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Maimon R, Ankol L, Gradus Pery T, Altman T, Ionescu A, Weissova R, Ostrovsky M, Tank E, Alexandra G, Shelestovich N, Opatowsky Y, Dori A, Barmada S, Balastik M, Perlson E. A CRMP4-dependent retrograde axon-to-soma death signal in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. EMBO J 2021; 40:e107586. [PMID: 34190355 PMCID: PMC8408612 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2020107586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal non-cell-autonomous neurodegenerative disease characterized by the loss of motor neurons (MNs). Mutations in CRMP4 are associated with ALS in patients, and elevated levels of CRMP4 are suggested to affect MN health in the SOD1G93A -ALS mouse model. However, the mechanism by which CRMP4 mediates toxicity in ALS MNs is poorly understood. Here, by using tissue from human patients with sporadic ALS, MNs derived from C9orf72-mutant patients, and the SOD1G93A -ALS mouse model, we demonstrate that subcellular changes in CRMP4 levels promote MN loss in ALS. First, we show that while expression of CRMP4 protein is increased in cell bodies of ALS-affected MN, CRMP4 levels are decreased in the distal axons. Cellular mislocalization of CRMP4 is caused by increased interaction with the retrograde motor protein, dynein, which mediates CRMP4 transport from distal axons to the soma and thereby promotes MN loss. Blocking the CRMP4-dynein interaction reduces MN loss in human-derived MNs (C9orf72) and in ALS model mice. Thus, we demonstrate a novel CRMP4-dependent retrograde death signal that underlies MN loss in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roy Maimon
- Sackler Faculty of MedicineTel Aviv UniversityTel AvivIsrael
| | - Lior Ankol
- Sackler Faculty of MedicineTel Aviv UniversityTel AvivIsrael
- Sagol School of NeuroscienceTel Aviv UniversityTel AvivIsrael
| | - Tal Gradus Pery
- Sackler Faculty of MedicineTel Aviv UniversityTel AvivIsrael
| | - Topaz Altman
- Sackler Faculty of MedicineTel Aviv UniversityTel AvivIsrael
| | - Ariel Ionescu
- Sackler Faculty of MedicineTel Aviv UniversityTel AvivIsrael
| | - Romana Weissova
- Institue of Physiology of the Czech Academy of SciencesPragueCzech Republic
- Faculty of ScienceCharles UniversityPragueCzech Republic
| | | | - Elizabeth Tank
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMIUSA
| | - Gayster Alexandra
- Department of PathologySheba Medical CenterTel HashomerRamat GanIsrael
| | - Natalia Shelestovich
- Sackler Faculty of MedicineTel Aviv UniversityTel AvivIsrael
- Department of PathologySheba Medical CenterTel HashomerRamat GanIsrael
| | - Yarden Opatowsky
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life ScienceBar Ilan UniversityIsrael
| | - Amir Dori
- Sackler Faculty of MedicineTel Aviv UniversityTel AvivIsrael
- Sagol School of NeuroscienceTel Aviv UniversityTel AvivIsrael
- Department of NeurologySheba Medical CenterTel HashomerRamat GanIsrael
| | - Sami Barmada
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMIUSA
| | - Martin Balastik
- Institue of Physiology of the Czech Academy of SciencesPragueCzech Republic
| | - Eran Perlson
- Sackler Faculty of MedicineTel Aviv UniversityTel AvivIsrael
- Sagol School of NeuroscienceTel Aviv UniversityTel AvivIsrael
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Briese M, Saal-Bauernschubert L, Lüningschrör P, Moradi M, Dombert B, Surrey V, Appenzeller S, Deng C, Jablonka S, Sendtner M. Loss of Tdp-43 disrupts the axonal transcriptome of motoneurons accompanied by impaired axonal translation and mitochondria function. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2020; 8:116. [PMID: 32709255 PMCID: PMC7379803 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-020-00987-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein inclusions containing the RNA-binding protein TDP-43 are a pathological hallmark of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and other neurodegenerative disorders. The loss of TDP-43 function that is associated with these inclusions affects post-transcriptional processing of RNAs in multiple ways including pre-mRNA splicing, nucleocytoplasmic transport, modulation of mRNA stability and translation. In contrast, less is known about the role of TDP-43 in axonal RNA metabolism in motoneurons. Here we show that depletion of Tdp-43 in primary motoneurons affects axon growth. This defect is accompanied by subcellular transcriptome alterations in the axonal and somatodendritic compartment. The axonal localization of transcripts encoding components of the cytoskeleton, the translational machinery and transcripts involved in mitochondrial energy metabolism were particularly affected by loss of Tdp-43. Accordingly, we observed reduced protein synthesis and disturbed mitochondrial functions in axons of Tdp-43-depleted motoneurons. Treatment with nicotinamide rescued the axon growth defect associated with loss of Tdp-43. These results show that Tdp-43 depletion in motoneurons affects several pathways integral to axon health indicating that loss of TDP-43 function could thus make a major contribution to axonal pathomechanisms in ALS.
