1
|
Wang L, Xu M, Wang Y, Wang F, Deng J, Wang X, Zhao Y, Liao A, Yang F, Wang S, Li Y. Melatonin improves synapse development by PI3K/Akt signaling in a mouse model of autism spectrum disorder. Neural Regen Res 2024; 19:1618-1624. [PMID: 38051907 PMCID: PMC10883500 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.387973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
JOURNAL/nrgr/04.03/01300535-202407000-00043/figure1/v/2023-11-20T171125Z/r/image-tiff
Autism spectrum disorders are a group of neurodevelopmental disorders involving more than 1100 genes, including Ctnnd2 as a candidate gene. Ctnnd2 knockout mice, serving as an animal model of autism, have been demonstrated to exhibit decreased density of dendritic spines. The role of melatonin, as a neurohormone capable of effectively alleviating social interaction deficits and regulating the development of dendritic spines, in Ctnnd2 deletion-induced nerve injury remains unclear. In the present study, we discovered that the deletion of exon 2 of the Ctnnd2 gene was linked to social interaction deficits, spine loss, impaired inhibitory neurons, and suppressed phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signal pathway in the prefrontal cortex. Our findings demonstrated that the long-term oral administration of melatonin for 28 days effectively alleviated the aforementioned abnormalities in Ctnnd2 gene-knockout mice. Furthermore, the administration of melatonin in the prefrontal cortex was found to improve synaptic function and activate the PI3K/Akt signal pathway in this region. The pharmacological blockade of the PI3K/Akt signal pathway with a PI3K/Akt inhibitor, wortmannin, and melatonin receptor antagonists, luzindole and 4-phenyl-2-propionamidotetralin, prevented the melatonin-induced enhancement of GABAergic synaptic function. These findings suggest that melatonin treatment can ameliorate GABAergic synaptic function by activating the PI3K/Akt signal pathway, which may contribute to the improvement of dendritic spine abnormalities in autism spectrum disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luyi Wang
- Institute of Neuroscience, Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Man Xu
- Institute of Neuroscience, Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Department of Pediatric, Chongqing University Fuling Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Institute of Neuroscience, Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Feifei Wang
- Institute of Neuroscience, Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jing Deng
- Institute of Neuroscience, Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaoya Wang
- Institute of Neuroscience, Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Yu Zhao
- Institute of Neuroscience, Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ailing Liao
- Institute of Neuroscience, Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Reproductive Health, Chongqing Population and Family Planning Science and Technology Research Institute, Chongqing, China
| | - Feng Yang
- China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Shali Wang
- Institute of Neuroscience, Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yingbo Li
- Institute of Neuroscience, Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Chen H, Ferguson CJ, Mitchell DC, Titus A, Paulo JA, Hwang A, Lin TH, Yano H, Gu W, Song SK, Yuede CM, Gygi SP, Bonni A, Kim AH. The Hao-Fountain syndrome protein USP7 regulates neuronal connectivity in the brain via a novel p53-independent ubiquitin signaling pathway. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.10.24.563880. [PMID: 37961719 PMCID: PMC10634808 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.24.563880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Precise control of protein ubiquitination is essential for brain development, and hence, disruption of ubiquitin signaling networks can lead to neurological disorders. Mutations of the deubiquitinase USP7 cause the Hao-Fountain syndrome (HAFOUS), characterized by developmental delay, intellectual disability, autism, and aggressive behavior. Here, we report that conditional deletion of USP7 in excitatory neurons in the mouse forebrain triggers diverse phenotypes including sensorimotor deficits, learning and memory impairment, and aggressive behavior, resembling clinical features of HAFOUS. USP7 deletion induces neuronal apoptosis in a manner dependent of the tumor suppressor p53. However, most behavioral abnormalities in USP7 conditional mice persist despite p53 loss. Strikingly, USP7 deletion in the brain perturbs the synaptic proteome and dendritic spine morphogenesis independently of p53. Integrated proteomics analysis reveals that the neuronal USP7 interactome is enriched for proteins implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders and specifically identifies the RNA splicing factor Ppil4 as a novel neuronal substrate of USP7. Knockdown of Ppil4 in cortical neurons impairs dendritic spine morphogenesis, phenocopying the effect of USP7 loss on dendritic spines. These findings reveal a novel USP7-Ppil4 ubiquitin signaling link that regulates neuronal connectivity in the developing brain, with implications for our understanding of the pathogenesis of HAFOUS and other neurodevelopmental disorders.
Collapse
|
3
|
Xavier AM, Lin Q, Kang CJ, Cheadle L. A single-cell transcriptomic atlas of sensory-dependent gene expression in developing mouse visual cortex. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.25.600673. [PMID: 38979325 PMCID: PMC11230371 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.25.600673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
Sensory experience drives the refinement and maturation of neural circuits during postnatal brain development through molecular mechanisms that remain to be fully elucidated. One likely mechanism involves the sensory-dependent expression of genes that encode direct mediators of circuit remodeling within developing cells. However, while studies in adult systems have begun to uncover crucial roles for sensory-induced genes in modifying circuit connectivity, the gene programs induced by brain cells in response to sensory experience during development remain to be fully characterized. Here, we present a single-nucleus RNA-sequencing dataset describing the transcriptional responses of cells in mouse visual cortex to sensory deprivation or sensory stimulation during a developmental window when visual input is necessary for circuit refinement. We sequenced 118,529 individual nuclei across sixteen neuronal and non-neuronal cortical cell types isolated from control, sensory deprived, and sensory stimulated mice, identifying 1,268 unique sensory-induced genes within the developing brain. To demonstrate the utility of this resource, we compared the architecture and ontology of sensory-induced gene programs between cell types, annotated transcriptional induction and repression events based upon RNA velocity, and discovered Neurexin and Neuregulin signaling networks that underlie cell-cell interactions via CellChat . We find that excitatory neurons, especially layer 2/3 pyramidal neurons, are highly sensitive to sensory stimulation, and that the sensory-induced genes in these cells are poised to strengthen synapse-to-nucleus crosstalk by heightening protein serine/threonine kinase activity. Altogether, we expect this dataset to significantly broaden our understanding of the molecular mechanisms through which sensory experience shapes neural circuit wiring in the developing brain.
Collapse
|
4
|
Yao X, Chen R, Chen H, Koleske A, Xiao X. Impact of Abl2/Arg deficiency on anxiety and depressive behaviors in mice. Behav Brain Res 2024; 468:115022. [PMID: 38697301 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2024.115022] [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: 02/11/2024] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/04/2024]
Abstract
Abl2/Arg (ABL-related gene) is a member of the Abelson family of nonreceptor tyrosine kinases, known for its role in tumor progression, metastasis, tissue injury responses, inflammation, neural degeneration, and other diseases. In this study, we developed Abl2/Arg knockout (abl2-/-) mice to explore its impact on sensory/motor functions and emotion-related behaviors. Our findings show that abl2-/- mice exhibit normal growth and phenotypic characteristics, closely resembling their wild-type (WT) counterparts. Behavioral tests, including the elevated plus maze, marble-burying behavior test, and open field test, indicated pronounced anxiety-like behaviors in abl2-/- mice compared to WT mice. Furthermore, in the tail suspension test, abl2-/- mice showed a significant decrease in mobility time, suggesting depressive-like behavior. Conversely, in the Y-maze and cliff avoidance reaction tests, no notable differences were observed between abl2-/- and WT mice, suggesting the absence of working memory deficits and impulsivity in abl2-/- mice. Proteomic analysis of the hippocampus in abl2-/- mice highlighted significant alterations in proteins related to anxiety and depression, especially those associated with the GABAergic synapse in inhibitory neurotransmission. The expression of Gabbr2 was significantly reduced in the hippocampus of abl2-/- compared to WT mice, and intraperitoneal treatment of GABA receptor agonist Gaboxadol normalized anxiety/depression-related behaviors of abl2-/- mice. These findings underscore the potential role of Abl2/Arg in influencing anxiety and depressive-like behaviors, thereby contributing valuable insights into its broader physiological and pathological functions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojuan Yao
- Institute of Science and Technology for Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience Center, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China; Key Laboratory of Computational Neuroscience and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Ministry of Education, Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience Center, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Ruiying Chen
- Institute of Science and Technology for Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience Center, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China; Key Laboratory of Computational Neuroscience and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Ministry of Education, Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience Center, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Hongting Chen
- Institute of Science and Technology for Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience Center, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China; Key Laboratory of Computational Neuroscience and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Ministry of Education, Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience Center, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Anthony Koleske
- Departments of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry and Neuroscience, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Xiao Xiao
- Institute of Science and Technology for Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience Center, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China; Key Laboratory of Computational Neuroscience and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Ministry of Education, Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience Center, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Martins-Costa C, Wiegers A, Pham VA, Sidhaye J, Doleschall B, Novatchkova M, Lendl T, Piber M, Peer A, Möseneder P, Stuempflen M, Chow SYA, Seidl R, Prayer D, Höftberger R, Kasprian G, Ikeuchi Y, Corsini NS, Knoblich JA. ARID1B controls transcriptional programs of axon projection in an organoid model of the human corpus callosum. Cell Stem Cell 2024; 31:866-885.e14. [PMID: 38718796 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2024.04.014] [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: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
Mutations in ARID1B, a member of the mSWI/SNF complex, cause severe neurodevelopmental phenotypes with elusive mechanisms in humans. The most common structural abnormality in the brain of ARID1B patients is agenesis of the corpus callosum (ACC), characterized by the absence of an interhemispheric white matter tract that connects distant cortical regions. Here, we find that neurons expressing SATB2, a determinant of callosal projection neuron (CPN) identity, show impaired maturation in ARID1B+/- neural organoids. Molecularly, a reduction in chromatin accessibility of genomic regions targeted by TCF-like, NFI-like, and ARID-like transcription factors drives the differential expression of genes required for corpus callosum (CC) development. Through an in vitro model of the CC tract, we demonstrate that this transcriptional dysregulation impairs the formation of long-range axonal projections, causing structural underconnectivity. Our study uncovers new functions of the mSWI/SNF during human corticogenesis, identifying cell-autonomous axonogenesis defects in SATB2+ neurons as a cause of ACC in ARID1B patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Catarina Martins-Costa
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna BioCenter (VBC), 1030 Vienna, Austria; Vienna BioCenter PhD Program, Doctoral School of the University of Vienna and Medical University of Vienna, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Andrea Wiegers
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna BioCenter (VBC), 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Vincent A Pham
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna BioCenter (VBC), 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Jaydeep Sidhaye
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna BioCenter (VBC), 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Balint Doleschall
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna BioCenter (VBC), 1030 Vienna, Austria; Vienna BioCenter PhD Program, Doctoral School of the University of Vienna and Medical University of Vienna, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Maria Novatchkova
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna BioCenter (VBC), 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Lendl
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna BioCenter (VBC), 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Marielle Piber
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna BioCenter (VBC), 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Angela Peer
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna BioCenter (VBC), 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Paul Möseneder
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna BioCenter (VBC), 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Marlene Stuempflen
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Siu Yu A Chow
- Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, 153-8505 Tokyo, Japan; Institute for AI and Beyond, The University of Tokyo, 113-0032 Tokyo, Japan
| | - Rainer Seidl
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Daniela Prayer
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Romana Höftberger
- Division of Neuropathology and Neurochemistry, Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Gregor Kasprian
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Yoshiho Ikeuchi
- Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, 153-8505 Tokyo, Japan; Institute for AI and Beyond, The University of Tokyo, 113-0032 Tokyo, Japan
| | - Nina S Corsini
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna BioCenter (VBC), 1030 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Jürgen A Knoblich
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna BioCenter (VBC), 1030 Vienna, Austria; Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Singh K, Das S, Sutradhar S, Howard J, Ray K. Insulin signaling accelerates the anterograde movement of Rab4 vesicles in axons through Klp98A/KIF16B recruitment via Vps34-PI3Kinase. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.24.590898. [PMID: 38895253 PMCID: PMC11185528 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.24.590898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Rab4 GTPase organizes endosomal sorting essential for maintaining the balance between recycling and degradative pathways. Rab4 localizes to many cargos whose transport in neurons is critical for regulating neurotransmission and neuronal health. Furthermore, elevated Rab4 levels in the CNS are associated with synaptic atrophy and neurodegeneration in Drosophila and humans, respectively. However, how the transport of Rab4-associated vesicles is regulated in neurons remains unknown. Using in vivo time-lapse imaging of Drosophila larvae, we show that activation of insulin signaling via Dilp2 and dInR increases the anterograde velocity, run length, and flux of Rab4 vesicles in the axons. Molecularly, we show that activation of neuronal insulin signaling further activates Vps34, elevates the levels of PI(3)P on Rab4-associated vesicles, recruits Klp98A (a PI(3)P-binding kinesin-3 motor) and activates their anterograde transport. Together, these observations delineate the role of insulin signaling in regulating axonal transport and synaptic homeostasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kamaldeep Singh
- Department of Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai - 400005, India
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT - 06520, United States
| | - Semanti Das
- Department of Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai - 400005, India
| | - Sabyasachi Sutradhar
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT - 06520, United States
| | - Jonathon Howard
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT - 06520, United States
| | - Krishanu Ray
- Department of Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai - 400005, India
- National Brain Research Centre, Manesar, Haryana – 122051, India
