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Celona B, Salomonsson SE, Wu H, Dang B, Kratochvil HT, Clelland CD, DeGrado WF, Black BL. Zfp106 binds to G-quadruplex RNAs and inhibits RAN translation and formation of RNA foci caused by G4C2 repeats. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2220020121. [PMID: 39042693 PMCID: PMC11295049 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2220020121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Expansion of intronic GGGGCC repeats in the C9orf72 gene causes amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia. Transcription of the expanded repeats results in the formation of RNA-containing nuclear foci and altered RNA metabolism. In addition, repeat-associated non-AUG (RAN) translation of the expanded GGGGCC-repeat sequence results in the production of highly toxic dipeptide-repeat (DPR) proteins. GGGGCC repeat-containing transcripts form G-quadruplexes, which are associated with formation of RNA foci and RAN translation. Zfp106, an RNA-binding protein essential for motor neuron survival in mice, suppresses neurotoxicity in a Drosophila model of C9orf72 ALS. Here, we show that Zfp106 inhibits formation of RNA foci and significantly reduces RAN translation caused by GGGGCC repeats in cultured mammalian cells, and we demonstrate that Zfp106 coexpression reduces the levels of DPRs in C9orf72 patient-derived cells. Further, we show that Zfp106 binds to RNA G-quadruplexes and causes a conformational change in the G-quadruplex structure formed by GGGGCC repeats. Together, these data demonstrate that Zfp106 suppresses the formation of RNA foci and DPRs caused by GGGGCC repeats and suggest that the G-quadruplex RNA-binding function of Zfp106 contributes to its suppression of GGGGCC repeat-mediated cytotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Celona
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA94143
| | - Sally E. Salomonsson
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA94143
- Memory & Aging Center, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, CA94143
| | - Haifan Wu
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA94143
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, CA94143
| | - Bobo Dang
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA94143
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, CA94143
| | - Huong T. Kratochvil
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA94143
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, CA94143
| | - Claire D. Clelland
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA94143
- Memory & Aging Center, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, CA94143
| | - William F. DeGrado
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA94143
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, CA94143
| | - Brian L. Black
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA94143
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, CA94143
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2
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Staderini T, Bigi A, Lagrève C, Marzi I, Bemporad F, Chiti F. Biophysical characterization of the phase separation of TDP-43 devoid of the C-terminal domain. Cell Mol Biol Lett 2024; 29:104. [PMID: 38997630 PMCID: PMC11245819 DOI: 10.1186/s11658-024-00615-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Frontotemporal lobar degeneration with ubiquitin-positive inclusions (FTLD-TDP), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy (LATE) are associated with deposition of cytoplasmic inclusions of TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) in neurons. One complexity of this process lies in the ability of TDP-43 to form liquid-phase membraneless organelles in cells. Previous work has shown that the recombinant, purified, prion-like domain (PrLD) forms liquid droplets in vitro, but the behaviour of the complementary fragment is uncertain. METHODS We have purified such a construct without the PrLD (PrLD-less TDP-43) and have induced its phase separation using a solution-jump method and an array of biophysical techniques to study the morphology, state of matter and structure of the TDP-43 assemblies. RESULTS The fluorescent TMR-labelled protein construct, imaged using confocal fluorescence, formed rapidly (< 1 min) round, homogeneous and 0.5-1.0 µm wide assemblies which then coalesced into larger, yet round, species. When labelled with AlexaFluor488, they initially exhibited fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP), showing a liquid behaviour distinct from full-length TDP-43 and similar to PrLD. The protein molecules did not undergo major structural changes, as determined with circular dichroism and intrinsic fluorescence spectroscopies. This process had a pH and salt dependence distinct from those of full-length TDP-43 and its PrLD, which can be rationalized on the grounds of electrostatic forces. CONCLUSIONS Similarly to PrLD, PrLD-less TDP-43 forms liquid droplets in vitro through liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), unlike the full-length protein that rather undergoes liquid-solid phase separation (LSPS). These results offer a rationale of the complex electrostatic forces governing phase separation of full-length TDP-43 and its fragments. On the one hand, PrLD-less TDP-43 has a low pI and oppositively charged domains, and LLPS is inhibited by salts, which attenuate inter-domain electrostatic attractions. On the other hand, PrLD is positively charged due to a high isoionic point (pI) and LLPS is therefore promoted by salts and pH increases as they both reduce electrostatic repulsions. By contrast, full-length TDP-43 undergoes LSPS most favourably at its pI, with positive and negative salt dependences at lower and higher pH, respectively, depending on whether repulsive or attractive forces dominate, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tommaso Staderini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, 50134, Florence, Italy
- Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", University of Florence, 50019, Florence, Italy
- Magnetic Resonance Center (CERM), University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019, Florence, Italy
| | - Alessandra Bigi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, 50134, Florence, Italy
| | - Clément Lagrève
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, 50134, Florence, Italy
- Chimie ParisTech-PSL, École Nationale Supérieur de Chimie de Paris, 11 rue Pierre et Marie Curie, 75231, Paris, France
| | - Isabella Marzi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, 50134, Florence, Italy
| | - Francesco Bemporad
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, 50134, Florence, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Chiti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, 50134, Florence, Italy.
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3
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Di Timoteo G, Giuliani A, Setti A, Biagi MC, Lisi M, Santini T, Grandioso A, Mariani D, Castagnetti F, Perego E, Zappone S, Lattante S, Sabatelli M, Rotili D, Vicidomini G, Bozzoni I. M 6A reduction relieves FUS-associated ALS granules. Nat Commun 2024; 15:5033. [PMID: 38866783 PMCID: PMC11169559 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49416-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease due to gradual motoneurons (MN) degeneration. Among the processes associated to ALS pathogenesis, there is the formation of cytoplasmic inclusions produced by aggregation of mutant proteins, among which the RNA binding protein FUS. Here we show that, in neuronal cells and in iPSC-derived MN expressing mutant FUS, such inclusions are significantly reduced in number and dissolve faster when the RNA m6A content is diminished. Interestingly, stress granules formed in ALS conditions showed a distinctive transcriptome with respect to control cells, which reverted to similar to control after m6A downregulation. Notably, cells expressing mutant FUS were characterized by higher m6A levels suggesting a possible link between m6A homeostasis and pathological aggregates. Finally, we show that FUS inclusions are reduced also in patient-derived fibroblasts treated with STM-2457, an inhibitor of METTL3 activity, paving the way for its possible use for counteracting aggregate formation in ALS.
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Grants
- ERC-2019-SyG 855923-ASTRA EC | EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation H2020 | H2020 Priority Excellent Science | H2020 European Research Council (H2020 Excellent Science - European Research Council)
- ERC-2018-CoG 818669-BrightEyes EC | EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation H2020 | H2020 Priority Excellent Science | H2020 European Research Council (H2020 Excellent Science - European Research Council)
- AIRC IG 2019 Id. 23053 Associazione Italiana per la Ricerca sul Cancro (Italian Association for Cancer Research)
- PRIN 2017 2017P352Z4 Ministero dell'Istruzione, dell'Università e della Ricerca (Ministry of Education, University and Research)
- NextGenerationEU PNRR MUR Ministero dell'Istruzione, dell'Università e della Ricerca (Ministry of Education, University and Research)
- "National Center for Gene Therapy and Drugbased on RNA Technology" (CN00000041) Ministero dell'Istruzione, dell'Università e della Ricerca (Ministry of Education, University and Research)
- "National Center for Gene Therapy and Drug based on RNA Technology" (CN00000041) Ministero dell'Istruzione, dell'Università e della Ricerca (Ministry of Education, University and Research)
- NextGenerationEU PNRR MUR Ministero dell'Istruzione, dell'Università e della Ricerca (Ministry of Education, University and Research)
- "Sapienza" Ateneo Project 2021 n. RM12117A61C811CE Sapienza Università di Roma (Sapienza University of Rome)
- Regione Lazio PROGETTI DI GRUPPI DI RICERCA 2020 - A0375-2020-36597 Regione Lazio (Region of Lazio)
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaia Di Timoteo
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, 00185, Italy
| | - Andrea Giuliani
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, 00185, Italy
| | - Adriano Setti
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, 00185, Italy
| | - Martina C Biagi
- Center for Life Nano- & Neuro-Science@Sapienza, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Rome, 00161, Italy
| | - Michela Lisi
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, 00185, Italy
| | - Tiziana Santini
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, 00185, Italy
| | - Alessia Grandioso
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, 00185, Italy
| | - Davide Mariani
- Center for Human Technologies@Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Genoa, 16152, Italy
| | - Francesco Castagnetti
- Center for Human Technologies@Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Genoa, 16152, Italy
| | - Eleonora Perego
- Center for Human Technologies@Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Genoa, 16152, Italy
| | - Sabrina Zappone
- Center for Human Technologies@Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Genoa, 16152, Italy
| | - Serena Lattante
- Section of Genomic Medicine, Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Mario Sabatelli
- Section of Neurology, Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168, Rome, Italy
- Adult NEMO Clinical Center, Unit of Neurology, Department of Aging, Neurological, Orthopedic and Head-Neck Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Dante Rotili
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Vicidomini
- Center for Human Technologies@Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Genoa, 16152, Italy
| | - Irene Bozzoni
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, 00185, Italy.
- Center for Life Nano- & Neuro-Science@Sapienza, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Rome, 00161, Italy.
- Center for Human Technologies@Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Genoa, 16152, Italy.
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4
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Tsekrekou M, Giannakou M, Papanikolopoulou K, Skretas G. Protein aggregation and therapeutic strategies in SOD1- and TDP-43- linked ALS. Front Mol Biosci 2024; 11:1383453. [PMID: 38855322 PMCID: PMC11157337 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2024.1383453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease with severe socio-economic impact. A hallmark of ALS pathology is the presence of aberrant cytoplasmic inclusions composed of misfolded and aggregated proteins, including both wild-type and mutant forms. This review highlights the critical role of misfolded protein species in ALS pathogenesis, particularly focusing on Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) and TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43), and emphasizes the urgent need for innovative therapeutic strategies targeting these misfolded proteins directly. Despite significant advancements in understanding ALS mechanisms, the disease remains incurable, with current treatments offering limited clinical benefits. Through a comprehensive analysis, the review focuses on the direct modulation of the misfolded proteins and presents recent discoveries in small molecules and peptides that inhibit SOD1 and TDP-43 aggregation, underscoring their potential as effective treatments to modify disease progression and improve clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Tsekrekou
- Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Giannakou
- Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, Athens, Greece
- Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Katerina Papanikolopoulou
- Institute for Fundamental Biomedical Research, Biomedical Sciences Research Centre “Alexander Fleming”, Vari, Greece
- ResQ Biotech, Patras Science Park, Rio, Greece
| | - Georgios Skretas
- Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, Athens, Greece
- ResQ Biotech, Patras Science Park, Rio, Greece
- Institute for Bio-innovation, Biomedical Sciences Research Centre “Alexander Fleming”, Vari, Greece
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5
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Nguyen L. Updates on Disease Mechanisms and Therapeutics for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Cells 2024; 13:888. [PMID: 38891021 PMCID: PMC11172142 DOI: 10.3390/cells13110888] [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: 03/29/2024] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig's disease, is a motor neuron disease. In ALS, upper and lower motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord progressively degenerate during the course of the disease, leading to the loss of the voluntary movement of the arms and legs. Since its first description in 1869 by a French neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot, the scientific discoveries on ALS have increased our understanding of ALS genetics, pathology and mechanisms and provided novel therapeutic strategies. The goal of this review article is to provide a comprehensive summary of the recent findings on ALS mechanisms and related therapeutic strategies to the scientific audience. Several highlighted ALS research topics discussed in this article include the 2023 FDA approved drug for SOD1 ALS, the updated C9orf72 GGGGCC repeat-expansion-related mechanisms and therapeutic targets, TDP-43-mediated cryptic splicing and disease markers and diagnostic and therapeutic options offered by these recent discoveries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lien Nguyen
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA;
- Center for NeuroGenetics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
- Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
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6
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Sellier C, Corcia P, Vourc'h P, Dupuis L. C9ORF72 hexanucleotide repeat expansion: From ALS and FTD to a broader pathogenic role? Rev Neurol (Paris) 2024; 180:417-428. [PMID: 38609750 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurol.2024.03.008] [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: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/30/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
The major gene underlying monogenic forms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and fronto-temporal dementia (FTD) is C9ORF72. The causative mutation in C9ORF72 is an abnormal hexanucleotide (G4C2) repeat expansion (HRE) located in the first intron of the gene. The aim of this review is to propose a comprehensive update on recent developments on clinical, biological and therapeutics aspects related to C9ORF72 in order to highlight the current understanding of genotype-phenotype correlations, and also on biological machinery leading to neuronal death. We will particularly focus on the broad phenotypic presentation of C9ORF72-related diseases, that goes well beyond the classical phenotypes observed in ALS and FTD patients. Last, we will comment the possible therapeutical hopes for patients carrying a C9ORF72 HRE.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Sellier
- Centre de recherches en biomédecine de Strasbourg, UMR-S1329, Inserm, université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - P Corcia
- UMR 1253 iBrain, Inserm, université de Tours, Tours, France; Centre constitutif de coordination SLA, CHU de Bretonneau, 2, boulevard Tonnelle, 37044 Tours cedex 1, France
| | - P Vourc'h
- UMR 1253 iBrain, Inserm, université de Tours, Tours, France; Service de biochimie et biologie moléculaire, CHU de Tours, Tours, France
| | - L Dupuis
- Centre de recherches en biomédecine de Strasbourg, UMR-S1329, Inserm, université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.
