1
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Sherman D, Harel D. Deciphering the underlying mechanisms of the pharyngeal pumping motions in Caenorhabditis elegans. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2302660121. [PMID: 38315866 PMCID: PMC10873627 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2302660121] [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: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
The pharynx of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is a neuromuscular organ that exhibits typical pumping motions, which result in the intake of food particles from the environment. In-depth inspection reveals slightly different dynamics at the various pharyngeal areas, rather than synchronous pumping motions of the whole organ, which are important for its effective functioning. While the different pumping dynamics are well characterized, the underlying mechanisms that generate them are not known. In this study, the C. elegans pharynx was modeled in a bottom-up fashion, including all of the underlying biological processes that lead to, and including, its end function, food intake. The mathematical modeling of all processes allowed performing comprehensive, quantitative analyses of the system as a whole. Our analyses provided detailed explanations for the various pumping dynamics generated at the different pharyngeal areas; a fine-resolution description of muscle dynamics, both between and within different pharyngeal areas; a quantitative assessment of the values of many parameters of the system that are unavailable in the literature; and support for a functional role of the marginal cells, which are currently assumed to mainly have a structural role in the pharynx. In addition, our model predicted that in tiny organisms such as C. elegans, the generation of long-lasting action potentials must involve ions other than calcium. Our study exemplifies the power of mathematical models, which allow a more accurate, higher-resolution inspection of the studied system, and an easier and faster execution of in silico experiments than feasible in the lab.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana Sherman
- Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics, Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot76100, Israel
| | - David Harel
- Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics, Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot76100, Israel
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2
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Ackley BD. Bright lights, big synapses: fluorescent proteins let neurons shine. BMC Biol 2024; 22:32. [PMID: 38317212 PMCID: PMC10845595 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-023-01808-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Brian D Ackley
- , 5004 Haworth Hall, 1200 Sunnyside Ave, Lawrence, KS, 66045, USA.
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3
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Salim C, Batsaikhan E, Kan AK, Chen H, Jee C. Nicotine Motivated Behavior in C. elegans. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1634. [PMID: 38338915 PMCID: PMC10855306 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
To maximize the advantages offered by Caenorhabditis elegans as a high-throughput (HTP) model for nicotine dependence studies, utilizing its well-defined neuroconnectome as a robust platform, and to unravel the genetic basis of nicotine-motivated behaviors, we established the nicotine conditioned cue preference (CCP) paradigm. Nicotine CCP enables the assessment of nicotine preference and seeking, revealing a parallel to fundamental aspects of nicotine-dependent behaviors observed in mammals. We demonstrated that nicotine-elicited cue preference in worms is mediated by nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and requires dopamine for CCP development. Subsequently, we pinpointed nAChR subunits associated with nicotine preference and validated human GWAS candidates linked to nicotine dependence involved in nAChRs. Functional validation involves assessing the loss-of-function strain of the CACNA2D3 ortholog and the knock-out (KO) strain of the CACNA2D2 ortholog, closely related to CACNA2D3 and sharing human smoking phenotypes. Our orthogonal approach substantiates the functional conservation of the α2δ subunit of the calcium channel in nicotine-motivated behavior. Nicotine CCP in C. elegans serves as a potent affirmation of the cross-species functional relevance of GWAS candidate genes involved in nicotine seeking associated with tobacco abuse, providing a streamlined yet comprehensive system for investigating intricate behavioral paradigms within a simplified and reliable framework.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Changhoon Jee
- Department of Pharmacology, Addiction Science and Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA; (C.S.)
