Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 21, 2026

Genetic Study of Axon Regeneration with Cultured Adult Dorsal Root Ganglion Neurons
09:42

Genetic Study of Axon Regeneration with Cultured Adult Dorsal Root Ganglion Neurons

Published on: August 17, 2012

Best1 is a gene regulated by nerve injury and required for Ca2+-activated Cl- current expression in axotomized

Mathieu Boudes1, Chamroeun Sar, Aurélie Menigoz

  • 1INSERM, Montpellier, France.

The Journal of Neuroscience : the Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience
|August 14, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Nerve injury upregulates bestrophin-1 in sensory neurons, which is essential for calcium-activated chloride current (CaCC) expression. This finding identifies Best1 as a key player in neuronal response to injury.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology
  • Ion Channel Physiology

Background:

  • Adult sensory neurons express multiple gene families potentially mediating calcium-activated chloride currents (CaCCs).
  • Nerve injury is known to alter gene expression in sensory neurons.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify the specific molecular determinants of CaCCs in adult sensory neurons following nerve injury.
  • To elucidate the role of bestrophin-1 in CaCC function after nerve injury.

Main Methods:

  • Quantitative transcriptional analysis and in situ hybridization to assess gene expression.
  • RNA interference screening in single neurons to determine gene function.
  • Mutagenesis and transfection studies to investigate bestrophin-1 function and localization.
  • Biophysical and pharmacological characterization of CaCCs.

Main Results:

  • Nerve injury specifically upregulated bestrophin-1 transcripts in sensory neurons.
  • Knockdown of mouse Best1 using RNA interference abolished CaCC expression in injured neurons.
  • Mutant bestrophin-1 transfection inhibited endogenous CaCC activity.
  • Exogenous expression of GFP-Bestrophin-1 in naive neurons resulted in plasma membrane localization and functional CaCC activity.

Conclusions:

  • Bestrophin-1 is a critical component of the CaCC in injured sensory neurons.
  • Bestrophin-1 is among the genes upregulated by nerve injury, contributing to functional CaCC expression.
  • Best1 represents a potential therapeutic target for modulating neuronal excitability after injury.

More Related Videos

Chromatin Immunoprecipitation from Dorsal Root Ganglia Tissue following Axonal Injury09:41

Chromatin Immunoprecipitation from Dorsal Root Ganglia Tissue following Axonal Injury

Published on: July 20, 2011

Related Concept Videos

Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism01:30

Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism

Ligand-gated ion channels are transmembrane proteins that play a vital role in intercellular communication and functions of the nervous system. They allow the influx of ions across the membrane once the neurotransmitter binds, allowing the subsequent transmission of electrical excitation across the neurons. Other ligand-gated ion channels, like the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor, permit anions like chloride into the cells on the binding of the GABA molecule. Their entry into the cell...
Neurogenesis and Regeneration of Nervous Tissue01:15

Neurogenesis and Regeneration of Nervous Tissue

In the CNS, neurogenesis, the birth of new neurons from stem cells, is limited to the hippocampus in adults. In other regions of the brain and spinal cord, neurogenesis is almost non-existent due to inhibitory influences from neuroglia, especially oligodendrocytes, and the absence of growth-stimulating cues. The myelin produced by oligodendrocytes in the CNS inhibits neuronal regeneration. Furthermore, astrocytes proliferate rapidly after neuronal damage, forming scar tissue that physically...
Action Potential01:14

Action Potential

Neurons communicate by firing action potentials—the electrochemical signal that is propagated along the axon. The signal results in the release of neurotransmitters at axon terminals, thereby transmitting information to the nervous system. An action potential is a specific "all-or-none" change in membrane potential that results in a rapid spike in voltage.
Membrane potential in neurons
Neurons typically have a resting membrane potential of about -70 millivolts (mV). When they receive...
Action Potential01:14

Action Potential

Neurons communicate by firing action potentials—the electrochemical signal that is propagated along the axon. The signal results in the release of neurotransmitters at axon terminals, thereby transmitting information to the nervous system. An action potential is a specific "all-or-none" change in membrane potential that results in a rapid spike in voltage.
Membrane potential in neurons
Neurons typically have a resting membrane potential of about -70 millivolts (mV). When they receive...
Action Potentials01:41

Action Potentials

Overview
Mechanically-gated Ion Channels01:12

Mechanically-gated Ion Channels

Mechanically-gated ion channels are proteins found in eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell membranes that open in response to mechanical stress. Tension, compression, swelling, and shear stress can alter the conformation of the protein, opening a transmembrane channel that allows the passage of ions for signal transmission. In eukaryotes, mechanically-gated channels are distributed in several regions like the neurons, lungs, skin, bladder, and heart, where they play critical roles in numerous...