1
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Huang Z, Sun Y, Liu S, Chen X, Ping J, Fei P, Gong Z, Zheng N. A machine learning based method for tracking of simultaneously imaged neural activity and body posture of freely moving maggot. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2024; 727:150290. [PMID: 38941792 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2024.150290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2024] [Revised: 06/16/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/30/2024]
Abstract
To understand neural basis of animal behavior, it is necessary to monitor neural activity and behavior in freely moving animal before building relationship between them. Here we use light sheet fluorescence microscope (LSFM) combined with microfluidic chip to simultaneously capture neural activity and body movement in small freely behaving Drosophila larva. We develop a transfer learning based method to simultaneously track the continuously changing body posture and activity of neurons that move together using a sub-region tracking network with a precise landmark estimation network for the inference of target landmark trajectory. Based on the tracking of each labelled neuron, the activity of the neuron indicated by fluorescent intensity is calculated. For each video, annotation of only 20 frames in a video is sufficient to yield human-level accuracy for all other frames. The validity of this method is further confirmed by reproducing the activity pattern of PMSIs (period-positive median segmental interneurons) and larval movement as previously reported. Using this method, we disclosed the correlation between larval movement and left-right asymmetry in activity of a group of unidentified neurons labelled by R52H01-Gal4 and further confirmed the roles of these neurons in bilateral balance of body contraction during larval crawling by genetic inhibition of these neurons. Our method provides a new tool for accurate extraction of neural activities and movement of freely behaving small-size transparent animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zenan Huang
- Zhejiang Lab, Hangzhou, 311121, China; Qiushi Academy for Advanced Studies, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310007, China
| | - Yixuan Sun
- Zhejiang Lab, Hangzhou, 311121, China; Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital, Affiliated Mental Health Center, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China; NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Research and Brain-Machine Integration, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | | | - Xiaopeng Chen
- Zhejiang Lab, Hangzhou, 311121, China; School of Optical and Electronic Information-Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong, University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Junyu Ping
- School of Optical and Electronic Information-Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong, University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Peng Fei
- School of Optical and Electronic Information-Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong, University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Zhefeng Gong
- Zhejiang Lab, Hangzhou, 311121, China; Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital, Affiliated Mental Health Center, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China; NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Research and Brain-Machine Integration, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
| | - Nenggan Zheng
- Zhejiang Lab, Hangzhou, 311121, China; Qiushi Academy for Advanced Studies, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310007, China
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2
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Xu C, Li Z, Lyu C, Hu Y, McLaughlin CN, Wong KKL, Xie Q, Luginbuhl DJ, Li H, Udeshi ND, Svinkina T, Mani DR, Han S, Li T, Li Y, Guajardo R, Ting AY, Carr SA, Li J, Luo L. Molecular and cellular mechanisms of teneurin signaling in synaptic partner matching. Cell 2024; 187:5081-5101.e19. [PMID: 38996528 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.06.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2024] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024]
Abstract
In developing brains, axons exhibit remarkable precision in selecting synaptic partners among many non-partner cells. Evolutionarily conserved teneurins are transmembrane proteins that instruct synaptic partner matching. However, how intracellular signaling pathways execute teneurins' functions is unclear. Here, we use in situ proximity labeling to obtain the intracellular interactome of a teneurin (Ten-m) in the Drosophila brain. Genetic interaction studies using quantitative partner matching assays in both olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) and projection neurons (PNs) reveal a common pathway: Ten-m binds to and negatively regulates a RhoGAP, thus activating the Rac1 small GTPases to promote synaptic partner matching. Developmental analyses with single-axon resolution identify the cellular mechanism of synaptic partner matching: Ten-m signaling promotes local F-actin levels and stabilizes ORN axon branches that contact partner PN dendrites. Combining spatial proteomics and high-resolution phenotypic analyses, this study advanced our understanding of both cellular and molecular mechanisms of synaptic partner matching.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuanyun Xu
- Department of Biology and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Biology Graduate Program, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Zhuoran Li
- Department of Biology and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Biology Graduate Program, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Cheng Lyu
- Department of Biology and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Yixin Hu
- Department of Biology and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Biology Graduate Program, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Colleen N McLaughlin
- Department of Biology and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Kenneth Kin Lam Wong
- Department of Biology and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Qijing Xie
- Department of Biology and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Neurosciences Graduate Program, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - David J Luginbuhl
- Department of Biology and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Hongjie Li
- Department of Biology and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Namrata D Udeshi
- The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Tanya Svinkina
- The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - D R Mani
- The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Shuo Han
- Departments of Genetics, Biology, and Chemistry, Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Tongchao Li
- Department of Biology and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Yang Li
- Department of Biology and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Biology Graduate Program, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Ricardo Guajardo
- Department of Biology and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Alice Y Ting
- Departments of Genetics, Biology, and Chemistry, Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Steven A Carr
- The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Jiefu Li
- Department of Biology and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Biology Graduate Program, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA.
| | - Liqun Luo
- Department of Biology and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
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3
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Nyberg KG, Navales FG, Keles E, Nguyen JQ, Hertz LM, Carthew RW. Robust and heritable knockdown of gene expression using a self-cleaving ribozyme in Drosophila. Genetics 2024; 227:iyae067. [PMID: 38701221 PMCID: PMC11304983 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyae067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
The current toolkit for genetic manipulation in the model animal Drosophila melanogaster is extensive and versatile but not without its limitations. Here, we report a powerful and heritable method to knockdown gene expression in D. melanogaster using the self-cleaving N79 hammerhead ribozyme, a modification of a naturally occurring ribozyme found in the parasite Schistosoma mansoni. A 111-bp ribozyme cassette, consisting of the N79 ribozyme surrounded by insulating spacer sequences, was inserted into 4 independent long noncoding RNA genes as well as the male-specific splice variant of doublesex using scarless CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing. Ribozyme-induced RNA cleavage resulted in robust destruction of 3' fragments typically exceeding 90%. Single molecule RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization results suggest that cleavage and destruction can even occur for nascent transcribing RNAs. Knockdown was highly specific to the targeted RNA, with no adverse effects observed in neighboring genes or the other splice variants. To control for potential effects produced by the simple insertion of 111 nucleotides into genes, we tested multiple catalytically inactive ribozyme variants and found that a variant with scrambled N79 sequence best recapitulated natural RNA levels. Thus, self-cleaving ribozymes offer a novel approach for powerful gene knockdown in Drosophila, with potential applications for the study of noncoding RNAs, nuclear-localized RNAs, and specific splice variants of protein-coding genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin G Nyberg
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Fritz Gerald Navales
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Eren Keles
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Joseph Q Nguyen
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Laura M Hertz
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Richard W Carthew
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
- NSF-Simons National Institute for Theory and Mathematics in Biology, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
- NSF-Simons Center for Quantitative Biology, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
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4
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McPherson WK, Van Gorder EE, Hilovsky DL, Jamali LA, Keliinui CN, Suzawa M, Bland ML. Synchronizing Drosophila larvae with the salivary gland reporter Sgs3-GFP for discovery of phenotypes in the late third instar stage. Dev Biol 2024; 512:35-43. [PMID: 38710381 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2024.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
The larval stage of the Drosophila melanogaster life cycle is characterized by rapid growth and nutrient storage that occur over three instar stages separated by molts. In the third instar, the steroid hormone ecdysone drives key developmental processes and behaviors that occur in a temporally-controlled sequence and prepare the animal to undergo metamorphosis. Accurately staging Drosophila larvae within the final third instar is critical due to the rapid developmental progress at this stage, but it is challenging because the rate of development varies widely across a population of animals even if eggs are laid within a short period of time. Moreover, many methods to stage third instar larvae are cumbersome, and inherent variability in the rate of development confounds some of these approaches. Here we demonstrate the usefulness of the Sgs3-GFP transgene, a fusion of the Salivary gland secretion 3 (Sgs3) and GFP proteins, for staging third instar larvae. Sgs3-GFP is expressed in the salivary glands in an ecdysone-dependent manner from the midpoint of the third instar, and its expression pattern changes reproducibly as larvae progress through the third instar. We show that Sgs3-GFP can easily be incorporated into experiments, that it allows collection of developmentally-equivalent individuals from a mixed population of larvae, and that its use enables precise assessment of changing levels of hormones, metabolites, and gene expression during the second half of the third instar.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Kyle McPherson
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908-0875, USA
| | - Elizabeth E Van Gorder
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908-0875, USA
| | - Dalton L Hilovsky
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908-0875, USA
| | - Leila A Jamali
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908-0875, USA
| | - Cami N Keliinui
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908-0875, USA
| | - Miyuki Suzawa
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908-0875, USA
| | - Michelle L Bland
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908-0875, USA.
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5
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Lu Z, Shen Q, Bandari NC, Evans S, McDonnell L, Liu L, Jin W, Luna-Flores CH, Collier T, Talbo G, McCubbin T, Esquirol L, Myers C, Trau M, Dumsday G, Speight R, Howard CB, Vickers CE, Peng B. LowTempGAL: a highly responsive low temperature-inducible GAL system in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:7367-7383. [PMID: 38808673 PMCID: PMC11229376 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae460] [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: 11/19/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Temperature is an important control factor for biologics biomanufacturing in precision fermentation. Here, we explored a highly responsive low temperature-inducible genetic system (LowTempGAL) in the model yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Two temperature biosensors, a heat-inducible degron and a heat-inducible protein aggregation domain, were used to regulate the GAL activator Gal4p, rendering the leaky LowTempGAL systems. Boolean-type induction was achieved by implementing a second-layer control through low-temperature-mediated repression on GAL repressor gene GAL80, but suffered delayed response to low-temperature triggers and a weak response at 30°C. Application potentials were validated for protein and small molecule production. Proteomics analysis suggested that residual Gal80p and Gal4p insufficiency caused suboptimal induction. 'Turbo' mechanisms were engineered through incorporating a basal Gal4p expression and a galactose-independent Gal80p-supressing Gal3p mutant (Gal3Cp). Varying Gal3Cp configurations, we deployed the LowTempGAL systems capable for a rapid stringent high-level induction upon the shift from a high temperature (37-33°C) to a low temperature (≤30°C). Overall, we present a synthetic biology procedure that leverages 'leaky' biosensors to deploy highly responsive Boolean-type genetic circuits. The key lies in optimisation of the intricate layout of the multi-factor system. The LowTempGAL systems may be applicable in non-conventional yeast platforms for precision biomanufacturing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeyu Lu
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology, Australia
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
- Centre of Agriculture and the Bioeconomy, School of Biology and Environmental Science, Faculty of Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
| | - Qianyi Shen
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology, Australia
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
- Centre of Agriculture and the Bioeconomy, School of Biology and Environmental Science, Faculty of Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
| | - Naga Chandra Bandari
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Samuel Evans
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology, Australia
- Centre of Agriculture and the Bioeconomy, School of Biology and Environmental Science, Faculty of Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
| | - Liam McDonnell
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology, Australia
- Centre of Agriculture and the Bioeconomy, School of Biology and Environmental Science, Faculty of Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
| | - Lian Liu
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
- The Queensland Node of Metabolomics Australia and Proteomics Australia (Q-MAP), Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Wanli Jin
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Carlos Horacio Luna-Flores
- Centre of Agriculture and the Bioeconomy, School of Biology and Environmental Science, Faculty of Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
| | - Thomas Collier
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology, Australia
- School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Gert Talbo
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
- The Queensland Node of Metabolomics Australia and Proteomics Australia (Q-MAP), Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Tim McCubbin
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology, Australia
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Lygie Esquirol
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
- Environment, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Chris Myers
- Department of Electrical, Computer, and Energy Engineering University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
| | - Matt Trau
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences (SCMB), the University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Geoff Dumsday
- Manufacturing, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Clayton, VIC, 3169, Australia
| | - Robert Speight
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology, Australia
- Centre of Agriculture and the Bioeconomy, School of Biology and Environmental Science, Faculty of Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
- Advanced Engineering Biology Future Science Platform, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Black Mountain, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Christopher B Howard
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Claudia E Vickers
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology, Australia
- Centre of Agriculture and the Bioeconomy, School of Biology and Environmental Science, Faculty of Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
| | - Bingyin Peng
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology, Australia
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
- Centre of Agriculture and the Bioeconomy, School of Biology and Environmental Science, Faculty of Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
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6
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Guo Y, Hartson SD, Rogers J, Brooks-Kanost L, Brooks D, Geisbrecht ER. Protocol for affinity purification-mass spectrometry interactome profiling in larvae of Drosophila melanogaster. STAR Protoc 2024; 5:103064. [PMID: 38743568 PMCID: PMC11108999 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2024.103064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Many techniques exist for the identification of protein interaction networks. We present a protocol that relies on an affinity purification-mass spectrometry (AP-MS) approach to detect proteins that co-purify with a tagged bait of interest from Drosophila melanogaster larval muscles using the GAL4/upstream activating sequence (UAS) expression system. We also describe steps for the isolation and identification of protein complexes, followed by streamlined bioinformatics analysis for rapid and reproducible results. This protocol can be extended to investigate protein interactions in other tissues. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Guo et al.1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yungui Guo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66503, USA.
| | - Steven D Hartson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Janet Rogers
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Lillian Brooks-Kanost
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66503, USA
| | - David Brooks
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66503, USA.
| | - Erika R Geisbrecht
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66503, USA.