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7
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De Cock L, Bercier V, Van Den Bosch L. New developments in pre-clinical models of ALS to guide translation. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2024; 176:477-524. [PMID: 38802181 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2024.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder in which selective death of motor neurons leads to muscle weakness and paralysis. Most research has focused on understanding and treating monogenic familial forms, most frequently caused by mutations in SOD1, FUS, TARDBP and C9orf72, although ALS is mostly sporadic and without a clear genetic cause. Rodent models have been developed to study monogenic ALS, but despite numerous pre-clinical studies and clinical trials, few disease-modifying therapies are available. ALS is a heterogeneous disease with complex underlying mechanisms where several genes and molecular pathways appear to play a role. One reason for the high failure rate of clinical translation from the current models could be oversimplification in pre-clinical studies. Here, we review advances in pre-clinical models to better capture the heterogeneous nature of ALS and discuss the value of novel model systems to guide translation and aid in the development of precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lenja De Cock
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Louvain-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Center for Brain and Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Valérie Bercier
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Louvain-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Center for Brain and Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ludo Van Den Bosch
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Louvain-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Center for Brain and Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium.
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8
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Castellanos Otero P, Todd TW, Shao W, Jones CJ, Huang K, Daughrity LM, Yue M, Sheth U, Gendron TF, Prudencio M, Oskarsson B, Dickson DW, Petrucelli L, Zhang YJ. Generation and characterization of monoclonal antibodies against pathologically phosphorylated TDP-43. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0298080. [PMID: 38635657 PMCID: PMC11025846 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0298080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Inclusions containing TAR DNA binding protein 43 (TDP-43) are a pathological hallmark of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). One of the disease-specific features of TDP-43 inclusions is the aberrant phosphorylation of TDP-43 at serines 409/410 (pS409/410). Here, we developed rabbit monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that specifically detect pS409/410-TDP-43 in multiple model systems and FTD/ALS patient samples. Specifically, we identified three mAbs (26H10, 2E9 and 23A1) from spleen B cell clones that exhibit high specificity and sensitivity to pS409/410-TDP-43 peptides in an ELISA assay. Biochemical analyses revealed that pS409/410 of recombinant TDP-43 and of exogenous 25 kDa TDP-43 C-terminal fragments in cultured HEK293T cells are detected by all three mAbs. Moreover, the mAbs detect pS409/410-positive TDP-43 inclusions in the brains of FTD/ALS patients and mouse models of TDP-43 proteinopathy by immunohistochemistry. Our findings indicate that these mAbs are a valuable resource for investigating TDP-43 pathology both in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tiffany W. Todd
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Wei Shao
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Caroline J. Jones
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Kexin Huang
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Lillian M. Daughrity
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Mei Yue
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Udit Sheth
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, United States of America
- Neurobiology of Disease Graduate Program, Mayo Graduate School, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Tania F. Gendron
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, United States of America
- Neurobiology of Disease Graduate Program, Mayo Graduate School, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Mercedes Prudencio
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, United States of America
- Neurobiology of Disease Graduate Program, Mayo Graduate School, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Björn Oskarsson
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Dennis W. Dickson
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, United States of America
- Neurobiology of Disease Graduate Program, Mayo Graduate School, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Leonard Petrucelli
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, United States of America
- Neurobiology of Disease Graduate Program, Mayo Graduate School, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Yong-Jie Zhang
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, United States of America
- Neurobiology of Disease Graduate Program, Mayo Graduate School, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
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9
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Milioto C, Carcolé M, Giblin A, Coneys R, Attrebi O, Ahmed M, Harris SS, Lee BI, Yang M, Ellingford RA, Nirujogi RS, Biggs D, Salomonsson S, Zanovello M, de Oliveira P, Katona E, Glaria I, Mikheenko A, Geary B, Udine E, Vaizoglu D, Anoar S, Jotangiya K, Crowley G, Smeeth DM, Adams ML, Niccoli T, Rademakers R, van Blitterswijk M, Devoy A, Hong S, Partridge L, Coyne AN, Fratta P, Alessi DR, Davies B, Busche MA, Greensmith L, Fisher EMC, Isaacs AM. PolyGR and polyPR knock-in mice reveal a conserved neuroprotective extracellular matrix signature in C9orf72 ALS/FTD neurons. Nat Neurosci 2024; 27:643-655. [PMID: 38424324 PMCID: PMC11001582 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-024-01589-4] [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: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Dipeptide repeat proteins are a major pathogenic feature of C9orf72 amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (C9ALS)/frontotemporal dementia (FTD) pathology, but their physiological impact has yet to be fully determined. Here we generated C9orf72 dipeptide repeat knock-in mouse models characterized by expression of 400 codon-optimized polyGR or polyPR repeats, and heterozygous C9orf72 reduction. (GR)400 and (PR)400 knock-in mice recapitulate key features of C9ALS/FTD, including cortical neuronal hyperexcitability, age-dependent spinal motor neuron loss and progressive motor dysfunction. Quantitative proteomics revealed an increase in extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins in (GR)400 and (PR)400 spinal cord, with the collagen COL6A1 the most increased protein. TGF-β1 was one of the top predicted regulators of this ECM signature and polyGR expression in human induced pluripotent stem cell neurons was sufficient to induce TGF-β1 followed by COL6A1. Knockdown of TGF-β1 or COL6A1 orthologues in polyGR model Drosophila exacerbated neurodegeneration, while expression of TGF-β1 or COL6A1 in induced pluripotent stem cell-derived motor neurons of patients with C9ALS/FTD protected against glutamate-induced cell death. Altogether, our findings reveal a neuroprotective and conserved ECM signature in C9ALS/FTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmelo Milioto
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Mireia Carcolé
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Ashling Giblin
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
- UCL Institute of Healthy Ageing, Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, London, UK
| | - Rachel Coneys
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Olivia Attrebi
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Mhoriam Ahmed
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Samuel S Harris
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | - Byung Il Lee
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | - Mengke Yang
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Raja S Nirujogi
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Daniel Biggs
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Sally Salomonsson
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Matteo Zanovello
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Paula de Oliveira
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Eszter Katona
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Idoia Glaria
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
- Research Support Service, Institute of Agrobiotechnology, CSIC-Government of Navarra, Mutilva, Spain
| | - Alla Mikheenko
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Bethany Geary
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Evan Udine
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Deniz Vaizoglu
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Sharifah Anoar
- UCL Institute of Healthy Ageing, Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, London, UK
| | - Khrisha Jotangiya
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Gerard Crowley
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | - Demelza M Smeeth
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Mirjam L Adams
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Teresa Niccoli
- UCL Institute of Healthy Ageing, Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, London, UK
| | - Rosa Rademakers
- VIB Center for Molecular Neurology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | | | - Anny Devoy
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Soyon Hong
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | - Linda Partridge
- UCL Institute of Healthy Ageing, Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, London, UK
| | - Alyssa N Coyne
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Pietro Fratta
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
- UCL Queen Square Motor Neuron Disease Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Dario R Alessi
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Ben Davies
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Marc Aurel Busche
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | - Linda Greensmith
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
- UCL Queen Square Motor Neuron Disease Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Elizabeth M C Fisher
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK.
- UCL Queen Square Motor Neuron Disease Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK.
| | - Adrian M Isaacs
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London, UK.
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK.
- UCL Queen Square Motor Neuron Disease Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK.
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10
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Cicardi ME, Kankate V, Sriramoji S, Krishnamurthy K, Markandaiah SS, Verdone BM, Girdhar A, Nelson A, Rivas LB, Boehringer A, Haeusler AR, Pasinelli P, Guo L, Trotti D. The nuclear import receptor Kapβ2 modifies neurotoxicity mediated by poly(GR) in C9orf72-linked ALS/FTD. Commun Biol 2024; 7:376. [PMID: 38548902 PMCID: PMC10978903 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06071-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Expanded intronic G4C2 repeats in the C9ORF72 gene cause amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). These intronic repeats are translated through a non-AUG-dependent mechanism into five different dipeptide repeat proteins (DPRs), including poly-glycine-arginine (GR), which is aggregation-prone and neurotoxic. Here, we report that Kapβ2 and GR interact, co-aggregating, in cultured neurons in-vitro and CNS tissue in-vivo. Importantly, this interaction significantly decreased the risk of death of cultured GR-expressing neurons. Downregulation of Kapβ2 is detrimental to their survival, whereas increased Kapβ2 levels mitigated GR-mediated neurotoxicity. As expected, GR-expressing neurons displayed TDP-43 nuclear loss. Raising Kapβ2 levels did not restore TDP-43 into the nucleus, nor did alter the dynamic properties of GR aggregates. Overall, our findings support the design of therapeutic strategies aimed at up-regulating Kapβ2 expression levels as a potential new avenue for contrasting neurodegeneration in C9orf72-ALS/FTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- M E Cicardi
- Weinberg ALS Center, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - V Kankate
- Weinberg ALS Center, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - S Sriramoji
- Weinberg ALS Center, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - K Krishnamurthy
- Weinberg ALS Center, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - S S Markandaiah
- Weinberg ALS Center, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - B M Verdone
- Weinberg ALS Center, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - A Girdhar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - A Nelson
- Weinberg ALS Center, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - L B Rivas
- Weinberg ALS Center, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - A Boehringer
- Weinberg ALS Center, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - A R Haeusler
- Weinberg ALS Center, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - P Pasinelli
- Weinberg ALS Center, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - L Guo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - D Trotti
- Weinberg ALS Center, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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11
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Marques C, Held A, Dorfman K, Sung J, Song C, Kavuturu AS, Aguilar C, Russo T, Oakley DH, Albers MW, Hyman BT, Petrucelli L, Lagier-Tourenne C, Wainger BJ. Neuronal STING activation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia. Acta Neuropathol 2024; 147:56. [PMID: 38478117 PMCID: PMC10937762 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-024-02688-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
The stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway has been implicated in neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). While prior studies have focused on STING within immune cells, little is known about STING within neurons. Here, we document neuronal activation of the STING pathway in human postmortem cortical and spinal motor neurons from individuals affected by familial or sporadic ALS. This process takes place selectively in the most vulnerable cortical and spinal motor neurons but not in neurons that are less affected by the disease. Concordant STING activation in layer V cortical motor neurons occurs in a mouse model of C9orf72 repeat-associated ALS and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). To establish that STING activation occurs in a neuron-autonomous manner, we demonstrate the integrity of the STING signaling pathway, including both upstream activators and downstream innate immune response effectors, in dissociated mouse cortical neurons and neurons derived from control human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Human iPSC-derived neurons harboring different familial ALS-causing mutations exhibit increased STING signaling with DNA damage as a main driver. The elevated downstream inflammatory markers present in ALS iPSC-derived neurons can be suppressed with a STING inhibitor. Our results reveal an immunophenotype that consists of innate immune signaling driven by the STING pathway and occurs specifically within vulnerable neurons in ALS/FTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Marques
- Department of Neurology, Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Aaron Held
- Department of Neurology, Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Katherine Dorfman
- Department of Neurology, Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joon Sung
- Department of Neurology, Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Catherine Song
- Department of Neurology, Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Amey S Kavuturu
- Department of Neurology, Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Corey Aguilar
