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Arunrungvichian K, Vajragupta O, Hayakawa Y, Pongrakhananon V. Targeting Alpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors in Lung Cancer: Insights, Challenges, and Therapeutic Strategies. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2024; 7:28-41. [PMID: 38230275 PMCID: PMC10789132 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.3c00138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
Alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7 nAChR) is an ion-gated calcium channel that plays a significant role in various aspects of cancer pathogenesis, particularly in lung cancer. Preclinical studies have elucidated the molecular mechanism underlying α7 nAChR-associated lung cancer proliferation, chemotherapy resistance, and metastasis. Understanding and targeting this mechanism are crucial for developing therapeutic interventions aimed at disrupting α7 nAChR-mediated cancer progression and improving treatment outcomes. Drug research and discovery have determined natural compounds and synthesized chemical antagonists that specifically target α7 nAChR. However, approved α7 nAChR antagonists for clinical use are lacking, primarily due to challenges related to achieving the desired selectivity, efficacy, and safety profiles required for effective therapeutic intervention. This comprehensive review provided insights into the molecular mechanisms associated with α7 nAChR and its role in cancer progression, particularly in lung cancer. Furthermore, it presents an update on recent evidence about α7 nAChR antagonists and addresses the challenges encountered in drug research and discovery in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuntarat Arunrungvichian
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
- Unit
of Compounds Library for Drug Discovery, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Opa Vajragupta
- Research
Affairs, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Yoshihiro Hayakawa
- Institute
of Natural Medicine, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Varisa Pongrakhananon
- Department
of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Preclinical
Toxicity and Efficacy Assessment of Medicines and Chemicals Research
Unit, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
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Lopes PKF, Costa SDO, Simino LADP, Chaves WF, Silva FA, Costa CL, Milanski M, Ignacio-Souza LM, Torsoni AS, Torsoni MA. Hypothalamic inflammation and the development of an obese phenotype induced by high-fat diet consumption is exacerbated in alpha7 nicotinic cholinergic receptor knockout mice. Food Res Int 2024; 176:113808. [PMID: 38163714 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2023.113808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Hypothalamic inflammation and metabolic changes resulting from the consumption of high-fat diets have been linked to low grade inflammation and obesity. Inflammation impairs the hypothalamic expression of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR). The α7nAChR is described as the main component of the anti-inflammatory cholinergic pathway in different inflammation models. To assess whether the reduction in α7nAChR expression exacerbates hypothalamic inflammation induced by a high-fat diet (HFD), were used male and female global α7nAChR knockout mouse line in normal or high-fat diet for 4 weeks. Body weight gain, adiposity, glucose homeostasis, hypothalamic inflammation, food intake, and energy expenditure were evaluated. Insulin sensitivity was evaluated in neuronal cell culture. Consumption of an HFD for 4 weeks resulted in body weight gain and adiposity in male Chrna7-/- mice and the hypothalamus of male Chrna7-/- mice showed neuroinflammatory markers, with increased gene expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and dysregulation in the nuclear factor kappa B pathway. Moreover, male Chrna7-/- mice consuming an HFD showed alterations in glucose homeostasis and serum of Chrna7-/- mice that consumed an HFD impaired insulin signalling in neuronal cell culture experiments. In general, female Chrna7-/- mice that consumed an HFD did not show the phenotypic and molecular changes found in male mice, indicating that there is sexual dimorphism in the analysed parameters. Thus, receptor deletion resulted in increased susceptibility to hypothalamic inflammation and metabolic damage associated with HFD consumption in male mice.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Suleyma de Oliveira Costa
- Laboratory of Metabolic Disorders (Labdime), School of Applied Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Brazil
| | - Laís A de Paula Simino
- Laboratory of Metabolic Disorders (Labdime), School of Applied Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Brazil
| | - Wenicios Ferreira Chaves
- Laboratory of Metabolic Disorders (Labdime), School of Applied Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Brazil
| | - Franciely Alves Silva
- Laboratory of Metabolic Disorders (Labdime), School of Applied Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Brazil
| | - Caroline Lobo Costa
- Laboratory of Metabolic Disorders (Labdime), School of Applied Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Brazil
| | - Marciane Milanski
- Laboratory of Metabolic Disorders (Labdime), School of Applied Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Brazil; Obesity and Comorbidities Research Center, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Brazil
| | - Leticia Martins Ignacio-Souza
- Laboratory of Metabolic Disorders (Labdime), School of Applied Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Brazil; Obesity and Comorbidities Research Center, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Brazil
| | - Adriana Souza Torsoni
- Laboratory of Metabolic Disorders (Labdime), School of Applied Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Brazil; Obesity and Comorbidities Research Center, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Brazil
| | - Marcio Alberto Torsoni
- Laboratory of Metabolic Disorders (Labdime), School of Applied Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Brazil; Obesity and Comorbidities Research Center, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Brazil.
