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Zhu Y, Hui Q, Zhang Z, Fu H, Qin Y, Zhao Q, Li Q, Zhang J, Guo L, He W, Han C. Advancements in the study of synaptic plasticity and mitochondrial autophagy relationship. J Neurosci Res 2024; 102:e25309. [PMID: 38400573 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.25309] [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: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Synapses serve as the points of communication between neurons, consisting primarily of three components: the presynaptic membrane, synaptic cleft, and postsynaptic membrane. They transmit signals through the release and reception of neurotransmitters. Synaptic plasticity, the ability of synapses to undergo structural and functional changes, is influenced by proteins such as growth-associated proteins, synaptic vesicle proteins, postsynaptic density proteins, and neurotrophic growth factors. Furthermore, maintaining synaptic plasticity consumes more than half of the brain's energy, with a significant portion of this energy originating from ATP generated through mitochondrial energy metabolism. Consequently, the quantity, distribution, transport, and function of mitochondria impact the stability of brain energy metabolism, thereby participating in the regulation of fundamental processes in synaptic plasticity, including neuronal differentiation, neurite outgrowth, synapse formation, and neurotransmitter release. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the proteins associated with presynaptic plasticity, postsynaptic plasticity, and common factors between the two, as well as the relationship between mitochondrial energy metabolism and synaptic plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yousong Zhu
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Encephalopathy, Jinzhong, China
- National International Joint Research Center for Molecular Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong, China
- Basic Medical College of Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong, China
| | - Qinlong Hui
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Encephalopathy, Jinzhong, China
- National International Joint Research Center for Molecular Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong, China
- Basic Medical College of Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong, China
| | - Zheng Zhang
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Encephalopathy, Jinzhong, China
- National International Joint Research Center for Molecular Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong, China
- Basic Medical College of Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong, China
| | - Hao Fu
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Encephalopathy, Jinzhong, China
- National International Joint Research Center for Molecular Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong, China
- Basic Medical College of Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong, China
| | - Yali Qin
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Encephalopathy, Jinzhong, China
- National International Joint Research Center for Molecular Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong, China
- Basic Medical College of Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong, China
| | - Qiong Zhao
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Encephalopathy, Jinzhong, China
- National International Joint Research Center for Molecular Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong, China
- Basic Medical College of Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong, China
| | - Qinqing Li
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Encephalopathy, Jinzhong, China
- National International Joint Research Center for Molecular Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong, China
- Basic Medical College of Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong, China
| | - Junlong Zhang
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Encephalopathy, Jinzhong, China
- National International Joint Research Center for Molecular Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong, China
| | - Lei Guo
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Encephalopathy, Jinzhong, China
- National International Joint Research Center for Molecular Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong, China
| | - Wenbin He
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Encephalopathy, Jinzhong, China
- National International Joint Research Center for Molecular Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong, China
| | - Cheng Han
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Encephalopathy, Jinzhong, China
- National International Joint Research Center for Molecular Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong, China
- Basic Medical College of Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong, China
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T P, Katta B, Lulu S S, Sundararajan V. Gene expression analysis reveals GRIN1, SYT1, and SYN2 as significant therapeutic targets and drug repurposing reveals lorazepam and lorediplon as potent inhibitors to manage Alzheimer's disease. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2023:1-22. [PMID: 37691428 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2256878] [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: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a slowly progressive neurodegenerative disease and a leading cause of dementia. We aim to identify key genes for the development of therapeutic targets and biomarkers for potential treatments for AD. Meta-analysis was performed on six microarray datasets and identified the differentially expressed genes between healthy and Alzheimer's disease samples. Thereafter, we filtered out the common genes which were present in at least four microarray datasets for downstream analysis. We have constructed a gene-gene network for the common genes and identified six hub genes. Furthermore, we investigated the regulatory mechanisms of these hub genes by analysing their interaction with miRNAs and transcription factors. The gene ontology analysis results highlighted the enriched terms significantly associated with hub genes. Through an extensive literature survey, we found that three of the hub genes including GRIN1, SYN2, and SYT1 were critically involved in disease development. To leverage existing drugs for potential repurposing, we predicted drug-gene interaction using the drug-gene interaction database, and performed molecular docking studies. The docking results revealed that the drug compounds had strong interactions and favorable binding with selected hub genes. Lorazepam exhibits a binding energy of -7.3 kcal/mol with GRIN1, Lorediplon exhibits binding energies of -7.7 kcal/mol and -6.3 kcal/mol with the SYT1, and SYN2 respectively. In addition, 100 ns molecular dynamics simulations were carried out for the top complexes and apo protein as well. Furthermore, the MM-PBSA free energy calculations also revealed that these complexes are stable and had favorable energies. According to our study, the identified hub gene could serve as a biomarker as well as a therapeutic target for AD, and the proposed repurposed drug molecules appear to have promising efficacy in treating the disease.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Premkumar T
- Integrative Multiomics Lab, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Bhavana Katta
- Integrative Multiomics Lab, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Sajitha Lulu S
- Integrative Multiomics Lab, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Vino Sundararajan
- Integrative Multiomics Lab, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
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Pretzsch CM, Ecker C. Structural neuroimaging phenotypes and associated molecular and genomic underpinnings in autism: a review. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1172779. [PMID: 37457001 PMCID: PMC10347684 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1172779] [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: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism has been associated with differences in the developmental trajectories of multiple neuroanatomical features, including cortical thickness, surface area, cortical volume, measures of gyrification, and the gray-white matter tissue contrast. These neuroimaging features have been proposed as intermediate phenotypes on the gradient from genomic variation to behavioral symptoms. Hence, examining what these proxy markers represent, i.e., disentangling their associated molecular and genomic underpinnings, could provide crucial insights into the etiology and pathophysiology of autism. In line with this, an increasing number of studies are exploring the association between neuroanatomical, cellular/molecular, and (epi)genetic variation in autism, both indirectly and directly in vivo and across age. In this review, we aim to summarize the existing literature in autism (and neurotypicals) to chart a putative pathway from (i) imaging-derived neuroanatomical cortical phenotypes to (ii) underlying (neuropathological) biological processes, and (iii) associated genomic variation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte M. Pretzsch
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Christine Ecker
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
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Molecular and cellular evolution of the amygdala across species analyzed by single-nucleus transcriptome profiling. Cell Discov 2023; 9:19. [PMID: 36788214 PMCID: PMC9929086 DOI: 10.1038/s41421-022-00506-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The amygdala, or an amygdala-like structure, is found in the brains of all vertebrates and plays a critical role in survival and reproduction. However, the cellular architecture of the amygdala and how it has evolved remain elusive. Here, we generated single-nucleus RNA-sequencing data for more than 200,000 cells in the amygdala of humans, macaques, mice, and chickens. Abundant neuronal cell types from different amygdala subnuclei were identified in all datasets. Cross-species analysis revealed that inhibitory neurons and inhibitory neuron-enriched subnuclei of the amygdala were well-conserved in cellular composition and marker gene expression, whereas excitatory neuron-enriched subnuclei were relatively divergent. Furthermore, LAMP5+ interneurons were much more abundant in primates, while DRD2+ inhibitory neurons and LAMP5+SATB2+ excitatory neurons were dominant in the human central amygdalar nucleus (CEA) and basolateral amygdalar complex (BLA), respectively. We also identified CEA-like neurons and their species-specific distribution patterns in chickens. This study highlights the extreme cell-type diversity in the amygdala and reveals the conservation and divergence of cell types and gene expression patterns across species that may contribute to species-specific adaptations.
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Parenti I, Leitão E, Kuechler A, Villard L, Goizet C, Courdier C, Bayat A, Rossi A, Julia S, Bruel AL, Tran Mau-Them F, Nambot S, Lehalle D, Willems M, Lespinasse J, Ghoumid J, Caumes R, Smol T, El Chehadeh S, Schaefer E, Abi-Warde MT, Keren B, Afenjar A, Tabet AC, Levy J, Maruani A, Aledo-Serrano Á, Garming W, Milleret-Pignot C, Chassevent A, Koopmans M, Verbeek NE, Person R, Belles R, Bellus G, Salbert BA, Kaiser FJ, Mazzola L, Convers P, Perrin L, Piton A, Wiegand G, Accogli A, Brancati F, Benfenati F, Chatron N, Lewis-Smith D, Thomas RH, Zara F, Striano P, Lesca G, Depienne C. The different clinical facets of SYN1-related neurodevelopmental disorders. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:1019715. [PMID: 36568968 PMCID: PMC9773998 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.1019715] [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: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Synapsin-I (SYN1) is a presynaptic phosphoprotein crucial for synaptogenesis and synaptic plasticity. Pathogenic SYN1 variants are associated with variable X-linked neurodevelopmental disorders mainly affecting males. In this study, we expand on the clinical and molecular spectrum of the SYN1-related neurodevelopmental disorders by describing 31 novel individuals harboring 22 different SYN1 variants. We analyzed newly identified as well as previously reported individuals in order to define the frequency of key features associated with these disorders. Specifically, behavioral disturbances such as autism spectrum disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are observed in 91% of the individuals, epilepsy in 82%, intellectual disability in 77%, and developmental delay in 70%. Seizure types mainly include tonic-clonic or focal seizures with impaired awareness. The presence of reflex seizures is one of the most representative clinical manifestations related to SYN1. In more than half of the cases, seizures are triggered by contact with water, but other triggers are also frequently reported, including rubbing with a towel, fever, toothbrushing, fingernail clipping, falling asleep, and watching others showering or bathing. We additionally describe hyperpnea, emotion, lighting, using a stroboscope, digestive troubles, and defecation as possible triggers in individuals with SYN1 variants. The molecular spectrum of SYN1 variants is broad and encompasses truncating variants (frameshift, nonsense, splicing and start-loss variants) as well as non-truncating variants (missense substitutions and in-frame duplications). Genotype-phenotype correlation revealed that epileptic phenotypes are enriched in individuals with truncating variants. Furthermore, we could show for the first time that individuals with early seizures onset tend to present with severe-to-profound intellectual disability, hence highlighting the existence of an association between early seizure onset and more severe impairment of cognitive functions. Altogether, we present a detailed clinical description of the largest series of individuals with SYN1 variants reported so far and provide the first genotype-phenotype correlations for this gene. A timely molecular diagnosis and genetic counseling are cardinal for appropriate patient management and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Parenti
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Elsa Leitão
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Alma Kuechler
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Laurent Villard
- INSERM, MMG, Faculté de Médecine, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
- Département de Génétique Médicale, APHM, Hôpital d'Enfants de La Timone, Marseille, France
| | - Cyril Goizet
- Service de Génétique Médicale, Bordeaux, France
- Centre de Référence Maladies Rares Neurogénétique, Service de Génétique Médicale, Bordeaux, France
- NRGEN Team, INCIA, CNRS UMR 5287, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Cécile Courdier
- Service de Génétique Médicale, Bordeaux, France
- Centre de Référence Maladies Rares Neurogénétique, Service de Génétique Médicale, Bordeaux, France
- NRGEN Team, INCIA, CNRS UMR 5287, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Allan Bayat
- Institute for Regional Health Services, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Epilepsy Genetics and Personalized Medicine, Danish Epilepsy Center, Dianalund, Denmark
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Alessandra Rossi
- Department of Epilepsy Genetics and Personalized Medicine, Danish Epilepsy Center, Dianalund, Denmark
- Pediatric Clinic, IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo Foundation, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Sophie Julia
- Service de Génétique Médicale, Pôle de Biologie, CHU de Toulouse - Hôpital Purpan, Toulouse, France
| | - Ange-Line Bruel
- Unité Fonctionnelle Innovation en Diagnostic Génomique des Maladies Rares, FHU-TRANSLAD, CHU Dijon Bourgogne, Dijon, France
- UMR1231 GAD, Inserm - Université Bourgogne-Franche Comté, Dijon, France
| | - Frédéric Tran Mau-Them
- Unité Fonctionnelle Innovation en Diagnostic Génomique des Maladies Rares, FHU-TRANSLAD, CHU Dijon Bourgogne, Dijon, France
- UMR1231 GAD, Inserm - Université Bourgogne-Franche Comté, Dijon, France
| | - Sophie Nambot
- UMR1231 GAD, Inserm - Université Bourgogne-Franche Comté, Dijon, France
| | - Daphné Lehalle
- Unité Fonctionnelle Innovation en Diagnostic Génomique des Maladies Rares, FHU-TRANSLAD, CHU Dijon Bourgogne, Dijon, France
- UMR1231 GAD, Inserm - Université Bourgogne-Franche Comté, Dijon, France
| | - Marjolaine Willems
- Department of Medical Genetics, Rare diseases and Personalized Medicine, CHU Montpellier, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- Inserm U1298, INM, CHU Montpellier, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - James Lespinasse
- Service de Cytogenetique, Centre Hospitalier de Chambéry, Chambéry, France
| | - Jamal Ghoumid
- Univ. Lille, ULR7364 RADEME, Lille, France
- CHU Lille, Clinique de Génétique, Guy Fontaine, Lille, France
| | - Roseline Caumes
- Univ. Lille, ULR7364 RADEME, Lille, France
- CHU Lille, Clinique de Génétique, Guy Fontaine, Lille, France
| | - Thomas Smol
- Univ. Lille, ULR7364 RADEME, Lille, France
- CHU Lille, Institut de Génétique Médicale, Lille, France
| | - Salima El Chehadeh
- Service de Génétique Médicale, Institut de Génétique Médicale d'Alsace (IGMA), Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Hôpital de Hautepierre, Strasbourg, France
| | - Elise Schaefer
- Service de Génétique Médicale, Institut de Génétique Médicale d'Alsace (IGMA), Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Hôpital de Hautepierre, Strasbourg, France
| | | | - Boris Keren
- APHP, Département de Génétique, UF de Génomique du Développement, Département de Génétique, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Alexandra Afenjar
- Département de Génétique, Centre de Référence déficiences Intellectuelles de Causes Rares, APHP, Hôpital Armand Trousseau, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | | | - Jonathan Levy
- APHP, Département de Génétique, Hôpital Robert-Debré, Paris, France
| | - Anna Maruani
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Robert Debré Hospital, APHP, Paris, France
| | - Ángel Aledo-Serrano
- Epilepsy and Neurogenetics Program, Neurology Department, Ruber Internacional Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - Waltraud Garming
- Sozialpädiatrisches Zentrum, Kinder-und Jugendklinik Gelsenkirchen, Gelsenkirchen, Germany
| | | | - Anna Chassevent
- Department of Neurogenetics, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Marije Koopmans
- Department of Genetics, Utrecht University Medical Center, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Nienke E. Verbeek
- Department of Genetics, Utrecht University Medical Center, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | | | - Rebecca Belles
- Medical Genetics, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, PA, United States
| | - Gary Bellus
- Medical Genetics, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, PA, United States
| | - Bonnie A. Salbert
- Medical Genetics, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, PA, United States
| | - Frank J. Kaiser
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Essener Zentrum für Seltene Erkrankungen (EZSE), Universitätsklinikum Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Laure Mazzola
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital, Lyon Neuroscience Research Center (CRNL), INSERM U1028, CNRS UMR5292, Lyon, France
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital, Saint-Etienne, France
| | - Philippe Convers
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital, Lyon Neuroscience Research Center (CRNL), INSERM U1028, CNRS UMR5292, Lyon, France
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital, Saint-Etienne, France
| | - Laurine Perrin
- Department of Paediatric Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, CHU Saint-Étienne, Hôpital Bellevue, Rhône-Alpes Reference Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, Saint-Étienne, France
| | - Amélie Piton
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Illkirch, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR7104, Illkirch, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U964, Illkirch, France
- Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France
