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Li Y, Zhao X, Tang J, Yi M, Zai X, Zhang J, Cheng G, Yang Y, Xu J. Endogenous capsid-forming protein ARC for self-assembling nanoparticle vaccines. J Nanobiotechnology 2024; 22:513. [PMID: 39192264 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-024-02767-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: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024] Open
Abstract
The application of nanoscale scaffolds has become a promising strategy in vaccine design, with protein-based nanoparticles offering desirable avenues for the biocompatible and efficient delivery of antigens. Here, we presented a novel endogenous capsid-forming protein, activated-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein (ARC), which could be engineered through the plug-and-play strategy (SpyCatcher3/SpyTag3) for multivalent display of antigens. Combined with the self-assembly capacity and flexible modularity of ARC, ARC-based vaccines elicited robust immune responses against Mpox or SARS-CoV-2, comparable to those induced by ferritin-based vaccines. Additionally, ARC-based nanoparticles functioned as immunostimulants, efficiently stimulating dendritic cells and facilitating germinal center responses. Even without adjuvants, ARC-based vaccines generated protective immune responses in a lethal challenge model. Hence, this study showed the feasibility of ARC as a novel protein-based nanocarrier for multivalent surface display of pathogenic antigens and demonstrated the potential of exploiting recombinant mammalian retrovirus-like protein as a delivery vehicle for bioactive molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Li
- New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Tsinghua-Peking Joint Center for Life Sciences, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
- Laboratory of Advanced Biotechnology, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, 100071, China
| | - Xiaofan Zhao
- Laboratory of Advanced Biotechnology, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, 100071, China
| | - Jiaqi Tang
- Laboratory of Advanced Biotechnology, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, 100071, China
| | - Mengran Yi
- Laboratory of Advanced Biotechnology, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, 100071, China
| | - Xiaodong Zai
- Laboratory of Advanced Biotechnology, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, 100071, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Laboratory of Advanced Biotechnology, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, 100071, China
| | - Gong Cheng
- New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Tsinghua-Peking Joint Center for Life Sciences, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
| | - Yilong Yang
- Laboratory of Advanced Biotechnology, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, 100071, China.
| | - Junjie Xu
- Laboratory of Advanced Biotechnology, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, 100071, China.
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2
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Yakout DW, Shroff A, Wei W, Thaker V, Allen ZD, Sajish M, Nazarko TY, Mabb AM. Tau regulates Arc stability in neuronal dendrites via a proteasome-sensitive but ubiquitin-independent pathway. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:107237. [PMID: 38552740 PMCID: PMC11061231 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107237] [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: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Tauopathies are neurodegenerative disorders characterized by the deposition of aggregates of the microtubule-associated protein tau, a main component of neurofibrillary tangles. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common type of tauopathy and dementia, with amyloid-beta pathology as an additional hallmark feature of the disease. Besides its role in stabilizing microtubules, tau is localized at postsynaptic sites and can regulate synaptic plasticity. The activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein (Arc) is an immediate early gene that plays a key role in synaptic plasticity, learning, and memory. Arc has been implicated in AD pathogenesis and regulates the release of amyloid-beta. We found that decreased Arc levels correlate with AD status and disease severity. Importantly, Arc protein was upregulated in the hippocampus of Tau KO mice and dendrites of Tau KO primary hippocampal neurons. Overexpression of tau decreased Arc stability in an activity-dependent manner, exclusively in neuronal dendrites, which was coupled to an increase in the expression of dendritic and somatic surface GluA1-containing α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptors. The tau-dependent decrease in Arc was found to be proteasome-sensitive, yet independent of Arc ubiquitination and required the endophilin-binding domain of Arc. Importantly, these effects on Arc stability and GluA1 localization were not observed in the commonly studied tau mutant, P301L. These observations provide a potential molecular basis for synaptic dysfunction mediated through the accumulation of tau in dendrites. Our findings confirm that Arc is misregulated in AD and further show a physiological role for tau in regulating Arc stability and AMPA receptor targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dina W Yakout
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Ankit Shroff
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Wei Wei
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Vishrut Thaker
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Zachary D Allen
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Mathew Sajish
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
| | - Taras Y Nazarko
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Angela M Mabb
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
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3
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Godoy Muñoz JM, Neset L, Markússon S, Weber S, Krokengen OC, Sutinen A, Christakou E, Lopez AJ, Bramham CR, Kursula P. Structural characterization of two nanobodies targeting the ligand-binding pocket of human Arc. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0300453. [PMID: 38683783 PMCID: PMC11057775 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0300453] [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: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
The activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein (Arc) is a complex regulator of synaptic plasticity in glutamatergic neurons. Understanding its molecular function is key to elucidate the neurobiology of memory and learning, stress regulation, and multiple neurological and psychiatric diseases. The recent development of anti-Arc nanobodies has promoted the characterization of the molecular structure and function of Arc. This study aimed to validate two anti-Arc nanobodies, E5 and H11, as selective modulators of the human Arc N-lobe (Arc-NL), a domain that mediates several molecular functions of Arc through its peptide ligand binding site. The structural characteristics of recombinant Arc-NL-nanobody complexes were solved at atomic resolution using X-ray crystallography. Both anti-Arc nanobodies bind specifically to the multi-peptide binding site of Arc-NL. Isothermal titration calorimetry showed that the Arc-NL-nanobody interactions occur at nanomolar affinity, and that the nanobodies can displace a TARPγ2-derived peptide from the binding site. Thus, both anti-Arc-NL nanobodies could be used as competitive inhibitors of endogenous Arc ligands. Differences in the CDR3 loops between the two nanobodies indicate that the spectrum of short linear motifs recognized by the Arc-NL should be expanded. We provide a robust biochemical background to support the use of anti-Arc nanobodies in attempts to target Arc-dependent synaptic plasticity. Function-blocking anti-Arc nanobodies could eventually help unravel the complex neurobiology of synaptic plasticity and allow to develop diagnostic and treatment tools.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lasse Neset
