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Fan S, Liu J, Chofflet N, Bailey AO, Russell WK, Zhang Z, Takahashi H, Ren G, Rudenko G. Molecular mechanism of contactin 2 homophilic interaction. Structure 2024:S0969-2126(24)00222-3. [PMID: 38968938 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2024.06.004] [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: 04/12/2024] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/07/2024]
Abstract
Contactin 2 (CNTN2) is a cell adhesion molecule involved in axon guidance, neuronal migration, and fasciculation. The ectodomains of CNTN1-CNTN6 are composed of six Ig domains (Ig1-Ig6) and four FN domains. Here, we show that CNTN2 forms transient homophilic interactions (KD ∼200 nM). Cryo-EM structures of full-length CNTN2 and CNTN2_Ig1-Ig6 reveal a T-shaped homodimer formed by intertwined, parallel monomers. Unexpectedly, the horseshoe-shaped Ig1-Ig4 headpieces extend their Ig2-Ig3 tips outwards on either side of the homodimer, while Ig4, Ig5, Ig6, and the FN domains form a central stalk. Cross-linking mass spectrometry and cell-based binding assays confirm the 3D assembly of the CNTN2 homodimer. The interface mediating homodimer formation differs between CNTNs, as do the homophilic versus heterophilic interaction mechanisms. The CNTN family thus encodes a versatile molecular platform that supports a very diverse portfolio of protein interactions and that can be leveraged to strategically guide neural circuit development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanghua Fan
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology; University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA; Sealy Center for Structural Biology and Molecular Biophysics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Jianfang Liu
- The Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
| | - Nicolas Chofflet
- Synapse Development and Plasticity Research Unit, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montreal, QC H2W 1R7, Canada; Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B2, Canada
| | - Aaron O Bailey
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - William K Russell
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Ziqi Zhang
- Synapse Development and Plasticity Research Unit, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montreal, QC H2W 1R7, Canada
| | - Hideto Takahashi
- Synapse Development and Plasticity Research Unit, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montreal, QC H2W 1R7, Canada; Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada; Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0G4, Canada.
| | - Gang Ren
- The Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
| | - Gabby Rudenko
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology; University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA; Sealy Center for Structural Biology and Molecular Biophysics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.
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2
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Leduc T, El Alami H, Bougadir K, Bélanger-Nelson E, Mongrain V. Neuroligin-2 shapes individual slow waves during slow-wave sleep and the response to sleep deprivation in mice. Mol Autism 2024; 15:13. [PMID: 38570872 PMCID: PMC10993465 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-024-00594-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sleep disturbances are a common comorbidity to most neurodevelopmental disorders and tend to worsen disease symptomatology. It is thus crucial to understand mechanisms underlying sleep disturbances to improve patients' quality of life. Neuroligin-2 (NLGN2) is a synaptic adhesion protein regulating GABAergic transmission. It has been linked to autism spectrum disorders and schizophrenia in humans, and deregulations of its expression were shown to cause epileptic-like hypersynchronized cerebral activity in rodents. Importantly, the absence of Nlgn2 (knockout: KO) was previously shown to alter sleep-wake duration and quality in mice, notably increasing slow-wave sleep (SWS) delta activity (1-4 Hz) and altering its 24-h dynamics. This type of brain oscillation is involved in memory consolidation, and is also a marker of homeostatic sleep pressure. Sleep deprivation (SD) is notably known to impair cognition and the physiological response to sleep loss involves GABAergic transmission. METHODS Using electrocorticographic (ECoG) recordings, we here first aimed to verify how individual slow wave (SW; 0.5-4 Hz) density and properties (e.g., amplitude, slope, frequency) contribute to the higher SWS delta activity and altered 24-h dynamics observed in Nlgn2 KO mice. We further investigated the response of these animals to SD. Finally, we tested whether sleep loss affects the gene expression of Nlgn2 and related GABAergic transcripts in the cerebral cortex of wild-type mice using RNA sequencing. RESULTS Our results show that Nlgn2 KO mice have both greater SW amplitude and density, and that SW density is the main property contributing to the altered 24-h dynamics. We also found the absence of Nlgn2 to accelerate paradoxical sleep recovery following SD, together with profound alterations in ECoG activity across vigilance states. Sleep loss, however, did not modify the 24-h distribution of the hypersynchronized ECoG events observed in these mice. Finally, RNA sequencing confirmed an overall decrease in cortical expression of Nlgn2 and related GABAergic transcripts following SD in wild-type mice. CONCLUSIONS This work brings further insight into potential mechanisms of sleep duration and quality deregulation in neurodevelopmental disorders, notably involving NLGN2 and GABAergic neurotransmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanya Leduc
- Department of Neuroscience, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Centre d'études avancées en médecine du sommeil (CÉAMS), Recherche - Centre intégré universitaire de santé et services sociaux du Nord-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, 900, St-Denis street, Tour Viger Montréal, Montreal, QC, H2X 0A9, Canada
| | - Hiba El Alami
- Department of Neuroscience, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Centre d'études avancées en médecine du sommeil (CÉAMS), Recherche - Centre intégré universitaire de santé et services sociaux du Nord-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Khadija Bougadir
- Department of Neuroscience, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Centre d'études avancées en médecine du sommeil (CÉAMS), Recherche - Centre intégré universitaire de santé et services sociaux du Nord-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Erika Bélanger-Nelson
- Centre d'études avancées en médecine du sommeil (CÉAMS), Recherche - Centre intégré universitaire de santé et services sociaux du Nord-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Pfizer Canada ULC, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Valérie Mongrain
- Department of Neuroscience, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.
- Centre d'études avancées en médecine du sommeil (CÉAMS), Recherche - Centre intégré universitaire de santé et services sociaux du Nord-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.
- Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, 900, St-Denis street, Tour Viger Montréal, Montreal, QC, H2X 0A9, Canada.
