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Mazahir F, Alam MI, Yadav AK. Development of nanomedicines for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease: Raison d'être, strategies, challenges and regulatory aspects. Ageing Res Rev 2024; 98:102318. [PMID: 38705362 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2024.102318] [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: 02/14/2024] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive loss of memory. Presently, AD is challenging to treat with current drug therapy as their delivery to the brain is restricted by the presence of the blood-brain barrier. Nanomedicines, due to their size, high surface volume ratio, and ease of tailoring drug release characteristics, showed their potential to treat AD. The nanotechnology-based formulations for brain targeting are expected to enter the market in the near future. So, regulatory frameworks are required to ensure the quality, safety, and effectiveness of the nanomedicines to treat AD. In this review, we discuss different strategies, in-vitro blood-brain permeation models, in-vivo permeation assessment, and regulatory aspects for the development of nanomedicine to treat AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farhan Mazahir
- Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Raebareli, India
| | - Md Imtiyaz Alam
- Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Raebareli, India
| | - Awesh Kumar Yadav
- Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Raebareli, India.
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Tsuji A, Kotani E, Inoue YH. Sesamin Exerts an Antioxidative Effect by Activating the Nrf2 Transcription Factor in the Glial Cells of the Central Nervous System in Drosophila Larvae. Antioxidants (Basel) 2024; 13:787. [PMID: 39061856 PMCID: PMC11274309 DOI: 10.3390/antiox13070787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2024] [Revised: 06/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Sesame seeds are abundant in sesamin, which exerts health-promoting effects such as extending the lifespan of adult Drosophila and suppressing oxidative stress by activating the Nrf2 transcription factor. Here, we investigated whether sesamin activated Nrf2 in larval tissues and induced the expression of Nrf2 target genes. In the sesamin-fed larvae, Nrf2 was activated in the central nervous system (CNS), gut, and salivary glands. The ectopic expression of Keap1 in glial cells inhibited sesamin-induced Nrf2 activation in the whole CNS more than in the neurons, indicating that sesamin activates Nrf2 in glia efficiently. We labeled the astrocytes as well as cortex and surface glia with fluorescence to identify the glial cell types in which Nrf2 was activated; we observed their activation in both cell types. These data suggest that sesamin may stimulate the expression of antioxidative genes in glial cells. Among the 17 candidate Nrf2 targets, the mRNA levels of Cyp6a2 and Cyp6g1 in cytochrome P450 were elevated in the CNS, gut, and salivary glands of the sesamin-fed larvae. However, this elevation did not lead to resistance against imidacloprid, which is detoxified by these enzymes. Our results suggest that sesamin may exert similar health-promoting effects on the human CNS and digestive tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yoshihiro H. Inoue
- Biomedical Research Center, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Matsugasaki, Sakyo, Kyoto 606-0962, Japan; (A.T.); (E.K.)
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Ye C, Ho R, Moberg KH, Zheng JQ. Sexual Dimorphism in Age-Dependent Neurodegeneration After Mild Head Trauma in Drosophila : Unveiling the Adverse Impact of Female Reproductive Signaling. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.06.583747. [PMID: 38496515 PMCID: PMC10942469 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.06.583747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Environmental insults, including mild head trauma, significantly increase the risk of neurodegeneration. However, it remains challenging to establish a causative connection between early-life exposure to mild head trauma and late-life emergence of neurodegenerative deficits, nor do we know how sex and age compound the outcome. Using a Drosophila model, we demonstrate that exposure to mild head trauma causes neurodegenerative conditions that emerge late in life and disproportionately affect females. Increasing age-at-injury further exacerbates this effect in a sexually dimorphic manner. We further identify Sex Peptide (SP) signaling as a key factor in female susceptibility to post-injury brain deficits. RNA sequencing highlights a reduction in innate immune defense transcripts specifically in mated females during late life. Our findings establish a causal relationship between early head trauma and late-life neurodegeneration, emphasizing sex differences in injury response and the impact of age-at-injury. Finally, our findings reveal that reproductive signaling adversely impacts female response to mild head insults and elevates vulnerability to late-life neurodegeneration.
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Das D, Ghosh G, Dutta A, Sherpa RD, Ghosh P, Hui SP, Ghosh S. Fruit ripening retardant Daminozide induces cognitive impairment, cell specific neurotoxicity, and genotoxicity in Drosophila melanogaster. Neurotoxicology 2024; 103:123-133. [PMID: 38851594 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2024.06.002] [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: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We explored neurotoxic and genotoxic effects of Daminozide, a fruit ripening retardant, on the brain of Drosophila melanogaster, based on our previous finding of DNA fragmentation in larval brain cell in the flies experimentally exposed to this chemicals. METHODS Adult flies were subjected to two distinct concentrations of daminozide (200 mg/L and 400 mg/L) mixed in culture medium, followed by an examination of specific behaviors such as courtship conditioning and aversive phototaxis, which serve as indicators of cognitive functions. We investigated brain histology and histochemistry to assess the overall toxicity of daminozide, focusing on neuron type-specific effects. Additionally, we conducted studies on gene expression specific to neuronal function. Statistical comparisons were then made between the exposed and control flies across all tested attributes. RESULTS The outcome of behavioral assays suggested deleterious effects of Daminozide on learning, short term and long term memory function. Histological examination of brain sections revealed cellular degeneration, within Kenyon cell neuropiles in Daminozide-exposed flies. Neurone specific Immuno-histochemistry study revealed significant reduction of dopaminergic and glutaminergic neurones with discernible reduction in cellular counts, alteration in cell and nuclear morphology among daminozide exposed flies. Gene expression analyses demonstrated upregulation of rutabaga (rut), hb9 and down regulation of PKa- C1, CrebB, Ace and nAchRbeta-1 in exposed flies which suggest dysregulation of gene functions involved in motor neuron activity, learning, and memory. CONCLUSION Taken together, our findings suggests that Daminozide induces multifaceted harmful impacts on the neural terrain of Drosophila melanogaster, posing a threat to its cognitive abilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debasmita Das
- Department of Zoology, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, India
| | - Gaurab Ghosh
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education & Research (IISER)- Kolkata Mohanpur Campus, Mohanpur, Nadia, West Bengal, India
| | - Arthita Dutta
- Department of Zoology, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, India
| | - Rinchen D Sherpa
- S. N. Pradhan Centre for Neurosciences, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, India
| | - Papiya Ghosh
- Department of Zoology, Bijoykrishna Girls' College. Howrah. India
| | - Subhra Prakash Hui
- S. N. Pradhan Centre for Neurosciences, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, India
| | - Sujay Ghosh
- Department of Zoology, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, India.
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Dourlen P. Identification of Tau Toxicity Modifiers in the Drosophila Eye. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2754:483-498. [PMID: 38512684 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3629-9_27] [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] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Drosophila is a powerful model to study human diseases thanks to its genetic tools and ease of screening. Human genes can be expressed in targeted organs and their toxicity assessed on easily scorable external phenotypes that can be used as readouts to perform genetic screens of toxicity modifiers. In this chapter, I describe how to express human Tau protein in the Drosophila eye, assess protein expression by Western blot, assess Tau toxicity by quantifying the size of the Tau-induced rough eye, and perform a genetic screen of modifiers of Tau toxicity in the Drosophila eye.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Dourlen
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1167 - RID-AGE - Facteurs de risque et déterminants moléculaires des maladies liées au vieillissement, Lille, France.
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Yang M, Zinkgraf M, Fitzgerald-Cook C, Harrison BR, Putzier A, Promislow DEL, Wang AM. Using Drosophila to identify naturally occurring genetic modifiers of amyloid beta 42- and tau-induced toxicity. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2023; 13:jkad132. [PMID: 37311212 PMCID: PMC10468303 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkad132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease is characterized by 2 pathological proteins, amyloid beta 42 and tau. The majority of Alzheimer's disease cases in the population are sporadic and late-onset Alzheimer's disease, which exhibits high levels of heritability. While several genetic risk factors for late-onset Alzheimer's disease have been identified and replicated in independent studies, including the ApoE ε4 allele, the great majority of the heritability of late-onset Alzheimer's disease remains unexplained, likely due to the aggregate effects of a very large number of genes with small effect size, as well as to biases in sample collection and statistical approaches. Here, we present an unbiased forward genetic screen in Drosophila looking for naturally occurring modifiers of amyloid beta 42- and tau-induced ommatidial degeneration. Our results identify 14 significant SNPs, which map to 12 potential genes in 8 unique genomic regions. Our hits that are significant after genome-wide correction identify genes involved in neuronal development, signal transduction, and organismal development. Looking more broadly at suggestive hits (P < 10-5), we see significant enrichment in genes associated with neurogenesis, development, and growth as well as significant enrichment in genes whose orthologs have been identified as significantly or suggestively associated with Alzheimer's disease in human GWAS studies. These latter genes include ones whose orthologs are in close proximity to regions in the human genome that are associated with Alzheimer's disease, but where a causal gene has not been identified. Together, our results illustrate the potential for complementary and convergent evidence provided through multitrait GWAS in Drosophila to supplement and inform human studies, helping to identify the remaining heritability and novel modifiers of complex diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Yang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Matthew Zinkgraf
- Department of Biology, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225, USA
| | - Cecilia Fitzgerald-Cook
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Benjamin R Harrison
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Alexandra Putzier
- Department of Biology, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225, USA
| | - Daniel E L Promislow
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Adrienne M Wang
- Department of Biology, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225, USA
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Sun J, Liu WK, Ellsworth C, Sun Q, Pan Y, Huang YC, Deng WM. Integrating lipid metabolism, pheromone production and perception by Fruitless and Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 4. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadf6254. [PMID: 37390217 PMCID: PMC10313179 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adf6254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023]
Abstract
Sexual attraction and perception are crucial for mating and reproductive success. In Drosophila melanogaster, the male-specific isoform of Fruitless (Fru), FruM, is a known master neuro-regulator of innate courtship behavior to control the perception of sex pheromones in sensory neurons. Here, we show that the non-sex-specific Fru isoform (FruCOM) is necessary for pheromone biosynthesis in hepatocyte-like oenocytes for sexual attraction. Loss of FruCOM in oenocytes resulted in adults with reduced levels of cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs), including sex pheromones, and show altered sexual attraction and reduced cuticular hydrophobicity. We further identify Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 (Hnf4) as a key target of FruCOM in directing fatty acid conversion to hydrocarbons. Fru or Hnf4 depletion in oenocytes disrupts lipid homeostasis, resulting in a sex-dimorphic CHC profile that differs from doublesex- and transformer-dependent CHC dimorphism. Thus, Fru couples pheromone perception and production in separate organs to regulate chemosensory communications and ensure efficient mating behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Sun
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
- Tulane Cancer Center, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Wen-Kan Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
- Tulane Cancer Center, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Calder Ellsworth
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Qian Sun
- Department of Entomology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
| | - Yufeng Pan
- The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Yi-Chun Huang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
- Tulane Cancer Center, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Wu-Min Deng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
- Tulane Cancer Center, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
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Sun J, Liu WK, Ellsworth C, Sun Q, Pan YF, Huang YC, Deng WM. Integrating lipid metabolism, pheromone production and perception by Fruitless and Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.23.529767. [PMID: 36865119 PMCID: PMC9980076 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.23.529767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
Sexual attraction and perception, governed by separate genetic circuits in different organs, are crucial for mating and reproductive success, yet the mechanisms of how these two aspects are integrated remain unclear. In Drosophila , the male-specific isoform of Fruitless (Fru), Fru M , is known as a master neuro-regulator of innate courtship behavior to control perception of sex pheromones in sensory neurons. Here we show that the non-sex specific Fru isoform (Fru COM ) is necessary for pheromone biosynthesis in hepatocyte-like oenocytes for sexual attraction. Loss of Fru COM in oenocytes resulted in adults with reduced levels of the cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs), including sex pheromones, and show altered sexual attraction and reduced cuticular hydrophobicity. We further identify Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 ( Hnf4 ) as a key target of Fru COM in directing fatty acid conversion to hydrocarbons in adult oenocytes. fru - and Hnf4 -depletion disrupts lipid homeostasis, resulting in a novel sex-dimorphic CHC profile, which differs from doublesex - and transformer -dependent sexual dimorphism of the CHC profile. Thus, Fru couples pheromone perception and production in separate organs for precise coordination of chemosensory communication that ensures efficient mating behavior. Teaser Fruitless and lipid metabolism regulator HNF4 integrate pheromone biosynthesis and perception to ensure robust courtship behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Sun
