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Ma Q, Chen G, Li Y, Guo Z, Zhang X. The molecular genetics of PI3K/PTEN/AKT/mTOR pathway in the malformations of cortical development. Genes Dis 2024; 11:101021. [PMID: 39006182 PMCID: PMC11245990 DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2023.04.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Malformations of cortical development (MCD) are a group of developmental disorders characterized by abnormal cortical structures caused by genetic or harmful environmental factors. Many kinds of MCD are caused by genetic variation. MCD is the common cause of intellectual disability and intractable epilepsy. With rapid advances in imaging and sequencing technologies, the diagnostic rate of MCD has been increasing, and many potential genes causing MCD have been successively identified. However, the high genetic heterogeneity of MCD makes it challenging to understand the molecular pathogenesis of MCD and to identify effective targeted drugs. Thus, in this review, we outline important events of cortical development. Then we illustrate the progress of molecular genetic studies about MCD focusing on the PI3K/PTEN/AKT/mTOR pathway. Finally, we briefly discuss the diagnostic methods, disease models, and therapeutic strategies for MCD. The information will facilitate further research on MCD. Understanding the role of the PI3K/PTEN/AKT/mTOR pathway in MCD could lead to a novel strategy for treating MCD-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Ma
- NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Molecular Probe and Targeted Theranostics, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150000, China
| | - Guang Chen
- Department of Urology, The Fourth Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150000, China
| | - Ying Li
- NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Molecular Probe and Targeted Theranostics, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150000, China
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150000, China
| | - Zhenming Guo
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Xue Zhang
- NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Molecular Probe and Targeted Theranostics, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150000, China
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Moody JC, Qadota H, Benian GM. The RhoGAP RRC-1 is required for the assembly or stability of integrin adhesion complexes and is a member of the PIX pathway in muscle. Mol Biol Cell 2024; 35:ar58. [PMID: 38446619 PMCID: PMC11064667 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e23-03-0095] [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: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
GTPases cycle between active GTP bound and inactive GDP bound forms. Exchange of GDP for GTP is catalyzed by guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs). GTPase activating proteins (GAPs) accelerate GTP hydrolysis, to promote the GDP bound form. We reported that the RacGEF, PIX-1, is required for assembly of integrin adhesion complexes (IAC) in striated muscle of Caenorhabditis elegans. In C. elegans, IACs are found at the muscle cell boundaries (MCBs), and bases of sarcomeric M-lines and dense bodies (Z-disks). Screening C. elegans mutants in proteins containing RhoGAP domains revealed that loss of function of rrc-1 results in loss of IAC components at MCBs, disorganization of M-lines and dense bodies, and reduced whole animal locomotion. RRC-1 localizes to MCBs, like PIX-1. The localization of RRC-1 at MCBs requires PIX-1, and the localization of PIX-1 requires RRC-1. Loss of function of CED-10 (Rac) shows lack of PIX-1 and RRC-1 at MCBs. RRC-1 exists in a complex with PIX-1. Transgenic rescue of rrc-1 was achieved with wild type RRC-1 but not RRC-1 with a missense mutation in a highly conserved residue of the RhoGAP domain. Our results are consistent with RRC-1 being a RhoGAP for the PIX pathway in muscle.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hiroshi Qadota
- Department of Pathology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322
| | - Guy M. Benian
- Department of Pathology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322
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Viou L, Atkins M, Rousseau V, Launay P, Masson J, Pace C, Murakami F, Barnier JV, Métin C. PAK3 activation promotes the tangential to radial migration switch of cortical interneurons by increasing leading process dynamics and disrupting cell polarity. Mol Psychiatry 2024:10.1038/s41380-024-02483-y. [PMID: 38454080 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-024-02483-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Mutations of PAK3, a p21-activated kinase, are associated in humans with cognitive deficits suggestive of defective cortical circuits and with frequent brain structural abnormalities. Most human variants no longer exhibit kinase activity. Since GABAergic interneurons express PAK3 as they migrate within the cortex, we here examined the role of PAK3 kinase activity in the regulation of cortical interneuron migration. During the embryonic development, cortical interneurons migrate a long distance tangentially and then re-orient radially to settle in the cortical plate, where they contribute to cortical circuits. We showed that interneurons expressing a constitutively kinase active PAK3 variant (PAK3-ca) extended shorter leading processes and exhibited unstable polarity. In the upper cortical layers, they entered the cortical plate and extended radially oriented processes. In the deep cortical layers, they exhibited erratic non-processive migration movements and accumulated in the deep pathway. Pharmacological inhibition of PAK3 kinase inhibited the radial migration switch of interneurons to the cortical plate and reduced their accumulation in the deep cortical layers. Interneurons expressing a kinase dead PAK3 variant (PAK3-kd) developed branched leading processes, maintained the same polarity during migration and exhibited processive and tangentially oriented movements in the cortex. These results reveal that PAK3 kinase activity, by promoting leading process shortening and cell polarity changes, inhibits the tangential processive migration of interneurons and favors their radial re- orientation and targeting to the cortical plate. They suggest that patients expressing PAK3 variants with impaired kinase activity likely present alterations in the cortical targeting of their GABAergic interneurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucie Viou
- INSERM UMR-S 1270; Institut du Fer à Moulin, Sorbonne Université, F-75005, Paris, France
| | - Melody Atkins
- INSERM UMR-S 1270; Institut du Fer à Moulin, Sorbonne Université, F-75005, Paris, France
| | - Véronique Rousseau
- Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, UMR 9197, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, Saclay, France
| | - Pierre Launay
- INSERM UMR-S 1270; Institut du Fer à Moulin, Sorbonne Université, F-75005, Paris, France
| | - Justine Masson
- INSERM UMR-S 1270; Institut du Fer à Moulin, Sorbonne Université, F-75005, Paris, France
| | - Clarisse Pace
- INSERM UMR-S 1270; Institut du Fer à Moulin, Sorbonne Université, F-75005, Paris, France
| | - Fujio Murakami
- Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Yamadaoka 1-3, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Jean-Vianney Barnier
- Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, UMR 9197, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, Saclay, France
| | - Christine Métin
- INSERM UMR-S 1270; Institut du Fer à Moulin, Sorbonne Université, F-75005, Paris, France.
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Scorrano G, D'Onofrio G, Accogli A, Severino M, Buchert R, Kotzaeridou U, Iapadre G, Farello G, Iacomino M, Dono F, Di Francesco L, Fiorile MF, La Bella S, Corsello A, Calì E, Di Rosa G, Gitto E, Verrotti A, Fortuna S, Soler MA, Chiarelli F, Oehl-Jaschkowitz B, Haack TB, Zara F, Striano P, Salpietro V. A PAK1 Mutational Hotspot Within the Regulatory CRIPaK Domain is Associated With Severe Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Children. Pediatr Neurol 2023; 149:84-92. [PMID: 37820543 DOI: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2023.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND P-21-activated kinases (PAKs) are protein serine/threonine kinases, part of the RAS/mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. PAK1 is highly expressed in the central nervous system and crucially involved in neuronal migration and brain developmental processes. Recently, de novo heterozygous missense variants in PAK1 have been identified as an ultrarare cause of pediatric neurodevelopmental disorders. METHODS We report a series of children affected with postnatal macrocephaly, neurodevelopmental impairment, and drug-resistant epilepsy. Repeated electroencephalographic (EEG) and video-EEG evaluations were performed over a two- to 10-year period during follow-up to delineate electroclinical histories. Genetic sequencing studies and computational evaluation of the identified variants were performed in our patient cohort. RESULTS We identified by whole-exome sequencing three novel de novo variants in PAK1 (NM_001128620: c.427A>G, p.Met143Val; c.428T>C, p.Met143Thr; c.428T>A, p.Met143Lys) as the underlying cause of the disease in our families. The three variants affected the same highly conserved Met143 residue within the cysteine-rich inhibitor of PAK1 (CRIPaK) domain, which was identified before as a PAK1 inhibitor target. Computational studies suggested a defective autoinhibition presumably due to impaired PAK1 autoregulation as a result of the recurrent substitution. CONCLUSIONS We delineated the electroclinical phenotypes of PAK1-related neurological disorders and highlight a novel mutational hotspot that may involve defective autoinhibition of the PAK1 protein. The three novel variants affecting the same hotspot residue within the CRIPaK domain highlight potentially impaired PAK1-CRIPaK interaction as a novel disease mechanism. These findings shed light on possible future treatments targeted at the CRIPaK domain, to modulate PAK1 activity and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanna Scorrano
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy; Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Gianluca D'Onofrio
- Pediatric Neurology and Muscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy; Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genova, Italy; Unit of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Andrea Accogli
- Department of Medical Genetics, Montreal Children's Hospital, McGill University Health Centre (MUHC), Montreal, QC, Canada; Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Rebecca Buchert
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Urania Kotzaeridou
- Division of Child Neurology and Inherited Metabolic Diseases, Center for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Giulia Iapadre
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Giovanni Farello
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Michele Iacomino
- Unit of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Istituto "Giannina Gaslini", Genova, Italy
| | - Fedele Dono
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Ludovica Di Francesco
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | | | - Saverio La Bella
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Antonio Corsello
- Department of Clinical Science and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Elisa Calì
- Department of Neuromuscular Disorders, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Gabriella Di Rosa
- Unit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, Department of Human Pathology in Adult and Developmental Age "Gaetano Barresi", University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Eloisa Gitto
- Neonatal and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Department of Human Pathology in Adult and Developmental Age "Gaetano Barresi", University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | | | - Sara Fortuna
- Computational Modelling of Nanoscale and Biophysical Systems Laboratory (CONCEPT), Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Genova, Italy
| | - Miguel A Soler
- Department of Mathematics, Computer Science and Physics, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | | | | | - Tobias B Haack
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Federico Zara
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genova, Italy; Unit of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy; Unit of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Istituto "Giannina Gaslini", Genova, Italy
| | - Pasquale Striano
- Pediatric Neurology and Muscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy; Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genova, Italy; Unit of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Salpietro
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy; Department of Neuromuscular Disorders, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK.
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Tello JA, Jiang L, Zohar Y, Restifo LL. Drosophila CASK regulates brain size and neuronal morphogenesis, providing a genetic model of postnatal microcephaly suitable for drug discovery. Neural Dev 2023; 18:6. [PMID: 37805506 PMCID: PMC10559581 DOI: 10.1186/s13064-023-00174-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND CASK-related neurodevelopmental disorders are untreatable. Affected children show variable severity, with microcephaly, intellectual disability (ID), and short stature as common features. X-linked human CASK shows dosage sensitivity with haploinsufficiency in females. CASK protein has multiple domains, binding partners, and proposed functions at synapses and in the nucleus. Human and Drosophila CASK show high amino-acid-sequence similarity in all functional domains. Flies homozygous for a hypomorphic CASK mutation (∆18) have motor and cognitive deficits. A Drosophila genetic model of CASK-related disorders could have great scientific and translational value. METHODS We assessed the effects of CASK loss of function on morphological phenotypes in Drosophila using established genetic, histological, and primary neuronal culture approaches. NeuronMetrics software was used to quantify neurite-arbor morphology. Standard nonparametric statistics methods were supplemented by linear mixed effects modeling in some cases. Microfluidic devices of varied dimensions were fabricated and numerous fluid-flow parameters were used to induce oscillatory stress fields on CNS tissue. Dissociation into viable neurons and neurite outgrowth in vitro were assessed. RESULTS We demonstrated that ∆18 homozygous flies have small brains, small heads, and short bodies. When neurons from developing CASK-mutant CNS were cultured in vitro, they grew small neurite arbors with a distinctive, quantifiable "bushy" morphology that was significantly rescued by transgenic CASK+. As in humans, the bushy phenotype showed dosage-sensitive severity. To overcome the limitations of manual tissue trituration for neuronal culture, we optimized the design and operation of a microfluidic system for standardized, automated dissociation of CNS tissue into individual viable neurons. Neurons from CASK-mutant CNS dissociated in the microfluidic system recapitulate the bushy morphology. Moreover, for any given genotype, device-dissociated neurons grew larger arbors than did manually dissociated neurons. This automated dissociation method is also effective for rodent CNS. CONCLUSIONS These biological and engineering advances set the stage for drug discovery using the Drosophila model of CASK-related disorders. The bushy phenotype provides a cell-based assay for compound screening. Nearly a dozen genes encoding CASK-binding proteins or transcriptional targets also have brain-development mutant phenotypes, including ID. Hence, drugs that improve CASK phenotypes might also benefit children with disorders due to mutant CASK partners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith A Tello
- Graduate Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Arizona Health Sciences, 1501 N. Campbell Ave, Tucson, AZ, 85724-5023, USA
- Present address: Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, NY, 10010, USA
| | - Linan Jiang
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Yitshak Zohar
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
- BIO5 Interdisciplinary Research Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Linda L Restifo
- Graduate Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA.