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7
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Casas-Rodríguez A, Medrano-Padial C, Jos A, Cameán AM, Campos A, Fonseca E. Characterization of NR1J1 Paralog Responses of Marine Mussels: Insights from Toxins and Natural Activators. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6287. [PMID: 38928005 PMCID: PMC11204112 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25126287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2024] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The pregnane X receptor (PXR) is a nuclear hormone receptor that plays a pivotal role in regulating gene expression in response to various ligands, particularly xenobiotics. In this context, the aim of this study was to shed light on the ligand affinity and functions of four NR1J1 paralogs identified in the marine mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis, employing a dual-luciferase reporter assay. To achieve this, the activation patterns of these paralogs in response to various toxins, including freshwater cyanotoxins (Anatoxin-a, Cylindrospermopsin, and Microcystin-LR, -RR, and -YR) and marine algal toxins (Nodularin, Saxitoxin, and Tetrodotoxin), alongside natural compounds (Saint John's Wort, Ursolic Acid, and 8-Methoxypsoralene) and microalgal extracts (Tetraselmis, Isochrysis, LEGE 95046, and LEGE 91351 extracts), were studied. The investigation revealed nuanced differences in paralog response patterns, highlighting the remarkable sensitivity of MgaNR1J1γ and MgaNR1J1δ paralogs to several toxins. In conclusion, this study sheds light on the intricate mechanisms of xenobiotic metabolism and detoxification, particularly focusing on the role of marine mussel NR1J1 in responding to a diverse array of compounds. Furthermore, comparative analysis with human PXR revealed potential species-specific adaptations in detoxification mechanisms, suggesting evolutionary implications. These findings deepen our understanding of PXR-mediated metabolism mechanisms, offering insights into environmental monitoring and evolutionary biology research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Casas-Rodríguez
- Area of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidad de Sevilla, Profesor García González n◦2, 41012 Seville, Spain; (A.C.-R.); (A.J.); (A.M.C.)
| | - Concepción Medrano-Padial
- Area of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidad de Sevilla, Profesor García González n◦2, 41012 Seville, Spain; (A.C.-R.); (A.J.); (A.M.C.)
- Laboratorio de Fitoquímica y Alimentos Saludables (LabFAS), Centro de Edafología y Biología Aplicada del Segura, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CEBAS-CSIC), Campus Universitario 25, Espinardo, 30100 Murcia, Spain
| | - Angeles Jos
- Area of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidad de Sevilla, Profesor García González n◦2, 41012 Seville, Spain; (A.C.-R.); (A.J.); (A.M.C.)
| | - Ana M. Cameán
- Area of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidad de Sevilla, Profesor García González n◦2, 41012 Seville, Spain; (A.C.-R.); (A.J.); (A.M.C.)
| | - Alexandre Campos
- Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental (CIIMAR/CIMAR), University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal;
| | - Elza Fonseca
- Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental (CIIMAR/CIMAR), University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal;
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8
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Boto T, Tomchik SM. Imaging Olfactory Learning-Induced Plasticity in Vivo in the Drosophila Brain. Cold Spring Harb Protoc 2024; 2024:pdb.prot108135. [PMID: 37197829 DOI: 10.1101/pdb.prot108135] [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] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
In vivo imaging of brain activity in Drosophila allows the dissection of numerous types of biologically important neuronal events. A common paradigm involves imaging neuronal Ca2+ transients, often in response to sensory stimuli. These Ca2+ transients correlate with neuronal spiking activity, which generates voltage-sensitive Ca2+ influx. In addition, there is a range of genetically encoded reporters of membrane voltage and of other signaling molecules, such as second-messenger signaling cascade enzymes and neurotransmitters, enabling optical access to a range of cellular processes. Moreover, sophisticated gene expression systems enable access to virtually any single neuron or neuronal group in the fly brain. The in vivo imaging approach enables the study of these processes and how they change during salient sensory-driven events such as olfactory associative learning, when an animal (fly) is presented an odor (a conditioned stimulus) paired with an unconditioned stimulus (an aversive or appetitive stimulus) and forms an associative memory of this pairing. Optical access to neuronal events in the brain allows one to image learning-induced plasticity following the formation of associative memory, dissecting the mechanisms of memory formation, maintenance, and recall.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Boto
- Department of Physiology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
- Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Seth M Tomchik
- Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA
- Stead Family Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA
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9
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Her Y, Pascual DM, Goldstone-Joubert Z, Marcogliese PC. Variant functional assessment in Drosophila by overexpression: what can we learn? Genome 2024; 67:158-167. [PMID: 38412472 DOI: 10.1139/gen-2023-0135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
The last decade has been highlighted by the increased use of next-generation DNA sequencing technology to identify novel human disease genes. A critical downstream part of this process is assigning function to a candidate gene variant. Functional studies in Drosophila melanogaster, the common fruit fly, have made a prominent contribution in annotating variant impact in an in vivo system. The use of patient-derived knock-in flies or rescue-based, "humanization", approaches are novel and valuable strategies in variant testing but have been recently widely reviewed. An often-overlooked strategy for determining variant impact has been GAL4/upstream activation sequence-mediated tissue-defined overexpression in Drosophila. This mini-review will summarize the recent contribution of ectopic overexpression of human reference and variant cDNA in Drosophila to assess variant function, interpret the consequence of the variant, and in some cases infer biological mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yina Her
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
- Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba (CHRIM), University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Danielle M Pascual
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
- Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba (CHRIM), University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Zoe Goldstone-Joubert
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
- Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba (CHRIM), University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Paul C Marcogliese
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
- Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba (CHRIM), University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
- Excellence in Neurodevelopment and Rehabilitation Research in Child Health (ENRRICH) Theme, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
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10
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Neal CL, Kronert WA, Camillo JRT, Suggs JA, Huxford T, Bernstein SI. Aging-affiliated post-translational modifications of skeletal muscle myosin affect biochemical properties, myofibril structure, muscle function, and proteostasis. Aging Cell 2024; 23:e14134. [PMID: 38506610 PMCID: PMC11296117 DOI: 10.1111/acel.14134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
The molecular motor myosin is post-translationally modified in its globular head, its S2 hinge, and its thick filament domain during human skeletal muscle aging. To determine the importance of such modifications, we performed an integrative analysis of transgenic Drosophila melanogaster expressing myosin containing post-translational modification mimic mutations. We determined effects on muscle function, myofibril structure, and myosin biochemistry. Modifications in the homozygous state decreased jump muscle function by a third at 3 weeks of age and reduced indirect flight muscle function to negligible levels in young flies, with severe effects on flight muscle myofibril assembly and/or maintenance. Expression of mimic mutations in the heterozygous state or in a wild-type background yielded significant, but less severe, age-dependent effects upon flight muscle structure and function. Modification of the residue in the globular head disabled ATPase activity and in vitro actin filament motility, whereas the S2 hinge mutation reduced actin-activated ATPase activity by 30%. The rod modification diminished filament formation in vitro. The latter mutation also reduced proteostasis, as demonstrated by enhanced accumulation of polyubiquitinated proteins. Overall, we find that mutation of amino acids at sites that are chemically modified during human skeletal muscle aging can disrupt myosin ATPase, myosin filament formation, and/or proteostasis, providing a mechanistic basis for the observed muscle defects. We conclude that age-specific post-translational modifications present in human skeletal muscle are likely to act in a dominant fashion to affect muscle structure and function and may therefore be implicated in degeneration and dysfunction associated with sarcopenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara L. Neal
- Department of Biology, Molecular Biology Institute, Heart InstituteSan Diego State UniversitySan DiegoCaliforniaUSA
| | - William A. Kronert
- Department of Biology, Molecular Biology Institute, Heart InstituteSan Diego State UniversitySan DiegoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Jared Rafael T. Camillo
- Department of Biology, Molecular Biology Institute, Heart InstituteSan Diego State UniversitySan DiegoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Jennifer A. Suggs
- Department of Biology, Molecular Biology Institute, Heart InstituteSan Diego State UniversitySan DiegoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Tom Huxford
- Department of Chemistry and BiochemistrySan Diego State UniversitySan DiegoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Sanford I. Bernstein
- Department of Biology, Molecular Biology Institute, Heart InstituteSan Diego State UniversitySan DiegoCaliforniaUSA
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11
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Motorina DM, Galimova YA, Battulina NV, Omelina ES. Systems for Targeted Silencing of Gene Expression and Their Application in Plants and Animals. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5231. [PMID: 38791270 PMCID: PMC11121118 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25105231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2024] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
At present, there are a variety of different approaches to the targeted regulation of gene expression. However, most approaches are devoted to the activation of gene transcription, and the methods for gene silencing are much fewer in number. In this review, we describe the main systems used for the targeted suppression of gene expression (including RNA interference (RNAi), chimeric transcription factors, chimeric zinc finger proteins, transcription activator-like effectors (TALEs)-based repressors, optogenetic tools, and CRISPR/Cas-based repressors) and their application in eukaryotes-plants and animals. We consider the advantages and disadvantages of each approach, compare their effectiveness, and discuss the peculiarities of their usage in plant and animal organisms. This review will be useful for researchers in the field of gene transcription suppression and will allow them to choose the optimal method for suppressing the expression of the gene of interest depending on the research object.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Evgeniya S. Omelina
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
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12
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Ringo JM, Segal D. Altered Grooming Cycles in Transgenic Drosophila. Behav Genet 2024; 54:290-301. [PMID: 38536593 DOI: 10.1007/s10519-024-10180-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
Head grooming in Drosophila consists of repeated sweeps of the legs across the head, comprising regular cycles. We used the GAL4-UAS system to study the effects of overexpressing shibirets1 and of Adar knockdown via RNA interference, on the period of head-grooming cycles in Drosophila. Overexpressing shibirets1 interferes with synaptic vesicle recycling and thus with cell communication, while Adar knockdown reduces RNA editing of neuronal transcripts for a large number of genes. All transgenic flies and their controls were tested at 22° to avoid temperature effects; in wild type, cycle frequency varied with temperature with a Q10 of 1.3. Two experiments were performed with transgenic shibirets1: (1) each fly was heat-shocked for 10 min at 30° immediately before testing at 22° and (2) flies were not heat shocked. In both experiments, cycle period was increased when shibirets1 was overexpressed in all neurons, but was not increased when shibirets1 was overexpressed in motoneurons alone. We hypothesize that grooming cycles in flies overexpressing shibirets1 are lengthened because of synaptic impairment in neural circuits that control head-grooming cycles. In flies with constitutive, pan-neuronal Adar knockdown, cycle period was more variable within individuals, but mean cycle period was not significantly altered. We conclude that RNA editing is essential for the maintenance of within-individual stereotypy of head-grooming cycles.
