Biology subjects

Costello, C.

Publications and source records attributed to Costello, C..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2024

Relative phase of distributed oscillatory dynamics implements a working memory in a simple brain

Working memory allows an animal to gather sensory evidence over time, integrate it with evolving internal needs, and make informed decisions about when and how to act. Simple nervous systems enable careful mechanistic dissection of neuronal micro-dynamics underlying putative conserved mechanisms of cognitive function. In this study, we show that the nematode C. elegans makes sensory-guided turns while foraging and can maintain a working memory of sensory activation prior to the execution of a turn. This information is integrated with body posture to localize appetitive stimuli. Using a virtual-reality whole-brain imaging and neural perturbation system, we find that this working memory is implemented by the coupled oscillations of two distributed neural motor command complexes. One complex decouples from motor output after sensory evidence accumulation, exhibits persistent oscillatory dynamics, and initiates turn execution. The second complex serves as a reference timer. We propose that the implementation of working memory via internalization of motor oscillations could represent the evolutionary origin of internal neural processing, i.e. thought, and a foundation of higher cognition.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2021

The Cell Adhesion Molecule TMIGD1 Binds to Moesin and Regulates Tubulin Acetylation and Cell Migration

BackgroundThe cell adhesion molecule transmembrane and immunoglobulin (Ig) domain containing1 (TMIGD1) is a novel tumor suppressor that plays important roles in regulating cell-cell adhesion, cell proliferation and cell cycle. However, the mechanisms of TMIGD1 signaling are not yet fully elucidated. ResultsTMIGD1 binds to the ERM family proteins moesin and ezrin, and an evolutionarily conserved RRKK motif on the carboxyl terminus of TMIGD1 mediates the interaction of TMIGD1 with the N-terminal ERM domains of moesin and ezrin. TMIGD1 governs the apical localization of moesin and ezrin, as the loss of TMIGD1 in mice altered apical localization of moesin and ezrin in epithelial cells. In cell culture, TMIGD1 inhibited moesin-induced filopodia-like protrusions and cell migration. More importantly, TMIGD1 stimulated the Lysine (K40) acetylation of -tubulin and promoted mitotic spindle organization and CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of moesin impaired the TMIGD1-mediated acetylation of -tubulin and filamentous (F)-actin organization. ConclusionsTMIGD1 binds to moesin and ezrin, and regulates their cellular localization. Moesin plays critical roles in TMIGD1-dependent acetylation of -tubulin, mitotic spindle organization and cell migration. Our findings offer a molecular framework for understanding the complex functional interplay between TMIGD1 and the ERM family proteins in the regulation of cell adhesion and mitotic spindle assembly, and have wide-ranging implications in physiological and pathological processes such as cancer progression.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2019

Realistic fisheries management reforms could mitigate the impacts of climate change in most countries

Although climate change is altering the productivity and distribution of marine fisheries, climate-adaptive fisheries management could mitigate many of the negative impacts on human society. We forecast global fisheries biomass, catch, and profits to 2100 under three climate scenarios (RCPs 4.5, 6.0, 8.5) and five levels of management reform to (1) determine the impact of climate change on national fisheries and (2) quantify the national-scale benefits of implementing climate-adaptive fisheries reforms. Management reforms accounting for shifting productivity and shifting distributions would yield higher catch and profits in the future relative to today for 60-65% of countries under the two least severe climate scenarios but for only 35% of countries under the most severe scenario. Furthermore, these management reforms would yield higher cumulative catch and profits than business-as-usual management for nearly all countries under the two least severe climate scenarios but would yield lower cumulative catch for 40% of countries under the most severe scenario. Fortunately, perfect fisheries management is not necessary to achieve these benefits: transboundary cooperation with 5-year intervals between adaptive interventions would result in comparable outcomes. However, the ability for realistic management reforms to offset the negative impacts of climate change is bounded by changes in underlying biological productivity. Although realistic reforms could generate higher catch and profits for 23-50% of countries experiencing reductions in productivity, the remaining countries would need to develop, expand, and reform aquaculture and other food production sectors to offset losses in capture fisheries. Still, climate-adaptive management is more profitable than business-as-usual management in all countries and we provide guidance on implementing - and achieving the benefits of - climate-adaptive fisheries reform along a gradient of scientific, management, and enforcement capacities.

ecology↗