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Wani SN, Grewal AK, Khan H, Singh TG. Elucidating the molecular symphony: unweaving the transcriptional & epigenetic pathways underlying neuroplasticity in opioid dependence and withdrawal. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2024; 241:1955-1981. [PMID: 39254835 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-024-06684-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2024] [Accepted: 09/02/2024] [Indexed: 09/11/2024]
Abstract
The persistent use of opioids leads to profound changes in neuroplasticity of the brain, contributing to the emergence and persistence of addiction. However, chronic opioid use disrupts the delicate balance of the reward system in the brain, leading to neuroadaptations that underlie addiction. Chronic cocaine usage leads to synchronized alterations in gene expression, causing modifications in the Nucleus Accumbens (NAc), a vital part of the reward system of the brain. These modifications assist in the development of maladaptive behaviors that resemble addiction. Neuroplasticity in the context of addiction involves changes in synaptic connectivity, neuronal morphology, and molecular signaling pathways. Drug-evoked neuroplasticity in opioid addiction and withdrawal represents a complicated interaction between environmental, genetic, and epigenetic factors. Identifying specific transcriptional and epigenetic targets that can be modulated to restore normal neuroplasticity without disrupting essential physiological processes is a critical consideration. The discussion in this article focuses on the transcriptional aspects of drug-evoked neuroplasticity, emphasizing the role of key transcription factors, including cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), ΔFosB, NF-kB, Myocyte-enhancing factor 2 (MEF2), Methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2), E2F3a, and FOXO3a. These factors regulate gene expression and lead to the neuroadaptive changes observed in addiction and withdrawal. Epigenetic regulation, which involves modifying gene accessibility by controlling these structures, has been identified as a critical component of addiction development. By unraveling these complex molecular processes, this study provides valuable insights that may pave the way for future therapeutic interventions targeting the mechanisms underlying addiction and withdrawal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahid Nazir Wani
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Rajpura, Punjab, 140401, India
- Aman Pharmacy College, Dholakhera, Udaipurwati, Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan, 333307, India
| | - Amarjot Kaur Grewal
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Rajpura, Punjab, 140401, India.
| | - Heena Khan
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Rajpura, Punjab, 140401, India
| | - Thakur Gurjeet Singh
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Rajpura, Punjab, 140401, India
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2
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Wutikeli H, Yu Y, Zhang T, Cao J, Nawy S, Shen Y. Role of Elavl-like RNA-binding protein in retinal development and signal transduction. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2024; 1871:167518. [PMID: 39307290 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2024.167518] [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: 07/06/2024] [Revised: 08/25/2024] [Accepted: 09/16/2024] [Indexed: 09/29/2024]
Abstract
RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) play central roles in post-transcriptional gene regulation. However, the function of RBP in retinal progenitor cell differentiation and synaptic signal transmission are largely unexplored. Previously we have shown that Elavl2 regulates amacrine cell (AC) differentiation during retinogenesis, by directly binding to Nr4a2 and Barhl2. Elavl2 is expressed in early neuronal progenitors to mature neurons, and Elavl4 expression begins slightly later, during cortical neuron development as a paralog. Here, Retinal-specific Elavl2 and Elavl4 double knockout mice were made to further explore the role of Elavl2 and Elavl4 in retinal development and signal transduction. We disclose that Elavl4 binds to Satb1 to regulate Neurod1, then promoting retinal progenitor and amacrine cells differentiation. We were also surprised to find that Elavl2 interacted with GABAB receptors at the RNA and protein levels. In conclusion, Elavl2 and Elavl4 regulate amacrine cells differentiation through different pathways, leading to decreased scotopic vision. Our findings reveal the roles of Elavl2 and Elavl4 in retinal amacrine cells differentiation in modulating visual functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huxitaer Wutikeli
- Eye Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, Hubei, PR China
| | - Yao Yu
- Eye Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, Hubei, PR China
| | - Tianlu Zhang
- Eye Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, Hubei, PR China
| | | | - Scott Nawy
- University of California Berkeley, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Yin Shen
- Eye Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, Hubei, PR China; Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Medical Research Institute, School of Medicine, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
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3
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Papadimitriou E, Thomaidou D. Post-transcriptional mechanisms controlling neurogenesis and direct neuronal reprogramming. Neural Regen Res 2024; 19:1929-1939. [PMID: 38227517 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.390976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Neurogenesis is a tightly regulated process in time and space both in the developing embryo and in adult neurogenic niches. A drastic change in the transcriptome and proteome of radial glial cells or neural stem cells towards the neuronal state is achieved due to sophisticated mechanisms of epigenetic, transcriptional, and post-transcriptional regulation. Understanding these neurogenic mechanisms is of major importance, not only for shedding light on very complex and crucial developmental processes, but also for the identification of putative reprogramming factors, that harbor hierarchically central regulatory roles in the course of neurogenesis and bare thus the capacity to drive direct reprogramming towards the neuronal fate. The major transcriptional programs that orchestrate the neurogenic process have been the focus of research for many years and key neurogenic transcription factors, as well as repressor complexes, have been identified and employed in direct reprogramming protocols to convert non-neuronal cells, into functional neurons. The post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression during nervous system development has emerged as another important and intricate regulatory layer, strongly contributing to the complexity of the mechanisms controlling neurogenesis and neuronal function. In particular, recent advances are highlighting the importance of specific RNA binding proteins that control major steps of mRNA life cycle during neurogenesis, such as alternative splicing, polyadenylation, stability, and translation. Apart from the RNA binding proteins, microRNAs, a class of small non-coding RNAs that block the translation of their target mRNAs, have also been shown to play crucial roles in all the stages of the neurogenic process, from neural stem/progenitor cell proliferation, neuronal differentiation and migration, to functional maturation. Here, we provide an overview of the most prominent post-transcriptional mechanisms mediated by RNA binding proteins and microRNAs during the neurogenic process, giving particular emphasis on the interplay of specific RNA binding proteins with neurogenic microRNAs. Taking under consideration that the molecular mechanisms of neurogenesis exert high similarity to the ones driving direct neuronal reprogramming, we also discuss the current advances in in vitro and in vivo direct neuronal reprogramming approaches that have employed microRNAs or RNA binding proteins as reprogramming factors, highlighting the so far known mechanisms of their reprogramming action.
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4
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Nishisaka H, Tomohiro T, Fukuzumi K, Fukao A, Funakami Y, Fujiwara T. Deciphering the Akt1-HuD interaction in HuD-mediated neuronal differentiation. Biochimie 2024; 221:20-26. [PMID: 38244852 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2024.01.010] [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: 12/23/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
The RNA-binding protein HuD/ELAVL4 is essential for neuronal development and synaptic plasticity by governing various post-transcriptional processes of target mRNAs, including stability, translation, and localization. We previously showed that the linker region and poly(A)-binding domain of HuD play a pivotal role in promoting translation and inducing neurite outgrowth. In addition, we found that HuD interacts exclusively with the active form of Akt1, through the linker region. Although this interaction is essential for neurite outgrowth, HuD is not a substrate for Akt1, raising questions about the dynamics between HuD-mediated translational stimulation and its association with active Akt1. Here, we demonstrate that active Akt1 interacts with the cap-binding complex via HuD. We identify key amino acids in linker region of HuD responsible for Akt1 interaction, leading to the generation of two point-mutated HuD variants: one that is incapable of binding to Akt1 and another that can interact with Akt1 regardless of its phosphorylation status. In vitro translation assays using these mutants reveal that HuD-mediated translation stimulation is independent of its binding to Akt1. In addition, it is evident that the interaction between HuD and active Akt1 is essential for HuD-induced neurite outgrowth, whereas a HuD mutant capable of binding to any form of Akt1 leads to aberrant neurite development. Collectively, our results revisit the understanding of the HuD-Akt1 interaction in translation and suggest that this interaction contributes to HuD-mediated neurite outgrowth via a unique molecular mechanism distinct from translation regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Takumi Tomohiro
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Kindai University, Higashi-Osaka, Japan
| | - Kako Fukuzumi
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Kindai University, Higashi-Osaka, Japan
| | - Akira Fukao
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Kindai University, Higashi-Osaka, Japan
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5
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Recinto SJ, Premachandran S, Mukherjee S, Allot A, MacDonald A, Yaqubi M, Gruenheid S, Trudeau LE, Stratton JA. Characterizing enteric neurons in dopamine transporter (DAT)-Cre reporter mice reveals dopaminergic subtypes with dual-transmitter content. Eur J Neurosci 2024; 59:2465-2482. [PMID: 38487941 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.16307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
The enteric nervous system (ENS) comprises a complex network of neurons whereby a subset appears to be dopaminergic although the characteristics, roles, and implications in disease are less understood. Most investigations relating to enteric dopamine (DA) neurons rely on immunoreactivity to tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-the rate-limiting enzyme in the production of DA. However, TH immunoreactivity is likely to provide an incomplete picture. This study herein provides a comprehensive characterization of DA neurons in the gut using a reporter mouse line, expressing a fluorescent protein (tdTomato) under control of the DA transporter (DAT) promoter. Our findings confirm a unique localization of DA neurons in the gut and unveil the discrete subtypes of DA neurons in this organ, which we characterized using both immunofluorescence and single-cell transcriptomics, as well as validated using in situ hybridization. We observed distinct subtypes of DAT-tdTomato neurons expressing co-transmitters and modulators across both plexuses; some of them likely co-releasing acetylcholine, while others were positive for a slew of canonical DAergic markers (TH, VMAT2 and GIRK2). Interestingly, we uncovered a seemingly novel population of DA neurons unique to the ENS which was ChAT/DAT-tdTomato-immunoreactive and expressed Grp, Calcb, and Sst. Given the clear heterogeneity of DAergic gut neurons, further investigation is warranted to define their functional signatures and decipher their implication in disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sherilyn Junelle Recinto
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, Maryland, USA
| | - Shobina Premachandran
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, Maryland, USA
| | - Sriparna Mukherjee
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, Maryland, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Department of Neurosciences, Université de Montreal, Faculty of Medicine, SNC and CIRCA Research Groups, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Alexis Allot
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Adam MacDonald
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, Maryland, USA
| | - Moein Yaqubi
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, Maryland, USA
| | - Samantha Gruenheid
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, Maryland, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Louis-Eric Trudeau
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, Maryland, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Department of Neurosciences, Université de Montreal, Faculty of Medicine, SNC and CIRCA Research Groups, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jo Anne Stratton
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, Maryland, USA
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Mulligan MR, Bicknell LS. The molecular genetics of nELAVL in brain development and disease. Eur J Hum Genet 2023; 31:1209-1217. [PMID: 37697079 PMCID: PMC10620143 DOI: 10.1038/s41431-023-01456-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Embryonic development requires tight control of gene expression levels, activity, and localisation. This control is coordinated by multiple levels of regulation on DNA, RNA and protein. RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are recognised as key regulators of post-transcriptional gene regulation, where their binding controls splicing, polyadenylation, nuclear export, mRNA stability, translation rate and decay. In brain development, the ELAVL family of RNA binding proteins undertake essential functions across spatiotemporal windows to help regulate and specify transcriptomic programmes for cell specialisation. Despite their recognised importance in neural tissues, their molecular roles and connections to pathology are less explored. Here we provide an overview of the neuronal ELAVL family, noting commonalities and differences amongst different species, their molecular characteristics, and roles in the cell. We bring together the available molecular genetics evidence to link different ELAVL proteins to phenotypes and disease, in both the brain and beyond, including ELAVL2, which is the least studied ELAVL family member. We find that ELAVL-related pathology shares a common neurological theme, but different ELAVL proteins are more strongly connected to different phenotypes, reflecting their specialised expression across time and space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghan R Mulligan
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Louise S Bicknell
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
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7
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Marchesi N, Linciano P, Campagnoli LIM, Fahmideh F, Rossi D, Costa G, Ambrosio FA, Barbieri A, Collina S, Pascale A. Short- and Long-Term Regulation of HuD: A Molecular Switch Mediated by Folic Acid? Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12201. [PMID: 37569576 PMCID: PMC10418318 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241512201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The RNA-binding protein HuD has been shown to play a crucial role in gene regulation in the nervous system and is involved in various neurological and psychiatric diseases. In this study, through the creation of an interaction network on HuD and its potential targets, we identified a strong association between HuD and several diseases of the nervous system. Specifically, we focused on the relationship between HuD and the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), whose protein is implicated in several neuronal diseases and is involved in the regulation of neuronal development, survival, and function. To better investigate this relationship and given that we previously demonstrated that folic acid (FA) is able to directly bind HuD itself, we performed in vitro experiments in neuron-like human SH-SY5Y cells in the presence of FA, also known to be a pivotal environmental factor influencing the nervous system development. Our findings show that FA exposure results in a significant increase in both HuD and BDNF transcripts and proteins after 2 and 4 h of treatment, respectively. Similar data were obtained after 2 h of FA incubation followed by 2 h of washout. This increase was no longer detected upon 24 h of FA exposure, probably due to a signaling shutdown mechanism. Indeed, we observed that following 24 h of FA exposure HuD is methylated. These findings indicate that FA regulates BDNF expression via HuD and suggest that FA can behave as an epigenetic modulator of HuD in the nervous system acting via short- and long-term mechanisms. Finally, the present results also highlight the potential of BDNF as a therapeutic target for specific neurological and psychiatric diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicoletta Marchesi
- Department of Drug Sciences, Pharmacology Section, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (L.I.M.C.); (F.F.); (A.B.)