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | | | - Sarah Weber
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | | | - Aleksi Sutinen
- Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine & Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | | | - Andrea J. Lopez
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | | | - Petri Kursula
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine & Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
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4
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Henriques WS, Young JM, Nemudryi A, Nemudraia A, Wiedenheft B, Malik HS. The Diverse Evolutionary Histories of Domesticated Metaviral Capsid Genes in Mammals. Mol Biol Evol 2024; 41:msae061. [PMID: 38507667 PMCID: PMC11011659 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msae061] [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: 01/25/2024] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Selfish genetic elements comprise significant fractions of mammalian genomes. In rare instances, host genomes domesticate segments of these elements for function. Using a complete human genome assembly and 25 additional vertebrate genomes, we re-analyzed the evolutionary trajectories and functional potential of capsid (CA) genes domesticated from Metaviridae, a lineage of retrovirus-like retrotransposons. Our study expands on previous analyses to unearth several new insights about the evolutionary histories of these ancient genes. We find that at least five independent domestication events occurred from diverse Metaviridae, giving rise to three universally retained single-copy genes evolving under purifying selection and two gene families unique to placental mammals, with multiple members showing evidence of rapid evolution. In the SIRH/RTL family, we find diverse amino-terminal domains, widespread loss of protein-coding capacity in RTL10 despite its retention in several mammalian lineages, and differential utilization of an ancient programmed ribosomal frameshift in RTL3 between the domesticated CA and protease domains. Our analyses also reveal that most members of the PNMA family in mammalian genomes encode a conserved putative amino-terminal RNA-binding domain (RBD) both adjoining and independent from domesticated CA domains. Our analyses lead to a significant correction of previous annotations of the essential CCDC8 gene. We show that this putative RBD is also present in several extant Metaviridae, revealing a novel protein domain configuration in retrotransposons. Collectively, our study reveals the divergent outcomes of multiple domestication events from diverse Metaviridae in the common ancestor of placental mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- William S Henriques
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
| | - Janet M Young
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Artem Nemudryi
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
| | - Anna Nemudraia
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
| | - Blake Wiedenheft
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
| | - Harmit S Malik
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
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5
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Barylko B, Taylor CA, Wang J, Earnest S, Stippec S, Binns DD, Brautigam CA, Jameson DM, DeMartino GN, Cobb MH, Albanesi JP. Mimicking Protein Kinase C Phosphorylation Inhibits Arc/Arg3.1 Palmitoylation and Its Interaction with Nucleic Acids. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:780. [PMID: 38255853 PMCID: PMC10815921 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25020780] [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: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein (Arc) plays essential roles in diverse forms of synaptic plasticity, including long-term potentiation (LTP), long-term depression (LTD), and homeostatic plasticity. In addition, it assembles into virus-like particles that may deliver mRNAs and/or other cargo between neurons and neighboring cells. Considering this broad range of activities, it is not surprising that Arc is subject to regulation by multiple types of post-translational modification, including phosphorylation, palmitoylation, SUMOylation, ubiquitylation, and acetylation. Here we explore the potential regulatory role of Arc phosphorylation by protein kinase C (PKC), which occurs on serines 84 and 90 within an α-helical segment in the N-terminal domain. To mimic the effect of PKC phosphorylation, we mutated the two serines to negatively charged glutamic acid. A consequence of introducing these phosphomimetic mutations is the almost complete inhibition of Arc palmitoylation, which occurs on nearby cysteines and contributes to synaptic weakening. The mutations also inhibit the binding of nucleic acids and destabilize high-order Arc oligomers. Thus, PKC phosphorylation of Arc may limit the full expression of LTD and may suppress the interneuronal transport of mRNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Barylko
- Department of Pharmacology, U.T. Southwestern Medical Center, 6001 Forest Park, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; (B.B.); (C.A.T.4th); (D.D.B.); (M.H.C.)
| | - Clinton A. Taylor
- Department of Pharmacology, U.T. Southwestern Medical Center, 6001 Forest Park, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; (B.B.); (C.A.T.4th); (D.D.B.); (M.H.C.)
| | - Jason Wang
- Department of Physiology, U.T. Southwestern Medical Center, 6001 Forest Park, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; (J.W.); (G.N.D.)
| | - Svetlana Earnest
- Department of Pharmacology, U.T. Southwestern Medical Center, 6001 Forest Park, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; (B.B.); (C.A.T.4th); (D.D.B.); (M.H.C.)
| | - Steve Stippec
- Department of Pharmacology, U.T. Southwestern Medical Center, 6001 Forest Park, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; (B.B.); (C.A.T.4th); (D.D.B.); (M.H.C.)
| | - Derk D. Binns
- Department of Pharmacology, U.T. Southwestern Medical Center, 6001 Forest Park, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; (B.B.); (C.A.T.4th); (D.D.B.); (M.H.C.)
| | - Chad A. Brautigam
- Department of Biophysics, U.T. Southwestern Medical Center, 6001 Forest Park, Dallas, TX 75390, USA;
| | - David M. Jameson
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI 96844, USA;
| | - George N. DeMartino
- Department of Physiology, U.T. Southwestern Medical Center, 6001 Forest Park, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; (J.W.); (G.N.D.)
| | - Melanie H. Cobb
- Department of Pharmacology, U.T. Southwestern Medical Center, 6001 Forest Park, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; (B.B.); (C.A.T.4th); (D.D.B.); (M.H.C.)
| | - Joseph P. Albanesi
- Department of Pharmacology, U.T. Southwestern Medical Center, 6001 Forest Park, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; (B.B.); (C.A.T.4th); (D.D.B.); (M.H.C.)
