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Ali D, Laighneach A, Corley E, Patlola SR, Mahoney R, Holleran L, McKernan DP, Kelly JP, Corvin AP, Hallahan B, McDonald C, Donohoe G, Morris DW. Direct targets of MEF2C are enriched for genes associated with schizophrenia and cognitive function and are involved in neuron development and mitochondrial function. PLoS Genet 2024; 20:e1011093. [PMID: 39259737 PMCID: PMC11419381 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1011093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 09/23/2024] [Accepted: 08/27/2024] [Indexed: 09/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Myocyte Enhancer Factor 2C (MEF2C) is a transcription factor that plays a crucial role in neurogenesis and synapse development. Genetic studies have identified MEF2C as a gene that influences cognition and risk for neuropsychiatric disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and schizophrenia (SCZ). Here, we investigated the involvement of MEF2C in these phenotypes using human-derived neural stem cells (NSCs) and glutamatergic induced neurons (iNs), which represented early and late neurodevelopmental stages. For these cellular models, MEF2C function had previously been disrupted, either by direct or indirect mutation, and gene expression assayed using RNA-seq. We integrated these RNA-seq data with MEF2C ChIP-seq data to identify dysregulated direct target genes of MEF2C in the NSCs and iNs models. Several MEF2C direct target gene-sets were enriched for SNP-based heritability for intelligence, educational attainment and SCZ, as well as being enriched for genes containing rare de novo mutations reported in ASD and/or developmental disorders. These gene-sets are enriched in both excitatory and inhibitory neurons in the prenatal and adult brain and are involved in a wide range of biological processes including neuron generation, differentiation and development, as well as mitochondrial function and energy production. We observed a trans expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) effect of a single SNP at MEF2C (rs6893807, which is associated with IQ) on the expression of a target gene, BNIP3L. BNIP3L is a prioritized risk gene from the largest genome-wide association study of SCZ and has a function in mitophagy in mitochondria. Overall, our analysis reveals that either direct or indirect disruption of MEF2C dysregulates sets of genes that contain multiple alleles associated with SCZ risk and cognitive function and implicates neuron development and mitochondrial function in the etiology of these phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deema Ali
- Centre for Neuroimaging, Cognition and Genomics (NICOG), University of Galway, Ireland
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, University of Galway, Ireland
| | - Aodán Laighneach
- Centre for Neuroimaging, Cognition and Genomics (NICOG), University of Galway, Ireland
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, University of Galway, Ireland
| | - Emma Corley
- Centre for Neuroimaging, Cognition and Genomics (NICOG), University of Galway, Ireland
- School of Psychology, University of Galway, Ireland
| | - Saahithh Redddi Patlola
- Centre for Neuroimaging, Cognition and Genomics (NICOG), University of Galway, Ireland
- Discipline of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, School of Medicine, University of Galway, Ireland
| | - Rebecca Mahoney
- Centre for Neuroimaging, Cognition and Genomics (NICOG), University of Galway, Ireland
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, University of Galway, Ireland
| | - Laurena Holleran
- Centre for Neuroimaging, Cognition and Genomics (NICOG), University of Galway, Ireland
- School of Psychology, University of Galway, Ireland
| | - Declan P. McKernan
- Discipline of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, School of Medicine, University of Galway, Ireland
| | - John P. Kelly
- Discipline of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, School of Medicine, University of Galway, Ireland
| | - Aiden P. Corvin
- Neuropsychiatric Genetics Research Group, Department of Psychiatry, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
| | - Brian Hallahan
- Centre for Neuroimaging, Cognition and Genomics (NICOG), University of Galway, Ireland
- Discipline of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Galway, Ireland
| | - Colm McDonald
- Centre for Neuroimaging, Cognition and Genomics (NICOG), University of Galway, Ireland
- Discipline of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Galway, Ireland
| | - Gary Donohoe
- Centre for Neuroimaging, Cognition and Genomics (NICOG), University of Galway, Ireland
- School of Psychology, University of Galway, Ireland
| | - Derek W. Morris
- Centre for Neuroimaging, Cognition and Genomics (NICOG), University of Galway, Ireland
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, University of Galway, Ireland
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Serafini RA, Farzinpour Z, Patel V, Kelley AM, Estill M, Pryce KD, Sakloth F, Teague CD, Torres-Berrio A, Nestler EJ, Shen L, Akbarian S, Karkhanis AN, Blitzer RD, Zachariou V. Nucleus accumbens myocyte enhancer factor 2C mediates the maintenance of peripheral nerve injury-induced physiological and behavioral maladaptations. Pain 2024:00006396-990000000-00648. [PMID: 38985454 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Preclinical and clinical work has demonstrated altered plasticity and activity in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) under chronic pain states, highlighting critical therapeutic avenues for the management of chronic pain conditions. In this study, we demonstrate that myocyte enhancer factor 2C (MEF2C), a master regulator of neuronal activity and plasticity, is repressed in NAc neurons after prolonged spared nerve injury (SNI). Viral-mediated overexpression of Mef2c in NAc neurons partially ameliorated sensory hypersensitivity and emotional behaviors in mice with SNI, while also altering transcriptional pathways associated with synaptic signaling. Mef2c overexpression also reversed SNI-induced potentiation of phasic dopamine release and neuronal hyperexcitability in the NAc. Transcriptional changes induced by Mef2c overexpression were different than those observed after desipramine treatment, suggesting a mechanism of action different from antidepressants. Overall, we show that interventions in MEF2C-regulated mechanisms in the NAc are sufficient to disrupt the maintenance of chronic pain states, providing potential new treatment avenues for neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Randal A Serafini
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United states
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, & Biophysics, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine at Boston University, Boston, MA, United states
| | - Zahra Farzinpour
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, & Biophysics, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine at Boston University, Boston, MA, United states
| | - Vishwendra Patel
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United states
| | - Abigail M Kelley
- Department of Psychology, Binghamton University-SUNY, Binghamton, NY, United states
| | - Molly Estill
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United states
| | - Kerri D Pryce
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United states
| | - Farhana Sakloth
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United states
| | - Collin D Teague
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United states
| | - Angelica Torres-Berrio
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United states
| | - Eric J Nestler
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United states
| | - Li Shen
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United states
| | - Schahram Akbarian
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United states
| | - Anushree N Karkhanis
- Department of Psychology, Binghamton University-SUNY, Binghamton, NY, United states
| | - Robert D Blitzer
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United states
| | - Venetia Zachariou
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United states
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, & Biophysics, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine at Boston University, Boston, MA, United states
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Ward C, Nasrallah K, Tran D, Sabri E, Vazquez A, Sjulson L, Castillo PE, Batista-Brito R. Developmental Disruption of Mef2c in Medial Ganglionic Eminence-Derived Cortical Inhibitory Interneurons Impairs Cellular and Circuit Function. Biol Psychiatry 2024:S0006-3223(24)01360-X. [PMID: 38848814 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2024.05.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND MEF2C is strongly linked to various neurodevelopmental disorders including autism, intellectual disability, schizophrenia, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Mice that constitutively lack 1 copy of Mef2c or selectively lack both copies of Mef2c in cortical excitatory neurons display a variety of behavioral phenotypes associated with neurodevelopmental disorders. The MEF2C protein is a transcription factor necessary for cellular development and synaptic modulation of excitatory neurons. MEF2C is also expressed in a subset of cortical GABAergic (gamma-aminobutyric acidergic) inhibitory neurons, but its function in those cell types remains largely unknown. METHODS Using conditional deletions of the Mef2c gene in mice, we investigated the role of MEF2C in parvalbumin-expressing interneurons (PV-INs), the largest subpopulation of cortical GABAergic cells, at 2 developmental time points. We performed slice electrophysiology, in vivo recordings, and behavior assays to test how embryonic and late postnatal loss of MEF2C from GABAergic INs impacts their survival and maturation and alters brain function and behavior. RESULTS Loss of MEF2C from PV-INs during embryonic, but not late postnatal, development resulted in reduced PV-IN number and failure of PV-INs to molecularly and synaptically mature. In association with these deficits, early loss of MEF2C in GABAergic INs led to abnormal cortical network activity, hyperactive and stereotypic behavior, and impaired cognitive and social behavior. CONCLUSIONS MEF2C expression is critical for the development of cortical GABAergic INs, particularly PV-INs. Embryonic loss of function of MEF2C mediates dysfunction of GABAergic INs, leading to altered in vivo patterns of cortical activity and behavioral phenotypes associated with neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Ward
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | - Kaoutsar Nasrallah
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York; Department of Biological Sciences, Fordham University, Bronx, New York
| | - Duy Tran
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | - Ehsan Sabri
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | - Arenski Vazquez
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | - Lucas Sjulson
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | - Pablo E Castillo
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | - Renata Batista-Brito
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York; Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York.
