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Yang X, Huang YWA, Marshall J. Targeting TrkB-PSD-95 coupling to mitigate neurological disorders. Neural Regen Res 2025; 20:715-724. [PMID: 38886937 DOI: 10.4103/nrr.nrr-d-23-02000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) signaling plays a pivotal role in dendritic growth and dendritic spine formation to promote learning and memory. The activity-dependent release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor at synapses binds to pre- or postsynaptic TrkB resulting in the strengthening of synapses, reflected by long-term potentiation. Postsynaptically, the association of postsynaptic density protein-95 with TrkB enhances phospholipase Cγ-Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-mechanistic target of rapamycin signaling required for long-term potentiation. In this review, we discuss TrkB-postsynaptic density protein-95 coupling as a promising strategy to magnify brain-derived neurotrophic factor signaling towards the development of novel therapeutics for specific neurological disorders. A reduction of TrkB signaling has been observed in neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease and Huntington's disease, and enhancement of postsynaptic density protein-95 association with TrkB signaling could mitigate the observed deficiency of neuronal connectivity in schizophrenia and depression. Treatment with brain-derived neurotrophic factor is problematic, due to poor pharmacokinetics, low brain penetration, and side effects resulting from activation of the p75 neurotrophin receptor or the truncated TrkB.T1 isoform. Although TrkB agonists and antibodies that activate TrkB are being intensively investigated, they cannot distinguish the multiple human TrkB splicing isoforms or cell type-specific functions. Targeting TrkB-postsynaptic density protein-95 coupling provides an alternative approach to specifically boost TrkB signaling at localized synaptic sites versus global stimulation that risks many adverse side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Yang
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Yu-Wen Alvin Huang
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
- Department of Neurology, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
- Center for Translational Neuroscience, Robert J. and Nancy D. Carney Institute for Brain Science and Brown Institute for Translational Science, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - John Marshall
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
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2
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Liu X, Ding Y, Jiang C, Xin Y, Ma X, Xu M, Wang Q, Hou B, Li Y, Zhang S, Shao B. Astragaloside IV mediates radiation-induced neuronal damage through activation of BDNF-TrkB signaling. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 132:155803. [PMID: 38876008 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2024.155803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2024] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Electromagnetic radiation is relevant to human life, and radiation can trigger neurodegenerative diseases by altering the function of the central nervous system through oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and protein degradation. Astragaloside IV (AS-IV) is anti-oxidative, anti-apoptotic, activates the BDNF-TrkB pathway and enhances synaptic plasticity in radiated mice, which can exert its neuroprotection. However, the exact molecular mechanisms are still unclear. PURPOSE This study investigated whether AS-IV could play a neuroprotective role by regulating BDNF-TrkB pathway in radiation damage and its underlying molecular mechanisms. METHODS Transgenic mice (Thy1-YFP line H) were injected with AS-IV (40 mg/kg/day body weight) by intraperitoneal injection daily for 4 weeks, followed by X-rays. PC12 cells and primary cortical neurons were also exposed to UVA after 24 h of AS-IV treatment (25 μg/ml and 50 μg/ml) in vitro. The impact of radiation on learning and cognitive functions was visualized in the Morris water maze assay. Subsequently, Immunofluorescence and Golgi-Cox staining analyses were utilized to investigate the structural damage of neuronal dendrites and the density of dendritic spines. Transmission electron microscopy was performed to examine how the radiation affected the ultrastructure of neurons. Finally, western blotting analysis and Quantitative RT-PCR were used to evaluate the expression levels and locations of proteins in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS Radiation induced BDNF-TrkB signaling dysregulation and decreased the levels of neuron-related functional genes (Ngf, Bdnf, Gap-43, Ras, Psd-95, Arc, Creb, c-Fos), PSD-95 and F-actin, which subsequently led to damage of neuronal ultrastructure and dendrites, loss of dendritic spines, and decreased dendritic complexity index, contributing to spatial learning and memory deficits. These abnormalities were prevented by AS-IV treatment. In addition, TrkB receptor antagonists antagonized these neuroprotective actions of AS-IV. 7,8-dihydroxyflavone and AS-IV had neuroprotective effects after radiation. CONCLUSION AS-IV inhibits morphological damage of neurons and cognitive dysfunction in mice after radiation exposure, resulting in a neuroprotective effect, which were mediated by activating the BDNF-TrkB pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Key Laboratory of Biomonitoring and Bioremediation for Environmental Pollution, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu Province, PR China
| | - Yanping Ding
- School of Life Sciences, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou 730070, Gansu Province, PR China
| | - Chenxin Jiang
- School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Key Laboratory of Biomonitoring and Bioremediation for Environmental Pollution, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu Province, PR China
| | - Yuanyuan Xin
- School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Key Laboratory of Biomonitoring and Bioremediation for Environmental Pollution, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu Province, PR China
| | - Xin Ma
- School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Key Laboratory of Biomonitoring and Bioremediation for Environmental Pollution, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu Province, PR China
| | - Min Xu
- School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Key Laboratory of Biomonitoring and Bioremediation for Environmental Pollution, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu Province, PR China
| | - Qianhao Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Key Laboratory of Biomonitoring and Bioremediation for Environmental Pollution, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu Province, PR China
| | - Boru Hou
- Department of Neurosurgery, Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730030, Gansu Province, PR China
| | - Yingdong Li
- School of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu Province, PR China
| | - Shengxiang Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Key Laboratory of Biomonitoring and Bioremediation for Environmental Pollution, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu Province, PR China
| | - Baoping Shao
- School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Key Laboratory of Biomonitoring and Bioremediation for Environmental Pollution, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu Province, PR China.
