Gene expression
Recent articles
Protein aggregates gum up ‘master regulator’ of autism-linked genes
The regulator, CPEB4, typically controls protein production for hundreds of autism-linked genes, but an alternative version of it found in autistic people forms irreversible clumps and malfunctions.
![Research image of cells lacking microexon 4.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/1200-prep-1-1024x683.png)
Protein aggregates gum up ‘master regulator’ of autism-linked genes
The regulator, CPEB4, typically controls protein production for hundreds of autism-linked genes, but an alternative version of it found in autistic people forms irreversible clumps and malfunctions.
Huntington’s disease gene variants past a certain size poison select cells
The findings—providing “the next step in the whole pathway”—help explain the disease’s late onset and offer hope that it has an extended therapeutic window.
![A repeated DNA strand extends farther from the left side of the image with each iteration.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/1200-hungintons-disease-repeats-cell-death-neuroscience-1024x683.png)
Huntington’s disease gene variants past a certain size poison select cells
The findings—providing “the next step in the whole pathway”—help explain the disease’s late onset and offer hope that it has an extended therapeutic window.
Brain gene expression syncs between bonded prairie voles
The overlapping activity in the animals’ nucleus accumbens may underpin pair bonding, a new preprint suggests.
![Two prairie voles touch snouts in a tank.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/1200-prairie-voles-bonds-synchrony-transmitter-neuroscience-1024x683.png)
Brain gene expression syncs between bonded prairie voles
The overlapping activity in the animals’ nucleus accumbens may underpin pair bonding, a new preprint suggests.
START method assembles brain’s wiring diagram by cell type
The new technique mapped the interactions of about 50 kinds of inhibitory neurons in the mouse visual cortex in finer detail than previous approaches.
![A cortical neuron glows orange and red.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/rabies-tracing-neuro-1200-1024x692.webp)
START method assembles brain’s wiring diagram by cell type
The new technique mapped the interactions of about 50 kinds of inhibitory neurons in the mouse visual cortex in finer detail than previous approaches.
Untangling biological threads from autism’s phenotypic patchwork reveals four core subtypes
People belonging to the same subtype share genetic variants, behaviors and often co-occurring diagnoses, according to a new preprint.
![Illustration of hands sewing red and white threads in a DNA-like pattern into a blue-gray fabric.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/threadDNA-Phenotype-autism-1200-1024x692.webp)
Untangling biological threads from autism’s phenotypic patchwork reveals four core subtypes
People belonging to the same subtype share genetic variants, behaviors and often co-occurring diagnoses, according to a new preprint.
Brain patterning in utero may be implicated in autism, other conditions
Genes tied to several conditions are expressed in regions that control neural stem cell fate within the first few months post-conception.
![Research image of fetal macaque brains.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/lede-patterning-1200-1024x692.webp)
Brain patterning in utero may be implicated in autism, other conditions
Genes tied to several conditions are expressed in regions that control neural stem cell fate within the first few months post-conception.
Opioid receptors may guide formation of gut nervous system in zebrafish
Fish lacking functional copies of the receptors have fewer enteric neurons than usual, but the findings await further validation.
![Research image of enteric neurons in zebrafish.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Fig2D-fish-1200-1024x692.webp)
Opioid receptors may guide formation of gut nervous system in zebrafish
Fish lacking functional copies of the receptors have fewer enteric neurons than usual, but the findings await further validation.
Giant analysis reveals how autism-linked genes affect brain cell types
Genes that predispose people to autism account for a large portion of the neuronal and glial cell changes seen in those with the condition.
![Research illustration groups genes by their effects on brain cell types.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/fig-6a-1024x683.webp)
Giant analysis reveals how autism-linked genes affect brain cell types
Genes that predispose people to autism account for a large portion of the neuronal and glial cell changes seen in those with the condition.
CRISPR gives autism-linked genes a boost, rescues functioning
A modified form of the gene-editing tool increases the expression of CHD8 and SCN2A, showing potential for autism therapies.
![Research image of two fluorescent-stained organoids.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Fig1F-clean-1200-1024x692.webp)
CRISPR gives autism-linked genes a boost, rescues functioning
A modified form of the gene-editing tool increases the expression of CHD8 and SCN2A, showing potential for autism therapies.
Larry Young built bridges with his social neuroscience research
Known for his work bringing oxytocin studies to the mainstream, Young died unexpectedly last month.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LaryyYoung1200-horizontal-1024x692.webp)
Larry Young built bridges with his social neuroscience research
Known for his work bringing oxytocin studies to the mainstream, Young died unexpectedly last month.
Explore more from The Transmitter
Neuroscientists fear Trump’s DEI order may tank diversity-focused grants
Programs that prioritize diversity, equity and inclusion in the field may be at risk, leaving researchers in a “holding pattern,” according to one grant recipient.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/1200-trump-dei-grants-1024x683.png)
Neuroscientists fear Trump’s DEI order may tank diversity-focused grants
Programs that prioritize diversity, equity and inclusion in the field may be at risk, leaving researchers in a “holding pattern,” according to one grant recipient.
Remembering the life of neuropharmacologist Floyd Bloom
The co-author of the classic textbook “The Biochemical Basis of Neuropharmacology” and pioneer in studying the roles of neurotransmitters in the brain died on 8 January at 88 years old.
![Photograph of Floyd Bloom.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/1200-landscape-floyd-bloom-neuroscientist-1024x683.png)
Remembering the life of neuropharmacologist Floyd Bloom
The co-author of the classic textbook “The Biochemical Basis of Neuropharmacology” and pioneer in studying the roles of neurotransmitters in the brain died on 8 January at 88 years old.
Newly characterized striatal circuits add twist to ‘go/no-go’ model of movement control
The two novel pathways control dopamine release in opposing ways and may link motivation and mood to action, a new study shows.
![Research image of circuits emerging from striosomes in the striatum.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/1200-transmitter-neuroscience-basal-ganglia-pathways-1024x683.png)
Newly characterized striatal circuits add twist to ‘go/no-go’ model of movement control
The two novel pathways control dopamine release in opposing ways and may link motivation and mood to action, a new study shows.