Altered trafficking of membrane proteins in purkinje cells of SCA1 transgenic mice

Understanding the physiopathology of paraneoplastic and genetic cerebellar ataxia

Antibodies as diagnostic markers of ataxia

On autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia (ADCA) other than polyglutamine diseases, with special reference to chromosome 16q22.1-linked ADCA

Autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia (ADCA) is a group of heterogeneous conditions. More than 20 genes or gene loci have been identified that are responsible for ADCA. Although expansions of the trinucleotide (CAG) repeat that encode polyglutamine are known to cause some forms of ADCA, growing knowledge about the genetic basis of ADCA indicates that many subtypes of ADCA are caused by mutations other than the CAG repeat/polyglutamine expansion. In this paper, we review ADCA caused by mutations other than polyglutamine expansions (i.e. "non-polyglutamine diseases"). We also describe the neuropathology of chromosome 16q22.1-linked ADCA, which appears to be the most common non-polyglutamine disease in Japan. What we find to be characteristic on the chromosome 16q22.1-linked ADCA brain is the presence of atrophic Purkinje cells surrounded by the formation of amorphous material, the latter composed of the Purkinje cell dendrites stemming from the cell bodies, the presynaptic terminals innervated by certain neurons, and the astroglial processes. Such neuropathological findings seem to be unique for this disease.

Intranasal administration of IGF-I improves behavior and Purkinje cell pathology in SCA1 mice

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1) is a neurodegenerative disease caused by the expansion of polyglutamine repeat within ataxin-1 protein. Cerebellar Purkinje cells are the primary targets of SCA1 pathology. These cells synthesize insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and express its receptors during their entire life. The aim of present study was to determine if intranasally administered IGF-I to SCA1 transgenic mice suppresses toxic effects of ataxin-1. Two-week old SCA1 heterozygous animals were randomly divided into two treatment groups of IGF-I (30 and 60 microg IGF-I/animal) and a vehicle-treated control group. The wildtype animals served as normal controls. IGF-I or vehicle was administered at 48 h intervals for the total of 10 doses. Animals were then subjected to rotarod test, sacrificed, brains removed and processed for immunohistochemical and Western blot analysis. Radiolabeled IGF-I and bioactive TAT peptide accumulated in the brains of SCA1 mice following intranasal administration validating the use of intranasal route. SCA1 mice showed SCA1 pathology with impaired motor function and downregulation of calcium binding proteins as compared to wildtype mice. However, 30 and 60 microg IGF-I-treated animals showed improved performance on the rotarod as compared to vehicle-treated SCA1 mice with significant improvement (p < 0.05) on day 3 in 60 microg IGF-I group. The immunohistochemical data further showed partial recovery in the expression of calbindin D28k and protein kinase C-gamma in Purkinje cells in IGF-I-treated SCA1 animals. Our results indicate that suppression of ataxin-1-mediated adverse effects by intranasal IGF-I treatment may be of a therapeutic value to treat SCA1.

New mutations in protein kinase Cgamma associated with spinocerebellar ataxia type 14

Autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxias (ADCA) are a heterogeneous group of neurological disorders. Point mutations in the gene encoding protein kinase Cgamma (PRKCG) are responsible for spinocerebellar ataxia 14 (SCA14). We screened for mutations in the PRKCG gene, in a large series of 284 ADCA index cases, mostly French (n=204) and German (n=48), in whom CAG repeat expansions in the known SCA genes were previously excluded. Six mutations were found that segregated with the disease and were not detected on 560 control chromosomes, including F643L (exon 18), already reported in another French kindred. Five new missense mutations were identified in exons 4 (C114Y/G123R/G123E), 10 (G360S) and 18 (V692G). All but one (V692G) were located in highly conserved regions of the regulatory or catalytic domains of the protein. All six SCA14 families were French and there was no evidence of reduced penetrance. The phenotype consisted in a very slowly progressive cerebellar ataxia with a mean age at onset of 33.5+/-14.2 years (range 15 to 60 years), occasionally associated with executive dysfunction, myoclonus, myorythmia, tremor or decreased vibration sense. SCA14 represented only 1.5% (7/454) of French ADCA families but none of the German families. It should, however, be considered in patients with slowly progressive ADCA, particularly when myoclonus and cognitive impairment are present.

