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Rey Hipolito AG, van der Heijden ME, Sillitoe RV. Physiology of Dystonia: Animal Studies. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2023; 169:163-215. [PMID: 37482392 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2023.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
Dystonia is currently ranked as the third most prevalent motor disorder. It is typically characterized by involuntary muscle over- or co-contractions that can cause painful abnormal postures and jerky movements. Dystonia is a heterogenous disorder-across patients, dystonic symptoms vary in their severity, body distribution, temporal pattern, onset, and progression. There are also a growing number of genes that are associated with hereditary dystonia. In addition, multiple brain regions are associated with dystonic symptoms in both genetic and sporadic forms of the disease. The heterogeneity of dystonia has made it difficult to fully understand its underlying pathophysiology. However, the use of animal models has been used to uncover the complex circuit mechanisms that lead to dystonic behaviors. Here, we summarize findings from animal models harboring mutations in dystonia-associated genes and phenotypic animal models with overt dystonic motor signs resulting from spontaneous mutations, neural circuit perturbations, or pharmacological manipulations. Taken together, an emerging picture depicts dystonia as a result of brain-wide network dysfunction driven by basal ganglia and cerebellar dysfunction. In the basal ganglia, changes in dopaminergic, serotonergic, noradrenergic, and cholinergic signaling are found across different animal models. In the cerebellum, abnormal burst firing activity is observed in multiple dystonia models. We are now beginning to unveil the extent to which these structures mechanistically interact with each other. Such mechanisms inspire the use of pre-clinical animal models that will be used to design new therapies including drug treatments and brain stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro G Rey Hipolito
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Meike E van der Heijden
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Roy V Sillitoe
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States; Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States; Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States; Development, Disease Models & Therapeutics Graduate Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, United States.
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2
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Milosavljević F, Brusini I, Atanasov A, Manojlović M, Vučić M, Oreščanin-Dušić Z, Brkljačić J, Miljević Č, Nikolić-Kokić A, Blagojević D, Wang C, Damberg P, Pešić V, Tyndale RF, Ingelman-Sundberg M, Jukić MM. The humanised CYP2C19 transgenic mouse exhibits cerebellar atrophy and movement impairment reminiscent of ataxia. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 2023; 49:e12867. [PMID: 36536486 PMCID: PMC10108232 DOI: 10.1111/nan.12867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
AIMS CYP2C19 transgenic mouse expresses the human CYP2C19 gene in the liver and developing brain, and it exhibits altered neurodevelopment associated with impairments in emotionality and locomotion. Because the validation of new animal models is essential for the understanding of the aetiology and pathophysiology of movement disorders, the objective was to characterise motoric phenotype in CYP2C19 transgenic mice and to investigate its validity as a new animal model of ataxia. METHODS The rotarod, paw-print and beam-walking tests were utilised to characterise the motoric phenotype. The volumes of 20 brain regions in CYP2C19 transgenic and wild-type mice were quantified by 9.4T gadolinium-enhanced post-mortem structural neuroimaging. Antioxidative enzymatic activity was quantified biochemically. Dopaminergic alterations were characterised by chromatographic quantification of concentrations of dopamine and its metabolites and by subsequent immunohistochemical analyses. The beam-walking test was repeated after the treatment with dopamine receptor antagonists ecopipam and raclopride. RESULTS CYP2C19 transgenic mice exhibit abnormal, unilateral ataxia-like gait, clasping reflex and 5.6-fold more paw-slips in the beam-walking test; the motoric phenotype was more pronounced in youth. Transgenic mice exhibited a profound reduction of 12% in cerebellar volume and a moderate reduction of 4% in hippocampal volume; both regions exhibited an increased antioxidative enzyme activity. CYP2C19 mice were hyperdopaminergic; however, the motoric impairment was not ameliorated by dopamine receptor antagonists, and there was no alteration in the number of midbrain dopaminergic neurons in CYP2C19 mice. CONCLUSIONS Humanised CYP2C19 transgenic mice exhibit altered gait and functional motoric impairments; this phenotype is likely caused by an aberrant cerebellar development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filip Milosavljević
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Irene Brusini
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Health Systems, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Huddinge, Sweden.,Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institute, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Andrea Atanasov
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Marina Manojlović
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Marija Vučić
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Zorana Oreščanin-Dušić
- Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković" - National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Jelena Brkljačić
- Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković" - National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Čedo Miljević
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia.,Institute for Mental Health, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Aleksandra Nikolić-Kokić
- Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković" - National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Duško Blagojević
- Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković" - National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Chunliang Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Health Systems, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Peter Damberg
- Karolinska Experimental Research and Imaging Center, Karolinska University Hospital, Solna, Sweden
| | - Vesna Pešić
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Rachel F Tyndale
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Magnus Ingelman-Sundberg
- Section of Pharmacogenetics, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Marin M Jukić
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia.,Section of Pharmacogenetics, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Brown AM, Lackey EP, Salazar Leon LE, Rey Hipolito AG, Beckinghausen J, Lin T, Sillitoe RV. Electromyography as a Method for Distinguishing Dystonia in Mice. ADVANCES IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2023; 31:71-91. [PMID: 37338697 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-26220-3_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
Electromyography (EMG) methods allow quantitative analyses of motor function. The techniques include intramuscular recordings that are performed in vivo. However, recording muscle activity in freely moving mice, particularly in models of motor disease, often creates challenges that prevent the acquisition of clean signals. Recording preparations must be stable enough for the experimenter to collect an adequate number of signals for statistical analyses. Instability results in a low signal-to-noise ratio that prohibits proper isolation of EMG signals from the target muscle during the behavior of interest. Such insufficient isolation prevents the analysis of full electrical potential waveforms. In this case, resolving the shape of a waveform to differentiate individual spikes and bursts of muscle activity can be difficult. A common source of instability is an inadequate surgery. Poor surgical techniques cause blood loss, tissue damage, poor healing, encumbered movement, and unstable implantation of the electrodes. Here, we describe an optimized surgical procedure that ensures electrode stability for in vivo muscle recordings. We implement our technique to obtain recordings from agonist and antagonist muscle pairs in the hindlimbs of freely moving adult mice. We validate the stability of our method by holding EMG recordings during dystonic behavior. Our approach is ideal for studying normal and abnormal motor function in actively behaving mice and valuable for recording intramuscular activity when considerable motion is expected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda M Brown
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Elizabeth P Lackey
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Luis E Salazar Leon
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Alejandro G Rey Hipolito
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jaclyn Beckinghausen
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Tao Lin
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Roy V Sillitoe
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA.
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
- Development, Disease Models & Therapeutics Graduate Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
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Brown AM, van der Heijden ME, Jinnah HA, Sillitoe RV. Cerebellar Dysfunction as a Source of Dystonic Phenotypes in Mice. CEREBELLUM (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2022:10.1007/s12311-022-01441-0. [PMID: 35821365 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-022-01441-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
There is now a substantial amount of compelling evidence demonstrating that the cerebellum may be a central locus in dystonia pathogenesis. Studies using spontaneous genetic mutations in rats and mice, engineered genetic alleles in mice, shRNA knockdown in mice, and conditional genetic silencing of fast neurotransmission in mice have all uncovered a common set of behavioral and electrophysiological defects that point to cerebellar cortical and cerebellar nuclei dysfunction as a source of dystonic phenotypes. Here, we revisit the Ptf1aCre/+;Vglut2flox/flox mutant mouse to define fundamental phenotypes and measures that are valuable for testing the cellular, circuit, and behavioral mechanisms that drive dystonia. In this model, excitatory neurotransmission from climbing fibers is genetically eliminated and, as a consequence, Purkinje cell and cerebellar nuclei firing are altered in vivo, with a prominent and lasting irregular burst pattern of spike activity in cerebellar nuclei neurons. The resulting impact on behavior is that the mice have developmental abnormalities, including twisting of the limbs and torso. These behaviors continue into adulthood along with a tremor, which can be measured with a tremor monitor or EMG. Importantly, expression of dystonic behavior is reduced upon cerebellar-targeted deep brain stimulation. The presence of specific combinations of disease-like features and therapeutic responses could reveal the causative mechanisms of different types of dystonia and related conditions. Ultimately, an emerging theme places cerebellar dysfunction at the center of a broader dystonia brain network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda M Brown
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Meike E van der Heijden
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - H A Jinnah
- Departments of Neurology, Human Genetics and Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Roy V Sillitoe
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
- Development, Disease Models & Therapeutics Graduate Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
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van der Heijden ME, Kizek DJ, Perez R, Ruff EK, Ehrlich ME, Sillitoe RV. Abnormal cerebellar function and tremor in a mouse model for non-manifesting partially penetrant dystonia type 6. J Physiol 2021; 599:2037-2054. [PMID: 33369735 PMCID: PMC8559601 DOI: 10.1113/jp280978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
