Predictions and errors are distinctly represented across V1 layers
Curr Biol. 2024 Apr 25:S0960-9822(24)00476-7. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.04.036. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTPopular accounts of mind and brain propose that the brain continuously forms predictions about future sensory inputs and combines predictions with inputs to determine what we perceive.1,2,3,4,5,6 Under "predictive processing" schemes, such integration is supported by the hierarchical organization of the cortex, whereby feedback connections communicate predictions from higher-level deep layers to agranular (superficial and deep) lower-level layers.7,8,9,10 Predictions are compared with input to compute the "prediction...
Source: Current Biology - May 2, 2024 Category: Biology Authors: Emily R Thomas Joost Haarsma Jessica Nicholson Daniel Yon Peter Kok Clare Press Source Type: research
Sensorimotor adaptation to destabilizing dynamics in weakly electric fish
Curr Biol. 2024 Apr 24:S0960-9822(24)00459-7. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.04.019. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTHumans and other animals can readily learn to compensate for changes in the dynamics of movement. Such changes can result from an injury or changes in the weight of carried objects. These changes in dynamics can lead not only to reduced performance but also to dramatic instabilities. We evaluated the impacts of compensatory changes in control policies in relation to stability and robustness in Eigenmannia virescens, a species of weakly electric fish. We discovered that these fish retune their sensorimotor control sys...
Source: Current Biology - May 1, 2024 Category: Biology Authors: Yu Yang Dominic G Yared Eric S Fortune Noah J Cowan Source Type: research
Wolbachia symbionts control sex in a parasitoid wasp using a horizontally acquired gene
This study reveals insect-to-bacteria horizontal gene transfer drives the evolution of animal sex determination systems, elucidating a striking mechanism of insect-microbe symbiosis.PMID:38692276 | DOI:10.1016/j.cub.2024.04.035 (Source: Current Biology)
Source: Current Biology - May 1, 2024 Category: Biology Authors: Ce Li Chu-Qiao Li Zhan-Bo Chen Bing-Qi Liu Xiang Sun Kai-Heng Wei Chen-Yi Li Jun-Bo Luan Source Type: research
A dynamin superfamily-like pseudoenzyme coordinates with MICOS to promote cristae architecture
Curr Biol. 2024 Apr 24:S0960-9822(24)00468-8. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.04.028. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTMitochondrial cristae architecture is crucial for optimal respiratory function of the organelle. Cristae shape is maintained in part by the mitochondrial contact site and cristae organizing system (MICOS) complex. While MICOS is required for normal cristae morphology, the precise mechanistic role of each of the seven human MICOS subunits, and how the complex coordinates with other cristae-shaping factors, has not been fully determined. Here, we examine the MICOS complex in Schizosaccharomyces pombe, a minimal model w...
Source: Current Biology - May 1, 2024 Category: Biology Authors: Abhishek Kumar Mehmet Oguz Gok Kailey N Nguyen Olivia M Connor Michael L Reese Jeremy G Wideman Sergio A Mu ñoz-Gómez Jonathan R Friedman Source Type: research
Change in RhoGAP and RhoGEF availability drives transitions in cortical patterning and excitability in Drosophila
Curr Biol. 2024 Apr 21:S0960-9822(24)00461-5. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.04.021. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTActin cortex patterning and dynamics are critical for cell shape changes. These dynamics undergo transitions during development, often accompanying changes in collective cell behavior. Although mechanisms have been established for individual cells' dynamic behaviors, the mechanisms and specific molecules that result in developmental transitions in vivo are still poorly understood. Here, we took advantage of two developmental systems in Drosophila melanogaster to identify conditions that altered cortical patterning an...
Source: Current Biology - April 30, 2024 Category: Biology Authors: Jonathan A Jackson Marlis Denk-Lobnig Katherine A Kitzinger Adam C Martin Source Type: research
Changes in the cellular makeup of motor patterning circuits drive courtship song evolution in Drosophila
Curr Biol. 2024 Apr 24:S0960-9822(24)00460-3. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.04.020. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTHow evolutionary changes in genes and neurons encode species variation in complex motor behaviors is largely unknown. Here, we develop genetic tools that permit a neural circuit comparison between the model species Drosophila melanogaster and the closely related species D. yakuba, which has undergone a lineage-specific loss of sine song, one of the two major types of male courtship song in Drosophila. Neuroanatomical comparison of song-patterning neurons called TN1 across the phylogeny demonstrates a link between the...
