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Luo S, Zheng N, Lang B. ULK4 in Neurodevelopmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:873706. [PMID: 35493088 PMCID: PMC9039724 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.873706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The gene Unc51-like kinase 4 (ULK4) belongs to the Unc-51-like serine/threonine kinase family and is assumed to encode a pseudokinase with unclear function. Recently, emerging evidence has suggested that ULK4 may be etiologically involved in a spectrum of neuropsychiatric disorders including schizophrenia, but the underlying mechanism remains unaddressed. Here, we summarize the key findings of the structure and function of the ULK4 protein to provide comprehensive insights to better understand ULK4-related neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders and to aid in the development of a ULK4-based therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shilin Luo
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hunan Provincial Engineering Research Center of Translational Medicine and Innovative Drug, Changsha, China
| | - Nanxi Zheng
- Department of Psychiatry, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
- *Correspondence: Nanxi Zheng, ; Bing Lang,
| | - Bing Lang
- Department of Psychiatry, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
- *Correspondence: Nanxi Zheng, ; Bing Lang,
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2
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Luo W, Yang J. Schizophrenia predisposition gene Unc-51-like kinase 4 for the improvement of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. Mol Biol Rep 2022; 49:2933-2943. [PMID: 35083612 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-021-07108-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury (CIRI) has complex pathogenesis, and inhibiting apoptosis and supporting neural progenitor proliferation are extremely beneficial strategies for treating CIRI. Unc-51-like kinase 4 (ULK4), a susceptibility gene for schizophrenia, promotes neural progenitors proliferation. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway plays a critical role in CIRI via inhibition of apoptosis. Therefore, the relationship among ULK4, the PI3K pathway, and apoptosis in the context of CIRI has attracted our great interest. METHODS AND RESULTS Primary cortical neurons were subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R), and rats were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R). Transfection of the ULK4-overexpression lentivirus was performed alone or in combination with PI3K inhibitor treatment. Here, we revealed that ULK4 was poorly expressed in the cortex in MCAO/R rats and OGD/R-treated primary cortical neurons, ULK4 overexpression inhibited apoptosis, and reduced neurological deficit scores, cerebral infarct volume, and histopathological damage. Moreover, ULK4 overexpression increased PI3K expression and the p-protein kinase B/AKT and p-glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK3β)/GSK3β ratios, and inhibited apoptosis, while a PI3K inhibitor reversed the effects of ULK4 overexpression on CIRI. CONCLUSIONS ULK4 protects against CIRI, and the underlying mechanism involves PI3K pathway activation which in turn inhibits apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Luo
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China.,Department of Clinical Pharmacy, The Third Hospital of Mianyang/Sichuan Mental Health Center, Mianyang, 621000, China
| | - Junqing Yang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China.
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3
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Hu L, Chen Y, Yang CP, Huang Y, Song NN, Chen JY, Sun YL, Ding YQ, Lang B. Ulk4, a Newly Discovered Susceptibility Gene for Schizophrenia, Regulates Corticogenesis in Mice. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:645368. [PMID: 34235142 PMCID: PMC8255617 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.645368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a chronic and severe mental disease that affects around 1% of the population. The precise etiology of SCZ still remains largely unknown, and no conclusive mechanisms are firmly established. Recent advances in epidemiological and clinical investigation support an overwhelmingly strong neurodevelopmental origin for SCZ. Here, we demonstrated that Unc-51-like kinase 4 (Ulk4), a novel risk factor for major mental disorders including schizophrenia, is involved in the corticogenesis. Deletion of Ulk4 in mice led to significantly thinner layers of II–III, and V in the cerebral cortex, which was confirmed in conditional Ulk4 deletion mice achieved by Cre-loxp strategy. This abnormality might be caused by decreased intermediate neural progenitors and increased apoptosis. Thus, our data suggest that Ulk4 manipulates the behaviors of neural progenitors during brain development and, when functionally defective, leads to the reduction of specific cortical layers. This anomaly may increase predisposition to a range of neurodevelopmental disorders, including SCZ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Chen
