Synaptic scaffold proteins control the localization of ion channels and receptors, and facilitate molecular associations between signaling components that modulate synaptic transmission and plasticity. Here, we define novel roles for a recently described scaffold protein, Dsychronic (DYSC), at the Drosophila larval neuromuscular junction. DYSC is the Drosophila homolog of whirlin/DFNB31, a PDZ ...

Motivation: Dynamic simulation of genome-scale molecular interaction networks will enable the mechanistic prediction of genotype–phenotype relationships. Despite advances in quantitative biology, full parameterization of whole-cell models is not yet possible. Simulation methods capable of using available qualitative data are required to develop dynamic whole-cell models through an iterative pro...

DNA in eukaryotes is wrapped around a histone octamer containing H2A, H2B, H3, and H4, forming a nucleosome, which is the fundamental unit of chromatin. Posttranslational modifications of these histones play critical roles in genome function, including the regulation of transcription and maintenance of genome integrity (Jenuwein and Allis, 2001; Kouzarides, 2007). However, little is known about...

Polysaccharides are major components of extracellular matrices and are often extensively modified post-synthetically to suit local requirements and developmental programmes. However, our current understanding of the spatiotemporal dynamics and functional significance of these modifications is limited by a lack of suitable molecular tools. Here, we report the development of a novel non-immunolog...

Previous genome-wide association study (GWAS) focused on low-order interactions between pairwise single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with significant main effects. Little is known how high-order interactions effect, especially one among the SNPs without main effects regulates quantitative traits.Within the frameworks of linear model and generalized linear model, the LASSO with coordinate des...

The genetic control of mammalian epithelial polarity and dynamics can be studied in vivo at cellular resolution during morphogenesis of the mouse neural tube. Themouse neural plate is a simple epithelium that is transformed into a columnar pseudostratified tube over the course of ∼24 h. Apical F-actin is known to be important for neural tube closure, but the precise roles of actin dynamics in t...

Cell-cell fusion between gametes is a defining step during development of eukaryotes, yet we know little about the cellular and molecular mechanisms of the gamete membrane fusion reaction. HAP2 is the sole gamete-specific protein in any system that is broadly conserved and shown by gene disruption to be essential for gamete fusion. The wide evolutionary distribution of HAP2 (also known as GCS1)...

Numerous studies have shown that ingrowing olfactory axons exert powerful inductive influences on olfactory map development. From an overexpression screen, we have identified wnt5 as a potent organizer of the olfactory map in Drosophila melanogaster. Loss of wnt5 resulted in severe derangement of the glomerular pattern, whereas overexpression of wnt5 resulted in the formation of ectopic midline...

Background-—Depression is prevalent in coronary heart disease (CHD) patients and increases risk for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) recurrence and mortality despite optimal medical care. The pathways underlying this risk remain elusive. Psychological stress (PS) can provoke impairment in myocardial perfusion and trigger ACS. A confluence of acute PS with depression might reveal coronary vascular ...

A trial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia, and those afflicted have reduced quality of life, functional status, and cardiac performance. Patients with AF have a higher risk of stroke, heart failure, and premature death relative to patients without AF. It is estimated that 2.5% of the population worldwide has AF, and the prevalence of AF increases substantially with age, es...