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The presynaptic glycine transporter GlyT2 is regulated by the Hedgehog pathway in vitro and in vivo. Commun Biol 2021; 4:1197. [PMID: 34663888 PMCID: PMC8523746 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02718-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The identity of a glycinergic synapse is maintained presynaptically by the activity of a surface glycine transporter, GlyT2, which recaptures glycine back to presynaptic terminals to preserve vesicular glycine content. GlyT2 loss-of-function mutations cause Hyperekplexia, a rare neurological disease in which loss of glycinergic neurotransmission causes generalized stiffness and strong motor alterations. However, the molecular underpinnings controlling GlyT2 activity remain poorly understood. In this work, we identify the Hedgehog pathway as a robust controller of GlyT2 expression and transport activity. Modulating the activation state of the Hedgehog pathway in vitro in rodent primary spinal cord neurons or in vivo in zebrafish embryos induced a selective control in GlyT2 expression, regulating GlyT2 transport activity. Our results indicate that activation of Hedgehog reduces GlyT2 expression by increasing its ubiquitination and degradation. This work describes a new molecular link between the Hedgehog signaling pathway and presynaptic glycine availability. By modulating the activation state of the Hedgehog pathway, de la Rocha-Muñoz et al demonstrate that Hedgehog signaling controls the expression and transport activity of the neuronal glycine transporter GlyT2. This work begins to reveal a potential link between the Hedgehog signaling pathway and presynaptic glycine availability.
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2
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Rauschenberger V, von Wardenburg N, Schaefer N, Ogino K, Hirata H, Lillesaar C, Kluck CJ, Meinck H, Borrmann M, Weishaupt A, Doppler K, Wickel J, Geis C, Sommer C, Villmann C. Glycine Receptor
Autoantibodies Impair Receptor Function and Induce Motor Dysfunction. Ann Neurol 2020; 88:544-561. [DOI: 10.1002/ana.25832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2019] [Revised: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Vera Rauschenberger
- Institute for Clinical NeurobiologyUniversity Hospital, Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg Würzburg Germany
| | - Niels von Wardenburg
- Institute for Clinical NeurobiologyUniversity Hospital, Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg Würzburg Germany
| | - Natascha Schaefer
- Institute for Clinical NeurobiologyUniversity Hospital, Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg Würzburg Germany
| | - Kazutoyo Ogino
- Department of Chemistry and Biological ScienceCollege of Science and Engineering, Aoyama Gakuin University Tokyo Japan
| | - Hiromi Hirata
- Department of Chemistry and Biological ScienceCollege of Science and Engineering, Aoyama Gakuin University Tokyo Japan
| | - Christina Lillesaar
- Department of Child and Adolescent PsychiatryCenter of Mental Health, University Hospital of Würzburg Würzburg Germany
| | - Christoph J. Kluck
- Institute of Biochemistry, Emil Fischer Center, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen–Nürnberg Erlangen Germany
| | | | - Marc Borrmann
- WittenHelios University Hospital Wuppertal, Department of Nephrology and Rheumatology, Witten/Herdecke University Germany
| | - Andreas Weishaupt
- Department of NeurologyUniversity Hospital Würzburg Würzburg Germany
| | - Kathrin Doppler
- Department of NeurologyUniversity Hospital Würzburg Würzburg Germany
| | - Jonathan Wickel
- Section of Translational Neuroimmunology, Department of NeurologyJena University Hospital Jena Germany
| | - Christian Geis
- Section of Translational Neuroimmunology, Department of NeurologyJena University Hospital Jena Germany
| | - Claudia Sommer
- Department of NeurologyUniversity Hospital Würzburg Würzburg Germany
| | - Carmen Villmann
- Institute for Clinical NeurobiologyUniversity Hospital, Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg Würzburg Germany
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3
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Serpa BJ, Bullard JD, Mendiola VC, Smith CJ, Stewart B, Ganser LR. D-Amphetamine Exposure Differentially Disrupts Signaling Across Ontogeny in the Zebrafish. Bioelectricity 2019; 1:85-104. [PMID: 32292892 PMCID: PMC6595799 DOI: 10.1089/bioe.2019.0006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Prescriptive and illicit amphetamine (AMPH) use continues to increase along with the likelihood that during an individual's lifetime, the drug deleteriously influences the growth and connectivity of behavior circuits necessary for survival. Throughout ontogeny, neural circuits underlying these behaviors grow in complexity, gradually integrating many sensory inputs that trigger higher order coordinated motor responses. In the present study, we examine how AMPH disrupts the establishment of these circuits at critical neurodevelopmental periods, as well as the communication among established survival circuits. Materials and Methods: Zebrafish embryos (from 1 hpf) were raised in AMPH solutions, growth parameters and escape behavior were