KEY POINTS Loss-of-function mutations in the Thap1 gene cause partially penetrant dystonia type 6 (DYT6). Some non-manifesting DYT6 mutation carriers have tremor and abnormal cerebello-thalamo-cortical signalling. We show that Thap1 heterozygote mice have action tremor, a reduction in cerebellar neuron number, and abnormal electrophysiological signals in the remaining neurons. These results underscore the importance of Thap1 levels for cerebellar function. These results uncover how cerebellar abnormalities contribute to different dystonia-associated motor symptoms. ABSTRACT Loss-of-function mutations in the Thanatos-associated domain-containing apoptosis-associated protein 1 (THAP1) gene cause partially penetrant autosomal dominant dystonia type 6 (DYT6). However, the neural abnormalities that promote the resultant motor dysfunctions remain elusive. Studies in humans show that some non-manifesting DYT6 carriers have altered cerebello-thalamo-cortical function with subtle but reproducible tremor. Here, we uncover that Thap1 heterozygote mice have action tremor that rises above normal baseline values even though they do not exhibit overt dystonia-like twisting behaviour. At the neural circuit level, we show using in vivo recordings in awake Thap1+/- mice that Purkinje cells have abnormal firing patterns and that cerebellar nuclei neurons, which connect the cerebellum to the thalamus, fire at a lower frequency. Although the Thap1+/- mice have fewer Purkinje cells and cerebellar nuclei neurons, the number of long-range excitatory outflow projection neurons is unaltered. The preservation of interregional connectivity suggests that abnormal neural function rather than neuron loss instigates the network dysfunction and the tremor in Thap1+/- mice. Accordingly, we report an inverse correlation between the average firing rate of cerebellar nuclei neurons and tremor power. Our data show that cerebellar circuitry is vulnerable to Thap1 mutations and that cerebellar dysfunction may be a primary cause of tremor in non-manifesting DYT6 carriers and a trigger for the abnormal postures in manifesting patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meike E. van der Heijden
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Dominic J. Kizek
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Ross Perez
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Elena K. Ruff
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Michelle E. Ehrlich
- Department of Neurology and Pediatrics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Roy V. Sillitoe
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
- Development, Disease Models & Therapeutics Graduate Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
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Nam YW, Cui M, Orfali R, Viegas A, Nguyen M, Mohammed EHM, Zoghebi KA, Rahighi S, Parang K, Zhang M. Hydrophobic interactions between the HA helix and S4-S5 linker modulate apparent Ca 2+ sensitivity of SK2 channels. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 2021; 231:e13552. [PMID: 32865319 PMCID: PMC7736289 DOI: 10.1111/apha.13552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Revised: 08/09/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
AIM Small-conductance Ca2+ -activated potassium (SK) channels are activated exclusively by increases in intracellular Ca2+ that binds to calmodulin constitutively associated with the channel. Wild-type SK2 channels are activated by Ca2+ with an EC50 value of ~0.3 μmol/L. Here, we investigate hydrophobic interactions between the HA helix and the S4-S5 linker as a major determinant of channel apparent Ca2+ sensitivity. METHODS Site-directed mutagenesis, electrophysiological recordings and molecular dynamic (MD) simulations were utilized. RESULTS Mutations that decrease hydrophobicity at the HA-S4-S5 interface lead to Ca2+ hyposensitivity of SK2 channels. Mutations that increase hydrophobicity result in hypersensitivity to Ca2+ . The Ca2+ hypersensitivity of the V407F mutant relies on the interaction of the cognate phenylalanine with the S4-S5 linker in the SK2 channel. Replacing the S4-S5 linker of the SK2 channel with the S4-S5 linker of the SK4 channel results in loss of the hypersensitivity caused by V407F. This difference between the S4-S5 linkers of SK2 and SK4 channels can be partially attributed to I295 equivalent to a valine in the SK4 channel. A N293A mutation in the S4-S5 linker also increases hydrophobicity at the HA-S4-S5 interface and elevates the channel apparent Ca2+ sensitivity. The double N293A/V407F mutations generate a highly Ca2+ sensitive channel, with an EC50 of 0.02 μmol/L. The MD simulations of this double-mutant channel revealed a larger channel cytoplasmic gate. CONCLUSION The electrophysiological data and MD simulations collectively suggest a crucial role of the interactions between the HA helix and S4-S5 linker in the apparent Ca2+ sensitivity of SK2 channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young-Woo Nam
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chapman University School of Pharmacy, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Meng Cui
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University School of Pharmacy, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Razan Orfali
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chapman University School of Pharmacy, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Adam Viegas
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chapman University School of Pharmacy, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Misa Nguyen
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chapman University School of Pharmacy, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Eman H M Mohammed
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chapman University School of Pharmacy, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Khalid A Zoghebi
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chapman University School of Pharmacy, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Simin Rahighi
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chapman University School of Pharmacy, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Keykavous Parang
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chapman University School of Pharmacy, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Miao Zhang
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chapman University School of Pharmacy, Irvine, CA, USA
