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Catlin JP, Schaner Tooley CE. Exploring potential developmental origins of common neurodegenerative disorders. Biochem Soc Trans 2024; 52:1035-1044. [PMID: 38661189 DOI: 10.1042/bst20230422] [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: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
In the United States, it is now estimated that 6.7 million people over the age of 65 are afflicted by Alzheimer's disease (AD), over 1 million people are living with Parkinson's disease (PD), and over 200 000 have or are at risk for developing Huntington's disease (HD). All three of these neurodegenerative diseases result in the ultimate death of distinct neuronal subtypes, and it is widely thought that age-related damage is the single biggest contributing factor to this neuronal death. However, recent studies are now suggesting that developmental defects during early neurogenesis could also play a role in the pathology of neurodegenerative diseases. Loss or overexpression of proteins associated with HD, PD, and AD also result in embryonic phenotypes but whether these developmental defects slowly unmask over time and contribute to age-related neurodegeneration remains highly debated. Here, we discuss known links between embryonic neurogenesis and neurodegenerative disorders (including common signaling pathways), potential compensatory mechanisms that could delay presentation of neurodegenerative disorders, and the types of model systems that could be used to study these links in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- James P Catlin
- Department of Biochemistry, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, U.S.A
| | - Christine E Schaner Tooley
- Department of Biochemistry, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, U.S.A
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2
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Wainberg M, Forde NJ, Mansour S, Kerrebijn I, Medland SE, Hawco C, Tripathy SJ. Genetic architecture of the structural connectome. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1962. [PMID: 38438384 PMCID: PMC10912129 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46023-2] [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: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Myelinated axons form long-range connections that enable rapid communication between distant brain regions, but how genetics governs the strength and organization of these connections remains unclear. We perform genome-wide association studies of 206 structural connectivity measures derived from diffusion magnetic resonance imaging tractography of 26,333 UK Biobank participants, each representing the density of myelinated connections within or between a pair of cortical networks, subcortical structures or cortical hemispheres. We identify 30 independent genome-wide significant variants after Bonferroni correction for the number of measures studied (126 variants at nominal genome-wide significance) implicating genes involved in myelination (SEMA3A), neurite elongation and guidance (NUAK1, STRN, DPYSL2, EPHA3, SEMA3A, HGF, SHTN1), neural cell proliferation and differentiation (GMNC, CELF4, HGF), neuronal migration (CCDC88C), cytoskeletal organization (CTTNBP2, MAPT, DAAM1, MYO16, PLEC), and brain metal transport (SLC39A8). These variants have four broad patterns of spatial association with structural connectivity: some have disproportionately strong associations with corticothalamic connectivity, interhemispheric connectivity, or both, while others are more spatially diffuse. Structural connectivity measures are highly polygenic, with a median of 9.1 percent of common variants estimated to have non-zero effects on each measure, and exhibited signatures of negative selection. Structural connectivity measures have significant genetic correlations with a variety of neuropsychiatric and cognitive traits, indicating that connectivity-altering variants tend to influence brain health and cognitive function. Heritability is enriched in regions with increased chromatin accessibility in adult oligodendrocytes (as well as microglia, inhibitory neurons and astrocytes) and multiple fetal cell types, suggesting that genetic control of structural connectivity is partially mediated by effects on myelination and early brain development. Our results indicate pervasive, pleiotropic, and spatially structured genetic control of white-matter structural connectivity via diverse neurodevelopmental pathways, and support the relevance of this genetic control to healthy brain function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Wainberg
- Krembil Centre for Neuroinformatics, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Prosserman Centre for Population Health Research, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - Natalie J Forde
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Salim Mansour
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Isabel Kerrebijn
- Prosserman Centre for Population Health Research, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sarah E Medland
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- School of Psychology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Colin Hawco
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - Shreejoy J Tripathy
- Krembil Centre for Neuroinformatics, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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3
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Pugsley K, Namipashaki A, Bellgrove MA, Hawi Z. Evaluating the regulatory function of non-coding autism-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms on gene expression in human brain tissue. Autism Res 2024; 17:467-481. [PMID: 38323502 DOI: 10.1002/aur.3101] [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: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
Common variants account for most of the estimated heritability associated with autism spectrum disorder (autism). Although several replicable single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for the condition have been detected using genome-wide association study (GWAS) methodologies, their pathophysiological relevance remains elusive. Examining this is complicated, however, as all detected loci are situated within non-coding regions of the genome. It is therefore likely that they possess roles of regulatory function as opposed to directly affecting gene coding sequences. To bridge the gap between SNP discovery and mechanistic insight, we applied a comprehensive bioinformatic pipeline to functionally annotate autism-associated polymorphisms and their non-coding linkage disequilibrium (i.e., non-randomly associated) partners. We identified 82 DNA variants of probable regulatory function that may contribute to autism pathogenesis. To validate these predictions, we measured the impact of 11 high-confidence candidates and their GWAS linkage disequilibrium partners on gene expression in human brain tissue from Autistic and non-Autistic donors. Although a small number of the surveyed variants exhibited measurable influence on gene expression as determined via quantitative polymerase chain reaction, these did not survive correction for multiple comparisons. Additionally, no significant genotype-by-diagnosis effects were observed for any of the SNP-gene associations. We contend that this may reflect an inability to effectively capture the modest, neurodevelopmental-specific impact of individual variants on biological dysregulation in available post-mortem tissue samples, as well as limitations in the existing autism GWAS data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kealan Pugsley
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health and School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Atefeh Namipashaki
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health and School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Mark A Bellgrove
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health and School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ziarih Hawi
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health and School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Samra S, Sharma M, Vaseghi-Shanjani M, Del Bel KL, Byres L, Lin S, Dalmann J, Salman A, Mwenifumbo J, Modi BP, Biggs CM, Boelman C, Clarke LA, Lehman A, Turvey SE. Gain-of-function MARK4 variant associates with pediatric neurodevelopmental disorder and dysmorphism. HGG ADVANCES 2024; 5:100259. [PMID: 38041405 PMCID: PMC10764283 DOI: 10.1016/j.xhgg.2023.100259] [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: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Microtubule affinity-regulating kinase 4 (MARK4) is a serine/threonine kinase that plays a key role in tau phosphorylation and regulation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway. Abnormal tau phosphorylation and dysregulation of the mTOR pathway are implicated in neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders. Here, we report a gain-of-function variant in MARK4 in two siblings with childhood-onset neurodevelopmental disability and dysmorphic features. The siblings carry a germline heterozygous missense MARK4 variant c.604T>C (p.Phe202Leu), located in the catalytic domain of the kinase, which they inherited from their unaffected, somatic mosaic mother. Functional studies show that this amino acid substitution has no impact on protein expression but instead increases the ability of MARK4 to phosphorylate tau isoforms found in the fetal and adult brain. The MARK4 variant also increases phosphorylation of ribosomal protein S6, indicating upregulation of the mTORC1 pathway. In this study, we link a germline monoallelic MARK4 variant to a childhood-onset neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by global developmental delay, intellectual disability, behavioral abnormalities, and dysmorphic features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simran Samra
- Department of Pediatrics, BC Children's Hospital, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1, Canada; Experimental Medicine Program, Department of Medicine, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada
| | - Mehul Sharma
- Department of Pediatrics, BC Children's Hospital, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1, Canada
| | - Maryam Vaseghi-Shanjani
- Department of Pediatrics, BC Children's Hospital, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1, Canada; Experimental Medicine Program, Department of Medicine, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada
| | - Kate L Del Bel
- Department of Pediatrics, BC Children's Hospital, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1, Canada
| | - Loryn Byres
- Department of Pediatrics, BC Children's Hospital, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1, Canada
| | - Susan Lin
- Department of Pediatrics, BC Children's Hospital, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1, Canada
| | - Joshua Dalmann
- Department of Pediatrics, BC Children's Hospital, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1, Canada
| | - Areesha Salman
- Department of Pediatrics, BC Children's Hospital, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1, Canada
| | - Jill Mwenifumbo
- Department of Medical Genetics, BC Children's Hospital, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1, Canada
| | - Bhavi P Modi
- Department of Pediatrics, BC Children's Hospital, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1, Canada
| | - Catherine M Biggs
- Department of Pediatrics, BC Children's Hospital, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1, Canada
| | - Cyrus Boelman
- Department of Pediatrics, BC Children's Hospital, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1, Canada
| | - Lorne A Clarke
- Department of Pediatrics, BC Children's Hospital, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1, Canada
| | - Anna Lehman
- Department of Medical Genetics, BC Children's Hospital, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1, Canada
| | - Stuart E Turvey
- Department of Pediatrics, BC Children's Hospital, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1, Canada.
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Aisa MC, Cappuccini B, Favilli A, Datti A, Nardicchi V, Coata G, Gerli S. Biochemical and Anthropometric Parameters for the Early Recognition of the Intrauterine Growth Restriction and Preterm Neonates at Risk of Impaired Neurodevelopment. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11549. [PMID: 37511307 PMCID: PMC10380875 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411549] [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: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND S100B and Tau are implicated with both brain growth and injury. Their urinary levels in 30-to-40-day-old full-term, preterm, IUGR, and preterm-IUGR subjects were measured to investigate their possible relationship with future delayed neurodevelopment. METHODS Values were related to the neuro-behavioral outcome at two years of age, as well as to brain volumes and urinary NGF assessed at the same postnatal time point. RESULTS Using the Griffiths III test, cognitive and motor performances were determined to establish subgroups characterized by either normal or impaired neuro-behavior. The latter included preterm, IUGR, and preterm-IUGR individuals who exhibited significantly higher and lower S100B and Tau levels, respectively, along with markedly reduced cerebral volumes and urinary NGF, as previously demonstrated. Contrary to NGF, however, Tau and S100B displayed a weak correlation with brain volumes. CONCLUSIONS Delayed cognitive and motor performances observed in two-year-old preterm and IUGR-born individuals were also found to be associated with anomalous urinary levels of S100B and Tau, assessed at 30-40 days of the postnatal period, and their changes did not correlate with brain growth. Thus, our data suggests that, in addition to cerebral volumes and NGF, urinary S100B and Tau can also be considered as valuable parameters for the early detection of future neurodevelopmental abnormalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Cristina Aisa
- Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, Section of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Perugia, 06129 Perugia, Italy
- GeBiSa, Research Foundation, 06129 Perugia, Italy
- Centre of Perinatal and Reproductive Medicine, University of Perugia, 06129 Perugia, Italy
| | | | - Alessandro Favilli
- Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, Section of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Perugia, 06129 Perugia, Italy
- GeBiSa, Research Foundation, 06129 Perugia, Italy
- Centre of Perinatal and Reproductive Medicine, University of Perugia, 06129 Perugia, Italy
| | - Alessandro Datti
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Perugia, 06121 Perugia, Italy
| | | | - Giuliana Coata
- Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, Section of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Perugia, 06129 Perugia, Italy
- Centre of Perinatal and Reproductive Medicine, University of Perugia, 06129 Perugia, Italy
| | - Sandro Gerli
- Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, Section of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Perugia, 06129 Perugia, Italy
- GeBiSa, Research Foundation, 06129 Perugia, Italy
- Centre of Perinatal and Reproductive Medicine, University of Perugia, 06129 Perugia, Italy
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6
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Arjmandi-Rad S, Ebrahimnejad M, Zarrindast MR, Vaseghi S. Do Sleep Disturbances have a Dual Effect on Alzheimer's Disease? Cell Mol Neurobiol 2023; 43:711-727. [PMID: 35568778 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-022-01228-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Sleep disturbances and Alzheimer's disease have deleterious effects on various physiological and cognitive functions including synaptic plasticity, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and memory. In addition, clock genes expression is significantly altered following sleep disturbances, which may be involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. In this review article, we aimed to discuss the role of sleep disturbances and Alzheimer's disease in the regulation of synaptic plasticity, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and clock genes expression. Also, we aimed to find significant relationships between sleep disturbances and Alzheimer's disease in the modulation of these mechanisms. We referred to the controversial effects of sleep disturbances (particularly those related to the duration of sleep deprivation) on the modulation of synaptic function and neuroinflammation. We aimed to know that, do sleep disturbances have a dual effect on the progression of Alzheimer's disease? Although numerous studies have discussed the association between sleep disturbances and Alzheimer's disease, the new point of this study was to focus on the controversial effects of sleep disturbances on different biological functions, and to evaluate the potential dualistic role of sleep disturbances in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shirin Arjmandi-Rad
- Institute for Cognitive & Brain Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahshid Ebrahimnejad
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad-Reza Zarrindast
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Salar Vaseghi
- Medicinal Plants Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR, PO Box: 1419815477, Karaj, Iran.