- Department of Neurology, Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tommaso Russo
- Department of Neurology, Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Derek H Oakley
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mark W Albers
- Department of Neurology, Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Alzheimer Disease Research Unit, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Bradley T Hyman
- Department of Neurology, Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Alzheimer Disease Research Unit, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | | | - Clotilde Lagier-Tourenne
- Department of Neurology, Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of Harvard University and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Brian J Wainger
- Department of Neurology, Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Broad Institute of Harvard University and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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12
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Smeele PH, Cesare G, Vaccari T. ALS' Perfect Storm: C9orf72-Associated Toxic Dipeptide Repeats as Potential Multipotent Disruptors of Protein Homeostasis. Cells 2024; 13:178. [PMID: 38247869 PMCID: PMC10813877 DOI: 10.3390/cells13020178] [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: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Protein homeostasis is essential for neuron longevity, requiring a balanced regulation between protein synthesis and degradation. The clearance of misfolded and aggregated proteins, mediated by autophagy and the ubiquitin-proteasome systems, maintains protein homeostasis in neurons, which are post-mitotic and thus cannot use cell division to diminish the burden of misfolded proteins. When protein clearance pathways are overwhelmed or otherwise disrupted, the accumulation of misfolded or aggregated proteins can lead to the activation of ER stress and the formation of stress granules, which predominantly attempt to restore the homeostasis by suppressing global protein translation. Alterations in these processes have been widely reported among studies investigating the toxic function of dipeptide repeats (DPRs) produced by G4C2 expansion in the C9orf72 gene of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). In this review, we outline the modalities of DPR-induced disruptions in protein homeostasis observed in a wide range of models of C9orf72-linked ALS/FTD. We also discuss the relative importance of each DPR for toxicity, possible synergies between DPRs, and discuss the possible functional relevance of DPR aggregation to disease pathogenesis. Finally, we highlight the interdependencies of the observed effects and reflect on the importance of feedback and feedforward mechanisms in their contribution to disease progression. A better understanding of DPR-associated disease pathogenesis discussed in this review might shed light on disease vulnerabilities that may be amenable with therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Thomas Vaccari
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milan, Italy
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13
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Baskerville V, Rapuri S, Mehlhop E, Coyne AN. SUN1 facilitates CHMP7 nuclear influx and injury cascades in sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Brain 2024; 147:109-121. [PMID: 37639327 PMCID: PMC10766250 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awad291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 07/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
We have recently identified the aberrant nuclear accumulation of the ESCRT-III protein CHMP7 as an initiating event that leads to a significant injury to the nuclear pore complex (NPC) characterized by the reduction of specific nucleoporins from the neuronal NPC in sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (sALS) and C9orf72 ALS/frontotemporal dementia (FTD)-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons (iPSNs), a phenomenon also observed in post-mortem patient tissues. Importantly, this NPC injury is sufficient to contribute to TDP-43 dysfunction and mislocalization, a common pathological hallmark of neurodegenerative diseases. However, the molecular mechanisms and events that give rise to increased nuclear translocation and/or retention of CHMP7 to initiate this pathophysiological cascade remain largely unknown. Here, using an iPSN model of sALS, we demonstrate that impaired NPC permeability barrier integrity and interactions with the LINC complex protein SUN1 facilitate CHMP7 nuclear localization and the subsequent 'activation' of NPC injury cascades. Collectively, our data provide mechanistic insights in the pathophysiological underpinnings of ALS/FTD and highlight SUN1 as a potent contributor to and modifier of CHMP7-mediated toxicity in sALS pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Baskerville
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Sampath Rapuri
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Emma Mehlhop
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Alyssa N Coyne
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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14
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Dey B, Kumar A, Patel AB. Pathomechanistic Networks of Motor System Injury in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Curr Neuropharmacol 2024; 22:1778-1806. [PMID: 37622689 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x21666230824091601] [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: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is the most common, adult-onset, progressive motor neurodegenerative disorder that results in death within 3 years of the clinical diagnosis. Due to the clinicopathological heterogeneity, any reliable biomarkers for diagnosis or prognosis of ALS have not been identified till date. Moreover, the only three clinically approved treatments are not uniformly effective in slowing the disease progression. Over the last 15 years, there has been a rapid advancement in research on the complex pathomechanistic landscape of ALS that has opened up new avenues for successful clinical translation of targeted therapeutics. Multiple studies suggest that the age-dependent interaction of risk-associated genes with environmental factors and endogenous modifiers is critical to the multi-step process of ALS pathogenesis. In this review, we provide an updated discussion on the dysregulated cross-talk between intracellular homeostasis processes, the unique molecular networks across selectively vulnerable cell types, and the multisystemic nature of ALS pathomechanisms. Importantly, this work highlights the alteration in epigenetic and epitranscriptomic landscape due to gene-environment interactions, which have been largely overlooked in the context of ALS pathology. Finally, we suggest that precision medicine research in ALS will be largely benefitted from the stratification of patient groups based on the clinical phenotype, onset and progression, genome, exposome, and metabolic identities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bedaballi Dey
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB), Hyderabad 500007, Telangana, India
- AcSIR-Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, Ghaziabad 201002, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Arvind Kumar
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB), Hyderabad 500007, Telangana, India
- AcSIR-Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, Ghaziabad 201002, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Anant Bahadur Patel
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB), Hyderabad 500007, Telangana, India
- AcSIR-Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, Ghaziabad 201002, Uttar Pradesh, India
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15
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Babazadeh A, Rayner SL, Lee A, Chung RS. TDP-43 as a therapeutic target in neurodegenerative diseases: Focusing on motor neuron disease and frontotemporal dementia. Ageing Res Rev 2023; 92:102085. [PMID: 37813308 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2023.102085] [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: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
A common feature of adult-onset neurodegenerative diseases is the presence of characteristic pathological accumulations of specific proteins. These pathological protein depositions can vary in their protein composition, cell-type distribution, and intracellular (or extracellular) location. For example, abnormal cytoplasmic protein deposits which consist of the TDP-43 protein are found within motor neurons in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, a common form of motor neuron disease) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). The presence of these insoluble intracellular TDP-43 inclusions suggests that restoring TDP-43 homeostasis represents a potential therapeutical strategy, which has been demonstrated in alleviating neurodegenerative symptoms in cell and animal models of ALS/FTD. We have reviewed the mechanisms that lead to disrupted TDP-43 homeostasis and discussed how small molecule-based therapies could be applied in modulating these mechanisms. This review covers recent advancements and challenges in small molecule-based therapies that could be used to clear pathological forms of TDP-43 through various protein homeostasis mechanisms and advance the way towards finding effective therapeutical drug discoveries for neurodegenerative diseases characterized by TDP-43 proteinopathies, especially ALS and FTD. We also consider the wider insight of these therapeutic strategies for other neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afshin Babazadeh
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia.
| | - Stephanie L Rayner
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia.
| | - Albert Lee
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia.
| | - Roger S Chung
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia.
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16
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Rothstein JD, Baskerville V, Rapuri S, Mehlhop E, Jafar-Nejad P, Rigo F, Bennett F, Mizielinska S, Isaacs A, Coyne AN. G 2C 4 targeting antisense oligonucleotides potently mitigate TDP-43 dysfunction in human C9orf72 ALS/FTD induced pluripotent stem cell derived neurons. Acta Neuropathol 2023; 147:1. [PMID: 38019311 PMCID: PMC10840905 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-023-02652-3] [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: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
The G4C2 repeat expansion in the C9orf72 gene is the most common genetic cause of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Many studies suggest that dipeptide repeat proteins produced from this repeat are toxic, yet, the contribution of repeat RNA toxicity is under investigated and even less is known regarding the pathogenicity of antisense repeat RNA. Recently, two clinical trials targeting G4C2 (sense) repeat RNA via antisense oligonucleotide failed despite a robust decrease in sense-encoded dipeptide repeat proteins demonstrating target engagement. Here, in this brief report, we show that G2C4 antisense, but not G4C2 sense, repeat RNA is sufficient to induce TDP-43 dysfunction in induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) derived neurons (iPSNs). Unexpectedly, only G2C4, but not G4C2 sense strand targeting, ASOs mitigate deficits in TDP-43 function in authentic C9orf72 ALS/FTD patient iPSNs. Collectively, our data suggest that the G2C4 antisense repeat RNA may be an important therapeutic target and provide insights into a possible explanation for the recent G4C2 ASO clinical trial failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey D Rothstein
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
| | - Victoria Baskerville
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Sampath Rapuri
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Emma Mehlhop
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | | | - Frank Rigo
- Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Carlsbad, CA, 92010, USA
| | | | - Sarah Mizielinska
- UK Dementia Research Institute at King's College London, London, UK
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Adrian Isaacs
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, London, UK
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
- UCL Queen Square Motor Neuron Disease Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Alyssa N Coyne
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
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17
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Cristi AC, Rapuri S, Coyne AN. Nuclear pore complex and nucleocytoplasmic transport disruption in neurodegeneration. FEBS Lett 2023; 597:2546-2566. [PMID: 37657945 PMCID: PMC10612469 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2023] [Revised: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Abstract
Nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) play a critical role in maintaining the equilibrium between the nucleus and cytoplasm, enabling bidirectional transport across the nuclear envelope, and are essential for proper nuclear organization and gene regulation. Perturbations in the regulatory mechanisms governing NPCs and nuclear envelope homeostasis have been implicated in the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative diseases. The ESCRT-III pathway emerges as a critical player in the surveillance and preservation of well-assembled, functional NPCs, as well as nuclear envelope sealing. Recent studies have provided insights into the involvement of nuclear ESCRT-III in the selective reduction of specific nucleoporins associated with neurodegenerative pathologies. Thus, maintaining quality control of the nuclear envelope and NPCs represents a pivotal element in the pathological cascade leading to neurodegenerative diseases. This review describes the constituents of the nuclear-cytoplasmic transport machinery, encompassing the nuclear envelope, NPC, and ESCRT proteins, and how their structural and functional alterations contribute to the development of neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- América Chandía Cristi
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore MD 21205, USA
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore MD 21205, USA
| | - Sampath Rapuri
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore MD 21205, USA
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore MD 21205, USA
| | - Alyssa N Coyne
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore MD 21205, USA
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore MD 21205, USA
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18
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Zhu L, Li S, Li XJ, Yin P. Pathological insights from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis animal models: comparisons, limitations, and challenges. Transl Neurodegener 2023; 12:46. [PMID: 37730668 PMCID: PMC10510301 DOI: 10.1186/s40035-023-00377-7] [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: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
In order to dissect amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a multigenic, multifactorial, and progressive neurodegenerative disease with heterogeneous clinical presentations, researchers have generated numerous animal models to mimic the genetic defects. Concurrent and comparative analysis of these various models allows identification of the causes and mechanisms of ALS in order to finally obtain effective therapeutics. However, most genetically modified rodent models lack overt pathological features, imposing challenges and limitations in utilizing them to rigorously test the potential mechanisms. Recent studies using large animals, including pigs and non-human primates, have uncovered important events that resemble neurodegeneration in patients' brains but could not be produced in small animals. Here we describe common features as well as discrepancies among these models, highlighting new insights from these models. Furthermore, we will discuss how to make rodent models more capable of recapitulating important pathological features based on the important pathogenic insights from large animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longhong Zhu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-Human Primate Research, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), GHM Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Shihua Li
