from mammalian studies, conclusive evidence for such an acute role for NMDARs in adult behavioral plasticity, however, is lacking. Moreover, a role for NMDARs in memory consolidation remains controversial. RESULTS The Drosophila genome encodes two NMDAR homologs, dNR1 and dNR2. When coexpressed in Xenopus oocytes or Drosophila S2 cells, dNR1 and dNR2 form functional NMDARs with several of the distinguishing molecular properties observed for vertebrate NMDARs, including voltage/Mg(2+)-dependent activation by glutamate. Both proteins are weakly expressed throughout the entire brain but show preferential expression in several neurons surrounding the dendritic region of the mushroom bodies. Hypomorphic mutations of the essential dNR1 gene disrupt olfactory learning, and this learning defect is rescued with wild-type transgenes. Importantly, we show that Pavlovian learning is disrupted in adults within 15 hr after transient induction of a dNR1 antisense RNA transgene. Extended training is sufficient to overcome this initial learning defect, but long-term memory (LTM) specifically is abolished under these training conditions. CONCLUSIONS Our study uses a combination of molecular-genetic tools to (1) generate genomic mutations of the dNR1 gene, (2) rescue the accompanying learning deficit with a dNR1+ transgene, and (3) rapidly and transiently knockdown dNR1+ expression in adults, thereby demonstrating an evolutionarily conserved role for the acute involvement of NMDARs in associative learning and memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shouzhen Xia
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1 Bungtown Road, Cold Spring Harbor, New York 11724
| | - Tomoyuki Miyashita
- Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Neuroscience, 2-6 Musashidai, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-8526, Japan
| | - Tsai-Feng Fu
- Institute of Biotechnology and Department of Life Science, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30043, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Yong Lin
- Institute of Biotechnology and Department of Life Science, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30043, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Lin Wu
- Institute of Biotechnology and Department of Life Science, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30043, Taiwan
| | - Lori Pyzocha
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1 Bungtown Road, Cold Spring Harbor, New York 11724
| | - Inn-Ray Lin
- Institute of Biotechnology and Department of Life Science, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30043, Taiwan
| | - Minoru Saitoe
- Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Neuroscience, 2-6 Musashidai, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-8526, Japan
- Precursory Research for Embryonic Science and Technology, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Saitama 332-0012, Japan
| | - Tim Tully
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1 Bungtown Road, Cold Spring Harbor, New York 11724
| | - Ann-Shyn Chiang
- Institute of Biotechnology and Department of Life Science, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30043, Taiwan
- Brain Research Center, National Tsing Hua University, University System of Taiwan, Hsinchu 30043, Taiwan
- Correspondence:
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28
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Mu JJ, Tsay YG, Juan LJ, Fu TF, Huang WH, Chen DS, Chen PJ. The small delta antigen of hepatitis delta virus is an acetylated protein and acetylation of lysine 72 may influence its cellular localization and viral RNA synthesis. Virology 2004; 319:60-70. [PMID: 14967488 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2003.10.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2003] [Revised: 10/22/2003] [Accepted: 10/23/2003] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) is a single-stranded RNA virus that encodes two viral nucleocapsid proteins named small and large form hepatitis delta antigen (S-HDAg and L-HDAg). The S-HDAg is essential for viral RNA replication while the L-HDAg is required for viral assembly. In this study, we demonstrated that HDAg are acetylated proteins. Metabolic labeling with [(3)H]acetate revealed that both forms of HDAg could be acetylated in vivo. The histone acetyltransferase (HAT) domain of cellular acetyltransferase p300 could acetylate the full-length and the N-terminal 88 amino acids of S-HDAg in vitro. By mass spectrometric analysis of the modified protein, Lys-72 of S-HDAg was identified as one of the acetylation sites. Substitution of Lys-72 to Arg caused the mutant S-HDAg to redistribute from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. The mutant reduced viral RNA accumulation and resulted in the earlier appearance of L-HDAg. These results demonstrated that HDAg is an acetylated protein and mutation of HDAg at Lys-72 modulates HDAg subcellular localization and may participate in viral RNA nucleocytoplasmic shuttling and replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jung-Jung Mu
