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Molasy M, Walczak A, Szaflik J, Szaflik JP, Majsterek I. MicroRNAs in glaucoma and neurodegenerative diseases. J Hum Genet 2016; 62:105-112. [PMID: 27412874 DOI: 10.1038/jhg.2016.91] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2016] [Revised: 06/17/2016] [Accepted: 06/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) constitute a class of short, non-coding RNAs, which have important role in post-transcriptional regulation of genes expression by base-pairing with their target messenger RNA (mRNA). In recent years, miRNAs biogenesis, gene silencing mechanism and implication in various diseases have been thoroughly investigated. Many scientific findings indicate the altered expression of specific miRNA in the brains of patients affected by neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and Huntington disease. The progressive optic nerve neuropathy associated with changed miRNA profile was also observed during glaucoma development. This suggests that the miRNAs may have a crucial role in these disorders, contributing to the neuronal cell death. A better understanding of molecular mechanism of these disorders will open a new potential way of ND treatment. In this review, the miRNAs role in particular neurodegenerative disorders and their possible application in medicine was discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milena Molasy
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Anna Walczak
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Jerzy Szaflik
- Department of Ophthalmology, SPKSO Ophthalmic Hospital, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jacek P Szaflik
- Department of Ophthalmology, SPKSO Ophthalmic Hospital, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ireneusz Majsterek
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
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202
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Karnati HK, Panigrahi MK, Gutti RK, Greig NH, Tamargo IA. miRNAs: Key Players in Neurodegenerative Disorders and Epilepsy. J Alzheimers Dis 2016; 48:563-80. [PMID: 26402105 DOI: 10.3233/jad-150395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous, ∼22 nucleotide, non-coding RNA molecules that function as post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression. miRNA dysregulation has been observed in cancer and in neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's diseases, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and the neurological disorder, epilepsy. Neuronal degradation and death are important hallmarks of neurodegenerative disorders. Additionally, abnormalities in metabolism, synapsis and axonal transport have been associated with Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and frontotemporal dementia. A number of recently published studies have demonstrated the importance of miRNAs in the nervous system and have contributed to the growing body of evidence on miRNA dysregulation in neurological disorders. Knowledge of the expressions and activities of such miRNAs may aid in the development of novel therapeutics. In this review, we discuss the significance of miRNA dysregulation in the development of neurodegenerative disorders and the use of miRNAs as targets for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanuma Kumar Karnati
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Gachibowli, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Manas Kumar Panigrahi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Ravi Kumar Gutti
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Gachibowli, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Nigel H Greig
- Drug Design & Development Section, Translational Gerontology Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ian A Tamargo
- Drug Design & Development Section, Translational Gerontology Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
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203
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Nissley DA, O'Brien EP. Altered Co-Translational Processing Plays a Role in Huntington's Pathogenesis-A Hypothesis. Front Mol Neurosci 2016; 9:54. [PMID: 27458341 PMCID: PMC4933702 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2016.00054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2016] [Accepted: 06/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder caused by the expansion of a CAG codon repeat region in the HTT gene's first exon that results in huntingtin protein aggregation and neuronal cell death. The development of therapeutic treatments for HD is hindered by the fact that while the etiology and symptoms of HD are understood, the molecular processes connecting this genotype to its phenotype remain unclear. Here, we propose the novel hypothesis that the perturbation of a co-translational process affects mutant huntingtin due to altered translation-elongation kinetics. These altered kinetics arise from the shift of a proline-induced translational pause site away from Htt's localization sequence due to the expansion of the CAG-repeat segment between the poly-proline and localization sequences. Motivation for this hypothesis comes from recent experiments in the field of protein biogenesis that illustrate the critical role that temporal coordination of co-translational processes plays in determining the function, localization, and fate of proteins in cells. We show that our hypothesis is consistent with various experimental observations concerning HD pathology, including the dependence of the age of symptom onset on CAG repeat number. Finally, we suggest three experiments to test our hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel A Nissley
- O'Brien Lab, Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University University Park, PA, USA
| | - Edward P O'Brien
- O'Brien Lab, Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University University Park, PA, USA
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204
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Anglada-Huguet M, Giralt A, Rué L, Alberch J, Xifró X. Loss of striatal 90-kDa ribosomal S6 kinase (Rsk) is a key factor for motor, synaptic and transcription dysfunction in Huntington's disease. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2016; 1862:1255-66. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2016.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2015] [Revised: 03/09/2016] [Accepted: 04/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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205
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Jing D, Lee FS, Ninan I. The BDNF Val66Met polymorphism enhances glutamatergic transmission but diminishes activity-dependent synaptic plasticity in the dorsolateral striatum. Neuropharmacology 2016; 112:84-93. [PMID: 27378336 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2016.06.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2016] [Accepted: 06/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The Val66Met polymorphism in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene disrupts the activity-dependent release of BDNF, which might underlie its involvement in several neuropsychiatric disorders. Consistent with the potential role of regulated release of BDNF in synaptic functions, earlier studies have demonstrated that the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism impairs NMDA receptor-mediated synaptic transmission and plasticity in the hippocampus, the medial prefrontal cortex and the central amygdala. However, it is unknown whether the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism affects synapses in the dorsal striatum, which depends on cortical afferents for BDNF. Electrophysiological experiments revealed an enhanced glutamatergic transmission in the dorsolateral striatum (DLS) of knock-in mice containing the variant polymorphism (BDNFMet/Met) compared to the wild-type (BDNFVal/Val) mice. This increase in glutamatergic transmission is mediated by a potentiation in glutamate release and NMDA receptor transmission in the medium spiny neurons without any alterations in non-NMDA receptor-mediated transmission. We also observed an impairment of synaptic plasticity, both long-term potentiation and depression in the DLS neurons, in BDNFMet/Met mice. Thus, the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism exerts an increase in glutamatergic transmission but impairs synaptic plasticity in the dorsal striatum, which might play a role in its effect on neuropsychiatric symptoms. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'Ionotropic glutamate receptors'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deqiang Jing
- Department of Psychiatry, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, USA
| | - Francis S Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, USA
| | - Ipe Ninan
- Department of Psychiatry, NYU School of Medicine, New York, USA.
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206
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Wehner AB, Milen AM, Albin RL, Pierchala BA. The p75 neurotrophin receptor augments survival signaling in the striatum of pre-symptomatic Q175(WT/HD) mice. Neuroscience 2016; 324:297-306. [PMID: 26947127 PMCID: PMC4849895 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2016.02.069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2015] [Revised: 02/26/2016] [Accepted: 02/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a dominantly inherited neurodegenerative disorder characterized by a constellation of motor, cognitive, and psychiatric features. Striatal medium spiny neurons, one of the most affected populations, are dependent on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) anterogradely transported from the cortex for proper function and survival. Recent studies suggest both receptors for BDNF, TrkB and p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75), are improperly regulated in the striata of HD patients and mouse models of HD. While BDNF-TrkB signaling almost exclusively promotes survival and metabolic function, p75 signaling is able to induce survival or apoptosis depending on the available ligand and associated co-receptor. We investigated the role of p75 in the Q175 knock-in mouse model of HD by examining the levels and activation of downstream signaling molecules, and subsequently examining Hdh(+/Q175);p75(-/-) mice to determine if p75 represents a promising therapeutic target. In Hdh(+/Q175);p75(+/+) mice, we observed enhanced survival signaling as evidenced by an increase in phosphorylation and activation of Akt and the p65 subunit of NFκB in the striatum at 5 months of age and an increase in XIAP expression compared to Hdh(+/+);p75(+/+) mice; this increase was lost in Hdh(+/Q175);p75(-/-) mice. Hdh(+/Q175);p75(-/-) mice also showed a decrease in Bcl-XL expression by immunoblotting compared to Hdh(+/Q175);p75(+/+) and Hdh(+/+);p75(+/+) littermates. Consistent with diminished survival signaling, DARPP-32 expression decreased both by immunoblotting and by immunohistochemistry in Hdh(+/Q175);p75(-/-) mice compared to Hdh(+/+);p75(+/+), Hdh(+/Q175);p75(+/+), and Hdh(+/+);p75(-/-) littermates. Additionally, striatal volume declined to a greater extent in Hdh(+/Q175);p75(-/-) when compared to Hdh(+/Q175);p75(+/+) littermates at 12 months, indicating a more aggressive onset of degeneration. These data suggest that p75 signaling plays an early role in augmenting pro-survival signaling in the striatum and that disruption of p75 signaling at a pre-symptomatic age may exacerbate pathologic changes in Hdh(+/Q175) mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- A B Wehner
- Department of Biologic and Materials Sciences, University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - A M Milen
- Department of Biologic and Materials Sciences, University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - R L Albin
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Neurology, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - B A Pierchala
- Department of Biologic and Materials Sciences, University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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Deng P, Anderson JD, Yu AS, Annett G, Fink KD, Nolta JA. Engineered BDNF producing cells as a potential treatment for neurologic disease. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2016; 16:1025-33. [PMID: 27159050 DOI: 10.1080/14712598.2016.1183641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been implicated in wide range of neurological diseases and injury. This neurotrophic factor is vital for neuronal health, survival, and synaptic connectivity. Many therapies focus on the restoration or enhancement of BDNF following injury or disease progression. AREAS COVERED The present review will focus on the mechanisms in which BDNF exerts its beneficial functioning, current BDNF therapies, issues and potential solutions for delivery of neurotrophic factors to the central nervous system, and other disease indications that may benefit from overexpression or restoration of BDNF. EXPERT OPINION Due to the role of BDNF in neuronal development, maturation, and health, BDNF is implicated in numerous neurological diseases making it a prime therapeutic agent. Numerous studies have shown the therapeutic potential of BDNF in a number of neurodegenerative disease models and in acute CNS injury, however clinical translation has fallen short due to issues in delivering this molecule. The use of MSC as a delivery platform for BDNF holds great promise for clinical advancement of neurotrophic factor restoration. The ease with which MSC can be engineered opens the door to the possibility of using this cell-based delivery system to advance a BDNF therapy to the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Deng
- a Stem Cell Program and Institute for Regenerative Cures , University of California Davis Health Systems , Sacramento , CA , USA.,b Genome Center, MIND Institute, and Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine , University of California , Davis , CA , USA
| | - Johnathon D Anderson
- a Stem Cell Program and Institute for Regenerative Cures , University of California Davis Health Systems , Sacramento , CA , USA
| | - Abigail S Yu
- b Genome Center, MIND Institute, and Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine , University of California , Davis , CA , USA
| | - Geralyn Annett
- a Stem Cell Program and Institute for Regenerative Cures , University of California Davis Health Systems , Sacramento , CA , USA
| | - Kyle D Fink
- a Stem Cell Program and Institute for Regenerative Cures , University of California Davis Health Systems , Sacramento , CA , USA
| | - Jan A Nolta
- a Stem Cell Program and Institute for Regenerative Cures , University of California Davis Health Systems , Sacramento , CA , USA
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Corey-Bloom J, Jia H, Aikin AM, Thomas EA. Disease Modifying Potential of Glatiramer Acetate in Huntington's Disease. J Huntingtons Dis 2016; 3:311-6. [PMID: 25300334 DOI: 10.3233/jhd-140110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Deficiencies in brain-derived-neurotrophic-factor have been implicated in the pathogenesis of Huntington's disease (HD). OBJECTIVE Glatiramer acetate, an FDA- approved drug used for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, has been shown to increase brain-derived-neurotrophic-factor levels in immune cells; hence, we investigated whether it could have similar effects in striatal cells. METHODS Wild-type and HD striatal cells were treated with glatiramer acetate for 48 hrs. HD transgenic and wild-type mice were injected with glatiramer acetate (1.5 to 1.7 mg/mouse) for five days. These treatments were followed by protein measurements for brain-derived-neurotrophic-factor. RESULTS Glatiramer acetate elicited concentration-dependent increases in brain-derived-neurotrophic-factor protein levels in wild-type and HD striatal cells and in striatal tissue from N171-82Q transgenic mice. Glatiramer acetate also improved metabolic activity of HD striatal cells, and significantly reduced the early hyperactivity phenotype exhibited by N171-82Q transgenic mice. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that glatiramer acetate may represent a useful therapeutic approach for HD. The excellent safety and tolerability record of this compound makes it an ideal candidate for drug repurposing efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jody Corey-Bloom
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Haiqun Jia
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Alaina M Aikin
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Thomas
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
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210
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Integrated genomics and proteomics define huntingtin CAG length-dependent networks in mice. Nat Neurosci 2016; 19:623-33. [PMID: 26900923 PMCID: PMC5984042 DOI: 10.1038/nn.4256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 254] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2015] [Accepted: 01/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
To gain insight into how mutant huntingtin (mHtt) CAG repeat length modifies Huntington’s disease (HD) pathogenesis, we profiled mRNA in over 600 brain and peripheral tissue samples from HD knock-in mice with increasing CAG repeat lengths. We find repeat length dependent transcriptional signatures are prominent in the striatum, less so in cortex, and minimal in the liver. Co-expression network analyses reveal 13 striatal and 5 cortical modules that are highly correlated with CAG length and age, and that are preserved in HD models and some in the patients. Top striatal modules implicate mHtt CAG length and age in graded impairment of striatal medium spiny neuron identity gene expression and in dysregulation of cAMP signaling, cell death, and protocadherin genes. Importantly, we used proteomics to confirm 790 genes and 5 striatal modules with CAG length-dependent dysregulation at both RNA and protein levels, and validated 22 striatal module genes as modifiers of mHtt toxicities in vivo.
