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Zhang Y, Zhang C, Yi X, Wang Q, Zhang T, Li Y. Gabapentinoids for the treatment of stroke. Neural Regen Res 2024; 19:1509-1516. [PMID: 38051893 PMCID: PMC10883501 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.387968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Gabapentinoid drugs (pregabalin and gabapentin) have been successfully used in the treatment of neuropathic pain and in focal seizure prevention. Recent research has demonstrated their potent activities in modulating neurotransmitter release in neuronal tissue, oxidative stress, and inflammation, which matches the mechanism of action via voltage-gated calcium channels. In this review, we briefly elaborate on the medicinal history and ligand-binding sites of gabapentinoids. We systematically summarize the preclinical and clinical research on gabapentinoids in stroke, including ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage, seizures after stroke, cortical spreading depolarization after stroke, pain after stroke, and nerve regeneration after stroke. This review also discusses the potential targets of gabapentinoids in stroke; however, the existing results are still uncertain regarding the effect of gabapentinoids on stroke and related diseases. Further preclinical and clinical trials are needed to test the therapeutic potential of gabapentinoids in stroke. Therefore, gabapentinoids have both opportunities and challenges in the treatment of stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Chenyu Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Xiaoli Yi
- Department of Pharmacy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Qi Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Tiejun Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Yuwen Li
- Department of Pharmacy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
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2
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Scala M, Khan K, Beneteau C, Fox RG, von Hardenberg S, Khan A, Joubert M, Fievet L, Musquer M, Le Vaillant C, Holsclaw JK, Lim D, Berking AC, Accogli A, Giacomini T, Nobili L, Striano P, Zara F, Torella A, Nigro V, Cogné B, Salick MR, Kaykas A, Eggan K, Capra V, Bézieau S, Davis EE, Wells MF. Biallelic loss-of-function variants in CACHD1 cause a novel neurodevelopmental syndrome with facial dysmorphism and multisystem congenital abnormalities. Genet Med 2024; 26:101057. [PMID: 38158856 DOI: 10.1016/j.gim.2023.101057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE We established the genetic etiology of a syndromic neurodevelopmental condition characterized by variable cognitive impairment, recognizable facial dysmorphism, and a constellation of extra-neurological manifestations. METHODS We performed phenotypic characterization of 6 participants from 4 unrelated families presenting with a neurodevelopmental syndrome and used exome sequencing to investigate the underlying genetic cause. To probe relevance to the neurodevelopmental phenotype and craniofacial dysmorphism, we established two- and three-dimensional human stem cell-derived neural models and generated a stable cachd1 zebrafish mutant on a transgenic cartilage reporter line. RESULTS Affected individuals showed mild cognitive impairment, dysmorphism featuring oculo-auriculo abnormalities, and developmental defects involving genitourinary and digestive tracts. Exome sequencing revealed biallelic putative loss-of-function variants in CACHD1 segregating with disease in all pedigrees. RNA sequencing in CACHD1-depleted neural progenitors revealed abnormal expression of genes with key roles in Wnt signaling, neurodevelopment, and organ morphogenesis. CACHD1 depletion in neural progenitors resulted in reduced percentages of post-mitotic neurons and enlargement of 3D neurospheres. Homozygous cachd1 mutant larvae showed mandibular patterning defects mimicking human facial dysmorphism. CONCLUSION Our findings support the role of loss-of-function variants in CACHD1 as the cause of a rare neurodevelopmental syndrome with facial dysmorphism and multisystem abnormalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcello Scala
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy; Pediatric Neurology and Muscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy; Medical Genetics Unit, IRCCS Giannina Gaslini Institute, Genoa, Italy
| | - Kamal Khan
- Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - Claire Beneteau
- CHU Nantes, Department of Medical Genetics, CHU Nantes, 9 quai Moncousu, Nantes, France; CHU Nantes, UF of Fœtopathology and Genetics, Nantes, France; CHU de Bordeaux, Service de Génétique Médicale, Bordeaux, France
| | - Rachel G Fox
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
| | | | - Ayaz Khan
- Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - Madeleine Joubert
- CHU Nantes, UF of Fœtopathology and Genetics, Nantes, France; CHU Nantes, Department of Anatomical Pathology, Nantes, France
| | - Lorraine Fievet
- Center for Human Disease Modeling, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC
| | - Marie Musquer
- CHU Nantes, UF of Fœtopathology and Genetics, Nantes, France; CHU Nantes, Department of Anatomical Pathology, Nantes, France
| | | | | | - Derek Lim
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust and Birmingham Health Partners, Birmingham, United Kingdom; Department of Medicine, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | | | - Andrea Accogli
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Thea Giacomini
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy; Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, IRCCS G. Gaslini Institute, Genoa, Italy
| | - Lino Nobili
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy; Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, IRCCS G. Gaslini Institute, Genoa, Italy
| | - Pasquale Striano
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy; Pediatric Neurology and Muscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Federico Zara
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy; Medical Genetics Unit, IRCCS Giannina Gaslini Institute, Genoa, Italy
| | - Annalaura Torella
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli," Naples, Italy; Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Nigro
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli," Naples, Italy; Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Benjamin Cogné
- CHU Nantes, Department of Medical Genetics, CHU Nantes, 9 quai Moncousu, Nantes, France; Nantes Université, CHU de Nantes, CNRS, INSERM, l'institut du thorax, Nantes, France
| | | | | | - Kevin Eggan
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA
| | - Valeria Capra
- Medical Genetics Unit, IRCCS Giannina Gaslini Institute, Genoa, Italy
| | - Stéphane Bézieau
- CHU Nantes, Department of Medical Genetics, CHU Nantes, 9 quai Moncousu, Nantes, France; Nantes Université, CHU de Nantes, CNRS, INSERM, l'institut du thorax, Nantes, France
| | - Erica E Davis
- Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL; Department of Pediatrics and Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL.
| | - Michael F Wells
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA; Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA; Molecular Biology Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA.
