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Gamit N, Dharmarajan A, Sethi G, Warrier S. Want of Wnt in Parkinson's disease: Could sFRP disrupt interplay between Nurr1 and Wnt signaling? Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 212:115566. [PMID: 37088155 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
Nuclear receptor related 1 (Nurr1) is a transcription factor known to regulate the development and maintenance of midbrain dopaminergic (mDA) neurons. Reports have confirmed that defect or obliteration of Nurr1 results in neurodegeneration and motor function impairment leading to Parkinson's disease (PD). Studies have also indicated that Nurr1 regulates the expression of alpha-synuclein (α-SYN) and mutations in Nurr1 cause α-SYN overexpression, thereby increasing the risk of PD. Nurr1 is modulated via various pathways including Wnt signaling pathway which is known to play an important role in neurogenesis and deregulation of it contributes to PD pathogenesis. Both Wnt/β-catenin dependent and independent pathways are implicated in the activation of Nurr1 and subsequent downregulation of α-SYN. This review highlights the interaction between Nurr1 and Wnt signaling pathways in mDA neuronal development. We further hypothesize how modulation of Wnt signaling pathway by its antagonist, secreted frizzled related proteins (sFRPs) could be a potential route to treat PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naisarg Gamit
- Division of Cancer Stem Cells and Cardiovascular Regeneration, Manipal Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Bangalore 560 065, India
| | - Arun Dharmarajan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Technology and Research, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai 600 116, India; School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia 6102, Australia; Curtin Health and Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia 6102, Australia; School of Human Sciences, Faculty of Life and Physical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia 6009, Australia
| | - Gautam Sethi
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore 117 600, Singapore
| | - Sudha Warrier
- Division of Cancer Stem Cells and Cardiovascular Regeneration, Manipal Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Bangalore 560 065, India; Cuor Stem Cellutions Pvt Ltd, Manipal Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Bangalore 560 065, India.
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2
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Advances in NURR1-Regulated Neuroinflammation Associated with Parkinson's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232416184. [PMID: 36555826 PMCID: PMC9788636 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232416184] [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: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroinflammation plays a crucial role in the progression of neurodegenerative disorders, particularly Parkinson's disease (PD). Glial cell activation and subsequent adaptive immune involvement are neuroinflammatory features in familial and idiopathic PD, resulting in the death of dopaminergic neuron cells. An oxidative stress response, inflammatory mediator production, and immune cell recruitment and activation are all hallmarks of this activation, leading to chronic neuroinflammation and progressive neurodegeneration. Several studies in PD patients' cerebrospinal fluid and peripheral blood revealed alterations in inflammatory markers and immune cell populations that may lead to or exacerbate neuroinflammation and perpetuate the neurodegenerative process. Most of the genes causing PD are also expressed in astrocytes and microglia, converting their neuroprotective role into a pathogenic one and contributing to disease onset and progression. Nuclear receptor-related transcription factor 1 (NURR1) regulates gene expression linked to dopaminergic neuron genesis and functional maintenance. In addition to playing a key role in developing and maintaining neurotransmitter phenotypes in dopaminergic neurons, NURR1 agonists have been shown to reverse behavioral and histological abnormalities in animal PD models. NURR1 protects dopaminergic neurons from inflammation-induced degeneration, specifically attenuating neuronal death by suppressing the expression of inflammatory genes in microglia and astrocytes. This narrative review highlights the inflammatory changes in PD and the advances in NURR1-regulated neuroinflammation associated with PD. Further, we present new evidence that targeting this inflammation with a variety of potential NURR1 target therapy medications can effectively slow the progression of chronic neuroinflammation-induced PD.
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3
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Willems S, Merk D. Medicinal Chemistry and Chemical Biology of Nurr1 Modulators: An Emerging Strategy in Neurodegeneration. J Med Chem 2022; 65:9548-9563. [PMID: 35797147 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Nuclear receptor related 1 (Nurr1) is a transcription factor with neuroprotective and antineuroinflammatory properties. Observations from genetic studies and human patients support potential of Nurr1 as a therapeutic target in neurodegeneration, but due to a lack of high-quality chemical tools for pharmacological control of Nurr1, its target validation is pending. Nevertheless, considerable progress has recently been made in elucidating structural and functional characteristics of Nurr1, and several ligand scaffolds have been discovered. Here, we analyze Nurr1's structure and mechanisms compared to other nuclear receptors, summarize the known small molecule Nurr1 ligands, and discuss the available evidence for the therapeutic potential of Nurr1 in neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Willems
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany.,Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Daniel Merk
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany.,Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377 Munich, Germany
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4
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Liu J, Yang L, Li H, Cai Y, Feng J, Hu Z. Conditional ablation of protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor U in midbrain dopaminergic neurons results in reduced neuronal size. J Chem Neuroanat 2022; 124:102135. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jchemneu.2022.102135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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5