Delayed spinocerebellar ataxia in transgenic mice expressing mutant ubiquitin

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1) is an incurable neurodegenerative disease resulting from loss of Purkinje neurones within the cerebellum. The ubiquitin proteasome pathway (UPP) has been implicated in SCA1 but the role of proteolysis in the disease is still poorly understood. To further investigate this issue in vivo, genetic crosses were performed between an established mouse model of SCA1 and novel strains expressing elevated levels of wild type or mutant isoforms of ubiquitin. The K48R mutant isoform of ubiquitin (a dominant negative inhibitor of proteolysis) was found to significantly delay the deterioration of Purkinje neurones as evidenced by behavioural, morphological, and molecular indicators. This delay was accompanied by stabilization of p300/CBP, transcriptional mediators whose abundance and activity would otherwise decline in the course of the SCA1 disease, and persistence of protein kinase C gamma (PKCgamma), a protein involved in Purkinje cell dendritic development that is mutated in one form of spinocerebellar ataxia. Whereas the stabilization of p300/CBP was found to occur at the post-translational level the modulation of PKCgamma was at the level of transcription. These results are consistent with transcriptional dysregulation as a key mechanism in neurodegeneration through loss of p300/CBP. Further, the results suggest that the UPP is a potentially useful target for the development of novel therapies for the treatment of neurodegenerative disease.

Glial S100B Positive Vacuoles In Purkinje Cells: Earliest Morphological Abnormality In SCA1 Transgenic Mice

Spinocerebellar ataxia-1 (SCA1) is caused by the expansion of a polyglutamine repeat within the disease protein, ataxin-1. The overexpression of mutant ataxin-1 in SCA1 transgenic mice results in the formation of cytoplasmic vacuoles in Purkinje neurons (PKN) of the cerebellum. PKN are closely associated with neighboring Bergmann glia. To elucidate the role of Bergmann glia in SCA1 pathogenesis, cerebellar tissue from 7 days to 6 wks old SCA1 transgenic and wildtype mice were used. We observed that Bergmann glial S100B protein is localized to the cytoplasmic vacuoles in SCA1 PKN. These S100B positive cytoplasmic vacuoles began appearing much before the onset of behavioral abnormalities, and were negative for other glial and PKN marker proteins. Electron micrographs revealed that vacuoles have a double membrane. In the vacuoles, S100B colocalized with receptors of advanced glycation end-products (RAGE), and S100B co-immunoprecipated with cerebellar RAGE. In SCA1 PKN cultures, exogenous S100B protein interacted with the PKN membranes and was internalized. These data suggest that glial S100B though extrinsic to PKN is sequestered into cytoplasmic vacuoles in SCA1 mice at early postnatal ages. Further, S100B may be binding to RAGE on Purkinje cell membranes before these membranes are internalized.

Polyglutamine expansion diseases: failing to deliver

Polyglutamine (polyQ)-expansion diseases are dominantly inherited adult-onset neurodegenerative diseases with unknown pathogenic mechanisms. Current models for pathogenesis include potential toxic effects of polyQ proteins, interference with survival pathways and deregulated gene transcription. Recently, nuclear and aggregate-independent alterations in fast axonal transport (FAT) have been demonstrated for several different polyQ disease models. Given the unique vulnerability of neurons to decrements in FAT, we propose an alternative model for polyQ disease pathogenesis. In this model, FAT is compromised because polyQ proteins affect enzymatic activities involved in FAT regulation. Decrements in FAT ultimately result in a failure to deliver essential cargos to specific neuronal subdomains, including presynaptic terminals, eventually leading to neuronal dysfunction and death. Pharmacological manipulation of such activities might provide the basis for new therapeutic strategies for treating polyQ diseases.