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211
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Golas MM, Sander B. Use of human stem cells in Huntington disease modeling and translational research. Exp Neurol 2016; 278:76-90. [PMID: 26826449 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2016.01.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2015] [Revised: 01/22/2016] [Accepted: 01/25/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Huntington disease (HD) is a devastating neurological disorder caused by an extended CAG repeat in exon 1 of the gene that encodes the huntingtin (HTT) protein. HD pathology involves a loss of striatal medium spiny neurons (MSNs) and progressive neurodegeneration affects the striatum and other brain regions. Because HTT is involved in multiple cellular processes, the molecular mechanisms of HD pathogenesis should be investigated on multiple levels. On the cellular level, in vitro stem cell models, such as induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from HD patients and HD embryonic stem cells (ESCs), have yielded progress. Approaches to differentiate functional MSNs from ESCs, iPSCs, and neural stem/progenitor cells (NSCs/NPCs) have been established, enabling MSN differentiation to be studied and disease phenotypes to be recapitulated. Isolation of target stem cells and precursor cells may also provide a resource for grafting. In animal models, transplantation of striatal precursors differentiated in vitro to the striatum has been reported to improve disease phenotype. Initial clinical trials examining intrastriatal transplantation of fetal neural tissue suggest a more favorable clinical course in a subset of HD patients, though shortcomings persist. Here, we review recent advances in the development of cellular HD models and approaches aimed at cell regeneration with human stem cells. We also describe how genome editing tools could be used to correct the HTT mutation in patient-specific stem cells. Finally, we discuss the potential and the remaining challenges of stem cell-based approaches in HD research and therapy development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika M Golas
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark.
| | - Bjoern Sander
- Stereology and Electron Microscopy Laboratory, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
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212
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Smail S, Bahga D, McDole B, Guthrie K. Increased Olfactory Bulb BDNF Expression Does Not Rescue Deficits in Olfactory Neurogenesis in the Huntington's Disease R6/2 Mouse. Chem Senses 2016; 41:221-32. [PMID: 26783111 DOI: 10.1093/chemse/bjv076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/30/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is an inherited neurodegenerative disorder caused by expansion of CAG trinucleotide repeats in the huntingtin gene. Mutant huntingtin protein (mhtt) interferes with the actions of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and BDNF signaling is reduced in the diseased striatum. Loss of this trophic support is thought to contribute to loss of striatal medium spiny neurons in HD. Increasing BDNF in the adult striatum or ventricular ependyma slows disease progression in HD mouse models, and diverts subventricular zone (SVZ)-derived neuroblasts from their normal destination, the olfactory bulb, to the striatum, where some survive and develop features of mature neurons. Most neuroblasts that migrate to the olfactory bulb differentiate as granule cells, with approximately half surviving whereas others undergo apoptosis. In the R6/2 HD mouse model, survival of adult-born granule cells is reduced. Newly maturing cells express the BDNF receptor TrkB, suggesting that mhtt may interfere with normal BDNF trophic activity, increasing their loss. To determine if augmenting BDNF counteracts this, we examined granule cell survival in R6/2 mice that overexpress BDNF in olfactory bulb. Although we detected a decline in apoptosis, increased BDNF was not sufficient to normalize granule cell survival within their normal target in R6/2 mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shamayra Smail
- Department of Biomedical Science, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, FL 33431, USA
| | - Dalbir Bahga
- Department of Biomedical Science, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, FL 33431, USA
| | - Brittnee McDole
- Department of Biomedical Science, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, FL 33431, USA
| | - Kathleen Guthrie
- Department of Biomedical Science, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, FL 33431, USA
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Dallérac GM, Cummings DM, Hirst MC, Milnerwood AJ, Murphy KPSJ. Changes in Dopamine Signalling Do Not Underlie Aberrant Hippocampal Plasticity in a Mouse Model of Huntington's Disease. Neuromolecular Med 2016; 18:146-53. [PMID: 26782175 DOI: 10.1007/s12017-016-8384-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2015] [Accepted: 01/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Altered dopamine receptor labelling has been demonstrated in presymptomatic and symptomatic Huntington's disease (HD) gene carriers, indicating that alterations in dopaminergic signalling are an early event in HD. We have previously described early alterations in synaptic transmission and plasticity in both the cortex and hippocampus of the R6/1 mouse model of Huntington's disease. Deficits in cortical synaptic plasticity were associated with altered dopaminergic signalling and could be reversed by D1- or D2-like dopamine receptor activation. In light of these findings we here investigated whether defects in dopamine signalling could also contribute to the marked alteration in hippocampal synaptic function. To this end we performed dopamine receptor labelling and pharmacology in the R6/1 hippocampus and report a marked, age-dependent elevation of hippocampal D1 and D2 receptor labelling in R6/1 hippocampal subfields. Yet, pharmacological inhibition or activation of D1- or D2-like receptors did not modify the aberrant synaptic plasticity observed in R6/1 mice. These findings demonstrate that global perturbations to dopamine receptor expression do occur in HD transgenic mice, similarly in HD gene carriers and patients. However, the direction of change and the lack of effect of dopaminergic pharmacological agents on synaptic function demonstrate that the perturbations are heterogeneous and region-specific, a finding that may explain the mixed results of dopamine therapy in HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Glenn M Dallérac
- Huntington's Disease Research Forum, Department of Life, Health and Chemical Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes, MK76AA, UK.
- CIRB, CNRS UMR 7241, INSERM U1050, Collège de France, 75005, Paris, France.
| | - Damian M Cummings
- Huntington's Disease Research Forum, Department of Life, Health and Chemical Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes, MK76AA, UK
- University College London, Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Mark C Hirst
- Huntington's Disease Research Forum, Department of Life, Health and Chemical Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes, MK76AA, UK
| | - Austen J Milnerwood
- Huntington's Disease Research Forum, Department of Life, Health and Chemical Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes, MK76AA, UK
- Department of Neurology & Centre for Applied Neurogenetics, Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, 2255, Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Kerry P S J Murphy
- Huntington's Disease Research Forum, Department of Life, Health and Chemical Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes, MK76AA, UK.
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Brain REST/NRSF Is Not Only a Silent Repressor but Also an Active Protector. Mol Neurobiol 2016; 54:541-550. [DOI: 10.1007/s12035-015-9658-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2015] [Accepted: 12/17/2015] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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215
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Warburton A, Miyajima F, Shazadi K, Crossley J, Johnson MR, Marson AG, Baker GA, Quinn JP, Sills GJ. NRSF and BDNF polymorphisms as biomarkers of cognitive dysfunction in adults with newly diagnosed epilepsy. Epilepsy Behav 2016; 54:117-27. [PMID: 26708060 PMCID: PMC4732989 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2015.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2015] [Revised: 11/09/2015] [Accepted: 11/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Cognitive dysfunction is a common comorbidity in people with epilepsy, but its causes remain unclear. It may be related to the etiology of the disorder, the consequences of seizures, or the effects of antiepileptic drug treatment. Genetics may also play a contributory role. We investigated the influence of variants in the genes encoding neuron-restrictive silencer factor (NRSF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), proteins previously associated with cognition and epilepsy, on cognitive function in people with newly diagnosed epilepsy. A total of 82 patients who had previously undergone detailed neuropsychological assessment were genotyped for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) across the NRSF and BDNF genes. Putatively functional SNPs were included in a genetic association analysis with specific cognitive domains, including memory, psychomotor speed, and information processing. Cross-sectional and longitudinal designs were used to explore genetic influences on baseline cognition at diagnosis and change from baseline over the first year since diagnosis, respectively. We found a statistically significant association between genotypic variation and memory function at both baseline (NRSF: rs1105434, rs2227902 and BDNF: rs1491850, rs2030324, rs11030094) and in our longitudinal analysis (NRSF: rs2227902 and BDNF: rs12273363). Psychomotor speed was also associated with genotype (NRSF rs3796529) in the longitudinal assessment. In line with our previous work on general cognitive function in the healthy aging population, we observed an additive interaction between risk alleles for the NRSF rs2227902 (G) and BDNF rs6265 (A) polymorphisms which was again consistent with a significantly greater decline in delayed recall over the first year since diagnosis. These findings support a role for the NRSF-BDNF pathway in the modulation of cognitive function in patients with newly diagnosed epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alix Warburton
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3GL, UK
| | - Fabio Miyajima
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3GL, UK
| | - Kanvel Shazadi
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3GL, UK
| | - Joanne Crossley
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3GL, UK
| | | | - Anthony G Marson
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3GL, UK
| | - Gus A Baker
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3GL, UK
| | - John P Quinn
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3GL, UK
| | - Graeme J Sills
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3GL, UK.