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6
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Henriques WS, Young JM, Nemudryi A, Nemudraia A, Wiedenheft B, Malik HS. The diverse evolutionary histories of domesticated metaviral capsid genes in mammals. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.17.558119. [PMID: 37745568 PMCID: PMC10516033 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.17.558119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Selfish genetic elements and their remnants comprise at least half of the human genome. Active transposons duplicate by inserting copies at new sites in a host genome. Following insertion, transposons can acquire mutations that render them inactive; the accrual of additional mutations can render them unrecognizable over time. However, in rare instances, segments of transposons become useful for the host, in a process called gene domestication. Using the first complete human genome assembly and 25 additional vertebrate genomes, we analyzed the evolutionary trajectories and functional potential of genes domesticated from the capsid genes of Metaviridae, a retroviral-like retrotransposon family. Our analysis reveals four families of domesticated capsid genes in placental mammals with varied evolutionary outcomes, ranging from universal retention to lineage-specific duplications or losses and from purifying selection to lineage-specific rapid evolution. The four families of domesticated capsid genes have divergent amino-terminal domains, inherited from four distinct ancestral metaviruses. Structural predictions reveal that many domesticated genes encode a previously unrecognized RNA-binding domain retained in multiple paralogs in mammalian genomes both adjacent to and independent from the capsid domain. Collectively, our study reveals diverse outcomes of domestication of diverse metaviruses, which led to structurally and evolutionarily diverse genes that encode important, but still largely-unknown functions in placental mammals. (207).
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Affiliation(s)
- William S. Henriques
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman MT 59717
| | - Janet M. Young
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, 98109
| | - Artem Nemudryi
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman MT 59717
| | - Anna Nemudraia
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman MT 59717
| | - Blake Wiedenheft
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman MT 59717
| | - Harmit S. Malik
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, 98109
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, 98109
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7
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Avallone M, Pardo J, Mergiya TF, Rájová J, Räsänen A, Davidsson M, Åkerblom M, Quintino L, Kumar D, Bramham CR, Björklund T. Visualizing Arc protein dynamics and localization in the mammalian brain using AAV-mediated in situ gene labeling. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1140785. [PMID: 37415832 PMCID: PMC10321715 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1140785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated (Arc) protein is essential for synaptic plasticity and memory formation. The Arc gene, which contains remnants of a structural GAG retrotransposon sequence, produces a protein that self-assembles into capsid-like structures harboring Arc mRNA. Arc capsids, released from neurons, have been proposed as a novel intercellular mechanism for mRNA transmission. Nevertheless, evidence for intercellular transport of Arc in the mammalian brain is still lacking. To enable the tracking of Arc molecules from individual neurons in vivo, we devised an adeno-associated virus (AAV) mediated approach to tag the N-terminal of the mouse Arc protein with a fluorescent reporter using CRISPR/Cas9 homologous independent targeted integration (HITI). We show that a sequence coding for mCherry can successfully be knocked in at the 5' end of the Arc open reading frame. While nine spCas9 gene editing sites surround the Arc start codon, the accuracy of the editing was highly sequence-dependent, with only a single target resulting in an in-frame reporter integration. When inducing long-term potentiation (LTP) in the hippocampus, we observed an increase of Arc protein highly correlated with an increase in fluorescent intensity and the number of mCherry-positive cells. By proximity ligation assay (PLA), we demonstrated that the mCherry-Arc fusion protein retains the Arc function by interacting with the transmembrane protein stargazin in postsynaptic spines. Finally, we recorded mCherry-Arc interaction with presynaptic protein Bassoon in mCherry-negative surrounding neurons at close proximity to mCherry-positive spines of edited neurons. This is the first study to provide support for inter-neuronal in vivo transfer of Arc in the mammalian brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martino Avallone
- Molecular Neuromodulation, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Joaquín Pardo
- Molecular Neuromodulation, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de La Plata “Prof. Dr. Rodolfo R. Brenner” (INIBIOLP), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)—Universidad Nacional de La Plata (UNLP), La Plata, Argentina
| | - Tadiwos F. Mergiya
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Mohn Research Center for the Brain, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Jana Rájová
- Molecular Neuromodulation, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Atte Räsänen
- Molecular Neuromodulation, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Marcus Davidsson
- Molecular Neuromodulation, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Malin Åkerblom
- Molecular Neuromodulation, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Luis Quintino
- CNS Gene Therapy, Department of Experimental Medical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | | | - Clive R. Bramham
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Mohn Research Center for the Brain, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Tomas Björklund
- Molecular Neuromodulation, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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8
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Eriksen MS, Bramham CR. Molecular physiology of Arc/Arg3.1: The oligomeric state hypothesis of synaptic plasticity. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 2022; 236:e13886. [PMID: 36073248 PMCID: PMC9787330 DOI: 10.1111/apha.13886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
The immediate early gene, Arc, is a pivotal regulator of synaptic plasticity, memory, and cognitive flexibility. But what is Arc protein? How does it work? Inside the neuron, Arc is a protein interaction hub and dynamic regulator of intra-cellular signaling in synaptic plasticity. In remarkable contrast, Arc can also self-assemble into retrovirus-like capsids that are released in extracellular vesicles and capable of intercellular transfer of RNA. Elucidation of the molecular basis of Arc hub and capsid functions, and the relationship between them, is vital for progress. Here, we discuss recent findings on Arc structure-function and regulation of oligomerization that are giving insight into the molecular physiology of Arc. The unique features of mammalian Arc are emphasized, while drawing comparisons with Drosophila Arc and retroviral Gag. The Arc N-terminal domain, found only in mammals, is proposed to play a key role in regulating Arc hub signaling, oligomerization, and formation of capsids. Bringing together several lines of evidence, we hypothesize that Arc function in synaptic plasticity-long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD)-are dictated by different oligomeric forms of Arc. Specifically, monomer/dimer function in LTP, tetramer function in basic LTD, and 32-unit oligomer function in enhanced LTD. The role of mammalian Arc capsids is unclear but likely depends on the cross-section of captured neuronal activity-induced RNAs. As the functional states of Arc are revealed, it may be possible to selectively manipulate specific forms of Arc-dependent plasticity and intercellular communication involved in brain function and dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Clive R. Bramham