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
- Tulane Cancer Center, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Wen-Kan Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
- Tulane Cancer Center, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Calder Ellsworth
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Qian Sun
- Department of Entomology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
| | - Yu-Feng Pan
- The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Yi-Chun Huang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
- Tulane Cancer Center, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Wu-Min Deng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
- Tulane Cancer Center, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
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Haddadi M, Ataei R. wde, calpA, if, dap160, and poe genes knock down Drosophila models exhibit neurofunctional deficit. Gene 2022; 829:146499. [PMID: 35447243 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2022.146499] [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: 01/07/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Intellectual disability (ID) is a heterogeneous disorder with high prevalence and remarkable social and cost burdens. Novel genetic variants of ATF7IP, CAPN9, ITGAV, ITSN1, and UBR4 genes are reported to be associated with the ID among Iranian families. However, in vivo validation is required to confirm the functional role of these variants in ID development. Drosophila melanogaster is a convenient model for such functional investigations as its genome bears ortholog of more than 75% of the disease-causing genes in human and represents numerous approaches to study defects in neuronal function. In this connection, RNAi gene silencing was applied to wde, calpA, if, dap160, and poe genes, the Drosophila ortholog of the selected human genes, and then consequent structural and functional changes in neurons were studied by means of immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy of mushroom bodies (MBs) and validated behavioural assays including larvae and adult conditioning learning and memories, and ethanol sensitivity. Down-regulation of these genes led to neuronal loss which was evident by decline in total fluorescent signal intensity in micrographs of MBs structure. The gene silencing caused neuronal dysfunction and induction of ID-like symptoms manifested by deficits in larval preference learning, and short-term olfactory memory and courtship suppression learning in adults. Moreover, the RNAi flies showed higher sensitivity to ethanol vapour. Interestingly, the poe knock-down flies exhibited the most severe phenotypes among other genes. Altogether, we believe this study is first-of-its-kind and findings are highly applicable to confirm pathogenecity of the selected ID gene variants in Iranian population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Haddadi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran.
| | - Reza Ataei
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran
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Bujdoso R, Smith A, Fleck O, Spiropoulos J, Andréoletti O, Thackray AM. Prion disease modelled in Drosophila. Cell Tissue Res 2022; 392:47-62. [PMID: 35092497 PMCID: PMC10113284 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-022-03586-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
AbstractPrion diseases are fatal neurodegenerative conditions of humans and various vertebrate species that are transmissible between individuals of the same or different species. A novel infectious moiety referred to as a prion is considered responsible for transmission of these conditions. Prion replication is believed to be the cause of the neurotoxicity that arises during prion disease pathogenesis. The prion hypothesis predicts that the transmissible prion agent consists of PrPSc, which is comprised of aggregated misfolded conformers of the normal host protein PrPC. It is important to understand the biology of transmissible prions and to identify genetic modifiers of prion-induced neurotoxicity. This information will underpin the development of therapeutic and control strategies for human and animal prion diseases. The most reliable method to detect prion infectivity is by in vivo transmission in a suitable experimental host, which to date have been mammalian species. Current prion bioassays are slow, cumbersome and relatively insensitive to low titres of prion infectivity, and do not lend themselves to rapid genetic analysis of prion disease. Here, we provide an overview of our novel studies that have led to the establishment of Drosophila melanogaster, a genetically well-defined invertebrate host, as a sensitive, versatile and economically viable animal model for the detection of mammalian prion infectivity and genetic modifiers of prion-induced toxicity.
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Xue J, Li G, Ji X, Liu ZH, Wang HL, Xiao G. Drosophila ZIP13 overexpression or transferrin1 RNAi influences the muscle degeneration of Pink1 RNAi by elevating iron levels in mitochondria. J Neurochem 2022; 160:540-555. [PMID: 35038358 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2021] [Revised: 01/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Disruption of iron homeostasis in the brain of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients has been reported for many years, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. To investigate iron metabolism genes related to PTEN-induced kinase 1 (Pink1) and parkin (E3 ubiquitin ligase), two PD-associated proteins that function to coordinate mitochondrial turnover via induction of selective mitophagy, we conducted a genetic screen in Drosophila and found that altered expression of genes involved in iron metabolism, such as Drosophila ZIP13 (dZIP13) or transferrin1 (Tsf1), significantly influences the disease progression related to Pink1 but not parkin. Several phenotypes of Pink1 mutant and Pink1 RNAi but not parkin mutant were significantly rescued by overexpression (OE) of dZIP13 (dZIP13 OE) or silencing of Tsf1 (Tsf1 RNAi) in the flight muscles. The rescue effects of dZIP13 OE or Tsf1 RNAi were not exerted through mitochondrial disruption or mitophagy, instead, the iron levels in mitochondira were significantly increased, resulting in enhanced activity of enzymes participating in respiration and increased ATP synthesis. Consistently, the rescue effects of dZIP13 OE or Tsf1 RNAi on Pink1 RNAi can be inhibited by decreasing the iron levels in mitochondria through mitoferrin (dmfrn) RNAi. This study suggests that dZIP13, Tsf1 and dmfrn might act independently of parkin in a parallel pathway downstream of Pink1 by modulating respiration and indicates that manipulation of iron levels in mitochondria may provide a novel therapeutic strategy for PD associated with Pink1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinsong Xue
- Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Regulation for Major Diseases of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, College of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Guangying Li
- Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Regulation for Major Diseases of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, College of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Xiaowen Ji
- Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Regulation for Major Diseases of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, College of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Zhi-Hua Liu
- Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Regulation for Major Diseases of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, College of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Hui-Li Wang
- Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Regulation for Major Diseases of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, College of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Guiran Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Regulation for Major Diseases of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, College of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, Anhui, China
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12
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Girard V, Jollivet F, Knittelfelder O, Celle M, Arsac JN, Chatelain G, Van den Brink DM, Baron T, Shevchenko A, Kühnlein RP, Davoust N, Mollereau B. Abnormal accumulation of lipid droplets in neurons induces the conversion of alpha-Synuclein to proteolytic resistant forms in a Drosophila model of Parkinson's disease. PLoS Genet 2021; 17:e1009921. [PMID: 34788284 PMCID: PMC8635402 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2021] [Revised: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by alpha-synuclein (αSyn) aggregation and associated with abnormalities in lipid metabolism. The accumulation of lipids in cytoplasmic organelles called lipid droplets (LDs) was observed in cellular models of PD. To investigate the pathophysiological consequences of interactions between αSyn and proteins that regulate the homeostasis of LDs, we used a transgenic Drosophila model of PD, in which human αSyn is specifically expressed in photoreceptor neurons. We first found that overexpression of the LD-coating proteins Perilipin 1 or 2 (dPlin1/2), which limit the access of lipases to LDs, markedly increased triacylglyclerol (TG) loaded LDs in neurons. However, dPlin-induced-LDs in neurons are independent of lipid anabolic (diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1/midway, fatty acid transport protein/dFatp) and catabolic (brummer TG lipase) enzymes, indicating that alternative mechanisms regulate neuronal LD homeostasis. Interestingly, the accumulation of LDs induced by various LD proteins (dPlin1, dPlin2, CG7900 or KlarsichtLD-BD) was synergistically amplified by the co-expression of αSyn, which localized to LDs in both Drosophila photoreceptor neurons and in human neuroblastoma cells. Finally, the accumulation of LDs increased the resistance of αSyn to proteolytic digestion, a characteristic of αSyn aggregation in human neurons. We propose that αSyn cooperates with LD proteins to inhibit lipolysis and that binding of αSyn to LDs contributes to the pathogenic misfolding and aggregation of αSyn in neurons. Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by the neurotoxic aggregation of the alpha-synuclein (αSyn) protein. Cellular models of the disease are also associated with an abnormal fat storage in the form of lipid droplets (LDs). However, in which cells, neuron or glial cells, LDs accumulate in the organism remains unknown. To understand the relationship between αSyn and the accumulation of LDs, we used a Drosophila (fruit fly) model of PD. We found that, in the presence of a protein that coats LDs, perilipin, LDs accumulate in photoreceptor neurons of the fly. Interestingly, the accumulation of LDs induced by perilipin or other LD-coating proteins was enhanced in the presence of αSyn. Using human neuronal cell lines and the fly, we could show that LD-coating and αSyn proteins localize at the surface of LDs. Finally, we observed that the process of αSyn aggregation was enhanced in the presence of LDs by using a biochemical approach. We thus propose that the association of αSyn with LDs could contribute to αSyn aggregation and progression of the pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Girard
- Laboratory of Biology and Modelling of the Cell, UMR5239 CNRS/ENS de Lyon, INSERM U1210, UMS 3444 Biosciences Lyon Gerland, University of Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Florence Jollivet
- Laboratory of Biology and Modelling of the Cell, UMR5239 CNRS/ENS de Lyon, INSERM U1210, UMS 3444 Biosciences Lyon Gerland, University of Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Oskar Knittelfelder
- Max-Planck-Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
| | - Marion Celle
- Laboratory of Biology and Modelling of the Cell, UMR5239 CNRS/ENS de Lyon, INSERM U1210, UMS 3444 Biosciences Lyon Gerland, University of Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Jean-Noel Arsac
- Neurodegenerative Disease Unit; French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety Laboratory (Anses) of Lyon, University of Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Gilles Chatelain
- Laboratory of Biology and Modelling of the Cell, UMR5239 CNRS/ENS de Lyon, INSERM U1210, UMS 3444 Biosciences Lyon Gerland, University of Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Daan M. Van den Brink
- Laboratory of Biology and Modelling of the Cell, UMR5239 CNRS/ENS de Lyon, INSERM U1210, UMS 3444 Biosciences Lyon Gerland, University of Lyon, Lyon, France
- Plant Systems Physiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Thierry Baron
- Neurodegenerative Disease Unit; French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety Laboratory (Anses) of Lyon, University of Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Andrej Shevchenko
- Max-Planck-Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
| | - Ronald P. Kühnlein
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria
- Field of Excellence BioHealth—University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Nathalie Davoust
- Laboratory of Biology and Modelling of the Cell, UMR5239 CNRS/ENS de Lyon, INSERM U1210, UMS 3444 Biosciences Lyon Gerland, University of Lyon, Lyon, France
- * E-mail: (ND); (BM)
| | - Bertrand Mollereau
- Laboratory of Biology and Modelling of the Cell, UMR5239 CNRS/ENS de Lyon, INSERM U1210, UMS 3444 Biosciences Lyon Gerland, University of Lyon, Lyon, France
- * E-mail: (ND); (BM)
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13
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Buhlman LM, Krishna G, Jones TB, Thomas TC. Drosophila as a model to explore secondary injury cascades after traumatic brain injury. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 142:112079. [PMID: 34463269 PMCID: PMC8458259 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.112079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Drosophilae are emerging as a valuable model to study traumatic brain injury (TBI)-induced secondary injury cascades that drive persisting neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative pathology that imposes significant risk for long-term neurological deficits. As in mammals, TBI in Drosophila triggers axonal injury, metabolic crisis, oxidative stress, and a robust innate immune response. Subsequent neurodegeneration stresses quality control systems and perpetuates an environment for neuroprotection, regeneration, and delayed cell death via highly conserved cell signaling pathways. Fly injury models continue to be developed and validated for both whole-body and head-specific injury to isolate, evaluate, and modulate these parallel pathways. In conjunction with powerful genetic tools, the ability for longitudinal evaluation, and associated neurological deficits that can be tested with established behavioral tasks, Drosophilae are an attractive model to explore secondary injury cascades and therapeutic intervention after TBI. Here, we review similarities and differences between mammalian and fly pathophysiology and highlight strategies for their use in translational neurotrauma research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lori M Buhlman
- Biomedical Sciences Program, Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ, USA.