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Zhu Y, Chen X, Liu Z, Peng YP, Qiu YH. Interleukin-10 Protection against Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Neuro-Inflammation and Neurotoxicity in Ventral Mesencephalic Cultures. Int J Mol Sci 2015; 17:ijms17010025. [PMID: 26729090 PMCID: PMC4730272 DOI: 10.3390/ijms17010025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2015] [Revised: 11/13/2015] [Accepted: 12/18/2015] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Interleukin (IL)-10, an anti-inflammatory cytokine, is expressed in the brain and can inhibit microglial activation. Herein, we utilized lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory Parkinson’s disease (PD) cell model to determine whether microglia and astrocytes are necessary targets for IL-10 neuroprotection. Primary ventral mesencephalic (VM) cultures with different composition of neurons, microglia and astrocytes were prepared. The cells were exposed to IL-10 (15, 50 or 150 ng/mL) 1 h prior to LPS (50 ng/mL) treatment. LPS induced dopaminergic and non-dopaminergic neuronal loss in VM cultures, VM neuron-enriched cultures, and neuron-microglia co-cultures, but not in neuron-astrocyte co-cultures. IL-10 reduced LPS-induced neuronal loss particularly in single VM neuron cultures. Pro-inflammatory mediators (TNF-α, IL-1β, inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2) were upregulated in both neuron-microglia and neuron-astrocyte co-cultures by LPS. In contrast, neurotrophic factors (brain-derived neurotrophic factor, insulin-like growth factor-1 or glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor) were downregulated in neuron-microglia co-cultures, but upregulated in neuron-astrocyte co-cultures by LPS. IL-10 reduced both the increase in production of the pro-inflammatory mediators and the decrease in production of the neurotrophic factors induced by LPS. These results suggest that astrocytes can balance LPS neurotoxicity by releasing more neurotrophic factors and that IL-10 exerts neuroprotective property by an extensive action including direct on neurons and indirect via inhibiting microglial activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zhu
- School of Biological & Basic Medical Sciences, Soochow University, 199 Renai Road, Suzhou 215123, China.
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, and Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, 19 Qixiu Road, Nantong 226001, China.
| | - Xiao Chen
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, and Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, 19 Qixiu Road, Nantong 226001, China.
| | - Zhan Liu
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, and Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, 19 Qixiu Road, Nantong 226001, China.
| | - Yu-Ping Peng
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, and Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, 19 Qixiu Road, Nantong 226001, China.
| | - Yi-Hua Qiu
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, and Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, 19 Qixiu Road, Nantong 226001, China.
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218
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Connor B, Sun Y, von Hieber D, Tang SK, Jones KS, Maucksch C. AAV1/2-mediated BDNF gene therapy in a transgenic rat model of Huntington's disease. Gene Ther 2015; 23:283-95. [PMID: 26704721 DOI: 10.1038/gt.2015.113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2015] [Revised: 12/10/2015] [Accepted: 12/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Reduced expression and disrupted corticostriatal transportation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is proposed to contribute to the selective vulnerability of medium spiny striatal projection neurons (MSNs) in Huntington's disease (HD). We have previously demonstrated that BDNF overexpression in the quinolinic acid lesioned rat striatum attenuates motor impairment and reduces the extent of MSN cell loss. To further investigate the potential therapeutic properties of BDNF for HD, the current study examines the effect of bilateral AAV1/2-mediated BDNF expression in the striatum of a transgenic rat model of HD. Transfer of the BDNF gene to striatal neurons using an AAV1/2 serotype vector enhanced BDNF protein levels in the striatum. Bilateral BDNF expression attenuated the impairment of both motor and cognitive function when compared with AAV1/2-vehicle- or YFP-treated transgenic HD rats. Interestingly, a gender effect was apparent with female transgenic HD rats exhibiting less functional impairment than males. Quantification of NeuN and DARRP32 immunoreactivity and striatal volume revealed limited disease phenotype between wild type and transgenic HD animals. However, AAV1/2-BDNF-treated transgenic HD rats showed evidence of greater striatal volume and increased NeuN+ cell numbers compared with wild-type vehicle- and AAV1/2-vehicle- or YFP-treated transgenic HD rats. We propose BDNF holds considerable therapeutic potential for alleviating behavioral dysfunction and neuronal degeneration in HD, with further work required to examine the role of BDNF-TrkB signaling and the preservation of axonal and synaptic function.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Connor
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, Centre for Brain Research, School of Medical Science, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Y Sun
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, Centre for Brain Research, School of Medical Science, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - D von Hieber
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, Centre for Brain Research, School of Medical Science, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - S K Tang
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, Centre for Brain Research, School of Medical Science, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - K S Jones
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, Centre for Brain Research, School of Medical Science, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - C Maucksch
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, Centre for Brain Research, School of Medical Science, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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219
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Regulation of neural gene transcription by optogenetic inhibition of the RE1-silencing transcription factor. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2015; 113:E91-100. [PMID: 26699507 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1507355112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Optogenetics provides new ways to activate gene transcription; however, no attempts have been made as yet to modulate mammalian transcription factors. We report the light-mediated regulation of the repressor element 1 (RE1)-silencing transcription factor (REST), a master regulator of neural genes. To tune REST activity, we selected two protein domains that impair REST-DNA binding or recruitment of the cofactor mSin3a. Computational modeling guided the fusion of the inhibitory domains to the light-sensitive Avena sativa light-oxygen-voltage-sensing (LOV) 2-phototrophin 1 (AsLOV2). By expressing AsLOV2 chimeras in Neuro2a cells, we achieved light-dependent modulation of REST target genes that was associated with an improved neural differentiation. In primary neurons, light-mediated REST inhibition increased Na(+)-channel 1.2 and brain-derived neurotrophic factor transcription and boosted Na(+) currents and neuronal firing. This optogenetic approach allows the coordinated expression of a cluster of genes impinging on neuronal activity, providing a tool for studying neuronal physiology and correcting gene expression changes taking place in brain diseases.
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220
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Thakore-Shah K, Koleilat T, Jan M, John A, Pyle AD. REST/NRSF Knockdown Alters Survival, Lineage Differentiation and Signaling in Human Embryonic Stem Cells. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0145280. [PMID: 26690059 PMCID: PMC4699193 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0145280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2015] [Accepted: 12/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
REST (RE1 silencing transcription factor), also known as NRSF (neuron-restrictive silencer factor), is a well-known transcriptional repressor of neural genes in non-neural tissues and stem cells. Dysregulation of REST activity is thought to play a role in diverse diseases including epilepsy, cancer, Down’s syndrome and Huntington’s disease. The role of REST/NRSF in control of human embryonic stem cell (hESC) fate has never been examined. To evaluate the role of REST in hESCs we developed an inducible REST knockdown system and examined both growth and differentiation over short and long term culture. Interestingly, we have found that altering REST levels in multiple hESC lines does not result in loss of self-renewal but instead leads to increased survival. During differentiation, REST knockdown resulted in increased MAPK/ERK and WNT signaling and increased expression of mesendoderm differentiation markers. Therefore we have uncovered a new role for REST in regulation of growth and early differentiation decisions in human embryonic stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaushali Thakore-Shah
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States of America
| | - Tasneem Koleilat
- California State University, Northridge, CA, 91325, United States of America
| | - Majib Jan
- California State University, Northridge, CA, 91325, United States of America
| | - Alan John
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States of America
| | - April D. Pyle
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States of America
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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221
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Dong X, Tsuji J, Labadorf A, Roussos P, Chen JF, Myers RH, Akbarian S, Weng Z. The Role of H3K4me3 in Transcriptional Regulation Is Altered in Huntington's Disease. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0144398. [PMID: 26636336 PMCID: PMC4670094 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0144398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2015] [Accepted: 11/17/2015] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is an autosomal-dominant neurodegenerative disorder resulting from expansion of CAG repeats in the Huntingtin (HTT) gene. Previous studies have shown mutant HTT can alter expression of genes associated with dysregulated epigenetic modifications. One of the most widely studied chromatin modifications is trimethylated lysine 4 of histone 3 (H3K4me3). Here, we conducted the first comprehensive study of H3K4me3 ChIP-sequencing in neuronal chromatin from the prefrontal cortex of six HD cases and six non-neurologic controls, and its association with gene expression measured by RNA-sequencing. We detected 2,830 differentially enriched H3K4me3 peaks between HD and controls, with 55% of them down-regulated in HD. Although H3K4me3 signals are expected to be associated with mRNA levels, we found an unexpected discordance between altered H3K4me3 peaks and mRNA levels. Gene ontology (GO) term enrichment analysis of the genes with differential H3K4me3 peaks, revealed statistically significantly enriched GO terms only in the genes with down-regulated signals in HD. The most frequently implicated biological process terms are organ morphogenesis and positive regulation of gene expression. More than 9,000 H3K4me3 peaks were located not near any recognized transcription start sites and approximately 36% of these "distal" peaks co-localized to known enhancer sites. Six transcription factors and chromatin remodelers are differentially enriched in HD H3K4me3 distal peaks, including EZH2 and SUZ12, two core subunits of the polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2). Moreover, PRC2 repressive state was significantly depleted in HD-enriched peaks, suggesting the epigenetic role of PRC2 inhibition associated with up-regulated H3K4me3 in Huntington's disease. In summary, our study provides new insights into transcriptional dysregulation of Huntington's disease by analyzing the differentiation of H3K4me3 enrichment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianjun Dong
- Program in Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States of America
| | - Junko Tsuji
- Program in Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States of America
| | - Adam Labadorf
- Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States of America
- Bioinformatics Program, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Panos Roussos
- Friedman Brain Institute, Department of Psychiatry, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States of America
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Jiang-Fan Chen
- Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Richard H Myers
- Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States of America
- Bioinformatics Program, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States of America
- Genome Science Institute, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Schahram Akbarian
- Friedman Brain Institute, Department of Psychiatry, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Zhiping Weng
- Program in Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States of America
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222
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Xiao N, Le QT. Neurotrophic Factors and Their Potential Applications in Tissue Regeneration. Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz) 2015; 64:89-99. [PMID: 26611762 DOI: 10.1007/s00005-015-0376-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2015] [Accepted: 11/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Neurotrophic factors are growth factors that can nourish neurons and promote neuron survival and regeneration. They have been studied as potential drug candidates for treating neurodegenerative diseases. Since their identification, there are more and more evidences to indicate that neurotrophic factors are also expressed in non-neuronal tissues and regulate the survival, anti-inflammation, proliferation and differentiation in these tissues. This mini review summarizes the characteristics of the neurotrophic factors and their potential clinical applications in the regeneration of neuronal and non-neuronal tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Xiao
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, University of the Pacific, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Quynh-Thu Le
- Department of Radiation Oncology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
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223
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Methylmercury upregulates RE-1 silencing transcription factor (REST) in SH-SY5Y cells and mouse cerebellum. Neurotoxicology 2015; 52:89-97. [PMID: 26610923 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2015.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2015] [Revised: 11/09/2015] [Accepted: 11/11/2015] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Methylmercury (MeHg) is a highly neurotoxic compound that, in adequate doses, can cause damage to the brain, including developmental defects and in severe cases cell death. The RE-1-silencing transcription factor (REST) has been found to be involved in the neurotoxic effects of environmental pollutants such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). In this study, we investigated the effects of MeHg treatment on REST expression and its role in MeHg-induced neurotoxicity in neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. We found that MeHg exposure caused a dose- and time- dependent apoptotic cell death, as evidenced by the appearance of apoptotic hallmarks including caspase-3 processing and annexin V uptake. Moreover, MeHg increased REST gene and gene product expression. MeHg-induced apoptotic cell death was completely abolished by REST knockdown. Interestingly, MeHg (1μM/24h) increased the expression of REST Corepressor (Co-REST) and its binding with REST whereas the other REST cofactor mammalian SIN3 homolog A transcription regulator (mSin3A) was not modified. In addition, we demonstrated that the acetylation of histone protein H4 was reduced after MeHg treatment and was critical for MeHg-induced apoptosis. Accordingly, the pan-histone deacetylase inhibitor trichostatin-A (TSA) prevented MeHg-induced histone protein H4 deacetylation, thereby reverting MeHg-induced neurotoxic effect. Male mice subcutaneously injected with 10mg/kg of MeHg for 10 days showed an increase in REST expression in the granule cell layer of the cerebellum together with a decrease in histone H4 acetylation. Collectively, we demonstrated that methylmercury exposure can cause neurotoxicity by activating REST gene expression and H4 deacetylation.