- Department of Neurology, University of Arizona Health Sciences, 1501 N. Campbell Ave, Tucson, AZ, 85724-5023, USA.
- BIO5 Interdisciplinary Research Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA.
- Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona Health Sciences, Tucson, AZ, 85724, USA.
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Barraza-Núñez N, Pérez-Núñez R, Gaete-Ramírez B, Barrios-Garrido A, Arriagada C, Poksay K, John V, Barnier JV, Cárdenas AM, Caviedes P. Pharmacological Inhibition of p-21 Activated Kinase (PAK) Restores Impaired Neurite Outgrowth and Remodeling in a Cellular Model of Down Syndrome. Neurotox Res 2023; 41:256-269. [PMID: 36867391 DOI: 10.1007/s12640-023-00638-3] [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: 09/11/2022] [Revised: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023]
Abstract
Down syndrome (DS) is characterized by the trisomy of chromosome 21 and by cognitive deficits that have been related to neuronal morphological alterations in humans, as well as in animal models. The gene encoding for amyloid precursor protein (APP) is present in autosome 21, and its overexpression in DS has been linked to neuronal dysfunction, cognitive deficit, and Alzheimer's disease-like dementia. In particular, the neuronal ability to extend processes and branching is affected. Current evidence suggests that APP could also regulate neurite growth through its role in the actin cytoskeleton, in part by influencing p21-activated kinase (PAK) activity. The latter effect is carried out by an increased abundance of the caspase cleavage-released carboxy-terminal C31 fragment. In this work, using a neuronal cell line named CTb, which derived from the cerebral cortex of a trisomy 16 mouse, an animal model of human DS, we observed an overexpression of APP, elevated caspase activity, augmented cleavage of the C-terminal fragment of APP, and increased PAK1 phosphorylation. Morphometric analyses showed that inhibition of PAK1 activity with FRAX486 increased the average length of the neurites, the number of crossings per Sholl ring, the formation of new processes, and stimulated the loss of processes. Considering our results, we propose that PAK hyperphosphorylation impairs neurite outgrowth and remodeling in the cellular model of DS, and therefore we suggest that PAK1 may be a potential pharmacological target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Barraza-Núñez
- Program of Molecular & Clinical Pharmacology, ICBM, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Ramón Pérez-Núñez
- Program of Molecular & Clinical Pharmacology, ICBM, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Belén Gaete-Ramírez
- Program of Molecular & Clinical Pharmacology, ICBM, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Alejandra Barrios-Garrido
- Program of Molecular & Clinical Pharmacology, ICBM, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Christian Arriagada
- Department of Anatomy & Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | | | - Varghese John
- Department of Neurology, Easton Center for Alzheimer's Disease Research, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jean-Vianney Barnier
- Neuroscience Paris-Saclay Institute, UMR 9197, CNRS-Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-Sur-Yvette, France
| | | | - Pablo Caviedes
- Program of Molecular & Clinical Pharmacology, ICBM, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile.
- Center for Biotechnology & Bioengineering (CeBiB), Department of Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology & Materials, Faculty of Physical & Mathematical Sciences, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile.
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Zhuang J, Xie M, Yao J, Fu W, Zeng S, Jiang Y, Wang Y, Xie Y, Wang G, Chen C. A de novo PAK1 likely pathogenic variant and a de novo terminal 1q microdeletion in a Chinese girl with global developmental delay, severe intellectual disability, and seizures. BMC Med Genomics 2023; 16:3. [PMID: 36624491 PMCID: PMC9830755 DOI: 10.1186/s12920-023-01433-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pathogenic PAK1 variants were described to be causative of neurodevelopmental disorder with macrocephaly, seizures, and speech delay. Herein, we present a de novo PAK1 variant combine with a de novo terminal 1q microdeletion in a Chinese pediatric patient, aiming to provide more insights into the underlying genotype-phenotype relationship. METHODS Enrolled in this study was a 6-year-old girl with clinical features of global developmental delay, severe intellectual disability, speech delay, and seizures from Quanzhou region of China. Karyotype and chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) were performed to detect chromosome abnormalities in this family. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was performed to investigate additional genetic variants in this family. RESULTS No chromosomal abnormalities were elicited from the entire family by karyotype analysis. Further familial CMA results revealed that the patient had a de novo 2.7-Mb microdeletion (arr[GRCh37] 1q44(246,454,321_249,224,684) × 1]) in 1q44 region, which contains 14 OMIM genes, but did not overlap the reported smallest region of overlap (SRO) responsible for the clinical features in 1q43q44 deletion syndrome. In addition, WES result demonstrated a de novo NM_002576: c.251C > G (p.T84R) variant in PAK1 gene in the patient, which was interpreted as a likely pathogenic variant. CONCLUSION In this study, we identify a novel PAK1 variant associated with a terminal 1q microdeletion in a patient with neurodevelopmental disorder. In addition, we believe that the main clinical features may ascribe to the pathogenic variant in PAK1 gene in the patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianlong Zhuang
- Prenatal Diagnosis Center, Quanzhou Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Quanzhou, 362000 People’s Republic of China
| | - Meihua Xie
- Prenatal Diagnosis Center, Yueyang Central Hospital, Yueyang, 414000 People’s Republic of China
| | - Jianfeng Yao
- Department of Women Healthcare, Quanzhou Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Quanzhou, 362000 People’s Republic of China
| | - Wanyu Fu
- Prenatal Diagnosis Center, Quanzhou Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Quanzhou, 362000 People’s Republic of China
| | - Shuhong Zeng
- Prenatal Diagnosis Center, Quanzhou Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Quanzhou, 362000 People’s Republic of China
| | - Yuying Jiang
- Prenatal Diagnosis Center, Quanzhou Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Quanzhou, 362000 People’s Republic of China
| | - Yuanbai Wang
- Prenatal Diagnosis Center, Quanzhou Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Quanzhou, 362000 People’s Republic of China
| | - Yingjun Xie
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Diseases, Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guanghzou, 510150, People's Republic of China. .,Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510150, People's Republic of China.
| | - Gaoxiong Wang
- Quanzhou Women's and Children's Hospital, Quanzhou, 362000, People's Republic of China.
| | - Chunnuan Chen
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, 362000, Fujian Province, People's Republic of China.
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8
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Dobrigna M, Poëa-Guyon S, Rousseau V, Vincent A, Toutain A, Barnier JV. The molecular basis of p21-activated kinase-associated neurodevelopmental disorders: From genotype to phenotype. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1123784. [PMID: 36937657 PMCID: PMC10017488 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1123784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Although the identification of numerous genes involved in neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) has reshaped our understanding of their etiology, there are still major obstacles in the way of developing therapeutic solutions for intellectual disability (ID) and other NDDs. These include extensive clinical and genetic heterogeneity, rarity of recurrent pathogenic variants, and comorbidity with other psychiatric traits. Moreover, a large intragenic mutational landscape is at play in some NDDs, leading to a broad range of clinical symptoms. Such diversity of symptoms is due to the different effects DNA variations have on protein functions and their impacts on downstream biological processes. The type of functional alterations, such as loss or gain of function, and interference with signaling pathways, has yet to be correlated with clinical symptoms for most genes. This review aims at discussing our current understanding of how the molecular changes of group I p21-activated kinases (PAK1, 2 and 3), which are essential actors of brain development and function; contribute to a broad clinical spectrum of NDDs. Identifying differences in PAK structure, regulation and spatio-temporal expression may help understanding the specific functions of each group I PAK. Deciphering how each variation type affects these parameters will help uncover the mechanisms underlying mutation pathogenicity. This is a prerequisite for the development of personalized therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manon Dobrigna
- Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, UMR 9197, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, Saclay, France
| | - Sandrine Poëa-Guyon
- Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, UMR 9197, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, Saclay, France
| | - Véronique Rousseau
- Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, UMR 9197, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, Saclay, France
| | - Aline Vincent
- Department of Genetics, EA7450 BioTARGen, University Hospital of Caen, Caen, France
| | - Annick Toutain
- Department of Genetics, University Hospital of Tours, UMR 1253, iBrain, Université de Tours, INSERM, Tours, France
| | - Jean-Vianney Barnier
- Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, UMR 9197, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, Saclay, France
- *Correspondence: Jean-Vianney Barnier,
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Zhang H, Ben Zablah Y, Zhang H, Liu A, Gugustea R, Lee D, Luo X, Meng Y, Li S, Zhou C, Xin T, Jia Z. Inhibition of Rac1 in ventral hippocampal excitatory neurons improves social recognition memory and synaptic plasticity. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:914491. [PMID: 35936771 PMCID: PMC9354987 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.914491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Rac1 is critically involved in the regulation of the actin cytoskeleton, neuronal structure, synaptic plasticity, and memory. Rac1 overactivation is reported in human patients and animal models of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and contributes to their spatial memory deficits, but whether Rac1 dysregulation is also important in other forms of memory deficits is unknown. In addition, the cell types and synaptic mechanisms involved remain unclear. In this study, we used local injections of AAV virus containing a dominant-negative (DN) Rac1 under the control of CaMKIIα promoter and found that the reduction of Rac1 hyperactivity in ventral hippocampal excitatory neurons improves social recognition memory in APP/PS1 mice. Expression of DN Rac1 also improves long-term potentiation, a key synaptic mechanism for memory formation. Our results suggest that overactivation of Rac1 in hippocampal excitatory neurons contributes to social memory deficits in APP/PS1 mice and that manipulating Rac1 activity may provide a potential therapeutic strategy to treat social deficits in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiwang Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong Medicine and Health Key Laboratory of Neurosurgery, Jinan, China
- Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Physiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Youssif Ben Zablah
- Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Physiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Haorui Zhang
- Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Physiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - An Liu
- The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Radu Gugustea
- Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Physiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Dongju Lee
- Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Physiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Xiao Luo
- Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Physiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Yanghong Meng
- Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Physiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Song Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Caoxian People’s Hospital, Caoxian, China
| | - Changxi Zhou
- Department of Geriatrics, The Second Medical Center and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Changxi Zhou,
| | - Tao Xin
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong Medicine and Health Key Laboratory of Neurosurgery, Jinan, China
- Tao Xin,
| | - Zhengping Jia
- Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Physiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Zhengping Jia,
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Bose M, Nawaz MS, Pal R, Chattarji S. Stress Elicits Contrasting Effects on Rac1-Cofilin Signaling in the Hippocampus and Amygdala. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:880382. [PMID: 35592113 PMCID: PMC9110925 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.880382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
There is accumulating evidence for contrasting patterns of stress-induced morphological and physiological plasticity in glutamatergic synapses of the hippocampus and amygdala. The same chronic stress that leads to the formation of dendritic spines in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) of rats, leads to a loss of spines in the hippocampus. However, the molecular underpinnings of these divergent effects of stress on dendritic spines are not well understood. Since the activity of the Rho GTPase Rac1 and the actin-depolymerizing factor cofilin are known to play a pivotal role in spine morphogenesis, we investigated if alterations in this signaling pathway reflect the differential effects of stress on spine plasticity in the hippocampus and amygdala. A day after the end of chronic immobilization stress (2 h/day for 10 days), we found a reduction in the activity of Rac1, as well as its effector p21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1), in the rat hippocampus. These changes, in turn, decreased cofilin phosphorylation alongside a reduction in the levels of profilin isoforms. In striking contrast, the same chronic stress increased Rac1, PAK1 activity, cofilin phosphorylation, and profilin levels in the BLA, which is consistent with enhanced actin polymerization leading to spinogenesis in the BLA. In the hippocampus, on the other hand, the same stress caused the opposite changes, the functional consequences of which would be actin depolymerization leading to the elimination of spines. Together, these findings reveal a role for brain-region specific differences in the dysregulation of Rac1-to-cofilin signaling in the effects of repeated stress on two brain areas that are implicated in the emotional and cognitive symptoms of stress-related psychiatric disorders.
