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Jiang A, You L, Handley RR, Hawkins V, Reid SJ, Jacobsen JC, Patassini S, Rudiger SR, Mclaughlan CJ, Kelly JM, Verma PJ, Bawden CS, Gusella JF, MacDonald ME, Waldvogel HJ, Faull RLM, Lehnert K, Snell RG. Single nuclei RNA-seq reveals a medium spiny neuron glutamate excitotoxicity signature prior to the onset of neuronal death in an ovine Huntington's disease model. Hum Mol Genet 2024:ddae087. [PMID: 38776957 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddae087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative genetic disorder caused by an expansion in the CAG repeat tract of the huntingtin (HTT) gene resulting in behavioural, cognitive, and motor defects. Current knowledge of disease pathogenesis remains incomplete, and no disease course-modifying interventions are in clinical use. We have previously reported the development and characterisation of the OVT73 transgenic sheep model of HD. The 73 polyglutamine repeat is somatically stable and therefore likely captures a prodromal phase of the disease with an absence of motor symptomatology even at 5-years of age and no detectable striatal cell loss. To better understand the disease-initiating events we have undertaken a single nuclei transcriptome study of the striatum of an extensively studied cohort of 5-year-old OVT73 HD sheep and age matched wild-type controls. We have identified transcriptional upregulation of genes encoding N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) and kainate receptors in medium spiny neurons, the cell type preferentially lost early in HD. Further, we observed an upregulation of astrocytic glutamate uptake transporters and medium spiny neuron GABAA receptors, which may maintain glutamate homeostasis. Taken together, these observations support the glutamate excitotoxicity hypothesis as an early neurodegeneration cascade-initiating process but the threshold of toxicity may be regulated by several protective mechanisms. Addressing this biochemical defect early may prevent neuronal loss and avoid the more complex secondary consequences precipitated by cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Jiang
- Applied Translational Genetics Group, Centre for Brain Research, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, 3 Symonds Street, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
| | - Linya You
- Department of Human Anatomy & Histoembryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, 131 Dong'an Road, Shanghai 200032, China
- Key Laboratory of Medical Imaging Computing and Computer Assisted Intervention of Shanghai, 130 Dong'an Road, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Renee R Handley
- Applied Translational Genetics Group, Centre for Brain Research, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, 3 Symonds Street, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
| | - Victoria Hawkins
- Applied Translational Genetics Group, Centre for Brain Research, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, 3 Symonds Street, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
| | - Suzanne J Reid
- Applied Translational Genetics Group, Centre for Brain Research, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, 3 Symonds Street, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
| | - Jessie C Jacobsen
- Applied Translational Genetics Group, Centre for Brain Research, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, 3 Symonds Street, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
| | - Stefano Patassini
- Applied Translational Genetics Group, Centre for Brain Research, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, 3 Symonds Street, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
| | - Skye R Rudiger
- Molecular Biology and Reproductive Technology Laboratories, South Australian Research and Development Institute, 129 Holland Road, Adelaide, SA 5350, Australia
| | - Clive J Mclaughlan
- Molecular Biology and Reproductive Technology Laboratories, South Australian Research and Development Institute, 129 Holland Road, Adelaide, SA 5350, Australia
| | - Jennifer M Kelly
- Molecular Biology and Reproductive Technology Laboratories, South Australian Research and Development Institute, 129 Holland Road, Adelaide, SA 5350, Australia
| | - Paul J Verma
- Aquatic and Livestock Sciences, South Australian Research and Development Institute, 129 Holland Road, Adelaide, SA 5350, Australia
| | - C Simon Bawden
- Molecular Biology and Reproductive Technology Laboratories, South Australian Research and Development Institute, 129 Holland Road, Adelaide, SA 5350, Australia
| | - James F Gusella
- Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114, United States
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - Marcy E MacDonald
- Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114, United States
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - Henry J Waldvogel
- Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, Centre for Brain Research, Faculty of Medical and Health Science, The University of Auckland, 85 Park Road, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
| | - Richard L M Faull
- Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, Centre for Brain Research, Faculty of Medical and Health Science, The University of Auckland, 85 Park Road, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
| | - Klaus Lehnert
- Applied Translational Genetics Group, Centre for Brain Research, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, 3 Symonds Street, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
| | - Russell G Snell
- Applied Translational Genetics Group, Centre for Brain Research, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, 3 Symonds Street, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
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2
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McGarry A, Hunter K, Gaughan J, Auinger P, Ferraro TN, Pradhan B, Ferrucci L, Egan JM, Moaddel R. An exploratory metabolomic comparison of participants with fast or absent functional progression from 2CARE, a randomized, double-blind clinical trial in Huntington's disease. Sci Rep 2024; 14:1101. [PMID: 38212353 PMCID: PMC10784537 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-50553-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is increasingly recognized for diverse pathology outside of the nervous system. To describe the biology of HD in relation to functional progression, we previously analyzed the plasma and CSF metabolome in a cross-sectional study of participants who had various degrees of functional impairment. Here, we carried out an exploratory study in plasma from HD individuals over a 3-year time frame to assess whether differences exist between those with fast or absent clinical progression. There were more differences in circulating metabolite levels for fast progressors compared to absent progressors (111 vs 20, nominal p < 0.05). All metabolite changes in faster progressors were decreases, whereas some metabolite concentrations increased in absent progressors. Many of the metabolite levels that decreased in the fast progressors were higher at Screening compared to absent progressors but ended up lower by Year 3. Changes in faster progression suggest greater oxidative stress and inflammation (kynurenine, diacylglycerides, cysteine), disturbances in nitric oxide and urea metabolism (arginine, citrulline, ornithine, GABR), lower polyamines (putrescine and spermine), elevated glucose, and deficient AMPK signaling. Metabolomic differences between fast and absent progressors suggest the possibility of predicting functional decline in HD, and possibly delaying it with interventions to augment arginine, polyamines, and glucose regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew McGarry
- Department of Neurology, Cooper University Hospital and Cooper Medical School at Rowan University, Camden, NJ, USA.
| | - Krystal Hunter
- Department of Medicine, Cooper Medical School at Rowan University, Camden, NJ, USA
| | - John Gaughan
- Department of Neurology, Cooper University Hospital and Cooper Medical School at Rowan University, Camden, NJ, USA
| | - Peggy Auinger
- Department of Neurology, Center for Health and Technology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Thomas N Ferraro
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cooper Medical School at Rowan University, Camden, NJ, USA
| | - Basant Pradhan
- Department of Psychiatry, Cooper Medical School at Rowan University, Camden, NJ, USA
| | - Luigi Ferrucci
- Biomedical Research Center, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Josephine M Egan
- Biomedical Research Center, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Ruin Moaddel
- Biomedical Research Center, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA.
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3
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Nittari G, Roy P, Martinelli I, Bellitto V, Tomassoni D, Traini E, Tayebati SK, Amenta F. Rodent Models of Huntington's Disease: An Overview. Biomedicines 2023; 11:3331. [PMID: 38137552 PMCID: PMC10741199 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11123331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is an autosomal-dominant inherited neurological disorder caused by a genetic mutation in the IT15 gene. This neurodegenerative disorder is caused by a polyglutamine repeat expansion mutation in the widely expressed huntingtin (HTT) protein. HD is characterized by the degeneration of basal ganglia neurons and progressive cell death in intrinsic neurons of the striatum, accompanied by dementia and involuntary abnormal choreiform movements. Animal models have been extensively studied and have proven to be extremely valuable for therapeutic target evaluations. They reveal the hallmark of the age-dependent formation of aggregates or inclusions consisting of misfolded proteins. Animal models of HD have provided a therapeutic strategy to treat HD by suppressing mutant HTT (mHTT). Transgenic animal models have significantly increased our understanding of the molecular processes and pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the HD behavioral phenotype. Since effective therapies to cure or interrupt the course of the disease are not yet available, clinical research will have to make use of reliable animal models. This paper reviews the main studies of rodents as HD animal models, highlighting the neurological and behavioral differences between them. The choice of an animal model depends on the specific aspect of the disease to be investigated. Toxin-based models can still be useful, but most experimental hypotheses depend on success in a genetic model, whose choice is determined by the experimental question. There are many animal models showing similar HD symptoms or pathologies. They include chemical-induced HDs and genetic HDs, where cell-free and cell culture, lower organisms (such as yeast, Drosophila, C. elegans, zebrafish), rodents (mice, rats), and non-human primates are involved. These models provide accessible systems to study molecular pathogenesis and test potential treatments. For developing more effective pharmacological treatments, better animal models must be available and used to evaluate the efficacy of drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulio Nittari
- School of Medicinal and Health Products Sciences, University of Camerino, Via Madonna Delle Carceri, 9, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (G.N.); (P.R.); (I.M.); (V.B.); (E.T.); (S.K.T.)
| | - Proshanta Roy
- School of Medicinal and Health Products Sciences, University of Camerino, Via Madonna Delle Carceri, 9, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (G.N.); (P.R.); (I.M.); (V.B.); (E.T.); (S.K.T.)
| | - Ilenia Martinelli
- School of Medicinal and Health Products Sciences, University of Camerino, Via Madonna Delle Carceri, 9, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (G.N.); (P.R.); (I.M.); (V.B.); (E.T.); (S.K.T.)
| | - Vincenzo Bellitto
- School of Medicinal and Health Products Sciences, University of Camerino, Via Madonna Delle Carceri, 9, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (G.N.); (P.R.); (I.M.); (V.B.); (E.T.); (S.K.T.)
| | - Daniele Tomassoni
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Via Gentile III da Varano, 62032 Camerino, Italy;
| | - Enea Traini
- School of Medicinal and Health Products Sciences, University of Camerino, Via Madonna Delle Carceri, 9, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (G.N.); (P.R.); (I.M.); (V.B.); (E.T.); (S.K.T.)
| | - Seyed Khosrow Tayebati
- School of Medicinal and Health Products Sciences, University of Camerino, Via Madonna Delle Carceri, 9, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (G.N.); (P.R.); (I.M.); (V.B.); (E.T.); (S.K.T.)
| | - Francesco Amenta
- School of Medicinal and Health Products Sciences, University of Camerino, Via Madonna Delle Carceri, 9, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (G.N.); (P.R.); (I.M.); (V.B.); (E.T.); (S.K.T.)
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Jiang A, Handley RR, Lehnert K, Snell RG. From Pathogenesis to Therapeutics: A Review of 150 Years of Huntington's Disease Research. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13021. [PMID: 37629202 PMCID: PMC10455900 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241613021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a debilitating neurodegenerative genetic disorder caused by an expanded polyglutamine-coding (CAG) trinucleotide repeat in the huntingtin (HTT) gene. HD behaves as a highly penetrant dominant disorder likely acting through a toxic gain of function by the mutant huntingtin protein. Widespread cellular degeneration of the medium spiny neurons of the caudate nucleus and putamen are responsible for the onset of symptomology that encompasses motor, cognitive, and behavioural abnormalities. Over the past 150 years of HD research since George Huntington published his description, a plethora of pathogenic mechanisms have been proposed with key themes including excitotoxicity, dopaminergic imbalance, mitochondrial dysfunction, metabolic defects, disruption of proteostasis, transcriptional dysregulation, and neuroinflammation. Despite the identification and characterisation of the causative gene and mutation and significant advances in our understanding of the cellular pathology in recent years, a disease-modifying intervention has not yet been clinically approved. This review includes an overview of Huntington's disease, from its genetic aetiology to clinical presentation and its pathogenic manifestation. An updated view of molecular mechanisms and the latest therapeutic developments will also be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Jiang
- Applied Translational Genetics Group, Centre for Brain Research, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand; (R.R.H.); (K.L.); (R.G.S.)