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224
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Schiffer D, Caldera V, Mellai M, Conforti P, Cattaneo E, Zuccato C. Repressor element-1 silencing transcription factor (REST) is present in human control and Huntington's disease neurones. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 2015; 40:899-910. [PMID: 24634989 DOI: 10.1111/nan.12137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2013] [Accepted: 03/12/2014] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
AIMS The repressor element-1 silencing transcription factor/neurone-restrictive silencer factor (REST/NRSF) is a master regulator of neuronal gene expression. REST/NRSF functions by recruiting other cofactors to genomic loci that contain the repressor element 1/neurone restrictive silencer element (RE1/NRSE) binding motif. In brain, demonstration of REST protein presence in neurones has remained controversial. However, RE1/NRSE containing neuronal genes are actively modulated and REST dysregulation is implicated in Huntington's disease (HD). We aimed to investigate REST distribution in autopsy brain from control and HD patients. METHODS Brain tissues from six controls and six HD cases (Vonsattel grade 3 and 4) were investigated using immunohistochemical analysis. RESULTS REST was present in neurones and glial cells of the cortex, caudate nucleus, hippocampus and cerebellum. REST labelling was mainly cytoplasmic in neurones while preferential nuclear staining of REST was found in glial cells. We also found that REST and huntingtin (HTT) colocalize in human neurones. Low levels of cytoplasmic REST were detected in neurones of the HD cortex and caudate but no direct relationship between decreased neuronal REST expression and disease grade was observed. CONCLUSIONS These data support the notion of REST presence in human brain neurones and glial cells and indicate the importance of developing compounds able to restore REST-regulated transcription of neuronal genes in HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Schiffer
- Neuro-Bio-Oncology Research Center, Policlinico di Monza Foundation, Vercelli; Consorzio per le Neuroscienze, University of Pavia, Pavia
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225
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Moreno CL, Ehrlich ME, Mobbs CV. Protection by dietary restriction in the YAC128 mouse model of Huntington's disease: Relation to genes regulating histone acetylation and HTT. Neurobiol Dis 2015; 85:25-34. [PMID: 26485309 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2015.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2015] [Revised: 08/27/2015] [Accepted: 09/28/2015] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by metabolic, cognitive, and motor deficits. HD is caused by an expanded CAG repeat in the first exon of the HTT gene, resulting in an expanded polyglutamine section. Dietary restriction (DR) increases lifespan and ameliorates age-related pathologies, including in a model of HD, but the mechanisms mediating these protective effects are unknown. We report metabolic and behavioral effects of DR in the full-length YAC128 HD mouse model, and associated transcriptional changes in hypothalamus and striatum. DR corrected many effects of the transgene including increased body weight, decreased blood glucose, and impaired motor function. These changes were associated with reduced striatal human (but not mouse) HTT expression, as well as alteration in gene expression regulating histone acetylation modifications, particularly Hdac2. Other mRNAs related to Huntington's pathology in striatal tissue showed significant modulation by the transgene, dietary restriction or both. These results establish a protective role of DR in a transgenic model that contains the complete human HTT gene and for the first time suggest a role for DR in lowering HTT level, which correlates with severity of symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cesar L Moreno
- Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; Friedman Brain Institute, New York, NY 10029, USA.
| | - Michelle E Ehrlich
- Friedman Brain Institute, New York, NY 10029, USA; Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; Department of Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA.
| | - Charles V Mobbs
- Friedman Brain Institute, New York, NY 10029, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; Department of Endocrinology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; Department of Geriatrics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA.
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226
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Transcriptional regulation of the neuropeptide VGF by the neuron-restrictive silencer factor/neuron-restrictive silencer element. Neuroreport 2015; 26:144-51. [PMID: 25569790 DOI: 10.1097/wnr.0000000000000316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
The neurotrophin-inducible gene VGF plays an important role in the maintenance of organismal energy balance and in the mediation of hippocampal synaptic activity. The regulatory mechanism of VGF transcription is not fully understood. The neuron-restrictive silencer factor (NRSF) binds with the neuron-restrictive silencer element (NRSE), thereby suppressing the transcription of NRSE-containing genes. In this study, we show that the NRSE sequence of the VGF gene critically regulates the repression of VGF expression in NMB cells. Sequence analysis also establishes the presence of two putative NRSEs (NRSE-1 and NRSE-2) in the promoter region of the VGF gene. In reporter gene experiments, a more than eight-fold increase in the promoter activity was observed when both NRSE-1 and NRSE-2 were deleted. Deletion of NRSE-2 alone did not affect the promoter activity, thus indicating that NRSE-1 could be solely responsible for the repression of VGF gene expression. Mutations in the NRSE-1 sequence increased promoter activity. However, no change in activity was observed when NRSE-1 was coexpressed with dominant-negative NRSF, thereby suggesting that endogenous NRSF interacts with NRSE-1. Binding of NRSF to NRSE in a sequence-specific manner was confirmed with chromatin immunoprecipitation assays, respectively. Furthermore, the overexpressed NRSF in PC12 cells significantly suppressed the VGF gene expression by interacting with the NRSE located in the VGF promoter region. Our results indicate that NRSF plays an important role as a repressor of VGF gene regulation in NMB cells through a mechanism that is dependent on VGF-NRSE.
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227
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Ma Q, Yang J, Li T, Milner TA, Hempstead BL. Selective reduction of striatal mature BDNF without induction of proBDNF in the zQ175 mouse model of Huntington's disease. Neurobiol Dis 2015; 82:466-477. [PMID: 26282324 PMCID: PMC4819334 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2015.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2015] [Revised: 08/02/2015] [Accepted: 08/12/2015] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by massive loss of medium spiny neurons in the striatum. However, the mechanisms by which mutant huntingtin leads to this selective neuronal death remain incompletely understood. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been shown to be neuroprotective on HD striatal neurons both in vitro and in vivo. ProBDNF, the precursor of mature BDNF (mBDNF), also can be secreted but promotes apoptosis of neurons expressing p75(NTR) and sortilin receptors. Although a reduction of total striatal BDNF protein has been reported in HD patients and mouse models, it remains unclear whether conversion of proBDNF to mBDNF is altered in HD, and whether the proBDNF receptors, p75(NTR) and sortilin are dysregulated, leading to impaired striatal neuron survival. To test these hypotheses, we generated bdnf-HA knock-in (KI) mice on the zQ175 HD background to accurately quantitate the levels of both proBDNF and mBDNF in the HD striatum. In aged zQ175 HD mice, we observed a significant loss of mBDNF and decreased TrkB activation, but no increase of proBDNF or p75(NTR) levels either in the sensorimotor cortex or the striatum. However, immunoreactivities of p75(NTR) and sortilin receptor are both increased in immature striatal oligodendrocytes, which associate with significant myelin defects in the HD striatum. Taken together, the present study indicates that diminished mature BDNF trophic signaling through the TrkB receptor, rather than an induction in proBDNF, is a main contributing factor to the vulnerability of striatal neurons in the zQ175 HD mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Ma
- Graduate Program of Neuroscience, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Jianmin Yang
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Thomas Li
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Teresa A Milner
- Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA; Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Barbara L Hempstead
- Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA; Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA.