| | - Pasquale Linciano
- Department of Drug Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (P.L.); (D.R.); (S.C.)
| | | | - Foroogh Fahmideh
- Department of Drug Sciences, Pharmacology Section, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (L.I.M.C.); (F.F.); (A.B.)
| | - Daniela Rossi
- Department of Drug Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (P.L.); (D.R.); (S.C.)
| | - Giosuè Costa
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University “Magna Græcia” of Catanzaro, Campus “S. Venuta”, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (G.C.); (F.A.A.)
- Net4Science Academic Spin-Off, University “Magna Græcia” of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
- Associazione CRISEA-Centro di Ricerca e Servizi Avanzati per l’Innovazione Rurale, 88055 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Francesca Alessandra Ambrosio
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University “Magna Græcia” of Catanzaro, Campus “S. Venuta”, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (G.C.); (F.A.A.)
| | - Annalisa Barbieri
- Department of Drug Sciences, Pharmacology Section, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (L.I.M.C.); (F.F.); (A.B.)
| | - Simona Collina
- Department of Drug Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (P.L.); (D.R.); (S.C.)
| | - Alessia Pascale
- Department of Drug Sciences, Pharmacology Section, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (L.I.M.C.); (F.F.); (A.B.)
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8
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RNA binding protein HuD mediates the crosstalk between β cells and islet endothelial cells by the regulation of Endostatin and Serpin E1 expression. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:1019. [PMID: 36470872 PMCID: PMC9722926 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-05465-6] [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: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
RNA binding protein HuD plays essential roles in gene expression by regulating RNA metabolism, and its dysregulation is involved in the pathogenesis of several diseases, including tumors, neurodegenerative diseases, and diabetes. Here, we explored HuD-mediated differential expression of secretory proteins in mouse insulinoma βTC6 cells using a cytokine array. Endostatin and Serpin E1 that play anti-angiogenic roles were identified as differentially expressed proteins by HuD. HuD knockdown increased the expression of α chain of collagen XVIII (Col18a1), a precursor form of endostatin, and Serpin E1 by associating with the 3'-untranslated regions (UTRs) of Col18a1 and Serpin E1 mRNAs. Reporter analysis revealed that HuD knockdown increased the translation of EGFP reporters containing 3'UTRs of Col18a1 and Serpin E1 mRNAs, which suggests the role of HuD as a translational repressor. Co-cultures of βTC6 cells and pancreatic islet endothelial MS1 cells were used to assess the crosstalk between β cells and islet endothelial cells, and the results showed that HuD downregulation in βTC6 cells inhibited the growth and migration of MS1 cells. Ectopic expression of HuD decreased Col18a1 and Serpin E1 expression, while increasing the markers of islet vascular cells in the pancreas of db/db mice. Taken together, these results suggest that HuD has the potential to regulate the crosstalk between β cells and islet endothelial cells by regulating Endostatin and Serpin E1 expression, thereby contributing to the maintenance of homeostasis in the islet microenvironment.
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van der Linden RJ, Gerritsen JS, Liao M, Widomska J, Pearse RV, White FM, Franke B, Young-Pearse TL, Poelmans G. RNA-binding protein ELAVL4/HuD ameliorates Alzheimer's disease-related molecular changes in human iPSC-derived neurons. Prog Neurobiol 2022; 217:102316. [PMID: 35843356 PMCID: PMC9912016 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2022.102316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The RNA binding protein ELAVL4/HuD regulates the translation and splicing of multiple Alzheimer's disease (AD) candidate genes. We generated ELAVL4 knockout (KO) human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons to study the effect that ELAVL4 has on AD-related cellular phenotypes. ELAVL4 KO significantly increased the levels of specific APP isoforms and intracellular phosphorylated tau, molecular changes that are related to the pathological hallmarks of AD. Overexpression of ELAVL4 in wild-type neurons and rescue experiments in ELAVL4 KO cells showed opposite effects and also led to a reduction of the extracellular amyloid-beta (Aβ)42/40 ratio. All these observations were made in familial AD (fAD) and fAD-corrected neurons. To gain insight into the molecular cascades involved in neuronal ELAVL4 signaling, we conducted pathway and upstream regulator analyses of transcriptomic and proteomic data from the generated neurons. These analyses revealed that ELAVL4 affects multiple biological pathways linked to AD, including those involved in synaptic function, as well as gene expression downstream of APP and tau signaling. The analyses also suggest that ELAVL4 expression is regulated by insulin receptor-FOXO1 signaling in neurons. Taken together, ELAVL4 expression ameliorates AD-related molecular changes in neurons and affects multiple synaptic pathways, making it a promising target for novel drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J van der Linden
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jacqueline S Gerritsen
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research; Center for Precision Cancer Medicine; Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Meichen Liao
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joanna Widomska
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Richard V Pearse
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Forest M White
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research; Center for Precision Cancer Medicine; Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Barbara Franke
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department of Psychiatry, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Tracy L Young-Pearse
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Geert Poelmans
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
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10
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Olguin SL, Patel P, Buchanan CN, Dell'Orco M, Gardiner AS, Cole R, Vaughn LS, Sundararajan A, Mudge J, Allan AM, Ortinski P, Brigman JL, Twiss JL, Perrone-Bizzozero NI. KHSRP loss increases neuronal growth and synaptic transmission and alters memory consolidation through RNA stabilization. Commun Biol 2022; 5:672. [PMID: 35798971 PMCID: PMC9262970 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03594-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The KH-type splicing regulatory protein (KHSRP) is an RNA-binding protein linked to decay of mRNAs with AU-rich elements. KHSRP was previously shown to destabilize Gap43 mRNA and decrease neurite growth in cultured embryonic neurons. Here, we have tested functions of KHSRP in vivo. We find upregulation of 1460 mRNAs in neocortex of adult Khsrp-/- mice, of which 527 bind to KHSRP with high specificity. These KHSRP targets are involved in pathways for neuronal morphology, axon guidance, neurotransmission and long-term memory. Khsrp-/- mice show increased axon growth and dendritic spine density in vivo. Neuronal cultures from Khsrp-/- mice show increased axon and dendrite growth and elevated KHSRP-target mRNAs, including subcellularly localized mRNAs. Furthermore, neuron-specific knockout of Khsrp confirms these are from neuron-intrinsic roles of KHSRP. Consistent with this, neurons in the hippocampus and infralimbic cortex of Khsrp-/- mice show elevations in frequency of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents. The Khsrp-/- mice have deficits in trace conditioning and attention set-shifting tasks compared Khsrp+/+ mice, indicating impaired prefrontal- and hippocampal-dependent memory consolidation with loss of KHSRP. Overall, these results indicate that deletion of KHSRP impairs neuronal development resulting in alterations in neuronal morphology and function by changing post-transcriptional control of neuronal gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah L Olguin
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Priyanka Patel
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
| | - Courtney N Buchanan
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
| | - Michela Dell'Orco
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Amy S Gardiner
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Robert Cole
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA
| | - Lauren S Vaughn
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
| | | | - Joann Mudge
- National Center for Genome Resources, Santa Fe, NM, 87505, USA
| | - Andrea M Allan
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Pavel Ortinski
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA
| | - Jonathan L Brigman
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Jeffery L Twiss
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA.
- Carolina Autism and Neurodevelopment Center, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA.
| | - Nora I Perrone-Bizzozero
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
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11
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Singh M, Dwibedy SLL, Biswal SR, Muthuswamy S, Kumar A, Kumar S. Circular RNA: A novel and potential regulator in pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Metab Brain Dis 2022; 37:1309-1316. [PMID: 35435609 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-022-00978-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Circular RNAs (CircRNAs) are a sub-class of non-coding RNA, which are covalently closed at the ends through a non-canonical process called, backsplicing from the precursor linear RNAs. These molecules are involved in several biological phenomena including regulation of gene expression, synaptic plasticity, and cognition. Several studies have shown that circRNA are present abundantly inside the mammalian brain and they are believed to be associated with the development of neurons and neuronal functions. It is also evident that alterations in intracellular and extracellular levels of circRNAs are linked with various neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders including schizophrenia (SZ). Detailed studies of circRNAs are required to decode the molecular mechanism behind the onset of SZ and the related biological activities during disease progression. This can help unravel their role in this neurobehavioral disorder and develop effective therapeutics against the disease. The present review mainly focuses on the expression and activities of the circRNAs in the post-mortem brain, peripheral blood, and exosomes. It also gives an insight into the role of circRNA interaction with RNA binding proteins (RBPs) and nucleotide modification and their therapeutic potential in the context of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mandakini Singh
- Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela, Odisha, 769008, India
| | | | - Smruti Rekha Biswal
- Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela, Odisha, 769008, India
| | - Srinivasan Muthuswamy
- Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela, Odisha, 769008, India
| | - Ajay Kumar
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Uttar Pradesh, Varanasi, 221005, India
| | - Santosh Kumar
- Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela, Odisha, 769008, India.
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Loss of RNA binding protein HuD facilitates the production of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:329. [PMID: 35411051 PMCID: PMC9001635 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-04792-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
HuD, an RNA binding protein, plays a role in the regulation of gene expression in certain types of cells, including neuronal cells and pancreatic β-cells, via RNA metabolism. Its aberrant expression is associated with the pathogenesis of several human diseases. To explore HuD-mediated gene regulation, stable cells expressing short hairpin RNA against HuD were established using mouse neuroblastoma Neuro2a (N2a) cells, which displayed enhanced phenotypic characteristics of cellular senescence. Two approaches, RNA immunoprecipitation (RNA IP)-NanoString profiling and cytokine array, were used to subsequently identify a subset of putative HuD targets that act as senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), including C-C motif ligand 2 (CCL2), CCL20, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CXCL2), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Here, we further demonstrated that HuD regulates the expression of CCL2, a SASP candidate upregulated in cells following HuD knockdown, by binding to the 3′-untranslated region (UTR) of Ccl2 mRNA. Downregulation of HuD increased the level of CCL2 in N2a cells and the brain tissues of HuD knockout (KO) mice. Exposure to γ-irradiation induced cellular senescence in N2a cells and HuD knockdown facilitated stress-induced cellular senescence. Our results reveal that HuD acts as a novel regulator of CCL2 expression, and its aberrant expression may contribute to cellular senescence by regulating SASP production.
