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Choopani S, Kiani B, Aliakbari S, Babaie J, Golkar M, Pourbadie HG, Sayyah M. Latent toxoplasmosis impairs learning and memory yet strengthens short-term and long-term hippocampal synaptic plasticity at perforant pathway-dentate gyrus, and Schaffer collatterals-CA1 synapses. Sci Rep 2023; 13:8959. [PMID: 37268701 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-35971-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Investigating long-term potentiation (LTP) in disease models provides essential mechanistic insight into synaptic dysfunction and relevant behavioral changes in many neuropsychiatric and neurological diseases. Toxoplasma (T) gondii is an intracellular parasite causing bizarre changes in host's mind including losing inherent fear of life-threatening situations. We examined hippocampal-dependent behavior as well as in vivo short- and long-term synaptic plasticity (STP and LTP) in rats with latent toxoplasmosis. Rats were infected by T. gondii cysts. Existence of REP-529 genomic sequence of the parasite in the brain was detected by RT-qPCR. Four and eight weeks after infection, spatial, and inhibitory memories of rats were assessed by Morris water maze and shuttle box tests, respectively. Eight weeks after infection, STP was assessed in dentate gyrus (DG) and CA1 by double pulse stimulation of perforant pathway and Shaffer collaterals, respectively. High frequency stimulation (HFS) was applied to induce LTP in entorhinal cortex-DG (400 Hz), and CA3-CA1 (200 Hz) synapses. T. gondii infection retarded spatial learning and memory performance at eight weeks post-infection period, whereas inhibitory memory was not changed. Unlike uninfected rats that normally showed paired-pulse depression, the infected rats developed paired-pulse facilitation, indicating an inhibitory synaptic network disruption. T. gondii-infected rats displayed strengthened LTP of both CA1-pyramidal and DG-granule cell population spikes. These data indicate that T. gondii disrupts inhibition/excitation balance and causes bizarre changes to the post-synaptic neuronal excitability, which may ultimately contribute to the abnormal behavior of the infected host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samira Choopani
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Bahereh Kiani
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Biology, Damghan University, Damghan, Iran
| | - Shayan Aliakbari
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Jalal Babaie
- Department of Parasitology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Majid Golkar
- Department of Parasitology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Mohammad Sayyah
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
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2
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Stratoulias V, Ruiz R, Kanatani S, Osman AM, Keane L, Armengol JA, Rodríguez-Moreno A, Murgoci AN, García-Domínguez I, Alonso-Bellido I, González Ibáñez F, Picard K, Vázquez-Cabrera G, Posada-Pérez M, Vernoux N, Tejera D, Grabert K, Cheray M, González-Rodríguez P, Pérez-Villegas EM, Martínez-Gallego I, Lastra-Romero A, Brodin D, Avila-Cariño J, Cao Y, Airavaara M, Uhlén P, Heneka MT, Tremblay MÈ, Blomgren K, Venero JL, Joseph B. ARG1-expressing microglia show a distinct molecular signature and modulate postnatal development and function of the mouse brain. Nat Neurosci 2023:10.1038/s41593-023-01326-3. [PMID: 37169859 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-023-01326-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2019] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Molecular diversity of microglia, the resident immune cells in the CNS, is reported. Whether microglial subsets characterized by the expression of specific proteins constitute subtypes with distinct functions has not been fully elucidated. Here we describe a microglial subtype expressing the enzyme arginase-1 (ARG1; that is, ARG1+ microglia) that is found predominantly in the basal forebrain and ventral striatum during early postnatal mouse development. ARG1+ microglia are enriched in phagocytic inclusions and exhibit a distinct molecular signature, including upregulation of genes such as Apoe, Clec7a, Igf1, Lgals3 and Mgl2, compared to ARG1- microglia. Microglial-specific knockdown of Arg1 results in deficient cholinergic innervation and impaired dendritic spine maturation in the hippocampus where cholinergic neurons project, which in turn results in impaired long-term potentiation and cognitive behavioral deficiencies in female mice. Our results expand on microglia diversity and provide insights into microglia subtype-specific functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vassilis Stratoulias
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Toxicology Unit, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Neuroscience Center, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Rocío Ruiz
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, IBiS/Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
| | - Shigeaki Kanatani
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ahmed M Osman
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lily Keane
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Toxicology Unit, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jose A Armengol
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Cellular Biology, University of Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain
| | - Antonio Rodríguez-Moreno
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Cellular Biology, University of Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain
| | - Adriana-Natalia Murgoci
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Toxicology Unit, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Irene García-Domínguez
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, IBiS/Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
| | - Isabel Alonso-Bellido
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, IBiS/Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
| | - Fernando González Ibáñez
