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Senapati S, Tripathi K, Awad K, Rahimipour S. Multifunctional Liposomes Targeting Amyloid-β Oligomers for Early Diagnosis and Therapy of Alzheimer's Disease. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024; 20:e2311670. [PMID: 38461531 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202311670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Early detection and treatment are crucial for Alzheimer's disease (AD) management. Current diagnostic and therapeutic methods focus on late-stage amyloid fibrils and plaques, overlooking toxic soluble amyloid β oligomers (AβOs) accumulating early in AD. A multifunctional liposome-based platform is designed for early diagnosis and therapy of AD, leveraging a novel self-assembled cyclic d,l-α-peptide (CP-2) that selectively targets AβOs. Biocompatible CP-2 conjugated liposomes (CP-2-LPs) effectively disrupt Aβ aggregation and mitigate Aβ-mediated toxicity in human neuroblastoma cells. In transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans AD models, CP-2-LPs significantly outperformed free CP-2 by improving cognitive and behavioral functions, extending lifespan, and reducing toxic AβO levels. Intravenous injection of fluorescently labeled CP-2-LPs reveals effective blood-brain barrier penetration, with significantly higher brain fluorescence in transgenic mice than WT, enabling precise diagnosis. These findings underscore CP-2-LPs as a valuable tool for early detection and targeted therapy in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudipta Senapati
- Department of Chemistry, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, 5290002, Israel
| | - Kuldeep Tripathi
- Department of Chemistry, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, 5290002, Israel
| | - Khadeja Awad
- Department of Chemistry, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, 5290002, Israel
| | - Shai Rahimipour
- Department of Chemistry, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, 5290002, Israel
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2
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Hernández-García S, García-Cano B, Martínez-Rodríguez P, Henarejos-Escudero P, Gandía-Herrero F. Olive oil tyrosols reduce α-synuclein aggregation in vitro and in vivo after ingestion in a Caenorhabditis elegans Parkinson's model. Food Funct 2024; 15:7214-7223. [PMID: 38817211 DOI: 10.1039/d4fo01663g] [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: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease is the neurodegenerative motor disorder with the highest incidence worldwide. Among other factors, Parkinson's disease is caused by the accumulation of α-synuclein aggregates in a patient's brain. In this work, five molecules present in the diet are proposed as possible nutraceuticals to prevent and/or reduce the formation of α-synuclein oligomers that lead to Parkinson's disease. The olive oil polyphenols tyrosol, hydroxytyrosol (HT), hydroxytyrosol acetate (HTA) and dihydroxyphenyl acetic acid (DOPAC) besides vitamin C were tested using a cellular model of α-synuclein aggregation and a Caenorhabditis elegans Parkinson's disease animal model. Levodopa was included in the assays as the main drug prescribed to treat the disease as well as dopamine, its direct metabolite. HTA and DOPAC completely hindered α-synuclein aggregation in vitro, while dopamine reduced the aggregation by 28.7%. The Parallel Artificial Membrane Permeability Assay (PAMPA) showed that HTA had the highest permeability through brain lipids among the compounds tested. Furthermore, the C. elegans Parkinson's disease model made it possible to assess the chosen compounds in vivo. The more effective substances in vivo were DOPAC and HTA which reduced the αS aggregation inside the animals by 79.2% and 76.2%, respectively. Moreover, dopamine also reduced the aggregates by 67.4% in the in vivo experiment. Thus, the results reveal the potential of olive oil tyrosols as nutraceuticals against α-synuclein aggregation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samanta Hernández-García
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular A, Unidad Docente de Biología, Facultad de Veterinaria. Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum". Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain.
| | - Beatriz García-Cano
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular A, Unidad Docente de Biología, Facultad de Veterinaria. Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum". Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain.
| | - Pedro Martínez-Rodríguez
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular A, Unidad Docente de Biología, Facultad de Veterinaria. Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum". Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain.
| | - Paula Henarejos-Escudero
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular A, Unidad Docente de Biología, Facultad de Veterinaria. Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum". Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain.
| | - Fernando Gandía-Herrero
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular A, Unidad Docente de Biología, Facultad de Veterinaria. Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum". Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain.
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Hu K, Zhu S, Wu F, Zhang Y, Li M, Yuan L, Huang W, Zhang Y, Wang J, Ren J, Yang H. Aureusidin ameliorates 6-OHDA-induced neurotoxicity via activating Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway and preventing mitochondria-dependent apoptosis pathway in SH-SY5Y cells and Caenorhabditis elegans. Chem Biol Interact 2024; 387:110824. [PMID: 38056806 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2023.110824] [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: 10/08/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
Movement disorder Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease in the world after Alzheimer's disease, which severely affects the quality of patients' lives and imposes an increasingly heavy socioeconomic burden. Aureusidin is a kind of natural flavonoid compound with anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activities, while its pharmacological action and mechanism are rarely reported in PD. This study aimed to explore the neuroprotective effects and potential mechanisms of Aureusidin in PD. The present study demonstrated that Aureusidin protected SH-SY5Y cells from cell damage induced by 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) via inhibiting the mitochondria-dependent apoptosis and activating the Nrf2/HO-1 antioxidant signaling pathway. Additionally, Aureusidin diminished dopaminergic (DA) neuron degeneration induced by 6-OHDA and reduced the aggregation toxicity of α-synuclein (α-Syn) in Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans.) In conclusion, Aureusidin showed a neuroprotective effect in the 6-OHDA-induced PD model via activating Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway and prevented mitochondria-dependent apoptosis pathway, and these findings suggested that Aureusidin may be an effective drug for the treatment of PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Hu
- School of Pharmacy, Changzhou University, Changzhou, China
| | - Susu Zhu
- School of Pharmacy, Changzhou University, Changzhou, China
| | - Fanyu Wu
- School of Pharmacy, Changzhou University, Changzhou, China
| | - Yongzhen Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Changzhou University, Changzhou, China
| | - Minyue Li
- School of Pharmacy, Changzhou University, Changzhou, China
| | - Ling Yuan
- School of Pharmacy, Changzhou University, Changzhou, China
| | - Wenjing Huang
- School of Pharmacy, Changzhou University, Changzhou, China
| | - Yichi Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Changzhou University, Changzhou, China
| | - Jie Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Changzhou University, Changzhou, China
| | - Jie Ren
- School of Pharmacy, Changzhou University, Changzhou, China.
| | - Hao Yang
- Department of Pharmacy, The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, China.
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Clark AS, Huayta J, Morton KS, Meyer JN, San-Miguel A. Morphological hallmarks of dopaminergic neurodegeneration are associated with altered neuron function in Caenorhabditis elegans. Neurotoxicology 2024; 100:100-106. [PMID: 38070655 PMCID: PMC10872346 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2023.12.005] [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: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) is an excellent model system to study neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's disease, as it enables analysis of both neuron morphology and function in live animals. Multiple structural changes in neurons, such as cephalic dendrite morphological abnormalities, have been considered hallmarks of neurodegeneration in this model, but their relevance to changes in neuron function are not entirely clear. We sought to test whether hallmark morphological changes associated with chemically induced dopaminergic neuron degeneration, such as dendrite blebbing, breakage, and loss, are indicative of neuronal malfunction and result in changes in behavior. We adapted an established dopaminergic neuronal function assay by measuring paralysis in the presence of exogenous dopamine, which revealed clear differences between cat-2 dopamine deficient mutants, wildtype worms, and dat-1 dopamine abundant mutants. Next, we integrated an automated image processing algorithm and a microfluidic device to segregate worm populations by their cephalic dendrite morphologies. We show that nematodes with dopaminergic dendrite degeneration markers, such as blebbing or breakage, paralyze at higher rates in a dopamine solution, providing evidence that dopaminergic neurodegeneration morphologies are correlated with functional neuronal outputs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew S Clark
- Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Javier Huayta
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | - Joel N Meyer
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Adriana San-Miguel
- Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA.