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Martinez-Rojas VA, Juarez-Hernandez LJ, Musio C. Ion channels and neuronal excitability in polyglutamine neurodegenerative diseases. Biomol Concepts 2022; 13:183-199. [DOI: 10.1515/bmc-2022-0018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Polyglutamine (polyQ) diseases are a family composed of nine neurodegenerative inherited disorders (NDDs) caused by pathological expansions of cytosine-adenine-guanine (CAG) trinucleotide repeats which encode a polyQ tract in the corresponding proteins. CAG polyQ repeat expansions produce neurodegeneration via multiple downstream mechanisms; among those the neuronal activity underlying the ion channels is affected directly by specific channelopathies or indirectly by secondary dysregulation. In both cases, the altered excitability underlies to gain- or loss-of-function pathological effects. Here we summarize the repertoire of ion channels in polyQ NDDs emphasizing the biophysical features of neuronal excitability and their pathogenic role. The aim of this review is to point out the value of a deeper understanding of those functional mechanisms and processes as crucial elements for the designing and targeting of novel therapeutic avenues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir A. Martinez-Rojas
- Institute of Biophysics (IBF), Trento Unit, National Research Council (CNR) , Via Sommarive 18 , 38123 Trento , Italy
| | - Leon J. Juarez-Hernandez
- Institute of Biophysics (IBF), Trento Unit, National Research Council (CNR) , Via Sommarive 18 , 38123 Trento , Italy
| | - Carlo Musio
- Institute of Biophysics (IBF), Trento Unit, National Research Council (CNR) , Via Sommarive 18 , 38123 Trento , Italy
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6
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Interaction of Mitochondrial Calcium and ROS in Neurodegeneration. Cells 2022; 11:cells11040706. [PMID: 35203354 PMCID: PMC8869783 DOI: 10.3390/cells11040706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 02/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative disorders are currently incurable devastating diseases which are characterized by the slow and progressive loss of neurons in specific brain regions. Progress in the investigation of the mechanisms of these disorders helped to identify a number of genes associated with familial forms of these diseases and a number of toxins and risk factors which trigger sporadic and toxic forms of these diseases. Recently, some similarities in the mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases were identified, including the involvement of mitochondria, oxidative stress, and the abnormality of Ca2+ signaling in neurons and astrocytes. Thus, mitochondria produce reactive oxygen species during metabolism which play a further role in redox signaling, but this may also act as an additional trigger for abnormal mitochondrial calcium handling, resulting in mitochondrial calcium overload. Combinations of these factors can be the trigger of neuronal cell death in some pathologies. Here, we review the latest literature on the crosstalk of reactive oxygen species and Ca2+ in brain mitochondria in physiology and beyond, considering how changes in mitochondrial metabolism or redox signaling can convert this interaction into a pathological event.
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7
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Shenoy SA, Zheng S, Liu W, Dai Y, Liu Y, Hou Z, Mori S, Tang Y, Cheng J, Duan W, Li C. A novel and accurate full-length HTT mouse model for Huntington's disease. eLife 2022; 11:e70217. [PMID: 35023827 PMCID: PMC8758142 DOI: 10.7554/elife.70217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/31/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Here, we report the generation and characterization of a novel Huntington's disease (HD) mouse model BAC226Q by using a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) system, expressing full-length human HTT with ~226 CAG-CAA repeats and containing endogenous human HTT promoter and regulatory elements. BAC226Q recapitulated a full-spectrum of age-dependent and progressive HD-like phenotypes without unwanted and erroneous phenotypes. BAC226Q mice developed normally, and gradually exhibited HD-like psychiatric and cognitive phenotypes at 2 months. From 3 to 4 months, BAC226Q mice showed robust progressive motor deficits. At 11 months, BAC226Q mice showed significant reduced life span, gradual weight loss and exhibited neuropathology including significant brain atrophy specific to striatum and cortex, striatal neuronal death, widespread huntingtin inclusions, and reactive pathology. Therefore, the novel BAC226Q mouse accurately recapitulating robust, age-dependent, progressive HD-like phenotypes will be a valuable tool for studying disease mechanisms, identifying biomarkers, and testing gene-targeting therapeutic approaches for HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sushila A Shenoy
- Department of Neuroscience, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical SciencesNew YorkUnited States
| | - Sushuang Zheng
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, School of Life Sciences, Peking UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Wencheng Liu
- Department of Neuroscience, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical SciencesNew YorkUnited States
| | - Yuanyi Dai
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, School of Life Sciences, Peking UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Yuanxiu Liu
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, School of Life Sciences, Peking UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Zhipeng Hou
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Susumu Mori
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Yi Tang
- Innovation Center for Neurological Disorders, Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, National Center for Neurological DisordersBeijingChina
| | - Jerry Cheng
- Department of Computer Science, New York Institute of TechnologyNew YorkUnited States
| | - Wenzhen Duan
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences; Solomon H.Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of medicineBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Chenjian Li
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, School of Life Sciences, Peking UniversityBeijingChina
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Wakida NM, Lau AL, Nguyen J, Cruz GMS, Fote GM, Steffan JS, Thompson LM, Berns MW. Diminished LC3-Associated Phagocytosis by Huntington's Disease Striatal Astrocytes. J Huntingtons Dis 2022; 11:25-33. [PMID: 35253772 PMCID: PMC9028675 DOI: 10.3233/jhd-210502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In recent years the functions of astrocytes have shifted from conventional supportive roles to also include active roles in altering synapses and engulfment of cellular debris. Recent studies have implicated astrocytes in both protective and pathogenic roles impacting Huntington's disease (HD) progression. OBJECTIVE The goal of this study is to determine if phagocytosis of cellular debris is compromised in HD striatal astrocytes. METHODS Primary adult astrocytes were derived from two HD mouse models; the fast-progressing R6/2 and slower progressing Q175. With the use of laser nanosurgery, a single astrocyte was lysed within an astrocyte network. The phagocytic response of astrocytes was observed with phase contrast and by fluorescence microscopy for GFP-LC3 transiently transfected cells. RESULTS Astrocyte phagocytosis was significantly diminished in primary astrocytes, consistent with the progression of HD in R6/2 and Q175 mouse models. This was defined by the number of astrocytes responding via phagocytosis and by the average number of vesicles formed per cell. GFP-LC3 was found to increasingly localize to phagocytic vesicles over a 20-min imaging period, but not in HD mice, suggesting the involvement of LC3 in astrocyte phagocytosis. CONCLUSION We demonstrate a progressive decrease in LC3-associated phagocytosis in HD mouse striatal astrocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole M. Wakida
- Biomedical Engineering, Beckman Laser Institute, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Alice L. Lau
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Jessica Nguyen
- Biomedical Engineering, Beckman Laser Institute, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Gladys Mae S. Cruz
- Biomedical Engineering, Beckman Laser Institute, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Gianna M. Fote
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Joan S. Steffan
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Leslie M. Thompson
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
- Department of Neurobiology and Human Behavior, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Michael W. Berns
- Biomedical Engineering, Beckman Laser Institute, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
- Institute of Engineering in Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
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9
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Sönmez A, Mustafa R, Ryll ST, Tuorto F, Wacheul L, Ponti D, Litke C, Hering T, Kojer K, Koch J, Pitzer C, Kirsch J, Neueder A, Kreiner G, Lafontaine DLJ, Orth M, Liss B, Parlato R. Nucleolar stress controls mutant Huntington toxicity and monitors Huntington's disease progression. Cell Death Dis 2021; 12:1139. [PMID: 34880223 PMCID: PMC8655027 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-021-04432-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Transcriptional and cellular-stress surveillance deficits are hallmarks of Huntington's disease (HD), a fatal autosomal-dominant neurodegenerative disorder caused by a pathological expansion of CAG repeats in the Huntingtin (HTT) gene. The nucleolus, a dynamic nuclear biomolecular condensate and the site of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) transcription, is implicated in the cellular stress response and in protein quality control. While the exact pathomechanisms of HD are still unclear, the impact of nucleolar dysfunction on HD pathophysiology in vivo remains elusive. Here we identified aberrant maturation of rRNA and decreased translational rate in association with human mutant Huntingtin (mHTT) expression. The protein nucleophosmin 1 (NPM1), important for nucleolar integrity and rRNA maturation, loses its prominent nucleolar localization. Genetic disruption of nucleolar integrity in vulnerable striatal neurons of the R6/2 HD mouse model decreases the distribution of mHTT in a disperse state in the nucleus, exacerbating motor deficits. We confirmed NPM1 delocalization in the gradually progressing zQ175 knock-in HD mouse model: in the striatum at a presymptomatic stage and in the skeletal muscle at an early symptomatic stage. In Huntington's patient skeletal muscle biopsies, we found a selective redistribution of NPM1, similar to that in the zQ175 model. Taken together, our study demonstrates that nucleolar integrity regulates the formation of mHTT inclusions in vivo, and identifies NPM1 as a novel, readily detectable peripheral histopathological marker of HD progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aynur Sönmez
- Institute of Applied Physiology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
- RNA Molecular Biology, Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique (F.R.S./FNRS), Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Biopark campus, Gosselies, Belgium
| | - Rasem Mustafa
- Institute of Applied Physiology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Salome T Ryll
- Institute of Applied Physiology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Francesca Tuorto
- Division of Biochemistry, Mannheim Institute for Innate Immunoscience (MI3), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim and Center for Molecular Biology of Heidelberg University (ZMBH), DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ludivine Wacheul
- RNA Molecular Biology, Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique (F.R.S./FNRS), Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Biopark campus, Gosselies, Belgium
| | - Donatella Ponti
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, University of Rome "Sapienza", Rome, Italy
| | - Christian Litke
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Tanja Hering
- Department of Neurology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Kerstin Kojer
- Department of Neurology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Jenniver Koch
- Institute of Applied Physiology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Claudia Pitzer
- Interdisciplinary Neurobehavioral Core (INBC), Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Joachim Kirsch
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Grzegorz Kreiner
- Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Department of Brain Biochemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Krakow, Poland
| | - Denis L J Lafontaine
- RNA Molecular Biology, Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique (F.R.S./FNRS), Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Biopark campus, Gosselies, Belgium
| | - Michael Orth
- Department of Neurology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Birgit Liss
- Institute of Applied Physiology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
- Linacre & New College, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Rosanna Parlato
- Institute of Applied Physiology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany.
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.
- Division for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurology, Mannheim Center for Translational Neuroscience, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany.
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C57BL/6 Background Attenuates mHTT Toxicity in the Striatum of YAC128 Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222312664. [PMID: 34884469 PMCID: PMC8657915 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222312664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Mouse models are frequently used to study Huntington’s disease (HD). The onset and severity of neuronal and behavioral pathologies vary greatly between HD mouse models, which results from different huntingtin expression levels and different CAG repeat length. HD pathology appears to depend also on the strain background of mouse models. Thus, behavioral deficits of HD mice are more severe in the FVB than in the C57BL/6 background. Alterations in medium spiny neuron (MSN) morphology and function have been well documented in young YAC128 mice in the FVB background. Here, we tested the relevance of strain background for mutant huntingtin (mHTT) toxicity on the cellular level by investigating HD pathologies in YAC128 mice in the C57BL/6 background (YAC128/BL6). Morphology, spine density, synapse function and membrane properties were not or only subtly altered in MSNs of 12-month-old YAC128/BL6 mice. Despite the mild cellular phenotype, YAC128/BL6 mice showed deficits in motor performance. More pronounced alterations in MSN function were found in the HdhQ150 mouse model in the C57BL/6 background (HdhQ150/BL6). Consistent with the differences in HD pathology, the number of inclusion bodies was considerably lower in YAC128/BL6 mice than HdhQ150/BL6 mice. This study highlights the relevance of strain background for mHTT toxicity in HD mouse models.