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3
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Enkavi G, Girych M, Moliner R, Vattulainen I, Castrén E. TrkB transmembrane domain: bridging structural understanding with therapeutic strategy. Trends Biochem Sci 2024; 49:445-456. [PMID: 38433044 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2024.02.001] [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: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
TrkB (neuronal receptor tyrosine kinase-2, NTRK2) is the receptor for brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and is a critical regulator of activity-dependent neuronal plasticity. The past few years have witnessed an increasing understanding of the structure and function of TrkB, including its transmembrane domain (TMD). TrkB interacts with membrane cholesterol, which bidirectionally regulates TrkB signaling. Additionally, TrkB has recently been recognized as a binding target of antidepressant drugs. A variety of different antidepressants, including typical and rapid-acting antidepressants, as well as psychedelic compounds, act as allosteric potentiators of BDNF signaling through TrkB. This suggests that TrkB is the common target of different antidepressant compounds. Although more research is needed, current knowledge suggests that TrkB is a promising target for further drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giray Enkavi
- Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mykhailo Girych
- Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Rafael Moliner
- Neuroscience Center/HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ilpo Vattulainen
- Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Eero Castrén
- Neuroscience Center/HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
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4
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Liu X, Ding Y, Jiang C, Ma X, Xin Y, Li Y, Zhang S, Shao B. Astragaloside IV ameliorates radiation-induced nerve cell damage by activating the BDNF/TrkB signaling pathway. Phytother Res 2023; 37:4102-4116. [PMID: 37226643 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.7872] [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: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 04/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Radiation can induce nerve cell damage. Synapse connectivity and functionality are thought to be the essential foundation of all cognitive functions. Therefore, treating and preventing damage to synaptic structure and function is an urgent challenge. Astragaloside IV (AS-IV) is a glycoside extracted from Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.). Bunge is a widely used traditional Chinese medicine in China with various pharmacological properties, including protective effects on the central nervous system (CNS). In this study, the effect of AS-IV on synapse damage and BDNF/TrkB signaling pathway in radiated C57BL/6 mice with X-rays was investigated. PC12 cells and primary cortical neurons were exposed to UVA in vitro. Open field test and rotarod test were used to observe the effects of AS-IV on the motor and explore the abilities of radiated mice. The pathological changes in the brain were observed by hematoxylin and eosin and Nissl staining. Immunofluorescence analysis was used to detect the synapse damage. The expressions of the BDNF/TrkB pathway and neuroprotection-related molecules were detected by Western blotting and Quantitative-RTPCR, respectively. The results showed that AS-IV could improve the motor and explore abilities of radiated mice, reduce pathological damage to the cortex, enhance neuroprotection functions, and activate BDNF/TrkB pathway. In conclusion, AS-IV could relieve radiation-induced synapse damage, at least partly through the BDNF/TrkB pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Liu
- Key Laboratory of Biomonitoring and Bioremediation for Environmental Pollution, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yanping Ding
- School of Life Sciences, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Chenxin Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Biomonitoring and Bioremediation for Environmental Pollution, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xin Ma
- Key Laboratory of Biomonitoring and Bioremediation for Environmental Pollution, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yuanyuan Xin
- Key Laboratory of Biomonitoring and Bioremediation for Environmental Pollution, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yingdong Li
- School of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, China
| | - Shengxiang Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Biomonitoring and Bioremediation for Environmental Pollution, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Baoping Shao
- Key Laboratory of Biomonitoring and Bioremediation for Environmental Pollution, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
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5
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Bi J, Wu Z, Zhang X, Zeng T, Dai W, Qiu N, Xu M, Qiao Y, Ke L, Zhao J, Cao X, Lin Q, Chen XL, Xie L, Ouyang Z, Guo J, Zheng L, Ma C, Guo S, Chen K, Mo W, Fu G, Zhao TJ, Wang HR. TMEM25 inhibits monomeric EGFR-mediated STAT3 activation in basal state to suppress triple-negative breast cancer progression. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2342. [PMID: 37095176 PMCID: PMC10126118 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38115-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a subtype of breast cancer with poor outcome and lacks of approved targeted therapy. Overexpression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is found in more than 50% TNBC and is suggested as a driving force in progression of TNBC; however, targeting EGFR using antibodies to prevent its dimerization and activation shows no significant benefits for TNBC patients. Here we report that EGFR monomer may activate signal transducer activator of transcription-3 (STAT3) in the absence of transmembrane protein TMEM25, whose expression is frequently decreased in human TNBC. Deficiency of TMEM25 allows EGFR monomer to phosphorylate STAT3 independent of ligand binding, and thus enhances basal STAT3 activation to promote TNBC progression in female mice. Moreover, supplying TMEM25 by adeno-associated virus strongly suppresses STAT3 activation and TNBC progression. Hence, our study reveals a role of monomeric-EGFR/STAT3 signaling pathway in TNBC progression and points out a potential targeted therapy for TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Bi
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, 361102, Fujian, China
| | - Zhihui Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, 361102, Fujian, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, 361102, Fujian, China
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, 100850, Beijing, China
| | - Taoling Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, 361102, Fujian, China
| | - Wanjun Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, 361102, Fujian, China
| | - Ningyuan Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, 361102, Fujian, China
| | - Mingfeng Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, 361102, Fujian, China
| | - Yikai Qiao
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, 361102, Fujian, China
| | - Lang Ke
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, 361102, Fujian, China
| | - Jiayi Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, 361102, Fujian, China
| | - Xinyu Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, 361102, Fujian, China
| | - Qi Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, 361102, Fujian, China
| | - Xiao Lei Chen
- Cancer Research Center of Xiamen University, 361102, Xiamen, Fujian, China
- School of Medicine, Xiamen University, 361102, Fujian, China
| | - Liping Xie
- School of Medicine, Xiamen University, 361102, Fujian, China
| | - Zhong Ouyang
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, 361003, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Jujiang Guo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women and Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, 361003, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Liangkai Zheng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women and Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, 361003, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Chao Ma
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, 100853, Beijing, China
| | - Shiying Guo
- GemPharmatech Co., Ltd., 210000, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Kangmei Chen
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, 510120, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei Mo
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, 361102, Fujian, China
| | - Guo Fu
- Cancer Research Center of Xiamen University, 361102, Xiamen, Fujian, China.
- School of Medicine, Xiamen University, 361102, Fujian, China.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women and Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, 361003, Xiamen, Fujian, China.
| | - Tong-Jin Zhao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 200438, Shanghai, China.
| | - Hong-Rui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, 361102, Fujian, China.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women and Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, 361003, Xiamen, Fujian, China.