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228
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Anglada-Huguet M, Vidal-Sancho L, Giralt A, García-Díaz Barriga G, Xifró X, Alberch J. Prostaglandin E2 EP2 activation reduces memory decline in R6/1 mouse model of Huntington's disease by the induction of BDNF-dependent synaptic plasticity. Neurobiol Dis 2015; 95:22-34. [PMID: 26369879 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2015.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2014] [Revised: 07/20/2015] [Accepted: 09/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) patients and mouse models show learning and memory impairment even before the onset of motor symptoms. Deficits in hippocampal synaptic plasticity have been involved in the HD memory impairment. Several studies show that prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) EP2 receptor stimulates synaptic plasticity and memory formation. However, this role was not explored in neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we investigated the capacity of PGE2 EP2 receptor to promote synaptic plasticity and memory improvements in a model of HD, the R6/1 mice, by administration of the agonist misoprostol. We found that misoprostol increases dendritic branching in cultured hippocampal neurons in a brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)-dependent manner. Then, we implanted an osmotic mini-pump system to chronically administrate misoprostol to R6/1 mice from 14 to 18weeks of age. We observed that misoprostol treatment ameliorates the R6/1 long-term memory deficits as analyzed by the T-maze spontaneous alternation task and the novel object recognition test. Importantly, administration of misoprostol promoted the expression of hippocampal BDNF. Moreover, the treatment with misoprostol in R6/1 mice blocked the reduction in the number of PSD-95 and VGluT-1 positive particles observed in hippocampus of vehicle-R6/1 mice. In addition, we observed an increase of cAMP levels in the dentate ` of WT and R6/1 mice treated with misoprostol. Accordingly, we showed a reduction in the number of mutant huntingtin nuclear inclusions in the dentate gyrus of R6/1 mice. Altogether, these results suggest a putative therapeutic effect of PGE2 EP2 receptor in reducing cognitive deficits in HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Anglada-Huguet
- Departament de Biologia Cel·lular, Immunologia i Neurociències, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Barcelona, Casanova, 143, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Spain; Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Casanova, 143, 08036 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Laura Vidal-Sancho
- Departament de Biologia Cel·lular, Immunologia i Neurociències, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Barcelona, Casanova, 143, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Spain; Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Casanova, 143, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; New Therapeutic Targets Group (TargetsLab), Departament de Ciències Mèdiques, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Girona, c/ Emili Grahit, 77, 17071 Girona, Spain.
| | - Albert Giralt
- Departament de Biologia Cel·lular, Immunologia i Neurociències, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Barcelona, Casanova, 143, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Spain; Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Casanova, 143, 08036 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Gerardo García-Díaz Barriga
- Departament de Biologia Cel·lular, Immunologia i Neurociències, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Barcelona, Casanova, 143, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Spain; Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Casanova, 143, 08036 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Xavier Xifró
- Departament de Biologia Cel·lular, Immunologia i Neurociències, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Barcelona, Casanova, 143, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Spain; Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Casanova, 143, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; New Therapeutic Targets Group (TargetsLab), Departament de Ciències Mèdiques, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Girona, c/ Emili Grahit, 77, 17071 Girona, Spain.
| | - Jordi Alberch
- Departament de Biologia Cel·lular, Immunologia i Neurociències, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Barcelona, Casanova, 143, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Spain; Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Casanova, 143, 08036 Barcelona, Spain.
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229
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Gupta S, Verma S, Mantri S, Berman NE, Sandhir R. Targeting MicroRNAs in Prevention and Treatment of Neurodegenerative Disorders. Drug Dev Res 2015; 76:397-418. [PMID: 26359796 DOI: 10.1002/ddr.21277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Preclinical Research microRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) that are key regulators of gene expression. They act on wide range of targets by binding to mRNA via imperfect complementarity at 3' UTR. Evidence suggests that miRNAs regulate many biological processes including neuronal development, differentiation, and disease. Altered expression of several miRNAs has been reported in many neurodegenerative disorders (NDDs). Many miRNAs are altered in these diseases, but miRNA 15, miRNA 21, and miRNA 146a have been shown to play critical role in many neurodegenerative conditions. As these miRNAs regulate many genes, miRNA targeted approaches would allow concurrently targeting of multiple effectors of pathways that regulate disease progression. In this review, we describe the role of miRNAs in various NDDs and their potential as therapeutic tools in prevention and treatment of neurological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Smriti Gupta
- Department of Biochemistry, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160014, India
| | - Savita Verma
- Department of Biochemistry, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160014, India
| | - Shrikant Mantri
- Computational Biology Laboratory, National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute, Mohali, Punjab, 160071, India
| | - Nancy E Berman
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Kansas University Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Blvd., Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - Rajat Sandhir
- Department of Biochemistry, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160014, India
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230
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CDRI-08 Attenuates REST/NRSF-Mediated Expression of NMDAR1 Gene in PBDE-209-Exposed Mice Brain. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2015; 2015:403840. [PMID: 26413122 PMCID: PMC4564648 DOI: 10.1155/2015/403840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2014] [Revised: 02/16/2015] [Accepted: 02/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
CDRI-08 is a standardized bacoside enriched ethanolic extract of Bacopa monnieri, a nootropic plant. We reported that CDRI-08 attenuated oxidative stress and memory impairment in mice, induced by a flame retardant, PBDE-209. In order to explore the mechanism, present study was designed to examine the role of CDRI-08 on the expression of NMDAR1 (NR1) and the binding of REST/NRSF to NR1 promoter against postnatal exposure of PBDE-209. Male mice pups were orally supplemented with CDRI-08 at the doses of 40, 80, or 120 mg/kg along with PBDE-209 (20 mg/kg) during PND 3–10 and frontal cortex and hippocampus were collected at PND 11 and 60 to study the expression and regulation of NR1 by RT-PCR and electrophoretic mobility shift assay, respectively. The findings showed upregulated expression of NR1 and decreased binding of REST/NRSF to NR1 promoter after postnatal exposure of PBDE-209. Interestingly, supplementation with CDRI-08 significantly restored the expression of NR1 and binding of REST/NRSF to NR1 promoter near to the control value at the dose of 120 mg/kg. In conclusion, the results suggest that CDRI-08 possibly acts on glutamatergic system through expression and regulation of NR1 and may restore memory, impaired by PBDE-209 as reported in our previous study.
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231
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Xu Z, Tito AJ, Rui YN, Zhang S. Studying polyglutamine diseases in Drosophila. Exp Neurol 2015; 274:25-41. [PMID: 26257024 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2015.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2015] [Revised: 08/02/2015] [Accepted: 08/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Polyglutamine (polyQ) diseases are a family of dominantly transmitted neurodegenerative disorders caused by an abnormal expansion of CAG trinucleotide repeats in the protein-coding regions of the respective disease-causing genes. Despite their simple genetic basis, the etiology of these diseases is far from clear. Over the past two decades, Drosophila has proven to be successful in modeling this family of neurodegenerative disorders, including the faithful recapitulation of pathological features such as polyQ length-dependent formation of protein aggregates and progressive neuronal degeneration. Additionally, it has been valuable in probing the pathogenic mechanisms, in identifying and evaluating disease modifiers, and in helping elucidate the normal functions of disease-causing genes. Knowledge learned from this simple invertebrate organism has had a large impact on our understanding of these devastating brain diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Xu
- The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, 1825 Pressler Street, Houston, TX 77030, United States; The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, 1825 Pressler Street, Houston, TX 77030, United States; The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), 1825 Pressler Street, Houston, TX 77030, United States
| | - Antonio Joel Tito
- The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, 1825 Pressler Street, Houston, TX 77030, United States; Programs in Human and Molecular Genetics and Neuroscience, 1825 Pressler Street, Houston, TX 77030, United States; The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 1825 Pressler Street, Houston, TX 77030, United States; The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, 1825 Pressler Street, Houston, TX 77030, United States; The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), 1825 Pressler Street, Houston, TX 77030, United States
| | - Yan-Ning Rui
- The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, 1825 Pressler Street, Houston, TX 77030, United States; The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, 1825 Pressler Street, Houston, TX 77030, United States; The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), 1825 Pressler Street, Houston, TX 77030, United States
| | - Sheng Zhang
- The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, 1825 Pressler Street, Houston, TX 77030, United States; Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, 1825 Pressler Street, Houston, TX 77030, United States; Programs in Human and Molecular Genetics and Neuroscience, 1825 Pressler Street, Houston, TX 77030, United States; The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 1825 Pressler Street, Houston, TX 77030, United States; The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, 1825 Pressler Street, Houston, TX 77030, United States; The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), 1825 Pressler Street, Houston, TX 77030, United States.
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232
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Qureshi IA, Mehler MF. Epigenetics and therapeutic targets mediating neuroprotection. Brain Res 2015; 1628:265-272. [PMID: 26236020 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2015.07.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2015] [Revised: 07/14/2015] [Accepted: 07/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The rapidly evolving science of epigenetics is transforming our understanding of the nervous system in health and disease and holds great promise for the development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches targeting neurological diseases. Increasing evidence suggests that epigenetic factors and mechanisms serve as important mediators of the pathogenic processes that lead to irrevocable neural injury and of countervailing homeostatic and regenerative responses. Epigenetics is, therefore, of considerable translational significance to the field of neuroprotection. In this brief review, we provide an overview of epigenetic mechanisms and highlight the emerging roles played by epigenetic processes in neural cell dysfunction and death and in resultant neuroprotective responses. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled SI: Neuroprotection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irfan A Qureshi
- Roslyn and Leslie Goldstein Laboratory for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; Institute for Brain Disorders and Neural Regeneration, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; Rose F. Kennedy Center for Research on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA.
| | - Mark F Mehler
- Roslyn and Leslie Goldstein Laboratory for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; Institute for Brain Disorders and Neural Regeneration, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; Rose F. Kennedy Center for Research on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; Einstein Cancer Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; Ruth L. and David S. Gottesman Stem Cell Institute, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; Center for Epigenomics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; Institute for Aging Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA.
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233
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Tamminga CA, Zukin RS. Schizophrenia: Evidence implicating hippocampal GluN2B protein and REST epigenetics in psychosis pathophysiology. Neuroscience 2015. [PMID: 26211447 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2015.07.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The hippocampus is strongly implicated in the psychotic symptoms of schizophrenia. Functionally, basal hippocampal activity (perfusion) is elevated in schizophrenic psychosis, as measured with positron emission tomography (PET) and with magnetic resonance (MR) perfusion techniques, while hippocampal activation to memory tasks is reduced. Subfield-specific hippocampal molecular pathology exists in human psychosis tissue which could underlie this neuronal hyperactivity, including increased GluN2B-containing NMDA receptors in hippocampal CA3, along with increased postsynaptic density protein-95 (PSD-95) along with augmented dendritic spines on the pyramidal neuron apical dendrites. We interpret these observations to implicate a reduction in the influence of a ubiquitous gene repressor, repressor element-1 silencing transcription factor (REST) in psychosis; REST is involved in the age-related maturation of the NMDA receptor from GluN2B- to GluN2A-containing NMDA receptors through epigenetic remodeling. These CA3 changes in psychosis leave the hippocampus liable to pathological increases in neuronal activity, feedforward excitation and false memory formation, sometimes with psychotic content.
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Affiliation(s)
- C A Tamminga
- UT Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, TX, United States.
| | - R S Zukin
- Albert Einstein School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
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234
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Huntington's disease: Neural dysfunction linked to inositol polyphosphate multikinase. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2015. [PMID: 26195796 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1511810112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease caused by a glutamine repeat expansion in mutant huntingtin (mHtt). Despite the known genetic cause of HD, the pathophysiology of this disease remains to be elucidated. Inositol polyphosphate multikinase (IPMK) is an enzyme that displays soluble inositol phosphate kinase activity, lipid kinase activity, and various noncatalytic interactions. We report a severe loss of IPMK in the striatum of HD patients and in several cellular and animal models of the disease. This depletion reflects mHtt-induced impairment of COUP-TF-interacting protein 2 (Ctip2), a striatal-enriched transcription factor for IPMK, as well as alterations in IPMK protein stability. IPMK overexpression reverses the metabolic activity deficit in a cell model of HD. IPMK depletion appears to mediate neural dysfunction, because intrastriatal delivery of IPMK abates the progression of motor abnormalities and rescues striatal pathology in transgenic murine models of HD.