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5
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Wang Y, Shi J, Liu K, Wang Y, Xu Y, Liu Y. Metabolomics and gene expression levels reveal the positive effects of teaseed oil on lifespan and aging process in Caenorhabditis elegans. FOOD SCIENCE AND HUMAN WELLNESS 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fshw.2022.10.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Starr LA, McKay LE, Peter KN, Seyfarth LM, Berkowitz LA, Caldwell KA, Caldwell GA. Attenuation of Dopaminergic Neurodegeneration in a C. elegans Parkinson's Model through Regulation of Xanthine Dehydrogenase (XDH-1) Expression by the RNA Editase, ADR-2. J Dev Biol 2023; 11:jdb11020020. [PMID: 37218814 DOI: 10.3390/jdb11020020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Differential RNA editing by adenosine deaminases that act on RNA (ADARs) has been implicated in several neurological disorders, including Parkinson's disease (PD). Here, we report results of a RNAi screen of genes differentially regulated in adr-2 mutants, normally encoding the only catalytically active ADAR in Caenorhabditis elegans, ADR-2. Subsequent analysis of candidate genes that alter the misfolding of human α-synuclein (α-syn) and dopaminergic neurodegeneration, two PD pathologies, reveal that reduced expression of xdh-1, the ortholog of human xanthine dehydrogenase (XDH), is protective against α-synuclein-induced dopaminergic neurodegeneration. Further, RNAi experiments show that WHT-2, the worm ortholog of the human ABCG2 transporter and a predicted interactor of XDH-1, is the rate-limiting factor in the ADR-2, XDH-1, WHT-2 system for dopaminergic neuroprotection. In silico structural modeling of WHT-2 indicates that the editing of one nucleotide in the wht-2 mRNA leads to the substitution of threonine with alanine at residue 124 in the WHT-2 protein, changing hydrogen bonds in this region. Thus, we propose a model where wht-2 is edited by ADR-2, which promotes optimal export of uric acid, a known substrate of WHT-2 and a product of XDH-1 activity. In the absence of editing, uric acid export is limited, provoking a reduction in xdh-1 transcription to limit uric acid production and maintain cellular homeostasis. As a result, elevation of uric acid is protective against dopaminergic neuronal cell death. In turn, increased levels of uric acid are associated with a decrease in ROS production. Further, downregulation of xdh-1 is protective against PD pathologies because decreased levels of XDH-1 correlate to a concomitant reduction in xanthine oxidase (XO), the form of the protein whose by-product is superoxide anion. These data indicate that modifying specific targets of RNA editing may represent a promising therapeutic strategy for PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsey A Starr
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Convergent Biomedicine, Alabama Life Research Institute, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA
| | - Luke E McKay
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Convergent Biomedicine, Alabama Life Research Institute, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA
| | - Kylie N Peter
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Convergent Biomedicine, Alabama Life Research Institute, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA
| | - Lena M Seyfarth
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Convergent Biomedicine, Alabama Life Research Institute, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA
| | - Laura A Berkowitz
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Convergent Biomedicine, Alabama Life Research Institute, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA
| | - Kim A Caldwell
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Convergent Biomedicine, Alabama Life Research Institute, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA
- Department of Neurology, Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Nathan Shock Center of Excellence for the Basic Biology of Aging, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Guy A Caldwell
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Convergent Biomedicine, Alabama Life Research Institute, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA
- Department of Neurology, Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Nathan Shock Center of Excellence for the Basic Biology of Aging, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
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de los Ríos C, Viejo L, Carretero VJ, Juárez NH, Cruz-Martins N, Hernández-Guijo JM. Promising Molecular Targets in Pharmacological Therapy for Neuronal Damage in Brain Injury. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:118. [PMID: 36670980 PMCID: PMC9854812 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12010118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The complex etiopathogenesis of brain injury associated with neurodegeneration has sparked a lot of studies in the last century. These clinical situations are incurable, and the currently available therapies merely act on symptoms or slow down the course of the diseases. Effective methods are being sought with an intent to modify the disease, directly acting on the properly studied targets, as well as to contribute to the development of effective therapeutic strategies, opening the possibility of refocusing on drug development for disease management. In this sense, this review discusses the available evidence for mitochondrial dysfunction induced by Ca2+ miscommunication in neurons, as well as how targeting phosphorylation events may be used to modulate protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) activity in the treatment of neuronal damage. Ca2+ tends to be the catalyst for mitochondrial dysfunction, contributing to the synaptic deficiency seen in brain injury. Additionally, emerging data have shown that PP2A-activating drugs (PADs) suppress inflammatory responses by inhibiting different signaling pathways, indicating that PADs may be beneficial for the management of neuronal damage. In addition, a few bioactive compounds have also triggered the activation of PP2A-targeted drugs for this treatment, and clinical studies will help in the authentication of these compounds. If the safety profiles of PADs are proven to be satisfactory, there is a case to be made for starting clinical studies in the setting of neurological diseases as quickly as possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristóbal de los Ríos
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutic and Teófilo Hernando Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University Autónoma de Madrid, C/. Arzobispo Morcillo 4, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Ciencias Básicas de la Salud, University Rey Juan Carlos, Avda. Atenas s/n, 28922 Alcorcón, Spain
| | - Lucía Viejo
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutic and Teófilo Hernando Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University Autónoma de Madrid, C/. Arzobispo Morcillo 4, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Victoria Jiménez Carretero
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutic and Teófilo Hernando Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University Autónoma de Madrid, C/. Arzobispo Morcillo 4, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Natalia Hernández Juárez
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutic and Teófilo Hernando Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University Autónoma de Madrid, C/. Arzobispo Morcillo 4, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Natália Cruz-Martins
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute for Research and Innovation in Health (i3S), University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
- Institute for Research and Advanced Training in Health Sciences and Technologies, Rua Central de Gandra, 1317, 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal
| | - Jesús M. Hernández-Guijo
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutic and Teófilo Hernando Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University Autónoma de Madrid, C/. Arzobispo Morcillo 4, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Ramón y Cajal Institute for Health Research, IRYCIS, Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Ctra. de Colmenar Viejo, Km. 9,100, 28029 Madrid, Spain
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Chauhan P, Wadhwa K, Singh G. Caenorhabditis elegans as a model system to evaluate neuroprotective potential of nano formulations. FRONTIERS IN NANOTECHNOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fnano.2022.1018754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The impact of neurodegenerative illnesses on society is significant, but the mechanisms leading to neuronal malfunction and death in these conditions remain largely unknown despite identifying essential disease genes. To pinpoint the mechanisms behind the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases, several researchers have turned to nematode C. elegans instead of using mammals. Since C. elegans is transparent, free-living, and amenable to culture, it has several benefits. As a result, all the neurons in C. elegans can be easily identified, and their connections are understood. Human proteins linked to Neurodegeneration can be made to express in them. It is also possible to analyze how C. elegans orthologs of the genes responsible for human neurodegenerative diseases function. In this article, we focused at some of the most important C. elegans neurodegeneration models that accurately represent many elements of human neurodegenerative illness. It has been observed that studies using the adaptable C. elegans have helped us in better understanding of human diseases. These studies have used it to replicate several aspects of human neurodegeneration. A nanotech approach involves engineering materials or equipments interacting with biological systems at the molecular level to trigger physiological responses by increasing stimulation, responding, and interacting with target sites while minimizing side effects, thus revolutionizing the treatment and diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases. Nanotechnologies are being used to treat neurological disorders and deliver nanoscale drugs. This review explores the current and future uses of these nanotechnologies as innovative therapeutic modalities in treatment of neurodegenerative diseases using C elegans as an experimental model.
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Sheardown E, Mech AM, Petrazzini MEM, Leggieri A, Gidziela A, Hosseinian S, Sealy IM, Torres-Perez JV, Busch-Nentwich EM, Malanchini M, Brennan CH. Translational relevance of forward genetic screens in animal models for the study of psychiatric disease. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 135:104559. [PMID: 35124155 PMCID: PMC9016269 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Revised: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Psychiatric disorders represent a significant burden in our societies. Despite the convincing evidence pointing at gene and gene-environment interaction contributions, the role of genetics in the etiology of psychiatric disease is still poorly understood. Forward genetic screens in animal models have helped elucidate causal links. Here we discuss the application of mutagenesis-based forward genetic approaches in common animal model species: two invertebrates, nematodes (Caenorhabditis elegans) and fruit flies (Drosophila sp.); and two vertebrates, zebrafish (Danio rerio) and mice (Mus musculus), in relation to psychiatric disease. We also discuss the use of large scale genomic studies in human populations. Despite the advances using data from human populations, animal models coupled with next-generation sequencing strategies are still needed. Although with its own limitations, zebrafish possess characteristics that make them especially well-suited to forward genetic studies exploring the etiology of psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Sheardown
- School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, England, UK
| | - Aleksandra M Mech
- School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, England, UK
| | | | - Adele Leggieri
- School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, England, UK
| | - Agnieszka Gidziela
- School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, England, UK
| | - Saeedeh Hosseinian
- School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, England, UK
| | - Ian M Sealy
- Cambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology & Infectious Disease (CITIID), Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Jose V Torres-Perez
- UK Dementia Research Institute at Imperial College London and Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, 86 Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, UK
| | - Elisabeth M Busch-Nentwich
- School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, England, UK
| | - Margherita Malanchini
- School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, England, UK
| | - Caroline H Brennan
- School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, England, UK.
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Del Giudice L, Alifano P, Calcagnile M, Di Schiavi E, Bertapelle C, Aletta M, Pontieri P. Mitochondrial ribosomal protein genes connected with Alzheimer's and tellurite toxicity. Mitochondrion 2022; 64:45-58. [PMID: 35218961 DOI: 10.1016/j.mito.2022.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Mitochondrial diseases are a group of genetic disorders characterized by dysfunctional mitochondria. Within eukaryotic cells, mitochondria contain their own ribosomes, which synthesize small amounts of proteins, all of which are essential for the biogenesis of the oxidative phosphorylation system. The ribosome is an evolutionarily conserved macromolecular machine in nature both from a structural and functional point of view, universally responsible for the synthesis of proteins. Among the diseases afflicting humans, those of ribosomal origin - either cytoplasmic ribosomes (80S) or mitochondrial ribosomes (70S) - are relevant. These are inherited or acquired diseases most commonly caused by either ribosomal protein haploinsufficiency or defects in ribosome biogenesis. Here we review the scientific literature about the recent advances on changes in mitochondrial ribosomal structural and assembly proteins that are implicated in primary mitochondrial diseases and neurodegenerative disorders, and their possible connection with metalloid pollution and toxicity, with a focus on MRPL44, NAM9 (MNA6) and GEP3 (MTG3), whose lack or defect was associated with resistance to tellurite. Finally, we illustrate the suitability of yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S.cerevisiae) and the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans (C.elegans) as model organisms for studying mitochondrial ribosome dysfunctions including those involved in human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Del Giudice
- Istituto di Bioscienze e BioRisorse-UOS Napoli-CNR c/o Dipartimento di Biologia, Sezione di Igiene, Napoli 80134, Italy.