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Willems S, Zaienne D, Merk D. Targeting Nuclear Receptors in Neurodegeneration and Neuroinflammation. J Med Chem 2021; 64:9592-9638. [PMID: 34251209 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Nuclear receptors, also known as ligand-activated transcription factors, regulate gene expression upon ligand signals and present as attractive therapeutic targets especially in chronic diseases. Despite the therapeutic relevance of some nuclear receptors in various pathologies, their potential in neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation is insufficiently established. This perspective gathers preclinical and clinical data for a potential role of individual nuclear receptors as future targets in Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis, and concomitantly evaluates the level of medicinal chemistry targeting these proteins. Considerable evidence suggests the high promise of ligand-activated transcription factors to counteract neurodegenerative diseases with a particularly high potential of several orphan nuclear receptors. However, potent tools are lacking for orphan receptors, and limited central nervous system exposure or insufficient selectivity also compromises the suitability of well-studied nuclear receptor ligands for functional studies. Medicinal chemistry efforts are needed to develop dedicated high-quality tool compounds for the therapeutic validation of nuclear receptors in neurodegenerative pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Willems
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 9, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Daniel Zaienne
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 9, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Daniel Merk
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 9, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
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6
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Kummari E, Guo-Ross SX, Partington HS, Nutter JM, Eells JB. Quantitative Immunohistochemistry to Measure Regional Expression of Nurr1 in the Brain and the Effect of the Nurr1 Heterozygous Genotype. Front Neuroanat 2021; 15:563854. [PMID: 33994958 PMCID: PMC8119777 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2021.563854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor Nurr1 is a member of the steroid hormone nuclear receptor superfamily. Ablation of Nurr1 expression arrests mesencephalic dopamine neuron differentiation while attenuation of Nurr1 in the subiculum and hippocampus impairs learning and memory. Additionally, reduced Nurr1 expression has been reported in patients with Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. In order to better understand the overall function of Nurr1 in the brain, quantitative immunohistochemistry was used to measure cellular Nurr1 protein expression, across Nurr1 immunoreactive neuronal populations. Additionally, neuronal Nurr1 expression levels were compared between different brain regions in wild-type mice (+/+) and Nurr1 heterozygous mice (+/-). Regional Nurr1 protein was also investigated at various time points after a seizure induced by pentylenetetrazol (PTZ). Nurr1 protein is expressed in various regions throughout the brain, however, a wide range of Nurr1 expression levels were observed among various neuronal populations. Neurons in the parietal and temporal cortex (secondary somatosensory, insular, auditory, and temporal association cortex) had the highest relative Nurr1 expression (100%) followed closely by the claustrum/dorsal endopiriform cortex (85%) and then subiculum (76%). Lower Nurr1 protein levels were found in neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta and ventral tegmental area (39%) followed by CA1 (25%) and CA3 (19%) of the hippocampus. Additionally, in the parietal and temporal cortex, two distinct populations of high and medium Nurr1 expressing neurons were observed. Comparisons between +/- and +/+ mice revealed Nurr1 protein was reduced in +/- mice by 27% in the parietal/temporal cortex, 49% in the claustrum/dorsal endopiriform cortex, 25% in the subiculum, 33% in substantia nigra pars compacta, 22% in ventral tegmental area, and 21% in CA1 region of the hippocampus. Based on these data, regional mechanisms appear to exist which can compensate for a loss of a Nurr1 allele. Following a single PTZ-induced seizure, Nurr1 protein in the dentate gyrus peaked around 2 h and returned to baseline by 8 h. Since altered Nurr1 expression has been implicated in neurologic disorders and Nurr1 agonists have showed protective effects, understanding regional protein expression of Nurr1, therefore, is necessary to understand how changes in Nurr1 expression can alter brain function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evangel Kummari
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Shirley X. Guo-Ross
- Department of Basic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS, United States
| | - Heath S. Partington
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States
| | - Jennifer Makenzie Nutter
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States
| | - Jeffrey B. Eells
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States
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Mallick S, Marshall PA, Wagner CE, Heck MC, Sabir ZL, Sabir MS, Dussik CM, Grozic A, Kaneko I, Jurutka PW. Evaluating Novel RXR Agonists That Induce ApoE and Tyrosine Hydroxylase in Cultured Human Glioblastoma Cells. ACS Chem Neurosci 2021; 12:857-871. [PMID: 33570383 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.0c00707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