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Ward C, Nasrallah K, Tran D, Sabri E, Vazquez A, Sjulson L, Castillo PE, Batista-Brito R. Developmental disruption of Mef2c in Medial Ganglionic Eminence-derived cortical inhibitory interneurons impairs cellular and circuit function. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.01.592084. [PMID: 38746148 PMCID: PMC11092645 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.01.592084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
MEF2C is strongly linked to various neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) including autism, intellectual disability, schizophrenia, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity. Mice constitutively lacking one copy of Mef2c , or selectively lacking both copies of Mef2c in cortical excitatory neurons, display a variety of behavioral phenotypes associated with NDDs. The MEF2C protein is a transcription factor necessary for cellular development and synaptic modulation of excitatory neurons. MEF2C is also expressed in a subset of cortical GABAergic inhibitory neurons, but its function in those cell types remains largely unknown. Using conditional deletions of the Mef2c gene in mice, we investigated the role of MEF2C in Parvalbumin-expressing Interneurons (PV-INs), the largest subpopulation of cortical GABAergic cells, at two developmental timepoints. We performed slice electrophysiology, in vivo recordings, and behavior assays to test how embryonic and late postnatal loss of MEF2C from GABAergic interneurons impacts their survival and maturation, and alters brain function and behavior. We found that loss of MEF2C from PV-INs during embryonic, but not late postnatal, development resulted in reduced PV-IN number and failure of PV-INs to molecularly and synaptically mature. In association with these deficits, early loss of MEF2C in GABAergic interneurons lead to abnormal cortical network activity, hyperactive and stereotypic behavior, and impaired cognitive and social behavior. Our findings indicate that MEF2C expression is critical for the development of cortical GABAergic interneurons, particularly PV-INs. Embryonic loss of function of MEF2C mediates dysfunction of GABAergic interneurons, leading to altered in vivo patterns of cortical activity and behavioral phenotypes associated with neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Fahey L, Ali D, Donohoe G, Ó Broin P, Morris DW. Genes positively regulated by Mef2c in cortical neurons are enriched for common genetic variation associated with IQ and educational attainment. Hum Mol Genet 2023; 32:3194-3203. [PMID: 37672226 PMCID: PMC10630234 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddad142] [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: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The myocyte enhancer factor 2 C (MEF2C) gene encodes a transcription factor important for neurogenesis and synapse development and contains common variants associated with intelligence (IQ) and educational attainment (EA). Here, we took gene expression data from the mouse cortex of a Mef2c mouse model with a heterozygous DNA binding-deficient mutation of Mef2c (Mef2c-het) and combined these data with MEF2C ChIP-seq data from cortical neurons and single-cell data from the mouse brain. This enabled us to create a set of genes that were differentially regulated in Mef2c-het mice, represented direct target genes of MEF2C and had elevated in expression in cortical neurons. We found this gene-set to be enriched for genes containing common genetic variation associated with IQ and EA. Genes within this gene-set that were down-regulated, i.e. have reduced expression in Mef2c-het mice versus controls, were specifically significantly enriched for both EA and IQ associated genes. These down-regulated genes were enriched for functionality in the adenylyl cyclase signalling system, which is known to positively regulate synaptic transmission and has been linked to learning and memory. Within the adenylyl cyclase signalling system, three genes regulated by MEF2C, CRHR1, RGS6, and GABRG3, are associated at genome-wide significant levels with IQ and/or EA. Our results indicate that genetic variation in MEF2C and its direct target genes within cortical neurons contribute to variance in cognition within the general population, and the molecular mechanisms involved include the adenylyl cyclase signalling system's role in synaptic function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Fahey
- Centre for Neuroimaging, Cognition and Genomics (NICOG), School of Biological and Chemical Sciences and School of Psychology, University of Galway, University Road, Galway, H91 CF50, Ireland
- Discipline of Bioinformatics, School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences, University of Galway, University Road, Galway, H91 CF50, Ireland
| | - Deema Ali
- Centre for Neuroimaging, Cognition and Genomics (NICOG), School of Biological and Chemical Sciences and School of Psychology, University of Galway, University Road, Galway, H91 CF50, Ireland
| | - Gary Donohoe
- Centre for Neuroimaging, Cognition and Genomics (NICOG), School of Biological and Chemical Sciences and School of Psychology, University of Galway, University Road, Galway, H91 CF50, Ireland
| | - Pilib Ó Broin
- Discipline of Bioinformatics, School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences, University of Galway, University Road, Galway, H91 CF50, Ireland
| | - Derek W Morris
- Centre for Neuroimaging, Cognition and Genomics (NICOG), School of Biological and Chemical Sciences and School of Psychology, University of Galway, University Road, Galway, H91 CF50, Ireland
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Laricchiuta D, Gimenez J, Sciamanna G, Termine A, Fabrizio C, Della Valle F, Caioli S, Saba L, De Bardi M, Balsamo F, Panuccio A, Passarello N, Mattioni A, Bisicchia E, Zona C, Orlando V, Petrosini L. Synaptic and transcriptomic features of cortical and amygdala pyramidal neurons predict inefficient fear extinction. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113066. [PMID: 37656620 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Fear-related disorders arise from inefficient fear extinction and have immeasurable social and economic costs. Here, we characterize mouse phenotypes that spontaneously show fear-independent behavioral traits predicting adaptive or maladaptive fear extinction. We find that, already before fear conditioning, specific morphological, electrophysiological, and transcriptomic patterns of cortical and amygdala pyramidal neurons predispose to fear-related disorders. Finally, by using an optogenetic approach, we show the possibility to rescue inefficient fear extinction by activating infralimbic pyramidal neurons and to impair fear extinction by activating prelimbic pyramidal neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Giuseppe Sciamanna
- IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, 00143 Rome, Italy; Saint Camillus International University of Health and Medical Sciences, 00131 Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Francesco Della Valle
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Biological Environmental Science and Engineering Division, KAUST Environmental Epigenetics Program, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Silvia Caioli
- Unit of Neurology, IRCCS Neuromed, 86077 Pozzilli, Isernia, Italy
| | - Luana Saba
- University of Campus Biomedico, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Francesca Balsamo
- IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, 00143 Rome, Italy; Department of Human Sciences, Guglielmo Marconi University, 00166 Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Panuccio
- IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, 00143 Rome, Italy; Department of Psychology, University Sapienza of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Noemi Passarello
- IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, 00143 Rome, Italy; Department of Humanities, Federico II University of Naples, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | | | | | - Cristina Zona
- Department of Systems Medicine, Tor Vergata University of Rome, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Valerio Orlando
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Biological Environmental Science and Engineering Division, KAUST Environmental Epigenetics Program, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia.
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Engert J, Doll J, Vona B, Ehret Kasemo T, Spahn B, Hagen R, Rak K, Voelker J. mRNA Abundance of Neurogenic Factors Correlates with Hearing Capacity in Auditory Brainstem Nuclei of the Rat. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:1858. [PMID: 37763262 PMCID: PMC10532994 DOI: 10.3390/life13091858] [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: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Neural stem cells (NSCs) have previously been described up to the adult stage in the rat cochlear nucleus (CN). A decreasing neurogenic potential was observed with critical changes around hearing onset. A better understanding of molecular factors affecting NSCs and neurogenesis is of interest as they represent potential targets to treat the cause of neurologically based hearing disorders. The role of genes affecting NSC development and neurogenesis in CN over time on hearing capacity has remained unclear. This study investigated the mRNA abundance of genes influencing NSCs and neurogenesis in rats' CN over time. The CN of rats on postnatal days 6, 12, and 24 were examined. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction arrays were used to compare mRNA levels of 84 genes relevant to NSCs and neurogenesis. Age- and hearing-specific patterns of changes in mRNA abundance of neurogenically relevant genes were detected in the rat CN. Additionally, crucial neurogenic factors with significant and relevant influence on neurogenesis were identified. The results of this work should contribute to a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the neurogenesis of the auditory pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Engert
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital Wuerzburg, Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Head and Neck Surgery, Josef-Schneider-Strasse 11, 97080 Wuerzburg, Germany; (T.E.K.); (B.S.); (R.H.); (K.R.); (J.V.)
| | - Julia Doll
- Institute of Pathology, University of Wuerzburg, Josef-Schneider-Strasse 2, 97080 Wuerzburg, Germany;
| | - Barbara Vona
- Institute for Auditory Neuroscience and InnerEarLab, University Medical Center Göttingen, Robert-Koch-Strasse 40, 37075 Göttingen, Germany;
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Center Göttingen, Heinrich-Düker-Weg 12, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Totta Ehret Kasemo
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital Wuerzburg, Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Head and Neck Surgery, Josef-Schneider-Strasse 11, 97080 Wuerzburg, Germany; (T.E.K.); (B.S.); (R.H.); (K.R.); (J.V.)
| | - Bjoern Spahn
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital Wuerzburg, Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Head and Neck Surgery, Josef-Schneider-Strasse 11, 97080 Wuerzburg, Germany; (T.E.K.); (B.S.); (R.H.); (K.R.); (J.V.)
| | - Rudolf Hagen
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital Wuerzburg, Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Head and Neck Surgery, Josef-Schneider-Strasse 11, 97080 Wuerzburg, Germany; (T.E.K.); (B.S.); (R.H.); (K.R.); (J.V.)
| | - Kristen Rak
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital Wuerzburg, Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Head and Neck Surgery, Josef-Schneider-Strasse 11, 97080 Wuerzburg, Germany; (T.E.K.); (B.S.); (R.H.); (K.R.); (J.V.)
| | - Johannes Voelker
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital Wuerzburg, Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Head and Neck Surgery, Josef-Schneider-Strasse 11, 97080 Wuerzburg, Germany; (T.E.K.); (B.S.); (R.H.); (K.R.); (J.V.)
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Ba R, Yang L, Zhang B, Jiang P, Ding Z, Zhou X, Yang Z, Zhao C. FOXG1 drives transcriptomic networks to specify principal neuron subtypes during the development of the medial pallium. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eade2441. [PMID: 36791184 PMCID: PMC9931217 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.ade2441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The medial pallium (MP) is the major forebrain region underlying learning and memory, spatial navigation, and emotion; however, the mechanisms underlying the specification of its principal neuron subtypes remain largely unexplored. Here, by postmitotic deletion of FOXG1 (a transcription factor linked to autism spectrum disorders and FOXG1 syndrome) and single-cell RNA sequencing of E17.5 MP in mice, we found that FOXG1 controls the specification of upper-layer retrosplenial cortical pyramidal neurons [RSC-PyNs (UL)], subiculum PyNs (SubC-PyNs), CA1-PyNs, CA3-PyNs, and dentate gyrus granule cells (DG-GCs) in the MP. We uncovered subtype-specific and subtype-shared FOXG1-regulated transcriptomic networks orchestrating MP neuron specification. We further demonstrated that FOXG1 transcriptionally represses Zbtb20, Prox1, and Epha4 to prevent CA3-PyN and DG-GC identities during the specification of RSC-PyNs (UL) and SubC-PyNs; FOXG1 directly activates Nr4a2 to promote SubC-PyN identity. We showed that TBR1, controlled by FOXG1 during CA1-PyN specification, was down-regulated. Thus, our study illuminates MP principal neuron subtype specification and related neuropathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ru Ba
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Lin Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science, MOE Frontier Research Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Baoshen Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Pengfei Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Zhipeng Ding
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Xue Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Zhengang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science, MOE Frontier Research Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Chunjie Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
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Genomic patterns linked to gray matter alterations underlying working memory deficits in adults and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Transl Psychiatry 2023; 13:50. [PMID: 36774336 PMCID: PMC9922257 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02349-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a highly heritable neurodevelopmental disorder, with onset in childhood and a considerable likelihood to persist into adulthood. Our previous work has identified that across adults and adolescents with ADHD, gray matter volume (GMV) alteration in the frontal cortex was consistently associated with working memory underperformance, and GMV alteration in the cerebellum was associated with inattention. Recent knowledge regarding ADHD genetic risk loci makes it feasible to investigate genomic factors underlying these persistent GMV alterations, potentially illuminating the pathology of ADHD persistence. Based on this, we applied a sparsity-constrained multivariate data fusion approach, sparse parallel independent component analysis, to GMV variations in the frontal and cerebellum regions and candidate risk single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) data from 341 unrelated adult participants, including 167 individuals with ADHD, 47 unaffected siblings, and 127 healthy controls. We identified one SNP component significantly associated with one GMV component in superior/middle frontal regions and replicated this association in 317 adolescents from ADHD families. The association was stronger in individuals with ADHD than in controls, and stronger in adults and older adolescents than in younger ones. The SNP component highlights 93 SNPs in long non-coding RNAs mainly in chromosome 5 and 21 protein-coding genes that are significantly enriched in human neuron cells. Eighteen identified SNPs have regulation effects on gene expression, transcript expression, isoform percentage, or methylation level in frontal regions. Identified genes highlight MEF2C, CADM2, and CADPS2, which are relevant for modulating neuronal substrates underlying high-level cognition in ADHD, and their causality effects on ADHD persistence await further investigations. Overall, through a multivariate analysis, we have revealed a genomic pattern underpinning the frontal gray matter variation related to working memory deficit in ADHD.
