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Rohde PD, Jensen IR, Sarup PM, Ørsted M, Demontis D, Sørensen P, Kristensen TN. Genetic Signatures of Drug Response Variability in Drosophila melanogaster. Genetics 2019; 213:633-650. [PMID: 31455722 PMCID: PMC6781897 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.119.302381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Knowledge of the genetic basis underlying variation in response to environmental exposures or treatments is important in many research areas. For example, knowing the set of causal genetic variants for drug responses could revolutionize personalized medicine. We used Drosophila melanogaster to investigate the genetic signature underlying behavioral variability in response to methylphenidate (MPH), a drug used in the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. We exposed a wild-type D. melanogaster population to MPH and a control treatment, and observed an increase in locomotor activity in MPH-exposed individuals. Whole-genome transcriptomic analyses revealed that the behavioral response to MPH was associated with abundant gene expression alterations. To confirm these patterns in a different genetic background and to further advance knowledge on the genetic signature of drug response variability, we used a system of inbred lines, the Drosophila Genetic Reference Panel (DGRP). Based on the DGRP, we showed that the behavioral response to MPH was strongly genotype-dependent. Using an integrative genomic approach, we incorporated known gene interactions into the genomic analyses of the DGRP, and identified putative candidate genes for variability in drug response. We successfully validated 71% of the investigated candidate genes by gene expression knockdown. Furthermore, we showed that MPH has cross-generational behavioral and transcriptomic effects. Our findings establish a foundation for understanding the genetic mechanisms driving genotype-specific responses to medical treatment, and highlight the opportunities that integrative genomic approaches have in optimizing medical treatment of complex diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Palle Duun Rohde
- Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, 8830 Tjele, Denmark
- The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research, iPSYCH, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
- Center for Integrative Sequencing, Aarhus University, 8000, Denmark
| | - Iben Ravnborg Jensen
- Section for Biology and Environmental Science, Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, 9220, Denmark
| | - Pernille Merete Sarup
- Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, 8830 Tjele, Denmark
| | - Michael Ørsted
- Section for Biology and Environmental Science, Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, 9220, Denmark
| | - Ditte Demontis
- The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research, iPSYCH, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
- Center for Integrative Sequencing, Aarhus University, 8000, Denmark
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000, Denmark
| | - Peter Sørensen
- Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, 8830 Tjele, Denmark
| | - Torsten Nygaard Kristensen
- Section for Biology and Environmental Science, Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, 9220, Denmark
- Section for Genetics, Ecology and Evolution, Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, 8000, Denmark
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52
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Harnish JM, Deal SL, Chao HT, Wangler MF, Yamamoto S. In Vivo Functional Study of Disease-associated Rare Human Variants Using Drosophila. J Vis Exp 2019:10.3791/59658. [PMID: 31498321 PMCID: PMC7418855 DOI: 10.3791/59658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Advances in sequencing technology have made whole-genome and whole-exome datasets more accessible for both clinical diagnosis and cutting-edge human genetics research. Although a number of in silico algorithms have been developed to predict the pathogenicity of variants identified in these datasets, functional studies are critical to determining how specific genomic variants affect protein function, especially for missense variants. In the Undiagnosed Diseases Network (UDN) and other rare disease research consortia, model organisms (MO) including Drosophila, C. elegans, zebrafish, and mice are actively used to assess the function of putative human disease-causing variants. This protocol describes a method for the functional assessment of rare human variants used in the Model Organisms Screening Center Drosophila Core of the UDN. The workflow begins with gathering human and MO information from multiple public databases, using the MARRVEL web resource to assess whether the variant is likely to contribute to a patient's condition as well as design effective experiments based on available knowledge and resources. Next, genetic tools (e.g., T2A-GAL4 and UAS-human cDNA lines) are generated to assess the functions of variants of interest in Drosophila. Upon development of these reagents, two-pronged functional assays based on rescue and overexpression experiments can be performed to assess variant function. In the rescue branch, the endogenous fly genes are "humanized" by replacing the orthologous Drosophila gene with reference or variant human transgenes. In the overexpression branch, the reference and variant human proteins are exogenously driven in a variety of tissues. In both cases, any scorable phenotype (e.g., lethality, eye morphology, electrophysiology) can be used as a read-out, irrespective of the disease of interest. Differences observed between reference and variant alleles suggest a variant-specific effect, and thus likely pathogenicity. This protocol allows rapid, in vivo assessments of putative human disease-causing variants of genes with known and unknown functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Michael Harnish
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine
| | - Samantha L Deal
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine
| | - Hsiao-Tuan Chao
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine; Department of Pediatrics, Section of Neurology and Developmental Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital; Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine
| | - Michael F Wangler
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine; Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital
| | - Shinya Yamamoto
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine; Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital; Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine;
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54
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Hope KA, Flatten D, Cavitch P, May B, Sutcliffe JS, O'Donnell J, Reiter LT. The Drosophila Gene Sulfateless Modulates Autism-Like Behaviors. Front Genet 2019; 10:574. [PMID: 31316544 PMCID: PMC6611434 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2019.00574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2019] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Major challenges to identifying genes that contribute to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) risk include the availability of large ASD cohorts, the contribution of many genes overall, and small effect sizes attributable to common gene variants. An alternative approach is to use a model organism to detect alleles that impact ASD-relevant behaviors and ask whether homologous human genes infer ASD risk. Here we utilized the Drosophila genetic reference panel (DGRP) as a tool to probe for perturbation in naturally occurring behaviors in Drosophila melanogaster that are analogous to three behavior domains: impaired social communication, social reciprocity and repetitive behaviors or restricted interests. Using 40 of the available DGRP lines, we identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in or near genes controlling these behavior domains, including ASD gene orthologs (neurexin 4 and neuroligin 2), an intellectual disability (ID) gene homolog (kirre), and a gene encoding a heparan sulfate (HS) modifying enzyme called sulfateless (sfl). SNPs in sfl were associated with all three ASD-like behaviors. Using RNAi knock-down of neuronal sfl expression, we observed significant changes in expressive and receptive communication during mating, decreased grooming behavior, and increased social spacing. These results suggest a role for HS proteoglycan synthesis and/or modification in normal social communication, repetitive behavior, and social interaction in flies. Finally, using the DGRP to directly identify genetic effects relevant to a neuropsychiatric disorder further demonstrates the utility of the Drosophila system in the discovery of genes relevant to human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin A Hope
- Integrated Program in Biological Sciences, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States.,Department of Neurology, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Daniel Flatten
- Christian Brothers University, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Peter Cavitch
- Integrated Program in Biological Sciences, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Ben May
- Rhodes College, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - James S Sutcliffe
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, United States.,Department of Psychiatry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Janis O'Donnell
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, United States
| | - Lawrence T Reiter
- Department of Neurology, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States.,Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
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55
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Vorontsova YE, Zavoloka EL, Cherezov RO, Simonova OB. Drosophila as a Model System Used for Searching the Genes, Signaling Pathways, and Mechanisms Controlling Cytoskeleton Formation. Russ J Dev Biol 2019. [DOI: 10.1134/s1062360419010065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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56
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Tsai CR, Wang Y, Galko MJ. Crawling wounded: molecular genetic insights into wound healing from Drosophila larvae. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY 2019; 62:479-489. [PMID: 29938760 PMCID: PMC6352908 DOI: 10.1387/ijdb.180085mg] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
For animals, injury is inevitable. Because of this, organisms possess efficient wound healing mechanisms that can repair damaged tissues. However, the molecular and genetic mechanisms by which epidermal repair is accomplished remain poorly defined. Drosophila has become a valuable model to study epidermal wound healing because of the comprehensive genetic toolkit available in this organism and the similarities of wound healing processes between Drosophila and vertebrates. Other reviews in this Special Issue cover wound healing assays and pathways in Drosophila embryos, pupae and adults, as well as regenerative processes that occur in tissues such as imaginal discs and the gut. In this review, we will focus on the molecular/genetic control of wound-induced cellular processes such as inflammation, cell migration and epithelial cell-cell fusion in Drosophila larvae. We will give a brief overview of the three wounding assays, pinch, puncture, and laser ablation, and the cellular responses that ensue following wounding. We will highlight the actin regulators, signaling pathways and transcriptional mediators found so far to be involved in larval epidermal wound closure and what is known about how they act. We will also discuss wound-induced epidermal cell-cell fusion and possible directions for future research in this exciting system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang-Ru Tsai
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
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Jepson JEC, Praschberger R, Krishnakumar SS. Mechanisms of Neurological Dysfunction in GOSR2 Progressive Myoclonus Epilepsy, a Golgi SNAREopathy. Neuroscience 2019; 420:41-49. [PMID: 30954670 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2019.03.057] [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: 07/31/2018] [Revised: 03/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/26/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Successive fusion events between transport vesicles and their target membranes mediate trafficking of secreted, membrane- and organelle-localised proteins. During the initial steps of this process, termed the secretory pathway, COPII vesicles bud from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and fuse with the cis-Golgi membrane, thus depositing their cargo. This fusion step is driven by a quartet of SNARE proteins that includes the cis-Golgi t-SNARE Membrin, encoded by the GOSR2 gene. Mis-sense mutations in GOSR2 result in Progressive Myoclonus Epilepsy (PME), a severe neurological disorder characterised by ataxia, myoclonus and seizures in the absence of significant cognitive impairment. However, given the ubiquitous and essential function of ER-to-Golgi transport, why GOSR2 mutations cause neurological dysfunction and not lethality or a broader range of developmental defects has remained an enigma. Here we highlight new work that has shed light on this issue and incorporate insights into canonical and non-canonical secretory trafficking pathways in neurons to speculate as to the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying GOSR2 PME. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: SNARE proteins: a long journey of science in brain physiology and pathology: from molecular.
