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Oliveira MT, Anhezini L, Araujo HM, Oliveira MF, Couto-Lima CA. Boosting life sciences research in Brazil: building a case for a local Drosophila stock center. Genet Mol Biol 2024; 47:e20230202. [PMID: 38446983 PMCID: PMC10917079 DOI: 10.1590/1678-4685-gmb-2023-0202] [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: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Drosophila melanogaster is undoubtedly one of the most useful model organisms in biology. Initially used in solidifying the principles of heredity, and establishing the basic concepts of population genetics and of the synthetic theory of evolution, it can currently offer scientists much more: the possibility of investigating a plethora of cellular and biological mechanisms, from development and function of the immune system to animal neurogenesis, tumorigenesis and beyond. Extensive resources are available for the community of Drosophila researchers worldwide, including an ever-growing number of mutant, transgenic and genomically-edited lines currently carried by stock centers in North America, Europe and Asia. Here, we provide evidence for the importance of stock centers in sustaining the substantial increase in the output of Drosophila research worldwide in recent decades. We also discuss the challenges that Brazilian Drosophila scientists face to keep their research projects internationally competitive, and argue that difficulties in importing fly lines from international stock centers have significantly stalled the progression of all Drosophila research areas in the country. Establishing a local stock center might be the first step towards building a strong local Drosophila community that will likely contribute to all areas of life sciences research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcos T. Oliveira
- Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias de Jaboticabal, Departamento de Biotecnologia, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | - Lucas Anhezini
- Universidade Federal de Alagoas, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Departamento de Histologia e Embriologia, Maceió, AL, Brazil
| | - Helena M. Araujo
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Programa de Graduação em Biologia Celular e do Desenvolvimento, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Marcus F. Oliveira
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Carlos A. Couto-Lima
- Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias de Jaboticabal, Departamento de Biotecnologia, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
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2
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Zhu L, Li S, Li XJ, Yin P. Pathological insights from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis animal models: comparisons, limitations, and challenges. Transl Neurodegener 2023; 12:46. [PMID: 37730668 PMCID: PMC10510301 DOI: 10.1186/s40035-023-00377-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
In order to dissect amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a multigenic, multifactorial, and progressive neurodegenerative disease with heterogeneous clinical presentations, researchers have generated numerous animal models to mimic the genetic defects. Concurrent and comparative analysis of these various models allows identification of the causes and mechanisms of ALS in order to finally obtain effective therapeutics. However, most genetically modified rodent models lack overt pathological features, imposing challenges and limitations in utilizing them to rigorously test the potential mechanisms. Recent studies using large animals, including pigs and non-human primates, have uncovered important events that resemble neurodegeneration in patients' brains but could not be produced in small animals. Here we describe common features as well as discrepancies among these models, highlighting new insights from these models. Furthermore, we will discuss how to make rodent models more capable of recapitulating important pathological features based on the important pathogenic insights from large animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longhong Zhu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-Human Primate Research, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), GHM Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Shihua Li
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-Human Primate Research, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), GHM Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Xiao-Jiang Li
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-Human Primate Research, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), GHM Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
| | - Peng Yin
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-Human Primate Research, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), GHM Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
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3
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Liao X, Zhu W, Zhou J, Li H, Xu X, Zhang B, Gao X. Repetitive DNA sequence detection and its role in the human genome. Commun Biol 2023; 6:954. [PMID: 37726397 PMCID: PMC10509279 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05322-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Repetitive DNA sequences playing critical roles in driving evolution, inducing variation, and regulating gene expression. In this review, we summarized the definition, arrangement, and structural characteristics of repeats. Besides, we introduced diverse biological functions of repeats and reviewed existing methods for automatic repeat detection, classification, and masking. Finally, we analyzed the type, structure, and regulation of repeats in the human genome and their role in the induction of complex diseases. We believe that this review will facilitate a comprehensive understanding of repeats and provide guidance for repeat annotation and in-depth exploration of its association with human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingyu Liao
- Computational Bioscience Research Center (CBRC), Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Wufei Zhu
- Department of Endocrinology, Yichang Central People's Hospital, The First College of Clinical Medical Science, China Three Gorges University, 443000, Yichang, P.R. China
| | - Juexiao Zhou
- Computational Bioscience Research Center (CBRC), Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Haoyang Li
- Computational Bioscience Research Center (CBRC), Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Xiaopeng Xu
- Computational Bioscience Research Center (CBRC), Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Bin Zhang
- Computational Bioscience Research Center (CBRC), Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Xin Gao
- Computational Bioscience Research Center (CBRC), Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955, Saudi Arabia.