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Bouillet T, Ciba M, Alves CL, Rodrigues FA, Thielemann C, Colin M, Buée L, Halliez S. Revisiting the involvement of tau in complex neural network remodeling: analysis of the extracellular neuronal activity in organotypic brain slice co-cultures. J Neural Eng 2022; 19. [PMID: 36374001 DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/aca261] [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: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Objective.Tau ablation has a protective effect in epilepsy due to inhibition of the hyperexcitability/hypersynchrony. Protection may also occur in transgenic models of Alzheimer's disease by reducing the epileptic activity and normalizing the excitation/inhibition imbalance. However, it is difficult to determine the exact functions of tau, because tau knockout (tauKO) brain networks exhibit elusive phenotypes. In this study, we aimed to further explore the physiological role of tau using brain network remodeling.Approach.The effect of tau ablation was investigated in hippocampal-entorhinal slice co-cultures during network remodeling. We recorded the spontaneous extracellular neuronal activity over 2 weeks in single-slice cultures and co-cultures from control andtauKOmice. We compared the burst activity and applied concepts and analytical tools intended for the analysis of the network synchrony and connectivity.Main results.Comparison of the control andtauKOco-cultures revealed that tau ablation had an anti-synchrony effect on the hippocampal-entorhinal two-slice networks at late stages of culture, in line with the literature. Differences were also found between the single-slice and co-culture conditions, which indicated that tau ablation had differential effects at the sub-network scale. For instance, tau ablation was found to have an anti-synchrony effect on the co-cultured hippocampal slices throughout the culture, possibly due to a reduction in the excitation/inhibition ratio. Conversely, tau ablation led to increased synchrony in the entorhinal slices at early stages of the co-culture, possibly due to homogenization of the connectivity distribution.Significance.The new methodology presented here proved useful for investigating the role of tau in the remodeling of complex brain-derived neural networks. The results confirm previous findings and hypotheses concerning the effects of tau ablation on neural networks. Moreover, the results suggest, for the first time, that tau has multifaceted roles that vary in different brain sub-networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Bouillet
- University Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1172 - LilNCog - Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, Lille F-59000, France
| | - Manuel Ciba
- BioMEMS Lab, University of Applied Sciences Aschaffenburg, Aschaffenburg 63743, Germany
| | - Caroline Lourenço Alves
- BioMEMS Lab, University of Applied Sciences Aschaffenburg, Aschaffenburg 63743, Germany.,Institute of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of São Paulo, São Carlos SP 13566-590, Brazil
| | | | - Christiane Thielemann
- BioMEMS Lab, University of Applied Sciences Aschaffenburg, Aschaffenburg 63743, Germany
| | - Morvane Colin
- University Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1172 - LilNCog - Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, Lille F-59000, France
| | - Luc Buée
- University Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1172 - LilNCog - Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, Lille F-59000, France
| | - Sophie Halliez
- University Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1172 - LilNCog - Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, Lille F-59000, France
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Gottschalk AC, Hefti MM. The evolution of microtubule associated proteins - a reference proteomic perspective. BMC Genomics 2022; 23:266. [PMID: 35387592 PMCID: PMC8985376 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-022-08502-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Microtubule associated proteins (MAPs), defined as proteins that bind microtubules but are not molecular motors or severing enzymes, play a key role in regulating microtubule stability in neurons. Existing studies of the evolutionary relationships between these proteins are limited to genomic data from a small number of species. We therefore used a large collection of publicly available reference-quality eukaryotic proteomes to carry out a phylogenetic analysis of microtubule associated proteins in both vertebrates and invertebrates. Complete or near-complete reference quality proteomes were obtained from Uniprot. Microtubule associated proteins were identified using InterProtScan, aligned using MUSCLE and then phylogenetic trees constructed using the WAG algorithm. We identified 889 proteins with tubulin binding domains, of which 663 were in eukaryotes, including 168 vertebrates and 64 invertebrates. The vertebrate proteins separated into three families, resembling human MAP 2, MAP4 and MAPT, respectively, while invertebrate MAPs clustered separately. We found significant variation in number of microtubule associated proteins and number of microtubule binding domains between taxa, with fish and mollusks having an unexpectedly high number of MAPs and binding domains, respectively. Our findings represent a novel analysis of the evolution of microtubule associated proteins based on publicly available proteomics data sets. We were able to confirm the phylogeny of MAPs identified based on more limited genomic analyses, and in addition, derived several novel insights on the structure and function of MAPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy C Gottschalk
- College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Iowa, Iowa City, USA.,Department of Pathology, University of Iowa, 25 S Grand Ave, MRC-108A, Iowa City, IA, 52240, USA
| | - Marco M Hefti
- Department of Pathology, University of Iowa, 25 S Grand Ave, MRC-108A, Iowa City, IA, 52240, USA.
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9
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Morris SL, Brady ST. Tau phosphorylation and PAD exposure in regulation of axonal growth. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:1023418. [PMID: 36742197 PMCID: PMC9893789 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.1023418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Tau is a microtubule associated phosphoprotein found principally in neurons. Prevailing dogma continues to define microtubule stabilization as the major function of tau in vivo, despite several lines of evidence suggesting this is not the case. Most importantly, tau null mice have deficits in axonal outgrowth and neuronal migration while still possessing an extensive microtubule network. Instead, mounting evidence suggests that tau may have a major function in the regulation of fast axonal transport (FAT) through activation of neuronal signaling pathways. Previous studies identified a phosphatase activating domain (PAD) at the tau N-terminal that is normally sequestered, but is constitutively exposed in tauopathies. When exposed, the PAD activates a signaling cascade involving PP1 and GSK3β which affects cellular functions including release of cargo from kinesin. Furthermore, we discovered that PAD exposure can be regulated by a single phosphorylation at T205. Exposure of the PAD is an early event in multiple tauopathies and a major contributing factor to neurodegeneration associated with tau hyperphosphorylation. However, effects of tau PAD exposure on anterograde FAT raised the interesting possibility that this pathway may be a mechanism for physiological regulation of cargo delivery through site-specific phosphorylation of tau and transient activation of PP1 and GSK3β. Significantly, there is already evidence of local control of PP1 and GSK3β at sites which require cargo delivery. Methods: To investigate this hypothesis, first we evaluated cellular localization of tau PAD exposure, pT205 tau phosphorylation, and active GSK3β in primary hippocampal neurons during development. Second, we analyzed the axonal outgrowth of tau knockout neurons following transfection with full length hTau40-WT, hTau40-ΔPAD, or hTau40-T205A. Results and Discussion: The results presented here suggest that transient activation of a PP1-GSK3β signaling pathway through locally regulated PAD exposure is a mechanism for cargo delivery, and thereby important for neurite outgrowth of developing neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- S L Morris
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - S T Brady
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
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10
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Fame RM, Lehtinen MK. Mitochondria in Early Forebrain Development: From Neurulation to Mid-Corticogenesis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:780207. [PMID: 34888312 PMCID: PMC8650308 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.780207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Function of the mature central nervous system (CNS) requires a substantial proportion of the body’s energy consumption. During development, the CNS anlage must maintain its structure and perform stage-specific functions as it proceeds through discrete developmental stages. While key extrinsic signals and internal transcriptional controls over these processes are well appreciated, metabolic and mitochondrial states are also critical to appropriate forebrain development. Specifically, metabolic state, mitochondrial function, and mitochondrial dynamics/localization play critical roles in neurulation and CNS progenitor specification, progenitor proliferation and survival, neurogenesis, neural migration, and neurite outgrowth and synaptogenesis. With the goal of integrating neurodevelopmental biologists and mitochondrial specialists, this review synthesizes data from disparate models and processes to compile and highlight key roles of mitochondria in the early development of the CNS with specific focus on forebrain development and corticogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryann M Fame
- Department of Pathology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Maria K Lehtinen
- Department of Pathology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
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11
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Andreou D, Jørgensen KN, Nerland S, Smelror RE, Wedervang-Resell K, Johannessen CH, Myhre AM, Andreassen OA, Blennow K, Zetterberg H, Agartz I. Lower plasma total tau in adolescent psychosis: Involvement of the orbitofrontal cortex. J Psychiatr Res 2021; 144:255-261. [PMID: 34700214 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.10.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 10/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is thought to be a neurodevelopmental disorder with neuronal migration, differentiation and maturation disturbances. Tau is a microtubule-associated protein with a crucial role in these processes. Lower circulating tau levels have been reported in adults with schizophrenia, but this association has not been investigated in adolescent psychosis. We aimed to test the hypotheses that a) adolescents with early-onset psychosis (EOP; age of onset <18 years) display lower plasma tau concentrations compared to healthy controls, and b) among patients with psychosis, tau levels are linked to structural brain measures associated with the microtubule-associated tau (MAPT) gene and psychosis. We included 37 adolescent patients with EOP (mean age 16.4 years) and 59 adolescent healthy controls (mean age 16.2 years). We investigated putative patient-control differences in plasma total tau concentrations measured by a Single molecule array (Simoa) immunoassay. We explored the correlations between tau and selected structural brain measures based on T1-weighted MRI scans processed in FreeSurfer v6.0. We found significantly lower plasma tau concentrations in patients compared to healthy controls (p = 0.017, partial eta-squared = 0.061). Tau was not associated with antipsychotic use or the antipsychotic dosage. Among patients but not healthy controls, tau levels were positively correlated with the cortical orbitofrontal surface area (p = 0.013, R-squared = 0.24). The results are suggestive of a tau-related neurodevelopmental disturbance in adolescent psychosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios Andreou
- Norwegian Centre for Mental Disorders Research (NORMENT), Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Department of Psychiatric Research, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway; Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet & Stockholm Health Care Services, Stockholm County Council, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Kjetil Nordbø Jørgensen
- Norwegian Centre for Mental Disorders Research (NORMENT), Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Department of Psychiatric Research, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Stener Nerland
- Norwegian Centre for Mental Disorders Research (NORMENT), Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Department of Psychiatric Research, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Runar Elle Smelror
- Norwegian Centre for Mental Disorders Research (NORMENT), Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Department of Psychiatric Research, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Kirsten Wedervang-Resell
- Norwegian Centre for Mental Disorders Research (NORMENT), Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Child and Adolescent Mental Health Research Unit, Department of Research and Innovation, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Cecilie Haggag Johannessen
- Norwegian Centre for Mental Disorders Research (NORMENT), Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Anne Margrethe Myhre
- Norwegian Centre for Mental Disorders Research (NORMENT), Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Department of Research and Innovation, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ole A Andreassen
- Norwegian Centre for Mental Disorders Research (NORMENT), Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Norwegian Centre for Mental Disorders Research (NORMENT), Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Kaj Blennow
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden; Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Henrik Zetterberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden; Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden; Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, UK; UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, London, UK
| | - Ingrid Agartz
- Norwegian Centre for Mental Disorders Research (NORMENT), Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Department of Psychiatric Research, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway; Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet & Stockholm Health Care Services, Stockholm County Council, Stockholm, Sweden
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12
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Gonzalez Osorio C, Guduru P, Osier N. The Female Impact in the World of Neurodegeneration. Front Integr Neurosci 2021; 15:750603. [PMID: 34690712 PMCID: PMC8526548 DOI: 10.3389/fnint.2021.750603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Pragnya Guduru
- College of Natural Sciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Nico Osier
- University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing, Austin, TX, United States
- Department of Neurology Austin, Dell Medical School, Austin, TX, United States
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13
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Robbins M, Clayton E, Kaminski Schierle GS. Synaptic tau: A pathological or physiological phenomenon? Acta Neuropathol Commun 2021; 9:149. [PMID: 34503576 PMCID: PMC8428049 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-021-01246-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In this review, we discuss the synaptic aspects of Tau pathology occurring during Alzheimer's disease (AD) and how this may relate to memory impairment, a major hallmark of AD. Whilst the clinical diagnosis of AD patients is a loss of working memory and long-term declarative memory, the histological diagnosis is the presence of neurofibrillary tangles of hyperphosphorylated Tau and Amyloid-beta plaques. Tau pathology spreads through synaptically connected neurons to impair synaptic function preceding the formation of neurofibrillary tangles, synaptic loss, axonal retraction and cell death. Alongside synaptic pathology, recent data suggest that Tau has physiological roles in the pre- or post- synaptic compartments. Thus, we have seen a shift in the research focus from Tau as a microtubule-stabilising protein in axons, to Tau as a synaptic protein with roles in accelerating spine formation, dendritic elongation, and in synaptic plasticity coordinating memory pathways. We collate here the myriad of emerging interactions and physiological roles of synaptic Tau, and discuss the current evidence that synaptic Tau contributes to pathology in AD.