Mutant protein kinase Cgamma found in spinocerebellar ataxia type 14 is susceptible to aggregation and causes cell death

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 14 (SCA14) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disease characterized by various symptoms including cerebellar ataxia. Recently, several missense mutations in the protein kinase Cgamma (gammaPKC) gene have been found in different SCA14 families. To elucidate how the mutant gammaPKC causes SCA14, we examined the molecular properties of seven mutant (H101Y, G118D, S119P, S119F, Q127R, G128D, and F643L) gammaPKCs fused with green fluorescent protein (gammaPKC-GFP). Wild-type gammaPKC-GFP was expressed ubiquitously in the cytoplasm of CHO cells, whereas mutant gammaPKC-GFP tended to aggregate in the cytoplasm. The insolubility of mutant gammaPKC-GFP to Triton X-100 was increased and correlated with the extent of aggregation. gammaPKC-GFP in the Triton-insoluble fraction was rarely phosphorylated at Thr(514), whereas gammaPKC-GFP in the Triton-soluble fraction was phosphorylated. Furthermore, the stimulation of the P2Y receptor triggered the rapid aggregation of mutant gammaPKC-GFP within 10 min after transient translocation to the plasma membrane. Overexpression of the mutant gammaPKC-GFP caused cell death that was more prominent than wild type. The cytotoxicity was exacerbated in parallel with the expression level of the mutant. These results indicate that SCA14 mutations make gammaPKC form cytoplasmic aggregates, suggesting the involvement of this property in the etiology of SCA14.

Recent advances in hereditary spinocerebellar ataxias

In recent years, molecular genetic research has unraveled a major part of the genetic background of autosomal dominant and recessive spinocerebellar ataxias. These advances have also allowed insight in (some of) the pathophysiologic pathways assumed to be involved in these diseases. For the clinician, the expanding number of genes and genetic loci in these diseases and the enormous clinical heterogeneity of specific ataxia subtypes complicate management of ataxia patients. In this review, the clinical and neuropathologic features of the recently identified spinocerebellar ataxias are described, and the various molecular mechanisms that have been demonstrated to be involved in these disorders are discussed.

Recovery from polyglutamine-induced neurodegeneration in conditional SCA1 transgenic mice

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1) is an autosomal dominant, polyglutamine-induced neurodegenerative disorder that results in loss of motor coordination caused primarily by a disruption of cerebellar Purkinje cell function. In this study, we developed a conditional SCA1 mouse model to examine whether stopping expression of mutant ataxin-1 alters the disease phenotype. After cessation of SCA1[82Q] transgene expression, mutant ataxin-1, including that in nuclear inclusions, was cleared rapidly from Purkinje cells. At an early stage of disease, Purkinje cell pathology and motor dysfunction were completely reversible. After halting SCA1 expression at later stages of disease, only a partial recovery was seen. Interestingly, restoration of the ability to perform a complex motor task, the accelerating Rotarod, correlated with localization of mGluR1alpha to the Purkinje cell-parallel fiber synapse. These results show that the progression of SCA1 pathogenesis is dependent on the continuous expression of mutant ataxin-1. Of note, even at a late stage of disease, Purkinje cells retain at least some ability to repair the damage caused by mutant ataxin-1.

Gene profiling links SCA1 pathophysiology to glutamate signaling in Purkinje cells of transgenic mice

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1) is a neurodegenerative disease caused by the expansion of a polyglutamine repeat within the disease protein, ataxin 1. To elucidate cellular pathways involved in SCA1, we used DNA microarrays to determine the pattern of gene expression in SCA1 transgenic mice at two specific times in the disease process; 5 weeks, a timepoint prior to onset of pathology, and 12 weeks, at the midpoint of the disease progression. Taking advantage of the availability of three SCA1 transgenic mouse lines, each expressing a different form of ataxin-1, we utilized a strategy that resulted in the identification of a limited number of genes with an altered pattern of expression specific to the development of disease. By comparing the pattern of gene expression in the SCA1 ataxic B05-ataxin-1[82Q] transgenic mouse line with those seen in two non-ataxic lines, A02-ataxin-1[30Q] and K772T-[82Q], nine genes were identified whose expression was consistently altered in the cerebellum of B05[82Q] mice at 5 and 12 weeks of age. Interestingly, five of the genes in this group form a biological cohort centered on glutamate signaling pathways in Purkinje cells.