| | - Gert Wiegand
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Asklepios Klinik Nord-Heidberg, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine II (Neuropediatrics, Social Pediatrics), University Medical Centre Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - Andrea Accogli
- Department of Specialized Medicine, Division of Medical Genetics, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Qc, Canada
- Department of Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Qc, Canada
| | - Francesco Brancati
- Department of Life, Human Genetics, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, L’Aquila, Italy
- IRCCS San Raffaele Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Fabio Benfenati
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Geneva, Italy
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Geneva, Italy
| | - Nicolas Chatron
- Service de Genetique, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Bron, France
- Institute NeuroMyoGène, Laboratoire Physiopathologie et Génétique du Neurone et du Muscle, CNRS UMR 5261 -INSERM U1315, Université de Lyon - Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - David Lewis-Smith
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Rhys H. Thomas
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Federico Zara
- IRCCS G. Gaslini, Genova, Italy
- Department of Neurology, Rehabilitation, Ophtalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Pasquale Striano
- IRCCS G. Gaslini, Genova, Italy
- Department of Neurology, Rehabilitation, Ophtalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Gaetan Lesca
- Service de Genetique, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Bron, France
- Institute NeuroMyoGène, Laboratoire Physiopathologie et Génétique du Neurone et du Muscle, CNRS UMR 5261 -INSERM U1315, Université de Lyon - Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Christel Depienne
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
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Yeo XY, Lim YT, Chae WR, Park C, Park H, Jung S. Alterations of presynaptic proteins in autism spectrum disorder. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:1062878. [DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.1062878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The expanded use of hypothesis-free gene analysis methods in autism research has significantly increased the number of genetic risk factors associated with the pathogenesis of autism. A further examination of the implicated genes directly revealed the involvement in processes pertinent to neuronal differentiation, development, and function, with a predominant contribution from the regulators of synaptic function. Despite the importance of presynaptic function in synaptic transmission, the regulation of neuronal network activity, and the final behavioral output, there is a relative lack of understanding of the presynaptic contribution to the pathology of autism. Here, we will review the close association among autism-related mutations, autism spectrum disorders (ASD) phenotypes, and the altered presynaptic protein functions through a systematic examination of the presynaptic risk genes relating to the critical stages of synaptogenesis and neurotransmission.
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Kalemaj Z, Marino MM, Santini AC, Tomaselli G, Auti A, Cagetti MG, Borsello T, Costantino A, Inchingolo F, Boccellino M, Di Domenico M, Tartaglia GM. Salivary microRNA profiling dysregulation in autism spectrum disorder: A pilot study. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:945278. [PMID: 36340774 PMCID: PMC9629840 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.945278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are the most prevalent neurobiological disorders in children. The etiology comprises genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors such as dysfunction of the immune system. Epigenetic mechanisms are mainly represented by DNA methylation, histone modifications, and microRNAs (miRNA). The major explored epigenetic mechanism is mediated by miRNAs which target genes known to be involved in ASD pathogenesis. Salivary poly-omic RNA measurements have been associated with ASD and are helpful to differentiate ASD endophenotypes. This study aims to comprehensively examine miRNA expression in children with ASD and to reveal potential biomarkers and possible disease mechanisms so that they can be used to improve faction between individuals by promoting more personalized therapeutic approaches. MATERIALS AND METHODS Saliva samples were collected from 10 subjects: 5 samples of children with ASD and 5 from healthy controls. miRNAs were analyzed using an Illumina Next-Generation-Sequencing (NGS) system. RESULTS Preliminary data highlighted the presence of 365 differentially expressed miRNAs. Pathway analysis, molecular function, biological processes, and target genes of 41 dysregulated miRNAs were assessed, of which 20 were upregulated, and 21 were downregulated in children with ASD compared to healthy controls. CONCLUSION The results of this study represent preliminary but promising data, as the identified miRNA pathways could represent useful biomarkers for the early non-invasive diagnosis of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zamira Kalemaj
- UOC Maxillo-Facial Surgery and Dentistry, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Michela Marino
- Department of Precision Medicine, Università della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Giovanni Tomaselli
- Pharmacological Research Institute Mario Negri-IRCCS, Milan, Italy
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Amogh Auti
- Department of Precision Medicine, Università della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Cagetti
- Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Science, Università di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Tiziana Borsello
- Pharmacological Research Institute Mario Negri-IRCCS, Milan, Italy
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Antonella Costantino
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatric Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesco Inchingolo
- Section of Dental Medicine, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Università di Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | - Mariarosaria Boccellino
- Department of Precision Medicine, Università della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
| | - Marina Di Domenico
- Department of Precision Medicine, Università della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
- Department of Biology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Gianluca Martino Tartaglia
- UOC Maxillo-Facial Surgery and Dentistry, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
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Michetti C, Falace A, Benfenati F, Fassio A. Synaptic genes and neurodevelopmental disorders: From molecular mechanisms to developmental strategies of behavioral testing. Neurobiol Dis 2022; 173:105856. [PMID: 36070836 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2022.105856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Synaptopathies are a class of neurodevelopmental disorders caused by modification in genes coding for synaptic proteins. These proteins oversee the process of neurotransmission, mainly controlling the fusion and recycling of synaptic vesicles at the presynaptic terminal, the expression and localization of receptors at the postsynapse and the coupling between the pre- and the postsynaptic compartments. Murine models, with homozygous or heterozygous deletion for several synaptic genes or knock-in for specific pathogenic mutations, have been developed. They have proved to be extremely informative for understanding synaptic physiology, as well as for clarifying the patho-mechanisms leading to developmental delay, epilepsy and motor, cognitive and social impairments that are the most common clinical manifestations of neurodevelopmental disorders. However, the onset of these disorders emerges during infancy and adolescence while the behavioral phenotyping is often conducted in adult mice, missing important information about the impact of synaptic development and maturation on the manifestation of the behavioral phenotype. Here, we review the main achievements obtained by behavioral testing in murine models of synaptopathies and propose a battery of behavioral tests to improve classification, diagnosis and efficacy of potential therapeutic treatments. Our aim is to underlie the importance of studying behavioral development and better focusing on disease onset and phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caterina Michetti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy; Center for Synaptic Neuroscience, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genoa, Italy.
| | - Antonio Falace
- Pediatric Neurology, Neurogenetics and Neurobiology Unit and Laboratories, Children's Hospital A. Meyer-University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Fabio Benfenati
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genoa, Italy; IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Anna Fassio
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy; IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy.
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9
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Leung HW, Foo G, VanDongen A. Arc Regulates Transcription of Genes for Plasticity, Excitability and Alzheimer’s Disease. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10081946. [PMID: 36009494 PMCID: PMC9405677 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10081946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The immediate early gene Arc is a master regulator of synaptic function and a critical determinant of memory consolidation. Here, we show that Arc interacts with dynamic chromatin and closely associates with histone markers for active enhancers and transcription in cultured rat hippocampal neurons. Both these histone modifications, H3K27Ac and H3K9Ac, have recently been shown to be upregulated in late-onset Alzheimer’s disease (AD). When Arc induction by pharmacological network activation was prevented using a short hairpin RNA, the expression profile was altered for over 1900 genes, which included genes associated with synaptic function, neuronal plasticity, intrinsic excitability, and signalling pathways. Interestingly, about 100 Arc-dependent genes are associated with the pathophysiology of AD. When endogenous Arc expression was induced in HEK293T cells, the transcription of many neuronal genes was increased, suggesting that Arc can control expression in the absence of activated signalling pathways. Taken together, these data establish Arc as a master regulator of neuronal activity-dependent gene expression and suggest that it plays a significant role in the pathophysiology of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gabriel Foo
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore
| | - Antonius VanDongen
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Correspondence:
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10
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Donnard E, Shu H, Garber M. Single cell transcriptomics reveals dysregulated cellular and molecular networks in a fragile X syndrome model. PLoS Genet 2022; 18:e1010221. [PMID: 35675353 PMCID: PMC9212148 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite advances in understanding the pathophysiology of Fragile X syndrome (FXS), its molecular basis is still poorly understood. Whole brain tissue expression profiles have proved surprisingly uninformative, therefore we applied single cell RNA sequencing to profile an FMRP deficient mouse model with higher resolution. We found that the absence of FMRP results in highly cell type specific gene expression changes that are strongest among specific neuronal types, where FMRP-bound mRNAs were prominently downregulated. Metabolic pathways including translation and respiration are significantly upregulated across most cell types with the notable exception of excitatory neurons. These effects point to a potential difference in the activity of mTOR pathways, and together with other dysregulated pathways, suggest an excitatory-inhibitory imbalance in the Fmr1-knock out cortex that is exacerbated by astrocytes. Our data demonstrate that FMRP loss affects abundance of key cellular communication genes that potentially affect neuronal synapses and provide a resource for interrogating the biological basis of this disorder. Fragile X syndrome is a leading genetic cause of inherited intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder. It results from the inactivation of a single gene, FMR1 and hence the loss of its encoded protein FMRP. Despite decades of intensive research, we still lack an overview of the molecular and biological consequences of the disease. Using single cell RNA sequencing, we profiled cells from the brain of healthy mice and of knock-out mice lacking the FMRP protein, a common model for this disease, to identify molecular changes that happen across different cell types. We find neurons are the most impacted cell type, where genes in multiple pathways are similarly impacted. This includes transcripts known to be bound by FMRP, which are collectively decreased only in neurons but not in other cell types. Our results show how the loss of FMRP affects the intricate interactions between different brain cell types, which could provide new perspectives to the development of therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Donnard
- Program in Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail: (ED); (HS); (MG)
| | - Huan Shu
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail: (ED); (HS); (MG)
| | - Manuel Garber
- Program in Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail: (ED); (HS); (MG)
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11
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Moschetta M, Ravasenga T, De Fusco A, Maragliano L, Aprile D, Orlando M, Sacchetti S, Casagrande S, Lignani G, Fassio A, Baldelli P, Benfenati F. Ca 2+ binding to synapsin I regulates resting Ca 2+ and recovery from synaptic depression in nerve terminals. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:600. [PMID: 36409372 PMCID: PMC9678998 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04631-5] [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: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 10/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Synapsin I (SynI) is a synaptic vesicle (SV)-associated phosphoprotein that modulates neurotransmission by controlling SV trafficking. The SynI C-domain contains a highly conserved ATP binding site mediating SynI oligomerization and SV clustering and an adjacent main Ca2+ binding site, whose physiological role is unexplored. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed that the E373K point mutation irreversibly deletes Ca2+ binding to SynI, still allowing ATP binding, but inducing a destabilization of the SynI oligomerization interface. Here, we analyzed the effects of this mutation on neurotransmitter release and short-term plasticity in excitatory and inhibitory synapses from primary hippocampal neurons. Patch-clamp recordings showed an increase in the frequency of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) that was totally occluded by exogenous Ca2+ chelators and associated with a constitutive increase in resting terminal Ca2+ concentrations. Evoked EPSC amplitude was also reduced, due to a decreased readily releasable pool (RRP) size. Moreover, in both excitatory and inhibitory synapses, we observed a marked impaired recovery from synaptic depression, associated with impaired RRP refilling and depletion of the recycling pool of SVs. Our study identifies SynI as a novel Ca2+ buffer in excitatory terminals. Blocking Ca2+ binding to SynI results in higher constitutive Ca2+ levels that increase the probability of spontaneous release and disperse SVs. This causes a decreased size of the RRP and an impaired recovery from depression due to the failure of SV reclustering after sustained high-frequency stimulation. The results indicate a physiological role of Ca2+ binding to SynI in the regulation of SV clustering and trafficking in nerve terminals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Moschetta
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano Di Tecnologia, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132 Genoa, Italy ,Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Tiziana Ravasenga
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano Di Tecnologia, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132 Genoa, Italy ,IRCCS, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Antonio De Fusco
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano Di Tecnologia, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132 Genoa, Italy ,Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Luca Maragliano
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano Di Tecnologia, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132 Genoa, Italy ,Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
| | - Davide Aprile
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy ,Present Address: High-Definition Disease Modelling Lab, Campus IFOM-IEO, Milan, Italy
| | - Marta Orlando
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano Di Tecnologia, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132 Genoa, Italy ,Present Address: Charitè Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, Berlin Institute of Health, NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence, Berlin, Germany
| | - Silvio Sacchetti
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano Di Tecnologia, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Silvia Casagrande
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Gabriele Lignani
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano Di Tecnologia, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132 Genoa, Italy ,Present Address: Queens Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Anna Fassio
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy ,IRCCS, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Pietro Baldelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy ,IRCCS, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Fabio Benfenati
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano Di Tecnologia, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132 Genoa, Italy ,IRCCS, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132 Genoa, Italy
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12
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Longhena F, Faustini G, Brembati V, Pizzi M, Benfenati F, Bellucci A. An updated reappraisal of synapsins: structure, function and role in neurological and psychiatric disorders. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 130:33-60. [PMID: 34407457 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Synapsins (Syns) are phosphoproteins strongly involved in neuronal development and neurotransmitter release. Three distinct genes SYN1, SYN2 and SYN3, with elevated evolutionary conservation, have been described to encode for Synapsin I, Synapsin II and Synapsin III, respectively. Syns display a series of common features, but also exhibit distinctive localization, expression pattern, post-translational modifications (PTM). These characteristics enable their interaction with other synaptic proteins, membranes and cytoskeletal components, which is essential for the proper execution of their multiple functions in neuronal cells. These include the control of synapse formation and growth, neuron maturation and renewal, as well as synaptic vesicle mobilization, docking, fusion, recycling. Perturbations in the balanced expression of Syns, alterations of their PTM, mutations and polymorphisms of their encoding genes induce severe dysregulations in brain networks functions leading to the onset of psychiatric or neurological disorders. This review presents what we have learned since the discovery of Syn I in 1977, providing the state of the art on Syns structure, function, physiology and involvement in central nervous system disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Longhena
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123, Brescia, Italy.