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6
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Burk K. The endocytosis, trafficking, sorting and signaling of neurotrophic receptors. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2023; 196:141-165. [PMID: 36813356 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2022.06.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Neurotrophins are soluble factors secreted by neurons themselves as well as by post-synaptic target tissues. Neurotrophic signaling regulates several processes such as neurite growth, neuronal survival and synaptogenesis. In order to signal, neurotrophins bind to their receptors, the tropomyosin receptor tyrosine kinase (Trk), which causes internalization of the ligand-receptor complex. Subsequently, this complex is routed into the endosomal system from where Trks can start their downstream signaling. Depending on their endosomal localization, co-receptors involved, but also due to the expression patterns of adaptor proteins, Trks regulate a variety of mechanisms. In this chapter, I provide an overview of the endocytosis, trafficking, sorting and signaling of neurotrophic receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja Burk
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany; Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, Göttingen, Germany.
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7
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Chen Z, Fan H, Chen ZY, Jiang C, Feng MZ, Guo XY, Yang H, Hao DJ. OECs Prevented Neuronal Cells from Apoptosis Partially Through Exosome-derived BDNF. J Mol Neurosci 2022; 72:2497-2506. [PMID: 36527597 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-022-02097-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
It is known that neurotrophic factors are a major source of the neuroprotective effects of olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs). However, the form of neurotrophic factors that originate from OECs is not fully understood. Our previous study demonstrated that OECs could secrete exosome (OECs-Exo), which provided neuroprotection by switching the phenotype of macrophages/microglia. Considering that exosomes could also be taken up by neurons, we explored the direct effect of OECs-Exo on neuronal survival and the underlying mechanism. Electron microscopy, nano-traffic analysis, and Western blotting were applied to identify the OECs-Exo. The effect of OECs-Exo on neuronal survival was tested by flow cytometry and TUNEL staining. Western blotting and ELISA were used to detect neurotrophic factors in purified OECs-Exo. We first isolated OECs-Exo and found that OECs-Exo exerted protective effects on neuronal survival in response to TNF-α challenge. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) was then identified in OECs-Exo, and its receptor TrkB in neurons was activated by OECs-Exo treatment. Furthermore, we demonstrated that OECs prevented TNF-α-induced apoptosis in neurons partially through exosome-derived BDNF. Our data showed that OECs attenuated TNF-α-induced apoptosis in neurons partially through OEC-Exo-derived BDNF, which might provide a novel strategy for the neuroprotective effect of OEC-Exo-based treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Chen
- Department of Orthopedics, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China.,Shaanxi Spine Medicine Research Center, Department of Spine Surgery, Translational Medicine Center, Hong Hui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710054, China
| | - Hong Fan
- Shaanxi Spine Medicine Research Center, Department of Spine Surgery, Translational Medicine Center, Hong Hui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710054, China.,Department of Neurology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710004, China
| | - Zi-Yi Chen
- Department of Endocrinology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Chao Jiang
- Shaanxi Spine Medicine Research Center, Department of Spine Surgery, Translational Medicine Center, Hong Hui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710054, China
| | - Ming-Zhe Feng
- Shaanxi Spine Medicine Research Center, Department of Spine Surgery, Translational Medicine Center, Hong Hui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710054, China
| | - Xin-Yu Guo
- Shaanxi Spine Medicine Research Center, Department of Spine Surgery, Translational Medicine Center, Hong Hui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710054, China
| | - Hao Yang
- Shaanxi Spine Medicine Research Center, Department of Spine Surgery, Translational Medicine Center, Hong Hui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710054, China.
| | - Ding-Jun Hao
- Department of Orthopedics, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China. .,Shaanxi Spine Medicine Research Center, Department of Spine Surgery, Translational Medicine Center, Hong Hui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710054, China.
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8
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Russo L, Giacomelli C, Fortino M, Marzo T, Ferri G, Calvello M, Viegi A, Magrì A, Pratesi A, Pietropaolo A, Cardarelli F, Martini C, Rizzarelli E, Marchetti L, La Mendola D, Trincavelli ML. Neurotrophic Activity and Its Modulation by Zinc Ion of a Dimeric Peptide Mimicking the Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor N-Terminal Region. ACS Chem Neurosci 2022; 13:3453-3463. [PMID: 36346920 PMCID: PMC9732821 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.2c00463] [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] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a neurotrophin (NT) essential for neuronal development and synaptic plasticity. Dysregulation of BDNF signaling is implicated in different neurological disorders. The direct NT administration as therapeutics has revealed to be challenging. This has prompted the design of peptides mimicking different regions of the BDNF structure. Although loops 2 and 4 have been thoroughly investigated, less is known regarding the BDNF N-terminal region, which is involved in the selective recognition of the TrkB receptor. Herein, a dimeric form of the linear peptide encompassing the 1-12 residues of the BDNF N-terminal (d-bdnf) was synthesized. It demonstrated to act as an agonist promoting specific phosphorylation of TrkB and downstream ERK and AKT effectors. The ability to promote TrkB dimerization was investigated by advanced fluorescence microscopy and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, finding activation modes shared with BDNF. Furthermore, d-bdnf was able to sustain neurite outgrowth and increase the expression of differentiation (NEFM, LAMC1) and polarization markers (MAP2, MAPT) demonstrating its neurotrophic activity. As TrkB activity is affected by zinc ions in the synaptic cleft, we first verified the ability of d-bdnf to coordinate zinc and then the effect of such complexation on its activity. The d-bdnf neurotrophic activity was reduced by zinc complexation, demonstrating the role of the latter in tuning the activity of the new peptido-mimetic. Taken together our data uncover the neurotrophic properties of a novel BDNF mimetic peptide and pave the way for future studies to understand the pharmacological basis of d-bdnf action and develop novel BDNF-based therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Russo
- Dipartimento
di Farmacia, Università di Pisa, Pisa 56127, Italy
| | | | | | - Tiziano Marzo
- Dipartimento
di Farmacia, Università di Pisa, Pisa 56127, Italy
| | - Gianmarco Ferri
- Laboratorio
NEST, Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa 56127, Italy
| | | | | | - Antonio Magrì
- Istituto
di Cristallografia, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Catania 95126, Italy
