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Zhuang K, Leng L, Su X, Wang S, Su Y, Chen Y, Yuan Z, Zi L, Li J, Xie W, Yan S, Xia Y, Wang H, Li H, Chen Z, Yuan T, Zhang J. Menin Deficiency Induces Autism-Like Behaviors by Regulating Foxg1 Transcription and Participates in Foxg1-Related Encephalopathy. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2307953. [PMID: 38582517 PMCID: PMC11200012 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202307953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
FOXG1 syndrome is a developmental encephalopathy caused by FOXG1 (Forkhead box G1) mutations, resulting in high phenotypic variability. However, the upstream transcriptional regulation of Foxg1 expression remains unclear. This report demonstrates that both deficiency and overexpression of Men1 (protein: menin, a pathogenic gene of MEN1 syndrome known as multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1) lead to autism-like behaviors, such as social defects, increased repetitive behaviors, and cognitive impairments. Multifaceted transcriptome analyses revealed that Foxg1 signaling is predominantly altered in Men1 deficiency mice, through its regulation of the Alpha Thalassemia/Mental Retardation Syndrome X-Linked (Atrx) factor. Atrx recruits menin to bind to the transcriptional start region of Foxg1 and mediates the regulation of Foxg1 expression by H3K4me3 (Trimethylation of histone H3 lysine 4) modification. The deficits observed in menin deficient mice are rescued by the over-expression of Foxg1, leading to normalized spine growth and restoration of hippocampal synaptic plasticity. These findings suggest that menin may have a putative role in the maintenance of Foxg1 expression, highlighting menin signaling as a potential therapeutic target for Foxg1-related encephalopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Zhuang
- Institute of NeuroscienceCollege of MedicineXiamen UniversityXiamenFujian361105China
| | - Lige Leng
- Institute of NeuroscienceCollege of MedicineXiamen UniversityXiamenFujian361105China
| | - Xiao Su
- Institute of NeuroscienceCollege of MedicineXiamen UniversityXiamenFujian361105China
| | - Shuzhong Wang
- Institute of NeuroscienceCollege of MedicineXiamen UniversityXiamenFujian361105China
| | - Yuemin Su
- Institute of NeuroscienceCollege of MedicineXiamen UniversityXiamenFujian361105China
| | - Yanbing Chen
- Institute of NeuroscienceCollege of MedicineXiamen UniversityXiamenFujian361105China
| | - Ziqi Yuan
- Institute of NeuroscienceCollege of MedicineXiamen UniversityXiamenFujian361105China
| | - Liu Zi
- Institute of NeuroscienceCollege of MedicineXiamen UniversityXiamenFujian361105China
| | - Jieyin Li
- Institute of NeuroscienceCollege of MedicineXiamen UniversityXiamenFujian361105China
| | - Wenting Xie
- Institute of NeuroscienceCollege of MedicineXiamen UniversityXiamenFujian361105China
| | - Sihan Yan
- Institute of NeuroscienceCollege of MedicineXiamen UniversityXiamenFujian361105China
| | - Yujun Xia
- Institute of NeuroscienceCollege of MedicineXiamen UniversityXiamenFujian361105China
| | - Han Wang
- Institute of NeuroscienceCollege of MedicineXiamen UniversityXiamenFujian361105China
| | - Huifang Li
- Institute of NeuroscienceCollege of MedicineXiamen UniversityXiamenFujian361105China
| | - Zhenyi Chen
- Department of AnesthesiologyFirst Affiliated HospitalCollege of MedicineXiamen UniversityXiamenFujian361105China
| | - Tifei Yuan
- Shanghai Mental Health CenterShanghai Jiaotong University School of MedicineShanghai200030China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Institute of NeuroscienceCollege of MedicineXiamen UniversityXiamenFujian361105China
- Department of AnesthesiologyFirst Affiliated HospitalCollege of MedicineXiamen UniversityXiamenFujian361105China
- The Key Laboratory of Neural and Vascular BiologyMinistry of EducationCollege of Basic MedicineHebei Medical UniversityShijiazhuang050017China
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2
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Cornejo MP, Fernandez G, Cabral A, Barrile F, Heredia F, García Romero G, Zubimendi Sampieri JP, Quelas JI, Cantel S, Fehrentz JA, Alonso A, Pla R, Ferran JL, Andreoli MF, De Francesco PN, Perelló M. GHSR in a Subset of GABA Neurons Controls Food Deprivation-Induced Hyperphagia in Male Mice. Endocrinology 2024; 165:bqae061. [PMID: 38815068 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqae061] [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: 03/06/2024] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
The growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR), primarily known as the receptor for the hunger hormone ghrelin, potently controls food intake, yet the specific Ghsr-expressing cells mediating the orexigenic effects of this receptor remain incompletely characterized. Since Ghsr is expressed in gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-producing neurons, we sought to investigate whether the selective expression of Ghsr in a subset of GABA neurons is sufficient to mediate GHSR's effects on feeding. First, we crossed mice that express a tamoxifen-dependent Cre recombinase in the subset of GABA neurons that express glutamic acid decarboxylase 2 (Gad2) enzyme (Gad2-CreER mice) with reporter mice, and found that ghrelin mainly targets a subset of Gad2-expressing neurons located in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARH) and that is predominantly segregated from Agouti-related protein (AgRP)-expressing neurons. Analysis of various single-cell RNA-sequencing datasets further corroborated that the primary subset of cells coexpressing Gad2 and Ghsr in the mouse brain are non-AgRP ARH neurons. Next, we crossed Gad2-CreER mice with reactivable GHSR-deficient mice to generate mice expressing Ghsr only in Gad2-expressing neurons (Gad2-GHSR mice). We found that ghrelin treatment induced the expression of the marker of transcriptional activation c-Fos in the ARH of Gad2-GHSR mice, yet failed to induce food intake. In contrast, food deprivation-induced refeeding was higher in Gad2-GHSR mice than in GHSR-deficient mice and similar to wild-type mice, suggesting that ghrelin-independent roles of GHSR in a subset of GABA neurons is sufficient for eliciting full compensatory hyperphagia in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Paula Cornejo
- Grupo de Neurofisiología, Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Celular (IMBICE), Universidad Nacional la Plata (UNLP), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) y Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (CIC-PBA), La Plata 1900, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gimena Fernandez
- Grupo de Neurofisiología, Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Celular (IMBICE), Universidad Nacional la Plata (UNLP), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) y Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (CIC-PBA), La Plata 1900, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Agustina Cabral
