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Arnold FJ, Putka AF, Raychaudhuri U, Hsu S, Bedlack RS, Bennett CL, La Spada AR. Revisiting Glutamate Excitotoxicity in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Age-Related Neurodegeneration. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5587. [PMID: 38891774 PMCID: PMC11171854 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25115587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2024] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most common motor neuron disorder. While there are five FDA-approved drugs for treating this disease, each has only modest benefits. To design new and more effective therapies for ALS, particularly for sporadic ALS of unknown and diverse etiologies, we must identify key, convergent mechanisms of disease pathogenesis. This review focuses on the origin and effects of glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity in ALS (the cortical hyperexcitability hypothesis), in which increased glutamatergic signaling causes motor neurons to become hyperexcitable and eventually die. We characterize both primary and secondary contributions to excitotoxicity, referring to processes taking place at the synapse and within the cell, respectively. 'Primary pathways' include upregulation of calcium-permeable AMPA receptors, dysfunction of the EAAT2 astrocytic glutamate transporter, increased release of glutamate from the presynaptic terminal, and reduced inhibition by cortical interneurons-all of which have been observed in ALS patients and model systems. 'Secondary pathways' include changes to mitochondrial morphology and function, increased production of reactive oxygen species, and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. By identifying key targets in the excitotoxicity cascade, we emphasize the importance of this pathway in the pathogenesis of ALS and suggest that intervening in this pathway could be effective for developing therapies for this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederick J. Arnold
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92617, USA
- Department of Neurology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA; (A.F.P.)
| | - Alexandra F. Putka
- Department of Neurology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA; (A.F.P.)
| | - Urmimala Raychaudhuri
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92617, USA
| | - Solomon Hsu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92617, USA
| | - Richard S. Bedlack
- Department of Neurology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA; (A.F.P.)
| | - Craig L. Bennett
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92617, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92617, USA
| | - Albert R. La Spada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92617, USA
- Department of Neurology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA; (A.F.P.)
- Department of Neurology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92617, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92617, USA
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
- UCI Center for Neurotherapeutics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
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2
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Crane AB, Jetti SK, Littleton JT. A stochastic RNA editing process targets a limited number of sites in individual Drosophila glutamatergic motoneurons. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.17.594696. [PMID: 38798345 PMCID: PMC11118563 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.17.594696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
RNA editing is a post-transcriptional source of protein diversity and occurs across the animal kingdom. Given the complete profile of mRNA targets and their editing rate in individual cells is unclear, we analyzed single cell RNA transcriptomes from Drosophila larval tonic and phasic glutamatergic motoneuron subtypes to determine the most highly edited targets and identify cell-type specific editing. From ∼15,000 genes encoded in the genome, 316 high confidence A-to-I canonical RNA edit sites were identified, with 102 causing missense amino acid changes in proteins regulating membrane excitability, synaptic transmission, and cellular function. Some sites showed 100% editing in single neurons as observed with mRNAs encoding mammalian AMPA receptors. However, most sites were edited at lower levels and generated variable expression of edited and unedited mRNAs within individual neurons. Together, these data provide insights into how the RNA editing landscape alters protein function to modulate the properties of two well-characterized neuronal populations in Drosophila .
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Salzinger A, Ramesh V, Das Sharma S, Chandran S, Thangaraj Selvaraj B. Neuronal Circuit Dysfunction in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Cells 2024; 13:792. [PMID: 38786016 PMCID: PMC11120636 DOI: 10.3390/cells13100792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 04/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The primary neural circuit affected in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) patients is the corticospinal motor circuit, originating in upper motor neurons (UMNs) in the cerebral motor cortex which descend to synapse with the lower motor neurons (LMNs) in the spinal cord to ultimately innervate the skeletal muscle. Perturbation of these neural circuits and consequent loss of both UMNs and LMNs, leading to muscle wastage and impaired movement, is the key pathophysiology observed. Despite decades of research, we are still lacking in ALS disease-modifying treatments. In this review, we document the current research from patient studies, rodent models, and human stem cell models in understanding the mechanisms of corticomotor circuit dysfunction and its implication in ALS. We summarize the current knowledge about cortical UMN dysfunction and degeneration, altered excitability in LMNs, neuromuscular junction degeneration, and the non-cell autonomous role of glial cells in motor circuit dysfunction in relation to ALS. We further highlight the advances in human stem cell technology to model the complex neural circuitry and how these can aid in future studies to better understand the mechanisms of neural circuit dysfunction underpinning ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Salzinger
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK; (A.S.); (V.R.); (S.D.S.); (S.C.)
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Vidya Ramesh
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK; (A.S.); (V.R.); (S.D.S.); (S.C.)
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Shreya Das Sharma
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK; (A.S.); (V.R.); (S.D.S.); (S.C.)
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Siddharthan Chandran
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK; (A.S.); (V.R.); (S.D.S.); (S.C.)
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
- Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic (ARRNC), University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Bhuvaneish Thangaraj Selvaraj
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK; (A.S.); (V.R.); (S.D.S.); (S.C.)
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
- Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic (ARRNC), University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
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4
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Kobayashi A, Kitagawa Y, Nasser A, Wakimoto H, Yamada K, Tanaka S. Emerging Roles and Mechanisms of RNA Modifications in Neurodegenerative Diseases and Glioma. Cells 2024; 13:457. [PMID: 38474421 DOI: 10.3390/cells13050457] [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: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite a long history of research, neurodegenerative diseases and malignant brain tumor gliomas are both considered incurable, facing challenges in the development of treatments. Recent evidence suggests that RNA modifications, previously considered as static components of intracellular RNAs, are in fact dynamically regulated across various RNA species in cells and play a critical role in major biological processes in the nervous system. Innovations in next-generation sequencing have enabled the accurate detection of modifications on bases and sugars within various RNA molecules. These RNA modifications influence the stability and transportation of RNA, and crucially affect its translation. This review delves into existing knowledge on RNA modifications to offer a comprehensive inventory of these modifications across different RNA species. The detailed regulatory functions and roles of RNA modifications within the nervous system are discussed with a focus on neurodegenerative diseases and gliomas. This article presents a comprehensive overview of the fundamental mechanisms and emerging roles of RNA modifications in these diseases, which can facilitate the creation of innovative diagnostics and therapeutics for these conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ami Kobayashi
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Yosuke Kitagawa
- Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Translational Neuro-Oncology Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Ali Nasser
- Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Translational Neuro-Oncology Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Hiroaki Wakimoto
- Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Translational Neuro-Oncology Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Keisuke Yamada
- Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0075, Japan
| | - Shota Tanaka
- Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0075, Japan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama 700-8558, Japan
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5
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Milham LT, Morris GP, Konen LM, Rentsch P, Avgan N, Vissel B. Quantification of AMPA receptor subunits and RNA editing-related proteins in the J20 mouse model of Alzheimer's disease by capillary western blotting. Front Mol Neurosci 2024; 16:1338065. [PMID: 38299128 PMCID: PMC10828003 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1338065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Accurate modelling of molecular changes in Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia is crucial for understanding the mechanisms driving neuronal pathology and for developing treatments. Synaptic dysfunction has long been implicated as a mechanism underpinning memory dysfunction in AD and may result in part from changes in adenosine deaminase acting on RNA (ADAR) mediated RNA editing of the GluA2 subunit of AMPA receptors and changes in AMPA receptor function at the post synaptic cleft. However, few studies have investigated changes in proteins which influence RNA editing and notably, AD studies that focus on studying changes in protein expression, rather than changes in mRNA, often use traditional western blotting. Methods Here, we demonstrate the value of automated capillary western blotting to investigate the protein expression of AMPA receptor subunits (GluA1-4), the ADAR RNA editing proteins (ADAR1-3), and proteins known to regulate RNA editing (PIN1, WWP2, FXR1P, and CREB1), in the J20 AD mouse model. We describe extensive optimisation and validation of the automated capillary western blotting method, demonstrating the use of total protein to normalise protein load, in addition to characterising the optimal protein/antibody concentrations to ensure accurate protein quantification. Following this, we assessed changes in proteins of interest in the hippocampus of 44-week-old J20 AD mice. Results We observed an increase in the expression of ADAR1 p110 and GluA3 and a decrease in ADAR2 in the hippocampus of 44-week-old J20 mice. These changes signify a shift in the balance of proteins that play a critical role at the synapse. Regression analysis revealed unique J20-specific correlations between changes in AMPA receptor subunits, ADAR enzymes, and proteins that regulate ADAR stability in J20 mice, highlighting potential mechanisms mediating RNA-editing changes found in AD. Discussion Our findings in J20 mice generally reflect changes seen in the human AD brain. This study underlines the importance of novel techniques, like automated capillary western blotting, to assess protein expression in AD. It also provides further evidence to support the hypothesis that a dysregulation in RNA editing-related proteins may play a role in the initiation and/or progression of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke T. Milham
- Centre for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, St Vincent’s Centre for Applied Medical Research, St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- St Vincent’s Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Gary P. Morris
- Centre for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, St Vincent’s Centre for Applied Medical Research, St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Tasmanian School of Medicine, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - Lyndsey M. Konen
- Centre for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, St Vincent’s Centre for Applied Medical Research, St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Peggy Rentsch
- Centre for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, St Vincent’s Centre for Applied Medical Research, St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- St Vincent’s Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Nesli Avgan
- Centre for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, St Vincent’s Centre for Applied Medical Research, St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Bryce Vissel
- Centre for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, St Vincent’s Centre for Applied Medical Research, St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- St Vincent’s Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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6
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Mercer HM, Nair AM, Ridgel A, Piontkivska H. Alterations in RNA editing in skeletal muscle following exercise training in individuals with Parkinson's disease. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0287078. [PMID: 38134032 PMCID: PMC10745226 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0287078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's Disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease behind Alzheimer's Disease, currently affecting more than 10 million people worldwide and 1.5 times more males than females. The progression of PD results in the loss of function due to neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation. The etiology of PD is multifactorial, including both genetic and environmental origins. Here we explored changes in RNA editing, specifically editing through the actions of the Adenosine Deaminases Acting on RNA (ADARs), in the progression of PD. Analysis of ADAR editing of skeletal muscle transcriptomes from PD patients and controls, including those that engaged in a rehabilitative exercise training program revealed significant differences in ADAR editing patterns based on age, disease status, and following rehabilitative exercise. Further, deleterious editing events in protein coding regions were identified in multiple genes with known associations to PD pathogenesis. Our findings of differential ADAR editing complement findings of changes in transcriptional networks identified by a recent study and offer insights into dynamic ADAR editing changes associated with PD pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather Milliken Mercer
- Department of Biological Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, OH, United States of America
