Differential expression of nuclear lamin subtypes in the neural cells of the adult rat cerebral cortex

Lamins are type V intermediate filament proteins that are located beneath the inner nuclear membrane. In mammalian somatic cells, LMNB1 and LMNB2 encode somatic lamins B1 and B2, respectively, and the LMNA gene is alternatively spliced to generate somatic lamins A and C. Mutations in lamin genes have been linked to many human hereditary diseases, including neurodegenerative disorders. Knowledge about lamins in the nervous system has been accumulated recently, but a precise analysis of lamin subtypes in glial cells has not yet been reported. In this study we investigated the composition of lamin subtypes in neurons, astrocytes, oligodendrocyte-lineage cells, and microglia in the adult rat cerebral cortex using an immunohistochemical staining method. Lamin A was not observed in neurons and glial cells. Lamin C was observed in astrocytes, mature oligodendrocytes and neurons, but not observed in oligodendrocyte progenitor cells. Microglia also did not stain positive for lamin C which differed from macrophages, with lamin C positive. Lamin B1 and B2 were observed in all glial cells and neurons. Lamin B1 was intensely positive in oligodendrocyte progenitor cells compared with other glial cells and neurons. Lamin B2 was weakly positive in all glial cells compared to neurons. Our current study might provide useful information to reveal how the onset mechanisms of human neurodegenerative diseases are associated with mutations in genes for nuclear lamin proteins

Reports of Studies supported by Grant-in-Aid for Research from the Graduate School of Biosphere Science, Hiroshima University

（平成23年度） プロジェクト研究 Grant-in-Aid for Project Research ・リサイクル焼成カキ殻による環境改善効果の持続性に関する研究...山本民次, 佐々木晶子, キム・キョンヘ, 浅岡聡 （平成24年度） 国際共同研究 Grant-in-Aid for International Cooperative Research ・生物生産学部の海外実習における学生と地域住民の交流意識に関する調査 : フィリピン大学ビサヤ校との交流協定締結をめざして...山尾政博 基盤研究サポート Grant-in-Aid for Fundamental Research ・高精度モニタリングを利用した赤潮分布予測手法の開発...小池一彦, 有元太朗, Maung Saw Htoo Tha

Seismicity controlled by resistivity structure : the 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes, Kyushu Island, Japan

The M JMA 7.3 Kumamoto earthquake that occurred at 1:25 JST on April 16, 2016, not only triggered aftershocks in the vicinity of the epicenter, but also triggered earthquakes that were 50–100 km away from the epicenter of the main shock. The active seismicity can be divided into three regions: (1) the vicinity of the main faults, (2) the northern region of Aso volcano (50 km northeast of the mainshock epicenter), and (3) the regions around three volcanoes, Yufu, Tsurumi, and Garan (100 km northeast of the mainshock epicenter). Notably, the zones between these regions are distinctively seismically inactive. The electric resistivity structure estimated from one-dimensional analysis of the 247 broadband (0.005–3000 s) magnetotelluric and telluric observation sites clearly shows that the earthquakes occurred in resistive regions adjacent to conductive zones or resistive-conductive transition zones. In contrast, seismicity is quite low in electrically conductive zones, which are interpreted as regions of connected fluids. We suggest that the series of the earthquakes was induced by a local accumulated stress and/or fluid supply from conductive zones. Because the relationship between the earthquakes and the resistivity structure is consistent with previous studies, seismic hazard assessment generally can be improved by taking into account the resistivity structure. Following on from the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake series, we suggest that there are two zones that have a relatively high potential of earthquake generation along the western extension of the MTL

High-resolution seismic reflection profiling across the Sone Hills fault zone, central Japan