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Zhang J, Xu Y, Liu Y, Yue L, Jin H, Chen Y, Wang D, Wang M, Chen G, Yang L, Zhang G, Zhang X, Li S, Zhao H, Zhao Y, Niu G, Gao Y, Cai Z, Yang F, Zhu C, Zhu D. Genetic Testing for Global Developmental Delay in Early Childhood. JAMA Netw Open 2024; 7:e2415084. [PMID: 38837156 PMCID: PMC11154162 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.15084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Importance Global developmental delay (GDD) is characterized by a complex etiology, diverse phenotypes, and high individual heterogeneity, presenting challenges for early clinical etiologic diagnosis. Cognitive impairment is the core symptom, and despite the pivotal role of genetic factors in GDD development, the understanding of them remains limited. Objectives To assess the utility of genetic detection in patients with GDD and to examine the potential molecular pathogenesis of GDD to identify targets for early intervention. Design, Setting, and Participants This multicenter, prospective cohort study enrolled patients aged 12 to 60 months with GDD from 6 centers in China from July 4, 2020, to August 31, 2023. Participants underwent trio whole exome sequencing (trio-WES) coupled with copy number variation sequencing (CNV-seq). Bioinformatics analysis was used to unravel pathogenesis and identify therapeutic targets. Main Outcomes and Measures The main outcomes of this study involved enhancing the rate of positive genetic diagnosis for GDD, broadening the scope of genetic testing indications, and investigating the underlying pathogenesis. The classification of children into levels of cognitive impairment was based on the developmental quotient assessed using the Gesell scale. Results The study encompassed 434 patients with GDD (262 [60%] male; mean [SD] age, 25.75 [13.24] months) with diverse degrees of cognitive impairment: mild (98 [23%]), moderate (141 [32%]), severe (122 [28%]), and profound (73 [17%]). The combined use of trio-WES and CNV-seq resulted in a 61% positive detection rate. Craniofacial abnormalities (odds ratio [OR], 2.27; 95% CI, 1.45-3.56), moderate or severe cognitive impairment (OR, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.05-2.70), and age between 12 and 24 months (OR, 1.57; 95% CI, 1.05-2.35) were associated with a higher risk of carrying genetic variants. Additionally, bioinformatics analysis suggested that genetic variants may induce alterations in brain development and function, which may give rise to cognitive impairment. Moreover, an association was found between the dopaminergic pathway and cognitive impairment. Conclusions and Relevance In this cohort study of patients with GDD, combining trio-WES with CNV-seq was a demonstrable, instrumental strategy for advancing the diagnosis of GDD. The close association among genetic variations, brain development, and clinical phenotypes contributed valuable insights into the pathogenesis of GDD. Notably, the dopaminergic pathway emerged as a promising focal point for potential targets in future precision medical interventions for GDD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiamei Zhang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yiran Xu
- Henan Key Laboratory of Child Brain Injury and Henan Pediatric Clinical Research Center, Institute of Neuroscience and Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yun Liu
- Kunming Children’s Hospital, Kunming, China
| | - Ling Yue
- Department of Neurological Rehabilitation, Children’s Hospital of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Hongfang Jin
- Qinghai Provincial Women and Children’s Hospital, Xining, China
| | | | - Dong Wang
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Xi’an Children’s Hospital, Xi’an, China
| | - Mingmei Wang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Gongxun Chen
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Lei Yang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Guangyu Zhang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xiaoli Zhang
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Sansong Li
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Huiling Zhao
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yunxia Zhao
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Guohui Niu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yongqiang Gao
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zhijun Cai
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | | | - Changlian Zhu
- Henan Key Laboratory of Child Brain Injury and Henan Pediatric Clinical Research Center, Institute of Neuroscience and Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Center for Brain Repair and Rehabilitation, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Dengna Zhu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Henan Key Laboratory of Child Brain Injury and Henan Pediatric Clinical Research Center, Institute of Neuroscience and Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Denisova K. Neurobiology of cognitive abilities in early childhood autism. JCPP ADVANCES 2024; 4:e12214. [PMID: 38827984 PMCID: PMC11143961 DOI: 10.1002/jcv2.12214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
This perspective considers complexities in the relationship between impaired cognitive abilities and autism from a maturational, developmental perspective, and aims to serve as a helpful guide for the complex and growing investigation of cognitive abilities and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Low Intelligence Quotient (IQ) and ASD are frequently co-occurring. About 37% of 8-year old children and 48% of 4-year old children diagnosed with ASD also have Intellectual Disability, with IQ below 70. And, low IQ in early infancy, including below 1 year of age, carries a 40% greater chance of receiving ASD diagnosis in early childhood. We consider the evidence that may explain this co-occurrence, including the possibility that high IQ may "rescue" the social communication issues, as well as the possible role of critical periods during growth and development. We consider how early low IQ may subsume a part of a subgroup of individuals with ASD, in particular, those diagnosed with autism in very early childhood, and we provide neurobiological evidence in support of this subtype. Moreover, we distinguish the concept of early low IQ from the delay in speech onset in preschool and school-aged children, based on (i) age and (ii) impairments in both verbal and non-verbal domains. The etiology of these early-diagnosed, early low IQ ASD cases is different from later-diagnosed, average or higher-IQ cases, and from children with speech delay onset. Given recent interest in formulating new subtypes of autism, rather than continuing to conceive of ASD as a spectrum, as well as new subtypes that vary in the degree of severity along the spectrum, we identify gaps in knowledge and directions for future work in this complex and growing area.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Denisova
- Division of Math and Natural SciencesDepartment of PsychologyAutism Origins LabCity University of New YorkQueens College and Graduate CenterQueensNew YorkUSA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Lin LH, Wu QY, Zeng K, Chen ZY, Wang ZP, Li WM, Zhang B, Gao TM, Liu JH. Medial amygdala NRG1 signaling mediates adolescent social isolation-induced autistic-like behaviors. Sci Bull (Beijing) 2024; 69:1375-1379. [PMID: 38423877 DOI: 10.1016/j.scib.2024.02.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 11/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Lian-Hong Lin
- Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Brain Disease, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China; Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Qian-Yun Wu
- Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Brain Disease, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China; Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Kai Zeng
- Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Brain Disease, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China; Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Zi-Yu Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Brain Disease, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China; Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Zi-Ping Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Brain Disease, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China; Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Wei-Min Li
- Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Brain Disease, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China; Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Bin Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Brain Disease, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China; Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
| | - Tian-Ming Gao
- Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Brain Disease, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China; Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
| | - Ji-Hong Liu
- Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Brain Disease, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China; Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Guo J, Zou Z, Dou X, Zhao X, Wang Y, Wei L, Pi Y, Wang Y, He C, Guo S. Zebrafish Mbd5 binds to RNA m5C and regulates histone deubiquitylation and gene expression in development metabolism and behavior. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:4257-4275. [PMID: 38366571 PMCID: PMC11077058 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Complex biological processes are regulated by both genetic and epigenetic programs. One class of epigenetic modifications is methylation. Evolutionarily conserved methyl-CpG-binding domain (MBD)-containing proteins are known as readers of DNA methylation. MBD5 is linked to multiple human diseases but its mechanism of action remains unclear. Here we report that the zebrafish Mbd5 does not bind to methylated DNA; but rather, it directly binds to 5-methylcytosine (m5C)-modified mRNAs and regulates embryonic development, erythrocyte differentiation, iron metabolism, and behavior. We further show that Mbd5 facilitates removal of the monoubiquitin mark at histone H2A-K119 through an interaction with the Polycomb repressive deubiquitinase (PR-DUB) complex in vivo. The direct target genes of Mbd5 are enriched with both RNA m5C and H2A-K119 ubiquitylation signals. Together, we propose that zebrafish MBD5 is an RNA m5C reader that potentially links RNA methylation to histone modification and in turn transcription regulation in vivo.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jianhua Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, National Demonstration Center for Experimental Biology Education, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhongyu Zou
- Department of Chemistry and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Xiaoyang Dou
- Department of Chemistry and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Xiang Zhao
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, Programs in Human Genetics and Biological Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Yimin Wang
- Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, National Children's Medical Center, No. 399, Wanyuan Road, Minhang District, Shanghai, China
| | - Liqiang Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, National Demonstration Center for Experimental Biology Education, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, Programs in Human Genetics and Biological Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Yan Pi
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, National Demonstration Center for Experimental Biology Education, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, Programs in Human Genetics and Biological Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Yi Wang
- Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, National Children's Medical Center, No. 399, Wanyuan Road, Minhang District, Shanghai, China
| | - Chuan He
- Department of Chemistry and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Su Guo
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, Programs in Human Genetics and Biological Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Vakilzadeh G, Maseko BC, Bartely TD, McLennan YA, Martínez-Cerdeño V. Increased number of excitatory synapsis and decreased number of inhibitory synapsis in the prefrontal cortex in autism. Cereb Cortex 2024; 34:121-128. [PMID: 38696601 PMCID: PMC11065106 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhad268] [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: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Previous studies in autism spectrum disorder demonstrated an increased number of excitatory pyramidal cells and a decreased number of inhibitory parvalbumin+ chandelier interneurons in the prefrontal cortex of postmortem brains. How these changes in cellular composition affect the overall abundance of excitatory and inhibitory synapses in the cortex is not known. Herein, we quantified the number of excitatory and inhibitory synapses in the prefrontal cortex of 10 postmortem autism spectrum disorder brains and 10 control cases. To identify excitatory synapses, we used VGlut1 as a marker of the presynaptic component and postsynaptic density protein-95 as marker of the postsynaptic component. To identify inhibitory synapses, we used the vesicular gamma-aminobutyric acid transporter as a marker of the presynaptic component and gephyrin as a marker of the postsynaptic component. We used Puncta Analyzer to quantify the number of co-localized pre- and postsynaptic synaptic components in each area of interest. We found an increase in the number of excitatory synapses in upper cortical layers and a decrease in inhibitory synapses in all cortical layers in autism spectrum disorder brains compared with control cases. The alteration in the number of excitatory and inhibitory synapses could lead to neuronal dysfunction and disturbed network connectivity in the prefrontal cortex in autism spectrum disorder.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gelareh Vakilzadeh
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine and Shriners Hospitals for Children, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Busisiwe C Maseko
- Faculty of health Sciences, School of Anatomical Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, The Republic of South Africa
| | - Trevor D Bartely
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine and Shriners Hospitals for Children, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Yingratana A McLennan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine and Shriners Hospitals for Children, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Verónica Martínez-Cerdeño
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine and Shriners Hospitals for Children, Sacramento, CA, United States
- MIND Institute, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Islam F, Roy S, Zehravi M, Paul S, Sutradhar H, Yaidikar L, Kumar BR, Dogiparthi LK, Prema S, Nainu F, Rab SO, Doukani K, Emran TB. Polyphenols Targeting MAP Kinase Signaling Pathway in Neurological Diseases: Understanding Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Targets. Mol Neurobiol 2024; 61:2686-2706. [PMID: 37922063 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03706-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/05/2023]
Abstract
Polyphenols are a class of secondary metabolic products found in plants that have been extensively studied for how well they regulate biological processes, such as the proliferation of cells, autophagy, and apoptosis. The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-mediated signaling cascade is currently identified as a crucial pro-inflammatory pathway that plays a significant role in the development of neuroinflammation. This process has been shown to contribute to the pathogenesis of several neurological conditions, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), CNS damage, and cerebral ischemia. Getting enough polyphenols through eating habits has resulted in mitigating the effects of oxidative stress (OS) and lowering the susceptibility to associated neurodegenerative disorders, including but not limited to multiple sclerosis (MS), AD, stroke, and PD. Polyphenols possess significant promise in dealing with the root cause of neurological conditions by modulating multiple therapeutic targets simultaneously, thereby attenuating their complicated physiology. Several polyphenolic substances have demonstrated beneficial results in various studies and are presently undergoing clinical investigation to treat neurological diseases (NDs). The objective of this review is to provide a comprehensive summary of the different aspects of the MAPK pathway involved in neurological conditions, along with an appraisal of the progress made in using polyphenols to regulate the MAPK signaling system to facilitate the management of NDs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fahadul Islam
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Daffodil International University, Dhaka, 1207, Bangladesh
| | - Sumon Roy
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, 1000, Bangladesh
| | - Mehrukh Zehravi
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Dentistry & Pharmacy, Buraydah Private Colleges, Buraydah, 51418, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
| | - Shyamjit Paul
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, 1000, Bangladesh
| | - Hriday Sutradhar
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, 1000, Bangladesh
| | - Lavanya Yaidikar
- Department of Pharmacology, Seven Hills College of Pharmacy, Tirupati, India
| | - B Raj Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, Moonray Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Raikal (V), Farooq Nagar (Tlq), Shadnagar (M), R.R Dist., Telangana, 501512, India
| | - Lakshman Kumar Dogiparthi
- Department of Pharmacognosy, MB School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MBU, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - S Prema
- Crescent School of Pharmacy, BS Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science and Technology, Vandalur, Chennai, 600048, India
| | - Firzan Nainu
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, 90245, Indonesia
| | - Safia Obaidur Rab
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Koula Doukani
- Faculty of Nature and Life Sciences, University of Ibn Khaldoun-Tiaret, Tiaret, Algeria
| | - Talha Bin Emran
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Daffodil International University, Dhaka, 1207, Bangladesh.