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Mount Union, Alliance, OH, United States of America
- Healthy Communities Research Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH, United States of America
| | - Aiswarya Mukundan Nair
- Department of Biological Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, OH, United States of America
| | - Angela Ridgel
- School of Health Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, OH, United States of America
- Brain Health Research Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH, United States of America
- Healthy Communities Research Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH, United States of America
| | - Helen Piontkivska
- Department of Biological Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, OH, United States of America
- Brain Health Research Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH, United States of America
- Healthy Communities Research Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH, United States of America
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7
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Choudhury M, Fu T, Amoah K, Jun HI, Chan TW, Park S, Walker DW, Bahn JH, Xiao X. Widespread RNA hypoediting in schizophrenia and its relevance to mitochondrial function. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eade9997. [PMID: 37027465 PMCID: PMC10081846 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.ade9997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
RNA editing, the endogenous modification of nucleic acids, is known to be altered in genes with important neurological function in schizophrenia (SCZ). However, the global profile and molecular functions of disease-associated RNA editing remain unclear. Here, we analyzed RNA editing in postmortem brains of four SCZ cohorts and uncovered a significant and reproducible trend of hypoediting in patients of European descent. We report a set of SCZ-associated editing sites via WGCNA analysis, shared across cohorts. Using massively parallel reporter assays and bioinformatic analyses, we observed that differential 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) editing sites affecting host gene expression were enriched for mitochondrial processes. Furthermore, we characterized the impact of two recoding sites in the mitofusin 1 (MFN1) gene and showed their functional relevance to mitochondrial fusion and cellular apoptosis. Our study reveals a global reduction of editing in SCZ and a compelling link between editing and mitochondrial function in the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mudra Choudhury
- Bioinformatics Interdepartmental Program, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ting Fu
- Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Physiology Interdepartmental Program, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Kofi Amoah
- Bioinformatics Interdepartmental Program, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Hyun-Ik Jun
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Tracey W. Chan
- Bioinformatics Interdepartmental Program, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Sungwoo Park
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - David W. Walker
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jae Hoon Bahn
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Xinshu Xiao
- Bioinformatics Interdepartmental Program, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Physiology Interdepartmental Program, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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8
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Yang L, Cheng Y, Zhu Y, Cui L, Li X. The Serotonergic System and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Review of Current Evidence. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2023:10.1007/s10571-023-01320-0. [PMID: 36729314 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-023-01320-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the premature death of motor neurons. Serotonin (5-HT) is a crucial neurotransmitter, and its dysfunction, whether as a contributor or by-product, has been implicated in ALS pathogenesis. Here, we summarize current evidence linking serotonergic alterations to ALS, including results from post-mortem and neuroimaging studies, biofluid testing, and studies of ALS animal models. We also discuss the possible role of 5-HT in modulating some important mechanisms of ALS (i.e. glutamate excitotoxity and neuroinflammation) and in regulating ALS phenotypes (i.e. breathing dysfunction and metabolic defects). Finally, we discuss the promise and limitations of the serotonergic system as a target for the development of ALS biomarkers and therapeutic approaches. However, due to a relative paucity of data and standardized methodologies in previous studies, proper interpretation of existing results remains a challenge. Future research is needed to unravel the mechanisms linking serotonergic pathways and ALS and to provide valid, reproducible, and translatable findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Yang
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH), The Transformation Medical Center of PUMC, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College (CAMS & PUMC), Beijing, 100005, China
| | - Yanfei Cheng
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH), The Transformation Medical Center of PUMC, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College (CAMS & PUMC), Beijing, 100005, China
| | - Yicheng Zhu
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH), The Transformation Medical Center of PUMC, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College (CAMS & PUMC), Beijing, 100005, China.,Neuroscience Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College (CAMS & PUMC), Beijing, China
| | - Liying Cui
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH), The Transformation Medical Center of PUMC, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College (CAMS & PUMC), Beijing, 100005, China.,Neuroscience Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College (CAMS & PUMC), Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoguang Li
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH), The Transformation Medical Center of PUMC, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College (CAMS & PUMC), Beijing, 100005, China. .,Neuroscience Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College (CAMS & PUMC), Beijing, China.
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Kato H, Naito M, Saito T, Hideyama T, Suzuki Y, Kimura T, Kwak S, Aizawa H. Prolyl Isomerase Pin1 Expression in the Spinal Motor Neurons of Patients With Sporadic Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. J Clin Neurol 2022; 18:463-469. [PMID: 35796272 PMCID: PMC9262457 DOI: 10.3988/jcn.2022.18.4.463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and Purpose Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal motor neuron disease. Selective deficiency of edited adenosine deaminase acting on RNA 2 (ADAR2), a key molecule in the acquisition of Ca2+ resistance in motor neurons, has been reported in sporadic ALS (sALS) spinal motor neurons. Since ADAR2 activity is positively regulated by prolyl isomerase Protein never in mitosis gene A interacting-1 (Pin1), a known phosphorylation-dependent peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerase, we investigated Pin1 expression in spinal motor neurons in sALS. Methods Specimens of the spinal cord were obtained from the lumbar region in eight sALS patients and age-matched five controls after postmortem examinations. The specimens were double stained with anti-Pin1 and anti-TAR DNA-binding protein of 43 kDa (TDP-43) antibodies, and examined under a fluorescence microscope. Results This study analyzed 254 and 422 spinal motor neurons from 8 sALS patients and 5 control subjects, respectively. The frequency of motor neurons with high cytoplasmic Pin1 expression from the spinal cord did not differ significantly between sALS specimens without cytoplasmic TDP-43 inclusions and control specimens. However, in sALS specimens, neurons for which the Pin1 immunoluminescence intensity in the cytoplasm was at least twice that in the background were more common in specimens with cytoplasmic TDP-43 inclusions (p<0.05 in χ2 test). Conclusions In sALS, neurons with higher expression levels of Pin1 levels had more TDP-43 inclusions. Despite the feedback mechanism between Pin1 and ADAR2 being unclear, since Pin1 positively regulates ADAR2, our results suggest that higher Pin1 expression levels in motor neurons with TDP-43 pathology from sALS patients represent a compensatory mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haruhisa Kato
- Department of Neurology, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Makiko Naito
- Department of Neurology, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomoko Saito
- Department of Neurology, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takuto Hideyama
- Department of Neurology, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Suzuki
- Department of Neurology, Asahikawa Medical Center, National Hospital Organization, Asahikawa, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Takashi Kimura
- Department of Neurology, Asahikawa Medical Center, National Hospital Organization, Asahikawa, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Shin Kwak
- Department of Neurology, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Aizawa
- Department of Neurology, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
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10
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Shibuya K, Otani R, Suzuki YI, Kuwabara S, Kiernan MC. Neuronal Hyperexcitability and Free Radical Toxicity in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Established and Future Targets. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15040433. [PMID: 35455429 PMCID: PMC9025031 DOI: 10.3390/ph15040433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating disease with evidence of degeneration involving upper and lower motor neuron compartments of the nervous system. Presently, two drugs, riluzole and edaravone, have been established as being useful in slowing disease progression in ALS. Riluzole possesses anti-glutamatergic properties, while edaravone eliminates free radicals (FRs). Glutamate is the excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain and spinal cord and binds to several inotropic receptors. Excessive activation of these receptors generates FRs, inducing neurodegeneration via damage to intracellular organelles and upregulation of proinflammatory mediators. FRs bind to intracellular structures, leading to cellular impairment that contributes to neurodegeneration. As such, excitotoxicity and FR toxicities have been considered as key pathophysiological mechanisms that contribute to the cascade of degeneration that envelopes neurons in ALS. Recent advanced technologies, including neurophysiological, imaging, pathological and biochemical techniques, have concurrently identified evidence of increased excitability in ALS. This review focuses on the relationship between FRs and excitotoxicity in motor neuronal degeneration in ALS and introduces concepts linked to increased excitability across both compartments of the human nervous system. Within this cellular framework, future strategies to promote therapeutic development in ALS, from the perspective of neuronal excitability and function, will be critically appraised.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazumoto Shibuya
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba 260-8677, Japan; (K.S.); (R.O.); (Y.-i.S.); (S.K.)
| | - Ryo Otani
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba 260-8677, Japan; (K.S.); (R.O.); (Y.-i.S.); (S.K.)
| | - Yo-ichi Suzuki
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba 260-8677, Japan; (K.S.); (R.O.); (Y.-i.S.); (S.K.)
| | - Satoshi Kuwabara
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba 260-8677, Japan; (K.S.); (R.O.); (Y.-i.S.); (S.K.)
| | - Matthew C. Kiernan
- Brain and Mind Centre, Department of Neurology, University of Sydney, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney 2050, Australia
- Correspondence:
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11
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Karagianni K, Pettas S, Christoforidou G, Kanata E, Bekas N, Xanthopoulos K, Dafou D, Sklaviadis T. A Systematic Review of Common and Brain-Disease-Specific RNA Editing Alterations Providing Novel Insights into Neurological and Neurodegenerative Disease Manifestations. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12030465. [PMID: 35327657 PMCID: PMC8946084 DOI: 10.3390/biom12030465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA editing contributes to transcriptome diversification through RNA modifications in relation to genome-encoded information (RNA–DNA differences, RDDs). The deamination of Adenosine (A) to Inosine (I) or Cytidine (C) to Uridine (U) is the most common type of mammalian RNA editing. It occurs as a nuclear co- and/or post-transcriptional event catalyzed by ADARs (Adenosine deaminases acting on RNA) and APOBECs (apolipoprotein B mRNA editing enzyme catalytic polypeptide-like genes). RNA editing may modify the structure, stability, and processing of a transcript. This review focuses on RNA editing in psychiatric, neurological, neurodegenerative (NDs), and autoimmune brain disorders in humans and rodent models. We discuss targeted studies that focus on RNA editing in specific neuron-enriched transcripts with well-established functions in neuronal activity, and transcriptome-wide studies, enabled by recent technological advances. We provide comparative editome analyses between human disease and corresponding animal models. Data suggest RNA editing to be an emerging mechanism in disease development, displaying common and disease-specific patterns. Commonly edited RNAs represent potential disease-associated targets for therapeutic and diagnostic values. Currently available data are primarily descriptive, calling for additional research to expand global editing profiles and to provide disease mechanistic insights. The potential use of RNA editing events as disease biomarkers and available tools for RNA editing identification, classification, ranking, and functional characterization that are being developed will enable comprehensive analyses for a better understanding of disease(s) pathogenesis and potential cures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Korina Karagianni
- Department of Genetics, Development, and Molecular Biology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece; (K.K.); (S.P.); (G.C.); (N.B.)
| | - Spyros Pettas
- Department of Genetics, Development, and Molecular Biology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece; (K.K.); (S.P.); (G.C.); (N.B.)
| | - Georgia Christoforidou
- Department of Genetics, Development, and Molecular Biology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece; (K.K.); (S.P.); (G.C.); (N.B.)
| | - Eirini Kanata
- Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Group, Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece; (E.K.); (K.X.); (T.S.)
| | - Nikolaos Bekas
- Department of Genetics, Development, and Molecular Biology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece; (K.K.); (S.P.); (G.C.); (N.B.)
| | - Konstantinos Xanthopoulos
- Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Group, Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece; (E.K.); (K.X.); (T.S.)
| | - Dimitra Dafou
- Department of Genetics, Development, and Molecular Biology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece; (K.K.); (S.P.); (G.C.); (N.B.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Theodoros Sklaviadis
- Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Group, Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece; (E.K.); (K.X.); (T.S.)
