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Vaglietti S, Villeri V, Dell’Oca M, Marchetti C, Cesano F, Rizzo F, Miller D, LaPierre L, Pelassa I, Monje FJ, Colnaghi L, Ghirardi M, Fiumara F. PolyQ length-based molecular encoding of vocalization frequency in FOXP2. iScience 2023; 26:108036. [PMID: 37860754 PMCID: PMC10582585 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108036] [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: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor FOXP2, a regulator of vocalization- and speech/language-related phenotypes, contains two long polyQ repeats (Q1 and Q2) displaying marked, still enigmatic length variation across mammals. We found that the Q1/Q2 length ratio quantitatively encodes vocalization frequency ranges, from the infrasonic to the ultrasonic, displaying striking convergent evolution patterns. Thus, species emitting ultrasonic vocalizations converge with bats in having a low ratio, whereas species vocalizing in the low-frequency/infrasonic range converge with elephants and whales, which have higher ratios. Similar, taxon-specific patterns were observed for the FOXP2-related protein FOXP1. At the molecular level, we observed that the FOXP2 polyQ tracts form coiled coils, assembling into condensates and fibrils, and drive liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS). By integrating evolutionary and molecular analyses, we found that polyQ length variation related to vocalization frequency impacts FOXP2 structure, LLPS, and transcriptional activity, thus defining a novel form of polyQ length-based molecular encoding of vocalization frequency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Vaglietti
- Rita Levi Montalcini Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, 10125 Turin, Italy
| | - Veronica Villeri
- Rita Levi Montalcini Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, 10125 Turin, Italy
| | - Marco Dell’Oca
- Rita Levi Montalcini Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, 10125 Turin, Italy
| | - Chiara Marchetti
- Rita Levi Montalcini Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, 10125 Turin, Italy
| | - Federico Cesano
- Department of Chemistry, University of Turin, 10125 Turin, Italy
| | - Francesca Rizzo
- Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong SAR 518057, China
| | - Dave Miller
- Cascades Pika Watch, Oregon Zoo, Portland, OR 97221, USA
| | - Louis LaPierre
- Deptartment of Natural Science, Lower Columbia College, Longview, WA 98632, USA
| | - Ilaria Pelassa
- Rita Levi Montalcini Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, 10125 Turin, Italy
| | - Francisco J. Monje
- Department of Neurophysiology and Neuropharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Luca Colnaghi
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
- School of Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Mirella Ghirardi
- Rita Levi Montalcini Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, 10125 Turin, Italy
| | - Ferdinando Fiumara
- Rita Levi Montalcini Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, 10125 Turin, Italy
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Mollusc N-glycosylation: Structures, Functions and Perspectives. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11121820. [PMID: 34944464 PMCID: PMC8699351 DOI: 10.3390/biom11121820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Molluscs display a sophisticated N-glycan pattern on their proteins, which is, in terms of involved structural features, even more diverse than that of vertebrates. This review summarises the current knowledge of mollusc N-glycan structures, with a focus on the functional aspects of the corresponding glycoproteins. Furthermore, the potential of mollusc-derived biomolecules for medical applications is addressed, emphasising the importance of mollusc research.