| | - Alessandro Pratesi
- Dipartimento
di Chimica e Chimica Industriale, Università
di Pisa, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | | | | | - Claudia Martini
- Dipartimento
di Farmacia, Università di Pisa, Pisa 56127, Italy
| | - Enrico Rizzarelli
- Istituto
di Cristallografia, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Catania 95126, Italy,Università
degli Studi di Catania, Catania 95124, Italy
| | - Laura Marchetti
- Dipartimento
di Farmacia, Università di Pisa, Pisa 56127, Italy,
| | - Diego La Mendola
- Dipartimento
di Farmacia, Università di Pisa, Pisa 56127, Italy,
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9
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The Rab11-regulated endocytic pathway and BDNF/TrkB signaling: Roles in plasticity changes and neurodegenerative diseases. Neurobiol Dis 2022; 171:105796. [PMID: 35728773 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2022.105796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurons are highly polarized cells that rely on the intracellular transport of organelles. This process is regulated by molecular motors such as dynein and kinesins and the Rab family of monomeric GTPases that together help move cargo along microtubules in dendrites, somas, and axons. Rab5-Rab11 GTPases regulate receptor trafficking along early-recycling endosomes, which is a process that determines the intracellular signaling output of different signaling pathways, including those triggered by BDNF binding to its tyrosine kinase receptor TrkB. BDNF is a well-recognized neurotrophic factor that regulates experience-dependent plasticity in different circuits in the brain. The internalization of the BDNF/TrkB complex results in signaling endosomes that allow local signaling in dendrites and presynaptic terminals, nuclear signaling in somas and dynein-mediated long-distance signaling from axons to cell bodies. In this review, we briefly discuss the organization of the endocytic pathway and how Rab11-recycling endosomes interact with other endomembrane systems. We further expand upon the roles of the Rab11-recycling pathway in neuronal plasticity. Then, we discuss the BDNF/TrkB signaling pathways and their functional relationships with the postendocytic trafficking of BDNF, including axonal transport, emphasizing the role of BDNF signaling endosomes, particularly Rab5-Rab11 endosomes, in neuronal plasticity. Finally, we discuss the evidence indicating that the dysfunction of the early-recycling pathway impairs BDNF signaling, contributing to several neurodegenerative diseases.
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10
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Shen Y, Luchetti A, Fernandes G, Do Heo W, Silva AJ. The emergence of molecular systems neuroscience. Mol Brain 2022; 15:7. [PMID: 34983613 PMCID: PMC8728933 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-021-00885-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Systems neuroscience is focused on how ensemble properties in the brain, such as the activity of neuronal circuits, gives rise to internal brain states and behavior. Many of the studies in this field have traditionally involved electrophysiological recordings and computational approaches that attempt to decode how the brain transforms inputs into functional outputs. More recently, systems neuroscience has received an infusion of approaches and techniques that allow the manipulation (e.g., optogenetics, chemogenetics) and imaging (e.g., two-photon imaging, head mounted fluorescent microscopes) of neurons, neurocircuits, their inputs and outputs. Here, we will review novel approaches that allow the manipulation and imaging of specific molecular mechanisms in specific cells (not just neurons), cell ensembles and brain regions. These molecular approaches, with the specificity and temporal resolution appropriate for systems studies, promise to infuse the field with novel ideas, emphases and directions, and are motivating the emergence of a molecularly oriented systems neuroscience, a new discipline that studies how the spatial and temporal patterns of molecular systems modulate circuits and brain networks, and consequently shape the properties of brain states and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Shen
- Departments of Neurobiology, Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, and Psychology, Integrative Center for Learning and Memory, and Brain Research Institute, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Alessandro Luchetti
- Departments of Neurobiology, Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, and Psychology, Integrative Center for Learning and Memory, and Brain Research Institute, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Giselle Fernandes
- Departments of Neurobiology, Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, and Psychology, Integrative Center for Learning and Memory, and Brain Research Institute, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Won Do Heo
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Alcino J Silva
- Departments of Neurobiology, Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, and Psychology, Integrative Center for Learning and Memory, and Brain Research Institute, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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11
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Long A, Crouse A, Kesterson RA, Might M, Wallis D. Functional characterization and potential therapeutic avenues for variants in the NTRK2 gene causing developmental and epileptic encephalopathies. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2022; 189:37-47. [PMID: 34889524 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.32882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Variants within the Neurotrophic Tyrosine Kinase Receptor Type 2 (NTRK2) gene have been discovered to play a role in developmental and epileptic encephalopathies, a group of debilitating conditions for which little is known about cause or treatment. Here, we determine the functional consequences of two variants: p.Tyr434Cys (Y434C) (located in the transmembrane domain) and p.Thr720Ile (T720I) (located in the catalytic domain). Wild-type and variant cDNAs were constructed and transfected into HEK293 cells. In cell culture, variant Y434C exhibited ligand-independent activation of tropomyosin-related kinase B (TRKB) signaling with an associated abnormal response to brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) stimulation and increased levels of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and ETS like-1 protein (ELK1) activity. Expression of variant T720I resulted in decreased TRKB signaling with reduced mTor activity as determined by decreased levels of phosphorylated S6. With the deleterious mechanisms characterized, we utilized mediKanren (a novel artificial intelligence tool) to identify therapeutics to compensate for the pathological effects. Downregulation of TRKB through inhibition with mediKanren-predicted compound 1NM-PP1 led to decreased MEK activity. Upregulation of TRKB signaling by mediKanren-predicted valproic acid led to subsequent increase of mTor activity. Overall, our results provide further characterization of the pathogenicity of these two variants in the NTRK2 gene. Indeed, Y434C is the first patient-specific NTRK2 variant with demonstrated hypermorphic activity. Furthermore, we observed that variants Y434C and T720I result in distinct functional consequences that require distinct therapeutic strategies. These data suggest the possibility that unique mutations within different regions of the NTRK2 gene results in separate clinical presentations, representing distinct genetic disorders requiring unique therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashlee Long