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Université Laval, and Axe Neurosciences, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Laval, Quebec, Canada
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Katherine Picard
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Université Laval, and Axe Neurosciences, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Laval, Quebec, Canada
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Guillermo Vázquez-Cabrera
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Toxicology Unit, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, IBiS/Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
| | - Mercedes Posada-Pérez
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Toxicology Unit, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, IBiS/Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
| | - Nathalie Vernoux
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Université Laval, and Axe Neurosciences, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Laval, Quebec, Canada
| | - Dario Tejera
- Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases and Gerontopsychiatry, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Kathleen Grabert
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Toxicology Unit, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mathilde Cheray
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Toxicology Unit, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Eva M Pérez-Villegas
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Cellular Biology, University of Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain
| | - Irene Martínez-Gallego
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Cellular Biology, University of Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain
| | | | - David Brodin
- Bioinformatics and Expression Analysis Core Facility, Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Javier Avila-Cariño
- Department of Molecular Biology and Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR), Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Yang Cao
- Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Medical Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
- Unit of Integrative Epidemiology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mikko Airavaara
- Neuroscience Center, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Drug Research Program, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Per Uhlén
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Michael T Heneka
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, University of Luxembourg, Belvaux, Luxembourg
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Marie-Ève Tremblay
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Université Laval, and Axe Neurosciences, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Laval, Quebec, Canada
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Klas Blomgren
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Paediatric Oncology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jose L Venero
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, IBiS/Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
| | - Bertrand Joseph
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Toxicology Unit, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
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3
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Pérez-Villegas EM, Ruiz R, Bachiller S, Ventura F, Armengol JA, Rosa JL. The HERC proteins and the nervous system. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2022; 132:5-15. [PMID: 34848147 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2021.11.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The HERC protein family is one of three subfamilies of Homologous to E6AP C-terminus (HECT) E3 ubiquitin ligases. Six HERC genes have been described in humans, two of which encode Large HERC proteins -HERC1 and HERC2- with molecular weights above 520 kDa that are constitutively expressed in the brain. There is a large body of evidence that mutations in these Large HERC genes produce clinical syndromes in which key neurodevelopmental events are altered, resulting in intellectual disability and other neurological disorders like epileptic seizures, dementia and/or signs of autism. In line with these consequences in humans, two mice carrying mutations in the Large HERC genes have been studied quite intensely: the tambaleante mutant for Herc1 and the Herc2+/530 mutant for Herc2. In both these mutant mice there are clear signs that autophagy is dysregulated, eliciting cerebellar Purkinje cell death and impairing motor control. The tambaleante mouse was the first of these mice to appear and is the best studied, in which the Herc1 mutation elicits: (i) delayed neural transmission in the peripheral nervous system; (ii) impaired learning, memory and motor control; and (iii) altered presynaptic membrane dynamics. In this review, we discuss the information currently available on HERC proteins in the nervous system and their biological activity, the dysregulation of which could explain certain neurodevelopmental syndromes and/or neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva M Pérez-Villegas
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, University Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain
| | - Rocío Ruiz
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Pharmacy, University of Seville, Seville, Spain
| | - Sara Bachiller
- Clinical Unit of Infectious Diseases, Microbiology and Preventive Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine of Sevilla, Virgen del Rocío University Hospital, CSIC, University of Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Francesc Ventura
- Departament de Ciències Fisiològiques, IBIDELL, Universitat de Barcelona, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jose A Armengol
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, University Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain.
| | - Jose Luis Rosa
- Departament de Ciències Fisiològiques, IBIDELL, Universitat de Barcelona, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.
