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Su Z, Griffin B, Emmons S, Wu Y. Prediction of interactions between cell surface proteins by machine learning. Proteins 2024; 92:567-580. [PMID: 38050713 DOI: 10.1002/prot.26648] [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: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023]
Abstract
Cells detect changes in their external environments or communicate with each other through proteins on their surfaces. These cell surface proteins form a complicated network of interactions in order to fulfill their functions. The interactions between cell surface proteins are highly dynamic and, thus, challenging to detect using traditional experimental techniques. Here, we tackle this challenge using a computational framework. The primary focus of the framework is to develop new tools to identify interactions between domains in the immunoglobulin (Ig) fold, which is the most abundant domain family in cell surface proteins. These interactions could be formed between ligands and receptors from different cells or between proteins on the same cell surface. In practice, we collected all structural data on Ig domain interactions and transformed them into an interface fragment pair library. A high-dimensional profile can then be constructed from the library for a given pair of query protein sequences. Multiple machine learning models were used to read this profile so that the probability of interaction between the query proteins could be predicted. We tested our models on an experimentally derived dataset that contains 564 cell surface proteins in humans. The cross-validation results show that we can achieve higher than 70% accuracy in identifying the PPIs within this dataset. We then applied this method to a group of 46 cell surface proteins in Caenorhabditis elegans. We screened every possible interaction between these proteins. Many interactions recognized by our machine learning classifiers have been experimentally confirmed in the literature. In conclusion, our computational platform serves as a useful tool to help identify potential new interactions between cell surface proteins in addition to current state-of-the-art experimental techniques. The tool is freely accessible for use by the scientific community. Moreover, the general framework of the machine learning classification can also be extended to study the interactions of proteins in other domain superfamilies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaoqian Su
- Department of Systems and Computational Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Brian Griffin
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Scott Emmons
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Yinghao Wu
- Department of Systems and Computational Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
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2
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Correa E, Mialon M, Cizeron M, Bessereau JL, Pinan-Lucarre B, Kratsios P. UNC-30/PITX coordinates neurotransmitter identity with postsynaptic GABA receptor clustering. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.14.580278. [PMID: 38405977 PMCID: PMC10888783 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.14.580278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Terminal selectors are transcription factors that control neuronal identity by regulating the expression of key effector molecules, such as neurotransmitter (NT) biosynthesis proteins, ion channels and neuropeptides. Whether and how terminal selectors control neuronal connectivity is poorly understood. Here, we report that UNC-30 (PITX2/3), the terminal selector of GABA motor neuron identity in C. elegans , is required for NT receptor clustering, a hallmark of postsynaptic differentiation. Animals lacking unc-30 or madd-4B, the short isoform of the MN-secreted synapse organizer madd-4 ( Punctin/ADAMTSL ), display severe GABA receptor type A (GABA A R) clustering defects in postsynaptic muscle cells. Mechanistically, UNC-30 acts directly to induce and maintain transcription of madd-4B and GABA biosynthesis genes (e.g., unc-25/GAD , unc-47/VGAT ). Hence, UNC-30 controls GABA A R clustering on postsynaptic muscle cells and GABA biosynthesis in presynaptic cells, transcriptionally coordinating two critical processes for GABA neurotransmission. Further, we uncover multiple target genes and a dual role for UNC-30 both as an activator and repressor of gene transcription. Our findings on UNC-30 function may contribute to our molecular understanding of human conditions, such as Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome, caused by PITX2 and PITX3 gene mutations.
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3
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Alexander KD, Ramachandran S, Biswas K, Lambert CM, Russell J, Oliver DB, Armstrong W, Rettler M, Liu S, Doitsidou M, Bénard C, Walker AK, Francis MM. The homeodomain transcriptional regulator DVE-1 directs a program for synapse elimination during circuit remodeling. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7520. [PMID: 37980357 PMCID: PMC10657367 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43281-4] [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: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The elimination of synapses during circuit remodeling is critical for brain maturation; however, the molecular mechanisms directing synapse elimination and its timing remain elusive. We show that the transcriptional regulator DVE-1, which shares homology with special AT-rich sequence-binding (SATB) family members previously implicated in human neurodevelopmental disorders, directs the elimination of juvenile synaptic inputs onto remodeling C. elegans GABAergic neurons. Juvenile acetylcholine receptor clusters and apposing presynaptic sites are eliminated during the maturation of wild-type GABAergic neurons but persist into adulthood in dve-1 mutants, producing heightened motor connectivity. DVE-1 localization to GABAergic nuclei is required for synapse elimination, consistent with DVE-1 regulation of transcription. Pathway analysis of putative DVE-1 target genes, proteasome inhibitor, and genetic experiments implicate the ubiquitin-proteasome system in synapse elimination. Together, our findings define a previously unappreciated role for a SATB family member in directing synapse elimination during circuit remodeling, likely through transcriptional regulation of protein degradation processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kellianne D Alexander
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
- Program in Neuroscience, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Shankar Ramachandran
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Kasturi Biswas
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
- Program in Neuroscience, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Christopher M Lambert
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Julia Russell
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Devyn B Oliver
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
- Program in Neuroscience, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - William Armstrong
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Monika Rettler
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Samuel Liu
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
- Program in Neuroscience, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Maria Doitsidou
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland
| | - Claire Bénard
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Université du Québec à Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Amy K Walker
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Michael M Francis
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.
- Program in Neuroscience, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.