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11
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Wegrzyn D, Zokol J, Faissner A. Vav3-Deficient Astrocytes Enhance the Dendritic Development of Hippocampal Neurons in an Indirect Co-culture System. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 15:817277. [PMID: 35237130 PMCID: PMC8882586 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.817277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Vav proteins belong to the class of guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) that catalyze the exchange of guanosine diphosphate (GDP) by guanosine triphosphate (GTP) on their target proteins. Here, especially the members of the small GTPase family, Ras homolog family member A (RhoA), Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (Rac1) and cell division control protein 42 homolog (Cdc42) can be brought into an activated state by the catalytic activity of Vav-GEFs. In the central nervous system (CNS) of rodents Vav3 shows the strongest expression pattern in comparison to Vav2 and Vav1, which is restricted to the hematopoietic system. Several studies revealed an important role of Vav3 for the elongation and branching of neurites. However, little is known about the function of Vav3 for other cell types of the CNS, like astrocytes. Therefore, the following study analyzed the effects of a Vav3 knockout on several astrocytic parameters as well as the influence of Vav3-deficient astrocytes on the dendritic development of cultured neurons. For this purpose, an indirect co-culture system of native hippocampal neurons and Vav3-deficient cortical astrocytes was used. Interestingly, neurons cultured in an indirect contact with Vav3-deficient astrocytes showed a significant increase in the dendritic complexity and length after 12 and 17 days in vitro (DIV). Furthermore, Vav3-deficient astrocytes showed an enhanced regeneration in the scratch wound heal assay as well as an altered profile of released cytokines with a complete lack of CXCL11, reduced levels of IL-6 and an increased release of CCL5. Based on these observations, we suppose that Vav3 plays an important role for the development of dendrites by regulating the expression and the release of neurotrophic factors and cytokines in astrocytes.
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12
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Phosphoproteomic of the acetylcholine pathway enables discovery of the PKC-β-PIX-Rac1-PAK cascade as a stimulatory signal for aversive learning. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:3479-3492. [PMID: 35665767 PMCID: PMC9708603 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01643-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Acetylcholine is a neuromodulator critical for learning and memory. The cholinesterase inhibitor donepezil increases brain acetylcholine levels and improves Alzheimer's disease (AD)-associated learning disabilities. Acetylcholine activates striatal/nucleus accumbens dopamine receptor D2-expressing medium spiny neurons (D2R-MSNs), which regulate aversive learning through muscarinic receptor M1 (M1R). However, how acetylcholine stimulates learning beyond M1Rs remains unresolved. Here, we found that acetylcholine stimulated protein kinase C (PKC) in mouse striatal/nucleus accumbens. Our original kinase-oriented phosphoproteomic analysis revealed 116 PKC substrate candidates, including Rac1 activator β-PIX. Acetylcholine induced β-PIX phosphorylation and activation, thereby stimulating Rac1 effector p21-activated kinase (PAK). Aversive stimulus activated the M1R-PKC-PAK pathway in mouse D2R-MSNs. D2R-MSN-specific expression of PAK mutants by the Cre-Flex system regulated dendritic spine structural plasticity and aversive learning. Donepezil induced PAK activation in both accumbal D2R-MSNs and in the CA1 region of the hippocampus and enhanced D2R-MSN-mediated aversive learning. These findings demonstrate that acetylcholine stimulates M1R-PKC-β-PIX-Rac1-PAK signaling in D2R-MSNs for aversive learning and imply the cascade's therapeutic potential for AD as aversive learning is used to preliminarily screen AD drugs.
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13
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Duman JG, Blanco FA, Cronkite CA, Ru Q, Erikson KC, Mulherkar S, Saifullah AB, Firozi K, Tolias KF. Rac-maninoff and Rho-vel: The symphony of Rho-GTPase signaling at excitatory synapses. Small GTPases 2022; 13:14-47. [PMID: 33955328 PMCID: PMC9707551 DOI: 10.1080/21541248.2021.1885264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Synaptic connections between neurons are essential for every facet of human cognition and are thus regulated with extreme precision. Rho-family GTPases, molecular switches that cycle between an active GTP-bound state and an inactive GDP-bound state, comprise a critical feature of synaptic regulation. Rho-GTPases are exquisitely controlled by an extensive suite of activators (GEFs) and inhibitors (GAPs and GDIs) and interact with many different signalling pathways to fulfill their roles in orchestrating the development, maintenance, and plasticity of excitatory synapses of the central nervous system. Among the mechanisms that control Rho-GTPase activity and signalling are cell surface receptors, GEF/GAP complexes that tightly regulate single Rho-GTPase dynamics, GEF/GAP and GEF/GEF functional complexes that coordinate multiple Rho-family GTPase activities, effector positive feedback loops, and mutual antagonism of opposing Rho-GTPase pathways. These complex regulatory mechanisms are employed by the cells of the nervous system in almost every step of development, and prominently figure into the processes of synaptic plasticity that underlie learning and memory. Finally, misregulation of Rho-GTPases plays critical roles in responses to neuronal injury, such as traumatic brain injury and neuropathic pain, and in neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders, including intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer's Disease. Thus, decoding the mechanisms of Rho-GTPase regulation and function at excitatory synapses has great potential for combatting many of the biggest current challenges in mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph G. Duman
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Francisco A. Blanco
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Integrative Molecular and Biomedical Science Graduate Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Christopher A. Cronkite
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Qin Ru
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Kelly C. Erikson
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Shalaka Mulherkar
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ali Bin Saifullah
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Karen Firozi
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Kimberley F. Tolias
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
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Scala M, Nishikawa M, Nagata KI, Striano P. Pathophysiological Mechanisms in Neurodevelopmental Disorders Caused by Rac GTPases Dysregulation: What's behind Neuro-RACopathies. Cells 2021; 10:3395. [PMID: 34943902 PMCID: PMC8699292 DOI: 10.3390/cells10123395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Revised: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Rho family guanosine triphosphatases (GTPases) regulate cellular signaling and cytoskeletal dynamics, playing a pivotal role in cell adhesion, migration, and cell cycle progression. The Rac subfamily of Rho GTPases consists of three highly homologous proteins, Rac 1-3. The proper function of Rac1 and Rac3, and their correct interaction with guanine nucleotide-exchange factors (GEFs) and GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs) are crucial for neural development. Pathogenic variants affecting these delicate biological processes are implicated in different medical conditions in humans, primarily neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). In addition to a direct deleterious effect produced by genetic variants in the RAC genes, a dysregulated GTPase activity resulting from an abnormal function of GEFs and GAPs has been involved in the pathogenesis of distinctive emerging conditions. In this study, we reviewed the current pertinent literature on Rac-related disorders with a primary neurological involvement, providing an overview of the current knowledge on the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in the neuro-RACopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcello Scala
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy;
- Pediatric Neurology and Muscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genoa, Italy
| | - Masashi Nishikawa
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Institute for Developmental Research, Aichi Developmental Disability Center, 713-8 Kamiya, Kasugai 480-0392, Japan; (M.N.); (K.-i.N.)
| | - Koh-ichi Nagata
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Institute for Developmental Research, Aichi Developmental Disability Center, 713-8 Kamiya, Kasugai 480-0392, Japan; (M.N.); (K.-i.N.)
- Department of Neurochemistry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
| | - Pasquale Striano
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy;
- Pediatric Neurology and Muscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genoa, Italy
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15
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Wang Y, Guo F. Group I PAKs in myelin formation and repair of the central nervous system: what, when, and how. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2021; 97:615-639. [PMID: 34811887 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
p21-activated kinases (PAKs) are a family of cell division control protein 42/ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (Cdc42/Rac1)-activated serine/threonine kinases. Group I PAKs (PAK1-3) have distinct activation mechanisms from group II PAKs (PAK4-6) and are the focus of this review. In transformed cancer cells, PAKs regulate a variety of cellular processes and molecular pathways which are also important for myelin formation and repair in the central nervous system (CNS). De novo mutations in group I PAKs are frequently seen in children with neurodevelopmental defects and white matter anomalies. Group I PAKs regulate virtually every aspect of neuronal development and function. Yet their functions in CNS myelination and remyelination remain incompletely defined. Herein, we highlight the current understanding of PAKs in regulating cellular and molecular pathways and discuss the status of PAK-regulated pathways in oligodendrocyte development. We point out outstanding questions and future directions in the research field of group I PAKs and oligodendrocyte development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Wang
- Department of Neurology, Shriners Hospitals for Children/School of Medicine, Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine (IPRM), University of California, Davis, 2425 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA, 95817, U.S.A
| | - Fuzheng Guo
- Department of Neurology, Shriners Hospitals for Children/School of Medicine, Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine (IPRM), University of California, Davis, 2425 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA, 95817, U.S.A
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16
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Disruption of PAK3 Signaling in Social Interaction Induced cFos Positive Cells Impairs Social Recognition Memory. Cells 2021; 10:cells10113010. [PMID: 34831234 PMCID: PMC8616103 DOI: 10.3390/cells10113010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 10/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
P21-activated kinase 3 (PAK3) gene mutations are linked to several neurodevelopmental disorders, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we used a tetracycline-inducible system to control the expression of a mutant PAK3 (mPAK3) protein in immediate early gene, namely cFos, positive cells to disrupt PAK signaling, specifically in cells activated by social interaction in transgenic mice. We show that the expression of mPAK3-GFP proteins was in cFos-expressing excitatory and inhibitory neurons in various brain regions, such as the cortex and hippocampus, commonly activated during learning and memory. Basal expression of mPAK3-GFP proteins in cFos-positive cells resulted in social recognition memory deficits in the three-chamber social interaction test, without affecting locomotor activity or other forms of memory. The social memory deficit was rescued by doxycycline to halt the mPAK3-GFP transgene expression. In addition, we show that the expression of mPAK3-GFP proteins in a subset of cFos-positive cells, induced by an antecedent short social interaction, termed social pairing, was sufficient to impair social recognition memory. These results indicate that normal PAK signaling in cFos-positive cells activated during social interaction is critical for social memory.