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3
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Lankford L, Maddala R, Jablonski MM, Rao PV. Influence of the calcium voltage-gated channel auxiliary subunit (CACNA2D1) absence on intraocular pressure in mice. Exp Eye Res 2024; 241:109835. [PMID: 38373629 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2024.109835] [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: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
The etiology of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), a major risk factor for glaucoma (optic nerve atrophy), is poorly understood despite continued efforts. Although the gene variant of CACNA2D1 (encoding α2δ1), a calcium voltage-gated channel auxiliary subunit, has been reported to be associated with primary open-angle glaucoma, and the pharmacological mitigation of α2δ1 activity by pregabalin lowers IOP, the cellular basis for α2δ1 role in the modulation of IOP remains unclear. Our recent findings reveled readily detectable levels of α2δ1 and its ligand thrombospondin in the cytoskeletome fraction of human trabecular meshwork (TM) cells. To understand the direct role of α2δ1 in the modulation of IOP, we evaluated α2δ1 null mice for changes in IOP and found a moderate (∼10%) but significant decrease in IOP compared to littermate wild type control mice. Additionally, to gain cellular insights into α2δ1 antagonist (pregabalin) induced IOP changes, we assessed pregabalin's effects on human TM cell actin cytoskeletal organization and cell adhesive interactions in comparison with a Rho kinase inhibitor (Y27632), a known ocular hypotensive agent. Unlike Y27632, pregabalin did not have overt effects on cell morphology, actin cytoskeletal organization, or cell adhesion in human TM cells. These results reveal a modest but significant decrease in IOP in α2δ1 deficient mice, and this response appears to be not associated with the contractile and cell adhesive characteristics of TM cells based on the findings of pregabalin effects on isolated TM cells. Therefore, the mechanism by which pregabalin lowers IOP remains elusive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Levi Lankford
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Rupalatha Maddala
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Monica M Jablonski
- Department of Ophthalmology, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - P Vasantha Rao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.
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4
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Zhang N, Wu X, Zhang W, Sun Y, Yan X, Xu A, Han Q, Yang A, You H, Chen W. Targeting thrombospondin-2 retards liver fibrosis by inhibiting TLR4-FAK/TGF-β signaling. JHEP Rep 2024; 6:101014. [PMID: 38379585 PMCID: PMC10877131 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2024.101014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Background & Aims Thrombospondin-2 (THBS2) expression is associated with liver fibrosis regardless of etiology. However, the role of THBS2 in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis has yet to be elucidated. Methods The in vivo effects of silencing Thbs2 in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) were examined using an adeno-associated virus vector (serotype 6, AAV6) containing short-hairpin RNAs targeting Thbs2, under the regulatory control of cytomegalovirus, U6 or the α-smooth muscle promoter, in mouse models of carbon tetrachloride or methionine-choline deficient (MCD) diet-induced liver fibrosis. Crosstalk between THBS2 and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), as well as the cascaded signaling, was systematically investigated using mouse models, primary HSCs, and human HSC cell lines. Results THBS2 was predominantly expressed in activated HSCs and dynamically increased with liver fibrosis progression and decreased with regression. Selective interference of Thbs2 in HSCs retarded intrahepatic inflammatory infiltration, steatosis accumulation, and fibrosis progression following carbon tetrachloride challenge or in a dietary model of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis. Mechanically, extracellular THBS2, as a dimer, specifically recognized and directly bound to TLR4, activating HSCs by stimulating downstream profibrotic focal adhesion kinase (FAK)/transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) pathways. Disruption of the THBS2-TLR4-FAK/TGF-β signaling axis notably alleviated HSC activation and liver fibrosis aggravation. Conclusions THBS2 plays a crucial role in HSC activation and liver fibrosis progression through TLR4-FAK/TGF-β signaling in an autocrine manner, representing an attractive potential therapeutic target for liver fibrosis. Impact and implications Thrombospondin-2 (THBS2) is emerging as a factor closely associated with liver fibrosis regardless of etiology. However, the mechanisms by which THBS2 is involved in liver fibrosis remain unclear. Here, we showed that THBS2 plays a prominent role in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis by activating the TLR4-TGF-β/FAK signaling axis and hepatic stellate cells in an autocrine manner, providing a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Zhang
- Liver Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 95 Yong’an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing 100050, China
- State Key Lab of Digestive Health, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 95 Yong’an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing 100050, China
- National Clinical Research Center of Digestive Diseases, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 95 Yong’an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Xiaoning Wu
- Liver Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 95 Yong’an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing 100050, China
- State Key Lab of Digestive Health, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 95 Yong’an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing 100050, China
- National Clinical Research Center of Digestive Diseases, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 95 Yong’an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Wen Zhang
- Liver Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 95 Yong’an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing 100050, China
- State Key Lab of Digestive Health, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 95 Yong’an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing 100050, China
- National Clinical Research Center of Digestive Diseases, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 95 Yong’an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Yameng Sun
- Liver Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 95 Yong’an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing 100050, China
- State Key Lab of Digestive Health, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 95 Yong’an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing 100050, China
- National Clinical Research Center of Digestive Diseases, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 95 Yong’an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Xuzhen Yan
- State Key Lab of Digestive Health, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 95 Yong’an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing 100050, China
- National Clinical Research Center of Digestive Diseases, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 95 Yong’an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing 100050, China
- Beijing Clinical Research Institute, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 95 Yong’an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing 100050, China
- Experimental and Translational Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 95 Yong’an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Anjian Xu
- State Key Lab of Digestive Health, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 95 Yong’an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing 100050, China
- National Clinical Research Center of Digestive Diseases, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 95 Yong’an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing 100050, China
- Beijing Clinical Research Institute, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 95 Yong’an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing 100050, China
- Experimental and Translational Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 95 Yong’an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Qi Han
- Liver Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 95 Yong’an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing 100050, China
- State Key Lab of Digestive Health, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 95 Yong’an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing 100050, China
