The role of D-serine and glycine as co-agonists of NMDA receptors in motor neuron degeneration and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

The fundamental role of D-serine as a co-agonist at the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR), mediating both physiological actions of glutamate in long term potentiation and nociception and also pathological effects mediated by excitotoxicty, are well-established. More recently, a direct link to a chronic neurodegenerative disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/motor neuron disease (ALS) has been suggested by findings that D-serine levels are elevated in sporadic ALS and the G93A SOD1 model of ALS (Sasabe et al., 2007, 2012) and that a pathogenic mutation (R199W) in the enzyme that degrades D-serine, D-amino acid oxidase (DAO), co-segregates with disease in familial ALS (Mitchell et al., 2010). Moreover, D-serine, its biosynthetic enzyme, serine racemase (SR) and DAO are abundant in human spinal cord and severely depleted in ALS. Using cell culture models, we have defined the effects of R199W-DAO, and shown that it activates autophagy, leads to the formation of ubiquitinated aggregates and promotes apoptosis, all of which processes are attenuated by a D-serine/glycine site NMDAR antagonist. These studies provide considerable insight into the crosstalk between neurons and glia and also into potential therapeutic approaches for ALS

The Grizzly, September 21, 2023

Rush Week 2023 • Sudoku • Fall Student Engagement Events • More IIE Events This Semester • Prints and Imprints Left Behind - at the Berman • Student Responses to Changes to Good Samaritan Policy • Have You Ever Played Rugby? • Ursinus Introduces Temporary Expansion to the Wellness Center: The Hive (A Thread)https://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/2015/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, October 10, 2024

My Big Fat Greek Cleanup • Bear Necessities Draws Big Brother Concern • Free Speech Lecture by Samantha Harris • A Bit About the B\u27Naturals • IIE Launches Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration • Opinions: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Clamer Hall • Men\u27s Soccer Out to Triumphant Start • Cross Country Gears Up for Strong Finish!https://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/2039/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, October 26, 2023

A Conversation With Dr. Gundolf Graml • Thinking Locally With UC Votes • Future Developments on Main • A Look Inside Art Club • Film Club Documentary • Opinions: A Divided Ursinus • Ursinus Women\u27s Rugby Team Prepares to Tackle the Season Ahead • UC Field Hockey Doesn\u27t Cut Corners in Victory Over Ranked Swarthmorehttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/2019/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, February 22, 2024

Voluntary Retirement Program: Limited Time Offer • Senior Class Celebrated 100 Days Till Graduation • Which Justices are Just? • A Conversation With Esther Akande: Recently-Graduated President of SUN • New Dungeons & Dragons Club: The Only Limit is Your Imagination! • Sedona Taphouse\u27s Satisfying Eats • Painting the Postseason Picture • Ursinus Men\u27s LAX on the Attack!https://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/2027/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, September 26, 2024

New Member Education Begins • October is Lantern Submission Month • Yik Yak Culture • Madeline Hepburn is Missing: A Short Story by Ze\u27ev Shaheen • Love of the Craft • Opinions: PSA: Flush the Toilet! • Women\u27s Soccer Soars to Great Start! • Men\u27s Soccer Kicks Off With Success! • Performance of the Weekhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/2037/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, April 18, 2024

Tensions High at Congressional Town Hall • Tree Planting Ceremony to Honor Damiano Rotolo • Ursinus Hosting Out of Darkness Walk • Phi Kap\u27s LLS Fundraiser • Expert Tips on Graduate School Planning: What You Need to Know • First Year Review on First-Year Housing • Every REP Matters • ReLAXing is Not an Optionhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/2034/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, November 16, 2023

Fantastic Strings Ensemble • Crossword • Celebration of Lights (In Photos) • A Conversation With Ursinus\u27 Archivist, Carolyn Weigel • Food Forest Continues to Grow • The Creative Collegeville Italian Bakery • From Opponent to Family Member: Natalie Mehl\u27s Journey • Ursinus Football Punches Their Ticket to the Postseasonhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/2022/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, March 14, 2024

Librarian Skorina Talks Potential Renovations to Myrin Library • Sodexo Chef Cook-off at Wismer • March Crossword Puzzle • You Like Jazz? • Senior Honors Projects: Featuring Grabowski and Grubb • Where\u27s the Party at? • Winter is the New Spring! • Bears Hard at Work Over Spring Breakhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/2029/thumbnail.jp