| | - Gaia Faustini
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123, Brescia, Italy.
| | - Viviana Brembati
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123, Brescia, Italy.
| | - Marina Pizzi
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123, Brescia, Italy.
| | - Fabio Benfenati
- Italian Institute of Technology, Via Morego 30, Genova, Italy; IRCSS Policlinico San Martino Hospital, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132, Genova, Italy.
| | - Arianna Bellucci
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123, Brescia, Italy; Laboratory for Preventive and Personalized Medicine, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123, Brescia, Italy.
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13
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Biological implications of genetic variations in autism spectrum disorders from genomics studies. Biosci Rep 2021; 41:229227. [PMID: 34240107 PMCID: PMC8298259 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20210593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a highly heterogeneous neurodevelopmental condition characterized by atypical social interaction and communication together with repetitive behaviors and restricted interests. The prevalence of ASD has been increased these years. Compelling evidence has shown that genetic factors contribute largely to the development of ASD. However, knowledge about its genetic etiology and pathogenesis is limited. Broad applications of genomics studies have revealed the importance of gene mutations at protein-coding regions as well as the interrupted non-coding regions in the development of ASD. In this review, we summarize the current evidence for the known molecular genetic basis and possible pathological mechanisms as well as the risk genes and loci of ASD. Functional studies for the underlying mechanisms are also implicated. The understanding of the genetics and genomics of ASD is important for the genetic diagnosis and intervention for this condition.
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14
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Aguilar-Ordoñez I, Pérez-Villatoro F, García-Ortiz H, Barajas-Olmos F, Ballesteros-Villascán J, González-Buenfil R, Fresno C, Garcíarrubio A, Fernández-López JC, Tovar H, Hernández-Lemus E, Orozco L, Soberón X, Morett E. Whole genome variation in 27 Mexican indigenous populations, demographic and biomedical insights. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0249773. [PMID: 33831079 PMCID: PMC8031408 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0249773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
There has been limited study of Native American whole genome diversity to date, which impairs effective implementation of personalized medicine and a detailed description of its demographic history. Here we report high coverage whole genome sequencing of 76 unrelated individuals, from 27 indigenous groups across Mexico, with more than 97% average Native American ancestry. On average, each individual has 3.26 million Single Nucleotide Variants and short indels, that together comprise a catalog of 9,737,152 variants, 44,118 of which are novel. We report 497 common Single Nucleotide Variants (with allele frequency > 5%) mapped to drug responses and 316,577 in enhancer or promoter elements; interestingly we found some of these enhancer variants in PPARG, a nuclear receptor involved in highly prevalent health problems in Mexican population, such as obesity, diabetes, and insulin resistance. By detecting signals of positive selection we report 24 enriched key pathways under selection, most of them related to immune mechanisms. No missense variants in ACE2, the receptor responsible for the entry of the SARS CoV-2 virus, were found in any individual. Population genomics and phylogenetic analyses demonstrated stratification in a Northern-Central-Southern axis, with major substructure in the Central region. The Seri, a northern group with the most genetic divergence in our study, showed a distinctive genomic context with the most novel variants, and the most population specific genotypes. Genome-wide analysis showed that the average haplotype blocks are longer in Native Mexicans than in other world populations. With this dataset we describe previously undetected population level variation in Native Mexicans, helping to reduce the gap in genomic data representation of such groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Israel Aguilar-Ordoñez
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
- Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genómica (INMEGEN), Mexico City, México
| | - Fernando Pérez-Villatoro
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
- Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genómica (INMEGEN), Mexico City, México
- Winter Genomics, Mexico City, México
| | | | | | | | - Ram González-Buenfil
- Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla (BUAP), Puebla de Zaragoza, Puebla, México
| | - Cristobal Fresno
- Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genómica (INMEGEN), Mexico City, México
| | - Alejandro Garcíarrubio
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | | | - Hugo Tovar
- Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genómica (INMEGEN), Mexico City, México
| | | | - Lorena Orozco
- Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genómica (INMEGEN), Mexico City, México
| | - Xavier Soberón
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
- Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genómica (INMEGEN), Mexico City, México
| | - Enrique Morett
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
- * E-mail:
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15
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John A, Ng-Cordell E, Hanna N, Brkic D, Baker K. The neurodevelopmental spectrum of synaptic vesicle cycling disorders. J Neurochem 2021; 157:208-228. [PMID: 32738165 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Revised: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
In this review, we describe and discuss neurodevelopmental phenotypes arising from rare, high penetrance genomic variants which directly influence synaptic vesicle cycling (SVC disorders). Pathogenic variants in each SVC disorder gene lead to disturbance of at least one SVC subprocess, namely vesicle trafficking (e.g. KIF1A and GDI1), clustering (e.g. TRIO, NRXN1 and SYN1), docking and priming (e.g. STXBP1), fusion (e.g. SYT1 and PRRT2) or re-uptake (e.g. DNM1, AP1S2 and TBC1D24). We observe that SVC disorders share a common set of neurological symptoms (movement disorders, epilepsies), cognitive impairments (developmental delay, intellectual disabilities, cerebral visual impairment) and mental health difficulties (autism, ADHD, psychiatric symptoms). On the other hand, there is notable phenotypic variation between and within disorders, which may reflect selective disruption to SVC subprocesses, spatiotemporal and cell-specific gene expression profiles, mutation-specific effects, or modifying factors. Understanding the common cellular and systems mechanisms underlying neurodevelopmental phenotypes in SVC disorders, and the factors responsible for variation in clinical presentations and outcomes, may translate to personalized clinical management and improved quality of life for patients and families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abinayah John
- MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Elise Ng-Cordell
- MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Nancy Hanna
- MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Diandra Brkic
- MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Kate Baker
- MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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16
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Giving names to the actors of synaptic transmission: The long journey from synaptic vesicles to neural plasticity. ADVANCES IN PHARMACOLOGY 2021; 90:19-37. [PMID: 33706933 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apha.2020.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
More than a scientific paper or a review article, this is a remembrance of a unique time of science and life that the authors spent in Paul Greengard's laboratory at the Rockefeller University in New York in the 1980s and 1990s, forming the so-called synaptic vesicle group. It was a time in which the molecular mechanisms of synaptic transmission and the nature of the organelles in charge of storing and releasing neurotransmitter were just beginning to be understood. It was an exciting time in which the protein composition of synaptic vesicles started to be identified. It turned out that the interactions of synaptic vesicle proteins with the cytoskeleton and the presynaptic membrane and their modulation by protein phosphorylation represented an essential network regulating the efficiency of neurotransmitter release and thereby synaptic strength and plasticity. This is also a description of the distinct scientific journeys that the three authors took on going back to Europe and how they were strongly influenced by the generous and outstanding mentorship of Paul Greengard, his genuine interest in their lives and careers and the life-long friendship with him.
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Dysfunction of the serotonergic system in the brain of synapsin triple knockout mice is associated with behavioral abnormalities resembling synapsin-related human pathologies. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2021; 105:110135. [PMID: 33058959 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2020.110135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Revised: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Synapsins (Syns) are a family of phosphoproteins associated with synaptic vesicles (SVs). Their main function is to regulate neurotransmitter release by maintaining a reserve pool of SVs at the presynaptic terminal. Previous studies reported that the deletion of one or more Syn genes in mice results in an epileptic phenotype and autism-related behavioral abnormalities. Here we aimed at characterizing the behavioral phenotype and neurobiological correlates of the deletion of Syns in a Syn triple knockout (TKO) mouse model. Wild type (WT) and TKO mice were tested in the open field, novelty suppressed feeding, light-dark box, forced swim, tail suspension and three-chamber sociability tests. Using in vivo electrophysiology, we recorded the spontaneous activity of dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) serotonin (5-HT) and ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine (DA) neurons. Levels of 5-HT and DA in the frontal cortex and hippocampus of WT and TKO mice were also assessed using a High-Performance Liquid Chromatography. TKO mice displayed hyperactivity and impaired social and anxiety-like behavior. Behavioral dysfunctions were accompanied by reduced firing activity of DRN 5-HT, but not VTA DA, neurons. TKO mice also showed increased responsiveness of DRN 5-HT-1A autoreceptors, measured as a reduced dose of the 5-HT-1A agonist 8-OH-DPAT necessary to inhibit DRN 5-HT firing activity by 50%. Finally, hippocampal 5-HT levels were lower in TKO than in WT mice. Overall, Syns deletion in mice leads to a reduction in DRN 5-HT firing activity and hippocampal 5-HT levels along with behavioral alterations reminiscent of human neuropsychiatric conditions associated with Syn dysfunction.