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Yamin HG, Menkes-Caspi N, Stern EA, Cohen D. Age-Dependent Degradation of Locomotion Encoding in Huntington's Disease R6/2 Model Mice. J Huntingtons Dis 2021; 10:391-404. [PMID: 34420979 PMCID: PMC8609681 DOI: 10.3233/jhd-210492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Huntington's disease (HD) is an inherited fatal neurodegenerative disease, leading to neocortical and striatal atrophy. The commonly studied R6/2 HD transgenic mouse model displays progressive motor and cognitive deficits in parallel to major pathological changes in corticostriatal circuitry. OBJECTIVE To study how disease progression influences striatal encoding of movement. METHODS We chronically recorded neuronal activity in the dorsal striatum of R6/2 transgenic (Tg) mice and their age-matched nontransgenic littermate controls (WTs) during novel environment exposure, a paradigm which engages locomotion to explore the novel environment. RESULTS Exploratory locomotion degraded with age in Tg mice as compared to WTs. We encountered fewer putative medium spiny neurons (MSNs)-striatal projection neurons, and more inhibitory interneurons-putative fast spiking interneurons (FSIs) in Tg mice as compared to WTs. MSNs from Tg mice fired less spikes in bursts without changing their firing rate, while FSIs from these mice had a lower firing rate and more of them were task-responsive as compared to WTs. Additionally, MSNs from Tg mice displayed a reduced ability to encode locomotion across age groups, likely associated with their low prevalence in Tg mice, whereas the encoding of locomotion by FSIs from Tg mice was substantially reduced solely in old Tg mice as compared to WTs. CONCLUSION Our findings reveal an age-dependent decay in striatal information processing in transgenic mice. We propose that the ability of FSIs to compensate for the loss of MSNs by processes of recruitment and enhanced task-responsiveness diminishes with disease progression, possibly manifested in the displayed age-dependent degradation of exploratory locomotion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hagar G Yamin
- The Leslie and Susan Gonda Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - Noa Menkes-Caspi
- The Leslie and Susan Gonda Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - Edward A Stern
- The Leslie and Susan Gonda Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel.,MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Dana Cohen
- The Leslie and Susan Gonda Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel
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Monk R, Connor B. Cell Reprogramming to Model Huntington's Disease: A Comprehensive Review. Cells 2021; 10:cells10071565. [PMID: 34206228 PMCID: PMC8306243 DOI: 10.3390/cells10071565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Revised: 06/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington’s disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the progressive decline of motor, cognitive, and psychiatric functions. HD results from an autosomal dominant mutation that causes a trinucleotide CAG repeat expansion and the production of mutant Huntingtin protein (mHTT). This results in the initial selective and progressive loss of medium spiny neurons (MSNs) in the striatum before progressing to involve the whole brain. There are currently no effective treatments to prevent or delay the progression of HD as knowledge into the mechanisms driving the selective degeneration of MSNs has been hindered by a lack of access to live neurons from individuals with HD. The invention of cell reprogramming provides a revolutionary technique for the study, and potential treatment, of neurological conditions. Cell reprogramming technologies allow for the generation of live disease-affected neurons from patients with neurological conditions, becoming a primary technique for modelling these conditions in vitro. The ability to generate HD-affected neurons has widespread applications for investigating the pathogenesis of HD, the identification of new therapeutic targets, and for high-throughput drug screening. Cell reprogramming also offers a potential autologous source of cells for HD cell replacement therapy. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the use of cell reprogramming to model HD and a discussion on recent advancements in cell reprogramming technologies that will benefit the HD field.
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Impaired inhibitory GABAergic synaptic transmission and transcription studied in single neurons by Patch-seq in Huntington's disease. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2020293118. [PMID: 33952696 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2020293118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcriptional dysregulation in Huntington's disease (HD) causes functional deficits in striatal neurons. Here, we performed Patch-sequencing (Patch-seq) in an in vitro HD model to investigate the effects of mutant Huntingtin (Htt) on synaptic transmission and gene transcription in single striatal neurons. We found that expression of mutant Htt decreased the synaptic output of striatal neurons in a cell autonomous fashion and identified a number of genes whose dysregulation was correlated with physiological deficiencies in mutant Htt neurons. In support of a pivotal role for epigenetic mechanisms in HD pathophysiology, we found that inhibiting histone deacetylase 1/3 activities rectified several functional and morphological deficits and alleviated the aberrant transcriptional profiles in mutant Htt neurons. With this study, we demonstrate that Patch-seq technology can be applied both to better understand molecular mechanisms underlying a complex neurological disease at the single-cell level and to provide a platform for screening for therapeutics for the disease.
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Martire A, Pepponi R, Liguori F, Volonté C, Popoli P. P2X7 Receptor Agonist 2'(3')-O-(4-Benzoylbenzoyl)ATP Differently Modulates Cell Viability and Corticostriatal Synaptic Transmission in Experimental Models of Huntington's Disease. Front Pharmacol 2021; 11:633861. [PMID: 33679392 PMCID: PMC7933594 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.633861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington’s disease (HD) is a life-threatening neurodegenerative disorder. Altered levels and functions of the purinergic ionotropic P2X7 receptors (P2X7Rs) have been found in animal and cellular models of HD, suggesting their possible role in the pathogenesis of the disease; accordingly, the therapeutic potential of P2X7R antagonists in HD has been proposed. Here we further investigated the effects of P2X7R ligands in in vitro and ex vivo HD experimental models. In ST14A/Q120 rat striatal cells, we found a reduction of P2X7R expression; however, the P2X7R agonist 2′(3′)-O-(4-benzoylbenzoyl)adenosine-5′-triphosphate (BzATP) induced cellular death, and this effect was fully reversed by the antagonist periodate-oxidized adenosine 5′-triphosphate (OxATP). Moreover, in corticostriatal slices from symptomatic R6/2 mice, BzATP reduced the synaptic transmission to a larger extent than in wild-type (WT) mice. Such an effect was accompanied by a concomitant increase of the paired-pulse ratio, suggesting a presynaptic inhibitory action. This was confirmed to be the case, since while the effects of BzATP were unaffected by the P2X7R antagonist OxATP, they were blocked by the adenosine A1 receptor (A1R) antagonist 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (DPCPX), suggesting possible BzATP hydrolysis to 2′(3′)-O-(4-benzoylbenzoyl)adenosine (Bz-adenosine) and consequent activation of A1Rs as a mechanism. Taken together, these data point out that 1) P2X7R expression and activity are confirmed to be altered in the presence of HD mutation; 2) in some experimental settings, such an abnormal functioning can be ascribed to presynaptic A1Rs activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Martire
- National Center for Drug Research and Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Rita Pepponi
- National Center for Drug Research and Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Cinzia Volonté
- Preclinical Neuroscience, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy.,Institute for Systems Analysis and Computer Science "A. Ruberti", National Research Council (IASI-CNR), Rome, Italy
| | - Patrizia Popoli
- National Center for Drug Research and Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
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15
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Donaldson J, Powell S, Rickards N, Holmans P, Jones L. What is the Pathogenic CAG Expansion Length in Huntington's Disease? J Huntingtons Dis 2021; 10:175-202. [PMID: 33579866 PMCID: PMC7990448 DOI: 10.3233/jhd-200445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) (OMIM 143100) is caused by an expanded CAG repeat tract in the HTT gene. The inherited CAG length is known to expand further in somatic and germline cells in HD subjects. Age at onset of the disease is inversely correlated with the inherited CAG length, but is further modulated by a series of genetic modifiers which are most likely to act on the CAG repeat in HTT that permit it to further expand. Longer repeats are more prone to expansions, and this expansion is age dependent and tissue-specific. Given that the inherited tract expands through life and most subjects develop disease in mid-life, this implies that in cells that degenerate, the CAG length is likely to be longer than the inherited length. These findings suggest two thresholds- the inherited CAG length which permits further expansion, and the intracellular pathogenic threshold, above which cells become dysfunctional and die. This two-step mechanism has been previously proposed and modelled mathematically to give an intracellular pathogenic threshold at a tract length of 115 CAG (95% confidence intervals 70- 165 CAG). Empirically, the intracellular pathogenic threshold is difficult to determine. Clues from studies of people and models of HD, and from other diseases caused by expanded repeat tracts, place this threshold between 60- 100 CAG, most likely towards the upper part of that range. We assess this evidence and discuss how the intracellular pathogenic threshold in manifest disease might be better determined. Knowing the cellular pathogenic threshold would be informative for both understanding the mechanism in HD and deploying treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmine Donaldson
- MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Sophie Powell
- MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Nadia Rickards
- MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Peter Holmans
- MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Lesley Jones
- MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
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Cepeda C, Levine MS. Synaptic Dysfunction in Huntington's Disease: Lessons from Genetic Animal Models. Neuroscientist 2020; 28:20-40. [PMID: 33198566 DOI: 10.1177/1073858420972662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The understanding of the functional and structural changes occurring in the cerebral cortex and basal ganglia in Huntington's disease (HD) has benefited considerably from the generation of genetic animal models. Most studies of synaptic alterations in HD models have focused on the striatum, but a more complete picture of synaptic dysfunction in the cortico-basal ganglia-cortical loop is emerging. Here, we provide a review and analysis of current developments in the study of synaptic alterations in these areas using HD rodent models. Recent evidence indicates that cortical maldevelopment plays a role in synaptic dysfunction along the corticostriatal pathway that may have its roots in the way mutant huntingtin interacts with synaptic proteins. Furthermore, a progressive disconnection in the corticostriatal pathway leads to abnormal function engaging extrasynaptic N-methyl-D-aspartate glutamate receptors that contribute to eventual cell degeneration. In addition, biphasic increases followed by decreases in glutamate and dopamine release in the striatum could explain contrasting symptomatology in early and late stages of the disease. Changes in striatal output regions also are beginning to be examined. Finally, we highlight some therapeutic avenues aimed at rescuing synaptic dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Cepeda
- IDDRC, Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience & Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Michael S Levine
- IDDRC, Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience & Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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17
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Ponzi A, Barton SJ, Bunner KD, Rangel-Barajas C, Zhang ES, Miller BR, Rebec GV, Kozloski J. Striatal network modeling in Huntington's Disease. PLoS Comput Biol 2020; 16:e1007648. [PMID: 32302302 PMCID: PMC7197869 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1007648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Revised: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 01/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Medium spiny neurons (MSNs) comprise over 90% of cells in the striatum. In vivo MSNs display coherent burst firing cell assembly activity patterns, even though isolated MSNs do not burst fire intrinsically. This activity is important for the learning and execution of action sequences and is characteristically dysregulated in Huntington's Disease (HD). However, how dysregulation is caused by the various neural pathologies affecting MSNs in HD is unknown. Previous modeling work using simple cell models has shown that cell assembly activity patterns can emerge as a result of MSN inhibitory network interactions. Here, by directly estimating MSN network model parameters from single unit spiking data, we show that a network composed of much more physiologically detailed MSNs provides an excellent quantitative fit to wild type (WT) mouse spiking data, but only when network parameters are appropriate for the striatum. We find the WT MSN network is situated in a regime close to a transition from stable to strongly fluctuating network dynamics. This regime facilitates the generation of low-dimensional slowly varying coherent activity patterns and confers high sensitivity to variations in cortical driving. By re-estimating the model on HD spiking data we discover network parameter modifications are consistent across three very different types of HD mutant mouse models (YAC128, Q175, R6/2). In striking agreement with the known pathophysiology we find feedforward excitatory drive is reduced in HD compared to WT mice, while recurrent inhibition also shows phenotype dependency. We show that these modifications shift the HD MSN network to a sub-optimal regime where higher dimensional incoherent rapidly fluctuating activity predominates. Our results provide insight into a diverse range of experimental findings in HD, including cognitive and motor symptoms, and may suggest new avenues for treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Ponzi