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The Role of MEF2 Transcription Factor Family in Neuronal Survival and Degeneration. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043120. [PMID: 36834528 PMCID: PMC9963821 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The family of myocyte enhancer factor 2 (MEF2) transcription factors comprises four highly conserved members that play an important role in the nervous system. They appear in precisely defined time frames in the developing brain to turn on and turn off genes affecting growth, pruning and survival of neurons. MEF2s are known to dictate neuronal development, synaptic plasticity and restrict the number of synapses in the hippocampus, thus affecting learning and memory formation. In primary neurons, negative regulation of MEF2 activity by external stimuli or stress conditions is known to induce apoptosis, albeit the pro or antiapoptotic action of MEF2 depends on the neuronal maturation stage. By contrast, enhancement of MEF2 transcriptional activity protects neurons from apoptotic death both in vitro and in preclinical models of neurodegenerative diseases. A growing body of evidence places this transcription factor in the center of many neuropathologies associated with age-dependent neuronal dysfunctions or gradual but irreversible neuron loss. In this work, we discuss how the altered function of MEF2s during development and in adulthood affecting neuronal survival may be linked to neuropsychiatric disorders.
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11
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Bergmann T, Liu Y, Skov J, Mogus L, Lee J, Pfisterer U, Handfield LF, Asenjo-Martinez A, Lisa-Vargas I, Seemann SE, Lee JTH, Patikas N, Kornum BR, Denham M, Hyttel P, Witter MP, Gorodkin J, Pers TH, Hemberg M, Khodosevich K, Hall VJ. Production of human entorhinal stellate cell-like cells by forward programming shows an important role of Foxp1 in reprogramming. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:976549. [PMID: 36046338 PMCID: PMC9420913 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.976549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Stellate cells are principal neurons in the entorhinal cortex that contribute to spatial processing. They also play a role in the context of Alzheimer's disease as they accumulate Amyloid beta early in the disease. Producing human stellate cells from pluripotent stem cells would allow researchers to study early mechanisms of Alzheimer's disease, however, no protocols currently exist for producing such cells. In order to develop novel stem cell protocols, we characterize at high resolution the development of the porcine medial entorhinal cortex by tracing neuronal and glial subtypes from mid-gestation to the adult brain to identify the transcriptomic profile of progenitor and adult stellate cells. Importantly, we could confirm the robustness of our data by extracting developmental factors from the identified intermediate stellate cell cluster and implemented these factors to generate putative intermediate stellate cells from human induced pluripotent stem cells. Six transcription factors identified from the stellate cell cluster including RUNX1T1, SOX5, FOXP1, MEF2C, TCF4, EYA2 were overexpressed using a forward programming approach to produce neurons expressing a unique combination of RELN, SATB2, LEF1 and BCL11B observed in stellate cells. Further analyses of the individual transcription factors led to the discovery that FOXP1 is critical in the reprogramming process and omission of RUNX1T1 and EYA2 enhances neuron conversion. Our findings contribute not only to the profiling of cell types within the developing and adult brain's medial entorhinal cortex but also provides proof-of-concept for using scRNAseq data to produce entorhinal intermediate stellate cells from human pluripotent stem cells in-vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Bergmann
- Group of Brain Development and Disease, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Yong Liu
- Group of Brain Development and Disease, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Jonathan Skov
- Group of Brain Development and Disease, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Leo Mogus
- Group of Brain Development and Disease, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Julie Lee
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Research, DanStem University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ulrich Pfisterer
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Andrea Asenjo-Martinez
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Irene Lisa-Vargas
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Stefan E. Seemann
- Center for non-coding RNA in Technology and Health, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Jimmy Tsz Hang Lee
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, United Kingdom
| | - Nikolaos Patikas
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, United Kingdom
| | - Birgitte Rahbek Kornum
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mark Denham
- Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience (DANDRITE), Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Poul Hyttel
- Disease, Stem Cells and Embryology, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Menno P. Witter
- Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Jan Gorodkin
- Center for non-coding RNA in Technology and Health, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Tune H. Pers
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Martin Hemberg
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, United Kingdom
| | - Konstantin Khodosevich
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Vanessa Jane Hall
- Group of Brain Development and Disease, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
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12
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Wu J, Zhao Z, Shi Y, He M. Cortical VIP + Interneurons in the Upper and Deeper Layers Are Transcriptionally Distinct. J Mol Neurosci 2022; 72:1779-1795. [PMID: 35708842 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-022-02040-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Different interneuron classes have distinct laminar distribution patterns which contribute to the layer-specific organization of cortical microcircuits. However, laminar differences within the same interneuron classes are not well recognized. Despite systematic efforts towards neuron cell-type taxonomy in the neocortex by single-cell transcriptomics, less attention has been driven towards laminar differences in interneurons compared to projection neurons. VIP+ interneurons are the major interneuron class that mostly populate superficial layers and mediate disinhibition. A few reports noted the morphological and electrophysiological differences between VIP+ interneurons residing in layers I-III (upper layer) and layers IV-VI (deeper layer), but little is known about their molecular differences. Here, we delineated the laminar difference in their transcriptome employing single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) data from public databases. Analysis of 1175 high-quality VIP+ interneurons in the primary visual cortex (VISp) showed that the upper layer and deeper layer VIP+ interneurons are transcriptionally distinct distinguished by genes implicated in synapse organization and regulation of membrane potential. Similar differences are also observed in the anterior lateral motor cortex (ALM) and primary motor cortex (MOp). Cross-comparing between the top 10 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) with Allen Mouse Brain in situ hybridization database, we identified Tac2 and CxCl14 as potential marker genes of upper layer VIP+ interneurons across most cortical regions. Importantly, such expression patterns are conserved in the human brain. Together, we revealed significant laminar differences in transcriptomic profiles within VIP+ interneurons, which provided new insight into their molecular heterogeneity that may contribute to their functional diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinyun Wu
- Institutes of Brain Science, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Department of Neurobiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Zhirong Zhao
- Institutes of Brain Science, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Department of Neurobiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yun Shi
- Institutes of Brain Science, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Department of Neurobiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Miao He
- Institutes of Brain Science, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Department of Neurobiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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13
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Fu X, Yao T, Chen X, Li H, Wu J. MEF2C gene variations are associated with ADHD in the Chinese Han population: a case-control study. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2022; 129:431-439. [PMID: 35357565 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-022-02490-9] [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: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Myocyte enhancer factor 2C (MEF2C) is associated with hyperactivity and might be a novel risk gene for susceptibility to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Therefore, this study aimed to explore the association between MEF2C genetic variants and ADHD in the Chinese Han population. A total of 215 patients with ADHD and 233 controls were recruited for this study. The Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham version IV questionnaire was used to evaluate the clinical features of ADHD. In silico analysis was used to annotate the biological functions of the promising single nucleotide polymorphisms. Our findings indicated that MEF2C rs587490 was significantly associated with ADHD in the multiplicative model (OR = 0.640, p = 0.002). Participants with the rs587490 TT allele exhibited less hyperactivity/impulsivity than those with the rs587490 CC allele. Furthermore, the expression quantitative trait loci analysis suggested that rs587490 could regulate the gene expression of MEF2C in the hippocampus, putamen, thalamus, and frontal white matter. Our study concluded that the MEF2C rs587490 T allele is significantly associated with a reduced risk of ADHD in the Chinese Han population, which provides new insight into the genetic etiology of ADHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xihang Fu
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Environmental Protection, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 13, Hangkong Road, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Ting Yao
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Environmental Protection, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 13, Hangkong Road, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinzhen Chen
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Environmental Protection, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 13, Hangkong Road, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Huiru Li
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Environmental Protection, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 13, Hangkong Road, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Wu
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Environmental Protection, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 13, Hangkong Road, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, People's Republic of China.
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14
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Seward CH, Saul MC, Troy JM, Dibaeinia P, Zhang H, Sinha S, Stubbs LJ. An epigenomic shift in amygdala marks the transition to maternal behaviors in alloparenting virgin female mice. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0263632. [PMID: 35192674 PMCID: PMC8863255 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0263632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Adults of many species will care for young offspring that are not their own, a phenomenon called alloparenting. However, in many cases, nonparental adults must be sensitized by repeated or extended exposures to newborns before they will robustly display parental-like behaviors. To capture neurogenomic events underlying the transition to active parental caring behaviors, we analyzed brain gene expression and chromatin profiles of virgin female mice co-housed with pregnant dams during pregnancy and after birth. After an initial display of antagonistic behaviors and a surge of defense-related gene expression, we observed a dramatic shift in the chromatin landscape specifically in amygdala of the pup-exposed virgin females compared to females co-housed with mother before birth, accompanied by a dampening of anxiety-related gene expression. This epigenetic shift coincided with hypothalamic expression of the oxytocin gene and the emergence of behaviors and gene expression patterns classically associated with maternal care. The results outline a neurogenomic program associated with dramatic behavioral changes and suggest molecular networks relevant to human postpartum mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher H. Seward
- Pacific Northwest Research Institute, Seattle, WA, United States of America
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, Urbana, IL, United States of America
| | - Michael C. Saul
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, Urbana, IL, United States of America
| | - Joseph M. Troy
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, Urbana, IL, United States of America
| | - Payam Dibaeinia
- Department of Computer Science, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States of America
| | - Huimin Zhang
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, Urbana, IL, United States of America
| | - Saurabh Sinha
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, Urbana, IL, United States of America
- Department of Computer Science, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States of America
| | - Lisa J. Stubbs
- Pacific Northwest Research Institute, Seattle, WA, United States of America
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, Urbana, IL, United States of America
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15
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Zhang Z, Zhao Y. Progress on the roles of MEF2C in neuropsychiatric diseases. Mol Brain 2022; 15:8. [PMID: 34991657 PMCID: PMC8740500 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-021-00892-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Myocyte Enhancer Factor 2 C (MEF2C), one of the transcription factors of the MADS-BOX family, is involved in embryonic brain development, neuronal formation and differentiation, as well as in the growth and pruning of axons and dendrites. MEF2C is also involved in the development of various neuropsychiatric disorders, such as autism spectrum disorders (ASD), epilepsy, schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Here, we review the relationship between MEF2C and neuropsychiatric disorders, and provide further insights into the mechanism of these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhikun Zhang
- National Center for International Research of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China.,Department of Mental Health, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530007, Guangxi, China
| | - Yongxiang Zhao
- National Center for International Research of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China.
