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Murage B, Tan H, Mashimo T, Jackson M, Skehel PA. Spinal cord neurone loss and foot placement changes in a rat knock-in model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis Type 8. Brain Commun 2024; 6:fcae184. [PMID: 38846532 PMCID: PMC11154649 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcae184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is an age-dependent cell type-selective degenerative disease. Genetic studies indicate that amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is part of a spectrum of disorders, ranging from spinal muscular atrophy to frontotemporal dementia that share common pathological mechanisms. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis Type 8 is a familial disease caused by mis-sense mutations in VAPB. VAPB is localized to the cytoplasmic surface of the endoplasmic reticulum, where it serves as a docking point for cytoplasmic proteins and mediates inter-organelle interactions with the endoplasmic reticulum membrane. A gene knock-in model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis Type 8 based on the VapBP56S mutation and VapB gene deletion has been generated in rats. These animals display a range of age-dependent phenotypes distinct from those previously reported in mouse models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis Type 8. A loss of motor neurones in VapBP56S/+ and VapBP56S/P56S animals is indicated by a reduction in the number of large choline acetyl transferase-staining cells in the spinal cord. VapB-/- animals exhibit a relative increase in cytoplasmic TDP-43 levels compared with the nucleus, but no large protein aggregates. Concomitant with these spinal cord pathologies VapBP56S/+ , VapBP56S/P56S and VapB-/- animals exhibit age-dependent changes in paw placement and exerted pressures when traversing a CatWalk apparatus, consistent with a somatosensory dysfunction. Extramotor dysfunction is reported in half the cases of motor neurone disease, and this is the first indication of an associated sensory dysfunction in a rodent model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Different rodent models may offer complementary experimental platforms with which to understand the human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brenda Murage
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, Edinburgh University, Edinburgh EH8 9XD, UK
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, Edinburgh University, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Han Tan
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, Edinburgh University, Edinburgh EH8 9XD, UK
| | - Tomoji Mashimo
- Division of Animal Genetics, Laboratory Animal Research Center, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Mandy Jackson
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, Edinburgh University, Edinburgh EH8 9XD, UK
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, Edinburgh University, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Paul A Skehel
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, Edinburgh University, Edinburgh EH8 9XD, UK
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, Edinburgh University, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
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2
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Stringer RN, Weiss N. Pathophysiology of ion channels in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Mol Brain 2023; 16:82. [PMID: 38102715 PMCID: PMC10722804 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-023-01070-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) stands as the most prevalent and severe form of motor neuron disease, affecting an estimated 2 in 100,000 individuals worldwide. It is characterized by the progressive loss of cortical, brainstem, and spinal motor neurons, ultimately resulting in muscle weakness and death. Although the etiology of ALS remains poorly understood in most cases, the remodelling of ion channels and alteration in neuronal excitability represent a hallmark of the disease, manifesting not only during the symptomatic period but also in the early pre-symptomatic stages. In this review, we delve into these alterations observed in ALS patients and preclinical disease models, and explore their consequences on neuronal activities. Furthermore, we discuss the potential of ion channels as therapeutic targets in the context of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin N Stringer
- Department of Pathophysiology, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Norbert Weiss
- Department of Pathophysiology, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic.
- Center of Biosciences, Institute of Molecular Physiology and Genetics, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia.
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3
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Del Vecchio M, Amado L, Cogan AP, Meert E, Rosseels J, Franssens V, Govers SK, Winderickx J, Montoro AG. Multiple tethers of organelle contact sites are involved in α-synuclein toxicity in yeast. Mol Biol Cell 2023; 34:ar84. [PMID: 37074954 PMCID: PMC10398879 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e23-01-0029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The protein α-synuclein (α-syn) is one of the major factors linked to Parkinson's disease, yet how its misfolding and deposition contribute to the pathology remains largely elusive. Recently, contact sites among organelles were implicated in the development of this disease. Here, we used the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, in which organelle contact sites have been characterized extensively, as a model to investigate their role in α-syn cytotoxicity. We observed that lack of specific tethers that anchor the endoplasmic reticulum to the plasma membrane resulted in cells with increased resistance to α-syn expression. Additionally, we found that strains lacking two dual-function proteins involved in contact sites, Mdm10 and Vps39, were resistant to the expression of α-syn. In the case of Mdm10, we found that this is related to its function in mitochondrial protein biogenesis and not to its role as a contact site tether. In contrast, both functions of Vps39, in vesicular transport and as a tether of the vacuole-mitochondria contact site, were required to support α-syn toxicity. Overall, our findings support that interorganelle communication through membrane contact sites is highly relevant for α-syn-mediated toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mara Del Vecchio