- IBM Research, Computational Biology Center, Thomas J. Watson Research Laboratories, Yorktown Heights, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Scott J. Barton
- Program in Neuroscience, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Kendra D. Bunner
- Program in Neuroscience, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Claudia Rangel-Barajas
- Program in Neuroscience, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Emily S. Zhang
- Program in Neuroscience, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Benjamin R. Miller
- Program in Neuroscience, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, United States of America
| | - George V. Rebec
- Program in Neuroscience, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, United States of America
| | - James Kozloski
- IBM Research, Computational Biology Center, Thomas J. Watson Research Laboratories, Yorktown Heights, New York, United States of America
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18
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Franich NR, Hickey MA, Zhu C, Osborne GF, Ali N, Chu T, Bove NH, Lemesre V, Lerner RP, Zeitlin SO, Howland D, Neueder A, Landles C, Bates GP, Chesselet M. Phenotype onset in Huntington's disease knock-in mice is correlated with the incomplete splicing of the mutant huntingtin gene. J Neurosci Res 2019; 97:1590-1605. [PMID: 31282030 PMCID: PMC6801054 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2019] [Revised: 05/21/2019] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder caused by an expanded CAG repeat within the huntingtin (HTT) gene. The Q140 and HdhQ150 knock-in HD mouse models were generated such that HdhQ150 mice have an expanded CAG repeat inserted into the mouse Htt gene, whereas in the Q140s, mouse exon 1 Htt was replaced with a mutated version of human exon 1. By standardizing mouse strain background, breeding to homozygosity and employing sensitive behavioral tests, we demonstrate that the onset of behavioral phenotypes occurs earlier in the Q140 than the HdhQ150 knock-in mouse models and that huntingtin (HTT) aggregation appears earlier in the striata of Q140 mice. We have previously found that the incomplete splicing of mutant HTT from exon 1 to exon 2 results in the production of a small polyadenylated transcript that encodes the highly pathogenic mutant HTT exon 1 protein. In this report, we have identified a functional consequence of the sequence differences between these two models at the RNA level, in that the level of incomplete splicing, and of the mutant exon 1 HTT protein, are greater in the brains of Q140 mice. While differences in the human and mouse exon 1 HTT proteins (e.g., proline rich sequences) could also contribute to the phenotypic differences, our data indicate that the incomplete splicing of HTT and approaches to lower the levels of the exon 1 HTT transcript should be pursued as therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas R. Franich
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of MedicineUniversity of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesCalifornia
| | - Miriam A. Hickey
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of MedicineUniversity of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesCalifornia
- Department of PharmacologyUniversity of TartuTartuEstonia
| | - Chunni Zhu
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of MedicineUniversity of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesCalifornia
| | - Georgina F. Osborne
- Huntington’s Disease Centre, Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, Queen Square Institute of NeurologyUniversity College LondonLondonUK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCLUniversity College LondonLondonUK
| | - Nadira Ali
- Huntington’s Disease Centre, Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, Queen Square Institute of NeurologyUniversity College LondonLondonUK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCLUniversity College LondonLondonUK
| | - Tiffany Chu
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of MedicineUniversity of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesCalifornia
| | - Nicholas H. Bove
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of MedicineUniversity of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesCalifornia
| | - Vincent Lemesre
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of MedicineUniversity of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesCalifornia
| | - Renata P. Lerner
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of MedicineUniversity of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesCalifornia
| | - Scott O. Zeitlin
- Department of NeuroscienceUniversity of Virginia School of MedicineCharlottesvilleVirginia
| | - David Howland
- CHDI Management/CHDI Foundation Inc.New YorkNew York
| | - Andreas Neueder
- Huntington’s Disease Centre, Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, Queen Square Institute of NeurologyUniversity College LondonLondonUK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCLUniversity College LondonLondonUK
| | - Christian Landles
- Huntington’s Disease Centre, Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, Queen Square Institute of NeurologyUniversity College LondonLondonUK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCLUniversity College LondonLondonUK
| | - Gillian P. Bates
- Huntington’s Disease Centre, Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, Queen Square Institute of NeurologyUniversity College LondonLondonUK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCLUniversity College LondonLondonUK
| | - Marie‐Francoise Chesselet
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of MedicineUniversity of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesCalifornia
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Sex-dependent impaired locomotion and motor coordination in the HdhQ200/200 mouse model of Huntington's Disease. Neurobiol Dis 2019; 132:104607. [PMID: 31499139 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2019.104607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Revised: 08/02/2019] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Huntington's Disease (HD) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by severe loss of medium spiny neuron (MSN) function and striatal-dependent behaviors. We report that female HdhQ200/200 mice display an earlier onset and more robust deterioration in spontaneous locomotion and motor coordination measured at 8 months of age compared to male HdhQ200/200 mice. Remarkably, HdhQ200/200 mice of both sexes exhibit comparable impaired spontaneous locomotion and motor coordination at 10 months of age and reach moribund stage by 12 months of age, demonstrating reduced life span in this model system. Histopathological analysis revealed enhanced mutant huntingtin protein aggregation in male HdhQ200/200 striatal tissue at 8 months of age compared to female HdhQ200/200. Functional analysis of calcium dynamics in MSNs of female HdhQ200/200 mice using GCaMP6m imaging revealed elevated responses to excitatory cortical-striatal stimulation suggesting increased MSN excitability. Although there was no down-regulation of the expression of common HD biomarkers (DARPP-32, enkephalin and CB1R), we measured a sex-dependent reduction of the astrocytic glutamate transporter, GLT-1, in female HdhQ200/200 mice that was not detected in male HdhQ200/200 mice when compared to respective wild-type littermates. Our study outlines a sex-dependent rapid deterioration of striatal-dependent behaviors occurring in the HdhQ200/200 mouse line that does not involve alterations in the expression of common HD biomarkers and yet includes impaired MSN function.
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Ambroziak W, Fourie C, Montgomery JM. SAP97-mediated rescue of NMDA receptor surface distribution in a neuronal model of Huntington's disease. Hippocampus 2019; 28:707-723. [PMID: 30067285 DOI: 10.1002/hipo.22995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2018] [Revised: 04/22/2018] [Accepted: 05/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a genetic neurodegenerative disorder caused by an expansion of the CAG repeat tract in the HTT gene, leading to motor, cognitive, and psychiatric symptoms. At the cellular level, NMDA-type glutamate receptors are upregulated at glutamatergic extrasynaptic sites in HD, triggering cell death signaling pathways and driving HD neurodegeneration. Extrasynaptic and synaptic glutamate receptor trafficking and surface distribution are regulated by the α and β N-terminal isoforms of SAP97, a postsynaptic density protein localized at glutamatergic synapses. Here we examined the surface distribution of NMDARs and AMPARs in a cellular model of HD, and whether the manipulation of individual SAP97 isoforms can regulate receptor distribution in diseased neurons. Using dSTORM super-resolution imaging, we reveal that mutant HTT drives the elevation of extrasynaptic NMDAR clusters located 100-500 nm from the postsynaptic density. This was accompanied by a decline in synaptic NMDAR-mediated currents while surface NMDAR-mediated currents remained unchanged. These effects were induced within 3 days of mutant HTT expression in rat hippocampal neurons in vitro, and were specific for NMDARs and not observed with AMPARs. Intriguingly, upregulation of either α- or βSAP97 expression increased synaptic and/or perisynaptic NMDAR localization and prevented the shift of NMDARs to extrasynaptic sites in mutant HTT neurons. This was accompanied by the rescue of normal synaptic NMDAR-mediated currents. Taken together, our high-resolution data reveals plasticity in surface NMDAR localization driven by mutant HTT and identifies the similar but independent roles of SAP97 N-terminal isoforms in maintaining normal synaptic function in pathological states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wojciech Ambroziak
- Department of Physiology and Centre for Brain Research, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Chantelle Fourie
- Department of Physiology and Centre for Brain Research, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Johanna M Montgomery
- Department of Physiology and Centre for Brain Research, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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21
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Lavisse S, Williams S, Lecourtois S, van Camp N, Guillermier M, Gipchtein P, Jan C, Goutal S, Eymin L, Valette J, Delzescaux T, Perrier AL, Hantraye P, Aron Badin R. Longitudinal characterization of cognitive and motor deficits in an excitotoxic lesion model of striatal dysfunction in non-human primates. Neurobiol Dis 2019; 130:104484. [PMID: 31132407 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2019.104484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2019] [Revised: 05/21/2019] [Accepted: 05/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
As research progresses in the understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases like Huntington's disease (HD) and expands towards preclinical work for the development of new therapies, highly relevant animal models are increasingly needed to test new hypotheses and to validate new therapeutic approaches. In this light, we characterized an excitotoxic lesion model of striatal dysfunction in non-human primates (NHPs) using cognitive and motor behaviour assessment as well as functional imaging and post-mortem anatomical analyses. NHPs received intra-striatal stereotaxic injections of quinolinic acid bilaterally in the caudate nucleus and unilaterally in the left sensorimotor putamen. Post-operative MRI scans showed atrophy of the caudate nucleus and a large ventricular enlargement in all 6 NHPs that correlated with post-mortem measurements. Behavioral analysis showed deficits in 2 analogues of the Wisconsin card sorting test (perseverative behavior) and in an executive task, while no deficits were observed in a visual recognition or an episodic memory task at 6 months following surgery. Spontaneous locomotor activity was decreased after lesion and the incidence of apomorphine-induced dyskinesias was significantly increased at 3 and 6 months following lesion. Positron emission tomography scans obtained at end-point showed a major deficit in glucose metabolism and D2 receptor density limited to the lesioned striatum of all NHPs compared to controls. Post-mortem analyses revealed a significant loss of medium-sized spiny neurons in the striatum, a loss of neurons and fibers in the globus pallidus, a unilateral decrease in dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra and a loss of neurons in the motor and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Overall, we show that this robust NHP model presents specific behavioral (learning, execution and retention of cognitive tests) and metabolic functional deficits that, to the best of our knowledge, are currently not mimicked in any available large animal model of striatal dysfunction. Moreover, we used non-invasive, translational techniques like behavior and imaging to quantify such deficits and found that they correlate to a significant cell loss in the striatum and its main input and output structures. This model can thus significantly contribute to the pre-clinical longitudinal evaluation of the ability of new therapeutic cell, gene or pharmacotherapy approaches in restoring the functionality of the striatal circuitry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Lavisse
- MIRCen, CEA/IBFJ/DRF/LMN, 18 Route du Panorama, 92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France; UMR CEA CNRS 9199-Université Paris Saclay, 18 Route du Panorama, 92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France.
| | - Susannah Williams
- MIRCen, CEA/IBFJ/DRF/LMN, 18 Route du Panorama, 92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France; UMR CEA CNRS 9199-Université Paris Saclay, 18 Route du Panorama, 92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France.
| | - Sophie Lecourtois
- MIRCen, CEA/IBFJ/DRF/LMN, 18 Route du Panorama, 92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France; UMR CEA CNRS 9199-Université Paris Saclay, 18 Route du Panorama, 92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France.