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4
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Su Z, Griffin B, Emmons S, Wu Y. Prediction of Interactions between Cell Surface Proteins by Machine Learning. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.12.557337. [PMID: 37745607 PMCID: PMC10515853 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.12.557337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Cells detect changes of external environments or communicate with each other through proteins on their surfaces. These cell surface proteins form a complicated network of interactions in order to fulfill their functions. The interactions between cell surface proteins are highly dynamic and thus challenging to detect using traditional experimental techniques. Here we tackle this challenge by a computational framework. The primary focus of the framework is to develop new tools to identify interactions between domains in immunoglobulin (Ig) fold, which is the most abundant domain family in cell surface proteins. These interactions could be formed between ligands and receptors from different cells, or between proteins on the same cell surface. In practice, we collected all structural data of Ig domain interactions and transformed them into an interface fragment pair library. A high dimensional profile can be then constructed from the library for a given pair of query protein sequences. Multiple machine learning models were used to read this profile, so that the probability of interaction between the query proteins can be predicted. We tested our models to an experimentally derived dataset which contains 564 cell surface proteins in human. The cross-validation results show that we can achieve higher than 70% accuracy in identifying the PPIs within this dataset. We then applied this method to a group of 46 cell surface proteins in C elegans. We screened every possible interaction between these proteins. Many interactions recognized by our machine learning classifiers have been experimentally confirmed in the literatures. In conclusion, our computational platform serves a useful tool to help identifying potential new interactions between cell surface proteins in addition to current state-of-the-art experimental techniques. The tool is freely accessible for use by the scientific community. Moreover, the general framework of the machine learning classification can also be extended to study interactions of proteins in other domain superfamilies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaoqian Su
- Department of Systems and Computational Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY, 10461
| | - Brian Griffin
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY, 10461
| | - Scott Emmons
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY, 10461
| | - Yinghao Wu
- Department of Systems and Computational Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY, 10461
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5
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Sun H, Hobert O. Temporal transitions in the postembryonic nervous system of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans: Recent insights and open questions. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2023; 142:67-80. [PMID: 35688774 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2022.05.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
After the generation, differentiation and integration into functional circuitry, post-mitotic neurons continue to change certain phenotypic properties throughout postnatal juvenile stages until an animal has reached a fully mature state in adulthood. We will discuss such changes in the context of the nervous system of the nematode C. elegans, focusing on recent descriptions of anatomical and molecular changes that accompany postembryonic maturation of neurons. We summarize the characterization of genetic timer mechanisms that control these temporal transitions or maturational changes, and discuss that many but not all of these transitions relate to sexual maturation of the animal. We describe how temporal, spatial and sex-determination pathways are intertwined to sculpt the emergence of cell-type specific maturation events. Finally, we lay out several unresolved questions that should be addressed to move the field forward, both in C. elegans and in vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haosheng Sun
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology. University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
| | - Oliver Hobert
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, USA
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Mizumoto K, Jin Y, Bessereau JL. Synaptogenesis: unmasking molecular mechanisms using Caenorhabditis elegans. Genetics 2023; 223:iyac176. [PMID: 36630525 PMCID: PMC9910414 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyac176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is a research model organism particularly suited to the mechanistic understanding of synapse genesis in the nervous system. Armed with powerful genetics, knowledge of complete connectomics, and modern genomics, studies using C. elegans have unveiled multiple key regulators in the formation of a functional synapse. Importantly, many signaling networks display remarkable conservation throughout animals, underscoring the contributions of C. elegans research to advance the understanding of our brain. In this chapter, we will review up-to-date information of the contribution of C. elegans to the understanding of chemical synapses, from structure to molecules and to synaptic remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kota Mizumoto
- Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Yishi Jin
- Department of Neurobiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Jean-Louis Bessereau
- Univ Lyon, University Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS UMR 5284, INSERM U 1314, Melis, 69008 Lyon, France
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Johnson CA, Behbehani R, Buss F. Unconventional Myosins from Caenorhabditis elegans as a Probe to Study Human Orthologues. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12121889. [PMID: 36551317 PMCID: PMC9775386 DOI: 10.3390/biom12121889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Unconventional myosins are a superfamily of actin-based motor proteins that perform a number of roles in fundamental cellular processes, including (but not limited to) intracellular trafficking, cell motility, endocytosis, exocytosis and cytokinesis. 40 myosins genes have been identified in humans, which belong to different 12 classes based on their domain structure and organisation. These genes are widely expressed in different tissues, and mutations leading to loss of function are associated with a wide variety of pathologies while over-expression often results in cancer. Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) is a small, free-living, non-parasitic nematode. ~38% of the genome of C. elegans has predicted orthologues in the human genome, making it a valuable tool to study the function of human counterparts and human diseases. To date, 8 unconventional myosin genes have been identified in the nematode, from 6 different classes with high homology to human paralogues. The hum-1 and hum-5 (heavy chain of an unconventional myosin) genes encode myosin of class I, hum-2 of class V, hum-3 and hum-8 of class VI, hum-6 of class VII and hum-7 of class IX. The hum-4 gene encodes a high molecular mass myosin (307 kDa) that is one of the most highly divergent myosins and is a member of class XII. Mutations in many of the human orthologues are lethal, indicating their essential properties. However, a functional characterisation for many of these genes in C. elegans has not yet been performed. This article reviews the current knowledge of unconventional myosin genes in C. elegans and explores the potential use of the nematode to study the function and regulation of myosin motors to provide valuable insights into their role in diseases.