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14
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Cuestas Torres DM, Cardenas FP. Synaptic plasticity in Alzheimer's disease and healthy aging. Rev Neurosci 2021; 31:245-268. [PMID: 32250284 DOI: 10.1515/revneuro-2019-0058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The strength and efficiency of synaptic connections are affected by the environment or the experience of the individual. This property, called synaptic plasticity, is directly related to memory and learning processes and has been modeled at the cellular level. These types of cellular memory and learning models include specific stimulation protocols that generate a long-term strengthening of the synapses, called long-term potentiation, or a weakening of the said long-term synapses, called long-term depression. Although, for decades, researchers have believed that the main cause of the cognitive deficit that characterizes Alzheimer's disease (AD) and aging was the loss of neurons, the hypothesis of an imbalance in the cellular and molecular mechanisms of synaptic plasticity underlying this deficit is currently widely accepted. An understanding of the molecular and cellular changes underlying the process of synaptic plasticity during the development of AD and aging will direct future studies to specific targets, resulting in the development of much more efficient and specific therapeutic strategies. In this review, we classify, discuss, and describe the main findings related to changes in the neurophysiological mechanisms of synaptic plasticity in excitatory synapses underlying AD and aging. In addition, we suggest possible mechanisms in which aging can become a high-risk factor for the development of AD and how its development could be prevented or slowed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Marcela Cuestas Torres
- Departamento de Psicología and Departamento de Biología, Laboratorio de Neurociencia y Comportamiento, Universidad de los Andes, Cra 1 N° 18A-12, CP 111711, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Fernando P Cardenas
- Departamento de Psicología, Laboratorio de Neurociencia y Comportamiento, Universidad de los Andes, Cra 1 N° 18A-12, CP 111711, Bogotá, Colombia
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15
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Yin X, Zhao C, Qiu Y, Zhou Z, Bao J, Qian W. Dendritic/Post-synaptic Tau and Early Pathology of Alzheimer's Disease. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:671779. [PMID: 34248498 PMCID: PMC8270001 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.671779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Microtubule-associated protein tau forms insoluble neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), which is one of the major histopathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Many studies have demonstrated that tau causes early functional deficits prior to the formation of neurofibrillary aggregates. The redistribution of tau from axons to the somatodendritic compartment of neurons and dendritic spines causes synaptic impairment, and then leads to the loss of synaptic contacts that correlates better with cognitive deficits than amyloid-β (Aβ) aggregates do in AD patients. In this review, we discuss the underlying mechanisms by which tau is mislocalized to dendritic spines and contributes to synaptic dysfunction in AD. We also discuss the synergistic effects of tau and oligomeric forms of Aβ on promoting synaptic dysfunction in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaomin Yin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical School, Nantong University, Nantong, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education of China, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, China.,NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Tissue Engineering Technology Products, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Chenhao Zhao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical School, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Yanyan Qiu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical School, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Zheng Zhou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical School, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Junze Bao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical School, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Wei Qian
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical School, Nantong University, Nantong, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education of China, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, China.,NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Tissue Engineering Technology Products, Nantong University, Nantong, China
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16
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Alves SS, Silva-Junior RMPD, Servilha-Menezes G, Homolak J, Šalković-Petrišić M, Garcia-Cairasco N. Insulin Resistance as a Common Link Between Current Alzheimer's Disease Hypotheses. J Alzheimers Dis 2021; 82:71-105. [PMID: 34024838 DOI: 10.3233/jad-210234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Almost 115 years ago, Alois Alzheimer described Alzheimer's disease (AD) for the first time. Since then, many hypotheses have been proposed. However, AD remains a severe health public problem. The current medical approaches for AD are limited to symptomatic interventions and the complexity of this disease has led to a failure rate of approximately 99.6%in AD clinical trials. In fact, no new drug has been approved for AD treatment since 2003. These failures indicate that we are failing in mimicking this disease in experimental models. Although most studies have focused on the amyloid cascade hypothesis of AD, the literature has made clear that AD is rather a multifactorial disorder. Therefore, the persistence in a single theory has resulted in lost opportunities. In this review, we aim to present the striking points of the long scientific path followed since the description of the first AD case and the main AD hypotheses discussed over the last decades. We also propose insulin resistance as a common link between many other hypotheses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suélen Santos Alves
- Department of Neurosciences and Behavioral Sciences, Ribeirão Preto Medical School - University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rui Milton Patrício da Silva-Junior
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ribeirão Preto Medical School -University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.,Department of Physiology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School - University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gabriel Servilha-Menezes
- Department of Physiology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School - University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jan Homolak
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia.,Croatian Institute for Brain Research, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Melita Šalković-Petrišić
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia.,Croatian Institute for Brain Research, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Norberto Garcia-Cairasco
- Department of Neurosciences and Behavioral Sciences, Ribeirão Preto Medical School - University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.,Department of Physiology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School - University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
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17
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Chang CW, Shao E, Mucke L. Tau: Enabler of diverse brain disorders and target of rapidly evolving therapeutic strategies. Science 2021; 371:371/6532/eabb8255. [PMID: 33632820 DOI: 10.1126/science.abb8255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Several lines of evidence implicate the protein tau in the pathogenesis of multiple brain disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, other neurodegenerative conditions, autism, and epilepsy. Tau is abundant in neurons and interacts with microtubules, but its main functions in the brain remain to be defined. These functions may involve the regulation of signaling pathways relevant to diverse biological processes. Informative disease models have revealed a plethora of abnormal tau species and mechanisms that might contribute to neuronal dysfunction and loss, but the relative importance of their respective contributions is uncertain. This knowledge gap poses major obstacles to the development of truly impactful therapeutic strategies. The current expansion and intensification of efforts to translate mechanistic insights into tau-related therapeutics should address this issue and could deliver better treatments for a host of devastating conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Che-Wei Chang
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Eric Shao
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Lennart Mucke
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA. .,Department of Neurology and Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
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18
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Magnin E. Neurodevelopmental and Neurodegenerative Similarities and Interactions: A Point of View About Lifelong Neurocognitive Trajectories. J Alzheimers Dis 2021; 79:1397-1407. [PMID: 33459644 DOI: 10.3233/jad-201207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders are both growing major public health topics with similarities and frequent complex interactions with each other. Taking these aspects into account can provide a new point of view on lifelong neurocognitive trajectories. Assessing both neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative dimensions during cognitive and behavioral clinical assessments is challenging but might improve diagnostic accuracy and physiopathological understanding. It is therefore necessary to understand the lifelong specific neurocognitive trajectory of each patient in order to develop personalized precision cognitive medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eloi Magnin
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Besançon, Besançon, France.,Clinical and Integrative Neuroscience, Research Laboratory 481, Bourgogne Franche-Comté University, Besançon, France
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19
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Kent SA, Spires-Jones TL, Durrant CS. The physiological roles of tau and Aβ: implications for Alzheimer's disease pathology and therapeutics. Acta Neuropathol 2020; 140:417-447. [PMID: 32728795 PMCID: PMC7498448 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-020-02196-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 197] [Impact Index Per Article: 49.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Tau and amyloid beta (Aβ) are the prime suspects for driving pathology in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and, as such, have become the focus of therapeutic development. Recent research, however, shows that these proteins have been highly conserved throughout evolution and may have crucial, physiological roles. Such functions may be lost during AD progression or be unintentionally disrupted by tau- or Aβ-targeting therapies. Tau has been revealed to be more than a simple stabiliser of microtubules, reported to play a role in a range of biological processes including myelination, glucose metabolism, axonal transport, microtubule dynamics, iron homeostasis, neurogenesis, motor function, learning and memory, neuronal excitability, and DNA protection. Aβ is similarly multifunctional, and is proposed to regulate learning and memory, angiogenesis, neurogenesis, repair leaks in the blood-brain barrier, promote recovery from injury, and act as an antimicrobial peptide and tumour suppressor. This review will discuss potential physiological roles of tau and Aβ, highlighting how changes to these functions may contribute to pathology, as well as the implications for therapeutic development. We propose that a balanced consideration of both the physiological and pathological roles of tau and Aβ will be essential for the design of safe and effective therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A. Kent
- Translational Neuroscience PhD Programme, Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences and the UK Dementia Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, 1 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9JZ Scotland, UK
| | - Tara L. Spires-Jones
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences and the UK Dementia Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, 1 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9JZ Scotland, UK
| | - Claire S. Durrant
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences and the UK Dementia Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, 1 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9JZ Scotland, UK
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20
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Ju Y, Park JS, Kim D, Kim B, Lee JH, Nam Y, Yoo HW, Lee BH, Han YM. SHP2 mutations induce precocious gliogenesis of Noonan syndrome-derived iPSCs during neural development in vitro. Stem Cell Res Ther 2020; 11:209. [PMID: 32493428 PMCID: PMC7268229 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-020-01709-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Revised: 03/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Noonan syndrome (NS) is a developmental disorder caused by mutations of Src homology 2 domain-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase 2 (SHP2). Although NS patients have diverse neurological manifestations, the mechanisms underlying the involvement of SHP2 mutations in neurological dysfunction remain elusive. Methods Induced pluripotent stem cells generated from dermal fibroblasts of three NS-patients (NS-iPSCs) differentiated to the neural cells by using two different culture systems, 2D- and 3D-cultured systems in vitro. Results Here we represent that SHP2 mutations cause aberrant neural development. The NS-iPSCs exhibited impaired development of EBs in which BMP and TGF-β signalings were activated. Defective early neuroectodermal development of NS-iPSCs recovered by inhibition of both signalings and further differentiated into NPCs. Intriguingly, neural cells developed from NS-NPCs exhibited abundancy of the glial cells, neurites of neuronal cells, and low electrophysiological property. Those aberrant phenotypes were also detected in NS-cerebral organoids. SHP2 inhibition in the NS-NPCs and NS-cerebral organoids ameliorated those anomalies such as biased glial differentiation and low neural activity. Conclusion Our findings demonstrate that SHP2 mutations contribute to precocious gliogenesis in NS-iPSCs during neural development in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Younghee Ju
- Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun Sung Park
- Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, KAIST, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Daejeong Kim
- Department of Bio and Brain Engineering, KAIST, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Bumsoo Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong Ho Lee
- Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, KAIST, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoonkey Nam
- Department of Bio and Brain Engineering, KAIST, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Han-Wook Yoo
- Department of Pediatrics, Asan Medical Center Children's Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, 05505, Republic of Korea
| | - Beom Hee Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, Asan Medical Center Children's Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, 05505, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong-Mahn Han
- Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea.
