Inhibition by anandamide of gap junctions and intercellular calcium signalling in striatal astrocytes

Article Abstract:

The exact function of an endogenous arachidonic acid derivative, anandamide in the central nervous system is poorly researched but one study shows that it may be a control factor for intercellular communication. Monitoring cultural striatal astrocytes' gap junction conductance found that anandamide inhibits the dye permeability and conductance of the gap junction while also prevention calcium signalling propagation that is mediated by gap junctions. Therefore, anandamide may be involved in the regulation of the signalling loop between astrocytes and neurons.

Physiological aspects, Neurophysiology, Astrocytes

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The Late Precambrian fossil Kimberella is a mollusc-like bilaterian organism

Article Abstract:

Researchers have been able to reconstruct the fossil Kimberella quadrata as a bilaterally symmetrical, benthic animal with a non-mineralized, univalved shell. There were found to be many similarities with a mollusc, although it was not possible to produce conclusive evidence of a molluscan affinity. These findings go against the view that the Ediacara biota represents an extinct grade of non-metazoan life. It seems that there may be a pre-Ediacaran origin for major metazoan clades.

Identification and classification, Fossils, Taxonomy (Biology), Metazoa, Metazoans, Animal anatomy, Mollusks, Fossil, Fossil mollusks

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Adherens junctions and beta-catenin-mediated cell signalling in a non-metazoan organism

Article Abstract:

A new study described the discovery of actin-associated intercellular junctions in the multicellular amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum.

Cell junctions, Dictyostelium

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