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Sun Z, Lin J, Zhang Y, Yao Y, Huang Z, Zhao Y, Zhang P, Fu S. Association between immunoglobulin A and depression in Chinese older adults: findings from a cross-sectional study. Immun Ageing 2022; 19:21. [PMID: 35606877 PMCID: PMC9125820 DOI: 10.1186/s12979-022-00283-y] [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: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Depression is considered to be an immune-related disease; however, previous studies have focused on inflammatory factors, and there is no conclusive conclusion on the relationships between immunoglobulins and depression. Therefore, the objective of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the associations between immunoglobulins and depressive symptoms in Chinese older adults. RESULTS The China Hainan Centenarian Cohort Study (CHCCS) provides a significant population-based sample of older adults in Hainan, China. A total of 1547 older adults were included in this study. A baseline survey was conducted using a structured questionnaire. Blood samples were obtained following standard procedures. The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15) was used to evaluate depressive symptoms of the participants. This sample of older adults had a median age of 94.75 (range: 80-116) years, and the proportion of women was 72.07%. The prevalence of older adults with depressive symptoms was 20.36% (315 older adults). After adjusting for all covariates, we found that immunoglobulin A levels were positively associated with depression. The adjusted reliability of the association between immunoglobulin A and depression was 0.106 (beta) and 1.083 (odds ratio) (P < 0.05 for both). CONCLUSIONS The present study provides epidemiological evidence that depression has significant associations with immunoglobulin A levels in older adults. Further research should be conducted on the effects of regulating immunoglobulin A to improve depressive symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhigao Sun
- Traditional Chinese Medicine Department, Hainan Hospital of Chinese People’s Liberation Army General Hospital, Sanya, China
| | - Jieqiong Lin
- Department of Pathology, Fujian Medical University Cancer Hospital, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yujie Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yao Yao
- Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development and Geriatrics Division, Medical School of Duke University, Durham, NC USA
- Center for Healthy Aging and Development Studies, National School of Development, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhenjun Huang
- Traditional Chinese Medicine Department, Hainan Hospital of Chinese People’s Liberation Army General Hospital, Sanya, China
| | - Yali Zhao
- Central Laboratory, Hainan Hospital of Chinese People’s Liberation Army General Hospital, Sanya, China
| | - Pei Zhang
- School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Shihui Fu
- Department of Cardiology, Hainan Hospital of Chinese People’s Liberation Army General Hospital, Sanya, China
- Department of Geriatric Cardiology, Chinese People’s Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing, China
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Miller-Fleming TW, Cuentas-Condori A, Manning L, Palumbos S, Richmond JE, Miller DM. Transcriptional Control of Parallel-Acting Pathways That Remove Specific Presynaptic Proteins in Remodeling Neurons. J Neurosci 2021; 41:5849-5866. [PMID: 34045310 PMCID: PMC8265810 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0893-20.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Revised: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Synapses are actively dismantled to mediate circuit refinement, but the developmental pathways that regulate synaptic disassembly are largely unknown. We have previously shown that the epithelial sodium channel ENaC/UNC-8 triggers an activity-dependent mechanism that drives the removal of presynaptic proteins liprin-α/SYD-2, Synaptobrevin/SNB-1, RAB-3, and Endophilin/UNC-57 in remodeling GABAergic neurons in Caenorhabditis elegans (Miller-Fleming et al., 2016). Here, we report that the conserved transcription factor Iroquois/IRX-1 regulates UNC-8 expression as well as an additional pathway, independent of UNC-8, that functions in parallel to dismantle functional presynaptic terminals. We show that the additional IRX-1-regulated pathway is selectively required for the removal of the presynaptic proteins, Munc13/UNC-13 and ELKS, which normally mediate synaptic vesicle (SV) fusion and neurotransmitter release. Our findings are notable because they highlight the key role of transcriptional regulation in synapse elimination during development and reveal parallel-acting pathways that coordinate synaptic disassembly by removing specific active zone proteins.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Synaptic pruning is a conserved feature of developing neural circuits but the mechanisms that dismantle the presynaptic apparatus are largely unknown. We have determined that synaptic disassembly is orchestrated by parallel-acting mechanisms that target distinct components of the active zone. Thus, our finding suggests that synaptic disassembly is not accomplished by en masse destruction but depends on mechanisms that dismantle the structure in an organized process.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andrea Cuentas-Condori
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37212
| | - Laura Manning
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60607
| | - Sierra Palumbos
- Neuroscience Program, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37212
| | - Janet E Richmond
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60607
| | - David M Miller
- Neuroscience Program, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37212
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37212
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10
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Chen C, Fu H, He P, Yang P, Tu H. Extracellular Matrix Muscle Arm Development Defective Protein Cooperates with the One Immunoglobulin Domain Protein To Suppress Precocious Synaptic Remodeling. ACS Chem Neurosci 2021; 12:2045-2056. [PMID: 34019371 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.1c00194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Synaptic remodeling plays important roles in health and neural disorders. Although previous studies revealed that several transcriptional programs control synaptic remodeling in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, the molecular mechanisms of the dorsal D-type (DD) synaptic remodeling are poorly understood. Here we show that extracellular matrix molecule muscle arm development defective protein-4 (MADD-4) cooperates with the one immunoglobulin domain protein-1 (OIG-1) to defer precocious DD synaptic remodeling. Specifically, loss of MADD-4 exhibited the precocious DD synaptic remodeling. The long isoform MADD-4L is dynamically expressed while the short isoform MADD-4B is persistently expressed in DD neurons of L1 stage. In the unc-30 mutant lacking the Pitx-type homeodomain transcription factor UNC-30, the expression levels of both MADD-4B and -L isoforms were dramatically downregulated in DD neurons of the L1 stage. Our further data showed that MADD-4B and -L isoforms physically interact with OIG-1 and madd-4 acts in the oig-1 genetic pathway to modulate the DD synaptic remodeling. Our findings demonstrated that the extracellular matrix plays a novel role in synaptic plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunhong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Institute of Neuroscience, College of Biology, Hunan University, 410082 Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Huiyuan Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Institute of Neuroscience, College of Biology, Hunan University, 410082 Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Ping He
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Institute of Neuroscience, College of Biology, Hunan University, 410082 Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Peng Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Institute of Neuroscience, College of Biology, Hunan University, 410082 Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Haijun Tu
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Institute of Neuroscience, College of Biology, Hunan University, 410082 Changsha, Hunan, China
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11
