51
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Cong C, Liang W, Zhang C, Wang Y, Yang Y, Wang X, Wang S, Huo D, Wang H, Wang D, Feng H. PAK4 suppresses motor neuron degeneration in hSOD1 G93A -linked amyotrophic lateral sclerosis cell and rat models. Cell Prolif 2021; 54:e13003. [PMID: 33615605 PMCID: PMC8016643 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.13003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 12/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by the progressive loss of motor neurons (MN). CREB pathway-mediated inhibition of apoptosis contributes to neuron protection, and PAK4 activates CREB signalling in diverse cell types. This study aimed to investigate PAK4's effect and mechanism of action in ALS. METHODS We analysed RNA levels by qRT-PCR, protein levels by immunofluorescence and Western blotting, and apoptosis by flow cytometry and TUNEL staining. Cell transfection was performed for in vitro experiment. Mice were injected intraspinally to evaluate PAK4 function in vivo experiment. Rotarod test was performed to measure motor function. RESULTS The expression and activation of PAK4 significantly decreased in the cell and mouse models of ALS as the disease progressed, which was caused by the negative regulation of miR-9-5p. Silencing of PAK4 increased the apoptosis of MN by inhibiting CREB-mediated neuroprotection, whereas overexpression of PAK4 protected MN from hSOD1G93A -induced degeneration by activating CREB signalling. The neuroprotective effect of PAK4 was markedly inhibited by CREB inhibitor. In ALS models, the PAK4/CREB pathway was inhibited, and cell apoptosis increased. In vivo experiments revealed that PAK4 overexpression in the spinal neurons of hSOD1G93A mice suppressed MN degeneration, prolonged survival and promoted the CREB pathway. CONCLUSIONS PAK4 protects MN from degeneration by activating the anti-apoptotic effects of CREB signalling, suggesting it may be a therapeutic target in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaohua Cong
- Department of Neurology, The First Clinical College of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Weiwei Liang
- Department of Neurology, The First Clinical College of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Chunting Zhang
- Department of Neurology, The First Clinical College of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Neurology, The First Clinical College of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Yueqing Yang
- Department of Neurology, The Second Clinical College of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Xudong Wang
- Department of Neurology, The First Clinical College of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Shuyu Wang
- Department of Neurology, The First Clinical College of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Di Huo
- Department of Neurology, The First Clinical College of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Hongyong Wang
- Department of Neurology, The First Clinical College of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Di Wang
- Department of Neurology, The First Clinical College of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Honglin Feng
- Department of Neurology, The First Clinical College of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
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52
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PAK1 Positively Regulates Oligodendrocyte Morphology and Myelination. J Neurosci 2021; 41:1864-1877. [PMID: 33478987 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0229-20.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2020] [Revised: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The actin cytoskeleton is crucial for oligodendrocyte differentiation and myelination. Here we show that p21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1), a well-known actin regulator, promotes oligodendrocyte morphologic change and myelin production in the CNS. A combination of in vitro and in vivo models demonstrated that PAK1 is expressed throughout the oligodendrocyte lineage with highest expression in differentiated oligodendrocytes. Inhibiting PAK1 early in oligodendrocyte development decreased oligodendrocyte morphologic complexity and altered F-actin spreading at the tips of oligodendrocyte progenitor cell processes. Constitutively activating AKT in oligodendrocytes in male and female mice, which leads to excessive myelin wrapping, increased PAK1 expression, suggesting an impact of PAK1 during active myelin wrapping. Furthermore, constitutively activating PAK1 in oligodendrocytes in zebrafish led to an increase in myelin internode length while inhibiting PAK1 during active myelination decreased internode length. As myelin parameters influence conduction velocity, these data suggest that PAK1 may influence communication within the CNS. These data support a model in which PAK1 is a positive regulator of CNS myelination.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Myelin is a critical component of the CNS that provides metabolic support to neurons and also facilitates communication between cells in the CNS. Recent data demonstrate that actin dynamics drives myelin wrapping, but how actin is regulated during myelin wrapping is unknown. The authors investigate the role of the cytoskeletal modulator PAK1 during differentiation and myelination by oligodendrocytes, the myelinating cells of the CNS. They demonstrate that PAK1 promotes oligodendrocyte differentiation and myelination by modulating the cytoskeleton and thereby internode length, thus playing a critical role in the function of the CNS.
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53
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Gandhi T, Lee CC. Neural Mechanisms Underlying Repetitive Behaviors in Rodent Models of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 14:592710. [PMID: 33519379 PMCID: PMC7840495 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2020.592710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is comprised of several conditions characterized by alterations in social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviors. Genetic and environmental factors contribute to the heterogeneous development of ASD behaviors. Several rodent models display ASD-like phenotypes, including repetitive behaviors. In this review article, we discuss the potential neural mechanisms involved in repetitive behaviors in rodent models of ASD and related neuropsychiatric disorders. We review signaling pathways, neural circuits, and anatomical alterations in rodent models that display robust stereotypic behaviors. Understanding the mechanisms and circuit alterations underlying repetitive behaviors in rodent models of ASD will inform translational research and provide useful insight into therapeutic strategies for the treatment of repetitive behaviors in ASD and other neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanya Gandhi
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
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54
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Autism-like social deficit generated by Dock4 deficiency is rescued by restoration of Rac1 activity and NMDA receptor function. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:1505-1519. [PMID: 31388105 PMCID: PMC8159750 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-019-0472-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2018] [Revised: 06/01/2019] [Accepted: 06/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Genetic studies of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have revealed multigene variations that converge on synaptic dysfunction. DOCK4, a gene at 7q31.1 that encodes the Rac1 guanine nucleotide exchange factor Dock4, has been identified as a risk gene for ASD and other neuropsychiatric disorders. However, whether and how Dock4 disruption leads to ASD features through a synaptic mechanism remain unexplored. We generated and characterized a line of Dock4 knockout (KO) mice, which intriguingly displayed a series of ASD-like behaviors, including impaired social novelty preference, abnormal isolation-induced pup vocalizations, elevated anxiety, and perturbed object and spatial learning. Mice with conditional deletion of Dock4 in hippocampal CA1 recapitulated social preference deficit in KO mice. Examination in CA1 pyramidal neurons revealed that excitatory synaptic transmission was drastically attenuated in KO mice, accompanied by decreased spine density and synaptic content of AMPA (α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid)- and NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate)-type glutamate receptors. Moreover, Dock4 deficiency markedly reduced Rac1 activity in the hippocampus, which resulted in downregulation of global protein synthesis and diminished expression of AMPA and NMDA receptor subunits. Notably, Rac1 replenishment in the hippocampal CA1 of Dock4 KO mice restored excitatory synaptic transmission and corrected impaired social deficits in these mice, and pharmacological activation of NMDA receptors also restored social novelty preference in Dock4 KO mice. Together, our findings uncover a previously unrecognized Dock4-Rac1-dependent mechanism involved in regulating hippocampal excitatory synaptic transmission and social behavior.
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55
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Briševac D, Scholz R, Du D, Elagabani MN, Köhr G, Kornau HC. The small GTPase Arf6 is dysregulated in a mouse model for fragile X syndrome. J Neurochem 2020; 157:666-683. [PMID: 33125726 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS), the most common inherited cause of intellectual disability, results from silencing of the fragile X mental retardation gene 1 (FMR1). The analyses of FXS patients' brain autopsies revealed an increased density of immature dendritic spines in cortical areas. We hypothesize that the small GTPase Arf6, an actin regulator critical for the development of glutamatergic synapses and dendritic spines, is implicated in FXS. Here, we determined the fraction of active, GTP-bound Arf6 in cortical neuron cultures and synaptoneurosomes from Fmr1 knockout mice, measured actin polymerization in neurons expressing Arf6 mutants with variant GTP- or GDP-binding properties, and recorded hippocampal long-term depression induced by metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR-LTD) in acute brain slices. We detected a persistently elevated Arf6 activity, a loss of Arf6 sensitivity to synaptic stimulation and an increased Arf6-dependent dendritic actin polymerization in mature Fmr1 knockout neurons. Similar imbalances in Arf6-GTP levels and actin filament assembly were caused in wild-type neurons by RNAi-mediated depletion of the postsynaptic Arf6 guanylate exchange factors IQSEC1 (BRAG2) or IQSEC2 (BRAG1). Targeted deletion of Iqsec1 in hippocampal neurons of 3-week-old mice interfered with mGluR-LTD in wild-type, but not in Fmr1 knockout mice. Collectively, these data suggest an aberrant Arf6 regulation in Fmr1 knockout neurons with consequences for the actin cytoskeleton, spine morphology, and synaptic plasticity. Moreover, FXS and syndromes caused by genetic variants in IQSEC1 and IQSEC2 share intellectual disabilities and developmental delay as main symptoms. Therefore, dysregulation of Arf6 may contribute to the cognitive impairment in FXS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dušica Briševac
- Neuroscience Research Center (NWFZ), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Department of Biology, Chemistry, and Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ralf Scholz
- Center for Molecular Neurobiology (ZMNH), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Dan Du
- Central Institute of Mental Health, Mannheim Center for Translational Neuroscience, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | | | - Georg Köhr
- Central Institute of Mental Health, Mannheim Center for Translational Neuroscience, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany.,Department of Neurophysiology, Mannheim Center for Translational Neuroscience, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Hans-Christian Kornau
- Neuroscience Research Center (NWFZ), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Center for Molecular Neurobiology (ZMNH), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany.,German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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56
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Zhang K, Wang Y, Fan T, Zeng C, Sun ZS. The p21-activated kinases in neural cytoskeletal remodeling and related neurological disorders. Protein Cell 2020; 13:6-25. [PMID: 33306168 PMCID: PMC8776968 DOI: 10.1007/s13238-020-00812-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The serine/threonine p21-activated kinases (PAKs), as main effectors of the Rho GTPases Cdc42 and Rac, represent a group of important molecular switches linking the complex cytoskeletal networks to broad neural activity. PAKs show wide expression in the brain, but they differ in specific cell types, brain regions, and developmental stages. PAKs play an essential and differential role in controlling neural cytoskeletal remodeling and are related to the development and fate of neurons as well as the structural and functional plasticity of dendritic spines. PAK-mediated actin signaling and interacting functional networks represent a common pathway frequently affected in multiple neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. Considering specific small-molecule agonists and inhibitors for PAKs have been developed in cancer treatment, comprehensive knowledge about the role of PAKs in neural cytoskeletal remodeling will promote our understanding of the complex mechanisms underlying neurological diseases, which may also represent potential therapeutic targets of these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaifan Zhang
- Beijing Institutes of Life Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.,Institute of Genomic Medicine, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Beijing Institutes of Life Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
| | - Tianda Fan
- Institute of Genomic Medicine, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China
| | - Cheng Zeng
- Beijing Institutes of Life Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.,CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Zhong Sheng Sun
- Beijing Institutes of Life Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China. .,Institute of Genomic Medicine, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China. .,CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China. .,State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
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57
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Stress-Sensitive Protein Rac1 and Its Involvement in Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Neural Plast 2020; 2020:8894372. [PMID: 33299404 PMCID: PMC7707960 DOI: 10.1155/2020/8894372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2020] [Revised: 11/01/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (Rac1) is a small GTPase that is well known for its sensitivity to the environmental stress of a cell or an organism. It senses the external signals which are transmitted from membrane-bound receptors and induces downstream signaling cascades to exert its physiological functions. Rac1 is an important regulator of a variety of cellular processes, such as cytoskeletal organization, generation of oxidative products, and gene expression. In particular, Rac1 has a significant influence on certain brain functions like neuronal migration, synaptic plasticity, and memory formation via regulation of actin dynamics in neurons. Abnormal Rac1 expression and activity have been observed in multiple neurological diseases. Here, we review recent findings to delineate the role of Rac1 signaling in neurodevelopmental disorders associated with abnormal spine morphology, synaptogenesis, and synaptic plasticity. Moreover, certain novel inhibitors of Rac1 and related pathways are discussed as potential avenues toward future treatment for these diseases.
