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Ishchenko Y, Jeng AT, Feng S, Nottoli T, Manriquez-Rodriguez C, Nguyen KK, Carrizales MG, Vitarelli MJ, Corcoran EE, Greer CA, Myers SA, Koleske AJ. Heterozygosity for neurodevelopmental disorder-associated TRIO variants yields distinct deficits in behavior, neuronal development, and synaptic transmission in mice. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.05.574442. [PMID: 39131289 PMCID: PMC11312463 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.05.574442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/13/2024]
Abstract
Genetic variants in TRIO are associated with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) including schizophrenia (SCZ), autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intellectual disability. TRIO uses its two guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) domains to activate GTPases (GEF1: Rac1 and RhoG; GEF2: RhoA) that control neuronal development and connectivity. It remains unclear how discrete TRIO variants differentially impact these neurodevelopmental events. Here, we investigate how heterozygosity for NDD-associated Trio variants - +/K1431M (ASD), +/K1918X (SCZ), and +/M2145T (bipolar disorder, BPD) - impact mouse behavior, brain development, and synapse structure and function. Heterozygosity for different Trio variants impacts motor, social, and cognitive behaviors in distinct ways that align with clinical phenotypes in humans. Trio variants differentially impact head and brain size with corresponding changes in dendritic arbors of motor cortex layer 5 pyramidal neurons (M1 L5 PNs). Although neuronal structure was only modestly altered in the Trio variant heterozygotes, we observe significant changes in synaptic function and plasticity. We also identified distinct changes in glutamate synaptic release in +/K1431M and +/M2145T cortico-cortical synapses. The TRIO K1431M GEF1 domain has impaired ability to promote GTP exchange on Rac1, but +/K1431M mice exhibit increased Rac1 activity, associated with increased levels of the Rac1 GEF Tiam1. Acute Rac1 inhibition with NSC23766 rescued glutamate release deficits in +/K1431M variant cortex. Our work reveals that discrete NDD-associated Trio variants yield overlapping but distinct phenotypes in mice, demonstrates an essential role for Trio in presynaptic glutamate release, and underscores the importance of studying the impact of variant heterozygosity in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yevheniia Ishchenko
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Amanda T Jeng
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Shufang Feng
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Gerontology, The Third Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Timothy Nottoli
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | | | - Khanh K Nguyen
- Laboratory for Immunochemical Circuits, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Melissa G Carrizales
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Matthew J Vitarelli
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Ellen E Corcoran
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Charles A Greer
- Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Samuel A Myers
- Laboratory for Immunochemical Circuits, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Anthony J Koleske
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
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Kaizuka T, Suzuki T, Kishi N, Tamada K, Kilimann MW, Ueyama T, Watanabe M, Shimogori T, Okano H, Dohmae N, Takumi T. Remodeling of the postsynaptic proteome in male mice and marmosets during synapse development. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2496. [PMID: 38548776 PMCID: PMC10979008 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46529-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Postsynaptic proteins play crucial roles in synaptic function and plasticity. During brain development, alterations in synaptic number, shape, and stability occur, known as synapse maturation. However, the postsynaptic protein composition changes during development are not fully understood. Here, we show the trajectory of the postsynaptic proteome in developing male mice and common marmosets. Proteomic analysis of mice at 2, 3, 6, and 12 weeks of age shows that proteins involved in synaptogenesis are differentially expressed during this period. Analysis of published transcriptome datasets shows that the changes in postsynaptic protein composition in the mouse brain after 2 weeks of age correlate with gene expression changes. Proteomic analysis of marmosets at 0, 2, 3, 6, and 24 months of age show that the changes in the marmoset brain can be categorized into two parts: the first 2 months and after that. The changes observed in the first 2 months are similar to those in the mouse brain between 2 and 12 weeks of age. The changes observed in marmoset after 2 months old include differential expression of synaptogenesis-related molecules, which hardly overlap with that in mice. Our results provide a comprehensive proteomic resource that underlies developmental synapse maturation in rodents and primates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeshi Kaizuka
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
- Department Physiology and Cell Biology, Kobe University School of Medicine, Chuo, Kobe, 650-0117, Japan
| | - Takehiro Suzuki
- Biomolecular Characterization Unit, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Noriyuki Kishi
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Kota Tamada
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
- Department Physiology and Cell Biology, Kobe University School of Medicine, Chuo, Kobe, 650-0117, Japan
| | - Manfred W Kilimann
- Max Planck Institute for Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, 37075, Germany
| | - Takehiko Ueyama
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Biosignal Research Center, Kobe University, Nada, Kobe, 657-8501, Japan
| | - Masahiko Watanabe
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita, Sapporo, 060-8638, Japan
| | | | - Hideyuki Okano
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
- Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku, Tokyo, 160-8585, Japan
| | - Naoshi Dohmae
- Biomolecular Characterization Unit, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Toru Takumi
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan.
- Department Physiology and Cell Biology, Kobe University School of Medicine, Chuo, Kobe, 650-0117, Japan.
- RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Chuo, Kobe, 650-0047, Japan.
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Toudji I, Toumi A, Chamberland É, Rossignol E. Interneuron odyssey: molecular mechanisms of tangential migration. Front Neural Circuits 2023; 17:1256455. [PMID: 37779671 PMCID: PMC10538647 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2023.1256455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Cortical GABAergic interneurons are critical components of neural networks. They provide local and long-range inhibition and help coordinate network activities involved in various brain functions, including signal processing, learning, memory and adaptative responses. Disruption of cortical GABAergic interneuron migration thus induces profound deficits in neural network organization and function, and results in a variety of neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders including epilepsy, intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorders and schizophrenia. It is thus of paramount importance to elucidate the specific mechanisms that govern the migration of interneurons to clarify some of the underlying disease mechanisms. GABAergic interneurons destined to populate the cortex arise from multipotent ventral progenitor cells located in the ganglionic eminences and pre-optic area. Post-mitotic interneurons exit their place of origin in the ventral forebrain and migrate dorsally using defined migratory streams to reach the cortical plate, which they enter through radial migration before dispersing to settle in their final laminar allocation. While migrating, cortical interneurons constantly change their morphology through the dynamic remodeling of actomyosin and microtubule cytoskeleton as they detect and integrate extracellular guidance cues generated by neuronal and non-neuronal sources distributed along their migratory routes. These processes ensure proper distribution of GABAergic interneurons across cortical areas and lamina, supporting the development of adequate network connectivity and brain function. This short review summarizes current knowledge on the cellular and molecular mechanisms controlling cortical GABAergic interneuron migration, with a focus on tangential migration, and addresses potential avenues for cell-based interneuron progenitor transplants in the treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders and epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ikram Toudji
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) Sainte-Justine Research Center, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Department of Neurosciences, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Asmaa Toumi
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) Sainte-Justine Research Center, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Émile Chamberland
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) Sainte-Justine Research Center, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Department of Neurosciences, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Elsa Rossignol
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) Sainte-Justine Research Center, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Department of Neurosciences, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
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Iglesias-Ortega L, Megías-Fernández C, Domínguez-Giménez P, Jimeno-González S, Rivero S. Cell consequences of loss of function of the epigenetic factor EHMT1. Cell Signal 2023:110734. [PMID: 37257768 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2023.110734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 05/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
EHMT1 is an epigenetic factor with histone methyltransferase activity that appears mutated in Kleefstra syndrome, a neurodevelopmental genetic disorder characterized by developmental delay, intellectual disability, and autistic-like features. Despite recent progress in the study of the function of this gene and the molecular etiology of the disease, our knowledge of how EHMT1 haploinsufficiency causes Kleefstra syndrome is still very limited. Here, we show that EHMT1 depletion in RPE1 cells leads to alterations in the morphology and distribution of different subcellular structures, such as the Golgi apparatus, the lysosomes and different cell adhesion components. EHMT1 downregulation also increases centriolar satellites detection, which may indicate a role for EHMT1 in centrosome functioning. Furthermore, the migration process is also altered in EHMT1 depleted cells, which show reduced migration capacity. We consider that the described phenotypes could open new possibilities for understanding the functional impact of EHMT1 haploinsufficiency in Kleefstra syndrome, helping to elucidate the link between epigenetic regulation and the underlying cellular mechanisms that result in this neurodevelopmental disorder. This knowledge could be relevant not only for the treatment of this syndrome, but also for other neurodevelopmental conditions that could share similar deregulated cellular pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucía Iglesias-Ortega
- Departamento de Citología e Histología Normal y Patológica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Clara Megías-Fernández
- Departamento de Genética, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain; Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa-CABIMER, Universidad de Sevilla-CSIC-Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Paloma Domínguez-Giménez
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa-CABIMER, Universidad de Sevilla-CSIC-Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Silvia Jimeno-González
- Departamento de Genética, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain; Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa-CABIMER, Universidad de Sevilla-CSIC-Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Sabrina Rivero
- Departamento de Citología e Histología Normal y Patológica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain; Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa-CABIMER, Universidad de Sevilla-CSIC-Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Sevilla, Spain.
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Tanaka R, Liao J, Hada K, Mori D, Nagai T, Matsuzaki T, Nabeshima T, Kaibuchi K, Ozaki N, Mizoguchi H, Yamada K. Inhibition of Rho-kinase ameliorates decreased spine density in the medial prefrontal cortex and methamphetamine-induced cognitive dysfunction in mice carrying schizophrenia-associated mutations of the Arhgap10 gene. Pharmacol Res 2023; 187:106589. [PMID: 36462727 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Copy-number variations in the ARHGAP10 gene encoding Rho GTPase-activating protein 10 are associated with schizophrenia. Model mice (Arhgap10 S490P/NHEJ mice) that carry "double-hit" mutations in the Arhgap10 gene mimic the schizophrenia in a Japanese patient, exhibiting altered spine density, methamphetamine-induced cognitive dysfunction, and activation of RhoA/Rho-kinase signaling. However, it remains unclear whether the activation of RhoA/Rho-kinase signaling due to schizophrenia-associated Arhgap10 mutations causes the phenotypes of these model mice. Here, we investigated the effects of fasudil, a brain permeable Rho-kinase inhibitor, on altered spine density in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and on methamphetamine-induced cognitive impairment in a touchscreen‑based visual discrimination task in Arhgap10 S490P/NHEJ mice. Fasudil (20 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) suppressed the increased phosphorylation of myosin phosphatase-targeting subunit 1, a substrate of Rho-kinase, in the striatum and mPFC of Arhgap10 S490P/NHEJ mice. In addition, daily oral administration of fasudil (20 mg/kg/day) for 7 days ameliorated the reduced spine density of layer 2/3 pyramidal neurons in the mPFC. Moreover, fasudil (3-20 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) rescued the methamphetamine (0.3 mg/kg)-induced cognitive impairment of visual discrimination in Arhgap10 S490P/NHEJ mice. Our results suggest that Rho-kinase plays significant roles in the neuropathological changes in spine morphology and in the vulnerability of cognition to methamphetamine in mice with schizophrenia-associated Arhgap10 mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rinako Tanaka
- Department of Neuropsychopharmacology and Hospital Pharmacy, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi 466-8560, Japan
| | - Jingzhu Liao
- Department of Neuropsychopharmacology and Hospital Pharmacy, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi 466-8560, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Hada
- Department of Neuropsychopharmacology and Hospital Pharmacy, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi 466-8560, Japan
| | - Daisuke Mori
- Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi 466-8560, Japan
| | - Taku Nagai
- Department of Neuropsychopharmacology and Hospital Pharmacy, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi 466-8560, Japan; Division of Behavioral Neuropharmacology, International Center for Brain Science (ICBS), Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Aichi 470-1192, Japan
| | - Tetsuo Matsuzaki
- Department of Neuropsychopharmacology and Hospital Pharmacy, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi 466-8560, Japan
| | - Toshitaka Nabeshima
- Laboratory of Health and Medical Science Innovation, Fujita Health University Graduate School of Health Sciences, Toyoake, Aichi 470-1192, Japan; Japanese Drug Organization of Appropriate Use and Research, Nagoya, Aichi 468-0069, Japan
| | - Kozo Kaibuchi
- Department of Cell Pharmacology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi 466-8560, Japan; International Center for Brain Science, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Aichi 470-1129, Japan
| | - Norio Ozaki
- Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi 466-8560, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Mizoguchi
- Department of Neuropsychopharmacology and Hospital Pharmacy, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi 466-8560, Japan
| | - Kiyofumi Yamada
- Department of Neuropsychopharmacology and Hospital Pharmacy, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi 466-8560, Japan; Japanese Drug Organization of Appropriate Use and Research, Nagoya, Aichi 468-0069, Japan.