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21
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Regan P, Cho K. The Role of Tau in the Post-synapse. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2020; 1184:113-121. [PMID: 32096033 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-32-9358-8_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
It is well documented that tauopathy is involved in various forms of neurodegenerative disease. However, there is a huge gap in terms of our understanding of the neurophysiological roles of tau, and how these can be aberrantly regulated by pathological processes. Tau is enriched in the axon but is also localized to synapses. The finding of synaptically localised tau has undoubtedly created more questions than it has answered. What is the physiological role of tau at the synapse? Whether and how does tau interact with and effect other synaptic proteins to mediate this function? Are these effects regulated by post-translational modifications of tau, such as phosphorylation? Such questions require significant attention from the scientific community if we are to resolve this critical aspect of tau biology. This chapter will describe our current understanding of synaptic tau and its functions and illuminate the numerous remaining challenges in this evolving research area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip Regan
- Henry Wellcome Laboratories for Integrative Neuroscience and Endocrinology, Bristol Medical School, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Kwangwook Cho
- UK-Dementia Research Institute, Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, King's College London, London, UK.
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22
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Duchateau A, de Thonel A, El Fatimy R, Dubreuil V, Mezger V. The "HSF connection": Pleiotropic regulation and activities of Heat Shock Factors shape pathophysiological brain development. Neurosci Lett 2020; 725:134895. [PMID: 32147500 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2020.134895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2019] [Revised: 02/29/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The Heat Shock Factors (HSFs) have been historically identified as a family of transcription factors that are activated and work in a stress-responsive manner, after exposure to a large variety of stimuli. However, they are also critical in normal conditions, in a life long manner, in a number of physiological processes that encompass gametogenesis, embryonic development and the integrity of adult organs and organisms. The importance of such roles is emphasized by the devastating impact of their deregulation on health, ranging from reproductive failure, neurodevelopmental disorders, cancer, and aging pathologies, including neurodegenerative disorders. Here, we provide an overview of the delicate choreography of the regulation of HSFs during neurodevelopment, at prenatal and postnatal stages. The regulation of HSFs acts at multiple layers and steps, and comprises the control of (i) HSF mRNA and protein levels, (ii) HSF activity in terms of DNA-binding and transcription, (iii) HSF homo- and hetero-oligomerization capacities, and (iv) HSF combinatory set of post-translational modifications. We also describe how these regulatory mechanisms operate in the normal developing brain and how their perturbation impact neurodevelopment under prenatal or perinatal stress conditions. In addition, we put into perspective the possible role of HSFs in the evolution of the vertebrate brains and the importance of the HSF pathway in a large variety of neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agathe Duchateau
- Université de Paris, Epigenetics and Cell Fate, CNRS, F-75013, Paris, France; Département Hospitalo-Universitaire DHU PROTECT, Paris, France; ED 562 BioSPC, Université de Paris, F-75205, Paris Cedex 13, France
| | - Aurélie de Thonel
- Université de Paris, Epigenetics and Cell Fate, CNRS, F-75013, Paris, France; Département Hospitalo-Universitaire DHU PROTECT, Paris, France
| | - Rachid El Fatimy
- Université de Paris, Epigenetics and Cell Fate, CNRS, F-75013, Paris, France; Département Hospitalo-Universitaire DHU PROTECT, Paris, France
| | - Véronique Dubreuil
- Université de Paris, Epigenetics and Cell Fate, CNRS, F-75013, Paris, France; Département Hospitalo-Universitaire DHU PROTECT, Paris, France
| | - Valérie Mezger
- Université de Paris, Epigenetics and Cell Fate, CNRS, F-75013, Paris, France; Département Hospitalo-Universitaire DHU PROTECT, Paris, France.
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23
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Liu G, Thangavel R, Rysted J, Kim Y, Francis MB, Adams E, Lin Z, Taugher RJ, Wemmie JA, Usachev YM, Lee G. Loss of tau and Fyn reduces compensatory effects of MAP2 for tau and reveals a Fyn-independent effect of tau on calcium. J Neurosci Res 2019; 97:1393-1413. [PMID: 31452242 PMCID: PMC6850396 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2019] [Revised: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 08/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Microtubule-associated protein tau associates with Src family tyrosine kinase Fyn and is tyrosine phosphorylated by Fyn. The presence of tyrosine phosphorylated tau in AD and the involvement of Fyn in AD has drawn attention to the tau-Fyn complex. In this study, a tau-Fyn double knockout (DKO) mouse was generated to investigate the role of the complex. DKO mice resembled Fyn KO in novel object recognition and contextual fear conditioning tasks and resembled tau KO mice in the pole test and protection from pentylenetetrazole-induced seizures. In glutamate-induced Ca2+ response, Fyn KO was decreased relative to WT and DKO had a greater reduction relative to Fyn KO, suggesting that tau may have a Fyn-independent role. Since tau KO resembled WT in its Ca2+ response, we investigated whether microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) served to compensate for tau, since the MAP2 level was increased in tau KO but decreased in DKO mice. We found that like tau, MAP2 increased Fyn activity. Moreover, tau KO neurons had increased density of dendritic MAP2-Fyn complexes relative to WT neurons. Therefore, we hypothesize that in the tau KO, the absence of tau would be compensated by MAP2, especially in the dendrites, where tau-Fyn complexes are of critical importance. In the DKO, decreased levels of MAP2 made compensation more difficult, thus revealing the effect of tau in the Ca2+ response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanghao Liu
- Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Ramasamy Thangavel
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Jacob Rysted
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Yohan Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Meghan B Francis
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Eric Adams
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Zhihong Lin
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Rebecca J Taugher
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - John A Wemmie
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Yuriy M Usachev
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Gloria Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
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24
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Kroeze Y, Oti M, van Beusekom E, Cooijmans RHM, van Bokhoven H, Kolk SM, Homberg JR, Zhou H. Transcriptome Analysis Identifies Multifaceted Regulatory Mechanisms Dictating a Genetic Switch from Neuronal Network Establishment to Maintenance During Postnatal Prefrontal Cortex Development. Cereb Cortex 2019; 28:833-851. [PMID: 28108491 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhw407] [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] [Received: 06/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is one of the latest brain regions to mature, which allows the acquisition of complex cognitive abilities through experience. To unravel the underlying gene expression changes during postnatal development, we performed RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) in the rat medial PFC (mPFC) at five developmental time points from infancy to adulthood, and analyzed the differential expression of protein-coding genes, long intergenic noncoding RNAs (lincRNAs), and alternative exons. We showed that most expression changes occur in infancy, and that the number of differentially expressed genes reduces toward adulthood. We observed 137 differentially expressed lincRNAs and 796 genes showing alternative exon usage during postnatal development. Importantly, we detected a genetic switch from neuronal network establishment in infancy to maintenance of neural networks in adulthood based on gene expression dynamics, involving changes in protein-coding and lincRNA gene expression as well as alternative exon usage. Our gene expression datasets provide insights into the multifaceted transcriptional regulation of the developing PFC. They can be used to study the basic developmental processes of the mPFC and to understand the mechanisms of neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders. Our study provides an important contribution to the ongoing efforts to complete the "brain map", and to the understanding of PFC development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvet Kroeze
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Centre for Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Centre, 6525 EZ Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Department of Human Genetics, Centre for Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Centre, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Martin Oti
- Department of Molecular Developmental Biology, Faculty of Science, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Carlos Chagas Filho Biophysics Institute (IBCCF), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ellen van Beusekom
- Department of Human Genetics, Centre for Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Centre, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Roel H M Cooijmans
- Department of Molecular Developmental Biology, Faculty of Science, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Hans van Bokhoven
- Department of Human Genetics, Centre for Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Centre, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Sharon M Kolk
- Department of Molecular Animal Physiology, Centre for Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Judith R Homberg
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Centre for Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Centre, 6525 EZ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Huiqing Zhou
- Department of Human Genetics, Centre for Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Centre, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Department of Molecular Developmental Biology, Faculty of Science, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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25
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Identifying Windows of Susceptibility by Temporal Gene Analysis. Sci Rep 2019; 9:2740. [PMID: 30809014 PMCID: PMC6391370 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-39318-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2018] [Accepted: 01/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Increased understanding of developmental disorders of the brain has shown that genetic mutations, environmental toxins and biological insults typically act during developmental windows of susceptibility. Identifying these vulnerable periods is a necessary and vital step for safeguarding women and their fetuses against disease causing agents during pregnancy and for developing timely interventions and treatments for neurodevelopmental disorders. We analyzed developmental time-course gene expression data derived from human pluripotent stem cells, with disease association, pathway, and protein interaction databases to identify windows of disease susceptibility during development and the time periods for productive interventions. The results are displayed as interactive Susceptibility Windows Ontological Transcriptome (SWOT) Clocks illustrating disease susceptibility over developmental time. Using this method, we determine the likely windows of susceptibility for multiple neurological disorders using known disease associated genes and genes derived from RNA-sequencing studies including autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia, and Zika virus induced microcephaly. SWOT clocks provide a valuable tool for integrating data from multiple databases in a developmental context with data generated from next-generation sequencing to help identify windows of susceptibility.
