51
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Kim T, Shin H, Song B, Won C, Yoshida H, Yamaguchi M, Cho KS, Lee I. Overexpression of
H3K36
methyltransferase
NSD
in glial cells affects brain development in
Drosophila. Glia 2020; 68:2503-2516. [DOI: 10.1002/glia.23867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Revised: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Taejoon Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, CHANS Research Center Konkuk University Seoul South Korea
| | - Hyewon Shin
- Department of Biological Sciences, CHANS Research Center Konkuk University Seoul South Korea
| | - Bokyeong Song
- Department of Biological Sciences, CHANS Research Center Konkuk University Seoul South Korea
| | - Chihyun Won
- Department of Biological Sciences, CHANS Research Center Konkuk University Seoul South Korea
| | - Hideki Yoshida
- Department of Applied Biology Kyoto Institute of Technology Kyoto Japan
| | | | - Kyoung Sang Cho
- Department of Biological Sciences, CHANS Research Center Konkuk University Seoul South Korea
| | - Im‐Soon Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, CHANS Research Center Konkuk University Seoul South Korea
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52
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Keegan SE, Hughes SC. Role of nuclear-cytoplasmic protein localization during Drosophila neuroblast development. Genome 2020; 64:75-85. [PMID: 32526151 DOI: 10.1139/gen-2020-0039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Nuclear-cytoplasmic localization is an efficient way to regulate transcription factors and chromatin remodelers. Altering the location of existing protein pools also facilitates a more rapid response to changes in cell activity or extracellular signals. There are several examples of proteins that are regulated by nucleo-cytoplasmic shuttling, which are required for Drosophila neuroblast development. Disruption of the localization of homologs of these proteins has also been linked to several neurodegenerative disorders in humans. Drosophila has been used extensively to model the neurodegenerative disorders caused by aberrant nucleo-cytoplasmic localization. Here, we focus on the role of alternative nucleo-cytoplasmic protein localization in regulating proliferation and cell fate decisions in the Drosophila neuroblast and in neurodegenerative disorders. We also explore the analogous role of RNA binding proteins and mRNA localization in the context of regulation of nucleo-cytoplasmic localization during neural development and a role in neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie E Keegan
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Sarah C Hughes
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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53
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Pandey H, Saini S, Singh SP, Gautam NK, Singh S. Candle soot derived carbon nanoparticles: An assessment of cellular and progressive toxicity using Drosophila melanogaster model. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2020; 228:108646. [PMID: 31654826 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2019.108646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2019] [Revised: 10/02/2019] [Accepted: 10/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
The biomedical demand of the nanomaterials is continuously increasing due to their wide range of applications in the field. However, before the implementation of these nanomaterials, toxicity assessment is essential for its safe usage. In the present study, the toxicity of carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) was investigated which was derived from candle soot and compared with commercially available multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) by using Drosophila melanogaster as a model system. First instar Drosophila larvae were exposed to CNPs as well as CNTs, and the toxic effects of these nanomaterials were compared. The result shows that both nanomaterials enhance the level of reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress in the Drosophila, which leads to the upregulation of heat shock proteins that may cause cytotoxicity in exposed Drosophila larvae. In contrast, exposure to CNPs and CNTs did not affect the developmental period of the larvae. Morphology of the internal organs, brain, gut and Malpighian tubules was also not altered in the exposed larvae. Similarly, no change observed in the cytoskeleton (F-actin) of these organs. Reproductive performance was slightly reduced in the case of CNPs compare to control. However, CNTs exposure did not show any significant effect on the reproductive performance of the flies that emerged from exposed larvae in comparison to control. Hence the study concludes that exposure to CNPs and CNTs cause a moderate level of cytotoxicity in Drosophila. The study also indicates that the inexpensive CNPs may use as an alternative to expensive CNTs for biomedical and biological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harshita Pandey
- Pesticide Toxicology Laboratory, Regulatory Toxicology and Nanomaterial Toxicology Group, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (CSIR-IITR), Vishvigyan Bhawan, 31 Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Lucknow 226001, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Sanjay Saini
- Department of Urology and Renal Transplantation, Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Raebareli Road, Lucknow 226014, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Sheelendra Pratap Singh
- Pesticide Toxicology Laboratory, Regulatory Toxicology and Nanomaterial Toxicology Group, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (CSIR-IITR), Vishvigyan Bhawan, 31 Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Lucknow 226001, Uttar Pradesh, India; Analytical Chemistry Laboratory, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (CSIR-IITR), Vishvigyan Bhawan, 31 Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Lucknow 226001, Uttar Pradesh, India.
| | - Naveen Kumar Gautam
- Department of Urology and Renal Transplantation, Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Raebareli Road, Lucknow 226014, Uttar Pradesh, India; Embryotoxicology Lab, Environmental Toxicology group, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (CSIR-IITR), Vishvigyan Bhawan, 31 Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Lucknow 226001, Uttar Pradesh, India.
| | - Shiv Singh
- Lightweight metallic materials, CSIR- Advanced Materials and Processes Research Institute, Hoshangabad Road, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh 462064, India.
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54
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Zabihihesari A, Hilliker AJ, Rezai P. Fly-on-a-Chip: Microfluidics for Drosophila melanogaster Studies. Integr Biol (Camb) 2020; 11:425-443. [DOI: 10.1093/intbio/zyz037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2019] [Revised: 10/21/2019] [Accepted: 10/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
The fruit fly or Drosophila melanogaster has been used as a promising model organism in genetics, developmental and behavioral studies as well as in the fields of neuroscience, pharmacology, and toxicology. Not only all the developmental stages of Drosophila, including embryonic, larval, and adulthood stages, have been used in experimental in vivo biology, but also the organs, tissues, and cells extracted from this model have found applications in in vitro assays. However, the manual manipulation, cellular investigation and behavioral phenotyping techniques utilized in conventional Drosophila-based in vivo and in vitro assays are mostly time-consuming, labor-intensive, and low in throughput. Moreover, stimulation of the organism with external biological, chemical, or physical signals requires precision in signal delivery, while quantification of neural and behavioral phenotypes necessitates optical and physical accessibility to Drosophila. Recently, microfluidic and lab-on-a-chip devices have emerged as powerful tools to overcome these challenges. This review paper demonstrates the role of microfluidic technology in Drosophila studies with a focus on both in vivo and in vitro investigations. The reviewed microfluidic devices are categorized based on their applications to various stages of Drosophila development. We have emphasized technologies that were utilized for tissue- and behavior-based investigations. Furthermore, the challenges and future directions in Drosophila-on-a-chip research, and its integration with other advanced technologies, will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Pouya Rezai
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
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55
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Suzuki H, Yoshida T, Morisada N, Uehara T, Kosaki K, Sato K, Matsubara K, Takano-Shimizu T, Takenouchi T. De novo NSF mutations cause early infantile epileptic encephalopathy. Ann Clin Transl Neurol 2019; 6:2334-2339. [PMID: 31675180 PMCID: PMC6856629 DOI: 10.1002/acn3.50917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Revised: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 09/19/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
N‐ethylmaleimide‐sensitive factor (NSF) plays a critical role in intracellular vesicle transport, which is essential for neurotransmitter release. Herein, we, for the first time, document human monogenic disease phenotype of de novo pathogenic variants in NSF, that is, epileptic encephalopathy of early infantile onset. When expressed in the developing eye of Drosophila, the mutant NSF severely affected eye development, while the wild‐type allele had no detectable effect under the same conditions. Our findings suggest that the two pathogenic variants exert a dominant negative effect. De novo heterozygous mutations in the NSF gene cause early infantile epileptic encephalopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hisato Suzuki
- Center for Medical Genetics, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takeshi Yoshida
- Department of Pediatrics, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Naoya Morisada
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Hyogo Prefectural Kobe Children's Hospital, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Tomoko Uehara
- Center for Medical Genetics, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kenjiro Kosaki
- Center for Medical Genetics, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Katsunori Sato
- Applied Biology and Advanced Insect Research Promotion Center, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kohei Matsubara
- Applied Biology and Advanced Insect Research Promotion Center, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Toshiyuki Takano-Shimizu
- Applied Biology and Advanced Insect Research Promotion Center, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Toshiki Takenouchi