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6
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Das AS, Sherry EC, Vaughan RM, Henderson ML, Zieba J, Uhl KL, Koehn O, Bupp CP, Rajasekaran S, Li X, Chhetri SB, Nissim S, Williams CL, Prokop JW. The complex, dynamic SpliceOme of the small GTPase transcripts altered by technique, sex, genetics, tissue specificity, and RNA base editing. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:1033695. [PMID: 36467401 PMCID: PMC9714508 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.1033695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The small GTPase family is well-studied in cancer and cellular physiology. With 162 annotated human genes, the family has a broad expression throughout cells of the body. Members of the family have multiple exons that require splicing. Yet, the role of splicing within the family has been underexplored. We have studied the splicing dynamics of small GTPases throughout 41,671 samples by integrating Nanopore and Illumina sequencing techniques. Within this work, we have made several discoveries. 1). Using the GTEx long read data of 92 samples, each small GTPase gene averages two transcripts, with 83 genes (51%) expressing two or more isoforms. 2). Cross-tissue analysis of GTEx from 17,382 samples shows 41 genes (25%) expressing two or more protein-coding isoforms. These include protein-changing transcripts in genes such as RHOA, RAB37, RAB40C, RAB4B, RAB5C, RHOC, RAB1A, RAN, RHEB, RAC1, and KRAS. 3). The isolation and library technique of the RNAseq influences the abundance of non-sense-mediated decay and retained intron transcripts of small GTPases, which are observed more often in genes than appreciated. 4). Analysis of 16,243 samples of "Blood PAXgene" identified seven genes (3.7%; RHOA, RAB40C, RAB4B, RAB37, RAB5B, RAB5C, RHOC) with two or more transcripts expressed as the major isoform (75% of the total gene), suggesting a role of genetics in altering splicing. 5). Rare (ARL6, RAB23, ARL13B, HRAS, NRAS) and common variants (GEM, RHOC, MRAS, RAB5B, RERG, ARL16) can influence splicing and have an impact on phenotypes and diseases. 6). Multiple genes (RAB9A, RAP2C, ARL4A, RAB3A, RAB26, RAB3C, RASL10A, RAB40B, and HRAS) have sex differences in transcript expression. 7). Several exons are included or excluded for small GTPase genes (RASEF, KRAS, RAC1, RHEB, ARL4A, RHOA, RAB30, RHOBTB1, ARL16, RAP1A) in one or more forms of cancer. 8). Ten transcripts are altered in hypoxia (SAR1B, IFT27, ARL14, RAB11A, RAB10, RAB38, RAN, RIT1, RAB9A) with RHOA identified to have a transient 3'UTR RNA base editing at a conserved site found in all of its transcripts. Overall, we show a remarkable and dynamic role of splicing within the small GTPase family that requires future explorations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akansha S. Das
- Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
- Department of Biology, Washington and Jefferson College, Washington, PA, United States
| | - Emily C. Sherry
- Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI, United States
| | - Robert M. Vaughan
- Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
| | - Marian L. Henderson
- Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
- The Department of Biology, Calvin University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
| | - Jacob Zieba
- Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
- Genetics and Genome Sciences Program, BioMolecular Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Katie L. Uhl
- Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
| | - Olivia Koehn
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Caleb P. Bupp
- Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
- Medical Genetics, Spectrum Health and Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
| | - Surender Rajasekaran
- Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
- Department of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Spectrum Health, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
- Office of Research, Spectrum Health, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
| | - Xiaopeng Li
- Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
| | - Surya B. Chhetri
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MA, United States
| | - Sahar Nissim
- Genetics and Gastroenterology Divisions, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States
- Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Carol L. Williams
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Jeremy W. Prokop
- Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
- Genetics and Genome Sciences Program, BioMolecular Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
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Duman JG, Blanco FA, Cronkite CA, Ru Q, Erikson KC, Mulherkar S, Saifullah AB, Firozi K, Tolias KF. Rac-maninoff and Rho-vel: The symphony of Rho-GTPase signaling at excitatory synapses. Small GTPases 2022; 13:14-47. [PMID: 33955328 PMCID: PMC9707551 DOI: 10.1080/21541248.2021.1885264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Synaptic connections between neurons are essential for every facet of human cognition and are thus regulated with extreme precision. Rho-family GTPases, molecular switches that cycle between an active GTP-bound state and an inactive GDP-bound state, comprise a critical feature of synaptic regulation. Rho-GTPases are exquisitely controlled by an extensive suite of activators (GEFs) and inhibitors (GAPs and GDIs) and interact with many different signalling pathways to fulfill their roles in orchestrating the development, maintenance, and plasticity of excitatory synapses of the central nervous system. Among the mechanisms that control Rho-GTPase activity and signalling are cell surface receptors, GEF/GAP complexes that tightly regulate single Rho-GTPase dynamics, GEF/GAP and GEF/GEF functional complexes that coordinate multiple Rho-family GTPase activities, effector positive feedback loops, and mutual antagonism of opposing Rho-GTPase pathways. These complex regulatory mechanisms are employed by the cells of the nervous system in almost every step of development, and prominently figure into the processes of synaptic plasticity that underlie learning and memory. Finally, misregulation of Rho-GTPases plays critical roles in responses to neuronal injury, such as traumatic brain injury and neuropathic pain, and in neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders, including intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer's Disease. Thus, decoding the mechanisms of Rho-GTPase regulation and function at excitatory synapses has great potential for combatting many of the biggest current challenges in mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph G. Duman
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Francisco A. Blanco
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Integrative Molecular and Biomedical Science Graduate Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Christopher A. Cronkite
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Qin Ru
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Kelly C. Erikson
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Shalaka Mulherkar
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ali Bin Saifullah
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Karen Firozi
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Kimberley F. Tolias
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
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8
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Khlebodarova TM. The molecular view of mechanical stress of brain cells, local translation, and neurodegenerative diseases. Vavilovskii Zhurnal Genet Selektsii 2021; 25:92-100. [PMID: 34901706 PMCID: PMC8629365 DOI: 10.18699/vj21.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The assumption that chronic mechanical stress in brain cells stemming from intracranial hypertension,
arterial hypertension, or mechanical injury is a risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases was put forward in the
1990s and has since been supported. However, the molecular mechanisms that underlie the way from cell exposure to mechanical stress to disturbances in synaptic plasticity followed by changes in behavior, cognition, and
memory are still poorly understood. Here we review (1) the current knowledge of molecular mechanisms regulating local translation and the actin cytoskeleton state at an activated synapse, where they play a key role in the
formation of various sorts of synaptic plasticity and long-term memory, and (2) possible pathways of mechanical
stress intervention. The roles of the mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) signaling pathway; the RNA-binding
FMRP protein; the CYFIP1 protein, interacting with FMRP; the family of small GTPases; and the WAVE regulatory
complex in the regulation of translation initiation and actin cytoskeleton rearrangements in dendritic spines of the
activated synapse are discussed. Evidence is provided that chronic mechanical stress may result in aberrant activation of mTOR signaling and the WAVE regulatory complex via the YAP/TAZ system, the key sensor of mechanical
signals, and influence the associated pathways regulating the formation of F actin filaments and the dendritic spine
structure. These consequences may be a risk factor for various neurological conditions, including autistic spectrum
disorders and epileptic encephalopathy. In further consideration of the role of the local translation system in the
development of neuropsychic and neurodegenerative diseases, an original hypothesis was put forward that one
of the possible causes of synaptopathies is impaired proteome stability associated with mTOR hyperactivity and
formation of complex dynamic modes of de novo protein synthesis in response to synapse-stimulating factors,
including chronic mechanical stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- T M Khlebodarova
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics of Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia Kurchatov Genomic Center of the Institute of Cytology and Genetics of Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
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9
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Desole C, Gallo S, Vitacolonna A, Montarolo F, Bertolotto A, Vivien D, Comoglio P, Crepaldi T. HGF and MET: From Brain Development to Neurological Disorders. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:683609. [PMID: 34179015 PMCID: PMC8220160 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.683609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and its tyrosine kinase receptor, encoded by the MET cellular proto-oncogene, are expressed in the nervous system from pre-natal development to adult life, where they are involved in neuronal growth and survival. In this review, we highlight, beyond the neurotrophic action, novel roles of HGF-MET in synaptogenesis during post-natal brain development and the connection between deregulation of MET expression and developmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). On the pharmacology side, HGF-induced MET activation exerts beneficial neuroprotective effects also in adulthood, specifically in neurodegenerative disease, and in preclinical models of cerebral ischemia, spinal cord injuries, and neurological pathologies, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and multiple sclerosis (MS). HGF is a key factor preventing neuronal death and promoting survival through pro-angiogenic, anti-inflammatory, and immune-modulatory mechanisms. Recent evidence suggests that HGF acts on neural stem cells to enhance neuroregeneration. The possible therapeutic application of HGF and HGF mimetics for the treatment of neurological disorders is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Desole
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Italy
| | - Simona Gallo
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Italy
| | - Annapia Vitacolonna
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Italy
| | - Francesca Montarolo
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, Orbassano, Italy.,Neurobiology Unit, Neurology, CReSM (Regional Referring Center of Multiple Sclerosis), San Luigi Gonzaga University Hospital, Orbassano, Italy.,Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Antonio Bertolotto
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, Orbassano, Italy.,Neurobiology Unit, Neurology, CReSM (Regional Referring Center of Multiple Sclerosis), San Luigi Gonzaga University Hospital, Orbassano, Italy
| | - Denis Vivien
- INSERM U1237, University of Caen, Gyp Cyceron, Caen, France.,Department of Clinical Research, Caen-Normandie University Hospital, Caen, France
| | - Paolo Comoglio
- IFOM, FIRC Institute for Molecular Oncology, Milan, Italy
| | - Tiziana Crepaldi
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Italy
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10
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Liaci C, Camera M, Caslini G, Rando S, Contino S, Romano V, Merlo GR. Neuronal Cytoskeleton in Intellectual Disability: From Systems Biology and Modeling to Therapeutic Opportunities. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22116167. [PMID: 34200511 PMCID: PMC8201358 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22116167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Intellectual disability (ID) is a pathological condition characterized by limited intellectual functioning and adaptive behaviors. It affects 1–3% of the worldwide population, and no pharmacological therapies are currently available. More than 1000 genes have been found mutated in ID patients pointing out that, despite the common phenotype, the genetic bases are highly heterogeneous and apparently unrelated. Bibliomic analysis reveals that ID genes converge onto a few biological modules, including cytoskeleton dynamics, whose regulation depends on Rho GTPases transduction. Genetic variants exert their effects at different levels in a hierarchical arrangement, starting from the molecular level and moving toward higher levels of organization, i.e., cell compartment and functions, circuits, cognition, and behavior. Thus, cytoskeleton alterations that have an impact on cell processes such as neuronal migration, neuritogenesis, and synaptic plasticity rebound on the overall establishment of an effective network and consequently on the cognitive phenotype. Systems biology (SB) approaches are more focused on the overall interconnected network rather than on individual genes, thus encouraging the design of therapies that aim to correct common dysregulated biological processes. This review summarizes current knowledge about cytoskeleton control in neurons and its relevance for the ID pathogenesis, exploiting in silico modeling and translating the implications of those findings into biomedical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Liaci
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126 Torino, Italy; (C.L.); (M.C.); (G.C.); (S.R.)
| | - Mattia Camera
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126 Torino, Italy; (C.L.); (M.C.); (G.C.); (S.R.)
| | - Giovanni Caslini
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126 Torino, Italy; (C.L.); (M.C.); (G.C.); (S.R.)
| | - Simona Rando
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126 Torino, Italy; (C.L.); (M.C.); (G.C.); (S.R.)
| | - Salvatore Contino
- Department of Engineering, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze Ed. 8, 90128 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Valentino Romano
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze Ed. 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Giorgio R. Merlo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126 Torino, Italy; (C.L.); (M.C.); (G.C.); (S.R.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0116706449; Fax: +39-0116706432
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11
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Upadhyay J, Patra J, Tiwari N, Salankar N, Ansari MN, Ahmad W. Dysregulation of Multiple Signaling Neurodevelopmental Pathways during Embryogenesis: A Possible Cause of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Cells 2021; 10:958. [PMID: 33924211 PMCID: PMC8074600 DOI: 10.3390/cells10040958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2021] [Revised: 04/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the autistic brain and the involvement of genetic, non-genetic, and numerous signaling pathways in the etiology and pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is complex, as is evident from various studies. Apart from multiple developmental disorders of the brain, autistic subjects show a few characteristics like impairment in social communications related to repetitive, restricted, or stereotypical behavior, which suggests alterations in neuronal circuits caused by defects in various signaling pathways during embryogenesis. Most of the research studies on ASD subjects and genetic models revealed the involvement of mutated genes with alterations of numerous signaling pathways like Wnt, hedgehog, and Retinoic Acid (RA). Despite significant improvement in understanding the pathogenesis and etiology of ASD, there is an increasing awareness related to it as well as a need for more in-depth research because no effective therapy has been developed to address ASD symptoms. Therefore, identifying better therapeutic interventions like "novel drugs for ASD" and biomarkers for early detection and disease condition determination are required. This review article investigated various etiological factors as well as the signaling mechanisms and their alterations to understand ASD pathophysiology. It summarizes the mechanism of signaling pathways, their significance, and implications for ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyoti Upadhyay
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Health Sciences, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Energy Acre Campus Bidholi, Dehradun 248007, Uttarakhand, India; (J.U.); (J.P.)