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Brewster JT, Dell’Acqua S, Thach DQ, Sessler JL. Classics in Chemical Neuroscience: Donepezil. ACS Chem Neurosci 2019; 10:155-167. [PMID: 30372021 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.8b00517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The discovery of acetylcholine and acetylcholinesterase provided the first insight into the intricacies of chemical signal transduction and neuronal communication. Further elucidation of the underlying mechanisms led to an attendant leveraging of this knowledge via the synthesis of new therapeutics designed to control aberrant biochemical processes. The central role of the cholinergic system within human memory and learning, as well as its implication in Alzheimer's disease, has made it a point of focus within the neuropharmacology and medicinal chemistry communities. This review is focused on donepezil and covers the background, synthetic routes, structure-activity relationships, binding interactions with acetylcholinesterase, pharmacokinetics and metabolism, efficacy, adverse effects, and historical importance of this leading therapeutic in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and true Classic in Chemical Neuroscience.
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Affiliation(s)
- James T. Brewster
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712-1224, United States
| | - Simone Dell’Acqua
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pavia, Via Taramelli 12, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Danny Q. Thach
- Department of Chemistry, University of California—Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Jonathan L. Sessler
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712-1224, United States
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27
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Verheyen A, Diels A, Reumers J, Van Hoorde K, Van den Wyngaert I, van Outryve d'Ydewalle C, De Bondt A, Kuijlaars J, De Muynck L, De Hoogt R, Bretteville A, Jaensch S, Buist A, Cabrera-Socorro A, Wray S, Ebneth A, Roevens P, Royaux I, Peeters PJ. Genetically Engineered iPSC-Derived FTDP-17 MAPT Neurons Display Mutation-Specific Neurodegenerative and Neurodevelopmental Phenotypes. Stem Cell Reports 2018; 11:363-379. [PMID: 30057263 PMCID: PMC6093179 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2018.06.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2017] [Revised: 06/29/2018] [Accepted: 06/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Tauopathies such as frontotemporal dementia (FTD) remain incurable to date, partially due to the lack of translational in vitro disease models. The MAPT gene, encoding the microtubule-associated protein tau, has been shown to play an important role in FTD pathogenesis. Therefore, we used zinc finger nucleases to introduce two MAPT mutations into healthy donor induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). The IVS10+16 mutation increases the expression of 4R tau, while the P301S mutation is pro-aggregant. Whole-transcriptome analysis of MAPT IVS10+16 neurons reveals neuronal subtype differences, reduced neural progenitor proliferation potential, and aberrant WNT/SHH signaling. Notably, these neurodevelopmental phenotypes could be recapitulated in neurons from patients carrying the MAPT IVS10+16 mutation. Moreover, the additional pro-aggregant P301S mutation revealed additional phenotypes, such as an increased calcium burst frequency, reduced lysosomal acidity, tau oligomerization, and neurodegeneration. This series of iPSCs could serve as a platform to unravel a potential link between pathogenic 4R tau and FTD. Analysis of ZFN-engineered MAPT IVS10+16 with or without additional P301S mutation Neurodevelopmental phenotypes in ZFN and patient-derived MAPT IVS10+16 neurons Neurodegenerative phenotypes in MAPT IVS10+16/P301S double-mutant neurons
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Affiliation(s)
- An Verheyen
- Janssen Research & Development, A Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V, Turnhoutseweg 30, Beerse 2340, Belgium.
| | - Annick Diels
- Janssen Research & Development, A Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V, Turnhoutseweg 30, Beerse 2340, Belgium
| | - Joke Reumers
- Janssen Research & Development, A Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V, Turnhoutseweg 30, Beerse 2340, Belgium
| | | | - Ilse Van den Wyngaert
- Janssen Research & Development, A Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V, Turnhoutseweg 30, Beerse 2340, Belgium
| | | | - An De Bondt
- Janssen Research & Development, A Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V, Turnhoutseweg 30, Beerse 2340, Belgium
| | - Jacobine Kuijlaars
- Hasselt University, Biomedical Research Institute, Diepenbeek 3590, Belgium
| | - Louis De Muynck
- Janssen Research & Development, A Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V, Turnhoutseweg 30, Beerse 2340, Belgium
| | - Ronald De Hoogt
- Janssen Research & Development, A Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V, Turnhoutseweg 30, Beerse 2340, Belgium
| | - Alexis Bretteville
- Janssen Research & Development, A Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V, Turnhoutseweg 30, Beerse 2340, Belgium
| | - Steffen Jaensch
- Janssen Research & Development, A Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V, Turnhoutseweg 30, Beerse 2340, Belgium
| | - Arjan Buist
- Janssen Research & Development, A Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V, Turnhoutseweg 30, Beerse 2340, Belgium
| | - Alfredo Cabrera-Socorro
- Janssen Research & Development, A Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V, Turnhoutseweg 30, Beerse 2340, Belgium
| | - Selina Wray
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London WC1N 1PJ, UK
| | - Andreas Ebneth
- Janssen Research & Development, A Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V, Turnhoutseweg 30, Beerse 2340, Belgium
| | - Peter Roevens
- Janssen Research & Development, A Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V, Turnhoutseweg 30, Beerse 2340, Belgium
| | - Ines Royaux
- Janssen Research & Development, A Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V, Turnhoutseweg 30, Beerse 2340, Belgium
| | - Pieter J Peeters
- Janssen Research & Development, A Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V, Turnhoutseweg 30, Beerse 2340, Belgium
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Lasser M, Tiber J, Lowery LA. The Role of the Microtubule Cytoskeleton in Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Front Cell Neurosci 2018; 12:165. [PMID: 29962938 PMCID: PMC6010848 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2018.00165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2018] [Accepted: 05/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurons depend on the highly dynamic microtubule (MT) cytoskeleton for many different processes during early embryonic development including cell division and migration, intracellular trafficking and signal transduction, as well as proper axon guidance and synapse formation. The coordination and support from MTs is crucial for newly formed neurons to migrate appropriately in order to establish neural connections. Once connections are made, MTs provide structural integrity and support to maintain neural connectivity throughout development. Abnormalities in neural migration and connectivity due to genetic mutations of MT-associated proteins can lead to detrimental developmental defects. Growing evidence suggests that these mutations are associated with many different neurodevelopmental disorders, including intellectual disabilities (ID) and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). In this review article, we highlight the crucial role of the MT cytoskeleton in the context of neurodevelopment and summarize genetic mutations of various MT related proteins that may underlie or contribute to neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Micaela Lasser
- Department of Biology, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, United States
| | - Jessica Tiber
- Department of Biology, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, United States
| | - Laura Anne Lowery
- Department of Biology, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, United States
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29
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Abstract
BACKGROUND The microtubule-associated protein Tau plays a role in neurodegeneration as well as neurogenesis. Previous work has shown that the expression of the pro-aggregant mutant Tau repeat domain causes strong aggregation and pronounced neuronal loss in the hippocampus whereas the anti-aggregant form has no deleterious effects. These two proteins differ mainly in their propensity to form ß structure and hence to aggregate. METHODS To elucidate the basis of these contrasting effects, we analyzed organotypic hippocampal slice cultures (OHSCs) from transgenic mice expressing the repeat domain (RD) of Tau with the anti-aggregant mutation (TauRDΔKPP) and compared them with slices containing pro-aggregant TauRDΔK. Transgene expression in the hippocampus was monitored via a sensitive bioluminescence reporter gene assay (luciferase). RESULTS The expression of the anti-aggregant TauRDΔKPP leads to a larger volume of the hippocampus at a young age due to enhanced neurogenesis, resulting in an increase in neuronal number. There were no signs of activation of microglia and astrocytes, indicating the absence of an inflammatory reaction. Investigation of signaling pathways showed that Wnt-5a was strongly decreased whereas Wnt3 was increased. A pronounced increase in hippocampal stem cell proliferation (seen by BrdU) was observed as early as P8, in the CA regions where neurogenesis is normally not observed. The increase in neurons persisted up to 16 months of age. CONCLUSION The data suggest that the expression of anti-aggregant TauRDΔKPP enhances hippocampal neurogenesis mediated by the canonical Wnt signaling pathway, without an inflammatory reaction. This study points to a role of tau in brain development and neurogenesis, in contrast to its detrimental role in neurodegeneration at later age.
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30
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The Microtubule-Associated Protein Tau Mediates the Organization of Microtubules and Their Dynamic Exploration of Actin-Rich Lamellipodia and Filopodia of Cortical Growth Cones. J Neurosci 2017; 38:291-307. [PMID: 29167405 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2281-17.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2017] [Revised: 10/10/2017] [Accepted: 10/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Proper organization and dynamics of the actin and microtubule (MT) cytoskeleton are essential for growth cone behaviors during axon growth and guidance. The MT-associated protein tau is known to mediate actin/MT interactions in cell-free systems but the role of tau in regulating cytoskeletal dynamics in living neurons is unknown. We used cultures of cortical neurons from postnatal day (P)0-P2 golden Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) of either sex to study the role of tau in the organization and dynamics of the axonal growth cone cytoskeleton. Here, using super resolution microscopy of fixed growth cones, we found that tau colocalizes with MTs and actin filaments and is also located at the interface between actin filament bundles and dynamic MTs in filopodia, suggesting that tau links these two cytoskeletons. Live cell imaging in concert with shRNA tau knockdown revealed that reducing tau expression disrupts MT bundling in the growth cone central domain, misdirects trajectories of MTs in the transition region and prevents single dynamic MTs from extending into growth cone filopodia along actin filament bundles. Rescue experiments with human tau expression restored MT bundling, MT penetration into the growth cone periphery and close MT apposition to actin filaments in filopodia. Importantly, we found that tau knockdown reduced axon outgrowth and growth cone turning in Wnt5a gradients, likely due to disorganized MTs that failed to extend into the peripheral domain and enter filopodia. These results suggest an important role for tau in regulating cytoskeletal organization and dynamics during growth cone behaviors.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Growth cones are the motile tips of growing axons whose guidance behaviors require interaction of the dynamic actin and microtubule cytoskeleton. Tau is a microtubule-associated protein that stabilizes microtubules in neurons and in cell-free systems regulates actin-microtubule interaction. Here, using super resolution microscopy, live-cell imaging, and tau knockdown, we show for the first time in living axonal growth cones that tau is important for microtubule bundling and microtubule exploration of the actin-rich growth cone periphery. Importantly tau knockdown reduced axon outgrowth and growth cone turning, due to disorganized microtubules that fail to enter filopodia and co-align with actin filaments. Understanding normal tau functions will be important for identifying mechanisms of tau in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's.
