Brain complexity: neuron molecular synapse controls (Introduction)

by David Turell , Saturday, April 17, 2021, 21:48 (1106 days ago) @ David Turell

Extremely complex use by lncRNA:

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2021-04-neural-plasticity-noncoding-rna-journey.html

"A new study from scientists at Scripps Research and the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience finds a central role for one signaling molecule, a long, noncoding RNA that the scientists named ADEPTR.

"Using a variety of technologies, including confocal and two-photon microscopy, they track ADEPTR's moves, watching as it forms, travels, amasses at the synapse and activates other proteins upon a neuron's stimulation.

"Its journey to the far reaches of a brain cell is made possible by a cellular carrier that that tiptoes along a dendrite's microtubule scaffolding. Called a kinesin motor, it deposits ADEPTR near the synapse junction, where it activates other proteins.

"The team also found that if ADEPTR is silenced, new synapses don't form during stimulation.

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"'Here we report activity-dependent dendritic targeting of a newly transcribed long noncoding RNA for modulating synapse function, and describe its underlying mechanisms," Puthanveettil says. "These studies bring novel insights into the functions of long noncoding RNAs at the synapse."

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"A long noncoding RNA is a type of RNA that exceeds 200 nucleotides, and does not get translated into protein. There are thousands of these long noncoding RNA in our cells, but in most cases, their function isn't yet known. What is known is that usually, they tend to stay within the cell nucleus. Some regulate the transcription of genes.

"'It was surprising to see a long noncoding RNA move from nucleus to the synapse so rapidly and robustly," Grinman says. (my bold)

"The hippocampus is the part of the brain where learning, memory and emotions reside. Working in hippocampal neurons from mice, the team stimulated the neurons with pharmacological activators of learning-related signaling. They found through molecular and high-resolution imaging techniques that the ADEPTR long noncoding RNA was rapidly expressed and transported to the outer arms of the cell. There, the ADEPTR molecules interact with proteins that play a role in structural organization of synapses, proteins called spectrin 1 and ankyrin B.

"They found that ADEPTR became downregulated if exposed to an inhibitory neurotransmitter, GABA.

"'These findings add another layer of complexity in synapse modulation and plasticity," Puthanveettil says. "Synaptically localized long noncoding RNA are important regulators of adaptive neuronal function.'"

Comment: Note the bold. Why are they so surprised at the finding? The deeper they go the more complexity will be found, until it is finally recognized universally there must be a designing mind creating. GABA has a long history of recognition as a major player in the brain .