1
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Fare CM, Rothstein JD. Nuclear pore dysfunction and disease: a complex opportunity. Nucleus 2024; 15:2314297. [PMID: 38383349 PMCID: PMC10883112 DOI: 10.1080/19491034.2024.2314297] [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: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The separation of genetic material from bulk cytoplasm has enabled the evolution of increasingly complex organisms, allowing for the development of sophisticated forms of life. However, this complexity has created new categories of dysfunction, including those related to the movement of material between cellular compartments. In eukaryotic cells, nucleocytoplasmic trafficking is a fundamental biological process, and cumulative disruptions to nuclear integrity and nucleocytoplasmic transport are detrimental to cell survival. This is particularly true in post-mitotic neurons, where nuclear pore injury and errors to nucleocytoplasmic trafficking are strongly associated with neurodegenerative disease. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of nuclear pore biology in physiological and pathological contexts and discuss potential therapeutic approaches for addressing nuclear pore injury and dysfunctional nucleocytoplasmic transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte M Fare
- Department of Neurology and Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jeffrey D Rothstein
- Department of Neurology and Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
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2
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Hutten S, Chen JX, Isaacs AM, Dormann D. Poly-GR Impairs PRMT1-Mediated Arginine Methylation of Disease-Linked RNA-Binding Proteins by Acting as a Substrate Sink. Biochemistry 2024. [PMID: 39146246 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.4c00308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/17/2024]
Abstract
Dipeptide repeat proteins (DPRs) are aberrant protein species found in C9orf72-linked amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), two neurodegenerative diseases characterized by the cytoplasmic mislocalization and aggregation of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs). In particular, arginine (R)-rich DPRs (poly-GR and poly-PR) have been suggested to promiscuously interact with multiple cellular proteins and thereby exert high cytotoxicity. Components of the protein arginine methylation machinery have been identified as modulators of DPR toxicity and/or potential cellular interactors of R-rich DPRs; however, the molecular details and consequences of such an interaction are currently not well understood. Here, we demonstrate that several members of the family of protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs) can directly interact with R-rich DPRs in vitro and in the cytosol. In vitro, R-rich DPRs reduce solubility and promote phase separation of PRMT1, the main enzyme responsible for asymmetric arginine-dimethylation (ADMA) in mammalian cells, in a concentration- and length-dependent manner. Moreover, we demonstrate that poly-GR interferes more efficiently than poly-PR with PRMT1-mediated arginine methylation of RBPs such as hnRNPA3. We additionally show by two alternative approaches that poly-GR itself is a substrate for PRMT1-mediated arginine dimethylation. We propose that poly-GR may act as a direct competitor for arginine methylation of cellular PRMT1 targets, such as disease-linked RBPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saskia Hutten
- Institute of Molecular Physiology, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Jia-Xuan Chen
- Institute of Molecular Biology, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Adrian M Isaacs
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, London WC1E 6BT, U.K
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 3BG, U.K
| | - Dorothee Dormann
- Institute of Molecular Physiology, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität, 55128 Mainz, Germany
- Institute of Molecular Biology, 55128 Mainz, Germany
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3
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Błaszczyk L, Ryczek M, Das B, Mateja-Pluta M, Bejger M, Śliwiak J, Nakatani K, Kiliszek A. Antisense RNA C9orf72 hexanucleotide repeat associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia forms a triplex-like structure and binds small synthetic ligand. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:6707-6717. [PMID: 38738637 PMCID: PMC11194091 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The abnormal expansion of GGGGCC/GGCCCC hexanucleotide repeats (HR) in C9orf72 is associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Structural polymorphisms of HR result in the multifactorial pathomechanism of ALS/FTD. Consequently, many ongoing studies are focused at developing therapies targeting pathogenic HR RNA. One of them involves small molecules blocking sequestration of important proteins, preventing formation of toxic nuclear foci. However, rational design of potential therapeutics is hindered by limited number of structural studies of RNA-ligand complexes. We determined the crystal structure of antisense HR RNA in complex with ANP77 ligand (1.1 Å resolution) and in the free form (0.92 and 1.5 Å resolution). HR RNA folds into a triplex structure composed of four RNA chains. ANP77 interacted with two neighboring single-stranded cytosines to form pseudo-canonical base pairs by adopting sandwich-like conformation and adjusting the position of its naphthyridine units to the helical twist of the RNA. In the unliganded structure, the cytosines formed a peculiar triplex i-motif, assembled by trans C•C+ pair and a third cytosine located at the Hoogsteen edge of the C•C+ pair. These results extend our knowledge of the structural polymorphisms of HR and can be used for rational design of small molecules targeting disease-related RNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leszek Błaszczyk
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Z. Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704, Poland
| | - Marcin Ryczek
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Z. Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704, Poland
| | - Bimolendu Das
- Department of Regulatory Bioorganic Chemistry, SANKEN (The Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research), Osaka University, 8-1 Mihogaoka, Ibaraki 567-0047, Japan
| | - Martyna Mateja-Pluta
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Z. Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704, Poland
| | - Magdalena Bejger
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Z. Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704, Poland
| | - Joanna Śliwiak
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Z. Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704, Poland
| | - Kazuhiko Nakatani
- Department of Regulatory Bioorganic Chemistry, SANKEN (The Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research), Osaka University, 8-1 Mihogaoka, Ibaraki 567-0047, Japan
| | - Agnieszka Kiliszek
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Z. Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704, Poland
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4
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Bhattacharyya N, Chai N, Hafford-Tear NJ, Sadan AN, Szabo A, Zarouchlioti C, Jedlickova J, Leung SK, Liao T, Dudakova L, Skalicka P, Parekh M, Moghul I, Jeffries AR, Cheetham ME, Muthusamy K, Hardcastle AJ, Pontikos N, Liskova P, Tuft SJ, Davidson AE. Deciphering novel TCF4-driven mechanisms underlying a common triplet repeat expansion-mediated disease. PLoS Genet 2024; 20:e1011230. [PMID: 38713708 PMCID: PMC11101122 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1011230] [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: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is an age-related cause of vision loss, and the most common repeat expansion-mediated disease in humans characterised to date. Up to 80% of European FECD cases have been attributed to expansion of a non-coding CTG repeat element (termed CTG18.1) located within the ubiquitously expressed transcription factor encoding gene, TCF4. The non-coding nature of the repeat and the transcriptomic complexity of TCF4 have made it extremely challenging to experimentally decipher the molecular mechanisms underlying this disease. Here we comprehensively describe CTG18.1 expansion-driven molecular components of disease within primary patient-derived corneal endothelial cells (CECs), generated from a large cohort of individuals with CTG18.1-expanded (Exp+) and CTG 18.1-independent (Exp-) FECD. We employ long-read, short-read, and spatial transcriptomic techniques to interrogate expansion-specific transcriptomic biomarkers. Interrogation of long-read sequencing and alternative splicing analysis of short-read transcriptomic data together reveals the global extent of altered splicing occurring within Exp+ FECD, and unique transcripts associated with CTG18.1-expansions. Similarly, differential gene expression analysis highlights the total transcriptomic consequences of Exp+ FECD within CECs. Furthermore, differential exon usage, pathway enrichment and spatial transcriptomics reveal TCF4 isoform ratio skewing solely in Exp+ FECD with potential downstream functional consequences. Lastly, exome data from 134 Exp- FECD cases identified rare (minor allele frequency <0.005) and potentially deleterious (CADD>15) TCF4 variants in 7/134 FECD Exp- cases, suggesting that TCF4 variants independent of CTG18.1 may increase FECD risk. In summary, our study supports the hypothesis that at least two distinct pathogenic mechanisms, RNA toxicity and TCF4 isoform-specific dysregulation, both underpin the pathophysiology of FECD. We anticipate these data will inform and guide the development of translational interventions for this common triplet-repeat mediated disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nihar Bhattacharyya
- University College London Institute of Ophthalmology, London, United Kingdom
| | - Niuzheng Chai
- University College London Institute of Ophthalmology, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Amanda N. Sadan
- University College London Institute of Ophthalmology, London, United Kingdom
| | - Anita Szabo
- University College London Institute of Ophthalmology, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Jana Jedlickova
- Department of Paediatrics and Inherited Metabolic Disorders, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Szi Kay Leung
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Tianyi Liao
- University College London Institute of Ophthalmology, London, United Kingdom
| | - Lubica Dudakova
- Department of Paediatrics and Inherited Metabolic Disorders, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Pavlina Skalicka
- Department of Paediatrics and Inherited Metabolic Disorders, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Ophthalmology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Mohit Parekh
- University College London Institute of Ophthalmology, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ismail Moghul
- University College London Institute of Ophthalmology, London, United Kingdom
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Aaron R. Jeffries
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Michael E. Cheetham
- University College London Institute of Ophthalmology, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Alison J. Hardcastle
- University College London Institute of Ophthalmology, London, United Kingdom
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nikolas Pontikos
- University College London Institute of Ophthalmology, London, United Kingdom
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Petra Liskova
- Department of Paediatrics and Inherited Metabolic Disorders, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Ophthalmology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Stephen J. Tuft
- University College London Institute of Ophthalmology, London, United Kingdom
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alice E. Davidson
- University College London Institute of Ophthalmology, London, United Kingdom
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, United Kingdom
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5
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Kallweit L, Hamlett ED, Saternos H, Gilmore A, Granholm AC, Horowitz S. A New Role for RNA G-quadruplexes in Aging and Alzheimer's Disease. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.10.02.560545. [PMID: 37873355 PMCID: PMC10592952 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.02.560545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION As the world population ages, new molecular targets in aging and Alzheimer's Disease (AD) are needed to combat the expected influx of new AD cases. Until now, the role of RNA structure in aging and neurodegeneration has largely remained unexplored. METHODS In this study, we examined human hippocampal postmortem tissue for the formation of RNA G-quadruplexes (rG4s) in aging and AD. RESULTS We found that rG4 immunostaining strongly increased in the hippocampus with both age and with AD severity. We further found that neurons with accumulation of phospho-tau immunostaining contained rG4s, that rG4 structure can drive tau aggregation, and that rG4 staining density depended on APOE genotype in the human tissue examined. DISCUSSION Combined with previous studies showing the dependence of rG4 structure on stress and the extreme power of rG4s at oligomerizing proteins, we propose a model of neurodegeneration in which chronic rG4 formation drives proteostasis collapse. We propose that further investigation of RNA structure in neurodegeneration is a critical avenue for future treatments and diagnoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena Kallweit
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry and the Knoebel Institute for Healthy Aging, University of Denver, 2155 E Wesley Ave, Denver, CO 80208, USA
| | - Eric D Hamlett
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, 171 Ashley Avenue, Charleston, SC 29425 USA
| | - Hannah Saternos
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12700 East 19th Avenue, P15-5112, Aurora, CO 80045 USA
| | - Anah Gilmore
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12700 East 19th Avenue, P15-5112, Aurora, CO 80045 USA
| | - Ann-Charlotte Granholm
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12700 East 19th Avenue, P15-5112, Aurora, CO 80045 USA
| | - Scott Horowitz
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry and the Knoebel Institute for Healthy Aging, University of Denver, 2155 E Wesley Ave, Denver, CO 80208, USA
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6
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Sellier C, Corcia P, Vourc'h P, Dupuis L. C9ORF72 hexanucleotide repeat expansion: From ALS and FTD to a broader pathogenic role? Rev Neurol (Paris) 2024; 180:417-428. [PMID: 38609750 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurol.2024.03.008] [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] [Accepted: 03/30/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
The major gene underlying monogenic forms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and fronto-temporal dementia (FTD) is C9ORF72. The causative mutation in C9ORF72 is an abnormal hexanucleotide (G4C2) repeat expansion (HRE) located in the first intron of the gene. The aim of this review is to propose a comprehensive update on recent developments on clinical, biological and therapeutics aspects related to C9ORF72 in order to highlight the current understanding of genotype-phenotype correlations, and also on biological machinery leading to neuronal death. We will particularly focus on the broad phenotypic presentation of C9ORF72-related diseases, that goes well beyond the classical phenotypes observed in ALS and FTD patients. Last, we will comment the possible therapeutical hopes for patients carrying a C9ORF72 HRE.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Sellier
- Centre de recherches en biomédecine de Strasbourg, UMR-S1329, Inserm, université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - P Corcia
- UMR 1253 iBrain, Inserm, université de Tours, Tours, France; Centre constitutif de coordination SLA, CHU de Bretonneau, 2, boulevard Tonnelle, 37044 Tours cedex 1, France
| | - P Vourc'h
- UMR 1253 iBrain, Inserm, université de Tours, Tours, France; Service de biochimie et biologie moléculaire, CHU de Tours, Tours, France
| | - L Dupuis
- Centre de recherches en biomédecine de Strasbourg, UMR-S1329, Inserm, université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.