| | - Nadja van Camp
- MIRCen, CEA/IBFJ/DRF/LMN, 18 Route du Panorama, 92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France; UMR CEA CNRS 9199-Université Paris Saclay, 18 Route du Panorama, 92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France.
| | - Martine Guillermier
- MIRCen, CEA/IBFJ/DRF/LMN, 18 Route du Panorama, 92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France; UMR CEA CNRS 9199-Université Paris Saclay, 18 Route du Panorama, 92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France.
| | - Pauline Gipchtein
- MIRCen, CEA/IBFJ/DRF/LMN, 18 Route du Panorama, 92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France; UMR CEA CNRS 9199-Université Paris Saclay, 18 Route du Panorama, 92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France.
| | - Caroline Jan
- MIRCen, CEA/IBFJ/DRF/LMN, 18 Route du Panorama, 92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France; UMR CEA CNRS 9199-Université Paris Saclay, 18 Route du Panorama, 92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France.
| | - Sébastien Goutal
- MIRCen, CEA/IBFJ/DRF/LMN, 18 Route du Panorama, 92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France; UMR CEA CNRS 9199-Université Paris Saclay, 18 Route du Panorama, 92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France.
| | - Leopold Eymin
- MIRCen, CEA/IBFJ/DRF/LMN, 18 Route du Panorama, 92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France; UMR CEA CNRS 9199-Université Paris Saclay, 18 Route du Panorama, 92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France.
| | - Julien Valette
- MIRCen, CEA/IBFJ/DRF/LMN, 18 Route du Panorama, 92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France; UMR CEA CNRS 9199-Université Paris Saclay, 18 Route du Panorama, 92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France.
| | - Thierry Delzescaux
- MIRCen, CEA/IBFJ/DRF/LMN, 18 Route du Panorama, 92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France; UMR CEA CNRS 9199-Université Paris Saclay, 18 Route du Panorama, 92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France.
| | - Anselme L Perrier
- Inserm U861, I-STEM, AFM, Corbeil-Essonnes 91100, cedex, France; UEVE U861, I-STEM, AFM, Corbeil-Essonnes 91100, cedex, France.
| | - Philippe Hantraye
- MIRCen, CEA/IBFJ/DRF/LMN, 18 Route du Panorama, 92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France; UMR CEA CNRS 9199-Université Paris Saclay, 18 Route du Panorama, 92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France.
| | - Romina Aron Badin
- MIRCen, CEA/IBFJ/DRF/LMN, 18 Route du Panorama, 92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France; UMR CEA CNRS 9199-Université Paris Saclay, 18 Route du Panorama, 92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France.
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Zhu F, Nair RR, Fisher EMC, Cunningham TJ. Humanising the mouse genome piece by piece. Nat Commun 2019; 10:1845. [PMID: 31015419 PMCID: PMC6478830 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-09716-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2018] [Accepted: 03/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
To better understand human health and disease, researchers create a wide variety of mouse models that carry human DNA. With recent advances in genome engineering, the targeted replacement of mouse genomic regions with orthologous human sequences has become increasingly viable, ranging from finely tuned humanisation of individual nucleotides and amino acids to the incorporation of many megabases of human DNA. Here, we examine emerging technologies for targeted genomic humanisation, we review the spectrum of existing genomically humanised mouse models and the insights such models have provided, and consider the lessons learned for designing such models in the future. Generation of transgenic mice has become routine in studying gene function and disease mechanisms, but often this is not enough to fully understand human biology. Here, the authors review the current state of the art of targeted genomic humanisation strategies and their advantages over classic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Zhu
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Remya R Nair
- Mammalian Genetics Unit, MRC Harwell Institute, Oxfordshire, OX11 0RD, UK
| | - Elizabeth M C Fisher
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, WC1N 3BG, UK.
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23
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Kang R, Wang L, Sanders SS, Zuo K, Hayden MR, Raymond LA. Altered Regulation of Striatal Neuronal N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Trafficking by Palmitoylation in Huntington Disease Mouse Model. Front Synaptic Neurosci 2019; 11:3. [PMID: 30846936 PMCID: PMC6393405 DOI: 10.3389/fnsyn.2019.00003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2018] [Accepted: 02/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) play a critical role in synaptic signaling, and alterations in the synaptic/extrasynaptic NMDAR balance affect neuronal survival. Studies have shown enhanced extrasynaptic GluN2B-type NMDAR (2B-NMDAR) activity in striatal neurons in the YAC128 mouse model of Huntington disease (HD), resulting in increased cell death pathway activation contributing to striatal vulnerability to degeneration. However, the mechanism(s) of altered GluN2B trafficking remains unclear. Previous work shows that GluN2B palmitoylation on two C-terminal cysteine clusters regulates 2B-NMDAR trafficking to the surface membrane and synapses in cortical neurons. Notably, two palmitoyl acyltransferases (PATs), zDHHC17 and zDHHC13, also called huntingtin-interacting protein 14 (HIP14) and HIP14-like (HIP14L), directly interact with the huntingtin protein (Htt), and mutant Htt disrupts this interaction. Here, we investigated whether GluN2B palmitoylation is involved in enhanced extrasynaptic surface expression of 2B-NMDARs in YAC128 striatal neurons and whether this process is regulated by HIP14 or HIP14L. We found reduced GluN2B palmitoylation in YAC128 striatum, specifically on cysteine cluster II. Consistent with that finding, the palmitoylation-deficient GluN2B Cysteine cluster II mutant exhibited enhanced, extrasynaptic surface expression in striatal neurons from wild-type mice, mimicking increased extrasynaptic 2B-NMDAR observed in YAC128 cultures. We also found that HIP14L palmitoylated GluN2B cysteine cluster II. Moreover, GluN2B palmitoylation levels were reduced in striatal tissue from HIP14L-deficient mice, and siRNA-mediated HIP14L knockdown in cultured neurons enhanced striatal neuronal GluN2B surface expression and susceptibility to NMDA toxicity. Thus, altered regulation of GluN2B palmitoylation levels by the huntingtin-associated PAT HIP14L may contribute to the cell death-signaling pathways underlying HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rujun Kang
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Research Centre and Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Liang Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Research Centre and Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Shaun S Sanders
- Department of Medical Genetics, Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Child and Family Research Institute, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Kurt Zuo
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Research Centre and Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Michael R Hayden
- Department of Medical Genetics, Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Child and Family Research Institute, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Lynn A Raymond
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Research Centre and Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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24
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Boussicault L, Kacher R, Lamazière A, Vanhoutte P, Caboche J, Betuing S, Potier MC. CYP46A1 protects against NMDA-mediated excitotoxicity in Huntington's disease: Analysis of lipid raft content. Biochimie 2018; 153:70-79. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2018.07.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2018] [Accepted: 07/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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25
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26
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Pan Y, Zhu Y, Yang W, Tycksen E, Liu S, Palucki J, Zhu L, Sasaki Y, Sharma MK, Kim AH, Zhang B, Yano H. The role of Twist1 in mutant huntingtin-induced transcriptional alterations and neurotoxicity. J Biol Chem 2018; 293:11850-11866. [PMID: 29891550 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra117.001211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2017] [Revised: 05/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder caused by an abnormal expansion of polyglutamine repeats in the huntingtin protein (Htt). Transcriptional dysregulation is an early event in the course of HD progression and is thought to contribute to disease pathogenesis, but how mutant Htt causes transcriptional alterations and subsequent cell death in neurons is not well understood. RNA-Seq analysis revealed that expression of a mutant Htt fragment in primary cortical neurons leads to robust gene expression changes before neuronal death. Basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor Twist1, which is essential for embryogenesis and is normally expressed at low levels in mature neurons, was substantially up-regulated in mutant Htt-expressing neurons in culture and in the brains of HD mouse models. Knockdown of Twist1 by RNAi in mutant Htt-expressing primary cortical neurons reversed the altered expression of a subset of genes involved in neuronal function and, importantly, abrogated neurotoxicity. Using brain-derived neurotrophic factor (Bdnf), which is known to be involved in HD pathogenesis, as a model gene, we found that Twist1 knockdown could reverse mutant Htt-induced DNA hypermethylation at the Bdnf regulatory region and reactivate Bdnf expression. Together, these results suggest that Twist1 is an important upstream mediator of mutant Htt-induced neuronal death and may in part operate through epigenetic mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ying Zhu
- From the Department of Neurological Surgery
| | - Wei Yang
- Genome Technology Access Center.,Department of Genetics
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Albert H Kim
- From the Department of Neurological Surgery.,Department of Genetics.,Department of Developmental Biology.,Center of Regenerative Medicine.,Department of Neurology, and.,Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110
| | - Bo Zhang
- Department of Developmental Biology.,Center of Regenerative Medicine
| | - Hiroko Yano
- From the Department of Neurological Surgery, .,Department of Genetics.,Center of Regenerative Medicine.,Department of Neurology, and.,Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110
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27
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Saavedra A, García-Díaz Barriga G, Pérez-Navarro E, Alberch J. Huntington's disease: novel therapeutic perspectives hanging in the balance. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2018; 22:385-399. [PMID: 29671352 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2018.1465930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Huntington's disease (HD), an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder caused by an expansion of CAG repeats in the huntingtin gene, has long been characterized by the presence of motor symptoms due to the loss of striatal projection neurons. Cognitive dysfunction and neuropsychiatric symptoms are also present and they occur in the absence of cell death in most mouse models, pointing to neuronal dysfunction and abnormal synaptic plasticity as causative mechanisms. Areas covered: Here, we focus on those common mechanisms altered by the presence of mutant huntingtin affecting corticostriatal and hippocampal function as therapeutic targets that could prove beneficial to ameliorate both cognitive and motor function in HD. Specifically, we discuss the importance of reestablishing the balance in (1) synaptic/extrasynaptic N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor signaling, (2) mitochondrial dynamics/trafficking, (3) TrkB/p75NTR signaling, and (4) transcriptional activity. Expert opinion: Mutant huntingtin has a broad impact on multiple cellular processes, which makes it very challenging to design a curative therapeutic strategy. As we point out here, novel therapeutic interventions should look for multi-purpose drugs targeting common and early affected processes leading to corticostriatal and hippocampal dysfunction that additionally operate in a feedforward vicious cycle downstream the activation of extrasynaptic N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Saavedra
- a Departament de Biomedicina, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Institut de Neurociències , Universitat de Barcelona , Barcelona , Spain.,b Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS) , Barcelona , Spain.,c Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED) , Spain
| | - Gerardo García-Díaz Barriga
- a Departament de Biomedicina, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Institut de Neurociències , Universitat de Barcelona , Barcelona , Spain.,b Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS) , Barcelona , Spain.,c Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED) , Spain
| | - Esther Pérez-Navarro
- a Departament de Biomedicina, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Institut de Neurociències , Universitat de Barcelona , Barcelona , Spain.,b Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS) , Barcelona , Spain.,c Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED) , Spain
| | - Jordi Alberch
- a Departament de Biomedicina, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Institut de Neurociències , Universitat de Barcelona , Barcelona , Spain.,b Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS) , Barcelona , Spain.,c Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED) , Spain
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28
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Yan S, Tu Z, Liu Z, Fan N, Yang H, Yang S, Yang W, Zhao Y, Ouyang Z, Lai C, Yang H, Li L, Liu Q, Shi H, Xu G, Zhao H, Wei H, Pei Z, Li S, Lai L, Li XJ. A Huntingtin Knockin Pig Model Recapitulates Features of Selective Neurodegeneration in Huntington's Disease. Cell 2018; 173:989-1002.e13. [PMID: 29606351 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2018.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 186] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2017] [Revised: 01/21/2018] [Accepted: 02/27/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is characterized by preferential loss of the medium spiny neurons in the striatum. Using CRISPR/Cas9 and somatic nuclear transfer technology, we established a knockin (KI) pig model of HD that endogenously expresses full-length mutant huntingtin (HTT). By breeding this HD pig model, we have successfully obtained F1 and F2 generation KI pigs. Characterization of founder and F1 KI pigs shows consistent movement, behavioral abnormalities, and early death, which are germline transmittable. More importantly, brains of HD KI pig display striking and selective degeneration of striatal medium spiny neurons. Thus, using a large animal model of HD, we demonstrate for the first time that overt and selective neurodegeneration seen in HD patients can be recapitulated by endogenously expressed mutant proteins in large mammals, a finding that also underscores the importance of using large mammals to investigate the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases and their therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sen Yan
- Ministry of Education CNS Regeneration Collaborative Joint Laboratory, Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, 510632 Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhuchi Tu
- Ministry of Education CNS Regeneration Collaborative Joint Laboratory, Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, 510632 Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhaoming Liu
- Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, South China Institute for Stem Cell, Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 510530 Guangzhou, China
| | - Nana Fan
- Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, South China Institute for Stem Cell, Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 510530 Guangzhou, China
| | - Huiming Yang
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Su Yang
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Weili Yang
- Ministry of Education CNS Regeneration Collaborative Joint Laboratory, Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, 510632 Guangzhou, China
| | - Yu Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, South China Institute for Stem Cell, Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 510530 Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhen Ouyang
- Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, South China Institute for Stem Cell, Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 510530 Guangzhou, China
| | - Chengdan Lai
- Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, South China Institute for Stem Cell, Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 510530 Guangzhou, China
| | - Huaqiang Yang
- Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, South China Institute for Stem Cell, Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 510530 Guangzhou, China
| | - Li Li
- Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, South China Institute for Stem Cell, Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 510530 Guangzhou, China
| | - Qishuai Liu
- Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, South China Institute for Stem Cell, Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 510530 Guangzhou, China
| | - Hui Shi
- Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, South China Institute for Stem Cell, Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 510530 Guangzhou, China
| | - Guangqing Xu
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080 Guangdong, China
| | - Heng Zhao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, 650201 Kunming, China
| | - Hongjiang Wei
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, 650201 Kunming, China
| | - Zhong Pei
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080 Guangdong, China
| | - Shihua Li
- Ministry of Education CNS Regeneration Collaborative Joint Laboratory, Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, 510632 Guangzhou, China; Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
| | - Liangxue Lai
- Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, South China Institute for Stem Cell, Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 510530 Guangzhou, China; Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Embryo Engineering, Institute of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, 130062 Changchun, China.