There is considerable interest in identifying effective and safe drugs for neurodegenerative disorders. Cell culture and animal model work have demonstrated that modulating gene expression through RXR-mediated pathways may mitigate or reverse cognitive decline. However, because RXR is a dimeric partner for several transcription factors, activating off-target transcription is a concern with RXR ligands (rexinoids). This off-target gene modulation leads to unwanted side effects that can include low thyroid function and significant hyperlipidemia. There is a need to develop rexinoids that have binding specificity for subsets of RXR heterodimers, to drive desired gene modulation, but that do not induce spurious effects. Herein, we describe experiments in which we analyze a series of novel and previously reported rexinoids for their ability to modulate specific gene pathways implicated in neurodegenerative disorders employing a U87 cell culture model. We demonstrate that, compared to the FDA-approved rexinoid bexarotene (1), several of these compounds are equally or more effective at stimulating gene expression via LXREs or Nurr1/NBREs and are superior at inducing ApoE and/or tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) gene and protein expression, including analogs 8, 9, 13, 14, 20, 23, and 24, suggesting a possible therapeutic role for these compounds in Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease (PD). A subset of these potent RXR agonists can synergize with a presumed Nurr1 ligand and antimalarial drug (amodiaquine) to further enhance Nurr1/NBREs-directed transcription. This novel discovery has potential clinical implications for treatment of PD since it suggests that the combination of an RXR agonist and a Nurr1 ligand can significantly enhance RXR-Nurr1 heterodimer activity and drive enhanced therapeutic expression of the TH gene to increase endogenous synthesis of dopamine. These data indicate that is it possible and prudent to develop novel rexinoids for testing of gene expression and side effect profiles for use in potential treatment of neurodegenerative disorders, as individual rexinoids can have markedly different gene expression profiles but similar structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanchita Mallick
- School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, Arizona State University, Phoenix, Arizona 85306, United States
| | - Pamela A. Marshall
- School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, Arizona State University, Phoenix, Arizona 85306, United States
| | - Carl E. Wagner
- School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, Arizona State University, Phoenix, Arizona 85306, United States
| | - Michael C. Heck
- School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, Arizona State University, Phoenix, Arizona 85306, United States
| | - Zhela L. Sabir
- School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, Arizona State University, Phoenix, Arizona 85306, United States
| | - Marya S. Sabir
- School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, Arizona State University, Phoenix, Arizona 85306, United States
| | - Christoper M. Dussik
- School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, Arizona State University, Phoenix, Arizona 85306, United States
| | - Aleksandra Grozic
- School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, Arizona State University, Phoenix, Arizona 85306, United States
| | - Ichiro Kaneko
- School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, Arizona State University, Phoenix, Arizona 85306, United States
| | - Peter W. Jurutka
- School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, Arizona State University, Phoenix, Arizona 85306, United States
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8
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Jakaria M, Haque ME, Cho DY, Azam S, Kim IS, Choi DK. Molecular Insights into NR4A2(Nurr1): an Emerging Target for Neuroprotective Therapy Against Neuroinflammation and Neuronal Cell Death. Mol Neurobiol 2019; 56:5799-5814. [PMID: 30684217 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-019-1487-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2018] [Accepted: 01/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
NR4A2 is a nuclear receptor and a transcription factor, with distinctive physiological features. In the cell nuclei of the central nervous system, it is widely expressed and identified as a crucial regulator of dopaminergic (DA) neuronal differentiation, survival, and maintenance. Importantly, it has regulated different genes crucial for dopaminergic signals, and its expression has been diminished in both aged and PD post-mortem brains and reduced in PD patients. In microglia and astrocytes, the expression of NR4A2 has been found where it can be capable of inhibiting the expression of proinflammatory mediators; hence, it protected inflammation-mediated DA neuronal death. In addition, NR4A2 plays neuroprotective role via regulating different signals. However, NR4A2 has been mainly focused on Parkinson's research, but, in recent times, it has been studied in Alzheimer's disease (AD), multiple sclerosis (MS), and stroke. Altered expression of NR4A2 is connected to AD progression, and activation of its may improve cognitive function. It is downregulated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of MS patients; nonetheless, its role in MS has not been fully clear. miR-145-5p known as a putative regulator of NR4A2 and in a middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion model, anti-miR-145-5p administration promoted neurological outcomes in rat. To date, various activators and modulators of NR4A2 have been discovered and investigated as probable therapeutic drugs in neuroinflammatory and neuronal cell death models. The NR4A2 gene and cell-based therapy are described as promising drug candidates for neurodegenerative diseases. Moreover, microRNA might have a crucial role in neurodegeneration via affecting NR4A2 expression. Herein, we present the role of NR4A2 in neuroinflammation and neuronal cell death focusing on neurodegenerative conditions and display NR4A2 as a promising therapeutic target for the therapy of neuroprotection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Jakaria
- Department of Applied Life Sciences and Integrated Bioscience, Graduate School, Konkuk University, Chungju, South Korea
| | - Md Ezazul Haque
- Department of Applied Life Sciences and Integrated Bioscience, Graduate School, Konkuk University, Chungju, South Korea
| | - Duk-Yeon Cho
- Department of Applied Life Sciences and Integrated Bioscience, Graduate School, Konkuk University, Chungju, South Korea
| | - Shofiul Azam
- Department of Applied Life Sciences and Integrated Bioscience, Graduate School, Konkuk University, Chungju, South Korea
| | - In-Su Kim
- Department of Applied Life Sciences and Integrated Bioscience, Graduate School, Konkuk University, Chungju, South Korea.,Department of Integrated Bioscience and Biotechnology, College of Biomedical and Health Sciences and Research Institute of Inflammatory Diseases (RID), Konkuk University, Chungju, South Korea
| | - Dong-Kug Choi
- Department of Applied Life Sciences and Integrated Bioscience, Graduate School, Konkuk University, Chungju, South Korea. .,Department of Integrated Bioscience and Biotechnology, College of Biomedical and Health Sciences and Research Institute of Inflammatory Diseases (RID), Konkuk University, Chungju, South Korea.