assessed at 24 and 48 hpf, and spinal cord tissues analyzed for differences in excitatory-inhibitory signaling balance among treatments. Adult fish were fed an acute dosage of AMPH over an 11-day conditioned place preference (PP) paradigm during which behaviors were recorded and brain tissues analyzed for alterations in dopaminergic signaling. Results: AMPH negatively affects embryonic growth and slows the execution of escape behavior, suggesting an imbalance in locomotor signaling. Although local spinal circuits provide primary escape modulation, no differences in inhibitory glycinergic, and excitatory glutamatergic signaling were measured among spinal neurons. AMPH also influenced place preference in adult zebrafish and resulted in the increased expression of dopamine signaling proteins (DRD1) in brain areas governing survival behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bradley J. Serpa
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, Georgia
| | - Jennifer D. Bullard
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, Georgia
| | - Victoria C. Mendiola
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, Georgia
| | - Crystal J. Smith
- Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Brandon Stewart
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, Georgia
| | - Lisa R. Ganser
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, Georgia
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Samarut E, Chalopin D, Riché R, Allard M, Liao M, Drapeau P. Individual knock out of glycine receptor alpha subunits identifies a specific requirement of glra1 for motor function in zebrafish. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0216159. [PMID: 31048868 PMCID: PMC6497278 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0216159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Glycine receptors (GlyRs) are ligand-gated chloride channels mediating inhibitory neurotransmission in the brain stem and spinal cord. They function as pentamers composed of alpha and beta subunits for which 5 genes have been identified in human (GLRA1, GLRA2, GLRA3, GLRA4, GLRB). Several in vitro studies showed that the pentameric subtype composition as well as its stoichiometry influence the distribution and the molecular function of the receptor. Moreover, mutations in some of these genes are involved in different human conditions ranging from tinnitus to epilepsy and hyperekplexia, suggesting distinct functions of the different subunits. Although the beta subunit is essential for synaptic clustering of the receptor, the specific role of each alpha subtype is still puzzling in vivo. The zebrafish genome encodes for five glycine receptor alpha subunits (glra1, glra2, glra3, glra4a, glra4b) thus offering a model of choice to investigate the respective role of each subtype on general motor behaviour. After establishing a phylogeny of GlyR subunit evolution between human and zebrafish, we checked the temporal expression pattern of these transcripts during embryo development. Interestingly, we found that glra1 is the only maternally transmitted alpha subunit. We also showed that the expression of the different GlyR subunits starts at different time points during development. Lastly, in order to decipher the role of each alpha subunit on the general motor behaviour of the fish, we knocked out individually each alpha subunit by CRISPR/Cas9-targeted mutagenesis. Surprisingly, we found that knocking out any of the alpha2, 3, a4a or a4b subunit did not lead to any obvious developmental or motor phenotype. However, glra1-/- (hitch) embryos depicted a strong motor dysfunction from 3 days, making them incapable to swim and thus leading to their premature death. Our results infer a strong functional redundancy between alpha subunits and confirm the central role played by glra1 for proper inhibitory neurotransmission controlling locomotion. The genetic tools we developed here will be of general interest for further studies aiming at dissecting the role of GlyRs in glycinergic transmission in vivo and the hitch mutant (hic) is of specific relevance as a new model of hyperekplexia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Samarut
- Research Center of the University of Montreal Hospital Center (CRCHUM), Department of Neurosciences, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- DanioDesign Inc., Montréal, QC, Canada
- Modelis Inc., Montréal, QC, Canada
- * E-mail:
| | - Domitille Chalopin
- UnivLyon, ENS de Lyon, Université de Lyon, CNRS UMR5239, INSERM U1210, Lyon, France
| | - Raphaëlle Riché
- Research Center of the University of Montreal Hospital Center (CRCHUM), Department of Neurosciences, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Marc Allard
- Research Center of the University of Montreal Hospital Center (CRCHUM), Department of Neurosciences, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Meijiang Liao
- Research Center of the University of Montreal Hospital Center (CRCHUM), Department of Neurosciences, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Pierre Drapeau
- Research Center of the University of Montreal Hospital Center (CRCHUM), Department of Neurosciences, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- DanioDesign Inc., Montréal, QC, Canada