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31
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A transient insulin system dysfunction in newborn rat brain followed by neonatal intracerebroventricular administration of streptozotocin could be accompanied by a labile cognitive impairment. Neurosci Res 2017; 132:17-25. [PMID: 29055675 DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2017.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2017] [Revised: 09/16/2017] [Accepted: 10/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
The early postnatal period is a critical period of hippocampus development, which is highly dependent on insulin receptor (IR) signaling and very important in cognitive function. The present study was conducted in order to present a model of neonatal transient brain insulin system dysfunction through finding an appropriate dose of injection of streptozotocin (STZ) during the neonatal period. Sixty male Wistar rat pups were divided into 4 groups of 15 and received intracerebroventricular saline or STZ (icv-STZ) (15, 20 and 25μg/kg) on postnatal day 7. Gene expression of IR and target genes for IR signaling (choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and Tau) were measured at the ages of 2 and 7 weeks. Behavioral tests were performed at the ages of 3 and 6 weeks to assess short- and long-term cognitive function. 20μg/kg dose of icv-STZ was estimated as the optimal dose causing transient alteration in gene expression of IR, ChAT and Tau. Additionally, cognitive function of the animals restored to normal level at the age of 6 weeks. Therefore, 20μg/kg dose of icv-STZ is proposed as a new approach to generating transient brain insulin system dysfunction associated with transient cognitive impairments at a critical postnatal period of brain development.
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32
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Kimura T, Suzuki M, Akagi T. Age-dependent changes in synaptic plasticity enhance tau oligomerization in the mouse hippocampus. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2017; 5:67. [PMID: 28874186 PMCID: PMC5586024 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-017-0469-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2017] [Accepted: 08/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The aggregation mechanism of phosphorylated tau is an important therapeutic target for tauopathies, including Alzheimer’s disease, although the mechanism by which aggregation occurs is still unknown. Because the phosphorylation process of tau is involved in the trafficking of AMPA receptors, which accompanies the long-term depression (LTD) of synapses, we examined the effect of LTD-inducing low-frequency stimulation (LFS) on the formation of pathological tau aggregates in adult and aged wild-type mice. Our biochemical analysis demonstrated that LFS led to the formation of sarkosyl-insoluble (SI) tau oligomers in aged hippocampi but not in adult hippocampi in wild-type mice. In parallel, electrophysiological experiments showed an increased contribution of the autophagy-lysosomal pathway (ALP) to LTD during aging, although the other properties of LFS-induced LTD that we investigated were not altered. Thus, we anticipate that the increased contribution of the ALP to the LTD cascade is involved in the age-dependent formation of tau oligomers that results from LFS. Analysis of the LC3 ratio, an indicator of autophagosome formation, showed that LFS increased cleaved LC3 (type II) in the aged hippocampus relative to type I LC3, suggesting potentiation of the ALP accompanied by LTD. Pharmacological inhibition of autophagosome formation depressed LFS-induced oligomerization of tau. Prevention of lysosomal function in the ALP enhanced the formation of tau oligomers by LFS. These results suggest the importance of the autophagosome for the LFS-induced oligomerization of tau and suggest a reason for its age dependency. Interestingly, the lysosomal disturbance promoted the formation of the fibrillar form of aggregates consisting of hyper-phosphorylated tau. The LTD-ALP cascade potentially acts as one of the suppliers of pathological aggregates of tau in aged neurons.
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Bakota L, Ussif A, Jeserich G, Brandt R. Systemic and network functions of the microtubule-associated protein tau: Implications for tau-based therapies. Mol Cell Neurosci 2017; 84:132-141. [PMID: 28318914 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2017.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2016] [Revised: 02/23/2017] [Accepted: 03/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Tau is a microtubule-associated neuronal protein, whose primary role was long thought to regulate axonal microtubule assembly. Tau is subject to many posttranslational modifications and can aggregate into neurofibrillary tangles, which are considered to be a hallmark of several neurodegenerative diseases collectively called "tauopathies". The most common tauopathy is Alzheimer's disease, where tau pathology correlates with sites of neurodegeneration. Tau belongs to the class of intrinsically disordered proteins, which are known to interact with many partners and are considered to be involved in various signaling, regulation and recognition processes. Thus more recent evidence indicates that tau functionally interacts with many proteins and different cellular structures, which may have an important physiological role and may be involved in neurodegenerative processes. Furthermore, tau can be released from neurons and exert functional effects on other cells. This review article weighs the evidence that tau has subtle but important systemic effects on neuronal network function by maintaining physiological neuronal transmission and synaptic plasticity, which are possibly independent from tau's microtubule modulating activities. Implications for tau-based therapeutic approaches are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidia Bakota
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Osnabrück, Barbarastrasse 11, 49076 Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Abdala Ussif
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Osnabrück, Barbarastrasse 11, 49076 Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Gunnar Jeserich
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Osnabrück, Barbarastrasse 11, 49076 Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Roland Brandt
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Osnabrück, Barbarastrasse 11, 49076 Osnabrück, Germany.
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34
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Smith HL, Bourne JN, Cao G, Chirillo MA, Ostroff LE, Watson DJ, Harris KM. Mitochondrial support of persistent presynaptic vesicle mobilization with age-dependent synaptic growth after LTP. eLife 2016; 5. [PMID: 27991850 PMCID: PMC5235352 DOI: 10.7554/elife.15275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2016] [Accepted: 12/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitochondria support synaptic transmission through production of ATP, sequestration of calcium, synthesis of glutamate, and other vital functions. Surprisingly, less than 50% of hippocampal CA1 presynaptic boutons contain mitochondria, raising the question of whether synapses without mitochondria can sustain changes in efficacy. To address this question, we analyzed synapses from postnatal day 15 (P15) and adult rat hippocampus that had undergone theta-burst stimulation to produce long-term potentiation (TBS-LTP) and compared them to control or no stimulation. At 30 and 120 min after TBS-LTP, vesicles were decreased only in presynaptic boutons that contained mitochondria at P15, and vesicle decrement was greatest in adult boutons containing mitochondria. Presynaptic mitochondrial cristae were widened, suggesting a sustained energy demand. Thus, mitochondrial proximity reflected enhanced vesicle mobilization well after potentiation reached asymptote, in parallel with the apparently silent addition of new dendritic spines at P15 or the silent enlargement of synapses in adults. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.15275.001
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather L Smith
- Department of Neuroscience, Center for Learning and Memory, Institute for Neuroscience, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, United States
| | - Jennifer N Bourne
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Denver - Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, United States
| | - Guan Cao
- Department of Neuroscience, Center for Learning and Memory, Institute for Neuroscience, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, United States
| | - Michael A Chirillo
- Department of Neuroscience, Center for Learning and Memory, Institute for Neuroscience, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, United States
| | - Linnaea E Ostroff
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, Washington, New York
| | - Deborah J Watson
- Department of Neuroscience, Center for Learning and Memory, Institute for Neuroscience, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, United States
| | - Kristen M Harris
- Department of Neuroscience, Center for Learning and Memory, Institute for Neuroscience, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, United States
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35
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Interactions Between α-Synuclein and Tau Protein: Implications to Neurodegenerative Disorders. J Mol Neurosci 2016; 60:298-304. [DOI: 10.1007/s12031-016-0829-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2016] [Accepted: 08/30/2016] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
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36
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Fromholt S, Reitano C, Brown H, Lewis J, Borchelt DR. Generation of a new transgenic mouse model for assessment of tau gene silencing therapies. ALZHEIMERS RESEARCH & THERAPY 2016; 8:36. [PMID: 27593210 PMCID: PMC5011353 DOI: 10.1186/s13195-016-0202-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2016] [Accepted: 07/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Background Targeting the expression of genes has emerged as a potentially viable therapeutic approach to human disease. In Alzheimer’s disease, therapies that silence the expression of tau could be a viable strategy to slow disease progression. Methods We produced a novel strain of transgenic mice that could be used to assess the efficacy of gene knockdown therapies for human tau, in live mice. We designed a tetracycline-regulated transgene construct in which the cDNA for human tau was fused to ubiquitin and to luciferase to create a single fusion polyprotein, termed TUL. Results When expressed in brain, the TUL polyprotein was cleaved by ubiquitin-processing enzymes to release the luciferase as an independent protein, separating the half-life of luciferase from the long-lived tau protein. Treatment of bigenic tTA/TUL mice with doxycycline produced rapid declines in luciferase levels visualized by in vivo imaging and ex vivo enzyme measurement. Conclusions This new mouse model can be used as a discovery tool in optimizing gene targeting therapeutics directed to reduce human tau mRNA levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan Fromholt
- Department of Neuroscience, Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.,McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Christian Reitano
- Department of Neuroscience, Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Hilda Brown
- Department of Neuroscience, Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.,McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Jada Lewis
- Department of Neuroscience, Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA. .,McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA.
| | - David R Borchelt
- Department of Neuroscience, Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA. .,McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA.