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Liang Y, Ma C, Li F, Nie G, Zhang H. The Role of Contactin 1 in Cancers: What We Know So Far. Front Oncol 2020; 10:574208. [PMID: 33194679 PMCID: PMC7658624 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.574208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancers are among the difficult-to-treat diseases despite advances in diagnosis and treatment. Although newer effective targets remain to be discovered, targeted therapy has emerged as a promising field. In the last decade, contactin 1 (CNTN1) has surfaced as an important cancer-related molecule. CNTN1 is a neuronal membrane glycoprotein, which, if overexpressed, is found in different cancer cell lines, cancer tissues, and transgenic mice. It is positively associated with lymphatic invasion, metastasis, late TNM stage, and a short overall survival time. However, the role of CNTN1 in cancer cell proliferation remains unclear. In addition, CNTN1 is involved in cancer cell invasion, migration, metastasis, and chemoresistance by promoting epithelial-mesenchymal transition and mediating several signal transduction pathways. Several studies suggest CNTN1 as a new therapeutic target for cancers. This review aims to summarize the research developments on CNTN1 in various cancers, to establish its role in epithelial-mesenchymal transition and signal transduction pathways, and to identify promising areas for further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yumei Liang
- Department of Neurology and Neuroscience Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Cui Ma
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Fengjuan Li
- Oncology Department of Tumor Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Guanhua Nie
- Department of Neurology and Neuroscience Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Haining Zhang
- Department of Neurology and Neuroscience Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
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The Interaction Between Contactin and Amyloid Precursor Protein and Its Role in Alzheimer’s Disease. Neuroscience 2020; 424:184-202. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2019.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2019] [Revised: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 10/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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Gulisano W, Bizzoca A, Gennarini G, Palmeri A, Puzzo D. Role of the adhesion molecule F3/Contactin in synaptic plasticity and memory. Mol Cell Neurosci 2016; 81:64-71. [PMID: 28038945 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2016.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2016] [Revised: 12/07/2016] [Accepted: 12/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) have a pivotal role in building and maintaining synaptic structures during brain development participating in axonal elongation and pathfinding, glial guidance of neuronal migration, as well as myelination. CAMs expression persists in the adult brain particularly in structures undergoing postnatal neurogenesis and involved in synaptic plasticity and memory as the hippocampus. Among the neural CAMs, we have recently focused on F3/Contactin, a glycosylphosphatidyl inositol-anchored glycoprotein belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily, involved in neuronal development, synaptic maintenance and organization of neuronal networks. Here, we discuss our recent data suggesting that F3/Contactin exerts a role in hippocampal synaptic plasticity and memory in adult and aged mice. In particular, we have studied long-term potentiation (LTP), spatial and object recognition memory, and phosphorylation of the transcription factor cAMP-Responsive-Element Binding protein (CREB) in a transgenic mouse model of F3/Contactin overexpression. We also investigated whether F3/Contactin might influence neuronal apoptosis and the production of amyloid-beta peptide (Aβ), known to be one of the main pathogenetic hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In conclusion, a further understanding of F3/Contactin role in synaptic plasticity and memory might have interesting clinical outcomes in cognitive disorders, such as aging and AD, offering innovative therapeutic opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walter Gulisano
- Section of Physiology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Antonella Bizzoca
- Section of Physiology, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neuroscience and Sensory Organs, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Gianfranco Gennarini
- Section of Physiology, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neuroscience and Sensory Organs, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Agostino Palmeri
- Section of Physiology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
| | - Daniela Puzzo
- Section of Physiology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
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Chen DH, Yu JW, Jiang BJ. Contactin 1: A potential therapeutic target and biomarker in gastric cancer. World J Gastroenterol 2015; 21:9707-9716. [PMID: 26361417 PMCID: PMC4562954 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v21.i33.9707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2015] [Revised: 06/02/2015] [Accepted: 07/15/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite advances in diagnosis and treatment, gastric cancer remains one of the most common malignant tumors worldwide, and early diagnosis remains a challenge. The lack of effective methods to detect these tumors early is a major factor contributing to the high mortality in patients with gastric cancer, who are typically diagnosed at an advanced stage. Additionally, the early detection of metastases and the curative treatment of gastric cancer are difficult to achieve, and the detailed mechanisms remain to be fully elucidated. Thus, the identification of valuable predictive biomarkers and therapeutic targets to improve the prognosis of patients with gastric cancer is becoming increasingly important. Contactin 1 (CNTN1), a cell adhesion molecule, is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored neuronal membrane protein that plays an important role in cancer progression. The expression of CNTN1 is upregulated in primary lesions, and its expression level correlates with tumor metastasis in cancer patients. The current evidence reveals that the functions of CNTN1 in the development and progression of cancer likely promote the invasion and metastasis of cancer cells via the VEGFC/FLT4 axis, the RHOA-dependent pathway, the Notch signaling pathway and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition progression. Therefore, CNTN1 may be a novel biomarker and a possible therapeutic target in cancer treatment in the near future.