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4
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Liu X, Zhao X, He J, Wang S, Shen X, Liu Q, Wang S. Advances in the Structure of GGGGCC Repeat RNA Sequence and Its Interaction with Small Molecules and Protein Partners. Molecules 2023; 28:5801. [PMID: 37570771 PMCID: PMC10420822 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28155801] [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: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The aberrant expansion of GGGGCC hexanucleotide repeats within the first intron of the C9orf72 gene represent the predominant genetic etiology underlying amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontal temporal dementia (FTD). The transcribed r(GGGGCC)n RNA repeats form RNA foci, which recruit RNA binding proteins and impede their normal cellular functions, ultimately resulting in fatal neurodegenerative disorders. Furthermore, the non-canonical translation of the r(GGGGCC)n sequence can generate dipeptide repeats, which have been postulated as pathological causes. Comprehensive structural analyses of r(GGGGCC)n have unveiled its polymorphic nature, exhibiting the propensity to adopt dimeric, hairpin, or G-quadruplex conformations, all of which possess the capacity to interact with RNA binding proteins. Small molecules capable of binding to r(GGGGCC)n have been discovered and proposed as potential lead compounds for the treatment of ALS and FTD. Some of these molecules function in preventing RNA-protein interactions or impeding the phase transition of r(GGGGCC)n. In this review, we present a comprehensive summary of the recent advancements in the structural characterization of r(GGGGCC)n, its propensity to form RNA foci, and its interactions with small molecules and proteins. Specifically, we emphasize the structural diversity of r(GGGGCC)n and its influence on partner binding. Given the crucial role of r(GGGGCC)n in the pathogenesis of ALS and FTD, the primary objective of this review is to facilitate the development of therapeutic interventions targeting r(GGGGCC)n RNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaole Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; (X.L.); (X.Z.); (J.H.); (S.W.); (X.S.); (Q.L.)
| | - Xinyue Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; (X.L.); (X.Z.); (J.H.); (S.W.); (X.S.); (Q.L.)
| | - Jinhan He
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; (X.L.); (X.Z.); (J.H.); (S.W.); (X.S.); (Q.L.)
| | - Sishi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; (X.L.); (X.Z.); (J.H.); (S.W.); (X.S.); (Q.L.)
| | - Xinfei Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; (X.L.); (X.Z.); (J.H.); (S.W.); (X.S.); (Q.L.)
| | - Qingfeng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; (X.L.); (X.Z.); (J.H.); (S.W.); (X.S.); (Q.L.)
| | - Shenlin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; (X.L.); (X.Z.); (J.H.); (S.W.); (X.S.); (Q.L.)