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16
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Ren J, Zhang S, Wang X, Deng Y, Zhao Y, Xiao Y, Liu J, Chu L, Qi X. MEF2C ameliorates learning, memory, and molecular pathological changes in Alzheimer’s disease in vivo and in vitro. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2021; 54:77-90. [PMID: 35130621 PMCID: PMC9909301 DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2021012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Myocyte enhancer factor 2C (MEF2C) is highly expressed in the nervous system, and regulates neuro-development, synaptic plasticity, and inflammation. However, its mechanism in Alzheimer's disease (AD) is underestimated. In this study, the role and mechanism of MEF2C were investigated in the brain tissue specimens from patients with AD, APPswe/PSEN1dE9 double transgenic (APP/PS1_DT) mice, and SH-SY5Y cells treated with β-amyloid peptide (Aβ). The results indicated that the expression of MEF2C is significantly reduced, and the expression of MEF2C/Aβ in different parts of brain is negatively correlated in patients with AD. Knockdown of MEF2C promotes cell apoptosis and the level of β-amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE) but reduces BACE2 expression. In addition, knockdown of enhances the generation and aggregation of Aβ in the cortex of APP/PS1_DT mice, reduces the expression of synaptic proteins, exacerbates the ability of learning and memory of APP/PS1_DT mice, damages the structure of mitochondria, increases the oxidative stress (OS) level, and inhibits the expression levels of members of the Nrf2-ARE signal pathway. In summary, inhibition of MEF2C exacerbates the toxic effect of Aβ and , damages synaptic plasticity, reduces the ability of learning and memory of APP/PS1 mice, and increases the level of OS via the Nrf2-ARE signal pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiamou Ren
- Key Laboratory of Endemic and Ethnic DiseasesMinistry of Education & Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology of Guizhou ProvinceGuizhou Medical UniversityGuiyang550004China,Department of Laboratory Medicinethe 4th People′s Hospital of GuiyangGuiyang550004China
| | - Shuli Zhang
- Chinese People′s Liberation ArmySecret Service Center Sanatorium of XiamenXiamen361000China
| | - Xiaoling Wang
- Key Laboratory of Endemic and Ethnic DiseasesMinistry of Education & Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology of Guizhou ProvinceGuizhou Medical UniversityGuiyang550004China
| | - Yuxin Deng
- Key Laboratory of Endemic and Ethnic DiseasesMinistry of Education & Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology of Guizhou ProvinceGuizhou Medical UniversityGuiyang550004China
| | - Yi Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Endemic and Ethnic DiseasesMinistry of Education & Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology of Guizhou ProvinceGuizhou Medical UniversityGuiyang550004China
| | - Yan Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Endemic and Ethnic DiseasesMinistry of Education & Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology of Guizhou ProvinceGuizhou Medical UniversityGuiyang550004China
| | - Jian Liu
- Department of NeurosurgeryAffiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical UniversityGuiyang550004China
| | - Liangzhao Chu
- Department of NeurosurgeryAffiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical UniversityGuiyang550004China,Correspondence address. Tel: +86-851-86752814; E-mail: (X.Q.) / E-mail: (L.C.)@qq.com
| | - Xiaolan Qi
- Key Laboratory of Endemic and Ethnic DiseasesMinistry of Education & Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology of Guizhou ProvinceGuizhou Medical UniversityGuiyang550004China,Translational Medicine Research CenterGuizhou Medical UniversityGuiyang550004China,Correspondence address. Tel: +86-851-86752814; E-mail: (X.Q.) / E-mail: (L.C.)@qq.com
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17
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Barker SJ, Raju RM, Milman NEP, Wang J, Davila-Velderrain J, Gunter-Rahman F, Parro CC, Bozzelli PL, Abdurrob F, Abdelaal K, Bennett DA, Kellis M, Tsai LH. MEF2 is a key regulator of cognitive potential and confers resilience to neurodegeneration. Sci Transl Med 2021; 13:eabd7695. [PMID: 34731014 PMCID: PMC9258338 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abd7695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
[Figure: see text].
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Affiliation(s)
- Scarlett J Barker
- Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.,Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Ravikiran M Raju
- Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.,Division of Newborn Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Noah E P Milman
- Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Jun Wang
- Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Jose Davila-Velderrain
- Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Fatima Gunter-Rahman
- Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Cameron C Parro
- Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - P Lorenzo Bozzelli
- Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Fatema Abdurrob
- Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Karim Abdelaal
- Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - David A Bennett
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Manolis Kellis
- Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Li-Huei Tsai
- Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.,Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
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18
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Mak S, Li W, Fu H, Luo J, Cui W, Hu S, Pang Y, Carlier PR, Tsim KW, Pi R, Han Y. Promising tacrine/huperzine A-based dimeric acetylcholinesterase inhibitors for neurodegenerative disorders: From relieving symptoms to modifying diseases through multitarget. J Neurochem 2021; 158:1381-1393. [PMID: 33930191 PMCID: PMC8458250 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Revised: 04/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, are devastating diseases in the elderly world, which are closely associated with progressive neuronal loss induced by a variety of genetic and/or environmental factors. Unfortunately, currently available treatments for neurodegenerative disorders can only relieve the symptoms but not modify the pathological processes. Over the past decades, our group by collaborating with Profs. Yuan-Ping Pang and Paul R. Carlier has developed three series of homo/hetero dimeric acetylcholinesterase inhibitors derived from tacrine and/or huperzine A. The representative dimers bis(3)-Cognitin (B3C), bis(12)-hupyridone, and tacrine(10)-hupyridone might possess disease-modifying effects through the modulation of N-methyl-d-aspartic acid receptors, the activation of myocyte enhancer factor 2D gene transcription, and the promotion of neurotrophic factor secretion. In this review, we summarize that the representative dimers, such as B3C, provide neuroprotection against a variety of neurotoxins via multiple targets, including the inhibitions of N-methyl-d-aspartic acid receptor with pathological-activated potential, neuronal nitric oxide synthase, and β-amyloid cascades synergistically. More importantly, B3C might offer disease-modifying potentials by activating myocyte enhancer factor 2D transcription, inducing neuritogenesis, and promoting the expressions of neurotrophic factors in vitro and in vivo. Taken together, the novel dimers might offer synergistic disease-modifying effects, proving that dimerization might serve as one of the strategies to develop new generation of therapeutics for neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinghung Mak
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Edible and Medicinal Bioresources, HKUST Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China
- Division of Life Science and Center for Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wenming Li
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Hongjun Fu
- Department of Neuroscience, Chronic Brain Injury, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Jialie Luo
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Center for the Study of Itch and Sensory Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Wei Cui
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Ningbo Key Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Shengquan Hu
- Shenzhen Institute of Geriatrics, Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yuanping Pang
- Mayo Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | | | - Karl Wahkeung Tsim
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Edible and Medicinal Bioresources, HKUST Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China
- Division of Life Science and Center for Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
| | - Rongbiao Pi
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yifan Han
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, Institute of Modern Medicine, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
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19
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Sustained effects of rapidly acting antidepressants require BDNF-dependent MeCP2 phosphorylation. Nat Neurosci 2021; 24:1100-1109. [PMID: 34183865 PMCID: PMC8338784 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-021-00868-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The rapidly acting antidepressants ketamine and scopolamine exert behavioral effects that can last from several days to more than a week in some patients. The molecular mechanisms underlying the maintenance of these antidepressant effects are unknown. Here we show that methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2) phosphorylation at Ser421 (pMeCP2) is essential for the sustained, but not the rapid, antidepressant effects of ketamine and scopolamine in mice. Our results reveal that pMeCP2 is downstream of BDNF, a critical factor in ketamine and scopolamine antidepressant action. In addition, we show that pMeCP2 is required for the long-term regulation of synaptic strength after ketamine or scopolamine administration. These results demonstrate that pMeCP2 and associated synaptic plasticity are essential determinants of sustained antidepressant effects.
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20
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Chaudhary R, Agarwal V, Kaushik AS, Rehman M. Involvement of myocyte enhancer factor 2c in the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorder. Heliyon 2021; 7:e06854. [PMID: 33981903 PMCID: PMC8082549 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e06854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Myocyte enhancer factor 2 (MEF2), a family of transcription factor of MADS (minichromosome maintenance 1, agamous, deficiens and serum response factor)-box family needed in the growth and differentiation of a variety of human cells, such as neural, immune, endothelial, and muscles. As per existing literature, MEF2 transcription factors have also been associated with synaptic plasticity, the developmental mechanisms governing memory and learning, and several neurologic conditions, like autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Recent genomic findings have ascertained a link between MEF2 defects, particularly in the MEF2C isoform and the ASD. In this review, we summarized a concise overview of the general regulation, structure and functional roles of the MEF2C transcription factor. We further outlined the potential role of MEF2C as a risk factor for various neurodevelopmental disorders, such as ASD, MEF2C Haploinsufficiency Syndrome and Fragile X syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rishabh Chaudhary
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow, India
| | - Vipul Agarwal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow, India
| | - Arjun Singh Kaushik
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow, India
| | - Mujeeba Rehman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow, India
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21
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Nuclear receptor corepressors in intellectual disability and autism. Mol Psychiatry 2020; 25:2220-2236. [PMID: 32034290 PMCID: PMC7842082 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-020-0667-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Revised: 12/24/2019] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by neurocognitive dysfunctions, such as impaired social interaction and language learning. Gene-environment interactions have a pivotal role in ASD pathogenesis. Nuclear receptor corepressors (NCORs) are transcription co-regulators physically associated with histone deacetylases (HDACs) and many known players in ASD etiology such as transducin β-like 1 X-linked receptor 1 and methyl-CpG binding protein 2. The epigenome-modifying NCOR complex is sensitive to many ASD risk factors, including HDAC inhibitor valproic acid and a variety of endocrine factors, xenobiotic chemicals, or metabolites that can directly bind to multiple nuclear receptors. Here, we review recent studies of NCORs in neurocognition using animal models and human genetics approaches. We discuss functional interplays between NCORs and other known players in ASD etiology. It is conceivable that the NCOR complex may bridge the in utero environmental risk factors of ASD with epigenetic remodeling and can serve as a converging point for many gene-environment interactions in the pathogenesis of ASD and intellectual disability.