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Affiliation(s)
- James E C Jepson
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK.
| | - Roman Praschberger
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Shyam S Krishnakumar
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK; Department of Cell Biology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
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58
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Deal SL, Yamamoto S. Unraveling Novel Mechanisms of Neurodegeneration Through a Large-Scale Forward Genetic Screen in Drosophila. Front Genet 2019; 9:700. [PMID: 30693015 PMCID: PMC6339878 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2018.00700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2018] [Accepted: 12/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurodegeneration is characterized by progressive loss of neurons. Genetic and environmental factors both contribute to demise of neurons, leading to diverse devastating cognitive and motor disorders, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases in humans. Over the past few decades, the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, has become an integral tool to understand the molecular, cellular and genetic mechanisms underlying neurodegeneration. Extensive tools and sophisticated technologies allow Drosophila geneticists to identify and study evolutionarily conserved genes that are essential for neural maintenance. In this review, we will focus on a large-scale mosaic forward genetic screen on the fly X-chromosome that led to the identification of a number of essential genes that exhibit neurodegenerative phenotypes when mutated. Most genes identified from this screen are evolutionarily conserved and many have been linked to human diseases with neurological presentations. Systematic electrophysiological and ultrastructural characterization of mutant tissue in the context of the Drosophila visual system, followed by a series of experiments to understand the mechanism of neurodegeneration in each mutant led to the discovery of novel molecular pathways that are required for neuronal integrity. Defects in mitochondrial function, lipid and iron metabolism, protein trafficking and autophagy are recurrent themes, suggesting that insults that eventually lead to neurodegeneration may converge on a set of evolutionarily conserved cellular processes. Insights from these studies have contributed to our understanding of known neurodegenerative diseases such as Leigh syndrome and Friedreich's ataxia and have also led to the identification of new human diseases. By discovering new genes required for neural maintenance in flies and working with clinicians to identify patients with deleterious variants in the orthologous human genes, Drosophila biologists can play an active role in personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha L Deal
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Shinya Yamamoto
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States.,Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States.,Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, United States
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59
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Shah PS, Link N, Jang GM, Sharp PP, Zhu T, Swaney DL, Johnson JR, Von Dollen J, Ramage HR, Satkamp L, Newton B, Hüttenhain R, Petit MJ, Baum T, Everitt A, Laufman O, Tassetto M, Shales M, Stevenson E, Iglesias GN, Shokat L, Tripathi S, Balasubramaniam V, Webb LG, Aguirre S, Willsey AJ, Garcia-Sastre A, Pollard KS, Cherry S, Gamarnik AV, Marazzi I, Taunton J, Fernandez-Sesma A, Bellen HJ, Andino R, Krogan NJ. Comparative Flavivirus-Host Protein Interaction Mapping Reveals Mechanisms of Dengue and Zika Virus Pathogenesis. Cell 2018; 175:1931-1945.e18. [PMID: 30550790 PMCID: PMC6474419 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2018.11.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 208] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2018] [Revised: 11/10/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Mosquito-borne flaviviruses, including dengue virus (DENV) and Zika virus (ZIKV), are a growing public health concern. Systems-level analysis of how flaviviruses hijack cellular processes through virus-host protein-protein interactions (PPIs) provides information about their replication and pathogenic mechanisms. We used affinity purification-mass spectrometry (AP-MS) to compare flavivirus-host interactions for two viruses (DENV and ZIKV) in two hosts (human and mosquito). Conserved virus-host PPIs revealed that the flavivirus NS5 protein suppresses interferon stimulated genes by inhibiting recruitment of the transcription complex PAF1C and that chemical modulation of SEC61 inhibits DENV and ZIKV replication in human and mosquito cells. Finally, we identified a ZIKV-specific interaction between NS4A and ANKLE2, a gene linked to hereditary microcephaly, and showed that ZIKV NS4A causes microcephaly in Drosophila in an ANKLE2-dependent manner. Thus, comparative flavivirus-host PPI mapping provides biological insights and, when coupled with in vivo models, can be used to unravel pathogenic mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priya S Shah
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Quantitative Biosciences Institute (QBI), University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; The J. David Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Nichole Link
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, and Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Houston, TX, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Gwendolyn M Jang
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Quantitative Biosciences Institute (QBI), University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; The J. David Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Phillip P Sharp
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Tongtong Zhu
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Danielle L Swaney
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Quantitative Biosciences Institute (QBI), University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; The J. David Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jeffrey R Johnson
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Quantitative Biosciences Institute (QBI), University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; The J. David Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - John Von Dollen
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Quantitative Biosciences Institute (QBI), University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; The J. David Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Holly R Ramage
- Department of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Laura Satkamp
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Quantitative Biosciences Institute (QBI), University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; The J. David Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Billy Newton
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Quantitative Biosciences Institute (QBI), University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; The J. David Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Ruth Hüttenhain
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Quantitative Biosciences Institute (QBI), University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; The J. David Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Marine J Petit
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Tierney Baum
- Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Amanda Everitt
- Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Orly Laufman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Michel Tassetto
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Michael Shales
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Quantitative Biosciences Institute (QBI), University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; The J. David Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Erica Stevenson
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Quantitative Biosciences Institute (QBI), University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; The J. David Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | - Leila Shokat
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Quantitative Biosciences Institute (QBI), University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; The J. David Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Shashank Tripathi
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Vinod Balasubramaniam
- Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Laurence G Webb
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sebastian Aguirre
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - A Jeremy Willsey
- Quantitative Biosciences Institute (QBI), University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Adolfo Garcia-Sastre
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Global Health and Emerging Pathogens Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Katherine S Pollard
- Quantitative Biosciences Institute (QBI), University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; The J. David Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, USA; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute for Human Genetics, and Institute for Computational Health Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Chan-Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Sara Cherry
- Department of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - Ivan Marazzi
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jack Taunton
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Quantitative Biosciences Institute (QBI), University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Ana Fernandez-Sesma
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Hugo J Bellen
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, and Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Houston, TX, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Raul Andino
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Nevan J Krogan
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Quantitative Biosciences Institute (QBI), University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; The J. David Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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60
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Gaspar P, Almudi I, Nunes MDS, McGregor AP. Human eye conditions: insights from the fly eye. Hum Genet 2018; 138:973-991. [PMID: 30386938 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-018-1948-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2018] [Accepted: 10/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster has served as an excellent model to study and understand the genetics of many human diseases from cancer to neurodegeneration. Studying the regulation of growth, determination and differentiation of the compound eyes of this fly, in particular, have provided key insights into a wide range of diseases. Here we review the regulation of the development of fly eyes in light of shared aspects with human eye development. We also show how understanding conserved regulatory pathways in eye development together with the application of tools for genetic screening and functional analyses makes Drosophila a powerful model to diagnose and characterize the genetics underlying many human eye conditions, such as aniridia and retinitis pigmentosa. This further emphasizes the importance and vast potential of basic research to underpin applied research including identifying and treating the genetic basis of human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Gaspar
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Gipsy Lane, Oxford, OX3 0BP, UK
| | - Isabel Almudi
- Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo, CSIC/ Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Carretera de Utrera Km1, 41013, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Maria D S Nunes
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Gipsy Lane, Oxford, OX3 0BP, UK
| | - Alistair P McGregor
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Gipsy Lane, Oxford, OX3 0BP, UK.