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12
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Dutta N, Deb I, Sarzynska J, Lahiri A. Inosine and its methyl derivatives: Occurrence, biogenesis, and function in RNA. PROGRESS IN BIOPHYSICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2022; 169-170:21-52. [PMID: 35065168 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2022.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Revised: 12/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Inosine is one of the most common post-transcriptional modifications. Since its discovery, it has been noted for its ability to contribute to non-Watson-Crick interactions within RNA. Rapidly accumulating evidence points to the widespread generation of inosine through hydrolytic deamination of adenosine to inosine by different classes of adenosine deaminases. Three naturally occurring methyl derivatives of inosine, i.e., 1-methylinosine, 2'-O-methylinosine and 1,2'-O-dimethylinosine are currently reported in RNA modification databases. These modifications are expected to lead to changes in the structure, folding, dynamics, stability and functions of RNA. The importance of the modifications is indicated by the strong conservation of the modifying enzymes across organisms. The structure, binding and catalytic mechanism of the adenosine deaminases have been well-studied, but the underlying mechanism of the catalytic reaction is not very clear yet. Here we extensively review the existing data on the occurrence, biogenesis and functions of inosine and its methyl derivatives in RNA. We also included the structural and thermodynamic aspects of these modifications in our review to provide a detailed and integrated discussion on the consequences of A-to-I editing in RNA and the contribution of different structural and thermodynamic studies in understanding its role in RNA. We also highlight the importance of further studies for a better understanding of the mechanisms of the different classes of deamination reactions. Further investigation of the structural and thermodynamic consequences and functions of these modifications in RNA should provide more useful information about their role in different diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nivedita Dutta
- Department of Biophysics, Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics, University of Calcutta, 92, Acharya Prafulla Chandra Road, Kolkata, 700009, West Bengal, India
| | - Indrajit Deb
- Department of Biophysics, Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics, University of Calcutta, 92, Acharya Prafulla Chandra Road, Kolkata, 700009, West Bengal, India
| | - Joanna Sarzynska
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704, Poznan, Poland
| | - Ansuman Lahiri
- Department of Biophysics, Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics, University of Calcutta, 92, Acharya Prafulla Chandra Road, Kolkata, 700009, West Bengal, India.
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13
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Aizawa H, Kato H, Oba K, Kawahara T, Okubo Y, Saito T, Naito M, Urushitani M, Tamaoka A, Nakamagoe K, Ishii K, Kanda T, Katsuno M, Atsuta N, Maeda Y, Nagai M, Nishiyama K, Ishiura H, Toda T, Kawata A, Abe K, Yabe I, Takahashi-Iwata I, Sasaki H, Warita H, Aoki M, Sobue G, Mizusawa H, Matsuyama Y, Haga T, Kwak S. Randomized phase 2 study of perampanel for sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J Neurol 2022; 269:885-896. [PMID: 34191081 PMCID: PMC8782807 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-021-10670-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy and safety of perampanel in patients with sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (SALS). METHODS This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter, phase 2 clinical study was conducted at 12 sites. Patients with probable or definite ALS as defined by revised El Escorial criteria were enrolled. Sixty-six patients were randomly assigned (1:1:1) to receive placebo, 4 mg perampanel, or 8 mg perampanel daily for 48 weeks. Adverse events (AEs) were recorded throughout the trial period. The primary efficacy outcome was the change in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Rating Scale-Revised (ALSFRS-R) score after 48 weeks of treatment. RESULTS One patient withdrew before starting the treatment. Of 65 patients included, 18 of 22 patients randomized to placebo (82%), 14 of 22 patients randomized to 4 mg perampanel (64%), and 7 of 21 patients randomized to 8 mg perampanel (33%) completed the trial. There was a significant difference in the change of ALSFRS-R scores [- 8.4 (95% CI - 13.9 to - 2.9); p = 0.015] between the placebo and the perampanel 8 mg group, primarily due to worsening of the bulbar subscore in the perampanel 8 mg group. Serious AEs were more frequent in the perampanel 8 mg group than in the placebo group (p = 0.0483). CONCLUSIONS Perampanel was associated with a significant decline in ALSFRS-R score and was linked to worsening of the bulbar subscore in the 8 mg group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hitoshi Aizawa
- Department of Neurology, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Haruhisa Kato
- Department of Neurology, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Koji Oba
- Department of Biostatics, School of Public Health, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takuya Kawahara
- Central Coordinating Unit, Clinical Research Support Center, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshihiko Okubo
- Department of Neurology, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomoko Saito
- Department of Neurology, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Makiko Naito
- Department of Neurology, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Makoto Urushitani
- Department of Neurology, Shiga University of Medical Science, Otsu, Japan
| | - Akira Tamaoka
- Division of Clinical Medicine, Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Kiyotaka Nakamagoe
- Division of Clinical Medicine, Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Ishii
- Division of Clinical Medicine, Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Takashi Kanda
- Department of Neurology and Clinical Neuroscience, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Ube, Japan
| | | | - Naoki Atsuta
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yasushi Maeda
- Department of Neurology, National Hospital Organization Kumamoto Saishun Medical Center, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Makiko Nagai
- Department of Neurology, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Sagamihara, Japan
| | - Kazutoshi Nishiyama
- Department of Neurology, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Sagamihara, Japan
| | | | - Tatsushi Toda
- Department of Neurology, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Akihiro Kawata
- Department of Neurology, Tokyo Metropolitan Neurological Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Koji Abe
- Department of Neurology, University of Okayama, Okayama, Japan
| | - Ichiro Yabe
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Ikuko Takahashi-Iwata
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Hidenao Sasaki
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Warita
- Department of Neurology, Tohoku University Hospital, Sendai, Japan
| | - Masashi Aoki
- Department of Neurology, Tohoku University Hospital, Sendai, Japan
| | - Gen Sobue
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | | | - Yutaka Matsuyama
- Department of Biostatics, School of Public Health, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Haga
- Central Coordinating Unit, Clinical Research Support Center, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shin Kwak
- Department of Neurology, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
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14
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Akamatsu M, Yamashita T, Teramoto S, Huang Z, Lynch J, Toda T, Niu L, Kwak S. Testing of the therapeutic efficacy and safety of AMPA receptor RNA aptamers in an ALS mouse model. Life Sci Alliance 2022; 5:5/4/e202101193. [PMID: 35022247 PMCID: PMC8761490 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202101193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In motor neurons of sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients, the RNA editing at the glutamine/arginine site of the GluA2 subunit of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid (AMPA) receptors is defective or incomplete. As a result, AMPA receptors containing the abnormally expressed, unedited isoform of GluA2 are highly Ca2+-permeable, and are responsible for mediating abnormal Ca2+ influx, thereby triggering motor neuron degeneration and cell death. Thus, blocking the AMPA receptor-mediated, abnormal Ca2+ influx is a potential therapeutic strategy for treatment of sporadic ALS. Here, we report a study of the efficacy and safety of two RNA aptamers targeting AMPA receptors on the ALS phenotype of AR2 mice. A 12-wk continuous, intracerebroventricular infusion of aptamers to AR2 mice reduced the progression of motor dysfunction, normalized TDP-43 mislocalization, and prevented death of motor neurons. Our results demonstrate that the use of AMPA receptor aptamers as a novel class of AMPA receptor antagonists is a promising strategy for developing an ALS treatment approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megumi Akamatsu
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takenari Yamashita
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Sayaka Teramoto
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Neurology, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Zhen Huang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Janet Lynch
- Department of Chemistry, University of Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Tatsushi Toda
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Li Niu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Shin Kwak
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan .,Department of Neurology, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
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15
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Pozdyshev DV, Zharikova AA, Medvedeva MV, Muronetz VI. Differential Analysis of A-to-I mRNA Edited Sites in Parkinson's Disease. Genes (Basel) 2021; 13:14. [PMID: 35052353 PMCID: PMC8774971 DOI: 10.3390/genes13010014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a widespread neuronal degenerative disorder with unexplored etiology. It is associated with various pathological events. In particular, the prefrontal cortex Brodmann area 9 (BA9) region is affected in PD. This frontal lobe brain region plays an important role in cognitive, motor, and memory-related functions. BA9 develops Lewy bodies in PD patients and shows essential changes in transcriptome and proteome, connected with mitochondria related pathways, protein folding pathways, and metallothioneins. Recently, altered adenosine to inosine mRNA editing patterns have been detected in various neurological pathologies. In this article, we present an investigation of differences in A-to-I RNA editing levels and specificity of mRNA editing sites in brain tissues of healthy and PD patients based on RNA sequencing data. Overall, decreased editing levels in the brains of PD patients were observed, potential editing sites with altered editing during PD were identified, and the role of different adenosine deaminases in this process was analyzed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denis V. Pozdyshev
- Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119234 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Anastasia A. Zharikova
- Faculty of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119234 Moscow, Russia; (A.A.Z.); (M.V.M.)
| | - Maria V. Medvedeva
- Faculty of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119234 Moscow, Russia; (A.A.Z.); (M.V.M.)
| | - Vladimir I. Muronetz
- Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119234 Moscow, Russia;
- Faculty of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119234 Moscow, Russia; (A.A.Z.); (M.V.M.)
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16
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Italia M, Ferrari E, Di Luca M, Gardoni F. GluA3-containing AMPA receptors: From physiology to synaptic dysfunction in brain disorders. Neurobiol Dis 2021; 161:105539. [PMID: 34743951 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2021.105539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
In the mammalian brain, α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA)-type glutamate receptors (AMPARs) play a fundamental role in the activation of excitatory synaptic transmission and the induction of different forms of synaptic plasticity. The modulation of the AMPAR tetramer subunit composition at synapses defines the functional properties of the receptor. During the last twenty years, several studies have evaluated the roles played by each subunit, from GluA1 to GluA4, in both physiological and pathological conditions. Here, we have focused our attention on GluA3-containing AMPARs, addressing their functional role in synaptic transmission and synaptic plasticity and their involvement in a variety of brain disorders. Although several aspects remain to be fully understood, GluA3 is a widely expressed and functionally relevant subunit in AMPARs involved in several brain circuits, and its pharmacological modulation could represent a novel approach for the rescue of altered glutamatergic synapses associated with neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Italia
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences (DiSFeB), University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Ferrari
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences (DiSFeB), University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Monica Di Luca
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences (DiSFeB), University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Gardoni
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences (DiSFeB), University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy.