- National Clinical Research Center of Digestive Diseases, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 95 Yong’an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Aiting Yang
- State Key Lab of Digestive Health, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 95 Yong’an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing 100050, China
- National Clinical Research Center of Digestive Diseases, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 95 Yong’an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing 100050, China
- Beijing Clinical Research Institute, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 95 Yong’an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing 100050, China
- Experimental and Translational Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 95 Yong’an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Hong You
- Liver Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 95 Yong’an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing 100050, China
- State Key Lab of Digestive Health, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 95 Yong’an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing 100050, China
- National Clinical Research Center of Digestive Diseases, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 95 Yong’an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Wei Chen
- State Key Lab of Digestive Health, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 95 Yong’an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing 100050, China
- National Clinical Research Center of Digestive Diseases, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 95 Yong’an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing 100050, China
- Beijing Clinical Research Institute, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 95 Yong’an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing 100050, China
- Experimental and Translational Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 95 Yong’an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing 100050, China
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5
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Page KM, Gumerov VM, Dahimene S, Zhulin IB, Dolphin AC. The importance of cache domains in α 2δ proteins and the basis for their gabapentinoid selectivity. Channels (Austin) 2023; 17:2167563. [PMID: 36735378 PMCID: PMC9901441 DOI: 10.1080/19336950.2023.2167563] [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] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
In this hybrid review, we have first collected and reviewed available information on the structure and function of the enigmatic cache domains in α2δ proteins. These are organized into two double cache (dCache_1) domains, and they are present in all α2δ proteins. We have also included new data on the key function of these domains with respect to amino acid and gabapentinoid binding to the universal amino acid-binding pocket, which is present in α2δ-1 and α2δ-2. We have now identified the reason why α2δ-3 and α2δ-4 do not bind gabapentinoid drugs or amino acids with bulky side chains. In relation to this, we have determined that the bulky amino acids Tryptophan and Phenylalanine prevent gabapentin from inhibiting cell surface trafficking of α2δ-1. Together, these novel data shed further light on the importance of the cache domains in α2δ proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen M Page
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Vadim M Gumerov
- Department of Microbiology and Translational Data Analytics Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Shehrazade Dahimene
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Igor B Zhulin
- Department of Microbiology and Translational Data Analytics Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Annette C Dolphin
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, London, UK
- CONTACT Annette C Dolphin Dolphin Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, LondonWC1E 6BT, UK
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6
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Stanika R, Obermair GJ. An ex vivo Model of Paired Cultured Hippocampal Neurons for Bi-directionally Studying Synaptic Transmission and Plasticity. Bio Protoc 2023; 13:e4761. [PMID: 37497454 PMCID: PMC10366995 DOI: 10.21769/bioprotoc.4761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Synapses provide the main route of signal transduction within neuronal networks. Many factors regulate critical synaptic functions. These include presynaptic calcium channels, triggering neurotransmitter release, and postsynaptic ionotropic receptors, mediating excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic potentials. The key features of synaptic transmission and plasticity can be studied in primary cultured hippocampal neurons. Here, we describe a protocol for the preparation and electrophysiological analysis of paired hippocampal neurons. This model system allows the selective genetic manipulation of one neuron in a simple neuronal network formed by only two hippocampal neurons. Bi-directionally analyzing synaptic transmission and short-term synaptic plasticity allows the analysis of both pre- and postsynaptic effects on synaptic transmission. For example, with one single paired network synaptic responses induced by both, a wild-type neuron and a genetically modified neuron can be directly compared. Ultimately, this protocol allows experimental modulation and hence investigation of synaptic mechanisms and thereby improves previously developed methods of studying synaptic transmission and plasticity in ex vivo cultured neurons. Key features Preparation of ex vivo paired cultured hippocampal neurons. Bi-directional electrophysiological recordings of synaptic transmission and plasticity. Genetic modulation of synaptic network formation (demonstrated by presynaptic viral overexpression of the auxiliary calcium channel α2δ-2 subunit). Graphical overview.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruslan Stanika
- Division of Physiology, Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Microbiology, Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, Krems, Austria
| | - Gerald J. Obermair
- Division of Physiology, Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Microbiology, Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, Krems, Austria
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7
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Steel D, Reid KM, Pisani A, Hess EJ, Fox S, Kurian MA. Advances in targeting neurotransmitter systems in dystonia. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2023; 169:217-258. [PMID: 37482394 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2023.06.002] [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: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
Dystonia is characterised as uncontrolled, often painful involuntary muscle contractions that cause abnormal postures and repetitive or twisting movements. These movements can be continuous or sporadic and affect different parts of the body and range in severity. Dystonia and its related conditions present a huge cause of neurological morbidity worldwide. Although therapies are available, achieving optimal symptom control without major unwanted effects remains a challenge. Most pharmacological treatments for dystonia aim to modulate the effects of one or more neurotransmitters in the central nervous system, but doing so effectively and with precision is far from straightforward. In this chapter we discuss the physiology of key neurotransmitters, including dopamine, noradrenaline, serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine), acetylcholine, GABA, glutamate, adenosine and cannabinoids, and their role in dystonia. We explore the ways in which existing pharmaceuticals as well as novel agents, currently in clinical trial or preclinical development, target dystonia, and their respective advantages and disadvantages. Finally, we discuss current and emerging genetic therapies which may be used to treat genetic forms of dystonia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dora Steel
- UCL GOS Institute of Child Health (Zayed Centre for Research into Rare Diseases in Children), London, United Kingdom; Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kimberley M Reid
- UCL GOS Institute of Child Health (Zayed Centre for Research into Rare Diseases in Children), London, United Kingdom
| | - Antonio Pisani
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy; IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Ellen J Hess
- Emory University School of Medicine, CA, United States
| | - Susan Fox
- Movement Disorders Clinic, Toronto Western Hospital, University of Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Manju A Kurian
- UCL GOS Institute of Child Health (Zayed Centre for Research into Rare Diseases in Children), London, United Kingdom; Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, United Kingdom.