- Department of BiomedicineUniversity of BergenBergenNorway,Mohn Research Center for the BrainUniversity of BergenBergenNorway
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9
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Ishizuka Y, Mergiya TF, Baldinotti R, Xu J, Hallin EI, Markússon S, Kursula P, Bramham CR. Development and Validation of Arc Nanobodies: New Tools for Probing Arc Dynamics and Function. Neurochem Res 2022; 47:2656-2666. [PMID: 35307777 PMCID: PMC9463278 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-022-03573-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated (Arc) protein plays key roles in long-term synaptic plasticity, memory, and cognitive flexibility. However, an integral understanding of Arc mechanisms is lacking. Arc is proposed to function as an interaction hub in neuronal dendrites and the nucleus, yet Arc can also form retrovirus-like capsids with proposed roles in intercellular communication. Here, we sought to develop anti-Arc nanobodies (ArcNbs) as new tools for probing Arc dynamics and function. Six ArcNbs representing different clonal lines were selected from immunized alpaca. Immunoblotting with recombinant ArcNbs fused to a small ALFA-epitope tag demonstrated binding to recombinant Arc as well as endogenous Arc from rat cortical tissue. ALFA-tagged ArcNb also provided efficient immunoprecipitation of stimulus-induced Arc after carbachol-treatment of SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells and induction of long-term potentiation in the rat dentate gyrus in vivo. Epitope mapping showed that all Nbs recognize the Arc C-terminal region containing the retroviral Gag capsid homology domain, comprised of tandem N- and C-lobes. ArcNbs E5 and H11 selectively bound the N-lobe, which harbors a peptide ligand binding pocket specific to mammals. Four additional ArcNbs bound the region containing the C-lobe and C-terminal tail. For use as genetically encoded fluorescent intrabodies, we show that ArcNbs fused to mScarlet-I are uniformly expressed, without aggregation, in the cytoplasm and nucleus of HEK293FT cells. Finally, mScarlet-I-ArcNb H11 expressed as intrabody selectively bound the N-lobe and enabled co-immunoprecipitation of full-length intracellular Arc. ArcNbs are versatile tools for live-cell labeling and purification of Arc, and interrogation of Arc capsid domain specific functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuta Ishizuka
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Jonas Lies 91, 5009, Bergen, Norway.
- Department of Pathophysiology and Metabolism, Kawasaki Medical School, 577 Matsushima, Kurashiki, Okayama, 701-0192, Japan.
| | - Tadiwos F Mergiya
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Jonas Lies 91, 5009, Bergen, Norway
- Mohn Center for Research on the Brain, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Rodolfo Baldinotti
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Jonas Lies 91, 5009, Bergen, Norway
- Mohn Center for Research on the Brain, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Ju Xu
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Jonas Lies 91, 5009, Bergen, Norway
| | - Erik I Hallin
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Jonas Lies 91, 5009, Bergen, Norway
| | - Sigurbjörn Markússon
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Jonas Lies 91, 5009, Bergen, Norway
| | - Petri Kursula
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Jonas Lies 91, 5009, Bergen, Norway
- Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
- Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Clive R Bramham
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Jonas Lies 91, 5009, Bergen, Norway.
- Mohn Center for Research on the Brain, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
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10
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Markússon S, Hallin EI, Bustad HJ, Raasakka A, Xu J, Muruganandam G, Loris R, Martinez A, Bramham CR, Kursula P. High-affinity anti-Arc nanobodies provide tools for structural and functional studies. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0269281. [PMID: 35671319 PMCID: PMC9173642 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0269281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein (Arc) is a multidomain protein of retroviral origin with a vital role in the regulation of synaptic plasticity and memory formation in mammals. However, the mechanistic and structural basis of Arc function is poorly understood. Arc has an N-terminal domain (NTD) involved in membrane binding and a C-terminal domain (CTD) that binds postsynaptic protein ligands. In addition, the NTD and CTD both function in Arc oligomerisation, including assembly of retrovirus-like capsids involved in intercellular signalling. To obtain new tools for studies on Arc structure and function, we produced and characterised six high-affinity anti-Arc nanobodies (Nb). The CTD of rat and human Arc were both crystallised in ternary complexes with two Nbs. One Nb bound deep into the stargazin-binding pocket of Arc CTD and suggested competitive binding with Arc ligand peptides. The crystallisation of the human Arc CTD in two different conformations, accompanied by SAXS data and molecular dynamics simulations, paints a dynamic picture of the mammalian Arc CTD. The collapsed conformation closely resembles Drosophila Arc in capsids, suggesting that we have trapped a capsid-like conformation of the human Arc CTD. Our data obtained with the help of anti-Arc Nbs suggest that structural dynamics of the CTD and dimerisation of the NTD may promote the formation of capsids. Taken together, the recombinant high-affinity anti-Arc Nbs are versatile tools that can be further developed for studying mammalian Arc structure and function, as well as mechanisms of Arc capsid formation, both in vitro and in vivo. For example, the Nbs could serve as a genetically encoded tools for inhibition of endogenous Arc interactions in the study of neuronal function and plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Erik I. Hallin
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | | | - Arne Raasakka
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Ju Xu
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Gopinath Muruganandam
- VIB-VUB Center for Structural Biology, Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Bioengineering Sciences, Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussel, Belgium
| | - Remy Loris
- VIB-VUB Center for Structural Biology, Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Bioengineering Sciences, Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussel, Belgium
| | - Aurora Martinez
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | | | - Petri Kursula
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine & Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
- * E-mail:
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11
