1
|
Atsoniou K, Giannopoulou E, Georganta EM, Skoulakis EMC. Drosophila Contributions towards Understanding Neurofibromatosis 1. Cells 2024; 13:721. [PMID: 38667335 PMCID: PMC11048932 DOI: 10.3390/cells13080721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1) is a multisymptomatic disorder with highly variable presentations, which include short stature, susceptibility to formation of the characteristic benign tumors known as neurofibromas, intense freckling and skin discoloration, and cognitive deficits, which characterize most children with the condition. Attention deficits and Autism Spectrum manifestations augment the compromised learning presented by most patients, leading to behavioral problems and school failure, while fragmented sleep contributes to chronic fatigue and poor quality of life. Neurofibromin (Nf1) is present ubiquitously during human development and postnatally in most neuronal, oligodendrocyte, and Schwann cells. Evidence largely from animal models including Drosophila suggests that the symptomatic variability may reflect distinct cell-type-specific functions of the protein, which emerge upon its loss, or mutations affecting the different functional domains of the protein. This review summarizes the contributions of Drosophila in modeling multiple NF1 manifestations, addressing hypotheses regarding the cell-type-specific functions of the protein and exploring the molecular pathways affected upon loss of the highly conserved fly homolog dNf1. Collectively, work in this model not only has efficiently and expediently modelled multiple aspects of the condition and increased understanding of its behavioral manifestations, but also has led to pharmaceutical strategies towards their amelioration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kalliopi Atsoniou
- Institute for Fundamental Biomedical Research, Biomedical Sciences Research Center “Alexander Fleming”, 16672 Athens, Greece; (K.A.); (E.G.)
- Laboratory of Experimental Physiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni Giannopoulou
- Institute for Fundamental Biomedical Research, Biomedical Sciences Research Center “Alexander Fleming”, 16672 Athens, Greece; (K.A.); (E.G.)
| | - Eirini-Maria Georganta
- Institute for Fundamental Biomedical Research, Biomedical Sciences Research Center “Alexander Fleming”, 16672 Athens, Greece; (K.A.); (E.G.)
| | - Efthimios M. C. Skoulakis
- Institute for Fundamental Biomedical Research, Biomedical Sciences Research Center “Alexander Fleming”, 16672 Athens, Greece; (K.A.); (E.G.)
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
House RRJ, Tovar EA, Redlon LN, Essenburg CJ, Dischinger PS, Ellis AE, Beddows I, Sheldon RD, Lien EC, Graveel CR, Steensma MR. NF1 deficiency drives metabolic reprogramming in ER+ breast cancer. Mol Metab 2024; 80:101876. [PMID: 38216123 PMCID: PMC10844973 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2024.101876] [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: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/14/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE NF1 is a tumor suppressor gene and its protein product, neurofibromin, is a negative regulator of the RAS pathway. NF1 is one of the top driver mutations in sporadic breast cancer such that 27 % of breast cancers exhibit damaging NF1 alterations. NF1 loss-of-function is a frequent event in the genomic evolution of estrogen receptor (ER)+ breast cancer metastasis and endocrine resistance. Individuals with Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF) - a disorder caused by germline NF1 mutations - have an increased risk of dying from breast cancer [1-4]. NF-related breast cancers are associated with decreased overall survival compared to sporadic breast cancer. Despite numerous studies interrogating the role of RAS mutations in tumor metabolism, no study has comprehensively profiled the NF1-deficient breast cancer metabolome to define patterns of energetic and metabolic reprogramming. The goals of this investigation were (1) to define the role of NF1 deficiency in estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer metabolic reprogramming and (2) to identify potential targeted pathway and metabolic inhibitor combination therapies for NF1-deficient ER + breast cancer. METHODS We employed two ER+ NF1-deficient breast cancer models: (1) an NF1-deficient MCF7 breast cancer cell line to model sporadic breast cancer, and (2) three distinct, Nf1-deficient rat models to model NF-related breast cancer [1]. IncuCyte proliferation analysis was used to measure the effect of NF1 deficiency on cell proliferation and drug response. Protein quantity was assessed by Western Blot analysis. We then used RNAseq to investigate the transcriptional effect of NF1 deficiency on global and metabolism-related transcription. We measured cellular energetics using Agilent Seahorse XF-96 Glyco Stress Test and Mito Stress Test assays. We performed stable isotope labeling and measured [U-13C]-glucose and [U-13C]-glutamine metabolite incorporation and measured total metabolite pools using mass spectrometry. Lastly, we used a Bliss synergy model to investigate NF1-driven changes in targeted and metabolic inhibitor synergy. RESULTS Our results revealed that NF1 deficiency enhanced cell proliferation, altered neurofibromin expression, and increased RAS and PI3K/AKT pathway signaling while constraining oxidative ATP production and restricting energetic flexibility. Neurofibromin deficiency also increased glutamine influx into TCA intermediates and dramatically increased lipid pools, especially triglycerides (TG). Lastly, NF1 deficiency alters the synergy between metabolic inhibitors and traditional targeted inhibitors. This includes increased synergy with inhibitors targeting glycolysis, glutamine metabolism, mitochondrial fatty acid transport, and TG synthesis. CONCLUSIONS NF1 deficiency drives metabolic reprogramming in ER+ breast cancer. This reprogramming is characterized by oxidative ATP constraints, glutamine TCA influx, and lipid pool expansion, and these metabolic changes introduce novel metabolic-to-targeted inhibitor synergies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Rae J House
- Department of Cell Biology, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Tovar
- Department of Cell Biology, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Luke N Redlon
- Department of Cell Biology, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Curt J Essenburg
- Department of Cell Biology, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | | | - Abigail E Ellis
- Mass Spectrometry Core, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Ian Beddows
- Department of Epigenetics, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Ryan D Sheldon
- Mass Spectrometry Core, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Evan C Lien
- Department of Metabolism and Nutritional Programming, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Carrie R Graveel
- Department of Cell Biology, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Matthew R Steensma
- Department of Cell Biology, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA; Helen DeVos Children's Hospital, Spectrum Health System, Grand Rapids, MI, USA; Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, Grand Rapids, MI, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Fan Y, Zhao M, Hao F, Sun R, Chen J, Liu J. Neuroprotective role of FOXA1 in Parkinson's disease: Involvements of NF1 transcription activation and MAPK signaling pathway inhibition. Brain Res Bull 2024; 206:110860. [PMID: 38143008 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2023.110860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
Forkhead box A1 (FOXA1), a member of the forkhead family of transcription factors, plays a crucial role in the development of various organ systems and exhibits neuroprotective properties. This study aims to investigate the effect of FOXA1 on Parkinson's disease (PD) and unravel the underlying mechanism. Transcriptome analysis of PD was conducted using three GEO datasets to identify aberrantly expressed genes. A mouse model of PD was generated by injecting neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine hydrochloride (MPTP), resulting in reduced FOXA1 expression. FOXA1 decline was also observed in 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium-treated SH-SY5Y cells. Artificial upregulation of FOXA1 improved motor abilities of mice according to rotarod and pole tests, and it mitigated tissue damage, cell loss, and neuronal damage in the mouse substantia nigra or in vitro. FOXA1 was found to bind to the neurofibromin 1 (NF1) promoter, thereby inducing its transcription and inactivating the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. Further experimentation revealed that silencing NF1 in mice or SH-SY5Y cells counteracted the neuroprotective effects of FOXA1. In conclusion, this research suggests that FOXA1 activates NF1 transcription and inactivates the MAPK signaling pathway, ultimately ameliorating neuronal damage and motor disability in PD. The findings may offer novel ideas in the field of PD management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu Fan
- Department of Neurology, The Baotou Central Hospital, Baotou 014040, Inner Mongolia, PR China
| | - Meili Zhao
- Department of Neurology, The Baotou Central Hospital, Baotou 014040, Inner Mongolia, PR China
| | - Fei Hao
- Department of Neurology, The Baotou Central Hospital, Baotou 014040, Inner Mongolia, PR China
| | - Ruyi Sun
- Department of Neurology, The Baotou Central Hospital, Baotou 014040, Inner Mongolia, PR China
| | - Jinyu Chen
- Department of Neurology, The Baotou Central Hospital, Baotou 014040, Inner Mongolia, PR China
| | - Jiahui Liu
- Department of Neurology, The Baotou Central Hospital, Baotou 014040, Inner Mongolia, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Brown EB, Zhang J, Lloyd E, Lanzon E, Botero V, Tomchik S, Keene AC. Neurofibromin 1 mediates sleep depth in Drosophila. PLoS Genet 2023; 19:e1011049. [PMID: 38091360 PMCID: PMC10763969 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1011049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Neural regulation of sleep and metabolic homeostasis are critical in many aspects of human health. Despite extensive epidemiological evidence linking sleep dysregulation with obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome, little is known about the neural and molecular basis for the integration of sleep and metabolic function. The RAS GTPase-activating gene Neurofibromin (Nf1) has been implicated in the regulation of sleep and metabolic rate, raising the possibility that it serves to integrate these processes, but the effects on sleep consolidation and physiology remain poorly understood. A key hallmark of sleep depth in mammals and flies is a reduction in metabolic rate during sleep. Here, we examine multiple measures of sleep quality to determine the effects of Nf1 on sleep-dependent changes in arousal threshold and metabolic rate. Flies lacking Nf1 fail to suppress metabolic rate during sleep, raising the possibility that loss of Nf1 prevents flies from integrating sleep and metabolic state. Sleep of Nf1 mutant flies is fragmented with a reduced arousal threshold in Nf1 mutants, suggesting Nf1 flies fail to enter deep sleep. The effects of Nf1 on sleep can be localized to a subset of neurons expressing the GABAA receptor Rdl. Sleep loss has been associated with changes in gut homeostasis in flies and mammals. Selective knockdown of Nf1 in Rdl-expressing neurons within the nervous system increases gut permeability and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the gut, raising the possibility that loss of sleep quality contributes to gut dysregulation. Together, these findings suggest Nf1 acts in GABA-sensitive neurons to modulate sleep depth in Drosophila.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth B. Brown
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, United States of America
| | - Jiwei Zhang
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Evan Lloyd
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth Lanzon
- Jupiter Life Science Initiative, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, Florida, United States of America
| | - Valentina Botero
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Seth Tomchik
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Alex C. Keene
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Shpak M, Ghanavi HR, Lange JD, Pool JE, Stensmyr MC. Genomes from historical Drosophila melanogaster specimens illuminate adaptive and demographic changes across more than 200 years of evolution. PLoS Biol 2023; 21:e3002333. [PMID: 37824452 PMCID: PMC10569592 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The ability to perform genomic sequencing on long-dead organisms is opening new frontiers in evolutionary research. These opportunities are especially notable in the case of museum collections, from which countless documented specimens may now be suitable for genomic analysis-if data of sufficient quality can be obtained. Here, we report 25 newly sequenced genomes from museum specimens of the model organism Drosophila melanogaster, including the oldest extant specimens of this species. By comparing historical samples ranging from the early 1800s to 1933 against modern-day genomes, we document evolution across thousands of generations, including time periods that encompass the species' initial occupation of northern Europe and an era of rapidly increasing human activity. We also find that the Lund, Sweden population underwent local genetic differentiation during the early 1800s to 1933 interval (potentially due to drift in a small population) but then became more similar to other European populations thereafter (potentially due to increased migration). Within each century-scale time period, our temporal sampling allows us to document compelling candidates for recent natural selection. In some cases, we gain insights regarding previously implicated selection candidates, such as ChKov1, for which our inferred timing of selection favors the hypothesis of antiviral resistance over insecticide resistance. Other candidates are novel, such as the circadian-related gene Ahcy, which yields a selection signal that rivals that of the DDT resistance gene Cyp6g1. These insights deepen our understanding of recent evolution in a model system, and highlight the potential of future museomic studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Max Shpak
- Laboratory of Genetics, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | | | - Jeremy D. Lange
- Laboratory of Genetics, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - John E. Pool
- Laboratory of Genetics, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Marcus C. Stensmyr
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Scania, Sweden
- Max Planck Center on Next Generation Insect Chemical Ecology, Lund, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Kuhn E, Natacci F, Corbo M, Pisani L, Ferrero S, Bulfamante G, Gambini D. The Contribution of Oxidative Stress to NF1-Altered Tumors. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:1557. [PMID: 37627552 PMCID: PMC10451967 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12081557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The neurofibromatosis-1 gene (NF1) was initially characterized because its germline mutation is responsible for an inherited syndromic disease predisposing tumor development, in particular neurofibromas but also various malignancies. Recently, large-scale tumor sequencing efforts have demonstrated NF1 as one of the most frequently mutated genes in human cancer, being mutated in approximately 5-10% of all tumors, especially in malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors and different skin tumors. NF1 acts as a tumor suppressor gene that encodes neurofibromin, a large protein that controls neoplastic transformation through several molecular mechanisms. On the other hand, neurofibromin loss due to NF1 biallelic inactivation induces tumorigenic hyperactivation of Ras and mTOR signaling pathways. Moreover, neurofibromin controls actin cytoskeleton structure and the metaphase-anaphase transition. Consequently, neurofibromin deficiency favors cell mobility and proliferation as well as chromosomal instability and aneuploidy, respectively. Growing evidence supports the role of oxidative stress in NF1-related tumorigenesis. Neurofibromin loss induces oxidative stress both directly and through Ras and mTOR signaling activation. Notably, innovative therapeutic approaches explore drug combinations that further increase reactive oxygen species to boost the oxidative unbalance of NF1-altered cancer cells. In our paper, we review NF1-related tumors and their pathogenesis, highlighting the twofold contribution of oxidative stress, both tumorigenic and therapeutic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Kuhn
- Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy; (S.F.); (G.B.)