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Turner TJ, Zourray C, Schorge S, Lignani G. Recent advances in gene therapy for neurodevelopmental disorders with epilepsy. J Neurochem 2020; 157:229-262. [PMID: 32880951 PMCID: PMC8436749 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental disorders can be caused by mutations in neuronal genes fundamental to brain development. These disorders have severe symptoms ranging from intellectually disability, social and cognitive impairments, and a subset are strongly linked with epilepsy. In this review, we focus on those neurodevelopmental disorders that are frequently characterized by the presence of epilepsy (NDD + E). We loosely group the genes linked to NDD + E with different neuronal functions: transcriptional regulation, intrinsic excitability and synaptic transmission. All these genes have in common a pivotal role in defining the brain architecture and function during early development, and when their function is altered, symptoms can present in the first stages of human life. The relationship with epilepsy is complex. In some NDD + E, epilepsy is a comorbidity and in others seizures appear to be the main cause of the pathology, suggesting that either structural changes (NDD) or neuronal communication (E) can lead to these disorders. Furthermore, grouping the genes that cause NDD + E, we review the uses and limitations of current models of the different disorders, and how different gene therapy strategies are being developed to treat them. We highlight where gene replacement may not be a treatment option, and where innovative therapeutic tools, such as CRISPR‐based gene editing, and new avenues of delivery are required. In general this group of genetically defined disorders, supported increasing knowledge of the mechanisms leading to neurological dysfunction serve as an excellent collection for illustrating the translational potential of gene therapy, including newly emerging tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas J Turner
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Clara Zourray
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK.,Department of Pharmacology, UCL School of Pharmacy, London, UK
| | | | - Gabriele Lignani
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
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Quintas M, Neto JL, Sequeiros J, Sousa A, Pereira-Monteiro J, Lemos C, Alonso I. Going Deep into Synaptic Vesicle Machinery Genes and Migraine Susceptibility - A Case-Control Association Study. Headache 2020; 60:2152-2165. [PMID: 32979221 DOI: 10.1111/head.13957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2020] [Revised: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE A number of observations, including among our study population, have implicated variants in the syntaxin-1A, a component of the synaptic vesicles, in migraine susceptibility. Therefore, we hypothesize that variants in other components of the vesicle machinery are involved in migraine. BACKGROUND Migraine is a common and complex neurologic disorder that affects approximately 15-18% of the general population. The exact cause of migraine is unknown; however, genetic studies have made possible substantial progress toward the identification of underlying molecular pathways. Neurotransmitters have been for long considered to have a key role in migraine pathophysiology; so we investigated common variants in genes involved in the synaptic vesicle machinery and their impact in migraine susceptibility. METHODS We performed a case-control study comprising 188 unrelated patients with headache and 286 healthy controls in a population from the north of Portugal. Benefiting from the presence of linkage disequilibrium, we selected and genotyped 119 tagging single-nucleotide polymorphisms in 18 genes. RESULTS We found significant associations between single-nucleotide variants and migraine in 7 genes, SYN1, SYN2, SNAP25, VAMP2, STXBP1, STXBP5, and UNC13A, either conferring an increased risk or protection of migraine. Due to SYN1 X-chromosomal location, we performed the statistical analysis separated by gender and, in the female group, the C allele of rs5906435 increased the risk for migraine susceptibility (P = .021; OR = 1.69; 95% CI: 1.21-2.34). In contrast, the TT genotype of the same variant emerged as a potential protective factor (P = .003; OR = 0.45; 95% CI: 0.27-0.74). The SYN2 analysis supported the rs3773364's G allele (P = .014) as a risk factor for migraine, and although not statistically significant after correction, the AG genotype (P = .006; OR = 1.86; 95% CI: 1.20-2.90) reinforced the allelic findings. Additionally, we found the SNAP25-rs363039's CT genotype (P = .001; OR = 2.14; 95% CI: 1.36-3.34), the STXBP5-rs1765028's T allele (P = .041; OR = 1.46; 95% CI: 1.13-1.90), and the UNC13B-rs7851161's TT genotype (P = .001; OR = 2.14; 95% CI: 1.36-3.34) as statistically significant risk factors for migraine liability. VAMP2-rs1150's G allele revealed a risk association to migraine, not statistically significant after correction (P = .068). Additionally, we found haplotypes in SYN1, SYN2, STXBP1, and UNC13B to be associated with migraine. CONCLUSIONS Overall, this study provides a new insight into migraine liability, identifying possible starting points for functional studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlene Quintas
- UnIGENe, IBMC - Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,ICBAS - Instituto Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - João Luís Neto
- UnIGENe, IBMC - Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,ICBAS - Instituto Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Jorge Sequeiros
- UnIGENe, IBMC - Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,ICBAS - Instituto Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Alda Sousa
- UnIGENe, IBMC - Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,ICBAS - Instituto Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - José Pereira-Monteiro
- UnIGENe, IBMC - Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Carolina Lemos
- UnIGENe, IBMC - Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,ICBAS - Instituto Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Isabel Alonso
- UnIGENe, IBMC - Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,ICBAS - Instituto Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
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20
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Presynaptic L-Type Ca 2+ Channels Increase Glutamate Release Probability and Excitatory Strength in the Hippocampus during Chronic Neuroinflammation. J Neurosci 2020; 40:6825-6841. [PMID: 32747440 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2981-19.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Revised: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroinflammation is involved in the pathogenesis of several neurologic disorders, including epilepsy. Both changes in the input/output functions of synaptic circuits and cell Ca2+ dysregulation participate in neuroinflammation, but their impact on neuron function in epilepsy is still poorly understood. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a toxic byproduct of bacterial lysis, has been extensively used to stimulate inflammatory responses both in vivo and in vitro LPS stimulates Toll-like receptor 4, an important mediator of the brain innate immune response that contributes to neuroinflammation processes. Although we report that Toll-like receptor 4 is expressed in both excitatory and inhibitory mouse hippocampal neurons (both sexes), its chronic stimulation by LPS induces a selective increase in the excitatory synaptic strength, characterized by enhanced synchronous and asynchronous glutamate release mechanisms. This effect is accompanied by a change in short-term plasticity with decreased facilitation, decreased post-tetanic potentiation, and increased depression. Quantal analysis demonstrated that the effects of LPS on excitatory transmission are attributable to an increase in the probability of release associated with an overall increased expression of L-type voltage-gated Ca2+ channels that, at presynaptic terminals, abnormally contributes to evoked glutamate release. Overall, these changes contribute to the excitatory/inhibitory imbalance that scales up neuronal network activity under inflammatory conditions. These results provide new molecular clues for treating hyperexcitability of hippocampal circuits associated with neuroinflammation in epilepsy and other neurologic disorders.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Neuroinflammation is thought to have a pathogenetic role in epilepsy, a disorder characterized by an imbalance between excitation/inhibition. Fine adjustment of network excitability and regulation of synaptic strength are both implicated in the homeostatic maintenance of physiological levels of neuronal activity. Here, we focused on the effects of chronic neuroinflammation induced by lipopolysaccharides on hippocampal glutamatergic and GABAergic synaptic transmission. Our results show that, on chronic stimulation with lipopolysaccharides, glutamatergic, but not GABAergic, neurons exhibit an enhanced synaptic strength and changes in short-term plasticity because of an increased glutamate release that results from an anomalous contribution of L-type Ca2+ channels to neurotransmitter release.
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21
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Bonnycastle K, Davenport EC, Cousin MA. Presynaptic dysfunction in neurodevelopmental disorders: Insights from the synaptic vesicle life cycle. J Neurochem 2020; 157:179-207. [PMID: 32378740 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The activity-dependent fusion, retrieval and recycling of synaptic vesicles is essential for the maintenance of neurotransmission. Until relatively recently it was believed that most mutations in genes that were essential for this process would be incompatible with life, because of this fundamental role. However, an ever-expanding number of mutations in this very cohort of genes are being identified in individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism, intellectual disability and epilepsy. This article will summarize the current state of knowledge linking mutations in presynaptic genes to neurodevelopmental disorders by sequentially covering the various stages of the synaptic vesicle life cycle. It will also discuss how perturbations of specific stages within this recycling process could translate into human disease. Finally, it will also provide perspectives on the potential for future therapy that are targeted to presynaptic function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Bonnycastle
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,Muir Maxwell Epilepsy Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Elizabeth C Davenport
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,Muir Maxwell Epilepsy Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Michael A Cousin
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,Muir Maxwell Epilepsy Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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22
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Cieślik M, Gąssowska-Dobrowolska M, Jęśko H, Czapski GA, Wilkaniec A, Zawadzka A, Dominiak A, Polowy R, Filipkowski RK, Boguszewski PM, Gewartowska M, Frontczak-Baniewicz M, Sun GY, Beversdorf DQ, Adamczyk A. Maternal Immune Activation Induces Neuroinflammation and Cortical Synaptic Deficits in the Adolescent Rat Offspring. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E4097. [PMID: 32521803 PMCID: PMC7312084 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21114097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Maternal immune activation (MIA), induced by infection during pregnancy, is an important risk factor for neuro-developmental disorders, such as autism. Abnormal maternal cytokine signaling may affect fetal brain development and contribute to neurobiological and behavioral changes in the offspring. Here, we examined the effect of lipopolysaccharide-induced MIA on neuro-inflammatory changes, as well as synaptic morphology and key synaptic protein level in cerebral cortex of adolescent male rat offspring. Adolescent MIA offspring showed elevated blood cytokine levels, microglial activation, increased pro-inflammatory cytokines expression and increased oxidative stress in the cerebral cortex. Moreover, pathological changes in synaptic ultrastructure of MIA offspring was detected, along with presynaptic protein deficits and down-regulation of postsynaptic scaffolding proteins. Consequently, ability to unveil MIA-induced long-term alterations in synapses structure and protein level may have consequences on postnatal behavioral changes, associated with, and predisposed to, the development of neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Cieślik
- Department of Cellular Signalling, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (M.G.-D.); (H.J.); (G.A.C.); (A.W.); (A.Z.)
| | - Magdalena Gąssowska-Dobrowolska
- Department of Cellular Signalling, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (M.G.-D.); (H.J.); (G.A.C.); (A.W.); (A.Z.)
| | - Henryk Jęśko
- Department of Cellular Signalling, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (M.G.-D.); (H.J.); (G.A.C.); (A.W.); (A.Z.)
| | - Grzegorz A. Czapski
- Department of Cellular Signalling, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (M.G.-D.); (H.J.); (G.A.C.); (A.W.); (A.Z.)
| | - Anna Wilkaniec
- Department of Cellular Signalling, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (M.G.-D.); (H.J.); (G.A.C.); (A.W.); (A.Z.)
| | - Aleksandra Zawadzka
- Department of Cellular Signalling, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (M.G.-D.); (H.J.); (G.A.C.); (A.W.); (A.Z.)
| | - Agnieszka Dominiak
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacogenomics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Warsaw, Żwirki i Wigury 61, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Rafał Polowy
- Behavior and Metabolism Research Laboratory, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (R.P.); (R.K.F.)
| | - Robert K. Filipkowski
- Behavior and Metabolism Research Laboratory, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (R.P.); (R.K.F.)
| | - Paweł M. Boguszewski
- Laboratory of Animal Models, Neurobiology Center, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pasteur 3, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Magdalena Gewartowska
- Electron Microscopy Platform, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (M.G.); (M.F.-B.)
| | - Małgorzata Frontczak-Baniewicz
- Electron Microscopy Platform, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (M.G.); (M.F.-B.)
| | - Grace Y. Sun
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, 117 Schweitzer Hall, Columbia, MO 65201, USA;
| | - David Q. Beversdorf
- Departments of Radiology, Neurology, and Psychological Sciences, William and Nancy Thompson Endowed Chair in Radiology, DC069.10, One Hospital Drive, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA;
| | - Agata Adamczyk
- Department of Cellular Signalling, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (M.G.-D.); (H.J.); (G.A.C.); (A.W.); (A.Z.)
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23
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Gąssowska-Dobrowolska M, Cieślik M, Czapski GA, Jęśko H, Frontczak-Baniewicz M, Gewartowska M, Dominiak A, Polowy R, Filipkowski RK, Babiec L, Adamczyk A. Prenatal Exposure to Valproic Acid Affects Microglia and Synaptic Ultrastructure in a Brain-Region-Specific Manner in Young-Adult Male Rats: Relevance to Autism Spectrum Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21103576. [PMID: 32443651 PMCID: PMC7279050 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21103576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Revised: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a heterogeneous group of neurodevelopmental conditions categorized as synaptopathies. Environmental risk factors contribute to ASD aetiology. In particular, prenatal exposure to the anti-epileptic drug valproic acid (VPA) may increase the risk of autism. In the present study, we investigated the effect of prenatal exposure to VPA on the synaptic morphology and expression of key synaptic proteins in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex of young-adult male offspring. To characterize the VPA-induced autism model, behavioural outcomes, microglia-related neuroinflammation, and oxidative stress were analysed. Our data showed that prenatal exposure to VPA impaired communication in neonatal rats, reduced their exploratory activity, and led to anxiety-like and repetitive behaviours in the young-adult animals. VPA-induced pathological alterations in the ultrastructures of synapses accompanied by deregulation of key pre- and postsynaptic structural and functional proteins. Moreover, VPA exposure altered the redox status and expression of proinflammatory genes in a brain region-specific manner. The disruption of synaptic structure and plasticity may be the primary insult responsible for autism-related behaviour in the offspring. The vulnerability of specific synaptic proteins to the epigenetic effects of VPA may highlight the potential mechanisms by which prenatal VPA exposure generates behavioural changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Gąssowska-Dobrowolska
- Department of Cellular Signalling, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (M.C.); (G.A.C.); (H.J.); (L.B.)