| | - Gokul Krishna
- Department of Child Health, University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, USA; Barrow Neurological Institute at Phoenix Children's Hospital, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - T Bucky Jones
- Department of Anatomy, Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ, USA
| | - Theresa Currier Thomas
- Department of Child Health, University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, USA; Barrow Neurological Institute at Phoenix Children's Hospital, Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix VA Health Care System, Phoenix, AZ, USA.
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14
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Crocker KL, Marischuk K, Rimkus SA, Zhou H, Yin JCP, Boekhoff-Falk G. Neurogenesis in the adult Drosophila brain. Genetics 2021; 219:6297258. [PMID: 34117750 PMCID: PMC8860384 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyab092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's currently affect ∼25 million people worldwide (Erkkinen et al. 2018). The global incidence of traumatic brain injury (TBI) is estimated at ∼70 million/year (Dewan et al. 2018). Both neurodegenerative diseases and TBI remain without effective treatments. We are utilizing adult Drosophila melanogaster to investigate the mechanisms of brain regeneration with the long term goal of identifying targets for neural regenerative therapies. We specifically focused on neurogenesis, i.e. the generation of new cells, as opposed to the regrowth of specific subcellular structures such as axons. Like mammals, Drosophila have few proliferating cells in the adult brain. Nonetheless, within 24 hours of a Penetrating Traumatic Brain Injury (PTBI) to the central brain, there is a significant increase in the number of proliferating cells. We subsequently detect both new glia and new neurons and the formation of new axon tracts that target appropriate brain regions. Glial cells divide rapidly upon injury to give rise to new glial cells. Other cells near the injury site upregulate neural progenitor genes including asense and deadpan and later give rise to the new neurons. Locomotor abnormalities observed after PTBI are reversed within two weeks of injury, supporting the idea that there is functional recovery. Together, these data indicate that adult Drosophila brains are capable of neuronal repair. We anticipate that this paradigm will facilitate the dissection of the mechanisms of neural regeneration and that these processes will be relevant to human brain repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kassi L Crocker
- Genetics Graduate Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Medicine and Public Health, 1111 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53705, USA.,Science and Medicine Graduate Research Scholars Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Medicine and Public Health, 1111 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53705, USA.,Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Medicine and Public Health, 1111 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Khailee Marischuk
- Genetics Graduate Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Medicine and Public Health, 1111 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53705, USA.,Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Medicine and Public Health, 1111 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Stacey A Rimkus
- Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Medicine and Public Health, 1111 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Hong Zhou
- Department of Genetics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Medicine and Public Health, 1111 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Jerry C P Yin
- Department of Genetics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Medicine and Public Health, 1111 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Grace Boekhoff-Falk
- Genetics Graduate Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Medicine and Public Health, 1111 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53705, USA.,Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Medicine and Public Health, 1111 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53705, USA
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15
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The Seaweed Diet in Prevention and Treatment of the Neurodegenerative Diseases. Mar Drugs 2021; 19:md19030128. [PMID: 33652930 PMCID: PMC7996752 DOI: 10.3390/md19030128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 02/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Edible marine algae are rich in bioactive compounds and are, therefore, a source of bioavailable proteins, long chain polysaccharides that behave as low-calorie soluble fibers, metabolically necessary minerals, vitamins, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and antioxidants. Marine algae were used primarily as gelling agents and thickeners (phycocolloids) in food and pharmaceutical industries in the last century, but recent research has revealed their potential as a source of useful compounds for the pharmaceutical, medical, and cosmetic industries. The green, red, and brown algae have been shown to have useful therapeutic properties in the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases: Parkinson, Alzheimer’s, and Multiple Sclerosis, and other chronic diseases. In this review are listed and described the main components of a suitable diet for patients with these diseases. In addition, compounds derived from macroalgae and their neurophysiological activities are described.
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16
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Nikookar H, Haddadi M, Haghi M, Masoudi R. DNT1 Downregulation and Increased Ethanol Sensitivity in Transgenic Drosophila Models of Alzheimer's Disease. Arch Gerontol Geriatr 2021; 94:104355. [PMID: 33550108 DOI: 10.1016/j.archger.2021.104355] [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: 10/10/2020] [Revised: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Two major pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD) are amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles of hyperphosphorylated tau. Aggregation of amyloid-β (Aβ) is considered as the primary insult in AD. However, failure in treatments based on targetingAβ without considering the pathologic tau and close correlation between pathological tau and cognitive decline highlighted the crucial role of tau in AD. Loss of synaptic plasticity and cognitive decline, partly due to decrease in Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), are other hallmarks of AD. Aβ and tau downregulate BDNF at both transcriptional and translational levels. The aim of this research was to study the expression levels of Drosophila Neuroteophin 1 (DNT1), as an orthologue of BDNF, in flies expressing Aβ42 or tauR406W. Levels of DNT1 were determined using quantitative real time PCR. Behavioral and Biochemical investigations were also performed in parallel. Our results showed that there is a significant decrease in the levels of DNT1 expression in Aβ42 or tauR406W expressing flies. Interestingly, a significant increase was observed in sensitivity to ethanol in both transgenic flies. Rise in Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) levels was also detected. We concluded that both Aβ and pathological tau exert their toxic effect on DNT1 expression, ROS production, and response to ethanol, independently. Interestingly, pathological tau showed higher impact on the ROS production compared to Aβ. It seems that Aβ42 and tauR406W transgenic flies are proper models to investigate the interplay between BDNF and oxidative stress, and also to assess the mechanism underlying behavioral response to ethanol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoda Nikookar
- Department of Biology, College of Sciences, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mohammad Haddadi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran
| | - Mehrnaz Haghi
- Department of Biology, College of Sciences, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Raheleh Masoudi
- Department of Biology, College of Sciences, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran.