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61
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Drosophila Models of Sporadic Parkinson's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19113343. [PMID: 30373150 PMCID: PMC6275057 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19113343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2018] [Revised: 10/22/2018] [Accepted: 10/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the most common cause of movement disorders and is characterized by the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. It is increasingly recognized as a complex group of disorders presenting widely heterogeneous symptoms and pathology. With the exception of the rare monogenic forms, the majority of PD cases result from an interaction between multiple genetic and environmental risk factors. The search for these risk factors and the development of preclinical animal models are in progress, aiming to provide mechanistic insights into the pathogenesis of PD. This review summarizes the studies that capitalize on modeling sporadic (i.e., nonfamilial) PD using Drosophilamelanogaster and discusses their methodologies, new findings, and future perspectives.
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62
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Abstract
Understanding phylogenetic relationships among taxa is key to designing and implementing comparative analyses. The genus Drosophila, which contains over 1600 species, is one of the most important model systems in the biological sciences. For over a century, one species in this group, Drosophila melanogaster, has been key to studies of animal development and genetics, genome organization and evolution, and human disease. As whole-genome sequencing becomes more cost-effective, there is increasing interest in other members of this morphologically, ecologically, and behaviorally diverse genus. Phylogenetic relationships within Drosophila are complicated, and the goal of this paper is to provide a review of the recent taxonomic changes and phylogenetic relationships in this genus to aid in further comparative studies.
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63
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Howe DG, Blake JA, Bradford YM, Bult CJ, Calvi BR, Engel SR, Kadin JA, Kaufman TC, Kishore R, Laulederkind SJF, Lewis SE, Moxon SAT, Richardson JE, Smith C. Model organism data evolving in support of translational medicine. Lab Anim (NY) 2018; 47:277-289. [PMID: 30224793 PMCID: PMC6322546 DOI: 10.1038/s41684-018-0150-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2018] [Accepted: 08/13/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Model organism databases (MODs) have been collecting and integrating biomedical research data for 30 years and were designed to meet specific needs of each model organism research community. The contributions of model organism research to understanding biological systems would be hard to overstate. Modern molecular biology methods and cost reductions in nucleotide sequencing have opened avenues for direct application of model organism research to elucidating mechanisms of human diseases. Thus, the mandate for model organism research and databases has now grown to include facilitating use of these data in translational applications. Challenges in meeting this opportunity include the distribution of research data across many databases and websites, a lack of data format standards for some data types, and sustainability of scale and cost for genomic database resources like MODs. The issues of widely distributed data and application of data standards are some of the challenges addressed by FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Re-usable) data principles. The Alliance of Genome Resources is now moving to address these challenges by bringing together expertly curated research data from fly, mouse, rat, worm, yeast, zebrafish, and the Gene Ontology consortium. Centralized multi-species data access, integration, and format standardization will lower the data utilization barrier in comparative genomics and translational applications and will provide a framework in which sustainable scale and cost can be addressed. This article presents a brief historical perspective on how the Alliance model organisms are complementary and how they have already contributed to understanding the etiology of human diseases. In addition, we discuss four challenges for using data from MODs in translational applications and how the Alliance is working to address them, in part by applying FAIR data principles. Ultimately, combined data from these animal models are more powerful than the sum of the parts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas G Howe
- The Institute of Neuroscience, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA.
| | | | - Yvonne M Bradford
- The Institute of Neuroscience, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA
| | | | - Brian R Calvi
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Stacia R Engel
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Ranjana Kishore
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Stanley J F Laulederkind
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Medical College of Wisconsin and Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Suzanna E Lewis
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Sierra A T Moxon
- The Institute of Neuroscience, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA
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64
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RESPONSE OF BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS TO GEOMAGNETIC STORMS. ACTA BIOMEDICA SCIENTIFICA 2018. [DOI: 10.29413/abs.2018-3.5.18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
At present, influence of weak magnetic fields associated with solar and geomagnetic activity on biological systems is gaining more interest. Taking into account the accumulated data on the influence of geomagnetic storms on different biological levels, it is obvious that the mechanism of influence is universal. One of the approaches in this search may be the study of patterns and differences in the response to geomagnetic storms of various biological objects. As a research material served: data on the number of ambulance calls in the city of Irkutsk for acute myocardial infarction, cerebral infarction; results of retrospective analysis of the number of spontaneous parturition of the city of Irkutsk; data on the motion activity of fruit fly Drosophyla melanogaster, obtained by automated monitoring. The investigated indicators were compared with the parameters of geomagnetic activity at different time scales. As indicators of geomagnetic storms, three-hour (ap) and daily (Ap) equal to the average amplitude of variation of the geomagnetic field of the Earth. In the case of comparing the motion activity of fruit flies with magnetic storms, the local companions of the Earth’s magnetic field were additionally considered according to the data of the Irkutsk magnetic observatory. As a result of the conducted studies it was established that the detected response of biological systems depends on the characteristics of the state of the Earth’s magnetic field, which falls on the period of passage of magnetic storms. The obtained data also indicate possible gender differences in the response to the effects of the geomagnetic factor by organisms of different levels.
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66
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Oriel C, Lasko P. Recent Developments in Using Drosophila as a Model for Human Genetic Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:E2041. [PMID: 30011838 PMCID: PMC6073706 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19072041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2018] [Revised: 07/09/2018] [Accepted: 07/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Many insights into human disease have been built on experimental results in Drosophila, and research in fruit flies is often justified on the basis of its predictive value for questions related to human health. Additionally, there is now a growing recognition of the value of Drosophila for the study of rare human genetic diseases, either as a means of validating the causative nature of a candidate genetic variant found in patients, or as a means of obtaining functional information about a novel disease-linked gene when there is little known about it. For these reasons, funders in the US, Europe, and Canada have launched targeted programs to link human geneticists working on discovering new rare disease loci with researchers who work on the counterpart genes in Drosophila and other model organisms. Several of these initiatives are described here, as are a number of output publications that validate this new approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Oriel
- Maternal Infant Child Youth and Research Network, V2-230, 950 West 28th Ave, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4, Canada.
| | - Paul Lasko
- Department of Biology, McGill University, 3649 Promenade Sir-William-Osler, Montreal, QC H3G 0B1, Canada.
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67
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Singhal N, Jaiswal M. Pathways to neurodegeneration: lessons learnt from unbiased genetic screens in Drosophila. J Genet 2018; 97:773-781. [PMID: 30027908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases are a complex set of disorders that are known to be caused by environmental as well as genetic factors. In the recent past, mutations in a large number of genes have been identified that are linked to several neurodegenerative diseases. The pathogenic mechanisms in most of these disorders are unknown. Recently, studies of genes that are linked to neurodegeneration in Drosophila, the fruit flies, have contributed significantly to our understanding of mechanisms of neuroprotection and degeneration. In this review, we focus on forward genetic screens in Drosophila that helped in identification of novel genes and pathogenic mechanisms linked to neurodegeneration. We also discuss identification of four novel pathways that contribute to neurodegeneration upon mitochondrial dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neha Singhal
- Tata Institute of Fundamental Research Hyderabad, Hyderabad 500 107, India.
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68
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Iyer J, Singh MD, Jensen M, Patel P, Pizzo L, Huber E, Koerselman H, Weiner AT, Lepanto P, Vadodaria K, Kubina A, Wang Q, Talbert A, Yennawar S, Badano J, Manak JR, Rolls MM, Krishnan A, Girirajan S. Pervasive genetic interactions modulate neurodevelopmental defects of the autism-associated 16p11.2 deletion in Drosophila melanogaster. Nat Commun 2018; 9:2548. [PMID: 29959322 PMCID: PMC6026208 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-04882-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2018] [Accepted: 05/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
As opposed to syndromic CNVs caused by single genes, extensive phenotypic heterogeneity in variably-expressive CNVs complicates disease gene discovery and functional evaluation. Here, we propose a complex interaction model for pathogenicity of the autism-associated 16p11.2 deletion, where CNV genes interact with each other in conserved pathways to modulate expression of the phenotype. Using multiple quantitative methods in Drosophila RNAi lines, we identify a range of neurodevelopmental phenotypes for knockdown of individual 16p11.2 homologs in different tissues. We test 565 pairwise knockdowns in the developing eye, and identify 24 interactions between pairs of 16p11.2 homologs and 46 interactions between 16p11.2 homologs and neurodevelopmental genes that suppress or enhance cell proliferation phenotypes compared to one-hit knockdowns. These interactions within cell proliferation pathways are also enriched in a human brain-specific network, providing translational relevance in humans. Our study indicates a role for pervasive genetic interactions within CNVs towards cellular and developmental phenotypes. The 16p11.2 deletion leads to a range of neurodevelopmental phenotypes, but to date, sequencing studies have not been able to pinpoint individual genes that are causative for the disease on their own. Here, using Drosophila homologs of 14 16p11.2 genes, the authors take a combinatorial approach to show that gene interactions contribute to a neurological phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janani Iyer
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Mayanglambam Dhruba Singh
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Matthew Jensen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA.,Bioinformatics and Genomics Program, The Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Payal Patel
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Lucilla Pizzo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Emily Huber
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Haley Koerselman
- Department of Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - Alexis T Weiner
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Paola Lepanto
- Human Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, CP11400, Uruguay
| | - Komal Vadodaria
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Alexis Kubina
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Qingyu Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA.,Bioinformatics and Genomics Program, The Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Abigail Talbert
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Sneha Yennawar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Jose Badano
- Human Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, CP11400, Uruguay
| | - J Robert Manak
- Department of Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - Melissa M Rolls
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Arjun Krishnan
- Department of Computational Mathematics, Science and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Santhosh Girirajan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA. .,Bioinformatics and Genomics Program, The Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA. .,Department of Anthropology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA.
