Neural tube defects and impaired neural progenitor cell proliferation in Gbeta1-deficient mice

KCTD Proteins Have Redundant Functions in Controlling Cellular Growth

We explored the functional redundancy of three structurally related KCTD (Potassium Channel Tetramerization Domain) proteins, KCTD2, KCTD5, and KCTD17, by progressively knocking them out in HEK 293 cells using CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing. After validating the knockout, we assessed the effects of progressive knockout on cell growth and gene expression. We noted that the progressive effects of knockout of KCTD isoforms on cell growth were most pervasive when all three isoforms were deleted, suggesting some functions were conserved between them. This was also reflected in progressive changes in gene expression. Our previous work indicated that Gβ1 was involved in the transcriptional control of gene expression, so we compared the gene expression patterns between GNB1 and KCTD KO. Knockout of GNB1 led to numerous changes in the expression levels of other G protein subunit genes, while knockout of KCTD isoforms had the opposite effect, presumably because of their role in regulating levels of Gβ1. Our work demonstrates a unique relationship between KCTD proteins and Gβ1 and a global role for this subfamily of KCTD proteins in maintaining the ability of cells to survive and proliferate.

Risk of meningomyelocele mediated by the common 22q11.2 deletion

Meningomyelocele is one of the most severe forms of neural tube defects (NTDs) and the most frequent structural birth defect of the central nervous system. We assembled the Spina Bifida Sequencing Consortium to identify causes. Exome and genome sequencing of 715 parent-offspring trios identified six patients with chromosomal 22q11.2 deletions, suggesting a 23-fold increased risk compared with the general population. Furthermore, analysis of a separate 22q11.2 deletion cohort suggested a 12- to 15-fold increased NTD risk of meningomyelocele. The loss of Crkl, one of several neural tube-expressed genes within the minimal deletion interval, was sufficient to replicate NTDs in mice, where both penetrance and expressivity were exacerbated by maternal folate deficiency. Thus, the common 22q11.2 deletion confers substantial meningomyelocele risk, which is partially alleviated by folate supplementation.

Alcohol induces neural tube defects by reducing retinoic acid signaling and promoting neural plate expansion

Introduction: Neural tube defects (NTDs) are among the most debilitating and common developmental defects in humans. The induction of NTDs has been attributed to abnormal folic acid (vitamin B9) metabolism, Wnt and BMP signaling, excess retinoic acid (RA), dietary components, environmental factors, and many others. In the present study we show that reduced RA signaling, including alcohol exposure, induces NTDs. Methods: Xenopus embryos were exposed to pharmacological RA biosynthesis inhibitors to study the induction of NTDs. Embryos were treated with DEAB, citral, or ethanol, all of which inhibit the biosynthesis of RA, or injected to overexpress Cyp26a1 to reduce RA. NTD induction was studied using neural plate and notochord markers together with morphological analysis. Expression of the neuroectodermal regulatory network and cell proliferation were analyzed to understand the morphological malformations of the neural plate. Results: Reducing RA signaling levels using retinaldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitors (ethanol, DEAB, and citral) or Cyp26a1-driven degradation efficiently induce NTDs. These NTDs can be rescued by providing precursors of RA. We mapped this RA requirement to early gastrula stages during the induction of neural plate precursors. This reduced RA signaling results in abnormal expression of neural network genes, including the neural plate stem cell maintenance genes, geminin, and foxd4l1.1. This abnormal expression of neural network genes results in increased proliferation of neural precursors giving rise to an expanded neural plate. Conclusion: We show that RA signaling is required for neural tube closure during embryogenesis. RA signaling plays a very early role in the regulation of proliferation and differentiation of the neural plate soon after the induction of neural progenitors during gastrulation. RA signaling disruption leads to the induction of NTDs through the mis regulation of the early neuroectodermal network, leading to increased proliferation resulting in the expansion of the neural plate. Ethanol exposure induces NTDs through this mechanism involving reduced RA levels.

Epilepsy in a mouse model of GNB1 encephalopathy arises from altered potassium (GIRK) channel signaling and is alleviated by a GIRK inhibitor

De novo mutations in GNB1, encoding the Gβ1 subunit of G proteins, cause a neurodevelopmental disorder with global developmental delay and epilepsy, GNB1 encephalopathy. Here, we show that mice carrying a pathogenic mutation, K78R, recapitulate aspects of the disorder, including developmental delay and generalized seizures. Cultured mutant cortical neurons also display aberrant bursting activity on multi-electrode arrays. Strikingly, the antiepileptic drug ethosuximide (ETX) restores normal neuronal network behavior in vitro and suppresses spike-and-wave discharges (SWD) in vivo. ETX is a known blocker of T-type voltage-gated Ca2+ channels and G protein-coupled potassium (GIRK) channels. Accordingly, we present evidence that K78R results in a gain-of-function (GoF) effect by increasing the activation of GIRK channels in cultured neurons and a heterologous model (Xenopus oocytes)-an effect we show can be potently inhibited by ETX. This work implicates a GoF mechanism for GIRK channels in epilepsy, identifies a new mechanism of action for ETX in preventing seizures, and establishes this mouse model as a pre-clinical tool for translational research with predicative value for GNB1 encephalopathy.

Gβγ subunits colocalize with RNA polymerase II and regulate transcription in cardiac fibroblasts

Gβγ subunits mediate many different signaling processes in various compartments of the cell, including the nucleus. To gain insight into the functions of nuclear Gβγ signaling, we investigated the functional role of Gβγ signaling in the regulation of GPCR-mediated gene expression in primary rat neonatal cardiac fibroblasts. We identified a novel, negative, regulatory role for the Gβ₁γ dimer in the fibrotic response. Depletion of Gβ₁ led to derepression of the fibrotic response at the mRNA and protein levels under basal conditions and an enhanced fibrotic response after sustained stimulation of the angiotensin II type I receptor. Our genome-wide chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments revealed that Gβ₁ colocalized and interacted with RNA polymerase II on fibrotic genes in an angiotensin II-dependent manner. Additionally, blocking transcription with inhibitors of Cdk9 prevented association of Gβγ with transcription complexes. Together, our findings suggest that Gβ₁γ is a novel transcriptional regulator of the fibrotic response that may act to restrict fibrosis to conditions of sustained fibrotic signaling. Our work expands the role for Gβγ signaling in cardiac fibrosis and may have broad implications for the role of nuclear Gβγ signaling in other cell types.

Activation and Function of NLRP3 Inflammasome in Bone and Joint-Related Diseases

Inflammation is a pivotal response to a variety of stimuli, and inflammatory molecules such as cytokines have central roles in the pathogenesis of various diseases, including bone and joint diseases. Proinflammatory cytokines are mainly produced by immune cells and mediate inflammatory and innate immune responses. Additionally, proinflammatory cytokines accelerate bone resorption and cartilage destruction, resulting in the destruction of bone and joint tissues. Thus, proinflammatory cytokines are involved in regulating the pathogenesis of bone and joint diseases. Interleukin (IL)-1 is a representative inflammatory cytokine that strongly promotes bone and cartilage destruction, and elucidating the regulation of IL-1 will advance our understanding of the onset and progression of bone and joint diseases. IL-1 has two isoforms, IL-1α and IL-1β. Both isoforms signal through the same IL-1 receptor type 1, but the activation mechanisms are completely different. In particular, IL-1β is tightly regulated by protein complexes termed inflammasomes. Recent research using innovative technologies has led to a series of discoveries about inflammasomes. This review highlights the current understanding of the activation and function of the NLRP3 (NOD-like receptor family, pyrin domain-containing 3) inflammasome in bone and joint diseases.

Inhibition of G-protein signalling in cardiac dysfunction of intellectual developmental disorder with cardiac arrhythmia (IDDCA) syndrome

BACKGROUND

Pathogenic variants of GNB5 encoding the β5 subunit of the guanine nucleotide-binding protein cause IDDCA syndrome, an autosomal recessive neurodevelopmental disorder associated with cognitive disability and cardiac arrhythmia, particularly severe bradycardia.