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Rezayof A, Ghasemzadeh Z, Sahafi OH. Addictive drugs modify neurogenesis, synaptogenesis and synaptic plasticity to impair memory formation through neurotransmitter imbalances and signaling dysfunction. Neurochem Int 2023; 169:105572. [PMID: 37423274 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2023.105572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Drug abuse changes neurophysiological functions at multiple cellular and molecular levels in the addicted brain. Well-supported scientific evidence suggests that drugs negatively affect memory formation, decision-making and inhibition, and emotional and cognitive behaviors. The mesocorticolimbic brain regions are involved in reward-related learning and habitual drug-seeking/taking behaviors to develop physiological and psychological dependence on the drugs. This review highlights the importance of specific drug-induced chemical imbalances resulting in memory impairment through various neurotransmitter receptor-mediated signaling pathways. The mesocorticolimbic modifications in the expression levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and the cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB) impair reward-related memory formation following drug abuse. The contributions of protein kinases and microRNAs (miRNAs), along with the transcriptional and epigenetic regulation have also been considered in memory impairment underlying drug addiction. Overall, we integrate the research on various types of drug-induced memory impairment in distinguished brain regions and provide a comprehensive review with clinical implications addressing the upcoming studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ameneh Rezayof
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Zahra Ghasemzadeh
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Oveis Hosseinzadeh Sahafi
- Department of Neurophysiology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
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Letsinger AC, Nacer SA, Stevanovic KD, Larson GJ, DeFilipp JS, Cushman JD, Yakel JL. Genetic deletion of α7 nAChRs reduces hippocampal granule and pyramidal cell number in both sexes but impairs pattern separation in males only. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1244118. [PMID: 37746145 PMCID: PMC10513752 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1244118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Neurogenesis within the dentate gyrus is thought to play an important role in cognitive processes such as reversal learning and pattern separation. The α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7 nAChR) is expressed early in newly formed granule cells of the dentate gyrus, though its role in neurogenesis and related cognitive function is not fully understood. Methods To better characterize relevant function of α7 nAChRs, we performed unbiased stereology to quantify hippocampal granule cells, pyramidal cells, and total volume and used a touchscreen operant spatial discrimination/reversal task to test pattern separation in a global α7 nAChR knockout mouse line. Results The knockout resulted in an ≈22% reduction in granule cells and a ≈ 20% reduction in pyramidal cells in both sexes, with no change in total hippocampal volume. However, the knockout impaired performance in the touchscreen task for males only. The sex-dependent difference in behavioral, but not stereological, results suggest a divergence in the structure-function relationship in males versus females. Detailed analyses revealed males were more biased by the initial reversal contingency relative to females indicating a potential source of the sex-specific interaction with the loss of α7 nAChRs. Discussion These findings argue that the α7 nAChR plays a critical role in hippocampal development, not just granule cell neurogenesis, and plays a sex-dependent role in cognitive function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayland C. Letsinger
- Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Samir A. Nacer
- Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Korey D. Stevanovic
- Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Gary J. Larson
- Social & Scientific Systems, Inc., a DLH Holdings Corp. Company, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Jemma S. DeFilipp
- Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Jesse D. Cushman
- Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Jerrel L. Yakel
- Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Durham, NC, United States
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Nicotine's effect on cognition, a friend or foe? Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2023; 124:110723. [PMID: 36736944 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2023.110723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Tobacco smoking is a preventable cause of morbidity and mortality throughout the world. Smoking comes in form of absorption of many compounds, among which nicotine is the main psychoactive component of tobacco and its positive and negative reinforcement effects are proposed to be the key mechanism for the initiation and maintenance of smoking. Growing evidence suggests that the cognitive enhancement effects of nicotine may also contribute to the difficulty of quitting smoking, especially in individuals with psychiatric disorders. In this review, we first introduce the beneficial effect of nicotine on cognition including attention, short-term memory and long-term memory. We next summarize the beneficial effect of nicotine on cognition under pathological conditions, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Schizophrenia, Stress-induced Anxiety, Depression, and drug-induced memory impairment. The possible mechanism underlying nicotine's effect is also explored. Finally, nicotine's detrimental effect on cognition is discussed, including in the prenatal and adolescent periods, and high-dose nicotine- and withdrawal-induced memory impairment is emphasized. Therefore, nicotine serves as both a friend and foe. Nicotine-derived compounds could be a promising strategy to alleviate neurological disease-associated cognitive deficit, however, due to nicotine's detrimental effect, continued educational programs and public awareness campaigns are needed to reduce tobacco use among pregnant women and smoking should be quitted even if it is e-cigarette, especially for the adolescents.