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69
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Şentürk M, Bellen HJ. Genetic strategies to tackle neurological diseases in fruit flies. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2018; 50:24-32. [PMID: 29128849 PMCID: PMC5940587 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2017.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2017] [Revised: 10/13/2017] [Accepted: 10/17/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Drosophila melanogaster is a genetic model organism that has contributed to the discovery of numerous genes whose human homologues are associated with diseases. The development of sophisticated genetic tools to manipulate its genome accelerates the discovery of the genetic basis of undiagnosed human diseases and the elucidation of molecular pathogenic events of known and novel diseases. Here, we discuss various approaches used in flies to assess the function of the fly homologues of disease-associated genes. We highlight how systematic and combinatorial approaches based on recently established methods provide us with integrated tool sets that can be applied to the study of neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mümine Şentürk
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Hugo J Bellen
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, BCM, Houston TX 77030, USA; Department of Neuroscience, BCM, Houston TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston TX 77030, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, BCM, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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70
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Drozd M, Bardoni B, Capovilla M. Modeling Fragile X Syndrome in Drosophila. Front Mol Neurosci 2018; 11:124. [PMID: 29713264 PMCID: PMC5911982 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2017] [Accepted: 03/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Intellectual disability (ID) and autism are hallmarks of Fragile X Syndrome (FXS), a hereditary neurodevelopmental disorder. The gene responsible for FXS is Fragile X Mental Retardation gene 1 (FMR1) encoding the Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein (FMRP), an RNA-binding protein involved in RNA metabolism and modulating the expression level of many targets. Most cases of FXS are caused by silencing of FMR1 due to CGG expansions in the 5'-UTR of the gene. Humans also carry the FXR1 and FXR2 paralogs of FMR1 while flies have only one FMR1 gene, here called dFMR1, sharing the same level of sequence homology with all three human genes, but functionally most similar to FMR1. This enables a much easier approach for FMR1 genetic studies. Drosophila has been widely used to investigate FMR1 functions at genetic, cellular, and molecular levels since dFMR1 mutants have many phenotypes in common with the wide spectrum of FMR1 functions that underlay the disease. In this review, we present very recent Drosophila studies investigating FMRP functions at genetic, cellular, molecular, and electrophysiological levels in addition to research on pharmacological treatments in the fly model. These studies have the potential to aid the discovery of pharmacological therapies for FXS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Małgorzata Drozd
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, IPMC, Valbonne, France.,CNRS LIA (Neogenex), Valbonne, France
| | - Barbara Bardoni
- CNRS LIA (Neogenex), Valbonne, France.,Université Côte d'Azur, INSERM, CNRS, IPMC, Valbonne, France
| | - Maria Capovilla
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, IPMC, Valbonne, France.,CNRS LIA (Neogenex), Valbonne, France
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71
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Le V, Anderson E, Akiyama T, Wharton KA. Drosophila models of FOP provide mechanistic insight. Bone 2018; 109:192-200. [PMID: 29128351 DOI: 10.1016/j.bone.2017.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2017] [Revised: 11/04/2017] [Accepted: 11/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) is a rare bone disease characterized by episodic events of heterotopic ossification (HO). All cases of FOP have been attributed to mutations in the ACVR1 gene that render the encoded BMP type I ALK2 receptor hypersensitive, resulting in the activation of BMP signaling, at inappropriate times in inappropriate locations. The episodic or sporadic nature of HO associated with FOP rests with the occurrence of specific 'triggers' that push the hypersensitive ALK2-FOP receptor into full signaling mode. Identification of these triggers and their mechanism of action is critical for preventing HO and its devastating consequences in FOP patients. Models of FOP, generated in Drosophila, are shown to activate the highly conserved BMP signaling pathway in both Drosophila cell culture and in developing tissues in vivo. The most common FOP mutation, R206H, in ALK2 and its synonymous mutation, K262H, in the orthologous Drosophila receptor Sax, abolish the ability of wild type receptors to inhibit BMP ligand-induced signaling and lead to ubiquitous pathway activation in both cases but with important differences. When expressed in Drosophila, human ALK2R206H exhibits constitutive signaling. SaxK262H on the other hand can elicit excessive signaling similar to that observed for ALK2R206H in mammalian systems in vivo. For example, hyperactive signaling mediated by SaxK262H is triggered by an increase in ligand or in type II receptors. Interestingly, while the constitutive nature of ALK2R2026H in Drosophila requires activation by the type II receptor, it does not require its ligand binding domain. The differences exhibited by the two Drosophila FOP models enable a valuable comparative analysis poised to reveal critical regulatory mechanisms governing signaling output from these mutated receptors. Modifier screens using these Drosophila FOP models will be extremely valuable in identifying genes or compounds that reduce or prevent the hyperactive BMP signaling that initiates HO associated with FOP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viet Le
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA; Program in Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital and Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Edward Anderson
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Takuya Akiyama
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA; Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO, USA
| | - Kristi A Wharton
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.
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Abstract
As a laboratory animal, Drosophila melanogaster has made extensive contributions to understanding many areas of fundamental biology as well as being an effective model for human disease. Until recently, there was relatively little known about fly peroxisomes. There were early studies that examined the role of peroxisome enzymes during development of organs like the eye. However, with the advent of a well-annotated, sequenced genome, several groups have collectively determined, first by sequence homology and increasingly by functional studies, Drosophila Peroxins and related peroxisome proteins. Notably, it was shown that Drosophila peroxisome biogenesis is mediated via a well-conserved PTS1 import system. Although the fly genome encodes a Pex7 homologue, a canonical PTS2 import system does not seem to be conserved in Drosophila. Given the homology between Drosophila and Saccharomyces cerevisiae or Homo sapiens peroxisome biogenesis and function, Drosophila has emerged as an effective multicellular system to model human Peroxisome Biogenesis Disorders. Finally, Drosophila peroxisome research has recently come into its own, facilitating new discoveries into the role of peroxisomes within specific tissues, such as testes or immune cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Anderson-Baron
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, 5-14 Medical Sciences, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2H7, Canada
| | - Andrew J Simmonds
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, 5-14 Medical Sciences, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2H7, Canada.
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73
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Salazar JL, Yamamoto S. Integration of Drosophila and Human Genetics to Understand Notch Signaling Related Diseases. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2018; 1066:141-185. [PMID: 30030826 PMCID: PMC6233323 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-89512-3_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Notch signaling research dates back to more than one hundred years, beginning with the identification of the Notch mutant in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. Since then, research on Notch and related genes in flies has laid the foundation of what we now know as the Notch signaling pathway. In the 1990s, basic biological and biochemical studies of Notch signaling components in mammalian systems, as well as identification of rare mutations in Notch signaling pathway genes in human patients with rare Mendelian diseases or cancer, increased the significance of this pathway in human biology and medicine. In the 21st century, Drosophila and other genetic model organisms continue to play a leading role in understanding basic Notch biology. Furthermore, these model organisms can be used in a translational manner to study underlying mechanisms of Notch-related human diseases and to investigate the function of novel disease associated genes and variants. In this chapter, we first briefly review the major contributions of Drosophila to Notch signaling research, discussing the similarities and differences between the fly and human pathways. Next, we introduce several biological contexts in Drosophila in which Notch signaling has been extensively characterized. Finally, we discuss a number of genetic diseases caused by mutations in genes in the Notch signaling pathway in humans and we expand on how Drosophila can be used to study rare genetic variants associated with these and novel disorders. By combining modern genomics and state-of-the art technologies, Drosophila research is continuing to reveal exciting biology that sheds light onto mechanisms of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose L Salazar
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Houston, TX, USA
| | - Shinya Yamamoto
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Houston, TX, USA.
- Program in Developmental Biology, BCM, Houston, TX, USA.