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Bernardo TC, Marques-Aleixo I, Beleza J, Oliveira PJ, Ascensão A, Magalhães J. Physical Exercise and Brain Mitochondrial Fitness: The Possible Role Against Alzheimer's Disease. Brain Pathol 2016; 26:648-63. [PMID: 27328058 PMCID: PMC8029062 DOI: 10.1111/bpa.12403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2016] [Accepted: 06/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Exercise is one of the most effective strategies to maintain a healthy body and mind, with particular beneficial effects of exercise on promoting brain plasticity, increasing cognition and reducing the risk of cognitive decline and dementia in later life. Moreover, the beneficial effects resulting from increased physical activity occur at different levels of cellular organization, mitochondria being preferential target organelles. The relevance of this review article relies on the need to integrate the current knowledge of proposed mechanisms, focus mitochondria, to explain the protective effects of exercise that might underlie neuroplasticity and seeks to synthesize these data in the context of exploring exercise as a feasible intervention to delay cognitive impairment associated with neurodegenerative conditions, particularly Alzheimer disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- T C Bernardo
- CIAFEL-Research Centre in Physical Activity, , Health and Leisure, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
| | - I Marques-Aleixo
- CIAFEL-Research Centre in Physical Activity, , Health and Leisure, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - J Beleza
- CIAFEL-Research Centre in Physical Activity, , Health and Leisure, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - P J Oliveira
- CNC-Centre for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, UC-Biotech, Biocant Park, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - A Ascensão
- CIAFEL-Research Centre in Physical Activity, , Health and Leisure, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - J Magalhães
- CIAFEL-Research Centre in Physical Activity, , Health and Leisure, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
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38
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Voelzmann A, Okenve-Ramos P, Qu Y, Chojnowska-Monga M, del Caño-Espinel M, Prokop A, Sanchez-Soriano N. Tau and spectraplakins promote synapse formation and maintenance through Jun kinase and neuronal trafficking. eLife 2016; 5:e14694. [PMID: 27501441 PMCID: PMC4977155 DOI: 10.7554/elife.14694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2016] [Accepted: 07/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The mechanisms regulating synapse numbers during development and ageing are essential for normal brain function and closely linked to brain disorders including dementias. Using Drosophila, we demonstrate roles of the microtubule-associated protein Tau in regulating synapse numbers, thus unravelling an important cellular requirement of normal Tau. In this context, we find that Tau displays a strong functional overlap with microtubule-binding spectraplakins, establishing new links between two different neurodegenerative factors. Tau and the spectraplakin Short Stop act upstream of a three-step regulatory cascade ensuring adequate delivery of synaptic proteins. This cascade involves microtubule stability as the initial trigger, JNK signalling as the central mediator, and kinesin-3 mediated axonal transport as the key effector. This cascade acts during development (synapse formation) and ageing (synapse maintenance) alike. Therefore, our findings suggest novel explanations for intellectual disability in Tau deficient individuals, as well as early synapse loss in dementias including Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andre Voelzmann
- Faculty of Life Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Pilar Okenve-Ramos
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Yue Qu
- Faculty of Life Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Monika Chojnowska-Monga
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Manuela del Caño-Espinel
- Instituto de Biología y Genética Molecular-Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular y Fisiología, Universidad de Valladolid-CSIC, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Andreas Prokop
- Faculty of Life Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Natalia Sanchez-Soriano
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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Bodea L, Eckert A, Ittner LM, Piguet O, Götz J. Tau physiology and pathomechanisms in frontotemporal lobar degeneration. J Neurochem 2016; 138 Suppl 1:71-94. [PMID: 27306859 PMCID: PMC5094566 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.13600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2015] [Revised: 01/31/2016] [Accepted: 02/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) has been associated with toxic intracellular aggregates of hyperphosphorylated tau (FTLD-tau). Moreover, genetic studies identified mutations in the MAPT gene encoding tau in familial cases of the disease. In this review, we cover a range of aspects of tau function, both in the healthy and diseased brain, discussing several in vitro and in vivo models. Tau structure and function in the healthy brain is presented, accentuating its distinct compartmentalization in neurons and its role in microtubule stabilization and axonal transport. Furthermore, tau-driven pathology is discussed, introducing current concepts and the underlying experimental evidence. Different aspects of pathological tau phosphorylation, the protein's genomic and domain organization as well as its spreading in disease, together with MAPT-associated mutations and their respective models are presented. Dysfunction related to other post-transcriptional modifications and their effect on normal neuronal functions such as cell cycle, epigenetics and synapse dynamics are also discussed, providing a mechanistic explanation for the observations made in FTLD-tau cases, with the possibility for therapeutic intervention. In this review, we cover aspects of tau function, both in the healthy and diseased brain, referring to different in vitro and in vivo models. In healthy neurons, tau is compartmentalized, with higher concentrations found in the distal part of the axon. Cargo molecules are sensitive to this gradient. A disturbed tau distribution, as found in frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD-tau), has severe consequences for cellular physiology: tau accumulates in the neuronal soma and dendrites, leading among others to microtubule depolymerization and impaired axonal transport. Tau forms insoluble aggregates that sequester additional molecules stalling cellular physiology. Neuronal communication is gradually lost as toxic tau accumulates in dendritic spines with subsequent degeneration of synapses and synaptic loss. Thus, by providing a mechanistic explanation for the observations made in FTLD-tau cases, arises a possibility for therapeutic interventions. This article is part of the Frontotemporal Dementia special issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liviu‐Gabriel Bodea
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia ResearchQueensland Brain InstituteThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQLDAustralia
| | - Anne Eckert
- Neurobiology LaboratoryPsychiatric University Clinics BaselUniversity of BaselBaselSwitzerland
| | - Lars Matthias Ittner
- Dementia Research UnitSchool of Medical SciencesFaculty of MedicineUniversity of New South WalesSydneyNSWAustralia
| | | | - Jürgen Götz
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia ResearchQueensland Brain InstituteThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQLDAustralia
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Pallas-Bazarra N, Jurado-Arjona J, Navarrete M, Esteban JA, Hernández F, Ávila J, Llorens-Martín M. Novel function of Tau in regulating the effects of external stimuli on adult hippocampal neurogenesis. EMBO J 2016; 35:1417-36. [PMID: 27198172 PMCID: PMC4876034 DOI: 10.15252/embj.201593518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2015] [Accepted: 04/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Tau is a microtubule‐associated neuronal protein found mainly in axons. However, its presence in dendrites and dendritic spines is particularly relevant due to its involvement in synaptic plasticity and neurodegeneration. Here, we show that Tau plays a novel in vivo role in the morphological and synaptic maturation of newborn hippocampal granule neurons under basal conditions. Furthermore, we reveal that Tau is involved in the selective cell death of immature granule neurons caused by acute stress. Also, Tau deficiency protects newborn neurons from the stress‐induced dendritic atrophy and loss of postsynaptic densities (PSDs). Strikingly, we also demonstrate that Tau regulates the increase in newborn neuron survival triggered by environmental enrichment (EE). Moreover, newborn granule neurons from Tau−/− mice did not show any stimulatory effect of EE on dendritic development or on PSD generation. Thus, our data demonstrate that Tau−/− mice show impairments in the maturation of newborn granule neurons under basal conditions and that they are insensitive to the modulation of adult hippocampal neurogenesis exerted by both stimulatory and detrimental stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noemí Pallas-Bazarra
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CSIC-UAM), Madrid, Spain Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED, ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Jerónimo Jurado-Arjona
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CSIC-UAM), Madrid, Spain Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED, ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta Navarrete
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CSIC-UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Jose A Esteban
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CSIC-UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Félix Hernández
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CSIC-UAM), Madrid, Spain Sciences Faculty, Autonoma University, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jesús Ávila
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CSIC-UAM), Madrid, Spain Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED, ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - María Llorens-Martín
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CSIC-UAM), Madrid, Spain Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED, ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
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Qi ZP, Wang GX, Xia P, Hou TT, Zhou HL, Wang TJ, Yang XY. Effects of microtubule-associated protein tau expression on neural stem cell migration after spinal cord injury. Neural Regen Res 2016; 11:332-7. [PMID: 27073389 PMCID: PMC4811000 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.177744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Our preliminary proteomics analysis suggested that expression of microtubule-associated protein tau is elevated in the spinal cord after injury. Therefore, the first aim of the present study was to examine tau expression in the injured spinal cord. The second aim was to determine whether tau can regulate neural stem cell migration, a critical factor in the successful treatment of spinal cord injury. We established rat models of spinal cord injury and injected them with mouse hippocampal neural stem cells through the tail vein. We used immunohistochemistry to show that the expression of tau protein and the number of migrated neural stem cells were markedly increased in the injured spinal cord. Furthermore, using a Transwell assay, we showed that neural stem cell migration was not affected by an elevated tau concentration in the outer chamber, but it was decreased by changes in intracellular tau phosphorylation state. These results demonstrate that neural stem cells have targeted migration capability at the site of injury, and that although tau is not a chemokine for targeted migration of neural stem cells, intracellular tau phosphorylation/dephosphorylation can inhibit cell migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Ping Qi
- Department of Orthopedics, the Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China
| | - Guo-Xiang Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, the Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China
| | - Peng Xia
- Department of Orthopedics, the Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China
| | - Ting-Ting Hou
- Department of Orthopedics, the Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China
| | - Hong-Li Zhou
- Department of Orthopedics, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China
| | - Tie-Jun Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, the Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China
| | - Xiao-Yu Yang
- Department of Orthopedics, the Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China
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Lin-Hendel EG, McManus MJ, Wallace DC, Anderson SA, Golden JA. Differential Mitochondrial Requirements for Radially and Non-radially Migrating Cortical Neurons: Implications for Mitochondrial Disorders. Cell Rep 2016; 15:229-37. [PMID: 27050514 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2016.03.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2015] [Revised: 02/08/2016] [Accepted: 03/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitochondrial dysfunction has been increasingly linked to neurodevelopmental disorders such as intellectual disability, childhood epilepsy, and autism spectrum disorder, conditions also associated with cortical GABAergic interneuron dysfunction. Although interneurons have some of the highest metabolic demands in the postnatal brain, the importance of mitochondria during interneuron development is unknown. We find that interneuron migration from the basal forebrain to the neocortex is highly sensitive to perturbations in oxidative phosphorylation. Both pharmacologic and genetic inhibition of adenine nucleotide transferase 1 (Ant1) disrupts the non-radial migration of interneurons, but not the radial migration of cortical projection neurons. The selective dependence of cortical interneuron migration on oxidative phosphorylation may be a mechanistic pathway upon which multiple developmental and metabolic pathologies converge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika G Lin-Hendel
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Developmental, Regenerative and Stem Cell Biology, Biomedical Graduate Group, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Meagan J McManus
- Center for Mitochondrial and Epigenomic Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Douglas C Wallace
- Center for Mitochondrial and Epigenomic Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Stewart A Anderson
- Department of Psychiatry, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
| | - Jeffrey A Golden
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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43
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Khan SS, Bloom GS. Tau: The Center of a Signaling Nexus in Alzheimer's Disease. Front Neurosci 2016; 10:31. [PMID: 26903798 PMCID: PMC4746348 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2016.00031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2015] [Accepted: 01/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Tau is a microtubule-associated protein whose misfolding, hyper-phosphorylation, loss of normal function and toxic gain of function are linked to several neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). This review discusses the role of tau in amyloid-β (Aβ) induced toxicity in AD. The consequences of tau dysfunction, starting from the axon and concluding at somadendritic compartments, will be highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahzad S Khan
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - George S Bloom
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia Charlottesville, VA, USA
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Lee I, Eriksson P, Fredriksson A, Buratovic S, Viberg H. Developmental neurotoxic effects of two pesticides: Behavior and neuroprotein studies on endosulfan and cypermethrin. Toxicology 2015; 335:1-10. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2015.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2015] [Revised: 06/25/2015] [Accepted: 06/29/2015] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
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Vossel KA, Xu JC, Fomenko V, Miyamoto T, Suberbielle E, Knox JA, Ho K, Kim DH, Yu GQ, Mucke L. Tau reduction prevents Aβ-induced axonal transport deficits by blocking activation of GSK3β. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015; 209:419-33. [PMID: 25963821 PMCID: PMC4427789 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.201407065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Tau ablation, knockdown, and reconstitution studies in primary mouse neurons show that tau enables amyloid β oligomers to inhibit axonal transport through activation of GSK3β and through functions of tau that do not depend on its microtubule binding activity. Axonal transport deficits in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are attributed to amyloid β (Aβ) peptides and pathological forms of the microtubule-associated protein tau. Genetic ablation of tau prevents neuronal overexcitation and axonal transport deficits caused by recombinant Aβ oligomers. Relevance of these findings to naturally secreted Aβ and mechanisms underlying tau’s enabling effect are unknown. Here we demonstrate deficits in anterograde axonal transport of mitochondria in primary neurons from transgenic mice expressing familial AD-linked forms of human amyloid precursor protein. We show that these deficits depend on Aβ1–42 production and are prevented by tau reduction. The copathogenic effect of tau did not depend on its microtubule binding, interactions with Fyn, or potential role in neuronal development. Inhibition of neuronal activity, N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor function, or glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) activity or expression also abolished Aβ-induced transport deficits. Tau ablation prevented Aβ-induced GSK3β activation. Thus, tau allows Aβ oligomers to inhibit axonal transport through activation of GSK3β, possibly by facilitating aberrant neuronal activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keith A Vossel
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, San Francisco, CA 94158 Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158
| | - Jordan C Xu
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, San Francisco, CA 94158
| | - Vira Fomenko
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, San Francisco, CA 94158
| | - Takashi Miyamoto
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, San Francisco, CA 94158 Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158
| | - Elsa Suberbielle
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, San Francisco, CA 94158 Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158
| | - Joseph A Knox
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, San Francisco, CA 94158
| | - Kaitlyn Ho
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, San Francisco, CA 94158
| | - Daniel H Kim
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, San Francisco, CA 94158
| | - Gui-Qiu Yu
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, San Francisco, CA 94158
| | - Lennart Mucke
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, San Francisco, CA 94158 Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158
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Molecular underpinnings of prefrontal cortex development in rodents provide insights into the etiology of neurodevelopmental disorders. Mol Psychiatry 2015; 20:795-809. [PMID: 25450230 PMCID: PMC4486649 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2014.147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2014] [Revised: 09/12/2014] [Accepted: 09/17/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The prefrontal cortex (PFC), seat of the highest-order cognitive functions, constitutes a conglomerate of highly specialized brain areas and has been implicated to have a role in the onset and installation of various neurodevelopmental disorders. The development of a properly functioning PFC is directed by transcription factors, guidance cues and other regulatory molecules and requires the intricate and temporal orchestration of a number of developmental processes. Disturbance or failure of any of these processes causing neurodevelopmental abnormalities within the PFC may contribute to several of the cognitive deficits seen in patients with neurodevelopmental disorders. In this review, we elaborate on the specific processes underlying prefrontal development, such as induction and patterning of the prefrontal area, proliferation, migration and axonal guidance of medial prefrontal progenitors, and their eventual efferent and afferent connections. We furthermore integrate for the first time the available knowledge from genome-wide studies that have revealed genes linked to neurodevelopmental disorders with experimental molecular evidence in rodents. The integrated data suggest that the pathogenic variants in the neurodevelopmental disorder-associated genes induce prefrontal cytoarchitectonical impairments. This enhances our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of prefrontal (mis)development underlying the four major neurodevelopmental disorders in humans, that is, intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and schizophrenia, and may thus provide clues for the development of novel therapies.