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School & Legorreta Cancer Center, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Jarosz ŁS, Socała K, Michalak K, Wiater A, Ciszewski A, Majewska M, Marek A, Grądzki Z, Wlaź P. The effect of psychoactive bacteria, Bifidobacterium longum Rosell®-175 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus JB-1, on brain proteome profiles in mice. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2024; 241:925-945. [PMID: 38156998 PMCID: PMC11031467 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-023-06519-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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
RATIONALE The gut microbiota may play an important role in the development and functioning of the mammalian central nervous system. The assumption of the experiment was to prove that the use of probiotic bacterial strains in the diet of mice modifies the expression of brain proteins involved in metabolic and immunological processes. OBJECTIVES AND RESULTS Albino Swiss mice were administered with Bifidobacterium longum Rosell®-175 or Lactobacillus rhamnosus JB-1 every 24 h for 28 days. Protein maps were prepared from hippocampal homogenates of euthanized mice. Selected proteins that were statistically significant were purified and concentrated and identified using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Among the analysed samples, 13 proteins were identified. The mean volumes of calcyon, secreted frizzled-associated protein 3, and catalase in the hippocampus of mice from both experimental groups were statistically significantly higher than in the control group. In mice supplemented with Lactobacillus rhamnosus JB-1, a lower mean volume of fragrance binding protein 2, shadow of prion protein, and glycine receptor α4 subunit was observed compared to the control. CONCLUSION The psychobiotics Bifidobacterium longum Rosell®-175 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus JB-1enhances expression of proteins involved in the activation and maturation of nerve cells, as well as myelination and homeostatic regulation of neurogenesis in mice. The tested psychobiotics cause a decrease in the expression of proteins associated with CNS development and in synaptic transmission, thereby reducing the capacity for communication between nerve cells. The results of the study indicate that psychobiotic bacteria can be used in auxiliary treatment of neurological disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Łukasz S Jarosz
- Department of Epizootiology and Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Głęboka 30, 20-612, Lublin, Poland.
| | - Katarzyna Socała
- Department of Animal Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Akademicka 19, 20-033, Lublin, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Michalak
- Department of Epizootiology and Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Głęboka 30, 20-612, Lublin, Poland
| | - Adrian Wiater
- Department of Industrial and Environmental Microbiology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Akademicka 19, 20-033, Lublin, Poland
| | - Artur Ciszewski
- Department of Epizootiology and Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Głęboka 30, 20-612, Lublin, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Majewska
- Department of Industrial and Environmental Microbiology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Akademicka 19, 20-033, Lublin, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Marek
- Department of Preventive Veterinary and Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Głęboka 30, 20-612, Lublin, Poland
| | - Zbigniew Grądzki
- Department of Epizootiology and Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Głęboka 30, 20-612, Lublin, Poland
| | - Piotr Wlaź
- Department of Animal Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Akademicka 19, 20-033, Lublin, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Xie C, Kessi M, Yin F, Peng J. Roles of KCNA2 in Neurological Diseases: from Physiology to Pathology. Mol Neurobiol 2024:10.1007/s12035-024-04120-9. [PMID: 38517617 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-024-04120-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
Potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily a member 2 (Kv1.2, encoded by KCNA2) is highly expressed in the central and peripheral nervous systems. Based on the patch clamp studies, gain-of function (GOF), loss-of-function (LOF), and a mixed type (GOF/LOF) variants can cause different conditions/disorders. KCNA2-related neurological diseases include epilepsy, intellectual disability (ID), attention deficit/hyperactive disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), pain as well as autoimmune and movement disorders. Currently, the molecular mechanisms for the reported variants in causing diverse disorders are unknown. Consequently, this review brings up to date the related information regarding the structure and function of Kv1.2 channel, expression patterns, neuronal localizations, and tetramerization as well as important cell and animal models. In addition, it provides updates on human genetic variants, genotype-phenotype correlations especially highlighting the deep insight into clinical prognosis of KCNA2-related developmental and epileptic encephalopathy, mechanisms, and the potential treatment targets for all KCNA2-related neurological disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Changning Xie
- Department of Pediatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Xiangya Road 87, Hunan, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Miriam Kessi
- Department of Pediatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Xiangya Road 87, Hunan, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Fei Yin
- Department of Pediatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Xiangya Road 87, Hunan, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Jing Peng
- Department of Pediatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Xiangya Road 87, Hunan, Changsha, 410008, China.
- Hunan Intellectual and Development Disabilities Research Center, Hunan, Changsha, 410008, China.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Ji Y, McLean JL, Xu R. Emerging Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-Based Human-Animal Brain Chimeras for Advancing Disease Modeling and Cell Therapy for Neurological Disorders. Neurosci Bull 2024:10.1007/s12264-024-01189-z. [PMID: 38466557 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-024-01189-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) models provide unprecedented opportunities to study human neurological disorders by recapitulating human-specific disease mechanisms. In particular, hPSC-based human-animal brain chimeras enable the study of human cell pathophysiology in vivo. In chimeric brains, human neural and immune cells can maintain human-specific features, undergo maturation, and functionally integrate into host brains, allowing scientists to study how human cells impact neural circuits and animal behaviors. The emerging human-animal brain chimeras hold promise for modeling human brain cells and their interactions in health and disease, elucidating the disease mechanism from molecular and cellular to circuit and behavioral levels, and testing the efficacy of cell therapy interventions. Here, we discuss recent advances in the generation and applications of using human-animal chimeric brain models for the study of neurological disorders, including disease modeling and cell therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yanru Ji
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Jenna Lillie McLean
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Ranjie Xu
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Severino L, Kim J, Nam MH, McHugh TJ. From synapses to circuits: What mouse models have taught us about how autism spectrum disorder impacts hippocampal function. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 158:105559. [PMID: 38246230 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105559] [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: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that impacts a variety of cognitive and behavioral domains. While a genetic component of ASD has been well-established, none of the numerous syndromic genes identified in humans accounts for more than 1% of the clinical patients. Due to this large number of target genes, numerous mouse models of the disorder have been generated. However, the focus on distinct brain circuits, behavioral phenotypes and diverse experimental approaches has made it difficult to synthesize the overwhelming number of model animal studies into concrete throughlines that connect the data across levels of investigation. Here we chose to focus on one circuit, the hippocampus, and one hypothesis, a shift in excitatory/inhibitory balance, to examine, from the level of the tripartite synapse up to the level of in vivo circuit activity, the key commonalities across disparate models that can illustrate a path towards a better mechanistic understanding of ASD's impact on hippocampal circuit function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leandra Severino
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul, South Korea; Division of Bio-Medical Science & Technology, KIST-School, University of Science and Technology, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jinhyun Kim
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul, South Korea; Division of Bio-Medical Science & Technology, KIST-School, University of Science and Technology, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Min-Ho Nam
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul, South Korea; Division of Bio-Medical Science & Technology, KIST-School, University of Science and Technology, Seoul, South Korea.
| | - Thomas J McHugh
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul, South Korea; Laboratory for Circuit and Behavioral Physiology, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako-shi Saitama, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Ioannidis V, Pandey R, Bauer HF, Schön M, Bockmann J, Boeckers TM, Lutz AK. Disrupted extracellular matrix and cell cycle genes in autism-associated Shank3 deficiency are targeted by lithium. Mol Psychiatry 2024; 29:704-717. [PMID: 38123724 PMCID: PMC11153165 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02362-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
The Shank3 gene encodes the major postsynaptic scaffolding protein SHANK3. Its mutation causes a syndromic form of autism spectrum disorder (ASD): Phelan-McDermid Syndrome (PMDS). It is characterized by global developmental delay, intellectual disorders (ID), ASD behavior, affective symptoms, as well as extra-cerebral symptoms. Although Shank3 deficiency causes a variety of molecular alterations, they do not suffice to explain all clinical aspects of this heterogenic syndrome. Since global gene expression alterations in Shank3 deficiency remain inadequately studied, we explored the transcriptome in vitro in primary hippocampal cells from Shank3∆11(-/-) mice, under control and lithium (Li) treatment conditions, and confirmed the findings in vivo. The Shank3∆11(-/-) genotype affected the overall transcriptome. Remarkably, extracellular matrix (ECM) and cell cycle transcriptional programs were disrupted. Accordingly, in the hippocampi of adolescent Shank3∆11(-/-) mice we found proteins of the collagen family and core cell cycle proteins downregulated. In vitro Li treatment of Shank3∆11(-/-) cells had a rescue-like effect on the ECM and cell cycle gene sets. Reversed ECM gene sets were part of a network, regulated by common transcription factors (TF) such as cAMP responsive element binding protein 1 (CREB1) and β-Catenin (CTNNB1), which are known downstream effectors of synaptic activity and targets of Li. These TFs were less abundant and/or hypo-phosphorylated in hippocampi of Shank3∆11(-/-) mice and could be rescued with Li in vitro and in vivo. Our investigations suggest the ECM compartment and cell cycle genes as new players in the pathophysiology of Shank3 deficiency, and imply involvement of transcriptional regulators, which can be modulated by Li. This work supports Li as potential drug in the management of PMDS symptoms, where a Phase III study is ongoing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valentin Ioannidis
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Rakshita Pandey
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, 89081, Ulm, Germany
- International Graduate School in Molecular Medicine Ulm, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Helen Friedericke Bauer
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, 89081, Ulm, Germany
- International Graduate School in Molecular Medicine Ulm, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Michael Schön
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Jürgen Bockmann
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Tobias M Boeckers
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, 89081, Ulm, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Ulm site, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Anne-Kathrin Lutz
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, 89081, Ulm, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Tian Y, Yu F, Yun E, Lin JW, Man HY. mRNA nuclear retention reduces AMPAR expression and promotes autistic behavior in UBE3A-overexpressing mice. EMBO Rep 2024; 25:1282-1309. [PMID: 38316900 PMCID: PMC10933332 DOI: 10.1038/s44319-024-00073-1] [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: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
UBE3A is a common genetic factor in ASD etiology, and transgenic mice overexpressing UBE3A exhibit typical autistic-like behaviors. Because AMPA receptors (AMPARs) mediate most of the excitatory synaptic transmission in the brain, and synaptic dysregulation is considered one of the primary cellular mechanisms in ASD pathology, we investigate here the involvement of AMPARs in UBE3A-dependent ASD. We show that expression of the AMPAR GluA1 subunit is decreased in UBE3A-overexpressing mice, and that AMPAR-mediated neuronal activity is reduced. GluA1 mRNA is trapped in the nucleus of UBE3A-overexpressing neurons, suppressing GluA1 protein synthesis. Also, SARNP, an mRNA nuclear export protein, is downregulated in UBE3A-overexpressing neurons, causing GluA1 mRNA nuclear retention. Restoring SARNP levels not only rescues GluA1 mRNA localization and protein expression, but also normalizes neuronal activity and autistic behaviors in mice overexpressing UBE3A. These findings indicate that SARNP plays a crucial role in the cellular and behavioral phenotypes of UBE3A-induced ASD by regulating nuclear mRNA trafficking and protein translation of a key AMPAR subunit.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Tian
- Department of Biology, Boston University, 5 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Feiyuan Yu
- Department of Biology, Boston University, 5 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Eunice Yun
- Department of Biology, Boston University, 5 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Jen-Wei Lin
- Department of Biology, Boston University, 5 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Heng-Ye Man
- Department of Biology, Boston University, 5 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics, Boston University School of Medicine, 72 East Concord Street, Boston, MA, 02118, USA.
