Biology subjects

Lin, J.-S.

Publications and source records attributed to Lin, J.-S..

5 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

A Quest for a Histaminergic or Orexinergic Biomarker for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

AimsThis study aimed to investigate the role of the Hypocretin/Orexin (Ox) and Histamine (HA) systems--two key regulators of wakefulness --in sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), a condition characterized by impaired arousal responses during sleep. MethodsCerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Ox levels were measured in 61 healthy controls, 70 Sudden Unexpected Death Infants (SUDI) (38 SIDS cases and 32 explained deaths (ED). HA and its metabolite, tele-methylhistamine (t-MeHA), were analysed in an additional 46 SUDI (34 SIDS, 12 ED) and 42 controls. Immunocytochemistry was performed on hypothalamic tissue from 11 SIDS and 13 ED cases to assess the number of Ox and HA neurons, using markers for Orexin-A and histidine decarboxylase (HDC), respectively. ResultsOverall CSF Ox levels did not differ significantly between groups. However, while an age-related decline in Ox levels was observed in controls (0-2 vs. 2-6 months), this pattern was absent in deceased infants, resulting in relatively higher Ox concentrations in the 2-6 month age group. HA and t-MeHA levels were significantly elevated in both SIDS and ED cases, likely due to postmortem release. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed an increased number of Ox-immunoreactive neurons in the rostral and caudal dorsolateral hypothalamus in SIDS cases compared to EDs. No differences were observed in the number or morphology of HA neurons. ConclusionFindings suggest increased Ox activity in SIDS cases, potentially reflecting repeated exposure to stress or hypoxia prior to death. In contrast, HA neurons do not appear to play a role in the pathophysiology of SIDS. Further research is needed to identify more specific biomarkers for assessing SIDS risk.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2022

A marked enhancement of a BLOC-1 gene, pallidin, associated with somnolent mouse models deficient in histamine transmission

Histamine (HA) and orexin (Ox, or hypocretin) neurons act distinctly and synergistically in wake control. A double knock out mouse genotype lacking both HA and Ox shows all sleep disorders of human narcolepsy. We identified in this mouse brain a sharp upregulation of a BLOC-1 gene, pallidin that is associated with dramatic changes in the balance of cholinergic and aminergic systems in mice and an enhanced sleep in drosophila. This study demonstrates potential sleep disorders-associated compensatory mechanisms with pallid as a novel biomarker.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2022

Pallidin function in drosophila surface glia regulates sleep and is dependent on amino acid availability

The Pallidin protein is a component of a multimeric complex named the Biogenesis of Lysosome-related Organelles Complex 1 (BLOC1) that regulates specific endosomal function and transmembrane protein trafficking in many different cell types. In the brain, defective BLOC1 function has been linked to schizophrenia, a neuropsychiatric disorder with highly prevalent sleep disruptions, and to impaired cognitive abilities in healthy subjects. In animal models, defective BLOC1 function also impairs behavior, memory, neurotransmission systems and metabolism. This growing body of experimental evidence suggest an involvement of BLOC1 in sleep/wake regulation. Here, we used Drosophila molecular genetics and conditional, cell-type specific knockdown strategy to address this question. We show that down-regulation of a central subunit of BLOC1, Pallidin, in the surface glia, the Drosophila equivalent of the blood brain barrier, is sufficient to reduce, fragment and delay nighttime sleep at the adult stage and in a circadian clock dependent manner. Other members of the BLOC1 complex appear to be involved in this surface glia-dependent sleep regulation. In agreement with a BLOC1 involvement in amino acid transport, down-regulation of the Large neutral Amino acid Transporter 1 (LAT1)-like transporters JhI-21 and minidiscs, phenocopy the down-regulation of pallidin. Similar results were obtained by inhibiting the TOR amino acid signaling pathway. Supplementing food with essential amino acids normalizes the sleep/wake phenotypes of pallidin and JhI-21 down-regulation. Furthermore, we identify a role for pallidin in the subcellular trafficking of JhI-21 in surface glial cells. Finally, we provide evidence that Pallidin function in surface glia is required for GABAergic neurons activation involved in promoting sleep. Taken together, these data identify a novel role for BLOC1 that, through LAT1-like transporters subcellular trafficking modulates essential amino acid availability and GABAergic sleep/wake regulation.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2019

Effector loading onto VgrG spike proteins is critical for the assembly of the type VI secretion system in Agrobacterium tumefaciens

The type VI secretion system (T6SS) is used by many bacteria to engage in social behaviors with others and can directly or indirectly affect the health of plants and animals. Because activities associated with T6SS are often costly, the assembly and activation of the T6SS must be highly regulated. However, our knowledge regarding how T6SS assembly and contraction are regulated remains limited. Here we show that the loading of effectors onto their cognate carriers is critical for the assembly of a functional T6SS in Agrobacterium tumefaciens. A. tumefaciens strain C58 encodes one T6SS and two Tde DNase toxin effectors used as major weapons for interbacterial competition. We found that loading of Tde effectors onto their cognate carrier, the VgrG spike, is required for active T6SS secretion. Our data also suggest the assembly of the TssBC contractile sheath occurs only after Tde effectors are loaded onto the VgrG spike. The requirement of effector loading for efficient T6SS secretion was also validated in other A. tumefaciens strains. Such a mechanism may be used by bacteria as a strategy for efficacious T6SS firing. Given the prevalence of T6SS-encoding loci in host-associated bacteria, these findings inform on mechanisms that influence the composition of microbial communities and the services provided to hosts.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2018

Unprecedented Account of Mortality and Morbidity in Free Ranging Formosan Pangolin (Manis pentadactyla pentadactyla)

Globally, pangolins are overt for poaching and illegal trade, but Taiwan projects totally a contrary image where their population is stable and increasing. This paper illustrated the factors responsible for causing mortality and morbidity in free ranging Formosan pangolin (M. pentadactyla pentadactyla). Results from radio-tracking showed that Formosan pangolins are highly susceptible to stuck in tree hallows or ground burrows despite being proficient burrowers, and killed by gin traps, especially during the dryer season. Whilst the data consolidated from the Pingtung Rescue Center for Endangered Wild Animals illustrated the trauma (73.0%) was the major reason of causing morbidity in Formosan pangolin. The gin traps were the leading cause of trauma (77.8%) along with tail injuries caused by dog attack (20.4%). Despite all the pressing data about the injuries Taiwan, it is able to establish substantial success rate in rescuing and releasing pangolins through consolidating and applying valuable information among the rescue centers in the span of two decades. Taiwan has made a phenomenal progress in sustaining a salubrious population of pangolin but the situation requires continuous examination to ensure the existence of this species on the island.

ecology↗