- Beijing NMR Center, Peking University, Beijing 100087, China
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Figueiredo AS, Loureiro JR, Macedo-Ribeiro S, Silveira I. Advances in Nucleotide Repeat Expansion Diseases: Transcription Gets in Phase. Cells 2023; 12:cells12060826. [PMID: 36980167 PMCID: PMC10047669 DOI: 10.3390/cells12060826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Unstable DNA repeat expansions and insertions have been found to cause more than 50 neurodevelopmental, neurodegenerative, and neuromuscular disorders. One of the main hallmarks of repeat expansion diseases is the formation of abnormal RNA or protein aggregates in the neuronal cells of affected individuals. Recent evidence indicates that alterations of the dynamic or material properties of biomolecular condensates assembled by liquid/liquid phase separation are critical for the formation of these aggregates. This is a thermodynamically-driven and reversible local phenomenon that condenses macromolecules into liquid-like compartments responsible for compartmentalizing molecules required for vital cellular processes. Disease-associated repeat expansions modulate the phase separation properties of RNAs and proteins, interfering with the composition and/or the material properties of biomolecular condensates and resulting in the formation of abnormal aggregates. Since several repeat expansions have arisen in genes encoding crucial players in transcription, this raises the hypothesis that wide gene expression dysregulation is common to multiple repeat expansion diseases. This review will cover the impact of these mutations in the formation of aberrant aggregates and how they modify gene transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana S. Figueiredo
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar (ICBAS), Universidade do Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Joana R. Loureiro
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Sandra Macedo-Ribeiro
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Isabel Silveira
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +351-2240-8800
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6
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Baud A, Derbis M, Tutak K, Sobczak K. Partners in crime: Proteins implicated in
RNA
repeat expansion diseases. WIRES RNA 2022; 13:e1709. [PMID: 35229468 PMCID: PMC9539487 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Baud
- Department of Gene Expression Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Adam Mickiewicz University Poznan Poland
| | - Magdalena Derbis
- Department of Gene Expression Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Adam Mickiewicz University Poznan Poland
| | - Katarzyna Tutak
- Department of Gene Expression Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Adam Mickiewicz University Poznan Poland
| | - Krzysztof Sobczak
- Department of Gene Expression Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Adam Mickiewicz University Poznan Poland
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7
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Cook K, Parks A. The international exchange of Drosophila melanogaster strains. REV SCI TECH OIE 2022; 41:82-90. [PMID: 35925634 PMCID: PMC10116490 DOI: 10.20506/rst.41.1.3305] [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] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Drosophila melanogaster has been a model organism for experimental research for more than a century, and the knowledge and associated genetic technologies accumulated around this species make it extremely important to contemporary biomedical research. A large international community of highly collaborative scientists investigate a remarkable diversity of biological problems using genetically characterised strains of Drosophila, and frequently exchange these strains across borders. Despite its importance to the study of fundamental biological processes and human disease-related cellular mechanisms, and the fact that it presents minimal health, agricultural or environmental risks, Drosophila can be difficult to import. The authors argue that streamlined regulations and practices would benefit biomedical research by lowering costs and increasing efficiencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- K.R. Cook
- Bloomington Drosophila Stock Center, Department of Biology, Indiana University, 1001 East 3rd Street, Bloomington, Indiana, 47405-7005, United States of America
| | - A.L. Parks
- Bloomington Drosophila Stock Center, Department of Biology, Indiana University, 1001 East 3rd Street, Bloomington, Indiana, 47405-7005, United States of America
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8
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Palacio M, Taatjes DJ. Merging Established Mechanisms with New Insights: Condensates, Hubs, and the Regulation of RNA Polymerase II Transcription. J Mol Biol 2022; 434:167216. [PMID: 34474085 PMCID: PMC8748285 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2021.167216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
The regulation of RNA polymerase II (pol II) transcription requires a complex and context-specific array of proteins and protein complexes, as well as nucleic acids and metabolites. Every major physiological process requires coordinated transcription of specific sets of genes at the appropriate time, and a breakdown in this regulation is a hallmark of human disease. A proliferation of recent studies has revealed that many general transcription components, including sequence-specific, DNA-binding transcription factors, Mediator, and pol II itself, are capable of liquid-liquid phase separation, to form condensates that partition these factors away from the bulk aqueous phase. These findings hold great promise for next-level understanding of pol II transcription; however, many mechanistic aspects align with more conventional models, and whether phase separation per se regulates pol II activity in cells remains controversial. In this review, we describe the conventional and condensate-dependent models, and why their similarities and differences are important. We also compare and contrast these models in the context of genome organization and pol II transcription (initiation, elongation, and termination), and highlight the central role of RNA in these processes. Finally, we discuss mutations that disrupt normal partitioning of transcription factors, and how this may contribute to disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Palacio
