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Literature Commentary. J Neuroophthalmol 2024; 44:e295-e302. [PMID: 38662735 DOI: 10.1097/wno.0000000000002154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/15/2024]
Abstract
In this issue of JNO Drs. Mark L. Moster, Marc Dinkin, and Deborah I. Friedman discuss the following six articles.
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Amore G, Romagnoli M, Carbonelli M, Cascavilla ML, De Negri AM, Carta A, Parisi V, Di Renzo A, Schiavi C, Lenzetti C, Zenesini C, Ormanbekova D, Palombo F, Fiorini C, Caporali L, Carelli V, Barboni P, La Morgia C. AFG3L2 and ACO2-Linked Dominant Optic Atrophy: Genotype-Phenotype Characterization Compared to OPA1 Patients. Am J Ophthalmol 2024; 262:114-124. [PMID: 38278202 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajo.2024.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Heterozygous mutations in the AFG3L2 gene (encoding a mitochondrial protease indirectly reflecting on OPA1 cleavage) and ACO2 gene (encoding the mitochondrial enzyme aconitase) are associated with isolated forms of Dominant Optic Atrophy (DOA). We aimed at describing their neuro-ophthalmological phenotype as compared with classic OPA1-related DOA. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. METHODS The following neuro-ophthalmological parameters were collected: logMAR visual acuity (VA), color vision, mean deviation and foveal threshold at visual fields, average and sectorial retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), and ganglion cell layer (GCL) thickness on optical coherence tomography. ACO2 and AFG3L2 patients were compared with an age- and sex-matched group of OPA1 patients with a 1:2 ratio. All eyes were analyzed using a clustered Wilcoxon rank sum test with the Rosner-Glynn-Lee method. RESULTS A total of 44 eyes from 23 ACO2 patients and 26 eyes from 13 AFG3L2 patients were compared with 143 eyes from 72 OPA1 patients. All cases presented with bilateral temporal-predominant optic atrophy with various degree of visual impairment. Comparison between AFG3L2 and OPA1 failed to reveal any significant difference. ACO2 patients compared to both AFG3L2 and OPA1 presented overall higher values of nasal RNFL thickness (P = .029, P = .023), average thickness (P = .012, P = .0007), and sectorial GCL thickness. These results were confirmed also comparing separately affected and subclinical patients. CONCLUSIONS Clinically, DOA remains a fairly homogeneous entity despite the growing genetic heterogeneity. ACO2 seems to be associated with an overall better preservation of retinal ganglion cells, probably depending on the different pathogenic mechanism involving mtDNA maintenance, as opposed to AFG3L2, which is involved in OPA1 processing and is virtually indistinguishable from classic OPA1-DOA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Amore
- From the Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (G.A., M.C., V.C., C.L.M.), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy; Ophthalmology Unit (G.A., C.S.), IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Martina Romagnoli
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna (M.R., D.O., F.P., C.F.L.C.V.C.), Programma di Neurogenetica, Bologna, Italy
| | - Michele Carbonelli
- From the Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (G.A., M.C., V.C., C.L.M.), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria Lucia Cascavilla
- Department of Ophthalmology (M.L.C., P.B.), University Vita-Salute, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Arturo Carta
- Ophthalmology Unit (A.C.), University Hospital of Parma, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | | | | | - Costantino Schiavi
- Ophthalmology Unit (G.A., C.S.), IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Chiara Lenzetti
- Department of Surgery and Translational Medicine (C.L.), Eye Clinic, Careggi University Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Corrado Zenesini
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna (C.Z.), Unità di Epidemiologia e Statistica, Bologna, Italy
| | - Danara Ormanbekova
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna (M.R., D.O., F.P., C.F.L.C.V.C.), Programma di Neurogenetica, Bologna, Italy
| | - Flavia Palombo