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Rossillo M, Ringstad N. Development of specialized sensory neurons engages a nuclear receptor required for functional plasticity. Genes Dev 2020; 34:1666-1679. [PMID: 33184226 PMCID: PMC7706712 DOI: 10.1101/gad.342212.120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In this study, Rossillo and Ringstad sought to determine mechanisms that support the physiology and plasticity of BAG neurons, which are specialized neurons that sense the respiratory gas carbon dioxide (CO2) and, in a context-dependent manner, switch from mediating avoidance of CO2 to supporting CO2 attraction in C. elegans. They used tandem ChIP-seq and cell targeted RNA-seq to identify gene targets of the transcription factor ETS-5, which is required for BAG development, and their functional screen of ETS-5 targets revealed that NHR-6, the sole C. elegans NR4A-type nuclear receptor, is required for BAG-mediated avoidance of CO2 and regulates expression of a subset of BAG-specific genes. During development, the nervous system generates neurons that serve highly specialized roles and, accordingly, possess unique functional attributes. The chemosensory BAG neurons of C. elegans are striking exemplars of this. BAGs sense the respiratory gas carbon dioxide (CO2) and, in a context-dependent manner, switch from mediating avoidance of CO2 to supporting CO2 attraction. To determine mechanisms that support the physiology and plasticity of BAG neurons, we used tandem ChIP-seq and cell targeted RNA-seq to identify gene targets of the transcription factor ETS-5, which is required for BAG development. A functional screen of ETS-5 targets revealed that NHR-6, the sole C. elegans NR4A-type nuclear receptor, is required for BAG-mediated avoidance of CO2 and regulates expression of a subset of BAG-specific genes. Unlike ets-5 mutants, which are defective for both attraction to and avoidance of CO2, nhr-6 mutants are fully competent for attraction. These data indicate that the remarkable ability of BAGs to adaptively assign positive or negative valence to a chemosensory stimulus requires a gene-regulatory program supported by an evolutionarily conserved type of nuclear receptor. We suggest that NHR-6 might be an example of a developmental mechanism for modular encoding of functional plasticity in the nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Rossillo
- Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine, Department of Cell Biology, Neuroscience Institute, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York 10016, USA
| | - Niels Ringstad
- Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine, Department of Cell Biology, Neuroscience Institute, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York 10016, USA
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12
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Cuentas-Condori A, Miller Rd DM. Synaptic remodeling, lessons from C. elegans. J Neurogenet 2020; 34:307-322. [PMID: 32808848 PMCID: PMC7855814 DOI: 10.1080/01677063.2020.1802725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Sydney Brenner's choice of Caenorhabditis elegans as a model organism for understanding the nervous system has accelerated discoveries of gene function in neural circuit development and behavior. In this review, we discuss a striking example of synaptic remodeling in the C. elegans motor circuit in which DD class motor neurons effectively reverse polarity as presynaptic and postsynaptic domains at opposite ends of the DD neurite switch locations. Originally revealed by EM reconstruction conducted over 40 years ago, DD remodeling has since been investigated by live cell imaging methods that exploit the power of C. elegans genetics to reveal key effectors of synaptic plasticity. Although synapses are also extensively rewired in developing mammalian circuits, the underlying remodeling mechanisms are largely unknown. Here, we highlight the possibility that studies in C. elegans can reveal pathways that orchestrate synaptic remodeling in more complex organisms. Specifically, we describe (1) transcription factors that regulate DD remodeling, (2) the cellular and molecular cascades that drive synaptic remodeling and (3) examples of circuit modifications in vertebrate neurons that share some similarities with synaptic remodeling in C. elegans DD neurons.
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13
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Herstel LJ, Wierenga CJ. Network control through coordinated inhibition. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2020; 67:34-41. [PMID: 32853970 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2020.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Revised: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Coordinated excitatory and inhibitory activity is required for proper brain functioning. Recent computational and experimental studies have demonstrated that activity patterns in recurrent cortical networks are dominated by inhibition. Whereas previous studies have suggested that inhibitory plasticity is important for homeostatic control, this new framework puts inhibition in the driver's seat. Complex neuronal networks in the brain comprise many configurations in parallel, controlled by external and internal 'switches'. Context-dependent modulation and plasticity of inhibitory connections play a key role in memory and learning. It is therefore important to realize that synaptic plasticity is often multisynaptic and that a proper balance between excitation and inhibition is not fixed, but depends on context and activity level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lotte J Herstel
- Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Biophysics, Biology Department, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, The Netherlands
| | - Corette J Wierenga
- Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Biophysics, Biology Department, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, The Netherlands.
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14
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Cuentas-Condori A, Mulcahy B, He S, Palumbos S, Zhen M, Miller DM. C. elegans neurons have functional dendritic spines. eLife 2019; 8:e47918. [PMID: 31584430 PMCID: PMC6802951 DOI: 10.7554/elife.47918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2019] [Accepted: 10/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Dendritic spines are specialized postsynaptic structures that transduce presynaptic signals, are regulated by neural activity and correlated with learning and memory. Most studies of spine function have focused on the mammalian nervous system. However, spine-like protrusions have been reported in C. elegans (Philbrook et al., 2018), suggesting that the experimental advantages of smaller model organisms could be exploited to study the biology of dendritic spines. Here, we used super-resolution microscopy, electron microscopy, live-cell imaging and genetics to show that C. elegans motor neurons have functional dendritic spines that: (1) are structurally defined by a dynamic actin cytoskeleton; (2) appose presynaptic dense projections; (3) localize ER and ribosomes; (4) display calcium transients triggered by presynaptic activity and propagated by internal Ca++ stores; (5) respond to activity-dependent signals that regulate spine density. These studies provide a solid foundation for a new experimental paradigm that exploits the power of C. elegans genetics and live-cell imaging for fundamental studies of dendritic spine morphogenesis and function.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ben Mulcahy
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research InstituteUniversity of TorontoTorontoCanada
| | - Siwei He
- Neuroscience ProgramVanderbilt UniversityNashvilleUnited States
| | - Sierra Palumbos
- Neuroscience ProgramVanderbilt UniversityNashvilleUnited States
| | - Mei Zhen
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research InstituteUniversity of TorontoTorontoCanada
| | - David M Miller
- Department of Cell and Developmental BiologyVanderbilt UniversityNashvilleUnited States
- Neuroscience ProgramVanderbilt UniversityNashvilleUnited States
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15
