 |
|
Bisexual fruit flies show new role for neurochemical
January 04, 2007Fruit flies' ability to discern one sex from another may depend on the number of receptors on the surface of nerve cells, and the number of receptors is controlled by levels of a ubiquitous brain chemical, University of Illinois at Chicago researchers have found.
Everything from the ability to concentrate, perceive and learn to debilitating illnesses such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, post-traumatic stress syndrome and schizophrenia is influenced by the number of receptors on nerve cells. The more receptors each cell has at its communication points, or synapses, the better that messages are carried through the brain.
A UIC research team led by David Featherstone, assistant professor of biological sciences, has discovered that receptor numbers are controlled by the brain's level of glutamate. But it is not the same glutamate that most neuroscientists think about - the neurotransmitter that moves in message packets across the synapse. Instead, it is what Featherstone calls ambient extracellular glutamate, which just floats around the nervous system and has generally been ignored because no one knew where it came from or what it was doing.
For years, scientists failed to identify glutamate as a key neurotransmitter precisely because there was so much of it.
"It made no sense," said Featherstone. "People figured you couldn't use glutamate to send messages because there was too much glutamate background noise in the brain. It turns out that this background noise plays an important part in regulating information transfer."
Featherstone and his lab team found that glia cells are the source of the excess ambient glutamate. Along with neurons, these poorly understood "support" cells fill the brain.
The team discovered proteins in fruit fly glia cells that regulate the amount of ambient glutamate in the brain. Called xCT transporter proteins, they pump glutamate out of glia cells.
"When we mutate the protein, we get less ambient extracellular glutamate, more glutamate receptors, and so a stronger transfer of messages at synapses," Featherstone said.
The gene mutation also made the flies bisexual, leading him to name the gene "genderblind."
"The mutants are completely bisexual, but fertile. It's the first gene that really specifically affects homosexual behavior without affecting heterosexual behavior," he said.
"Trying to understand fly bisexuality sounds silly, but these behavioral changes are important evidence that ambient extracellular glutamate and xCT transport proteins play important, unsuspected roles in brain function," Featherstone said. "We think we'll be able to learn a lot about perception and development from figuring out exactly what's happening in these flies.
"It's amazing how many biomedical breakthroughs have come from crazy directions.\\\
University of Illinois at Chicago
For years, scientists failed to identify glutamate as a key neurotransmitter precisely because there was so much of it.
"It made no sense," said Featherstone. "People figured you couldn't use glutamate to send messages because there was too much glutamate background noise in the brain. It turns out that this background noise plays an important part in regulating information transfer."
Featherstone and his lab team found that glia cells are the source of the excess ambient glutamate. Along with neurons, these poorly understood "support" cells fill the brain.
The team discovered proteins in fruit fly glia cells that regulate the amount of ambient glutamate in the brain. Called xCT transporter proteins, they pump glutamate out of glia cells.
"When we mutate the protein, we get less ambient extracellular glutamate, more glutamate receptors, and so a stronger transfer of messages at synapses," Featherstone said.
The gene mutation also made the flies bisexual, leading him to name the gene "genderblind."
"The mutants are completely bisexual, but fertile. It's the first gene that really specifically affects homosexual behavior without affecting heterosexual behavior," he said.
"Trying to understand fly bisexuality sounds silly, but these behavioral changes are important evidence that ambient extracellular glutamate and xCT transport proteins play important, unsuspected roles in brain function," Featherstone said. "We think we'll be able to learn a lot about perception and development from figuring out exactly what's happening in these flies.
"It's amazing how many biomedical breakthroughs have come from crazy directions.\\\
University of Illinois at Chicago
Glutamate Current Events and Glutamate News RSSNew understanding about mechanism for cell death after stroke leads to possible therapy
Scientists at the Brain Research Centre, a partnership of the University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine and Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, have uncovered new information about the mechanism by which brain cells die following a stroke, as well as a possible way to mitigate that damage.
Researchers find potential treatment for Huntington's disease
Investigators at Burnham Institute for Medical Research (Burnham), the University of British Columbia's Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics and the University of California, San Diego have found that normal synaptic activity in nerve cells (the electrical activity in the brain that allows nerve cells to communicate with one another) protects the brain from the misfolded proteins associated with Huntington's disease.
CSHL team solves structure of NMDA receptor unit that could be drug target for neurological diseases
A team of scientists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) reports on Thursday their success in solving the molecular structure of a key portion of a cellular receptor implicated in Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and other serious illnesses.
Clinical tests begin on medication to correct Fragile X defect
NIH-supported scientists at Seaside Therapeutics in Cambridge, Mass., are beginning a clinical trial of a potential medication designed to correct a central neurochemical defect underlying Fragile X syndrome, the most common inherited cause of intellectual disability.
This is your brain on fatty acids
Saturated fats have a deservedly bad reputation, but Johns Hopkins scientists have discovered that a sticky lipid occurring naturally at high levels in the brain may help us memorize grandma's recipe for cinnamon buns, as well as recall how, decades ago, she served them up steaming from the oven.
Benefit of memantine in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease not proven
There is no scientific proof that patients with moderate or severe Alzheimer's disease benefit from drugs containing the agent memantine.
General anesthetics lead to learning disabilities in animal models
Studies by researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine have shown that blocking the NMDA receptor in immature rats leads to profound, rapid brain injury and disruption of auditory function as the animals mature.
Now hear this
Deep in the ear, 95 percent of the cells that shuttle sound to the brain are big, boisterous neurons that, to date, have explained most of what scientists know about how hearing works.