| | - Pietro Alifano
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche e Ambientali, Università del Salento, Lecce 73100, Italy
| | - Matteo Calcagnile
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche e Ambientali, Università del Salento, Lecce 73100, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Paola Pontieri
- Istituto di Bioscienze e BioRisorse-UOS Napoli-CNR c/o Dipartimento di Biologia, Sezione di Igiene, Napoli 80134, Italy
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11
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Behrouzi M, Youssef K, Rezai P, Tabatabaei N. Low-cost optofluidic add-on enables rapid selective plane illumination microscopy of C. elegans with a conventional wide-field microscope. JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL OPTICS 2021; 26:JBO-210275RR. [PMID: 34894114 PMCID: PMC8664272 DOI: 10.1117/1.jbo.26.12.126501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
SIGNIFICANCE Selective plane illumination microscopy (SPIM) is an emerging fluorescent imaging technique suitable for noninvasive volumetric imaging of C. elegans. These promising microscopy systems, however, are scarce in academic and research institutions due to their high cost and technical complexities. Simple and low-cost solutions that enable conversion of commonplace wide-field microscopes to rapid SPIM platforms promote widespread adoption of SPIM by biologist for studying neuronal expressions of C. elegans. AIM We sought to develop a simple and low-cost optofluidic add-on device that enables rapid and immobilization-free volumetric SPIM imaging of C. elegans with conventional fluorescent microscopes. APPROACH A polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based device with integrated optical and fluidic elements was developed as a low-cost and miniaturized SPIM add-on for the conventional wide-field microscope. The developed optofluidic chip contained an integrated PDMS cylindrical lens for on-chip generation of the light-sheet across a microchannel. Cross-sectional SPIM images of C. elegans were continuously acquired by the native objective of microscope as worms flowed in an L-shape microchannel and through the light sheet. RESULTS On-chip SPIM imaging of C. elegans strains demonstrated possibility of visualizing the entire neuronal system in few seconds at single-neuron resolution, with high contrast and without worm immobilization. Volumetric visualization of neuronal system from the acquired cross-sectional two-dimensional images is also demonstrated, enabling the standard microscope to acquire three-dimensional fluorescent images of C. elegans. The full-width at half-maximum width of the point spread function was measured as 1.1 and 2.4 μm in the lateral and axial directions, respectively. CONCLUSION The developed low-cost optofluidic device is capable of continuous SPIM imaging of C. elegans model organism with a conventional fluorescent microscope, at high speed, and with single neuron resolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehran Behrouzi
- York University, Lassonde School of Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Toronto, Canada
| | - Khaled Youssef
- York University, Lassonde School of Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Toronto, Canada
| | - Pouya Rezai
- York University, Lassonde School of Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Toronto, Canada
| | - Nima Tabatabaei
- York University, Lassonde School of Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Toronto, Canada
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Fernández EM, Cutraro YB, Adams J, Monteleone MC, Hughes KJ, Frasch AC, Vidal-Gadea AG, Brocco MA. Neuronal membrane glycoprotein (nmgp-1) gene deficiency affects chemosensation-related behaviors, dauer exit and egg-laying in Caenorhabditis elegans. J Neurochem 2021; 160:234-255. [PMID: 34816431 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15543] [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: 03/02/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The nervous system monitors the environment to maintain homeostasis, which can be affected by stressful conditions. Using mammalian models of chronic stress, we previously observed altered brain levels of GPM6A, a protein involved in neuronal morphology. However, GPM6A's role in systemic stress responses remains unresolved. The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans expresses a GPM6A ortholog, the neuronal membrane glycoprotein 1 (NMGP-1). Because of the shared features between nematode and mammalian nervous systems and the vast genetic tools available in C. elegans, we used the worm to elucidate the role of GPM6A in the stress response. We first identified nmgp-1 expression in different amphid and phasmid neurons. To understand the nmgp-1 role, we characterized the behavior of nmgp-1(RNAi) animals and two nmgp-1 mutant alleles. Compared to control animals, mutant and RNAi-treated worms exhibited increased recovery time from the stress-resistant dauer stage, altered SDS chemosensation and reduced egg-laying rate resulting in egg retention (bag-of-worms phenotype). Silencing of nmgp-1 expression induced morphological abnormalities in the ASJ sensory neurons, partly responsible for dauer exit. These results indicate that nmgp-1 is required for neuronal morphology and for behaviors associated with chemosensation. Finally, we propose nmgp-1 mutants as a tool to screen drugs for human nervous system pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliana M Fernández
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas, Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Yamila B Cutraro
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas, Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Jessica Adams
- School of Biological Sciences, Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois, USA
| | - Melisa C Monteleone
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas, Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Kiley J Hughes
- School of Biological Sciences, Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois, USA
| | - Alberto C Frasch
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas, Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Marcela A Brocco
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas, Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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13
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Marques F, Falquet L, Vandewyer E, Beets I, Glauser DA. Signaling via the FLP-14/FRPR-19 neuropeptide pathway sustains nociceptive response to repeated noxious stimuli in C. elegans. PLoS Genet 2021; 17:e1009880. [PMID: 34748554 PMCID: PMC8601619 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In order to thrive in constantly changing environments, animals must adaptively respond to threatening events. Noxious stimuli are not only processed according to their absolute intensity, but also to their context. Adaptation processes can cause animals to habituate at different rates and degrees in response to permanent or repeated stimuli. Here, we used a forward genetic approach in Caenorhabditis elegans to identify a neuropeptidergic pathway, essential to prevent fast habituation and maintain robust withdrawal responses to repeated noxious stimuli. This pathway involves the FRPR-19A and FRPR-19B G-protein coupled receptor isoforms produced from the frpr-19 gene by alternative splicing. Loss or overexpression of each or both isoforms can impair withdrawal responses caused by the optogenetic activation of the polymodal FLP nociceptor neuron. Furthermore, we identified FLP-8 and FLP-14 as FRPR-19 ligands in vitro. flp-14, but not flp-8, was essential to promote withdrawal response and is part of the same genetic pathway as frpr-19 in vivo. Expression and cell-specific rescue analyses suggest that FRPR-19 acts both in the FLP nociceptive neurons and downstream interneurons, whereas FLP-14 acts from interneurons. Importantly, genetic impairment of the FLP-14/FRPR-19 pathway accelerated the habituation to repeated FLP-specific optogenetic activation, as well as to repeated noxious heat and harsh touch stimuli. Collectively, our data suggest that well-adjusted neuromodulation via the FLP-14/FRPR-19 pathway contributes to promote nociceptive signals in C. elegans and counteracts habituation processes that otherwise tend to rapidly reduce aversive responses to repeated noxious stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filipe Marques
- Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Laurent Falquet
- Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Elke Vandewyer
- Neural Signaling and Circuit Plasticity Group, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Isabel Beets
- Neural Signaling and Circuit Plasticity Group, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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14
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Kron NS, Fieber LA. Aplysia Neurons as a Model of Alzheimer's Disease: Shared Genes and Differential Expression. J Mol Neurosci 2021; 72:287-302. [PMID: 34664226 PMCID: PMC8840921 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-021-01918-3] [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: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Although Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia in the United States, development of therapeutics has proven difficult. Invertebrate alternatives to current mammalian AD models have been successfully employed to study the etiology of the molecular hallmarks of AD. The marine snail Aplysia californica offers a unique and underutilized system in which to study the physiological, behavioral, and molecular impacts of AD. Mapping of the Aplysia proteome to humans and cross-referencing with two databases of genes of interest in AD research identified 898 potential orthologs of interest in Aplysia. Included among these orthologs were alpha, beta and gamma secretases, amyloid-beta, and tau. Comparison of age-associated differential expression in Aplysia sensory neurons with that of late-onset AD in the frontal lobe identified 59 ortholog with concordant differential expression across data sets. The 21 concordantly upregulated genes suggested increased cellular stress and protein dyshomeostasis. The 47 concordantly downregulated genes included important components of diverse neuronal processes, including energy metabolism, mitochondrial homeostasis, synaptic signaling, Ca++ regulation, and cellular cargo transport. Compromised functions in these processes are known hallmarks of both human aging and AD, the ramifications of which are suggested to underpin cognitive declines in aging and neurodegenerative disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas S Kron
- Department of Marine Biology and Ecology, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, 4600 Rickenbacker Cswy, Miami, FL, 33149, USA.
| | - Lynne A Fieber
- Department of Marine Biology and Ecology, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, 4600 Rickenbacker Cswy, Miami, FL, 33149, USA
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15
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Shadrina M, Slominsky P. Modeling Parkinson's Disease: Not Only Rodents? Front Aging Neurosci 2021; 13:695718. [PMID: 34421573 PMCID: PMC8377290 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.695718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a common chronic progressive multifactorial neurodegenerative disease. In most cases, PD develops as a sporadic idiopathic disease. However, in 10%–15% of all patients, Mendelian inheritance of the disease is observed in an autosomal dominant or autosomal recessive manner. To date, mutations in seven genes have been convincingly confirmed as causative in typical familial forms of PD, i.e., SNCA, LRRK2, VPS35, PRKN, PINK1, GBA, and DJ-1. Family and genome-wide association studies have also identified a number of candidate disease genes and a common genetic variability at 90 loci has been linked to risk for PD. The analysis of the biological function of both proven and candidate genes made it possible to conclude that mitochondrial dysfunction, lysosomal dysfunction, impaired exosomal transport, and immunological processes can play important roles in the development of the pathological process of PD. The mechanisms of initiation of the pathological process and its earliest stages remain unclear. The study of the early stages of the disease (before the first motor symptoms appear) is extremely complicated by the long preclinical period. In addition, at present, the possibility of performing complex biochemical and molecular biological studies familial forms of PD is limited. However, in this case, the analysis of the state of the central nervous system can only be assessed by indirect signs, such as the level of metabolites in the cerebrospinal fluid, peripheral blood, and other biological fluids. One of the potential solutions to this problem is the analysis of disease models, in which it is possible to conduct a detailed in-depth study of all aspects of the pathological process, starting from its earliest stages. Many modeling options are available currently. An analysis of studies published in the 2000s suggests that toxic models in rodents are used in the vast majority of cases. However, interesting and important data for understanding the pathogenesis of PD can be obtained from other in vivo models. Within the framework of this review, we will consider various models of PD that were created using various living organisms, from unicellular yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and invertebrate (Nematode and Drosophila) forms to various mammalian species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Shadrina
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics of Hereditary Diseases, Institute of Molecular Genetics of National Research Centre "Kurchatov Institute", Moscow, Russia
| | - Petr Slominsky
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics of Hereditary Diseases, Institute of Molecular Genetics of National Research Centre "Kurchatov Institute", Moscow, Russia
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16
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Calahorro F, Holden-Dye L, O'Connor V. Impact of drug solvents on C. elegans pharyngeal pumping. Toxicol Rep 2021; 8:1240-1247. [PMID: 34195015 PMCID: PMC8233170 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxrep.2021.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Caenorhabditis elegans provides a multi-cellular model organism for toxicology and drug discovery. These studies usually require solvents such as dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), ethanol or acetone as a vehicle. This raises the need to carefully consider whether the chemical vehicles used in these screens are anodyne towards C. elegans. Here, we use pharyngeal pumping as a bioassay to assess this. Pharyngeal pumping is a visually scoreable behaviour that is controlled by environmental cues activating sensory and integrative neural signalling to coordinate pharyngeal activity. As such it serves as a rich bioassay to screen for chemical modulation. We found that while pumping was insensitive to high concentrations of the widely used drug solvents ethanol and acetone, it was perturbed by concentrations of DMSO above 0.5 % v/v encompassing concentrations used as drug vehicle. This was manifested as an inhibition of pharyngeal pump rate followed by a slow recovery in the continued presence of the solvent. The inhibition was not observed in a neuroligin mutant, nlg-1, consistent with DMSO acting at the level of sensory processing that modulates pumping. We found that bus-17 mutants, which have enhanced cuticle penetration to drugs are more sensitive to DMSO. The effect of DMSO is accompanied by a progressive morphological disruption in which internal membrane-like structures of varying size accumulate. These internal structures are seen in all three genotypes investigated in this study and likely arise independent of the effects on pharyngeal pumping. Overall, these results highlight sensory signalling and strain dependent vehicle sensitivity. Although we define concentrations at which this can be mitigated, it highlights the need to consider time-dependent vehicle effects when evaluating control responses in C. elegans chemical biology.
