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Nicolas-Martinez EC, Robinson O, Pflueger C, Gardner A, Corbett MA, Ritchie T, Kroes T, van Eyk CL, Scheffer IE, Hildebrand MS, Barnier JV, Rousseau V, Genevieve D, Haushalter V, Piton A, Denommé-Pichon AS, Bruel AL, Nambot S, Isidor B, Grigg J, Gonzalez T, Ghedia S, Marchant RG, Bournazos A, Wong WK, Webster RI, Evesson FJ, Jones KJ, Cooper ST, Lister R, Gecz J, Jolly LA. RNA variant assessment using transactivation and transdifferentiation. Am J Hum Genet 2024; 111:1673-1699. [PMID: 39084224 PMCID: PMC11339655 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2024.06.018] [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: 03/08/2024] [Revised: 06/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Understanding the impact of splicing and nonsense variants on RNA is crucial for the resolution of variant classification as well as their suitability for precision medicine interventions. This is primarily enabled through RNA studies involving transcriptomics followed by targeted assays using RNA isolated from clinically accessible tissues (CATs) such as blood or skin of affected individuals. Insufficient disease gene expression in CATs does however pose a major barrier to RNA based investigations, which we show is relevant to 1,436 Mendelian disease genes. We term these "silent" Mendelian genes (SMGs), the largest portion (36%) of which are associated with neurological disorders. We developed two approaches to induce SMG expression in human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) to overcome this limitation, including CRISPR-activation-based gene transactivation and fibroblast-to-neuron transdifferentiation. Initial transactivation screens involving 40 SMGs stimulated our development of a highly multiplexed transactivation system culminating in the 6- to 90,000-fold induction of expression of 20/20 (100%) SMGs tested in HDFs. Transdifferentiation of HDFs directly to neurons led to expression of 193/516 (37.4%) of SMGs implicated in neurological disease. The magnitude and isoform diversity of SMG expression following either transactivation or transdifferentiation was comparable to clinically relevant tissues. We apply transdifferentiation and/or gene transactivation combined with short- and long-read RNA sequencing to investigate the impact that variants in USH2A, SCN1A, DMD, and PAK3 have on RNA using HDFs derived from affected individuals. Transactivation and transdifferentiation represent rapid, scalable functional genomic solutions to investigate variants impacting SMGs in the patient cell and genomic context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmylou C Nicolas-Martinez
- The Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia; School of Biomedicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Olivia Robinson
- The Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia; School of Biomedicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Christian Pflueger
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia; Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology, School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia; The Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Alison Gardner
- The Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia; Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Mark A Corbett
- The Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia; Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia; The Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Tarin Ritchie
- The Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia; Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Thessa Kroes
- The Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia; Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Clare L van Eyk
- The Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia; Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia; The Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Ingrid E Scheffer
- Epilepsy Research Centre, Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Austin Health, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia; Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Michael S Hildebrand
- Epilepsy Research Centre, Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Austin Health, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; The Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Jean-Vianney Barnier
- Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, UMR 9197, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, Saclay, France
| | - Véronique Rousseau
- Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, UMR 9197, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, Saclay, France
| | - David Genevieve
- Montpellier University, Inserm U1183, Reference Center for Rare Diseases Developmental Anomaly and Malformative Syndromes, Genetics Department, Montpellier Hospital, Montpellier, France
| | - Virginie Haushalter
- Genetic Diagnosis Laboratory, Strasbourg University Hospital, Strasbourg, France
| | - Amélie Piton
- Genetic Diagnosis Laboratory, Strasbourg University Hospital, Strasbourg, France
| | - Anne-Sophie Denommé-Pichon
- CRMRs "Anomalies du Développement et syndromes malformatifs" et "Déficiences Intellectuelles de causes rares", Centre de Génétique, CHU Dijon, Dijon, France; INSERM UMR1231, GAD "Génétique des Anomalies du Développement," FHU-TRANSLAD, University of Burgundy, Dijon, France
| | - Ange-Line Bruel
- CRMRs "Anomalies du Développement et syndromes malformatifs" et "Déficiences Intellectuelles de causes rares", Centre de Génétique, CHU Dijon, Dijon, France; INSERM UMR1231, GAD "Génétique des Anomalies du Développement," FHU-TRANSLAD, University of Burgundy, Dijon, France
| | - Sophie Nambot
- CRMRs "Anomalies du Développement et syndromes malformatifs" et "Déficiences Intellectuelles de causes rares", Centre de Génétique, CHU Dijon, Dijon, France; INSERM UMR1231, GAD "Génétique des Anomalies du Développement," FHU-TRANSLAD, University of Burgundy, Dijon, France
| | - Bertrand Isidor
- CRMRs "Anomalies du Développement et syndromes malformatifs" et "Déficiences Intellectuelles de causes rares", Centre de Génétique, CHU Dijon, Dijon, France; INSERM UMR1231, GAD "Génétique des Anomalies du Développement," FHU-TRANSLAD, University of Burgundy, Dijon, France
| | - John Grigg
- Speciality of Ophthalmology, Save Sight Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia
| | - Tina Gonzalez
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, NSW 2065, Australia
| | - Sondhya Ghedia
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, NSW 2065, Australia
| | - Rhett G Marchant
- Kids Neuroscience Centre, Kids Research, Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia; Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia
| | - Adam Bournazos
- Kids Neuroscience Centre, Kids Research, Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia; Children's Medical Research Institute, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Wui-Kwan Wong
- Kids Neuroscience Centre, Kids Research, Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia; Children's Medical Research Institute, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia; Department of Paediatric Neurology, Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia
| | - Richard I Webster
- Department of Paediatric Neurology, Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia
| | - Frances J Evesson
- Kids Neuroscience Centre, Kids Research, Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia; Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia; Children's Medical Research Institute, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Kristi J Jones
- Kids Neuroscience Centre, Kids Research, Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia; Children's Medical Research Institute, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia; Department of Clinical Genetics, Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia
| | - Sandra T Cooper
- Kids Neuroscience Centre, Kids Research, Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia; Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia; Children's Medical Research Institute, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Ryan Lister
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia; Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology, School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Jozef Gecz
- The Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia; Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia; South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia.
| | - Lachlan A Jolly
- The Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia; School of Biomedicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia.