METHODS

We used echocardiography and telemetric ECG recordings to investigate consequences of Gnb5 loss in mouse.

RESULTS

We delineated a key role of Gnb5 in heart sinus conduction and showed that Gnb5-inhibitory signalling is essential for parasympathetic control of heart rate (HR) and maintenance of the sympathovagal balance. Gnb5-/- mice were smaller and had a smaller heart than Gnb5+/+ and Gnb5+/- , but exhibited better cardiac function. Lower autonomic nervous system modulation through diminished parasympathetic control and greater sympathetic regulation resulted in a higher baseline HR in Gnb5-/- mice. In contrast, Gnb5-/- mice exhibited profound bradycardia on treatment with carbachol, while sympathetic modulation of the cardiac stimulation was not altered. Concordantly, transcriptome study pinpointed altered expression of genes involved in cardiac muscle contractility in atria and ventricles of knocked-out mice. Homozygous Gnb5 loss resulted in significantly higher frequencies of sinus arrhythmias. Moreover, we described 13 affected individuals, increasing the IDDCA cohort to 44 patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data demonstrate that loss of negative regulation of the inhibitory G-protein signalling causes HR perturbations in Gnb5-/- mice, an effect mainly driven by impaired parasympathetic activity. We anticipate that unravelling the mechanism of Gnb5 signalling in the autonomic control of the heart will pave the way for future drug screening.

Second patient with GNB2-related neurodevelopmental disease: Further evidence for a gene-disease association

G-proteins are ubiquitously expressed heterotrimeric proteins consisting of α, β and γ subunits and mediate G-protein coupled receptor signalling cascades. The β subunit is encoded by one of five highly similar paralogs (GNB1-GNB5, accordingly). The developmental importance of G-proteins is highlighted by the clinical relevance of variants in genes such as GNB1, which cause severe neurodevelopmental disease (NDD). Recently the candidacy of GNB2 was raised in association with NDD in an individual with a de novo variant affecting a codon conserved across paralogs and recurrently mutated in GNB1-related disease, c.229G>A p.(Gly77Arg), in association with global developmental delay, intellectual disability and dysmorphic features. Here, we report a patient with strikingly similar facial features and NDD in association with a de novo GNB2 variant affecting the same codon, c.229G>T p.(Gly77Trp). In addition, this individual has epilepsy and overgrowth. Our report is the second to implicate a de novo GNB2 variant with a severe yet variable NDD.

Functional Expression of Choline Transporters in Human Neural Stem Cells and Its Link to Cell Proliferation, Cell Viability, and Neurite Outgrowth

Choline and choline metabolites are essential for all cellular functions. They have also been reported to be crucial for neural development. In this work, we studied the functional characteristics of the choline uptake system in human neural stem cells (hNSCs). Additionally, we investigated the effect of extracellular choline uptake inhibition on the cellular activities in hNSCs. We found that the mRNAs and proteins of choline transporter-like protein 1 (CTL1) and CTL2 were expressed at high levels. Immunostaining showed that CTL1 and CTL2 were localized in the cell membrane and partly in the mitochondria, respectively. The uptake of extracellular choline was saturable and performed by a single uptake mechanism, which was Na⁺-independent and pH-dependent. We conclude that CTL1 is responsible for extracellular choline uptake, and CTL2 may uptake choline in the mitochondria and be involved in DNA methylation via choline oxidation. Extracellular choline uptake inhibition caused intracellular choline deficiency in hNSCs, which suppressed cell proliferation, cell viability, and neurite outgrowth. Our findings contribute to the understanding of the role of choline in neural development as well as the pathogenesis of various neurological diseases caused by choline deficiency or choline uptake impairment.

G protein subunit β1 is an important mediator of the late stage of endochondral ossification

G protein signaling plays important roles in skeletal development. G protein subunit β1 (GNB1) is a component of the G protein complex and is associated with G protein signaling. In humans, GNB1 mutations cause global developmental and persistent growth delays and severe neurodevelopmental disability. Similarly, Gnb1-knockout (KO) mice display growth retardation with neural tube defects. These genetic studies raise the possibility that GNB1 regulates skeletal development. This study was designed to investigate the role of GNB1 in skeletal development using Gnb1-KO mice. Gnb1-KO mice showed dwarfism, shortening of limbs, and a decreased ossifying zone of long bones. In situ hybridization and RT-qPCR analyses revealed that Col10a1 and Mmp13 expression was reduced in long bones of Gnb1-KO mice, while Runx2, Osterix, Ihh, and Ppr expression levels were similar to those in wild-type littermates. Gnb1-KO-derived osteoblasts maintained calcification abilities and the expression levels of osteoblast marker genes were unaltered, indicating that osteoblast differentiation and function were not affected in Gnb1-KO mice. Taken together, our results show that GNB1 is required for the late stage of endochondral bone formation by regulating Col10a1 and Mmp13 expression.

Haploinsufficiency as a disease mechanism in GNB1-associated neurodevelopmental disorder

BACKGROUND

GNB1 encodes a subunit of a heterotrimeric G-protein complex that transduces intracellular signaling cascades. Disruptions to the gene have previously been shown to be embryonic lethal in knockout mice and to cause complex neurodevelopmental disorders in humans. To date, the majority of variants associated with disease in humans have been missense variants in exons 5-7.

METHODS

Genetic sequencing was performed on two patients presenting with complex neurological phenotypes including intellectual disability, hypotonia, and in one patient seizures. Reported variants were assessed using RNA sequencing and functional BRET/BiFC assays.

RESULTS

A splice variant reported in patient 1 was confirmed to cause usage of a cryptic splice site leading to a truncated protein product. Patient 2 was reported to have a truncating variant. BRET and BiFC assays of both patient variants confirmed both were deficient in inducing GPCR-induced G protein activation due to lack of dimer formation with the Gγ subunit.

CONCLUSION

Here, we report two patients with functionally confirmed loss of function variants in GNB1 and neurodevelopmental phenotypes including intellectual disability, hypotonia, and seizures in one patient. These results suggest haploinsufficiency of GNB1 is a mechanism for neurodevelopmental disorders in humans.

Depletion of Ric-8B leads to reduced mTORC2 activity

mTOR, a serine/threonine protein kinase that is involved in a series of critical cellular processes, can be found in two functionally distinct complexes, mTORC1 and mTORC2. In contrast to mTORC1, little is known about the mechanisms that regulate mTORC2. Here we show that mTORC2 activity is reduced in mice with a hypomorphic mutation of the Ric-8B gene. Ric-8B is a highly conserved protein that acts as a non-canonical guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) for heterotrimeric Gαs/olf type subunits. We found that Ric-8B hypomorph embryos are smaller than their wild type littermates, fail to close the neural tube in the cephalic region and die during mid-embryogenesis. Comparative transcriptome analysis revealed that signaling pathways involving GPCRs and G proteins are dysregulated in the Ric-8B mutant embryos. Interestingly, this analysis also revealed an unexpected impairment of the mTOR signaling pathway. Phosphorylation of Akt at Ser473 is downregulated in the Ric-8B mutant embryos, indicating a decreased activity of mTORC2. Knockdown of the endogenous Ric-8B gene in cultured cell lines leads to reduced phosphorylation levels of Akt (Ser473), further supporting the involvement of Ric-8B in mTORC2 activity. Our results reveal a crucial role for Ric-8B in development and provide novel insights into the signals that regulate mTORC2.

Gene inactivation in mice can be used to identify genes that are involved in important biological processes and that may contribute to disease. We used this approach to study the Ric-8B gene, which is highly conserved in mammals, including humans. We found that Ric-8B is essential for embryogenesis and for the proper development of the nervous system. Ric-8B mutant mouse embryos are smaller than their wild type littermates and show neural tube defects at the cranial region. This approach also allowed us to identify the biological pathways that potentially contribute to the observed phenotypes, and uncover a novel role for Ric-8B in the mTORC2 signaling pathway. mTORC2 plays particular important roles in the adult brain, and has been implicated in neurological disorders. Our mutant mice provide a model to study the complex molecular and cellular processes underlying the interplay between Ric-8B and mTORC2 in neuronal function.