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17
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Kalmankar NV, Hari H, Sowdhamini R, Venkatesan R. Disulfide-Rich Cyclic Peptides from Clitoria ternatea Protect against β-Amyloid Toxicity and Oxidative Stress in Transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans. J Med Chem 2021; 64:7422-7433. [PMID: 34048659 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Neurotoxic aggregation of β-amyloid (Aβ) peptides is a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) is an associated process. In the present study, we report the neuroprotective effects of disulfide-rich, circular peptides from Clitoria ternatea (C. ternatea) (butterfly pea) on Aβ-induced toxicity in transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans. Cyclotides (∼30 amino acids long) are a special class of cyclic cysteine knot peptides. We show that cyclotide-rich fractions from different plant tissues delay Aβ-induced paralysis in the transgenic CL4176 strain expressing the human muscle-specific Aβ1-42 gene. They also improved Aβ-induced chemotaxis defects in CL2355 strain expressing Aβ1-42 in the neuronal cells. ROS assay suggests that this protection is likely mediated by the inhibition of Aβ oligomerization. Furthermore, Aβ deposits were reduced in the CL2006 strain treated with the fractions. The study shows that cyclotides from C. ternatea could be a source of a novel pharmacophore scaffold against neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neha V Kalmankar
- National Centre for Biological Sciences (TIFR), GKVK Campus, Bellary Road, Bangalore, Karnataka 560065, India.,The University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology (TDU), #74/2, Jarakabande Kaval, Post Attur, via Yelahanka, Bangalore, Karnataka 560064, India
| | - Hrudya Hari
- National Centre for Biological Sciences (TIFR), GKVK Campus, Bellary Road, Bangalore, Karnataka 560065, India
| | - Ramanathan Sowdhamini
- National Centre for Biological Sciences (TIFR), GKVK Campus, Bellary Road, Bangalore, Karnataka 560065, India
| | - Radhika Venkatesan
- National Centre for Biological Sciences (TIFR), GKVK Campus, Bellary Road, Bangalore, Karnataka 560065, India.,Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Mohanpur, West Bengal 741246, India
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18
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Parvand M, Rankin CH. Is There a Shared Etiology of Olfactory Impairments in Normal Aging and Neurodegenerative Disease? J Alzheimers Dis 2021; 73:1-21. [PMID: 31744002 DOI: 10.3233/jad-190636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
As we age, our olfactory function declines. In addition to occurring in normal aging, more rapid decrement of olfactory decline has been associated with several neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). It has been argued that since olfactory deficits occur less frequently or are absent in diseases such as progressive supranuclear palsy, corticobasal degeneration, and multiple system atrophy, olfactory deficits can be used for differential diagnoses of AD and PD. The purpose of this review is to provide a survey of current knowledge about the molecular bases and differential patterns of olfactory deficits present in normal aging, AD, and PD. As substantial research has been conducted in this area, the majority of the content of this review focuses on articles published in the past decade. We hypothesize that olfactory deficits in normal aging, AD, and PD may have different underlying causes, and propose the use of model organisms with small, tractable nervous systems and/or easy to manipulate genomes to further investigate the cellular mechanisms responsible for these deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahraz Parvand
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Catharine H Rankin
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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19
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Koch SC, Nelson A, Hartenstein V. Structural aspects of the aging invertebrate brain. Cell Tissue Res 2021; 383:931-947. [PMID: 33409654 PMCID: PMC7965346 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-020-03314-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Aging is characterized by a decline in neuronal function in all animal species investigated so far. Functional changes are accompanied by and may be in part caused by, structurally visible degenerative changes in neurons. In the mammalian brain, normal aging shows abnormalities in dendrites and axons, as well as ultrastructural changes in synapses, rather than global neuron loss. The analysis of the structural features of aging neurons, as well as their causal link to molecular mechanisms on the one hand, and the functional decline on the other hand is crucial in order to understand the aging process in the brain. Invertebrate model organisms like Drosophila and C. elegans offer the opportunity to apply a forward genetic approach to the analysis of aging. In the present review, we aim to summarize findings concerning abnormalities in morphology and ultrastructure in invertebrate brains during normal aging and compare them to what is known for the mammalian brain. It becomes clear that despite of their considerably shorter life span, invertebrates display several age-related changes very similar to the mammalian condition, including the retraction of dendritic and axonal branches at specific locations, changes in synaptic density and increased accumulation of presynaptic protein complexes. We anticipate that continued research efforts in invertebrate systems will significantly contribute to reveal (and possibly manipulate) the molecular/cellular pathways leading to neuronal aging in the mammalian brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra C Koch
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Annie Nelson
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Volker Hartenstein
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California, USA.
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20
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Qu M, Wang D. Toxicity comparison between pristine and sulfonate modified nanopolystyrene particles in affecting locomotion behavior, sensory perception, and neuronal development in Caenorhabditis elegans. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 703:134817. [PMID: 31715464 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.134817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2019] [Revised: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 10/03/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Sulfonate modified polystyrene is potentially used in medical application; however, the effect of sulfonate modification on polystyrene toxicity is still largely unclear. We here compared the neurotoxicity between pristine and sulfonate modified nanopolystyrene particles in nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Exposure to nanopolystyrene (35 nm) caused neurotoxicity on locomotion behaviors (head thrash, body bend, forward movement, and backward movement) and sensory perception behaviors (chemotaxis to NaCl or diacetyl). Exposure to nanopolystyrene also induced the damage on development of dopaminergic neurons as reflected by relative fluorescence intensity, number of discontinuous dendrite, and number of abnormal cell body. Moreover, we found that sulfonate modification effectively enhanced the neurontoxicity of nanopolystyrene on locomotion behaviors, sensory perception behaviors, and development of dopaminergic neurons. Our results highlight the possibility of sulfonate modification in increasing neurotoxicity of nanopolystyrene exposure on environmental organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Man Qu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering in Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Dayong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering in Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China.
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21
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Alvarez J, Alvarez-Illera P, García-Casas P, Fonteriz RI, Montero M. The Role of Ca 2+ Signaling in Aging and Neurodegeneration: Insights from Caenorhabditis elegans Models. Cells 2020; 9:cells9010204. [PMID: 31947609 PMCID: PMC7016793 DOI: 10.3390/cells9010204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Revised: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Ca2+ is a ubiquitous second messenger that plays an essential role in physiological processes such as muscle contraction, neuronal secretion, and cell proliferation or differentiation. There is ample evidence that the dysregulation of Ca2+ signaling is one of the key events in the development of neurodegenerative processes, an idea called the "calcium hypothesis" of neurodegeneration. Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) is a very good model for the study of aging and neurodegeneration. In fact, many of the signaling pathways involved in longevity were first discovered in this nematode, and many models of neurodegenerative diseases have also been developed therein, either through mutations in the worm genome or by expressing human proteins involved in neurodegeneration (β-amyloid, α-synuclein, polyglutamine, or others) in defined worm tissues. The worm is completely transparent throughout its whole life, which makes it possible to carry out Ca2+ dynamics studies in vivo at any time, by expressing Ca2+ fluorescent probes in defined worm tissues, and even in specific organelles such as mitochondria. This review will summarize the evidence obtained using this model organism to understand the role of Ca2+ signaling in aging and neurodegeneration.
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22
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Bhan P, Muthaiyan Shanmugam M, Wang D, Bayansan O, Chen C, Wagner OI. Characterization of TAG‐63 and its role on axonal transport inC.elegans. Traffic 2019; 21:231-249. [DOI: 10.1111/tra.12706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Revised: 10/13/2019] [Accepted: 10/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Prerana Bhan
- Department of Life ScienceNational Tsing Hua University, Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology Hsinchu Taiwan, ROC
- Research Center for Healthy AgingChina Medical University Taichung Taiwan, ROC
| | - Muniesh Muthaiyan Shanmugam
- Department of Life ScienceNational Tsing Hua University, Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology Hsinchu Taiwan, ROC
| | - Ding Wang
- Department of Life ScienceNational Tsing Hua University, Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology Hsinchu Taiwan, ROC
| | - Odvogmed Bayansan
- Department of Life ScienceNational Tsing Hua University, Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology Hsinchu Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chih‐Wei Chen
- Department of Life ScienceNational Tsing Hua University, Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology Hsinchu Taiwan, ROC
| | - Oliver I. Wagner
- Department of Life ScienceNational Tsing Hua University, Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology Hsinchu Taiwan, ROC
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23
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Wang YA, Snoek BL, Sterken MG, Riksen JAG, Stastna JJ, Kammenga JE, Harvey SC. Genetic background modifies phenotypic and transcriptional responses in a C. elegans model of α-synuclein toxicity. BMC Genomics 2019; 20:232. [PMID: 30894116 PMCID: PMC6427842 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-019-5597-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2018] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Accumulation of protein aggregates are a major hallmark of progressive neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. Transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans nematodes expressing the human synaptic protein α-synuclein in body wall muscle show inclusions of aggregated protein, which affects similar genetic pathways as in humans. It is not however known how the effects of α-synuclein expression in C. elegans differs among genetic backgrounds. Here, we compared gene expression patterns and investigated the phenotypic consequences of transgenic α-synuclein expression in five different C. elegans genetic backgrounds. Results Transcriptome analysis indicates that α-synuclein expression effects pathways associated with nutrient storage, lipid transportation and ion exchange and that effects vary depending on the genetic background. These gene expression changes predict that a range of phenotypes will be affected by α-synuclein expression. We confirm this, showing that α-synuclein expression delayed development, reduced lifespan, increased rate of matricidal hatching, and slows pharyngeal pumping. Critically, these phenotypic effects depend on the genetic background and coincide with the core changes in gene expression. Conclusions Together, our results show genotype-specific effects and core alterations in both gene expression and in phenotype in response to α-synuclein expression. We conclude that the effects of α-synuclein expression are substantially modified by the genetic background, illustrating that genetic background needs to be considered in C. elegans models of neurodegenerative disease. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12864-019-5597-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiru A Wang
- Biomolecular Research Group, School of Human and Life Sciences, Canterbury Christ Church University, North Holmes Road, Canterbury, CT1 1QU, UK.,Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University, 6708, PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Basten L Snoek
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University, 6708, PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands.,Theoretical Biology and Bioinformatics, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Mark G Sterken
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University, 6708, PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Joost A G Riksen
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University, 6708, PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jana J Stastna
- Biomolecular Research Group, School of Human and Life Sciences, Canterbury Christ Church University, North Holmes Road, Canterbury, CT1 1QU, UK
| | - Jan E Kammenga
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University, 6708, PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Simon C Harvey
- Biomolecular Research Group, School of Human and Life Sciences, Canterbury Christ Church University, North Holmes Road, Canterbury, CT1 1QU, UK.
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25
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Wang JW, Liang FY, Ouyang XS, Li PB, Pei Z, Su WW. Evaluation of neuroactive effects of ethanol extract of Schisandra chinensis, Schisandrin, and Schisandrin B and determination of underlying mechanisms by zebrafish behavioral profiling. Chin J Nat Med 2019; 16:916-925. [PMID: 30595216 DOI: 10.1016/s1875-5364(18)30133-x] [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: 10/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Schisandra chinensis, a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), has been used to treat sleep disorders. Zebrafish sleep/wake behavioral profiling provides a high-throughput platform to screen chemicals, but has never been used to study extracts and components from TCM. In the present study, the ethanol extract of Schisandra chinensis and its two main lignin components, schisandrin and schisandrin B, were studied in zebrafish. We found that the ethanol extract had bidirectional improvement in rest and activity in zebrafish. Schisandrin and schisandrin B were both sedative and active components. We predicted that schisandrin was related to serotonin pathway and the enthanol extract of Schisandra chinensis was related to seoronin and domapine pathways using a database of zebrafish behaviors. These predictions were confirmed in experiments using Caenorhabditis elegans. In conclusion, zebrafish behavior profiling could be used as a high-throughput platform to screen neuroactive effects and predict molecular pathways of extracts and components from TCM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Wei Wang
- Guangdong Engineering and Technology Research Centre for Quality and Efficacy Re-evaluation of Post-marketed TCM, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Plant Resources, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Feng-Yin Liang
- Department of Neurology, National Key Clinical Department and Key Discipline of Neurology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Neurological Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Xiang-Shuo Ouyang
- Guangdong Engineering and Technology Research Centre for Quality and Efficacy Re-evaluation of Post-marketed TCM, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Plant Resources, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Pei-Bo Li
- Guangdong Engineering and Technology Research Centre for Quality and Efficacy Re-evaluation of Post-marketed TCM, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Plant Resources, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Zhong Pei
- Department of Neurology, National Key Clinical Department and Key Discipline of Neurology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Neurological Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China.
| | - Wei-Wei Su
- Guangdong Engineering and Technology Research Centre for Quality and Efficacy Re-evaluation of Post-marketed TCM, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Plant Resources, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China.
