2010
Direct Evidence for Wake-Related Increases and Sleep-Related Decreases in Synaptic Strength in Rodent Cortex
Liu ZW, Faraguna U, Cirelli C, Tononi G, Gao XB. Direct Evidence for Wake-Related Increases and Sleep-Related Decreases in Synaptic Strength in Rodent Cortex. Journal Of Neuroscience 2010, 30: 8671-8675. PMID: 20573912, PMCID: PMC2903226, DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1409-10.2010.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMiniature EPSCsAmplitude of mEPSCsFrontal cortex slicesNet synaptic potentiationCerebral cortexCortex slicesLarge brain areasSynaptic potentiationSynaptic currentsBrain areasRodent cortexStrong synapsesRecovery sleepSynaptic homeostasisSynaptic strengthSleepCortexSynapsesEPSCsTime of dayRatsPotentiationMiceDirect evidence
2009
Prolylcarboxypeptidase regulates food intake by inactivating α-MSH in rodents
Wallingford N, Perroud B, Gao Q, Coppola A, Gyengesi E, Liu ZW, Gao XB, Diament A, Haus KA, Shariat-Madar Z, Mahdi F, Wardlaw SL, Schmaier AH, Warden CH, Diano S. Prolylcarboxypeptidase regulates food intake by inactivating α-MSH in rodents. Journal Of Clinical Investigation 2009, 119: 2291-2303. PMID: 19620781, PMCID: PMC2719925, DOI: 10.1172/jci37209.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsFood intakeHigh-fat diet-induced obesityReduced body fatRegular chow dietDiet-induced obesityPRCP activityWild-type controlsChow dietMelanocortin signalingObese miceWeight maintenanceReal-time PCRAxon terminalsBody fatNeuronal populationsΑ-MSHBrain tissueMRNA expressionMouse strainsSmall molecule protease inhibitorsElevated levelsVivo activityProlylcarboxypeptidaseProtease inhibitorsHypothalamus
2006
Ghrelin modulates the activity and synaptic input organization of midbrain dopamine neurons while promoting appetite
Abizaid A, Liu ZW, Andrews ZB, Shanabrough M, Borok E, Elsworth JD, Roth RH, Sleeman MW, Picciotto MR, Tschöp MH, Gao XB, Horvath TL. Ghrelin modulates the activity and synaptic input organization of midbrain dopamine neurons while promoting appetite. Journal Of Clinical Investigation 2006, 116: 3229-3239. PMID: 17060947, PMCID: PMC1618869, DOI: 10.1172/jci29867.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAction PotentialsAnimalsAppetiteDopamineFluorescent Antibody TechniqueGhrelinMaleMesencephalonMiceMice, Inbred C57BLMice, KnockoutNeuronsNucleus AccumbensPatch-Clamp TechniquesPeptide HormonesRatsRats, Sprague-DawleyReceptors, GhrelinReceptors, G-Protein-CoupledTime FactorsVentral Tegmental AreaConceptsVentral tegmental areaGHSR-deficient miceGHSR-dependent mannerGut hormone ghrelinDopamine neuronal activityMidbrain dopamine neuronsMesolimbic reward circuitrySynaptic input organizationPeripheral ghrelinRebound feedingVTA administrationOrexigenic effectDopamine turnoverGHSR antagonistDopamine neuronsHypothalamic centersTegmental areaHormone ghrelinNucleus accumbensGhrelinNeuronal activitySynapse formationReward circuitryInput organizationFeeding scheduleLeptin Receptor Signaling in Midbrain Dopamine Neurons Regulates Feeding
Hommel JD, Trinko R, Sears RM, Georgescu D, Liu ZW, Gao XB, Thurmon JJ, Marinelli M, DiLeone RJ. Leptin Receptor Signaling in Midbrain Dopamine Neurons Regulates Feeding. Neuron 2006, 51: 801-810. PMID: 16982424, DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2006.08.023.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAction PotentialsAnimalsDopamineEatingFeeding BehaviorGene ExpressionIn Situ Hybridization, FluorescenceIn Vitro TechniquesInfusions, IntravenousLeptinMesencephalonMiceMice, Inbred C57BLMotor ActivityNeuronsPhosphorylationRatsRats, Sprague-DawleyReceptors, Cell SurfaceReceptors, LeptinRNA InterferenceRNA, MessengerSignal TransductionSTAT3 Transcription FactorVentral Tegmental AreaConceptsVentral tegmental areaVTA dopamine neuronsDopamine neuronsFood intakePeripheral metabolic signalsNormal food intakeMidbrain dopamine neuronsLeptin receptor signalingLeptin hormoneTegmental areaLEPR expressionLeptin receptor functionLocomotor activityPalatable foodDirect administrationReceptor functionFiring rateReceptor signalingDirect actionNeuronsLEPR mRNAFunctional evidenceLeptinRNAi-mediated knockdownMetabolic signals