The P2Y12 receptor regulates microglial activation by extracellular nucleotides
This study identifies in mice a metabotropic ATP/ADP receptor that is essential for the activation of microglia in response to injury to the cortex .
Watch oligodendrocyte precursors migrate through the zebrafish embryonic spinal cord, and orderly align themselves along the axons they are going to myelinate. Amazing videos.
A diacylglycerol kinase modulates long-term thermotactic behavioral plasticity in C. elegans
Worms can be ‘taught’ to prefer different temperatures. Here the authors report that worms lacking the kinase DGK-3 are very slow temperature learners. As DGK-3 is a crucial enzyme in the degradation of the signaling mediator DAG, authors hypothesize that DAG levels in thermosensory neurons determine worms’ temperature preferences, and confirm this idea experimentally.
Hierarchical assembly of presynaptic components in defined C. elegans synapses
Dazzling worm genetics draws a signaling cascade that controls construction of the presynaptic specialization. It is triggered by the transient interaction of cell adhesion molecules SYG-1 and SYG-2, and coordinated by liprin-alpha as the master builder.
SYD-2 Liprin-alpha organizes presynaptic active zone formation through ELKS
These authors use elegant worm genetics to unravel the link between liprin-alpha, which is crucial for the integrity of the presynaptic active zone, and the synaptic vesicle docking machinery.
A neuregulin 1 variant associated with abnormal cortical function and psychotic symptoms
Variants in the NRG1 gene may confer an elevated risk for schizophrenia. The authors here have followed for up to 10 years a group of young people from families affected by schizophrenia. They found that one particular SNP in the NRG1 gene promotor region, substituting a T for a C nucleotide, correlates with low IQ and high risk for the disease.
Cochlear efferent feedback balances interaural sensitivity
Sound location requires that the brainstem compare the very slim difference in input from the two ears. This study suggests that feedback from the olivary complex to the auditory nerve is required to keep the signals from both cochleas in balance, enabling this comparison. One of our referees called this paper “one of the most interesting manuscripts I have ever reviewed.”
Cortical feed-forward networks for binding different streams of sensory information
In a technical tour de force, the authors find specific connections between layer2/3 and layer 5 ‘subnetworks’ in the rat somatosensory cortex.
fruitless regulates aggression and dominance in Drosophila
Splicing of a transcription factor determines whether a fruit fly prefers to get rid of its rival by boxing, or by head-butting! Watch some hilarious videos of highly confused flies here, and let us know what you think about the paper.
Yesterday, I went to see Michael Crichton speak at the National Press Club. I was hoping he’d speak about his new book Next, which is a novel about the danger of being ill-prepared for advances in genetics. According to the New York Times, the book includes subplots about ethical missteps by autism researchers and the legal ramifications of the ‘thrill-seeking gene.’ Instead of directly discussing his book, Crichton, whose scientific qualifications include fictional works about cloned dinosaurs and evil monkeys, lectured about science policy and ethics.
It’s not that I didn’t agree with some of Crichton’s points. He discussed the folly of gene patents, the problems with peer review, the need for data replication and the importance of open access. He called on the media to publicize the limitations in scientific studies and suggested that the government should police the release and replication of data.
What I resented was that he presented himself as a lone watchdog in a world in which scientists have taken advantage of the public. He’s right that truth has become a casualty in our society. But there’s something wrong when the public relies on a fiction writer to inform them of the truth.