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Viou L, Atkins M, Rousseau V, Launay P, Masson J, Pace C, Murakami F, Barnier JV, Métin C. PAK3 activation promotes the tangential to radial migration switch of cortical interneurons by increasing leading process dynamics and disrupting cell polarity. Mol Psychiatry 2024:10.1038/s41380-024-02483-y. [PMID: 38454080 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-024-02483-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Mutations of PAK3, a p21-activated kinase, are associated in humans with cognitive deficits suggestive of defective cortical circuits and with frequent brain structural abnormalities. Most human variants no longer exhibit kinase activity. Since GABAergic interneurons express PAK3 as they migrate within the cortex, we here examined the role of PAK3 kinase activity in the regulation of cortical interneuron migration. During the embryonic development, cortical interneurons migrate a long distance tangentially and then re-orient radially to settle in the cortical plate, where they contribute to cortical circuits. We showed that interneurons expressing a constitutively kinase active PAK3 variant (PAK3-ca) extended shorter leading processes and exhibited unstable polarity. In the upper cortical layers, they entered the cortical plate and extended radially oriented processes. In the deep cortical layers, they exhibited erratic non-processive migration movements and accumulated in the deep pathway. Pharmacological inhibition of PAK3 kinase inhibited the radial migration switch of interneurons to the cortical plate and reduced their accumulation in the deep cortical layers. Interneurons expressing a kinase dead PAK3 variant (PAK3-kd) developed branched leading processes, maintained the same polarity during migration and exhibited processive and tangentially oriented movements in the cortex. These results reveal that PAK3 kinase activity, by promoting leading process shortening and cell polarity changes, inhibits the tangential processive migration of interneurons and favors their radial re- orientation and targeting to the cortical plate. They suggest that patients expressing PAK3 variants with impaired kinase activity likely present alterations in the cortical targeting of their GABAergic interneurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucie Viou
- INSERM UMR-S 1270; Institut du Fer à Moulin, Sorbonne Université, F-75005, Paris, France
| | - Melody Atkins
- INSERM UMR-S 1270; Institut du Fer à Moulin, Sorbonne Université, F-75005, Paris, France
| | - Véronique Rousseau
- Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, UMR 9197, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, Saclay, France
| | - Pierre Launay
- INSERM UMR-S 1270; Institut du Fer à Moulin, Sorbonne Université, F-75005, Paris, France
| | - Justine Masson
- INSERM UMR-S 1270; Institut du Fer à Moulin, Sorbonne Université, F-75005, Paris, France
| | - Clarisse Pace
- INSERM UMR-S 1270; Institut du Fer à Moulin, Sorbonne Université, F-75005, Paris, France
| | - Fujio Murakami
- Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Yamadaoka 1-3, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Jean-Vianney Barnier
- Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, UMR 9197, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, Saclay, France
| | - Christine Métin
- INSERM UMR-S 1270; Institut du Fer à Moulin, Sorbonne Université, F-75005, Paris, France.
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Lee H, Kang H, Moon C, Youn B. PAK3 downregulation induces cognitive impairment following cranial irradiation. eLife 2023; 12:RP89221. [PMID: 38131292 PMCID: PMC10746143 DOI: 10.7554/elife.89221] [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] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Cranial irradiation is used for prophylactic brain radiotherapy as well as the treatment of primary brain tumors. Despite its high efficiency, it often induces unexpected side effects, including cognitive dysfunction. Herein, we observed that mice exposed to cranial irradiation exhibited cognitive dysfunction, including altered spontaneous behavior, decreased spatial memory, and reduced novel object recognition. Analysis of the actin cytoskeleton revealed that ionizing radiation (IR) disrupted the filamentous/globular actin (F/G-actin) ratio and downregulated the actin turnover signaling pathway p21-activated kinase 3 (PAK3)-LIM kinase 1 (LIMK1)-cofilin. Furthermore, we found that IR could upregulate microRNA-206-3 p (miR-206-3 p) targeting PAK3. As the inhibition of miR-206-3 p through antagonist (antagomiR), IR-induced disruption of PAK3 signaling is restored. In addition, intranasal administration of antagomiR-206-3 p recovered IR-induced cognitive impairment in mice. Our results suggest that cranial irradiation-induced cognitive impairment could be ameliorated by regulating PAK3 through antagomiR-206-3 p, thereby affording a promising strategy for protecting cognitive function during cranial irradiation, and promoting quality of life in patients with radiation therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haksoo Lee
- Department of Integrated Biological Science, Pusan National UniversityBusanRepublic of Korea
| | - Hyunkoo Kang
- Department of Integrated Biological Science, Pusan National UniversityBusanRepublic of Korea
| | - Changjong Moon
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy and Animal Behavior, College of Veterinary Medicine and BK21 FOUR Program, Chonnam National UniversityGwangjuRepublic of Korea
| | - BuHyun Youn
- Department of Integrated Biological Science, Pusan National UniversityBusanRepublic of Korea
- Department of Biological Sciences, Pusan National UniversityBusanRepublic of Korea
- Nuclear Science Research Institute, Pusan National UniversityBusanRepublic of Korea