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Salamon I, Rasin MR. Evolution of the Neocortex Through RNA-Binding Proteins and Post-transcriptional Regulation. Front Neurosci 2022; 15:803107. [PMID: 35082597 PMCID: PMC8784817 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.803107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The human neocortex is undoubtedly considered a supreme accomplishment in mammalian evolution. It features a prenatally established six-layered structure which remains plastic to the myriad of changes throughout an organism’s lifetime. A fundamental feature of neocortical evolution and development is the abundance and diversity of the progenitor cell population and their neuronal and glial progeny. These evolutionary upgrades are partially enabled due to the progenitors’ higher proliferative capacity, compartmentalization of proliferative regions, and specification of neuronal temporal identities. The driving force of these processes may be explained by temporal molecular patterning, by which progenitors have intrinsic capacity to change their competence as neocortical neurogenesis proceeds. Thus, neurogenesis can be conceptualized along two timescales of progenitors’ capacity to (1) self-renew or differentiate into basal progenitors (BPs) or neurons or (2) specify their fate into distinct neuronal and glial subtypes which participate in the formation of six-layers. Neocortical development then proceeds through sequential phases of proliferation, differentiation, neuronal migration, and maturation. Temporal molecular patterning, therefore, relies on the precise regulation of spatiotemporal gene expression. An extensive transcriptional regulatory network is accompanied by post-transcriptional regulation that is frequently mediated by the regulatory interplay between RNA-binding proteins (RBPs). RBPs exhibit important roles in every step of mRNA life cycle in any system, from splicing, polyadenylation, editing, transport, stability, localization, to translation (protein synthesis). Here, we underscore the importance of RBP functions at multiple time-restricted steps of early neurogenesis, starting from the cell fate transition of transcriptionally primed cortical progenitors. A particular emphasis will be placed on RBPs with mostly conserved but also divergent evolutionary functions in neural progenitors across different species. RBPs, when considered in the context of the fascinating process of neocortical development, deserve to be main protagonists in the story of the evolution and development of the neocortex.
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Bishayee K, Habib K, Nazim UM, Kang J, Szabo A, Huh SO, Sadra A. RNA binding protein HuD promotes autophagy and tumor stress survival by suppressing mTORC1 activity and augmenting ARL6IP1 levels. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2022; 41:18. [PMID: 35012594 PMCID: PMC8744261 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-021-02203-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Neuronal-origin HuD (ELAVL4) is an RNA binding protein overexpressed in neuroblastoma (NB) and certain other cancers. The RNA targets of this RNA binding protein in neuroblastoma cells and their role in promoting cancer survival have been unexplored. In the study of modulators of mTORC1 activity under the conditions of optimal cell growth and starvation, the role of HuD and its two substrates were studied. Methods RNA immunoprecipitation/sequencing (RIP-SEQ) coupled with quantitative real-time PCR were used to identify substrates of HuD in NB cells. Validation of the two RNA targets of HuD was via reverse capture of HuD by synthetic RNA oligoes from cell lysates and binding of RNA to recombinant forms of HuD in the cell and outside of the cell. Further analysis was via RNA transcriptome analysis of HuD silencing in the test cells. Results In response to stress, HuD was found to dampen mTORC1 activity and allow the cell to upregulate its autophagy levels by suppressing mTORC1 activity. Among mRNA substrates regulated cell-wide by HuD, GRB-10 and ARL6IP1 were found to carry out critical functions for survival of the cells under stress. GRB-10 was involved in blocking mTORC1 activity by disrupting Raptor-mTOR kinase interaction. Reduced mTORC1 activity allowed lifting of autophagy levels in the cells required for increased survival. In addition, ARL6IP1, an apoptotic regulator in the ER membrane, was found to promote cell survival by negative regulation of apoptosis. As a therapeutic target, knockdown of HuD in two xenograft models of NB led to a block in tumor growth, confirming its importance for viability of the tumor cells. Cell-wide RNA messages of these two HuD substrates and HuD and mTORC1 marker of activity significantly correlated in NB patient populations and in mouse xenografts. Conclusions HuD is seen as a novel means of promoting stress survival in this cancer type by downregulating mTORC1 activity and negatively regulating apoptosis. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13046-021-02203-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kausik Bishayee
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Institute of Natural Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, South Korea
| | - Khadija Habib
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Institute of Natural Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, South Korea
| | - Uddin Md Nazim
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Institute of Natural Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, South Korea
| | - Jieun Kang
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Institute of Natural Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, South Korea
| | - Aniko Szabo
- Department of Anatomy, Alfaisal University, College of Medicine, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Sung-Oh Huh
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Institute of Natural Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, South Korea.
| | - Ali Sadra
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Institute of Natural Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, South Korea.
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15
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Dell’Orco M, Elyaderani A, Vannan A, Sekar S, Powell G, Liang WS, Neisewander JL, Perrone-Bizzozero NI. HuD Regulates mRNA-circRNA-miRNA Networks in the Mouse Striatum Linked to Neuronal Development and Drug Addiction. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10090939. [PMID: 34571817 PMCID: PMC8468275 DOI: 10.3390/biology10090939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Gene expression controls all aspects of life, including that of humans. Genes are expressed by copying the information stored in the DNA into RNA molecules, and this process is regulated in part by multiple RNA-binding proteins (RBPs). One such protein, HuD, plays a critical role in the development of neurons and has been implicated in childhood brain tumors, neurodegenerative disorders (Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and ALS), and drug abuse. In addition, HuD participates in neuronal remodeling mechanisms in the mature brain and promotes regeneration of peripheral nerves. HuD primarily binds to transcribed messenger RNAs, which are then stabilized for translation into proteins. However, recent studies demonstrate that HuD also regulates the expression of non-coding RNAs, such as circular RNAs (circRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs). In this study, we examined the role of HuD in the control of non-coding RNA expression in the mouse striatum, a brain region associated both with normal behaviors and pathological conditions such as drug abuse. Our results show that HuD regulates mRNA-circRNA-miRNA networks involved in the expression of genes associated with brain development and remodeling of neuronal connections. These findings suggest the possibility of new mechanisms controlling brain development, neurodegenerative diseases, and substance use disorders. Abstract The RNA-binding protein HuD (a.k.a., ELAVL4) is involved in neuronal development and synaptic plasticity mechanisms, including addiction-related processes such as cocaine conditioned-place preference (CPP) and food reward. The most studied function of this protein is mRNA stabilization; however, we have recently shown that HuD also regulates the levels of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in neurons. To examine the role of HuD in the control of coding and non-coding RNA networks associated with substance use, we identified sets of differentially expressed mRNAs, circRNAs and miRNAs in the striatum of HuD knockout (KO) mice. Our findings indicate that significantly downregulated mRNAs are enriched in biological pathways related to cell morphology and behavior. Furthermore, deletion of HuD altered the levels of 15 miRNAs associated with drug seeking. Using these sets of data, we predicted that a large number of upregulated miRNAs form competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks with circRNAs and mRNAs associated with the neuronal development and synaptic plasticity proteins LSAMP and MARK3. Additionally, several downregulated miRNAs form ceRNA networks with mRNAs and circRNAs from MEF2D, PIK3R3, PTRPM and other neuronal proteins. Together, our results indicate that HuD regulates ceRNA networks controlling the levels of mRNAs associated with neuronal differentiation and synaptic physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Dell’Orco
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico Health Science Center, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA;
| | - Amir Elyaderani
- Neurogenomics Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute, 445 N. Fifth Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA; (A.E.); (S.S.); (W.S.L.)
| | - Annika Vannan
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA; (A.V.); (G.P.); (J.L.N.)
| | - Shobana Sekar
- Neurogenomics Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute, 445 N. Fifth Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA; (A.E.); (S.S.); (W.S.L.)
| | - Gregory Powell
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA; (A.V.); (G.P.); (J.L.N.)
| | - Winnie S. Liang
- Neurogenomics Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute, 445 N. Fifth Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA; (A.E.); (S.S.); (W.S.L.)
| | - Janet L. Neisewander
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA; (A.V.); (G.P.); (J.L.N.)
| | - Nora I. Perrone-Bizzozero
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico Health Science Center, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA;
- Correspondence:
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16
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Garone MG, Birsa N, Rosito M, Salaris F, Mochi M, de Turris V, Nair RR, Cunningham TJ, Fisher EMC, Morlando M, Fratta P, Rosa A. ALS-related FUS mutations alter axon growth in motoneurons and affect HuD/ELAVL4 and FMRP activity. Commun Biol 2021; 4:1025. [PMID: 34471224 PMCID: PMC8410767 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02538-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the RNA-binding protein (RBP) FUS have been genetically associated with the motoneuron disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Using both human induced pluripotent stem cells and mouse models, we found that FUS-ALS causative mutations affect the activity of two relevant RBPs with important roles in neuronal RNA metabolism: HuD/ELAVL4 and FMRP. Mechanistically, mutant FUS leads to upregulation of HuD protein levels through competition with FMRP for HuD mRNA 3'UTR binding. In turn, increased HuD levels overly stabilize the transcript levels of its targets, NRN1 and GAP43. As a consequence, mutant FUS motoneurons show increased axon branching and growth upon injury, which could be rescued by dampening NRN1 levels. Since similar phenotypes have been previously described in SOD1 and TDP-43 mutant models, increased axonal growth and branching might represent broad early events in the pathogenesis of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Giovanna Garone
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Nicol Birsa
- UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | - Maria Rosito
- Center for Life Nano- & Neuro-Science, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Rome, Italy
| | - Federico Salaris
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Center for Life Nano- & Neuro-Science, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Rome, Italy
| | - Michela Mochi
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Valeria de Turris
- Center for Life Nano- & Neuro-Science, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Rome, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Mariangela Morlando
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, "Department of Excellence 2018-2022", University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Pietro Fratta
- UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Alessandro Rosa
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
- Center for Life Nano- & Neuro-Science, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Rome, Italy.
- Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
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17
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Bowles KR, Silva MC, Whitney K, Bertucci T, Berlind JE, Lai JD, Garza JC, Boles NC, Mahali S, Strang KH, Marsh JA, Chen C, Pugh DA, Liu Y, Gordon RE, Goderie SK, Chowdhury R, Lotz S, Lane K, Crary JF, Haggarty SJ, Karch CM, Ichida JK, Goate AM, Temple S. ELAVL4, splicing, and glutamatergic dysfunction precede neuron loss in MAPT mutation cerebral organoids. Cell 2021; 184:4547-4563.e17. [PMID: 34314701 PMCID: PMC8635409 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2021.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) because of MAPT mutation causes pathological accumulation of tau and glutamatergic cortical neuronal death by unknown mechanisms. We used human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cerebral organoids expressing tau-V337M and isogenic corrected controls to discover early alterations because of the mutation that precede neurodegeneration. At 2 months, mutant organoids show upregulated expression of MAPT, glutamatergic signaling pathways, and regulators, including the RNA-binding protein ELAVL4, and increased stress granules. Over the following 4 months, mutant organoids accumulate splicing changes, disruption of autophagy function, and build-up of tau and P-tau-S396. By 6 months, tau-V337M organoids show specific loss of glutamatergic neurons as seen in individuals with FTD. Mutant neurons are susceptible to glutamate toxicity, which can be rescued pharmacologically by the PIKFYVE kinase inhibitor apilimod. Our results demonstrate a sequence of events that precede neurodegeneration, revealing molecular pathways associated with glutamate signaling as potential targets for therapeutic intervention in FTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn R Bowles
- Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer's Disease, Friedman Brain Institute, Departments of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Neuroscience, and Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS), New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - M Catarina Silva
- Chemical Neurobiology Laboratory, Center for Genomic Medicine, Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Kristen Whitney
- Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer's Disease, Friedman Brain Institute, Departments of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Neuroscience, and Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS), New York, NY 10029, USA; Department of Pathology, Neuropathology Brain Bank and Research Core, ISMMS, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | | | - Joshua E Berlind
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Jesse D Lai
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; Amgen Research, One Amgen Center Dr., Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA
| | - Jacob C Garza
- Chemical Neurobiology Laboratory, Center for Genomic Medicine, Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | | | - Sidhartha Mahali
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Kevin H Strang
- Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer's Disease, Friedman Brain Institute, Departments of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Neuroscience, and Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS), New York, NY 10029, USA; Department of Pathology, Neuropathology Brain Bank and Research Core, ISMMS, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Jacob A Marsh
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Cynthia Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Derian A Pugh
- Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer's Disease, Friedman Brain Institute, Departments of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Neuroscience, and Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS), New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Yiyuan Liu
- Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer's Disease, Friedman Brain Institute, Departments of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Neuroscience, and Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS), New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Ronald E Gordon
- Department of Pathology, Neuropathology Brain Bank and Research Core, ISMMS, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | | | | | - Steven Lotz
- Neural Stem Cell Institute, Rensselaer, NY 12144, USA
| | - Keith Lane
- Neural Stem Cell Institute, Rensselaer, NY 12144, USA
| | - John F Crary
- Department of Pathology, Neuropathology Brain Bank and Research Core, ISMMS, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Stephen J Haggarty
- Chemical Neurobiology Laboratory, Center for Genomic Medicine, Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Celeste M Karch
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Justin K Ichida
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Alison M Goate
- Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer's Disease, Friedman Brain Institute, Departments of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Neuroscience, and Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS), New York, NY 10029, USA.
| | - Sally Temple
- Neural Stem Cell Institute, Rensselaer, NY 12144, USA.