| | - Jeevan Patra
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Health Sciences, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Energy Acre Campus Bidholi, Dehradun 248007, Uttarakhand, India; (J.U.); (J.P.)
| | - Nidhi Tiwari
- Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences, Defence Research and Development Organisation, Delhi 110054, India;
| | - Nilima Salankar
- School of Computer Sciences, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Energy Acre Campus Bidholi, Dehradun 248007, Uttarakhand, India;
| | - Mohd Nazam Ansari
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia
| | - Wasim Ahmad
- Department of Pharmacy, Mohammed Al-Mana College for Medical Sciences, Dammam 34222, Saudi Arabia;
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12
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Ghesh L, Besnard T, Nizon M, Trochu E, Landeau-Trottier G, Breheret F, Thauvin-Robinet C, Bruel AL, Kuentz P, Coubes C, Cuisset L, Mignot C, Keren B, Bézieau S, Cogné B. Loss-of-function variants in ARHGEF9 are associated with an X-linked intellectual disability dominant disorder. Hum Mutat 2021; 42:498-505. [PMID: 33600053 DOI: 10.1002/humu.24188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
ARHGEF9 defects lead to an X-linked intellectual disability disorder related to inhibitory synaptic dysfunction. This condition is more frequent in males, with a few affected females reported. Up to now, sequence variants and gross deletions have been identified in males, while only chromosomal aberrations have been reported in affected females who showed a skewed pattern of X-chromosome inactivation (XCI), suggesting an X-linked recessive (XLR) disorder. We report three novel loss-of-function (LoF) variants in ARHGEF9: A de novo synonymous variant affecting splicing (NM_015185.2: c.1056G>A, p.(Lys352=)) in one female; a nonsense variant in another female (c.865C>T, p.(Arg289*)), that is, also present as a somatically mosaic variant in her father, and a de novo nonsense variant in a boy (c.899G>A; p.(Trp300*)). Both females showed a random XCI. Thus, we suggest that missense variants are responsible for an XLR disorder affecting males and that LoF variants, mainly occurring de novo, may be responsible for an X-linked dominant disorder affecting males and females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leïla Ghesh
- Service de Génétique Médicale, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Thomas Besnard
- Service de Génétique Médicale, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nantes, Nantes, France
- l'institut du thorax, Université de Nantes, CNRS, INSERM, Nantes, France
| | - Mathilde Nizon
- Service de Génétique Médicale, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nantes, Nantes, France
- l'institut du thorax, Université de Nantes, CNRS, INSERM, Nantes, France
| | - Eva Trochu
- Service de Génétique Médicale, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | | | - Flora Breheret
- Service de Génétique Médicale, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Christel Thauvin-Robinet
- FHU TRANSLAD, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Dijon-Bourgogne et Université de Bourgogne-Franche Comté, Dijon, France
- Génétique des Anomalies du Développement, Inserm UMR 1231, Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France
- Centre de Génétique et Centre de Référence Déficience Intellectuelle de causes rares, Hôpital d'Enfants, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Dijon-Bourgogne, Dijon, France
- UF Innovation en diagnostic génomique des maladies rares, CHU Dijon, Dijon, France
| | - Ange-Line Bruel
- FHU TRANSLAD, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Dijon-Bourgogne et Université de Bourgogne-Franche Comté, Dijon, France
- Génétique des Anomalies du Développement, Inserm UMR 1231, Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France
- UF Innovation en diagnostic génomique des maladies rares, CHU Dijon, Dijon, France
| | - Paul Kuentz
- FHU TRANSLAD, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Dijon-Bourgogne et Université de Bourgogne-Franche Comté, Dijon, France
- Génétique des Anomalies du Développement, Inserm UMR 1231, Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France
| | - Christine Coubes
- Département de Génétique Médicale, Maladies Rares et Médecine Personnalisée, Hôpital Arnaud de Villeneuve, CHU de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Laurence Cuisset
- Laboratoire de Génétique et Biologie Moléculaires, Département Médico-Universitaire BioPhyGen, Hôpital Cochin, APHP, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Cyril Mignot
- Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière, ICM, INSERM, U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06 UMR S 1127, Paris, France
- Service de Génétique clinique et Médicale, CHU Paris, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Boris Keren
- Service de Génétique clinique et Médicale, CHU Paris, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Stéphane Bézieau
- Service de Génétique Médicale, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nantes, Nantes, France
- l'institut du thorax, Université de Nantes, CNRS, INSERM, Nantes, France
| | - Benjamin Cogné
- Service de Génétique Médicale, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nantes, Nantes, France
- l'institut du thorax, Université de Nantes, CNRS, INSERM, Nantes, France
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13
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Goult BT. The Mechanical Basis of Memory - the MeshCODE Theory. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:592951. [PMID: 33716664 PMCID: PMC7947202 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.592951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the major unsolved mysteries of biological science concerns the question of where and in what form information is stored in the brain. I propose that memory is stored in the brain in a mechanically encoded binary format written into the conformations of proteins found in the cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) adhesions that organise each and every synapse. The MeshCODE framework outlined here represents a unifying theory of data storage in animals, providing read-write storage of both dynamic and persistent information in a binary format. Mechanosensitive proteins that contain force-dependent switches can store information persistently, which can be written or updated using small changes in mechanical force. These mechanosensitive proteins, such as talin, scaffold each synapse, creating a meshwork of switches that together form a code, the so-called MeshCODE. Large signalling complexes assemble on these scaffolds as a function of the switch patterns and these complexes would both stabilise the patterns and coordinate synaptic regulators to dynamically tune synaptic activity. Synaptic transmission and action potential spike trains would operate the cytoskeletal machinery to write and update the synaptic MeshCODEs, thereby propagating this coding throughout the organism. Based on established biophysical principles, such a mechanical basis for memory would provide a physical location for data storage in the brain, with the binary patterns, encoded in the information-storing mechanosensitive molecules in the synaptic scaffolds, and the complexes that form on them, representing the physical location of engrams. Furthermore, the conversion and storage of sensory and temporal inputs into a binary format would constitute an addressable read-write memory system, supporting the view of the mind as an organic supercomputer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin T. Goult
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, United Kingdom
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14
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Sculpting Dendritic Spines during Initiation and Maintenance of Neuropathic Pain. J Neurosci 2021; 40:7578-7589. [PMID: 32998955 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1664-20.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence has established a firm role for synaptic plasticity in the pathogenesis of neuropathic pain. Recent advances have highlighted the importance of dendritic spine remodeling in driving synaptic plasticity within the CNS. Identifying the molecular players underlying neuropathic pain induced structural and functional maladaptation is therefore critical to understanding its pathophysiology. This process of dynamic reorganization happens in unique phases that have diverse pathologic underpinnings in the initiation and maintenance of neuropathic pain. Recent evidence suggests that pharmacological targeting of specific proteins during distinct phases of neuropathic pain development produces enhanced antinociception. These findings outline a potential new paradigm for targeted treatment and the development of novel therapies for neuropathic pain. We present a concise review of the role of dendritic spines in neuropathic pain and outline the potential for modulation of spine dynamics by targeting two proteins, srGAP3 and Rac1, critically involved in the regulation of the actin cytoskeleton.
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15
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A novel RhoA-related gene, DjRhoA, contributes to the regeneration of brain and intestine in planarian Dugesia japonica. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2020; 533:1359-1365. [PMID: 33059921 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2020.10.020] [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: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
A small GTPase, RhoA, plays a variety of functions in the regulation of cellular and developmental events via its downstream effectors, including cytokinesis, cell migration, and phagocytosis. In this study, a novel RhoA-related gene from the planarian Dugesia japonica, DjRhoA, was cloned and characterized. The full-length cDNA of DjRhoA is 869 bp, and the open reading frame encodes a poly-peptide of 194 amino acids. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that DjRhoA clustered with another RhoA-related protein, DjRho2, and located on the base of phylogenetic tree. Whole-mount in situ hybridization results indicated that DjRhoA was expressed in the brain primordia and intestine during regeneration. Knockdown of DjRhoA induces defects in the brain and intestine. These results suggested that DjRhoA was responsible for the regeneration of brain and intestine in Dugesia japonica.
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16
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Sulistomo HW, Nemoto T, Kage Y, Fujii H, Uchida T, Takamiya K, Sumimoto H, Kataoka H, Bito H, Takeya R. Fhod3 Controls the Dendritic Spine Morphology of Specific Subpopulations of Pyramidal Neurons in the Mouse Cerebral Cortex. Cereb Cortex 2020; 31:2205-2219. [PMID: 33251537 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhaa355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Changes in the shape and size of the dendritic spines are critical for synaptic transmission. These morphological changes depend on dynamic assembly of the actin cytoskeleton and occur differently in various types of neurons. However, how the actin dynamics are regulated in a neuronal cell type-specific manner remains largely unknown. We show that Fhod3, a member of the formin family proteins that mediate F-actin assembly, controls the dendritic spine morphogenesis of specific subpopulations of cerebrocortical pyramidal neurons. Fhod3 is expressed specifically in excitatory pyramidal neurons within layers II/III and V of restricted areas of the mouse cerebral cortex. Immunohistochemical and biochemical analyses revealed the accumulation of Fhod3 in postsynaptic spines. Although targeted deletion of Fhod3 in the brain did not lead to any defects in the gross or histological appearance of the brain, the dendritic spines in pyramidal neurons within presumptive Fhod3-positive areas were morphologically abnormal. In primary cultures prepared from the Fhod3-depleted cortex, defects in spine morphology were only detected in Fhod3 promoter-active cells, a small population of pyramidal neurons, and not in Fhod3 promoter-negative pyramidal neurons. Thus, Fhod3 plays a crucial role in dendritic spine morphogenesis only in a specific population of pyramidal neurons in a cell type-specific manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hikmawan Wahyu Sulistomo
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki 889-1692, Japan
| | - Takayuki Nemoto
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki 889-1692, Japan
| | - Yohko Kage
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki 889-1692, Japan
| | - Hajime Fujii
- Department of Neurochemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Taku Uchida
- Department of Integrative Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki 889-1692, Japan
| | - Kogo Takamiya
- Department of Integrative Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki 889-1692, Japan
| | - Hideki Sumimoto
- Department of Biochemistry, Kyushu University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Kataoka
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki 889-1692, Japan
| | - Haruhiko Bito
- Department of Neurochemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Ryu Takeya
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki 889-1692, Japan
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17
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Schultz-Rogers L, Muthusamy K, Pinto E Vairo F, Klee EW, Lanpher B. Novel loss-of-function variants in TRIO are associated with neurodevelopmental disorder: case report. BMC MEDICAL GENETICS 2020; 21:219. [PMID: 33167890 PMCID: PMC7654171 DOI: 10.1186/s12881-020-01159-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Background Damaging variants in TRIO have been associated with moderate to severe neurodevelopmental disorders in humans. While recent work has delineated the positional effect of missense variation on the resulting phenotype, the clinical spectrum associated with loss-of-function variation has yet to be fully defined. Case presentation We report on two probands with novel loss-of-function variants in TRIO. Patient 1 presents with a severe neurodevelopmental disorder and macrocephaly. The TRIO variant is inherited from his affected mother. Patient 2 presents with moderate developmental delays, microcephaly, and cutis aplasia with a frameshift variant of unknown inheritance. Conclusions We describe two patients with neurodevelopmental disorder, macro/microcephaly, and cutis aplasia in one patient. Both patients have loss-of-function variants, helping to further characterize how these types of variants affect the phenotypic spectrum associated with TRIO. We also present the third reported case of autosomal dominant inheritance of a damaging variant in TRIO.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Filippo Pinto E Vairo
- Center for Individualized Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.,Department of Clinical Genomics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Eric W Klee
- Center for Individualized Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.,Department of Clinical Genomics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Brendan Lanpher
- Department of Clinical Genomics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
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18
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Conventional and Non-Conventional Roles of Non-Muscle Myosin II-Actin in Neuronal Development and Degeneration. Cells 2020; 9:cells9091926. [PMID: 32825197 PMCID: PMC7566000 DOI: 10.3390/cells9091926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Myosins are motor proteins that use chemical energy to produce mechanical forces driving actin cytoskeletal dynamics. In the brain, the conventional non-muscle myosin II (NMII) regulates actin filament cytoskeletal assembly and contractile forces during structural remodeling of axons and dendrites, contributing to morphology, polarization, and migration of neurons during brain development. NMII isoforms also participate in neurotransmission and synaptic plasticity by driving actin cytoskeletal dynamics during synaptic vesicle release and retrieval, and formation, maturation, and remodeling of dendritic spines. NMIIs are expressed differentially in cerebral non-neuronal cells, such as microglia, astrocytes, and endothelial cells, wherein they play key functions in inflammation, myelination, and repair. Besides major efforts to understand the physiological functions and regulatory mechanisms of NMIIs in the nervous system, their contributions to brain pathologies are still largely unclear. Nonetheless, genetic mutations or deregulation of NMII and its regulatory effectors are linked to autism, schizophrenia, intellectual disability, and neurodegeneration, indicating non-conventional roles of NMIIs in cellular mechanisms underlying neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. Here, we summarize the emerging biological roles of NMIIs in the brain, and discuss how actomyosin signaling contributes to dysfunction of neurons and glial cells in the context of neurological disorders. This knowledge is relevant for a deep understanding of NMIIs on the pathogenesis and therapeutics of neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases.