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7
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Zacco E, Broglia L, Kurihara M, Monti M, Gustincich S, Pastore A, Plath K, Nagakawa S, Cerase A, Sanchez de Groot N, Tartaglia GG. RNA: The Unsuspected Conductor in the Orchestra of Macromolecular Crowding. Chem Rev 2024; 124:4734-4777. [PMID: 38579177 PMCID: PMC11046439 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.3c00575] [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: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
This comprehensive Review delves into the chemical principles governing RNA-mediated crowding events, commonly referred to as granules or biological condensates. We explore the pivotal role played by RNA sequence, structure, and chemical modifications in these processes, uncovering their correlation with crowding phenomena under physiological conditions. Additionally, we investigate instances where crowding deviates from its intended function, leading to pathological consequences. By deepening our understanding of the delicate balance that governs molecular crowding driven by RNA and its implications for cellular homeostasis, we aim to shed light on this intriguing area of research. Our exploration extends to the methodologies employed to decipher the composition and structural intricacies of RNA granules, offering a comprehensive overview of the techniques used to characterize them, including relevant computational approaches. Through two detailed examples highlighting the significance of noncoding RNAs, NEAT1 and XIST, in the formation of phase-separated assemblies and their influence on the cellular landscape, we emphasize their crucial role in cellular organization and function. By elucidating the chemical underpinnings of RNA-mediated molecular crowding, investigating the role of modifications, structures, and composition of RNA granules, and exploring both physiological and aberrant phase separation phenomena, this Review provides a multifaceted understanding of the intriguing world of RNA-mediated biological condensates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elsa Zacco
- RNA
Systems Biology Lab, Center for Human Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Enrico Melen, 83, 16152 Genova, Italy
| | - Laura Broglia
- RNA
Systems Biology Lab, Center for Human Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Enrico Melen, 83, 16152 Genova, Italy
| | - Misuzu Kurihara
- RNA
Biology Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan
| | - Michele Monti
- RNA
Systems Biology Lab, Center for Human Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Enrico Melen, 83, 16152 Genova, Italy
| | - Stefano Gustincich
- Central
RNA Lab, Center for Human Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Enrico Melen, 83, 16152 Genova, Italy
| | - Annalisa Pastore
- UK
Dementia Research Institute at the Maurice Wohl Institute of King’s
College London, London SE5 9RT, U.K.
| | - Kathrin Plath
- Department
of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School
of Medicine at the University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - Shinichi Nagakawa
- RNA
Biology Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan
| | - Andrea Cerase
- Blizard
Institute,
Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, U.K.
- Unit
of Cell and developmental Biology, Department of Biology, Università di Pisa, 56123 Pisa, Italy
| | - Natalia Sanchez de Groot
- Unitat
de Bioquímica, Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia
Molecular, Universitat Autònoma de
Barcelona, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gian Gaetano Tartaglia
- RNA
Systems Biology Lab, Center for Human Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Enrico Melen, 83, 16152 Genova, Italy
- Catalan
Institution for Research and Advanced Studies, ICREA, Passeig Lluís Companys 23, 08010 Barcelona, Spain
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8
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Uozumi R, Mori K, Gotoh S, Miyamoto T, Kondo S, Yamashita T, Kawabe Y, Tagami S, Akamine S, Ikeda M. PABPC1 mediates degradation of C9orf72-FTLD/ALS GGGGCC repeat RNA. iScience 2024; 27:109303. [PMID: 38444607 PMCID: PMC10914486 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
GGGGCC hexanucleotide repeat expansion in C9orf72 causes frontotemporal lobar degeneration and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Expanded GGGGCC repeat RNA accumulates within RNA foci and is translated into toxic dipeptide repeat proteins; thus, efficient repeat RNA degradation may alleviate diseases. hnRNPA3, one of the repeat RNA-binding proteins, has been implicated in the destabilization of repeat RNA. Using APEX2-mediated proximity biotinylation, here, we demonstrate PABPC1, a cytoplasmic poly (A)-binding protein, interacts with hnRNPA3. Knockdown of PABPC1 increased the accumulation of repeat RNA and RNA foci to the same extent as the knockdown of hnRNPA3. Proximity ligation assays indicated PABPC1-hnRNPA3 and PABPC1-RNA exosomes, a complex that degrades repeat RNA, preferentially co-localized when repeat RNA was present. Our results suggest that PABPC1 functions as a mediator of polyadenylated GGGGCC repeat RNA degradation through interactions with hnRNPA3 and RNA exosome complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryota Uozumi
- Department of Psychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Kohji Mori
- Department of Psychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Shiho Gotoh
- Department of Psychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Tesshin Miyamoto
- Department of Psychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Shizuko Kondo
- Department of Psychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Tomoko Yamashita
- Department of Psychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Yuya Kawabe
- Department of Psychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Psychiatry, Minoh Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Minoh, Osaka 562-0004, Japan
| | - Shinji Tagami
- Psychiatry, Minoh Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Minoh, Osaka 562-0004, Japan
- Health and Counseling Center, Osaka University, Toyonaka, Osaka 560-0043, Japan
| | - Shoshin Akamine
- Department of Psychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Manabu Ikeda
- Department of Psychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
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9
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Geng Y, Cai Q. Role of C9orf72 hexanucleotide repeat expansions in ALS/FTD pathogenesis. Front Mol Neurosci 2024; 17:1322720. [PMID: 38318532 PMCID: PMC10838790 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2024.1322720] [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: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) are progressive neurological disorders that share neurodegenerative pathways and features. The most prevalent genetic causes of ALS/FTD is the GGGGCC hexanucleotide repeat expansions in the first intron region of the chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 (C9orf72) gene. In this review, we comprehensively summarize the accumulating evidences elucidating the pathogenic mechanism associated with hexanucleotide repeat expansions in ALS/FTD. These mechanisms encompass the structural polymorphism of DNA and transcribed RNA, the formation of RNA foci via phase separation, and the cytoplasmic accumulation and toxicities of dipeptide-repeat proteins. Additionally, the formation of G-quadruplex structures significantly impairs the expression and normal function of the C9orf72 protein. We also discuss the sequestration of specific RNA binding proteins by GGGGCC RNA, which further contributes to the toxicity of C9orf72 hexanucleotide repeat expansions. The deeper understanding of the pathogenic mechanism of hexanucleotide repeat expansions in ALS/FTD provides multiple potential drug targets for these devastating diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanyan Geng
- Clinical Research Institute of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Fujian Key Laboratory of Brain Tumors Diagnosis and Precision Treatment, Xiamen Key Laboratory of Brain Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Qixu Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
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10
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Vannutelli A, Ouangraoua A, Perreault JP. Toward a Better Understanding of G4 Evolution in the 3 Living Kingdoms. Evol Bioinform Online 2023; 19:11769343231212075. [PMID: 38046653 PMCID: PMC10693206 DOI: 10.1177/11769343231212075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background G-quadruplexes (G4s) are secondary structures in DNA and RNA that impact various cellular processes, such as transcription, splicing, and translation. Due to their numerous functions, G4s are involved in many diseases, making their study important. Yet, G4s evolution remains largely unknown, due to their low sequence similarity and the poor quality of their sequence alignments across several species. To address this, we designed a strategy that avoids direct G4s alignment to study G4s evolution in the 3 species kingdoms. We also explored the coevolution between RBPs and G4s. Methods We retrieved one-to-one orthologous genes from the Ensembl Compara database and computed groups of one-to-one orthologous genes. For each group, we aligned gene sequences and identified G4 families as groups of overlapping G4s in the alignment. We analyzed these G4 families using Count, a tool to infer feature evolution into a gene or a species tree. Additionally, we utilized these G4 families to predict G4s by homology. To establish a control dataset, we performed mono-, di- and tri-nucleotide shuffling. Results Only a few conserved G4s occur among all living kingdoms. In eukaryotes, G4s exhibit slight conservation among vertebrates, and few are conserved between plants. In archaea and bacteria, at most, only 2 G4s are common. The G4 homology-based prediction increases the number of conserved G4s in common ancestors. The coevolution between RNA-binding proteins and G4s was investigated and revealed a modest impact of RNA-binding proteins evolution on G4 evolution. However, the details of this relationship remain unclear. Conclusion Even if G4 evolution still eludes us, the present study provides key information to compute groups of homologous G4 and to reveal the evolution history of G4 families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anaïs Vannutelli
- Département de biochimie et de génomique fonctionnelle, faculté de médecine et des sciences de la santé, pavillon de recherche appliquée sur le cancer, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
- Département d’informatique, faculté des sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Aïda Ouangraoua
- Département d’informatique, faculté des sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Jean-Pierre Perreault
- Département de biochimie et de génomique fonctionnelle, faculté de médecine et des sciences de la santé, pavillon de recherche appliquée sur le cancer, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
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11
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Dai Y, Teng X, Zhang Q, Hou H, Li J. Advances and challenges in identifying and characterizing G-quadruplex-protein interactions. Trends Biochem Sci 2023; 48:894-909. [PMID: 37422364 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2023.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023]
Abstract
G-quadruplexes (G4s) are peculiar nucleic acid secondary structures formed by DNA or RNA and are considered as fundamental features of the genome. Many proteins can specifically bind to G4 structures. There is increasing evidence that G4-protein interactions involve in the regulation of important cellular processes, such as DNA replication, transcription, RNA splicing, and translation. Additionally, G4-protein interactions have been demonstrated to be potential targets for disease treatment. In order to unravel the detailed regulatory mechanisms of G4-binding proteins (G4BPs), biochemical methods for detecting G4-protein interactions with high specificity and sensitivity are highly demanded. Here, we review recent advances in screening and validation of new G4BPs and highlight both their features and limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yicong Dai
- Department of Chemistry, Center for BioAnalytical Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Shenzhen 518054, China
| | - Xucong Teng
- Department of Chemistry, Center for BioAnalytical Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Shenzhen 518054, China
| | - Qiushuang Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Center for BioAnalytical Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Shenzhen 518054, China
| | - Hongwei Hou
- Beijing Life Science Academy, Beijing 102209, China.
| | - Jinghong Li
- Department of Chemistry, Center for BioAnalytical Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Shenzhen 518054, China; Beijing Life Science Academy, Beijing 102209, China; Center for BioAnalytical Chemistry, Hefei National Laboratory of Physical Science at Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, Anhui, China.