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna (M.R., D.O., F.P., C.F.L.C.V.C.), Programma di Neurogenetica, Bologna, Italy
| | - Claudio Fiorini
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna (M.R., D.O., F.P., C.F.L.C.V.C.), Programma di Neurogenetica, Bologna, Italy
| | - Leonardo Caporali
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna (M.R., D.O., F.P., C.F.L.C.V.C.), Programma di Neurogenetica, Bologna, Italy
| | - Valerio Carelli
- From the Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (G.A., M.C., V.C., C.L.M.), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy; IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna (M.R., D.O., F.P., C.F.L.C.V.C.), Programma di Neurogenetica, Bologna, Italy
| | - Piero Barboni
- Department of Ophthalmology (M.L.C., P.B.), University Vita-Salute, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara La Morgia
- From the Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (G.A., M.C., V.C., C.L.M.), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy; IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna (C.L.M.), UOC Clinica Neurologica, Bologna, Italy
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Penkl M, Mayr JA, Feichtinger RG, Reilmann R, Debus O, Fobker M, Penkl A, Reunert J, Rust S, Marquardt T. Anaplerotic Therapy Using Triheptanoin in Two Brothers Suffering from Aconitase 2 Deficiency. Metabolites 2024; 14:238. [PMID: 38668366 PMCID: PMC11052043 DOI: 10.3390/metabo14040238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2024] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Citric acid cycle deficiencies are extremely rare due to their central role in energy metabolism. The ACO2 gene encodes the mitochondrial isoform of aconitase (aconitase 2), the second enzyme of the citric acid cycle. Approximately 100 patients with aconitase 2 deficiency have been reported with a variety of symptoms, including intellectual disability, hypotonia, optic nerve atrophy, cortical atrophy, cerebellar atrophy, and seizures. In this study, a homozygous deletion in the ACO2 gene in two brothers with reduced aconitase 2 activity in fibroblasts has been described with symptoms including truncal hypotonia, optic atrophy, hyperopia, astigmatism, and cerebellar atrophy. In an in vivo trial, triheptanoin was used to bypass the defective aconitase 2 and fill up the citric acid cycle. Motor abilities in both patients improved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian Penkl
- Klinik für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, Universitätsklinikum Münster, Albert-Schweizer-Campus 1, 48149 Muenster, Germany (J.R.); (S.R.)
| | - Johannes A. Mayr
- Universitätsklinik für Kinder- und Jugendheilkunde, Salzburger Landeskliniken (SALK) and Paracelsus Medical University (PMU), Müllner Hauptstraße 48, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (J.A.M.); (R.G.F.)
| | - René G. Feichtinger
- Universitätsklinik für Kinder- und Jugendheilkunde, Salzburger Landeskliniken (SALK) and Paracelsus Medical University (PMU), Müllner Hauptstraße 48, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (J.A.M.); (R.G.F.)
| | - Ralf Reilmann
- George-Huntington-Institut, Wilhelm-Schickard-Straße 15, 48149 Muenster, Germany;
| | - Otfried Debus
- Clemenshospital Münster, Klinik für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, Düesbergweg 124, 48153 Muenster, Germany;
| | - Manfred Fobker
- Zentrale Einrichtung UKM Labor, Universitätsklinikum Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, 48149 Muenster, Germany;
| | - Anja Penkl
- Klinik für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, Universitätsklinikum Münster, Albert-Schweizer-Campus 1, 48149 Muenster, Germany (J.R.); (S.R.)
| | - Janine Reunert
- Klinik für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, Universitätsklinikum Münster, Albert-Schweizer-Campus 1, 48149 Muenster, Germany (J.R.); (S.R.)
| | - Stephan Rust
- Klinik für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, Universitätsklinikum Münster, Albert-Schweizer-Campus 1, 48149 Muenster, Germany (J.R.); (S.R.)
| | - Thorsten Marquardt
- Klinik für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, Universitätsklinikum Münster, Albert-Schweizer-Campus 1, 48149 Muenster, Germany (J.R.); (S.R.)