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5
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Roberts AC, Chornak J, Alzagatiti JB, Ly DT, Bill BR, Trinkeller J, Pearce KC, Choe RC, Campbell CS, Wong D, Deutsch E, Hernandez S, Glanzman DL. Rapid habituation of a touch-induced escape response in Zebrafish (Danio rerio) Larvae. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0214374. [PMID: 30946762 PMCID: PMC6449028 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0214374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2018] [Accepted: 03/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Zebrafish larvae have several biological features that make them useful for cellular investigations of the mechanisms underlying learning and memory. Of particular interest in this regard is a rapid escape, or startle, reflex possessed by zebrafish larvae; this reflex, the C-start, is mediated by a relatively simple neuronal circuit and exhibits habituation, a non-associative form of learning. Here we demonstrate a rapid form of habituation of the C-start to touch that resembles the previously reported rapid habituation induced by auditory or vibrational stimuli. We also show that touch-induced habituation exhibits input specificity. This work sets the stage for in vivo optical investigations of the cellular sites of plasticity that mediate habituation of the C-start in the larval zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam C. Roberts
- Department of Psychology, California State University at Fullerton, Fullerton, CA, United States of America
| | - Julia Chornak
- Department of Neuroscience, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
| | - Joseph B. Alzagatiti
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
| | - Duy T. Ly
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
| | - Brent R. Bill
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at Tyler, Tyler, TX, United States of America
| | - Janie Trinkeller
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
| | - Kaycey C. Pearce
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
| | - Ronny C. Choe
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
| | - C. S. Campbell
- Department of Psychology, California State University at Fullerton, Fullerton, CA, United States of America
| | - Dustin Wong
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
| | - Emily Deutsch
- Department of Psychology, California State University at Fullerton, Fullerton, CA, United States of America
| | - Sarah Hernandez
- Department of Psychology, California State University at Fullerton, Fullerton, CA, United States of America
| | - David L. Glanzman
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
- Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
- Integrative Center for Learning and Memory, Brain Research Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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6
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James DM, Kozol RA, Kajiwara Y, Wahl AL, Storrs EC, Buxbaum JD, Klein M, Moshiree B, Dallman JE. Intestinal dysmotility in a zebrafish ( Danio rerio) shank3a;shank3b mutant model of autism. Mol Autism 2019; 10:3. [PMID: 30733854 PMCID: PMC6357389 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-018-0250-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2018] [Accepted: 11/26/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and aims Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is currently estimated to affect more than 1% of the world population. For people with ASD, gastrointestinal (GI) distress is a commonly reported but a poorly understood co-occurring symptom. Here, we investigate the physiological basis for GI distress in ASD by studying gut function in a zebrafish model of Phelan-McDermid syndrome (PMS), a condition caused by mutations in the SHANK3 gene. Methods To generate a zebrafish model of PMS, we used CRISPR/Cas9 to introduce clinically related C-terminal frameshift mutations in shank3a and shank3b zebrafish paralogues (shank3abΔC). Because PMS is caused by SHANK3 haploinsufficiency, we assessed the digestive tract (DT) structure and function in zebrafish shank3abΔC+/− heterozygotes. Human SHANK3 mRNA was then used to rescue DT phenotypes in larval zebrafish. Results Significantly slower rates of DT peristaltic contractions (p < 0.001) with correspondingly prolonged passage time (p < 0.004) occurred in shank3abΔC+/− mutants. Rescue injections of mRNA encoding the longest human SHANK3 isoform into shank3abΔC+/− mutants produced larvae with intestinal bulb emptying similar to wild type (WT), but still deficits in posterior intestinal motility. Serotonin-positive enteroendocrine cells (EECs) were significantly reduced in both shank3abΔC+/− and shank3abΔC−/− mutants (p < 0.05) while enteric neuron counts and overall structure of the DT epithelium, including goblet cell number, were unaffected in shank3abΔC+/− larvae. Conclusions Our data and rescue experiments support mutations in SHANK3 as causal for GI transit and motility abnormalities. Reductions in serotonin-positive EECs and serotonin-filled ENS boutons suggest an endocrine/neural component to this dysmotility. This is the first study to date demonstrating DT dysmotility in a zebrafish single gene mutant model of ASD. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13229-018-0250-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- David M James