- Pathology Unit, Foundation IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Federica Natacci
- Medical Genetics Unit, Foundation IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy;
| | - Massimo Corbo
- Department of Neurorehabilitation Sciences, Casa di Cura Igea, 20144 Milan, Italy; (M.C.); (L.P.); (D.G.)
| | - Luigi Pisani
- Department of Neurorehabilitation Sciences, Casa di Cura Igea, 20144 Milan, Italy; (M.C.); (L.P.); (D.G.)
| | - Stefano Ferrero
- Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy; (S.F.); (G.B.)
- Pathology Unit, Foundation IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Gaetano Bulfamante
- Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy; (S.F.); (G.B.)
- Human Pathology and Molecular Pathology, TOMA Advanced Biomedical Assays S.p.A., 21052 Busto Arsizio, Italy
| | - Donatella Gambini
- Department of Neurorehabilitation Sciences, Casa di Cura Igea, 20144 Milan, Italy; (M.C.); (L.P.); (D.G.)
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Katanaev VL. Humanization for neurological disease modeling: A roadmap to increase the potential of Drosophila model systems. Animal Model Exp Med 2023; 6:230-236. [PMID: 37323110 PMCID: PMC10272901 DOI: 10.1002/ame2.12322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroscience and neurology research is dominated by experimentation with rodents. Around 75% of neurology disease-associated genes have orthologs in Drosophila melanogaster, the fruit fly amenable to complex neurological and behavioral investigations. However, non-vertebrate models including Drosophila have so far been unable to significantly replace mice and rats in this field of studies. One reason for this situation is the predominance of gene overexpression (and gene loss-of-function) methodologies used when establishing a Drosophila model of a given neurological disease, a strategy that does not recapitulate accurately enough the genetic disease conditions. I argue here the need for a systematic humanization approach, whereby the Drosophila orthologs of human disease genes are replaced with the human sequences. This approach will identify the list of diseases and the underlying genes that can be adequately modeled in the fruit fly. I discuss the neurological disease genes to which this systematic humanization approach should be applied and provide an example of such an application, and consider its importance for subsequent disease modeling and drug discovery in Drosophila. I argue that this paradigm will not only advance our understanding of the molecular etiology of a number of neurological disorders, but will also gradually enable researchers to reduce experimentation using rodent models of multiple neurological diseases and eventually replace these models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir L. Katanaev
- Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of GenevaGenevaSwitzerland
- HumanaFly Facility, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of GenevaGenevaSwitzerland
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Advances in Human Mitochondria-Based Therapies. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010608. [PMID: 36614050 PMCID: PMC9820658 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitochondria are the key biological generators of eukaryotic cells, controlling the energy supply while providing many important biosynthetic intermediates. Mitochondria act as a dynamic, functionally and structurally interconnected network hub closely integrated with other cellular compartments via biomembrane systems, transmitting biological information by shuttling between cells and tissues. Defects and dysregulation of mitochondrial functions are critically involved in pathological mechanisms contributing to aging, cancer, inflammation, neurodegenerative diseases, and other severe human diseases. Mediating and rejuvenating the mitochondria may therefore be of significant benefit to prevent, reverse, and even treat such pathological conditions in patients. The goal of this review is to present the most advanced strategies using mitochondria to manage such disorders and to further explore innovative approaches in the field of human mitochondria-based therapies.
Collapse
|
9
|
Functional Insights into Protein Kinase A (PKA) Signaling from C. elegans. LIFE (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 12:life12111878. [PMID: 36431013 PMCID: PMC9692727 DOI: 10.3390/life12111878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Protein kinase A (PKA), which regulates a diverse set of biological functions downstream of cyclic AMP (cAMP), is a tetramer consisting of two catalytic subunits (PKA-C) and two regulatory subunits (PKA-R). When cAMP binds the PKA-R subunits, the PKA-C subunits are released and interact with downstream effectors. In Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), PKA-C and PKA-R are encoded by kin-1 and kin-2, respectively. This review focuses on the contributions of work in C. elegans to our understanding of the many roles of PKA, including contractility and oocyte maturation in the reproductive system, lipid metabolism, physiology, mitochondrial function and lifespan, and a wide variety of behaviors. C. elegans provides a powerful genetic platform for understanding how this kinase can regulate an astounding variety of physiological responses.
Collapse
|
10
|
Hassan W, Noreen H, Rehman S, Kamal MA, Teixeira da Rocha JB. Association of Oxidative Stress with Neurological Disorders. Curr Neuropharmacol 2022; 20:1046-1072. [PMID: 34781871 PMCID: PMC9886831 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x19666211111141246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Revised: 09/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGORUND Oxidative stress is one of the main contributing factors involved in cerebral biochemical impairment. The higher susceptibility of the central nervous system to reactive oxygen species mediated damage could be attributed to several factors. For example, neurons use a greater quantity of oxygen, many parts of the brain have higher concentraton of iron, and neuronal mitochondria produce huge content of hydrogen peroxide. In addition, neuronal membranes have polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are predominantly vulnerable to oxidative stress (OS). OS is the imbalance between reactive oxygen species generation and cellular antioxidant potential. This may lead to various pathological conditions and diseases, especially neurodegenerative diseases such as, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and Huntington's diseases. OBJECTIVES In this study, we explored the involvement of OS in neurodegenerative diseases. METHODS We used different search terms like "oxidative stress and neurological disorders" "free radicals and neurodegenerative disorders" "oxidative stress, free radicals, and neurological disorders" and "association of oxidative stress with the name of disorders taken from the list of neurological disorders. We tried to summarize the source, biological effects, and physiologic functions of ROS. RESULTS Finally, it was noted that more than 190 neurological disorders are associated with oxidative stress. CONCLUSION More elaborated studies in the future will certainly help in understanding the exact mechanism involved in neurological diseases and provide insight into revelation of therapeutic targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Waseem Hassan
- Institute of Chemical Sciences, University of Peshawar, Peshawar 25120, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan;,Address correspondence to this author at the Institute of Chemical Sciences, University of Peshawar, Peshawar 25120, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan; E-mail:
| | - Hamsa Noreen
- Institute of Chemical Sciences, University of Peshawar, Peshawar 25120, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Shakila Rehman
- Institute of Chemical Sciences, University of Peshawar, Peshawar 25120, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Mohammad Amjad Kamal
- King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, P. O. Box 80216, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia;,Enzymoics, 7 Peterlee Place, Hebersham, NSW 2770, Australia
| | - Joao Batista Teixeira da Rocha
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioquímica, Toxicológica, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Mitochondrial Neurodegeneration. Cells 2022; 11:cells11040637. [PMID: 35203288 PMCID: PMC8870525 DOI: 10.3390/cells11040637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Mitochondria are cytoplasmic organelles, which generate energy as heat and ATP, the universal energy currency of the cell. This process is carried out by coupling electron stripping through oxidation of nutrient substrates with the formation of a proton-based electrochemical gradient across the inner mitochondrial membrane. Controlled dissipation of the gradient can lead to production of heat as well as ATP, via ADP phosphorylation. This process is known as oxidative phosphorylation, and is carried out by four multiheteromeric complexes (from I to IV) of the mitochondrial respiratory chain, carrying out the electron flow whose energy is stored as a proton-based electrochemical gradient. This gradient sustains a second reaction, operated by the mitochondrial ATP synthase, or complex V, which condensates ADP and Pi into ATP. Four complexes (CI, CIII, CIV, and CV) are composed of proteins encoded by genes present in two separate compartments: the nuclear genome and a small circular DNA found in mitochondria themselves, and are termed mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Mutations striking either genome can lead to mitochondrial impairment, determining infantile, childhood or adult neurodegeneration. Mitochondrial disorders are complex neurological syndromes, and are often part of a multisystem disorder. In this paper, we divide the diseases into those caused by mtDNA defects and those that are due to mutations involving nuclear genes; from a clinical point of view, we discuss pediatric disorders in comparison to juvenile or adult-onset conditions. The complementary genetic contributions controlling organellar function and the complexity of the biochemical pathways present in the mitochondria justify the extreme genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity of this new area of inborn errors of metabolism known as ‘mitochondrial medicine’.
Collapse
|
12
|
Botero V, Stanhope BA, Brown EB, Grenci EC, Boto T, Park SJ, King LB, Murphy KR, Colodner KJ, Walker JA, Keene AC, Ja WW, Tomchik SM. Neurofibromin regulates metabolic rate via neuronal mechanisms in Drosophila. Nat Commun 2021; 12:4285. [PMID: 34257279 PMCID: PMC8277851 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24505-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2019] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis type 1 is a chronic multisystemic genetic disorder that results from loss of function in the neurofibromin protein. Neurofibromin may regulate metabolism, though the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. Here we show that neurofibromin regulates metabolic homeostasis in Drosophila via a discrete neuronal circuit. Loss of neurofibromin increases metabolic rate via a Ras GAP-related domain-dependent mechanism, increases feeding homeostatically, and alters lipid stores and turnover kinetics. The increase in metabolic rate is independent of locomotor activity, and maps to a sparse subset of neurons. Stimulating these neurons increases metabolic rate, linking their dynamic activity state to metabolism over short time scales. Our results indicate that neurofibromin regulates metabolic rate via neuronal mechanisms, suggest that cellular and systemic metabolic alterations may represent a pathophysiological mechanism in neurofibromatosis type 1, and provide a platform for investigating the cellular role of neurofibromin in metabolic homeostasis. Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a genetic disorder caused by mutations in neurofibromin and associated with disruptions in physiology and behavior. Here the authors show that neurofibromin regulates metabolic homeostasis via a discrete brain circuit in a Drosophila model of NF1.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Botero
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Scripps Florida, Jupiter, FL, USA
| | - Bethany A Stanhope
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, FL, USA
| | - Elizabeth B Brown
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, FL, USA
| | - Eliza C Grenci
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Scripps Florida, Jupiter, FL, USA
| | - Tamara Boto
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Scripps Florida, Jupiter, FL, USA.,Department of Physiology, Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Scarlet J Park
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Scripps Florida, Jupiter, FL, USA
| | - Lanikea B King
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Scripps Florida, Jupiter, FL, USA
| | - Keith R Murphy
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Scripps Florida, Jupiter, FL, USA
| | - Kenneth J Colodner
- Program in Neuroscience and Behavior, Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, MA, USA
| | - James A Walker
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Cancer Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Alex C Keene
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, FL, USA
| | - William W Ja
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Scripps Florida, Jupiter, FL, USA
| | - Seth M Tomchik
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Scripps Florida, Jupiter, FL, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Vcp Overexpression and Leucine Supplementation Increase Protein Synthesis and Improve Fear Memory and Social Interaction of Nf1 Mutant Mice. Cell Rep 2021; 31:107835. [PMID: 32610136 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.107835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2019] [Revised: 03/25/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a dominant genetic disorder manifesting, in part, as cognitive defects. Previous study indicated that neurofibromin (NF1 protein) interacts with valosin-containing protein (VCP)/P97 to control dendritic spine formation, but the mechanism is unknown. Here, using Nf1+/- mice and transgenic mice overexpressing wild-type Vcp/p97, we demonstrate that neurofibromin acts with VCP to control endoplasmic reticulum (ER) formation and consequent protein synthesis and regulates dendritic spine formation, thereby modulating contextual fear memory and social interaction. To validate the role of protein synthesis, we perform leucine supplementation in vitro and in vivo. Our results suggest that leucine can effectively enter the brain and increase protein synthesis and dendritic spine density of Nf1+/- neurons. Contextual memory and social behavior of Nf1+/- mice are also restored by leucine supplementation. Our study suggests that the "ER-protein synthesis" pathway downstream of neurofibromin and VCP is a critical regulator of dendritic spinogenesis and brain function.