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El Fatimy R, Miozzo F, Le Mouël A, Abane R, Schwendimann L, Sabéran-Djoneidi D, de Thonel A, Massaoudi I, Paslaru L, Hashimoto-Torii K, Christians E, Rakic P, Gressens P, Mezger V. Heat shock factor 2 is a stress-responsive mediator of neuronal migration defects in models of fetal alcohol syndrome. EMBO Mol Med 2015; 6:1043-61. [PMID: 25027850 PMCID: PMC4154132 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.201303311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is a frequent cause of mental retardation. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying brain development defects induced by maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy are unclear. We used normal and Hsf2-deficient mice and cell systems to uncover a pivotal role for heat shock factor 2 (HSF2) in radial neuronal migration defects in the cortex, a hallmark of fetal alcohol exposure. Upon fetal alcohol exposure, HSF2 is essential for the triggering of HSF1 activation, which is accompanied by distinctive post-translational modifications, and HSF2 steers the formation of atypical alcohol-specific HSF1-HSF2 heterocomplexes. This perturbs the in vivo binding of HSF2 to heat shock elements (HSEs) in genes that control neuronal migration in normal conditions, such as p35 or the MAPs (microtubule-associated proteins, such as Dclk1 and Dcx), and alters their expression. In the absence of HSF2, migration defects as well as alterations in gene expression are reduced. Thus, HSF2, as a sensor for alcohol stress in the fetal brain, acts as a mediator of the neuronal migration defects associated with FASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachid El Fatimy
- CNRS UMR7216 Épigénétique et Destin Cellulaire, Paris Cedex 13, France Univ Paris Diderot Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris Cedex 13, France ED 387 iViv UPMC Univ Paris 06, Paris, France Univ Paris Diderot, Paris Cedex 13, France
| | - Federico Miozzo
- CNRS UMR7216 Épigénétique et Destin Cellulaire, Paris Cedex 13, France Univ Paris Diderot Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris Cedex 13, France ED 387 iViv UPMC Univ Paris 06, Paris, France Univ Paris Diderot, Paris Cedex 13, France
| | - Anne Le Mouël
- CNRS UMR7216 Épigénétique et Destin Cellulaire, Paris Cedex 13, France Univ Paris Diderot Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris Cedex 13, France
| | - Ryma Abane
- CNRS UMR7216 Épigénétique et Destin Cellulaire, Paris Cedex 13, France Univ Paris Diderot Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris Cedex 13, France ED 387 iViv UPMC Univ Paris 06, Paris, France Univ Paris Diderot, Paris Cedex 13, France
| | - Leslie Schwendimann
- INSERM U1141, Hôpital Robert Debré, Paris, France Faculté de Médecine Denis Diderot, Univ Paris Diderot Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Délara Sabéran-Djoneidi
- CNRS UMR7216 Épigénétique et Destin Cellulaire, Paris Cedex 13, France Univ Paris Diderot Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris Cedex 13, France
| | - Aurélie de Thonel
- INSERM UMR 866, Dijon, France Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Univ Burgundy, Dijon, France
| | - Illiasse Massaoudi
- CNRS UMR7216 Épigénétique et Destin Cellulaire, Paris Cedex 13, France Univ Paris Diderot Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris Cedex 13, France
| | - Liliana Paslaru
- Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy Fundeni Hospital, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Kazue Hashimoto-Torii
- Department of Neurobiology and Kavli Institute for Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Elisabeth Christians
- Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement de Villefranche-sur-mer, Observatoire Océanologique, CNRS, Villefranche-sur-mer, France Sorbonne Universités UPMC Univ Paris 06, Villefranche-sur-mer, France
| | - Pasko Rakic
- Department of Neurobiology and Kavli Institute for Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Pierre Gressens
- INSERM U1141, Hôpital Robert Debré, Paris, France Faculté de Médecine Denis Diderot, Univ Paris Diderot Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Valérie Mezger
- CNRS UMR7216 Épigénétique et Destin Cellulaire, Paris Cedex 13, France Univ Paris Diderot Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris Cedex 13, France
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Greenman R, Gorelik A, Sapir T, Baumgart J, Zamor V, Segal-Salto M, Levin-Zaidman S, Aidinis V, Aoki J, Nitsch R, Vogt J, Reiner O. Non-cell autonomous and non-catalytic activities of ATX in the developing brain. Front Neurosci 2015; 9:53. [PMID: 25788872 PMCID: PMC4349085 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2015.00053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2014] [Accepted: 02/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The intricate formation of the cerebral cortex requires a well-coordinated series of events, which are regulated at the level of cell-autonomous and non-cell autonomous mechanisms. Whereas cell-autonomous mechanisms that regulate cortical development are well-studied, the non-cell autonomous mechanisms remain poorly understood. A non-biased screen allowed us to identify Autotaxin (ATX) as a non-cell autonomous regulator of neural stem cells. ATX (also known as ENPP2) is best known to catalyze lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) production. Our results demonstrate that ATX affects the localization and adhesion of neuronal progenitors in a cell autonomous and non-cell autonomous manner, and strikingly, this activity is independent from its catalytic activity in producing LPA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raanan Greenman
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science Rehovot, Israel
| | - Anna Gorelik
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science Rehovot, Israel
| | - Tamar Sapir
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science Rehovot, Israel
| | - Jan Baumgart
- University Medical Center, Institute for Microscopic Anatomy and Neurobiology, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz Mainz, Germany ; Central Laboratory Animal Facility, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz Mainz, Germany
| | - Vanessa Zamor
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science Rehovot, Israel
| | - Michal Segal-Salto
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science Rehovot, Israel
| | - Smadar Levin-Zaidman
- Department of Chemical Research Support, Weizmann Institute of Science Rehovot, Israel
| | - Vassilis Aidinis
- Division of Immunology, Biomedical Sciences Research Center 'Alexander Fleming' Athens, Greece
| | - Junken Aoki
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University Miyagi, Japan
| | - Robert Nitsch
- University Medical Center, Institute for Microscopic Anatomy and Neurobiology, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz Mainz, Germany
| | - Johannes Vogt
- University Medical Center, Institute for Microscopic Anatomy and Neurobiology, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz Mainz, Germany
| | - Orly Reiner
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science Rehovot, Israel
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Liu Y, Wang C, Destin G, Szaro BG. Microtubule-associated protein tau promotes neuronal class II β-tubulin microtubule formation and axon elongation in embryonic Xenopus laevis. Eur J Neurosci 2015; 41:1263-75. [PMID: 25656701 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.12848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2014] [Revised: 12/13/2014] [Accepted: 01/07/2015] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Compared with its roles in neurodegeneration, much less is known about microtubule-associated protein tau's normal functions in vivo, especially during development. The external development and ease of manipulating gene expression of Xenopus laevis embryos make them especially useful for studying gene function during early development. To study tau's functions in axon outgrowth, we characterized the most prominent tau isoforms of Xenopus embryos and manipulated their expression. None of these four isoforms were strictly analogous to those commonly studied in mammals, as all constitutively contained exon 10, which is preferentially removed from mammalian fetal tau isoforms, as well as exon 8, which in mammals is rare. Nonetheless, like mammalian tau, Xenopus tau exhibited alternative splicing of exon 4a, which in mammals distinguishes 'big' tau of peripheral neurons, and exon 6. Strongly suppressing tau expression with antisense morpholino oligonucleotides only modestly compromised peripheral nerve outgrowth of intact tadpoles, but severely disrupted neuronal microtubules containing class II β-tubulins while leaving other microtubules largely unperturbed. Thus, the relatively mild dependence of axon development on tau likely resulted from having only a single class of microtubules disrupted by its loss. Also, consistent with its greater expression in long peripheral axons, boosting expression of 'big' tau increased neurite outgrowth significantly and enhanced tubulin acetylation more so than did the smaller isoform. These data demonstrate the utility of Xenopus as a tool to gain new insights into tau's functions in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Liu
- Department of Biological Sciences and the Center for Neuroscience Research, University at Albany, State University of New York, 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY, 12222, USA
| | - Chen Wang
- Department of Biological Sciences and the Center for Neuroscience Research, University at Albany, State University of New York, 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY, 12222, USA
| | - Giovanny Destin
- Department of Biological Sciences and the Center for Neuroscience Research, University at Albany, State University of New York, 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY, 12222, USA
| | - Ben G Szaro
- Department of Biological Sciences and the Center for Neuroscience Research, University at Albany, State University of New York, 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY, 12222, USA
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Amos LA. Why do brains need tau (MAPT)? FEBS J 2015; 281:iv-v. [PMID: 25291013 DOI: 10.1111/febs.13094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2014] [Accepted: 09/30/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Linda A Amos
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, UK
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