- Grupo de Neurofisiología, Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Celular (IMBICE), Universidad Nacional la Plata (UNLP), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) y Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (CIC-PBA), La Plata 1900, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Franco Barrile
- Grupo de Neurofisiología, Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Celular (IMBICE), Universidad Nacional la Plata (UNLP), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) y Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (CIC-PBA), La Plata 1900, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Florencia Heredia
- Grupo de Neurofisiología, Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Celular (IMBICE), Universidad Nacional la Plata (UNLP), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) y Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (CIC-PBA), La Plata 1900, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Guadalupe García Romero
- Grupo de Neurofisiología, Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Celular (IMBICE), Universidad Nacional la Plata (UNLP), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) y Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (CIC-PBA), La Plata 1900, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | | | - Sonia Cantel
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, Montpellier, France
| | - Jean-Alain Fehrentz
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, Montpellier, France
| | - Antonia Alonso
- Department of Human Anatomy and Psychobiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia 30100, Spain
- Institute of Biomedical Research of Murcia-IMIB, Virgen de la Arrixaca University Hospital, Murcia 30100, Spain
| | - Ramon Pla
- Department of Human Anatomy and Psychobiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia 30100, Spain
- Institute of Biomedical Research of Murcia-IMIB, Virgen de la Arrixaca University Hospital, Murcia 30100, Spain
| | - José Luis Ferran
- Department of Human Anatomy and Psychobiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia 30100, Spain
- Institute of Biomedical Research of Murcia-IMIB, Virgen de la Arrixaca University Hospital, Murcia 30100, Spain
| | - María Florencia Andreoli
- Instituto de Desarrollo e Investigaciones Pediátricas (IDIP), HIAEP Sor María Ludovica de La Plata, Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (CIC-PBA), La Plata 1900, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Functional Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala 751 24, Sweden
| | - Pablo Nicolas De Francesco
- Grupo de Neurofisiología, Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Celular (IMBICE), Universidad Nacional la Plata (UNLP), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) y Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (CIC-PBA), La Plata 1900, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mario Perelló
- Grupo de Neurofisiología, Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Celular (IMBICE), Universidad Nacional la Plata (UNLP), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) y Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (CIC-PBA), La Plata 1900, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Functional Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala 751 24, Sweden
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Viou L, Atkins M, Rousseau V, Launay P, Masson J, Pace C, Murakami F, Barnier JV, Métin C. PAK3 activation promotes the tangential to radial migration switch of cortical interneurons by increasing leading process dynamics and disrupting cell polarity. Mol Psychiatry 2024:10.1038/s41380-024-02483-y. [PMID: 38454080 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-024-02483-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Mutations of PAK3, a p21-activated kinase, are associated in humans with cognitive deficits suggestive of defective cortical circuits and with frequent brain structural abnormalities. Most human variants no longer exhibit kinase activity. Since GABAergic interneurons express PAK3 as they migrate within the cortex, we here examined the role of PAK3 kinase activity in the regulation of cortical interneuron migration. During the embryonic development, cortical interneurons migrate a long distance tangentially and then re-orient radially to settle in the cortical plate, where they contribute to cortical circuits. We showed that interneurons expressing a constitutively kinase active PAK3 variant (PAK3-ca) extended shorter leading processes and exhibited unstable polarity. In the upper cortical layers, they entered the cortical plate and extended radially oriented processes. In the deep cortical layers, they exhibited erratic non-processive migration movements and accumulated in the deep pathway. Pharmacological inhibition of PAK3 kinase inhibited the radial migration switch of interneurons to the cortical plate and reduced their accumulation in the deep cortical layers. Interneurons expressing a kinase dead PAK3 variant (PAK3-kd) developed branched leading processes, maintained the same polarity during migration and exhibited processive and tangentially oriented movements in the cortex. These results reveal that PAK3 kinase activity, by promoting leading process shortening and cell polarity changes, inhibits the tangential processive migration of interneurons and favors their radial re- orientation and targeting to the cortical plate. They suggest that patients expressing PAK3 variants with impaired kinase activity likely present alterations in the cortical targeting of their GABAergic interneurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucie Viou
- INSERM UMR-S 1270; Institut du Fer à Moulin, Sorbonne Université, F-75005, Paris, France
| | - Melody Atkins
- INSERM UMR-S 1270; Institut du Fer à Moulin, Sorbonne Université, F-75005, Paris, France
| | - Véronique Rousseau
- Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, UMR 9197, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, Saclay, France
| | - Pierre Launay
- INSERM UMR-S 1270; Institut du Fer à Moulin, Sorbonne Université, F-75005, Paris, France
| | - Justine Masson
- INSERM UMR-S 1270; Institut du Fer à Moulin, Sorbonne Université, F-75005, Paris, France
| | - Clarisse Pace
- INSERM UMR-S 1270; Institut du Fer à Moulin, Sorbonne Université, F-75005, Paris, France
| | - Fujio Murakami
- Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Yamadaoka 1-3, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Jean-Vianney Barnier
- Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, UMR 9197, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, Saclay, France
| | - Christine Métin
- INSERM UMR-S 1270; Institut du Fer à Moulin, Sorbonne Université, F-75005, Paris, France.