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4
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Zeng WX, Liu H, Hao Y, Qian KY, Tian FM, Li L, Yu B, Zeng XT, Gao S, Hu Z, Tong XJ. CaMKII mediates sexually dimorphic synaptic transmission at neuromuscular junctions in C. elegans. J Cell Biol 2023; 222:e202301117. [PMID: 37624117 PMCID: PMC10457463 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.202301117] [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: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Sexually dimorphic behaviors are ubiquitous throughout the animal kingdom. Although both sex-specific and sex-shared neurons have been functionally implicated in these diverse behaviors, less is known about the roles of sex-shared neurons. Here, we discovered sexually dimorphic cholinergic synaptic transmission in C. elegans occurring at neuromuscular junctions (NMJs), with males exhibiting increased release frequencies, which result in sexually dimorphic locomotion behaviors. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that males have significantly more synaptic vesicles (SVs) at their cholinergic synapses than hermaphrodites. Analysis of previously published transcriptome identified the male-enriched transcripts and focused our attention on UNC-43/CaMKII. We ultimately show that differential accumulation of UNC-43 at cholinergic neurons controls axonal SV abundance and synaptic transmission. Finally, we demonstrate that sex reversal of all neurons in hermaphrodites generates male-like cholinergic transmission and locomotion behaviors. Thus, beyond demonstrating UNC-43/CaMKII as an essential mediator of sex-specific synaptic transmission, our study provides molecular and cellular insights into how sex-shared neurons can generate sexually dimorphic locomotion behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wan-Xin Zeng
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Neuroscience, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Haowen Liu
- Queensland Brain Institute, Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research (CJCADR), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Yue Hao
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Neuroscience, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Kang-Ying Qian
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Neuroscience, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Fu-Min Tian
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lei Li
- Queensland Brain Institute, Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research (CJCADR), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Bin Yu
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xian-Ting Zeng
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shangbang Gao
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhitao Hu
- Queensland Brain Institute, Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research (CJCADR), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- Department of Neuroscience, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, China
| | - Xia-Jing Tong
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
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5
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Lin TA, How CM, Yen PL, Liao VHC. Sulfate-modified nanosized polystyrene impairs memory by inhibiting ionotropic glutamate receptors and the cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB) pathway in Caenorhabditis elegans. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 875:162404. [PMID: 36868277 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Nanoplastic contamination is an emerging environmental concern worldwide. In particular, sulfate anionic surfactants often appear along with nanosized plastic particles in personal care products, suggesting that sulfate-modified nanosized polystyrene (S-NP) may occur, remain, and spread into the environment. However, whether S-NP adversely affects learning and memory is unknown. In this study, we used a positive butanone training protocol to evaluate the effects of S-NP exposure on short-term associative memory (STAM) and long-term associative memory (LTAM) in Caenorhabditis elegans. We observed that long-term S-NP exposure impairs both STAM and LTAM in C. elegans. We also observed that mutations in the glr-1, nmr-1, acy-1, unc-43, and crh-1 genes eliminated the STAM and LTAM impairment induced by S-NP, and the mRNA levels of these genes were also decreased upon S-NP exposure. These genes encode ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs), cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)/Ca2+ signaling proteins, and cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB)/CRH-1 signaling proteins. Moreover, S-NP exposure inhibited the expression of the CREB-dependent LTAM genes nid-1, ptr-15, and unc-86. Our findings provide new insights into long-term S-NP exposure and the impairment of STAM and LTAM, which involve the highly conserved iGluRs and CRH-1/CREB signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting-An Lin
- Department of Bioenvironmental Systems Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan
| | - Chun Ming How
- Department of Bioenvironmental Systems Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Ling Yen
- Department of Bioenvironmental Systems Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan
| | - Vivian Hsiu-Chuan Liao
- Department of Bioenvironmental Systems Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan.
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6
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Hao Y, Liu H, Zeng XT, Wang Y, Zeng WX, Qian KY, Li L, Chi MX, Gao S, Hu Z, Tong XJ. UNC-43/CaMKII-triggered anterograde signals recruit GABA ARs to mediate inhibitory synaptic transmission and plasticity at C. elegans NMJs. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1436. [PMID: 36918518 PMCID: PMC10015018 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37137-0] [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: 07/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Disturbed inhibitory synaptic transmission has functional impacts on neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders. An essential mechanism for modulating inhibitory synaptic transmission is alteration of the postsynaptic abundance of GABAARs, which are stabilized by postsynaptic scaffold proteins and recruited by presynaptic signals. However, how GABAergic neurons trigger signals to transsynaptically recruit GABAARs remains elusive. Here, we show that UNC-43/CaMKII functions at GABAergic neurons to recruit GABAARs and modulate inhibitory synaptic transmission at C. elegans neuromuscular junctions. We demonstrate that UNC-43 promotes presynaptic MADD-4B/Punctin secretion and NRX-1α/Neurexin surface delivery. Together, MADD-4B and NRX-1α recruit postsynaptic NLG-1/Neuroligin and stabilize GABAARs. Further, the excitation of GABAergic neurons potentiates the recruitment of NLG-1-stabilized-GABAARs, which depends on UNC-43, MADD-4B, and NRX-1. These data all support that UNC-43 triggers MADD-4B and NRX-1α, which act as anterograde signals to recruit postsynaptic GABAARs. Thus, our findings elucidate a mechanism for pre- and postsynaptic communication and inhibitory synaptic transmission and plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Hao
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
- Institute of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Haowen Liu
- Queensland Brain Institute, Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research (CJCADR), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Xian-Ting Zeng
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Ya Wang
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Wan-Xin Zeng
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
- Institute of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Kang-Ying Qian
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
- Institute of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Lei Li
- Queensland Brain Institute, Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research (CJCADR), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Ming-Xuan Chi
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Shangbang Gao
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Zhitao Hu
- Queensland Brain Institute, Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research (CJCADR), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Xia-Jing Tong
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China.