- Dept. of Biochemistry, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Dylan J. Taatjes
- Dept. of Biochemistry, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA,corresponding author;
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9
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Loss of C9orf72 in Microglia Drives Neuronal Injury by Enhancing Synaptic Pruning in Aged and Alzheimer's Disease Mice. Neurosci Bull 2021; 38:327-330. [PMID: 34783984 PMCID: PMC8975903 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-021-00796-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
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10
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Liguori F, Amadio S, Volonté C. Fly for ALS: Drosophila modeling on the route to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis modifiers. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:6143-6160. [PMID: 34322715 PMCID: PMC11072332 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-03905-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rare, devastating disease, causing movement impairment, respiratory failure and ultimate death. A plethora of genetic, cellular and molecular mechanisms are involved in ALS signature, although the initiating causes and progressive pathological events are far from being understood. Drosophila research has produced seminal discoveries for more than a century and has been successfully used in the past 25 years to untangle the process of ALS pathogenesis, and recognize potential markers and novel strategies for therapeutic solutions. This review will provide an updated view of several ALS modifiers validated in C9ORF72, SOD1, FUS, TDP-43 and Ataxin-2 Drosophila models. We will discuss basic and preclinical findings, illustrating recent developments and novel breakthroughs, also depicting unsettled challenges and limitations in the Drosophila-ALS field. We intend to stimulate a renewed debate on Drosophila as a screening route to identify more successful disease modifiers and neuroprotective agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Liguori
- Preclinical Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Via del Fosso di Fiorano 65, 00143, Rome, Italy
| | - Susanna Amadio
- Preclinical Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Via del Fosso di Fiorano 65, 00143, Rome, Italy
| | - Cinzia Volonté
- Preclinical Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Via del Fosso di Fiorano 65, 00143, Rome, Italy.
- Institute for Systems Analysis and Computer Science "A. Ruberti", National Research Council (IASI-CNR), Via dei Taurini 19, 00185, Rome, Italy.
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11
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Xu J, Chong J, Wang D. Opposite roles of transcription elongation factors Spt4/5 and Elf1 in RNA polymerase II transcription through B-form versus non-B DNA structures. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:4944-4953. [PMID: 33877330 PMCID: PMC8136819 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2021] [Revised: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcription elongation can be affected by numerous types of obstacles, such as nucleosome, pausing sequences, DNA lesions and non-B-form DNA structures. Spt4/5 and Elf1 are conserved transcription elongation factors that promote RNA polymerase II (Pol II) bypass of nucleosome and pausing sequences. Importantly, genetic studies have shown that Spt4/5 plays essential roles in the transcription of expanded nucleotide repeat genes associated with inherited neurological diseases. Here, we investigate the function of Spt4/5 and Elf1 in the transcription elongation of CTG•CAG repeat using an in vitro reconstituted yeast transcription system. We found that Spt4/5 helps Pol II transcribe through the CTG•CAG tract duplex DNA, which is in good agreement with its canonical roles in stimulating transcription elongation. In sharp contrast, surprisingly, we revealed that Spt4/5 greatly inhibits Pol II transcriptional bypass of CTG and CAG slip-out structures. Furthermore, we demonstrated that transcription elongation factor Elf1 individually and cooperatively with Spt4/5 inhibits Pol II bypass of the slip-out structures. This study uncovers the important functional interplays between template DNA structures and the function of transcription elongation factors. This study also expands our understanding of the functions of Spt4/5 and Elf1 in transcriptional processing of trinucleotide repeat DNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Xu
- Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Jenny Chong
- Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Dong Wang
- Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
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12
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Liguori F, Amadio S, Volonté C. Where and Why Modeling Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22083977. [PMID: 33921446 PMCID: PMC8070525 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22083977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Revised: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the years, researchers have leveraged a host of different in vivo models in order to dissect amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a neurodegenerative/neuroinflammatory disease that is heterogeneous in its clinical presentation and is multigenic, multifactorial and non-cell autonomous. These models include both vertebrates and invertebrates such as yeast, worms, flies, zebrafish, mice, rats, guinea pigs, dogs and, more recently, non-human primates. Despite their obvious differences and peculiarities, only the concurrent and comparative analysis of these various systems will allow the untangling of the causes and mechanisms of ALS for finally obtaining new efficacious therapeutics. However, harnessing these powerful organisms poses numerous challenges. In this context, we present here an updated and comprehensive review of how eukaryotic unicellular and multicellular organisms that reproduce a few of the main clinical features of the disease have helped in ALS research to dissect the pathological pathways of the disease insurgence and progression. We describe common features as well as discrepancies among these models, highlighting new insights and emerging roles for experimental organisms in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Liguori
- Preclinical Neuroscience, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, 00143 Rome, Italy; (F.L.); (S.A.)