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
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29
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Chiang AS, Lin WY, Liu HP, Pszczolkowski MA, Fu TF, Chiu SL, Holbrook GL. Insect NMDA receptors mediate juvenile hormone biosynthesis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2002; 99:37-42. [PMID: 11773617 PMCID: PMC117510 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.012318899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In vertebrates, the N-methyl-D-aspartate subtype of glutamate receptors (NMDAR) appears to play a role in neuronal development, synaptic plasticity, memory formation, and pituitary activity. However, functional NMDAR have not yet been characterized in insects. We have now demonstrated immunohistochemically glutamatergic nerve terminals in the corpora allata of an adult female cockroach, Diploptera punctata. Cockroach corpus allatum (CA) cells, exposed to NMDA in vitro, exhibited elevated cytosolic [Ca(2+)], but not in culture medium nominally free of calcium or containing NMDAR-specific channel blockers: MK-801 and Mg(2+). Sensitivity of cockroach corpora allata to NMDA changed cyclically during the ovarian cycle. Highly active glands of 4-day-old mated females, exposed to 3 microM NMDA, produced 70% more juvenile hormone (JH) in vitro, but the relatively inactive glands of 8-day-old mated females showed little response to the agonist. The stimulatory effect of NMDA was eliminated by augmenting the culture medium with MK-801, conantokin, or high Mg(2+). Having obtained substantive evidence of functioning NMDAR in insect corpora allata, we used reverse transcription PCR to demonstrate two mRNA transcripts, DNMDAR1 and DNMDAR2, in the ring gland and brain of last-instar Drosophila melanogaster. Immunohistochemical labeling, using mouse monoclonal antibody against rat NMDAR1, showed that only one of the three types of endocrine cells in the ring gland, CA cells, expressed rat NMDAR1-like immunoreactive protein. This antibody also labeled two brain neurons in the lateral protocerebrum, one neuron per brain hemisphere. Finally, we used the same primers for DNMDAR1 to demonstrate a fragment of putative NMDA receptor in the corpora allata of Diploptera punctata. Our results suggest that the NMDAR has a role in regulating JH synthesis and that ionotropic-subtype glutamate receptors became specialized early in animal evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann-Shyn Chiang
- Department of Life Science, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, 300 Taiwan, Republic of China.
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30
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Abstract
An enzymatic method for determination of B6 vitamers is presented. In this method pyridoxal 5'-phosphate is used to activate aposerine hydroxymethyltransferase to form the catalytically active holoenzyme. The active serine hydroxymethyltransferase, and two other enzymes that form a metabolic cycle, convert serine to glycine and CO2 with the concomitant production of two equivalents of NADPH. The rate of the cycle is directly proportional to the amount of active holoserine hydroxymethyltransferase, which is a measure of the amount of pyridoxal 5'-phosphate in the original sample. The cycle operates about 50 times per minute giving a 100-fold enhancement of NADPH production with respect to original pyridoxal 5'-phosphate content. Other B6 vitamers are converted to pyridoxal 5'-phosphate by a preincubation with a combination of pyridoxal kinase and pyridoxine 5'-phosphate oxidase. A complete analysis of B6 vitamers can be completed in less than 1 h and the assay is linear in the 2- to 50-pmol range of pyridoxal 5'-phosphate. The method is applied to the determination of the B6 vitamer pools in extracts of Escherichia coli. The results show that the pool of pyridoxal 5'-phosphate that is not bound to proteins is large enough to account for product inhibition of both pyridoxal kinase and pyridoxine 5'-phosphate oxidase.