- Key Laboratory of Arrhythmias, Ministry of Education, East Hospital, and Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Cui-Ping Yang
- Key Laboratory of Arrhythmias, Ministry of Education, East Hospital, and Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ying Huang
- Department of Laboratory Animal Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ning-Ning Song
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jia-Yin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu-Ling Sun
- Key Laboratory of Arrhythmias, Ministry of Education, East Hospital, and Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu-Qiang Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Arrhythmias, Ministry of Education, East Hospital, and Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Department of Laboratory Animal Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bing Lang
- National Clinical Research Centre for Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
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4
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Tassano E, Uccella S, Giacomini T, Striano P, Severino M, Porta S, Gimelli G, Ronchetto P. Intragenic Microdeletion of ULK4 and Partial Microduplication of BRWD3 in Siblings with Neuropsychiatric Features and Obesity. Cytogenet Genome Res 2018; 156:14-21. [PMID: 30086552 DOI: 10.1159/000491871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
ULK4 and BRWD3 deletions have been identified in patients with developmental/language delay and intellectual disability. Both genes play pivotal roles in brain development. In particular, ULK4 encodes serine/threonine kinases that are critical for the development and function of the nervous system, while BRWD3 plays a crucial role in ubiquitination, as part of the ubiquitin/proteasome system. We report on 2 brothers, aged 7.6 and 20 years, presenting with cognitive impairment, epilepsy, autistic features, hearing loss, and obesity. Array-CGH analysis demonstrated 2 rare CNVs in both siblings: a paternally inherited microdeletion of ∼145 kb at 3p22.1, disrupting the ULK4 gene, and a maternally inherited microduplication of ∼117 kb at Xq21.1 including only the BRWD3 gene. As already described for other recurrent syndromes with variable phenotype, these findings are challenging in genetic counseling because of an evident variable penetrance. We discuss the possible correlations between the clinical phenotype of our patients and the function of the genes involved in these microrearrangements.
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5
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Roles of autophagy in controlling stem cell identity: a perspective of self-renewal and differentiation. Cell Tissue Res 2018; 374:205-216. [DOI: 10.1007/s00441-018-2829-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2017] [Accepted: 03/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
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6
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Edwards-Faret G, Cebrián-Silla A, Méndez-Olivos EE, González-Pinto K, García-Verdugo JM, Larraín J. Cellular composition and organization of the spinal cord central canal during metamorphosis of the frog Xenopus laevis. J Comp Neurol 2018; 526:1712-1732. [PMID: 29603210 DOI: 10.1002/cne.24441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2017] [Revised: 03/12/2018] [Accepted: 03/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Studying the cellular composition and morphological changes of cells lining the central canal during Xenopus laevis metamorphosis could contribute to understand postnatal development and spinal cord regeneration. Here we report the analysis of central canal cells at different stages during metamorphosis using immunofluorescence for protein markers expression, transmission and scanning electron microscopy and cell proliferation assays. The central canal was regionalized according to expression of glial markers, ultrastructure, and proliferation in dorsal, lateral, and ventral domains with differences between larvae and froglets. In regenerative larvae, all cell types were uniciliated, have a radial morphology, and elongated nuclei with lax chromatin, resembling radial glial cells. Important differences in cells of nonregenerative froglets were observed, although uniciliated cells were found, the most abundant cells had multicilia and revealed extensive changes in the maturation and differentiation state. The majority of dividing cells in larvae corresponded to uniciliated cells at dorsal and lateral domains in a cervical-lumbar gradient, correlating with undifferentiated features. Neurons contacting the lumen of the central canal were detected in both stages and revealed extensive changes in the maturation and differentiation state. However, in froglets a very low proportion of cells incorporate 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU), associated with the differentiated profile and with the increase of multiciliated cells. Our work showed progressive changes in the cell types lining the central canal of Xenopus laevis spinal cord which are correlated with the regenerative capacities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Edwards-Faret