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17
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Menduti G, Rasà DM, Stanga S, Boido M. Drug Screening and Drug Repositioning as Promising Therapeutic Approaches for Spinal Muscular Atrophy Treatment. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:592234. [PMID: 33281605 PMCID: PMC7689316 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.592234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is the most common genetic disease affecting infants and young adults. Due to mutation/deletion of the survival motor neuron (SMN) gene, SMA is characterized by the SMN protein lack, resulting in motor neuron impairment, skeletal muscle atrophy and premature death. Even if the genetic causes of SMA are well known, many aspects of its pathogenesis remain unclear and only three drugs have been recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration (Nusinersen-Spinraza; Onasemnogene abeparvovec or AVXS-101-Zolgensma; Risdiplam-Evrysdi): although assuring remarkable results, the therapies show some important limits including high costs, still unknown long-term effects, side effects and disregarding of SMN-independent targets. Therefore, the research of new therapeutic strategies is still a hot topic in the SMA field and many efforts are spent in drug discovery. In this review, we describe two promising strategies to select effective molecules: drug screening (DS) and drug repositioning (DR). By using compounds libraries of chemical/natural compounds and/or Food and Drug Administration-approved substances, DS aims at identifying new potentially effective compounds, whereas DR at testing drugs originally designed for the treatment of other pathologies. The drastic reduction in risks, costs and time expenditure assured by these strategies make them particularly interesting, especially for those diseases for which the canonical drug discovery process would be long and expensive. Interestingly, among the identified molecules by DS/DR in the context of SMA, besides the modulators of SMN2 transcription, we highlighted a convergence of some targeted molecular cascades contributing to SMA pathology, including cell death related-pathways, mitochondria and cytoskeleton dynamics, neurotransmitter and hormone modulation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Marina Boido
- Department of Neuroscience Rita Levi Montalcini, Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
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18
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Catalani E, Bongiorni S, Taddei AR, Mezzetti M, Silvestri F, Coazzoli M, Zecchini S, Giovarelli M, Perrotta C, De Palma C, Clementi E, Ceci M, Prantera G, Cervia D. Defects of full-length dystrophin trigger retinal neuron damage and synapse alterations by disrupting functional autophagy. Cell Mol Life Sci 2020; 78:1615-1636. [PMID: 32749504 PMCID: PMC7904721 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-020-03598-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2020] [Revised: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Dystrophin (dys) mutations predispose Duchenne muscular disease (DMD) patients to brain and retinal complications. Although different dys variants, including long dys products, are expressed in the retina, their function is largely unknown. We investigated the putative role of full-length dystrophin in the homeostasis of neuro-retina and its impact on synapsis stabilization and cell fate. Retinas of mdx mice, the most used DMD model which does not express the 427-KDa dys protein (Dp427), showed overlapped cell death and impaired autophagy. Apoptotic neurons in the outer plexiform/inner nuclear layer and the ganglion cell layer had an impaired autophagy with accumulated autophagosomes. The autophagy dysfunction localized at photoreceptor axonal terminals and bipolar, amacrine, and ganglion cells. The absence of Dp427 does not cause a severe phenotype but alters the neuronal architecture, compromising mainly the pre-synaptic photoreceptor terminals and their post-synaptic sites. The analysis of two dystrophic mutants of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, the homozygous DysE17 and DysEP3397, lacking functional large-isoforms of dystrophin-like protein, revealed rhabdomere degeneration. Structural damages were evident in the internal network of retina/lamina where photoreceptors make the first synapse. Both accumulated autophagosomes and apoptotic features were detected and the visual system was functionally impaired. The reactivation of the autophagosome turnover by rapamycin prevented neuronal cell death and structural changes of mutant flies and, of interest, sustained autophagy ameliorated their response to light. Overall, these findings indicate that functional full-length dystrophin is required for synapsis stabilization and neuronal survival of the retina, allowing also proper autophagy as a prerequisite for physiological cell fate and visual properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Catalani
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-Food and Forest Systems (DIBAF), Università degli Studi della Tuscia, largo dell'Università snc, 01100, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Silvia Bongiorni
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences (DEB), Università degli Studi della Tuscia, largo dell'Università snc, 01100, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Anna Rita Taddei
- Section of Electron Microscopy, Great Equipment Center, Università degli Studi della Tuscia, largo dell'Università snc, 01100, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Marta Mezzetti
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-Food and Forest Systems (DIBAF), Università degli Studi della Tuscia, largo dell'Università snc, 01100, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Federica Silvestri
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-Food and Forest Systems (DIBAF), Università degli Studi della Tuscia, largo dell'Università snc, 01100, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Marco Coazzoli
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "Luigi Sacco" (DIBIC), Università degli Studi di Milano, via G.B. Grassi 74, 20157, Milano, Italy
| | - Silvia Zecchini
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "Luigi Sacco" (DIBIC), Università degli Studi di Milano, via G.B. Grassi 74, 20157, Milano, Italy
| | - Matteo Giovarelli
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "Luigi Sacco" (DIBIC), Università degli Studi di Milano, via G.B. Grassi 74, 20157, Milano, Italy
| | - Cristiana Perrotta
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "Luigi Sacco" (DIBIC), Università degli Studi di Milano, via G.B. Grassi 74, 20157, Milano, Italy
| | - Clara De Palma
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine (BioMeTra), Università degli Studi di Milano, via Luigi Vanvitelli 32, 20129 , Milano, Italy
| | - Emilio Clementi
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "Luigi Sacco" (DIBIC), Università degli Studi di Milano, via G.B. Grassi 74, 20157, Milano, Italy
- Unit of Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital "Luigi Sacco"-ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, via G.B. Grassi 74, 20157, Milano, Italy
- Scientific Institute IRCCS "Eugenio Medea", via Don Luigi Monza 20, 23842, Bosisio Parini (LC), Italy
| | - Marcello Ceci
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences (DEB), Università degli Studi della Tuscia, largo dell'Università snc, 01100, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Giorgio Prantera
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences (DEB), Università degli Studi della Tuscia, largo dell'Università snc, 01100, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Davide Cervia
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-Food and Forest Systems (DIBAF), Università degli Studi della Tuscia, largo dell'Università snc, 01100, Viterbo, Italy.
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "Luigi Sacco" (DIBIC), Università degli Studi di Milano, via G.B. Grassi 74, 20157, Milano, Italy.
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19
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Fernández-Cruz I, Sánchez-Díaz I, Narváez-Padilla V, Reynaud E. Rpt2 proteasome subunit reduction causes Parkinson's disease like symptoms in Drosophila. IBRO Rep 2020; 9:65-77. [PMID: 32715147 PMCID: PMC7369354 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibror.2020.07.001] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The dysfunction of the proteasome-ubiquitin system is commonly reported in several neurodegenerative diseases. Post mortem samples of brains of patients with Parkinson´s disease present cytoplasmic inclusions that are rich in proteins such as ubiquitin, Tau, and α-synuclein. In Parkinson´s disease, a specific reduction of some of the proteasome subunits has also been reported. However, the specific role of the different proteasome subunits in dopaminergic neuron degeneration has not been thoroughly explored. In this work, we used the Gal4/UAS system to test fourteen Drosophila melanogaster RNAi lines from the Bloomington Drosophila Stock Center. Each of these lines targets a different proteasome subunit. To identify the strains that were able to induce neurodegeneration, we drove the expression of these lines to the eye and cataloged them as a function of the extent of neurodegeneration that they induced. The targeted proteasomal subunits are conserved in mammals and therefore may be relevant to study proteasome related diseases. The RNAi line among the regulatory subunits with the most penetrant phenotype targeted the proteasomal subunit Rpt2 and we decided to further characterize its phenotypes. Rpt2 knockdown in the Drosophila central nervous system reduced the activity of the proteasome, augmented the amount of insoluble ubiquitinated protein, and elicited motor and non-motor phenotypes that were similar to the ones found in Drosophila and other models for Parkinson's disease. When Rpt2 is silenced pan-neurally, third instar larvae have locomotion dysfunctions and die during pupation. Larval lethality was avoided using the Gal80-Gal4 system to induce the expression of the Rpt2 RNAi to dopaminergic neurons only after pupation. The reduction of Rpt2 in adult dopaminergic neurons causes reduced survival, hyperactivity, neurodegeneration, and sleep loss; probably recapitulating some of the sleep disorders that Parkinson's disease patients have before the appearance of locomotion disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iván Fernández-Cruz
- Departamento de Genética del Desarrollo y Fisiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Iván Sánchez-Díaz
- Departamento de Genética del Desarrollo y Fisiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Verónica Narváez-Padilla
- Centro de Investigación en Dinámica Celular, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Enrique Reynaud
- Departamento de Genética del Desarrollo y Fisiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
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20
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Lopes Neto JJ, de Almeida TS, Gonçalves de Lima RDC, Dos Santos Nunes RG, de Lima Silva JR, de Almeida LL, Kamdem JP, Carvalho AFU. Metabolic aspects of phenolic compounds from Triplaris gardneriana seeds in the management of oxidative stress. Drug Dev Ind Pharm 2020; 46:1026-1033. [PMID: 32393135 DOI: 10.1080/03639045.2020.1767126] [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] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Objective: Considering the limited number of studies that analyze the behavior of plant preparations in human body, this study aimed to characterize the phenolic compounds from Triplaris gardneriana extract (EETg) in terms of antioxidant and metabolic aspects, integrating in vitro, in silico and in vivo strategies.Methods: EETg was analyzed in relation to polyphenols release from the plant matrix under in vitro digestion, as well as the pharmacokinetic prediction of their major compounds by in silico simulation and understanding of its in vivo antioxidant effect in an alternative animal model.Results: About 35.22% of polyphenols from EETg proved to be accessible after enzymatic hydrolysis. A kinetics study showed that 40% of the total content of these phytochemicals was released from the extract accompanied by increased antioxidant capacity after 180 min of gastrointestinal simulation. A computational approach revealed that 7 out of 9 major phenolic compounds of EETg showed good pharmacokinetic parameters such as intestinal absorption and bioavailability score. In addition, the extract showed a protective effect on copper-induced oxidative stress in Drosophila melanogaster, evidenced by the restoration of basal levels of thiol and malondialdehyde contents. These biochemical observations were supported by the examination of histological features of D. melanogaster brain.Conclusion: It was demonstrated that the oral administration of EETg would provide phenolic compounds partially absorbable by the human gut and capable of providing health benefits associated with the inhibition of oxidative stress. Additionally, the results highlight the need to implement new approaches for the rational development of plant-based medicines.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Joaquim Lopes Neto
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | - Thiago Silva de Almeida
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | - Jean Paul Kamdem
- Department of Biological Sciences, Regional University of Cariri, Crato, Brazil
| | - Ana Fontenele Urano Carvalho
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil.,Department of Biology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil
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21
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Hill CS, Sreedharan J, Loreto A, Menon DK, Coleman MP. Loss of highwire Protects Against the Deleterious Effects of Traumatic Brain Injury in Drosophila Melanogaster. Front Neurol 2020; 11:401. [PMID: 32477254 PMCID: PMC7235382 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.00401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury is a major global cause of death and disability. Axonal injury is a major underlying mechanism of TBI and could represent a major therapeutic target. We provide evidence that targeting the axonal death pathway known as Wallerian degeneration improves outcome in a Drosophila Melanogaster model of high impact trauma. This cell-autonomous neurodegenerative pathway is initiated following axon injury, and in Drosophila, involves activity of the E3 ubiquitin ligase highwire. We demonstrate that a loss-of-function mutation in the highwire gene rescues deleterious effects of a traumatic injury, including-improved functional outcomes, lifespan, survival of dopaminergic neurons, and retention of synaptic proteins. This data suggests that highwire represents a potential therapeutic target in traumatic injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ciaran S. Hill