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Goral RO, Harper KM, Bernstein BJ, Fry SA, Lamb PW, Moy SS, Cushman JD, Yakel JL. Loss of GABA co-transmission from cholinergic neurons impairs behaviors related to hippocampal, striatal, and medial prefrontal cortex functions. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:1067409. [PMID: 36505727 PMCID: PMC9730538 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.1067409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Altered signaling or function of acetylcholine (ACh) has been reported in various neurological diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, Tourette syndrome, epilepsy among others. Many neurons that release ACh also co-transmit the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyrate (GABA) at synapses in the hippocampus, striatum, substantia nigra, and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Although ACh transmission is crucial for higher brain functions such as learning and memory, the role of co-transmitted GABA from ACh neurons in brain function remains unknown. Thus, the overarching goal of this study was to investigate how a systemic loss of GABA co-transmission from ACh neurons affected the behavioral performance of mice. Methods: To do this, we used a conditional knock-out mouse of the vesicular GABA transporter (vGAT) crossed with the ChAT-Cre driver line to selectively ablate GABA co-transmission at ACh synapses. In a comprehensive series of standardized behavioral assays, we compared Cre-negative control mice with Cre-positive vGAT knock-out mice of both sexes. Results: Loss of GABA co-transmission from ACh neurons did not disrupt the animal's sociability, motor skills or sensation. However, in the absence of GABA co-transmission, we found significant alterations in social, spatial and fear memory as well as a reduced reliance on striatum-dependent response strategies in a T-maze. In addition, male conditional knockout (CKO) mice showed increased locomotion. Discussion: Taken together, the loss of GABA co-transmission leads to deficits in higher brain functions and behaviors. Therefore, we propose that ACh/GABA co-transmission modulates neural circuitry involved in the affected behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- R. Oliver Goral
- Neurobiology Laboratory, Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Durham, NC, United States,Center on Compulsive Behaviors, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Kathryn M. Harper
- Department of Psychiatry and Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Briana J. Bernstein
- Neurobiology Laboratory, Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Durham, NC, United States,Department of Health and Human Services, Neurobehavioral Core, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Sydney A. Fry
- Neurobiology Laboratory, Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Durham, NC, United States,Department of Health and Human Services, Neurobehavioral Core, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Patricia W. Lamb
- Neurobiology Laboratory, Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Sheryl S. Moy
- Department of Psychiatry and Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Jesse D. Cushman
- Neurobiology Laboratory, Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Durham, NC, United States,Department of Health and Human Services, Neurobehavioral Core, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Jerrel L. Yakel
- Neurobiology Laboratory, Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Durham, NC, United States,*Correspondence: Jerrel L. Yakel
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García-Gómez L, Castillo-Fernández I, Perez-Villalba A. In the pursuit of new social neurons. Neurogenesis and social behavior in mice: A systematic review. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:1011657. [PMID: 36407114 PMCID: PMC9672322 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.1011657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Social behaviors have become more relevant to our understanding of the human nervous system because relationships with our peers may require and modulate adult neurogenesis. Here, we review the pieces of evidence we have to date for the divergence of social behaviors in mice by modulation of adult neurogenesis or if social behaviors and the social environment can drive a change in neurogenic processes. Social recognition and memory are deeply affected by antimitotic drugs and irradiation, while NSC transgenic mice may run with lower levels of social discrimination. Interestingly, social living conditions can create a big impact on neurogenesis. Social isolation and social defeat reduce the number of new neurons, while social dominance and enrichment of the social environment increase their number. These new “social neurons” trigger functional modifications with amazing transgenerational effects. All of these suggest that we are facing two bidirectional intertwined variables, and the great challenge now is to understand the cellular and genetic mechanisms that allow this relationship to be used therapeutically.