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Affiliation(s)
- John M Ringo
- School of Biology and Ecology, University of Maine, Orono, ME, 04473, USA.
| | - Daniel Segal
- Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, Sagol School of Neuroscience, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel
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13
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Liao JZ, Chung HL, Shih C, Wong KKL, Dutta D, Nil Z, Burns CG, Kanca O, Park YJ, Zuo Z, Marcogliese PC, Sew K, Bellen HJ, Verheyen EM. Cdk8/CDK19 promotes mitochondrial fission through Drp1 phosphorylation and can phenotypically suppress pink1 deficiency in Drosophila. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3326. [PMID: 38637532 PMCID: PMC11026413 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47623-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Cdk8 in Drosophila is the orthologue of vertebrate CDK8 and CDK19. These proteins have been shown to modulate transcriptional control by RNA polymerase II. We found that neuronal loss of Cdk8 severely reduces fly lifespan and causes bang sensitivity. Remarkably, these defects can be rescued by expression of human CDK19, found in the cytoplasm of neurons, suggesting a non-nuclear function of CDK19/Cdk8. Here we show that Cdk8 plays a critical role in the cytoplasm, with its loss causing elongated mitochondria in both muscles and neurons. We find that endogenous GFP-tagged Cdk8 can be found in both the cytoplasm and nucleus. We show that Cdk8 promotes the phosphorylation of Drp1 at S616, a protein required for mitochondrial fission. Interestingly, Pink1, a mitochondrial kinase implicated in Parkinson's disease, also phosphorylates Drp1 at the same residue. Indeed, overexpression of Cdk8 significantly suppresses the phenotypes observed in flies with low levels of Pink1, including elevated levels of ROS, mitochondrial dysmorphology, and behavioral defects. In summary, we propose that Pink1 and Cdk8 perform similar functions to promote Drp1-mediated fission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny Zhe Liao
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, V5A1S6, BC, Canada
- Center for Cell Biology, Development and Disease, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, V5A1S6, BC, Canada
| | - Hyung-Lok Chung
- Department of Neurology, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Claire Shih
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, V5A1S6, BC, Canada
- Center for Cell Biology, Development and Disease, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, V5A1S6, BC, Canada
| | - Kenneth Kin Lam Wong
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, V5A1S6, BC, Canada
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Debdeep Dutta
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Zelha Nil
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Catherine Grace Burns
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Oguz Kanca
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Ye-Jin Park
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Zhongyuan Zuo
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Paul C Marcogliese
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, R3E0J9, MB, Canada
- Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, Winnipeg, R3E3P4, MB, Canada
| | - Katherine Sew
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, V5A1S6, BC, Canada
- Center for Cell Biology, Development and Disease, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, V5A1S6, BC, Canada
| | - Hugo J Bellen
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
| | - Esther M Verheyen
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, V5A1S6, BC, Canada.
- Center for Cell Biology, Development and Disease, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, V5A1S6, BC, Canada.
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14
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Khan C, Rusan NM. Using Drosophila to uncover the role of organismal physiology and the tumor microenvironment in cancer. Trends Cancer 2024; 10:289-311. [PMID: 38350736 PMCID: PMC11008779 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2024.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
Cancer metastasis causes over 90% of cancer patient fatalities. Poor prognosis is determined by tumor type, the tumor microenvironment (TME), organ-specific biology, and animal physiology. While model organisms do not fully mimic the complexity of humans, many processes can be studied efficiently owing to the ease of genetic, developmental, and cell biology studies. For decades, Drosophila has been instrumental in identifying basic mechanisms controlling tumor growth and metastasis. The ability to generate clonal populations of distinct genotypes in otherwise wild-type animals makes Drosophila a powerful system to study tumor-host interactions at the local and global scales. This review discusses advancements in tumor biology, highlighting the strength of Drosophila for modeling TMEs and systemic responses in driving tumor progression and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaitali Khan
- Cell and Developmental Biology Center, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
| | - Nasser M Rusan
- Cell and Developmental Biology Center, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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15
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Iida T, Igarashi A, Fukunaga K, Aoki T, Hidai T, Yanagi K, Yamamori M, Satou K, Go H, Kosho T, Maki R, Suzuki T, Nitta Y, Sugie A, Asaoka Y, Furutani-Seiki M, Kimura T, Matsubara Y, Kaname T. Functional analysis of RRAS2 pathogenic variants with a Noonan-like phenotype. Front Genet 2024; 15:1383176. [PMID: 38601074 PMCID: PMC11004488 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2024.1383176] [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: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction: RRAS2, a member of the R-Ras subfamily of Ras-like low-molecular-weight GTPases, is considered to regulate cell proliferation and differentiation via the RAS/MAPK signaling pathway. Seven RRAS2 pathogenic variants have been reported in patients with Noonan syndrome; however, few functional analyses have been conducted. Herein, we report two patients who presented with a Noonan-like phenotype with recurrent and novel RRAS2 pathogenic variants (p.Gly23Val and p.Gly24Glu, respectively) and the results of their functional analysis. Materials and methods: Wild-type (WT) and mutant RRAS2 genes were transiently expressed in Human Embryonic Kidney293 cells. Expression of RRAS2 and phosphorylation of ERK1/2 were confirmed by Western blotting, and the RAS signaling pathway activity was measured using a reporter assay system with the serum response element-luciferase construct. WT and p.Gly23Val RRAS2 were expressed in Drosophila eye using the glass multiple reporter-Gal4 driver. Mutant mRNA microinjection into zebrafish embryos was performed, and the embryo jaws were observed. Results: No obvious differences in the expression of proteins WT, p.Gly23Val, and p.Gly24Glu were observed. The luciferase reporter assay showed that the activity of p.Gly23Val was 2.45 ± 0.95-fold higher than WT, and p.Gly24Glu was 3.06 ± 1.35-fold higher than WT. For transgenic flies, the p.Gly23Val expression resulted in no adults flies emerging, indicating lethality. For mutant mRNA-injected zebrafish embryos, an oval shape and delayed jaw development were observed compared with WT mRNA-injected embryos. These indicated hyperactivity of the RAS signaling pathway. Discussion: Recurrent and novel RRAS2 variants that we reported showed increased in vitro or in vivo RAS signaling pathway activity because of gain-of-function RRAS2 variants. Clinical features are similar to those previously reported, suggesting that RRAS2 gain-of-function variants cause this disease in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takaya Iida
- Department of Genome Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Arisa Igarashi
- Department of Genome Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kae Fukunaga
- Department of Genome Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Systems Biochemistry in Pathology and Regeneration, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Taiga Aoki
- Department of Genome Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomomi Hidai
- Department of Genome Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kumiko Yanagi
- Department of Genome Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masahiko Yamamori
- Department of Genome Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuhito Satou
- Department of Genome Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hayato Go
- Department of Pediatrics, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Tomoki Kosho
- Department of Medical Genetics, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Ryuto Maki
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Takashi Suzuki
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Yohei Nitta
- Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Atsushi Sugie
- Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Yoichi Asaoka
- Department of Systems Biochemistry in Pathology and Regeneration, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Makoto Furutani-Seiki
- Department of Systems Biochemistry in Pathology and Regeneration, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Tetsuaki Kimura
- Division of Human Genetics, Department of Integrated Genetics, National Institute of Genetics, Mishima, Japan
- Medical Genome Center, Research Institute, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, Japan
| | | | - Tadashi Kaname
- Department of Genome Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
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16
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Sharmin Z, Samarah H, Aldaya Bourricaudy R, Ochoa L, Serbus LR. Cross-validation of chemical and genetic disruption approaches to inform host cellular effects on Wolbachia abundance in Drosophila. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1364009. [PMID: 38591028 PMCID: PMC10999648 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1364009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Endosymbiotic Wolbachia bacteria are widespread in nature, present in half of all insect species. The success of Wolbachia is supported by a commensal lifestyle. Unlike bacterial pathogens that overreplicate and harm host cells, Wolbachia infections have a relatively innocuous intracellular lifestyle. This raises important questions about how Wolbachia infection is regulated. Little is known about how Wolbachia abundance is controlled at an organismal scale. Methods This study demonstrates methodology for rigorous identification of cellular processes that affect whole-body Wolbachia abundance, as indicated by absolute counts of the Wolbachia surface protein (wsp) gene. Results Candidate pathways, associated with well-described infection scenarios, were identified. Wolbachia-infected fruit flies were exposed to small molecule inhibitors known for targeting those same pathways. Sequential tests in D. melanogaster and D. simulans yielded a subset of chemical inhibitors that significantly affected whole-body Wolbachia abundance, including the Wnt pathway disruptor, IWR-1 and the mTOR pathway inhibitor, Rapamycin. The implicated pathways were genetically retested for effects in D. melanogaster, using inducible RNAi expression driven by constitutive as well as chemically-induced somatic GAL4 expression. Genetic disruptions of armadillo, tor, and ATG6 significantly affected whole-body Wolbachia abundance. Discussion As such, the data corroborate reagent targeting and pathway relevance to whole-body Wolbachia infection. The results also implicate Wnt and mTOR regulation of autophagy as important for regulation of Wolbachia titer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zinat Sharmin
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States
- Biomolecular Sciences Institute, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Hani Samarah
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States
- Biomolecular Sciences Institute, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Rafael Aldaya Bourricaudy
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States
- Biomolecular Sciences Institute, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Laura Ochoa
- Biomolecular Sciences Institute, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Laura Renee Serbus
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States
- Biomolecular Sciences Institute, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States
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17
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Fenelon KD, Krause J, Koromila T. Opticool: Cutting-edge transgenic optical tools. PLoS Genet 2024; 20:e1011208. [PMID: 38517915 PMCID: PMC10959397 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1011208] [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] [Indexed: 03/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Only a few short decades have passed since the sequencing of GFP, yet the modern repertoire of transgenically encoded optical tools implies an exponential proliferation of ever improving constructions to interrogate the subcellular environment. A myriad of tags for labeling proteins, RNA, or DNA have arisen in the last few decades, facilitating unprecedented visualization of subcellular components and processes. Development of a broad array of modern genetically encoded sensors allows real-time, in vivo detection of molecule levels, pH, forces, enzyme activity, and other subcellular and extracellular phenomena in ever expanding contexts. Optogenetic, genetically encoded optically controlled manipulation systems have gained traction in the biological research community and facilitate single-cell, real-time modulation of protein function in vivo in ever broadening, novel applications. While this field continues to explosively expand, references are needed to assist scientists seeking to use and improve these transgenic devices in new and exciting ways to interrogate development and disease. In this review, we endeavor to highlight the state and trajectory of the field of in vivo transgenic optical tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelli D. Fenelon
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas, United States of America
| | - Julia Krause
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas, United States of America
| | - Theodora Koromila
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas, United States of America
- School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
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18
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Zhuravlev AV, Vetrovoy OV, Zalomaeva ES, Egozova ES, Nikitina EA, Savvateeva-Popova EV. Overexpression of the limk1 Gene in Drosophila melanogaster Can Lead to Suppression of Courtship Memory in Males. BIOCHEMISTRY. BIOKHIMIIA 2024; 89:393-406. [PMID: 38648760 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297924030015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Courtship suppression is a behavioral adaptation of the fruit fly. When majority of the females in a fly population are fertilized and non-receptive for mating, a male, after a series of failed attempts, decreases its courtship activity towards all females, saving its energy and reproductive resources. The time of courtship decrease depends on both duration of unsuccessful courtship and genetically determined features of the male nervous system. Thereby, courtship suppression paradigm can be used for studying molecular mechanisms of learning and memory. p-Cofilin, a component of the actin remodeling signaling cascade and product of LIM-kinase 1 (LIMK1), regulates Drosophila melanogaster forgetting in olfactory learning paradigm. Previously, we have shown that limk1 suppression in the specific types of nervous cells differently affects fly courtship memory. Here, we used Gal4 > UAS system to induce limk1 overexpression in the same types of neurons. limk1 activation in the mushroom body, glia, and fruitless neurons decreased learning index compared to the control strain or the strain with limk1 knockdown. In cholinergic and dopaminergic/serotoninergic neurons, both overexpression and knockdown of limk1 impaired Drosophila short-term memory. Thus, proper balance of the limk1 activity is crucial for normal cognitive activity of the fruit fly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandr V Zhuravlev
- Pavlov Institute of Physiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Saint Petersburg, 199034, Russia.
| | - Oleg V Vetrovoy
- Pavlov Institute of Physiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Saint Petersburg, 199034, Russia.
| | - Ekaterina S Zalomaeva
- Pavlov Institute of Physiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Saint Petersburg, 199034, Russia.
- Herzen State Pedagogical University of Russia, Saint Petersburg, 191186, Russia
| | - Ekaterina S Egozova
- Herzen State Pedagogical University of Russia, Saint Petersburg, 191186, Russia.
| | - Ekaterina A Nikitina
- Pavlov Institute of Physiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Saint Petersburg, 199034, Russia.