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-Human Primate Research, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), GHM Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Xiao-Jiang Li
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-Human Primate Research, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), GHM Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
| | - Peng Yin
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-Human Primate Research, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), GHM Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
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19
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Sonobe Y, Lee S, Krishnan G, Gu Y, Kwon DY, Gao FB, Roos RP, Kratsios P. Translation of dipeptide repeat proteins in C9ORF72 ALS/FTD through unique and redundant AUG initiation codons. eLife 2023; 12:e83189. [PMID: 37675986 PMCID: PMC10541178 DOI: 10.7554/elife.83189] [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: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023] Open
Abstract
A hexanucleotide repeat expansion in C9ORF72 is the most common genetic cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). A hallmark of ALS/FTD pathology is the presence of dipeptide repeat (DPR) proteins, produced from both sense GGGGCC (poly-GA, poly-GP, poly-GR) and antisense CCCCGG (poly-PR, poly-PG, poly-PA) transcripts. Translation of sense DPRs, such as poly-GA and poly-GR, depends on non-canonical (non-AUG) initiation codons. Here, we provide evidence for canonical AUG-dependent translation of two antisense DPRs, poly-PR and poly-PG. A single AUG is required for synthesis of poly-PR, one of the most toxic DPRs. Unexpectedly, we found redundancy between three AUG codons necessary for poly-PG translation. Further, the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2D (EIF2D), which was previously implicated in sense DPR synthesis, is not required for AUG-dependent poly-PR or poly-PG translation, suggesting that distinct translation initiation factors control DPR synthesis from sense and antisense transcripts. Our findings on DPR synthesis from the C9ORF72 locus may be broadly applicable to many other nucleotide repeat expansion disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshifumi Sonobe
- University of Chicago Medical CenterChicagoUnited States
- Department of Neurology, University of Chicago Medical CenterChicagoUnited States
- Neuroscience Institute, University of ChicagoChicagoUnited States
| | - Soojin Lee
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical SchoolWorcesterUnited States
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical SchoolWorcesterUnited States
| | - Gopinath Krishnan
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical SchoolWorcesterUnited States
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical SchoolWorcesterUnited States
| | - Yuanzheng Gu
- Neuromuscular & Movement Disorders, BiogenCambridgeUnited States
| | - Deborah Y Kwon
- Neuromuscular & Movement Disorders, BiogenCambridgeUnited States
| | - Fen-Biao Gao
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical SchoolWorcesterUnited States
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical SchoolWorcesterUnited States
| | - Raymond P Roos
- University of Chicago Medical CenterChicagoUnited States
- Department of Neurology, University of Chicago Medical CenterChicagoUnited States
- Neuroscience Institute, University of ChicagoChicagoUnited States
| | - Paschalis Kratsios
- Neuroscience Institute, University of ChicagoChicagoUnited States
- Department of Neurobiology, University of ChicagoChicagoUnited States
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20
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McGoldrick P, Robertson J. Unraveling the impact of disrupted nucleocytoplasmic transport systems in C9orf72-associated ALS. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1247297. [PMID: 37720544 PMCID: PMC10501458 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1247297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) are two adult-onset neurodegenerative diseases that are part of a common disease spectrum due to clinical, genetic, and pathological overlap. A prominent genetic factor contributing to both diseases is a hexanucleotide repeat expansion in a non-coding region of the C9orf72 gene. This mutation in C9orf72 leads to nuclear depletion and cytoplasmic aggregation of Tar DNA-RNA binding protein 43 (TDP-43). TDP-43 pathology is characteristic of the majority of ALS cases, irrespective of disease causation, and is present in ~50% of FTD cases. Defects in nucleocytoplasmic transport involving the nuclear pore complex, the Ran-GTPase cycle, and nuclear transport factors have been linked with the mislocalization of TDP-43. Here, we will explore and discuss the implications of these system abnormalities of nucleocytoplasmic transport in C9orf72-ALS/FTD, as well as in other forms of familial and sporadic ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip McGoldrick
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Janice Robertson
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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21
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Park J, Wu Y, Shao W, Gendron TF, van der Spek SJF, Sultanakhmetov G, Basu A, Castellanos Otero P, Jones CJ, Jansen-West K, Daughrity LM, Phanse S, Del Rosso G, Tong J, Castanedes-Casey M, Jiang L, Libera J, Oskarsson B, Dickson DW, Sanders DW, Brangwynne CP, Emili A, Wolozin B, Petrucelli L, Zhang YJ. Poly(GR) interacts with key stress granule factors promoting its assembly into cytoplasmic inclusions. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112822. [PMID: 37471224 PMCID: PMC10528326 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
C9orf72 repeat expansions are the most common genetic cause of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Poly(GR) proteins are toxic to neurons by forming cytoplasmic inclusions that sequester RNA-binding proteins including stress granule (SG) proteins. However, little is known of the factors governing poly(GR) inclusion formation. Here, we show that poly(GR) infiltrates a finely tuned network of protein-RNA interactions underpinning SG formation. It interacts with G3BP1, the key driver of SG assembly and a protein we found is critical for poly(GR) inclusion formation. Moreover, we discovered that N6-methyladenosine (m6A)-modified mRNAs and m6A-binding YTHDF proteins not only co-localize with poly(GR) inclusions in brains of c9FTD/ALS mouse models and patients with c9FTD, they promote poly(GR) inclusion formation via the incorporation of RNA into the inclusions. Our findings thus suggest that interrupting interactions between poly(GR) and G3BP1 or YTHDF1 proteins or decreasing poly(GR) altogether represent promising therapeutic strategies to combat c9FTD/ALS pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinyoung Park
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Yanwei Wu
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Wei Shao
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Tania F Gendron
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA; Neurobiology of Disease Graduate Program, Mayo Graduate School, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN 55902, USA
| | - Sophie J F van der Spek
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Grigorii Sultanakhmetov
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA; Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo, 1920397, Japan
| | - Avik Basu
- Center for Network Systems Biology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | | | - Caroline J Jones
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Karen Jansen-West
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | | | - Sadhna Phanse
- Center for Network Systems Biology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Giulia Del Rosso
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Jimei Tong
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | | | - Lulu Jiang
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Jenna Libera
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Björn Oskarsson
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Dennis W Dickson
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA; Neurobiology of Disease Graduate Program, Mayo Graduate School, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN 55902, USA
| | - David W Sanders
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Clifford P Brangwynne
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Andrew Emili
- Center for Network Systems Biology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Benjamin Wolozin
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Leonard Petrucelli
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA; Neurobiology of Disease Graduate Program, Mayo Graduate School, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN 55902, USA.
| | - Yong-Jie Zhang
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA; Neurobiology of Disease Graduate Program, Mayo Graduate School, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN 55902, USA.
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22
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Pickles S, Zanetti Alepuz D, Koike Y, Yue M, Tong J, Liu P, Zhou Y, Jansen-West K, Daughrity LM, Song Y, DeTure M, Oskarsson B, Graff-Radford NR, Boeve BF, Petersen RC, Josephs KA, Dickson DW, Ward ME, Dong L, Prudencio M, Cook CN, Petrucelli L. CRISPR interference to evaluate modifiers of C9ORF72-mediated toxicity in FTD. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1251551. [PMID: 37614226 PMCID: PMC10443592 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1251551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Treatments for neurodegenerative disease, including Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), remain rather limited, underscoring the need for greater mechanistic insight and disease-relevant models. Our ability to develop novel disease models of genetic risk factors, disease modifiers, and other FTD/ALS-relevant targets is impeded by the significant amount of time and capital required to develop conventional knockout and transgenic mice. To overcome these limitations, we have generated a novel CRISPRi interference (CRISPRi) knockin mouse. CRISPRi uses a catalytically dead form of Cas9, fused to a transcriptional repressor to knockdown protein expression, following the introduction of single guide RNA against the gene of interest. To validate the utility of this model we have selected the TAR DNA binding protein (TDP-43) splicing target, stathmin-2 (STMN2). STMN2 RNA is downregulated in FTD/ALS due to loss of TDP-43 activity and STMN2 loss is suggested to play a role in ALS pathogenesis. The involvement of STMN2 loss of function in FTD has yet to be determined. We find that STMN2 protein levels in familial FTD cases are significantly reduced compared to controls, supporting that STMN2 depletion may be involved in the pathogenesis of FTD. Here, we provide proof-of-concept that we can simultaneously knock down Stmn2 and express the expanded repeat in the Chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 (C9ORF72) gene, successfully replicating features of C9-associated pathology. Of interest, depletion of Stmn2 had no effect on expression or deposition of dipeptide repeat proteins (DPRs), but significantly decreased the number of phosphorylated Tdp-43 (pTdp-43) inclusions. We submit that our novel CRISPRi mouse provides a versatile and rapid method to silence gene expression in vivo and propose this model will be useful to understand gene function in isolation or in the context of other neurodegenerative disease models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Pickles
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Mayo Graduate School, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
| | | | - Yuka Koike
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
| | - Mei Yue
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
| | - Jimei Tong
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
| | - Pinghu Liu
- Genetic Engineering Core, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Yugui Zhou
- Genetic Engineering Core, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Karen Jansen-West
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
| | | | - Yuping Song
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
| | - Michael DeTure
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
| | - Björn Oskarsson
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
| | | | - Bradley F. Boeve
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | | | - Keith A. Josephs
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Dennis W. Dickson
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Mayo Graduate School, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
| | - Michael E. Ward
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Lijin Dong
- Genetic Engineering Core, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Mercedes Prudencio
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Mayo Graduate School, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
| | - Casey N. Cook
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Mayo Graduate School, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
| | - Leonard Petrucelli
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Mayo Graduate School, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
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23
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Liu X, Zhao X, He J, Wang S, Shen X, Liu Q, Wang S. Advances in the Structure of GGGGCC Repeat RNA Sequence and Its Interaction with Small Molecules and Protein Partners. Molecules 2023; 28:5801. [PMID: 37570771 PMCID: PMC10420822 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28155801] [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: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The aberrant expansion of GGGGCC hexanucleotide repeats within the first intron of the C9orf72 gene represent the predominant genetic etiology underlying amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontal temporal dementia (FTD). The transcribed r(GGGGCC)n RNA repeats form RNA foci, which recruit RNA binding proteins and impede their normal cellular functions, ultimately resulting in fatal neurodegenerative disorders. Furthermore, the non-canonical translation of the r(GGGGCC)n sequence can generate dipeptide repeats, which have been postulated as pathological causes. Comprehensive structural analyses of r(GGGGCC)n have unveiled its polymorphic nature, exhibiting the propensity to adopt dimeric, hairpin, or G-quadruplex conformations, all of which possess the capacity to interact with RNA binding proteins. Small molecules capable of binding to r(GGGGCC)n have been discovered and proposed as potential lead compounds for the treatment of ALS and FTD. Some of these molecules function in preventing RNA-protein interactions or impeding the phase transition of r(GGGGCC)n. In this review, we present a comprehensive summary of the recent advancements in the structural characterization of r(GGGGCC)n, its propensity to form RNA foci, and its interactions with small molecules and proteins. Specifically, we emphasize the structural diversity of r(GGGGCC)n and its influence on partner binding. Given the crucial role of r(GGGGCC)n in the pathogenesis of ALS and FTD, the primary objective of this review is to facilitate the development of therapeutic interventions targeting r(GGGGCC)n RNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaole Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; (X.L.); (X.Z.); (J.H.); (S.W.); (X.S.); (Q.L.)
| | - Xinyue Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; (X.L.); (X.Z.); (J.H.); (S.W.); (X.S.); (Q.L.)
| | - Jinhan He
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; (X.L.); (X.Z.); (J.H.); (S.W.); (X.S.); (Q.L.)
| | - Sishi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; (X.L.); (X.Z.); (J.H.); (S.W.); (X.S.); (Q.L.)
| | - Xinfei Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; (X.L.); (X.Z.); (J.H.); (S.W.); (X.S.); (Q.L.)
| | - Qingfeng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; (X.L.); (X.Z.); (J.H.); (S.W.); (X.S.); (Q.L.)
| | - Shenlin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; (X.L.); (X.Z.); (J.H.); (S.W.); (X.S.); (Q.L.)