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Hallin EI, Bramham CR, Kursula P. Structural properties and peptide ligand binding of the capsid homology domains of human Arc. Biochem Biophys Rep 2021; 26:100975. [PMID: 33732907 PMCID: PMC7941041 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrep.2021.100975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein (Arc) is important for synaptic plasticity and the normal function of the brain. Arc interacts with neuronal postsynaptic proteins, but the mechanistic details of its function have not been fully established. The C-terminal domain of Arc consists of tandem domains, termed the N- and C-lobe. The N-lobe harbours a peptide binding site, able to bind multiple targets. By measuring the affinity of human Arc towards various peptides from stargazin and guanylate kinase-associated protein (GKAP), we have refined its specificity determinants. We found two sites in the GKAP repeat region that bind to Arc and confirmed these interactions by X-ray crystallography. Phosphorylation of the stargazin peptide did not affect binding affinity but caused changes in thermodynamic parameters. Comparison of the crystal structures of three high-resolution human Arc-peptide complexes identifies three conserved C-H…π interactions at the binding cavity, explaining the sequence specificity of short linear motif binding by Arc. We further characterise central residues of the Arc lobe fold, show the effects of peptide binding on protein dynamics, and identify acyl carrier proteins as structures similar to the Arc lobes. We hypothesise that Arc may affect protein-protein interactions and phase separation at the postsynaptic density, affecting protein turnover and re-modelling of the synapse. The present data on Arc structure and ligand binding will help in further deciphering these processes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Petri Kursula
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Norway
- Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, Finland
- Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu, Finland
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12
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Walczyk-Mooradally A, Holborn J, Singh K, Tyler M, Patnaik D, Wesseling H, Brandon NJ, Steen J, Graether SP, Haggarty SJ, Lalonde J. Phosphorylation-dependent control of Activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein (Arc) protein by TNIK. J Neurochem 2021. [PMID: 34077555 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein (Arc) is an immediate early gene product that support neuroplastic changes important for cognitive function and memory formation. As a protein with homology to the retroviral Gag protein, a particular characteristic of Arc is its capacity to self-assemble into virus-like capsids that can package mRNAs and transfer those transcripts to other cells. Although a lot has been uncovered about the contributions of Arc to neuron biology and behavior, very little is known about how different functions of Arc are coordinately regulated both temporally and spatially in neurons. The answer to this question we hypothesized must involve the occurrence of different protein post-translational modifications acting to confer specificity. In this study, we used mass spectrometry and sequence prediction strategies to map novel Arc phosphorylation sites. Our approach led us to recognize serine 67 (S67) and threonine 278 (T278) as residues that can be modified by TNIK, which is a kinase abundantly expressed in neurons that shares many functional overlaps with Arc and has, along with its interacting proteins such as the NMDA receptor, and been implicated as a risk factor for psychiatric disorders. Furthermore, characterization of each residue using site-directed mutagenesis to create S67 and T278 mutant variants revealed that TNIK action at those amino acids can strongly influence Arc's subcellular distribution and self-assembly as capsids. Together, our findings reveal an unsuspected connection between Arc and TNIK. Better understanding of the interplay between these two proteins in neuronal cells could lead to new insights about apparition and progression of psychiatric disorders. Cover Image for this issue: https://doi.org/10.1111/jnc.15077.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jennifer Holborn
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Karamjeet Singh
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Marshall Tyler
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Centre for Genomic Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Debasis Patnaik
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Centre for Genomic Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hendrik Wesseling
- Boston Children's Hospital, F.M. Kirby Center for Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nicholas J Brandon
- Neuroscience, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca Boston, Waltham, MA, USA
| | - Judith Steen
- Boston Children's Hospital, F.M. Kirby Center for Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Steffen P Graether
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Stephen J Haggarty
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Centre for Genomic Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jasmin Lalonde
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
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13
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Walczyk-Mooradally A, Holborn J, Singh K, Tyler M, Patnaik D, Wesseling H, Brandon NJ, Steen J, Graether SP, Haggarty SJ, Lalonde J. Phosphorylation-dependent control of Activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein (Arc) protein by TNIK. J Neurochem 2021; 158:1058-1073. [PMID: 34077555 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein (Arc) is an immediate early gene product that support neuroplastic changes important for cognitive function and memory formation. As a protein with homology to the retroviral Gag protein, a particular characteristic of Arc is its capacity to self-assemble into virus-like capsids that can package mRNAs and transfer those transcripts to other cells. Although a lot has been uncovered about the contributions of Arc to neuron biology and behavior, very little is known about how different functions of Arc are coordinately regulated both temporally and spatially in neurons. The answer to this question we hypothesized must involve the occurrence of different protein post-translational modifications acting to confer specificity. In this study, we used mass spectrometry and sequence prediction strategies to map novel Arc phosphorylation sites. Our approach led us to recognize serine 67 (S67) and threonine 278 (T278) as residues that can be modified by TNIK, which is a kinase abundantly expressed in neurons that shares many functional overlaps with Arc and has, along with its interacting proteins such as the NMDA receptor, and been implicated as a risk factor for psychiatric disorders. Furthermore, characterization of each residue using site-directed mutagenesis to create S67 and T278 mutant variants revealed that TNIK action at those amino acids can strongly influence Arc's subcellular distribution and self-assembly as capsids. Together, our findings reveal an unsuspected connection between Arc and TNIK. Better understanding of the interplay between these two proteins in neuronal cells could lead to new insights about apparition and progression of psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jennifer Holborn
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Karamjeet Singh
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Marshall Tyler
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Centre for Genomic Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Debasis Patnaik
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Centre for Genomic Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hendrik Wesseling
- Boston Children's Hospital, F.M. Kirby Center for Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nicholas J Brandon
- Neuroscience, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca Boston, Waltham, MA, USA
| | - Judith Steen