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17
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Zhang H, Ben Zablah Y, Zhang H, Jia Z. Rho Signaling in Synaptic Plasticity, Memory, and Brain Disorders. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:729076. [PMID: 34671600 PMCID: PMC8520953 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.729076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Memory impairments are associated with many brain disorders such as autism, Alzheimer's disease, and depression. Forming memories involves modifications of synaptic transmission and spine morphology. The Rho family small GTPases are key regulators of synaptic plasticity by affecting various downstream molecules to remodel the actin cytoskeleton. In this paper, we will review recent studies on the roles of Rho proteins in the regulation of hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD), the most extensively studied forms of synaptic plasticity widely regarded as cellular mechanisms for learning and memory. We will also discuss the involvement of Rho signaling in spine morphology, the structural basis of synaptic plasticity and memory formation. Finally, we will review the association between brain disorders and abnormalities of Rho function. It is expected that studying Rho signaling at the synapse will contribute to the understanding of how memory is formed and disrupted in diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haorui Zhang
- Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Physiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Youssif Ben Zablah
- Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Physiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Haiwang Zhang
- Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Physiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Zhengping Jia
- Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Physiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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LIM-Kinases in Synaptic Plasticity, Memory, and Brain Diseases. Cells 2021; 10:cells10082079. [PMID: 34440848 PMCID: PMC8391678 DOI: 10.3390/cells10082079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Learning and memory require structural and functional modifications of synaptic connections, and synaptic deficits are believed to underlie many brain disorders. The LIM-domain-containing protein kinases (LIMK1 and LIMK2) are key regulators of the actin cytoskeleton by affecting the actin-binding protein, cofilin. In addition, LIMK1 is implicated in the regulation of gene expression by interacting with the cAMP-response element-binding protein. Accumulating evidence indicates that LIMKs are critically involved in brain function and dysfunction. In this paper, we will review studies on the roles and underlying mechanisms of LIMKs in the regulation of long-term potentiation (LTP) and depression (LTD), the most extensively studied forms of long-lasting synaptic plasticity widely regarded as cellular mechanisms underlying learning and memory. We will also discuss the involvement of LIMKs in the regulation of the dendritic spine, the structural basis of synaptic plasticity, and memory formation. Finally, we will discuss recent progress on investigations of LIMKs in neurological and mental disorders, including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Williams–Beuren syndrome, schizophrenia, and autism spectrum disorders.
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Seefelder M, Kochanek S. A meta-analysis of transcriptomic profiles of Huntington's disease patients. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0253037. [PMID: 34111223 PMCID: PMC8191979 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0253037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Description of robust transcriptomic alterations in Huntington’s disease is essential to identify targets for biochemical studies and drug development. We analysed publicly available transcriptome data from the brain and blood of 220 HD patients and 241 healthy controls and identified 737 and 661 genes with robustly altered mRNA levels in the brain and blood of HD patients, respectively. In the brain, a subnetwork of 320 genes strongly correlated with HD and was enriched in transport-related genes. Bioinformatical analysis of this subnetwork highlighted CDC42, PAK1, YWHAH, NFY, DLX1, HMGN3, and PRMT3. Moreover, we found that CREB1 can regulate 78.0% of genes whose mRNA levels correlated with HD in the blood of patients. Alterations in protein transport, metabolism, transcriptional regulation, and CDC42-mediated functions are likely central features of HD. Further our data substantiate the role of transcriptional regulators that have not been reported in the context of HD (e.g. DLX1, HMGN3 and PRMT3) and strongly suggest dysregulation of NFY and its target genes across tissues. A large proportion of the identified genes such as CDC42 were also altered in Parkinson’s (PD) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The observed dysregulation of CDC42 and YWHAH in samples from HD, AD and PD patients indicates that those genes and their upstream regulators may be interesting therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Seefelder
- Department of Gene Therapy, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
- * E-mail:
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Liaci C, Camera M, Caslini G, Rando S, Contino S, Romano V, Merlo GR. Neuronal Cytoskeleton in Intellectual Disability: From Systems Biology and Modeling to Therapeutic Opportunities. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22116167. [PMID: 34200511 PMCID: PMC8201358 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22116167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Intellectual disability (ID) is a pathological condition characterized by limited intellectual functioning and adaptive behaviors. It affects 1–3% of the worldwide population, and no pharmacological therapies are currently available. More than 1000 genes have been found mutated in ID patients pointing out that, despite the common phenotype, the genetic bases are highly heterogeneous and apparently unrelated. Bibliomic analysis reveals that ID genes converge onto a few biological modules, including cytoskeleton dynamics, whose regulation depends on Rho GTPases transduction. Genetic variants exert their effects at different levels in a hierarchical arrangement, starting from the molecular level and moving toward higher levels of organization, i.e., cell compartment and functions, circuits, cognition, and behavior. Thus, cytoskeleton alterations that have an impact on cell processes such as neuronal migration, neuritogenesis, and synaptic plasticity rebound on the overall establishment of an effective network and consequently on the cognitive phenotype. Systems biology (SB) approaches are more focused on the overall interconnected network rather than on individual genes, thus encouraging the design of therapies that aim to correct common dysregulated biological processes. This review summarizes current knowledge about cytoskeleton control in neurons and its relevance for the ID pathogenesis, exploiting in silico modeling and translating the implications of those findings into biomedical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Liaci
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126 Torino, Italy; (C.L.); (M.C.); (G.C.); (S.R.)
| | - Mattia Camera
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126 Torino, Italy; (C.L.); (M.C.); (G.C.); (S.R.)
| | - Giovanni Caslini
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126 Torino, Italy; (C.L.); (M.C.); (G.C.); (S.R.)
| | - Simona Rando
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126 Torino, Italy; (C.L.); (M.C.); (G.C.); (S.R.)
| | - Salvatore Contino
- Department of Engineering, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze Ed. 8, 90128 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Valentino Romano
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze Ed. 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Giorgio R. Merlo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126 Torino, Italy; (C.L.); (M.C.); (G.C.); (S.R.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0116706449; Fax: +39-0116706432
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Almutairi O, Almutairi HA, Rushood MA. Protein-Activated Kinase 3 (PAK3)-Related Intellectual Disability Associated with Combined Immunodeficiency: A Case Report. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CASE REPORTS 2021; 22:e930966. [PMID: 34014906 PMCID: PMC8147901 DOI: 10.12659/ajcr.930966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND X-linked intellectual disabilities constitute a group of clinically and genetically heterogeneous disorders that are divided into syndromic and nonsyndromic forms. PAK3 mutations are associated with X-linked nonsyndromic forms of intellectual disability, with the most common clinical features being cognitive deficit, large ears, oral motor hypotonia, and neurobehavioral abnormalities. These mutations have been reported to be associated with either loss of the PAK3 protein or loss of its kinase activity. We report a case with the novel PAK3 variant c.685C>T p.(Pro229Ser), which has not been previously described. CASE REPORT We report the first case of a PAK3 mutation to present with the common clinical features along with immunodeficiency resembling common variable immune deficiency. Our patient was a 10-year-old girl who had experienced septic shock with a rapidly deteriorating course when she was 5-years-old. The initial immune work-up showed lymphopenia affecting all cell lines, but preferentially the B-cell compartment. Further work-up of this patient revealed low levels of immunoglobulin (Ig) G, undetectable IgA, reduced IgG1 and IgG2 subclasses, and poor response to the diphtheria/tetanus vaccine. Lymphocyte function, tested as the response to the mitogen phytohemagglutinin, was low and fluctuated between 9% and 22% compared with control samples. The patient experienced recurrent respiratory tract infections, and she responded well to regular intravenous Ig treatment and antibiotic prophylaxis. CONCLUSIONS The current case might provide a new insight into PAK3 gene function. Although further evidence is needed, it is worth considering that immunological abnormalities may be associated with PAK3 gene mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Maysoun Al Rushood
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Health Sciences Center, Kuwait University, Jabriya, Kuwait
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22
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Disruption of the autism-related gene Pak1 causes stereocilia disorganization, hair cell loss, and deafness in mice. J Genet Genomics 2021; 48:324-332. [PMID: 34049799 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2021.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Several clinical studies have reported that hearing loss is correlated with autism in children. However, little is known about the underlying mechanism between hearing loss and autism. p21-activated kinases (PAKs) are a family of serine/threonine kinases that can be activated by multiple signaling molecules, particularly the Rho family of small GTPases. Previous studies have shown that Pak1 mutations are associated with autism. In the present study, we take advantage of Pak1 knockout (Pak1-/-) mice to investigate the role of PAK1 in hearing function. We find that PAK1 is highly expressed in the postnatal mouse cochlea and that PAK1 deficiency leads to hair cell (HC) apoptosis and severe hearing loss. Further investigation indicates that PAK1 deficiency downregulates the phosphorylation of cofilin and ezrin-radixin-moesin and the expression of βII-spectrin, which further decreases the HC synapse density in the basal turn of cochlea and disorganized the HC stereocilia in all three turns of cochlea in Pak1-/- mice. Overall, our work demonstrates that the autism-related gene Pak1 plays a crucial role in hearing function. As the first candidate gene linking autism and hearing loss, Pak1 may serve as a potential target for the clinical diagnosis of autism-related hearing loss.
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Badea A, Schmalzigaug R, Kim W, Bonner P, Ahmed U, Johnson GA, Cofer G, Foster M, Anderson RJ, Badea C, Premont RT. Microcephaly with altered cortical layering in GIT1 deficiency revealed by quantitative neuroimaging. Magn Reson Imaging 2021; 76:26-38. [PMID: 33010377 PMCID: PMC7802083 DOI: 10.1016/j.mri.2020.09.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
G Protein-Coupled Receptor Kinase-Interacting Protein-1 (GIT1) regulates neuronal functions, including cell and axon migration and synapse formation and maintenance, and GIT1 knockout (KO) mice exhibit learning and memory deficits. We noted that male and female GIT1-KO mice exhibit neuroimaging phenotypes including microcephaly, and altered cortical layering, with a decrease in neuron density in cortical layer V. Micro-CT and magnetic resonance microscopy (MRM) were used to identify morphometric phenotypes for the skulls and throughout the GIT1-KO brains. High field MRM of actively-stained mouse brains from GIT1-KO and wild type (WT) controls (n = 6 per group) allowed segmenting 37 regions, based on co-registration to the Waxholm Space atlas. Overall brain size in GIT1-KO mice was ~32% smaller compared to WT controls. After correcting for brain size, several regions were significantly different in GIT1-KO mice relative to WT, including the gray matter of the ventral thalamic nuclei and the rest of the thalamus, the inferior colliculus, and pontine nuclei. GIT1-KO mice had reduced volume of white matter tracts, most notably in the anterior commissure (~26% smaller), but also in the cerebral peduncle, fornix, and spinal trigeminal tract. On the other hand, the basal ganglia appeared enlarged in GIT1-KO mice, including the globus pallidus, caudate putamen, and particularly the accumbens - supporting a possible vulnerability to addiction. Volume based morphometry based on high-resolution MRM (21.5 μm isotropic voxels) was effective in detecting overall, and local differences in brain volumes in GIT1-KO mice, including in white matter tracts. The reduced relative volume of specific brain regions suggests a critical, but not uniform, role for GIT1 in brain development, conducive to brain microcephaly, and aberrant connectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Badea
- Department of Radiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, United States of America; Department of Neurology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, United States of America; Departments of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, United States of America; Brain Imaging and Analysis Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, United States of America.
| | - Robert Schmalzigaug
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, United States of America
| | - Woojoo Kim
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, United States of America
| | - Pamela Bonner
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, United States of America
| | - Umer Ahmed
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, United States of America
| | - G Allan Johnson
- Department of Radiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, United States of America; Departments of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, United States of America
| | - Gary Cofer
- Department of Radiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, United States of America
| | - Mark Foster
- Department of Radiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, United States of America
| | - Robert J Anderson
- Department of Radiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, United States of America
| | - Cristian Badea
- Department of Radiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, United States of America; Departments of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, United States of America
| | - Richard T Premont
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, United States of America.