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Fang J, Jiang P, Wang X, Qi Z, He X, Chen L, Guo Y, Xu X, Liu R, Li D. Thinned young apple powder prevents obesity-induced neuronal apoptosis via improving mitochondrial function of cerebral cortex in mice. J Nutr Biochem 2024; 126:109588. [PMID: 38266689 DOI: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2024.109588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
Mitochondrial dysfunction is one of the triggers for obesity-induced neuron apoptosis. Thinned young apple is getting more attention on account of the extensive biological activities because of rich polyphenols and polysaccharides. However, the neuroprotective effect of thinned young apple powder (YAP) is still unclear. The aim of the present study was to investigate the preventive effect of YAP on obesity-induced neuronal apoptosis. C57BL/6J male mice were divided into 5 groups, control (CON), high fat diet (HFD), HFD + orlistat (ORL), HFD + low-dose young apple powder (LYAP) and HFD + high-dose young apple powder (HYAP) groups and intervened for 12 weeks. It was found that the YAP effectively reduced body weight gain. Importantly, the levels of pro-apoptosis protein were lower in LYAP and HYAP groups than the HFD group, such as Bak/Bcl2 and cleaved caspase3/caspase3. Pathway analysis based on untargeted metabolomics suggested that YAP alleviated obesity-induced neuronal apoptosis by three main metabolic pathway including arginine metabolism, citrate cycle (TCA cycle) and glutathione metabolism. Meanwhile, YAP improved the protein expression of mitochondrial respiratory chain complex, maintained the homeostasis of TCA cycle intermediates, protected the balance of mitochondrial dynamics and alleviated lipid accumulation. In addition, the levels of several antioxidants in cerebral cortex were higher in HYAP group than the HFD group like superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). In summary, YAP supplementation suppressed neuronal apoptosis in the cerebral cortex of HFD-induced obesity mice by improving mitochondrial function and inhibiting oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiacheng Fang
- Institute of Nutrition & Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China; School of Public Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Peng Jiang
- Red Cross Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital of Jiaozhou, Qingdao, China
| | - Xincen Wang
- Institute of Nutrition & Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China; School of Public Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Zhongshi Qi
- Institute of Nutrition & Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China; School of Public Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Xin He
- Institute of Nutrition & Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China; School of Public health and Emergency management, Southern University of Science and Technology, ShenZhen, China
| | - Lei Chen
- Institute of Nutrition & Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China; School of Public Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Yurong Guo
- College of Food Engineering and Nutritional Science, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xiaoyun Xu
- Red Cross Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital of Jiaozhou, Qingdao, China
| | - Run Liu
- Institute of Nutrition & Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China; School of Public Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China.
| | - Duo Li
- Institute of Nutrition & Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China; School of Public Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China.
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Dong YN, Ngaba LV, An J, Adeshina MW, Warren N, Wong J, Lynch DR. A peptide derived from TID1S rescues frataxin deficiency and mitochondrial defects in FRDA cellular models. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1352311. [PMID: 38495102 PMCID: PMC10940384 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1352311] [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: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA), the most common recessive inherited ataxia, results from homozygous guanine-adenine-adenine (GAA) repeat expansions in intron 1 of the FXN gene, which leads to the deficiency of frataxin, a mitochondrial protein essential for iron-sulphur cluster synthesis. The study of frataxin protein regulation might yield new approaches for FRDA treatment. Here, we report tumorous imaginal disc 1 (TID1), a mitochondrial J-protein cochaperone, as a binding partner of frataxin that negatively controls frataxin protein levels. TID1 interacts with frataxin both in vivo in mouse cortex and in vitro in cortical neurons. Acute and subacute depletion of frataxin using RNA interference markedly increases TID1 protein levels in multiple cell types. In addition, TID1 overexpression significantly increases frataxin precursor but decreases intermediate and mature frataxin levels in HEK293 cells. In primary cultured human skin fibroblasts, overexpression of TID1S results in decreased levels of mature frataxin and increased fragmentation of mitochondria. This effect is mediated by the last 6 amino acids of TID1S as a peptide made from this sequence rescues frataxin deficiency and mitochondrial defects in FRDA patient-derived cells. Our findings show that TID1 negatively modulates frataxin levels, and thereby suggests a novel therapeutic target for treating FRDA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Na Dong