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Andrew Crouse
- Personalized Medicine Institute, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Robert A Kesterson
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Matthew Might
- Personalized Medicine Institute, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Deeann Wallis
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
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12
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Wang WZ, Liu X, Yang ZY, Wang YZ, Lu HT. Diffusion tensor imaging of the hippocampus reflects the severity of hippocampal injury induced by global cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. Neural Regen Res 2021; 17:838-844. [PMID: 34472484 PMCID: PMC8530111 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.322468] [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] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
At present, predicting the severity of brain injury caused by global cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury (GCI/RI) is a clinical problem. After such an injury, clinical indicators that can directly reflect neurological dysfunction are lacking. The change in hippocampal microstructure is the key to memory formation and consolidation. Diffusion tensor imaging is a highly sensitive tool for visualizing injury to hippocampal microstructure. Although hippocampal microstructure, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and tropomyosin-related kinase B (TrkB) levels are closely related to nerve injury and the repair process after GCI/RI, whether these indicators can reflect the severity of such hippocampal injury remains unknown. To address this issue, we established rat models of GCI/RI using the four-vessel occlusion method. Diffusion tensor imaging parameters, BDNF, and TrkB levels were correlated with modified neurological severity scores. The results revealed that after GCI/RI, while neurological function was not related to BDNF and TrkB levels, it was related to hippocampal fractional anisotropy. These findings suggest that hippocampal fractional anisotropy can reflect the severity of hippocampal injury after global GCI/RI. The study was approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of Capital Medical University, China (approval No. AEEI-2015-139) on November 9, 2015.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Zhu Wang
- China Rehabilitation Science Institute, School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing Bo'ai Hospital, China Rehabilitation Research Center; Beijing Key Laboratory of Neural Injury and Rehabilitation, Beijing, China
| | - Xu Liu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zheng-Yi Yang
- Brainnetome Center, Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yi-Zheng Wang
- China Rehabilitation Science Institute, School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing Bo'ai Hospital, China Rehabilitation Research Center, Beijing, China
| | - Hai-Tao Lu
- China Rehabilitation Science Institute, School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing Bo'ai Hospital, China Rehabilitation Research Center, Beijing, China
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13
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Lin PY, Ma ZZ, Mahgoub M, Kavalali ET, Monteggia LM. A synaptic locus for TrkB signaling underlying ketamine rapid antidepressant action. Cell Rep 2021; 36:109513. [PMID: 34407417 PMCID: PMC8404212 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2019] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Ketamine produces rapid antidepressant action in patients with major depression or treatment-resistant depression. Studies have identified brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its receptor, tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB), as necessary for the antidepressant effects and underlying ketamine-induced synaptic potentiation in the hippocampus. Here, we delete BDNF or TrkB in presynaptic CA3 or postsynaptic CA1 regions of the Schaffer collateral pathway to investigate the rapid antidepressant action of ketamine. The deletion of Bdnf in CA3 or CA1 blocks the ketamine-induced synaptic potentiation. In contrast, ablation of TrkB only in postsynaptic CA1 eliminates the ketamine-induced synaptic potentiation. We confirm BDNF-TrkB signaling in CA1 is required for ketamine's rapid behavioral action. Moreover, ketamine application elicits dynamin1-dependent TrkB activation and downstream signaling to trigger rapid synaptic effects. Taken together, these data demonstrate a requirement for BDNF-TrkB signaling in CA1 neurons in ketamine-induced synaptic potentiation and identify a specific synaptic locus in eliciting ketamine's rapid antidepressant effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Yi Lin
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37240-7933, USA; Department of Neuroscience, the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390-9111, USA
| | - Z Zack Ma
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37240-7933, USA; Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232-2050, USA
| | - Melissa Mahgoub
- Department of Neuroscience, the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390-9111, USA
| | - Ege T Kavalali
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37240-7933, USA; Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232-2050, USA
| | - Lisa M Monteggia
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37240-7933, USA; Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232-2050, USA.
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14
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Guidolin D, Tortorella C, Marcoli M, Cervetto C, Maura G, Agnati LF. Receptor-Receptor Interactions and Glial Cell Functions with a Special Focus on G Protein-Coupled Receptors. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:8656. [PMID: 34445362 PMCID: PMC8395429 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The discovery that receptors from all families can establish allosteric receptor-receptor interactions and variably associate to form receptor complexes operating as integrative input units endowed with a high functional and structural plasticity has expanded our understanding of intercellular communication. Regarding the nervous system, most research in the field has focused on neuronal populations and has led to the identification of many receptor complexes representing an important mechanism to fine-tune synaptic efficiency. Receptor-receptor interactions, however, also modulate glia-neuron and glia-glia intercellular communication, with significant consequences on synaptic activity and brain network plasticity. The research on this topic is probably still at the beginning and, here, available evidence will be reviewed and discussed. It may also be of potential interest from a pharmacological standpoint, opening the possibility to explore, inter alia, glia-based neuroprotective therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Guidolin
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Anatomy, University of Padova, 35121 Padova, Italy;
| | - Cinzia Tortorella
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Anatomy, University of Padova, 35121 Padova, Italy;
| | - Manuela Marcoli
- Department of Pharmacy, Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genova, 16126 Genova, Italy; (M.M.); (C.C.); (G.M.)
| | - Chiara Cervetto
- Department of Pharmacy, Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genova, 16126 Genova, Italy; (M.M.); (C.C.); (G.M.)
| | - Guido Maura
- Department of Pharmacy, Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genova, 16126 Genova, Italy; (M.M.); (C.C.); (G.M.)