Knockout mouse models reveal the contributions of G protein subunits to complement C5a receptor-mediated chemotaxis

G protein-coupled receptor signaling is required for the navigation of immune cells along chemoattractant gradients. However, chemoattractant receptors may couple to more than one type of heterotrimeric G protein, each of which consists of a Gα, Gβ, and Gγ subunit, making it difficult to delineate the critical signaling pathways. Here, we used knockout mouse models and time-lapse microscopy to elucidate Gα and Gβ subunits contributing to complement C5a receptor-mediated chemotaxis. Complement C5a-mediated chemokinesis and chemotaxis were almost completely abolished in macrophages lacking Gnai2 (encoding Gα_i2), consistent with a reduced leukocyte recruitment previously observed in Gnai2 ^-/- mice, whereas cells lacking Gnai3 (Gα_i3) exhibited only a slight decrease in cell velocity. Surprisingly, C5a-induced Ca²⁺ transients and lamellipodial membrane spreading were persistent in Gnai2 ^-/- macrophages. Macrophages lacking both Gnaq (Gα_q) and Gna11 (Gα₁₁) or both Gna12 (Gα₁₂) and Gna13 (Gα₁₃) had essentially normal chemotaxis, Ca²⁺ signaling, and cell spreading, except Gna12/Gna13-deficient macrophages had increased cell velocity and elongated trailing ends. Moreover, Gnaq/Gna11-deficient cells did not respond to purinergic receptor P2Y₂ stimulation. Genetic deletion of Gna15 (Gα₁₅) virtually abolished C5a-induced Ca²⁺ transients, but chemotaxis and cell spreading were preserved. Homozygous Gnb1 (Gβ₁) deletion was lethal, but mice lacking Gnb2 (Gβ₂) were viable. Gnb2 ^-/- macrophages exhibited robust Ca²⁺ transients and cell spreading, albeit decreased cell velocity and impaired chemotaxis. In summary, complement C5a-mediated chemotaxis requires Gα_i2 and Gβ₂, but not Ca²⁺ signaling, and membrane protrusive activity is promoted by G proteins that deplete phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate.

The Gβ1 and Gβ3 Subunits Differentially Regulate Rat Vascular Kv7 Channels

Within the vasculature Kv7 channels are key regulators of basal tone and contribute to a variety of receptor mediated vasorelaxants. The Kv7.4 isoform, abundant within the vasculature, is key to these processes and was recently shown to have an obligatory requirement of G-protein βγ subunits for its voltage dependent activity. There is an increasing appreciation that with 5 Gβ subunits and 12 Gγ subunits described in mammalian cells that different Gβ_xγ_x combinations can confer selectivity in Gβγ effector stimulation. Therefore, we aimed to characterize the Gβ subunit(s) which basally regulate Kv7.4 channels and native vascular Kv7 channels. In Chinese Hamster Ovary cells overexpressing Kv7.4 and different Gβx subunits only Gβ1, Gβ3, and Gβ5 enhanced Kv7.4 currents, increasing the activation kinetics and negatively shifting the voltage dependence of activation. In isolated rat renal artery myocytes, proximity ligation assay detected an interaction of Kv7.4 with Gβ1 and Gβ3 subunits, but not other isoforms. Morpholino directed knockdown of Gβ1 in rat renal arteries did not alter Kv7 dependent currents but reduced Kv7.4 protein expression. Knockdown of Gβ3 in rat renal arteries resulted in decreased basal K⁺ currents which were not sensitive to pharmacological inhibition of Kv7 channels. These studies implicate the Gβ1 subunit in the synthesis or stability of Kv7.4 proteins, whilst revealing that the Gβ3 isoform is responsible for the basal activity of Kv7 channels in native rat renal myocytes. These findings demonstrate that different Gβ subunits have important individual roles in ion channel regulation.

The Emerging Role of Gβ Subunits in Human Genetic Diseases

Environmental stimuli are perceived and transduced inside the cell through the activation of signaling pathways. One common type of cell signaling transduction network is initiated by G-proteins. G-proteins are activated by G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and transmit signals from hormones, neurotransmitters, and other signaling factors, thus controlling a number of biological processes that include synaptic transmission, visual photoreception, hormone and growth factors release, regulation of cell contraction and migration, as well as cell growth and differentiation. G-proteins mainly act as heterotrimeric complexes, composed of alpha, beta, and gamma subunits. In the last few years, whole exome sequencing and biochemical studies have shown causality of disease-causing variants in genes encoding G-proteins and human genetic diseases. This review focuses on the G-protein β subunits and their emerging role in the etiology of genetically inherited rare diseases in humans.

GPCR-independent activation of G proteins promotes apical cell constriction in vivo

Heterotrimeric G proteins are signaling switches that control organismal morphogenesis across metazoans. In invertebrates, specific GPCRs instruct G proteins to promote collective apical cell constriction in the context of epithelial tissue morphogenesis. In contrast, tissue-specific factors that instruct G proteins during analogous processes in vertebrates are largely unknown. Here, we show that DAPLE, a non-GPCR protein linked to human neurodevelopmental disorders, is expressed specifically in the neural plate of Xenopus laevis embryos to trigger a G protein signaling pathway that promotes apical cell constriction during neurulation. DAPLE localizes to apical cell-cell junctions in the neuroepithelium, where it activates G protein signaling to drive actomyosin-dependent apical constriction and subsequent bending of the neural plate. This function is mediated by a Gα-binding-and-activating (GBA) motif that was acquired by DAPLE in vertebrates during evolution. These findings reveal that regulation of tissue remodeling during vertebrate development can be driven by an unconventional mechanism of heterotrimeric G protein activation that operates in lieu of GPCRs.

Analysis of a large dataset reveals haplotypes carrying putatively recessive lethal and semi-lethal alleles with pleiotropic effects on economically important traits in beef cattle

BACKGROUND

In livestock, deleterious recessive alleles can result in reduced economic performance of homozygous individuals in multiple ways, e.g. early embryonic death, death soon after birth, or semi-lethality with incomplete penetrance causing reduced viability. While death is an easy phenotype to score, reduced viability is not as easy to identify. However, it can sometimes be observed as reduced conception rates, longer calving intervals, or lower survival for live born animals.

METHODS

In this paper, we searched for haplotypes that carry putatively recessive lethal or semi-lethal alleles in 132,725 genotyped Irish beef cattle from five breeds: Aberdeen Angus, Charolais, Hereford, Limousin, and Simmental. We phased the genotypes in sliding windows along the genome and used five tests to identify haplotypes with absence of or reduced homozygosity. Then, we associated the identified haplotypes with 44,351 insemination records that indicated early embryonic death, and postnatal survival records. Finally, we assessed haplotype pleiotropy by estimating substitution effects on estimates of breeding value for 15 economically important traits in beef production.

RESULTS

We found support for one haplotype that carries a putatively recessive lethal (chromosome 16 in Simmental) and two haplotypes that carry semi-lethal alleles (chromosome 14 in Aberdeen Angus and chromosome 19 in Charolais), with population frequencies of 8.8, 15.2, and 14.4%, respectively. These three haplotypes showed pleiotropic effects on economically important traits for beef production. Their allele substitution effects are €2.30, €3.42, and €1.47 for the terminal index and €1.03, - €3.11, and - €0.88 for the replacement index, where the standard deviations for the terminal index are €22.52, €18.65, and €22.70 and for the replacement index they are €31.35, €29.82, and €35.79. We identified ZFAT as the candidate gene for semi-lethality in Aberdeen Angus, several candidate genes for the lethal Simmental haplotype, and no candidate genes for the semi-lethal Charolais haplotype.

CONCLUSIONS

We analysed genotype, reproduction, survival, and production data to detect haplotypes that carry putatively recessive lethal or semi-lethal alleles in Irish beef cattle and identified one lethal and two semi-lethal haplotypes, which have pleiotropic effects on economically important traits in beef production.

