1
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Sidisky JM, Winters A, Caratenuto R, Babcock DT. Synaptic defects in a drosophila model of muscular dystrophy. Front Cell Neurosci 2024; 18:1381112. [PMID: 38812789 PMCID: PMC11133739 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2024.1381112] [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: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Muscular dystrophies are a devastating class of diseases that result in a progressive loss of muscle integrity. Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, the most prevalent form of Muscular Dystrophy, is due to the loss of functional Dystrophin. While much is known regarding destruction of muscle tissue in these diseases, much less is known regarding the synaptic defects that also occur in these diseases. Synaptic defects are also among the earliest hallmarks of neurodegenerative diseases, including the neuromuscular disease Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Our current study investigates synaptic defects within adult muscle tissues as well as presynaptic motor neurons in Drosophila dystrophin mutants. Here we demonstrate that the progressive, age-dependent loss of flight ability in dystrophin mutants is accompanied by disorganization of Neuromuscular Junctions (NMJs), including impaired localization of both presynaptic and postsynaptic markers. We show that these synaptic defects, including presynaptic defects within motor neurons, are due to the loss of Dystrophin specifically within muscles. These results should help to better understand the early synaptic defects preceding cell loss in neuromuscular disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica M. Sidisky
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA, United States
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Alex Winters
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA, United States
| | - Russell Caratenuto
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA, United States
| | - Daniel T. Babcock
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA, United States
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2
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Thiem J, Viskadourou M, Gaitanidis A, Stravopodis DJ, Strauß R, Duch C, Consoulas C. Biological aging of two innate behaviors of Drosophila melanogaster: Escape climbing versus courtship learning and memory. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0293252. [PMID: 38593121 PMCID: PMC11003613 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0293252] [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: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Motor and cognitive aging can severely affect life quality of elderly people and burden health care systems. In search for diagnostic behavioral biomarkers, it has been suggested that walking speed can predict forms of cognitive decline, but in humans, it remains challenging to separate the effects of biological aging and lifestyle. We examined a possible association of motor and cognitive decline in Drosophila, a genetic model organism of healthy aging. Long term courtship memory is present in young male flies but absent already during mid life (4-8 weeks). By contrast, courtship learning index and short term memory (STM) are surprisingly robust and remain stable through mid (4-8 weeks) and healthy late life (>8 weeks), until courtship performance collapses suddenly at ~4.5 days prior to death. By contrast, climbing speed declines gradually during late life (>8 weeks). The collapse of courtship performance and short term memory close to the end of life occur later and progress with a different time course than the gradual late life decline in climbing speed. Thus, during healthy aging in male Drosophila, climbing and courtship motor behaviors decline differentially. Moreover, cognitive and motor performances decline at different time courses. Differential behavioral decline during aging may indicate different underlying causes, or alternatively, a common cause but different thresholds for defects in different behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Thiem
- Institute of Developmental Biology and Neurobiology, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
| | - Maria Viskadourou
- Laboratory of Experimental Physiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), Athens, Greece
| | - Alexandros Gaitanidis
- Laboratory of Experimental Physiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios J. Stravopodis
- Section of Cell Biology and Biophysics, Department of Biology, School of Science, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), Athens, Greece
| | - Roland Strauß
- Institute of Developmental Biology and Neurobiology, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
| | - Carsten Duch
- Institute of Developmental Biology and Neurobiology, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
| | - Christos Consoulas
- Laboratory of Experimental Physiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), Athens, Greece
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3
