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| Open AccessDoublecortin-like kinase enhances dendritic remodelling and negatively regulates synapse maturation
Coordination between dendritic growth and synaptogenesis is essential for the establishment of functional neuronal connectivity. This study shows that doublecortin-like kinases achieve this by promoting the growth of distal dendrites, while suppressing the maturation of glutamatergic synapses.
- Euikyung Shin
- , Yutaro Kashiwagi
- & Shigeo Okabe
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Heat shock factor-1 influences pathological lesion distribution of polyglutamine-induced neurodegeneration
Heat shock factor-1 is a transcriptional regulator of heat shock proteins that is implicated in neurodegeneration. Kondo and colleagues study the effects of deleting heat shock factor-1 in a mouse model of muscular dystrophy and find that this augments the condition via the accumulation of androgen receptors.
- Naohide Kondo
- , Masahisa Katsuno
- & Gen Sobue
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Article
| Open AccessStructural and molecular insights into the mechanism of action of human angiogenin-ALS variants in neurons
Mutations in human angiogenin are implicated in the progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Thiyagarajan and colleagues show that structural differences between angiogenin variants affect neuronal survival, and the ability to induce stress granules in neuronal cell lines.
- Nethaji Thiyagarajan
- , Ross Ferguson
- & K. Ravi Acharya
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Article
| Open AccessUncoupling of the endocannabinoid signalling complex in a mouse model of fragile X syndrome
Fragile X syndrome is a major genetic cause of autism and is caused by loss of the fragile X mental retardation protein. In a mouse model of fragile X syndrome, Junget al. show that an absence of neuronal endocannabinoid signalling is responsible for the neurophysiological and behavioural defects.
- Kwang-Mook Jung
- , Marja Sepers
- & Olivier J. Manzoni
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Article
| Open AccessSynGAP isoforms exert opposing effects on synaptic strength
Synaptic GTPase-activating protein, SynGAP, is a postsynaptic signalling protein that can regulate synaptic function. McMahonet al. express different SynGAP isoforms in neurons and find that the effect on synaptic strength depends on alternative promoter usage and alternative splicing of the C-terminus.
- A.C. McMahon
- , M.W. Barnett
- & P.C. Kind
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Article
| Open AccessIntracellular chloride concentration influences the GABAA receptor subunit composition
During development there is a change in the expression of GABAA receptor subunits. Here, Succol and colleagues show that chloride ions mediate the change in α3-α1 and δ-containing GABAAreceptors that mediate phasic and tonic inhibition, respectively.
- Francesca Succol
- , Hubert Fiumelli
- & Andrea Barberis
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Article
| Open AccessLIS1-dependent retrograde translocation of excitatory synapses in developing interneuron dendrites
Maturation of synaptic junctions is important for proper neuronal connections. Using live cell imaging, Okabeet al. show that interneuron dendrites extend filopodia-like projections and use microtubule-dependent retrograde transport to guide proper synaptic distribution on dendrites.
- Izumi Kawabata
- , Yutaro Kashiwagi
- & Shigeo Okabe
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Modulation of rod photoreceptor output by HCN1 channels is essential for regular mesopic cone vision
At light levels where both rods and cones are active, their signals converge into shared downstream retinal circuitry. Using HCN1 deficient mice, this study shows that the signals from cone photoreceptors are overwhelmed when rod output is not regulated, suggesting a mechanism for how these systems interact.
- Mathias W. Seeliger
- , Arne Brombas
- & Frank Müller
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NMDA receptor activation requires remodelling of intersubunit contacts within ligand-binding heterodimers
In non-NMDA glutamate receptors, intersubunit contacts within agonist binding domains affect functional desensitization. Now, NMDA receptor activation, but not desensitization, is shown to involve rearrangements at the heterodimer interface, suggesting that the intersubunit contacts of NMDA and non-NMDA receptors may have distinct functional roles.
- William F. Borschel
- , Swetha E. Murthy
- & Gabriela K. Popescu
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Article
| Open AccessMolecular mechanism for 3:1 subunit stoichiometry of rod cyclic nucleotide-gated ion channels
The assembly mechanisms of heteromeric ion channels are poorly understood. Using a range of techniques, Shuartet al.determine the mechanism by which rod photoreceptor cyclic nucleotide-gated channels assume a 3:1 stoichiometry of CNGA1 and CNGB1 subunits.
- Noah G. Shuart
- , Yoni Haitin
- & William N. Zagotta
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Outlines of the pore in open and closed conformations describe the gating mechanism of ASIC1
The pore gating mechanism of the proton-activated sodium channel ASIC1 is poorly understood. Canessaet al.study the shape of the ion pathway in the ASIC1 channel in its open and closed states, and reveal the opening, closing and desensitization mechanisms of the channel.
- Tianbo Li
- , Youshan Yang
- & Cecilia M. Canessa
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The neural circuits and sensory channels mediating harsh touch sensation in Caenorhabditis elegans
The mechanisms by which animals distinguish between harsh and gentle touch are unclear. UsingCaenorhabditis elegansas a model system, the authors identify neural circuits and touch-sensitive ion channels that are required for harsh touch sensation.
- Wei Li
- , Lijun Kang
- & X.Z. Shawn Xu