- Department of Pediatrics, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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56
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Zhong Y, Shobo A, Hancock MA, Multhaup G. Label-free distribution of anti-amyloid D-AIP in Drosophila melanogaster: prevention of Aβ42-induced toxicity without side effects in transgenic flies. J Neurochem 2019; 150:74-87. [PMID: 31077378 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.14720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2019] [Revised: 04/22/2019] [Accepted: 05/08/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Soluble oligomers of the 42-amino acid amyloid beta (Aβ42) peptide are highly toxic and suspected as the causative agent of synaptic dysfunction and neuronal loss in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Previously, we have shown that a small, D-amino acid Aβ42-oligomer interacting peptide (D-AIP) can neutralize human Aβ42-mediated toxicity using in vitro and cell-based assays. In the present longitudinal study using a transgenic Drosophila melanogaster model, advanced live confocal imaging and mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI) showed that the eight amino acid D-AIP can attenuate Aβ42-induced toxicity in vivo. By separating male and female flies into distinct groups, the resultant distribution of ingested D-AIP was different between the sexes. The Aβ42-induced 'rough eye' phenotype could be rescued in the female transgenics, likely because of the co-localization of D-AIP with human Aβ42 in the female fly heads. Interestingly, the phenotype could not be rescued in the male transgenics, likely because of the co-localization of D-AIP with a confounding male-specific sex peptide (Acp70A candidate in MSI spectra) in the gut of the male flies. As a novel, more cost-effective strategy to prevent toxic amyloid formation during the early stages of AD (i.e. neutralization of toxic low-order Aβ42 oligomers without creating larger aggregates in the process), our longitudinal study establishes that D-AIP is a stable and highly effective neutralizer of toxic Aβ42 peptides in vivo. Cover Image for this issue: doi: 10.1111/jnc.14512.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifei Zhong
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Life Sciences Complex, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Adeola Shobo
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Life Sciences Complex, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Mark A Hancock
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Life Sciences Complex, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Gerhard Multhaup
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Life Sciences Complex, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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57
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Shah EJ, Gurdziel K, Ruden DM. Mammalian Models of Traumatic Brain Injury and a Place for Drosophila in TBI Research. Front Neurosci 2019; 13:409. [PMID: 31105519 PMCID: PMC6499071 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI), caused by a sudden blow or jolt to the brain that disrupts normal function, is an emerging health epidemic with ∼2.5 million cases occurring annually in the United States that are severe enough to cause hospitalization or death. Most common causes of TBI include contact sports, vehicle crashes and domestic violence or war injuries. Injury to the central nervous system is one of the most consistent candidates for initiating the molecular and cellular cascades that result in Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Not every TBI event is alike with effects varying from person to person. The majority of people recover from mild TBI within a short period of time, but repeated incidents can have deleterious long-lasting effects which depend on factors such as the number of TBIs sustained, time till medical attention, age, gender and genetics of the individual. Despite extensive research, many questions still remain regarding diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of long-term effects from TBI as well as recovery of brain function. In this review, we present an overview of TBI pathology, discuss mammalian models for TBI and focus on current methods using Drosophila melanogaster as a model for TBI study. The relatively small brain size (∼100,000 neurons and glia), conserved neurotransmitter signaling mechanisms and sophisticated genetics of Drosophila allows for cell biological, molecular and genetic analyses that are impractical in mammalian models of TBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekta J. Shah
- Department of Pharmacology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Katherine Gurdziel
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Douglas M. Ruden
- Department of Pharmacology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States
- Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States
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58
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Stobdan T, Sahoo D, Azad P, Hartley I, Heinrichsen E, Zhou D, Haddad GG. High fat diet induces sex-specific differential gene expression in Drosophila melanogaster. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0213474. [PMID: 30861021 PMCID: PMC6413938 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0213474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 02/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Currently about 2 billion adults globally are estimated to be overweight and ~13% of them are obese. High fat diet (HFD) is one of the major contributing factor to obesity, heart disease, diabetes and cancer. Recent findings on the role of HFD in inducing abnormalities in neurocognition and susceptibility to Alzheimer’s disease are highly intriguing. Since fundamental molecular pathways are often conserved across species, studies involving Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism can provide insight into the molecular mechanisms involving human disease. In order to study some of such mechanisms in the central nervous system as well in the rest of the body, we investigated the effect of HFD on the transcriptome in the heads and bodies of male and female flies kept on either HFD or regular diet (RD). Using comprehensive genomic analyses which include high-throughput transcriptome sequencing, pathway enrichment and gene network analyses, we found that HFD induces a number of responses that are sexually dimorphic in nature. There was a robust transcriptional response consisting of a downregulation of stress-related genes in the heads and glycoside hydrolase activity genes in the bodies of males. In the females, the HFD led to an increased transcriptional change in lipid metabolism. A strong correlation also existed between the takeout gene and hyperphagic behavior in both males and females. We conclude that a) HFD induces a differential transcriptional response between males and females, in heads and bodies and b) the non-dimorphic transcriptional response that we identified was associated with hyperphagia. Therefore, our data on the transcriptional responses in flies to HFD provides potentially relevant information to human conditions including obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsering Stobdan
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Respiratory Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Debashis Sahoo
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Priti Azad
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Respiratory Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Iain Hartley
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Respiratory Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Erilynn Heinrichsen
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Respiratory Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Dan Zhou
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Respiratory Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Gabriel G. Haddad
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Respiratory Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
- Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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59
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Oza VH, Aicher JK, Reed LK. Random Forest Analysis of Untargeted Metabolomics Data Suggests Increased Use of Omega Fatty Acid Oxidation Pathway in Drosophila Melanogaster Larvae Fed a Medium Chain Fatty Acid Rich High-Fat Diet. Metabolites 2018; 9:metabo9010005. [PMID: 30602659 PMCID: PMC6359074 DOI: 10.3390/metabo9010005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2018] [Revised: 12/27/2018] [Accepted: 12/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Obesity is a complex disease, shaped by both genetic and environmental factors such as diet. In this study, we use untargeted metabolomics and Drosophila melanogaster to model how diet and genotype shape the metabolome of obese phenotypes. We used 16 distinct outbred genotypes of Drosophila larvae raised on normal (ND) and high-fat (HFD) diets, to produce three distinct phenotypic classes; genotypes that stored more triglycerides on a ND relative to the HFD, genotypes that stored more triglycerides on a HFD relative to ND, and genotypes that showed no change in triglyceride storage on either of the two diets. Using untargeted metabolomics we characterized 350 metabolites: 270 with definitive chemical IDs and 80 that were chemically unidentified. Using random forests, we determined metabolites that were important in discriminating between the HFD and ND larvae as well as between the triglyceride phenotypic classes. We found that flies fed on a HFD showed evidence of an increased use of omega fatty acid oxidation pathway, an alternative to the more commonly used beta fatty acid oxidation pathway. Additionally, we observed no correlation between the triglyceride storage phenotype and free fatty acid levels (laurate, caprate, caprylate, caproate), indicating that the distinct metabolic profile of fatty acids in high-fat diet fed Drosophila larvae does not propagate into triglyceride storage differences. However, dipeptides did show moderate differences between the phenotypic classes. We fit Gaussian graphical models (GGMs) of the metabolic profiles for HFD and ND flies to characterize changes in metabolic network structure between the two diets, finding the HFD to have a greater number of edges indicating that metabolome varies more across samples on a HFD. Taken together, these results show that, in the context of obesity, metabolomic profiles under distinct dietary conditions may not be reliable predictors of phenotypic outcomes in a genetically diverse population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vishal H Oza
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA.
| | - Joseph K Aicher
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA.
| | - Laura K Reed
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA.