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18
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Sena RM, Twiss JL, Gardiner AS, Dell’Orco M, Linsenbardt DN, Perrone-Bizzozero NI. The RNA-Binding Protein HuD Regulates Alternative Splicing and Alternative Polyadenylation in the Mouse Neocortex. Molecules 2021; 26:2836. [PMID: 34064652 PMCID: PMC8151252 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26102836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The neuronal Hu/ELAV-like proteins HuB, HuC and HuD are a class of RNA-binding proteins that are crucial for proper development and maintenance of the nervous system. These proteins bind to AU-rich elements (AREs) in the untranslated regions (3'-UTRs) of target mRNAs regulating mRNA stability, transport and translation. In addition to these cytoplasmic functions, Hu proteins have been implicated in alternative splicing and alternative polyadenylation in the nucleus. The purpose of this study was to identify transcriptome-wide effects of HuD deletion on both of these nuclear events using RNA sequencing data obtained from the neocortex of Elavl4-/- (HuD KO) mice. HuD KO affected alternative splicing of 310 genes, including 17 validated HuD targets such as Cbx3, Cspp1, Snap25 and Gria2. In addition, deletion of HuD affected polyadenylation of 53 genes, with the majority of significantly altered mRNAs shifting towards usage of proximal polyadenylation signals (PAS), resulting in shorter 3'-UTRs. None of these genes overlapped with those showing alternative splicing events. Overall, HuD KO had a greater effect on alternative splicing than polyadenylation, with many of the affected genes implicated in several neuronal functions and neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca M. Sena
- Department Neurosciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA; (R.M.S.); (A.S.G.); (M.D.)
| | - Jeffery L. Twiss
- Department Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA;
| | - Amy S. Gardiner
- Department Neurosciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA; (R.M.S.); (A.S.G.); (M.D.)
- Department Cell Biology and Physiology, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Michela Dell’Orco
- Department Neurosciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA; (R.M.S.); (A.S.G.); (M.D.)
| | - David N. Linsenbardt
- Department Neurosciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA; (R.M.S.); (A.S.G.); (M.D.)
| | - Nora I. Perrone-Bizzozero
- Department Neurosciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA; (R.M.S.); (A.S.G.); (M.D.)
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19
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RNA-Binding Protein HuD as a Versatile Factor in Neuronal and Non-Neuronal Systems. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10050361. [PMID: 33922479 PMCID: PMC8145660 DOI: 10.3390/biology10050361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Tight regulation of gene expression is critical for various biological processes such as proliferation, development, differentiation, and death; its dysregulation is linked to the pathogenesis of diseases. Gene expression is dynamically regulated by numerous factors at DNA, RNA, and protein levels, and RNA binding proteins (RBPs) and non–coding RNAs play important roles in the regulation of RNA metabolisms. RBPs govern a diverse spectrum of RNA metabolism by recognizing and binding to the secondary structure or the certain sequence of target mRNAs, and their malfunctions caused by aberrant expression or mutation are implicated in disease pathology. HuD, an RBP in the human antigen (Hu) family, has been studied as a pivotal regulator of gene expression in neuronal systems; however, accumulating evidence reveals the significance of HuD in non–neuronal systems including certain types of cancer cells or endocrine cells in the lung, pancreas, and adrenal gland. In addition, the abnormal function of HuD suggests its pathological association with neurological disorders, cancers, and diabetes. Thus, this review discusses HuD–mediated gene regulation in neuronal and non–neuronal systems to address how it works to orchestrate gene expression and how its expression is controlled in the stress response of pathogenesis of diseases. Abstract HuD (also known as ELAVL4) is an RNA–binding protein belonging to the human antigen (Hu) family that regulates stability, translation, splicing, and adenylation of target mRNAs. Unlike ubiquitously distributed HuR, HuD is only expressed in certain types of tissues, mainly in neuronal systems. Numerous studies have shown that HuD plays essential roles in neuronal development, differentiation, neurogenesis, dendritic maturation, neural plasticity, and synaptic transmission by regulating the metabolism of target mRNAs. However, growing evidence suggests that HuD also functions as a pivotal regulator of gene expression in non–neuronal systems and its malfunction is implicated in disease pathogenesis. Comprehensive knowledge of HuD expression, abundance, molecular targets, and regulatory mechanisms will broaden our understanding of its role as a versatile regulator of gene expression, thus enabling novel treatments for diseases with aberrant HuD expression. This review focuses on recent advances investigating the emerging role of HuD, its molecular mechanisms of target gene regulation, and its disease relevance in both neuronal and non–neuronal systems.
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20
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Impaired olfactory neurogenesis affects the performance of olfactory-guided behavior in aged female opossums. Sci Rep 2021; 11:4418. [PMID: 33627729 PMCID: PMC7904797 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-83834-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing evidence has indicated that adult neurogenesis contributes to brain plasticity, although function of new neurons is still under debate. In opossums, we performed an olfactory-guided behavior task and examined the association between olfactory discrimination-guided behavior and adult neurogenesis in the olfactory bulb (OB). We found that young and aged opossums of either sex learned to find food buried in litter using olfactory cues. However, aged females required more time to find food compared to aged males and young opossums of both sexes. The levels of doublecortin, that is used as a marker for immature neurons, were the lowest in the OB of aged female opossums. Another protein, HuD that is associated with learning and memory, was detected in all layers of the OB, except the granule cell layer, where a high density of DCX cells was detected. The level of HuD was higher in aged opossums compared to young opossums. This indicates that HuD is involved in plasticity and negatively regulates olfactory perception. The majority of 2-year-old female opossums are in the post-reproductive age but males of this age are still sexually active. We suggest that in aged female opossums neural plasticity induced by adult neurogenesis decreases due to their hormonal decline.
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21
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Dalla Costa I, Buchanan CN, Zdradzinski MD, Sahoo PK, Smith TP, Thames E, Kar AN, Twiss JL. The functional organization of axonal mRNA transport and translation. Nat Rev Neurosci 2021; 22:77-91. [PMID: 33288912 PMCID: PMC8161363 DOI: 10.1038/s41583-020-00407-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Axons extend for tremendously long distances from the neuronal soma and make use of localized mRNA translation to rapidly respond to different extracellular stimuli and physiological states. The locally synthesized proteins support many different functions in both developing and mature axons, raising questions about the mechanisms by which local translation is organized to ensure the appropriate responses to specific stimuli. Publications over the past few years have uncovered new mechanisms for regulating the axonal transport and localized translation of mRNAs, with several of these pathways converging on the regulation of cohorts of functionally related mRNAs - known as RNA regulons - that drive axon growth, axon guidance, injury responses, axon survival and even axonal mitochondrial function. Recent advances point to these different regulatory pathways as organizing platforms that allow the axon's proteome to be modulated to meet its physiological needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Dalla Costa
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Courtney N Buchanan
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | | | - Pabitra K Sahoo
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Terika P Smith
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Elizabeth Thames
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Amar N Kar
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Jeffery L Twiss
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA.
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22
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HuD regulates SOD1 expression during oxidative stress in differentiated neuroblastoma cells and sporadic ALS motor cortex. Neurobiol Dis 2020; 148:105211. [PMID: 33271327 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2020.105211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2018] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The neuronal RNA-binding protein (RBP) HuD plays an important role in brain development, synaptic plasticity and neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's (PD) and Alzheimer's (AD). Bioinformatics analysis of the human SOD1 mRNA 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) demonstrated the presence of HuD binding adenine-uridine (AU)-rich instability-conferring elements (AREs). Using differentiated SH-SY5Y cells along with brain tissues from sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (sALS) patients, we assessed HuD-dependent regulation of SOD1 mRNA. In vitro binding and mRNA decay assays demonstrate that HuD specifically binds to SOD1 ARE motifs promoting mRNA stabilization. In SH-SY5Y cells, overexpression of full-length HuD increased SOD1 mRNA and protein levels while a dominant negative form of the RBP downregulated its expression. HuD regulation of SOD1 mRNA was also found to be oxidative stress (OS)-dependent, as shown by the increased HuD binding and upregulation of this mRNA after H2O2 exposure. This treatment also induced a shift in alternative polyadenylation (APA) site usage in SOD1 3'UTR, increasing the levels of a long variant bearing HuD binding sites. The requirement of HuD for SOD1 upregulation during oxidative damage was validated using a specific siRNA that downregulated HuD protein levels to 36% and prevented upregulation of SOD1 and 91 additional genes. In the motor cortex from sALS patients, we found increases in SOD1 and HuD mRNAs and proteins, accompanied by greater HuD binding to this mRNA as confirmed by RNA-immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays. Altogether, our results suggest a role of HuD in the post-transcriptional regulation of SOD1 expression during ALS pathogenesis.