Cutting Edge: G Protein Subunit β 1 Negatively Regulates NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation

The NLRP3 inflammasome has important roles in the pathogenesis of various inflammatory diseases. However, the regulatory mechanisms of the NLRP3 inflammasome are not fully understood. In this study, we attempted to identify molecules that interact with NLRP3 upon its activation. We identified G protein subunit β 1 (GNB1), a downstream molecule of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), which regulates the NLRP3 inflammasome activation. GNB1 was physically associated with NLRP3 via the pyrin domain of NLRP3. Activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome was enhanced in GNB1-knockdown or GNB1-deficient murine macrophages, although a lack of GNB1 did not affect activation of the AIM2 inflammasome. ASC oligomerization induced by NLRP3 was enhanced by GNB1 deficiency. Conversely, NLRP3-dependent ASC oligomerization was inhibited by the overexpression of GNB1. This study indicates that GNB1 negatively regulates NLRP3 inflammasome activation by suppressing NLRP3-dependent ASC oligomerization, and it provides a regulatory mechanism of the NLRP3 inflammasome.

The expanding roles and mechanisms of G protein-mediated presynaptic inhibition

Throughout the past five decades, tremendous advancements have been made in our understanding of G protein signaling and presynaptic inhibition, many of which were published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry under the tenure of Herb Tabor as Editor-in-Chief. Here, we identify these critical advances, including the formulation of the ternary complex model of G protein-coupled receptor signaling and the discovery of Gβγ as a critical signaling component of the heterotrimeric G protein, along with the nature of presynaptic inhibition and its physiological role. We provide an overview for the discovery and physiological relevance of the two known Gβγ-mediated mechanisms for presynaptic inhibition: first, the action of Gβγ on voltage-gated calcium channels to inhibit calcium influx to the presynaptic active zone and, second, the direct binding of Gβγ to the SNARE complex to displace synaptotagmin downstream of calcium entry, which has been demonstrated to be important in neurons and secretory cells. These two mechanisms act in tandem with each other in a synergistic manner to provide more complete spatiotemporal control over neurotransmitter release.

Genetic Analysis of Rare Human Variants of Regulators of G Protein Signaling Proteins and Their Role in Human Physiology and Disease

Regulators of G protein signaling (RGS) proteins modulate the physiologic actions of many neurotransmitters, hormones, and other signaling molecules. Human RGS proteins comprise a family of 20 canonical proteins that bind directly to G protein-coupled receptors/G protein complexes to limit the lifetime of their signaling events, which regulate all aspects of cell and organ physiology. Genetic variations account for diverse human traits and individual predispositions to disease. RGS proteins contribute to many complex polygenic human traits and pathologies such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, schizophrenia, depression, addiction, cancers, and many others. Recent analysis indicates that most human diseases are due to extremely rare genetic variants. In this study, we summarize physiologic roles for RGS proteins and links to human diseases/traits and report rare variants found within each human RGS protein exome sequence derived from global population studies. Each RGS sequence is analyzed using recently described bioinformatics and proteomic tools for measures of missense tolerance ratio paired with combined annotation-dependent depletion scores, and protein post-translational modification (PTM) alignment cluster analysis. We highlight selected variants within the well-studied RGS domain that likely disrupt RGS protein functions and provide comprehensive variant and PTM data for each RGS protein for future study. We propose that rare variants in functionally sensitive regions of RGS proteins confer profound change-of-function phenotypes that may contribute, in newly appreciated ways, to complex human diseases and/or traits. This information provides investigators with a valuable database to explore variation in RGS protein function, and for targeting RGS proteins as future therapeutic targets.

GPCR regulation of secretion

Modulation of neurotransmitter exocytosis by activated Gi/o coupled G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) is a universal regulatory mechanism used both to avoid overstimulation and to influence circuitry. One of the known modulation mechanisms is the interaction between Gβγ and the soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNAREs). There are 5 Gβ and 12 Gγ subunits, but specific Gβγs activated by a given GPCR and the specificity to effectors, such as SNARE, in vivo are not known. Although less studied, Gβγ binding to the exocytic fusion machinery (i.e. SNARE) provides a more direct regulatory mechanism for neurotransmitter release. Here, we review some recent insights in the architecture of the synaptic terminal, modulation of synaptic transmission, and implications of G protein modulation of synaptic transmission in diseases. Numerous presynaptic proteins are involved in the architecture of synaptic terminals, particularly the active zone, and their importance in the regulation of exocytosis is still not completely understood. Further understanding of the Gβγ-SNARE interaction and the architecture and mechanisms of exocytosis may lead to the discovery of novel therapeutic targets to help patients with various disorders such as hypertension, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and acute/chronic pain.

Activation of β- and α2-adrenergic receptors stimulate tubulin polymerization and promote the association of Gβγ with microtubules in cultured NIH3T3 cells

Microtubules (MTs) constitute a crucial part of the cytoskeleton and are essential for cell division and differentiation, cell motility, intracellular transport, and cell morphology. Precise regulation of MT assembly and dynamics is essential for the performance of these functions. Although much progress has been made in identifying and characterizing the cellular factors that regulate MT assembly and dynamics, signaling events in this process is not well understood. Gβγ, an important component of the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling pathway, has been shown to promote MT assembly in vitro and in cultured NIH3T3 and PC12 cells. Using the MT depolymerizing agent nocodazole, it has been demonstrated that the association of Gβγ with polymerized tubulin is critical for MT assembly. More recently, Gβγ has been shown to play a key role in NGF-induced neuronal differentiation of PC12 cells through its interaction with tubulin/MTs and modulation of MT assembly. Although NGF is known to exert its effect through tyrosine kinase receptor TrkA, the result suggests a possible involvement of GPCRs in this process. The present study was undertaken to determine whether agonist activation of GPCR utilizes Gβγ to promote MT assembly. We used isoproterenol and UK 14,304, agonists for two different GPCRs (β- and α2-adrenergic receptors, respectively) known to activate Gs and Gi respectively, with an opposing effect on production of cAMP. The results demonstrate that the agonist activation of β- and α2-adrenergic receptors promotes the association of Gβγ with MTs and stimulates MT assembly in NIH3T3 cells. Interestingly, the effects of these two agonists were more prominent when the cellular level of MT assembly was low (30% or less). In contrast to MT assembly, actin polymerization was not affected by isoproterenol or UK 14, 304 indicating that the effects of these agonists are limited to MTs. Thus, it appears that, upon cellular demand, GPCRs may utilize Gβγ to promote MT assembly. Stimulation of MT assembly appears to be a novel function of G protein-mediated signaling.

G-protein-coupled receptor signaling and neural tube closure defects

Disruption of the normal mechanisms that mediate neural tube closure can result in neural tube defects (NTDs) with devastating consequences in affected patients. With the advent of next-generation sequencing, we are increasingly detecting mutations in multiple genes in NTD cases. However, our ability to determine which of these genes contribute to the malformation is limited by our understanding of the pathways controlling neural tube closure. G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) comprise the largest family of transmembrane receptors in humans and have been historically favored as drug targets. Recent studies implicate several GPCRs and downstream signaling pathways in neural tube development and closure. In this review, we will discuss our current understanding of GPCR signaling pathways in pathogenesis of NTDs. Notable examples include the orphan primary cilia-localized GPCR, Gpr161 that regulates the basal suppression machinery of sonic hedgehog pathway by means of activation of cAMP-protein kinase A signaling in the neural tube, and protease-activated receptors that are activated by a local network of membrane-tethered proteases during neural tube closure involving the surface ectoderm. Understanding the role of these GPCR-regulated pathways in neural tube development and closure is essential toward identification of underlying genetic causes to prevent NTDs. Birth Defects Research 109:129-139, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Polycystin 1 loss of function is directly linked to an imbalance in G-protein signaling in the kidney

The development of the kidney relies on the establishment and maintenance of a precise tubular diameter of its functional units, the nephrons. This process is disrupted in polycystic kidney disease (PKD), resulting in dilations of the nephron and renal cyst formation. In the course of exploring G-protein-coupled signaling in the Xenopus pronephric kidney, we discovered that loss of the G-protein α subunit, Gnas, results in a PKD phenotype. Polycystin 1, one of the genes mutated in human PKD, encodes a protein resembling a G-protein-coupled receptor. Furthermore, deletion of the G-protein-binding domain present in the intracellular C terminus of polycystin 1 impacts functionality. A comprehensive analysis of all the G-protein α subunits expressed in the Xenopus pronephric kidney demonstrates that polycystin 1 recruits a select subset of G-protein α subunits and that their knockdown - as in the case of Gnas - results in a PKD phenotype. Mechanistically, the phenotype is caused by increased endogenous G-protein β/γ signaling and can be reversed by pharmacological inhibitors as well as knocking down Gnb1. Together, our data support the hypothesis that G proteins are recruited to the intracellular domain of PKD1 and that this interaction is crucial for its function in the kidney.

