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Cheng Q, Wu J, Xia Y, Cheng Q, Zhao Y, Zhu P, Zhang W, Zhang S, Zhang L, Yuan Y, Li C, Chen G, Xue B. Disruption of protein geranylgeranylation in the cerebellum causes cerebellar hypoplasia and ataxia via blocking granule cell progenitor proliferation. Mol Brain 2023; 16:24. [PMID: 36782228 PMCID: PMC9923931 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-023-01010-4] [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: 09/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The prenylation of proteins is involved in a variety of biological functions. However, it remains unknown whether it plays an important role in the morphogenesis of the cerebellum. To address this question, we generated a mouse model, in which the geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate synthase (Ggps1) gene is inactivated in neural progenitor cells in the developing cerebellum. We report that conditional knockout (cKO) of Ggps1 leads to severe ataxia and deficient locomotion. To identify the underlying mechanisms, we completed a series of cellular and molecular experiments. First, our morphological analysis revealed significantly decreased population of granule cell progenitors (GCPs) and impaired proliferation of GCPs in the developing cerebellum of Ggps1 cKO mice. Second, our molecular analysis showed increased expression of p21, an important cell cycle regulator in Ggps1 cKO mice. Together, this study highlights a critical role of Ggpps-dependent protein prenylation in the proliferation of cerebellar GCPs during cerebellar development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Cheng
- grid.41156.370000 0001 2314 964XMedical School of Nanjing University, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093 China
| | - Jing Wu
- grid.89957.3a0000 0000 9255 8984Core Laboratory, Sir Run Run Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166 China
| | - Yingqian Xia
- grid.41156.370000 0001 2314 964XMedical School of Nanjing University, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093 China
| | - Qing Cheng
- grid.89957.3a0000 0000 9255 8984Department of Obstetrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210004 Jiangsu China
| | - Yinjuan Zhao
- grid.410625.40000 0001 2293 4910Collaborative Innovation Center of Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, 210037 Jiangsu China
| | - Peixiang Zhu
- grid.41156.370000 0001 2314 964XMedical School of Nanjing University, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093 China
| | - Wangling Zhang
- grid.41156.370000 0001 2314 964XMedical School of Nanjing University, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093 China
| | - Shihu Zhang
- grid.410745.30000 0004 1765 1045Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210029 China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Medical Imaging Center of Fuyang People’s Hospital, Fuyang, Anhui Province China
| | - Yushan Yuan
- Medical Imaging Center of Fuyang People’s Hospital, Fuyang, Anhui Province China
| | - Chaojun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and China International Joint Research Center On Environment and Human Health, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
| | - Guiquan Chen
- Medical School of Nanjing University, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China. .,Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China.
| | - Bin Xue
- Core Laboratory, Sir Run Run Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China. .,Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
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Rho GTPases in the Amygdala-A Switch for Fears? Cells 2020; 9:cells9091972. [PMID: 32858950 PMCID: PMC7563696 DOI: 10.3390/cells9091972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 08/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Fear is a fundamental evolutionary process for survival. However, excess or irrational fear hampers normal activity and leads to phobia. The amygdala is the primary brain region associated with fear learning and conditioning. There, Rho GTPases are molecular switches that act as signaling molecules for further downstream processes that modulate, among others, dendritic spine morphogenesis and thereby play a role in fear conditioning. The three main Rho GTPases—RhoA, Rac1, and Cdc42, together with their modulators, are known to be involved in many psychiatric disorders that affect the amygdala′s fear conditioning mechanism. Rich2, a RhoGAP mainly for Rac1 and Cdc42, has been studied extensively in such regard. Here, we will discuss these effectors, along with Rich2, as a molecular switch for fears, especially in the amygdala. Understanding the role of Rho GTPases in fear controlling could be beneficial for the development of therapeutic strategies targeting conditions with abnormal fear/anxiety-like behaviors.