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58
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Han B, Salituro FG, Blanco MJ. Impact of Allosteric Modulation in Drug Discovery: Innovation in Emerging Chemical Modalities. ACS Med Chem Lett 2020; 11:1810-1819. [PMID: 33062158 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.9b00655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2019] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent years have seen an unprecedented level of innovation in allosteric drug discovery and development, with multiple drug candidates advancing into clinical studies. From early examples of allosteric drugs like GABAA receptor modulators (benzodiazepines) in the 1960s to more recent GPCR negative allosteric modulators of CCR5 (maraviroc) approved in 2007, the opportunities for interrogating allosteric sites in drug discovery have expanded to other target classes such as protein-protein interactions, kinases, and nuclear hormone receptors. In this Innovation Letter, the authors highlight the latest advances of allosteric drug discovery from different target classes and novel emerging chemical modalities beyond small molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingsong Han
- Medicinal Chemistry. Sage Therapeutics, Inc., 215 First Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Francesco G. Salituro
- Medicinal Chemistry. Sage Therapeutics, Inc., 215 First Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Maria-Jesus Blanco
- Medicinal Chemistry. Sage Therapeutics, Inc., 215 First Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
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59
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Neurobiological Mechanisms of Autism Spectrum Disorder and Epilepsy, Insights from Animal Models. Neuroscience 2020; 445:69-82. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.02.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Revised: 01/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
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60
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Conventional and Non-Conventional Roles of Non-Muscle Myosin II-Actin in Neuronal Development and Degeneration. Cells 2020; 9:cells9091926. [PMID: 32825197 PMCID: PMC7566000 DOI: 10.3390/cells9091926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Myosins are motor proteins that use chemical energy to produce mechanical forces driving actin cytoskeletal dynamics. In the brain, the conventional non-muscle myosin II (NMII) regulates actin filament cytoskeletal assembly and contractile forces during structural remodeling of axons and dendrites, contributing to morphology, polarization, and migration of neurons during brain development. NMII isoforms also participate in neurotransmission and synaptic plasticity by driving actin cytoskeletal dynamics during synaptic vesicle release and retrieval, and formation, maturation, and remodeling of dendritic spines. NMIIs are expressed differentially in cerebral non-neuronal cells, such as microglia, astrocytes, and endothelial cells, wherein they play key functions in inflammation, myelination, and repair. Besides major efforts to understand the physiological functions and regulatory mechanisms of NMIIs in the nervous system, their contributions to brain pathologies are still largely unclear. Nonetheless, genetic mutations or deregulation of NMII and its regulatory effectors are linked to autism, schizophrenia, intellectual disability, and neurodegeneration, indicating non-conventional roles of NMIIs in cellular mechanisms underlying neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. Here, we summarize the emerging biological roles of NMIIs in the brain, and discuss how actomyosin signaling contributes to dysfunction of neurons and glial cells in the context of neurological disorders. This knowledge is relevant for a deep understanding of NMIIs on the pathogenesis and therapeutics of neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases.
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61
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Licznerski P, Park HA, Rolyan H, Chen R, Mnatsakanyan N, Miranda P, Graham M, Wu J, Cruz-Reyes N, Mehta N, Sohail S, Salcedo J, Song E, Effman C, Effman S, Brandao L, Xu GN, Braker A, Gribkoff VK, Levy RJ, Jonas EA. ATP Synthase c-Subunit Leak Causes Aberrant Cellular Metabolism in Fragile X Syndrome. Cell 2020; 182:1170-1185.e9. [PMID: 32795412 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2020.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2018] [Revised: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Loss of the gene (Fmr1) encoding Fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) causes increased mRNA translation and aberrant synaptic development. We find neurons of the Fmr1-/y mouse have a mitochondrial inner membrane leak contributing to a "leak metabolism." In human Fragile X syndrome (FXS) fibroblasts and in Fmr1-/y mouse neurons, closure of the ATP synthase leak channel by mild depletion of its c-subunit or pharmacological inhibition normalizes stimulus-induced and constitutive mRNA translation rate, decreases lactate and key glycolytic and tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle enzyme levels, and triggers synapse maturation. FMRP regulates leak closure in wild-type (WT), but not FX synapses, by stimulus-dependent ATP synthase β subunit translation; this increases the ratio of ATP synthase enzyme to its c-subunit, enhancing ATP production efficiency and synaptic growth. In contrast, in FXS, inability to close developmental c-subunit leak prevents stimulus-dependent synaptic maturation. Therefore, ATP synthase c-subunit leak closure encourages development and attenuates autistic behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pawel Licznerski
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Endocrinology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06511, USA.
| | - Han-A Park
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Endocrinology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06511, USA; Department of Human Nutrition and Hospitality Management, College of Human Environmental Sciences, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA
| | - Harshvardhan Rolyan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Endocrinology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Rongmin Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Endocrinology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Nelli Mnatsakanyan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Endocrinology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Paige Miranda
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Endocrinology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Morven Graham
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Jing Wu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Endocrinology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | | | - Nikita Mehta
- Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA
| | - Sana Sohail
- Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA
| | - Jorge Salcedo
- Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA
| | - Erin Song
- Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA
| | | | - Samuel Effman
- Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA
| | - Lucas Brandao
- Department of Biology, Clark University, Worcester, MA 01610, USA
| | - Gulan N Xu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Endocrinology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Amber Braker
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Endocrinology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Valentin K Gribkoff
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Endocrinology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06511, USA; Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA
| | - Richard J Levy
- Department of Anesthesiology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Jonas
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Endocrinology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06511, USA; Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA.
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62
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Yao D, Li C, Rajoka MSR, He Z, Huang J, Wang J, Zhang J. P21-Activated Kinase 1: Emerging biological functions and potential therapeutic targets in Cancer. Am J Cancer Res 2020; 10:9741-9766. [PMID: 32863957 PMCID: PMC7449905 DOI: 10.7150/thno.46913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The p21-Activated kinase 1 (PAK1), a member of serine-threonine kinases family, was initially identified as an interactor of the Rho GTPases RAC1 and CDC42, which affect a wide range of processes associated with cell motility, survival, metabolism, cell cycle, proliferation, transformation, stress, inflammation, and gene expression. Recently, the PAK1 has emerged as a potential therapeutic target in cancer due to its role in many oncogenic signaling pathways. Many PAK1 inhibitors have been developed as potential preclinical agents for cancer therapy. Here, we provide an overview of essential roles that PAK1 plays in cancer, including its structure and autoactivation mechanism, its crucial function from onset to progression to metastasis, metabolism, immune escape and even drug resistance in cancer; endogenous regulators; and cancer-related pathways. We also summarize the reported PAK1 small-molecule inhibitors based on their structure types and their potential application in cancer. In addition, we provide overviews on current progress and future challenges of PAK1 in cancer, hoping to provide new ideas for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
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63
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Kissinger ST, Wu Q, Quinn CJ, Anderson AK, Pak A, Chubykin AA. Visual Experience-Dependent Oscillations and Underlying Circuit Connectivity Changes Are Impaired in Fmr1 KO Mice. Cell Rep 2020; 31:107486. [PMID: 32268079 PMCID: PMC7201849 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.03.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2019] [Revised: 01/30/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FX), the most common inherited form of autism and intellectual disability, is a condition associated with visual perceptual learning deficits. We recently discovered that perceptual experience can encode visual familiarity via persistent low-frequency oscillations in the mouse primary visual cortex (V1). Here, we combine this paradigm with a multifaceted experimental approach to identify neurophysiological impairments of these oscillations in FX mice. Extracellular recordings reveal shorter durations, lower power, and lower frequencies of peak oscillatory activity in FX mice. Directed information analysis of extracellularly recorded spikes reveals differences in functional connectivity from multiple layers in FX mice after the perceptual experience. Channelrhodopsin-2 assisted circuit mapping (CRACM) reveals increased synaptic strength from L5 pyramidal onto L4 fast-spiking cells after experience in wild-type (WT), but not FX, mice. These results suggest differential encoding of visual stimulus familiarity in FX via persistent oscillations and identify circuit connections that may underlie these changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel T Kissinger
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Qiuyu Wu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Christopher J Quinn
- Department of Industrial Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Adam K Anderson
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Alexandr Pak
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Alexander A Chubykin
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA.
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64
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Barbosa S, Greville-Heygate S, Bonnet M, Godwin A, Fagotto-Kaufmann C, Kajava AV, Laouteouet D, Mawby R, Wai HA, Dingemans AJ, Hehir-Kwa J, Willems M, Capri Y, Mehta SG, Cox H, Goudie D, Vansenne F, Turnpenny P, Vincent M, Cogné B, Lesca G, Hertecant J, Rodriguez D, Keren B, Burglen L, Gérard M, Putoux A, Cantagrel V, Siquier-Pernet K, Rio M, Banka S, Sarkar A, Steeves M, Parker M, Clement E, Moutton S, Tran Mau-Them F, Piton A, de Vries BB, Guille M, Debant A, Schmidt S, Baralle D, Baralle D. Opposite Modulation of RAC1 by Mutations in TRIO Is Associated with Distinct, Domain-Specific Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Am J Hum Genet 2020; 106:338-355. [PMID: 32109419 PMCID: PMC7058823 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2020.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The Rho-guanine nucleotide exchange factor (RhoGEF) TRIO acts as a key regulator of neuronal migration, axonal outgrowth, axon guidance, and synaptogenesis by activating the GTPase RAC1 and modulating actin cytoskeleton remodeling. Pathogenic variants in TRIO are associated with neurodevelopmental diseases, including intellectual disability (ID) and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Here, we report the largest international cohort of 24 individuals with confirmed pathogenic missense or nonsense variants in TRIO. The nonsense mutations are spread along the TRIO sequence, and affected individuals show variable neurodevelopmental phenotypes. In contrast, missense variants cluster into two mutational hotspots in the TRIO sequence, one in the seventh spectrin repeat and one in the RAC1-activating GEFD1. Although all individuals in this cohort present with developmental delay and a neuro-behavioral phenotype, individuals with a pathogenic variant in the seventh spectrin repeat have a more severe ID associated with macrocephaly than do most individuals with GEFD1 variants, who display milder ID and microcephaly. Functional studies show that the spectrin and GEFD1 variants cause a TRIO-mediated hyper- or hypo-activation of RAC1, respectively, and we observe a striking correlation between RAC1 activation levels and the head size of the affected individuals. In addition, truncations in TRIO GEFD1 in the vertebrate model X. tropicalis induce defects that are concordant with the human phenotype. This work demonstrates distinct clinical and molecular disorders clustering in the GEFD1 and seventh spectrin repeat domains and highlights the importance of tight control of TRIO-RAC1 signaling in neuronal development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Diana Baralle
- Wessex Clinical Genetics, University Hospital Southampton National Health Service Foundation Trust, Southampton SO16 5YA, UK; Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK.