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22
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Cosgrove D, Whitton L, Fahey L, Ó Broin P, Donohoe G, Morris DW. Genes influenced by MEF2C contribute to neurodevelopmental disease via gene expression changes that affect multiple types of cortical excitatory neurons. Hum Mol Genet 2020; 30:961-970. [PMID: 32975584 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddaa213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Revised: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Myocyte enhancer factor 2 C (MEF2C) is an important transcription factor during neurodevelopment. Mutation or deletion of MEF2C causes intellectual disability (ID), and common variants within MEF2C are associated with cognitive function and schizophrenia risk. We investigated if genes influenced by MEF2C during neurodevelopment are enriched for genes associated with neurodevelopmental phenotypes and if this can be leveraged to identify biological mechanisms and individual brain cell types affected. We used a set of 1055 genes that were differentially expressed in the adult mouse brain following early embryonic deletion of Mef2c in excitatory cortical neurons. Using genome-wide association studies data, we found these differentially expressed genes (DEGs) to be enriched for genes associated with schizophrenia, intelligence and educational attainment but not autism spectrum disorder (ASD). For this gene set, genes that overlap with target genes of the Fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) are a major driver of these enrichments. Using trios data, we found these DEGs to be enriched for genes containing de novo mutations reported in ASD and ID, but not schizophrenia. Using single-cell RNA sequencing data, we identified that a number of different excitatory glutamatergic neurons in the cortex were enriched for these DEGs including deep layer pyramidal cells and cells in the retrosplenial cortex, entorhinal cortex and subiculum, and these cell types are also enriched for FMRP target genes. The involvement of MEF2C and FMRP in synapse elimination suggests that disruption of this process in these cell types during neurodevelopment contributes to cognitive function and risk of neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donna Cosgrove
- Cognitive Genetics and Cognitive Therapy Group, Centre for Neuroimaging, Cognition and Genomics, School of Psychology and Discipline of Biochemistry, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway H91CF50, Ireland
| | - Laura Whitton
- Cognitive Genetics and Cognitive Therapy Group, Centre for Neuroimaging, Cognition and Genomics, School of Psychology and Discipline of Biochemistry, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway H91CF50, Ireland
| | - Laura Fahey
- Cognitive Genetics and Cognitive Therapy Group, Centre for Neuroimaging, Cognition and Genomics, School of Psychology and Discipline of Biochemistry, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway H91CF50, Ireland.,School of Mathematics, Statistics and Applied Mathematics, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway H91CF50, Ireland
| | - Pilib Ó Broin
- School of Mathematics, Statistics and Applied Mathematics, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway H91CF50, Ireland
| | - Gary Donohoe
- Cognitive Genetics and Cognitive Therapy Group, Centre for Neuroimaging, Cognition and Genomics, School of Psychology and Discipline of Biochemistry, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway H91CF50, Ireland
| | - Derek W Morris
- Cognitive Genetics and Cognitive Therapy Group, Centre for Neuroimaging, Cognition and Genomics, School of Psychology and Discipline of Biochemistry, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway H91CF50, Ireland
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23
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Harrington AJ, Bridges CM, Berto S, Blankenship K, Cho JY, Assali A, Siemsen BM, Moore HW, Tsvetkov E, Thielking A, Konopka G, Everman DB, Scofield MD, Skinner SA, Cowan CW. MEF2C Hypofunction in Neuronal and Neuroimmune Populations Produces MEF2C Haploinsufficiency Syndrome-like Behaviors in Mice. Biol Psychiatry 2020; 88:488-499. [PMID: 32418612 PMCID: PMC7483399 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2020.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Revised: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 03/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Microdeletions of the MEF2C gene are linked to a syndromic form of autism termed MEF2C haploinsufficiency syndrome (MCHS). MEF2C hypofunction in neurons is presumed to underlie most of the symptoms of MCHS. However, it is unclear in which cell populations MEF2C functions to regulate neurotypical development. METHODS Multiple biochemical, molecular, electrophysiological, behavioral, and transgenic mouse approaches were used to characterize MCHS-relevant synaptic, behavioral, and gene expression changes in mouse models of MCHS. RESULTS We showed that MCHS-associated missense mutations cluster in the conserved DNA binding domain and disrupt MEF2C DNA binding. DNA binding-deficient global Mef2c heterozygous mice (Mef2c-Het) displayed numerous MCHS-related behaviors, including autism-related behaviors, changes in cortical gene expression, and deficits in cortical excitatory synaptic transmission. We detected hundreds of dysregulated genes in Mef2c-Het cortex, including significant enrichments of autism risk and excitatory neuron genes. In addition, we observed an enrichment of upregulated microglial genes, but this was not due to neuroinflammation in the Mef2c-Het cortex. Importantly, conditional Mef2c heterozygosity in forebrain excitatory neurons reproduced a subset of the Mef2c-Het phenotypes, while conditional Mef2c heterozygosity in microglia reproduced social deficits and repetitive behavior. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, our findings show that mutations found in individuals with MCHS disrupt the DNA-binding function of MEF2C, and DNA binding-deficient Mef2c global heterozygous mice display numerous MCHS-related phenotypes, including excitatory neuron and microglia gene expression changes. Our findings suggest that MEF2C regulates typical brain development and function through multiple cell types, including excitatory neuronal and neuroimmune populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam J. Harrington
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | - Catherine M. Bridges
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC;,Medical Scientist Training Program, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | - Stefano Berto
- Department of Neuroscience, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
| | - Kayla Blankenship
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | - Jennifer Y. Cho
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC;,Medical Scientist Training Program, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | - Ahlem Assali
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | - Benjamin M. Siemsen
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC;,Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | | | - Evgeny Tsvetkov
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | - Acadia Thielking
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | - Genevieve Konopka
- Department of Neuroscience, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
| | | | - Michael D. Scofield
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC;,Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | | | - Christopher W. Cowan
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC;,Correspondence:
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24
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Vidal-Sancho L, Fernández-García S, Solés-Tarrés I, Alberch J, Xifró X. Decreased Myocyte Enhancer Factor 2 Levels in the Hippocampus of Huntington's Disease Mice Are Related to Cognitive Dysfunction. Mol Neurobiol 2020; 57:4549-4562. [PMID: 32757160 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-020-02041-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
People suffering from Huntington's disease (HD) present cognitive deficits. Hippocampal dysfunction has been involved in the HD learning and memory impairment, but proteins leading this dysregulation are not fully characterized. Here, we studied the contribution of the family of transcription factors myocyte enhancer factor 2 (MEF2) to the HD cognitive deficits. To this aim, we first analyzed MEF2 protein levels and found that they are reduced in the hippocampus of exon-1 (R6/1) and full-length (HdhQ7/Q111) mutant huntingtin (mHTT) mice at the onset of cognitive dysfunction. By the analysis of MEF2 mRNA levels and mHTT-MEF2 interaction, we discarded that reduced MEF2 levels are due to changes in the transcription or sequestration in mHTT aggregates. Interestingly, we showed in R6/1 primary hippocampal cultures that reduction of MEF2 is strongly related to a basal and non-apoptotic caspase activity. To decipher the involvement of hippocampal decreased MEF2 in memory impairment, we used the BML-210 molecule that activates MEF2 transcriptional activity by the disruption MEF2-histone deacetylase class IIa interaction. BML-210 treatment increased the number and length of neurites in R6/1 primary hippocampal cultures. Importantly, this effect was prevented by transduction of lentiviral particles containing shRNA against MEF2. Then, we demonstrated that intraperitoneal administration of BML-210 (150 mg/Kg/day) for 4 days in R6/1 mice improved cognitive performance. Finally, we observed that BML-210 treatment also promoted the activation of MEF2-dependent memory-related genes and the increase of synaptic markers in the hippocampus of R6/1 mice. Our findings point out that reduced hippocampal MEF2 is an important mediator of cognitive dysfunction in HD and suggest that MEF2 slight basal activation could be a good therapeutic option.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Vidal-Sancho
- New Therapeutic Targets Group, Department of Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Girona, 17003, Girona, Spain
| | - Sara Fernández-García
- Departament de Biomedicina, Institut de Neurociències, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Barcelona, 08036, Barcelona, Spain.,Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, 08036, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, 28031, Spain
| | - Irene Solés-Tarrés
- New Therapeutic Targets Group, Department of Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Girona, 17003, Girona, Spain
| | - Jordi Alberch
- Departament de Biomedicina, Institut de Neurociències, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Barcelona, 08036, Barcelona, Spain.,Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, 08036, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, 28031, Spain
| | - Xavier Xifró
- New Therapeutic Targets Group, Department of Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Girona, 17003, Girona, Spain. .,Departament de Ciències Mèdiques, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Girona, 17003, Girona, Spain.
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25
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Klein M, Singgih EL, van Rens A, Demontis D, Børglum AD, Mota NR, Castells-Nobau A, Kiemeney LA, Brunner HG, Arias-Vasquez A, Schenck A, van der Voet M, Franke B. Contribution of Intellectual Disability-Related Genes to ADHD Risk and to Locomotor Activity in Drosophila. Am J Psychiatry 2020; 177:526-536. [PMID: 32046534 DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2019.18050599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common, highly heritable neuropsychiatric disorder. ADHD often co-occurs with intellectual disability, and shared overlapping genetics have been suggested. The aim of this study was to identify novel ADHD genes by investigating whether genes carrying rare mutations linked to intellectual disability contribute to ADHD risk through common genetic variants. Validation and characterization of candidates were performed using Drosophila melanogaster. METHODS Common genetic variants in a diagnostic gene panel of 396 autosomal intellectual disability genes were tested for association with ADHD risk through gene set and gene-wide analyses, using ADHD meta-analytic data from the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium for discovery (N=19,210) and ADHD data from the Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research for replication (N=37,076). The significant genes were functionally validated and characterized in Drosophila by assessing locomotor activity and sleep upon knockdown of those genes in brain circuits. RESULTS The intellectual disability gene set was significantly associated with ADHD risk in the discovery and replication data sets. The three genes most consistently associated were MEF2C, ST3GAL3, and TRAPPC9. Performing functional characterization of the two evolutionarily conserved genes in Drosophila melanogaster, the authors found that their knockdown in dopaminergic (dMEF2) and circadian neurons (dTRAPPC9) resulted in increased locomotor activity and reduced sleep, concordant with the human phenotype. CONCLUSIONS This study reveals that a large set of intellectual disability-related genes contribute to ADHD risk through effects of common alleles. Utilizing this continuity, the authors identified TRAPPC9, MEF2C, and ST3GAL3 as novel ADHD candidate genes. Characterization in Drosophila suggests that TRAPPC9 and MEF2C contribute to ADHD-related behavior through distinct neural substrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marieke Klein
- Department of Human Genetics (Klein, Singgih, van Rens, Mota, Castells-Nobau, Brunner, Arias-Vasquez, Schenck, van der Voet, Franke), Department of Psychiatry (Mota, Arias-Vasquez, Franke), and Department for Health Evidence (Kiemeney), Radboud University Medical Center and Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department of Biomedicine and Center for Integrative Sequencing (iSEQ), Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark (Demontis, Børglum); and Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research (iPSYCH), Denmark (Demontis, Børglum)
| | - Euginia L Singgih
- Department of Human Genetics (Klein, Singgih, van Rens, Mota, Castells-Nobau, Brunner, Arias-Vasquez, Schenck, van der Voet, Franke), Department of Psychiatry (Mota, Arias-Vasquez, Franke), and Department for Health Evidence (Kiemeney), Radboud University Medical Center and Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department of Biomedicine and Center for Integrative Sequencing (iSEQ), Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark (Demontis, Børglum); and Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research (iPSYCH), Denmark (Demontis, Børglum)
| | - Anne van Rens
- Department of Human Genetics (Klein, Singgih, van Rens, Mota, Castells-Nobau, Brunner, Arias-Vasquez, Schenck, van der Voet, Franke), Department of Psychiatry (Mota, Arias-Vasquez, Franke), and Department for Health Evidence (Kiemeney), Radboud University Medical Center and Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department of Biomedicine and Center for Integrative Sequencing (iSEQ), Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark (Demontis, Børglum); and Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research (iPSYCH), Denmark (Demontis, Børglum)
| | - Ditte Demontis
- Department of Human Genetics (Klein, Singgih, van Rens, Mota, Castells-Nobau, Brunner, Arias-Vasquez, Schenck, van der Voet, Franke), Department of Psychiatry (Mota, Arias-Vasquez, Franke), and Department for Health Evidence (Kiemeney), Radboud University Medical Center and Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department of Biomedicine and Center for Integrative Sequencing (iSEQ), Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark (Demontis, Børglum); and Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research (iPSYCH), Denmark (Demontis, Børglum)