- Department of Pediatrics and Neurology, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Lucie Vanessa Ngaba
- Department of Pediatrics and Neurology, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Jacob An
- Department of Pediatrics and Neurology, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Miniat W. Adeshina
- Department of Pediatrics and Neurology, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Nathan Warren
- Department of Pediatrics and Neurology, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Johnathan Wong
- Department of Pediatrics and Neurology, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - David R. Lynch
- Department of Pediatrics and Neurology, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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Zhu J, Xu F, Lai H, Yuan H, Li XY, Hu J, Li W, Liu L, Wang C. ACO2 deficiency increases vulnerability to Parkinson's disease via dysregulating mitochondrial function and histone acetylation-mediated transcription of autophagy genes. Commun Biol 2023; 6:1201. [PMID: 38007539 PMCID: PMC10676364 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05570-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by α-synuclein aggregation in dopaminergic (DA) neurons, which are sensitive to oxidative stress. Mitochondria aconitase 2 (ACO2) is an essential enzyme in the tricarboxylic acid cycle that orchestrates mitochondrial and autophagic functions to energy metabolism. Though widely linked to diseases, its relation to PD has not been fully clarified. Here we revealed that the peripheral ACO2 activity was significantly decreased in PD patients and associated with their onset age and disease durations. The knock-in mouse and Drosophila models with the A252T variant displayed aggravated motor deficits and DA neuron degeneration after 6-OHDA and rotenone-induction, and the ACO2 knockdown or blockade cells showed features of mitochondrial and autophagic dysfunction. Moreover, the transcription of autophagy-related genes LC3 and Atg5 was significantly downregulated via inhibited histone acetylation at the H3K9 and H4K5 sites. These data provided multi-dimensional evidences supporting the essential roles of ACO2, and as a potential early biomarker to be used in clinical trials for assessing the effects of antioxidants in PD. Moreover, ameliorating energy metabolism by targeting ACO2 could be considered as a potential therapeutic strategy for PD and other neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junge Zhu
- Department of Neurology & Neurobiology, Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Beijing, 100053, China
| | - Fanxi Xu
- Department of Neurology & Neurobiology, Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Beijing, 100053, China
| | - Hong Lai
- Department of Neurology & Neurobiology, Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Beijing, 100053, China
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 341000, China
| | - Huiyao Yuan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Capital Medical University; School of Basic Medicine, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Xu-Ying Li
- Department of Neurology & Neurobiology, Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Beijing, 100053, China
| | - Junya Hu
- Department of Neurology & Neurobiology, Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Beijing, 100053, China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Neurology & Neurobiology, Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Beijing, 100053, China
- Department of Stroke Center, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250000, China
| | - Lei Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Capital Medical University; School of Basic Medicine, Beijing, 100069, China.
| | - Chaodong Wang
- Department of Neurology & Neurobiology, Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Beijing, 100053, China.
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Lail N, Pandey AK, Venkatesh S, Noland RD, Swanson G, Pain D, Branson HM, Suzuki CK, Yoon G. Child Neurology: Progressive Cerebellar Atrophy and Retinal Dystrophy: Clues to an Ultrarare ACO2-Related Neurometabolic Diagnosis. Neurology 2023; 101:e1567-e1571. [PMID: 37460232 PMCID: PMC10585704 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000207649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Pathogenic biallelic variants in ACO2, which encodes the enzyme mitochondrial aconitase, are associated with the very rare diagnosis of ACO2-related infantile cerebellar retinal degeneration (OMIM 614559). We describe the diagnostic odyssey of a 4-year-old female patient with profound global developmental delays, microcephaly, severe hypotonia, retinal dystrophy, seizures, and progressive cerebellar atrophy. Whole-exome sequencing revealed 2 variants in ACO2; c.2105_2106delAG (p.Gln702ArgfsX9), a likely pathogenic variant, and c.988C>T (p.Pro330Ser) which was classified as a variant of uncertain significance (VUS). While the VUS was confirmed to be maternally inherited, the phase of the other variant could not be confirmed due to lack of a paternal sample. Functional biochemical studies were performed on a research basis to clarify the interpretation of the VUS, which enabled clinical confirmation of the diagnosis of ACO2-related infantile cerebellar retinal degeneration for our patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noor Lail