- 1Department of Biology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL USA
| | - Robert A Kozol
- 1Department of Biology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL USA
| | - Yuji Kajiwara
- 2Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Department of Psychiatry, Friedman Brain Institute and Mindich Child Health and Development Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY USA.,5Denali Therapeutics, South San Francisco, CA USA
| | - Adam L Wahl
- 1Department of Biology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL USA
| | - Emily C Storrs
- 1Department of Biology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL USA
| | - Joseph D Buxbaum
- 2Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Department of Psychiatry, Friedman Brain Institute and Mindich Child Health and Development Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY USA
| | - Mason Klein
- 3Department of Physics, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL USA
| | - Baharak Moshiree
- Division of Gastroenterology, Atrium Health, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, NC USA
| | - Julia E Dallman
- 1Department of Biology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL USA
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7
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Low SE, Ito D, Hirata H. Characterization of the Zebrafish Glycine Receptor Family Reveals Insights Into Glycine Receptor Structure Function and Stoichiometry. Front Mol Neurosci 2018; 11:286. [PMID: 30323738 PMCID: PMC6130310 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2018] [Accepted: 07/30/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
To study characterization of zebrafish glycine receptors (zGlyRs), we assessed expression and function of five α- and two ß-subunit encoding GlyR in zebrafish. Our qPCR analysis revealed variable expression during development, while in situ hybridizations uncovered expression in the hindbrain and spinal cord; a finding consistent with the reported expression of GlyR subunits in these tissues from other organisms. Electrophysiological recordings using Xenopus oocytes revealed that all five α subunits form homomeric receptors activated by glycine, and inhibited by strychnine and picrotoxin. In contrast, ß subunits only formed functional heteromeric receptors when co-expressed with α subunits. Curiously, the second transmembranes of both ß subunits were found to lack a phenylalanine at the sixth position that is commonly associated with conferring picrotoxin resistance to heteromeric receptors. Consistent with the absence of phenylalanines at the sixth position, heteromeric zGlyRs often lacked significant picrotoxin resistance. Subsequent efforts revealed that resistance to picrotoxin in both zebrafish and human heteromeric GlyRs involves known residues within transmembrane 2, as well as previously unknown residues within transmembrane 3. We also found that a dominant mutation in human GlyRα1 that gives rise to hyperekplexia, and recessive mutations in zebrafish GlyRßb that underlie the bandoneon family of motor mutants, result in reduced receptor function. Lastly, through the use of a concatenated construct we demonstrate that zebrafish heteromeric receptors assemble with a stoichiometry of 3α:2ß. Collectively, our findings have furthered our knowledge regarding the assembly of heteromeric receptors, and the molecular basis of ß subunit-conferred picrotoxin resistance. These results should aid in future investigations of glycinergic signaling in zebrafish and mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean Eric Low
- Department of Chemistry and Biological Science, Aoyama Gakuin University, Sagamihara, Japan
| | - Daishi Ito
- Department of Chemistry and Biological Science, Aoyama Gakuin University, Sagamihara, Japan
| | - Hiromi Hirata
- Department of Chemistry and Biological Science, Aoyama Gakuin University, Sagamihara, Japan
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8
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Schaefer N, Zheng F, van Brederode J, Berger A, Leacock S, Hirata H, Paige CJ, Harvey RJ, Alzheimer C, Villmann C. Functional Consequences of the Postnatal Switch From Neonatal to Mutant Adult Glycine Receptor α1 Subunits in the Shaky Mouse Model of Startle Disease. Front Mol Neurosci 2018; 11:167. [PMID: 29910711 PMCID: PMC5992992 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2018] [Accepted: 05/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in GlyR α1 or β subunit genes in humans and rodents lead to severe startle disease characterized by rigidity, massive stiffness and excessive startle responses upon unexpected tactile or acoustic stimuli. The recently characterized startle disease mouse mutant shaky carries a missense mutation (Q177K) in the β8-β9 loop within the large extracellular N-terminal domain of the GlyR α1 subunit. This results in a disrupted hydrogen bond network around K177 and faster GlyR decay times. Symptoms in mice start at postnatal day 14 and increase until premature death of homozygous shaky mice around 