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17
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Vucic S, Pavey N, Haidar M, Turner BJ, Kiernan MC. Cortical hyperexcitability: Diagnostic and pathogenic biomarker of ALS. Neurosci Lett 2021; 759:136039. [PMID: 34118310 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2021.136039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Cortical hyperexcitability is an early and intrinsic feature of both sporadic and familial forms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).. Importantly, cortical hyperexcitability appears to be associated with motor neuron degeneration, possibly via an anterograde glutamate-mediated excitotoxic process, thereby forming a pathogenic basis for ALS. The presence of cortical hyperexcitability in ALS patients may be readily determined by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), a neurophysiological tool that provides a non-invasive and painless method for assessing cortical function. Utilising the threshold tracking TMS technique, cortical hyperexcitability has been established as a robust diagnostic biomarker that distinguished ALS from mimicking disorders at early stages of the disease process. The present review discusses the pathophysiological and diagnostic utility of cortical hyperexcitability in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steve Vucic
- Western Clinical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
| | - Nathan Pavey
- Western Clinical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Mouna Haidar
- Florey Institute of Neuroscieace and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Bradley J Turner
- Florey Institute of Neuroscieace and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Matthew C Kiernan
- Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney and Institute of Clinical Neurosciences, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Australia
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18
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Tedeschi V, Petrozziello T, Secondo A. Ca 2+ dysregulation in the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2021; 363:21-47. [PMID: 34392931 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2021.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/12/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease without appropriate cure. One of the main reasons for the lack of a proper pharmacotherapy in ALS is the narrow knowledge on the molecular causes of the disease. In this respect, the identification of dysfunctional pathways in ALS is now considered a critical medical need. Among the causative factors involved in ALS, Ca2+ dysregulation is one of the most important pathogenetic mechanisms of the disease. Of note, Ca2+ dysfunction may induce, directly or indirectly, motor neuron degeneration and loss. Interestingly, both familial (fALS) and sporadic ALS (sALS) share the progressive dysregulation of Ca2+ homeostasis as a common noxious mechanism. Mechanicistically, Ca2+ dysfunction involves both plasma membrane and intracellular mechanisms, including AMPA receptor (AMPAR)-mediated excitotoxicity, voltage-gated Ca2+ channels (VGCCs) and Ca2+ transporter dysregulation, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca2+ deregulation, mitochondria-associated ER membranes (MAMs) dysfunction, lysosomal Ca2+ leak, etc. Here, a comprehensive analysis of the main pathways involved in the dysregulation of Ca2+ homeostasis has been reported with the aim to focus the attention on new putative druggable targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Tedeschi
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, School of Medicine, "Federico II" University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Tiziana Petrozziello
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, School of Medicine, "Federico II" University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Agnese Secondo
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, School of Medicine, "Federico II" University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
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19
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Abstract
The brain is one of the organs that are preferentially targeted by adenosine-to-inosine (A-to-I) RNA editing, a posttranscriptional modification. This chemical modification affects neuronal development and functions at multiple levels, leading to normal brain homeostasis by increasing the complexity of the transcriptome. This includes modulation of the properties of ion channel and neurotransmitter receptors by recoding, redirection of miRNA targets by changing sequence complementarity, and suppression of immune response by altering RNA structure. Therefore, from another perspective, it appears that the brain is highly vulnerable to dysregulation of A-to-I RNA editing. Here, we focus on how aberrant A-to-I RNA editing is involved in neurological and neurodegenerative diseases of humans including epilepsy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, psychiatric disorders, developmental disorders, brain tumors, and encephalopathy caused by autoimmunity. In addition, we provide information regarding animal models to better understand the mechanisms behind disease phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Henrique Costa Cruz
- Department of RNA Biology and Neuroscience, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yukio Kawahara
- Department of RNA Biology and Neuroscience, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan.
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20
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Yang Y, Okada S, Sakurai M. Adenosine-to-inosine RNA editing in neurological development and disease. RNA Biol 2021; 18:999-1013. [PMID: 33393416 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2020.1867797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Adenosine-to-inosine (A-to-I) editing is one of the most prevalent post-transcriptional RNA modifications in metazoan. This reaction is catalysed by enzymes called adenosine deaminases acting on RNA (ADARs). RNA editing is involved in the regulation of protein function and gene expression. The numerous A-to-I editing sites have been identified in both coding and non-coding RNA transcripts. These editing sites are also found in various genes expressed in the central nervous system (CNS) and play an important role in neurological development and brain function. Aberrant regulation of RNA editing has been associated with the pathogenesis of neurological and psychiatric disorders, suggesting the physiological significance of RNA editing in the CNS. In this review, we discuss the current knowledge of editing on neurological disease and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxi Yang
- Research Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Noda-shi, Chiba, Japan
| | - Shunpei Okada
- Research Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Noda-shi, Chiba, Japan
| | - Masayuki Sakurai
- Research Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Noda-shi, Chiba, Japan
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21
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Le Gall L, Anakor E, Connolly O, Vijayakumar UG, Duddy WJ, Duguez S. Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms Affected in ALS. J Pers Med 2020; 10:E101. [PMID: 32854276 PMCID: PMC7564998 DOI: 10.3390/jpm10030101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a terminal late-onset condition characterized by the loss of upper and lower motor neurons. Mutations in more than 30 genes are associated to the disease, but these explain only ~20% of cases. The molecular functions of these genes implicate a wide range of cellular processes in ALS pathology, a cohesive understanding of which may provide clues to common molecular mechanisms across both familial (inherited) and sporadic cases and could be key to the development of effective therapeutic approaches. Here, the different pathways that have been investigated in ALS are summarized, discussing in detail: mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, axonal transport dysregulation, glutamate excitotoxicity, endosomal and vesicular transport impairment, impaired protein homeostasis, and aberrant RNA metabolism. This review considers the mechanistic roles of ALS-associated genes in pathology, viewed through the prism of shared molecular pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Le Gall
- Northern Ireland Center for Stratified/Personalised Medicine, Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Ulster University, Derry-Londonderry BT47, UK; (L.L.G.); (E.A.); (O.C.); (U.G.V.); (W.J.D.)
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University College London, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health and Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Trust, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Ekene Anakor
- Northern Ireland Center for Stratified/Personalised Medicine, Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Ulster University, Derry-Londonderry BT47, UK; (L.L.G.); (E.A.); (O.C.); (U.G.V.); (W.J.D.)
| | - Owen Connolly
- Northern Ireland Center for Stratified/Personalised Medicine, Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Ulster University, Derry-Londonderry BT47, UK; (L.L.G.); (E.A.); (O.C.); (U.G.V.); (W.J.D.)
| | - Udaya Geetha Vijayakumar
- Northern Ireland Center for Stratified/Personalised Medicine, Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Ulster University, Derry-Londonderry BT47, UK; (L.L.G.); (E.A.); (O.C.); (U.G.V.); (W.J.D.)
| | - William J. Duddy
- Northern Ireland Center for Stratified/Personalised Medicine, Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Ulster University, Derry-Londonderry BT47, UK; (L.L.G.); (E.A.); (O.C.); (U.G.V.); (W.J.D.)
| | - Stephanie Duguez
- Northern Ireland Center for Stratified/Personalised Medicine, Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Ulster University, Derry-Londonderry BT47, UK; (L.L.G.); (E.A.); (O.C.); (U.G.V.); (W.J.D.)
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Kukharsky MS, Skvortsova VI, Bachurin SO, Buchman VL. In a search for efficient treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: Old drugs for new approaches. Med Res Rev 2020; 41:2804-2822. [DOI: 10.1002/med.21725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Revised: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Michail S. Kukharsky
- Faculty of Medical Biology Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University Moscow Russian Federation
- Institute of Physiologically Active Compounds Russian Academy of Sciences Moscow Region Russian Federation
| | - Veronika I. Skvortsova
- Faculty of Medical Biology Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University Moscow Russian Federation
| | - Sergey O. Bachurin
- Institute of Physiologically Active Compounds Russian Academy of Sciences Moscow Region Russian Federation
| | - Vladimir L. Buchman
- Institute of Physiologically Active Compounds Russian Academy of Sciences Moscow Region Russian Federation
- School of Biosciences Cardiff University Cardiff United Kingdom
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23
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Clark CM, Clark RM, Hoyle JA, Dickson TC. Pathogenic or protective? Neuropeptide Y in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J Neurochem 2020; 156:273-289. [PMID: 32654149 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Revised: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is an endogenous peptide of the central and enteric nervous systems which has gained significant interest as a potential neuroprotective agent for treatment of neurodegenerative disease. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an aggressive and fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by motor deficits and motor neuron loss. In ALS, recent evidence from ALS patients and animal models has indicated that NPY may have a role in the disease pathogenesis. Increased NPY levels were found to correlate with disease progression in ALS patients. Similarly, NPY expression is increased in the motor cortex of ALS mice by end stages of the disease. Although the functional consequence of increased NPY levels in ALS is currently unknown, NPY has been shown to exert a diverse range of neuroprotective roles in other neurodegenerative diseases; through modulation of potassium channel activity, increased production of neurotrophins, inhibition of endoplasmic reticulum stress and autophagy, reduction of excitotoxicity, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation and hyperexcitability. Several of these mechanisms and signalling pathways are heavily implicated in the pathogenesis of ALS. Therefore, in this review, we discuss possible effects of NPY and NPY-receptor signalling in the ALS disease context, as determining NPY's contribution to, or impact on, ALS disease mechanisms will be essential for future studies investigating the NPY system as a therapeutic strategy in this devastating disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney M Clark
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - Rosemary M Clark
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - Joshua A Hoyle
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - Tracey C Dickson
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
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24
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Halpern M, Brennand KJ, Gregory J. Examining the relationship between astrocyte dysfunction and neurodegeneration in ALS using hiPSCs. Neurobiol Dis 2019; 132:104562. [PMID: 31381978 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2019.104562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2019] [Revised: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/31/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a complex and fatal neurodegenerative disease for which the causes of disease onset and progression remain unclear. Recent advances in human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-based models permit the study of the genetic factors associated with ALS in patient-derived neural cell types, including motor neurons and glia. While astrocyte dysfunction has traditionally been thought to exacerbate disease progression, astrocytic dysfunction may play a more direct role in disease initiation and progression. Such non-cell autonomous mechanisms expand the potential targets of therapeutic intervention, but only a handful of ALS risk-associated genes have been examined for their impact on astrocyte dysfunction and neurodegeneration. This review summarizes what is currently known about astrocyte function in ALS and suggests ways in which hiPSC-based models can be used to more effectively study the role of astrocytes in neurodegenerative disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeline Halpern
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States of America
| | - Kristen J Brennand
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States of America; Department of Genetics and Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States of America; Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States of America; Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States of America.
| | - James Gregory
- Center for Genomics of Neurodegenerative Disease, New York Genome Center, New York, NY 10013, United States of America.
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25
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Moore S, Alsop E, Lorenzini I, Starr A, Rabichow BE, Mendez E, Levy JL, Burciu C, Reiman R, Chew J, Belzil VV, W. Dickson D, Robertson J, Staats KA, Ichida JK, Petrucelli L, Van Keuren-Jensen K, Sattler R. ADAR2 mislocalization and widespread RNA editing aberrations in C9orf72-mediated ALS/FTD. Acta Neuropathol 2019; 138:49-65. [PMID: 30945056 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-019-01999-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2018] [Revised: 03/28/2019] [Accepted: 03/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The hexanucleotide repeat expansion GGGGCC (G4C2)n in the C9orf72 gene is the most common genetic abnormality associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Recent findings suggest that dysfunction of nuclear-cytoplasmic trafficking could affect the transport of RNA binding proteins in C9orf72 ALS/FTD. Here, we provide evidence that the RNA editing enzyme adenosine deaminase acting on RNA 2 (ADAR2) is mislocalized in C9orf72 repeat expansion mediated ALS/FTD. ADAR2 is responsible for adenosine (A) to inosine (I) editing of double-stranded RNA, and its function has been shown to be essential for survival. Here we show the mislocalization of ADAR2 in human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived motor neurons (hiPSC-MNs) from C9orf72 patients, in mice expressing (G4C2)149, and in C9orf72 ALS/FTD patient postmortem tissue. As a consequence of this mislocalization we observe alterations in RNA editing in our model systems and across multiple brain regions. Analysis of editing at 408,580 known RNA editing sites indicates that there are vast RNA A to I editing aberrations in C9orf72-mediated ALS/FTD. These RNA editing aberrations are found in many cellular pathways, such as the ALS pathway and the crucial EIF2 signaling pathway. Our findings suggest that the mislocalization of ADAR2 in C9orf72 mediated ALS/FTD is responsible for the alteration of RNA processing events that may impact vast cellular functions, including the integrated stress response (ISR) and protein translation.