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7
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Mizumoto K, Jin Y, Bessereau JL. Synaptogenesis: unmasking molecular mechanisms using Caenorhabditis elegans. Genetics 2023; 223:iyac176. [PMID: 36630525 PMCID: PMC9910414 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyac176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is a research model organism particularly suited to the mechanistic understanding of synapse genesis in the nervous system. Armed with powerful genetics, knowledge of complete connectomics, and modern genomics, studies using C. elegans have unveiled multiple key regulators in the formation of a functional synapse. Importantly, many signaling networks display remarkable conservation throughout animals, underscoring the contributions of C. elegans research to advance the understanding of our brain. In this chapter, we will review up-to-date information of the contribution of C. elegans to the understanding of chemical synapses, from structure to molecules and to synaptic remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kota Mizumoto
- Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Yishi Jin
- Department of Neurobiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Jean-Louis Bessereau
- Univ Lyon, University Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS UMR 5284, INSERM U 1314, Melis, 69008 Lyon, France
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8
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Ablinger C, Eibl C, Geisler SM, Campiglio M, Stephens GJ, Missler M, Obermair GJ. α 2δ-4 and Cachd1 Proteins Are Regulators of Presynaptic Functions. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:9885. [PMID: 36077281 PMCID: PMC9456004 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23179885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The α2δ auxiliary subunits of voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCC) were traditionally regarded as modulators of biophysical channel properties. In recent years, channel-independent functions of these subunits, such as involvement in synapse formation, have been identified. In the central nervous system, α2δ isoforms 1, 2, and 3 are strongly expressed, regulating glutamatergic synapse formation by a presynaptic mechanism. Although the α2δ-4 isoform is predominantly found in the retina with very little expression in the brain, it was recently linked to brain functions. In contrast, Cachd1, a novel α2δ-like protein, shows strong expression in brain, but its function in neurons is not yet known. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the presynaptic functions of α2δ-4 and Cachd1 by expressing individual proteins in cultured hippocampal neurons. Both α2δ-4 and Cachd1 are expressed in the presynaptic membrane and could rescue a severe synaptic defect present in triple knockout/knockdown neurons that lacked the α2δ-1-3 isoforms (α2δ TKO/KD). This observation suggests that presynaptic localization and the regulation of synapse formation in glutamatergic neurons is a general feature of α2δ proteins. In contrast to this redundant presynaptic function, α2δ-4 and Cachd1 differentially regulate the abundance of presynaptic calcium channels and the amplitude of presynaptic calcium transients. These functional differences may be caused by subtle isoform-specific differences in α1-α2δ protein-protein interactions, as revealed by structural homology modelling. Taken together, our study identifies both α2δ-4 and Cachd1 as presynaptic regulators of synapse formation, differentiation, and calcium channel functions that can at least partially compensate for the loss of α2δ-1-3. Moreover, we show that regulating glutamatergic synapse formation and differentiation is a critical and surprisingly redundant function of α2δ and Cachd1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cornelia Ablinger
- Institute of Physiology, Medical University Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Clarissa Eibl
- Division Physiology, Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Microbiology, Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, 3500 Krems, Austria
| | - Stefanie M. Geisler
- Department Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Marta Campiglio
- Institute of Physiology, Medical University Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Gary J. Stephens
- Reading School of Pharmacy, University of Reading, Reading RG6 6UB, UK
| | - Markus Missler
- Institute of Anatomy and Molecular Neurobiology, Westfälische Wilhelms-University, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Gerald J. Obermair
- Institute of Physiology, Medical University Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
- Division Physiology, Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Microbiology, Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, 3500 Krems, Austria
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9
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Khan S. Endoplasmic Reticulum in Metaplasticity: From Information Processing to Synaptic Proteostasis. Mol Neurobiol 2022; 59:5630-5655. [PMID: 35739409 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-022-02916-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The ER (endoplasmic reticulum) is a Ca2+ reservoir and the unique protein-synthesizing machinery which is distributed throughout the neuron and composed of multiple different structural domains. One such domain is called EMC (endoplasmic reticulum membrane protein complex), pleiotropic nature in cellular functions. The ER/EMC position inside the neurons unmasks its contribution to synaptic plasticity via regulating various cellular processes from protein synthesis to Ca2+ signaling. Since presynaptic Ca2+ channels and postsynaptic ionotropic receptors are organized into the nanodomains, thus ER can be a crucial player in establishing TMNCs (transsynaptic molecular nanocolumns) to shape efficient neural communications. This review hypothesized that ER is not only involved in stress-mediated neurodegeneration but also axon regrowth, remyelination, neurotransmitter switching, information processing, and regulation of pre- and post-synaptic functions. Thus ER might not only be a protein-synthesizing and quality control machinery but also orchestrates plasticity of plasticity (metaplasticity) within the neuron to execute higher-order brain functions and neural repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shumsuzzaman Khan
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA.