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9
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Rane P, Sarmah D, Bhute S, Kaur H, Goswami A, Kalia K, Borah A, Dave KR, Sharma N, Bhattacharya P. Novel Targets for Parkinson's Disease: Addressing Different Therapeutic Paradigms and Conundrums. ACS Chem Neurosci 2019; 10:44-57. [PMID: 29957921 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.8b00180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease that is pathologically characterized by degeneration of dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc). PD leads to clinical motor features that include rigidity, tremor, and bradykinesia. Despite multiple available therapies for PD, the clinical features continue to progress, and patients suffer progressive disability. Many advances have been made in PD therapy which directly target the cause of the disease rather than providing symptomatic relief. A neuroprotective or disease modifying strategy that can slow or cease clinical progression and worsening disability remains as a major unmet medical need for PD management. The present review discusses potential novel therapies for PD that include recent interventions in the form of immunomodulatory techniques and stem cell therapy. Further, an introspective approach to identify numerous other novel targets that can alleviate PD pathogenesis and enable physicians to practice multitargeted therapy and that may provide a ray of hope to PD patients in the future are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pallavi Rane
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Gujarat-382355, India
| | - Deepaneeta Sarmah
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Gujarat-382355, India
| | - Shashikala Bhute
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Gujarat-382355, India
| | - Harpreet Kaur
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Gujarat-382355, India
| | - Avirag Goswami
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida 33136, United States
| | - Kiran Kalia
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Gujarat-382355, India
| | - Anupom Borah
- Department of Life Science and Bioinformatics, Assam University, Silchar, Assam 788011, India
| | - Kunjan R. Dave
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida 33136, United States
| | - Nutan Sharma
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, United States
| | - Pallab Bhattacharya
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Gujarat-382355, India
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10
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Schwamborn JC. Is Parkinson's Disease a Neurodevelopmental Disorder and Will Brain Organoids Help Us to Understand It? Stem Cells Dev 2018; 27:968-975. [PMID: 29415619 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2017.0289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer's disease. The incidence of PD cases increases with age, accordingly classically PD is considered to be an age-associated neurodegenerative disease. In this review, the hypothesis that PD is actually a neurodevelopmental disorder that is compensated for a long time will be discussed. However, patients who suffer from PD typically do not show symptoms early in their lives. This implies that, if the hypothesis that PD has a significant neurodevelopmental component is correct, the developmental defects are compensated for a long time. Furthermore, these developmental defects might not causally lead to the disease but increase the susceptibility for disease onset after a "second hit." In this logic, deregulated developmental processes might represent the "first hit." Even a minor developmental defect could lead to a reduced compensatory capacity or reduced fault tolerance of the entire system. In such a case of an already imbalanced system one or more additional hits could perturb the entire system sufficiently to bring it out of balance and lead to the pathology and symptoms which we classify as PD. However, if the developmental hypothesis and the "multiple hit" hypothesis are correct, an early diagnosis of these developmental defects might allow the start of a therapy for at-risk individuals before disease pathology becomes severe and before symptoms occur. Modern stem cell technologies, including the generation of personalized brain organoids, might play an important role in these strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens C Schwamborn
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, Developmental and Cellular Biology, University of Luxembourg , Belvaux, Luxembourg
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11
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Kummari E, Guo-Ross S, Eells JB. Region Specific Effects of Aging and the Nurr1-Null Heterozygous Genotype on Dopamine Neurotransmission. NEUROCHEMISTRY & NEUROPHARMACOLOGY : OPEN ACCESS 2017; 3:114. [PMID: 28989991 PMCID: PMC5630175 DOI: 10.4172/2469-9780.1000114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The transcription factor Nurr1 is essential for dopamine neuron differentiation and is important in maintaining dopamine synthesis and neurotransmission in the adult. Reduced Nurr1 function, due to the Nurr1-null heterozygous genotype (+/-), impacts dopamine neuron function in a region specific manner resulting in a decrease in dopamine synthesis in the dorsal and ventral striatum and a decrease in tissue dopamine levels in the ventral striatum. Additionally, maintenance of tissue dopamine levels in the dorsal striatum and survival of nigrostriatal dopamine neurons with aging (>15 months) or after various toxicant treatments are impaired. To further investigate the effects of aging and the Nurr1-null heterozygous genotype, we measured regional tissue dopamine levels, dopamine neuron numbers, body weight, open field activity and rota-rod performance in young (3-5 months) and aged (15-17 months) wild-type +/+ and +/- mice. Behavioral tests revealed no significant differences in rota-rod performance or basal open field activity as a result of aging or genotype. The +/- mice did show a significant increase in open field activity after 3 min of restraint stress. No differences in tissue dopamine levels were found in the dorsal striatum. However, there were significant reductions in tissue dopamine levels in the ventral striatum, which was separated into the nucleus accumbens core and shell, in the aged +/- mice. These data indicate that the mesoaccumbens system is more susceptible to the combination of aging and the +/- genotype than the nigrostriatal system. Additionally, the effects of aging and the +/- genotype may be dependent on genetic background or housing conditions. As Nurr1 mutations have been implicated in a number of diseases associated with dopamine neurotransmission, further data is needed to understand why and how Nurr1 can have differential functions across different dopamine neuron populations in aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evangel Kummari
- Department of Basic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762, USA
| | - Shirley Guo-Ross
- Department of Basic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762, USA
| | - Jeffrey B Eells
- Department of Basic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762, USA
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12
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Nurr1:RXRα heterodimer activation as monotherapy for Parkinson's disease. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:3999-4004. [PMID: 28348207 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1616874114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the loss of dopaminergic (DAergic) neurons in the substantia nigra and the gradual depletion of dopamine (DA). Current treatments replenish the DA deficit and improve symptoms but induce dyskinesias over time, and neuroprotective therapies are nonexistent. Here we report that Nuclear receptor-related 1 (Nurr1):Retinoid X receptor α (RXRα) activation has a double therapeutic potential for PD, offering both neuroprotective and symptomatic improvement. We designed BRF110, a unique in vivo active Nurr1:RXRα-selective lead molecule, which prevents DAergic neuron demise and striatal DAergic denervation in vivo against PD-causing toxins in a Nurr1-dependent manner. BRF110 also protects against PD-related genetic mutations in patient induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived DAergic neurons and a genetic mouse PD model. Remarkably, besides neuroprotection, BRF110 up-regulates tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC), and GTP cyclohydrolase I (GCH1) transcription; increases striatal DA in vivo; and has symptomatic efficacy in two postneurodegeneration PD models, without inducing dyskinesias on chronic daily treatment. The combined neuroprotective and symptomatic effects of BRF110 identify Nurr1:RXRα activation as a potential monotherapeutic approach for PD.