- Correspondence: (M.G.-D.); (A.A.); Tel.: +48-22-6086420 (M.G-D.); +48-22-6086572 (A.A.)
| | - Magdalena Cieślik
- Department of Cellular Signalling, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (M.C.); (G.A.C.); (H.J.); (L.B.)
| | - Grzegorz Arkadiusz Czapski
- Department of Cellular Signalling, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (M.C.); (G.A.C.); (H.J.); (L.B.)
| | - Henryk Jęśko
- Department of Cellular Signalling, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (M.C.); (G.A.C.); (H.J.); (L.B.)
| | - Małgorzata Frontczak-Baniewicz
- Electron Microscopy Platform, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (M.F.-B.); (M.G.)
| | - Magdalena Gewartowska
- Electron Microscopy Platform, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (M.F.-B.); (M.G.)
| | - Agnieszka Dominiak
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacogenomics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Warsaw, Banacha 1B, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Rafał Polowy
- Behavior and Metabolism Research Laboratory, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5 St, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (R.P.); (R.K.F.)
| | - Robert Kuba Filipkowski
- Behavior and Metabolism Research Laboratory, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5 St, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (R.P.); (R.K.F.)
| | - Lidia Babiec
- Department of Cellular Signalling, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (M.C.); (G.A.C.); (H.J.); (L.B.)
| | - Agata Adamczyk
- Department of Cellular Signalling, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (M.C.); (G.A.C.); (H.J.); (L.B.)
- Correspondence: (M.G.-D.); (A.A.); Tel.: +48-22-6086420 (M.G-D.); +48-22-6086572 (A.A.)
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24
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Choi DJ, Yang H, Gaire S, Lee KA, An J, Kim BG, Jou I, Park SM, Joe EH. Critical roles of astrocytic-CCL2-dependent monocyte infiltration in a DJ-1 knockout mouse model of delayed brain repair. Glia 2020; 68:2086-2101. [PMID: 32176388 DOI: 10.1002/glia.23828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2019] [Revised: 01/25/2020] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Monocyte-derived macrophages play a role in the repair of the injured brain. We previously reported that a deficiency of the Parkinson's disease (PD)-associated gene DJ-1 delays repair of brain injury produced by stereotaxic injection of ATP, a component of damage-associated molecular patterns. Here, we show that a DJ-1 deficiency attenuates monocyte infiltration into the damaged brain owing to a decrease in C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) expression in astrocytes. Like DJ-1-knockout (KO) mice, CCL2 receptor (CCR2)-KO mice showed defects in monocyte infiltration and delayed recovery of brain injury, as determined by 9.4 T magnetic resonance imaging analysis and immunostaining for tyrosine hydroxylase and glial fibrillary acid protein. Notably, transcriptome analyses showed that genes related to regeneration and synapse formation were similarly downregulated in injured brains of DJ-1-KO and CCR2-KO mice compared with the injured wild-type brain. These results indicate that defective astrogliosis in DJ-1-KO mice is associated with decreased CCL2 expression and attenuated monocyte infiltration, resulting in delayed repair of brain injury. Thus, delayed repair of brain injury could contribute to the development of PD. MAIN POINTS: A DJ-1 deficiency attenuates infiltration of monocytes owing to a decrease in CCL2 expression in astrocytes, which in turn led to delay in repair of brain injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Joo Choi
- Department of Pharmacology, National Research Lab of Brain Inflammation, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Kyunggi-do, South Korea.,Chronic Inflammatory Disease Research Center, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Kyunggi-do, South Korea
| | - Hajie Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, National Research Lab of Brain Inflammation, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Kyunggi-do, South Korea.,Department of Brain Science, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Kyunggi-do, South Korea
| | - Sushil Gaire
- Department of Pharmacology, National Research Lab of Brain Inflammation, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Kyunggi-do, South Korea.,Department of Brain Science, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Kyunggi-do, South Korea.,Neuroscience Graduate Program, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Kyunggi-do, South Korea
| | - Keon Ah Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, National Research Lab of Brain Inflammation, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Kyunggi-do, South Korea.,Department of Brain Science, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Kyunggi-do, South Korea
| | - Jiawei An
- Department of Pharmacology, National Research Lab of Brain Inflammation, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Kyunggi-do, South Korea.,Department of Brain Science, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Kyunggi-do, South Korea.,Neuroscience Graduate Program, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Kyunggi-do, South Korea
| | - Byung Gon Kim
- Chronic Inflammatory Disease Research Center, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Kyunggi-do, South Korea.,Department of Brain Science, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Kyunggi-do, South Korea.,Neuroscience Graduate Program, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Kyunggi-do, South Korea.,Department of Neurology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Kyunggi-do, South Korea
| | - Ilo Jou
- Department of Pharmacology, National Research Lab of Brain Inflammation, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Kyunggi-do, South Korea.,Chronic Inflammatory Disease Research Center, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Kyunggi-do, South Korea.,Neuroscience Graduate Program, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Kyunggi-do, South Korea
| | - Sang Myun Park
- Department of Pharmacology, National Research Lab of Brain Inflammation, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Kyunggi-do, South Korea.,Chronic Inflammatory Disease Research Center, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Kyunggi-do, South Korea.,Neuroscience Graduate Program, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Kyunggi-do, South Korea
| | - Eun-Hye Joe
- Department of Pharmacology, National Research Lab of Brain Inflammation, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Kyunggi-do, South Korea.,Chronic Inflammatory Disease Research Center, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Kyunggi-do, South Korea.,Department of Brain Science, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Kyunggi-do, South Korea.,Neuroscience Graduate Program, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Kyunggi-do, South Korea
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25
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Beretta S, Gritti L, Verpelli C, Sala C. Eukaryotic Elongation Factor 2 Kinase a Pharmacological Target to Regulate Protein Translation Dysfunction in Neurological Diseases. Neuroscience 2020; 445:42-49. [PMID: 32088293 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Revised: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Two major processes tightly regulate protein synthesis, the initiation of mRNA translation and elongation phase that mediates the movement of ribosomes along the mRNA. The elongation phase is a high energy-consuming process, and is mainly regulated by the eukaryotic elongation factor 2 kinase (eEF2K) activity that phosphorylates and inhibits eEF2, the only known substrate of the kinase. eEF2K activity is closely regulated by several signaling pathways because the translation elongation phase strongly influences the cellular energy demand and can change the expression of specific proteins in different tissues. An increasing number of recent findings link eEF2k over activation to an array of human diseases, such as atherosclerosis, pulmonary arterial hypertension, progression of solid tumors, and some major neurological disorders. Several neurological studies suggest that eEF2K is a valuable target in treating epilepsy, depression and major neurodegenerative diseases. Despite eEF2k is an ubiquitous and conserved protein, it has been proved that its deletion does not affect development in animal models and in general cell viability. Therefore, it is possible to postulate that inhibiting its function may not cause serious side effects. In addition, eEF2K is a peculiar kinase molecularly different from most of other mammalian kinases and new compounds that inhibit eEF2K should not necessarily interfere with other important protein kinases. In this review we will critically summarize the evidence supporting the role of the altered eEF2K/eEF2 pathway in defined neurological diseases and its implications in curing these diseases in animal models, and possibly in humans, by targeting eEF2K activity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Carlo Sala
- CNR Neuroscience Institute, Milano, Italy.
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26
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Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of families with complex intellectual disability identified pathogenic genetic variations in known and novel disease genes. Sci Rep 2020; 10:968. [PMID: 31969655 PMCID: PMC6976666 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-57929-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 01/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Intellectual disability (ID), which presents itself during childhood, belongs to a group of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) that are clinically widely heterogeneous and highly heritable, often being caused by single gene defects. Indeed, NDDs can be attributed to mutations at over 1000 loci, and all type of mutations, ranging from single nucleotide variations (SNVs) to large, complex copy number variations (CNVs), have been reported in patients with ID and other related NDDs. In this study, we recruited seven different recessive NDD families with comorbidities to perform a detailed clinical characterization and a complete genomic analysis that consisted of a combination of high throughput SNP-based genotyping and whole-genome sequencing (WGS). Different disease-associated loci and pathogenic gene mutations were identified in each family, including known (n = 4) and novel (n = 2) mutations in known genes (NAGLU, SLC5A2, POLR3B, VPS13A, SYN1, SPG11), and the identification of a novel disease gene (n = 1; NSL1). Functional analyses were additionally performed in a gene associated with autism-like symptoms and epileptic seizures for further proof of pathogenicity. Lastly, detailed genotype-phenotype correlations were carried out to assist with the diagnosis of prospective families and to determine genomic variation with clinical relevance. We concluded that the combination of linkage analyses and WGS to search for disease genes still remains a fruitful strategy for complex diseases with a variety of mutated genes and heterogeneous phenotypic manifestations, allowing for the identification of novel mutations, genes, and phenotypes, and leading to improvements in both diagnostic strategies and functional characterization of disease mechanisms.
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27
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Blanco-Redondo B, Nuwal N, Kneitz S, Nuwal T, Halder P, Liu Y, Ehmann N, Scholz N, Mayer A, Kleber J, Kähne T, Schmitt D, Sadanandappa MK, Funk N, Albertova V, Helfrich-Förster C, Ramaswami M, Hasan G, Kittel RJ, Langenhan T, Gerber B, Buchner E. Implications of the Sap47 null mutation for synapsin phosphorylation, longevity, climbing proficiency and behavioural plasticity in adult Drosophila. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 222:jeb.203505. [PMID: 31488622 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.203505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2019] [Accepted: 08/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The Sap47 gene of Drosophila melanogaster encodes a highly abundant 47 kDa synaptic vesicle-associated protein. Sap47 null mutants show defects in synaptic plasticity and larval olfactory associative learning but the molecular function of Sap47 at the synapse is unknown. We demonstrate that Sap47 modulates the phosphorylation of another highly abundant conserved presynaptic protein, synapsin. Site-specific phosphorylation of Drosophila synapsin has repeatedly been shown to be important for behavioural plasticity but it was not known where these phospho-synapsin isoforms are localized in the brain. Here, we report the distribution of serine-6-phosphorylated synapsin in the adult brain and show that it is highly enriched in rings of synapses in the ellipsoid body and in large synapses near the lateral triangle. The effects of knockout of Sap47 or synapsin on olfactory associative learning/memory support the hypothesis that both proteins operate in the same molecular pathway. We therefore asked if this might also be true for other aspects of their function. We show that knockout of Sap47 but not synapsin reduces lifespan, whereas knockout of Sap47 and synapsin, either individually or together, affects climbing proficiency, as well as plasticity in circadian rhythms and sleep. Furthermore, electrophysiological assessment of synaptic properties at the larval neuromuscular junction (NMJ) reveals increased spontaneous synaptic vesicle fusion and reduced paired pulse facilitation in Sap47 and synapsin single and double mutants. Our results imply that Sap47 and synapsin cooperate non-uniformly in the control of synaptic properties in different behaviourally relevant neuronal networks of the fruitfly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Blanco-Redondo
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University of Würzburg, 97078 Würzburg, Germany .,Department of Neurobiology and Genetics, Biocenter of the University of Würzburg, 97074 Würzburg, Germany.,Rudolf Schönheimer Institute of Biochemistry, Division of General Biochemistry, Leipzig University, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Nidhi Nuwal
- Department of Neurobiology and Genetics, Biocenter of the University of Würzburg, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Susanne Kneitz
- Department of Physiological Chemistry, Biocenter of the University of Würzburg, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Tulip Nuwal
- Department of Neurobiology and Genetics, Biocenter of the University of Würzburg, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Partho Halder
- Department of Neurobiology and Genetics, Biocenter of the University of Würzburg, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Yiting Liu
- Department of Neurobiology and Genetics, Biocenter of the University of Würzburg, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Nadine Ehmann
- Department of Neurophysiology, Institute of Physiology, University of Würzburg, 97070 Würzburg, Germany.,Department of Animal Physiology, Institute of Biology, Leipzig University, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.,Carl-Ludwig-Institute for Physiology, Leipzig University, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Nicole Scholz
- Rudolf Schönheimer Institute of Biochemistry, Division of General Biochemistry, Leipzig University, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.,Department of Neurophysiology, Institute of Physiology, University of Würzburg, 97070 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Annika Mayer
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University of Würzburg, 97078 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Jörg Kleber
- Leibniz Institute of Neurobiology, 39118 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Thilo Kähne
- Institute of Experimental Internal Medicine, Otto von Guericke University, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Dominique Schmitt
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University of Würzburg, 97078 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Madhumala K Sadanandappa
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University of Würzburg, 97078 Würzburg, Germany.,National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bangalore, Karnataka 560065, India
| | - Natalja Funk
- Department of Neurobiology and Genetics, Biocenter of the University of Würzburg, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Viera Albertova
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University of Würzburg, 97078 Würzburg, Germany.,Department of Neurobiology and Genetics, Biocenter of the University of Würzburg, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Charlotte Helfrich-Förster
- Department of Neurobiology and Genetics, Biocenter of the University of Würzburg, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Mani Ramaswami