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19
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Barbosa S, Greville-Heygate S, Bonnet M, Godwin A, Fagotto-Kaufmann C, Kajava AV, Laouteouet D, Mawby R, Wai HA, Dingemans AJ, Hehir-Kwa J, Willems M, Capri Y, Mehta SG, Cox H, Goudie D, Vansenne F, Turnpenny P, Vincent M, Cogné B, Lesca G, Hertecant J, Rodriguez D, Keren B, Burglen L, Gérard M, Putoux A, Cantagrel V, Siquier-Pernet K, Rio M, Banka S, Sarkar A, Steeves M, Parker M, Clement E, Moutton S, Tran Mau-Them F, Piton A, de Vries BB, Guille M, Debant A, Schmidt S, Baralle D, Baralle D. Opposite Modulation of RAC1 by Mutations in TRIO Is Associated with Distinct, Domain-Specific Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Am J Hum Genet 2020; 106:338-355. [PMID: 32109419 PMCID: PMC7058823 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2020.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The Rho-guanine nucleotide exchange factor (RhoGEF) TRIO acts as a key regulator of neuronal migration, axonal outgrowth, axon guidance, and synaptogenesis by activating the GTPase RAC1 and modulating actin cytoskeleton remodeling. Pathogenic variants in TRIO are associated with neurodevelopmental diseases, including intellectual disability (ID) and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Here, we report the largest international cohort of 24 individuals with confirmed pathogenic missense or nonsense variants in TRIO. The nonsense mutations are spread along the TRIO sequence, and affected individuals show variable neurodevelopmental phenotypes. In contrast, missense variants cluster into two mutational hotspots in the TRIO sequence, one in the seventh spectrin repeat and one in the RAC1-activating GEFD1. Although all individuals in this cohort present with developmental delay and a neuro-behavioral phenotype, individuals with a pathogenic variant in the seventh spectrin repeat have a more severe ID associated with macrocephaly than do most individuals with GEFD1 variants, who display milder ID and microcephaly. Functional studies show that the spectrin and GEFD1 variants cause a TRIO-mediated hyper- or hypo-activation of RAC1, respectively, and we observe a striking correlation between RAC1 activation levels and the head size of the affected individuals. In addition, truncations in TRIO GEFD1 in the vertebrate model X. tropicalis induce defects that are concordant with the human phenotype. This work demonstrates distinct clinical and molecular disorders clustering in the GEFD1 and seventh spectrin repeat domains and highlights the importance of tight control of TRIO-RAC1 signaling in neuronal development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Diana Baralle
- Wessex Clinical Genetics, University Hospital Southampton National Health Service Foundation Trust, Southampton SO16 5YA, UK; Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK.
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20
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Pillet LE, Cresto N, Saillour Y, Ghézali G, Bemelmans AP, Livet J, Bienvenu T, Rouach N, Billuart P. The intellectual disability protein Oligophrenin-1 controls astrocyte morphology and migration. Glia 2020; 68:1729-1742. [PMID: 32073702 DOI: 10.1002/glia.23801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2018] [Revised: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Astrocytes are involved in several aspects of neuronal development and properties which are altered in intellectual disability (ID). Oligophrenin-1 is a RhoGAP protein implicated in actin cytoskeleton regulation, and whose mutations are associated with X-linked ID. Oligophrenin-1 is expressed in neurons, where its functions have been widely reported at the synapse, as well as in glial cells. However, its roles in astrocytes are still largely unexplored. Using in vitro and in vivo models of oligophrenin1 disruption in astrocytes, we found that oligophrenin1 regulates at the molecular level the RhoA/ROCK/MLC2 pathway in astroglial cells. We also showed at the cellular level that oligophrenin1 modulates astrocyte morphology and migration both in vitro and in vivo, and is involved in glial scar formation. Altogether, these data suggest that oligophrenin1 deficiency alters not only neuronal but also astrocytic functions, which might contribute to the development of ID.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laure-Elise Pillet
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology, Collège de France, CNRS UMR 7241, INSERM U1050, Labex Memolife, PSL Research University, Paris, France.,Doctoral School N°562, Paris Descartes University, Paris, France.,Institut Cochin, INSERM UMR 1016, CNRS UMR 8104, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Noémie Cresto
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology, Collège de France, CNRS UMR 7241, INSERM U1050, Labex Memolife, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Yoann Saillour
- Institut Cochin, INSERM UMR 1016, CNRS UMR 8104, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Grégory Ghézali
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology, Collège de France, CNRS UMR 7241, INSERM U1050, Labex Memolife, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Alexis-Pierre Bemelmans
- Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives (CEA), Département de la Recherche Fondamentale, Institut de biologie François Jacob, MIRCen, and CNRS UMR 9199, Université Paris-Sud, Neurodegenerative Diseases Laboratory, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Jean Livet
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France
| | - Thierry Bienvenu
- Institut Cochin, INSERM UMR 1016, CNRS UMR 8104, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Nathalie Rouach
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology, Collège de France, CNRS UMR 7241, INSERM U1050, Labex Memolife, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Pierre Billuart
- Institut Cochin, INSERM UMR 1016, CNRS UMR 8104, Université de Paris, Paris, France
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Tejada MI, Ibarluzea N. Non-syndromic X linked intellectual disability: Current knowledge in light of the recent advances in molecular and functional studies. Clin Genet 2020; 97:677-687. [PMID: 31898314 DOI: 10.1111/cge.13698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2019] [Revised: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 12/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Since the discovery of the FMR1 gene and the clinical and molecular characterization of Fragile X Syndrome in 1991, more than 141 genes have been identified in the X-chromosome in these 28 years thanks to applying continuously evolving molecular techniques to X-linked intellectual disability (XLID) families. In the past decade, array comparative genomic hybridization and next generation sequencing technologies have accelerated gene discovery exponentially. Classically, XLID has been subdivided in syndromic intellectual disability (S-XLID)-where intellectual disability (ID) is always associated with other recognizable physical and/or neurological features-and non-specific or non-syndromic intellectual disability (NS-XLID) where the only common feature is ID. Nevertheless, new advances on the study of these entities have showed that this classification is not always clear-cut because distinct variants in several of these XLID genes can result in S-XLID as well as in NS-XLID. This review focuses on the current knowledge on the XLID genes involved in non-syndromic forms, with the emphasis on their pathogenic mechanism, thus allowing the possibility to elucidate why some of them can give both syndromic and non-syndromic phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Isabel Tejada
- Genetics Service, Cruces University Hospital, Osakidetza Basque Health Service, Barakaldo, Spain.,Biocruces-Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain.,Clinical Group, Centre for Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Valencia, Spain
| | - Nekane Ibarluzea
- Biocruces-Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain.,Clinical Group, Centre for Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Valencia, Spain
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22
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Ma X, Qiu S. Control of cortical synapse development and plasticity by MET receptor tyrosine kinase, a genetic risk factor for autism. J Neurosci Res 2019; 98:2115-2129. [PMID: 31746037 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2019] [Revised: 10/04/2019] [Accepted: 10/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The key developmental milestone events of the human brain, such as neurogenesis, synapse formation, maturation, and plasticity, are determined by a myriad of molecular signaling events, including those mediated by a number of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) and their cognate ligands. Aberrant or mistimed brain development and plasticity can lead to maladaptive changes, such as dysregulated synaptic connectivity and breakdown of circuit functions necessary for cognition and adaptive behaviors, which are hypothesized pathophysiologies of many neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders. Here we review recent literature that supports autism spectrum disorder as a likely result of aberrant synapse development due to mistimed maturation and plasticity. We focus on MET RTK, a prominent genetic risk factor for autism, and discuss how a pleiotropic molecular signaling system engaged by MET exemplifies a genetic program that controls cortical circuit development and plasticity by modulating the anatomical and functional connectivity of cortical circuits, thus conferring genetic risk for neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaokuang Ma
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Shenfeng Qiu
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, USA
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23
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Ambalavanan A, Chaumette B, Zhou S, Xie P, He Q, Spiegelman D, Dionne-Laporte A, Bourassa CV, Therrien M, Rochefort D, Xiong L, Dion PA, Joober R, Rapoport JL, Girard SL, Rouleau GA. Exome sequencing of sporadic childhood-onset schizophrenia suggests the contribution of X-linked genes in males. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2019; 180:335-340. [PMID: 30378261 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.32683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2018] [Revised: 08/30/2018] [Accepted: 09/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Childhood-onset schizophrenia (COS) is a rare and severe form of schizophrenia, defined as having an onset before the age of 13. The male COS cases have a slightly younger age of onset than female cases. They also present with a higher rate of comorbid developmental disorders. These sex differences are not explained by the frequency of chromosomal abnormalities, and the contribution of other forms of genetic variations remains unestablished. Using a whole-exome sequencing approach, we examined 12 COS trios where the unaffected parents had an affected male child. The sequencing data enabled us to test if the hemizygous variants, transmitted from the unaffected carrying mother, could mediate the phenotype (X-linked recessive inheritance model). Our results revealed that affected children have a significantly greater number of X-linked rare variants than their unaffected fathers. The variants identified in the male probands were mostly found in genes previously linked to other neuropsychiatric diseases like autism, intellectual disability, and epilepsy, including LUZP4, PCDH19, RPS6KA3, and OPHN1. The level of expression of the genes was assessed at different developmental periods in normal brain using the BrainSpan database. This approach revealed that some of them were expressed earlier in males than in females, consistent with the younger age of onset in male COS. In conclusion, this article suggests that X-linked genes might play a role in the pathophysiology of COS. Candidate genes detailed here could explain the higher level of comorbidities and the earlier age of onset observed in a subset of the male COS cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amirthagowri Ambalavanan
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.,Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Boris Chaumette
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Sirui Zhou
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.,Département de Sciences Biomédicales, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Pingxing Xie
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.,Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Qin He
- Département de Sciences Biomédicales, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Dan Spiegelman
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.,Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, Montreal, Canada
| | - Alexandre Dionne-Laporte
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.,Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, Montreal, Canada
| | - Cynthia V Bourassa
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.,Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, Montreal, Canada
| | - Martine Therrien
- Département de Pathologie et Biologie Cellulaire, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Daniel Rochefort
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.,Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, Montreal, Canada
| | - Lan Xiong
- Département de Psychiatrie, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Patrick A Dion
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.,Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, Montreal, Canada
| | - Ridha Joober
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Canada
| | - Judith L Rapoport
- Child Psychiatry Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Simon L Girard
- Département de Sciences Fondamentales, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, Chicoutimi, Canada
| | - Guy A Rouleau
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.,Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, Montreal, Canada
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24
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Flavonoids extracted from leaves of Diospyros kaki regulates RhoA activity to rescue synapse loss and reverse memory impairment in APP/PS1 mice. Neuroreport 2019; 29:564-569. [PMID: 29481523 DOI: 10.1097/wnr.0000000000000989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Synapse dysfunction is an early hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD), and was considered to be closely related to memory loss. The molecular mechanisms that trigger synapse loss and dysfunction remain poorly understood. Increasing evidence shows a link between Rho GTPases and synapse plasticity. Rho GTPases play a role in controlling synapse function by regulating actin cytoskeleton and dendritic spines. Observations have suggested that phytochemicals, such as flavonoids, alleviate cognition impairment in AD. However, to date, the link between the protective effect of flavonoids on AD and the activity of Rho GTPases remains uninvestigated. In this study, APP/PS1 mice were used as an AD model, and we found that synapse loss occurred in AD mice brain. Flavonoids extracted from leaves of Diospyros kaki (FLDK) were used to investigate whether its protective effects on synapse were related to Rho GTPases activity in AD mice. The Rho GTPases Activation Kit showed that Ras homologous member A (RhoA)-GTP was significantly higher and Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (Rac1)-GTP was significantly lower in APP/PS1 mice than in normal mice, and RhoA-GTP activity was significantly inhibited by FLDK. We also found that FLDK improved learning and memory function, and antagonized the downregulation expressions of synapse-related proteins such as synaptophysin and drebrin. These findings suggest that FLDK is a potential therapeutic agent for AD, and modulation of Rho GTPases activity might contribute toward its protective effect.