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12
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Guzman BB, Son A, Litberg TJ, Huang Z, Dominguez D, Horowitz S. Emerging roles for G-quadruplexes in proteostasis. FEBS J 2023; 290:4614-4625. [PMID: 36017725 PMCID: PMC10071977 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16608] [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: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
How nucleic acids interact with proteins, and how they affect protein folding, aggregation, and misfolding is a still-evolving area of research. Considerable effort is now focusing on a particular structure of RNA and DNA, G-quadruplexes, and their role in protein homeostasis and disease. In this state-of-the-art review, we track recent reports on how G-quadruplexes influence protein aggregation, proteolysis, phase separation, and protein misfolding diseases, and pose currently unanswered questions in the advance of this scientific field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryan B Guzman
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Ahyun Son
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Knoebel Institute for Healthy Aging, University of Denver, Denver, CO, USA
| | - Theodore J Litberg
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Knoebel Institute for Healthy Aging, University of Denver, Denver, CO, USA
| | - Zijue Huang
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Knoebel Institute for Healthy Aging, University of Denver, Denver, CO, USA
| | - Daniel Dominguez
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Scott Horowitz
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Knoebel Institute for Healthy Aging, University of Denver, Denver, CO, USA
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13
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Latallo MJ, Wang S, Dong D, Nelson B, Livingston NM, Wu R, Zhao N, Stasevich TJ, Bassik MC, Sun S, Wu B. Single-molecule imaging reveals distinct elongation and frameshifting dynamics between frames of expanded RNA repeats in C9ORF72-ALS/FTD. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5581. [PMID: 37696852 PMCID: PMC10495369 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41339-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023] Open
Abstract
C9ORF72 hexanucleotide repeat expansion is the most common genetic cause of both amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). One pathogenic mechanism is the accumulation of toxic dipeptide repeat (DPR) proteins like poly-GA, GP and GR, produced by the noncanonical translation of the expanded RNA repeats. However, how different DPRs are synthesized remains elusive. Here, we use single-molecule imaging techniques to directly measure the translation dynamics of different DPRs. Besides initiation, translation elongation rates vary drastically between different frames, with GP slower than GA and GR the slowest. We directly visualize frameshift events using a two-color single-molecule translation assay. The repeat expansion enhances frameshifting, but the overall frequency is low. There is a higher chance of GR-to-GA shift than in the reversed direction. Finally, the ribosome-associated protein quality control (RQC) factors ZNF598 and Pelota modulate the translation dynamics, and the repeat RNA sequence is important for invoking the RQC pathway. This study reveals that multiple translation steps modulate the final DPR production. Understanding repeat RNA translation is critically important to decipher the DPR-mediated pathogenesis and identify potential therapeutic targets in C9ORF72-ALS/FTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malgorzata J Latallo
- Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Center for Cell Dynamics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Shaopeng Wang
- Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Center for Cell Dynamics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Physiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Daoyuan Dong
- Department of Physiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Blake Nelson
- Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Center for Cell Dynamics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Nathan M Livingston
- Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Center for Cell Dynamics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Rong Wu
- Department of Physiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Ning Zhao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado-Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Timothy J Stasevich
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado-Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Michael C Bassik
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Shuying Sun
- Center for Cell Dynamics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- Department of Physiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
| | - Bin Wu
- Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- Center for Cell Dynamics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
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14
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Wang S, Sun S. Translation dysregulation in neurodegenerative diseases: a focus on ALS. Mol Neurodegener 2023; 18:58. [PMID: 37626421 PMCID: PMC10464328 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-023-00642-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA translation is tightly controlled in eukaryotic cells to regulate gene expression and maintain proteome homeostasis. RNA binding proteins, translation factors, and cell signaling pathways all modulate the translation process. Defective translation is involved in multiple neurological diseases including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder and poses a major public health challenge worldwide. Over the past few years, tremendous advances have been made in the understanding of the genetics and pathogenesis of ALS. Dysfunction of RNA metabolisms, including RNA translation, has been closely associated with ALS. Here, we first introduce the general mechanisms of translational regulation under physiological and stress conditions and review well-known examples of translation defects in neurodegenerative diseases. We then focus on ALS-linked genes and discuss the recent progress on how translation is affected by various mutant genes and the repeat expansion-mediated non-canonical translation in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaopeng Wang
- Department of Physiology and Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Shuying Sun
- Department of Physiology and Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
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15
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Liu X, Zhao X, He J, Wang S, Shen X, Liu Q, Wang S. Advances in the Structure of GGGGCC Repeat RNA Sequence and Its Interaction with Small Molecules and Protein Partners. Molecules 2023; 28:5801. [PMID: 37570771 PMCID: PMC10420822 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28155801] [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: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The aberrant expansion of GGGGCC hexanucleotide repeats within the first intron of the C9orf72 gene represent the predominant genetic etiology underlying amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontal temporal dementia (FTD). The transcribed r(GGGGCC)n RNA repeats form RNA foci, which recruit RNA binding proteins and impede their normal cellular functions, ultimately resulting in fatal neurodegenerative disorders. Furthermore, the non-canonical translation of the r(GGGGCC)n sequence can generate dipeptide repeats, which have been postulated as pathological causes. Comprehensive structural analyses of r(GGGGCC)n have unveiled its polymorphic nature, exhibiting the propensity to adopt dimeric, hairpin, or G-quadruplex conformations, all of which possess the capacity to interact with RNA binding proteins. Small molecules capable of binding to r(GGGGCC)n have been discovered and proposed as potential lead compounds for the treatment of ALS and FTD. Some of these molecules function in preventing RNA-protein interactions or impeding the phase transition of r(GGGGCC)n. In this review, we present a comprehensive summary of the recent advancements in the structural characterization of r(GGGGCC)n, its propensity to form RNA foci, and its interactions with small molecules and proteins. Specifically, we emphasize the structural diversity of r(GGGGCC)n and its influence on partner binding. Given the crucial role of r(GGGGCC)n in the pathogenesis of ALS and FTD, the primary objective of this review is to facilitate the development of therapeutic interventions targeting r(GGGGCC)n RNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaole Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; (X.L.); (X.Z.); (J.H.); (S.W.); (X.S.); (Q.L.)
| | - Xinyue Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; (X.L.); (X.Z.); (J.H.); (S.W.); (X.S.); (Q.L.)
| | - Jinhan He
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; (X.L.); (X.Z.); (J.H.); (S.W.); (X.S.); (Q.L.)
| | - Sishi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; (X.L.); (X.Z.); (J.H.); (S.W.); (X.S.); (Q.L.)
| | - Xinfei Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; (X.L.); (X.Z.); (J.H.); (S.W.); (X.S.); (Q.L.)
| | - Qingfeng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; (X.L.); (X.Z.); (J.H.); (S.W.); (X.S.); (Q.L.)
| | - Shenlin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; (X.L.); (X.Z.); (J.H.); (S.W.); (X.S.); (Q.L.)
- Beijing NMR Center, Peking University, Beijing 100087, China
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16
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Fujino Y, Ueyama M, Ishiguro T, Ozawa D, Ito H, Sugiki T, Murata A, Ishiguro A, Gendron T, Mori K, Tokuda E, Taminato T, Konno T, Koyama A, Kawabe Y, Takeuchi T, Furukawa Y, Fujiwara T, Ikeda M, Mizuno T, Mochizuki H, Mizusawa H, Wada K, Ishikawa K, Onodera O, Nakatani K, Petrucelli L, Taguchi H, Nagai Y. FUS regulates RAN translation through modulating the G-quadruplex structure of GGGGCC repeat RNA in C9orf72-linked ALS/FTD. eLife 2023; 12:RP84338. [PMID: 37461319 PMCID: PMC10393046 DOI: 10.7554/elife.84338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Abnormal expansions of GGGGCC repeat sequence in the noncoding region of the C9orf72 gene is the most common cause of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia (C9-ALS/FTD). The expanded repeat sequence is translated into dipeptide repeat proteins (DPRs) by noncanonical repeat-associated non-AUG (RAN) translation. Since DPRs play central roles in the pathogenesis of C9-ALS/FTD, we here investigate the regulatory mechanisms of RAN translation, focusing on the effects of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) targeting GGGGCC repeat RNAs. Using C9-ALS/FTD model flies, we demonstrated that the ALS/FTD-linked RBP FUS suppresses RAN translation and neurodegeneration in an RNA-binding activity-dependent manner. Moreover, we found that FUS directly binds to and modulates the G-quadruplex structure of GGGGCC repeat RNA as an RNA chaperone, resulting in the suppression of RAN translation in vitro. These results reveal a previously unrecognized regulatory mechanism of RAN translation by G-quadruplex-targeting RBPs, providing therapeutic insights for C9-ALS/FTD and other repeat expansion diseases.
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Grants
- Scientific Research on Innovative Areas (Brain Protein Aging and Dementia Control) 17H05699 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
- Scientific Research on Innovative Areas (Brain Protein Aging and Dementia Control) 17H05705 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
- Transformative Research Areas (A) (Multifaceted Proteins) 20H05927 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
- Strategic Research Program for Brain Sciences 11013026 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
- Scientific Research (B) 21H02840 Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
- Scientific Research (B) 20H03602 Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
- Scientific Research (C) 15K09331 Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
- Scientific Research (C) 19K07823 Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
- Scientific Research (C) 17K07291 Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
- Young Scientists (A) 17H05091 Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
- Young Scientists (B) 25860733 Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
- Challenging Exploratory Research 24659438 Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
- Challenging Exploratory Research 18K19515 Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
- Health Labor Sciences Research Grant for Research on Development of New Drugs H24-Soyaku-Sogo-002 Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, Japan
- Strategic Research Program for Brain Sciences JP15dm0107026 Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development
- Strategic Research Program for Brain Sciences JP20dm0107061 Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development
- Practical Research Projects for Rare/Intractable Diseases JP16ek0109018 Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development
- Practical Research Projects for Rare/Intractable Diseases JP19ek0109222 Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development
- Practical Research Projects for Rare/Intractable Diseases JP20ek0109316 Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development
- Platform Project for Supporting Drug Discovery and Life Science Research JP19am0101072 Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development
- Intramural Research Grants for Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders 27-7 National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry
- Intramural Research Grants for Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders 27-9 National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry
- Intramural Research Grants for Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders 30-3 National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry
- Intramural Research Grants for Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders 30-9 National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry
- Intramural Research Grants for Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders 3-9 National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry
- IBC Grant H28 Japan Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association
- 2017 Takeda Science Foundation
- 2016 Takeda Science Foundation
- 2018 SENSHIN Medical Research Foundation
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuzo Fujino
- Department of Neurology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka-Sayama, Japan
- Department of Neurology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Morio Ueyama
- Department of Neurology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka-Sayama, Japan
- Department of Neurotherapeutics, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
- Department of Degenerative Neurological Diseases, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Taro Ishiguro
