1
|
Rath MF. Homeobox gene-encoded transcription factors in development and mature circadian function of the rodent pineal gland. J Pineal Res 2024; 76:e12950. [PMID: 38558122 DOI: 10.1111/jpi.12950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Homeobox genes encode transcription factors that are widely known to control developmental processes. This is also the case in the pineal gland, a neuroendocrine brain structure devoted to nighttime synthesis of the hormone melatonin. Thus, in accordance with high prenatal gene expression, knockout studies have identified a specific set of homeobox genes that are essential for development of the pineal gland. However, as a special feature of the pineal gland, homeobox gene expression persists into adulthood, and gene product abundance exhibits 24 h circadian rhythms. Recent lines of evidence show that some homeobox genes even control expression of enzymes catalyzing melatonin synthesis. We here review current knowledge of homeobox genes in the rodent pineal gland and suggest a model for dual functions of homeobox gene-encoded transcription factors in developmental and circadian mature neuroendocrine function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martin F Rath
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Mattern KMJ, Blancas-Velázquez AS, Ngo MT, Bille S, Hertz H, Bering T, Rath MF. The ISL LIM-homeobox 2 transcription factor is negatively regulated by circadian adrenergic signaling to repress the expression of Aanat in pinealocytes of the rat pineal gland. J Pineal Res 2023; 75:e12905. [PMID: 37649242 DOI: 10.1111/jpi.12905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Melatonin is synthesized in the pineal gland during nighttime in response to nocturnal increase in the activity of the enzyme aralkylamine N-acetyltransferase (AANAT), the transcription of which is modulated by several homeodomain transcription factors. Recent work suggests that the homeodomain transcription factor ISL LIM homeobox 2 (ISL2) is expressed in the pineal gland, but its role is currently unknown. With the purpose of identifying the mechanisms that control pineal expression of Isl2 and the possible function of Isl2 in circadian pineal biology, we report that Isl2 is specifically expressed in the pinealocytes of the rat pineal gland. Its expression exhibits a 24 h rhythm with high transcript and protein levels during the day and a trough in the second half of the night. This rhythm persists in darkness, and lesion studies reveal that it requires intact function of the suprachiasmatic nuclei, suggesting intrinsic circadian regulation. In vivo and in vitro experiments show that pineal Isl2 expression is repressed by adrenergic signaling acting via cyclic AMP; further, Isl2 is negatively regulated by the nocturnal transcription factor cone-rod homeobox. During development, pineal Isl2 expression is detectable from embryonic day 19, preceding Aanat by several days. In vitro knockdown of Isl2 is accompanied by an increase in Aanat transcript levels suggesting that ISL2 represses its daytime expression. Thus, rhythmic expression of ISL2 in pinealocytes is under the control of the suprachiasmatic nucleus acting via adrenergic signaling in the gland to repress nocturnal expression, while ISL2 itself negatively regulates daytime pineal expression of Aanat and thereby suggestively enhances the circadian rhythm in melatonin synthesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kuno M-J Mattern
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Aurea S Blancas-Velázquez
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mikaella T Ngo
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Signe Bille
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Henrik Hertz
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Tenna Bering
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Martin F Rath
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Bering T, Gadgaard C, Vorum H, Honoré B, Rath MF. Diurnal proteome profile of the mouse cerebral cortex: Conditional deletion of the Bmal1 circadian clock gene elevates astrocyte protein levels and cell abundance in the neocortex and hippocampus. Glia 2023; 71:2623-2641. [PMID: 37470358 DOI: 10.1002/glia.24443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
Circadian oscillators, defined by cellular 24 h clock gene rhythms, are found throughout the brain. Cerebral cortex-specific conditional knockout of the clock gene Bmal1 (Bmal1 CKO) leads to depressive-like behavior, but the molecular link from clock gene to altered behavior is unknown. Further, diurnal proteomic data on the cerebral cortex are currently unavailable. With the aim of determining the diurnal proteome profile and downstream targets of the cortical circadian clock, we here performed a proteomic analysis of the mouse cerebral cortex. Proteomics identified approximately 2700 proteins in both the neocortex and the hippocampus. In the neocortex, 15 proteins were differentially expressed (>2-fold) between day and night, mainly mitochondrial and neuronal plasticity proteins. Only three hippocampal proteins were differentially expressed, suggesting that daily protein oscillations are more prominent in the neocortex. The number of differentially expressed proteins was reduced in the Bmal1 CKO, suggesting that daily rhythms in the cerebral cortex are primarily driven by local clocks. The proteome of the Bmal1 CKO cerebral cortex was dominated by upregulated proteins expressed in astrocytes, including GFAP (4-fold) and FABP7 (>20-fold), in both the neocortex and hippocampus. These findings were confirmed at the transcript level. Cellular analyses of astrocyte components revealed an increased number of GFAP-positive cells in the Bmal1 CKO cerebral cortex. Further, BMAL1 was found to be expressed in both GFAP- and FABP7-positive astrocytes of control animals. Our data show that Bmal1 is required for proper cellular composition of the cerebral cortex, suggesting that increased cortical astrocyte activity may induce behavioral changes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tenna Bering
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Camilla Gadgaard
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Henrik Vorum
- Department of Ophthalmology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Bent Honoré
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
- Department of Biomedicine, Faculty of Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Martin Fredensborg Rath
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Ashton A, Clark J, Fedo J, Sementilli A, Fragoso YD, McCaffery P. Retinoic Acid Signalling in the Pineal Gland Is Conserved across Mammalian Species and Its Transcriptional Activity Is Inhibited by Melatonin. Cells 2023; 12:286. [PMID: 36672220 PMCID: PMC9856906 DOI: 10.3390/cells12020286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The pineal gland is integral to the circadian timing system due to its role in nightly melatonin production. Retinoic acid (RA) is a potent regulator of gene transcription and has previously been found to exhibit diurnal changes in synthesis and signalling in the rat pineal gland. This study investigated the potential for the interaction of these two systems. PCR was used to study gene expression in mouse and human pineal glands, ex-vivo organotypic cultured rat pineal gland and cell lines. The mouse and human pineal glands were both found to express the necessary components required for RA signalling. RA influences the circadian clock in the brain, therefore the short-term effect of RA on clock gene expression was determined in ex vivo rat pineal glands but was not found to rapidly regulate Per1, Per2, Bmal1, or Cry1. The interaction between RA and melatonin was also investigated and, unexpectedly, melatonin was found to suppress the induction of gene transcription by RA. This study demonstrates that pineal expression of the RA signalling system is conserved across mammalian species. There is no short-term regulation of the circadian clock but an inhibitory effect of melatonin on RA transcriptional activity was demonstrated, suggesting that there may be functional cross-talk between these systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Ashton
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Jason Clark
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Julia Fedo
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Angelo Sementilli
- Department of Physiopathology, Universidade Metropolitana de Santos and Centro, Universitario Lusíada, Santos 11050-071, SP, Brazil
| | - Yara D. Fragoso
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
- Department of Post Graduate Studies, Universidade Metropolitana de Santos, Santos 11045-002, SP, Brazil
| | - Peter McCaffery
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Guo X, Wang H, Xu J, Hua H. Impacts of vitamin A deficiency on biological rhythms: Insights from the literature. Front Nutr 2022; 9:886244. [PMID: 36466383 PMCID: PMC9718491 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.886244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Vitamin A is essential for brain function, in addition to its important roles in vision, immunity, and reproduction. Previous studies have shown that retinoic acid (RA), the bioactive form of vitamin A, is involved in the regulation of various intracellular responses related to biological rhythms. RA is reported to affect the circadian rhythm by binding to RA receptors, such as receptors in the circadian feedback loops in the mammalian suprachiasmatic nucleus. However, evidence of the impacts of vitamin A deficiency (VAD) on biological rhythms is limited, and most of the related studies were conducted on animals. In this review, we described the physiological functions of biological rhythms and physiological pathways/molecular mechanisms regulating the biological rhythms. We then discussed the current understanding of the associations of VAD with biological rhythm disorders/diseases (sleep disorders, impairments in learning/memory, emotional disorders, and other immune or metabolism diseases) and summarized the currently proposed mechanisms (mainly by retinoid nuclear receptors and related proteins) for the associations. This review may help recognize the role of VAD in biological rhythm disorders and stimulate clinical or epidemiological studies to confirm the findings of related animal studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiangrong Guo
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, The International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hui Wang
- MOE-Shanghai Key Lab of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian Xu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, The International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hui Hua
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, The International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Dekens MPS, Fontinha BM, Gallach M, Pflügler S, Tessmar‐Raible K. Melanopsin elevates locomotor activity during the wake state of the diurnal zebrafish. EMBO Rep 2022; 23:e51528. [PMID: 35233929 PMCID: PMC9066073 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202051528] [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: 08/16/2020] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian and fish pineals play a key role in adapting behaviour to the ambient light conditions through the release of melatonin. In mice, light inhibits nocturnal locomotor activity via the non‐visual photoreceptor Melanopsin. In contrast to the extensively studied function of Melanopsin in the indirect regulation of the rodent pineal, its role in the intrinsically photosensitive zebrafish pineal has not been elucidated. Therefore, it is not evident if the light signalling mechanism is conserved between distant vertebrates, and how Melanopsin could affect diurnal behaviour. A double knockout of melanopsins (opn4.1‐opn4xb) was generated in the diurnal zebrafish, which manifests attenuated locomotor activity during the wake state. Transcriptome sequencing gave insight into pathways downstream of Melanopsin, implying that sustained repression of the melatonin pathway is required to elevate locomotor activity during the diurnal wake state. Moreover, we show that light induces locomotor activity during the diurnal wake state in an intensity‐dependent manner. These observations suggest a common Melanopsin‐driven mechanism between zebrafish and mammals, while the diurnal and nocturnal chronotypes are inversely regulated downstream of melatonin.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marcus P S Dekens
- Max Perutz Laboratory Centre for Molecular Biology University of Vienna and Medical University of Vienna Vienna Austria
| | - Bruno M Fontinha
- Max Perutz Laboratory Centre for Molecular Biology University of Vienna and Medical University of Vienna Vienna Austria
| | - Miguel Gallach
- Max Perutz Laboratory Centre for Molecular Biology University of Vienna and Medical University of Vienna Vienna Austria
- Max Perutz Laboratory Centre for Integrative Bioinformatics University of Vienna and Medical University of Vienna Vienna Austria
| | - Sandra Pflügler
- Max Perutz Laboratory Centre for Molecular Biology University of Vienna and Medical University of Vienna Vienna Austria
| | - Kristin Tessmar‐Raible
- Max Perutz Laboratory Centre for Molecular Biology University of Vienna and Medical University of Vienna Vienna Austria
- Research Platform “Marine Rhythms of Life” University of Vienna Vienna Austria
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Summers KM, Bush SJ, Wu C, Hume DA. Generation and network analysis of an RNA-seq transcriptional atlas for the rat. NAR Genom Bioinform 2022; 4:lqac017. [PMID: 35265836 PMCID: PMC8900154 DOI: 10.1093/nargab/lqac017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
The laboratory rat is an important model for biomedical research. To generate a comprehensive rat transcriptomic atlas, we curated and downloaded 7700 rat RNA-seq datasets from public repositories, downsampled them to a common depth and quantified expression. Data from 585 rat tissues and cells, averaged from each BioProject, can be visualized and queried at http://biogps.org/ratatlas. Gene co-expression network (GCN) analysis revealed clusters of transcripts that were tissue or cell type restricted and contained transcription factors implicated in lineage determination. Other clusters were enriched for transcripts associated with biological processes. Many of these clusters overlap with previous data from analysis of other species, while some (e.g. expressed specifically in immune cells, retina/pineal gland, pituitary and germ cells) are unique to these data. GCN analysis on large subsets of the data related specifically to liver, nervous system, kidney, musculoskeletal system and cardiovascular system enabled deconvolution of cell type-specific signatures. The approach is extensible and the dataset can be used as a point of reference from which to analyse the transcriptomes of cell types and tissues that have not yet been sampled. Sets of strictly co-expressed transcripts provide a resource for critical interpretation of single-cell RNA-seq data.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kim M Summers
