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Currey L, Mitchell B, Al-Khalily M, McElnea SJ, Kozulin P, Harkins D, Pelenyi A, Fenlon L, Suarez R, Kurniawan ND, Burne TH, Harris L, Thor S, Piper M. Polycomb repressive complex 2 is critical for mouse cortical glutamatergic neuron development. Cereb Cortex 2024; 34:bhae268. [PMID: 38960704 PMCID: PMC11221884 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhae268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 06/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024] Open
Abstract
The Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2) regulates corticogenesis, yet the consequences of mutations to this epigenetic modifier in the mature brain are poorly defined. Importantly, PRC2 core genes are haploinsufficient and causative of several human neurodevelopmental disorders. To address the role of PRC2 in mature cortical structure and function, we conditionally deleted the PRC2 gene Eed from the developing mouse dorsal telencephalon. Adult homozygotes displayed smaller forebrain structures. Single-nucleus transcriptomics revealed that glutamatergic neurons were particularly affected, exhibiting dysregulated gene expression profiles, accompanied by aberrations in neuronal morphology and connectivity. Remarkably, homozygous mice performed well on challenging cognitive tasks. In contrast, while heterozygous mice did not exhibit clear anatomical or behavioral differences, they displayed dysregulation of neuronal genes and altered neuronal morphology that was strikingly different from homozygous phenotypes. Collectively, these data reveal how alterations to PRC2 function shape the mature brain and reveal a dose-specific role for PRC2 in determining glutamatergic neuron identity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Currey
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Benjamin Mitchell
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Majd Al-Khalily
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Sarah-Jayne McElnea
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Peter Kozulin
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Danyon Harkins
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Alexandra Pelenyi
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Laura Fenlon
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Rodrigo Suarez
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Nyoman D Kurniawan
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Thomas H Burne
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
- Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, The Park Centre for Mental Health, Wacol, QLD 4076, Australia
| | - Lachlan Harris
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
- Cancer Neuroscience Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD 4006, Australia
| | - Stefan Thor
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Michael Piper
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
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Mitchell B, Mu E, Currey L, Whitehead D, Walters S, Thor S, Kasherman M, Piper M. A protocol for high-resolution episcopic microscopy and 3D volumetric analyses of the adult mouse brain. Neurosci Lett 2024; 824:137675. [PMID: 38355003 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2024.137675] [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: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
The rapid evolution of different imaging modalities in the last two decades has enabled the investigation of the role of different genes in development and disease to be studied in a range of model organisms. However, selection of the appropriate imaging technique depends on a number of constraints, including cost, time, image resolution, size of the sample, computational complexity and processing power. Here, we use the adult mouse central nervous system to investigate whether High-Resolution Episcopic Microscopy (HREM) can provide an effective means to study the volume of individual subregions within the brain. We find that HREM can provide precise volume quantification of different structures within the mouse brain, albeit with limitations regarding the time involved for analysis and the necessity of some estimations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Mitchell
- The School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Erica Mu
- The School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Laura Currey
- The School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Darryl Whitehead
- The School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Shaun Walters
- The School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Stefan Thor
- The School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Maria Kasherman
- The School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia; Katharina Gaus Light Microscopy Facility, Division of Research, Lowy Cancer Research Center C25, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Michael Piper
- The School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia; Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia.
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Cao R, Zhu R, Sha Z, Qi S, Zhong Z, Zheng F, Lei Y, Tan Y, Zhu Y, Wang Y, Wang Y, Yu FX. WWC1/2 regulate spinogenesis and cognition in mice by stabilizing AMOT. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:491. [PMID: 37528078 PMCID: PMC10394084 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-06020-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2022] [Revised: 07/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023]
Abstract
WWC1 regulates episodic learning and memory, and genetic nucleotide polymorphism of WWC1 is associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. However, the molecular mechanism through which WWC1 regulates neuronal function has not been fully elucidated. Here, we show that WWC1 and its paralogs (WWC2/3) bind directly to angiomotin (AMOT) family proteins (Motins), and recruit USP9X to deubiquitinate and stabilize Motins. Deletion of WWC genes in different cell types leads to reduced protein levels of Motins. In mice, neuron-specific deletion of Wwc1 and Wwc2 results in reduced expression of Motins and lower density of dendritic spines in the cortex and hippocampus, in association with impaired cognitive functions such as memory and learning. Interestingly, ectopic expression of AMOT partially rescues the neuronal phenotypes associated with Wwc1/2 deletion. Thus, WWC proteins modulate spinogenesis and cognition, at least in part, by regulating the protein stability of Motins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Runyi Cao
- Institute of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, and the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, The International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, the State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Rui Zhu
- Institute of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, and the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, The International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, the State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Zhao Sha
- Institute of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, and the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, The International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, the State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Sixian Qi
- Institute of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, and the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, The International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, the State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Zhenxing Zhong
- Institute of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, and the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, The International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, the State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Fengyun Zheng
- Institute of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, and the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, The International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, the State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yubin Lei
- Institute of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, and the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, The International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, the State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yanfeng Tan
- Institute of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, and the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, The International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, the State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yuwen Zhu
- Institute of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, and the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, The International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, the State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Institute of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, and the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, The International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, the State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Yi Wang
- Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, National Children's Medical Center, No. 399 Wanyuan Road, Shanghai, 201102, China.