- Department of Biology, Functional Biology Laboratory, KU Leuven, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium
- Department of Biology, Microbial Systems Cell Biology Laboratory, KU Leuven, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Lucia Amado
- Department of Biology/Chemistry, Cellular Communication Laboratory, Osnabrück University, 49076 Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Alexandra P. Cogan
- Department of Biology/Chemistry, Cellular Communication Laboratory, Osnabrück University, 49076 Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Els Meert
- Department of Biology, Functional Biology Laboratory, KU Leuven, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Joelle Rosseels
- Department of Biology, Functional Biology Laboratory, KU Leuven, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Vanessa Franssens
- Department of Biology, Functional Biology Laboratory, KU Leuven, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Sander K. Govers
- Department of Biology, Microbial Systems Cell Biology Laboratory, KU Leuven, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Joris Winderickx
- Department of Biology, Functional Biology Laboratory, KU Leuven, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Ayelén González Montoro
- Department of Biology/Chemistry, Cellular Communication Laboratory, Osnabrück University, 49076 Osnabrück, Germany
- Center of Cellular Nanoanalytics Osnabrück, 49076 Osnabrück, Germany
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4
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Marlin E, Viu-Idocin C, Arrasate M, Aragón T. The Role and Therapeutic Potential of the Integrated Stress Response in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23147823. [PMID: 35887167 PMCID: PMC9321386 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients, loss of cellular homeostasis within cortical and spinal cord motor neurons triggers the activation of the integrated stress response (ISR), an intracellular signaling pathway that remodels translation and promotes a gene expression program aimed at coping with stress. Beyond its neuroprotective role, under regimes of chronic or excessive stress, ISR can also promote cell/neuronal death. Given the two-edged sword nature of ISR, many experimental attempts have tried to establish the therapeutic potential of ISR enhancement or inhibition in ALS. This review discusses the complex interplay between ISR and disease progression in different models of ALS, as well as the opportunities and limitations of ISR modulation in the hard quest to find an effective therapy for ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elías Marlin
- Neuroscience Program, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain;
- Gene Therapy and Regulation of Gene Expression Program, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- School of Medicine, University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Neuroscience Department, Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | | | - Montserrat Arrasate
- Neuroscience Program, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain;
- School of Medicine, University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Neuroscience Department, Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Correspondence: (M.A.); (T.A.)
| | - Tomás Aragón
- Gene Therapy and Regulation of Gene Expression Program, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Neuroscience Department, Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Correspondence: (M.A.); (T.A.)
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5
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Cozzi M, Ferrari V. Autophagy Dysfunction in ALS: from Transport to Protein Degradation. J Mol Neurosci 2022; 72:1456-1481. [PMID: 35708843 PMCID: PMC9293831 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-022-02029-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease affecting upper and lower motor neurons (MNs). Since the identification of the first ALS mutation in 1993, more than 40 genes have been associated with the disorder. The most frequent genetic causes of ALS are represented by mutated genes whose products challenge proteostasis, becoming unable to properly fold and consequently aggregating into inclusions that impose proteotoxic stress on affected cells. In this context, increasing evidence supports the central role played by autophagy dysfunctions in the pathogenesis of ALS. Indeed, in early stages of disease, high levels of proteins involved in autophagy are present in ALS MNs; but at the same time, with neurodegeneration progression, autophagy-mediated degradation decreases, often as a result of the accumulation of toxic protein aggregates in affected cells. Autophagy is a complex multistep pathway that has a central role in maintaining cellular homeostasis. Several proteins are involved in its tight regulation, and importantly a relevant fraction of ALS-related genes encodes products that directly take part in autophagy, further underlining the relevance of this key protein degradation system in disease onset and progression. In this review, we report the most relevant findings concerning ALS genes whose products are involved in the several steps of the autophagic pathway, from phagophore formation to autophagosome maturation and transport and finally to substrate degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Cozzi
- Dipartimento Di Scienze Farmacologiche E Biomolecolari, Università Degli Studi Di Milano, 20133, Milan, Italy.
| | - Veronica Ferrari
- Dipartimento Di Scienze Farmacologiche E Biomolecolari, Università Degli Studi Di Milano, 20133, Milan, Italy.