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Dobrigna M, Poëa-Guyon S, Rousseau V, Vincent A, Toutain A, Barnier JV. The molecular basis of p21-activated kinase-associated neurodevelopmental disorders: From genotype to phenotype. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1123784. [PMID: 36937657 PMCID: PMC10017488 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1123784] [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: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Although the identification of numerous genes involved in neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) has reshaped our understanding of their etiology, there are still major obstacles in the way of developing therapeutic solutions for intellectual disability (ID) and other NDDs. These include extensive clinical and genetic heterogeneity, rarity of recurrent pathogenic variants, and comorbidity with other psychiatric traits. Moreover, a large intragenic mutational landscape is at play in some NDDs, leading to a broad range of clinical symptoms. Such diversity of symptoms is due to the different effects DNA variations have on protein functions and their impacts on downstream biological processes. The type of functional alterations, such as loss or gain of function, and interference with signaling pathways, has yet to be correlated with clinical symptoms for most genes. This review aims at discussing our current understanding of how the molecular changes of group I p21-activated kinases (PAK1, 2 and 3), which are essential actors of brain development and function; contribute to a broad clinical spectrum of NDDs. Identifying differences in PAK structure, regulation and spatio-temporal expression may help understanding the specific functions of each group I PAK. Deciphering how each variation type affects these parameters will help uncover the mechanisms underlying mutation pathogenicity. This is a prerequisite for the development of personalized therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manon Dobrigna
- Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, UMR 9197, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, Saclay, France
| | - Sandrine Poëa-Guyon
- Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, UMR 9197, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, Saclay, France
| | - Véronique Rousseau
- Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, UMR 9197, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, Saclay, France
| | - Aline Vincent
- Department of Genetics, EA7450 BioTARGen, University Hospital of Caen, Caen, France
| | - Annick Toutain
- Department of Genetics, University Hospital of Tours, UMR 1253, iBrain, Université de Tours, INSERM, Tours, France
| | - Jean-Vianney Barnier
- Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, UMR 9197, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, Saclay, France
- *Correspondence: Jean-Vianney Barnier,
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Li Z, Wang D, Guo W, Zhang S, Chen L, Zhang YH, Lu L, Pan X, Huang T, Cai YD. Identification of cortical interneuron cell markers in mouse embryos based on machine learning analysis of single-cell transcriptomics. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:841145. [PMID: 35911980 PMCID: PMC9337837 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.841145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian cortical interneurons (CINs) could be classified into more than two dozen cell types that possess diverse electrophysiological and molecular characteristics, and participate in various essential biological processes in the human neural system. However, the mechanism to generate diversity in CINs remains controversial. This study aims to predict CIN diversity in mouse embryo by using single-cell transcriptomics and the machine learning methods. Data of 2,669 single-cell transcriptome sequencing results are employed. The 2,669 cells are classified into three categories, caudal ganglionic eminence (CGE) cells, dorsal medial ganglionic eminence (dMGE) cells, and ventral medial ganglionic eminence (vMGE) cells, corresponding to the three regions in the mouse subpallium where the cells are collected. Such transcriptomic profiles were first analyzed by the minimum redundancy and maximum relevance method. A feature list was obtained, which was further fed into the incremental feature selection, incorporating two classification algorithms (random forest and repeated incremental pruning to produce error reduction), to extract key genes and construct powerful classifiers and classification rules. The optimal classifier could achieve an MCC of 0.725, and category-specified prediction accuracies of 0.958, 0.760, and 0.737 for the CGE, dMGE, and vMGE cells, respectively. The related genes and rules may provide helpful information for deepening the understanding of CIN diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhandong Li
- College of Biological and Food Engineering, Jilin Engineering Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - Deling Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Department of Radiology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei Guo
- Key Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Shiqi Zhang
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lei Chen
- College of Information Engineering, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu-Hang Zhang
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Lin Lu
- Department of Radiology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - XiaoYong Pan
- Key Laboratory of System Control and Information Processing, Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Image Processing and Pattern Recognition, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tao Huang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tissue Microenvironment and Tumor, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Tao Huang,
| | - Yu-Dong Cai
- School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
- Yu-Dong Cai,
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Magne N, Rousseau V, Duarte K, Poëa-Guyon S, Gleize V, Mutel A, Schmitt C, Castel H, Idbaih A, Huillard E, Sanson M, Barnier JV. PAK3 is a key signature gene of the glioma proneural subtype and affects its proliferation, differentiation and growth. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2021; 44:1257-1271. [PMID: 34550532 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-021-00635-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Gliomas are the most lethal adult primary brain cancers. Recent advances in their molecular characterization have contributed to a better understanding of their pathophysiology, but there is still a need to identify key genes controling glioma cell proliferation and differentiation. The p21-activated kinases PAK1 and PAK2 play essential roles in cell division and brain development and are well-known oncogenes. In contrast, the role of PAK3 in cancer is poorly understood. It is known, however, that this gene is involved in brain ontogenesis and has been identified as a gene of the proneural subtype signature in glioblastomas. METHODS To better understand the role of PAK kinases in the pathophysiology of gliomas, we conducted expression analyses by querying multiple gene expression databases and analyzing primary human glioma samples. We next studied PAK3 expression upon differentiation in patient-derived cell lines (PDCLs) and the effects of PAK3 inhibition by lentiviral-mediated shRNA on glioma cell proliferation, differentiation and tumor growth. RESULTS We show that contrary to PAK1 and PAK2, high PAK3 expression positively correlates with a longer survival of glioma patients. We also found that PAK3 displays differential expression patterns between glioma sub-groups with a higher expression in 1p/19q-codeleted oligodendrogliomas, and is highly expressed in tumors and PDCLs of the proneural subtype. In PDCLs, high PAK3 expression negatively correlated with proliferation and positively correlated with neuronal differentiation. Inhibition of PAK3 expression increased PDCL proliferation and glioma tumor growth in nude mice. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that PAK3 plays a unique role among PAKs in glioma development and may represent a potential therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie Magne