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13
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Dong J, Li S, Mo JL, Cai HB, Le WD. Nurr1-Based Therapies for Parkinson's Disease. CNS Neurosci Ther 2016; 22:351-9. [PMID: 27012974 DOI: 10.1111/cns.12536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2015] [Revised: 02/12/2016] [Accepted: 02/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have documented that orphan nuclear receptor Nurr1 (also known as NR4A2) plays important roles in the midbrain dopamine (DA) neuron development, differentiation, and survival. Furthermore, it has been reported that the defects in Nurr1 are associated with Parkinson's disease (PD). Thus, Nurr1 might be a potential therapeutic target for PD. Emerging evidence from in vitro and in vivo studies has recently demonstrated that Nurr1-activating compounds and Nurr1 gene therapy are able not only to enhance DA neurotransmission but also to protect DA neurons from cell injury induced by environmental toxin or microglia-mediated neuroinflammation. Moreover, modulators that interact with Nurr1 or regulate its function, such as retinoid X receptor, cyclic AMP-responsive element-binding protein, glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor, and Wnt/β-catenin pathway, have the potential to enhance the effects of Nurr1-based therapies in PD. This review highlights the recent progress in preclinical studies of Nurr1-based therapies and discusses the outlook of this emerging therapy as a promising new generation of PD medication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Dong
- The Center for Translational Research on Neurological Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Song Li
- The Center for Translational Research on Neurological Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Jing-Lin Mo
- The Center for Translational Research on Neurological Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Huai-Bin Cai
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Wei-Dong Le
- The Center for Translational Research on Neurological Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.,Institute of Health Science, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
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Mariappan S, Bogdanowicz W, Raghuram H, Marimuthu G, Rajan KE. Structure of distress call: implication for specificity and activation of dopaminergic system. J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol 2015; 202:55-65. [DOI: 10.1007/s00359-015-1053-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2015] [Revised: 11/06/2015] [Accepted: 11/08/2015] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
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15
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Parkinson GM, Dayas CV, Smith DW. Age-related gene expression changes in substantia nigra dopamine neurons of the rat. Mech Ageing Dev 2015; 149:41-9. [PMID: 26065381 DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2015.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2014] [Revised: 06/01/2015] [Accepted: 06/02/2015] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Ageing affects most, if not all, functional systems in the body. For example, the somatic motor nervous system, responsible for initiating and regulating motor output to skeletal musculature, is vulnerable to ageing. The nigrostriatal dopamine pathway is one component of this system, with deficits in dopamine signalling contributing to major motor dysfunction, as exemplified in Parkinson's disease (PD). However, while the dopamine deficit in PD is due to degeneration of substantia nigra (SN) dopamine (DA) neurons, it is unclear whether there is sufficient loss of SN DA neurons with ageing to explain observed motor impairments. Instead, evidence suggests that age-related loss of DA neuron function may be more important than frank cell loss. To further elucidate the mechanisms of functional decline, we have investigated age-related changes in gene expression specifically in laser microdissected SN DA neurons. There were significant age-related changes in the expression of genes associated with neurotrophic factor signalling and the regulation of tyrosine hydroxylase activity. Furthermore, reduced expression of the DA neuron-associated transcription factor, Nurr1, may contribute to these changes. Together, these results suggest that altered neurotrophic signalling and tyrosine hydroxylase activity may contribute to altered DA neuron signalling and motor nervous system regulation in ageing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gemma M Parkinson
- Preclinical Neurobiology Research Program, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Centre for Translational Neuroscience and Mental Health Research, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, 1/Kookaburra Circuit, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia.
| | - Christopher V Dayas
- Preclinical Neurobiology Research Program, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Centre for Translational Neuroscience and Mental Health Research, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, 1/Kookaburra Circuit, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia.
| | - Doug W Smith
- Preclinical Neurobiology Research Program, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Centre for Translational Neuroscience and Mental Health Research, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, 1/Kookaburra Circuit, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia.