| | - Anders D Børglum
- Department of Human Genetics (Klein, Singgih, van Rens, Mota, Castells-Nobau, Brunner, Arias-Vasquez, Schenck, van der Voet, Franke), Department of Psychiatry (Mota, Arias-Vasquez, Franke), and Department for Health Evidence (Kiemeney), Radboud University Medical Center and Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department of Biomedicine and Center for Integrative Sequencing (iSEQ), Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark (Demontis, Børglum); and Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research (iPSYCH), Denmark (Demontis, Børglum)
| | - Nina Roth Mota
- Department of Human Genetics (Klein, Singgih, van Rens, Mota, Castells-Nobau, Brunner, Arias-Vasquez, Schenck, van der Voet, Franke), Department of Psychiatry (Mota, Arias-Vasquez, Franke), and Department for Health Evidence (Kiemeney), Radboud University Medical Center and Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department of Biomedicine and Center for Integrative Sequencing (iSEQ), Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark (Demontis, Børglum); and Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research (iPSYCH), Denmark (Demontis, Børglum)
| | - Anna Castells-Nobau
- Department of Human Genetics (Klein, Singgih, van Rens, Mota, Castells-Nobau, Brunner, Arias-Vasquez, Schenck, van der Voet, Franke), Department of Psychiatry (Mota, Arias-Vasquez, Franke), and Department for Health Evidence (Kiemeney), Radboud University Medical Center and Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department of Biomedicine and Center for Integrative Sequencing (iSEQ), Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark (Demontis, Børglum); and Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research (iPSYCH), Denmark (Demontis, Børglum)
| | - Lambertus A Kiemeney
- Department of Human Genetics (Klein, Singgih, van Rens, Mota, Castells-Nobau, Brunner, Arias-Vasquez, Schenck, van der Voet, Franke), Department of Psychiatry (Mota, Arias-Vasquez, Franke), and Department for Health Evidence (Kiemeney), Radboud University Medical Center and Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department of Biomedicine and Center for Integrative Sequencing (iSEQ), Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark (Demontis, Børglum); and Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research (iPSYCH), Denmark (Demontis, Børglum)
| | - Han G Brunner
- Department of Human Genetics (Klein, Singgih, van Rens, Mota, Castells-Nobau, Brunner, Arias-Vasquez, Schenck, van der Voet, Franke), Department of Psychiatry (Mota, Arias-Vasquez, Franke), and Department for Health Evidence (Kiemeney), Radboud University Medical Center and Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department of Biomedicine and Center for Integrative Sequencing (iSEQ), Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark (Demontis, Børglum); and Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research (iPSYCH), Denmark (Demontis, Børglum)
| | - Alejandro Arias-Vasquez
- Department of Human Genetics (Klein, Singgih, van Rens, Mota, Castells-Nobau, Brunner, Arias-Vasquez, Schenck, van der Voet, Franke), Department of Psychiatry (Mota, Arias-Vasquez, Franke), and Department for Health Evidence (Kiemeney), Radboud University Medical Center and Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department of Biomedicine and Center for Integrative Sequencing (iSEQ), Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark (Demontis, Børglum); and Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research (iPSYCH), Denmark (Demontis, Børglum)
| | - Annette Schenck
- Department of Human Genetics (Klein, Singgih, van Rens, Mota, Castells-Nobau, Brunner, Arias-Vasquez, Schenck, van der Voet, Franke), Department of Psychiatry (Mota, Arias-Vasquez, Franke), and Department for Health Evidence (Kiemeney), Radboud University Medical Center and Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department of Biomedicine and Center for Integrative Sequencing (iSEQ), Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark (Demontis, Børglum); and Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research (iPSYCH), Denmark (Demontis, Børglum)
| | - Monique van der Voet
- Department of Human Genetics (Klein, Singgih, van Rens, Mota, Castells-Nobau, Brunner, Arias-Vasquez, Schenck, van der Voet, Franke), Department of Psychiatry (Mota, Arias-Vasquez, Franke), and Department for Health Evidence (Kiemeney), Radboud University Medical Center and Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department of Biomedicine and Center for Integrative Sequencing (iSEQ), Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark (Demontis, Børglum); and Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research (iPSYCH), Denmark (Demontis, Børglum)
| | - Barbara Franke
- Department of Human Genetics (Klein, Singgih, van Rens, Mota, Castells-Nobau, Brunner, Arias-Vasquez, Schenck, van der Voet, Franke), Department of Psychiatry (Mota, Arias-Vasquez, Franke), and Department for Health Evidence (Kiemeney), Radboud University Medical Center and Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department of Biomedicine and Center for Integrative Sequencing (iSEQ), Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark (Demontis, Børglum); and Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research (iPSYCH), Denmark (Demontis, Børglum)
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Sun X, Wang T, Wang Y, Ai K, Pan G, Li Y, Zhou C, He S, Cong H. Downregulation of lncRNA-11496 in the Brain Contributes to Microglia Apoptosis via Regulation of Mef2c in Chronic T. gondii Infection Mice. Front Mol Neurosci 2020; 13:77. [PMID: 32499679 PMCID: PMC7243434 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2020.00077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Though it is well known that chronic infections of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) can induce mental and behavioral disorders in the host, little is known about the role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in this pathological process. In this study, we employed an advanced lncRNAs and mRNAs integration chip (Affymetrix HTA 2.0) to detect the expression of both lncRNAs and mRNAs in T. gondii Chinese 1 strain infected mouse brain. As a result, for the first time, the downregulation of lncRNA-11496 (NONMMUGO11496) was identified as the responsible factor for this pathological process. We showed that dysregulation of lncRNA-11496 affected proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis of mouse microglia. Furthermore, we proved that Mef2c (Myocyte-specific enhancer factor 2C), a member of the MEF2 subfamily, is the target gene of lncRNA-11496. In a more detailed study, we confirmed that lncRNA-11496 positively regulated the expression of Mef2c by binding to histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2). Importantly, Mef2c itself could coordinate neuronal differentiation, survival, as well as synapse formation. Thus, our current study provides the first evidence in terms of the modulatory action of lncRNAs in chronic toxoplasmosis in T. gondii infected mouse brain, providing a solid scientific basis for using lncRNA-11496 as a therapeutic target to treat T. gondii induced neurological disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiahui Sun
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Ting Wang
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Yongliang Wang
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Kang Ai
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Ge Pan
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Chunxue Zhou
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Shenyi He
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Hua Cong
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
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27
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Hou B, Ji L, Chen Z, An L, Zhang N, Ren D, Yuan F, Liu L, Bi Y, Guo Z, Ma G, Xu F, Yang F, Yu S, Yi Z, Xu Y, He L, Liu C, Bai B, Wu S, Zhao L, Cai C, Yu T, He G, Shi Y, Li X. Role of rs454214 in Personality mediated Depression and Subjective Well-being. Sci Rep 2020; 10:5702. [PMID: 32231262 PMCID: PMC7105480 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-62486-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2019] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Happiness and depression are interlinked and both heritable, while personality, as an important predictor of them, shares the genetic basis with them. We conjecture that genetic factors of depression can affect both depressive symptoms (DS) and subjective well-being (SWB), while personality traits play important roles in mediating this process. In this study, 878 Han Chinese college freshmen and 384 Han Chinese patients with the major depressive disorder (MDD) were included. SNPs were genotyped using AGENA MassARRAY iPLEX technology and we investigated an important MDD variant rs454214. Correlation, association and mediation analysis were employed, aiming to decipher the complex relationship between SWB, DS, personality traits and the genetic variant. Association study indicated that rs454214 was not only associated with both SWB and DS (P < 0.05), but also possibly linked to MDD. Mediational analysis showed that rs454214 had no direct effect on SWB and DS, but had a significant indirect effect through personality traits, i.e., Extraversion, Neuroticism, Agreeableness and Openness to Experience or SWB, Extraversion, Neuroticism and Agreeableness for DS. This study found a shared genetic basis for happiness and depression; the causal process could be better explained if personality traits are taken as mediating factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binyin Hou
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, and Brain Science and Technology Research Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Lei Ji
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, and Brain Science and Technology Research Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Zhixuan Chen
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, and Brain Science and Technology Research Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Lin An
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, and Brain Science and Technology Research Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Naixin Zhang
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, and Brain Science and Technology Research Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Decheng Ren
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, and Brain Science and Technology Research Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Fan Yuan
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, and Brain Science and Technology Research Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Liangjie Liu
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, and Brain Science and Technology Research Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Yan Bi
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, and Brain Science and Technology Research Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Zhenming Guo
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, and Brain Science and Technology Research Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Gaini Ma
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, and Brain Science and Technology Research Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Fei Xu
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, and Brain Science and Technology Research Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Fengping Yang
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, and Brain Science and Technology Research Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Shunying Yu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, and Brain Science and Technology Research Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Zhenghui Yi
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, and Brain Science and Technology Research Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Yifeng Xu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, and Brain Science and Technology Research Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Lin He
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, and Brain Science and Technology Research Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Chuanxin Liu
- School of Mental Health, Jining Medical University, 16 Hehua Rd, Taibaihu New District, Jining, Shandong, 272067, China
| | - Bo Bai
- School of Mental Health, Jining Medical University, 16 Hehua Rd, Taibaihu New District, Jining, Shandong, 272067, China
| | - Shaochang Wu
- Lishui No.2 People's Hospital, 69 Beihuan Rd, Liandu District, Lishui, Zhejiang, 323000, China
| | - Longyou Zhao
- Lishui No.2 People's Hospital, 69 Beihuan Rd, Liandu District, Lishui, Zhejiang, 323000, China
| | - Changqun Cai
- Wuhu No.4 People's Hospital, 1 Xuxiashan Rd, Wuhu, Anhui, 241002, China
| | - Tao Yu
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, and Brain Science and Technology Research Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Guang He
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, and Brain Science and Technology Research Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China.
| | - Yi Shi
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, and Brain Science and Technology Research Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China.
| | - Xingwang Li
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, and Brain Science and Technology Research Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China.
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Neuronal Myocyte-Specific Enhancer Factor 2D (MEF2D) Is Required for Normal Circadian and Sleep Behavior in Mice. J Neurosci 2019; 39:7958-7967. [PMID: 31420455 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0411-19.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2019] [Revised: 07/08/2019] [Accepted: 08/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor, myocyte enhancer factor-2 (MEF2), is required for normal circadian behavior in Drosophila; however, its role in the mammalian circadian system has not been established. Of the four mammalian Mef2 genes, Mef2d is highly expressed in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus, a region critical for coordinating peripheral circadian clocks. Using both conventional and brain-specific Mef2d KO (Mef2d -/-) mouse lines, we demonstrate that MEF2D is essential for maintaining the length of the circadian free-running period of locomotor activity and normal sleep patterns in male mice. Crossing Mef2d -/- with Per2::luc reporter mice, we show that these behavioral changes are achieved without altering the endogenous period of the master circadian oscillator in the SCN. Together, our data suggest that alterations in behavior in Mef2d -/- mice may be the result of an effect on SCN output, rather than an effect on timekeeping within the SCN itself. These findings add to the growing body of evidence that MEF2 proteins play important roles in the brain.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT These studies are the first to show a role for MEF2 proteins in the brain outside of the hippocampus, and our findings suggest that these proteins may play diverse roles in the CNS. It is important to continue to build on our understanding of the roles of proteins acting in the SCN because SCN dysfunction underlies jet lag in humans and influences the response to shift work schedules, which are now known as risk factors for the development of cancer. Our work on MEF2D could be the basis for opening new lines of research in the development and regulation of circadian rhythms.