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Liu Y, Xing H, Wilkes BJ, Yokoi F, Chen H, Vaillancourt DE, Li Y. The abnormal firing of Purkinje cells in the knockin mouse model of DYT1 dystonia. Brain Res Bull 2020; 165:14-22. [PMID: 32976982 PMCID: PMC7674218 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2020.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Revised: 08/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
DYT1 dystonia is an inherited movement disorder caused by a heterozygous trinucleotide (GAG) deletion in DYT1/TOR1A, coding for torsinA. Growing evidence suggests that the cerebellum plays a role in the pathogenesis of dystonia. Brain imaging of both DYT1 dystonia patients and animal models show abnormal activity in the cerebellum. The cerebellum-specific knockdown of torsinA in adult mice leads to dystonia-like behavior. Dyt1 ΔGAG heterozygous knock-in mouse model exhibits impaired corticostriatal long-term depression, abnormal muscle co-contraction, and motor deficits. We and others previously reported altered dendritic structures in Purkinje cells in Dyt1 knock-in mouse models. However, whether there are any electrophysiological alterations of the Purkinje cells in Dyt1 knock-in mice is not known. We used the patch-clamp recording in brain slices and in acutely dissociated Purkinje cells to identify specific alterations of Purkinje cells firing. We found abnormal firing of non-tonic type of Purkinje cells in the Dyt1 knock-in mice. Furthermore, the large-conductance calcium-activated potassium (BK) current and the BK channel protein levels were significantly increased in the Dyt1 knock-in mice. Our results support a role of the cerebellum in the pathogenesis of DYT1 dystonia. Manipulating the Purkinje cell firing and cerebellar output may show great promise for treating DYT1 dystonia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuning Liu
- Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases, Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA; Genetics Institute, University of Florida, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Hong Xing
- Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases, Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Bradley J Wilkes
- Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, Biomedical Engineering, and Neurology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Fumiaki Yokoi
- Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases, Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Huanxin Chen
- Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases, Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - David E Vaillancourt
- Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, Biomedical Engineering, and Neurology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Yuqing Li
- Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases, Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
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Hales EN, Esparza C, Peng S, Dahlgren AR, Peterson JM, Miller AD, Finno CJ. Genome-Wide Association Study and Subsequent Exclusion of ATCAY as a Candidate Gene Involved in Equine Neuroaxonal Dystrophy Using Two Animal Models. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:E82. [PMID: 31936863 PMCID: PMC7016928 DOI: 10.3390/genes11010082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2019] [Revised: 01/01/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Equine neuroaxonal dystrophy/equine degenerative myeloencephalopathy (eNAD/EDM) is an inherited neurodegenerative disorder of unknown etiology. Clinical signs of neurological deficits develop within the first year of life in vitamin E (vitE) deficient horses. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) was carried out using 670,000 SNP markers in 27 case and 42 control Quarter Horses. Two markers, encompassing a 2.5 Mb region on ECA7, were associated with the phenotype (p = 2.05 × 10-7 and 4.72 × 10-6). Within this region, caytaxin (ATCAY) was identified as a candidate gene due to its known role in Cayman Ataxia and ataxic/dystonic phenotypes in mouse models. Whole-genome sequence data in four eNAD/EDM and five unaffected horses identified 199 associated variants within the ECA7 region. MassARRAY® genotyping was performed on these variants within the GWAS population. The three variants within ATCAY were not concordant with the disease phenotype. No difference in expression or alternative splicing was identified using qRT-PCR in brainstem across the ATCAY transcript. Atcayji-hes mice were then used to conduct functional analysis in a second animal model. Histologic lesions were not identified in the central nervous system of Atcayji-hes mice. Additionally, supplementation of homozygous Atcayji-hes mice with 600 IU/day of dl-α-tocopheryl acetate (vitE) during gestation, lactation, and adulthood did not improve the phenotype. ATCAY has therefore been excluded as a candidate gene for eNAD/EDM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin N Hales
- Department of Population, Health and Reproduction, University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, CA 95616, USA; (E.N.H.); (C.E.); (S.P.); (A.R.D.); (J.M.P.)
| | - Christina Esparza
- Department of Population, Health and Reproduction, University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, CA 95616, USA; (E.N.H.); (C.E.); (S.P.); (A.R.D.); (J.M.P.)
| | - Sichong Peng
- Department of Population, Health and Reproduction, University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, CA 95616, USA; (E.N.H.); (C.E.); (S.P.); (A.R.D.); (J.M.P.)
| | - Anna R Dahlgren
- Department of Population, Health and Reproduction, University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, CA 95616, USA; (E.N.H.); (C.E.); (S.P.); (A.R.D.); (J.M.P.)
| | - Janel M Peterson
- Department of Population, Health and Reproduction, University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, CA 95616, USA; (E.N.H.); (C.E.); (S.P.); (A.R.D.); (J.M.P.)
| | - Andrew D Miller
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA;
| | - Carrie J Finno
- Department of Population, Health and Reproduction, University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, CA 95616, USA; (E.N.H.); (C.E.); (S.P.); (A.R.D.); (J.M.P.)
