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Oner M, Cheng PT, Wang HY, Chen MC, Lin H. Metformin alters dendrite development and synaptic plasticity in rat cortical neurons. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2024; 710:149874. [PMID: 38581950 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2024.149874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
Synaptic plasticity is crucial as it dynamically molds the strength and connectivity of neural circuits, influencing learning, memory, and the development of neurological disorders. Metformin, a widely prescribed anti-diabetic medication, has been shown to readily cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and the placenta. However, its prolonged impact on neuronal morphology and functions remains underexplored. In this study, we investigated the influence of metformin on dendrite development and synaptic plasticity in embryonic brains and primary rat cortical neurons. Our findings reveal a negative modulation of dendrite development by metformin, as evidenced by altered dendritic arborization, impaired dendritic spine morphology and disruptions in synaptic plasticity, suggesting a potential link between metformin exposure and aberrations in neuronal connectivity. In addition, we extend our insights to the impact of maternal metformin exposure on embryonic brains, revealing a significant inhibition of dendrite development in E18.5 rat brains. In conclusion, this study adds to the expanding knowledge base on the non-metabolic effects of metformin, emphasizing the significance of assessing its potential influence on both neuronal structure and function. There is an urgent need for further investigations into the enduring impact of prolonged metformin administration on the structural and functional aspects of neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammet Oner
- Department of Life Sciences, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, 40227, Taiwan
| | - Pang-Ting Cheng
- Department of Life Sciences, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, 40227, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Yi Wang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Taichung Veterans General Hospital Taichung, 40705, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Chih Chen
- Translational Cell Therapy Center, Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, 40447, Taiwan
| | - Ho Lin
- Department of Life Sciences, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, 40227, Taiwan.
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Lučanský V, Holubeková V, Kolková Z, Halašová E, Samec M, Golubnitschaja O. Multi-faceted CRISPR/Cas technological innovation aspects in the framework of 3P medicine. EPMA J 2023; 14:201-217. [PMID: 37275547 PMCID: PMC10201107 DOI: 10.1007/s13167-023-00324-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Since 2009, the European Association for Predictive, Preventive and Personalised Medicine (EPMA, Brussels) promotes the paradigm change from reactive approach to predictive, preventive, and personalized medicine (PPPM/3PM) to protect individuals in sub-optimal health conditions from the health-to-disease transition, to increase life-quality of the affected patient cohorts improving, therefore, ethical standards and cost-efficacy of healthcare to great benefits of the society at large. The gene-editing technology utilizing CRISPR/Cas gene-editing approach has demonstrated its enormous value as a powerful tool in a broad spectrum of bio/medical research areas. Further, CRISPR/Cas gene-editing system is considered applicable to primary and secondary healthcare, in order to prevent disease spread and to treat clinically manifested disorders, involving diagnostics of SARS-Cov-2 infection and experimental treatment of COVID-19. Although the principle of the proposed gene editing is simple and elegant, there are a lot of technological challenges and ethical considerations to be solved prior to its broadly scaled clinical implementation. This article highlights technological innovation beyond the state of the art, exemplifies current achievements, discusses unsolved technological and ethical problems, and provides clinically relevant outlook in the framework of 3PM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Lučanský
- Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin (JFMED CU), Biomedical Center, Comenius University in Bratislava, Martin, Slovakia
| | - Veronika Holubeková
- Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin (JFMED CU), Biomedical Center, Comenius University in Bratislava, Martin, Slovakia
| | - Zuzana Kolková
- Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin (JFMED CU), Biomedical Center, Comenius University in Bratislava, Martin, Slovakia
| | - Erika Halašová
- Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin (JFMED CU), Biomedical Center, Comenius University in Bratislava, Martin, Slovakia
| | - Marek Samec
- Department of Pathophysiology, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Martin, Slovakia
| | - Olga Golubnitschaja
- Predictive, Preventive, Personalised (3P) Medicine, Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