Collapse
|
14
|
Di Benedetto G, Iannucci LF, Surdo NC, Zanin S, Conca F, Grisan F, Gerbino A, Lefkimmiatis K. Compartmentalized Signaling in Aging and Neurodegeneration. Cells 2021; 10:cells10020464. [PMID: 33671541 PMCID: PMC7926881 DOI: 10.3390/cells10020464] [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: 12/30/2020] [Revised: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The cyclic AMP (cAMP) signalling cascade is necessary for cell homeostasis and plays important roles in many processes. This is particularly relevant during ageing and age-related diseases, where drastic changes, generally decreases, in cAMP levels have been associated with the progressive decline in overall cell function and, eventually, the loss of cellular integrity. The functional relevance of reduced cAMP is clearly supported by the finding that increases in cAMP levels can reverse some of the effects of ageing. Nevertheless, despite these observations, the molecular mechanisms underlying the dysregulation of cAMP signalling in ageing are not well understood. Compartmentalization is widely accepted as the modality through which cAMP achieves its functional specificity; therefore, it is important to understand whether and how this mechanism is affected during ageing and to define which is its contribution to this process. Several animal models demonstrate the importance of specific cAMP signalling components in ageing, however, how age-related changes in each of these elements affect the compartmentalization of the cAMP pathway is largely unknown. In this review, we explore the connection of single components of the cAMP signalling cascade to ageing and age-related diseases whilst elaborating the literature in the context of cAMP signalling compartmentalization.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giulietta Di Benedetto
- Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), 35121 Padova, Italy;
- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine, Foundation for Advanced Biomedical Research, 35129 Padova, Italy; (L.F.I.); (S.Z.); (F.C.); (F.G.)
- Correspondence: (G.D.B.); (K.L.)
| | - Liliana F. Iannucci
- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine, Foundation for Advanced Biomedical Research, 35129 Padova, Italy; (L.F.I.); (S.Z.); (F.C.); (F.G.)
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Nicoletta C. Surdo
- Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), 35121 Padova, Italy;
- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine, Foundation for Advanced Biomedical Research, 35129 Padova, Italy; (L.F.I.); (S.Z.); (F.C.); (F.G.)
| | - Sofia Zanin
- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine, Foundation for Advanced Biomedical Research, 35129 Padova, Italy; (L.F.I.); (S.Z.); (F.C.); (F.G.)
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Filippo Conca
- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine, Foundation for Advanced Biomedical Research, 35129 Padova, Italy; (L.F.I.); (S.Z.); (F.C.); (F.G.)
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy
| | - Francesca Grisan
- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine, Foundation for Advanced Biomedical Research, 35129 Padova, Italy; (L.F.I.); (S.Z.); (F.C.); (F.G.)
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy
| | - Andrea Gerbino
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnology and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, 70121 Bari, Italy;
| | - Konstantinos Lefkimmiatis
- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine, Foundation for Advanced Biomedical Research, 35129 Padova, Italy; (L.F.I.); (S.Z.); (F.C.); (F.G.)
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
- Correspondence: (G.D.B.); (K.L.)
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Oz O, Koyuncu I, Gonel A. A Pilot Study for Investigation of Plasma Amino Acid Profile in Neurofibromatosis Type 1 Patients. Comb Chem High Throughput Screen 2020; 25:114-122. [PMID: 33280590 DOI: 10.2174/1386207323666201204143206] [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: 06/19/2020] [Revised: 11/01/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neurofibromatosis, also known as Von Recklinghausen disease, is a systemic and progressive genetic disease that primarily affects the skin, eyes, nervous system and bones. The disease can occur in a variety of ways and can vary from individuals. Metabolomic-based research using blood samples has enabled new diagnostic methods to be used in the diagnosis of various diseases, especially cancer. Among metabolites, profiling of plasma free amino acids (PFAA) is a promising approach because PFAAs bind all organ systems and play an important role in metabolism. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to determine the characteristics of PFAA profiles in neurofibromatosis patients and the possibility of using them for early detection and treatment of the disease. METHOD Patients with a diagnosis of Neurofibromatosis Type I confirmed by genetic analysis and healthy individuals of the same age group without any disease were included in the study. We analysed the nineteen plasma free amino acids (phenylalanine, proline, threonine, arginine, asparagine, cystine, valine, glutamate, tyrosine, serine, glutamine, glycine, tryptophane, leucine, lysine, methionine, isoleucine, aspartate and alanine) from neurofibromatosis Type I patients and control group by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in Metabolism Laboratory of Harran University Research and Application Hospital. The results of the plasma free amino acid levels were divided into 3 groups as essential, semi-essential and non-essential. The differences of amino acid levels between groups were determined. RESULTS Eight amino acid levels (methionine, arginine, cystine, glutamine, proline, asparagine, serine, aspartate) were significantly altered in patients with neurofibromatosis type 1. In essential amino acids, methionine levels were significantly higher in the patient group than the control group. While the levels of arginine and glutamine in semi-essential amino acids were statistically significantly higher in the patient group, a significant decrease was observed in cystine and proline levels compared to the control group's amino acid levels. In non-essential amino acids group, asparagine, serine and aspartate amino acid levels were significantly higher in the patient group compared to the control group. CONCLUSION The current research predicates that eight amino acids, nsmely methionine, arginine, cystine, glutamine, proline, asparagine, serine, aspartate can be considered to be valuable biomarkers for neurofibromatosis type I. This present study is the first to build models for neurofibromatosis Type I screening using plasma free amino acids and the amino acid profile will guide the predicting of the complications that may occur during the course of the disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ozlem Oz
- Department of Medical Genetics, Harran University. Turkey
| | - Ismail Koyuncu
- Department of Medicinal Biochemistry, Harran University. Turkey
| | - Ataman Gonel
- Department of Medicinal Biochemistry, Harran University. Turkey
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Wei X, Franke J, Ost M, Wardelmann K, Börno S, Timmermann B, Meierhofer D, Kleinridders A, Klaus S, Stricker S. Cell autonomous requirement of neurofibromin (Nf1) for postnatal muscle hypertrophic growth and metabolic homeostasis. J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle 2020; 11:1758-1778. [PMID: 33078583 PMCID: PMC7749575 DOI: 10.1002/jcsm.12632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Revised: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a multi-organ disease caused by mutations in neurofibromin 1 (NF1). Amongst other features, NF1 patients frequently show reduced muscle mass and strength, impairing patients' mobility and increasing the risk of fall. The role of Nf1 in muscle and the cause for the NF1-associated myopathy are mostly unknown. METHODS To dissect the function of Nf1 in muscle, we created muscle-specific knockout mouse models for NF1, inactivating Nf1 in the prenatal myogenic lineage either under the Lbx1 promoter or under the Myf5 promoter. Mice were analysed during prenatal and postnatal myogenesis and muscle growth. RESULTS Nf1Lbx1 and Nf1Myf5 animals showed only mild defects in prenatal myogenesis. Nf1Lbx1 animals were perinatally lethal, while Nf1Myf5 animals survived only up to approximately 25 weeks. A comprehensive phenotypic characterization of Nf1Myf5 animals showed decreased postnatal growth, reduced muscle size, and fast fibre atrophy. Proteome and transcriptome analyses of muscle tissue indicated decreased protein synthesis and increased proteasomal degradation, and decreased glycolytic and increased oxidative activity in muscle tissue. High-resolution respirometry confirmed enhanced oxidative metabolism in Nf1Myf5 muscles, which was concomitant to a fibre type shift from type 2B to type 2A and type 1. Moreover, Nf1Myf5 muscles showed hallmarks of decreased activation of mTORC1 and increased expression of atrogenes. Remarkably, loss of Nf1 promoted a robust activation of AMPK with a gene expression profile indicative of increased fatty acid catabolism. Additionally, we observed a strong induction of genes encoding catabolic cytokines in muscle Nf1Myf5 animals, in line with a drastic reduction of white, but not brown adipose tissue. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate a cell autonomous role for Nf1 in myogenic cells during postnatal muscle growth required for metabolic and proteostatic homeostasis. Furthermore, Nf1 deficiency in muscle drives cross-tissue communication and mobilization of lipid reserves.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyan Wei
- Musculoskeletal Development and Regeneration Group, Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Development and Disease Group, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Julia Franke
- Musculoskeletal Development and Regeneration Group, Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Development and Disease Group, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Mario Ost
- Department of Physiology of Energy Metabolism, German Institute for Human Nutrition, Nuthetal, Germany.,Department of Neuropathology, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Kristina Wardelmann
- Junior Research Group Central Regulation of Metabolism, German Institute for Human Nutrition, Nuthetal, Germany.,Institute of Nutritional Science, Department of Molecular and Experimental Nutritional Medicine, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Stefan Börno
- Sequencing Core Unit, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Bernd Timmermann
- Sequencing Core Unit, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| | - David Meierhofer
- Mass Spectrometry Core Unit, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andre Kleinridders
- Junior Research Group Central Regulation of Metabolism, German Institute for Human Nutrition, Nuthetal, Germany.,Institute of Nutritional Science, Department of Molecular and Experimental Nutritional Medicine, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany.,German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), München-Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Susanne Klaus
- Department of Physiology of Energy Metabolism, German Institute for Human Nutrition, Nuthetal, Germany.,Institute of Nutritional Science, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Sigmar Stricker
- Musculoskeletal Development and Regeneration Group, Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Development and Disease Group, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Schmeisser S, Li S, Bouchard B, Ruiz M, Des Rosiers C, Roy R. Muscle-Specific Lipid Hydrolysis Prolongs Lifespan through Global Lipidomic Remodeling. Cell Rep 2020; 29:4540-4552.e8. [PMID: 31875559 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.11.090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2019] [Revised: 09/20/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A growing body of evidence suggests that changes in fat metabolism may have a significant effect on lifespan. Accumulation of lipid deposits in non-adipose tissue appears to be critical for age-related pathologies and may also contribute to the aging process itself. We established a model of lipid storage in muscle cells of C. elegans to reveal a mechanism that promotes longevity non-cell-autonomously. Here, we describe how muscle-specific activation of adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) and the phospholipase A2 (PLA2) ortholog IPLA-7 collectively affect inter-tissular communication and systemic adaptation that requires the activity of AMP-dependent protein kinase (AMPK) and a highly conserved nuclear receptor outside of the muscle. Our data suggest that muscle-specific bioactive lipid signals, or "lipokines," are generated following triglyceride breakdown and that these signals impinge on a complex network of genes that modify the global lipidome, consequently extending the lifespan.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Shaolin Li
- Department of Biology, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 1B1, Canada
| | - Bertrand Bouchard
- Montreal Heart Institute, Research Center, Montreal, QC H1T 1C8, Canada
| | - Matthieu Ruiz
- Montreal Heart Institute, Research Center, Montreal, QC H1T 1C8, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Christine Des Rosiers
- Montreal Heart Institute, Research Center, Montreal, QC H1T 1C8, Canada; Department of Nutrition, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC H2T 1A8, Canada
| | - Richard Roy
- Department of Biology, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 1B1, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
King LB, Boto T, Botero V, Aviles AM, Jomsky BM, Joseph C, Walker JA, Tomchik SM. Developmental loss of neurofibromin across distributed neuronal circuits drives excessive grooming in Drosophila. PLoS Genet 2020; 16:e1008920. [PMID: 32697780 PMCID: PMC7398555 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Revised: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis type 1 is a monogenetic disorder that predisposes individuals to tumor formation and cognitive and behavioral symptoms. The neuronal circuitry and developmental events underlying these neurological symptoms are unknown. To better understand how mutations of the underlying gene (NF1) drive behavioral alterations, we have examined grooming in the Drosophila neurofibromatosis 1 model. Mutations of the fly NF1 ortholog drive excessive grooming, and increased grooming was observed in adults when Nf1 was knocked down during development. Furthermore, intact Nf1 Ras GAP-related domain signaling was required to maintain normal grooming. The requirement for Nf1 was distributed across neuronal circuits, which were additive when targeted in parallel, rather than mapping to discrete microcircuits. Overall, these data suggest that broadly-distributed alterations in neuronal function during development, requiring intact Ras signaling, drive key Nf1-mediated behavioral alterations. Thus, global developmental alterations in brain circuits/systems function may contribute to behavioral phenotypes in neurofibromatosis type 1.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lanikea B. King
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida, United States of America
| | - Tamara Boto
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida, United States of America
| | - Valentina Botero
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida, United States of America
| | - Ari M. Aviles
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida, United States of America
- Honors College, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, Florida, United States of America
| | - Breanna M. Jomsky
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida, United States of America
- Honors College, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, Florida, United States of America
| | - Chevara Joseph
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida, United States of America
- Honors College, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, Florida, United States of America
| | - James A. Walker
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Seth M. Tomchik
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Chen Y, Li Y, Hsieh T, Wang C, Cheng K, Wang L, Lin T, Cheung CHA, Wu C, Chiang H. Aging-induced Akt activation involves in aging-related pathologies and Aβ-induced toxicity. Aging Cell 2019; 18:e12989. [PMID: 31183966 PMCID: PMC6612704 DOI: 10.1111/acel.12989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2018] [Revised: 05/15/2019] [Accepted: 05/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Multicellular signals are altered in the processes of both aging and neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Similarities in behavioral and cellular functional changes suggest a common regulator between aging and AD that remains undetermined. Our genetics and behavioral approaches revealed the regulatory role of Akt in both aging and AD pathogenesis. In this study, we found that the activity of Akt is upregulated during aging through epidermal growth factor receptor activation by using the fruit fly as an in vivo model. Downregulation of Akt in neurons improved cell survival, locomotor activity, and starvation challenge in both aged and Aβ42‐expressing flies. Interestingly, increased cAMP levels attenuated both Akt activation‐induced early death and Aβ42‐induced learning deficit in flies. At the molecular level, overexpression of Akt promoted Notch cleavage, suggesting that Akt is an endogenous activity regulator of γ‐secretase. Taken together, this study revealed that Akt is involved in the aging process and Aβ toxicity, and manipulating Akt can restore both neuronal functions and improve behavioral activity during the processes of aging and AD pathogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu‐Ru Chen
- Department of Pharmacology National Cheng‐Kung University Tainan Taiwan