- Herzen State Pedagogical University of Russia, Saint Petersburg, 191186, Russia
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19
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Ding Y, Li J, Yan K, Jin L, Fan C, Bi R, Kong H, Pan Y, Shang Q. CF2-II Alternative Splicing Isoform Regulates the Expression of Xenobiotic Tolerance-Related Cytochrome P450 CYP6CY22 in Aphis gossypii Glover. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2024; 72:3406-3414. [PMID: 38329423 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c08770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
The expression of P450 genes is regulated by trans-regulatory factors or cis-regulatory elements and influences how endogenous or xenobiotic substances are metabolized in an organism's tissues. In this study, we showed that overexpression of the cytochrome P450 gene, CYP6CY22, led to resistance to cyantraniliprole in Aphis gossypii. The expression of CYP6CY22 increased in the midgut and remaining carcass of the CyR strain, and after repressing the expression of CYP6CY22, the mortality of cotton aphids increased 2.08-fold after exposure to cyantraniliprole. Drosophila ectopically expressing CYP6CY22 exhibited tolerance to cyantraniliprole and cross-tolerance to xanthotoxin, quercetin, 2-tridecanone, tannic acid, and nicotine. Moreover, transcription factor CF2-II (XM_027994540.2) is transcribed only as the splicing variant isoform CF2-II-AS, which was found to be 504 nucleotides shorter than CF2-II in A. gossypii. RNAi and yeast one-hybrid (Y1H) results indicated that CF2-II-AS positively regulates CYP6CY22 and binds to cis-acting element p (-851/-842) of CYP6CY22 to regulate its overexpression. The above results indicated that CYP6CY22 was regulated by the splicing isoform CF2-II-AS, which will help us further understand the mechanism of transcriptional adaption of cross-tolerance between synthetic insecticides and plant secondary metabolites mediated by P450s.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaping Ding
- College of Plant Science, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, PR China
| | - Jianyi Li
- College of Plant Science, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, PR China
| | - Kunpeng Yan
- College of Plant Science, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, PR China
| | - Long Jin
- College of Plant Science, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, PR China
| | - Chengcheng Fan
- College of Plant Science, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, PR China
| | - Rui Bi
- College of Plant Protection, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, PR China
| | - Haoran Kong
- College of Plant Science, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, PR China
| | - Yiou Pan
- College of Plant Science, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, PR China
| | - Qingli Shang
- College of Plant Science, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, PR China
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20
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Kang J, Zhang C, Wang Y, Peng J, Berger B, Perrimon N, Shen J. Lipophorin receptors genetically modulate neurodegeneration caused by reduction of Psn expression in the aging Drosophila brain. Genetics 2024; 226:iyad202. [PMID: 37996068 PMCID: PMC10763532 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyad202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the Presenilin (PSEN) genes are the most common cause of early-onset familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD). Studies in cell culture, in vitro biochemical systems, and knockin mice showed that PSEN mutations are loss-of-function mutations, impairing γ-secretase activity. Mouse genetic analysis highlighted the importance of Presenilin (PS) in learning and memory, synaptic plasticity and neurotransmitter release, and neuronal survival, and Drosophila studies further demonstrated an evolutionarily conserved role of PS in neuronal survival during aging. However, molecular pathways that interact with PS in neuronal survival remain unclear. To identify genetic modifiers that modulate PS-dependent neuronal survival, we developed a new DrosophilaPsn model that exhibits age-dependent neurodegeneration and increases of apoptosis. Following a bioinformatic analysis, we tested top ranked candidate genes by selective knockdown (KD) of each gene in neurons using two independent RNAi lines in Psn KD models. Interestingly, 4 of the 9 genes enhancing neurodegeneration in Psn KD flies are involved in lipid transport and metabolism. Specifically, neuron-specific KD of lipophorin receptors, lpr1 and lpr2, dramatically worsens neurodegeneration in Psn KD flies, and overexpression of lpr1 or lpr2 does not alleviate Psn KD-induced neurodegeneration. Furthermore, lpr1 or lpr2 KD alone also leads to neurodegeneration, increased apoptosis, climbing defects, and shortened lifespan. Lastly, heterozygotic deletions of lpr1 and lpr2 or homozygotic deletions of lpr1 or lpr2 similarly lead to age-dependent neurodegeneration and further exacerbate neurodegeneration in Psn KD flies. These findings show that LpRs modulate Psn-dependent neuronal survival and are critically important for neuronal integrity in the aging brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jongkyun Kang
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Chen Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Yuhao Wang
- Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Jian Peng
- Department of Computer Science, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL 61801, USA
| | - Bonnie Berger
- Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Department of Mathematics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Norbert Perrimon
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jie Shen
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Program in Neuroscience, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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21
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Kim JY, Yang JE, Mitchell JW, English LA, Yang SZ, Tenpas T, Dent EW, Wildonger J, Wright ER. Handling Difficult Cryo-ET Samples: A Study with Primary Neurons from Drosophila melanogaster. MICROSCOPY AND MICROANALYSIS : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF MICROSCOPY SOCIETY OF AMERICA, MICROBEAM ANALYSIS SOCIETY, MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 2023; 29:2127-2148. [PMID: 37966978 PMCID: PMC11168236 DOI: 10.1093/micmic/ozad125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 10/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
Cellular neurobiology has benefited from recent advances in the field of cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET). Numerous structural and ultrastructural insights have been obtained from plunge-frozen primary neurons cultured on electron microscopy grids. With most primary neurons having been derived from rodent sources, we sought to expand the breadth of sample availability by using primary neurons derived from 3rd instar Drosophila melanogaster larval brains. Ultrastructural abnormalities were encountered while establishing this model system for cryo-ET, which were exemplified by excessive membrane blebbing and cellular fragmentation. To optimize neuronal samples, we integrated substrate selection, micropatterning, montage data collection, and chemical fixation. Efforts to address difficulties in establishing Drosophila neurons for future cryo-ET studies in cellular neurobiology also provided insights that future practitioners can use when attempting to establish other cell-based model systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Y. Kim
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Jie E. Yang
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
- Cryo-Electron Microscopy Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
- Midwest Center for Cryo-Electron Tomography, Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Josephine W. Mitchell
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Kalamazoo College, Kalamazoo, MI 49006, USA
| | - Lauren A. English
- Neuroscience Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Sihui Z. Yang
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Tanner Tenpas
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Erik W. Dent
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Jill Wildonger
- Departments of Pediatrics and Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Elizabeth R. Wright
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
- Cryo-Electron Microscopy Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
- Midwest Center for Cryo-Electron Tomography, Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
- Morgridge Institute for Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53715, USA
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22
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Nemoto K, Masuko K, Fuse N, Kurata S. Dilp8 and its candidate receptor, Drl, are involved in the transdetermination of the Drosophila imaginal disc. Genes Cells 2023; 28:857-867. [PMID: 37817293 DOI: 10.1111/gtc.13072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 10/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023]
Abstract
Drosophila imaginal disc cells can change their identity under stress conditions through transdetermination (TD). Research on TD can help elucidate the in vivo process of cell fate conversion. We previously showed that the overexpression of winged eye (wge) induces eye-to-wing TD in the eye disc and that an insulin-like peptide, Dilp8, is then highly expressed in the disc. Although Dilp8 is known to mediate systemic developmental delay via the Lgr3 receptor, its role in TD remains unknown. This study showed that Dilp8 is expressed in specific cells that do not express eye or wing fate markers during Wge-mediated TD and that the loss of Dilp8 impairs the process of eye-to-wing transition. Thus, Dilp8 plays a pivotal role in the cell fate conversion under wge overexpression. Furthermore, we found that instead of Lgr3, another candidate receptor, Drl, is involved in Wge-mediated TD and acts locally in the eye disc cells. We propose a model in which Dilp8-Drl signaling organizes cell fate conversion in the imaginal disc during TD.
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Grants
- Japan Science Society
- Tohoku University Advanced Graduate School Pioneering Research Support Project
- 15J03403 JSPS KAKENHI
- 22J10423 JSPS KAKENHI
- 22KJ0220 JSPS KAKENHI
- 18016001 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology of Japan
- 18055003 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology of Japan
- 20052004 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology of Japan
- 25670019 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology of Japan
- Mitsubishi Foundation
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuya Nemoto
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Keita Masuko
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
- Department of Biology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Naoyuki Fuse
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Shoichiro Kurata
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
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23
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Shaheen A, Richter Gorey CL, Sghaier A, Dason JS. Cholesterol is required for activity-dependent synaptic growth. J Cell Sci 2023; 136:jcs261563. [PMID: 37902091 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.261563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Changes in cholesterol content of neuronal membranes occur during development and brain aging. Little is known about whether synaptic activity regulates cholesterol levels in neuronal membranes and whether these changes affect neuronal development and function. We generated transgenic flies that express the cholesterol-binding D4H domain of perfringolysin O toxin and found increased levels of cholesterol in presynaptic terminals of Drosophila larval neuromuscular junctions following increased synaptic activity. Reduced cholesterol impaired synaptic growth and largely prevented activity-dependent synaptic growth. Presynaptic knockdown of adenylyl cyclase phenocopied the impaired synaptic growth caused by reducing cholesterol. Furthermore, the effects of knocking down adenylyl cyclase and reducing cholesterol were not additive, suggesting that they function in the same pathway. Increasing cAMP levels using a dunce mutant with reduced phosphodiesterase activity failed to rescue this impaired synaptic growth, suggesting that cholesterol functions downstream of cAMP. We used a protein kinase A (PKA) sensor to show that reducing cholesterol levels reduced presynaptic PKA activity. Collectively, our results demonstrate that enhanced synaptic activity increased cholesterol levels in presynaptic terminals and that these changes likely activate the cAMP-PKA pathway during activity-dependent growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amber Shaheen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, N9B 3P4, Canada
| | - Claire L Richter Gorey
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, N9B 3P4, Canada
| | - Adam Sghaier
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, N9B 3P4, Canada
| | - Jeffrey S Dason
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, N9B 3P4, Canada
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24
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Morant L, Petrovic-Erfurth ML, Jordanova A. An Adapted GeneSwitch Toolkit for Comparable Cellular and Animal Models: A Proof of Concept in Modeling Charcot-Marie-Tooth Neuropathy. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16138. [PMID: 38003325 PMCID: PMC10670994 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242216138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Investigating the impact of disease-causing mutations, their affected pathways, and/or potential therapeutic strategies using disease modeling often requires the generation of different in vivo and in cellulo models. To date, several approaches have been established to induce transgene expression in a controlled manner in different model systems. Several rounds of subcloning are, however, required, depending on the model organism used, thus bringing labor-intensive experiments into the technical approach and analysis comparison. The GeneSwitch™ technology is an adapted version of the classical UAS-GAL4 inducible system, allowing the spatial and temporal modulation of transgene expression. It consists of three components: a plasmid encoding for the chimeric regulatory pSwitch protein, Mifepristone as an inducer, and an inducible plasmid. While the pSwitch-containing first plasmid can be used both in vivo and in cellulo, the inducible second plasmid can only be used in cellulo. This requires a specific subcloning strategy of the inducible plasmid tailored to the model organism used. To avoid this step and unify gene expression in the transgenic models generated, we replaced the backbone vector with standard pUAS-attB plasmid for both plasmids containing either the chimeric GeneSwitch™ cDNA sequence or the transgene cDNA sequence. We optimized this adapted system to regulate transgene expression in several mammalian cell lines. Moreover, we took advantage of this new system to generate unified cellular and fruit fly models for YARS1-induced Charco-Marie-Tooth neuropathy (CMT). These new models displayed the expected CMT-like phenotypes. In the N2a neuroblastoma cells expressing YARS1 transgenes, we observed the typical "teardrop" distribution of the synthetase that was perturbed when expressing the YARS1CMT mutation. In flies, the ubiquitous expression of YARS1CMT induced dose-dependent developmental lethality and pan-neuronal expression caused locomotor deficit, while expression of the wild-type allele was harmless. Our proof-of-concept disease modeling studies support the efficacy of the adapted transgenesis system as a powerful tool allowing the design of studies with optimal data comparability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Morant
- Center for Molecular Neurology, VIB, University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerpen, Belgium; (L.M.); (M.-L.P.-E.)
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerpen, Belgium
| | - Maria-Luise Petrovic-Erfurth
- Center for Molecular Neurology, VIB, University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerpen, Belgium; (L.M.); (M.-L.P.-E.)
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerpen, Belgium
| | - Albena Jordanova
- Center for Molecular Neurology, VIB, University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerpen, Belgium; (L.M.); (M.-L.P.-E.)