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Stay TL, Miterko LN, Arancillo M, Lin T, Sillitoe RV. In vivo cerebellar circuit function is disrupted in an mdx mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Dis Model Mech 2019; 13:dmm040840. [PMID: 31704708 PMCID: PMC6906634 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.040840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a debilitating and ultimately lethal disease involving progressive muscle degeneration and neurological dysfunction. DMD is caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene, which result in extremely low or total loss of dystrophin protein expression. In the brain, dystrophin is heavily localized to cerebellar Purkinje cells, which control motor and non-motor functions. In vitro experiments in mouse Purkinje cells revealed that loss of dystrophin leads to low firing rates and high spiking variability. However, it is still unclear how the loss of dystrophin affects cerebellar function in the intact brain. Here, we used in vivo electrophysiology to record Purkinje cells and cerebellar nuclear neurons in awake and anesthetized female mdx (also known as Dmd) mice. Purkinje cell simple spike firing rate is significantly lower in mdx mice compared to controls. Although simple spike firing regularity is not affected, complex spike regularity is increased in mdx mutants. Mean firing rate in cerebellar nuclear neurons is not altered in mdx mice, but their local firing pattern is irregular. Based on the relatively well-preserved cytoarchitecture in the mdx cerebellum, our data suggest that faulty signals across the circuit between Purkinje cells and cerebellar nuclei drive the abnormal firing activity. The in vivo requirements of dystrophin during cerebellar circuit communication could help explain the motor and cognitive anomalies seen in individuals with DMD.This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trace L Stay
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute of Texas Children's Hospital, 1250 Moursund Street, Suite 1325, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Lauren N Miterko
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute of Texas Children's Hospital, 1250 Moursund Street, Suite 1325, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Marife Arancillo
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute of Texas Children's Hospital, 1250 Moursund Street, Suite 1325, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Tao Lin
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute of Texas Children's Hospital, 1250 Moursund Street, Suite 1325, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Roy V Sillitoe
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute of Texas Children's Hospital, 1250 Moursund Street, Suite 1325, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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10
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Kuo SH, Louis ED, Faust PL, Handforth A, Chang SY, Avlar B, Lang EJ, Pan MK, Miterko LN, Brown AM, Sillitoe RV, Anderson CJ, Pulst SM, Gallagher MJ, Lyman KA, Chetkovich DM, Clark LN, Tio M, Tan EK, Elble RJ. Current Opinions and Consensus for Studying Tremor in Animal Models. CEREBELLUM (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2019; 18:1036-1063. [PMID: 31124049 PMCID: PMC6872927 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-019-01037-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Tremor is the most common movement disorder; however, we are just beginning to understand the brain circuitry that generates tremor. Various neuroimaging, neuropathological, and physiological studies in human tremor disorders have been performed to further our knowledge of tremor. But, the causal relationship between these observations and tremor is usually difficult to establish and detailed mechanisms are not sufficiently studied. To overcome these obstacles, animal models can provide an important means to look into human tremor disorders. In this manuscript, we will discuss the use of different species of animals (mice, rats, fruit flies, pigs, and monkeys) to model human tremor disorders. Several ways to manipulate the brain circuitry and physiology in these animal models (pharmacology, genetics, and lesioning) will also be discussed. Finally, we will discuss how these animal models can help us to gain knowledge of the pathophysiology of human tremor disorders, which could serve as a platform towards developing novel therapies for tremor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng-Han Kuo
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University, 650 West 168th Street, Room 305, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
| | - Elan D Louis
- Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, 800 Howard Avenue, Ste Lower Level, New Haven, CT, 06519, USA.