The Sone fault is a south dipping active reverse fault, trending WNW-ESE and bounding the southern end of the Kofu basin. This fault is located between the Kofu basin and Sone hills, and has displaced several river terraces. To reveal the subsurface geometry of the Sone fault, highresolution shallow seismic profiling was performed along the 2.8-km-long Makado and 0.8-km-long Ubaguchi seismic lines. On the Unagushi section, a south dipping fault surface is clearly recognized by the discontinuity between horizontal reflectors in the north and the domain showing a chaotic pattern of reflections. On the Makado section, the south dipping Sone fault is identified between the horizontal reflectors at the basin-side and dipping reflectors at the hill-side. On both seismic lines, the fault surface dips 30 degrees southward. The trace of The Sone fault is located along the present riverbed of R. Fuefuki, some hundred meters basin-ward shift from the trace estimated from tectonic geomorphology

Analysis of Transcriptional Regulatory Pathways of Photoreceptor Genes by Expression Profiling of the Otx2-Deficient Retina

In the vertebrate retina, the Otx2 transcription factor plays a crucial role in the cell fate determination of both rod and cone photoreceptors. We previously reported that Otx2 conditional knockout (CKO) mice exhibited a total absence of rods and cones in the retina due to their cell fate conversion to amacrine-like cells. In order to investigate the entire transcriptome of the Otx2 CKO retina, we compared expression profile of Otx2 CKO and wild-type retinas at P1 and P12 using microarray. We observed that expression of 101- and 1049-probe sets significantly decreased in the Otx2 CKO retina at P1 and P12, respectively, whereas, expression of 3- and 4149-probe sets increased at P1 and P12, respectively. We found that expression of genes encoding transcription factors involved in photoreceptor development, including Crx, Nrl, Nr2e3, Esrrb, and NeuroD, was markedly down-regulated in the Otx2 CKO at both P1 and P12. Furthermore, we identified three human retinal disease loci mapped in close proximity to certain down-regulated genes in the Otx2 CKO retina including Ccdc126, Tnfsf13 and Pitpnm1, suggesting that these genes are possibly responsible for these diseases. These transcriptome data sets of the Otx2 CKO retina provide a resource on developing rods and cones to further understand the molecular mechanisms underlying photoreceptor development, function and disease

High-resolution seismic reflection profiling across the surface rupture associated with the 2004 Mid-Niigata Prefecture earthquake, central Japan : data acquisition and processing

The 200.4 Mid-Niigata Prefecture earthquake (Mj 6.8) generated surface ruptures along the eastern rim of the Uonuma hills. To reveal the relationship between a seismogenic source fault and surface ruptures, shallow, high-resolution seismic reflection profiling was undertaken across the surface ruptures and the active faults. The seismic source was a mini-vibrator and seismic data were recorded by a digital telemetry system. The source and receiver interval was 10 m4 The seismic data were processed using conventional CMP seismic reflection methods. The resultant depth-converted seismic section portrays an emergent thrust beneath the surface rupture associated with the Mid-Niigata Prefecture earthquake

High-resolution seismic reflection profiling across the Shiraiwa fault, eastern margin of the Yokote basin fault zone, northeast Japan : data acquisition and processing

The eastern margin of the Yokote basin fault zone extends about 56km at the western foot of the Ou Backbone Range, northeast Japan. The Rikuu earthquake (M=7.2) occurred in the Ou Backbone Range (Mahiru Range) on 31st August, 1896. Associated with this earthquake, four thrust faults-Obonai, Shiraiwa, Ota, and Senya fault3 appeared on the surface of the western foot of the Mahiru Range. These faults were highly sinuous with numerous gaps and en echelon steps. We conducted a high-resolution seismic reflection profiling survey across the Shiraiwa fault. The obtained seismic reflection data were processed by conventional common mid-point methods, post-stack migration, and depth conversion. The subsurface structure across the Shraiwa fault is characterized by branched low-angle reverse faults and conjugate back-thrust. The emergent thrust associated with the 1896 earthquake is regarded to be a subsidiary reverse fault