| | - Luigi F. Agnati
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy;
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15
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Do Small Molecules Activate the TrkB Receptor in the Same Manner as BDNF? Limitations of Published TrkB Low Molecular Agonists and Screening for Novel TrkB Orthosteric Agonists. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14080704. [PMID: 34451801 PMCID: PMC8398766 DOI: 10.3390/ph14080704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
TrkB is a tyrosine kinase receptor that is activated upon binding to brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). To date, the search for low-molecular-weight molecules mimicking BDNF’s action has been unsuccessful. Several molecules exerting antidepressive effects in vivo, such as 7,8-DHF, have been suggested to be TrkB agonists. However, more recent publications question this hypothesis. In this study, we developed a set of experimental procedures including the evaluation of direct interactions, dimerization, downstream signaling, and cytoprotection in parallel with physicochemical and ADME methods to verify the pharmacology of 7,8-DHF and other potential reference compounds, and perform screening for novel TrkB agonists. 7,8 DHF bound to TrkB with Kd = 1.3 μM; however, we were not able to observe any other activity against the TrkB receptor in SN56 T48 and differentiated SH-SY5Y cell lines. Moreover, the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic effects of 7,8-DHF at doses of 1 and 50 mg/kg were examined in mice after i.v and oral administration, respectively. The poor pharmacokinetic properties and lack of observed activation of TrkB-dependent signaling in the brain confirmed that 7,8-DHF is not a relevant tool for studying TrkB activation in vivo. The binding profile for 133 molecular targets revealed a significant lack of selectivity of 7,8-DHF, suggesting a distinct functional profile independent of interaction with TrkB. Additionally, a compound library was screened in search of novel low-molecular-weight orthosteric TrkB agonists; however, we were not able to identify reliable drug candidates. Our results suggest that published reference compounds including 7,8-DHF do not activate TrkB, consistent with canonical dogma, which indicates that the reported pharmacological activity of these compounds should be interpreted carefully in a broad functional context.
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16
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Kipnis PA, Sullivan BJ, Carter BM, Kadam SD. TrkB agonists prevent postischemic emergence of refractory neonatal seizures in mice. JCI Insight 2020; 5:136007. [PMID: 32427585 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.136007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Refractory neonatal seizures do not respond to first-line antiseizure medications like phenobarbital (PB), a positive allosteric modulator for GABAA receptors. GABAA receptor-mediated inhibition is dependent upon electroneutral cation-chloride transporter KCC2, which mediates neuronal chloride extrusion and its age-dependent increase and postnatally shifts GABAergic signaling from depolarizing to hyperpolarizing. Brain-derived neurotropic factor-tyrosine receptor kinase B activation (BDNF-TrkB activation) after excitotoxic injury recruits downstream targets like PLCγ1, leading to KCC2 hypofunction. Here, the antiseizure efficacy of TrkB agonists LM22A-4, HIOC, and deoxygedunin (DG) on PB-refractory seizures and postischemic TrkB pathway activation was investigated in a mouse model (CD-1, P7) of refractory neonatal seizures. LM, a BDNF loop II mimetic, rescued PB-refractory seizures in a sexually dimorphic manner. Efficacy was associated with a substantial reduction in the postischemic phosphorylation of TrkB at Y816, a site known to mediate postischemic KCC2 hypofunction via PLCγ1 activation. LM rescued ischemia-induced phospho-KCC2-S940 dephosphorylation, preserving its membrane stability. Full TrkB agonists HIOC and DG similarly rescued PB refractoriness. Chemogenetic inactivation of TrkB substantially reduced postischemic neonatal seizure burdens at P7. Sex differences identified in developmental expression profiles of TrkB and KCC2 may underlie the sexually dimorphic efficacy of LM. These results support a potentially novel role for the TrkB receptor in the emergence of age-dependent refractory neonatal seizures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavel A Kipnis
- Neuroscience Laboratory, Hugo W. Moser Research Institute, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Brennan J Sullivan
- Neuroscience Laboratory, Hugo W. Moser Research Institute, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Brandon M Carter
- Neuroscience Laboratory, Hugo W. Moser Research Institute, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Shilpa D Kadam
- Neuroscience Laboratory, Hugo W. Moser Research Institute, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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17
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Franco ML, Nadezhdin KD, Goncharuk SA, Mineev KS, Arseniev AS, Vilar M. Structural basis of the transmembrane domain dimerization and rotation in the activation mechanism of the TRKA receptor by nerve growth factor. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:275-286. [PMID: 31801826 PMCID: PMC6952603 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.011312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Revised: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Tropomyosin-receptor kinases (TRKs) are essential for the development of the nervous system. The molecular mechanism of TRKA activation by its ligand nerve growth factor (NGF) is still unsolved. Recent results indicate that at endogenous levels most of TRKA is in a monomer-dimer equilibrium and that the binding of NGF induces an increase of the dimeric and oligomeric forms of this receptor. An unsolved issue is the role of the TRKA transmembrane domain (TMD) in the dimerization of TRKA and the structural details of the TMD in the active dimer receptor. Here, we found that the TRKA-TMD can form dimers, identified the structural determinants of the dimer interface in the active receptor, and validated this interface through site-directed mutagenesis together with functional and cell differentiation studies. Using in vivo cross-linking, we found that the extracellular juxtamembrane region is reordered after ligand binding. Replacement of some residues in the juxtamembrane region with cysteine resulted in ligand-independent active dimers and revealed the preferred dimer interface. Moreover, insertion of leucine residues into the TMD helix induced a ligand-independent TRKA activation, suggesting that a rotation of the TMD dimers underlies NGF-induced TRKA activation. Altogether, our findings indicate that the transmembrane and juxtamembrane regions of TRKA play key roles in its dimerization and activation by NGF.
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Affiliation(s)
- María L Franco
- Molecular Basis of Neurodegeneration Unit, Institute of Biomedicine of València, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, 46010 València, Spain
| | - Kirill D Nadezhdin
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russian Federation; Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (State University), Institutskiy Pereulok 9, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region 141700, Russian Federation
| | - Sergey A Goncharuk
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russian Federation; Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (State University), Institutskiy Pereulok 9, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region 141700, Russian Federation
| | - Konstantin S Mineev
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russian Federation; Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (State University), Institutskiy Pereulok 9, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region 141700, Russian Federation
| | - Alexander S Arseniev
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russian Federation; Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (State University), Institutskiy Pereulok 9, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region 141700, Russian Federation.
| | - Marçal Vilar
- Molecular Basis of Neurodegeneration Unit, Institute of Biomedicine of València, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, 46010 València, Spain.