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Emerging roles for MEF2 in brain development and mental disorders. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2019; 59:49-58. [PMID: 31129473 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2019.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2019] [Accepted: 04/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The MEF2 family of transcription factors regulate large programs of gene expression important for the development and maintenance of many tissues, including the brain. MEF2 proteins are regulated by neuronal synaptic activity, and they recruit several epigenetic enzymes to influence chromatin structure and gene expression during development and throughout adulthood. Here, we provide a brief review of the recent literature reporting important roles for MEF2 during early brain development and function, and we highlight emerging roles for MEF2 as a risk factor for multiple neurodevelopmental disorders and mental illnesses, such as autism, intellectual disability, and schizophrenia.
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30
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He J, Xu X, Monavarfeshani A, Banerjee S, Fox MA, Xie H. Retinal-input-induced epigenetic dynamics in the developing mouse dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus. Epigenetics Chromatin 2019; 12:13. [PMID: 30764861 PMCID: PMC6374911 DOI: 10.1186/s13072-019-0257-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2018] [Accepted: 02/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation plays important roles in the regulation of nervous system development and in cellular responses to environmental stimuli such as light-derived signals. Despite great efforts in understanding the maturation and refinement of visual circuits, we lack a clear understanding of how changes in DNA methylation correlate with visual activity in the developing subcortical visual system, such as in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN), the main retino-recipient region in the dorsal thalamus. Here, we explored epigenetic dynamics underlying dLGN development at ages before and after eye opening in wild-type mice and mutant mice in which retinal ganglion cells fail to form. We observed that development-related epigenetic changes tend to co-localize together on functional genomic regions critical for regulating gene expression, while retinal-input-induced epigenetic changes are enriched on repetitive elements. Enhancers identified in neurons are prone to methylation dynamics during development, and activity-induced enhancers are associated with retinal-input-induced epigenetic changes. Intriguingly, the binding motifs of activity-dependent transcription factors, including EGR1 and members of MEF2 family, are enriched in the genomic regions with epigenetic aberrations in dLGN tissues of mutant mice lacking retinal inputs. Overall, our study sheds new light on the epigenetic regulatory mechanisms underlying the role of retinal inputs on the development of mouse dLGN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianlin He
- Biocomplexity Institute of Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Xiguang Xu
- Biocomplexity Institute of Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA.,Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Aboozar Monavarfeshani
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA.,Developmental and Translational Neurobiology Center, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Roanoke, VA, 24016, USA
| | - Sharmi Banerjee
- Biocomplexity Institute of Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA.,Bradley Department of Electrical Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Michael A Fox
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA. .,Developmental and Translational Neurobiology Center, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Roanoke, VA, 24016, USA. .,Department of Pediatrics, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, VA, 24016, USA.
| | - Hehuang Xie
- Biocomplexity Institute of Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA. .,Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA. .,Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA.
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31
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Dickson PE, Roy TA, McNaughton KA, Wilcox TD, Kumar P, Chesler EJ. Systems genetics of sensation seeking. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2018; 18:e12519. [PMID: 30221471 PMCID: PMC6399063 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2018] [Revised: 09/09/2018] [Accepted: 09/11/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Sensation seeking is a multifaceted, heritable trait which predicts the development of substance use and abuse in humans; similar phenomena have been observed in rodents. Genetic correlations among sensation seeking and substance use indicate shared biological mechanisms, but the genes and networks underlying these relationships remain elusive. Here, we used a systems genetics approach in the BXD recombinant inbred mouse panel to identify shared genetic mechanisms underlying substance use and preference for sensory stimuli, an intermediate phenotype of sensation seeking. Using the operant sensation seeking (OSS) paradigm, we quantified preference for sensory stimuli in 120 male and 127 female mice from 62 BXD strains and the C57BL/6J and DBA/2J founder strains. We used relative preference for the active and inactive levers to dissociate preference for sensory stimuli from locomotion and exploration phenotypes. We identified genomic regions on chromosome 4 (155.236‐155.742 Mb) and chromosome 13 (72.969‐89.423 Mb) associated with distinct behavioral components of OSS. Using publicly available behavioral data and mRNA expression data from brain regions involved in reward processing, we identified (a) genes within these behavioral QTL exhibiting genome‐wide significant cis‐eQTL and (b) genetic correlations among OSS phenotypes, ethanol phenotypes and mRNA expression. From these analyses, we nominated positional candidates for behavioral QTL associated with distinct OSS phenotypes including Gnb1 and Mef2c. Genetic covariation of Gnb1 expression, preference for sensory stimuli and multiple ethanol phenotypes suggest that heritable variation in Gnb1 expression in reward circuitry partially underlies the widely reported relationship between sensation seeking and substance use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Price E. Dickson
- Center for Systems Neurogenetics of AddictionThe Jackson LaboratoryBar HarborMaine
| | - Tyler A. Roy
- Center for Systems Neurogenetics of AddictionThe Jackson LaboratoryBar HarborMaine
| | | | - Troy D. Wilcox
- Center for Systems Neurogenetics of AddictionThe Jackson LaboratoryBar HarborMaine
| | - Padam Kumar
- Center for Systems Neurogenetics of AddictionThe Jackson LaboratoryBar HarborMaine
| | - Elissa J. Chesler
- Center for Systems Neurogenetics of AddictionThe Jackson LaboratoryBar HarborMaine
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32
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Kamath SP, Chen AI. Myocyte Enhancer Factor 2c Regulates Dendritic Complexity and Connectivity of Cerebellar Purkinje Cells. Mol Neurobiol 2018; 56:4102-4119. [PMID: 30276662 PMCID: PMC6505522 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-018-1363-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2018] [Accepted: 09/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Mef2c haploinsufficiency is implicated in behavioral deficits related to autism, schizophrenia, and intellectual disability. Although perturbations in the cerebellum, notably Purkinje cells, have been linked to these neurological disorders, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the roles of Mef2c in cerebellar Purkinje cells during the first three weeks of postnatal development. Our analysis revealed that in comparison to other members of the Mef2 family, Mef2c expression is limited to postnatal Purkinje cells. Because the role of Mef2c has not been assessed in GABAergic neurons, we set out to determine the functional significance of Mef2c by knocking down the expression of Mef2c selectively in Purkinje cells. We found that the loss of Mef2c expression during the first and second postnatal week results in an increase in dendritic arborization without impact on the general growth and migration of Purkinje cells. The influence of Mef2c on dendritic arborization persists throughout the first three weeks, but is most prominent during the first postnatal week suggesting a critical period of Mef2c activity. Additionally, the loss of Mef2c expression results in an increase in the number of spines accompanied by an increase in Gad67 and vGluT1 puncta and decrease in vGluT2 puncta. Thus, our results reveal the specific expression and functional relevance of Mef2c in developing Purkinje cells and offer insight to how disruption of the expression of Mef2c in a GABAergic neuronal subtype may lead to pathogenesis of cerebellar-associated disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandhya Prakash Kamath
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore, 637551, Singapore
| | - Albert I Chen
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore, 637551, Singapore.
- A*STAR, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Singapore, 138673, Singapore.
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK.
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33
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Dark C, Homman-Ludiye J, Bryson-Richardson RJ. The role of ADHD associated genes in neurodevelopment. Dev Biol 2018; 438:69-83. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2018.03.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2017] [Revised: 03/04/2018] [Accepted: 03/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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34
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Wang X, Li M, Zhu H, Yu Y, Xu Y, Zhang W, Bian C. Transcriptional Regulation Involved in Fear Memory Reconsolidation. J Mol Neurosci 2018; 65:127-140. [PMID: 29796837 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-018-1084-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2018] [Accepted: 05/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Memory reconsolidation has been demonstrated to offer a potential target period during which the fear memories underlying fear disorders can be disrupted. Reconsolidation is a labile stage that consolidated memories re-enter after memories are reactivated. Reactivated memories, induced by cues related to traumatic events, are susceptible to strengthening and weakening. Gene transcription regulation and protein synthesis have been suggested to be required for fear memory reconsolidation. Investigating the transcriptional regulation mechanisms underlying reconsolidation may provide a therapeutic method for the treatment of fear disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, the therapeutic effect of treating a fear disorder through interfering with reconsolidation is still contradictory. In this review, we summarize several transcription factors that have been linked to fear memory reconsolidation and propose that transcription factors, as well as related signaling pathways can serve as targets for fear memory interventions. Then, we discuss the application of pharmacological and behavioral interventions during reconsolidation that may or not efficiently treat fear disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Wang
- Department of Military Psychology, College of Psychology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
- Forth Battalion of Cadet Brigade, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Min Li
- Department of Military Psychology, College of Psychology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Haitao Zhu
- Medical Company, Troops 95848 of People's Liberation Army, Xiaogan, 432100, China
| | - Yongju Yu
- Department of Military Psychology, College of Psychology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Yuanyuan Xu
- Department of Military Psychology, College of Psychology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Wenmo Zhang
- Department of Fundamental, Army Logistical University of PLA, Chongqing, 401331, China
| | - Chen Bian
- Department of Military Psychology, College of Psychology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China.