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerpen, Belgium
- Molecular Medicine Center, Department of Medical Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University-Sofia, 1431 Sofia, Bulgaria
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25
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Cabasso O, Kuppuramalingam A, Lelieveld L, Van der Lienden M, Boot R, Aerts JM, Horowitz M. Animal Models for the Study of Gaucher Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16035. [PMID: 38003227 PMCID: PMC10671165 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242216035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 10/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
In Gaucher disease (GD), a relatively common sphingolipidosis, the mutant lysosomal enzyme acid β-glucocerebrosidase (GCase), encoded by the GBA1 gene, fails to properly hydrolyze the sphingolipid glucosylceramide (GlcCer) in lysosomes, particularly of tissue macrophages. As a result, GlcCer accumulates, which, to a certain extent, is converted to its deacylated form, glucosylsphingosine (GlcSph), by lysosomal acid ceramidase. The inability of mutant GCase to degrade GlcSph further promotes its accumulation. The amount of mutant GCase in lysosomes depends on the amount of mutant ER enzyme that shuttles to them. In the case of many mutant GCase forms, the enzyme is largely misfolded in the ER. Only a fraction correctly folds and is subsequently trafficked to the lysosomes, while the rest of the misfolded mutant GCase protein undergoes ER-associated degradation (ERAD). The retention of misfolded mutant GCase in the ER induces ER stress, which evokes a stress response known as the unfolded protein response (UPR). GD is remarkably heterogeneous in clinical manifestation, including the variant without CNS involvement (type 1), and acute and subacute neuronopathic variants (types 2 and 3). The present review discusses animal models developed to study the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying GD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Or Cabasso
- Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv 69978, Israel; (O.C.); (A.K.)
| | - Aparna Kuppuramalingam
- Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv 69978, Israel; (O.C.); (A.K.)
| | - Lindsey Lelieveld
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, 9502 Leiden, The Netherlands; (L.L.); (M.V.d.L.); (R.B.)
| | - Martijn Van der Lienden
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, 9502 Leiden, The Netherlands; (L.L.); (M.V.d.L.); (R.B.)
| | - Rolf Boot
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, 9502 Leiden, The Netherlands; (L.L.); (M.V.d.L.); (R.B.)
| | - Johannes M. Aerts
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, 9502 Leiden, The Netherlands; (L.L.); (M.V.d.L.); (R.B.)
| | - Mia Horowitz
- Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv 69978, Israel; (O.C.); (A.K.)
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26
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González YR, Kamkar F, Jafar-Nejad P, Wang S, Qu D, Alvarez LS, Hawari D, Sonnenfeld M, Slack RS, Albert PR, Park DS, Joselin A. PFTK1 kinase regulates axogenesis during development via RhoA activation. BMC Biol 2023; 21:240. [PMID: 37907898 PMCID: PMC10617079 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-023-01732-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND PFTK1/Eip63E is a member of the cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) family and plays an important role in normal cell cycle progression. Eip63E expresses primarily in postnatal and adult nervous system in Drosophila melanogaster but its role in CNS development remains unknown. We sought to understand the function of Eip63E in the CNS by studying the fly ventral nerve cord during development. RESULTS Our results demonstrate that Eip63E regulates axogenesis in neurons and its deficiency leads to neuronal defects. Functional interaction studies performed using the same system identify an interaction between Eip63E and the small GTPase Rho1. Furthermore, deficiency of Eip63E homolog in mice, PFTK1, in a newly generated PFTK1 knockout mice results in increased axonal outgrowth confirming that the developmental defects observed in the fly model are due to defects in axogenesis. Importantly, RhoA phosphorylation and activity are affected by PFTK1 in primary neuronal cultures. We report that GDP-bound inactive RhoA is a substrate of PFTK1 and PFTK1 phosphorylation is required for RhoA activity. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, our work establishes an unreported neuronal role of PFTK1 in axon development mediated by phosphorylation and activation of GDP-bound RhoA. The results presented add to our understanding of the role of Cdks in the maintenance of RhoA-mediated axon growth and its impact on CNS development and axonal regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Fatemeh Kamkar
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Paymaan Jafar-Nejad
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8M5, Canada
- Present Address: Ionis Pharmaceuticals Inc., Carlsbad, CA, 92010, USA
| | - Suzi Wang
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Dianbo Qu
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Leticia Sanchez Alvarez
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Dina Hawari
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Margaret Sonnenfeld
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Ruth S Slack
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Paul R Albert
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute and Brain and Mind Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - David S Park
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada.
| | - Alvin Joselin
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada.
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27
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Evans A, Ferrer AJ, Fradkov E, Shomar JW, Forer J, Klein M. Temperature sensitivity and temperature response across development in the Drosophila larva. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1275469. [PMID: 37965044 PMCID: PMC10641456 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1275469] [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: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The surrounding thermal environment is highly important for the survival and fitness of animals, and as a result most exhibit behavioral and neural responses to temperature changes. We study signals generated by thermosensory neurons in Drosophila larvae and also the physical and sensory effects of temperature variation on locomotion and navigation. In particular we characterize how sensory neuronal and behavioral responses to temperature variation both change across the development of the larva. Looking at a wide range of non-nociceptive isotropic thermal environments, we characterize the dependence of speed, turning rate, and other behavioral components on temperature, distinguishing the physical effects of temperature from behavior changes based on sensory processing. We also characterize the strategies larvae use to modulate individual behavioral components to produce directed navigation along thermal gradients, and how these strategies change during physical development. Simulations based on modified random walks show where thermotaxis in each developmental stage fits into the larger context of possible navigation strategies. We also investigate cool sensing neurons in the larva's dorsal organ ganglion, characterizing neural response to sine-wave modulation of temperature while performing single-cell-resolution 3D imaging. We determine the sensitivity of these neurons, which produce signals in response to extremely small temperature changes. Combining thermotaxis results with neurophysiology data, we observe, across development, sensitivity to temperature change as low as a few thousandths of a °C per second, or a few hundredths of a °C in absolute temperature change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasiia Evans
- Department of Physics, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States
- Department of Biology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States
| | - Anggie J. Ferrer
- Department of Physics, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States
- Department of Biology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States
| | - Erica Fradkov
- Department of Physics, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States
- Department of Biology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States
| | - Joseph W. Shomar
- Department of Physics, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States
- Department of Biology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States
| | - Josh Forer
- Department of Physics, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States
- Department of Biology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States
| | - Mason Klein
- Department of Physics, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States
- Department of Biology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States
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28
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Berne A, Zhang T, Shomar J, Ferrer AJ, Valdes A, Ohyama T, Klein M. Mechanical vibration patterns elicit behavioral transitions and habituation in crawling Drosophila larvae. eLife 2023; 12:e69205. [PMID: 37855833 PMCID: PMC10586805 DOI: 10.7554/elife.69205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
How animals respond to repeatedly applied stimuli, and how animals respond to mechanical stimuli in particular, are important questions in behavioral neuroscience. We study adaptation to repeated mechanical agitation using the Drosophila larva. Vertical vibration stimuli elicit a discrete set of responses in crawling larvae: continuation, pause, turn, and reversal. Through high-throughput larva tracking, we characterize how the likelihood of each response depends on vibration intensity and on the timing of repeated vibration pulses. By examining transitions between behavioral states at the population and individual levels, we investigate how the animals habituate to the stimulus patterns. We identify time constants associated with desensitization to prolonged vibration, with re-sensitization during removal of a stimulus, and additional layers of habituation that operate in the overall response. Known memory-deficient mutants exhibit distinct behavior profiles and habituation time constants. An analogous simple electrical circuit suggests possible neural and molecular processes behind adaptive behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Berne
- Department of Physics, Department of Biology, University of MiamiCoral GablesUnited States
| | - Tom Zhang
- Department of Physics, Department of Biology, University of MiamiCoral GablesUnited States
| | - Joseph Shomar
- Department of Physics, Department of Biology, University of MiamiCoral GablesUnited States
| | - Anggie J Ferrer
- Department of Physics, Department of Biology, University of MiamiCoral GablesUnited States
| | - Aaron Valdes
- Department of Physics, Department of Biology, University of MiamiCoral GablesUnited States
| | - Tomoko Ohyama
- Department of Biology, McGill UniversityMontrealCanada
| | - Mason Klein
- Department of Physics, Department of Biology, University of MiamiCoral GablesUnited States
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29
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Strobl F, Ratke J, Krämer F, Utta A, Becker S, Stelzer EHK. Next generation marker-based vector concepts for rapid and unambiguous identification of single and double homozygous transgenic organisms. Biol Open 2023; 12:bio060015. [PMID: 37855381 PMCID: PMC10602009 DOI: 10.1242/bio.060015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
For diploid model organisms, the actual transgenesis processes require subsequent periods of transgene management, which are challenging in emerging model organisms due to the lack of suitable methodology. We used the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum, a stored-grain pest, to perform a comprehensive functional evaluation of our AClashOfStrings (ACOS) and the combined AGameOfClones/AClashOfStrings (AGOC/ACOS) vector concepts, which use four clearly distinguishable markers to provide full visual control over up to two independent transgenes. We achieved comprehensive statistical validation of our approach by systematically creating seventeen novel single and double homozygous sublines intended for fluorescence live imaging, including several sublines in which the microtubule cytoskeleton is labeled. During the mating procedures, we genotyped more than 20,000 individuals in less than 80 working hours, which corresponds to about 10 to 15 s per individual. We also confirm the functionality of our combined concept in two double transgene special cases, i.e. integration of both transgenes in close proximity on the same chromosome and integration of one transgene on the X allosome. Finally, we discuss our vector concepts regarding performance, genotyping accuracy, throughput, resource saving potential, fluorescent protein choice, modularity, adaptation to other diploid model organisms and expansion capability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederic Strobl
- Physical Biology / Physikalische Biologie (IZN, FB 15), Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (BMLS), Cluster of Excellence Frankfurt – Macromolecular Complexes (CEF – MC), Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main (Campus Riedberg),Max-von-Laue-Straße 15, D-60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Julia Ratke
- Physical Biology / Physikalische Biologie (IZN, FB 15), Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (BMLS), Cluster of Excellence Frankfurt – Macromolecular Complexes (CEF – MC), Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main (Campus Riedberg),Max-von-Laue-Straße 15, D-60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Franziska Krämer
- Physical Biology / Physikalische Biologie (IZN, FB 15), Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (BMLS), Cluster of Excellence Frankfurt – Macromolecular Complexes (CEF – MC), Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main (Campus Riedberg),Max-von-Laue-Straße 15, D-60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Ana Utta
- Physical Biology / Physikalische Biologie (IZN, FB 15), Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (BMLS), Cluster of Excellence Frankfurt – Macromolecular Complexes (CEF – MC), Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main (Campus Riedberg),Max-von-Laue-Straße 15, D-60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Sigrun Becker
- Physical Biology / Physikalische Biologie (IZN, FB 15), Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (BMLS), Cluster of Excellence Frankfurt – Macromolecular Complexes (CEF – MC), Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main (Campus Riedberg),Max-von-Laue-Straße 15, D-60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Ernst H. K. Stelzer
- Physical Biology / Physikalische Biologie (IZN, FB 15), Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (BMLS), Cluster of Excellence Frankfurt – Macromolecular Complexes (CEF – MC), Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main (Campus Riedberg),Max-von-Laue-Straße 15, D-60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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30
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Yu K, Ramkumar N, Wong KKL, Tettweiler G, Verheyen EM. The AMPK-like protein kinases Sik2 and Sik3 interact with Hipk and induce synergistic tumorigenesis in a Drosophila cancer model. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1214539. [PMID: 37854071 PMCID: PMC10579798 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1214539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Homeodomain-interacting protein kinases (Hipks) regulate cell proliferation, apoptosis, and tissue development. Overexpression of Hipk in Drosophila causes tumorigenic phenotypes in larval imaginal discs. We find that depletion of Salt-inducible kinases Sik2 or Sik3 can suppress Hipk-induced overgrowth. Furthermore, co-expression of constitutively active forms of Sik2 or Sik3 with Hipk caused significant tissue hyperplasia and tissue distortion, indicating that both Sik2 and Sik3 can synergize with Hipk to promote tumorous phenotypes, accompanied by elevated dMyc, Armadillo/β-catenin, and the Yorkie target gene expanded. Larvae expressing these hyperplastic growths also display an extended larval phase, characteristic of other Drosophila tumour models. Examination of total protein levels from fly tissues showed that Hipk proteins were reduced when Siks were depleted through RNAi, suggesting that Siks may regulate Hipk protein stability and/or activity. Conversely, expression of constitutively active Siks with Hipk leads to increased Hipk protein levels. Furthermore, Hipk can interact with Sik2 and Sik3 by co-immunoprecipitation. Co-expression of both proteins leads to a mobility shift of Hipk protein, suggesting it is post-translationally modified. In summary, our research demonstrates a novel function of Siks in synergizing with Hipk to promote tumour growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kewei Yu
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
- Centre for Cell Biology, Development and Disease, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Niveditha Ramkumar
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
- Centre for Cell Biology, Development and Disease, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Kenneth Kin Lam Wong
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
- Centre for Cell Biology, Development and Disease, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Gritta Tettweiler
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
- Centre for Cell Biology, Development and Disease, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Esther M. Verheyen
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
- Centre for Cell Biology, Development and Disease, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
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31
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Li H, Aboudhiaf S, Parrot S, Scote-Blachon C, Benetollo C, Lin JS, Seugnet L. Pallidin function in Drosophila surface glia regulates sleep and is dependent on amino acid availability. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113025. [PMID: 37682712 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The Pallidin protein is a central subunit of a multimeric complex called biogenesis of lysosome-related organelles complex 1 (BLOC1) that regulates specific endosomal functions and has been linked to schizophrenia. We show here that downregulation of Pallidin and other members of BLOC1 in the surface glia, the Drosophila equivalent of the blood-brain barrier, reduces and delays nighttime sleep in a circadian-clock-dependent manner. In agreement with BLOC1 involvement in amino acid transport, downregulation of the large neutral amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1)-like transporters JhI-21 and mnd, as well as of TOR (target of rapamycin) amino acid signaling, phenocopy Pallidin knockdown. Furthermore, supplementing food with leucine normalizes the sleep/wake phenotypes of Pallidin downregulation, and we identify a role for Pallidin in the subcellular trafficking of JhI-21. Finally, we provide evidence that Pallidin in surface glia is required for GABAergic neuronal activity. These data identify a BLOC1 function linking essential amino acid availability and GABAergic sleep/wake regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Li
- Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon, Team WAKING, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM U1028, CNRS UMR 5292, 69675 Bron, France
| | - Sami Aboudhiaf
- Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon, Team WAKING, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM U1028, CNRS UMR 5292, 69675 Bron, France
| | - Sandrine Parrot
- Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon, NeuroDialyTics Facility, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM U1028, CNRS UMR 5292, 69675 Bron, France
| | - Céline Scote-Blachon
- Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon, GenCyTi Facility, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM U1028, CNRS UMR 5292, 69675 Bron, France
| | - Claire Benetollo
- Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon, GenCyTi Facility, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM U1028, CNRS UMR 5292, 69675 Bron, France
| | - Jian-Sheng Lin
- Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon, Team WAKING, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM U1028, CNRS UMR 5292, 69675 Bron, France
| | - Laurent Seugnet
- Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon, Team WAKING, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM U1028, CNRS UMR 5292, 69675 Bron, France.