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Guo S, Yang P, Liang B, Zhou F, Hou L, Kang L, Wang X. Aging features of the migratory locust at physiological and transcriptional levels. BMC Genomics 2021; 22:257. [PMID: 33838645 PMCID: PMC8037904 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-021-07585-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Non-Drosophila insects provide diverse aging types and important complementary systems for studies of aging biology. However, little attention has been paid to the special roles of non-Drosophila insects in aging research. Here, the aging-related features of the migratory locust, Locusta migratoria, were determined at the physiological, cellular, and transcriptional levels. Results In physiological assessments, the flight performance and sperm state of locusts displayed clear aging-related decline in male adults. Transcriptional analyses demonstrated locusts have similar aging-related genes with model species. However, different from those of Drosophila and mammals, the organ-specific aging transcriptional features of locusts were characterized by intensive expression changes in flight muscle and fat body and little transcriptional changes in brain. The predominant transcriptional characteristics of flight muscle and fat body aging were changes in expression of mitochondrion-related genes and detoxification and phagocytosis genes, respectively. Cellular assessments revealed the incidence of mitochondrial abnormalities significantly increased in aged flight muscle, and apoptotic signals and nuclear abnormalities were enhanced in aged fat body but not in brain. In addition, some well-known aging genes and locust aging-related genes (i.e., IAP1, PGRP-SA, and LIPT1), whose roles in aging regulation were rarely reported, were demonstrated to affect lifespan, metabolism, and flight ability of locusts after RNAi. Conclusion This study revealed multi-level aging signatures of locust, thus laying a foundation for further investigation of aging mechanisms in this famous insect in the future. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12864-021-07585-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyuan Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.,CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Pengcheng Yang
- Beijing Institutes of Life Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Bo Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.,CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Feng Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Li Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.,CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Le Kang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China. .,CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China. .,Beijing Institutes of Life Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
| | - Xianhui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China. .,CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
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4
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Belalcazar HM, Hendricks EL, Zamurrad S, Liebl FLW, Secombe J. The histone demethylase KDM5 is required for synaptic structure and function at the Drosophila neuromuscular junction. Cell Rep 2021; 34:108753. [PMID: 33596422 PMCID: PMC7945993 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.108753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the genes encoding the lysine demethylase 5 (KDM5) family of histone demethylases are observed in individuals with intellectual disability (ID). Despite clear evidence linking KDM5 function to neurodevelopmental pathways, how this family of proteins impacts transcriptional programs to mediate synaptic structure and activity remains unclear. Using the Drosophila larval neuromuscular junction (NMJ), we show that KDM5 is required presynaptically for neuroanatomical development and synaptic function. The Jumonji C (JmjC) domain-encoded histone demethylase activity of KDM5, which is expected to be diminished by many ID-associated alleles, is required for appropriate synaptic morphology and neurotransmission. The activity of the C5HC2 zinc finger is also required, as an ID-associated mutation in this motif reduces NMJ bouton number, increases bouton size, and alters microtubule dynamics. KDM5 therefore uses demethylase-dependent and independent mechanisms to regulate NMJ structure and activity, highlighting the complex nature by which this chromatin modifier carries out its neuronal gene-regulatory programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen M Belalcazar
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Emily L Hendricks
- Department of Biological Sciences, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, 44 Circle Drive, Edwardsville, IL 62026, USA
| | - Sumaira Zamurrad
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Faith L W Liebl
- Department of Biological Sciences, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, 44 Circle Drive, Edwardsville, IL 62026, USA
| | - Julie Secombe
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1410 Pelham Parkway South, Bronx, NY 10461, USA.