- Department of Chronic Disease Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Center for Neuroepidemiology and Clinical Neurological Research, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Phyllis L Faust
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Medical Center and the New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - Adrian Handforth
- Neurology Service, Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Su-Youne Chang
- Department of Neurologic Surgery and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Billur Avlar
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Eric J Lang
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ming-Kai Pan
- Department of Medical Research and Neurology, National Taiwan University Hospital, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Lauren N Miterko
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute of Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Amanda M Brown
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute of Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Roy V Sillitoe
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute of Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Collin J Anderson
- Department of Neurology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Stefan M Pulst
- Department of Neurology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | | | - Kyle A Lyman
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | - Lorraine N Clark
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Medical Center and the New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Murni Tio
- Department of Neurology, National Neuroscience Institute, Singapore, Singapore
- Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Eng-King Tan
- Department of Neurology, National Neuroscience Institute, Singapore, Singapore
- Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Rodger J Elble
- Department of Neurology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL, USA
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11
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Miterko LN, White JJ, Lin T, Brown AM, O'Donovan KJ, Sillitoe RV. Persistent motor dysfunction despite homeostatic rescue of cerebellar morphogenesis in the Car8 waddles mutant mouse. Neural Dev 2019; 14:6. [PMID: 30867000 PMCID: PMC6417138 DOI: 10.1186/s13064-019-0130-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2018] [Accepted: 02/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Purkinje cells play a central role in establishing the cerebellar circuit. Accordingly, disrupting Purkinje cell development impairs cerebellar morphogenesis and motor function. In the Car8wdl mouse model of hereditary ataxia, severe motor deficits arise despite the cerebellum overcoming initial defects in size and morphology. Methods To resolve how this compensation occurs, we asked how the loss of carbonic anhydrase 8 (CAR8), a regulator of IP3R1 Ca2+ signaling in Purkinje cells, alters cerebellar development in Car8wdl mice. Using a combination of histological, physiological, and behavioral analyses, we determined the extent to which the loss of CAR8 affects cerebellar anatomy, neuronal firing, and motor coordination during development. Results Our results reveal that granule cell proliferation is reduced in early postnatal mutants, although by the third postnatal week there is enhanced and prolonged proliferation, plus an upregulation of Sox2 expression in the inner EGL. Modified circuit patterning of Purkinje cells and Bergmann glia accompany these granule cell adjustments. We also find that although anatomy eventually normalizes, the abnormal activity of neurons and muscles persists. Conclusions Our data show that losing CAR8 only transiently restricts cerebellar growth, but permanently damages its function. These data support two current hypotheses about cerebellar development and disease: (1) Sox2 expression may be upregulated at sites of injury and contribute to the rescue of cerebellar structure and (2) transient delays to developmental processes may precede permanent motor dysfunction. Furthermore, we characterize waddles mutant mouse morphology and behavior during development and propose a Sox2-positive, cell-mediated role for rescue in a mouse model of human motor diseases. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13064-019-0130-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren N Miterko
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute of Texas Children's Hospital, 1250 Moursund Street, Suite 1325, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.,Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute of Texas Children's Hospital, 1250 Moursund Street, Suite 1325, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute of Texas Children's Hospital, 1250 Moursund Street, Suite 1325, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Joshua J White
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute of Texas Children's Hospital, 1250 Moursund Street, Suite 1325, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute of Texas Children's Hospital, 1250 Moursund Street, Suite 1325, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute of Texas Children's Hospital, 1250 Moursund Street, Suite 1325, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Tao Lin
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute of Texas Children's Hospital, 1250 Moursund Street, Suite 1325, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute of Texas Children's Hospital, 1250 Moursund Street, Suite 1325, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Amanda M Brown
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute of Texas Children's Hospital, 1250 Moursund Street, Suite 1325, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute of Texas Children's Hospital, 1250 Moursund Street, Suite 1325, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute of Texas Children's Hospital, 1250 Moursund Street, Suite 1325, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Kevin J O'Donovan
- Department of Chemistry and Life Science, United States Military Academy, West Point, New York, 10996, USA.,Burke Neurological Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, White Plains, 10605, USA
| | - Roy V Sillitoe
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute of Texas Children's Hospital, 1250 Moursund Street, Suite 1325, Houston, TX, 77030, USA. .,Department of Neuroscience, Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute of Texas Children's Hospital, 1250 Moursund Street, Suite 1325, Houston, TX, 77030, USA. .,Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute of Texas Children's Hospital, 1250 Moursund Street, Suite 1325, Houston, TX, 77030, USA. .,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute of Texas Children's Hospital, 1250 Moursund Street, Suite 1325, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
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12
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A V-to-F substitution in SK2 channels causes Ca 2+ hypersensitivity and improves locomotion in a C. elegans ALS model. Sci Rep 2018; 8:10749. [PMID: 30013223 PMCID: PMC6048120 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-28783-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2018] [Accepted: 06/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Small-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (SK) channels mediate medium afterhyperpolarization in the neurons and play a key role in the regulation of neuronal excitability. SK channels are potential drug targets for ataxia and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). SK channels are activated exclusively by the Ca2+-bound calmodulin. Previously, we identified an intrinsically disordered fragment that is essential for the mechanical coupling between Ca2+/calmodulin binding and channel opening. Here, we report that substitution of a valine to phenylalanine (V407F) in the intrinsically disordered fragment caused a ~6 fold increase in the Ca2+ sensitivity of SK2-a channels. This substitution resulted in a novel interaction between the ectopic phenylalanine and M411, which stabilized PIP2-interacting residue K405, and subsequently enhanced Ca2+ sensitivity. Also, equivalent valine to phenylalanine substitutions in SK1 or SK3 channels conferred Ca2+ hypersensitivity. An equivalent phenylalanine substitution in the Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) SK2 ortholog kcnl-2 partially rescued locomotion defects in an existing C. elegans ALS model, in which human SOD1G85R is expressed at high levels in neurons, confirming that this phenylalanine substitution impacts channel function in vivo. This work for the first time provides a critical reagent for future studies: an SK channel that is hypersensitive to Ca2+ with increased activity in vivo.