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Catela C, Kratsios P. Transcriptional mechanisms of motor neuron development in vertebrates and invertebrates. Dev Biol 2019; 475:193-204. [PMID: 31479648 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2019.08.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2017] [Revised: 07/08/2019] [Accepted: 08/29/2019] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Across phylogeny, motor neurons (MNs) represent a single but often remarkably diverse neuronal class composed of a multitude of subtypes required for vital behaviors, such as eating and locomotion. Over the past decades, seminal studies in multiple model organisms have advanced our molecular understanding of the early steps of MN development, such as progenitor specification and acquisition of MN subtype identity, by revealing key roles for several evolutionarily conserved transcription factors. However, very little is known about the molecular strategies that allow distinct MN subtypes to maintain their identity- and function-defining features during the late steps of development and postnatal life. Here, we provide an overview of invertebrate and vertebrate studies on transcription factor-based strategies that control early and late steps of MN development, aiming to highlight evolutionarily conserved gene regulatory principles necessary for establishment and maintenance of neuronal identity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catarina Catela
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA; The Grossman Institute for Neuroscience, Quantitative Biology and Human Behavior, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Paschalis Kratsios
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA; The Grossman Institute for Neuroscience, Quantitative Biology and Human Behavior, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
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16
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He S, Cuentas-Condori A, Miller DM. NATF (Native and Tissue-Specific Fluorescence): A Strategy for Bright, Tissue-Specific GFP Labeling of Native Proteins in Caenorhabditis elegans. Genetics 2019; 212:387-395. [PMID: 30952669 PMCID: PMC6553825 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.119.302063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2019] [Accepted: 03/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
GFP labeling by genome editing can reveal the authentic location of a native protein, but is frequently hampered by weak GFP signals and broad expression across a range of tissues that may obscure cell-specific localization. To overcome these problems, we engineered a Native And Tissue-specific Fluorescence (NATF) strategy that combines genome editing and split-GFP to yield bright, cell-specific protein labeling. We use clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats CRISPR/Cas9 to insert a tandem array of seven copies of the GFP11 β-strand (gfp11x7 ) at the genomic locus of each target protein. The resultant gfp11x7 knock-in strain is then crossed with separate reporter lines that express the complementing split-GFP fragment (gfp1-10) in specific cell types, thus affording tissue-specific labeling of the target protein at its native level. We show that NATF reveals the otherwise undetectable intracellular location of the immunoglobulin protein OIG-1 and demarcates the receptor auxiliary protein LEV-10 at cell-specific synaptic domains in the Caenorhabditis elegans nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siwei He
- Program in Neuroscience, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37240
| | - Andrea Cuentas-Condori
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37240
| | - David M Miller
- Program in Neuroscience, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37240
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17
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Blanco MG, Vela Gurovic MS, Silbestri GF, Garelli A, Giunti S, Rayes D, De Rosa MJ. Diisopropylphenyl-imidazole (DII): A new compound that exerts anthelmintic activity through novel molecular mechanisms. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018; 12:e0007021. [PMID: 30557347 PMCID: PMC6312359 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2018] [Revised: 12/31/2018] [Accepted: 11/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Nematode parasites cause substantial morbidity to billions of people and considerable losses in livestock and food crops. The repertoire of effective anthelmintic compounds for treating these parasitoses is very limited, as drug development has been delayed for decades. Moreover, resistance has become a global concern in livestock parasites and is an emerging issue for human helminthiasis. Therefore, anthelmintics with novel mechanisms of action are urgently needed. Taking advantage of Caenorhabditis elegans as an established model system, we here screened the nematicidal potential of novel imidazolium and imidazole derivatives. One of these derivatives, diisopropylphenyl-imidazole (DII), is lethal to C. elegans at both mature and immature stages. This lethal effect appears to be specific because DII concentrations which prove to be toxic to C. elegans do not induce significant lethality on bacteria, Drosophila melanogaster, and HEK-293 cells. Our analysis of DII action on C. elegans mutant strains determined that, in the adult stage, null mutants of unc-29 are resistant to the drug. Muscle expression of this gene completely restores DII sensitivity. UNC-29 has been largely reported as an essential constituent of the levamisole-sensitive muscle nicotinic receptor (L-AChR). Nevertheless, null mutants in unc-63 and lev-8 (essential and non-essential subunits of L-AChRs, respectively) are as sensitive to DII as the wild-type strain. Therefore, our results suggest that DII effects on adult nematodes rely on a previously unidentified UNC-29-containing muscle AChR, different from the classical L-AChR. Interestingly, DII targets appear to be different between larvae and adults, as unc-29 null mutant larvae are sensitive to the drug. The existence of more than one target could delay resistance development. Its lethality on C. elegans, its harmlessness in non-nematode species and its novel and dual mechanism of action make DII a promising candidate compound for anthelmintic therapy. Intestinal helminth infections affect approximately one-third of the world’s population, particularly in developing countries. Paradoxically, drug development in this area has been delayed for years. In addition, resistance to currently available drugs is also an emerging global concern. Therefore, there is an urgent need for new and effective anthelmintics. In this work, we used C. elegans as a model for parasitic nematodes to screen the anthelmintic activity of several imidazole-derivative compounds. We found a compound, diisopropylphenyl-imidazole (DII), that is lethal to both mature and immature stages of C. elegans. The DII nematicidal mechanism of action depends on a novel UNC-29-containing AChR in adult C. elegans muscle. Since this mechanism is different from those of currently used anthelmintics, it could constitute a therapeutic option when traditional anthelmintic agents fail. In addition, we found that the DII larvicidal effect depends on a different target to that of adult stages. The fact that DII produces lethality through different targets may delay resistance development. The specificity and novel mode of action of DII, which includes differential targeting in larvae and adult nematodes, support its potential as a promising drug candidate to treat helminthiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Gabriela Blanco
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca (INIBIBB) CCT UNS-CONICET, Bahía Blanca, Argentina.,Dpto de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional del Sur, Bahía Blanca, Argentina
| | - María Soledad Vela Gurovic
- Dpto de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional del Sur, Bahía Blanca, Argentina.,CERZOS UNS-CONICET CCT, Bahía Blanca, Argentina
| | - Gustavo Fabián Silbestri
- Dpto de Química, Universidad Nacional del Sur (UNS)-CONICET, Instituto de Química del Sur (INQUISUR), Bahía Blanca, Argentina
| | - Andrés Garelli
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca (INIBIBB) CCT UNS-CONICET, Bahía Blanca, Argentina.,Dpto de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional del Sur, Bahía Blanca, Argentina
| | - Sebastián Giunti
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca (INIBIBB) CCT UNS-CONICET, Bahía Blanca, Argentina.,Dpto de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional del Sur, Bahía Blanca, Argentina
| | - Diego Rayes
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca (INIBIBB) CCT UNS-CONICET, Bahía Blanca, Argentina.,Dpto de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional del Sur, Bahía Blanca, Argentina
| | - María José De Rosa