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3
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Chofflet N, Naito Y, Pastore AJ, Padmanabhan N, Nguyen PT, Poitras C, Feller B, Yi N, Van Prooijen J, Khaled H, Coulombe B, Clapcote SJ, Bourgault S, Siddiqui TJ, Rudenko G, Takahashi H. Structural and functional characterization of the IgSF21-neurexin2α complex and its related signaling pathways in the regulation of inhibitory synapse organization. Front Mol Neurosci 2024; 17:1371145. [PMID: 38571813 PMCID: PMC10989685 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2024.1371145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
The prevailing model behind synapse development and specificity is that a multitude of adhesion molecules engage in transsynaptic interactions to induce pre- and postsynaptic assembly. How these extracellular interactions translate into intracellular signal transduction for synaptic assembly remains unclear. Here, we focus on a synapse organizing complex formed by immunoglobulin superfamily member 21 (IgSF21) and neurexin2α (Nrxn2α) that regulates GABAergic synapse development in the mouse brain. We reveal that the interaction between presynaptic Nrxn2α and postsynaptic IgSF21 is a high-affinity receptor-ligand interaction and identify a binding interface in the IgSF21-Nrxn2α complex. Despite being expressed in both dendritic and somatic regions, IgSF21 preferentially regulates dendritic GABAergic presynaptic differentiation whereas another canonical Nrxn ligand, neuroligin2 (Nlgn2), primarily regulates perisomatic presynaptic differentiation. To explore mechanisms that could underlie this compartment specificity, we targeted multiple signaling pathways pharmacologically while monitoring the synaptogenic activity of IgSF21 and Nlgn2. Interestingly, both IgSF21 and Nlgn2 require c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)-mediated signaling, whereas Nlgn2, but not IgSF21, additionally requires CaMKII and Src kinase activity. JNK inhibition diminished de novo presynaptic differentiation without affecting the maintenance of formed synapses. We further found that Nrxn2α knockout brains exhibit altered synaptic JNK activity in a sex-specific fashion, suggesting functional linkage between Nrxns and JNK. Thus, our study elucidates the structural and functional relationship of IgSF21 with Nrxn2α and distinct signaling pathways for IgSF21-Nrxn2α and Nlgn2-Nrxn synaptic organizing complexes in vitro. We therefore propose a revised hypothesis that Nrxns act as molecular hubs to specify synaptic properties not only through their multiple extracellular ligands but also through distinct intracellular signaling pathways of these ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Chofflet
- Synapse Development and Plasticity Research Unit, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Yusuke Naito
- Synapse Development and Plasticity Research Unit, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Anthony John Pastore
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Sealy Center for Structural Biology and Molecular Biophysics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Nirmala Padmanabhan
- PrairieNeuro Research Centre, Health Sciences Centre, Kleysen Institute for Advanced Medicine, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Phuong Trang Nguyen
- Quebec Network for Research on Protein Function, Engineering and Applications (PROTEO), Department of Chemistry, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Christian Poitras
- Department of Translational Proteomics, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Benjamin Feller
- Synapse Development and Plasticity Research Unit, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Nayoung Yi
- Synapse Development and Plasticity Research Unit, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jeremie Van Prooijen
- Synapse Development and Plasticity Research Unit, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Husam Khaled
- Synapse Development and Plasticity Research Unit, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Benoit Coulombe
- Department of Translational Proteomics, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Steven J. Clapcote
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Steve Bourgault
- Quebec Network for Research on Protein Function, Engineering and Applications (PROTEO), Department of Chemistry, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Tabrez J. Siddiqui
- PrairieNeuro Research Centre, Health Sciences Centre, Kleysen Institute for Advanced Medicine, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
- The Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
- Program in Biomedical Engineering, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Gabby Rudenko
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Sealy Center for Structural Biology and Molecular Biophysics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Hideto Takahashi
- Synapse Development and Plasticity Research Unit, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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4
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Yang L, Zhang J, Liu S, Zhang Y, Wang L, Wang X, Wang S, Li K, Wei M, Zhang C. Establishment of transgenic fluorescent mice for labeling synapses and screening synaptogenic adhesion molecules. eLife 2024; 13:e81884. [PMID: 38450720 PMCID: PMC10948142 DOI: 10.7554/elife.81884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Synapse is the fundamental structure for neurons to transmit information between cells. The proper synapse formation is crucial for developing neural circuits and cognitive functions of the brain. The aberrant synapse formation has been proved to cause many neurological disorders, including autism spectrum disorders and intellectual disability. Synaptic cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) are thought to play a major role in achieving mechanistic cell-cell recognition and initiating synapse formation via trans-synaptic interactions. Due to the diversity of synapses in different brain areas, circuits and neurons, although many synaptic CAMs, such as Neurexins (NRXNs), Neuroligins (NLGNs), Synaptic cell adhesion molecules (SynCAMs), Leucine-rich-repeat transmembrane neuronal proteins (LRRTMs), and SLIT and NTRK-like protein (SLITRKs) have been identified as synaptogenic molecules, how these molecules determine specific synapse formation and whether other molecules driving synapse formation remain undiscovered are unclear. Here, to provide a tool for synapse labeling and synaptic CAMs screening by artificial synapse formation (ASF) assay, we generated synaptotagmin-1-tdTomato (Syt1-tdTomato) transgenic mice by inserting the tdTomato-fused synaptotagmin-1 coding sequence into the genome of C57BL/6J mice. In the brain of Syt1-tdTomato transgenic mice, the tdTomato-fused synaptotagmin-1 (SYT1-tdTomato) signals were widely observed in different areas and overlapped with synapsin-1, a widely-used synaptic marker. In the olfactory bulb, the SYT1-tdTomato signals are highly enriched in the glomerulus. In the cultured hippocampal neurons, the SYT1-tdTomato signals showed colocalization with several synaptic markers. Compared to the wild-type (WT) mouse neurons, cultured hippocampal neurons from Syt1-tdTomato transgenic mice presented normal synaptic neurotransmission. In ASF assays, neurons from Syt1-tdTomato transgenic mice could form synaptic connections with HEK293T cells expressing NLGN2, LRRTM2, and SLITRK2 without immunostaining. Therefore, our work suggested that the Syt1-tdTomato transgenic mice with the ability to label synapses by tdTomato, and it will be a convenient tool for screening synaptogenic molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Yang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neural Regeneration and Repair, Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Jingtao Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neural Regeneration and Repair, Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Sen Liu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neural Regeneration and Repair, Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Yanning Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neural Regeneration and Repair, Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Li Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neural Regeneration and Repair, Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Xiaotong Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neural Regeneration and Repair, Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Shanshan Wang
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Ke Li
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neural Regeneration and Repair, Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Mengping Wei
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neural Regeneration and Repair, Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Chen Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neural Regeneration and Repair, Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical UniversityBeijingChina
- Chinese Institute for Brain ResearchBeijingChina
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5
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Yang F, Zhao Z, Zhang D, Xiong Y, Dong X, Wang Y, Yang M, Pan T, Liu C, Liu K, Lin Y, Liu Y, Tu Q, Dang Y, Xia M, Mi D, Zhou W, Xu Z. Single-cell multi-omics analysis of lineage development and spatial organization in the human fetal cerebellum. Cell Discov 2024; 10:22. [PMID: 38409116 PMCID: PMC10897198 DOI: 10.1038/s41421-024-00656-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Human cerebellum encompasses numerous neurons, exhibiting a distinct developmental paradigm from cerebrum. Here we conducted scRNA-seq, scATAC-seq and spatial transcriptomic analyses of fetal samples from gestational week (GW) 13 to 18 to explore the emergence of cellular diversity and developmental programs in the developing human cerebellum. We identified transitory granule cell progenitors that are conserved across species. Special patterns in both granule cells and Purkinje cells were dissected multidimensionally. Species-specific gene expression patterns of cerebellar lobes were characterized and we found that PARM1 exhibited inconsistent distribution in human and mouse granule cells. A novel cluster of potential neuroepithelium at the rhombic lip was identified. We also resolved various subtypes of Purkinje cells and unipolar brush cells and revealed gene regulatory networks controlling their diversification. Therefore, our study offers a valuable multi-omics landscape of human fetal cerebellum and advances our understanding of development and spatial organization of human cerebellum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fuqiang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ziqi Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Dan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Xiong