Gβ2 Regulates the Multipolar-Bipolar Transition of Newborn Neurons in the Developing Neocortex

Proper neuronal migration is critical for the formation of the six-layered neocortex in the mammalian brain. However, the precise control of neuronal migration is not well understood. Heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide binding proteins (G proteins), composed of Gα and Gβγ, transduce signals from G protein-coupled receptors to downstream effectors and play crucial roles in brain development. However, the functions of individual subunits of G proteins in prenatal brain development remain unclear. Here, we report that Gβ2 is expressed in the embryonic neocortex, with abundant expression in the intermediate zone, and is significantly upregulated in differentiated neurons. Perturbation of Gβ2 expression impairs the morphogenetic transformation of migrating neurons from multipolar to bipolar and subsequently delays neuronal migration. Moreover, Gβ2 acts as a scaffold protein to organize the MP1-MEK1-ERK1/2 complex and mediates the phosphorylation of ERK1/2. Importantly, expression of a constitutively active variant of MEK1 rescues the migration defects that are caused by the loss of Gβ2. In conclusion, our findings reveal that Gβ2 regulates proper neuronal migration during neocortex development by activating the ERK1/2 signaling pathway.

Quantitative Multiple-Reaction Monitoring Proteomic Analysis of Gβ and Gγ Subunits in C57Bl6/J Brain Synaptosomes

Gβγ dimers are one of the essential signaling units of activated G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). There are five Gβ and 12 Gγ subunits in humans; numerous studies have demonstrated that different Gβ and Gγ subunits selectively interact to form unique Gβγ dimers, which in turn may target specific receptors and effectors. Perturbation of Gβγ signaling can lead to impaired physiological responses. Moreover, previous targeted multiple-reaction monitoring (MRM) studies of Gβ and Gγ subunits have shown distinct regional and subcellular localization patterns in four brain regions. Nevertheless, no studies have quantified or compared their individual protein levels. In this study, we have developed a quantitative MRM method not only to quantify but also to compare the protein abundance of neuronal Gβ and Gγ subunits. In whole and fractionated crude synaptosomes, we were able to identify the most abundant neuronal Gβ and Gγ subunits and their subcellular localizations. For example, Gβ₁ was mostly localized at the membrane while Gβ₂ was evenly distributed throughout synaptosomal fractions. The protein expression levels and subcellular localizations of Gβ and Gγ subunits may affect the Gβγ dimerization and Gβγ-effector interactions. This study offers not only a new tool for quantifying and comparing Gβ and Gγ subunits but also new insights into the in vivo distribution of Gβ and Gγ subunits, and Gβγ dimer assembly in normal brain function.

The heterotrimeric G protein Gβ1 interacts with the catalytic subunit of protein phosphatase 1 and modulates G protein-coupled receptor signaling in platelets

Thrombosis is caused by the activation of platelets at the site of ruptured atherosclerotic plaques. This activation involves engagement of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) on platelets that promote their aggregation. Although it is known that protein kinases and phosphatases modulate GPCR signaling, how serine/threonine phosphatases integrate with G protein signaling pathways is less understood. Because the subcellular localization and substrate specificity of the catalytic subunit of protein phosphatase 1 (PP1c) is dictated by PP1c-interacting proteins, here we sought to identify new PP1c interactors. GPCRs signal via the canonical heterotrimeric Gα and Gβγ subunits. Using a yeast two-hybrid screen, we discovered an interaction between PP1cα and the heterotrimeric G protein Gβ₁ subunit. Co-immunoprecipitation studies with epitope-tagged PP1c and Gβ₁ revealed that Gβ₁ interacts with the PP1c α, β, and γ1 isoforms. Purified PP1c bound to recombinant Gβ₁-GST protein, and PP1c co-immunoprecipitated with Gβ₁ in unstimulated platelets. Thrombin stimulation of platelets induced the dissociation of the PP1c-Gβ₁ complex, which correlated with an association of PP1c with phospholipase C β3 (PLCβ3), along with a concomitant dephosphorylation of the inhibitory Ser¹¹⁰⁵ residue in PLCβ3. siRNA-mediated depletion of GNB1 (encoding Gβ₁) in murine megakaryocytes reduced protease-activated receptor 4, activating peptide-induced soluble fibrinogen binding. Thrombin-induced aggregation was decreased in PP1cα^-/- murine platelets and in human platelets treated with a small-molecule inhibitor of Gβγ. Finally, disruption of PP1c-Gβ₁ complexes with myristoylated Gβ₁ peptides containing the PP1c binding site moderately decreased thrombin-induced human platelet aggregation. These findings suggest that Gβ₁ protein enlists PP1c to modulate GPCR signaling in platelets.

Lacking of palladin leads to multiple cellular events changes which contribute to NTD

Background

The actin cytoskeleton-associated protein palladin plays an important role in cell motility, morphogenesis and adhesion. In mice, Palladin deficient embryos are lethal before embryonic day (E) 15.5, and exhibit severe cranial neural tube and body wall closure defects. However, the mechanism how palladin regulates the process of cranial neural tube closure (NTC) remains unknown.

Methods

In this paper, we use gene knockout mouse to elucidate the function of palladin in the regulation of NTC process.

Results

We initially focuse on the expression pattern of palladin and found that in embryonic brain, palladin is predominantly expressed in the neural folds at E9.5. We further check the major cellular events in the neural epithelium that may contribute to NTC during the early embryogenesis. Palladin deficiency leads to a disturbance of cytoskeleton in the neural tube and the cultured neural progenitors. Furthermore, increased cell proliferation, decreased cell differentiation and diminished apical cell apoptosis of neural epithelium are found in palladin deficient embryos. Cell cycle of neural progenitors in Palladin^-/- embryos is much shorter than that in wt ones. Cell adhesion shows a reduction in Palladin^-/- neural tubes.

Conclusions

Palladin is expressed with proper spatio-temporal pattern in the neural folds. It plays a crucial role in regulating mouse cranial NTC by modulating cytoskeleton, proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and adhesion of neural epithelium. Our findings facilitate further study of the function of palladin and the underlying molecular mechanism involved in NTC.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13064-017-0081-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Gβγ subunits-Different spaces, different faces

Gβγ subunits play key roles in modulation of canonical effectors in G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR)-dependent signalling at the cell surface. However, a number of recent studies of Gβγ function have revealed that they regulate a large number of molecules at distinct subcellular sites. These novel, non-canonical Gβγ roles have reshaped our understanding of how important Gβγ signalling is compared to our original notion of Gβγ subunits as simple negative regulators of Gα subunits. Gβγ dimers have now been identified as regulators of transcription, anterograde and retrograde trafficking and modulators of second messenger molecule generation in intracellular organelles. Here, we review some recent advances in our understanding of these novel non-canonical roles of Gβγ.