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60
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Park HH, Park MS, Na KJ. Development of Central Nervous System in Scuttle Fly. KOREAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE 2018. [DOI: 10.15324/kjcls.2018.50.3.284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ho-Hyun Park
- Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, Mokpo Science University, Mokpo, Korea
| | - Mi-Suk Park
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Gimhae College, Gimhae, Korea
| | - Kil-Ju Na
- Department of Radiology Science, Mokpo Science University, Mokpo, Korea
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61
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Shin M, Venton BJ. Electrochemical Measurements of Acetylcholine-Stimulated Dopamine Release in Adult Drosophila melanogaster Brains. Anal Chem 2018; 90:10318-10325. [PMID: 30073836 PMCID: PMC6135655 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.8b02114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, is a popular model organism for studying neurological processes and diseases due to the availability of sophisticated genetic tools. While endogenous neurotransmitter release has been characterized in Drosophila larvae, here, we measured endogenous dopamine release in isolated adult Drosophila brains for the first time. Dopamine was measured with fast-scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV), and acetylcholine or nicotine were used as the stimulus, as both interact with nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) to evoke endogenous dopamine release. Stimulations with 10 pmol of acetylcholine elicited 0.26 ± 0.05 μM dopamine, while 70 fmol nicotine stimulations evoked 0.29 ± 0.03 μM in the central complex. Nicotine-stimulated dopamine release lasted much longer than acetylcholine-stimulated release. Dopamine release is reduced in the presence of nAChR antagonist α-bungarotoxin and the sodium channel blocker tetrodotoxin, indicating release is mediated by nAChRs and exocytosis. The identity of dopamine was confirmed by using 3-iodotyrosine, a dopamine synthesis inhibitor, and by confirming that release was not changed in octopamine synthesis mutant flies, Tdc2 RO54. Additionally, the half-decay time ( t50) in fumin (67 ± 15 s), dopamine transporter mutant flies, was larger than in wild-type flies (16 ± 3.7 s) further proving that acetylcholine stimulation evokes dopamine release. This study demonstrates that stimulation of nAChRs can be used to elicit endogenous dopamine release in adult fly brains, which will be a useful technique for future studies probing dopamine changes during aging or in neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mimi Shin
- Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22901
| | - B. Jill Venton
- Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22901
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62
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Kumari R, Kumar D, Brahmachari SK, Srivastava AK, Faruq M, Mukerji M. Paradigm for disease deconvolution in rare neurodegenerative disorders in Indian population: insights from studies in cerebellar ataxias. J Genet 2018; 97:589-609. [PMID: 30027898] [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
Cerebellar ataxias are a group of rare progressive neurodegenerative disorders with an average prevalence ranges from 4.8 to 13.8 in 100,000 individuals. The inherited disorders affect multiple members of the families, or a community that is endogamous or consanguineous. Presence of more than 3000 mutations in different genes with overlapping clinical symptoms, genetic anticipation and pleiotropy, as well as incomplete penetrance and variable expressivity due to modifiers pose challenges in genotype-phenotype correlation. Development of a diagnostic algorithm could reduce the time as well as cost in clinicogenetic diagnostics and also help in reducing the economic and social burden of the disease. In a unique research collaboration spanning over 20 years, we have been able to develop a paradigm for studying cerebellar ataxias in the Indian population which would also be relevant in other rare diseases. This has involved clinical and genetic analysis of thousands of families from diverse Indian populations. The extensive resource on ataxia has led to the development of a clinicogenetic algorithm for cost-effective screening of ataxia and a unique ataxia clinic in the tertiary referral centre in All India Institute of Medical Sciences. Utilizing a population polymorphism scanning approach, we have been able to dissect the mechanisms of repeat instability and expansion in many ataxias, and also identify founders, and trace the mutational histories in the Indian population. This provides information for genetic testing of at-risk as well as protected individuals and populations. To dissect uncharacterized cases which comprises more than 50% of the cases, we have explored the potential of next-generation sequencing technologies coupled with the extensive resource of baseline data generated in-house and other public domains. We have also developed a repository of patient-derived peripheral blood mononuclear cells, lymphoblastoid cell lines and neuronal lineages (derived from iPSCs) for ascribing functionality to novel genes/mutations. Through integrating these technologies, novel genes have been identified that has broadened the diagnostic panel, increased the diagnostic yield to over 75%, helped in ascribing pathogenicity to novel mutations and enabled understanding of disease mechanisms. It has also provided a platform for testing novel molecules for amelioration of pathophysiological phenotypes. This review through a perspective on CAs suggests a generic paradigm fromdiagnostics to therapeutic interventions for rare disorders in the context of heterogeneous Indian populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renu Kumari
- CSIR Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (CSIR-IGIB), Mathura Road, New Delhi 110 025, India. E-mail:
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Affiliation(s)
- J. Robert Manak
- Department of Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
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64
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Kumari R, Kumar D, Brahmachari SK, Srivastava AK, Faruq M, Mukerji M. Paradigm for disease deconvolution in rare neurodegenerative disorders in Indian population: insights from studies in cerebellar ataxias. J Genet 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s12041-018-0948-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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65
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Treatment with pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) and 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) differently affects survival, locomotor activity, and biochemical markers in Drosophila melanogaster. Mol Cell Biochem 2017; 442:129-142. [DOI: 10.1007/s11010-017-3198-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2017] [Accepted: 10/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
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66
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Drosophila melanogaster “a potential model organism” for identification of pharmacological properties of plants/plant-derived components. Biomed Pharmacother 2017; 89:1331-1345. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2017.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2016] [Revised: 02/09/2017] [Accepted: 03/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
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67
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Ardeshiri R, Rezai P. Lab-on-chips for manipulation of small-scale organisms to facilitate imaging of neurons and organs. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2017; 2016:5749-5752. [PMID: 28269560 DOI: 10.1109/embc.2016.7592033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) and Drosophila melanogaster (D. melanogaster) are widely-used model organisms for neurological and cardiac studies due to their simple neuronal (302 neurons in C. elegans) and cardiac (simple tubular organ in D. melanogaster) systems. However, their small sizes and continuous mobility impede their precise and timely manipulation, hence, limiting the assays that can be done using conventional manual methods. This has resulted in a need for technologies that allow multidirectional manipulation of model organisms to enable studies on target neurons and organs throughout the body. By integration of rotatable glass capillaries with pneumatic suction into microfluidic devices, we propose novel Lab-on-Chips for multi-directional manipulation and imaging of small organisms. These hybrid Lab-on-Chips can facilitate the processes of animal handling and stimuli control, using modules for single-organism selection, orientation, imaging and chemical stimulation. We show the applications of these hybrid microdevices in manipulating C. elegans for neuronal imaging (neuron-level assay) or D. melanogaster for heart screening (organ level assay). These devices can enhance the throughput of biological assays on whole-organisms and find their applications in drug discovery and toxicology.