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca (INIBIBB) CCT UNS-CONICET, Bahía Blanca, Argentina.,Dpto de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional del Sur, Bahía Blanca, Argentina
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18
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Philbrook A, Ramachandran S, Lambert CM, Oliver D, Florman J, Alkema MJ, Lemons M, Francis MM. Neurexin directs partner-specific synaptic connectivity in C. elegans. eLife 2018; 7:35692. [PMID: 30039797 PMCID: PMC6057746 DOI: 10.7554/elife.35692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2018] [Accepted: 06/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
In neural circuits, individual neurons often make projections onto multiple postsynaptic partners. Here, we investigate molecular mechanisms by which these divergent connections are generated, using dyadic synapses in C. elegans as a model. We report that C. elegans nrx-1/neurexin directs divergent connectivity through differential actions at synapses with partnering neurons and muscles. We show that cholinergic outputs onto neurons are, unexpectedly, located at previously undefined spine-like protrusions from GABAergic dendrites. Both these spine-like features and cholinergic receptor clustering are strikingly disrupted in the absence of nrx-1. Excitatory transmission onto GABAergic neurons, but not neuromuscular transmission, is also disrupted. Our data indicate that NRX-1 located at presynaptic sites specifically directs postsynaptic development in GABAergic neurons. Our findings provide evidence that individual neurons can direct differential patterns of connectivity with their post-synaptic partners through partner-specific utilization of synaptic organizers, offering a novel view into molecular control of divergent connectivity. Nervous systems are complex networks of interconnected cells called neurons. These networks vary in size from a few hundred cells in worms, to tens of billions in the human brain. Within these networks, each individual neuron forms connections – called synapses – with many others. But these partner neurons are not necessarily alike. In fact, they may be different cell types. How neurons form distinct connections with different partner cells remains unclear. Part of the answer may lie in specialized proteins called cell adhesion molecules. These proteins occur on the cell surface and enable neurons to recognize one another. This helps ensure that the cells form appropriate connections via synapses. Cell adhesion molecules are therefore also known as synaptic organizers. Philbrook et al. have now examined the role of synaptic organizers in wiring up the nervous system of the nematode worm and model organism Caenorhabditis elegans. Motor neurons form connections with two types of partner cell: muscle cells and neurons. Philbrook et al. screened C. elegans that have mutations in genes encoding various synaptic organizers. This revealed that a protein called neurexin must be present for motor neurons to form synapses with other neurons. By contrast, neurexin is not required for the same neurons to establish synapses with muscles. Philbrook et al. found that neuron-to-neuron synapses arise at specialized finger-like projections. These resemble the dendritic spines at which synapses form in the brains of mammals, and had not been previously identified in C. elegans. In worms that lack neurexin, these spine-like structures do not form correctly, disrupting the formation of neuron-to-neuron connections. Previous work has implicated neurexin in synapse formation in the mammalian brain. But this is the first study to reveal a role for neurexin in establishing partner-specific synaptic connections. Mutations in synaptic organizers, including neurexin, contribute to disorders of brain development. These include schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorders. Learning more about how neurexin helps establish specific synaptic connections may help us understand how these disorders arise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison Philbrook
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, United States
| | - Shankar Ramachandran
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, United States
| | - Christopher M Lambert
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, United States
| | - Devyn Oliver
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, United States
| | - Jeremy Florman
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, United States
| | - Mark J Alkema
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, United States
| | - Michele Lemons
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, United States.,Department of Natural Sciences, Assumption College, Worcester, United States
| | - Michael M Francis
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, United States
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19
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Jin Y, Qi YB. Building stereotypic connectivity: mechanistic insights into structural plasticity from C. elegans. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2017; 48:97-105. [PMID: 29182952 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2017.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2017] [Revised: 11/07/2017] [Accepted: 11/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The ability of neurons to modify or remodel their synaptic connectivity is critical for the function of neural circuitry throughout the life of an animal. Understanding the mechanisms underlying neuronal structural changes is central to our knowledge of how the nervous system is shaped for complex behaviors and how it further adapts to developmental and environmental demands. Caenorhabditis elegans provides a powerful model for examining developmental processes and for discovering mechanisms controlling neural plasticity. Recent findings have identified conserved themes underlying neural plasticity in development and under environmental stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yishi Jin
- Section of Neurobiology, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
| | - Yingchuan B Qi
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Organ Development and Regeneration, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 310036, China.
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20
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Yu B, Wang X, Wei S, Fu T, Dzakah EE, Waqas A, Walthall WW, Shan G. Convergent Transcriptional Programs Regulate cAMP Levels in C. elegans GABAergic Motor Neurons. Dev Cell 2017; 43:212-226.e7. [PMID: 29033363 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2017.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2017] [Revised: 06/26/2017] [Accepted: 09/15/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Both transcriptional regulation and signaling pathways play crucial roles in neuronal differentiation and plasticity. Caenorhabditis elegans possesses 19 GABAergic motor neurons (MNs) called D MNs, which are divided into two subgroups: DD and VD. DD, but not VD, MNs reverse their cellular polarity in a developmental process called respecification. UNC-30 and UNC-55 are two critical transcription factors in D MNs. By using chromatin immunoprecipitation with CRISPR/Cas9 knockin of GFP fusion, we uncovered the global targets of UNC-30 and UNC-55. UNC-30 and UNC-55 are largely converged to regulate over 1,300 noncoding and coding genes, and genes in multiple biological processes, including cAMP metabolism, are co-regulated. Increase in cAMP levels may serve as a timing signal for respecification, whereas UNC-55 regulates genes such as pde-4 to keep the cAMP levels low in VD. Other genes modulating DD respecification such as lin-14, irx-1, and oig-1 are also found to affect cAMP levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Yu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui Province 230027, China
| | - Xiaolin Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui Province 230027, China
| | - Shuai Wei
- CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui Province 230027, China
| | - Tao Fu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui Province 230027, China
| | - Emmanuel Enoch Dzakah
- CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui Province 230027, China
| | - Ahmed Waqas
- CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui Province 230027, China
| | - Walter W Walthall
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Ge Shan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui Province 230027, China.