- Mater Research Institute—University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, 37 Kent St, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Stephen J Bush
- Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Chunlei Wu
- Department of Integrative and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - David A Hume
- Mater Research Institute—University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, 37 Kent St, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Zheng Y, Wang HQ, Guo HX, Xie HL, Zhang WD, Han DX, Jiang H, Yuan B, Zhang JB. CircRNA-WNK2 Acts as a ceRNA for miR-328a-3p to Promote AANAT Expression in the Male Rat Pineal Gland. Endocrinology 2022; 163:6464229. [PMID: 34918065 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqab255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), including microRNAs (miRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs), which are expressed with a daily rhythm in the rat pineal gland, are associated with the regulation of melatonin secretion and other biological functions. However, the mechanisms of these molecules in the rat pineal gland are not yet fully understood. In this study, we found that circR-WNK2 was highly expressed at night, which may be involved in the regulation of melatonin secretion through the competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) mechanism. By dual luciferase reporter, RNA pull-down, and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assays, we found that miR-328a-3p can target circR-WNK2 and the Aa-nat mRNA 3'UTR. Transfection experiments indicated that circR-WNK2 could competitively bind to miR-328a-3p, reduce miR-328a-3p expression, and promote Aa-nat gene expression and melatonin secretion. And by constructing a superior cervical ganglionectomy (SCGx) rat model, we found that ncRNAs expression in the pineal gland was regulated by signals from the suprachiasmatic nucleus. This finding supports the hypothesis that these noncoding RNAs may interact to shape the circadian rhythm through transcriptional processing in melatonin synthesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zheng
- Department of Laboratory Animals, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Model, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, Jilin, P.R. China
| | - Hao-Qi Wang
- Department of Laboratory Animals, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Model, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, Jilin, P.R. China
| | - Hai-Xiang Guo
- Department of Laboratory Animals, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Model, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, Jilin, P.R. China
| | - Heng-Li Xie
- Department of Laboratory Animals, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Model, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, Jilin, P.R. China
| | - Wei-Di Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Animals, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Model, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, Jilin, P.R. China
| | - Dong-Xu Han
- Department of Laboratory Animals, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Model, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, Jilin, P.R. China
| | - Hao Jiang
- Department of Laboratory Animals, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Model, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, Jilin, P.R. China
| | - Bao Yuan
- Department of Laboratory Animals, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Model, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, Jilin, P.R. China
| | - Jia-Bao Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Animals, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Model, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, Jilin, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Rath MF, Møller M. Radiochemical In Situ Hybridization in Developmental Studies of the Pineal Gland. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2550:75-84. [PMID: 36180679 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2593-4_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Radiochemical in situ hybridization enables detection of gene expression in small areas of the brain, such as the developing pineal gland in rodents. The method combines determination of spatial and temporal gene expression profiles with semiquantitative analyses. We here describe the procedure of radiochemical in situ hybridization on the developing rat pineal gland ranging from preparation of fetal tissue for in situ hybridization to principles of quantification.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Morten Møller
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Serotonin modulates melatonin synthesis as an autocrine neurotransmitter in the pineal gland. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2113852118. [PMID: 34675083 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2113852118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The pineal gland secretes melatonin principally at night. Regulated by norepinephrine released from sympathetic nerve terminals, adrenergic receptors on pinealocytes activate aralkylamine N-acetyltransferase that converts 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT, serotonin) to N-acetylserotonin, the precursor of melatonin. Previous studies from our group and others reveal significant constitutive secretion of 5-HT from pinealocytes. Here, using mass spectrometry, we demonstrated that the 5-HT is secreted primarily via a decynium-22-sensitive equilibrative plasma membrane monoamine transporter instead of by typical exocytotic quantal secretion. Activation of the endogenous 5-HT receptors on pinealocytes evoked an intracellular Ca2+ rise that was blocked by RS-102221, an antagonist of 5-HT2C receptors. Applied 5-HT did not evoke melatonin secretion by itself, but it did potentiate melatonin secretion evoked by submaximal norepinephrine. In addition, RS-102221 reduced the norepinephrine-induced melatonin secretion in strips of pineal gland, even when no exogenous 5-HT was added, suggesting that the 5-HT that is constitutively released from pinealocytes accumulates enough in the tissue to act as an autocrine feedback signal sensitizing melatonin release.
Collapse
|
11
|
Hertz H, Blancas-Velazquez AS, Rath MF. The role of homeobox gene-encoded transcription factors in regulation of phototransduction: Implementing the primary pinealocyte culture as a photoreceptor model. J Pineal Res 2021; 71:e12753. [PMID: 34129741 DOI: 10.1111/jpi.12753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Revised: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Homeobox genes encode transcription factors controlling development; however, a number of homeobox genes are expressed postnatally specifically in melatonin-producing pinealocytes of the pineal gland and photoreceptors of the retina along with transcripts devoted to melatonin synthesis and phototransduction. Homeobox genes regulate melatonin synthesis in pinealocytes, but some homeobox genes also seem to be involved in regulation of retinal phototransduction. Due to the lack of photoreceptor models, we here introduce the rat pinealocyte culture as an in vitro model for studying retinal phototransduction. Systematic qPCR analyses were performed on the rat retina and pineal gland in 24 hour in vivo series and on primary cultures of rat pinealocytes: All homeobox genes and melatonin synthesis components, as well as nine out of ten phototransduction genes, were readily detectable in all three experimental settings, confirming molecular similarity between cultured pinealocytes and in vivo retinal tissue. 24 hours circadian expression was mostly confined to transcripts in the pineal gland, including a novel rhythm in arrestin (Sag). Individual knockdown of the homeobox genes orthodenticle homeobox 2 (Otx2), cone-rod homeobox (Crx) and LIM homeobox 4 (Lhx4) in pinealocyte culture using siRNA resulted in specific downregulation of transcripts representing all levels of phototransduction; thus, all phototransduction genes studied in culture were affected by one or several siRNA treatments. Histological colocalization of homeobox and phototransduction transcripts in the rat retinal photoreceptor was confirmed by RNAscope in situ hybridization, thus suggesting that homeobox gene-encoded transcription factors control postnatal expression of phototransduction genes in the retinal photoreceptor.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Henrik Hertz
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Martin Fredensborg Rath
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Ge W, Yan ZH, Wang L, Tan SJ, Liu J, Reiter RJ, Luo SM, Sun QY, Shen W. A hypothetical role for autophagy during the day/night rhythm-regulated melatonin synthesis in the rat pineal gland. J Pineal Res 2021; 71:e12742. [PMID: 33960014 DOI: 10.1111/jpi.12742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Melatonin is a highly conserved molecule that regulates day/night rhythms; it is associated with sleep improvement, reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging, anti-aging effects, and seasonal and circadian rhythms and has been a hot topic of research for decades. Using single-cell RNA sequencing, a recent study describes a single-cell transcriptome atlas for the rat pineal gland. Based on a more comprehensive analysis of the retrieved data (Mays et al., PLoS One, 2018, 13, e0205883), results from the current study unveiled the underappreciated gene regulatory network behind different cell populations in the pineal gland. More importantly, our study here characterized, for the first time, the day/night activation of autophagy flux in the rat pineal gland, indicating a potential role of autophagy in regulating melatonin synthesis in the rat pineal gland. These findings emphasized a hypothetical role of day/night autophagy in linking the biological clock with melatonin synthesis. Furthermore, ultrastructure analysis of pinealocytes provided fascinating insights into differences in their intracellular structure between daytime and nighttime. In addition, we also provide a preliminary description of cell-cell communication in the rat pineal gland. In summary, the current study unveils the day/night regulation of autophagy in the rat pineal gland, raising a potential role of autophagy in day/night-regulated melatonin synthesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wei Ge
- Key Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Germplasm Enhancement in Universities of Shandong, College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China
| | - Zi-Hui Yan
- Key Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Germplasm Enhancement in Universities of Shandong, College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China
| | - Lu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Germplasm Enhancement in Universities of Shandong, College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China
| | - Shao-Jing Tan
- Key Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Germplasm Enhancement in Universities of Shandong, College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China
| | - Jing Liu
- Central Laboratory of Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China
| | - Russel J Reiter
- Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, Long School of Medicine, UT Health, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Shi-Ming Luo
- Key Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Germplasm Enhancement in Universities of Shandong, College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Fertility Preservation Lab, Reproductive Medicine Center, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qing-Yuan Sun
- Fertility Preservation Lab, Reproductive Medicine Center, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei Shen
- Key Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Germplasm Enhancement in Universities of Shandong, College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Genetics, pathogenesis and therapeutic developments for Usher syndrome type 2. Hum Genet 2021; 141:737-758. [PMID: 34331125 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-021-02324-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Usher syndrome (USH) is a rare, autosomal recessively inherited disorder resulting in a combination of sensorineural hearing loss and a progressive loss of vision resulting from retinitis pigmentosa (RP), occasionally accompanied by an altered vestibular function. More and more evidence is building up indicating that also sleep deprivation, olfactory dysfunction, deficits in tactile perception and reduced sperm motility are part of the disease etiology. USH can be clinically classified into three different types, of which Usher syndrome type 2 (USH2) is the most prevalent. In this review, we, therefore, assess the genetic and clinical aspects, available models and therapeutic developments for USH2. Mutations in USH2A, ADGRV1 and WHRN have been described to be responsible for USH2, with USH2A being the most frequently mutated USH-associated gene, explaining 50% of all cases. The proteins encoded by the USH2 genes together function in a dynamic protein complex that, among others, is found at the photoreceptor periciliary membrane and at the base of the hair bundles of inner ear hair cells. To unravel the pathogenic mechanisms underlying USH2, patient-derived cellular models and animal models including mouse, zebrafish and drosophila, have been generated that all in part mimic the USH phenotype. Multiple cellular and genetic therapeutic approaches are currently under development for USH2, mainly focused on preserving or partially restoring the visual function of which one is already in the clinical phase. These developments are opening a new gate towards a possible treatment for USH2 patients.