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13
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Nam YW, Orfali R, Liu T, Yu K, Cui M, Wulff H, Zhang M. Structural insights into the potency of SK channel positive modulators. Sci Rep 2017; 7:17178. [PMID: 29214998 PMCID: PMC5719431 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-16607-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2017] [Accepted: 11/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Small-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (SK) channels play essential roles in the regulation of cellular excitability and have been implicated in neurological and cardiovascular diseases through both animal model studies and human genetic association studies. Over the past two decades, positive modulators of SK channels such as NS309 and 1-EBIO have been developed. Our previous structural studies have identified the binding pocket of 1-EBIO and NS309 that is located at the interface between the channel and calmodulin. In this study, we took advantage of four compounds with potencies varying over three orders of magnitude, including 1-EBIO, NS309, SKS-11 (6-bromo-5-methyl-1H-indole-2,3-dione-3-oxime) and SKS-14 (7-fluoro-3-(hydroxyimino)indolin-2-one). A combination of x-ray crystallographic, computational and electrophysiological approaches was utilized to investigate the interactions between the positive modulators and their binding pocket. A strong trend exists between the interaction energy of the compounds within their binding site calculated from the crystal structures, and the potency of these compounds in potentiating the SK2 channel current determined by electrophysiological recordings. Our results further reveal that the difference in potency of the positive modulators in potentiating SK2 channel activity may be attributed primarily to specific electrostatic interactions between the modulators and their binding pocket.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young-Woo Nam
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences & Structural Biology Research Center, Chapman University School of Pharmacy, Irvine, CA, 92618, USA
| | - Razan Orfali
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences & Structural Biology Research Center, Chapman University School of Pharmacy, Irvine, CA, 92618, USA
| | - Tingting Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Kunqian Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Meng Cui
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University School of Pharmacy, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Heike Wulff
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Miao Zhang
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences & Structural Biology Research Center, Chapman University School of Pharmacy, Irvine, CA, 92618, USA.
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14
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Nibbeling EAR, Delnooz CCS, de Koning TJ, Sinke RJ, Jinnah HA, Tijssen MAJ, Verbeek DS. Using the shared genetics of dystonia and ataxia to unravel their pathogenesis. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2017; 75:22-39. [PMID: 28143763 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2017.01.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2016] [Revised: 12/09/2016] [Accepted: 01/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
In this review we explore the similarities between spinocerebellar ataxias and dystonias, and suggest potentially shared molecular pathways using a gene co-expression network approach. The spinocerebellar ataxias are a group of neurodegenerative disorders characterized by coordination problems caused mainly by atrophy of the cerebellum. The dystonias are another group of neurological movement disorders linked to basal ganglia dysfunction, although evidence is now pointing to cerebellar involvement as well. Our gene co-expression network approach identified 99 shared genes and showed the involvement of two major pathways: synaptic transmission and neurodevelopment. These pathways overlapped in the two disorders, with a large role for GABAergic signaling in both. The overlapping pathways may provide novel targets for disease therapies. We need to prioritize variants obtained by whole exome sequencing in the genes associated with these pathways in the search for new pathogenic variants, which can than be used to help in the genetic counseling of patients and their families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther A R Nibbeling
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Genetics, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Cathérine C S Delnooz
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Neurology, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Tom J de Koning
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Genetics, Groningen, The Netherlands; University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Neurology, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Richard J Sinke
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Genetics, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Hyder A Jinnah
- Departments of Neurology, Human Genetics and Pediatrics, Emory Clinic, Atlanta, USA
| | - Marina A J Tijssen
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Neurology, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Dineke S Verbeek
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Genetics, Groningen, The Netherlands.