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5
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Birnbaum A, Sodders M, Bouska M, Chang K, Kang P, McNeill E, Bai H. FOXO Regulates Neuromuscular Junction Homeostasis During Drosophila Aging. Front Aging Neurosci 2021; 12:567861. [PMID: 33584240 PMCID: PMC7874159 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2020.567861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor foxo is a known regulator of lifespan extension and tissue homeostasis. It has been linked to the maintenance of neuronal processes across many species and has been shown to promote youthful characteristics by regulating cytoskeletal flexibility and synaptic plasticity at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). However, the role of foxo in aging neuromuscular junction function has yet to be determined. We profiled adult Drosophila foxo- null mutant abdominal ventral longitudinal muscles and found that young mutants exhibited morphological profiles similar to those of aged wild-type flies, such as larger bouton areas and shorter terminal branches. We also observed changes to the axonal cytoskeleton and an accumulation of late endosomes in foxo null mutants and motor neuron-specific foxo knockdown flies, similar to those of aged wild-types. Motor neuron-specific overexpression of foxo can delay age-dependent changes to NMJ morphology, suggesting foxo is responsible for maintaining NMJ integrity during aging. Through genetic screening, we identify several downstream factors mediated through foxo-regulated NMJ homeostasis, including genes involved in the MAPK pathway. Interestingly, the phosphorylation of p38 was increased in the motor neuron-specific foxo knockdown flies, suggesting foxo acts as a suppressor of p38/MAPK activation. Our work reveals that foxo is a key regulator for NMJ homeostasis, and it may maintain NMJ integrity by repressing MAPK signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison Birnbaum
- Department of Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States.,Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Maggie Sodders
- Department of Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Mark Bouska
- Department of Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Kai Chang
- Department of Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Ping Kang
- Department of Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Elizabeth McNeill
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Hua Bai
- Department of Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
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6
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Bouska M, Huang K, Kang P, Bai H. Organelle aging: Lessons from model organisms. J Genet Genomics 2019; 46:171-185. [PMID: 31080045 PMCID: PMC6553499 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2019.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2018] [Revised: 02/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Most cellular processes descend into failure during aging. While a large collection of longevity pathways has been identified in the past decades, the mechanism for age-related decline of cellular homeostasis and organelle function remains largely unsolved. It is known that many organelles undergo structural and functional changes during normal aging, which significantly contributes to the decline of tissue function at old ages. Since recent studies have revealed an emerging role of organelles as regulatory hubs in maintaining cellular homeostasis, understanding of organelle aging will provide important insights into the cellular basis of organismal aging. Here we review current progress on the characterization of age-dependent structural and functional alterations in the more well-studied organelles, as well as the known mechanisms governing organelle aging in model organisms, with a special focus on the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Bouska
- Department of Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50011, USA
| | - Kerui Huang
- Department of Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50011, USA
| | - Ping Kang
- Department of Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50011, USA
| | - Hua Bai
- Department of Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50011, USA.
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7
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Ehmann N, Owald D, Kittel RJ. Drosophila active zones: From molecules to behaviour. Neurosci Res 2018; 127:14-24. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2017.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2017] [Revised: 11/30/2017] [Accepted: 11/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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8
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Pons M, Soulard C, Soustelle L, Parmentier ML, Grau Y, Layalle S. A New Behavioral Test and Associated Genetic Tools Highlight the Function of Ventral Abdominal Muscles in Adult Drosophila. Front Cell Neurosci 2017; 11:371. [PMID: 29209177 PMCID: PMC5702315 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2017.00371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2017] [Accepted: 11/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The function of the nervous system in complex animals is reflected by the achievement of specific behaviors. For years in Drosophila, both simple and complex behaviors have been studied and their genetic bases have emerged. The neuromuscular junction is maybe one of the prototypal simplest examples. A motor neuron establishes synaptic connections on its muscle cell target and elicits behavior: the muscle contraction. Different muscles in adult fly are related to specific