University of Göttingen

About: University of Göttingen is a education organization based out in Göttingen, Germany. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Gene. The organization has 43851 authors who have published 86318 publications receiving 3010295 citations. The organization is also known as: Georg-August-Universität Göttingen & Universität Göttingen.

μ1A‐adaptin‐deficient mice: lethality, loss of AP‐1 binding and rerouting of mannose 6‐phosphate receptors

Abstract: The heterotetrameric AP-1 complex is involved in the formation of clathrin-coated vesicles at the trans-Golgi network (TGN) and interacts with sorting signals in the cytoplasmic tails of cargo molecules. Targeted disruption of the mouse µ1A-adaptin gene causes embryonic lethality at day 13.5. In cells deficient in µ1A-adaptin the remaining AP-1 adaptins do not bind to the TGN. Polarized epithelial cells are the only cells of µ1A-adaptin-deficient embryos that show γ-adaptin binding to membranes, indicating the formation of an epithelial specific AP-1B complex and demonstrating the absence of additional µ1A homologs. Mannose 6-phosphate receptors are cargo molecules that exit the TGN via AP-1–clathrin-coated vesicles. The steady-state distribution of the mannose 6-phosphate receptors MPR46 and MPR300 in µ1A-deficient cells is shifted to endosomes at the expense of the TGN. MPR46 fails to recycle back from the endosome to the TGN, indicating that AP-1 is required for retrograde endosome to TGN transport of the receptor.

Supravalvular Aortic Stenosis in Association with Mental Retardation and a Certain Facial Appearance

Abstract: Four patients with supravalvular aortic stenosis are reported. In three of these patients a certain facial resemblance was striking, and these three patients were also mentally and physically retarded. The cases are very similar to the four cases recently reported in the literature. Supravalvular aortic stenosis in association with mental retardation and a certain facial appearance may constitute a previously unrecognized clinical syndrome. A systolic thrill and murmur most pronounced in the first right intercostal space and just below the clavicle, with an empty vascular pedicle on the roentgenogram, may be a clue to the clinical diagnosis of supravalvular aortic stenosis. Supravalvular aortic stenosis is best demonstrated by left ventriculography. A collateral circulation between the coronary arteries and the internal mammary artery has been shown in one patient.

Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS).

Abstract: Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) seems likely to open a new era of the field of noninvasive electrical stimulation of the human brain by directly interfering with cortical rhythms. It is expected to synchronize (by one single resonance frequency) or desynchronize (e.g. by the application of several frequencies) cortical oscillations. If applied long enough it may cause neuroplastic effects. In the theta range it may improve cognition when applied in phase. Alpha rhythms could improve motor performance, whereas beta intrusion may deteriorate them. TACS with both alpha and beta frequencies has a high likelihood to induce retinal phosphenes. Gamma intrusion can possibly interfere with attention. Stimulation in the “ripple” range induces intensity dependent inhibition or excitation in the motor cortex most likely by entrainment of neuronal networks, whereas stimulation in the low kHz range induces excitation by neuronal membrane interference. TACS in the 200 kHz range may have a potential in oncology.

The release and trans-synaptic transmission of Tau via exosomes

Abstract: Tau pathology in AD spreads in a hierarchical pattern, whereby it first appears in the entorhinal cortex, then spreads to the hippocampus and later to the surrounding areas. Based on this sequential appearance, AD can be classified into six stages (“Braak stages”). The mechanisms and agents underlying the progression of Tau pathology are a matter of debate. Emerging evidence indicates that the propagation of Tau pathology may be due to the transmission of Tau protein, but the underlying pathways and Tau species are not well understood. In this study we investigated the question of Tau spreading via small extracellular vesicles called exosomes. Exosomes from different sources were analyzed by biochemical methods and electron microscopy (EM) and cryo-EM. Microfluidic devices that allow the culture of cell populations in different compartments were used to investigate the spreading of Tau. We show that Tau protein is released by cultured primary neurons or by N2a cells overexpressing different Tau constructs via exosomes. Neuron-derived exosomal Tau is hypo-phosphorylated, compared with cytosolic Tau. Depolarization of neurons promotes release of Tau-containing exosomes, highlighting the importance of neuronal activity. Using microfluidic devices we show that exosomes mediate trans-neuronal transfer of Tau depending on synaptic connectivity. Tau spreading is achieved by direct transmission of exosomes between neurons. In organotypic hippocampal slices, Tau-containing exosomes in conditioned medium are taken up by neurons and microglia, not astrocytes. In N2a cells, Tau assemblies are released via exosomes. They can induce inclusions of other Tau molecules in N2a cells expressing mutant human Tau. We also studied exosomes from cerebrospinal fluid in AD and control subjects containing monomeric and oligomeric Tau. Split-luciferase complementation reveals that exosomes from CSF can promote Tau aggregation in cultured cells. Our study demonstrates that exosomes contribute to trans-synaptic Tau transmission, and thus offer new approches to control the spreading of pathology in AD and other tauopathies.