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8
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Wadle SL, Schmitt TTX, Engel J, Kurt S, Hirtz JJ. Altered population activity and local tuning heterogeneity in auditory cortex of Cacna2d3-deficient mice. Biol Chem 2023; 404:607-617. [PMID: 36342370 DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2022-0269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The α2δ3 auxiliary subunit of voltage-activated calcium channels is required for normal synaptic transmission and precise temporal processing of sounds in the auditory brainstem. In mice its loss additionally leads to an inability to distinguish amplitude-modulated tones. Furthermore, loss of function of α2δ3 has been associated with autism spectrum disorder in humans. To investigate possible alterations of network activity in the higher-order auditory system in α2δ3 knockout mice, we analyzed neuronal activity patterns and topography of frequency tuning within networks of the auditory cortex (AC) using two-photon Ca2+ imaging. Compared to wild-type mice we found distinct subfield-specific alterations in the primary auditory cortex, expressed in overall lower correlations between the network activity patterns in response to different sounds as well as lower reliability of these patterns upon repetitions of the same sound. Higher AC subfields did not display these alterations but showed a higher amount of well-tuned neurons along with lower local heterogeneity of the neurons' frequency tuning. Our results provide new insight into AC network activity alterations in an autism spectrum disorder-associated mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon L Wadle
- Physiology of Neuronal Networks, Department of Biology, University of Kaiserslautern, Erwin-Schrödinger-Straße 13, D-67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Tatjana T X Schmitt
- Physiology of Neuronal Networks, Department of Biology, University of Kaiserslautern, Erwin-Schrödinger-Straße 13, D-67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Jutta Engel
- Department of Biophysics, Saarland University, School of Medicine, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine (CIPMM), D-66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Simone Kurt
- Department of Biophysics, Saarland University, School of Medicine, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine (CIPMM), D-66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Jan J Hirtz
- Physiology of Neuronal Networks, Department of Biology, University of Kaiserslautern, Erwin-Schrödinger-Straße 13, D-67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany
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9
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Lebedeva O, Poberezhniy D, Novosadova E, Gerasimova T, Novosadova L, Arsenyeva E, Stepanenko E, Shimchenko D, Volovikov E, Anufrieva K, Illarioshkin S, Lagarkova M, Grivennikov I, Tarantul V, Nenasheva V. Overexpression of Parkin in the Neuronal Progenitor Cells from a Patient with Parkinson's Disease Shifts the Transcriptome Towards the Normal State. Mol Neurobiol 2023; 60:3522-3533. [PMID: 36884134 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03293-z] [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: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/05/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative pathology caused by the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Juvenile PD is known to be strongly associated with mutations in the PARK2 gene encoding E3 ubiquitin ligase Parkin. Despite numerous studies, molecular mechanisms that trigger PD remain largely unknown. Here, we compared the transcriptome of the neural progenitor (NP) cell line, derived from a PD patient with PARK2 mutation resulting in Parkin loss, with the transcriptome of the same NPs but expressing transgenic Parkin. We found that Parkin overexpression led to the substantial recovery of the transcriptome of NPs to a normal state indicating that alterations of transcription in PD-derived NPs were mainly caused by PARK2 mutations. Among genes significantly dysregulated in PD-derived NPs, 106 genes unambiguously restored their expression after reestablishing of the Parkin level. Based on the selected gene sets, we revealed the enriched Gene Ontology (GO) pathways including signaling, neurotransmitter transport and metabolism, response to stimulus, and apoptosis. Strikingly, dopamine receptor D4 that was previously associated with PD appears to be involved in the maximal number of GO-enriched pathways and therefore may be considered as a potential trigger of PD progression. Our findings may help in the screening for promising targets for PD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Lebedeva
- Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical Chemical Medicine of the Federal Medical and Biological Agency of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia.,Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
| | - Daniil Poberezhniy
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of National Research Centre "Kurchatov Institute", Moscow, Russia.,Faculty of Biotechnology and Industrial Ecology, D.I. Mendeleyev University of Chemical Technology of Russia, Moscow, Russia
| | - Ekaterina Novosadova
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of National Research Centre "Kurchatov Institute", Moscow, Russia
| | - Tatiana Gerasimova
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of National Research Centre "Kurchatov Institute", Moscow, Russia.
| | - Lyudmila Novosadova
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of National Research Centre "Kurchatov Institute", Moscow, Russia
| | - Elena Arsenyeva
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of National Research Centre "Kurchatov Institute", Moscow, Russia
| | - Ekaterina Stepanenko
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of National Research Centre "Kurchatov Institute", Moscow, Russia
| | - Darya Shimchenko
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of National Research Centre "Kurchatov Institute", Moscow, Russia
| | - Egor Volovikov
- Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical Chemical Medicine of the Federal Medical and Biological Agency of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - Ksenia Anufrieva
- Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical Chemical Medicine of the Federal Medical and Biological Agency of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia.,Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Maria Lagarkova
- Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical Chemical Medicine of the Federal Medical and Biological Agency of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia.,Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
| | - Igor Grivennikov
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of National Research Centre "Kurchatov Institute", Moscow, Russia
| | - Vyacheslav Tarantul
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of National Research Centre "Kurchatov Institute", Moscow, Russia
| | - Valentina Nenasheva
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of National Research Centre "Kurchatov Institute", Moscow, Russia.