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26
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Osuna-Luque J, Rodríguez-Ramos Á, Gámez-Del-Estal MDM, Ruiz-Rubio M. Behavioral Mechanisms That Depend on Dopamine and Serotonin in Caenorhabditis elegans Interact With the Antipsychotics Risperidone and Aripiprazole. J Exp Neurosci 2018; 12:1179069518798628. [PMID: 30245571 PMCID: PMC6144587 DOI: 10.1177/1179069518798628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2018] [Accepted: 08/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin participate in specific behavioral neuromuscular mechanisms in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Dopamine is involved in the gentle touch response and serotonin in the pharyngeal pumping rate. In its genome, the worm presents genes encoding dopamine and serotonin receptors orthologous to those of human genes. Risperidone and aripiprazole are a class of drugs known as atypical antipsychotics commonly used to treat schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and irritability associated with autism. Risperidone is an antagonist of the dopamine D2 and serotonin 5-HT2A receptors. Aripiprazole functions as a partial agonist of the dopamine D2 receptor and as a partial agonist and antagonist of 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A serotonin receptors, respectively. Our results show that risperidone and aripiprazole alter the touch response and pharyngeal pumping in wild-type worm animals. Furthermore, in the presence of the drugs, both behaviors change to varying degrees in dopamine (dop-1, dop-2, and dop-3), serotonin (ser-1), and tyramine (ser-2) receptor-deficient mutants. This variation in response reveals specific targets for these antipsychotics in the nematode. Interestingly, their effect on behavior persisted to some extent in successive generations, indicating that they might induce epigenetic changes throughout development. Sodium butyrate, a histone deacetylase inhibitor, eliminated the consecutive generation effect of both drugs. In addition, these transgenerational effects were also abolished after the dauer stage. These observations suggest that risperidone and aripiprazole, in addition to interacting with specific receptors impairing the function of the nervous system of the nematode, may lead to the deposition of long-lasting epigenetic marks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaime Osuna-Luque
- Department of Genetics, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.,Maimónides Biomedical Research Institute of Córdoba (IMIBIC), Córdoba, Spain.,University Hospital Reina Sofía, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Ángel Rodríguez-Ramos
- Department of Genetics, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.,Maimónides Biomedical Research Institute of Córdoba (IMIBIC), Córdoba, Spain.,University Hospital Reina Sofía, Córdoba, Spain
| | - María Del Mar Gámez-Del-Estal
- Department of Genetics, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.,Maimónides Biomedical Research Institute of Córdoba (IMIBIC), Córdoba, Spain.,University Hospital Reina Sofía, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Manuel Ruiz-Rubio
- Department of Genetics, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.,Maimónides Biomedical Research Institute of Córdoba (IMIBIC), Córdoba, Spain.,University Hospital Reina Sofía, Córdoba, Spain
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27
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Risley MG, Kelly SP, Minnerly J, Jia K, Dawson-Scully K. egl-4 modulates electroconvulsive seizure duration in C. elegans. INVERTEBRATE NEUROSCIENCE 2018; 18:8. [PMID: 29845318 DOI: 10.1007/s10158-018-0211-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2018] [Accepted: 04/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Increased neuronal excitability causes seizures with debilitating symptoms. Effective and noninvasive treatments are limited for easing symptoms, partially due to the complexity of the disorder and lack of knowledge of specific molecular faults. An unexplored, novel target for seizure therapeutics is the cGMP/protein kinase G (PKG) pathway, which targets downstream K+ channels, a mechanism similar to Retigabine, a recently FDA-approved antiepileptic drug. Our results demonstrate that increased PKG activity decreased seizure duration in C. elegans utilizing a recently developed electroconvulsive seizure assay. While the fly is a well-established seizure model, C. elegans are an ideal yet unexploited model which easily uptakes drugs and can be utilized for high-throughput screens. In this study, we show that treating the worms with either a potassium channel opener, Retigabine or published pharmaceuticals that increase PKG activity, significantly reduces seizure recovery times. Our results suggest that PKG signaling modulates downstream K+ channel conductance to control seizure recovery time in C. elegans. Hence, we provide powerful evidence, suggesting that pharmacological manipulation of the PKG signaling cascade may control seizure duration across phyla.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica G Risley
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, 33431, USA.,International Max-Planck Research School (IMPRS) for Brain and Behavior, Boca Raton, FL, 33431, USA
| | - Stephanie P Kelly
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, 33431, USA.,International Max-Planck Research School (IMPRS) for Brain and Behavior, Boca Raton, FL, 33431, USA
| | - Justin Minnerly
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, 33431, USA.,International Max-Planck Research School (IMPRS) for Brain and Behavior, Boca Raton, FL, 33431, USA
| | - Kailiang Jia
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, 33431, USA.,International Max-Planck Research School (IMPRS) for Brain and Behavior, Boca Raton, FL, 33431, USA
| | - Ken Dawson-Scully
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, 33431, USA. .,International Max-Planck Research School (IMPRS) for Brain and Behavior, Boca Raton, FL, 33431, USA.
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28
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Montgomery K, Corona C, Frye R, Barnett R, Bailey A, Fitsanakis VA. Transport of a manganese/zinc ethylene-bis-dithiocarbamate fungicide may involve pre-synaptic dopaminergic transporters. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2018; 68:66-71. [PMID: 29807111 DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2018.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2018] [Revised: 05/21/2018] [Accepted: 05/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Mancozeb (MZ), an organic-metal fungicide used predominantly on vegetables and fruits, has been linked to neurodegeneration and behavioral disruptions in a variety of organisms, including humans. Both γ-aminobutyric acid and dopamine neurons appear to be more vulnerable to MZ exposure than other neuronal populations. Based on these observations, we hypothesized that MZ may be differentially transported into these cells through their presynaptic neurotransmitter transporters. To test this, we pretreated Caenorhabditis elegans with transporter antagonists followed by exposure to various concentrations of MZ. Potential neuroprotection was monitored via green fluorescence associated with various neuron populations in transgenic worm strains. Neurodegeneration associated with subacute MZ treatment (30 min) was not altered by transporter antagonist pretreatment. On the other hand, pretreatment with a dopamine transporter antagonist (GBR12909) appeared to protect dopaminergic neurons from chronic (24 h) MZ treatment. These results are consistent with other reports that dopamine transporter levels or activity may modulate toxicity for neurotoxicants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kara Montgomery
- King University, Department of Biology, 1350 King College Road, Bristol, TN 37620, USA.
| | - Caleb Corona
- King University, Department of Biology, 1350 King College Road, Bristol, TN 37620, USA.
| | - Rebekah Frye
- King University, Department of Biology, 1350 King College Road, Bristol, TN 37620, USA.
| | - Reid Barnett
- King University, Department of Biology, 1350 King College Road, Bristol, TN 37620, USA.
| | - Andrew Bailey
- King University, Department of Biology, 1350 King College Road, Bristol, TN 37620, USA.
| | - Vanessa A Fitsanakis
- King University, Department of Biology, 1350 King College Road, Bristol, TN 37620, USA.
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29
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Karbalaei A, Cho HJ. Microfluidic Devices Developed for and Inspired by Thermotaxis and Chemotaxis. MICROMACHINES 2018; 9:E149. [PMID: 30424083 PMCID: PMC6187570 DOI: 10.3390/mi9040149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2018] [Revised: 03/07/2018] [Accepted: 03/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Taxis has been reported in many cells and microorganisms, due to their tendency to migrate toward favorable physical situations and avoid damage and death. Thermotaxis and chemotaxis are two of the major types of taxis that naturally occur on a daily basis. Understanding the details of the thermo- and chemotactic behavioral response of cells and microorganisms is necessary to reveal the body function, diagnosing diseases and developing therapeutic treatments. Considering the length-scale and range of effectiveness of these phenomena, advances in microfluidics have facilitated taxis experiments and enhanced the precision of controlling and capturing microscale samples. Microfabrication of fluidic chips could bridge the gap between in vitro and in situ biological assays, specifically in taxis experiments. Numerous efforts have been made to develop, fabricate and implement novel microchips to conduct taxis experiments and increase the accuracy of the results. The concepts originated from thermo- and chemotaxis, inspired novel ideas applicable to microfluidics as well, more specifically, thermocapillarity and chemocapillarity (or solutocapillarity) for the manipulation of single- and multi-phase fluid flows in microscale and fluidic control elements such as valves, pumps, mixers, traps, etc. This paper starts with a brief biological overview of the concept of thermo- and chemotaxis followed by the most recent developments in microchips used for thermo- and chemotaxis experiments. The last section of this review focuses on the microfluidic devices inspired by the concept of thermo- and chemotaxis. Various microfluidic devices that have either been used for, or inspired by thermo- and chemotaxis are reviewed categorically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alireza Karbalaei
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, USA.
| | - Hyoung Jin Cho
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, USA.
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30
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C. elegans as a model in developmental neurotoxicology. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2018; 354:126-135. [PMID: 29550512 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2018.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2017] [Revised: 02/28/2018] [Accepted: 03/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Due to many advantages Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) has become a preferred model of choice in many fields, including neurodevelopmental toxicity studies. This review discusses the benefits of using C. elegans as an alternative to mammalian systems and gives examples of the uses of the nematode in evaluating the effects of major known neurodevelopmental toxins, including manganese, mercury, lead, fluoride, arsenic and organophosphorus pesticides. Reviewed data indicates numerous similarities with mammals in response to these toxins. Thus, C. elegans studies have the potential to predict possible effects of developmental neurotoxicants in higher animals, and may be used to identify new molecular pathways behind neurodevelopmental disruptions, as well as new toxicants.