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From the Argonauts Mythological Sailors to the Argonautes RNA-Silencing Navigators: Their Emerging Roles in Human-Cell Pathologies. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21114007. [PMID: 32503341 PMCID: PMC7312461 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21114007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Revised: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulation of gene expression has emerged as a fundamental element of transcript homeostasis. Key effectors in this process are the Argonautes (AGOs), highly specialized RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) that form complexes, such as the RNA-Induced Silencing Complex (RISC). AGOs dictate post-transcriptional gene-silencing by directly loading small RNAs and repressing their mRNA targets through small RNA-sequence complementarity. The four human highly-conserved family-members (AGO1, AGO2, AGO3, and AGO4) demonstrate multi-faceted and versatile roles in transcriptome’s stability, plasticity, and functionality. The post-translational modifications of AGOs in critical amino acid residues, the nucleotide polymorphisms and mutations, and the deregulation of expression and interactions are tightly associated with aberrant activities, which are observed in a wide spectrum of pathologies. Through constantly accumulating information, the AGOs’ fundamental engagement in multiple human diseases has recently emerged. The present review examines new insights into AGO-driven pathology and AGO-deregulation patterns in a variety of diseases such as in viral infections and propagations, autoimmune diseases, cancers, metabolic deficiencies, neuronal disorders, and human infertility. Altogether, AGO seems to be a crucial contributor to pathogenesis and its targeting may serve as a novel and powerful therapeutic tool for the successful management of diverse human diseases in the clinic.
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Gershoni-Emek N, Altman T, Ionescu A, Costa CJ, Gradus-Pery T, Willis DE, Perlson E. Localization of RNAi Machinery to Axonal Branch Points and Growth Cones Is Facilitated by Mitochondria and Is Disrupted in ALS. Front Mol Neurosci 2018; 11:311. [PMID: 30233312 PMCID: PMC6134038 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2018] [Accepted: 08/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Local protein synthesis in neuronal axons plays an important role in essential spatiotemporal signaling processes; however, the molecular basis for the post-transcriptional regulation controlling this process in axons is still not fully understood. Here we studied the axonal mechanisms underlying the transport and localization of microRNA (miRNA) and the RNAi machinery along the axon. We first identified miRNAs, Dicer, and Argonaute-2 (Ago2) in motor neuron (MN) axons. We then studied the localization of RNAi machinery and demonstrated that mitochondria associate with miR-124 and RNAi proteins in axons. Importantly, this co-localization occurs primarily at axonal branch points and growth cones. Moreover, using live cell imaging of a functional Cy3-tagged miR-124, we revealed that this miRNA is actively transported with acidic compartments in axons, and associates with stalled mitochondria at growth cones and axonal branch points. Finally, we observed enhanced retrograde transport of miR-124-Cy3, and a reduction in its localization to static mitochondria in MNs expressing the ALS causative gene hSOD1G93A. Taken together, our data suggest that mitochondria participate in the axonal localization and transport of RNAi machinery, and further imply that alterations in this mechanism may be associated with neurodegeneration in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noga Gershoni-Emek
- Sagol School of Neuroscience and Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Topaz Altman
- Sagol School of Neuroscience and Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ariel Ionescu
- Sagol School of Neuroscience and Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | | | - Tal Gradus-Pery
- Sagol School of Neuroscience and Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Dianna E Willis
- Burke Neurological Institute, White Plains, NY, United States.,Brain & Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Eran Perlson
- Sagol School of Neuroscience and Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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5
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Oberstadt M, Claßen J, Arendt T, Holzer M. TDP-43 and Cytoskeletal Proteins in ALS. Mol Neurobiol 2017; 55:3143-3151. [PMID: 28466273 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-017-0543-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2016] [Accepted: 04/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) represents a rapidly progressing neurodegenerative disease and is characterized by a degeneration of motor neurons. Motor neurons are particularly susceptible to selective and early degeneration because of their extended axon length and their dependency on the cytoskeleton for its stability, signaling, and axonal transport. The motor neuron cytoskeleton comprises actin filaments, neurofilaments like peripherin, and microtubules. The Transactivating Response Region (TAR) DNA Binding Protein (TDP-43) forms characteristic cytoplasmic aggregates in motor neurons of ALS patients, and at least in part, the pathogenesis of ALS seems to be driven by toxic pTDP-43 aggregates in cytoplasm, which lead to a diminished axon formation and reduced axon length. Diminished axon formation and reduced axon length suggest an interaction of TDP-43 with the cytoskeleton of motor neurons. TDP-43 interacts with several cytoskeletal components, e.g., the microtubule-associated protein 1B (MAP1B) or the neurofilament light chain (NFL) through direct binding to its RNA. From a clinical perspective, cytoskeletal biomarkers like phosphorylated neurofilament heavy chain (pNFH) and NFL are already clinically used in ALS patients to predict survival, disease progression, and duration. Thus, in this review, we focus on the interaction of TDP-43 with the different cytoskeleton components such as actin filaments, neurofilaments, and microtubules as well as their associated proteins as one aspect in the complex pathogenesis of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moritz Oberstadt
- Department of Neurology, University of Leipzig, Liebigstraße 20, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Joseph Claßen
- Department of Neurology, University of Leipzig, Liebigstraße 20, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Thomas Arendt
