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Arnskötter F, da Silva PBG, Schouw ME, Lukasch C, Bianchini L, Sieber L, Garcia-Lopez J, Ahmad ST, Li Y, Lin H, Joshi P, Spänig L, Radoš M, Roiuk M, Sepp M, Zuckermann M, Northcott PA, Patrizi A, Kutscher LM. Loss of Elp1 in cerebellar granule cell progenitors models ataxia phenotype of Familial Dysautonomia. Neurobiol Dis 2024; 199:106600. [PMID: 38996985 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2024.106600] [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: 04/18/2024] [Revised: 06/25/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Familial Dysautonomia (FD) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by a splice site mutation in the gene ELP1, which disproportionally affects neurons. While classically characterized by deficits in sensory and autonomic neurons, neuronal defects in the central nervous system have also been described. Although ELP1 expression remains high in the normal developing and adult cerebellum, its role in cerebellar development is unknown. To explore the role of Elp1 in the cerebellum, we knocked out Elp1 in cerebellar granule cell progenitors (GCPs) and examined the outcome on animal behavior and cellular composition. We found that GCP-specific conditional knockout of Elp1 (Elp1cKO) resulted in ataxia by 8 weeks of age. Cellular characterization showed that the animals had smaller cerebella with fewer granule cells. This defect was already apparent as early as 7 days after birth, when Elp1cKO animals also had fewer mitotic GCPs and shorter Purkinje dendrites. Through molecular characterization, we found that loss of Elp1 was associated with an increase in apoptotic cell death and cell stress pathways in GCPs. Our study demonstrates the importance of ELP1 in the developing cerebellum, and suggests that loss of Elp1 in the GC lineage may also play a role in the progressive ataxia phenotypes of FD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederik Arnskötter
- Developmental Origins of Pediatric Cancer Junior Research Group, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Hopp Children's Cancer Center (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany; National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), NCT Heidelberg, A partnership between DKFZ and Heidelberg University Hospital, Germany; Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Patricia Benites Goncalves da Silva
- Developmental Origins of Pediatric Cancer Junior Research Group, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Hopp Children's Cancer Center (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany; National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), NCT Heidelberg, A partnership between DKFZ and Heidelberg University Hospital, Germany
| | - Mackenna E Schouw
- Developmental Origins of Pediatric Cancer Junior Research Group, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Hopp Children's Cancer Center (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany; National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), NCT Heidelberg, A partnership between DKFZ and Heidelberg University Hospital, Germany
| | - Chiara Lukasch
- Developmental Origins of Pediatric Cancer Junior Research Group, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Hopp Children's Cancer Center (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany; National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), NCT Heidelberg, A partnership between DKFZ and Heidelberg University Hospital, Germany
| | - Luca Bianchini
- Developmental Origins of Pediatric Cancer Junior Research Group, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Hopp Children's Cancer Center (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany; National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), NCT Heidelberg, A partnership between DKFZ and Heidelberg University Hospital, Germany; Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Laura Sieber
- Developmental Origins of Pediatric Cancer Junior Research Group, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Hopp Children's Cancer Center (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany; National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), NCT Heidelberg, A partnership between DKFZ and Heidelberg University Hospital, Germany
| | - Jesus Garcia-Lopez
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA; Center of Excellence in Neuro-Oncology Sciences (CENOS), St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA; Department of In vivo Pharmacology-Immunology, Tempest Therapeutics, Brisbane, CA, USA
| | - Shiekh Tanveer Ahmad
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA; Center of Excellence in Neuro-Oncology Sciences (CENOS), St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Yiran Li
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA; Center of Excellence in Neuro-Oncology Sciences (CENOS), St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Hong Lin
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA; Center of Excellence in Neuro-Oncology Sciences (CENOS), St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Piyush Joshi
- Developmental Origins of Pediatric Cancer Junior Research Group, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Hopp Children's Cancer Center (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany; National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), NCT Heidelberg, A partnership between DKFZ and Heidelberg University Hospital, Germany
| | - Lisa Spänig
- Developmental Origins of Pediatric Cancer Junior Research Group, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Hopp Children's Cancer Center (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany; National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), NCT Heidelberg, A partnership between DKFZ and Heidelberg University Hospital, Germany; Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Magdalena Radoš
- Developmental Origins of Pediatric Cancer Junior Research Group, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Hopp Children's Cancer Center (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany; National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), NCT Heidelberg, A partnership between DKFZ and Heidelberg University Hospital, Germany
| | - Mykola Roiuk
- Signal Transduction in Cancer and Metabolism, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mari Sepp
- Center for Molecular Biology of Heidelberg University (ZMBH), DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marc Zuckermann
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany; National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), NCT Heidelberg, A partnership between DKFZ and Heidelberg University Hospital, Germany; Division of Pediatric Neuro-Oncology, Preclinical Modeling Group, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Paul A Northcott
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA; Center of Excellence in Neuro-Oncology Sciences (CENOS), St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Annarita Patrizi
- Schaller Research Group, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Lena M Kutscher
- Developmental Origins of Pediatric Cancer Junior Research Group, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Hopp Children's Cancer Center (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany; National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), NCT Heidelberg, A partnership between DKFZ and Heidelberg University Hospital, Germany.
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2
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Pavlinkova G, Smolik O. NEUROD1: transcriptional and epigenetic regulator of human and mouse neuronal and endocrine cell lineage programs. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1435546. [PMID: 39105169 PMCID: PMC11298428 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1435546] [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: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Transcription factors belonging to the basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) family are key regulators of cell fate specification and differentiation during development. Their dysregulation is implicated not only in developmental abnormalities but also in various adult diseases and cancers. Recently, the abilities of bHLH factors have been exploited in reprogramming strategies for cell replacement therapy. One such factor is NEUROD1, which has been associated with the reprogramming of the epigenetic landscape and potentially possessing pioneer factor abilities, initiating neuronal developmental programs, and enforcing pancreatic endocrine differentiation. The review aims to consolidate current knowledge on NEUROD1's multifaceted roles and mechanistic pathways in human and mouse cell differentiation and reprogramming, exploring NEUROD1 roles in guiding the development and reprogramming of neuroendocrine cell lineages. The review focuses on NEUROD1's molecular mechanisms, its interactions with other transcription factors, its role as a pioneer factor in chromatin remodeling, and its potential in cell reprogramming. We also show a differential potential of NEUROD1 in differentiation of neurons and pancreatic endocrine cells, highlighting its therapeutic potential and the necessity for further research to fully understand and utilize its capabilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Pavlinkova
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathogenetics, Institute of Biotechnology Czech Academy of Sciences, Vestec, Czechia
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3
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De Mori R, Tardivo S, Pollara L, Giliani SC, Ali E, Giordano L, Leuzzi V, Fischetto R, Gener B, Diprima S, Morelli MJ, Monti MC, Sottile V, Valente EM. Joubert syndrome-derived induced pluripotent stem cells show altered neuronal differentiation in vitro. Cell Tissue Res 2024; 396:255-267. [PMID: 38502237 PMCID: PMC11055696 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-024-03876-9] [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: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Joubert syndrome (JS) is a recessively inherited congenital ataxia characterized by hypotonia, psychomotor delay, abnormal ocular movements, intellectual disability, and a peculiar cerebellar and brainstem malformation, the "molar tooth sign." Over 40 causative genes have been reported, all encoding for proteins implicated in the structure or functioning of the primary cilium, a subcellular organelle widely present in embryonic and adult tissues. In this paper, we developed an in vitro neuronal differentiation model using patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), to evaluate possible neurodevelopmental defects in JS. To this end, iPSCs from four JS patients harboring mutations in distinct JS genes (AHI1, CPLANE1, TMEM67, and CC2D2A) were differentiated alongside healthy control cells to obtain mid-hindbrain precursors and cerebellar granule cells. Differentiation was monitored over 31 days through the detection of lineage-specific marker expression by qRT-PCR, immunofluorescence, and transcriptomics analysis. All JS patient-derived iPSCs, regardless of the mutant gene, showed a similar impairment to differentiate into mid-hindbrain and cerebellar granule cells when compared to healthy controls. In addition, analysis of primary cilium count and morphology showed notable ciliary defects in all differentiating JS patient-derived iPSCs compared to controls. These results confirm that patient-derived iPSCs are an accessible and relevant in vitro model to analyze cellular phenotypes connected to the presence of JS gene mutations in a neuronal context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta De Mori
- Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Unit, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Tardivo
- Neurogenetics Lab, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Lidia Pollara
- Neurogenetics Research Unit, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Silvia Clara Giliani
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Eltahir Ali
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Lucio Giordano
- Paediatric Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, Spedali Civili Children's Hospital, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Leuzzi
- Unit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, Department of Human Neuroscience, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Rita Fischetto
- Clinical Genetics Unit, Department of Pediatric Medicine, XXIII Children's Hospital, Bari, Giovanni, Italy
| | - Blanca Gener
- Department of Genetics, Cruces University Hospital, BioBizkaia Health Research Institute, 48903 Barakaldo, Cruces PlazaBizkaia, Spain
| | - Santo Diprima
- IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Maria Cristina Monti
- Unit of Biostatistics and Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Virginie Sottile
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
| | - Enza Maria Valente
- Neurogenetics Research Unit, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy.
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
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Göbel C, Schoof M, Holdhof D, Spohn M, Schüller U. SMARCA4 Loss and Mutated β-Catenin Induce Proliferative Lesions in the Murine Embryonic Cerebellum. J Neurosci 2024; 44:e1605232024. [PMID: 38383496 PMCID: PMC11007475 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1605-23.2024] [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: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Almost all medulloblastomas (MB) of the Wingless/Int-1 (WNT) type are characterized by hotspot mutations in CTNNB1, and mouse models have convincingly demonstrated the tumor-initiating role of these mutations. Additional alterations in SMARCA4 are detected in ∼20% of WNT MB, but their functional role is mostly unknown. We, therefore, amended previously described brain lipid binding protein (Blbp)-cre::Ctnnb1(ex3)fl/wt mice by the introduction of floxed Smarca4 alleles. Unexpectedly, mutated and thereby stabilized β-catenin on its own induced severe developmental phenotypes in male and female Blbp-cre::Ctnnb1(ex3)fl/wt mice in our hands, including a thinned cerebral cortex, hydrocephalus, missing cerebellar layering, and cell accumulations in the brainstem and cerebellum. An additional loss of SMARCA4 even resulted in prenatal death for most mice. Respective Blbp-cre::Ctnnb1(ex3)fl/wt::Smarca4fl/rec mutants (male and female) developed large proliferative lesions in the cerebellum evolving from E13.5 to E16.5. Histological and molecular analysis of these lesions by DNA methylation profiling and single-cell RNA sequencing suggested an origin in early undifferentiated SOX2-positive cerebellar progenitors. Furthermore, upregulated WNT signaling, altered actin/cytoskeleton organization, and reduced neuronal differentiation were evident in mutant cells. In vitro, cells harboring alterations in both Ctnnb1 and Smarca4 were negatively selected and did not show tumorigenic potential after transplantation in adult female recipient mice. However, in cerebellar explant cultures, mutant cells displayed significantly increased proliferation, suggesting an important role of the embryonic microenvironment in the development of lesions. Altogether, these results represent an important first step toward the unraveling of tumorigenic mechanisms induced by aberrant WNT signaling and SMARCA4 deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolin Göbel
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg D-20251, Germany
- Research Institute Children's Cancer Center Hamburg, Hamburg D-20251, Germany
| | - Melanie Schoof
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg D-20251, Germany
- Research Institute Children's Cancer Center Hamburg, Hamburg D-20251, Germany
| | - Dörthe Holdhof
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg D-20251, Germany
- Research Institute Children's Cancer Center Hamburg, Hamburg D-20251, Germany
| | - Michael Spohn
- Research Institute Children's Cancer Center Hamburg, Hamburg D-20251, Germany
- Bioinformatics Core, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg D-20251, Germany
| | - Ulrich Schüller
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg D-20251, Germany
- Research Institute Children's Cancer Center Hamburg, Hamburg D-20251, Germany
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg D-20251, Germany
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5
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Yang Y, Valdés-Rives SA, Liu Q, Li Y, Tan J, Tan Y, Koch CA, Rong Y, Houser SR, Wei S, Cai KQ, Cheng SY, Curran T, Wechsler-Reya R, Yang ZJ. Thyroid Hormone Suppresses Medulloblastoma Progression Through Promoting Terminal Differentiation of Tumor Cells. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.13.580111. [PMID: 38405864 PMCID: PMC10888774 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.13.580111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Hypothyroidism is commonly detected in patients with medulloblastoma (MB). A possible link between thyroid hormone (TH) signaling and MB pathogenicity has not been reported. Here, we find that TH plays a critical role in promoting tumor cell differentiation. Reduction in TH levels frees the TH receptor, TRα1, to bind to EZH2 and repress expression of NeuroD1, a transcription factor that drives tumor cell differentiation. Increased TH reverses EZH2-mediated repression of NeuroD1 by abrogating the binding of EZH2 and TRα1, thereby stimulating tumor cell differentiation and reducing MB growth. Importantly, TH-induced differentiation of tumor cells is not restricted by the molecular subgroup of MB. These findings establish an unprecedented association between TH signaling and MB pathogenicity, providing solid evidence for TH as a promising modality for MB treatment.