- Center for Systems Neuroscience, Boston University, 610 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Cui Q, Liang S, Li H, Guo Y, Lv J, Wang X, Qin P, Xu H, Huang TY, Lu Y, Tian Q, Zhang T. SNX17 Mediates Dendritic Spine Maturation via p140Cap. Mol Neurobiol 2024; 61:1346-1362. [PMID: 37704928 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03620-4] [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: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
Sorting nexin17 (SNX17) is a member of the sorting nexin family, which plays a crucial role in endosomal trafficking. Previous research has shown that SNX17 is involved in the recycling or degradation of various proteins associated with neurodevelopmental and neurological diseases in cell models. However, the significance of SNX17 in neurological function in the mouse brain has not been thoroughly investigated. In this study, we generated Snx17 knockout mice and observed that the homozygous deletion of Snx17 (Snx17-/-) resulted in lethality. On the other hand, heterozygous mutant mice (Snx17+/-) exhibited anxiety-like behavior with a reduced preference for social novelty. Furthermore, Snx17 haploinsufficiency led to impaired synaptic transmission and reduced maturation of dendritic spines. Through GST pulldown and interactome analysis, we identified the SRC kinase inhibitor, p140Cap, as a potential downstream target of SNX17. We also demonstrated that the interaction between p140Cap and SNX17 is crucial for dendritic spine maturation. Together, this study provides the first in vivo evidence highlighting the important role of SNX17 in maintaining neuronal function, as well as regulating social novelty and anxiety-like behaviors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qiuyan Cui
- The Institute for Brain Research, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine and Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Shiqi Liang
- The Institute for Brain Research, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine and Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Hao Li
- The Institute for Brain Research, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine and Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Yiqing Guo
- The Institute for Brain Research, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine and Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Junkai Lv
- The Institute for Brain Research, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine and Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Xinyuan Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Pengwei Qin
- The Institute for Brain Research, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine and Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Huaxi Xu
- Institute for Brain Science and Disease, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Timothy Y Huang
- Degenerative Diseases Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Youming Lu
- The Institute for Brain Research, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine and Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Qing Tian
- The Institute for Brain Research, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine and Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
| | - Tongmei Zhang
- The Institute for Brain Research, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medicine and Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Koumoundourou A, Rannap M, De Bruyckere E, Nestel S, Reissner C, Egorov AV, Liu P, Missler M, Heimrich B, Draguhn A, Britsch S. Regulation of hippocampal mossy fiber-CA3 synapse function by a Bcl11b/C1ql2/Nrxn3(25b+) pathway. eLife 2024; 12:RP89854. [PMID: 38358390 PMCID: PMC10942602 DOI: 10.7554/elife.89854] [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] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor Bcl11b has been linked to neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders associated with synaptic dysfunction. Bcl11b is highly expressed in dentate gyrus granule neurons and is required for the structural and functional integrity of mossy fiber-CA3 synapses. The underlying molecular mechanisms, however, remained unclear. We show in mice that the synaptic organizer molecule C1ql2 is a direct functional target of Bcl11b that regulates synaptic vesicle recruitment and long-term potentiation at mossy fiber-CA3 synapses in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, we demonstrate C1ql2 to exert its functions through direct interaction with a specific splice variant of neurexin-3, Nrxn3(25b+). Interruption of C1ql2-Nrxn3(25b+) interaction by expression of a non-binding C1ql2 mutant or by deletion of Nrxn3 in the dentate gyrus granule neurons recapitulates major parts of the Bcl11b as well as C1ql2 mutant phenotype. Together, this study identifies a novel C1ql2-Nrxn3(25b+)-dependent signaling pathway through which Bcl11b controls mossy fiber-CA3 synapse function. Thus, our findings contribute to the mechanistic understanding of neurodevelopmental disorders accompanied by synaptic dysfunction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Märt Rannap
- Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg UniversityHeidelbergGermany
| | | | - Sigrun Nestel
- Department of Neuroanatomy, Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of FreiburgFreiburgGermany
| | - Carsten Reissner
- Institute of Anatomy and Molecular Neurobiology, University of MünsterMünsterGermany
| | - Alexei V Egorov
- Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg UniversityHeidelbergGermany
| | - Pengtao Liu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong KongHong KongChina
- Centre for Translational Stem Cell BiologyHong KongChina
| | - Markus Missler
- Institute of Anatomy and Molecular Neurobiology, University of MünsterMünsterGermany
| | - Bernd Heimrich
- Department of Neuroanatomy, Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of FreiburgFreiburgGermany
| | - Andreas Draguhn
- Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg UniversityHeidelbergGermany
| | - Stefan Britsch
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Anatomy, Ulm UniversityUlmGermany
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Kinoshita S, Kojima K, Ohnishi E, Takayama Y, Kikuchi H, Takada S, Nakabayashi K, Kawai T, Hata K. Loss of NSD2 causes dysregulation of synaptic genes and altered H3K36 dimethylation in mice. Front Genet 2024; 15:1308234. [PMID: 38419783 PMCID: PMC10899350 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2024.1308234] [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: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Epigenetic disruptions have been implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders. NSD2 is associated with developmental delay/intellectual disability; however, its role in brain development and function remains unclear. Methods: We performed transcriptomic and epigenetic analyses using Nsd2 knockout mice to better understand the role of NSD2 in the brain. Results and discussion: Transcriptomic analysis revealed that the loss of NSD2 caused dysregulation of genes related to synaptic transmission and formation. By analyzing changes in H3 lysine 36 dimethylation (H3K36me2), NSD2-mediated H3K36me2 mainly marked quiescent state regions and the redistribution of H3K36me2 occurred at transcribed genes and enhancers. By integrating transcriptomic and epigenetic data, we observed that H3K36me2 changes in a subset of dysregulated genes related to synaptic transmission and formation. These results suggest that NSD2 is involved in the regulation of genes important for neural function through H3K36me2. Our findings provide insights into the role of NSD2 and improve our understanding of epigenetic regulation in the brain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shiori Kinoshita
- Department of Maternal-Fetal Biology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of NCCHD Child Health and Development, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuaki Kojima
- Department of Maternal-Fetal Biology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Eriko Ohnishi
- Department of Maternal-Fetal Biology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuka Takayama
- Department of Maternal-Fetal Biology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroki Kikuchi
- Department of Maternal-Fetal Biology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shuji Takada
- Department of Systems BioMedicine, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Nakabayashi
- Department of Maternal-Fetal Biology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomoko Kawai
- Department of Maternal-Fetal Biology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kenichiro Hata
- Department of Maternal-Fetal Biology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics, Graduate School of Medicine, Gunma University, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Reis SL, Monteiro P. From synaptic dysfunction to atypical emotional processing in autism. FEBS Lett 2024; 598:269-282. [PMID: 38233224 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition mainly characterized by social impairments and repetitive behaviors. Among these core symptoms, a notable aspect of ASD is the presence of emotional complexities, including high rates of anxiety disorders. The inherent heterogeneity of ASD poses a unique challenge in understanding its etiological origins, yet the utilization of diverse animal models replicating ASD traits has enabled researchers to dissect the intricate relationship between autism and atypical emotional processing. In this review, we delve into the general findings about the neural circuits underpinning one of the most extensively researched and evolutionarily conserved emotional states: fear and anxiety. Additionally, we explore how distinct ASD animal models exhibit various anxiety phenotypes, making them a crucial tool for dissecting ASD's multifaceted nature. Overall, to a proper display of fear response, it is crucial to properly process and integrate sensorial and visceral cues to the fear-induced stimuli. ASD individuals exhibit altered sensory processing, possibly contributing to the emergence of atypical phobias, a prevailing anxiety disorder manifested in this population. Moreover, these individuals display distinctive alterations in a pivotal fear and anxiety processing hub, the amygdala. By examining the neurobiological mechanisms underlying fear and anxiety regulation, we can gain insights into the factors contributing to the distinctive emotional profile observed in individuals with ASD. Such insights hold the potential to pave the way for more targeted interventions and therapies that address the emotional challenges faced by individuals within the autism spectrum.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sara L Reis
- Department of Biomedicine - Experimental Biology Unit, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, Portugal
| | - Patricia Monteiro
- Department of Biomedicine - Experimental Biology Unit, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Kim SS, Truong B, Jagadeesh K, Dey KK, Shen AZ, Raychaudhuri S, Kellis M, Price AL. Leveraging single-cell ATAC-seq and RNA-seq to identify disease-critical fetal and adult brain cell types. Nat Commun 2024; 15:563. [PMID: 38233398 PMCID: PMC10794712 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-44742-0] [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: 04/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Prioritizing disease-critical cell types by integrating genome-wide association studies (GWAS) with functional data is a fundamental goal. Single-cell chromatin accessibility (scATAC-seq) and gene expression (scRNA-seq) have characterized cell types at high resolution, and studies integrating GWAS with scRNA-seq have shown promise, but studies integrating GWAS with scATAC-seq have been limited. Here, we identify disease-critical fetal and adult brain cell types by integrating GWAS summary statistics from 28 brain-related diseases/traits (average N = 298 K) with 3.2 million scATAC-seq and scRNA-seq profiles from 83 cell types. We identified disease-critical fetal (respectively adult) brain cell types for 22 (respectively 23) of 28 traits using scATAC-seq, and for 8 (respectively 17) of 28 traits using scRNA-seq. Significant scATAC-seq enrichments included fetal photoreceptor cells for major depressive disorder, fetal ganglion cells for BMI, fetal astrocytes for ADHD, and adult VGLUT2 excitatory neurons for schizophrenia. Our findings improve our understanding of brain-related diseases/traits and inform future analyses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samuel S Kim
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, UK.
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, UK.
| | - Buu Truong
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, UK.
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, UK.
| | - Karthik Jagadeesh
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, UK
| | - Kushal K Dey
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, UK
- Computational and Systems Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Amber Z Shen
- Department of Mathematics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Soumya Raychaudhuri
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Manolis Kellis
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, UK
| | - Alkes L Price
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, UK.
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, UK.
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, UK.