Proteomic changes in the cortex membrane fraction of genetic absence epilepsy rats from Strasbourg

Epilepsy is a serious neurodegenerative disorder with a high incidence and a variety of presentations and causes. Studies on brain from various animal models including chronic models: Genetic Absence Epilepsy Rats from Strasbourg (GAERS) are very useful for understanding the fundamental mechanisms associated with human epilepsy. Individual regions of the brain have different protein composition in different conditions. Therefore, proteomic analyses of the brain compartments are preferred for the development of new therapeutic targets in different pathophysiological conditions like neurodegenerative disorders. In this study, we describe a proteomic profiling of membrane fraction of cortex tissue from epileptic GAERS and non-epileptic Wistar rat brain by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis coupled with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectroscopy. Comparing the optical density of spots between groups, we found that one protein expression was significantly down-regulated (guanine nucleotide-binding protein G(I)/G(S)/G(T) subunit beta-1) and one protein expression was significantly up-regulated (14-3-3 protein epsilon isoform) in GAERS group. Our results indicate that these proteins might have played a significant role in epilepsy and may be considered as valuable therapeutic targets in the absence of epilepsy.

Gene networks underlying convergent and pleiotropic phenotypes in a large and systematically-phenotyped cohort with heterogeneous developmental disorders

Readily-accessible and standardised capture of genotypic variation has revolutionised our understanding of the genetic contribution to disease. Unfortunately, the corresponding systematic capture of patient phenotypic variation needed to fully interpret the impact of genetic variation has lagged far behind. Exploiting deep and systematic phenotyping of a cohort of 197 patients presenting with heterogeneous developmental disorders and whose genomes harbour de novo CNVs, we systematically applied a range of commonly-used functional genomics approaches to identify the underlying molecular perturbations and their phenotypic impact. Grouping patients into 408 non-exclusive patient-phenotype groups, we identified a functional association amongst the genes disrupted in 209 (51%) groups. We find evidence for a significant number of molecular interactions amongst the association-contributing genes, including a single highly-interconnected network disrupted in 20% of patients with intellectual disability, and show using microcephaly how these molecular networks can be used as baits to identify additional members whose genes are variant in other patients with the same phenotype. Exploiting the systematic phenotyping of this cohort, we observe phenotypic concordance amongst patients whose variant genes contribute to the same functional association but note that (i) this relationship shows significant variation across the different approaches used to infer a commonly perturbed molecular pathway, and (ii) that the phenotypic similarities detected amongst patients who share the same inferred pathway perturbation result from these patients sharing many distinct phenotypes, rather than sharing a more specific phenotype, inferring that these pathways are best characterized by their pleiotropic effects.

Developmental disorders occur in ∼3% of live births, and exhibit a broad range of abnormalities including: intellectual disability, autism, heart defects, and other neurological and morphological problems. Often, patients are grouped into genetic syndromes which are defined by a specific set of mutations and a common set of abnormalities. However, many mutations are unique to a single patient and many patients present a range of abnormalities which do not fit one of the recognized genetic syndromes, making diagnosis difficult. Using a dataset of 197 patients with systematically described abnormalities, we identified molecular pathways whose disruption was associated with specific abnormalities among many patients. Importantly, patients with mutations in the same pathway often exhibited similar co-morbid symptoms and thus the commonly disrupted pathway appeared responsible for the broad range of shared abnormalities amongst these patients. These findings support the general concept that patients with mutations in distinct genes could be etiologically grouped together through the common pathway that these mutated genes participate in, with a view to improving diagnoses, prognoses and therapeutic outcomes.

Nerve growth factor induces neurite outgrowth of PC12 cells by promoting Gβγ-microtubule interaction

BACKGROUND

Assembly and disassembly of microtubules (MTs) is critical for neurite outgrowth and differentiation. Evidence suggests that nerve growth factor (NGF) induces neurite outgrowth from PC12 cells by activating the receptor tyrosine kinase, TrkA. G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) as well as heterotrimeric G proteins are also involved in regulating neurite outgrowth. However, the possible connection between these pathways and how they might ultimately converge to regulate the assembly and organization of MTs during neurite outgrowth is not well understood.

RESULTS

Here, we report that Gβγ, an important component of the GPCR pathway, is critical for NGF-induced neuronal differentiation of PC12 cells. We have found that NGF promoted the interaction of Gβγ with MTs and stimulated MT assembly. While Gβγ-sequestering peptide GRK2i inhibited neurite formation, disrupted MTs, and induced neurite damage, the Gβγ activator mSIRK stimulated neurite outgrowth, which indicates the involvement of Gβγ in this process. Because we have shown earlier that prenylation and subsequent methylation/demethylation of γ subunits are required for the Gβγ-MTs interaction in vitro, small-molecule inhibitors (L-28 and L-23) targeting prenylated methylated protein methyl esterase (PMPMEase) were tested in the current study. We found that these inhibitors disrupted Gβγ and ΜΤ organization and affected cellular morphology and neurite outgrowth. In further support of a role of Gβγ-MT interaction in neuronal differentiation, it was observed that overexpression of Gβγ in PC12 cells induced neurite outgrowth in the absence of added NGF. Moreover, overexpressed Gβγ exhibited a pattern of association with MTs similar to that observed in NGF-differentiated cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Altogether, our results demonstrate that βγ subunit of heterotrimeric G proteins play a critical role in neurite outgrowth and differentiation by interacting with MTs and modulating MT rearrangement.

Ablation of the GNB3 gene in mice does not affect body weight, metabolism or blood pressure, but causes bradycardia

G protein β3 (Gβ3) is an isoform of heterotrimeric G protein β subunits involved in transducing G protein coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling. Polymorphisms in Gβ3 (GNB3) are associated with many human disorders (e.g. hypertension, diabetes and obesity) but the role of GNB3 in these pathogeneses remains unclear. Here, Gβ3-null mice (GNB3(-/-)) were characterized to determine how Gβ3 functions to regulate blood pressure, body weight and metabolism. We found Gβ3 expression restricted to limited types of tissues, including the retina, several regions of the brain and heart ventricles. Gβ3-deficient mice were normal as judged by body weight gain by age or by feeding with high-fat diet (HFD); glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity; baseline blood pressure and angiotensin II infusion-induced hypertension. During tail-cuff blood pressure measurements, however, Gβ3-null mice had slower heart rates (~450 vs ~500 beats/min). This bradycardia was not observed in isolated and perfused Gβ3-null mouse hearts. Moreover, mouse hearts isolated from GNB3(-/-) and controls responded equivalently to muscarinic receptor- and β-adrenergic receptor-stimulated bradycardia and tachycardia, respectively. Since no difference was seen in isolated hearts, Gβ3 is unlikely to be involved directly in the GPCR signaling activity that controls heart pacemaker activity. These results demonstrate that although Gβ3 appears dispensable in mice for the regulation of blood pressure, body weight and metabolic features associated with obesity and diabetes, Gβ3 may regulate heart rate.

Differential localization of G protein βγ subunits

G protein βγ subunits play essential roles in regulating cellular signaling cascades, yet little is known about their distribution in tissues or their subcellular localization. While previous studies have suggested specific isoforms may exhibit a wide range of distributions throughout the central nervous system, a thorough investigation of the expression patterns of both Gβ and Gγ isoforms within subcellular fractions has not been conducted. To address this, we applied a targeted proteomics approach known as multiple-reaction monitoring to analyze localization patterns of Gβ and Gγ isoforms in pre- and postsynaptic fractions isolated from cortex, cerebellum, hippocampus, and striatum. Particular Gβ and Gγ subunits were found to exhibit distinct regional and subcellular localization patterns throughout the brain. Significant differences in subcellular localization between pre- and postsynaptic fractions were observed within the striatum for most Gβ and Gγ isoforms, while others exhibited completely unique expression patterns in all four brain regions examined. Such differences are a prerequisite for understanding roles of individual subunits in regulating specific signaling pathways throughout the central nervous system.