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Hottman D, Cheng S, Gram A, LeBlanc K, Yuan LL, Li L. Systemic or Forebrain Neuron-Specific Deficiency of Geranylgeranyltransferase-1 Impairs Synaptic Plasticity and Reduces Dendritic Spine Density. Neuroscience 2018; 373:207-217. [PMID: 29406266 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2018.01.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2017] [Revised: 01/03/2018] [Accepted: 01/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Isoprenoids and prenylated proteins regulate a variety of cellular functions, including neurite growth and synaptic plasticity. Importantly, they are implicated in the pathogenesis of several diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Recently, we have shown that two protein prenyltransferases, farnesyltransferase (FT) and geranylgeranyltransferase-1 (GGT), have differential effects in a mouse model of AD. Haplodeficiency of either FT or GGT attenuates amyloid-β deposition and neuroinflammation but only reduction in FT rescues cognitive function. The current study aimed to elucidate the potential mechanisms that may account for the lack of cognitive benefit in GGT-haplodeficient mice, despite attenuated neuropathology. The results showed that the magnitude of long-term potentiation (LTP) was markedly suppressed in hippocampal slices from GGT-haplodeficient mice. Consistent with the synaptic dysfunction, there was a significant decrease in cortical spine density and cognitive function in GGT-haplodeficient mice. To further study the neuron-specific effects of GGT deficiency, we generated conditional forebrain neuron-specific GGT-knockout (GGTf/fCre+) mice using a Cre/LoxP system under the CAMKIIα promoter. We found that both the magnitude of hippocampal LTP and the dendritic spine density of cortical neurons were decreased in GGTf/fCre+ mice compared with GGTf/fCre- mice. Immunoblot analyses of cerebral lysate showed a significant reduction in cell membrane-associated (geranylgeranylated) Rac1 and RhoA but not (farnesylated) H-Ras, in GGTf/fCre+ mice, suggesting that insufficient geranylgeranylation of the Rho family of small GTPases may underlie the detrimental effects of GGT deficiency. These findings reinforce the critical role of GGT in maintaining spine structure and synaptic/cognitive function in development and in the mature brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Hottman
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, United States
| | - Shaowu Cheng
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, United States; College of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Yuelu District, Changsha, Hunan 410208, China
| | - Andrea Gram
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, United States
| | - Kyle LeBlanc
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, United States
| | - Li-Lian Yuan
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, United States; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Des Moines University, Des Moines, IA 50312, United States
| | - Ling Li
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, United States; Department of Pharmacology and Graduate Programs in Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, United States.
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Increased Training Intensity Induces Proper Membrane Localization of Actin Remodeling Proteins in the Hippocampus Preventing Cognitive Deficits: Implications for Fragile X Syndrome. Mol Neurobiol 2017; 55:4529-4542. [DOI: 10.1007/s12035-017-0666-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2017] [Accepted: 06/19/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Moutinho M, Nunes MJ, Rodrigues E. The mevalonate pathway in neurons: It's not just about cholesterol. Exp Cell Res 2017; 360:55-60. [PMID: 28232115 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2017.02.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2016] [Accepted: 02/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Cholesterol homeostasis greatly impacts neuronal function due to the essential role of this sterol in the brain. The mevalonate (MVA) pathway leads to the synthesis of cholesterol, but also supplies cells with many other intermediary molecules crucial for neuronal function. Compelling evidence point to a model in which neurons shutdown cholesterol synthesis, and rely on a shuttle derived from astrocytes to meet their cholesterol needs. Nevertheless, several reports suggest that neurons maintain the MVA pathway active, even with sustained cholesterol supply by astrocytes. Hence, in this review we focus not on cholesterol production, but rather on the role of the MVA pathway in the synthesis of particular intermediaries, namely isoprenoids, and on their role on neuronal function. Isoprenoids act as anchors for membrane association, after being covalently bound to proteins, such as most of the small guanosine triphosphate-binding proteins, which are critical to neuronal cell function. Based on literature, on our own results, and on the analysis of public transcriptomics databases, we raise the idea that in neurons there is a shift of the MVA pathway towards the non-sterol branch, responsible for isoprenoid synthesis, in detriment to post-squalene branch, and that this is ultimately essential for synaptic activity. Nevertheless new tools that facilitate imaging and the biochemical characterization and quantification of the prenylome in neurons and astrocytes are needed to understand the regulation of isoprenoid production and protein prenylation in the brain, and to analyze its differences on diverse physiological or pathological conditions, such as aging and neurodegenerative states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Moutinho
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Maria João Nunes
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Elsa Rodrigues
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal; Department of Biochemistry and Human Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal.