| | - Yu‐Hsuan Li
- Department of Pharmacology National Cheng‐Kung University Tainan Taiwan
| | - Tsung‐Chi Hsieh
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences College of Medicine National Cheng Kung University Tainan Taiwan
| | - Chih‐Ming Wang
- School of Pharmacy College of Medicine National Cheng Kung University Tainan Taiwan
| | - Kuan‐Chung Cheng
- Department of Pharmacology National Cheng‐Kung University Tainan Taiwan
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences College of Medicine National Cheng Kung University Tainan Taiwan
| | - Lei Wang
- College of Life Science and Technology Beijing University of Chemical Technology Beijing China
| | - Tzu‐Yu Lin
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences College of Medicine National Cheng Kung University Tainan Taiwan
| | - Chun Hei Antonio Cheung
- Department of Pharmacology National Cheng‐Kung University Tainan Taiwan
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences College of Medicine National Cheng Kung University Tainan Taiwan
| | - Chia‐Lin Wu
- Department of Biochemistry and Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences College of Medicine Chang Gung University Taoyuan Taiwan
- Department of Neurology Chang Gung Memorial Hospital Linkou Taiwan
| | - HsuehCheng Chiang
- Department of Pharmacology National Cheng‐Kung University Tainan Taiwan
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences College of Medicine National Cheng Kung University Tainan Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Yardeni T, Tanes CE, Bittinger K, Mattei LM, Schaefer PM, Singh LN, Wu GD, Murdock DG, Wallace DC. Host mitochondria influence gut microbiome diversity: A role for ROS. Sci Signal 2019; 12:12/588/eaaw3159. [PMID: 31266851 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.aaw3159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Changes in the gut microbiota and the mitochondrial genome are both linked with the development of disease. To investigate why, we examined the gut microbiota of mice harboring various mutations in genes that alter mitochondrial function. These studies revealed that mitochondrial genetic variations altered the composition of the gut microbiota community. In cross-fostering studies, we found that although the initial microbiota community of newborn mice was that obtained from the nursing mother, the microbiota community progressed toward that characteristic of the microbiome of unfostered pups of the same genotype within 2 months. Analysis of the mitochondrial DNA variants associated with altered gut microbiota suggested that microbiome species diversity correlated with host reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. To determine whether the abundance of ROS could alter the gut microbiota, mice were aged, treated with N-acetylcysteine, or engineered to express the ROS scavenger catalase specifically within the mitochondria. All three conditions altered the microbiota from that initially established. Thus, these data suggest that the mitochondrial genotype modulates both ROS production and the species diversity of the gut microbiome, implying that the connection between the gut microbiome and common disease phenotypes might be due to underlying changes in mitochondrial function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tal Yardeni
- Center for Mitochondrial and Epigenomic Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ceylan E Tanes
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Kyle Bittinger
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Lisa M Mattei
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Patrick M Schaefer
- Center for Mitochondrial and Epigenomic Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Larry N Singh
- Center for Mitochondrial and Epigenomic Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Gary D Wu
- Division of Gastroenterology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Deborah G Murdock
- Center for Mitochondrial and Epigenomic Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Douglas C Wallace
- Center for Mitochondrial and Epigenomic Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Human Genetics and Metabolism, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Fishbein DH, Michael L, Guthrie C, Carr C, Raymer J. Associations Between Environmental Conditions and Executive Cognitive Functioning and Behavior During Late Childhood: A Pilot Study. Front Psychol 2019; 10:1263. [PMID: 31231280 PMCID: PMC6558397 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2018] [Accepted: 05/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Numerous studies have established the influence of detrimental home conditions on child cognition and behavior; however, fewer have assessed these outcomes in the context of relatively "normal" range of home environmental conditions. Given the exquisite sensitivity to the environment of the neural substrates that undergird executive functioning (EF) and behavioral self-regulation in children, it is possible that a range of conditions within the home, even in the absence of maltreatment or economic deprivation, may impact these outcomes. The purpose of the present exploratory investigation was to further define the relationship between features of the home environment using the HOME inventory (a structured interview and observation of parent and child) and several dimensions of child EF and behavioral problems. In addition, this study sought to elucidate potentially differential associations between home and parent-reported neighborhood conditions-a hypothetically less direct influence on cognition in this age group-and level of child functioning. A battery of EF performance tasks and a widely-used checklist of behavioral problems were administered to 66 children, 8-11 years old from a lower middle income, working class sample. Results showed significant relationships between the home environment and several dimensions of EF and behavioral problems. In contrast, neighborhood conferred additional effects only on rule-breaking and aggression, not cognition, which is consistent with evidence that externalizing behavior in this age group becomes increasingly oriented toward outside influences. These findings warrant follow-up studies to establish causality. A broader program of research designed to delve further into the relationship between nuanced influences from the home and child cognition and behavior has implications for parenting strategies that foster healthy development. Neighborhood contexts should also be considered during early and mid-adolescent years based on existing studies and findings reported herein suggesting that this period of newfound autonomy and the heightened significance of peer relationships may influence externalizing behaviors, with implications for protective courses of action.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Diana H. Fishbein
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Larry Michael
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - Charles Guthrie
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Christine Carr
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - James Raymer
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Fuentealba M, Dönertaş HM, Williams R, Labbadia J, Thornton JM, Partridge L. Using the drug-protein interactome to identify anti-ageing compounds for humans. PLoS Comput Biol 2019; 15:e1006639. [PMID: 30625143 PMCID: PMC6342327 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1006639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2018] [Revised: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Advancing age is the dominant risk factor for most of the major killer diseases in developed countries. Hence, ameliorating the effects of ageing may prevent multiple diseases simultaneously. Drugs licensed for human use against specific diseases have proved to be effective in extending lifespan and healthspan in animal models, suggesting that there is scope for drug repurposing in humans. New bioinformatic methods to identify and prioritise potential anti-ageing compounds for humans are therefore of interest. In this study, we first used drug-protein interaction information, to rank 1,147 drugs by their likelihood of targeting ageing-related gene products in humans. Among 19 statistically significant drugs, 6 have already been shown to have pro-longevity properties in animal models (p < 0.001). Using the targets of each drug, we established their association with ageing at multiple levels of biological action including pathways, functions and protein interactions. Finally, combining all the data, we calculated a ranked list of drugs that identified tanespimycin, an inhibitor of HSP-90, as the top-ranked novel anti-ageing candidate. We experimentally validated the pro-longevity effect of tanespimycin through its HSP-90 target in Caenorhabditis elegans. Human life expectancy is continuing to increase worldwide, as a result of successive improvements in living conditions and medical care. Although this trend is to be celebrated, advancing age is the major risk factor for multiple impairments and chronic diseases. As a result, the later years of life are often spent in poor health and lowered quality of life. However, these effects of ageing are not inevitable, because very long-lived people often suffer rather little ill-health at the end of their lives. Furthermore, laboratory experiments have shown that animals fed with specific drugs can live longer and with fewer age-related diseases than their untreated companions. We therefore need to identify drugs with anti-ageing properties for humans. We have used publically available data and a computer-based approach to search for drugs that affect components and processes known to be important in human ageing. This approach worked, because it was able to re-discover several drugs known to increase lifespan in animal models, plus some new ones, including one that we tested experimentally and validated in this study. These drugs are now a high priority for animal testing and for exploring effects on human ageing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matías Fuentealba
- Institute of Healthy Ageing, Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Handan Melike Dönertaş
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Rhianna Williams
- Institute of Healthy Ageing, Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Johnathan Labbadia
- Institute of Healthy Ageing, Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Janet M. Thornton
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Linda Partridge
- Institute of Healthy Ageing, Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing, Cologne, Germany
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Admasu TD, Chaithanya Batchu K, Barardo D, Ng LF, Lam VYM, Xiao L, Cazenave-Gassiot A, Wenk MR, Tolwinski NS, Gruber J. Drug Synergy Slows Aging and Improves Healthspan through IGF and SREBP Lipid Signaling. Dev Cell 2018; 47:67-79.e5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2018.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2018] [Revised: 06/18/2018] [Accepted: 08/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
|
24
|
Tajan M, Paccoud R, Branka S, Edouard T, Yart A. The RASopathy Family: Consequences of Germline Activation of the RAS/MAPK Pathway. Endocr Rev 2018; 39:676-700. [PMID: 29924299 DOI: 10.1210/er.2017-00232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 135] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2017] [Accepted: 06/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Noonan syndrome [NS; Mendelian Inheritance in Men (MIM) #163950] and related syndromes [Noonan syndrome with multiple lentigines (formerly called LEOPARD syndrome; MIM #151100), Noonan-like syndrome with loose anagen hair (MIM #607721), Costello syndrome (MIM #218040), cardio-facio-cutaneous syndrome (MIM #115150), type I neurofibromatosis (MIM #162200), and Legius syndrome (MIM #611431)] are a group of related genetic disorders associated with distinctive facial features, cardiopathies, growth and skeletal abnormalities, developmental delay/mental retardation, and tumor predisposition. NS was clinically described more than 50 years ago, and disease genes have been identified throughout the last 3 decades, providing a molecular basis to better understand their physiopathology and identify targets for therapeutic strategies. Most of these genes encode proteins belonging to or regulating the so-called RAS/MAPK signaling pathway, so these syndromes have been gathered under the name RASopathies. In this review, we provide a clinical overview of RASopathies and an update on their genetics. We then focus on the functional and pathophysiological effects of RASopathy-causing mutations and discuss therapeutic perspectives and future directions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mylène Tajan
- INSERM UMR 1048, Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases (I2MC), University of Toulouse Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Romain Paccoud
- INSERM UMR 1048, Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases (I2MC), University of Toulouse Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Sophie Branka
- INSERM UMR 1048, Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases (I2MC), University of Toulouse Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Thomas Edouard
- Endocrine, Bone Diseases, and Genetics Unit, Children's Hospital, Toulouse University Hospital, Toulouse, France
| | - Armelle Yart
- INSERM UMR 1048, Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases (I2MC), University of Toulouse Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Tumkaya T, Ott S, Claridge-Chang A. A systematic review of Drosophila short-term-memory genetics: Meta-analysis reveals robust reproducibility. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2018; 95:361-382. [PMID: 30077573 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2018] [Revised: 07/07/2018] [Accepted: 07/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Geneticists use olfactory conditioning in Drosophila to identify learning genes; however, little is known about how these genes are integrated into short-term memory (STM) pathways. Here, we investigated the hypothesis that the STM evidence base is weak. We performed systematic review and meta-analysis of the field. Using metrics to quantify variation between discovery articles and follow-up studies, we found that seven genes were both highly replicated, and highly reproducible. However, ∼80% of STM genes have never been replicated. While only a few studies investigated interactions, the reviewed genes could account for >1000% memory. This large summed effect size could indicate irreproducibility, many shared pathways, or that current assay protocols lack the specificity needed to identify core plasticity genes. Mechanistic theories of memory will require the convergence of evidence from system, circuit, cellular, molecular, and genetic experiments; systematic data synthesis is an essential tool for integrated neuroscience.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tayfun Tumkaya
- Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology, A(⁎)STAR, Singapore; Department of Physiology, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Stanislav Ott
- Program in Neuroscience and Behavioral Disorders, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Adam Claridge-Chang
- Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology, A(⁎)STAR, Singapore; Department of Physiology, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Program in Neuroscience and Behavioral Disorders, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Vagnoni A, Bullock SL. A cAMP/PKA/Kinesin-1 Axis Promotes the Axonal Transport of Mitochondria in Aging Drosophila Neurons. Curr Biol 2018; 28:1265-1272.e4. [PMID: 29606421 PMCID: PMC5912900 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2018.02.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2017] [Revised: 01/10/2018] [Accepted: 02/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Mitochondria play fundamental roles within cells, including energy provision, calcium homeostasis, and the regulation of apoptosis. The transport of mitochondria by microtubule-based motors is critical for neuronal structure and function. This process allows local requirements for mitochondrial functions to be met and also facilitates recycling of these organelles [1, 2]. An age-related reduction in mitochondrial transport has been observed in neurons of mammalian and non-mammalian organisms [3, 4, 5, 6], and has been proposed to contribute to the broader decline in neuronal function that occurs during aging [3, 5, 6, 7]. However, the factors that influence mitochondrial transport in aging neurons are poorly understood. Here we provide evidence using the tractable Drosophila wing nerve system that the cyclic AMP/protein kinase A (cAMP/PKA) pathway promotes the axonal transport of mitochondria in adult neurons. The level of the catalytic subunit of PKA decreases during aging, and acute activation of the cAMP/PKA pathway in aged flies strongly stimulates mitochondrial motility. Thus, the age-related impairment of transport is reversible. The expression of many genes is increased by PKA activation in aged flies. However, our results indicate that elevated mitochondrial transport is due in part to upregulation of the heavy chain of the kinesin-1 motor, the level of which declines during aging. Our study identifies evolutionarily conserved factors that can strongly influence mitochondrial motility in aging neurons. cAMP/PKA pathway promotes mitochondrial transport in adult Drosophila wing neurons Pathway activation in aged flies suppresses age-related reduction in transport Levels of PKAc and kinesin-1 motor decline during aging Kinesin-1 upregulation is an important output of PKA activation in aged flies
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Vagnoni
- Division of Cell Biology, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge CB2 0QH, UK; Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, King's College London, London SE5 9RX, UK.
