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Martins JR, Silva IC, Mazzoni TS, de Barrios GH, Freitas FCDP, Barchuk AR. Minibrain plays a role in the adult brain development of honeybee (Apis mellifera) workers. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024. [PMID: 39167296 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 08/04/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024]
Abstract
The brain of adult honeybee (Apis mellifera) workers is larger than that of queens, facilitating behavioural differentiation between the castes. This brain diphenism develops during the pharate-adult stage and is driven by a caste-specific gene expression cascade in response to unique hormonal milieus. Previous molecular screening identified minibrain (mnb; DYRK1A) as a potential regulator in this process. Here, we used RNAi approach to reduce mnb transcript levels and test its role on brain diphenism development in honeybees. White-eyed unpigmented cuticle worker pupae were injected with dsRNA for mnb (Mnb-i) or gfp, and their phenotypes were assessed two and 8 days later using classic histological and transcriptomic analyses. After 2 days of the injections, Mnb-i bees showed 98% of downregulation of mnb transcripts. After 8 days, the brain of Mnb-i bees showed reduction in total volume and in the volume of the mushroom bodies (MB), antennal, and optic lobes. Additionally, signs of apoptosis were observed in the Kenyon cells region of the MB, and the cohesion of the brain tissues was affected. Our transcriptomic analyses revealed that 226 genes were affected by the knockdown of mnb transcripts, most of which allowing axonal fasciculation. These results suggest the evolutionary conserved mnb gene has been co-opted for promoting hormone-mediated developmental brain morphological plasticity generating caste diphenism in honeybees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana Ramos Martins
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e do Desenvolvimento, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, UNIFAL-MG, Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Izabella Cristina Silva
- Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, UFScar, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Talita Sarah Mazzoni
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e do Desenvolvimento, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, UNIFAL-MG, Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Gabriela Helena de Barrios
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e do Desenvolvimento, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, UNIFAL-MG, Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Flávia Cristina de Paula Freitas
- Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, UFScar, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Angel Roberto Barchuk
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e do Desenvolvimento, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, UNIFAL-MG, Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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Brown M, Sciascia E, Ning K, Adam W, Veraksa A. Regulation of brain development by the Minibrain/Rala signaling network. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.10.593605. [PMID: 38766038 PMCID: PMC11100804 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.10.593605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
The human dual specificity tyrosine phosphorylation regulated kinase 1A (DYRK1A) is implicated in the pathology of Down syndrome, microcephaly, and cancer, however the exact mechanism through which it functions is unknown. Here, we have studied the role of the Drosophila ortholog of DYRK1A, Minibrain (Mnb), in brain development. The neuroblasts (neural stem cells) that eventually give rise to differentiated neurons in the adult brain are formed from a specialized tissue in the larval optic lobe called the neuroepithelium, in a tightly regulated process. Molecular marker analysis of mnb mutants revealed alterations in the neuroepithelium and neuroblast regions of developing larval brains. Using affinity purification-mass spectrometry (AP-MS), we identified the novel Mnb binding partners Ral interacting protein (Rlip) and RALBP1 associated Eps domain containing (Reps). Rlip and Reps physically and genetically interact with Mnb, and the three proteins may form a ternary complex. Mnb phosphorylates Reps, and human DYRK1A binds to the Reps orthologs REPS1 and REPS2. Furthermore, Mnb engages the small GTPase Ras-like protein A (Rala) to regulate brain and wing development. This work uncovers a previously unrecognized early role of Mnb in the neuroepithelium and defines the functions of the Mnb/Reps/Rlip/Rala signaling network in brain development. Significance statement The kinase Minibrain(Mnb)/DYRK1A regulates the development of the brain and other tissues across many organisms. Here we show the critical importance of Mnb within the developing neuroepithelium. Advancing our understanding of Mnb function, we identified novel protein interactors of Mnb, Reps and Rlip, which function together with Mnb to regulate growth in Drosophila melanogaster . We also identify and characterize a role for the small GTPase Rala in Mnb-regulated growth and nervous system development. This work reveals an early role of Mnb in brain development and identifies a new Mnb/Reps/Rlip/Rala signaling axis.
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Zhu B, Parsons T, Foley C, Shaw Y, Dunckley T, Hulme C, Hodge JJL. DYRK1A antagonists rescue degeneration and behavioural deficits of in vivo models based on amyloid-β, Tau and DYRK1A neurotoxicity. Sci Rep 2022; 12:15847. [PMID: 36151233 PMCID: PMC9508268 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-19967-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) involves pathological processing of amyloid precursor protein (APP) into amyloid-β and microtubule associated protein Tau (MAPT) into hyperphosphorylated Tau tangles leading to neurodegeneration. Only 5% of AD cases are familial making it difficult to predict who will develop the disease thereby hindering our ability to treat the causes of the disease. A large population who almost certainly will, are those with Down syndrome (DS), who have a 90% lifetime incidence of AD. DS is caused by trisomy of chromosome 21 resulting in three copies of APP and other AD-associated genes, like dual specificity tyrosine-phosphorylation-regulated kinase 1A (DYRK1A) overexpression. This implies that DYRK1a inhibitors may have therapeutic potential for DS and AD, however It is not clear how overexpression of each of these genes contributes to the pathology of each disease as well as how effective a DYRK1A inhibitor would be at suppressing any of these. To address this knowledge gap, we used Drosophila models with human Tau, human amyloid-β or fly DYRK1A (minibrain (mnb)) neuronal overexpression resulting in photoreceptor neuron degeneration, premature death, decreased locomotion, sleep and memory loss. DYRK1A small molecule Type 1 kinase inhibitors (DYR219 and DYR533) were effective at suppressing these disease relevant phenotypes confirming their therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bangfu Zhu
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Faculty of Life Science, University of Bristol, Biomedical Sciences Building, University Walk, Bristol, BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Tom Parsons
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Faculty of Life Science, University of Bristol, Biomedical Sciences Building, University Walk, Bristol, BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Christopher Foley
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, USA
| | - Yeng Shaw
- Division of Drug Discovery and Development, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Travis Dunckley
- Neurodegenerative Disease Research Center, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85281, USA
| | - Christopher Hulme
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, USA.,Division of Drug Discovery and Development, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - James J L Hodge
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Faculty of Life Science, University of Bristol, Biomedical Sciences Building, University Walk, Bristol, BS8 1TD, UK.