- Boston Children's Hospital, F.M. Kirby Center for Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Steffen P Graether
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Stephen J Haggarty
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Centre for Genomic Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jasmin Lalonde
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
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14
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Crystal and solution structures reveal oligomerization of individual capsid homology domains of Drosophila Arc. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0251459. [PMID: 33989344 PMCID: PMC8121366 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0251459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Synaptic plasticity is vital for brain function and memory formation. One of the key proteins in long-term synaptic plasticity and memory is the activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein (Arc). Mammalian Arc forms virus-like capsid structures in a process requiring the N-terminal domain and contains two C-terminal lobes that are structural homologues to retroviral capsids. Drosophila has two isoforms of Arc, dArc1 and dArc2, with low sequence similarity to mammalian Arc, but lacking a large N-terminal domain. Both dArc isoforms are related to the Ty3/gypsy retrotransposon capsid, consisting of N- and C-terminal lobes. Structures of dArc1, as well as capsids formed by both dArc isoforms, have been recently determined. We carried out structural characterization of the four individual dArc lobe domains. As opposed to the corresponding mammalian Arc lobe domains, which are monomeric, the dArc lobes were all oligomeric in solution, indicating a strong propensity for homophilic interactions. A truncated N-lobe from dArc2 formed a domain-swapped dimer in the crystal structure, resulting in a novel dimer interaction that could be relevant for capsid assembly or other dArc functions. This domain-swapped structure resembles the dimeric protein C of flavivirus capsids, as well as the structure of histones dimers, domain-swapped transcription factors, and membrane-interacting BAK domains. The strong oligomerization properties of the isolated dArc lobe domains explain the ability of dArc to form capsids in the absence of any large N-terminal domain, in contrast to the mammalian protein.
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15
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Hantak MP, Einstein J, Kearns RB, Shepherd JD. Intercellular Communication in the Nervous System Goes Viral. Trends Neurosci 2021; 44:248-259. [PMID: 33485691 PMCID: PMC8041237 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2020.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Viruses and transposable elements are major drivers of evolution and make up over half the sequences in the human genome. In some cases, these elements are co-opted to perform biological functions for the host. Recent studies made the surprising observation that the neuronal gene Arc forms virus-like protein capsids that can transfer RNA between neurons to mediate a novel intercellular communication pathway. Phylogenetic analyses showed that mammalian Arc is derived from an ancient retrotransposon of the Ty3/gypsy family and contains homology to the retroviral Gag polyproteins. The Drosophila Arc homologs, which are independently derived from the same family of retrotransposons, also mediate cell-to-cell signaling of RNA at the neuromuscular junction; a striking example of convergent evolution. Here we propose an Arc 'life cycle', based on what is known about retroviral Gag, and discuss how elucidating these biological processes may lead to novel insights into brain plasticity and memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael P Hantak
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Jenifer Einstein
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Rachel B Kearns
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Jason D Shepherd
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
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16
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Hedde PN, Malacrida L, Barylko B, Binns DD, Albanesi JP, Jameson DM. Membrane Remodeling by Arc/Arg3.1. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:630625. [PMID: 33763452 PMCID: PMC7982473 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.630625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The activity-regulated cytoskeletal-associated protein (Arc, also known as Arg3.1) is an immediate early gene product induced by activity/experience and required for multiple modes of synaptic plasticity. Both long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD) are impaired upon Arc deletion, as well as the ability to form long-term spatial, taste and fear memories. The best-characterized cellular function of Arc is enhancement of the endocytic internalization of AMPA receptors (AMPARs) in dendritic spines. Solution of the crystal structure of a C-terminal segment of Arc revealed a striking similarity to the capsid domain of HIV Gag. It was subsequently shown that Arc assembles into viral capsid-like structures that enclose Arc mRNA, are released into the extracellular space, and are internalized by neighboring cells. Thus, Arc is unique in participating in plasma membrane budding both into and out of the cell. In this report we study the interaction of Arc with membranes using giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs). Using the fluorescent lipid probe LAURDAN, we find that Arc promotes the formation of smaller vesicles that penetrate into the GUV interior. Our results suggest that Arc induces negative membrane curvature and may therefore facilitate the formation of mRNA-containing extracellular vesicles from the plasma membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Per Niklas Hedde
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, United States.,Laboratory for Fluorescence Dynamics, University of California, Irvine , CA, United States
| | - Leonel Malacrida
- Departamento de Fisiopatología, Hospital de Clínicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo , Uruguay.,Advanced Bioimaging Unit, Institute Pasteur of Montevideo-Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Barbara Barylko
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Derk D Binns
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Joseph P Albanesi
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - David M Jameson
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
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17
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Hedde PN, Malacrida L, Barylko B, Binns DD, Albanesi JP, Jameson DM. Membrane Remodeling by Arc/Arg3.1. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:630625. [PMID: 33763452 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.630625/full] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 05/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The activity-regulated cytoskeletal-associated protein (Arc, also known as Arg3.1) is an immediate early gene product induced by activity/experience and required for multiple modes of synaptic plasticity. Both long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD) are impaired upon Arc deletion, as well as the ability to form long-term spatial, taste and fear memories. The best-characterized cellular function of Arc is enhancement of the endocytic internalization of AMPA receptors (AMPARs) in dendritic spines. Solution of the crystal structure of a C-terminal segment of Arc revealed a striking similarity to the capsid domain of HIV Gag. It was subsequently shown that Arc assembles into viral capsid-like structures that enclose Arc mRNA, are released into the extracellular space, and are internalized by neighboring cells. Thus, Arc is unique in participating in plasma membrane budding both into and out of the cell. In this report we study the interaction of Arc with membranes using giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs). Using the fluorescent lipid probe LAURDAN, we find that Arc promotes the formation of smaller vesicles that penetrate into the GUV interior. Our results suggest that Arc induces negative membrane curvature and may therefore facilitate the formation of mRNA-containing extracellular vesicles from the plasma membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Per Niklas Hedde