| | - Simon L Bullock
- Division of Cell Biology, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge CB2 0QH, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Allaway RJ, Wood MD, Downey SL, Bouley SJ, Traphagen NA, Wells JD, Batra J, Melancon SN, Ringelberg C, Seibel W, Ratner N, Sanchez Y. Exploiting mitochondrial and metabolic homeostasis as a vulnerability in NF1 deficient cells. Oncotarget 2018; 9:15860-15875. [PMID: 29662612 PMCID: PMC5882303 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.19335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2016] [Accepted: 07/09/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis type 1 is a disease caused by mutation of neurofibromin 1 (NF1), loss of which results in hyperactive Ras signaling and a concomitant increase in cell proliferation and survival. Patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 frequently develop tumors such as plexiform neurofibromas and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors. Mutation of NF1 or loss of the NF1 protein is also observed in glioblastoma, lung adenocarcinoma, and ovarian cancer among other sporadic cancers. A therapy that selectively targets NF1 deficient tumors would substantially advance our ability to treat these malignancies. To address the need for these therapeutics, we developed and conducted a synthetic lethality screen to discover molecules that target yeast lacking the homolog of NF1, IRA2. One of the lead candidates that was observed to be synthetic lethal with ira2Δ yeast is Y100. Here, we describe the mechanisms by which Y100 targets ira2Δ yeast and NF1-deficient tumor cells. Y100 treatment disrupted proteostasis, metabolic homeostasis, and induced the formation of mitochondrial superoxide in NF1-deficient cancer cells. Previous studies also indicate that NF1/Ras-dysregulated tumors may be sensitive to modulators of oxidative and ER stress. We hypothesize that the use of Y100 and molecules with related mechanisms of action represent a feasible therapeutic strategy for targeting NF1 deficient cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert J. Allaway
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| | - Matthew D. Wood
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
- Current address: Department of Pathology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Sondra L. Downey
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| | - Stephanie J. Bouley
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| | - Nicole A. Traphagen
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| | - Jason D. Wells
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| | - Jaya Batra
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
- Current address: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Sir Norman Melancon
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
- Current address: Vanderbilt School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Carol Ringelberg
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
- Bioinformatics Shared Resource, Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH 03756, USA
| | - William Seibel
- Division of Oncology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Nancy Ratner
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Yolanda Sanchez
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
- Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH 03756, USA
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Sharma V, Collins LB, Chen TH, Herr N, Takeda S, Sun W, Swenberg JA, Nakamura J. Oxidative stress at low levels can induce clustered DNA lesions leading to NHEJ mediated mutations. Oncotarget 2018; 7:25377-90. [PMID: 27015367 PMCID: PMC5041911 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.8298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2015] [Accepted: 03/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA damage and mutations induced by oxidative stress are associated with various different human pathologies including cancer. The facts that most human tumors are characterized by large genome rearrangements and glutathione depletion in mice results in deletions in DNA suggest that reactive oxygen species (ROS) may cause gene and chromosome mutations through DNA double strand breaks (DSBs). However, the generation of DSBs at low levels of ROS is still controversial. In the present study, we show that H2O2 at biologically-relevant levels causes a marked increase in oxidative clustered DNA lesions (OCDLs) with a significant elevation of replication-independent DSBs. Although it is frequently reported that OCDLs are fingerprint of high-energy IR, our results indicate for the first time that H2O2, even at low levels, can also cause OCDLs leading to DSBs specifically in G1 cells. Furthermore, a reverse genetic approach revealed a significant contribution of the non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) pathway in H2O2-induced DNA repair & mutagenesis. This genomic instability induced by low levels of ROS may be involved in spontaneous mutagenesis and the etiology of a wide variety of human diseases like chronic inflammation-related disorders, carcinogenesis, neuro-degeneration and aging.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vyom Sharma
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Leonard B Collins
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Ting-Huei Chen
- Department of Genetics, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Natalie Herr
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Shunichi Takeda
- Department of Radiation Genetics, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Wei Sun
- Department of Genetics, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - James A Swenberg
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Jun Nakamura
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Lipoamide Inhibits NF1 Deficiency-induced Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Murine Schwann Cells. Arch Med Res 2017; 48:498-505. [PMID: 29198560 DOI: 10.1016/j.arcmed.2017.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2017] [Accepted: 11/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Neurofibromatosis type I (NF1) is one of the most common neurocutaneous syndromes characterized by development of adult neurofibromas which is mainly made up of Schwann cells. The disease is generally accepted to be caused by inactivation mutation of Nf1 gene. And Nf1 deficiency had been reported to lead to ROS overproduction and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenotype. This study was designed to investigate whether excessive ROS conferred to Nf1 deficiency-induced EMT in Schwann cells. METHODS Colony formation, wound healing assay and transwell assay was used to evaluate the effects of stable Nf1 knockdown in SW10 Schwann cells. Western blot and ROS assay was conducted to explore the molecular mechanisms of Nf1 inactivation in tumorigenesis. Animal experiments were performed to assess the inhibitory effects of lipoamide, which is the neutral amide of α-lipoic acid and functions as a potent antioxidant to scavenge ROS, on Nf1-deficiency tumor growth in vivo. RESULTS Nf1 knockdown enhanced the cellular capacities of proliferation, migration and invasion, promoted ROS generation, decreased the expression of epithelial surface marker E-cadherin, and up-regulated several EMT-associated molecules in Schwann cells. Moreover, lipoamide dose-dependently inhibited not only Nf1 deficiency-induced EMT but also spontaneous EMT. Furthermore, lipoamide markedly suppresses tumor growth in a mouse model of NF1-associated neurofibroma. CONCLUSIONS Our results clearly reveal that ROS overproduction is responsible for Nf1 deficiency-induced EMT and plays a crucial role in NF1 tumor growth. The findings presented herein shed light on the potential of antioxidant therapy to prevent the progression of NF1-associated neurofibroma.
Collapse
|
30
|
Tissue-specific transcription of the neuronal gene Lim3 affects Drosophila melanogaster lifespan and locomotion. Biogerontology 2017; 18:739-757. [DOI: 10.1007/s10522-017-9704-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2017] [Accepted: 04/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
|
31
|
Park SJ, Ahmad F, Um JH, Brown AL, Xu X, Kang H, Ke H, Feng X, Ryall J, Philp A, Schenk S, Kim MK, Sartorelli V, Chung JH. Specific Sirt1 Activator-mediated Improvement in Glucose Homeostasis Requires Sirt1-Independent Activation of AMPK. EBioMedicine 2017; 18:128-138. [PMID: 28396013 PMCID: PMC5405165 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2017.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2017] [Revised: 03/10/2017] [Accepted: 03/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The specific Sirt1 activator SRT1720 increases mitochondrial function in skeletal muscle, presumably by activating Sirt1. However, Sirt1 gain of function does not increase mitochondrial function, which raises a question about the central role of Sirt1 in SRT1720 action. Moreover, it is believed that the metabolic effects of SRT1720 occur independently of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), an important metabolic regulator that increases mitochondrial function. Here, we show that SRT1720 activates AMPK in a Sirt1-independent manner and SRT1720 activates AMPK by inhibiting a cAMP degrading phosphodiesterase (PDE) in a competitive manner. Inhibiting the cAMP effector protein Epac prevents SRT1720 from activating AMPK or Sirt1 in myotubes. Moreover, SRT1720 does not increase mitochondrial function or improve glucose tolerance in AMPKα2 knockout mice. Interestingly, weight loss induced by SRT1720 is not sufficient to improve glucose tolerance. Therefore, contrary to current belief, the metabolic effects produced by SRT1720 require AMPK, which can be activated independently of Sirt1. SRT1720 activates AMPK in a Sirt1-independent manner. SRT1720 activates AMPK by inhibiting cAMP phosphodiesterase. SRT1720-mediated improvement in glucose homeostasis requires AMPK. Weight loss due to SRT1720 is not sufficient for improved glucose homeostasis.