Collapse
|
14
|
Wieczorek E, Ożyhar A. Transthyretin: From Structural Stability to Osteoarticular and Cardiovascular Diseases. Cells 2021; 10:1768. [PMID: 34359938 PMCID: PMC8307983 DOI: 10.3390/cells10071768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Revised: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Transthyretin (TTR) is a tetrameric protein transporting hormones in the plasma and brain, which has many other activities that have not been fully acknowledged. TTR is a positive indicator of nutrition status and is negatively correlated with inflammation. TTR is a neuroprotective and oxidative-stress-suppressing factor. The TTR structure is destabilized by mutations, oxidative modifications, aging, proteolysis, and metal cations, including Ca2+. Destabilized TTR molecules form amyloid deposits, resulting in senile and familial amyloidopathies. This review links structural stability of TTR with the environmental factors, particularly oxidative stress and Ca2+, and the processes involved in the pathogenesis of TTR-related diseases. The roles of TTR in biomineralization, calcification, and osteoarticular and cardiovascular diseases are broadly discussed. The association of TTR-related diseases and vascular and ligament tissue calcification with TTR levels and TTR structure is presented. It is indicated that unaggregated TTR and TTR amyloid are bound by vicious cycles, and that TTR may have an as yet undetermined role(s) at the crossroads of calcification, blood coagulation, and immune response.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elżbieta Wieczorek
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Chemistry, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wybrzeże Wyspiańskiego 27, 50-370 Wroclaw, Poland;
| | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Tonon AC, Pilz LK, Markus RP, Hidalgo MP, Elisabetsky E. Melatonin and Depression: A Translational Perspective From Animal Models to Clinical Studies. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:638981. [PMID: 33897495 PMCID: PMC8060443 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.638981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Daily rhythm of melatonin synchronizes the body to the light/dark environmental cycle. Several hypotheses have been raised to understand the intersections between melatonin and depression, in which changes in rest-activity and sleep patterns are prominent. This review describes key experimental and clinical evidence that link melatonin with the etiopathology and symptomatology of depressive states, its role in the follow up of therapeutic response to antidepressants, as well as the clinical evidence of melatonin as MDD treatment. Melatonin, as an internal temporal cue contributing to circadian organization and best studied in the context of circadian misalignment, is also implicated in neuroplasticity. The monoaminergic systems that underly MDD and melatonin production overlap. In addition, the urinary metabolite 6-sulfatoxymelatonin (aMT6) has been proposed as biomarker for antidepressant responders, by revealing whether the blockage of noradrenaline uptake has taken place within 24 h from the first antidepressant dose. Even though animal models show benefits from melatonin supplementation on depressive-like behavior, clinical evidence is inconsistent vis-à-vis prophylactic or therapeutic benefits of melatonin or melatonin agonists in depression. We argue that the study of melatonin in MDD or other psychiatric disorders must take into account the specificities of melatonin as an integrating molecule, inextricably linked to entrainment, metabolism, immunity, neurotransmission, and cell homeostasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- André C. Tonon
- Laboratório de Cronobiologia e Sono, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Luísa K. Pilz
- Laboratório de Cronobiologia e Sono, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Regina P. Markus
- Laboratório de Cronofarmacologia, Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociência, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maria Paz Hidalgo
- Laboratório de Cronobiologia e Sono, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Elaine Elisabetsky
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas-Bioquímica, Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Dumas G, Goubran‐Botros H, Matondo M, Pagan C, Boulègue C, Chaze T, Chamot‐Rooke J, Maronde E, Bourgeron T. Mass-spectrometry analysis of the human pineal proteome during night and day and in autism. J Pineal Res 2021; 70:e12713. [PMID: 33368564 PMCID: PMC8047921 DOI: 10.1111/jpi.12713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2020] [Revised: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The human pineal gland regulates day-night dynamics of multiple physiological processes, especially through the secretion of melatonin. Using mass-spectrometry-based proteomics and dedicated analysis tools, we identify proteins in the human pineal gland and analyze systematically their variation throughout the day and compare these changes in the pineal proteome between control specimens and donors diagnosed with autism. Results reveal diverse regulated clusters of proteins with, among others, catabolic carbohydrate process and cytoplasmic membrane-bounded vesicle-related proteins differing between day and night and/or control versus autism pineal glands. These data show novel and unexpected processes happening in the human pineal gland during the day/night rhythm as well as specific differences between autism donor pineal glands and those from controls.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Dumas
- Human Genetics and Cognitive FunctionsInstitut PasteurUMR 3571 CNRSUniversity Paris DiderotParisFrance
- Precision Psychiatry and Social Physiology laboratoryCHU Ste‐Justine Research CenterDepartment of PsychiatryUniversity of MontrealQuebecQCCanada
| | - Hany Goubran‐Botros
- Human Genetics and Cognitive FunctionsInstitut PasteurUMR 3571 CNRSUniversity Paris DiderotParisFrance
| | - Mariette Matondo
- Institut PasteurUnité de Spectrométrie de Masse pour la Biologie (MSBio)Centre de Ressources et Recherches Technologiques (C2RT)USR 2000 CNRSParisFrance
| | - Cécile Pagan
- Paris Descartes UniversityParisFrance
- Service de Biochimie et Biologie MoléculaireINSERM U942Hôpital LariboisièreAPHPParisFrance
| | - Cyril Boulègue
- Institut PasteurUnité de Spectrométrie de Masse pour la Biologie (MSBio)Centre de Ressources et Recherches Technologiques (C2RT)USR 2000 CNRSParisFrance
| | - Thibault Chaze
- Institut PasteurUnité de Spectrométrie de Masse pour la Biologie (MSBio)Centre de Ressources et Recherches Technologiques (C2RT)USR 2000 CNRSParisFrance
| | - Julia Chamot‐Rooke
- Institut PasteurUnité de Spectrométrie de Masse pour la Biologie (MSBio)Centre de Ressources et Recherches Technologiques (C2RT)USR 2000 CNRSParisFrance
| | - Erik Maronde
- Institute for Anatomy IIFaculty of MedicineGoethe UniversityFrankfurtGermany
| | - Thomas Bourgeron
- Human Genetics and Cognitive FunctionsInstitut PasteurUMR 3571 CNRSUniversity Paris DiderotParisFrance
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Regulation of diurnal energy balance by mitokines. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:3369-3384. [PMID: 33464381 PMCID: PMC7814174 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-020-03748-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The mammalian system of energy balance regulation is intrinsically rhythmic with diurnal oscillations of behavioral and metabolic traits according to the 24 h day/night cycle, driven by cellular circadian clocks and synchronized by environmental or internal cues such as metabolites and hormones associated with feeding rhythms. Mitochondria are crucial organelles for cellular energy generation and their biology is largely under the control of the circadian system. Whether mitochondrial status might also feed-back on the circadian system, possibly via mitokines that are induced by mitochondrial stress as endocrine-acting molecules, remains poorly understood. Here, we describe our current understanding of the diurnal regulation of systemic energy balance, with focus on fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) and growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15), two well-known endocrine-acting metabolic mediators. FGF21 shows a diurnal oscillation and directly affects the output of the brain master clock. Moreover, recent data demonstrated that mitochondrial stress-induced GDF15 promotes a day-time restricted anorexia and systemic metabolic remodeling as shown in UCP1-transgenic mice, where both FGF21 and GDF15 are induced as myomitokines. In this mouse model of slightly uncoupled skeletal muscle mitochondria GDF15 proved responsible for an increased metabolic flexibility and a number of beneficial metabolic adaptations. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying energy balance regulation by mitokines are just starting to emerge, and more data on diurnal patterns in mouse and man are required. This will open new perspectives into the diurnal nature of mitokines and action both in health and disease.
Collapse
|
18
|
Zheng Y, Jiang H, Wang HQ, Guo HX, Han DX, Huang YJ, Gao Y, Yuan B, Zhang JB. Identifying daily changes in circRNAs and circRNA-associated-ceRNA networks in the rat pineal gland. Int J Med Sci 2021; 18:1225-1239. [PMID: 33526984 PMCID: PMC7847611 DOI: 10.7150/ijms.51743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a new class of covalently closed circular RNA molecules that are involved in many biological processes. However, information about circRNAs in the pineal gland, particularly that of rats, is limited. To establish resources for the study of the rat pineal gland, we performed transcriptome analysis of the pineal glands during the day and night. In this study, 1413 circRNAs and 1989 miRNAs were identified in the pineal gland of rats during the night and day using the Illumina platform. Forty differentially expressed circRNAs and 93 differentially expressed miRNAs were obtained, among which 20 circRNAs and 37 miRNAs were significantly upregulated during the day and 20 circRNAs and 56 miRNAs were significantly upregulated during the night. As circRNAs have been reported to work as miRNA sponges, we predicted 15940 interactions among 40 circRNAs, 93 miRNAs and 400 mRNAs with differential diurnal expression using miRanda and TargetScan to build a ceRNA regulatory network in the rat pineal gland. The diurnal expression profile of circRNAs in the rat pineal gland may provide additional information about the role of circRNAs in regulating changes in melatonin circadian rhythms. The analyzed data reported in this study will be an important resource for future studies to elucidate the altered physiology of circRNAs in diurnal rhythms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zheng
- Department of Laboratory Animals, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Model, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, Jilin, P.R. China
| | - Hao Jiang
- Department of Laboratory Animals, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Model, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, Jilin, P.R. China
| | - Hao-Qi Wang
- Department of Laboratory Animals, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Model, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, Jilin, P.R. China
| | - Hai-Xiang Guo
- Department of Laboratory Animals, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Model, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, Jilin, P.R. China
| | - Dong-Xu Han
- Department of Laboratory Animals, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Model, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, Jilin, P.R. China
| | - Yi-Jie Huang
- Department of Laboratory Animals, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Model, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, Jilin, P.R. China
| | - Yan Gao
- Department of Laboratory Animals, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Model, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, Jilin, P.R. China
| | - Bao Yuan
- Department of Laboratory Animals, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Model, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, Jilin, P.R. China
| | - Jia-Bao Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Animals, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Model, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, Jilin, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Steinle JJ. Review: Role of cAMP signaling in diabetic retinopathy. Mol Vis 2020; 26:355-358. [PMID: 32476815 PMCID: PMC7245604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite decades of research, diabetic retinopathy remains the leading cause of blindness in working age adults. Treatments for early phases for the disease remain elusive. One pathway that appears to regulate neuronal, vascular, and inflammatory components of diabetic retinopathy is the cyclic adenosine 3', 5'-monophosphate (cAMP) pathway. In this review, we discuss the current literature on cAMP actions on the retina, with a focus on neurovascular changes commonly associated with preproliferative diabetic retinopathy models.
