How an enriched environment fires up our synapses
Postgenomic research reveals role of peptides and lipids in the context
of signal transduction

Date:
October 20, 2021
Source:
University of Vienna
Summary:
Processing of sensory impressions and information depends very
much on how the synapses in our brain work. A team has now shown
how lipid and protein regulation impact brain's processing of a
beautiful and stimulating environment. The lipids located in the
membranes of the synapses are central to signal transmission,
the researchers report.



FULL STORY ==========================================================================
"We usually enjoy a beautiful environment, socializing, a cosy apartment,
good restaurants, a park -- all this inspires us," says Robert Ahrends
from the Institute of Analytical Chemistry of the University of Vienna and former group leader at ISAS in Dortmund. Previous studies have already
shown that such an enriched environment can sometimes have a positive
effect on child development or even on the human ability to regenerate,
e.g. after a stroke, however the reason for these observations "was not
yet clarified at the molecular level."

========================================================================== Stimulating sensory perceptions are ultimately formed via the activity or regulation of synapses, i.e. those connecting units between our neurons
that transfer information from one nerve cell to another. To clarify the underlying molecular principles, the researchers offered the rodents,
their model organisms, an enriched environment based on plenty of room
to move, a running wheel and other toys. With the help of post-genomic
analysis strategies (multiomics) and using state-of-the-art mass
spectrometry and microscopy as well as bioinformatics for data analysis,
they investigated the regulation of synapses in the hippocampus of the
rodents, more precisely the interaction of the proteins and especially
lipids (fats) located in the synaptic membranes.

Synapses as central sites of signal transmission "80 percent of the
brain cells are only supporting cells. We have therefore focused on the synapses as central sites of signal transmission and isolated them,"
says neuroscientist Michael Kreutz. The team gathered quantitative and qualitative information about the network of molecules regulated at
synapses and examined their lipid metabolism, also under the influence
of an enriched environment. The analyses revealed that 178 proteins and
20 lipids were significantly regulated depending on whether the rodents
had spent time in an enriched environment or an uncomfortable one.

Molecular explanation for positive effects The regulations were
characterized by specific lipids as well as proteins of the organisms' endocannabinoid metabolism, which was particularly strongly influenced
by the sensory impressions of an enriched environment.

If the information arrives at the synapse as a signal, signal
processing is enhanced, which ultimately leads to improved learning
and development. In this context, the complex networks of lipids and
proteins had a decisive effect on the functioning of the synapses. Thus,
the current study provides a molecular explanation for why an enhancing stimulating environment can have a positive effect on neuronal plasticity
and brain development.

========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by University_of_Vienna. Note: Content
may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Maximilian Borgmeyer, Cristina Coman, Canan Has, Hans-Frieder
Scho"tt,
Tingting Li, Philipp Westhoff, Yam F.H. Cheung, Nils Hoffmann,
PingAn Yuanxiang, Thomas Behnisch, Guilherme M. Gomes, Mael
Dumenieu, Michaela Schweizer, Michaela Chocholouskova', Michal
Holčapek, Marina Mikhaylova, Michael R. Kreutz, Robert
Ahrends. Multiomics of synaptic junctions reveals altered lipid
metabolism and signaling following environmental enrichment. Cell
Reports, 2021; 37 (1): 109797 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109797 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/10/211020140023.htm

--- up 6 weeks, 6 days, 8 hours, 25 minutes
* Origin: -=> Castle Rock BBS <=- Now Husky HPT Powered! (1337:3/111)