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26
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Tischbein M, Baron DM, Lin YC, Gall KV, Landers JE, Fallini C, Bosco DA. The RNA-binding protein FUS/TLS undergoes calcium-mediated nuclear egress during excitotoxic stress and is required for GRIA2 mRNA processing. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:10194-10210. [PMID: 31092554 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.005933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2018] [Revised: 05/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Excitotoxic levels of glutamate represent a physiological stress that is strongly linked to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other neurological disorders. Emerging evidence indicates a role for neurodegenerative disease-linked RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) in the cellular stress response. However, the relationships between excitotoxicity, RBP function, and disease have not been explored. Here, using primary cortical and motor neurons, we found that excitotoxicity induced the translocation of select ALS-linked RBPs from the nucleus to the cytoplasm within neurons. RBPs affected by excitotoxicity included TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) and, most robustly, fused in sarcoma/translocated in liposarcoma (FUS/TLS or FUS). We noted that FUS is translocated through a calcium-dependent mechanism and that its translocation coincides with striking alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport. Furthermore, glutamate-induced up-regulation of glutamate ionotropic receptor α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA)-type subunit 2 (GRIA2) in neurons depended on FUS expression, consistent with a functional role for FUS in excitotoxic stress. These findings reveal molecular links among prominent factors in neurodegenerative diseases, namely excitotoxicity, disease-associated RBPs, and nucleocytoplasmic transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maeve Tischbein
- From the Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605
| | - Desiree M Baron
- From the Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605
| | - Yen-Chen Lin
- From the Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605
| | - Katherine V Gall
- From the Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605
| | - John E Landers
- From the Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605
| | - Claudia Fallini
- From the Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605
| | - Daryl A Bosco
- From the Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605
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27
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Chuang CY, Yang CC, Soong BW, Yu CY, Chen SH, Huang HP, Kuo HC. Modeling spinocerebellar ataxias 2 and 3 with iPSCs reveals a role for glutamate in disease pathology. Sci Rep 2019; 9:1166. [PMID: 30718627 PMCID: PMC6361947 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-37774-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2017] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinocerebellar ataxias 2 and 3 (SCA2 and SCA3) are dominantly inherited neurodegenerative diseases caused by expansion of polyglutamine-encoding CAG repeats in the affected genes. The etiology of these disorders is known to involve widespread loss of neuronal cells in the cerebellum, however, the mechanisms that contribute to cell death are still elusive. Here we established SCA2 and SCA3 induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and demonstrated that SCA-associated pathological features can be recapitulated in SCA-iPSC-derived neurons. Importantly, our results also revealed that glutamate stimulation promotes the development of disease-related phenotypes in SCA-iPSC-derived neurons, including altered composition of glutamatergic receptors, destabilized intracellular calcium, and eventual cell death. Furthermore, anti-glutamate drugs and calcium stabilizer treatment protected the SCA-iPSC-derived neurons and reduced cell death. Collectively, our study demonstrates that the SCA-iPSC-derived neurons can recapitulate SCA-associated pathological features, providing a valuable tool to explore SCA pathogenic mechanisms and screen drugs to identify potential SCA therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ching-Yu Chuang
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.,Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Chao Yang
- Departments of Neurology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Bing-Wen Soong
- Departments of Neurology, National Yang-Ming University Faculty of Medicine and Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Ying Yu
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Hwa Chen
- Lab of Systems and Network Biology, Institute of Information Science, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsiang-Po Huang
- Graduate Institute of Medical Genomics and Proteomics, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Chih Kuo
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan. .,Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan. .,Graduate Institute of Medical Genomics and Proteomics, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan. .,Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
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28
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Bennett SA, Tanaz R, Cobos SN, Torrente MP. Epigenetics in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a role for histone post-translational modifications in neurodegenerative disease. Transl Res 2019; 204:19-30. [PMID: 30391475 PMCID: PMC6331271 DOI: 10.1016/j.trsl.2018.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2018] [Revised: 09/26/2018] [Accepted: 10/09/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the third most common adult onset neurodegenerative disorder worldwide. It is generally characterized by progressive paralysis starting at the limbs ultimately leading to death caused by respiratory failure. There is no cure and current treatments fail to slow the progression of the disease. As such, new treatment options are desperately needed. Epigenetic targets are an attractive possibility because they are reversible. Epigenetics refers to heritable changes in gene expression unrelated to changes in DNA sequence. Three main epigenetic mechanisms include the methylation of DNA, microRNAs and the post-translational modification of histone proteins. Histone modifications occur in many amino acid residues and include phosphorylation, acetylation, methylation as well as other chemical moieties. Recent evidence points to a possible role for epigenetic mechanisms in the etiology of ALS. Here, we review recent advances linking ALS and epigenetics, with a strong focus on histone modifications. Both local and global changes in histone modification profiles are associated with ALS drawing attention to potential targets for future diagnostic and treatment approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seth A Bennett
- Department of Chemistry, Brooklyn College, Brooklyn, NewYork; Ph.D. Program in Biochemistry, The Graduate Center of the City University of New York, New York, New York
| | - Royena Tanaz
- Department of Chemistry, Brooklyn College, Brooklyn, NewYork
| | - Samantha N Cobos
- Department of Chemistry, Brooklyn College, Brooklyn, NewYork; Ph.D. Program in Chemistry, The Graduate Center of the City University of New York, New York, NY 10016
| | - Mariana P Torrente
- Department of Chemistry, Brooklyn College, Brooklyn, NewYork; Ph.D. Programs in Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Biology, The Graduate Center of the City University of New York, New York, New York.
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29
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Thams S, Lowry ER, Larraufie MH, Spiller KJ, Li H, Williams DJ, Hoang P, Jiang E, Williams LA, Sandoe J, Eggan K, Lieberam I, Kanning KC, Stockwell BR, Henderson CE, Wichterle H. A Stem Cell-Based Screening Platform Identifies Compounds that Desensitize Motor Neurons to Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress. Mol Ther 2019; 27:87-101. [PMID: 30446391 PMCID: PMC6318783 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2018.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2018] [Revised: 10/07/2018] [Accepted: 10/16/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease selectively targeting motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. The reasons for differential motor neuron susceptibility remain elusive. We developed a stem cell-based motor neuron assay to study cell-autonomous mechanisms causing motor neuron degeneration, with implications for ALS. A small-molecule screen identified cyclopiazonic acid (CPA) as a stressor to which stem cell-derived motor neurons were more sensitive than interneurons. CPA induced endoplasmic reticulum stress and the unfolded protein response. Furthermore, CPA resulted in an accelerated degeneration of motor neurons expressing human superoxide dismutase 1 (hSOD1) carrying the ALS-causing G93A mutation, compared to motor neurons expressing wild-type hSOD1. A secondary screen identified compounds that alleviated CPA-mediated motor neuron degeneration: three kinase inhibitors and tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA), a bile acid derivative. The neuroprotective effects of these compounds were validated in human stem cell-derived motor neurons carrying a mutated SOD1 allele (hSOD1A4V). Moreover, we found that the administration of TUDCA in an hSOD1G93A mouse model of ALS reduced muscle denervation. Jointly, these results provide insights into the mechanisms contributing to the preferential susceptibility of ALS motor neurons, and they demonstrate the utility of stem cell-derived motor neurons for the discovery of new neuroprotective compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Thams
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 630 West 168th Street, New York, NY 10032, USA.
| | - Emily Rhodes Lowry
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 630 West 168th Street, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Marie-Hélène Larraufie
- Department of Biological Sciences and Department of Chemistry, Columbia University, Northwest Corner Building, MC4846, 550 West 120th Street, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Krista J Spiller
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 630 West 168th Street, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Hai Li
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 630 West 168th Street, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Damian J Williams
- Department of Physiology and Cellular Biophysics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 650 West 168th Street, New York, NY, USA
| | - Phuong Hoang
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 630 West 168th Street, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Elise Jiang
- Department of Biological Sciences and Department of Chemistry, Columbia University, Northwest Corner Building, MC4846, 550 West 120th Street, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Luis A Williams
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, MA 02138, USA
| | - Jackson Sandoe
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, MA 02138, USA
| | - Kevin Eggan
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, MA 02138, USA
| | - Ivo Lieberam
- Centre for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine and MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Kevin C Kanning
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 630 West 168th Street, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Brent R Stockwell
- Department of Biological Sciences and Department of Chemistry, Columbia University, Northwest Corner Building, MC4846, 550 West 120th Street, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Christopher E Henderson
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 630 West 168th Street, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Hynek Wichterle
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 630 West 168th Street, New York, NY 10032, USA; Departments of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine, and Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 630 West 168th Street, New York, NY 10032, USA.
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30
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Aizawa H, Yamashita T, Kato H, Kimura T, Kwak S. Impaired Nucleoporins Are Present in Sporadic Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Motor Neurons that Exhibit Mislocalization of the 43-kDa TAR DNA-Binding Protein. J Clin Neurol 2019; 15:62-67. [PMID: 30618218 PMCID: PMC6325357 DOI: 10.3988/jcn.2019.15.1.62] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2018] [Revised: 08/20/2018] [Accepted: 08/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Disruption of nucleoporins has been reported in the motor neurons of patients with sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (sALS). However, the precise changes in the morphology of nucleoporins associated with the pathology of the 43-kDa TAR DNA-binding protein (TDP-43) in the disease process remain unknown. We investigated the expression of nucleoporins that constitute the nuclear pore complex (NPC) in spinal motor neurons that exhibit sALS in relation to TDP-43 pathology, which is a reliable neuropathological hallmark of sALS. METHODS Paraffin-embedded sections of the lumbar spinal cord were obtained for immunofluorescence analysis from seven control subjects and six sALS patients. Anti-TDP-43 antibody, anti-nucleoporin p62 (NUP62) antibody, and anti-karyopherin beta 1 (KPNB1) antibody were applied as primary antibodies, and then visualized using appropriate secondary antibodies. The sections were then examined under a fluorescence microscope. RESULTS NUP62 and KPNB1 immunoreactivity appeared as a smooth round rim bordering the nuclear margin in normal spinal motor neurons that exhibited nuclear TDP-43 immunoreactivity. sALS spinal motor neurons with apparent TDP-43 mislocalization demonstrated irregular, disrupted nuclear staining for NUP62 or KPNB1. Some atrophic sALS spinal motor neurons with TDP-43 mislocalization presented no NUP62 immunoreactivity. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest a close relationship between NPC alterations and TDP-43 pathology in the degenerative process of the motor neurons of sALS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hitoshi Aizawa
- Department of Neurology, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Takenari Yamashita
- Division of Clinical Biotechnology, Center for Disease Biology and Integrative Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Haruhisa Kato
- Department of Neurology, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takashi Kimura
- Department of Neurology, Asahikawa Medical Center, National Hospital Organization, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Shin Kwak
- Division of Clinical Biotechnology, Center for Disease Biology and Integrative Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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31
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Pál B. Involvement of extrasynaptic glutamate in physiological and pathophysiological changes of neuronal excitability. Cell Mol Life Sci 2018; 75:2917-2949. [PMID: 29766217 PMCID: PMC11105518 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-018-2837-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2018] [Revised: 04/27/2018] [Accepted: 05/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Glutamate is the most abundant neurotransmitter of the central nervous system, as the majority of neurons use glutamate as neurotransmitter. It is also well known that this neurotransmitter is not restricted to synaptic clefts, but found in the extrasynaptic regions as ambient glutamate. Extrasynaptic glutamate originates from spillover of synaptic release, as well as from astrocytes and microglia. Its concentration is magnitudes lower than in the synaptic cleft, but receptors responding to it have higher affinity for it. Extrasynaptic glutamate receptors can be found in neuronal somatodendritic location, on astroglia, oligodendrocytes or microglia. Activation of them leads to changes of neuronal excitability with different amplitude and kinetics. Extrasynaptic glutamate is taken up by neurons and astrocytes mostly via EAAT transporters, and astrocytes, in turn metabolize it to glutamine. Extrasynaptic glutamate is involved in several physiological phenomena of the central nervous system. It regulates neuronal excitability and synaptic strength by involving astroglia; contributing to learning and memory formation, neurosecretory and neuromodulatory mechanisms, as well as sleep homeostasis.The extrasynaptic glutamatergic system is affected in several brain pathologies related to excitotoxicity, neurodegeneration or neuroinflammation. Being present in dementias, neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric diseases or tumor invasion in a seemingly uniform way, the system possibly provides a common component of their pathogenesis. Although parts of the system are extensively discussed by several recent reviews, in this review I attempt to summarize physiological actions of the extrasynaptic glutamate on neuronal excitability and provide a brief insight to its pathology for basic understanding of the topic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balázs Pál
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Nagyerdei krt 98, Debrecen, 4012, Hungary.