- Center for Aging and Regeneration, Faculty of Biological Sciences, P. Universidad Católica de Chile, Avenida Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins 340, Santiago, Chile
| | - Arantxa Cebrián-Silla
- Laboratorio de Neurobiologia Comparada, Instituto Cavanilles, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia 46980, CIBERNED, Valencia, Spain
| | - Emilio E Méndez-Olivos
- Center for Aging and Regeneration, Faculty of Biological Sciences, P. Universidad Católica de Chile, Avenida Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins 340, Santiago, Chile
| | - Karina González-Pinto
- Center for Aging and Regeneration, Faculty of Biological Sciences, P. Universidad Católica de Chile, Avenida Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins 340, Santiago, Chile.,Universidad Arturo Prat del Estado de Chile, Iquique, Chile
| | - José Manuel García-Verdugo
- Laboratorio de Neurobiologia Comparada, Instituto Cavanilles, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia 46980, CIBERNED, Valencia, Spain
| | - Juan Larraín
- Center for Aging and Regeneration, Faculty of Biological Sciences, P. Universidad Católica de Chile, Avenida Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins 340, Santiago, Chile
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7
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Liu M, Fitzgibbon M, Wang Y, Reilly J, Qian X, O'Brien T, Clapcote S, Shen S, Roche M. Ulk4 regulates GABAergic signaling and anxiety-related behavior. Transl Psychiatry 2018; 8:43. [PMID: 29391390 PMCID: PMC5804027 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-017-0091-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2017] [Revised: 10/09/2017] [Accepted: 11/30/2017] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Excitation/inhibition imbalance has been proposed as a fundamental mechanism in the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders, in which copy number variations of the Unc-51 like kinase 4 (ULK4) gene encoding a putative Serine/Threonine kinase have been reported in approximately 1/1000 of patients suffering pleiotropic clinical conditions of schizophrenia, depression, autistic spectrum disorder (ASD), developmental delay, language delay, intellectual disability, or behavioral disorder. The current study characterized behavior of heterozygous Ulk4 +/tm1a mice, demonstrating that Ulk4 +/tm1a mice displayed no schizophrenia-like behavior in acoustic startle reactivity and prepulse inhibition tests or depressive-like behavior in the Porsolt swim or tail suspension tests. However, Ulk4 +/tm1a mice exhibited an anxiety-like behavioral phenotype in several tests. Previously identified hypo-anxious (Atp1a2, Ptn, and Mdk) and hyper-anxious (Gria1, Syngap1, and Npy2r) genes were found to be dysregulated accordingly in Ulk4 mutants. Ulk4 was found to be expressed in GABAergic neurons and the Gad67+ interneurons were significantly reduced in the hippocampus and basolateral amygdala of Ulk4 +/tm1a mice. Transcriptome analyses revealed a marked reduction of GABAergic neuronal subtypes, including Pvalb, Sst, Cck, Npy, and Nos3, as well as significant upregulation of GABA receptors, including Gabra1, Gabra3, Gabra4, Gabra5, and Gabrb3. This is the first evidence that Ulk4 plays a major role in regulating GABAergic signaling and anxiety-like behavior, which may have implications for the development of novel anxiolytic treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Liu
- Regenerative Medicine Institute, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Marie Fitzgibbon
- Physiology, School of Medicine, Galway Neuroscience Centre and Centre for Pain Research, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Yanqin Wang
- Regenerative Medicine Institute, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
- Department of Physiology, College of Life Science, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Jamie Reilly
- Regenerative Medicine Institute, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Xiaohong Qian
- National Center for Protein Sciences, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Engineering Research Center for Protein Drugs, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Timothy O'Brien
- Regenerative Medicine Institute, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Steve Clapcote
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Sanbing Shen
- Regenerative Medicine Institute, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland.
| | - Michelle Roche
- Physiology, School of Medicine, Galway Neuroscience Centre and Centre for Pain Research, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland.