behaviors. For example, the thoracic muscles are associated with flight and the leg muscles are associated with locomotion. However, specific tools are still lacking for the study of cellular physiology in distinct motor neuron subpopulations. Here we decided to use the abdominal muscles and in particular the ventral abdominal muscles (VAMs) in adult Drosophila as new model to link a precise behavior to specific motor neurons. Hence, we developed a new behavioral test based on the folding movement of the adult abdomen. Further, we performed a genetic screen and identify two specific Gal4 lines with restricted expression patterns to the adult motor neurons innervating the VAMs or their precursor cells. Using these genetic tools, we showed that the lack of the VAMs or the loss of the synaptic transmission in their innervating motor neurons lead to a significant impairment of the abdomen folding behavior. Altogether, our results allow establishing a direct link between specific motor neurons and muscles for the realization of particular behavior: the folding behavior of the abdomen in Drosophila.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marine Pons
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, CNRS, INSERM, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Claire Soulard
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, CNRS, INSERM, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Laurent Soustelle
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, CNRS, INSERM, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Marie-Laure Parmentier
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, CNRS, INSERM, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Yves Grau
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, CNRS, INSERM, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Sophie Layalle
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, CNRS, INSERM, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
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9
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Petralia RS, Wang YX, Mattson MP, Yao PJ. Invaginating Presynaptic Terminals in Neuromuscular Junctions, Photoreceptor Terminals, and Other Synapses of Animals. Neuromolecular Med 2017; 19:193-240. [PMID: 28612182 PMCID: PMC6518423 DOI: 10.1007/s12017-017-8445-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2017] [Accepted: 06/01/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Typically, presynaptic terminals form a synapse directly on the surface of postsynaptic processes such as dendrite shafts and spines. However, some presynaptic terminals invaginate-entirely or partially-into postsynaptic processes. We survey these invaginating presynaptic terminals in all animals and describe several examples from the central nervous system, including giant fiber systems in invertebrates, and cup-shaped spines, electroreceptor synapses, and some specialized auditory and vestibular nerve terminals in vertebrates. We then examine mechanoreceptors and photoreceptors, concentrating on the complex of pre- and postsynaptic processes found in basal invaginations of the cell. We discuss in detail the role of vertebrate invaginating horizontal cell processes in both chemical and electrical feedback mechanisms. We also discuss the common presence of indenting or invaginating terminals in neuromuscular junctions on muscles of most kinds of animals, and especially discuss those of Drosophila and vertebrates. Finally, we consider broad questions about the advantages of possessing invaginating presynaptic terminals and describe some effects of aging and disease, especially on neuromuscular junctions. We suggest that the invagination is a mechanism that can enhance both chemical and electrical interactions at the synapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronald S Petralia
- Advanced Imaging Core, NIDCD/NIH, 35A Center Drive, Room 1E614, Bethesda, MD, 20892-3729, USA.
| | - Ya-Xian Wang
- Advanced Imaging Core, NIDCD/NIH, 35A Center Drive, Room 1E614, Bethesda, MD, 20892-3729, USA
| | - Mark P Mattson
- Laboratory of Neurosciences, NIA/NIH, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Pamela J Yao
- Laboratory of Neurosciences, NIA/NIH, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
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10
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Scholz N, Guan C, Nieberler M, Grotemeyer A, Maiellaro I, Gao S, Beck S, Pawlak M, Sauer M, Asan E, Rothemund S, Winkler J, Prömel S, Nagel G, Langenhan T, Kittel RJ. Mechano-dependent signaling by Latrophilin/CIRL quenches cAMP in proprioceptive neurons. eLife 2017; 6. [PMID: 28784204 PMCID: PMC5548486 DOI: 10.7554/elife.28360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2017] [Accepted: 06/29/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Adhesion-type G protein-coupled receptors (aGPCRs), a large molecule family with over 30 members in humans, operate in organ development, brain function and govern immunological responses. Correspondingly, this receptor family is linked to a multitude of diverse human diseases. aGPCRs have been suggested to possess mechanosensory properties, though their mechanism of action is fully unknown. Here we show that the Drosophila aGPCR Latrophilin/dCIRL acts in mechanosensory neurons by modulating ionotropic receptor currents, the initiating step of cellular mechanosensation. This process depends on the length of the extended ectodomain and the tethered agonist of the receptor, but not on its autoproteolysis, a characteristic biochemical feature of the aGPCR family. Intracellularly, dCIRL quenches cAMP levels upon mechanical activation thereby specifically increasing the mechanosensitivity of neurons. These results provide direct evidence that the aGPCR dCIRL acts as a molecular sensor and signal transducer that detects and converts mechanical stimuli into a metabotropic response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Scholz