| | - Xiao-Jiang Li
- Ministry of Education CNS Regeneration Collaborative Joint Laboratory, Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, 510632 Guangzhou, China; Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
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29
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Zhang X, Wan JQ, Tong XP. Potassium channel dysfunction in neurons and astrocytes in Huntington's disease. CNS Neurosci Ther 2018; 24:311-318. [PMID: 29377621 DOI: 10.1111/cns.12804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2017] [Revised: 12/24/2017] [Accepted: 12/25/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a late-onset fatal neurodegenerative disease, characterized by progressive movement disorders, psychiatric symptoms, and cognitive impairment. The cytosine-adenine-guanine (CAG) triplet expansion encoding glutamine present in the protein huntingtin (Htt), produces widespread neuronal and glial pathology. Mutant huntingtin (mHtt) nuclear aggregates are the primary cause of cortical and striatal neuron degeneration, neuronal inflammation, apoptosis and eventual cell loss. The precise mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of neurodegeneration in HD remain poorly understood and HD patients have no current cure. Potassium channels are widely expressed in most cell types. In neurons, they play a crucial role in setting the resting membrane potential, mediating the rapid repolarization phase of the action potential and controlling sub-threshold oscillations of membrane potentials. In glial cells, their major contributions are maintaining the resting membrane potential and buffering extracellular K+ . Thus, potassium channels have an essential function in both physiological and pathological brain conditions. This review summarizes recent progress on potassium channels involved in the pathology of HD by using different HD mouse models. Exploring the dysfunction of potassium channels in the brain illustrates new approaches for targeting this channel for the treatment of HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Zhang
- Discipline of Neuroscience and Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie-Qing Wan
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao-Ping Tong
- Discipline of Neuroscience and Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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30
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Puigdellívol M, Saavedra A, Pérez-Navarro E. Cognitive dysfunction in Huntington's disease: mechanisms and therapeutic strategies beyond BDNF. Brain Pathol 2018; 26:752-771. [PMID: 27529673 DOI: 10.1111/bpa.12432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2016] [Accepted: 07/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the main focuses in Huntington's disease (HD) research, as well as in most neurodegenerative diseases, is the development of new therapeutic strategies, as currently there is no treatment to delay or prevent the progression of the disease. Neuronal dysfunction and neuronal death in HD are caused by a combination of interrelated pathogenic processes that lead to motor, cognitive and psychiatric symptoms. Understanding how mutant huntingtin impacts on a plethora of cellular functions could help to identify new molecular targets. Although HD has been classically classified as a neurodegenerative disease affecting voluntary movement, lately cognitive dysfunction is receiving increased attention as it is very invalidating for patients. Thus, an ambitious goal in HD research is to find altered molecular mechanisms that contribute to cognitive decline. In this review, we have focused on those findings related to corticostriatal and hippocampal cognitive dysfunction in HD, as well as on the underlying molecular mechanisms, which constitute potential therapeutic targets. These include alterations in synaptic plasticity, transcriptional machinery and neurotrophic and neurotransmitter signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mar Puigdellívol
- Departament de Biomedicina, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.,Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red (CIBER) sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Spain
| | - Ana Saavedra
- Departament de Biomedicina, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.,Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red (CIBER) sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Spain.,Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Esther Pérez-Navarro
- Departament de Biomedicina, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.,Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red (CIBER) sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Spain.,Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
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31
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Abstract
The identification of the mutation causing Huntington's disease (HD) has led to the generation of a large number of mouse models. These models are used to further enhance our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the disease, as well as investigating and identifying therapeutic targets for this disorder. Here we review the transgenic, knock-in mice commonly used to model HD, as well those that have been generated to study specific disease mechanisms. We then provide a brief overview of the importance of standardizing the use of HD mice and describe brief protocols used for genotyping the mouse models used within the Bates Laboratory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela P Farshim
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, Huntington's Disease Centre and Dementia Research Institute, University College London Institute of Neurology, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Gillian P Bates
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, Huntington's Disease Centre and Dementia Research Institute, University College London Institute of Neurology, London, WC1N 3BG, UK.
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32
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Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant progressive neurological disorder characterized by motor, cognitive, and psychiatric symptoms that typically present later on in life, although juvenile cases do exist. The identification of the disease-causing mutation, a CAG triplet repeat expansion in the HTT gene, in 1993 generated numerous investigations into the cellular and molecular pathways underlying the disorder. HD mouse models have played a prominent role in these studies, and the use of these mouse models of HD in the development and evaluation of novel therapeutic strategies is reviewed in this chapter. As new interventions and therapeutic approaches are evaluated and implemented, genetic mouse models will continue to be used with the hope of developing effective treatments for HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Kosior
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, and Department of Medical Genetics, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Blair R Leavitt
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, and Department of Medical Genetics, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
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33
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Reduced cell size, chromosomal aberration and altered proliferation rates are characteristics and confounding factors in the STHdh cell model of Huntington disease. Sci Rep 2017; 7:16880. [PMID: 29203806 PMCID: PMC5715050 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-17275-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2017] [Accepted: 11/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Huntington disease is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder caused by a CAG repeat expansion in the gene encoding the huntingtin protein. Expression of the mutant protein disrupts various intracellular pathways and impairs overall cell function. In particular striatal neurons seem to be most vulnerable to mutant huntingtin-related changes. A well-known and commonly used model to study molecular aspects of Huntington disease are the striatum-derived STHdh cell lines generated from wild type and huntingtin knock-in mouse embryos. However, obvious morphological differences between wild type and mutant cell lines exist, which have rarely been described and might not have always been considered when designing experiments or interpreting results. Here, we demonstrate that STHdh cell lines display differences in cell size, proliferation rate and chromosomal content. While the chromosomal divergence is considered to be a result of the cells’ tumour characteristics, differences in size and proliferation, however, were confirmed in a second non-immortalized Huntington disease cell model. Importantly, our results further suggest that the reported phenotypes can confound other study outcomes and lead to false conclusions. Thus, careful experimental design and data analysis are advised when using these cell models.