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25
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Tao T, Sun J, Peng Y, Wang P, Chen X, Zhao W, Li Y, Wei L, Wang W, Zheng Y, Wang Y, Zhang X, Zhu MS. Distinct functions of Trio GEF domains in axon outgrowth of cerebellar granule neurons. J Genet Genomics 2019; 46:87-96. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2019.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2018] [Revised: 01/14/2019] [Accepted: 02/19/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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26
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Kazeminasab S, Taskiran II, Fattahi Z, Bazazzadegan N, Hosseini M, Rahimi M, Oladnabi M, Haddadi M, Celik A, Ropers HH, Najmabadi H, Kahrizi K. CNKSR1 gene defect can cause syndromic autosomal recessive intellectual disability. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2018; 177:691-699. [PMID: 30450701 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.32648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The advent of high-throughput sequencing technologies has led to an exponential increase in the identification of novel disease-causing genes in highly heterogeneous diseases. A novel frameshift mutation in CNKSR1 gene was detected by Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) in an Iranian family with syndromic autosomal recessive intellectual disability (ARID). CNKSR1 encodes a connector enhancer of kinase suppressor of Ras 1, which acts as a scaffold component for receptor tyrosine kinase in mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades. CNKSR1 interacts with proteins which have already been shown to be associated with intellectual disability (ID) in the MAPK signaling pathway and promotes cell migration through RhoA-mediated c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activation. Lack of CNKSR1 transcripts and protein was observed in lymphoblastoid cells derived from affected patients using qRT-PCR and western blot analysis, respectively. Furthermore, RNAi-mediated knockdown of cnk, the CNKSR1 orthologue in Drosophila melanogaster brain, led to defects in eye and mushroom body (MB) structures. In conclusion, our findings support the possible role of CNKSR1 in brain development which can lead to cognitive impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Somayeh Kazeminasab
- Genetics Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Zohreh Fattahi
- Genetics Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Niloofar Bazazzadegan
- Genetics Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Masoumeh Hosseini
- Genetics Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Rahimi
- Genetics Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Morteza Oladnabi
- Genetics Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Haddadi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran
| | - Arzu Celik
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Bogazici University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Hans-Hilger Ropers
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics, Max-Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Hossein Najmabadi
- Genetics Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kimia Kahrizi
- Genetics Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Pathogenic predictions of non-synonymous variants and their impacts: A computational assessment of ARHGEF6 gene. EGYPTIAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL HUMAN GENETICS 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmhg.2018.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
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28
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Chen C, Chen D, Xue H, Liu X, Zhang T, Tang S, Li W, Xu X. IDGenetics: a comprehensive database for genes and mutations of intellectual disability related disorders. Neurosci Lett 2018; 685:96-101. [PMID: 30144540 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2018.08.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2018] [Revised: 07/22/2018] [Accepted: 08/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Intellectual disability (ID) is one of the most prevalent chronic developmental brain disorders or phenotype of syndromic ID, affecting nearly 1-2% of the general population worldwide. Over recent decades, tremendous effort and high-throughput platforms have been devised to explore the complex heterogeneity, numerous genes and variants have been associated with the ID, especially de novo mutations and copy number variants. An organized resource containing the increasing genetic data is imperative to assist ID research. In this study, the integrative and annotated intellectual disability database has been developed, named 'IDGenetics', which contains known information about ID, including 815 genes and 17102 variants associated with 918 clinical diseases (3001 clinical phenotype) collected from 3822 publications and ID-related databases. Furthermore, in-depth data mining was performed to obtain an understanding of each entry, including functional annotation, gene/disease/phenotype network establishment and overlap analysis focusing on comorbidity. 1478 candidate genes (483 high-confidence and 995 low-confidence) were collected and prioritized by adopting the annotations of 12 functional prediction tools and algorithm. In addition, IDGenetics database provides concise search methods, convenient browsing functions, intuitive graphical displays and constantly updated features. IDGenetics will be a valuable and integrative resource for deciphering the genetic and functional architecture of ID and the improvement of clinical diagnosis, intervention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chong Chen
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects, Department of Genetics, Wenzhou Central Hospital, Wenzhou, 325000, China
| | - Denghui Chen
- Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Huangqi Xue
- Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Xinting Liu
- School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Tao Zhang
- Institute of Genomic Medicine, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Shaohua Tang
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects, Department of Genetics, Wenzhou Central Hospital, Wenzhou, 325000, China; Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Wei Li
- Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China.
| | - Xueqin Xu
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects, Department of Genetics, Wenzhou Central Hospital, Wenzhou, 325000, China.
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Rho GTPases in Intellectual Disability: From Genetics to Therapeutic Opportunities. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19061821. [PMID: 29925821 PMCID: PMC6032284 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19061821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2018] [Revised: 06/14/2018] [Accepted: 06/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Rho-class small GTPases are implicated in basic cellular processes at nearly all brain developmental steps, from neurogenesis and migration to axon guidance and synaptic plasticity. GTPases are key signal transducing enzymes that link extracellular cues to the neuronal responses required for the construction of neuronal networks, as well as for synaptic function and plasticity. Rho GTPases are highly regulated by a complex set of activating (GEFs) and inactivating (GAPs) partners, via protein:protein interactions (PPI). Misregulated RhoA, Rac1/Rac3 and cdc42 activity has been linked with intellectual disability (ID) and other neurodevelopmental conditions that comprise ID. All genetic evidences indicate that in these disorders the RhoA pathway is hyperactive while the Rac1 and cdc42 pathways are consistently hypoactive. Adopting cultured neurons for in vitro testing and specific animal models of ID for in vivo examination, the endophenotypes associated with these conditions are emerging and include altered neuronal networking, unbalanced excitation/inhibition and altered synaptic activity and plasticity. As we approach a clearer definition of these phenotype(s) and the role of hyper- and hypo-active GTPases in the construction of neuronal networks, there is an increasing possibility that selective inhibitors and activators might be designed via PPI, or identified by screening, that counteract the misregulation of small GTPases and result in alleviation of the cognitive condition. Here we review all knowledge in support of this possibility.
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Joensuu M, Lanoue V, Hotulainen P. Dendritic spine actin cytoskeleton in autism spectrum disorder. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2018; 84:362-381. [PMID: 28870634 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2017.08.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2017] [Revised: 08/21/2017] [Accepted: 08/30/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Dendritic spines are small actin-rich protrusions from neuronal dendrites that form the postsynaptic part of most excitatory synapses. Changes in the shape and size of dendritic spines correlate with the functional changes in excitatory synapses and are heavily dependent on the remodeling of the underlying actin cytoskeleton. Recent evidence implicates synapses at dendritic spines as important substrates of pathogenesis in neuropsychiatric disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Although synaptic perturbations are not the only alterations relevant for these diseases, understanding the molecular underpinnings of the spine and synapse pathology may provide insight into their etiologies and could reveal new drug targets. In this review, we will discuss recent findings of defective actin regulation in dendritic spines associated with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merja Joensuu
- Minerva Foundation Institute for Medical Research, 00290 Helsinki, Finland; Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia; Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Vanessa Lanoue
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia; Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Pirta Hotulainen
- Minerva Foundation Institute for Medical Research, 00290 Helsinki, Finland.
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Hyperactivity of Rac1-GTPase pathway impairs neuritogenesis of cortical neurons by altering actin dynamics. Sci Rep 2018; 8:7254. [PMID: 29740022 PMCID: PMC5940682 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-25354-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2017] [Accepted: 04/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The small-GTPase Rac1 is a key molecular regulator linking extracellular signals to actin cytoskeleton dynamics. Loss-of-function mutations in RAC1 and other genes of the Rac signaling pathway have been implicated in the pathogenesis of Intellectual Disability (ID). The Rac1 activity is negatively controlled by GAP proteins, however the effect of Rac1 hyperactivity on neuronal networking in vivo has been poorly studied. ArhGAP15 is a Rac-specific negative regulator, expressed in the main subtypes of pyramidal cortical neurons. In the absence of ArhGAP15, cortical pyramidal neurons show defective neuritogenesis, delayed axonal elongation, reduced dendritic branching, both in vitro and in vivo. These phenotypes are associated with altered actin dynamics at the growth cone due to increased activity of the PAK-LIMK pathway and hyperphosphorylation of ADF/cofilin. These results can be explained by shootin1 hypo-phosphorylation and uncoupling with the adhesion system. Functionally, ArhGAP15−/− mice exhibit decreased synaptic density, altered electroencephalographic rhythms and cognitive deficits. These data suggest that both hypo- and hyperactivation of the Rac pathway due to mutations in Rac1 regulators can result in conditions of ID, and that a tight regulation of Rac1 activity is required to attain the full complexity of the cortical networks.