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
- Laboratory for Fluorescence Dynamics, University of California, Irvine , CA, United States
| | - Leonel Malacrida
- Departamento de Fisiopatología, Hospital de Clínicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo , Uruguay
- Advanced Bioimaging Unit, Institute Pasteur of Montevideo-Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Barbara Barylko
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Derk D Binns
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Joseph P Albanesi
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - David M Jameson
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
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18
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Acuña-Hinrichsen F, Covarrubias-Pinto A, Ishizuka Y, Stolzenbach MF, Martin C, Salazar P, Castro MA, Bramham CR, Otth C. Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Neuronal Infection Triggers the Disassembly of Key Structural Components of Dendritic Spines. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:580717. [PMID: 33708072 PMCID: PMC7940845 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.580717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is a widespread neurotropic virus. Primary infection of HSV-1 in facial epithelium leads to retrograde axonal transport to the central nervous system (CNS) where it establishes latency. Under stressful conditions, the virus reactivates, and new progeny are transported anterogradely to the primary site of infection. During the late stages of neuronal infection, axonal damage can occur, however, the impact of HSV-1 infection on the morphology and functional integrity of neuronal dendrites during the early stages of infection is unknown. We previously demonstrated that acute HSV-1 infection in neuronal cell lines selectively enhances Arc protein expression - a major regulator of long-term synaptic plasticity and memory consolidation, known for being a protein-interaction hub in the postsynaptic dendritic compartment. Thus, HSV-1 induced Arc expression may alter the functionality of infected neurons and negatively impact dendritic spine dynamics. In this study we demonstrated that HSV-1 infection induces structural disassembly and functional deregulation in cultured cortical neurons, an altered glutamate response, Arc accumulation within the somata, and decreased expression of spine scaffolding-like proteins such as PSD-95, Drebrin and CaMKIIβ. However, whether these alterations are specific to the HSV-1 infection mechanism or reflect a secondary neurodegenerative process remains to be determined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisca Acuña-Hinrichsen
- Institute of Clinical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
- Center for Interdisciplinary Studies on the Nervous System (CISNe), Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
- Post-graduate Program, Science Faculty, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Adriana Covarrubias-Pinto
- Center for Interdisciplinary Studies on the Nervous System (CISNe), Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
- Post-graduate Program, Science Faculty, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
- Institute of Biochemistry II, Goethe University School of Medicine, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Institute of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Yuta Ishizuka
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | | | - Carolina Martin
- School of Medical Technology, Austral University of Chile, Puerto Montt, Chile
| | - Paula Salazar
- Institute of Clinical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Maite A. Castro
- Center for Interdisciplinary Studies on the Nervous System (CISNe), Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
- Institute of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
- Janelia Research Campus, HHMI, VA, United States
| | | | - Carola Otth
- Institute of Clinical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
- Center for Interdisciplinary Studies on the Nervous System (CISNe), Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
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19
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Eriksen MS, Nikolaienko O, Hallin EI, Grødem S, Bustad HJ, Flydal MI, Merski I, Hosokawa T, Lascu D, Akerkar S, Cuéllar J, Chambers JJ, O'Connell R, Muruganandam G, Loris R, Touma C, Kanhema T, Hayashi Y, Stratton MM, Valpuesta JM, Kursula P, Martinez A, Bramham CR. Arc self-association and formation of virus-like capsids are mediated by an N-terminal helical coil motif. FEBS J 2020; 288:2930-2955. [PMID: 33175445 DOI: 10.1111/febs.15618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein (Arc) is a protein interaction hub with diverse roles in intracellular neuronal signaling, and important functions in neuronal synaptic plasticity, memory, and postnatal cortical development. Arc has homology to retroviral Gag protein and is capable of self-assembly into virus-like capsids implicated in the intercellular transfer of RNA. However, the molecular basis of Arc self-association and capsid formation is largely unknown. Here, we identified a 28-amino-acid stretch in the mammalian Arc N-terminal (NT) domain that is necessary and sufficient for self-association. Within this region, we identified a 7-residue oligomerization motif, critical for the formation of virus-like capsids. Purified wild-type Arc formed capsids as shown by transmission and cryo-electron microscopy, whereas mutant Arc with disruption of the oligomerization motif formed homogenous dimers. An atomic-resolution crystal structure of the oligomerization region peptide demonstrated an antiparallel coiled-coil interface, strongly supporting NT-NT domain interactions in Arc oligomerization. The NT coil-coil interaction was also validated in live neurons using fluorescence lifetime FRET imaging, and mutation of the oligomerization motif disrupted Arc-facilitated endocytosis. Furthermore, using single-molecule photobleaching, we show that Arc mRNA greatly enhances higher-order oligomerization in a manner dependent on the oligomerization motif. In conclusion, a helical coil in the Arc NT domain supports self-association above the dimer stage, mRNA-induced oligomerization, and formation of virus-like capsids. DATABASE: The coordinates and structure factors for crystallographic analysis of the oligomerization region were deposited at the Protein Data Bank with the entry code 6YTU.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria S Eriksen
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Norway.,KG Jebsen Centre for Neuropsychiatric Disorders, University of Bergen, Norway
| | - Oleksii Nikolaienko
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Norway.,KG Jebsen Centre for Neuropsychiatric Disorders, University of Bergen, Norway
| | - Erik I Hallin
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Norway
| | - Sverre Grødem
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Norway.,KG Jebsen Centre for Neuropsychiatric Disorders, University of Bergen, Norway
| | - Helene J Bustad