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8
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Ulk4 Is Essential for Ciliogenesis and CSF Flow. J Neurosci 2017; 36:7589-600. [PMID: 27445138 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0621-16.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2016] [Accepted: 05/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Ciliopathies are an emerging class of devastating disorders with pleiotropic symptoms affecting both the central and peripheral systems and commonly associated with hydrocephalus. Even though ciliary components and three master transcriptional regulators have been identified, little is known about the signaling molecules involved. We previously identified a novel gene, Unc51-like-kinase 4 (ULK4), as a risk factor of neurodevelopmental disorders. Here we took multidisciplinary approaches and uncovered essential roles of Ulk4 in ciliogenesis. We show that Ulk4 is predominantly expressed in the ventricular system, and Ulk4(tm1a/tm1a) ependymal cells display reduced/disorganized cilia with abnormal axonemes. Ulk4(tm1a/tm1a) mice exhibit dysfunctional subcommissural organs, obstructive aqueducts, and impaired CSF flow. Mechanistically, we performed whole-genome RNA sequencing and discovered that Ulk4 regulates the Foxj1 pathway specifically and an array of other ciliogenesis molecules. This is the first evidence demonstrating that ULK4 plays a vital role in ciliogenesis and that deficiency of ULK4 can cause hydrocephalus and ciliopathy-related disorders. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Ciliopathies are an emerging class of devastating disorders with pleiotropic symptoms affecting both the central and peripheral systems. Ciliopathies are commonly associated with hydrocephalus, and Unc51-like-kinase 4 (Ulk4) has been identified as one of 12 genes causing hydrocephalus in mutants. Here we uncover an essential role of Ulk4 in ciliogenesis. Ulk4 is predominantly expressed in the ventricles, and mutant ependymal cells display reduced/disorganized/nonfunctional motile cilia with abnormal axonemes and impaired CSF flow. Ulk4 modulates expression of the master regulator of ciliogenesis, Foxj1, and other ciliogenesis molecules. This is the first report demonstrating a vital role of Ulk4 in ciliogenesis. ULK4 deficiency may be implicated in human hydrocephalus and other ciliopathy-related disorders.
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9
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Liu M, Xu P, O'Brien T, Shen S. Multiple roles of Ulk4 in neurogenesis and brain function. NEUROGENESIS 2017; 4:e1313646. [PMID: 28596978 DOI: 10.1080/23262133.2017.1313646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2016] [Revised: 11/27/2016] [Accepted: 01/18/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Neurogenesis is essential for proper brain formation and function, and abnormal neural proliferation is an underlying neuropathology of many brain disorders. Recent advances on adult neurogenesis demonstrate that neural stem cells (NSCs) at the subventricular zone (SVZ) are largely derived during mid-embryonic neurogenesis from a subset of cells, which slow down in their pace of cell division,1 become quiescent cells and can be reactivated in need.2 The NSCs at birth constitute the stem cell pool for both postnatal oligodendrogenesis3 and adult neurogenesis.1,2 However, little is known about factors that control the size of NSC pool. The article published in Stem Cells on Jun 14, 2016 by Liu and colleagues described a member of the Unc-51-like serine/threonine kinase family, Ulk4, which plays a critical role in regulating the NSC pool size.4 Authors presented evidence of cell cycle-dependent Ulk4 expression in vitro and in vivo, and reduced NSC pool in targetedly disrupted Ulk4 newborn mice, with disturbed pathways of cell cycle regulation and WNT signaling (Fig. 1), suggesting that ULK4 may be associated with neurodevelopmental, neuropsychiatric as well as neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Liu
- Regenerative Medicine Institute, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland (NUI) Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Ping Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, National Center for Protein Sciences, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Engineering Research Center for Protein Drugs, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Timothy O'Brien