- Department of Degenerative Neurological Diseases, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Science, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Daisaku Ozawa
- Department of Neurology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka-Sayama, Japan
- Department of Neurotherapeutics, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Hayato Ito
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Toshihiko Sugiki
- Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Asako Murata
- Department of Regulatory Bioorganic Chemistry, The Institute of Scientific and28 Industrial Research, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Akira Ishiguro
- Research Center for Micro-nano Technology, Hosei University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tania Gendron
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, United States
| | - Kohji Mori
- Department of Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Eiichi Tokuda
- Department of Chemistry, Keio University, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Tomoya Taminato
- Department of Neurology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka-Sayama, Japan
- Department of Neurotherapeutics, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Takuya Konno
- Department of Neurology, Clinical Neuroscience Branch, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Akihide Koyama
- Department of Neurology, Clinical Neuroscience Branch, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Yuya Kawabe
- Department of Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Toshihide Takeuchi
- Department of Neurotherapeutics, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
- Life Science Research Institute, Kindai University, Osaka, Japan
| | | | - Toshimichi Fujiwara
- Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Manabu Ikeda
- Department of Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Toshiki Mizuno
- Department of Neurology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Hideki Mochizuki
- Department of Neurology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hidehiro Mizusawa
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Science, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Keiji Wada
- Department of Degenerative Neurological Diseases, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kinya Ishikawa
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Science, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Osamu Onodera
- Department of Neurology, Clinical Neuroscience Branch, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Nakatani
- Department of Regulatory Bioorganic Chemistry, The Institute of Scientific and28 Industrial Research, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | | | - Hideki Taguchi
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Japan
- Cell Biology Center, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Yoshitaka Nagai
- Department of Neurology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka-Sayama, Japan
- Department of Neurotherapeutics, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
- Department of Degenerative Neurological Diseases, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Neurology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
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17
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Ghaffari LT, Trotti D, Haeusler AR. Differential response of C9orf72 transcripts following neuronal depolarization. iScience 2023; 26:106959. [PMID: 37332610 PMCID: PMC10272498 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The (G4C2)n nucleotide repeat expansion (NRE) mutation in C9orf72 is the most common genetic cause of ALS and FTD. The biological functions of C9orf72 are becoming understood, but it is unclear if this gene is regulated in a neural-specific manner. Neuronal activity is a crucial modifier of biological processes in health and neurodegenerative disease contexts. Here, we show that prolonged membrane depolarization in healthy human iPSC-cortical neurons leads to a significant downregulation of a transcript variant 3 (V3) of C9orf72, with a concomitant increase in variant 2 (V2), which leads to total C9orf72 RNA transcript levels remaining unchanged. However, the same response is not observed in cortical neurons derived from patients with the C9-NRE mutation. These findings reveal the impact of depolarization on C9orf72 transcripts, and how this response diverges in C9-NRE-carriers, which may have important implications in the underlying unique clinical associations of C9-NRE transcripts and disease pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Layla T. Ghaffari
- Jefferson Weinberg ALS Center, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Davide Trotti
- Jefferson Weinberg ALS Center, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Aaron R. Haeusler
- Jefferson Weinberg ALS Center, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
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18
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Jiang X, Gatt A, Lashley T. HnRNP Pathologies in Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration. Cells 2023; 12:1633. [PMID: 37371103 DOI: 10.3390/cells12121633] [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: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is the second most common form of young-onset (<65 years) dementia. Clinically, it primarily manifests as a disorder of behavioural, executive, and/or language functions. Pathologically, frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) is the predominant cause of FTD. FTLD is a proteinopathy, and the main pathological proteins identified so far are tau, TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43), and fused in sarcoma (FUS). As TDP-43 and FUS are members of the heterogeneous ribonucleic acid protein (hnRNP) family, many studies in recent years have expanded the research on the relationship between other hnRNPs and FTLD pathology. Indeed, these studies provide evidence for an association between hnRNP abnormalities and FTLD. In particular, several studies have shown that multiple hnRNPs may exhibit nuclear depletion and cytoplasmic mislocalisation within neurons in FTLD cases. However, due to the diversity and complex association of hnRNPs, most studies are still at the stage of histological discovery of different hnRNP abnormalities in FTLD. We herein review the latest studies relating hnRNPs to FTLD. Together, these studies outline an important role of multiple hnRNPs in the pathogenesis of FTLD and suggest that future research into FTLD should include the whole spectrum of this protein family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinwa Jiang
- Queen Square Brain Bank for Neurological Disorders, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 1PJ, UK
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Ariana Gatt
- Queen Square Brain Bank for Neurological Disorders, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 1PJ, UK
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Tammaryn Lashley
- Queen Square Brain Bank for Neurological Disorders, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 1PJ, UK
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 3BG, UK
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19
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Parameswaran J, Zhang N, Braems E, Tilahun K, Pant DC, Yin K, Asress S, Heeren K, Banerjee A, Davis E, Schwartz SL, Conn GL, Bassell GJ, Van Den Bosch L, Jiang J. Antisense, but not sense, repeat expanded RNAs activate PKR/eIF2α-dependent ISR in C9ORF72 FTD/ALS. eLife 2023; 12:e85902. [PMID: 37073950 PMCID: PMC10188109 DOI: 10.7554/elife.85902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/20/2023] Open
Abstract
GGGGCC (G4C2) hexanucleotide repeat expansion in the C9ORF72 gene is the most common genetic cause of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The repeat is bidirectionally transcribed and confers gain of toxicity. However, the underlying toxic species is debated, and it is not clear whether antisense CCCCGG (C4G2) repeat expanded RNAs contribute to disease pathogenesis. Our study shows that C9ORF72 antisense C4G2 repeat expanded RNAs trigger the activation of the PKR/eIF2α-dependent integrated stress response independent of dipeptide repeat proteins that are produced through repeat-associated non-AUG-initiated translation, leading to global translation inhibition and stress granule formation. Reducing PKR levels with either siRNA or morpholinos mitigates integrated stress response and toxicity caused by the antisense C4G2 RNAs in cell lines, primary neurons, and zebrafish. Increased phosphorylation of PKR/eIF2α is also observed in the frontal cortex of C9ORF72 FTD/ALS patients. Finally, only antisense C4G2, but not sense G4C2, repeat expanded RNAs robustly activate the PKR/eIF2α pathway and induce aberrant stress granule formation. These results provide a mechanism by which antisense C4G2 repeat expanded RNAs elicit neuronal toxicity in FTD/ALS caused by C9ORF72 repeat expansions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nancy Zhang
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory UniversityAtlantaUnited States
| | - Elke Braems
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute, KU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
- Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB, Campus GasthuisbergLeuvenBelgium
| | | | - Devesh C Pant
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory UniversityAtlantaUnited States
| | - Keena Yin
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory UniversityAtlantaUnited States
| | - Seneshaw Asress
- Department of Neurology, Emory UniversityAtlantaUnited States
| | - Kara Heeren
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute, KU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
- Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB, Campus GasthuisbergLeuvenBelgium
| | - Anwesha Banerjee
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory UniversityAtlantaUnited States
| | - Emma Davis
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory UniversityAtlantaUnited States
| | | | - Graeme L Conn
- Department of Biochemistry, Emory UniversityAtlantaUnited States
| | - Gary J Bassell
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory UniversityAtlantaUnited States
| | - Ludo Van Den Bosch
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute, KU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
- Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB, Campus GasthuisbergLeuvenBelgium
| | - Jie Jiang
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory UniversityAtlantaUnited States
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20
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Kitamura A, Tornmalm J, Demirbay B, Piguet J, Kinjo M, Widengren J. Trans-cis isomerization kinetics of cyanine dyes reports on the folding states of exogeneous RNA G-quadruplexes in live cells. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:e27. [PMID: 36651281 PMCID: PMC10018373 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac1255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Guanine (G)-rich nucleic acids are prone to assemble into four-stranded structures, so-called G-quadruplexes. Abnormal GGGGCC repeat elongations, and in particular their folding states, are associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia. Due to methodological constraints however, most studies of G quadruplex structures are restricted to in vitro conditions. Evidence of how GGGGCC repeats form into G-quadruplexes in vivo is sparse. We devised a readout strategy, exploiting the sensitivity of trans-cis isomerization of cyanine dyes to local viscosity and sterical constraints. Thereby, folding states of cyanine-labeled RNA, and in particular G-quadruplexes, can be identified in a sensitive manner. The isomerization kinetics, monitored via fluorescence blinking generated upon transitions between a fluorescent trans isomer and a non-fluorescent cis isomer, was first characterized for RNA with GGGGCC repeats in aqueous solution using fluorescence correlation spectroscopy and transient state (TRAST) monitoring. With TRAST, monitoring the isomerization kinetics from how the average fluorescence intensity varies with laser excitation modulation characteristics, we could then detect folding states of fluorescently tagged RNA introduced into live cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Baris Demirbay
- Experimental Biomolecular Physics, Department of Applied Physics, Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Joachim Piguet
- Experimental Biomolecular Physics, Department of Applied Physics, Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Masataka Kinjo
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Dynamics, Faculty of Advanced Life Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
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21
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He L, Liang J, Chen C, Chen J, Shen Y, Sun S, Li L. C9orf72 functions in the nucleus to regulate DNA damage repair. Cell Death Differ 2023; 30:716-730. [PMID: 36220889 PMCID: PMC9984389 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-022-01074-0] [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: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 03/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The hexanucleotide GGGGCC repeat expansion in the intronic region of C9orf72 is the most common cause of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). The repeat expansion-generated toxic RNAs and dipeptide repeats (DPRs) including poly-GR, have been extensively studied in neurodegeneration. Moreover, haploinsufficiency has been implicated as a disease mechanism but how C9orf72 deficiency contributes to neurodegeneration remains unclear. Here, we show that C9orf72 deficiency exacerbates poly-GR-induced neurodegeneration by attenuating non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) repair. We demonstrate that C9orf72 localizes to the nucleus and is rapidly recruited to sites of DNA damage. C9orf72 deficiency resulted in impaired NHEJ repair through attenuated DNA-PK complex assembly and DNA damage response (DDR) signaling. In mouse models, we found that C9orf72 deficiency exacerbated poly-GR-induced neuronal loss, glial activation, and neuromuscular deficits. Furthermore, DNA damage accumulated in C9orf72-deficient neurons that expressed poly-GR, resulting in excessive activation of PARP-1. PARP-1 inhibition rescued neuronal death in cultured neurons treated with poly-GR peptides. Together, our results support a pathological mechanism where C9orf72 haploinsufficiency synergizes with poly-GR-induced DNA double-strand breaks to exacerbate the accumulation of DNA damage and PARP-1 overactivation in C9orf72 ALS/FTD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liying He
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jiaqi Liang
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chaonan Chen
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jijun Chen
- Institute of Brain-Intelligence Technology, Zhangjiang Laboratory, Shanghai, China
| | - Yihui Shen
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shuangshuang Sun
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lei Li
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China.