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Zhang L, Yang J, Luo Y, Liu F, Yuan Y, Zhuang S. A p53/lnc-Ip53 Negative Feedback Loop Regulates Tumor Growth and Chemoresistance. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2020; 7:2001364. [PMID: 33173727 PMCID: PMC7610266 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202001364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Acetylation is a critical mechanism to modulate tumor-suppressive activity of p53, but the causative roles of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in p53 acetylation and their biological significance remain unexplored. Here, lncRNA LOC100294145 is discovered to be transactivated by p53 and is thus designated as lnc-Ip53 for lncRNA induced by p53. Furthermore, lnc-Ip53 impedes p53 acetylation by interacting with histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) and E1A binding protein p300 (p300) to prevent HDAC1 degradation and attenuate p300 activity, resulting in abrogation of p53 activity and subsequent cell proliferation and apoptosis resistance. Mouse xenograft models reveal that lnc-Ip53 promotes tumor growth and chemoresistance in vivo, which is attenuated by an HDAC inhibitor. Silencing lnc-Ip53 inhibits the growth of xenografts with wild-type p53, but not those expressing acetylation-resistant p53. Consistently, lnc-Ip53 is upregulated in multiple cancer types, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). High levels of lnc-Ip53 is associated with low levels of acetylated p53 in human HCC and mouse xenografts, and is also correlated with poor survival of HCC patients. These findings identify a novel p53/lnc-Ip53 negative feedback loop in cells and indicate that abnormal upregulation of lnc-Ip53 represents an important mechanism to inhibit p53 acetylation/activity and thereby promote tumor growth and chemoresistance, which may be exploited for anticancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li‐Zhen Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and RegulationSchool of Life SciencesCollaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhou510275China
| | - Jin‐E Yang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and RegulationSchool of Life SciencesCollaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhou510275China
| | - Yu‐Wei Luo
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and RegulationSchool of Life SciencesCollaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhou510275China
| | - Feng‐Ting Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and RegulationSchool of Life SciencesCollaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhou510275China
| | - Yun‐Fei Yuan
- Department of Hepatobilliary OncologyCancer CenterSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhou510060China
| | - Shi‐Mei Zhuang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and RegulationSchool of Life SciencesCollaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhou510275China
- Key Laboratory of Liver Disease of Guangdong ProvinceThe Third Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhou510630China
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Zimmerman AJ, Hafez AK, Amoah SK, Rodriguez BA, Dell'Orco M, Lozano E, Hartley BJ, Alural B, Lalonde J, Chander P, Webster MJ, Perlis RH, Brennand KJ, Haggarty SJ, Weick J, Perrone-Bizzozero N, Brigman JL, Mellios N. A psychiatric disease-related circular RNA controls synaptic gene expression and cognition. Mol Psychiatry 2020; 25:2712-2727. [PMID: 31988434 PMCID: PMC7577899 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-020-0653-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2019] [Revised: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 01/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Although circular RNAs (circRNAs) are enriched in the mammalian brain, very little is known about their potential involvement in brain function and psychiatric disease. Here, we show that circHomer1a, a neuronal-enriched circRNA abundantly expressed in the frontal cortex, derived from Homer protein homolog 1 (HOMER1), is significantly reduced in both the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neuronal cultures from patients with schizophrenia (SCZ) and bipolar disorder (BD). Moreover, alterations in circHomer1a were positively associated with the age of onset of SCZ in both the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and orbitofrontal cortex (OFC). No correlations between the age of onset of SCZ and linear HOMER1 mRNA were observed, whose expression was mostly unaltered in BD and SCZ postmortem brain. Using in vivo circRNA-specific knockdown of circHomer1a in mouse PFC, we show that it modulates the expression of numerous alternative mRNA transcripts from genes involved in synaptic plasticity and psychiatric disease. Intriguingly, in vivo circHomer1a knockdown in mouse OFC resulted in specific deficits in OFC-mediated cognitive flexibility. Lastly, we demonstrate that the neuronal RNA-binding protein HuD binds to circHomer1a and can influence its synaptic expression in the frontal cortex. Collectively, our data uncover a novel psychiatric disease-associated circRNA that regulates synaptic gene expression and cognitive flexibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amber J Zimmerman
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Alexander K Hafez
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Stephen K Amoah
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, USA
- Autophagy inflammation and metabolism (AIM) center, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Brian A Rodriguez
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Michela Dell'Orco
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Evelyn Lozano
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Brigham J Hartley
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Begüm Alural
- Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry, Center for Genomic Medicine, Chemical Neurobiology Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jasmin Lalonde
- Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry, Center for Genomic Medicine, Chemical Neurobiology Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Praveen Chander
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Maree J Webster
- Laboratory of Brain Research, Stanley Medical Research Institute, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
| | - Roy H Perlis
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Center for Experimental Drugs and Diagnostics, Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kristen J Brennand
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Stephen J Haggarty
- Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry, Center for Genomic Medicine, Chemical Neurobiology Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jason Weick
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Nora Perrone-Bizzozero
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Jonathan L Brigman
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Nikolaos Mellios
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, USA.
- Autophagy inflammation and metabolism (AIM) center, Albuquerque, NM, USA.
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25
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Peregud D, Panchenko L, Gulyaeva N. Chronic morphine intoxication reduces binding of HuD to BDNF long 3'-UTR, while morphine withdrawal stimulates BDNF expression in the frontal cortex of male Wistar rats. Int J Neurosci 2020; 132:283-295. [PMID: 32783781 DOI: 10.1080/00207454.2020.1809395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mediates opiate dependence phenomenon. In the brain of morphine dependent animals BDNF level is controlled transcriptionally, however, post-transcriptional mechanisms of BDNF regulation in this context remain unknown. Regulation of mRNA by binding of specific proteins to the 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) is one of such mechanisms. Among RNA-binding proteins neuronal Hu antigen D (HuD) is the best characterized positive regulator of BDNF, however its involvement in opiate dependence remains obscure. We suggested that HuD binding to the BDNF 3'-UTR may be linked to changes in BDNF expression induced by morphine. The aim of this study was to investigate potential association of HuD with BDNF 3'-UTR in relation to BDNF expression (Exon- and 3'-UTR-specific mRNA variants and protein level) in the frontal cortex and midbrain of male Wistar rats after chronic morphine intoxication and spontaneous withdrawal in dependent animals. RESULTS After chronic morphine intoxication but not during morphine withdrawal HuD binding to the long BDNF 3'-UTR in the frontal cortex decreased as compared with the corresponding control group, however after intoxication BDNF expression did not change. The level of BDNF Exon I as well as mature BDNF polypeptide increased in the frontal cortex upon morphine withdrawal, while no changes in HuD binding could be detected. CONCLUSION Thus, contrary to the assumption, HuD-BDNF 3'-UTR interaction and BDNF expression in the frontal cortex differentially change in a manner dependent on the context of morphine action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danil Peregud
- Federal State Budgetary Institution "V. Serbsky National Medical Research Center for Psychiatry and Drug Addiction" of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia.,Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Leonid Panchenko
- Federal State Budgetary Institution "V. Serbsky National Medical Research Center for Psychiatry and Drug Addiction" of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia.,Institute of General Pathology and Pathophysiology, Moscow, Russia
| | - Natalia Gulyaeva
- Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.,Healthcare Department of Moscow, Moscow Research and Clinical Center for Neuropsychiatry, Moscow, Russia
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Dell'Orco M, Oliver RJ, Perrone-Bizzozero N. HuD Binds to and Regulates Circular RNAs Derived From Neuronal Development- and Synaptic Plasticity-Associated Genes. Front Genet 2020; 11:790. [PMID: 32849796 PMCID: PMC7419605 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.00790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2020] [Accepted: 07/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The RNA-binding protein (RBP) HuD is involved in neuronal differentiation, regeneration, synaptic plasticity and learning and memory. RBPs not only bind to mRNAs but also interact with several types of RNAs including circular RNAs (circRNAs), a class of non-coding RNAs generated by pre-mRNA back-splicing. This study explored whether HuD could regulate the expression of neuronal circRNAs. HuD controls target RNA’s fate by binding to Adenylate-Uridylate Rich Elements (AREs). Using bioinformatics analyses, we found HuD-binding ARE-motifs in about 26% of brain-expressed circRNAs. By RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) from the mouse striatum followed by circRNA arrays, we identified over 600 circRNAs bound to HuD. Among these, 226 derived from genes where HuD also bound to their associated mRNAs including circHomer1a, which we previously characterized as a synaptic HuD target circRNA. Binding of HuD to two additional plasticity–associated circRNAs, circCreb1, and circUfp2, was validated by circRNA-specific qRT-PCR. Interestingly, we found that circUpf2 is also enriched in synaptosomes. Pathway analyses confirmed that the majority of HuD-bound circRNAs originate from genes regulating nervous system development and function. Using striatal tissues from HuD overexpressor (HuD-OE) and knock out (KO) mice for circRNA expression analyses we identified 86 HuD-regulated circRNAs. These derived from genes within the same biological pathways as the HuD RIP. Cross-correlation analyses of HuD-regulated and HuD-bound circRNAs identified 69 regulated in either HuD-OE or HuD-KO and 5 in both sets. These include circBrwd1, circFoxp1, and circMap1a, which derive from genes involved in neuronal development and regeneration, and circMagi1 and circLppr4, originating from genes controlling synapse formation and linked to psychiatric disorders. These circRNAs form competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks including microRNAs and mRNAs. Among the HuD target circRNAs, circBrwd1 and circFoxp1 are regulated in an opposite manner to their respective mRNAs. The expressions of other development- and plasticity-associated HuD target circRNAs such as circSatb2, cirHomer1a and circNtrk3 are also altered after the establishment of cocaine conditioned place preference (CPP). Collectively, these data suggest that HuD interactions with circRNAs regulate their expression and transport, and that the ensuing changes in HuD-regulated ceRNA networks could control neuronal differentiation and synaptic plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Dell'Orco
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - Robert J Oliver
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - Nora Perrone-Bizzozero
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, United States
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27
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Valkov N, Das S. Y RNAs: Biogenesis, Function and Implications for the Cardiovascular System. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2020; 1229:327-342. [PMID: 32285422 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-15-1671-9_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, progress in the field of high-throughput sequencing technology and its application to a wide variety of biological specimens has greatly advanced the discovery and cataloging of a diverse set of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) that have been found to have unexpected biological functions. Y RNAs are an emerging class of highly conserved, small ncRNAs. There is a growing number of reports in the literature demonstrating that Y RNAs and their fragments are not just random degradation products but are themselves bioactive molecules. This review will outline what is currently known about Y RNA including biogenesis, structure and functional roles. In addition, we will provide an overview of studies reporting the presence and functions attributed to Y RNAs in the cardiovascular system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nedyalka Valkov
- Cardiovascular Research Center of Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Saumya Das