- Beijing NMR Center, Peking University, Beijing 100087, China
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24
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Kinger S, Dubey AR, Kumar P, Jagtap YA, Choudhary A, Kumar A, Prajapati VK, Dhiman R, Mishra A. Molecular Chaperones' Potential against Defective Proteostasis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Cells 2023; 12:cells12091302. [PMID: 37174703 PMCID: PMC10177248 DOI: 10.3390/cells12091302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neuronal degenerative condition identified via a build-up of mutant aberrantly folded proteins. The native folding of polypeptides is mediated by molecular chaperones, preventing their pathogenic aggregation. The mutant protein expression in ALS is linked with the entrapment and depletion of chaperone capacity. The lack of a thorough understanding of chaperones' involvement in ALS pathogenesis presents a significant challenge in its treatment. Here, we review how the accumulation of the ALS-linked mutant FUS, TDP-43, SOD1, and C9orf72 proteins damage cellular homeostasis mechanisms leading to neuronal loss. Further, we discuss how the HSP70 and DNAJ family co-chaperones can act as potential targets for reducing misfolded protein accumulation in ALS. Moreover, small HSPB1 and HSPB8 chaperones can facilitate neuroprotection and prevent stress-associated misfolded protein apoptosis. Designing therapeutic strategies by pharmacologically enhancing cellular chaperone capacity to reduce mutant protein proteotoxic effects on ALS pathomechanisms can be a considerable advancement. Chaperones, apart from directly interacting with misfolded proteins for protein quality control, can also filter their toxicity by initiating strong stress-response pathways, modulating transcriptional expression profiles, and promoting anti-apoptotic functions. Overall, these properties of chaperones make them an attractive target for gaining fundamental insights into misfolded protein disorders and designing more effective therapies against ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumit Kinger
- Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology Unit, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, Jodhpur 342037, India
| | - Ankur Rakesh Dubey
- Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology Unit, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, Jodhpur 342037, India
| | - Prashant Kumar
- Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology Unit, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, Jodhpur 342037, India
| | - Yuvraj Anandrao Jagtap
- Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology Unit, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, Jodhpur 342037, India
| | - Akash Choudhary
- Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology Unit, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, Jodhpur 342037, India
| | - Amit Kumar
- Discipline of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Simrol, Indore 453552, India
| | - Vijay Kumar Prajapati
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Rajasthan, Ajmer 305817, India
| | - Rohan Dhiman
- Laboratory of Mycobacterial Immunology, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela 769008, India
| | - Amit Mishra
- Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology Unit, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, Jodhpur 342037, India
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25
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Trageser KJ, Yang EJ, Smith C, Iban-Arias R, Oguchi T, Sebastian-Valverde M, Iqbal UH, Wu H, Estill M, Al Rahim M, Raval U, Herman FJ, Zhang YJ, Petrucelli L, Pasinetti GM. Inflammasome-Mediated Neuronal-Microglial Crosstalk: a Therapeutic Substrate for the Familial C9orf72 Variant of Frontotemporal Dementia/Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Mol Neurobiol 2023; 60:4004-4016. [PMID: 37010807 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03315-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2023]
Abstract
Intronic G4C2 hexanucleotide repeat expansions (HRE) of C9orf72 are the most common cause of familial variants of frontotemporal dementia/amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FTD/ALS). G4C2 HREs in C9orf72 undergo non-canonical repeat-associated translation, producing dipeptide repeat (DPR) proteins, with various deleterious impacts on cellular homeostasis. While five different DPRs are produced, poly(glycine-arginine) (GR) is amongst the most toxic and is the only DPR to accumulate in the associated clinically relevant anatomical locations of the brain. Previous work has demonstrated the profound effects of a poly (GR) model of C9orf72 FTD/ALS, including motor impairment, memory deficits, neurodegeneration, and neuroinflammation. Neuroinflammation is hypothesized to be a driving factor in the disease course; microglia activation is present prior to symptom onset and persists throughout the disease. Here, using an established mouse model of C9orf72 FTD/ALS, we investigate the contributions of the nod-like receptor pyrin-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome in the pathogenesis of FTD/ALS. We find that inflammasome-mediated neuroinflammation is increased with microglial activation, cleavage of caspase-1, production of IL-1β, and upregulation of Cxcl10 in the brain of C9orf72 FTD/ALS mice. Excitingly, we find that genetic ablation of Nlrp3 significantly improved survival, protected behavioral deficits, and prevented neurodegeneration suggesting a novel mechanism involving HRE-mediated induction of innate immunity. The findings provide experimental evidence of the integral role of HRE in inflammasome-mediated innate immunity in the C9orf72 variant of FTD/ALS pathogenesis and suggest the NLRP3 inflammasome as a therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle J Trageser
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Eun-Jeong Yang
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Chad Smith
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Ruth Iban-Arias
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Tatsunori Oguchi
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | | | - Umar Haris Iqbal
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Henry Wu
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Molly Estill
- Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Md Al Rahim
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Urdhva Raval
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Francis J Herman
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Yong Jie Zhang
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | | | - Giulio Maria Pasinetti
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
- Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, NY, 10468, USA.
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26
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Arnold FJ, Burns M, Chiu Y, Carvalho J, Nguyen AD, Ralph PC, La Spada AR, Bennett CL. Chronic BMAA exposure combined with TDP-43 mutation elicits motor neuron dysfunction phenotypes in mice. Neurobiol Aging 2023; 126:44-57. [PMID: 36931113 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2023.02.010] [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: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease with an average age-of-onset of ∼60 years and is usually fatal within 2-5 years of diagnosis. Mouse models based upon single gene mutations do not recapitulate all ALS pathological features. Environmental insults may also contribute to ALS, and β-N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) is an environmental toxin linked with an increased risk of developing ALS. BMAA, along with cycasin, are hypothesized to be the cause of the Guam-ALS epicenter of the 1950s. We developed a multihit model based on low expression of a dominant familial ALS TDP-43 mutation (Q331K) and chronic low-dose BMAA exposure. Our two-hit mouse model displayed a motor phenotype absent from either lesion alone. By LC/MS analysis, free BMAA was confirmed at trace levels in brain, and were as high as 405 ng/mL (free) and 208 ng/mL (protein-bound) in liver. Elevated BMAA levels in liver were associated with dysregulation of the unfolded protein response (UPR) pathway. Our data represent initial steps towards an ALS mouse model resulting from combined genetic and environmental insult.
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Affiliation(s)
- F J Arnold
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA; Department of Neurology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - M Burns
- Department of Neurology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA; Departments of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Y Chiu
- Molecular Education, Technology and Research Innovation Center, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - J Carvalho
- Department of Neurology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - A D Nguyen
- Department of Neurology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - P C Ralph
- Department of Neurology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - A R La Spada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA; Department of Neurology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA; Departments of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA; Department of Neurology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA; UCI Center for Neurotherapeutics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA.
| | - C L Bennett
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA; Department of Neurology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.
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27
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McGoldrick P, Lau A, You Z, Durcan TM, Robertson J. Loss of C9orf72 perturbs the Ran-GTPase gradient and nucleocytoplasmic transport, generating compositionally diverse Importin β-1 granules. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112134. [PMID: 36821445 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
A hexanucleotide (GGGGCC)n repeat expansion in C9orf72 causes amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), eliciting toxic effects through generation of RNA foci, dipeptide repeat proteins, and/or loss of C9orf72 protein. Defects in nucleocytoplasmic transport (NCT) have been implicated as a pathogenic mechanism underlying repeat expansion toxicity. Here, we show that loss of C9orf72 disrupts the Ran-GTPase gradient and NCT in vitro and in vivo. NCT disruption in vivo is enhanced by the presence of compositionally different types of cytoplasmic Importin β-1 granule that exhibit neuronal subtype-specific properties. We show that the abundance of Importin β-1 granules is increased in the context of C9orf72 deficiency, disrupting interactions with nuclear pore complex proteins. These granules appear to associate with the nuclear envelope and are co-immunoreactive for G3BP1 and K63-ubiquitin. These findings link loss of C9orf72 protein to gain-of-function mechanisms and defects in NCT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip McGoldrick
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, 60 Leonard Avenue, Toronto, ON M5T 2S8, Canada.
| | - Agnes Lau
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, 60 Leonard Avenue, Toronto, ON M5T 2S8, Canada
| | - Zhipeng You
- The Neuro's Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, 3801 University Street, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Thomas M Durcan
- The Neuro's Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, 3801 University Street, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Janice Robertson
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, 60 Leonard Avenue, Toronto, ON M5T 2S8, Canada; Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, 27 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A1, Canada.
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Spinal cord extracts of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis spread TDP-43 pathology in cerebral organoids. PLoS Genet 2023; 19:e1010606. [PMID: 36745687 PMCID: PMC9934440 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder caused by progressive loss of motor neurons and there is currently no effective therapy. Cytoplasmic mislocalization and aggregation of TAR DNA-binding protein 43 kDa (TDP-43) within the CNS is a pathological hallmark in sporadic ALS and prion-like propagation of pathogenic TDP-43 is thought to be implicated in disease progression. However, cell-to-cell transmission of pathogenic TDP-43 in the human CNS has not been confirmed experimentally. Here we used induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)-derived cerebral organoids as recipient CNS tissue model that are anatomically relevant human brain. We injected postmortem spinal cord protein extracts individually from three non-ALS or five sporadic ALS patients containing pathogenic TDP-43 into the cerebral organoids to validate the templated propagation and spreading of TDP-43 pathology in human CNS tissue. We first demonstrated that the administration of spinal cord extracts from an ALS patient induced the formation of TDP-43 pathology that progressively spread in a time-dependent manner in cerebral organoids, suggesting that pathogenic TDP-43 from ALS functioned as seeds and propagated cell-to-cell to form de novo TDP-43 pathology. We also reported that the administration of ALS patient-derived protein extracts caused astrocyte proliferation to form astrogliosis in cerebral organoids, reproducing the pathological feature seen in ALS. Moreover, we showed pathogenic TDP-43 induced cellular apoptosis and that TDP-43 pathology correlated with genomic damage due to DNA double-strand breaks. Thus, our results provide evidence that patient-derived pathogenic TDP-43 can mimic the prion-like propagation of TDP-43 pathology in human CNS tissue. Our findings indicate that our assays with human cerebral organoids that replicate ALS pathophysiology have a promising strategy for creating readouts that could be used in future drug discovery efforts against ALS.
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Paul S, Dansithong W, Gandelman M, Figueroa KP, Zu T, Ranum LPW, Scoles DR, Pulst SM. Staufen Impairs Autophagy in Neurodegeneration. Ann Neurol 2023; 93:398-416. [PMID: 36151701 PMCID: PMC9892312 DOI: 10.1002/ana.26515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) kinase is one of the master coordinators of cellular stress responses, regulating metabolism, autophagy, and apoptosis. We recently reported that staufen1 (STAU1), a stress granule (SG) protein, was overabundant in fibroblast cell lines from patients with spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, frontotemporal degeneration, Huntington's, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's diseases as well as animal models, and patient tissues. STAU1 overabundance is associated with mTOR hyperactivation and links SG formation with autophagy. Our objective was to determine the mechanism of mTOR regulation by STAU1. METHODS We determined STAU1 abundance with disease- and chemical-induced cellular stressors in patient cells and animal models. We also used RNA-binding assays to contextualize STAU1 interaction with MTOR mRNA. RESULTS STAU1 and mTOR were overabundant in bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC)-C9ORF72, ATXN2Q127 , and Thy1-TDP-43 transgenic mouse models. Reducing STAU1 levels in these mice normalized mTOR levels and activity and autophagy-related marker proteins. We also saw increased STAU1 levels in HEK293 cells transfected to express C9ORF72-relevant dipeptide repeats (DPRs). Conversely, DPR accumulations were not observed in cells treated by STAU1 RNA interference (RNAi). Overexpression of STAU1 in HEK293 cells increased mTOR levels through direct MTOR mRNA interaction, activating downstream targets and impairing autophagic flux. Targeting mTOR by rapamycin or RNAi normalized STAU1 abundance in an SCA2 cellular model. INTERPRETATION STAU1 interaction with mTOR drives its hyperactivation and inhibits autophagic flux in multiple models of neurodegeneration. Staufen, therefore, constitutes a novel target to modulate mTOR activity and autophagy, and for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. ANN NEUROL 2023;93:398-416.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharan Paul
- Department of Neurology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
| | | | - Mandi Gandelman
- Department of Neurology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
| | | | - Tao Zu
- Center for NeuroGenetics and Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | - Laura P W Ranum
- Center for NeuroGenetics and Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | - Daniel R Scoles
- Department of Neurology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Stefan M Pulst
- Department of Neurology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
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30
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Smeyers J, Mordes DA. Running up that pill for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Brain 2023; 146:4-5. [PMID: 36329511 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awac408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
This scientific commentary refers to ‘Maiden voyage: induced pluripotent stem cell-based drug screening for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis’ by Ito et al. (https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awac306).