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Chen Y, Bury LA, Chen F, Aldinger KA, Miranda HC, Wynshaw-Boris A. Generation of advanced cerebellar organoids for neurogenesis and neuronal network development. Hum Mol Genet 2023; 32:2832-2841. [PMID: 37387247 PMCID: PMC10481094 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddad110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurons within the cerebellum form temporal-spatial connections through the cerebellum, and the entire brain. Organoid models provide an opportunity to model the early differentiation of the developing human cerebellum, which is difficult to study in vivo, and affords the opportunity to study neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental diseases of the cerebellum. Previous cerebellar organoid models focused on early neuron generation and single cell activity. Here, we modify previous protocols to generate more mature cerebellar organoids that allow for the establishment of several classes of mature neurons during cerebellar differentiation and development, including the establishment of neural networks during whole-organoid maturation. This will provide a means to study the generation of several more mature cerebellar cell types, including Purkinje cells, granule cells and interneurons expression as well as neuronal communication for biomedical, clinical and pharmaceutical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya Chen
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Luke A Bury
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Fu Chen
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Kimberly A Aldinger
- Department of Pediatrics and Neurology, Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
| | - Helen C Miranda
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Anthony Wynshaw-Boris
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
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Ramirez M, Robert R, Yeung J, Wu J, Abdalla-Wyse A, Goldowitz D. Identification and characterization of transcribed enhancers during cerebellar development through enhancer RNA analysis. BMC Genomics 2023; 24:351. [PMID: 37365500 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-023-09368-4] [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: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The development of the brain requires precise coordination of molecular processes across many cell-types. Underpinning these events are gene expression programs which require intricate regulation by non-coding regulatory sequences known as enhancers. In the context of the developing brain, transcribed enhancers (TEs) regulate temporally-specific expression of genes critical for cell identity and differentiation. Transcription of non-coding RNAs at active enhancer sequences, known as enhancer RNAs (eRNAs), is tightly associated with enhancer activity and has been correlated with target gene expression. TEs have been characterized in a multitude of developing tissues, however their regulatory role has yet to be described in the context of embryonic and early postnatal brain development. In this study, eRNA transcription was analyzed to identify TEs active during cerebellar development, as a proxy for the developing brain. Cap Analysis of Gene Expression followed by sequencing (CAGE-seq) was conducted at 12 stages throughout embryonic and early postnatal cerebellar development. RESULTS Temporal analysis of eRNA transcription identified clusters of TEs that peak in activity during either embryonic or postnatal times, highlighting their importance for temporally specific developmental events. Functional analysis of putative target genes identified molecular mechanisms under TE regulation revealing that TEs regulate genes involved in biological processes specific to neurons. We validate enhancer activity using in situ hybridization of eRNA expression from TEs predicted to regulate Nfib, a gene critical for cerebellar granule cell differentiation. CONCLUSIONS The results of this analysis provide a valuable dataset for the identification of cerebellar enhancers and provide insight into the molecular mechanisms critical for brain development under TE regulation. This dataset is shared with the community through an online resource ( https://goldowitzlab.shinyapps.io/trans-enh-app/ ).
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Ramirez
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, 950 W 28th Ave, V6H 3V5, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- University of British Columbia, V6T 1Z4, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Remi Robert
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, 950 W 28th Ave, V6H 3V5, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- University of British Columbia, V6T 1Z4, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Joanna Yeung
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, 950 W 28th Ave, V6H 3V5, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- University of British Columbia, V6T 1Z4, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Joshua Wu
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, 950 W 28th Ave, V6H 3V5, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- University of British Columbia, V6T 1Z4, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Ayasha Abdalla-Wyse
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, 950 W 28th Ave, V6H 3V5, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- University of British Columbia, V6T 1Z4, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Daniel Goldowitz
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, 950 W 28th Ave, V6H 3V5, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
- University of British Columbia, V6T 1Z4, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
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8
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Lowenstein ED, Cui K, Hernandez-Miranda LR. Regulation of early cerebellar development. FEBS J 2023; 290:2786-2804. [PMID: 35262281 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16426] [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: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 02/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The study of cerebellar development has been at the forefront of neuroscience since the pioneering work of Wilhelm His Sr., Santiago Ramón y Cajal and many others since the 19th century. They laid the foundation to identify the circuitry of the cerebellum, already revealing its stereotypic three-layered cortex and discerning several of its neuronal components. Their work was fundamental in the acceptance of the neuron doctrine, which acknowledges the key role of individual neurons in forming the basic units of the nervous system. Increasing evidence shows that the cerebellum performs a variety of homeostatic and higher order neuronal functions beyond the mere control of motor behaviour. Over the last three decades, many studies have revealed the molecular machinery that regulates distinct aspects of cerebellar development, from the establishment of a cerebellar anlage in the posterior brain to the identification of cerebellar neuron diversity at the single cell level. In this review, we focus on summarizing our current knowledge on early cerebellar development with a particular emphasis on the molecular determinants that secure neuron specification and contribute to the diversity of cerebellar neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ke Cui
- Institut für Zell- and Neurobiologie, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Germany
| | - Luis Rodrigo Hernandez-Miranda
- Institut für Zell- and Neurobiologie, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Germany
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9
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Puls R, von Haefen C, Bührer C, Endesfelder S. Protective Effect of Dexmedetomidine against Hyperoxia-Damaged Cerebellar Neurodevelopment in the Juvenile Rat. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:antiox12040980. [PMID: 37107355 PMCID: PMC10136028 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12040980] [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: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Impaired cerebellar development of premature infants and the associated impairment of cerebellar functions in cognitive development could be crucial factors for neurodevelopmental disorders. Anesthetic- and hyperoxia-induced neurotoxicity of the immature brain can lead to learning and behavioral disorders. Dexmedetomidine (DEX), which is associated with neuroprotective properties, is increasingly being studied for off-label use in the NICU. For this purpose, six-day-old Wistar rats (P6) were exposed to hyperoxia (80% O2) or normoxia (21% O2) for 24 h after DEX (5 µg/kg, i.p.) or vehicle (0.9% NaCl) application. An initial detection in the immature rat cerebellum was performed after the termination of hyperoxia at P7 and then after recovery in room air at P9, P11, and P14. Hyperoxia reduced the proportion of Calb1+-Purkinje cells and affected the dendrite length at P7 and/or P9/P11. Proliferating Pax6+-granule progenitors remained reduced after hyperoxia and until P14. The expression of neurotrophins and neuronal transcription factors/markers of proliferation, migration, and survival were also reduced by oxidative stress in different manners. DEX demonstrated protective effects on hyperoxia-injured Purkinje cells, and DEX without hyperoxia modulated neuronal transcription in the short term without any effects at the cellular level. DEX protects hyperoxia-damaged Purkinje cells and appears to differentially affect cerebellar granular cell neurogenesis following oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Puls
- Department of Neonatology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Clarissa von Haefen
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Christoph Bührer
- Department of Neonatology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefanie Endesfelder
- Department of Neonatology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
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Zine A, Fritzsch B. Early Steps towards Hearing: Placodes and Sensory Development. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:6994. [PMID: 37108158 PMCID: PMC10139157 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24086994] [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: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Sensorineural hearing loss is the most prevalent sensory deficit in humans. Most cases of hearing loss are due to the degeneration of key structures of the sensory pathway in the cochlea, such as the sensory hair cells, the primary auditory neurons, and their synaptic connection to the hair cells. Different cell-based strategies to replace damaged inner ear neurosensory tissue aiming at the restoration of regeneration or functional recovery are currently the subject of intensive research. Most of these cell-based treatment approaches require experimental in vitro models that rely on a fine understanding of the earliest morphogenetic steps that underlie the in vivo development of the inner ear since its initial induction from a common otic-epibranchial territory. This knowledge will be applied to various proposed experimental cell replacement strategies to either address the feasibility or identify novel therapeutic options for sensorineural hearing loss. In this review, we describe how ear and epibranchial placode development can be recapitulated by focusing on the cellular transformations that occur as the inner ear is converted from a thickening of the surface ectoderm next to the hindbrain known as the otic placode to an otocyst embedded in the head mesenchyme. Finally, we will highlight otic and epibranchial placode development and morphogenetic events towards progenitors of the inner ear and their neurosensory cell derivatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azel Zine
- LBN, Laboratory of Bioengineering and Nanoscience, University of Montpellier, 34193 Montpellier, France
| | - Bernd Fritzsch
- Department of Biology, CLAS, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
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Sun C, Chen S. Disease-causing mutations in genes encoding transcription factors critical for photoreceptor development. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1134839. [PMID: 37181651 PMCID: PMC10172487 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1134839] [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: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Photoreceptor development of the vertebrate visual system is controlled by a complex transcription regulatory network. OTX2 is expressed in the mitotic retinal progenitor cells (RPCs) and controls photoreceptor genesis. CRX that is activated by OTX2 is expressed in photoreceptor precursors after cell cycle exit. NEUROD1 is also present in photoreceptor precursors that are ready to specify into rod and cone photoreceptor subtypes. NRL is required for the rod fate and regulates downstream rod-specific genes including the orphan nuclear receptor NR2E3 which further activates rod-specific genes and simultaneously represses cone-specific genes. Cone subtype specification is also regulated by the interplay of several transcription factors such as THRB and RXRG. Mutations in these key transcription factors are responsible for ocular defects at birth such as microphthalmia and inherited photoreceptor diseases such as Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA), retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and allied dystrophies. In particular, many mutations are inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion, including the majority of missense mutations in CRX and NRL. In this review, we describe the spectrum of photoreceptor defects that are associated with mutations in the above-mentioned transcription factors, and summarize the current knowledge of molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenic mutations. At last, we deliberate the outstanding gaps in our understanding of the genotype-phenotype correlations and outline avenues for future research of the treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi Sun
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
- *Correspondence: Chi Sun,
| | - Shiming Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
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12
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Xia Y, Cui K, Alonso A, Lowenstein ED, Hernandez-Miranda LR. Transcription factors regulating the specification of brainstem respiratory neurons. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:1072475. [PMID: 36523603 PMCID: PMC9745097 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.1072475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Breathing (or respiration) is an unconscious and complex motor behavior which neuronal drive emerges from the brainstem. In simplistic terms, respiratory motor activity comprises two phases, inspiration (uptake of oxygen, O2) and expiration (release of carbon dioxide, CO2). Breathing is not rigid, but instead highly adaptable to external and internal physiological demands of the organism. The neurons that generate, monitor, and adjust breathing patterns locate to two major brainstem structures, the pons and medulla oblongata. Extensive research over the last three decades has begun to identify the developmental origins of most brainstem neurons that control different aspects of breathing. This research has also elucidated the transcriptional control that secures the specification of brainstem respiratory neurons. In this review, we aim to summarize our current knowledge on the transcriptional regulation that operates during the specification of respiratory neurons, and we will highlight the cell lineages that contribute to the central respiratory circuit. Lastly, we will discuss on genetic disturbances altering transcription factor regulation and their impact in hypoventilation disorders in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiling Xia
- The Brainstem Group, Institute for Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ke Cui
- The Brainstem Group, Institute for Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Antonia Alonso
- Functional Genoarchitecture and Neurobiology Groups, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), Murcia, Spain
- Department of Human Anatomy and Psychobiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Elijah D. Lowenstein
- Developmental Biology/Signal Transduction, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Luis R. Hernandez-Miranda
- The Brainstem Group, Institute for Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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13
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Glover JC, Fritzsch B. Molecular mechanisms governing development of the hindbrain choroid plexus and auditory projection: A validation of the seminal observations of Wilhelm His. IBRO Neurosci Rep 2022; 13:306-313. [PMID: 36247525 PMCID: PMC9561746 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibneur.2022.09.011] [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: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies by His from 1868 to 1904 delineated the critical role of the dorsal roof plate in the development of the hindbrain choroid plexus, and of the rhombic lips in the development of hindbrain auditory centers. Modern molecular studies have confirmed these observations and placed them in a mechanistic context. Expression of the transcription factor Lmx1a/b is crucial to the development of the hindbrain choroid plexus, and also regulates the expression of Atoh1, a transcription factor that is essential for the formation of the cochlear hair cells and auditory nuclei. By contrast, development of the vestibular hair cells, vestibular ganglion and vestibular nuclei does not depend on Lmx1a/b. These findings demonstrate a common dependence on a specific gene for the hindbrain choroid plexus and the primary auditory projection from hair cells to sensory neurons to hindbrain nuclei. Thus, His' conclusions regarding the origins of specific hindbrain structures are borne out by molecular genetic experiments conducted more than a hundred years later.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel C. Glover
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Norwegian Center for Stem Cell Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Sars International Centre for Marine Molecular Biology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Corresponding author at: Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Bernd Fritzsch
- Department of Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa, IA 52242, USA
- Corresponding author.