Collapse
|
20
|
Ferdousi F, Kondo S, Sasaki K, Uchida Y, Ohkohchi N, Zheng YW, Isoda H. Microarray analysis of verbenalin-treated human amniotic epithelial cells reveals therapeutic potential for Alzheimer's Disease. Aging (Albany NY) 2020; 12:5516-5538. [PMID: 32224504 PMCID: PMC7138585 DOI: 10.18632/aging.102985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has become a major world health problem as the population ages. There is still no available treatment that can stop or reverse the progression of AD. Human amnion epithelial cells (hAECs), an alternative source for stem cells, have shown neuroprotective and neurorestorative potentials when transplanted in vivo. Besides, studies have suggested that stem cell priming with plant-derived bioactive compounds can enhance stem cell proliferation and differentiation and improve the disease-treating capability of stem cells. Verbenalin is an iridoid glucoside found in medicinal herbs of Verbenaceae family. In the present study, we have conducted microarray gene expression profiling of verbenalin-treated hAECs to explore its therapeutic potential for AD. Gene set enrichment analysis revealed verbenalin treatment significantly enriched AD-associated gene sets. Genes associated with lysosomal dysfunction, pathologic angiogenesis, pathologic protein aggregation, circadian rhythm, age-related neurometabolism, and neurogenesis were differentially expressed in the verbenalin-treated hAECs compared to control cells. Additionally, the neuroprotective effect of verbenalin was confirmed against amyloid beta-induced neurotoxicity in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. Our present study is the first to report the therapeutic potential of verbenalin for AD; however, further in-depth research in the in vitro and in vivo models are required to confirm our preliminary findings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Farhana Ferdousi
- Alliance for Research on the Mediterranean and North Africa (ARENA), University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8577, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Shinji Kondo
- R&D Center for Tailor-Made QOL, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8550, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Kazunori Sasaki
- Alliance for Research on the Mediterranean and North Africa (ARENA), University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8577, Ibaraki, Japan.,National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba 305-8565, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Yoshiaki Uchida
- School of Integrative and Global Majors, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8575, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Nobuhiro Ohkohchi
- Department of Gastrointestinal and Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8575, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Yun-Wen Zheng
- Department of Gastrointestinal and Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8575, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Hiroko Isoda
- Alliance for Research on the Mediterranean and North Africa (ARENA), University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8577, Ibaraki, Japan.,R&D Center for Tailor-Made QOL, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8550, Ibaraki, Japan.,National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba 305-8565, Ibaraki, Japan.,Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8575, Ibaraki, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Hertz H, Carstensen MB, Bering T, Rohde K, Møller M, Granau AM, Coon SL, Klein DC, Rath MF. The Lhx4 homeobox transcript in the rat pineal gland: Adrenergic regulation and impact on transcripts encoding melatonin-synthesizing enzymes. J Pineal Res 2020; 68:e12616. [PMID: 31609018 PMCID: PMC8408918 DOI: 10.1111/jpi.12616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2019] [Revised: 10/07/2019] [Accepted: 10/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Homeobox genes generally encode transcription factors involved in regulating developmental processes. In the pineal gland, a brain structure devoted to nocturnal melatonin synthesis, a number of homeobox genes are also expressed postnatally; among these is the LIM homeobox 4 gene (Lhx4). We here report that Lhx4 is specifically expressed in the postnatal pineal gland of rats and humans. Circadian analyses revealed a fourfold rhythm in Lhx4 expression in the rat pineal gland, with rhythmic expression detectable from postnatal day 10. Pineal Lhx4 expression was confirmed to be positively driven by adrenergic signaling, as evidenced by in vivo modulation of Lhx4 expression by pharmacological (isoprenaline injection) and surgical (superior cervical ganglionectomy) interventions. In cultured pinealocytes, Lhx4 expression was upregulated by cyclic AMP, a second messenger of norepinephrine. By use of RNAscope technology, Lhx4 transcripts were found to be exclusively localized in melatonin-synthesizing pinealocytes. This prompted us to investigate the possible role of Lhx4 in regulation of melatonin-producing enzymes. By use of siRNA technology, we knocked down Lhx4 by 95% in cultured pinealocytes; this caused a reduction in transcripts encoding the melatonin-producing enzyme arylalkylamine N-acetyl transferase (Aanat). Screening the transcriptome of siRNA-treated pinealocytes by RNAseq revealed a significant impact of Lhx4 on the phototransduction pathway and on transcripts involved in development of the nervous system and photoreceptors. These data suggest that rhythmic expression of Lhx4 in the pineal gland is controlled via an adrenergic-cyclic AMP mechanism and that Lhx4 acts to promote nocturnal melatonin synthesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Henrik Hertz
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mikkel B Carstensen
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Tenna Bering
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kristian Rohde
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Morten Møller
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Agnete M Granau
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Steven L Coon
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - David C Klein
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Martin F Rath
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Liu L, Labani N, Cecon E, Jockers R. Melatonin Target Proteins: Too Many or Not Enough? Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2019; 10:791. [PMID: 31803142 PMCID: PMC6872631 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2019.00791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The neurohormone N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine, better known as melatonin, is a tryptophan derivative with a wide range of biological effects that is present in many organisms. These effects are believed to rely either on the chemical properties of melatonin itself as scavenger of free radicals or on the binding of melatonin to protein targets. More than 15 proteins, including receptors (MT1, MT2, Mel1c, CAND2, ROR, VDR), enzymes (QR2, MMP-9, pepsin, PP2A, PR-10 proteins), pores (mtPTP), transporters (PEPT1/2, Glut1), and other proteins (HBS, CaM, tubulin, calreticuline), have been suggested to interact with melatonin at sub-nanomolar to millimolar melatonin concentrations. In this review we assemble for the first time the available information on proposed melatonin targets and discuss them in a comprehensive manner to evaluate the robustness of these findings in terms of methodology, physiological relevance, and independent replication.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lei Liu
- Cellular Signaling Laboratory, International Research Center for Sensory Biology and Technology of MOST, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Université de Paris, Institut Cochin, CNRS, INSERM, Paris, France
| | - Nedjma Labani
- Cellular Signaling Laboratory, International Research Center for Sensory Biology and Technology of MOST, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Université de Paris, Institut Cochin, CNRS, INSERM, Paris, France
| | - Erika Cecon
- Université de Paris, Institut Cochin, CNRS, INSERM, Paris, France
| | - Ralf Jockers
- Université de Paris, Institut Cochin, CNRS, INSERM, Paris, France
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Simak M, Lu HHS, Yang JM. Boolean function network analysis of time course liver transcriptome data to reveal novel circadian transcriptional regulators in mammals. J Chin Med Assoc 2019; 82:872-880. [PMID: 31469689 DOI: 10.1097/jcma.0000000000000180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many biological processes in mammals are subject to circadian control at the molecular level. Disruption of circadian rhythms has been demonstrated to be associated with a wide range of diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, mental disorders, and cancer. Although the core circadian genes are well established, there are multiple reports of novel peripheral circadian regulators. The goal of this study was to provide a comprehensive computational analysis to identify novel potential circadian transcriptional regulators. METHODS To fulfill the aforementioned goal, we applied a Boolean function network method to analyze the microarray time course mouse and rat liver datasets available in the literature. The inferred direct pairwise relations were further investigated using the functional annotation tool. This approach generated a list of transcription factors (TFs) and cofactors, which were associated with significantly enriched circadian gene ontology (GO) categories. RESULTS As a result, we identified 93 transcriptional circadian regulators in mouse and 95 transcriptional circadian regulators in rat. Of these, 19 regulators in mouse and 21 regulators in rat were known, whereas the rest were novel. Furthermore, we validated novel circadian TFs with bioinformatics databases, previous large-scale circadian studies, and related small-scale studies. Moreover, according to predictions inferred from ChIP-Seq experiments reported in the database, 40 of our candidate circadian regulators were confirmed to have circadian genes as direct regulatory targets. In addition, we annotated candidate circadian regulators with disorders that were often associated with disruptions of circadian rhythm in the literature. CONCLUSION In summary, our computational analysis, which was followed by an extensive verification by means of a literature review, can contribute to translational study from endocrinology to cancer research and provide insights for future investigation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Simak
- Bioinformatics Program, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Institute of Information Science, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
- Institute of Statistics, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan, ROC
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan, ROC
| | | | - Jinn-Moon Yang
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan, ROC
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Rohde K, Hertz H, Rath MF. Homeobox genes in melatonin-producing pinealocytes: Otx2 and Crx act to promote hormone synthesis in the mature rat pineal gland. J Pineal Res 2019; 66:e12567. [PMID: 30803008 DOI: 10.1111/jpi.12567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Revised: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 02/20/2019] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Homeobox genes encode transcription factors that regulate developmental processes; however, in the pineal gland, a neuroendocrine organ responsible for nocturnal melatonin synthesis, expression of the homeobox genes Otx2 (orthodenticle homeobox 2) and Crx (cone-rod homeobox) persists postnatally. We here show that OTX2 and CRX are exclusively present in melatonin-producing pinealocytes of the rat pineal gland. To understand the roles of Otx2 and Crx in the mature pineal gland, we used siRNA technology in cultured rat pinealocytes with the nocturnal situation mimicked by adding norepinephrine to the culture media. siRNA-induced knockdown of Otx2 was found to reduce expression levels of the enzymes involved in melatonin synthesis at both transcript and protein levels. Similar results were obtained when knocking down Crx. Knocking down Otx2 and Crx simultaneously produced an even larger reduction in both transcript and protein levels of the melatonin-producing enzymes and also reduced the levels of melatonin released to the culture media. These results suggest that Otx2 and Crx, both alone and in combination, act to control pineal melatonin synthesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kristian Rohde
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Henrik Hertz
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Martin F Rath
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Vancura P, Csicsely E, Leiser A, Iuvone PM, Spessert R. Rhythmic Regulation of Photoreceptor and RPE Genes Important for Vision and Genetically Associated With Severe Retinal Diseases. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2019; 59:3789-3799. [PMID: 30073352 PMCID: PMC6071477 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.18-24558] [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] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose The aim of the present study was to identify candidate genes for mediating daily adjustment of vision. Methods Genes important for vision and genetically associated with severe retinal diseases were tested for 24-hour rhythms in transcript levels in neuronal retina, microdissected photoreceptors, photoreceptor-related pinealocytes, and retinal pigment epithelium-choroid (RPE-choroid) complex by using quantitative PCR. Results Photoreceptors of wildtype mice display circadian clock-dependent regulation of visual arrestins (Arr1, Arr4) and the visual cycle gene Rdh12, whereas cells of the RPE-choroid exhibit light-dependent regulation of the visual cycle key genes Lrat, Rpe65, and Rdh5. Clock-driven rhythmicity of Arr1, Arr4, and Rdh12 was observed also in rat pinealocytes, to persist in a mouse model of diabetic retinopathy (db/db) and, in the case of Arr1, to be abolished in retinae of mice deficient for dopamine D4 receptors. Therefore, the expression rhythms appear to be evolutionary conserved, to be unaffected in diabetic retinopathy, and, for Arr1, to require dopamine signaling via dopamine D4 receptors. Conclusions The data of the present study suggest that daily adjustment of retinal function combines clock-dependent regulation of genes responsible for phototransduction termination (Arr1, Arr4) and detoxification (Rdh12) in photoreceptors with light-dependent regulation of genes responsible for retinoid recycling (Lrat, Rpe65, and Rdh5) in RPE. Furthermore, they indicate circadian and light-dependent regulation of genes genetically associated with severe retinal diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Vancura
- Institute of Functional and Clinical Anatomy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Erika Csicsely
- Institute of Functional and Clinical Anatomy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Annalisa Leiser
- Institute of Functional and Clinical Anatomy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - P Michael Iuvone
- Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
| | - Rainer Spessert