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10
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Abstract
The CACNA1C gene encodes the pore-forming subunit of the CaV1.2 L-type Ca2+ channel, a critical component of membrane physiology in multiple tissues, including the heart, brain, and immune system. As such, mutations altering the function of these channels have the potential to impact a wide array of cellular functions. The first mutations identified within CACNA1C were shown to cause a severe, multisystem disorder known as Timothy syndrome (TS), which is characterized by neurodevelopmental deficits, long-QT syndrome, life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias, craniofacial abnormalities, and immune deficits. Since this initial description, the number and variety of disease-associated mutations identified in CACNA1C have grown tremendously, expanding the range of phenotypes observed in affected patients. CACNA1C channelopathies are now known to encompass multisystem phenotypes as described in TS, as well as more selective phenotypes where patients may exhibit predominantly cardiac or neurological symptoms. Here, we review the impact of genetic mutations on CaV1.2 function and the resultant physiological consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin G Herold
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - John W Hussey
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ivy E Dick
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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11
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Hessenberger M, Haddad S, Obermair GJ. Pathophysiological Roles of Auxiliary Calcium Channel α 2δ Subunits. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2023; 279:289-316. [PMID: 36598609 DOI: 10.1007/164_2022_630] [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] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
α2δ proteins serve as auxiliary subunits of voltage-gated calcium channels, which are essential components of excitable cells such as skeletal and heart muscles, nerve cells of the brain and the peripheral nervous system, as well as endocrine cells. Over the recent years, α2δ proteins have been identified as critical regulators of synaptic functions, including the formation and differentiation of synapses. These functions require signalling mechanisms which are partly independent of calcium channels. Hence, in light of these features it is not surprising that the genes encoding for the four α2δ isoforms have recently been linked to neurological and neurodevelopmental disorders including epilepsy, autism spectrum disorders, schizophrenia, and depressive and bipolar disorders. Despite the increasing number of identified disease-associated mutations, the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms are only beginning to emerge. However, a thorough understanding of the pathophysiological role of α2δ proteins ideally serves two purposes: first, it will contribute to our understanding of general pathological mechanisms in synaptic disorders. Second, it may support the future development of novel and specific treatments for brain disorders. In this context, it is noteworthy that the antiepileptic and anti-allodynic drugs gabapentin and pregabalin both act via binding to α2δ proteins and are among the top sold drugs for treating neuropathic pain. In this book chapter, we will discuss recent developments in our understanding of the functions of α2δ proteins, both as calcium channel subunits and as independent regulatory entities. Furthermore, we present and summarize recently identified and likely pathogenic mutations in the genes encoding α2δ proteins and discuss potential underlying pathophysiological consequences at the molecular and structural level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Hessenberger
- Division Physiology, Department Pharmacology, Physiology and Microbiology, Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, Krems, Austria
| | - Sabrin Haddad
- Division Physiology, Department Pharmacology, Physiology and Microbiology, Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, Krems, Austria
- Institute of Physiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Gerald J Obermair
- Division Physiology, Department Pharmacology, Physiology and Microbiology, Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, Krems, Austria.
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12
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Ablinger C, Eibl C, Geisler SM, Campiglio M, Stephens GJ, Missler M, Obermair GJ. α 2δ-4 and Cachd1 Proteins Are Regulators of Presynaptic Functions. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:9885. [PMID: 36077281 PMCID: PMC9456004 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23179885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The α2δ auxiliary subunits of voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCC) were traditionally regarded as modulators of biophysical channel properties. In recent years, channel-independent functions of these subunits, such as involvement in synapse formation, have been identified. In the central nervous system, α2δ isoforms 1, 2, and 3 are strongly expressed, regulating glutamatergic synapse formation by a presynaptic mechanism. Although the α2δ-4 isoform is predominantly found in the retina with very little expression in the brain, it was recently linked to brain functions. In contrast, Cachd1, a novel α2δ-like protein, shows strong expression in brain, but its function in neurons is not yet known. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the presynaptic functions of α2δ-4 and Cachd1 by expressing individual proteins in cultured hippocampal neurons. Both α2δ-4 and Cachd1 are expressed in the presynaptic membrane and could rescue a severe synaptic defect present in triple knockout/knockdown neurons that lacked the α2δ-1-3 isoforms (α2δ TKO/KD). This observation suggests that presynaptic localization and the regulation of synapse formation in glutamatergic neurons is a general feature of α2δ proteins. In contrast to this redundant presynaptic function, α2δ-4 and Cachd1 differentially regulate the abundance of presynaptic calcium channels and the amplitude of presynaptic calcium transients. These functional differences may be caused by subtle isoform-specific differences in α1-α2δ protein-protein interactions, as revealed by structural homology modelling. Taken together, our study identifies both α2δ-4 and Cachd1 as presynaptic regulators of synapse formation, differentiation, and calcium channel functions that can at least partially compensate for the loss of α2δ-1-3. Moreover, we show that regulating glutamatergic synapse formation and differentiation is a critical and surprisingly redundant function of α2δ and Cachd1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cornelia Ablinger
- Institute of Physiology, Medical University Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Clarissa Eibl
- Division Physiology, Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Microbiology, Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, 3500 Krems, Austria
| | - Stefanie M. Geisler
- Department Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Marta Campiglio
- Institute of Physiology, Medical University Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Gary J. Stephens
- Reading School of Pharmacy, University of Reading, Reading RG6 6UB, UK
| | - Markus Missler
- Institute of Anatomy and Molecular Neurobiology, Westfälische Wilhelms-University, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Gerald J. Obermair
- Institute of Physiology, Medical University Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
- Division Physiology, Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Microbiology, Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, 3500 Krems, Austria
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13
