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Slp1 is a putative Rab27 effector protein and implicated in intracellular membrane transport; however, the precise tissue distribution and function of Slp1 protein remain largely unknown. In this study we investigated the tissue distribution of Slp1 in mice and found that Slp1 is abundantly expressed in the pancreas, especially in the apical region of pancreatic acinar cells. Slp1 interacted with Rab27B in vivo and both proteins were co-localized on zymogen granules. Morphological analysis of fasted Slp1 knockout mice showed an increased number of zymogen granules in the pancreatic acinar cells, indicating that Slp1 is part of the machinery of amylase secretion by the exocrine pancreas.

Background: The netrin-G1 (NTNG1) and -G2 (NTNG2) genes, recently cloned from mouse, play a role in the formation and/or maintenance of glutamatergic neural circuitry. Accumulating evidence strongly suggests that disturbances of neuronal development and the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor-mediated signaling system might represent a potential pathophysiology in schizophrenia. We therefore set out to examine the genetic contribution of human NTNG1 and NTNG2 to schizophrenia., Methods: Twenty-one single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from NTNG1 and 10 SNPs from NTNG2 were analyzed in 124 schizophrenic pedigrees. All genotypes were determined with the TaqMan assay. The expression levels of NTNG1 and NTNG2 were examined in the frontal (Brodmann's Area [BA]11 and BA46) and temporal (BA22) cortices from schizophrenic and control postmortem brains. The isoform-specific expression of NTNG1 splice variants was assessed in these samples., Results: Specific haplotypes encompassing alternatively spliced exons of NTNG1 were associated with schizophrenia, and concordantly, messenger ribonucleic acid isoform expression was significantly different between schizophrenic and control brains. An association between NTNG2 and schizophrenia was also observed with SNPs and haplotypes that clustered in the 5' region of the gene., Conclusions: The NTNG1 and NTNG2 genes might be relevant to the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.

Social animals actively engage in contact with conspecifics and experience stress upon isolation. However, the neural mechanisms coordinating the sensing and seeking of social contacts are unclear. Here we report that amylin-calcitonin receptor (Calcr) signaling in the medial preoptic area (MPOA) mediates affiliative social contacts among adult female mice. Isolation of females from free social interactions first induces active contact-seeking, then depressive-like behavior, concurrent with a loss of Amylin mRNA expression in the MPOA. Reunion with peers induces physical contacts, activates both amylin- and Calcr-expressing neurons, and leads to a recovery of Amylin mRNA expression. Chemogenetic activation of amylin neurons increases and molecular knockdown of either amylin or Calcr attenuates contact-seeking behavior, respectively. Our data provide evidence in support of a previously postulated origin of social affiliation in mammals. The mechanisms coordinating the sensing and seeking of social contacts are unclear. Here, the authors show that amylin-calcitonin receptor signalling in the media preoptic area mediates affiliative social behaviors in female mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Higher brain function is supported by the precise temporal and spatial regulation of thousands of genes. The mechanisms that underlie transcriptional regulation in the brain, however, remain unclear. The Ntng1 and Ntng2 genes, encoding axonal membrane adhesion proteins netrin-G1 and netrin-G2, respectively, are paralogs that have evolved in vertebrates and are expressed in distinct neuronal subsets in a complementary manner. The characteristic expression patterns of these genes provide a part of the foundation of the cortical layer structure in mammals. Results We used gene-targeting techniques, bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC)-aided transgenesis techniques, and in vivo enhancer assays to examine transcriptional mechanisms in vivo to gain insight into how the characteristic expression patterns of these genes are acquired. Analysis of the gene expression patterns in the presence or absence of netrin-G1 and netrin-G2 functional proteins allowed us to exclude the possibility that a feedback or feedforward mechanism mediates their characteristic expression patterns. Findings from the BAC deletion series revealed that widely distributed combinations of cis-regulatory elements determine the differential gene expression patterns of these genes and that major cisregulatory elements are located in the 85-45 kb upstream region of Ntng2 and in the 75-60 kb upstream region and intronic region of Ntng1. In vivo enhancer assays using 2-kb evolutionarily conserved regions detected enhancer activity in the distal upstream regions of both genes. Conclusions The complementary expression patterns of Ntng1 and Ntng2 are determined by transcriptional cis-regulatory elements widely scattered in these loci. The cis-regulatory elements characterized in this study will facilitate the development of novel genetic tools for functionally dissecting neural circuits to better understand vertebrate brain function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that can, at least partly, be mimicked by the neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine. S100B is a calcium-binding protein expressed in, and secreted by, astrocytes. There is increasing evidence that S100B acts as a cytokine or damage-associated molecular pattern protein not only in inflammatory but also in neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, we show that S100B protein levels were higher in post-mortem substantia nigra of patients with Parkinson’s disease compared with control tissue, and cerebrospinal fluid S100B levels were higher in a large cohort of patients with Parkinson’s disease compared with controls. Correspondingly, mice treated with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine showed upregulated S100B messenger RNA and protein levels. In turn, ablation of S100B resulted in neuroprotection, reduced microgliosis and reduced expression of both the receptor for advanced glycation endproducts and tumour necrosis factor-α. Our results demonstrate a role of S100B in the pathophysiology of Parkinson’s disease. Targeting S100B may emerge as a potential treatment strategy in this disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: The specific genetic regulation of neural primordial cell determination is of great interest in stem cell biology. The Musashi1 (Msi1) protein, which belongs to an evolutionarily conserved family of RNA-binding proteins, is a marker for neural stem/progenitor cells (NS/PCs) in the embryonic and post-natal central nervous system (CNS). Msi1 regulates the translation of its downstream targets, including m-Numb and p21 mRNAs. In vitro experiments using knockout mice have shown that Msi1 and its isoform Musashi2 (Msi2) keep NS/PCs in an undifferentiated and proliferative state. Msi1 is expressed not only in NS/PCs, but also in other somatic stem cells and in tumours. Based on previous findings, Msi1 is likely to be a key regulator for maintaining the characteristics of self-renewing stem cells. However, the mechanisms regulating Msi1 expression are not yet clear. Results: To identify the DNA region affecting Msi1 transcription, we inserted the fusion gene ffLuc, comprised of the fluorescent Venus protein and firefly Luciferase, at the translation initiation site of the mouse Msi1 gene locus contained in a 184-kb bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC). Fluorescence and Luciferase activity, reflecting the Msi1 transcriptional activity, were observed in a stable BAC-carrying embryonic stem cell line when it was induced toward neural lineage differentiation by retinoic acid treatment. When neuronal differentiation was induced in embryoid body (EB)-derived neurosphere cells, reporter signals were detected in Msi1-positive NSCs and GFAP-positive astrocytes, but not in MAP2-positive neurons. By introducing deletions into the BAC reporter gene and conducting further reporter experiments using a minimized enhancer region, we identified a region, "D5E2," that is responsible for Msi1 transcription in NS/PCs. Conclusions: A regulatory element for Msi1 transcription in NS/PCs is located in the sixth intron of the Msi1 gene. The 595-bp D5E2 intronic enhancer can transactivate Msi1 gene expression with cell-type specificity markedly similar to the endogenous Msi1 expression patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

20 Long-lasting neuronal plasticity as well as long-term memory (LTM) requires de novo synthesis of proteins through dynamic regulation of gene expression. cAMP-responsive element (CRE)-mediated gene transcription occurs in an activity-dependent manner and plays a pivotal role in neuronal plasticity and LTM in a variety of species. To study the physiological role of inducible cAMP early repressor (ICER), a CRE-mediated gene transcription repressor, in neuronal plasticity and LTM, we generated two types of ICER mutant mice: ICER-overexpressing (OE) mice and ICER-specific knock-out (KO) mice. Both ICER-OE and ICER-KO mice show no apparent abnormalities in their development and reproduction. A comprehensive battery of behavioral tests revealed no robust changes in locomotor activity, sensory and motor functions, and emotional responses in the mutant mice. However, long-term conditioned fear memory was attenuated in ICER-OE mice and enhanced in ICER-KO mice without concurrent changes in short-term fear memory. Furthermore, ICER-OE mice exhibited retardation of kindling development, whereas ICER-KO mice exhibited acceleration of kindling. These results strongly suggest that ICER negatively regulates the neuronal processes required for long-term fear memory and neuronal plasticity underlying kindling epileptogenesis, possibly through suppression of CRE-mediated gene transcription. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The anterior interpositus nucleus (AIN) is the proposed site of memory formation of eyeblink conditioning. A large part of the underlying molecular events, however, remain unknown. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms, we examined transcriptional changes in the AIN of mice trained with delay eyeblink conditioning using microarray, quantitative real-time RT-PCR, and in situ hybridization techniques. Microarray analyses suggested that transcriptionally up-regulated gene sets were largely different between early (3-d training) and late (7-d) stages. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR aided by laser microdissection indicated that the expression of representative EARLY genes (Sgk, IkBa, and Plekhf1) peaked at 1-d training in both the paired and unpaired conditioning groups, and was maintained at a higher level in the paired group than in the unpaired group after 3-d training. In situ hybridization revealed increased expression of these genes in broad cerebellar areas, including the AIN, with no hemispheric preferences. In contrast, the expression of representative LATE genes ( Vamp 1, Camk2d, and Prkcd) was selectively increased in the AIN of the 7-d paired group, with dominance in the ipsilateral AIN. Increased Vamp 1 mRNA expression was restricted to the ipsilateral dorsolateral hump, a subregion of the AIN. These expression patterns of two distinct subsets of genes fit well with the two-stage learning theory, which proposes emotional and motor learning phases, and support the notion that AIN has a crucial role in memory formation of eyeblink conditioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transcripts of Cdkl2 encoding cycline-dependent kinase-like 2 increase in the deep cerebellar nuclei (DCN) of rabbits subjected to eyeblink conditioning. To examine the pattern of Cdkl2 expression and its activity dependence in mice, we prepared Cdkl2 mutant mice in which amino terminal coding exons were replaced by the LacZ using gene targeting. LacZ activity was first detected in the cerebral cortex from postnatal days 3 to 7 (P3–P7), and then gradually increased with age to reach nearly the maximal level by P28. In the adult brain, LacZ activity was detected in neurons in various brain regions including the olfactory bulb, cerebral cortex, hippocampus, thalamic nuclei, amygdaloid nuclei, geniculate nuclei, red nuclei, deep cerebellar nuclei, cranial nerve nuclei, and spinal cord. Loss of Purkinje cells in lurcher mice did not affect the pattern and level of LacZ activity in the DCN. Stimulation of primary neurons with glutamate, KCl, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, and leukemia inhibitory factor appreciably increased the level of c-Fos but not of Cdkl2 transcripts. These results suggest that cdkl2 functions mainly in mature neurons and that mechanisms governing regulation of this gene expression in mice are distinct from those of immediate-early genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The RBP-L gene encodes a DNA binding protein that is structurally related to RBP-J, the mammalian homolog of Drosophila Suppressor of Hairless. Although the RBP-L protein binds the same DNA sequence as RBP-J, the in vivo function of this protein remains largely unknown. In order to investigate the role of this protein, we generated RBP-L mutant mice by targeted disruption involving replacement of the protein-coding sequence in the first exon with an in-frame fusion of the nlacZ cDNA. The homozygous mutant mice appeared morphologically normal and fertile. Unexpectedly, we found the possible existence of additional promoters) downstream of the first exon whose activity was not fully disrupted in the mutant mice. The promoter upstream of the first exon is regulated in a cell type-specific manner so that transcription is active in neurons but almost inactive in lung where the downstream promoter is active. The specific expression of the β-galactosidase fusion protein was detected in layer VI of the cerebral cortex, in the pyramidal cell layer of the hippocampus, and in the granule cell layer of the dentate gyrus. Furthermore, we found that the upstream promoter activity in neurons might be regulated by some neuronal activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Polycomb-group (PcG) proteins mediate repression of developmental regulators in a reversible manner, contributing to their spatiotemporally regulated expression. However, it is poorly understood how PcG-repressed genes are activated by developmental cues. Here, we used the mouse Meis2 gene as a model to identify a role of a tissue-specific enhancer in removing PcG from the promoter. Meis2 repression in early development depends on binding of RING1B, an essential E3 component of PcG, to its promoter, coupled with its association with another RING1B-binding site (RBS) at the 3′ end of the Meis2 gene. During early midbrain development, a midbrain-specific enhancer (MBE) transiently associates with the promoter-RBS, forming a promoter-MBE-RBS tripartite interaction in a RING1-dependent manner. Subsequently, RING1B-bound RBS dissociates from the tripartite complex, leaving promoter-MBE engagement to activate Meis2 expression. This study therefore demonstrates that PcG and/or related factors play a role in Meis2 activation by regulating the topological transition of cis-regulatory elements. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The recently identified netrins-G1 and -G2 form a distinct subgroup within the UNC-6/netrin gene family of axon guidance molecules. In this study, we determined the size and structure of the exon/intron layout of the human netrin-G1 (NTNG1) and -G2 (NTNG2) genes. Northern analysis of both genes showed limited nonneuronal but wide brain expression, particularly for NTNG2. Reverse transcriptase PCR detected nine alternatively spliced isoforms including four novel variants of NTNG1 from adult brain. A semiquantitative assay established that major expression was restricted to isoforms G1c, G1d, G1a, and G1e in the brain and to G1c in the kidney. There is also evidence of developmental regulation of these isoforms between fetal and adult brain. In conclusion, NTNG1 may use alternative splicing to diversify its function in a developmentally and tissue-specific manner. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Examines the function of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-2 and MMP-3 in mammary gland branching morphogenesis. Expression patterns in the pubertal mammary gland; Disruption of mammary gland branching morphogenesis by MMP inhibition; Regulation of ductal invasion by MMP-2; Repression of lateral budding by MMP-2; Regulation of secondary duct formation during mammary morphogenesis by MMP-3.

Examines the causal relationship between loss of RUNX3 gene expression and gastric cancer. Exhibition of Runx3/Pebp2αC null mouse gastric mucosa; Proliferation of apoptosis in epithelial cells; Resistance of cells to growth-inhibitory of transforming growth factor-β.