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4
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Park J, Moon JH, O'Shea H, Shin D, Hwang SU, Li L, Lee H, Brimble E, Lee J, Clark S, Lee SK, Jeon S. The patient-specific mouse model with Foxg1 frameshift mutation uncovers the pathophysiology of FOXG1 syndrome. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-2953760. [PMID: 37398410 PMCID: PMC10312924 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2953760/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Single allelic mutations in the gene encoding the forebrain-specific transcription factor FOXG1 lead to FOXG1 syndrome (FS). Patient-specific animal models are needed to understand the etiology of FS, as FS patients show a wide spectrum of symptoms correlated with location and mutation type in the FOXG1 gene. Here we report the first patient-specific FS mouse model, Q84Pfs heterozygous (Q84Pfs-Het) mice, mimicking one of the most predominant single nucleotide variants in FS. Intriguingly, we found that Q84Pfs-Het mice faithfully recapitulate human FS phenotypes at the cellular, brain structural, and behavioral levels. Importantly, Q84Pfs-Het mice exhibited myelination deficits like FS patients. Further, our transcriptome analysis of Q84Pfs-Het cortex revealed a new role for FOXG1 in synapse and oligodendrocyte development. The dysregulated genes in Q84Pfs-Het brains also predicted motor dysfunction and autism-like phenotypes. Correspondingly, Q84Pfs-Het mice showed movement deficits, repetitive behaviors, increased anxiety, and prolonged behavior arrest. Together, our study revealed the crucial postnatal role of FOXG1 in neuronal maturation and myelination and elucidated the essential pathophysiology mechanisms of FS.
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5
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The P-body protein 4E-T represses translation to regulate the balance between cell genesis and establishment of the postnatal NSC pool. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112242. [PMID: 36924490 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Here, we ask how developing precursors maintain the balance between cell genesis for tissue growth and establishment of adult stem cell pools, focusing on postnatal forebrain neural precursor cells (NPCs). We show that these NPCs are transcriptionally primed to differentiate and that the primed mRNAs are associated with the translational repressor 4E-T. 4E-T also broadly associates with other NPC mRNAs encoding transcriptional regulators, and these are preferentially depleted from ribosomes, consistent with repression. By contrast, a second translational regulator, Cpeb4, associates with diverse target mRNAs that are largely ribosome associated. The 4E-T-dependent mRNA association is functionally important because 4E-T knockdown or conditional knockout derepresses proneurogenic mRNA translation and perturbs maintenance versus differentiation of early postnatal NPCs in culture and in vivo. Thus, early postnatal NPCs are primed to differentiate, and 4E-T regulates the balance between cell genesis and stem cell expansion by sequestering and repressing mRNAs encoding transcriptional regulators.
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6
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Differential vulnerability of adult neurogenic niches to dosage of the neurodevelopmental-disorder linked gene Foxg1. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:497-514. [PMID: 35318461 PMCID: PMC9812795 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01497-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The transcription factor FOXG1 serves pleiotropic functions in brain development ranging from the regulation of precursor proliferation to the control of cortical circuit formation. Loss-of-function mutations and duplications of FOXG1 are associated with neurodevelopmental disorders in humans illustrating the importance of FOXG1 dosage for brain development. Aberrant FOXG1 dosage has been found to disrupt the balanced activity of glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons, but the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. We report that FOXG1 is expressed in the main adult neurogenic niches in mice, i.e. the hippocampal dentate gyrus and the subependymal zone/olfactory bulb system, where neurogenesis of glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons persists into adulthood. These niches displayed differential vulnerability to increased FOXG1 dosage: high FOXG1 levels severely compromised survival and glutamatergic dentate granule neuron fate acquisition in the hippocampal neurogenic niche, but left neurogenesis of GABAergic neurons in the subependymal zone/olfactory bulb system unaffected. Comparative transcriptomic analyses revealed a significantly higher expression of the apoptosis-linked nuclear receptor Nr4a1 in FOXG1-overexpressing hippocampal neural precursors. Strikingly, pharmacological interference with NR4A1 function rescued FOXG1-dependent death of hippocampal progenitors. Our results reveal differential vulnerability of neuronal subtypes to increased FOXG1 dosage and suggest that activity of a FOXG1/NR4A1 axis contributes to such subtype-specific response.
