Comparative analysis can provide important insights into complex biological systems. As demonstrated in the accompanying paper, Translating Ribosome Affinity Purification (TRAP), permits comprehensive studies of translated mRNAs in genetically defined cell populations following physiological perturbations.
Application of a translational profiling approach for the comparative analysis of CNS cell types.
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View SamplesThe cellular heterogeneity of the brain confounds efforts to elucidate the biological properties of distinct neuronal populations.
A translational profiling approach for the molecular characterization of CNS cell types.
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View SamplesThe cellular heterogeneity of the brain confounds efforts to elucidate the biological properties of distinct neuronal populations.
A translational profiling approach for the molecular characterization of CNS cell types.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesThe cellular heterogeneity of the brain confounds efforts to elucidate the biological properties of distinct neuronal populations.
A translational profiling approach for the molecular characterization of CNS cell types.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesOrigins of the brain tumor, medulloblastoma, from stem cells or restricted pro-genitor cells are unclear. To investigate this, we activated oncogenic Hedgehog signaling in multipotent and lineage-restricted CNS progenitors. We observed that normal unipo-tent cerebellar granule neuron precursors (CGNP) derive from hGFAP+ and Olig2+ rhombic lip progenitors. Hedgehog activation in a spectrum of early and late stage CNS progenitors generated similar medulloblastomas, but not other brain cancers, indicating that acquisition of CGNP identity is essential for tumorigenesis. We show in human and mouse medulloblastoma that cells expressing the glia-associated markers Gfap and Olig2 are neoplastic and that they retain features of embryonic-type granule lineage progenitors. Thus, oncogenic Hedgehog signaling promotes medulloblastoma from lineage-restricted granule cell progenitors.
Acquisition of granule neuron precursor identity is a critical determinant of progenitor cell competence to form Shh-induced medulloblastoma.
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View SamplesThis SuperSeries is composed of the SubSeries listed below.
Identification of the cortical neurons that mediate antidepressant responses.
Specimen part, Treatment
View SamplesTranscriptom analysis of stellate sympathetic ganglia after 8 weeks of cardiac pressure overload caused by transverse aortic constriction.
Sympathetic alpha(2)-adrenoceptors prevent cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis in mice at baseline but not after chronic pressure overload.
Sex
View SamplesWe used an in vitro cardiomyocyte differentiation system with inducible Hey1 or Hey2 expression to study target gene regulation in cardiomyocytes (CM) generated from murine embryonic stem cells (ESC). The effects of Hey1 and Hey2 are largely redundant, but cell type specific. The number of regulated genes is comparable between ESC and CM, but the total number of binding sites is much higher, especially in ESC, targeting mainly genes involved in transcriptional regulation and developmental processes. Repression by Hey generally correlates with the extent of Hey-binding to target promoters, subsequent Hdac recruitment and lower histone acetylation. Functionally, treatment with the Hdac inhibitor TSA abolished Hey target gene regulation. However, in CM the repressive effect of Hey-binding is lost for a subset of genes. These lack Hey-dependent histone deacetylation in CM and are enriched for binding sites of cardiac specific activators like Srf, Nkx2-5, and Gata4.
Mechanisms of epigenetic and cell-type specific regulation of Hey target genes in ES cells and cardiomyocytes.
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View SamplesPreclinical work has long focused only on male animals, even though sexual divergence in both baseline behaviors and drug responses clearly impact treatment outcomes in patients. Psychiatric disorders are notably divergent, with males showing higher prevalence of ADHD and ASD, and females GAD and MDD. This divergence is reflected in quantitative differences in subclincal behaviors. The Noradrenergic neurotransmitter system is targeted by many psychiatric drugs, but is relatively uncharacterized at a molecular level. We developed a mouse to profile these neurons, defining their both a baseline transcriptome, including druggable receptors, and their molecular response to stimulation. We also discovered a remarkable sexual divergence in their gene expression, including functionally increased expression of the EP3 receptor in females a difference that can be used to modulate stress-induced anxiety in a sex specific manner. These findings underscore the need to conduct preclinical studies in a manner balanced for sex, and suggest that baseline differences in noradrenergic neurons could underlay sexually divergent behaviors.
Molecular and Functional Sex Differences of Noradrenergic Neurons in the Mouse Locus Coeruleus.
Sex, Specimen part
View SamplesL-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (levodopa) treatment is the major pharmacotherapy for Parkinson's disease. However, almost all patients receiving levodopa eventually develop debilitating involuntary movements (dyskinesia). While it is known that striatal spiny projection neurons (SPNs) are involved in the genesis of this movement disorder, the molecular basis of dyskinesia is not understood. In this study, we identify distinct cell-type-specific gene expression changes that occur in sub-classes of SPNs upon induction of a parkinsonian lesion followed by chronic levodopa treatment. We identify several hundred genes whose expression is correlated with levodopa dose, many of which are under the control of AP-1 and ERK signaling. In spite of homeostatic adaptations involving several signaling modulators, AP-1-dependent gene expression remains highly dysregulated in direct pathway SPNs (dSPNs) upon chronic levodopa treatment. We also discuss which molecular pathways are most likely to dampen abnormal dopaminoceptive signaling in spiny projection neurons, hence providing potential targets for antidyskinetic treatments in Parkinson's disease.
Molecular adaptations of striatal spiny projection neurons during levodopa-induced dyskinesia.
Specimen part, Treatment
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