- From the Division of Clinical and Metabolic Genetics (N.L., G.Y.), Department of Paediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience (A.K.P., D.P.), and Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics (S.V., R.D.N., G.S., C.K.S.), Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, Newark; and Division of Neuroradiology (H.M.B.), Department of Diagnostic Imaging, and Division of Neurology (G.Y.), Department of Paediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. S. Venkatesh is now with Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown
| | - Ashutosh K Pandey
- From the Division of Clinical and Metabolic Genetics (N.L., G.Y.), Department of Paediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience (A.K.P., D.P.), and Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics (S.V., R.D.N., G.S., C.K.S.), Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, Newark; and Division of Neuroradiology (H.M.B.), Department of Diagnostic Imaging, and Division of Neurology (G.Y.), Department of Paediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. S. Venkatesh is now with Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown
| | - Sundararajan Venkatesh
- From the Division of Clinical and Metabolic Genetics (N.L., G.Y.), Department of Paediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience (A.K.P., D.P.), and Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics (S.V., R.D.N., G.S., C.K.S.), Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, Newark; and Division of Neuroradiology (H.M.B.), Department of Diagnostic Imaging, and Division of Neurology (G.Y.), Department of Paediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. S. Venkatesh is now with Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown
| | - Roberto D Noland
- From the Division of Clinical and Metabolic Genetics (N.L., G.Y.), Department of Paediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience (A.K.P., D.P.), and Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics (S.V., R.D.N., G.S., C.K.S.), Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, Newark; and Division of Neuroradiology (H.M.B.), Department of Diagnostic Imaging, and Division of Neurology (G.Y.), Department of Paediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. S. Venkatesh is now with Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown
| | - Gabriel Swanson
- From the Division of Clinical and Metabolic Genetics (N.L., G.Y.), Department of Paediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience (A.K.P., D.P.), and Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics (S.V., R.D.N., G.S., C.K.S.), Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, Newark; and Division of Neuroradiology (H.M.B.), Department of Diagnostic Imaging, and Division of Neurology (G.Y.), Department of Paediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. S. Venkatesh is now with Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown
| | - Debkumar Pain
- From the Division of Clinical and Metabolic Genetics (N.L., G.Y.), Department of Paediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience (A.K.P., D.P.), and Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics (S.V., R.D.N., G.S., C.K.S.), Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, Newark; and Division of Neuroradiology (H.M.B.), Department of Diagnostic Imaging, and Division of Neurology (G.Y.), Department of Paediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. S. Venkatesh is now with Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown
| | - Helen M Branson
- From the Division of Clinical and Metabolic Genetics (N.L., G.Y.), Department of Paediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience (A.K.P., D.P.), and Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics (S.V., R.D.N., G.S., C.K.S.), Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, Newark; and Division of Neuroradiology (H.M.B.), Department of Diagnostic Imaging, and Division of Neurology (G.Y.), Department of Paediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. S. Venkatesh is now with Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown
| | - Carolyn K Suzuki
- From the Division of Clinical and Metabolic Genetics (N.L., G.Y.), Department of Paediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience (A.K.P., D.P.), and Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics (S.V., R.D.N., G.S., C.K.S.), Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, Newark; and Division of Neuroradiology (H.M.B.), Department of Diagnostic Imaging, and Division of Neurology (G.Y.), Department of Paediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. S. Venkatesh is now with Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown
| | - Grace Yoon
- From the Division of Clinical and Metabolic Genetics (N.L., G.Y.), Department of Paediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience (A.K.P., D.P.), and Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics (S.V., R.D.N., G.S., C.K.S.), Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, Newark; and Division of Neuroradiology (H.M.B.), Department of Diagnostic Imaging, and Division of Neurology (G.Y.), Department of Paediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. S. Venkatesh is now with Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown.