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Abstract
ABSTRACT
Midbrain dopaminergic (mDA) neuron development has been an intense area of research during recent years. This is due in part to a growing interest in regenerative medicine and the hope that treatment for diseases affecting mDA neurons, such as Parkinson's disease (PD), might be facilitated by a better understanding of how these neurons are specified, differentiated and maintained in vivo. This knowledge might help to instruct efforts to generate mDA neurons in vitro, which holds promise not only for cell replacement therapy, but also for disease modeling and drug discovery. In this Primer, we will focus on recent developments in understanding the molecular mechanisms that regulate the development of mDA neurons in vivo, and how they have been used to generate human mDA neurons in vitro from pluripotent stem cells or from somatic cells via direct reprogramming. Current challenges and future avenues in the development of a regenerative medicine for PD will be identified and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ernest Arenas
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Dept. Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Center of Developmental Biology for Regenerative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm 171 77, Sweden
| | - Mark Denham
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Dept. Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Center of Developmental Biology for Regenerative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm 171 77, Sweden
- Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience, Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus 8000, Denmark
| | - J. Carlos Villaescusa
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Dept. Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Center of Developmental Biology for Regenerative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm 171 77, Sweden
- Institute of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno 61137, Czech Republic
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Ota VK, Noto C, Gadelha A, Santoro ML, Spindola LM, Gouvea ES, Stilhano RS, Ortiz BB, Silva PN, Sato JR, Han SW, Cordeiro Q, Bressan RA, Belangero SI. Changes in gene expression and methylation in the blood of patients with first-episode psychosis. Schizophr Res 2014; 159:358-64. [PMID: 25270546 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2014.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2014] [Revised: 09/02/2014] [Accepted: 09/05/2014] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a severe mental health disorder with high heritability. The investigation of individuals during their first-episode psychosis (FEP), before the progression of psychotic disorders and especially before treatment with antipsychotic medications, is particularly helpful for understanding this complex disease and for the identification of potential biomarkers. In this study, we compared the expression of genes that are involved in neurotransmission and neurodevelopment of antipsychotic-naive FEP in the peripheral blood of patients (n=51) and healthy controls (n=51). In addition, we investigated the differentially expressed genes with respect to a) DNA methylation, b) the correlation between gene expression and clinical variables (PANSS), and c) gene expression changes after risperidone treatment. Expression levels of 11 genes were quantified with SYBR Green. For methylation analysis, bisulfite sequencing was performed. A significant decrease in GCH1 mRNA levels was observed in FEP patients relative to controls. Also, when we compare the FEP patients after risperidone treatment with controls, this difference remains significant, and no significant differences were observed in GCH1 mRNA levels when comparing patients before and after risperidone treatment. Additionally, although the differences were non-significant after Bonferroni correction, the expression of GCH1 seemed to be correlated with PANSS scores, and the GCH1 promoter region was more methylated in FEP than in controls, thus corroborating the results obtained at the mRNA level. Few studies have been conducted on GCH1, and future studies are needed to clarify its potential role in the progression of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Kiyomi Ota
- Genetics Division of Department of Morphology and Genetics of Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo (UNIFESP), Brazil; LiNC-Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Neurosciences of UNIFESP, Brazil.
| | - Cristiano Noto
- LiNC-Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Neurosciences of UNIFESP, Brazil; Department of Psychiatry of UNIFESP, Brazil; Department of Psychiatry of Irmandade da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo (ISCMSP), Brazil.
| | - Ary Gadelha
- LiNC-Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Neurosciences of UNIFESP, Brazil; Department of Psychiatry of UNIFESP, Brazil.
| | - Marcos Leite Santoro
- Genetics Division of Department of Morphology and Genetics of Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo (UNIFESP), Brazil; LiNC-Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Neurosciences of UNIFESP, Brazil.
| | - Leticia Maria Spindola
- Genetics Division of Department of Morphology and Genetics of Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo (UNIFESP), Brazil; LiNC-Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Neurosciences of UNIFESP, Brazil.
| | - Eduardo Sauerbronn Gouvea
- Department of Psychiatry of UNIFESP, Brazil; Department of Psychiatry of Irmandade da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo (ISCMSP), Brazil.
| | | | | | - Patricia Natalia Silva
- Genetics Division of Department of Morphology and Genetics of Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo (UNIFESP), Brazil; LiNC-Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Neurosciences of UNIFESP, Brazil; Department of Psychiatry of UNIFESP, Brazil.
| | - João Ricardo Sato
- LiNC-Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Neurosciences of UNIFESP, Brazil; Center of Mathematics, Computation and Cognition, Universidade Federal do ABC, Brazil.
| | | | - Quirino Cordeiro
- Department of Psychiatry of UNIFESP, Brazil; Department of Psychiatry of Irmandade da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo (ISCMSP), Brazil.
| | - Rodrigo Affonseca Bressan
- LiNC-Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Neurosciences of UNIFESP, Brazil; Department of Psychiatry of UNIFESP, Brazil.
| | - Sintia Iole Belangero
- Genetics Division of Department of Morphology and Genetics of Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo (UNIFESP), Brazil; LiNC-Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Neurosciences of UNIFESP, Brazil; Department of Psychiatry of UNIFESP, Brazil.
