Defective Olfactomedin-2 connects adipocyte dysfunction to obesity.

Olfactomedin-2 (OLFM2) is a pleiotropic glycoprotein emerging as a regulator of energy homeostasis. We here show the expression of OLFM2 to be adipocyte-specific and inversely associated with obesity. OLFM2 levels increase during adipogenesis and are suppressed in inflamed adipocytes.

lncRNA ADEPTR loss-of-function elicits sex-specific behavioral and spine deficits.

Activity-dependent neuronal changes are critical for learning and memory, but the role of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in these processes is under active investigation. In this study we investigated ADEPTR, a dendritically localized, cAMP-modulated lncRNA essential for synapse morphology. Using two mouse models-one with ADEPTR deletion (L-ADEPTR) and another lacking its protein interaction domain (S-ADEPTR)-we examined sex-specific effects on behavior and neuronal architecture.

A novel long non-coding RNA connects obesity to impaired adipocyte function.

Background: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) can perform tasks of key relevance in fat cells, contributing, when defective, to the burden of obesity and its sequelae. Here, scrutiny of adipose tissue transcriptomes before and after bariatric surgery (GSE53378) granted identification of 496 lncRNAs linked to the obese phenotype. Only expression of linc-GALNTL6-4 displayed an average recovery over 2-fold and FDR-adjusted p-value <0.

Hydroxycitrate delays early mortality in mice and promotes muscle regeneration while inducing a rich hepatic energetic status.

ATP citrate lyase (ACLY) inhibitors have the potential of modulating central processes in protein, carbohydrate, and lipid metabolism, which can have relevant physiological consequences in aging and age-related diseases. Here, we show that hepatic phospho-active ACLY correlates with overweight and Model for End-stage Liver Disease score in humans. Wild-type mice treated chronically with the ACLY inhibitor potassium hydroxycitrate exhibited delayed early mortality.

Synaptically-targeted long non-coding RNA SLAMR promotes structural plasticity by increasing translation and CaMKII activity.

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play crucial roles in maintaining cell homeostasis and function. However, it remains largely unknown whether and how neuronal activity impacts the transcriptional regulation of lncRNAs, or if this leads to synapse-related changes and contributes to the formation of long-term memories. Here, we report the identification of a lncRNA, SLAMR, which becomes enriched in CA1-hippocampal neurons upon contextual fear conditioning but not in CA3 neurons.

Impaired Plakophilin-2 in obesity breaks cell cycle dynamics to breed adipocyte senescence.

Plakophilin-2 (PKP2) is a key component of desmosomes, which, when defective, is known to promote the fibro-fatty infiltration of heart muscle. Less attention has been given to its role in adipose tissue. We report here that levels of PKP2 steadily increase during fat cell differentiation, and are compromised if adipocytes are exposed to a pro-inflammatory milieu.

, a synaptically targeted lncRNA, facilitates the consolidation of contextual fear memory.

LncRNAs are involved in critical processes for cell homeostasis and function. However, it remains largely unknown whether and how the transcriptional regulation of long noncoding RNAs results in activity-dependent changes at the synapse and facilitate formation of long-term memories. Here, we report the identification of a novel lncRNA, SLAMR, that becomes enriched in CA1- but not in CA3-hippocampal neurons upon contextual fear conditioning.

Metabolic reprogramming by Acly inhibition using SB-204990 alters glucoregulation and modulates molecular mechanisms associated with aging.

ATP-citrate lyase is a central integrator of cellular metabolism in the interface of protein, carbohydrate, and lipid metabolism. The physiological consequences as well as the molecular mechanisms orchestrating the response to long-term pharmacologically induced Acly inhibition are unknown. We report here that the Acly inhibitor SB-204990 improves metabolic health and physical strength in wild-type mice when fed with a high-fat diet, while in mice fed with healthy diet results in metabolic imbalance and moderated insulin resistance.

Molecular motor KIF3B in the prelimbic cortex constrains the consolidation of contextual fear memory.

Molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the role of the prelimbic cortex in contextual fear memory remain elusive. Here we examined the kinesin family of molecular motor proteins (KIFs) in the prelimbic cortex for their role in mediating contextual fear, a form of associative memory. KIFs function as critical mediators of synaptic transmission and plasticity by their ability to modulate microtubule function and transport of gene products.

Molecular motor protein KIF5C mediates structural plasticity and long-term memory by constraining local translation.

Synaptic structural plasticity, key to long-term memory storage, requires translation of localized RNAs delivered by long-distance transport from the neuronal cell body. Mechanisms and regulation of this system remain elusive. Here, we explore the roles of KIF5C and KIF3A, two members of kinesin superfamily of molecular motors (Kifs), and find that loss of function of either kinesin decreases dendritic arborization and spine density whereas gain of function of KIF5C enhances it.