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68
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Tan FHP, Azzam G. Drosophila melanogaster: Deciphering Alzheimer's Disease. Malays J Med Sci 2017; 24:6-20. [PMID: 28894399 PMCID: PMC5566057 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2017.24.2.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2016] [Accepted: 02/21/2017] [Indexed: 09/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most widespread neurodegenerative disorder worldwide. Its pathogenesis involves two hallmarks: aggregation of amyloid beta (Aβ) and occurrence of neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs). The mechanism behind the disease is still unknown. This has prompted the use of animal models to mirror the disease. The fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster has garnered considerable attention as an organism to recapitulate human disorders. With the ability to monopolise a multitude of traditional and novel genetic tools, Drosophila is ideal for studying not only cellular aspects but also physiological and behavioural traits of human neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we discuss the use of the Drosophila model in understanding AD pathology and the insights gained in discovering drug therapies for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florence Hui Ping Tan
- School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 USM, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
| | - Ghows Azzam
- School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 USM, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
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69
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Moulton MJ, Letsou A. Modeling congenital disease and inborn errors of development in Drosophila melanogaster. Dis Model Mech 2016; 9:253-69. [PMID: 26935104 PMCID: PMC4826979 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.023564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Fly models that faithfully recapitulate various aspects of human disease and human health-related biology are being used for research into disease diagnosis and prevention. Established and new genetic strategies in Drosophila have yielded numerous substantial successes in modeling congenital disorders or inborn errors of human development, as well as neurodegenerative disease and cancer. Moreover, although our ability to generate sequence datasets continues to outpace our ability to analyze these datasets, the development of high-throughput analysis platforms in Drosophila has provided access through the bottleneck in the identification of disease gene candidates. In this Review, we describe both the traditional and newer methods that are facilitating the incorporation of Drosophila into the human disease discovery process, with a focus on the models that have enhanced our understanding of human developmental disorders and congenital disease. Enviable features of the Drosophila experimental system, which make it particularly useful in facilitating the much anticipated move from genotype to phenotype (understanding and predicting phenotypes directly from the primary DNA sequence), include its genetic tractability, the low cost for high-throughput discovery, and a genome and underlying biology that are highly evolutionarily conserved. In embracing the fly in the human disease-gene discovery process, we can expect to speed up and reduce the cost of this process, allowing experimental scales that are not feasible and/or would be too costly in higher eukaryotes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Moulton
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah, 15 North 2030 East, Room 5100, Salt Lake City, UT 84112-5330, USA
| | - Anthea Letsou
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah, 15 North 2030 East, Room 5100, Salt Lake City, UT 84112-5330, USA
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70
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Spong KE, Andrew RD, Robertson RM. Mechanisms of spreading depolarization in vertebrate and insect central nervous systems. J Neurophysiol 2016; 116:1117-27. [PMID: 27334953 PMCID: PMC5013167 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00352.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2016] [Accepted: 06/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Spreading depolarization (SD) is generated in the central nervous systems of both vertebrates and invertebrates. SD manifests as a propagating wave of electrical depression caused by a massive redistribution of ions. Mammalian SD underlies a continuum of human pathologies from migraine to stroke damage, whereas insect SD is associated with environmental stress-induced neural shutdown. The general cellular mechanisms underlying SD seem to be evolutionarily conserved throughout the animal kingdom. In particular, SD in the central nervous system of Locusta migratoria and Drosophila melanogaster has all the hallmarks of mammalian SD. Locust SD is easily induced and monitored within the metathoracic ganglion (MTG) and can be modulated both pharmacologically and by preconditioning treatments. The finding that the fly brain supports repetitive waves of SD is relatively recent but noteworthy, since it provides a genetically tractable model system. Due to the human suffering caused by SD manifestations, elucidating control mechanisms that could ultimately attenuate brain susceptibility is essential. Here we review mechanisms of SD focusing on the similarities between mammalian and insect systems. Additionally we discuss advantages of using invertebrate model systems and propose insect SD as a valuable model for providing new insights to mammalian SD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin E Spong
- Department of Biology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - R David Andrew
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada; and Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - R Meldrum Robertson
- Department of Biology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada; Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada; and Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
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71
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Bodaleo FJ, Gonzalez-Billault C. The Presynaptic Microtubule Cytoskeleton in Physiological and Pathological Conditions: Lessons from Drosophila Fragile X Syndrome and Hereditary Spastic Paraplegias. Front Mol Neurosci 2016; 9:60. [PMID: 27504085 PMCID: PMC4958632 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2016.00060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2016] [Accepted: 07/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The capacity of the nervous system to generate neuronal networks relies on the establishment and maintenance of synaptic contacts. Synapses are composed of functionally different presynaptic and postsynaptic compartments. An appropriate synaptic architecture is required to provide the structural basis that supports synaptic transmission, a process involving changes in cytoskeletal dynamics. Actin microfilaments are the main cytoskeletal components present at both presynaptic and postsynaptic terminals in glutamatergic synapses. However, in the last few years it has been demonstrated that microtubules (MTs) transiently invade dendritic spines, promoting their maturation. Nevertheless, the presence and functions of MTs at the presynaptic site are still a matter of debate. Early electron microscopy (EM) studies revealed that MTs are present in the presynaptic terminals of the central nervous system (CNS) where they interact with synaptic vesicles (SVs) and reach the active zone. These observations have been reproduced by several EM protocols; however, there is empirical heterogeneity in detecting presynaptic MTs, since they appear to be both labile and unstable. Moreover, increasing evidence derived from studies in the fruit fly neuromuscular junction proposes different roles for MTs in regulating presynaptic function in physiological and pathological conditions. In this review, we summarize the main findings that support the presence and roles of MTs at presynaptic terminals, integrating descriptive and biochemical analyses, and studies performed in invertebrate genetic models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe J Bodaleo
- Laboratory of Cell and Neuronal Dynamics, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Universidad de ChileSantiago, Chile; Center for Geroscience, Brain Health and Metabolism (GERO)Santiago, Chile
| | - Christian Gonzalez-Billault
- Laboratory of Cell and Neuronal Dynamics, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Universidad de ChileSantiago, Chile; Center for Geroscience, Brain Health and Metabolism (GERO)Santiago, Chile; The Buck Institute for Research on Aging, NovatoCA, USA
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72
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Bernstein AI, Lin Y, Street RC, Lin L, Dai Q, Yu L, Bao H, Gearing M, Lah JJ, Nelson PT, He C, Levey AI, Mullé JG, Duan R, Jin P. 5-Hydroxymethylation-associated epigenetic modifiers of Alzheimer's disease modulate Tau-induced neurotoxicity. Hum Mol Genet 2016; 25:2437-2450. [PMID: 27060332 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddw109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2015] [Revised: 03/03/2016] [Accepted: 04/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive deterioration of cognitive function. Pathogenesis of AD is incompletely understood; evidence suggests a role for epigenetic regulation, in particular the cytosine modifications 5-methylcytosine and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC). 5hmC is enriched in the nervous system and displays neurodevelopment and age-related changes. To determine the role of 5hmC in AD, we performed genome-wide analyses of 5hmC in DNA from prefrontal cortex of post-mortem AD patients, and RNA-Seq to correlate changes in 5hmC with transcriptional changes. We identified 325 genes containing differentially hydroxymethylated loci (DhMLs) in both discovery and replication datasets. These are enriched for pathways involved in neuron projection development and neurogenesis. Of these, 140 showed changes in gene expression. Proteins encoded by these genes form direct protein-protein interactions with AD-associated genes, expanding the network of genes implicated in AD. We identified AD-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located within or near DhMLs, suggesting these SNPs may identify regions of epigenetic gene regulation that play a role in AD pathogenesis. Finally, using an existing AD fly model, we showed some of these genes modulate AD-associated toxicity. Our data implicate neuronal projection development and neurogenesis pathways as potential targets in AD. By incorporating epigenomic and transcriptomic data with genome-wide association studies data, with verification in the Drosophila model, we can expand the known network of genes involved in disease pathogenesis and identify epigenetic modifiers of Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison I Bernstein
- Department of Human Genetics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.,Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Yunting Lin
- The State Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China
| | - R Craig Street
- Department of Human Genetics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Li Lin
- Department of Human Genetics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Qing Dai
- Department of Chemistry.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Li Yu
- The State Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China
| | - Han Bao
- Department of Human Genetics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Marla Gearing
- Center for Neurodegenerative Disease, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.,Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - James J Lah
- Center for Neurodegenerative Disease, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Peter T Nelson
- Department of Pathology, Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Chuan He
- Department of Chemistry.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Allan I Levey
- Center for Neurodegenerative Disease, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Jennifer G Mullé
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Ranhui Duan
- The State Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China
| | - Peng Jin
- Department of Human Genetics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
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73
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Ardeshiri R, Hosseini L, Amini N, Rezai P. Cardiac screening of intact Drosophila melanogaster larvae under exposure to aqueous and gaseous toxins in a microfluidic device. RSC Adv 2016. [DOI: 10.1039/c6ra14159e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
We present a semi-automated microfluidic chip for orientation, immobilization, chemical exposure, and cardiac screening of 3rd instar Drosophila melanogaster larvae.
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Affiliation(s)
- R. Ardeshiri
- Department of Mechanical Engineering
- York University
- Toronto
- Canada
| | - L. Hosseini
- Department of Mechanical Engineering
- York University
- Toronto
- Canada
| | - N. Amini
- Department of Mechanical Engineering
- York University
- Toronto
- Canada
| | - P. Rezai
- Department of Mechanical Engineering
- York University
- Toronto
- Canada
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74
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Drosophila melanogaster as a Model for Studies on the Early Stages of Alzheimer's Disease. Methods Mol Biol 2016; 1303:227-39. [PMID: 26235070 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-2627-5_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) have been widely used to study the cellular and molecular basis of human neurodegenerative disease. The biological similarities between the human and the fly have been explored successfully to further investigate the pathological basis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Here, we discuss transgenic Drosophila models systems and the methodologies that have been employed in the study of AD.