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235
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Homocysteine Induces Collagen I Expression by Downregulating Histone Methyltransferase G9a. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0130421. [PMID: 26192994 PMCID: PMC4508059 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0130421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2015] [Accepted: 05/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) leads to several clinical manifestations including hepatic fibrosis. Excess deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) components including collagen is the eponymous lesion of liver fibrosis. In this study, we demonstrated that elevated concentration of Hcy induced the expression of collagen type I in cultured human liver cells as well as in liver tissue of HHcy mice. Meanwhile, Hcy inhibited the expression of histone methyltransferase G9a. Mechanistically, silencing endogenous G9a by siRNA enhanced the promoter activity of COL1A1 in LO2 cells. Conversely, overexpressing G9a inhibited the promoter activity of COL1A1. CHIP assay demonstrated that G9a binds to the neuron-restrictive silencer element (NRSE) on the promoter of COL1A1. Hcy treatment decreased the binding of G9a on NRSE, which in turn decreased the level of H3K9me2 on the promoter of COL1A1, led to upregulation of COL1A1. Taken together, these results provide a novel mechanism on explaining how HHcy promotes ECM production.
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236
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Suo H, Wang P, Tong J, Cai L, Liu J, Huang D, Huang L, Wang Z, Huang Y, Xu J, Ma Y, Yu M, Fei J, Huang F. NRSF is an essential mediator for the neuroprotection of trichostatin A in the MPTP mouse model of Parkinson's disease. Neuropharmacology 2015; 99:67-78. [PMID: 26188143 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2015.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2015] [Revised: 06/26/2015] [Accepted: 07/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Neuron-restrictive silencer factor (NRSF) blocks the expression of many neuronal genes in non-neuronal cells and neural stem cells. There is growing body of evidence that NRSF functions in mature neurons and plays critical roles in various neurological disorders. Our previous study demonstrated that the expression of NRSF target genes brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) is transiently decreased in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-pyridinium ion (MPP+)-treated SH-SY5Y cells. NRSF neuronal deficient mice are more vulnerable to 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). Here we investigated the effect of epigenetic modulation on the expression of NRSF target genes in in vitro and in vivo models of Parkinson's disease (PD). Trichostatin A (TSA) was further used to study the effects of histone deacetylase inhibition on NRSF-mediated repression. We found that the repression of NRSF target genes was relieved by TSA in vitro. A single dose TSA pretreatment also upregulated the expression of TH and BDNF and protected the nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathway against MPTP-induced degeneration in wild type mice. However, the protective functions of TSA were fully abolished in NRSF neuronal deficient mice. Our results suggest that NRSF serves as an essential mediator for the neuroprotection of TSA in the MPTP model of PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiyun Suo
- The State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, the Institutes of Brain Science and the Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, 138 Yixueyuan Road, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Pan Wang
- The State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, the Institutes of Brain Science and the Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, 138 Yixueyuan Road, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Jiabin Tong
- The State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, the Institutes of Brain Science and the Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, 138 Yixueyuan Road, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Lei Cai
- Shanghai Research Center for Model Organisms, Pudong, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Jie Liu
- The State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, the Institutes of Brain Science and the Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, 138 Yixueyuan Road, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Dongping Huang
- The State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, the Institutes of Brain Science and the Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, 138 Yixueyuan Road, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Li Huang
- The State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, the Institutes of Brain Science and the Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, 138 Yixueyuan Road, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Zishan Wang
- The State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, the Institutes of Brain Science and the Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, 138 Yixueyuan Road, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yufang Huang
- The State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, the Institutes of Brain Science and the Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, 138 Yixueyuan Road, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Jing Xu
- The State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, the Institutes of Brain Science and the Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, 138 Yixueyuan Road, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yuanyuan Ma
- The State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, the Institutes of Brain Science and the Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, 138 Yixueyuan Road, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Mei Yu
- The State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, the Institutes of Brain Science and the Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, 138 Yixueyuan Road, Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Jian Fei
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China; Shanghai Research Center for Model Organisms, Pudong, Shanghai 201203, China.
| | - Fang Huang
- The State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, the Institutes of Brain Science and the Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, 138 Yixueyuan Road, Shanghai 200032, China; Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery, Fudan University, Ministry of Education, Shanghai 201203, China.
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237
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Rockowitz S, Zheng D. Significant expansion of the REST/NRSF cistrome in human versus mouse embryonic stem cells: potential implications for neural development. Nucleic Acids Res 2015; 43:5730-43. [PMID: 25990720 PMCID: PMC4499139 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkv514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2015] [Revised: 04/30/2015] [Accepted: 05/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have employed cross-species comparisons of transcription factor binding, reporting significant regulatory network 'rewiring' between species. Here, we address how a transcriptional repressor targets and regulates neural genes differentially between human and mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs). We find that the transcription factor, Repressor Element 1 Silencing Transcription factor (REST; also called neuron restrictive silencer factor) binds to a core group of ∼1200 syntenic genomic regions in both species, with these conserved sites highly enriched with co-factors, selective histone modifications and DNA hypomethylation. Genes with conserved REST binding are enriched with neural functions and more likely to be upregulated upon REST depletion. Interestingly, we identified twice as many REST peaks in human ESCs compared to mouse ESCs. Human REST cistrome expansion involves additional peaks in genes targeted by REST in both species and human-specific gene targets. Genes with expanded REST occupancy in humans are enriched for learning or memory functions. Analysis of neurological disorder associated genes reveals that Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and oxidative stress genes are particularly enriched with human-specific REST binding. Overall, our results demonstrate that there is substantial rewiring of human and mouse REST cistromes, and that REST may have human-specific roles in brain development and functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shira Rockowitz
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Deyou Zheng
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
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238
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The Transcription Repressor REST in Adult Neurons: Physiology, Pathology, and Diseases. eNeuro 2015; 2:eN-REV-0010-15. [PMID: 26465007 PMCID: PMC4596026 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0010-15.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2015] [Revised: 06/11/2015] [Accepted: 06/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
REST [RE1-silencing transcription factor (also called neuron-restrictive silencer factor)] is known to repress thousands of possible target genes, many of which are neuron specific. To date, REST repression has been investigated mostly in stem cells and differentiating neurons. Current evidence demonstrates its importance in adult neurons as well. Low levels of REST, which are acquired during differentiation, govern the expression of specific neuronal phenotypes. REST-dependent genes encode important targets, including transcription factors, transmitter release proteins, voltage-dependent and receptor channels, and signaling proteins. Additional neuronal properties depend on miRNAs expressed reciprocally to REST and on specific splicing factors. In adult neurons, REST levels are not always low. Increases occur during aging in healthy humans. Moreover, extensive evidence demonstrates that prolonged stimulation with various agents induces REST increases, which are associated with the repression of neuron-specific genes with appropriate, intermediate REST binding affinity. Whether neuronal increases in REST are protective or detrimental remains a subject of debate. Examples of CA1 hippocampal neuron protection upon depolarization, and of neurodegeneration upon glutamate treatment and hypoxia have been reported. REST participation in psychiatric and neurological diseases has been shown, especially in Alzheimer’s disease and Huntington’s disease, as well as epilepsy. Distinct, complex roles of the repressor in these different diseases have emerged. In conclusion, REST is certainly very important in a large number of conditions. We suggest that the conflicting results reported for the role of REST in physiology, pathology, and disease depend on its complex, direct, and indirect actions on many gene targets and on the diverse approaches used during the investigations.