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32
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Yamashita T, Kwak S. Cell death cascade and molecular therapy in ADAR2-deficient motor neurons of ALS. Neurosci Res 2018; 144:4-13. [PMID: 29944911 DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2018.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2018] [Revised: 05/19/2018] [Accepted: 06/14/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
TAR DNA-binding protein (TDP-43) pathology in the motor neurons is the most reliable pathological hallmark of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and motor neurons bearing TDP-43 pathology invariably exhibit failure in RNA editing at the GluA2 glutamine/arginine (Q/R) site due to down-regulation of adenosine deaminase acting on RNA 2 (ADAR2). Conditional ADAR2 knockout (AR2) mice display ALS-like phenotype, including progressive motor dysfunction due to loss of motor neurons. Motor neurons devoid of ADAR2 express Q/R site-unedited GluA2, and AMPA receptors with unedited GluA2 in their subunit assembly are abnormally permeable to Ca2+, which results in progressive neuronal death. Moreover, analysis of AR2 mice has demonstrated that exaggerated Ca2+ influx through the abnormal AMPA receptors overactivates calpain, a Ca2+-dependent protease, that cleaves TDP-43 into aggregation-prone fragments, which serve as seeds for TDP-43 pathology. Activated calpain also disrupts nucleo-cytoplasmic transport and gene expression by cleaving molecules involved in nucleocytoplasmic transport, including nucleoporins. These lines of evidence prompted us to develop molecular targeting therapy for ALS by normalization of disrupted intracellular environment due to ADAR2 down-regulation. In this review, we have summarized the work from our group on the cell death cascade in sporadic ALS and discussed a potential therapeutic strategy for ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takenari Yamashita
- Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Shin Kwak
- Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan; Department of Neurology, Tokyo Medical University, 6-7-1, Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-0023, Japan.
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33
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Starr A, Sattler R. Synaptic dysfunction and altered excitability in C9ORF72 ALS/FTD. Brain Res 2018; 1693:98-108. [PMID: 29453960 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2018.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2017] [Revised: 02/06/2018] [Accepted: 02/10/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is characterized by a progressive degeneration of upper and lower motor neurons, resulting in fatal paralysis due to denervation of the muscle. Due to genetic, pathological and symptomatic overlap, ALS is now considered a spectrum disease together with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), the second most common cause of dementia in individuals under the age of 65. Interestingly, in both diseases, there is a large prevalence of RNA binding proteins (RBPs) that are mutated and considered disease-causing, or whose dysfunction contribute to disease pathogenesis. The most common shared genetic mutation in ALS/FTD is a hexanucleuotide repeat expansion within intron 1 of C9ORF72 (C9). Three potentially overlapping, putative toxic mechanisms have been proposed: loss of function due to haploinsufficient expression of the C9ORF72 mRNA, gain of function of the repeat RNA aggregates, or RNA foci, and repeat-associated non-ATG-initiated translation (RAN) of the repeat RNA into toxic dipeptide repeats (DPRs). Regardless of the causative mechanism, disease symptoms are ultimately caused by a failure of neurotransmission in three regions: the brain, the spinal cord, and the neuromuscular junction. Here, we review C9 ALS/FTD-associated synaptic dysfunction and aberrant neuronal excitability in these three key regions, focusing on changes in morphology and synapse formation, excitability, and excitotoxicity in patients, animal models, and in vitro models. We compare these deficits to those seen in other forms of ALS and FTD in search of shared pathways, and discuss the potential targeting of synaptic dysfunctions for therapeutic intervention in ALS and FTD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Starr
- Division of Neurobiology, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ 85013, United States
| | - Rita Sattler
- Division of Neurobiology, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ 85013, United States.
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A Regulatory Circuitry Between Gria2, miR-409, and miR-495 Is Affected by ALS FUS Mutation in ESC-Derived Motor Neurons. Mol Neurobiol 2018; 55:7635-7651. [PMID: 29430619 PMCID: PMC6132778 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-018-0884-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2017] [Accepted: 01/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Mutations in fused in sarcoma (FUS) cause amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). FUS is a multifunctional protein involved in the biogenesis and activity of several types of RNAs, and its role in the pathogenesis of ALS may involve both direct effects of disease-associated mutations through gain- and loss-of-function mechanisms and indirect effects due to the cross talk between different classes of FUS-dependent RNAs. To explore how FUS mutations impinge on motor neuron-specific RNA-based circuitries, we performed transcriptome profiling of small and long RNAs of motor neurons (MNs) derived from mouse embryonic stem cells carrying a FUS-P517L knock-in mutation, which is equivalent to human FUS-P525L, associated with a severe and juvenile-onset form of ALS. Combining ontological, predictive and molecular analyses, we found an inverse correlation between several classes of deregulated miRNAs and their corresponding mRNA targets in both homozygous and heterozygous P517L MNs. We validated a circuitry in which the upregulation of miR-409-3p and miR-495-3p, belonging to a brain-specific miRNA subcluster implicated in several neurodevelopmental disorders, produced the downregulation of Gria2, a subunit of the glutamate α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid (AMPA) receptor with a significant role in excitatory neurotransmission. Moreover, we found that FUS was involved in mediating such miRNA repression. Gria2 alteration has been proposed to be implicated in MN degeneration, through disturbance of Ca2+ homeostasis, which triggers a cascade of damaging “excitotoxic” events. The molecular cross talk identified highlights a role for FUS in excitotoxicity and in miRNA-dependent regulation of Gria2. This circuitry also proved to be deregulated in heterozygosity, which matches the human condition perfectly.
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Selvaraj BT, Livesey MR, Zhao C, Gregory JM, James OT, Cleary EM, Chouhan AK, Gane AB, Perkins EM, Dando O, Lillico SG, Lee YB, Nishimura AL, Poreci U, Thankamony S, Pray M, Vasistha NA, Magnani D, Borooah S, Burr K, Story D, McCampbell A, Shaw CE, Kind PC, Aitman TJ, Whitelaw CBA, Wilmut I, Smith C, Miles GB, Hardingham GE, Wyllie DJA, Chandran S. C9ORF72 repeat expansion causes vulnerability of motor neurons to Ca 2+-permeable AMPA receptor-mediated excitotoxicity. Nat Commun 2018; 9:347. [PMID: 29367641 PMCID: PMC5783946 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-02729-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2016] [Accepted: 12/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in C9ORF72 are the most common cause of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Here, through a combination of RNA-Seq and electrophysiological studies on induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived motor neurons (MNs), we show that increased expression of GluA1 AMPA receptor (AMPAR) subunit occurs in MNs with C9ORF72 mutations that leads to increased Ca2+-permeable AMPAR expression and results in enhanced selective MN vulnerability to excitotoxicity. These deficits are not found in iPSC-derived cortical neurons and are abolished by CRISPR/Cas9-mediated correction of the C9ORF72 repeat expansion in MNs. We also demonstrate that MN-specific dysregulation of AMPAR expression is also present in C9ORF72 patient post-mortem material. We therefore present multiple lines of evidence for the specific upregulation of GluA1 subunits in human mutant C9ORF72 MNs that could lead to a potential pathogenic excitotoxic mechanism in ALS. Repeat expansion mutation in C9ORF72 is the most common cause of familial ALS. Here, the authors generate motor neurons from cells of patients with C9ORF72 mutations, and characterize changes in gene expression in these motor neurons compared to genetically corrected lines, which suggest that glutamate receptor subunit GluA1 is dysregulated in this form of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhuvaneish T Selvaraj
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, UK.,Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK.,Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Matthew R Livesey
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK.,Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK.,Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK
| | - Chen Zhao
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, UK.,Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK.,Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Jenna M Gregory
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK.,Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Owain T James
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK.,Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK.,Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK
| | - Elaine M Cleary
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, UK.,Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK.,Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Amit K Chouhan
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK.,School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, KY16 9JP, UK
| | - Angus B Gane
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, UK.,Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK.,Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Emma M Perkins
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK.,Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK.,Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK
| | - Owen Dando
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK.,Centre for Brain Development and Repair, inStem, Bangalore, 560065, India
| | - Simon G Lillico
- The Roslin Institute and R(D)SVS, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH25 9RG, UK
| | - Youn-Bok Lee
- Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, King's College London, London, SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Agnes L Nishimura
- Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, King's College London, London, SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Urjana Poreci
- Global Biomarker and Drug Discovery, Biogen, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Sai Thankamony
- Global Biomarker and Drug Discovery, Biogen, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Meryll Pray
- Global Biomarker and Drug Discovery, Biogen, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Navneet A Vasistha
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, UK.,Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK.,Centre for Brain Development and Repair, inStem, Bangalore, 560065, India
| | - Dario Magnani
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, UK.,Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK.,Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Shyamanga Borooah
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Karen Burr
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, UK.,Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK.,Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK
| | - David Story
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, UK.,Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK.,Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK
| | | | - Christopher E Shaw
- Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, King's College London, London, SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Peter C Kind
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK.,Centre for Brain Development and Repair, inStem, Bangalore, 560065, India
| | - Timothy J Aitman
- MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK
| | - C Bruce A Whitelaw
- The Roslin Institute and R(D)SVS, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH25 9RG, UK
| | - Ian Wilmut
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Colin Smith
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK.,Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Gareth B Miles
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK.,School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, KY16 9JP, UK
| | - Giles E Hardingham
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK.,Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK.,UK DRI Institute at Edinburgh, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, UK
| | - David J A Wyllie
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK. .,Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK. .,Centre for Brain Development and Repair, inStem, Bangalore, 560065, India.
| | - Siddharthan Chandran
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, UK. .,Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK. .,Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK. .,Centre for Brain Development and Repair, inStem, Bangalore, 560065, India. .,UK DRI Institute at Edinburgh, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, UK.