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Zhuan Q, Du X, Bai J, Zhou D, Luo Y, Liu H, Sun W, Wan P, Hou Y, Li J, Fu X. Proteomic profile of mouse oocytes after vitrification: A quantitative analysis based on 4D label-free technique. Theriogenology 2022; 187:64-73. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2022.04.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Strachan EL, Mac White-Begg D, Crean J, Reynolds AL, Kennedy BN, O'Sullivan NC. The Role of Mitochondria in Optic Atrophy With Autosomal Inheritance. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:784987. [PMID: 34867178 PMCID: PMC8634724 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.784987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Optic atrophy (OA) with autosomal inheritance is a form of optic neuropathy characterized by the progressive and irreversible loss of vision. In some cases, this is accompanied by additional, typically neurological, extra-ocular symptoms. Underlying the loss of vision is the specific degeneration of the retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) which form the optic nerve. Whilst autosomal OA is genetically heterogenous, all currently identified causative genes appear to be associated with mitochondrial organization and function. However, it is unclear why RGCs are particularly vulnerable to mitochondrial aberration. Despite the relatively high prevalence of this disorder, there are currently no approved treatments. Combined with the lack of knowledge concerning the mechanisms through which aberrant mitochondrial function leads to RGC death, there remains a clear need for further research to identify the underlying mechanisms and develop treatments for this condition. This review summarizes the genes known to be causative of autosomal OA and the mitochondrial dysfunction caused by pathogenic mutations. Furthermore, we discuss the suitability of available in vivo models for autosomal OA with regards to both treatment development and furthering the understanding of autosomal OA pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elin L Strachan
- UCD Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Delphi Mac White-Begg
- UCD Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,UCD School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - John Crean
- UCD Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,UCD Diabetes Complications Research Centre, Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Alison L Reynolds
- UCD Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,UCD School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Breandán N Kennedy
- UCD Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Niamh C O'Sullivan
- UCD Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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10
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Xu Y, Li Z. Utilization of ethanol for itaconic acid biosynthesis by engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae. FEMS Yeast Res 2021; 21:6329683. [PMID: 34320205 DOI: 10.1093/femsyr/foab043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, ethanol can serve as both a carbon source and NADH donor for the production of acetyl-CoA derivatives. Here we investigated the metabolic regulation of ethanol utilization for itaconic acid production by S. cerevisiae. To understand the interconnection between the TCA cycle and the glyoxylate pathway, mitochondrial membrane transporter proteins SFC1, YHM2, CTP1, DIC1, and MPC1 were knocked out and results showed that SFC1 functions as an important entrance of the glyoxylate pathway into the TCA cycle, and YHM2 is helpful to IA production but not the primary pathway for citric acid supply. To decrease the accumulation of acetic acid, the major ADP/ATP carrier of the mitochondrial inner membrane, AAC2, was upregulated and determined to accelerate ethanol utilization and itaconic acid production. RNA sequencing results showed that AAC2 overexpression enhanced IA titer by upregulating the ethanol-acetyl-CoA pathway and NADH oxidase in the mitochondrial membrane. RNA-seq analysis also suggested that aconitase ACO1 may be a rate-limiting step of IA production. However, the expression of exogenous aconitase didn't increase IA production but enhanced the rate of ethanol utilization and decreased cell growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaying Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Zhimin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai 200237, China.,Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomanufacturing Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai 200237, China
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11
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Weisschuh N, Schimpf-Linzenbold S, Mazzola P, Kieninger S, Xiao T, Kellner U, Neuhann T, Kelbsch C, Tonagel F, Wilhelm H, Kohl S, Wissinger B. Mutation spectrum of the OPA1 gene in a large cohort of patients with suspected dominant optic atrophy: Identification and classification of 48 novel variants. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0253987. [PMID: 34242285 PMCID: PMC8270428 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0253987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Autosomal dominant optic atrophy is one of the most common inherited optic neuropathies. This disease is genetically heterogeneous, but most cases are due to pathogenic variants in the OPA1 gene: depending on the population studied, 32–90% of cases harbor pathogenic variants in this gene. The aim of this study was to provide a comprehensive overview of the entire spectrum of likely pathogenic variants in the OPA1 gene in a large cohort of patients. Over a period of 20 years, 755 unrelated probands with a diagnosis of bilateral optic atrophy were referred to our laboratory for molecular genetic investigation. Genetic testing of the OPA1 gene was initially performed by a combined analysis using either single-strand conformation polymorphism or denaturing high performance liquid chromatography followed by Sanger sequencing to validate aberrant bands or melting profiles. The presence of copy number variations was assessed using multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification. Since 2012, genetic testing was based on next-generation sequencing platforms. Genetic screening of the OPA1 gene revealed putatively pathogenic variants in 278 unrelated probands which represent 36.8% of the entire cohort. A total of 156 unique variants were identified, 78% of which can be considered null alleles. Variant c.2708_2711del/p.