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18
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Decressac M, Volakakis N, Björklund A, Perlmann T. NURR1 in Parkinson disease--from pathogenesis to therapeutic potential. Nat Rev Neurol 2013; 9:629-36. [PMID: 24126627 DOI: 10.1038/nrneurol.2013.209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 169] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
In Parkinson disease (PD), affected midbrain dopamine (DA) neurons lose specific dopaminergic properties before the neurons die. How the phenotype of DA neurons is normally established and the ways in which pathology affects the maintenance of cell identity are, therefore, important considerations. Orphan nuclear receptor NURR1 (NURR1, also known as NR4A2) is involved in the differentiation of midbrain DA neurons, but also has an important role in the adult brain. Emerging evidence indicates that impaired NURR1 function might contribute to the pathogenesis of PD: NURR1 and its transcriptional targets are downregulated in midbrain DA neurons that express high levels of the disease-causing protein α-synuclein. Clinical and experimental data indicate that disrupted NURR1 function contributes to induction of DA neuron dysfunction, which is seen in early stages of PD. The likely involvement of NURR1 in the development and progression of PD makes this protein a potentially interesting target for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mickael Decressac
- Wallenberg Neuroscience Centre, Department of Experimental Medical Sciences, Lund University, BMC A11, Lund 22184, Sweden
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19
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Johnson MM, Michelhaugh SK, Bouhamdan M, Schmidt CJ, Bannon MJ. The Transcription Factor NURR1 Exerts Concentration-Dependent Effects on Target Genes Mediating Distinct Biological Processes. Front Neurosci 2011; 5:135. [PMID: 22194714 PMCID: PMC3243378 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2011.00135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2011] [Accepted: 11/21/2011] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor NURR1 plays a pivotal role in the development and maintenance of neurotransmitter phenotype in midbrain dopamine neurons. Conversely, decreased NURR1 expression is associated with a number of dopamine-related CNS disorders, including Parkinson's disease and drug addiction. In order to better understand the nature of NURR1-responsive genes and their potential roles in dopamine neuron differentiation and survival, we used a human neural cellular background (SK-N-AS cells) in which to generate a number of stable clonal lines with graded NURR1 gene expression that approximated that seen in DA cell-rich human substantia nigra. Gene expression profiling data from these NURR1-expressing clonal lines were validated by quantitative RT-PCR and subjected to bioinformatic analyses. The present study identified a large number of NURR1-responsive genes and demonstrated the potential importance of concentration-dependent NURR1 effects in the differential regulation of distinct NURR1 target genes and biological pathways. These data support the promise of NURR1-based CNS therapeutics for the neuroprotection and/or functional restoration of DA neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magen M Johnson
- Department of Pharmacology, Wayne State University School of Medicine Detroit, MI, USA
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20
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Eells JB, Wilcots J, Sisk S, Guo-Ross SX. NR4A gene expression is dynamically regulated in the ventral tegmental area dopamine neurons and is related to expression of dopamine neurotransmission genes. J Mol Neurosci 2011; 46:545-53. [PMID: 21932041 PMCID: PMC3280384 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-011-9642-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2011] [Accepted: 08/24/2011] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The NR4A transcription factors NR4A1, NR4A2, and NR4A3 (also known as Nur77, Nurr1, and Nor1, respectively) share similar DNA-binding properties and have been implicated in regulation of dopamine neurotransmission genes. Our current hypothesis is that NR4A gene expression is regulated by dopamine neuron activity and that induction of NR4A genes will increase expression of dopamine neurotransmission genes. Eticlopride and γ-butyrolactone (GBL) were used in wild-type (+/+) and Nurr1-null heterozygous (+/−) mice to determine the mechanism(s) regulating Nur77 and Nurr1 expression. Laser capture microdissection and real-time PCR was used to measure Nurr1 and Nur77 mRNA levels in the ventral tegmental area (VTA). Nur77 expression was significantly elevated 1 h after both GBL (twofold) and eticlopride (fourfold). In contrast, GBL significantly decreased Nurr1 expression in both genotypes, while eticlopride significantly increased Nurr1 expression only in the +/+ mice. In a separate group of mice, haloperidol injection significantly elevated Nur77 and Nor1, but not Nurr1 mRNA in the VTA within 1 h and significantly increased tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and dopamine transporter (DAT) mRNA expression by 4 h. These data demonstrate that the NR4A genes are dynamically regulated in dopamine neurons with maintenance of Nurr1 expression requiring dopamine neuron activity while both attenuation of dopamine autoreceptors activation and dopamine neuronal activity combining to induce Nur77 expression. Additionally, these data suggest that induction of NR4A genes could regulate TH and DAT expression and ultimately regulate dopamine neurotransmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey B Eells
- Department of Basic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762, USA.