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4
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Lalonde R, Strazielle C. The Herc1 gene in neurobiology. Gene X 2022; 814:146144. [PMID: 34990797 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2021.146144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The function of the HERC1 gene has mainly been delineated by studying Herc1tbl (tambaleante) mutant mice, characterized by losses in cerebellar Purkinje cells, a lower number of synaptic vesicles in the hippocampus, and anomalies in climbing fiber projections from the inferior olive as well as alpha-motoneuron projections to the skeletal muscle. The salient behavioral phenotypes include cerebellar ataxia, a loss in motor coordination, muscle weakness, and spatial deficits. Similar neuropathological and behavioral profiles have been described in childhood-onset subjects with HERC1 variants, including cerebellar ataxia and hypotonia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Lalonde
- University of Rouen, Dept Psychology, 76821 Mont-Saint-Aignan, France; Laboratory of Stress, Immunity, Pathogens (EA7300), University of Lorraine Medical School, Vandœuvre-les-Nancy, France.
| | - Catherine Strazielle
- Laboratory of Stress, Immunity, Pathogens (EA7300), University of Lorraine Medical School, Vandœuvre-les-Nancy, France; CHRU Nancy, Vandœuvre-les-Nancy, France
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5
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Novikov DA, Beletsky AP, Kolosov PM. The Putative Role of m6A-RNA Methylation in Memory Consolidation. NEUROCHEM J+ 2021. [DOI: 10.1134/s1819712421020112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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6
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Historical perspective and progress on protein ubiquitination at glutamatergic synapses. Neuropharmacology 2021; 196:108690. [PMID: 34197891 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Transcription-translation coupling leads to the production of proteins that are key for controlling essential neuronal processes that include neuronal development and changes in synaptic strength. Although these events have been a prevailing theme in neuroscience, the regulation of proteins via posttranslational signaling pathways are equally relevant for these neuronal processes. Ubiquitin is one type of posttranslational modification that covalently attaches to its targets/substrates. Ubiquitination of proteins play a key role in multiple signaling pathways, the predominant being removal of its substrates by a large molecular machine called the proteasome. Here, I review 40 years of progress on ubiquitination in the nervous system at glutamatergic synapses focusing on axon pathfinding, synapse formation, presynaptic release, dendritic spine formation, and regulation of postsynaptic glutamate receptors. Finally, I elucidate emerging themes in ubiquitin biology that may challenge our current understanding of ubiquitin signaling in the nervous system.
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7
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HERC1 Regulates Breast Cancer Cells Migration and Invasion. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13061309. [PMID: 33804079 PMCID: PMC8061768 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13061309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Breast cancer has the highest incidence and mortality in women worldwide, and, despite formidable advances in its prevention, detection, and treatment, the development of metastasis foci still represents a significant reduction in patients’ survival and life quality. The Ubiquitin-Proteasome System plays a fundamental role in the maintenance of protein balance, and its dysregulation has been associated with malignant transformation and tumor cells invasive potential. The objective of our work was focused on the identification of ubiquitination-related genes that could represent putative molecular targets for the treatment of breast cancer dissemination. For that purpose, we performed a genetic study and identified and validated HERC1 (HECT and RLD Domain Containing E3 Ubiquitin Protein Ligase Family Member 1) as a regulator of migration and invasion. We confirmed that its depletion reduces tumorigenicity and the appearance of metastasis foci and determined that HERC1 protein expression inversely correlates with breast cancer patients’ overall survival. Altogether, we demonstrate that HERC1 might represent a novel therapeutic target in breast cancer. Abstract Tumor cell migration and invasion into adjacent tissues is one of the hallmarks of cancer and the first step towards secondary tumors formation, which represents the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. This process is considered an unmet clinical need in the treatment of this disease, particularly in breast cancers characterized by high aggressiveness and metastatic potential. To identify and characterize genes with novel functions as regulators of tumor cell migration and invasion, we performed a genetic loss-of-function screen using a shRNA library directed against the Ubiquitin Proteasome System (UPS) in a highly invasive breast cancer derived cell line. Among the candidates, we validated HERC1 as a gene regulating cell migration and invasion. Furthermore, using animal models, our results indicate that HERC1 silencing affects primary tumor growth and lung colonization. Finally, we conducted an in silico analysis using publicly available protein expression data and observed an inverse correlation between HERC1 expression levels and breast cancer patients’ overall survival. Altogether, our findings demonstrate that HERC1 might represent a novel therapeutic target for the development or improvement of breast cancer treatment.