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31
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Liao VHC. Use of Caenorhabditis elegans To Study the Potential Bioactivity of Natural Compounds. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2018; 66:1737-1742. [PMID: 29393643 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.7b05700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
There is growing need and interest in finding specific compounds in natural products that have health benefits. Despite ongoing efforts to discover such compounds, the scientific evidence lags behind the vision, and it is important to find an effective paradigm for discovering such compounds. The model organism Caenorhabditis elegans offers a promising solution for studying the potential bioactivity and molecular mechanisms of natural compounds in vivo. This perspective discusses its use to study potential human health benefits, with focus on antioxidative, anti-aging, antimetabolic disorders (diabetes and obesity), and antineurodegenerative activities (Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease), with practical examples. Finally, future directions in using a C. elegans-based model for discovering bioactive compounds for health promotion are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivian Hsiu-Chuan Liao
- Department of Bioenvironmental Systems Engineering, National Taiwan University , No. 1, Section 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei 106, Taiwan
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32
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Bailey DC, Todt CE, Burchfield SL, Pressley AS, Denney RD, Snapp IB, Negga R, Traynor WL, Fitsanakis VA. Chronic exposure to a glyphosate-containing pesticide leads to mitochondrial dysfunction and increased reactive oxygen species production in Caenorhabditis elegans. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2018; 57:46-52. [PMID: 29190595 PMCID: PMC5803312 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2017.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2017] [Accepted: 11/14/2017] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Glyphosate-containing herbicides are among the most widely-used in the world. Although glyphosate itself is relatively non-toxic, growing evidence suggests that commercial herbicide formulations may lead to increased oxidative stress and mitochondrial inhibition. In order to assess these mechanisms in vivo, we chronically (24h) exposed Caenorhabditis elegans to various concentrations of the glyphosate-containing herbicide TouchDown (TD). Following TD exposure, we evaluated the function of specific mitochondrial electron transport chain complexes. Initial oxygen consumption studies demonstrated inhibition in mid- and high-TD concentration treatment groups compared to controls. Results from tetramethylrhodamine ethyl ester and ATP assays indicated reductions in the proton gradient and ATP levels, respectively. Additional studies were designed to determine whether TD exposure resulted in increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Data from hydrogen peroxide, but not superoxide or hydroxyl radical, assays showed statistically significant increases in this specific ROS. Taken together, these data indicate that exposure of Caenorhabditis elegans to TD leads to mitochondrial inhibition and hydrogen peroxide production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denise C Bailey
- King University, Department of Biology, 1350 King College Road, Bristol, TN 37620, USA.
| | - Callie E Todt
- King University, Department of Biology, 1350 King College Road, Bristol, TN 37620, USA.
| | - Shelbie L Burchfield
- King University, Department of Biology, 1350 King College Road, Bristol, TN 37620, USA.
| | - Aireal S Pressley
- King University, Department of Biology, 1350 King College Road, Bristol, TN 37620, USA.
| | - Rachel D Denney
- King University, Department of Biology, 1350 King College Road, Bristol, TN 37620, USA.
| | - Isaac B Snapp
- King University, Department of Biology, 1350 King College Road, Bristol, TN 37620, USA.
| | - Rekek Negga
- King University, Department of Biology, 1350 King College Road, Bristol, TN 37620, USA.
| | - Wendy L Traynor
- King University, Department of Mathematics and Physics, 1350 King College Road, Bristol, TN 37620, USA.
| | - Vanessa A Fitsanakis
- King University, Department of Biology, 1350 King College Road, Bristol, TN 37620, USA.
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33
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Sharma N, Khurana N, Muthuraman A. Lower vertebrate and invertebrate models of Alzheimer's disease - A review. Eur J Pharmacol 2017; 815:312-323. [PMID: 28943103 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2017.09.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2017] [Revised: 08/20/2017] [Accepted: 09/13/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease is a common neurodegenerative disorder which is characterized by the presence of beta- amyloid protein and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) in the brain. Till now, various higher vertebrate models have been in use to study the pathophysiology of this disease. But, these models possess some limitations like ethical restrictions, high cost, difficult maintenance of large quantity and lesser reproducibility. Besides, various lower chordate animals like Danio rerio, Drosophila melanogaster, Caenorhabditis elegans and Ciona intestinalis have been proved to be an important model for the in vivo determination of targets of drugs with least limitations. In this article, we reviewed different studies conducted on theses models for the better understanding of the pathophysiology of AD and their subsequent application as a potential tool in the preclinical evaluation of new drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neha Sharma
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, India
| | - Navneet Khurana
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, India
| | - Arunachalam Muthuraman
- Department of Pharmacology, Akal College of Pharmacy and Technical Education, Mastuana Sahib, Sangrur, Punjab, India; Department of Pharmacology, JSS College of Pharmacy, Jagadguru Sri Shivarathreeshwara University, Mysuru 570015, Karnataka, India.
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34
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Rodríguez-Ramos Á, Gámez-Del-Estal MM, Porta-de-la-Riva M, Cerón J, Ruiz-Rubio M. Impaired Dopamine-Dependent Locomotory Behavior of C. elegans Neuroligin Mutants Depends on the Catechol-O-Methyltransferase COMT-4. Behav Genet 2017; 47:596-608. [PMID: 28879499 DOI: 10.1007/s10519-017-9868-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2017] [Accepted: 08/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Neurexins and neuroligins are neuronal membrane adhesion molecules that have been involved in neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders. The nrx-1 and nlg-1 genes of Caenorhabditis elegans encode NRX-1 and NLG-1, orthologue proteins of human neurexins and neuroligins, respectively. Dopaminergic and serotoninergic signalling control the locomotory rate of the nematode. When well-fed animals are transferred to a plate with food (bacterial lawn), they reduce the locomotory rate. This behavior, which depends on dopamine, is known as basal slowing response (BSR). Alternatively, when food-deprived animals are moved to a plate with a bacterial lawn, further decrease their locomotory rate. This behavior, known as enhanced slowing response (ESR), is serotonin dependent. C. elegans nlg-1-deficient mutants are impaired in BSR and ESR. Here we report that nrx-1-deficient mutants were defective in ESR, but not in BSR. The nrx-1;nlg-1 double mutant was impaired in both behaviors. Interestingly, the nlg-1 mutants upregulate the expression of comt-4 which encodes an enzyme with putative catechol-O-methyltransferase activity involved in dopamine degradation. Our study also shows that comt-4(RNAi) in nlg-1-deficient mutants rescues the wild type phenotypes of BSR and ESR. On the other hand, comt-4(RNAi) in nlg-1-deficient mutants also recovers, at least partially, the gentle touch response and the pharyngeal pumping rate that were impaired in these mutants. These latter behaviors are dopamine and serotonin dependent, respectively. Based on these results we propose a model for the neuroligin function in modulating the dopamine-dependent locomotory behavior in the nematode.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ángel Rodríguez-Ramos
- Department of Genetics, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
- Maimónides Biomedical Research Institute of Córdoba (IMIBIC), Córdoba, Spain
- University Hospital Reina Sofía from Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - M Mar Gámez-Del-Estal
- Department of Genetics, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
- Maimónides Biomedical Research Institute of Córdoba (IMIBIC), Córdoba, Spain
- University Hospital Reina Sofía from Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | | | - Julián Cerón
- Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Manuel Ruiz-Rubio
- Department of Genetics, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.
- Maimónides Biomedical Research Institute of Córdoba (IMIBIC), Córdoba, Spain.
- University Hospital Reina Sofía from Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.
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35
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Schmeisser K, Parker JA. Worms on the spectrum - C. elegans models in autism research. Exp Neurol 2017; 299:199-206. [PMID: 28434869 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2017.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2017] [Revised: 04/10/2017] [Accepted: 04/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The small non-parasitic nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is widely used in neuroscience thanks to its well-understood development and lineage of the nervous system. Furthermore, C. elegans has been used to model many human developmental and neurological conditions to better understand disease mechanisms and identify potential therapeutic strategies. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is the most prevalent of all neurodevelopmental disorders, and the C. elegans system may provide opportunities to learn more about this complex disorder. Since basic cell biology and biochemistry of the C. elegans nervous system is generally very similar to mammals, cellular or molecular phenotypes can be investigated, along with a repertoire of behaviours. For instance, worms have contributed greatly to the understanding of mechanisms underlying mutations in genes coding for synaptic proteins such as neuroligin and neurexin. Using worms to model neurodevelopmental disorders like ASD is an emerging topic that harbours great, untapped potential. This review summarizes the numerous contributions of C. elegans to the field of neurodevelopment and introduces the nematode system as a potential research tool to study essential roles of genes associated with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathrin Schmeisser
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montreál (CRCHUM), 900 St-Denis Street, Montreál, Queb́ec H2X 0A9, Canada
| | - J Alex Parker
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montreál (CRCHUM), 900 St-Denis Street, Montreál, Queb́ec H2X 0A9, Canada; Department of Neuroscience, Université de Montreál, 2960 Chemin de la Tour, Montreál, Queb́ec H3T 1J4, Canada.
