Srsf1 and Elavl1 act antagonistically on neuronal fate choice in the developing neocortex by controlling TrkC receptor isoform expression

The seat of higher-order cognitive abilities in mammals, the neocortex, is a complex structure, organized in several layers. The different subtypes of principal neurons are distributed in precise ratios and at specific positions in these layers and are generated by the same neural progenitor cells (NPCs), steered by a spatially and temporally specified combination of molecular cues that are incompletely understood. Recently, we discovered that an alternatively spliced isoform of the TrkC receptor lacking the kinase domain, TrkC-T1, is a determinant of the corticofugal projection neuron (CFuPN) fate. Here, we show that the finely tuned balance between TrkC-T1 and the better known, kinase domain-containing isoform, TrkC-TK+, is cell type-specific in the developing cortex and established through the antagonistic actions of two RNA-binding proteins, Srsf1 and Elavl1. Moreover, our data show that Srsf1 promotes the CFuPN fate and Elavl1 promotes the callosal projection neuron (CPN) fate in vivo via regulating the distinct ratios of TrkC-T1 to TrkC-TK+. Taken together, we connect spatio-temporal expression of Srsf1 and Elavl1 in the developing neocortex with the regulation of TrkC alternative splicing and transcript stability and neuronal fate choice, thus adding to the mechanistic and functional understanding of alternative splicing in vivo

Poly[[tri-μ-aqua-dodecaaquatris(μ3-1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonato)tricalcium(II)tripalladium(II)] pentahydrate]

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, {[CaPd{CH3OHC(PO3)2}(H2O)5]·5/3H2O}n, consists of one half of the complex [Pd{CH3OHC(PO3)2}]2− anion (point group symmetry m..), one Ca2+ cation [site symmetry (.2.)] that is surrounded by three water molecules (one of which is on the same rotation axis) and by three disordered lattice water molecules. The anions form a trinuclear metallocycle around a crystallographic threefold rotation axis. The cations are related by a twofold rotation axis to form a [Ca2(H2O)10]2+ dimer. The slightly distorted square-planar coordination environment of the PdII atoms in the complex anions is formed by O atoms of the bidentate chelating phosphonate groups of the 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonate ligands. In the crystal, cations are bound to anions through —Ca—O—P—O— bonds, as well as through O—H...O hydrogen bonds, resulting in a three-dimensional polymer. The structure is completed by five disordered solvent molecules localized in cavities within the framework

Functional electrospun nanofibers for multimodal sensitive detection of biogenic amines in food via a simple dipstick assay

Electrospun nanofibers (ENFs) are promising materials for rapid diagnostic tests like lateral flow assays and dipsticks because they offer an immense surface area while excluding minimal volume, a variety of functional surface groups, and can entrap functional additives within their interior. Here, we show that ENFs on sample pads are superior in comparison to standard polymer membranes for the optical detection of biogenic amines (BAs) in food using a dipstick format. Specifically, cellulose acetate (CA) fibers doped with 2 mg/mL of the chromogenic and fluorogenic amine-reactive chameleon dye Py-1 were electrospun into uniform anionic mats. Those extract cationic BAs from real samples and Py-1 transduces BA concentrations into a change of color, reflectance, and fluorescence. Dropping a BA sample onto the nanofiber mat converts the weakly fluorescent pyrylium dye Py-1 into a strongly red emitting pyridinium dye. For the first time, a simple UV lamp excites fluorescence and a digital camera acts as detector. The intensity ratio of the red to the blue channel of the digital image is dependent on the concentration of most relevant BAs indicating food spoilage from 10 to 250 mu M. This matches the permitted limits for BAs in foods and no false positive signals arise from secondary and tertiary amines. BA detection in seafood samples was also demonstrated successfully. The nanofiber mat dipsticks were up to sixfold more sensitive than those using a polymer membrane with the same dye embedded. Hence, nanofiber-based tests are not only superior to polymer-based dipstick assays, but will also improve the performance of established tests related to food safety, medical diagnostics, and environmental testing