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10
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Ding C, Wu Y, Dabas H, Hammarlund M. Activation of the CaMKII-Sarm1-ASK1-p38 MAP kinase pathway protects against axon degeneration caused by loss of mitochondria. eLife 2022; 11:73557. [PMID: 35285800 PMCID: PMC8920508 DOI: 10.7554/elife.73557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitochondrial defects are tightly linked to axon degeneration, yet the underlying cellular mechanisms remain poorly understood. In Caenorhabditis elegans, PVQ axons that lack mitochondria degenerate spontaneously with age. Using an unbiased genetic screen, we found that cell-specific activation of CaMKII/UNC-43 suppresses axon degeneration due to loss of mitochondria. Unexpectedly, CaMKII/UNC-43 activates the conserved Sarm1/TIR-1-ASK1/NSY-1-p38 MAPK pathway and eventually the transcription factor CEBP-1 to protect against degeneration. In addition, we show that disrupting a trafficking complex composed of calsyntenin/CASY-1, Mint/LIN-10, and kinesin suppresses axon degeneration. Further analysis indicates that disruption of this trafficking complex activates the CaMKII-Sarm1-MAPK pathway through L-type voltage-gated calcium channels. Our findings identify CaMKII as a pivot point between mitochondrial defects and axon degeneration, describe how it is regulated, and uncover a surprising neuroprotective role for the Sarm1-p38 MAPK pathway in this context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Ding
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of MedicineNew HavenUnited States
| | - Youjun Wu
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of MedicineNew HavenUnited States
| | - Hadas Dabas
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of MedicineNew HavenUnited States
| | - Marc Hammarlund
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of MedicineNew HavenUnited States,Department of Genetics, Yale University School of MedicineNew HavenUnited States
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11
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Schöpf CL, Ablinger C, Geisler SM, Stanika RI, Campiglio M, Kaufmann WA, Nimmervoll B, Schlick B, Brockhaus J, Missler M, Shigemoto R, Obermair GJ. Presynaptic α 2δ subunits are key organizers of glutamatergic synapses. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:e1920827118. [PMID: 33782113 PMCID: PMC8040823 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1920827118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
In nerve cells the genes encoding for α2δ subunits of voltage-gated calcium channels have been linked to synaptic functions and neurological disease. Here we show that α2δ subunits are essential for the formation and organization of glutamatergic synapses. Using a cellular α2δ subunit triple-knockout/knockdown model, we demonstrate a failure in presynaptic differentiation evidenced by defective presynaptic calcium channel clustering and calcium influx, smaller presynaptic active zones, and a strongly reduced accumulation of presynaptic vesicle-associated proteins (synapsin and vGLUT). The presynaptic defect is associated with the downscaling of postsynaptic AMPA receptors and the postsynaptic density. The role of α2δ isoforms as synaptic organizers is highly redundant, as each individual α2δ isoform can rescue presynaptic calcium channel trafficking and expression of synaptic proteins. Moreover, α2δ-2 and α2δ-3 with mutated metal ion-dependent adhesion sites can fully rescue presynaptic synapsin expression but only partially calcium channel trafficking, suggesting that the regulatory role of α2δ subunits is independent from its role as a calcium channel subunit. Our findings influence the current view on excitatory synapse formation. First, our study suggests that postsynaptic differentiation is secondary to presynaptic differentiation. Second, the dependence of presynaptic differentiation on α2δ implicates α2δ subunits as potential nucleation points for the organization of synapses. Finally, our results suggest that α2δ subunits act as transsynaptic organizers of glutamatergic synapses, thereby aligning the synaptic active zone with the postsynaptic density.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clemens L Schöpf
- Institute of Physiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Cornelia Ablinger
- Institute of Physiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Stefanie M Geisler
- Institute of Physiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Ruslan I Stanika
- Division of Physiology, Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, A-3500 Krems, Austria
| | - Marta Campiglio
- Institute of Physiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Walter A Kaufmann
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria, A-3400 Klosterneuburg, Austria
| | - Benedikt Nimmervoll
- Institute of Physiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Bettina Schlick
- Institute of Physiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Johannes Brockhaus
- Institute of Anatomy and Molecular Neurobiology, Westfälische Wilhelms University, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Markus Missler
- Institute of Anatomy and Molecular Neurobiology, Westfälische Wilhelms University, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Ryuichi Shigemoto
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria, A-3400 Klosterneuburg, Austria
| | - Gerald J Obermair
- Institute of Physiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria;
- Division of Physiology, Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, A-3500 Krems, Austria
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12
