Zheng Zhou

Sequence-encoded H2A.Z nucleosome dynamics control DNA unwrapping and SUV420H1 recognition

This study shows that H2A.Z's sequence-encoded flexibility in specific regions enhances DNA unwrapping and enables SUV420H1 recognition, revealing a mechanism linking nucleosome dynamics to epigenetic enzyme specificity.

Dopamine modulates visual threat processing in the superior colliculus via D2 receptors

This study shows that D2 dopamine receptors in the superior colliculus modulate defensive behaviors to visual threats, with optogenetic activation promoting defensive responses and chemogenetic inhibition reducing them.

Glutamatergic and GABAergic neuronal populations in thedorsolateral Periacqueductual Gray have differentfunctional roles in fear conditioning

The paper investigates the functional roles of glutamatergic and GABAergic neuronal populations in the dorsolateral periacqueductal gray during fear conditioning, finding that only glutamatergic neurons persist in responding to conditioned stimuli during retrieval.

A VTA GABAergic neural circuit mediates visually evoked innate defensive responses

This study identifies VTA GABAergic neurons as critical for visually evoked innate defensive behaviors in mice.

Characterization of glutamatergic VTA neural population responses to aversive and rewarding conditioning in freely-moving mice

This study investigates how glutamatergic VTA neurons respond to aversive and rewarding conditioning in mice, revealing distinct patterns during conditioning and retrieval phases.