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Puzzo D, Bizzoca A, Loreto C, Guida CA, Gulisano W, Frasca G, Bellomo M, Castorina S, Gennarini G, Palmeri A. Role of F3/contactin expression profile in synaptic plasticity and memory in aged mice. Neurobiol Aging 2015; 36:1702-1715. [PMID: 25659859 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2015.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2014] [Revised: 12/30/2014] [Accepted: 01/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
We have recently shown that overexpression of the F3/contactin adhesive glycoprotein (also known as Contactin-1) promotes neurogenesis in adult hippocampus, which correlates with improved synaptic plasticity and memory. Because F3/contactin levels physiologically decrease with age, here, we aim at investigating whether its overexpression might counteract the cognitive decline in aged animals. For this we use 20- to 24-month-old TAG/F3 transgenic mice in which F3/contactin overexpression is driven by regulatory sequences from the gene encoding the transient axonal glycoprotein TAG-1 throughout development. We show that aged TAG/F3 mice display improved hippocampal long-term potentiation and memory compared with wild-type littermates. The same mice undergo a decrease of neuronal apoptosis at the hippocampal level, which correlated to a decrease of active caspase-3; by contrast, procaspase-3 and Bax as well as the anti-apoptotic and plasticity-related pathway BDNF/CREB/Bcl-2 were rather increased. Interestingly, amyloid-precursor protein processing was shifted toward sAPPα generation, with a decrease of sAPPβ and amyloid-beta levels. Our data confirm that F3/contactin plays a role in hippocampal synaptic plasticity and memory also in aged mice, suggesting that it acts on molecular pathways related to apoptosis and amyloid-beta production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Puzzo
- Section of Physiology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Antonella Bizzoca
- Section of Physiology, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neuroscience and Sensory Organs, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Carla Loreto
- Section of Anatomy, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Chiara A Guida
- Section of Physiology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Walter Gulisano
- Section of Physiology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Frasca
- Section of Physiology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Maria Bellomo
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University "Kore", Enna, Italy
| | - Sergio Castorina
- Section of Anatomy, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Gianfranco Gennarini
- Section of Physiology, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neuroscience and Sensory Organs, University of Bari, Bari, Italy.
| | - Agostino Palmeri
- Section of Physiology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
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Puzzo D, Bizzoca A, Privitera L, Furnari D, Giunta S, Girolamo F, Pinto M, Gennarini G, Palmeri A. F3/Contactin promotes hippocampal neurogenesis, synaptic plasticity, and memory in adult mice. Hippocampus 2013; 23:1367-82. [PMID: 23939883 DOI: 10.1002/hipo.22186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2013] [Revised: 07/23/2013] [Accepted: 08/02/2013] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
F3/contactin, a cell-adhesion molecule belonging to the immunoglobulin supergene family, is involved in several aspects of neural development including synapse building, maintenance and functioning. Here, we examine F3/contactin function in adult hippocampal neurogenesis, synaptic plasticity, and memory, using as a model TAG/F3 transgenic mice, where F3/contactin overexpression was induced under control of regulatory sequences from the human TAG-1 (TAX-1) gene. Transgenic mice aged 5 (M5) and 12 (M12) months exhibited an increase in hippocampal size, which correlated with positive effects on precursor proliferation and NeuN expression, these data suggesting a possible role for F3/contactin in promoting adult hippocampal neurogenesis. On the functional level, TAG/F3 mice exhibited increased CA1 long-term potentiation and improved spatial and object recognition memory, notably at 12 months of age. Interestingly, these mice showed an increased expression of the phosphorylated transcription factor CREB, which may represent the main molecular correlate of the observed morphological and functional effects. Altogether, these findings indicate for the first time that F3/contactin plays a role in promoting adult hippocampal neurogenesis and that this effect correlates with improved synaptic function and memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Puzzo
- Section of Physiology, Department of Bio-Medical Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