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Moutinho M, Nunes MJ, Correia JC, Gama MJ, Castro-Caldas M, Cedazo-Minguez A, Rodrigues CMP, Björkhem I, Ruas JL, Rodrigues E. Neuronal cholesterol metabolism increases dendritic outgrowth and synaptic markers via a concerted action of GGTase-I and Trk. Sci Rep 2016; 6:30928. [PMID: 27491694 PMCID: PMC4974659 DOI: 10.1038/srep30928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2016] [Accepted: 07/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Cholesterol 24-hydroxylase (CYP46A1) is responsible for brain cholesterol elimination and therefore plays a crucial role in the control of brain cholesterol homeostasis. Altered CYP46A1 expression has been associated with several neurodegenerative diseases and changes in cognition. Since CYP46A1 activates small guanosine triphosphate-binding proteins (sGTPases), we hypothesized that CYP46A1 might be affecting neuronal development and function by activating tropomyosin-related kinase (Trk) receptors and promoting geranylgeranyl transferase-I (GGTase-I) prenylation activity. Our results show that CYP46A1 triggers an increase in neuronal dendritic outgrowth and dendritic protrusion density, and elicits an increase of synaptic proteins in the crude synaptosomal fraction. Strikingly, all of these effects are abolished by pharmacological inhibition of GGTase-I activity. Furthermore, CYP46A1 increases Trk phosphorylation, its interaction with GGTase-I, and the activity of GGTase-I, which is crucial for the enhanced dendritic outgrowth. Cholesterol supplementation studies indicate that cholesterol reduction by CYP46A1 is the necessary trigger for these effects. These results were confirmed in vivo, with a significant increase of p-Trk, pre- and postsynaptic proteins, Rac1, and decreased cholesterol levels, in crude synaptosomal fractions prepared from CYP46A1 transgenic mouse cortex. This work describes the molecular mechanisms by which neuronal cholesterol metabolism effectively modulates neuronal outgrowth and synaptic markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Moutinho
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Maria João Nunes
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Jorge C Correia
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Molecular and Cellular Exercise Physiology, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maria João Gama
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal.,Department of Biochemistry and Human Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Margarida Castro-Caldas
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal.,Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Angel Cedazo-Minguez
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet-Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Novum, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Cecília M P Rodrigues
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal.,Department of Biochemistry and Human Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Ingemar Björkhem
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Clinical Chemistry, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Jorge L Ruas
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Molecular and Cellular Exercise Physiology, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Elsa Rodrigues
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal.,Department of Biochemistry and Human Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
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Gao S, Mo J, Chen L, Wang Y, Mao X, Shi Y, Zhang X, Yu R, Zhou X. Astrocyte GGTI-mediated Rac1 prenylation upregulates NF-κB expression and promotes neuronal apoptosis following hypoxia/ischemia. Neuropharmacology 2016; 103:44-56. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2015.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2015] [Revised: 11/20/2015] [Accepted: 12/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Gao S, Yu R, Zhou X. The Role of Geranylgeranyltransferase I-Mediated Protein Prenylation in the Brain. Mol Neurobiol 2015; 53:6925-6937. [DOI: 10.1007/s12035-015-9594-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2015] [Accepted: 12/01/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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