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24
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PAK1 Positively Regulates Oligodendrocyte Morphology and Myelination. J Neurosci 2021; 41:1864-1877. [PMID: 33478987 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0229-20.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2020] [Revised: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The actin cytoskeleton is crucial for oligodendrocyte differentiation and myelination. Here we show that p21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1), a well-known actin regulator, promotes oligodendrocyte morphologic change and myelin production in the CNS. A combination of in vitro and in vivo models demonstrated that PAK1 is expressed throughout the oligodendrocyte lineage with highest expression in differentiated oligodendrocytes. Inhibiting PAK1 early in oligodendrocyte development decreased oligodendrocyte morphologic complexity and altered F-actin spreading at the tips of oligodendrocyte progenitor cell processes. Constitutively activating AKT in oligodendrocytes in male and female mice, which leads to excessive myelin wrapping, increased PAK1 expression, suggesting an impact of PAK1 during active myelin wrapping. Furthermore, constitutively activating PAK1 in oligodendrocytes in zebrafish led to an increase in myelin internode length while inhibiting PAK1 during active myelination decreased internode length. As myelin parameters influence conduction velocity, these data suggest that PAK1 may influence communication within the CNS. These data support a model in which PAK1 is a positive regulator of CNS myelination.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Myelin is a critical component of the CNS that provides metabolic support to neurons and also facilitates communication between cells in the CNS. Recent data demonstrate that actin dynamics drives myelin wrapping, but how actin is regulated during myelin wrapping is unknown. The authors investigate the role of the cytoskeletal modulator PAK1 during differentiation and myelination by oligodendrocytes, the myelinating cells of the CNS. They demonstrate that PAK1 promotes oligodendrocyte differentiation and myelination by modulating the cytoskeleton and thereby internode length, thus playing a critical role in the function of the CNS.
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25
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Zhang K, Wang Y, Fan T, Zeng C, Sun ZS. The p21-activated kinases in neural cytoskeletal remodeling and related neurological disorders. Protein Cell 2020; 13:6-25. [PMID: 33306168 PMCID: PMC8776968 DOI: 10.1007/s13238-020-00812-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The serine/threonine p21-activated kinases (PAKs), as main effectors of the Rho GTPases Cdc42 and Rac, represent a group of important molecular switches linking the complex cytoskeletal networks to broad neural activity. PAKs show wide expression in the brain, but they differ in specific cell types, brain regions, and developmental stages. PAKs play an essential and differential role in controlling neural cytoskeletal remodeling and are related to the development and fate of neurons as well as the structural and functional plasticity of dendritic spines. PAK-mediated actin signaling and interacting functional networks represent a common pathway frequently affected in multiple neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. Considering specific small-molecule agonists and inhibitors for PAKs have been developed in cancer treatment, comprehensive knowledge about the role of PAKs in neural cytoskeletal remodeling will promote our understanding of the complex mechanisms underlying neurological diseases, which may also represent potential therapeutic targets of these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaifan Zhang
- Beijing Institutes of Life Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.,Institute of Genomic Medicine, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Beijing Institutes of Life Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
| | - Tianda Fan
- Institute of Genomic Medicine, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China
| | - Cheng Zeng
- Beijing Institutes of Life Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.,CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Zhong Sheng Sun
- Beijing Institutes of Life Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China. .,Institute of Genomic Medicine, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China. .,CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China. .,State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
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26
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Reichova A, Bacova Z, Bukatova S, Kokavcova M, Meliskova V, Frimmel K, Ostatnikova D, Bakos J. Abnormal neuronal morphology and altered synaptic proteins are restored by oxytocin in autism-related SHANK3 deficient model. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2020; 518:110924. [PMID: 32619581 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2020.110924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Oxytocin has been suggested as a potential therapeutic agent in autism and other neuropsychiatric conditions. Although, the link between the deficit in "SH3 domain and ankyrin repeat containing protein 3" (SHANK3) and autism spectrum disorders is highly studied topic, developmental mechanisms are still poorly understood. In this study, we clearly confirm that SHANK3 deficiency is accompanied with abnormalities in neurite number and length, which are reversed by oxytocin treatment (1 μM, 48h) in primary hippocampal neurons. Transient silencing for the SHANK3 gene (siSHANK3) in neuron-like cell line (SH-SY5Y) revealed a significant decrease in the expression levels of Neurexins 1α, 1β, 2α and 2β. Oxytocin treatment compensated reduced levels of Synapsin I, PSD95 and Neuroligin 3 in siSHANK3 cells suggesting a marked potential of oxytocin to ameliorate defects present in conditions of SHANK3 deficiency. Further analysis of hippocampal tissue revealed that oxytocin application (0.1 μg/μl, s.c. at P2 and P3 day) affects levels of synaptic proteins and GTPases in both WT and SHANK3 deficient mice on day P5. Oxytocin stimulated the mRNA expression of RhoB and Rac1 in both WT and SHANK3 deficient mice. Our data suggest that autism relevant synaptic pathologies could be reversed by oxytocin treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Reichova
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Zuzana Bacova
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Stanislava Bukatova
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Martina Kokavcova
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Veronika Meliskova
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Karel Frimmel
- Centre of Experimental Medicine, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Daniela Ostatnikova
- Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Jan Bakos
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia; Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia.
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27
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Ben Zablah Y, Merovitch N, Jia Z. The Role of ADF/Cofilin in Synaptic Physiology and Alzheimer's Disease. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:594998. [PMID: 33282872 PMCID: PMC7688896 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.594998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Actin-depolymerization factor (ADF)/cofilin, a family of actin-binding proteins, are critical for the regulation of actin reorganization in response to various signals. Accumulating evidence indicates that ADF/cofilin also play important roles in neuronal structure and function, including long-term potentiation and depression. These are the most extensively studied forms of long-lasting synaptic plasticity and are widely regarded as cellular mechanisms underlying learning and memory. ADF/cofilin regulate synaptic function through their effects on dendritic spines and the trafficking of glutamate receptors, the principal mediator of excitatory synaptic transmission in vertebrates. Regulation of ADF/cofilin involves various signaling pathways converging on LIM domain kinases and slingshot phosphatases, which phosphorylate/inactivate and dephosphorylate/activate ADF/cofilin, respectively. Actin-depolymerization factor/cofilin activity is also regulated by other actin-binding proteins, activity-dependent subcellular distribution and protein translation. Abnormalities in ADF/cofilin have been associated with several neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. Therefore, investigating the roles of ADF/cofilin in the brain is not only important for understanding the fundamental processes governing neuronal structure and function, but also may provide potential therapeutic strategies to treat brain disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youssif Ben Zablah
- Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Physiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Neil Merovitch
- Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Physiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Zhengping Jia
- Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Physiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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28
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Chang H, He KY, Li C, Ni YY, Li MN, Chen L, Hou M, Zhou Z, Xu ZP, Ji MJ. P21 activated kinase-1 (PAK1) in macrophages is required for promotion of Th17 cell response during helminth infection. J Cell Mol Med 2020; 24:14325-14338. [PMID: 33124146 PMCID: PMC7753984 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.16050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Revised: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
CD4+T cells differentiate into distinct functional effector and inhibitory subsets are facilitated by distinct cytokine cues present at the time of antigen recognition. Maintaining a balance between T helper 17 (Th17) and regulatory T (Treg) cells are critical for the control of the immunopathogenesis of liver diseases. Here, by using the mouse model of helminth Schistosoma japonicum (Sjaponicum) infection, we show that the hepatic mRNA levels of P21‐activated kinase 1 (PAK1), a key regulator of the actin cytoskeleton, adhesion and cell motility, are significantly increased and associated with the development of liver pathology during Sjaponicum infection. In addition, PAK1‐deficient mice are prone to suppression of Th17 cell responses but increased Treg cells. Furthermore, PAK1 enhances macrophage activation through promoting IRF1 nuclear translocation in an NF‐κB‐dependent pathway, resulting in promoting Th17 cell differentiation through inducing IL‐6 production. These findings highlight the importance of PAK1 in macrophages fate determination and suggest that PAK1/IRF1 axis‐dependent immunomodulation can ameliorate certain T cell–based immune pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Chang
- Center for Global Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Kai-Yue He
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Modern Pathogen Biology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chen Li
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Modern Pathogen Biology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yang-Yue Ni
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Modern Pathogen Biology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Mai-Ning Li
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Modern Pathogen Biology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lin Chen
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Modern Pathogen Biology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Min Hou
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Modern Pathogen Biology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zikai Zhou
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhi-Peng Xu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Modern Pathogen Biology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Min-Jun Ji
- Center for Global Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Department of Pathogen Biology, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Modern Pathogen Biology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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29
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PAK1 Regulates MEC-17 Acetyltransferase Activity and Microtubule Acetylation during Proplatelet Extension. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21207531. [PMID: 33066011 PMCID: PMC7589885 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21207531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Mature megakaryocytes extend long processes called proplatelets from which platelets are released in the blood stream. The Rho GTPases Cdc42 and Rac as well as their downstream target, p21-activated kinase 2 (PAK2), have been demonstrated to be important for platelet formation. Here we address the role, during platelet formation, of PAK1, another target of the Rho GTPases. PAK1 decorates the bundled microtubules (MTs) of megakaryocyte proplatelets. Using a validated cell model which recapitulates proplatelet formation, elongation and platelet release, we show that lack of PAK1 activity increases the number of proplatelets but restrains their elongation. Moreover, in the absence of PAK1 activity, cells have hyperacetylated MTs and lose their MT network integrity. Using inhibitors of the tubulin deacetylase HDAC6, we demonstrate that abnormally high levels of MT acetylation are not sufficient to increase the number of proplatelets but cause loss of MT integrity. Taken together with our previous demonstration that MT acetylation is required for proplatelet formation, our data reveal that MT acetylation levels need to be tightly regulated during proplatelet formation. We identify PAK1 as a direct regulator of the MT acetylation levels during this process as we found that PAK1 phosphorylates the MT acetyltransferase MEC-17 and inhibits its activity.