Obesity has become an epidemic and obesity-related diseases such as type 2 diabetes are on the rise. Therefore, discovering novel therapies for these diseases will have great public health impact. Sirt1 activating compounds such as SRT1720 protect against obesity and glucose intolerance, but the mechanism by which they confer these health benefits has been unclear. We discovered that SRT1720 activates energy sensor AMPK, independent of Sirt1, and increases mitochondrial function and glucose tolerance in an AMPK-dependent manner. SRT1720 activates AMPK by directly inhibiting cAMP phosphodiesterases, suggesting that cAMP phosphodiesterases may be potential drug targets for obesity-related diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sung-Jun Park
- Laboratory of Obesity and Aging Research, Genetics and Developmental Biology Center, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Faiyaz Ahmad
- Translational Medicine Branch, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Jee-Hyun Um
- Laboratory of Obesity and Aging Research, Genetics and Developmental Biology Center, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Alexandra L Brown
- Laboratory of Obesity and Aging Research, Genetics and Developmental Biology Center, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Xihui Xu
- Laboratory of Obesity and Aging Research, Genetics and Developmental Biology Center, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Hyeog Kang
- Laboratory of Obesity and Aging Research, Genetics and Developmental Biology Center, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Hengming Ke
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Xuesong Feng
- Laboratory of Muscle Stem Cells and Gene Regulation, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - James Ryall
- Laboratory of Muscle Stem Cells and Gene Regulation, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Andrew Philp
- School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Simon Schenk
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Myung K Kim
- Laboratory of Obesity and Aging Research, Genetics and Developmental Biology Center, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Vittorio Sartorelli
- Laboratory of Muscle Stem Cells and Gene Regulation, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Jay H Chung
- Laboratory of Obesity and Aging Research, Genetics and Developmental Biology Center, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Bessler WK, Hudson FZ, Zhang H, Harris V, Wang Y, Mund JA, Downing B, Ingram DA, Case J, Fulton DJ, Stansfield BK. Neurofibromin is a novel regulator of Ras-induced reactive oxygen species production in mice and humans. Free Radic Biol Med 2016; 97:212-222. [PMID: 27266634 PMCID: PMC5765860 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2016.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2016] [Revised: 05/25/2016] [Accepted: 06/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) predisposes individuals to early and debilitating cardiovascular disease. Loss of function mutations in the NF1 tumor suppressor gene, which encodes the protein neurofibromin, leads to accelerated p21(Ras) activity and phosphorylation of multiple downstream kinases, including Erk and Akt. Nf1 heterozygous (Nf1(+/-)) mice develop a robust neointima that mimics human disease. Monocytes/macrophages play a central role in NF1 arterial stenosis as Nf1 mutations in myeloid cells alone are sufficient to reproduce the enhanced neointima observed in Nf1(+/-) mice. Though the molecular mechanisms underlying NF1 arterial stenosis remain elusive, macrophages are important producers of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and Ras activity directly regulates ROS production. Here, we use compound mutant and lineage-restricted mice to demonstrate that Nf1(+/-) macrophages produce excessive ROS, which enhance Nf1(+/-) smooth muscle cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Further, use of a specific NADPH oxidase-2 inhibitor to limit ROS production prevents neointima formation in Nf1(+/-) mice. Finally, mononuclear cells from asymptomatic NF1 patients have increased oxidative DNA damage, an indicator of chronic exposure to oxidative stress. These data provide genetic and pharmacologic evidence that excessive exposure to oxidant species underlie NF1 arterial stenosis and provide a platform for designing novels therapies and interventions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Waylan K Bessler
- Herman B. Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis 46202, United States; Department of Pediatrics and Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis 46202, United States; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis 46202, United States
| | - Farlyn Z Hudson
- Department of Pediatrics and Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, United States; Vascular Biology Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, United States
| | - Hanfang Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics and Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, United States; Vascular Biology Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, United States
| | - Valerie Harris
- Department of Pediatrics and Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, United States; Vascular Biology Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, United States
| | - Yusi Wang
- Vascular Biology Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, United States; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, United States
| | - Julie A Mund
- Herman B. Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis 46202, United States; Department of Pediatrics and Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis 46202, United States; Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis 46202, United States
| | - Brandon Downing
- Herman B. Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis 46202, United States; Department of Pediatrics and Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis 46202, United States
| | - David A Ingram
- Herman B. Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis 46202, United States; Department of Pediatrics and Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis 46202, United States; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis 46202, United States
| | - Jamie Case
- Herman B. Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis 46202, United States; Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis 46202, United States; Scripps Clinic Medical Group, Center for Organ and Cell Transplantation, La Jolla, CA 92037, United States
| | - David J Fulton
- Vascular Biology Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, United States; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, United States
| | - Brian K Stansfield
- Department of Pediatrics and Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, United States; Vascular Biology Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Helfferich J, Nijmeijer R, Brouwer OF, Boon M, Fock A, Hoving EW, Meijer L, den Dunnen WFA, de Bont ESJM. Neurofibromatosis type 1 associated low grade gliomas: A comparison with sporadic low grade gliomas. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2016; 104:30-41. [PMID: 27263935 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2016.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2015] [Revised: 03/24/2016] [Accepted: 05/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is an autosomal dominant disorder, associated with a variable clinical phenotype including café-au-lait spots, intertriginous freckling, Lisch nodules, neurofibromas, optic pathway gliomas and distinctive bony lesions. NF1 is caused by a mutation in the NF1 gene, which codes for neurofibromin, a large protein involved in the MAPK- and the mTOR-pathway through RAS-RAF signalling. NF1 is a known tumour predisposition syndrome, associated with different tumours of the nervous system including low grade gliomas (LGGs) in the paediatric population. The focus of this review is on grade I pilocytic astrocytomas (PAs), the most commonly observed histologic subtype of low grade gliomas in NF1. Clinically, these PAs have a better prognosis and show different localisation patterns than their sporadic counterparts, which are most commonly associated with a KIAA1549:BRAF fusion. In this review, possible mechanisms of tumourigenesis in LGGs with and without NF1 will be discussed, including the contribution of different signalling pathways and tumour microenvironment. Furthermore we will discuss how increased understanding of tumourigenesis may lead to new potential targets for treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jelte Helfferich
- Department of Paediatrics, Beatrix Children's Hospital, Paediatric Oncology/Hematology Division, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands; Department of Neurology, Paediatric Neurology Division, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Ronald Nijmeijer
- Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, Pathology Division, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Oebele F Brouwer
- Department of Neurology, Paediatric Neurology Division, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Maartje Boon
- Department of Neurology, Paediatric Neurology Division, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Annemarie Fock
- Department of Neurology, Paediatric Neurology Division, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Eelco W Hoving
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Lisethe Meijer
- Department of Paediatrics, Beatrix Children's Hospital, Paediatric Oncology/Hematology Division, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Wilfred F A den Dunnen
- Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, Pathology Division, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Eveline S J M de Bont
- Department of Paediatrics, Beatrix Children's Hospital, Paediatric Oncology/Hematology Division, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Jindal GA, Goyal Y, Burdine RD, Rauen KA, Shvartsman SY. RASopathies: unraveling mechanisms with animal models. Dis Model Mech 2016. [PMID: 26203125 PMCID: PMC4527292 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.020339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
RASopathies are developmental disorders caused by germline mutations in the Ras-MAPK pathway, and are characterized by a broad spectrum of functional and morphological abnormalities. The high incidence of these disorders (∼1/1000 births) motivates the development of systematic approaches for their efficient diagnosis and potential treatment. Recent advances in genome sequencing have greatly facilitated the genotyping and discovery of mutations in affected individuals, but establishing the causal relationships between molecules and disease phenotypes is non-trivial and presents both technical and conceptual challenges. Here, we discuss how these challenges could be addressed using genetically modified model organisms that have been instrumental in delineating the Ras-MAPK pathway and its roles during development. Focusing on studies in mice, zebrafish and Drosophila, we provide an up-to-date review of animal models of RASopathies at the molecular and functional level. We also discuss how increasingly sophisticated techniques of genetic engineering can be used to rigorously connect changes in specific components of the Ras-MAPK pathway with observed functional and morphological phenotypes. Establishing these connections is essential for advancing our understanding of RASopathies and for devising rational strategies for their management and treatment. Summary: Developmental disorders caused by germline mutations in the Ras-MAPK pathway are called RASopathies. Studies with animal models, including mice, zebrafish and Drosophila, continue to enhance our understanding of these diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Granton A Jindal
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Yogesh Goyal
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Rebecca D Burdine
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Katherine A Rauen
- Department of Pediatrics, MIND Institute, Division of Genomic Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Stanislav Y Shvartsman
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Holmbeck MA, Rand DM. Dietary Fatty Acids and Temperature Modulate Mitochondrial Function and Longevity in Drosophila. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2015; 70:1343-54. [PMID: 25910846 PMCID: PMC4612386 DOI: 10.1093/gerona/glv044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2014] [Accepted: 03/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Fluctuations in temperature and resource availability are conditions many organisms contend with in nature. Specific dietary nutrients such as fatty acids play an essential role in reproduction, cold adaptation, and metabolism in a variety of organisms. The present study characterizes how temperature and diet interact to modulate Drosophila physiology and life span. Flies were raised on media containing specific saturated, monounsaturated, or polyunsaturated fatty acids supplements at low concentrations and were placed in varied thermal environments. We found that dietary long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids improve chill coma recovery and modulate mitochondrial function. Additionally, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acid food supplements were detrimental to life span regardless of temperature, and antioxidants were able to partially rescue this effect. This study provides insight into environmental modulation of Drosophila physiology and life span.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marissa A Holmbeck
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island.
| | - David M Rand
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Kodrík D, Bednářová A, Zemanová M, Krishnan N. Hormonal Regulation of Response to Oxidative Stress in Insects-An Update. Int J Mol Sci 2015; 16:25788-816. [PMID: 26516847 PMCID: PMC4632827 DOI: 10.3390/ijms161025788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2015] [Revised: 10/07/2015] [Accepted: 10/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Insects, like other organisms, must deal with a wide variety of potentially challenging environmental factors during the course of their life. An important example of such a challenge is the phenomenon of oxidative stress. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the role of adipokinetic hormones (AKH) as principal stress responsive hormones in insects involved in activation of anti-oxidative stress response pathways. Emphasis is placed on an analysis of oxidative stress experimentally induced by various stressors and monitored by suitable biomarkers, and on detailed characterization of AKH’s role in the anti-stress reactions. These reactions are characterized by a significant increase of AKH levels in the insect body, and by effective reversal of the markers—disturbed by the stressors—after co-application of the stressor with AKH. A plausible mechanism of AKH action in the anti-oxidative stress response is discussed as well: this probably involves simultaneous employment of both protein kinase C and cyclic adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate pathways in the presence of extra and intra-cellular Ca2+ stores, with the possible involvement of the FoxO transcription factors. The role of other insect hormones in the anti-oxidative defense reactions is also discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dalibor Kodrík
- Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre, Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 31, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
| | - Andrea Bednářová
- Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre, Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology and Plant Pathology, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762, USA.
| | - Milada Zemanová
- Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre, Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 31, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
| | - Natraj Krishnan
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology and Plant Pathology, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Gusdon AM, Fernandez-Bueno GA, Wohlgemuth S, Fernandez J, Chen J, Mathews CE. Respiration and substrate transport rates as well as reactive oxygen species production distinguish mitochondria from brain and liver. BMC BIOCHEMISTRY 2015; 16:22. [PMID: 26358560 PMCID: PMC4564979 DOI: 10.1186/s12858-015-0051-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2013] [Accepted: 09/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aberrant mitochondrial function, including excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of human diseases. The use of mitochondrial inhibitors to ascertain the sites in the electron transport chain (ETC) resulting in altered ROS production can be an important tool. However, the response of mouse mitochondria to ETC inhibitors has not been thoroughly assessed. Here we set out to characterize the differences in phenotypic response to ETC inhibitors between the more energetically demanding brain mitochondria and less energetically demanding liver mitochondria in commonly utilized C57BL/6J mice. RESULTS We show that in contrast to brain mitochondria, inhibiting distally within complex I or within complex III does not increase liver mitochondrial ROS production supported by complex I substrates, and liver mitochondrial ROS production supported by complex II substrates occurred primarily independent of membrane potential. Complex I, II, and III enzymatic activities and membrane potential were equivalent between liver and brain and responded to ETC. inhibitors similarly. Brain mitochondria exhibited an approximately two-fold increase in complex I and II supported respiration compared with liver mitochondria while exhibiting similar responses to inhibitors. Elevated NADH transport and heightened complex II-III coupled activity accounted for increased complex I and II supported respiration, respectively in brain mitochondria. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that important mechanistic differences exist between mouse liver and brain mitochondria and that mouse mitochondria exhibit phenotypic differences compared with mitochondria from other species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aaron M Gusdon
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, The University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA.
- Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medical Center/NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
| | - Gabriel A Fernandez-Bueno
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, The University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA.
| | - Stephanie Wohlgemuth
- Department of Animal Sciences, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA.
| | - Jenelle Fernandez
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, The University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA.
| | - Jing Chen
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, The University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA.
| | - Clayton E Mathews
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, The University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA.