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, 91190, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Véronique Rousseau
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, 91190, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Kévin Duarte
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, 91190, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Sandrine Poëa-Guyon
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, 91190, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Vincent Gleize
- Sorbonne Université, Inserm, CNRS, UMR S 1127, Institut du Cerveau, ICM, AP-HP, Hôpitaux Universitaires La Pitié Salpêtrière - Charles Foix, Service de Neurologie 2-Mazarin, 75013, Paris, France
| | - Alexandre Mutel
- Normandie Univ, UNIROUEN, INSERM, U1239, Laboratoire Différenciation Et Communication Neuronale Et Neuroendocrine, Institut de Recherche Et D'Innovation Biomédicale de Normandie, 76000, Rouen, France
| | - Charlotte Schmitt
- Sorbonne Université, Inserm, CNRS, UMR S 1127, Institut du Cerveau, ICM, AP-HP, Hôpitaux Universitaires La Pitié Salpêtrière - Charles Foix, Service de Neurologie 2-Mazarin, 75013, Paris, France
| | - Hélène Castel
- Normandie Univ, UNIROUEN, INSERM, U1239, Laboratoire Différenciation Et Communication Neuronale Et Neuroendocrine, Institut de Recherche Et D'Innovation Biomédicale de Normandie, 76000, Rouen, France
| | - Ahmed Idbaih
- Sorbonne Université, Inserm, CNRS, UMR S 1127, Institut du Cerveau, ICM, AP-HP, Hôpitaux Universitaires La Pitié Salpêtrière - Charles Foix, Service de Neurologie 2-Mazarin, 75013, Paris, France
| | - Emmanuelle Huillard
- Sorbonne Université, Inserm, CNRS, UMR S 1127, Institut du Cerveau, ICM, AP-HP, Hôpitaux Universitaires La Pitié Salpêtrière - Charles Foix, Service de Neurologie 2-Mazarin, 75013, Paris, France
| | - Marc Sanson
- Sorbonne Université, Inserm, CNRS, UMR S 1127, Institut du Cerveau, ICM, AP-HP, Hôpitaux Universitaires La Pitié Salpêtrière - Charles Foix, Service de Neurologie 2-Mazarin, 75013, Paris, France
| | - Jean-Vianney Barnier
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, 91190, Gif-sur-Yvette, France.
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Wang Y, Guo F. Group I PAKs in myelin formation and repair of the central nervous system: what, when, and how. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2021; 97:615-639. [PMID: 34811887 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12815] [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: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
p21-activated kinases (PAKs) are a family of cell division control protein 42/ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (Cdc42/Rac1)-activated serine/threonine kinases. Group I PAKs (PAK1-3) have distinct activation mechanisms from group II PAKs (PAK4-6) and are the focus of this review. In transformed cancer cells, PAKs regulate a variety of cellular processes and molecular pathways which are also important for myelin formation and repair in the central nervous system (CNS). De novo mutations in group I PAKs are frequently seen in children with neurodevelopmental defects and white matter anomalies. Group I PAKs regulate virtually every aspect of neuronal development and function. Yet their functions in CNS myelination and remyelination remain incompletely defined. Herein, we highlight the current understanding of PAKs in regulating cellular and molecular pathways and discuss the status of PAK-regulated pathways in oligodendrocyte development. We point out outstanding questions and future directions in the research field of group I PAKs and oligodendrocyte development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Wang
- Department of Neurology, Shriners Hospitals for Children/School of Medicine, Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine (IPRM), University of California, Davis, 2425 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA, 95817, U.S.A
| | - Fuzheng Guo
- Department of Neurology, Shriners Hospitals for Children/School of Medicine, Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine (IPRM), University of California, Davis, 2425 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA, 95817, U.S.A
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Disruption of PAK3 Signaling in Social Interaction Induced cFos Positive Cells Impairs Social Recognition Memory. Cells 2021; 10:cells10113010. [PMID: 34831234 PMCID: PMC8616103 DOI: 10.3390/cells10113010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 10/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
P21-activated kinase 3 (PAK3) gene mutations are linked to several neurodevelopmental disorders, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we used a tetracycline-inducible system to control the expression of a mutant PAK3 (mPAK3) protein in immediate early gene, namely cFos, positive cells to disrupt PAK signaling, specifically in cells activated by social interaction in transgenic mice. We show that the expression of mPAK3-GFP proteins was in cFos-expressing excitatory and inhibitory neurons in various brain regions, such as the cortex and hippocampus, commonly activated during learning and memory. Basal expression of mPAK3-GFP proteins in cFos-positive cells resulted in social recognition memory deficits in the three-chamber social interaction test, without affecting locomotor activity or other forms of memory. The social memory deficit was rescued by doxycycline to halt the mPAK3-GFP transgene expression. In addition, we show that the expression of mPAK3-GFP proteins in a subset of cFos-positive cells, induced by an antecedent short social interaction, termed social pairing, was sufficient to impair social recognition memory. These results indicate that normal PAK signaling in cFos-positive cells activated during social interaction is critical for social memory.