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34
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Winland CD, Welsh N, Sepulveda-Rodriguez A, Vicini S, Maguire-Zeiss KA. Inflammation alters AMPA-stimulated calcium responses in dorsal striatal D2 but not D1 spiny projection neurons. Eur J Neurosci 2017; 46:2519-2533. [PMID: 28921719 PMCID: PMC5673553 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.13711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2017] [Revised: 08/23/2017] [Accepted: 08/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Neuroinflammation precedes neuronal loss in striatal neurodegenerative diseases and can be exacerbated by the release of proinflammatory molecules by microglia. These molecules can affect trafficking of AMPARs. The preferential trafficking of calcium-permeable versus impermeable AMPARs can result in disruptions of [Ca2+ ]i and alter cellular functions. In striatal neurodegenerative diseases, changes in [Ca2+ ]i and L-type voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs) have been reported. Therefore, this study sought to determine whether a proinflammatory environment alters AMPA-stimulated [Ca2+ ]i through calcium-permeable AMPARs and/or L-type VGCCs in dopamine-2- and dopamine-1-expressing striatal spiny projection neurons (D2 and D1 SPNs) in the dorsal striatum. Mice expressing the calcium indicator protein, GCaMP in D2 or D1 SPNs, were utilized for calcium imaging. Microglial activation was assessed by morphology analyses. To induce inflammation, acute mouse striatal slices were incubated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Here we report that LPS treatment potentiated AMPA responses only in D2 SPNs. When a nonspecific VGCC blocker was included, we observed a decrease of AMPA-stimulated calcium fluorescence in D2 but not D1 SPNs. The remaining agonist-induced [Ca2+ ]i was mediated by calcium-permeable AMPARs because the responses were completely blocked by a selective calcium-permeable AMPAR antagonist. We used isradipine, the highly selective L-type VGCC antagonist to determine the role of L-type VGCCs in SPNs treated with LPS. Isradipine decreased AMPA-stimulated responses selectively in D2 SPNs after LPS treatment. Our findings suggest that dorsal striatal D2 SPNs are specifically targeted in proinflammatory conditions and that L-type VGCCs and calcium-permeable AMPARs are important mediators of this effect.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- CX3C Chemokine Receptor 1/genetics
- CX3C Chemokine Receptor 1/metabolism
- Calcium/metabolism
- Calcium Channel Blockers/pharmacology
- Calcium Channels, L-Type/metabolism
- Cations, Divalent/metabolism
- Corpus Striatum/drug effects
- Corpus Striatum/metabolism
- Corpus Striatum/pathology
- Dopaminergic Neurons/drug effects
- Dopaminergic Neurons/metabolism
- Dopaminergic Neurons/pathology
- Female
- Inflammation/metabolism
- Inflammation/pathology
- Lipopolysaccharides
- Male
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Transgenic
- Microglia/drug effects
- Microglia/metabolism
- Microglia/pathology
- Receptors, AMPA/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptors, AMPA/metabolism
- Receptors, Dopamine D1/genetics
- Receptors, Dopamine D1/metabolism
- Receptors, Dopamine D2/genetics
- Receptors, Dopamine D2/metabolism
- Tissue Culture Techniques
- alpha-Amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic Acid/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Carissa D. Winland
- Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, D.C. 20007 USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, D.C. 20007 USA
| | - Nora Welsh
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. 20007 USA
| | - Alberto Sepulveda-Rodriguez
- Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, D.C. 20007 USA
- Department of Pharmacology & Physiology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, D.C. 20007 USA
| | - Stefano Vicini
- Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, D.C. 20007 USA
- Department of Pharmacology & Physiology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, D.C. 20007 USA
| | - Kathleen A. Maguire-Zeiss
- Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, D.C. 20007 USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, D.C. 20007 USA
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. 20007 USA
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35
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Rangel-Barajas C, Rebec GV. Dysregulation of Corticostriatal Connectivity in Huntington's Disease: A Role for Dopamine Modulation. J Huntingtons Dis 2017; 5:303-331. [PMID: 27983564 PMCID: PMC5181679 DOI: 10.3233/jhd-160221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [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] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Aberrant communication between striatum, the main information processing unit of the basal ganglia, and cerebral cortex plays a critical role in the emergence of Huntington’s disease (HD), a fatal monogenetic condition that typically strikes in the prime of life. Although both striatum and cortex undergo substantial cell loss over the course of HD, corticostriatal circuits become dysfunctional long before neurons die. Understanding the dysfunction is key to developing effective strategies for treating a progressively worsening triad of motor, cognitive, and psychiatric symptoms. Cortical output neurons drive striatal activity through the release of glutamate, an excitatory amino acid. Striatal outputs, in turn, release γ-amino butyric acid (GABA) and exert inhibitory control over downstream basal ganglia targets. Ample evidence from transgenic rodent models points to dysregulation of corticostriatal glutamate transmission along with corresponding changes in striatal GABA release as underlying factors in the HD behavioral phenotype. Another contributor is dysregulation of dopamine (DA), a modulator of both glutamate and GABA transmission. In fact, pharmacological manipulation of DA is the only currently available treatment for HD symptoms. Here, we review data from animal models and human patients to evaluate the role of DA in HD, including DA interactions with glutamate and GABA within the context of dysfunctional corticostriatal circuitry.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - George V. Rebec
- Correspondence to: George V. Rebec, PhD, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Program in
Neuroscience, Indiana University, 1101 E. 10th Street, Bloomington, IN 47405-7007, USA. Tel.: +1 812 855 4832;
Fax: +1 812 855 4520; E-mail:
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36
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Morigaki R, Goto S. Striatal Vulnerability in Huntington's Disease: Neuroprotection Versus Neurotoxicity. Brain Sci 2017; 7:brainsci7060063. [PMID: 28590448 PMCID: PMC5483636 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci7060063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2017] [Revised: 06/02/2017] [Accepted: 06/03/2017] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Huntington’s disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disease caused by the expansion of a CAG trinucleotide repeat encoding an abnormally long polyglutamine tract (PolyQ) in the huntingtin (Htt) protein. In HD, striking neuropathological changes occur in the striatum, including loss of medium spiny neurons and parvalbumin-expressing interneurons accompanied by neurodegeneration of the striosome and matrix compartments, leading to progressive impairment of reasoning, walking and speaking abilities. The precise cause of striatal pathology in HD is still unknown; however, accumulating clinical and experimental evidence suggests multiple plausible pathophysiological mechanisms underlying striatal neurodegeneration in HD. Here, we review and discuss the characteristic neurodegenerative patterns observed in the striatum of HD patients and consider the role of various huntingtin-related and striatum-enriched proteins in neurotoxicity and neuroprotection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryoma Morigaki
- Parkinson's Disease and Dystonia Research Center, Tokushima University Hospital, Tokushima University, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan.
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disorders Research, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Tokushima University, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan.
- Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Tokushima University, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan.
| | - Satoshi Goto
- Parkinson's Disease and Dystonia Research Center, Tokushima University Hospital, Tokushima University, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan.
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disorders Research, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Tokushima University, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan.
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Tyebji S, Hannan AJ. Synaptopathic mechanisms of neurodegeneration and dementia: Insights from Huntington's disease. Prog Neurobiol 2017; 153:18-45. [PMID: 28377290 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2017.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2016] [Revised: 03/19/2017] [Accepted: 03/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Dementia encapsulates a set of symptoms that include loss of mental abilities such as memory, problem solving or language, and reduces a person's ability to perform daily activities. Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia, however dementia can also occur in other neurological disorders such as Huntington's disease (HD). Many studies have demonstrated that loss of neuronal cell function manifests pre-symptomatically and thus is a relevant therapeutic target to alleviate symptoms. Synaptopathy, the physiological dysfunction of synapses, is now being approached as the target for many neurological and psychiatric disorders, including HD. HD is an autosomal dominant and progressive degenerative disorder, with clinical manifestations that encompass movement, cognition, mood and behaviour. HD is one of the most common tandem repeat disorders and is caused by a trinucleotide (CAG) repeat expansion, encoding an extended polyglutamine tract in the huntingtin protein. Animal models as well as human studies have provided detailed, although not exhaustive, evidence of synaptic dysfunction in HD. In this review, we discuss the neuropathology of HD and how the changes in synaptic signalling in the diseased brain lead to its symptoms, which include dementia. Here, we review and discuss the mechanisms by which the 'molecular orchestras' and their 'synaptic symphonies' are disrupted in neurodegeneration and dementia, focusing on HD as a model disease. We also explore the therapeutic strategies currently in pre-clinical and clinical testing that are targeted towards improving synaptic function in HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiraz Tyebji
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Anthony J Hannan
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
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38
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Yuan Y, Balsara RD, Zajicek J, Kunda S, Castellino FJ. Discerning the Role of the Hydroxyproline Residue in the Structure of Conantokin Rl-B and Its Role in GluN2B Subunit-Selective Antagonistic Activity toward N-Methyl-d-Aspartate Receptors. Biochemistry 2016; 55:7112-7122. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.6b00962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yue Yuan
- W. M. Keck Center for Transgene Research and ‡Department of Chemistry
and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
| | - Rashna D. Balsara
- W. M. Keck Center for Transgene Research and ‡Department of Chemistry
and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
| | - Jaroslav Zajicek
- W. M. Keck Center for Transgene Research and ‡Department of Chemistry
and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
| | - Shailaja Kunda
- W. M. Keck Center for Transgene Research and ‡Department of Chemistry
and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
| | - Francis J. Castellino
- W. M. Keck Center for Transgene Research and ‡Department of Chemistry
and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
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39
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Akopian G, Barry J, Cepeda C, Levine MS. Altered membrane properties and firing patterns of external globus pallidus neurons in the R6/2 mouse model of Huntington's disease. J Neurosci Res 2016; 94:1400-1410. [PMID: 27618125 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.23889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2016] [Revised: 07/25/2016] [Accepted: 07/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
In mouse models of Huntington's disease (HD), striatal neuron properties are significantly altered. These alterations predict changes in striatal output regions. However, little is known about alterations in those regions. The present study examines changes in passive and active membrane properties of neurons in the external globus pallidus (GPe), the first relay station of the indirect pathway, in the R6/2 mouse model of juvenile HD at presymptomatic (1 month) and symptomatic (2 month) stages. In GPe, two principal types of neurons can be distinguished based on firing properties and the presence (type A) or absence (type B) of Ih currents. In symptomatic animals (2 month), cell membrane capacitance and input resistance of type A neurons were increased compared with controls. In addition, action potential afterhyperpolarization amplitude was reduced. Although the spontaneous firing rate of GPe neurons was not different between control and R6/2 mice, the number of spikes evoked by depolarizing current pulses was significantly reduced in symptomatic R6/2 animals. In addition, these changes were accompanied by altered firing patterns evidenced by increased interspike interval variation and increased number of bursts. Blockade of GABAA receptors facilitated bursting activity in R6/2 mice but not in control littermates. Thus, alterations in firing patterns could be caused by changes in intrinsic membrane conductances and modulated by synaptic inputs. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garnik Akopian
- Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Joshua Barry
- Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Carlos Cepeda
- Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Michael S Levine
- Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.
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40
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GluN3A promotes NMDA spiking by enhancing synaptic transmission in Huntington's disease models. Neurobiol Dis 2016; 93:47-56. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2016.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2015] [Revised: 03/23/2016] [Accepted: 04/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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41
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Southwell AL, Smith-Dijak A, Kay C, Sepers M, Villanueva EB, Parsons MP, Xie Y, Anderson L, Felczak B, Waltl S, Ko S, Cheung D, Dal Cengio L, Slama R, Petoukhov E, Raymond LA, Hayden MR. An enhanced Q175 knock-in mouse model of Huntington disease with higher mutant huntingtin levels and accelerated disease phenotypes. Hum Mol Genet 2016; 25:3654-3675. [PMID: 27378694 PMCID: PMC5216613 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddw212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2016] [Revised: 06/07/2016] [Accepted: 06/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington disease (HD) model mice with heterozygous knock-in (KI) of an expanded CAG tract in exon 1 of the mouse huntingtin (Htt) gene homolog genetically recapitulate the mutation that causes HD, and might be favoured for preclinical studies. However, historically these mice have failed to phenotypically recapitulate the human disease. Thus, homozygous KI mice, which lack wildtype Htt, and are much less relevant to human HD, have been used. The zQ175 model was the first KI mouse to exhibit significant HD-like phenotypes when heterozygous. In an effort to exacerbate HD-like phenotypes and enhance preclinical utility, we have backcrossed zQ175 mice to FVB/N, a strain highly susceptible to neurodegeneration. These Q175F mice display significant HD-like phenotypes along with sudden early death from fatal seizures. The zQ175 KI allele retains a floxed neomycin resistance cassette upstream of the Htt gene locus and produces dramatically reduced mutant Htt as compared to the endogenous wildtype Htt allele. By intercrossing with mice expressing cre in germ line cells, we have excised the neo cassette from Q175F mice generating a new line, Q175FΔneo (Q175FDN). Removal of the neo cassette resulted in a ∼2 fold increase in mutant Htt and rescue of fatal seizures, indicating that the early death phenotype of Q175F mice is caused by Htt deficiency rather than by mutant Htt. Additionally, Q175FDN mice exhibit earlier onset and a greater variety and severity of HD-like phenotypes than Q175F mice or any previously reported KI HD mouse model, making them valuable for preclinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amber L Southwell
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Child and Family Research Institute
| | - Amy Smith-Dijak
- Department of Psychiatry, Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Chris Kay
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Child and Family Research Institute
| | - Marja Sepers
- Department of Psychiatry, Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Erika B Villanueva
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Child and Family Research Institute
| | - Matthew P Parsons
- Department of Psychiatry, Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Yuanyun Xie
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Child and Family Research Institute
| | - Lisa Anderson
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Child and Family Research Institute
| | - Boguslaw Felczak
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Child and Family Research Institute
| | - Sabine Waltl
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Child and Family Research Institute
| | - Seunghyun Ko
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Child and Family Research Institute
| | - Daphne Cheung
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Child and Family Research Institute
| | - Louisa Dal Cengio
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Child and Family Research Institute
| | - Ramy Slama
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Child and Family Research Institute
| | - Eugenia Petoukhov
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Child and Family Research Institute
| | - Lynn A Raymond
- Department of Psychiatry, Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Michael R Hayden
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Child and Family Research Institute
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Neuropeptide Y (NPY) as a therapeutic target for neurodegenerative diseases. Neurobiol Dis 2016; 95:210-24. [PMID: 27461050 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2016.07.022] [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] [Received: 03/30/2016] [Revised: 06/29/2016] [Accepted: 07/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuropeptide Y (NPY) and NPY receptors are widely expressed in the mammalian central nervous system. Studies in both humans and rodent models revealed that brain NPY levels are altered in some neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease and Machado-Joseph disease. In this review, we will focus on the roles of NPY in the pathological mechanisms of these disorders, highlighting NPY as a neuroprotective agent, as a neural stem cell proliferative agent, as an agent that increases trophic support, as a stimulator of autophagy and as an inhibitor of excitotoxicity and neuroinflammation. Moreover, the effect of NPY in some clinical manifestations commonly observed in Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease and Machado-Joseph disease, such as depressive symptoms and body weight loss, are also discussed. In conclusion, this review highlights NPY system as a potential therapeutic target in neurodegenerative diseases.