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75
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Guna A, Butcher NJ, Bassett AS. Comparative mapping of the 22q11.2 deletion region and the potential of simple model organisms. J Neurodev Disord 2015; 7:18. [PMID: 26137170 PMCID: PMC4487986 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-015-9113-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2015] [Accepted: 05/26/2015] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Background 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS) is the most common micro-deletion syndrome. The associated 22q11.2 deletion conveys the strongest known molecular risk for schizophrenia. Neurodevelopmental phenotypes, including intellectual disability, are also prominent though variable in severity. Other developmental features include congenital cardiac and craniofacial anomalies. Whereas existing mouse models have been helpful in determining the role of some genes overlapped by the hemizygous 22q11.2 deletion in phenotypic expression, much remains unknown. Simple model organisms remain largely unexploited in exploring these genotype-phenotype relationships. Methods We first developed a comprehensive map of the human 22q11.2 deletion region, delineating gene content, and brain expression. To identify putative orthologs, standard methods were used to interrogate the proteomes of the zebrafish (D. rerio), fruit fly (D. melanogaster), and worm (C. elegans), in addition to the mouse. Spatial locations of conserved homologues were mapped to examine syntenic relationships. We systematically cataloged available knockout and knockdown models of all conserved genes across these organisms, including a comprehensive review of associated phenotypes. Results There are 90 genes overlapped by the typical 2.5 Mb deletion 22q11.2 region. Of the 46 protein-coding genes, 41 (89.1 %) have documented expression in the human brain. Identified homologues in the zebrafish (n = 37, 80.4 %) were comparable to those in the mouse (n = 40, 86.9 %) and included some conserved gene cluster structures. There were 22 (47.8 %) putative homologues in the fruit fly and 17 (37.0 %) in the worm involving multiple chromosomes. Individual gene knockdown mutants were available for the simple model organisms, but not for mouse. Although phenotypic data were relatively limited for knockout and knockdown models of the 17 genes conserved across all species, there was some evidence for roles in neurodevelopmental phenotypes, including four of the six mitochondrial genes in the 22q11.2 deletion region. Conclusions Simple model organisms represent a powerful but underutilized means of investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying the elevated risk for neurodevelopmental disorders in 22q11.2DS. This comparative multi-species study provides novel resources and support for the potential utility of non-mouse models in expression studies and high-throughput drug screening. The approach has implications for other recurrent copy number variations associated with neurodevelopmental phenotypes. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s11689-015-9113-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alina Guna
- Clinical Genetics Research Program and Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Nancy J Butcher
- Clinical Genetics Research Program and Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON Canada ; Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Anne S Bassett
- Clinical Genetics Research Program and Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON Canada ; Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada ; Dalglish Family Hearts and Minds Clinic for Adults with 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, and Toronto General Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON Canada ; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada ; Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 33 Russell Street, Room 1100, M5S 2S1 Toronto, ON Canada
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76
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Overexpression of hsp27 Rescued Neuronal Cell Death and Reduction in Life- and Health-Span in Drosophila melanogaster Against Prolonged Exposure to Dichlorvos. Mol Neurobiol 2015; 53:3179-3193. [DOI: 10.1007/s12035-015-9221-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2015] [Accepted: 05/21/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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77
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Pandey A, Khatoon R, Saini S, Vimal D, Patel DK, Narayan G, Chowdhuri DK. Efficacy of methuselah gene mutation toward tolerance of dichlorvos exposure in Drosophila melanogaster. Free Radic Biol Med 2015; 83:54-65. [PMID: 25746179 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2015.02.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2014] [Revised: 02/11/2015] [Accepted: 02/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Adverse reports on the exposure of organisms to dichlorvos (DDVP; an organophosphate insecticide) necessitate studies of organismal resistance/tolerance by way of pharmacological or genetic means. In the context of genetic modulation, a mutation in methuselah (mth; encodes a class II G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR)) is reported to extend (~35%) the life span of Drosophila melanogaster and enhance their resistance to oxidative stress induced by paraquat exposure (short term, high level). A lack of studies on organismal tolerance of DDVP by genetic modulation prompted us to examine the protective efficacy of mth mutation in exposed Drosophila. Flies were exposed to 1.5 and 15.0 ng/ml DDVP for 12-48 h to examine oxidative stress endpoints and chemical resistance. After prolonged exposure of flies to DDVP, antioxidant enzyme activities, oxidative stress, glutathione content, and locomotor performance were assayed at various days (0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50) of age. Flies with the mth mutation (mth(1)) showed improved chemical resistance and rescued redox impairment after acute DDVP exposure. Exposed mth(1) flies exhibited improved life span along with enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities and rescued oxidative perturbations and locomotor insufficiency up to middle age (~20 days) over similarly exposed w(1118) flies. However, at late (≥30 days) age, these benefits were undermined. Further, similarly exposed mth-knockdown flies showed effects similar to those observed in mth(1) flies. This study provides evidence of tolerance in organisms carrying a mth mutation against prolonged DDVP exposure and further warrants examination of similar class II GPCR signaling facets toward better organismal health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashutosh Pandey
- Embryotoxicology Section, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Lucknow 226001, Uttar Pradesh, India; Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Rehana Khatoon
- Embryotoxicology Section, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Lucknow 226001, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Sanjay Saini
- Embryotoxicology Section, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Lucknow 226001, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Divya Vimal
- Embryotoxicology Section, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Lucknow 226001, Uttar Pradesh, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), CSIR-IITR Campus, Lucknow, India
| | - Devendra Kumar Patel
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), CSIR-IITR Campus, Lucknow, India; Analytical Chemistry Section, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Lucknow 226001, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Gopeshwar Narayan
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Debapratim Kar Chowdhuri
- Embryotoxicology Section, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Lucknow 226001, Uttar Pradesh, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), CSIR-IITR Campus, Lucknow, India.
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78
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Tastan ÖY, Liu JL. CTP Synthase Is Required for Optic Lobe Homeostasis in Drosophila. J Genet Genomics 2015; 42:261-74. [PMID: 26059773 PMCID: PMC4458259 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2015.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2015] [Revised: 04/09/2015] [Accepted: 04/10/2015] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
CTP synthase (CTPsyn) is a metabolic enzyme responsible for the de novo synthesis of the nucleotide CTP. Several recent studies have shown that CTPsyn forms filamentous subcellular structures known as cytoophidia in bacteria, yeast, fruit flies and humans. However, it remains elusive whether and how CTPsyn and cytoophidia play a role during development. Here, we show that cytoophidia are abundant in the neuroepithelial stem cells in Drosophila optic lobes. Optic lobes are underdeveloped in CTPsyn mutants as well as in CTPsyn RNAi. Moreover, overexpressing CTPsyn impairs the development of optic lobes, specifically by blocking the transition from neuroepithelium to neuroblast. Taken together, our results indicate that CTPsyn is critical for optic lobe homeostasis in Drosophila.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ömür Y Tastan
- Medical Research Council Functional Genomics Unit, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PT, United Kingdom
| | - Ji-Long Liu
- Medical Research Council Functional Genomics Unit, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PT, United Kingdom.