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McCullagh EA, Rotschafer SE, Auerbach BD, Klug A, Kaczmarek LK, Cramer KS, Kulesza RJ, Razak KA, Lovelace JW, Lu Y, Koch U, Wang Y. Mechanisms underlying auditory processing deficits in Fragile X syndrome. FASEB J 2020; 34:3501-3518. [PMID: 32039504 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201902435r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2019] [Revised: 12/31/2019] [Accepted: 01/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are strongly associated with auditory hypersensitivity or hyperacusis (difficulty tolerating sounds). Fragile X syndrome (FXS), the most common monogenetic cause of ASD, has emerged as a powerful gateway for exploring underlying mechanisms of hyperacusis and auditory dysfunction in ASD. This review discusses examples of disruption of the auditory pathways in FXS at molecular, synaptic, and circuit levels in animal models as well as in FXS individuals. These examples highlight the involvement of multiple mechanisms, from aberrant synaptic development and ion channel deregulation of auditory brainstem circuits, to impaired neuronal plasticity and network hyperexcitability in the auditory cortex. Though a relatively new area of research, recent discoveries have increased interest in auditory dysfunction and mechanisms underlying hyperacusis in this disorder. This rapidly growing body of data has yielded novel research directions addressing critical questions regarding the timing and possible outcomes of human therapies for auditory dysfunction in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A McCullagh
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Colorado Anschutz, Aurora, CO, USA.,Department of Integrative Biology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA
| | - Sarah E Rotschafer
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Mercer University School of Medicine, Savannah, GA, USA
| | - Benjamin D Auerbach
- Center for Hearing and Deafness, Department of Communicative Disorders & Sciences, SUNY at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Achim Klug
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Colorado Anschutz, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Leonard K Kaczmarek
- Departments of Pharmacology and Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Karina S Cramer
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Randy J Kulesza
- Department of Anatomy, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Erie, PA, USA
| | - Khaleel A Razak
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA
| | | | - Yong Lu
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, College of Medicine, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, OH, USA
| | - Ursula Koch
- Institute of Biology, Neurophysiology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Yuan Wang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
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66
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Möhrle D, Fernández M, Peñagarikano O, Frick A, Allman B, Schmid S. What we can learn from a genetic rodent model about autism. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 109:29-53. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Revised: 10/28/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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67
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Wang Y, Zeng C, Li J, Zhou Z, Ju X, Xia S, Li Y, Liu A, Teng H, Zhang K, Shi L, Bi C, Xie W, He X, Jia Z, Jiang Y, Cai T, Wu J, Xia K, Sun ZS. PAK2 Haploinsufficiency Results in Synaptic Cytoskeleton Impairment and Autism-Related Behavior. Cell Rep 2020; 24:2029-2041. [PMID: 30134165 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2018.07.061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2018] [Revised: 06/15/2018] [Accepted: 07/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Synaptic cytoskeleton dysfunction represents a common pathogenesis in neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The serine/threonine kinase PAK2 is a critical regulator of cytoskeleton dynamics. However, its function within the central nervous system and its role in ASD pathogenesis remain undefined. Here, we found that Pak2 haploinsufficiency resulted in markedly decreased synapse densities, defective long-term potentiation, and autism-related behaviors in mice. Phosphorylation levels of key actin regulators LIMK1 and cofilin, together with their mediated actin polymerization, were reduced in Pak2+/-mice. We identified one de novo PAK2 nonsense mutation that impaired PAK2 function in vitro and in vivo and four de novo copy-number deletions containing PAK2 in large cohorts of patients with ASD. PAK2 deficiency extensively perturbed functional networks associated with ASD by regulating actin cytoskeleton dynamics. Our genetic and functional results demonstrate a critical role of PAK2 in brain development and autism pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Wang
- Beijing Institutes of Life Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Cheng Zeng
- Beijing Institutes of Life Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jinchen Li
- Center for Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Zikai Zhou
- Institute of Life Sciences, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Xingda Ju
- Department of Psychology, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130031, China
| | - Shuting Xia
- Institute of Life Sciences, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Yuanyuan Li
- Beijing Institutes of Life Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - An Liu
- Institute of Life Sciences, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Huajing Teng
- Beijing Institutes of Life Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Kun Zhang
- Institute of Genomic Medicine, Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou 325000, China
| | - Leisheng Shi
- Institute of Genomic Medicine, Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou 325000, China
| | - Cheng Bi
- Beijing Institutes of Life Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Wei Xie
- Institute of Life Sciences, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Xin He
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Zhengping Jia
- Neurosciences & Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G1X8, Canada
| | - Yonghui Jiang
- Deparment of Pediatrics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Tao Cai
- Experimental Medicine Section, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)/NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Jinyu Wu
- Institute of Genomic Medicine, Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou 325000, China
| | - Kun Xia
- Center for Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China.
| | - Zhong Sheng Sun
- Beijing Institutes of Life Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Institute of Genomic Medicine, Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou 325000, China.
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Swanson MR, Hazlett HC. White matter as a monitoring biomarker for neurodevelopmental disorder intervention studies. J Neurodev Disord 2019; 11:33. [PMID: 31839003 PMCID: PMC6912948 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-019-9295-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Accepted: 11/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Early intervention is a valuable tool to support the development of toddlers with neurodevelopmental disorders. With recent research advances in early identification that allow for pre-symptomatic detection of autism in infancy, scientists are looking forward to intervention during infancy. These advances may be supported by the identification of biologically based treatment and outcome measures that are sensitive and dimensional. The purpose of this review is to evaluate white matter neurodevelopment as a monitoring biomarker for early treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders. Fragile X syndrome (FXS) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as used as exemplars. White matter has unique neurobiology, including a prolonged period of dynamic development. This developmental pattern may make white matter especially responsive to treatment. White matter develops aberrantly in children with ASD and FXS. Histologic studies in rodents have provided targets for FXS pharmacological intervention. However, pharmaceutical clinical trials in humans failed to garner positive clinical results. In this article, we argue that the use of neurobiological monitoring biomarkers may overcome some of these limitations, as they are objective, not susceptible to placebo effects, and are dimensional in nature. SHORT CONCLUSION As the field moves towards earlier detection and early intervention for neurodevelopmental disorders, we encourage scientists to consider the advantages of using neurobiological features as monitoring biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghan R Swanson
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, GR41, 800 W. Campbell Road, Richardson, TX, 75080-3021, USA.
| | - Heather C Hazlett
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, 27599, NC, USA
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Gonzalez D, Tomasek M, Hays S, Sridhar V, Ammanuel S, Chang CW, Pawlowski K, Huber KM, Gibson JR. Audiogenic Seizures in the Fmr1 Knock-Out Mouse Are Induced by Fmr1 Deletion in Subcortical, VGlut2-Expressing Excitatory Neurons and Require Deletion in the Inferior Colliculus. J Neurosci 2019; 39:9852-9863. [PMID: 31666356 PMCID: PMC6891051 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0886-19.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2019] [Revised: 09/06/2019] [Accepted: 10/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most common form of inherited intellectual disability and the leading monogenetic cause of autism. One symptom of FXS and autism is sensory hypersensitivity (also called sensory over-responsivity). Perhaps related to this, the audiogenic seizure (AGS) is arguably the most robust behavioral phenotype in the FXS mouse model-the Fmr1 knock-out (KO) mouse. Therefore, the AGS may be considered a mouse model of sensory hypersensitivity. Hyperactive circuits are hypothesized to underlie dysfunction in a number of brain regions in patients with FXS and Fmr1 KO mice, and the AGS may be a result of this. But the specific cell types and brain regions underlying AGSs in the Fmr1 KO are unknown. We used conditional deletion or expression of Fmr1 in different cell populations to determine whether Fmr1 deletion in those cells was sufficient or necessary, respectively, for the AGS phenotype in males. Our data indicate that Fmr1 deletion in glutamatergic neurons that express vesicular glutamate transporter 2 (VGlut2) and are located in subcortical brain regions is sufficient and necessary to cause AGSs. Furthermore, the deletion of Fmr1 in glutamatergic neurons of the inferior colliculus is necessary for AGSs. When we demonstrate necessity, we show that Fmr1 expression in either the larger population of VGlut2-expressing glutamatergic neurons or the smaller population of inferior collicular glutamatergic neurons-in an otherwise Fmr1 KO mouse-eliminates AGSs. Therefore, targeting these neuronal populations in FXS and autism may be part of a therapeutic strategy to alleviate sensory hypersensitivity.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Sensory hypersensitivity in fragile X syndrome (FXS) and autism patients significantly interferes with quality of life. Audiogenic seizures (AGSs) are arguably the most robust behavioral phenotype in the FXS mouse model-the Fmr1 knockout-and may be considered a model of sensory hypersensitivity in FXS. We provide the clearest and most precise genetic evidence to date for the cell types and brain regions involved in causing AGSs in the Fmr1 knockout and, more broadly, for any mouse mutant. The expression of Fmr1 in these same cell types in an otherwise Fmr1 knockout eliminates AGSs indicating possible cellular targets for alleviating sensory hypersensitivity in FXS and other forms of autism.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Seth Hays
- Department of Neuroscience, Dallas, and
| | | | | | | | - Karen Pawlowski
- Department of Otolaryngology and Biomedical Engineering Program, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390-9035
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Medishetti R, Rani R, Kavati S, Mahilkar A, Akella V, Saxena U, Kulkarni P, Sevilimedu A. A DNAzyme based knockdown model for Fragile-X syndrome in zebrafish reveals a critical window for therapeutic intervention. J Pharmacol Toxicol Methods 2019; 101:106656. [PMID: 31734279 DOI: 10.1016/j.vascn.2019.106656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2018] [Revised: 11/05/2019] [Accepted: 11/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION FXS is the leading cause of intellectual disabilities in males and a major monogenic cause of ASD (Autism spectrum disorders). It occurs due to the loss of FMRP, whose role in early development is not well understood. In this study, we have used a novel DNAzyme based approach to create a larval model of FXS in zebrafish with specific focus on the early developmental window. METHODS Fmr1specific DNAzymes were electroporated into embryos to create the knockdown. Changes in RNA and protein levels of FMRP and relevant biomarkers were measured in the 0-7dpf window. Behavioral tests to measure anxiety, cognitive impairments and irritability in the larvae were conducted at the 7dpf stage. Drug treatment was carried out at various time points in the 0-7dpf window to identify the critical window for pharmacological intervention. RESULTS The DNAzyme based knockdown approach led to a significant knockdown of FMRP in the zebrafish embryos, accompanied by increased anxiety, irritability and cognitive impairments at 7dpf, thus creating a robust larval model of FXS. Treatment with the Mavoglurant was able to rescue the behavioral phenotypes in the FXS larvae, and found to be more efficacious in the 0-3dpf window. DISCUSSION The results from this study have revealed that a) a DNAzyme based knockdown approach can be used to create robust larval zebrafish model of disease, in a high-throughput manner and b) optimal window for therapeutic intervention for FXS as well as other pediatric diseases with a monogenic cause can be identified using such a model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raghavender Medishetti
- Center for Innovation in Molecular and Pharmaceutical Sciences (CIMPS), Dr. Reddy's Institute of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad Campus, Gachibowli, Hyderabad, Telangana, 500046, India
| | - Rita Rani
- Center for Innovation in Molecular and Pharmaceutical Sciences (CIMPS), Dr. Reddy's Institute of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad Campus, Gachibowli, Hyderabad, Telangana, 500046, India
| | - Srinivas Kavati
- Center for Innovation in Molecular and Pharmaceutical Sciences (CIMPS), Dr. Reddy's Institute of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad Campus, Gachibowli, Hyderabad, Telangana, 500046, India
| | - Anjali Mahilkar
- Center for Innovation in Molecular and Pharmaceutical Sciences (CIMPS), Dr. Reddy's Institute of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad Campus, Gachibowli, Hyderabad, Telangana, 500046, India
| | - Venkateswarlu Akella
- Center for Innovation in Molecular and Pharmaceutical Sciences (CIMPS), Dr. Reddy's Institute of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad Campus, Gachibowli, Hyderabad, Telangana, 500046, India
| | - Uday Saxena
- Center for Innovation in Molecular and Pharmaceutical Sciences (CIMPS), Dr. Reddy's Institute of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad Campus, Gachibowli, Hyderabad, Telangana, 500046, India
| | - Pushkar Kulkarni
- Center for Innovation in Molecular and Pharmaceutical Sciences (CIMPS), Dr. Reddy's Institute of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad Campus, Gachibowli, Hyderabad, Telangana, 500046, India.