- Department of Neuroscience, BCM, Houston, TX, USA.
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA.
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75
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Strange K. Drug Discovery in Fish, Flies, and Worms. ILAR J 2017; 57:133-143. [PMID: 28053067 DOI: 10.1093/ilar/ilw034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2016] [Revised: 10/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Nonmammalian model organisms such as the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, and the zebrafish Danio rerio provide numerous experimental advantages for drug discovery including genetic and molecular tractability, amenability to high-throughput screening methods and reduced experimental costs and increased experimental throughput compared to traditional mammalian models. An interdisciplinary approach that strategically combines the study of nonmammalian and mammalian animal models with diverse experimental tools has and will continue to provide deep molecular and genetic understanding of human disease and will significantly enhance the discovery and application of new therapies to treat those diseases. This review will provide an overview of C. elegans, Drosophila, and zebrafish biology and husbandry and will discuss how these models are being used for phenotype-based drug screening and for identification of drug targets and mechanisms of action. The review will also describe how these and other nonmammalian model organisms are uniquely suited for the discovery of drug-based regenerative medicine therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Strange
- Kevin Strange, Ph.D., is President and CEO of the MDI Biological Laboratory and CEO of Novo Biosciences, Inc
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76
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Narciso C, Zartman J. Reverse-engineering organogenesis through feedback loops between model systems. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2017; 52:1-8. [PMID: 29275226 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2017.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2017] [Accepted: 12/11/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Biological complexity and ethical limitations necessitate models of human development. Traditionally, genetic model systems have provided inexpensive routes to define mechanisms governing organ development. Recent progress has led to 3D human organoid models of development and disease. However, robust methods to control the size and morphology of organoids for high throughput studies need to be developed. Additionally, insights from multiple developmental contexts are required to reveal conserved genes and processes regulating organ growth and development. Positive feedback between quantitative studies using mammalian organoids and insect micro-organs enable identification of underlying principles for organ size and shape control. Advances in the field of multicellular systems engineering are enabling unprecedented high-content studies in developmental biology and disease modeling. These will lead to fundamental advances in regenerative medicine and tissue-engineered soft robotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cody Narciso
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, United States
| | - Jeremiah Zartman
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, United States.
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Pandey H, Bourahmoune K, Honda T, Honjo K, Kurita K, Sato T, Sawa A, Furukubo-Tokunaga K. Genetic interaction of DISC1 and Neurexin in the development of fruit fly glutamatergic synapses. NPJ SCHIZOPHRENIA 2017; 3:39. [PMID: 29079805 PMCID: PMC5660244 DOI: 10.1038/s41537-017-0040-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2017] [Revised: 09/19/2017] [Accepted: 09/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Originally identified at the breakpoint of a (1;11)(q42.1; q14.3) chromosomal translocation in a Scottish family with a wide range of mental disorders, the DISC1 gene has been a focus of intensive investigations as an entry point to study the molecular mechanisms of diverse mental dysfunctions. Perturbations of the DISC1 functions lead to behavioral changes in animal models, which are relevant to psychiatric conditions in patients. In this work, we have expressed the human DISC1 gene in the fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) and performed a genetic screening for the mutations of psychiatric risk genes that cause modifications of DISC1 synaptic phenotypes at the neuromuscular junction. We found that DISC1 interacts with dnrx1, the Drosophila homolog of the human Neurexin (NRXN1) gene, in the development of glutamatergic synapses. While overexpression of DISC1 suppressed the total bouton area on the target muscles and stimulated active zone density in wild-type background, a partial reduction of the dnrx1 activity negated the DISC1–mediated synaptic alterations. Likewise, overexpression of DISC1 stimulated the expression of a glutamate receptor component, DGLURIIA, in wild-type background but not in the dnrx1 heterozygous background. In addition, DISC1 caused mislocalization of Discs large, the Drosophila PSD-95 homolog, in the dnrx1 heterozygous background. Analyses with a series of domain deletions have revealed the importance of axonal localization of the DISC1 protein for efficient suppression of DNRX1 in synaptic boutons. These results thus suggest an intriguing converging mechanism controlled by the interaction of DISC1 and Neurexin in the developing glutamatergic synapses. Fruit fly models uncover a potential new mechanism by which two schizophrenia risk factor genes interact to alter synaptic junctions. DISC1 gene alterations have previously been linked to psychiatric anomalies, although the gene has not been formally recognized as a schizophrenia risk factor. A US-Japan research collaboration led by the University of Tsukuba’s Katsuo Furukubo-Tokunaga expressed human DISC1 in fruit fly synapses to better understand the changes that take place when gene disruption leads to overexpression. The team found that overexpression of DISC1 affected the expression of the fruit fly counterpart to human ‘neurexin,’ a known risk factor for conditions including schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorders. The interaction between neurexin and DISC1 also influenced other synapse-altering genes. Further research is warranted to explore the roles of DISC1 and neurexin in psychiatric disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Himani Pandey
- Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, 305-8572, Japan
| | - Katia Bourahmoune
- Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, 305-8572, Japan
| | - Takato Honda
- Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, 305-8572, Japan
| | - Ken Honjo
- Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, 305-8572, Japan
| | - Kazuki Kurita
- Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, 305-8572, Japan
| | - Tomohito Sato
- Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, 305-8572, Japan
| | - Akira Sawa
- Department of Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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78
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Abstract
With a century-old history of fundamental discoveries, the fruit fly has long been a favored experimental organism for a wide range of scientific inquiries. But Drosophila is not a “legacy” model organism; technical and intellectual innovations continue to revitalize fly research and drive advances in our understanding of conserved mechanisms of animal biology. Here, we provide an overview of this “ecosystem” and discuss how to address emerging challenges to ensure its continued productivity. Drosophila researchers are fortunate to have a sophisticated and ever-growing toolkit for the analysis of gene function. Access to these tools depends upon continued support for both physical and informational resources. Uncertainty regarding stable support for bioinformatic databases is a particular concern, at a time when there is the need to make the vast knowledge of functional biology provided by this model animal accessible to scientists studying other organisms. Communication and advocacy efforts will promote appreciation of the value of the fly in delivering biomedically important insights. Well-tended traditions of large-scale tool development, open sharing of reagents, and community engagement provide a strong basis for coordinated and proactive initiatives to improve the fly research ecosystem. Overall, there has never been a better time to be a fly pusher.
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The droso4schools project: Long-term scientist-teacher collaborations to promote science communication and education in schools. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2017; 70:73-84. [DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2017.07.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2016] [Revised: 07/03/2017] [Accepted: 07/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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80
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Patel S, Prokop A. The Manchester Fly Facility: Implementing an objective-driven long-term science communication initiative. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2017.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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81
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Wangler MF, Yamamoto S, Chao HT, Posey JE, Westerfield M, Postlethwait J, Hieter P, Boycott KM, Campeau PM, Bellen HJ. Model Organisms Facilitate Rare Disease Diagnosis and Therapeutic Research. Genetics 2017; 207:9-27. [PMID: 28874452 PMCID: PMC5586389 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.117.203067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 131] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2017] [Accepted: 07/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Efforts to identify the genetic underpinnings of rare undiagnosed diseases increasingly involve the use of next-generation sequencing and comparative genomic hybridization methods. These efforts are limited by a lack of knowledge regarding gene function, and an inability to predict the impact of genetic variation on the encoded protein function. Diagnostic challenges posed by undiagnosed diseases have solutions in model organism research, which provides a wealth of detailed biological information. Model organism geneticists are by necessity experts in particular genes, gene families, specific organs, and biological functions. Here, we review the current state of research into undiagnosed diseases, highlighting large efforts in North America and internationally, including the Undiagnosed Diseases Network (UDN) (Supplemental Material, File S1) and UDN International (UDNI), the Centers for Mendelian Genomics (CMG), and the Canadian Rare Diseases Models and Mechanisms Network (RDMM). We discuss how merging human genetics with model organism research guides experimental studies to solve these medical mysteries, gain new insights into disease pathogenesis, and uncover new therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael F Wangler
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Houston, Texas 77030
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Houston, Texas 77030
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Shinya Yamamoto
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Houston, Texas 77030
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Houston, Texas 77030
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Hsiao-Tuan Chao
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Houston, Texas 77030
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Child Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Jennifer E Posey
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Monte Westerfield
- Institute of Neuroscience, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon 97403
| | - John Postlethwait
- Institute of Neuroscience, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon 97403
| | - Philip Hieter
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z4C, Canada
| | - Kym M Boycott
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8L1, Canada
| | - Philippe M Campeau
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Montreal, Quebec H3T 1C5, Canada
| | - Hugo J Bellen
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Houston, Texas 77030
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Houston, Texas 77030
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Houston, Texas 77030
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Houston, Texas 77030
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82
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Drosophila Nociceptive Sensitization Requires BMP Signaling via the Canonical SMAD Pathway. J Neurosci 2017; 37:8524-8533. [PMID: 28855331 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.3458-16.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2016] [Revised: 06/24/2017] [Accepted: 07/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Nociceptive sensitization is a common feature in chronic pain, but its basic cellular mechanisms are only partially understood. The present study used the Drosophila melanogaster model system and a candidate gene approach to identify novel components required for modulation of an injury-induced nociceptive sensitization pathway presumably downstream of Hedgehog. This study demonstrates that RNAi silencing of a member of the Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP) signaling pathway, Decapentaplegic (Dpp), specifically in the Class IV multidendritic nociceptive neuron, significantly attenuated ultraviolet injury-induced sensitization. Furthermore, overexpression of Dpp in Class IV neurons was sufficient to induce thermal hypersensitivity in the absence of injury. The requirement of various BMP receptors and members of the SMAD signal transduction pathway in nociceptive sensitization was also demonstrated. The effects of BMP signaling were shown to be largely specific to the sensitization pathway and not associated with changes in nociception in the absence of injury or with changes in dendritic morphology. Thus, the results demonstrate that Dpp and its pathway play a crucial and novel role in nociceptive sensitization. Because the BMP family is so strongly conserved between vertebrates and invertebrates, it seems likely that the components analyzed in this study represent potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of chronic pain in humans.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT This report provides a genetic analysis of primary nociceptive neuron mechanisms that promote sensitization in response to injury. Drosophila melanogaster larvae whose primary nociceptive neurons were reduced in levels of specific components of the BMP signaling pathway, were injured and then tested for nocifensive responses to a normally subnoxious stimulus. Results suggest that nociceptive neurons use the BMP2/4 ligand, along with identified receptors and intracellular transducers to transition to a sensitized state. These findings are consistent with the observation that BMP receptor hyperactivation correlates with bone abnormalities and pain sensitization in fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (Kitterman et al., 2012). Because nociceptive sensitization is associated with chronic pain, these findings indicate that human BMP pathway components may represent targets for novel pain-relieving drugs.