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8
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Pérez-Villegas EM, Pérez-Rodríguez M, Negrete-Díaz JV, Ruiz R, Rosa JL, de Toledo GA, Rodríguez-Moreno A, Armengol JA. HERC1 Ubiquitin Ligase Is Required for Hippocampal Learning and Memory. Front Neuroanat 2020; 14:592797. [PMID: 33328904 PMCID: PMC7710975 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2020.592797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the human HERC1 E3 ubiquitin ligase protein develop intellectual disability. The tambaleante (tbl) mouse carries a HERC1 mutation characterized by cerebellar ataxia due of adult cerebellar Purkinje cells death by extensive autophagy. Our previous studies demonstrated that both the neuromuscular junction and the peripheral nerve myelin sheaths are also affected in this mutant. Moreover, there are signs of dysregulated autophagy in the central nervous system in the tbl mouse, affecting spinal cord motor neurons, and pyramidal neurons of the neocortex and the hippocampal CA3 region. The tbl mutation affects associative learning, with absence of short- and long-term potentiation in the lateral amygdala, altered spinogenesis in their neurons, and a dramatic decrease in their glutamatergic input. To assess whether other brain areas engaged in learning processes might be affected by the tbl mutation, we have studied the tbl hippocampus using behavioral tests, ex vivo electrophysiological recordings, immunohistochemistry, the Golgi-Cox method and transmission electron microscopy. The tbl mice performed poorly in the novel-object recognition, T-maze and Morris water maze tests. In addition, there was a decrease in glutamatergic input while the GABAergic one remains unaltered in the hippocampal CA1 region of tbl mice, accompanied by changes in the dendritic spines, and signs of cellular damage. Moreover, the proportions of immature and mature neurons in the dentate gyrus of the tbl hippocampus differ relative to the control mice. Together, these observations demonstrate the important role of HERC1 in regulating synaptic activity during learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva M. Pérez-Villegas
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain
| | - Mikel Pérez-Rodríguez
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain
| | - José V. Negrete-Díaz
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain
- División de Ciencias de la Salud e Ingenierías, Universidad de Guanajuato, Guanajuato, Mexico
| | - Rocío Ruiz
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Pharmacy, University of Seville, Seville, Spain
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla-Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
| | - Jose Luis Rosa
- Departament de Ciències Fisiològiques, IBIDELL, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Antonio Rodríguez-Moreno
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain
| | - José A. Armengol
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain
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Montes-Fernández MA, Pérez-Villegas EM, Garcia-Gonzalo FR, Pedrazza L, Rosa JL, de Toledo GA, Armengol JA. The HERC1 ubiquitin ligase regulates presynaptic membrane dynamics of central synapses. Sci Rep 2020; 10:12057. [PMID: 32694577 PMCID: PMC7374096 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-68970-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
HERC1 is a ubiquitin ligase protein, which, when mutated, induces several malformations and intellectual disability in humans. The animal model of HERC1 mutation is the mouse tambaleante characterized by: (1) overproduction of the protein; (2) cerebellar Purkinje cells death by autophagy; (3) dysregulation of autophagy in spinal cord motor neurons, and CA3 and neocortical pyramidal neurons; (4) impairment of associative learning, linked to altered spinogenesis and absence of LTP in the lateral amygdala; and, (5) motor impairment due to delayed action potential transmission, decrease synaptic transmission efficiency and altered myelination in the peripheral nervous system. To investigate the putative role of HERC1 in the presynaptic dynamics we have performed a series of experiments in cultured tambaleante hippocampal neurons by using transmission electron microscopy, FM1-43 destaining and immunocytochemistry. Our results show: (1) a decrease in the number of synaptic vesicles; (2) reduced active zones; (3) less clathrin immunoreactivity and less presynaptic endings over the hippocampal main dendritic trees; which contrast with (4) a greater number of endosomes and autophagosomes in the presynaptic endings of the tambaleante neurons relative to control ones. Altogether these results show an important role of HERC1 in the regulation of presynaptic membrane dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eva Mª Pérez-Villegas
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, University Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain
| | | | - Leonardo Pedrazza
- Department of Physiological Sciences, IDIBELL, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jose Luis Rosa
- Department of Physiological Sciences, IDIBELL, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - José A Armengol
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, University Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain.