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Disruption of the autism-related gene Pak1 causes stereocilia disorganization, hair cell loss, and deafness in mice. J Genet Genomics 2021; 48:324-332. [PMID: 34049799 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2021.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Several clinical studies have reported that hearing loss is correlated with autism in children. However, little is known about the underlying mechanism between hearing loss and autism. p21-activated kinases (PAKs) are a family of serine/threonine kinases that can be activated by multiple signaling molecules, particularly the Rho family of small GTPases. Previous studies have shown that Pak1 mutations are associated with autism. In the present study, we take advantage of Pak1 knockout (Pak1-/-) mice to investigate the role of PAK1 in hearing function. We find that PAK1 is highly expressed in the postnatal mouse cochlea and that PAK1 deficiency leads to hair cell (HC) apoptosis and severe hearing loss. Further investigation indicates that PAK1 deficiency downregulates the phosphorylation of cofilin and ezrin-radixin-moesin and the expression of βII-spectrin, which further decreases the HC synapse density in the basal turn of cochlea and disorganized the HC stereocilia in all three turns of cochlea in Pak1-/- mice. Overall, our work demonstrates that the autism-related gene Pak1 plays a crucial role in hearing function. As the first candidate gene linking autism and hearing loss, Pak1 may serve as a potential target for the clinical diagnosis of autism-related hearing loss.
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10
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Sundararaman A, Mellor H. A functional antagonism between RhoJ and Cdc42 regulates fibronectin remodelling during angiogenesis. Small GTPases 2020; 12:241-245. [PMID: 32857689 PMCID: PMC8205010 DOI: 10.1080/21541248.2020.1809927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Angiogenesis is the formation of new blood vessels from pre-existing ones. Angiogenesis requires endothelial cells to change shape and polarity, as well as acquire the ability to directionally migrate ‒ processes that are classically regulated by the Rho family of GTPases. RhoJ (previously TCL) is an endothelium enriched Rho GTPase with a 78% amino acid similarity to the ubiquitously expressed Cdc42. In our recent publication, we demonstrate that α5β1 integrin co-traffics with RhoJ. RhoJ specifically represses the internalization of the active α5β1 conformer, leading to a reduced ability of endothelial cells to form fibronectin fibrils. Surprisingly, this function of RhoJ is in opposition to the role of Cdc42, a known driver of fibrillogenesis. Intriguingly, we discovered that the competition for limiting amounts of the shared effector, PAK3, could explain the ability of these two Rho GTPases to regulate fibrillogenesis in opposing directions. Consequently, RhoJ null mice show excessive fibronectin deposition around retinal vessels, possibly due to the unopposed action of Cdc42. Our work suggests that the functional antagonism between RhoJ and Cdc42 could restrict fibronectin remodelling to sites of active angiogenesis to form a provisional matrix for vessel growth. One correlate of our findings is that RhoJ dependent repression of fibronectin remodelling could be atheroprotective in quiescent vessels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ananthalakshmy Sundararaman
- Cardiovascular Diseases and Diabetes Biology, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB), Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
| | - Harry Mellor
- School of Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
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11
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Duarte K, Heide S, Poëa-Guyon S, Rousseau V, Depienne C, Rastetter A, Nava C, Attié-Bitach T, Razavi F, Martinovic J, Moutard ML, Cherfils J, Mignot C, Héron D, Barnier JV. PAK3 mutations responsible for severe intellectual disability and callosal agenesis inhibit cell migration. Neurobiol Dis 2019; 136:104709. [PMID: 31843706 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2019.104709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Revised: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 12/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Corpus callosum agenesis (CCA) is a brain malformation associated with a wide clinical spectrum including intellectual disability (ID) and an etiopathological complexity. We identified a novel missense G424R mutation in the X-linked p21-activated kinase 3 (PAK3) gene in a boy presenting with severe ID, microcephaly and CCA and his fetal sibling with CCA and severe hydrocephaly. PAK3 kinase is known to control synaptic plasticity and dendritic spine dynamics but its implication is less characterized in brain ontogenesis. In order to identify developmental functions of PAK3 impacted by mutations responsible for CCA, we compared the biochemical and biological effects of three PAK3 mutations localized in the catalytic domain. These mutations include two "severe" G424R and K389N variants (responsible for severe ID and CCA) and the "mild" A365E variant (responsible for nonsyndromic mild ID). Whereas they suppressed kinase activity, only the two severe variants displayed normal protein stability. Furthermore, they increased interactions between PAK3 and the guanine exchange factor αPIX/ARHGEF6, disturbed adhesion point dynamics and cell spreading, and severely impacted cell migration. Our findings highlight new molecular defects associated with mutations responsible for severe clinical phenotypes with developmental brain defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kévin Duarte
- Department of Cognition and Behavior, Paris-Saclay Institute of Neuroscience (Neuro-PSI CNRS, UMR 9197), Paris-Sud and Paris-Saclay Universities, Orsay, France.
| | - Solveig Heide
- Department of genetics, Reference Center for Intellectual Disabilities of Rare Causes, APHP, GH Pitié Salpêtrière, Paris, France.