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43
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Valera AG, Díaz-Hernández M, Hernández F, Ortega Z, Lucas JJ. The Ubiquitin-Proteasome System in Huntington’s Disease. Neuroscientist 2016; 11:583-94. [PMID: 16282599 DOI: 10.1177/1073858405280639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The main histopathological feature of Huntington’s disease (HD) is the presence of protein aggregates that are gathered into inclusion bodies. So far the mechanisms that lead to inclusion formation as well as their role in the pathogenesis of HD are not totally understood. However, it is well established that inclusion bodies contain components of the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Accordingly, it has been postulated that impairment of this machinery can be one of the causes of this disorder. In this review, the authors summarize the state of current knowledge about this hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- A G Valera
- Centro de Biologia Molecular Severo Ochoa, CSIC/UAM, Campus UAM, Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain
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44
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Krench M, Cho RW, Littleton JT. A Drosophila model of Huntington disease-like 2 exhibits nuclear toxicity and distinct pathogenic mechanisms from Huntington disease. Hum Mol Genet 2016; 25:3164-3177. [PMID: 27288455 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddw166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2016] [Revised: 04/22/2016] [Accepted: 05/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington disease-like 2 (HDL2) and Huntington disease (HD) are adult-onset neurodegenerative diseases characterized by movement disorders, psychiatric disturbances and cognitive decline. Brain tissue from HD and HDL2 patients shows degeneration of the striatum and ubiquitinated inclusions immunoreactive for polyglutamine (polyQ) antibodies. Despite these similarities, the diseases result from different genetic mutations. HD is caused by a CAG repeat expansion in the huntingtin (HTT) gene, while HDL2 results from an expansion at the junctophilin 3 (JPH3) locus. Recent evidence indicates that the HDL2 expansion may give rise to a toxic polyQ protein translated from an antisense mRNA derived from the JPH3 locus. To investigate this hypothesis, we generated and characterized a Drosophila HDL2 model and compared it with a previously established HD model. We find that neuronal expression of HDL2-Q15 is not toxic, while the expression of an expanded HDL2-Q138 protein is lethal. HDL2-Q138 forms large nuclear aggregates, with only smaller puncta observed in the cytoplasm. This is in contrast to what is observed in a Drosophila model of HD, where polyQ aggregates localize exclusively to the cytoplasm. Altering localization of HLD2 with the addition of a nuclear localization or nuclear export sequence demonstrates that nuclear accumulation is required for toxicity in the Drosophila HDL2 model. Directing HDL2-Q138 to the nucleus exacerbates toxicity in multiple tissue types, while confining HDL2-Q138 to the cytoplasm restores viability to control levels. We conclude that while HD and HDL2 have similar clinical profiles, distinct pathogenic mechanisms are likely to drive toxicity in Drosophila models of these disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Krench
- The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences
| | - Richard W Cho
- The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences.,Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - J Troy Littleton
- The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences .,Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
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45
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Rocher AB, Gubellini P, Merienne N, Boussicault L, Petit F, Gipchtein P, Jan C, Hantraye P, Brouillet E, Bonvento G. Synaptic scaling up in medium spiny neurons of aged BACHD mice: A slow-progression model of Huntington's disease. Neurobiol Dis 2016; 86:131-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2015.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2015] [Revised: 09/24/2015] [Accepted: 10/16/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
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46
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Lewerenz J, Maher P. Chronic Glutamate Toxicity in Neurodegenerative Diseases-What is the Evidence? Front Neurosci 2015; 9:469. [PMID: 26733784 PMCID: PMC4679930 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2015.00469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 461] [Impact Index Per Article: 51.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2015] [Accepted: 11/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Together with aspartate, glutamate is the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain. Glutamate binds and activates both ligand-gated ion channels (ionotropic glutamate receptors) and a class of G-protein coupled receptors (metabotropic glutamate receptors). Although the intracellular glutamate concentration in the brain is in the millimolar range, the extracellular glutamate concentration is kept in the low micromolar range by the action of excitatory amino acid transporters that import glutamate and aspartate into astrocytes and neurons. Excess extracellular glutamate may lead to excitotoxicity in vitro and in vivo in acute insults like ischemic stroke via the overactivation of ionotropic glutamate receptors. In addition, chronic excitotoxicity has been hypothesized to play a role in numerous neurodegenerative diseases including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease and Huntington's disease. Based on this hypothesis, a good deal of effort has been devoted to develop and test drugs that either inhibit glutamate receptors or decrease extracellular glutamate. In this review, we provide an overview of the different pathways that are thought to lead to an over-activation of the glutamatergic system and glutamate toxicity in neurodegeneration. In addition, we summarize the available experimental evidence for glutamate toxicity in animal models of neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Lewerenz
- Department of Neurology, Ulm UniversityUlm, Germany
| | - Pamela Maher
- Cellular Neurobiology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological StudiesLa Jolla, CA, USA
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47
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Liu WC, Kohn J, Szwed SK, Pariser E, Sepe S, Haripal B, Oshimori N, Marsala M, Miyanohara A, Lee R. Human mutant huntingtin disrupts vocal learning in transgenic songbirds. Nat Neurosci 2015; 18:1617-22. [PMID: 26436900 DOI: 10.1038/nn.4133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2015] [Accepted: 09/08/2015] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Speech and vocal impairments characterize many neurological disorders. However, the neurogenetic mechanisms of these disorders are not well understood, and current animal models do not have the necessary circuitry to recapitulate vocal learning deficits. We developed germline transgenic songbirds, zebra finches (Taneiopygia guttata) expressing human mutant huntingtin (mHTT), a protein responsible for the progressive deterioration of motor and cognitive function in Huntington's disease (HD). Although generally healthy, the mutant songbirds had severe vocal disorders, including poor vocal imitation, stuttering, and progressive syntax and syllable degradation. Their song abnormalities were associated with HD-related neuropathology and dysfunction of the cortical-basal ganglia (CBG) song circuit. These transgenics are, to the best of our knowledge, the first experimentally created, functional mutant songbirds. Their progressive and quantifiable vocal disorder, combined with circuit dysfunction in the CBG song system, offers a model for genetic manipulation and the development of therapeutic strategies for CBG-related vocal and motor disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wan-Chun Liu
- Laboratory of Animal Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Jessica Kohn
- Laboratory of Animal Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Sarah K Szwed
- Laboratory of Animal Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Eben Pariser
- Laboratory of Animal Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Sharon Sepe
- Laboratory of Animal Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Bhagwattie Haripal
- Laboratory of Animal Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Naoki Oshimori
- Laboratory of Mammalian Cell Biology and Development, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Martin Marsala
- Neurodegeneration Laboratory, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Atsushi Miyanohara
- Vector Development Core Lab, UCSD School of Medicine, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Ramee Lee
- CHDI Management Inc., New York, New York, USA
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Kunda S, Yuan Y, Balsara RD, Zajicek J, Castellino FJ. Hydroxyproline-induced Helical Disruption in Conantokin Rl-B Affects Subunit-selective Antagonistic Activities toward Ion Channels of N-Methyl-d-aspartate Receptors. J Biol Chem 2015; 290:18156-18172. [PMID: 26048991 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m115.650341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2015] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Conantokins are ~20-amino acid peptides present in predatory marine snail venoms that function as allosteric antagonists of ion channels of the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR). These peptides possess a high percentage of post-/co-translationally modified amino acids, particularly γ-carboxyglutamate (Gla). Appropriately spaced Gla residues allow binding of functional divalent cations, which induces end-to-end α-helices in many conantokins. A smaller number of these peptides additionally contain 4-hydroxyproline (Hyp). Hyp should prevent adoption of the metal ion-induced full α-helix, with unknown functional consequences. To address this disparity, as well as the role of Hyp in conantokins, we have solved the high resolution three-dimensional solution structure of a Gla/Hyp-containing 18-residue conantokin, conRl-B, by high field NMR spectroscopy. We show that Hyp(10) disrupts only a small region of the α-helix of the Mn(2+)·peptide complex, which displays cation-induced α-helices on each terminus of the peptide. The function of conRl-B was examined by measuring its inhibition of NMDA/Gly-mediated current through NMDAR ion channels in mouse cortical neurons. The conRl-B displays high inhibitory selectivity for subclasses of NMDARs that contain the functionally important GluN2B subunit. Replacement of Hyp(10) with N(8)Q results in a Mg(2+)-complexed end-to-end α-helix, accompanied by attenuation of NMDAR inhibitory activity. However, replacement of Hyp(10) with Pro(10) allowed the resulting peptide to retain its inhibitory property but diminished its GluN2B specificity. Thus, these modified amino acids, in specific peptide backbones, play critical roles in their subunit-selective inhibition of NMDAR ion channels, a finding that can be employed to design NMDAR antagonists that function at ion channels of distinct NMDAR subclasses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shailaja Kunda
- W. M. Keck Center for Transgene Research and Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556
| | - Yue Yuan
- W. M. Keck Center for Transgene Research and Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556
| | - Rashna D Balsara
- W. M. Keck Center for Transgene Research and Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556
| | - Jaroslav Zajicek
- W. M. Keck Center for Transgene Research and Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556
| | - Francis J Castellino
- W. M. Keck Center for Transgene Research and Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556.
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Menalled L, Brunner D. Animal models of Huntington's disease for translation to the clinic: best practices. Mov Disord 2015; 29:1375-90. [PMID: 25216369 DOI: 10.1002/mds.26006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2014] [Accepted: 07/28/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Mouse models of Huntington's disease (HD) recapitulate many aspects of the human disease. These genetically modified mice are powerful tools that are used not only to examine the pathogenesis of the disease, but also to assess the efficacy of potential new treatments. Disappointingly, in the past few years we have seen the success of potential therapies in animal studies, subsequently followed by failure in clinical trials. We discuss here a number of factors that influence the translatability of findings from the preclinical to the clinical realm. In particular, we discuss issues related to sample size, reporting of information regarding experimental protocols and mouse models, assignment to experimental groups, incorporation of cognitive measures for early phases of the disease, environmental enrichment, surrogate measures for survival, and the use of more than one HD mouse model. Although it is reasonable to question the appropriateness of the animal models used, we argue that it is more parsimonious to assume that improvements in experimental design and publication of negative results will lead to improved translatability to the clinic and insights about HD pathophysiology.
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Dallérac GM, Levasseur G, Vatsavayai SC, Milnerwood AJ, Cummings DM, Kraev I, Huetz C, Evans KA, Walters SW, Rezaie P, Cho Y, Hirst MC, Murphy KP. Dysfunctional Dopaminergic Neurones in Mouse Models of Huntington's Disease: A Role for SK3 Channels. NEURODEGENER DIS 2015; 15:93-108. [DOI: 10.1159/000375126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2014] [Accepted: 01/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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