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14
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Wu JPH, Yeung J, Rahimi-Balaei M, Wu SR, Zoghbi H, Goldowitz D. The Transcription Factor Pou3f1 Sheds Light on the Development and Molecular Diversity of Glutamatergic Cerebellar Nuclear Neurons in the Mouse. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:921901. [PMID: 35935334 PMCID: PMC9347289 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.921901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The cerebellar nuclear (CN) neurons are a molecularly heterogeneous population whose specification into the different cerebellar nuclei is defined by the expression of varying sets of transcription factors. Here, we present a novel molecular marker, Pou3f1, that delineates specific sets of glutamatergic CN neurons. The glutamatergic identity of Pou3f1+ cells was confirmed by: (1) the co-expression of vGluT2, a cell marker of glutamatergic neurons; (2) the lack of co-expression between Pou3f1 and GAD67, a marker of GABAergic neurons; (3) the co-expression of Atoh1, the master regulator required for the production of all cerebellar glutamatergic lineages; and (4) the absence of Pou3f1-expressing cells in the Atoh1-null cerebellum. Furthermore, the lack of Pax6 and Tbr1 expression in Pou3f1+ cells reveals that Pou3f1-expressing CN neurons specifically settle in the interposed and dentate nuclei. In addition, the Pou3f1-labeled glutamatergic CN neurons can be further classified by the expression of Brn2 and Irx3. The results of the present study align with previous findings highlighting that the survival of the interposed and dentate CN neurons is largely independent of Pax6. More importantly, the present study extends the field’s collective knowledge of the molecular diversity of cerebellar nuclei.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Po Han Wu
- Department of Medical Genetics, Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Joanna Yeung
- Department of Medical Genetics, Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Maryam Rahimi-Balaei
- Department of Medical Genetics, Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Sih-Rong Wu
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX, United States
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Huda Zoghbi
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX, United States
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Dan Goldowitz
- Department of Medical Genetics, Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- *Correspondence: Dan Goldowitz
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15
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Višnjar T, Maver A, Writzl K, Maloku O, Bergant G, Jaklič H, Neubauer D, Fogolari F, Pečarič Meglič N, Peterlin B. Biallelic ATOH1 Gene Variant in Siblings With Pontocerebellar Hypoplasia, Developmental Delay, and Hearing Loss. Neurol Genet 2022; 8:e677. [PMID: 35518571 PMCID: PMC9067583 DOI: 10.1212/nxg.0000000000000677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Background and Objectives To report on the novel association of biallelic variant in atonal basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor 1 (ATOH1) gene and pontocerebellar hypoplasia (PCH), severe global developmental delay, intellectual disability, and hearing loss in a family with 2 affected siblings. Methods A detailed clinical assessment and exome sequencing of peripheral blood sample were performed. Segregation analysis with Sanger sequencing and structural modeling of the variant was performed to support the pathogenicity of the variant. Results A homozygous missense variant (NM_005172.1:c.481C>G) in the ATOH1 gene was identified in the proband and his affected sister. The segregation analysis subsequently confirmed its segregation with an apparently recessive PCH in this family. ATOH1 encodes for the atonal basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor 1, a core transcription factor in the developing cerebellum, brainstem, and dorsal spinal cord, and in the ear. The identified variant results in the p.(Arg161Gly) amino acid substitution in the evolutionarily conserved DNA-binding bHLH domain of the ATOH1 protein. Biallelic missense variants in this domain were previously reported to result in disordered cerebellar development and hearing loss in animal models. In silico homology modeling revealed that p.Arg161Gly in ATOH1 protein probably disrupts a salt bridge with DNA backbone phosphate and increases the flexibility of the bHLH helix-both of which together affect the binding capability of the bHLH domain to the DNA. Discussion Based on the sequencing results and evidence from structural modeling of the identified variant, as well as with previous reports of ATOH1 gene disruption, we conclude that ATOH1 may represent a novel candidate gene associated with the phenotype of PCH, global developmental delay, and hearing loss in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanja Višnjar
- Clinical Institute of Genomic Medicine (T.V., A.M., K.W., G.B., H.J., B.P.), University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia; Medical Faculty (K.W., D.N.), University of Ljubljana, Slovenia; Division of Paediatrics (D.N.), Department of Child, Adolescent & Developmental Neurology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia; Clinical Institute of Radiology (N.P.M.), University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia; and Department of Mathematics (O.M., F.F.), Informatics and Physics, University of Udine, Italy
| | - Aleš Maver
- Clinical Institute of Genomic Medicine (T.V., A.M., K.W., G.B., H.J., B.P.), University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia; Medical Faculty (K.W., D.N.), University of Ljubljana, Slovenia; Division of Paediatrics (D.N.), Department of Child, Adolescent & Developmental Neurology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia; Clinical Institute of Radiology (N.P.M.), University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia; and Department of Mathematics (O.M., F.F.), Informatics and Physics, University of Udine, Italy
| | - Karin Writzl
- Clinical Institute of Genomic Medicine (T.V., A.M., K.W., G.B., H.J., B.P.), University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia; Medical Faculty (K.W., D.N.), University of Ljubljana, Slovenia; Division of Paediatrics (D.N.), Department of Child, Adolescent & Developmental Neurology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia; Clinical Institute of Radiology (N.P.M.), University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia; and Department of Mathematics (O.M., F.F.), Informatics and Physics, University of Udine, Italy
| | - Ornela Maloku
- Clinical Institute of Genomic Medicine (T.V., A.M., K.W., G.B., H.J., B.P.), University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia; Medical Faculty (K.W., D.N.), University of Ljubljana, Slovenia; Division of Paediatrics (D.N.), Department of Child, Adolescent & Developmental Neurology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia; Clinical Institute of Radiology (N.P.M.), University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia; and Department of Mathematics (O.M., F.F.), Informatics and Physics, University of Udine, Italy
| | - Gaber Bergant
- Clinical Institute of Genomic Medicine (T.V., A.M., K.W., G.B., H.J., B.P.), University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia; Medical Faculty (K.W., D.N.), University of Ljubljana, Slovenia; Division of Paediatrics (D.N.), Department of Child, Adolescent & Developmental Neurology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia; Clinical Institute of Radiology (N.P.M.), University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia; and Department of Mathematics (O.M., F.F.), Informatics and Physics, University of Udine, Italy
| | - Helena Jaklič
- Clinical Institute of Genomic Medicine (T.V., A.M., K.W., G.B., H.J., B.P.), University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia; Medical Faculty (K.W., D.N.), University of Ljubljana, Slovenia; Division of Paediatrics (D.N.), Department of Child, Adolescent & Developmental Neurology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia; Clinical Institute of Radiology (N.P.M.), University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia; and Department of Mathematics (O.M., F.F.), Informatics and Physics, University of Udine, Italy
| | - David Neubauer
- Clinical Institute of Genomic Medicine (T.V., A.M., K.W., G.B., H.J., B.P.), University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia; Medical Faculty (K.W., D.N.), University of Ljubljana, Slovenia; Division of Paediatrics (D.N.), Department of Child, Adolescent & Developmental Neurology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia; Clinical Institute of Radiology (N.P.M.), University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia; and Department of Mathematics (O.M., F.F.), Informatics and Physics, University of Udine, Italy
| | - Federico Fogolari
- Clinical Institute of Genomic Medicine (T.V., A.M., K.W., G.B., H.J., B.P.), University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia; Medical Faculty (K.W., D.N.), University of Ljubljana, Slovenia; Division of Paediatrics (D.N.), Department of Child, Adolescent & Developmental Neurology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia; Clinical Institute of Radiology (N.P.M.), University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia; and Department of Mathematics (O.M., F.F.), Informatics and Physics, University of Udine, Italy
| | - Nuška Pečarič Meglič
- Clinical Institute of Genomic Medicine (T.V., A.M., K.W., G.B., H.J., B.P.), University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia; Medical Faculty (K.W., D.N.), University of Ljubljana, Slovenia; Division of Paediatrics (D.N.), Department of Child, Adolescent & Developmental Neurology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia; Clinical Institute of Radiology (N.P.M.), University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia; and Department of Mathematics (O.M., F.F.), Informatics and Physics, University of Udine, Italy
| | - Borut Peterlin
- Clinical Institute of Genomic Medicine (T.V., A.M., K.W., G.B., H.J., B.P.), University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia; Medical Faculty (K.W., D.N.), University of Ljubljana, Slovenia; Division of Paediatrics (D.N.), Department of Child, Adolescent & Developmental Neurology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia; Clinical Institute of Radiology (N.P.M.), University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia; and Department of Mathematics (O.M., F.F.), Informatics and Physics, University of Udine, Italy
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16
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Chang CH, Chen TY, Tang TK. Using in vivo cerebellar electroporation to study neuronal cell proliferation and differentiation in a Joubert syndrome mouse model. Methods Cell Biol 2022; 175:235-249. [PMID: 36967143 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mcb.2022.07.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Joubert syndrome (JS) is an autosomal recessive ciliopathy that mainly affects the morphogenesis of the cerebellum and brain stem. To date, mutations in at least 39 genes have been identified in JS; all these gene-encoding proteins are involved in the biogenesis of the primary cilium and centrioles. Recent studies using the mouse model carrying deleted or mutated JS-related genes exhibited cerebellar hypoplasia with a reduction in neurogenesis; however, investigating specific neuronal behaviors during their development in vivo remains challenging. Here, we describe an in vivo cerebellar electroporation technique that can be used to deliver plasmids carrying GFP and/or shRNAs into the major cerebellar cell type, granule neurons, from their progenitor state to their maturation in a spatiotemporal-specific manner. By combining this method with cerebellar immunostaining and EdU incorporation, these approaches enable the investigation of the cell-autonomous effect of JS-related genes in granule neuron progenitors, including the pathogenesis of ectopic neurons and the defects in neuronal differentiation. This approach provides information toward understanding the multifaceted roles of JS-related genes during cerebellar development in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ting-Yu Chen
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tang K Tang
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.