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Tien CW, Yu B, Huang M, Stepien KP, Sugita K, Xie X, Han L, Monnier PP, Zhen M, Rizo J, Gao S, Sugita S. Open syntaxin overcomes exocytosis defects of diverse mutants in C. elegans. Nat Commun 2020; 11:5516. [PMID: 33139696 PMCID: PMC7606450 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-19178-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2019] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Assembly of SNARE complexes that mediate neurotransmitter release requires opening of a ‘closed’ conformation of UNC-64/syntaxin. Rescue of unc-13/Munc13 mutant phenotypes by overexpressed open UNC-64/syntaxin suggested a specific function of UNC-13/Munc13 in opening UNC-64/ syntaxin. Here, we revisit the effects of open unc-64/syntaxin by generating knockin (KI) worms. The KI animals exhibit enhanced spontaneous and evoked exocytosis compared to WT animals. Unexpectedly, the open syntaxin KI partially suppresses exocytosis defects of various mutants, including snt-1/synaptotagmin, unc-2/P/Q/N-type Ca2+ channel alpha-subunit and unc-31/CAPS, in addition to unc-13/Munc13 and unc-10/RIM, and enhanced exocytosis in tom-1/Tomosyn mutants. However, open syntaxin aggravates the defects of unc-18/Munc18 mutants. Correspondingly, open syntaxin partially bypasses the requirement of Munc13 but not Munc18 for liposome fusion. Our results show that facilitating opening of syntaxin enhances exocytosis in a wide range of genetic backgrounds, and may provide a general means to enhance synaptic transmission in normal and disease states. Opening of the UNC-64/syntaxin closed conformation by UNC-13/Munc13 to form the neuronal SNARE complex is critical for neurotransmitter release. Here the authors show that facilitating the opening of syntaxin enhances exocytosis not only in unc-13 nulls as well as in diverse C. elegans mutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi-Wei Tien
- Division of Fundamental Neurobiology, Krembil Brain Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5T 2S8.,Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5S 1A8
| | - Bin Yu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Mengjia Huang
- Division of Fundamental Neurobiology, Krembil Brain Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5T 2S8.,Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5S 1A8
| | - Karolina P Stepien
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA.,Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Kyoko Sugita
- Division of Genetics and Development, Krembil Brain Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5T 2S8
| | - Xiaoyu Xie
- Division of Fundamental Neurobiology, Krembil Brain Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5T 2S8.,Department of Anesthesiology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Liping Han
- Department of Anesthesiology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China.,Department of Anesthesiology, Dalian Municipal Friendship Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Philippe P Monnier
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5S 1A8.,Division of Genetics and Development, Krembil Brain Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5T 2S8.,Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5S 1A8
| | - Mei Zhen
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5S 1A8.,Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5G 1X5.,Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5S 1A8
| | - Josep Rizo
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA. .,Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA. .,Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA.
| | - Shangbang Gao
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China.
| | - Shuzo Sugita
- Division of Fundamental Neurobiology, Krembil Brain Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5T 2S8. .,Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5S 1A8.
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13
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Ablinger C, Geisler SM, Stanika RI, Klein CT, Obermair GJ. Neuronal α 2δ proteins and brain disorders. Pflugers Arch 2020; 472:845-863. [PMID: 32607809 PMCID: PMC7351808 DOI: 10.1007/s00424-020-02420-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
α2δ proteins are membrane-anchored extracellular glycoproteins which are abundantly expressed in the brain and the peripheral nervous system. They serve as regulatory subunits of voltage-gated calcium channels and, particularly in nerve cells, regulate presynaptic and postsynaptic functions independently from their role as channel subunits. α2δ proteins are the targets of the widely prescribed anti-epileptic and anti-allodynic drugs gabapentin and pregabalin, particularly for the treatment of neuropathic pain conditions. Recently, the human genes (CACNA2D1-4) encoding for the four known α2δ proteins (isoforms α2δ-1 to α2δ-4) have been linked to a large variety of neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders including epilepsy, autism spectrum disorders, bipolar disorders, schizophrenia, and depressive disorders. Here, we provide an overview of the hitherto identified disease associations of all known α2δ genes, hypothesize on the pathophysiological mechanisms considering their known physiological roles, and discuss the most immanent future research questions. Elucidating their specific physiological and pathophysiological mechanisms may open the way for developing entirely novel therapeutic paradigms for treating brain disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cornelia Ablinger
- Institute of Physiology, Medical University Innsbruck, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Stefanie M Geisler
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Innsbruck, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Ruslan I Stanika
- Division Physiology, Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, 3500, Krems, Austria
| | - Christian T Klein
- Department of Life Sciences, IMC University of Applied Sciences, 3500, Krems, Austria
| | - Gerald J Obermair
- Institute of Physiology, Medical University Innsbruck, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
- Division Physiology, Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, 3500, Krems, Austria.