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Droogers WJ, Willems J, MacGillavry HD, de Jong APH. Duplex Labeling and Manipulation of Neuronal Proteins Using Sequential CRISPR/Cas9 Gene Editing. eNeuro 2022; 9:ENEURO.0056-22.2022. [PMID: 35851300 PMCID: PMC9333357 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0056-22.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knock-in methods enable the labeling of individual endogenous proteins to faithfully determine their spatiotemporal distribution in cells. However, reliable multiplexing of knock-in events in neurons remains challenging because of cross talk between editing events. To overcome this, we developed conditional activation of knock-in expression (CAKE), allowing efficient, flexible, and accurate multiplex genome editing in rat neurons. To diminish cross talk, CAKE is based on sequential, recombinase-driven guide RNA (gRNA) expression to control the timing of genomic integration of each donor sequence. We show that CAKE is broadly applicable to co-label various endogenous proteins, including cytoskeletal proteins, synaptic scaffolds, ion channels and neurotransmitter receptor subunits. To take full advantage of CAKE, we resolved the nanoscale co-distribution of endogenous synaptic proteins using super-resolution microscopy, demonstrating that their co-organization depends on synapse size. Finally, we introduced inducible dimerization modules, providing acute control over synaptic receptor dynamics in living neurons. These experiments highlight the potential of CAKE to reveal new biological insight. Altogether, CAKE is a versatile method for multiplex protein labeling that enables the detection, localization, and manipulation of endogenous proteins in neurons.Significance StatementAccurate localization and manipulation of endogenous proteins is essential to unravel neuronal function. While labeling of individual proteins is achievable with existing gene editing techniques, methods to label multiple proteins in neurons are limiting. We introduce a new CRISPR/Cas9 strategy, CAKE, achieving faithful duplex protein labeling using sequential editing of genes. We use CAKE to visualize the co-localization of essential neuronal proteins, including cytoskeleton components, ion channels and synaptic scaffolds. Using super-resolution microscopy, we demonstrate that the co-organization of synaptic scaffolds and neurotransmitter receptors scales with synapse size. Finally, we acutely modulate the dynamics of synaptic receptors using labeling with inducible dimerization domains. Thus, CAKE mediates accurate duplex endogenous protein labeling and manipulation to address biological questions in neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wouter J Droogers
- Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Biophysics, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jelmer Willems
- Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Biophysics, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Harold D MacGillavry
- Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Biophysics, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Arthur P H de Jong
- Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Biophysics, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Willems J, de Jong APH, Scheefhals N, Mertens E, Catsburg LAE, Poorthuis RB, de Winter F, Verhaagen J, Meye FJ, MacGillavry HD. ORANGE: A CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing toolbox for epitope tagging of endogenous proteins in neurons. PLoS Biol 2020; 18:e3000665. [PMID: 32275651 PMCID: PMC7176289 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3000665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Revised: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The correct subcellular distribution of proteins establishes the complex morphology and function of neurons. Fluorescence microscopy techniques are invaluable to investigate subcellular protein distribution, but they suffer from the limited ability to efficiently and reliably label endogenous proteins with fluorescent probes. We developed ORANGE: Open Resource for the Application of Neuronal Genome Editing, which mediates targeted genomic integration of epitope tags in rodent dissociated neuronal culture, in organotypic slices, and in vivo. ORANGE includes a knock-in library for in-depth investigation of endogenous protein distribution, viral vectors, and a detailed two-step cloning protocol to develop knock-ins for novel targets. Using ORANGE with (live-cell) superresolution microscopy, we revealed the dynamic nanoscale organization of endogenous neurotransmitter receptors and synaptic scaffolding proteins, as well as previously uncharacterized proteins. Finally, we developed a mechanism to create multiple knock-ins in neurons, mediating multiplex imaging of endogenous proteins. Thus, ORANGE enables quantification of expression, distribution, and dynamics for virtually any protein in neurons at nanoscale resolution. This study describes the development of a genome editing toolbox (ORANGE) for endogenous tagging of proteins in neurons. This open resource allows the investigation of protein localization and dynamics in neurons using live-cell and super-resolution imaging techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jelmer Willems
- Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Biophysics, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Arthur P. H. de Jong
- Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Biophysics, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Nicky Scheefhals
- Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Biophysics, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Eline Mertens
- Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Biophysics, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Lisa A. E. Catsburg
- Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Biophysics, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Rogier B. Poorthuis
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Fred de Winter
- Laboratory for Neuroregeneration, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Joost Verhaagen
- Laboratory for Neuroregeneration, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Frank J. Meye
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Harold D. MacGillavry
- Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Biophysics, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
- * E-mail:
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