- , Present address: 1275 Center Dr, Room J597, P.O. Box 100275, Gainesville, FL, 32610-0275, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Wang Z, Zhang L, Liang Y, Zhang C, Xu Z, Zhang L, Fuji R, Mu W, Li L, Jiang J, Ju Y, Wang Z. Cyclic AMP Mimics the Anti-ageing Effects of Calorie Restriction by Up-Regulating Sirtuin. Sci Rep 2015; 5:12012. [PMID: 26153625 PMCID: PMC4648391 DOI: 10.1038/srep12012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2015] [Accepted: 05/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) plays an important role in many biological processes as a second messenger, and cAMP treatment has been reported to extend the lifespan of wild-type Drosophila melanogaster. Our study showed that exogenous cAMP improved ageing-related phenotypes by increasing the protein level of Sirtuins, which prevented metabolic disorders to mimic the effect of calorie restriction. Experiments in vitro showed that cAMP directly bound to SIRT1 and SIRT3 and consequently increased their activity. These findings suggest that cAMP slows the ageing process and is a good candidate to mimic calorie restriction. Our research provides a promising therapeutic strategy to target metabolic disorder-induced ageing-related diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhuoran Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P.R. China
| | - Lu Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P.R. China
| | - Yaru Liang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P.R. China
| | - Chi Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P.R. China
| | - Zhiyu Xu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P.R. China
| | - Lang Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P.R. China
| | - Ryosuke Fuji
- 1] MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P.R. China [2] Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo 226-8051, Japan
| | - Wei Mu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P.R. China
| | - Liyuan Li
- MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P.R. China
| | - Junjun Jiang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P.R. China
| | - Yong Ju
- Department of chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P.R. China
| | - Zhao Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Schriner SE, Kuramada S, Lopez TE, Truong S, Pham A, Jafari M. Extension of Drosophila lifespan by cinnamon through a sex-specific dependence on the insulin receptor substrate chico. Exp Gerontol 2014; 60:220-30. [PMID: 25456850 DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2014.09.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2014] [Revised: 09/10/2014] [Accepted: 09/13/2014] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Cinnamon is a spice commonly used worldwide to flavor desserts, fruits, cereals, breads, and meats. Numerous health benefits have been attributed to its consumption, including the recent suggestion that it may decrease blood glucose levels in people with diabetes. Insulin signaling is an integral pathway regulating the lifespan of laboratory organisms, such as worms, flies, and mice. We posited that if cinnamon truly improved the clinical signs of diabetes in people that it would also act on insulin signaling in laboratory organisms and increase lifespan. We found that cinnamon did extend lifespan in the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster. However, it had no effect on the expression levels of the 3 aging-related Drosophila insulin-like peptides nor did it alter sugar, fat, or soluble protein levels, as would be predicted. In addition, cinnamon exhibited no protective effects in males against oxidative challenges. However, in females it did confer a protective effect against paraquat, but sensitized them to iron. Cinnamon provided no protective effect against desiccation and starvation in females, but sensitized males to both. Interestingly, cinnamon protected both sexes against cold, sensitized both to heat, and elevated HSP70 expression levels. We also found that cinnamon required the insulin receptor substrate to extend lifespan in males, but not females. We conclude that cinnamon does not extend lifespan by improving stress tolerance in general, though it does act, at least in part, through insulin signaling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samuel E Schriner
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA.
| | - Steven Kuramada
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA.
| | - Terry E Lopez
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA.
| | - Stephanie Truong
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA.
| | - Andrew Pham
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA.
| | - Mahtab Jafari
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Anastasaki C, Gutmann DH. Neuronal NF1/RAS regulation of cyclic AMP requires atypical PKC activation. Hum Mol Genet 2014; 23:6712-21. [PMID: 25070947 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddu389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder in which affected individuals are prone to learning, attention and behavioral problems. Previous studies in mice and flies have yielded conflicting results regarding the specific effector pathways responsible for NF1 protein (neurofibromin) regulation of neuronal function, with both cyclic AMP (cAMP)- and RAS-dependent mechanisms described. Herein, we leverage a combination of induced pluripotent stem cell-derived NF1 patient neural progenitor cells and Nf1 genetically engineered mice to establish, for the first time, that neurofibromin regulation of cAMP requires RAS activation in human and mouse neurons. However, instead of involving RAS-mediated MEK/AKT signaling, RAS regulation of cAMP homeostasis operates through the activation of atypical protein kinase C zeta, leading to GRK2-driven Gαs inactivation. These findings reveal a novel mechanism by which RAS can regulate cAMP levels in the mammalian brain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Corina Anastasaki
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - David H Gutmann
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Lin R, Angelin A, Da Settimo F, Martini C, Taliani S, Zhu S, Wallace DC. Genetic analysis of dTSPO, an outer mitochondrial membrane protein, reveals its functions in apoptosis, longevity, and Ab42-induced neurodegeneration. Aging Cell 2014; 13:507-18. [PMID: 24977274 PMCID: PMC4076708 DOI: 10.1111/acel.12200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The outer mitochondrial membrane (OMM) protein, the translocator protein 18 kDa (TSPO), formerly named the peripheral benzodiazepine receptor (PBR), has been proposed to participate in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. To clarify the TSPO function, we identified the Drosophila homolog, CG2789/dTSPO, and studied the effects of its inactivation by P-element insertion, RNAi knockdown, and inhibition by ligands (PK11195, Ro5-4864). Inhibition of dTSPO inhibited wing disk apoptosis in response to γ-irradiation or H2O2 exposure, as well as extended male fly lifespan and inhibited Aβ42-induced neurodegeneration in association with decreased caspase activation. Therefore, dTSPO is an essential mediator of apoptosis in Drosophila and plays a central role in controlling longevity and neurodegenerative disease, making it a promising drug target.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ran Lin
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology School of Basic Medical Sciences Health Science Center Peking University Beijing 100191China
- Center for Mitochondrial and Epigenomic Medicine Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute Philadelphia PA 19104USA
| | - Alessia Angelin
- Center for Mitochondrial and Epigenomic Medicine Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute Philadelphia PA 19104USA
| | | | - Claudia Martini
- Dipartimento di Farmacia Università di Pisa via Bonanno 656126Pisa Italy
| | - Sabrina Taliani
- Dipartimento di Farmacia Università di Pisa via Bonanno 656126Pisa Italy
| | - Shigong Zhu
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology School of Basic Medical Sciences Health Science Center Peking University Beijing 100191China
| | - Douglas C. Wallace
- Center for Mitochondrial and Epigenomic Medicine Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute Philadelphia PA 19104USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Perelman School of Medicine University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia PA 19104USA
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Walker JA, Bernards A. A Drosophila screen identifies neurofibromatosis-1 genetic modifiers involved in systemic and synaptic growth. Rare Dis 2014; 2:e28341. [PMID: 25054093 PMCID: PMC4091572 DOI: 10.4161/rdis.28341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2014] [Revised: 02/12/2014] [Accepted: 02/24/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is caused by loss of a negative regulator of Ras oncoproteins. Unknown genetic modifiers have been implicated in NF1's characteristic variability. Drosophila melanogaster dNf1 phenotypes include cognitive deficits and reduced growth, both of which resemble human symptoms. We recently reported results of a screen for dominant modifiers of dNf1 growth. Suppressors include the dAlk tyrosine kinase and its activating ligand, two other genes involved in Ras/ERK signal transduction, the synaptic scaffold Dap160 and the CCKLR-17D1 drosulfakinin receptor. Additional modifiers include several genes involved in cAMP/PKA signaling. Providing mechanistic insights, dAlk, jeb, and CCKLR-17D1 also suppress a dNf1 synaptic overgrowth defect, and increasing cAMP/PKA signaling in the neuroendocrine ring gland rescued the dNf1 growth deficiency. Finally, among the several suppressors identified in our screen, we specifically implicate ALK as a potential therapeutic target by showing that NF1-regulated ALK/RAS/ERK signaling is conserved in human cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James A Walker
- Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Cancer Research and Harvard Medical School; Charlestown, MA USA ; Center for Human Genetic Research; Massachusetts General Hospital; Boston, MA USA
| | - André Bernards
- Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Cancer Research and Harvard Medical School; Charlestown, MA USA ; Center for Human Genetic Research; Massachusetts General Hospital; Boston, MA USA
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Genes belonging to the insulin and ecdysone signaling pathways can contribute to developmental time, lifespan and abdominal size variation in Drosophila americana. PLoS One 2014; 9:e86690. [PMID: 24489769 PMCID: PMC3904916 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0086690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2013] [Accepted: 12/13/2013] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Even within a single genus, such as Drosophila, cases of lineage-specific adaptive evolution have been found. Therefore, the molecular basis of phenotypic variation must be addressed in more than one species group, in order to infer general patterns. In this work, we used D. americana, a species distantly-related to D. melanogaster, to perform an F2 association study for developmental time (DT), chill-coma recovery time (CRT), abdominal size (AS) and lifespan (LS) involving the two strains (H5 and W11) whose genomes have been previously sequenced. Significant associations were found between the 43 large indel markers developed here and DT, AS and LS but not with CRT. Significant correlations are also found between DT and LS, and between AS and LS, that might be explained by variation at genes belonging to the insulin and ecdysone signaling pathways. Since, in this F2 association study a single marker, located close to the Ecdysone receptor (EcR) gene, explained as much as 32.6% of the total variation in DT, we performed a second F2 association study, to determine whether large differences in DT are always due to variation in this genome region. No overlapping signal was observed between the two F2 association studies. Overall, these results illustrate that, in D. americana, pleiotropic genes involved in the highly-conserved insulin and ecdysone signaling pathways are likely responsible for variation observed in ecologically relevant phenotypic traits, although other genes are also involved.
Collapse
|
44
|
Ribeiro JMC, Genta FA, Sorgine MHF, Logullo R, Mesquita RD, Paiva-Silva GO, Majerowicz D, Medeiros M, Koerich L, Terra WR, Ferreira C, Pimentel AC, Bisch PM, Leite DC, Diniz MMP, Junior JLDSGV, Da Silva ML, Araujo RN, Gandara ACP, Brosson S, Salmon D, Bousbata S, González-Caballero N, Silber AM, Alves-Bezerra M, Gondim KC, Silva-Neto MAC, Atella GC, Araujo H, Dias FA, Polycarpo C, Vionette-Amaral RJ, Fampa P, Melo ACA, Tanaka AS, Balczun C, Oliveira JHM, Gonçalves RLS, Lazoski C, Rivera-Pomar R, Diambra L, Schaub GA, Garcia ES, Azambuja P, Braz GRC, Oliveira PL. An insight into the transcriptome of the digestive tract of the bloodsucking bug, Rhodnius prolixus. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2014; 8:e2594. [PMID: 24416461 PMCID: PMC3886914 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0002594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 139] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2013] [Accepted: 11/04/2013] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The bloodsucking hemipteran Rhodnius prolixus is a vector of Chagas' disease, which affects 7-8 million people today in Latin America. In contrast to other hematophagous insects, the triatomine gut is compartmentalized into three segments that perform different functions during blood digestion. Here we report analysis of transcriptomes for each of the segments using pyrosequencing technology. Comparison of transcript frequency in digestive libraries with a whole-body library was used to evaluate expression levels. All classes of digestive enzymes were highly expressed, with a predominance of cysteine and aspartic proteinases, the latter showing a significant expansion through gene duplication. Although no protein digestion is known to occur in the anterior midgut (AM), protease transcripts were found, suggesting secretion as pro-enzymes, being possibly activated in the posterior midgut (PM). As expected, genes related to cytoskeleton, protein synthesis apparatus, protein traffic, and secretion were abundantly transcribed. Despite the absence of a chitinous peritrophic membrane in hemipterans - which have instead a lipidic perimicrovillar membrane lining over midgut epithelia - several gut-specific peritrophin transcripts were found, suggesting that these proteins perform functions other than being a structural component of the peritrophic membrane. Among immunity-related transcripts, while lysozymes and lectins were the most highly expressed, several genes belonging to the Toll pathway - found at low levels in the gut of most insects - were identified, contrasting with a low abundance of transcripts from IMD and STAT pathways. Analysis of transcripts related to lipid metabolism indicates that lipids play multiple roles, being a major energy source, a substrate for perimicrovillar membrane formation, and a source for hydrocarbons possibly to produce the wax layer of the hindgut. Transcripts related to amino acid metabolism showed an unanticipated priority for degradation of tyrosine, phenylalanine, and tryptophan. Analysis of transcripts related to signaling pathways suggested a role for MAP kinases, GTPases, and LKBP1/AMP kinases related to control of cell shape and polarity, possibly in connection with regulation of cell survival, response of pathogens and nutrients. Together, our findings present a new view of the triatomine digestive apparatus and will help us understand trypanosome interaction and allow insights into hemipteran metabolic adaptations to a blood-based diet.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- José M. C. Ribeiro
- Section of Vector Biology, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Fernando A. Genta
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marcos H. F. Sorgine
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Programa de Biotecnologia e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Raquel Logullo
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Rafael D. Mesquita
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Gabriela O. Paiva-Silva
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Programa de Biotecnologia e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - David Majerowicz
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Programa de Biotecnologia e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Medeiros
- Instituto Nacional de Metrologia Qualidade e Tecnologia, Diretoria de Metrologia Aplicada às Ciências da Vida, Programa de Biotecnologia, Prédio 27, CEP 25250-020, Duque de Caxias, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Koerich
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Departamento de Genética, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, CEP 21944-970, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Walter R. Terra