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Dahimene S, von Elsner L, Holling T, Mattas LS, Pickard J, Lessel D, Pilch KS, Kadurin I, Pratt WS, Zhulin IB, Dai H, Hempel M, Ruzhnikov MRZ, Kutsche K, Dolphin AC. Biallelic CACNA2D1 loss-of-function variants cause early-onset developmental epileptic encephalopathy. Brain 2022; 145:2721-2729. [PMID: 35293990 PMCID: PMC9420018 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awac081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Voltage-gated calcium (CaV) channels form three subfamilies (CaV1-3). The CaV1 and CaV2 channels are heteromeric, consisting of an α1 pore-forming subunit, associated with auxiliary CaVβ and α2δ subunits. The α2δ subunits are encoded in mammals by four genes, CACNA2D1-4. They play important roles in trafficking and function of the CaV channel complexes. Here we report biallelic variants in CACNA2D1, encoding the α2δ-1 protein, in two unrelated individuals showing a developmental and epileptic encephalopathy. Patient 1 has a homozygous frameshift variant c.818_821dup/p.(Ser275Asnfs*13) resulting in nonsense-mediated mRNA decay of the CACNA2D1 transcripts, and absence of α2δ-1 protein detected in patient-derived fibroblasts. Patient 2 is compound heterozygous for an early frameshift variant c.13_23dup/p.(Leu9Alafs*5), highly probably representing a null allele and a missense variant c.626G>A/p.(Gly209Asp). Our functional studies show that this amino-acid change severely impairs the function of α2δ-1 as a calcium channel subunit, with strongly reduced trafficking of α2δ-1G209D to the cell surface and a complete inability of α2δ-1G209D to increase the trafficking and function of CaV2 channels. Thus, biallelic loss-of-function variants in CACNA2D1 underlie the severe neurodevelopmental disorder in these two patients. Our results demonstrate the critical importance and non-interchangeability of α2δ-1 and other α2δ proteins for normal human neuronal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shehrazade Dahimene
- Department of Neuroscience Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London (UCL), London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Leonie von Elsner
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Tess Holling
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Lauren S Mattas
- Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Pediatrics, Division of Medical Genetics, Stanford University and Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA
| | - Jess Pickard
- Department of Neuroscience Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London (UCL), London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Davor Lessel
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Kjara S Pilch
- Department of Neuroscience Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London (UCL), London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Ivan Kadurin
- Department of Neuroscience Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London (UCL), London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Wendy S Pratt
- Department of Neuroscience Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London (UCL), London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Igor B Zhulin
- Department of Microbiology and Translational Data Analytics Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Hongzheng Dai
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine/NGS-Molecular, Baylor Genetics, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Maja Hempel
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Maura R Z Ruzhnikov
- Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Pediatrics, Division of Medical Genetics, Stanford University and Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA
| | - Kerstin Kutsche
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Annette C Dolphin
- Department of Neuroscience Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London (UCL), London WC1E 6BT, UK
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14
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Klomp A, Omichi R, Iwasa Y, Smith RJ, Usachev YM, Russo AF, Narayanan NS, Lee A. The voltage-gated Ca2+ channel subunit α2δ-4 regulates locomotor behavior and sensorimotor gating in mice. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0263197. [PMID: 35353835 PMCID: PMC8967030 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0263197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Voltage-gated Ca2+ channels are critical for the development and mature function of the nervous system. Variants in the CACNA2D4 gene encoding the α2δ-4 auxiliary subunit of these channels are associated with neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders. α2δ-4 is prominently expressed in the retina and is crucial for vision, but extra-retinal functions of α2δ-4 have not been investigated. Here, we sought to fill this gap by analyzing the behavioral phenotypes of α2δ-4 knockout (KO) mice. α2δ-4 KO mice (both males and females) exhibited significant impairments in prepulse inhibition that were unlikely to result from the modestly elevated auditory brainstem response thresholds. Whereas α2δ-4 KO mice of both sexes were hyperactive in various assays, only females showed impaired motor coordination in the rotarod assay. α2δ-4 KO mice exhibited anxiolytic and anti-depressive behaviors in the elevated plus maze and tail suspension tests, respectively. Our results reveal an unexpected role for α2δ-4 in sensorimotor gating and motor function and identify α2δ-4 KO mice as a novel model for studying the pathophysiology associated with CACNA2D4 variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annette Klomp
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Ryotaro Omichi
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
- Iowa Institute of Human Genetics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Yoichiro Iwasa
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
- Iowa Institute of Human Genetics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Richard J. Smith
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
- Iowa Institute of Human Genetics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Yuriy M. Usachev
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Andrew F. Russo
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
- Department of Neurology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Nandakumar S. Narayanan
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
- Department of Neurology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Amy Lee
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
- Department of Neurology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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15
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Impaired Subcortical Processing of Amplitude-Modulated Tones in Mice Deficient for Cacna2d3, a Risk Gene for Autism Spectrum Disorders in Humans. eNeuro 2022; 9:ENEURO.0118-22.2022. [PMID: 35410870 PMCID: PMC9034753 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0118-22.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Temporal processing of complex sounds is a fundamental and complex task in hearing and a prerequisite for processing and understanding vocalization, speech, and prosody. Here, we studied response properties of neurons in the inferior colliculus (IC) in mice lacking Cacna2d3, a risk gene for autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). The α2δ3 auxiliary Ca2+ channel subunit encoded by Cacna2d3 is essential for proper function of glutamatergic synapses in the auditory brainstem. Recent evidence has shown that much of auditory feature extraction is performed in the auditory brainstem and IC, including processing of amplitude modulation (AM). We determined both spectral and temporal properties of single- and multi-unit responses in the IC of anesthetized mice. IC units of α2δ3−/− mice showed normal tuning properties yet increased spontaneous rates compared with α2δ3+/+. When stimulated with AM tones, α2δ3−/− units exhibited less precise temporal coding and reduced evoked rates to higher modulation frequencies (fm). Whereas first spike latencies (FSLs) were increased for only few modulation frequencies, population peak latencies were increased for fm ranging from 20 to 100 Hz in α2δ3−/− IC units. The loss of precision of temporal coding with increasing fm from 70 to 160 Hz was characterized using a normalized offset-corrected (Pearson-like) correlation coefficient, which appeared more appropriate than the metrics of vector strength. The processing deficits of AM sounds analyzed at the level of the IC indicate that α2δ3−/− mice exhibit a subcortical auditory processing disorder (APD). Similar deficits may be present in other mouse models for ASDs.