4–6 weeks after birth. Here we investigate the in vivo functional effects of the Q177K mutation using behavioral analysis coupled to protein biochemistry and functional assays. Western blot analysis revealed GlyR α1 subunit expression in wild-type and shaky animals around postnatal day 7, a week before symptoms in mutant mice become obvious. Before 2 weeks of age, homozygous shaky mice appeared healthy and showed no changes in body weight. However, analysis of gait and hind-limb clasping revealed that motor coordination was already impaired. Motor coordination and the activity pattern at P28 improved significantly upon diazepam treatment, a pharmacotherapy used in human startle disease. To investigate whether functional deficits in glycinergic neurotransmission are present prior to phenotypic onset, we performed whole-cell recordings from hypoglossal motoneurons (HMs) in brain stem slices from wild-type and shaky mice at different postnatal stages. Shaky homozygotes showed a decline in mIPSC amplitude and frequency at P9-P13, progressing to significant reductions in mIPSC amplitude and decay time at P18-24 compared to wild-type littermates. Extrasynaptic GlyRs recorded by bath-application of glycine also revealed reduced current amplitudes in shaky mice compared to wild-type neurons, suggesting that presynaptic GlyR function is also impaired. Thus, a distinct, but behaviorally ineffective impairment of glycinergic synapses precedes the symptoms onset in shaky mice. These findings extend our current knowledge on startle disease in the shaky mouse model in that they demonstrate how the progression of GlyR dysfunction causes, with a delay of about 1 week, the appearance of disease symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natascha Schaefer
- Institute for Clinical Neurobiology, Julius-Maximilians-University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Fang Zheng
- Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Johannes van Brederode
- Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Alexandra Berger
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sophie Leacock
- Research Department of Pharmacology, UCL School of Pharmacy, London, United Kingdom
| | - Hiromi Hirata
- Department of Chemistry and Biological Science, College of Science and Engineering, Aoyama Gakuin University, Sagamihara, Japan
| | - Christopher J Paige
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Robert J Harvey
- School of Health and Sport Sciences, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD, Australia.,Sunshine Coast Health Institute, Birtinya, QLD, Australia
| | - Christian Alzheimer
- Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Carmen Villmann
- Institute for Clinical Neurobiology, Julius-Maximilians-University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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9
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Leacock S, Syed P, James VM, Bode A, Kawakami K, Keramidas A, Suster M, Lynch JW, Harvey RJ. Structure/Function Studies of the α4 Subunit Reveal Evolutionary Loss of a GlyR Subtype Involved in Startle and Escape Responses. Front Mol Neurosci 2018; 11:23. [PMID: 29445326 PMCID: PMC5797729 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2017] [Accepted: 01/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Inhibitory glycine receptors (GlyRs) are pentameric ligand-gated anion channels with major roles in startle disease/hyperekplexia (GlyR α1), cortical neuronal migration/autism spectrum disorder (GlyR α2), and inflammatory pain sensitization/rhythmic breathing (GlyR α3). However, the role of the GlyR α4 subunit has remained enigmatic, because the corresponding human gene (GLRA4) is thought to be a pseudogene due to an in-frame stop codon at position 390 within the fourth membrane-spanning domain (M4). Despite this, a recent genetic study has implicated GLRA4 in intellectual disability, behavioral problems and craniofacial anomalies. Analyzing data from sequenced genomes, we found that GlyR α4 subunit genes are predicted to be intact and functional in the majority of vertebrate species—with the exception of humans. Cloning of human GlyR α4 cDNAs excluded alternative splicing and RNA editing as mechanisms for restoring a full-length GlyR α4 subunit. Moreover, artificial restoration of the missing conserved arginine (R390) in the human cDNA was not sufficient to restore GlyR α4 function. Further bioinformatic and mutagenesis analysis revealed an additional damaging substitution at K59 that ablates human GlyR α4 function, which is not present in other vertebrate GlyR α4 sequences. The substitutions K59 and X390 were also present in the genome of an ancient Denisovan individual, indicating that GLRA4 has been a pseudogene for at least 30,000–50,000 years. In artificial synapses, we found that both mouse and gorilla α4β GlyRs mediate synaptic currents with unusually slow decay kinetics. Lastly, to gain insights into the biological role of GlyR α4 function, we studied the duplicated genes glra4a and glra4b in zebrafish. While glra4b expression is restricted to the retina, using a novel tol2-GAL4FF gene trap line (SAIGFF16B), we found that the zebrafish GlyR α4a subunit gene (glra4a) is strongly expressed in spinal cord and hindbrain commissural neurones. Using gene knockdown and a dominant-negative GlyR α4aR278Q mutant, we found that GlyR α4a contributes to touch-evoked escape behaviors in zebrafish. Thus, although GlyR α4 is unlikely to be involved in human startle responses or disease states, this subtype may contribute to escape behaviors in other organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Leacock