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine-Related Diseases, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xinran Dong
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuchen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Min Yang
- Department of Neonatology, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | | | - Chuanyu Liu
- BGI-Beijing, Beijing, China
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
| | - Kaiyi Liu
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yifeng Lin
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yongjie Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qiang Tu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yashan Dang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Mingyang Xia
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Da Mi
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
| | - Wenhao Zhou
- Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
| | - Zhiheng Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
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6
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Achiro JM, Tao Y, Gao F, Lin CH, Watanabe M, Neumann S, Coppola G, Black DL, Martin KC. Aging differentially alters the transcriptome and landscape of chromatin accessibility in the male and female mouse hippocampus. Front Mol Neurosci 2024; 17:1334862. [PMID: 38318533 PMCID: PMC10839115 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2024.1334862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Aging-related memory impairment and pathological memory disorders such as Alzheimer's disease differ between males and females, and yet little is known about how aging-related changes in the transcriptome and chromatin environment differ between sexes in the hippocampus. To investigate this question, we compared the chromatin accessibility landscape and gene expression/alternative splicing pattern of young adult and aged mouse hippocampus in both males and females using ATAC-seq and RNA-seq. We detected significant aging-dependent changes in the expression of genes involved in immune response and synaptic function and aging-dependent changes in the alternative splicing of myelin sheath genes. We found significant sex-bias in the expression and alternative splicing of hundreds of genes, including aging-dependent female-biased expression of myelin sheath genes and aging-dependent male-biased expression of genes involved in synaptic function. Aging was associated with increased chromatin accessibility in both male and female hippocampus, especially in repetitive elements, and with an increase in LINE-1 transcription. We detected significant sex-bias in chromatin accessibility in both autosomes and the X chromosome, with male-biased accessibility enriched at promoters and CpG-rich regions. Sex differences in gene expression and chromatin accessibility were amplified with aging, findings that may shed light on sex differences in aging-related and pathological memory loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer M. Achiro
- Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Yang Tao
- Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Fuying Gao
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Chia-Ho Lin
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Marika Watanabe
- Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Sylvia Neumann
- Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Giovanni Coppola
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Douglas L. Black
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Kelsey C. Martin
- Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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7
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Bai Y, He H, Ren B, Ren J, Zou T, Chen X, Liu Y. Sstr2 Defines the Cone Differentiation-Competent Late-Stage Retinal Progenitor Cells in the Developing Mouse Retina. Stem Cells Transl Med 2024; 13:83-99. [PMID: 37935630 PMCID: PMC10785222 DOI: 10.1093/stcltm/szad073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Cone cell death is a characteristic shared by various retinal degenerative disorders, such as cone-rod dystrophy, Stargardt disease, achromatopsia, and retinitis pigmentosa. This leads to conditions like color blindness and permanently impaired visual acuity. Stem cell therapy focused on photoreceptor replacement holds promise for addressing these conditions. However, identifying surface markers that aid in enriching retinal progenitor cells (RPCs) capable of differentiating into cones remains a complex task. In this study, we employed single-cell RNA sequencing to scrutinize the transcriptome of developing retinas in C57BL/6J mice. This revealed the distinctive expression of somatostatin receptor 2 (Sstr2), a surface protein, in late-stage RPCs exhibiting the potential for photoreceptor differentiation. In vivo lineage tracing experiments verified that Sstr2+ cells within the late embryonic retina gave rise to cones, amacrine and horizontal cells during the developmental process. Furthermore, Sstr2+ cells that were isolated from the late embryonic mouse retina displayed RPC markers and exhibited the capability to differentiate into cones in vitro. Upon subretinal transplantation into both wild-type and retinal degeneration 10 (rd10) mice, Sstr2+ cells survived and expressed cone-specific markers. This study underscores the ability of Sstr2 to enrich late-stage RPCs primed for cone differentiation to a large extent. It proposes the utility of Sstr2 as a biomarker for RPCs capable of generating cones for transplantation purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yihan Bai
- Southwest Hospital/Southwest Eye Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, People’s Republic of China
- Key Lab of Visual Damage and Regeneration & Restoration of Chongqing, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Han He
- Southwest Hospital/Southwest Eye Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, People’s Republic of China
- Key Lab of Visual Damage and Regeneration & Restoration of Chongqing, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Bangqi Ren
- Southwest Hospital/Southwest Eye Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, People’s Republic of China
- Key Lab of Visual Damage and Regeneration & Restoration of Chongqing, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jiayun Ren
- Southwest Hospital/Southwest Eye Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, People’s Republic of China
- Key Lab of Visual Damage and Regeneration & Restoration of Chongqing, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ting Zou
- Southwest Hospital/Southwest Eye Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, People’s Republic of China
- Key Lab of Visual Damage and Regeneration & Restoration of Chongqing, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xi Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yong Liu
- Southwest Hospital/Southwest Eye Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, People’s Republic of China
- Key Lab of Visual Damage and Regeneration & Restoration of Chongqing, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China
- Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing, China
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8
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Nurmi EL, Laughlin CP, de Wit H, Palmer AA, MacKillop J, Cannon TD, Bilder RM, Congdon E, Sabb FW, Seaman LC, McElroy JJ, Libowitz MR, Weafer J, Gray J, Dean AC, Hellemann GS, London ED. Polygenic contributions to performance on the Balloon Analogue Risk Task. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:3524-3530. [PMID: 37582857 PMCID: PMC10618088 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02123-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023]
Abstract
Risky decision-making is a common, heritable endophenotype seen across many psychiatric disorders. Its underlying genetic architecture is incompletely explored. We examined behavior in the Balloon Analogue Risk Task (BART), which tests risky decision-making, in two independent samples of European ancestry. One sample (n = 1138) comprised healthy participants and some psychiatric patients (53 schizophrenia, 42 bipolar disorder, 47 ADHD); the other (n = 911) excluded for recent treatment of various psychiatric disorders but not ADHD. Participants provided DNA and performed the BART, indexed by mean adjusted pumps. We constructed a polygenic risk score (PRS) for discovery in each dataset and tested it in the other as replication. Subsequently, a genome-wide MEGA-analysis, combining both samples, tested genetic correlation with risk-taking self-report in the UK Biobank sample and psychiatric phenotypes characterized by risk-taking (ADHD, Bipolar Disorder, Alcohol Use Disorder, prior cannabis use) in the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium. The PRS for BART performance in one dataset predicted task performance in the replication sample (r = 0.13, p = 0.000012, pFDR = 0.000052), as did the reciprocal analysis (r = 0.09, p = 0.0083, pFDR=0.04). Excluding participants with psychiatric diagnoses produced similar results. The MEGA-GWAS identified a single SNP (rs12023073; p = 3.24 × 10-8) near IGSF21, a protein involved in inhibitory brain synapses; replication samples are needed to validate this result. A PRS for self-reported cannabis use (p = 0.00047, pFDR = 0.0053), but not self-reported risk-taking or psychiatric disorder status, predicted behavior on the BART in our MEGA-GWAS sample. The findings reveal polygenic architecture of risky decision-making as measured by the BART and highlight its overlap with cannabis use.