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239
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Roberts-Crowley ML, Rittenhouse AR. Characterization of ST14A Cells for Studying Modulation of Voltage-Gated Calcium Channels. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0132469. [PMID: 26147123 PMCID: PMC4492559 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0132469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2015] [Accepted: 06/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In medium spiny neurons (MSNs) of the striatum, dopamine D2 receptors (D2Rs) specifically inhibit the Cav1.3 subtype of L-type Ca2+ channels (LTCs). MSNs are heterogeneous in their expression of dopamine receptors making the study of D2R pathways difficult in primary neurons. Here, we employed the ST14A cell line, derived from embryonic striatum and characterized to have properties of MSNs, to study Cav1.3 current and its modulation by neurotransmitters. Round, undifferentiated ST14A cells exhibited little to no endogenous Ca2+ current while differentiated ST14A cells expressed endogenous Ca2+ current. Transfection with LTC subunits produced functional Cav1.3 current from round cells, providing a homogeneous model system compared to native MSNs for studying D2R pathways. However, neither endogenous nor recombinant Cav1.3 current was modulated by the D2R agonist quinpirole. We confirmed D2R expression in ST14A cells and also detected D1Rs, D4Rs, D5Rs, Gq, calcineurin and phospholipase A2 using RT-PCR and/or Western blot analysis. Phospholipase C β-1 (PLCβ-1) expression was not detected by Western blot analysis which may account for the lack of LTC modulation by D2Rs. These findings raise caution about the assumption that the presence of G-protein coupled receptors in cell lines indicates the presence of complete signaling cascades. However, exogenous arachidonic acid inhibited recombinant Cav1.3 current indicating that channels expressed in ST14A cells are capable of modulation since they respond to a known signaling molecule downstream of D2Rs. Thus, ST14A cells provide a MSN-like cell line for studying channel modulation and signaling pathways that do not involve activation of PLCβ-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mandy L. Roberts-Crowley
- Department of Physiology, Program in Neuroscience, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Ann R. Rittenhouse
- Department of Physiology, Program in Neuroscience, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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240
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Erie C, Sacino M, Houle L, Lu ML, Wei J. Altered lysosomal positioning affects lysosomal functions in a cellular model of Huntington's disease. Eur J Neurosci 2015; 42:1941-51. [PMID: 25997742 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.12957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2015] [Accepted: 05/18/2015] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a hereditary and devastating neurodegenerative disorder caused by a mutation in the huntingtin protein. Understanding the functions of normal and mutant huntingtin protein is the key to revealing the pathogenesis of HD and developing therapeutic targets. Huntingtin plays an important role in vesicular and organelle trafficking. Lysosomes are dynamic organelles that integrate several degradative pathways and regulate the activity of mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1). In the present study, we found that the perinuclear accumulation of lysosomes was increased in a cellular model of HD derived from HD knock-in mice and primary fibroblasts from an HD patient. This perinuclear lysosomal accumulation could be reversed when normal huntingtin was overexpressed in HD cells. When we further investigated the functional significance of the increased perinuclear lysosomal accumulation in HD cells, we demonstrated that basal mTORC1 activity was increased in HD cells. In addition, autophagic influx was also increased in HD cells in response to serum deprivation, which leads to premature fusion of lysosomes with autophagosomes. Taken together, our data suggest that the increased perinuclear accumulation of lysosomes may play an important role in HD pathogenesis by altering lysosomal-dependent functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Erie
- Department of Biomedical Science, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, 33431, USA
| | - Matthew Sacino
- Department of Biomedical Science, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, 33431, USA
| | - Lauren Houle
- Department of Biomedical Science, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, 33431, USA
| | - Michael L Lu
- Department of Biomedical Science, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, 33431, USA
| | - Jianning Wei
- Department of Biomedical Science, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, 33431, USA
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Bonanomi M, Visentin C, Invernizzi G, Tortora P, Regonesi ME. The Toxic Effects of Pathogenic Ataxin-3 Variants in a Yeast Cellular Model. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0129727. [PMID: 26052945 PMCID: PMC4460139 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0129727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2014] [Accepted: 05/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Ataxin-3 (AT3) is a deubiquitinating enzyme that triggers an inherited neurodegenerative disorder, spinocerebellar ataxia type 3, when its polyglutamine (polyQ) stretch close to the C-terminus exceeds a critical length. AT3 variants carrying the expanded polyQ are prone to associate with each other into amyloid toxic aggregates, which are responsible for neuronal death with ensuing neurodegeneration. We employed Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a eukaryotic cellular model to better clarify the mechanism by which AT3 triggers the disease. We expressed three variants: one normal (Q26), one expanded (Q85) and one truncated for a region lying from the beginning of its polyQ stretch to the end of the protein (291Δ). We found that the expression of the expanded form caused reduction in viability, accumulation of reactive oxygen species, imbalance of the antioxidant defense system and loss in cell membrane integrity, leading to necrotic death. The truncated variant also exerted a qualitatively similar, albeit milder, effect on cell growth and cytotoxicity, which points to the involvement of also non-polyQ regions in cytotoxicity. Guanidine hydrochloride, a well-known inhibitor of the chaperone Hsp104, almost completely restored wild-type survival rate of both 291Δ- and Q85-expressing strains. This suggests that AT3 aggregation and toxicity is mediated by prion forms of yeast proteins, as this chaperone plays a key role in their propagation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcella Bonanomi
- Department of Biotechnologies and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Cristina Visentin
- Department of Biotechnologies and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Gaetano Invernizzi
- Department of Biotechnologies and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Tortora
- Department of Biotechnologies and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
- Milan Center of Neuroscience (NeuroMI), Milan, Italy
- * E-mail:
| | - Maria Elena Regonesi
- Milan Center of Neuroscience (NeuroMI), Milan, Italy
- Department of Statistics and Quantitative Methods, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
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242
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Lin L, Yuan J, Sander B, Golas MM. In Vitro Differentiation of Human Neural Progenitor Cells Into Striatal GABAergic Neurons. Stem Cells Transl Med 2015; 4:775-88. [PMID: 25972145 DOI: 10.5966/sctm.2014-0083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2014] [Accepted: 03/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED : Huntington's disease (HD) results from a CAG repeat expansion in the gene encoding the huntingtin protein. This inherited disorder is characterized by progressive neurodegeneration. In particular, HD progression involves the loss of striatal projection neurons. The limited availability of reliable sources of human striatal projection neurons currently hampers our understanding of HD mechanisms and hinders the development of novel HD treatments. In this paper, we described two- and three-step methods for differentiating human neural progenitor cells toward striatal projection neurons. In the two-step differentiation protocol, 90%, 54%, and 6% of MAP2-positive cells were immunopositive for GABA, calbindin (CALB1), and DARPP-32/PPP1R1B, respectively. In the three-step differentiation protocol, 96%, 84%, and 21% of MAP2-positive cells were immunopositive for GABA, calbindin, and DARPP-32/PPP1R1B, respectively. In line with a striatal projection neuron phenotype, cells differentiated with our protocols displayed significantly increased expression of MAP2, CALB1, DARPP-32/PPP1R1B, ARPP21, and CTIP2. Application of glutamate receptor agonists induced calcium influx; accordingly, the cells also expressed various ionotropic glutamate receptor subunits. Differentiated cells also released GABA on stimulation. We suggest that our three-step differentiation protocol presents a reliable and simplified method for the generation of striatal projection neurons, yielding a critical resource for neuronal physiology and neurodegenerative disorder studies. SIGNIFICANCE The earliest changes in the neurodegenerative disorder Huntington's disease affect a specific type of brain neurons, the so-called medium spiny neurons of the striatum. In this study, two protocols were developed for the differentiation of neural progenitor cells into striatal medium spiny neurons, and the differentiated neurons were extensively characterized. The data indicate that the three-step differentiation protocol presents a reliable and simplified method for the generation of striatal medium spiny neurons. The generated striatal medium spiny neurons could represent a critical resource for the study of neurodegenerative disorders, a model system for drug discovery, and a step toward cell-based regeneration therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Lin
- Department of Biomedicine, Stereology and Electron Microscopy Laboratory, Department of Clinical Medicine, and Center for Stochastic Geometry and Advanced Bioimaging, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Juan Yuan
- Department of Biomedicine, Stereology and Electron Microscopy Laboratory, Department of Clinical Medicine, and Center for Stochastic Geometry and Advanced Bioimaging, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Bjoern Sander
- Department of Biomedicine, Stereology and Electron Microscopy Laboratory, Department of Clinical Medicine, and Center for Stochastic Geometry and Advanced Bioimaging, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Monika M Golas
- Department of Biomedicine, Stereology and Electron Microscopy Laboratory, Department of Clinical Medicine, and Center for Stochastic Geometry and Advanced Bioimaging, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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Silva A, Naia L, Dominguez A, Ribeiro M, Rodrigues J, Vieira OV, Lessmann V, Rego AC. Overexpression of BDNF and Full-Length TrkB Receptor Ameliorate Striatal Neural Survival in Huntington's Disease. NEURODEGENER DIS 2015; 15:207-18. [PMID: 25896770 DOI: 10.1159/000375447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2014] [Accepted: 01/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several cellular mechanisms have been proposed to explain the pathogenesis of Huntington's disease (HD), including the lack of striatal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Thus, by preferentially binding to tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) receptor, BDNF is an important neurotrophin implicated in striatal neuronal survival. OBJECTIVE To study the influence of BDNF and TrkB receptors in intracellular signaling pathways and caspase-3 activation in HD striatal cells. METHODS HD mutant knockin and wild-type striatal cells were transduced with preproBDNF or full-length TrkB receptors to analyze BDNF processing, AKT and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation and the activity of caspase-3 in the absence or presence of staurosporine (STS). RESULTS HD mutant cells transduced with preproBDNF-mCherry (mCh) expressed similar levels of pro- and mature BDNF compared to WT cells, but HD cells released lower levels of pro- and mature BDNF. Despite this, BDNF-mCh overexpression rescued decreased AKT phosphorylation and reduced the caspase-3 activation observed in HD cells. Activated ERK was also enhanced in HD BDNF-mCh/TrkB-eGFP receptor co-cultures. Of relevance, overexpression of TrkB-eGFP in HD cells decreased caspase-3 activation, and stimulation of TrkB-eGFP-transduced mutant cells with recombinant human BDNF reduced both basal and STS-induced caspase-3 activation. CONCLUSION The results highlight the importance of BDNF-induced TrkB receptor signaling in rescuing HD-mediated apoptotic features in striatal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Silva
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
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244
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Haider SA, Faisal M. Human aging in the post-GWAS era: further insights reveal potential regulatory variants. Biogerontology 2015; 16:529-41. [PMID: 25895066 DOI: 10.1007/s10522-015-9575-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2015] [Accepted: 04/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Human aging involves a gradual decrease in cellular integrity that contributes to multiple complex disorders such as neurodegenerative disorders, cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) play a key role in discovering genetic variations that may contribute towards disease vulnerability. However, mostly disease-associated SNPs lie within non-coding part of the genome; majority of the variants are also present in linkage disequilibrium (LD) with the genome-wide significant SNPs (GWAS lead SNPs). Overall 600 SNPs were analyzed, out of which 291 returned RegulomeDB scores of 1-6. It was observed that just 4 out of those 291 SNPs show strong evidence of regulatory effects (RegulomeDB score <3), while none of them includes any GWAS lead SNP. Nevertheless, this study demonstrates that by combining ENCODE project data along with GWAS reported information will provide important insights on the impact of a genetic variant-moving from GWAS towards understanding disease pathways. It is noteworthy that both genome-wide significant SNPs as well as the SNPs in LD must be considered for future studies; this may prove to be crucial in deciphering the potential regulatory elements involved in complex disorders and aging in particular.
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Affiliation(s)
- Syed Aleem Haider
- National Center for Bioinformatics, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, 45320, Pakistan
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245
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Scalable production in human cells and biochemical characterization of full-length normal and mutant huntingtin. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0121055. [PMID: 25799558 PMCID: PMC4370734 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0121055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2014] [Accepted: 01/29/2015] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntingtin (Htt) is a 350 kD intracellular protein, ubiquitously expressed and mainly localized in the cytoplasm. Huntington’s disease (HD) is caused by a CAG triplet amplification in exon 1 of the corresponding gene resulting in a polyglutamine (polyQ) expansion at the N-terminus of Htt. Production of full-length Htt has been difficult in the past and so far a scalable system or process has not been established for recombinant production of Htt in human cells. The ability to produce Htt in milligram quantities would be a prerequisite for many biochemical and biophysical studies aiming in a better understanding of Htt function under physiological conditions and in case of mutation and disease. For scalable production of full-length normal (17Q) and mutant (46Q and 128Q) Htt we have established two different systems, the first based on doxycycline-inducible Htt expression in stable cell lines, the second on “gutless” adenovirus mediated gene transfer. Purified material has then been used for biochemical characterization of full-length Htt. Posttranslational modifications (PTMs) were determined and several new phosphorylation sites were identified. Nearly all PTMs in full-length Htt localized to areas outside of predicted alpha-solenoid protein regions. In all detected N-terminal peptides methionine as the first amino acid was missing and the second, alanine, was found to be acetylated. Differences in secondary structure between normal and mutant Htt, a helix-rich protein, were not observed in our study. Purified Htt tends to form dimers and higher order oligomers, thus resembling the situation observed with N-terminal fragments, although the mechanism of oligomer formation may be different.