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32
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Scheller U, Pfisterer K, Uebe S, Ekici AB, Reis A, Jamra R, Ferrazzi F. Integrative bioinformatics analysis characterizing the role of EDC3 in mRNA decay and its association to intellectual disability. BMC Med Genomics 2018; 11:41. [PMID: 29685133 PMCID: PMC5914069 DOI: 10.1186/s12920-018-0358-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [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: 03/12/2018] [Accepted: 04/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Decapping of mRNA is an important step in the regulation of mRNA turnover and therefore of gene expression, which is a key process controlling development and homeostasis of all organisms. It has been shown that EDC3 plays a role in mRNA decapping, however its function is not well understood. Previously, we have associated a homozygous variant in EDC3 with autosomal recessive intellectual disability. Here, we investigate the functional role of EDC3. METHODS We performed transcriptome analyses in patients' samples. In addition, we established an EDC3 loss-of-function model using siRNA-based knockdown in the human neuroblastoma cell line SKNBE and carried out RNA sequencing. Integrative bioinformatics analyses were performed to identify EDC3-dependent candidate genes and/or pathways. RESULTS Our analyses revealed that 235 genes were differentially expressed in patients versus controls. In addition, AU-rich element (ARE)-containing mRNAs, whose degradation in humans has been suggested to involve EDC3, had higher fold changes than non-ARE-containing genes. The analysis of RNA sequencing data from the EDC3 in vitro loss-of-function model confirmed the higher fold changes of ARE-containing mRNAs compared to non-ARE-containing mRNAs and further showed an upregulation of long non-coding and coding RNAs. In total, 764 genes were differentially expressed. Integrative bioinformatics analyses of these genes identified dysregulated candidate pathways, including pathways related to synapses/coated vesicles and DNA replication/cell cycle. CONCLUSION Our data support the involvement of EDC3 in mRNA decay, including ARE-containing mRNAs, and suggest that EDC3 might be preferentially involved in the degradation of long coding and non-coding RNAs. Furthermore, our results associate ECD3 loss-of-function with synapses-related pathways. Collectively, our data provide novel information that might help elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the association of intellectual disability with the dysregulation of mRNA degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ute Scheller
- Institute of Human Genetics, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schwabachanlage 10, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Kathrin Pfisterer
- Institute of Human Genetics, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schwabachanlage 10, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Steffen Uebe
- Institute of Human Genetics, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schwabachanlage 10, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Arif B. Ekici
- Institute of Human Genetics, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schwabachanlage 10, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - André Reis
- Institute of Human Genetics, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schwabachanlage 10, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Rami Jamra
- Institute of Human Genetics, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schwabachanlage 10, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Leipzig, Philipp-Rosenthal-Straße 55, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Fulvia Ferrazzi
- Institute of Human Genetics, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schwabachanlage 10, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
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Tolentino-Castro JW, Mühlbeier A, Mochizuki L, Wagner H. Delayed Latency of Postural Muscles of Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities. Front Psychol 2018; 9:109. [PMID: 29467709 PMCID: PMC5807919 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2017] [Accepted: 01/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) (50 < IQ < 79) show impaired motor and postural control, these impairments are highly related to falls and injuries. Recent studies demonstrated these impairments are related with fine and gross motor development, which are more strongly associated with cognition, and consequently language for individuals with ID than for without ID. Despite these studies, little is known about the structure and functioning of this population's spinal cord, which is highly involved in postural control. The aim of our study was to assess the latency of the reflex responses in postural muscles after unexpected lateral external perturbations, in individuals with intellectual disabilities compared to typically developed participants. We assessed 16 participants with intellectual disabilities, 9 males and 7 females (aged 24.06 ± 8.66 years) and 20 typical developed participants (CG), 11 females, 9 males, (aged 21.20±1.96 years). While the participants were in an upright standing position electromyography was used to collect data from M. obliquus externus abdominis (OE) muscles, which were activated by unpredictable perturbations applied by a servomotor on a hand-held grip, following the lateral external perturbation to the trunk. The intellectual disabilities group presented contralateral OE muscles latency of 85.71±27.24 ms, and CG group presented 68.62±10.25 ms, no differences was found. Ipsilateral OE muscles latency also did not differs between the groups, ID group showed 96.60±30.20 ms and CG group showed 95.57±33.53 ms. Our study furthers the knowledge about the muscular activity of individuals with intellectual disabilities. The present experimental results may suggest unique spinal cord processing of individuals with intellectual disabilities when they are faced with unexpected lateral external perturbations.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Walter Tolentino-Castro
- Department of Movement Science, University of Münster, Münster, Germany.,Otto Creutzfeldt Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Andreas Mühlbeier
- Department of Movement Science, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Luis Mochizuki
- Department of Movement Science, College of Arts, Sciences and Humanities, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Heiko Wagner
- Department of Movement Science, University of Münster, Münster, Germany.,Otto Creutzfeldt Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
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Missense Variants in RHOBTB2 Cause a Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathy in Humans, and Altered Levels Cause Neurological Defects in Drosophila. Am J Hum Genet 2018; 102:44-57. [PMID: 29276004 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2017.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2017] [Accepted: 11/16/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Although the role of typical Rho GTPases and other Rho-linked proteins in synaptic plasticity and cognitive function and dysfunction is widely acknowledged, the role of atypical Rho GTPases (such as RHOBTB2) in neurodevelopment has barely been characterized. We have now identified de novo missense variants clustering in the BTB-domain-encoding region of RHOBTB2 in ten individuals with a similar phenotype, including early-onset epilepsy, severe intellectual disability, postnatal microcephaly, and movement disorders. Three of the variants were recurrent. Upon transfection of HEK293 cells, we found that mutant RHOBTB2 was more abundant than the wild-type, most likely because of impaired degradation in the proteasome. Similarly, elevated amounts of the Drosophila ortholog RhoBTB in vivo were associated with seizure susceptibility and severe locomotor defects. Knockdown of RhoBTB in the Drosophila dendritic arborization neurons resulted in a decreased number of dendrites, thus suggesting a role of RhoBTB in dendritic development. We have established missense variants in the BTB-domain-encoding region of RHOBTB2 as causative for a developmental and epileptic encephalopathy and have elucidated the role of atypical Rho GTPase RhoBTB in Drosophila neurological function and possibly dendrite development.
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Aguilar BJ, Zhu Y, Lu Q. Rho GTPases as therapeutic targets in Alzheimer's disease. ALZHEIMERS RESEARCH & THERAPY 2017; 9:97. [PMID: 29246246 PMCID: PMC5732365 DOI: 10.1186/s13195-017-0320-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2017] [Accepted: 11/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The progress we have made in understanding Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathogenesis has led to the identification of several novel pathways and potential therapeutic targets. Rho GTPases have been implicated as critical components in AD pathogenesis, but their various functions and interactions make understanding their complex signaling challenging to study. Recent advancements in both the field of AD and Rho GTPase drug development provide novel tools for the elucidation of Rho GTPases as a viable target for AD. Herein, we summarize the fluctuating activity of Rho GTPases in various stages of AD pathogenesis and in several in vitro and in vivo AD models. We also review the current pharmacological tools such as NSAIDs, RhoA/ROCK, Rac1, and Cdc42 inhibitors used to target Rho GTPases and their use in AD-related studies. Finally, we summarize the behavioral modifications following Rho GTPase modulation in several AD mouse models. As key regulators of several AD-related signals, Rho GTPases have been studied as targets in AD. However, a consensus has yet to be reached regarding the stage at which targeting Rho GTPases would be the most beneficial. The studies discussed herein emphasize the critical role of Rho GTPases and the benefits of their modulation in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Byron J Aguilar
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 27834, USA.
| | - Yi Zhu
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 27834, USA
| | - Qun Lu
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 27834, USA. .,The Harriet and John Wooten Laboratory for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases Research, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 27834, USA.
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36
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Martinez LA, Tejada-Simon MV. Pharmacological Rescue of Hippocampal Fear Learning Deficits in Fragile X Syndrome. Mol Neurobiol 2017; 55:5951-5961. [DOI: 10.1007/s12035-017-0819-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2017] [Accepted: 11/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Salvalaio M, D'Avanzo F, Rigon L, Zanetti A, D'Angelo M, Valle G, Scarpa M, Tomanin R. Brain RNA-Seq Profiling of the Mucopolysaccharidosis Type II Mouse Model. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:ijms18051072. [PMID: 28513549 PMCID: PMC5454982 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18051072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2017] [Revised: 05/05/2017] [Accepted: 05/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Lysosomal storage disorders (LSDs) are a group of about 50 genetic metabolic disorders, mainly affecting children, sharing the inability to degrade specific endolysosomal substrates. This results in failure of cellular functions in many organs, including brain that in most patients may go through progressive neurodegeneration. In this study, we analyzed the brain of the mouse model for Hunter syndrome, a LSD mostly presenting with neurological involvement. Whole transcriptome analysis of the cerebral cortex and midbrain/diencephalon/hippocampus areas was performed through RNA-seq. Genes known to be involved in several neurological functions showed a significant differential expression in the animal model for the disease compared to wild type. Among the pathways altered in both areas, axon guidance, calcium homeostasis, synapse and neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, circadian rhythm, neuroinflammation and Wnt signaling were the most significant. Application of RNA sequencing to dissect pathogenic alterations of complex syndromes allows to photograph perturbations, both determining and determined by these disorders, which could simultaneously occur in several metabolic and biochemical pathways. Results also emphasize the common, altered pathways between neurodegenerative disorders affecting elderly and those associated with pediatric diseases of genetic origin, perhaps pointing out a general common course for neurodegeneration, independent from the primary triggering cause.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marika Salvalaio
- Women's and Children's Health Department, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani 3, 35128 Padova, Italy.
- Pediatric Research Institute-Città della Speranza, Corso Stati Uniti 4, 35127 Padova, Italy.
| | - Francesca D'Avanzo
- Women's and Children's Health Department, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani 3, 35128 Padova, Italy.
- Pediatric Research Institute-Città della Speranza, Corso Stati Uniti 4, 35127 Padova, Italy.
| | - Laura Rigon
- Women's and Children's Health Department, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani 3, 35128 Padova, Italy.
- Pediatric Research Institute-Città della Speranza, Corso Stati Uniti 4, 35127 Padova, Italy.
| | - Alessandra Zanetti
- Women's and Children's Health Department, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani 3, 35128 Padova, Italy.
- Pediatric Research Institute-Città della Speranza, Corso Stati Uniti 4, 35127 Padova, Italy.
| | - Michela D'Angelo
- CRIBI Biotechnology Center, University of Padova, Viale G. Colombo 3, 35121 Padova, Italy.
| | - Giorgio Valle
- CRIBI Biotechnology Center, University of Padova, Viale G. Colombo 3, 35121 Padova, Italy.
| | - Maurizio Scarpa
- Women's and Children's Health Department, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani 3, 35128 Padova, Italy.
- Pediatric Research Institute-Città della Speranza, Corso Stati Uniti 4, 35127 Padova, Italy.
- Brains for Brain Foundation, Via Giustiniani 3, 35128 Padova, Italy.
| | - Rosella Tomanin
- Women's and Children's Health Department, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani 3, 35128 Padova, Italy.
- Pediatric Research Institute-Città della Speranza, Corso Stati Uniti 4, 35127 Padova, Italy.
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Ba W, Nadif Kasri N. RhoGTPases at the synapse: An embarrassment of choice. Small GTPases 2017; 8:106-113. [PMID: 27492682 PMCID: PMC5464131 DOI: 10.1080/21541248.2016.1206352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2016] [Revised: 06/22/2016] [Accepted: 06/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Activity-dependent modifications in the strength of excitatory synapses are considered to be major cellular mechanisms that contribute to the plasticity of neuronal networks underlying learning and memory. Key mechanisms for the regulation of synaptic efficacy involve the dynamic changes in size and number of dendritic spines, as well as the synaptic incorporation and removal of AMPA-type glutamate receptors (AMPAr). As key regulators of the actin cytoskeleton, the Rho subfamily of GTP-binding proteins play a critical role in synaptic development and plasticity. They shuttle between the active GTP-bound form and the inactive GDP-bound form under the regulation of dedicated guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) and GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs). More than 80 human GEFs and 70 GAPs have been identified, most of which are expressed in the brain with a specific spatial and temporal expression pattern. However, the function of most GEFs and GAPs in the brain has not been elucidated. In this review, we highlight the novel neuronal function of the synaptic RhoGAP ARHGAP12 and the ID-associated RhoGEF TRIO and further propose 3 possible approaches of neurons utilizing Rho GTPase regulatory proteins to accurately modulate synaptic function.
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Affiliation(s)
- W. Ba
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - N. Nadif Kasri
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
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Receptor-stimulated transamidation induces activation of Rac1 and Cdc42 and the regulation of dendritic spines. Neuropharmacology 2017; 117:93-105. [PMID: 28161375 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2017.01.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2016] [Revised: 01/26/2017] [Accepted: 01/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Regulation of dendritic spines is an important component of synaptic function and plasticity whereas dendritic spine dysregulation is related to several psychiatric and neurological diseases. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that serotonin (5-HT)2A/2C receptor-induced Rho family transamidation and activation regulates dendritic spine morphology and that activation of multiple types of receptors can induce transglutaminase (TGase)-catalyzed transamidation of small G proteins. We previously reported a novel 5-HT2A receptor downstream effector, TGase-catalyzed serotonylation of the small G protein Rac1 in A1A1v cells, a rat embryonic cortical cell line. We now extend these findings to rat primary cortical cultures which develop dendritic spines; stimulation of 5-HT2A/2C receptors increased transamidation of Rac1 and Cdc42, but not RhoA. Inhibition of TGases significantly decreased transamidation and activation of Rac1 and Cdc42, suggesting that transamidation led to their activation. In primary cortical cultures, stimulation of 5-HT2A/2C receptors by 1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane (DOI) caused a transient dendritic spine enlargement, which was blocked by TGase inhibition. Stimulation of both 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C receptors contributed to DOI-induced Rac1 transamidation in primary cortical cultures as demonstrated by selective antagonists. Furthermore, stimulation of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors and NMDA receptors also increased TGase-catalyzed Rac1 activation in SH-SY5Y cells and N2a cells, respectively. Receptor-stimulated TGase-catalyzed transamidation of Rac1 occurs at Q61, a site previously reported to be important in the inactivation of Rac1. These studies demonstrate that TGase-catalyzed transamidation and activation of small G proteins results from stimulation of multiple types of receptors and this novel signaling pathway can regulate dendritic spine morphology and plasticity.