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Khan-Mohammadi-Khorrami MK, Asle-Rousta M, Rahnema M, Amini R. Neuroprotective effect of alpha-pinene is mediated by suppression of the TNF-α/NF-κB pathway in Alzheimer's disease rat model. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 2022; 36:e23006. [PMID: 35174932 DOI: 10.1002/jbt.23006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 12/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Monoterpene alpha-pinene possesses antioxidant, cardioprotective, and neuroprotective properties. We evaluated the effect of alpha-pinene on oxidative/nitrosative stress, neuroinflammation, and molecular and behavioral changes induced by beta-amyloid (Aβ)1-42 in rats and investigated the possible mechanisms of these outcomes. Male Wistar rats received alpha-pinene (50 mg/kg intraperitoneally) for 14 consecutive days after intrahippocampal injection of Aβ1-42 . Alpha-pinene decreased malondialdehyde and nitric oxide levels, increased glutathione content, and enhanced catalase activity in Aβ-injected rats. Also, messenger RNA expression of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, nuclear factor κB, and N-methyl- d-aspartate receptor subunits 2A and 2B reduced in the hippocampus of these animals. Besides this, alpha-pinene repressed the Aβ1-42 -induced reduction of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor α7 subunit and brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression. Treatment with alpha-pinene caused Aβ-receiving rats to spend more time in the target quadrant in the Morris water maze test and led to an increase in percentages of open arm entrance and time spent in the open arm in the elevated plus-maze test. We concluded that alpha-pinene strengthens the antioxidant system and prevents neuroinflammation in the hippocampus of rats receiving Aβ. It improves spatial learning and memory and reduces anxiety-like behavior in these animals. Consequently, alpha-pinene alleviates Aβ-induced oxidative/nitrosative stress, neuroinflammation, and behavioral deficits. It is probably a suitable candidate for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Mehdi Rahnema
- Department of Physiology, Zanjan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Rahim Amini
- Department of Biology, Zanjan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Zanjan, Iran
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Letsinger AC, Gu Z, Yakel JL. α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the hippocampal circuit: taming complexity. Trends Neurosci 2022; 45:145-157. [PMID: 34916082 PMCID: PMC8914277 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2021.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Revised: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Cholinergic innervation of the hippocampus uses the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) to coordinate neuronal circuit activity while simultaneously influencing the function of non-neuronal cell types. The α7 nicotinic ACh receptor (nAChR) subtype is highly expressed throughout the hippocampus, has the highest calcium permeability compared with other subtypes of nAChRs, and is of high therapeutic interest due to its association with a variety of neurological disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we synthesize research describing α7 nAChR properties, function, and relationship to cognitive dysfunction within the hippocampal circuit and highlight approaches to help improve therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayland C. Letsinger
- Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, Mail Drop F2-08, P.O. Box 12233, Durham, NC, 27709, USA
| | - Zhenglin Gu
- Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, Mail Drop F2-08, P.O. Box 12233, Durham, NC, 27709, USA
| | - Jerrel L. Yakel
- Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, Mail Drop F2-08, P.O. Box 12233, Durham, NC, 27709, USA,Corresponding Author,
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