| | - Aarti Sevilimedu
- Center for Innovation in Molecular and Pharmaceutical Sciences (CIMPS), Dr. Reddy's Institute of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad Campus, Gachibowli, Hyderabad, Telangana, 500046, India.
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Hodges SL, Reynolds CD, Nolan SO, Huebschman JL, Okoh JT, Binder MS, Lugo JN. A single early-life seizure results in long-term behavioral changes in the adult Fmr1 knockout mouse. Epilepsy Res 2019; 157:106193. [PMID: 31520894 PMCID: PMC6823160 DOI: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2019.106193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2019] [Revised: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 08/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the leading cause of inherited intellectual disability and a significant genetic contributor to Autism spectrum disorder. In addition to autistic-like phenotypes, individuals with FXS are subject to developing numerous comorbidities, one of the most prevalent being seizures. In the present study, we investigated how a single early-life seizure superimposed on a genetic condition impacts the autistic-like behavioral phenotype of the mouse. We induced status epilepticus (SE) on postnatal day (PD) 10 in Fmr1 wild type (WT) and knockout (KO) mice. We then tested the mice in a battery of behavioral tests during adulthood (PD90) to examine the long-term impact of an early-life seizure. Our findings replicated prior work that reported a single instance of SE results in behavioral deficits, including increases in repetitive behavior, enhanced hippocampal-dependent learning, and reduced sociability and prepulse inhibition (p < 0.05). We also observed genotypic differences characteristic of the FXS phenotype in Fmr1 KO mice, such as enhanced prepulse inhibition and repetitive behavior, hyperactivity, and reduced startle responses (p < 0.05). Superimposing a seizure on deletion of Fmr1 significantly impacted repetitive behavior in a nosepoke task. Specifically, a single early-life seizure increased consecutive nose poking behavior in the task in WT mice (p < 0.05), yet seizures did not exacerbate the elevated stereotypy observed in Fmr1 KO mice (p > 0.05). Overall, these findings help to elucidate how seizures in a critical period of development can impact long-term behavioral manifestations caused by underlying gene mutations in Fmr1. Utilizing double-hit models, such as superimposing seizures on the Fmr1 mutation, can help to enhance our understanding of comorbidities in disease models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha L Hodges
- Institute of Biomedical Studies, Baylor University, Waco, TX 76798, USA
| | - Conner D Reynolds
- Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth TX, 76107, USA
| | - Suzanne O Nolan
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, TX 76798, USA
| | | | - James T Okoh
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Matthew S Binder
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, TX 76798, USA
| | - Joaquin N Lugo
- Institute of Biomedical Studies, Baylor University, Waco, TX 76798, USA; Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, TX 76798, USA; Department of Biology, Baylor University, Waco, TX 76798, USA.
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72
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Booker SA, Domanski APF, Dando OR, Jackson AD, Isaac JTR, Hardingham GE, Wyllie DJA, Kind PC. Altered dendritic spine function and integration in a mouse model of fragile X syndrome. Nat Commun 2019; 10:4813. [PMID: 31645626 PMCID: PMC6811549 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-11891-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2018] [Accepted: 07/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Cellular and circuit hyperexcitability are core features of fragile X syndrome and related autism spectrum disorder models. However, the cellular and synaptic bases of this hyperexcitability have proved elusive. We report in a mouse model of fragile X syndrome, glutamate uncaging onto individual dendritic spines yields stronger single-spine excitation than wild-type, with more silent spines. Furthermore, fewer spines are required to trigger an action potential with near-simultaneous uncaging at multiple spines. This is, in part, from increased dendritic gain due to increased intrinsic excitability, resulting from reduced hyperpolarization-activated currents, and increased NMDA receptor signaling. Using super-resolution microscopy we detect no change in dendritic spine morphology, indicating no structure-function relationship at this age. However, ultrastructural analysis shows a 3-fold increase in multiply-innervated spines, accounting for the increased single-spine glutamate currents. Thus, loss of FMRP causes abnormal synaptogenesis, leading to large numbers of poly-synaptic spines despite normal spine morphology, thus explaining the synaptic perturbations underlying circuit hyperexcitability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sam A Booker
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK
- Patrick Wild Centre, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK
- Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK
- Centre for Brain Development and Repair, NCBS, GKVK Campus, Bangalore, 560065, India
| | - Aleksander P F Domanski
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology & Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Owen R Dando
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK
- Patrick Wild Centre, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK
- Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK
- Centre for Brain Development and Repair, NCBS, GKVK Campus, Bangalore, 560065, India
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Chancellor's Buildings, Little France, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Adam D Jackson
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK
- Patrick Wild Centre, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK
- Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK
- Centre for Brain Development and Repair, NCBS, GKVK Campus, Bangalore, 560065, India
| | - John T R Isaac
- Developmental Synaptic Plasticity Section, NINDS, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
- Janssen Neuroscience, J&J London Innovation Centre, One Chapel Place, London, W1G 0B, UK
| | - Giles E Hardingham
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK
- Patrick Wild Centre, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK
- Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK
- Centre for Brain Development and Repair, NCBS, GKVK Campus, Bangalore, 560065, India
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Chancellor's Buildings, Little France, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK
| | - David J A Wyllie
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK.
- Patrick Wild Centre, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK.
- Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK.
- Centre for Brain Development and Repair, NCBS, GKVK Campus, Bangalore, 560065, India.
| | - Peter C Kind
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK.
- Patrick Wild Centre, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK.
- Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK.
- Centre for Brain Development and Repair, NCBS, GKVK Campus, Bangalore, 560065, India.
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Sanders SJ, Sahin M, Hostyk J, Thurm A, Jacquemont S, Avillach P, Douard E, Martin CL, Modi ME, Moreno-De-Luca A, Raznahan A, Anticevic A, Dolmetsch R, Feng G, Geschwind DH, Glahn DC, Goldstein DB, Ledbetter DH, Mulle JG, Pasca SP, Samaco R, Sebat J, Pariser A, Lehner T, Gur RE, Bearden CE. A framework for the investigation of rare genetic disorders in neuropsychiatry. Nat Med 2019; 25:1477-1487. [PMID: 31548702 PMCID: PMC8656349 DOI: 10.1038/s41591-019-0581-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2018] [Accepted: 07/31/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
De novo and inherited rare genetic disorders (RGDs) are a major cause of human morbidity, frequently involving neuropsychiatric symptoms. Recent advances in genomic technologies and data sharing have revolutionized the identification and diagnosis of RGDs, presenting an opportunity to elucidate the mechanisms underlying neuropsychiatric disorders by investigating the pathophysiology of high-penetrance genetic risk factors. Here we seek out the best path forward for achieving these goals. We think future research will require consistent approaches across multiple RGDs and developmental stages, involving both the characterization of shared neuropsychiatric dimensions in humans and the identification of neurobiological commonalities in model systems. A coordinated and concerted effort across patients, families, researchers, clinicians and institutions, including rapid and broad sharing of data, is now needed to translate these discoveries into urgently needed therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan J Sanders
- Department of Psychiatry, UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Mustafa Sahin
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joseph Hostyk
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, Hammer Health Sciences, New York, NY, USA
| | - Audrey Thurm
- National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Sebastien Jacquemont
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Centre, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Paul Avillach
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Elise Douard
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Centre, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Christa L Martin
- Geisinger Autism & Developmental Medicine Institute, Danville, PA, USA
| | - Meera E Modi
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Alan Anticevic
- Tommy Fuss Center for Neuropsychiatric Disease Research, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ricardo Dolmetsch
- Department of Neuroscience, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Guoping Feng
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research and Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Daniel H Geschwind
- Center for Autism Research and Treatment, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior and Departments of Neurology and Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - David C Glahn
- Tommy Fuss Center for Neuropsychiatric Disease Research, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - David B Goldstein
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, Hammer Health Sciences, New York, NY, USA
| | - David H Ledbetter
- Geisinger Autism & Developmental Medicine Institute, Danville, PA, USA
| | - Jennifer G Mulle
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Sergiu P Pasca
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Rodney Samaco
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jonathan Sebat
- Beyster Center for Genomics of Psychiatric Diseases, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Anne Pariser
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Thomas Lehner
- National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Raquel E Gur
- Department of Psychiatry, Neuropsychiatry Section, and the Lifespan Brain Institute, Perelman School of Medicine and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Carrie E Bearden
- Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, Departments of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences and Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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74
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Nishiyama J. Plasticity of dendritic spines: Molecular function and dysfunction in neurodevelopmental disorders. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2019; 73:541-550. [PMID: 31215705 DOI: 10.1111/pcn.12899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2018] [Revised: 06/04/2019] [Accepted: 06/06/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Dendritic spines are tiny postsynaptic protrusions from a dendrite that receive most of the excitatory synaptic input in the brain. Functional and structural changes in dendritic spines are critical for synaptic plasticity, a cellular model of learning and memory. Conversely, altered spine morphology and plasticity are common hallmarks of human neurodevelopmental disorders, such as intellectual disability and autism. The advances in molecular and optical techniques have allowed for exploration of dynamic changes in structure and signal transduction at single-spine resolution, providing significant insights into the molecular regulation underlying spine structural plasticity. Here, I review recent findings on: how synaptic stimulation leads to diverse forms of spine structural plasticity; how the associated biochemical signals are initiated and transmitted into neuronal compartments; and how disruption of single genes associated with neurodevelopmental disorders can lead to abnormal spine structure in human and mouse brains. In particular, I discuss the functions of the Ras superfamily of small GTPases in spatiotemporal regulation of the actin cytoskeleton and protein synthesis in dendritic spines. Multiple lines of evidence implicate disrupted Ras signaling pathways in the spine structural abnormalities observed in neurodevelopmental disorders. Both deficient and excessive Ras activities lead to disrupted spine structure and deficits in learning and memory. Dysregulation of spine Ras signaling, therefore, may play a key role in the pathogenesis of multiple neurodevelopmental disorders with distinct etiologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Nishiyama
- Program in Neuroscience and Behavioral Disorders, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore
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75
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Combined inhibition of receptor tyrosine and p21-activated kinases as a therapeutic strategy in childhood ALL. Blood Adv 2019; 2:2554-2567. [PMID: 30301811 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2018020693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2018] [Accepted: 09/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK)-dependent signaling has been implicated in the pathogenesis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) of childhood. However, the RTK-dependent signaling state and its interpretation with regard to biological behavior are often elusive. To decipher signaling circuits that link RTK activity with biological output in vivo, we established patient-derived xenograft ALL (PDX-ALL) models with dependencies on fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) and platelet-derived growth factor receptor β (PDGFRB), which were interrogated by phosphoproteomics using iTRAQ mass spectrometry. Signaling circuits were determined by receptor type and cellular context with few generic features, among which we identified group I p21-activated kinases (PAKs) as potential therapeutic targets. Growth factor stimulation markedly increased catalytic activities of PAK1 and PAK2. RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated or pharmacological inhibition of PAKs using allosteric or adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-competitive compounds attenuated cell growth and increased apoptosis in vitro. Notably, PAK1- or PAK2-directed RNAi enhanced the antiproliferative effects of the type III RTK and protein kinase C inhibitor midostaurin. Treatment of FLT3- or PDGFRB-dependent ALLs with ATP-competitive PAK inhibitors markedly decreased catalytic activities of both PAK isoforms. In FLT3-driven ALL, this effect was augmented by coadministration of midostaurin resulting in synergistic effects on growth inhibition and apoptosis. Finally, combined treatment of FLT3 D835H PDX-ALL with the ATP-competitive group I PAK inhibitor FRAX486 and midostaurin in vivo significantly prolonged leukemia progression-free survival compared with midostaurin monotherapy or control. Our study establishes PAKs as potential downstream targets in RTK-dependent ALL of childhood, the inhibition of which might help prevent the selection or acquisition of resistance mutations toward tyrosine kinase inhibitors.