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10
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García-Cano J, Martinez-Martinez A, Sala-Gaston J, Pedrazza L, Rosa JL. HERCing: Structural and Functional Relevance of the Large HERC Ubiquitin Ligases. Front Physiol 2019; 10:1014. [PMID: 31447701 PMCID: PMC6692442 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.01014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2018] [Accepted: 07/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Homologous to the E6AP carboxyl terminus (HECT) and regulator of chromosome condensation 1 (RCC1)-like domain-containing proteins (HERCs) belong to the superfamily of ubiquitin ligases. HERC proteins are divided into two subfamilies, Large and Small HERCs. Despite their similarities in terms of both structure and domains, these subfamilies are evolutionarily very distant and result from a convergence phenomenon rather than from a common origin. Large HERC genes, HERC1 and HERC2, are present in most metazoan taxa. They encode very large proteins (approximately 5,000 amino acid residues in a single polypeptide chain) that contain more than one RCC1-like domain as a structural characteristic. Accumulating evidences show that these unusually large proteins play key roles in a wide range of cellular functions which include neurodevelopment, DNA damage repair, and cell proliferation. To better understand the origin, evolution, and function of the Large HERC family, this minireview provides with an integrated overview of their structure and function and details their physiological implications. This study also highlights and discusses how dysregulation of these proteins is associated with severe human diseases such as neurological disorders and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesús García-Cano
- Ubiquitylation and Cell Signalling Lab, IDIBELL, Departament de Ciències Fisiològiques, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Arturo Martinez-Martinez
- Ubiquitylation and Cell Signalling Lab, IDIBELL, Departament de Ciències Fisiològiques, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joan Sala-Gaston
- Ubiquitylation and Cell Signalling Lab, IDIBELL, Departament de Ciències Fisiològiques, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Leonardo Pedrazza
- Ubiquitylation and Cell Signalling Lab, IDIBELL, Departament de Ciències Fisiològiques, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jose Luis Rosa
- Ubiquitylation and Cell Signalling Lab, IDIBELL, Departament de Ciències Fisiològiques, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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11
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Smolen P, Baxter DA, Byrne JH. Paradoxical LTP maintenance with inhibition of protein synthesis and the proteasome suggests a novel protein synthesis requirement for early LTP reversal. J Theor Biol 2018; 457:79-87. [PMID: 30138630 PMCID: PMC6179370 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2018.08.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2018] [Revised: 08/14/2018] [Accepted: 08/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The transition from early long-term potentiation (E-LTP) to late long-term potentiation (L-LTP) is a multistep process that involves both protein synthesis and degradation. The ways in which these two opposing processes interact to establish L-LTP are not well understood, however. For example, L-LTP is attenuated by inhibiting either protein synthesis or proteasome-dependent degradation prior to and during a tetanic stimulus (e.g., Huang et al., 1996; Karpova et al., 2006), but paradoxically, L-LTP is not attenuated when synthesis and degradation are inhibited simultaneously (Fonseca et al., 2006). These paradoxical results suggest that counter-acting 'positive' and 'negative' proteins regulate L-LTP. To investigate the basis of this paradox, we developed a model of LTP at the Schaffer collateral to CA1 pyramidal cell synapse. The model consists of nine ordinary differential equations that describe the levels of both positive- and negative-regulator proteins (PP and NP, respectively) and the transitions among five discrete synaptic states, including a basal state (BAS), three states corresponding to E-LTP (EP1, EP2, and ED), and a L-LTP state (LP). An LTP-inducing stimulus: 1) initiates the transition from BAS to EP1 and from EP1 to EP2; 2) initiates the synthesis of PP and NP; and finally; 3) activates the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS), which in turn, mediates transitions of EP1 and EP2 to ED and the degradation of NP. The conversion of E-LTP to L-LTP is mediated by the PP-dependent transition from ED to LP, whereas NP mediates reversal of EP2 to BAS. We found that the inclusion of the five discrete synaptic states was necessary to simulate key empirical observations: 1) normal L-LTP, 2) block