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7
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Dobrigna M, Poëa-Guyon S, Rousseau V, Vincent A, Toutain A, Barnier JV. The molecular basis of p21-activated kinase-associated neurodevelopmental disorders: From genotype to phenotype. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1123784. [PMID: 36937657 PMCID: PMC10017488 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1123784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Although the identification of numerous genes involved in neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) has reshaped our understanding of their etiology, there are still major obstacles in the way of developing therapeutic solutions for intellectual disability (ID) and other NDDs. These include extensive clinical and genetic heterogeneity, rarity of recurrent pathogenic variants, and comorbidity with other psychiatric traits. Moreover, a large intragenic mutational landscape is at play in some NDDs, leading to a broad range of clinical symptoms. Such diversity of symptoms is due to the different effects DNA variations have on protein functions and their impacts on downstream biological processes. The type of functional alterations, such as loss or gain of function, and interference with signaling pathways, has yet to be correlated with clinical symptoms for most genes. This review aims at discussing our current understanding of how the molecular changes of group I p21-activated kinases (PAK1, 2 and 3), which are essential actors of brain development and function; contribute to a broad clinical spectrum of NDDs. Identifying differences in PAK structure, regulation and spatio-temporal expression may help understanding the specific functions of each group I PAK. Deciphering how each variation type affects these parameters will help uncover the mechanisms underlying mutation pathogenicity. This is a prerequisite for the development of personalized therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manon Dobrigna
- Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, UMR 9197, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, Saclay, France
| | - Sandrine Poëa-Guyon
- Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, UMR 9197, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, Saclay, France
| | - Véronique Rousseau
- Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, UMR 9197, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, Saclay, France
| | - Aline Vincent
- Department of Genetics, EA7450 BioTARGen, University Hospital of Caen, Caen, France
| | - Annick Toutain
- Department of Genetics, University Hospital of Tours, UMR 1253, iBrain, Université de Tours, INSERM, Tours, France
| | - Jean-Vianney Barnier
- Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, UMR 9197, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, Saclay, France
- *Correspondence: Jean-Vianney Barnier,
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8
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Liu J, Yang M, Su M, Liu B, Zhou K, Sun C, Ba R, Yu B, Zhang B, Zhang Z, Fan W, Wang K, Zhong M, Han J, Zhao C. FOXG1 sequentially orchestrates subtype specification of postmitotic cortical projection neurons. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabh3568. [PMID: 35613274 PMCID: PMC9132448 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abh3568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The mammalian neocortex is a highly organized six-layered structure with four major cortical neuron subtypes: corticothalamic projection neurons (CThPNs), subcerebral projection neurons (SCPNs), deep callosal projection neurons (CPNs), and superficial CPNs. Here, careful examination of multiple conditional knockout model mouse lines showed that the transcription factor FOXG1 functions as a master regulator of postmitotic cortical neuron specification and found that mice lacking functional FOXG1 exhibited projection deficits. Before embryonic day 14.5 (E14.5), FOXG1 enforces deep CPN identity in postmitotic neurons by activating Satb2 but repressing Bcl11b and Tbr1. After E14.5, FOXG1 exerts specification functions in distinct layers via differential regulation of Bcl11b and Tbr1, including specification of superficial versus deep CPNs and enforcement of CThPN identity. FOXG1 controls CThPN versus SCPN fate by fine-tuning Fezf2 levels through diverse interactions with multiple SOX family proteins. Thus, our study supports a developmental model to explain the postmitotic specification of four cortical projection neuron subtypes and sheds light on neuropathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junhua Liu
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human
Diseases, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Southeast University,
Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Mengjie Yang
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human
Diseases, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Southeast University,
Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Mingzhao Su
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human
Diseases, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Southeast University,
Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Bin Liu
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human
Diseases, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Southeast University,
Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Kaixing Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human
Diseases, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Southeast University,
Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Congli Sun
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human
Diseases, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Southeast University,
Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Ru Ba
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human
Diseases, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Southeast University,
Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Baocong Yu
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human
Diseases, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Southeast University,
Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Baoshen Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human
Diseases, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Southeast University,
Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Zhe Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human
Diseases, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Southeast University,
Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Wenxin Fan
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human
Diseases, Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology,
Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Kun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human
Diseases, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Southeast University,
Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Min Zhong
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human
Diseases, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Southeast University,
Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Junhai Han
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human
Diseases, Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology,
Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Chunjie Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human
Diseases, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Southeast University,
Nanjing 210009, China
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9