- John van Geest Centre for Brain Repair, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- The Babraham Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Jemeen Sreedharan
- The Babraham Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Andrea Loreto
- John van Geest Centre for Brain Repair, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - David K. Menon
- Division of Anaesthesia, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Wolfson Brain Imaging Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Michael P. Coleman
- John van Geest Centre for Brain Repair, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- The Babraham Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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22
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De Nobrega AK, Lyons LC. Aging and the clock: Perspective from flies to humans. Eur J Neurosci 2020; 51:454-481. [PMID: 30269400 PMCID: PMC6441388 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2018] [Revised: 09/10/2018] [Accepted: 09/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Endogenous circadian oscillators regulate molecular, cellular and physiological rhythms, synchronizing tissues and organ function to coordinate activity and metabolism with environmental cycles. The technological nature of modern society with round-the-clock work schedules and heavy reliance on personal electronics has precipitated a striking increase in the incidence of circadian and sleep disorders. Circadian dysfunction contributes to an increased risk for many diseases and appears to have adverse effects on aging and longevity in animal models. From invertebrate organisms to humans, the function and synchronization of the circadian system weakens with age aggravating the age-related disorders and pathologies. In this review, we highlight the impacts of circadian dysfunction on aging and longevity and the reciprocal effects of aging on circadian function with examples from Drosophila to humans underscoring the highly conserved nature of these interactions. Additionally, we review the potential for using reinforcement of the circadian system to promote healthy aging and mitigate age-related pathologies. Advancements in medicine and public health have significantly increased human life span in the past century. With the demographics of countries worldwide shifting to an older population, there is a critical need to understand the factors that shape healthy aging. Drosophila melanogaster, as a model for aging and circadian interactions, has the capacity to facilitate the rapid advancement of research in this area and provide mechanistic insights for targeted investigations in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aliza K De Nobrega
- Program in Neuroscience, Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida
| | - Lisa C Lyons
- Program in Neuroscience, Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida
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23
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Hsieh YC, Guo C, Yalamanchili HK, Abreha M, Al-Ouran R, Li Y, Dammer EB, Lah JJ, Levey AI, Bennett DA, De Jager PL, Seyfried NT, Liu Z, Shulman JM. Tau-Mediated Disruption of the Spliceosome Triggers Cryptic RNA Splicing and Neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's Disease. Cell Rep 2019; 29:301-316.e10. [PMID: 31597093 PMCID: PMC6919331 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.08.104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2019] [Revised: 06/29/2019] [Accepted: 08/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In Alzheimer's disease (AD), spliceosomal proteins with critical roles in RNA processing aberrantly aggregate and mislocalize to Tau neurofibrillary tangles. We test the hypothesis that Tau-spliceosome interactions disrupt pre-mRNA splicing in AD. In human postmortem brain with AD pathology, Tau coimmunoprecipitates with spliceosomal components. In Drosophila, pan-neuronal Tau expression triggers reductions in multiple core and U1-specific spliceosomal proteins, and genetic disruption of these factors, including SmB, U1-70K, and U1A, enhances Tau-mediated neurodegeneration. We further show that loss of function in SmB, encoding a core spliceosomal protein, causes decreased survival, progressive locomotor impairment, and neuronal loss, independent of Tau toxicity. Lastly, RNA sequencing reveals a similar profile of mRNA splicing errors in SmB mutant and Tau transgenic flies, including intron retention and non-annotated cryptic splice junctions. In human brains, we confirm cryptic splicing errors in association with neurofibrillary tangle burden. Our results implicate spliceosome disruption and the resulting transcriptome perturbation in Tau-mediated neurodegeneration in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Chen Hsieh
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Caiwei Guo
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Hari K Yalamanchili
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Measho Abreha
- Department of Biochemistry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Rami Al-Ouran
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Yarong Li
- Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Eric B Dammer
- Department of Biochemistry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - James J Lah
- Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Allan I Levey
- Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - David A Bennett
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Philip L De Jager
- Center for Translational and Computational Neuroimmunology, Department of Neurology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA; Cell Circuits Program, Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Nicholas T Seyfried
- Department of Biochemistry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Zhandong Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Joshua M Shulman
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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24
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Nainu F, Salim E, Asri RM, Hori A, Kuraishi T. Neurodegenerative disorders and sterile inflammation: lessons from a Drosophila model. J Biochem 2019; 166:213-221. [PMID: 31251338 DOI: 10.1093/jb/mvz053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 06/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Central nervous system (CNS)-related disorders, including neurodegenerative diseases, are common but difficult to treat. As effective medical interventions are limited, those diseases will likely continue adversely affecting people's health. There is evidence that the hyperactivation of innate immunity is a hallmark of most neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and polyglutamine diseases. In mammalian and fly CNS, the presence of noninfectious ligands, including danger-associated molecular patterns, is recognized by (micro)glial cells, inducing the expression of proinflammatory cytokines. Such inflammation may contribute to the onset and progression of neurodegenerative states. Studies using fruit flies have shed light on the types of signals, receptors and cells responsible for inducing the inflammation that leads to neurodegeneration. Researchers are using fly models to assess the mechanisms of sterile inflammation in the brain and its link to progressive neurodegeneration. Given the similarity of its physiological system and biochemical function to those of mammals, especially in activating and regulating innate immune signalling, Drosophila can be a versatile model system for studying the mechanisms and biological significance of sterile inflammatory responses in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. Such knowledge would greatly facilitate the quest for a novel effective treatment for neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Firzan Nainu
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Hasanuddin, Jl. Perintis Kemerdekaan Km.10 Tamalanrea, Makassar, Indonesia
| | - Emil Salim
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Jl. Tri Dharma No. 5 Pintu 4 Kampus USU, Medan, Indonesia.,Faculty of Pharmacy, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Shizenken, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Rangga Meidianto Asri
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Hasanuddin, Jl. Perintis Kemerdekaan Km.10 Tamalanrea, Makassar, Indonesia.,Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Jl. Tri Dharma No. 5 Pintu 4 Kampus USU, Medan, Indonesia
| | - Aki Hori
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Jl. Tri Dharma No. 5 Pintu 4 Kampus USU, Medan, Indonesia
| | - Takayuki Kuraishi
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Jl. Tri Dharma No. 5 Pintu 4 Kampus USU, Medan, Indonesia
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25
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Rubin BER, Jones BM, Hunt BG, Kocher SD. Rate variation in the evolution of non-coding DNA associated with social evolution in bees. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2019; 374:20180247. [PMID: 31154980 PMCID: PMC6560270 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2018.0247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The evolutionary origins of eusociality represent increases in complexity from individual to caste-based, group reproduction. These behavioural transitions have been hypothesized to go hand in hand with an increased ability to regulate when and where genes are expressed. Bees have convergently evolved eusociality up to five times, providing a framework to test this hypothesis. To examine potential links between putative gene regulatory elements and social evolution, we compare alignable, non-coding sequences in 11 diverse bee species, encompassing three independent origins of reproductive division of labour and two elaborations of eusocial complexity. We find that rates of evolution in a number of non-coding sequences correlate with key social transitions in bees. Interestingly, while we find little evidence for convergent rate changes associated with independent origins of social behaviour, a number of molecular pathways exhibit convergent rate changes in conjunction with subsequent elaborations of social organization. We also present evidence that many novel non-coding regions may have been recruited alongside the origin of sociality in corbiculate bees; these loci could represent gene regulatory elements associated with division of labour within this group. Thus, our findings are consistent with the hypothesis that gene regulatory innovations are associated with the evolution of eusociality and illustrate how a thorough examination of both coding and non-coding sequence can provide a more complete understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying behavioural evolution. This article is part of the theme issue 'Convergent evolution in the genomics era: new insights and directions'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin E. R. Rubin
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Beryl M. Jones
- Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Brendan G. Hunt
- Department of Entomology, University of Georgia, Griffin, GA, USA
| | - Sarah D. Kocher
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
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26
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Thackray AM, Andréoletti O, Bujdoso R. Mammalian prion propagation in PrP transgenic Drosophila. Brain 2019; 141:2700-2710. [PMID: 29985975 PMCID: PMC6113635 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awy183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2018] [Accepted: 05/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian prions propagate by template-directed misfolding and aggregation of normal cellular prion related protein PrPC as it converts into disease-associated conformers collectively referred to as PrPSc. Mammalian species may be permissive for prion disease because these hosts have co-evolved specific co-factors that assist PrPC conformational change and prion propagation. We have tested this hypothesis by examining whether faithful prion propagation occurs in the normally PrPC-null invertebrate host Drosophila melanogaster. Ovine PrP transgenic Drosophila exposed at the larval stage to ovine scrapie showed a progressive accumulation of transmissible prions in adult flies. Strikingly, the biological properties of distinct ovine prion strains were maintained during their propagation in Drosophila. Our observations show that the co-factors necessary for strain-specific prion propagation are not unique to mammalian species. Our studies establish Drosophila as a novel host for the study of transmissible mammalian prions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alana M Thackray
- University of Cambridge, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 OES, UK
| | - Olivier Andréoletti
- UMR INRA ENVT 1225 -Hôtes-Agents Pathogènes, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse, 23 Chemin des Capelles, Toulouse, France
| | - Raymond Bujdoso
- University of Cambridge, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 OES, UK
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27
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Triacylglycerol Metabolism in Drosophila melanogaster. Genetics 2019; 210:1163-1184. [PMID: 30523167 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.118.301583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2018] [Accepted: 09/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Triacylglycerol (TAG) is the most important caloric source with respect to energy homeostasis in animals. In addition to its evolutionarily conserved importance as an energy source, TAG turnover is crucial to the metabolism of structural and signaling lipids. These neutral lipids are also key players in development and disease. Here, we review the metabolism of TAG in the Drosophila model system. Recently, the fruit fly has attracted renewed attention in research due to the unique experimental approaches it affords in studying the tissue-autonomous and interorgan regulation of lipid metabolism in vivo Following an overview of the systemic control of fly body fat stores, we will cover lipid anabolic, enzymatic, and regulatory processes, which begin with the dietary lipid breakdown and de novo lipogenesis that results in lipid droplet storage. Next, we focus on lipolytic processes, which mobilize storage TAG to make it metabolically accessible as either an energy source or as a building block for biosynthesis of other lipid classes. Since the buildup and breakdown of fat involves various organs, we highlight avenues of lipid transport, which are at the heart of functional integration of organismic lipid metabolism. Finally, we draw attention to some "missing links" in basic neutral lipid metabolism and conclude with a perspective on how fly research can be exploited to study functional metabolic roles of diverse lipids.