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21
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MYRFs on the Move to Rewire Circuits. Dev Cell 2017; 41:123-124. [PMID: 28441525 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2017.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Synaptic plasticity occurs in response to intrinsic and extrinsic cues and is a key step in the formation of mature neuronal circuits. In this issue of Developmental Cell, Meng et al. (2017) find that two conserved Myrf transcription factors coexist in the same complex to promote developmental circuit remodeling.
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22
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Meng J, Ma X, Tao H, Jin X, Witvliet D, Mitchell J, Zhu M, Dong MQ, Zhen M, Jin Y, Qi YB. Myrf ER-Bound Transcription Factors Drive C. elegans Synaptic Plasticity via Cleavage-Dependent Nuclear Translocation. Dev Cell 2017; 41:180-194.e7. [PMID: 28441531 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2017.03.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2016] [Revised: 01/20/2017] [Accepted: 02/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Synaptic refinement is a critical step in nervous system maturation, requiring a carefully timed reorganization and refinement of neuronal connections. We have identified myrf-1 and myrf-2, two C. elegans homologs of Myrf family transcription factors, as key regulators of synaptic rewiring. MYRF-1 and its paralog MYRF-2 are functionally redundant specifically in synaptic rewiring. They co-exist in the same protein complex and act cooperatively to regulate synaptic rewiring. We find that the MYRF proteins localize to the ER membrane and that they are cleaved into active N-terminal fragments, which then translocate into the nucleus to drive synaptic rewiring. Overexpression of active forms of MYRF is sufficient to accelerate synaptic rewiring. MYRF-1 and MYRF-2 are the first genes identified to be indispensable for promoting synaptic rewiring in C. elegans. These findings reveal a molecular mechanism underlying synaptic rewiring and developmental circuit plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Meng
- Institute of Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Organ Development and Regeneration, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 310036, China; Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Xiaoxia Ma
- Institute of Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Organ Development and Regeneration, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 310036, China
| | - Huaping Tao
- Institute of Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Organ Development and Regeneration, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 310036, China
| | - Xia Jin
- Institute of Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Organ Development and Regeneration, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 310036, China
| | - Daniel Witvliet
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - James Mitchell
- Department of Physics, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Ming Zhu
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Meng-Qiu Dong
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Mei Zhen
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada; Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada; Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON M5G 1X5, Canada
| | - Yishi Jin
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Neurobiology Section, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Yingchuan B Qi
- Institute of Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Organ Development and Regeneration, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 310036, China.
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23
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Abstract
Regardless of how a nervous system is genetically built, natural selection is acting on the functional outcome of its activity. To understand how nervous systems evolve, it is essential to analyze how their functional units - the neural circuits - change and adapt over time. A neural circuit can evolve in many different ways, and the underlying developmental and genetic mechanisms involve different sets of genes. Therefore, the comparison of gene expression can help reconstructing circuit evolution, as demonstrated by several examples in sensory systems. Functional constraints on neural circuit evolution suggest that in nervous systems developmental and genetic variants do not appear randomly, and that the evolution of neuroanatomy might be biased. Sensory systems, in particular, seem to evolve along trajectories that enhance their evolvability, ensuring adaptation to different environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Antonietta Tosches
- Max Planck Institute for Brain Research, Max-von-Laue Strasse 4, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
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24
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Barbagallo B, Philbrook A, Touroutine D, Banerjee N, Oliver D, Lambert CM, Francis MM. Excitatory neurons sculpt GABAergic neuronal connectivity in the C. elegans motor circuit. Development 2017; 144:1807-1819. [PMID: 28420711 DOI: 10.1242/dev.141911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2016] [Accepted: 04/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Establishing and maintaining the appropriate number of GABA synapses is key for balancing excitation and inhibition in the nervous system, though we have only a limited understanding of the mechanisms controlling GABA circuit connectivity. Here, we show that disrupting cholinergic innervation of GABAergic neurons in the C. elegans motor circuit alters GABAergic neuron synaptic connectivity. These changes are accompanied by reduced frequency and increased amplitude of GABAergic synaptic events. Acute genetic disruption in early development, during the integration of post-embryonic-born GABAergic neurons into the circuit, produces irreversible effects on GABAergic synaptic connectivity that mimic those produced by chronic manipulations. In contrast, acute genetic disruption of cholinergic signaling in the adult circuit does not reproduce these effects. Our findings reveal that GABAergic signaling is regulated by cholinergic neuronal activity, probably through distinct mechanisms in the developing and mature nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belinda Barbagallo
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Alison Philbrook
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Denis Touroutine
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Navonil Banerjee
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Devyn Oliver
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Christopher M Lambert
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Michael M Francis
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
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25
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Campbell RF, Walthall WW. Meis/UNC-62 isoform dependent regulation of CoupTF-II/UNC-55 and GABAergic motor neuron subtype differentiation. Dev Biol 2016; 419:250-261. [PMID: 27634571 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2016.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2016] [Revised: 08/24/2016] [Accepted: 09/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Gene regulatory networks orchestrate the assembly of functionally related cells within a cellular network. Subtle differences often exist among functionally related cells within such networks. How differences are created among cells with similar functions has been difficult to determine due to the complexity of both the gene and the cellular networks. In Caenorhabditis elegans, the DD and VD motor neurons compose a cross-inhibitory, GABAergic network that coordinates dorsal and ventral muscle contractions during locomotion. The Pitx2 homologue, UNC-30, acts as a terminal selector gene to create similarities and the Coup-TFII homologue, UNC-55, is necessary for creating differences between the two motor neuron classes. What is the organizing gene regulatory network responsible for initiating the expression of UNC-55 and thus creating differences between the DD and VD motor neurons? We show that the unc-55 promoter has modules that contain Meis/UNC-62 binding sites. These sites can be subdivided into regions that are capable of activating or repressing UNC-55 expression in different motor neurons. Interestingly, different isoforms of UNC-62 are responsible for the activation and the stabilization of unc-55 transcription. Furthermore, specific isoforms of UNC-62 are required for proper synaptic patterning of the VD motor neurons. Isoform specific regulation of differentiating neurons is a relatively unexplored area of research and presents a mechanism for creating differences among functionally related cells within a network.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Animals, Genetically Modified
- CRISPR-Cas Systems
- Caenorhabditis elegans/genetics
- Caenorhabditis elegans/physiology
- Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins/biosynthesis
- Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins/physiology
- GABAergic Neurons/cytology
- Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
- Gene Regulatory Networks/genetics
- Genes, Reporter
- Homeodomain Proteins/physiology
- Motor Neurons/classification
- Motor Neurons/cytology
- Neurogenesis/genetics
- Promoter Regions, Genetic/genetics
- Protein Isoforms/physiology
- RNA, Helminth/biosynthesis
- RNA, Helminth/genetics
- RNA, Messenger/biosynthesis
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- Receptors, Cell Surface/biosynthesis
- Receptors, Cell Surface/physiology
- Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear/biosynthesis
- Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear/physiology
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins/genetics
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins/metabolism
- Transcription Factors
- Transcription, Genetic/genetics
- RNA, Guide, CRISPR-Cas Systems
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard F Campbell
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, United States
| | - Walter W Walthall
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, United States.