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Clélia Ferreira
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - André C. Pimentel
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Paulo M. Bisch
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Daniel C. Leite
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Michelle M. P. Diniz
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - João Lídio da S. G. V. Junior
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Center for Technological Innovation, Evandro Chagas Institute, Ananindeua, Pará, Brazil
| | - Manuela L. Da Silva
- Instituto Nacional de Metrologia Qualidade e Tecnologia, Diretoria de Metrologia Aplicada às Ciências da Vida, Programa de Biotecnologia, Prédio 27, CEP 25250-020, Duque de Caxias, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ricardo N. Araujo
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Departamento de Parasitologia do Instituto de Ciências Biológicas da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Ana Caroline P. Gandara
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Programa de Biotecnologia e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Sébastien Brosson
- Institute for Molecular Biology and Medicine (IBMM), Université Libre de Bruxelles, Gosselies, Belgium
| | - Didier Salmon
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Programa de Biotecnologia e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Sabrina Bousbata
- Institute for Molecular Biology and Medicine (IBMM), Université Libre de Bruxelles, Gosselies, Belgium
| | | | - Ariel Mariano Silber
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Michele Alves-Bezerra
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Programa de Biotecnologia e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Katia C. Gondim
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Programa de Biotecnologia e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Mário Alberto C. Silva-Neto
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Programa de Biotecnologia e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Georgia C. Atella
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Programa de Biotecnologia e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Helena Araujo
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Felipe A. Dias
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Programa de Biotecnologia e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Carla Polycarpo
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Programa de Biotecnologia e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Raquel J. Vionette-Amaral
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Programa de Biotecnologia e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Fampa
- Instituto de Biologia, DBA, UFRRJ, Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ana Claudia A. Melo
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Aparecida S. Tanaka
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carsten Balczun
- Zoology/Parasitology Group, Ruhr-Universität, Bochum, Germany
| | - José Henrique M. Oliveira
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Programa de Biotecnologia e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Renata L. S. Gonçalves
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Programa de Biotecnologia e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Cristiano Lazoski
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Departamento de Genética, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, CEP 21944-970, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Rolando Rivera-Pomar
- Centro Regional de Estudios Genomicos, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Florencio Varela, Argentina
- Centro de Bioinvestigaciones, Universidad Nacional del Noroeste de Buenos Aires, Pergamino, Argentina
| | - Luis Diambra
- Centro Regional de Estudios Genomicos, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Florencio Varela, Argentina
| | | | - Elói S. Garcia
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Azambuja
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Glória R. C. Braz
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Pedro L. Oliveira
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Programa de Biotecnologia e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Chen J, Mathews CE. Use of chemical probes to detect mitochondrial ROS by flow cytometry and spectrofluorometry. Methods Enzymol 2014; 542:223-41. [PMID: 24862269 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-416618-9.00012-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Aerobic respiration is a major source of energy in eukaryotic cells. In this setting, ATP production by the mitochondrial respiratory chain relies on the availability of NADH and FADH2 to donate protons and electrons. The flux of electrons down the electron transport chain, based on a series of oxidation-reduction reactions, releases energy that allow for the transport of H(+) ions across the inner mitochondrial membrane. The resulting proton-motive force is employed to drive ATP synthesis, while the final acceptor of the electrons flowing through the respiratory chain if molecular oxygen. A side effect of this process is the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). While mitochondrial ROS (mtROS) production has been linked to many pathological conditions (i.e., aging and tumorigenesis), recent evidence suggests that multiple cells, including malignant cells, employ these by-products of energy production as signals to control various cellular processes. Here, we describe protocols to use chemical probes for measuring mtROS production in intact cells by flow cytometry and spectrofluorometry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jing Chen
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, The University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Clayton E Mathews
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, The University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Li F, Downing BD, Smiley LC, Mund JA, Distasi MR, Bessler WK, Sarchet KN, Hinds DM, Kamendulis LM, Hingtgen CM, Case J, Clapp DW, Conway SJ, Stansfield BK, Ingram DA. Neurofibromin-deficient myeloid cells are critical mediators of aneurysm formation in vivo. Circulation 2013; 129:1213-24. [PMID: 24370551 DOI: 10.1161/circulationaha.113.006320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a genetic disorder resulting from mutations in the NF1 tumor suppressor gene. Neurofibromin, the protein product of NF1, functions as a negative regulator of Ras activity in circulating hematopoietic and vascular wall cells, which are critical for maintaining vessel wall homeostasis. NF1 patients have evidence of chronic inflammation resulting in the development of premature cardiovascular disease, including arterial aneurysms, which may manifest as sudden death. However, the molecular pathogenesis of NF1 aneurysm formation is unknown. METHOD AND RESULTS With the use of an angiotensin II-induced aneurysm model, we demonstrate that heterozygous inactivation of Nf1 (Nf1(+/-)) enhanced aneurysm formation with myeloid cell infiltration and increased oxidative stress in the vessel wall. Using lineage-restricted transgenic mice, we show that loss of a single Nf1 allele in myeloid cells is sufficient to recapitulate the Nf1(+/-) aneurysm phenotype in vivo. Finally, oral administration of simvastatin or the antioxidant apocynin reduced aneurysm formation in Nf1(+/-) mice. CONCLUSION These data provide genetic and pharmacological evidence that Nf1(+/-) myeloid cells are the cellular triggers for aneurysm formation in a novel model of NF1 vasculopathy and provide a potential therapeutic target.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fang Li
- Department of Pediatrics (F.L., B.D.D., L.C.S., J.A.M., M.R.D., W.K.B., K.N.S., D.M.H., J.C., D.W.C., S.J.C., B.K.S., D.A.I.), Wells Center for Pediatric Research (F.L., B.D.D., L.C.S., J.A.M., M.R.D., W.K.B., K.N.S., D.M.H., J.C., D.W.C., S.J.C., B.K.S., D.A.I.), Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (B.D.D., D.W.C., S.J.C., D.A.I.), Microbiology and Immunology (M.R.D.), Pharmacology and Toxicology (L.M.K.), and Neurology (C.M.H.), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
47
|
Webber JL, Zhang J, Mitchell-Dick A, Rebay I. 3D chromatin interactions organize Yan chromatin occupancy and repression at the even-skipped locus. Genes Dev 2013; 27:2293-8. [PMID: 24186975 PMCID: PMC3828515 DOI: 10.1101/gad.225789.113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Long-range integration of transcriptional inputs is critical for gene expression, yet the mechanisms are poorly understood. Here, Webber et al. investigate how cis-regulatory elements at the even-skipped (eve) locus coordinate heart-specific gene expression. Targeted deletions of regions bound by the repressor Yan define two novel enhancers that contribute repressive inputs to stabilize tissue-specific output from a third enhancer. This study provides a new paradigm for chromatin-level integration of repressive inputs with specific patterning information to achieve robust gene expression. Long-range integration of transcriptional inputs is critical for gene expression, yet the mechanisms remain poorly understood. We investigated the molecular determinants that confer fidelity to expression of the heart identity gene even-skipped (eve). Targeted deletion of regions bound by the repressor Yan defined two novel enhancers that contribute repressive inputs to stabilize tissue-specific output from a third enhancer. Deletion of any individual enhancer reduced Yan occupancy at the other elements, impacting eve expression, cell fate specification, and cardiac function. These long-range interactions may be stabilized by three-dimensional chromatin contacts that we detected between the elements. Our work provides a new paradigm for chromatin-level integration of general repressive inputs with specific patterning information to achieve robust gene expression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jemma L Webber
- Ben May Department for Cancer Research, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
48
|
Genetic and functional studies implicate synaptic overgrowth and ring gland cAMP/PKA signaling defects in the Drosophila melanogaster neurofibromatosis-1 growth deficiency. PLoS Genet 2013; 9:e1003958. [PMID: 24278035 PMCID: PMC3836801 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1003958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2012] [Accepted: 10/01/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), a genetic disease that affects 1 in 3,000, is caused by loss of a large evolutionary conserved protein that serves as a GTPase Activating Protein (GAP) for Ras. Among Drosophila melanogaster Nf1 (dNf1) null mutant phenotypes, learning/memory deficits and reduced overall growth resemble human NF1 symptoms. These and other dNf1 defects are relatively insensitive to manipulations that reduce Ras signaling strength but are suppressed by increasing signaling through the 3′-5′ cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) dependent Protein Kinase A (PKA) pathway, or phenocopied by inhibiting this pathway. However, whether dNf1 affects cAMP/PKA signaling directly or indirectly remains controversial. To shed light on this issue we screened 486 1st and 2nd chromosome deficiencies that uncover >80% of annotated genes for dominant modifiers of the dNf1 pupal size defect, identifying responsible genes in crosses with mutant alleles or by tissue-specific RNA interference (RNAi) knockdown. Validating the screen, identified suppressors include the previously implicated dAlk tyrosine kinase, its activating ligand jelly belly (jeb), two other genes involved in Ras/ERK signal transduction and several involved in cAMP/PKA signaling. Novel modifiers that implicate synaptic defects in the dNf1 growth deficiency include the intersectin-related synaptic scaffold protein Dap160 and the cholecystokinin receptor-related CCKLR-17D1 drosulfakinin receptor. Providing mechanistic clues, we show that dAlk, jeb and CCKLR-17D1 are among mutants that also suppress a recently identified dNf1 neuromuscular junction (NMJ) overgrowth phenotype and that manipulations that increase cAMP/PKA signaling in adipokinetic hormone (AKH)-producing cells at the base of the neuroendocrine ring gland restore the dNf1 growth deficiency. Finally, supporting our previous contention that ALK might be a therapeutic target in NF1, we report that human ALK is expressed in cells that give rise to NF1 tumors and that NF1 regulated ALK/RAS/ERK signaling appears conserved in man. Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a genetic disease that affects 1 in 3,000 and that is caused by loss of a protein that inactivates Ras oncoproteins. NF1 is a characteristically variable disease that predisposes patients to several symptoms, the most common of which include benign and malignant tumors, reduced growth and learning problems. We and others previously found that fruit fly mutants that lack a highly conserved dNf1 gene are reduced in size and exhibit impaired learning and memory, and that both defects appear due to abnormal Ras and cyclic-AMP (cAMP) signaling. The former was unremarkable, but how loss of dNf1 affects cAMP signaling remains poorly understood. Here we report results of a genetic screen for dominant modifiers of the dNf1 growth defect. This screen and follow-up functional studies support a model in which synaptic defects and reduced cAMP signaling in specific parts of the neuroendocrine ring gland contribute to the dNf1 growth defect. Beyond these results, we show that human ALK is expressed in cells that give rise to NF1 tumors, and that NF1 regulated ALK/RAS/ERK signaling is evolutionary conserved.
Collapse
|
49
|
Sullivan K, El-Hoss J, Quinlan KGR, Deo N, Garton F, Seto JTC, Gdalevitch M, Turner N, Cooney GJ, Kolanczyk M, North KN, Little DG, Schindeler A. NF1 is a critical regulator of muscle development and metabolism. Hum Mol Genet 2013; 23:1250-9. [PMID: 24163128 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddt515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
There is emerging evidence for reduced muscle function in children with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). We have examined three murine models featuring NF1 deficiency in muscle to study the effect on muscle function as well as any underlying pathophysiology. The Nf1(+/-) mouse exhibited no differences in overall weight, lean tissue mass, fiber size, muscle weakness as measured by grip strength or muscle atrophy-recovery with limb disuse, although this model lacks many other characteristic features of the human disease. Next, muscle-specific knockout mice (Nf1muscle(-/-)) were generated and they exhibited a failure to thrive leading to neonatal lethality. Intramyocellular lipid accumulations were observed by electron microscopy and Oil Red O staining. More mature muscle specimens lacking Nf1 expression taken from the limb-specific Nf1Prx1(-/-) conditional knockout line showed a 10-fold increase in muscle triglyceride content. Enzyme assays revealed a significant increase in the activities of oxidative metabolism enzymes in the Nf1Prx1(-/-) mice. Western analyses showed increases in the expression of fatty acid synthase and the hormone leptin, as well as decreased expression of a number of fatty acid transporters in this mouse line. These data support the hypothesis that NF1 is essential for normal muscle function and survival and are the first to suggest a direct link between NF1 and mitochondrial fatty acid metabolism.
Collapse
|
50
|
Nf1 loss and Ras hyperactivation in oligodendrocytes induce NOS-driven defects in myelin and vasculature. Cell Rep 2013; 4:1197-212. [PMID: 24035394 PMCID: PMC3982616 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2013.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2012] [Revised: 06/26/2013] [Accepted: 08/02/2013] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and Costello syndrome Rasopathy have behavioral deficits. In NF1 patients, these may correlate with white matter enlargement and aberrant myelin. To model these features, we induced Nf1 loss or HRas hyperactivation in mouse oligodendrocytes. Enlarged brain white matter tracts correlated with myelin decompaction, downregulation of claudin-11, and mislocalization of connexin-32. Surprisingly, non-cell-autonomous defects in perivascular astrocytes and the blood-brain barrier (BBB) developed, implicating a soluble mediator. Nitric oxide (NO) can disrupt tight junctions and gap junctions, and NO and NO synthases (NOS1–NOS3) were upregulated in mutant white matter. Treating mice with the NOS inhibitor NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester or the antioxidant N-acetyl cysteine corrected cellular phenotypes. CNP-HRasG12V mice also displayed locomotor hyperactivity, which could be rescued by antioxidant treatment. We conclude that Nf1/Ras regulates oligodendrocyte NOS and that dysregulated NO signaling in oligodendrocytes can alter the surrounding vasculature. The data suggest that anti-oxidants may improve some behavioral deficits in Rasopathy patients.
Collapse
|