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17
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Hawkes R. Cerebellar Patterning Defects in Mutant Mice. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:787425. [PMID: 34955734 PMCID: PMC8692567 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.787425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The cerebellar cortex is highly compartmentalized and serves as a remarkable model for pattern formation throughout the brain. In brief, the adult cerebellar cortex is subdivided into five anteroposterior units—transverse zones—and subsequently, each zone is divided into ∼20 parasagittal stripes. Zone-and-stripe pattern formation involves the interplay of two parallel developmental pathways—one for inhibitory neurons, the second for excitatory. In the inhibitory pathway, progenitor cells of the 4th ventricle generate the Purkinje cells and inhibitory interneurons. In the excitatory pathway, progenitor cells in the upper rhombic lip give rise to the external granular layer, and subsequently to the granular layer of the adult. Both the excitatory and inhibitory developmental pathways are spatially patterned and the interactions of the two generate the complex topography of the adult. This review briefly describes the cellular and molecular mechanisms that underly zone-and-stripe development with a particular focus on mutations known to interfere with normal cerebellar development and the light they cast on the mechanisms of pattern formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Hawkes
- Department of Cell Biology, Cumming School of Medicine, Anatomy and Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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18
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Elliott KL, Kersigo J, Lee JH, Yamoah EN, Fritzsch B. Sustained Loss of Bdnf Affects Peripheral but Not Central Vestibular Targets. Front Neurol 2021; 12:768456. [PMID: 34975728 PMCID: PMC8716794 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.768456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The vestibular system is vital for proper balance perception, and its dysfunction contributes significantly to fall-related injuries, especially in the elderly. Vestibular ganglion neurons innervate vestibular hair cells at the periphery and vestibular nuclei and the uvula and nodule of the cerebellum centrally. During aging, these vestibular ganglion neurons degenerate, impairing vestibular function. A complete understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in neurosensory cell survival in the vestibular system is unknown. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is specifically required for the survival of vestibular ganglion neurons, as its loss leads to early neuronal death. Bdnf null mice die within 3 weeks of birth, preventing the study of the long-term effects on target cells. We use Pax2-cre to conditionally knock out Bdnf, allowing mice survival to approximately 6 months of age. We show that a long-term loss of Bdnf leads to a significant reduction in the number of vestibular ganglion neurons and a reduction in the number of vestibular hair cells. There was no significant decrease in the central targets lateral vestibular nucleus (LVN) or the cerebellum at 6 months. This suggests that the connectivity between central target cells and other neurons suffices to prevent their loss despite vestibular hair cell and ganglion neuron loss. Whether the central neurons would undergo eventual degeneration in the absence of Bdnf remains to be determined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen L. Elliott
- Department of Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Jennifer Kersigo
- Department of Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Jeong Han Lee
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, United States
| | - Ebenezer N. Yamoah
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, United States
| | - Bernd Fritzsch
- Department of Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
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19
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NeuroD1 promotes tumor cell proliferation and tumorigenesis by directly activating the pentose phosphate pathway in colorectal carcinoma. Oncogene 2021; 40:6736-6747. [PMID: 34657129 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-021-02063-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2021] [Revised: 09/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Tumor metabolic reprogramming ensures that cancerous cells obtain sufficient building blocks, energy, and antioxidants to sustain rapid growth and for coping with oxidative stress. Neurogenic differentiation factor 1 (NeuroD1) is upregulated in various types of tumors; however, its involvement in tumor cell metabolic reprogramming remains unclear. In this study, we report that NeuroD1 is positively correlated with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), the rate-limiting enzyme in the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP), in colorectal cancer cells. In addition, the regulation of G6PD by NeuroD1 alters tumor cell metabolism by stimulating the PPP, leading to enhanced production of nucleotides and NADPH. These, in turn, promote DNA and lipid biosynthesis in tumor cells, while decreasing intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species. Mechanistically, we showed that NeuroD1 binds directly to the G6PD promoter to activate G6PD transcription. Consequently, tumor cell proliferation and colony formation are enhanced, leading to increased tumorigenic potential in vitro and in vivo. These findings reveal a novel function of NeuroD1 as a regulator of G6PD, whereby its oncogenic activity is linked to tumor cell metabolic reprogramming and regulation of the PPP. Furthermore, NeuroD1 represents a potential target for metabolism-based anti-tumor therapeutic strategies.
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20
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van der Heijden ME, Lackey EP, Perez R, Ișleyen FS, Brown AM, Donofrio SG, Lin T, Zoghbi HY, Sillitoe RV. Maturation of Purkinje cell firing properties relies on neurogenesis of excitatory neurons. eLife 2021; 10:e68045. [PMID: 34542409 PMCID: PMC8452305 DOI: 10.7554/elife.68045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Preterm infants that suffer cerebellar insults often develop motor disorders and cognitive difficulty. Excitatory granule cells, the most numerous neuron type in the brain, are especially vulnerable and likely instigate disease by impairing the function of their targets, the Purkinje cells. Here, we use regional genetic manipulations and in vivo electrophysiology to test whether excitatory neurons establish the firing properties of Purkinje cells during postnatal mouse development. We generated mutant mice that lack the majority of excitatory cerebellar neurons and tracked the structural and functional consequences on Purkinje cells. We reveal that Purkinje cells fail to acquire their typical morphology and connectivity, and that the concomitant transformation of Purkinje cell firing activity does not occur either. We also show that our mutant pups have impaired motor behaviors and vocal skills. These data argue that excitatory cerebellar neurons define the maturation time-window for postnatal Purkinje cell functions and refine cerebellar-dependent behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meike E van der Heijden
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s HospitalHoustonUnited States
| | - Elizabeth P Lackey
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s HospitalHoustonUnited States
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
| | - Ross Perez
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s HospitalHoustonUnited States
| | - Fatma S Ișleyen
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
| | - Amanda M Brown
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s HospitalHoustonUnited States
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
| | - Sarah G Donofrio
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s HospitalHoustonUnited States
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
| | - Tao Lin
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s HospitalHoustonUnited States
| | - Huda Y Zoghbi
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s HospitalHoustonUnited States
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
| | - Roy V Sillitoe
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s HospitalHoustonUnited States
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Development, Disease Models and Therapeutics Graduate Program, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
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21
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Fritzsch B. An Integrated Perspective of Evolution and Development: From Genes to Function to Ear, Lateral Line and Electroreception. DIVERSITY 2021; 13:364. [PMID: 35505776 PMCID: PMC9060560 DOI: 10.3390/d13080364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Four sensory systems (vestibular, lateral line, electroreception, auditory) are unique and project exclusively to the brainstem of vertebrates. All sensory neurons depend on a common set of genes (Eya1, Sox2, Neurog1, Neurod1) that project to a dorsal nucleus and an intermediate nucleus, which differentiate into the vestibular ear, lateral line and electroreception in vertebrates. In tetrapods, a loss of two sensory systems (lateral line, electroreception) leads to the development of a unique ear and auditory system in amniotes. Lmx1a/b, Gdf7, Wnt1/3a, BMP4/7 and Atoh1 define the lateral line, electroreception and auditory nuclei. In contrast, vestibular nuclei depend on Neurog1/2, Ascl1, Ptf1a and Olig3, among others, to develop an independent origin of the vestibular nuclei. A common origin of hair cells depends on Eya1, Sox2 and Atoh1, which generate the mechanosensory cells. Several proteins define the polarity of hair cells in the ear and lateral line. A unique connection of stereocilia requires CDH23 and PCDH15 for connections and TMC1/2 proteins to perceive mechanosensory input. Electroreception has no polarity, and a different system is used to drive electroreceptors. All hair cells function by excitation via ribbons to activate neurons that innervate the distinct target areas. An integrated perspective is presented to understand the gain and loss of different sensory systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernd Fritzsch
- Department of Biology & Department of Otolaryngology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
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22
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Goodwin LR, Zapata G, Timpano S, Marenger J, Picketts DJ. Impaired SNF2L Chromatin Remodeling Prolongs Accessibility at Promoters Enriched for Fos/Jun Binding Sites and Delays Granule Neuron Differentiation. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:680280. [PMID: 34295220 PMCID: PMC8290069 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.680280] [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: 03/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chromatin remodeling proteins utilize the energy from ATP hydrolysis to mobilize nucleosomes often creating accessibility for transcription factors within gene regulatory elements. Aberrant chromatin remodeling has diverse effects on neuroprogenitor homeostasis altering progenitor competence, proliferation, survival, or cell fate. Previous work has shown that inactivation of the ISWI genes, Smarca5 (encoding Snf2h) and Smarca1 (encoding Snf2l) have dramatic effects on brain development. Smarca5 conditional knockout mice have reduced progenitor expansion and severe forebrain hypoplasia, with a similar effect on the postnatal growth of the cerebellum. In contrast, Smarca1 mutants exhibited enlarged forebrains with delayed progenitor differentiation and increased neuronal output. Here, we utilized cerebellar granule neuron precursor (GNP) cultures from Smarca1 mutant mice (Ex6DEL) to explore the requirement for Snf2l on progenitor homeostasis. The Ex6DEL GNPs showed delayed differentiation upon plating that was not attributed to changes in the Sonic Hedgehog pathway but was associated with overexpression of numerous positive effectors of proliferation, including targets of Wnt activation. Transcriptome analysis identified increased expression of Fosb and Fosl2 while ATACseq experiments identified a large increase in chromatin accessibility at promoters many enriched for Fos/Jun binding sites. Nonetheless, the elevated proliferation index was transient and the Ex6DEL cultures initiated differentiation with a high concordance in gene expression changes to the wild type cultures. Genes specific to Ex6DEL differentiation were associated with an increased activation of the ERK signaling pathway. Taken together, this data provides the first indication of how Smarca1 mutations alter progenitor cell homeostasis and contribute to changes in brain size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura R Goodwin
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Gerardo Zapata
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Sara Timpano
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Jacob Marenger
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - David J Picketts
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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Tutukova S, Tarabykin V, Hernandez-Miranda LR. The Role of Neurod Genes in Brain Development, Function, and Disease. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:662774. [PMID: 34177462 PMCID: PMC8221396 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.662774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcriptional regulation is essential for the correct functioning of cells during development and in postnatal life. The basic Helix-loop-Helix (bHLH) superfamily of transcription factors is well conserved throughout evolution and plays critical roles in tissue development and tissue maintenance. A subgroup of this family, called neural lineage bHLH factors, is critical in the development and function of the central nervous system. In this review, we will focus on the function of one subgroup of neural lineage bHLH factors, the Neurod family. The Neurod family has four members: Neurod1, Neurod2, Neurod4, and Neurod6. Available evidence shows that these four factors are key during the development of the cerebral cortex but also in other regions of the central nervous system, such as the cerebellum, the brainstem, and the spinal cord. We will also discuss recent reports that link the dysfunction of these transcription factors to neurological disorders in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svetlana Tutukova
- Institute of Neuroscience, Lobachevsky University of Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia.,Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute for Cell- and Neurobiology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Victor Tarabykin
- Institute of Neuroscience, Lobachevsky University of Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia.,Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute for Cell- and Neurobiology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Luis R Hernandez-Miranda
- Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute for Cell- and Neurobiology, Berlin, Germany
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24
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Notch Signaling between Cerebellar Granule Cell Progenitors. eNeuro 2021; 8:ENEURO.0468-20.2021. [PMID: 33762301 PMCID: PMC8121261 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0468-20.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Revised: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cerebellar granule cells (GCs) are cells which comprise over 50% of the neurons in the entire nervous system. GCs enable the cerebellum to properly regulate motor coordination, learning, and consolidation, in addition to cognition, emotion and language. During GC development, maternal GC progenitors (GCPs) divide to produce not only postmitotic GCs but also sister GCPs. However, the molecular machinery for regulating the proportional production of distinct sister cell types from seemingly uniform GCPs is not yet fully understood. Here we report that Notch signaling creates a distinction between GCPs and leads to their proportional differentiation in mice. Among Notch-related molecules, Notch1, Notch2, Jag1, and Hes1 are prominently expressed in GCPs. In vivo monitoring of Hes1-promoter activities showed the presence of two types of GCPs, Notch-signaling ON and OFF, in the external granule layer (EGL). Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and in silico analyses indicate that ON-GCPs have more proliferative and immature properties, while OFF-GCPs have opposite characteristics. Overexpression as well as knock-down (KD) experiments using in vivo electroporation showed that NOTCH2 and HES1 are involved cell-autonomously to suppress GCP differentiation by inhibiting NEUROD1 expression. In contrast, JAG1-expressing cells non-autonomously upregulated Notch signaling activities via NOTCH2-HES1 in surrounding GCPs, eventually suppressing their differentiation. These findings suggest that Notch signaling results in the proportional generation of two types of cells, immature and differentiating GCPs, which contributes to the well-organized differentiation of GCs.