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Miller-Fleming TW, Petersen SC, Manning L, Matthewman C, Gornet M, Beers A, Hori S, Mitani S, Bianchi L, Richmond J, Miller DM. The DEG/ENaC cation channel protein UNC-8 drives activity-dependent synapse removal in remodeling GABAergic neurons. eLife 2016; 5. [PMID: 27403890 PMCID: PMC4980115 DOI: 10.7554/elife.14599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2016] [Accepted: 07/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic programming and neural activity drive synaptic remodeling in developing neural circuits, but the molecular components that link these pathways are poorly understood. Here we show that the C. elegans Degenerin/Epithelial Sodium Channel (DEG/ENaC) protein, UNC-8, is transcriptionally controlled to function as a trigger in an activity-dependent mechanism that removes synapses in remodeling GABAergic neurons. UNC-8 cation channel activity promotes disassembly of presynaptic domains in DD type GABA neurons, but not in VD class GABA neurons where unc-8 expression is blocked by the COUP/TF transcription factor, UNC-55. We propose that the depolarizing effect of UNC-8-dependent sodium import elevates intracellular calcium in a positive feedback loop involving the voltage-gated calcium channel UNC-2 and the calcium-activated phosphatase TAX-6/calcineurin to initiate a caspase-dependent mechanism that disassembles the presynaptic apparatus. Thus, UNC-8 serves as a link between genetic and activity-dependent pathways that function together to promote the elimination of GABA synapses in remodeling neurons. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.14599.001 The brain contains billions of nerve cells, or neurons, that communicate with one another through connections called synapses. As the brain develops, these circuits are extensively modified as new synapses are created and others are removed. Neurological disorders may emerge if these processes are not regulated correctly. Identifying the biological pathways that control the addition and removal of synapses could therefore provide new insights into how to treat human brain diseases. To communicate across a synapse, the signaling neuron releases chemicals called neurotransmitters that alter the activity of the receiving neuron. Some neurotransmitters, such as GABA, inhibit the activity of the receiving neuron. The activity of a neuron – and hence how often it releases neurotransmitters – depends on different ions moving into and out of the neuron through proteins called ion channels that are embedded in the cell membrane. For example, the movement of calcium ions into the neuron can trigger the release of neurotransmitters. The roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans is often used as a model organism to study how the brain develops. During development, the worm nervous system eliminates synapses that release GABA and reassembles them at new locations. However, the nervous system does not eliminate these synapses at random. Miller-Fleming, Petersen et al. now show that a C. elegans protein called UNC-8 is responsible for this effect. UNC-8 forms part of an ion channel that allows sodium ions to enter the neuron and is selectively produced in GABA neurons that are destined for remodeling. Miller-Fleming, Petersen et al. found that inside GABA-releasing neurons, calcium ions stimulate an enzyme called calcineurin that may in turn activate UNC-8. Sodium ions then enter the neuron through UNC-8 channels. This boosts the activity of the calcium ion channels, which further increases how many calcium ions enter the cell. Ultimately, the amount of calcium inside the neuron becomes high enough to activate an additional pathway that eliminates the synapse. This downstream pathway involves components of a cell-killing (or “apoptotic”) mechanism that is repurposed in this case to remove the GABA release apparatus at the synapse. Other proteins are likely to help UNC-8 sense the activity of neurons and destroy synapses in response. Further work is required to investigate these additional components and to determine how they work with UNC-8 to remove synapses in the nervous system during development. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.14599.002
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sarah C Petersen
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, United States
| | - Laura Manning
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, United States
| | - Cristina Matthewman
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Miami, Miami, United States
| | - Megan Gornet
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, United States
| | - Allison Beers
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, United States
| | - Sayaka Hori
- Department of Physiology, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shohei Mitani
- Department of Physiology, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Laura Bianchi
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Miami, Miami, United States
| | - Janet Richmond
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, United States
| | - David M Miller
- Neuroscience Program, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, United States.,Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, United States
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Kurup N, Jin Y. Neural circuit rewiring: insights from DD synapse remodeling. WORM 2015; 5:e1129486. [PMID: 27073734 DOI: 10.1080/21624054.2015.1129486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2015] [Revised: 11/24/2015] [Accepted: 12/04/2015] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Nervous systems exhibit many forms of neuronal plasticity during growth, learning and memory consolidation, as well as in response to injury. Such plasticity can occur across entire nervous systems as with the case of insect metamorphosis, in individual classes of neurons, or even at the level of a single neuron. A striking example of neuronal plasticity in C. elegans is the synaptic rewiring of the GABAergic Dorsal D-type motor neurons during larval development, termed DD remodeling. DD remodeling entails multi-step coordination to concurrently eliminate pre-existing synapses and form new synapses on different neurites, without changing the overall morphology of the neuron. This mini-review focuses on recent advances in understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms driving DD remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naina Kurup
- Neurobiology Section, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California , San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Yishi Jin
- Neurobiology Section, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
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