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35
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Mitchell AC, Javidfar B, Pothula V, Ibi D, Shen EY, Peter CJ, Bicks L, Fehr T, Jiang Y, Brennand KJ, Neve RL, Gonzalez-Maeso J, Akbarian S. MEF2C transcription factor is associated with the genetic and epigenetic risk architecture of schizophrenia and improves cognition in mice. Mol Psychiatry 2018; 23:123-132. [PMID: 28115742 PMCID: PMC5966823 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2016.254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2016] [Revised: 10/30/2016] [Accepted: 12/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Large-scale consortia mapping the genomic risk architectures of schizophrenia provide vast amounts of molecular information, with largely unexplored therapeutic potential. We harnessed publically available information from the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium, and report myocyte enhancer factor 2C (MEF2C) motif enrichment in sequences surrounding the top scoring single-nucleotide polymorphisms within risk loci contributing by individual small effect to disease heritability. Chromatin profiling at base-pair resolution in neuronal nucleosomes extracted from prefrontal cortex of 34 subjects, including 17 cases diagnosed with schizophrenia, revealed MEF2C motif enrichment within cis-regulatory sequences, including neuron-specific promoters and superenhancers, affected by histone H3K4 hypermethylation in disease cases. Vector-induced short- and long-term Mef2c upregulation in mouse prefrontal projection neurons consistently resulted in enhanced cognitive performance in working memory and object recognition paradigms at baseline and after psychotogenic drug challenge, in conjunction with remodeling of local connectivity. Neuronal genome tagging in vivo by Mef2c-Dam adenine methyltransferase fusion protein confirmed the link between cognitive enhancement and MEF2C occupancy at promoters harboring canonical and variant MEF2C motifs. The multilayered integrative approaches presented here provide a roadmap to uncover the therapeutic potential of transcriptional regulators for schizophrenia and related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda C. Mitchell
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
- Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
| | - Behnam Javidfar
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
- Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
| | - Venu Pothula
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
- Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
| | - Daisuke Ibi
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
| | - Erica Y. Shen
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
- Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
| | - Cyril J. Peter
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
- Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
| | - Lucy Bicks
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
- Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
| | - Tristan Fehr
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
- Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
| | - Yan Jiang
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
- Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
| | - Kristen J. Brennand
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
- Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
| | - Rachael L. Neve
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge MA02139, USA
| | - Javier Gonzalez-Maeso
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical School, Richmond, Virginia 23298, USA
| | - Schahram Akbarian
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
- Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
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36
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Javidfar B, Park R, Kassim BS, Bicks LK, Akbarian S. The epigenomics of schizophrenia, in the mouse. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2017; 174:631-640. [PMID: 28699694 PMCID: PMC5573750 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.32566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2017] [Revised: 05/04/2017] [Accepted: 06/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Large-scale consortia including the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium, the Common Minds Consortium, BrainSeq and PsychENCODE, and many other studies taken together provide increasingly detailed insights into the genetic and epigenetic risk architectures of schizophrenia (SCZ) and offer vast amounts of molecular information, but with largely unexplored therapeutic potential. Here we discuss how epigenomic studies in human brain could guide animal work to test the impact of disease-associated alterations in chromatin structure and function on cognition and behavior. For example, transcription factors such as MYOCYTE-SPECIFIC ENHANCER FACTOR 2C (MEF2C), or multiple regulators of the open chromatin mark, methyl-histone H3-lysine 4, are associated with the genetic risk architectures of common psychiatric disease and alterations in chromatin structure and function in diseased brain tissue. Importantly, these molecules also affect cognition and behavior in genetically engineered mice, including virus-mediated expression changes in prefrontal cortex (PFC) and other key nodes in the circuitry underlying psychosis. Therefore, preclinical and small laboratory animal work could target genomic sequences affected by chromatin alterations in SCZ. To this end, in vivo editing of enhancer and other regulatory non-coding DNA by RNA-guided nucleases including CRISPR-Cas, and designer transcription factors, could be expected to deliver pipelines for novel therapeutic approaches aimed at improving cognitive dysfunction and other core symptoms of SCZ.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Lucy K. Bicks
- Department of Psychiatry; Friedman Brain Institute; Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; New York New York
| | - Schahram Akbarian
- Department of Psychiatry; Friedman Brain Institute; Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; New York New York
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Rajkovich KE, Loerwald KW, Hale CF, Hess CT, Gibson JR, Huber KM. Experience-Dependent and Differential Regulation of Local and Long-Range Excitatory Neocortical Circuits by Postsynaptic Mef2c. Neuron 2016; 93:48-56. [PMID: 27989458 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2016.11.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2016] [Revised: 09/23/2016] [Accepted: 10/21/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Development of proper cortical circuits requires an interaction of sensory experience and genetic programs. Little is known of how experience and specific transcription factors interact to determine the development of specific neocortical circuits. Here, we demonstrate that the activity-dependent transcription factor, Myocyte enhancer factor-2C (Mef2c), differentially regulates development of local versus long-range excitatory synaptic inputs onto layer 2/3 neurons in the somatosensory neocortex in vivo. Postnatal, postsynaptic deletion of Mef2c in a sparse population of L2/3 neurons suppressed development of excitatory synaptic connections from all local input pathways tested. In the same cell population, Mef2c deletion promoted the strength of excitatory inputs originating from contralateral neocortex. Both the synapse promoting and synapse suppressing effects of Mef2c deletion required normal whisking experience. These results reveal a role of Mef2c in experience-dependent development of specific sensory neocortical circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kacey E Rajkovich
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Kristofer W Loerwald
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Carly F Hale
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Carolyn T Hess
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Jay R Gibson
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
| | - Kimberly M Huber
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
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Epilepsy-causing sequence variations in SIK1 disrupt synaptic activity response gene expression and affect neuronal morphology. Eur J Hum Genet 2016; 25:216-221. [PMID: 27966542 DOI: 10.1038/ejhg.2016.145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2016] [Revised: 09/20/2016] [Accepted: 09/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
SIK1 syndrome is a newly described developmental epilepsy disorder caused by heterozygous mutations in the salt-inducible kinase SIK1. To better understand the pathophysiology of SIK1 syndrome, we studied the effects of SIK1 pathogenic sequence variations in human neurons. Primary human fetal cortical neurons were transfected with a lentiviral vector to overexpress wild-type and mutant SIK1 protein. We evaluated the transcriptional activity of known downstream gene targets in neurons expressing mutant SIK1 compared with wild type. We then assayed neuronal morphology by measuring neurite length, number and branching. Truncating SIK1 sequence variations were associated with abnormal MEF2C transcriptional activity and decreased MEF2C protein levels. Epilepsy-causing SIK1 sequence variations were associated with significantly decreased expression of ARC (activity-regulated cytoskeletal-associated) and other synaptic activity response element genes. Assay of mRNA levels for other MEF2C target genes NR4A1 (Nur77) and NRG1, found significantly, decreased the expression of these genes as well. The missense p.(Pro287Thr) SIK1 sequence variation was associated with abnormal neuronal morphology, with significant decreases in mean neurite length, mean number of neurites and a significant increase in proximal branches compared with wild type. Epilepsy-causing SIK1 sequence variations resulted in abnormalities in the MEF2C-ARC pathway of neuronal development and synapse activity response. This work provides the first insights into the mechanisms of pathogenesis in SIK1 syndrome, and extends the ARX-MEF2C pathway in the pathogenesis of developmental epilepsy.
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Harrington AJ, Raissi A, Rajkovich K, Berto S, Kumar J, Molinaro G, Raduazzo J, Guo Y, Loerwald K, Konopka G, Huber KM, Cowan CW. MEF2C regulates cortical inhibitory and excitatory synapses and behaviors relevant to neurodevelopmental disorders. eLife 2016; 5. [PMID: 27779093 PMCID: PMC5094851 DOI: 10.7554/elife.20059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2016] [Accepted: 10/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Numerous genetic variants associated with MEF2C are linked to autism, intellectual disability (ID) and schizophrenia (SCZ) – a heterogeneous collection of neurodevelopmental disorders with unclear pathophysiology. MEF2C is highly expressed in developing cortical excitatory neurons, but its role in their development remains unclear. We show here that conditional embryonic deletion of Mef2c in cortical and hippocampal excitatory neurons (Emx1-lineage) produces a dramatic reduction in cortical network activity in vivo, due in part to a dramatic increase in inhibitory and a decrease in excitatory synaptic transmission. In addition, we find that MEF2C regulates E/I synapse density predominantly as a cell-autonomous, transcriptional repressor. Analysis of differential gene expression in Mef2c mutant cortex identified a significant overlap with numerous synapse- and autism-linked genes, and the Mef2c mutant mice displayed numerous behaviors reminiscent of autism, ID and SCZ, suggesting that perturbing MEF2C function in neocortex can produce autistic- and ID-like behaviors in mice. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.20059.001 Abnormal development of the brain contributes to intellectual disability, as well as to a number of psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia and autism. As the brain develops, neurons establish connections with one another called synapses, which are either excitatory or inhibitory. At excitatory synapses, an electrical signal in the first cell increases the likelihood that the second cell will also produce an electrical signal. At inhibitory synapses, electrical activity in the first cell reduces the chances of the second cell producing an electrical signal. An imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory activity is one of the factors thought to give rise to neurodevelopmental disorders. Many individuals with schizophrenia, autism or intellectual disability possess mutations in, or near, a gene called MEF2C. This gene, which is active in both excitatory and inhibitory neurons, encodes a protein that regulates the activity of many other genes during brain development. Harrington, Raissi et al. therefore hypothesized that alterations in MEF2C might predispose individuals to neurodevelopmental disorders by disrupting the balance of excitatory and inhibitory synapses in the developing brain. To test this idea, Harrington, Raissi et al. generated mice that lack the Mef2c gene in a large proportion of their neurons throughout development. As predicted, the animals showed an imbalance of excitatory and inhibitory synapses in the brain’s outer layer, the cortex. They also displayed changes in behavior like those seen in autism. These included a loss of interest in social interaction and a reduction in vocalizations, suggesting impaired communication. Other behavioral changes included hyperactivity, repetitive movements and severe learning impairments: all features commonly observed in human neurodevelopmental disorders. The next challenge is to understand when, where and how MEF2C acts in the cortex to shape the balance of excitatory and inhibitory connections. Once this is known, further studies can test whether disrupting these processes leads directly to behaviors characteristic of autism, schizophrenia and intellectual disability. This may lead to the development of new drugs that can reverse or improve the symptoms of these conditions in affected individuals. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.20059.002
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam J Harrington
- Department of Neurosciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, United States.,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, United States
| | - Aram Raissi
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, United States
| | - Kacey Rajkovich
- Department of Neuroscience, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Stefano Berto
- Department of Neuroscience, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Jaswinder Kumar
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, United States.,Medical Scientist Training Program, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Gemma Molinaro
- Department of Neuroscience, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Jonathan Raduazzo
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, United States
| | - Yuhong Guo
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, United States
| | - Kris Loerwald
- Department of Neuroscience, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Genevieve Konopka
- Department of Neuroscience, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Kimberly M Huber
- Department of Neuroscience, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Christopher W Cowan
- Department of Neurosciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, United States.,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, United States
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Chen YC, Kuo HY, Bornschein U, Takahashi H, Chen SY, Lu KM, Yang HY, Chen GM, Lin JR, Lee YH, Chou YC, Cheng SJ, Chien CT, Enard W, Hevers W, Pääbo S, Graybiel AM, Liu FC. Foxp2 controls synaptic wiring of corticostriatal circuits and vocal communication by opposing Mef2c. Nat Neurosci 2016; 19:1513-1522. [PMID: 27595386 PMCID: PMC5083203 DOI: 10.1038/nn.4380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2016] [Accepted: 08/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Cortico-basal ganglia circuits are critical for speech and language and are implicated in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), in which language function can be severely affected. We demonstrate that in the striatum, the gene, Foxp2, negatively interacts with the synapse suppressor, Mef2C. We present causal evidence that Mef2C inhibition by Foxp2 in neonatal mouse striatum controls synaptogenesis of corticostriatal inputs and vocalization in neonates. Mef2C suppresses corticostriatal synapse formation and striatal spinogenesis, but can, itself, be repressed by Foxp2 through direct DNA binding. Foxp2 deletion de-represses Mef2C, and both intrastriatal and global decrease of Mef2C rescue vocalization and striatal spinogenesis defects of Foxp2-deletion mutants. These findings suggest that Foxp2-Mef2C signaling is critical to corticostriatal circuit formation. If found in humans, such signaling defects could contribute to a range of neurologic and neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Chuan Chen
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsiao-Ying Kuo
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ulrich Bornschein
- Department of Evolutionary Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Hiroshi Takahashi
- Department of Neurology, National Hospital Organization, Tottori Medical Center, Tottori, Japan
| | - Shih-Yun Chen
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kuan-Ming Lu
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hao-Yu Yang
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Gui-May Chen
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jing-Ruei Lin
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Hsin Lee
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yun-Chia Chou
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Sin-Jhong Cheng
- Neuroscience Program in Academia Sincia, Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Ting Chien
- Neuroscience Program in Academia Sincia, Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wolfgang Enard
- Anthropology and Human Genomics, Department Biology II, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich, Germany
| | - Wulf Hevers
- Department of Evolutionary Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Svante Pääbo
- Department of Evolutionary Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ann M Graybiel
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research and Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Fu-Chin Liu
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
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