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18
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Zanin JP, Montroull LE, Volosin M, Friedman WJ. The p75 Neurotrophin Receptor Facilitates TrkB Signaling and Function in Rat Hippocampal Neurons. Front Cell Neurosci 2019; 13:485. [PMID: 31736712 PMCID: PMC6828739 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2019.00485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2019] [Accepted: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurotrophins activate Trk receptor signaling to support neuronal survival and many aspects of neuronal function. Early studies demonstrated that TrkA formed a complex with the p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR), which increased the affinity and selectivity of NGF binding, however, whether interaction of p75NTR with other Trk receptors performs a similar function to enhance ligand binding has not been demonstrated. We investigated the interaction of TrkB with full length p75NTR in hippocampal neurons in response to BDNF and found that the association of these receptors occurs after ligand binding and requires phosphorylation of TrkB, indicating that formation of this receptor complex was not necessary for ligand binding. Moreover, the interaction of these receptors required internalization and localization to early endosomes. We found that association of TrkB with p75NTR was necessary for optimal downstream signaling of the PI3K-Akt pathway, but not the Erk pathway, in hippocampal neurons. The absence of p75NTR impaired the ability of BDNF to rescue hippocampal neurons in a trophic deprivation model, suggesting that p75NTR facilitates the ability of TrkB to activate specific pathways to promote neuronal survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan P Zanin
- Department of Biological Sciences, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, United States
| | - Laura E Montroull
- Department of Biological Sciences, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, United States
| | - Marta Volosin
- Department of Biological Sciences, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, United States
| | - Wilma J Friedman
- Department of Biological Sciences, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, United States
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19
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Fast-diffusing p75 NTR monomers support apoptosis and growth cone collapse by neurotrophin ligands. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:21563-21572. [PMID: 31515449 PMCID: PMC6815156 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1902790116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurotrophins (NTs) are homodimeric growth factors displaying fundamental roles in the nervous system. Their activity stems from binding and activation of 3 different receptor types in nervous cell membranes. The p75 NT receptor (p75NTR) was the first to be discovered in 1986; nevertheless, for the numerous structural and functional facets so far reported, its activation mechanisms have remained elusive. Here, we demonstrate that its pleiotropic functions are regulated by different redistributions of the receptors, which crucially depend on the available NT and on the involved subcellular compartment but are unrelated to its oligomerization state. Single-particle studies proved receptors to be monomers with a fast-diffusive behavior in the membrane with, at most, transient self-interactions on the millisecond time scale. The p75 neurotrophin (NT) receptor (p75NTR) plays a crucial role in balancing survival-versus-death decisions in the nervous system. Yet, despite 2 decades of structural and biochemical studies, a comprehensive, accepted model for p75NTR activation by NT ligands is still missing. Here, we present a single-molecule study of membrane p75NTR in living cells, demonstrating that the vast majority of receptors are monomers before and after NT activation. Interestingly, the stoichiometry and diffusion properties of the wild-type (wt) p75NTR are almost identical to those of a receptor mutant lacking residues previously believed to induce oligomerization. The wt p75NTR and mutated (mut) p75NTR differ in their partitioning in cholesterol-rich membrane regions upon nerve growth factor (NGF) stimulation: We argue that this is the origin of the ability of wt p75NTR , but not of mut p75NTR, to mediate immature NT (proNT)-induced apoptosis. Both p75NTR forms support proNT-induced growth cone retraction: We show that receptor surface accumulation is the driving force for cone collapse. Overall, our data unveil the multifaceted activity of the p75NTR monomer and let us provide a coherent interpretative frame of existing conflicting data in the literature.
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20
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Shen J, Sun D, Shao J, Chen Y, Pang K, Guo W, Lu B. Extracellular Juxtamembrane Motif Critical for TrkB Preformed Dimer and Activation. Cells 2019; 8:cells8080932. [PMID: 31430955 PMCID: PMC6721692 DOI: 10.3390/cells8080932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Revised: 08/15/2019] [Accepted: 08/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Receptor tyrosine kinases are believed to be activated through ligand-induced dimerization. We now demonstrate that in cultured neurons, a substantial amount of endogenous TrkB, the receptor for brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), exists as an inactive preformed dimer, and the application of BDNF activates the pre-existing dimer. Deletion of the extracellular juxtamembrane motif (EJM) of TrkB increased the amount of preformed dimer, suggesting an inhibitory role of EJM on dimer formation. Further, binding of an agonistic antibody (MM12) specific to human TrkB-EJM activated the full-length TrkB and unexpectedly also truncated TrkB lacking ECD (TrkBdelECD365), suggesting that TrkB is activated by attenuating the inhibitory effect of EJM through MM12 binding-induced conformational changes. Finally, in cells co-expressing rat and human TrkB, MM12 could only activate TrkB human-human dimer but not TrkB human-rat TrkB dimer, indicating that MM12 binding to two TrkB monomers is required for activation. Our results support a model that TrkB preforms as an inactive dimer and BDNF induces TrkB conformation changes leading to its activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianying Shen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Artemisinin Research Center, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Dang Sun
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Jingyu Shao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Yanbo Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Keliang Pang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Wei Guo
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- R & D Center for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Brain Diseases, Research Institute of Tsinghua University in Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518057, China
| | - Bai Lu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
- R & D Center for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Brain Diseases, Research Institute of Tsinghua University in Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518057, China.
