1
|
Hop Mice Display Synchronous Hindlimb Locomotion and a Ventrally Fused Lumbar Spinal Cord Caused by a Point Mutation in Ttc26. eNeuro 2022; 9:ENEURO.0518-21.2022. [PMID: 35210288 PMCID: PMC8925726 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0518-21.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Identifying the spinal circuits controlling locomotion is critical for unravelling the mechanisms controlling the production of gaits. Development of the circuits governing left-right coordination relies on axon guidance molecules such as ephrins and netrins. To date, no other class of proteins have been shown to play a role during this process. Here, we have analyzed hop mice, which walk with a characteristic hopping gait using their hindlimbs in synchrony. Fictive locomotion experiments suggest that a local defect in the ventral spinal cord contributes to the aberrant locomotor phenotype. Hop mutant spinal cords had severe morphologic defects, including the absence of the ventral midline and a poorly defined border between white and gray matter. The hop mice represent the first model where, exclusively found in the lumbar domain, the left and right components of the central pattern generators (CPGs) are fused with a synchronous hindlimb gait as a functional consequence. These defects were associated with abnormal developmental processes, including a misplaced notochord and reduced induction of ventral progenitor domains. Whereas the underlying mutation in hop mice has been suggested to lie within the Ttc26 gene, other genes in close vicinity have been associated with gait defects. Mouse embryos carrying a CRISPR replicated point mutation within Ttc26 displayed an identical morphologic phenotype. Thus, our data suggest that the assembly of the lumbar CPG network is dependent on fully functional TTC26 protein.
Collapse
|
2
|
Lemieux M, Thiry L, Laflamme OD, Bretzner F. Role of DSCAM in the Development of Neural Control of Movement and Locomotion. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22168511. [PMID: 34445216 PMCID: PMC8395195 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Locomotion results in an alternance of flexor and extensor muscles between left and right limbs generated by motoneurons that are controlled by the spinal interneuronal circuit. This spinal locomotor circuit is modulated by sensory afferents, which relay proprioceptive and cutaneous inputs that inform the spatial position of limbs in space and potential contacts with our environment respectively, but also by supraspinal descending commands of the brain that allow us to navigate in complex environments, avoid obstacles, chase prey, or flee predators. Although signaling pathways are important in the establishment and maintenance of motor circuits, the role of DSCAM, a cell adherence molecule associated with Down syndrome, has only recently been investigated in the context of motor control and locomotion in the rodent. DSCAM is known to be involved in lamination and delamination, synaptic targeting, axonal guidance, dendritic and cell tiling, axonal fasciculation and branching, programmed cell death, and synaptogenesis, all of which can impact the establishment of motor circuits during development, but also their maintenance through adulthood. We discuss herein how DSCAM is important for proper motor coordination, especially for breathing and locomotion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maxime Lemieux
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec, CHUL-Neurosciences P09800, 2705 boul. Laurier, Québec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada; (M.L.); (L.T.); (O.D.L.)
| | - Louise Thiry
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec, CHUL-Neurosciences P09800, 2705 boul. Laurier, Québec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada; (M.L.); (L.T.); (O.D.L.)
| | - Olivier D. Laflamme
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec, CHUL-Neurosciences P09800, 2705 boul. Laurier, Québec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada; (M.L.); (L.T.); (O.D.L.)
| | - Frédéric Bretzner
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec, CHUL-Neurosciences P09800, 2705 boul. Laurier, Québec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada; (M.L.); (L.T.); (O.D.L.)
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Mitsogiannis MD, Pancho A, Aerts T, Sachse SM, Vanlaer R, Noterdaeme L, Schmucker D, Seuntjens E. Subtle Roles of Down Syndrome Cell Adhesion Molecules in Embryonic Forebrain Development and Neuronal Migration. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 8:624181. [PMID: 33585465 PMCID: PMC7876293 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.624181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Down Syndrome (DS) Cell Adhesion Molecules (DSCAMs) are transmembrane proteins of the immunoglobulin superfamily. Human DSCAM is located within the DS critical region of chromosome 21 (duplicated in Down Syndrome patients), and mutations or copy-number variations of this gene have also been associated to Fragile X syndrome, intellectual disability, autism, and bipolar disorder. The DSCAM paralogue DSCAM-like 1 (DSCAML1) maps to chromosome 11q23, implicated in the development of Jacobsen and Tourette syndromes. Additionally, a spontaneous mouse DSCAM deletion leads to motor coordination defects and seizures. Previous research has revealed roles for DSCAMs in several neurodevelopmental processes, including synaptogenesis, dendritic self-avoidance, cell sorting, axon growth and branching. However, their functions in embryonic mammalian forebrain development have yet to be completely elucidated. In this study, we revealed highly dynamic spatiotemporal patterns of Dscam and Dscaml1 expression in definite cortical layers of the embryonic mouse brain, as well as in structures and ganglionic eminence-derived neural populations within the embryonic subpallium. However, an in-depth histological analysis of cortical development, ventral forebrain morphogenesis, cortical interneuron migration, and cortical-subcortical connectivity formation processes in Dscam and Dscaml1 knockout mice (Dscam del17 and Dscaml1 GT ) at several embryonic stages indicated that constitutive loss of Dscam and Dscaml1 does not affect these developmental events in a significant manner. Given that several Dscam- and Dscaml1-linked neurodevelopmental disorders are associated to chromosomal region duplication events, we furthermore sought to examine the neurodevelopmental effects of Dscam and Dscaml1 gain of function (GOF). In vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo GOF negatively impacted neural migration processes important to cortical development, and affected the morphology of maturing neurons. Overall, these findings contribute to existing knowledge on the molecular etiology of human neurodevelopmental disorders by elucidating how dosage variations of genes encoding adhesive cues can disrupt cell-cell or cell-environment interactions crucial for neuronal migration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Manuela D. Mitsogiannis