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36
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Sunderhaus ER, Kretzschmar D. Mass Histology to Quantify Neurodegeneration in Drosophila. J Vis Exp 2016. [PMID: 28060320 DOI: 10.3791/54809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Progressive neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease (AD) or Parkinson's disease (PD) are an increasing threat to human health worldwide. Although mammalian models have provided important insights into the underlying mechanisms of pathogenicity, the complexity of mammalian systems together with their high costs are limiting their use. Therefore, the simple but well-established Drosophila model-system provides an alternative for investigating the molecular pathways that are affected in these diseases. Besides behavioral deficits, neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by histological phenotypes such as neuronal death and axonopathy. To quantify neuronal degeneration and to determine how it is affected by genetic and environmental factors, we use a histological approach that is based on measuring the vacuoles in adult fly brains. To minimize the effects of systematic error and to directly compare sections from control and experimental flies in one preparation, we use the 'collar' method for paraffin sections. Neurodegeneration is then assessed by measuring the size and/or number of vacuoles that have developed in the fly brain. This can either be done by focusing on a specific region of interest or by analyzing the entire brain by obtaining serial sections that span the complete head. Therefore, this method allows one to measure not only severe degeneration but also relatively mild phenotypes that are only detectable in a few sections, as occurs during normal aging.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Doris Kretzschmar
- Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, Oregon Health & Sciences University;
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37
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Yin J, Schaaf CP. Autism genetics - an overview. Prenat Diagn 2016; 37:14-30. [DOI: 10.1002/pd.4942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2016] [Revised: 10/04/2016] [Accepted: 10/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jiani Yin
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics; Baylor College of Medicine; Houston TX USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital; Houston TX USA
| | - Christian P. Schaaf
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics; Baylor College of Medicine; Houston TX USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital; Houston TX USA
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38
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Bito T, Watanabe F. Biochemistry, function, and deficiency of vitamin B12 in Caenorhabditis elegans. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2016; 241:1663-8. [PMID: 27486161 DOI: 10.1177/1535370216662713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Caenorhabditis elegans is a nematode that has been widely used as an animal for investigation of diverse biological phenomena. Vitamin B12 is essential for the growth of this worm, which contains two cobalamin-dependent enzymes, methylmalonyl-CoA mutase and methionine synthase. A full complement of gene homologs encoding the enzymes associated with the mammalian intercellular metabolic processes of vitamin B12 is identified in the genome of C elegans However, this worm has no orthologs of the vitamin B12-binders that participate in human intestinal absorption and blood circulation. When the worm is treated with a vitamin B12-deficient diet for five generations (15 days), it readily develops vitamin B12 deficiency, which induces worm phenotypes (infertility, delayed growth, and shorter lifespan) that resemble the symptoms of mammalian vitamin B12 deficiency. Such phenotypes associated with vitamin B12 deficiency were readily induced in the worm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomohiro Bito
- Faculty of Agriculture, School of Agricultural, Biological, and Environmental Sciences, Tottori University, Tottori 680-8553, Japan
| | - Fumio Watanabe
- Faculty of Agriculture, School of Agricultural, Biological, and Environmental Sciences, Tottori University, Tottori 680-8553, Japan
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39
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Bodea L, Eckert A, Ittner LM, Piguet O, Götz J. Tau physiology and pathomechanisms in frontotemporal lobar degeneration. J Neurochem 2016; 138 Suppl 1:71-94. [PMID: 27306859 PMCID: PMC5094566 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.13600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2015] [Revised: 01/31/2016] [Accepted: 02/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) has been associated with toxic intracellular aggregates of hyperphosphorylated tau (FTLD-tau). Moreover, genetic studies identified mutations in the MAPT gene encoding tau in familial cases of the disease. In this review, we cover a range of aspects of tau function, both in the healthy and diseased brain, discussing several in vitro and in vivo models. Tau structure and function in the healthy brain is presented, accentuating its distinct compartmentalization in neurons and its role in microtubule stabilization and axonal transport. Furthermore, tau-driven pathology is discussed, introducing current concepts and the underlying experimental evidence. Different aspects of pathological tau phosphorylation, the protein's genomic and domain organization as well as its spreading in disease, together with MAPT-associated mutations and their respective models are presented. Dysfunction related to other post-transcriptional modifications and their effect on normal neuronal functions such as cell cycle, epigenetics and synapse dynamics are also discussed, providing a mechanistic explanation for the observations made in FTLD-tau cases, with the possibility for therapeutic intervention. In this review, we cover aspects of tau function, both in the healthy and diseased brain, referring to different in vitro and in vivo models. In healthy neurons, tau is compartmentalized, with higher concentrations found in the distal part of the axon. Cargo molecules are sensitive to this gradient. A disturbed tau distribution, as found in frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD-tau), has severe consequences for cellular physiology: tau accumulates in the neuronal soma and dendrites, leading among others to microtubule depolymerization and impaired axonal transport. Tau forms insoluble aggregates that sequester additional molecules stalling cellular physiology. Neuronal communication is gradually lost as toxic tau accumulates in dendritic spines with subsequent degeneration of synapses and synaptic loss. Thus, by providing a mechanistic explanation for the observations made in FTLD-tau cases, arises a possibility for therapeutic interventions. This article is part of the Frontotemporal Dementia special issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liviu‐Gabriel Bodea
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia ResearchQueensland Brain InstituteThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQLDAustralia
| | - Anne Eckert
- Neurobiology LaboratoryPsychiatric University Clinics BaselUniversity of BaselBaselSwitzerland
| | - Lars Matthias Ittner
- Dementia Research UnitSchool of Medical SciencesFaculty of MedicineUniversity of New South WalesSydneyNSWAustralia
| | | | - Jürgen Götz
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia ResearchQueensland Brain InstituteThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQLDAustralia
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Banik A, Brown RE, Bamburg J, Lahiri DK, Khurana D, Friedland RP, Chen W, Ding Y, Mudher A, Padjen AL, Mukaetova-Ladinska E, Ihara M, Srivastava S, Padma Srivastava MV, Masters CL, Kalaria RN, Anand A. Translation of Pre-Clinical Studies into Successful Clinical Trials for Alzheimer's Disease: What are the Roadblocks and How Can They Be Overcome? J Alzheimers Dis 2016; 47:815-43. [PMID: 26401762 DOI: 10.3233/jad-150136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Preclinical studies are essential for translation to disease treatments and effective use in clinical practice. An undue emphasis on single approaches to Alzheimer's disease (AD) appears to have retarded the pace of translation in the field, and there is much frustration in the public about the lack of an effective treatment. We critically reviewed past literature (1990-2014), analyzed numerous data, and discussed key issues at a consensus conference on Brain Ageing and Dementia to identify and overcome roadblocks in studies intended for translation. We highlight various factors that influence the translation of preclinical research and highlight specific preclinical strategies that have failed to demonstrate efficacy in clinical trials. The field has been hindered by the domination of the amyloid hypothesis in AD pathogenesis while the causative pathways in disease pathology are widely considered to be multifactorial. Understanding the causative events and mechanisms in the pathogenesis are equally important for translation. Greater efforts are necessary to fill in the gaps and overcome a variety of confounds in the generation, study design, testing, and evaluation of animal models and the application to future novel anti-dementia drug trials. A greater variety of potential disease mechanisms must be entertained to enhance progress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avijit Banik
- Neuroscience Research Lab, Department of Neurology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Richard E Brown
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - James Bamburg
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Debomoy K Lahiri
- Departments of Psychiatry and of Medical & Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Neuroscience Research Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Dheeraj Khurana
- Neuroscience Research Lab, Department of Neurology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Robert P Friedland
- Department of Neurology, University of Louisville, School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Wei Chen
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Allergy and Immunology, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Ying Ding
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Pittsburgh, 318C Parran Hall, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Amritpal Mudher
- Southampton Neurosciences Group, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Ante L Padjen
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Elizabeta Mukaetova-Ladinska
- Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle University, NIHR Biomedical Research Building, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Masafumi Ihara
- Department of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Sudhir Srivastava
- Division of Toxicology, Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India
| | - M V Padma Srivastava
- Department of Neurology, Neurosciences Centre, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Colin L Masters
- Mental Health Research Institute, University of Melbourne, Royal Parade, The VIC, Australia
| | - Raj N Kalaria
- Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle University, NIHR Biomedical Research Building, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Akshay Anand
- Neuroscience Research Lab, Department of Neurology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
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McVey KA, Snapp IB, Johnson MB, Negga R, Pressley AS, Fitsanakis VA. Exposure of C. elegans eggs to a glyphosate-containing herbicide leads to abnormal neuronal morphology. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2016; 55:23-31. [PMID: 27019975 PMCID: PMC4884470 DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2016.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2015] [Revised: 03/20/2016] [Accepted: 03/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Recent data demonstrate that chronic exposure of Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) to a high-use glyphosate-containing herbicide, Touchdown (TD), potentially damages the adult nervous system. It is unknown, however, whether unhatched worms exposed to TD during the egg stage show abnormal neurodevelopment post-hatching. Therefore, we investigated whether early treatment with TD leads to aberrant neuronal or neurite development in C. elegans. Studies were completed in three different worm strains with green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged neurons to facilitate visual neuronal assessment. Initially, eggs from C. elegans with all neurons tagged with GFP were chronically exposed to TD. Visual inspection suggested decreased neurite projections associated with ventral nerve cord neurons. Data analysis showed a statistically significant decrease in overall green pixel numbers at the fourth larval (L4) stage (*p<0.05). We further investigated whether specific neuronal populations were preferentially vulnerable to TD by treating eggs from worms that had all dopaminergic (DAergic) or γ-aminobutyric acid (GABAergic) neurons tagged with GFP. As before, green pixel number associated with these discrete neuronal populations was analyzed at multiple larval stages. Data analysis indicated statistically significant decreases in pixel number associated with DAergic, but not GABAergic, neurons (***p<0.001) at all larval stages. Finally, statistically significant decreases (at the first larval stage, L1) or increases (at the fourth larval stage, L4) in superoxide levels, a developmental signaling molecule, were detected (*p<0.05). These data suggest that early exposure to TD may impair neuronal development, perhaps through superoxide perturbation. Since toxic insults during development may late render individuals more vulnerable to neurodegenerative diseases in adulthood, these studies provide some of the first evidence in this model organism that early exposure to TD may adversely affect the developing nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth A McVey
- King University, Department of Biology, 1350 King College Road, Bristol, TN 37620, USA; Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine, 306 Liberty View Lane, Lynchburg, VA 24502, USA.
| | - Isaac B Snapp
- King University, Department of Biology, 1350 King College Road, Bristol, TN 37620, USA; Medical University of South Carolina, Physician Assistant Studies, 151B Rutledge Avenue, Charleston, SC 29425, USA.
| | - Megan B Johnson
- King University, Department of Biology, 1350 King College Road, Bristol, TN 37620, USA; Lincoln Memorial University, Debusk College of Osteopathic Medicine, 6965 Cumberland Gap Parkway, Harrogate, TN 37752, USA.
| | - Rekek Negga
- King University, Department of Biology, 1350 King College Road, Bristol, TN 37620, USA; The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, Department of Animal Science, 366 Brehm Animal Science Building, 2506 River Drive, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA.
| | - Aireal S Pressley
- King University, Department of Biology, 1350 King College Road, Bristol, TN 37620, USA.
| | - Vanessa A Fitsanakis
- King University, Department of Biology, 1350 King College Road, Bristol, TN 37620, USA.
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Caenorhabditis elegans as a Model to Study the Molecular and Genetic Mechanisms of Drug Addiction. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2015; 137:229-52. [PMID: 26810004 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2015.10.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Drug addiction takes a massive toll on society. Novel animal models are needed to test new treatments and understand the basic mechanisms underlying addiction. Rodent models have identified the neurocircuitry involved in addictive behavior and indicate that rodents possess some of the same neurobiologic mechanisms that mediate addiction in humans. Recent studies indicate that addiction is mechanistically and phylogenetically ancient and many mechanisms that underlie human addiction are also present in invertebrates. The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans has conserved neurobiologic systems with powerful molecular and genetic tools and a rapid rate of development that enables cost-effective translational discovery. Emerging evidence suggests that C. elegans is an excellent model to identify molecular mechanisms that mediate drug-induced behavior and potential targets for medications development for various addictive compounds. C. elegans emit many behaviors that can be easily quantitated including some that involve interactions with the environment. Ethanol (EtOH) is the best-studied drug-of-abuse in C. elegans and at least 50 different genes/targets have been identified as mediating EtOH's effects and polymorphisms in some orthologs in humans are associated with alcohol use disorders. C. elegans has also been shown to display dopamine and cholinergic system-dependent attraction to nicotine and demonstrate preference for cues previously associated with nicotine. Cocaine and methamphetamine have been found to produce dopamine-dependent reward-like behaviors in C. elegans. These behavioral tests in combination with genetic/molecular manipulations have led to the identification of dozens of target genes/systems in C. elegans that mediate drug effects. The one target/gene identified as essential for drug-induced behavioral responses across all drugs of abuse was the cat-2 gene coding for tyrosine hydroxylase, which is consistent with the role of dopamine neurotransmission in human addiction. Overall, C. elegans can be used to model aspects of drug addiction and identify systems and molecular mechanisms that mediate drug effects. The findings are surprisingly consistent with analogous findings in higher-level organisms. Further, model refinement is warranted to improve model validity and increase utility for medications development.