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21
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Chein M, Perlson E, Roichman Y. Flow Arrest in the Plasma Membrane. Biophys J 2019; 117:810-816. [PMID: 31326106 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2019.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Revised: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/01/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The arrangement of receptors in the plasma membrane strongly affects the ability of a cell to sense its environment both in terms of sensitivity and in terms of spatial resolution. The spatial and temporal arrangement of the receptors is affected in turn by the mechanical properties and the structure of the cell membrane. Here, we focus on characterizing the flow of the membrane in response to the motion of a protein embedded in it. We do so by measuring the correlated diffusion of extracellularly tagged transmembrane neurotrophin receptors TrkB and p75 on transfected neuronal cells. In accord with previous reports, we find that the motion of single receptors exhibits transient confinement to submicron domains. We confirm predictions based on hydrodynamics of fluid membranes, finding long-range correlations in the motion of the receptors in the plasma membrane. However, we discover that these correlations do not persist for long ranges, as predicted, but decay exponentially, with a typical decay length on the scale of the average confining domain size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Chein
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, and Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Eran Perlson
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, and Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
| | - Yael Roichman
- School of Chemistry, School of Physics & Astronomy, and the Tel Aviv Center for Light Matter Interaction, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
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22
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Ionescu A, Gradus T, Altman T, Maimon R, Saraf Avraham N, Geva M, Hayden M, Perlson E. Targeting the Sigma-1 Receptor via Pridopidine Ameliorates Central Features of ALS Pathology in a SOD1 G93A Model. Cell Death Dis 2019; 10:210. [PMID: 30824685 PMCID: PMC6397200 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-019-1451-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2018] [Revised: 11/16/2018] [Accepted: 02/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease affecting both the upper and lower motor neurons (MNs), with no effective treatment currently available. Early pathological events in ALS include perturbations in axonal transport (AT), formation of toxic protein aggregates and Neuromuscular Junction (NMJ) disruption, which all lead to axonal degeneration and motor neuron death. Pridopidine is a small molecule that has been clinically developed for Huntington disease. Here we tested the efficacy of pridopidine for ALS using in vitro and in vivo models. Pridopidine beneficially modulates AT deficits and diminishes NMJ disruption, as well as motor neuron death in SOD1G93A MNs and in neuromuscular co-cultures. Furthermore, we demonstrate that pridopidine activates the ERK pathway and mediates its beneficial effects through the sigma-1 receptor (S1R). Strikingly, in vivo evaluation of pridopidine in SOD1G93A mice reveals a profound reduction in mutant SOD1 aggregation in the spinal cord, and attenuation of NMJ disruption, as well as subsequent muscle wasting. Taken together, we demonstrate for the first time that pridopidine improves several cellular and histological hallmark pathologies of ALS through the S1R.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariel Ionescu
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel
| | - Tal Gradus
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel
| | - Topaz Altman
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel
| | - Roy Maimon
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel
| | - Noi Saraf Avraham
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel
| | - Michal Geva
- Teva Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Petah Tikva, Israel
- Prilenia Therapeutics, Herzliya, Israel
| | - Michael Hayden
- Teva Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Petah Tikva, Israel
- Prilenia Therapeutics, Herzliya, Israel
| | - Eran Perlson
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel.
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel.
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23
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Guidolin D, Marcoli M, Tortorella C, Maura G, Agnati LF. Receptor-Receptor Interactions as a Widespread Phenomenon: Novel Targets for Drug Development? Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2019; 10:53. [PMID: 30833931 PMCID: PMC6387912 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2019.00053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2018] [Accepted: 01/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The discovery of receptor-receptor interactions (RRI) has expanded our understanding of the role that G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) play in intercellular communication. The finding that GPCRs can operate as receptor complexes, and not only as monomers, suggests that several different incoming signals could already be integrated at the plasma membrane level via direct allosteric interactions between the protomers that form the complex. Most research in this field has focused on neuronal populations and has led to the identification of a large number of RRI. However, RRI have been seen to occur not only in neurons but also in astrocytes and, outside the central nervous system, in cells of the cardiovascular and endocrine systems and in cancer cells. Furthermore, RRI involving the formation of macromolecular complexes are not limited to GPCRs, being also observed in other families of receptors. Thus, RRI appear as a widespread phenomenon and oligomerization as a common mechanism for receptor function and regulation. The discovery of these macromolecular assemblies may well have a major impact on pharmacology. Indeed, the formation of receptor complexes significantly broadens the spectrum of mechanisms available to receptors for recognition and signaling, which may be implemented through modulation of the binding sites of the adjacent protomers and of their signal transduction features. In this context, the possible appearance of novel allosteric sites in the receptor complex structure may be of particular relevance. Thus, the existence of RRI offers the possibility of new therapeutic approaches, and novel pharmacological strategies for disease treatment have already been proposed. Several challenges, however, remain. These include the accurate characterization of the role that the receptor complexes identified so far play in pathological conditions and the development of ligands specific to given receptor complexes, in order to efficiently exploit the pharmacological properties of these complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Guidolin
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- *Correspondence: Diego Guidolin
| | - Manuela Marcoli
- Department of Pharmacy and Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genova, Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Guido Maura
- Department of Pharmacy and Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genova, Genoa, Italy
| | - Luigi F. Agnati
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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24
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Gershoni-Emek N, Altman T, Ionescu A, Costa CJ, Gradus-Pery T, Willis DE, Perlson E. Localization of RNAi Machinery to Axonal Branch Points and Growth Cones Is Facilitated by Mitochondria and Is Disrupted in ALS. Front Mol Neurosci 2018; 11:311. [PMID: 30233312 PMCID: PMC6134038 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2018] [Accepted: 08/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Local protein synthesis in neuronal axons plays an important role in essential spatiotemporal signaling processes; however, the molecular basis for the post-transcriptional regulation controlling this process in axons is still not fully understood. Here we studied the axonal mechanisms underlying the transport and localization of microRNA (miRNA) and the RNAi machinery along the axon. We first identified miRNAs, Dicer, and Argonaute-2 (Ago2) in motor neuron (MN) axons. We then studied the localization of RNAi machinery and demonstrated that mitochondria associate with miR-124 and RNAi proteins in axons. Importantly, this co-localization occurs primarily at axonal branch points and growth cones. Moreover, using live cell imaging of a functional Cy3-tagged miR-124, we revealed that this miRNA is actively transported with acidic compartments in axons, and associates with stalled mitochondria at growth cones and axonal branch points. Finally, we observed enhanced retrograde transport of miR-124-Cy3, and a reduction in its localization to static mitochondria in MNs expressing the ALS causative gene hSOD1G93A. Taken together, our data suggest that mitochondria participate in the axonal localization and transport of RNAi machinery, and further imply that alterations in this mechanism may be associated with neurodegeneration in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noga Gershoni-Emek
- Sagol School of Neuroscience and Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Topaz Altman
- Sagol School of Neuroscience and Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ariel Ionescu
- Sagol School of Neuroscience and Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | | | - Tal Gradus-Pery
- Sagol School of Neuroscience and Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Dianna E Willis
- Burke Neurological Institute, White Plains, NY, United States.,Brain & Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Eran Perlson
- Sagol School of Neuroscience and Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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