| | - Sandrine Poëa-Guyon
- Department of Cognition and Behavior, Paris-Saclay Institute of Neuroscience (Neuro-PSI CNRS, UMR 9197), Paris-Sud and Paris-Saclay Universities, Orsay, France.
| | - Véronique Rousseau
- Department of Cognition and Behavior, Paris-Saclay Institute of Neuroscience (Neuro-PSI CNRS, UMR 9197), Paris-Sud and Paris-Saclay Universities, Orsay, France.
| | - Christel Depienne
- Department of genetics, Reference Center for Intellectual Disabilities of Rare Causes, APHP, GH Pitié Salpêtrière, Paris, France; Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
| | - Agnès Rastetter
- Department of genetics, Reference Center for Intellectual Disabilities of Rare Causes, APHP, GH Pitié Salpêtrière, Paris, France.
| | - Caroline Nava
- Department of genetics, Reference Center for Intellectual Disabilities of Rare Causes, APHP, GH Pitié Salpêtrière, Paris, France.
| | - Tania Attié-Bitach
- Unité d'Embryofoetopathologie, Service of Histology-Embryology-Cytogenetics, APHP Necker Enfants Malades & Imagine Institute, Inserm U1163, Paris, France.
| | - Ferechté Razavi
- Unité d'Embryofoetopathologie, Service of Histology-Embryology-Cytogenetics, APHP Necker Enfants Malades & Imagine Institute, Inserm U1163, Paris, France
| | | | - Marie Laure Moutard
- Department of Pediatrics Neurology, Reference Center for Intellectual Disabilities of Rare Causes APHP, Armand-Trousseau Hospital, Paris, France.
| | - Jacqueline Cherfils
- Laboratoire de Biologie et Pharmacologie Appliquée, CNRS and Ecole normale supérieure Paris-Saclay, Cachan, France.
| | - Cyril Mignot
- Department of genetics, Reference Center for Intellectual Disabilities of Rare Causes, APHP, GH Pitié Salpêtrière, Paris, France.
| | - Delphine Héron
- Department of genetics, Reference Center for Intellectual Disabilities of Rare Causes, APHP, GH Pitié Salpêtrière, Paris, France.
| | - Jean-Vianney Barnier
- Department of Cognition and Behavior, Paris-Saclay Institute of Neuroscience (Neuro-PSI CNRS, UMR 9197), Paris-Sud and Paris-Saclay Universities, Orsay, France.
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12
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Grebeňová D, Holoubek A, Röselová P, Obr A, Brodská B, Kuželová K. PAK1, PAK1Δ15, and PAK2: similarities, differences and mutual interactions. Sci Rep 2019; 9:17171. [PMID: 31748572 PMCID: PMC6868145 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-53665-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
P21-activated kinases (PAK) are key effectors of the small GTPases Rac1 and Cdc42, as well as of Src family kinases. In particular, PAK1 has several well-documented roles, both kinase-dependent and kinase-independent, in cancer-related processes, such as cell proliferation, adhesion, and migration. However, PAK1 properties and functions have not been attributed to individual PAK1 isoforms: besides the full-length kinase (PAK1-full), a splicing variant lacking the exon 15 (PAK1Δ15) is annotated in protein databases. In addition, it is not clear if PAK1 and PAK2 are functionally overlapping. Using fluorescently tagged forms of human PAK1-full, PAK1Δ15, and PAK2, we analyzed their intracellular localization and mutual interactions. Effects of PAK inhibition (IPA-3, FRAX597) or depletion (siRNA) on cell-surface adhesion were monitored by real-time microimpedance measurement. Both PAK1Δ15 and PAK2, but not PAK1-full, were enriched in focal adhesions, indicating that the C-terminus might be important for PAK intracellular localization. Using coimmunoprecipitation, we documented direct interactions among the studied PAK group I members: PAK1 and PAK2 form homodimers, but all possible heterocomplexes were also detected. Interaction of PAK1Δ15 or PAK2 with PAK1-full was associated with extensive PAK1Δ15/PAK2 cleavage. The impedance measurements indicate, that PAK2 depletion slows down cell attachment to a surface, and that PAK1-full is involved in cell spreading. Altogether, our data suggest a complex interplay among different PAK group I members, which have non-redundant functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana Grebeňová
- Department of Proteomics, Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, U Nemocnice 1, 128 20, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Aleš Holoubek
- Department of Proteomics, Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, U Nemocnice 1, 128 20, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Pavla Röselová
- Department of Proteomics, Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, U Nemocnice 1, 128 20, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Adam Obr
- Department of Proteomics, Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, U Nemocnice 1, 128 20, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Barbora Brodská
- Department of Proteomics, Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, U Nemocnice 1, 128 20, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Kateřina Kuželová
- Department of Proteomics, Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, U Nemocnice 1, 128 20, Prague, Czech Republic.