- Department of Neurophysiology, Institute of Physiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.,Rudolf Schönheimer Institute of Biochemistry, Division of General Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Chonglin Guan
- Department of Neurophysiology, Institute of Physiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Nieberler
- Department of Neurophysiology, Institute of Physiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Alexander Grotemeyer
- Department of Neurophysiology, Institute of Physiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Isabella Maiellaro
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.,Rudolf Virchow Center, DFG-Research Center for Experimental Biomedicine, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Shiqiang Gao
- Department of Biology, Institute for Molecular Plant Physiology and Biophysics, University of Würzburg Biocenter, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Beck
- Department of Biology, Institute for Molecular Plant Physiology and Biophysics, University of Würzburg Biocenter, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Pawlak
- Department of Neurophysiology, Institute of Physiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Markus Sauer
- Department of Biotechnology and Biophysics, University of Würzburg Biocenter, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Esther Asan
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Sven Rothemund
- Core Unit Peptide Technologies, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jana Winkler
- Rudolf Schönheimer Institute of Biochemistry, Division of Molecular Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Simone Prömel
- Rudolf Schönheimer Institute of Biochemistry, Division of Molecular Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Georg Nagel
- Department of Biology, Institute for Molecular Plant Physiology and Biophysics, University of Würzburg Biocenter, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Tobias Langenhan
- Department of Neurophysiology, Institute of Physiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.,Rudolf Schönheimer Institute of Biochemistry, Division of General Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Robert J Kittel
- Department of Neurophysiology, Institute of Physiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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11
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How and why do toxic conformers of aberrant proteins accumulate during ageing? Essays Biochem 2017; 61:317-324. [DOI: 10.1042/ebc20160085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2017] [Revised: 04/04/2017] [Accepted: 04/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Ageing can be defined as a gradual decline in cellular and physical functions accompanied by an increased sensitivity to the environment and risk of death. The increased risk of mortality is causally connected to a gradual, intracellular accumulation of so-called ageing factors, of which damaged and aggregated proteins are believed to be one. Such aggregated proteins also contribute to several age-related neurodegenerative disorders e.g. Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s diseases, highlighting the importance of protein quality control (PQC) in ageing and its associated diseases. PQC consists of two interrelated systems: the temporal control system aimed at refolding, repairing, and/or removing aberrant proteins and their aggregates and the spatial control system aimed at harnessing the potential toxicity of aberrant proteins by sequestering them at specific cellular locations. The accumulation of toxic conformers of aberrant proteins during ageing is often declared to be a consequence of an incapacitated temporal PQC system—i.e. a gradual decline in the activity of chaperones and proteases. Here, we review the current knowledge on PQC in relation to ageing and highlight that the breakdown of both temporal and spatial PQC may contribute to ageing and thus comprise potential targets for therapeutic interventions of the ageing process.
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12
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Wagner N. Ultrastructural comparison of the Drosophila larval and adult ventral abdominal neuromuscular junction. J Morphol 2017; 278:987-996. [PMID: 28444917 DOI: 10.1002/jmor.20692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2017] [Revised: 03/24/2017] [Accepted: 04/06/2017] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Drosophila melanogaster has recently emerged as model system for studying synaptic transmission and plasticity during adulthood, aging and neurodegeneration. However, still little is known about the basic neuronal mechanisms of synaptic function in the adult fly. Per se, adult Drosophila neuromuscular junctions should be highly suited for studying these aspects as they allow for genetic manipulations in combination with ultrastructural and electrophysiological analyses. Although different neuromuscular junctions of the adult fly have been described during the last years, a direct ultrastructural comparison with their larval counterpart is lacking. The present study was designed to close this gap by providing a detailed ultrastructural comparison of the larval and the adult neuromuscular junction of the ventrolongitudinal muscle. Assessment of several parameters revealed similarities but also major differences in the ultrastructural organisation of the two model neuromuscular junctions. While basic morphological parameters are retained from the larval into the adult stage, the analysis discovered major differences of potential functional relevance in the adult: The electron-dense membrane apposition of the presynaptic and postsynaptic membrane is shorter, the subsynaptic reticulum is less elaborated and the number of synaptic vesicles at a certain distance of the presynaptic membrane is higher.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Wagner
