Proposal of a new analgesia test based on the observation of nociceptive behavior induced by electric stimulation of dental pulp in the rat

Dental pulp was electrically stimulated in the awake rat. When the stimulus intensity was progressively increased the following four nociceptive reactions successively appeared: jaw opening reflex, scratching, head rotation, vocalization. The threshold of these four reactions was observed before and after administration of three antalgic drugs. No action of the three drugs was observed for the jaw opening reflex. However each drug showed different actions on the other three reactions.     

K‐Lysine acetyltransferase 2a regulates a hippocampal gene expression network linked to memory formation

Neuronal histone acetylation has been linked to memory consolidation, and targeting histone acetylation has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy for neuropsychiatric diseases. However, the role of histone‐modifying enzymes in the adult brain is still far from being understood. Here we use RNA sequencing to screen the levels of all known histone acetyltransferases (HATs) in the hippocampal CA1 region and find that K‐acetyltransferase 2a (Kat2a)—a HAT that has not been studied for its role in memory function so far—shows highest expression. Mice that lack Kat2a show impaired hippocampal synaptic plasticity and long‐term memory consolidation. We furthermore show that Kat2a regulates a highly interconnected hippocampal gene expression network linked to neuroactive receptor signaling via a mechanism that involves nuclear factor kappa‐light‐chain‐enhancer of activated B cells (NF‐κB). In conclusion, our data establish Kat2a as a novel and essential regulator of hippocampal memory consolidation.     

Vertebrate Hedgehog signaling: cilia rule

The Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway differentially utilizes the primary cilium in mammals and fruit flies. Recent work, including a study in BMC Biology, demonstrates that Hh signals through the cilium in zebrafish, clarifying the evolution of Hh signal transduction.