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Serneels L, Bammens L, Zwijsen A, Tolia A, Chávez-Gutiérrez L, De Strooper B. Functional and topological analysis of PSENEN, the fourth subunit of the γ-secretase complex. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:105533. [PMID: 38072061 PMCID: PMC10790097 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/01/2024] Open
Abstract
The γ-secretase complexes are intramembrane cleaving proteases involved in the generation of the Aβ peptides in Alzheimer's disease. The complex consists of four subunits, with Presenilin harboring the catalytic site. Here, we study the role of the smallest subunit, PSENEN or Presenilin enhancer 2, encoded by the gene Psenen, in vivo and in vitro. We find a profound Notch deficiency phenotype in Psenen-/- embryos confirming the essential role of PSENEN in the γ-secretase complex. We used Psenen-/- fibroblasts to explore the structure-function of PSENEN by the scanning cysteine accessibility method. Glycine 22 and proline 27, which border the membrane domains 1 and 2 of PSENEN, are involved in complex formation and stabilization of γ-secretase. The hairpin structured hydrophobic membrane domains 1 and 2 are exposed to a water-containing cavity in the complex, while transmembrane domain 3 is not water exposed. We finally demonstrate the essential role of PSENEN for the cleavage activity of the complex. PSENEN is more than a structural component of the γ-secretase complex and might contribute to the catalytic mechanism of the enzyme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lutgarde Serneels
- Laboratory for the Research of Neurodegenerative Diseases, VIB Center for Brain & Disease Research, VIB, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Neurosciences and Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Leen Bammens
- Laboratory for the Research of Neurodegenerative Diseases, VIB Center for Brain & Disease Research, VIB, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Neurosciences and Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - An Zwijsen
- Laboratory of Developmental Signaling, Center for Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Alexandra Tolia
- Laboratory for the Research of Neurodegenerative Diseases, VIB Center for Brain & Disease Research, VIB, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Neurosciences and Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lucía Chávez-Gutiérrez
- Laboratory for the Research of Neurodegenerative Diseases, VIB Center for Brain & Disease Research, VIB, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Neurosciences and Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bart De Strooper
- Laboratory for the Research of Neurodegenerative Diseases, VIB Center for Brain & Disease Research, VIB, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Neurosciences and Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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Dai W, Wang H, Zhan Y, Li N, Li F, Wang J, Yan H, Zhang Y, Wang J, Wu L, Liu H, Fan Y, Tao Y, Mo X, Yang JJ, Sun K, Chen G, Yu Y. CCNK Gene Deficiency Influences Neural Progenitor Cells Via Wnt5a Signaling in CCNK-Related Syndrome. Ann Neurol 2023; 94:1136-1154. [PMID: 37597256 DOI: 10.1002/ana.26766] [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: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/21/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Rare variants of CCNK (cyclin K) give rise to a syndrome with intellectual disability. The purpose of this study was to describe the genotype-phenotype spectrum of CCNK-related syndrome and the underlying molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis. METHODS We identified a number of de novo CCNK variants in unrelated patients. We generated patient-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and neural progenitor cells (NPCs) as disease models. In addition, we constructed NPC-specific Ccnk knockout (KO) mice and performed molecular and morphological analyses. RESULTS We identified 2 new patients harboring CCNK missense variants and followed-up 3 previous reported patients, which constitute the largest patient population analysis of the disease. We demonstrate that both the patient-derived NPC models and the Ccnk KO mouse displayed deficient NPC proliferation and enhanced apoptotic cell death. RNA sequencing analyses of these NPC models uncovered transcriptomic signatures unique to CCNK-related syndrome, revealing significant changes in genes, including WNT5A, critical for progenitor proliferation and cell death. Further, to confirm WNT5A's role, we conducted rescue experiments using NPC and mouse models. We found that a Wnt5a inhibitor significantly increased proliferation and reduced apoptosis in NPCs derived from patients with CCNK-related syndrome and NPCs in the developing cortex of Ccnk KO mice. INTERPRETATION We discussed the genotype-phenotype relationship of CCNK-related syndrome. Importantly, we demonstrated that CCNK plays critical roles in NPC proliferation and NPC apoptosis in vivo and in vitro. Together, our study highlights that Wnt5a may serve as a promising therapeutic target for the disease intervention. ANN NEUROL 2023;94:1136-1154.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiqian Dai
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology and Genetics, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Institute for Pediatric Research, Shanghai, China
| | - He Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pain and Perioperative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yongkun Zhan
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology and Genetics, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Institute for Pediatric Research, Shanghai, China
| | - Nan Li
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology and Genetics, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Institute for Pediatric Research, Shanghai, China
| | - Fei Li
- Department of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Department of Child Primary Care, Brain and Behavioral Research Unit of Shanghai Institute for Pediatric Research and MOE-Shanghai Key Laboratory for Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jingmin Wang
- Departmentof Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Huifang Yan
- Departmentof Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Departmentof Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Junyu Wang
- Departmentof Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Lingqian Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Huili Liu
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology and Genetics, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Institute for Pediatric Research, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanjie Fan
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology and Genetics, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Institute for Pediatric Research, Shanghai, China
| | - Yue Tao
- Pediatric Translational Medicine Institute, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xi Mo