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40
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Fonteneau M, Filliol D, Anglard P, Befort K, Romieu P, Zwiller J. Inhibition of DNA methyltransferases regulates cocaine self-administration by rats: a genome-wide DNA methylation study. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2016; 16:313-327. [PMID: 27762100 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2016] [Revised: 10/07/2016] [Accepted: 10/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
DNA methylation is a major epigenetic process which regulates the accessibility of genes to the transcriptional machinery. In the present study, we investigated whether modifying the global DNA methylation pattern in the brain would alter cocaine intake by rats, using the cocaine self-administration test. The data indicate that treatment of rats with the DNA methyltransferase inhibitors 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (dAZA) and zebularine enhanced the reinforcing properties of cocaine. To obtain some insights about the underlying neurobiological mechanisms, a genome-wide methylation analysis was undertaken in the prefrontal cortex of rats self-administering cocaine and treated with or without dAZA. The study identified nearly 189 000 differentially methylated regions (DMRs), about half of them were located inside gene bodies, while only 9% of DMRs were found in the promoter regions of genes. About 99% of methylation changes occurred outside CpG islands. Gene expression studies confirmed the inverse correlation usually observed between increased methylation and transcriptional activation when methylation occurs in the gene promoter. This inverse correlation was not observed when methylation took place inside gene bodies. Using the literature-based Ingenuity Pathway Analysis, we explored how the differentially methylated genes were related. The analysis showed that increase in cocaine intake by rats in response to DNA methyltransferase inhibitors underlies plasticity mechanisms which mainly concern axonal growth and synaptogenesis as well as spine remodeling. Together with the Akt/PI3K pathway, the Rho-GTPase family was found to be involved in the plasticity underlying the effect of dAZA on the observed behavioral changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Fonteneau
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives et Adaptatives, UMR 7364, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - D Filliol
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives et Adaptatives, UMR 7364, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - P Anglard
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives et Adaptatives, UMR 7364, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - K Befort
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives et Adaptatives, UMR 7364, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - P Romieu
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives et Adaptatives, UMR 7364, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - J Zwiller
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives et Adaptatives, UMR 7364, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
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Bart Martens M, Frega M, Classen J, Epping L, Bijvank E, Benevento M, van Bokhoven H, Tiesinga P, Schubert D, Nadif Kasri N. Euchromatin histone methyltransferase 1 regulates cortical neuronal network development. Sci Rep 2016; 6:35756. [PMID: 27767173 PMCID: PMC5073331 DOI: 10.1038/srep35756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2016] [Accepted: 10/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Heterozygous mutations or deletions in the human Euchromatin histone methyltransferase 1 (EHMT1) gene cause Kleefstra syndrome, a neurodevelopmental disorder that is characterized by autistic-like features and severe intellectual disability (ID). Neurodevelopmental disorders including ID and autism may be related to deficits in activity-dependent wiring of brain circuits during development. Although Kleefstra syndrome has been associated with dendritic and synaptic defects in mice and Drosophila, little is known about the role of EHMT1 in the development of cortical neuronal networks. Here we used micro-electrode arrays and whole-cell patch-clamp recordings to investigate the impact of EHMT1 deficiency at the network and single cell level. We show that EHMT1 deficiency impaired neural network activity during the transition from uncorrelated background action potential firing to synchronized network bursting. Spontaneous bursting and excitatory synaptic currents were transiently reduced, whereas miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents were not affected. Finally, we show that loss of function of EHMT1 ultimately resulted in less regular network bursting patterns later in development. These data suggest that the developmental impairments observed in EHMT1-deficient networks may result in a temporal misalignment between activity-dependent developmental processes thereby contributing to the pathophysiology of Kleefstra syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marijn Bart Martens
- Department of Neuroinformatics, Radboud University Nijmegen, Faculty of Science, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Monica Frega
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboudumc, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Jessica Classen
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboudumc, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Lisa Epping
- Department of Neuroinformatics, Radboud University Nijmegen, Faculty of Science, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Elske Bijvank
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboudumc, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Marco Benevento
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboudumc, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Hans van Bokhoven
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboudumc, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboudumc, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Paul Tiesinga
- Department of Neuroinformatics, Radboud University Nijmegen, Faculty of Science, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Dirk Schubert
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboudumc, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Nael Nadif Kasri
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboudumc, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboudumc, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
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Xia S, Zhou Z, Jia Z. PAK1 regulates inhibitory synaptic function via a novel mechanism mediated by endocannabinoids. Small GTPases 2016; 9:322-326. [PMID: 27645771 DOI: 10.1080/21541248.2016.1228793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The Rho family small GTPases and their effectors, including PAKs, are extensively studied in the context of the actin cytoskeleton, excitatory synaptic function, spine morphology and memory formation. However, their roles in inhibitory synaptic function remain poorly understood. We have recently shown that PAK1 is a potent regulator of GABAergic synaptic transmission. Thus, disruption of PAK1 leads to significant impairments in inhibitory postsynaptic currents which are manifested as reduced GABA presynaptic releases. Interestingly, this effect of PAK1 is distinct from its previously known role in spines and excitatory synaptic transmission in that it is independent of postsynaptic actin, but requires retrograde messengers produced and released from the postsynaptic neurons to suppress presynaptic GABA releases. We have further identified eCBs as the retrograde messengers and shown that PAK1 regulates the eCB signaling via restricting the tissue level of AEA by promoting synaptic expression of COX-2, a key enzyme to oxidize AEA. These results have established a novel pathway whereby PAK1, and by extension Rho proteins, regulates cellular processes, synaptic function and behaviors and have important implications in understanding and treating various diseases linked to PAKs and Rho signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuting Xia
- a The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, Southeast University , Nanjing , China
| | - Zikai Zhou
- a The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, Southeast University , Nanjing , China
| | - Zhengping Jia
- b Neurosciences and Mental Health Program, the Hospital for Sick Children , Toronto , Canada.,c Department of Physiology , Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto , Toronto , Canada
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43
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Oligophrenin1 protects mice against myocardial ischemia and reperfusion injury by modulating inflammation and myocardial apoptosis. Cell Signal 2016; 28:967-78. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2016.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2015] [Revised: 04/11/2016] [Accepted: 04/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Expression of p21-activated kinases 1 and 3 is altered in the brain of subjects with depression. Neuroscience 2016; 333:331-44. [PMID: 27474226 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2016.07.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2016] [Revised: 07/13/2016] [Accepted: 07/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
The p21-activated kinases (PAKs) of group I are the main effectors for the small Rho GTPases, critically involved in neurodevelopment, plasticity and maturation of the nervous system. Moreover, the neuronal complexity controlled by PAK1/PAK3 signaling determines the postnatal brain size and synaptic properties. Stress induces alterations at the level of structural and functional synaptic plasticity accompanied by reductions in size and activity of the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex (PFC). These abnormalities are likely to contribute to the pathology of depression and, in part, reflect impaired cytoskeleton remodeling pointing to the role of Rho GTPase signaling. Thus, the present study assessed the expression of the group I PAKs and their activators in the brain of depressed subjects. Using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), mRNA levels and coexpression of the group I PAKs: PAK1, PAK2, and PAK3 as well as of their activators: RAC1, CDC42 and ARHGEF7 were examined in postmortem samples from the PFC (n=25) and the hippocampus (n=23) of subjects with depression and compared to control subjects (PFC n=24; hippocampus n=21). Results demonstrated that mRNA levels of PAK1 and PAK3, are significantly reduced in the brain of depressed subjects, with PAK1 being reduced in the PFC and PAK3 in the hippocampus. No differences were observed for the ubiquitously expressed PAK2. Following analysis of gene coexpression demonstrated disruption of coordinated gene expression in the brain of subjects with depression. Abnormalities in mRNA expression of PAK1 and PAK3 as well as their altered coexpression patterns were detected in the brain of subjects with depression.
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Meziane H, Khelfaoui M, Morello N, Hiba B, Calcagno E, Reibel-Foisset S, Selloum M, Chelly J, Humeau Y, Riet F, Zanni G, Herault Y, Bienvenu T, Giustetto M, Billuart P. Fasudil treatment in adult reverses behavioural changes and brain ventricular enlargement in Oligophrenin-1 mouse model of intellectual disability. Hum Mol Genet 2016; 25:2314-2323. [PMID: 27146843 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddw102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2015] [Accepted: 03/17/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Loss of function mutations in human Oligophrenin1 (OPHN1) gene are responsible for syndromic intellectual disability (ID) associated with cerebellar hypoplasia and cerebral ventricles enlargement. Functional studies in rodent models suggest that OPHN1 linked ID is a consequence of abnormal synaptic transmission and shares common pathophysiological mechanisms with other cognitive disorders. Variants of this gene have been also identified in autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia. The advanced understanding of the mechanisms underlying OPHN1-related ID, allowed us to develop a therapeutic approach targeting the Ras homolog gene family, member A (RHOA) signalling pathway and repurpose Fasudil- a well-tolerated Rho Kinase (ROCK) and Protein Kinase A (PKA) inhibitor- as a treatment of ID. We have previously shown ex-vivo its beneficial effect on synaptic transmission and plasticity in a mouse model of the OPHN1 loss of function. Here, we report that chronic treatment in adult mouse with Fasudil, is able to counteract vertical and horizontal hyperactivities, restores recognition memory and limits the brain ventricular dilatation observed in Ophn1-/y However, deficits in working and spatial memories are partially or not rescued by the treatment. These results highlight the potential of Fasudil treatment in synaptopathies and also the need for multiple therapeutic approaches especially in adult where brain plasticity is reduced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamid Meziane
- PHENOMIN, Institut Clinique de la Souris, ICS; GIE CERBM, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, CNRS, UMR7104, INSERM, U964, University of Strasbourg, F-67404 Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France
| | - Malik Khelfaoui
- Institut Cochin, INSERM U1016, CNRS UMR8104, Paris Descartes University, Paris, 75014, France Institut interdisciplinaire de neuroscience, CNRS UMR5297, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, 33077, France
| | - Noemi Morello
- University of Torino, Department of Neuroscience « Rita Levi Montalcini », National Institute of Neuroscience-Italy, Torino, 10126, Italy
| | - Bassem Hiba
- Centre de Résonance Magnétique des Systèmes Biologiques, UMR 5536 CNRS, Université de Bordeaux, 33077, Bordeaux, France
| | - Eleonora Calcagno
- University of Torino, Department of Neuroscience « Rita Levi Montalcini », National Institute of Neuroscience-Italy, Torino, 10126, Italy
| | | | - Mohammed Selloum
- PHENOMIN, Institut Clinique de la Souris, ICS; GIE CERBM, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, CNRS, UMR7104, INSERM, U964, University of Strasbourg, F-67404 Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France
| | - Jamel Chelly
- PHENOMIN, Institut Clinique de la Souris, ICS; GIE CERBM, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, CNRS, UMR7104, INSERM, U964, University of Strasbourg, F-67404 Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France Institut Cochin, INSERM U1016, CNRS UMR8104, Paris Descartes University, Paris, 75014, France
| | - Yann Humeau
- Institut interdisciplinaire de neuroscience, CNRS UMR5297, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, 33077, France
| | - Fabrice Riet
- PHENOMIN, Institut Clinique de la Souris, ICS; GIE CERBM, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, CNRS, UMR7104, INSERM, U964, University of Strasbourg, F-67404 Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France
| | - Ginevra Zanni
- Department of Neurosciences, Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Unit of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, 00165, Rome, Italy
| | - Yann Herault
- PHENOMIN, Institut Clinique de la Souris, ICS; GIE CERBM, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, CNRS, UMR7104, INSERM, U964, University of Strasbourg, F-67404 Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France
| | - Thierry Bienvenu
- Institut Cochin, INSERM U1016, CNRS UMR8104, Paris Descartes University, Paris, 75014, France
| | - Maurizio Giustetto
- University of Torino, Department of Neuroscience « Rita Levi Montalcini », National Institute of Neuroscience-Italy, Torino, 10126, Italy
| | - Pierre Billuart
- Institut Cochin, INSERM U1016, CNRS UMR8104, Paris Descartes University, Paris, 75014, France
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46
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Ba W, Selten MM, van der Raadt J, van Veen H, Li LL, Benevento M, Oudakker AR, Lasabuda RSE, Letteboer SJ, Roepman R, van Wezel RJA, Courtney MJ, van Bokhoven H, Nadif Kasri N. ARHGAP12 Functions as a Developmental Brake on Excitatory Synapse Function. Cell Rep 2016; 14:1355-1368. [PMID: 26854232 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2016.01.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2015] [Revised: 11/28/2015] [Accepted: 01/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The molecular mechanisms that promote excitatory synapse development have been extensively studied. However, the molecular events preventing precocious excitatory synapse development so that synapses form at the correct time and place are less well understood. Here, we report the functional characterization of ARHGAP12, a previously uncharacterized Rho GTPase-activating protein (RhoGAP) in the brain. ARHGAP12 is specifically expressed in the CA1 region of the hippocampus, where it localizes to the postsynaptic compartment of excitatory synapses. ARHGAP12 negatively controls spine size via its RhoGAP activity and promotes, by interacting with CIP4, postsynaptic AMPA receptor endocytosis. Arhgap12 knockdown results in precocious maturation of excitatory synapses, as indicated by a reduction in the proportion of silent synapses. Collectively, our data show that ARHGAP12 is a synaptic RhoGAP that regulates excitatory synaptic structure and function during development.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Ba