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30
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An Etiological Foxp2 Mutation Impairs Neuronal Gain in Layer VI Cortico-Thalamic Cells through Increased GABA B/GIRK Signaling. J Neurosci 2020; 40:8543-8555. [PMID: 33020214 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2615-19.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Revised: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
A rare mutation affecting the Forkhead-box protein P2 (FOXP2) transcription factor causes a severe monogenic speech and language disorder. Mice carrying an identical point mutation to that observed in affected patients (Foxp2+/R552H mice) display motor deficits and impaired synaptic plasticity in the striatum. However, the consequences of the mutation on neuronal function, in particular in the cerebral cortex, remain little studied. Foxp2 is expressed in a subset of Layer VI cortical neurons. Here, we used Ntsr1-EGFP mice to identify Foxp2+ neurons in the mouse auditory cortex ex vivo. We studied the functional impact of the R552H mutation on the morphologic and functional properties of Layer VI cortical neurons from Ntsr1-EGFP; Foxp2+/R552H male and female mice. The complexity of apical, but not basal dendrites was significantly lower in Foxp2+/R552H cortico-thalamic neurons than in control Foxp2+/+ neurons. Excitatory synaptic inputs, but not inhibitory synaptic inputs, were decreased in Foxp2+/R552H mice. In response, homeostatic mechanisms would be expected to increase neuronal gain, i.e., the conversion of a synaptic input into a firing output. However, the intrinsic excitability of Foxp2+ cortical neurons was lower in Foxp2+/R552H neurons. A-type and delayed-rectifier (DR) potassium currents, two putative transcriptional targets of Foxp2, were not affected by the mutation. In contrast, GABAB/GIRK signaling, another presumed target of Foxp2, was increased in mutant neurons. Blocking GIRK channels strongly attenuated the difference in intrinsic excitability between wild-type (WT) and Foxp2+/R552H neurons. Our results reveal a novel role for Foxp2 in the control of neuronal input/output homeostasis.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Mutations of the Forkhead-box protein 2 (FOXP2) gene in humans are the first known monogenic cause of a speech and language disorder. The Foxp2 mutation may directly affect neuronal development and function in neocortex, where Foxp2 is expressed. Brain imaging studies in patients with a heterozygous mutation in FOXP2 showed abnormalities in cortical language-related regions relative to the unaffected members of the same family. However, the role of Foxp2 in neocortical neurons is poorly understood. Using mice with a Foxp2 mutation equivalent to that found in patients, we studied functional modifications in auditory cortex neurons ex vivo We found that mutant neurons exhibit alterations of synaptic input and GABAB/GIRK signaling, reflecting a loss of neuronal homeostasis.
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31
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Li S, Xiong GJ, Huang N, Sheng ZH. The cross-talk of energy sensing and mitochondrial anchoring sustains synaptic efficacy by maintaining presynaptic metabolism. Nat Metab 2020; 2:1077-1095. [PMID: 33020662 PMCID: PMC7572785 DOI: 10.1038/s42255-020-00289-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Mitochondria supply ATP essential for synaptic transmission. Neurons face exceptional challenges in maintaining energy homoeostasis at synapses. Regulation of mitochondrial trafficking and anchoring is critical for neurons to meet increased energy consumption during sustained synaptic activity. However, mechanisms recruiting and retaining presynaptic mitochondria in sensing synaptic ATP levels remain elusive. Here we reveal an energy signalling axis that controls presynaptic mitochondrial maintenance. Activity-induced presynaptic energy deficits can be rescued by recruiting mitochondria through the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-p21-activated kinase (PAK) energy signalling pathway. Synaptic activity induces AMPK activation within axonal compartments and AMPK-PAK signalling triggers phosphorylation of myosin VI, which drives mitochondrial recruitment and syntaphilin-mediated anchoring on presynaptic filamentous actin. This pathway maintains presynaptic energy supply and calcium clearance during intensive synaptic activity. Disrupting this signalling cross-talk triggers local energy deficits and intracellular calcium build-up, leading to impaired synaptic efficacy during trains of stimulation and reduced recovery from synaptic depression after prolonged synaptic activity. Our study reveals a mechanistic cross-talk between energy sensing and mitochondria anchoring to maintain presynaptic metabolism, thus fine-tuning short-term synaptic plasticity and prolonged synaptic efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunan Li
- Synaptic Function Section, The Porter Neuroscience Research Center, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Gui-Jing Xiong
- Synaptic Function Section, The Porter Neuroscience Research Center, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Ning Huang
- Synaptic Function Section, The Porter Neuroscience Research Center, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Zu-Hang Sheng
- Synaptic Function Section, The Porter Neuroscience Research Center, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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32
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Sengar AS, Li H, Zhang W, Leung C, Ramani AK, Saw NM, Wang Y, Tu Y, Ross PJ, Scherer SW, Ellis J, Brudno M, Jia Z, Salter MW. Control of Long-Term Synaptic Potentiation and Learning by Alternative Splicing of the NMDA Receptor Subunit GluN1. Cell Rep 2020; 29:4285-4294.e5. [PMID: 31875540 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.11.087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2019] [Revised: 10/05/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
NMDA receptors (NMDARs) are critical for physiological synaptic plasticity, learning, and memory and for pathological plasticity and neuronal death. The GluN1 subunit is encoded by a single gene, GRIN1, with 8 splice variants, but whether the diversity generated by this splicing has physiological consequences remains enigmatic. Here, we generate mice lacking from the GluN1 exon 5-encoded N1 cassette (GluN1a mice) or compulsorily expressing this exon (GluN1b mice). Despite no differences in basal synaptic transmission, long-term potentiation in the hippocampus is significantly enhanced in GluN1a mice compared with that in GluN1b mice. Furthermore, GluN1a mice learn more quickly and have significantly better spatial memory performance than do GluN1b mice. In addition, in human iPSC-derived neurons in autism spectrum disorder NMDARs show characteristics of N1-lacking GluN1. Our findings indicate that alternative splicing of GluN1 is a mechanism for controlling physiological long-lasting synaptic potentiation, learning, and memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ameet S Sengar
- Program in Neurosciences & Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada
| | - Hongbin Li
- Program in Neurosciences & Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada
| | - Wenbo Zhang
- Program in Neurosciences & Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada
| | - Celeste Leung
- Program in Neurosciences & Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada; Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Arun K Ramani
- Centre for Computational Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada
| | - Ner Mu Saw
- Program in Neurosciences & Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada; Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Yongqian Wang
- Program in Neurosciences & Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada
| | - YuShan Tu
- Program in Neurosciences & Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada
| | - P Joel Ross
- Biology Department, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4P3, Canada
| | - Stephen W Scherer
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada; The Centre for Applied Genomics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada; Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada; McLaughlin Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - James Ellis
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada; Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada
| | - Michael Brudno
- Centre for Computational Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada; Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada; Department of Computer Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 3A1, Canada
| | - Zhengping Jia
- Program in Neurosciences & Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada; Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Michael W Salter
- Program in Neurosciences & Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada; Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada.
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33
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Albanesi JP, Barylko B, DeMartino GN, Jameson DM. Palmitoylated Proteins in Dendritic Spine Remodeling. Front Synaptic Neurosci 2020; 12:22. [PMID: 32655390 PMCID: PMC7325885 DOI: 10.3389/fnsyn.2020.00022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Activity-responsive changes in the actin cytoskeleton are required for the biogenesis, motility, and remodeling of dendritic spines. These changes are governed by proteins that regulate the polymerization, depolymerization, bundling, and branching of actin filaments. Thus, processes that have been extensively characterized in the context of non-neuronal cell shape change and migration are also critical for learning and memory. In this review article, we highlight actin regulatory proteins that associate, at least transiently, with the dendritic plasma membrane. All of these proteins have been shown, either in directed studies or in high-throughput screens, to undergo palmitoylation, a potentially reversible, and stimulus-dependent cysteine modification. Palmitoylation increases the affinity of peripheral proteins for the membrane bilayer and contributes to their subcellular localization and recruitment to cholesterol-rich membrane microdomains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph P. Albanesi
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Barbara Barylko
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - George N. DeMartino
- Department of Physiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - David M. Jameson
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI, United States
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34
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Horn S, Au M, Basel-Salmon L, Bayrak-Toydemir P, Chapin A, Cohen L, Elting MW, Graham JM, Gonzaga-Jauregui C, Konen O, Holzer M, Lemke J, Miller CE, Rey LK, Wolf NI, Weiss MM, Waisfisz Q, Mirzaa GM, Wieczorek D, Sticht H, Abou Jamra R. De novo variants in PAK1 lead to intellectual disability with macrocephaly and seizures. Brain 2020; 142:3351-3359. [PMID: 31504246 PMCID: PMC6821231 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awz264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2018] [Revised: 06/07/2019] [Accepted: 07/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Using trio exome sequencing, we identified de novo heterozygous missense variants in PAK1 in four unrelated individuals with intellectual disability, macrocephaly and seizures. PAK1 encodes the p21-activated kinase, a major driver of neuronal development in humans and other organisms. In normal neurons, PAK1 dimers reside in a trans-inhibited conformation, where each autoinhibitory domain covers the kinase domain of the other monomer. Upon GTPase binding via CDC42 or RAC1, the PAK1 dimers dissociate and become activated. All identified variants are located within or close to the autoinhibitory switch domain that is necessary for trans-inhibition of resting PAK1 dimers. Protein modelling supports a model of reduced ability of regular autoinhibition, suggesting a gain of function mechanism for the identified missense variants. Alleviated dissociation into monomers, autophosphorylation and activation of PAK1 influences the actin dynamics of neurite outgrowth. Based on our clinical and genetic data, as well as the role of PAK1 in brain development, we suggest that gain of function pathogenic de novo missense variants in PAK1 lead to moderate-to-severe intellectual disability, macrocephaly caused by the presence of megalencephaly and ventriculomegaly, (febrile) seizures and autism-like behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Horn
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Center Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Margaret Au
- Department of Pediatrics, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Lina Basel-Salmon
- Raphael Recanati Genetic Institute, Rabin Medical Center-Beilinson Hospital, Petach Tikva, Israel.,Pediatric Genetics Clinic, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, Petach Tikva, Israel.,Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Rabin Medical Center, Petach Tikva, Israel
| | - Pinar Bayrak-Toydemir
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; ARUP Laboratories, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | | | - Lior Cohen
- Raphael Recanati Genetic Institute, Rabin Medical Center-Beilinson Hospital, Petach Tikva, Israel.,Pediatric Genetics Clinic, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, Petach Tikva, Israel.,Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Rabin Medical Center, Petach Tikva, Israel
| | - Mariet W Elting
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Clinical Genetics, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - John M Graham
- Department of Pediatrics, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | | | - Osnat Konen
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Department of Pediatric Radiology, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, Petach Tikva, Israel
| | - Max Holzer
- Department for Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Neurodegeneration, Paul Flechsig Institute for Brain Research, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Johannes Lemke
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Center Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - Linda K Rey
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Duesseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-University Duesseldorf, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Nicole I Wolf
- Department of Child Neurology, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, and Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marjan M Weiss
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Clinical Genetics, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Quinten Waisfisz
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Clinical Genetics, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ghayda M Mirzaa
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Dagmar Wieczorek
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Duesseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-University Duesseldorf, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Heinrich Sticht
- Institute of Biochemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Rami Abou Jamra
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Center Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
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35
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Brown TL, Macklin WB. The Actin Cytoskeleton in Myelinating Cells. Neurochem Res 2020; 45:684-693. [PMID: 30847860 PMCID: PMC6732044 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-019-02753-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2018] [Revised: 02/11/2019] [Accepted: 02/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Myelinating cells of both the peripheral and central nervous systems (CNSs) undergo dramatic cytoskeletal reorganization in order to differentiate and produce myelin. Myelinating oligodendrocytes in the CNS show a periodic actin pattern, demonstrating tight regulation of actin. Furthermore, recent data demonstrate that actin polymerization drives early cell differentiation and that actin depolymerization drives myelin wrapping. Dysregulation of the actin cytoskeleton in myelinating cells is seen in some disease states. This review highlights the cytoskeletal molecules that regulate differentiation of and myelination by cells of the PNS and CNS, informing our understanding of neural development, in particular myelination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanya L Brown
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
- Cell Biology, Stem Cells, and Development Graduate Program, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Wendy B Macklin
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.