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Affiliation(s)
- E L Nurmi
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90024, USA.
| | - C P Laughlin
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90024, USA
| | - H de Wit
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - A A Palmer
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - J MacKillop
- Peter Boris Centre for Addictions Research, McMaster University and St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, ON, L8S4L8, Canada
| | - T D Cannon
- Departments of Psychology and Psychiatry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - R M Bilder
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90024, USA
| | - E Congdon
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90024, USA
| | - F W Sabb
- Prevention Science Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
| | - L C Seaman
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90024, USA
| | - J J McElroy
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90024, USA
| | - M R Libowitz
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40506, USA
| | - J Weafer
- Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40506, USA
| | - J Gray
- Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - A C Dean
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90024, USA
| | - G S Hellemann
- Department of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - E D London
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90024, USA
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90024, USA
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9
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Feller B, Fallon A, Luo W, Nguyen PT, Shlaifer I, Lee AK, Chofflet N, Yi N, Khaled H, Karkout S, Bourgault S, Durcan TM, Takahashi H. α-Synuclein Preformed Fibrils Bind to β-Neurexins and Impair β-Neurexin-Mediated Presynaptic Organization. Cells 2023; 12:cells12071083. [PMID: 37048156 PMCID: PMC10093570 DOI: 10.3390/cells12071083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Synucleinopathies form a group of neurodegenerative diseases defined by the misfolding and aggregation of α-synuclein (α-syn). Abnormal accumulation and spreading of α-syn aggregates lead to synapse dysfunction and neuronal cell death. Yet, little is known about the synaptic mechanisms underlying the α-syn pathology. Here we identified β-isoforms of neurexins (β-NRXs) as presynaptic organizing proteins that interact with α-syn preformed fibrils (α-syn PFFs), toxic α-syn aggregates, but not α-syn monomers. Our cell surface protein binding assays and surface plasmon resonance assays reveal that α-syn PFFs bind directly to β-NRXs through their N-terminal histidine-rich domain (HRD) at the nanomolar range (KD: ~500 nM monomer equivalent). Furthermore, our artificial synapse formation assays show that α-syn PFFs diminish excitatory and inhibitory presynaptic organization induced by a specific isoform of neuroligin 1 that binds only β-NRXs, but not α-isoforms of neurexins. Thus, our data suggest that α-syn PFFs interact with β-NRXs to inhibit β-NRX-mediated presynaptic organization, providing novel molecular insight into how α-syn PFFs induce synaptic pathology in synucleinopathies such as Parkinson’s disease and dementia with Lewy bodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Feller
- Synapse Development and Plasticity Research Unit, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montreal, QC H2W 1R7, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Aurélie Fallon
- Synapse Development and Plasticity Research Unit, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montreal, QC H2W 1R7, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Wen Luo
- The Neuro’s Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Phuong Trang Nguyen
- Department of Chemistry, Quebec Network for Research on Protein Function, Engineering and Applications, PROTEO, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, QC H3C 3P8, Canada
| | - Irina Shlaifer
- The Neuro’s Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Alfred Kihoon Lee
- Synapse Development and Plasticity Research Unit, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montreal, QC H2W 1R7, Canada
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B2, Canada
| | - Nicolas Chofflet
- Synapse Development and Plasticity Research Unit, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montreal, QC H2W 1R7, Canada
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B2, Canada
| | - Nayoung Yi
- Synapse Development and Plasticity Research Unit, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montreal, QC H2W 1R7, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Husam Khaled
- Synapse Development and Plasticity Research Unit, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montreal, QC H2W 1R7, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Samer Karkout
- Synapse Development and Plasticity Research Unit, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montreal, QC H2W 1R7, Canada
| | - Steve Bourgault
- Department of Chemistry, Quebec Network for Research on Protein Function, Engineering and Applications, PROTEO, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, QC H3C 3P8, Canada
| | - Thomas M. Durcan
- The Neuro’s Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B2, Canada
| | - Hideto Takahashi
- Synapse Development and Plasticity Research Unit, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montreal, QC H2W 1R7, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B2, Canada
- Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0G4, Canada
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10
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Lee H, Chofflet N, Liu J, Fan S, Lu Z, Resua Rojas M, Penndorf P, Bailey AO, Russell WK, Machius M, Ren G, Takahashi H, Rudenko G. Designer molecules of the synaptic organizer MDGA1 reveal 3D conformational control of biological function. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:104586. [PMID: 36889589 PMCID: PMC10131064 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.104586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
MDGAs (MAM domain-containing glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchors) are synaptic cell surface molecules that regulate the formation of trans-synaptic bridges between neurexins (NRXNs) and neuroligins (NLGNs), which promote synaptic development. Mutations in MDGAs are implicated in various neuropsychiatric diseases. MDGAs bind NLGNs in cis on the postsynaptic membrane and physically block NLGNs from binding to NRXNs. In crystal structures, the six immunoglobulin (Ig) and single fibronectin III domains of MDGA1 reveal a striking compact, triangular shape, both alone and in complex with NLGNs. Whether this unusual domain arrangement is required for biological function or other arrangements occur with different functional outcomes is unknown. Here, we show that WT MDGA1 can adopt both compact and extended 3D conformations that bind NLGN2. Designer mutants targeting strategic molecular elbows in MDGA1 alter the distribution of 3D conformations while leaving the binding affinity between soluble ectodomains of MDGA1 and NLGN2 intact. In contrast, in a cellular context, these mutants result in unique combinations of functional consequences, including altered binding to NLGN2, decreased capacity to conceal NLGN2 from NRXN1β, and/or suppressed NLGN2-mediated inhibitory presynaptic differentiation, despite the mutations being located far from the MDGA1-NLGN2 interaction site. Thus, the 3D conformation of the entire MDGA1 ectodomain appears critical for its function, and its NLGN-binding site on Ig1-Ig2 is not independent of the rest of the molecule. As a result, global 3D conformational changes to the MDGA1 ectodomain via strategic elbows may form a molecular mechanism to regulate MDGA1 action within the synaptic cleft.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hubert Lee
- Deptartment of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; Sealy Center for Structural Biology and Molecular Biophysics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Nicolas Chofflet
- Synapse Development and Plasticity Research Unit, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada; Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jianfang Liu
- The Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Shanghua Fan
- Deptartment of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; Sealy Center for Structural Biology and Molecular Biophysics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Zhuoyang Lu
- The Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Martin Resua Rojas
- Synapse Development and Plasticity Research Unit, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Patrick Penndorf
- Synapse Development and Plasticity Research Unit, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Aaron O Bailey
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - William K Russell
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Mischa Machius
- Deptartment of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; Sealy Center for Structural Biology and Molecular Biophysics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Gang Ren
- The Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA.
| | - Hideto Takahashi
- Synapse Development and Plasticity Research Unit, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada; Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada; Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada.
| | - Gabby Rudenko
- Deptartment of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; Sealy Center for Structural Biology and Molecular Biophysics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
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11
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Noborn F, Sterky FH. Role of neurexin heparan sulfate in the molecular assembly of synapses - expanding the neurexin code? FEBS J 2023; 290:252-265. [PMID: 34699130 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Synapses are the minimal information processing units of the brain and come in many flavors across distinct circuits. The shape and properties of a synapse depend on its molecular organisation, which is thought to largely depend on interactions between cell adhesion molecules across the synaptic cleft. An established example is that of presynaptic neurexins and their interactions with structurally diverse postsynaptic ligands: the diversity of neurexin isoforms that arise from alternative promoters and alternative splicing specify synaptic properties by dictating ligand preference. The recent finding that a majority of neurexin isoforms exist as proteoglycans with a single heparan sulfate (HS) polysaccharide adds to this complexity. Sequence motifs within the HS polysaccharide may differ between neuronal cell types to contribute specificity to its interactions, thereby expanding the coding capacity of neurexin diversity. However, an expanding number of HS-binding proteins have been found capable to recruit neurexins via the HS chain, challenging the concept of a code provided by neurexin splice isoforms. Here we discuss the possible roles of the neurexin HS in light of what is known from other HS-protein interactions, and propose a model for how the neurexin HS polysaccharide may contribute to synaptic assembly. We also discuss how the neurexin HS may be regulated by co-secreted carbonic anhydrase-related and FAM19A proteins, and highlight some key issues that should be resolved to advance the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fredrik Noborn
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Fredrik H Sterky
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Department of Clinical Chemistry, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Wallenberg Centre for Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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12
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Uchigashima M, Hayashi Y, Futai K. Regulation of Presynaptic Release Machinery by Cell Adhesion Molecules. ADVANCES IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2023; 33:333-356. [PMID: 37615873 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-34229-5_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
The synapse is a highly specialized asymmetric structure that transmits and stores information in the brain. The size of pre- and postsynaptic structures and function is well coordinated at the individual synapse level. For example, large postsynaptic dendritic spines have a larger postsynaptic density with higher α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid receptor (AMPAR) number on their surface, while juxtaposing presynaptic terminals have a larger active zone and higher release probability. This indicates that pre- and postsynaptic domains bidirectionally communicate to coordinate assembly of specific molecules on both sides of the synaptic cleft. Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) that localize at synapses form transsynaptic protein interactions across the synaptic cleft and play important roles in synapse formation and regulation. The extracellular domain of CAMs is essential for specific synapse formation and function. In contrast, the intracellular domain is necessary for binding with synaptic molecules and signal transduction. Therefore, CAMs play an essential role on synapse function and structure. In fact, ample evidence indicates that transsynaptic CAMs instruct and modulate functions at presynaptic sites. This chapter focuses on transsynaptic protein interactions that regulate presynaptic functions emphasizing the role of neuronal CAMs and the intracellular mechanism of their regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Motokazu Uchigashima
- Department of Cellular Neuropathology, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Yasunori Hayashi
- Department of Pharmacology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kensuke Futai
- Brudnick Neuropsychiatric Research Institute, Department of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.
