Slow in Motion but Smart in Learning and Memory: Behavioral Changes in Adult NR3A Knockout Mice

The expression of NMDA receptor subunit NR3A is high in the neonatal brain but low in adults. However, its functional role in the adult brain is obscure. Using wild-type (WT) and NR3A knockout (KO) mice, we show here that NR3A plays imperative roles in multiple behavioral functions in adults. NR3A deletion produced a slow locomotor phenotype with enhanced memory capacities. Hippocampal slices from juvenile and adult NR3A KO mice showed greater long-term potentiation (LTP) compared to WT slices. NR3A deletion resulted in increased expression and phosphorylation of calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaMKII). CaMKII inhibition abrogated the enhanced LTP in NR3A KO slices. NR3A KO mice were also more sensitive to acute and chronic pain. These data reveal for the first time that NR3A, despite its low expression, plays several critical roles in behavioral activities in adults and may be a therapeutic target for modulating behaviors under normal and pathological conditions

The Relationships between cyclin D1 Expression and Prognosis of Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

Background and objective cyclin D1 is a member of the cyclin family, and it has been proven that it plaied an important role in tumorigenesis, invasion and metastasis. We performed a retrospective study on the cyclin D1 expression in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) according to the clinical characteristics. Methods One hundred fifteen postsurgical NSCLC patients were investigated. Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate the cyclin D1 expression. Results Overall survival was significantly lower in patients with cyclin D1-high expression of tumors than those with cyclin D1 low expression of tumors (χ2=5.132, P=0.023). In early stage patients (stage I, II), the overall survival was significantly lower in patients with cyclin D1-high expression of tumors than those with cyclin D1-low expression of tumors (χ2=6.863, P=0.009). cyclin D1 status (hazard ratio=0.630; P=0.035), differentiation (hazard ratio=0.399; P < 0.001), and pTNM (hazard ratio=1.576; P < 0.001) to be independent prognostic factors for NSCLC patients. Specifically, the cyclin D1 status (hazard ratio=0.188; P=0.008) was a significant prognostic factor for patients with stage I NSCLCs. Conclusion cyclin D1 expression is an independent prognosis factor for postoperative patient in stage I, II NSCLCs