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Filova I, Bohuslavova R, Tavakoli M, Yamoah EN, Fritzsch B, Pavlinkova G. Early Deletion of Neurod1 Alters Neuronal Lineage Potential and Diminishes Neurogenesis in the Inner Ear. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:845461. [PMID: 35252209 PMCID: PMC8894106 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.845461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuronal development in the inner ear is initiated by expression of the proneural basic Helix-Loop-Helix (bHLH) transcription factor Neurogenin1 that specifies neuronal precursors in the otocyst. The initial specification of the neuroblasts within the otic epithelium is followed by the expression of an additional bHLH factor, Neurod1. Although NEUROD1 is essential for inner ear neuronal development, the different aspects of the temporal and spatial requirements of NEUROD1 for the inner ear and, mainly, for auditory neuron development are not fully understood. In this study, using Foxg1Cre for the early elimination of Neurod1 in the mouse otocyst, we showed that Neurod1 deletion results in a massive reduction of differentiating neurons in the otic ganglion at E10.5, and in the diminished vestibular and rudimental spiral ganglia at E13.5. Attenuated neuronal development was associated with reduced and disorganized sensory epithelia, formation of ectopic hair cells, and the shortened cochlea in the inner ear. Central projections of inner ear neurons with conditional Neurod1 deletion are reduced, unsegregated, disorganized, and interconnecting the vestibular and auditory systems. In line with decreased afferent input from auditory neurons, the volume of cochlear nuclei was reduced by 60% in Neurod1 mutant mice. Finally, our data demonstrate that early elimination of Neurod1 affects the neuronal lineage potential and alters the generation of inner ear neurons and cochlear afferents with a profound effect on the first auditory nuclei, the cochlear nuclei.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iva Filova
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathogenesis, Institute of Biotechnology CAS, Vestec, Czechia
| | - Romana Bohuslavova
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathogenesis, Institute of Biotechnology CAS, Vestec, Czechia
| | - Mitra Tavakoli
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathogenesis, Institute of Biotechnology CAS, Vestec, Czechia
| | - Ebenezer N. Yamoah
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Institute for Neuroscience, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, United States
| | - Bernd Fritzsch
- Department of Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Gabriela Pavlinkova
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathogenesis, Institute of Biotechnology CAS, Vestec, Czechia
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10
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Gao MM, Huang HY, Chen SY, Tang HL, He N, Feng WC, Lu P, Hu F, Yan HJ, Long YS. The ALOXE3 gene variants from patients with Dravet syndrome decrease gene expression and enzyme activity. Brain Res Bull 2021; 170:81-89. [PMID: 33581311 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2021.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Aberrant expression or dysfunction of a number of genes in the brain contributes to epilepsy, a common neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures. Local overexpression of arachidonate lipoxygenase 3 (ALOXE3), a key enzyme for arachidonic acid (AA) metabolic pathway, alleviates seizure severities. However, the relationship between the ALOXE3 gene mutation and epilepsy has not been reported until now. Here we firstly characterized the promoter of human ALOXE3 gene and found that the ALOXE3 promoter could drive luciferase gene expression in the human HEK-293 and SH-SY5Y cells. We then screened the ALOXE3 promoter region and all coding exons from those patients with Dravet syndrome and identified 5 variants c.-163T > C, c.-50C > G, c.-37G > A, c. + 228G > A and c. + 290G > T in the promoter region and one missense variant c.1939A > G (p.I647 V) in the exon. Of these variants in the promoter region, only -50C > G was a novel variant located on the transcriptional factor NFII-I binding element. Luciferase reporter gene analyses indicated that the c.-50C > G could decrease gene expression by preventing the TFII-I's binding. In addition, the variant p.I647 V was conserved among all analyzed species and located within the ALOXE3 functional domain for catalyzing its substrate. In cultured cell lines, overexpression of ALOXE3 significantly decreased the cellular AA levels and overexpression of ALOXE3-I647 V could restore the AA levels, suggesting that the p.I647 V mutant led to a decrease in enzyme activity. Taken together, the present study proposes that the identified ALOXE3 variants potentially contribute to the AA-pathway-mediated epileptogenesis, which should provide a novel avenue for clinical diagnosis of epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei-Mei Gao
- Institute of Neuroscience and the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, 250 Changang East Road, Guangzhou, 510260, China
| | - Hao-Ying Huang
- Institute of Neuroscience and the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, 250 Changang East Road, Guangzhou, 510260, China
| | - Si-Yu Chen
- Institute of Neuroscience and the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, 250 Changang East Road, Guangzhou, 510260, China
| | - Hui-Ling Tang
- Institute of Neuroscience and the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, 250 Changang East Road, Guangzhou, 510260, China
| | - Na He
- Department of Neurology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, China
| | - Wen-Cai Feng
- Institute of Neuroscience and the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, 250 Changang East Road, Guangzhou, 510260, China
| | - Ping Lu
- Institute of Neuroscience and the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, 250 Changang East Road, Guangzhou, 510260, China
| | - Fei Hu
- Institute of Neuroscience and the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, 250 Changang East Road, Guangzhou, 510260, China
| | - Hua-Juan Yan
- Institute of Neuroscience and the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, 250 Changang East Road, Guangzhou, 510260, China
| | - Yue-Sheng Long
- Institute of Neuroscience and the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, 250 Changang East Road, Guangzhou, 510260, China.
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11
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Chan WK, Griffiths R, Price DJ, Mason JO. Cerebral organoids as tools to identify the developmental roots of autism. Mol Autism 2020; 11:58. [PMID: 32660622 PMCID: PMC7359249 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-020-00360-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Some autism spectrum disorders (ASD) likely arise as a result of abnormalities during early embryonic development of the brain. Studying human embryonic brain development directly is challenging, mainly due to ethical and practical constraints. However, the recent development of cerebral organoids provides a powerful tool for studying both normal human embryonic brain development and, potentially, the origins of neurodevelopmental disorders including ASD. Substantial evidence now indicates that cerebral organoids can mimic normal embryonic brain development and neural cells found in organoids closely resemble their in vivo counterparts. However, with prolonged culture, significant differences begin to arise. We suggest that cerebral organoids, in their current form, are most suitable to model earlier neurodevelopmental events and processes such as neurogenesis and cortical lamination. Processes implicated in ASDs which occur at later stages of development, such as synaptogenesis and neural circuit formation, may also be modeled using organoids. The accuracy of such models will benefit from continuous improvements to protocols for organoid differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wai Kit Chan
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences and Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK
| | - Rosie Griffiths
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences and Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK
| | - David J Price
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences and Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK
| | - John O Mason
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences and Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK.