- Regenerative Medicine Institute, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland (NUI) Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Sanbing Shen
- Regenerative Medicine Institute, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland (NUI) Galway, Galway, Ireland
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10
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Moreno N, González A. Pattern of Neurogenesis and Identification of Neuronal Progenitor Subtypes during Pallial Development in Xenopus laevis. Front Neuroanat 2017; 11:24. [PMID: 28396626 PMCID: PMC5366753 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2017.00024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2017] [Accepted: 03/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The complexity of the pallium during evolution has increased dramatically in many different respects. The highest level of complexity is found in mammals, where most of the pallium (cortex) shows a layered organization and neurons are generated during development following an inside-out order, a sequence not observed in other amniotes (birds and reptiles). Species-differences may be related to major neurogenetic events, from the neural progenitors that divide and produce all pallial cells. In mammals, two main types of precursors have been described, primary precursor cells in the ventricular zone (vz; also called radial glial cells or apical progenitors) and secondary precursor cells (called basal or intermediate progenitors) separated from the ventricle surface. Previous studies suggested that pallial neurogenetic cells, and especially the intermediate progenitors, evolved independently in mammalian and sauropsid lineages. In the present study, we examined pallial neurogenesis in the amphibian Xenopus laevis, a representative species of the only group of tetrapods that are anamniotes. The pattern of pallial proliferation during embryonic and larval development was studied, together with a multiple immunohistochemical analysis of putative progenitor cells. We found that there are two phases of progenitor divisions in the developing pallium that, following the radial unit concept from the ventricle to the mantle, finally result in an outside-in order of mature neurons, what seems to be the primitive condition of vertebrates. Gene expressions of key transcription factors that characterize radial glial cells in the vz were demonstrated in Xenopus. In addition, although mitotic cells were corroborated outside the vz, the expression pattern of markers for intermediate progenitors differed from mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nerea Moreno
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid Madrid, Spain
| | - Agustín González
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid Madrid, Spain
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11
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Control of cortex development by ULK4, a rare risk gene for mental disorders including schizophrenia. Sci Rep 2016; 6:31126. [PMID: 27670918 PMCID: PMC5037360 DOI: 10.1038/srep31126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2016] [Accepted: 07/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a debilitating familial neuropsychiatric disorder which affects 1% of people worldwide. Although the heritability for schizophrenia approaches 80% only a small proportion of the overall genetic risk has been accounted for, and to date only a limited number of genetic loci have been definitively implicated. We have identified recently through genetic and in vitro functional studies, a novel serine/threonine kinase gene, unc-51-like kinase 4 (ULK4), as a rare risk factor for major mental disorders including schizophrenia. Now using the approach of in utero gene transfer we have discovered that Ulk4 plays a key modulatory role in corticogenesis. Knockdown of Ulk4 leads to significantly decreased cell proliferation in germinal zones and profound deficits in radial migration and neurite ramification. These abnormalities can be reversed successfully by Ulk4 gene supplementation. Ulk4 also regulated acetylation of α-tubulin, an important post-translational modification of microtubules. We conclude that Ulk4 plays an essential role in normal brain development and when defective, the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders such as schizophrenia is increased.