Source: Current Biology - April 30, 2024 Category: Biology Authors: Dajia Ye Justin T Walsh Ian P Junker Yun Ding Source Type: research
Chromosome fusion and programmed DNA elimination shape karyotypes of nematodes
Curr Biol. 2024 Apr 23:S0960-9822(24)00462-7. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.04.022. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTAn increasing number of metazoans undergo programmed DNA elimination (PDE), where a significant amount of DNA is selectively lost from the somatic genome during development. In some nematodes, PDE leads to the removal and remodeling of the ends of all germline chromosomes. In several species, PDE also generates internal breaks that lead to sequence loss and increased numbers of somatic chromosomes. The biological significance of these karyotype changes associated with PDE and the origin and evolution of nematode PDE ...
Source: Current Biology - April 30, 2024 Category: Biology Authors: James R Simmons Brandon Estrem Maxim V Zagoskin Ryan Oldridge Sobhan Bahrami Zadegan Jianbin Wang Source Type: research
Change in RhoGAP and RhoGEF availability drives transitions in cortical patterning and excitability in Drosophila
Curr Biol. 2024 Apr 21:S0960-9822(24)00461-5. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.04.021. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTActin cortex patterning and dynamics are critical for cell shape changes. These dynamics undergo transitions during development, often accompanying changes in collective cell behavior. Although mechanisms have been established for individual cells' dynamic behaviors, the mechanisms and specific molecules that result in developmental transitions in vivo are still poorly understood. Here, we took advantage of two developmental systems in Drosophila melanogaster to identify conditions that altered cortical patterning an...
Source: Current Biology - April 30, 2024 Category: Biology Authors: Jonathan A Jackson Marlis Denk-Lobnig Katherine A Kitzinger Adam C Martin Source Type: research
Changes in the cellular makeup of motor patterning circuits drive courtship song evolution in Drosophila
Curr Biol. 2024 Apr 24:S0960-9822(24)00460-3. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.04.020. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTHow evolutionary changes in genes and neurons encode species variation in complex motor behaviors is largely unknown. Here, we develop genetic tools that permit a neural circuit comparison between the model species Drosophila melanogaster and the closely related species D. yakuba, which has undergone a lineage-specific loss of sine song, one of the two major types of male courtship song in Drosophila. Neuroanatomical comparison of song-patterning neurons called TN1 across the phylogeny demonstrates a link between the...
Source: Current Biology - April 30, 2024 Category: Biology Authors: Dajia Ye Justin T Walsh Ian P Junker Yun Ding Source Type: research
Chromosome fusion and programmed DNA elimination shape karyotypes of nematodes
Curr Biol. 2024 Apr 23:S0960-9822(24)00462-7. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.04.022. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTAn increasing number of metazoans undergo programmed DNA elimination (PDE), where a significant amount of DNA is selectively lost from the somatic genome during development. In some nematodes, PDE leads to the removal and remodeling of the ends of all germline chromosomes. In several species, PDE also generates internal breaks that lead to sequence loss and increased numbers of somatic chromosomes. The biological significance of these karyotype changes associated with PDE and the origin and evolution of nematode PDE ...
Source: Current Biology - April 30, 2024 Category: Biology Authors: James R Simmons Brandon Estrem Maxim V Zagoskin Ryan Oldridge Sobhan Bahrami Zadegan Jianbin Wang Source Type: research
Performance errors during rodent learning reflect a dynamic choice strategy
Curr Biol. 2024 Apr 24:S0960-9822(24)00457-3. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.04.017. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTHumans, even as infants, use cognitive strategies, such as exploration and hypothesis testing, to learn about causal interactions in the environment. In animal learning studies, however, it is challenging to disentangle higher-order behavioral strategies from errors arising from imperfect task knowledge or inherent biases. Here, we trained head-fixed mice on a wheel-based auditory two-choice task and exploited the intra- and inter-animal variability to understand the drivers of errors during learning. During learning...