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16
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Lanzetti S, Di Biase V. Small Molecules as Modulators of Voltage-Gated Calcium Channels in Neurological Disorders: State of the Art and Perspectives. Molecules 2022; 27:1312. [PMID: 35209100 PMCID: PMC8879281 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27041312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2022] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs) are widely expressed in the brain, heart and vessels, smooth and skeletal muscle, as well as in endocrine cells. VGCCs mediate gene transcription, synaptic and neuronal structural plasticity, muscle contraction, the release of hormones and neurotransmitters, and membrane excitability. Therefore, it is not surprising that VGCC dysfunction results in severe pathologies, such as cardiovascular conditions, neurological and psychiatric disorders, altered glycemic levels, and abnormal smooth muscle tone. The latest research findings and clinical evidence increasingly show the critical role played by VGCCs in autism spectrum disorders, Parkinson's disease, drug addiction, pain, and epilepsy. These findings outline the importance of developing selective calcium channel inhibitors and modulators to treat such prevailing conditions of the central nervous system. Several small molecules inhibiting calcium channels are currently used in clinical practice to successfully treat pain and cardiovascular conditions. However, the limited palette of molecules available and the emerging extent of VGCC pathophysiology require the development of additional drugs targeting these channels. Here, we provide an overview of the role of calcium channels in neurological disorders and discuss possible strategies to generate novel therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Valentina Di Biase
- Institute of Pharmacology, Department of Medical Statistics, Informatics and Health Economics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Peter-Mayr Strasse 1, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria;
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17
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Tuluc P, Theiner T, Jacobo-Piqueras N, Geisler SM. Role of High Voltage-Gated Ca 2+ Channel Subunits in Pancreatic β-Cell Insulin Release. From Structure to Function. Cells 2021; 10:2004. [PMID: 34440773 PMCID: PMC8393260 DOI: 10.3390/cells10082004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The pancreatic islets of Langerhans secrete several hormones critical for glucose homeostasis. The β-cells, the major cellular component of the pancreatic islets, secrete insulin, the only hormone capable of lowering the plasma glucose concentration. The counter-regulatory hormone glucagon is secreted by the α-cells while δ-cells secrete somatostatin that via paracrine mechanisms regulates the α- and β-cell activity. These three peptide hormones are packed into secretory granules that are released through exocytosis following a local increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration. The high voltage-gated Ca2+ channels (HVCCs) occupy a central role in pancreatic hormone release both as a source of Ca2+ required for excitation-secretion coupling as well as a scaffold for the release machinery. HVCCs are multi-protein complexes composed of the main pore-forming transmembrane α1 and the auxiliary intracellular β, extracellular α2δ, and transmembrane γ subunits. Here, we review the current understanding regarding the role of all HVCC subunits expressed in pancreatic β-cell on electrical activity, excitation-secretion coupling, and β-cell mass. The evidence we review was obtained from many seminal studies employing pharmacological approaches as well as genetically modified mouse models. The significance for diabetes in humans is discussed in the context of genetic variations in the genes encoding for the HVCC subunits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petronel Tuluc
- Centre for Molecular Biosciences, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80/82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (T.T.); (N.J.-P.); (S.M.G.)
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18
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Schöpf CL, Ablinger C, Geisler SM, Stanika RI, Campiglio M, Kaufmann WA, Nimmervoll B, Schlick B, Brockhaus J, Missler M, Shigemoto R, Obermair GJ. Presynaptic α 2δ subunits are key organizers of glutamatergic synapses. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:e1920827118. [PMID: 33782113 PMCID: PMC8040823 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1920827118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
In nerve cells the genes encoding for α2δ subunits of voltage-gated calcium channels have been linked to synaptic functions and neurological disease. Here we show that α2δ subunits are essential for the formation and organization of glutamatergic synapses. Using a cellular α2δ subunit triple-knockout/knockdown model, we demonstrate a failure in presynaptic differentiation evidenced by defective presynaptic calcium channel clustering and calcium influx, smaller presynaptic active zones, and a strongly reduced accumulation of presynaptic vesicle-associated proteins (synapsin and vGLUT). The presynaptic defect is associated with the downscaling of postsynaptic AMPA receptors and the postsynaptic density. The role of α2δ isoforms as synaptic organizers is highly redundant, as each individual α2δ isoform can rescue presynaptic calcium channel trafficking and expression of synaptic proteins. Moreover, α2δ-2 and α2δ-3 with mutated metal ion-dependent adhesion sites can fully rescue presynaptic synapsin expression but only partially calcium channel trafficking, suggesting that the regulatory role of α2δ subunits is independent from its role as a calcium channel subunit. Our findings influence the current view on excitatory synapse formation. First, our study suggests that postsynaptic differentiation is secondary to presynaptic differentiation. Second, the dependence of presynaptic differentiation on α2δ implicates α2δ subunits as potential nucleation points for the organization of synapses. Finally, our results suggest that α2δ subunits act as transsynaptic organizers of glutamatergic synapses, thereby aligning the synaptic active zone with the postsynaptic density.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clemens L Schöpf
- Institute of Physiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Cornelia Ablinger
- Institute of Physiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Stefanie M Geisler
- Institute of Physiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Ruslan I Stanika
- Division of Physiology, Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, A-3500 Krems, Austria
| | - Marta Campiglio
- Institute of Physiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Walter A Kaufmann
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria, A-3400 Klosterneuburg, Austria
| | - Benedikt Nimmervoll
- Institute of Physiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Bettina Schlick
- Institute of Physiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Johannes Brockhaus
- Institute of Anatomy and Molecular Neurobiology, Westfälische Wilhelms University, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Markus Missler
- Institute of Anatomy and Molecular Neurobiology, Westfälische Wilhelms University, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Ryuichi Shigemoto
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria, A-3400 Klosterneuburg, Austria
| | - Gerald J Obermair
- Institute of Physiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria;
- Division of Physiology, Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, A-3500 Krems, Austria
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Striessnig J. Voltage-Gated Ca 2+-Channel α1-Subunit de novo Missense Mutations: Gain or Loss of Function - Implications for Potential Therapies. Front Synaptic Neurosci 2021; 13:634760. [PMID: 33746731 PMCID: PMC7966529 DOI: 10.3389/fnsyn.2021.634760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2020] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