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Abstract
The molecular process of RNA editing allows changes in RNA transcripts that increase genomic diversity. These highly conserved RNA editing events are catalyzed by a group of enzymes known as adenosine deaminases acting on double-stranded RNA (ADARs). ADARs are necessary for normal development, they bind to over thousands of genes, impact millions of editing sites, and target critical components of the central nervous system (CNS) such as glutamate receptors, serotonin receptors, and potassium channels. Dysfunctional ADARs are known to cause alterations in CNS protein products and therefore play a role in chronic or acute neurodegenerative and psychiatric diseases as well as CNS cancer. Here, we review how RNA editing deficiency impacts CNS function and summarize its role during disease pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ileana Lorenzini
- Barrow Neurological Institute, Department of Neurobiology, Dignity Health, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Stephen Moore
- Barrow Neurological Institute, Department of Neurobiology, Dignity Health, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ, USA
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Rita Sattler
- Department of Neurobiology and Neurology, Dignityhealth St. Joseph's Hospital, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ, USA.
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37
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Bonifacino T, Cattaneo L, Gallia E, Puliti A, Melone M, Provenzano F, Bossi S, Musante I, Usai C, Conti F, Bonanno G, Milanese M. In-vivo effects of knocking-down metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 in the SOD1 G93A mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Neuropharmacology 2017. [PMID: 28645622 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2017.06.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder due to loss of upper and lower motor neurons (MNs). The mechanisms of neuronal death are largely unknown, thus prejudicing the successful pharmacological treatment. One major cause for MN degeneration in ALS is represented by glutamate(Glu)-mediated excitotoxicity. We have previously reported that activation of Group I metabotropic Glu receptors (mGluR1 and mGluR5) at glutamatergic spinal cord nerve terminals produces abnormal Glu release in the widely studied SOD1G93A mouse model of ALS. We also demonstrated that halving mGluR1 expression in the SOD1G93A mouse had a positive impact on survival, disease onset, disease progression, and on a number of cellular and biochemical readouts of ALS. We generated here SOD1G93A mice with reduced expression of mGluR5 (SOD1G93AGrm5-/+) by crossing the SOD1G93A mutant mouse with the mGluR5 heterozigous Grm5-/+ mouse. SOD1G93AGrm5-/+ mice showed prolonged survival probability and delayed pathology onset. These effects were associated to enhanced number of preserved MNs, decreased astrocyte and microglia activation, reduced cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration, and regularization of abnormal Glu release in the spinal cord of SOD1G93AGrm5-/+ mice. Unexpectedly, only male SOD1G93AGrm5-/+ mice showed improved motor skills during disease progression vs. SOD1G93A mice, while SOD1G93AGrm5-/+ females did not. These results demonstrate that a lower constitutive level of mGluR5 has a significant positive impact in mice with ALS and support the idea that blocking Group I mGluRs may represent a potentially effective pharmacological approach to the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiziana Bonifacino
- Department of Pharmacy, Unit of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Genoa Viale Cembrano, 4 - 16148, Genoa, Italy
| | - Luca Cattaneo
- Department of Pharmacy, Unit of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Genoa Viale Cembrano, 4 - 16148, Genoa, Italy
| | - Elena Gallia
- Department of Pharmacy, Unit of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Genoa Viale Cembrano, 4 - 16148, Genoa, Italy
| | - Aldamaria Puliti
- Department of Pharmacy, Unit of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Genoa Viale Cembrano, 4 - 16148, Genoa, Italy; Medical Genetics Unit, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini, 5 - 16147, Genoa, Italy; Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 9 - 16132, Genoa, Italy
| | - Marcello Melone
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Via Tronto 10/a - 60126, Torrette di Ancona, Ancona, Italy; Centre for Neurobiology of Aging, INRCA IRCCS, Via S.Margherita, 5 - 60124, Ancona, Italy
| | - Francesca Provenzano
- Department of Pharmacy, Unit of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Genoa Viale Cembrano, 4 - 16148, Genoa, Italy
| | - Simone Bossi
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics and Maternal and Child Health, L.go P. Daneo, 3 - 16132, Genoa, Italy
| | - Ilaria Musante
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics and Maternal and Child Health, L.go P. Daneo, 3 - 16132, Genoa, Italy
| | - Cesare Usai
- Institute of Biophysics, National Research Council (CNR), Via Darini, 6 - Torre di Francia, 16149, Genoa, Italy
| | - Fiorenzo Conti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Via Tronto 10/a - 60126, Torrette di Ancona, Ancona, Italy; Centre for Neurobiology of Aging, INRCA IRCCS, Via S.Margherita, 5 - 60124, Ancona, Italy
| | - Giambattista Bonanno
- Department of Pharmacy, Unit of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Genoa Viale Cembrano, 4 - 16148, Genoa, Italy; Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 9 - 16132, Genoa, Italy.
| | - Marco Milanese
- Department of Pharmacy, Unit of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Genoa Viale Cembrano, 4 - 16148, Genoa, Italy; Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 9 - 16132, Genoa, Italy
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38
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Selection and Prioritization of Candidate Drug Targets for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Through a Meta-Analysis Approach. J Mol Neurosci 2017; 61:563-580. [PMID: 28236105 PMCID: PMC5359376 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-017-0898-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2017] [Accepted: 02/08/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive and incurable neurodegenerative disease. Although several compounds have shown promising results in preclinical studies, their translation into clinical trials has failed. This clinical failure is likely due to the inadequacy of the animal models that do not sufficiently reflect the human disease. Therefore, it is important to optimize drug target selection by identifying those that overlap in human and mouse pathology. We have recently characterized the transcriptional profiles of motor cortex samples from sporadic ALS (SALS) patients and differentiated these into two subgroups based on differentially expressed genes, which encode 70 potential therapeutic targets. To prioritize drug target selection, we investigated their degree of conservation in superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) G93A transgenic mice, the most widely used ALS animal model. Interspecies comparison of our human expression data with those of eight different SOD1G93A datasets present in public repositories revealed the presence of commonly deregulated targets and related biological processes. Moreover, deregulated expression of the majority of our candidate targets occurred at the onset of the disease, offering the possibility to use them for an early and more effective diagnosis and therapy. In addition to highlighting the existence of common key drivers in human and mouse pathology, our study represents the basis for a rational preclinical drug development.
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39
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Altered Intracellular Milieu of ADAR2-Deficient Motor Neurons in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Genes (Basel) 2017; 8:genes8020060. [PMID: 28208729 PMCID: PMC5333049 DOI: 10.3390/genes8020060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2016] [Revised: 01/25/2017] [Accepted: 01/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Transactive response DNA-binding protein (TDP-43) pathology, and failure of A-to-I conversion (RNA editing) at the glutamine/arginine (Q/R) site of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid (AMPA) receptor subunit GluA2, are etiology-linked molecular abnormalities that concomitantly occur in the motor neurons of most patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Adenosine deaminase acting on RNA 2 (ADAR2) specifically catalyzes GluA2 Q/R site-RNA editing. Furthermore, conditional ADAR2 knockout mice (AR2) exhibit a progressive ALS phenotype with TDP-43 pathology in the motor neurons, which is the most reliable pathological marker of ALS. Therefore, the evidence indicates that ADAR2 downregulation is a causative factor in ALS, and AR2 mice exhibit causative molecular changes that occur in ALS. We discuss the contributors to ADAR2 downregulation and TDP-43 pathology in AR2 mouse motor neurons. We describe mechanisms of exaggerated Ca2+ influx amelioration via AMPA receptors, which is neuroprotective in ADAR2-deficient motor neurons with normalization of TDP-43 pathology in AR2 mice. Development of drugs to treat diseases requires appropriate animal models and a sensitive method of evaluating efficacy. Therefore, normalization of disrupted intracellular environments resulting from ADAR2 downregulation may be a therapeutic target for ALS. We discuss the development of targeted therapy for ALS using the AR2 mouse model.
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40
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Yamashita T, Aizawa H, Teramoto S, Akamatsu M, Kwak S. Calpain-dependent disruption of nucleo-cytoplasmic transport in ALS motor neurons. Sci Rep 2017; 7:39994. [PMID: 28045133 PMCID: PMC5206745 DOI: 10.1038/srep39994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2016] [Accepted: 11/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Nuclear dysfunction in motor neurons has been hypothesized to be a principal cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) pathogenesis. Here, we investigated the mechanism by which the nuclear pore complex (NPC) is disrupted in dying motor neurons in a mechanistic ALS mouse model (adenosine deaminase acting on RNA 2 (ADAR2) conditional knockout (AR2) mice) and in ALS patients. We showed that nucleoporins (Nups) that constituted the NPC were cleaved by activated calpain via a Ca2+-permeable AMPA receptor-mediated mechanism in dying motor neurons lacking ADAR2 expression in AR2 mice. In these neurons, nucleo-cytoplasmic transport was disrupted, and the level of the transcript elongation enzyme RNA polymerase II phosphorylated at Ser2 was significantly decreased. Analogous changes were observed in motor neurons lacking ADAR2 immunoreactivity in sporadic ALS patients. Therefore, calpain-dependent NPC disruption may participate in ALS pathogenesis, and inhibiting Ca2+-mediated cell death signals may be a therapeutic strategy for ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takenari Yamashita
- Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Aizawa
- Department of Neurology, Tokyo Medical University, 6-7-1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0023, Japan
| | - Sayaka Teramoto
- Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Megumi Akamatsu
- Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Shin Kwak
- Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan.,Clinical Research Center for Medicine, International University of Health and Welfare, 6-1-14 Konodai, Ichikawa, Chiba 272-0827, Japan
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41
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EAAT2 and the Molecular Signature of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. ADVANCES IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2017; 16:117-136. [PMID: 28828608 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-55769-4_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rapid and fatal neurodegenerative disease, primarily affecting upper and lower motor neurons. It is an extremely heterogeneous disease in both cause and symptom development, and its mechanisms of pathogenesis remain largely unknown. Excitotoxicity, a process caused by excessive glutamate signaling, is believed to play a substantial role, however. Excessive glutamate release, changes in postsynaptic glutamate receptors, and reduction of functional astrocytic glutamate transporters contribute to excitotoxicity in ALS. Here, we explore the roles of each, with a particular emphasis on glutamate transporters and attempts to increase them as therapy for ALS. Screening strategies have been employed to find compounds that increase the functional excitatory amino acid transporter EAAT2 (GLT1), which is responsible for the vast majority of glutamate clearance. One such compound, ceftriaxone, was recently tested in clinical trials but unfortunately did not modify disease course, though its effect on EAAT2 expression in patients was not measured.