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22
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Merjane J, Chung R, Patani R, Lisowski L. Molecular mechanisms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis as broad therapeutic targets for gene therapy applications utilizing adeno-associated viral vectors. Med Res Rev 2023. [PMID: 36786126 DOI: 10.1002/med.21937] [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: 11/13/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
Despite the devastating clinical outcome of the neurodegenerative disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), its etiology remains mysterious. Approximately 90% of ALS is characterized as sporadic, signifying that the patient has no family history of the disease. The development of an impactful disease modifying therapy across the ALS spectrum has remained out of grasp, largely due to the poorly understood mechanisms of disease onset and progression. Currently, ALS is invariably fatal and rapidly progressive. It is hypothesized that multiple factors can lead to the development of ALS, however, treatments are often focused on targeting specific familial forms of the disease (10% of total cases). There is a strong need to develop disease modifying treatments for ALS that can be effective across the full ALS spectrum of familial and sporadic cases. Although the onset of disease varies significantly between patients, there are general disease mechanisms and progressions that can be seen broadly across ALS patients. Therefore, this review explores the targeting of these widespread disease mechanisms as possible areas for therapeutic intervention to treat ALS broadly. In particular, this review will focus on targeting mechanisms of defective protein homeostasis and RNA processing, which are both increasingly recognized as design principles of ALS pathogenesis. Additionally, this review will explore the benefits of gene therapy as an approach to treating ALS, specifically focusing on the use of adeno-associated virus (AAV) as a vector for gene delivery to the CNS and recent advances in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Merjane
- Translational Vectorology Research Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Roger Chung
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Rickie Patani
- Department of Neuromuscular Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, UK.,The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Leszek Lisowski
- Translational Vectorology Research Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia.,Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and Innovative Therapies, Military Institute of Medicine, Warsaw, Poland
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23
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Muzio L, Ghirelli A, Agosta F, Martino G. Novel therapeutic approaches for motor neuron disease. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2023; 196:523-537. [PMID: 37620088 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-323-98817-9.00027-2] [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: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease that leads to the neurodegeneration and death of upper and lower motor neurons (MNs). Although MNs are the main cells involved in the process of neurodegeneration, a growing body of evidence points toward other cell types as concurrent to disease initiation and propagation. Given the current absence of effective therapies, the quest for other therapeutic targets remains open and still challenges the scientific community. Both neuronal and extra-neuronal mechanisms of cellular stress and damage have been studied and have posed the basis for the development of novel therapies that have been investigated on both animal models and humans. In this chapter, a thorough review of the main mechanisms of cellular damage and the respective therapeutic attempts targeting them is reported. The main areas covered include neuroinflammation, protein aggregation, RNA metabolism, and oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Muzio
- San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Division of Neuroscience, InsPE, Milan, Italy
| | - Alma Ghirelli
- San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Division of Neuroscience, InsPE, Milan, Italy; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Federica Agosta
- San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Division of Neuroscience, InsPE, Milan, Italy; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Gianvito Martino
- San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Division of Neuroscience, InsPE, Milan, Italy; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
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24
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Mazumder S, Kiernan MC, Halliday GM, Timmins HC, Mahoney CJ. The contribution of brain banks to knowledge discovery in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A systematic review. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 2022; 48:e12845. [PMID: 35921237 PMCID: PMC9804699 DOI: 10.1111/nan.12845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Over the past decade, considerable efforts have been made to accelerate pathophysiological understanding of fatal neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) with brain banks at the forefront. In addition to exploratory disease mechanisms, brain banks have aided our understanding with regard to clinical diagnosis, genetics and cell biology. Across neurodegenerative disorders, the impact of brain tissue in ALS research has yet to be quantified. This review aims to outline (i) how postmortem tissues from brain banks have influenced our understanding of ALS over the last 15 years, (ii) correlate the location of dedicated brain banks with the geographical prevalence of ALS, (iii) identify the frequency of features reported from postmortem studies and (iv) propose common reporting standards for materials obtained from dedicated brain banks. A systematic review was conducted using PubMed and Web of Science databases using key words. From a total of 1439 articles, 73 articles were included in the final review, following PRISMA guidelines. Following a thematic analysis, articles were categorised into five themes; clinico-pathological (13), genetic (20), transactive response DNA binding protein 43 (TDP-43) pathology (12), non-TDP-43 neuronal pathology (nine) and extraneuronal pathology (19). Research primarily focused on the genetics of ALS, followed by protein pathology. About 63% of the brain banks were in the United States of America and United Kingdom. The location of brain banks overall aligned with the incidence of ALS worldwide with 88% of brain banks situated in Europe and North America. An overwhelming lack of consistency in reporting and replicability was observed, strengthening the need for a standardised reporting system. Overall, postmortem material from brain banks generated substantial new knowledge in areas of genetics and proteomics and supports their ongoing role as an important research tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srestha Mazumder
- ForeFront Clinic, Brain and Mind CentreUniversity of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Matthew C. Kiernan
- ForeFront Clinic, Brain and Mind CentreUniversity of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Glenda M. Halliday
- Frontier, Brain and Mind CentreUniversity of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Hannah C. Timmins
- ForeFront Clinic, Brain and Mind CentreUniversity of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Colin J. Mahoney
- ForeFront Clinic, Brain and Mind CentreUniversity of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
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25
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Meijboom KE, Abdallah A, Fordham NP, Nagase H, Rodriguez T, Kraus C, Gendron TF, Krishnan G, Esanov R, Andrade NS, Rybin MJ, Ramic M, Stephens ZD, Edraki A, Blackwood MT, Kahriman A, Henninger N, Kocher JPA, Benatar M, Brodsky MH, Petrucelli L, Gao FB, Sontheimer EJ, Brown RH, Zeier Z, Mueller C. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated excision of ALS/FTD-causing hexanucleotide repeat expansion in C9ORF72 rescues major disease mechanisms in vivo and in vitro. Nat Commun 2022; 13:6286. [PMID: 36271076 PMCID: PMC9587249 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33332-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
A GGGGCC24+ hexanucleotide repeat expansion (HRE) in the C9ORF72 gene is the most common genetic cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), fatal neurodegenerative diseases with no cure or approved treatments that substantially slow disease progression or extend survival. Mechanistic underpinnings of neuronal death include C9ORF72 haploinsufficiency, sequestration of RNA-binding proteins in the nucleus, and production of dipeptide repeat proteins. Here, we used an adeno-associated viral vector system to deliver CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing machineries to effectuate the removal of the HRE from the C9ORF72 genomic locus. We demonstrate successful excision of the HRE in primary cortical neurons and brains of three mouse models containing the expansion (500-600 repeats) as well as in patient-derived iPSC motor neurons and brain organoids (450 repeats). This resulted in a reduction of RNA foci, poly-dipeptides and haploinsufficiency, major hallmarks of C9-ALS/FTD, making this a promising therapeutic approach to these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina E. Meijboom
- grid.168645.80000 0001 0742 0364Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605 USA ,grid.168645.80000 0001 0742 0364Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605 USA
| | - Abbas Abdallah
- grid.168645.80000 0001 0742 0364Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605 USA
| | - Nicholas P. Fordham
- grid.168645.80000 0001 0742 0364Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605 USA
| | - Hiroko Nagase
- grid.168645.80000 0001 0742 0364Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605 USA
| | - Tomás Rodriguez
- grid.168645.80000 0001 0742 0364RNA Therapeutics Institute and Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605 USA
| | - Carolyn Kraus
- grid.168645.80000 0001 0742 0364RNA Therapeutics Institute and Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605 USA
| | - Tania F. Gendron
- grid.417467.70000 0004 0443 9942Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224 USA
| | - Gopinath Krishnan
- grid.168645.80000 0001 0742 0364Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605 USA
| | - Rustam Esanov
- grid.26790.3a0000 0004 1936 8606Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Center for Therapeutic Innovation, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136 USA
| | - Nadja S. Andrade
- grid.26790.3a0000 0004 1936 8606Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Center for Therapeutic Innovation, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136 USA
| | - Matthew J. Rybin
- grid.26790.3a0000 0004 1936 8606Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Center for Therapeutic Innovation, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136 USA
| | - Melina Ramic
- grid.26790.3a0000 0004 1936 8606Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Center for Therapeutic Innovation, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136 USA
| | - Zachary D. Stephens
- grid.66875.3a0000 0004 0459 167XDepartment of Quantitative Health Sciences. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905 USA
| | - Alireza Edraki
- grid.168645.80000 0001 0742 0364RNA Therapeutics Institute and Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605 USA
| | - Meghan T. Blackwood
- grid.168645.80000 0001 0742 0364Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605 USA
| | - Aydan Kahriman
- grid.168645.80000 0001 0742 0364Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605 USA
| | - Nils Henninger
- grid.168645.80000 0001 0742 0364Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605 USA
| | - Jean-Pierre A. Kocher
- grid.66875.3a0000 0004 0459 167XDepartment of Quantitative Health Sciences. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905 USA
| | - Michael Benatar
- grid.26790.3a0000 0004 1936 8606Department of Neurology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136 USA
| | - Michael H. Brodsky
- grid.168645.80000 0001 0742 0364Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605 USA
| | - Leonard Petrucelli
- grid.417467.70000 0004 0443 9942Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224 USA
| | - Fen-Biao Gao
- grid.168645.80000 0001 0742 0364Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605 USA
| | - Erik J. Sontheimer
- grid.168645.80000 0001 0742 0364RNA Therapeutics Institute and Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605 USA
| | - Robert H. Brown
- grid.168645.80000 0001 0742 0364Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605 USA
| | - Zane Zeier
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Center for Therapeutic Innovation, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33136, USA.
| | - Christian Mueller
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA.
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26
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Murakami K, Ono K. Interactions of amyloid coaggregates with biomolecules and its relevance to neurodegeneration. FASEB J 2022; 36:e22493. [PMID: 35971743 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202200235r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
The aggregation of amyloidogenic proteins is a pathological hallmark of various neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In these diseases, oligomeric intermediates or toxic aggregates of amyloids cause neuronal damage and degeneration. Despite the substantial effort made over recent decades to implement therapeutic interventions, these neurodegenerative diseases are not yet understood at the molecular level. In many cases, multiple disease-causing amyloids overlap in a sole pathological feature or a sole disease-causing amyloid represents multiple pathological features. Various amyloid pathologies can coexist in the same brain with or without clinical presentation and may even occur in individuals without disease. From sparse data, speculation has arisen regarding the coaggregation of amyloids with disparate amyloid species and other biomolecules, which are the same characteristics that make diagnostics and drug development challenging. However, advances in research related to biomolecular condensates and structural analysis have been used to overcome some of these challenges. Considering the development of these resources and techniques, herein we review the cross-seeding of amyloidosis, for example, involving the amyloids amyloid β, tau, α-synuclein, and human islet amyloid polypeptide, and their cross-inhibition by transthyretin and BRICHOS. The interplay of nucleic acid-binding proteins, such as prions, TAR DNA-binding protein 43, fused in sarcoma/translated in liposarcoma, and fragile X mental retardation polyglycine, with nucleic acids in the pathology of neurodegeneration are also described, and we thereby highlight the potential clinical applications in central nervous system therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuma Murakami
- Division of Food Science and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kenjiro Ono
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
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27
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Mori K, Ikeda M. Biological basis and psychiatric symptoms in frontotemporal dementia. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2022; 76:351-360. [PMID: 35557018 DOI: 10.1111/pcn.13375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Frontotemporal dementia is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by focal degeneration of the frontal and temporal lobes, clinically presenting with disinhibited behavior, personality changes, progressive non-fluent aphasia and/or impaired semantic memory. Research progress has been made in re-organizing the clinical concept of frontotemporal dementia and neuropathological classification based on multiple accumulating proteins. Alongside this progress a list of genetic mutations or variants that are causative or increase the risk of frontotemporal dementia have been identified and some of these gene products are extensively studied. However, there are still a lot of points that need to be overcome, including lack of specific diagnostic biomarker which enable antemortem diagnosis of underlying neurodegenerative process, and lack of disease modifying therapy which could prevent disease progression. Early and precise diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia is urgently required. In this context, how to define prodromal frontotemporal dementia and early differential diagnosis from primary psychiatric disorders are also important issues. In this review we will summarize and discuss current understanding of biological basis and psychiatric symptoms in frontotemporal dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kohji Mori
- Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Manabu Ikeda
- Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
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28
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Ishiguro A, Ishihama A. Essential Roles and Risks of G-Quadruplex Regulation: Recognition Targets of ALS-Linked TDP-43 and FUS. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:957502. [PMID: 35898304 PMCID: PMC9309350 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.957502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
A non-canonical DNA/RNA structure, G-quadruplex (G4), is a unique structure formed by two or more guanine quartets, which associate through Hoogsteen hydrogen bonding leading to form a square planar arrangement. A set of RNA-binding proteins specifically recognize G4 structures and play certain unique physiological roles. These G4-binding proteins form ribonucleoprotein (RNP) through a physicochemical phenomenon called liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS). G4-containing RNP granules are identified in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes, but extensive studies have been performed in eukaryotes. We have been involved in analyses of the roles of G4-containing RNAs recognized by two G4-RNA-binding proteins, TDP-43 and FUS, which both are the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) causative gene products. These RNA-binding proteins play the essential roles in both G4 recognition and LLPS, but they also carry the risk of agglutination. The biological significance of G4-binding proteins is controlled through unique 3D structure of G4, of which the risk of conformational stability is influenced by environmental conditions such as monovalent metals and guanine oxidation.