- Department of Pharmacology, UCL School of Pharmacy, London, United Kingdom
| | - Parnayan Syed
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Victoria M James
- Department of Pharmacology, UCL School of Pharmacy, London, United Kingdom
| | - Anna Bode
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Koichi Kawakami
- Division of Molecular and Developmental Biology, National Institute of Genetics and Department of Genetics, Graduate University for Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI), Mishima, Japan
| | - Angelo Keramidas
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | | | - Joseph W Lynch
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Robert J Harvey
- School of Health and Sport Sciences, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD, Australia.,Sunshine Coast Health Institute, Birtinya, QLD, Australia
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10
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Yan Q, Zhai L, Zhang B, Dallman JE. Spatial patterning of excitatory and inhibitory neuropil territories during spinal circuit development. J Comp Neurol 2017; 525:1649-1667. [PMID: 27997694 DOI: 10.1002/cne.24152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2016] [Revised: 10/13/2016] [Accepted: 11/14/2016] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
To generate rhythmic motor behaviors, both single neurons and neural circuits require a balance between excitatory inputs that trigger action potentials and inhibitory inputs that promote a stable resting potential (E/I balance). Previous studies have focused on individual neurons and have shown that, over a short spatial scale, excitatory and inhibitory (E/I) synapses tend to form structured territories with inhibitory inputs enriched on cell bodies and proximal dendrites and excitatory inputs on distal dendrites. However, systems-level E/I patterns, at spatial scales larger than single neurons, are largely uncharted. We used immunostaining for PSD-95 and gephyrin postsynaptic scaffolding proteins as proxies for excitatory and inhibitory synapses, respectively, to quantify the numbers and map the distributions of E/I synapses in zebrafish spinal cord at both an embryonic stage and a larval stage. At the embryonic stage, we found that PSD-95 puncta outnumber gephyrin puncta, with the number of gephyrin puncta increasing to match that of PSD-95 puncta at the larval stage. At both stages, PSD-95 puncta are enriched in the most lateral neuropil corresponding to distal dendrites while gephyrin puncta are enriched on neuronal somata and in the medial neuropil. Significantly, similar to synaptic puncta, neuronal processes also exhibit medial-lateral territories at both developmental stages with enrichment of glutamatergic (excitatory) processes laterally and glycinergic (inhibitory) processes medially. This establishment of neuropil excitatory-inhibitory structure largely precedes dendritic arborization of primary motor neurons, suggesting that the structured neuropil could provide a framework for the development of E/I balance at the cellular level. J. Comp. Neurol. 525:1649-1667, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Yan
- Department of Biology, Cox Science Center, University of Miami, 1301 Memorial Drive, Coral Gables, Florida
| | - Lu Zhai
- Department of Biology, Cox Science Center, University of Miami, 1301 Memorial Drive, Coral Gables, Florida
| | - Bo Zhang
- Department of Biology, Cox Science Center, University of Miami, 1301 Memorial Drive, Coral Gables, Florida
| | - Julia E Dallman
- Department of Biology, Cox Science Center, University of Miami, 1301 Memorial Drive, Coral Gables, Florida
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11
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Ogino K, Hirata H. Defects of the Glycinergic Synapse in Zebrafish. Front Mol Neurosci 2016; 9:50. [PMID: 27445686 PMCID: PMC4925712 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2016.00050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2016] [Accepted: 06/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Glycine mediates fast inhibitory synaptic transmission. Physiological importance of the glycinergic synapse is well established in the brainstem and the spinal cord. In humans, the loss of glycinergic function in the spinal cord and brainstem leads to hyperekplexia, which is characterized by an excess startle reflex to sudden acoustic or tactile stimulation. In addition, glycinergic synapses in this region are also involved in the regulation of respiration and locomotion, and in the nociceptive processing. The importance of the glycinergic synapse is conserved across vertebrate species. A teleost fish, the zebrafish, offers several advantages as a vertebrate model for research of glycinergic synapse. Mutagenesis screens in zebrafish have isolated two motor defective mutants