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Smeyers
- Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Pathology, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Daniel A Mordes
- Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Pathology, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
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Josephs KA, Koga S, Tosakulwong N, Weigand SD, Nha Pham TT, Baker M, Whitwell JL, Rademakers R, Petrucelli L, Dickson DW. Molecular fragment characteristics and distribution of tangle associated TDP-43 (TATs) and other TDP-43 lesions in Alzheimer's disease. FREE NEUROPATHOLOGY 2023; 4:4-22. [PMID: 38093787 PMCID: PMC10716685 DOI: 10.17879/freeneuropathology-2023-5192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
TAR DNA binding protein 43 (TDP-43) pathology is a defining feature of frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). In FTLD-TDP there is a moderate-to-high burden of morphologically distinctive TDP-43 immunoreactive inclusions distributed throughout the brain. In Alzheimer's disease (AD), similar TDP-43 immunoreactive inclusions are observed. In AD, however, there is a unique phenomenon of neurofibrillary tangle-associated TDP-43 (TATs) whereby TDP-43 intermingles with neurofibrillary tangles. Little is known about the characteristics and distribution of TATs, or how burden and distribution of TATs compares to burden and distribution of other FTLD-TDP-like lesions observed in AD. Here we characterize molecular fragment characteristics, burden and distribution of TATs and assess how these features compare to features of other TDP-43 lesions. We performed TDP-43 immunohistochemistry with anti-phosphorylated, C- and N-terminal TDP-43 antibodies in 20 high-probability AD cases and semi-quantitative burden of seven inclusion types within five brain regions (entorhinal cortex, subiculum, CA1 and dentate gyrus of hippocampus, occipitotemporal cortex). Hierarchical cluster analysis was used to analyze the dataset that consisted of 75 different combinations of neuropathological features. TATs were nonspherical with heterogeneous staining patterns and present in all regions except hippocampal dentate. All three antibodies detected TATs although N-terminal antibody sensitivity was low. Three clusters were identified: Cluster-1 had mild-moderate TATs, moderate-frequent neuronal cytoplasmic inclusions, dystrophic neurites, neuronal intranuclear inclusions and fine neurites, and perivascular and granular inclusions identified only with the N-terminal antibody throughout the brain; Cluster-2 had scant TATs in limbic regions and Cluster-3 mild-moderate TATs and mild-moderate neuronal cytoplasmic inclusions and dystrophic neurites throughout the brain and moderate fine neurites. Only 17% of cluster 1 cases had the TMEM106b GG (protective) haplotype and 83% had hippocampal sclerosis. Both features differed across clusters (p=0.03 & p=0.01). TATs have molecular characteristics, distribution and burden, and genetic and pathologic associations like FTLD-TDP lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shunsuke Koga
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| | - Nirubol Tosakulwong
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Stephen D Weigand
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | | | - Matt Baker
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| | | | - Rosa Rademakers
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
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32
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Maharjan N, Saxena S. Models of Neurodegenerative Diseases. Neurogenetics 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-07793-7_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Nabariya DK, Heinz A, Derksen S, Krauß S. Intracellular and intercellular transport of RNA organelles in CXG repeat disorders: The strength of weak ties. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:1000932. [PMID: 36589236 PMCID: PMC9800848 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.1000932] [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: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA is a vital biomolecule, the function of which is tightly spatiotemporally regulated. RNA organelles are biological structures that either membrane-less or surrounded by membrane. They are produced by the all the cells and indulge in vital cellular mechanisms. They include the intracellular RNA granules and the extracellular exosomes. RNA granules play an essential role in intracellular regulation of RNA localization, stability and translation. Aberrant regulation of RNA is connected to disease development. For example, in microsatellite diseases such as CXG repeat expansion disorders, the mutant CXG repeat RNA's localization and function are affected. RNA is not only transported intracellularly but can also be transported between cells via exosomes. The loading of the exosomes is regulated by RNA-protein complexes, and recent studies show that cytosolic RNA granules and exosomes share common content. Intracellular RNA granules and exosome loading may therefore be related. Exosomes can also transfer pathogenic molecules of CXG diseases from cell to cell, thereby driving disease progression. Both intracellular RNA granules and extracellular RNA vesicles may serve as a source for diagnostic and treatment strategies. In therapeutic approaches, pharmaceutical agents may be loaded into exosomes which then transport them to the desired cells/tissues. This is a promising target specific treatment strategy with few side effects. With respect to diagnostics, disease-specific content of exosomes, e.g., RNA-signatures, can serve as attractive biomarker of central nervous system diseases detecting early physiological disturbances, even before symptoms of neurodegeneration appear and irreparable damage to the nervous system occurs. In this review, we summarize the known function of cytoplasmic RNA granules and extracellular vesicles, as well as their role and dysfunction in CXG repeat expansion disorders. We also provide a summary of established protocols for the isolation and characterization of both cytoplasmic and extracellular RNA organelles.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Sybille Krauß
- Human Biology/Neurobiology, Institute of Biology, Faculty IV, School of Science and Technology, University of Siegen, Siegen, Germany
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Khalil B, Chhangani D, Wren MC, Smith CL, Lee JH, Li X, Puttinger C, Tsai CW, Fortin G, Morderer D, Gao J, Liu F, Lim CK, Chen J, Chou CC, Croft CL, Gleixner AM, Donnelly CJ, Golde TE, Petrucelli L, Oskarsson B, Dickson DW, Zhang K, Shorter J, Yoshimura SH, Barmada SJ, Rincon-Limas DE, Rossoll W. Nuclear import receptors are recruited by FG-nucleoporins to rescue hallmarks of TDP-43 proteinopathy. Mol Neurodegener 2022; 17:80. [PMID: 36482422 PMCID: PMC9733332 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-022-00585-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cytoplasmic mislocalization and aggregation of TAR DNA-binding protein-43 (TDP-43) is a hallmark of the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia (ALS/FTD) disease spectrum, causing both nuclear loss-of-function and cytoplasmic toxic gain-of-function phenotypes. While TDP-43 proteinopathy has been associated with defects in nucleocytoplasmic transport, this process is still poorly understood. Here we study the role of karyopherin-β1 (KPNB1) and other nuclear import receptors in regulating TDP-43 pathology. METHODS We used immunostaining, immunoprecipitation, biochemical and toxicity assays in cell lines, primary neuron and organotypic mouse brain slice cultures, to determine the impact of KPNB1 on the solubility, localization, and toxicity of pathological TDP-43 constructs. Postmortem patient brain and spinal cord tissue was stained to assess KPNB1 colocalization with TDP-43 inclusions. Turbidity assays were employed to study the dissolution and prevention of aggregation of recombinant TDP-43 fibrils in vitro. Fly models of TDP-43 proteinopathy were used to determine the effect of KPNB1 on their neurodegenerative phenotype in vivo. RESULTS We discovered that several members of the nuclear import receptor protein family can reduce the formation of pathological TDP-43 aggregates. Using KPNB1 as a model, we found that its activity depends on the prion-like C-terminal region of TDP-43, which mediates the co-aggregation with phenylalanine and glycine-rich nucleoporins (FG-Nups) such as Nup62. KPNB1 is recruited into these co-aggregates where it acts as a molecular chaperone that reverses aberrant phase transition of Nup62 and TDP-43. These findings are supported by the discovery that Nup62 and KPNB1 are also sequestered into pathological TDP-43 aggregates in ALS/FTD postmortem CNS tissue, and by the identification of the fly ortholog of KPNB1 as a strong protective modifier in Drosophila models of TDP-43 proteinopathy. Our results show that KPNB1 can rescue all hallmarks of TDP-43 pathology, by restoring its solubility and nuclear localization, and reducing neurodegeneration in cellular and animal models of ALS/FTD. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest a novel NLS-independent mechanism where, analogous to its canonical role in dissolving the diffusion barrier formed by FG-Nups in the nuclear pore, KPNB1 is recruited into TDP-43/FG-Nup co-aggregates present in TDP-43 proteinopathies and therapeutically reverses their deleterious phase transition and mislocalization, mitigating neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bilal Khalil
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - Deepak Chhangani
- Department of Neurology, McKnight Brain Institute, Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Melissa C Wren
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - Courtney L Smith
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
- Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Neuroscience Track, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Jannifer H Lee
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
- Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Neuroscience Track, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Xingli Li
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | | | - Chih-Wei Tsai
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - Gael Fortin
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - Dmytro Morderer
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - Junli Gao
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - Feilin Liu
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - Chun Kim Lim
- Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Yoshida-konoe, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Jingjiao Chen
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
- Geriatric Department, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Ching-Chieh Chou
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Cara L Croft
- Department of Neuroscience, Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University College London, London, UK
| | - Amanda M Gleixner
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
- LiveLikeLou Center for ALS Research, University of Pittsburgh Brain Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA
| | - Christopher J Donnelly
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
- LiveLikeLou Center for ALS Research, University of Pittsburgh Brain Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA
| | - Todd E Golde
- Department of Neurology, McKnight Brain Institute, Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | | | | | - Dennis W Dickson
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - Ke Zhang
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - James Shorter
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Shige H Yoshimura
- Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Yoshida-konoe, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Sami J Barmada
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Diego E Rincon-Limas
- Department of Neurology, McKnight Brain Institute, Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
- Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Wilfried Rossoll
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA.
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Comprehensive evaluation of human-derived anti-poly-GA antibodies in cellular and animal models of C9orf72 disease. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2123487119. [PMID: 36454749 PMCID: PMC9894253 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2123487119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Hexanucleotide G4C2 repeat expansions in the C9orf72 gene are the most common genetic cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia. Dipeptide repeat proteins (DPRs) generated by translation of repeat-containing RNAs show toxic effects in vivo as well as in vitro and are key targets for therapeutic intervention. We generated human antibodies that bind DPRs with high affinity and specificity. Anti-GA antibodies engaged extra- and intra-cellular poly-GA and reduced aggregate formation in a poly-GA overexpressing human cell line. However, antibody treatment in human neuronal cultures synthesizing exogenous poly-GA resulted in the formation of large extracellular immune complexes and did not affect accumulation of intracellular poly-GA aggregates. Treatment with antibodies was also shown to directly alter the morphological and biochemical properties of poly-GA and to shift poly-GA/antibody complexes to more rapidly sedimenting ones. These alterations were not observed with poly-GP and have important implications for accurate measurement of poly-GA levels including the need to evaluate all centrifugation fractions and disrupt the interaction between treatment antibodies and poly-GA by denaturation. Targeting poly-GA and poly-GP in two mouse models expressing G4C2 repeats by systemic antibody delivery for up to 16 mo was well-tolerated and led to measurable brain penetration of antibodies. Long-term treatment with anti-GA antibodies produced improvement in an open-field movement test in aged C9orf72450 mice. However, chronic administration of anti-GA antibodies in AAV-(G4C2)149 mice was associated with increased levels of poly-GA detected by immunoassay and did not significantly reduce poly-GA aggregates or alleviate disease progression in this model.