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14
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RIMB-1/RIM-Binding Protein and UNC-10/RIM Redundantly Regulate Presynaptic Localization of the Voltage-Gated Calcium Channel in Caenorhabditis elegans. J Neurosci 2019; 39:8617-8631. [PMID: 31530643 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0506-19.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2019] [Revised: 09/03/2019] [Accepted: 09/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Presynaptic active zones (AZs) contain many molecules essential for neurotransmitter release and are assembled in a highly organized manner. A network of adaptor proteins known as cytomatrix at the AZ (CAZ) is important for shaping the structural characteristics of AZ. Rab3-interacting molecule (RIM)-binding protein (RBP) family are binding partners of the CAZ protein RIM and also bind the voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs) in mice and flies. Here, we investigated the physiological roles of RIMB-1, the homolog of RBPs in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans RIMB-1 is expressed broadly in neurons and predominantly localized at presynaptic sites. Loss-of-function animals of rimb-1 displayed slight defects in motility and response to pharmacological inhibition of synaptic transmission, suggesting a modest involvement of rimb-1 in synapse function. We analyzed genetic interactions of rimb-1 by testing candidate genes and by an unbiased forward genetic screen for rimb-1 enhancer. Both analyses identified the RIM homolog UNC-10 that acts together with RIMB-1 to regulate presynaptic localization of the P/Q-type VGCC UNC-2/Cav2. We also find that the precise localization of RIMB-1 to presynaptic sites requires presynaptic UNC-2/Cav2. RIMB-1 has multiple FN3 and SH3 domains. Our transgenic rescue analysis with RIMB-1 deletion constructs revealed a functional requirement of a C-terminal SH3 in regulating UNC-2/Cav2 localization. Together, these findings suggest a redundant role of RIMB-1/RBP and UNC-10/RIM to regulate the abundance of UNC-2/Cav2 at the presynaptic AZ in C. elegans, depending on the bidirectional interplay between CAZ adaptor and channel proteins.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Presynaptic active zones (AZs) are highly organized structures for synaptic transmission with characteristic networks of adaptor proteins called cytomatrix at the AZ (CAZ). In this study, we characterized a CAZ protein RIMB-1, named for RIM-binding protein (RBP), in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans Through systematic analyses of genetic interactions and an unbiased genetic enhancer screen of rimb-1, we revealed a redundant role of two CAZ proteins RIMB-1/RBP and UNC-10/RIM in regulating presynaptic localization of UNC-2/Cav2, a voltage-gated calcium channel (VGCC) critical for proper neurotransmitter release. Additionally, the precise localization of RIMB-1/RBP requires presynaptic UNC-2/Cav2. These findings provide new mechanistic insight about how the interplay among multiple CAZ adaptor proteins and VGCC contributes to the organization of presynaptic AZ.
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15
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Geisler S, Schöpf CL, Stanika R, Kalb M, Campiglio M, Repetto D, Traxler L, Missler M, Obermair GJ. Presynaptic α 2δ-2 Calcium Channel Subunits Regulate Postsynaptic GABA A Receptor Abundance and Axonal Wiring. J Neurosci 2019; 39:2581-2605. [PMID: 30683685 PMCID: PMC6445987 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2234-18.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2018] [Revised: 01/03/2019] [Accepted: 01/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Presynaptic α2δ subunits of voltage-gated calcium channels regulate channel abundance and are involved in glutamatergic synapse formation. However, little is known about the specific functions of the individual α2δ isoforms and their role in GABAergic synapses. Using primary neuronal cultures of embryonic mice of both sexes, we here report that presynaptic overexpression of α2δ-2 in GABAergic synapses strongly increases clustering of postsynaptic GABAARs. Strikingly, presynaptic α2δ-2 exerts the same effect in glutamatergic synapses, leading to a mismatched localization of GABAARs. This mismatching is caused by an aberrant wiring of glutamatergic presynaptic boutons with GABAergic postsynaptic positions. The trans-synaptic effect of α2δ-2 is independent of the prototypical cell-adhesion molecules α-neurexins (α-Nrxns); however, α-Nrxns together with α2δ-2 can modulate postsynaptic GABAAR abundance. Finally, exclusion of the alternatively spliced exon 23 of α2δ-2 is essential for the trans-synaptic mechanism. The novel function of α2δ-2 identified here may explain how abnormal α2δ subunit expression can cause excitatory-inhibitory imbalance often associated with neuropsychiatric disorders.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Voltage-gated calcium channels regulate important neuronal functions such as synaptic transmission. α2δ subunits modulate calcium channels and are emerging as regulators of brain connectivity. However, little is known about how individual α2δ subunits contribute to synapse specificity. Here, we show that presynaptic expression of a single α2δ variant can modulate synaptic connectivity and the localization of inhibitory postsynaptic receptors. Our findings provide basic insights into the development of specific synaptic connections between nerve cells and contribute to our understanding of normal nerve cell functions. Furthermore, the identified mechanism may explain how an altered expression of calcium channel subunits can result in aberrant neuronal wiring often associated with neuropsychiatric disorders such as autism or schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Geisler
- Division of Physiology, Medical University Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria, and
| | - Clemens L Schöpf
- Division of Physiology, Medical University Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria, and
| | - Ruslan Stanika
- Division of Physiology, Medical University Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria, and
| | - Marcus Kalb
- Division of Physiology, Medical University Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria, and
| | - Marta Campiglio
- Division of Physiology, Medical University Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria, and
| | - Daniele Repetto
- Institute of Anatomy and Molecular Neurobiology, Westfälische Wilhelms-University, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Larissa Traxler
- Division of Physiology, Medical University Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria, and
| | - Markus Missler
- Institute of Anatomy and Molecular Neurobiology, Westfälische Wilhelms-University, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Gerald J Obermair
- Division of Physiology, Medical University Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria, and