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Pizzarelli R, Pimpinella D, Jacobs C, Tartacca A, Kullolli U, Monyer H, Alberini CM, Griguoli M. Insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF-2) rescues social deficits in NLG3 -/y mouse model of ASDs. Front Cell Neurosci 2024; 17:1332179. [PMID: 38298376 PMCID: PMC10827848 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1332179] [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: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) comprise developmental disabilities characterized by impairments of social interaction and repetitive behavior, often associated with cognitive deficits. There is no current treatment that can ameliorate most of the ASDs symptomatology; thus, identifying novel therapies is urgently needed. Here, we used the Neuroligin 3 knockout mouse (NLG3-/y), a model that recapitulates the social deficits reported in ASDs patients, to test the effects of systemic administration of IGF-2, a polypeptide that crosses the blood-brain barrier and acts as a cognitive enhancer. We show that systemic IGF-2 treatment reverses the typical defects in social interaction and social novelty discrimination reflective of ASDs-like phenotypes. This effect was not accompanied by any change in spontaneous glutamatergic synaptic transmission in CA2 hippocampal region, a mechanism found to be crucial for social novelty discrimination. However, in both NLG3+/y and NLG3-/y mice IGF-2 increased cell excitability. Although further investigation is needed to clarify the cellular and molecular mechanisms underpinning IGF-2 effect on social behavior, our findings highlight IGF-2 as a potential pharmacological tool for the treatment of social dysfunctions associated with ASDs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Hannah Monyer
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Rome, Italy
- Department of Clinical Neurobiology at the Medical Faculty of Heidelberg University and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Marilena Griguoli
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Rome, Italy
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology of the National Council of Research (IBPM-CNR), Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Xue J, Brawner AT, Thompson JR, Yelhekar TD, Newmaster KT, Qiu Q, Cooper YA, Yu CR, Ahmed-Braima YH, Kim Y, Lin Y. Spatiotemporal Mapping and Molecular Basis of Whole-brain Circuit Maturation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.03.572456. [PMID: 38260331 PMCID: PMC10802351 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.03.572456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Brain development is highly dynamic and asynchronous, marked by the sequential maturation of functional circuits across the brain. The timing and mechanisms driving circuit maturation remain elusive due to an inability to identify and map maturing neuronal populations. Here we create DevATLAS (Developmental Activation Timing-based Longitudinal Acquisition System) to overcome this obstacle. We develop whole-brain mapping methods to construct the first longitudinal, spatiotemporal map of circuit maturation in early postnatal mouse brains. Moreover, we uncover dramatic impairments within the deep cortical layers in a neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) model, demonstrating the utility of this resource to pinpoint when and where circuit maturation is disrupted. Using DevATLAS, we reveal that early experiences accelerate the development of hippocampus-dependent learning by increasing the synaptically mature granule cell population in the dentate gyrus. Finally, DevATLAS enables the discovery of molecular mechanisms driving activity-dependent circuit maturation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jian Xue
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Andrew T Brawner
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
- Equal contribution
| | - Jacqueline R Thompson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
- Equal contribution
| | - Tushar D Yelhekar
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Kyra T Newmaster
- Department of Neural and Behavioral Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
| | - Qiang Qiu
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, MO 66160, USA
| | - Yonatan A Cooper
- Current address: Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - C Ron Yu
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, MO 66160, USA
| | | | - Yongsoo Kim
- Department of Neural and Behavioral Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
| | - Yingxi Lin
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
- Lead contact
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Abstract
Brain development in humans is achieved through precise spatiotemporal genetic control, the mechanisms of which remain largely elusive. Recently, integration of technological advances in human stem cell-based modelling with genome editing has emerged as a powerful platform to establish causative links between genotypes and phenotypes directly in the human system. Here, we review our current knowledge of complex genetic regulation of each key step of human brain development through the lens of evolutionary specialization and neurodevelopmental disorders and highlight the use of human stem cell-derived 2D cultures and 3D brain organoids to investigate human-enriched features and disease mechanisms. We also discuss opportunities and challenges of integrating new technologies to reveal the genetic architecture of human brain development and disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhou
- Department of Neuroscience and Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Hongjun Song
- Department of Neuroscience and Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- The Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Guo-Li Ming
- Department of Neuroscience and Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Li A, Yang B, Naganawa M, Fontaine K, Toyonaga T, Carson RE, Tang J. Dose reduction in dynamic synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A PET imaging using artificial neural networks. Phys Med Biol 2023; 68:245006. [PMID: 37857316 PMCID: PMC10739622 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6560/ad0535] [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: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Objective. Reducing dose in positron emission tomography (PET) imaging increases noise in reconstructed dynamic frames, which inevitably results in higher noise and possible bias in subsequently estimated images of kinetic parameters than those estimated in the standard dose case. We report the development of a spatiotemporal denoising technique for reduced-count dynamic frames through integrating a cascade artificial neural network (ANN) with the highly constrained back-projection (HYPR) scheme to improve low-dose parametric imaging.Approach. We implemented and assessed the proposed method using imaging data acquired with11C-UCB-J, a PET radioligand bound to synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A (SV2A) in the human brain. The patch-based ANN was trained with a reduced-count frame and its full-count correspondence of a subject and was used in cascade to process dynamic frames of other subjects to further take advantage of its denoising capability. The HYPR strategy was then applied to the spatial ANN processed image frames to make use of the temporal information from the entire dynamic scan.Main results. In all the testing subjects including healthy volunteers and Parkinson's disease patients, the proposed method reduced more noise while introducing minimal bias in dynamic frames and the resulting parametric images, as compared with conventional denoising methods.Significance. Achieving 80% noise reduction with a bias of -2% in dynamic frames, which translates into 75% and 70% of noise reduction in the tracer uptake (bias, -2%) and distribution volume (bias, -5%) images, the proposed ANN+HYPR technique demonstrates the denoising capability equivalent to a 11-fold dose increase for dynamic SV2A PET imaging with11C-UCB-J.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andi Li
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States of America
| | - Bao Yang
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Mika Naganawa
- Positron Emission Tomography Center, Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States of America
| | - Kathryn Fontaine
- Positron Emission Tomography Center, Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States of America
| | - Takuya Toyonaga
- Positron Emission Tomography Center, Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States of America
| | - Richard E Carson
- Positron Emission Tomography Center, Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States of America
| | - Jing Tang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Bekheet MHY, Mansour LA, Elkaffas RH, Kamel MA, Elmonem MA. Serum matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9) and amyloid-beta protein precursor (APP) as potential biomarkers in children with Fragile-X syndrome: A cross sectional study. Clin Biochem 2023; 121-122:110659. [PMID: 37797798 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinbiochem.2023.110659] [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: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Fragile-X syndrome(FXS) is a neurological disease caused by abnormal repeats in the 5'untranslated region of the FMR1 gene leading to a defective fragile-X-messenger-ribonucleoprotein-1 (FMRP). Although relatively common in children, it is usually under-diagnosed especially in developing countries where genetic screening is not routinely practiced. So far, FXS lacks a laboratory biomarker that can be used for screening, severity scoring or therapeutic monitoring of potential new treatments. METHODS 110 subjects were recruited; 80 male children with suspected FXS and 30 matched healthy children. We evaluated the clinical utility of serum matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP9) and amyloid-beta protein precursor(APP) as potential biomarkers for FXS. RESULTS Out of 80 suspected children, 14 had full mutation, 8 had the premutation and 58 children had normal genotypes. No statistically-significant difference was detected between children with different genotypes concerning age of onset(P = 0.658), main clinical presentation(P = 0.388), clinical severity-score(P = 0.799), patient's disease-course(P = 0.719) and intellectual disability(P = 0.351). Both MMP9 and APP showed a statistically significant difference when comparing different genotype subgroups(P = 0.019 and < 0.001, respectively). Clinically, MMP9 levels were highest in children presenting with language defects, while APP was highest in children with neurodevelopmental delay. In receiver operating curve analysis, comparing full and premutation with the normal genotype group, MMP9 has an area-under-the-curve of 0.701(95 % CI 0.557-0.845), while APP was marginally better at 0.763(95 % CI 0.620-0.906). When combined together, elevated MMP9 or APP had excellent sensitivity > 95 % for picking-up FXS cases in the clinical setting. CONCLUSIONS Screening for circulating biomarkers in the absence of FXS genetic diagnosis is justified. Our study is the first to evaluate both MMP9 and APP in FXS suspected children in a clinical setting and to assess their correlation with disease presentation and severity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed H Y Bekheet
- Department of Clinical and Chemical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Lamiaa A Mansour
- Department of Clinical and Chemical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Rasha H Elkaffas
- Department of Clinical and Chemical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mona A Kamel
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mohamed A Elmonem
- Department of Clinical and Chemical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Taylor SR, Kobayashi M, Vilella A, Tiwari D, Zolboot N, Du JX, Spencer KR, Hartzell A, Girgiss C, Abaci YT, Shao Y, De Sanctis C, Bellenchi GC, Darnell RB, Gross C, Zoli M, Berg DK, Lippi G. MicroRNA-218 instructs proper assembly of hippocampal networks. eLife 2023; 12:e82729. [PMID: 37862092 PMCID: PMC10637775 DOI: 10.7554/elife.82729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The assembly of the mammalian brain is orchestrated by temporally coordinated waves of gene expression. Post-transcriptional regulation by microRNAs (miRNAs) is a key aspect of this program. Indeed, deletion of neuron-enriched miRNAs induces strong developmental phenotypes, and miRNA levels are altered in patients with neurodevelopmental disorders. However, the mechanisms used by miRNAs to instruct brain development remain largely unexplored. Here, we identified miR-218 as a critical regulator of hippocampal assembly. MiR-218 is highly expressed in the hippocampus and enriched in both excitatory principal neurons (PNs) and GABAergic inhibitory interneurons (INs). Early life inhibition of miR-218 results in an adult brain with a predisposition to seizures. Changes in gene expression in the absence of miR-218 suggest that network assembly is impaired. Indeed, we find that miR-218 inhibition results in the disruption of early depolarizing GABAergic signaling, structural defects in dendritic spines, and altered intrinsic membrane excitability. Conditional knockout of Mir218-2 in INs, but not PNs, is sufficient to recapitulate long-term instability. Finally, de-repressing Kif21b and Syt13, two miR-218 targets, phenocopies the effects on early synchronous network activity induced by miR-218 inhibition. Taken together, the data suggest that miR-218 orchestrates formative events in PNs and INs to produce stable networks.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Seth R Taylor
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San DiegoLa JollaUnited States
| | - Mariko Kobayashi
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuro-oncology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Rockefeller UniversityNew YorkUnited States
| | - Antonietta Vilella
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences; Center for Neuroscience and Neurotechnology (CfNN), University of Modena and Reggio EmiliaModenaItaly
| | - Durgesh Tiwari
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of MedicineCincinnatiUnited States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of MedicineCincinnatiUnited States
| | - Norjin Zolboot
- Department of Neuroscience, Scripps Research InstituteLa JollaUnited States
| | - Jessica X Du
- Department of Neuroscience, Scripps Research InstituteLa JollaUnited States
| | - Kathryn R Spencer
- Department of Neuroscience, Scripps Research InstituteLa JollaUnited States
| | - Andrea Hartzell
- Department of Neuroscience, Scripps Research InstituteLa JollaUnited States
| | - Carol Girgiss
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San DiegoLa JollaUnited States
| | - Yusuf T Abaci
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San DiegoLa JollaUnited States
| | - Yufeng Shao
- Department of Neuroscience, Scripps Research InstituteLa JollaUnited States
| | | | - Gian Carlo Bellenchi
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics A Buzzati-TraversoNaplesItaly
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa LuciaRomeItaly
| | - Robert B Darnell
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuro-oncology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Rockefeller UniversityNew YorkUnited States
| | - Christina Gross
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of MedicineCincinnatiUnited States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of MedicineCincinnatiUnited States
| | - Michele Zoli
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences; Center for Neuroscience and Neurotechnology (CfNN), University of Modena and Reggio EmiliaModenaItaly
| | - Darwin K Berg
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San DiegoLa JollaUnited States
| | - Giordano Lippi
- Department of Neuroscience, Scripps Research InstituteLa JollaUnited States
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Hogan CA, Gratz SJ, Dumouchel JL, Thakur RS, Delgado A, Lentini JM, Madhwani KR, Fu D, O'Connor‐Giles KM. Expanded tRNA methyltransferase family member TRMT9B regulates synaptic growth and function. EMBO Rep 2023; 24:e56808. [PMID: 37642556 PMCID: PMC10561368 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202356808] [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: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Nervous system function rests on the formation of functional synapses between neurons. We have identified TRMT9B as a new regulator of synapse formation and function in Drosophila. TRMT9B has been studied for its role as a tumor suppressor and is one of two metazoan homologs of yeast tRNA methyltransferase 9 (Trm9), which methylates tRNA wobble uridines. Whereas Trm9 homolog ALKBH8 is ubiquitously expressed, TRMT9B is enriched in the nervous system. However, in the absence of animal models, TRMT9B's role in the nervous system has remained unstudied. Here, we generate null alleles of TRMT9B and find it acts postsynaptically to regulate synaptogenesis and promote neurotransmission. Through liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, we find that ALKBH8 catalyzes canonical tRNA wobble uridine methylation, raising the question of whether TRMT9B is a methyltransferase. Structural modeling studies suggest TRMT9B retains methyltransferase function and, in vivo, disruption of key methyltransferase residues blocks TRMT9B's ability to rescue synaptic overgrowth, but not neurotransmitter release. These findings reveal distinct roles for TRMT9B in the nervous system and highlight the significance of tRNA methyltransferase family diversification in metazoans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Caley A Hogan
- Genetics Training ProgramUniversity of Wisconsin‐MadisonMadisonWIUSA
| | - Scott J Gratz
- Department of NeuroscienceBrown UniversityProvidenceRIUSA
| | | | - Rajan S Thakur
- Department of NeuroscienceBrown UniversityProvidenceRIUSA
| | - Ambar Delgado
- Department of NeuroscienceBrown UniversityProvidenceRIUSA
| | - Jenna M Lentini
- Department of Biology, Center for RNA BiologyUniversity of RochesterRochesterNYUSA
| | | | - Dragony Fu
- Department of Biology, Center for RNA BiologyUniversity of RochesterRochesterNYUSA
| | - Kate M O'Connor‐Giles
- Department of NeuroscienceBrown UniversityProvidenceRIUSA
- Carney Institute for Brain ScienceProvidenceRIUSA
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Wang L, Pang K, Zhou L, Cebrián-Silla A, González-Granero S, Wang S, Bi Q, White ML, Ho B, Li J, Li T, Perez Y, Huang EJ, Winkler EA, Paredes MF, Kovner R, Sestan N, Pollen AA, Liu P, Li J, Piao X, García-Verdugo JM, Alvarez-Buylla A, Liu Z, Kriegstein AR. A cross-species proteomic map reveals neoteny of human synapse development. Nature 2023; 622:112-119. [PMID: 37704727 PMCID: PMC10576238 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06542-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