(V903Gfs*3) was found to constitute 14% of all disease-causing alleles. Special emphasis was placed on the validation of splice variants either by analyzing cDNA derived from patients´ blood samples or by heterologous splice assays using minigenes. Splicing analysis revealed different aberrant splicing events, including exon skipping, activation of exonic or intronic cryptic splice sites, and the inclusion of pseudoexons. Forty-eight variants that we identified were novel. Nine of them were classified as pathogenic, 34 as likely pathogenic and five as variant of uncertain significance. Our study adds a significant number of novel variants to the mutation spectrum of the OPA1 gene and will thereby facilitate genetic diagnostics of patients with suspected dominant optic atrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Weisschuh
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Centre for Ophthalmology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Simone Schimpf-Linzenbold
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Centre for Ophthalmology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,CeGaT GmbH and Praxis für Humangenetik Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Pascale Mazzola
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Sinja Kieninger
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Centre for Ophthalmology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ting Xiao
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Centre for Ophthalmology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ulrich Kellner
- Zentrum für seltene Netzhauterkrankungen, AugenZentrum Siegburg, MVZ Augenärztliches Diagnostik- und Therapiecentrum Siegburg GmbH, Siegburg, Germany.,RetinaScience, Bonn, Germany
| | | | - Carina Kelbsch
- Centre for Ophthalmology, University Eye Hospital, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Felix Tonagel
- Centre for Ophthalmology, University Eye Hospital, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Helmut Wilhelm
- Centre for Ophthalmology, University Eye Hospital, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Susanne Kohl
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Centre for Ophthalmology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Bernd Wissinger
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Centre for Ophthalmology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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12
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Lenaers G, Neutzner A, Le Dantec Y, Jüschke C, Xiao T, Decembrini S, Swirski S, Kieninger S, Agca C, Kim US, Reynier P, Yu-Wai-Man P, Neidhardt J, Wissinger B. Dominant optic atrophy: Culprit mitochondria in the optic nerve. Prog Retin Eye Res 2021; 83:100935. [PMID: 33340656 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2020.100935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 12/05/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Dominant optic atrophy (DOA) is an inherited mitochondrial disease leading to specific degeneration of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), thus compromising transmission of visual information from the retina to the brain. Usually, DOA starts during childhood and evolves to poor vision or legal blindness, affecting the central vision, whilst sparing the peripheral visual field. In 20% of cases, DOA presents as syndromic disorder, with secondary symptoms affecting neuronal and muscular functions. Twenty years ago, we demonstrated that heterozygous mutations in OPA1 are the most frequent molecular cause of DOA. Since then, variants in additional genes, whose functions in many instances converge with those of OPA1, have been identified by next generation sequencing. OPA1 encodes a dynamin-related GTPase imported into mitochondria and located to the inner membrane and intermembrane space. The many OPA1 isoforms, resulting from alternative splicing of three exons, form complex homopolymers that structure mitochondrial cristae, and contribute to fusion of the outer membrane, thus shaping the whole mitochondrial network. Moreover, OPA1 is required for oxidative phosphorylation, maintenance of mitochondrial genome, calcium homeostasis and regulation of apoptosis, thus making OPA1 the Swiss army-knife of mitochondria. Understanding DOA pathophysiology requires the understanding of RGC peculiarities with respect to OPA1 functions. Besides the tremendous energy requirements of RGCs to relay visual information from the eye to the brain, these neurons present unique features related to their differential environments in the retina, and to the anatomical transition occurring at the lamina cribrosa, which parallel major adaptations of mitochondrial physiology and shape, in the pre- and post-laminar segments of the optic nerve. Three DOA mouse models, with different Opa1 mutations, have been generated to study intrinsic mechanisms responsible for RGC degeneration, and these have further revealed secondary symptoms related to mitochondrial dysfunctions, mirroring the more severe syndromic phenotypes seen in a subgroup of patients. Metabolomics analyses of cells, mouse organs and patient plasma mutated for OPA1 revealed new unexpected pathophysiological mechanisms related to mitochondrial dysfunction, and biomarkers correlated quantitatively to the severity of the disease. Here, we review and synthesize these data, and propose different approaches for embracing possible therapies to fulfil the unmet clinical needs of this disease, and provide hope to affected DOA patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guy Lenaers
- MitoLab Team, UMR CNRS 6015 - INSERM U1083, Institut MitoVasc, Angers University and Hospital, Angers, France.