that have pathogenic mutations in glycinergic synaptic transmission: bandoneon (beo) and shocked (sho). Beo mutants have a loss-of-function mutation of glycine receptor (GlyR) β-subunit b, alternatively, sho mutant is a glycinergic transporter 1 (GlyT1) defective mutant. These mutants are useful animal models for understanding of glycinergic synaptic transmission and for identification of novel therapeutic agents for human diseases arising from defect in glycinergic transmission, such as hyperekplexia or glycine encephalopathy. Recent advances in techniques for genome editing and for imaging and manipulating of a molecule or a physiological process make zebrafish more attractive model. In this review, we describe the glycinergic defective zebrafish mutants and the technical advances in both forward and reverse genetic approaches as well as in vivo visualization and manipulation approaches for the study of the glycinergic synapse in zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazutoyo Ogino
- Department of Chemistry and Biological Science, College of Science and Engineering, Aoyama Gakuin University Sagamihara, Japan
| | - Hiromi Hirata
- Department of Chemistry and Biological Science, College of Science and Engineering, Aoyama Gakuin University Sagamihara, Japan
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12
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An E3-ligase-based method for ablating inhibitory synapses. Nat Methods 2016; 13:673-8. [PMID: 27271196 PMCID: PMC5312699 DOI: 10.1038/nmeth.3894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2015] [Accepted: 05/09/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Although neuronal activity can be modulated using a variety of techniques, there are currently few methods for controlling neuronal connectivity. We introduce a tool (GFE3) that mediates the fast, specific and reversible elimination of inhibitory synaptic inputs onto genetically determined neurons. GFE3 is a fusion between an E3 ligase, which mediates the ubiquitination and rapid degradation of proteins, and a recombinant, antibody-like protein (FingR) that binds to gephyrin. Expression of GFE3 leads to a strong and specific reduction of gephyrin in culture or in vivo and to a substantial decrease in phasic inhibition onto cells that express GFE3. By temporarily expressing GFE3 we showed that inhibitory synapses regrow following ablation. Thus, we have created a simple, reversible method for modulating inhibitory synaptic input onto genetically determined cells.
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13
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Kozol RA, Cukier HN, Zou B, Mayo V, De Rubeis S, Cai G, Griswold AJ, Whitehead PL, Haines JL, Gilbert JR, Cuccaro ML, Martin ER, Baker JD, Buxbaum JD, Pericak-Vance MA, Dallman JE. Two knockdown models of the autism genes SYNGAP1 and SHANK3 in zebrafish produce similar behavioral phenotypes associated with embryonic disruptions of brain morphogenesis. Hum Mol Genet 2015; 24:4006-23. [PMID: 25882707 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddv138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2014] [Accepted: 04/13/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite significant progress in the genetics of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), how genetic mutations translate to the behavioral changes characteristic of ASD remains largely unknown. ASD affects 1-2% of children and adults, and is characterized by deficits in verbal and non-verbal communication, and social interactions, as well as the presence of repetitive behaviors and/or stereotyped interests. ASD is clinically and etiologically heterogeneous, with a strong genetic component. Here, we present functional data from syngap1 and shank3 zebrafish loss-of-function models of ASD. SYNGAP1, a synaptic Ras GTPase activating protein, and SHANK3, a synaptic scaffolding protein, were chosen because of mounting evidence that haploinsufficiency in these genes is highly penetrant for ASD and intellectual disability (ID). Orthologs of both SYNGAP1 and SHANK3 are duplicated in the zebrafish genome and we find that all four transcripts (syngap1a, syngap1b, shank3a and shank3b) are expressed at the earliest stages of nervous system development with pronounced expression in the larval brain. Consistent with early expression of these genes, knockdown of syngap1b or shank3a cause common embryonic phenotypes including delayed mid- and hindbrain development, disruptions in motor behaviors that manifest as unproductive swim attempts, and spontaneous, seizure-like behaviors. Our findings indicate that both syngap1b and shank3a play novel roles in morphogenesis resulting in common brain and behavioral phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert A Kozol
- Department of Biology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA,
| | - Holly N Cukier
- John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Bing Zou
- Department of Biology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA
| | - Vera Mayo
- John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Silvia De Rubeis
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Department of Psychiatry, Friedman Brain Institute and Mindich Child Health and Development Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA and