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79
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Abstract
mRNA localisation coupled to translational regulation provides an important means of dictating when and where proteins function in a variety of model systems. This mechanism is particularly relevant in polarised or migrating cells. Although many of the models for how this is achieved were first proposed over 20 years ago, some of the molecular details are still poorly understood. Nevertheless, advanced imaging, biochemical and computational approaches have started to shed light on the cis-acting localisation signals and trans-acting factors that dictate the final destination of localised transcripts. In this Cell Science at a Glance article and accompanying poster, we provide an overview of mRNA localisation, from transcription to degradation, focusing on the microtubule-dependent active transport and anchoring mechanism, which we will use to explain the general paradigm. However, it is clear that there are diverse ways in which mRNAs become localised and target protein expression, and we highlight some of the similarities and differences between these mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard M Parton
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Alexander Davidson
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Ilan Davis
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Timothy T Weil
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EJ, UK
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80
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Steele LD, Coates B, Valero MC, Sun W, Seong KM, Muir WM, Clark JM, Pittendrigh BR. Selective sweep analysis in the genomes of the 91-R and 91-C Drosophila melanogaster strains reveals few of the 'usual suspects' in dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) resistance. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0123066. [PMID: 25826265 PMCID: PMC4380341 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0123066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2014] [Accepted: 02/17/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Adaptation of insect phenotypes for survival after exposure to xenobiotics can result from selection at multiple loci with additive genetic effects. To the authors' knowledge, no selective sweep analysis has been performed to identify such loci in highly dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) resistant insects. Here we compared a highly DDT resistant phenotype in the Drosophila melanogaster (Drosophila) 91-R strain to the DDT susceptible 91-C strain, both of common origin. Whole genome re-sequencing data from pools of individuals was generated separately for 91-R and 91-C, and mapped to the reference Drosophila genome assembly (v. 5.72). Thirteen major and three minor effect chromosome intervals with reduced nucleotide diversity (π) were identified only in the 91-R population. Estimates of Tajima's D (D) showed corresponding evidence of directional selection in these same genome regions of 91-R, however, no similar reductions in π or D estimates were detected in 91-C. An overabundance of non-synonymous proteins coding to synonymous changes were identified in putative open reading frames associated with 91-R. Except for NinaC and Cyp4g1, none of the identified genes were the 'usual suspects' previously observed to be associated with DDT resistance. Additionally, up-regulated ATP-binding cassette transporters have been previously associated with DDT resistance; however, here we identified a structurally altered MDR49 candidate resistance gene. The remaining fourteen genes have not previously been shown to be associated with DDT resistance. These results suggest hitherto unknown mechanisms of DDT resistance, most of which have been overlooked in previous transcriptional studies, with some genes having orthologs in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura D. Steele
- Department of Entomology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Brad Coates
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Corn Insects and Crop Genetics Research Unit, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
| | - M. Carmen Valero
- Department of Entomology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Weilin Sun
- Department of Entomology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Keon Mook Seong
- Department of Entomology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, United States of America
| | - William M. Muir
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America
| | - John M. Clark
- Department of Veterinary & Animal Science, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Barry R. Pittendrigh
- Department of Entomology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, United States of America
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Kanaan NM, Himmelstein DS, Ward SM, Combs B, Binder LI. Tau Protein. Mov Disord 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-405195-9.00056-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
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82
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Mhatre SD, Michelson SJ, Gomes J, Tabb LP, Saunders AJ, Marenda DR. Development and characterization of an aged onset model of Alzheimer's disease in Drosophila melanogaster. Exp Neurol 2014; 261:772-81. [DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2014.08.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2014] [Revised: 08/14/2014] [Accepted: 08/19/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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83
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Identification of genes involved in the biology of atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumours using Drosophila melanogaster. Nat Commun 2014; 5:4005. [DOI: 10.1038/ncomms5005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2013] [Accepted: 04/29/2014] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
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84
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Pandey A, Vimal D, Chandra S, Saini S, Narayan G, Kar Chowdhuri D. Long-term dietary exposure to low concentration of dichloroacetic acid promoted longevity and attenuated cellular and functional declines in aged Drosophila melanogaster. AGE (DORDRECHT, NETHERLANDS) 2014; 36:9628. [PMID: 24535708 PMCID: PMC4082589 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-014-9628-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2013] [Accepted: 02/03/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Dichloroacetic acid (DCA), a water disinfection by-product, has attained emphasis due to its prospect for clinical use against different diseases including cancer along with negative impact on organisms. However, these reports are based on the toxicological as well clinical data using comparatively higher concentrations of DCA without much of environmental relevance. Here, we evaluate cellular as well as organismal effects of DCA at environmentally and mild clinically relevant concentrations (0.02-20.0 μg/ml) using an established model organism, Drosophila melanogaster. Flies were fed on food mixed with test concentrations of DCA for 12-48 h to examine the induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, oxidative stress (OS), heat shock genes (hsps) and cell death along with organismal responses. We also examined locomotor performance, ROS generation, glutathione (GSH) depletion, expression of GSH-synthesizing genes (gclc and gclm), and hsps at different days (0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50) of the age in flies after prolonged DCA exposure. We observed mild OS and induction of antioxidant defense system in 20.0 μg/ml DCA-exposed organism after 24 h. After prolonged exposure to DCA, exposed organism exhibited improved survival, elevated expression of hsp27, gclc, and gclm concomitant with lower ROS generation and GSH depletion and improved locomotor performance. Conversely, hsp27 knockdown flies exhibited reversal of the above end points. The study provides evidence for the attenuation of cellular and functional decline in aged Drosophila after prolonged DCA exposure and the effect of hsp27 modulation which further incites studies towards the therapeutic application of DCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashutosh Pandey
- />Embryotoxicology Section, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Lucknow, 226001 Uttar Pradesh India
- />Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221005 Uttar Pradesh India
| | - Divya Vimal
- />Embryotoxicology Section, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Lucknow, 226001 Uttar Pradesh India
| | - Swati Chandra
- />Embryotoxicology Section, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Lucknow, 226001 Uttar Pradesh India
| | - Sanjay Saini
- />Embryotoxicology Section, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Lucknow, 226001 Uttar Pradesh India
| | - Gopeshwar Narayan
- />Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221005 Uttar Pradesh India
| | - Debapratim Kar Chowdhuri
- />Embryotoxicology Section, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Lucknow, 226001 Uttar Pradesh India
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Abstract
Copper (Cu) is an essential redox active metal that is potentially toxic in excess. Multicellular organisms acquire Cu from the diet and must regulate uptake, storage, distribution and export of Cu at both the cellular and organismal levels. Systemic Cu deficiency can be fatal, as seen in Menkes disease patients. Conversely Cu toxicity occurs in patients with Wilson disease. Cu dyshomeostasis has also been implicated in neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease. Over the last decade, the fly Drosophila melanogaster has become an important model organism for the elucidation of eukaryotic Cu regulatory mechanisms. Gene discovery approaches with Drosophila have identified novel genes with conserved protein functions relevant to Cu homeostasis in humans. This review focuses on our current understanding of Cu uptake, distribution and export in Drosophila and the implications for mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Southon
- Department of Genetics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia.
