Posts

Showing posts from June, 2015

DREADDs in rats: regulation of LC neurons via TH-transgenic rats to control appetitive responses

Nice paper here   " Using designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADD) in transgenic rats expressing Cre recombinase under the control of tyrosine hydroxylase promoter, catecholamine neurons in cell groups A1 and C1 of the ventrolateral medulla were activated selectively by peripheral injection of clozapine-N-oxide (CNO). CNO injection increased food intake and c-Fos expression in PeFLH orexin neurons, as well as in PVH neurons. In summary, catecholamine neurons are required for activation of orexin neurons during glucoprivation. Activation of orexin neurons may contribute to appetitive responses required for glucoprivic feeding."

DREADDs and dimerization

Yet another paper showing no evidence for DREADD-mediated hetereodimerization of GPCRs (at least in transfected cells) being of any biochemical significance.

Using DREADDS + Optogenetics to deconstruct co-transmission (Histamine and GABA) for wakefulness

A nicely elegant study --much here to ponder.

Interesting report of DREADDs outside the CNS in non- neuronal tissues

Heart tissue: cardiac pacemaking and impulse propagation

Nicely informative (and short) video introducing DREADD technology

Found here