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36
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A novel PAK1 variant causative of neurodevelopmental disorder with postnatal macrocephaly. J Hum Genet 2020; 65:481-485. [PMID: 32005903 DOI: 10.1038/s10038-020-0728-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Revised: 11/14/2019] [Accepted: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
p21-activated kinases (PAKs) are protein serine/threonine kinases stimulated by Rho-family p21 GTPases such as CDC42 and RAC. PAKs have been implicated in several human disorders, with pathogenic variants in PAK3 associated with intellectual disability and several PAK members, especially PAK1 and PAK4, overexpressed in human cancer. Recently, de novo PAK1 variants were reported to be causative of neurodevelopmental disorder (ND) with secondary macrocephaly in three patients. We herein report a fourth patient with ND, epilepsy, and macrocephaly caused by a de novo PAK1 missense variant. Two previously reported missense PAK1 variants functioned as activating alleles by reducing PAK1 homodimerization. To examine the pathogenicity of the identified novel p.Ser110Thr variant, we carried out in silico structural analysis. Our findings suggest that this variant also prevents PAK1 homodimerization, leading to constitutive PAK1 activation.
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37
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Wang Y, Zeng C, Li J, Zhou Z, Ju X, Xia S, Li Y, Liu A, Teng H, Zhang K, Shi L, Bi C, Xie W, He X, Jia Z, Jiang Y, Cai T, Wu J, Xia K, Sun ZS. PAK2 Haploinsufficiency Results in Synaptic Cytoskeleton Impairment and Autism-Related Behavior. Cell Rep 2020; 24:2029-2041. [PMID: 30134165 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2018.07.061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2018] [Revised: 06/15/2018] [Accepted: 07/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Synaptic cytoskeleton dysfunction represents a common pathogenesis in neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The serine/threonine kinase PAK2 is a critical regulator of cytoskeleton dynamics. However, its function within the central nervous system and its role in ASD pathogenesis remain undefined. Here, we found that Pak2 haploinsufficiency resulted in markedly decreased synapse densities, defective long-term potentiation, and autism-related behaviors in mice. Phosphorylation levels of key actin regulators LIMK1 and cofilin, together with their mediated actin polymerization, were reduced in Pak2+/-mice. We identified one de novo PAK2 nonsense mutation that impaired PAK2 function in vitro and in vivo and four de novo copy-number deletions containing PAK2 in large cohorts of patients with ASD. PAK2 deficiency extensively perturbed functional networks associated with ASD by regulating actin cytoskeleton dynamics. Our genetic and functional results demonstrate a critical role of PAK2 in brain development and autism pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Wang
- Beijing Institutes of Life Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Cheng Zeng
- Beijing Institutes of Life Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jinchen Li
- Center for Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Zikai Zhou
- Institute of Life Sciences, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Xingda Ju
- Department of Psychology, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130031, China
| | - Shuting Xia
- Institute of Life Sciences, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Yuanyuan Li
- Beijing Institutes of Life Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - An Liu
- Institute of Life Sciences, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Huajing Teng
- Beijing Institutes of Life Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Kun Zhang
- Institute of Genomic Medicine, Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou 325000, China
| | - Leisheng Shi
- Institute of Genomic Medicine, Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou 325000, China
| | - Cheng Bi
- Beijing Institutes of Life Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Wei Xie
- Institute of Life Sciences, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Xin He
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Zhengping Jia
- Neurosciences & Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G1X8, Canada
| | - Yonghui Jiang
- Deparment of Pediatrics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Tao Cai
- Experimental Medicine Section, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)/NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Jinyu Wu
- Institute of Genomic Medicine, Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou 325000, China
| | - Kun Xia
- Center for Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China.
| | - Zhong Sheng Sun
- Beijing Institutes of Life Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Institute of Genomic Medicine, Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou 325000, China.
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38
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Kovaleva TF, Maksimova NS, Zhukov IY, Pershin VI, Mukhina IV, Gainullin MR. Cofilin: Molecular and Cellular Functions and Its Role in the Functioning of the Nervous System. NEUROCHEM J+ 2019. [DOI: 10.1134/s1819712419010124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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39
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Cao F, Zhou Z, Cai S, Xie W, Jia Z. Hippocampal Long-Term Depression in the Presence of Calcium-Permeable AMPA Receptors. Front Synaptic Neurosci 2018; 10:41. [PMID: 30483111 PMCID: PMC6242858 DOI: 10.3389/fnsyn.2018.00041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2018] [Accepted: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The GluA2 subunit of AMPA glutamate receptors (AMPARs) has been shown to be critical for the expression of NMDA receptor (NMDAR)-dependent long-term depression (LTD). However, in young GluA2 knockout (KO) mice, this form of LTD can still be induced in the hippocampus, suggesting that LTD mechanisms may be modified in the presence of GluA2-lacking, Ca2+ permeable AMPARs. In this study, we examined LTD at the CA1 synapse in GluA2 KO mice by using several well-established inhibitory peptides known to block LTD in wild type (WT) rodents. We showed that while LTD in the KO mice is still blocked by the protein interacting with C kinase 1 (PICK1) peptide pepEVKI, it becomes insensitive to the N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor (NSF) peptide pep2m. In addition, the effects of actin and cofilin inhibitory peptides were also altered. These results indicate that in the absence of GluA2, LTD expression mechanisms are different from those in WT animals, suggesting that there are multiple molecular processes enabling LTD expression that are adaptable to physiological and genetic manipulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Cao
- Neurosciences & Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Zikai Zhou
- Neurosciences & Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.,The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, Southeast University, Nanjing, China.,The Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Institute of Life Sciences, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Sammy Cai
- Neurosciences & Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Wei Xie
- The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, Southeast University, Nanjing, China.,The Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Institute of Life Sciences, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhengping Jia
- Neurosciences & Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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40
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Activating Mutations in PAK1, Encoding p21-Activated Kinase 1, Cause a Neurodevelopmental Disorder. Am J Hum Genet 2018; 103:579-591. [PMID: 30290153 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2018.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2018] [Accepted: 09/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
p21-activated kinases (PAKs) are serine/threonine protein kinases acting as effectors of CDC42 and RAC, which are members of the RHO family of small GTPases. PAK1's kinase activity is autoinhibited by homodimerization, whereas CDC42 or RAC1 binding causes PAK1 activation by dimer dissociation. Major functions of the PAKs include actin cytoskeleton reorganization, for example regulation of the cellular protruding activity during cell spreading. We report the de novo PAK1 mutations c.392A>G (p.Tyr131Cys) and c.1286A>G (p.Tyr429Cys) in two unrelated subjects with developmental delay, secondary macrocephaly, seizures, and ataxic gait. We identified enhanced phosphorylation of the PAK1 targets JNK and AKT in fibroblasts of one subject and of c-JUN in those of both subjects compared with control subjects. In fibroblasts of the two affected individuals, we observed a trend toward enhanced PAK1 kinase activity. By using co-immunoprecipitation and size-exclusion chromatography, we observed a significantly reduced dimerization for both PAK1 mutants compared with wild-type PAK1. These data demonstrate that the two PAK1 variants function as activating alleles. In a cell spreading assay, subject-derived fibroblasts showed significant enrichment in cells occupied by filopodia. Interestingly, application of the PAK1 inhibitor FRAX486 completely reversed this cellular phenotype. Together, our data reveal that dominantly acting, gain-of-function PAK1 mutations cause a neurodevelopmental phenotype with increased head circumference, possibly by a combined effect of defective homodimerization and enhanced kinase activity of PAK1. This condition, along with the developmental disorders associated with RAC1 and CDC42 missense mutations, highlight the importance of RHO GTPase members and effectors in neuronal development.
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41
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Activation of Entorhinal Cortical Projections to the Dentate Gyrus Underlies Social Memory Retrieval. Cell Rep 2018; 23:2379-2391. [DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2018.04.073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2017] [Revised: 03/08/2018] [Accepted: 04/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
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42
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GIT1 regulates synaptic structural plasticity underlying learning. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0194350. [PMID: 29554125 PMCID: PMC5858814 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0194350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2017] [Accepted: 03/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The signaling scaffold protein GIT1 is expressed widely throughout the brain, but its function in vivo remains elusive. Mice lacking GIT1 have been proposed as a model for attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, due to alterations in basal locomotor activity as well as paradoxical locomotor suppression by the psychostimulant amphetamine. Since we had previously shown that GIT1-knockout mice have normal locomotor activity, here we examined GIT1-deficient mice for ADHD-like behavior in more detail, and find neither hyperactivity nor amphetamine-induced locomotor suppression. Instead, GIT1-deficient mice exhibit profound learning and memory defects and reduced synaptic structural plasticity, consistent with an intellectual disability phenotype. We conclude that loss of GIT1 alone is insufficient to drive a robust ADHD phenotype in distinct strains of mice. In contrast, multiple learning and memory defects have been observed here and in other studies using distinct GIT1-knockout lines, consistent with a predominant intellectual disability phenotype related to altered synaptic structural plasticity.
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43
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Civiero L, Greggio E. PAKs in the brain: Function and dysfunction. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2017; 1864:444-453. [PMID: 29129728 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2017.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2017] [Revised: 10/31/2017] [Accepted: 11/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
p21-Activated kinases (PAKs) comprise a family of proteins covering a central role in signal transduction. They are downstream effectors of Rho GTPases and can affect a variety of processes in different cell types and tissues by remodeling the cytoskeleton and by promoting gene transcription and cell survival. Given the relevance of cytoskeletal organization in neuronal development as well as synaptic function and the importance of pro-survival signals in controlling neuronal cell fate, accumulating studies investigated the role of PAKs in the nervous system. In this review, we provide a critical overview of the role of PAKs in the nervous system, both in neuronal and non-neuronal cells, and discuss their potential link with neurodegenerative diseases.