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29
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Baud A, Derbis M, Tutak K, Sobczak K. Partners in crime: Proteins implicated in
RNA
repeat expansion diseases. WIRES RNA 2022; 13:e1709. [PMID: 35229468 PMCID: PMC9539487 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Baud
- Department of Gene Expression Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Adam Mickiewicz University Poznan Poland
| | - Magdalena Derbis
- Department of Gene Expression Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Adam Mickiewicz University Poznan Poland
| | - Katarzyna Tutak
- Department of Gene Expression Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Adam Mickiewicz University Poznan Poland
| | - Krzysztof Sobczak
- Department of Gene Expression Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Adam Mickiewicz University Poznan Poland
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30
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Guo P, Han D. Targeting Pathogenic DNA and RNA Repeats: A Conceptual Therapeutic Way for Repeat Expansion Diseases. Chemistry 2022; 28:e202201749. [PMID: 35727679 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202201749] [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: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Expansions of short tandem repeats (STRs) in the human genome cause nearly 50 neurodegenerative diseases, which are mostly inheritable, nonpreventable and incurable, posing as a huge threat to human health. Non-B DNAs formed by STRs are thought to be structural intermediates that can cause repeat expansions. The subsequent transcripts harboring expanded RNA repeats can further induce cellular toxicity through forming specific structures. Direct targeting of these pathogenic DNA and RNA repeats has emerged as a new potential therapeutic strategy to cure repeat expansion diseases. In this conceptual review, we first introduce the roles of DNA and RNA structures in the genetic instabilities and pathomechanisms of repeat expansion diseases, then describe structural features of DNA and RNA repeats with a focus on the tertiary structures determined by X-ray crystallography and solution nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and finally discuss recent progress and perspectives of developing chemical tools that target pathogenic DNA and RNA repeats for curing repeat expansion diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei Guo
- The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310022, P. R. China
| | - Da Han
- The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310022, P. R. China.,Institute of Molecular Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Nucleic Acid Chemistry and Nanomedicine, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, P. R. China
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31
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Gleixner AM, Verdone BM, Otte CG, Anderson EN, Ramesh N, Shapiro OR, Gale JR, Mauna JC, Mann JR, Copley KE, Daley EL, Ortega JA, Cicardi ME, Kiskinis E, Kofler J, Pandey UB, Trotti D, Donnelly CJ. NUP62 localizes to ALS/FTLD pathological assemblies and contributes to TDP-43 insolubility. Nat Commun 2022; 13:3380. [PMID: 35697676 PMCID: PMC9192689 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31098-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
A G4C2 hexanucleotide repeat expansion in the C9orf72 gene is the most common genetic cause of ALS and FTLD (C9-ALS/FTLD) with cytoplasmic TDP-43 inclusions observed in regions of neurodegeneration. The accumulation of repetitive RNAs and dipeptide repeat protein (DPR) are two proposed mechanisms of toxicity in C9-ALS/FTLD and linked to impaired nucleocytoplasmic transport. Nucleocytoplasmic transport is regulated by the phenylalanine-glycine nucleoporins (FG nups) that comprise the nuclear pore complex (NPC) permeability barrier. However, the relationship between FG nups and TDP-43 pathology remains elusive. Our studies show that nuclear depletion and cytoplasmic mislocalization of one FG nup, NUP62, is linked to TDP-43 mislocalization in C9-ALS/FTLD iPSC neurons. Poly-glycine arginine (GR) DPR accumulation initiates the formation of cytoplasmic RNA granules that recruit NUP62 and TDP-43. Cytoplasmic NUP62 and TDP-43 interactions promotes their insolubility and NUP62:TDP-43 inclusions are frequently found in C9orf72 ALS/FTLD as well as sporadic ALS/FTLD postmortem CNS tissue. Our findings indicate NUP62 cytoplasmic mislocalization contributes to TDP-43 proteinopathy in ALS/FTLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda M Gleixner
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- LiveLikeLou Center for ALS Research, University of Pittsburgh Brain Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Brandie Morris Verdone
- Department of Neuroscience, Jefferson Weinberg ALS Center, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Charlton G Otte
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- LiveLikeLou Center for ALS Research, University of Pittsburgh Brain Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Physician Scientist Training Program, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Eric N Anderson
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Nandini Ramesh
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Olivia R Shapiro
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- LiveLikeLou Center for ALS Research, University of Pittsburgh Brain Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Jenna R Gale
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- LiveLikeLou Center for ALS Research, University of Pittsburgh Brain Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Jocelyn C Mauna
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- LiveLikeLou Center for ALS Research, University of Pittsburgh Brain Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Jacob R Mann
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- LiveLikeLou Center for ALS Research, University of Pittsburgh Brain Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Katie E Copley
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- LiveLikeLou Center for ALS Research, University of Pittsburgh Brain Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Elizabeth L Daley
- The Ken & Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University of Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Juan A Ortega
- The Ken & Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University of Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Maria Elena Cicardi
- Department of Neuroscience, Jefferson Weinberg ALS Center, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Evangelos Kiskinis
- The Ken & Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University of Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Julia Kofler
- LiveLikeLou Center for ALS Research, University of Pittsburgh Brain Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Udai B Pandey
- LiveLikeLou Center for ALS Research, University of Pittsburgh Brain Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Davide Trotti
- Department of Neuroscience, Jefferson Weinberg ALS Center, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Christopher J Donnelly
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
- LiveLikeLou Center for ALS Research, University of Pittsburgh Brain Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
- Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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32
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Georgakopoulos-Soares I, Parada GE, Hemberg M. Secondary structures in RNA synthesis, splicing and translation. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2022; 20:2871-2884. [PMID: 35765654 PMCID: PMC9198270 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2022.05.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Even though the functional role of mRNA molecules is primarily decided by the nucleotide sequence, several properties are determined by secondary structure conformations. Examples of secondary structures include long range interactions, hairpins, R-loops and G-quadruplexes and they are formed through interactions of non-adjacent nucleotides. Here, we discuss advances in our understanding of how secondary structures can impact RNA synthesis, splicing, translation and mRNA half-life. During RNA synthesis, secondary structures determine RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) speed, thereby influencing splicing. Splicing is also determined by RNA binding proteins and their binding rates are modulated by secondary structures. For the initiation of translation, secondary structures can control the choice of translation start site. Here, we highlight the mechanisms by which secondary structures modulate these processes, discuss advances in technologies to detect and study them systematically, and consider the roles of RNA secondary structures in disease.
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33
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Piao X, Meng D, Zhang X, Song Q, Lv H, Jia Y. Dual-gRNA approach with limited off-target effect corrects C9ORF72 repeat expansion in vivo. Sci Rep 2022; 12:5672. [PMID: 35383205 PMCID: PMC8983752 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-07746-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
C9ORF72 GGGGCC repeat expansion is the most common genetic cause for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia, which generates abnormal DNA and RNA structures and produces toxic proteins. Recently, efficacy of CRISPR/Cas9-mediated editing has been proven in treatment of disease. However, DNA low complexity surrounding C9ORF72 expansion increases the off-target risks. Here we provide a dual-gRNA design outside of the low complexity region which enables us to remove the repeat DNA in a 'cutting-deletion-fusion' manner with a high fusion efficiency (50%). Our dual-gRNA design limits off-target effect and does not significantly affect C9ORF72 expression. In neurons carrying patient C9ORF72 expansion, our approach removes the repeat DNA and corrects the RNA foci in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, we conclude that our proof-of-concept design correct C9ORF72 repeat expansion, which may have potential therapeutic value for the patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuejiao Piao
- School of Medicine, Medical Science Building, Room D204, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Peking-Tsinghua Joint Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China
- IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research at Tsinghua, Beijing, China
| | - Dawei Meng
- School of Medicine, Medical Science Building, Room D204, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Peking-Tsinghua Joint Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China
- IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research at Tsinghua, Beijing, China
| | - Xue Zhang
- School of Medicine, Medical Science Building, Room D204, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
- Peking-Tsinghua Joint Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China
- IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research at Tsinghua, Beijing, China
| | - Qiang Song
- School of Medicine, Medical Science Building, Room D204, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
- IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research at Tsinghua, Beijing, China
| | - Hailong Lv
- School of Medicine, Medical Science Building, Room D204, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Peking-Tsinghua Joint Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China
- IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research at Tsinghua, Beijing, China
| | - Yichang Jia
- School of Medicine, Medical Science Building, Room D204, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
- Peking-Tsinghua Joint Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China.
- IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research at Tsinghua, Beijing, China.
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34
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Bose K, Maity A, Ngo KH, Vandana JJ, Shneider NA, Phan AT. Formation of RNA G-wires by G4C2 repeats associated with ALS and FTD. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2022; 610:113-118. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2022.03.162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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35
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Licata NV, Cristofani R, Salomonsson S, Wilson KM, Kempthorne L, Vaizoglu D, D’Agostino VG, Pollini D, Loffredo R, Pancher M, Adami V, Bellosta P, Ratti A, Viero G, Quattrone A, Isaacs AM, Poletti A, Provenzani A. C9orf72 ALS/FTD dipeptide repeat protein levels are reduced by small molecules that inhibit PKA or enhance protein degradation. EMBO J 2022; 41:e105026. [PMID: 34791698 PMCID: PMC8724771 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2020105026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Intronic GGGGCC (G4C2) hexanucleotide repeat expansion within the human C9orf72 gene represents the most common cause of familial forms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) (C9ALS/FTD). Repeat-associated non-AUG (RAN) translation of repeat-containing C9orf72 RNA results in the production of neurotoxic dipeptide-repeat proteins (DPRs). Here, we developed a high-throughput drug screen for the identification of positive and negative modulators of DPR levels. We found that HSP90 inhibitor geldanamycin and aldosterone antagonist spironolactone reduced DPR levels by promoting protein degradation via the proteasome and autophagy pathways respectively. Surprisingly, cAMP-elevating compounds boosting protein kinase A (PKA) activity increased DPR levels. Inhibition of PKA activity, by both pharmacological and genetic approaches, reduced DPR levels in cells and rescued pathological phenotypes in a Drosophila model of C9ALS/FTD. Moreover, knockdown of PKA-catalytic subunits correlated with reduced translation efficiency of DPRs, while the PKA inhibitor H89 reduced endogenous DPR levels in C9ALS/FTD patient-derived iPSC motor neurons. Together, our results suggest new and druggable pathways modulating DPR levels in C9ALS/FTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nausicaa V Licata
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative BiologyUniversity of TrentoTrentoItaly
| | - Riccardo Cristofani
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e BiomolecolariUniversità degli Studi di MilanoMilanItaly
| | - Sally Salomonsson
- Department of Neurodegenerative DiseaseUCL Queen Square Institute of NeurologyLondonUK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCLUCL Queen Square Institute of NeurologyLondonUK
| | - Katherine M Wilson
- Department of Neurodegenerative DiseaseUCL Queen Square Institute of NeurologyLondonUK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCLUCL Queen Square Institute of NeurologyLondonUK
| | - Liam Kempthorne
- Department of Neurodegenerative DiseaseUCL Queen Square Institute of NeurologyLondonUK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCLUCL Queen Square Institute of NeurologyLondonUK
| | - Deniz Vaizoglu
- Department of Neurodegenerative DiseaseUCL Queen Square Institute of NeurologyLondonUK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCLUCL Queen Square Institute of NeurologyLondonUK
| | - Vito G D’Agostino
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative BiologyUniversity of TrentoTrentoItaly
| | - Daniele Pollini
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative BiologyUniversity of TrentoTrentoItaly
| | - Rosa Loffredo
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative BiologyUniversity of TrentoTrentoItaly
| | - Michael Pancher
- HTS Core Facility, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative BiologyUniversity of TrentoTrentoItaly
| | - Valentina Adami
- HTS Core Facility, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative BiologyUniversity of TrentoTrentoItaly
| | - Paola Bellosta
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative BiologyUniversity of TrentoTrentoItaly
- Department of MedicineNYU at Grossman School of MedicineNYUSA
| | - Antonia Ratti
- Department of NeurologyStroke Unit and Laboratory of NeuroscienceIstituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCSMilanItaly
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie Mediche e Medicina TraslazionaleUniversità degli Studi di MilanoMilanItaly
| | | | - Alessandro Quattrone
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative BiologyUniversity of TrentoTrentoItaly
| | - Adrian M Isaacs
- Department of Neurodegenerative DiseaseUCL Queen Square Institute of NeurologyLondonUK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCLUCL Queen Square Institute of NeurologyLondonUK
| | - Angelo Poletti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e BiomolecolariUniversità degli Studi di MilanoMilanItaly
| | - Alessandro Provenzani
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative BiologyUniversity of TrentoTrentoItaly
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36
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Ward
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Child Neurology, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Udai Bhan Pandey
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Child Neurology; Department of Human Genetics, School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh; Center for Neuroscience Institute, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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37