- Institute of Functional and Clinical Anatomy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Coon SL, Fu C, Hartley SW, Holtzclaw L, Mays JC, Kelly MC, Kelley MW, Mullikin JC, Rath MF, Savastano LE, Klein DC. Single Cell Sequencing of the Pineal Gland: The Next Chapter. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2019; 10:590. [PMID: 31616371 PMCID: PMC6764290 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2019.00590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 08/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The analysis of pineal cell biology has undergone remarkable development as techniques have become available which allow for sequencing of entire transcriptomes and, most recently, the sequencing of the transcriptome of individual cells. Identification of at least nine distinct cell types in the rat pineal gland has been made possible, allowing identification of the precise cells of origin and expression of transcripts for the first time. Here the history and current state of knowledge generated by these transcriptomic efforts is reviewed, with emphasis on the insights suggested by the findings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Steven L. Coon
- Molecular Genomics Core, Office of the Scientific Director, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Cong Fu
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration & Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Models for Human Diseases, Changchun, China
| | - Steven W. Hartley
- Comparative Genomics Analysis Unit, Cancer Genetics and Comparative Genomics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Lynne Holtzclaw
- Microscopy and Imaging Core, Office of the Scientific Director, Intramural Research Program, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Joseph C. Mays
- Institute on Systems Genetics, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Michael C. Kelly
- Single Cell Analysis Facility, Frederick National Lab for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Matthew W. Kelley
- Section on Developmental Neuroscience, Laboratory of Cochlear Development, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - James C. Mullikin
- National Institutes of Health Intramural Sequencing Center, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, United States
| | - Martin F. Rath
- Department of Neuroscience, Panum Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Luis E. Savastano
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - David C. Klein
- Office of the Scientific Director, Intramural Research Program, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
- *Correspondence: David C. Klein
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Signaling within the pineal gland: A parallelism with the central nervous system. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2018; 95:151-159. [PMID: 30502386 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2018.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Revised: 11/15/2018] [Accepted: 11/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The pineal gland (PG) derives from the neural tube, like the rest of the central nervous system (CNS). The PG is specialized in synthesizing and secreting melatonin in a circadian fashion. The nocturnal elevation of melatonin is a highly conserved feature among species which proves its importance in nature. Here, we review a limited set of intrinsic and extrinsic regulatory elements that have been shown or proposed to influence the PG's melatonin production, as well as pineal ontogeny and homeostasis. Intrinsic regulators include the transcription factors CREB, Pax6 and NeuroD1. In addition, microglia within the PG participate as extrinsic regulators of these functions. We further discuss how these same elements work in other parts of the CNS, and note similarities and differences to their roles in the PG. Since the PG is a relatively well-defined and highly specialized organ within the CNS, we suggest that applying this comparative approach to additional PG regulators may be a useful tool for understanding complex areas of the brain, as well as the influence of the PG in both health and disease, including circadian functions and disorders.
Collapse
|
28
|
Wieczorek E, Chitruń A, Ożyhar A. Destabilised human transthyretin shapes the morphology of calcium carbonate crystals. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2018; 1863:313-324. [PMID: 30394286 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2018.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2018] [Revised: 10/12/2018] [Accepted: 10/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Human transthyretin (TTR) is a homotetramer that transports thyroid hormones and retinol in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid. TTR is also an intracellular protein found in tissues such as those in the brain, eye and pancreas. TTR is a nutrition marker, reflecting the health of the organism, and TTR levels are linked to the normal and diseased states of the body. The switch from a protective to a pathological role is attributed to the destabilisation of the TTR structure, which leads to tetramer dissociation and amyloid formation. Native and destabilised TTR have been associated with osteoarthritis and bone density in humans. Moreover, TTR is present in eggshell mammillary cones; therefore, we verified the putative TTR engagement in the process of mineral formation. Using an in vitro assay, we found that TTR affected calcium carbonate crystal growth and morphology, producing asymmetric crystals with a complex nanocrystalline composition. The crystals possessed rounded edges and corners and irregular etch pits, suggesting the selective inhibition of crystal growth and/or dissolution imposed by TTR. The occurrence of many porosities, fibrillary inclusions and amorphous precipitates suggested that destabilisation of the TTR structure is an important factor involved in the mineralisation process. Crystals grown in the presence of TTR exhibited the characteristic features of crystals controlled by biomineralisation-active proteins, suggesting novel functions of TTR in the mineral formation process.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elżbieta Wieczorek
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Wybrzeże Wyspiańskiego 27, 50-370 Wrocław, Poland.
| | - Anna Chitruń
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Wybrzeże Wyspiańskiego 27, 50-370 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Andrzej Ożyhar
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Wybrzeże Wyspiańskiego 27, 50-370 Wrocław, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Mays JC, Kelly MC, Coon SL, Holtzclaw L, Rath MF, Kelley MW, Klein DC. Single-cell RNA sequencing of the mammalian pineal gland identifies two pinealocyte subtypes and cell type-specific daily patterns of gene expression. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0205883. [PMID: 30347410 PMCID: PMC6197868 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0205883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2018] [Accepted: 10/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The vertebrate pineal gland is dedicated to the production of the hormone melatonin, which increases at night to influence circadian and seasonal rhythms. This increase is associated with dramatic changes in the pineal transcriptome. Here, single-cell analysis of the rat pineal transcriptome was approached by sequencing mRNA from ~17,000 individual pineal cells, with the goals of profiling the cells that comprise the pineal gland and examining the proposal that there are two distinct populations of pinealocytes differentiated by the expression of Asmt, which encodes the enzyme that converts N-acetylserotonin to melatonin. In addition, this analysis provides evidence of cell-specific time-of-day dependent changes in gene expression. Nine transcriptomically distinct cell types were identified: ~90% were classified as melatonin-producing α- and β-pinealocytes (1:19 ratio). Non-pinealocytes included three astrocyte subtypes, two microglia subtypes, vascular and leptomeningeal cells, and endothelial cells. α-Pinealocytes were distinguished from β-pinealocytes by ~3-fold higher levels of Asmt transcripts. In addition, α-pinealocytes have transcriptomic differences that likely enhance melatonin formation by increasing the availability of the Asmt cofactor S-adenosylmethionine, resulting from increased production of a precursor of S-adenosylmethionine, ATP. These transcriptomic differences include ~2-fold higher levels of the ATP-generating oxidative phosphorylation transcriptome and ~8-fold lower levels of the ribosome transcriptome, which is expected to reduce the consumption of ATP by protein synthesis. These findings suggest that α-pinealocytes have a specialized role in the pineal gland: efficiently O-methylating the N-acetylserotonin produced and released by β-pinealocytes, thereby improving the overall efficiency of melatonin synthesis. We have also identified transcriptomic changes that occur between night and day in seven cell types, the majority of which occur in β-pinealocytes and to a lesser degree in α-pinealocytes; many of these changes were mimicked by adrenergic stimulation with isoproterenol. The cellular heterogeneity of the pineal gland as revealed by this study provides a new framework for understanding pineal cell biology at single-cell resolution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joseph C. Mays
- Section on Developmental Neuroscience, Laboratory of Cochlear Development, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Michael C. Kelly
- Section on Developmental Neuroscience, Laboratory of Cochlear Development, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Steven L. Coon
- Molecular Genomics Core Facility, Office of the Scientific Director, Intramural Research Program, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Lynne Holtzclaw
- Microscopy and Imaging Core, Office of the Scientific Director, Intramural Research Program, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Martin F. Rath
- Department of Neuroscience, Panum Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Matthew W. Kelley
- Section on Developmental Neuroscience, Laboratory of Cochlear Development, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - David C. Klein
- Office of the Scientific Director, Intramural Research Program, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Yamanaka Y, Yamada Y, Honma KI, Honma S. Cryptochrome deficiency enhances transcription but reduces protein levels of pineal Aanat. J Mol Endocrinol 2018; 61:219-229. [PMID: 30328353 DOI: 10.1530/jme-18-0101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Cryptochrome (Cry) 1 and 2 are essential for circadian rhythm generation, not only in the suprachiasmatic nucleus, the site of the mammalian master circadian clock, but also in peripheral organs throughout the body. CRY is also known as a repressor of arylalkylamine-N-acetyltransferase (Aanat) transcription; therefore, Cry deficiency is expected to induce constantly high pineal melatonin content. Nevertheless, we previously found that the content was consistently low in melatonin-proficient Cry1 and Cry2 double-deficient mice (Cry1−/−/Cry2−/−) on C3H background. This study aims to clarify the mechanism underlying this discrepancy. In the Cry1−/−/Cry2−/− pineal, expression levels of Aanat and clock gene Per1 were consistently high with no circadian fluctuation on the first day in constant darkness, demonstrating that CRY acts in vivo as a repressor of the pineal circadian clock and AANAT. In contrast, the enzyme activity and protein levels of AANAT remained low throughout the day, supporting our previous observation of continuously low melatonin. Thus, effects of Cry deficiency on the responses of β-adrenergic receptors were examined in cultured pineal glands. Isoproterenol, a β-adrenergic stimulant, significantly increased melatonin content, although the increase was smaller in Cry1−/−/Cry2−/− than in WT mice, during both the day and night. However, the increase in cAMP in response to forskolin was similar in both genotypes, indicating that CRY deficiency does not affect the pathway downstream of the β-adrenergic receptor. These results suggest that a lack of circadian adrenergic input due to CRY deficiency decreases β-receptor activity and cAMP levels, resulting in consistently low AANAT levels despite abundant Aanat mRNA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yujiro Yamanaka
- Department of Physiology, Hokkaido University Graduate school of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
- Laboratory of Life and Health Science, Hokkaido University Graduate school of Education, Sapporo, Japan
- Research and Education Center for Brain Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Yoshiko Yamada
- Department of Chronomedicine, Hokkaido University Graduate school of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Ken-Ichi Honma
- Department of Chronomedicine, Hokkaido University Graduate school of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Sato Honma
- Research and Education Center for Brain Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
- Department of Chronomedicine, Hokkaido University Graduate school of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Ibañez Rodriguez MP, Galiana MD, Rásmussen JA, Freites CL, Noctor SC, Muñoz EM. Differential response of pineal microglia to surgical versus pharmacological stimuli. J Comp Neurol 2018; 526:2462-2481. [PMID: 30246867 DOI: 10.1002/cne.24505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2018] [Revised: 07/18/2018] [Accepted: 07/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Microglial cells are one of the interstitial elements of the pineal gland (PG). We recently reported the pattern of microglia colonization and activation, and microglia-Pax6+ cell interactions during normal pineal ontogeny. Here, we describe the dynamics of microglia-Pax6+ cell associations and interactions after surgical or pharmacological manipulation. In adult rats, the superior cervical ganglia (SCG) were exposed, and either bilaterally excised (SCGx) or decentralized (SCGd). In the SCGx PGs, the density of Iba1+ microglia increased after surgery and returned to sham baseline levels 13 days later. Pineal microglia also responded to SCGd, a more subtle denervation. The number of clustered Iba1+ /PCNA+ /ED1+ microglia was higher 4 days after both surgeries compared to the sham-operated group. However, the number of Pax6+ /PCNA- cells and the percentage of Pax6+ cells contacted by and/or phagocytosed by microglia increased significantly only after SCGx. Separate groups of rats were treated with either bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) or doxycycline (DOX) to activate or inhibit pineal microglia, respectively. Peripheral LPS administration caused an increase in the number of clustered Iba1+ /PCNA+ /ED1+ microglial cells, and in the percentage of Pax6+ cells associated with and/or engulfed by microglia. In the LPS-treated PGs, we also noted an increase in the number of PCNA+ cells that were Iba1- within the microglial cell clusters. The density of Pax6+ cells did not change after LPS treatment. DOX administration did not influence the parameters analyzed. These data suggest that pineal microglia are highly receptive cells capable of rapidly responding in a differential manner to surgical and pharmacological stimuli.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- María P Ibañez Rodriguez
- Institute of Histology and Embryology of Mendoza (IHEM), National University of Cuyo, National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Mendoza, Argentina
| | - María D Galiana
- Institute of Histology and Embryology of Mendoza (IHEM), National University of Cuyo, National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Jorge A Rásmussen
- Institute of Histology and Embryology of Mendoza (IHEM), National University of Cuyo, National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Carlos L Freites
- Institute of Histology and Embryology of Mendoza (IHEM), National University of Cuyo, National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Stephen C Noctor
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine Sacramento, California