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86
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Ballard SL, Miller DL, Ganetzky B. Retrograde neurotrophin signaling through Tollo regulates synaptic growth in Drosophila. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 204:1157-72. [PMID: 24662564 PMCID: PMC3971753 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.201308115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The Toll-like receptor Tollo positively regulates growth of the Drosophila larval neuromuscular junction through the JNK pathway after activation by the neurotrophin Spätzle3. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are best characterized for their roles in mediating dorsoventral patterning and the innate immune response. However, recent studies indicate that TLRs are also involved in regulating neuronal growth and development. Here, we demonstrate that the TLR Tollo positively regulates growth of the Drosophila melanogaster larval neuromuscular junction (NMJ). Tollo mutants exhibited NMJ undergrowth, whereas increased expression of Tollo led to NMJ overgrowth. Tollo expression in the motoneuron was both necessary and sufficient for regulating NMJ growth. Dominant genetic interactions together with altered levels of phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and puc-lacZ expression revealed that Tollo signals through the JNK pathway at the NMJ. Genetic interactions also revealed that the neurotrophin Spätzle3 (Spz3) is a likely Tollo ligand. Spz3 expression in muscle and proteolytic activation via the Easter protease was necessary and sufficient to promote NMJ growth. These results demonstrate the existence of a novel neurotrophin signaling pathway that is required for synaptic development in Drosophila.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon L Ballard
- Laboratory of Genetics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705
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87
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Valeriana officinalis attenuates the rotenone-induced toxicity in Drosophila melanogaster. Neurotoxicology 2013; 37:118-26. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2013.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2012] [Revised: 04/15/2013] [Accepted: 04/17/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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88
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89
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Pandey A, Chandra S, Chauhan LKS, Narayan G, Chowdhuri DK. Cellular internalization and stress response of ingested amorphous silica nanoparticles in the midgut of Drosophila melanogaster. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2012; 1830:2256-66. [PMID: 23046978 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2012.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2012] [Revised: 10/02/2012] [Accepted: 10/03/2012] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Amorphous silica nanoparticles (aSNPs) are used for various applications including food industry. However, limited in vivo studies are available on absorption/internalization of ingested aSNPs in the midgut cells of an organism. The study aims to examine cellular uptake of aSNPs (<30nm) in the midgut of Drosophila melanogaster (Oregon R(+)) owing to similarities between the midgut tissue of this organism and human and subsequently cellular stress response generated by these nanoparticles. METHODS Third instar larvae of D. melanogaster were exposed orally to 1-100μg/mL of aSNPs for 12-36h and oxidative stress (OS), heat shock genes (hsgs), membrane destabilization (Acridine orange/Ethidium Bromide staining), cellular internalization (TEM) and apoptosis endpoints. RESULTS A significant increase was observed in OS endpoints in the midgut cells of exposed Drosophila in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Significantly increased expression of hsp70 and hsp22 along with caspases activation, membrane destabilization and mitochondrial membrane potential loss was also observed. TEM analysis showed aSNPs-uptake in the midgut cells of exposed Drosophila via endocytic vesicles and by direct membrane penetration. CONCLUSION aSNPs after their internalization in the midgut cells of exposed Drosophila larvae show membrane destabilization along with increased cellular stress and cell death. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE Ingested aSNPs show adverse effects on the cells of GI tract of the exposed organism thus their industrial use as a food-additive may raise concern to human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashutosh Pandey
- CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Uttar Pradesh, India
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90
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Schmold N, Syed NI. Molluscan neurons in culture: shedding light on synapse formation and plasticity. J Mol Histol 2012; 43:383-99. [PMID: 22538479 DOI: 10.1007/s10735-012-9398-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2012] [Accepted: 02/20/2012] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
From genes to behaviour, the simple model system approach has played many pivotal roles in deciphering nervous system function in both invertebrates and vertebrates. However, with the advent of sophisticated imaging and recording techniques enabling the direct investigation of single vertebrate neurons, the utility of simple invertebrate organisms as model systems has been put to question. To address this subject meaningfully and comprehensively, we first review the contributions made by invertebrates in the field of neuroscience over the years, paving the way for similar breakthroughs in higher animals. In particular, we focus on molluscan (Lymnaea, Aplysia, and Helisoma) and leech (Hirudo) models and the pivotal roles they have played in elucidating mechanisms of synapse formation and plasticity. While the ultimate goal in neuroscience is to understand the workings of the human brain in both its normal and diseased states, the sheer complexity of most vertebrate models still makes it difficult to define the underlying principles of nervous system function. Investigators have thus turned to invertebrate models, which are unique with respect to their simple nervous systems that are endowed with a finite number of large, individually identifiable neurons of known function. We start off by discussing in vivo and semi-intact preparations, regarding their amenability to simple circuit analysis. Despite the 'simplicity' of invertebrate nervous systems however, it is still difficult to study individual synaptic connections in detail. We therefore emphasize in the next section, the utility of studying identified invertebrate neurons in vitro, to directly examine the development, specificity, and plasticity of synaptic connections in a well-defined environment, at a resolution that it is still unapproachable in the intact brain. We conclude with a discussion of the future of invertebrates in neuroscience in elucidating mechanisms of neurological disease and developing neuron-silicon interfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nichole Schmold
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada0.
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91
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Di Carlo M. Simple model systems: a challenge for Alzheimer's disease. IMMUNITY & AGEING 2012; 9:3. [PMID: 22507659 PMCID: PMC3388466 DOI: 10.1186/1742-4933-9-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2011] [Accepted: 04/16/2012] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
The success of biomedical researches has led to improvement in human health and increased life expectancy. An unexpected consequence has been an increase of age-related diseases and, in particular, neurodegenerative diseases. These disorders are generally late onset and exhibit complex pathologies including memory loss, cognitive defects, movement disorders and death. Here, it is described as the use of simple animal models such as worms, fishes, flies, Ascidians and sea urchins, have facilitated the understanding of several biochemical mechanisms underlying Alzheimer's disease (AD), one of the most diffuse neurodegenerative pathologies. The discovery of specific genes and proteins associated with AD, and the development of new technologies for the production of transgenic animals, has helped researchers to overcome the lack of natural models. Moreover, simple model systems of AD have been utilized to obtain key information for evaluating potential therapeutic interventions and for testing efficacy of putative neuroprotective compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Di Carlo
- Istituto di Biomedicina ed Immunologia Molecolare (IBIM) Alberto Monroy CNR, via Ugo La Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy.
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92
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Krishnan HR, Al-Hasan YM, Pohl JB, Ghezzi A, Atkinson NS. A role for dynamin in triggering ethanol tolerance. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2012; 36:24-34. [PMID: 21797886 PMCID: PMC3208067 DOI: 10.1111/j.1530-0277.2011.01587.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A prevailing hypothesis is that the set of genes that underlie the endophenotypes of alcoholism overlap with those responsible for the addicted state. Functional ethanol tolerance, an endophenotype of alcoholism, is defined as a reduced response to ethanol caused by prior ethanol exposure. The neuronal origins of functional rapid tolerance are thought to be a homeostatic response of the nervous system that counters the effects of the drug. Synaptic proteins that regulate neuronal activity are an important evolutionarily conserved target of ethanol. METHODS We used mutant analysis in Drosophila to identify synaptic proteins that are important for the acquisition of rapid tolerance to sedation with ethanol. Tolerance was assayed by sedating flies with ethanol vapor and comparing the recovery time of flies after their first sedation and their second sedation. Temperature-sensitive paralytic mutants that alter key facets of synaptic neurotransmission, such as the propagation of action potentials, synaptic vesicle fusion, exocytosis, and endocytosis, were tested for the ability to acquire functional tolerance at both the permissive and restrictive temperatures. RESULTS The shibire gene encodes Drosophila Dynamin. We tested 2 temperature-sensitive alleles of the gene. The shi(ts1) allele blocked tolerance at both the permissive and restrictive temperatures, while shi(ts2) blocked only at the restrictive temperature. Using the temperature-sensitive property of shi(ts2) , we showed that Dynamin function is required concomitant with exposure to ethanol. A temperature-sensitive allele of the Syntaxin 1A gene, Syx1A(3-69), also blocked the acquisition of ethanol tolerance. CONCLUSIONS We have shown that shibire and Syntaxin 1A are required for the acquisition of rapid functional tolerance to ethanol. Furthermore, the shibire gene product, Dynamin, appears to be required for an immediate early response to ethanol that triggers a cellular response leading to rapid functional tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harish R Krishnan
- Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, Section of Neurobiology, The University of Texas at Austin, USA
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93
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Rodriguez EC, Robertson RM. Protective effect of hypothermia on brain potassium homeostasis during repetitive anoxia in Drosophila melanogaster. J Exp Biol 2012; 215:4157-65. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.074468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Summary
Oxygen deprivation in nervous tissue depolarizes cell membranes, increasing extracellular potassium concentration ([K+]o). Thus, [K+]o can be used to assess neural failure. The effect of temperature (17°C, 23°C or 29°C) on the maintenance of brain [K+]o homeostasis in male Drosophila melanogaster (w1118) individuals was assessed during repeated anoxic comas induced by N2 gas. Brain [K+]o was continuously monitored using K+-sensitive microelectrodes while body temperature was changed using a thermo electric cooler (TEC). Repetitive anoxia resulted in a loss of the ability to maintain [K+]o baseline at 6.6±0.3 mM. The total [K+]o baseline variation (Δ[K+]o) was stabilized at 17°C (-1.1±1.3 mM), mildly rose at 23°C (17.3±1.4 mM), and considerably increased at 29°C (332.7±83.0 mM). We conclude that 1) reperfusion patterns consisting of long anoxia, short normoxia and high cycle frequency increased disruption of brain [K+]o baseline maintenance, and 2) hypothermia had a protective effect on brain K+ homeostasis during repetitive anoxia. Male flies are suggested as a useful model for examining deleterious consequences of O2 reperfusion with possible application on therapeutical treatment of stroke or heart attack.