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p21-Activated kinase 3 promotes cancer stem cell phenotypes through activating the Akt-GSK3β-β-catenin signaling pathway in pancreatic cancer cells. Cancer Lett 2019; 456:13-22. [DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2019.04.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2019] [Revised: 04/18/2019] [Accepted: 04/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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Activating Mutations in PAK1, Encoding p21-Activated Kinase 1, Cause a Neurodevelopmental Disorder. Am J Hum Genet 2018; 103:579-591. [PMID: 30290153 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2018.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2018] [Accepted: 09/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
p21-activated kinases (PAKs) are serine/threonine protein kinases acting as effectors of CDC42 and RAC, which are members of the RHO family of small GTPases. PAK1's kinase activity is autoinhibited by homodimerization, whereas CDC42 or RAC1 binding causes PAK1 activation by dimer dissociation. Major functions of the PAKs include actin cytoskeleton reorganization, for example regulation of the cellular protruding activity during cell spreading. We report the de novo PAK1 mutations c.392A>G (p.Tyr131Cys) and c.1286A>G (p.Tyr429Cys) in two unrelated subjects with developmental delay, secondary macrocephaly, seizures, and ataxic gait. We identified enhanced phosphorylation of the PAK1 targets JNK and AKT in fibroblasts of one subject and of c-JUN in those of both subjects compared with control subjects. In fibroblasts of the two affected individuals, we observed a trend toward enhanced PAK1 kinase activity. By using co-immunoprecipitation and size-exclusion chromatography, we observed a significantly reduced dimerization for both PAK1 mutants compared with wild-type PAK1. These data demonstrate that the two PAK1 variants function as activating alleles. In a cell spreading assay, subject-derived fibroblasts showed significant enrichment in cells occupied by filopodia. Interestingly, application of the PAK1 inhibitor FRAX486 completely reversed this cellular phenotype. Together, our data reveal that dominantly acting, gain-of-function PAK1 mutations cause a neurodevelopmental phenotype with increased head circumference, possibly by a combined effect of defective homodimerization and enhanced kinase activity of PAK1. This condition, along with the developmental disorders associated with RAC1 and CDC42 missense mutations, highlight the importance of RHO GTPase members and effectors in neuronal development.
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15
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Horvath GA, Tarailo-Graovac M, Bartel T, Race S, Van Allen MI, Blydt-Hansen I, Ross CJ, Wasserman WW, Connolly MB, van Karnebeek CDM. Improvement of Self-Injury With Dopamine and Serotonin Replacement Therapy in a Patient With a Hemizygous PAK3 Mutation: A New Therapeutic Strategy for Neuropsychiatric Features of an Intellectual Disability Syndrome. J Child Neurol 2018; 33:106-113. [PMID: 29246092 DOI: 10.1177/0883073817740443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
PAK3-related intellectual disability is caused by mutations in the gene encoding the p21-activated kinase (PAK) protein. It is characterized by mild to moderate cognitive impairment, micro/normocephaly, and a neurobehavioral phenotype characterized by short attention span, anxiety, restlessness, aggression, and self-abusive behaviors. The authors report a patient with a novel PAK3 mutation, who presented with intellectual disability, severe automutilation, and epilepsy. His magnetic resonance imaging changes were most likely secondary to lacerations from parenchymal contusions. His behavior was difficult to manage with behavior interventions or multiple medications. After finding low levels of dopamine and borderline low serotonin metabolites in the spinal fluid, treatment with low dose L-dopa/carbidopa and 5-hydroxytryptophan significantly improved his self-injurious behavior. This is the first case of PAK3-related intellectual disability presenting with severe self-injury with improvement following treatment. The patient's response to neurotransmitter replacement therapy raises the question if this treatment intervention might help other individuals suffering genetic syndromes and self-injurious behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriella A Horvath
- 1 Division of Biochemical Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,2 BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Maja Tarailo-Graovac
- 3 Department of Pediatrics, Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Tanja Bartel
- 4 Mission Senior Secondary School, Mission, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Simone Race
- 1 Division of Biochemical Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Margot I Van Allen
- 2 BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,5 Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, BC Children's and Women's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Ingrid Blydt-Hansen
- 2 BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,6 Queens University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Colin J Ross
- 2 BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,7 Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Wyeth W Wasserman
- 2 BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,3 Department of Pediatrics, Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Mary B Connolly
- 8 Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Clara D M van Karnebeek
- 2 BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,3 Department of Pediatrics, Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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16
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Expression of p21-activated kinases 1 and 3 is altered in the brain of subjects with depression. Neuroscience 2016; 333:331-44. [PMID: 27474226 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2016.07.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2016] [Revised: 07/13/2016] [Accepted: 07/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
The p21-activated kinases (PAKs) of group I are the main effectors for the small Rho GTPases, critically involved in neurodevelopment, plasticity and maturation of the nervous system. Moreover, the neuronal complexity controlled by PAK1/PAK3 signaling determines the postnatal brain size and synaptic properties. Stress induces alterations at the level of structural and functional synaptic plasticity accompanied by reductions in size and activity of the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex (PFC). These abnormalities are likely to contribute to the pathology of depression and, in part, reflect impaired cytoskeleton remodeling pointing to the role of Rho GTPase signaling. Thus, the present study assessed the expression of the group I PAKs and their activators in the brain of depressed subjects. Using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), mRNA levels and coexpression of the group I PAKs: PAK1, PAK2, and PAK3 as well as of their activators: RAC1, CDC42 and ARHGEF7 were examined in postmortem samples from the PFC (n=25) and the hippocampus (n=23) of subjects with depression and compared to control subjects (PFC n=24; hippocampus n=21). Results demonstrated that mRNA levels of PAK1 and PAK3, are significantly reduced in the brain of depressed subjects, with PAK1 being reduced in the PFC and PAK3 in the hippocampus. No differences were observed for the ubiquitously expressed PAK2. Following analysis of gene coexpression demonstrated disruption of coordinated gene expression in the brain of subjects with depression. Abnormalities in mRNA expression of PAK1 and PAK3 as well as their altered coexpression patterns were detected in the brain of subjects with depression.