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28
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Lateef S, Holman A, Carpenter J, James J. Can Therapeutic Hypothermia Diminish the Impact of Traumatic Brain Injury in Drosophila melanogaster? J Exp Neurosci 2019; 13:1179069518824852. [PMID: 30733630 PMCID: PMC6343440 DOI: 10.1177/1179069518824852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2018] [Accepted: 12/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background/main objectives: No effective strategy exists to treat the well-recognized, devastating impact of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), which is the brain degeneration likely caused by repeated head trauma. The goals of this project were (1) to study the effects of single and recurrent TBI (rTBI) on Drosophila melanogaster’s (a) life span, (b) response to sedatives, and (c) behavioral responses to light and gravity and (2) to determine whether therapeutic hypothermia can mitigate the deleterious effects of TBI. Methods: Five experimental groups were created: (1) control, (2) single TBI or concussion; (3) concussion + hypothermia, (4) rTBI, and (5) rTBI + hypothermia. A “high-impact trauma” (HIT) device was built, which used a spring-based mechanism to propel flies against the wall of a vial, causing mechanical damage to the brain. Hypothermia groups were cooled to 15°C for 3 minutes. Group differences were analyzed with chi-square tests for the categorical variables and with ANOVA tests for the continuous variables. Results: Survival curve analysis showed that rTBI can decrease Drosophila lifespan and hypothermia diminished this impact. Average sedation time for control vs concussion vs concussion + hypothermia was 78 vs 52 vs 61 seconds (P < .0001). Similarly, rTBI vs rTBI/hypothermia groups took 43 vs 59 seconds (P < .0001). Concussed flies preferred dark environments compared with control flies (risk ratio 3.3, P < .01) while flies who were concussed and cooled had a risk ratio of 2.7 (P < .01). Flies with rTBI were almost 4 times likely to prefer the dark environment but only 3 times as likely if they were cooled, compared with controls. Geotaxis was significantly affected by rTBI only and yet less so if rTBI flies were cooled. Conclusions: Hypothermia successfully mitigated many deleterious effects of single TBI and rTBI in Drosophila and may represent a promising breakthrough in the treatment of human TBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan Lateef
- Jefferson Underclassman Multidisciplinary Laboratory (JUMP Lab), Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Alexandria, VA, USA
| | - Aubrie Holman
- Jefferson Underclassman Multidisciplinary Laboratory (JUMP Lab), Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Alexandria, VA, USA
| | - Jessica Carpenter
- Children's National Health System and School of Medicine and Health Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Jennifer James
- Jefferson Underclassman Multidisciplinary Laboratory (JUMP Lab), Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Alexandria, VA, USA
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29
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The relevance of the supramolecular arrangements of the respiratory chain complexes in human diseases and aging. Mitochondrion 2019; 47:266-272. [PMID: 30664953 DOI: 10.1016/j.mito.2019.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2017] [Revised: 07/16/2018] [Accepted: 01/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Mitochondrial dysfunction, a common factor in several diseases is accompanied with reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. These molecules react with proteins and lipids at their site of generation, establishing a vicious cycle which might result in further mitochondrial injury. It is well established that mitochondrial respiratory complexes can be organized into supramolecular structures called supercomplexes (SCs) or respirasomes; yet, the physiological/pathological relevance of these structures remains unresolved. Changes in their stabilization and content have been documented in Barth's syndrome, degenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer, cardiovascular diseases including heart failure and ischemia-reperfusion damage, as well as in aging. Under pathological conditions, SCs stability could have relevant biomedical implications or might be used as a reliable marker of mitochondrial damage. The purpose of this review is to recapitulate the current state of the significance on mitochondrial bioenergetics of these structures and their possible role in pathophysiologies related with ROS increase.
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30
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Deal SL, Yamamoto S. Unraveling Novel Mechanisms of Neurodegeneration Through a Large-Scale Forward Genetic Screen in Drosophila. Front Genet 2019; 9:700. [PMID: 30693015 PMCID: PMC6339878 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2018.00700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2018] [Accepted: 12/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurodegeneration is characterized by progressive loss of neurons. Genetic and environmental factors both contribute to demise of neurons, leading to diverse devastating cognitive and motor disorders, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases in humans. Over the past few decades, the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, has become an integral tool to understand the molecular, cellular and genetic mechanisms underlying neurodegeneration. Extensive tools and sophisticated technologies allow Drosophila geneticists to identify and study evolutionarily conserved genes that are essential for neural maintenance. In this review, we will focus on a large-scale mosaic forward genetic screen on the fly X-chromosome that led to the identification of a number of essential genes that exhibit neurodegenerative phenotypes when mutated. Most genes identified from this screen are evolutionarily conserved and many have been linked to human diseases with neurological presentations. Systematic electrophysiological and ultrastructural characterization of mutant tissue in the context of the Drosophila visual system, followed by a series of experiments to understand the mechanism of neurodegeneration in each mutant led to the discovery of novel molecular pathways that are required for neuronal integrity. Defects in mitochondrial function, lipid and iron metabolism, protein trafficking and autophagy are recurrent themes, suggesting that insults that eventually lead to neurodegeneration may converge on a set of evolutionarily conserved cellular processes. Insights from these studies have contributed to our understanding of known neurodegenerative diseases such as Leigh syndrome and Friedreich's ataxia and have also led to the identification of new human diseases. By discovering new genes required for neural maintenance in flies and working with clinicians to identify patients with deleterious variants in the orthologous human genes, Drosophila biologists can play an active role in personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha L Deal
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Shinya Yamamoto
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States.,Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States.,Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, United States
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31
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Drosophila as a Model to Study Brain Innate Immunity in Health and Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19123922. [PMID: 30544507 PMCID: PMC6321579 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19123922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2018] [Revised: 12/05/2018] [Accepted: 12/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Innate immunity is the first line of defense against invading pathogens and plays an essential role in defending the brain against infection, injury, and disease. It is currently well recognized that central nervous system (CNS) infections can result in long-lasting neurological sequelae and that innate immune and inflammatory reactions are highly implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegeneration. Due to the conservation of the mechanisms that govern neural development and innate immune activation from flies to mammals, the lack of a classical adaptive immune system and the availability of numerous genetic and genomic tools, the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster presents opportunities to investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms associated with immune function in brain tissue and how they relate to infection, injury and neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we present an overview of currently identified innate immune mechanisms specific to the adult Drosophila brain.
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32
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Aquilina B, Cauchi RJ. Modelling motor neuron disease in fruit flies: Lessons from spinal muscular atrophy. J Neurosci Methods 2018; 310:3-11. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2018.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2017] [Revised: 04/06/2018] [Accepted: 04/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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33
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Chong SS, Wilkinson AJ, Chawla S. A rapid introduction to neurological biochemistry using Drosophila melanogaster. INVERTEBRATE NEUROSCIENCE 2018; 18:15. [PMID: 30406849 DOI: 10.1007/s10158-018-0220-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2018] [Accepted: 10/31/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Short, cost-effective teaching activities are a useful way of providing an integrated view on biological processes. Here we describe a brief, hands-on workshop that allows pre-university students to explore their understanding of a neurological pathway from its chemical bases to phenotype. The workshop effectively introduces the students to data collection and analysis in an enjoyable way and at an appropriate level, determined by an end of session feedback survey. The design of the workshop can be adapted and scaled to generate diverse sessions such as university teaching practicals or summer school training workshops.
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34
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A Novel Mutation in Brain Tumor Causes Both Neural Over-Proliferation and Neurodegeneration in Adult Drosophila. G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS 2018; 8:3331-3346. [PMID: 30126833 PMCID: PMC6169379 DOI: 10.1534/g3.118.200627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
A screen for neuroprotective genes in Drosophila melanogaster led to the identification of a mutation that causes extreme, progressive loss of adult brain neuropil in conjunction with massive brain overgrowth. We mapped the mutation to the brain tumor (brat) locus, which encodes a tripartite motif-NCL-1, HT2A, and LIN-41 (TRIM-NHL) RNA-binding protein with established roles limiting stem cell proliferation in developing brain and ovary. However, a neuroprotective role for brat in the adult Drosophila brain has not been described previously. The new allele, bratcheesehead (bratchs), carries a mutation in the coiled-coil domain of the TRIM motif, and is temperature-sensitive. We demonstrate that mRNA and protein levels of neural stem cell genes are increased in heads of adult bratchs mutants and that the over-proliferation phenotype initiates prior to adult eclosion. We also report that disruption of an uncharacterized gene coding for a presumptive prolyl-4-hydroxylase strongly enhances the over-proliferation and neurodegeneration phenotypes. Together, our results reveal an unexpected role for brat that could be relevant to human cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.
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35
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36
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Singhal N, Jaiswal M. Pathways to neurodegeneration: lessons learnt from unbiased genetic screens in Drosophila. J Genet 2018; 97:773-781. [PMID: 30027908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases are a complex set of disorders that are known to be caused by environmental as well as genetic factors. In the recent past, mutations in a large number of genes have been identified that are linked to several neurodegenerative diseases. The pathogenic mechanisms in most of these disorders are unknown. Recently, studies of genes that are linked to neurodegeneration in Drosophila, the fruit flies, have contributed significantly to our understanding of mechanisms of neuroprotection and degeneration. In this review, we focus on forward genetic screens in Drosophila that helped in identification of novel genes and pathogenic mechanisms linked to neurodegeneration. We also discuss identification of four novel pathways that contribute to neurodegeneration upon mitochondrial dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neha Singhal
- Tata Institute of Fundamental Research Hyderabad, Hyderabad 500 107, India.