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bangalore, Karnataka 560065, India
| | - Gaiti Hasan
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bangalore, Karnataka 560065, India
| | - Robert J Kittel
- Department of Neurophysiology, Institute of Physiology, University of Würzburg, 97070 Würzburg, Germany.,Department of Animal Physiology, Institute of Biology, Leipzig University, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.,Carl-Ludwig-Institute for Physiology, Leipzig University, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Tobias Langenhan
- Rudolf Schönheimer Institute of Biochemistry, Division of General Biochemistry, Leipzig University, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.,Department of Neurophysiology, Institute of Physiology, University of Würzburg, 97070 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Bertram Gerber
- Leibniz Institute of Neurobiology, 39118 Magdeburg, Germany.,Institute of Biology, University of Magdeburg, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany.,Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Erich Buchner
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University of Würzburg, 97078 Würzburg, Germany .,Department of Neurobiology and Genetics, Biocenter of the University of Würzburg, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
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28
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Yang G, Shcheglovitov A. Probing disrupted neurodevelopment in autism using human stem cell-derived neurons and organoids: An outlook into future diagnostics and drug development. Dev Dyn 2019; 249:6-33. [PMID: 31398277 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2019] [Revised: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 07/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) represent a spectrum of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by impaired social interaction, repetitive or restrictive behaviors, and problems with speech. According to a recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in 68 children in the US is diagnosed with ASDs. Although ASD-related diagnostics and the knowledge of ASD-associated genetic abnormalities have improved in recent years, our understanding of the cellular and molecular pathways disrupted in ASD remains very limited. As a result, no specific therapies or medications are available for individuals with ASDs. In this review, we describe the neurodevelopmental processes that are likely affected in the brains of individuals with ASDs and discuss how patient-specific stem cell-derived neurons and organoids can be used for investigating these processes at the cellular and molecular levels. Finally, we propose a discovery pipeline to be used in the future for identifying the cellular and molecular deficits and developing novel personalized therapies for individuals with idiopathic ASDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guang Yang
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.,Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Alex Shcheglovitov
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.,Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
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29
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Forte N, Binda F, Contestabile A, Benfenati F, Baldelli P. Synapsin I Synchronizes GABA Release in Distinct Interneuron Subpopulations. Cereb Cortex 2019; 30:1393-1406. [DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhz174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2019] [Revised: 07/02/2019] [Accepted: 07/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Neurotransmitters can be released either synchronously or asynchronously with respect to action potential timing. Synapsins (Syns) are a family of synaptic vesicle (SV) phosphoproteins that assist gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) release and allow a physiological excitation/inhibition balance. Consistently, deletion of either or both Syn1 and Syn2 genes is epileptogenic. In this work, we have characterized the effect of SynI knockout (KO) in the regulation of GABA release dynamics. Using patch-clamp recordings in hippocampal slices, we demonstrate that the lack of SynI impairs synchronous GABA release via a reduction of the readily releasable SVs and, in parallel, increases asynchronous GABA release. The effects of SynI deletion on synchronous GABA release were occluded by ω-AgatoxinIVA, indicating the involvement of P/Q-type Ca2+channel-expressing neurons. Using in situ hybridization, we show that SynI is more expressed in parvalbumin (PV) interneurons, characterized by synchronous release, than in cholecystokinin or SOM interneurons, characterized by a more asynchronous release. Optogenetic activation of PV and SOM interneurons revealed a specific reduction of synchronous release in PV/SynIKO interneurons associated with an increased asynchronous release in SOM/SynIKO interneurons. The results demonstrate that SynI is differentially expressed in interneuron subpopulations, where it boosts synchronous and limits asynchronous GABA release.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Forte
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132 Genova, Italy
- IRCSS, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - F Binda
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132 Genova, Italy
- IRCSS, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - A Contestabile
- Department of Neuroscience and Brain Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - F Benfenati
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132 Genova, Italy
- IRCSS, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - P Baldelli
- IRCSS, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132 Genova, Italy
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, 16132 Genova, Italy
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30
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Lanoue V, Chai YJ, Brouillet JZ, Weckhuysen S, Palmer EE, Collins BM, Meunier FA. STXBP1 encephalopathy. Neurology 2019; 93:114-123. [DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000007786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 04/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
De novo pathogenic variants in STXBP1 encoding syntaxin1-binding protein (STXBP1, also known as Munc18-1) lead to a range of early-onset neurocognitive conditions, most commonly early infantile epileptic encephalopathy type 4 (EIEE4, also called STXBP1 encephalopathy), a severe form of epilepsy associated with developmental delay/intellectual disability. Other neurologic features include autism spectrum disorder and movement disorders. The progression of neurologic symptoms has been reported in a few older affected individuals, with the appearance of extrapyramidal features, reminiscent of early onset parkinsonism. Understanding the pathologic process is critical to improving therapies, as currently available antiepileptic drugs have shown limited success in controlling seizures in EIEE4 and there is no precision medication approach for the other neurologic features of the disorder. Basic research shows that genetic knockout of STXBP1 or other presynaptic proteins of the exocytic machinery leads to widespread perinatal neurodegeneration. The mechanism that regulates this effect is under scrutiny but shares intriguing hallmarks with classical neurodegenerative diseases, albeit appearing early during brain development. Most critically, recent evidence has revealed that STXBP1 controls the self-replicating aggregation of α-synuclein, a presynaptic protein involved in various neurodegenerative diseases that are collectively known as synucleinopathies, including Parkinson disease. In this review, we examine the tantalizing link among STXBP1 function, EIEE, and the neurodegenerative synucleinopathies, and suggest that neural development in EIEE could be further affected by concurrent synucleinopathic mechanisms.
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31
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Pogorelov VM, Kao HT, Augustine GJ, Wetsel WC. Postsynaptic Mechanisms Render Syn I/II/III Mice Highly Responsive to Psychostimulants. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2019; 22:453-465. [PMID: 31188434 PMCID: PMC6600466 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyz019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Revised: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Synapsins are encoded by SYN I, SYN II, and SYN III, and they regulate neurotransmitter release by maintaining a reserve pool of synaptic vesicles. METHODS Presynaptic dopamine responses to cocaine were examined by microdialysis, and postsynaptic responses were evaluated to various dopamine receptor agonists in the open field with SynI/SynII/SynIII triple knockout mice. RESULTS Triple knockout mice showed enhanced spontaneous locomotion in a novel environment and were hyper-responsive to indirect and direct D1 and D2 dopamine agonists. Triple knockout animals appeared sensitized to cocaine upon first open field exposure; sensitization developed across days in wild-type controls. When mutants were preexposed to a novel environment before injection, cocaine-stimulated locomotion was reduced and behavioral sensitization retarded. Baseline dopamine turnover was enhanced in mutants and novel open field exposure increased their striatal dopamine synthesis rates. As KCl-depolarization stimulated comparable dopamine release in both genotypes, their readily releasable pools appeared indistinguishable. Similarly, cocaine-induced hyperlocomotion was indifferent to blockade of newly synthesized dopamine and depletion of releasable dopamine pools. Extracellular dopamine release was similar in wild-type and triple knockout mice preexposed to the open field and given cocaine or placed immediately into the arena following injection. Since motor effects to novelty and psychostimulants depend upon frontocortical-striatal inputs, we inhibited triple knockout medial frontal cortex with GABA agonists. Locomotion was transiently increased in cocaine-injected mutants, while their supersensitive cocaine response to novelty was lost. CONCLUSIONS These results reveal presynaptic dopamine release is not indicative of agonist-induced triple knockout hyperlocomotion. Instead, their novelty response occurs primarily through postsynaptic mechanisms and network effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir M Pogorelov
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Hung-Teh Kao
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Brown University, BioMedical Center, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - George J Augustine
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore and the Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Singapore, Singapore
| | - William C Wetsel
- Departments of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina,Correspondence: William C. Wetsel, PhD, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, 354 Sands Building, P.O. Box 103203, 333 Research Drive, Durham, NC 27710 ()
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32
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Matos H, Quiles R, Andrade R, Bykhovskaia M. Growth and excitability at synapsin II deficient hippocampal neurons. Mol Cell Neurosci 2019; 96:25-34. [PMID: 30858140 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2019.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2018] [Revised: 02/25/2019] [Accepted: 03/07/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Synapsins are neuronal phosphoproteins that fine-tune synaptic transmission and suppress seizure activity. Synapsin II (SynII) deletion produces epileptic seizures and overexcitability in neuronal networks. Early studies in primary neuronal cultures have shown that SynII deletion results in a delay in synapse formation. More recent studies at hippocampal slices have revealed increased spontaneous activity in SynII knockout (SynII(-)) mice. To reconcile these observations, we systematically re-examined synaptic transmission, synapse formation, and neurite growth in primary hippocampal neuronal cultures. We find that spontaneous glutamatergic synaptic activity was suppressed in SynII(-) neurons during the initial developmental epoch (7 days in vitro, DIV) but was enhanced at later times (12 and18 DIV). The density of synapses, transmission between connected pairs of neurons, and the number of docked synaptic vesicles were not affected by SynII deletion. However, we found that neurite outgrowth in SynII(-) neurons was suppressed during the initial developmental epoch (7 DIV) but enhanced at subsequent developmental stages (12 and18 DIV). This finding can account for the observed effect of SynII deletion on synaptic activity. To test whether the observed phenotype resulted directly from the deletion of SynII we expressed SynII in SynII(-) cultures using an adeno-associated virus (AAV). Expression of SynII at 2 DIV rescued the SynII deletion-dependent alterations in both synaptic activity and neuronal growth. To test whether the increased neurite outgrowth in SynII(-) observed at DIV 12 and18 represents an overcompensation for the initial developmental delay or results directly from SynII deletion we performed "late expression" experiments, transfecting SynII(-) cultures with AAV at 7 DIV. The late SynII expression suppressed neurite outgrowth at 12 and 18 DIV to the levels observed in control neurons, suggesting that these phenotypes directly depend on SynII. These results reveal a novel developmentally regulated role for SynII function in the control of neurite growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidi Matos
- Department of Neurology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States of America
| | - Raymond Quiles
- Department of Neurology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States of America
| | - Rodrigo Andrade
- Department of Pharmacology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States of America
| | - Maria Bykhovskaia
- Department of Neurology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States of America.
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33
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Cortès-Saladelafont E, Lipstein N, García-Cazorla À. Presynaptic disorders: a clinical and pathophysiological approach focused on the synaptic vesicle. J Inherit Metab Dis 2018; 41:1131-1145. [PMID: 30022305 DOI: 10.1007/s10545-018-0230-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2018] [Revised: 06/23/2018] [Accepted: 07/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this report is to present a tentative clinical and pathophysiological approach to diseases affecting the neuronal presynaptic terminal, with a major focus on synaptic vesicles (SVs). Diseases are classified depending on which step of the neurobiology of the SV is predominantly affected: (1) biogenesis of vesicle precursors in the neuronal soma; (2) transport along the axon; (3) vesicle cycle at the presynaptic terminal (exocytosis-endocytosis cycle, with the main purpose of neurotransmitter release). Given that SVs have been defined as individual organelles, we highlight the link between the biological processes disturbed by genetic mutations and the clinical presentation of these disorders. The great majority of diseases may present as epileptic encephalopathies, intellectual disability (syndromic or nonsyndromic) with/without autism spectrum disorder (and other neuropsychiatric symptoms), and movement disorders. These symptoms may overlap and present in patients as a combination of clinical signs that results in the spectrum of the synaptopathies. A small number of diseases may also exhibit neuromuscular signs. In general, SV disorders tend to be severe, early encephalopathies that interfere with neurodevelopment. As a consequence, developmental delay and intellectual disability are constant in almost all the defects described. Considering that some of these diseases might mimic other neurometabolic conditions (and in particular treatable disorders), an initial extensive metabolic workup should always be considered. Further knowledge into pathophysiological mechanisms and biomarkers, as well as descriptions of new presynaptic disorders, will probably take place in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisenda Cortès-Saladelafont
- Department of Neurology, Neurometabolic Unit and Synaptic Metabolism Laboratory, Institut Pediàtric de Recerca and CIBERER, ISCIII, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Passeig Sant Joan de Déu, 2, 08950, Esplugues, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Noa Lipstein
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Àngels García-Cazorla
- Department of Neurology, Neurometabolic Unit and Synaptic Metabolism Laboratory, Institut Pediàtric de Recerca and CIBERER, ISCIII, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Passeig Sant Joan de Déu, 2, 08950, Esplugues, Barcelona, Spain.
