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Brown M, Sciascia E, Ning K, Adam W, Veraksa A. Regulation of brain development by the Minibrain/Rala signaling network. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.10.593605. [PMID: 38766038 PMCID: PMC11100804 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.10.593605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
The human dual specificity tyrosine phosphorylation regulated kinase 1A (DYRK1A) is implicated in the pathology of Down syndrome, microcephaly, and cancer, however the exact mechanism through which it functions is unknown. Here, we have studied the role of the Drosophila ortholog of DYRK1A, Minibrain (Mnb), in brain development. The neuroblasts (neural stem cells) that eventually give rise to differentiated neurons in the adult brain are formed from a specialized tissue in the larval optic lobe called the neuroepithelium, in a tightly regulated process. Molecular marker analysis of mnb mutants revealed alterations in the neuroepithelium and neuroblast regions of developing larval brains. Using affinity purification-mass spectrometry (AP-MS), we identified the novel Mnb binding partners Ral interacting protein (Rlip) and RALBP1 associated Eps domain containing (Reps). Rlip and Reps physically and genetically interact with Mnb, and the three proteins may form a ternary complex. Mnb phosphorylates Reps, and human DYRK1A binds to the Reps orthologs REPS1 and REPS2. Furthermore, Mnb engages the small GTPase Ras-like protein A (Rala) to regulate brain and wing development. This work uncovers a previously unrecognized early role of Mnb in the neuroepithelium and defines the functions of the Mnb/Reps/Rlip/Rala signaling network in brain development. Significance statement The kinase Minibrain(Mnb)/DYRK1A regulates the development of the brain and other tissues across many organisms. Here we show the critical importance of Mnb within the developing neuroepithelium. Advancing our understanding of Mnb function, we identified novel protein interactors of Mnb, Reps and Rlip, which function together with Mnb to regulate growth in Drosophila melanogaster . We also identify and characterize a role for the small GTPase Rala in Mnb-regulated growth and nervous system development. This work reveals an early role of Mnb in brain development and identifies a new Mnb/Reps/Rlip/Rala signaling axis.
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Martin M, Gutierrez-Avino F, Shaikh MN, Tejedor FJ. A novel proneural function of Asense is integrated with the sequential actions of Delta-Notch, L'sc and Su(H) to promote the neuroepithelial to neuroblast transition. PLoS Genet 2023; 19:e1010991. [PMID: 37871020 PMCID: PMC10621995 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023] Open
Abstract
In order for neural progenitors (NPs) to generate distinct populations of neurons at the right time and place during CNS development, they must switch from undergoing purely proliferative, self-renewing divisions to neurogenic, asymmetric divisions in a tightly regulated manner. In the developing Drosophila optic lobe, neuroepithelial (NE) cells of the outer proliferation center (OPC) are progressively transformed into neurogenic NPs called neuroblasts (NBs) in a medial to lateral proneural wave. The cells undergoing this transition express Lethal of Scute (L'sc), a proneural transcription factor (TF) of the Acheate Scute Complex (AS-C). Here we show that there is also a peak of expression of Asense (Ase), another AS-C TF, in the cells neighboring those with transient L'sc expression. These peak of Ase cells help to identify a new transitional stage as they have lost NE markers and L'sc, they receive a strong Notch signal and barely exhibit NB markers. This expression of Ase is necessary and sufficient to promote the NE to NB transition in a more robust and rapid manner than that of l'sc gain of function or Notch loss of function. Thus, to our knowledge, these data provide the first direct evidence of a proneural role for Ase in CNS neurogenesis. Strikingly, we found that strong Delta-Notch signaling at the lateral border of the NE triggers l'sc expression, which in turn induces ase expression in the adjacent cells through the activation of Delta-Notch signaling. These results reveal two novel non-conventional actions of Notch signaling in driving the expression of proneural factors, in contrast to the repression that Notch signaling exerts on them during classical lateral inhibition. Finally, Suppressor of Hairless (Su(H)), which seems to be upregulated late in the transitioning cells and in NBs, represses l'sc and ase, ensuring their expression is transient. Thus, our data identify a key proneural role of Ase that is integrated with the sequential activities of Delta-Notch signaling, L'sc, and Su(H), driving the progressive transformation of NE cells into NBs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mercedes Martin
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas and Universidad Miguel Hernandez, Sant Joan d’Alacant, Spain
| | - Francisco Gutierrez-Avino
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas and Universidad Miguel Hernandez, Sant Joan d’Alacant, Spain
| | - Mirja N. Shaikh
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas and Universidad Miguel Hernandez, Sant Joan d’Alacant, Spain
| | - Francisco J. Tejedor
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas and Universidad Miguel Hernandez, Sant Joan d’Alacant, Spain