of L-LTP by either proteasome inhibitor or protein synthesis inhibitor alone, and 3) preservation of L-LTP when both inhibitors are applied together. Although our model is abstract, elements of the model can be correlated with specific molecular processes. Moreover, the model correctly captures the dynamics of protein synthesis- and degradation-dependent phases of LTP, and it makes testable predictions, such as a unique synaptic state (ED) that precedes the transition from E-LTP to L-LTP, and a well-defined time window for the action of the UPS (i.e., during the transitions from EP1 and EP2 to ED). Tests of these predictions will provide new insights into the processes and dynamics of long-term synaptic plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Smolen
- Laboratory of Origin: Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, W. M. Keck Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, McGovern Medical School of the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - Douglas A Baxter
- Laboratory of Origin: Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, W. M. Keck Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, McGovern Medical School of the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - John H Byrne
- Laboratory of Origin: Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, W. M. Keck Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, McGovern Medical School of the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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12
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Schneider T, Martinez-Martinez A, Cubillos-Rojas M, Bartrons R, Ventura F, Rosa JL. The E3 ubiquitin ligase HERC1 controls the ERK signaling pathway targeting C-RAF for degradation. Oncotarget 2018; 9:31531-31548. [PMID: 30140388 PMCID: PMC6101136 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.25847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2017] [Accepted: 07/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The RAF/MEK/ERK cascade is a conserved intracellular signaling pathway that controls fundamental cellular processes including growth, proliferation, differentiation, survival and migration. Aberrant regulation of this signaling pathway has long been associated with human cancers. A major point of regulation of this pathway occurs at the level of the serine/threonine protein kinase C-RAF. Here, we show how the E3 ubiquitin ligase HERC1 regulates ERK signaling. HERC1 knockdown induced cellular proliferation, which is associated with an increase in ERK phosphorylation and in C-RAF protein levels. We demonstrate that overexpression of wild-type C-RAF is sufficient to increase ERK phosphorylation. Experiments with pharmacological inhibitors of RAF activity, or with interference RNA, show that the regulation of ERK phosphorylation by HERC1 is RAF-dependent. Immunoprecipitation, pull-down and confocal fluorescence microscopy experiments demonstrate an interaction between HERC1 and C-RAF proteins. Mechanistically, HERC1 controls C-RAF stability by regulating its polyubiquitylation in a lysine 48-linked chain. In vitro ubiquitylation assays indicate that C-RAF is a substrate of the E3 ubiquitin ligase HERC1. Altogether, we show how HERC1 can regulate cell proliferation through the activation of ERK signaling by a mechanism that affects C-RAF’s stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taiane Schneider
- Departament de Ciències Fisiològiques, IDIBELL, Campus Bellvitge, Universitat de Barcelona, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Arturo Martinez-Martinez
- Departament de Ciències Fisiològiques, IDIBELL, Campus Bellvitge, Universitat de Barcelona, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Monica Cubillos-Rojas
- Departament de Ciències Fisiològiques, IDIBELL, Campus Bellvitge, Universitat de Barcelona, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ramon Bartrons
- Departament de Ciències Fisiològiques, IDIBELL, Campus Bellvitge, Universitat de Barcelona, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Francesc Ventura
- Departament de Ciències Fisiològiques, IDIBELL, Campus Bellvitge, Universitat de Barcelona, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jose Luis Rosa
- Departament de Ciències Fisiològiques, IDIBELL, Campus Bellvitge, Universitat de Barcelona, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
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13
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Bachiller S, Roca-Ceballos MA, García-Domínguez I, Pérez-Villegas EM, Martos-Carmona D, Pérez-Castro MÁ, Real LM, Rosa JL, Tabares L, Venero JL, Armengol JÁ, Carrión ÁM, Ruiz R. HERC1 Ubiquitin Ligase Is Required for Normal Axonal Myelination in the Peripheral Nervous System. Mol Neurobiol 2018; 55:8856-8868. [PMID: 29603094 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-018-1021-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2018] [Accepted: 03/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