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13
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Boxer EE, Aoto J. Neurexins and their ligands at inhibitory synapses. Front Synaptic Neurosci 2022; 14:1087238. [PMID: 36618530 PMCID: PMC9812575 DOI: 10.3389/fnsyn.2022.1087238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the discovery of neurexins (Nrxns) as essential and evolutionarily conserved synaptic adhesion molecules, focus has largely centered on their functional contributions to glutamatergic synapses. Recently, significant advances to our understanding of neurexin function at GABAergic synapses have revealed that neurexins can play pleiotropic roles in regulating inhibitory synapse maintenance and function in a brain-region and synapse-specific manner. GABAergic neurons are incredibly diverse, exhibiting distinct synaptic properties, sites of innervation, neuromodulation, and plasticity. Different classes of GABAergic neurons often express distinct repertoires of Nrxn isoforms that exhibit differential alternative exon usage. Further, Nrxn ligands can be differentially expressed and can display synapse-specific localization patterns, which may contribute to the formation of a complex trans-synaptic molecular code that establishes the properties of inhibitory synapse function and properties of local circuitry. In this review, we will discuss how Nrxns and their ligands sculpt synaptic inhibition in a brain-region, cell-type and synapse-specific manner.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jason Aoto
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Denver, CO, United States
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14
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Schizophrenia-associated LRRTM1 regulates cognitive behavior through controlling synaptic function in the mediodorsal thalamus. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:6912-6925. [PMID: 33981006 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-021-01146-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Reduced activity of the mediodorsal thalamus (MD) and abnormal functional connectivity of the MD with the prefrontal cortex (PFC) cause cognitive deficits in schizophrenia. However, the molecular basis of MD hypofunction in schizophrenia is not known. Here, we identified leucine-rich-repeat transmembrane neuronal protein 1 (LRRTM1), a postsynaptic cell-adhesion molecule, as a key regulator of excitatory synaptic function and excitation-inhibition balance in the MD. LRRTM1 is strongly associated with schizophrenia and is highly expressed in the thalamus. Conditional deletion of Lrrtm1 in the MD in adult mice reduced excitatory synaptic function and caused a parallel reduction in the afferent synaptic activity of the PFC, which was reversed by the reintroduction of LRRTM1 in the MD. Our results indicate that chronic reduction of synaptic strength in the MD by targeted deletion of Lrrtm1 functionally disengages the MD from the PFC and may account for cognitive, social, and sensorimotor gating deficits, reminiscent of schizophrenia.
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15
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Prioritization of candidate genes for a South African family with Parkinson's disease using in-silico tools. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0249324. [PMID: 33770142 PMCID: PMC7997022 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0249324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder exhibiting Mendelian inheritance in some families. Next-generation sequencing approaches, including whole exome sequencing (WES), have revolutionized the field of Mendelian disorders and have identified a number of PD genes. We recruited a South African family with autosomal dominant PD and used WES to identify a possible pathogenic mutation. After filtration and prioritization, we found five potential causative variants in CFAP65, RTF1, NRXN2, TEP1 and CCNF. The variant in NRXN2 was selected for further analysis based on consistent prediction of deleteriousness across computational tools, not being present in unaffected family members, ethnic-matched controls or public databases, and its expression in the substantia nigra. A protein model for NRNX2 was created which provided a three-dimensional (3D) structure that satisfied qualitative mean and global model quality assessment scores. Trajectory analysis showed destabilizing effects of the variant on protein structure, indicated by high flexibility of the LNS-6 domain adopting an extended conformation. We also found that the known substrate N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (NAG) contributed to restoration of the structural stability of mutant NRXN2. If NRXN2 is indeed found to be the causal gene, this could reveal a new mechanism for the pathobiology of PD.
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16
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Abstract
The function of neuronal circuits relies on the properties of individual neuronal cells and their synapses. We propose that a substantial degree of synapse formation and function is instructed by molecular codes resulting from transcriptional programmes. Recent studies on the Neurexin protein family and its ligands provide fundamental insight into how synapses are assembled and remodelled, how synaptic properties are specified and how single gene mutations associated with neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders might modify the operation of neuronal circuits and behaviour. In this Review, we first summarize insights into Neurexin function obtained from various model organisms. We then discuss the mechanisms and logic of the cell type-specific regulation of Neurexin isoforms, in particular at the level of alternative mRNA splicing. Finally, we propose a conceptual framework for how combinations of synaptic protein isoforms act as 'senders' and 'readers' to instruct synapse formation and the acquisition of cell type-specific and synapse-specific functional properties.