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37
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Kounatidis I, Chtarbanova S. Role of Glial Immunity in Lifespan Determination: A Drosophila Perspective. Front Immunol 2018; 9:1362. [PMID: 29942319 PMCID: PMC6004738 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2018] [Accepted: 06/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing body of evidence indicates that proper glial function plays an important role in neuroprotection and in organismal physiology throughout lifespan. Work done in the model organism Drosophila melanogaster has revealed important aspects of glial cell biology in the contexts of longevity and neurodegeneration. In this mini review, we summarize recent findings from work done in the fruit fly Drosophila about the role of glia in maintaining a healthy status during animal’s life and discuss the involvement of glial innate immune pathways in lifespan and neurodegeneration. Overactive nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathways and defective phagocytosis appear to be major contributors to lifespan shortening and neuropathology. Glial NF-κB silencing on the other hand, extends lifespan possibly through an immune–neuroendocrine axis. Given the evolutionary conservation of NF-κB innate immune signaling and of macrophage ontogeny across fruit flies, rodents, and humans, the above observations in glia could potentially support efforts for therapeutic interventions targeting to ameliorate age-related pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilias Kounatidis
- Cell Biology, Development, and Genetics Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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38
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S N, Shivanandappa T. Neuroprotective action of 4-Hydroxyisophthalic acid against paraquat-induced motor impairment involves amelioration of mitochondrial damage and neurodegeneration in Drosophila. Neurotoxicology 2018; 66:160-169. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2018.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2017] [Revised: 04/04/2018] [Accepted: 04/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
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39
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Leite GDO, Ecker A, Seeger RL, Krum BN, Lugokenski TH, Fachinetto R, Sudati JH, Barbosa NV, Wagner C. Protective effect of (−)-α-bisabolol on rotenone-induced toxicity in Drosophila melanogaster. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 2018; 96:359-365. [DOI: 10.1139/cjpp-2017-0207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
(−)-α-Bisabolol (BISA) is a sesquiterpene alcohol, which has several recognized biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, anti-irritant, and antibacterial properties. In the present study, we investigated the influence of BISA (5, 25, and 250 μmol/L) on rotenone (500 μmol/L)-induced toxicity in Drosophila melanogaster for 7 days. BISA supplementation significantly decreased rotenone-induced mortality and locomotor deficits. The loss of motor function induced by rotenone correlated with a significant change in stress response factors; it decreased thiol levels, inhibited mitochondria complex I, and increased the mRNA expression of antioxidant marker proteins such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and the keap1 gene product. Taken together, our findings indicate that the toxicity of rotenone is likely due to the direct inhibition of complex I activity, resulting in a high level of oxidative stress. Dietary supplementation with BISA affected the expression of SOD mRNA only at a concentration of 250 μmol/L, and did not affect any other parameter measured. Our results showed a protective effect of BISA on rotenone-induced mortality and locomotor deficits in Drosophila; this effect did not correlate with mitochondrial complex I activity, but may be related to the antioxidant protection afforded by eliminating superoxide generated as a result of rotenone-induced mitochondrial dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerlânia de Oliveira Leite
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Farmacologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria – RS, Brazil
| | - Assis Ecker
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas – Bioquímica Toxicológica, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria – RS, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Lopes Seeger
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas – Bioquímica Toxicológica, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria – RS, Brazil
| | - Bárbara Nunes Krum
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas – Bioquímica Toxicológica, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria – RS, Brazil
| | | | - Roselei Fachinetto
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Farmacologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria – RS, Brazil
| | | | - Nilda Vargas Barbosa
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas – Bioquímica Toxicológica, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria – RS, Brazil
| | - Caroline Wagner
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Farmacologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria – RS, Brazil
- Universidade Federal do Pampa, Campus Caçapava do Sul, Caçapava do Sul – RS, Brazil
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40
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Impaired Wnt signaling in dopamine containing neurons is associated with pathogenesis in a rotenone triggered Drosophila Parkinson's disease model. Sci Rep 2018; 8:2372. [PMID: 29403026 PMCID: PMC5799194 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-20836-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2017] [Accepted: 01/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson’s disease, which is the one of the most common neurodegenerative movement disorder, is characterized by a progressive loss of dopamine containing neurons. The mechanisms underlying disease initiation and development are not well understood and causative therapies are currently not available. To elucidate the molecular processes during early stages of Parkinson’s disease, we utilized a Drosophila model. To induce Parkinson’s disease-like phenotypes, we treated flies with the pesticide rotenone and isolated dopamine producing neurons of animals that were at an early disease stage. Transcriptomic analyses revealed that gene ontologies associated with regulation of cell death and neuronal functions were significantly enriched. Moreover, the activities of the MAPK/EGFR- and TGF-β signaling pathways were enhanced, while the Wnt pathway was dampened. In order to evaluate the role of Wnt signaling for survival of dopaminergic neurons in the disease model, we rescued the reduced Wnt signaling activity by ectopic overexpression of armadillo/β-catenin. This intervention rescued the rotenone induced movement impairments in the Drosophila model. Taken together, this initial study showed a highly relevant role of Wnt signaling for dopamine producing neurons during pathogenesis in Parkinson’s disease and it implies that interfering with this pathway might by a suitable therapeutic option for the future.
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Ferreiro MJ, Pérez C, Marchesano M, Ruiz S, Caputi A, Aguilera P, Barrio R, Cantera R. Drosophila melanogaster White Mutant w1118 Undergo Retinal Degeneration. Front Neurosci 2018; 11:732. [PMID: 29354028 PMCID: PMC5758589 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2017.00732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2017] [Accepted: 12/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Key scientific discoveries have resulted from genetic studies of Drosophila melanogaster, using a multitude of transgenic fly strains, the majority of which are constructed in a genetic background containing mutations in the white gene. Here we report that white mutant flies from w1118 strain undergo retinal degeneration. We observed also that w1118 mutants have progressive loss of climbing ability, shortened life span, as well as impaired resistance to various forms of stress. Retinal degeneration was abolished by transgenic expression of mini-white+ in the white null background w1118 . We conclude that beyond the classical eye-color phenotype, mutations in Drosophila white gene could impair several biological functions affecting parameters like mobility, life span and stress tolerance. Consequently, we suggest caution and attentiveness during the interpretation of old experiments employing white mutant flies and when planning new ones, especially within the research field of neurodegeneration and neuroprotection. We also encourage that the use of w1118 strain as a wild-type control should be avoided.
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Affiliation(s)
- María José Ferreiro
- Departamento de Biología del Neurodesarrollo, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Coralia Pérez
- Center of Cooperative Research in Biosciences CIC bioGUNE, Bizkaia Technology Park, Derio, Spain
| | - Mariana Marchesano
- Departamento de Biología del Neurodesarrollo, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Santiago Ruiz
- Departamento de Biología del Neurodesarrollo, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Angel Caputi
- Departamento de Neurociencias Integrativas y Computacionales, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Pedro Aguilera
- Departamento de Neurociencias Integrativas y Computacionales, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Rosa Barrio
- Center of Cooperative Research in Biosciences CIC bioGUNE, Bizkaia Technology Park, Derio, Spain
| | - Rafael Cantera
- Departamento de Biología del Neurodesarrollo, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Zoology Department, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
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42
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Pandey H, Bourahmoune K, Honda T, Honjo K, Kurita K, Sato T, Sawa A, Furukubo-Tokunaga K. Genetic interaction of DISC1 and Neurexin in the development of fruit fly glutamatergic synapses. NPJ SCHIZOPHRENIA 2017; 3:39. [PMID: 29079805 PMCID: PMC5660244 DOI: 10.1038/s41537-017-0040-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2017] [Revised: 09/19/2017] [Accepted: 09/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Originally identified at the breakpoint of a (1;11)(q42.1; q14.3) chromosomal translocation in a Scottish family with a wide range of mental disorders, the DISC1 gene has been a focus of intensive investigations as an entry point to study the molecular mechanisms of diverse mental dysfunctions. Perturbations of the DISC1 functions lead to behavioral changes in animal models, which are relevant to psychiatric conditions in patients. In this work, we have expressed the human DISC1 gene in the fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) and performed a genetic screening for the mutations of psychiatric risk genes that cause modifications of DISC1 synaptic phenotypes at the neuromuscular junction. We found that DISC1 interacts with dnrx1, the Drosophila homolog of the human Neurexin (NRXN1) gene, in the development of glutamatergic synapses. While overexpression of DISC1 suppressed the total bouton area on the target muscles and stimulated active zone density in wild-type background, a partial reduction of the dnrx1 activity negated the DISC1–mediated synaptic alterations. Likewise, overexpression of DISC1 stimulated the expression of a glutamate receptor component, DGLURIIA, in wild-type background but not in the dnrx1 heterozygous background. In addition, DISC1 caused mislocalization of Discs large, the Drosophila PSD-95 homolog, in the dnrx1 heterozygous background. Analyses with a series of domain deletions have revealed the importance of axonal localization of the DISC1 protein for efficient suppression of DNRX1 in synaptic boutons. These results thus suggest an intriguing converging mechanism controlled by the interaction of DISC1 and Neurexin in the developing glutamatergic synapses. Fruit fly models uncover a potential new mechanism by which two schizophrenia risk factor genes interact to alter synaptic junctions. DISC1 gene alterations have previously been linked to psychiatric anomalies, although the gene has not been formally recognized as a schizophrenia risk factor. A US-Japan research collaboration led by the University of Tsukuba’s Katsuo Furukubo-Tokunaga expressed human DISC1 in fruit fly synapses to better understand the changes that take place when gene disruption leads to overexpression. The team found that overexpression of DISC1 affected the expression of the fruit fly counterpart to human ‘neurexin,’ a known risk factor for conditions including schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorders. The interaction between neurexin and DISC1 also influenced other synapse-altering genes. Further research is warranted to explore the roles of DISC1 and neurexin in psychiatric disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Himani Pandey
- Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, 305-8572, Japan
| | - Katia Bourahmoune
- Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, 305-8572, Japan
| | - Takato Honda
- Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, 305-8572, Japan
| | - Ken Honjo
- Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, 305-8572, Japan
| | - Kazuki Kurita
- Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, 305-8572, Japan
| | - Tomohito Sato
- Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, 305-8572, Japan
| | - Akira Sawa
- Department of Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Genetic human prion disease modelled in PrP transgenic Drosophila. Biochem J 2017; 474:3253-3267. [PMID: 28814578 PMCID: PMC5606059 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20170462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2017] [Revised: 08/07/2017] [Accepted: 08/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Inherited human prion diseases, such as fatal familial insomnia (FFI) and familial Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (fCJD), are associated with autosomal dominant mutations in the human prion protein gene PRNP and accumulation of PrPSc, an abnormal isomer of the normal host protein PrPC, in the brain of affected individuals. PrPSc is the principal component of the transmissible neurotoxic prion agent. It is important to identify molecular pathways and cellular processes that regulate prion formation and prion-induced neurotoxicity. This will allow identification of possible therapeutic interventions for individuals with, or at risk from, genetic human prion disease. Increasingly, Drosophila has been used to model human neurodegenerative disease. An important unanswered question is whether genetic prion disease with concomitant spontaneous prion formation can be modelled in Drosophila. We have used pUAST/PhiC31-mediated site-directed mutagenesis to generate Drosophila transgenic for murine or hamster PrP (prion protein) that carry single-codon mutations associated with genetic human prion disease. Mouse or hamster PrP harbouring an FFI (D178N) or fCJD (E200K) mutation showed mild Proteinase K resistance when expressed in Drosophila. Adult Drosophila transgenic for FFI or fCJD variants of mouse or hamster PrP displayed a spontaneous decline in locomotor ability that increased in severity as the flies aged. Significantly, this mutant PrP-mediated neurotoxic fly phenotype was transferable to recipient Drosophila that expressed the wild-type form of the transgene. Collectively, our novel data are indicative of the spontaneous formation of a PrP-dependent neurotoxic phenotype in FFI- or CJD-PrP transgenic Drosophila and show that inherited human prion disease can be modelled in this invertebrate host.