This review summarizes our current knowledge of human disease-relevant genetic variants within the family of voltage gated Ca2+ channels. Ca2+ channelopathies cover a wide spectrum of diseases including epilepsies, autism spectrum disorders, intellectual disabilities, developmental delay, cerebellar ataxias and degeneration, severe cardiac arrhythmias, sudden cardiac death, eye disease and endocrine disorders such as congential hyperinsulinism and hyperaldosteronism. A special focus will be on the rapidly increasing number of de novo missense mutations identified in the pore-forming α1-subunits with next generation sequencing studies of well-defined patient cohorts. In contrast to likely gene disrupting mutations these can not only cause a channel loss-of-function but can also induce typical functional changes permitting enhanced channel activity and Ca2+ signaling. Such gain-of-function mutations could represent therapeutic targets for mutation-specific therapy of Ca2+-channelopathies with existing or novel Ca2+-channel inhibitors. Moreover, many pathogenic mutations affect positive charges in the voltage sensors with the potential to form gating-pore currents through voltage sensors. If confirmed in functional studies, specific blockers of gating-pore currents could also be of therapeutic interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jörg Striessnig
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy, Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
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20
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Young SM, Veeraraghavan P. Presynaptic voltage-gated calcium channels in the auditory brainstem. Mol Cell Neurosci 2021; 112:103609. [PMID: 33662542 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2021.103609] [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: 11/17/2020] [Revised: 02/06/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Sound information encoding within the initial synapses in the auditory brainstem requires reliable and precise synaptic transmission in response to rapid and large fluctuations in action potential (AP) firing rates. The magnitude and location of Ca2+ entry through voltage-gated Ca2+ channels (CaV) in the presynaptic terminal are key determinants in triggering AP-mediated release. In the mammalian central nervous system (CNS), the CaV2.1 subtype is the critical subtype for CNS function, since it is the most efficient CaV2 subtype in triggering AP-mediated synaptic vesicle (SV) release. Auditory brainstem synapses utilize CaV2.1 to sustain fast and repetitive SV release to encode sound information. Therefore, understanding the presynaptic mechanisms that control CaV2.1 localization, organization and biophysical properties are integral to understanding auditory processing. Here, we review our current knowledge about the control of presynaptic CaV2 abundance and organization in the auditory brainstem and impact on the regulation of auditory processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel M Young
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA; Department of Otolaryngology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA; Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
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21
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Geisler SM, Benedetti A, Schöpf CL, Schwarzer C, Stefanova N, Schwartz A, Obermair GJ. Phenotypic Characterization and Brain Structure Analysis of Calcium Channel Subunit α 2δ-2 Mutant (Ducky) and α 2δ Double Knockout Mice. Front Synaptic Neurosci 2021; 13:634412. [PMID: 33679366 PMCID: PMC7933509 DOI: 10.3389/fnsyn.2021.634412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Auxiliary α2δ subunits of voltage-gated calcium channels modulate channel trafficking, current properties, and synapse formation. Three of the four isoforms (α2δ-1, α2δ-2, and α2δ-3) are abundantly expressed in the brain; however, of the available knockout models, only α2δ-2 knockout or mutant mice display an obvious abnormal neurological phenotype. Thus, we hypothesize that the neuronal α2δ isoforms may have partially specific as well as redundant functions. To address this, we generated three distinct α2δ double knockout mouse models by crossbreeding single knockout (α2δ-1 and -3) or mutant (α2δ-2/ducky) mice. Here, we provide a first phenotypic description and brain structure analysis. We found that genotypic distribution of neonatal litters in distinct α2δ-1/-2, α2δ-1/-3, and α2δ-2/-3 breeding combinations did not conform to Mendel's law, suggesting premature lethality of single and double knockout mice. Notably, high occurrences of infant mortality correlated with the absence of specific α2δ isoforms (α2Δ-2 > α2δ-1 > α2δ-3), and was particularly observed in cages with behaviorally abnormal parenting animals of α2δ-2/-3 cross-breedings. Juvenile α2δ-1/-2 and α2δ-2/-3 double knockout mice displayed a waddling gate similar to ducky mice. However, in contrast to ducky and α2δ-1/-3 double knockout animals, α2δ-1/-2 and α2δ-2/-3 double knockout mice showed a more severe disease progression and highly impaired development. The observed phenotypes within the individual mouse lines may be linked to differences in the volume of specific brain regions. Reduced cortical volume in ducky mice, for example, was associated with a progressively decreased space between neurons, suggesting a reduction of total synaptic connections. Taken together, our findings show that α2δ subunits differentially regulate premature survival, postnatal growth, brain development, and behavior, suggesting specific neuronal functions in health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie M. Geisler
- Institute of Physiology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Center for Molecular Biosciences, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Ariane Benedetti
- Institute of Physiology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Clemens L. Schöpf
- Institute of Physiology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Christoph Schwarzer
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Nadia Stefanova
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Neurology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Arnold Schwartz
- Department of Pharmacology and Systems Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Gerald J. Obermair
- Institute of Physiology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
- Division Physiology, Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, Krems an der Donau, Austria
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22
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Matsuo M, Seo K, Mizuguchi N, Yamazaki F, Urabe S, Yamada N, Doi M, Tominaga K, Okamura H. Role of α2δ3 in Cellular Synchronization of the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus Under Constant Light Conditions. Neuroscience 2021; 461:1-10. [PMID: 33609639 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2021.02.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
By the effort to identify candidate signaling molecules important for the formation of robust circadian rhythms in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), the mammalian circadian center, here we characterize the role of α2δ proteins, synaptic molecules initially identified as an auxiliary subunit of the voltage dependent calcium channel, in circadian rhythm formation. In situ hybridization study demonstrated that type 3 α2δ gene (α2δ3) was strongly expressed in the SCN. Mice without this isoform (Cacna2d3-/-) did not maintain proper circadian locomotor activity rhythms under a constant light (LL) condition, whereas under a constant dark (DD) condition, these mice showed a similar period length and similar light-responsiveness as compared to wild type mice. Reflecting this behavioral phenotype, Cacna2d3-/- mice showed a severely impaired Per1 expression rhythm in the SCN under LL, but not under DD. Cultured SCN slices from Per1-luc transgenic Cacna2d3-/- mice revealed reduced synchrony of Per1-luc gene expression rhythms among SCN neurons. These findings suggest that α2δ3 is essential for synchronized cellular oscillations in the SCN and thereby contributes to enhancing the sustainability of circadian rhythms in behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahiro Matsuo
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan; Department of Psychiatry, Shiga University of Medical Science, Shiga 520-2192, Japan
| | - Kazuyuki Seo
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Naoki Mizuguchi
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Fumiyoshi Yamazaki
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Shoichi Urabe
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Naoto Yamada
- Department of Psychiatry, Shiga University of Medical Science, Shiga 520-2192, Japan
| | - Masao Doi
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Keiko Tominaga
- Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Suita Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Okamura
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan; Department of Neuroscience, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan.
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