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Elliott KL, Pavlinkova G, Chizhikov VV, Yamoah EN, Fritzsch B. Neurog1, Neurod1, and Atoh1 are essential for spiral ganglia, cochlear nuclei, and cochlear hair cell development. Fac Rev 2021; 10:47. [PMID: 34131657 PMCID: PMC8170689 DOI: 10.12703/r/10-47] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
We review the molecular basis of three related basic helix–loop–helix (bHLH) genes (Neurog1, Neurod1, and Atoh1) and upstream regulators Eya1/Six1, Sox2, Pax2, Gata3, Fgfr2b, Foxg1, and Lmx1a/b during the development of spiral ganglia, cochlear nuclei, and cochlear hair cells. Neuronal development requires early expression of Neurog1, followed by its downstream target Neurod1, which downregulates Atoh1 expression. In contrast, hair cells and cochlear nuclei critically depend on Atoh1 and require Neurod1 and Neurog1 expression for various aspects of development. Several experiments show a partial uncoupling of Atoh1/Neurod1 (spiral ganglia and cochlea) and Atoh1/Neurog1/Neurod1 (cochlear nuclei). In this review, we integrate the cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate the development of auditory system and provide novel insights into the restoration of hearing loss, beyond the limited generation of lost sensory neurons and hair cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen L Elliott
- Department of Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Gabriela Pavlinkova
- Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Vestec, Czechia
| | - Victor V Chizhikov
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
| | - Ebenezer N Yamoah
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, USA
| | - Bernd Fritzsch
- Department of Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
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26
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Cheng Y, Liao S, Xu G, Hu J, Guo D, Du F, Contreras A, Cai KQ, Peri S, Wang Y, Corney DC, Noronha AM, Chau LQ, Zhou G, Wiest DL, Bellacosa A, Wechsler-Reya RJ, Zhao Y, Yang ZJ. NeuroD1 Dictates Tumor Cell Differentiation in Medulloblastoma. Cell Rep 2021; 31:107782. [PMID: 32579914 PMCID: PMC7357167 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.107782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2019] [Revised: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor cells are characterized by unlimited proliferation and perturbed differentiation. Using single-cell RNA sequencing, we demonstrate that tumor cells in medulloblastoma (MB) retain their capacity to differentiate in a similar way as their normal originating cells, cerebellar granule neuron precursors. Once they differentiate, MB cells permanently lose their proliferative capacity and tumorigenic potential. Differentiated MB cells highly express NeuroD1, a helix-loop-helix transcription factor, and forced expression of NeuroD1 promotes the differentiation of MB cells. The expression of NeuroD1 in bulk MB cells is repressed by trimethylation of histone 3 lysine-27 (H3K27me3). Inhibition of the histone lysine methyltransferase EZH2 prevents H3K27 trimethylation, resulting in increased NeuroD1 expression and enhanced differentiation in MB cells, which consequently reduces tumor growth. These studies reveal the mechanisms underlying MB cell differentiation and provide rationales to treat MB (potentially other malignancies) by stimulating tumor cell differentiation. Cheng et al. demonstrate that medulloblastoma cells retain the capacity to undergo differentiation. The differentiation of tumor cells is regulated by NeuroD1 expression, which is repressed by H3K27me3 in tumor cells. EZH2 inhibitors suppress medulloblastoma growth by stimulating tumor cell differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Cheng
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Laboratory of Molecular Neuropathology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Shengyou Liao
- Bioinformatics Research Group, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Gang Xu
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jian Hu
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Laboratory of Molecular Neuropathology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Duancheng Guo
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuropathology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Fang Du
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Alejandra Contreras
- Blood Cell Development and Function, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Kathy Q Cai
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Suraj Peri
- Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Research Facility, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Yuan Wang
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuropathology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - David C Corney
- Genomics and Molecular Genetics, GENEWIZ Co., South Plainfield, NJ, USA
| | | | - Lianne Q Chau
- Tumor Initiation& Maintenance Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Ginger Zhou
- Genomics and Molecular Genetics, GENEWIZ Co., South Plainfield, NJ, USA
| | - David L Wiest
- Blood Cell Development and Function, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Alfonso Bellacosa
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Robert J Wechsler-Reya
- Tumor Initiation& Maintenance Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Yi Zhao
- Bioinformatics Research Group, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zeng-Jie Yang
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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27
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Terrey M, Adamson SI, Chuang JH, Ackerman SL. Defects in translation-dependent quality control pathways lead to convergent molecular and neurodevelopmental pathology. eLife 2021; 10:e66904. [PMID: 33899734 PMCID: PMC8075583 DOI: 10.7554/elife.66904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Translation-dependent quality control pathways such as no-go decay (NGD), non-stop decay (NSD), and nonsense-mediated decay (NMD) govern protein synthesis and proteostasis by resolving non-translating ribosomes and preventing the production of potentially toxic peptides derived from faulty and aberrant mRNAs. However, how translation is altered and the in vivo defects that arise in the absence of these pathways are poorly understood. Here, we show that the NGD/NSD factors Pelo and Hbs1l are critical in mice for cerebellar neurogenesis but expendable for survival of these neurons after development. Analysis of mutant mouse embryonic fibroblasts revealed translational pauses, alteration of signaling pathways, and translational reprogramming. Similar effects on signaling pathways, including mTOR activation, the translatome and mouse cerebellar development were observed upon deletion of the NMD factor Upf2. Our data reveal that these quality control pathways that function to mitigate errors at distinct steps in translation can evoke similar cellular responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Terrey
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Section of Neurobiology, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California San DiegoLa JollaUnited States
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, University of MaineOronoUnited States
| | - Scott I Adamson
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic MedicineFarmingtonUnited States
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Institute for Systems Genomics, UConn HealthFarmingtonUnited States
| | - Jeffrey H Chuang
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic MedicineFarmingtonUnited States
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Institute for Systems Genomics, UConn HealthFarmingtonUnited States
| | - Susan L Ackerman
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Section of Neurobiology, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California San DiegoLa JollaUnited States
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28
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Elliott KL, Pavlínková G, Chizhikov VV, Yamoah EN, Fritzsch B. Development in the Mammalian Auditory System Depends on Transcription Factors. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22084189. [PMID: 33919542 PMCID: PMC8074135 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22084189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2021] [Revised: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
We review the molecular basis of several transcription factors (Eya1, Sox2), including the three related genes coding basic helix–loop–helix (bHLH; see abbreviations) proteins (Neurog1, Neurod1, Atoh1) during the development of spiral ganglia, cochlear nuclei, and cochlear hair cells. Neuronal development requires Neurog1, followed by its downstream target Neurod1, to cross-regulate Atoh1 expression. In contrast, hair cells and cochlear nuclei critically depend on Atoh1 and require Neurod1 expression for interactions with Atoh1. Upregulation of Atoh1 following Neurod1 loss changes some vestibular neurons’ fate into “hair cells”, highlighting the significant interplay between the bHLH genes. Further work showed that replacing Atoh1 by Neurog1 rescues some hair cells from complete absence observed in Atoh1 null mutants, suggesting that bHLH genes can partially replace one another. The inhibition of Atoh1 by Neurod1 is essential for proper neuronal cell fate, and in the absence of Neurod1, Atoh1 is upregulated, resulting in the formation of “intraganglionic” HCs. Additional genes, such as Eya1/Six1, Sox2, Pax2, Gata3, Fgfr2b, Foxg1, and Lmx1a/b, play a role in the auditory system. Finally, both Lmx1a and Lmx1b genes are essential for the cochlear organ of Corti, spiral ganglion neuron, and cochlear nuclei formation. We integrate the mammalian auditory system development to provide comprehensive insights beyond the limited perception driven by singular investigations of cochlear neurons, cochlear hair cells, and cochlear nuclei. A detailed analysis of gene expression is needed to understand better how upstream regulators facilitate gene interactions and mammalian auditory system development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen L. Elliott
- Department of Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA;
| | - Gabriela Pavlínková
- Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 25250 Vestec, Czechia;
| | - Victor V. Chizhikov
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA;
| | - Ebenezer N. Yamoah
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, USA;
| | - Bernd Fritzsch
- Department of Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA;
- Correspondence:
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29
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Consalez GG, Goldowitz D, Casoni F, Hawkes R. Origins, Development, and Compartmentation of the Granule Cells of the Cerebellum. Front Neural Circuits 2021; 14:611841. [PMID: 33519389 PMCID: PMC7843939 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2020.611841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Granule cells (GCs) are the most numerous cell type in the cerebellum and indeed, in the brain: at least 99% of all cerebellar neurons are granule cells. In this review article, we first consider the formation of the upper rhombic lip, from which all granule cell precursors arise, and the way by which the upper rhombic lip generates the external granular layer, a secondary germinal epithelium that serves to amplify the upper rhombic lip precursors. Next, we review the mechanisms by which postmitotic granule cells are generated in the external granular layer and migrate radially to settle in the granular layer. In addition, we review the evidence that far from being a homogeneous population, granule cells come in multiple phenotypes with distinct topographical distributions and consider ways in which the heterogeneity of granule cells might arise during development.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Giacomo Consalez
- Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Daniel Goldowitz
- Department of Medical Genetics, Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Filippo Casoni
- Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Richard Hawkes
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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30
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Kersigo J, Gu L, Xu L, Pan N, Vijayakuma S, Jones T, Shibata SB, Fritzsch B, Hansen MR. Effects of Neurod1 Expression on Mouse and Human Schwannoma Cells. Laryngoscope 2021; 131:E259-E270. [PMID: 32438526 PMCID: PMC7772964 DOI: 10.1002/lary.28671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Revised: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The objective was to explore the effect of the proneuronal transcription factor neurogenic differentiation 1 (Neurod1, ND1) on Schwann cells (SC) and schwannoma cell proliferation. METHODS Using a variety of transgenic mouse lines, we investigated how expression of Neurod1 effects medulloblastoma (MB) growth, schwannoma tumor progression, vestibular function, and SC cell proliferation. Primary human vestibular schwannoma (VS) cell cultures were transduced with adenoviral vectors expressing Neurod1. Cell proliferation was assessed by 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) uptake. STUDY DESIGN Basic science investigation. RESULTS Expression of Neurod1 reduced the growth of slow-growing but not fast-growing MB models. Gene transfer of Neurod1 in human schwannoma cultures significantly reduced cell proliferation in dose-dependent way. Deletion of the neurofibromatosis type 2 (Nf2) tumor-suppressor gene via Cre expression in SCs led to increased intraganglionic SC proliferation and mildly reduced vestibular sensory-evoked potentials (VsEP) responses compared to age-matched wild-type littermates. The effect of Neurod1-induced expression on intraganglionic SC proliferation in animals lacking Nf2 was mild and highly variable. Sciatic nerve axotomy significantly increased SC proliferation in wild-type and Nf2-null animals, and expression of Neurod1 reduced the proliferative capacity of both wild-type and Nf2-null SCs following nerve injury. CONCLUSION Expression of Neurod1 reduces slow-growing MB progression and reduces human SC proliferation in primary VS cultures. In a genetic mouse model of schwannomas, we find some effects of Neurod1 expression; however, the high variability indicates that more tightly regulated Neurod1 expression levels that mimic our in vitro data are needed to fully validate Neurod1 effects on schwannoma progression. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE NA Laryngoscope, 131:E259-E270, 2021.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Kersigo
- Department of Biology, University of Lowa, Lowa City, Lowa, U.S.A
| | - Lintao Gu
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Lowa, Lowa City, Lowa, U.S.A
- Decibel Pharmaceutical, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A
| | - Linjing Xu
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Lowa, Lowa City, Lowa, U.S.A
| | - Ning Pan
- Department of Biology, University of Lowa, Lowa City, Lowa, U.S.A
- Department of Special Education & Communication Disorders, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska, U.S.A
| | - Sarath Vijayakuma
- Department of Otolaryngology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Timothy Jones
- Department of Otolaryngology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Seiji B Shibata
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Lowa, Lowa City, Lowa, U.S.A
| | - Bernd Fritzsch
- Department of Biology, University of Lowa, Lowa City, Lowa, U.S.A
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Lowa, Lowa City, Lowa, U.S.A
| | - Marlan R Hansen
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Lowa, Lowa City, Lowa, U.S.A
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31
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Yang X, Song D, Chen L, Xiao H, Ma X, Jiang Q, Cheng O. Curcumin promotes neurogenesis of hippocampal dentate gyrus via Wnt/β-catenin signal pathway following cerebral ischemia in mice. Brain Res 2020; 1751:147197. [PMID: 33160958 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2020.147197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Revised: 10/31/2020] [Accepted: 10/31/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To investigate whether curcumin promotes hippocampal neurogenesis in the cerebral ischemia (CI) mice via Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. METHODS Male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into groups: sham operation group (Sham), cerebral ischemic group (CI), curcumin treatment group (50, 100 mg/kg/d, i.p.) and curcumin (100 mg/kg/d) + DKK1 (a blocker of Wnt receptor, 200 ng/d, icv) group. CI was induced by bilateral common carotid arteries occlusion (BCCAO) for 20 min. The Morris water maze test was conducted to detect spatial learning and memory. Immunofluorescence staining was used to examine the proliferation and differentiation of immature neurons in the hippocampal dentate gyrus. The proteins involved in neurogenesis and Wnt signaling pathway were examined using Western blot assay. RESULTS Curcumin significantly alleviated cognitive deficits induced by CI. Curcumin dose-dependently increased the proliferation of neural stem cells and promoted the differentiation and maturation of newly generated neural cells into neurons. Curcumin also increased the expression of proteins involved in neurogenesis (including Ngn2, Pax6 and NeuroD 1) and the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Moreover, the forenamed effects of curcumin were abolished by pretreatment with DKK1, a blocker of Wnt receptor. CONCLUSION Curcumin promotes hippocampal neurogenesis by activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway to ameliorate cognitive deficits after acute CI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuemei Yang
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China; The Key Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Dan Song
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China; Laboratory Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lili Chen
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China; Laboratory Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Huan Xiao
- The Key Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaojiao Ma
- The Key Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Qingsong Jiang
- The Key Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
| | - Oumei Cheng
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