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44
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Paraquat-Induced Movement Disorder in Relation to Oxidative Stress-Mediated Neurodegeneration in the Brain of Drosophila melanogaster. Neurochem Res 2017; 42:3310-3320. [DOI: 10.1007/s11064-017-2373-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2017] [Revised: 07/22/2017] [Accepted: 08/01/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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45
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Mohylyak II, Chernyk YI. Functioning of glia and neurodegeneration in Drosophila melanogaster. CYTOL GENET+ 2017. [DOI: 10.3103/s0095452717030094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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46
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Drosophila melanogaster “a potential model organism” for identification of pharmacological properties of plants/plant-derived components. Biomed Pharmacother 2017; 89:1331-1345. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2017.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2016] [Revised: 02/09/2017] [Accepted: 03/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
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47
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Wangler MF, Hu Y, Shulman JM. Drosophila and genome-wide association studies: a review and resource for the functional dissection of human complex traits. Dis Model Mech 2017; 10:77-88. [PMID: 28151408 PMCID: PMC5312009 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.027680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Human genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have successfully identified thousands of susceptibility loci for common diseases with complex genetic etiologies. Although the susceptibility variants identified by GWAS usually have only modest effects on individual disease risk, they contribute to a substantial burden of trait variation in the overall population. GWAS also offer valuable clues to disease mechanisms that have long proven to be elusive. These insights could lead the way to breakthrough treatments; however, several challenges hinder progress, making innovative approaches to accelerate the follow-up of results from GWAS an urgent priority. Here, we discuss the largely untapped potential of the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, for functional investigation of findings from human GWAS. We highlight selected examples where strong genomic conservation with humans along with the rapid and powerful genetic tools available for flies have already facilitated fine mapping of association signals, elucidated gene mechanisms, and revealed novel disease-relevant biology. We emphasize current research opportunities in this rapidly advancing field, and present bioinformatic analyses that systematically explore the applicability of Drosophila for interrogation of susceptibility signals implicated in more than 1000 human traits, based on all GWAS completed to date. Thus, our discussion is targeted at both human geneticists seeking innovative strategies for experimental validation of findings from GWAS, as well as the Drosophila research community, by whom ongoing investigations of the implicated genes will powerfully inform our understanding of human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael F Wangler
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Yanhui Hu
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Joshua M Shulman
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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48
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Vonk JJ, Yeshaw WM, Pinto F, Faber AIE, Lahaye LL, Kanon B, van der Zwaag M, Velayos-Baeza A, Freire R, van IJzendoorn SC, Grzeschik NA, Sibon OCM. Drosophila Vps13 Is Required for Protein Homeostasis in the Brain. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0170106. [PMID: 28107480 PMCID: PMC5249141 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0170106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2016] [Accepted: 12/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Chorea-Acanthocytosis is a rare, neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive loss of locomotor and cognitive function. It is caused by loss of function mutations in the Vacuolar Protein Sorting 13A (VPS13A) gene, which is conserved from yeast to human. The consequences of VPS13A dysfunction in the nervous system are still largely unspecified. In order to study the consequences of VPS13A protein dysfunction in the ageing central nervous system we characterized a Drosophila melanogaster Vps13 mutant line. The Drosophila Vps13 gene encoded a protein of similar size as human VPS13A. Our data suggest that Vps13 is a peripheral membrane protein located to endosomal membranes and enriched in the fly head. Vps13 mutant flies showed a shortened life span and age associated neurodegeneration. Vps13 mutant flies were sensitive to proteotoxic stress and accumulated ubiquitylated proteins. Levels of Ref(2)P, the Drosophila orthologue of p62, were increased and protein aggregates accumulated in the central nervous system. Overexpression of the human Vps13A protein in the mutant flies partly rescued apparent phenotypes. This suggests a functional conservation of human VPS13A and Drosophila Vps13. Our results demonstrate that Vps13 is essential to maintain protein homeostasis in the larval and adult Drosophila brain. Drosophila Vps13 mutants are suitable to investigate the function of Vps13 in the brain, to identify genetic enhancers and suppressors and to screen for potential therapeutic targets for Chorea-Acanthocytosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan J. Vonk
- Department of Cell Biology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Wondwossen M. Yeshaw
- Department of Cell Biology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Francesco Pinto
- Department of Cell Biology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Anita I. E. Faber
- Department of Cell Biology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Liza L. Lahaye
- Department of Cell Biology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Bart Kanon
- Department of Cell Biology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Marianne van der Zwaag
- Department of Cell Biology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | | | - Raimundo Freire
- Unidad de Investigación, Hospital Universitario de Canarias, Instituto de Tecnologías Biomédicas, Ofra s/n, La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
| | - Sven C. van IJzendoorn
- Department of Cell Biology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Nicola A. Grzeschik
- Department of Cell Biology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Ody C. M. Sibon
- Department of Cell Biology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
- * E-mail:
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49
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Abstract
Drosophila is a powerful model to study human diseases thanks to its genetic tools and ease of screening. Human genes can be expressed in targeted organs and their toxicity assessed on easily scorable external phenotypes that can be used as readout to perform genetic screen of toxicity modifiers. In this chapter, I describe how to express human Tau protein in the Drosophila eye, assess protein expression by western blot, assess Tau toxicity by quantifying the size of the Tau-induced rough eye, and perform a genetic screen of modifiers of Tau toxicity in the Drosophila eye.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Dourlen
- Institut Pasteur de Lille, INSERM, UMR1167, Université de Lille, 1 rue du Prof. Calmette, 59019, Lille, France.
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50
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Mollereau B, Rzechorzek NM, Roussel BD, Sedru M, Van den Brink DM, Bailly-Maitre B, Palladino F, Medinas DB, Domingos PM, Hunot S, Chandran S, Birman S, Baron T, Vivien D, Duarte CB, Ryoo HD, Steller H, Urano F, Chevet E, Kroemer G, Ciechanover A, Calabrese EJ, Kaufman RJ, Hetz C. Adaptive preconditioning in neurological diseases - therapeutic insights from proteostatic perturbations. Brain Res 2016; 1648:603-616. [PMID: 26923166 PMCID: PMC5010532 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2016.02.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2016] [Accepted: 02/16/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
In neurological disorders, both acute and chronic neural stress can disrupt cellular proteostasis, resulting in the generation of pathological protein. However in most cases, neurons adapt to these proteostatic perturbations by activating a range of cellular protective and repair responses, thus maintaining cell function. These interconnected adaptive mechanisms comprise a 'proteostasis network' and include the unfolded protein response, the ubiquitin proteasome system and autophagy. Interestingly, several recent studies have shown that these adaptive responses can be stimulated by preconditioning treatments, which confer resistance to a subsequent toxic challenge - the phenomenon known as hormesis. In this review we discuss the impact of adaptive stress responses stimulated in diverse human neuropathologies including Parkinson׳s disease, Wolfram syndrome, brain ischemia, and brain cancer. Further, we examine how these responses and the molecular pathways they recruit might be exploited for therapeutic gain. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled SI:ER stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Mollereau
- Univ Lyon, ENS de Lyon, Univ Claude Bernard, CNRS UMR5239, INSERM U1210, Laboratory of Biology and Modelling of the Cell, F-69007, Lyon, France.
| | - N M Rzechorzek
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, Chancellor's Building, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, United Kingdom; Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9RG, United Kingdom
| | - B D Roussel
- Inserm, UMR-S U919 Serine Proteases and Pathophysiology of the Neurovascular Unit, 14000 Caen, France
| | - M Sedru
- Univ Lyon, ENS de Lyon, Univ Claude Bernard, CNRS UMR5239, INSERM U1210, Laboratory of Biology and Modelling of the Cell, F-69007, Lyon, France
| | - D M Van den Brink
- Univ Lyon, ENS de Lyon, Univ Claude Bernard, CNRS UMR5239, INSERM U1210, Laboratory of Biology and Modelling of the Cell, F-69007, Lyon, France
| | - B Bailly-Maitre
- INSERM U1065, C3M, Team 8 (Hepatic Complications in Obesity), Nice, France
| | - F Palladino
- Univ Lyon, ENS de Lyon, Univ Claude Bernard, CNRS UMR5239, INSERM U1210, Laboratory of Biology and Modelling of the Cell, F-69007, Lyon, France
| | - D B Medinas
- Biomedical Neuroscience Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile; Center for Molecular Studies of the Cell, Program of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile; Center for Geroscience, Brain Health and Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - P M Domingos
- ITQB-UNL, Av. da Republica, EAN, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - S Hunot
- Inserm, U 1127, F-75013 Paris, France; CNRS, UMR 7225, F-75013 Paris, France; Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, UMR S 1127, F-75013 Paris, France; Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière, ICM, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - S Chandran
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, Chancellor's Building, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, United Kingdom
| | - S Birman
- Genes Circuits Rhythms and Neuropathology, Brain Plasticity Unit, CNRS UMR 8249, ESPCI ParisTech, PSL Research University, 75005 Paris, France
| | - T Baron
- ANSES, French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety, Neurodegenerative Diseases Unit, 31, avenue Tony Garnier, 69364 Lyon Cedex 07, France
| | - D Vivien
- Inserm, UMR-S U919 Serine Proteases and Pathophysiology of the Neurovascular Unit, 14000 Caen, France
| | - C B Duarte
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Faculty of Medicine, Rua Larga, and Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - H D Ryoo
- Department of Cell Biology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - H Steller
- Howard Medical Institute, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - F Urano
- Washington University School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110 USA
| | - E Chevet
- Inserm ERL440 "Oncogenesis, Stress, Signaling", Université de Rennes 1, Rennes, France; Centre de Lutte Contre le Cancer Eugène Marquis, Rennes, France
| | - G Kroemer
- Equipe 11 labellisée par la Ligue contre le Cancer, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Paris, France; Cell Biology and Metabolomics platforms, Gustave Roussy Comprehensive Cancer Center, Villejuif, France; INSERM, U1138, Paris, France; Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France; Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, France; Pôle de Biologie, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, AP-HP, Paris, France; Karolinska Institute, Department of Women׳s and Children׳s Health, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - A Ciechanover
- The Polak Cancer and Vascular Biology Research Center, The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine and Research Institute, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 30196, Israel
| | - E J Calabrese
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Morrill I, N344, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - R J Kaufman
- Degenerative Diseases Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, 10901 N. Torrey Pines Rd., La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - C Hetz
- Biomedical Neuroscience Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile; Center for Molecular Studies of the Cell, Program of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile; Center for Geroscience, Brain Health and Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile; Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
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