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34
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Michetti C, Caruso A, Pagani M, Sabbioni M, Medrihan L, David G, Galbusera A, Morini M, Gozzi A, Benfenati F, Scattoni ML. The Knockout of Synapsin II in Mice Impairs Social Behavior and Functional Connectivity Generating an ASD-like Phenotype. Cereb Cortex 2018; 27:5014-5023. [PMID: 28922833 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhx207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and epilepsy are neurodevelopmental conditions that appear with high rate of co-occurrence, suggesting the possibility of a common genetic basis. Mutations in Synapsin (SYN) genes, particularly SYN1 and SYN2, have been recently associated with ASD and epilepsy in humans. Accordingly, mice lacking Syn1 or Syn2, but not Syn3, experience epileptic seizures and display autistic-like traits that precede the onset of seizures. Here, we analyzed social behavior and ultrasonic vocalizations emitted in 2 social contexts by SynI, SynII, or SynIII mutants and show that SynII mutants display the most severe ASD-like phenotype. We also show that the behavioral SynII phenotype correlates with a significant decrease in auditory and hippocampal functional connectivity as measured with resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI). Taken together, our results reveal a permissive contribution of Syn2 to the expression of normal socio-communicative behavior, and suggest that Syn2-mediated synaptic dysfunction can lead to ASD-like behavior through dysregulation of cortical connectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caterina Michetti
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova 16132, Italy
| | - Angela Caruso
- Research Coordination and support Service, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Pagani
- Functional Neuroimaging Laboratory, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems @ UniTn, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rovereto 38068, Italy.,Center for Mind and Brain Sciences, University of Trento, Rovereto 38068, Italy
| | - Mara Sabbioni
- Research Coordination and support Service, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Lucian Medrihan
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova 16132, Italy
| | - Gergely David
- Functional Neuroimaging Laboratory, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems @ UniTn, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rovereto 38068, Italy
| | - Alberto Galbusera
- Functional Neuroimaging Laboratory, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems @ UniTn, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rovereto 38068, Italy
| | - Monica Morini
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova 16132, Italy
| | - Alessandro Gozzi
- Functional Neuroimaging Laboratory, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems @ UniTn, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rovereto 38068, Italy
| | - Fabio Benfenati
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova 16132, Italy
| | - Maria Luisa Scattoni
- Research Coordination and support Service, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
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35
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Wang X, Kery R, Xiong Q. Synaptopathology in autism spectrum disorders: Complex effects of synaptic genes on neural circuits. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2018; 84:398-415. [PMID: 28986278 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2017.09.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2017] [Revised: 09/05/2017] [Accepted: 09/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Xinxing Wang
- Department of Neurobiology & Behavior, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Rachel Kery
- Department of Neurobiology & Behavior, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA; Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP), Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Qiaojie Xiong
- Department of Neurobiology & Behavior, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA.
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36
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Luo J, Norris RH, Gordon SL, Nithianantharajah J. Neurodevelopmental synaptopathies: Insights from behaviour in rodent models of synapse gene mutations. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2018; 84:424-439. [PMID: 29217145 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2017.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2017] [Revised: 11/28/2017] [Accepted: 12/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The genomic revolution has begun to unveil the enormous complexity and heterogeneity of the genetic basis of neurodevelopmental disorders such as such epilepsy, intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia. Increasingly, human mutations in synapse genes are being identified across these disorders. These neurodevelopmental synaptopathies highlight synaptic homeostasis pathways as a convergence point underlying disease mechanisms. Here, we review some of the key pre- and postsynaptic genes in which penetrant human mutations have been identified in neurodevelopmental disorders for which genetic rodent models have been generated. Specifically, we focus on the main behavioural phenotypes that have been documented in these animal models, to consolidate our current understanding of how synapse genes regulate key behavioural and cognitive domains. These studies provide insights into better understanding the basis of the overlapping genetic and cognitive heterogeneity observed in neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Luo
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - R H Norris
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - S L Gordon
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - J Nithianantharajah
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia.
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37
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Guarnieri FC, Pozzi D, Raimondi A, Fesce R, Valente MM, Delvecchio VS, Van Esch H, Matteoli M, Benfenati F, D'Adamo P, Valtorta F. A novel SYN1 missense mutation in non-syndromic X-linked intellectual disability affects synaptic vesicle life cycle, clustering and mobility. Hum Mol Genet 2018; 26:4699-4714. [PMID: 28973667 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddx352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2017] [Accepted: 08/29/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Intellectual Disability is a common and heterogeneous disorder characterized by limitations in intellectual functioning and adaptive behaviour, whose molecular mechanisms remain largely unknown. Among the numerous genes found to be involved in the pathogenesis of intellectual disability, 10% are located on the X-chromosome. We identified a missense mutation (c.236 C > G; p.S79W) in the SYN1 gene coding for synapsin I in the MRX50 family, affected by non-syndromic X-linked intellectual disability. Synapsin I is a neuronal phosphoprotein involved in the regulation of neurotransmitter release and neuronal development. Several mutations in SYN1 have been identified in patients affected by epilepsy and/or autism. The S79W mutation segregates with the disease in the MRX50 family and all affected members display intellectual disability as sole clinical manifestation. At the protein level, the S79W Synapsin I mutation is located in the region of the B-domain involved in recognition of highly curved membranes. Expression of human S79W Synapsin I in Syn1 knockout hippocampal neurons causes aberrant accumulation of small clear vesicles in the soma, increased clustering of synaptic vesicles at presynaptic terminals and increased frequency of excitatory spontaneous release events. In addition, the presence of S79W Synapsin I strongly reduces the mobility of synaptic vesicles, with possible implications for the regulation of neurotransmitter release and synaptic plasticity. These results implicate SYN1 in the pathogenesis of non-syndromic intellectual disability, showing that alterations of synaptic vesicle trafficking are one possible cause of this disease, and suggest that distinct mutations in SYN1 may lead to distinct brain pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrizia C Guarnieri
- Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy.,San Raffaele Vita-Salute University, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Davide Pozzi
- Laboratory of Pharmacology and Brain Pathology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, 20089 Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Raimondi
- Experimental Imaging Center, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Riccardo Fesce
- Centre of Neuroscience and DISTA, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy
| | - Maria M Valente
- Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | | | - Hilde Van Esch
- Center for Human Genetics, University Hospitals Leuven, B3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Michela Matteoli
- Laboratory of Pharmacology and Brain Pathology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, 20089 Rozzano, Milan, Italy.,CNR Institute of Neuroscience, Milan, Italy
| | - Fabio Benfenati
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy.,Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Patrizia D'Adamo
- Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Flavia Valtorta
- Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy.,San Raffaele Vita-Salute University, 20132 Milan, Italy
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38
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Barbieri R, Contestabile A, Ciardo MG, Forte N, Marte A, Baldelli P, Benfenati F, Onofri F. Synapsin I and Synapsin II regulate neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus of adult mice. Oncotarget 2018; 9:18760-18774. [PMID: 29721159 PMCID: PMC5922353 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.24655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2017] [Accepted: 02/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Adult neurogenesis is emerging as an important player in brain functions and homeostasis, while impaired or altered adult neurogenesis has been associated with a number of neuropsychiatric diseases, such as depression and epilepsy. Here we investigated the possibility that synapsins (Syns) I and II, beyond their known functions in developing and mature neurons, also play a role in adult neurogenesis. We performed a systematic evaluation of the distinct stages of neurogenesis in the hippocampal dentate gyrus of Syn I and Syn II knockout (KO) mice, before (2-months-old) and after (6-months-old) the appearance of the epileptic phenotype. We found that Syns I and II play an important role in the regulation of adult neurogenesis. In juvenile mice, Syn II deletion was associated with a specific decrease in the proliferation of neuronal progenitors, whereas Syn I deletion impaired the survival of newborn neurons. These defects were reverted after the appearance of the epileptic phenotype, with Syn I KO and Syn II KO mice exhibiting significant increases in survival and proliferation, respectively. Interestingly, long-term potentiation dependent on newborn neurons was present in both juvenile Syn mutants while, at later ages, it was only preserved in Syn II KO mice that also displayed an increased expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor. This study suggests that Syns I and II play a role in adult neurogenesis and the defects in neurogenesis associated with Syn deletion may contribute to the alterations of cognitive functions observed in Syn-deficient mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raffaella Barbieri
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, 16132, Genova, Italy
| | - Andrea Contestabile
- Department of Neuroscience and Brain Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16163, Genova, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Ciardo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, 16132, Genova, Italy
| | - Nicola Forte
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16132, Genova, Italy
| | - Antonella Marte
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, 16132, Genova, Italy
| | - Pietro Baldelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, 16132, Genova, Italy.,Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16132, Genova, Italy
| | - Fabio Benfenati
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, 16132, Genova, Italy.,Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16132, Genova, Italy
| | - Franco Onofri
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, 16132, Genova, Italy
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Harper CB, Mancini GMS, van Slegtenhorst M, Cousin MA. Altered synaptobrevin-II trafficking in neurons expressing a synaptophysin mutation associated with a severe neurodevelopmental disorder. Neurobiol Dis 2017; 108:298-306. [PMID: 28887151 PMCID: PMC5673032 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2017.08.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2017] [Revised: 07/27/2017] [Accepted: 08/31/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Following exocytosis, synaptic vesicles (SVs) have to be reformed with the correct complement of proteins in the correct stoichiometry to ensure continued neurotransmission. Synaptophysin is a highly abundant, integral SV protein necessary for the efficient retrieval of the SV SNARE protein, synaptobrevin II (sybII). However the molecular mechanism underpinning synaptophysin-dependent sybII retrieval is still unclear. We recently identified a male patient with severe intellectual disability, hypotonia, epilepsy and callosal agenesis who has a point mutation in the juxtamembrane region of the fourth transmembrane domain of synaptophysin (T198I). This mutation had no effect on the activity-dependent retrieval of synaptophysin that was tagged with the genetically-encoded pH-sensitive reporter (pHluorin) in synaptophysin knockout hippocampal cultures. This suggested the mutant has no global effect on SV endocytosis, which was confirmed when retrieval of a different SV cargo (the glutamate transporter vGLUT1) was examined. However neurons expressing this T198I mutant did display impaired activity-dependent sybII retrieval, similar to that observed in synaptophysin knockout neurons. Interestingly this impairment did not result in an increased stranding of sybII at the plasma membrane. Screening of known human synaptophysin mutations revealed a similar presynaptic phenotype between T198I and a mutation found in X-linked intellectual disability. Thus this novel human synaptophysin mutation has revealed that aberrant retrieval and increased plasma membrane localisation of SV cargo can be decoupled in human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Callista B Harper
- Centre for Integrative Physiology, Hugh Robson Building, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9XD, United Kingdom; Simonds Initiative for the Developing Brain, Hugh Robson Building, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9XD, United Kingdom
| | - Grazia M S Mancini
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015CN Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marjon van Slegtenhorst
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015CN Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Michael A Cousin
- Centre for Integrative Physiology, Hugh Robson Building, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9XD, United Kingdom; Simonds Initiative for the Developing Brain, Hugh Robson Building, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9XD, United Kingdom.
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40
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Valente P, Farisello P, Valtorta F, Baldelli P, Benfenati F. Impaired GABA B-mediated presynaptic inhibition increases excitatory strength and alters short-term plasticity in synapsin knockout mice. Oncotarget 2017; 8:90061-90076. [PMID: 29163811 PMCID: PMC5685732 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.21405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2017] [Accepted: 09/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Synapsins are a family of synaptic vesicle phosphoproteins regulating synaptic transmission and plasticity. SYN1/2 genes are major epilepsy susceptibility genes in humans. Consistently, synapsin I/II/III triple knockout (TKO) mice are epileptic and exhibit severe impairments in phasic and tonic GABAergic inhibition that precede the appearance of the epileptic phenotype. These changes are associated with an increased strength of excitatory transmission that has never been mechanistically investigated. Here, we observed that an identical effect in excitatory transmission could be induced in wild-type (WT) Schaffer collateral-CA1 pyramidal cell synapses by blockade of GABAB receptors (GABABRs). The same treatment was virtually ineffective in TKO slices, suggesting that the increased strength of the excitatory transmission results from an impairment of GABAB presynaptic inhibition. Exogenous stimulation of GABABRs in excitatory autaptic neurons, where GABA spillover is negligible, demonstrated that GABABRs were effective in inhibiting excitatory transmission in both WT and TKO neurons. These results demonstrate that the decreased GABA release and spillover, previously observed in TKO hippocampal slices, removes the tonic brake of presynaptic GABABRs on glutamate transmission, making the excitation/inhibition imbalance stronger.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierluigi Valente
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Physiology, University of Genoa, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Pasqualina Farisello
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Physiology, University of Genoa, 16132 Genova, Italy.,Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Flavia Valtorta
- S. Raffaele Scientific Institute and Vita-Salute University, 20132 Milano, Italy
| | - Pietro Baldelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Physiology, University of Genoa, 16132 Genova, Italy.,Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Fabio Benfenati
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Physiology, University of Genoa, 16132 Genova, Italy.,Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16132 Genova, Italy
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41
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Selective lowering of synapsins induced by oligomeric α-synuclein exacerbates memory deficits. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:E4648-E4657. [PMID: 28533388 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1704698114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Mounting evidence indicates that soluble oligomeric forms of amyloid proteins linked to neurodegenerative disorders, such as amyloid-β (Aβ), tau, or α-synuclein (αSyn) might be the major deleterious species for neuronal function in these diseases. Here, we found an abnormal accumulation of oligomeric αSyn species in AD brains by custom ELISA, size-exclusion chromatography, and nondenaturing/denaturing immunoblotting techniques. Importantly, the abundance of αSyn oligomers in human brain tissue correlated with cognitive impairment and reductions in synapsin expression. By overexpressing WT human αSyn in an AD mouse model, we artificially enhanced αSyn oligomerization. These bigenic mice displayed exacerbated Aβ-induced cognitive deficits and a selective decrease in synapsins. Following isolation of various soluble αSyn assemblies from transgenic mice, we found that in vitro delivery of exogenous oligomeric αSyn but not monomeric αSyn was causing a lowering in synapsin-I/II protein abundance. For a particular αSyn oligomer, these changes were either dependent or independent on endogenous αSyn expression. Finally, at a molecular level, the expression of synapsin genes SYN1 and SYN2 was down-regulated in vivo and in vitro by αSyn oligomers, which decreased two transcription factors, cAMP response element binding and Nurr1, controlling synapsin gene promoter activity. Overall, our results demonstrate that endogenous αSyn oligomers can impair memory by selectively lowering synapsin expression.
