1
|
Marshall P. Finding an Optimal Level of GDNF Overexpression: Insights from Dopamine Cycling. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2023; 43:3179-3189. [PMID: 37410316 PMCID: PMC10477250 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-023-01375-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
The application of glial cell line-derive neurotrophic factor (GDNF) to cell cultures and animal models has demonstrated positive effects upon dopaminergic neuronal survival and development, function, restoration, and protection. On this basis, recombinant GDNF protein has been trialled in the treatment of late-stage human Parkinson's disease patients with only limited success that is likely due to a lack of viable receptor targets in an advanced state of neurodegeneration. The latest research points to more refined approaches of modulating GDNF signalling and an optimal quantity and spatial regulation of GDNF can be extrapolated using regulation of dopamine as a proxy measure. The basic research literature on dopaminergic effects of GDNF in animal models is reviewed, concluding that a twofold increase in natively expressing cells increases dopamine turnover and maximises neuroprotective and beneficial motor effects whilst minimising hyperdopaminergia and other side-effects. Methodological considerations for measurement of dopamine levels and neuroanatomical distinctions are made between populations of dopamine neurons and their respective effects upon movement and behaviour that will inform future research into this still-relevant growth factor.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pepin Marshall
- Neuroscience Center, University of Helsinki, 00014, Helsinki, Finland.
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Mätlik K, Olfat S, Cowlishaw MC, Moreno ED, Ollila S, Andressoo JO. In vivo modulation of endogenous gene expression via CRISPR/Cas9-mediated 3'UTR editing. Heliyon 2023; 9:e13844. [PMID: 36923835 PMCID: PMC10009458 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e13844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The 3' untranslated regions (UTRs) modulate gene expression levels by regulating mRNA stability and translation. We previously showed that the replacement of the negative regulatory elements from the 3'UTR of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) resulted in increased endogenous GDNF expression while retaining its normal spatiotemporal expression pattern. Here, we have developed a methodology for the generation of in vivo hyper- and hypomorphic alleles via 3'UTR targeting using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. We demonstrate that CRISPR/Cas9-mediated excision of a long inhibitory sequence from Gdnf native 3'UTR in mouse zygotes increases the levels of endogenous GDNF with similar phenotypic alterations in embryonic kidney development as we described in GDNF constitutive and conditional hypermorphic mice. Furthermore, we show that CRISPR/Cas9-mediated targeting of 3'UTRs in vivo allows the modulation of the expression levels of two other morphogens, Gdf11 and Bdnf. Together, our work demonstrates the power of in vivo 3'UTR editing using the CRISPR/Cas9 system to create hyper- and hypomorphic alleles, suggesting wide applicability in studies on gene function and potentially, in gene therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kärt Mätlik
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine & Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Soophie Olfat
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine & Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland.,Division of Neurogeriatrics, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society (NVS), Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mark Cary Cowlishaw
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine & Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Eva Domenech Moreno
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland.,Translational Cancer Medicine Program, University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Saara Ollila
- Translational Cancer Medicine Program, University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jaan-Olle Andressoo
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine & Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland.,Division of Neurogeriatrics, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society (NVS), Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Mitra S, Turconi G, Darreh-Shori T, Mätlik K, Aquilino M, Eriksdotter M, Andressoo JO. Increased Endogenous GDNF in Mice Protects Against Age-Related Decline in Neuronal Cholinergic Markers. Front Aging Neurosci 2021; 13:714186. [PMID: 34475820 PMCID: PMC8406776 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.714186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Gradual decline in cholinergic transmission and cognitive function occurs during normal aging, whereas pathological loss of cholinergic function is a hallmark of different types of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Lewy body dementia (LBD), and Parkinson’s disease dementia (PDD). Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is known to modulate and enhance the dopamine system. However, how endogenous GDNF influences brain cholinergic transmission has remained elusive. In this study, we explored the effect of a twofold increase in endogenous GDNF (Gdnf hypermorphic mice, Gdnfwt/hyper) on cholinergic markers and cognitive function upon aging. We found that Gdnfwt/hyper mice resisted an overall age-associated decline in the cholinergic index observed in the brain of Gdnfwt/wt animals. Biochemical analysis revealed that the level of nerve growth factor (NGF), which is important for survival and function of central cholinergic neurons, was significantly increased in several brain areas of old Gdnfwt/hyper mice. Analysis of expression of genes involved in cholinergic transmission in the cortex and striatum confirmed modulation of cholinergic pathways by GDNF upon aging. In line with these findings, Gdnfwt/hyper mice did not undergo an age-related decline in cognitive function in the Y-maze test, as observed in the wild type littermates. Our results identify endogenous GDNF as a potential modulator of cholinergic transmission and call for future studies on endogenous GDNF function in neurodegenerative disorders characterized by cognitive impairments, including AD, LBD, and PDD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sumonto Mitra
- Division of Clinical Geriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society (NVS), Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Giorgio Turconi
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Taher Darreh-Shori
- Division of Clinical Geriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society (NVS), Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Kärt Mätlik
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Matilde Aquilino
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Maria Eriksdotter
- Division of Clinical Geriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society (NVS), Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden.,Theme Inflammation and Aging, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Jaan-Olle Andressoo
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society (NVS), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|