Tag: Lipid and Membrane Biochemistry

Rapid, Activity-Dependent Intrinsic Plasticity in the Developing Zebra Finch Auditory Cortex

AI SummaryNeurons in the zebra finch auditory cortex can rapidly change their firing dynamics in response to a complex acoustic environment and increased expression of the low-threshold potassium channel Kv1.1. This plasticity allows neurons to adapt their firing dynamics and may be important for auditory learning during a crucial period of development. Summary unavailable.The acoustic… Continue reading Rapid, Activity-Dependent Intrinsic Plasticity in the Developing Zebra Finch Auditory Cortex

How a small chemical change boosts bioavailability of drug molecules

AI SummaryAn IISc study found that substituting a single atom in cyclic peptides can improve their ability to cross biological barriers and increase their bioavailability. This has implications for the development of peptide-based therapies. Single atom ‘O’ to ‘S’ substitution in cyclic peptides improves their membrane permeability and bioavailability. This study paves the way for… Continue reading How a small chemical change boosts bioavailability of drug molecules

Lipopolysaccharide-Induced TRPA1 Upregulation in Trigeminal Neurons is Dependent on TLR4 and Vesicular Exocytosis

AI SummaryBacterial infections can directly cause pain by activating sensory neurons. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and transient receptor potential A1 (TRPA1) receptors play a role in this process, and calcium mobilization is involved. TLR4 also leads to neuronal sensitization. This discovery highlights the significance of sensory neurons in detecting pathogens and suggests TLR4 as a… Continue reading Lipopolysaccharide-Induced TRPA1 Upregulation in Trigeminal Neurons is Dependent on TLR4 and Vesicular Exocytosis

A Rapid Tool to Study Protein-Lipid Interactions

Interactions between proteins and lipids have diverse and complex roles in various biological processes, ranging from the structure, function, and dynamics of biological membranes to host-pathogen interactions, metabolism, trafficking and localization, and cell signaling. As with more hydrophilic ligands, many proteins have lipid-binding sites and can specifically interact with lipids, which can modify the structure,… Continue reading A Rapid Tool to Study Protein-Lipid Interactions

Awakening neural survival mechanisms after stroke: Lipid metabolism in brain-autonomous repair

In this issue of Neuron, Nakamura et al.1 report the discovery that neuronally secreted phospholipase PLA2G2E releases dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA) that generates 15-hydroxy-eicosatrienoic acid (15-HETrE), which in turn induces peptidyl arginine deiminase 4 (PAD4/PADI4) to elicit neuronal pro-survival and pro-reparative events following ischemic brain injury.