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246
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Lu C, Shi L, Zhang J, Kong M, Liu Y, Zhou Y, Xu L, He J, Ma Z, Gu X. Neuron-restrictive silencer factor in periaqueductal gray contributes to remifentanil-induced postoperative hyperalgesia via repression of the mu-opioid receptor. J Neurol Sci 2015; 352:48-52. [PMID: 25819118 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2015.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2014] [Revised: 03/10/2015] [Accepted: 03/11/2015] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The ultra-short-acting mu-opioid receptor (MOR) agonist remifentanil induces postoperative hyperalgesia both in preclinical and clinical research studies. However, the precise mechanisms remain unclear, although changes in opioid receptor expression might be a correlative feature. Neuron-restrictive silencer factor (NRSF) functions as a crucial regulator of MOR expression in specific neuronal cells. Using a mouse model of incisional postoperative pain, we assessed the expression of MOR and NRSF and investigated whether disruption of NRSF expression could prevent the postoperative nociceptive sensitization induced by surgical incision and subcutaneous infusion of remifentanil. METHODS Paw withdrawal mechanical threshold (PWMT) and paw withdrawal thermal latency (PWTL) were independently used to assess mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia after surgery and cerebral ventricle injection of NRSF antisense oligonucleotide. Western blotting analyses were preformed to assess the expression levels of MOR and NRSF. RESULTS NRSF expression levels were enhanced after intraoperative infusion of remifentanil, resulting in repression of MOR expression in the periaqueductal gray (PAG). NRSF blockade with an NRSF antisense oligonucleotide significantly enhanced the expression levels of MOR and alleviated mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia induced by intraoperative infusion of remifentanil. CONCLUSION NRSF functions as a negative regulator of MOR in PAG and contributes to remifentanil-induced postoperative hyperalgesia. NRSF in PAG may be a potential target for this pain therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cui'e Lu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Medical College of Nanjing University, 321 Zhong Shan North Road, Nanjing 210008, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Linyu Shi
- Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Medical College of Nanjing University, 321 Zhong Shan North Road, Nanjing 210008, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Juan Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Medical College of Nanjing University, 321 Zhong Shan North Road, Nanjing 210008, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Mingjian Kong
- Drum Tower Clinical Medical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210008, Jiangsu Province China.
| | - Yue Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Medical College of Nanjing University, 321 Zhong Shan North Road, Nanjing 210008, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Yu Zhou
- Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Medical College of Nanjing University, 321 Zhong Shan North Road, Nanjing 210008, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Li Xu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Medical College of Nanjing University, 321 Zhong Shan North Road, Nanjing 210008, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Jianhua He
- Drum Tower Clinical Medical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210008, Jiangsu Province China.
| | - Zhengliang Ma
- Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Medical College of Nanjing University, 321 Zhong Shan North Road, Nanjing 210008, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Xiaoping Gu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Medical College of Nanjing University, 321 Zhong Shan North Road, Nanjing 210008, Jiangsu Province, China.
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247
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Love CE, Prince VE. Rest represses maturation within migrating facial branchiomotor neurons. Dev Biol 2015; 401:220-35. [PMID: 25769695 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2015.02.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2014] [Revised: 02/04/2015] [Accepted: 02/28/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The vertebrate brain arises from the complex organization of millions of neurons. Neurogenesis encompasses not only cell fate specification from neural stem cells, but also the terminal molecular and morphological maturation of neurons at correct positions within the brain. RE1-silencing transcription factor (Rest) is expressed in non-neural tissues and neuronal progenitors where it inhibits the terminal maturation of neurons by repressing hundreds of neuron-specific genes. Here we show that Rest repression of maturation is intimately linked with the migratory capability of zebrafish facial branchiomotor neurons (FBMNs), which undergo a characteristic tangential migration from hindbrain rhombomere (r) 4 to r6/r7 during development. We establish that FBMN migration is increasingly disrupted as Rest is depleted in zebrafish rest mutant embryos, such that around two-thirds of FBMNs fail to complete migration in mutants depleted of both maternal and zygotic Rest. Although Rest is broadly expressed, we show that de-repression or activation of Rest target genes only within FBMNs is sufficient to disrupt their migration. We demonstrate that this migration defect is due to precocious maturation of FBMNs, based on both morphological and molecular criteria. We further show that the Rest target gene and alternative splicing factor srrm4 is a key downstream regulator of maturation; Srrm4 knockdown partially restores the ability of FBMNs to migrate in rest mutants while preventing their precocious morphological maturation. Rest must localize to the nucleus to repress its targets, and its subcellular localization is highly regulated: we show that targeting Rest specifically to FBMN nuclei rescues FBMN migration in Rest-deficient embryos. We conclude that Rest functions in FBMN nuclei to inhibit maturation until the neurons complete their migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Crystal E Love
- Committee on Development, Regeneration and Stem Cell Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60615, USA
| | - Victoria E Prince
- Committee on Development, Regeneration and Stem Cell Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60615, USA; Department of Organismal Biology and Anatomy, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
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248
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Vaccinia-Related Kinase 2 Controls the Stability of the Eukaryotic Chaperonin TRiC/CCT by Inhibiting the Deubiquitinating Enzyme USP25. Mol Cell Biol 2015; 35:1754-62. [PMID: 25755282 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.01325-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2014] [Accepted: 02/25/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular chaperones monitor the proper folding of misfolded proteins and function as the first line of defense against mutant protein aggregation in neurodegenerative diseases. The eukaryotic chaperonin TRiC is a potent suppressor of mutant protein aggregation and toxicity in early stages of disease progression. Elucidation of TRiC functional regulation will enable us to better understand the pathological mechanisms of neurodegeneration. We have previously shown that vaccinia-related kinase 2 (VRK2) downregulates TRiC protein levels through the ubiquitin-proteasome system by recruiting the E3 ligase COP1. However, although VRK2 activity was necessary in TRiC downregulation, the phosphorylated substrate was not determined. Here, we report that USP25 is a novel TRiC interacting protein that is also phosphorylated by VRK2. USP25 catalyzed deubiquitination of the TRiC protein and stabilized the chaperonin, thereby reducing accumulation of misfolded polyglutamine protein aggregates. Notably, USP25 deubiquitinating activity was suppressed when VRK2 phosphorylated the Thr(680), Thr(727), and Ser(745) residues. Impaired USP25 deubiquitinating activity after VRK2-mediated phosphorylation may be a critical pathway in TRiC protein destabilization.
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249
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Moravec CE, Li E, Maaswinkel H, Kritzer MF, Weng W, Sirotkin HI. Rest mutant zebrafish swim erratically and display atypical spatial preferences. Behav Brain Res 2015; 284:238-48. [PMID: 25712696 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2015.02.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2014] [Revised: 02/09/2015] [Accepted: 02/13/2015] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
The Rest/Nrsf transcriptional repressor modulates expression of a large set of neural specific genes. Many of these target genes have well characterized roles in nervous system processes including development, plasticity and synaptogenesis. However, the impact of Rest-mediated transcriptional regulation on behavior has been understudied due in part to the embryonic lethality of the mouse knockout. To investigate the requirement for Rest in behavior, we employed the zebrafish rest mutant to explore a range of behaviors in adults and larva. Adult rest mutants of both sexes showed abnormal behaviors in a novel environment including increased vertical swimming, erratic swimming patterns and a proclivity for the tank walls. Adult males also had diminished reproductive success. At 6 days post fertilization (dpf), rest mutant larva were hypoactive, but displayed normal evoked responses to light and sound stimuli. Overall, these results provide evidence that rest dysfunction produces atypical swimming patterns and preferences in adults, and reduced locomotor activity in larvae. This study provides the first behavioral analysis of rest mutants and reveals specific behaviors that are modulated by Rest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cara E Moravec
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA; Genetics Gradate Program Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Edward Li
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | | | - Mary F Kritzer
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Wei Weng
- xyZfish, 2200 Smithtown Ave, Ronkonkoma, NY 11779, USA
| | - Howard I Sirotkin
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA; Genetics Gradate Program Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA.
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250
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Quintens R, Verreet T, Janssen A, Neefs M, Leysen L, Michaux A, Verslegers M, Samari N, Pani G, Verheyde J, Baatout S, Benotmane MA. Identification of novel radiation-induced p53-dependent transcripts extensively regulated during mouse brain development. Biol Open 2015; 4:331-44. [PMID: 25681390 PMCID: PMC4359739 DOI: 10.1242/bio.20149969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Ionizing radiation is a potent activator of the tumor suppressor gene p53, which itself regulates the transcription of genes involved in canonical pathways such as the cell cycle, DNA repair and apoptosis as well as other biological processes like metabolism, autophagy, differentiation and development. In this study, we performed a meta-analysis on gene expression data from different in vivo and in vitro experiments to identify a signature of early radiation-responsive genes which were predicted to be predominantly regulated by p53. Moreover, we found that several genes expressed different transcript isoforms after irradiation in a p53-dependent manner. Among this gene signature, we identified novel p53 targets, some of which have not yet been functionally characterized. Surprisingly, in contrast to genes from the canonical p53-regulated pathways, our gene signature was found to be highly enriched during embryonic and post-natal brain development and during in vitro neuronal differentiation. Furthermore, we could show that for a number of genes, radiation-responsive transcript variants were upregulated during development and differentiation, while radiation non-responsive variants were not. This suggests that radiation exposure of the developing brain and immature cortical neurons results in the p53-mediated activation of a neuronal differentiation program. Overall, our results further increase the knowledge of the radiation-induced p53 network of the embryonic brain and provide more evidence concerning the importance of p53 and its transcriptional targets during mouse brain development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roel Quintens
- Radiobiology Unit, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, SCK•CEN, B-2400 Mol, Belgium
| | - Tine Verreet
- Radiobiology Unit, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, SCK•CEN, B-2400 Mol, Belgium Laboratory of Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration, Animal Physiology and Neurobiology Section, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ann Janssen
- Radiobiology Unit, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, SCK•CEN, B-2400 Mol, Belgium
| | - Mieke Neefs
- Radiobiology Unit, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, SCK•CEN, B-2400 Mol, Belgium
| | - Liselotte Leysen
- Radiobiology Unit, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, SCK•CEN, B-2400 Mol, Belgium
| | - Arlette Michaux
- Radiobiology Unit, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, SCK•CEN, B-2400 Mol, Belgium
| | - Mieke Verslegers
- Radiobiology Unit, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, SCK•CEN, B-2400 Mol, Belgium
| | - Nada Samari
- Radiobiology Unit, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, SCK•CEN, B-2400 Mol, Belgium
| | - Giuseppe Pani
- Radiobiology Unit, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, SCK•CEN, B-2400 Mol, Belgium Present address: Nutritional Biochemistry and Space Biology Lab, Department of Pharmacology and Bio-molecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20122 Milano, Italy
| | - Joris Verheyde
- Radiobiology Unit, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, SCK•CEN, B-2400 Mol, Belgium
| | - Sarah Baatout
- Radiobiology Unit, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, SCK•CEN, B-2400 Mol, Belgium Cell Systems and Imaging Research Group (CSI), Department of Molecular Biotechnology, Ghent University, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Mohammed A Benotmane
- Radiobiology Unit, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, SCK•CEN, B-2400 Mol, Belgium
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