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Montalbano M, Jaworski E, Garcia S, Ellsworth A, McAllen S, Routh A, Kayed R. Tau Modulates mRNA Transcription, Alternative Polyadenylation Profiles of hnRNPs, Chromatin Remodeling and Spliceosome Complexes. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:742790. [PMID: 34924950 PMCID: PMC8678415 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.742790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Tau protein is a known contributor in several neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). It is well-established that tau forms pathological aggregates and fibrils in these diseases. Tau has been observed within the nuclei of neurons, but there is a gap in understanding regarding the mechanism by which tau modulates transcription. We are interested in the P301L mutation of tau, which has been associated with FTD and increased tau aggregation. Our study utilized tau-inducible HEK (iHEK) cells to reveal that WT and P301L tau distinctively alter the transcription and alternative polyadenylation (APA) profiles of numerous nuclear precursors mRNAs, which then translate to form proteins involved in chromatin remodeling and splicing. We isolated total mRNA before and after over-expressing tau and then performed Poly(A)-ClickSeq (PAC-Seq) to characterize mRNA expression and APA profiles. We characterized changes in Gene Ontology (GO) pathways using EnrichR and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA). We observed that P301L tau up-regulates genes associated with reactive oxygen species responsiveness as well as genes involved in dendrite, microtubule, and nuclear body/speckle formation. The number of genes regulated by WT tau is greater than the mutant form, which indicates that the P301L mutation causes loss-of-function at the transcriptional level. WT tau up-regulates genes contributing to cytoskeleton-dependent intracellular transport, microglial activation, microtubule and nuclear chromatin organization, formation of nuclear bodies and speckles. Interestingly, both WT and P301L tau commonly down-regulate genes responsible for ubiquitin-proteosome system. In addition, WT tau significantly down-regulates several genes implicated in chromatin remodeling and nucleosome organization. Although there are limitations inherent to the model systems used, this study will improve understanding regarding the nuclear impact of tau at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional level. This study also illustrates the potential impact of P301L tau on the human brain genome during early phases of pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauro Montalbano
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States.,Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Elizabeth Jaworski
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Stephanie Garcia
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States.,Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Anna Ellsworth
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States.,Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Salome McAllen
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States.,Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Andrew Routh
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States.,Sealy Center for Structural Biology and Molecular Biophysics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Rakez Kayed
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States.,Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
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38
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An H, Litscher G, Watanabe N, Wei W, Hashimoto T, Iwatsubo T, Buchman VL, Shelkovnikova TA. ALS-linked cytoplasmic FUS assemblies are compositionally different from physiological stress granules and sequester hnRNPA3, a novel modifier of FUS toxicity. Neurobiol Dis 2021; 162:105585. [PMID: 34915152 PMCID: PMC8799889 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2021.105585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Formation of cytoplasmic RNA-protein structures called stress granules (SGs) is a highly conserved cellular response to stress. Abnormal metabolism of SGs may contribute to the pathogenesis of (neuro)degenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Many SG proteins are affected by mutations causative of these conditions, including fused in sarcoma (FUS). Mutant FUS variants have high affinity to SGs and also spontaneously form de novo cytoplasmic RNA granules. Mutant FUS-containing assemblies (mFAs), often called “pathological SGs”, are proposed to play a role in ALS-FUS pathogenesis. However, structural differences between mFAs and physiological SGs remain largely unknown therefore it is unclear whether mFAs can functionally substitute for SGs and how they affect cellular stress responses. Here we used affinity purification to isolate mFAs and physiological SGs and compare their protein composition. We found that proteins within mFAs form significantly more physical interactions than those in SGs however mFAs fail to recruit many factors involved in signal transduction. Furthermore, we found that proteasome subunits and certain nucleocytoplasmic transport factors are depleted from mFAs, whereas translation elongation, mRNA surveillance and splicing factors as well as mitochondrial proteins are enriched in mFAs, as compared to SGs. Validation experiments for a mFA-specific protein, hnRNPA3, confirmed its RNA-dependent interaction with FUS and its sequestration into FUS inclusions in cultured cells and in a FUS transgenic mouse model. Silencing of the Drosophila hnRNPA3 ortholog was deleterious and potentiated human FUS toxicity in the retina of transgenic flies. In conclusion, we show that SG-like structures formed by mutant FUS are structurally distinct from SGs, prone to persistence, likely cannot functionally replace SGs, and affect a spectrum of cellular pathways in stressed cells. Results of our study support a pathogenic role for cytoplasmic FUS assemblies in ALS-FUS. Proteomes of stress granules and mutant FUS assemblies (mFAs) were compared. mFAs are depleted of signal transduction proteins and disassembly factors. mFAs sequester translation and splicing factors and mitochondrial proteins hnRNPA3 protein in sequestered into FUS inclusions in cells and in transgenic mice Silencing of the Drosophila hnRNPA3 ortholog enhances human FUS toxicity in flies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiyan An
- Medicines Discovery Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AT, United Kingdom
| | - Gioana Litscher
- Medicines Discovery Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AT, United Kingdom
| | | | - Wenbin Wei
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Durham DH1 3LE, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Vladimir L Buchman
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AX, United Kingdom; Belgorod State National Research University, Belgorod 308015, Russian Federation
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Poulin-Brière A, Rezaei E, Pozzi S. Antibody-Based Therapeutic Interventions for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Systematic Literature Review. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:790114. [PMID: 34912191 PMCID: PMC8667723 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.790114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a mid-life onset neurodegenerative disease that manifests its symptomatology with motor impairments and cognitive deficits overlapping with Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration (FTLD). The etiology of ALS remains elusive, with various mechanisms and cellular targets implicated, and no treatment can reverse or stop the progression of the pathology. Therapeutic interventions based on passive immunization are gaining attention for neurodegenerative diseases, and FDA recently approved the first antibody-based approach for Alzheimer's disease. The present systematic review of the literature aims to highlight the efforts made over the past years at developing antibody-based strategies to cure ALS. Thirty-one original research papers have been selected where the therapeutic efficacy of antibodies were investigated and described in patients and animal models of ALS. Antibody-based interventions analyzed, target both extracellular molecules implicated in the pathology and intracellular pathogenic proteins known to drive the disease, such as SOD1, TDP-43 or C9ORF72 repeats expansions. The potentials and limitations of these therapeutic interventions have been described and discussed in the present review.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Edris Rezaei
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Laval University, Quebec, QC, Canada
| | - Silvia Pozzi
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Laval University, Quebec, QC, Canada
- Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience Division, CERVO Brain Research Centre, Quebec, QC, Canada
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40
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Krishnarjuna B, Ivanova MI, Ramamoorthy A. Aggregation and the Intrinsic Structural Disorder of Dipeptide Repeat Peptides of C9orf72-Related Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia Characterized by NMR. J Phys Chem B 2021; 125:12446-12456. [PMID: 34751579 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.1c08149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Dipeptide repeats (DPRs) are known to play important roles in C9ORF72-related amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Studies on DPRs have reported on the kinetics of aggregation, toxicity, and low-resolution morphology of the aggregates of these peptides. While the dipeptide hexa-repeats of Gly-Pro [(GP)6] have been shown to be nonaggregating, Gly-Ala [(GA)6] and Gly-Arg [(GR)6] exhibited the formation of neurotoxic aggregates. However, structural studies of these DPRs have been elusive. In this study, we explored the feasibility of a high-resolution monitoring of a real-time aggregation of these peptides in a solution by using NMR experiments. Although (GP)6 is disordered and nonaggregating, the existence of cis and trans conformations was observed from NMR spectra. It was remarkable that the (GR)6 exhibited the formation of multiple conformations, whereas the hydrophobic and low-soluble (GA)6 aggregated fast in a temperature-dependent manner. These results demonstrate the feasibility of monitoring the minor conformational changes from highly disordered peptides, aggregation kinetics, and the formation of small molecular weight aggregates by solution NMR experiments. The ability to detect cis and trans local isomerizations in (GP)6 is noteworthy and could be valuable to study intrinsically disordered proteins/peptides by NMR. The early detection of minor conformational changes could be valuable in better understanding the mechanistic insights into the formation of toxic intermediates and the development of approaches to inhibit them and, potentially, aid in the development of compounds to treat the devastating C9ORF72-related ALS and FTD diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Magdalena I Ivanova
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109 United States
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41
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Rossi S, Cozzolino M. Dysfunction of RNA/RNA-Binding Proteins in ALS Astrocytes and Microglia. Cells 2021; 10:cells10113005. [PMID: 34831228 PMCID: PMC8616248 DOI: 10.3390/cells10113005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Revised: 10/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is a neurological disease that primarily affects motor neurons in the cortex, brainstem, and spinal cord. The process that leads to motor neuron degeneration is strongly influenced by non-motor neuronal events that occur in a variety of cell types. Among these, neuroinflammatory processes mediated by activated astrocytes and microglia play a relevant role. In recent years, it has become clear that dysregulation of essential steps of RNA metabolism, as a consequence of alterations in RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), is a central event in the degeneration of motor neurons. Yet, a causal link between dysfunctional RNA metabolism and the neuroinflammatory processes mediated by astrocytes and microglia in ALS has been poorly defined. In this review, we will discuss the available evidence showing that RBPs and associated RNA processing are affected in ALS astrocytes and microglia, and the possible mechanisms involved in these events.
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42
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p53 Transactivation Domain Mediates Binding and Phase Separation with Poly-PR/GR. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222111431. [PMID: 34768862 PMCID: PMC8583712 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The most common genetic cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is the presence of poly-PR/GR dipeptide repeats, which are encoded by the chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 (C9orf72) gene. Recently, it was shown that poly-PR/GR alters chromatin accessibility, which results in the stabilization and enhancement of transcriptional activity of the tumor suppressor p53 in several neurodegenerative disease models. A reduction in p53 protein levels protects against poly-PR and partially against poly-GR neurotoxicity in cells. Moreover, in model organisms, a reduction of p53 protein levels protects against neurotoxicity of poly-PR. Here, we aimed to study the detailed molecular mechanisms of how p53 contributes to poly-PR/GR-mediated neurodegeneration. Using a combination of biophysical techniques such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, fluorescence polarization, turbidity assays, and differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy, we found that p53 physically interacts with poly-PR/GR and triggers liquid–liquid phase separation of p53. We identified the p53 transactivation domain 2 (TAD2) as the main binding site for PR25/GR25 and showed that binding of poly-PR/GR to p53 is mediated by a network of electrostatic and/or hydrophobic interactions. Our findings might help to understand the mechanistic role of p53 in poly-PR/GR-associated neurodegeneration.
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Ishiguro A, Lu J, Ozawa D, Nagai Y, Ishihama A. ALS-linked FUS mutations dysregulate G-quadruplex-dependent liquid-liquid phase separation and liquid-to-solid transition. J Biol Chem 2021; 297:101284. [PMID: 34624313 PMCID: PMC8567205 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.101284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by the accumulation of protein aggregates in motor neurons. Recent discoveries of genetic mutations in ALS patients promoted research into the complex molecular mechanisms underlying ALS. FUS (fused in sarcoma) is a representative ALS-linked RNA-binding protein (RBP) that specifically recognizes G-quadruplex (G4)-DNA/RNAs. However, the effects of ALS-linked FUS mutations on the G4-RNA-binding activity and the phase behavior have never been investigated. Using the purified full-length FUS, we analyzed the molecular mechanisms of multidomain structures consisting of multiple functional modules that bind to G4. Here we succeeded to observe the liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) of FUS condensate formation and subsequent liquid-to-solid transition (LST) leading to the formation of FUS aggregates. This process was markedly promoted through FUS interaction with G4-RNA. To further investigate, we selected a total of eight representative ALS-linked FUS mutants within multidomain structures and purified these proteins. The regulation of G4-RNA-dependent LLPS and LST pathways was lost for all ALS-linked FUS mutants defective in G4-RNA recognition tested, supporting the essential role of G4-RNA in this process. Noteworthy, the P525L mutation that causes juvenile ALS exhibited the largest effect on both G4-RNA binding and FUS aggregation. The findings described herein could provide a clue to the hitherto undefined connection between protein aggregation and dysfunction of RBPs in the complex pathway of ALS pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akira Ishiguro
- Research Center for Micro-Nano Technology, Hosei University, Koganei, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Jun Lu
- Medical Examination Center, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Daisaku Ozawa
- Department of Neurotherapeutics, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan; Department of Neurology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka-Sayama, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yoshitaka Nagai
- Department of Neurotherapeutics, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan; Department of Neurology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka-Sayama, Osaka, Japan
| | - Akira Ishihama
- Research Center for Micro-Nano Technology, Hosei University, Koganei, Tokyo, Japan
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Caterino M, Paeschke K. Action and function of helicases on RNA G-quadruplexes. Methods 2021; 204:110-125. [PMID: 34509630 PMCID: PMC9236196 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2021.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Methodological progresses and piling evidence prove the rG4 biology in vivo. rG4s step in virtually every aspect of RNA biology. Helicases unwinding of rG4s is a fine regulatory layer to the downstream processes and general cell homeostasis. The current knowledge is however limited to a few cell lines. The regulation of helicases themselves is delineating as a important question. Non-helicase rG4-processing proteins likely play a role.