| | - Albert Neutzner
- Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Department of Ophthalmology University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Yannick Le Dantec
- MitoLab Team, UMR CNRS 6015 - INSERM U1083, Institut MitoVasc, Angers University and Hospital, Angers, France
| | - Christoph Jüschke
- Human Genetics, Faculty VI - School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Ting Xiao
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Center for Ophthalmology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Sarah Decembrini
- Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Department of Ophthalmology University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sebastian Swirski
- Human Genetics, Faculty VI - School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Sinja Kieninger
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Center for Ophthalmology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Cavit Agca
- Molecular Biology, Genetics and Bioengineering Program, Sabanci University, Istanbul, Turkey; Nanotechnology Research and Application Center (SUNUM), Sabanci University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ungsoo S Kim
- Kim's Eye Hospital, Seoul, South Korea; Cambridge Centre for Brain Repair and MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; Cambridge Eye Unit, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals, Cambridge, UK; Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, UK
| | - Pascal Reynier
- MitoLab Team, UMR CNRS 6015 - INSERM U1083, Institut MitoVasc, Angers University and Hospital, Angers, France; Department of Biochemistry, University Hospital of Angers, Angers, France
| | - Patrick Yu-Wai-Man
- Cambridge Centre for Brain Repair and MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; Cambridge Eye Unit, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals, Cambridge, UK; Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, UK; UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK
| | - John Neidhardt
- Human Genetics, Faculty VI - School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany; Research Center Neurosensory Science, University Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany.
| | - Bernd Wissinger
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Center for Ophthalmology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
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13
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Maresca A, Carelli V. Molecular Mechanisms behind Inherited Neurodegeneration of the Optic Nerve. Biomolecules 2021; 11:496. [PMID: 33806088 PMCID: PMC8064499 DOI: 10.3390/biom11040496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Inherited neurodegeneration of the optic nerve is a paradigm in neurology, as many forms of isolated or syndromic optic atrophy are encountered in clinical practice. The retinal ganglion cells originate the axons that form the optic nerve. They are particularly vulnerable to mitochondrial dysfunction, as they present a peculiar cellular architecture, with axons that are not myelinated for a long intra-retinal segment, thus, very energy dependent. The genetic landscape of causative mutations and genes greatly enlarged in the last decade, pointing to common pathways. These mostly imply mitochondrial dysfunction, which leads to a similar outcome in terms of neurodegeneration. We here critically review these pathways, which include (1) complex I-related oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) dysfunction, (2) mitochondrial dynamics, and (3) endoplasmic reticulum-mitochondrial inter-organellar crosstalk. These major pathogenic mechanisms are in turn interconnected and represent the target for therapeutic strategies. Thus, their deep understanding is the basis to set and test new effective therapies, an urgent unmet need for these patients. New tools are now available to capture all interlinked mechanistic intricacies for the pathogenesis of optic nerve neurodegeneration, casting hope for innovative therapies to be rapidly transferred into the clinic and effectively cure inherited optic neuropathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Maresca
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Programma di Neurogenetica, 40139 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Valerio Carelli
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Programma di Neurogenetica, 40139 Bologna, Italy;
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40139 Bologna, Italy
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14
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Ceccatelli Berti C, di Punzio G, Dallabona C, Baruffini E, Goffrini P, Lodi T, Donnini C. The Power of Yeast in Modelling Human Nuclear Mutations Associated with Mitochondrial Diseases. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:300. [PMID: 33672627 PMCID: PMC7924180 DOI: 10.3390/genes12020300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The increasing application of next generation sequencing approaches to the analysis of human exome and whole genome data has enabled the identification of novel variants and new genes involved in mitochondrial diseases. The ability of surviving in the absence of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and mitochondrial genome makes the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae an excellent model system for investigating the role of these new variants in mitochondrial-related conditions and dissecting the molecular mechanisms associated with these diseases. The aim of this review was to highlight the main advantages offered by this model for the study of mitochondrial diseases, from the validation and characterisation of novel mutations to the dissection of the role played by genes in mitochondrial functionality and the discovery of potential therapeutic molecules. The review also provides a summary of the main contributions to the understanding of mitochondrial diseases emerged from the study of this simple eukaryotic organism.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Claudia Donnini
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 11/A, 43124 Parma, Italy; (C.C.B.); (G.d.P.); (C.D.); (E.B.); (P.G.); (T.L.)
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