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Affiliation(s)
- T F Fu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics and Institute for Structural Biology and Drug Discovery, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia 23298, USA
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Fu TF, Rife JP, Schirch V. The role of serine hydroxymethyltransferase isozymes in one-carbon metabolism in MCF-7 cells as determined by (13)C NMR. Arch Biochem Biophys 2001; 393:42-50. [PMID: 11516159 DOI: 10.1006/abbi.2001.2471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The role of cytosolic and mitochondrial serine hydroxymethyltransferase in supplying one-carbon groups for purine and thymidylate biosynthesis in MCF-7 cells was investigated by observing folate-mediated one-carbon metabolism of l-[3-(13)C]serine, [2-(13)C]glycine, and [(13)C]formate. (13)C NMR was used to follow the incorporation of label into carbons 2 and 8 of purines and the methyl group attached to carbon 5 of thymidylate. The percentage enrichment of the (13)C label in purines was determined from the splitting patterns of the (1)H NMR spectra of C2 and C8 of adenine and C8 of guanine. The results show that formate is the major precursor in the cytosol of the one-carbon group in 10-formyltetrahydrofolate, which is used in purine biosynthesis, and the one-carbon group in 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate, which is used in thymidylate biosynthesis. Formate is formed in the mitochondria from carbon 3 of serine. The cleavage of serine to glycine and 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate by cytosolic serine hydroxymethyltransferase does not appear to be a major source of one-carbon groups for either purine or thymidylate biosynthesis. Carbon 3 of serine accounts for about 95% of the one-carbon pool, suggesting that other sources of one-carbon groups represent only minor pathways. [2-(13)C]Glycine is not a donor of one-carbons groups, confirming that MCF-7 cells lack a functional glycine cleavage system.
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Affiliation(s)
- T F Fu
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute for Structural Biology and Drug Discovery, 800 East Leigh Street, Suite 212, Richmond, Virginia 23219, USA
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Abstract
Determination of homocysteine levels in cells and serum is important because high homocysteine is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The currently used methods for homocysteine analysis either are time consuming or rely on the use of expensive equipment. Described in this study is an enzymatic assay that determines levels of homocysteine in multiple samples in less than 30 min at levels from 5 to 50 pmol using only a spectrophotometer. The reproducibility of the assay is consistent with the other methods currently used. A second assay, that is about 5-fold more sensitive, follows the enzymatic catalyzed solvent exchange of protons on glycine, which requires a scintillation counter. Both the spectrophotometric and the radiometric methods are based on the conversion of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate to tetrahydrofolate by methionine synthase. The tetrahydrofolate is formed in stoichiometric amounts to the homocysteine in the sample. In the spectrophotometric method the tetrahydrofolate is used at catalytic levels by three enzymes to form a metabolic cycle that generates NADPH from NADP(+). In the radiometric assay tetrahydrofolate is required for the enzymatic exchange of the pro 2S proton of glycine with solvent. L-Cysteine, at levels more than 30-fold higher than the upper level of homocysteine used in these assays, does not give any measurable response.
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Affiliation(s)
- T F Fu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia 23298, USA
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Fu TF, Maras B, Barra D, Schirch V. A noncatalytic tetrahydrofolate tight binding site is on the small domain of 10-formyltetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase. Arch Biochem Biophys 1999; 367:161-6. [PMID: 10395731 DOI: 10.1006/abbi.1999.1262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
10-Formyltetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase has previously been identified as a tight binding protein of the polyglutamate forms of tetrahydrofolate (R. J. Cook and C. Wagner, Biochemistry 21, 4427-4434, 1982). Each subunit contains two independently folded domains connected by a linking peptide. By using the stable substrate and product analogs 10-formyl 5,8-dideazafolate and 5, 8-dideazafolate, respectively, we have determined that the tight binding folate site is separate from the catalytic site and that it is located on the N-terminal domain of the protein. This was achieved by cross-linking 10-formyl 5,8-dideazafolate to the dehydrogenase through the carboxyl group of the substrate analog. The cross-linked substrate analog was converted to the cross-linked product complex by adding either NADP+ or 2-mercaptoethanol, proving that the 10-formyl 5,8-dideazafolate was bound at the active site. With the active site cross-linked to 5,8-dideazafolate and not available for binding, the enzyme still bound 5, 8-dideazafolate-[3H]tetraglutamate tightly but noncovalently. Separation of the large and small domains by limited proteolysis showed that the tightly bound 5,8-dideazafolate-[3H]tetraglutamate was located on the small domain. The location of the cross-linked 10-formyl 5,8-dideazafolate at the active site was determined by amino acid sequencing of an isolated tryptic peptide.