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83
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Chow CY, Reiter LT. Etiology of Human Genetic Disease on the Fly. Trends Genet 2017; 33:391-398. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2017.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2017] [Revised: 03/20/2017] [Accepted: 03/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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84
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Groen SC, LaPlante ER, Alexandre NM, Agrawal AA, Dobler S, Whiteman NK. Multidrug transporters and organic anion transporting polypeptides protect insects against the toxic effects of cardenolides. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2017; 81:51-61. [PMID: 28011348 PMCID: PMC5428987 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2016.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2016] [Revised: 12/16/2016] [Accepted: 12/19/2016] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
In the struggle against dietary toxins, insects are known to employ target site insensitivity, metabolic detoxification, and transporters that shunt away toxins. Specialized insects across six taxonomic orders feeding on cardenolide-containing plants have convergently evolved target site insensitivity via specific amino acid substitutions in the Na/K-ATPase. Nonetheless, in vitro pharmacological experiments have suggested a role for multidrug transporters (Mdrs) and organic anion transporting polypeptides (Oatps), which may provide a basal level of protection in both specialized and non-adapted insects. Because the genes coding for these proteins are evolutionarily conserved and in vivo genetic evidence in support of this hypothesis is lacking, here we used wildtype and mutant Drosophila melanogaster (Drosophila) in capillary feeder (CAFE) assays to quantify toxicity of three chemically diverse, medically relevant cardenolides. We examined multiple components of fitness, including mortality, longevity, and LD50, and found that, while the three cardenolides each stimulated feeding (i.e., no deterrence to the toxin), all decreased lifespan, with the most apolar cardenolide having the lowest LD50 value. Flies showed a clear non-monotonic dose response and experienced high levels of toxicity at the cardenolide concentration found in plants. At this concentration, both Mdr and Oatp knockout mutant flies died more rapidly than wildtype flies, and the mutants also experienced more adverse neurological effects on high-cardenolide-level diets. Our study further establishes Drosophila as a model for the study of cardenolide pharmacology and solidifies support for the hypothesis that multidrug and organic anion transporters are key players in insect protection against dietary cardenolides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon C Groen
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA.
| | - Erika R LaPlante
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, 3040 Valley Life Sciences Building, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Nicolas M Alexandre
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, 3040 Valley Life Sciences Building, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Anurag A Agrawal
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA; Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Susanne Dobler
- Molecular Evolutionary Biology, Zoological Institute, Biocenter Grindel, Universität Hamburg, Martin-Luther-King Pl. 3, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Noah K Whiteman
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, 3040 Valley Life Sciences Building, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
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85
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Wangler MF, Hu Y, Shulman JM. Drosophila and genome-wide association studies: a review and resource for the functional dissection of human complex traits. Dis Model Mech 2017; 10:77-88. [PMID: 28151408 PMCID: PMC5312009 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.027680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Human genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have successfully identified thousands of susceptibility loci for common diseases with complex genetic etiologies. Although the susceptibility variants identified by GWAS usually have only modest effects on individual disease risk, they contribute to a substantial burden of trait variation in the overall population. GWAS also offer valuable clues to disease mechanisms that have long proven to be elusive. These insights could lead the way to breakthrough treatments; however, several challenges hinder progress, making innovative approaches to accelerate the follow-up of results from GWAS an urgent priority. Here, we discuss the largely untapped potential of the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, for functional investigation of findings from human GWAS. We highlight selected examples where strong genomic conservation with humans along with the rapid and powerful genetic tools available for flies have already facilitated fine mapping of association signals, elucidated gene mechanisms, and revealed novel disease-relevant biology. We emphasize current research opportunities in this rapidly advancing field, and present bioinformatic analyses that systematically explore the applicability of Drosophila for interrogation of susceptibility signals implicated in more than 1000 human traits, based on all GWAS completed to date. Thus, our discussion is targeted at both human geneticists seeking innovative strategies for experimental validation of findings from GWAS, as well as the Drosophila research community, by whom ongoing investigations of the implicated genes will powerfully inform our understanding of human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael F Wangler
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Yanhui Hu
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Joshua M Shulman
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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86
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Xiao YS, Schöck F, González-Morales N. Rapid IFM Dissection for Visualizing Fluorescently Tagged Sarcomeric Proteins. Bio Protoc 2017; 7:e2606. [PMID: 29423427 DOI: 10.21769/bioprotoc.2606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Sarcomeres, the smallest contractile unit of muscles, are arguably the most impressive actomyosin structure. Yet a complete understanding of sarcomere formation and maintenance is missing. The Drosophila indirect flight muscle (IFM) has proven to be a very valuable model to study sarcomeres. Here, we present a protocol for the rapid dissection of IFM and analysis of sarcomeres using fluorescently tagged proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Shu Xiao
- Department of Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Frieder Schöck
- Department of Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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87
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Blake AJ, Finger DS, Hardy VL, Ables ET. RNAi-Based Techniques for the Analysis of Gene Function in Drosophila Germline Stem Cells. Methods Mol Biol 2017; 1622:161-184. [PMID: 28674809 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-7108-4_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Elucidating the full repertoire of molecular mechanisms that promote stem cell maintenance requires sophisticated techniques for identifying and characterizing gene function in stem cells in their native environment. Ovarian germline stem cells in the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, are an ideal model to study the complex molecular mechanisms driving stem cell function in vivo. A variety of new genetic tools make RNAi a useful complement to traditional genetic mutants for the investigation of the molecular mechanisms guiding ovarian germline stem cell function. Here, we provide a detailed guide for using targeted RNAi knockdown for the discovery of gene function in ovarian germline stem cells and their progeny.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amelia J Blake
- East Carolina University, 1001 E. 10th Street, Mailstop 551, Greenville, NC, 27858, USA
| | - Danielle S Finger
- East Carolina University, 1001 E. 10th Street, Mailstop 551, Greenville, NC, 27858, USA
| | - Victoria L Hardy
- East Carolina University, 1001 E. 10th Street, Mailstop 551, Greenville, NC, 27858, USA
| | - Elizabeth T Ables
- East Carolina University, 1001 E. 10th Street, Mailstop 551, Greenville, NC, 27858, USA.