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12
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Tigani W, Rossi MP, Artimagnella O, Santo M, Rauti R, Sorbo T, Ulloa Severino FP, Provenzano G, Allegra M, Caleo M, Ballerini L, Bozzi Y, Mallamaci A. Foxg1 Upregulation Enhances Neocortical Activity. Cereb Cortex 2020; 30:5147-5165. [PMID: 32383447 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhaa107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Revised: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Foxg1 is an ancient transcription factor gene orchestrating a number of neurodevelopmental processes taking place in the rostral brain. In this study, we investigated its impact on neocortical activity. We found that mice overexpressing Foxg1 in neocortical pyramidal cells displayed an electroencephalography (EEG) with increased spike frequency and were more prone to kainic acid (KA)-induced seizures. Consistently, primary cultures of neocortical neurons gain-of-function for Foxg1 were hyperactive and hypersynchronized. That reflected an unbalanced expression of key genes encoding for ion channels, gamma aminobutyric acid and glutamate receptors, and was likely exacerbated by a pronounced interneuron depletion. We also detected a transient Foxg1 upregulation ignited in turn by neuronal activity and mediated by immediate early genes. Based on this, we propose that even small changes of Foxg1 levels may result in a profound impact on pyramidal cell activity, an issue relevant to neuronal physiology and neurological aberrancies associated to FOXG1 copy number variations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wendalina Tigani
- Laboratory of Cerebral Cortex Development, Neuroscience Area, SISSA, Trieste 34136, Italy
| | - Moira Pinzan Rossi
- Laboratory of Cerebral Cortex Development, Neuroscience Area, SISSA, Trieste 34136, Italy.,AgenTus Therapeutics, Inc., Cambridge CB4 OWG, United Kingdom
| | - Osvaldo Artimagnella
- Laboratory of Cerebral Cortex Development, Neuroscience Area, SISSA, Trieste 34136, Italy
| | - Manuela Santo
- Laboratory of Cerebral Cortex Development, Neuroscience Area, SISSA, Trieste 34136, Italy
| | - Rossana Rauti
- Laboratory of Neurons and Nanomaterials, Neuroscience Area, SISSA, Trieste 34136, Italy.,Dept. Biomedical Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Teresa Sorbo
- Laboratory of Neurons and Nanomaterials, Neuroscience Area, SISSA, Trieste 34136, Italy
| | - Francesco Paolo Ulloa Severino
- Laboratory of Bionanotechnologies, Neuroscience Area, SISSA, Trieste 34136, Italy.,Cell Biology Dept, Duke University Medical Center, Duke University, Durham NC-27710, USA
| | - Giovanni Provenzano
- Department of Cellular, Computational, and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Trento 38123, Italy
| | - Manuela Allegra
- Neuroscience Institute, Neurophysiology Section, National Research Council (CNR), Pisa 56124, Italy.,Laboratory G5 Circuits Neuronaux, Institut Pasteur, Paris 75015, France
| | - Matteo Caleo
- Neuroscience Institute, Neurophysiology Section, National Research Council (CNR), Pisa 56124, Italy.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, Padua 35121, Italy
| | - Laura Ballerini
- Laboratory of Neurons and Nanomaterials, Neuroscience Area, SISSA, Trieste 34136, Italy
| | - Yuri Bozzi
- Neuroscience Institute, Neurophysiology Section, National Research Council (CNR), Pisa 56124, Italy.,Center for Mind/Brain Sciences, University of Trento, Trento 38068, Italy
| | - Antonello Mallamaci
- Laboratory of Cerebral Cortex Development, Neuroscience Area, SISSA, Trieste 34136, Italy
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13
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Wei Y, Han X, Zhao C. PDK1 regulates the survival of the developing cortical interneurons. Mol Brain 2020; 13:65. [PMID: 32366272 PMCID: PMC7197138 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-020-00604-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2019] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Inhibitory interneurons are critical for maintaining the excitatory/inhibitory balance. During the development cortical interneurons originate from the ganglionic eminence and arrive at the dorsal cortex through two tangential migration routes. However, the mechanisms underlying the development of cortical interneurons remain unclear. 3-Phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase-1 (PDK1) has been shown to be involved in a variety of biological processes, including cell proliferation and migration, and plays an important role in the neurogenesis of cortical excitatory neurons. However, the function of PDK1 in interneurons is still unclear. Here, we reported that the disruption of Pdk1 in the subpallium achieved by crossing the Dlx5/6-Cre-IRES-EGFP line with Pdk1fl/fl mice led to the severely increased apoptosis of immature interneurons, subsequently resulting in a remarkable reduction in cortical interneurons. However, the tangential migration, progenitor pools and cell proliferation were not affected by the disruption of Pdk1. We further found the activity of AKT-GSK3β signaling pathway was decreased after Pdk1 deletion, suggesting it might be involved in the regulation of the survival of cortical interneurons. These results provide new insights into the function of PDK1 in the development of the telencephalon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongjie Wei
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, MOE, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Xiaoning Han
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, MOE, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Chunjie Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, MOE, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China.
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14
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Dvorakova M, Macova I, Bohuslavova R, Anderova M, Fritzsch B, Pavlinkova G. Early ear neuronal development, but not olfactory or lens development, can proceed without SOX2. Dev Biol 2020; 457:43-56. [PMID: 31526806 PMCID: PMC6938654 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2019.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Revised: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 09/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
SOX2 is essential for maintaining neurosensory stem cell properties, although its involvement in the early neurosensory development of cranial placodes remains unclear. To address this, we used Foxg1-Cre to conditionally delete Sox2 during eye, ear, and olfactory placode development. Foxg1-Cre mediated early deletion of Sox2 eradicates all olfactory placode development, and disrupts retinal development and invagination of the lens placode. In contrast to the lens and olfactory placodes, the ear placode invaginates and delaminates NEUROD1 positive neurons. Furthermore, we show that SOX2 is not necessary for early ear neurogenesis, since the early inner ear ganglion is formed with near normal central projections to the hindbrain and peripheral projections to the undifferentiated sensory epithelia of E11.5-12.5 ears. However, later stages of ear neurosensory development, in particular, the late forming auditory system, critically depend on the presence of SOX2. Our data establish distinct differences for SOX2 requirements among placodal sensory organs with similarities between olfactory and lens but not ear placode development, consistent with the unique neurosensory development and molecular properties of the ear.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Iva Macova
- Institute of Biotechnology CAS, Vestec, Czechia
| | | | | | - Bernd Fritzsch
- Department of Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.