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42
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Watanabe S, Ilieva H, Tamada H, Nomura H, Komine O, Endo F, Jin S, Mancias P, Kiyama H, Yamanaka K. Mitochondria-associated membrane collapse is a common pathomechanism in SIGMAR1- and SOD1-linked ALS. EMBO Mol Med 2016; 8:1421-1437. [PMID: 27821430 PMCID: PMC5167132 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.201606403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 179] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2016] [Revised: 09/21/2016] [Accepted: 09/27/2016] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
A homozygous mutation in the gene for sigma 1 receptor (Sig1R) is a cause of inherited juvenile amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS16). Sig1R localizes to the mitochondria-associated membrane (MAM), which is an interface of mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum. However, the role of the MAM in ALS is not fully elucidated. Here, we identified a homozygous p.L95fs mutation of Sig1R as a novel cause of ALS16. ALS-linked Sig1R variants were unstable and incapable of binding to inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate receptor type 3 (IP3R3). The onset of mutant Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1)-mediated ALS disease in mice was accelerated when Sig1R was deficient. Moreover, either deficiency of Sig1R or accumulation of mutant SOD1 induced MAM disruption, resulting in mislocalization of IP3R3 from the MAM, calpain activation, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Our findings indicate that a loss of Sig1R function is causative for ALS16, and collapse of the MAM is a common pathomechanism in both Sig1R- and SOD1-linked ALS Furthermore, our discovery of the selective enrichment of IP3R3 in motor neurons suggests that integrity of the MAM is crucial for the selective vulnerability in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seiji Watanabe
- Department of Neuroscience and Pathobiology, Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Hristelina Ilieva
- Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Hiromi Tamada
- Department of Functional Anatomy and Neuroscience, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Hanae Nomura
- Department of Neuroscience and Pathobiology, Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Okiru Komine
- Department of Neuroscience and Pathobiology, Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Fumito Endo
- Department of Neuroscience and Pathobiology, Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Shijie Jin
- Department of Neuroscience and Pathobiology, Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Pedro Mancias
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Hiroshi Kiyama
- Department of Functional Anatomy and Neuroscience, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Koji Yamanaka
- Department of Neuroscience and Pathobiology, Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
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43
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Barger SW. Gene regulation and genetics in neurochemistry, past to future. J Neurochem 2016; 139 Suppl 2:24-57. [PMID: 27747882 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.13629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2015] [Revised: 03/01/2016] [Accepted: 03/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Ask any neuroscientist to name the most profound discoveries in the field in the past 60 years, and at or near the top of the list will be a phenomenon or technique related to genes and their expression. Indeed, our understanding of genetics and gene regulation has ushered in whole new systems of knowledge and new empirical approaches, many of which could not have even been imagined prior to the molecular biology boon of recent decades. Neurochemistry, in the classic sense, intersects with these concepts in the manifestation of neuropeptides, obviously dependent upon the central dogma (the established rules by which DNA sequence is eventually converted into protein primary structure) not only for their conformation but also for their levels and locales of expression. But, expanding these considerations to non-peptide neurotransmitters illustrates how gene regulatory events impact neurochemistry in a much broader sense, extending beyond the neurochemicals that translate electrical signals into chemical ones in the synapse, to also include every aspect of neural development, structure, function, and pathology. From the beginning, the mutability - yet relative stability - of genes and their expression patterns were recognized as potential substrates for some of the most intriguing phenomena in neurobiology - those instances of plasticity required for learning and memory. Near-heretical speculation was offered in the idea that perhaps the very sequence of the genome was altered to encode memories. A fascinating component of the intervening progress includes evidence that the central dogma is not nearly as rigid and consistent as we once thought. And this mutability extends to the potential to manipulate that code for both experimental and clinical purposes. Astonishing progress has been made in the molecular biology of neurochemistry during the 60 years since this journal debuted. Many of the gains in conceptual understanding have been driven by methodological progress, from automated high-throughput sequencing instruments to recombinant-DNA vectors that can convey color-coded genetic modifications in the chromosomes of live adult animals. This review covers the highlights of these advances, both theoretical and technological, along with a brief window into the promising science ahead. This article is part of the 60th Anniversary special issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven W Barger
- Department of Geriatrics, Department of Neurobiology and Developmental Sciences, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA. .,Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA.
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44
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Geevasinga N, Menon P, Özdinler PH, Kiernan MC, Vucic S. Pathophysiological and diagnostic implications of cortical dysfunction in ALS. Nat Rev Neurol 2016; 12:651-661. [DOI: 10.1038/nrneurol.2016.140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 135] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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45
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Patai R, Nógrádi B, Engelhardt JI, Siklós L. Calcium in the pathomechanism of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis - Taking center stage? Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2016; 483:1031-1039. [PMID: 27545602 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2016.08.089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2016] [Revised: 07/26/2016] [Accepted: 08/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is an incurable, relentlessly progressive disease primarily affecting motor neurons. The cause of the disease, except for the mutations identified in a small fraction of patients, is unknown. The major mechanisms contributing to the degeneration of motor neurons have already been disclosed and characterized, including excitotoxicity, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and immune/inflammatory processes. During the progression of the disease these toxic processes are not discrete, but each facilitates the deleterious effect of the other. However, due to their common reciprocal calcium dependence, calcium ions may act as a common denominator and through a positive feedback loop may combine the individual pathological processes into a unified escalating mechanism of neuronal destruction. This mini-review provides an overview of the mutual calcium dependence of the major toxic mechanisms associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roland Patai
- Institute of Biophysics, Biological Research Center, Temesvári krt. 62, 6726 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Bernát Nógrádi
- Foundation for the Future of Biomedical Sciences in Szeged, Pálfy u. 52/d, 6725 Szeged, Hungary
| | - József I Engelhardt
- Department of Neurology, University of Szeged, Semmelweis u. 6, 6725 Szeged, Hungary
| | - László Siklós
- Institute of Biophysics, Biological Research Center, Temesvári krt. 62, 6726 Szeged, Hungary.
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46
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Akamatsu M, Yamashita T, Hirose N, Teramoto S, Kwak S. The AMPA receptor antagonist perampanel robustly rescues amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) pathology in sporadic ALS model mice. Sci Rep 2016; 6:28649. [PMID: 27350567 PMCID: PMC4923865 DOI: 10.1038/srep28649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2016] [Accepted: 06/06/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Both TDP-43 pathology and failure of RNA editing of AMPA receptor subunit GluA2, are etiology-linked molecular abnormalities that concomitantly occur in the motor neurons of the majority of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). AR2 mice, in which an RNA editing enzyme adenosine deaminase acting on RNA 2 (ADAR2) is conditionally knocked out in the motor neurons, exhibit a progressive ALS phenotype with TDP-43 pathology in the motor neurons through a Ca2+-permeable AMPA receptor-mediated mechanism. Therefore, amelioration of the increased Ca2+ influx by AMPA receptor antagonists may be a potential ALS therapy. Here, we showed that orally administered perampanel, a selective, non-competitive AMPA receptor antagonist significantly prevented the progression of the ALS phenotype and normalized the TDP-43 pathology-associated death of motor neurons in the AR2 mice. Given that perampanel is an approved anti-epileptic drug, perampanel is a potential candidate ALS drug worthy of a clinical trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megumi Akamatsu
- Center for Disease Biology and Integrative Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Neuropathology, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takenari Yamashita
- Center for Disease Biology and Integrative Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Neuropathology, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Naoki Hirose
- Center for Disease Biology and Integrative Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Neuropathology, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Sayaka Teramoto
- Center for Disease Biology and Integrative Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Neuropathology, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shin Kwak
- Center for Disease Biology and Integrative Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan.,Clinical Research Center for Medicine, International University of Health and Welfare, Ichikawa, Chiba, Japan
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47
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Yamashita T, Teramoto S, Kwak S. Phosphorylated TDP-43 becomes resistant to cleavage by calpain: A regulatory role for phosphorylation in TDP-43 pathology of ALS/FTLD. Neurosci Res 2016; 107:63-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2015.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2015] [Revised: 12/08/2015] [Accepted: 12/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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48
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King AE, Woodhouse A, Kirkcaldie MT, Vickers JC. Excitotoxicity in ALS: Overstimulation, or overreaction? Exp Neurol 2016; 275 Pt 1:162-71. [DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2015.09.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2015] [Revised: 08/30/2015] [Accepted: 09/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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49
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Laptev IG, Golovina AY, Sergiev PV, Dontsova OA. Posttranscriptional modification of messenger RNAs in eukaryotes. Mol Biol 2015; 49:825-836. [PMID: 32214475 PMCID: PMC7088549 DOI: 10.1134/s002689331506014x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2015] [Accepted: 06/25/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Transcriptome-wide mapping of posttranscriptional modifications in eukaryotic RNA revealed tens of thousands of modification sites. Modified nucleotides include 6-methyladenosine, 5-methylcytidine, pseudouridine, inosine, etc. Many modification sites are conserved, and many are regulated. The function is known for a minor subset of modified nucleotides, while the role of their majority is still obscure. In view of the global character of mRNA modification, RNA epigenetics arose as a new field of molecular biology. The review considers posttranscriptional modification of eukaryotic mRNA, focusing on the major modified nucleotides, the role they play in the cell, the methods to detect them, and the enzymes responsible for modification.
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Affiliation(s)
- I G Laptev
- 1Department of Chemistry, Moscow State University, Moscow, 119991 Russia
| | - A Ya Golovina
- 2Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Moscow State University, Moscow, 119992 Russia
| | - P V Sergiev
- 1Department of Chemistry, Moscow State University, Moscow, 119991 Russia.,2Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Moscow State University, Moscow, 119992 Russia
| | - O A Dontsova
- 1Department of Chemistry, Moscow State University, Moscow, 119991 Russia.,2Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Moscow State University, Moscow, 119992 Russia
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50
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Tajaddod M, Jantsch MF, Licht K. The dynamic epitranscriptome: A to I editing modulates genetic information. Chromosoma 2015; 125:51-63. [PMID: 26148686 PMCID: PMC4761006 DOI: 10.1007/s00412-015-0526-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2015] [Revised: 06/22/2015] [Accepted: 06/24/2015] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Adenosine to inosine editing (A to I editing) is a cotranscriptional process that contributes to transcriptome complexity by deamination of adenosines to inosines. Initially, the impact of A to I editing has been described for coding targets in the nervous system. Here, A to I editing leads to recoding and changes of single amino acids since inosine is normally interpreted as guanosine by cellular machines. However, more recently, new roles for A to I editing have emerged: Editing was shown to influence splicing and is found massively in Alu elements. Moreover, A to I editing is required to modulate innate immunity. We summarize the multiple ways in which A to I editing generates transcriptome variability and highlight recent findings in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mansoureh Tajaddod
- Department of Chromosome Biology, Max F. Perutz Laboratories, University of Vienna, Dr. Bohr Gasse 9/5, A-1030, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael F Jantsch
- Department of Chromosome Biology, Max F. Perutz Laboratories, University of Vienna, Dr. Bohr Gasse 9/5, A-1030, Vienna, Austria. .,Department of Cell Biology, Center of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Medical University of Vienna, Schwarzspanierstrasse 17, A-1090, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Konstantin Licht
- Department of Chromosome Biology, Max F. Perutz Laboratories, University of Vienna, Dr. Bohr Gasse 9/5, A-1030, Vienna, Austria.
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