The white stuff: Marine lab team seeks to understand coral bleaching
With technology similar to that used by physicians to perform magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, researchers from six institutions-including the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)-working at the Hollings Marine Laboratory (HML) in Charleston, S.C., are studying the metabolic activity of a pathogen shown to cause coral bleaching, a serious threat to undersea reef ecosystems worldwide.
Receptor activated exclusively by glutamate discovered on tongue
One hundred years ago, Kikunae Ikeda discovered the flavour-giving properties of glutamate, a non essential amino acid traditionally used to enhance the taste of many fermented or ripe foods, such as ripe tomatoes or cheese. New research now reveals that the tongue has a receptor that is exclusively activated by glutamate.
More Glutamate Current Events and Glutamate News Articles
 |
The Glutamate Receptors (The Receptors) by Robert W. Gereau IV (Author), Robert W. Gereau IV (Editor), Geoffrey Swanson (Editor) Glutamate receptors are critically important for normal brain function. The preceding decade has seen remarkable advances in our understanding of the physiological function and molecular structure of these proteins. The Glutamate Receptors provides an expansive review of the field with a topical update to two excellent books - The Ionotropic Glutamate Receptors and The Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors. An exciting primer to the study of glutamate receptors and their central role in neurotransmission, The Glutamate Receptors covers the extraordinary research and significant developments in the decade since the previous books were published and gives a snapshot of how prominent scientists look to the future of research in the field. Both insightful and comprehensive, The Glutamate... |
 |
Spicemaster MSG (Monosodium Glutamate), 28-Ounce Plastic Container (Pack of 2) by ADM Food Service |
 |
L & W MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE (PURITY 99% UP) 14OZ. ITEM DESCRIPTIONS BRAND NEW, SEALED L & W MONOSODIUM GLUTAMTE PURITY 99 % UP NET WT 14 OZ (397G) PRODUCT OF TAIWANT MANUFACTURE: L & W GROUP INC. |
 |
In Bad Taste: The Msg Symptom Complex : How Monosodium Glutamate Is a Major Cause of Treatable and Preventable Illnesses, Such As Headaches, Asthma, Epilepsy, heart by George R. Schwartz (Author), Kathleen A. Schwartz (Foreword) Did you know that you may have a poison in your pantry? A substance which can case migraine headaches and balance difficulties; precipitate severe shortness of breath, asthma attacks and heart irregularities; cause disabling arthritis, and even serious depressions? A substance that can induce disruptive behavior problems in your children? Monosodium glutamate (MSG), a universally used flavor enhancer, permeates our processed, packaged and frozen foods. For those sensitive to this substance, it is indeed a poison. The dose of MSG throughout our foods is increasing. It can even be found in cans of tuna, and injected into turkeys. It is served to us in the finest restaurants and to our children in school. Older people are particularly susceptible. Many elderly people... |
 |
Glutamate Miche (Primary Contributor) |
 |
L-Glutamine, 500 mg, 100 Tabs by Maximum International L-glutamine is a naturally occurring amino acid found abundantly in muscle and plasma and is a necessary building block of the neurotransmitter, glutamate. Glutamine is used throughout the body as a cellular energy source and to assist in the rapid cell division of the gut and immune systems. It therefore protects the walls of the GI tract and helps to maintain immune health. Because glutamine is both a nitrogen and carbon donor, it helps to build muscle and replenish muscle glycogen stores, preventing atrophy. Glutamine supplementation is recommended for people who engage in heavy exercise or who suffer from muscle wasting, to replenish normal levels. In hospital settings, glutamine administered parenterally to patients after abdominal surgery, has improved healing times. |
 |
Aji-No-Moto: Monosodium Glutamate Seasoning, 1lb (454g ITEM DESCRIPTIONS BRAND NEW, SEALED Monosodium Glutamate 1LB (454G) INGREDIENTS Seasoning Monosodium Glutamate PRODUCT DETAILS Umami Super-Seasoning Made In America's Heartland Made from Iowa Corn: Aji-No-Moto Is Made from Iowa Corn Through A Fermentation Process Which Is Similar to The One Used to Make Yogurt, Beer, and Soy Sauce. The Fifth Taste: Umami Is Internationally Recognized By Researchers and Chefs As Fifth Basic Taste In |
 |
Glutamate and GABA Receptors and Transporters: Structure, Function and Pharmacology (The Taylor & Francis Series in Pharmaceutical Sciences) by Jan Egebjerg (Editor), Arne Schousboe (Editor), Povl Krogsgaard-Larsen (Editor) The aim of this book is, by the help of specialists in the field, to convey recent discoveries in a framework of the basic concepts in the field of glutamate and GABA receptor research. The book is suitable for postgraduate students studying ligand gated channels but also beneficial for industrial and academic research scientists in both the glutamate and GABA field. |
 |
MSG FRESHLY PACKED IN LARGE JARS, spices, herbs, seasonings by QABC. Welcome to MARSHALLS CREEK SPICES, a division of Pure And Natural Spices, where we pack and sell a large selection of spices, herbs and blends, in attractive, clear, almost quart size, wide mouth jars, with tamper proof seals. Marshalls Creek Spices stock over 150 different varieties. All packed weekly, unlike what you buy in the store. The stores carry spices that are packed somewhere, then shipped and stored somewhere else, and then months later, end up on your stores shelf. Where it may sit for another few weeks. For freshness, quality and economy, Marshalls Creek Spices can't be beat. |
 |
Monosodium Glutamate With DJ Cucumber Slice Mf Doom (Primary Contributor) |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |