1
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De Cock L, Bercier V, Van Den Bosch L. New developments in pre-clinical models of ALS to guide translation. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2024; 176:477-524. [PMID: 38802181 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2024.04.008] [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: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder in which selective death of motor neurons leads to muscle weakness and paralysis. Most research has focused on understanding and treating monogenic familial forms, most frequently caused by mutations in SOD1, FUS, TARDBP and C9orf72, although ALS is mostly sporadic and without a clear genetic cause. Rodent models have been developed to study monogenic ALS, but despite numerous pre-clinical studies and clinical trials, few disease-modifying therapies are available. ALS is a heterogeneous disease with complex underlying mechanisms where several genes and molecular pathways appear to play a role. One reason for the high failure rate of clinical translation from the current models could be oversimplification in pre-clinical studies. Here, we review advances in pre-clinical models to better capture the heterogeneous nature of ALS and discuss the value of novel model systems to guide translation and aid in the development of precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lenja De Cock
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Louvain-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Center for Brain and Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Valérie Bercier
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Louvain-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Center for Brain and Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ludo Van Den Bosch
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Louvain-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Center for Brain and Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium.
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2
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Zheng H, Zhang H. More than a bystander: RNAs specify multifaceted behaviors of liquid-liquid phase-separated biomolecular condensates. Bioessays 2024; 46:e2300203. [PMID: 38175843 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202300203] [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: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Cells contain a myriad of membraneless ribonucleoprotein (RNP) condensates with distinct compositions of proteins and RNAs. RNP condensates participate in different cellular activities, including RNA storage, mRNA translation or decay, stress response, etc. RNP condensates are assembled via liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) driven by multivalent interactions. Transition of RNP condensates into bodies with abnormal material properties, such as solid-like amyloid structures, is associated with the pathogenesis of various diseases. In this review, we focus on how RNAs regulate multiple aspects of RNP condensates, such as dynamic assembly and/or disassembly and biophysical properties. RNA properties - including concentration, sequence, length and structure - also determine the phase behaviors of RNP condensates. RNA is also involved in specifying autophagic degradation of RNP condensates. Unraveling the role of RNA in RNPs provides novel insights into pathological accumulation of RNPs in various diseases. This new understanding can potentially be harnessed to develop therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Zheng
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Hong Zhang
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China
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3
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Silvestri B, Mochi M, Mawrie D, de Turris V, Colantoni A, Borhy B, Medici M, Anderson EN, Garone MG, Zammerilla CP, Pandey UB, Rosa A. HuD (ELAVL4) gain-of-function impairs neuromuscular junctions and induces apoptosis in in vitro and in vivo models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.08.22.554258. [PMID: 38464028 PMCID: PMC10925158 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.22.554258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Early defects at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) are among the first hallmarks of the progressive neurodegenerative disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). According to the "dying back" hypothesis, disruption of the NMJ not only precedes, but is also a trigger for the subsequent degeneration of the motoneuron in both sporadic and familial ALS, including ALS caused by the severe FUS pathogenic variant P525L. However, the mechanisms linking genetic and environmental factors to NMJ defects remain elusive. By taking advantage of co-cultures of motoneurons and skeletal muscle derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), we show that the neural RNA binding protein HuD (ELAVL4) may underlie NMJ defects and apoptosis in FUS-ALS. HuD overexpression in motoneurons phenocopies the severe FUSP525L mutation, while HuD knockdown in FUSP525L co-cultures produces phenotypic rescue. We validated these findings in vivo in a Drosophila FUS-ALS model. Neuronal-restricted overexpression of the HuD-related gene, elav, produces per se a motor phenotype, while neuronal-restricted elav knockdown significantly rescues motor dysfunction caused by FUS. Finally, we show that HuD levels increase upon oxidative stress in human motoneurons and in sporadic ALS patients with an oxidative stress signature. On these bases, we propose HuD as an important player downstream of FUS mutation in familial ALS, with potential implications for sporadic ALS related to oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice Silvestri
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Center for Life Nano-& Neuro-Science, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Rome, Italy
| | - Michela Mochi
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Darilang Mawrie
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, PA, USA
| | - Valeria de Turris
- Center for Life Nano-& Neuro-Science, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Rome, Italy
| | - Alessio Colantoni
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Center for Life Nano-& Neuro-Science, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Rome, Italy
| | - Beatrice Borhy
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Margherita Medici
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Eric Nathaniel Anderson
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, PA, USA
| | - Maria Giovanna Garone
- Department of Stem Cell Biology, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, The Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Udai Bhan Pandey
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, PA, USA
- Children's Neuroscience Institute, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA USA
| | - Alessandro Rosa
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Center for Life Nano-& Neuro-Science, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Rome, Italy
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4
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Gao L, Behrens A, Rodschinka G, Forcelloni S, Wani S, Strasser K, Nedialkova DD. Selective gene expression maintains human tRNA anticodon pools during differentiation. Nat Cell Biol 2024; 26:100-112. [PMID: 38191669 PMCID: PMC10791582 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-023-01317-3] [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] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
Transfer RNAs are essential for translating genetic information into proteins. The human genome contains hundreds of predicted tRNA genes, many in multiple copies. How their expression is regulated to control tRNA repertoires is unknown. Here we combined quantitative tRNA profiling and chromatin immunoprecipitation with sequencing to measure tRNA expression following the differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells into neuronal and cardiac cells. We find that tRNA transcript levels vary substantially, whereas tRNA anticodon pools, which govern decoding rates, are more stable among cell types. Mechanistically, RNA polymerase III transcribes a wide range of tRNA genes in human induced pluripotent stem cells but on differentiation becomes constrained to a subset we define as housekeeping tRNAs. This shift is mediated by decreased mTORC1 signalling, which activates the RNA polymerase III repressor MAF1. Our data explain how tRNA anticodon pools are buffered to maintain decoding speed across cell types and reveal that mTORC1 drives selective tRNA expression during differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lexi Gao
- Mechanisms of Protein Biogenesis, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Andrew Behrens
- Mechanisms of Protein Biogenesis, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Geraldine Rodschinka
- Mechanisms of Protein Biogenesis, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Sergio Forcelloni
- Mechanisms of Protein Biogenesis, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Sascha Wani
- Mechanisms of Protein Biogenesis, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Katrin Strasser
- Mechanisms of Protein Biogenesis, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Danny D Nedialkova
- Mechanisms of Protein Biogenesis, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried, Germany.
- Department of Bioscience, TUM School of Natural Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Garching, Germany.
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5
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Kour S, Fortuna T, Anderson EN, Mawrie D, Bilstein J, Sivasubramanian R, Ward C, Roy R, Rajasundaram D, Sterneckert J, Pandey UB. Drosha-dependent microRNAs modulate FUS-mediated neurodegeneration in vivo. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:11258-11276. [PMID: 37791873 PMCID: PMC10639082 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad774] [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: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the Fused in Sarcoma (FUS) gene cause the familial and progressive form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). FUS is a nuclear RNA-binding protein involved in RNA processing and the biogenesis of a specific set of microRNAs. Here we report that Drosha and two previously uncharacterized Drosha-dependent miRNAs are strong modulators of FUS expression and prevent the cytoplasmic segregation of insoluble mutant FUS in vivo. We demonstrate that depletion of Drosha mitigates FUS-mediated degeneration, survival and motor defects in Drosophila. Mutant FUS strongly interacts with Drosha and causes its cytoplasmic mis-localization into the insoluble FUS inclusions. Reduction in Drosha levels increases the solubility of mutant FUS. Interestingly, we found two Drosha dependent microRNAs, miR-378i and miR-6832-5p, which differentially regulate the expression, solubility and cytoplasmic aggregation of mutant FUS in iPSC neurons and mammalian cells. More importantly, we report different modes of action of these miRNAs against mutant FUS. Whereas miR-378i may regulate mutant FUS inclusions by preventing G3BP-mediated stress granule formation, miR-6832-5p may affect FUS expression via other proteins or pathways. Overall, our research reveals a possible association between ALS-linked FUS mutations and the Drosha-dependent miRNA regulatory circuit, as well as a useful perspective on potential ALS treatment via microRNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sukhleen Kour
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
| | - Tyler Fortuna
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
| | - Eric N Anderson
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
| | - Darilang Mawrie
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
| | - Jessica Bilstein
- Center for Regenerative Therapies TU Dresden (CRTD), Technische Universität (TU) Dresden, Dresden, 01307, Germany
| | - Ramakrishnan Sivasubramanian
- Center for Regenerative Therapies TU Dresden (CRTD), Technische Universität (TU) Dresden, Dresden, 01307, Germany
| | - Caroline Ward
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
| | - Rishit Roy
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
| | - Dhivyaa Rajasundaram
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Health Informatics, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
| | - Jared Sterneckert
- Center for Regenerative Therapies TU Dresden (CRTD), Technische Universität (TU) Dresden, Dresden, 01307, Germany
- Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus of TU Dresden, Dresden, 01307, Germany
| | - Udai Bhan Pandey
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
- Children's Neuroscience Institute, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
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6
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Castillo Bautista CM, Eismann K, Gentzel M, Pelucchi S, Mertens J, Walters HE, Yun MH, Sterneckert J. Obatoclax Rescues FUS-ALS Phenotypes in iPSC-Derived Neurons by Inducing Autophagy. Cells 2023; 12:2247. [PMID: 37759469 PMCID: PMC10527391 DOI: 10.3390/cells12182247] [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: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Aging is associated with the disruption of protein homeostasis and causally contributes to multiple diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). One strategy for restoring protein homeostasis and protecting neurons against age-dependent diseases such as ALS is to de-repress autophagy. BECN1 is a master regulator of autophagy; however, is repressed by BCL2 via a BH3 domain-mediated interaction. We used an induced pluripotent stem cell model of ALS caused by mutant FUS to identify a small molecule BH3 mimetic that disrupts the BECN1-BCL2 interaction. We identified obatoclax as a brain-penetrant drug candidate that rescued neurons at nanomolar concentrations by reducing cytoplasmic FUS levels, restoring protein homeostasis, and reducing degeneration. Proteomics data suggest that obatoclax protects neurons via multiple mechanisms. Thus, obatoclax is a candidate for repurposing as a possible ALS therapeutic and, potentially, for other age-associated disorders linked to defects in protein homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kristin Eismann
- Core Facility Mass Spectrometry & Proteomics, Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany (M.G.)
| | - Marc Gentzel
- Core Facility Mass Spectrometry & Proteomics, Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany (M.G.)
| | - Silvia Pelucchi
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92161, USA (J.M.)
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Jerome Mertens
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92161, USA (J.M.)
- Laboratory of Genetics, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
- Institute for Molecular Biology, University of Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Hannah E. Walters
- Center for Regenerative Therapies TU Dresden (CRTD), Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany; (C.M.C.B.); (H.E.W.)
| | - Maximina H. Yun
- Center for Regenerative Therapies TU Dresden (CRTD), Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany; (C.M.C.B.); (H.E.W.)
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence Physics of Life, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Jared Sterneckert
- Center for Regenerative Therapies TU Dresden (CRTD), Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany; (C.M.C.B.); (H.E.W.)
- Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus of TU Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
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7
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Zhang S, Pei G, Li B, Li P, Lin Y. Abnormal phase separation of biomacromolecules in human diseases. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2023; 55:1133-1152. [PMID: 37475546 PMCID: PMC10423695 DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2023139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Membrane-less organelles (MLOs) formed through liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) are associated with numerous important biological functions, but the abnormal phase separation will also dysregulate the physiological processes. Emerging evidence points to the importance of LLPS in human health and diseases. Nevertheless, despite recent advancements, our knowledge of the molecular relationship between LLPS and diseases is frequently incomplete. In this review, we outline our current understanding about how aberrant LLPS affects developmental disorders, tandem repeat disorders, cancers and viral infection. We also examine disease mechanisms driven by aberrant condensates, and highlight potential treatment approaches. This study seeks to expand our understanding of LLPS by providing a valuable new paradigm for understanding phase separation and human disorders, as well as to further translate our current knowledge regarding LLPS into therapeutic discoveries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Songhao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane BiologyTsinghua University-Peking University Joint Centre for Life SciencesSchool of Life SciencesTsinghua UniversityBeijing100084China
- IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research at Tsinghua UniversityBeijing100084China
| | - Gaofeng Pei
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane BiologyTsinghua University-Peking University Joint Centre for Life SciencesSchool of Life SciencesTsinghua UniversityBeijing100084China
- Frontier Research Center for Biological StructureTsinghua UniversityBeijing100084China
| | - Boya Li
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane BiologyTsinghua University-Peking University Joint Centre for Life SciencesSchool of Life SciencesTsinghua UniversityBeijing100084China
- IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research at Tsinghua UniversityBeijing100084China
| | - Pilong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane BiologyTsinghua University-Peking University Joint Centre for Life SciencesSchool of Life SciencesTsinghua UniversityBeijing100084China
- Frontier Research Center for Biological StructureTsinghua UniversityBeijing100084China
| | - Yi Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane BiologyTsinghua University-Peking University Joint Centre for Life SciencesSchool of Life SciencesTsinghua UniversityBeijing100084China
- IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research at Tsinghua UniversityBeijing100084China
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8
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Zimyanin VL, Pielka AM, Glaß H, Japtok J, Großmann D, Martin M, Deussen A, Szewczyk B, Deppmann C, Zunder E, Andersen PM, Boeckers TM, Sterneckert J, Redemann S, Storch A, Hermann A. Live Cell Imaging of ATP Levels Reveals Metabolic Compartmentalization within Motoneurons and Early Metabolic Changes in FUS ALS Motoneurons. Cells 2023; 12:1352. [PMID: 37408187 PMCID: PMC10216752 DOI: 10.3390/cells12101352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Motoneurons are one of the most energy-demanding cell types and a primary target in Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a debilitating and lethal neurodegenerative disorder without currently available effective treatments. Disruption of mitochondrial ultrastructure, transport, and metabolism is a commonly reported phenotype in ALS models and can critically affect survival and the proper function of motor neurons. However, how changes in metabolic rates contribute to ALS progression is not fully understood yet. Here, we utilize hiPCS-derived motoneuron cultures and live imaging quantitative techniques to evaluate metabolic rates in fused in sarcoma (FUS)-ALS model cells. We show that differentiation and maturation of motoneurons are accompanied by an overall upregulation of mitochondrial components and a significant increase in metabolic rates that correspond to their high energy-demanding state. Detailed compartment-specific live measurements using a fluorescent ATP sensor and FLIM imaging show significantly lower levels of ATP in the somas of cells carrying FUS-ALS mutations. These changes lead to the increased vulnerability of diseased motoneurons to further metabolic challenges with mitochondrial inhibitors and could be due to the disruption of mitochondrial inner membrane integrity and an increase in its proton leakage. Furthermore, our measurements demonstrate heterogeneity between axonal and somatic compartments, with lower relative levels of ATP in axons. Our observations strongly support the hypothesis that mutated FUS impacts the metabolic states of motoneurons and makes them more susceptible to further neurodegenerative mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vitaly L Zimyanin
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
- Center for Membrane and Cell Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
- Department of Neurology, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Anna-Maria Pielka
- Translational Neurodegeneration Section, "Albrecht Kossel", Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Rostock, University of Rostock, 18147 Rostock, Germany
| | - Hannes Glaß
- Translational Neurodegeneration Section, "Albrecht Kossel", Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Rostock, University of Rostock, 18147 Rostock, Germany
| | - Julia Japtok
- Department of Neurology, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Dajana Großmann
- Translational Neurodegeneration Section, "Albrecht Kossel", Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Rostock, University of Rostock, 18147 Rostock, Germany
| | - Melanie Martin
- Institute of Physiology, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Andreas Deussen
- Institute of Physiology, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Barbara Szewczyk
- Translational Neurodegeneration Section, "Albrecht Kossel", Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Rostock, University of Rostock, 18147 Rostock, Germany
| | - Chris Deppmann
- Department of Biology, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22902, USA
| | - Eli Zunder
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22902, USA
| | - Peter M Andersen
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Neurosciences, Umeå University, SE-901 85 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Tobias M Boeckers
- Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE), Ulm Site, 89081 Ulm, Germany
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Jared Sterneckert
- Centre for Regenerative Therapie, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Stefanie Redemann
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
- Center for Membrane and Cell Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22902, USA
| | - Alexander Storch
- Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE) Rostock/Greifswald, 18147 Rostock, Germany
- Center for Transdisciplinary Neurosciences Rostock (CTNR), University Medical Centre, University of Rostock, 18147 Rostock, Germany
- Department of Neurology, University of Rostock, 18147 Rostock, Germany
| | - Andreas Hermann
- Translational Neurodegeneration Section, "Albrecht Kossel", Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Rostock, University of Rostock, 18147 Rostock, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE) Rostock/Greifswald, 18147 Rostock, Germany
- Center for Transdisciplinary Neurosciences Rostock (CTNR), University Medical Centre, University of Rostock, 18147 Rostock, Germany
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9
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Kinger S, Dubey AR, Kumar P, Jagtap YA, Choudhary A, Kumar A, Prajapati VK, Dhiman R, Mishra A. Molecular Chaperones' Potential against Defective Proteostasis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Cells 2023; 12:cells12091302. [PMID: 37174703 PMCID: PMC10177248 DOI: 10.3390/cells12091302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neuronal degenerative condition identified via a build-up of mutant aberrantly folded proteins. The native folding of polypeptides is mediated by molecular chaperones, preventing their pathogenic aggregation. The mutant protein expression in ALS is linked with the entrapment and depletion of chaperone capacity. The lack of a thorough understanding of chaperones' involvement in ALS pathogenesis presents a significant challenge in its treatment. Here, we review how the accumulation of the ALS-linked mutant FUS, TDP-43, SOD1, and C9orf72 proteins damage cellular homeostasis mechanisms leading to neuronal loss. Further, we discuss how the HSP70 and DNAJ family co-chaperones can act as potential targets for reducing misfolded protein accumulation in ALS. Moreover, small HSPB1 and HSPB8 chaperones can facilitate neuroprotection and prevent stress-associated misfolded protein apoptosis. Designing therapeutic strategies by pharmacologically enhancing cellular chaperone capacity to reduce mutant protein proteotoxic effects on ALS pathomechanisms can be a considerable advancement. Chaperones, apart from directly interacting with misfolded proteins for protein quality control, can also filter their toxicity by initiating strong stress-response pathways, modulating transcriptional expression profiles, and promoting anti-apoptotic functions. Overall, these properties of chaperones make them an attractive target for gaining fundamental insights into misfolded protein disorders and designing more effective therapies against ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumit Kinger
- Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology Unit, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, Jodhpur 342037, India
| | - Ankur Rakesh Dubey
- Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology Unit, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, Jodhpur 342037, India
| | - Prashant Kumar
- Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology Unit, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, Jodhpur 342037, India
| | - Yuvraj Anandrao Jagtap
- Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology Unit, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, Jodhpur 342037, India
| | - Akash Choudhary
- Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology Unit, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, Jodhpur 342037, India
| | - Amit Kumar
- Discipline of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Simrol, Indore 453552, India
| | - Vijay Kumar Prajapati
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Rajasthan, Ajmer 305817, India
| | - Rohan Dhiman
- Laboratory of Mycobacterial Immunology, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela 769008, India
| | - Amit Mishra
- Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology Unit, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, Jodhpur 342037, India
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10
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Morrone CD, Raghuraman R, Hussaini SA, Yu WH. Proteostasis failure exacerbates neuronal circuit dysfunction and sleep impairments in Alzheimer's disease. Mol Neurodegener 2023; 18:27. [PMID: 37085942 PMCID: PMC10119020 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-023-00617-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Failed proteostasis is a well-documented feature of Alzheimer's disease, particularly, reduced protein degradation and clearance. However, the contribution of failed proteostasis to neuronal circuit dysfunction is an emerging concept in neurodegenerative research and will prove critical in understanding cognitive decline. Our objective is to convey Alzheimer's disease progression with the growing evidence for a bidirectional relationship of sleep disruption and proteostasis failure. Proteostasis dysfunction and tauopathy in Alzheimer's disease disrupts neurons that regulate the sleep-wake cycle, which presents behavior as impaired slow wave and rapid eye movement sleep patterns. Subsequent sleep loss further impairs protein clearance. Sleep loss is a defined feature seen early in many neurodegenerative disorders and contributes to memory impairments in Alzheimer's disease. Canonical pathological hallmarks, β-amyloid, and tau, directly disrupt sleep, and neurodegeneration of locus coeruleus, hippocampal and hypothalamic neurons from tau proteinopathy causes disruption of the neuronal circuitry of sleep. Acting in a positive-feedback-loop, sleep loss and circadian rhythm disruption then increase spread of β-amyloid and tau, through impairments of proteasome, autophagy, unfolded protein response and glymphatic clearance. This phenomenon extends beyond β-amyloid and tau, with interactions of sleep impairment with the homeostasis of TDP-43, α-synuclein, FUS, and huntingtin proteins, implicating sleep loss as an important consideration in an array of neurodegenerative diseases and in cases of mixed neuropathology. Critically, the dynamics of this interaction in the neurodegenerative environment are not fully elucidated and are deserving of further discussion and research. Finally, we propose sleep-enhancing therapeutics as potential interventions for promoting healthy proteostasis, including β-amyloid and tau clearance, mechanistically linking these processes. With further clinical and preclinical research, we propose this dynamic interaction as a diagnostic and therapeutic framework, informing precise single- and combinatorial-treatments for Alzheimer's disease and other brain disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Daniel Morrone
- Brain Health Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College St., Toronto, ON, M5T 1R8, Canada.
| | - Radha Raghuraman
- Taub Institute, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 630W 168th Street, New York, NY, 10032, USA
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 630W 168th Street, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - S Abid Hussaini
- Taub Institute, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 630W 168th Street, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 630W 168th Street, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
| | - Wai Haung Yu
- Brain Health Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College St., Toronto, ON, M5T 1R8, Canada.
- Geriatric Mental Health Research Services, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College St., Toronto, ON, M5T 1R8, Canada.
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A8, Canada.
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11
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Che X, Wu J, Liu H, Su J, Chen X. Cellular liquid-liquid phase separation: Concept, functions, regulations, and detections. J Cell Physiol 2023; 238:847-865. [PMID: 36870067 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30980] [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: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
Liquid-liquid phase separation is a multicomponent system separated into phases with different compositions and structures. It has been identified and explored in organisms after being introduced from the thermodynamic field. Condensate, the product of phase separation, exists in different scales of cellular structures, such as nucleolus, stress granules, and other organelles in nuclei or cytoplasm. And also play critical roles in different cellular behaviors. Here, we review the concept, thermodynamical and biochemical principles of phase separation. We summarized the main functions including the adjustment of biochemical reaction rates, the regulation of macromolecule folding state, subcellular structural support, the mediation of subcellular location, and intimately linked to different kinds of diseases, such as cancer and neurodegeneration. Advanced detection methods to investigate phase separation are collected and analyzed. We conclude with the discussion of anxiety of phase separation, and thought about how progress can be made to develop precise detection methods and disclose the potential application of condensates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuanlin Che
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Xiangya Clinical Research Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jiajun Wu
- Department of Orthopaedics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Hua Liu
- Department of Orthopaedics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Juan Su
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Xiangya Clinical Research Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xiang Chen
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Xiangya Clinical Research Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
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12
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Lant JT, Hasan F, Briggs J, Heinemann IU, O’Donoghue P. Genetic Interaction of tRNA-Dependent Mistranslation with Fused in Sarcoma Protein Aggregates. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:518. [PMID: 36833445 PMCID: PMC9956149 DOI: 10.3390/genes14020518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
High-fidelity protein synthesis requires properly aminoacylated transfer RNAs (tRNAs), yet diverse cell types, from bacteria to humans, show a surprising ability to tolerate errors in translation resulting from mutations in tRNAs, aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, and other components of protein synthesis. Recently, we characterized a tRNASerAGA G35A mutant (tRNASerAAA) that occurs in 2% of the human population. The mutant tRNA decodes phenylalanine codons with serine, inhibits protein synthesis, and is defective in protein and aggregate degradation. Here, we used cell culture models to test our hypothesis that tRNA-dependent mistranslation will exacerbate toxicity caused by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)-associated protein aggregation. Relative to wild-type tRNA, we found cells expressing tRNASerAAA showed slower but effective aggregation of the fused in sarcoma (FUS) protein. Despite reduced levels in mistranslating cells, wild-type FUS aggregates showed similar toxicity in mistranslating cells and normal cells. The aggregation kinetics of the ALS-causative FUS R521C variant were distinct and more toxic in mistranslating cells, where rapid FUS aggregation caused cells to rupture. We observed synthetic toxicity in neuroblastoma cells co-expressing the mistranslating tRNA mutant and the ALS-causative FUS R521C variant. Our data demonstrate that a naturally occurring human tRNA variant enhances cellular toxicity associated with a known causative allele for neurodegenerative disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy T. Lant
- Department of Biochemistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Farah Hasan
- Department of Biochemistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Julia Briggs
- Department of Biochemistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Ilka U. Heinemann
- Department of Biochemistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Patrick O’Donoghue
- Department of Biochemistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada
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13
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FUS Alters circRNA Metabolism in Human Motor Neurons Carrying the ALS-Linked P525L Mutation. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043181. [PMID: 36834591 PMCID: PMC9968238 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043181] [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: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Deregulation of RNA metabolism has emerged as one of the key events leading to the degeneration of motor neurons (MNs) in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) disease. Indeed, mutations on RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) or on proteins involved in aspects of RNA metabolism account for the majority of familiar forms of ALS. In particular, the impact of the ALS-linked mutations of the RBP FUS on many aspects of RNA-related processes has been vastly investigated. FUS plays a pivotal role in splicing regulation and its mutations severely alter the exon composition of transcripts coding for proteins involved in neurogenesis, axon guidance, and synaptic activity. In this study, by using in vitro-derived human MNs, we investigate the effect of the P525L FUS mutation on non-canonical splicing events that leads to the formation of circular RNAs (circRNAs). We observed altered levels of circRNAs in FUSP525L MNs and a preferential binding of the mutant protein to introns flanking downregulated circRNAs and containing inverted Alu repeats. For a subset of circRNAs, FUSP525L also impacts their nuclear/cytoplasmic partitioning, confirming its involvement in different processes of RNA metabolism. Finally, we assess the potential of cytoplasmic circRNAs to act as miRNA sponges, with possible implications in ALS pathogenesis.
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14
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Mhalhel K, Sicari M, Pansera L, Chen J, Levanti M, Diotel N, Rastegar S, Germanà A, Montalbano G. Zebrafish: A Model Deciphering the Impact of Flavonoids on Neurodegenerative Disorders. Cells 2023; 12:cells12020252. [PMID: 36672187 PMCID: PMC9856690 DOI: 10.3390/cells12020252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the past century, advances in biotechnology, biochemistry, and pharmacognosy have spotlighted flavonoids, polyphenolic secondary metabolites that have the ability to modulate many pathways involved in various biological mechanisms, including those involved in neuronal plasticity, learning, and memory. Moreover, flavonoids are known to impact the biological processes involved in developing neurodegenerative diseases, namely oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Thus, several flavonoids could be used as adjuvants to prevent and counteract neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Zebrafish is an interesting model organism that can offer new opportunities to study the beneficial effects of flavonoids on neurodegenerative diseases. Indeed, the high genome homology of 70% to humans, the brain organization largely similar to the human brain as well as the similar neuroanatomical and neurochemical processes, and the high neurogenic activity maintained in the adult brain makes zebrafish a valuable model for the study of human neurodegenerative diseases and deciphering the impact of flavonoids on those disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamel Mhalhel
- Zebrafish Neuromorphology Lab., Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Via Giovanni Palatucci snc, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Mirea Sicari
- Zebrafish Neuromorphology Lab., Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Via Giovanni Palatucci snc, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Lidia Pansera
- Zebrafish Neuromorphology Lab., Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Via Giovanni Palatucci snc, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Jincan Chen
- Institute of Biological and Chemical Systems-Biological Information Processing (IBCS-BIP), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Campus North, Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Maria Levanti
- Zebrafish Neuromorphology Lab., Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Via Giovanni Palatucci snc, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Nicolas Diotel
- Université de la Réunion, UMR 1188 Diabète Athérothrombose Thérapies Réunion Océan Indien (DéTROI), Plateforme CYROI, F-97490 Sainte-Clotilde, France
| | - Sepand Rastegar
- Institute of Biological and Chemical Systems-Biological Information Processing (IBCS-BIP), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Campus North, Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
- Correspondence: (S.R.); (G.M.); Tel.: +49-721-608-22507 (S.R.); +39-090-6766822 (G.M.)
| | - Antonino Germanà
- Zebrafish Neuromorphology Lab., Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Via Giovanni Palatucci snc, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Montalbano
- Zebrafish Neuromorphology Lab., Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Via Giovanni Palatucci snc, 98168 Messina, Italy
- Correspondence: (S.R.); (G.M.); Tel.: +49-721-608-22507 (S.R.); +39-090-6766822 (G.M.)
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15
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Ito D, Morimoto S, Takahashi S, Okada K, Nakahara J, Okano H. Maiden voyage: induced pluripotent stem cell-based drug screening for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Brain 2023; 146:13-19. [PMID: 36004509 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awac306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Using patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells, neurodegenerative disease phenotypes have been recapitulated and their pathogenesis analysed leading to significant progress in drug screening. In amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, high-throughput screening using induced pluripotent stem cells-derived motor neurons has identified candidate drugs. Owing to induced pluripotent stem cell-based drug evaluation/screening, three compounds, retigabine, ropinirole and bosutinib, have progressed to clinical trials. Retigabine blocks hyperexcitability and improves survival in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patient-derived motor neurons. In a randomized clinical trial (n = 65), treatment with retigabine reduced neuronal excitability after 8 weeks. Ropinirole, identified in a high-throughput screening, attenuates pathological phenotypes in patient-derived motor neurons. In a trial limited by a small sample size (n = 20), ropinirole was tolerable and had clinical benefits on function and survival. A phase 1 study of bosutinib has reported safety and tolerability for 12 weeks. Thus, these clinical trials show safety and positive effects and confirm the reliability of stem cell-based drug discovery. This novel strategy leads to reduced costs and time when compared to animal testing and opens new avenues for therapy in intractable diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisuke Ito
- Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Satoru Morimoto
- Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
- Department of Neurology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Shinichi Takahashi
- Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
- Department of Neurology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
- Department of Neurology, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, Saitama 350-1298, Japan
| | - Kensuke Okada
- Department of Neurology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Jin Nakahara
- Department of Neurology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Okano
- Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
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16
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Cha SJ, Yoon JH, Han YJ, Kim K. Knockdown of glutathione S-transferase leads to mislocalization and accumulation of cabeza, a drosophila homolog of FUS, in the brain. J Neurogenet 2022:1-5. [DOI: 10.1080/01677063.2022.2149747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sun Joo Cha
- Department of Medical Science, Soonchunhyang University, Asan, Korea
| | - Ja Hoon Yoon
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Soonchunhyang University, Asan, Korea
| | - Yeo Jeong Han
- Department of Medical Science, Soonchunhyang University, Asan, Korea
| | - Kiyoung Kim
- Department of Medical Science, Soonchunhyang University, Asan, Korea
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17
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Trist BG, Fifita JA, Hogan A, Grima N, Smith B, Troakes C, Vance C, Shaw C, Al-Sarraj S, Blair IP, Double KL. Co-deposition of SOD1, TDP-43 and p62 proteinopathies in ALS: evidence for multifaceted pathways underlying neurodegeneration. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2022; 10:122. [PMID: 36008843 PMCID: PMC9404564 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-022-01421-9] [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: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple neurotoxic proteinopathies co-exist within vulnerable neuronal populations in all major neurodegenerative diseases. Interactions between these pathologies may modulate disease progression, suggesting they may constitute targets for disease-modifying treatments aiming to slow or halt neurodegeneration. Pairwise interactions between superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) and ubiquitin-binding protein 62/sequestosome 1 (p62) proteinopathies have been reported in multiple transgenic cellular and animal models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), however corresponding examination of these relationships in patient tissues is lacking. Further, the coalescence of all three proteinopathies has not been studied in vitro or in vivo to date. These data are essential to guide therapeutic development and enhance the translation of relevant therapies into the clinic. Our group recently profiled SOD1 proteinopathy in post-mortem spinal cord tissues from familial and sporadic ALS cases, demonstrating an abundance of structurally-disordered (dis)SOD1 conformers which become mislocalized within these vulnerable neurons compared with those of aged controls. To explore any relationships between this, and other, ALS-linked proteinopathies, we profiled TDP-43 and p62 within spinal cord motor neurons of the same post-mortem tissue cohort using multiplexed immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry. We identified distinct patterns of SOD1, TDP43 and p62 co-deposition and subcellular mislocalization between motor neurons of familial and sporadic ALS cases, which we primarily attribute to SOD1 gene status. Our data demonstrate co-deposition of p62 with mutant and wild-type disSOD1 and phosphorylated TDP-43 in familial and sporadic ALS spinal cord motor neurons, consistent with attempts by p62 to mitigate SOD1 and TDP-43 deposition. Wild-type SOD1 and TDP-43 co-deposition was also frequently observed in ALS cases lacking SOD1 mutations. Finally, alterations to the subcellular localization of the three proteins were tightly correlated, suggesting close relationships between the regulatory mechanisms governing the subcellular compartmentalization of these proteins. Our study is the first to profile spatial relationships between SOD1, TDP-43 and p62 pathologies in post-mortem spinal cord motor neurons of ALS patients, previously only studied in vitro. Our findings suggest interactions between these three key ALS-linked proteins are likely to modulate the formation of their respective proteinopathies, and perhaps the rate of motor neuron degeneration, in ALS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin G Trist
- Brain and Mind Centre and School of Medical Sciences (Neuroscience), Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia.
| | - Jennifer A Fifita
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Alison Hogan
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Natalie Grima
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Bradley Smith
- Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute and the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, Camberwell, London, SE5 9RT, UK
| | - Claire Troakes
- London Neurodegenerative Diseases Brain Bank, Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Caroline Vance
- Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute and the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, Camberwell, London, SE5 9RT, UK
| | - Christopher Shaw
- Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute and the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, Camberwell, London, SE5 9RT, UK
| | - Safa Al-Sarraj
- London Neurodegenerative Diseases Brain Bank, Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Ian P Blair
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Kay L Double
- Brain and Mind Centre and School of Medical Sciences (Neuroscience), Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia.
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18
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Liu T, Woo JAA, Bukhari MZ, Wang X, Yan Y, Buosi SC, Ermekbaeva A, Sista A, Kotsiviras P, LePochat P, Chacko A, Zhao X, Kang DE. Modulation of synaptic plasticity, motor unit physiology, and TDP-43 pathology by CHCHD10. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2022; 10:95. [PMID: 35787294 PMCID: PMC9254494 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-022-01386-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations in CHCHD10, a gene coding for a mitochondrial intermembrane space protein, are associated with Frontotemporal dementia (FTD)-Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) spectrum disorders, which are pathologically characterized by cytoplasmic inclusions containing TDP-43. FTD/ALS-linked CHCHD10 mutations and TDP-43 inclusions similarly induce mitochondrial defects in respiration, fusion/fission, mtDNA stability, and cristae structure, while sizeable amounts of cytoplasmic TDP-43 aggregates are found in mitochondria. However, the mechanistic link between CHCHD10 and TDP-43 pathogenesis remains unclear. In this study, we present immunohistochemical and biochemical evidence demonstrating that insoluble CHCHD10 aggregates accumulate and colocalize with phospho-TDP-43 inclusions in brains of FTLD-TDP and AD patients, and that insoluble CHCHD10 levels tightly correlate with insoluble TDP-43 levels in control and FTLD-TDP brains. In an experimental exploration of this pathological phenotype, transgenic mice neuronally expressing FTD/ALS-linked CHCHD10R15L or CHCHDS59L mutations but not CHCHD10WT transgenic mice exhibit significantly increased CHCHD10 aggregation and phospho-TDP-43 pathology, which often colocalize within the same inclusions. Such pathologies are reflected in poor functional outcomes in long-term synaptic plasticity, motor unit physiology, and behavior in CHCHD10R15L and CHCHDS59L transgenic mice. In contrast, expression of CHCHD10WT in hTDP-43 transgenic mice (TAR4;CHCHD10WT) significantly mitigates phospho-TDP-43 pathology and rescues TDP-43-induced impairments in synaptic integrity and long-term synaptic plasticity. In isolated mitochondria, the S59L mutation induces the aggregation of resident CHCHD10S59L protein as well as the aggregation and slower turnover of recombinant TDP-43 imported into mitochondria. Likewise, in an in vitro cell-free system, the S59L mutation induces the aggregation of CHCHD10S59L protein while simultaneously enhancing the aggregation of recombinant TDP-43, as evidenced by filter trap assays and atomic force microscopy. In contrast, recombinant CHCHD10WT inhibits the growth of TDP-43 aggregates. These results in human brains, transgenic mice, and in vitro systems substantiate the role of wild type and mutant CHCHD10 in modulating mitochondrial CHCHD10 and TDP-43 pathogenesis together with associated phenotypes in long-term synaptic plasticity and motor unit physiology in mice and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian Liu
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA.
| | - Jung-A A Woo
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Byrd Alzheimer's Center & Research Institute, USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, 33613, USA
| | - Mohammed Zaheen Bukhari
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Byrd Alzheimer's Center & Research Institute, USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, 33613, USA
| | - Xinming Wang
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Yan Yan
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Byrd Alzheimer's Center & Research Institute, USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, 33613, USA
| | - Sara Cazzaro Buosi
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Byrd Alzheimer's Center & Research Institute, USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, 33613, USA
| | - Aizara Ermekbaeva
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Byrd Alzheimer's Center & Research Institute, USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, 33613, USA
| | - Apoorva Sista
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Byrd Alzheimer's Center & Research Institute, USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, 33613, USA
| | - Peter Kotsiviras
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Byrd Alzheimer's Center & Research Institute, USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, 33613, USA
| | - Patrick LePochat
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Byrd Alzheimer's Center & Research Institute, USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, 33613, USA
| | - Ann Chacko
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Byrd Alzheimer's Center & Research Institute, USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, 33613, USA
| | - Xingyu Zhao
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Byrd Alzheimer's Center & Research Institute, USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, 33613, USA
| | - David E Kang
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA.
- Louis Strokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA.
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Byrd Alzheimer's Center & Research Institute, USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, 33613, USA.
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19
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Lao Z, Dong X, Liu X, Li F, Chen Y, Tang Y, Wei G. Insights into the Atomistic Mechanisms of Phosphorylation in Disrupting Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation and Aggregation of the FUS Low-Complexity Domain. J Chem Inf Model 2022; 62:3227-3238. [PMID: 35709363 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.2c00414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Fused in sarcoma (FUS), a nuclear RNA binding protein, can not only undergo liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) to form dynamic biomolecular condensates but also aggregate into solid amyloid fibrils which are associated with the pathology of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal lobar degeneration diseases. Phosphorylation in the FUS low-complexity domain (FUS-LC) inhibits FUS LLPS and aggregation. However, it remains largely elusive what are the underlying atomistic mechanisms of this inhibitory effect and whether phosphorylation can disrupt preformed FUS fibrils, reversing the FUS gel/solid phase toward the liquid phase. Herein, we systematically investigate the impacts of phosphorylation on the conformational ensemble of the FUS37-97 monomer and dimer and the structure of the FUS37-97 fibril by performing extensive all-atom molecular dynamics simulations. Our simulations reveal three key findings: (1) phosphorylation shifts the conformations of FUS37-97 from the β-rich, fibril-competent state toward a helix-rich, fibril-incompetent state; (2) phosphorylation significantly weakens protein-protein interactions and enhances protein-water interactions, which disfavor FUS-LC LLPS as well as aggregation and facilitate the dissolution of the preformed FUS-LC fibril; and (3) the FUS37-97 peptide displays a high β-strand probability in the region spanning residues 52-67, and phosphorylation at S54 and S61 residues located in this region is crucial for the disruption of LLPS and aggregation of FUS-LC. This study may pave the way for ameliorating phase-separation-related pathologies via site-specific phosphorylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zenghui Lao
- Department of Physics, State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics, Key Laboratory for Computational Physical Sciences (Ministry of Education), Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuewei Dong
- Department of Physics, State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics, Key Laboratory for Computational Physical Sciences (Ministry of Education), Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
| | - Xianshi Liu
- Department of Physics, State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics, Key Laboratory for Computational Physical Sciences (Ministry of Education), Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
| | - Fangying Li
- Department of Physics, State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics, Key Laboratory for Computational Physical Sciences (Ministry of Education), Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
| | - Yujie Chen
- Department of Physics, State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics, Key Laboratory for Computational Physical Sciences (Ministry of Education), Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
| | - Yiming Tang
- Department of Physics, State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics, Key Laboratory for Computational Physical Sciences (Ministry of Education), Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
| | - Guanghong Wei
- Department of Physics, State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics, Key Laboratory for Computational Physical Sciences (Ministry of Education), Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
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20
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Johnson MA, Nuckols TA, Merino P, Bagchi P, Nandy S, Root J, Taylor G, Seyfried NT, Kukar T. Proximity-based labeling reveals DNA damage-induced phosphorylation of fused in sarcoma (FUS) causes distinct changes in the FUS protein interactome. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102135. [PMID: 35709984 PMCID: PMC9372748 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102135] [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: 10/05/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Accumulation of cytoplasmic inclusions containing fused in sarcoma (FUS), an RNA/DNA-binding protein, is a common hallmark of frontotemporal lobar degeneration and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis neuropathology. We have previously shown that DNA damage can trigger the cytoplasmic accumulation of N-terminally phosphorylated FUS. However, the functional consequences of N-terminal FUS phosphorylation are unknown. To gain insight into this question, we utilized proximity-dependent biotin labeling via ascorbate peroxidase 2 aired with mass spectrometry to investigate whether N-terminal phosphorylation alters the FUS protein-protein interaction network (interactome), and subsequently, FUS function. We report the first analysis comparing the interactomes of three FUS variants: homeostatic wildtype FUS (FUS WT), phosphomimetic FUS (FUS PM; a proxy for N-terminally phosphorylated FUS), and the toxic FUS proline 525 to leucine mutant (FUS P525L) that causes juvenile amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. We found that the phosphomimetic FUS interactome is uniquely enriched for a group of cytoplasmic proteins that mediate mRNA metabolism and translation, as well as nuclear proteins involved in the spliceosome and DNA repair functions. Furthermore, we identified and validated the RNA-induced silencing complex RNA helicase MOV10 as a novel interacting partner of FUS. Finally, we provide functional evidence that N-terminally phosphorylated FUS may disrupt homeostatic translation and steady-state levels of specific mRNA transcripts. Taken together, these results highlight phosphorylation as a unique modulator of the interactome and function of FUS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle A. Johnson
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory University, School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA,Center for Neurodegenerative Disease, Emory University, School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Thomas A. Nuckols
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory University, School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA,Center for Neurodegenerative Disease, Emory University, School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Paola Merino
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory University, School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA,Center for Neurodegenerative Disease, Emory University, School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Pritha Bagchi
- Emory Integrated Proteomics Core, Emory University, School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Srijita Nandy
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory University, School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA,Center for Neurodegenerative Disease, Emory University, School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Jessica Root
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory University, School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA,Center for Neurodegenerative Disease, Emory University, School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Georgia Taylor
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory University, School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA,Center for Neurodegenerative Disease, Emory University, School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Nicholas T. Seyfried
- Center for Neurodegenerative Disease, Emory University, School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA,Emory Integrated Proteomics Core, Emory University, School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA,Department of Neurology, Emory University, School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA,Department of Biochemistry, Emory University, School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Thomas Kukar
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory University, School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA,Center for Neurodegenerative Disease, Emory University, School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA,Department of Neurology, Emory University, School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA,For correspondence: Thomas Kukar
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21
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Autophagy regulation by RNA alternative splicing and implications in human diseases. Nat Commun 2022; 13:2735. [PMID: 35585060 PMCID: PMC9117662 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30433-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Autophagy and RNA alternative splicing are two evolutionarily conserved processes involved in overlapping physiological and pathological processes. However, the extent of functional connection is not well defined. Here, we consider the role for alternative splicing and generation of autophagy-related gene isoforms in the regulation of autophagy in recent work. The impact of changes to the RNA alternative splicing machinery and production of alternative spliced isoforms on autophagy are reviewed with particular focus on disease relevance. The use of drugs targeting both alternative splicing and autophagy as well as the selective regulation of single autophagy-related protein isoforms, are considered as therapeutic strategies. Both alternative splicing and autophagy are core cell biological processes, but where they intersect has received little attention. Here, the authors reflect on recent connections identified between these pathways and consider their impact on human disease.
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22
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Houghton OH, Mizielinska S, Gomez-Suaga P. The Interplay Between Autophagy and RNA Homeostasis: Implications for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:838402. [PMID: 35573690 PMCID: PMC9096704 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.838402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia are neurodegenerative disorders that lie on a disease spectrum, sharing genetic causes and pathology, and both without effective therapeutics. Two pathways that have been shown to play major roles in disease pathogenesis are autophagy and RNA homeostasis. Intriguingly, there is an increasing body of evidence suggesting a critical interplay between these pathways. Autophagy is a multi-stage process for bulk and selective clearance of malfunctional cellular components, with many layers of regulation. Although the majority of autophagy research focuses on protein degradation, it can also mediate RNA catabolism. ALS/FTD-associated proteins are involved in many stages of autophagy and autophagy-mediated RNA degradation, particularly converging on the clearance of persistent pathological stress granules. In this review, we will summarise the progress in understanding the autophagy-RNA homeostasis interplay and how that knowledge contributes to our understanding of the pathobiology of ALS/FTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- O H Houghton
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, London, United Kingdom.,UK Dementia Research Institute at King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - S Mizielinska
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, London, United Kingdom.,UK Dementia Research Institute at King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - P Gomez-Suaga
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, London, United Kingdom.,Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular y Genética, Facultad de Enfermería y Terapia Ocupacional, Universidad de Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain.,Instituto Universitario de Investigación Biosanitaria de Extremadura (INUBE), Cáceres, Spain
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23
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Ilaria M, Elisabetta Z, Viviana P, Cinzia G, Bryan J T, Giulia G, Adriano C, Jessica M. G507D mutation in FUS gene causes familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with a specific genotype-phenotype correlation. Neurobiol Aging 2022; 118:124-128. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2022.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Revised: 04/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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24
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Johns AE, Maragakis NJ. Exploring Motor Neuron Diseases Using iPSC Platforms. Stem Cells 2022; 40:2-13. [PMID: 35511862 PMCID: PMC9199844 DOI: 10.1093/stmcls/sxab006] [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: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The degeneration of motor neurons is a pathological hallmark of motor neuron diseases (MNDs), but emerging evidence suggests that neuronal vulnerability extends well beyond this cell subtype. The ability to assess motor function in the clinic is limited to physical examination, electrophysiological measures, and tissue-based or neuroimaging techniques which lack the resolution to accurately assess neuronal dysfunction as the disease progresses. Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA), hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are all MNDs with devastating clinical outcomes that contribute significantly to disease burden as patients are no longer able to carry out normal activities of daily living. The critical need to accurately assess the cause and progression of motor neuron dysfunction, especially in the early stages of those diseases, has motivated the use of human iPSC-derived motor neurons (hiPSC-MN) to study the neurobiological mechanisms underlying disease pathogenesis and to generate platforms for therapeutic discovery and testing. As our understanding of MNDs has grown, so too has our need to develop more complex in vitro models which include hiPSC-MN co-cultured with relevant non-neuronal cells in 2D as well as in 3D organoid and spheroid systems. These more complex hiPSC-derived culture systems have led to the implementation of new technologies, including microfluidics, multielectrode array, and machine learning which offer novel insights into the functional correlates of these emerging model systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra E Johns
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
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25
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Shadfar S, Brocardo M, Atkin JD. The Complex Mechanisms by Which Neurons Die Following DNA Damage in Neurodegenerative Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23052484. [PMID: 35269632 PMCID: PMC8910227 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23052484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2021] [Revised: 02/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Human cells are exposed to numerous exogenous and endogenous insults every day. Unlike other molecules, DNA cannot be replaced by resynthesis, hence damage to DNA can have major consequences for the cell. The DNA damage response contains overlapping signalling networks that repair DNA and hence maintain genomic integrity, and aberrant DNA damage responses are increasingly described in neurodegenerative diseases. Furthermore, DNA repair declines during aging, which is the biggest risk factor for these conditions. If unrepaired, the accumulation of DNA damage results in death to eliminate cells with defective genomes. This is particularly important for postmitotic neurons because they have a limited capacity to proliferate, thus they must be maintained for life. Neuronal death is thus an important process in neurodegenerative disorders. In addition, the inability of neurons to divide renders them susceptible to senescence or re-entry to the cell cycle. The field of cell death has expanded significantly in recent years, and many new mechanisms have been described in various cell types, including neurons. Several of these mechanisms are linked to DNA damage. In this review, we provide an overview of the cell death pathways induced by DNA damage that are relevant to neurons and discuss the possible involvement of these mechanisms in neurodegenerative conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sina Shadfar
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Macquarie Medical School, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia; (S.S.); (M.B.)
| | - Mariana Brocardo
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Macquarie Medical School, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia; (S.S.); (M.B.)
| | - Julie D. Atkin
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Macquarie Medical School, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia; (S.S.); (M.B.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
- Correspondence:
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26
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Pampalakis G, Angelis G, Zingkou E, Vekrellis K, Sotiropoulou G. A chemogenomic approach is required for effective treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Clin Transl Med 2022; 12:e657. [PMID: 35064780 PMCID: PMC8783349 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2021] [Revised: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
ALS is a fatal untreatable disease involving degeneration of motor neurons. Μultiple causative genes encoding proteins with versatile functions have been identified indicating that diverse biological pathways lead to ALS. Chemical entities still represent a promising choice to delay ALS progression, attenuate symptoms and/or increase life expectancy, but also gene-based and stem cell-based therapies are in the process of development, and some are tested in clinical trials. Various compounds proved effective in transgenic models overexpressing distinct ALS causative genes unfortunately though, they showed no efficacy in clinical trials. Notably, while animal models provide a uniform genetic background for preclinical testing, ALS patients are not stratified, and the distinct genetic forms of ALS are treated as one group, which could explain the observed discrepancies between treating genetically homogeneous mice and quite heterogeneous patient cohorts. We suggest that chemical entity-genotype correlation should be exploited to guide patient stratification for pharmacotherapy, that is administered drugs should be selected based on the ALS genetic background.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgios Pampalakis
- Department of Pharmacology - Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Georgios Angelis
- Department of Pharmacology - Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Patras, Rion-Patras, Greece
| | - Eleni Zingkou
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Patras, Rion-Patras, Greece
| | - Kostas Vekrellis
- Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Georgia Sotiropoulou
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Patras, Rion-Patras, Greece
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27
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Xia J. Liquid-liquid phase separation: A new perspective to understanding aging and pathogenesis. Biosci Trends 2022; 16:359-362. [DOI: 10.5582/bst.2022.01453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jufeng Xia
- Arai Japan Medical Institute, Tokyo, Japan
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28
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Regulation of spatially restricted gene expression: linking RNA localization and phase separation. Biochem Soc Trans 2021; 49:2591-2600. [PMID: 34821361 DOI: 10.1042/bst20210320] [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: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Subcellular restriction of gene expression is crucial to the functioning of a wide variety of cell types. The cellular machinery driving spatially restricted gene expression has been studied for many years, but recent advances have highlighted novel mechanisms by which cells can generate subcellular microenvironments with specialized gene expression profiles. Particularly intriguing are recent findings that phase separation plays a role in certain RNA localization pathways. The burgeoning field of phase separation has revolutionized how we view cellular compartmentalization, revealing that, in addition to membrane-bound organelles, phase-separated cytoplasmic microenvironments - termed biomolecular condensates - are compositionally and functionally distinct from the surrounding cytoplasm, without the need for a lipid membrane. The coupling of phase separation and RNA localization allows for precise subcellular targeting, robust translational repression and dynamic recruitment of accessory proteins. Despite the growing interest in the intersection between RNA localization and phase separation, it remains to be seen how exactly components of the localization machinery, particularly motor proteins, are able to associate with these biomolecular condensates. Further studies of the formation, function, and transport of biomolecular condensates promise to provide a new mechanistic understanding of how cells restrict gene expression at a subcellular level.
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29
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The two faces of autophagy in oral squamous cell carcinoma. Arch Oral Biol 2021; 134:105321. [PMID: 34923284 DOI: 10.1016/j.archoralbio.2021.105321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To undertake a comprehensive review of the current knowledge and understanding of autophagy in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), focusing on putative roles in tumour suppression and survival along with the influence of this cell death pathway on the development of resistance to chemotherapeutic treatment. DESIGN Several well utilised databases (PubMed, Medline, Google Scholar) were searched for the relevant literature using terms and keywords including but not limited too; autophagy and cancer, autophagy and OSCC, tumour survival, autophagy and oral microbiome, autophagy immunogenicity, OSCC chemoresistance. RESULTS Up-regulation of autophagy has been shown to promote tumour cell survival in the tumour microenvironment while in healthy cells, autophagy induction acts to prevent severe DNA mutations that can lead to cancer. Cancers utilise the autophagy pathway to promote survival during the stress of chemotherapeutic treatment and can induce resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs CONCLUSION: The ambiguous role of autophagy within cancers is still problematic in clinical fields. Within OSCC understanding whether autophagy plays a preventive or causative role is essential and may be beneficial in determining how modulation of this pathway may impact on OSSC and oral cancer patients.
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30
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do Amaral MA, Paredes LC, Padovani BN, Mendonça-Gomes JM, Montes LF, Câmara NOS, Morales Fénero C. Mitochondrial connections with immune system in Zebrafish. FISH AND SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY REPORTS 2021; 2:100019. [PMID: 36420514 PMCID: PMC9680083 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsirep.2021.100019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitochondria are organelles commonly associated with adenosine triphosphate (ATP) formation through the oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) process. However, mitochondria are also responsible for functions such as calcium homeostasis, apoptosis, autophagy, and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that, in conjunction, can lead to different cell fate decisions. Mitochondrial morphology changes rely on nutrients' availability and the bioenergetics demands of the cells, in a process known as mitochondrial dynamics, which includes both fusion and fission. This organelle senses the microenvironment and can modify the cells to either a pro or anti-inflammatory profile. The zebrafish has been increasingly used to research mitochondrial dynamics and its connection with the immune system since the pathways and molecules involved in these processes are conserved on this fish. Several genetic tools and technologies are currently available to analyze the behavior of mitochondria in zebrafish. However, even though zebrafish presents several similar processes known in mammals, the effect of the mitochondria in the immune system has not been so broadly studied in this model. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge in zebrafish studies regarding mitochondrial function and immuno metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Abrantes do Amaral
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Nephrology Division, Department of Medicine, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Lais Cavalieri Paredes
- Laboratory of Transplantation Immunobiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Department of Immunology, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP 05508-900, Brazil
| | - Barbara Nunes Padovani
- Laboratory of Transplantation Immunobiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Department of Immunology, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP 05508-900, Brazil
| | - Juliana Moreira Mendonça-Gomes
- Laboratory of Transplantation Immunobiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Department of Immunology, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP 05508-900, Brazil
| | - Luan Fávero Montes
- Laboratory of Transplantation Immunobiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Department of Immunology, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP 05508-900, Brazil
| | - Niels Olsen Saraiva Câmara
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Nephrology Division, Department of Medicine, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Laboratory of Transplantation Immunobiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Department of Immunology, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP 05508-900, Brazil
| | - Camila Morales Fénero
- Laboratory of Transplantation Immunobiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Department of Immunology, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP 05508-900, Brazil
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31
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Samanta N, Ribeiro SS, Becker M, Laborie E, Pollak R, Timr S, Sterpone F, Ebbinghaus S. Sequestration of Proteins in Stress Granules Relies on the In-Cell but Not the In Vitro Folding Stability. J Am Chem Soc 2021; 143:19909-19918. [PMID: 34788540 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c09589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Stress granules (SGs) are among the most studied membraneless organelles that form upon heat stress (HS) to sequester unfolded, misfolded, or aggregated protein, supporting protein quality control (PQC) clearance. The folding states that are primarily associated with SGs, as well as the function of the phase separated environment in adjusting the energy landscapes, remain unknown. Here, we investigate the association of superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) proteins with different folding stabilities and aggregation propensities with condensates in cells, in vitro and by simulation. We find that irrespective of aggregation the folding stability determines the association of SOD1 with SGs in cells. In vitro and in silico experiments however suggest that the increased flexibility of the unfolded state constitutes only a minor driving force to associate with the dynamic biomolecular network of the condensate. Specific protein-protein interactions in the cytoplasm in comparison to SGs determine the partitioning of folding states between the respective phases during HS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nirnay Samanta
- Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, TU Braunschweig, Rebenring 56, D-38106 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Sara S Ribeiro
- Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, TU Braunschweig, Rebenring 56, D-38106 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Mailin Becker
- Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, TU Braunschweig, Rebenring 56, D-38106 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Emeline Laborie
- CNRS Laboratoire de Biochimie Théorique, Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique, Université Paris Denis Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, PSL Research University, 13 rue Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris 75005, France
| | - Roland Pollak
- Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, TU Braunschweig, Rebenring 56, D-38106 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Stepan Timr
- CNRS Laboratoire de Biochimie Théorique, Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique, Université Paris Denis Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, PSL Research University, 13 rue Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris 75005, France.,J. Heyrovský Institute of Physical Chemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Dolejskova 2155/3, Prague 8 182 23, Czech Republic
| | - Fabio Sterpone
- CNRS Laboratoire de Biochimie Théorique, Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique, Université Paris Denis Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, PSL Research University, 13 rue Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris 75005, France
| | - Simon Ebbinghaus
- Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, TU Braunschweig, Rebenring 56, D-38106 Braunschweig, Germany
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32
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Trnka F, Hoffmann C, Wang H, Sansevrino R, Rankovic B, Rost BR, Schmitz D, Schmidt HB, Milovanovic D. Aberrant Phase Separation of FUS Leads to Lysosome Sequestering and Acidification. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:716919. [PMID: 34746121 PMCID: PMC8569517 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.716919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that leads to the death of upper and lower motor neurons. While most cases of ALS are sporadic, some of the familial forms of the disease are caused by mutations in the gene encoding for the RNA-binding protein FUS. Under physiological conditions, FUS readily phase separates into liquid-like droplets in vivo and in vitro. ALS-associated mutations interfere with this process and often result in solid-like aggregates rather than fluid condensates. Yet, whether cells recognize and triage aberrant condensates remains poorly understood, posing a major barrier to the development of novel ALS treatments. Using a combination of ALS-associated FUS mutations, optogenetic manipulation of FUS condensation, chemically induced stress, and pH-sensitive reporters of organelle acidity, we systematically characterized the cause-effect relationship between the material state of FUS condensates and the sequestering of lysosomes. From our data, we can derive three conclusions. First, regardless of whether we use wild-type or mutant FUS, expression levels (i.e., high concentrations) play a dominant role in determining the fraction of cells having soluble or aggregated FUS. Second, chemically induced FUS aggregates recruit LAMP1-positive structures. Third, mature, acidic lysosomes accumulate only at FUS aggregates but not at liquid-condensates. Together, our data suggest that lysosome-degradation machinery actively distinguishes between fluid and solid condensates. Unraveling these aberrant interactions and testing strategies to manipulate the autophagosome-lysosome axis provides valuable clues for disease intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Trnka
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Berlin, Germany
| | - Christian Hoffmann
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Berlin, Germany
| | - Han Wang
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Berlin, Germany
| | - Roberto Sansevrino
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Berlin, Germany
| | - Branislava Rankovic
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Berlin, Germany
| | - Benjamin R Rost
- Laboratory of Network Dysfunction, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Berlin, Germany
| | - Dietmar Schmitz
- Laboratory of Network Dysfunction, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Berlin, Germany.,Berlin Institute of Health, NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - H Broder Schmidt
- Department of Biochemistry, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Dragomir Milovanovic
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Berlin, Germany
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33
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Gao Z, Zhang W, Chang R, Zhang S, Yang G, Zhao G. Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation: Unraveling the Enigma of Biomolecular Condensates in Microbial Cells. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:751880. [PMID: 34759902 PMCID: PMC8573418 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.751880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Numerous examples of microbial phase-separated biomolecular condensates have now been identified following advances in fluorescence imaging and single molecule microscopy technologies. The structure, function, and potential applications of these microbial condensates are currently receiving a great deal of attention. By neatly compartmentalizing proteins and their interactors in membrane-less organizations while maintaining free communication between these macromolecules and the external environment, microbial cells are able to achieve enhanced metabolic efficiency. Typically, these condensates also possess the ability to rapidly adapt to internal and external changes. The biological functions of several phase-separated condensates in small bacterial cells show evolutionary convergence with the biological functions of their eukaryotic paralogs. Artificial microbial membrane-less organelles are being constructed with application prospects in biocatalysis, biosynthesis, and biomedicine. In this review, we provide an overview of currently known biomolecular condensates driven by liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) in microbial cells, and we elaborate on their biogenesis mechanisms and biological functions. Additionally, we highlight the major challenges and future research prospects in studying microbial LLPS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Guiwen Yang
- College of Life Science, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China
| | - Guoyan Zhao
- College of Life Science, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China
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34
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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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35
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Božič J, Motaln H, Janež AP, Markič L, Tripathi P, Yamoah A, Aronica E, Lee YB, Heilig R, Fischer R, Thompson AJ, Goswami A, Rogelj B. Interactome screening of C9orf72 dipeptide repeats reveals VCP sequestration and functional impairment by polyGA. Brain 2021; 145:684-699. [PMID: 34534264 PMCID: PMC9014755 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awab300] [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: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Repeat expansions in the C9orf72 gene are a common cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal lobar degeneration, two devastating neurodegenerative disorders. One of the proposed mechanisms of GGGGCC repeat expansion is their translation into non-canonical dipeptide repeats, which can then accumulate as aggregates and contribute to these pathologies. There are five different dipeptide repeat proteins (polyGA, polyGR, polyPR, polyPA and polyGP), some of which are known to be neurotoxic. In the present study, we used BioID2 proximity labelling to identify the interactomes of all five dipeptide repeat proteins consisting of 125 repeats each. We identified 113 interacting partners for polyGR, 90 for polyGA, 106 for polyPR, 25 for polyPA and 27 for polyGP. Gene Ontology enrichment analysis of the proteomic data revealed that these target interaction partners are involved in a variety of functions, including protein translation, signal transduction pathways, protein catabolic processes, amide metabolic processes and RNA-binding. Using autopsy brain tissue from patients with C9orf72 expansion complemented with cell culture analysis, we evaluated the interactions between polyGA and valosin containing protein (VCP). Functional analysis of this interaction revealed sequestration of VCP with polyGA aggregates, altering levels of soluble valosin-containing protein. VCP also functions in autophagy processes, and consistent with this, we observed altered autophagy in cells expressing polyGA. We also observed altered co-localization of polyGA aggregates and p62 in cells depleted of VCP. All together, these data suggest that sequestration of VCP with polyGA aggregates contributes to the loss of VCP function, and consequently to alterations in autophagy processes in C9orf72 expansion disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janja Božič
- Department of Biotechnology, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Helena Motaln
- Department of Biotechnology, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Anja Pucer Janež
- Department of Biotechnology, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Lara Markič
- Department of Biotechnology, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Priyanka Tripathi
- Institute of Neuropathology, RWTH Aachen University Medical School, Aachen, Germany
| | - Alfred Yamoah
- Institute of Neuropathology, RWTH Aachen University Medical School, Aachen, Germany
| | - Eleonora Aronica
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Department of (Neuro) Pathology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Youn-Bok Lee
- Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, King's College London, London, SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Raphael Heilig
- Target Discovery Institute, Centre for Medicines Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Roman Fischer
- Target Discovery Institute, Centre for Medicines Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Anand Goswami
- Institute of Neuropathology, RWTH Aachen University Medical School, Aachen, Germany
| | - Boris Rogelj
- Department of Biotechnology, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia.,Biomedical Research Institute (BRIS), Ljubljana, Slovenia.,Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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36
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Current Concepts on Genetic Aspects of Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22189832. [PMID: 34575995 PMCID: PMC8469731 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22189832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), neurodegenerative motor neuron disorder is characterized as multisystem disease with important contribution of genetic factors. The etiopahogenesis of ALS is not fully elucidate, but the dominant theory at present relates to RNA processing, as well as protein aggregation and miss-folding, oxidative stress, glutamate excitotoxicity, inflammation and epigenetic dysregulation. Additionally, as mitochondria plays a leading role in cellular homeostasis maintenance, a rising amount of evidence indicates mitochondrial dysfunction as a substantial contributor to disease onset and progression. The aim of this review is to summarize most relevant findings that link genetic factors in ALS pathogenesis with different mechanisms with mitochondrial involvement (respiratory chain, OXPHOS control, calcium buffering, axonal transport, inflammation, mitophagy, etc.). We highlight the importance of a widening perspective for better understanding overlapping pathophysiological pathways in ALS and neurodegeneration in general. Finally, current and potentially novel therapies, especially gene specific therapies, targeting mitochondrial dysfunction are discussed briefly.
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Wild-type FUS corrects ALS-like disease induced by cytoplasmic mutant FUS through autoregulation. Mol Neurodegener 2021; 16:61. [PMID: 34488813 PMCID: PMC8419956 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-021-00477-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in FUS, an RNA-binding protein involved in multiple steps of RNA metabolism, are associated with the most severe forms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Accumulation of cytoplasmic FUS is likely to be a major culprit in the toxicity of FUS mutations. Thus, preventing cytoplasmic mislocalization of the FUS protein may represent a valuable therapeutic strategy. FUS binds to its own pre-mRNA creating an autoregulatory loop efficiently buffering FUS excess through multiple proposed mechanisms including retention of introns 6 and/or 7. Here, we introduced a wild-type FUS gene allele, retaining all intronic sequences, in mice whose heterozygous or homozygous expression of a cytoplasmically retained FUS protein (Fus∆NLS) was previously shown to provoke ALS-like disease or postnatal lethality, respectively. Wild-type FUS completely rescued the early lethality caused by the two Fus∆NLS alleles, and improved the age-dependent motor deficits and reduced lifespan caused by heterozygous expression of mutant FUS∆NLS. Mechanistically, wild-type FUS decreased the load of cytoplasmic FUS, increased retention of introns 6 and 7 in the endogenous mouse Fus mRNA, and decreased expression of the mutant mRNA. Thus, the wild-type FUS allele activates the homeostatic autoregulatory loop, maintaining constant FUS levels and decreasing the mutant protein in the cytoplasm. These results provide proof of concept that an autoregulatory competent wild-type FUS expression could protect against this devastating, currently intractable, neurodegenerative disease.
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Monti M, Armaos A, Fantini M, Pastore A, Tartaglia GG. Aggregation is a Context-Dependent Constraint on Protein Evolution. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:678115. [PMID: 34222334 PMCID: PMC8249573 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.678115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Solubility is a requirement for many cellular processes. Loss of solubility and aggregation can lead to the partial or complete abrogation of protein function. Thus, understanding the relationship between protein evolution and aggregation is an important goal. Here, we analysed two deep mutational scanning experiments to investigate the role of protein aggregation in molecular evolution. In one data set, mutants of a protein involved in RNA biogenesis and processing, human TAR DNA binding protein 43 (TDP-43), were expressed in S. cerevisiae. In the other data set, mutants of a bacterial enzyme that controls resistance to penicillins and cephalosporins, TEM-1 beta-lactamase, were expressed in E. coli under the selective pressure of an antibiotic treatment. We found that aggregation differentiates the effects of mutations in the two different cellular contexts. Specifically, aggregation was found to be associated with increased cell fitness in the case of TDP-43 mutations, as it protects the host from aberrant interactions. By contrast, in the case of TEM-1 beta-lactamase mutations, aggregation is linked to a decreased cell fitness due to inactivation of protein function. Our study shows that aggregation is an important context-dependent constraint of molecular evolution and opens up new avenues to investigate the role of aggregation in the cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Monti
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain.,RNA System Biology Lab, Centre for Human Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Genoa, Italy
| | - Alexandros Armaos
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain.,RNA System Biology Lab, Centre for Human Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Genoa, Italy
| | - Marco Fantini
- Department of Chemistry, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Annalisa Pastore
- 3UK-DRI Centre at the Maurice Wohl Institute, Department of Clinical and Basic Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Gian Gaetano Tartaglia
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain.,RNA System Biology Lab, Centre for Human Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Genoa, Italy.,Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG) and ICREA, The Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain.,Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
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39
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Braems E, Tziortzouda P, Van Den Bosch L. Exploring the alternative: Fish, flies and worms as preclinical models for ALS. Neurosci Lett 2021; 759:136041. [PMID: 34118308 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2021.136041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2020] [Revised: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an incurable neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the loss of upper and lower motor neurons. In general, patients succumb to respiratory insufficiency due to respiratory muscle weakness. Despite many promising therapeutic strategies primarily identified in rodent models, patient trials remain rather unsuccessful. There is a clear need for alternative approaches, which could provide directions towards the justified use of rodents and which increase the likelihood to identify new promising clinical candidates. In the last decades, the use of fast genetic approaches and the development of high-throughput screening platforms in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, in the fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) and in zebrafish (Danio rerio) have contributed to new insights into ALS pathomechanisms, disease modifiers and therapeutic targets. In this mini-review, we provide an overview of these alternative small animal studies, modeling the most common ALS genes and discuss the most recent preclinical discoveries. We conclude that small animal models will not replace rodent models, yet they clearly represent an important asset for preclinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elke Braems
- KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology, and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Leuven, Belgium; VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Paraskevi Tziortzouda
- KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology, and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Leuven, Belgium; VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ludo Van Den Bosch
- KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology, and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Leuven, Belgium; VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Leuven, Belgium.
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40
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Kinoshita C, Kubota N, Aoyama K. Interplay of RNA-Binding Proteins and microRNAs in Neurodegenerative Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22105292. [PMID: 34069857 PMCID: PMC8157344 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22105292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The number of patients with neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) is increasing, along with the growing number of older adults. This escalation threatens to create a medical and social crisis. NDs include a large spectrum of heterogeneous and multifactorial pathologies, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, frontotemporal dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease and multiple system atrophy, and the formation of inclusion bodies resulting from protein misfolding and aggregation is a hallmark of these disorders. The proteinaceous components of the pathological inclusions include several RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), which play important roles in splicing, stability, transcription and translation. In addition, RBPs were shown to play a critical role in regulating miRNA biogenesis and metabolism. The dysfunction of both RBPs and miRNAs is often observed in several NDs. Thus, the data about the interplay among RBPs and miRNAs and their cooperation in brain functions would be important to know for better understanding NDs and the development of effective therapeutics. In this review, we focused on the connection between miRNAs, RBPs and neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chisato Kinoshita
- Department of Pharmacology, Teikyo University School of Medicine, 2-11-1 Kaga, Itabashi, Tokyo 173-8605, Japan;
- Correspondence: (C.K.); (K.A.); Tel.: +81-3-3964-3794 (C.K.); +81-3-3964-3793 (K.A.)
| | - Noriko Kubota
- Department of Pharmacology, Teikyo University School of Medicine, 2-11-1 Kaga, Itabashi, Tokyo 173-8605, Japan;
- Teikyo University Support Center for Women Physicians and Researchers, 2-11-1 Kaga, Itabashi, Tokyo 173-8605, Japan
| | - Koji Aoyama
- Department of Pharmacology, Teikyo University School of Medicine, 2-11-1 Kaga, Itabashi, Tokyo 173-8605, Japan;
- Correspondence: (C.K.); (K.A.); Tel.: +81-3-3964-3794 (C.K.); +81-3-3964-3793 (K.A.)
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41
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Cicardi ME, Marrone L, Azzouz M, Trotti D. Proteostatic imbalance and protein spreading in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. EMBO J 2021; 40:e106389. [PMID: 33792056 PMCID: PMC8126909 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2020106389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Revised: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder whose exact causative mechanisms are still under intense investigation. Several lines of evidence suggest that the anatomical and temporal propagation of pathological protein species along the neural axis could be among the main driving mechanisms for the fast and irreversible progression of ALS pathology. Many ALS-associated proteins form intracellular aggregates as a result of their intrinsic prion-like properties and/or following impairment of the protein quality control systems. During the disease course, these mutated proteins and aberrant peptides are released in the extracellular milieu as soluble or aggregated forms through a variety of mechanisms. Internalization by recipient cells may seed further aggregation and amplify existing proteostatic imbalances, thus triggering a vicious cycle that propagates pathology in vulnerable cells, such as motor neurons and other susceptible neuronal subtypes. Here, we provide an in-depth review of ALS pathology with a particular focus on the disease mechanisms of seeding and transmission of the most common ALS-associated proteins, including SOD1, FUS, TDP-43, and C9orf72-linked dipeptide repeats. For each of these proteins, we report historical, biochemical, and pathological evidence of their behaviors in ALS. We further discuss the possibility to harness pathological proteins as biomarkers and reflect on the implications of these findings for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Elena Cicardi
- Department of NeuroscienceWeinberg ALS CenterVickie and Jack Farber Institute for NeuroscienceThomas Jefferson UniversityPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | - Lara Marrone
- Department of NeuroscienceSheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN)University of SheffieldSheffieldUK
| | - Mimoun Azzouz
- Department of NeuroscienceSheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN)University of SheffieldSheffieldUK
| | - Davide Trotti
- Department of NeuroscienceWeinberg ALS CenterVickie and Jack Farber Institute for NeuroscienceThomas Jefferson UniversityPhiladelphiaPAUSA
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Pathomechanisms of ALS8: altered autophagy and defective RNA binding protein (RBP) homeostasis due to the VAPB P56S mutation. Cell Death Dis 2021; 12:466. [PMID: 33972508 PMCID: PMC8110809 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-021-03710-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Mutations in RNA binding proteins (RBPs) and in genes regulating autophagy are frequent causes of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (fALS). The P56S mutation in vesicle-associated membrane protein-associated protein B (VAPB) leads to fALS (ALS8) and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). While VAPB is primarily involved in the unfolded protein response (UPR), vesicular trafficking and in initial steps of the autophagy pathway, the effect of mutant P56S-VAPB on autophagy regulation in connection with RBP homeostasis has not been explored yet. Examining the muscle biopsy of our index ALS8 patient of European origin revealed globular accumulations of VAPB aggregates co-localised with autophagy markers LC3 and p62 in partially atrophic and atrophic muscle fibres. In line with this skin fibroblasts obtained from the same patient showed accumulation of P56S-VAPB aggregates together with LC3 and p62. Detailed investigations of autophagic flux in cell culture models revealed that P56S-VAPB alters both initial and late steps of the autophagy pathway. Accordingly, electron microscopy complemented with live cell imaging highlighted the impaired fusion of accumulated autophagosomes with lysosomes in cells expressing P56S-VAPB. Consistent with these observations, neuropathological studies of brain and spinal cord of P56S-VAPB transgenic mice revealed signs of neurodegeneration associated with altered protein quality control and defective autophagy. Autophagy and RBP homeostasis are interdependent, as demonstrated by the cytoplasmic mis-localisation of several RBPs including pTDP-43, FUS, Matrin 3 which often sequestered with P56S-VAPB aggregates both in cell culture and in the muscle biopsy of the ALS8 patient. Further confirming the notion that aggregation of the RBPs proceeds through the stress granule (SG) pathway, we found persistent G3BP- and TIAR1-positive SGs in P56S-VAPB expressing cells as well as in the ALS8 patient muscle biopsy. We conclude that P56S-VAPB-ALS8 involves a cohesive pathomechanism of aberrant RBP homeostasis together with dysfunctional autophagy.
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43
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Mini-Review: Induced pluripotent stem cells and the search for new cell-specific ALS therapeutic targets. Neurosci Lett 2021; 755:135911. [PMID: 33892003 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2021.135911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Amongst the most important discoveries in ALS pathobiology are the works demonstrating that multiple cell types contribute to disease onset and progression. However, a significant limitation in ALS research is the inability to obtain tissues from ALS patient brain and spinal cord during the course of the disease. In vivo modeling has provided insights into the role of these cell subtypes in disease onset and progression. However, in vivo models also have shortcomings, including the reliance on a limited number of models based upon hereditary forms of the disease. Therefore, using human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) reprogrammed from somatic cells of ALS patients, with both hereditary and sporadic forms of the disease, and differentiated into cell subtypes of both the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS), have become powerful complementary tools for investigating basic mechanisms of disease as well as a platform for drug discovery. Motor neuron and other neuron subtypes, as well as non-neuronal cells have been differentiated from human iPSC and studied for their potential contributions to ALS pathobiology. As iPSC technologies have advanced, 3D modeling with multicellular systems organised in microfluidic chambers or organoids are the next step in validating the pathways and therapeutic targets already identified. Precision medicine approaches with iPSC using either traditional strategies of screening drugs that target a known pathogenic mechanism as well as "blind-to-target" drug screenings that allow for patient stratification based on drug response rather than clinical characteristics are now being employed.
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44
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Ahlers J, Adams EM, Bader V, Pezzotti S, Winklhofer KF, Tatzelt J, Havenith M. The key role of solvent in condensation: Mapping water in liquid-liquid phase-separated FUS. Biophys J 2021; 120:1266-1275. [PMID: 33515602 PMCID: PMC8059208 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2021.01.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Revised: 11/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Formation of biomolecular condensates through liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) has emerged as a pervasive principle in cell biology, allowing compartmentalization and spatiotemporal regulation of dynamic cellular processes. Proteins that form condensates under physiological conditions often contain intrinsically disordered regions with low-complexity domains. Among them, the RNA-binding proteins FUS and TDP-43 have been a focus of intense investigation because aberrant condensation and aggregation of these proteins is linked to neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia. LLPS occurs when protein-rich condensates form surrounded by a dilute aqueous solution. LLPS is per se entropically unfavorable. Energetically favorable multivalent protein-protein interactions are one important aspect to offset entropic costs. Another proposed aspect is the release of entropically unfavorable preordered hydration water into the bulk. We used attenuated total reflection spectroscopy in the terahertz frequency range to characterize the changes in the hydrogen bonding network accompanying the FUS enrichment in liquid-liquid phase-separated droplets to provide experimental evidence for the key role of the solvent as a thermodynamic driving force. The FUS concentration inside LLPS droplets was determined to be increased to 2.0 mM independent of the initial protein concentration (5 or 10 μM solutions) by fluorescence measurements. With terahertz spectroscopy, we revealed a dewetting of hydrophobic side chains in phase-separated FUS. Thus, the release of entropically unfavorable water populations into the bulk goes hand in hand with enthalpically favorable protein-protein interaction. Both changes are energetically favorable, and our study shows that both contribute to the thermodynamic driving force in phase separation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Ahlers
- Department Physical Chemistry, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Ellen M Adams
- Department Physical Chemistry, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Verian Bader
- Department Molecular Cell Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Pathobiochemistry, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Simone Pezzotti
- Department Physical Chemistry, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Konstanze F Winklhofer
- Department Molecular Cell Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Pathobiochemistry, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Jörg Tatzelt
- Department Biochemistry of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Institute of Biochemistry and Pathobiochemistry, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Martina Havenith
- Department Physical Chemistry, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
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45
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Harley J, Clarke BE, Patani R. The Interplay of RNA Binding Proteins, Oxidative Stress and Mitochondrial Dysfunction in ALS. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:antiox10040552. [PMID: 33918215 PMCID: PMC8066094 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10040552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA binding proteins fulfil a wide number of roles in gene expression. Multiple mechanisms of RNA binding protein dysregulation have been implicated in the pathomechanisms of several neurodegenerative diseases including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction also play important roles in these diseases. In this review, we highlight the mechanistic interplay between RNA binding protein dysregulation, oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in ALS. We also discuss different potential therapeutic strategies targeting these pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmine Harley
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London WC1N 3BG, UK;
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Benjamin E. Clarke
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London WC1N 3BG, UK;
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
- Correspondence: (B.E.C.); (R.P.)
| | - Rickie Patani
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London WC1N 3BG, UK;
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
- National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, University College London NHS, London WC1N 3BG, UK
- Correspondence: (B.E.C.); (R.P.)