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Wu T, Xu W, Chen H, Li S, Dou R, Shen H, Liu X, Liu X, Hong Y, He J. Comparison of the differentiation of dental pulp stem cells and periodontal ligament stem cells into neuron-like cells and their effects on focal cerebral ischemia. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2020; 52:1016-1029. [PMID: 32845287 DOI: 10.1093/abbs/gmaa082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Revised: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have reported an increasing incidence of ischemic stroke, particularly in younger age groups. Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) and periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) are the most common stem cells acquired from the teeth of adults, even elderly people. However, there are no detailed reports on whether DPSCs or PDLSCs are suitable for the treatment of ischemic stroke. In this study, the in vitro differentiation of DPSCs and PDLSCs into neuron-like cells was evaluated. Then, we established a rat model of cerebral ischemia. DPSCs or PDLSCs were administered to animals, and the therapeutic effects of these two types of cells were investigated. The results showed that PDLSCs had a higher differentiation rate than DPSCs. Immunofluorescence studies showed that the expression of the neuronal differentiation marker Thy-1 was higher in PDLSCs than in DPSCs, and other gene markers of neuronal differentiation showed corresponding trends, which were confirmed by western blot analysis. In this process, the Notch and Wnt signaling pathways were inhibited and activated, respectively. Finally, rats with transient occlusion of the right middle cerebral artery were used as a model to assess the therapeutic effect of PDLSCs and DPSCs on ischemia. The results showed that rats in the PDLSC-treated group emitted significantly greater red fluorescence signal than the DPSC-treated group. PDLSC transplantation promoted the recovery of neurological function more effectively than DPSC transplantation. Hence, PDLSCs represent an autogenous source of adult mesenchymal stem cells with desirable biological properties and may be an ideal candidate for clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Wu
- Stomatologic Hospital & College, Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases Research of Anhui Province, Hefei 230001, China
| | - Wanting Xu
- Stomatologic Hospital & College, Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases Research of Anhui Province, Hefei 230001, China
| | - Hanlin Chen
- Stomatologic Hospital & College, Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases Research of Anhui Province, Hefei 230001, China
| | - Shasha Li
- Stomatologic Hospital & College, Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases Research of Anhui Province, Hefei 230001, China
| | - Rengang Dou
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230061, China
| | - Hongtao Shen
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230061, China
| | - Xue Liu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230061, China
| | - Xiaoyu Liu
- Stomatologic Hospital & College, Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases Research of Anhui Province, Hefei 230001, China
| | - Yongfeng Hong
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230061, China
| | - Jiacai He
- Stomatologic Hospital & College, Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases Research of Anhui Province, Hefei 230001, China
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Domènech EB, Andrés R, López-Iniesta MJ, Mirra S, García-Arroyo R, Milla S, Sava F, Andilla J, Loza-Álvarez P, de la Villa P, Gonzàlez-Duarte R, Marfany G. A New Cerkl Mouse Model Generated by CRISPR-Cas9 Shows Progressive Retinal Degeneration and Altered Morphological and Electrophysiological Phenotype. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2020; 61:14. [PMID: 32658961 PMCID: PMC7425692 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.61.8.14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Close to 100 genes cause retinitis pigmentosa, a Mendelian rare disease that affects 1 out of 4000 people worldwide. Mutations in the ceramide kinase-like gene (CERKL) are a prevalent cause of autosomal recessive cause retinitis pigmentosa and cone-rod dystrophy, but the functional role of this gene in the retina has yet to be fully determined. We aimed to generate a mouse model that resembles the phenotypic traits of patients carrying CERKL mutations to undertake functional studies and assay therapeutic approaches. Methods The Cerkl locus has been deleted (around 97 kb of genomic DNA) by gene editing using the CRISPR-Cas9 D10A nickase. Because the deletion of the Cerkl locus is lethal in mice in homozygosis, a double heterozygote mouse model with less than 10% residual Cerkl expression has been generated. The phenotypic alterations of the retina of this new model have been characterized at the morphological and electrophysiological levels. Results This CerklKD/KO model shows retinal degeneration, with a decreased number of cones and progressive photoreceptor loss, poorly stacked photoreceptor outer segment membranes, defective retinal pigment epithelium phagocytosis, and altered electrophysiological recordings in aged retinas. Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first Cerkl mouse model to mimic many of the phenotypic traits, including the slow but progressive retinal degeneration, shown by human patients carrying CERKL mutations. This useful model will provide unprecedented insights into the retinal molecular pathways altered in these patients and will contribute to the design of effective treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena B. Domènech
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBERER/ISCIII, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rosa Andrés
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBERER/ISCIII, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - M. José López-Iniesta
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Serena Mirra
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBERER/ISCIII, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rocío García-Arroyo
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Santiago Milla
- Department of Systems Biology, University of Alcalá, Madrid, Spain
| | - Florentina Sava
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jordi Andilla
- ICFO–The Institute of Photonic Sciences, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pablo Loza-Álvarez
- ICFO–The Institute of Photonic Sciences, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pedro de la Villa
- Department of Systems Biology, University of Alcalá, Madrid, Spain
- Ramón y Cajal Institute for Health Research, Madrid, Spain
| | - Roser Gonzàlez-Duarte
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBERER/ISCIII, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- DBGen Ocular Genomics, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gemma Marfany
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBERER/ISCIII, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- DBGen Ocular Genomics, Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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Li HJ, Ray SK, Pan N, Haigh J, Fritzsch B, Leiter AB. Intestinal Neurod1 expression impairs paneth cell differentiation and promotes enteroendocrine lineage specification. Sci Rep 2019; 9:19489. [PMID: 31862906 PMCID: PMC6925293 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-55292-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcription factor Neurod1 is required for enteroendocrine progenitor differentiation and maturation. Several earlier studies indicated that ectopic expression of Neurod1 converted non- neuronal cells into neurons. However, the functional consequence of ectopic Neurod1 expression has not been examined in the GI tract, and it is not known whether Neurod1 can similarly switch cell fates in the intestine. We generated a mouse line that would enable us to conditionally express Neurod1 in intestinal epithelial cells at different stages of differentiation. Forced expression of Neurod1 throughout intestinal epithelium increased the number of EECs as well as the expression of EE specific transcription factors and hormones. Furthermore, we observed a substantial reduction of Paneth cell marker expression, although the expressions of enterocyte-, tuft- and goblet-cell specific markers are largely not affected. Our earlier study indicated that Neurog3+ progenitor cells give rise to not only EECs but also Goblet and Paneth cells. Here we show that the conditional expression of Neurod1 restricts Neurog3+ progenitors to adopt Paneth cell fate, and promotes more pronounced EE cell differentiation, while such effects are not seen in more differentiated Neurod1+ cells. Together, our data suggest that forced expression of Neurod1 programs intestinal epithelial cells more towards an EE cell fate at the expense of the Paneth cell lineage and the effect ceases as cells mature to EE cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Joyce Li
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 364 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Subir K Ray
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 364 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Ning Pan
- Department of Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
- Decibel Pharmaceutical, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jody Haigh
- Department of Biomedical, Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Bernd Fritzsch
- Department of Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - Andrew B Leiter
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 364 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA.
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35
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Lei K, Li W, Huang C, Li Y, Alfason L, Zhao H, Miyagishi M, Wu S, Kasim V. Neurogenic differentiation factor 1 promotes colorectal cancer cell proliferation and tumorigenesis by suppressing the p53/p21 axis. Cancer Sci 2019; 111:175-185. [PMID: 31715070 PMCID: PMC6942426 DOI: 10.1111/cas.14233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Revised: 11/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurogenic differentiation factor 1 (NeuroD1) is a transcription factor critical for promoting neuronal differentiation and maturation. NeuroD1 is involved in neuroblastoma and medulloblastoma; however, its molecular mechanism in promoting tumorigenesis remains unclear. Furthermore, the role of NeuroD1 in non-neural malignancies has not been widely characterized. Here, we found that NeuroD1 is highly expressed in colorectal cancer. NeuroD1-silencing induces the expression of p21, a master regulator of the cell cycle, leading to G2 -M phase arrest and suppression of colorectal cancer cell proliferation as well as colony formation potential. Moreover, NeuroD1-mediated regulation of p21 expression occurs in a p53-dependent manner. Through chromatin immunoprecipitation and point mutation analysis in the predicted NeuroD1 binding site of the p53 promoter, we found that NeuroD1 directly binds to the p53 promoter and suppresses its transcription, resulting in increased p53 expression in NeuroD1-silenced colorectal cancer cells. Finally, xenograft experiments demonstrated that NeuroD1-silencing suppresses colorectal cancer cell tumorigenesis potential by modulating p53 expression. These findings reveal NeuroD1 as a novel regulator of the p53/p21 axis, underscoring its importance in promoting non-neural malignancies. Furthermore, this study provides insight into the transcriptional regulation of p53.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Lei
- The Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China.,The 111 Project Laboratory of Biomechanics and Tissue Repair, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Wenfang Li
- The Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China.,The 111 Project Laboratory of Biomechanics and Tissue Repair, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China.,State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Vascular Implants, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Can Huang
- The Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China.,The 111 Project Laboratory of Biomechanics and Tissue Repair, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China.,State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Vascular Implants, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yanjun Li
- The Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China.,The 111 Project Laboratory of Biomechanics and Tissue Repair, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China.,State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Vascular Implants, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Leader Alfason
- The Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China.,The 111 Project Laboratory of Biomechanics and Tissue Repair, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hezhao Zhao
- Chongqing University Cancer Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Makoto Miyagishi
- Molecular Composite Medicine Research Group, Biomedical Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Shourong Wu
- The Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China.,The 111 Project Laboratory of Biomechanics and Tissue Repair, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China.,State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Vascular Implants, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Vivi Kasim
- The Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China.,The 111 Project Laboratory of Biomechanics and Tissue Repair, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China.,State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Vascular Implants, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
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Harasztosi C, Wolter S, Gutsche K, Durán-Alonso MB, López-Hernández I, Pascual A, López-Barneo J, Knipper M, Rüttiger L, Schimmang T. Differential deletion of GDNF in the auditory system leads to altered sound responsiveness. J Neurosci Res 2019; 98:1764-1779. [PMID: 31663646 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2019] [Revised: 09/20/2019] [Accepted: 10/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) has been proposed as a potent neurotrophic factor with the potential to cure neurodegenerative diseases. In the cochlea, GDNF has been detected in auditory neurons and sensory receptor cells and its expression is upregulated upon trauma. Moreover, the application of GDNF in different animal models of deafness has shown its capacity to prevent hearing loss and promoted its future use in therapeutic trials in humans. In the present study we have examined the endogenous requirement of GDNF during auditory development in mice. Using a lacZ knockin allele we have confirmed the expression of GDNF in the cochlea including its sensory regions during development. Global inactivation of GDNF throughout the hearing system using a Foxg1-Cre line causes perinatal lethality but reveals no apparent defects during formation of the cochlea. Using TrkC-Cre and Atoh1-Cre lines, we were able to generate viable mutants lacking GDNF in auditory neurons or both auditory neurons and sensory hair cells. These mutants show normal frequency-dependent auditory thresholds. However, mechanoelectrical response properties of outer hair cells (OHCs) in TrkC-Cre GDNF mutants are altered at low thresholds. Furthermore, auditory brainstem wave analysis shows an abnormal increase of wave I. On the other hand, Atoh1-Cre GDNF mutants show normal OHC function but their auditory brainstem wave pattern is reduced at the levels of wave I, III and IV. These results show that GDNF expression during the development is required to maintain functional hearing at different levels of the auditory system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Csaba Harasztosi
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hearing Research Centre Tübingen (THRC), Molecular Physiology of Hearing, ENT Clinic, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Steffen Wolter
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hearing Research Centre Tübingen (THRC), Molecular Physiology of Hearing, ENT Clinic, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Katja Gutsche
- Instituto de Biología y Genética Molecular, Universidad de Valladolid y Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Valladolid, Spain
| | - María Beatriz Durán-Alonso
- Instituto de Biología y Genética Molecular, Universidad de Valladolid y Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Iris López-Hernández
- Instituto de Biología y Genética Molecular, Universidad de Valladolid y Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Alberto Pascual
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
| | - José López-Barneo
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
| | - Marlies Knipper
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hearing Research Centre Tübingen (THRC), Molecular Physiology of Hearing, ENT Clinic, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Lukas Rüttiger
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hearing Research Centre Tübingen (THRC), Molecular Physiology of Hearing, ENT Clinic, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Thomas Schimmang
- Instituto de Biología y Genética Molecular, Universidad de Valladolid y Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Valladolid, Spain
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37
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Hanzel M, Rook V, Wingate RJT. Mitotic granule cell precursors undergo highly dynamic morphological transitions throughout the external germinal layer of the chick cerebellum. Sci Rep 2019; 9:15218. [PMID: 31645601 PMCID: PMC6811643 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-51532-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2018] [Accepted: 10/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The developing cerebellum of amniotes is characterised by a unique, transient, secondary proliferation zone: the external germinal layer (EGL). The EGL is comprised solely of granule cell precursors, whose progeny migrate inwardly to form the internal granule cell layer. While a range of cell morphologies in the EGL has long been known, how they reflect the cells' differentiation status has previously only been inferred. Observations have suggested a deterministic maturation from outer to inner EGL that we wished to test experimentally. To do this, we electroporated granule cell precursors in chick with plasmids encoding fluorescent proteins and probed labelled cells with markers of both proliferation (phosphohistone H3) and differentiation (Axonin1/TAG1 and NeuroD1). We show that granule cell precursors can display a range of complex forms throughout the EGL while mitotically active. Overexpression of full length NeuroD1 within granule cell precursors does not abolish proliferation, but biases granule cells towards precocious differentiation, alters their migration path and results in a smaller and less foliated cerebellum. Our results show that granule cells show a greater flexibility in differentiation than previously assumed. We speculate that this allows the EGL to regulate its proliferative activity in response to overall patterns of cerebellar growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michalina Hanzel
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, 4th floor New Hunt's House, Guy's Campus, London, UK
| | - Victoria Rook
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, 4th floor New Hunt's House, Guy's Campus, London, UK
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London, E4 1NS, UK
| | - Richard J T Wingate
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, 4th floor New Hunt's House, Guy's Campus, London, UK.