The molecular mechanisms and evolutionary changes accompanying synapse development are still poorly understood1,2. Here we generate a cross-species proteomic map of synapse development in the human, macaque and mouse neocortex. By tracking the changes of more than 1,000 postsynaptic density (PSD) proteins from midgestation to young adulthood, we find that PSD maturation in humans separates into three major phases that are dominated by distinct pathways. Cross-species comparisons reveal that human PSDs mature about two to three times slower than those of other species and contain higher levels of Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factors (RhoGEFs) in the perinatal period. Enhancement of RhoGEF signalling in human neurons delays morphological maturation of dendritic spines and functional maturation of synapses, potentially contributing to the neotenic traits of human brain development. In addition, PSD proteins can be divided into four modules that exert stage- and cell-type-specific functions, possibly explaining their differential associations with cognitive functions and diseases. Our proteomic map of synapse development provides a blueprint for studying the molecular basis and evolutionary changes of synapse maturation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Li Wang
- The Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Kaifang Pang
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Li Zhou
- The Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Arantxa Cebrián-Silla
- The Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Susana González-Granero
- Laboratory of Comparative Neurobiology, Cavanilles Institute of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, University of Valencia and CIBERNED, Valencia, Spain
| | - Shaohui Wang
- The Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Qiuli Bi
- The Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Matthew L White
- The Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Brandon Ho
- The Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jiani Li
- Gilead Sciences, Foster City, CA, USA
| | - Tao Li
- The Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Yonatan Perez
- The Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Eric J Huang
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Ethan A Winkler
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Mercedes F Paredes
- The Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Rothem Kovner
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Nenad Sestan
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Alex A Pollen
- The Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Pengyuan Liu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA, USA
| | - Jingjing Li
- The Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Xianhua Piao
- The Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Newborn Brain Research Institute, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - José Manuel García-Verdugo
- Laboratory of Comparative Neurobiology, Cavanilles Institute of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, University of Valencia and CIBERNED, Valencia, Spain
| | - Arturo Alvarez-Buylla
- The Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Zhandong Liu
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Arnold R Kriegstein
- The Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Zheng R, Xu FX, Zhou L, Xu J, Shen Y, Hao K, Wang XT, Deng J. Ablation of KIF2C in Purkinje cells impairs metabotropic glutamate receptor trafficking and motor coordination in male mice. J Physiol 2023; 601:3905-3920. [PMID: 37431690 DOI: 10.1113/jp284214] [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: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Kinesin family member 2C (KIF2C)/mitotic centromere-associated kinesin (MCAK), is thought to be oncogenic as it is involved in tumour progression and metastasis. Moreover, it also plays a part in neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer's disease and psychiatric disorders such as suicidal schizophrenia. Our previous study conducted on mice demonstrated that KIF2C is widely distributed in various regions of the brain, and is localized in synaptic spines. Additionally, it regulates microtubule dynamic properties through its own microtubule depolymerization activity, thereby affecting AMPA receptor transport and cognitive behaviour in mice. In this study, we show that KIF2C regulates the transport of mGlu1 receptors in Purkinje cells by binding to Rab8. KIF2C deficiency in Purkinje cells results in abnormal gait, reduced balance ability and motor incoordination in male mice. These data suggest that KIF2C is essential for maintaining normal transport and synaptic function of mGlu1 and motor coordination in mice. KEY POINTS: KIF2C is localized in synaptic spines of hippocampus neurons, and regulates excitatory transmission, synaptic plasticity and cognitive behaviour. KIF2C is extensively expressed in the cerebellum, and we investigated its functions in development and synaptic transmission of cerebellar Purkinje cells. KIF2C deficiency in Purkinje cells alters the expression of metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 (mGlu1) and the AMPA receptor GluA2 subunit at Purkinje cell synapses, and changes excitatory synaptic transmission, but not inhibitory transmission. KIF2C regulates the transport of mGlu1 receptors in Purkinje cells by binding to Rab8. KIF2C deficiency in Purkinje cells affects motor coordination, but not social behaviour in male mice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rui Zheng
- Joint Centre of Translational Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Joint Centre of Translational Medicine, Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Fang-Xiao Xu
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Organ Development and Regeneration, Institute of Life Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
- NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Ministry of Education Frontier Science Center for Brain Research and Brain Machine Integration, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lin Zhou
- NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Ministry of Education Frontier Science Center for Brain Research and Brain Machine Integration, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Junyu Xu
- NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Ministry of Education Frontier Science Center for Brain Research and Brain Machine Integration, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ying Shen
- Research Center of Blood Transfusion Medicine, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ke Hao
- Research Center of Blood Transfusion Medicine, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xin-Tai Wang
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Organ Development and Regeneration, Institute of Life Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Junjie Deng
- Joint Centre of Translational Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Joint Centre of Translational Medicine, Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Briguglio S, Cambria C, Albizzati E, Marcello E, Provenzano G, Frasca A, Antonucci F. New Views of the DNA Repair Protein Ataxia-Telangiectasia Mutated in Central Neurons: Contribution in Synaptic Dysfunctions of Neurodevelopmental and Neurodegenerative Diseases. Cells 2023; 12:2181. [PMID: 37681912 PMCID: PMC10486624 DOI: 10.3390/cells12172181] [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: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Ataxia-Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM) is a serine/threonine protein kinase principally known to orchestrate DNA repair processes upon DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). Mutations in the Atm gene lead to Ataxia-Telangiectasia (AT), a recessive disorder characterized by ataxic movements consequent to cerebellar atrophy or dysfunction, along with immune alterations, genomic instability, and predisposition to cancer. AT patients show variable phenotypes ranging from neurologic abnormalities and cognitive impairments to more recently described neuropsychiatric features pointing to symptoms hardly ascribable to the canonical functions of ATM in DNA damage response (DDR). Indeed, evidence suggests that cognitive abilities rely on the proper functioning of DSB machinery and specific synaptic changes in central neurons of ATM-deficient mice unveiled unexpected roles of ATM at the synapse. Thus, in the present review, upon a brief recall of DNA damage responses, we focus our attention on the role of ATM in neuronal physiology and pathology and we discuss recent findings showing structural and functional changes in hippocampal and cortical synapses of AT mouse models. Collectively, a deeper knowledge of ATM-dependent mechanisms in neurons is necessary not only for a better comprehension of AT neurological phenotypes, but also for a higher understanding of the pathological mechanisms in neurodevelopmental and degenerative disorders involving ATM dysfunctions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Briguglio
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine (BIOMETRA), University of Milan, Via F.lli Cervi 93, 20129 Segrate (MI) and via Vanvitelli 32, 20129 Milan, MI, Italy; (S.B.); (C.C.); (A.F.)
| | - Clara Cambria
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine (BIOMETRA), University of Milan, Via F.lli Cervi 93, 20129 Segrate (MI) and via Vanvitelli 32, 20129 Milan, MI, Italy; (S.B.); (C.C.); (A.F.)
| | - Elena Albizzati
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA;
| | - Elena Marcello
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Via Giuseppe Balzaretti 9, 20133 Milan, MI, Italy;
| | - Giovanni Provenzano
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology—CIBIO, University of Trento, Via Sommarive 9, 38068 Trento, TN, Italy;
| | - Angelisa Frasca
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine (BIOMETRA), University of Milan, Via F.lli Cervi 93, 20129 Segrate (MI) and via Vanvitelli 32, 20129 Milan, MI, Italy; (S.B.); (C.C.); (A.F.)
| | - Flavia Antonucci
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine (BIOMETRA), University of Milan, Via F.lli Cervi 93, 20129 Segrate (MI) and via Vanvitelli 32, 20129 Milan, MI, Italy; (S.B.); (C.C.); (A.F.)
- Institute of Neuroscience, IN-CNR, Via Raoul Follereau 3, 20854 Vedano al Lambro, MB, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Fertan E, Wong AA, Montbrun TSGD, Purdon MK, Roddick KM, Yamamoto T, Brown RE. Early postnatal development of the MDGA2 +/- mouse model of synaptic dysfunction. Behav Brain Res 2023; 452:114590. [PMID: 37499910 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114590] [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: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Synaptic dysfunction underlies many neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). The membrane-associated mucin domain-containing glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor proteins (MDGAs) regulate synaptic development by modulating neurexin-neuroligin complex formation. Since understanding the neurodevelopmental profile and the sex-based differences in the manifestation of the symptoms of NDDs is important for their early diagnosis, we tested a mouse model haploinsufficient for MDGA2 (MDGA2+/-) on a neurodevelopmental test battery, containing sensory, motor, and cognitive measures, as well as ultrasonic vocalizations. When male and female MDGA2+/- and wildtype (WT) C57BL/6 J mice were examined from 2 to 23 days of age using this test battery, genotype and sex differences in body weight, sensory-motor processes, and ultrasonic vocalizations were observed. The auditory startle reflex appeared earlier in the MDGA2+/- than in WT mice and the MDGA2+/- mice produced fewer ultrasonic vocalizations. The MDGA2+/- mice showed reduced locomotion and rearing than WT mice in the open field after 17 days of age and spent less time investigating a novel object than WT mice at 21 days of age. Female MDGA2+/- mice weighed less than WT females and showed lower grip strength, indicating a delay in sensory-motor development in MDGA2+/- mice, which appears to be more pronounced in females than males. The behavioural phenotypes resulting from MDGA2 haploinsufficiency suggests that it shows delayed development of motor behaviour, grip strength and exploratory behaviour, non-social phenotypes of NDDs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emre Fertan
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Aimée A Wong
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
| | | | - Michaela K Purdon
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Kyle M Roddick
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Tohru Yamamoto
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, 1750-1 Ikenobe, Miki-cho, Kagawa 761-0793, Japan
| | - Richard E Brown
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Mori T, Zhou M, Tabuchi K. Diverse Clinical Phenotypes of CASK-Related Disorders and Multiple Functional Domains of CASK Protein. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1656. [PMID: 37628707 PMCID: PMC10454856 DOI: 10.3390/genes14081656] [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: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
CASK-related disorders are a form of rare X-linked neurological diseases and most of the patients are females. They are characterized by several symptoms, including microcephaly with pontine and cerebellar hypoplasia (MICPCH), epilepsy, congenital nystagmus, and neurodevelopmental disorders. Whole-genome sequencing has identified various mutations, including nonsense and missense mutations, from patients with CASK-related disorders, revealing correlations between specific mutations and clinical phenotypes. Notably, missense mutations associated with epilepsy and intellectual disability were found throughout the whole region of the CASK protein, while missense mutations related to microcephaly and MICPCH were restricted in certain domains. To investigate the pathophysiology of CASK-related disorders, research groups have employed diverse methods, including the generation of CASK knockout mice and the supplementation of CASK to rescue the phenotypes. These approaches have yielded valuable insights into the identification of functional domains of the CASK protein associated with a specific phenotype. Additionally, recent advancements in the AI-based prediction of protein structure, such as AlphaFold2, and the application of genome-editing techniques to generate CASK mutant mice carrying missense mutations from patients with CASK-related disorders, allow us to understand the pathophysiology of CASK-related disorders in more depth and to develop novel therapeutic methods for the fundamental treatment of CASK-related disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Takuma Mori
- Department of Neuroinnovation, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Interdisciplinary Cluster for Cutting Edge Research, Shinshu University, Matsumoto 390-8621, Japan;
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto 390-8621, Japan;
| | - Mengyun Zhou
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto 390-8621, Japan;
| | - Katsuhiko Tabuchi
- Department of Neuroinnovation, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Interdisciplinary Cluster for Cutting Edge Research, Shinshu University, Matsumoto 390-8621, Japan;
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto 390-8621, Japan;
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Hussein Y, Tripathi U, Choudhary A, Nayak R, Peles D, Rosh I, Rabinski T, Djamus J, Vatine GD, Spiegel R, Garin-Shkolnik T, Stern S. Early maturation and hyperexcitability is a shared phenotype of cortical neurons derived from different ASD-associated mutations. Transl Psychiatry 2023; 13:246. [PMID: 37414777 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02535-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is characterized mainly by social and sensory-motor abnormal and repetitive behavior patterns. Over hundreds of genes and thousands of genetic variants were reported to be highly penetrant and causative of ASD. Many of these mutations cause comorbidities such as epilepsy and intellectual disabilities (ID). In this study, we measured cortical neurons derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) of patients with four mutations in the genes GRIN2B, SHANK3, UBTF, as well as chromosomal duplication in the 7q11.23 region and compared them to neurons derived from a first-degree relative without the mutation. Using a whole-cell patch-clamp, we observed that the mutant cortical neurons demonstrated hyperexcitability and early maturation compared to control lines. These changes were characterized by increased sodium currents, increased amplitude and rate of excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs), and more evoked action potentials in response to current stimulation in early-stage cell development (3-5 weeks post differentiation). These changes that appeared in all the different mutant lines, together with previously reported data, indicate that an early maturation and hyperexcitability may be a convergent phenotype of ASD cortical neurons.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yara Hussein
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Utkarsh Tripathi
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Ashwani Choudhary
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Ritu Nayak
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - David Peles
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Idan Rosh
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Tatiana Rabinski
- The Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences and the Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell (RMSC) Research Center, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
- The Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell (RMSC) Research Center, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Jose Djamus
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Gad David Vatine
- The Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences and the Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell (RMSC) Research Center, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
- The Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell (RMSC) Research Center, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Ronen Spiegel
- Center for Rare Diseases, Emek Medical Center, Afula, Israel
| | | | - Shani Stern
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel.
