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Meunier, C.

Publications and source records attributed to Meunier, C..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

Multi-method quantification of acetyl-CoA and further acyl-CoA species in normal and ischemic rat liver

Thioesters of coenzyme A (CoA) carrying different acyl chains (acyl-CoAs) are central intermediates of many metabolic pathways and donor molecules for protein lysine acylation. Acyl-CoA species largely differ in cellular concentrations and physico-chemical properties, rendering their analysis challenging. Here we compare several approaches to quantify cellular acyl-CoAs concentrations in normal and ischemic rat liver, using HPLC and LC-MS/MS for multi-acyl-CoA analysis, as well as NMR, fluorimetric and spectrophotometric techniques for quantification of acetyl-CoA. In particular, we describe a simple LC-MS/MS protocol that is suitable for the relative quantification of short and medium chain acyl-CoAs species. We show that ischemia induces specific changes in the short chain acyl-CoA relative concentrations, while mild ischemia (1-2 min), although reducing succinyl-CoA, has little effects on acetyl-CoA, and even increases some acyl-CoAs species upstream of the tricarboxylic acid cycle. In contrast, advanced ischemia (5-6 min) also reduces acetyl-CoA levels. Our approach provides the keys to accessing the acyl-CoA metabolome for a more in-depth analysis of metabolism, protein acylation and epigenetics.

biochemistry↗

Early diversity in the firing pattern of embryonic Renshaw cells: just a synergy between two opposite voltage-dependent currents

Renshaw cells (V1R) are excitable as soon as they reach their final location next to the spinal motoneurons and are functionally heterogeneous. Using multiple experimental approaches, in combination with biophysical modeling and dynamical systems theory, we analyzed, for the first time, the mechanisms underlying the electrophysiological properties of V1R during early embryonic development of the spinal cord locomotor networks (E11.5-E16.5). We found that these interneurons are subdivided into several functional clusters from E11.5 and then display an unexpected transitory involution process during which they lose their ability to sustain tonic firing. We demonstrated that the essential factor controlling the diversity of the discharge pattern of embryonic V1R is the ratio of a persistent sodium conductance to a delayed rectifier potassium conductance. Taken together, our results reveal how a simple mechanism, based on the synergy of two voltage-dependent conductances that are ubiquitous in neurons, can produce functional diversity in V1R and control their early developmental trajectory.

neuroscience↗

Patterned expression of Pannexin 1 channels in the adult cerebellar Purkinje cells

Pannexin1 (PanX1) are recently discovered proteins that can form large pore channels at the cell surface. They have been implicated in ATP-dependent cell-to-cell communication and in several pathophysiological processes such as inflammation, cell death and epilepsy. Using immunohistochemistry in the adult mouse, we describe the presence of PanX1 in the deep cerebellar nuclei, in large cells of the granular layer, presumably Golgi interneurones, in some Bergmann glia radial processes as well as in the soma and dendrites of Purkinje cells. In the latter, PanX1, like many other proteins, distribute heterogeneously. Only Zebrin II-positive Purkinje cells express PanX1, in accordance with the so-called \"zebra-striped\" modular architecture of the cerebellum. This distribution in zebra-stripes suggest that PanX1 may contribute to the control of ensemble activity within cerebellar microdomains or to the response of Purkinje cell to excitotoxicity and cell-death messages.

neuroscience↗