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Norway.,KG Jebsen Centre for Neuropsychiatric Disorders, University of Bergen, Norway
| | - Marte I Flydal
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Norway.,KG Jebsen Centre for Neuropsychiatric Disorders, University of Bergen, Norway
| | - Ian Merski
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Tomohisa Hosokawa
- Department of Pharmacology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Daniela Lascu
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Norway.,KG Jebsen Centre for Neuropsychiatric Disorders, University of Bergen, Norway
| | - Shreeram Akerkar
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Norway.,KG Jebsen Centre for Neuropsychiatric Disorders, University of Bergen, Norway
| | - Jorge Cuéllar
- Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - James J Chambers
- Institute for Applied Life Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Rory O'Connell
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Gopinath Muruganandam
- VIB-VUB Center for Structural Biology, Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie, Brussels, Belgium.,Structural Biology Brussels, Department of Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium
| | - Remy Loris
- VIB-VUB Center for Structural Biology, Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie, Brussels, Belgium.,Structural Biology Brussels, Department of Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium
| | - Christine Touma
- Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology & Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu, Finland
| | - Tambudzai Kanhema
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Norway.,KG Jebsen Centre for Neuropsychiatric Disorders, University of Bergen, Norway
| | - Yasunori Hayashi
- Department of Pharmacology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Margaret M Stratton
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA, USA
| | | | - Petri Kursula
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Norway.,Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology & Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu, Finland
| | - Aurora Martinez
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Norway.,KG Jebsen Centre for Neuropsychiatric Disorders, University of Bergen, Norway
| | - Clive R Bramham
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Norway.,KG Jebsen Centre for Neuropsychiatric Disorders, University of Bergen, Norway
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20
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Boldridge M, Shimabukuro J, Nakamatsu K, Won C, Jansen C, Turner H, Wang L. Characterization of the C-terminal tail of the Arc protein. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0239870. [PMID: 32991626 PMCID: PMC7523963 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0239870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associate protein Arc (or Arg3.1) is specifically linked to memory formation and a number of cognitive disorders, including Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia. Since the discovery of Arc in 1995, extensive research has been conducted on the protein to identify its function and mechanisms of action, with solving the structure of Arc as a major goal. However, the Arc protein tends to self-oligomerize in vitro, and is difficult to crystallize. These properties have hindered efforts to obtain the structure of the full-length, whole protein Arc. As an alternative approach, we and others, have sought to solve the structures of various subdomain proteins of Arc, including the N-lobe, C-lobe, and capsid domain (N-lobe + C-lobe). In this study, we characterized the C-terminal tail of Arc using integrated bioinformatic and structural biology techniques. We compared the sequences of Arc proteins in different mammal species and found that the amino-acid composition in the C-terminal tail region has a significantly higher degree of variation rate than the rest of the protein. Structural prediction programs suggested that the C-terminal tail is structurally disordered. Chemical shift analysis based on solution NMR spectra confirmed that the C-terminal tail has a random coil (disordered) structure, and the tail starts from the residue D357. Furthermore, the NMR spectra showed that the C-terminal tail has minimum (if any) interaction with its neighboring capsid domain in Arc. This study fills gaps in our specific understanding of the structural nature and functional contributions of the Arc C-terminus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Boldridge
- Department of Natural Sciences, Hawaii Pacific University, Honolulu, Hawaii, United States of America
| | - Jody Shimabukuro
- Department of Natural Sciences, Hawaii Pacific University, Honolulu, Hawaii, United States of America
| | - Keith Nakamatsu
- Department of Natural Sciences, Windward Community College, Kaneohe, Hawaii, United States of America
| | - Christian Won
- Department of Natural Sciences, Windward Community College, Kaneohe, Hawaii, United States of America
| | - Chad Jansen
- Laboratory of Immunology and Signal Transduction, School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Chaminade University, Honolulu, Hawaii, United States of America
| | - Helen Turner
- Laboratory of Immunology and Signal Transduction, School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Chaminade University, Honolulu, Hawaii, United States of America
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Natural Sciences, Hawaii Pacific University, Honolulu, Hawaii, United States of America
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Zhang H, Bramham CR. Arc/Arg3.1 function in long-term synaptic plasticity: Emerging mechanisms and unresolved issues. Eur J Neurosci 2020; 54:6696-6712. [PMID: 32888346 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Revised: 07/18/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Arc (activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein) is posited as a critical regulator of long-term synaptic plasticity at excitatory synapses, including long-term potentiation, long-term depression, inverse synaptic tagging and homoeostatic scaling, with pivotal roles in memory and postnatal cortical development. However, the mechanisms underlying the bidirectional regulation of synaptic strength are poorly understood. Here we review evidence from different plasticity paradigms, highlight outstanding issues and discuss stimulus-specific mechanisms that dictate Arc function. We propose a model in which Arc bidirectionally controls synaptic strength by coordinate regulation of AMPA-type glutamate receptor (AMPAR) trafficking and actin cytoskeletal dynamics in dendritic spines. Key to this model, Arc is proposed to function as an activity-dependent regulator of AMPAR lateral membrane diffusion and trapping at synapses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyu Zhang
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Clive R Bramham
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
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Nielsen LD, Pedersen CP, Erlendsson S, Teilum K. The Capsid Domain of Arc Changes Its Oligomerization Propensity through Direct Interaction with the NMDA Receptor. Structure 2019; 27:1071-1081.e5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2019.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2018] [Revised: 02/28/2019] [Accepted: 03/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Kursula P. Shanks — multidomain molecular scaffolds of the postsynaptic density. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2019; 54:122-128. [DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2019.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2018] [Revised: 11/24/2018] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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