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Ahumada-Marchant C, Ancatén-Gonzalez C, Haensgen H, Arancibia F, Brauer B, Droste R, Horvitz HR, Constantine-Paton M, Arriagada G, Chávez AE, Bustos FJ. Deletion of VPS50 protein in mice brain impairs synaptic function and behavior. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.04.547745. [PMID: 37461727 PMCID: PMC10349947 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.04.547745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
VPS50, is an accessory protein, involved in the synaptic and dense core vesicle acidification and its alterations produce behavioral changes in C.elegans. Here, we produce the mosaic knock out (mKO) of VPS50 using CRISPR/Cas9 system in both cortical cultured neurons and whole animals to evaluate the effect of VPS50 in regulating mammalian brain function and behavior. While mKO of VPS50 does not change the number of synaptic vesicles, it produces a mislocalization of the V-ATPase pump that likely impact in vesicle acidification and vesicle content to impair synaptic and neuronal activity in cultured neurons. In mice, mKO of VPS50 in the hippocampus, alter synaptic transmission and plasticity, and generated robust cognitive impairments associate to memory formation. We propose that VPS50 is an accessory protein that aids the correct recruitment of the V-ATPase pump to synaptic vesicles, thus having a crucial role controlling synaptic vesicle acidification and hence synaptic transmission.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Constanza Ahumada-Marchant
- Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, Facultad de Medicina y Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Carlos Ancatén-Gonzalez
- Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias, Mención Neurociencia, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso (CINV), Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Henny Haensgen
- Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, Facultad de Medicina y Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Felipe Arancibia
- Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, Facultad de Medicina y Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Bastian Brauer
- Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, Facultad de Medicina y Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Rita Droste
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | | | | | - Gloria Arriagada
- Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, Facultad de Medicina y Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Andrés E Chávez
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso (CINV), Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Fernando J Bustos
- Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, Facultad de Medicina y Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Arias-Cavieres A, Garcia AJ. A consequence of immature breathing induces persistent changes in hippocampal synaptic plasticity and behavior: a role of prooxidant state and NMDA receptor imbalance. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1192833. [PMID: 37456523 PMCID: PMC10338931 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1192833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Underdeveloped breathing results from premature birth and causes intermittent hypoxia during the early neonatal period. Neonatal intermittent hypoxia (nIH) is a condition linked to the increased risk of neurocognitive deficit later in life. However, the mechanistic basis of nIH-induced changes to neurophysiology remains poorly resolved. We investigated the impact of nIH on hippocampal synaptic plasticity and NMDA receptor (NMDAr) expression in neonatal mice. Our findings indicate that nIH induces a prooxidant state that leads to an imbalance in NMDAr subunit composition favoring GluN2B over GluN2A expression and impairs synaptic plasticity. These consequences persist in adulthood and coincide with deficits in spatial memory. Treatment with an antioxidant, manganese (III) tetrakis (1-methyl-4-pyridyl)porphyrin (MnTMPyP), during nIH effectively mitigated both immediate and long-term effects of nIH. However, MnTMPyP treatment post-nIH did not prevent long-lasting changes in either synaptic plasticity or behavior. In addition to demonstrating that the prooxidant state has a central role in nIH-mediated neurophysiological and behavioral deficits, our results also indicate that targeting the prooxidant state during a discrete therapeutic window may provide a potential avenue for mitigating long-term neurophysiological and behavioral outcomes that result from unstable breathing during early postnatal life.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alejandra Arias-Cavieres
- Institute for Integrative Physiology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
- Department of Medicine, Section of Emergency Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Alfredo J. Garcia
- Institute for Integrative Physiology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
- Department of Medicine, Section of Emergency Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
- University of Chicago Neuroscience Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Mercaldo V, Vidimova B, Gastaldo D, Fernández E, Lo AC, Cencelli G, Pedini G, De Rubeis S, Longo F, Klann E, Smit AB, Grant SGN, Achsel T, Bagni C. Altered striatal actin dynamics drives behavioral inflexibility in a mouse model of fragile X syndrome. Neuron 2023; 111:1760-1775.e8. [PMID: 36996810 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.03.008] [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: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
The proteome of glutamatergic synapses is diverse across the mammalian brain and involved in neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). Among those is fragile X syndrome (FXS), an NDD caused by the absence of the functional RNA-binding protein FMRP. Here, we demonstrate how the brain region-specific composition of postsynaptic density (PSD) contributes to FXS. In the striatum, the FXS mouse model shows an altered association of the PSD with the actin cytoskeleton, reflecting immature dendritic spine morphology and reduced synaptic actin dynamics. Enhancing actin turnover with constitutively active RAC1 ameliorates these deficits. At the behavioral level, the FXS model displays striatal-driven inflexibility, a typical feature of FXS individuals, which is rescued by exogenous RAC1. Striatal ablation of Fmr1 is sufficient to recapitulate behavioral impairments observed in the FXS model. These results indicate that dysregulation of synaptic actin dynamics in the striatum, a region largely unexplored in FXS, contributes to the manifestation of FXS behavioral phenotypes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Mercaldo
- Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, Université de Lausanne, 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Barbora Vidimova
- Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, Université de Lausanne, 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Denise Gastaldo
- Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, Université de Lausanne, 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Esperanza Fernández
- VIB & UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, Universiteit Gent, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Adrian C Lo
- Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, Université de Lausanne, 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Giulia Cencelli
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Università degli Studi di Roma "Tor Vergata", 00133 Rome, Italy; Institute of Neurosurgery, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS - Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Giorgia Pedini
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Università degli Studi di Roma "Tor Vergata", 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia De Rubeis
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Department of Psychiatry, Friedman Brain Institute, Mindich Child Health and Development Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Francesco Longo
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Eric Klann
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - August B Smit
- Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Seth G N Grant
- Center for the Clinical Brain Sciences and Simons Initiatives for the Developing Brain, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, Scotland
| | - Tilmann Achsel
- Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, Université de Lausanne, 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Claudia Bagni
- Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, Université de Lausanne, 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland; Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Università degli Studi di Roma "Tor Vergata", 00133 Rome, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Yang R, Feng X, Arias-Cavieres A, Mitchell RM, Polo A, Hu K, Zhong R, Qi C, Zhang RS, Westneat N, Portillo CA, Nobrega MA, Hansel C, Garcia Iii AJ, Zhang X. Upregulation of SYNGAP1 expression in mice and human neurons by redirecting alternative splicing. Neuron 2023; 111:1637-1650.e5. [PMID: 36917980 PMCID: PMC10198817 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.02.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023]
Abstract
The Ras GTPase-activating protein SYNGAP1 plays a central role in synaptic plasticity, and de novo SYNGAP1 mutations are among the most frequent causes of autism and intellectual disability. How SYNGAP1 is regulated during development and how to treat SYNGAP1-associated haploinsufficiency remain challenging questions. Here, we characterize an alternative 3' splice site (A3SS) of SYNGAP1 that induces nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (A3SS-NMD) in mouse and human neural development. We demonstrate that PTBP1/2 directly bind to and promote SYNGAP1 A3SS inclusion. Genetic deletion of the Syngap1 A3SS in mice upregulates Syngap1 protein and alleviates the long-term potentiation and membrane excitability deficits caused by a Syngap1 knockout allele. We further report a splice-switching oligonucleotide (SSO) that converts SYNGAP1 unproductive isoform to the functional form in human iPSC-derived neurons. This study describes the regulation and function of SYNGAP1 A3SS-NMD, the genetic rescue of heterozygous Syngap1 knockout mice, and the development of an SSO to potentially alleviate SYNGAP1-associated haploinsufficiency.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Runwei Yang
- Department of Human Genetics, Neuroscience Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Xinran Feng
- Department of Human Genetics, Neuroscience Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Alejandra Arias-Cavieres
- Section of Emergency Medicine, Department of Medicine, Institute for Integrative Physiology, Neuroscience Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Robin M Mitchell
- Department of Neurobiology, Neuroscience Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Ashleigh Polo
- Section of Emergency Medicine, Department of Medicine, Institute for Integrative Physiology, Neuroscience Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Kaining Hu
- Department of Human Genetics, Neuroscience Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Rong Zhong
- Department of Human Genetics, Neuroscience Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Cai Qi
- Department of Human Genetics, Neuroscience Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Rachel S Zhang
- Department of Human Genetics, Neuroscience Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Nathaniel Westneat
- Department of Human Genetics, Neuroscience Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Cristabel A Portillo
- Department of Neurobiology, Neuroscience Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Marcelo A Nobrega
- Department of Human Genetics, the University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Christian Hansel
- Department of Neurobiology, Neuroscience Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Alfredo J Garcia Iii
- Section of Emergency Medicine, Department of Medicine, Institute for Integrative Physiology, Neuroscience Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Xiaochang Zhang
- Department of Human Genetics, Neuroscience Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Carbonell AU, Freire-Cobo C, Deyneko IV, Dobariya S, Erdjument-Bromage H, Clipperton-Allen AE, Page DT, Neubert TA, Jordan BA. Comparing synaptic proteomes across five mouse models for autism reveals converging molecular similarities including deficits in oxidative phosphorylation and Rho GTPase signaling. Front Aging Neurosci 2023; 15:1152562. [PMID: 37255534 PMCID: PMC10225639 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1152562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Specific and effective treatments for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are lacking due to a poor understanding of disease mechanisms. Here we test the idea that similarities between diverse ASD mouse models are caused by deficits in common molecular pathways at neuronal synapses. To do this, we leverage the availability of multiple genetic models of ASD that exhibit shared synaptic and behavioral deficits and use quantitative mass spectrometry with isobaric tandem mass tagging (TMT) to compare their hippocampal synaptic proteomes. Comparative analyses of mouse models for Fragile X syndrome (Fmr1 knockout), cortical dysplasia focal epilepsy syndrome (Cntnap2 knockout), PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome (Pten haploinsufficiency), ANKS1B syndrome (Anks1b haploinsufficiency), and idiopathic autism (BTBR+) revealed several common altered cellular and molecular pathways at the synapse, including changes in oxidative phosphorylation, and Rho family small GTPase signaling. Functional validation of one of these aberrant pathways, Rac1 signaling, confirms that the ANKS1B model displays altered Rac1 activity counter to that observed in other models, as predicted by the bioinformatic analyses. Overall similarity analyses reveal clusters of synaptic profiles, which may form the basis for molecular subtypes that explain genetic heterogeneity in ASD despite a common clinical diagnosis. Our results suggest that ASD-linked susceptibility genes ultimately converge on common signaling pathways regulating synaptic function and propose that these points of convergence are key to understanding the pathogenesis of this disorder.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abigail U. Carbonell
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
| | - Carmen Freire-Cobo
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
| | - Ilana V. Deyneko
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
| | - Saunil Dobariya
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
| | - Hediye Erdjument-Bromage
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Amy E. Clipperton-Allen
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute Florida, Jupiter, FL, United States
| | - Damon T. Page
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute Florida, Jupiter, FL, United States
| | - Thomas A. Neubert
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Bryen A. Jordan
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Falkovich R, Danielson EW, Perez de Arce K, Wamhoff EC, Strother J, Lapteva AP, Sheng M, Cottrell JR, Bathe M. A synaptic molecular dependency network in knockdown of autism- and schizophrenia-associated genes revealed by multiplexed imaging. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112430. [PMID: 37099425 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2023] [Indexed: 04/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The complex functions of neuronal synapses depend on their tightly interconnected protein network, and their dysregulation is implicated in the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorders and schizophrenia. However, it remains unclear how synaptic molecular networks are altered biochemically in these disorders. Here, we apply multiplexed imaging to probe the effects of RNAi knockdown of 16 autism- and schizophrenia-associated genes on the simultaneous joint distribution of 10 synaptic proteins, observing several protein composition phenotypes associated with these risk genes. We apply Bayesian network analysis to infer hierarchical dependencies among eight excitatory synaptic proteins, yielding predictive relationships that can only be accessed with single-synapse, multiprotein measurements performed simultaneously in situ. Finally, we find that central features of the network are affected similarly across several distinct gene knockdowns. These results offer insight into the convergent molecular etiology of these widespread disorders and provide a general framework to probe subcellular molecular networks.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Reuven Falkovich
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Eric W Danielson
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Karen Perez de Arce
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Eike-C Wamhoff
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Juliana Strother
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Anna P Lapteva
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Morgan Sheng
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jeffrey R Cottrell
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Mark Bathe
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School Initiative for RNA Medicine, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Nussinov R, Yavuz BR, Arici MK, Demirel HC, Zhang M, Liu Y, Tsai CJ, Jang H, Tuncbag N. Neurodevelopmental disorders, like cancer, are connected to impaired chromatin remodelers, PI3K/mTOR, and PAK1-regulated MAPK. Biophys Rev 2023; 15:163-181. [PMID: 37124926 PMCID: PMC10133437 DOI: 10.1007/s12551-023-01054-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
AbstractNeurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) and cancer share proteins, pathways, and mutations. Their clinical symptoms are different. However, individuals with NDDs have higher probabilities of eventually developing cancer. Here, we review the literature and ask how the shared features can lead to different medical conditions and why having an NDD first can increase the chances of malignancy. To explore these vital questions, we focus on dysregulated PI3K/mTOR, a major brain cell growth pathway in differentiation, and MAPK, a critical pathway in proliferation, a hallmark of cancer. Differentiation is governed by chromatin organization, making aberrant chromatin remodelers highly likely agents in NDDs. Dysregulated chromatin organization and accessibility influence the lineage of specific cell brain types at specific embryonic development stages. PAK1, with pivotal roles in brain development and in cancer, also regulates MAPK. We review, clarify, and connect dysregulated pathways with dysregulated proliferation and differentiation in cancer and NDDs and highlight PAK1 role in brain development and MAPK regulation. Exactly how PAK1 activation controls brain development, and why specific chromatin remodeler components, e.g., BAF170 encoded by SMARCC2 in autism, await clarification.