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Giachello CNG, Fiumara F, Giacomini C, Corradi A, Milanese C, Ghirardi M, Benfenati F, Montarolo PG. MAPK/Erk-dependent phosphorylation of synapsin mediates formation of functional synapses and short-term homosynaptic plasticity. J Cell Sci 2010; 123:881-93. [PMID: 20159961 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.056846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
MAPK/Erk is a protein kinase activated by neurotrophic factors involved in synapse formation and plasticity, which acts at both the nuclear and cytoplasmic level. Synapsin proteins are synaptic-vesicle-associated proteins that are well known to be MAPK/Erk substrates at phylogenetically conserved sites. However, the physiological role of MAPK/Erk-dependent synapsin phosphorylation in regulating synaptic formation and function is poorly understood. Here, we examined whether synapsin acts as a physiological effector of MAPK/Erk in synaptogenesis and plasticity. To this aim, we developed an in vitro model of soma-to-soma paired Helix B2 neurons, that establish bidirectional excitatory synapses. We found that the formation and activity-dependent short-term plasticity of these synapses is dependent on the MAPK/Erk pathway. To address the role of synapsin in this pathway, we generated non-phosphorylatable and pseudo-phosphorylated Helix synapsin mutants at the MAPK/Erk sites. Overexpression experiments revealed that both mutants interfere with presynaptic differentiation, synapsin clustering, and severely impair post-tetanic potentiation, a form of short-term homosynaptic plasticity. Our findings show that MAPK/Erk-dependent synapsin phosphorylation has a dual role both in the establishment of functional synaptic connections and their short-term plasticity, indicating that some of the multiple extranuclear functions of MAPK/Erk in neurons can be mediated by the same multifunctional presynaptic target.
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Milanese C, Giachello C, Fiumara F, Bizzoca A, Gennarini G, Montarolo PG, Ghirardi M. Characterization and role of Helix contactin-related proteins in cultured Helix pomatia neurons. J Neurosci Res 2009; 87:425-39. [PMID: 18756517 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.21849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
We report on the structural and functional properties of the Helix contactin-related proteins (HCRPs), a family of closely related glycoproteins previously identified in the nervous system of the land snail Helix pomatia through antibodies against the mouse F3/contactin glycoprotein. We focus on HCRP1 and HCRP2, soluble FNIII domains-containing proteins of 90 and 45 kD bearing consensus motifs for both N- and O-glycosylation. Using the anti-HCRPs serum, we find secreted HCRPs in Helix nervous tissue isotonic extracts and in culture medium conditioned by Helix ganglia. In addition, we demonstrate expression of HCRPs on neuronal soma and on neurite extensions. Functionally, in Helix neurons, the antisense HCRP2 mRNA counteracts neurite elongation, and the recombinant HCRP2 protein exerts a strong positive effect on neurite growth when used as substrate. These data point to HCRPs as novel neurite growth-promoting molecules expressed in invertebrate nervous tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Milanese
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.
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Bizzoca A, Corsi P, Gennarini G. The mouse F3/contactin glycoprotein: structural features, functional properties and developmental significance of its regulated expression. Cell Adh Migr 2009; 3:53-63. [PMID: 19372728 PMCID: PMC2675150 DOI: 10.4161/cam.3.1.7462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2008] [Accepted: 11/19/2008] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
F3/Contactin is an immunoglobulin superfamily component expressed in the nervous tissue of several species. Here we focus on the structural and functional properties of its mouse relative, on the mechanisms driving its regulated expression and on its developmental role. F3/Contactin is differentially expressed in distinct populations of central and peripheral neurons and in some non-neuronal cells. Accordingly, the regulatory region of the underlying gene includes promoter elements undergoing differential activation, associated with an intricate splicing profile, indicating that transcriptional and posttranscriptional mechanisms contribute to its expression. Transgenic models allowed to follow F3/Contactin promoter activation in vivo and to modify F3/Contactin gene expression under a heterologous promoter, which resulted in morphological and functional phenotypes. Besides axonal growth and pathfinding, these concerned earlier events, including precursor proliferation and commitment. This wide role in neural ontogenesis is consistent with the recognized interaction of F3/Contactin with developmental control genes belonging to the Notch pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Bizzoca
- Department of Pharmacology and Human Physiology, Medical School, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
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