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42
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Richard AE, Scheffer IE, Wilson SJ. Features of the broader autism phenotype in people with epilepsy support shared mechanisms between epilepsy and autism spectrum disorder. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2017; 75:203-233. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.12.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2016] [Revised: 12/15/2016] [Accepted: 12/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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Abstract
Recent studies show that subtle variations in thyroid function, including subclinical thyroid dysfunction, and even variation in thyroid function within the normal range, are associated with morbidity and mortality. It is estimated that 40-65% of the inter-individual variation in serum TSH and FT4 levels is determined by genetic factors. To identify these factors, various linkage and candidate gene studies have been performed in the past, which have identified only a few genes. In the last decade, genome-wide association studies identified many new genes, while recent whole-genome sequencing efforts have also been proven to be effective. In the current review, we provide a systematic overview of these studies, including strengths and limitations. We discuss new techniques which will further clarify the genetic basis of thyroid function in the near future, as well as the potential use of these genetic markers in personalizing the management of thyroid disease patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Medici
- Department of Internal Medicine and Rotterdam Thyroid Center, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Theo J Visser
- Department of Internal Medicine and Rotterdam Thyroid Center, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Robin P Peeters
- Department of Internal Medicine and Rotterdam Thyroid Center, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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Faria GS, Varela SAM, Gardner A. Sexual selection modulates genetic conflicts and patterns of genomic imprinting. Evolution 2017; 71:526-540. [PMID: 27991659 PMCID: PMC5347858 DOI: 10.1111/evo.13153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2016] [Accepted: 12/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Recent years have seen a surge of interest in linking the theories of kin selection and sexual selection. In particular, there is a growing appreciation that kin selection, arising through demographic factors such as sex-biased dispersal, may modulate sexual conflicts, including in the context of male-female arms races characterized by coevolutionary cycles. However, evolutionary conflicts of interest need not only occur between individuals, but may also occur within individuals, and sex-specific demography is known to foment such intragenomic conflict in relation to social behavior. Whether and how this logic holds in the context of sexual conflict-and, in particular, in relation to coevolutionary cycles-remains obscure. We develop a kin-selection model to investigate the interests of different genes involved in sexual and intragenomic conflict, and we show that consideration of these conflicting interests yields novel predictions concerning parent-of-origin specific patterns of gene expression and the detrimental effects of different classes of mutation and epimutation at loci underpinning sexually selected phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gonçalo S. Faria
- School of BiologyUniversity of St AndrewsDyers Brae, St AndrewsKY16 9THUnited Kingdom
| | - Susana A. M. Varela
- cE3c—Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de CiênciasUniversidade de LisboaCampo Grande1749‐016LisboaPortugal
| | - Andy Gardner
- School of BiologyUniversity of St AndrewsDyers Brae, St AndrewsKY16 9THUnited Kingdom
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45
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Subconvulsant doses of pentylenetetrazol uncover the epileptic phenotype of cultured synapsin-deficient Helix serotonergic neurons in the absence of excitatory and inhibitory inputs. Epilepsy Res 2016; 127:241-251. [PMID: 27639349 DOI: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2016.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2016] [Revised: 08/24/2016] [Accepted: 09/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Synapsins are a family of presynaptic proteins related to several processes of synaptic functioning. A variety of reports have linked mutations in synapsin genes with the development of epilepsy. Among the proposed mechanisms, a main one is based on the synapsin-mediated imbalance towards network hyperexcitability due to differential effects on neurotransmitter release in GABAergic and glutamatergic synapses. Along this line, a non-synaptic effect of synapsin depletion increasing neuronal excitability has recently been described in Helix neurons. To further investigate this issue, we examined the effect of synapsin knock-down on the development of pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced epileptic-like activity using single neurons or isolated monosynaptic circuits reconstructed on microelectrode arrays (MEAs). Compared to control neurons, synapsin-silenced neurons showed a lower threshold for the development of epileptic-like activity and prolonged periods of activity, together with the occurrence of spontaneous firing after recurrent PTZ-induced epileptic-like activity. These findings highlight the crucial role of synapsin on neuronal excitability regulation in the absence of inhibitory or excitatory inputs.
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46
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Advancing the understanding of autism disease mechanisms through genetics. Nat Med 2016; 22:345-61. [PMID: 27050589 DOI: 10.1038/nm.4071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 518] [Impact Index Per Article: 64.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2015] [Accepted: 02/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Progress in understanding the genetic etiology of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) has fueled remarkable advances in our understanding of its potential neurobiological mechanisms. Yet, at the same time, these findings highlight extraordinary causal diversity and complexity at many levels ranging from molecules to circuits and emphasize the gaps in our current knowledge. Here we review current understanding of the genetic architecture of ASD and integrate genetic evidence, neuropathology and studies in model systems with how they inform mechanistic models of ASD pathophysiology. Despite the challenges, these advances provide a solid foundation for the development of rational, targeted molecular therapies.
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47
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Kubota T. Epigenetic alterations induced by environmental stress associated with metabolic and neurodevelopmental disorders. ENVIRONMENTAL EPIGENETICS 2016; 2:dvw017. [PMID: 29492297 PMCID: PMC5804531 DOI: 10.1093/eep/dvw017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2016] [Revised: 07/14/2016] [Accepted: 07/18/2016] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Epigenetics is a gene regulation mechanism that does not depend on genomic DNA sequences but depends on chemical modification of genomic DNA and histone proteins around which DNA is wrapped. The failure of epigenetic mechanisms is known to cause various congenital disorders. It is also known that the failures of epigenetic mechanisms causes various acquired disorders since epigenetic modifications of the genome (i.e., "epigenome") are more vulnerable to environmental stress, such as malnutrition, environmental chemicals, and mental stress, than the "genome," especially during the early period of life. However, the epigenome has a reversible property since it is based on removable residues on genomic DNA. Thus, environmentally induced epigenomic alterations can be potentially restored. In fact, some medicines, especially for psychiatric diseases, are known to restore an altered epigenome, resulting in the correction of gene expression. Several lines of evidence suggest that environmentally induced epigenomic alterations are not erased completely during gametogenesis, but are transmitted to subsequent generations with disease phenotypes. In accordance with these understandings, I would like to propose the development of epigenomic-based preemptive medicine that consists of the early detection of the developmental origins of diseases using epigenomic signatures and the early intervention that take advantages of the use of epigenomic reversibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeo Kubota
- Department of Epigenetic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, 409-3898, Japan
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Györffy BA, Gulyássy P, Gellén B, Völgyi K, Madarasi D, Kis V, Ozohanics O, Papp I, Kovács P, Lubec G, Dobolyi Á, Kardos J, Drahos L, Juhász G, Kékesi KA. Widespread alterations in the synaptic proteome of the adolescent cerebral cortex following prenatal immune activation in rats. Brain Behav Immun 2016; 56:289-309. [PMID: 27058163 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2016.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2016] [Revised: 03/23/2016] [Accepted: 04/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
An increasing number of studies have revealed associations between pre- and perinatal immune activation and the development of schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Accordingly, neuroimmune crosstalk has a considerably large impact on brain development during early ontogenesis. While a plethora of heterogeneous abnormalities have already been described in established maternal immune activation (MIA) rodent and primate animal models, which highly correlate to those found in human diseases, the underlying molecular background remains obscure. In the current study, we describe the long-term effects of MIA on the neocortical pre- and postsynaptic proteome of adolescent rat offspring in detail. Molecular differences were revealed in sub-synaptic fractions, which were first thoroughly characterized using independent methods. The widespread proteomic examination of cortical samples from offspring exposed to maternal lipopolysaccharide administration at embryonic day 13.5 was conducted via combinations of different gel-based proteomic techniques and tandem mass spectrometry. Our experimentally validated proteomic data revealed more pre- than postsynaptic protein level changes in the offspring. The results propose the relevance of altered synaptic vesicle recycling, cytoskeletal structure and energy metabolism in the presynaptic region in addition to alterations in vesicle trafficking, the cytoskeleton and signal transduction in the postsynaptic compartment in MIA offspring. Differing levels of the prominent signaling regulator molecule calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II in the postsynapse was validated and identified specifically in the prefrontal cortex. Finally, several potential common molecular regulators of these altered proteins, which are already known to be implicated in schizophrenia and ASD, were identified and assessed. In summary, unexpectedly widespread changes in the synaptic molecular machinery in MIA rats were demonstrated which might underlie the pathological cortical functions that are characteristic of schizophrenia and ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balázs A Györffy
- Laboratory of Proteomics, Institute of Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest H-1117, Hungary; MTA-ELTE NAP B Neuroimmunology Research Group, Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest H-1117, Hungary
| | - Péter Gulyássy
- MTA-TTK NAP B MS Neuroproteomics Group, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest H-1117, Hungary; Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna A-1090, Austria
| | - Barbara Gellén
- Laboratory of Proteomics, Institute of Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest H-1117, Hungary; MTA-ELTE NAP B Laboratory of Molecular and Systems Neurobiology, Institute of Biology, Hungarian Academy of Sciences and Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest H-1117, Hungary
| | - Katalin Völgyi
- Laboratory of Proteomics, Institute of Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest H-1117, Hungary; MTA-ELTE NAP B Laboratory of Molecular and Systems Neurobiology, Institute of Biology, Hungarian Academy of Sciences and Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest H-1117, Hungary
| | - Dóra Madarasi
- Laboratory of Proteomics, Institute of Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest H-1117, Hungary
| | - Viktor Kis
- Department of Anatomy, Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute of Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest H-1117, Hungary
| | - Olivér Ozohanics
- MTA-TTK NAP B MS Neuroproteomics Group, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest H-1117, Hungary
| | | | | | - Gert Lubec
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna A-1090, Austria
| | - Árpád Dobolyi
- MTA-ELTE NAP B Laboratory of Molecular and Systems Neurobiology, Institute of Biology, Hungarian Academy of Sciences and Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest H-1117, Hungary
| | - József Kardos
- MTA-ELTE NAP B Neuroimmunology Research Group, Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest H-1117, Hungary
| | - László Drahos
- MTA-TTK NAP B MS Neuroproteomics Group, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest H-1117, Hungary
| | - Gábor Juhász
- Laboratory of Proteomics, Institute of Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest H-1117, Hungary; MTA-TTK NAP B MS Neuroproteomics Group, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest H-1117, Hungary
| | - Katalin A Kékesi
- Laboratory of Proteomics, Institute of Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest H-1117, Hungary; Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, Institute of Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest H-1117, Hungary.
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Kubota T, Mochizuki K. Epigenetic Effect of Environmental Factors on Autism Spectrum Disorders. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2016; 13:ijerph13050504. [PMID: 27187441 PMCID: PMC4881129 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph13050504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2016] [Revised: 04/23/2016] [Accepted: 05/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Both environmental factors and genetic factors are involved in the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Epigenetics, an essential mechanism for gene regulation based on chemical modifications of DNA and histone proteins, is also involved in congenital ASDs. It was recently demonstrated that environmental factors, such as endocrine disrupting chemicals and mental stress in early life, can change epigenetic status and gene expression, and can cause ASDs. Moreover, environmentally induced epigenetic changes are not erased during gametogenesis and are transmitted to subsequent generations, leading to changes in behavior phenotypes. However, epigenetics has a reversible nature since it is based on the addition or removal of chemical residues, and thus the original epigenetic status may be restored. Indeed, several antidepressants and anticonvulsants used for mental disorders including ASDs restore the epigenetic state and gene expression. Therefore, further epigenetic understanding of ASDs is important for the development of new drugs that take advantages of epigenetic reversibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeo Kubota
- Department of Epigenetic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, 1110 Shimokato, Chuo, Yamanashi 409-3898, Japan.
| | - Kazuki Mochizuki
- Department of Local Produce and Food Sciences, Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Yamanashi, 4-4-37 Takeda, Kofu-City, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan.
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50
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Exploiting aberrant mRNA expression in autism for gene discovery and diagnosis. Hum Genet 2016; 135:797-811. [DOI: 10.1007/s00439-016-1673-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2016] [Accepted: 04/17/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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