The p75 neurotrophin receptor can induce autophagy and death of cerebellar Purkinje neurons

The cellular mechanisms underlying Purkinje neuron death in various neurodegenerative disorders of the cerebellum are poorly understood. Here we investigate an in vitro model of cerebellar neuronal death. We report that cerebellar Purkinje neurons, deprived of trophic factors, die by a form of programmed cell death distinct from the apoptotic death of neighboring granule neurons. Purkinje neuron death was characterized by excessive autophagic-lysosomal vacuolation. Autophagy and death of Purkinje neurons were inhibited by nerve growth factor (NGF) and were activated by NGF-neutralizing antibodies. Although treatment with antisense oligonucleotides to the p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75ntr) decreased basal survival of cultured cerebellar neurons, p75ntr-antisense decreased autophagy and completely inhibited death of Purkinje neurons induced by trophic factor withdrawal. Moreover, adenoviral expression of a p75ntr mutant lacking the ligand-binding domain induced vacuolation and death of Purkinje neurons. These results suggest that p75ntr is required for Purkinje neuron survival in the presence of trophic support; however, during trophic factor withdrawal, p75ntr contributes to Purkinje neuron autophagy and death. The autophagic morphology resembles that found in neurodegenerative disorders, suggesting a potential role for this pathway in neurological disease.

The ubiquitin proteasome system in synaptic and axonal degeneration: a new twist to an old cycle

The ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) contributes to the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases, and it is also a major determinant of synaptic protein degradation and activity. Recent studies in rodents and in the fruit fly Drosophila have shown that the activity of the UPS is involved in axonal degeneration. Increased knowledge of the UPS in synaptic and axonal reactions may provide novel drug targets for treatments of neuronal injuries and neurodegenerative disorders.

The invagination of excess surface area by shrinking neurons

Over most of their surface, neurons are surrounded by a narrow extracellular gap across which they make adhesive cell-cell contacts. Thus constrained, how do they regulate their geometry when osmotically perturbed? Specifically, are there any interesting consequences of local osmosis in such conditions? Using confocal imaging of shrinking neurons in culture, we observe water exiting into the cell-substratum gap. This water efflux generates a hydrostatic pressure that, at discrete (low adhesion) sites, causes the neuron's excess plasma membrane to invaginate, thus compensating for shrinkage with a pseudo-intracellular volume. To identify the minimal requirements of the process, a compartment/flux model was constructed. It comprises, essentially, a large liposome adhering in a labyrinthine fashion to a substratum. The model predicts that invaginations form at the cell-substratum interface under the influence of local osmosis, provided that adhesion across the gap is neither too tight nor too loose. Local osmosis in the central nervous system, in contrast to epithelia, is usually considered a mishap, not a physiological opportunity. We postulate, however, that local osmotic forces acting in conjunction with confined extracellular spaces could be harnessed in service of surface area, shape, and volume regulation when intense neural activity alters a neuron's osmotic balance.

Missense mutations in the regulatory domain of PKC gamma: a new mechanism for dominant nonepisodic cerebellar ataxia