Collapse
|
44
|
Arias-Cavieres A, Garcia AJ. A Consequence of Immature Breathing induces Persistent Changes in Hippocampal Synaptic Plasticity and Behavior: A Role of Pro-Oxidant State and NMDA Receptor Imbalance. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.21.533692. [PMID: 36993632 PMCID: PMC10055328 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.21.533692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/13/2023]
Abstract
Underdeveloped breathing results from premature birth and causes intermittent hypoxia during the early neonatal period. Neonatal intermittent hypoxia (nIH) is a condition linked to the increased risk of neurocognitive deficit later in life. However, the underlying mechanistic consequences nIH-induced neurophysiological changes remains poorly resolved. Here, we investigated the impact of nIH on hippocampal synaptic plasticity and NMDA receptor (NMDAr) expression in neonatal mice. Our findings indicate that nIH induces a pro-oxidant state, leading to an imbalance in NMDAr subunit composition that favors GluN2A over GluN2B expression, and subsequently impairs synaptic plasticity. These consequences persist in adulthood and coincide with deficits in spatial memory. Treatment with the antioxidant, manganese(III) tetrakis(1-methyl-4-pyridyl)porphyrin (MnTMPyP), during nIH effectively mitigated both immediate and long-term effects of nIH. However, MnTMPyP treatment post-nIH did not prevent the long-lasting changes in either synaptic plasticity or behavior. Our results underscore the central role of the pro-oxidant state in nIH-mediated neurophysiological and behavioral deficits and importance of stable oxygen homeostasis during early life. These findings suggest that targeting the pro-oxidant state during a discrete window may provide a potential avenue for mitigating long-term neurophysiological and behavioral outcomes when breathing is unstable during early postnatal life. Highlights Untreated immature breathing leads neonatal intermittent hypoxia (nIH).nIH promotes a pro-oxidant state associated with increased HIF1a activity and NOX upregulation.nIH-dependent pro-oxidant state leads to NMDAr remodeling of the GluN2 subunit to impair synaptic plasticity.Impaired synaptic plasticity and NMDAr remodeling caused by nIH persists beyond the critical period of development.A discrete window for antioxidant administration exists to effectively mitigate neurophysiological and behavioral consequences of nIH.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alejandra Arias-Cavieres
- Institute for Integrative Physiology, The University of Chicago
- Department of Medicine, Section of Emergency Medicine, The University of Chicago
| | - Alfredo J. Garcia
- Institute for Integrative Physiology, The University of Chicago
- Grossman Institute for Neuroscience, Quantitative Biology & Human Behavior, The University of Chicago
- Department of Medicine, Section of Emergency Medicine, The University of Chicago
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Damiani F, Cornuti S, Tognini P. The gut-brain connection: Exploring the influence of the gut microbiota on neuroplasticity and neurodevelopmental disorders. Neuropharmacology 2023; 231:109491. [PMID: 36924923 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2023.109491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023]
Abstract
Neuroplasticity refers to the ability of brain circuits to reorganize and change the properties of the network, resulting in alterations in brain function and behavior. It is traditionally believed that neuroplasticity is influenced by external stimuli, learning, and experience. Intriguingly, there is new evidence suggesting that endogenous signals from the body's periphery may play a role. The gut microbiota, a diverse community of microorganisms living in harmony with their host, may be able to influence plasticity through its modulation of the gut-brain axis. Interestingly, the maturation of the gut microbiota coincides with critical periods of neurodevelopment, during which neural circuits are highly plastic and potentially vulnerable. As such, dysbiosis (an imbalance in the gut microbiota composition) during early life may contribute to the disruption of normal developmental trajectories, leading to neurodevelopmental disorders. This review aims to examine the ways in which the gut microbiota can affect neuroplasticity. It will also discuss recent research linking gastrointestinal issues and bacterial dysbiosis to various neurodevelopmental disorders and their potential impact on neurological outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Sara Cornuti
- Laboratory of Biology, Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa, Italy
| | - Paola Tognini
- Laboratory of Biology, Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa, Italy; Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Eagleson KL, Levitt P. Alterations in the Proteome of Developing Neocortical Synaptosomes in the Absence of MET Signaling Revealed by Comparative Proteomics. Dev Neurosci 2023; 45:126-138. [PMID: 36882009 PMCID: PMC10239366 DOI: 10.1159/000529981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Alterations in the expression of genes encoding proteins involved in synapse formation, maturation, and function are a hallmark of many neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders. For example, there is reduced neocortical expression of the MET receptor tyrosine kinase (MET) transcript and protein in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Rett syndrome. Preclinical in vivo and in vitro models manipulating MET signaling reveal that the receptor modulates excitatory synapse development and maturation in select forebrain circuits. The molecular adaptations underlying the altered synaptic development remain unknown. We performed a comparative mass spectrometry analysis of synaptosomes generated from the neocortex of wild type and Met null mice during the peak of synaptogenesis (postnatal day 14; data are available from ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD033204). The analyses revealed broad disruption of the developing synaptic proteome in the absence of MET, consistent with the localization of MET protein in pre- and postsynaptic compartments, including proteins associated with the neocortical synaptic MET interactome and those encoded by syndromic and ASD risk genes. In addition to an overrepresentation of altered proteins associated with the SNARE complex, multiple proteins in the ubiquitin-proteasome system and associated with the synaptic vesicle, as well as proteins that regulate actin filament organization and synaptic vesicle exocytosis/endocytosis, were disrupted. Taken together, the proteomic changes are consistent with structural and functional changes observed following alterations in MET signaling. We hypothesize that the molecular adaptations following Met deletion may reflect a general mechanism that produces circuit-specific molecular changes due to loss or reduction of synaptic signaling proteins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kathie L Eagleson
- Department of Pediatrics and Neurogenetics Program, The Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Developmental Neuroscience and Neurogenetics Program, The Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Pat Levitt
- Department of Pediatrics and Neurogenetics Program, The Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA,
- Developmental Neuroscience and Neurogenetics Program, The Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA,
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Wang T, Bai Y, Zheng X, Liu X, Xing S, Wang L, Wang H, Feng G, Li C. Sapap4 deficiency leads to postsynaptic defects and abnormal behaviors relevant to hyperkinetic neuropsychiatric disorder in mice. Cereb Cortex 2023; 33:1104-1118. [PMID: 35368073 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhac123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Revised: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Postsynaptic proteins play critical roles in synaptic development, function, and plasticity. Dysfunction of postsynaptic proteins is strongly linked to neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders. SAP90/PSD95-associated protein 4 (SAPAP4; also known as DLGAP4) is a key component of the PSD95-SAPAP-SHANK excitatory postsynaptic scaffolding complex, which plays important roles at synapses. However, the exact function of the SAPAP4 protein in the brain is poorly understood. Here, we report that Sapap4 knockout (KO) mice have reduced spine density in the prefrontal cortex and abnormal compositions of key postsynaptic proteins in the postsynaptic density (PSD) including reduced PSD95, GluR1, and GluR2 as well as increased SHANK3. These synaptic defects are accompanied by a cluster of abnormal behaviors including hyperactivity, impulsivity, reduced despair/depression-like behavior, hypersensitivity to low dose of amphetamine, memory deficits, and decreased prepulse inhibition, which are reminiscent of mania. Furthermore, the hyperactivity of Sapap4 KO mice could be partially rescued by valproate, a mood stabilizer used for mania treatment in humans. Together, our findings provide evidence that SAPAP4 plays an important role at synapses and reinforce the view that dysfunction of the postsynaptic scaffolding protein SAPAP4 may contribute to the pathogenesis of hyperkinetic neuropsychiatric disorder.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tianhua Wang
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics (STCSM & MOE), School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, 3663 North Zhongshan Road, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Yunxia Bai
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics (STCSM & MOE), School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, 3663 North Zhongshan Road, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Xianjie Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics (STCSM & MOE), School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, 3663 North Zhongshan Road, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Xinxia Liu
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics (STCSM & MOE), School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, 3663 North Zhongshan Road, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Shuang Xing
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics (STCSM & MOE), School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, 3663 North Zhongshan Road, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Linbin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics (STCSM & MOE), School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, 3663 North Zhongshan Road, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Huimin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics (STCSM & MOE), School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, 3663 North Zhongshan Road, Shanghai, 200062, China.,NYU-ECNU Institute of Brain and Cognitive Science at NYU Shanghai, 3663 North Zhongshan Road, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Guoping Feng
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 43 Vassar Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02139, USA.,Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, 75 Ames Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02142, USA
| | - Chunxia Li
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics (STCSM & MOE), School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, 3663 North Zhongshan Road, Shanghai, 200062, China
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Transition from Animal-Based to Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs)-Based Models of Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Opportunities and Challenges. Cells 2023; 12:cells12040538. [PMID: 36831205 PMCID: PMC9954744 DOI: 10.3390/cells12040538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) arise from the disruption of highly coordinated mechanisms underlying brain development, which results in impaired sensory, motor and/or cognitive functions. Although rodent models have offered very relevant insights to the field, the translation of findings to clinics, particularly regarding therapeutic approaches for these diseases, remains challenging. Part of the explanation for this failure may be the genetic differences-some targets not being conserved between species-and, most importantly, the differences in regulation of gene expression. This prompts the use of human-derived models to study NDDS. The generation of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hIPSCs) added a new suitable alternative to overcome species limitations, allowing for the study of human neuronal development while maintaining the genetic background of the donor patient. Several hIPSC models of NDDs already proved their worth by mimicking several pathological phenotypes found in humans. In this review, we highlight the utility of hIPSCs to pave new paths for NDD research and development of new therapeutic tools, summarize the challenges and advances of hIPSC-culture and neuronal differentiation protocols and discuss the best way to take advantage of these models, illustrating this with examples of success for some NDDs.
Collapse
|
49
|
Lin J, de Rezende VL, de Aguiar da Costa M, de Oliveira J, Gonçalves CL. Cholesterol metabolism pathway in autism spectrum disorder: From animal models to clinical observations. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2023; 223:173522. [PMID: 36717034 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2023.173522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 12/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by a persistent impairment of social skills, including aspects of perception, interpretation, and response, combined with restricted and repetitive behavior. ASD is a complex and multifactorial condition, and its etiology could be attributed to genetic and environmental factors. Despite numerous clinical and experimental studies, no etiological factor, biomarker, and specific model of transmission have been consistently associated with ASD. However, an imbalance in cholesterol levels has been observed in many patients, more specifically, a condition of hypocholesterolemia, which seems to be shared between ASD and ASD-related genetic syndromes such as fragile X syndrome (FXS), Rett syndrome (RS), and Smith- Lemli-Opitz (SLO). Furthermore, it is known that alterations in cholesterol levels lead to neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, impaired myelination and synaptogenesis. Thus, the aim of this review is to discuss the cholesterol metabolic pathways in the ASD context, as well as in genetic syndromes related to ASD, through clinical observations and animal models. In fact, SLO, FXS, and RS patients display early behavioral markers of ASD followed by cholesterol disturbances. Several studies have demonstrated the role of cholesterol in psychiatric conditions and how its levels modulate brain neurodevelopment. This review suggests an important relationship between ASD pathology and cholesterol metabolism impairment; thus, some strategies could be raised - at clinical and pre-clinical levels - to explore whether cholesterol metabolism disturbance has a generally adverse effect in exacerbating the symptoms of ASD patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jaime Lin
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Criciúma, SC, Brazil
| | - Victória Linden de Rezende
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Criciúma, SC, Brazil
| | - Maiara de Aguiar da Costa
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Criciúma, SC, Brazil
| | - Jade de Oliveira
- Laboratory for Research in Metabolic Disorders and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Cinara Ludvig Gonçalves
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Criciúma, SC, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Modeling Autism Spectrum Disorders with Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Brain Organoids. Biomolecules 2023; 13:biom13020260. [PMID: 36830629 PMCID: PMC9953447 DOI: 10.3390/biom13020260] [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: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a group of complex neurodevelopmental disorders that affect communication and social interactions and present with restricted interests and repetitive behavior patterns. The susceptibility to ASD is strongly influenced by genetic/heritable factors; however, there is still a large gap in understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the neurobiology of ASD. Significant progress has been made in identifying ASD risk genes and the possible convergent pathways regulated by these gene networks during development. The breakthrough of cellular reprogramming technology has allowed the generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from individuals with syndromic and idiopathic ASD, providing patient-specific cell models for mechanistic studies. In the past decade, protocols for developing brain organoids from these cells have been established, leading to significant advances in the in vitro reproducibility of the early steps of human brain development. Here, we reviewed the most relevant literature regarding the application of brain organoids to the study of ASD, providing the current state of the art, and discussing the impact of such models on the field, limitations, and opportunities for future development.
Collapse
|