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88
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Ugur B, Chen K, Bellen HJ. Drosophila tools and assays for the study of human diseases. Dis Model Mech 2016; 9:235-44. [PMID: 26935102 PMCID: PMC4833332 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.023762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 296] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Many of the internal organ systems of Drosophila melanogaster are functionally analogous to those in vertebrates, including humans. Although humans and flies differ greatly in terms of their gross morphological and cellular features, many of the molecular mechanisms that govern development and drive cellular and physiological processes are conserved between both organisms. The morphological differences are deceiving and have led researchers to undervalue the study of invertebrate organs in unraveling pathogenic mechanisms of diseases. In this review and accompanying poster, we highlight the physiological and molecular parallels between fly and human organs that validate the use of Drosophila to study the molecular pathogenesis underlying human diseases. We discuss assays that have been developed in flies to study the function of specific genes in the central nervous system, heart, liver and kidney, and provide examples of the use of these assays to address questions related to human diseases. These assays provide us with simple yet powerful tools to study the pathogenic mechanisms associated with human disease-causing genes. Editors' choice - Drosophila Collection: In this review and accompanying poster, we highlight the physiological and molecular parallels between fly and human organs that validate the use of Drosophila to study the molecular pathogenesis underlying human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berrak Ugur
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Kuchuan Chen
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Hugo J Bellen
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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89
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Tito AJ, Cheema S, Jiang M, Zhang S. A Simple One-step Dissection Protocol for Whole-mount Preparation of Adult Drosophila Brains. J Vis Exp 2016. [PMID: 27929474 DOI: 10.3791/55128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
There is an increasing interest in using Drosophila to model human brain degenerative diseases, map neuronal circuitries in adult brains, and study the molecular and cellular basis of higher brain functions. A whole-mount preparation of adult brains with well-preserved morphology is critical for such whole brain-based studies, but can be technically challenging and time-consuming. This protocol describes an easy-to-learn, one-step dissection approach of an adult fly head in less than 10 s, while keeping the intact brain attached to the rest of the body to facilitate subsequent processing steps. The procedure helps remove most of the eye and tracheal tissues normally associated with the brain that can interfere with the later imaging step, and also places less demand on the quality of the dissecting forceps. Additionally, we describe a simple method that allows convenient flipping of the mounted brain samples on a coverslip, which is important for imaging both sides of the brains with similar signal intensity and quality. As an example of the protocol, we present an analysis of dopaminergic (DA) neurons in adult brains of WT (w1118) flies. The high efficacy of the dissection method makes it particularly useful for large-scale adult brain-based studies in Drosophila.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio J Tito
- Center for Metabolic and Degenerative Diseases, The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, Programs in Human and Molecular Genetics and Neuroscience, The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Houston, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
| | - Shebna Cheema
- Department of Natural Sciences, University of Houston - Downtown
| | - Mian Jiang
- Department of Natural Sciences, University of Houston - Downtown
| | - Sheng Zhang
- Center for Metabolic and Degenerative Diseases, The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, Programs in Human and Molecular Genetics and Neuroscience, The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Houston, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston; Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston;
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90
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91
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Lee CH, Rimesso G, Reynolds DM, Cai J, Baker NE. Whole-Genome Sequencing and iPLEX MassARRAY Genotyping Map an EMS-Induced Mutation Affecting Cell Competition in Drosophila melanogaster. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2016; 6:3207-3217. [PMID: 27574103 PMCID: PMC5068942 DOI: 10.1534/g3.116.029421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2016] [Accepted: 08/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Cell competition, the conditional loss of viable genotypes only when surrounded by other cells, is a phenomenon observed in certain genetic mosaic conditions. We conducted a chemical mutagenesis and screen to recover new mutations that affect cell competition between wild-type and RpS3 heterozygous cells. Mutations were identified by whole-genome sequencing, making use of software tools that greatly facilitate the distinction between newly induced mutations and other sources of apparent sequence polymorphism, thereby reducing false-positive and false-negative identification rates. In addition, we utilized iPLEX MassARRAY for genotyping recombinant chromosomes. These approaches permitted the mapping of a new mutation affecting cell competition when only a single allele existed, with a phenotype assessed only in genetic mosaics, without the benefit of complementation with existing mutations, deletions, or duplications. These techniques expand the utility of chemical mutagenesis and whole-genome sequencing for mutant identification. We discuss mutations in the Atm and Xrp1 genes identified in this screen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang-Hyun Lee
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461
| | - Gerard Rimesso
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461
| | - David M Reynolds
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461
| | - Jinlu Cai
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461
| | - Nicholas E Baker
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461
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92
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Winter PB, Brielmann RM, Timkovich NP, Navarro HT, Teixeira-Castro A, Morimoto RI, Amaral LAN. A network approach to discerning the identities of C. elegans in a free moving population. Sci Rep 2016; 6:34859. [PMID: 27725712 PMCID: PMC5057085 DOI: 10.1038/srep34859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2016] [Accepted: 09/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The study of C. elegans has led to ground-breaking discoveries in gene-function, neuronal circuits, and physiological responses. Subtle behavioral phenotypes, however, are often difficult to measure reproducibly. We have developed an experimental and computational infrastructure to simultaneously record and analyze the physical characteristics, movement, and social behaviors of dozens of interacting free-moving nematodes. Our algorithm implements a directed acyclic network that reconstructs the complex behavioral trajectories generated by individual C. elegans in a free moving population by chaining hundreds to thousands of short tracks into long contiguous trails. This technique allows for the high-throughput quantification of behavioral characteristics that require long-term observation of individual animals. The graphical interface we developed will enable researchers to uncover, in a reproducible manner, subtle time-dependent behavioral phenotypes that will allow dissection of the molecular mechanisms that give rise to organism-level behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter B Winter
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Renee M Brielmann
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Rice Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Nicholas P Timkovich
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Helio T Navarro
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Andreia Teixeira-Castro
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Rice Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.,Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Richard I Morimoto
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Rice Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Luis A N Amaral
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.,Department of Physics and Astronomy, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.,Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems and Data Science, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
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93
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Furukubo-Tokunaga K, Kurita K, Honjo K, Pandey H, Ando T, Takayama K, Arai Y, Mochizuki H, Ando M, Kamiya A, Sawa A. DISC1 causes associative memory and neurodevelopmental defects in fruit flies. Mol Psychiatry 2016; 21:1232-43. [PMID: 26976042 PMCID: PMC4993648 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2016.15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2013] [Revised: 01/16/2016] [Accepted: 01/20/2016] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Originally found in a Scottish family with diverse mental disorders, the DISC1 protein has been characterized as an intracellular scaffold protein that associates with diverse binding partners in neural development. To explore its functions in a genetically tractable system, we expressed the human DISC1 in fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster). As in mammalian neurons, DISC1 is localized to diverse subcellular domains of developing fly neurons including the nuclei, axons and dendrites. Overexpression of DISC1 impairs associative memory. Experiments with deletion/mutation constructs have revealed the importance of amino-terminal domain (46-290) for memory suppression whereas carboxyl domain (598-854) and the amino-terminal residues (1-45) including the nuclear localization signal (NLS1) are dispensable. DISC1 overexpression also causes suppression of axonal and dendritic branching of mushroom body neurons, which mediate a variety of cognitive functions in the fly brain. Analyses with deletion/mutation constructs reveal that protein domains 598-854 and 349-402 are both required for the suppression of axonal branching, while amino-terminal domains including NLS1 are dispensable. In contrast, NLS1 was required for the suppression of dendritic branching, suggesting a mechanism involving gene expression. Moreover, domain 403-596 is also required for the suppression of dendritic branching. We also show that overexpression of DISC1 suppresses glutamatergic synaptogenesis in developing neuromuscular junctions. Deletion/mutation experiments have revealed the importance of protein domains 403-596 and 349-402 for synaptic suppression, while amino-terminal domains including NLS1 are dispensable. Finally, we show that DISC1 functionally interacts with the fly homolog of Dysbindin (DTNBP1) via direct protein-protein interaction in developing synapses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kazuki Kurita
- Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8572, Japan
| | - Ken Honjo
- Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8572, Japan
| | - Himani Pandey
- Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8572, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Ando
- Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8572, Japan
| | - Kojiro Takayama
- Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8572, Japan
| | - Yuko Arai
- Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8572, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Mochizuki
- Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8572, Japan
| | - Mai Ando
- Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8572, Japan
| | - Atsushi Kamiya
- Department of Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore MD, USA
| | - Akira Sawa
- Department of Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore MD, USA
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94
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Galko MJ. Wound Signaling: Monkeywrenching Macrophage Migration with Microscopes, Movies, and Math. Curr Biol 2016; 26:R715-R717. [PMID: 27505244 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2016.06.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Drosophila hemocytes (blood cells) have emerged as a powerful system to image wound-induced inflammatory responses in vivo. New work reveals that layering mathematical modeling on top of imaging may be the most powerful tool yet for determining the properties of wound-induced signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Galko
- Department of Genetics at MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Genes and Development Program, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX77030, USA.