A missense mutation in HERC1 provokes loss of cerebellar Purkinje cells, tremor, and unstable gait in tambaleante (tbl) mice. Recently, we have shown that before cerebellar degeneration takes place, the tbl mouse suffers from a reduction in the number of vesicles available for release at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). The aim of the present work was to study to which extent the alteration in HERC1 may affect other cells in the nervous system and how this may influence the motor dysfunction observed in these mice. The functional analysis showed a consistent delay in the propagation of the action potential in mutant mice in comparison with control littermates. Morphological analyses of glial cells in motor axons revealed signs of compact myelin damage as tomacula and local hypermyelination foci. Moreover, we observed an alteration in non-myelinated terminal Schwann cells at the level of the NMJ. Additionally, we found a significant increment of phosphorylated Akt-2 in the sciatic nerve. Based on these findings, we propose a molecular model that could explain how mutated HERC1 in tbl mice affects the myelination process in the peripheral nervous system. Finally, since the myelin abnormalities found in tbl mice are histological hallmarks of neuropathic periphery diseases, tbl mutant mice could be considered as a new mouse model for this type of diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Bachiller
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Cellular Biology, University of Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain
| | - María Angustias Roca-Ceballos
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Pharmacy, University of Seville, and Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla-Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, Calle Profesor García González 2, 41012, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Irene García-Domínguez
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Pharmacy, University of Seville, and Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla-Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, Calle Profesor García González 2, 41012, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Eva María Pérez-Villegas
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Cellular Biology, University of Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain
| | - David Martos-Carmona
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Cellular Biology, University of Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain
| | - Miguel Ángel Pérez-Castro
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Pharmacy, University of Seville, and Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla-Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, Calle Profesor García González 2, 41012, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Luis Miguel Real
- Unit of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Valme University Hospital, Seville, Spain
| | - José Luis Rosa
- Departament de Ciències Fisiològiques II, IDIBELL, Campus de Bellvitge, Universitat de Barcelona, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, E-08907, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lucía Tabares
- Department of Medical Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, University of Seville, Seville, Spain
| | - José Luis Venero
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Pharmacy, University of Seville, and Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla-Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, Calle Profesor García González 2, 41012, Sevilla, Spain
| | - José Ángel Armengol
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Cellular Biology, University of Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain
| | - Ángel Manuel Carrión
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Cellular Biology, University of Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain
| | - Rocío Ruiz
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Cellular Biology, University of Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain. .,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Pharmacy, University of Seville, and Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla-Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, Calle Profesor García González 2, 41012, Sevilla, Spain.
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The Effects of Non-selective Dopamine Receptor Activation by Apomorphine in the Mouse Hippocampus. Mol Neurobiol 2018; 55:8625-8636. [DOI: 10.1007/s12035-018-0991-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2017] [Accepted: 03/06/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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