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Zhu B, Parsons T, Stensen W, Mjøen Svendsen JS, Fugelli A, Hodge JJL. DYRK1a Inhibitor Mediated Rescue of Drosophila Models of Alzheimer’s Disease-Down Syndrome Phenotypes. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:881385. [PMID: 35928283 PMCID: PMC9345315 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.881385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease which is becoming increasingly prevalent due to ageing populations resulting in huge social, economic, and health costs to the community. Despite the pathological processing of genes such as Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP) into Amyloid-β and Microtubule Associated Protein Tau (MAPT) gene, into hyperphosphorylated Tau tangles being known for decades, there remains no treatments to halt disease progression. One population with increased risk of AD are people with Down syndrome (DS), who have a 90% lifetime incidence of AD, due to trisomy of human chromosome 21 (HSA21) resulting in three copies of APP and other AD-associated genes, such as DYRK1A (Dual specificity tyrosine-phosphorylation-regulated kinase 1A) overexpression. This suggests that blocking DYRK1A might have therapeutic potential. However, it is still not clear to what extent DYRK1A overexpression by itself leads to AD-like phenotypes and how these compare to Tau and Amyloid-β mediated pathology. Likewise, it is still not known how effective a DYRK1A antagonist may be at preventing or improving any Tau, Amyloid-β and DYRK1a mediated phenotype. To address these outstanding questions, we characterised Drosophila models with targeted overexpression of human Tau, human Amyloid-β or the fly orthologue of DYRK1A, called minibrain (mnb). We found targeted overexpression of these AD-associated genes caused degeneration of photoreceptor neurons, shortened lifespan, as well as causing loss of locomotor performance, sleep, and memory. Treatment with the experimental DYRK1A inhibitor PST-001 decreased pathological phosphorylation of human Tau [at serine (S) 262]. PST-001 reduced degeneration caused by human Tau, Amyloid-β or mnb lengthening lifespan as well as improving locomotion, sleep and memory loss caused by expression of these AD and DS genes. This demonstrated PST-001 effectiveness as a potential new therapeutic targeting AD and DS pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bangfu Zhu
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Faculty of Life Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Tom Parsons
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Faculty of Life Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Wenche Stensen
- Department of Chemistry, The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
- Pharmasum Therapeutics AS, ShareLab, Forskningsparken i Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - John S. Mjøen Svendsen
- Department of Chemistry, The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
- Pharmasum Therapeutics AS, ShareLab, Forskningsparken i Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Anders Fugelli
- Pharmasum Therapeutics AS, ShareLab, Forskningsparken i Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - James J. L. Hodge
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Faculty of Life Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: James J. L. Hodge,
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Buhl E, Kim YA, Parsons T, Zhu B, Santa-Maria I, Lefort R, Hodge JJ. Effects of Eph/ephrin signalling and human Alzheimer's disease-associated EphA1 on behaviour and neurophysiology. Neurobiol Dis 2022; 170:105752. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2022.105752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 04/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
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Huizar FJ, Hill HM, Bacher EP, Eckert KE, Gulotty EM, Rodriguez KX, Tucker ZD, Banerjee M, Liu H, Wiest O, Zartman J, Ashfeld BL. Rational Design and Identification of Harmine-Inspired, N-Heterocyclic DYRK1A Inhibitors Employing a Functional Genomic In Vivo Drosophila Model System. ChemMedChem 2022; 17:e202100512. [PMID: 34994084 PMCID: PMC11337134 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202100512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Deregulation of dual-specificity tyrosine phosphorylation-regulated kinase 1A (DYRK1A) plays a significant role in developmental brain defects, early-onset neurodegeneration, neuronal cell loss, dementia, and several types of cancer. Herein, we report the discovery of three new classes of N-heterocyclic DYRK1A inhibitors based on the potent, yet toxic kinase inhibitors, harmine and harmol. An initial in vitro evaluation of the small molecule library assembled revealed that the core heterocyclic motifs benzofuranones, oxindoles, and pyrrolones, showed statistically significant DYRK1A inhibition. Further, the utilization of a low cost, high-throughput functional genomic in vivo model system to identify small molecule inhibitors that normalize DYRK1A overexpression phenotypes is described. This in vivo assay substantiated the in vitro results, and the resulting correspondence validates generated classes as architectural motifs that serve as potential DYRK1A inhibitors. Further expansion and analysis of these core compound structures will allow discovery of safe, more effective chemical inhibitors of DYRK1A to ameliorate phenotypes caused by DYRK1A overexpression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco J Huizar
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Harrison M Hill
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Emily P Bacher
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Kaitlyn E Eckert
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Eva M Gulotty
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Kevin X Rodriguez
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Zachary D Tucker
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Monimoy Banerjee
- Warren Family Center for Drug Discovery and Development, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Haining Liu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Olaf Wiest
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
- Warren Family Center for Drug Discovery and Development, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Jeremiah Zartman
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Brandon L Ashfeld
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
- Warren Family Center for Drug Discovery and Development, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
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