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17
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Uchigashima M, Konno K, Demchak E, Cheung A, Watanabe T, Keener DG, Abe M, Le T, Sakimura K, Sasaoka T, Uemura T, Imamura Kawasawa Y, Watanabe M, Futai K. Specific Neuroligin3-αNeurexin1 signaling regulates GABAergic synaptic function in mouse hippocampus. eLife 2020; 9:e59545. [PMID: 33355091 PMCID: PMC7758064 DOI: 10.7554/elife.59545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Synapse formation and regulation require signaling interactions between pre- and postsynaptic proteins, notably cell adhesion molecules (CAMs). It has been proposed that the functions of neuroligins (Nlgns), postsynaptic CAMs, rely on the formation of trans-synaptic complexes with neurexins (Nrxns), presynaptic CAMs. Nlgn3 is a unique Nlgn isoform that localizes at both excitatory and inhibitory synapses. However, Nlgn3 function mediated via Nrxn interactions is unknown. Here we demonstrate that Nlgn3 localizes at postsynaptic sites apposing vesicular glutamate transporter 3-expressing (VGT3+) inhibitory terminals and regulates VGT3+ inhibitory interneuron-mediated synaptic transmission in mouse organotypic slice cultures. Gene expression analysis of interneurons revealed that the αNrxn1+AS4 splice isoform is highly expressed in VGT3+ interneurons as compared with other interneurons. Most importantly, postsynaptic Nlgn3 requires presynaptic αNrxn1+AS4 expressed in VGT3+ interneurons to regulate inhibitory synaptic transmission. Our results indicate that specific Nlgn-Nrxn signaling generates distinct functional properties at synapses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Motokazu Uchigashima
- Brudnick Neuropsychiatric Research Institute, Department of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolWorcesterUnited States
- Department of Cellular Neuropathology, Brain Research Institute, Niigata UniversityNiigataJapan
| | - Kohtarou Konno
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Hokkaido UniversitySapporoJapan
| | - Emily Demchak
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Institute for Personalized Medicine, Pennsylvania State University College of MedicineHersheyUnited States
| | - Amy Cheung
- Brudnick Neuropsychiatric Research Institute, Department of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolWorcesterUnited States
| | - Takuya Watanabe
- Brudnick Neuropsychiatric Research Institute, Department of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolWorcesterUnited States
| | - David G Keener
- Brudnick Neuropsychiatric Research Institute, Department of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolWorcesterUnited States
| | - Manabu Abe
- Department of Animal Model Development, Brain Research Institute, Niigata UniversityNiigataJapan
| | - Timmy Le
- Brudnick Neuropsychiatric Research Institute, Department of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolWorcesterUnited States
| | - Kenji Sakimura
- Department of Animal Model Development, Brain Research Institute, Niigata UniversityNiigataJapan
| | - Toshikuni Sasaoka
- Department of Comparative and Experimental Medicine, Brain Research Institute, Niigata UniversityNiigataJapan
| | - Takeshi Uemura
- Division of Gene Research, Research Center for Supports to Advanced Science, Shinshu UniversityNaganoJapan
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Interdisciplinary Cluster for Cutting Edge Research, Shinshu UniversityNaganoJapan
| | - Yuka Imamura Kawasawa
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Institute for Personalized Medicine, Pennsylvania State University College of MedicineHersheyUnited States
- Department of Pharmacology Pennsylvania State University College of MedicineHersheyUnited States
| | - Masahiko Watanabe
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Hokkaido UniversitySapporoJapan
| | - Kensuke Futai
- Brudnick Neuropsychiatric Research Institute, Department of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolWorcesterUnited States
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18
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Ji X, Zhang H, Cui Q. A Panel of Synapse-Related Genes as a Biomarker for Gliomas. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:822. [PMID: 32848578 PMCID: PMC7431624 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.00822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Gliomas are the most common primary brain cancers. In recent years, IDH mutation and 1p/19q codeletion have been suggested as biomarkers for the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of gliomas. However, these biomarkers are only effective for a part of glioma patients, and thus more biomarkers are still emergently needed. Recently, an electrochemical communication between normal neurons and glioma cells by neuro-glioma synapse has been reported. Moreover, it was discovered that breast-to-brain metastasis tumor cells have pseudo synapses with neurons, and these synapses were indicated to promote tumor progression and metastasis. Based on the above observations, we first curated a panel of 17 synapse-related genes and then proposed a metric, synapse score to quantify the "stemness" for each sample of 12 glioma gene expression datasets from TCGA, CGGA, and GEO. Strikingly, synapse score showed excellent predictive ability for the prognosis, diagnosis, and grading of gliomas. Moreover, being compared with the two established biomarkers, IDH mutation and 1p/19q codeletion, synapse score demonstrated independent and better predictive performance. In conclusion, this study proposed a quantitative method, synapse score, as an efficient biomarker for monitoring gliomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangwen Ji
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Center for Non-coding RNA Medicine, MOE Key Lab of Cardiovascular Sciences, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China.,Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Center for Non-coding RNA Medicine, MOE Key Lab of Cardiovascular Sciences, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Hongwei Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Sanbo Brain Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Qinghua Cui
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Center for Non-coding RNA Medicine, MOE Key Lab of Cardiovascular Sciences, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China.,Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Center for Non-coding RNA Medicine, MOE Key Lab of Cardiovascular Sciences, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
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19
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Uezu A, Hisey E, Kobayashi Y, Gao Y, Bradshaw TWA, Devlin P, Rodriguiz R, Tata PR, Soderling S. Essential role for InSyn1 in dystroglycan complex integrity and cognitive behaviors in mice. eLife 2019; 8:e50712. [PMID: 31829939 PMCID: PMC6944460 DOI: 10.7554/elife.50712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Human mutations in the dystroglycan complex (DGC) result in not only muscular dystrophy but also cognitive impairments. However, the molecular architecture critical for the synaptic organization of the DGC in neurons remains elusive. Here, we report Inhibitory Synaptic protein 1 (InSyn1) is a critical component of the DGC whose loss alters the composition of the GABAergic synapses, excitatory/inhibitory balance in vitro and in vivo, and cognitive behavior. Association of InSyn1 with DGC subunits is required for InSyn1 synaptic localization. InSyn1 null neurons also show a significant reduction in DGC and GABA receptor distribution as well as abnormal neuronal network activity. Moreover, InSyn1 null mice exhibit elevated neuronal firing patterns in the hippocampus and deficits in fear conditioning memory. Our results support the dysregulation of the DGC at inhibitory synapses and altered neuronal network activity and specific cognitive tasks via loss of a novel component, InSyn1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akiyoshi Uezu
- Department of Cell BiologyDuke University Medical SchoolDurhamUnited States
| | - Erin Hisey
- Department of Cell BiologyDuke University Medical SchoolDurhamUnited States
| | | | - Yudong Gao
- Department of Cell BiologyDuke University Medical SchoolDurhamUnited States
| | - Tyler WA Bradshaw
- Department of Cell BiologyDuke University Medical SchoolDurhamUnited States
| | - Patrick Devlin
- Department of Cell BiologyDuke University Medical SchoolDurhamUnited States
| | - Ramona Rodriguiz
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral SciencesDuke University Medical SchoolDurhamUnited States
- Mouse Behavioral and Neuroendocrine Analysis Core FacilityDuke University Medical SchoolDurhamUnited States
| | | | - Scott Soderling
- Department of Cell BiologyDuke University Medical SchoolDurhamUnited States
- Department of NeurobiologyDuke University Medical SchoolDurhamUnited States
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20
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La Dolce Vita of Neurexin: Synaptic Partnerships through Glycosaminoglycans. Cell 2019; 174:1337-1338. [PMID: 30193105 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2018.08.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Various neurexin transcripts are thought to serve as presynaptic "hub" molecules by binding to their specific synaptic partners. In this issue, Zhang et al. demonstrate that neurexins are heparan sulfate (HS) proteoglycans and that the HS modification is important for synaptic function in vitro and in vivo. These findings open up the possibility of many more binding partners for the neurexins.
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21
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Neurexins - versatile molecular platforms in the synaptic cleft. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2019; 54:112-121. [PMID: 30831539 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2019.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2018] [Revised: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Neurexins constitute a large family of synaptic organizers. Their extracellular domains protrude into the synaptic cleft where they can form transsynaptic bridges with different partners. A unique constellation of structural elements within their ectodomains enables neurexins to create molecular platforms within the synaptic cleft that permit a large portfolio of partners to be recruited, assembled and their interactions to be dynamically regulated. Neurexins and their partners are implicated in neuropsychiatric diseases including autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia. Detailed understanding of the mechanisms that underlie neurexin interactions may in future guide the design of tools to manipulate synaptic connections and their function, in particular those involved in the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric disease.