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76
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Roesler MK, Lombino FL, Freitag S, Schweizer M, Hermans-Borgmeyer I, Schwarz JR, Kneussel M, Wagner W. Myosin XVI Regulates Actin Cytoskeleton Dynamics in Dendritic Spines of Purkinje Cells and Affects Presynaptic Organization. Front Cell Neurosci 2019; 13:330. [PMID: 31474830 PMCID: PMC6705222 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2019.00330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2019] [Accepted: 07/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The actin cytoskeleton is crucial for function and morphology of neuronal synapses. Moreover, altered regulation of the neuronal actin cytoskeleton has been implicated in neuropsychiatric diseases such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Myosin XVI is a neuronally expressed unconventional myosin known to bind the WAVE regulatory complex (WRC), a regulator of filamentous actin (F-actin) polymerization. Notably, the gene encoding the myosin’s heavy chain (MYO16) shows genetic association with neuropsychiatric disorders including ASD. Here, we investigated whether myosin XVI plays a role for actin cytoskeleton regulation in the dendritic spines of cerebellar Purkinje cells (PCs), a neuronal cell type crucial for motor learning, social cognition and vocalization. We provide evidence that both myosin XVI and the WRC component WAVE1 localize to PC spines. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) analysis of GFP-actin in cultured PCs shows that Myo16 knockout as well as PC-specific Myo16 knockdown, lead to faster F-actin turnover in the dendritic spines of PCs. We also detect accelerated F-actin turnover upon interference with the WRC, and upon inhibition of Arp2/3 that drives formation of branched F-actin downstream of the WRC. In contrast, inhibition of formins that are responsible for polymerization of linear actin filaments does not cause faster F-actin turnover. Together, our data establish myosin XVI as a regulator of the postsynaptic actin cytoskeleton and suggest that it is an upstream activator of the WRC-Arp2/3 pathway in PC spines. Furthermore, ultra-structural and electrophysiological analyses of Myo16 knockout cerebellum reveals the presence of reduced numbers of synaptic vesicles at presynaptic terminals in the absence of the myosin. Therefore, we here define myosin XVI as an F-actin regulator important for presynaptic organization in the cerebellum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona Katrin Roesler
- Department of Molecular Neurogenetics, Center for Molecular Neurobiology Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Franco Luis Lombino
- Department of Molecular Neurogenetics, Center for Molecular Neurobiology Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sandra Freitag
- Department of Molecular Neurogenetics, Center for Molecular Neurobiology Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Michaela Schweizer
- Electron Microscopy Unit, Center for Molecular Neurobiology Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Irm Hermans-Borgmeyer
- Transgenic Animal Unit, Center for Molecular Neurobiology Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jürgen R Schwarz
- Department of Molecular Neurogenetics, Center for Molecular Neurobiology Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Kneussel
- Department of Molecular Neurogenetics, Center for Molecular Neurobiology Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Wagner
- Department of Molecular Neurogenetics, Center for Molecular Neurobiology Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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77
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Cannabidiol (CBD) reduces anxiety-related behavior in mice via an FMRP-independent mechanism. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2019; 181:93-100. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2019.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Revised: 04/21/2019] [Accepted: 05/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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78
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Yu Q, Gratzke C, Wang Y, Wang X, Li B, Strittmatter F, Herlemann A, Wang R, Tamalunas A, Waidelich R, Stief CG, Hennenberg M. New strategies for inhibition of non-adrenergic prostate smooth muscle contraction by pharmacologic intervention. Prostate 2019; 79:746-756. [PMID: 30811062 DOI: 10.1002/pros.23780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inhibition of prostate smooth muscle contraction by α1 -adrenoceptor antagonists (α1 -blockers) is a first-line medical treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Increased smooth muscle tone in the hyperplastic prostate may drive urethral obstruction, resulting in bladder outlet obstruction and voiding symptoms. However, efficacy of α1 -blockers is limited, as non-adrenergic mediators including endothelin-1 and thromboxane A2 (TXA2 ) increase prostate smooth muscle tension in parallel to α1 -adrenoceptors. This may maintain urethral obstruction despite therapy with α1 -blockers. Consequently, future treatment options with higher efficacy need to target α1 -adrenergic and non-adrenergic contractions simultaneouly. Recently, several compounds were reported to inhibit adrenergic or neurogenic prostate contractions, however, their effects on non-adrenergic contraction are unknown. Here, we examined effects of inhibitors for Rac-GTPase, Src family kinases (SFKs), and p21-activated kinases (PAKs) on non-adrenergic prostate contractions. METHODS Prostate tissues were obtained from radical prostatectomy. Contractions were studied in an organ bath. Viability of cultured stromal cells was assessed by CCK-8 assay. RESULTS Inhibition of α1 -adrenergic contractions by Rac inhibitors EHT1864 (100 μM) and NSC23766 (100 μM), and SFK inhibitors AZM475721 (10 μM) and PP2 (10 μM) was confirmed by inhibition of methoxamine-induced contractions. No effects of the PAK inhibitors FRAX486 (30 μM) and IPA3 (300 μM) on α1 -adrenergic contraction were confirmed by absent effects on methoxamine-inuced contractions. EHT1864 caused inhibition of endothelin-1- and U46619-induced contractions. EHT1864 reduced the viability of stromal cells concentration- and time-dependently. EHT1864 attenuated KCl-induced contractions of prostate strips only slightly, so that toxic effects may not account alone for inhibition of agonist-induced contractions. NSC23766 inhibited U46619-induced contractions, but not endothelin-1-induced contractions. AZM475271 had no effects on endothelin-1- or U46619-induced contractions, while PP2 inhibited U46619- but not endothelin-1-induced contractions. FRAX486 caused inhibition of U46619-induced contractions. IPA3 inhibited U46619-, but not endothelin-1-induced contractions. CONCLUSIONS Of all six inhibitors, EHT1864 seems to be most promising from a translational point of view, as it inhibited TXA2 - and endothelin-1-induced besides α1 -adrenergic prostate contractions. This reflects divergent pharmacologic profiles of EHT1864 and NSC23766, although both are Rac-GTPase inhibitors. In vivo, urodynamic effects of EHT1864 and possibly of FRAX486 may exceed those of α1 -blockers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingfeng Yu
- Department of Urology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- Department of Urology, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Christian Gratzke
- Department of Urology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- Department of Urology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Yiming Wang
- Department of Urology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Xiaolong Wang
- Department of Urology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Bingsheng Li
- Department of Urology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Annika Herlemann
- Department of Urology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Ruixiao Wang
- Department of Urology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | | | | | - Christian G Stief
- Department of Urology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Martin Hennenberg
- Department of Urology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
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79
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Zafarullah M, Tassone F. Molecular Biomarkers in Fragile X Syndrome. Brain Sci 2019; 9:E96. [PMID: 31035599 PMCID: PMC6562871 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci9050096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Revised: 04/22/2019] [Accepted: 04/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most common inherited form of intellectual disability (ID) and a known monogenic cause of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It is a trinucleotide repeat disorder, in which more than 200 CGG repeats in the 5' untranslated region (UTR) of the fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) gene causes methylation of the promoter with consequent silencing of the gene, ultimately leading to the loss of the encoded fragile X mental retardation 1 protein, FMRP. FMRP is an RNA binding protein that plays a primary role as a repressor of translation of various mRNAs, many of which are involved in the maintenance and development of neuronal synaptic function and plasticity. In addition to intellectual disability, patients with FXS face several behavioral challenges, including anxiety, hyperactivity, seizures, repetitive behavior, and problems with executive and language performance. Currently, there is no cure or approved medication for the treatment of the underlying causes of FXS, but in the past few years, our knowledge about the proteins and pathways that are dysregulated by the loss of FMRP has increased, leading to clinical trials and to the path of developing molecular biomarkers for identifying potential targets for therapies. In this paper, we review candidate molecular biomarkers that have been identified in preclinical studies in the FXS mouse animal model and are now under validation for human applications or have already made their way to clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marwa Zafarullah
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, 95817 CA, USA.
| | - Flora Tassone
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, 95817 CA, USA.
