AT A GLANCE
- Hypothalamic circuits regulating appetite and energy homeostasis: pathways to obesity
Summary: This at a glance article gives an overview of the recent knowledge mainly derived from rodent models regarding the CNS-dependent regulation of energy and glucose homeostasis, and depicts how dysregulation of the involved neuronal networks promotes overnutrition and obesity.
REVIEW
- Induced pluripotent stem cell models of lysosomal storage disorders
Summary: This Review discusses how induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) provide new opportunities to explore the biology and pathophysiology of lysosomal storage diseases, and how iPSCs have illuminated the role of lysosomes in more common disorders.
RESEARCH ARTICLES
- SlgA, encoded by the homolog of the human schizophrenia-associated gene PRODH, acts in clock neurons to regulate Drosophila aggression
Editors' choice: A Drosophila model to study the role of PRODH, a schizophrenia-associated gene, in behavioral disorders.
- Dietary reversal of neuropathy in a murine model of prediabetes and metabolic syndrome
Summary: A mouse model of metabolic syndrome can be used to investigate peripheral nerve damage, enabling the development of mechanism-based therapies for neuropathy.
- Paneth-cell-disruption-induced necrotizing enterocolitis in mice requires live bacteria and occurs independently of TLR4 signaling
Summary: Paneth cell disruption and bacterial exposure in immature murine intestine induces NEC-like pathology. Importantly, this occurs independently of TLR4 activation, presenting an alternative mechanism for disease development.
- Characterization of Drosophila Saposin-related mutants as a model for lysosomal sphingolipid storage diseases
Summary: Detailed analysis of lipid accumulation, lysosomal dysfunction and neurodegeneration in a Drosophila sphingolipidosis model, suitable for studying the resulting pathological signaling events.
- Upregulation of distinct collagen transcripts in post-surgery scar tissue: a study of conjunctival fibrosis
Summary: As well as providing an objective quantitative measure, distinct collagen genes may further aid in the characterization and definition of the development of fibrosis.
- A Drosophila model of dominant inclusion body myopathy type 3 shows diminished myosin kinetics that reduce muscle power and yield myofibrillar defects
Summary: Reduced muscle power output and progressive myofibrillar defects in a Drosophila model of inclusion body myopathy 3 arise from the decreased rate of weak to strong actin-binding transition of myosin.
- A mouse model for inherited renal fibrosis associated with endoplasmic reticulum stress
Summary: A mouse model for renal fibrosis caused by uromodulin mutations reveals roles for ER stress and the unfolded protein response.
- Progesterone induces neuroprotection following reperfusion-promoted mitochondrial dysfunction after focal cerebral ischemia in rats
Summary: Progesterone treatment is beneficial in preserving the altered mitochondrial functions in cerebral ischemic injury and thus can help in defining better therapies.
RESOURCE ARTICLES
- A classification system for zebrafish adipose tissues
Summary: A standardized nomenclature and classification system for zebrafish adipose tissues and regression models to predict expected adipose size during the course of zebrafish development.
- A rapid and effective method for screening, sequencing and reporter verification of engineered frameshift mutations in zebrafish
Summary: A new CRISPR/Cas9-based method of fluorescent reporter technology in zebrafish to confirm loss of gene function in this model.
This issue
Other journals from The Company of Biologists
DMM and COVID-19
We are aware that the COVID-19 pandemic is having an unprecedented impact on researchers worldwide. The Editors of all The Company of Biologists’ journals have been considering ways in which we can alleviate concerns that members of our community may have around publishing activities during this time. Read about the actions we are taking at this time.
Please don’t hesitate to contact the Editorial Office if you have any questions or concerns.
The twin pillars of Disease Models & Mechanisms
In her first Editorial as Editor-in-Chief, Liz Patton sets out her vision and priorities for DMM focusing on four thematic challenges: mechanisms of disease, innovative technologies, disease progression through time and therapy.
Extended deadline - The RAS Pathway: Diseases, Therapeutics and Beyond
Our upcoming special issue is welcoming submissions until 3 May 2021. Guest-edited by Donita Brady (Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, USA) and Arvin Dar (Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, USA), the issue will focus on the targeting the RAS pathway.
Find out more about the issue and how to submit your manuscript.
Perspective - Modelling the developmental origins of paediatric cancer to improve patient outcomes
James Amatruda authors our first Perspective, discussing some of the key challenges in paediatric cancer from his perspective as a physician-scientist.
A muscle growth-promoting treatment based on the attenuation of activin/myostatin signalling results in long-term testicular abnormalities
In this issue’s Editor’s choice, Ketan Patel and colleagues describe how even brief exposure to muscle-growth-promoting treatments exerts a long-term detrimental effect on the testes, and test promising therapeutics to mitigate this side-effect.