- Cardiovascular Research Center of Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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Nielsen MM, Tataru P, Madsen T, Hobolth A, Pedersen JS. Regmex: a statistical tool for exploring motifs in ranked sequence lists from genomics experiments. Algorithms Mol Biol 2018; 13:17. [PMID: 30555524 PMCID: PMC6286601 DOI: 10.1186/s13015-018-0135-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2018] [Accepted: 12/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Motif analysis methods have long been central for studying biological function of nucleotide sequences. Functional genomics experiments extend their potential. They typically generate sequence lists ranked by an experimentally acquired functional property such as gene expression or protein binding affinity. Current motif discovery tools suffer from limitations in searching large motif spaces, and thus more complex motifs may not be included. There is thus a need for motif analysis methods that are tailored for analyzing specific complex motifs motivated by biological questions and hypotheses rather than acting as a screen based motif finding tool. Methods We present Regmex (REGular expression Motif EXplorer), which offers several methods to identify overrepresented motifs in ranked lists of sequences. Regmex uses regular expressions to define motifs or families of motifs and embedded Markov models to calculate exact p-values for motif observations in sequences. Biases in motif distributions across ranked sequence lists are evaluated using random walks, Brownian bridges, or modified rank based statistics. A modular setup and fast analytic p value evaluations make Regmex applicable to diverse and potentially large-scale motif analysis problems. Results We demonstrate use cases of combined motifs on simulated data and on expression data from micro RNA transfection experiments. We confirm previously obtained results and demonstrate the usability of Regmex to test a specific hypothesis about the relative location of microRNA seed sites and U-rich motifs. We further compare the tool with an existing motif discovery tool and show increased sensitivity. Conclusions Regmex is a useful and flexible tool to analyze motif hypotheses that relates to large data sets in functional genomics. The method is available as an R package (https://github.com/muhligs/regmex). Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13015-018-0135-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Noble PA, Pozhitkov AE. Cryptic sequence features in the active postmortem transcriptome. BMC Genomics 2018; 19:675. [PMID: 30217147 PMCID: PMC6137749 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-018-5042-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2018] [Accepted: 08/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Our previous study found that more than 500 transcripts significantly increased in abundance in the zebrafish and mouse several hours to days postmortem relative to live controls. The current literature suggests that most mRNAs are post-transcriptionally regulated in stressful conditions. We rationalized that the postmortem transcripts must contain sequence features (3- to 9- mers) that are unique from those in the rest of the transcriptome and that these features putatively serve as binding sites for proteins and/or non-coding RNAs involved in post-transcriptional regulation. RESULTS We identified 5117 and 2245 over-represented sequence features in the mouse and zebrafish, respectively, which represents less than 1.5% of all possible features. Some of these features were disproportionately distributed along the transcripts with high densities in the 3' untranslated regions of the zebrafish (0.3 mers/nt) and the open reading frames of the mouse (0.6 mers/nt). Yet, the highest density (2.3 mers/nt) occurred in the open reading frames of 11 mouse transcripts that lacked 3' or 5' untranslated regions. These results suggest the transcripts with high density of features might serve as 'molecular sponges' that sequester RNA binding proteins and/or microRNAs, and thus indirectly increase the stability and gene expression of other transcripts. In addition, some of the features were identified as binding sites for Rbfox and Hud proteins that are also involved in increasing transcript stability and gene expression. CONCLUSIONS Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that transcripts involved in responding to extreme stress, such as organismal death, have sequence features that make them different from the rest of the transcriptome. Some of these features serve as putative binding sites for proteins and non-coding RNAs that determine transcript stability and fate. A small number of the transcripts have high density sequence features, which are presumably involved in sequestering RNA binding proteins and microRNAs and thus preventing regulatory interactions among other transcripts. Our results provide baseline data on post-transcriptional regulation in stressful conditions that has implications for regulation in disease, starvation, and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter A. Noble
- Department of Periodontics, University of Washington, Box 357444, Seattle, WA 98195 USA
| | - Alexander E. Pozhitkov
- City of Hope, Information Sciences - Beckman Research Institute, 4920 Rivergrade Rd., Irwindale, CA 91706 USA
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Widagdo J, Anggono V. The m6A-epitranscriptomic signature in neurobiology: from neurodevelopment to brain plasticity. J Neurochem 2018; 147:137-152. [PMID: 29873074 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.14481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2018] [Revised: 05/24/2018] [Accepted: 05/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Research over the past decade has provided strong support for the importance of various epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA and histone modifications in regulating activity-dependent gene expression in the mammalian central nervous system. More recently, the emerging field of epitranscriptomics revealed an equally important role of post-transcriptional RNA modifications in shaping the transcriptomic landscape of the brain. This review will focus on the methylation of the adenosine base at the N6 position, termed N6 methyladenosine (m6A), which is the most abundant internal modification that decorates eukaryotic messenger RNAs. Given its prevalence and dynamic regulation in the adult brain, the m6A-epitranscriptome provides an additional layer of regulation on RNA that can be controlled in a context- and stimulus-dependent manner. Conceptually, m6A serves as a molecular switch that regulates various aspects of RNA function, including splicing, stability, localization, or translational control. The versatility of m6A function is typically determined through interaction or disengagement with specific classes of m6A-interacting proteins. Here we review recent advances in the field and provide insights into the roles of m6A in regulating brain function, from development to synaptic plasticity, learning, and memory. We also discuss how aberrant m6A signaling may contribute to neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jocelyn Widagdo
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
| | - Victor Anggono
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
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31
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Tebaldi T, Zuccotti P, Peroni D, Köhn M, Gasperini L, Potrich V, Bonazza V, Dudnakova T, Rossi A, Sanguinetti G, Conti L, Macchi P, D'Agostino V, Viero G, Tollervey D, Hüttelmaier S, Quattrone A. HuD Is a Neural Translation Enhancer Acting on mTORC1-Responsive Genes and Counteracted by the Y3 Small Non-coding RNA. Mol Cell 2018; 71:256-270.e10. [PMID: 30029004 PMCID: PMC6060611 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2018.06.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2017] [Revised: 04/24/2018] [Accepted: 06/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The RNA-binding protein HuD promotes neurogenesis and favors recovery from peripheral axon injury. HuD interacts with many mRNAs, altering both stability and translation efficiency. We generated a nucleotide resolution map of the HuD RNA interactome in motor neuron-like cells, identifying HuD target sites in 1,304 mRNAs, almost exclusively in the 3' UTR. HuD binds many mRNAs encoding mTORC1-responsive ribosomal proteins and translation factors. Altered HuD expression correlates with the translation efficiency of these mRNAs and overall protein synthesis, in a mTORC1-independent fashion. The predominant HuD target is the abundant, small non-coding RNA Y3, amounting to 70% of the HuD interaction signal. Y3 functions as a molecular sponge for HuD, dynamically limiting its recruitment to polysomes and its activity as a translation and neuron differentiation enhancer. These findings uncover an alternative route to the mTORC1 pathway for translational control in motor neurons that is tunable by a small non-coding RNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toma Tebaldi
- Laboratory of Translational Genomics, Centre for Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Trento 38123, Italy
| | - Paola Zuccotti
- Laboratory of Translational Genomics, Centre for Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Trento 38123, Italy
| | - Daniele Peroni
- Laboratory of Translational Genomics, Centre for Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Trento 38123, Italy
| | - Marcel Köhn
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle 06120, Germany; Julius-Bernstein-Institute of Physiology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle 06097, Germany
| | - Lisa Gasperini
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Centre for Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Trento 38123, Italy
| | - Valentina Potrich
- Laboratory of Translational Genomics, Centre for Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Trento 38123, Italy
| | - Veronica Bonazza
- Laboratory of Translational Genomics, Centre for Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Trento 38123, Italy
| | - Tatiana Dudnakova
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, UK
| | - Annalisa Rossi
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Centre for Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Trento 38123, Italy
| | - Guido Sanguinetti
- School of Informatics, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9AB, UK
| | - Luciano Conti
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, Centre for Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Trento 38123, Italy
| | - Paolo Macchi
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Centre for Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Trento 38123, Italy
| | - Vito D'Agostino
- Centre for Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Trento 38123, Italy
| | - Gabriella Viero
- Institute of Biophysics, CNR Unit at Trento, Trento 38123, Italy
| | - David Tollervey
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, UK
| | - Stefan Hüttelmaier
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle 06120, Germany
| | - Alessandro Quattrone
- Laboratory of Translational Genomics, Centre for Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Trento 38123, Italy.
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VENTURI V, MASEK T, POSPISEK M. A Blood Pact: the Significance and Implications of eIF4E on Lymphocytic Leukemia. Physiol Res 2018. [DOI: 10.33549/physiolres.933696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Elevated levels of eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) are implicated in neoplasia, with cumulative evidence pointing to its role in the etiopathogenesis of hematological diseases. As a node of convergence for several oncogenic signaling pathways, eIF4E has attracted a great deal of interest from biologists and clinicians whose efforts have been targeting this translation factor and its biological circuits in the battle against leukemia. The role of eIF4E in myeloid leukemia has been ascertained and drugs targeting its functions have found their place in clinical trials. Little is known, however, about the pertinence of eIF4E to the biology of lymphocytic leukemia and a paucity of literature is available in this regard that prospectively evaluates the topic to guide practice in hematological cancer. A comprehensive analysis on the significance of eIF4E translation factor in the clinical picture of leukemia arises, therefore, as a compelling need. This review presents aspects of eIF4E involvement in the realm of the lymphoblastic leukemia status; translational control of immunological function via eIF4E and the state-of-the-art in drugs will also be outlined.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - M. POSPISEK
- Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
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Overexpression of neuronal RNA-binding protein HuD increases reward induced reinstatement of an instrumental response. Neurosci Lett 2018; 683:119-124. [PMID: 29940328 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2018.06.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2018] [Revised: 06/20/2018] [Accepted: 06/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The neuronal RNA-binding protein HuD is involved in synaptic plasticity and the molecular mechanisms of learning and memory. Previously, we have shown that HuD is upregulated after both spatial and addiction-associated forms of learning, such as conditioned place preference. However, what role HuD plays in non-drug dependent learning and memory is not fully understood. In order to elucidate the role that HuD plays in non-drug appetitive behavior, we assessed mice over-expressing HuD (HuDOE) throughout the forebrain on the acquisition of an instrumental response for a non-sucrose food reward utilizing a touch-screen paradigm. Next, we examined whether HuD level would alter the extinction or reward-induced reinstatement of responding. We found that HuDOE acquired and extinguished the instrumental response at rates similar to control littermates with no significant alterations in secondary measures of motor behavior or motivation. However, HuDOE reinstated their responding for food reward at rates significantly higher than control animals after a brief presentation of reward. These results suggest that HuD positively regulates the reinstatement of natural reward seeking and supports the role of HuD in forms of learning and memory associated with seeking of appetitive rewards.
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34
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Mandyam CD, Somkuwar SS, Oliver RJ, Takashima Y. New Neurons in the Dentate Gyrus Promote Reinstatement of Methamphetamine Seeking. J Exp Neurosci 2018; 12:1179069518779625. [PMID: 29899665 PMCID: PMC5990876 DOI: 10.1177/1179069518779625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2018] [Accepted: 05/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Addictive drugs effect the brain reward circuitry by altering functional plasticity of neurons governing the circuits. Relapse is an inherent problem in addicted subjects and is associated with neuroplasticity changes in several brain regions including the hippocampus. Recent studies have begun to determine the functional significance of adult neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus, where new neurons in the granule cell layer are continuously generated to replace dying or diseased cells. One of the many negative consequences of chronic methamphetamine (METH) abuse and METH addiction in rodent and nonhuman primate models is a decrease in neural progenitor cells in the dentate gyrus and reduced neurogenesis in the granule cell layer during METH exposure. However, the number of progenitors rebound during withdrawal and abstinence from METH and the functional significance of enhanced survival of the progenitors during abstinence on the propensity for relapse was recently investigated by Galinato et al. A rat model of METH addiction in concert with a pharmacogenetic approach of ablating neural progenitor cells revealed that neurogenesis during abstinence promoted a relapse to METH-seeking behavior. Biochemical and electrophysiology studies demonstrated that an increase in neurogenesis during abstinence correlated with increases in plasticity-related proteins associated with learning and memory in the dentate gyrus and enhanced spontaneous activity and reduced neuronal excitability of granule cell neurons. Based on these findings, we discuss the putative molecular mechanisms that could drive aberrant neurogenesis during abstinence. We also indicate forebrain-dentate gyrus circuits that could assist with aberrant neurogenesis and drive a relapse into METH-seeking behavior in METH-addicted animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chitra D Mandyam
- VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA.,Department of Anesthesiology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Yoshio Takashima
- VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA.,Department of Anesthesiology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
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35
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Sahoo PK, Smith DS, Perrone-Bizzozero N, Twiss JL. Axonal mRNA transport and translation at a glance. J Cell Sci 2018; 131:jcs196808. [PMID: 29654160 PMCID: PMC6518334 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.196808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Localization and translation of mRNAs within different subcellular domains provides an important mechanism to spatially and temporally introduce new proteins in polarized cells. Neurons make use of this localized protein synthesis during initial growth, regeneration and functional maintenance of their axons. Although the first evidence for protein synthesis in axons dates back to 1960s, improved methodologies, including the ability to isolate axons to purity, highly sensitive RNA detection methods and imaging approaches, have shed new light on the complexity of the transcriptome of the axon and how it is regulated. Moreover, these efforts are now uncovering new roles for locally synthesized proteins in neurological diseases and injury responses. In this Cell Science at a Glance article and the accompanying poster, we provide an overview of how axonal mRNA transport and translation are regulated, and discuss their emerging links to neurological disorders and neural repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pabitra K Sahoo
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, 715 Sumter St., CLS 401, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Deanna S Smith
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, 715 Sumter St., CLS 401, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Nora Perrone-Bizzozero
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, 1 University of New Mexico, MSC08 4740, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Jeffery L Twiss
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, 715 Sumter St., CLS 401, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
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36