| | - Estela M Muñoz
- Institute of Histology and Embryology of Mendoza (IHEM), National University of Cuyo, National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Mendoza, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Melatonin Uptake by Cells: An Answer to Its Relationship with Glucose? Molecules 2018; 23:molecules23081999. [PMID: 30103453 PMCID: PMC6222335 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23081999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2018] [Revised: 08/02/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Melatonin, N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine, is an indole mainly synthesized from tryptophan in the pineal gland and secreted exclusively during the night in all the animals reported to date. While the pineal gland is the major source responsible for this night rise, it is not at all the exclusive production site and many other tissues and organs produce melatonin as well. Likewise, melatonin is not restricted to vertebrates, as its presence has been reported in almost all the phyla from protozoa to mammals. Melatonin displays a large set of functions including adaptation to light: dark cycles, free radical scavenging ability, antioxidant enzyme modulation, immunomodulatory actions or differentiation–proliferation regulatory effects, among others. However, in addition to those important functions, this evolutionary ‘ancient’ molecule still hides further tools with important cellular implications. The major goal of the present review is to discuss the data and experiments that have addressed the relationship between the indole and glucose. Classically, the pineal gland and a pinealectomy were associated with glucose homeostasis even before melatonin was chemically isolated. Numerous reports have provided the molecular components underlying the regulatory actions of melatonin on insulin secretion in pancreatic beta-cells, mainly involving membrane receptors MTNR1A/B, which would be partially responsible for the circadian rhythmicity of insulin in the organism. More recently, a new line of evidence has shown that glucose transporters GLUT/SLC2A are linked to melatonin uptake and its cellular internalization. Beside its binding to membrane receptors, melatonin transportation into the cytoplasm, required for its free radical scavenging abilities, still generates a great deal of debate. Thus, GLUT transporters might constitute at least one of the keys to explain the relationship between glucose and melatonin. These and other potential mechanisms responsible for such interaction are also discussed here.
Collapse
|
33
|
LNX1/LNX2 proteins: functions in neuronal signalling and beyond. Neuronal Signal 2018; 2:NS20170191. [PMID: 32714586 PMCID: PMC7373230 DOI: 10.1042/ns20170191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2018] [Revised: 05/02/2018] [Accepted: 05/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Ligand of NUMB Protein X1 and X2 (LNX1 and LNX2) are E3 ubiquitin ligases, named for their ability to interact with and promote the degradation of the cell fate determinant protein NUMB. On this basis they are thought to play a role in modulating NUMB/NOTCH signalling during processes such as cortical neurogenesis. However, LNX1/2 proteins can bind, via their four PDZ (PSD95, DLGA, ZO-1) domains, to an extraordinarily large number of other proteins besides NUMB. Many of these interactions suggest additional roles for LNX1/2 proteins in the nervous system in areas such as synapse formation, neurotransmission and regulating neuroglial function. Twenty years on from their initial discovery, I discuss here the putative neuronal functions of LNX1/2 proteins in light of the anxiety-related phenotype of double knockout mice lacking LNX1 and LNX2 in the central nervous system (CNS). I also review what is known about non-neuronal roles of LNX1/2 proteins, including their roles in embryonic patterning and pancreas development in zebrafish and their possible involvement in colorectal cancer (CRC), osteoclast differentiation and immune function in mammals. The emerging picture places LNX1/2 proteins as potential regulators of multiple cellular signalling processes, but in many cases the physiological significance of such roles remains only partly validated and needs to be considered in the context of the tight control of LNX1/2 protein levels in vivo.
Collapse
|
34
|
Deist MS, Lamont SJ. What Makes the Harderian Gland Transcriptome Different From Other Chicken Immune Tissues? A Gene Expression Comparative Analysis. Front Physiol 2018; 9:492. [PMID: 29867543 PMCID: PMC5952037 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.00492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2018] [Accepted: 04/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The Harderian gland is a sparsely characterized immune tissue known to play an important role in local immunity. The function of the Harderian gland, however, is not clearly defined. Measuring the expression of all genes using RNA-seq enables the identification of genes, pathways, or networks of interest. Our relative RNA-seq expression analysis compared the chicken Harderian gland transcriptome to other important primary and secondary immune tissues including the bursa of Fabricius, thymus, and spleen of non-challenged birds. A total of 2,386 transcripts were identified as highly expressed in the Harderian gland. Gene set enrichment showed the importance of G-protein coupled receptor signaling and several immune pathways. Among the genes highly expressed in the Harderian gland were 48 miRNAs, a category of genetic elements involved in regulation of gene expression. Several identified miRNAs have immune related functions. This analysis gives insight to the unique immune processes inherent in the Harderian gland.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Melissa S Deist
- Department of Animal Science, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Susan J Lamont
- Department of Animal Science, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Krzeptowski W, Hess G, Pyza E. Circadian Plasticity in the Brain of Insects and Rodents. Front Neural Circuits 2018; 12:32. [PMID: 29770112 PMCID: PMC5942159 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2018.00032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2017] [Accepted: 04/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In both vertebrate and invertebrate brains, neurons, glial cells and synapses are plastic, which means that the physiology and structure of these components are modified in response to internal and external stimuli during development and in mature brains. The term plasticity has been introduced in the last century to describe experience-dependent changes in synapse strength and number. These changes result from local functional and morphological synapse modifications; however, these modifications also occur more commonly in pre- and postsynaptic neurons. As a result, neuron morphology and neuronal networks are constantly modified during the life of animals and humans in response to different stimuli. Nevertheless, it has been discovered in flies and mammals that the number of synapses and size and shape of neurons also oscillate during the day. In most cases, these rhythms are circadian since they are generated by endogenous circadian clocks; however, some rhythmic changes in neuron morphology and synapse number and structure are controlled directly by environmental cues or by both external cues and circadian clocks. When the circadian clock is involved in generating cyclic changes in the nervous system, this type of plasticity is called circadian plasticity. It seems to be important in processing sensory information, in learning and in memory. Disruption of the clock may affect major brain functions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wojciech Krzeptowski
- Department of Cell Biology and Imaging, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Hess
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland.,Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Krakow, Poland
| | - Elżbieta Pyza
- Department of Cell Biology and Imaging, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Abstract
The circumventricular organs (CVOs) are specialised neuroepithelial structures found in the midline of the brain, grouped around the third and fourth ventricles. They mediate the communication between the brain and the periphery by performing sensory and secretory roles, facilitated by increased vascularisation and the absence of a blood-brain barrier. Surprisingly little is known about the origins of the CVOs (both developmental and evolutionary), but their functional and organisational similarities raise the question of the extent of their relationship. Here, I review our current knowledge of the embryonic development of the seven major CVOs (area postrema, median eminence, neurohypophysis, organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis, pineal organ, subcommissural organ, subfornical organ) in embryos of different vertebrate species. Although there are conspicuous similarities between subsets of CVOs, no unifying feature characteristic of their development has been identified. Cross-species comparisons suggest that CVOs also display a high degree of evolutionary flexibility. Thus, the term 'CVO' is merely a functional definition, and features shared by multiple CVOs may be the result of homoplasy rather than ontogenetic or phylogenetic relationships.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Clemens Kiecker
- Department of Developmental NeurobiologyKing's College LondonLondonUK
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Ashton A, Stoney PN, Ransom J, McCaffery P. Rhythmic Diurnal Synthesis and Signaling of Retinoic Acid in the Rat Pineal Gland and Its Action to Rapidly Downregulate ERK Phosphorylation. Mol Neurobiol 2018. [PMID: 29520716 PMCID: PMC6153719 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-018-0964-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Vitamin A is important for the circadian timing system; deficiency disrupts daily rhythms in activity and clock gene expression, and reduces the nocturnal peak in melatonin in the pineal gland. However, it is currently unknown how these effects are mediated. Vitamin A primarily acts via the active metabolite, retinoic acid (RA), a transcriptional regulator with emerging non-genomic activities. We investigated whether RA is subject to diurnal variation in synthesis and signaling in the rat pineal gland. Its involvement in two key molecular rhythms in this gland was also examined: kinase activation and induction of Aanat, which encodes the rhythm-generating melatonin synthetic enzyme. We found diurnal changes in expression of several genes required for RA signaling, including a RA receptor and synthetic enzymes. The RA-responsive gene Cyp26a1 was found to change between day and night, suggesting diurnal changes in RA activity. This corresponded to changes in RA synthesis, suggesting rhythmic production of RA. Long-term RA treatment in vitro upregulated Aanat transcription, while short-term treatment had no effect. RA was also found to rapidly downregulate extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 phosphorylation, suggesting a rapid non-genomic action which may be involved in driving the molecular rhythm in ERK1/2 activation in this gland. These results demonstrate that there are diurnal changes in RA synthesis and activity in the rat pineal gland which are partially under circadian control. These may be key to the effects of vitamin A on circadian rhythms, therefore providing insight into the molecular link between this nutrient and the circadian system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Ashton
- Institute of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, Scotland, AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Patrick N Stoney
- Cell Signal Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Jemma Ransom
- Institute of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, Scotland, AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Peter McCaffery
- Institute of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, Scotland, AB25 2ZD, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
O'Callaghan EK, Green EW, Franken P, Mongrain V. Omics Approaches in Sleep-Wake Regulation. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2018; 253:59-81. [PMID: 29796779 DOI: 10.1007/164_2018_125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Although sleep seems an obvious and simple behaviour, it is extremely complex involving numerous interactions both at the neuronal and the molecular levels. While we have gained detailed insight into the molecules and neuronal networks responsible for the circadian organization of sleep and wakefulness, the molecular underpinnings of the homeostatic aspect of sleep regulation are still unknown and the focus of a considerable research effort. In the last 20 years, the development of techniques allowing the simultaneous measurement of hundreds to thousands of molecular targets (i.e. 'omics' approaches) has enabled the unbiased study of the molecular pathways regulated by and regulating sleep. In this chapter, we will review how the different omics approaches, including transcriptomics, epigenomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, have advanced sleep research. We present relevant data in the framework of the two-process model in which circadian and homeostatic processes interact to regulate sleep. The integration of the different omics levels, known as 'systems genetics', will eventually lead to a better understanding of how information flows from the genome, to molecules, to networks, and finally to sleep both in health and disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emma K O'Callaghan
- Center for Advanced Research in Sleep Medicine and Research Center, Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Neuroscience, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Edward W Green
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Paul Franken
- Center for Integrative Genomics, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Valérie Mongrain
- Center for Advanced Research in Sleep Medicine and Research Center, Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada. .,Department of Neuroscience, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Gnaz couples the circadian and dopaminergic system to G protein-mediated signaling in mouse photoreceptors. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0187411. [PMID: 29088301 PMCID: PMC5663513 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0187411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2017] [Accepted: 10/19/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The mammalian retina harbors a circadian clockwork that regulates vision and promotes healthiness of retinal neurons, mainly through directing the rhythmic release of the neurohormones dopamine—acting on dopamine D4 receptors—and melatonin—acting on MT1 and MT2 receptors. The gene Gnaz—a unique Gi/o subfamily member—was seen in the present study to be expressed in photoreceptors where its protein product Gαz shows a daily rhythm in its subcellular localization. Apart from subcellular localization, Gnaz displays a daily rhythm in expression—with peak values at night—in preparations of the whole retina, microdissected photoreceptors and photoreceptor-related pinealocytes. In retina, Gnaz rhythmicity was observed to persist under constant darkness and to be abolished in retina deficient for Clock or dopamine D4 receptors. Furthermore, circadian regulation of Gnaz was disturbed in the db/db mouse, a model of diabetic retinopathy. The data of the present study suggest that Gnaz links the circadian clockwork—via dopamine acting on D4 receptors—to G protein-mediated signaling in intact but not diabetic retina.