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43
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Caldwell GA, Caldwell KA. Use of Caenorhabditis elegans to Model Human Movement Disorders. Mov Disord 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-405195-9.00006-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
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44
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Acetylcorynoline attenuates dopaminergic neuron degeneration and α-synuclein aggregation in animal models of Parkinson's disease. Neuropharmacology 2014; 82:108-20. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2013.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2013] [Revised: 07/24/2013] [Accepted: 08/08/2013] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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Ludtmann MHR, Otto GP, Schilde C, Chen ZH, Allan CY, Brace S, Beesley PW, Kimmel AR, Fisher P, Killick R, Williams RSB. An ancestral non-proteolytic role for presenilin proteins in multicellular development of the social amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum. J Cell Sci 2014; 127:1576-84. [PMID: 24463814 PMCID: PMC3970561 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.140939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2013] [Accepted: 12/29/2013] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in either of two presenilin genes can cause familial Alzheimer's disease. Presenilins have both proteolysis-dependent functions, as components of the γ-secretase complex, and proteolysis-independent functions in signalling. In this study, we investigate a conserved function of human presenilins in the development of the simple model organism Dictyostelium discoideum. We show that the block in Dictyostelium development caused by the ablation of both Dictyostelium presenilins is rescued by the expression of human presenilin 1, restoring the terminal differentiation of multiple cell types. This developmental role is independent of proteolytic activity, because the mutation of both catalytic aspartates does not affect presenilin ability to rescue development, and the ablation of nicastrin, a γ-secretase component that is crucial for proteolytic activity, does not block development. The role of presenilins during Dictyostelium development is therefore independent of their proteolytic activity. However, presenilin loss in Dictyostelium results in elevated cyclic AMP (cAMP) levels and enhanced stimulation-induced calcium release, suggesting that presenilins regulate these intracellular signalling pathways. Our data suggest that presenilin proteins perform an ancient non-proteolytic role in regulating intracellular signalling and development, and that Dictyostelium is a useful model for analysing human presenilin function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marthe H. R. Ludtmann
- Centre for Biomedical Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Grant P. Otto
- Centre for Biomedical Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London TW20 0EX, UK
| | | | - Zhi-Hui Chen
- School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Claire Y. Allan
- Faculty of Science, Technology and Engineering, La Trobe University, Bundoora VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Selina Brace
- Centre for Ecology and Evolution, School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Philip W. Beesley
- Centre for Biomedical Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Alan R. Kimmel
- NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Paul Fisher
- Faculty of Science, Technology and Engineering, La Trobe University, Bundoora VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Richard Killick
- Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Robin S. B. Williams
- Centre for Biomedical Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London TW20 0EX, UK
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Gámez-Del-Estal MM, Contreras I, Prieto-Pérez R, Ruiz-Rubio M. Epigenetic effect of testosterone in the behavior of C. elegans. A clue to explain androgen-dependent autistic traits? Front Cell Neurosci 2014; 8:69. [PMID: 24624060 PMCID: PMC3940884 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2014.00069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2013] [Accepted: 02/17/2014] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Current research indicates that the causes of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are multifactorial and include both genetic and environmental factors. To date, several works have associated ASDs with mutations in genes that encode proteins involved in neuronal synapses; however other factors and the way they can interact with the development of the nervous system remain largely unknown. Some studies have established a direct relationship between risk for ASDs and the exposure of the fetus to high testosterone levels during the prenatal stage. In this work, in order to explain possible mechanisms by which this androgenic hormone may interact with the nervous system, C. elegans was used as an experimental model. We observed that testosterone was able to alter the behavioral pattern of the worm, including the gentle touch response and the pharyngeal pumping rate. This impairment of the behavior was abolished using specific RNAi against genes orthologous to the human androgen receptor gene. The effect of testosterone was eliminated in the nhr-69 (ok1926) deficient mutant, a putative ortholog of human AR gene, suggesting that this gene encodes a receptor able to interact with the hormone. On the other hand the testosterone effect remained in the gentle touch response during four generations in the absence of the hormone, indicating that some epigenetic mechanisms could be involved. Sodium butyrate, a histone deacetylase inhibitor, was able to abolish the effect of testosterone. In addition, the lasting effect of testosterone was eliminated after the dauer stage. These results suggest that testosterone may impair the nervous system function generating transgenerational epigenetic marks in the genome. This work may provide new paradigms for understanding biological mechanisms involved in ASDs traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Mar Gámez-Del-Estal
- Departamento de Genética, Universidad de Córdoba, Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía, Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba Córdoba, Spain
| | - Israel Contreras
- Departamento de Genética, Universidad de Córdoba, Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía, Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba Córdoba, Spain
| | - Rocío Prieto-Pérez
- Departamento de Genética, Universidad de Córdoba, Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía, Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba Córdoba, Spain
| | - Manuel Ruiz-Rubio
- Departamento de Genética, Universidad de Córdoba, Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía, Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba Córdoba, Spain
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Xie C, Miyasaka T, Yoshimura S, Hatsuta H, Yoshina S, Kage-Nakadai E, Mitani S, Murayama S, Ihara Y. The homologous carboxyl-terminal domains of microtubule-associated protein 2 and TAU induce neuronal dysfunction and have differential fates in the evolution of neurofibrillary tangles. PLoS One 2014; 9:e89796. [PMID: 24587039 PMCID: PMC3934940 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0089796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2013] [Accepted: 01/25/2014] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) and Tau are abundant neuronal microtubule-associated proteins. Both proteins have highly homologous carboxyl-terminal sequences that function as microtubule-binding domains. Whereas Tau is widely accepted as a pathoetiological factor in human tauopathies, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), it is not known whether there is a relationship between MAP2 and tauopathy. To better understand the pathological roles of MAP2 and Tau, we compared their behaviors in transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans in which MAP2 or Tau was expressed pan-neuronally. Both MAP2 and Tau elicited severe neuronal dysfunction and neuritic abnormalities, despite the absence of detergent-insoluble aggregates in worm neurons. Biochemical analysis revealed that the expressed MAP2 or Tau in worms was highly phosphorylated and did not bind to microtubules. Newly raised antibodies to MAP2 that effectively distinguished between the highly homologous carboxyl-terminal sequences of MAP2 and Tau showed that MAP2 was not involved in the growth process of neurofibrillary tangles in the AD brain. These results indicate that Tau and MAP2 have different fates in the inclusion formation and raise the possibility that MAP2 plays a significant role in neurotoxicity in the AD brain despite the absence of MAP2-aggregates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ce Xie
- Department of Neuropathology, Faculty of Life and Medical Sciences, Doshisha University, Kyotanabe-shi, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Miyasaka
- Department of Neuropathology, Faculty of Life and Medical Sciences, Doshisha University, Kyotanabe-shi, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Satomi Yoshimura
- Department of Neuropathology, Faculty of Life and Medical Sciences, Doshisha University, Kyotanabe-shi, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Hatsuta
- Department of Neuropathology, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Sawako Yoshina
- Department of Physiology, Tokyo Women's Medical University School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Eriko Kage-Nakadai
- Department of Physiology, Tokyo Women's Medical University School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shohei Mitani
- Department of Physiology, Tokyo Women's Medical University School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shigeo Murayama
- Department of Neuropathology, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasuo Ihara
- Department of Neuropathology, Faculty of Life and Medical Sciences, Doshisha University, Kyotanabe-shi, Kyoto, Japan
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Zenner ANRL, O'Callaghan KM, Griffin CT. Lethal fighting in nematodes is dependent on developmental pathway: male-male fighting in the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema longicaudum. PLoS One 2014; 9:e89385. [PMID: 24586738 PMCID: PMC3933430 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0089385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2013] [Accepted: 01/20/2014] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Aggressive encounters occur between competitors (particularly males) throughout the animal kingdom, and in some species can result in severe injury and death. Here we describe for the first time lethal interactions between male nematodes and provide evidence that the expression of this behaviour is developmentally controlled. Males of the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema longicaudum coil around each other, resulting in injuries, paralysis and frequently death. The probability of death occurring between pairs of males was affected by the developmental pathway followed, being much greater among males that had passed through the infective juvenile (IJ, or dauer) stage than among males that had not. Post-IJ males are found only in newly colonised hosts, typically with few competing males present. Killing those few competitors may secure valuable resources (both females and a host cadaver for nourishment of offspring). Non-IJ males develop in subsequent generations within a host cadaver, where the presence of many closely related male competitors increases the risk:benefit ratio of fighting. Thus, passage through the IJ stage primes males for enhanced aggression in circumstances where this is more likely to result in increased reproductive success. Fighting occurred between males developing in mixed-sex social groups, indicating that it is an evolved trait and not an abnormal response to absence of females. This is supported by finding high mortality of males, but not of females, across a range of population densities in insect cadavers. We propose that these nematodes, with their relatively simple organization, may be a useful model for studies of aggression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annemie N. R. L. Zenner
- Department of Biology, National University of Ireland Maynooth, Maynooth, County Kildare, Ireland
| | - Kathryn M. O'Callaghan
- Department of Biology, National University of Ireland Maynooth, Maynooth, County Kildare, Ireland
| | - Christine T. Griffin
- Department of Biology, National University of Ireland Maynooth, Maynooth, County Kildare, Ireland
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Banerjee S, Riordan M, Bhat MA. Genetic aspects of autism spectrum disorders: insights from animal models. Front Cell Neurosci 2014; 8:58. [PMID: 24605088 PMCID: PMC3932417 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2014.00058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2014] [Accepted: 02/07/2014] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that display a triad of core behavioral deficits including restricted interests, often accompanied by repetitive behavior, deficits in language and communication, and an inability to engage in reciprocal social interactions. ASD is among the most heritable disorders but is not a simple disorder with a singular pathology and has a rather complex etiology. It is interesting to note that perturbations in synaptic growth, development, and stability underlie a variety of neuropsychiatric disorders, including ASD, schizophrenia, epilepsy, and intellectual disability. Biological characterization of an increasing repertoire of synaptic mutants in various model organisms indicates synaptic dysfunction as causal in the pathophysiology of ASD. Our understanding of the genes and genetic pathways that contribute toward the formation, stabilization, and maintenance of functional synapses coupled with an in-depth phenotypic analysis of the cellular and behavioral characteristics is therefore essential to unraveling the pathogenesis of these disorders. In this review, we discuss the genetic aspects of ASD emphasizing on the well conserved set of genes and genetic pathways implicated in this disorder, many of which contribute to synapse assembly and maintenance across species. We also review how fundamental research using animal models is providing key insights into the various facets of human ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swati Banerjee
- Department of Physiology, Center for Biomedical Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Maeveen Riordan
- Department of Physiology, Center for Biomedical Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Manzoor A Bhat
- Department of Physiology, Center for Biomedical Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, TX, USA
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50
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Neuroligin modulates the locomotory dopaminergic and serotonergic neuronal pathways of C. elegans. Neurogenetics 2013; 14:233-42. [DOI: 10.1007/s10048-013-0377-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2013] [Accepted: 09/21/2013] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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