Disruption of G-protein γ5 subtype causes embryonic lethality in mice

Heterotrimeric G-proteins modulate many processes essential for embryonic development including cellular proliferation, migration, differentiation, and survival. Although most research has focused on identifying the roles of the various αsubtypes, there is growing recognition that similarly divergent βγ dimers also regulate these processes. In this paper, we show that targeted disruption of the mouse Gng5 gene encoding the γ₅ subtype produces embryonic lethality associated with severe head and heart defects. Collectively, these results add to a growing body of data that identify critical roles for the γ subunits in directing the assembly of functionally distinct G-αβγ trimers that are responsible for regulating diverse biological processes. Specifically, the finding that loss of the G-γ₅ subtype is associated with a reduced number of cardiac precursor cells not only provides a causal basis for the mouse phenotype but also raises the possibility that G-βγ₅ dependent signaling contributes to the pathogenesis of human congenital heart problems.

Proteomic analysis of post-nuclear supernatant fraction and percoll-purified membranes prepared from brain cortex of rats exposed to increasing doses of morphine

Background

Proteomic analysis was performed in post-nuclear supernatant (PNS) and Percoll-purified membranes (PM) prepared from fore brain cortex of rats exposed to increasing doses of morphine (10–50 mg/kg) for 10 days.

Results

In PNS, the 10 up (↑)- or down (↓)-regulated proteins exhibiting the largest morphine-induced change were selected, excised manually from the gel and identified by MALDI-TOF MS/MS: 1-(gi|148747414, Guanine deaminase), ↑2.5×; 2-(gi|17105370, Vacuolar-type proton ATP subunit B, brain isoform), ↑2.6×; 3-(gi|1352384, Protein disulfide-isomerase A3), ↑3.4×; 4-(gi|40254595, Dihydropyrimidinase-related protein 2), ↑3.6×; 5-(gi|149054470, N-ethylmaleimide sensitive fusion protein, isoform CRAa), ↑2.0×; 6-(gi|42476181, Malate dehydrogenase, mitochondrial precursor), ↑1.4×; 7-(gi|62653546, Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase), ↑1.6×; 8-(gi|202837, Aldolase A), ↑1.3×; 9-(gi|31542401, Creatine kinase B-type), ↓0.86×; 10-(gi|40538860, Aconitate hydratase, mitochondrial precursor), ↑1.3×. The identified proteins were of cytoplasmic (1, 4, 5, 7, 9), cell membrane (2), endoplasmic reticulum (3) and mitochondrial (6, 8, 10) origin and 9 of them were significantly increased, 1.3-3.6×. The 4 out of 9 up-regulated proteins (4, 6, 7, 10) were described as functionally related to oxidative stress; the 2 proteins participate in genesis of apoptotic cell death.

In PM, the 18 up (↑)- or down (↓)-regulated proteins were identified by LC-MS/MS and were of plasma membrane [Brain acid soluble protein, ↓2.1×; trimeric Gβ subunit, ↓2.0x], myelin membrane [MBP, ↓2.5×], cytoplasmic [Internexin, ↑5.2×; DPYL2, ↑4.9×; Ubiquitin hydrolase, ↓2.0×; 60S ribosomal protein, ↑2.7×; KCRB, ↓2.6×; Sirtuin-2, ↑2.5×; Peroxiredoxin-2, ↑2.2×; Septin-11, ↑2.2×; TERA, ↑2.1×; SYUA, ↑2.0×; Coronin-1A, ↓5.4×] and mitochondrial [Glutamate dehydrogenase 1, ↑2.7×; SCOT1, ↑2.2×; Prohibitin, ↑2.2×; Aspartate aminotransferase, ↓2.2×] origin. Surprisingly, the immunoblot analysis of the same PM resolved by 2D-ELFO indicated that the “active”, morphine-induced pool of Gβ subunits represented just a minor fraction of the total signal of Gβ which was decreased 1.2x only. The dominant signal of Gβ was unchanged.

Conclusion

Brain cortex of rats exposed to increasing doses of morphine is far from being adapted. Significant up-regulation of proteins functionally related to oxidative stress and apoptosis suggests a major change of energy metabolism resulting in the state of severe brain cell “discomfort” or even death.

Neuropathology of brain and spinal malformations in a case of monosomy 1p36

Monosomy 1p36 is the most common subtelomeric chromosomal deletion linked to mental retardation and seizures. Neuroimaging studies suggest that monosomy 1p36 is associated with brain malformations including polymicrogyria and nodular heterotopia, but the histopathology of these lesions is unknown. Here we present postmortem neuropathological findings from a 10 year-old girl with monosomy 1p36, who died of respiratory complications. The findings included micrencephaly, periventricular nodular heterotopia in occipitotemporal lobes, cortical dysgenesis resembling polymicrogyria in dorsolateral frontal lobes, hippocampal malrotation, callosal hypoplasia, superiorly rotated cerebellum with small vermis, and lumbosacral hydromyelia. The abnormal cortex exhibited “festooned” (undulating) supragranular layers, but no significant fusion of the molecular layer. Deletion mapping demonstrated single copy loss of a contiguous 1p36 terminal region encompassing many important neurodevelopmental genes, among them four HES genes implicated in regulating neural stem cell differentiation, and TP73, a monoallelically expressed gene. Our results suggest that brain and spinal malformations in monosomy 1p36 may be more extensive than previously recognized, and may depend on the parental origin of deleted genes. More broadly, our results suggest that specific genetic disorders may cause distinct forms of cortical dysgenesis.

Expression profile of G-protein βγ subunit gene transcripts in the mouse olfactory sensory epithelia

Heterotrimeric G-proteins mediate a variety of cellular functions, including signal transduction in sensory neurons of the olfactory system. Whereas the Gα subunits in these neurons are well characterized, the gene transcript expression profile of Gβγ subunits is largely missing. Here we report our comprehensive expression analysis to identify Gβ and Gγ subunit gene transcripts in the mouse main olfactory epithelium (MOE) and the vomeronasal organ (VNO). Our reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) and realtime qPCR analyses of all known Gβ (β_1,2,3,4,5) and Gγ (γ_{1,2,2t,3,4,5,7,8,10,11,12,13}) subunits indicate presence of multiple Gβ and Gγ subunit gene transcripts in the MOE and the VNO at various expression levels. These results are supported by our RNA in situ hybridization (RISH) experiments, which reveal the expression patterns of two Gβ subunits and four Gγ subunits in the MOE as well as one Gβ and four Gγ subunits in the VNO. Using double-probe fluorescence RISH and line intensity scan analysis of the RISH signals of two dominant Gβγ subunits, we show that Gγ₁₃ is expressed in mature olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs), while Gβ₁ is present in both mature and immature OSNs. Interestingly, we also found Gβ₁ to be the dominant Gβ subunit in the VNO and present throughout the sensory epithelium. In contrast, we found diverse expression of Gγ subunit gene transcripts with Gγ₂, Gγ₃, and Gγ₁₃ in the Gα_i2-expressing neuronal population, while Gγ₈ is expressed in both layers. Further, we determined the expression of these Gβγ gene transcripts in three post-natal developmental stages (p0, 7, and 14) and found their cell-type specific expression remains largely unchanged, except the transient expression of Gγ₂ in a single basal layer of cells in the MOE during P7 and P14. Taken together, our comprehensive expression analyses reveal cell-type specific gene expression of multiple Gβ and Gγ in sensory neurons of the olfactory system.

Proteasome overload is a common stress factor in multiple forms of inherited retinal degeneration

Inherited retinal degenerations, caused by mutations in over 100 individual genes, affect approximately 2 million people worldwide. Many of the underlying mutations cause protein misfolding or mistargeting in affected photoreceptors. This places an increased burden on the protein folding and degradation machinery, which may trigger cell death. We analyzed how these cellular functions are affected in degenerating rods of the transducin γ-subunit (Gγ1) knockout mouse. These rods produce large amounts of transducin β-subunit (Gβ1), which cannot fold without Gγ1 and undergoes intracellular proteolysis instead of forming a transducin βγ-subunit complex. Our data revealed that the most critical pathobiological factor leading to photoreceptor cell death in these animals is insufficient capacity of proteasomes to process abnormally large amounts of misfolded protein. A decrease in the Gβ1 production in Gγ1 knockout rods resulted in a significant reduction in proteasomal overload and caused a striking reversal of photoreceptor degeneration. We further demonstrated that a similar proteasomal overload takes place in photoreceptors of other mutant mice where retinal degeneration has been ascribed to protein mistargeting or misfolding, but not in mice whose photoreceptor degenerate as a result of abnormal phototransduction. These results establish the prominence of proteasomal insufficiency across multiple degenerative diseases of the retina, thereby positioning proteasomes as a promising therapeutic target for treating these debilitating conditions.

