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Vasile F, Dossi E, Rouach N. Human astrocytes: structure and functions in the healthy brain. Brain Struct Funct 2017; 222:2017-2029. [PMID: 28280934 PMCID: PMC5504258 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-017-1383-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 223] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2016] [Accepted: 02/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Data collected on astrocytes’ physiology in the rodent have placed them as key regulators of synaptic, neuronal, network, and cognitive functions. While these findings proved highly valuable for our awareness and appreciation of non-neuronal cell significance in brain physiology, early structural and phylogenic investigations of human astrocytes hinted at potentially different astrocytic properties. This idea sparked interest to replicate rodent-based studies on human samples, which have revealed an analogous but enhanced involvement of astrocytes in neuronal function of the human brain. Such evidence pointed to a central role of human astrocytes in sustaining more complex information processing. Here, we review the current state of our knowledge of human astrocytes regarding their structure, gene profile, and functions, highlighting the differences with rodent astrocytes. This recent insight is essential for assessment of the relevance of findings using animal models and for comprehending the functional significance of species-specific properties of astrocytes. Moreover, since dysfunctional astrocytes have been described in many brain disorders, a more thorough understanding of human-specific astrocytic properties is crucial for better-adapted translational applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flora Vasile
- Neuroglial Interactions in Cerebral Physiopathology, Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology, Collège de France, CNRS UMR 7241, INSERM U1050, Labex Memolife, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Elena Dossi
- Neuroglial Interactions in Cerebral Physiopathology, Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology, Collège de France, CNRS UMR 7241, INSERM U1050, Labex Memolife, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Nathalie Rouach
- Neuroglial Interactions in Cerebral Physiopathology, Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology, Collège de France, CNRS UMR 7241, INSERM U1050, Labex Memolife, PSL Research University, Paris, France.
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Unambiguous observation of blocked states reveals altered, blocker-induced, cardiac ryanodine receptor gating. Sci Rep 2016; 6:34452. [PMID: 27703263 PMCID: PMC5050499 DOI: 10.1038/srep34452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2016] [Accepted: 09/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The flow of ions through membrane channels is precisely regulated by gates. The architecture and function of these elements have been studied extensively, shedding light on the mechanisms underlying gating. Recent investigations have focused on ion occupancy of the channel’s selectivity filter and its ability to alter gating, with most studies involving prokaryotic K+ channels. Some studies used large quaternary ammonium blocker molecules to examine the effects of altered ionic flux on gating. However, the absence of blocking events that are visibly distinct from closing events in K+ channels makes unambiguous interpretation of data from single channel recordings difficult. In this study, the large K+ conductance of the RyR2 channel permits direct observation of blocking events as distinct subconductance states and for the first time demonstrates the differential effects of blocker molecules on channel gating. This experimental platform provides valuable insights into mechanisms of blocker-induced modulation of ion channel gating.
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Wei R, Wang X, Zhang Y, Mukherjee S, Zhang L, Chen Q, Huang X, Jing S, Liu C, Li S, Wang G, Xu Y, Zhu S, Williams AJ, Sun F, Yin CC. Structural insights into Ca(2+)-activated long-range allosteric channel gating of RyR1. Cell Res 2016; 26:977-94. [PMID: 27573175 PMCID: PMC5034117 DOI: 10.1038/cr.2016.99] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2016] [Revised: 07/31/2016] [Accepted: 08/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Ryanodine receptors (RyRs) are a class of giant ion channels with molecular mass over 2.2 mega-Daltons. These channels mediate calcium signaling in a variety of cells. Since more than 80% of the RyR protein is folded into the cytoplasmic assembly and the remaining residues form the transmembrane domain, it has been hypothesized that the activation and regulation of RyR channels occur through an as yet uncharacterized long-range allosteric mechanism. Here we report the characterization of a Ca2+-activated open-state RyR1 structure by cryo-electron microscopy. The structure has an overall resolution of 4.9 Å and a resolution of 4.2 Å for the core region. In comparison with the previously determined apo/closed-state structure, we observed long-range allosteric gating of the channel upon Ca2+ activation. In-depth structural analyses elucidated a novel channel-gating mechanism and a novel ion selectivity mechanism of RyR1. Our work not only provides structural insights into the molecular mechanisms of channel gating and regulation of RyRs, but also sheds light on structural basis for channel-gating and ion selectivity mechanisms for the six-transmembrane-helix cation channel family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Risheng Wei
- Department of Biophysics, The Health Science Center, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Xue Wang
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Saptarshi Mukherjee
- Wales Heart Research Institute, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff CF14 4XN, UK
| | - Lei Zhang
- Department of Biophysics, The Health Science Center, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China.,Electron Microscopy Analysis Laboratory, The Health Science Center, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Qiang Chen
- Department of Biophysics, The Health Science Center, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Xinrui Huang
- Department of Biophysics, The Health Science Center, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Shan Jing
- Department of Biophysics, The Health Science Center, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Congcong Liu
- Department of Biophysics, The Health Science Center, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Shuang Li
- Department of Biophysics, The Health Science Center, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Guangyu Wang
- Department of Biophysics, The Health Science Center, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yaofang Xu
- Department of Biophysics, The Health Science Center, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Sujie Zhu
- Department of Biophysics, The Health Science Center, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Alan J Williams
- Wales Heart Research Institute, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff CF14 4XN, UK
| | - Fei Sun
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.,Center for Biological Imaging, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Chang-Cheng Yin
- Department of Biophysics, The Health Science Center, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China.,Electron Microscopy Analysis Laboratory, The Health Science Center, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China.,Center for Protein Science, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
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Subtype-selective regulation of IP(3) receptors by thimerosal via cysteine residues within the IP(3)-binding core and suppressor domain. Biochem J 2013; 451:177-84. [PMID: 23282150 PMCID: PMC3610541 DOI: 10.1042/bj20121600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
IP3R (IP3 [inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate] receptors) and ryanodine receptors are the most widely expressed intracellular Ca2+ channels and both are regulated by thiol reagents. In DT40 cells stably expressing single subtypes of mammalian IP3R, low concentrations of thimerosal (also known as thiomersal), which oxidizes thiols to form a thiomercurylethyl complex, increased the sensitivity of IP3-evoked Ca2+ release via IP3R1 and IP3R2, but inhibited IP3R3. Activation of IP3R is initiated by IP3 binding to the IBC (IP3-binding core; residues 224–604) and proceeds via re-arrangement of an interface between the IBC and SD (suppressor domain; residues 1–223). Thimerosal (100 μM) stimulated IP3 binding to the isolated NT (N-terminal; residues 1–604) of IP3R1 and IP3R2, but not to that of IP3R3. Binding of a competitive antagonist (heparin) or partial agonist (dimeric-IP3) to NT1 was unaffected by thiomersal, suggesting that the effect of thimerosal is specifically related to IP3R activation. IP3 binding to NT1 in which all cysteine residues were replaced by alanine was insensitive to thimerosal, so too were NT1 in which cysteine residues were replaced in either the SD or IBC. This demonstrates that thimerosal interacts directly with cysteine in both the SD and IBC. Chimaeric proteins in which the SD of the IP3R was replaced by the structurally related A domain of a ryanodine receptor were functional, but thimerosal inhibited both IP3 binding to the chimaeric NT and IP3-evoked Ca2+ release from the chimaeric IP3R. This is the first systematic analysis of the effects of a thiol reagent on each IP3R subtype. We conclude that thimerosal selectively sensitizes IP3R1 and IP3R2 to IP3 by modifying cysteine residues within both the SD and IBC and thereby stabilizing an active conformation of the receptor.
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