Collapse
|
40
|
Agley CC, Lewis FC, Jaka O, Lazarus NR, Velloso C, Francis-West P, Ellison-Hughes GM, Harridge SDR. Active GSK3β and an intact β-catenin TCF complex are essential for the differentiation of human myogenic progenitor cells. Sci Rep 2017; 7:13189. [PMID: 29030569 PMCID: PMC5640663 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-10731-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2017] [Accepted: 08/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Wnt-β-catenin signalling is essential for skeletal muscle myogenesis during development, but its role in adult human skeletal muscle remains unknown. Here we have used human primary CD56Pos satellite cell-derived myogenic progenitors obtained from healthy individuals to study the role of Wnt-β-catenin signalling in myogenic differentiation. We show that dephosphorylated β-catenin (active-β-catenin), the central effector of the canonical Wnt cascade, is strongly upregulated at the onset of differentiation and undergoes nuclear translocation as differentiation progresses. To establish the role of Wnt signalling in regulating the differentiation process we manipulated key nodes of this pathway through a series of β-catenin gain-of-function (GSK3 inhibition and β-catenin overexpression) or loss-of-function experiments (dominant negative TCF4). Our data showed that manipulation of these critical pathway components led to varying degrees of disruption to the normal differentiation phenotype indicating the importance of Wnt signalling in regulating this process. We reveal an independent necessity for active-β-catenin in the fusion and differentiation of human myogenic progenitors and that dominant negative inhibition of TCF4 prevents differentiation completely. Together these data add new mechanistic insights into both Wnt signalling and adult human myogenic progenitor differentiation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C C Agley
- Centre of Human and Aerospace Physiological Sciences, King's College London, London, UK. .,Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
| | - F C Lewis
- Centre of Human and Aerospace Physiological Sciences, King's College London, London, UK.,Stem Cell Institute, King's College London, London, UK
| | - O Jaka
- Centre of Human and Aerospace Physiological Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - N R Lazarus
- Centre of Human and Aerospace Physiological Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - C Velloso
- Centre of Human and Aerospace Physiological Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - P Francis-West
- Department of Craniofacial development and stem cell biology, King's College London, London, UK
| | - G M Ellison-Hughes
- Centre of Human and Aerospace Physiological Sciences, King's College London, London, UK.,Stem Cell Institute, King's College London, London, UK
| | - S D R Harridge
- Centre of Human and Aerospace Physiological Sciences, King's College London, London, UK.,Stem Cell Institute, King's College London, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Jean F, Pilgrim D. Coordinating the uncoordinated: UNC119 trafficking in cilia. Eur J Cell Biol 2017; 96:643-652. [PMID: 28935136 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2017.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2017] [Revised: 08/25/2017] [Accepted: 09/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Constructing the distinct subcellular environment of the cilium relies in a large part upon intraflagellar transport (IFT) proteins, which traffic cargo both to and within the cilium. However, evidence from the last 10 years suggests that IFT alone is not sufficient to generate the ciliary environment. One essential factor is UNC119, which interacts with known IFT molecular switches to transport ciliary cargos. Despite its apparent importance in ciliary trafficking though, human UNC119 mutations have only rarely been associated with diseases commonly linked with ciliopathies. This review will outline the trafficking pathways required for constructing the cilium by highlighting UNC119's role and the complexities involved in ciliary trafficking. Finally, despite important roles for UNC119 in cilia, UNC119 proteins also interact with non-ciliary proteins to affect other cellular processes.
Collapse
|
42
|
Martinez-Royo A, Alabart JL, Sarto P, Serrano M, Lahoz B, Folch J, Calvo JH. Genome-wide association studies for reproductive seasonality traits in Rasa Aragonesa sheep breed. Theriogenology 2017; 99:21-29. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2017.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2017] [Revised: 04/27/2017] [Accepted: 05/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
|
43
|
Rohde K, Bering T, Furukawa T, Rath MF. A modulatory role of the Rax
homeobox gene in mature pineal gland function: Investigating the photoneuroendocrine circadian system of a Rax
conditional knockout mouse. J Neurochem 2017; 143:100-111. [DOI: 10.1111/jnc.14120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2017] [Revised: 06/09/2017] [Accepted: 06/25/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Kristian Rohde
- Department of Neuroscience; Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences; University of Copenhagen; Copenhagen Denmark
| | - Tenna Bering
- Department of Neuroscience; Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences; University of Copenhagen; Copenhagen Denmark
- Laboratory of Neuropsychiatry; Psychiatric Center Copenhagen; Mental Health Services of the Capital Region of Denmark; Copenhagen Denmark
| | - Takahisa Furukawa
- Laboratory for Molecular and Developmental Biology; Institute for Protein Research; Osaka University; Suita Osaka Japan
| | - Martin Fredensborg Rath
- Department of Neuroscience; Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences; University of Copenhagen; Copenhagen Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Yang Y, Sun B, Huang J, Xu L, Pan J, Fang C, Li M, Li G, Tao Y, Yang X, Wu Y, Miao P, Wang Y, Li H, Ren J, Zhan M, Fang Y, Feng X, Ding X. Up-regulation of miR-325-3p suppresses pineal aralkylamine N-acetyltransferase (Aanat) after neonatal hypoxia-ischemia brain injury in rats. Brain Res 2017; 1668:28-35. [PMID: 28502584 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2017.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2017] [Revised: 04/29/2017] [Accepted: 05/01/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Survivors of hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD), besides impairment of psychomotor development, often develop circadian rhythm disorders, although the underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. Here, we first verified that mRNA and protein expression of pineal aralkylamine N-acetyltransferase (Aanat), a key regulator for melatonin (MT) synthesis, along with MT, were severely impaired after HIBD. In addition, we demonstrated that neonatal HIBD disrupted the circadian rhythmicity of locomotor activities in juvenile rats. Based on bioinformatics analysis of a high throughput screening of miRNA expression changes after HIBD (Ding et al., 2015), we identified one microRNA, miR-325-3p, as a potential candidate responsible for the down regulation of Aanat after HIBD. Luciferase reporter assays demonstrated a specific interaction between miR-325-3p and Aanat mRNA 3'-UTR. miR-325-3p blocked norepinephrine (NE) induced Aanat activation in cultured pinealocytes. In addition, miR-325-3p inhibition partially rescued Aanat induction by NE, which was significantly reduced under oxygen glucose deprivation. By elucidating the role of pineal miR-325-3p on Aanat expression upon injury, our study provides new insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms of circadian dysfunction and potential therapeutic targets after HIBD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Yang
- Division of Neonatology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215003, PR China
| | - Bin Sun
- Division of Neonatology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215003, PR China
| | - Jian Huang
- Department of Genetics, Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou 215003, PR China
| | - Lixiao Xu
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215003, PR China
| | - Jian Pan
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215003, PR China
| | - Chen Fang
- Department of Endocrinology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 225003, PR China
| | - Mei Li
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215003, PR China
| | - Gen Li
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215003, PR China
| | - Yanfang Tao
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215003, PR China
| | - Xiaofeng Yang
- Division of Neonatology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215003, PR China
| | - Ying Wu
- Division of Child Health Care Development, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215003, PR China
| | - Po Miao
- Division of Neonatology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215003, PR China
| | - Ying Wang
- Division of Neonatology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215003, PR China
| | - Hong Li
- Division of Neonatology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215003, PR China
| | - Jing Ren
- Division of Neonatology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215003, PR China
| | - Meiqin Zhan
- Division of Neonatology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215003, PR China
| | - Yiping Fang
- Division of Neonatology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215003, PR China
| | - Xing Feng
- Division of Neonatology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215003, PR China.