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46
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Mediani L, Antoniani F, Galli V, Vinet J, Carrà AD, Bigi I, Tripathy V, Tiago T, Cimino M, Leo G, Amen T, Kaganovich D, Cereda C, Pansarasa O, Mandrioli J, Tripathi P, Troost D, Aronica E, Buchner J, Goswami A, Sterneckert J, Alberti S, Carra S. Hsp90-mediated regulation of DYRK3 couples stress granule disassembly and growth via mTORC1 signaling. EMBO Rep 2021; 22:e51740. [PMID: 33738926 PMCID: PMC8097338 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202051740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Revised: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Stress granules (SGs) are dynamic condensates associated with protein misfolding diseases. They sequester stalled mRNAs and signaling factors, such as the mTORC1 subunit raptor, suggesting that SGs coordinate cell growth during and after stress. However, the molecular mechanisms linking SG dynamics and signaling remain undefined. We report that the chaperone Hsp90 is required for SG dissolution. Hsp90 binds and stabilizes the dual‐specificity tyrosine‐phosphorylation‐regulated kinase 3 (DYRK3) in the cytosol. Upon Hsp90 inhibition, DYRK3 dissociates from Hsp90 and becomes inactive. Inactive DYRK3 is subjected to two different fates: it either partitions into SGs, where it is protected from irreversible aggregation, or it is degraded. In the presence of Hsp90, DYRK3 is active and promotes SG disassembly, restoring mTORC1 signaling and translation. Thus, Hsp90 links stress adaptation and cell growth by regulating the activity of a key kinase involved in condensate disassembly and translation restoration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Mediani
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, Centre for Neuroscience and Nanotechnology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Francesco Antoniani
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, Centre for Neuroscience and Nanotechnology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Veronica Galli
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, Centre for Neuroscience and Nanotechnology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Jonathan Vinet
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, Centre for Neuroscience and Nanotechnology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.,Genomic and Post-Genomic Center, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Arianna Dorotea Carrà
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, Centre for Neuroscience and Nanotechnology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Ilaria Bigi
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, Centre for Neuroscience and Nanotechnology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Vadreenath Tripathy
- Center for Regenerative Therapies TU Dresden, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Tatiana Tiago
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, Centre for Neuroscience and Nanotechnology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Marco Cimino
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, Centre for Neuroscience and Nanotechnology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Leo
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, Centre for Neuroscience and Nanotechnology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Triana Amen
- Department of Experimental Neurodegeneration, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Daniel Kaganovich
- Department of Experimental Neurodegeneration, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Cristina Cereda
- Genomic and Post-Genomic Center, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Orietta Pansarasa
- Genomic and Post-Genomic Center, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Jessica Mandrioli
- Department of Neuroscience, St. Agostino Estense Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Priyanka Tripathi
- Institute of Neuropathology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
| | - Dirk Troost
- Department of (Neuro)Pathology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Eleonora Aronica
- Department of (Neuro)Pathology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Johannes Buchner
- Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich at the Department Chemie, Technische Universität München, Garching, Germany
| | - Anand Goswami
- Institute of Neuropathology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
| | - Jared Sterneckert
- Center for Regenerative Therapies TU Dresden, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Simon Alberti
- Biotechnology Center (BIOTEC), Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Serena Carra
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, Centre for Neuroscience and Nanotechnology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
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47
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Bock AS, Murthy AC, Tang WS, Jovic N, Shewmaker F, Mittal J, Fawzi NL. N-terminal acetylation modestly enhances phase separation and reduces aggregation of the low-complexity domain of RNA-binding protein fused in sarcoma. Protein Sci 2021; 30:1337-1349. [PMID: 33547841 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The RNA-binding protein fused in sarcoma (FUS) assembles via liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) into functional RNA granules and aggregates in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis associated neuronal inclusions. Several studies have demonstrated that posttranslational modification (PTM) can significantly alter FUS phase separation and aggregation, particularly charge-altering phosphorylation of the nearly uncharged N-terminal low complexity domain of FUS (FUS LC). However, the occurrence and impact of N-terminal acetylation on FUS phase separation remains unexplored, even though N-terminal acetylation is the most common PTM in mammals and changes the charge at the N-terminus. First, we find that FUS is predominantly acetylated in two human cell types and stress conditions. Next, we show that recombinant FUS LC can be acetylated when co-expressed with the NatA complex in Escherichia coli. Using NMR spectroscopy, we find that N-terminal acetylated FUS LC (FUS LC Nt-Ac) does not notably alter monomeric FUS LC structure or motions. Despite no difference in structure, Nt-Ac-FUS LC phase separates more avidly than unmodified FUS LC. More importantly, N-terminal acetylation of FUS LC reduces aggregation. Our findings highlight the importance of N-terminal acetylation of proteins that undergo physiological LLPS and pathological aggregation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna S Bock
- Graduate Program in Biotechnology, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Anastasia C Murthy
- Graduate Program in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Wai Shing Tang
- Graduate Program in Physics, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Nina Jovic
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Frank Shewmaker
- Department of Biochemistry, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Jeetain Mittal
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Nicolas L Fawzi
- The Robert J and Nancy D Carney Institute for Brain Science & Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Physiology, and Biotechnology, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
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48
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Seifert A, Drechsler H, Japtok J, Korten T, Diez S, Hermann A. The ALS-Associated FUS (P525L) Variant Does Not Directly Interfere with Microtubule-Dependent Kinesin-1 Motility. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22052422. [PMID: 33670886 PMCID: PMC7957795 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22052422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Deficient intracellular transport is a common pathological hallmark of many neurodegenerative diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Mutations in the fused-in-sarcoma (FUS) gene are one of the most common genetic causes for familial ALS. Motor neurons carrying a mutation in the nuclear localization sequence of FUS (P525L) show impaired axonal transport of several organelles, suggesting that mislocalized cytoplasmic FUS might directly interfere with the transport machinery. To test this hypothesis, we studied the effect of FUS on kinesin-1 motility in vitro. Using a modified microtubule gliding motility assay on surfaces coated with kinesin-1 motor proteins, we showed that neither recombinant wildtype and P525L FUS variants nor lysates from isogenic ALS-patient-specific iPSC-derived spinal motor neurons expressing those FUS variants significantly affected gliding velocities. We hence conclude that during ALS pathogenesis the initial negative effect of FUS (P525L) on axonal transport is an indirect nature and requires additional factors or mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Seifert
- Department of Neurology, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany; (A.S.); (J.J.)
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 01307 Dresden, Germany
- B CUBE—Center for Molecular Bioengineering and Cluster of Excellence Physics of Life, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany; (H.D.); (T.K.)
| | - Hauke Drechsler
- B CUBE—Center for Molecular Bioengineering and Cluster of Excellence Physics of Life, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany; (H.D.); (T.K.)
| | - Julia Japtok
- Department of Neurology, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany; (A.S.); (J.J.)
| | - Till Korten
- B CUBE—Center for Molecular Bioengineering and Cluster of Excellence Physics of Life, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany; (H.D.); (T.K.)
| | - Stefan Diez
- B CUBE—Center for Molecular Bioengineering and Cluster of Excellence Physics of Life, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany; (H.D.); (T.K.)
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- Correspondence: (S.D.); (A.H.); Tel.: +49-(0)351-463-43010 (S.D.); +49-(0)381-494-9541 (A.H.)
| | - Andreas Hermann
- Department of Neurology, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany; (A.S.); (J.J.)
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 01307 Dresden, Germany
- Translational Neurodegeneration Section “Albrecht-Kossel”, Department of Neurology, University Medical Center, University of Rostock, 18147 Rostock, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Rostock/Greifswald, 18147 Rostock, Germany
- Center for Transdisciplinary Neurosciences Rostock (CTNR), University Medical Center, University of Rostock, 18147 Rostock, Germany
- Correspondence: (S.D.); (A.H.); Tel.: +49-(0)351-463-43010 (S.D.); +49-(0)381-494-9541 (A.H.)
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49
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Alberti S, Hyman AA. Biomolecular condensates at the nexus of cellular stress, protein aggregation disease and ageing. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2021; 22:196-213. [PMID: 33510441 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-020-00326-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 439] [Impact Index Per Article: 146.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Biomolecular condensates are membraneless intracellular assemblies that often form via liquid-liquid phase separation and have the ability to concentrate biopolymers. Research over the past 10 years has revealed that condensates play fundamental roles in cellular organization and physiology, and our understanding of the molecular principles, components and forces underlying their formation has substantially increased. Condensate assembly is tightly regulated in the intracellular environment, and failure to control condensate properties, formation and dissolution can lead to protein misfolding and aggregation, which are often the cause of ageing-associated diseases. In this Review, we describe the mechanisms and regulation of condensate assembly and dissolution, highlight recent advances in understanding the role of biomolecular condensates in ageing and disease, and discuss how cellular stress, ageing-related loss of homeostasis and a decline in protein quality control may contribute to the formation of aberrant, disease-causing condensates. Our improved understanding of condensate pathology provides a promising path for the treatment of protein aggregation diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Alberti
- Technische Universität Dresden, Biotechnology Center (BIOTEC) and Center for Molecular and Cellular Engineering (CMCB), Dresden, Germany.
| | - Anthony A Hyman
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany.
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50
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Arenas A, Kuang L, Zhang J, Kingren MS, Zhu H. FUS regulates autophagy by mediating the transcription of genes critical to the autophagosome formation. J Neurochem 2021; 157:752-763. [PMID: 33354770 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Fused in sarcoma (FUS) is a ubiquitously expressed RNA/DNA-binding protein that plays different roles in the cell. FUS pathology has been reported in neurodegenerative diseases amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Mutations in FUS have also been linked to a subset of familial ALS. FUS is mainly localized in the nucleus although it shuttles between the nucleus and the cytoplasm. ALS-linked mutations cause the accumulation of the FUS protein in cytoplasm where it forms stress granule-like inclusions. The protein- and RNA-containing inclusions are reported to be positive of autophagosome markers and degraded by the autophagy pathway. However, the role of FUS in the autophagy pathway remains to be better understood. Using immunoblot and confocal imaging techniques in this study, we found that FUS knockout (KO) cells showed a decreased basal autophagy level. Rapamycin and bafilomycin A1 treatment showed that FUS KO cells were not able to initiate autophagy as efficiently as wild-type cells, suggesting that the autophagosome formation is affected in the absence of FUS. Moreover, using immunoblot and quantitative PCR techniques, we found that the mRNA and protein levels of the genes critical in the initial steps of the autophagy pathway (FIP200, ATG16L1 and ATG12) were significantly lower in FUS KO cells. Re-expressing FUS in the KO cells restored the expression of FIP200 and ATG16L1. Our findings demonstrate a novel role of FUS in the autophagy pathway, that is, regulating the transcription of genes involved in early stages of autophagy such as the initiation and elongation of autophagosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Arenas
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Lisha Kuang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA.,Lexington VA Medical Center, Research and Development, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Jiayu Zhang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Meagan S Kingren
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Haining Zhu
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA.,Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA.,Lexington VA Medical Center, Research and Development, Lexington, KY, USA
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