- MIND Institute, University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, 95817 CA, USA.
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80
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Bagni C, Zukin RS. A Synaptic Perspective of Fragile X Syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorders. Neuron 2019; 101:1070-1088. [PMID: 30897358 PMCID: PMC9628679 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2019.02.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 202] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2019] [Revised: 02/25/2019] [Accepted: 02/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Altered synaptic structure and function is a major hallmark of fragile X syndrome (FXS), autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), and other intellectual disabilities (IDs), which are therefore classified as synaptopathies. FXS and ASDs, while clinically and genetically distinct, share significant comorbidity, suggesting that there may be a common molecular and/or cellular basis, presumably at the synapse. In this article, we review brain architecture and synaptic pathways that are dysregulated in FXS and ASDs, including spine architecture, signaling in synaptic plasticity, local protein synthesis, (m)RNA modifications, and degradation. mRNA repression is a powerful mechanism for the regulation of synaptic structure and efficacy. We infer that there is no single pathway that explains most of the etiology and discuss new findings and the implications for future work directed at improving our understanding of the pathogenesis of FXS and related ASDs and the design of therapeutic strategies to ameliorate these disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Bagni
- Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
| | - R Suzanne Zukin
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York City, NY, USA.
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81
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Zou M, Li D, Li L, Wu L, Sun C. Role of the endocannabinoid system in neurological disorders. Int J Dev Neurosci 2019; 76:95-102. [PMID: 30858029 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2019.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2018] [Revised: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 03/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that begins in infancy. Although the etiology and pathogenesis are poorly understood, many studies have shown that ASD is closely related to structural and functional defects in the nervous system, especially synaptic transmission. The endocannabinoid (eCB) system is an important regulatory system of the central nervous system that regulates neurotransmission and synaptic plasticity and plays an important role in emotional and social responses and cognitive function. The relationship between eCB system and ASD has attracted increasing attention from scholars. In this review, we discuss the complex lipid signaling network of the eCB system, intracellular transport pathways, abnormal expression and association with various neurological diseases, and direct and indirect evidence for the link between eCB and ASD. Collectively, the findings to date indicate that the eCB system plays a key role in the pathophysiology of ASD and can provide new insights into potential interventions and rehabilitation strategies for ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingyang Zou
- Department of Children's and Adolescent Health, Public Health College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Dexin Li
- Department of Children's and Adolescent Health, Public Health College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Ling Li
- Department of Children's and Adolescent Health, Public Health College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Lijie Wu
- Department of Children's and Adolescent Health, Public Health College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Caihong Sun
- Department of Children's and Adolescent Health, Public Health College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
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82
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Jacquemont S, Pacini L, Jønch AE, Cencelli G, Rozenberg I, He Y, D'Andrea L, Pedini G, Eldeeb M, Willemsen R, Gasparini F, Tassone F, Hagerman R, Gomez-Mancilla B, Bagni C. Protein synthesis levels are increased in a subset of individuals with fragile X syndrome. Hum Mol Genet 2019; 27:2039-2051. [PMID: 29590342 PMCID: PMC5985734 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddy099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2018] [Accepted: 03/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is a monogenic form of intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder caused by the absence of the fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP). In biological models for the disease, this leads to upregulated mRNA translation and as a consequence, deficits in synaptic architecture and plasticity. Preclinical studies revealed that pharmacological interventions restore those deficits, which are thought to mediate the FXS cognitive and behavioral symptoms. Here, we characterized the de novo rate of protein synthesis in patients with FXS and their relationship with clinical severity. We measured the rate of protein synthesis in fibroblasts derived from 32 individuals with FXS and from 17 controls as well as in fibroblasts and primary neurons of 27 Fmr1 KO mice and 20 controls. Here, we show that levels of protein synthesis are increased in fibroblasts of individuals with FXS and Fmr1 KO mice. However, this cellular phenotype displays a broad distribution and a proportion of fragile X individuals and Fmr1 KO mice do not show increased levels of protein synthesis, having measures in the normal range. Because the same Fmr1 KO animal measures in fibroblasts predict those in neurons we suggest the validity of this peripheral biomarker. Our study offers a potential explanation for the comprehensive drug development program undertaken thus far yielding negative results and suggests that a significant proportion, but not all individuals with FXS, may benefit from the reduction of excessive levels of protein synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sébastien Jacquemont
- Sainte-Justine University Hospital Research Centre, Montreal, QC H3T 1C5.,University of Montreal, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Laura Pacini
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Aia E Jønch
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Odense University Hospital.,Human Genetics, Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Giulia Cencelli
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Izabela Rozenberg
- Neuroscience Translational Medicine, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Yunsheng He
- Biomarker Development, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Laura D'Andrea
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Giorgia Pedini
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Marwa Eldeeb
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute, University of California, Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Rob Willemsen
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus Medical Center, 1738, 3000DR Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Fabrizio Gasparini
- Neuroscience Discovery, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Flora Tassone
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine and Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Randi Hagerman
- Department of Pediatric and Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute, University of California Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Baltazar Gomez-Mancilla
- Neuroscience Translational Medicine, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, 4056 Basel, Switzerland.,Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0G4, Canada
| | - Claudia Bagni
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy.,Department of Fundamental Neuroscience, University of Lausanne, 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland
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83
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Reduced mitochondrial fusion and Huntingtin levels contribute to impaired dendritic maturation and behavioral deficits in Fmr1-mutant mice. Nat Neurosci 2019; 22:386-400. [PMID: 30742117 PMCID: PMC6556892 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-019-0338-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2018] [Accepted: 01/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome results from a loss of the RNA-binding protein fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP). How FMRP regulates neuronal development and function remains unclear. Here we show that FMRP-deficient immature neurons exhibit impaired dendritic maturation, altered expression of mitochondrial genes, fragmented mitochondria, impaired mitochondrial function, and increased oxidative stress. Enhancing mitochondrial fusion partially rescued dendritic abnormalities in FMRP-deficient immature neurons. We show that FMRP deficiency leads to reduced Htt mRNA and protein levels and that HTT mediates FMRP regulation of mitochondrial fusion and dendritic maturation. Mice with hippocampal Htt knockdown and Fmr1-knockout mice showed similar behavioral deficits that could be rescued by treatment with a mitochondrial fusion compound. Our data unveil mitochondrial dysfunction as a contributor to the impaired dendritic maturation of FMRP-deficient neurons and suggest a role for interactions between FMRP and HTT in the pathogenesis of fragile X syndrome.
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84
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P21 activated kinase signaling in cancer. Semin Cancer Biol 2019; 54:40-49. [DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2018.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2017] [Revised: 01/04/2018] [Accepted: 01/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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85
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Molosh AI, Shekhar A. Neurofibromatosis type 1 as a model system to study molecular mechanisms of autism spectrum disorder symptoms. PROGRESS IN BRAIN RESEARCH 2018; 241:37-62. [PMID: 30447756 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pbr.2018.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is monogenic neurodevelopmental disorder caused by mutation of NF1 gene, which leads to increased susceptibility to various tumors formations. Additionally, majority of patients with NF1 are experience high incidence of cognitive deficits. Particularly, we review the growing number of reports demonstrated a higher incidence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in individuals with NF1. In this review we also discuss face validity of preclinical Nf1 mouse models. Then we describe discoveries from these animal models that have uncovered the deficiencies in the regulation of Ras and other intracellular pathways as critical mechanisms underlying the Nf1 cognitive problems. We also summarize and interpret recent preclinical and clinical studies that point toward potential pharmacological therapies for NF1 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrei I Molosh
- Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatric Research, IU School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States; Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, IU School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States.
| | - Anantha Shekhar
- Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatric Research, IU School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States; Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, IU School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States; Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, IU School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States; Indiana Clinical and Translational Institute, IU School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
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86
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Vigli D, Rusconi L, Valenti D, La Montanara P, Cosentino L, Lacivita E, Leopoldo M, Amendola E, Gross C, Landsberger N, Laviola G, Kilstrup-Nielsen C, Vacca RA, De Filippis B. Rescue of prepulse inhibition deficit and brain mitochondrial dysfunction by pharmacological stimulation of the central serotonin receptor 7 in a mouse model of CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder. Neuropharmacology 2018; 144:104-114. [PMID: 30326240 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.10.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2018] [Revised: 10/05/2018] [Accepted: 10/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Mutations in the X-linked cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5) gene cause CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder (CDD), a rare neurodevelopmental syndrome characterized by severe behavioural and physiological symptoms. No cure is available for CDD. CDKL5 is a kinase that is abundantly expressed in the brain and plays a critical role in neurodevelopmental processes, such as neuronal morphogenesis and plasticity. This study provides the first characterization of the neurobehavioural phenotype of 1 year old Cdkl5-null mice and demonstrates that stimulation of the serotonin receptor 7 (5-HT7R) with the agonist molecule LP-211 (0.25 mg/kg once/day for 7 days) partially rescues the abnormal phenotype and brain molecular alterations in Cdkl5-null male mice. In particular, LP-211 treatment completely normalizes the prepulse inhibition defects observed in Cdkl5-null mice and, at a molecular level, restores the abnormal cortical phosphorylation of rpS6, a downstream target of mTOR and S6 kinase, which plays a direct role in regulating protein synthesis. Moreover, we demonstrate for the first time that mitochondria show prominent functional abnormalities in Cdkl5-null mouse brains that can be restored by pharmacological stimulation of brain 5-HT7R.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Vigli
- Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Rusconi
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences and Center of Neuroscience, University of Insubria, 21052 Busto Arsizio, Italy
| | - Daniela Valenti
- Institute of Biomembranes, Bioenergetics and Molecular Biotechnologies, National Council of Research, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Paolo La Montanara
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences and Center of Neuroscience, University of Insubria, 21052 Busto Arsizio, Italy
| | - Livia Cosentino
- Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Enza Lacivita
- Dept. Pharmacy, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", 70125 Bari, Italy
| | | | - Elena Amendola
- Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples "Federico II", 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Cornelius Gross
- Mouse Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) 00015 Monterotondo, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Landsberger
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, 20090 Segrate, Italy
| | - Giovanni Laviola
- Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Charlotte Kilstrup-Nielsen
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences and Center of Neuroscience, University of Insubria, 21052 Busto Arsizio, Italy
| | - Rosa A Vacca
- Institute of Biomembranes, Bioenergetics and Molecular Biotechnologies, National Council of Research, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Bianca De Filippis
- Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy.