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12
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Liu M, Guan Z, Shen Q, Flinter F, Domínguez L, Ahn JW, Collier DA, O'Brien T, Shen S. Ulk4 Regulates Neural Stem Cell Pool. Stem Cells 2016; 34:2318-31. [PMID: 27300315 DOI: 10.1002/stem.2423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2016] [Revised: 03/29/2016] [Accepted: 04/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The size of neural stem cell (NSC) pool at birth determines the starting point of adult neurogenesis. Aberrant neurogenesis is associated with major mental illness, in which ULK4 is proposed as a rare risk factor. Little is known about factors regulating the NSC pool, or function of the ULK4. Here, we showed that Ulk4(tm1a/tm1a) mice displayed a dramatically reduced NSC pool at birth. Ulk4 was expressed in a cell cycle-dependent manner and peaked in G2/M phases. Targeted disruption of the Ulk4 perturbed mid-neurogenesis and significantly reduced cerebral cortex in postnatal mice. Pathway analyses of dysregulated genes in Ulk4(tm1a/tm1a) mice revealed Ulk4 as a key regulator of cell cycle and NSC proliferation, partially through regulation of the Wnt signaling. In addition, we identified hemizygous deletion of ULK4 gene in 1.2/1,000 patients with pleiotropic symptoms including severe language delay and learning difficulties. ULK4, therefore, may significantly contribute to neurodevelopmental, neuropsychiatric, and neurodegenerative disorders. Stem Cells 2016;34:2318-2331.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Liu
- Regenerative Medicine Institute, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland (NUI) Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Zhenlong Guan
- Department of Physiology, College of Life Science, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, People's Republic of China
| | - Qin Shen
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Life Sciences, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Frances Flinter
- Genetics Department, Guy's & St. Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London, United Kingdom
| | - Laura Domínguez
- Regenerative Medicine Institute, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland (NUI) Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Joo Wook Ahn
- Genetics Laboratories, Guy's Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - David A Collier
- Eli Lilly and Company Ltd. Erl Wood Manor, Windlesham, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Timothy O'Brien
- Regenerative Medicine Institute, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland (NUI) Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Sanbing Shen
- Regenerative Medicine Institute, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland (NUI) Galway, Galway, Ireland. sanbing.shen@nuigalway
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13
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Préau L, Le Blay K, Saint Paul E, Morvan-Dubois G, Demeneix BA. Differential thyroid hormone sensitivity of fast cycling progenitors in the neurogenic niches of tadpoles and juvenile frogs. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2016; 420:138-51. [PMID: 26628040 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2015.11.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2015] [Revised: 11/21/2015] [Accepted: 11/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Adult neurogenesis occurs in neural stem cell (NSC) niches where slow cycling stem cells give rise to faster cycling progenitors. In the adult mouse NSC niche thyroid hormone, T3, and its receptor TRα act as a neurogenic switch promoting progenitor cell cycle completion and neuronal differentiation. Little is known about whether and how T3 controls proliferation of differentially cycling cells during xenopus neurogenesis. To address this question, we first used Sox3 as a marker of stem cell and progenitor populations and then applied pulse-chase EdU/IdU incorporation experiments to identify Sox3-expressing slow cycling (NSC) and fast cycling progenitor cells. We focused on the lateral ventricle of Xenopus laevis and two distinct stages of development: late embryonic development (pre-metamorphic) and juvenile frogs (post-metamorphic). These stages were selected for their relatively stable thyroid hormone availability, either side of the major dynamic phase represented by metamorphosis. TRα expression was found in both pre and post-metamorphic neurogenic regions. However, exogenous T3 treatment only increased proliferation of the fast cycling Sox3+ cell population in post-metamorphic juveniles, having no detectable effect on proliferation in pre-metamorphic tadpoles. We hypothesised that the resistance of proliferative cells to exogenous T3 in pre-metamorphic tadpoles could be related to T3 inactivation by the inactivating Deiodinase 3 enzyme. Expression of dio3 was widespread in the tadpole neurogenic niche, but not in the juvenile neurogenic niche. Use of a T3-reporter transgenic line showed that in juveniles, T3 had a direct transcriptional effect on rapid cycling progenitors. Thus, the fast cycling progenitor cells in the neurogenic niche of tadpoles and juvenile frogs respond differentially to T3 as a function of developmental stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Préau
- UMR CNRS 7221, Evolution des Régulations Endocriniennes, Département Régulations, Développement et Diversité Moléculaire, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, 75231, France
| | - K Le Blay
- UMR CNRS 7221, Evolution des Régulations Endocriniennes, Département Régulations, Développement et Diversité Moléculaire, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, 75231, France
| | - E Saint Paul
- UMR CNRS 7221, Evolution des Régulations Endocriniennes, Département Régulations, Développement et Diversité Moléculaire, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, 75231, France
| | - G Morvan-Dubois
- UMR CNRS 7221, Evolution des Régulations Endocriniennes, Département Régulations, Développement et Diversité Moléculaire, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, 75231, France
| | - B A Demeneix
- UMR CNRS 7221, Evolution des Régulations Endocriniennes, Département Régulations, Développement et Diversité Moléculaire, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, 75231, France.
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