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22
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Uchigashima M, Cheung A, Suh J, Watanabe M, Futai K. Differential expression of neurexin genes in the mouse brain. J Comp Neurol 2019; 527:1940-1965. [PMID: 30761534 DOI: 10.1002/cne.24664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2018] [Revised: 01/04/2019] [Accepted: 02/01/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Synapses, highly specialized membrane junctions between neurons, connect presynaptic neurotransmitter release sites and postsynaptic ligand-gated channels. Neurexins (Nrxns), a family of presynaptic adhesion molecules, have been characterized as major regulators of synapse development and function. Via their extracellular domains, Nrxns bind to different postsynaptic proteins, generating highly diverse functional readouts through their postsynaptic binding partners. Not surprisingly given these versatile protein interactions, mutations and deletions of Nrxn genes have been identified in patients with autism spectrum disorders, intellectual disabilities, and schizophrenia. Therefore, elucidating the expression profiles of Nrxns in the brain is of high significance. Here, using chromogenic and fluorescent in situ hybridization, we characterize the expression patterns of Nrxn isoforms throughout the brain. We found that each Nrxn isoform displays a unique expression profile in a region-, cell type-, and sensory system-specific manner. Interestingly, we also found that αNrxn1 and αNrxn2 mRNAs are expressed in non-neuronal cells, including astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. Lastly, we found diverse expression patterns of genes that encode Nrxn binding proteins, such as Neuroligins (Nlgns), Leucine-rich repeat transmembrane neuronal protein (Lrrtms) and Latrophilins (Adgrls), suggesting that Nrxn proteins can mediate numerous combinations of trans-synaptic interactions. Together, our anatomical profiling of Nrxn gene expression reflects the diverse roles of Nrxn molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Motokazu Uchigashima
- Department of Neurobiology, Brudnick Neuropsychiatric Research Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts.,Department of Anatomy, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Amy Cheung
- Department of Neurobiology, Brudnick Neuropsychiatric Research Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Julie Suh
- Department of Neurobiology, Brudnick Neuropsychiatric Research Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Masahiko Watanabe
- Department of Anatomy, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Kensuke Futai
- Department of Neurobiology, Brudnick Neuropsychiatric Research Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
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23
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Grassi E, Santoro R, Umbach A, Grosso A, Oliviero S, Neri F, Conti L, Ala U, Provero P, DiCunto F, Merlo GR. Choice of Alternative Polyadenylation Sites, Mediated by the RNA-Binding Protein Elavl3, Plays a Role in Differentiation of Inhibitory Neuronal Progenitors. Front Cell Neurosci 2019; 12:518. [PMID: 30687010 PMCID: PMC6338052 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2018.00518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2018] [Accepted: 12/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Alternative polyadenylation (APA) is a widespread mechanism involving about half of the expressed genes, resulting in varying lengths of the 3′ untranslated region (3′UTR). Variations in length and sequence of the 3′UTR may underlie changes of post-transcriptional processing, localization, miRNA targeting and stability of mRNAs. During embryonic development a large array of mRNAs exhibit APA, with a prevalence of the longer 3′UTR versions in differentiating cells. Little is known about polyA+ site usage during differentiation of mammalian neural progenitors. Here we exploit a model of adherent neural stem (ANS) cells, which homogeneously and efficiently differentiate into GABAergic neurons. RNAseq data shows a global trend towards lengthening of the 3′UTRs during differentiation. Enriched expression of the longer 3′UTR variants of Pes1 and Gng2 was detected in the mouse brain in areas of cortical and subcortical neuronal differentiation, respectively, by two-probes fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). Among the coding genes upregulated during differentiation of ANS cells we found Elavl3, a neural-specific RNA-binding protein homologous to Drosophila Elav. In the insect, Elav regulates polyA+ site choice while interacting with paused Pol-II promoters. We tested the role of Elavl3 in ANS cells, by silencing Elavl3 and observed consistent changes in 3′UTR length and delayed neuronal differentiation. These results indicate that choice of the polyA+ site and lengthening of 3′UTRs is a possible additional mechanism of posttranscriptional RNA modification involved in neuronal differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Grassi
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Roberto Santoro
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Alessandro Umbach
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Anna Grosso
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Salvatore Oliviero
- Italian Institute for Genomic Medicine, Turin, Italy.,Department of Life Science and System Biology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Francesco Neri
- Italian Institute for Genomic Medicine, Turin, Italy.,Department of Life Science and System Biology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Luciano Conti
- Centre for Integrative Biology-CIBIO, University of Trento, Povo, Italy
| | - Ugo Ala
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Paolo Provero
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Ferdinando DiCunto
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,Department of Neurosciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Giorgio R Merlo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
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24
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IgSF9b regulates anxiety behaviors through effects on centromedial amygdala inhibitory synapses. Nat Commun 2018; 9:5400. [PMID: 30573727 PMCID: PMC6302093 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-07762-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2018] [Accepted: 11/21/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Abnormalities in synaptic inhibition play a critical role in psychiatric disorders, and accordingly, it is essential to understand the molecular mechanisms linking components of the inhibitory postsynapse to psychiatrically relevant neural circuits and behaviors. Here we study the role of IgSF9b, an adhesion protein that has been associated with affective disorders, in the amygdala anxiety circuitry. We show that deletion of IgSF9b normalizes anxiety-related behaviors and neural processing in mice lacking the synapse organizer Neuroligin-2 (Nlgn2), which was proposed to complex with IgSF9b. This normalization occurs through differential effects of Nlgn2 and IgSF9b at inhibitory synapses in the basal and centromedial amygdala (CeM), respectively. Moreover, deletion of IgSF9b in the CeM of adult Nlgn2 knockout mice has a prominent anxiolytic effect. Our data place IgSF9b as a key regulator of inhibition in the amygdala and indicate that IgSF9b-expressing synapses in the CeM may represent a target for anxiolytic therapies. IgSF9b is a synaptic adhesion protein that has been linked to psychiatric disorders. Here the authors show that deletion of IgSF9b regulates anxiety-like behaviour in mice by increasing inhibitory synaptic transmission in the centromedial amygdala.
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25
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Favuzzi E, Rico B. Molecular diversity underlying cortical excitatory and inhibitory synapse development. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2018; 53:8-15. [PMID: 29704699 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2018.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2018] [Revised: 03/27/2018] [Accepted: 03/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The complexity and precision of cortical circuitries is achieved during development due to the exquisite diversity of synapse types that is generated in a highly regulated manner. Here, we review the recent increase in our understanding of how synapse type-specific molecules differentially regulate the development of excitatory and inhibitory synapses. Moreover, several synapse subtype-specific molecules have been shown to control the targeting, formation or maturation of particular subtypes of excitatory synapses. Because inhibitory neurons are extremely diverse, a similar molecular diversity is likely to underlie the development of different inhibitory synapses making it a promising topic for future investigation in the field of the synapse development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilia Favuzzi
- Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, United Kingdom; MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, United Kingdom
| | - Beatriz Rico
- Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, United Kingdom; MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, United Kingdom.