| | - Guiqing Cai
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Department of Psychiatry, Friedman Brain Institute and Mindich Child Health and Development Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA and
| | - Anthony J Griswold
- John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Patrice L Whitehead
- John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Jonathan L Haines
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute for Computational Biology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - John R Gilbert
- John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Michael L Cuccaro
- John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Eden R Martin
- John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - James D Baker
- Department of Biology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA
| | - Joseph D Buxbaum
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Department of Psychiatry, Friedman Brain Institute and Mindich Child Health and Development Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA and
| | - Margaret A Pericak-Vance
- John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Julia E Dallman
- Department of Biology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA,
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14
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Medan V, Preuss T. The Mauthner-cell circuit of fish as a model system for startle plasticity. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 108:129-40. [PMID: 25106811 DOI: 10.1016/j.jphysparis.2014.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2014] [Revised: 07/18/2014] [Accepted: 07/21/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The Mauthner-cell (M-cell) system of teleost fish has a long history as an experimental model for addressing a wide range of neurobiological questions. Principles derived from studies on this system have contributed significantly to our understanding at multiple levels, from mechanisms of synaptic transmission and synaptic plasticity to the concepts of a decision neuron that initiates key aspects of the startle behavior. Here we will review recent work that focuses on the neurophysiological and neuropharmacological basis for modifications in the M-cell circuit. After summarizing the main excitatory and inhibitory inputs to the M-cell, we review experiments showing startle response modulation by temperature, social status, and sensory filtering. Although very different in nature, actions of these three sources of modulation converge in the M-cell network. Mechanisms of modulation include altering the excitability of the M-cell itself as well as changes in excitatory and inhibitor drive, highlighting the role of balanced excitation and inhibition for escape decisions. One of the most extensively studied forms of startle plasticity in vertebrates is prepulse inhibition (PPI), a sensorimotor gating phenomenon, which is impaired in several information processing disorders. Finally, we review recent work in the M-cell system which focuses on the cellular mechanisms of PPI and its modulation by serotonin and dopamine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Violeta Medan
- Dept. de Fisiología y Biología Molecular y Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Intendente Guiraldes 2160, Buenos Aires 1428, Argentina; Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias, CONICET, Argentina.
| | - Thomas Preuss
- Psychology Dept. Hunter College, City University of New York, 695 Park Ave., New York, NY 10065, USA.
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Bode A, Lynch JW. The impact of human hyperekplexia mutations on glycine receptor structure and function. Mol Brain 2014; 7:2. [PMID: 24405574 PMCID: PMC3895786 DOI: 10.1186/1756-6606-7-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2013] [Accepted: 01/07/2014] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Hyperekplexia is a rare neurological disorder characterized by neonatal hypertonia, exaggerated startle responses to unexpected stimuli and a variable incidence of apnoea, intellectual disability and delays in speech acquisition. The majority of motor defects are successfully treated by clonazepam. Hyperekplexia is caused by hereditary mutations that disrupt the functioning of inhibitory glycinergic synapses in neuromotor pathways of the spinal cord and brainstem. The human glycine receptor α1 and β subunits, which predominate at these synapses, are the major targets of mutations. International genetic screening programs, that together have analysed several hundred probands, have recently generated a clear picture of genotype-phenotype correlations and the prevalence of different categories of hyperekplexia mutations. Focusing largely on this new information, this review seeks to summarise the effects of mutations on glycine receptor structure and function and how these functional alterations lead to hyperekplexia.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Joseph W Lynch
- Queensland Brain Institute and School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Queensland 4072, Australia.
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