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16
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Varshney A, Benedetti K, Watters K, Shankar R, Tatarakis D, Coto Villa D, Magallanes K, Agenor V, Wung W, Farah F, Ali N, Le N, Pyle J, Farooqi A, Kieu Z, Bremer M, VanHoven M. The receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase CLR-1 is required for synaptic partner recognition. PLoS Genet 2018; 14:e1007312. [PMID: 29742100 PMCID: PMC5942785 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1007312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2017] [Accepted: 03/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
During neural circuit formation, most axons are guided to complex environments, coming into contact with multiple potential synaptic partners. However, it is critical that they recognize specific neurons with which to form synapses. Here, we utilize the split GFP-based marker Neuroligin-1 GFP Reconstitution Across Synaptic Partners (NLG-1 GRASP) to visualize specific synapses in live animals, and a circuit-specific behavioral assay to probe circuit function. We demonstrate that the receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase (RPTP) clr-1 is necessary for synaptic partner recognition (SPR) between the PHB sensory neurons and the AVA interneurons in C. elegans. Mutations in clr-1/RPTP result in reduced NLG-1 GRASP fluorescence and impaired behavioral output of the PHB circuit. Temperature-shift experiments demonstrate that clr-1/RPTP acts early in development, consistent with a role in SPR. Expression and cell-specific rescue experiments indicate that clr-1/RPTP functions in postsynaptic AVA neurons, and overexpression of clr-1/RPTP in AVA neurons is sufficient to direct additional PHB-AVA synaptogenesis. Genetic analysis reveals that clr-1/RPTP acts in the same pathway as the unc-6/Netrin ligand and the unc-40/DCC receptor, which act in AVA and PHB neurons, respectively. This study defines a new mechanism by which SPR is governed, and demonstrates that these three conserved families of molecules, with roles in neurological disorders and cancer, can act together to regulate communication between cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aruna Varshney
- Department of Biological Sciences, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA, United States of America
| | - Kelli Benedetti
- Department of Biological Sciences, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA, United States of America
| | - Katherine Watters
- Department of Biological Sciences, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA, United States of America
| | - Raakhee Shankar
- Department of Biological Sciences, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA, United States of America
| | - David Tatarakis
- Department of Biological Sciences, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA, United States of America
| | - Doris Coto Villa
- Department of Biological Sciences, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA, United States of America
| | - Khristina Magallanes
- Department of Biological Sciences, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA, United States of America
| | - Venia Agenor
- Department of Biological Sciences, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA, United States of America
| | - William Wung
- Department of Biological Sciences, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA, United States of America
| | - Fatima Farah
- Department of Biological Sciences, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA, United States of America
| | - Nebat Ali
- Department of Biological Sciences, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA, United States of America
| | - Nghi Le
- Department of Biological Sciences, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA, United States of America
| | - Jacqueline Pyle
- Department of Biological Sciences, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA, United States of America
| | - Amber Farooqi
- Department of Biological Sciences, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA, United States of America
| | - Zanett Kieu
- Department of Biological Sciences, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA, United States of America
| | - Martina Bremer
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA, United States of America
| | - Miri VanHoven
- Department of Biological Sciences, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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17
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Abbas A, Valek L, Schneider I, Bollmann A, Knopp G, Seitz W, Schulte-Oehlmann U, Oehlmann J, Wagner M. Ecotoxicological impacts of surface water and wastewater from conventional and advanced treatment technologies on brood size, larval length, and cytochrome P450 (35A3) expression in Caenorhabditis elegans. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2018; 25:13868-13880. [PMID: 29512011 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-018-1605-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2017] [Accepted: 02/22/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Anthropogenic micropollutants and transformation products (TPs) negatively affect aquatic ecosystems and water resources. Wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) represent major point sources for (micro)pollutants and TPs in urban water cycles. The aim of the current study was to assess the removal of micropollutants and toxicity during conventional and advanced wastewater treatment. Using wild-type and transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans, the endpoint reproduction, growth, and cytochrome P450 (CYP) 35A3 induction (via cyp-35A3::GFP) were assessed. Samples were collected at four WWTPs and a receiving surface water. One WWTP included the advanced treatments: ozonation followed by granular activated carbon (GAC) or biological filtration (BF), respectively. Relevant micropollutants and WWTP parameters (n = 111) were included. Significant reproductive toxicity was detected for one WWTP effluent (31-83% reduced brood size). Three of four effluents significantly promoted the growth of C. elegans larvae (49-55% increased lengths). This effect was also observed for the GAC (34-41%) and BF (30%) post-treatments. Markedly, significant cyp-35A3::GFP induction was detected for one effluent before and after ozonation, being more pronounced for the ozonated samples (5- and 7.4-fold above controls). While the advanced treatments decreased the concentrations of most micropollutants, the observed effects may be attributed to effects of residual target compounds and/or compounds not included in the target chemical analysis. This highlights the need for an integrated assessment of (advanced) wastewater treatment covering both biological and chemical parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aennes Abbas
- Institute of Ecology, Diversity and Evolution, Goethe Universität Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438, Frankfurt, Germany.