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94
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Gama Sosa MA, De Gasperi R, Elder GA. Modeling human neurodegenerative diseases in transgenic systems. Hum Genet 2011; 131:535-63. [PMID: 22167414 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-011-1119-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2011] [Accepted: 11/23/2011] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Transgenic systems are widely used to study the cellular and molecular basis of human neurodegenerative diseases. A wide variety of model organisms have been utilized, including bacteria (Escherichia coli), plants (Arabidopsis thaliana), nematodes (Caenorhabditis elegans), arthropods (Drosophila melanogaster), fish (zebrafish, Danio rerio), rodents (mouse, Mus musculus and rat, Rattus norvegicus) as well as non-human primates (rhesus monkey, Macaca mulatta). These transgenic systems have enormous value for understanding the pathophysiological basis of these disorders and have, in some cases, been instrumental in the development of therapeutic approaches to treat these conditions. In this review, we discuss the most commonly used model organisms and the methodologies available for the preparation of transgenic organisms. Moreover, we provide selected examples of the use of these technologies for the preparation of transgenic animal models of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Huntington's disease (HD) and Parkinson's disease (PD) and discuss the application of these technologies to AD as an example of how transgenic modeling has affected the study of human neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel A Gama Sosa
- Research and Development Service, James J. Peters Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10468, USA.
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95
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Characterization of a Drosophila Alzheimer's disease model: pharmacological rescue of cognitive defects. PLoS One 2011; 6:e20799. [PMID: 21673973 PMCID: PMC3108982 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0020799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2010] [Accepted: 05/13/2011] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Transgenic models of Alzheimer's disease (AD) have made significant contributions to our understanding of AD pathogenesis, and are useful tools in the development of potential therapeutics. The fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, provides a genetically tractable, powerful system to study the biochemical, genetic, environmental, and behavioral aspects of complex human diseases, including AD. In an effort to model AD, we over-expressed human APP and BACE genes in the Drosophila central nervous system. Biochemical, neuroanatomical, and behavioral analyses indicate that these flies exhibit aspects of clinical AD neuropathology and symptomology. These include the generation of Aβ40 and Aβ42, the presence of amyloid aggregates, dramatic neuroanatomical changes, defects in motor reflex behavior, and defects in memory. In addition, these flies exhibit external morphological abnormalities. Treatment with a γ-secretase inhibitor suppressed these phenotypes. Further, all of these phenotypes are present within the first few days of adult fly life. Taken together these data demonstrate that this transgenic AD model can serve as a powerful tool for the identification of AD therapeutic interventions.
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96
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Ponton F, Chapuis MP, Pernice M, Sword GA, Simpson SJ. Evaluation of potential reference genes for reverse transcription-qPCR studies of physiological responses in Drosophila melanogaster. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2011; 57:840-50. [PMID: 21435341 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2011.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 222] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2010] [Revised: 03/15/2011] [Accepted: 03/15/2011] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Drosophila melanogaster is one of the most important genetic models and techniques such as reverse transcription quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) are being employed extensively for deciphering the genetics basis of physiological functions. In RT-qPCR, the expression levels of target genes are estimated on the basis of endogenous controls. The purpose of these reference genes is to control for variations in RNA quantity and quality. Although determination of suitable reference genes is essential to RT-qPCR studies, reports on the evaluation of reference genes in D. melanogaster studies are lacking. We analyzed the expression levels of seven candidate reference genes (Actin, EF1, Mnf, Rps20, Rpl32, Tubulin and 18S) in flies that were injured, heat-stressed, or fed different diets. Statistical analyses of variation were determined using three established software programs for reference gene selection, geNorm, NormFinder and BestKeeper. Best-ranked references genes differed across the treatments. Normalization candidacy of the selected candidate reference genes was supported by an analysis of gene expression values obtained from microarray datasets available online. The differences between the experimental treatments suggest that assessing the stability of reference gene expression patterns, determining candidates and testing their suitability is required for each experimental investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fleur Ponton
- School of Biological Sciences, Heydon-Laurence building-A08, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
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Drosophila as a lipotoxicity model organism — more than a promise? Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids 2010; 1801:215-21. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbalip.2009.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2009] [Revised: 09/04/2009] [Accepted: 09/13/2009] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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98
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Moloney A, Sattelle DB, Lomas DA, Crowther DC. Alzheimer's disease: insights from Drosophila melanogaster models. Trends Biochem Sci 2009; 35:228-35. [PMID: 20036556 PMCID: PMC2856915 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2009.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2009] [Revised: 11/17/2009] [Accepted: 11/19/2009] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The power of fruit fly genetics is being deployed against some of the most intractable and economically significant problems in modern medicine, the neurodegenerative diseases. Fly models of Alzheimer's disease can be exposed to the rich diversity of biological techniques that are available to the community and are providing new insights into disease mechanisms, and assisting in the identification of novel targets for therapy. Similar approaches might also help us to interpret the results of genome-wide association studies of human neurodegenerative diseases by allowing us to triage gene “hits” according to whether a candidate risk factor gene has a modifying effect on the disease phenotypes in fly model systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aileen Moloney
- MRC Functional Genomics Unit, University of Oxford, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, South Parks Road, Oxford OX13QX
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99
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Modeling glioma growth and invasion in Drosophila melanogaster. Neoplasia 2009; 11:882-8. [PMID: 19724682 DOI: 10.1593/neo.09576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2009] [Revised: 06/03/2009] [Accepted: 06/04/2009] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Glioblastoma is the most common and most malignant intrinsic human brain tumor, characterized by extensive invasion and proliferation of glial (astrocytic) tumor cells, frequent activation of tyrosine kinase receptor signaling pathways, relative resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and poor prognosis. Using the Gal4-UAS system, we have produced glioma models in Drosophila by overexpressing homologs of human tyrosine kinase receptors under control of the glia-specific promoter reversed polarity (repo). Glial overexpression of activated epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) resulted in enhanced proliferation and migration of larval glial cells with increased numbers in the eye imaginal disc, diffuse tumor-like enlargement of the optic stalk, and marked ectopic invasion of glial cells along the optic nerve. Glial overexpression of the downstream kinase PI3K showed similar pathology. Overexpression of activated pvr (platelet-derived growth factor receptor/vascular endothelial growth factor receptor homolog) led to migration of glial cells along the optic nerve, whereas expression of activated htl (fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 homolog) and INR (insulin receptor) showed markedly elevated numbers of glial cells in the optic stalk. The EGFR/phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate kinase (PI3K) phenotype was partly reverted by the administration of the EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor gefitinib and completely rescued by the PI3K inhibitor wortmannin and the Akt inhibitor triciribine. We suggest that Drosophila models will be useful for deciphering signaling cascades underlying abnormal behavior of glioma cells for genetic screens to reveal interacting genes involved in gliomagenesis and for experimental therapy approaches.
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100
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Does the clock make the poison? Circadian variation in response to pesticides. PLoS One 2009; 4:e6469. [PMID: 19649249 PMCID: PMC2714471 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0006469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2009] [Accepted: 06/30/2009] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Circadian clocks govern daily physiological and molecular rhythms, and putative rhythms in expression of xenobiotic metabolizing (XM) genes have been described in both insects and mammals. Such rhythms could have important consequences for outcomes of chemical exposures at different times of day. To determine whether reported XM gene expression rhythms result in functional rhythms, we examined daily profiles of enzyme activity and dose responses to the pesticides propoxur, deltamethrin, fipronil, and malathion. Methodology/Principal Findings Published microarray expression data were examined for temporal patterns. Male Drosophila were collected for ethoxycoumarin-O-deethylase (ECOD), esterase, glutathione-S-transferase (GST), and, and uridine 5′-diphosphoglucosyltransferase (UGT) enzyme activity assays, or subjected to dose-response tests at four hour intervals throughout the day in both light/dark and constant light conditions. Peak expression of several XM genes cluster in late afternoon. Significant diurnal variation was observed in ECOD and UGT enzyme activity, however, no significant daily variation was observed in esterase or GST activity. Daily profiles of susceptibility to lethality after acute exposure to propoxur and fipronil showed significantly increased resistance in midday, while susceptibility to deltamethrin and malathion varied little. In constant light, which interferes with clock function, the daily variation in susceptibility to propoxur and in ECOD and UGT enzyme activity was depressed. Conclusions/Significance Expression and activities of specific XM enzymes fluctuate during the day, and for specific insecticides, the concentration resulting in 50% mortality varies significantly during the day. Time of day of chemical exposure should be an important consideration in experimental design, use of pesticides, and human risk assessment.
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