Source: Current Biology - April 27, 2024 Category: Biology Authors: Ziyi Zhu Kishore V Kuchibhotla Source Type: research
Xyloglucan deficiency leads to a reduction in turgor pressure and changes in cell wall properties, affecting early seedling establishment
Curr Biol. 2024 Apr 22:S0960-9822(24)00456-1. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.04.016. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTXyloglucan is believed to play a significant role in cell wall mechanics of dicot plants. Surprisingly, Arabidopsis plants defective in xyloglucan biosynthesis exhibit nearly normal growth and development. We investigated a mutant line, cslc-Δ5, lacking activity in all five Arabidopsis cellulose synthase like-C (CSLC) genes responsible for xyloglucan backbone biosynthesis. We observed that this xyloglucan-deficient line exhibited reduced cellulose crystallinity and increased pectin levels, suggesting the existence o...
Source: Current Biology - April 27, 2024 Category: Biology Authors: Firas Bou Daher Leo Serra Ross Carter Henrik J önsson Sarah Robinson Elliot M Meyerowitz William M Gray Source Type: research
A RabGAP negatively regulates plant autophagy and immune trafficking
Curr Biol. 2024 Apr 22:S0960-9822(24)00442-1. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.04.002. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTPlants rely on autophagy and membrane trafficking to tolerate stress, combat infections, and maintain cellular homeostasis. However, the molecular interplay between autophagy and membrane trafficking is poorly understood. Using an AI-assisted approach, we identified Rab3GAP-like (Rab3GAPL) as a key membrane trafficking node that controls plant autophagy negatively. Rab3GAPL suppresses autophagy by binding to ATG8, the core autophagy adaptor, and deactivating Rab8a, a small GTPase essential for autophagosome formation...
Source: Current Biology - April 27, 2024 Category: Biology Authors: Enoch Lok Him Yuen Alexandre Y Leary Marion Clavel Yasin Tumtas Azadeh Mohseni Jierui Zhao Lorenzo Picchianti Mostafa Jamshidiha Pooja Pandey Cian Duggan Ernesto Cota Yasin Dagdas Tolga O Bozkurt Source Type: research
Performance errors during rodent learning reflect a dynamic choice strategy
Curr Biol. 2024 Apr 24:S0960-9822(24)00457-3. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.04.017. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTHumans, even as infants, use cognitive strategies, such as exploration and hypothesis testing, to learn about causal interactions in the environment. In animal learning studies, however, it is challenging to disentangle higher-order behavioral strategies from errors arising from imperfect task knowledge or inherent biases. Here, we trained head-fixed mice on a wheel-based auditory two-choice task and exploited the intra- and inter-animal variability to understand the drivers of errors during learning. During learning...
Source: Current Biology - April 27, 2024 Category: Biology Authors: Ziyi Zhu Kishore V Kuchibhotla Source Type: research
Xyloglucan deficiency leads to a reduction in turgor pressure and changes in cell wall properties, affecting early seedling establishment
Curr Biol. 2024 Apr 22:S0960-9822(24)00456-1. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.04.016. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTXyloglucan is believed to play a significant role in cell wall mechanics of dicot plants. Surprisingly, Arabidopsis plants defective in xyloglucan biosynthesis exhibit nearly normal growth and development. We investigated a mutant line, cslc-Δ5, lacking activity in all five Arabidopsis cellulose synthase like-C (CSLC) genes responsible for xyloglucan backbone biosynthesis. We observed that this xyloglucan-deficient line exhibited reduced cellulose crystallinity and increased pectin levels, suggesting the existence o...
Source: Current Biology - April 27, 2024 Category: Biology Authors: Firas Bou Daher Leo Serra Ross Carter Henrik J önsson Sarah Robinson Elliot M Meyerowitz William M Gray Source Type: research
