Biology subjects

Subramanian, T.

Publications and source records attributed to Subramanian, T..

4 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Paw Preference in Rats Across Tests, Strains, Sex, and Age: A PRISMA-Compliant Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Paw preference in rats is widely used to study hemispheric lateralization, but many individual studies are underpowered and employ inconsistent methods, leading to conflicting reports of population-level bias. We conducted a PRISMA-compliant systematic review and meta-analysis to determine whether rats consistently display paw preference at the individual and population levels, and to evaluate the influence of behavioral test type, strain, sex, and age. Studies published between 1930 and 2025 were identified through PubMed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect. Data were extracted on strain, age, sex, behavioral paradigm, and paw-preference classification. Random-effects models were used to estimate pooled prevalence, with subgroup analyses for key variables. Forty studies (n = 1,609 rats) met inclusion criteria. At the individual level, 84% of rats displayed consistent paw preference (95% CI: 78-89%, p < 0.0001), demonstrating robust individual-level lateralization. However, population-level analyses showed no universal directional bias, right paw use occurred in 48% of rats (95% CI: 43-54%) and left paw use in 39% (95% CI: 34-44%). Ambidextrous classification thresholds were standardized across studies to ensure comparability. Subgroup analyses indicated modest strain- and test-dependent effects, with Sprague Dawley rats tending toward balanced paw use, while other strains showed slight rightward bias. Skilled-reaching tasks produced slightly stronger asymmetry than the Collins test. Sex- and age-related differences were subtle and inconsistent. Overall, rats exhibit reliable individual-level paw preference without species-wide directional asymmetry, distinguishing them from humans. Standardized testing protocols and balanced cohort designs will enhance reproducibility and translational relevance in lateralization research.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2026

Rigorous Validation of Paw Preference Using Three Complementary Behavioral Assays in Sprague Dawley Rats

Paw preference, or handedness, is a widely studied behavioral trait used to assess lateralization and motor function in rodents. This study aimed to determine the consistency and reliability of three commonly used behavioral tests to rigorously assess paw preference: the Collins Test, the Staircase Test, and the Pawedness Trait Test. Thirty Sprague Dawley rats (12-48 weeks; 20 females, 10 males) were subjected to all three behavioral tests. Paw uses were recorded, and the laterality index was calculated for each test. Additional cohorts of younger rats (6-9 weeks; 45 females, 45 males) and older rats (12-48 weeks; 38 females, 45 males) were tested to assess the effects of age and sex on paw preference. ANOVA, Fleiss and pairwise Cohens Kappa were used for statistical analysis. All three tests yielded comparable measures of paw preference (ANOVA, p = 0.801). Substantial inter-test agreement was demonstrated by Fleiss kappa ({kappa} = 0.761, p = 3.93 x 10{square}12). Paw preference did not significantly vary by age or sex, and the distribution of left, right, and ambidextrous preference categories aligned with existing literature. The Collins, Staircase, and Pawedness Trait Tests provide consistent, reliable assessments of paw preference in Sprague Dawley rats. These validated behavioral assays can serve as essential tools for preclinical research, including but not limited to models of motor asymmetry observed in stroke, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, and language lateralization, as well as neurodegenerative diseases. HighlightsO_LIRigorously validated paw preference in Sprague Dawley rats using three commonly used behavioral tests. C_LIO_LIDemonstrated strong inter-test agreement across Collins, Staircase, and PaTRaT ({kappa} = 0.761) C_LIO_LIShowed that paw preference remains stable across age and sex in large cohorts C_LIO_LIApplied standardized LI thresholds to enable cross-test comparability C_LI

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2023

Divergent outcomes of SAK3, a T-type calcium channel enhancer, in two luminal-A type breast cancer cell lines: T-47D and MCF7

Voltage-gated calcium channels have emerged as promising targets in breast cancer. Breast cancer cell lines are widely used as experimental models. In our pursuit to explore the potential of augmenting T-type voltage-gated calcium channels as a therapeutic approach for breast cancer, we made an unexpected discovery: similar breast cancer subtype cell lines exhibited varying responses to SAK3, a T-type voltage-gated calcium channel enhancer, in terms of proliferation and intracellular calcium levels. In presenting these contrasting findings here, we aim to underscore the importance of exercising caution and validating results obtained from cell lines by cross-referencing them with other cell lines or models.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2021

Oxaliplatin Resistance in Colorectal Cancer Enhances TRAIL Sensitivity Via Death Receptor 4 Upregulation and Lipid Raft Localization

Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a leading cause of cancer death, and its mortality is associated with metastasis and chemoresistance. We demonstrate that oxaliplatin-resistant CRC cells are sensitized to TRAIL-mediated apoptosis. Oxaliplatin-resistant cells exhibited transcriptional downregulation of caspase-10, but this had minimal effects on TRAIL sensitivity following CRISPR-Cas9 deletion of caspase-10 in parental cells. Sensitization effects in oxaliplatin-resistant cells were found to be a result of increased DR4, as well as significantly enhanced DR4 palmitoylation and translocation into lipid rafts. Raft perturbation via nystatin and resveratrol significantly altered DR4/raft colocalization and TRAIL sensitivity. Blood samples from metastatic CRC patients were treated with TRAIL liposomes, and a 57% reduction of viable CTCs was observed. Increased DR4/lipid raft colocalization in CTCs was found to correspond with increased oxaliplatin resistance and increased efficacy of TRAIL liposomes. To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the role of lipid rafts in primary CTCs. Impact StatementOxaliplatin-resistant colorectal cancer cells exhibit unregulated death receptor 4 expression with increased receptor palmitoylation and translocation into lipid rafts, increasing their sensitivity to apoptosis via TRAIL.

cancer biology↗