We report a nonepisodic autosomal dominant (AD) spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) not caused by a nucleotide repeat expansion that is, to our knowledge, the first such SCA. The AD SCAs currently comprise a group of > or =16 genetically distinct neurodegenerative conditions, all characterized by progressive incoordination of gait and limbs and by speech and eye-movement disturbances. Six of the nine SCAs for which the genes are known result from CAG expansions that encode polyglutamine tracts. Noncoding CAG, CTG, and ATTCT expansions are responsible for three other SCAs. Approximately 30% of families with SCA do not have linkage to the known loci. We recently mapped the locus for an AD SCA in a family (AT08) to chromosome 19q13.4-qter. A particularly compelling candidate gene, PRKCG, encodes protein kinase C gamma (PKC gamma), a member of a family of serine/threonine kinases. The entire coding region of PRKCG was sequenced in an affected member of family AT08 and in a group of 39 unrelated patients with ataxia not attributable to trinucleotide expansions. Three different nonconservative missense mutations in highly conserved residues in C1, the cysteine-rich region of the protein, were found in family AT08, another familial case, and a sporadic case. The mutations cosegregated with disease in both families. Structural modeling predicts that two of these amino acid substitutions would severely abrogate the zinc-binding or phorbol ester-binding capabilities of the protein. Immunohistochemical studies on cerebellar tissue from an affected member of family AT08 demonstrated reduced staining for both PKC gamma and ataxin 1 in Purkinje cells, whereas staining for calbindin was preserved. These results strongly support a new mechanism for neuronal cell dysfunction and death in hereditary ataxias and suggest that there may be a common pathway for PKC gamma-related and polyglutamine-related neurodegeneration.

Functional ATPase activity of p97/valosin-containing protein (VCP) is required for the quality control of endoplasmic reticulum in neuronally differentiated mammalian PC12 cells

Abnormal protein accumulation and cell death with cytoplasmic vacuoles are hallmarks of several neurodegenerative disorders. We previously identified p97/valosin-containing protein (VCP), an AAA ATPase with two conserved ATPase domains (D1 and D2), as an interacting partner of the Machado-Joseph disease (MJD) protein with expanded polyglutamines that causes Machado-Joseph disease. To reveal its pathophysiological roles in neuronal cells, we focused on its ATPase activity. We constructed and characterized PC12 cells expressing wild-type p97/VCP and p97(K524A), a D2 domain mutant. The expression level, localization, and complex formation of both proteins were indistinguishable, but the ATPase activity of p97(K524A) was much lower than that of the wild type. p97(K524A) induced cytoplasmic vacuoles that stained with an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) marker, and accumulation of polyubiquitinated proteins in the nuclear and membrane but not cytoplasmic fractions was observed, together with the elevation of ER stress markers. These results show that p97/VCP is essential for degrading membrane-associated ubiquitinated proteins and that profound deficits in its ATPase activity severely affect ER quality control, leading to abnormal ER expansion and cell death. Excessive accumulation of misfolded proteins may inactivate p97/VCP in several neurodegenerative disorders, eventually leading to the neurodegenerations.

A novel protein complex linking the delta 2 glutamate receptor and autophagy: implications for neurodegeneration in lurcher mice

Autophagy is a pathway for bulk degradation of subcellular constituents that is hyperactivated in many neurodegenerative conditions. It has been considered a second form of programmed cell death. Death of cerebellar Purkinje cells in lurcher animals is due to a mutation in GluRdelta2 that results in its constitutive activation. Here we have identified protein interactions between GluRdelta2, a novel isoform of a PDZ domain-containing protein (nPIST) that binds to this receptor, and Beclin1. nPIST and Beclin1 can synergize to induce autophagy. GluRdelta2(Lc), but not GluRdelta2(wt), can also induce autophagy. Furthermore, dying lurcher Purkinje cells contain morphological hallmarks of autophagic death in vivo. These results provide strong evidence that a direct link exists between GluRdelta2(Lc) receptor and stimulation of the autophagic pathway in dying lurcher Purkinje cells.

Amino acids in a region of ataxin-1 outside of the polyglutamine tract influence the course of disease in SCA1 transgenic mice

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1) belongs to a family of polyglutamine induced neurodegenerative disorders. Transgenic mice that overexpress a mutant allele of the SCA1 gene develop a progressive ataxia and Purkinje cell pathology. In this report, the pathological importance of a segment of ataxin-1 previously shown to be important for protein-protein interactions was examined. While the absence of a 122 amino acid segment from the protein-protein interaction region of ataxin-1 did not effect the initiation of disease, its absence substantially suppressed the progression of disease in SCA1 transgenic mice. Thus, these data suggest that this region of ataxin-1 has a role in disease progression. Furthermore, these results provide evidence that ataxin-1-induced disease initiation and disease progression involve distinct molecular events.