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32
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Siddique YH, Naz F, Rahul, Varshney H, I M, Shahid M. Effect of donepezil hydrochloride on the transgenic Drosophila expressing human Aβ-42. Int J Neurosci 2023:1-39. [PMID: 37733478 DOI: 10.1080/00207454.2023.2262109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
CONCLUSION The results suggest that donepezil hydrochloride is potent enough to reduce the AD symptoms being mimicked in transgenic flies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasir Hasan Siddique
- Drosophila Transgenic Laboratory, Section of Genetics, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh-202002, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Falaq Naz
- Drosophila Transgenic Laboratory, Section of Genetics, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh-202002, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Rahul
- Drosophila Transgenic Laboratory, Section of Genetics, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh-202002, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Himanshi Varshney
- Drosophila Transgenic Laboratory, Section of Genetics, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh-202002, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Mantasha I
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202002, India
| | - M Shahid
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202002, India
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Morón-Oset J, Fischer LK, Carcolé M, Giblin A, Zhang P, Isaacs AM, Grönke S, Partridge L. Toxicity of C9orf72-associated dipeptide repeat peptides is modified by commonly used protein tags. Life Sci Alliance 2023; 6:e202201739. [PMID: 37308278 PMCID: PMC10262077 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202201739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Hexanucleotide repeat expansions in the C9orf72 gene are the most prevalent genetic cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia. Transcripts of the expansions are translated into toxic dipeptide repeat (DPR) proteins. Most preclinical studies in cell and animal models have used protein-tagged polyDPR constructs to investigate DPR toxicity but the effects of tags on DPR toxicity have not been systematically explored. Here, we used Drosophila to assess the influence of protein tags on DPR toxicity. Tagging of 36 but not 100 arginine-rich DPRs with mCherry increased toxicity, whereas adding mCherry or GFP to GA100 completely abolished toxicity. FLAG tagging also reduced GA100 toxicity but less than the longer fluorescent tags. Expression of untagged but not GFP- or mCherry-tagged GA100 caused DNA damage and increased p62 levels. Fluorescent tags also affected GA100 stability and degradation. In summary, protein tags affect DPR toxicity in a tag- and DPR-dependent manner, and GA toxicity might be underestimated in studies using tagged GA proteins. Thus, including untagged DPRs as controls is important when assessing DPR toxicity in preclinical models.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Mireia Carcolé
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Ashling Giblin
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
- Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, Institute of Healthy Ageing, University College London, London, UK
| | - Pingze Zhang
- Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing, Cologne, Germany
| | - Adrian M Isaacs
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | | | - Linda Partridge
- Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing, Cologne, Germany
- Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, Institute of Healthy Ageing, University College London, London, UK
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Yildirim K, van Nierop Y Sanchez P, Lohmann I. Analysis of Bub3 and Nup75 in the Drosophila male germline lineage. Cells Dev 2023; 175:203863. [PMID: 37286104 DOI: 10.1016/j.cdev.2023.203863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Extensive communication at the stem cell-niche interface and asymmetric stem cell division is key for the homeostasis of the Drosophila male germline stem cell system. To improve our understanding of these processes, we analysed the function of the mitotic checkpoint complex (MCC) component Bub3 and the nucleoporin Nup75, a component of the nuclear pore complex realizing the transport of signalling effector molecules to the nucleus, in the Drosophila testis. By lineage-specific interference, we found that the two genes control germline development and maintenance. Bub3 is continuously required in the germline, as its loss results in the beginning in an over-proliferation of early germ cells and later on in loss of the germline. The absence of the germline lineage in such testes has dramatic cell non-autonomous consequences, as cells co-expressing markers of hub and somatic cyst cell fates accumulate and populate in extreme cases the whole testis. Our analysis of Nups showed that some of them are critical for lineage maintenance, as their depletion results in the loss of the affected lineage. In contrast, Nup75 plays a role in controlling proliferation of early germ cells but not differentiating spermatogonia and seems to be involved in keeping hub cells quiescent. In sum, our analysis shows that Bub3 and Nup75 are required for male germline development and maintenance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerem Yildirim
- Heidelberg University, Centre for Organismal Studies (COS) Heidelberg, Department of Developmental Biology and Cell Networks - Cluster of Excellence, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Patrick van Nierop Y Sanchez
- Heidelberg University, Centre for Organismal Studies (COS) Heidelberg, Department of Developmental Biology and Cell Networks - Cluster of Excellence, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ingrid Lohmann
- Heidelberg University, Centre for Organismal Studies (COS) Heidelberg, Department of Developmental Biology and Cell Networks - Cluster of Excellence, Heidelberg, Germany.
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35
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Barwell T, Raina S, Page A, MacCharles H, Seroude L. Juvenile and adult expression of polyglutamine expanded huntingtin produce distinct aggregate distributions in Drosophila muscle. Hum Mol Genet 2023; 32:2656-2668. [PMID: 37369041 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddad098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
While Huntington's disease (HD) is widely recognized as a disease affecting the nervous system, much evidence has accumulated to suggest peripheral or non-neuronal tissues are affected as well. Here, we utilize the UAS/GAL4 system to express a pathogenic HD construct in the muscle of the fly and characterize the effects. We observe detrimental phenotypes such as a reduced lifespan, decreased locomotion and accumulation of protein aggregates. Strikingly, depending on the GAL4 driver used to express the construct, we saw different aggregate distributions and severity of phenotypes. These different aggregate distributions were found to be dependent on the expression level and the timing of expression. Hsp70, a well-documented suppressor of polyglutamine aggregates, was found to strongly reduce the accumulation of aggregates in the eye, but in the muscle, it did not prevent the reduction of the lifespan. Therefore, the molecular mechanisms underlying the detrimental effects of aggregates in the muscle are distinct from the nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor Barwell
- Department of Biology, Queen's University, 116 Barrie St, Kingston, Ontario, K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Sehaj Raina
- Department of Biology, Queen's University, 116 Barrie St, Kingston, Ontario, K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Austin Page
- Department of Biology, Queen's University, 116 Barrie St, Kingston, Ontario, K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Hayley MacCharles
- Department of Biology, Queen's University, 116 Barrie St, Kingston, Ontario, K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Laurent Seroude
- Department of Biology, Queen's University, 116 Barrie St, Kingston, Ontario, K7L 3N6, Canada
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36
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Yu Y, Li T, Guo M, Xiong R, Yan D, Chen P. Possible Regulation of Larval Juvenile Hormone Titers in Bombyx mori by BmFAMeT6. INSECTS 2023; 14:644. [PMID: 37504649 PMCID: PMC10380277 DOI: 10.3390/insects14070644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Juvenile hormone (JH) plays a vital role in the growth, development, and reproduction of insects and other arthropods. Previous experiments have suggested that BmFAMeT6 could affect the duration of the silk moth's larval stage. In this study, we established the BmFAMeT6 overexpression strain and BmFAMeT6 knockout strain using the GAL4/UAS binary hybrid system and CRISPR/Cas 9 system, respectively, and found that the larval stage of the overexpression strain was shorter, while the knockout strain was longer. Our results exhibited that both the JH titers and BmKr-h1 levels in the larvae of the third instar were reduced significantly by BmFAMeT6 overexpression, but were increased obviously by BmFAMeT6 knockout. In addition, injection of farnesoic acid induced changes in the JH I and JH II levels in the hemolymphs of larvae. This study is the first to directly reveal the role of BmFAMeT6 in the regulation of insect JH titers and the relationship between farnesoic acid and JH (JH I and JH II). This provides a new perspective on regulating the growth and development of insects such as Bombyx mori.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Yu
- College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Tian Li
- College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
- Drug Discovery Research Center, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646099, China
| | - Meiwei Guo
- College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Rong Xiong
- College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Dongshen Yan
- College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Ping Chen
- College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
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37
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Kim JY, Yang JE, Mitchell JW, English LA, Yang SZ, Tenpas T, Dent EW, Wildonger J, Wright ER. Handling difficult cryo-ET samples: A study with primary neurons from Drosophila melanogaster. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.10.548468. [PMID: 37502991 PMCID: PMC10369871 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.10.548468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Cellular neurobiology has benefited from recent advances in the field of cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET). Numerous structural and ultrastructural insights have been obtained from plunge-frozen primary neurons cultured on electron microscopy grids. With most primary neurons been derived from rodent sources, we sought to expand the breadth of sample availability by using primary neurons derived from 3rd instar Drosophila melanogaster larval brains. Ultrastructural abnormalities were encountered while establishing this model system for cryo-ET, which were exemplified by excessive membrane blebbing and cellular fragmentation. To optimize neuronal samples, we integrated substrate selection, micropatterning, montage data collection, and chemical fixation. Efforts to address difficulties in establishing Drosophila neurons for future cryo-ET studies in cellular neurobiology also provided insights that future practitioners can use when attempting to establish other cell-based model systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Y. Kim
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
| | - Jie E. Yang
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
- Cryo-Electron Microscopy Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
- Midwest Center for Cryo-Electron Tomography, Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
| | - Josephine W. Mitchell
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Kalamazoo College, Kalamazoo, MI, 49006, USA
| | - Lauren A. English
- Neuroscience Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Sihui Z. Yang
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Tanner Tenpas
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Erik W. Dent
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Jill Wildonger
- Departments of Pediatrics and Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Elizabeth R. Wright
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
- Cryo-Electron Microscopy Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
- Midwest Center for Cryo-Electron Tomography, Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
- Morgridge Institute for Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53715, USA
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Rozich E, Randolph LK, Insolera R. An optimized temporally controlled Gal4 system in Drosophila reveals degeneration caused by adult-onset neuronal Vps13D knockdown. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1204068. [PMID: 37457002 PMCID: PMC10339317 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1204068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the human gene VPS13D cause the adult-onset neurodegenerative disease ataxia. Our previous work showed that disruptions in the Vps13D gene in Drosophila neurons causes mitochondrial defects. However, developmental lethality caused by Vps13D loss limited our understanding of the long-term physiological effects of Vps13D perturbation in neurons. Here, we optimized a previously generated system to temporally knock down Vps13D expression precisely in adult Drosophila neurons using a modification to the Gal4/UAS system. Adult-onset activation of Gal4 was enacted using the chemically-inducible tool which fuses a destabilization-domain to the Gal4 repressor Gal80 (Gal80-DD). Optimization of the Gal80-DD tool shows that feeding animals the DD-stabilizing drug trimethoprim (TMP) during development and rearing at a reduced temperature maximally represses Gal4 activity. Temperature shift and removal of TMP from the food after eclosion robustly activates Gal4 expression in adult neurons. Using the optimized Gal80-DD system, we find that adult-onset Vps13D RNAi expression in neurons causes the accumulation of mitophagy intermediates, progressive deficits in locomotor activity, early lethality, and brain vacuolization characteristic of neurodegeneration. The development of this optimized system allows us to more precisely examine the degenerative phenotypes caused by Vps13D disruption, and can likely be utilized in the future for other genes associated with neurological diseases whose manipulation causes developmental lethality in Drosophila.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Rozich
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Lynsey K. Randolph
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Ryan Insolera
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States