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Oliver RJ, Brigman JL, Bolognani F, Allan AM, Neisewander JL, Perrone-Bizzozero NI. Neuronal RNA-binding protein HuD regulates addiction-related gene expression and behavior. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2018; 17:e12454. [PMID: 29283498 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2017] [Revised: 12/12/2017] [Accepted: 12/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The neuronal RNA-binding protein HuD is involved in synaptic plasticity and learning and memory mechanisms. These effects are thought to be due to HuD-mediated stabilization and translation of target mRNAs associated with plasticity. To investigate the potential role of HuD in drug addiction, we first used bioinformatics prediction algorithms together with microarray analyses to search for specific genes and functional networks upregulated within the forebrain of HuD overexpressing mice (HuDOE ). When this set was further limited to genes in the knowledgebase of addiction-related genes database (KARG) that contains predicted HuD-binding sites in their 3' untranslated regions (3'UTRs), we found that HuD regulates networks that have been associated with addiction-like behavior. These genes included Bdnf and Camk2a, 2 previously validated HuD targets. Since addiction is hypothesized to be a disorder stemming from altered gene expression causing aberrant plasticity, we sought to test the role of HuD in cocaine conditioned placed preference (CPP), a model of addiction-related behaviors. HuD mRNA and protein were upregulated by CPP within the nucleus accumbens of wild-type C57BL/6J mice. These changes were associated with increased expression of Bdnf and Camk2a mRNA and protein. To test this further, we trained HuDOE and wild-type mice in CPP and found that HuDOE mice showed increased cocaine CPP compared with controls. This was also associated with elevated expression of HuD target mRNAs and proteins, CaMKIIα and BDNF. These findings suggest HuD involvement in addiction-related behaviors such as cocaine conditioning and seeking, through increased plasticity-related gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- R J Oliver
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, New Mexico
| | - J L Brigman
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, New Mexico
| | - F Bolognani
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development; Neuroscience, Ophthalmology and Rare Diseases, Roche Innovation Center, Basel, Switzerland
| | - A M Allan
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, New Mexico
| | - J L Neisewander
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona
| | - N I Perrone-Bizzozero
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, New Mexico
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37
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Gomes C, Lee SJ, Gardiner AS, Smith T, Sahoo PK, Patel P, Thames E, Rodriguez R, Taylor R, Yoo S, Heise T, Kar AN, Perrone-Bizzozero N, Twiss JL. Axonal localization of neuritin/CPG15 mRNA is limited by competition for HuD binding. J Cell Sci 2017; 130:3650-3662. [PMID: 28871047 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.201244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2017] [Accepted: 08/31/2017] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
HuD protein (also known as ELAVL4) has been shown to stabilize mRNAs with AU-rich elements (ARE) in their 3' untranslated regions (UTRs), including Gap43, which has been linked to axon growth. HuD also binds to neuritin (Nrn1) mRNA, whose 3'UTR contains ARE sequences. Although the Nrn1 3'UTR has been shown to mediate its axonal localization in embryonic hippocampal neurons, it is not active in adult dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. Here, we asked why the 3'UTR is not sufficient to mediate the axonal localization of Nrn1 mRNA in DRG neurons. HuD overexpression increases the ability of the Nrn1 3'UTR to mediate axonal localizing in DRG neurons. HuD binds directly to the Nrn1 ARE with about a two-fold higher affinity than to the Gap43 ARE. Although the Nrn1 ARE can displace the Gap43 ARE from HuD binding, HuD binds to the full 3'UTR of Gap43 with higher affinity, such that higher levels of Nrn1 are needed to displace the Gap43 3'UTR. The Nrn1 3'UTR can mediate a higher level of axonal localization when endogenous Gap43 is depleted from DRG neurons. Taken together, our data indicate that endogenous Nrn1 and Gap43 mRNAs compete for binding to HuD for their axonal localization and activity of the Nrn1 3'UTR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia Gomes
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Seung Joon Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Amy S Gardiner
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Terika Smith
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Pabitra K Sahoo
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Priyanka Patel
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Elizabeth Thames
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Reycel Rodriguez
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Ross Taylor
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Soonmoon Yoo
- Nemours Biomedical Research, Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE 19803, USA
| | - Tilman Heise
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Amar N Kar
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Nora Perrone-Bizzozero
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Jeffery L Twiss
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
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38
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Kar AN, Lee SJ, Twiss JL. Expanding Axonal Transcriptome Brings New Functions for Axonally Synthesized Proteins in Health and Disease. Neuroscientist 2017; 24:111-129. [PMID: 28593814 DOI: 10.1177/1073858417712668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Intra-axonal protein synthesis has been shown to play critical roles in both development and repair of axons. Axons provide long-range connectivity in the nervous system, and disruption of their function and/or structure is seen in several neurological diseases and disorders. Axonally synthesized proteins or losses in axonally synthesized proteins contribute to neurodegenerative diseases, neuropathic pain, viral transport, and survival of axons. Increasing sensitivity of RNA detection and quantitation coupled with methods to isolate axons to purity has shown that a surprisingly complex transcriptome exists in axons. This extends across different species, neuronal populations, and physiological conditions. These studies have helped define the repertoire of neuronal mRNAs that can localize into axons and imply previously unrecognized functions for local translation in neurons. Here, we review the current state of transcriptomics studies of isolated axons, contrast axonal mRNA profiles between different neuronal types and growth states, and discuss how mRNA transport into and translation within axons contribute to neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amar N Kar
- 1 Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Seung Joon Lee
- 1 Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Jeffery L Twiss
- 1 Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA.,2 Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Raab-Graham KF, Niere F. mTOR referees memory and disease through mRNA repression and competition. FEBS Lett 2017; 591:1540-1554. [PMID: 28493559 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.12675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2017] [Revised: 05/04/2017] [Accepted: 05/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) activity is required for memory and is dysregulated in disease. Activation of mTOR promotes protein synthesis; however, new studies are demonstrating that mTOR activity also represses the translation of mRNAs. Almost three decades ago, Kandel and colleagues hypothesised that memory was due to the induction of positive regulators and removal of negative constraints. Are these negative constraints repressed mRNAs that code for proteins that block memory formation? Herein, we will discuss the mRNAs coded by putative memory suppressors, how activation/inactivation of mTOR repress protein expression at the synapse, how mTOR activity regulates RNA binding proteins, mRNA stability, and translation, and what the possible implications of mRNA repression are to memory and neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly F Raab-Graham
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC, USA
| | - Farr Niere
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC, USA
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40
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Sanna MD, Ghelardini C, Galeotti N. HuD-mediated distinct BDNF regulatory pathways promote regeneration after nerve injury. Brain Res 2017; 1659:55-63. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2017.01.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2016] [Revised: 01/13/2017] [Accepted: 01/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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41
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mTOR and MAPK: from localized translation control to epilepsy. BMC Neurosci 2016; 17:73. [PMID: 27855659 PMCID: PMC5114760 DOI: 10.1186/s12868-016-0308-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2016] [Accepted: 11/09/2016] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological diseases characterized by excessive hyperexcitability of neurons. Molecular mechanisms of epilepsy are diverse and not really understood. All in common is the misregulation of proteins that determine excitability such as potassium and sodium channels as well as GABA receptors; which are all known as biomarkers for epilepsy. Two recently identified key pathways involve the kinases mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK). Interestingly, mRNAs coding for those biomarkers are found to be localized at or near synapses indicating a local misregulation of synthesis and activity. Results Research in the last decade indicates that RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) responsible for mRNA localization, stability and translation mediate local expression control. Among others, they are affected by mTOR and MAPK to guide expression of epileptic factors. These results suggest that mTOR/MAPK act on RBPs to regulate the fate of mRNAs, indicating a misregulation of protein expression at synapses in epilepsy. Conclusion We propose that mTOR and MAPK regulate RBPs, thereby guiding the local expression of their target-mRNAs encoding for markers of epilepsy. Thus, misregulated mTOR/MAPK-RBP interplay may result in excessive local synthesis of ion channels and receptors thereby leading to hyperexcitability. Continuous stimulation of synapses further activates mTOR/MAPK pathway reinforcing their effect on RBP-mediated expression control establishing the basis for epilepsy. Here, we highlight findings showing the tight interplay between mTOR as well as MAPK with RBPs to control expression for epileptic biomarkers.
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42
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Marchesi N, Amadio M, Colombrita C, Govoni S, Ratti A, Pascale A. PKC Activation Counteracts ADAM10 Deficit in HuD-Silenced Neuroblastoma Cells. J Alzheimers Dis 2016; 54:535-47. [DOI: 10.3233/jad-160299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nicoletta Marchesi
- Department of Drug Sciences, Pharmacology Section, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Marialaura Amadio
- Department of Drug Sciences, Pharmacology Section, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Claudia Colombrita
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, ‘Dino Ferrari’ Center, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Govoni
- Department of Drug Sciences, Pharmacology Section, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Antonia Ratti
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, ‘Dino Ferrari’ Center, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessia Pascale
- Department of Drug Sciences, Pharmacology Section, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
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43
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Deficiency of the Survival of Motor Neuron Protein Impairs mRNA Localization and Local Translation in the Growth Cone of Motor Neurons. J Neurosci 2016; 36:3811-20. [PMID: 27030765 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2396-15.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2015] [Accepted: 02/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a neurodegenerative disease primarily affecting spinal motor neurons. It is caused by reduced levels of the survival of motor neuron (SMN) protein, which plays an essential role in the biogenesis of spliceosomal small nuclear ribonucleoproteins in all tissues. The etiology of the specific defects in the motor circuitry in SMA is still unclear, but SMN has also been implicated in mediating the axonal localization of mRNA-protein complexes, which may contribute to the axonal degeneration observed in SMA. Here, we report that SMN deficiency severely disrupts local protein synthesis within neuronal growth cones. We also identify the cytoskeleton-associated growth-associated protein 43 (GAP43) mRNA as a new target of SMN and show that motor neurons from SMA mouse models have reduced levels ofGAP43mRNA and protein in axons and growth cones. Importantly, overexpression of two mRNA-binding proteins, HuD and IMP1, restoresGAP43mRNA and protein levels in growth cones and rescues axon outgrowth defects in SMA neurons. These findings demonstrate that SMN plays an important role in the localization and local translation of mRNAs with important axonal functions and suggest that disruption of this function may contribute to the axonal defects observed in SMA. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The motor neuron disease spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is caused by reduced levels of the survival of motor neuron (SMN) protein, which plays a key role in assembling RNA/protein complexes that are essential for mRNA splicing. It remains unclear whether defects in this well characterized housekeeping function cause the specific degeneration of spinal motor neurons observed in SMA. Here, we describe an additional role of SMN in regulating the axonal localization and local translation of the mRNA encoding growth-associated protein 43 (GAP43). This study supports a model whereby SMN deficiency impedes transport and local translation of mRNAs important for neurite outgrowth and stabilization, thus contributing to axon degeneration, muscle denervation, and motor neuron cell death in SMA.
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44
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Tsan YC, Morell MH, O'Shea KS. miR-410 controls adult SVZ neurogenesis by targeting neurogenic genes. Stem Cell Res 2016; 17:238-247. [PMID: 27591480 DOI: 10.1016/j.scr.2016.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2014] [Revised: 06/14/2016] [Accepted: 07/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Over-expression of the early neural inducer, Noggin, in nestin positive subventricular zone (SVZ), neural stem cells (NSC) promotes proliferation and neuronal differentiation of neural progenitors and inhibits the expression of a CNS-enriched microRNA-410 (miR-410) (Morell et al., 2015). When expressed in neurospheres derived from the adult SVZ, miR-410 inhibits neuronal and oligodendrocyte differentiation, and promotes astrocyte differentiation. miR-410 also reverses the increase in neuronal differentiation and decreased astroglial differentiation caused by Noggin over-expression. Conversely, inhibition of miR-410 activity promotes neuronal and decreases astroglial differentiation of NSC. Using computer prediction algorithms and luciferase reporter assays we identified multiple neurogenic genes including Elavl4 as downstream targets of miR-410 via the canonical miRNA-3'UTR interaction. Over-expression of Elavl4 transcripts without the endogenous 3'UTR rescued the decrease in neuronal differentiation caused by miR-410 overexpression. Interestingly, we also observed that miR-410 affected neurite morphology; over-expression of miR-410 resulted in the formation of short, unbranched neurites. We conclude that miR-410 expression provides a new link between BMP signaling and the crucial lineage choice of adult neural stem cells via its ability to bind and control the expression of neurogenic gene transcripts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao-Chang Tsan
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
| | - Maria H Morell
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
| | - K Sue O'Shea
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States.