| | - Xin Ding
- Division of Neonatology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215003, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Vriend J, Liu W, Reiter RJ. The pineal gland: A model for adrenergic modulation of ubiquitin ligases. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0172441. [PMID: 28212404 PMCID: PMC5315301 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0172441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2016] [Accepted: 02/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION A recent study of the pineal gland of the rat found that the expression of more than 3000 genes showed significant day/night variations (The Hartley dataset). The investigators of this report made available a supplemental table in which they tabulated the expression of many genes that they did not discuss, including those coding for components of the ubiquitin proteasome system. Herein we identify the genes of the ubiquitin proteasome system whose expression were significantly influenced by environmental lighting in the Hartley dataset, those that were stimulated by DBcAMP in pineal glands in culture, and those that were stimulated by norepinephrine. PURPOSE Using the Ubiquitin and Ubiquitin-like Conjugation Database (UUCA) we identified ubiquitin ligases and conjugases, and deubiquitinases in the Hartley dataset for the purpose of determining whether expression of genes of the ubiquitin proteasome pathway were significantly influenced by day/night variations and if these variations were regulated by autonomic innervation of the pineal gland from the superior cervical ganglia. METHODS In the Hartley experiments pineal glands groups of rats sacrificed during the day and groups sacrificed during the night were examined for gene expression. Additional groups of rats had their superior cervical ganglia removed surgically or surgically decentralized and the pineal glands likewise examined for gene expression. RESULTS The genes with at least a 2-fold day/night significant difference in expression included genes for 5 ubiquitin conjugating enzymes, genes for 58 ubiquitin E3 ligases and genes for 6 deubiquitinases. A 35-fold day/night difference was noted in the expression of the gene Sik1, which codes for a protein containing both an ubiquitin binding domain (UBD) and an ubiquitin-associated (UBA) domain. Most of the significant differences in these genes were prevented by surgical removal, or disconnection, of the superior cervical ganglia, and most were responsive, in vitro, to treatment with a cyclic AMP analog, and norepinephrine. All previously described 24-hour rhythms in the pineal require an intact sympathetic input from the superior cervical ganglia. CONCLUSIONS The Hartley dataset thus provides evidence that the pineal gland is a highly useful model for studying adrenergically dependent mechanisms regulating variations in ubiquitin ligases, ubiquitin conjugases, and deubiquitinases, mechanisms that may be physiologically relevant not only in the pineal gland, but in all adrenergically innervated tissue.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jerry Vriend
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Wenjun Liu
- Department of Pathology, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Russel J. Reiter
- Department of Cellular and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Texas, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Pritchett EM, Lamont SJ, Schmidt CJ. Transcriptomic changes throughout post-hatch development in Gallus gallus pituitary. J Mol Endocrinol 2017; 58:43-55. [PMID: 27856505 PMCID: PMC5148799 DOI: 10.1530/jme-16-0186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2016] [Accepted: 11/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
The pituitary gland is a neuroendocrine organ that works closely with the hypothalamus to affect multiple processes within the body including the stress response, metabolism, growth and immune function. Relative tissue expression (rEx) is a transcriptome analysis method that compares the genes expressed in a particular tissue to the genes expressed in all other tissues with available data. Using rEx, the aim of this study was to identify genes that are uniquely or more abundantly expressed in the pituitary when compared to all other collected chicken tissues. We applied rEx to define genes enriched in the chicken pituitaries at days 21, 22 and 42 post-hatch. rEx analysis identified 25 genes shared between all time points, 295 genes shared between days 21 and 22 and 407 genes unique to day 42. The 25 genes shared by all time points are involved in morphogenesis and general nervous tissue development. The 295 shared genes between days 21 and 22 are involved in neurogenesis and nervous system development and differentiation. The 407 unique day 42 genes are involved in pituitary development, endocrine system development and other hormonally related gene ontology terms. Overall, rEx analysis indicates a focus on nervous system/tissue development at days 21 and 22. By day 42, in addition to nervous tissue development, there is expression of genes involved in the endocrine system, possibly for maturation and preparation for reproduction. This study defines the transcriptome of the chicken pituitary gland and aids in understanding the expressed genes critical to its function and maturation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Carl J Schmidt
- Animal and Food ScienceUniversity of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Ibañez Rodriguez MP, Noctor SC, Muñoz EM. Cellular Basis of Pineal Gland Development: Emerging Role of Microglia as Phenotype Regulator. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0167063. [PMID: 27861587 PMCID: PMC5115862 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0167063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2016] [Accepted: 11/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The adult pineal gland is composed of pinealocytes, astrocytes, microglia, and other interstitial cells that have been described in detail. However, factors that contribute to pineal development have not been fully elucidated, nor have pineal cell lineages been well characterized. We applied systematic double, triple and quadruple labeling of cell-specific markers on prenatal, postnatal and mature rat pineal gland tissue combined with confocal microscopy to provide a comprehensive view of the cellular dynamics and cell lineages that contribute to pineal gland development. The pineal gland begins as an evagination of neuroepithelium in the roof of the third ventricle. The pineal primordium initially consists of radially aligned Pax6+ precursor cells that express vimentin and divide at the ventricular lumen. After the tubular neuroepithelium fuses, the distribution of Pax6+ cells transitions to include rosette-like structures and later, dispersed cells. In the developing gland all dividing cells express Pax6, indicating that Pax6+ precursor cells generate pinealocytes and some interstitial cells. The density of Pax6+ cells decreases across pineal development as a result of cellular differentiation and microglial phagocytosis, but Pax6+ cells remain in the adult gland as a distinct population. Microglial colonization begins after pineal recess formation. Microglial phagocytosis of Pax6+ cells is not common at early stages but increases as microglia colonize the gland. In the postnatal gland microglia affiliate with Tuj1+ nerve fibers, IB4+ blood vessels, and Pax6+ cells. We demonstrate that microglia engulf Pax6+ cells, nerve fibers, and blood vessel-related elements, but not pinealocytes. We conclude that microglia play a role in pineal gland formation and homeostasis by regulating the precursor cell population, remodeling blood vessels and pruning sympathetic nerve fibers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- María P. Ibañez Rodriguez
- Institute of Histology and Embryology of Mendoza (IHEM), National University of Cuyo, National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Stephen C. Noctor
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States of America
- * E-mail: (EMM); (SCN)
| | - Estela M. Muñoz
- Institute of Histology and Embryology of Mendoza (IHEM), National University of Cuyo, National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Mendoza, Argentina
- * E-mail: (EMM); (SCN)
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Hartley SW, Mullikin JC, Klein DC, Park M, Coon SL. Alternative Isoform Analysis of Ttc8 Expression in the Rat Pineal Gland Using a Multi-Platform Sequencing Approach Reveals Neural Regulation. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0163590. [PMID: 27684375 PMCID: PMC5042479 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0163590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2016] [Accepted: 09/12/2016] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Alternative isoform regulation (AIR) vastly increases transcriptome diversity and plays an important role in numerous biological processes and pathologies. However, the detection and analysis of isoform-level differential regulation is difficult, particularly in the face of complex and incompletely-annotated transcriptomes. Here we have used Illumina short-read/high-throughput RNA-Seq to identify 55 genes that exhibit neurally-regulated AIR in the pineal gland, and then used two other complementary experimental platforms to further study and characterize the Ttc8 gene, which is involved in Bardet-Biedl syndrome and non-syndromic retinitis pigmentosa. Use of the JunctionSeq analysis tool led to the detection of several novel exons and splice junctions in this gene, including two novel alternative transcription start sites which were found to display disproportionately strong neurally-regulated differential expression in several independent experiments. These high-throughput sequencing results were validated and augmented via targeted qPCR and long-read Pacific Biosciences SMRT sequencing. We confirmed the existence of numerous novel splice junctions and the selective upregulation of the two novel start sites. In addition, we identified more than 20 novel isoforms of the Ttc8 gene that are co-expressed in this tissue. By using information from multiple independent platforms we not only greatly reduce the risk of errors, biases, and artifacts influencing our results, we also are able to characterize the regulation and splicing of the Ttc8 gene more deeply and more precisely than would be possible via any single platform. The hybrid method outlined here represents a powerful strategy in the study of the transcriptome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephen W. Hartley
- Comparative Genomics Analysis Unit, Cancer Genetics and Comparative Genomics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - James C. Mullikin
- Comparative Genomics Analysis Unit, Cancer Genetics and Comparative Genomics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States of America
| | - David C. Klein
- Section on Neuroendocrinology, Program in Developmental Endocrinology and Genetics, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States of America
| | - Morgan Park
- National Institutes of Health Intramural Sequencing Center, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, 20852, United States of America
| | - NISC Comparative Sequencing Program
- National Institutes of Health Intramural Sequencing Center, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, 20852, United States of America
| | - Steven L. Coon
- Section on Neuroendocrinology, Program in Developmental Endocrinology and Genetics, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Sergina S, Ilyukha V, Uzenbaeva L, Khizhkin E, Antonova E. Morphologic changes in the pineal gland of rats exposed to continuous darkness. BIOL RHYTHM RES 2016. [DOI: 10.1080/09291016.2016.1183842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
|
50
|
Heegaard NHH, Carlsen AL, Lilje B, Ng KL, Rønne ME, Jørgensen HL, Sennels H, Fahrenkrug J. Diurnal Variations of Human Circulating Cell-Free Micro-RNA. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0160577. [PMID: 27494182 PMCID: PMC4975411 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0160577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2016] [Accepted: 07/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
A 24-hour light and dark cycle-dependent rhythmicity pervades physiological processes in virtually all living organisms including humans. These regular oscillations are caused by external cues to endogenous, independent biological time-keeping systems (clocks). The rhythm is reflected by gene expression that varies in a circadian and specific fashion in different organs and tissues and is regulated largely by dynamic epigenetic and post-transcriptional mechanisms. This leads to well-documented oscillations of specific electrolytes, hormones, metabolites, and plasma proteins in blood samples. An emerging, important class of gene regulators is short single-stranded RNA (micro-RNA, miRNA) that interferes post-transcriptionally with gene expression and thus may play a role in the circadian variation of gene expression. MiRNAs are promising biomarkers by virtue of their disease-specific tissue expression and because of their presence as stable entities in the circulation. However, no studies have addressed the putative circadian rhythmicity of circulating, cell-free miRNAs. This question is important both for using miRNAs as biological markers and for clues to miRNA function in the regulation of circadian gene expression. Here, we investigate 92 miRNAs in plasma samples from 24 young male, healthy volunteers repeatedly sampled 9 times during a 24-hour stay in a regulated environment. We demonstrate that a third (26/79) of the measurable plasma miRNAs (using RT-qPCR on a microfluidic system) exhibit a rhythmic behavior and are distributed in two main phase patterns. Some of these miRNAs weakly target known clock genes and many have strong targets in intracellular MAPK signaling pathways. These novel findings highlight the importance of considering bio-oscillations in miRNA biomarker studies and suggest the further study of a set of specific circulating miRNAs in the regulation and functioning of biological clocks.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Niels H. H. Heegaard
- Department of Autoimmunology and Biomarkers, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- * E-mail:
| | - Anting Liu Carlsen
- Department of Autoimmunology and Biomarkers, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Congenital Disorders, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Berit Lilje
- Department of Microbiology and Infection Control, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kim Lee Ng
- Department of Microbiology and Infection Control, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mette E. Rønne
- Department of Autoimmunology and Biomarkers, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Henrik L. Jørgensen
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Health Science, Bispebjerg Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Henriette Sennels
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Health Science, Rigshospitalet - Glostrup, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jan Fahrenkrug
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Health Science, Bispebjerg Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|