Sox2 promotes survival of satellite glial cells in vitro

Sox2 is a transcriptional factor expressed in neural stem cells. It is known that Sox2 regulates cell differentiation, proliferation and survival of the neural stem cells. Our previous study showed that Sox2 is expressed in all satellite glial cells of the adult rat dorsal root ganglion. In this study, to examine the role of Sox2 in satellite glial cells, we establish a satellite glial cell-enriched culture system. Our culture method succeeded in harvesting satellite glial cells with the somata of neurons in the dorsal root ganglion. Using this culture system, Sox2 was downregulated by siRNA against Sox2. The knockdown of Sox2 downregulated ErbB2 and ErbB3 mRNA at 2 and 4 days after siRNA treatment. MAPK phosphorylation, downstream of ErbB, was also inhibited by Sox2 knockdown. Because ErbB2 and ErbB3 are receptors that support the survival of glial cells in the peripheral nervous system, apoptotic cells were also counted. TUNEL-positive cells increased at 5 days after siRNA treatment. These results suggest that Sox2 promotes satellite glial cell survival through the MAPK pathway via ErbB receptors

Increased Histone H3 Phosphorylation in Neurons in Specific Brain Structures after Induction of Status Epilepticus in Mice

Status epilepticus (SE) induces pathological and morphological changes in the brain. Recently, it has become clear that excessive neuronal excitation, stress and drug abuse induce chromatin remodeling in neurons, thereby altering gene expression. Chromatin remodeling is a key mechanism of epigenetic gene regulation. Histone H3 phosphorylation is frequently used as a marker of chromatin remodeling and is closely related to the upregulation of mRNA transcription. In the present study, we analyzed H3 phosphorylation levels in vivo using immunohistochemistry in the brains of mice with pilocarpine-induced SE. A substantial increase in H3 phosphorylation was detected in neurons in specific brain structures. Increased H3 phosphorylation was dependent on neuronal excitation. In particular, a robust upregulation of H3 phosphorylation was detected in the caudate putamen, and there was a gradient of phosphorylated H3+ (PH3+) neurons along the medio-lateral axis. After unilateral ablation of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra by injection of 6-hydroxydopamine, the distribution of PH3+ neurons changed in the caudate putamen. Moreover, our histological analysis suggested that, in addition to the well-known MSK1 (mitogen and stress-activated kinase)/H3 phosphorylation/c-fos pathway, other signaling pathways were also activated. Together, our findings suggest that a number of genes involved in the pathology of epileptogenesis are upregulated in PH3+ brain regions, and that H3 phosphorylation is a suitable indicator of strong neuronal excitation

Identification of NeuN immunopositive cells in the adult mouse subventricular zone

In the adult rodent subventricular zone (SVZ), there are neural stem cells (NSCs) and the specialized neurogenic niche is critical to maintain their stemness. To date, many cellular and noncellular factors that compose the neurogenic niche and markers to identify subpopulations of Type A cells have been confirmed. In particular, neurotransmitters regulate adult neurogenesis and mature neurons in the SVZ have been only partially analyzed. Moreover, Type A cells, descendants of NSCs, are highly heterogeneous and more molecular markers are still needed to identify them. In the present study, we systematically classified NeuN, commonly used as a marker of mature and immature post‐mitotic neurons, immunopositive (+) cells within the adult mouse SVZ. These SVZ‐NeuN+ cells (SVZ‐Ns) were mainly classified into two types. One was mature SVZ‐Ns (M‐SVZ‐Ns). Neurochemical properties of M‐SVZ‐Ns were similar to those of striatal neurons, but their birth date and morphology were different. M‐SVZ‐Ns were generated during embryonic and early postnatal stages with bipolar peaks and extended their processes along the wall of the lateral ventricle. The second type was small SVZ‐Ns (S‐SVZ‐Ns) with features of Type A cells. They expressed not only markers of Type A cells, but also proliferated and migrated from the SVZ to the olfactory bulb. Furthermore, S‐SVZ‐Ns could be classified into two types by their spatial locations and glutamic acid decarboxylase 67 expression. Our data indicate that M‐SVZ‐Ns are a new component of the neurogenic niche and S‐SVZ‐Ns are newly identified subpopulations of Type A cells