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38
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Toledo A, Lang F, Doengi M, Morrison H, Stein V, Baader SL. Merlin modulates process outgrowth and synaptogenesis in the cerebellum. Brain Struct Funct 2019; 224:2121-2142. [PMID: 31165301 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-019-01897-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2018] [Accepted: 05/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) patients are prone to develop glial-derived tumors in the peripheral and central nervous system (CNS). The Nf2 gene product -Merlin is not only expressed in glia, but also in neurons of the CNS, where its function still remains elusive. Here, we show that cerebellar Purkinje cells (PCs) of isoform-specific Merlin-deficient mice were innervated by smaller vGluT2-positive clusters at presynaptic terminals than those of wild-type mice. This was paralleled by a reduction in frequency and amplitude of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSC). On the contrary, in conditional transgenic mice in which Merlin expression was specifically ablated in PCs (L7Cre;Nf2fl/fl), we found enlarged vGluT2-positive clusters in their presynaptic buttons together with increased amplitudes of miniature postsynaptic currents. The presynaptic terminals of these PCs innervating neurons of the deep cerebellar nuclei were also enlarged. When exploring mice with Merlin-deficient granule cells (GCs) (Math1Cre;Nf2fl/fl), we found cerebellar extracts to contain higher amounts of vGluT1 present in parallel fiber terminals. In parallel, mEPSC frequency was increased in Math1Cre;Nf2fl/fl mice. On the contrary, VGluT2 clusters in cerebellar glomeruli composed of NF2-deficient presynaptic Mossy fiber terminals and NF2-deficient postsynaptic GC were reduced in size as shown for isoform-specific knockout mice. These changes in Math1Cre;Nf2fl/fl-deficient mice were paralleled by an increased activation of Rac1-Cofilin signaling which is known to impact on cytoskeletal reorganization and synapse formation. Consistent with the observed synaptic alterations in these transgenic mice, we observed altered ultrasonic vocalization, which is known to rely on proper cerebellar function. No gross morphological changes or motor coordination deficits were observed in any of these transgenic mice. We therefore conclude that Merlin does not regulate overall cerebellar development, but impacts on pre- and post-synaptic terminal organization.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Toledo
- Institute of Anatomy, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Bonn University, 53115, Bonn, Germany
| | - F Lang
- Institute of Anatomy, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Bonn University, 53115, Bonn, Germany
| | - M Doengi
- Institute of Physiology II, Bonn University, 53115, Bonn, Germany
| | - H Morrison
- Leibniz Institute for Age Research, Fritz Lipmann Institute, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - V Stein
- Institute of Physiology II, Bonn University, 53115, Bonn, Germany
| | - S L Baader
- Institute of Anatomy, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Bonn University, 53115, Bonn, Germany.
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39
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Yamada T, Yang Y, Valnegri P, Juric I, Abnousi A, Markwalter KH, Guthrie AN, Godec A, Oldenborg A, Hu M, Holy TE, Bonni A. Sensory experience remodels genome architecture in neural circuit to drive motor learning. Nature 2019; 569:708-713. [PMID: 31068695 PMCID: PMC6542709 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-019-1190-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2018] [Accepted: 04/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Neuronal activity-dependent transcription couples sensory experience to adaptive responses of the brain including learning and memory. Mechanisms of activity-dependent gene expression including alterations of the epigenome have been characterized1–8. However, the fundamental question of whether and how sensory experience remodels chromatin architecture in the adult brain in vivo to induce neural code transformations and learning and memory remains to be addressed. Here, in vivo calcium imaging, optogenetics, and pharmacological approaches reveal that granule neuron activation in the anterior dorsal cerebellar vermis (ADCV) plays a crucial role in a novel delay tactile startle learning paradigm in mice. Strikingly, using large-scale transcriptome and chromatin profiling, we have discovered that activation of the motor learning-linked granule neuron circuit reorganizes neuronal chromatin including through long-distance enhancer-promoter and transcriptionally active compartment interactions to orchestrate distinct granule neuron gene expression modules. Conditional CRISPR knockout of the chromatin architecture regulator Cohesin in ADCV granule neurons in adult mice disrupts enhancer-promoter interactions, activity-dependent transcription, and motor learning. These findings define how sensory experience patterns chromatin architecture and neural circuit coding in the brain to drive motor learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoko Yamada
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA. .,Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.
| | - Yue Yang
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.,Department of Neurobiology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Pamela Valnegri
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Ivan Juric
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Armen Abnousi
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Kelly H Markwalter
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.,MD-PhD Program, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Arden N Guthrie
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Abigail Godec
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Anna Oldenborg
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Ming Hu
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Timothy E Holy
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Azad Bonni
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
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40
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Fritzsch B, Elliott KL, Pavlinkova G, Duncan JS, Hansen MR, Kersigo JM. Neuronal Migration Generates New Populations of Neurons That Develop Unique Connections, Physiological Properties and Pathologies. Front Cell Dev Biol 2019; 7:59. [PMID: 31069224 PMCID: PMC6491807 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2019.00059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 04/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Central nervous system neurons become postmitotic when radial glia cells divide to form neuroblasts. Neuroblasts may migrate away from the ventricle radially along glia fibers, in various directions or even across the midline. We present four cases of unusual migration that are variably connected to either pathology or formation of new populations of neurons with new connectivities. One of the best-known cases of radial migration involves granule cells that migrate from the external granule cell layer along radial Bergman glia fibers to become mature internal granule cells. In various medulloblastoma cases this migration does not occur and transforms the external granule cell layer into a rapidly growing tumor. Among the ocular motor neurons is one unique population that undergoes a contralateral migration and uniquely innervates the superior rectus and levator palpebrae muscles. In humans, a mutation of a single gene ubiquitously expressed in all cells, induces innervation defects only in this unique motor neuron population, leading to inability to elevate eyes or upper eyelids. One of the best-known cases for longitudinal migration is the facial branchial motor (FBM) neurons and the overlapping inner ear efferent population. We describe here molecular cues that are needed for the caudal migration of FBM to segregate these motor neurons from the differently migrating inner ear efferent population. Finally, we describe unusual migration of inner ear spiral ganglion neurons that result in aberrant connections with disruption of frequency presentation. Combined, these data identify unique migratory properties of various neuronal populations that allow them to adopt new connections but also sets them up for unique pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernd Fritzsch
- Department of Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States.,Department of Otolaryngology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Karen L Elliott
- Department of Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | | | - Jeremy S Duncan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI, United States
| | - Marlan R Hansen
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
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Wojcinski A, Morabito M, Lawton AK, Stephen DN, Joyner AL. Genetic deletion of genes in the cerebellar rhombic lip lineage can stimulate compensation through adaptive reprogramming of ventricular zone-derived progenitors. Neural Dev 2019; 14:4. [PMID: 30764875 PMCID: PMC6375182 DOI: 10.1186/s13064-019-0128-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [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: 07/19/2018] [Accepted: 01/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The cerebellum is a foliated posterior brain structure involved in coordination of motor movements and cognition. The cerebellum undergoes rapid growth postnataly due to Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) signaling-dependent proliferation of ATOH1+ granule cell precursors (GCPs) in the external granule cell layer (EGL), a key step for generating cerebellar foliation and the correct number of granule cells. Due to its late development, the cerebellum is particularly vulnerable to injury from preterm birth and stress around birth. We recently uncovered an intrinsic capacity of the developing cerebellum to replenish ablated GCPs via adaptive reprogramming of Nestin-expressing progenitors (NEPs). However, whether this compensation mechanism occurs in mouse mutants affecting the developing cerebellum and could lead to mis-interpretation of phenotypes was not known. METHODS We used two different approaches to remove the main SHH signaling activator GLI2 in GCPs: 1) Our mosaic mutant analysis with spatial and temporal control of recombination (MASTR) technique to delete Gli2 in a small subset of GCPs; 2) An Atoh1-Cre transgene to delete Gli2 in most of the EGL. Genetic Inducible Fate Mapping (GIFM) and live imaging were used to analyze the behavior of NEPs after Gli2 deletion. RESULTS Mosaic analysis demonstrated that SHH-GLI2 signaling is critical for generating the correct pool of granule cells by maintaining GCPs in an undifferentiated proliferative state and promoting their survival. Despite this, inactivation of GLI2 in a large proportion of GCPs in the embryo did not lead to the expected dramatic reduction in the size of the adult cerebellum. GIFM uncovered that NEPs do indeed replenish GCPs in Gli2 conditional mutants, and then expand and partially restore the production of granule cells. Furthermore, the SHH signaling-dependent NEP compensation requires Gli2, demonstrating that the activator side of the pathway is involved. CONCLUSION We demonstrate that a mouse conditional mutation that results in loss of SHH signaling in GCPs is not sufficient to induce long term severe cerebellum hypoplasia. The ability of the neonatal cerebellum to regenerate after loss of cells via a response by NEPs must therefore be considered when interpreting the phenotypes of Atoh1-Cre conditional mutants affecting GCPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Wojcinski
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, 1275 York Avenue, Box 511, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Morgane Morabito
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, 1275 York Avenue, Box 511, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Andrew K Lawton
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, 1275 York Avenue, Box 511, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Daniel N Stephen
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, 1275 York Avenue, Box 511, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Alexandra L Joyner
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, 1275 York Avenue, Box 511, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
- Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology Program, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
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Fraser J, Essebier A, Brown AS, Davila RA, Sengar AS, Tu Y, Ensbey KS, Day BW, Scott MP, Gronostajski RM, Wainwright BJ, Boden M, Harvey TJ, Piper M. Granule neuron precursor cell proliferation is regulated by NFIX and intersectin 1 during postnatal cerebellar development. Brain Struct Funct 2018; 224:811-827. [PMID: 30511336 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-018-1801-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2018] [Accepted: 11/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Cerebellar granule neurons are the most numerous neuronal subtype in the central nervous system. Within the developing cerebellum, these neurons are derived from a population of progenitor cells found within the external granule layer of the cerebellar anlage, namely the cerebellar granule neuron precursors (GNPs). The timely proliferation and differentiation of these precursor cells, which, in rodents occurs predominantly in the postnatal period, is tightly controlled to ensure the normal morphogenesis of the cerebellum. Despite this, our understanding of the factors mediating how GNP differentiation is controlled remains limited. Here, we reveal that the transcription factor nuclear factor I X (NFIX) plays an important role in this process. Mice lacking Nfix exhibit reduced numbers of GNPs during early postnatal development, but elevated numbers of these cells at postnatal day 15. Moreover, Nfix-/- GNPs exhibit increased proliferation when cultured in vitro, suggestive of a role for NFIX in promoting GNP differentiation. At a mechanistic level, profiling analyses using both ChIP-seq and RNA-seq identified the actin-associated factor intersectin 1 as a downstream target of NFIX during cerebellar development. In support of this, mice lacking intersectin 1 also displayed delayed GNP differentiation. Collectively, these findings highlight a key role for NFIX and intersectin 1 in the regulation of cerebellar development.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Fraser
- The School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, Australia
| | - Alexandra Essebier
- The School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, Australia
| | - Alexander S Brown
- Department of Developmental Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Raul Ayala Davila
- The School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, Australia
| | - Ameet S Sengar
- Program in Neurosciences & Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, M5G 0A8, Canada
| | - YuShan Tu
- Program in Neurosciences & Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, M5G 0A8, Canada
| | - Kathleen S Ensbey
- Cell and Molecular Biology Department, Translational Brain Cancer Research Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer MRI, Brisbane, QLD, 4006, Australia
| | - Bryan W Day
- Cell and Molecular Biology Department, Translational Brain Cancer Research Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer MRI, Brisbane, QLD, 4006, Australia
| | - Matthew P Scott
- Department of Developmental Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Richard M Gronostajski
- Department of Biochemistry, Program in Genetics, Genomics and Bioinformatics, Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Brandon J Wainwright
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, Australia
| | - Mikael Boden
- The School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, Australia
| | - Tracey J Harvey
- The School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, Australia.
| | - Michael Piper
- The School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, Australia. .,Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, Australia.