- Pediatric Translational Medicine Institute, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian-Jun Yang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pain and Perioperative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Kun Sun
- Department of Pediatric Cardiovascular, Center of Clinical Genetics, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Guiquan Chen
- MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yongguo Yu
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology and Genetics, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Institute for Pediatric Research, Shanghai, China
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Cheng Q, Wu J, Xia Y, Cheng Q, Zhao Y, Zhu P, Zhang W, Zhang S, Zhang L, Yuan Y, Li C, Chen G, Xue B. Disruption of protein geranylgeranylation in the cerebellum causes cerebellar hypoplasia and ataxia via blocking granule cell progenitor proliferation. Mol Brain 2023; 16:24. [PMID: 36782228 PMCID: PMC9923931 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-023-01010-4] [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: 09/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The prenylation of proteins is involved in a variety of biological functions. However, it remains unknown whether it plays an important role in the morphogenesis of the cerebellum. To address this question, we generated a mouse model, in which the geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate synthase (Ggps1) gene is inactivated in neural progenitor cells in the developing cerebellum. We report that conditional knockout (cKO) of Ggps1 leads to severe ataxia and deficient locomotion. To identify the underlying mechanisms, we completed a series of cellular and molecular experiments. First, our morphological analysis revealed significantly decreased population of granule cell progenitors (GCPs) and impaired proliferation of GCPs in the developing cerebellum of Ggps1 cKO mice. Second, our molecular analysis showed increased expression of p21, an important cell cycle regulator in Ggps1 cKO mice. Together, this study highlights a critical role of Ggpps-dependent protein prenylation in the proliferation of cerebellar GCPs during cerebellar development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Cheng
- grid.41156.370000 0001 2314 964XMedical School of Nanjing University, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093 China
| | - Jing Wu
- grid.89957.3a0000 0000 9255 8984Core Laboratory, Sir Run Run Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166 China
| | - Yingqian Xia
- grid.41156.370000 0001 2314 964XMedical School of Nanjing University, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093 China
| | - Qing Cheng
- grid.89957.3a0000 0000 9255 8984Department of Obstetrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210004 Jiangsu China
| | - Yinjuan Zhao
- grid.410625.40000 0001 2293 4910Collaborative Innovation Center of Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, 210037 Jiangsu China
| | - Peixiang Zhu
- grid.41156.370000 0001 2314 964XMedical School of Nanjing University, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093 China
| | - Wangling Zhang
- grid.41156.370000 0001 2314 964XMedical School of Nanjing University, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093 China
| | - Shihu Zhang
- grid.410745.30000 0004 1765 1045Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210029 China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Medical Imaging Center of Fuyang People’s Hospital, Fuyang, Anhui Province China
| | - Yushan Yuan
- Medical Imaging Center of Fuyang People’s Hospital, Fuyang, Anhui Province China
| | - Chaojun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and China International Joint Research Center On Environment and Human Health, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
| | - Guiquan Chen
- Medical School of Nanjing University, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China. .,Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China.
| | - Bin Xue
- Core Laboratory, Sir Run Run Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China. .,Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
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Liu T, Zhu X, Huang C, Chen J, Shu S, Chen G, Xu Y, Hu Y. ERK inhibition reduces neuronal death and ameliorates inflammatory responses in forebrain-specific Ppp2cα knockout mice. FASEB J 2022; 36:e22515. [PMID: 35997299 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202200293r] [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: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 07/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
It has been shown that PP2A is critical for apoptosis in neural progenitor cells. However, it remains unknown whether PP2A is required for neuronal survival. To address this question, we generated forebrain-specific Ppp2cα knockout (KO) mice. We show that Ppp2cα KO mice display robust neuronal apoptosis and inflammatory responses in the postnatal cortex. Previous evidence has revealed that PD98059 is a potent ERK inhibitor and may protect the brain against cell death after cardiac arrest. To study whether PD98059 may have any effects on Ppp2cα KO mice, the latter was treated with this inhibitor. We demonstrated that the total number of cleaved caspase3 positive (+) cells in the cortex was significantly reduced in Ppp2cα KO mice treated with PD98059 compared with those without PD98059 treatment. We observed that the total number of IBA1+ cells in the cortex was significantly decreased in Ppp2cα KO mice treated with PD98059. Mechanistic analysis reveals that deletion of PP2Aca causes DNA damage, which may be attenuated by PD98059. Together, this study suggests that inhibition of ERK may be an effective strategy to reduce cell death in brain diseases with abnormal neuronal apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Liu
- Department of Neurology, Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School and The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Institute of Brain Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaolei Zhu
- Department of Neurology, Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School and The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Institute of Brain Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chaoli Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jiang Chen
- Department of Neurology, Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School and The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Institute of Brain Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shu Shu
- Department of Neurology, Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School and The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Institute of Brain Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Guiquan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yun Xu
- Department of Neurology, Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School and The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Institute of Brain Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yimin Hu
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, China
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