| | - Lucie Valek
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Goethe-University Hospital, Theodor Stern Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Ilona Schneider
- Institute of Ecology, Diversity and Evolution, Goethe Universität Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Anna Bollmann
- Zweckverband Landeswasserversorgung, Spitziger Berg 1, 89129, Langenau, Germany
| | - Gregor Knopp
- Department of Wastewater Technology and Water Reuse, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Franziska-Braun-Str. 7, 64287, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Wolfram Seitz
- Zweckverband Landeswasserversorgung, Spitziger Berg 1, 89129, Langenau, Germany
| | - Ulrike Schulte-Oehlmann
- Institute of Ecology, Diversity and Evolution, Goethe Universität Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Jörg Oehlmann
- Institute of Ecology, Diversity and Evolution, Goethe Universität Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Martin Wagner
- Institute of Ecology, Diversity and Evolution, Goethe Universität Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438, Frankfurt, Germany
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Høgskoleringen 5, Realfagbygget, Trondheim, Norway
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18
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Geisler S, Schöpf CL, Obermair GJ. Emerging evidence for specific neuronal functions of auxiliary calcium channel α₂δ subunits. Gen Physiol Biophys 2014; 34:105-118. [PMID: 25504062 DOI: 10.4149/gpb_2014037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2014] [Accepted: 11/06/2014] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
In nerve cells the ubiquitous second messenger calcium regulates a variety of vitally important functions including neurotransmitter release, gene regulation, and neuronal plasticity. The entry of calcium into cells is tightly regulated by voltage-gated calcium channels, which consist of a heteromultimeric complex of a pore forming α₁, and the auxiliary β and α₂δ subunits. Four genes (Cacna2d1-4) encode for the extracellular membrane-attached α₂δ subunits (α₂δ-1 to α₂δ-4), out of which three isoforms (α₂δ-1 to -3) are strongly expressed in the central nervous system. Over the years a wealth of studies has demonstrated the classical role of α₂δ subunits in channel trafficking and calcium current modulation. Recent studies in specialized neuronal cell systems propose roles of α₂δ subunits beyond the classical view and implicate α₂δ subunits as important regulators of synapse formation. These findings are supported by the identification of novel human disease mutations associated with α₂δ subunits and by the fact that α₂δ subunits are the target of the anti-epileptic and anti-allodynic drugs gabapentin and pregabalin. Here we review the recently emerging evidence for specific as well as redundant neuronal roles of α₂δ subunits and discuss the mechanisms for establishing and maintaining specificity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Geisler
- Division of Physiology, Department of Physiology and Medical Physics, Medical University Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Clemens L Schöpf
- Division of Physiology, Department of Physiology and Medical Physics, Medical University Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Gerald J Obermair
- Division of Physiology, Department of Physiology and Medical Physics, Medical University Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
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19
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Frank CA. How voltage-gated calcium channels gate forms of homeostatic synaptic plasticity. Front Cell Neurosci 2014; 8:40. [PMID: 24592212 PMCID: PMC3924756 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2014.00040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2013] [Accepted: 01/28/2014] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Throughout life, animals face a variety of challenges such as developmental growth, the presence of toxins, or changes in temperature. Neuronal circuits and synapses respond to challenges by executing an array of neuroplasticity paradigms. Some paradigms allow neurons to up- or downregulate activity outputs, while countervailing ones ensure that outputs remain within appropriate physiological ranges. A growing body of evidence suggests that homeostatic synaptic plasticity (HSP) is critical in the latter case. Voltage-gated calcium channels gate forms of HSP. Presynaptically, the aggregate data show that when synapse activity is weakened, homeostatic signaling systems can act to correct impairments, in part by increasing calcium influx through presynaptic CaV2-type channels. Increased calcium influx is often accompanied by parallel increases in the size of active zones and the size of the readily releasable pool of presynaptic vesicles. These changes coincide with homeostatic enhancements of neurotransmitter release. Postsynaptically, there is a great deal of evidence that reduced network activity and loss of calcium influx through CaV1-type calcium channels also results in adaptive homeostatic signaling. Some adaptations drive presynaptic enhancements of vesicle pool size and turnover rate via retrograde signaling, as well as de novo insertion of postsynaptic neurotransmitter receptors. Enhanced calcium influx through CaV1 after network activation or single cell stimulation can elicit the opposite response-homeostatic depression via removal of excitatory receptors. There exist intriguing links between HSP and calcium channelopathies-such as forms of epilepsy, migraine, ataxia, and myasthenia. The episodic nature of some of these disorders suggests alternating periods of stable and unstable function. Uncovering information about how calcium channels are regulated in the context of HSP could be relevant toward understanding these and other disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Andrew Frank
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine Iowa City, IA, USA
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