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Julius-Maximilians University Wuerzburg, Koellikerstraße 6, Wuerzburg, Germany
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13
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Age-associated increase of the active zone protein Bruchpilot within the honeybee mushroom body. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0175894. [PMID: 28437454 PMCID: PMC5402947 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0175894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2017] [Accepted: 04/02/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In honeybees, age-associated structural modifications can be observed in the mushroom bodies. Prominent examples are the synaptic complexes (microglomeruli, MG) in the mushroom body calyces, which were shown to alter their size and density with age. It is not known whether the amount of intracellular synaptic proteins in the MG is altered as well. The presynaptic protein Bruchpilot (BRP) is localized at active zones and is involved in regulating the probability of neurotransmitter release in the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster. Here, we explored the localization of the honeybee BRP (Apis mellifera BRP, AmBRP) in the bee brain and examined age-related changes in the AmBRP abundance in the central bee brain and in microglomeruli of the mushroom body calyces. We report predominant AmBRP localization near the membrane of presynaptic boutons within the mushroom body MG. The relative amount of AmBRP was increased in the central brain of two-week old bees whereas the amount of Synapsin, another presynaptic protein involved in the regulation of neurotransmitter release, shows an increase during the first two weeks followed by a decrease. In addition, we demonstrate an age-associated modulation of AmBRP located near the membrane of presynaptic boutons within MG located in mushroom body calyces where sensory input is conveyed to mushroom body intrinsic neurons. We discuss that the observed age-associated AmBRP modulation might be related to maturation processes or to homeostatic mechanisms that might help to maintain synaptic functionality in old animals.
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Liao S, Broughton S, Nässel DR. Behavioral Senescence and Aging-Related Changes in Motor Neurons and Brain Neuromodulator Levels Are Ameliorated by Lifespan-Extending Reproductive Dormancy in Drosophila. Front Cell Neurosci 2017; 11:111. [PMID: 28503133 PMCID: PMC5408790 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2017.00111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2017] [Accepted: 04/03/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The lifespan of Drosophilamelanogaster can be extended substantially by inducing reproductive dormancy (also known as diapause) by lowered temperature and short days. This increase of longevity is accompanied by lowered metabolism and increased stress tolerance. We ask here whether behavioral senescence is ameliorated during adult dormancy. To study this we kept flies for seven or more weeks in normal rearing conditions or in diapause conditions and compared to 1-week-old flies in different behavioral assays of sleep, negative geotaxis and exploratory walking. We found that the senescence of geotaxis and locomotor behavior seen under normal rearing conditions was negligible in flies kept in dormancy. The normal senescence of rhythmic activity and sleep patterns during the daytime was also reduced by adult dormancy. Investigating the morphology of specific neuromuscular junctions (NMJs), we found that changes normally seen with aging do not take place in dormant flies. To monitor age-associated changes in neuronal circuits regulating activity rhythms, sleep and walking behavior we applied antisera to tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), serotonin and several neuropeptides to examine changes in expression levels and neuron morphology. In most neuron types the levels of stored neuromodulators decreased during normal aging, but not in diapause treated flies. No signs of neurodegeneration were seen in either condition. Our data suggest that age-related changes in motor neurons could be the cause of part of the behavioral senescence and that this is ameliorated by reproductive diapause. Earlier studies established a link between age-associated decreases in neuromodulator levels and behavioral decline that could be rescued by overexpression of neuromodulator. Thus, it is likely that the retained levels of neuromodulators in dormant flies alleviate behavioral senescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sifang Liao
- Department of Zoology, Stockholm UniversityStockholm, Sweden
| | - Susan Broughton
- Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster UniversityLancaster, UK
| | - Dick R Nässel
- Department of Zoology, Stockholm UniversityStockholm, Sweden
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Laugks U, Hieke M, Wagner N. MAN1 Restricts BMP Signaling During Synaptic Growth in Drosophila. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2016; 37:1077-1093. [DOI: 10.1007/s10571-016-0442-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2016] [Accepted: 11/05/2016] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
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