The habenula is a small region at the centre of the brain, but is crucial for people's lives. It is made up of groups of nerve cells that control the "neurotransmitters" of the brain, that is to say substances like dopamine, noradrenaline and serotonin. The release of these substances is fundamental to respond to stimuli, for example to perceive pain or fear and to regulate mood-related behaviours, and is implicated in conditions like schizophrenia, autism and depression.
Scientists have known the habenula for a long time, but little is known about its implications in nervous system conditions.
Wnt signaling is required for habenular neuron type specification, asymmetry and axonal connectivity. The temporal regulation of this pathway and the players involved have, however, remained unclear. The authors find that tightly regulated temporal restriction of Wnt signaling activity in habenular precursor cells is crucial for the diversity and asymmetry of habenular neuron populations.
The research team identified a molecule that is essential for the correct composition of habenula neurons and their connectivity in the brain. This molecule (Wnt inhibitory factor 1, Wif1), which is a well-known tumor suppressor, plays a key role also in this symphony of neurons and their proper functioning, and may be implicated in autism.
This knowledge, linking the molecule, brain structure and a number of neurological disorders, opens new directions for research into brain disorders, hopefully to find out more about serious conditions that can only be treated in ways that take a toll on the quality of life of people.
https://webmagazine.unitn.it/en/news/ateneo/77164/the-molecule-that-directs-neurons
https://dev.biologists.org/content/147/6/dev182865
Signaling in controlling neuronal diversity and brain asymmetry
- 1,251 views
- Added
Edited
Latest News
Gut bacteria may eliminate pathogens by competing for energy resources
How deep brain stimulation treats Parkinson's disease symptoms
Plasma membrane phospholipid plays a key role in epithelial cell adhesion
COVID-19, MIS-C and Kawasaki disease share same immune response
Improved cognition and mood by inducing neurogenesis via optogenetic stimulation of the brain
Other Top Stories
Researchers reveal type of vaginal bacteria that protects women from HIV
Antibiotic resistance in tuberculosis bacterium
An adaptor hierarchy regulates proteolysis during a bacterial cell cycle
Detecting HIV diagnostic antibodies with DNA nanomachines
Th17 cell induction by adhesion of microbes to intestinal epithelial cells
Protocols
Integrating neuroimaging and gene expression data using the imaging transcriptomics toolbox
Antibody structure prediction using interpretable deep learning
A semi-automated workflow for brain Slice Histology Alignment, Registration, and Cell Quantificat…
NanoDam identifies Homeobrain (ARX) and Scarecrow (NKX2.1) as conserved temporal factors in the D…
Spatiotemporal transcriptomic atlas of mouse organogenesis using DNA nanoball-patterned arrays
Publications
FMRP regulates GABAA receptor channel activity to control signal integration in hippocampal granu…
Host cells subdivide nutrient niches into discrete biogeographical microhabitats for gut microbes
Intestinal epithelial cell metabolism at the interface of microbial dysbiosis and tissue injury
Maturation of beta cells: lessons from in vivo and in vitro models
Plasma membrane phosphatidylinositol (4,5)-bisphosphate is critical for determination of epitheli…
Presentations
Hydrogels in Drug Delivery
Lipids
Cell biology of carbohydrate metabolism
RNA interference (RNAi)
RNA structure and functions
Posters
ASCO-2020-HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH AND QUALITY IMPROVEMENT
ASCO-2020-HEAD AND NECK CANCER
ASCO-2020-GENITOURINARY CANCER–KIDNEY AND BLADDER
ASCO-2020-GENITOURINARY CANCER–PROSTATE, TESTICULAR, AND PENILE
ASCO-2020-GYNECOLOGIC CANCER