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Zhuravlev AV, Zalomaeva ES, Egozova ES, Sokurova VV, Nikitina EA, Savvateeva-Popova EV. LIM-kinase 1 effects on memory abilities and male courtship song in Drosophila depend on the neuronal type. Vavilovskii Zhurnal Genet Selektsii 2023; 27:250-263. [PMID: 37293442 PMCID: PMC10244584 DOI: 10.18699/vjgb-23-31] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The signal pathway of actin remodeling, including LIM-kinase 1 (LIMK1) and its substrate cofilin, regulates multiple processes in neurons of vertebrates and invertebrates. Drosophila melanogaster is widely used as a model object for studying mechanisms of memory formation, storage, retrieval and forgetting. Previously, active forgetting in Drosophila was investigated in the standard Pavlovian olfactory conditioning paradigm. The role of specific dopaminergic neurons (DAN) and components of the actin remodeling pathway in different forms of forgetting was shown. In our research, we investigated the role of LIMK1 in Drosophila memory and forgetting in the conditioned courtship suppression paradigm (CCSP). In the Drosophila brain, LIMK1 and p-cofilin levels appeared to be low in specific neuropil structures, including the mushroom body (MB) lobes and the central complex. At the same time, LIMK1 was observed in cell bodies, such as DAN clusters regulating memory formation in CCSP. We applied GAL4 × UAS binary system to induce limk1 RNA interference in different types of neurons. The hybrid strain with limk1 interference in MB lobes and glia showed an increase in 3-h short-term memory (STM), without significant effects on long-term memory. limk1 interference in cholinergic neurons (CHN) impaired STM, while its interference in DAN and serotoninergic neurons (SRN) also dramatically impaired the flies' learning ability. By contrast, limk1 interference in fruitless neurons (FRN) resulted in increased 15-60 min STM, indicating a possible LIMK1 role in active forgetting. Males with limk1 interference in CHN and FRN also showed the opposite trends of courtship song parameters changes. Thus, LIMK1 effects on the Drosophila male memory and courtship song appeared to depend on the neuronal type or brain structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- A V Zhuravlev
- Pavlov Institute of Physiology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - E S Zalomaeva
- Pavlov Institute of Physiology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, RussiaHerzen State Pedagogical University of Russia, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - E S Egozova
- Herzen State Pedagogical University of Russia, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - V V Sokurova
- Herzen State Pedagogical University of Russia, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - E A Nikitina
- Pavlov Institute of Physiology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia Herzen State Pedagogical University of Russia, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - E V Savvateeva-Popova
- Pavlov Institute of Physiology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia
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40
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Prozzillo Y, Fattorini G, Ferreri D, Leo M, Dimitri P, Messina G. Knockdown of DOM/Tip60 Complex Subunits Impairs Male Meiosis of Drosophila melanogaster. Cells 2023; 12:1348. [PMID: 37408183 DOI: 10.3390/cells12101348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling complexes are involved in nucleosome sliding and eviction and/or the incorporation of histone variants into chromatin to facilitate several cellular and biological processes, including DNA transcription, replication and repair. The DOM/TIP60 chromatin remodeling complex of Drosophila melanogaster contains 18 subunits, including the DOMINO (DOM), an ATPase that catalyzes the exchange of the canonical H2A with its variant (H2A.V), and TIP60, a lysine-acetyltransferase that acetylates H4, H2A and H2A.V histones. In recent decades, experimental evidence has shown that ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling factors, in addition to their role in chromatin organization, have a functional relevance in cell division. In particular, emerging studies suggested the direct roles of ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling complex subunits in controlling mitosis and cytokinesis in both humans and D. melanogaster. However, little is known about their possible involvement during meiosis. The results of this work show that the knockdown of 12 of DOM/TIP60 complex subunits generates cell division defects that, in turn, cause total/partial sterility in Drosophila males, providing new insights into the functions of chromatin remodelers in cell division control during gametogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuri Prozzillo
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Gaia Fattorini
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology (IBPM), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Diego Ferreri
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Manuela Leo
- Department of Sciences and Technologies, University of Sannio, 82100 Benevento, Italy
| | - Patrizio Dimitri
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Messina
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Pasteur Institute, Fondazione Cenci-Bolognetti, 00161 Rome, Italy
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, Milano-Bicocca University, 20126 Milan, Italy
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Ugrankar-Banerjee R, Tran S, Bowerman J, Kovalenko A, Paul B, Henne WM. The fat body cortical actin network regulates Drosophila inter-organ nutrient trafficking, signaling, and adipose cell size. eLife 2023; 12:e81170. [PMID: 37144872 PMCID: PMC10202455 DOI: 10.7554/elife.81170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Defective nutrient storage and adipocyte enlargement (hypertrophy) are emerging features of metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. Within adipose tissues, how the cytoskeletal network contributes to adipose cell size, nutrient uptake, fat storage, and signaling remain poorly understood. Utilizing the Drosophila larval fat body (FB) as a model adipose tissue, we show that a specific actin isoform-Act5C-forms the cortical actin network necessary to expand adipocyte cell size for biomass storage in development. Additionally, we uncover a non-canonical role for the cortical actin cytoskeleton in inter-organ lipid trafficking. We find Act5C localizes to the FB cell surface and cell-cell boundaries, where it intimately contacts peripheral LDs (pLDs), forming a cortical actin network for cell architectural support. FB-specific loss of Act5C perturbs FB triglyceride (TG) storage and LD morphology, resulting in developmentally delayed larvae that fail to develop into flies. Utilizing temporal RNAi-depletion approaches, we reveal that Act5C is indispensable post-embryogenesis during larval feeding as FB cells expand and store fat. Act5C-deficient FBs fail to grow, leading to lipodystrophic larvae unable to accrue sufficient biomass for complete metamorphosis. In line with this, Act5C-deficient larvae display blunted insulin signaling and reduced feeding. Mechanistically, we also show this diminished signaling correlates with decreased lipophorin (Lpp) lipoprotein-mediated lipid trafficking, and find Act5C is required for Lpp secretion from the FB for lipid transport. Collectively, we propose that the Act5C-dependent cortical actin network of Drosophila adipose tissue is required for adipose tissue size-expansion and organismal energy homeostasis in development, and plays an essential role in inter-organ nutrient transport and signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Son Tran
- Department of Cell Biology, UT Southwestern Medical CenterDallasUnited States
| | - Jade Bowerman
- Department of Cell Biology, UT Southwestern Medical CenterDallasUnited States
| | | | - Blessy Paul
- Department of Cell Biology, UT Southwestern Medical CenterDallasUnited States
| | - W Mike Henne
- Department of Cell Biology, UT Southwestern Medical CenterDallasUnited States
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Walker SG, Langland CJ, Viles J, Hecker LA, Wallrath LL. Drosophila Models Reveal Properties of Mutant Lamins That Give Rise to Distinct Diseases. Cells 2023; 12:cells12081142. [PMID: 37190051 DOI: 10.3390/cells12081142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the LMNA gene cause a collection of diseases known as laminopathies, including muscular dystrophies, lipodystrophies, and early-onset aging syndromes. The LMNA gene encodes A-type lamins, lamins A/C, intermediate filaments that form a meshwork underlying the inner nuclear membrane. Lamins have a conserved domain structure consisting of a head, coiled-coil rod, and C-terminal tail domain possessing an Ig-like fold. This study identified differences between two mutant lamins that cause distinct clinical diseases. One of the LMNA mutations encodes lamin A/C p.R527P and the other codes lamin A/C p.R482W, which are typically associated with muscular dystrophy and lipodystrophy, respectively. To determine how these mutations differentially affect muscle, we generated the equivalent mutations in the Drosophila Lamin C (LamC) gene, an orthologue of human LMNA. The muscle-specific expression of the R527P equivalent showed cytoplasmic aggregation of LamC, a reduced larval muscle size, decreased larval motility, and cardiac defects resulting in a reduced adult lifespan. By contrast, the muscle-specific expression of the R482W equivalent caused an abnormal nuclear shape without a change in larval muscle size, larval motility, and adult lifespan compared to controls. Collectively, these studies identified fundamental differences in the properties of mutant lamins that cause clinically distinct phenotypes, providing insights into disease mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sydney G Walker
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Christopher J Langland
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Jill Viles
- Independent Researcher, Gowrie, IA 50543, USA
| | - Laura A Hecker
- Department of Biology, Clarke University, Dubuque, IA 52001, USA
| | - Lori L Wallrath
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
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Ye C, Behnke JA, Hardin KR, Zheng JQ. Drosophila melanogaster as a model to study age and sex differences in brain injury and neurodegeneration after mild head trauma. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1150694. [PMID: 37077318 PMCID: PMC10106652 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1150694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Repetitive physical insults to the head, including those that elicit mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), are a known risk factor for a variety of neurodegenerative conditions including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Although most individuals who sustain mTBI typically achieve a seemingly full recovery within a few weeks, a subset experience delayed-onset symptoms later in life. As most mTBI research has focused on the acute phase of injury, there is an incomplete understanding of mechanisms related to the late-life emergence of neurodegeneration after early exposure to mild head trauma. The recent adoption of Drosophila-based brain injury models provides several unique advantages over existing preclinical animal models, including a tractable framework amenable to high-throughput assays and short relative lifespan conducive to lifelong mechanistic investigation. The use of flies also provides an opportunity to investigate important risk factors associated with neurodegenerative conditions, specifically age and sex. In this review, we survey current literature that examines age and sex as contributing factors to head trauma-mediated neurodegeneration in humans and preclinical models, including mammalian and Drosophila models. We discuss similarities and disparities between human and fly in aging, sex differences, and pathophysiology. Finally, we highlight Drosophila as an effective tool for investigating mechanisms underlying head trauma-induced neurodegeneration and for identifying therapeutic targets for treatment and recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changtian Ye
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Joseph A. Behnke
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Katherine R. Hardin
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - James Q. Zheng
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
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Nemtsova Y, Steinert BL, Wharton KA. Compartment specific mitochondrial dysfunction in Drosophila knock-in model of ALS reversed by altered gene expression of OXPHOS subunits and pro-fission factor Drp1. Mol Cell Neurosci 2023; 125:103834. [PMID: 36868541 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2023.103834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal multisystem neurodegenerative disease, characterized by a loss in motor function. ALS is genetically diverse, with mutations in genes ranging from those regulating RNA metabolism, like TAR DNA-binding protein (TDP-43) and Fused in sarcoma (FUS), to those that act to maintain cellular redox homeostasis, like superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1). Although varied in genetic origin, pathogenic and clinical commonalities are clearly evident between cases of ALS. Defects in mitochondria is one such common pathology, thought to occur prior to, rather than as a consequence of symptom onset, making these organelles a promising therapeutic target for ALS, as well as other neurodegenerative diseases. Depending on the homeostatic needs of neurons throughout life, mitochondria are normally shuttled to different subcellular compartments to regulate metabolite and energy production, lipid metabolism, and buffer calcium. While originally considered a motor neuron disease due to the dramatic loss in motor function accompanied by motor neuron cell death in ALS patients, many studies have now implicated non-motor neurons and glial cells alike. Defects in non-motor neuron cell types often preceed motor neuron death suggesting their dysfunction may initiate and/or facilitate the decline in motor neuron health. Here, we investigate mitochondria in a Drosophila Sod1 knock-in model of ALS. In depth, in vivo, examination reveals mitochondrial dysfunction evident prior to onset of motor neuron degeneration. Genetically encoded redox biosensors identify a general disruption in the electron transport chain (ETC). Compartment specific abnormalities in mitochondrial morphology is observed in diseased sensory neurons, accompanied by no apparent defects in the axonal transport machinery, but instead an increase in mitophagy in synaptic regions. The decrease in networked mitochondria at the synapse is reversed upon downregulation of the pro-fission factor Drp1. Furthermore, altered expression of specific OXPHOS subunits reverses ALS-associated defects in mitochondrial morphology and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Nemtsova
- Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry Department, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, United States.
| | - B L Steinert
- Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry Department, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, United States.
| | - K A Wharton
- Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry Department, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, United States; Robert J. and Nancy D. Carney Institute for Brain Science, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, United States.