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15
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Accogli A, Addour-Boudrahem N, Srour M. Neurogenesis, neuronal migration, and axon guidance. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2020; 173:25-42. [PMID: 32958178 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-444-64150-2.00004-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Development of the central nervous system (CNS) is a complex, dynamic process that involves a precisely orchestrated sequence of genetic, environmental, biochemical, and physical factors from early embryonic stages to postnatal life. Duringthe past decade, great strides have been made to unravel mechanisms underlying human CNS development through the employment of modern genetic techniques and experimental approaches. In this chapter, we review the current knowledge regarding the main developmental processes and signaling mechanisms of (i) neurogenesis, (ii) neuronal migration, and (iii) axon guidance. We discuss mechanisms related to neural stem cells proliferation, migration, terminal translocation of neuronal progenitors, and axon guidance and pathfinding. For each section, we also provide a comprehensive overview of the underlying regulatory processes, including transcriptional, posttranscriptional, and epigenetic factors, and a myriad of signaling pathways that are pivotal to determine the fate of neuronal progenitors and newly formed migrating neurons. We further highlight how impairment of this complex regulating system, such as mutations in its core components, may cause cortical malformation, epilepsy, intellectual disability, and autism in humans. A thorough understanding of normal human CNS development is thus crucial to decipher mechanisms responsible for neurodevelopmental disorders and in turn guide the development of effective and targeted therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Accogli
- Unit of Medical Genetics, Istituto Giannina Gaslini Pediatric Hospital, Genova, Italy; Departments of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics and Maternal-Child Science, Università degli Studi di Genova, Genova, Italy
| | | | - Myriam Srour
- Research Institute, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada; Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Neurology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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16
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Han X, Wei Y, Wu X, Gao J, Yang Z, Zhao C. PDK1 Regulates Transition Period of Apical Progenitors to Basal Progenitors by Controlling Asymmetric Cell Division. Cereb Cortex 2019; 30:406-420. [DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhz146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Revised: 06/09/2019] [Accepted: 06/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
The six-layered neocortex consists of diverse neuron subtypes. Deeper-layer neurons originate from apical progenitors (APs), while upper-layer neurons are mainly produced by basal progenitors (BPs), which are derivatives of APs. As development proceeds, an AP generates two daughter cells that comprise an AP and a deeper-layer neuron or a BP. How the transition of APs to BPs is spatiotemporally regulated is a fundamental question. Here, we report that conditional deletion of phoshpoinositide-dependent protein kinase 1 (PDK1) in mouse developing cortex achieved by crossing Emx1Cre line with Pdk1fl/fl leads to a delayed transition of APs to BPs and subsequently causes an increased output of deeper-layer neurons. We demonstrate that PDK1 is involved in the modulation of the aPKC-Par3 complex and further regulates the asymmetric cell division (ACD). We also find Hes1, a downstream effecter of Notch signal pathway is obviously upregulated. Knockdown of Hes1 or treatment with Notch signal inhibitor DAPT recovers the ACD defect in the Pdk1 cKO. Thus, we have identified a novel function of PDK1 in controlling the transition of APs to BPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoning Han
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Yongjie Wei
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Xiaojing Wu
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Jun Gao
- Department of Neurobiology
- Key Laboratory of Human Functional Genomics of Jiangsu, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Zhongzhou Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing Biomedical Research Institute, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210061, China
| | - Chunjie Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
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17
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Yu B, Liu J, Su M, Wang C, Chen H, Zhao C. Disruption of Foxg1 impairs neural plasticity leading to social and cognitive behavioral defects. Mol Brain 2019; 12:63. [PMID: 31253171 PMCID: PMC6599246 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-019-0484-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2019] [Accepted: 06/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor Foxg1 is known to be continuously expressed at a high level in mature neurons in the telencephalon, but little is known about its role in neural plasticity. Mutations in human FOXG1 cause deficiencies in learning and memory and limit social ability, which is defined as FOXG1 syndrome, but its pathogenic mechanism remains unclear. To examine the role of Foxg1 in adults, we crossed Camk2a-CreER with Foxg1fl/fl mice and conditionally disrupted Foxg1 with tamoxifen in mature neurons. We found that spatial learning and memory were significantly impaired when examined by the Morris water maze test. The cKO mice also showed a significant reduction in freezing time during the contextual and cued fear conditioning test, indicating that fear conditioning memory was affected. A remarkable reduction in Schaffer-collateral long-term potentiation was also recorded. Morphologically, the dendritic arborization and spine densities of hippocampal pyramidal neurons were significantly reduced. Primary cell culture further confirmed altered dendritic complexity after Foxg1 deletion. Our results indicated that Foxg1 plays an important role in maintaining the neural plasticity, which is vital to high-grade function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baocong Yu
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, MOE, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Junhua Liu
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, MOE, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Mingzhao Su
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, MOE, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Chunlian Wang
- Key Lab of Cognition and Personality, MOE, School of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Huanxin Chen
- Key Lab of Cognition and Personality, MOE, School of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Chunjie Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, MOE, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China.