The nucleic acid structure called G-quadruplex (G4) is currently discussed to function in nucleic acid-based mechanisms that influence several cellular processes. They can modulate the cellular machinery either positively or negatively, both at the DNA and RNA level. The majority of what we know about G4 biology comes from DNA G4 (dG4) research. RNA G4s (rG4), on the other hand, are gaining interest as researchers become more aware of their role in several aspects of cellular homeostasis. In either case, the correct regulation of G4 structures within cells is essential and demands specialized proteins able to resolve them. Small changes in the formation and unfolding of G4 structures can have severe consequences for the cells that could even stimulate genome instability, apoptosis or proliferation. Helicases are the most relevant negative G4 regulators, which prevent and unfold G4 formation within cells during different pathways. Yet, and despite their importance only a handful of rG4 unwinding helicases have been identified and characterized thus far. This review addresses the current knowledge on rG4s-processing helicases with a focus on methodological approaches. An example of a non-helicase rG4s-unwinding protein is also briefly described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Caterino
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Katrin Paeschke
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany.
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Elucidating the Role of Cerebellar Synaptic Dysfunction in C9orf72-ALS/FTD - a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. THE CEREBELLUM 2021; 21:681-714. [PMID: 34491551 PMCID: PMC9325807 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-021-01320-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
A hexanucleotide repeat expansion in the C9orf72 gene is the most common genetic cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) with synaptic dysfunction identified as an early pathological hallmark. Although TDP-43 pathology and overt neurodegeneration are largely absent from the cerebellum, the pathological hallmarks of RNA foci and dipeptide repeat protein (DPR) inclusions are most abundant. Here, we present a systematic literature search in the databases of PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science and Science Direct up until March 5, 2021, which yielded 19,515 publications. Following the exclusion criteria, 72 articles were included having referred to C9orf72, synapses and the cerebellum. Meta-analyses were conducted on studies which reported experimental and control groups with means and standard deviations extracted from figures using the online tool PlotDigitizer. This revealed dendritic defects (P = 0.03), reduced C9orf72 in human patients (P = 0.005) and DPR-related neuronal loss (P = 0.0006) but no neuromuscular junction abnormalities (P = 0.29) or cerebellar neuronal loss (P = 0.23). Our results suggest that dendritic arborisation defects, synaptic gene dysregulation and altered synaptic neurotransmission may drive cerebellar synaptic dysfunction in C9-ALS/FTD. In this review, we discuss how the chronological appearance of the different pathological hallmarks alters synaptic integrity which may have profound implications for disease progression. We conclude that a reduction in C9orf72 protein levels combined with the accumulation of RNA foci and DPRs act synergistically to drive C9 synaptopathy in the cerebellum of C9-ALS/FTD patients.
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Malik I, Kelley CP, Wang ET, Todd PK. Molecular mechanisms underlying nucleotide repeat expansion disorders. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2021; 22:589-607. [PMID: 34140671 PMCID: PMC9612635 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-021-00382-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 141] [Impact Index Per Article: 47.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The human genome contains over one million short tandem repeats. Expansion of a subset of these repeat tracts underlies over fifty human disorders, including common genetic causes of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (C9orf72), polyglutamine-associated ataxias and Huntington disease, myotonic dystrophy, and intellectual disability disorders such as Fragile X syndrome. In this Review, we discuss the four major mechanisms by which expansion of short tandem repeats causes disease: loss of function through transcription repression, RNA-mediated gain of function through gelation and sequestration of RNA-binding proteins, gain of function of canonically translated repeat-harbouring proteins, and repeat-associated non-AUG translation of toxic repeat peptides. Somatic repeat instability amplifies these mechanisms and influences both disease age of onset and tissue specificity of pathogenic features. We focus on the crosstalk between these disease mechanisms, and argue that they often synergize to drive pathogenesis. We also discuss the emerging native functions of repeat elements and how their dynamics might contribute to disease at a larger scale than currently appreciated. Lastly, we propose that lynchpins tying these disease mechanisms and native functions together offer promising therapeutic targets with potential shared applications across this class of human disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Indranil Malik
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Chase P Kelley
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Center for NeuroGenetics, Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Genetics and Genomics Graduate Program, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Eric T Wang
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Center for NeuroGenetics, Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
| | - Peter K Todd
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
- VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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Mann JR, Donnelly CJ. RNA modulates physiological and neuropathological protein phase transitions. Neuron 2021; 109:2663-2681. [PMID: 34297914 PMCID: PMC8434763 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2021.06.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Revised: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Aggregation of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) is a pathological hallmark of neurodegenerative disorders like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). In these diseases, TDP-43 and FUS RBPs are depleted from the nuclear compartment, where they are normally localized, and found within cytoplasmic inclusions in degenerating regions of affected individuals' postmortem tissue. The mechanisms responsible for aggregation of these proteins has remained elusive, but recent studies suggest liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) might serve as a critical nucleation step in formation of pathological inclusions. The process of phase separation also underlies the formation and maintenance of several functional membraneless organelles (MLOs) throughout the cell, some of which contain TDP-43, FUS, and other disease-linked RBPs. One common ligand of disease-linked RBPs, RNA, is a major component of MLOs containing RBPs and has been demonstrated to be a strong modulator of RBP phase transitions. Although early evidence suggested a largely synergistic effect of RNA on RBP phase separation and MLO assembly, recent work indicates that RNA can also antagonize RBP phase behavior under certain physiological and pathological conditions. In this review, we describe the mechanisms underlying RNA-mediated phase transitions of RBPs and examine the molecular properties of these interactions, such as RNA length, sequence, and secondary structure, that mediate physiological or pathological LLPS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob R Mann
- Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; LiveLikeLouCenter for ALS Research, University of Pittsburgh Brain Institute, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; Center for Protein Conformational Diseases, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Christopher J Donnelly
- Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; LiveLikeLouCenter for ALS Research, University of Pittsburgh Brain Institute, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; Center for Protein Conformational Diseases, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; Pittsburgh Institute for Neurodegeneration, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA 15213.
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The porphyrin TMPyP4 inhibits elongation during the noncanonical translation of the FTLD/ALS-associated GGGGCC repeat in the C9orf72 gene. J Biol Chem 2021; 297:101120. [PMID: 34450161 PMCID: PMC8446798 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.101120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2021] [Revised: 08/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
GGGGCC (G4C2) repeat expansion in the C9orf72 gene has been shown to cause frontotemporal lobar degeneration and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Dipeptide repeat proteins produced through repeat-associated non-AUG (RAN) translation are recognized as potential drivers for neurodegeneration. Therefore, selective inhibition of RAN translation could be a therapeutic avenue to treat these neurodegenerative diseases. It was previously known that the porphyrin TMPyP4 binds to G4C2 repeat RNA. However, the consequences of this interaction have not been well characterized. Here, we confirmed that TMPyP4 inhibits C9orf72 G4C2 repeat translation in cellular and in in vitro translation systems. An artificial insertion of an AUG codon failed to cancel the translation inhibition, suggesting that TMPyP4 acts downstream of non-AUG translation initiation. Polysome profiling assays also revealed polysome retention on G4C2 repeat RNA, along with inhibition of translation, indicating that elongating ribosomes stall on G4C2 repeat RNA. Urea-resistant interaction between G4C2 repeat RNA and TMPyP4 likely contributes to this ribosome stalling and thus to selective inhibition of RAN translation. Taken together, our data reveal a novel mode of action of TMPyP4 as an inhibitor of G4C2 repeat translation elongation.
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Thibault PA, Ganesan A, Kalyaanamoorthy S, Clarke JPWE, Salapa HE, Levin MC. hnRNP A/B Proteins: An Encyclopedic Assessment of Their Roles in Homeostasis and Disease. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10080712. [PMID: 34439945 PMCID: PMC8389229 DOI: 10.3390/biology10080712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The hnRNP A/B family of proteins is canonically central to cellular RNA metabolism, but due to their highly conserved nature, the functional differences between hnRNP A1, A2/B1, A0, and A3 are often overlooked. In this review, we explore and identify the shared and disparate homeostatic and disease-related functions of the hnRNP A/B family proteins, highlighting areas where the proteins have not been clearly differentiated. Herein, we provide a comprehensive assembly of the literature on these proteins. We find that there are critical gaps in our grasp of A/B proteins' alternative splice isoforms, structures, regulation, and tissue and cell-type-specific functions, and propose that future mechanistic research integrating multiple A/B proteins will significantly improve our understanding of how this essential protein family contributes to cell homeostasis and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia A. Thibault
- Office of the Saskatchewan Multiple Sclerosis Clinical Research Chair, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7K 0M7, Canada; (P.A.T.); (J.-P.W.E.C.); (H.E.S.)
- Department of Medicine, Neurology Division, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 0X8, Canada
| | - Aravindhan Ganesan
- ArGan’s Lab, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada;
| | - Subha Kalyaanamoorthy
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada;
| | - Joseph-Patrick W. E. Clarke
- Office of the Saskatchewan Multiple Sclerosis Clinical Research Chair, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7K 0M7, Canada; (P.A.T.); (J.-P.W.E.C.); (H.E.S.)
- Department of Health Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E5, Canada
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - Hannah E. Salapa
- Office of the Saskatchewan Multiple Sclerosis Clinical Research Chair, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7K 0M7, Canada; (P.A.T.); (J.-P.W.E.C.); (H.E.S.)
- Department of Medicine, Neurology Division, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 0X8, Canada
| | - Michael C. Levin
- Office of the Saskatchewan Multiple Sclerosis Clinical Research Chair, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7K 0M7, Canada; (P.A.T.); (J.-P.W.E.C.); (H.E.S.)
- Department of Medicine, Neurology Division, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 0X8, Canada
- Department of Health Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E5, Canada
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E5, Canada
- Correspondence:
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50
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Wang E, Thombre R, Shah Y, Latanich R, Wang J. G-Quadruplexes as pathogenic drivers in neurodegenerative disorders. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:4816-4830. [PMID: 33784396 PMCID: PMC8136783 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2019] [Revised: 02/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
G-quadruplexes (G4s), higher-order DNA and RNA secondary structures featuring guanine-rich nucleic acid sequences with various conformations, are widely distributed in the human genome. These structural motifs are known to participate in basic cellular processes, including transcription, splicing, and translation, and their functions related to health and disease are becoming increasingly recognized. In this review, we summarize the landscape of G4s involved in major neurodegenerative disorders, describing the genes that contain G4-forming sequences and proteins that have high affinity for G4-containing elements. The functions of G4s are diverse, with potentially protective or deleterious effects in the pathogenic cascades of various neurological diseases. While the studies of the functions of G4s in vivo, including those involved in pathophysiology, are still in their early stages, we will nevertheless discuss the evidence pointing to their biological relevance. A better understanding of this unique structural element in the biological context is important for unveiling its potential roles in the pathogenesis of diseases such as neurodegeneration and for designing new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ernest Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore MD, 21205, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Ravi Thombre
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore MD, 21205, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Yajas Shah
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore MD, 21205, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Rachel Latanich
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Jiou Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore MD, 21205, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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