Activity-regulated synaptic targeting of lncRNA ADEPTR mediates structural plasticity by localizing Sptn1 and AnkB in dendrites.

Activity-dependent structural plasticity at the synapse requires specific changes in the neuronal transcriptome. While much is known about the role of coding elements in this process, the role of the long noncoding transcriptome remains elusive. Here, we report the discovery of an intronic long noncoding RNA (lncRNA)-termed ADEPTR-that is up-regulated and synaptically transported in a cAMP/PKA-dependent manner in hippocampal neurons, independently of its protein-coding host gene.

Dopamine D2R is Required for Hippocampal-dependent Memory and Plasticity at the CA3-CA1 Synapse.

Dopamine receptors play an important role in motivational, emotional, and motor responses. In addition, growing evidence suggests a key role of hippocampal dopamine receptors in learning and memory. It is well known that associative learning and synaptic plasticity of CA3-CA1 requires the dopamine D1 receptor (D1R).

Beneficial effects of the phytocannabinoid Δ-THCV in L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia in Parkinson's disease.

The antioxidant and CB receptor agonist properties of Δ-tetrahydrocannabivarin (Δ-THCV) afforded neuroprotection in experimental Parkinson's disease (PD), whereas its CB receptor antagonist profile at doses lower than 5 mg/kg caused anti-hypokinetic effects. In the present study, we investigated the anti-dyskinetic potential of Δ-THCV (administered i.p.

Emerging roles for long noncoding RNAs in learning, memory and associated disorders.

While protein-coding genes have been widely studied in learning and memory, the role of the non-coding genome has only recently been investigated. With advances in high throughput sequencing technologies and functional profiling methods, multiple long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been functionally and mechanistically linked with neurobiological processes related with learning and memory, as well disorders that lead to memory impairment. However, these macromolecules are still a subject of controversy and intense scrutiny regarding the proper criteria for determining their functionality and their evolution in the central nervous system.

Nitric oxide synthase inhibition decreases l-DOPA-induced dyskinesia and the expression of striatal molecular markers in Pitx3(-/-) aphakia mice.

Nitric oxide (NO), a gaseous messenger molecule synthesized by nitric oxide synthase (NOS), plays a pivotal role in integrating dopamine transmission in the basal ganglia and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of Parkinson disease (PD). To study the role of the nitrergic system in l-DOPA-induced dyskinesia (LID), we assessed the effect of the pharmacological manipulation of NO levels and NO/cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) signaling on LID in the Pitx3(-/-) aphakia mouse, a genetic model of PD. To evaluate the effect of decreased NO signaling on the development of LID, Pitx3(-/-) mice were chronically treated with l-DOPA and 7-nitroindazole (7-NI, a neuronal NOS inhibitor).

Methamphetamine causes degeneration of dopamine cell bodies and terminals of the nigrostriatal pathway evidenced by silver staining.

Methamphetamine is a widely abused illicit drug. Recent epidemiological studies showed that methamphetamine increases the risk for developing Parkinson's disease (PD) in agreement with animal studies showing dopaminergic neurotoxicity. We examined the effect of repeated low and medium doses vs single high dose of methamphetamine on degeneration of dopaminergic terminals and cell bodies.

L-DOPA-induced increase in TH-immunoreactive striatal neurons in parkinsonian mice: insights into regulation and function.

Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-immunoreactive (ir) neurons have been found in the striatum after dopamine depletion; however, little is known about the mechanism underlying their appearance or their functional significance. We previously showed an increase in striatal TH-ir neurons after L-DOPA treatment in mice with unilateral 6-OHDA lesions in the striatum. In the present study, we further examined the time-course and persistence of the effects of chronic L-DOPA treatment on the appearance and regulation of TH-ir neurons as well as their possible function.

Involvement of cannabinoid CB1 receptor in associative learning and in hippocampal CA3-CA1 synaptic plasticity.

We studied, in behaving mice, the contribution of CB1 receptors to the activity-dependent changes induced at the hippocampal CA3-CA1 synapse by associative learning and following experimentally evoked long-term potentiation (LTP). Mice were classically conditioned to evoke eyelid responses with a trace paradigm using a tone as conditioned stimulus (CS) and an electric shock as unconditioned stimulus (US). Field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (fEPSPs) were evoked at the CA3-CA1 synapse during the CS-US interval across training.

Associative learning and CA3-CA1 synaptic plasticity are impaired in D1R null, Drd1a-/- mice and in hippocampal siRNA silenced Drd1a mice.

Associative learning depends on multiple cortical and subcortical structures, including striatum, hippocampus, and amygdala. Both glutamatergic and dopaminergic neurotransmitter systems have been implicated in learning and memory consolidation. While the role of glutamate is well established, the role of dopamine and its receptors in these processes is less clear.