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de Souza MM, Cenci AR, Teixeira KF, Machado V, Mendes Schuler MCG, Gonçalves AE, Paula Dalmagro A, André Cazarin C, Gomes Ferreira LL, de Oliveira AS, Andricopulo AD. DYRK1A Inhibitors and Perspectives for the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease. Curr Med Chem 2023; 30:669-688. [PMID: 35726411 DOI: 10.2174/0929867329666220620162018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disease and the most common form of dementia, especially in the elderly. Due to the increase in life expectancy, in recent years, there has been an excessive growth in the number of people affected by this disease, causing serious problems for health systems. In recent years, research has been intensified to find new therapeutic approaches that prevent the progression of the disease. In this sense, recent studies indicate that the dual-specificity tyrosine phosphorylation regulated kinase 1A (DYRK1A) gene, which is located on chromosome 21q22.2 and overexpressed in Down syndrome (DS), may play a significant role in developmental brain disorders and early onset neurodegeneration, neuronal loss and dementia in DS and AD. Inhibiting DYRK1A may serve to stop the phenotypic effects of its overexpression and, therefore, is a potential treatment strategy for the prevention of ageassociated neurodegeneration, including Alzheimer-type pathology. OBJECTIVE In this review, we investigate the contribution of DYRK1A inhibitors as potential anti-AD agents. METHODS A search in the literature to compile an in vitro dataset including IC50 values involving DYRK1A was performed from 2014 to the present day. In addition, we carried out structure-activity relationship studies based on in vitro and in silico data. RESULTS molecular modeling and enzyme kinetics studies indicate that DYRK1A may contribute to AD pathology through its proteolytic process, reducing its kinase specificity. CONCLUSION further evaluation of DYRK1A inhibitors may contribute to new therapeutic approaches for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Márcia Maria de Souza
- School of Health Sciences, Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, UNIVALI, Rua Uruguai, 458 F6 lab 206 Campus I, Centro, Itajai, SC, 88302-202, Brazil
| | - Arthur Ribeiro Cenci
- Department of Exact Sciences and Education, Federal University of Santa Catarina, R. João Pessoa, 2750 - Velha, 89036-002, Blumenau, SC, Brazil
| | - Kerolain Faoro Teixeira
- Department of Exact Sciences and Education, Federal University of Santa Catarina, R. João Pessoa, 2750 - Velha, 89036-002, Blumenau, SC, Brazil
| | - Valkiria Machado
- Department of Exact Sciences and Education, Federal University of Santa Catarina, R. João Pessoa, 2750 - Velha, 89036-002, Blumenau, SC, Brazil
| | | | - Ana Elisa Gonçalves
- School of Health Sciences, Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, UNIVALI, Rua Uruguai, 458 F6 lab 206 Campus I, Centro, Itajai, SC, 88302-202, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Dalmagro
- School of Health Sciences, Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, UNIVALI, Rua Uruguai, 458 F6 lab 206 Campus I, Centro, Itajai, SC, 88302-202, Brazil
| | - Camila André Cazarin
- School of Health Sciences, Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, UNIVALI, Rua Uruguai, 458 F6 lab 206 Campus I, Centro, Itajai, SC, 88302-202, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Luiz Gomes Ferreira
- Laboratory of Medicinal and Computational Chemistry, Center for Research and Innovation in Biodiversity and Drug Discovery, Institute of Physics of São Carlos, University of São Paulo, São Carlos-SP, Brazil
| | - Aldo Sena de Oliveira
- Laboratory of Medicinal and Computational Chemistry, Center for Research and Innovation in Biodiversity and Drug Discovery, Institute of Physics of São Carlos, University of São Paulo, São Carlos-SP, Brazil
| | - Adriano Defini Andricopulo
- Laboratory of Medicinal and Computational Chemistry, Center for Research and Innovation in Biodiversity and Drug Discovery, Institute of Physics of São Carlos, University of São Paulo, São Carlos-SP, Brazil
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Stracker TH, Morrison CG, Gergely F. Molecular causes of primary microcephaly and related diseases: a report from the UNIA Workshop. Chromosoma 2020; 129:115-120. [PMID: 32424716 DOI: 10.1007/s00412-020-00737-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2020] [Revised: 05/09/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The International University of Andalucía (UNIA) Current Trends in Biomedicine Workshop on Molecular Causes of Primary Microcephaly and Related Diseases took place in Baeza, Spain, November 18-20, 2019. This meeting brought together scientists from Europe, the USA and China to discuss recent advances in our molecular and genetic understanding of a group of rare neurodevelopmental diseases characterised by primary microcephaly, a condition in which head circumference is smaller than normal at birth. Microcephaly can be caused by inherited mutations that affect key cellular processes, or environmental exposure to radiation or other toxins. It can also result from viral infection, as exemplified by the recent Zika virus outbreak in South America. Here we summarise a number of the scientific advances presented and topics discussed at the meeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Travis H Stracker
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona) and Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, 08028, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Ciaran G Morrison
- Centre for Chromosome Biology, School of Natural Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, Biosciences Building, Dangan, Galway, H91 TK33, Ireland
| | - Fanni Gergely
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Li Ka Shing Centre, Robinson Way, Cambridge, CB2 0RE, UK
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