neuronal connections tagged posts

MIT researchers have developed a new way to image proteins and RNA inside neurons of intact brain tissue. Image: Yosuke Bando, Fei Chen, Dawen Cai, Ed Boyden, and Young Gyu

Microscopy technique allows pinpointing RNA molecules in the brain. Key to the new technique is expanding the tissue before imaging it so it can be seen at very high resolution using ordinary microscopes commonly found in research labs. “Now we can image RNA with great spatial precision, thanks to the expansion process, and we also can do it more easily in large intact tissues,” says A/Prof Ed Boyden.

Studying the distribution of RNA inside cells could help scientists learn more about how cells control their gene expression and could also allow them to investigate diseases thought to be caused by failure of RNA to m...

One Alzheimer’s-associated mutation in the PKC protein leads to a cavity that enhances its activity. Credit: UC San Diego Health

Researchers found Protein Kinase C (PKC) alpha is necessary for amyloid beta to damage neuronal connections. They also identified genetic variations that enhance PKC alpha activity in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. The study may present a new therapeutic target for the disease. “Until recently, it was thought that PKC helped cells survive, and that too much PKC activity led to cancer. Based on that assumption, many companies tested PKC inhibitors as drugs to treat cancer, but they didn’t work,” said Prof Alexandra Newton, PhD, UC SD School of Medicine.

“Instead, we recently found that the opposite is true...