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Affiliation(s)
- T F Fu
- Institute of Structural Biology and Drug Discovery, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, 23219, USA
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Zehner ZE, Shepherd RK, Gabryszuk J, Fu TF, Al-Ali M, Holmes WM. RNA-protein interactions within the 3 ' untranslated region of vimentin mRNA. Nucleic Acids Res 1997; 25:3362-70. [PMID: 9241253 PMCID: PMC146884 DOI: 10.1093/nar/25.16.3362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Several functions have been attributed to protein binding within the 3'untranslated region (3'UTR) of mRNA, including mRNA localization, stability, and translational repression. Vimentin is an intermediate filament protein whose 3'untranslated sequence is highly conserved between species. In order to identify sequences that might play a role in vimentin mRNA function, we synthesized32P-labeled RNA from different regions of vimentin's 3'UTR and assayed for protein binding with HeLa extracts using band shift assays. Sequences required for binding are contained within a region 61-114 nucleotides downstream of the stop codon, a region which is highly conserved from Xenopus to man. As judged by competition assays, binding is specific. Solution probing studies of 32P-labeled RNA with various nucleases and lead support a complex stem and loop structure for this region. Finally, UV cross-linking of the RNA-protein complex identifies an RNA binding protein of 46 kDa. Fractionation of a HeLa extract on a sizing column suggests that in addition to the 46 kDa protein, larger complexes containing additional protein(s) can be identified. Vimentin mRNA has been shown to be localized to the perinuclear region of the cytoplasm, possibly at sites of intermediate filament assembly. To date, all sequences required for localization of various mRNAs have been confined to the 3'UTR. Therefore, we hypothesize that this region and associated protein(s) might be important for vimentin mRNA function such as in localization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z E Zehner
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Box 980614, Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0614, USA.
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Abstract
Insect immune proteins, defensins, are inducible anti-Gram-positive bacterial peptides. We report here the identification of two defensin genes from the mosquito, Aedes aegypti, which encode a large 541 bp transcript (AaDef Ala) and a small 473 bp transcript (AaDef Asm). The cDNA corresponding to AaDef Ala was cloned, sequenced, and compared with the previously reported AaDef Asm cDNA. The AaDef Ala gene was isolated through genomic library screening and characterized. It putative regulatory region contains a 64 bp intron, a TATA box and a putative arthropod initiator. Two 150 bp long direct and several palindromic repeats are present in this sequence. Similar to other insect immune peptide genes, the AaDef Ala gene contains numerous putative regulatory motifs with impressive similarity to elements of vertebrate acute phase response protein genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- W L Cho
- Department of Parasitology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
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Abstract
Non-mucoid mutants of a Klebsiella pneumoniae wild type strain CG43 were generated by transposon mutagenesis. One of the mutants was incapable of fermenting galactose and was designated CG43-17. Alterations of the bacterial surface including capsule, lipopolysaccharides, and several species of outer membrane proteins were noted. The mutant was avirulent to mice and became highly sensitive to human serum. The defects could not be complemented by the gaIETK operon. Diminished activity of UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase in CG43-17 suggested that it is a gaIU mutant. This possibility was confirmed because the parental phenotypes could be fully restored in the mutant by transforming it with a human liver cDNA encoding UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Y Chang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Chang Gung College of Medicine and Technology, Kwei-San, Taiwan
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Abstract
The entire galactose (gal) operon of Klebsiella pneumoniae was isolated and functionally analyzed in Escherichia coli. The genes encoding galactokinase (galK), galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase (galT), and UDP-galactose-4-epimerase (galE) were mapped by complementation analysis. The gene order E-T-K was found to be identical to that of Salmonella spp. and E. coli. Analysis of the nucleotide sequence in the control region revealed significant homology with that of E. coli. Two major sites for transcriptional initiation, both mapped to a cytosyl residue, were identified by primer extension. When the operon is expressed in E. coli, the K. pneumoniae gal gene products make up about 30% of the total cellular proteins. The presence of a powerful promoter responsible for high level synthesis of the gal proteins was also demonstrated using beta-galactosidase as reporter.
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Affiliation(s)
- H L Peng
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Chang-Gung Medical College, Taiwan
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