- Department for Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Neurodegeneration, Paul Flechsig Institute for Brain Research, University of Leipzig, Liebigstraße 19, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Max Holzer
- Department for Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Neurodegeneration, Paul Flechsig Institute for Brain Research, University of Leipzig, Liebigstraße 19, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
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Rotem N, Magen I, Ionescu A, Gershoni-Emek N, Altman T, Costa CJ, Gradus T, Pasmanik-Chor M, Willis DE, Ben-Dov IZ, Hornstein E, Perlson E. ALS Along the Axons - Expression of Coding and Noncoding RNA Differs in Axons of ALS models. Sci Rep 2017; 7:44500. [PMID: 28300211 PMCID: PMC5353576 DOI: 10.1038/srep44500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2016] [Accepted: 02/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a multifactorial lethal motor neuron disease with no known treatment. Although the basic mechanism of its degenerative pathogenesis remains poorly understood, a subcellular spatial alteration in RNA metabolism is thought to play a key role. The nature of these RNAs remains elusive, and a comprehensive characterization of the axonal RNAs involved in maintaining neuronal health has yet to be described. Here, using cultured spinal cord (SC) neurons grown using a compartmented platform followed by next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology, we find that RNA expression differs between the somatic and axonal compartments of the neuron, for both mRNA and microRNA (miRNA). Further, the introduction of SOD1G93A and TDP43A315T, established ALS-related mutations, changed the subcellular expression and localization of RNAs within the neurons, showing a spatial specificity to either the soma or the axon. Altogether, we provide here the first combined inclusive profile of mRNA and miRNA expression in two ALS models at the subcellular level. These data provide an important resource for studies on the roles of local protein synthesis and axon degeneration in ALS and can serve as a possible target pool for ALS treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nimrod Rotem
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, and the Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Iddo Magen
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Ariel Ionescu
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, and the Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Noga Gershoni-Emek
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, and the Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Topaz Altman
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, and the Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Christopher J Costa
- Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, Burke Medical Research Institute, White Plains, NY, USA
| | - Tal Gradus
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, and the Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | | | - Dianna E Willis
- Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, Burke Medical Research Institute, White Plains, NY, USA
| | - Iddo Z Ben-Dov
- Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Eran Hornstein
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Eran Perlson
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, and the Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
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Gershoni-Emek N, Mazza A, Chein M, Gradus-Pery T, Xiang X, Li KW, Sharan R, Perlson E. Proteomic Analysis of Dynein-Interacting Proteins in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Synaptosomes Reveals Alterations in the RNA-Binding Protein Staufen1. Mol Cell Proteomics 2015; 15:506-22. [PMID: 26598648 DOI: 10.1074/mcp.m115.049965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Synapse disruption takes place in many neurodegenerative diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, the mechanistic understanding of this process is still limited. We set out to study a possible role for dynein in synapse integrity. Cytoplasmic dynein is a multisubunit intracellular molecule responsible for diverse cellular functions, including long-distance transport of vesicles, organelles, and signaling factors toward the cell center. A less well-characterized role dynein may play is the spatial clustering and anchoring of various factors including mRNAs in distinct cellular domains such as the neuronal synapse. Here, in order to gain insight into dynein functions in synapse integrity and disruption, we performed a screen for novel dynein interactors at the synapse. Dynein immunoprecipitation from synaptic fractions of the ALS model mSOD1(G93A) and wild-type controls, followed by mass spectrometry analysis on synaptic fractions of the ALS model mSOD1(G93A) and wild-type controls, was performed. Using advanced network analysis, we identified Staufen1, an RNA-binding protein required for the transport and localization of neuronal RNAs, as a major mediator of dynein interactions via its interaction with protein phosphatase 1-beta (PP1B). Both in vitro and in vivo validation assays demonstrate the interactions of Staufen1 and PP1B with dynein, and their colocalization with synaptic markers was altered as a result of two separate ALS-linked mutations: mSOD1(G93A) and TDP43(A315T). Taken together, we suggest a model in which dynein's interaction with Staufen1 regulates mRNA localization along the axon and the synapses, and alterations in this process may correlate with synapse disruption and ALS toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noga Gershoni-Emek
- From the ‡Sagol School of Neuroscience and Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler School of Medicine and
| | - Arnon Mazza
- §Blavatnik School of Computer Science, Tel Aviv University, Israel
| | - Michael Chein
- From the ‡Sagol School of Neuroscience and Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler School of Medicine and
| | - Tal Gradus-Pery
- From the ‡Sagol School of Neuroscience and Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler School of Medicine and
| | - Xin Xiang
- ¶Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD
| | - Ka Wan Li
- ‖Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, VU University, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Roded Sharan
- §Blavatnik School of Computer Science, Tel Aviv University, Israel
| | - Eran Perlson
- From the ‡Sagol School of Neuroscience and Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler School of Medicine and
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