- Developmental Neurobiology Group, Animal Physiology and Neurobiology Division, Department of Biology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Anna Pancho
- Developmental Neurobiology Group, Animal Physiology and Neurobiology Division, Department of Biology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tania Aerts
- Developmental Neurobiology Group, Animal Physiology and Neurobiology Division, Department of Biology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sonja M. Sachse
- Neuronal Wiring Laboratory, Department of Neurosciences, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain & Disease Research, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ria Vanlaer
- Developmental Neurobiology Group, Animal Physiology and Neurobiology Division, Department of Biology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lut Noterdaeme
- Developmental Neurobiology Group, Animal Physiology and Neurobiology Division, Department of Biology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Dietmar Schmucker
- Neuronal Wiring Laboratory, Department of Neurosciences, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain & Disease Research, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Neuronal Wiring Group, Life & Medical Sciences Institute, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Eve Seuntjens
- Developmental Neurobiology Group, Animal Physiology and Neurobiology Division, Department of Biology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Hildebrandt C, Fulton A, Rodan LH. Homozygous deletion of 21q22.2 in a patient with hypotonia, developmental delay, cortical visual impairment, and retinopathy. Am J Med Genet A 2020; 185:555-560. [PMID: 33170561 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.61969] [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: 05/28/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
21q22 contains several dosage sensitive genes that are important in neurocognitive development. Determining impacts of gene dosage alterations in this region can be useful in establishing contributions of these genes to human development and disease. We describe a 15-month-old girl with a 1,140 kb homozygous deletion in the Down Syndrome Critical Region at 21q22.2 including 4 genes; B3GALT5, IGSF5, PCP4, DSCAM, and a microRNA (MIR4760). Clinical singleton genome sequencing did not report any candidate gene variants for the patient's phenotype. She presented with hypotonia, global developmental delay, cortical visual impairment, and mild facial dysmorphism. Ophthalmological exam was suggestive of retinopathy. We propose that the absence of DSCAM and PCP4 may contribute to the patient's neurological and retinal phenotype, while the role of absent B3GALT5 and IGSF5 in her presentation remain unclear at this time.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Clara Hildebrandt
- Medical Biochemical Fellowship at Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Anne Fulton
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Lance H Rodan
- Department of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Laflamme OD, Lemieux M, Thiry L, Bretzner F. DSCAM Mutation Impairs Motor Cortex Network Dynamic and Voluntary Motor Functions. Cereb Cortex 2020; 29:2313-2330. [PMID: 29718256 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhy097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2018] [Revised: 04/04/2018] [Accepted: 04/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
While it is well known that netrin-1 and its receptors UNC5 and UNC40 family members are involved in the normal establishment of the motor cortex and its corticospinal tract, less is known about its other receptor Down syndrome cell adherence molecule (DSCAM). DSCAM is expressed in the developing motor cortex, regulates axonal outgrowth of cortical neurons, and its mutation impairs the dendritic arborization of cortical neurons, thus suggesting that it might be involved in the normal development and functioning of the motor cortex. In comparison to WT littermates, DSCAM2J mutant mice slipped and misplaced their paw while walking on the rungs of a horizontal ladder, and exhibited more difficulties in stepping over an obstacle while walking at slow speed. Anterograde tracing showed a normal pyramidal decussation and corticospinal projection, but a more dorsal distribution of their axonal terminals in the spinal gray matter. Intracortical microstimulations showed a reduced corticospinal and intracortical efficacy, whereas stimulations of the pyramidal tract revealed a normal spinal efficacy and excitability of corticospinal tract axons, thus arguing for a dysfunctional cortical development. Our study reveals impairment of the network dynamics within the motor cortex, reducing corticospinal drive and impairing voluntary locomotor functions upon DSCAM2J mutation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Olivier D Laflamme
- Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Québec, CHUL, 2705 Boul. Laurier, Québec, Canada
| | - Maxime Lemieux
- Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Québec, CHUL, 2705 Boul. Laurier, Québec, Canada
| | - Louise Thiry
- Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Québec, CHUL, 2705 Boul. Laurier, Québec, Canada
| | - Frédéric Bretzner
- Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Québec, CHUL, 2705 Boul. Laurier, Québec, Canada.,Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| |
Collapse
|