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6
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Kors S, Costello JL, Schrader M. VAP Proteins - From Organelle Tethers to Pathogenic Host Interactors and Their Role in Neuronal Disease. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:895856. [PMID: 35756994 PMCID: PMC9213790 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.895856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Vesicle-associated membrane protein (VAMP)-associated proteins (VAPs) are ubiquitous ER-resident tail-anchored membrane proteins in eukaryotic cells. Their N-terminal major sperm protein (MSP) domain faces the cytosol and allows them to interact with a wide variety of cellular proteins. Therefore, VAP proteins are vital to many cellular processes, including organelle membrane tethering, lipid transfer, autophagy, ion homeostasis and viral defence. Here, we provide a timely overview of the increasing number of VAPA/B binding partners and discuss the role of VAPA/B in maintaining organelle-ER interactions and cooperation. Furthermore, we address how viruses and intracellular bacteria hijack VAPs and their binding partners to induce interactions between the host ER and pathogen-containing compartments and support pathogen replication. Finally, we focus on the role of VAP in human disease and discuss how mutated VAPB leads to the disruption of cellular homeostasis and causes amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzan Kors
- *Correspondence: Suzan Kors, ; Michael Schrader,
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Borgese N, Iacomino N, Colombo SF, Navone F. The Link between VAPB Loss of Function and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Cells 2021; 10:1865. [PMID: 34440634 PMCID: PMC8392409 DOI: 10.3390/cells10081865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The VAP proteins are integral adaptor proteins of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane that recruit a myriad of interacting partners to the ER surface. Through these interactions, the VAPs mediate a large number of processes, notably the generation of membrane contact sites between the ER and essentially all other cellular membranes. In 2004, it was discovered that a mutation (p.P56S) in the VAPB paralogue causes a rare form of dominantly inherited familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS8). The mutant protein is aggregation-prone, non-functional and unstable, and its expression from a single allele appears to be insufficient to support toxic gain-of-function effects within motor neurons. Instead, loss-of-function of the single wild-type allele is required for pathological effects, and VAPB haploinsufficiency may be the main driver of the disease. In this article, we review the studies on the effects of VAPB deficit in cellular and animal models. Several basic cell physiological processes are affected by downregulation or complete depletion of VAPB, impinging on phosphoinositide homeostasis, Ca2+ signalling, ion transport, neurite extension, and ER stress. In the future, the distinction between the roles of the two VAP paralogues (A and B), as well as studies on motor neurons generated from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) of ALS8 patients will further elucidate the pathogenic basis of p.P56S familial ALS, as well as of other more common forms of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nica Borgese
- CNR Institute of Neuroscience, Via Follereau 3, Bldg U28, 20854 Vedano al Lambro, Italy; (N.I.); (S.F.C.)
| | | | | | - Francesca Navone
- CNR Institute of Neuroscience, Via Follereau 3, Bldg U28, 20854 Vedano al Lambro, Italy; (N.I.); (S.F.C.)
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8
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Deregulation of phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate in the development of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 8. Adv Biol Regul 2021; 79:100779. [PMID: 33461946 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbior.2020.100779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 8 (ALS8) is one of a heterogeneous group of progressive neurodegenerative disorders characterized by the death of motor neurons. ALS8 is caused by mutations in VAPB, a protein that acts at multiple membrane contact sites between the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and almost all other organelles and thus affects functions at diverse cellular locations. One prominent function mediated by VAPB at these sites is lipid exchange, and a recurrent phenotype observed in all models investigating knockout or knockdown of VAPs is a significant increase in the levels of phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate (PI4P). Here we consider the relevance of this PI4P deregulation in the development of ALS8 that might represent a potential target for therapeutic intervention.
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9
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Oliveira D, Verjovski-Almeida S, Zatz M. Phenotypic heterogeneity in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis type 8 and modifying mechanisms of neurodegeneration. Neural Regen Res 2021; 16:1776-1778. [PMID: 33510073 PMCID: PMC8328791 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.303030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Danyllo Oliveira
- Human Genome and Stem Cell Research Center, Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Sergio Verjovski-Almeida
- Laboratório de Expressão Gênica em Eucariotos, Instituto Butantan; Departmento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Mayana Zatz
- Human Genome and Stem Cell Research Center, Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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10
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Borgese N, Navone F, Nukina N, Yamanaka T. Mutant VAPB: Culprit or Innocent Bystander of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis? CONTACT (THOUSAND OAKS (VENTURA COUNTY, CALIF.)) 2021; 4:25152564211022515. [PMID: 37366377 PMCID: PMC10243577 DOI: 10.1177/25152564211022515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Revised: 05/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Nearly twenty years ago a mutation in the VAPB gene, resulting in a proline to serine substitution (p.P56S), was identified as the cause of a rare, slowly progressing, familial form of the motor neuron degenerative disease Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Since then, progress in unravelling the mechanistic basis of this mutation has proceeded in parallel with research on the VAP proteins and on their role in establishing membrane contact sites between the ER and other organelles. Analysis of the literature on cellular and animal models reviewed here supports the conclusion that P56S-VAPB, which is aggregation-prone, non-functional and unstable, is expressed at levels that are insufficient to support toxic gain-of-function or dominant negative effects within motor neurons. Instead, insufficient levels of the product of the single wild-type allele appear to be required for pathological effects, and may be the main driver of the disease. In light of the multiple interactions of the VAP proteins, we address the consequences of specific VAPB depletion and highlight various affected processes that could contribute to motor neuron degeneration. In the future, distinction of specific roles of each of the two VAP paralogues should help to further elucidate the basis of p.P56S familial ALS, as well as of other more common forms of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nica Borgese
- CNR Institute of
Neuroscience, Vedano al Lambro (MB), Italy
| | | | - Nobuyuki Nukina
- Laboratory of Structural
Neuropathology, Doshisha University Graduate School of Brain Science,
Kyoto, Japan
| | - Tomoyuki Yamanaka
- Laboratory of Structural
Neuropathology, Doshisha University Graduate School of Brain Science,
Kyoto, Japan
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