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95
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Bland ML. Measurement of Carbon Dioxide Production from Radiolabeled Substrates in Drosophila melanogaster. J Vis Exp 2016. [PMID: 27404635 PMCID: PMC4993251 DOI: 10.3791/54045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The power of Drosophila genetics is increasingly being applied to questions of hormone signaling and metabolism and to the development of models of human disease in this organism. Sensitive methods for measurements of parameters such as metabolic rates are needed to drive the understanding of physiology and disease in small animals such as the fruit fly. The method described here assesses fuel oxidation in small numbers of adult flies fed food containing trace amounts of 14C-labeled substrates such as glucose or fatty acid. After the feeding period and any additional experimental manipulations, flies are transferred to short tubes capped with mesh, which are then placed in glass vials containing KOH-saturated filter paper that traps exhaled, radiolabeled CO2 generated from oxidation of radiolabeled substrates as potassium bicarbonate, KHCO3. This radiolabeled bicarbonate is measured by scintillation counting. This is a quantitative, reproducible, and simple approach for the study of fuel oxidation. The use of radiolabeled glucose, fatty acids, or amino acids allows determination of the contribution of these different fuel sources to energy metabolism under different conditions such as feeding and fasting and in different genetic backgrounds. This complements other approaches used to measure in vivo energy metabolism and should further the understanding of metabolic regulation.
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96
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Abstract
The study of Drosophila imaginal discs has contributed to a number of discoveries in developmental and cellular biology. In addition to the elucidation of the role of tissue compartments and organ-specific master regulator genes during development, imaginal discs have also become well established as models for studying cellular interactions and complex genetic pathways. Here, we review key discoveries resulting from investigations of these epithelial precursor organs, ranging from cell fate determination and transdetermination to tissue patterning. Furthermore, the design of increasingly sophisticated genetic tools over the last decades has added value to the use of imaginal discs as model systems. As a result of tissue-specific genetic screens, several components of developmentally regulated signaling pathways were identified and epistasis revealed the levels at which they function. Discs have been widely used to assess cellular interactions in their natural tissue context, contributing to a better understanding of growth regulation, tissue regeneration, and cancer. With the continuous implementation of novel tools, imaginal discs retain significant potential as model systems to address emerging questions in biology and medicine.
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97
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Quantitative Assessment of Eye Phenotypes for Functional Genetic Studies Using Drosophila melanogaster. G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS 2016; 6:1427-37. [PMID: 26994292 PMCID: PMC4856093 DOI: 10.1534/g3.116.027060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
About two-thirds of the vital genes in the Drosophila genome are involved in eye development, making the fly eye an excellent genetic system to study cellular function and development, neurodevelopment/degeneration, and complex diseases such as cancer and diabetes. We developed a novel computational method, implemented as Flynotyper software (http://flynotyper.sourceforge.net), to quantitatively assess the morphological defects in the Drosophila eye resulting from genetic alterations affecting basic cellular and developmental processes. Flynotyper utilizes a series of image processing operations to automatically detect the fly eye and the individual ommatidium, and calculates a phenotypic score as a measure of the disorderliness of ommatidial arrangement in the fly eye. As a proof of principle, we tested our method by analyzing the defects due to eye-specific knockdown of Drosophila orthologs of 12 neurodevelopmental genes to accurately document differential sensitivities of these genes to dosage alteration. We also evaluated eye images from six independent studies assessing the effect of overexpression of repeats, candidates from peptide library screens, and modifiers of neurotoxicity and developmental processes on eye morphology, and show strong concordance with the original assessment. We further demonstrate the utility of this method by analyzing 16 modifiers of sine oculis obtained from two genome-wide deficiency screens of Drosophila and accurately quantifying the effect of its enhancers and suppressors during eye development. Our method will complement existing assays for eye phenotypes, and increase the accuracy of studies that use fly eyes for functional evaluation of genes and genetic interactions.
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98
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Chao YH, Robak LA, Xia F, Koenig MK, Adesina A, Bacino CA, Scaglia F, Bellen HJ, Wangler MF. Missense variants in the middle domain of DNM1L in cases of infantile encephalopathy alter peroxisomes and mitochondria when assayed in Drosophila. Hum Mol Genet 2016; 25:1846-56. [PMID: 26931468 PMCID: PMC5007591 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddw059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2015] [Accepted: 02/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Defects in organelle dynamics underlie a number of human degenerative disorders, and whole exome sequencing (WES) is a powerful tool for studying genetic changes that affect the cellular machinery. WES may uncover variants of unknown significance (VUS) that require functional validation. Previously, a pathogenic de novo variant in the middle domain of DNM1L (p.A395D) was identified in a single patient with a lethal defect of mitochondrial and peroxisomal fission. We identified two additional patients with infantile encephalopathy and partially overlapping clinical features, each with a novel VUS in the middle domain of DNM1L (p.G350R and p.E379K). To evaluate pathogenicity, we generated transgenic Drosophila expressing wild-type or variant DNM1L. We find that human wild-type DNM1L rescues the lethality as well as specific phenotypes associated with the loss of Drp1 in Drosophila. Neither the p.A395D variant nor the novel variant p.G350R rescue lethality or other phenotypes. Moreover, overexpression of p.A395D and p.G350R in Drosophila neurons, salivary gland and muscle strikingly altered peroxisomal and mitochondrial morphology. In contrast, the other novel variant (p.E379K) rescued lethality and did not affect organelle morphology, although it was associated with a subtle mitochondrial trafficking defect in an in vivo assay. Interestingly, the patient with the p.E379K variant also has a de novo VUS in pyruvate dehydrogenase 1 (PDHA1) affecting the same amino acid (G150) as another case of PDHA1 deficiency suggesting the PDHA1 variant may be pathogenic. In summary, detailed clinical evaluation and WES with functional studies in Drosophila can distinguish different functional consequences of newly-described DNM1L alleles.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Laurie A Robak
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Fan Xia
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics
| | - Mary K Koenig
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA and
| | | | | | | | - Hugo J Bellen
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA, Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Michael F Wangler
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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99
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Jiang Y, Chadwick SR, Lajoie P. Endoplasmic reticulum stress: The cause and solution to Huntington's disease? Brain Res 2016; 1648:650-657. [PMID: 27040914 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2016.03.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2015] [Revised: 03/22/2016] [Accepted: 03/23/2016] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Accumulation of misfolded proteins is a hallmark of many human diseases, including several incurable neurological disorders, such as Huntington's disease (HD). In HD, expansion of a polyglutamine stretch within the first exon of the Huntingtin protein (Htt) leads to Htt misfolding, aberrant protein aggregation, and progressive appearance of disease symptoms. Several studies in various organisms (from yeast to humans) have identified the accumulation of misfolded secretory proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER stress) as a crucial determinant of cellular toxicity in HD. In this review, we highlight the recent research linking HD to ER stress. We also discuss how the modulation of signaling pathways responsible for coping with misfolded protein accumulation in the ER may constitute attractive methods to reduce toxicity and identify new therapeutic targets for treatment of HD. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled SI:ER stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuwei Jiang
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, The University of Western Ontario, London, Canada N6A 5C1
| | - Sarah R Chadwick
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, The University of Western Ontario, London, Canada N6A 5C1
| | - Patrick Lajoie
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, The University of Western Ontario, London, Canada N6A 5C1.
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100
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Tran JR, Chen H, Zheng X, Zheng Y. Lamin in inflammation and aging. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2016; 40:124-130. [PMID: 27023494 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2016.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2016] [Revised: 02/26/2016] [Accepted: 03/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Aging is characterized by a progressive loss of tissue function and an increased susceptibility to injury and disease. Many age-associated pathologies manifest an inflammatory component, and this has led to the speculation that aging is at least in part caused by some form of inflammation. However, whether or not inflammation is truly a cause of aging, or is a consequence of the aging process is unknown. Recent work using Drosophila has uncovered a mechanism where the progressive loss of lamin-B in the fat body upon aging triggers systemic inflammation. This inflammatory response perturbs the local immune response of the neighboring gut tissue and leads to hyperplasia. Here, we will discuss the literature connecting lamins to aging and inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph R Tran
- Department of Embryology, Carnegie Institution for Science, Baltimore, MD 21218, United States
| | - Haiyang Chen
- Life Sciences Institute and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, PR China
| | - Xiaobin Zheng
- Department of Embryology, Carnegie Institution for Science, Baltimore, MD 21218, United States
| | - Yixian Zheng
- Department of Embryology, Carnegie Institution for Science, Baltimore, MD 21218, United States.
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