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H-ras Inhibits the Hippo Pathway by Promoting Mst1/Mst2 Heterodimerization. Curr Biol 2016; 26:1556-1563. [PMID: 27238285 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2016.04.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2015] [Revised: 03/21/2016] [Accepted: 04/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The protein kinases Mst1 and Mst2 have tumor suppressor activity, but their mode of regulation is not well established. Mst1 and Mst2 are broadly expressed and may have certain overlapping functions in mammals, as deletions of both Mst1 and Mst2 together are required for tumorigenesis in mouse models [1-3]. These kinases act via a three-component signaling cascade comprising Mst1 and Mst2, the protein kinases Lats1 and Lats2, and the transcriptional coactivators Yap and Taz [4-6]. Mst1 and Mst2 contain C-terminal SARAH domains that mediate their homodimerization as well as heterodimerization with other SARAH domain-containing proteins, which may regulate Mst1/Mst2 activity. Here we show that, in addition to forming homodimers, Mst1 and Mst2 heterodimerize in cells, this interaction is mediated by their SARAH domains and is favored over homodimers, and these heterodimers have much-reduced protein kinase activity compared to Mst1 or Mst2 homodimers. Mst1/Mst2 heterodimerization is strongly promoted by oncogenic H-ras, and this effect requires activation of the Erk pathway. Cells lacking Mst1, in which Mst1/Mst2 heterodimers are not possible, are resistant to H-ras-mediated transformation and maintain active hippo pathway signaling compared to wild-type cells or cells lacking both Mst1 and Mst2. Our results suggest that H-ras, via an Erk-dependent mechanism, downregulates Mst1/Mst2 activity by inducing the formation of inactive Mst1/Mst2 heterodimers.
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Field J, Manser E. The PAKs come of age: Celebrating 18 years of discovery. CELLULAR LOGISTICS 2014; 2:54-58. [PMID: 23125949 PMCID: PMC3485743 DOI: 10.4161/cl.22084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Protein kinases are versatile signaling molecules that are involved in the regulation most physiological responses. The p21-activated kinases (PAKs) can be activated directly by the small GTPases Rac and Cdc42 and are among the best characterized downstream effectors of these Rho proteins. The structure, substrate specificity and functional role of PAKS are evolutionarily conserved from protozoa to mammals. Vertebrate PAKs are particularly important for cytoskeletal remodeling and focal adhesion assembly, thereby contributing to dynamic processes such as cell migration and synaptic plasticity. This issue of Cellular Logistics focuses on the PAK family of kinases, with ten reviews written by researchers currently working in the field. Here in this introductory overview we highlight some of the most interesting recent discoveries regarding PAK biochemistry and biology. The reviews in this issue cover a range of topics including the atomic structures of PAK1 and PAK4, their role in animals as assessed by knockout studies, and how PAKs are likely to contribute to cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. The promise remains that PAK inhibitors will emerge that validate current pre-clinical studies suggesting that blocking PAK activity will positively contribute to human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey Field
- Department of Pharmacology; Perelman School of Medicine; University of Pennsylvania; Philadelphia, PA USA
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Role of p-21-activated kinases in cancer progression. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2014; 309:347-87. [PMID: 24529727 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-800255-1.00007-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The p-21-activated kinases (PAKs) are downstream effectors of Rho GTPases Rac and Cdc42. The PAK family consists of six members which are segregated into two subgroups (Group I and Group II) based on sequence homology. Group I PAKs (PAK1-3) are the most extensively studied but there is increasing interest in the functionality of Group II PAKs (PAK4-6). The PAK family proteins are thought to play an important role in many different cellular processes, some of which have particular significance in the context of cancer progression. This review explores established and more recent data, linking the PAK family kinases to cancer progression including expression profiles, evasion of apoptosis, promotion of cell survival, and regulation of cell invasion. Finally, we discuss attempts to therapeutically target the PAK family and outline the major obstacles that still need to be overcome.
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20
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Deo AJ, Goldszer IM, Li S, DiBitetto JV, Henteleff R, Sampson A, Lewis DA, Penzes P, Sweet RA. PAK1 protein expression in the auditory cortex of schizophrenia subjects. PLoS One 2013; 8:e59458. [PMID: 23613712 PMCID: PMC3632562 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0059458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2012] [Accepted: 02/18/2013] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Deficits in auditory processing are among the best documented endophenotypes in schizophrenia, possibly due to loss of excitatory synaptic connections. Dendritic spines, the principal post-synaptic target of excitatory projections, are reduced in schizophrenia. p21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1) regulates both the actin cytoskeleton and dendritic spine density, and is a downstream effector of both kalirin and CDC42, both of which have altered expression in schizophrenia. This study sought to determine if there is decreased auditory cortex PAK1 protein expression in schizophrenia through the use of quantitative western blots of 25 schizophrenia subjects and matched controls. There was no significant change in PAK1 level detected in the schizophrenia subjects in our cohort. PAK1 protein levels within subject pairs correlated positively with prior measures of total kalirin protein in the same pairs. PAK1 level also correlated with levels of a marker of dendritic spines, spinophilin. These latter two findings suggest that the lack of change in PAK1 level in schizophrenia is not due to limited sensitivity of our assay to detect meaningful differences in PAK1 protein expression. Future studies are needed to evaluate whether alterations in PAK1 phosphorylation states, or alterations in protein expression of other members of the PAK family, are present in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony J. Deo
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Physician Scientist Training Program, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Isaac M. Goldszer
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Siyu Li
- Department of Statistics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - James V. DiBitetto
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Ruth Henteleff
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Allan Sampson
- Department of Statistics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - David A. Lewis
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Peter Penzes
- Department of Physiology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Robert A. Sweet
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- VISN 4 Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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