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36
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Bush JA, Meyer SM, Fuerst R, Tong Y, Li Y, Benhamou RI, Aikawa H, Zanon PRA, Gibaut QMR, Angelbello AJ, Gendron TF, Zhang YJ, Petrucelli L, Heick Jensen T, Childs-Disney JL, Disney MD. A blood-brain penetrant RNA-targeted small molecule triggers elimination of r(G 4C 2) exp in c9ALS/FTD via the nuclear RNA exosome. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2210532119. [PMID: 36409902 PMCID: PMC9860304 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2210532119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
A hexanucleotide repeat expansion in intron 1 of the C9orf72 gene is the most common genetic cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia, or c9ALS/FTD. The RNA transcribed from the expansion, r(G4C2)exp, causes various pathologies, including intron retention, aberrant translation that produces toxic dipeptide repeat proteins (DPRs), and sequestration of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) in RNA foci. Here, we describe a small molecule that potently and selectively interacts with r(G4C2)exp and mitigates disease pathologies in spinal neurons differentiated from c9ALS patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and in two c9ALS/FTD mouse models. These studies reveal a mode of action whereby a small molecule diminishes intron retention caused by the r(G4C2)exp and allows the liberated intron to be eliminated by the nuclear RNA exosome, a multi-subunit degradation complex. Our findings highlight the complexity of mechanisms available to RNA-binding small molecules to alleviate disease pathologies and establishes a pipeline for the design of brain penetrant small molecules targeting RNA with novel modes of action in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica A. Bush
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute and UF Scripps Biomedical Research, University of Florida, Jupiter, FL33458
| | - Samantha M. Meyer
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute and UF Scripps Biomedical Research, University of Florida, Jupiter, FL33458
| | - Rita Fuerst
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute and UF Scripps Biomedical Research, University of Florida, Jupiter, FL33458
| | - Yuquan Tong
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute and UF Scripps Biomedical Research, University of Florida, Jupiter, FL33458
| | - Yue Li
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute and UF Scripps Biomedical Research, University of Florida, Jupiter, FL33458
| | - Raphael I. Benhamou
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute and UF Scripps Biomedical Research, University of Florida, Jupiter, FL33458
| | - Haruo Aikawa
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute and UF Scripps Biomedical Research, University of Florida, Jupiter, FL33458
| | - Patrick R. A. Zanon
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute and UF Scripps Biomedical Research, University of Florida, Jupiter, FL33458
| | - Quentin M. R. Gibaut
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute and UF Scripps Biomedical Research, University of Florida, Jupiter, FL33458
| | - Alicia J. Angelbello
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute and UF Scripps Biomedical Research, University of Florida, Jupiter, FL33458
| | | | - Yong-Jie Zhang
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL32224
| | | | - Torben Heick Jensen
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Aarhus CDK-8000, Denmark
| | - Jessica L. Childs-Disney
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute and UF Scripps Biomedical Research, University of Florida, Jupiter, FL33458
| | - Matthew D. Disney
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute and UF Scripps Biomedical Research, University of Florida, Jupiter, FL33458
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute and UF Scripps Biomedical Research, University of Florida, Jupiter, FL33458
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Turner M, Danino YM, Barshai M, Yacovzada NS, Cohen Y, Olender T, Rotkopf R, Monchaud D, Hornstein E, Orenstein Y. rG4detector, a novel RNA G-quadruplex predictor, uncovers their impact on stress granule formation. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:11426-11441. [PMID: 36350614 PMCID: PMC9723610 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA G-quadruplexes (rG4s) are RNA secondary structures, which are formed by guanine-rich sequences and have important cellular functions. Existing computational tools for rG4 prediction rely on specific sequence features and/or were trained on small datasets, without considering rG4 stability information, and are therefore sub-optimal. Here, we developed rG4detector, a convolutional neural network to identify potential rG4s in transcriptomics data. rG4detector outperforms existing methods in both predicting rG4 stability and in detecting rG4-forming sequences. To demonstrate the biological-relevance of rG4detector, we employed it to study RNAs that are bound by the RNA-binding protein G3BP1. G3BP1 is central to the induction of stress granules (SGs), which are cytoplasmic biomolecular condensates that form in response to a variety of cellular stresses. Unexpectedly, rG4detector revealed a dynamic enrichment of rG4s bound by G3BP1 in response to cellular stress. In addition, we experimentally characterized G3BP1 cross-talk with rG4s, demonstrating that G3BP1 is a bona fide rG4-binding protein and that endogenous rG4s are enriched within SGs. Furthermore, we found that reduced rG4 availability impairs SG formation. Hence, we conclude that rG4s play a direct role in SG biology via their interactions with RNA-binding proteins and that rG4detector is a novel useful tool for rG4 transcriptomics data analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Mira Barshai
- School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Be’er-Sheva 8410501, Israel
| | - Nancy S Yacovzada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel,Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Yahel Cohen
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel,Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Tsviya Olender
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Ron Rotkopf
- Bioinformatics Unit, Life Sciences Core Facilities, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - David Monchaud
- Institut de Chimie Moleculaire, ICMUB CNRS UMR 6302, UBFC Dijon, France
| | | | - Yaron Orenstein
- Correspondence may also be addressed to Yaron Orenstein. Tel: +972 3 531 7990;
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38
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Shao W, Todd TW, Wu Y, Jones CY, Tong J, Jansen-West K, Daughrity LM, Park J, Koike Y, Kurti A, Yue M, Castanedes-Casey M, del Rosso G, Dunmore JA, Alepuz DZ, Oskarsson B, Dickson DW, Cook CN, Prudencio M, Gendron TF, Fryer JD, Zhang YJ, Petrucelli L. Two FTD-ALS genes converge on the endosomal pathway to induce TDP-43 pathology and degeneration. Science 2022; 378:94-99. [PMID: 36201573 PMCID: PMC9942492 DOI: 10.1126/science.abq7860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Frontotemporal dementia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FTD-ALS) are associated with both a repeat expansion in the C9orf72 gene and mutations in the TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1) gene. We found that TBK1 is phosphorylated in response to C9orf72 poly(Gly-Ala) [poly(GA)] aggregation and sequestered into inclusions, which leads to a loss of TBK1 activity and contributes to neurodegeneration. When we reduced TBK1 activity using a TBK1-R228H (Arg228→His) mutation in mice, poly(GA)-induced phenotypes were exacerbated. These phenotypes included an increase in TAR DNA binding protein 43 (TDP-43) pathology and the accumulation of defective endosomes in poly(GA)-positive neurons. Inhibiting the endosomal pathway induced TDP-43 aggregation, which highlights the importance of this pathway and TBK1 activity in pathogenesis. This interplay between C9orf72, TBK1, and TDP-43 connects three different facets of FTD-ALS into one coherent pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Shao
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic; Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - Tiffany W. Todd
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic; Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - Yanwei Wu
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic; Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - Caroline Y. Jones
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic; Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - Jimei Tong
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic; Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - Karen Jansen-West
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic; Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | | | - Jinyoung Park
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic; Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - Yuka Koike
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic; Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - Aishe Kurti
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic; Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - Mei Yue
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic; Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | | | - Giulia del Rosso
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic; Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
- Neurobiology of Disease Graduate Program, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences; Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - Judith A. Dunmore
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic; Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | | | - Björn Oskarsson
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - Dennis W. Dickson
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic; Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
- Neurobiology of Disease Graduate Program, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences; Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - Casey N. Cook
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic; Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
- Neurobiology of Disease Graduate Program, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences; Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - Mercedes Prudencio
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic; Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
- Neurobiology of Disease Graduate Program, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences; Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - Tania F. Gendron
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic; Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
- Neurobiology of Disease Graduate Program, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences; Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - John D. Fryer
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic; Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic; Scottsdale, AZ, 85259, USA
| | - Yong-Jie Zhang
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic; Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
- Neurobiology of Disease Graduate Program, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences; Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - Leonard Petrucelli
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic; Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
- Neurobiology of Disease Graduate Program, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences; Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
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39
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Dubey SK, Maulding K, Sung H, Lloyd TE. Nucleoporins are degraded via upregulation of ESCRT-III/Vps4 complex in Drosophila models of C9-ALS/FTD. Cell Rep 2022; 40:111379. [PMID: 36130523 PMCID: PMC10099287 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Disruption of the nuclear pore complex (NPC) and nucleocytoplasmic transport (NCT) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. A GGGGCC hexanucleotide repeat expansion (HRE) in an intron of the C9orf72 gene is the most common genetic cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia, but the mechanism by which the HRE disrupts NCT is incompletely understood. We find that expression of GGGGCC repeats in Drosophila neurons induces proteasome-mediated degradation of select nucleoporins of the NPC. This process requires the Vps4 ATPase and the endosomal-sorting complex required for transport complex-III (ESCRT-III), as knockdown of ESCRT-III/Vps4 genes rescues nucleoporin levels, normalizes NCT, and suppresses GGGGCC-mediated neurodegeneration. GGGGCC expression upregulates nuclear ESCRT-III/Vps4 expression, and expansion microscopy demonstrates that the nucleoporins are translocated into the cytoplasm before undergoing proteasome-mediated degradation. These findings demonstrate a mechanism for nucleoporin degradation and NPC dysfunction in neurodegenerative disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandeep Kumar Dubey
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Kirstin Maulding
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Cellular and Molecular Medicine Program, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Hyun Sung
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Thomas E Lloyd
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Cellular and Molecular Medicine Program, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
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40
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Rhine K, Al-Azzam N, Yu T, Yeo GW. Aging RNA granule dynamics in neurodegeneration. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:991641. [PMID: 36188213 PMCID: PMC9523239 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.991641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Disordered RNA-binding proteins and repetitive RNA sequences are the main genetic causes of several neurodegenerative diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Huntington’s disease. Importantly, these components also seed the formation of cytoplasmic liquid-like granules, like stress granules and P bodies. Emerging evidence demonstrates that healthy granules formed via liquid-liquid phase separation can mature into solid- or gel-like inclusions that persist within the cell. These solidified inclusions are a precursor to the aggregates identified in patients, demonstrating that dysregulation of RNA granule biology is an important component of neurodegeneration. Here, we review recent literature highlighting how RNA molecules seed proteinaceous granules, the mechanisms of healthy turnover of RNA granules in cells, which biophysical properties underly a transition to solid- or gel-like material states, and why persistent granules disrupt the cellular homeostasis of neurons. We also identify various methods that will illuminate the contributions of disordered proteins and RNAs to neurodegeneration in ongoing research efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Rhine
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
- Stem Cell Program, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Norah Al-Azzam
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
- Stem Cell Program, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
- Neurosciences Graduate Program, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Tao Yu
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
- Stem Cell Program, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Gene W. Yeo
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
- Stem Cell Program, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
- Neurosciences Graduate Program, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: Gene W. Yeo,
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41
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Cozzi M, Ferrari V. Autophagy Dysfunction in ALS: from Transport to Protein Degradation. J Mol Neurosci 2022; 72:1456-1481. [PMID: 35708843 PMCID: PMC9293831 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-022-02029-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease affecting upper and lower motor neurons (MNs). Since the identification of the first ALS mutation in 1993, more than 40 genes have been associated with the disorder. The most frequent genetic causes of ALS are represented by mutated genes whose products challenge proteostasis, becoming unable to properly fold and consequently aggregating into inclusions that impose proteotoxic stress on affected cells. In this context, increasing evidence supports the central role played by autophagy dysfunctions in the pathogenesis of ALS. Indeed, in early stages of disease, high levels of proteins involved in autophagy are present in ALS MNs; but at the same time, with neurodegeneration progression, autophagy-mediated degradation decreases, often as a result of the accumulation of toxic protein aggregates in affected cells. Autophagy is a complex multistep pathway that has a central role in maintaining cellular homeostasis. Several proteins are involved in its tight regulation, and importantly a relevant fraction of ALS-related genes encodes products that directly take part in autophagy, further underlining the relevance of this key protein degradation system in disease onset and progression. In this review, we report the most relevant findings concerning ALS genes whose products are involved in the several steps of the autophagic pathway, from phagophore formation to autophagosome maturation and transport and finally to substrate degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Cozzi
- Dipartimento Di Scienze Farmacologiche E Biomolecolari, Università Degli Studi Di Milano, 20133, Milan, Italy.
| | - Veronica Ferrari
- Dipartimento Di Scienze Farmacologiche E Biomolecolari, Università Degli Studi Di Milano, 20133, Milan, Italy.
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42
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Coyne AN, Rothstein JD. Nuclear pore complexes - a doorway to neural injury in neurodegeneration. Nat Rev Neurol 2022; 18:348-362. [PMID: 35488039 PMCID: PMC10015220 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-022-00653-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The genetic underpinnings and end-stage pathological hallmarks of neurodegenerative diseases are increasingly well defined, but the cellular pathophysiology of disease initiation and propagation remains poorly understood, especially in sporadic forms of these diseases. Altered nucleocytoplasmic transport is emerging as a prominent pathomechanism of multiple neurodegenerative diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer disease, frontotemporal dementia and Huntington disease. The nuclear pore complex (NPC) and interactions between its individual nucleoporin components and nuclear transport receptors regulate nucleocytoplasmic transport, as well as genome organization and gene expression. Specific nucleoporin abnormalities have been identified in sporadic and familial forms of neurodegenerative disease, and these alterations are thought to contribute to disrupted nucleocytoplasmic transport. The specific nucleoporins and nucleocytoplasmic transport proteins that have been linked to different neurodegenerative diseases are partially distinct, suggesting that NPC injury contributes to the cellular specificity of neurodegenerative disease and could be an early initiator of the pathophysiological cascades that underlie neurodegenerative disease. This concept is consistent with the fact that rare genetic mutations in some nucleoporins cause cell-type-specific neurological disease. In this Review, we discuss nucleoporin and NPC disruptions and consider their impact on cellular function and the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alyssa N Coyne
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA. .,Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Jeffrey D Rothstein
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA. .,Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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43
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Houghton OH, Mizielinska S, Gomez-Suaga P. The Interplay Between Autophagy and RNA Homeostasis: Implications for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:838402. [PMID: 35573690 PMCID: PMC9096704 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.838402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia are neurodegenerative disorders that lie on a disease spectrum, sharing genetic causes and pathology, and both without effective therapeutics. Two pathways that have been shown to play major roles in disease pathogenesis are autophagy and RNA homeostasis. Intriguingly, there is an increasing body of evidence suggesting a critical interplay between these pathways. Autophagy is a multi-stage process for bulk and selective clearance of malfunctional cellular components, with many layers of regulation. Although the majority of autophagy research focuses on protein degradation, it can also mediate RNA catabolism. ALS/FTD-associated proteins are involved in many stages of autophagy and autophagy-mediated RNA degradation, particularly converging on the clearance of persistent pathological stress granules. In this review, we will summarise the progress in understanding the autophagy-RNA homeostasis interplay and how that knowledge contributes to our understanding of the pathobiology of ALS/FTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- O H Houghton
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, London, United Kingdom.,UK Dementia Research Institute at King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - S Mizielinska
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, London, United Kingdom.,UK Dementia Research Institute at King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - P Gomez-Suaga
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, London, United Kingdom.,Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular y Genética, Facultad de Enfermería y Terapia Ocupacional, Universidad de Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain.,Instituto Universitario de Investigación Biosanitaria de Extremadura (INUBE), Cáceres, Spain
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44
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Lunev E, Karan A, Egorova T, Bardina M. Adeno-Associated Viruses for Modeling Neurological Diseases in Animals: Achievements and Prospects. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10051140. [PMID: 35625877 PMCID: PMC9139062 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10051140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Revised: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors have become an attractive tool for efficient gene transfer into animal tissues. Extensively studied as the vehicles for therapeutic constructs in gene therapy, AAVs are also applied for creating animal models of human genetic disorders. Neurological disorders are challenging to model in laboratory animals by transgenesis or genome editing, at least partially due to the embryonic lethality and the timing of the disease onset. Therefore, gene transfer with AAV vectors provides a more flexible option for simulating genetic neurological disorders. Indeed, the design of the AAV expression construct allows the reproduction of various disease-causing mutations, and also drives neuron-specific expression. The natural and newly created AAV serotypes combined with various delivery routes enable differentially targeting neuronal cell types and brain areas in vivo. Moreover, the same viral vector can be used to reproduce the main features of the disorder in mice, rats, and large laboratory animals such as non-human primates. The current review demonstrates the general principles for the development and use of AAVs in modeling neurological diseases. The latest achievements in AAV-mediated modeling of the common (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, ataxias, etc.) and ultra-rare disorders affecting the central nervous system are described. The use of AAVs to create multiple animal models of neurological disorders opens opportunities for studying their mechanisms, understanding the main pathological features, and testing therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evgenii Lunev
- Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119334 Moscow, Russia
- Marlin Biotech LLC, 354340 Sochi, Russia; (A.K.); (T.E.)