| | - Susanna Amadio
- Preclinical Neuroscience, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, 00143 Rome, Italy; (F.L.); (S.A.)
| | - Cinzia Volonté
- Preclinical Neuroscience, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, 00143 Rome, Italy; (F.L.); (S.A.)
- Institute for Systems Analysis and Computer Science “A. Ruberti”, National Research Council (IASI—CNR), 00185 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-06-50170-3084
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13
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Koch SC, Nelson A, Hartenstein V. Structural aspects of the aging invertebrate brain. Cell Tissue Res 2021; 383:931-947. [PMID: 33409654 PMCID: PMC7965346 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-020-03314-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Aging is characterized by a decline in neuronal function in all animal species investigated so far. Functional changes are accompanied by and may be in part caused by, structurally visible degenerative changes in neurons. In the mammalian brain, normal aging shows abnormalities in dendrites and axons, as well as ultrastructural changes in synapses, rather than global neuron loss. The analysis of the structural features of aging neurons, as well as their causal link to molecular mechanisms on the one hand, and the functional decline on the other hand is crucial in order to understand the aging process in the brain. Invertebrate model organisms like Drosophila and C. elegans offer the opportunity to apply a forward genetic approach to the analysis of aging. In the present review, we aim to summarize findings concerning abnormalities in morphology and ultrastructure in invertebrate brains during normal aging and compare them to what is known for the mammalian brain. It becomes clear that despite of their considerably shorter life span, invertebrates display several age-related changes very similar to the mammalian condition, including the retraction of dendritic and axonal branches at specific locations, changes in synaptic density and increased accumulation of presynaptic protein complexes. We anticipate that continued research efforts in invertebrate systems will significantly contribute to reveal (and possibly manipulate) the molecular/cellular pathways leading to neuronal aging in the mammalian brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra C Koch
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Annie Nelson
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Volker Hartenstein
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California, USA.
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14
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Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Modifiers in Drosophila Reveal the Phospholipase D Pathway as a Potential Therapeutic Target. Genetics 2020; 215:747-766. [PMID: 32345615 PMCID: PMC7337071 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.119.302985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 04/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder lacking effective treatments. ALS pathology is linked to mutations in several different genes indicating... Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder lacking effective treatments. ALS pathology is linked to mutations in >20 different genes indicating a complex underlying genetic architecture that is effectively unknown. Here, in an attempt to identify genes and pathways for potential therapeutic intervention and explore the genetic circuitry underlying Drosophila models of ALS, we carry out two independent genome-wide screens for modifiers of degenerative phenotypes associated with the expression of transgenic constructs carrying familial ALS-causing alleles of FUS (hFUSR521C) and TDP-43 (hTDP-43M337V). We uncover a complex array of genes affecting either or both of the two strains, and investigate their activities in additional ALS models. Our studies indicate the pathway that governs phospholipase D activity as a major modifier of ALS-related phenotypes, a notion supported by data we generated in mice and others collected in humans.
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