| | - Fa-Xing Yu
- Institute of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, and the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, The International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, the State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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Yang D, Zhao Y, Nie B, An L, Wan X, Wang Y, Wang W, Cai G, Wu S. Progress in magnetic resonance imaging of autism model mice brain. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. COGNITIVE SCIENCE 2022; 13:e1616. [PMID: 35930672 DOI: 10.1002/wcs.1616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 06/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disease characterized by social disorder and stereotypical behaviors with an increasing incidence. ASD patients are suffering from varying degrees of mental retardation and language development abnormalities. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a noninvasive imaging technology to detect brain structural and functional dysfunction in vivo, playing an important role in the early diagnosisbasic research of ASD. High-field, small-animal MRI in basic research of autism model mice has provided a new approach to research the pathogenesis, characteristics, and intervention efficacy in autism. This article reviews MRI studies of mouse models of autism over the past 20 years. Reduced gray matter, abnormal connections of brain networks, and abnormal development of white matter fibers have been demonstrated in these studies, which are present in different proportions in the various mouse models. This provides a more macroscopic view for subsequent research on autism model mice. This article is categorized under: Cognitive Biology > Genes and Environment Neuroscience > Computation Neuroscience > Genes, Molecules, and Cells Neuroscience > Development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dingding Yang
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yan Zhao
- Department of Gastroenterology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Binbin Nie
- Beijing Engineering Research Center of Radiographic Techniques and Equipment, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Leiting An
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xiangdong Wan
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yazhou Wang
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Wenting Wang
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Guohong Cai
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Shengxi Wu
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
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Jolly LA, Kumar R, Penzes P, Piper M, Gecz J. The DUB Club: Deubiquitinating Enzymes and Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Biol Psychiatry 2022; 92:614-625. [PMID: 35662507 PMCID: PMC10084722 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2022.03.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Protein ubiquitination is a widespread, multifunctional, posttranslational protein modification, best known for its ability to direct protein degradation via the ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS). Ubiquitination is also reversible, and the human genome encodes over 90 deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs), many of which appear to target specific subsets of ubiquitinated proteins. This review focuses on the roles of DUBs in neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). We present the current genetic evidence connecting 12 DUBs to a range of NDDs and the functional studies implicating at least 19 additional DUBs as candidate NDD genes. We highlight how the study of DUBs in NDDs offers critical insights into the role of protein degradation during brain development. Because one of the major known functions of a DUB is to antagonize the UPS, loss of function of DUB genes has been shown to culminate in loss of abundance of its protein substrates. The identification and study of NDD DUB substrates in the developing brain is revealing that they regulate networks of proteins that themselves are encoded by NDD genes. We describe the new technologies that are enabling the full resolution of DUB protein networks in the developing brain, with the view that this knowledge can direct the development of new therapeutic paradigms. The fact that the abundance of many NDD proteins is regulated by the UPS presents an exciting opportunity to combat NDDs caused by haploinsufficiency, because the loss of abundance of NDD proteins can be potentially rectified by antagonizing their UPS-based degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lachlan A Jolly
- University of Adelaide and Robinson Research Institute, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
| | - Raman Kumar
- University of Adelaide and Robinson Research Institute, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Peter Penzes
- Department of Neuroscience, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Michael Piper
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jozef Gecz
- University of Adelaide and Robinson Research Institute, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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