An allelic series of mice reveals a role for RERE in the development of multiple organs affected in chromosome 1p36 deletions

Individuals with terminal and interstitial deletions of chromosome 1p36 have a spectrum of defects that includes eye anomalies, postnatal growth deficiency, structural brain anomalies, seizures, cognitive impairment, delayed motor development, behavior problems, hearing loss, cardiovascular malformations, cardiomyopathy, and renal anomalies. The proximal 1p36 genes that contribute to these defects have not been clearly delineated. The arginine-glutamic acid dipeptide (RE) repeats gene (RERE) is located in this region and encodes a nuclear receptor coregulator that plays a critical role in embryonic development as a positive regulator of retinoic acid signaling. Rere-null mice die of cardiac failure between E9.5 and E11.5. This limits their usefulness in studying the role of RERE in the latter stages of development and into adulthood. To overcome this limitation, we created an allelic series of RERE-deficient mice using an Rere-null allele, om, and a novel hypomorphic Rere allele, eyes3 (c.578T>C, p.Val193Ala), which we identified in an N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU)-based screen for autosomal recessive phenotypes. Analyses of these mice revealed microphthalmia, postnatal growth deficiency, brain hypoplasia, decreased numbers of neuronal nuclear antigen (NeuN)-positive hippocampal neurons, hearing loss, cardiovascular malformations–aortic arch anomalies, double outlet right ventricle, and transposition of the great arteries, and perimembranous ventricular septal defects–spontaneous development of cardiac fibrosis and renal agenesis. These findings suggest that RERE plays a critical role in the development and function of multiple organs including the eye, brain, inner ear, heart and kidney. It follows that haploinsufficiency of RERE may contribute–alone or in conjunction with other genetic, environmental, or stochastic factors–to the development of many of the phenotypes seen in individuals with terminal and interstitial deletions that include the proximal region of chromosome 1p36.

The expanding roles of Gβγ subunits in G protein-coupled receptor signaling and drug action

Gβγ subunits from heterotrimeric G proteins perform a vast array of functions in cells with respect to signaling, often independently as well as in concert with Gα subunits. However, the eponymous term "Gβγ" does not do justice to the fact that 5 Gβ and 12 Gγ isoforms have evolved in mammals to serve much broader roles beyond their canonical roles in cellular signaling. We explore the phylogenetic diversity of Gβγ subunits with a view toward understanding these expanded roles in different cellular organelles. We suggest that the particular content of distinct Gβγ subunits regulates cellular activity, and that the granularity of individual Gβ and Gγ action is only beginning to be understood. Given the therapeutic potential of targeting Gβγ action, this larger view serves as a prelude to more specific development of drugs aimed at individual isoforms.

Gβ2 and Gβ4 participate in the opioid and adrenergic receptor-mediated Ca2+ channel modulation in rat sympathetic neurons

Cardiac function is regulated in part by the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system via the stellate ganglion (SG) neurons. Neurotransmitters, such as noradrenaline (NA), and neuropeptides, including nociceptin (Noc), influence the excit ability of SG neurons by modulating Ca(2+) channel function following activation of the adrenergic and nociceptin/orphanin FQ peptide (NOP) opioid receptors, respectively. The regulation of Ca(2+) channels is mediated by Gβγ, but the specific Gβ subunit that modulates the channels is not known. In the present study, small interference RNA (siRNA) was employed to silence the natively expressed Gβ proteins in rat SG tissue and to examine the coupling specificity of adrenergic and NOP opioid receptors to Ca(2+) channels employing the whole-cell variant of the patch-clamp technique.Western blotting analysis showed that Gβ1, Gβ2 and Gβ4 are natively expressed. The knockdown of Gβ2 or Gβ4 led to a significant decrease of the NA- and Noc-mediated Ca(2+)current inhibition, while Gβ1 silencing was without effect. However, sustaining low levels of Gβ2 resulted in an increased expression of Gβ4 and a concomitant compensation of both adrenergic and opioid signalling pathways modulating Ca(2+) channels. Conversely, Gβ4-directed siRNA was not accompanied with a compensation of the signalling pathway. Finally, the combined silencing of Gβ2 and Gβ4 prevented any additional compensatory mechanisms.Overall, our studies suggest that in SG neurons, Gβ2 and Gβ4 normally maintain the coupling of Ca(2+) channels with the receptors, with the latter subtype responsible for maintaining the integrity of both pathways.

Evaluating genetic markers and neurobiochemical analytes for fluoxetine response using a panel of mouse inbred strains

RATIONALE

Identification of biomarkers that establish diagnosis or treatment response is critical to the advancement of research and management of patients with depression.

OBJECTIVE

Our goal was to identify biomarkers that can potentially assess fluoxetine response and risk to poor treatment outcome.

METHODS

We measured behavior, gene expression, and the levels of 36 neurobiochemical analytes across a panel of genetically diverse mouse inbred lines after chronic treatment with water or fluoxetine.

RESULTS

Glyoxylase 1 (GLO1) and guanine nucleotide-binding protein 1 (GNB1) mostly account for baseline anxiety-like and depressive-like behavior, indicating a common biological link between depression and anxiety. Fluoxetine-induced biochemical alterations discriminated positive responders, while baseline neurobiochemical differences differentiated negative responders (p < 0.006). Results show that glial fibrillary acidic protein, S100 beta protein, GLO1, and histone deacetylase 5 contributed most to fluoxetine response. These proteins are linked within a cellular growth/proliferation pathway, suggesting the involvement of cellular genesis in fluoxetine response. Furthermore, a candidate genetic locus that associates with baseline depressive-like behavior contains a gene that encodes for cellular proliferation/adhesion molecule (Cadm1), supporting a genetic basis for the role of neuro/gliogenesis in depression.

CONCLUSION

We provided a comprehensive analysis of behavioral, neurobiochemical, and transcriptome data across 30 mouse inbred strains that has not been accomplished before. We identified biomarkers that influence fluoxetine response, which, altogether, implicate the importance of cellular genesis in fluoxetine treatment. More broadly, this approach can be used to assess a wide range of drug response phenotypes that are challenging to address in human samples.

An update to the list of mouse mutants with neural tube closure defects and advances toward a complete genetic perspective of neural tube closure

The number of mouse mutants and strains with neural tube defects (NTDs) now exceeds 240, including 205 representing specific genes, 30 for unidentified genes, and 9 multifactorial strains. These mutants identify genes needed for embryonic neural tube closure. Reports of 50 new NTD mutants since our 2007 review (Harris and Juriloff, 2007) were considered in relation to the previously reviewed mutants to obtain new insights into mechanisms of NTD etiology. In addition to null mutations, some are hypomorphs or conditional mutants. Some mutations do not cause NTDs on their own, but do so in digenic, trigenic, and oligogenic combinations, an etiology that likely parallels the nature of genetic etiology of human NTDs. Mutants that have only exencephaly are fourfold more frequent than those that have spina bifida aperta with or without exencephaly. Many diverse cellular functions and biochemical pathways are involved; the NTD mutants draw new attention to chromatin modification (epigenetics), the protease-activated receptor cascade, and the ciliopathies. Few mutants directly involve folate metabolism. Prevention of NTDs by maternal folate supplementation has been tested in 13 mutants and reduces NTD frequency in six diverse mutants. Inositol reduces spina bifida aperta frequency in the curly tail mutant, and three new mutants involve inositol metabolism. The many NTD mutants are the foundation for a future complete genetic understanding of the processes of neural fold elevation and fusion along mechanistically distinct cranial-caudal segments of the neural tube, and they point to several candidate processes for study in human NTD etiology.