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18
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Chen D, Wang C, Li M, She X, Yuan Y, Chen H, Zhang W, Zhao C. Loss of Foxg1 Impairs the Development of Cortical SST-Interneurons Leading to Abnormal Emotional and Social Behaviors. Cereb Cortex 2019; 29:3666-3682. [DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhz114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2019] [Revised: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 05/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
FOXG1 syndrome is a severe encephalopathy that exhibit intellectual disability, emotional disorder, and limited social communication. To elucidate the contribution of somatostatin-expressing interneurons (SST-INs) to the cellular basis underlying FOXG1 syndrome, here, by crossing SST-cre with a Foxg1fl/fl line, we selectively ablated Foxg1. Loss of Foxg1 resulted in an obvious reduction in the number of SST-INs, accompanied by an altered ratio of subtypes. Foxg1-deficient SST-INs exhibited decreased membrane excitability and a changed ratio of electrophysiological firing patterns, which subsequently led to an excitatory/inhibitory imbalance. Moreover, cognitive defects, limited social interactions, and depression-like behaviors were detected in Foxg1 cKO mice. Treatment with low-dose of clonazepam effectively alleviated the defects. These results identify a link of SST-IN development to the aberrant emotion, cognition, and social capacities in patients. Our findings identify a novel role of Foxg1 in SST-IN development and put new insights into the cellular basis of FOXG1 syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongsheng Chen
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, MOE, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Chunlian Wang
- Key Lab of Cognition and Personality, MOE, School of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Meiyi Li
- Key Lab of Cognition and Personality, MOE, School of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xinyu She
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, MOE, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yonggui Yuan
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychiatry, ZhongDa Hospital, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Huanxin Chen
- Key Lab of Cognition and Personality, MOE, School of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Weining Zhang
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, ZhenJiang, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Chunjie Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, MOE, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
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19
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Su Y, Liu J, Yu B, Ba R, Zhao C. Brpf1 Haploinsufficiency Impairs Dendritic Arborization and Spine Formation, Leading to Cognitive Deficits. Front Cell Neurosci 2019; 13:249. [PMID: 31213987 PMCID: PMC6558182 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2019.00249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2019] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Haploinsufficiency of the bromodomain and PHD finger-containing protein 1 (BRPF1) gene causes intellectual disability (ID), which is characterized by impaired intellectual and cognitive function; however, the neurological basis for ID and the neurological function of BRPF1 dosage in the brain remain unclear. Here, by crossing Emx1-cre mice with Brpf1fl/fl mice, we generated Brpf1 heterozygous mice to model BRPF1-related ID. Brpf1 heterozygotes showed reduced dendritic complexity in both hippocampal granule cells and cortical pyramidal neurons, accompanied by reduced spine density and altered spine and synapse morphology. An in vitro study of Brpf1 haploinsufficiency also demonstrated decreased frequency and amplitude of miniature EPSCs that may subsequently contribute to abnormal behaviors, including decreased anxiety levels and defective learning and memory. Our results demonstrate a critical role for Brpf1 dosage in neuron dendrite arborization, spine morphogenesis and behavior and provide insight into the pathogenesis of BRPF1-related ID.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Su
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Junhua Liu
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Baocong Yu
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ru Ba
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chunjie Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
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20
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Grinblat Y, Lipinski RJ. A forebrain undivided: Unleashing model organisms to solve the mysteries of holoprosencephaly. Dev Dyn 2019; 248:626-633. [PMID: 30993762 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.41] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Revised: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Evolutionary conservation and experimental tractability have made animal model systems invaluable tools in our quest to understand human embryogenesis, both normal and abnormal. Standard genetic approaches, particularly useful in understanding monogenic diseases, are no longer sufficient as research attention shifts toward multifactorial outcomes. Here, we examine this progression through the lens of holoprosencephaly (HPE), a common human malformation involving incomplete forebrain division, and a classic example of an etiologically complex outcome. We relate the basic underpinning of HPE pathogenesis to critical cell-cell interactions and signaling molecules discovered through embryological and genetic approaches in multiple model organisms, and discuss the role of the mouse model in functional examination of HPE-linked genes. We then outline the most critical remaining gaps to understanding human HPE, including the conundrum of incomplete penetrance/expressivity and the role of gene-environment interactions. To tackle these challenges, we outline a strategy that leverages new and emerging technologies in multiple model systems to solve the puzzle of HPE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yevgenya Grinblat
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin.,Department of Neuroscience, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin.,McPherson Eye Research Institute, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Robert J Lipinski
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin.,Molecular and Environmental Toxicology Center, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
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21
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Farahani R, Rezaei-Lotfi S, Simonian M, Hunter N. Bi-modal reprogramming of cell cycle by MiRNA-4673 amplifies human neurogenic capacity. Cell Cycle 2019; 18:848-868. [PMID: 30907228 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2019.1595873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Molecular mechanisms that inform heterochronic adaptations of neurogenesis in Homo sapiens remain largely unknown. Here, we uncover a signature in the cell cycle that amplifies the proliferative capacity of human neural progenitors by input from microRNA4673 encoded in Notch-1. The miRNA instructs bimodal reprogramming of the cell cycle, leading to initial synchronization of neural precursors at the G0 phase of the cell cycle followed by accelerated progression through interphase. The key event in G0 synchronization is transient inhibition by miR4673 of cyclin-dependent kinase-18, a member of an ancient family of cyclins that license M-G1 transition. In parallel, autophagic degradation of p53/p21 and transcriptional silencing of XRCC3/BRCA2 relax G1/S cell cycle checkpoint and accelerate interphase by ≈2.8-fold. The resultant reprogrammed cell cycle amplifies the proliferative capacity and delays the differentiation of human neural progenitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramin Farahani
- a IDR/Westmead Institute for Medical Research , Sydney , NSW , Australia.,b Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences , University of Sydney , Sydney , NSW , Australia
| | - Saba Rezaei-Lotfi
- b Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences , University of Sydney , Sydney , NSW , Australia
| | - Mary Simonian
- a IDR/Westmead Institute for Medical Research , Sydney , NSW , Australia
| | - Neil Hunter
- a IDR/Westmead Institute for Medical Research , Sydney , NSW , Australia.,b Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences , University of Sydney , Sydney , NSW , Australia
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