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87
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Activating Mutations in PAK1, Encoding p21-Activated Kinase 1, Cause a Neurodevelopmental Disorder. Am J Hum Genet 2018; 103:579-591. [PMID: 30290153 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2018.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2018] [Accepted: 09/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
p21-activated kinases (PAKs) are serine/threonine protein kinases acting as effectors of CDC42 and RAC, which are members of the RHO family of small GTPases. PAK1's kinase activity is autoinhibited by homodimerization, whereas CDC42 or RAC1 binding causes PAK1 activation by dimer dissociation. Major functions of the PAKs include actin cytoskeleton reorganization, for example regulation of the cellular protruding activity during cell spreading. We report the de novo PAK1 mutations c.392A>G (p.Tyr131Cys) and c.1286A>G (p.Tyr429Cys) in two unrelated subjects with developmental delay, secondary macrocephaly, seizures, and ataxic gait. We identified enhanced phosphorylation of the PAK1 targets JNK and AKT in fibroblasts of one subject and of c-JUN in those of both subjects compared with control subjects. In fibroblasts of the two affected individuals, we observed a trend toward enhanced PAK1 kinase activity. By using co-immunoprecipitation and size-exclusion chromatography, we observed a significantly reduced dimerization for both PAK1 mutants compared with wild-type PAK1. These data demonstrate that the two PAK1 variants function as activating alleles. In a cell spreading assay, subject-derived fibroblasts showed significant enrichment in cells occupied by filopodia. Interestingly, application of the PAK1 inhibitor FRAX486 completely reversed this cellular phenotype. Together, our data reveal that dominantly acting, gain-of-function PAK1 mutations cause a neurodevelopmental phenotype with increased head circumference, possibly by a combined effect of defective homodimerization and enhanced kinase activity of PAK1. This condition, along with the developmental disorders associated with RAC1 and CDC42 missense mutations, highlight the importance of RHO GTPase members and effectors in neuronal development.
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88
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Dang R, Qi J, Liu A, Ren Q, Lv D, Han L, Zhou Z, Cao F, Xie W, Jia Z. Regulation of hippocampal long term depression by Neuroligin 1. Neuropharmacology 2018; 143:205-216. [PMID: 30266599 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.09.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2018] [Revised: 08/30/2018] [Accepted: 09/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Neuroligins (NLGs) are postsynaptic adhesion molecules known to play essential roles in synapse development and maturation, but their effects on synaptic plasticity at mature synapses remain unclear. In this study, we investigate the involvement of NLG1 in hippocampal long-term depression (LTD), a key form of long lasting synaptic plasticity, critical for memory formation and brain disorders, by using mice deficient in the expression of NLG1. We find that although NLG1 homozygous (NLG1-/-) mice show no impairments in either NMDA receptor- (NMDAR-LTD) or metabotropic glutamate receptor-dependent LTD (mGluR-LTD), the heterozygous (NLG1+/-) mice are significantly altered in both forms of LTD characterized by the absence of NMDAR-LTD but enhanced mGluR-LTD. Accordingly, the NLG1+/-, but not the NLG1-/- mice are altered in synaptic proteins, including PSD95, GluA2 and phosphorylated GluA1 at serine 845, all of which are involved in the expression of LTD. The NLG1+/- mice also exhibit autistic-like behaviors including increased grooming and impaired recognition memory. We further show that the expression of NLG3, a close family member of NLG1, is elevated in the NLG1-/-, but not in NLG1+/- mice, suggesting that the lack of LTD deficits in the NLG1-/- mice might be due to the increased NLG3. Our results reveal a gene dosage dependent role for NLG1 in the regulation of LTD and suggest that moderate changes in NLG1 protein level may be sufficient to cause synaptic and behavior deficits in brain disorders where copy number variants and hemizygosity of gene mutations are common.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Dang
- The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, Ministry of Education, Institute of Life Sciences, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Junxia Qi
- The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, Ministry of Education, Institute of Life Sciences, Southeast University, Nanjing, China; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Key Laboratory of Human Functional Genomics of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - An Liu
- The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, Ministry of Education, Institute of Life Sciences, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qiaoyun Ren
- The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, Ministry of Education, Institute of Life Sciences, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Dandan Lv
- The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, Ministry of Education, Institute of Life Sciences, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lifang Han
- The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, Ministry of Education, Institute of Life Sciences, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zikai Zhou
- The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, Ministry of Education, Institute of Life Sciences, Southeast University, Nanjing, China; Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Feng Cao
- Neurosciences & Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Ave., Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1X8, Canada; Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Wei Xie
- The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, Ministry of Education, Institute of Life Sciences, Southeast University, Nanjing, China; Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, China.
| | - Zhengping Jia
- Neurosciences & Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Ave., Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1X8, Canada; Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1A8, Canada.
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89
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Sun H, Kamanova J, Lara-Tejero M, Galán JE. Salmonella stimulates pro-inflammatory signalling through p21-activated kinases bypassing innate immune receptors. Nat Microbiol 2018; 3:1122-1130. [PMID: 30224799 PMCID: PMC6158040 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-018-0246-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2018] [Accepted: 08/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Microbial infections are most often countered by inflammatory responses that are initiated through the recognition of conserved microbial products by innate immune receptors and result in pathogen expulsion1-6. However, inflammation can also lead to pathology. Tissues such as the intestinal epithelium, which are exposed to microbial products, are therefore subject to stringent negative regulatory mechanisms to prevent signalling through innate immune receptors6-11. This presents a challenge to the enteric pathogen Salmonella Typhimurium, which requires intestinal inflammation to compete against the resident microbiota and to acquire the nutrients and electron acceptors that sustain its replication12,13. We show here that S. Typhimurium stimulates pro-inflammatory signalling by a unique mechanism initiated by effector proteins that are delivered by its type III protein secretion system. These effectors activate Cdc42 and the p21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1) leading to the recruitment of TNF receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase 7 (TAK1), and the stimulation of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) inflammatory signalling. The removal of Cdc42, PAK1, TRAF6 or TAK1 prevented S. Typhimurium from stimulating NF-κB signalling in cultured cells. In addition, oral administration of a highly specific PAK inhibitor blocked Salmonella-induced intestinal inflammation and bacterial replication in the mouse intestine, although it resulted in a significant increase in the bacterial loads in systemic tissues. Thus, S. Typhimurium stimulates inflammatory signalling in the intestinal tract by engaging critical downstream signalling components of innate immune receptors. These findings illustrate the unique balance that emerges from host-pathogen co-evolution, in that pathogen-initiated responses that help pathogen replication are also important to prevent pathogen spread to deeper tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Sun
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jana Kamanova
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Maria Lara-Tejero
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jorge E Galán
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
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90
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Bondar VV, Adamski CJ, Onur TS, Tan Q, Wang L, Diaz-Garcia J, Park J, Orr HT, Botas J, Zoghbi HY. PAK1 regulates ATXN1 levels providing an opportunity to modify its toxicity in spinocerebellar ataxia type 1. Hum Mol Genet 2018; 27:2863-2873. [PMID: 29860311 PMCID: PMC6077814 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddy200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2017] [Revised: 04/23/2018] [Accepted: 05/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1) is caused by the expansion of a trinucleotide repeat that encodes a polyglutamine tract in ataxin-1 (ATXN1). The expanded polyglutamine in ATXN1 increases the protein's stability and results in its accumulation and toxicity. Previous studies have demonstrated that decreasing ATXN1 levels ameliorates SCA1 phenotypes and pathology in mouse models. We rationalized that reducing ATXN1 levels through pharmacological inhibition of its modulators could provide a therapeutic avenue for SCA1. Here, through a forward genetic screen in Drosophila we identified, p21-activated kinase 3 (Pak3) as a modulator of ATXN1 levels. Loss-of-function of fly Pak3 or Pak1, whose mammalian homologs belong to Group I of PAK proteins, reduces ATXN1 levels, and accordingly, improves disease pathology in a Drosophila model of SCA1. Knockdown of PAK1 potently reduces ATXN1 levels in mammalian cells independent of the well-characterized S776 phosphorylation site (known to stabilize ATXN1) thus revealing a novel molecular pathway that regulates ATXN1 levels. Furthermore, pharmacological inhibition of PAKs decreases ATXN1 levels in a mouse model of SCA1. To explore the potential of using PAK inhibitors in combination therapy, we combined the pharmacological inhibition of PAK with MSK1, a previously identified modulator of ATXN1, and examined their effects on ATXN1 levels. We found that inhibition of both pathways results in an additive decrease in ATXN1 levels. Together, this study identifies PAK signaling as a distinct molecular pathway that regulates ATXN1 levels and presents a promising opportunity to pursue for developing potential therapeutics for SCA1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vitaliy V Bondar
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Carolyn J Adamski
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Tarik S Onur
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Qiumin Tan
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Li Wang
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Javier Diaz-Garcia
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jeehye Park
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Harry T Orr
- Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Juan Botas
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Huda Y Zoghbi
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
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91
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Hlushchenko I, Khanal P, Abouelezz A, Paavilainen VO, Hotulainen P. ASD-Associated De Novo Mutations in Five Actin Regulators Show Both Shared and Distinct Defects in Dendritic Spines and Inhibitory Synapses in Cultured Hippocampal Neurons. Front Cell Neurosci 2018; 12:217. [PMID: 30123108 PMCID: PMC6085419 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2018.00217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2018] [Accepted: 07/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Many actin cytoskeleton-regulating proteins control dendritic spine morphology and density, which are cellular features often altered in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Recent studies using animal models show that autism-related behavior can be rescued by either manipulating actin regulators or by reversing dendritic spine density or morphology. Based on these studies, the actin cytoskeleton is a potential target pathway for developing new ASD treatments. Thus, it is important to understand how different ASD-associated actin regulators contribute to the regulation of dendritic spines and how ASD-associated mutations modulate this regulation. For this study, we selected five genes encoding different actin-regulating proteins and induced ASD-associated de novo missense mutations in these proteins. We assessed the functionality of the wild-type and mutated proteins by analyzing their subcellular localization, and by analyzing the dendritic spine phenotypes induced by the expression of these proteins. As the imbalance between excitation and inhibition has been suggested to have a central role in ASD, we additionally evaluated the density, size and subcellular localization of inhibitory synapses. Common for all the proteins studied was the enrichment in dendritic spines. ASD-associated mutations induced changes in the localization of α-actinin-4, which localized less to dendritic spines, and for SWAP-70 and SrGAP3, which localized more to dendritic spines. Among the wild-type proteins studied, only α-actinin-4 expression caused a significant change in dendritic spine morphology by increasing the mushroom spine density and decreasing thin spine density. We hypothesized that mutations associated with ASD shift dendritic spine morphology from mushroom to thin spines. An M554V mutation in α-actinin-4 (ACTN4) resulted in the expected shift in dendritic spine morphology by increasing the density of thin spines. In addition, we observed a trend toward higher thin spine density with mutations in myosin IXb and SWAP-70. Myosin IIb and myosin IXb expression increased the proportion of inhibitory synapses in spines. The expression of mutated myosin IIb (Y265C), SrGAP3 (E469K), and SWAP-70 (L544F) induced variable changes in inhibitory synapses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iryna Hlushchenko
- Minerva Foundation Institute for Medical Research, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Pushpa Khanal
- Minerva Foundation Institute for Medical Research, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Amr Abouelezz
- Minerva Foundation Institute for Medical Research, Helsinki, Finland.,HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Neuroscience Center, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ville O Paavilainen
- HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Pirta Hotulainen
- Minerva Foundation Institute for Medical Research, Helsinki, Finland
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92
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Tian C, Kay Y, Sadybekov A, Rao S, Katritch V, Herring BE. An Intellectual Disability-Related Missense Mutation in Rac1 Prevents LTP Induction. Front Mol Neurosci 2018; 11:223. [PMID: 30042656 PMCID: PMC6049044 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2017] [Accepted: 06/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The small GTPase Rac1 promotes actin polymerization and plays a critical and increasingly appreciated role in the development and plasticity of glutamatergic synapses. Growing evidence suggests that disruption of the Rac1 signaling pathway at glutamatergic synapses contributes to Autism Spectrum Disorder/intellectual disability (ASD/ID)-related behaviors seen in animal models of ASD/ID. Rac1 has also been proposed as a strong candidate of convergence for many factors implicated in the development of ASD/ID. However, the effects of ASD/ID-related mutations in Rac1 itself have not been explored in neurons. Here, we investigate a recently reported de novo missense mutation in Rac1 found in an individual with severe ID. Our modeling predicts that this mutation will strongly inhibit Rac1 activation by occluding Rac1's GTP binding pocket. Indeed, we find that this de novo mutation prevents Rac1 function and results in a selective reduction in synaptic AMPA receptor function. Furthermore, this mutation prevents the induction of long-term potentiation (LTP), the cellular mechanism underlying learning and memory formation. Together, our findings strongly suggest that this mutation contributes to the development of ID in this individual. This research demonstrates the importance of Rac1 in synaptic function and plasticity and contributes to a growing body of evidence pointing to dysregulation of actin polymerization at glutamatergic synapses as a contributing factor to ASD/ID.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Tian
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Yuni Kay
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Anastasiia Sadybekov
- Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- The Bridge Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Sadhna Rao
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Vsevolod Katritch
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- The Bridge Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Bruce E. Herring
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- The Bridge Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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93
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Michaelsen‐Preusse K, Feuge J, Korte M. Imbalance of synaptic actin dynamics as a key to fragile X syndrome? J Physiol 2018; 596:2773-2782. [PMID: 29380377 PMCID: PMC6046079 DOI: 10.1113/jp275571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2017] [Accepted: 01/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Our experiences and memories define who we are, and evidence has accumulated that memory formation is dependent on functional and structural adaptations of synaptic structures in our brain. Especially dendritic spines, the postsynaptic compartments of synapses show a strong structure-to-function relationship and a high degree of structural plasticity. Although the molecular mechanisms are not completely understood, it is known that these modifications are highly dependent on the actin cytoskeleton, the major cytoskeletal component of the spine. Given the crucial involvement of actin in these mechanisms, dysregulations of spine actin dynamics (reflected by alterations in dendritic spine morphology) can be found in a variety of neurological disorders ranging from schizophrenia to several forms of autism spectrum disorders such as fragile X syndrome (FXS). FXS is caused by a single mutation leading to an inactivation of the X-linked fragile X mental retardation 1 gene and loss of its gene product, the RNA-binding protein fragile X mental retardation protein 1 (FMRP), which normally can be found both pre- and postsynaptically. FMRP is involved in mRNA transport as well as regulation of local translation at the synapse, and although hundreds of FMRP-target mRNAs could be identified only a very few interactions between FMRP and actin-regulating proteins have been reported and validated. In this review we give an overview of recent work by our lab and others providing evidence that dysregulated actin dynamics might indeed be at the very base of a deeper understanding of neurological disorders ranging from cognitive impairment to the autism spectrum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin Michaelsen‐Preusse
- Zoological Institute, Division of Cellular NeurobiologyTU BraunschweigSpielmannstr. 7Braunschweig38106Germany
| | - Jonas Feuge
- Zoological Institute, Division of Cellular NeurobiologyTU BraunschweigSpielmannstr. 7Braunschweig38106Germany
| | - Martin Korte
- Zoological Institute, Division of Cellular NeurobiologyTU BraunschweigSpielmannstr. 7Braunschweig38106Germany
- Helmholtz Centre for Infection ResearchAG NINDInhoffenstr. 7Braunschweig38124Germany
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94
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Benger M, Kinali M, Mazarakis ND. Autism spectrum disorder: prospects for treatment using gene therapy. Mol Autism 2018; 9:39. [PMID: 29951185 PMCID: PMC6011246 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-018-0222-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2017] [Accepted: 06/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterised by the concomitant occurrence of impaired social interaction; restricted, perseverative and stereotypical behaviour; and abnormal communication skills. Recent epidemiological studies have reported a dramatic increase in the prevalence of ASD with as many as 1 in every 59 children being diagnosed with ASD. The fact that ASD appears to be principally genetically driven, and may be reversible postnatally, has raised the exciting possibility of using gene therapy as a disease-modifying treatment. Such therapies have already started to seriously impact on human disease and particularly monogenic disorders (e.g. metachromatic leukodystrophy, SMA type 1). In regard to ASD, technical advances in both our capacity to model the disorder in animals and also our ability to deliver genes to the central nervous system (CNS) have led to the first preclinical studies in monogenic ASD, involving both gene replacement and silencing. Furthermore, our increasing awareness and understanding of common dysregulated pathways in ASD have broadened gene therapy's potential scope to include various polygenic ASDs. As this review highlights, despite a number of outstanding challenges, gene therapy has excellent potential to address cognitive dysfunction in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Benger
- Gene Therapy, Centre for Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration, Division of Brain Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, W12 0NN, London, UK
| | - Maria Kinali
- Present address: The Portland Hospital, 205-209 Great Portland Street, London, W1W 5AH UK
| | - Nicholas D. Mazarakis
- Gene Therapy, Centre for Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration, Division of Brain Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, W12 0NN, London, UK
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95
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Joensuu M, Lanoue V, Hotulainen P. Dendritic spine actin cytoskeleton in autism spectrum disorder. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2018; 84:362-381. [PMID: 28870634 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2017.08.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2017] [Revised: 08/21/2017] [Accepted: 08/30/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Dendritic spines are small actin-rich protrusions from neuronal dendrites that form the postsynaptic part of most excitatory synapses. Changes in the shape and size of dendritic spines correlate with the functional changes in excitatory synapses and are heavily dependent on the remodeling of the underlying actin cytoskeleton. Recent evidence implicates synapses at dendritic spines as important substrates of pathogenesis in neuropsychiatric disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Although synaptic perturbations are not the only alterations relevant for these diseases, understanding the molecular underpinnings of the spine and synapse pathology may provide insight into their etiologies and could reveal new drug targets. In this review, we will discuss recent findings of defective actin regulation in dendritic spines associated with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merja Joensuu
- Minerva Foundation Institute for Medical Research, 00290 Helsinki, Finland; Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia; Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Vanessa Lanoue
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia; Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Pirta Hotulainen
- Minerva Foundation Institute for Medical Research, 00290 Helsinki, Finland.
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96
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Activation of Entorhinal Cortical Projections to the Dentate Gyrus Underlies Social Memory Retrieval. Cell Rep 2018; 23:2379-2391. [DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2018.04.073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2017] [Revised: 03/08/2018] [Accepted: 04/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
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97
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Banerjee A, Ifrim MF, Valdez AN, Raj N, Bassell GJ. Aberrant RNA translation in fragile X syndrome: From FMRP mechanisms to emerging therapeutic strategies. Brain Res 2018; 1693:24-36. [PMID: 29653083 PMCID: PMC7377270 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2018.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2018] [Revised: 03/30/2018] [Accepted: 04/06/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Research in the past decades has unfolded the multifaceted role of Fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) and how its absence contributes to the pathophysiology of Fragile X syndrome (FXS). Excess signaling through group 1 metabotropic glutamate receptors is commonly observed in mouse models of FXS, which in part is attributed to dysregulated translation and downstream signaling. Considering the wide spectrum of cellular and physiologic functions that loss of FMRP can affect in general, it may be advantageous to pursue disease mechanism based treatments that directly target translational components or signaling factors that regulate protein synthesis. Various FMRP targets upstream and downstream of the translational machinery are therefore being investigated to further our understanding of the molecular mechanism of RNA and protein synthesis dysregulation in FXS as well as test their potential role as therapeutic interventions to alleviate FXS associated symptoms. In this review, we will broadly discuss recent advancements made towards understanding the role of FMRP in translation regulation, new pre-clinical animal models with FMRP targets located at different levels of the translational and signal transduction pathways for therapeutic intervention as well as future use of stem cells to model FXS associated phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anwesha Banerjee
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
| | - Marius F Ifrim
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Arielle N Valdez
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Nisha Raj
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Gary J Bassell
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
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98
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99
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Regulating Cdc42 and Its Signaling Pathways in Cancer: Small Molecules and MicroRNA as New Treatment Candidates. Molecules 2018; 23:molecules23040787. [PMID: 29596304 PMCID: PMC6017947 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23040787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2018] [Revised: 03/19/2018] [Accepted: 03/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite great improvements in the diagnosis and treatment of neoplasms, metastatic disease is still the leading cause of death in cancer patients, with mortality rates still rising. Given this background, new ways to treat cancer will be important for development of improved cancer control strategies. Cdc42 is a member of the Rho GTPase family and plays an important role in cell-to-cell adhesion, formation of cytoskeletal structures, and cell cycle regulation. It thus influences cellular proliferation, transformation, and homeostasis, as well as the cellular migration and invasion processes underlying tumor formation. Cdc42 acts as a collection point for signal transduction and regulates multiple signaling pathways. Moreover, recent studies show that in most human cancers Cdc42 is abnormally expressed and promoting neoplastic growth and metastasis. Regarding possible new treatments for cancer, miRNA and small molecules targeting Cdc42 and related pathways have been recently found to be effective on cancer. In this review, we analyze the newly recognized regulation mechanisms for Cdc42 and Cdc42-related signal pathways, and particularly new treatments using small molecules and miRNAs to inhibit the abnormal overexpression of Cdc42 that may slow down the metastasis process, improve cancer therapy and lead to novel strategies for development of antineoplastic drugs.
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100
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Dahlhaus R. Of Men and Mice: Modeling the Fragile X Syndrome. Front Mol Neurosci 2018; 11:41. [PMID: 29599705 PMCID: PMC5862809 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2017] [Accepted: 01/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is one of the most common forms of inherited intellectual disability in all human societies. Caused by the transcriptional silencing of a single gene, the fragile x mental retardation gene FMR1, FXS is characterized by a variety of symptoms, which range from mental disabilities to autism and epilepsy. More than 20 years ago, a first animal model was described, the Fmr1 knock-out mouse. Several other models have been developed since then, including conditional knock-out mice, knock-out rats, a zebrafish and a drosophila model. Using these model systems, various targets for potential pharmaceutical treatments have been identified and many treatments have been shown to be efficient in preclinical studies. However, all attempts to turn these findings into a therapy for patients have failed thus far. In this review, I will discuss underlying difficulties and address potential alternatives for our future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Regina Dahlhaus
- Institute for Biochemistry, Emil-Fischer Centre, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
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