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15
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Jones JM, Dionne L, Dell'Orco J, Parent R, Krueger JN, Cheng X, Dib-Hajj SD, Bunton-Stasyshyn RK, Sharkey LM, Dowling JJ, Murphy GG, Shakkottai VG, Shrager P, Meisler MH. Single amino acid deletion in transmembrane segment D4S6 of sodium channel Scn8a (Nav1.6) in a mouse mutant with a chronic movement disorder. Neurobiol Dis 2016; 89:36-45. [PMID: 26807988 PMCID: PMC4991781 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2016.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2015] [Revised: 01/06/2016] [Accepted: 01/20/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations of the neuronal sodium channel gene SCN8A are associated with lethal movement disorders in the mouse and with human epileptic encephalopathy. We describe a spontaneous mouse mutation, Scn8a(9J), that is associated with a chronic movement disorder with early onset tremor and adult onset dystonia. Scn8a(9J) homozygotes have a shortened lifespan, with only 50% of mutants surviving beyond 6 months of age. The 3 bp in-frame deletion removes 1 of the 3 adjacent isoleucine residues in transmembrane segment DIVS6 of Nav1.6 (p.Ile1750del). The altered helical orientation of the transmembrane segment displaces pore-lining amino acids with important roles in channel activation and inactivation. The predicted impact on channel activity was confirmed by analysis of cerebellar Purkinje neurons from mutant mice, which lack spontaneous and induced repetitive firing. In a heterologous expression system, the activity of the mutant channel was below the threshold for detection. Observations of decreased nerve conduction velocity and impaired behavior in an open field are also consistent with reduced activity of Nav1.6. The Nav1.6Δ1750 protein is only partially glycosylated. The abundance of mutant Nav1.6 is reduced at nodes of Ranvier and is not detectable at the axon initial segment. Despite a severe reduction in channel activity, the lifespan and motor function of Scn8a(9J/9J) mice are significantly better than null mutants lacking channel protein. The clinical phenotype of this severe hypomorphic mutant expands the spectrum of Scn8a disease to include a recessively inherited, chronic and progressive movement disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie M Jones
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
| | - Louise Dionne
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, United States
| | - James Dell'Orco
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
| | - Rachel Parent
- Department of Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
| | - Jamie N Krueger
- Department of Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
| | - Xiaoyang Cheng
- Department of Neurology and Centre for Neuroscience and Regeneration Research, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06516, United States.
| | - Sulayman D Dib-Hajj
- Department of Neurology and Centre for Neuroscience and Regeneration Research, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06516, United States
| | | | - Lisa M Sharkey
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
| | - James J Dowling
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
| | - Geoffrey G Murphy
- Department of Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
| | - Vikram G Shakkottai
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
| | - Peter Shrager
- Department of Neurobiology & Anatomy, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, United States
| | - Miriam H Meisler
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States.
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Sun J, Pan C, Chew T, Liang F, Burmeister M, Low B. BNIP-H Recruits the Cholinergic Machinery to Neurite Terminals to Promote Acetylcholine Signaling and Neuritogenesis. Dev Cell 2015; 34:555-68. [DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2015.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2014] [Revised: 03/13/2015] [Accepted: 08/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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17
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Abstract
Dystonia is a common movement disorder characterized by sustained muscle contractions. These contractions generate twisting and repetitive movements or typical abnormal postures, often exacerbated by voluntary movement. Dystonia can affect almost all the voluntary muscles. For several decades, the discussion on the pathogenesis has been focused on basal ganglia circuits, especially striatal networks. So far, although dystonia has been observed in some forms of ataxia such as dominant ataxias, the link between the cerebellum and dystonia has remained unclear. Recent human studies and experimental data mainly in rodents show that the cerebellum circuitry could also be a key player in the pathogenesis of some forms of dystonia. In particular, studies based on behavioral adaptation paradigm shed light on the links between dystonia and cerebellum. The spectrum of movement disorders in which the cerebellum is implicated is continuously expanding, and manipulation of cerebellar circuits might even emerge as a candidate therapy in the coming years.
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18
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Abstract
Dystonia is a neurologic disorder characterized by sustained involuntary muscle contractions. Lesions responsible for unilateral secondary dystonia are confined to the putamen, caudate, globus pallidus, and thalamus. Dysfunction of these structures is suspected to play a role in both primary and secondary dystonia. Recent evidence has suggested that the cerebellum may play a role in the pathophysiology of dystonia. The role of the cerebellum in ataxia, a disorder of motor incoordination is well established. How may the cerebellum contribute to two apparently very different movement disorders? This review will discuss the idea of whether in some cases, ataxia and dystonia lie in the same clinical spectrum and whether graded perturbations in cerebellar function may explain a similar causative role for the cerebellum in these two different motor disorders. The review also proposes a model for cerebellar dystonia based on the available animal models of this disorder.
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19
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A Case of Masticatory Dystonia Following Cerebellar Haemorrhage. THE CEREBELLUM 2015; 14:723-7. [DOI: 10.1007/s12311-015-0655-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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