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119334 Moscow, Russia
- Correspondence: (E.L.); (M.B.)
| | - Anna Karan
- Marlin Biotech LLC, 354340 Sochi, Russia; (A.K.); (T.E.)
| | - Tatiana Egorova
- Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119334 Moscow, Russia
- Marlin Biotech LLC, 354340 Sochi, Russia; (A.K.); (T.E.)
| | - Maryana Bardina
- Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119334 Moscow, Russia
- Marlin Biotech LLC, 354340 Sochi, Russia; (A.K.); (T.E.)
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119334 Moscow, Russia
- Correspondence: (E.L.); (M.B.)
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45
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Zorca CE, Fallahi A, Luo S, Eldeeb MA. Multifaceted targeted protein degradation systems for different cellular compartments. Bioessays 2022; 44:e2200008. [PMID: 35417040 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202200008] [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: 01/11/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Selective protein degradation maintains cellular homeostasis, but this process is disrupted in many diseases. Targeted protein degradation (TPD) approaches, built upon existing cellular mechanisms, are promising methods for therapeutically regulating protein levels. Here, we review the diverse palette of tools that are now available for doing so throughout the gene expression pathway and in specific cellular compartments. These include methods for directly removing targeted proteins via the ubiquitin proteasome system with proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) or dephosphorylation targeting chimeras (DEPTACs). Similar effects can also be achieved through the lysosomal system with autophagy-targeting chimeras (AUTACs), autophagosome tethering compounds (ATTECs), and lysosome targeting chimeras (LYTACs). Other methods act upstream to degrade RNAs (ribonuclease targeting chimeras; RIBOTACs) or transcription factors (transcription factor targeting chimeras; TRAFTACs), offering control throughout the gene expression process. We highlight the evolution and function of these methods and discuss their clinical implications in diverse disease contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cornelia E Zorca
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Armaan Fallahi
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Sophie Luo
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Mohamed A Eldeeb
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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46
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Jansen-West K, Todd TW, Daughrity LM, Yue M, Tong J, Carlomagno Y, Del Rosso G, Kurti A, Jones CY, Dunmore JA, Castanedes-Casey M, Dickson DW, Wszolek ZK, Fryer JD, Petrucelli L, Prudencio M. Plasma PolyQ-ATXN3 Levels Associate With Cerebellar Degeneration and Behavioral Abnormalities in a New AAV-Based SCA3 Mouse Model. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:863089. [PMID: 35386195 PMCID: PMC8977414 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.863089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) is a dominantly inherited cerebellar ataxia caused by the expansion of a polyglutamine (polyQ) repeat in the gene encoding ATXN3. The polyQ expansion induces protein inclusion formation in the neurons of patients and results in neuronal degeneration in the cerebellum and other brain regions. We used adeno-associated virus (AAV) technology to develop a new mouse model of SCA3 that recapitulates several features of the human disease, including locomotor defects, cerebellar-specific neuronal loss, polyQ-expanded ATXN3 inclusions, and TDP-43 pathology. We also found that neurofilament light is elevated in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of the SCA3 animals, and the expanded polyQ-ATXN3 protein can be detected in the plasma. Interestingly, the levels of polyQ-ATXN3 in plasma correlated with measures of cerebellar degeneration and locomotor deficits in 6-month-old SCA3 mice, supporting the hypothesis that this factor could act as a biomarker for SCA3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Jansen-West
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
| | - Tiffany W. Todd
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
- Neurobiology of Disease Graduate Program, Mayo Graduate School, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, United States
| | | | - Mei Yue
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
| | - Jimei Tong
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
| | - Yari Carlomagno
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
- Neurobiology of Disease Graduate Program, Mayo Graduate School, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Giulia Del Rosso
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
- Neurobiology of Disease Graduate Program, Mayo Graduate School, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Aishe Kurti
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
| | - Caroline Y. Jones
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
| | - Judith A. Dunmore
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
| | | | - Dennis W. Dickson
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
- Neurobiology of Disease Graduate Program, Mayo Graduate School, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, United States
| | | | - John D. Fryer
- Neurobiology of Disease Graduate Program, Mayo Graduate School, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, United States
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ, United States
| | - Leonard Petrucelli
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
- Neurobiology of Disease Graduate Program, Mayo Graduate School, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Mercedes Prudencio
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
- Neurobiology of Disease Graduate Program, Mayo Graduate School, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, United States
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47
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Masrori P, Beckers J, Gossye H, Van Damme P. The role of inflammation in neurodegeneration: novel insights into the role of the immune system in C9orf72 HRE-mediated ALS/FTD. Mol Neurodegener 2022; 17:22. [PMID: 35303907 PMCID: PMC8932121 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-022-00525-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroinflammation is an important hallmark of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). An inflammatory reaction to neuronal injury is deemed vital for neuronal health and homeostasis. However, a continued activation of the inflammatory response can be detrimental to remaining neurons and aggravate the disease process. Apart from a disease modifying role, some evidence suggests that neuroinflammation may also contribute to the upstream cause of the disease. In this review, we will first focus on the role of neuroinflammation in the pathogenesis of chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 gene (C9orf72) hexanucleotide repeat expansions (HRE)-mediated ALS/FTD (C9-ALS/FTD). Additionally, we will discuss evidence from ex vivo and in vivo studies and finally, we briefly summarize the trials and progress of anti-inflammatory therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pegah Masrori
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology, and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.,Laboratory of Neurobiology, Experimental Neurology, Center for Brain and Disease Research, VIB, Campus Gasthuisberg, O&N5, Herestraat 49, 602, 3000, Leuven, PB, Belgium.,Neurology Department, University Hospitals Leuven, Campus Gasthuisberg, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Neurology, University Hospital Antwerp, 2650, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Jimmy Beckers
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology, and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.,Laboratory of Neurobiology, Experimental Neurology, Center for Brain and Disease Research, VIB, Campus Gasthuisberg, O&N5, Herestraat 49, 602, 3000, Leuven, PB, Belgium
| | - Helena Gossye
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Antwerp, 2650, Edegem, Belgium.,VIB Center for Molecular Neurology, Neurodegenerative Brain Diseases, University of Antwerp, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Philip Van Damme
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology, and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium. .,Laboratory of Neurobiology, Experimental Neurology, Center for Brain and Disease Research, VIB, Campus Gasthuisberg, O&N5, Herestraat 49, 602, 3000, Leuven, PB, Belgium. .,Neurology Department, University Hospitals Leuven, Campus Gasthuisberg, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
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48
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Todd TW, Petrucelli L. Modelling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in rodents. Nat Rev Neurosci 2022; 23:231-251. [PMID: 35260846 DOI: 10.1038/s41583-022-00564-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The efficient study of human disease requires the proper tools, one of the most crucial of which is an accurate animal model that faithfully recapitulates the human condition. The study of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is no exception. Although the majority of ALS cases are considered sporadic, most animal models of this disease rely on genetic mutations identified in familial cases. Over the past decade, the number of genes associated with ALS has risen dramatically and, with each new genetic variant, there is a drive to develop associated animal models. Rodent models are of particular importance as they allow for the study of ALS in the context of a living mammal with a comparable CNS. Such models not only help to verify the pathogenicity of novel mutations but also provide critical insight into disease mechanisms and are crucial for the testing of new therapeutics. In this Review, we aim to summarize the full spectrum of ALS rodent models developed to date.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiffany W Todd
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Leonard Petrucelli
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, Jacksonville, FL, USA.
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49
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Wang J, Gan Y, Cao J, Dong X, Ouyang W. Pathophysiology of stress granules: An emerging link to diseases (Review). Int J Mol Med 2022; 49:44. [PMID: 35137915 PMCID: PMC8846937 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2022.5099] [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: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Under unfavorable environmental conditions, eukaryotic cells may form stress granules (SGs) in the cytosol to protect against injury and promote cell survival. The initiation, mRNA and protein composition, distribution and degradation of SGs are subject to multiple intracellular post-translational modifications and signaling pathways to cope with stress damage. Despite accumulated comprehensive knowledge of their composition and dynamics, the function of SGs remains poorly understood. When the stress persists, aberrant and/or persistent intracellular SGs and aggregation of SGs-related proteins may lead to various diseases. In the present article, the research progress regarding the generation, modification and function of SGs was reviewed. The regulatory effects and influencing factors of SGs in the development of tumors, cardiovascular diseases, viral infections and neurodegenerative diseases were also summarized, which may provide novel insight for preventing and treating SG-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jihui Wang
- Department of Kinesiology and Human Sciences, College of Physical Education and Health Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, Zhejiang 321004, P.R. China
| | - Yixia Gan
- Department of Kinesiology and Human Sciences, College of Physical Education and Health Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, Zhejiang 321004, P.R. China
| | - Jian Cao
- Department of Kinesiology and Human Sciences, College of Physical Education and Health Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, Zhejiang 321004, P.R. China
| | - Xuefen Dong
- Department of Kinesiology and Human Sciences, College of Physical Education and Health Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, Zhejiang 321004, P.R. China
| | - Wei Ouyang
- Department of Kinesiology and Human Sciences, College of Physical Education and Health Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, Zhejiang 321004, P.R. China
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50
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Del Rosso G, Carlomagno Y, Todd TW, Jones CY, Prudencio M, Daughrity LM, Yue M, Jansen-West K, Tong J, Shao W, Wu Y, Castanedes-Casey M, Tabassian L, Oskarsson B, Ling K, Rigo F, Dickson DW, Yao TP, Petrucelli L, Cook CN, Zhang YJ. HDAC6 Interacts With Poly (GA) and Modulates its Accumulation in c9FTD/ALS. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 9:809942. [PMID: 35096836 PMCID: PMC8790530 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.809942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The aberrant translation of a repeat expansion in chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 (C9orf72), the most common cause of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), results in the accumulation of toxic dipeptide repeat (DPR) proteins in the central nervous system We have found that, among the sense DPR proteins, HDAC6 specifically interacts with the poly (GA) and co-localizes with inclusions in both patient tissue and a mouse model of this disease (c9FTD/ALS). Overexpression of HDAC6 increased poly (GA) levels in cultured cells independently of HDAC6 deacetylase activity, suggesting that HDAC6 can modulate poly (GA) pathology through a mechanism that depends upon their physical interaction. Moreover, decreasing HDAC6 expression by stereotaxic injection of antisense oligonucleotides significantly reduced the number of poly (GA) inclusions in c9FTD/ALS mice. These findings suggest that pharmacologically reducing HDAC6 levels could be of therapeutic value in c9FTD/ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Del Rosso
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States.,Neuroscience Graduate Program, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Jacksonville, FL, United States
| | - Yari Carlomagno
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
| | - Tiffany W Todd
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
| | - Caroline Y Jones
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
| | - Mercedes Prudencio
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States.,Neuroscience Graduate Program, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Jacksonville, FL, United States
| | | | - Mei Yue
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
| | - Karen Jansen-West
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
| | - Jimei Tong
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
| | - Wei Shao
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
| | - Yanwei Wu
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
| | | | - Lilia Tabassian
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
| | - Björn Oskarsson
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
| | - Karen Ling
- Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Carlsbad, CA, United States
| | - Frank Rigo
- Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Carlsbad, CA, United States
| | - Dennis W Dickson
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States.,Neuroscience Graduate Program, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Jacksonville, FL, United States
| | - Tso-Pang Yao
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Leonard Petrucelli
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States.,Neuroscience Graduate Program, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Jacksonville, FL, United States
| | - Casey N Cook
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States.,Neuroscience Graduate Program, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Jacksonville, FL, United States
| | - Yong Jie Zhang
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States.,Neuroscience Graduate Program, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Jacksonville, FL, United States
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