Ken Nakamura

Genome-wide CRISPRi screen identifies basigin loss as protective in cardiac hypoxia

The paper uses a CRISPRi screen to identify basigin loss as protective in cardiac hypoxia by enhancing ATP maintenance and survival.

Genetic regulators of neuronal survival across metabolic environments

The paper identifies genetic regulators of neuronal survival across different metabolic environments using CRISPRi screens in human neurons.

CHCHD2 mutant mice display mitochondrial protein accumulation and disrupted energy metabolism

This study generates CHCHD2 T61I mutant mice to model Parkinson's disease, finding mitochondrial dysfunction and metabolic shifts towards glycolysis.

Overexpression of alpha synuclein in Midbrain Dopamine Neurons Reduces Dopamine Release Without Cell Loss and Drives Mild Motor Deficits in Mice

Chronic hyperactivation of midbrain dopamine neurons causes preferential dopamine neuron degeneration

This study shows that chronic hyperactivation of midbrain dopamine neurons leads to their preferential degeneration, suggesting increased neural activity may contribute to Parkinson's disease pathology.

Systems-level analyses dissociate genetic regulators of reactive oxygen species and energy production

The paper uses CRISPRi and FACS to compare effects of respiratory gene knockdown on ROS and ATP, identifying differential regulators of these processes.

Paradoxical mTORC1-Dependent microRNA-mediated Translation Repression in the Nucleus Accumbens of Mice Consuming Alcohol Attenuates Glycolysis

The paper shows that mTORC1 activation in the nucleus accumbens of alcohol-consuming mice represses glycolysis via miR-34a-5p-mediated translation repression of Aldolase A, leading to reduced L-lactate and decreased alcohol intake.

Genetically encoded cell-death indicators (GEDI) to detect an early irreversible commitment to neurodegeneration

This paper introduces GEDI, a fluorescent biosensor that detects early irreversible commitment to cell death in neurons, enabling real-time and high-throughput analysis of neurodegeneration.

Mitochondrial fission is a critical modulator of mutant APP-induced neural toxicity

This study shows that loss of Drp1 in neurons worsens memory deficits in mice with mutant hAPP, revealing a protective role of mitochondrial fission against hAPP-induced pathology.