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21
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Schijndel JEV, Martens GJM. Gene expression profiling in rodent models for schizophrenia. Curr Neuropharmacol 2011; 8:382-93. [PMID: 21629445 PMCID: PMC3080594 DOI: 10.2174/157015910793358132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2009] [Revised: 04/15/2010] [Accepted: 04/30/2010] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The complex neurodevelopmental disorder schizophrenia is thought to be induced by an interaction between predisposing genes and environmental stressors. In order to get a better insight into the aetiology of this complex disorder, animal models have been developed. In this review, we summarize mRNA expression profiling studies on neurodevelopmental, pharmacological and genetic animal models for schizophrenia. We discuss parallels and contradictions among these studies, and propose strategies for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica E Van Schijndel
- Department of Molecular Animal Physiology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Centre for Neuroscience & Nijmegen Centre for Molecular Life Sciences (NCMLS), Faculty of Science, Radboud University Nijmegen, 6525 GA, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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22
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Galleguillos D, Fuentealba JA, Gómez LM, Saver M, Gómez A, Nash K, Burger C, Gysling K, Andrés ME. Nurr1 regulates RET expression in dopamine neurons of adult rat midbrain. J Neurochem 2010; 114:1158-67. [PMID: 20533997 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2010.06841.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Genesis of midbrain dopamine (DA) neurons depends on Nurr1, a nuclear receptor expressed during development and adulthood in these neurons. Nurr1 is required for the expression of genes of dopaminergic phenotype such as tyrosine hydroxylase and DA transporter. The expression of the tyrosine kinase receptor RET also depends on Nurr1 during development. However, it is unknown whether RET expression is regulated by Nurr1 during adulthood, and the mechanism by which Nurr1 regulates RET expression. Using an adeno-associated vector-delivered anti-Nurr1 ribozyme, we knocked-down Nurr1 expression unilaterally in the substantia nigra (SN) of adult rats. Animals injected with the ribozyme displayed a 57.3% decrease in Nurr1 mRNA in the SN accompanied by decreased DA extracellular levels in the striatum. RET mRNA in the injected SN and RET protein in the ipsilateral striatum decreased 76.9% and 47%, respectively. Tyrosine hydroxylase and DA transporter mRNA did not change in Nurr1 knocked-down SN. Nurr1 induced the transcription of the human RET promoter in cell type and concentration-dependent manner. Nurr1 induction of RET promoter is independent of NBRE elements. These results show that the expression of RET in rat adult SN is regulated by Nurr1 and suggest that RET is a transcriptional target of this nuclear receptor.
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Terminal Differentiation of Mesodiencephalic Dopaminergic Neurons:. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2009. [DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4419-0322-8_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
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Moore TM, Brown T, Cade M, Eells JB. Alterations in amphetamine-stimulated dopamine overflow due to the Nurr1-null heterozygous genotype and postweaning isolation. Synapse 2008; 62:764-74. [DOI: 10.1002/syn.20550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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Tamiya H, Ikeda T, Jeong JH, Saito T, Yano F, Jung YK, Ohba S, Kawaguchi H, Chung UI, Choi JY. Analysis of the Runx2 promoter in osseous and non-osseous cells and identification of HIF2A as a potent transcription activator. Gene 2008; 416:53-60. [PMID: 18442887 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2008.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2007] [Revised: 02/21/2008] [Accepted: 03/04/2008] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Little is known about the upstream regulator of Runx2, a master regulator of osteoblast differentiation in bone tissues. To elucidate the molecular mechanism of Runx2 gene expression, we analyzed Runx2 promoter activity in osseous (MC3T3-E1, KS483, Kusa) and non-osseous (NIH3T3, C3H10T1/2, mouse embryonic fibroblasts) cells and also identified Runx2 upstream regulator using a Runx2 promoter-derived luciferase reporter system. After cloning 15 serial deletion constructs from -6832 bp/+390 bp to -37 bp/+390 bp of the Runx2-P1 promoter, we performed a transient transfection assay in osseous and non-osseous cells. A reduction in Runx2 promoter activity was observed in two regions; one was between -3 kb and -1 kb, and the other was between -155 bp and -75 bp. The step-down pattern in promoter activity between -3 kb and -1 kb was observed only in osseous cells. Interestingly, the step-down pattern between -155 bp and -75 bp was revealed in both cell types. Consistently, beta-galactosidase staining in axial skeleton of -3 kb-Runx2-P1-LacZ transgenic mice was positive, but that of all skeletal tissues of -1 kb-Runx2-P1-LacZ transgenic mice was negative. To identify upstream regulators of the Runx2-P1 promoter, we screened 100 transcription factors using Runx2-P1-luciferase reporter constructs in NIH3T3 fibroblasts and HeLa cells. Among them, HIF2A was identified as the strongest activator of Runx2-P1 promoter activity. A HIF2A-responsive site on the Runx2 promoter was identified between -106 bp and -104 bp by mutation analysis. An electrophoretic mobility shift assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation assay confirmed the binding of HIF2A to the Runx2-P1 promoter in vitro and in vivo, respectively. Knock-down using siRNA against HIF2A confirmed that HIF2A is an important regulator of Runx2 gene expression. Collectively, these results suggest that the region between -3 kb and -1 kb is required for the minimal skeletal tissue-specific expression of Runx2, and that the region between -155 bp and -75 bp is important for its basal transcription, which may be in part mediated by HIF2A in bone tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroyuki Tamiya
- Center for Disease Biology and Integrative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, the University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
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