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboudumc, 6500 HB Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department of Human Genetics, Radboudumc, 6500 HB Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - M M Selten
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboudumc, 6500 HB Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department of Human Genetics, Radboudumc, 6500 HB Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - J van der Raadt
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboudumc, 6500 HB Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboudumc, 6525 GA Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - H van Veen
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80082, 30508 TB Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - L-L Li
- Molecular Signalling Laboratory, Department of Neurobiology, A.I. Virtanen Institute, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio 70210, Finland
| | - M Benevento
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboudumc, 6500 HB Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department of Human Genetics, Radboudumc, 6500 HB Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - A R Oudakker
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboudumc, 6500 HB Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department of Human Genetics, Radboudumc, 6500 HB Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - R S E Lasabuda
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboudumc, 6500 HB Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - S J Letteboer
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboudumc, 6500 HB Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboudumc, 6525 GA Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - R Roepman
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboudumc, 6500 HB Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboudumc, 6525 GA Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - R J A van Wezel
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Biomedical Signal and Systems, MIRA Institute for Biomedical Technology and Technical Medicine, University of Twente, 7500 AE Enschede, the Netherlands
| | - M J Courtney
- Molecular Signalling Laboratory, Department of Neurobiology, A.I. Virtanen Institute, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio 70210, Finland; Turku Centre for Biotechnology, Abo Akademi University and University of Turku, Turku 20521, Finland
| | - H van Bokhoven
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboudumc, 6500 HB Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department of Human Genetics, Radboudumc, 6500 HB Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboudumc, 6525 GA Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - N Nadif Kasri
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboudumc, 6500 HB Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department of Human Genetics, Radboudumc, 6500 HB Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
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47
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Mariani L, Lussi YC, Vandamme J, Riveiro A, Salcini AE. The H3K4me3/2 histone demethylase RBR-2 controls axon guidance by repressing the actin-remodeling gene wsp-1. Development 2016; 143:851-63. [PMID: 26811384 DOI: 10.1242/dev.132985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2015] [Accepted: 01/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The dynamic regulation of histone modifications is important for modulating transcriptional programs during development. Aberrant H3K4 methylation is associated with neurological disorders, but how the levels and the recognition of this modification affect specific neuronal processes is unclear. Here, we show that RBR-2, the sole homolog of the KDM5 family of H3K4me3/2 demethylases in Caenorhabditis elegans, ensures correct axon guidance by controlling the expression of the actin regulator wsp-1. Loss of rbr-2 results in increased levels of H3K4me3 at the transcriptional start site of wsp-1, with concomitant higher wsp-1 expression responsible for defective axon guidance. In agreement, overexpression of WSP-1 mimics rbr-2 loss, and its depletion restores normal axon guidance in rbr-2 mutants. NURF-1, an H3K4me3-binding protein and member of the chromatin-remodeling complex NURF, is required for promoting aberrant wsp-1 transcription in rbr-2 mutants and its ablation restores wild-type expression of wsp-1 and axon guidance. Thus, our results establish a precise role for epigenetic regulation in neuronal development by demonstrating a functional link between RBR-2 activity, H3K4me3 levels, the NURF complex and the expression of WSP-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Mariani
- Biotech Research & Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark Centre for Epigenetics, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Yvonne C Lussi
- Biotech Research & Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark Centre for Epigenetics, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Julien Vandamme
- Biotech Research & Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark Centre for Epigenetics, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Alba Riveiro
- Biotech Research & Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark Centre for Epigenetics, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anna Elisabetta Salcini
- Biotech Research & Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark Centre for Epigenetics, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
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48
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Developmental RacGAP α2-Chimaerin Signaling Is a Determinant of the Morphological Features of Dendritic Spines in Adulthood. J Neurosci 2016; 35:13728-44. [PMID: 26446225 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0419-15.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Morphological characteristics of dendritic spines form the basis of cognitive ability. However, molecular mechanisms involved in fine-tuning of spine morphology during development are not fully understood. Moreover, it is unclear whether, and to what extent, these developmental mechanisms determine the normal adult spine morphological features. Here, we provide evidence that α2-isoform of Rac-specific GTPase-activating protein α-chimaerin (α2-chimaerin) is involved in spine morphological refinement during late postnatal period, and furthermore show that this developmental α2-chimaerin function affects adult spine morphologies. We used a series of mice with global and conditional knock-out of α-chimaerin isoforms (α1-chimaerin and α2-chimaerin). α2-Chimaerin disruption, but not α1-chimaerin disruption, in the mouse results in an increased size (and density) of spines in the hippocampus. In contrast, overexpression of α2-chimaerin in developing hippocampal neurons induces a decrease of spine size. Disruption of α2-chimaerin suppressed EphA-mediated spine morphogenesis in cultured developing hippocampal neurons. α2-Chimaerin disruption that begins during the juvenile stage results in an increased size of spines in the hippocampus. Meanwhile, spine morphologies are unaltered when α2-chimaerin is deleted only in adulthood. Consistent with these spine morphological results, disruption of α2-chimaerin beginning in the juvenile stage led to an increase in contextual fear learning in adulthood; whereas contextual learning was recently shown to be unaffected when α2-chimaerin was deleted only in adulthood. Together, these results suggest that α2-chimaerin signaling in developmental stages contributes to determination of the morphological features of adult spines and establishment of normal cognitive ability. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Recent studies of neurodevelopmental disorders in humans and their animal models have led to an attractive hypothesis that spine morphogenesis during development forms the basis of adult cognition. In particular, the roles of Rac and its regulators, such as Rac-specific GTPase-activating proteins (RacGAPs) and Rac guanine nucleotide exchange factors, are a topic of focus in spine morphogenesis and cognitive ability. Using a series of mice with global and conditional knock-out (KO) of RacGAP α-chimaerin isoforms (α1-chimaerin and α2-chimaerin), we provide compelling evidence demonstrating that α2-chimaerin is involved in spine morphological refinement during late postnatal development and that this developmental α2-chimaerin function affects adult spine morphologies. Furthermore, our results clearly showed that α2-chimaerin signaling during late postnatal development contributes to normal cognitive ability in adult mice.
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49
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Ba W, Yan Y, Reijnders MRF, Schuurs-Hoeijmakers JHM, Feenstra I, Bongers EMHF, Bosch DGM, De Leeuw N, Pfundt R, Gilissen C, De Vries PF, Veltman JA, Hoischen A, Mefford HC, Eichler EE, Vissers LELM, Nadif Kasri N, De Vries BBA. TRIO loss of function is associated with mild intellectual disability and affects dendritic branching and synapse function. Hum Mol Genet 2015; 25:892-902. [PMID: 26721934 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddv618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2015] [Accepted: 12/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, we marked TRIO for the first time as a candidate gene for intellectual disability (ID). Across diverse vertebrate species, TRIO is a well-conserved Rho GTPase regulator that is highly expressed in the developing brain. However, little is known about the specific events regulated by TRIO during brain development and its clinical impact in humans when mutated. Routine clinical diagnostic testing identified an intragenic de novo deletion of TRIO in a boy with ID. Targeted sequencing of this gene in over 2300 individuals with ID, identified three additional truncating mutations. All index cases had mild to borderline ID combined with behavioral problems consisting of autistic, hyperactive and/or aggressive behavior. Studies in dissociated rat hippocampal neurons demonstrated the enhancement of dendritic formation by suppressing endogenous TRIO, and similarly decreasing endogenous TRIO in organotypic hippocampal brain slices significantly increased synaptic strength by increasing functional synapses. Together, our findings provide new mechanistic insight into how genetic deficits in TRIO can lead to early neuronal network formation by directly affecting both neurite outgrowth and synapse development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Ba
- Department of Human Genetics, Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Centre, PO Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Yan Yan
- Department of Neuroscience, UCONN Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Daniëlle G M Bosch
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Centre, PO Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands, Bartiméus, Institute for the Visually Impaired, Zeist, The Netherlands and
| | | | | | | | | | - Joris A Veltman
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Centre, PO Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands, Department of Clinical Genetics, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Heather C Mefford
- Division of Genetic Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Evan E Eichler
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | | | - Nael Nadif Kasri
- Department of Human Genetics, Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Centre, PO Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands,
| | - Bert B A De Vries
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Centre, PO Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands,
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50
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Tikka S, Monogioudi E, Gotsopoulos A, Soliymani R, Pezzini F, Scifo E, Uusi-Rauva K, Tyynelä J, Baumann M, Jalanko A, Simonati A, Lalowski M. Proteomic Profiling in the Brain of CLN1 Disease Model Reveals Affected Functional Modules. Neuromolecular Med 2015; 18:109-33. [PMID: 26707855 DOI: 10.1007/s12017-015-8382-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2015] [Accepted: 12/15/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCL) are the most commonly inherited progressive encephalopathies of childhood. Pathologically, they are characterized by endolysosomal storage with different ultrastructural features and biochemical compositions. The molecular mechanisms causing progressive neurodegeneration and common molecular pathways linking expression of different NCL genes are largely unknown. We analyzed proteome alterations in the brains of a mouse model of human infantile CLN1 disease-palmitoyl-protein thioesterase 1 (Ppt1) gene knockout and its wild-type age-matched counterpart at different stages: pre-symptomatic, symptomatic and advanced. For this purpose, we utilized a combination of laser capture microdissection-based quantitative liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (MS) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight MS imaging to quantify/visualize the changes in protein expression in disease-affected brain thalamus and cerebral cortex tissue slices, respectively. Proteomic profiling of the pre-symptomatic stage thalamus revealed alterations mostly in metabolic processes and inhibition of various neuronal functions, i.e., neuritogenesis. Down-regulation in dynamics associated with growth of plasma projections and cellular protrusions was further corroborated by findings from RNA sequencing of CLN1 patients' fibroblasts. Changes detected at the symptomatic stage included: mitochondrial functions, synaptic vesicle transport, myelin proteome and signaling cascades, such as RhoA signaling. Considerable dysregulation of processes related to mitochondrial cell death, RhoA/Huntington's disease signaling and myelin sheath breakdown were observed at the advanced stage of the disease. The identified changes in protein levels were further substantiated by bioinformatics and network approaches, immunohistochemistry on brain tissues and literature knowledge, thus identifying various functional modules affected in the CLN1 childhood encephalopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saara Tikka
- Medicum, Biochemistry/Developmental Biology, Meilahti Clinical Proteomics Core Facility, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 63 (Haartmaninkatu 8), Room C214a, 00014, Helsinki, Finland.,Folkhälsan Institute of Genetics, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Evanthia Monogioudi
- Folkhälsan Institute of Genetics, 00014, Helsinki, Finland.,Joint Research Centre, Directorate D-Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements, Standards for Innovation and Sustainable Development, Geel, Belgium
| | - Athanasios Gotsopoulos
- Brain and Mind Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Computational Science (BECS), Aalto University School of Science, 02150, Espoo, Finland
| | - Rabah Soliymani
- Medicum, Biochemistry/Developmental Biology, Meilahti Clinical Proteomics Core Facility, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 63 (Haartmaninkatu 8), Room C214a, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Francesco Pezzini
- Department of Neurological and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, 37134, Verona, Italy
| | - Enzo Scifo
- Medicum, Biochemistry/Developmental Biology, Meilahti Clinical Proteomics Core Facility, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 63 (Haartmaninkatu 8), Room C214a, 00014, Helsinki, Finland.,Doctoral Program Brain & Mind, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, CAMH, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Kristiina Uusi-Rauva
- Folkhälsan Institute of Genetics, 00014, Helsinki, Finland.,Genomics and Biomarkers, National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), P.O. Box 30, 00271, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jaana Tyynelä
- Medicum, Biochemistry/Developmental Biology, Meilahti Clinical Proteomics Core Facility, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 63 (Haartmaninkatu 8), Room C214a, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Marc Baumann
- Medicum, Biochemistry/Developmental Biology, Meilahti Clinical Proteomics Core Facility, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 63 (Haartmaninkatu 8), Room C214a, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Anu Jalanko
- Institute for Molecular Medicine (FIMM), University of Helsinki, 00014, Helsinki, Finland.,Genomics and Biomarkers, National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), P.O. Box 30, 00271, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Alessandro Simonati
- Department of Neurological and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, 37134, Verona, Italy
| | - Maciej Lalowski
- Medicum, Biochemistry/Developmental Biology, Meilahti Clinical Proteomics Core Facility, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 63 (Haartmaninkatu 8), Room C214a, 00014, Helsinki, Finland. .,Folkhälsan Institute of Genetics, 00014, Helsinki, Finland.
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