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Berto S, Usui N, Konopka G, Fogel BL. ELAVL2-regulated transcriptional and splicing networks in human neurons link neurodevelopment and autism. Hum Mol Genet 2016; 25:2451-2464. [PMID: 27260404 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddw110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2015] [Revised: 03/01/2016] [Accepted: 04/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The role of post-transcriptional gene regulation in human brain development and neurodevelopmental disorders remains mostly uncharacterized. ELAV-like RNA-binding proteins (RNAbps) are a family of proteins that regulate several aspects of neuronal function including neuronal excitability and synaptic transmission, both critical to the normal function of the brain in cognition and behavior. Here, we identify the downstream neuronal transcriptional and splicing networks of ELAVL2, an RNAbp with previously unknown function in the brain. Expression of ELAVL2 was reduced in human neurons and RNA-sequencing was utilized to identify networks of differentially expressed and alternatively spliced genes resulting from haploinsufficient levels of ELAVL2. These networks contain a number of autism-relevant genes as well as previously identified targets of other important RNAbps implicated in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) including RBFOX1 and FMRP. ELAVL2-regulated co-expression networks are also enriched for neurodevelopmental and synaptic genes, and include genes with human-specific patterns of expression in the frontal pole. Together, these data suggest that ELAVL2 regulation of transcript expression is critical for neuronal function and clinically relevant to ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Berto
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, ND4.300, Dallas, TX 75390-9111, USA
| | - Noriyoshi Usui
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, ND4.300, Dallas, TX 75390-9111, USA
| | - Genevieve Konopka
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, ND4.300, Dallas, TX 75390-9111, USA
| | - Brent L Fogel
- Program in Neurogenetics and Departments of Neurology and Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, 695 Charles E. Young Drive South, Gonda Room 1206, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
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46
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Talman V, Pascale A, Jäntti M, Amadio M, Tuominen RK. Protein Kinase C Activation as a Potential Therapeutic Strategy in Alzheimer's Disease: Is there a Role for Embryonic Lethal Abnormal Vision-like Proteins? Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol 2016; 119:149-60. [PMID: 27001133 DOI: 10.1111/bcpt.12581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2015] [Accepted: 03/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common cause of dementia, is an irreversible and progressive neurodegenerative disorder. It affects predominantly brain areas that are critical for memory and learning and is characterized by two main pathological hallmarks: extracellular amyloid plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles. Protein kinase C (PKC) has been classified as one of the cognitive kinases controlling memory and learning. By regulating several signalling pathways involved in amyloid and tau pathologies, it also plays an inhibitory role in AD pathophysiology. Among downstream targets of PKC are the embryonic lethal abnormal vision (ELAV)-like RNA-binding proteins that modulate the stability and the translation of specific target mRNAs involved in synaptic remodelling linked to cognitive processes. This MiniReview summarizes the current evidence on the role of PKC and ELAV-like proteins in learning and memory, highlighting how their derangement can contribute to AD pathophysiology. This last aspect emphasizes the potential of pharmacological activation of PKC as a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virpi Talman
- Division of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Alessia Pascale
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Drug Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Maria Jäntti
- Division of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Marialaura Amadio
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Drug Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Raimo K Tuominen
- Division of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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47
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Scheckel C, Drapeau E, Frias MA, Park CY, Fak J, Zucker-Scharff I, Kou Y, Haroutunian V, Ma'ayan A, Buxbaum JD, Darnell RB. Regulatory consequences of neuronal ELAV-like protein binding to coding and non-coding RNAs in human brain. eLife 2016; 5. [PMID: 26894958 PMCID: PMC4798961 DOI: 10.7554/elife.10421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2015] [Accepted: 12/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuronal ELAV-like (nELAVL) RNA binding proteins have been linked to numerous neurological disorders. We performed crosslinking-immunoprecipitation and RNAseq on human brain, and identified nELAVL binding sites on 8681 transcripts. Using knockout mice and RNAi in human neuroblastoma cells, we showed that nELAVL intronic and 3' UTR binding regulates human RNA splicing and abundance. We validated hundreds of nELAVL targets among which were important neuronal and disease-associated transcripts, including Alzheimer's disease (AD) transcripts. We therefore investigated RNA regulation in AD brain, and observed differential splicing of 150 transcripts, which in some cases correlated with differential nELAVL binding. Unexpectedly, the most significant change of nELAVL binding was evident on non-coding Y RNAs. nELAVL/Y RNA complexes were specifically remodeled in AD and after acute UV stress in neuroblastoma cells. We propose that the increased nELAVL/Y RNA association during stress may lead to nELAVL sequestration, redistribution of nELAVL target binding, and altered neuronal RNA splicing. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.10421.001 When a gene is active, its DNA is copied into a molecule of RNA. This molecule then undergoes a process called splicing which removes certain segments, and the resulting ‘messenger RNA’ molecule is then translated into protein. Many messenger RNAs go through alternative splicing, whereby different segments can be included or excluded from the final molecule. This allows more than one type of protein to be produced from a single gene. Specialized RNA binding proteins associate with messenger RNAs and regulate not only their splicing, but also their abundance and location within the cell. These activities are crucially important in the brain where forming memories and learning new skills requires thousands of proteins to be made rapidly. Many members of a family of RNA binding proteins called ELAV-like proteins are unique to neurons. These proteins have also been associated with conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, but it was not known which messenger RNAs were the targets of these proteins in the human brain. Scheckel, Drapeau et al. have now addressed this question and used a method termed 'CLIP' to identify thousands of messenger RNAs that directly bind to neuronal ELAV-like proteins in the human brain. Many of these messenger RNAs coded for proteins that are important for the health of neurons, and neuronal ELAV-like proteins were shown to regulate both the alternative splicing and the abundance of these messenger RNAs. The regulation of RNA molecules in post-mortem brain samples of people with or without Alzheimer’s disease was then compared. Scheckel, Drapeau et al. unexpectedly observed that, in the Alzheimer’s disease patients, the neuronal ELAV-like proteins were very often associated with a class of RNA molecules known as Y RNAs. These RNA molecules do not code for proteins, and are therefore classified as non-coding RNA. Moreover, massive shifts in the binding of ELAV-like proteins onto Y RNAs were observed in neurons grown in the laboratory that had been briefly stressed by exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Scheckel, Drapeau et al. suggest that the strong tendency of neuronal ELAV-like proteins to bind to Y RNAs in conditions of short- or long-term stress, including Alzheimer’s disease, might prevent these proteins from associating with their normal messenger RNA targets. This was supported by finding that some messenger RNAs targeted by neuronal ELAV-like proteins showed altered regulation after stress. Such changes to the normal regulation of these messenger RNAs could have a large impact on the proteins that are produced from them. Together, these findings link Y RNAs to both neuronal stress and Alzheimer’s disease, and suggest a new way that a cell can alter which messenger RNAs are expressed in response to changes in its environment. The next step is to explore what causes the shift in neuronal ELAV-like protein binding from messenger RNAs to Y RNAs and how it might contribute to disease. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.10421.002
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Scheckel
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuro-Oncology, The Rockefeller University, New York, United States.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Rockefeller University, New York, United States
| | - Elodie Drapeau
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, New York, United States.,Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, United States
| | - Maria A Frias
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuro-Oncology, The Rockefeller University, New York, United States.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Rockefeller University, New York, United States
| | - Christopher Y Park
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuro-Oncology, The Rockefeller University, New York, United States.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Rockefeller University, New York, United States.,New York Genome Center, New York, United States
| | - John Fak
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuro-Oncology, The Rockefeller University, New York, United States.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Rockefeller University, New York, United States
| | - Ilana Zucker-Scharff
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuro-Oncology, The Rockefeller University, New York, United States.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Rockefeller University, New York, United States
| | - Yan Kou
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, New York, United States.,Department of Pharmacology and Systems Therapeutics, BD2K-LINCS Data Integration and Coordination Center, Mount Sinai Knowledge Management Center for Illuminating the Druggable Genome, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, United States
| | - Vahram Haroutunian
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, United States.,Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, United States.,James J. Peters VA Medical Center, New York, United States
| | - Avi Ma'ayan
- Department of Pharmacology and Systems Therapeutics, BD2K-LINCS Data Integration and Coordination Center, Mount Sinai Knowledge Management Center for Illuminating the Druggable Genome, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, United States
| | - Joseph D Buxbaum
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, New York, United States.,Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, United States.,Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, United States.,Mindich Child Health Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, United States.,Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, United States
| | - Robert B Darnell
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuro-Oncology, The Rockefeller University, New York, United States.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Rockefeller University, New York, United States.,New York Genome Center, New York, United States
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Competing Interactions of RNA-Binding Proteins, MicroRNAs, and Their Targets Control Neuronal Development and Function. Biomolecules 2015; 5:2903-18. [PMID: 26512708 PMCID: PMC4693262 DOI: 10.3390/biom5042903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2015] [Revised: 09/15/2015] [Accepted: 09/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Post-transcriptional mechanisms play critical roles in the control of gene expression during neuronal development and maturation as they allow for faster responses to environmental cues and provide spatially-restricted compartments for local control of protein expression. These mechanisms depend on the interaction of cis-acting elements present in the mRNA sequence and trans-acting factors, such as RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) that bind to those cis-elements and regulate mRNA stability, subcellular localization, and translation. Recent studies have uncovered an unexpected complexity in these interactions, where coding and non-coding RNAs, termed competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs), compete for binding to miRNAs. This competition can, thereby, control a larger number of miRNA target transcripts. However, competing RNA networks also extend to competition between target mRNAs for binding to limited amounts of RBPs. In this review, we present evidence that competitions between target mRNAs for binding to RBPs also occur in neurons, where they affect transcript stability and transport into axons and dendrites as well as translation. In addition, we illustrate the complexity of these mechanisms by demonstrating that RBPs and miRNAs also compete for target binding and regulation.
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Positive feedback between RNA-binding protein HuD and transcription factor SATB1 promotes neurogenesis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2015; 112:E4995-5004. [PMID: 26305964 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1513780112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The mammalian embryonic lethal abnormal vision (ELAV)-like protein HuD is a neuronal RNA-binding protein implicated in neuronal development, plasticity, and diseases. Although HuD has long been associated with neuronal development, the functions of HuD in neural stem cell differentiation and the underlying mechanisms have gone largely unexplored. Here we show that HuD promotes neuronal differentiation of neural stem/progenitor cells (NSCs) in the adult subventricular zone by stabilizing the mRNA of special adenine-thymine (AT)-rich DNA-binding protein 1 (SATB1), a critical transcriptional regulator in neurodevelopment. We find that SATB1 deficiency impairs the neuronal differentiation of NSCs, whereas SATB1 overexpression rescues the neuronal differentiation phenotypes resulting from HuD deficiency. Interestingly, we also discover that SATB1 is a transcriptional activator of HuD during NSC neuronal differentiation. In addition, we demonstrate that NeuroD1, a neuronal master regulator, is a direct downstream target of SATB1. Therefore, HuD and SATB1 form a positive regulatory loop that enhances NeuroD1 transcription and subsequent neuronal differentiation. Our results here reveal a novel positive feedback network between an RNA-binding protein and a transcription factor that plays critical regulatory roles in neurogenesis.
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50
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Kim HH, Lee SJ, Gardiner AS, Perrone-Bizzozero NI, Yoo S. Different motif requirements for the localization zipcode element of β-actin mRNA binding by HuD and ZBP1. Nucleic Acids Res 2015; 43:7432-46. [PMID: 26152301 PMCID: PMC4551932 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkv699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2015] [Accepted: 06/29/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Interactions of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) with their target transcripts are essential for regulating gene expression at the posttranscriptional level including mRNA export/localization, stability, and translation. ZBP1 and HuD are RBPs that play pivotal roles in mRNA transport and local translational control in neuronal processes. While HuD possesses three RNA recognition motifs (RRMs), ZBP1 contains two RRMs and four K homology (KH) domains that either increase target specificity or provide a multi-target binding capability. Here we used isolated cis-element sequences of the target mRNA to examine directly protein-RNA interactions in cell-free systems. We found that both ZBP1 and HuD bind the zipcode element in rat β-actin mRNA's 3' UTR. Differences between HuD and ZBP1 were observed in their binding preference to the element. HuD showed a binding preference for U-rich sequence. In contrast, ZBP1 binding to the zipcode RNA depended more on the structural level, as it required the proper spatial organization of a stem-loop that is mainly determined by the U-rich element juxtaposed to the 3' end of a 5'-ACACCC-3' motif. On the basis of this work, we propose that ZBP1 and HuD bind to overlapping sites in the β-actin zipcode, but they recognize different features of this target sequence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hak Hee Kim
- Nemours Biomedical Research, Alfred I. duPont Hosp. for Children, Wilmington, DE 19803, USA
| | - Seung Joon Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Amy S Gardiner
- Department of Neuroscience, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Nora I Perrone-Bizzozero
- Department of Neuroscience, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Soonmoon Yoo
- Nemours Biomedical Research, Alfred I. duPont Hosp. for Children, Wilmington, DE 19803, USA
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