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44
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Zhou W, Li X, Premont RT. Expanding functions of GIT Arf GTPase-activating proteins, PIX Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factors and GIT-PIX complexes. J Cell Sci 2017; 129:1963-74. [PMID: 27182061 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.179465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The GIT proteins, GIT1 and GIT2, are GTPase-activating proteins (inactivators) for the ADP-ribosylation factor (Arf) small GTP-binding proteins, and function to limit the activity of Arf proteins. The PIX proteins, α-PIX and β-PIX (also known as ARHGEF6 and ARHGEF7, respectively), are guanine nucleotide exchange factors (activators) for the Rho family small GTP-binding protein family members Rac1 and Cdc42. Through their multi-domain structures, GIT and PIX proteins can also function as signaling scaffolds by binding to numerous protein partners. Importantly, the constitutive association of GIT and PIX proteins into oligomeric GIT-PIX complexes allows these two proteins to function together as subunits of a larger structure that coordinates two distinct small GTP-binding protein pathways and serves as multivalent scaffold for the partners of both constituent subunits. Studies have revealed the involvement of GIT and PIX proteins, and of the GIT-PIX complex, in numerous fundamental cellular processes through a wide variety of mechanisms, pathways and signaling partners. In this Commentary, we discuss recent findings in key physiological systems that exemplify current understanding of the function of this important regulatory complex. Further, we draw attention to gaps in crucial information that remain to be filled to allow a better understanding of the many roles of the GIT-PIX complex in health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wu Zhou
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health, Lishui University, Lishui 323000, China
| | - Xiaobo Li
- Department of Computer Science and Technology, College of Engineering and Design, Lishui University, Lishui 323000, China
| | - Richard T Premont
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
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45
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Krivinko JM, Erickson SL, Abrahamson EE, Wills ZP, Ikonomovic MD, Penzes P, Sweet RA. Kalirin reduction rescues psychosis-associated behavioral deficits in APPswe/PSEN1dE9 transgenic mice. Neurobiol Aging 2017; 54:59-70. [PMID: 28319837 PMCID: PMC5502748 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2017.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2016] [Revised: 01/18/2017] [Accepted: 02/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Psychosis in Alzheimer's disease (AD+P) represents a distinct clinical and neurobiological AD phenotype and is associated with more rapid cognitive decline, higher rates of abnormal behaviors, and increased caregiver burden compared with AD without psychosis. On a molecular level, AD+P is associated with greater reductions in the protein kalirin, a guanine exchange factor which has also been linked to the psychotic disease, schizophrenia. In this study, we sought to determine the molecular and behavioral consequences of kalirin reduction in APPswe/PSEN1dE9 mice. We evaluated mice with and without kalirin reduction during tasks measuring psychosis-associated behaviors and spatial memory. We found that kalirin reduction in APPswe/PSEN1dE9 mice significantly attenuated psychosis-associated behavior at 12 months of age without changing spatial memory performance. The 12-month-old APPswe/PSEN1dE9 mice with reduced kalirin levels also had increased levels of the active, phosphorylated forms of p21 protein (Cdc42/Rac)-activated kinases (PAKs), which function in signaling pathways for maintenance of dendritic spine density, morphology, and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josh M Krivinko
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Susan L Erickson
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Eric E Abrahamson
- Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Zachary P Wills
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Milos D Ikonomovic
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Peter Penzes
- Department of Physiology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Robert A Sweet
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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Functional analysis of rare variants found in schizophrenia implicates a critical role for GIT1-PAK3 signaling in neuroplasticity. Mol Psychiatry 2017; 22:417-429. [PMID: 27457813 PMCID: PMC6186433 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2016.98] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2016] [Revised: 03/21/2016] [Accepted: 05/02/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Although the pathogenesis of schizophrenia (SCZ) is proposed to involve alterations of neural circuits via synaptic dysfunction, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. Recent exome sequencing studies of SCZ have uncovered numerous single-nucleotide variants (SNVs); however, the majority of these SNVs have unknown functional consequences, leaving their disease relevance uncertain. Filling this knowledge gap requires systematic application of quantitative and scalable assays to assess known and novel biological functions of genes. Here we demonstrate loss-of-function effects of multiple rare coding SNVs found in SCZ subjects in the GIT1 (G protein-coupled receptor kinase interacting ArfGAP 1) gene using functional cell-based assays involving coexpression of GIT1 and PAK3 (p21 protein (Cdc42/Rac)-activated kinase 3). Most notably, a GIT1-R283W variant reported in four independent SCZ cases was defective in activating PAK3 as well as MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase). Similar functional deficits were found for a de novo SCZ variant GIT1-S601N. Additional assays revealed deficits in the capacity of GIT1-R283W to stimulate PAK phosphorylation in cultured hippocampal neurons. In addition, GIT1-R283W showed deficits in the induction of GAD1 (glutamate decarboxylase 1) protein expression. Extending these functional assays to 10 additional rare GIT1 variants revealed the existence of an allelic series with the majority of the SCZ case variants exhibiting loss of function toward MAPK activation in a manner correlated with loss of PAK3 activation. Taken together, we propose that rare variants in GIT1, along with other genetic and environmental factors, cause dysregulation of PAK3 leading to synaptic deficits in SCZ.
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Enokizono M, Aida N, Niwa T, Osaka H, Naruto T, Kurosawa K, Ohba C, Suzuki T, Saitsu H, Goto T, Matsumoto N. Neuroimaging findings in Joubert syndrome with C5orf42 gene mutations: A milder form of molar tooth sign and vermian hypoplasia. J Neurol Sci 2017; 376:7-12. [PMID: 28431631 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2017.02.065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2016] [Revised: 02/27/2017] [Accepted: 02/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Little is known regarding neuroimaging-genotype correlations in Joubert syndrome (JBTS). To elucidate one of these correlations, we investigated the neuroimaging findings of JBTS patients with C5orf42 mutations. MATERIALS AND METHODS Neuroimaging findings in five JBTS patients with C5orf42 mutations were retrospectively assessed with regard to the infratentorial and supratentorial structures on T1-magnetization prepared rapid gradient echo (MPRAGE), T2-weighted images, and color-coded fractional anisotropy (FA) maps; the findings were compared to those in four JBTS patients with mutations in other genes (including three with AHI1 and one with TMEM67 mutations). RESULTS In C5orf42-mutant patients, the infratentorial magnetic resonance (MR) images showed normal or minimally thickened and minimally elongated superior cerebellar peduncles (SCP), normal or minimally deepened interpeduncular fossa (IF), and mild vermian hypoplasia (VH). However, in other patients, all had severe abnormalities in the SCP and IF, and moderate to marked VH. Supratentorial abnormalities were found in one individual in other JBTS. In JBTS with all mutations, color-coded FA maps showed the absence of decussation of the SCP (DSCP). CONCLUSION The morphological neuroimaging findings in C5orf42-mutant JBTS were distinctly mild and made diagnosis difficult. However, the absence of DSCP on color-coded FA maps may facilitate the diagnosis of JBTS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikako Enokizono
- Department of Radiology, Kanagawa Children's Medical Center, Yokohama, Japan.
| | - Noriko Aida
- Department of Radiology, Kanagawa Children's Medical Center, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Tetsu Niwa
- Department of Radiology, Kanagawa Children's Medical Center, Yokohama, Japan; Department of Radiology, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Osaka
- Department of Pediatrics, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Takuya Naruto
- Department of Genetics, Kanagawa Children's Medical Center, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Kenji Kurosawa
- Department of Genetics, Kanagawa Children's Medical Center, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Chihiro Ohba
- Department of Human Genetics, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan; Department of Clinical Neurology and Stroke Medicine, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Toshifumi Suzuki
- Department of Human Genetics, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hirotomo Saitsu
- Department of Biochemistry, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan
| | - Tomohide Goto
- Department of Neurology, Kanagawa Children's Medical Center, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Naomichi Matsumoto
- Department of Human Genetics, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
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Jiang J, Long J, Ling W, Huang G, Su L. Genetic variation in the 3'-untranslated region of PAK1 influences schizophrenia susceptibility. Exp Ther Med 2017; 13:1101-1108. [PMID: 28450949 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2017.4039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2013] [Accepted: 08/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study aimed to investigate the association of two polymorphisms (rs2844337 and rs11237200) in the P21 protein (cell division control protein 42/Rac)-activated kinase 1 gene with susceptibility to schizophrenia (SCZ) in Chinese Zhuang and Chinese Han populations. A total of 700 patients with SCZ and 700 healthy controls were recruited. Rs2844337 and rs11237200 polymorphisms were genotyped using Sequenom technology. A total of 591 patients completed the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) assessment. Data were statistically analyzed using PLINK version 1.07 and SPSS version 17.0. In the Chinese Han population, the genotypic (P=0.038) and allelic (P=0.033) frequencies of the 3'-untranslated region (UTR) genetic variation of rs2844337 in patients were significantly decreased compared to that in controls; these frequencies were significantly associated with SCZ susceptibility in the additive model (Padj=0.032) and in the recessive model (Padj=0.031). Moreover, the TG haplotype constructed by rs2844337 and rs11237200 polymorphisms remained significantly associated with SCZ risk following adjustment for gender and age and applying a Bonferroni correction in the Chinese Han population (Padj=0.003, PBC=0.009). The adjacent 5'-UTR genetic variation of rs11237200 was significantly associated with the total score (Padj=0.006), positive scale score (Padj=0.014) and general psychopathology scale scores (Padj=0.009) in the recessive model of the Chinese Han population. However, these polymorphisms were not significantly associated with SCZ susceptibility or the PANSS scores in the Chinese Zhuang population. In conclusion, variations in the PAK1 gene influenced the susceptibility and severity of the clinical symptoms of SCZ in the Chinese Han population investigated in the present study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Jiang
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, P.R. China
| | - Jianxiong Long
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, P.R. China
| | - Weijun Ling
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, P.R. China
| | - Guifeng Huang
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, P.R. China
| | - Li Su
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, P.R. China
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Kumar R, Sanawar R, Li X, Li F. Structure, biochemistry, and biology of PAK kinases. Gene 2016; 605:20-31. [PMID: 28007610 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2016.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 151] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2016] [Revised: 11/24/2016] [Accepted: 12/14/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
PAKs, p21-activated kinases, play central roles and act as converging junctions for discrete signals elicited on the cell surface and for a number of intracellular signaling cascades. PAKs phosphorylate a vast number of substrates and act by remodeling cytoskeleton, employing scaffolding, and relocating to distinct subcellular compartments. PAKs affect wide range of processes that are crucial to the cell from regulation of cell motility, survival, redox, metabolism, cell cycle, proliferation, transformation, stress, inflammation, to gene expression. Understandably, their dysregulation disrupts cellular homeostasis and severely impacts key cell functions, and many of those are implicated in a number of human diseases including cancers, neurological disorders, and cardiac disorders. Here we provide an overview of the members of the PAK family and their current status. We give special emphasis to PAK1 and PAK4, the prototypes of groups I and II, for their profound roles in cancer, the nervous system, and the heart. We also highlight other family members. We provide our perspective on the current advancements, their growing importance as strategic therapeutic targets, and our vision on the future of PAKs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rakesh Kumar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20037, USA; Cancer Biology Program, Rajiv Gandhi Center of Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram 695014, India.
| | - Rahul Sanawar
- Cancer Biology Program, Rajiv Gandhi Center of Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram 695014, India
| | - Xiaodong Li
- Department of Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Chinese Ministry of Education, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China
| | - Feng Li
- Department of Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Chinese Ministry of Education, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China.
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Xia S, Zhou Z, Jia Z. PAK1 regulates inhibitory synaptic function via a novel mechanism mediated by endocannabinoids. Small GTPases 2016; 9:322-326. [PMID: 27645771 DOI: 10.1080/21541248.2016.1228793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The Rho family small GTPases and their effectors, including PAKs, are extensively studied in the context of the actin cytoskeleton, excitatory synaptic function, spine morphology and memory formation. However, their roles in inhibitory synaptic function remain poorly understood. We have recently shown that PAK1 is a potent regulator of GABAergic synaptic transmission. Thus, disruption of PAK1 leads to significant impairments in inhibitory postsynaptic currents which are manifested as reduced GABA presynaptic releases. Interestingly, this effect of PAK1 is distinct from its previously known role in spines and excitatory synaptic transmission in that it is independent of postsynaptic actin, but requires retrograde messengers produced and released from the postsynaptic neurons to suppress presynaptic GABA releases. We have further identified eCBs as the retrograde messengers and shown that PAK1 regulates the eCB signaling via restricting the tissue level of AEA by promoting synaptic expression of COX-2, a key enzyme to oxidize AEA. These results have established a novel pathway whereby PAK1, and by extension Rho proteins, regulates cellular processes, synaptic function and behaviors and have important implications in understanding and treating various diseases linked to PAKs and Rho signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuting Xia
- a The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, Southeast University , Nanjing , China
| | - Zikai Zhou
- a The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, Southeast University , Nanjing , China
| | - Zhengping Jia
- b Neurosciences and Mental Health Program, the Hospital for Sick Children , Toronto , Canada.,c Department of Physiology , Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto , Toronto , Canada
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