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43
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Schilling K. Moving into shape: cell migration during the development and histogenesis of the cerebellum. Histochem Cell Biol 2018; 150:13-36. [DOI: 10.1007/s00418-018-1677-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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44
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Wijayatunge R, Liu F, Shpargel KB, Wayne NJ, Chan U, Boua JV, Magnuson T, West AE. The histone demethylase Kdm6b regulates a mature gene expression program in differentiating cerebellar granule neurons. Mol Cell Neurosci 2017; 87:4-17. [PMID: 29254825 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2017.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2017] [Revised: 10/21/2017] [Accepted: 11/06/2017] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The histone H3 lysine 27 (H3K27) demethylase Kdm6b (Jmjd3) can promote cellular differentiation, however its physiological functions in neurons remain to be fully determined. We studied the expression and function of Kdm6b in differentiating granule neurons of the developing postnatal mouse cerebellum. At postnatal day 7, Kdm6b is expressed throughout the layers of the developing cerebellar cortex, but its expression is upregulated in newborn cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs). Atoh1-Cre mediated conditional knockout of Kdm6b in CGN precursors either alone or in combination with Kdm6a did not disturb the gross morphological development of the cerebellum. Furthermore, RNAi-mediated knockdown of Kdm6b in cultured CGN precursors did not alter the induced expression of early neuronal marker genes upon cell cycle exit. By contrast, knockdown of Kdm6b significantly impaired the induction of a mature neuronal gene expression program, which includes gene products required for functional synapse maturation. Loss of Kdm6b also impaired the ability of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) to induce expression of Grin2c and Tiam1 in maturing CGNs. Taken together, these data reveal a previously unknown role for Kdm6b in the postmitotic stages of CGN maturation and suggest that Kdm6b may work, at least in part, by a transcriptional mechanism that promotes gene sensitivity to regulation by BDNF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ranjula Wijayatunge
- Dept. of Neurobiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, United States
| | - Fang Liu
- Dept. of Neurobiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, United States
| | - Karl B Shpargel
- Dept. of Genetics and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States
| | - Nicole J Wayne
- Dept. of Neurobiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, United States
| | - Urann Chan
- Dept. of Neurobiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, United States
| | - Jane-Valeriane Boua
- Dept. of Neurobiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, United States
| | - Terry Magnuson
- Dept. of Genetics and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States
| | - Anne E West
- Dept. of Neurobiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, United States.
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45
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Ryan KE, Kim PS, Fleming JT, Brignola E, Cheng FY, Litingtung Y, Chiang C. Lkb1 regulates granule cell migration and cortical folding of the cerebellar cortex. Dev Biol 2017; 432:165-177. [PMID: 28974424 PMCID: PMC5694378 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2017.09.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2017] [Revised: 09/28/2017] [Accepted: 09/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Cerebellar growth and foliation require the Hedgehog-driven proliferation of granule cell precursors (GCPs) in the external granule layer (EGL). However, that increased or extended GCP proliferation generally does not elicit ectopic folds suggests that additional determinants control cortical expansion and foliation during cerebellar development. Here, we find that genetic loss of the serine-threonine kinase Liver Kinase B1 (Lkb1) in GCPs increased cerebellar cortical size and foliation independent of changes in proliferation or Hedgehog signaling. This finding is unexpected given that Lkb1 has previously shown to be critical for Hedgehog pathway activation in cultured cells. Consistent with unchanged proliferation rate of GCPs, the cortical expansion of Lkb1 mutants is accompanied by thinning of the EGL. The plane of cell division, which has been implicated in diverse processes from epithelial surface expansions to gyrification of the human cortex, remains unchanged in the mutants when compared to wild-type controls. However, we find that Lkb1 mutants display delayed radial migration of post-mitotic GCPs that coincides with increased cortical size, suggesting that aberrant cell migration may contribute to the cortical expansion and increase foliation. Taken together, our results reveal an important role for Lkb1 in regulating cerebellar cortical size and foliation in a Hedgehog-independent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaitlyn E Ryan
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 4114 MRB III, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Patrick S Kim
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 4114 MRB III, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Jonathan T Fleming
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 4114 MRB III, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Emily Brignola
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 4114 MRB III, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Frances Y Cheng
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 4114 MRB III, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Ying Litingtung
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 4114 MRB III, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Chin Chiang
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 4114 MRB III, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.
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46
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Fu X, Shen Y, Wang W, Li X. MiR-30a-5p ameliorates spinal cord injury-induced inflammatory responses and oxidative stress by targeting Neurod 1 through MAPK/ERK signalling. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol 2017; 45:68-74. [PMID: 28925510 DOI: 10.1111/1440-1681.12856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2017] [Revised: 08/16/2017] [Accepted: 08/25/2017] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a major disability requiring more effective treatment than is currently available. MicroRNAs have been shown to effectively regulate gene expression at the translational level. The aim of the present study was to explore the potential role of miR-30-5p and possible mechanism in SCI. We found that miR-30-5p was notably down-regulated, while Neurod 1 expression was highly elevated in microglia from the mouse model of SCI. Additionally, overexpression of miR-30a-5p significantly suppressed inflammatory responses as reflected by a decrease in the secretion of the cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-10 triggered by SCI. Furthermore, introduction of miR-30a-5p strengthened the scavenging of oxygen free radicals accompanied by an increase in the expression of SEPN1, TXNL1 and GPX1. More importantly, our study explored that Neurod 1 was a direct and functional target of miR-30a-5p, which was validated by the dual luciferase reporter assay. qRT-PCR and western blot analysis further validated that miR-30a-5p negatively regulated the expression of Neurod 1. Mechanistically, overexpression of miR-30a-5p or silencing of the Neurod 1 gene prevented the MAPK/ERK signalling and inhibited inflammatory responses, meanwhile activated SEPN1, TXNL1 and GPX1. These findings indicate that miR-30a-5p ameliorates inflammatory responses and oxidative stress by targeting Neurod 1 through MAPK/ERK signalling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaodong Fu
- Department of Orthopedics, School of Medicine, South Campus, Renji Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Shen
- Department of Orthopedics, School of Medicine, South Campus, Renji Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Weili Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, School of Medicine, South Campus, Renji Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaomiao Li
- Department of Orthopedics, School of Medicine, South Campus, Renji Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University, Shanghai, China
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47
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Fritzsch B, Elliott KL. Gene, cell, and organ multiplication drives inner ear evolution. Dev Biol 2017; 431:3-15. [PMID: 28866362 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2017.08.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2016] [Revised: 04/27/2017] [Accepted: 08/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
We review the development and evolution of the ear neurosensory cells, the aggregation of neurosensory cells into an otic placode, the evolution of novel neurosensory structures dedicated to hearing and the evolution of novel nuclei in the brain and their input dedicated to processing those novel auditory stimuli. The evolution of the apparently novel auditory system lies in duplication and diversification of cell fate transcription regulation that allows variation at the cellular level [transforming a single neurosensory cell into a sensory cell connected to its targets by a sensory neuron as well as diversifying hair cells], organ level [duplication of organ development followed by diversification and novel stimulus acquisition] and brain nuclear level [multiplication of transcription factors to regulate various neuron and neuron aggregate fate to transform the spinal cord into the unique hindbrain organization]. Tying cell fate changes driven by bHLH and other transcription factors into cell and organ changes is at the moment tentative as not all relevant factors are known and their gene regulatory network is only rudimentary understood. Future research can use the blueprint proposed here to provide both the deeper molecular evolutionary understanding as well as a more detailed appreciation of developmental networks. This understanding can reveal how an auditory system evolved through transformation of existing cell fate determining networks and thus how neurosensory evolution occurred through molecular changes affecting cell fate decision processes. Appreciating the evolutionary cascade of developmental program changes could allow identifying essential steps needed to restore cells and organs in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernd Fritzsch
- University of Iowa, Department of Biology, Iowa City, IA 52242, United States.
| | - Karen L Elliott
- University of Iowa, Department of Biology, Iowa City, IA 52242, United States
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48
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Elliott KL, Kersigo J, Pan N, Jahan I, Fritzsch B. Spiral Ganglion Neuron Projection Development to the Hindbrain in Mice Lacking Peripheral and/or Central Target Differentiation. Front Neural Circuits 2017; 11:25. [PMID: 28450830 PMCID: PMC5389974 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2017.00025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [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: 11/17/2016] [Accepted: 03/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
We investigate the importance of the degree of peripheral or central target differentiation for mouse auditory afferent navigation to the organ of Corti and auditory nuclei in three different mouse models: first, a mouse in which the differentiation of hair cells, but not central auditory nuclei neurons is compromised (Atoh1-cre; Atoh1f/f ); second, a mouse in which hair cell defects are combined with a delayed defect in central auditory nuclei neurons (Pax2-cre; Atoh1f/f ), and third, a mouse in which both hair cells and central auditory nuclei are absent (Atoh1-/-). Our results show that neither differentiated peripheral nor the central target cells of inner ear afferents are needed (hair cells, cochlear nucleus neurons) for segregation of vestibular and cochlear afferents within the hindbrain and some degree of base to apex segregation of cochlear afferents. These data suggest that inner ear spiral ganglion neuron processes may predominantly rely on temporally and spatially distinct molecular cues in the region of the targets rather than interaction with differentiated target cells for a crude topological organization. These developmental data imply that auditory neuron navigation properties may have evolved before auditory nuclei.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Bernd Fritzsch
- Department of Biology, University of IowaIowa City, IA, USA
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49
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Mtss1 promotes maturation and maintenance of cerebellar neurons via splice variant-specific effects. Brain Struct Funct 2017; 222:2787-2805. [DOI: 10.1007/s00429-017-1372-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2016] [Accepted: 01/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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50
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Stox1 as a novel transcriptional suppressor of Math1 during cerebellar granule neurogenesis and medulloblastoma formation. Cell Death Differ 2016; 23:2042-2053. [PMID: 27564589 DOI: 10.1038/cdd.2016.85] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2016] [Revised: 07/02/2016] [Accepted: 07/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Cerebellar granule neuronal progenitors (GNPs) are the precursors of cerebellar granule cells (CGCs) and are believed to be the cell of origin for medulloblastoma (MB), yet the molecular mechanisms governing GNP neurogenesis are poorly elucidated. Here, we demonstrate that storkhead box 1 (Stox1), a forkhead transcriptional factor, has a pivotal role in cerebellar granule neurogenesis and MB suppression. Expression of Stox1 is upregulated along with GNP differentiation and repressed by activation of sonic hedgehog (SHH) signaling. Stox1 exerts its neurogenic and oncosuppressing effect via direct transcriptional repression of Math1, a basic helix-loop-helix transcription activator essential for CGC genesis. This study illustrates a SHH-Stox1-Math1 regulatory axis in normal cerebellar development and MB formation.
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