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Gajardo I, Guerra S, Campusano JM. Navigating Like a Fly: Drosophila melanogaster as a Model to Explore the Contribution of Serotonergic Neurotransmission to Spatial Navigation. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054407. [PMID: 36901836 PMCID: PMC10002024 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Serotonin is a monoamine that acts in vertebrates and invertebrates as a modulator promoting changes in the structure and activity of brain areas relevant to animal behavior, ranging from sensory perception to learning and memory. Whether serotonin contributes in Drosophila to human-like cognitive abilities, including spatial navigation, is an issue little studied. Like in vertebrates, the serotonergic system in Drosophila is heterogeneous, meaning that distinct serotonergic neurons/circuits innervate specific fly brain regions to modulate precise behaviors. Here we review the literature that supports that serotonergic pathways modify different aspects underlying the formation of navigational memories in Drosophila.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivana Gajardo
- Departamento de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8331150, Chile
- Departamento de Neurociencia, Instituto Milenio de Neurociencia Biomédica (BNI), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380453, Chile
| | - Simón Guerra
- Departamento de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8331150, Chile
| | - Jorge M. Campusano
- Departamento de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8331150, Chile
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +56-2-2354-2133
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Baisgaard AE, Koldby KM, Kristensen TN, Nyegaard M, Rohde PD. Functionally Validating Evolutionary Conserved Risk Genes for Parkinson's Disease in Drosophila melanogaster. INSECTS 2023; 14:168. [PMID: 36835737 PMCID: PMC9958964 DOI: 10.3390/insects14020168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a heterogeneous and complex neurodegenerative disorder and large-scale genetic studies have identified >130 genes associated with PD. Although genomic studies have been decisive for our understanding of the genetic contributions underlying PD, these associations remain as statistical associations. Lack of functional validation limits the biological interpretation; however, it is labour extensive, expensive, and time consuming. Therefore, the ideal biological system for functionally validating genetic findings must be simple. The study aim was to assess systematically evolutionary conserved PD-associated genes using Drosophila melanogaster. From a literature review, a total of 136 genes have found to be associated with PD in GWAS studies, of which 11 are strongly evolutionary conserved between Homo sapiens and D. melanogaster. By ubiquitous gene expression knockdown of the PD-genes in D. melanogaster, the flies' escape response was investigated by assessing their negative geotaxis response, a phenotype that has previously been used to investigate PD in D. melanogaster. Gene expression knockdown was successful in 9/11 lines, and phenotypic consequences were observed in 8/9 lines. The results provide evidence that genetically modifying expression levels of PD genes in D. melanogaster caused reduced climbing ability of the flies, potentially supporting their role in dysfunctional locomotion, a hallmark of PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amalie Elton Baisgaard
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
- Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, 9220 Aalborg, Denmark
| | | | | | - Mette Nyegaard
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
- Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, 9220 Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Palle Duun Rohde
- Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, 9220 Aalborg, Denmark
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, 9220 Aalborg, Denmark
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Jackson JA, Imran Alsous J, Martin AC. Live Imaging of Nurse Cell Behavior in Late Stages of Drosophila Oogenesis. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2626:219-232. [PMID: 36715907 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2970-3_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Drosophila oogenesis is a powerful and tractable model for studies of cell and developmental biology due to the multitude of well-characterized events in both germline and somatic cells, the ease of genetic manipulation in fruit flies, and the large number of egg chambers produced by each fly. Recent improvements in live imaging and ex vivo culturing protocols have enabled researchers to conduct more detailed, longer-term studies of egg chamber development, enabling insights into fundamental biological processes. Here, we present a protocol for dissection, culturing, and imaging of late-stage egg chambers to study intercellular and directional cytoplasmic flow during "nurse cell dumping." This critical developmental process towards the latter stages of oogenesis (stages 10b/11) results in rapid growth of the oocyte and shrinkage of the nurse cells and is accompanied by dynamic changes in cell shape. We also describe a procedure to record high-time-resolution movies of the flow of unlabeled cytoplasmic contents within nurse cells and through cytoplasmic bridges in the nurse cell cluster using reflection microscopy, and we describe two ways to analyze data from nurse cell dumping.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan A Jackson
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Graduate Program in Biophysics, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Adam C Martin
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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Venken KJ, Matinyan N, Gonzalez Y, Dierick HA. Multiplexed Transgenic Selection and Counterselection Strategies to Expedite Genetic Manipulation Workflows Using Drosophila melanogaster. Curr Protoc 2023; 3:e652. [PMID: 36757287 PMCID: PMC9923875 DOI: 10.1002/cpz1.652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
We recently described a set of four selectable and two counterselectable markers that provide resistance and sensitivity, respectively, against their corresponding drugs using the model organism Drosophila melanogaster. The four selectable markers provide animals with resistance against G418 sulfate, puromycin HCl, blasticidin S, or hygromycin B, whereas the two counterselection markers make animals sensitive to ganciclovir/acyclovir or 5-fluorocytosine. Unlike classical phenotypic markers, whether visual or fluorescent, which require extensive screening of progeny of a genetic cross for desired genotypes, resistance and sensitivity markers eliminate this laborious procedure by directly selecting for, or counterselecting against, the desired genotypes. We demonstrated the usefulness of these markers with three applications: 1) generating dual transgenic animals for binary overexpression (e.g., GAL4/UAS) analysis in a single step through the process of co-injection, followed by co-selection resulting in co-transgenesis; 2) obtaining balancer chromosomes that are both selectable and counterselectable to manipulate crossing schemes for, or against, the presence of the modified balancer chromosome; and 3) making both selectable and fluorescently tagged P[acman] BAC transgenic animals for gene expression and proteomic analysis. Here, we describe detailed procedures for how to use these drug-based selection and counterselection markers in the fruit fly D. melanogaster when making dual transgenic animals for binary overexpression as an example. Dual transgenesis integrates site-specifically into two sites in the genome in a single step, namely both components of the binary GAL4/UAS overexpression system, via a G418 sulfate-selectable GAL4 transactivator plasmid and a blasticidin S-selectable UAS responder plasmid. The process involves co-injecting the two plasmids, followed by co-selection using G418 sulfate and blasticidin S, resulting in co-transgenesis of the two plasmids in the fly genome. We demonstrate the functionality of the procedure based on the expression pattern obtained after dual transgenesis of the two plasmids. We provide protocols on how to prepare drugged fly food vials, determine the effective drug concentration for markers used during transgenic selection and counterselection strategies, and prepare and confirm plasmid DNA for microinjection, followed by the microinjection procedure itself and setting up crossing schemes to isolate desired progeny through selection and/or counterselection. These protocols can be easily adapted to any combination of the six selectable and counterselectable markers we described or any new marker that is resistant or sensitive to a novel drug. Protocols on how to build plasmids by synthetic-assembly DNA cloning or modify plasmids by serial recombineering to perform a plethora of selection, counterselection, or any other genetic strategies are presented in two accompanying Current Protocols articles. © 2023 Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Preparing drugged fly food vials for transgenic selection and counterselection strategies using D. melanogaster Basic Protocol 2: Determining the effective drug concentration for resistance and sensitivity markers used during transgenic selection and counterselection strategies using D. melanogaster Basic Protocol 3: Preparing and confirming plasmid DNA for microinjection to perform transgenic selection and counterselection strategies using D. melanogaster Basic Protocol 4: Microinjecting plasmid DNA into fly embryos to perform transgenic selection and counterselection strategies using D. melanogaster Basic Protocol 5: Crossing schemes to isolate desired progeny through transgenic selection and counterselection strategies using D. melanogaster.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koen J.T. Venken
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Integrative Molecular Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- McNair Medical Institute at The Robert and Janice McNair Foundation, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Nick Matinyan
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Integrative Molecular Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Yezabel Gonzalez
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Herman A. Dierick
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
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Ghaemi R, Acker M, Stosic A, Jacobs R, Selvaganapathy PR. Bending Drosophila larva using a microfluidic device enables imaging of its brain and nervous system at single neuronal resolution. LAB ON A CHIP 2023; 23:295-305. [PMID: 36537269 DOI: 10.1039/d2lc00775d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Single neuronal imaging of a fully intact Drosophila larva is a difficult challenge for neurosciences due to the robust digging/burrowing behaviour of the Drosophila larva and the lack of intact immobilization methods at single-neuron resolution. In this paper, for the first time, a simple microfluidic device to completely immobilize the brain and the CNS of a live, fully-functioning Drosophila larva for single neuronal imaging has been demonstrated. The design of the microfluidic device contains a unique clamping feature which pins and bends the body of the larva at 1/3rd of its length from the head. This simple twist combined with the pinning mechanism not only could stop the locomotion of the larva but also could immobilize the major movement of internal organs including the CNS. The results showed that the bent trap could keep the single neuron completely inside the field of view (FOV) (50 μm × 50 μm) over 10 min of confocal imaging. The range of motion in the x- and y-axis was approximately 8 μm and 2.5 μm, respectively. This corresponds to a range of 16% and 6% along the axis of the channel and across it compared to the size of the FOV (50 μm × 50 μm). The calcium activity of the single neurons in a 3rd instar GCaMP5 larva (Cha-Gal4/CyO; UAS-GCaMP5G/TM3) was measured while its mouth region was exposed to 20 mM sodium azide (NaN3) for 5 s. The results showed that the activity of the neurons has been statistically (p < 0.0005) increased (∼60%).
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Affiliation(s)
- Reza Ghaemi
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
| | - Meryl Acker
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Ana Stosic
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Roger Jacobs
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
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Velagala V, Soundarrajan DK, Unger MF, Gazzo D, Kumar N, Li J, Zartman J. The multimodal action of G alpha q in coordinating growth and homeostasis in the Drosophila wing imaginal disc. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.08.523049. [PMID: 36711848 PMCID: PMC9881979 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.08.523049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Background G proteins mediate cell responses to various ligands and play key roles in organ development. Dysregulation of G-proteins or Ca 2+ signaling impacts many human diseases and results in birth defects. However, the downstream effectors of specific G proteins in developmental regulatory networks are still poorly understood. Methods We employed the Gal4/UAS binary system to inhibit or overexpress Gαq in the wing disc, followed by phenotypic analysis. Immunohistochemistry and next-gen RNA sequencing identified the downstream effectors and the signaling cascades affected by the disruption of Gαq homeostasis. Results Here, we characterized how the G protein subunit Gαq tunes the size and shape of the wing in the larval and adult stages of development. Downregulation of Gαq in the wing disc reduced wing growth and delayed larval development. Gαq overexpression is sufficient to promote global Ca 2+ waves in the wing disc with a concomitant reduction in the Drosophila final wing size and a delay in pupariation. The reduced wing size phenotype is further enhanced when downregulating downstream components of the core Ca 2+ signaling toolkit, suggesting that downstream Ca 2+ signaling partially ameliorates the reduction in wing size. In contrast, Gαq -mediated pupariation delay is rescued by inhibition of IP 3 R, a key regulator of Ca 2+ signaling. This suggests that Gαq regulates developmental phenotypes through both Ca 2+ -dependent and Ca 2+ -independent mechanisms. RNA seq analysis shows that disruption of Gαq homeostasis affects nuclear hormone receptors, JAK/STAT pathway, and immune response genes. Notably, disruption of Gαq homeostasis increases expression levels of Dilp8, a key regulator of growth and pupariation timing. Conclusion Gαq activity contributes to cell size regulation and wing metamorphosis. Disruption to Gαq homeostasis in the peripheral wing disc organ delays larval development through ecdysone signaling inhibition. Overall, Gαq signaling mediates key modules of organ size regulation and epithelial homeostasis through the dual action of Ca 2+ -dependent and independent mechanisms.
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