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26
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Abstract
Synapse formation is mediated by a surprisingly large number and wide variety of genes encoding many different protein classes. One of the families increasingly implicated in synapse wiring is the immunoglobulin superfamily (IgSF). IgSF molecules are by definition any protein containing at least one Ig-like domain, making this family one of the most common protein classes encoded by the genome. Here, we review the emerging roles for IgSF molecules in synapse formation specifically in the vertebrate brain, focusing on examples from three classes of IgSF members: ( a) cell adhesion molecules, ( b) signaling molecules, and ( c) immune molecules expressed in the brain. The critical roles for IgSF members in regulating synapse formation may explain their extensive involvement in neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders. Solving the IgSF code for synapse formation may reveal multiple new targets for rescuing IgSF-mediated deficits in synapse formation and, eventually, new treatments for psychiatric disorders caused by altered IgSF-induced synapse wiring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott Cameron
- Center for Neuroscience, University of California, Davis, California 95618, USA; ,
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27
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Liu J, Misra A, Reddy MVVVS, White MA, Ren G, Rudenko G. Structural Plasticity of Neurexin 1α: Implications for its Role as Synaptic Organizer. J Mol Biol 2018; 430:4325-4343. [PMID: 30193986 PMCID: PMC6223652 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2018.08.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2018] [Revised: 08/27/2018] [Accepted: 08/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
α-Neurexins are synaptic organizing molecules implicated in neuropsychiatric disorders. They bind and arrange an array of different partners in the synaptic cleft. The extracellular region of neurexin 1α (n1α) contains six LNS domains (L1-L6) interspersed by three Egf-like repeats. N1α must encode highly evolved structure-function relationships in order to fit into the narrow confines of the synaptic cleft, and also recruit its large, membrane-bound partners. Internal molecular flexibility could provide a solution; however, it is challenging to delineate because currently no structural methods permit high-resolution structure determination of large, flexible, multi-domain protein molecules. To investigate the structural plasticity of n1α, in particular the conformation of domains that carry validated binding sites for different protein partners, we used a panel of structural techniques. Individual particle electron tomography revealed that the N-terminally and C-terminally tethered domains, L1 and L6, have a surprisingly limited range of conformational freedom with respect to the linear central core containing L2 through L5. A 2.8-Å crystal structure revealed an unexpected arrangement of the L2 and L3 domains. Small-angle X-ray scattering and electron tomography indicated that incorporation of the alternative splice insert SS6 relieves the restricted conformational freedom between L5 and L6, suggesting that SS6 may work as a molecular toggle. The architecture of n1α thus encodes a combination of rigid and flexibly tethered domains that are uniquely poised to work together to promote its organizing function in the synaptic cleft, and may permit allosterically regulated and/or concerted protein partner binding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianfang Liu
- The Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Anurag Misra
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - M V V V Sekhar Reddy
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Mark Andrew White
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA; Sealy Center for Structural Biology and Molecular Biophysics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Gang Ren
- The Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
| | - Gabby Rudenko
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA; Sealy Center for Structural Biology and Molecular Biophysics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.
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28
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Dynamics, nanoscale organization, and function of synaptic adhesion molecules. Mol Cell Neurosci 2018; 91:95-107. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2018.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2017] [Revised: 04/12/2018] [Accepted: 04/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
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29
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Macron C, Lane L, Núñez Galindo A, Dayon L. Deep Dive on the Proteome of Human Cerebrospinal Fluid: A Valuable Data Resource for Biomarker Discovery and Missing Protein Identification. J Proteome Res 2018; 17:4113-4126. [PMID: 30124047 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.8b00300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a body fluid of choice for biomarker studies of brain disorders but remains relatively under-studied compared with other biological fluids such as plasma, partly due to the more invasive means of its sample collection. The present study establishes an in-depth CSF proteome through the analysis of a unique CSF sample from a pool of donors. After immunoaffinity depletion, the CSF sample was fractionated using off-gel electrophoresis and analyzed with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (MS) using the latest generation of hybrid Orbitrap mass spectrometers. The shotgun proteomic analysis allowed the identification of 20 689 peptides mapping on 3379 proteins. To the best of our knowledge, the obtained data set constitutes the largest CSF proteome published so far. Among the CSF proteins identified, 34% correspond to genes whose transcripts are highly expressed in brain according to the Human Protein Atlas. The principal Alzheimer's disease biomarkers (e.g., tau protein, amyloid-β, apolipoprotein E, and neurogranin) were detected. Importantly, our data set significantly contributes to the Chromosome-centric Human Proteome Project (C-HPP), and 12 proteins considered as missing are proposed for validation in accordance with the HPP guidelines. Of these 12 proteins, 8 proteins are based on 2 to 6 uniquely mapping peptides from this CSF analysis, and 4 match a new peptide with a "stranded" single peptide in PeptideAtlas from previous CSF studies. The MS proteomic data are available to the ProteomeXchange Consortium ( http://www.proteomexchange.org/ ) with the data set identifier PXD009646.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Macron
- Proteomics , Nestlé Institute of Health Sciences , 1015 Lausanne , Switzerland
| | - Lydie Lane
- CALIPHO Group , SIB-Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics , CMU, rue Michel-Servet 1 , 1211 Geneva 4 , Switzerland.,Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine , University of Geneva , rue Michel-Servet 1 , 1211 Geneva 4 , Switzerland
| | | | - Loïc Dayon
- Proteomics , Nestlé Institute of Health Sciences , 1015 Lausanne , Switzerland
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30
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Schroeder A, Vanderlinden J, Vints K, Ribeiro LF, Vennekens KM, Gounko NV, Wierda KD, de Wit J. A Modular Organization of LRR Protein-Mediated Synaptic Adhesion Defines Synapse Identity. Neuron 2018; 99:329-344.e7. [PMID: 29983322 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2018.06.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2017] [Revised: 05/04/2018] [Accepted: 06/14/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Pyramidal neurons express rich repertoires of leucine-rich repeat (LRR)-containing adhesion molecules with similar synaptogenic activity in culture. The in vivo relevance of this molecular diversity is unclear. We show that hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons express multiple synaptogenic LRR proteins that differentially distribute to the major excitatory inputs on their apical dendrites. At Schaffer collateral (SC) inputs, FLRT2, LRRTM1, and Slitrk1 are postsynaptically localized and differentially regulate synaptic structure and function. FLRT2 controls spine density, whereas LRRTM1 and Slitrk1 exert opposing effects on synaptic vesicle distribution at the active zone. All LRR proteins differentially affect synaptic transmission, and their combinatorial loss results in a cumulative phenotype. At temporoammonic (TA) inputs, LRRTM1 is absent; FLRT2 similarly controls functional synapse number, whereas Slitrk1 function diverges to regulate postsynaptic AMPA receptor density. Thus, LRR proteins differentially control synaptic architecture and function and act in input-specific combinations and a context-dependent manner to specify synaptic properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Schroeder
- VIB Center for Brain & Disease Research, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; KU Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jeroen Vanderlinden
- VIB Center for Brain & Disease Research, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; KU Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Katlijn Vints
- VIB Center for Brain & Disease Research, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; KU Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; Electron Microscopy Platform & VIB BioImaging Core, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Luís F Ribeiro
- VIB Center for Brain & Disease Research, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; KU Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kristel M Vennekens
- VIB Center for Brain & Disease Research, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; KU Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Natalia V Gounko
- VIB Center for Brain & Disease Research, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; KU Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; Electron Microscopy Platform & VIB BioImaging Core, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Keimpe D Wierda
- VIB Center for Brain & Disease Research, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; KU Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Joris de Wit
- VIB Center for Brain & Disease Research, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; KU Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
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31
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Wu M, Tian HL, Liu X, Lai JHC, Du S, Xia J. Impairment of Inhibitory Synapse Formation and Motor Behavior in Mice Lacking the NL2 Binding Partner LHFPL4/GARLH4. Cell Rep 2018; 23:1691-1705. [DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2018.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2017] [Revised: 02/26/2018] [Accepted: 04/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
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