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Gaffke L, Rintz E, Pierzynowska K, Węgrzyn G. Actin Cytoskeleton Polymerization and Focal Adhesion as Important Factors in the Pathomechanism and Potential Targets of Mucopolysaccharidosis Treatment. Cells 2023; 12:1782. [PMID: 37443816 PMCID: PMC10341097 DOI: 10.3390/cells12131782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The main approach used in the current therapy of mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) is to reduce the levels of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in cells, the deposits considered to be the main cause of the disease. Previous studies have revealed significant differences in the expression of genes encoding proteins involved in many processes, like those related to actin filaments, in MPS cells. Since the regulation of actin filaments is essential for the intracellular transport of specific molecules, the process which may affect the course of MPSs, the aim of this study was to evaluate the changes that occur in the actin cytoskeleton and focal adhesion in cells derived from patients with this disease, as well as in the MPS I mouse model, and to assess whether they could be potential therapeutic targets for different MPS types. Western-blotting, flow cytometry and transcriptomic analyses were employed to address these issues. The levels of the key proteins involved in the studied processes, before and after specific treatment, were assessed. We have also analyzed transcripts whose levels were significantly altered in MPS cells. We identified genes whose expressions were changed in the majority of MPS types and those with particularly highly altered expression. For the first time, significant changes in the expression of genes involved in the actin cytoskeleton structure/functions were revealed which may be considered as an additional element in the pathogenesis of MPSs. Our results suggest the possibility of using the actin cytoskeleton as a potential target in therapeutic approaches for this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidia Gaffke
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland; (E.R.); (K.P.); (G.W.)
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Lee KY, Zhu J, Cutia CA, Christian-Hinman CA, Rhodes JS, Tsai NP. Infantile spasms-linked Nedd4-2 mediates hippocampal plasticity and learning via cofilin signaling. EMBO Rep 2021; 22:e52645. [PMID: 34342389 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202152645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Individuals affected by infantile spasms (IS), such as those carrying mutations in an IS-linked gene, neural precursor cell expressed developmentally downregulated gene 4-like (Nedd4-2), exhibit developmental delays and learning disabilities, but the underlying mechanism is unknown. Using conditional Nedd4-2 knockout mice, we uncover that Nedd4-2 functions to maintain the excitatory synapses in hippocampal neurons and allows for late-phase long-term synaptic potentiation (L-LTP) at Schaffer collateral synapses in the hippocampus. We also find that Nedd4-2 is required for multiple forms of hippocampus-dependent learning and memory. Mechanistically, we show that loss of Nedd4-2 leads to a decrease in actin polymerization caused by reduced phosphorylation of the actin depolymerizing protein cofilin. A cell-permeable peptide promoting phosphorylation of endogenous cofilin in Nedd4-2 knockout neurons restores the number of hippocampal excitatory synapses and hippocampal L-LTP and partially restores hippocampus-dependent learning in mice. Taken together, our results reveal a novel mechanism underlying IS-associated learning disabilities and may provide information for future therapeutic strategies for IS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kwan Young Lee
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Jiuhe Zhu
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Cathryn A Cutia
- Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Catherine A Christian-Hinman
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.,Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.,Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Justin S Rhodes
- Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.,Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.,Department of Psychology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, USA
| | - Nien-Pei Tsai
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.,Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.,Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
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