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Lescouzères L, Patten SA. Promising animal models for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis drug discovery: a comprehensive update. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2024; 19:1213-1233. [PMID: 39115327 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2024.2387791] [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: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 10/12/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by the progressive loss of motor neurons. Several animal models have been generated to understand ALS pathogenesis. They have provided valuable insight into disease mechanisms and the development of therapeutic strategies. AREAS COVERED In this review, the authors provide a concise overview of simple genetic model organisms, including C. elegans, Drosophila, zebrafish, and mouse genetic models that have been generated to study ALS. They emphasize the benefits of each model and their application in translational research for discovering new chemicals, gene therapy approaches, and antibody-based strategies for treating ALS. EXPERT OPINION Significant progress is being made in identifying new therapeutic targets for ALS. This progress is being enabled by promising animal models of the disease using increasingly effective genetic and pharmacological strategies. There are still challenges to be overcome in order to achieve improved success rates for translating drugs from animal models to clinics for treating ALS. Several promising future directions include the establishment of novel preclinical protocol standards, as well as the combination of animal models with human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Léa Lescouzères
- INRS - Centre Armand Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, Laval, QC, Canada
- Early Drug Discovery Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Shunmoogum A Patten
- INRS - Centre Armand Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, Laval, QC, Canada
- Departement de Neurosciences, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada
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2
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Godfrey RK, Alsop E, Bjork RT, Chauhan BS, Ruvalcaba HC, Antone J, Gittings LM, Michael AF, Williams C, Hala'ufia G, Blythe AD, Hall M, Sattler R, Van Keuren-Jensen K, Zarnescu DC. Modelling TDP-43 proteinopathy in Drosophila uncovers shared and neuron-specific targets across ALS and FTD relevant circuits. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2023; 11:168. [PMID: 37864255 PMCID: PMC10588218 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-023-01656-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) comprise a spectrum of neurodegenerative diseases linked to TDP-43 proteinopathy, which at the cellular level, is characterized by loss of nuclear TDP-43 and accumulation of cytoplasmic TDP-43 inclusions that ultimately cause RNA processing defects including dysregulation of splicing, mRNA transport and translation. Complementing our previous work in motor neurons, here we report a novel model of TDP-43 proteinopathy based on overexpression of TDP-43 in a subset of Drosophila Kenyon cells of the mushroom body (MB), a circuit with structural characteristics reminiscent of vertebrate cortical networks. This model recapitulates several aspects of dementia-relevant pathological features including age-dependent neuronal loss, nuclear depletion and cytoplasmic accumulation of TDP-43, and behavioral deficits in working memory and sleep that occur prior to axonal degeneration. RNA immunoprecipitations identify several candidate mRNA targets of TDP-43 in MBs, some of which are unique to the MB circuit and others that are shared with motor neurons. Among the latter is the glypican Dally-like-protein (Dlp), which exhibits significant TDP-43 associated reduction in expression during aging. Using genetic interactions we show that overexpression of Dlp in MBs mitigates TDP-43 dependent working memory deficits, conistent with Dlp acting as a mediator of TDP-43 toxicity. Substantiating our findings in the fly model, we find that the expression of GPC6 mRNA, a human ortholog of dlp, is specifically altered in neurons exhibiting the molecular signature of TDP-43 pathology in FTD patient brains. These findings suggest that circuit-specific Drosophila models provide a platform for uncovering shared or disease-specific molecular mechanisms and vulnerabilities across the spectrum of TDP-43 proteinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Keating Godfrey
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Life Sciences South, University of Arizona, 1007 E. Lowell St., Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA.
- McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity, Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, 3215 Hull Road, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA.
| | - Eric Alsop
- Translational Genomics Research Institute, 445 N 5th St., Phoenix, AZ, 85004, USA
| | - Reed T Bjork
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Life Sciences South, University of Arizona, 1007 E. Lowell St., Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Brijesh S Chauhan
- Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Penn State College of Medicine, 500 University Drive Crescent Building C4605, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA
| | - Hillary C Ruvalcaba
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Life Sciences South, University of Arizona, 1007 E. Lowell St., Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Jerry Antone
- Translational Genomics Research Institute, 445 N 5th St., Phoenix, AZ, 85004, USA
| | - Lauren M Gittings
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Barrow Neurological Institute, 350 W Thomas Road, Phoenix, AZ, 85013, USA
| | - Allison F Michael
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Life Sciences South, University of Arizona, 1007 E. Lowell St., Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Christi Williams
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Life Sciences South, University of Arizona, 1007 E. Lowell St., Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Grace Hala'ufia
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Life Sciences South, University of Arizona, 1007 E. Lowell St., Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Alexander D Blythe
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Life Sciences South, University of Arizona, 1007 E. Lowell St., Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Megan Hall
- Translational Genomics Research Institute, 445 N 5th St., Phoenix, AZ, 85004, USA
| | - Rita Sattler
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Barrow Neurological Institute, 350 W Thomas Road, Phoenix, AZ, 85013, USA
| | | | - Daniela C Zarnescu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Life Sciences South, University of Arizona, 1007 E. Lowell St., Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA.
- Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Penn State College of Medicine, 500 University Drive Crescent Building C4605, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA.
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3
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The Reversible Carnitine Palmitoyltransferase 1 Inhibitor (Teglicar) Ameliorates the Neurodegenerative Phenotype in a Drosophila Huntington’s Disease Model by Acting on the Expression of Carnitine-Related Genes. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27103125. [PMID: 35630602 PMCID: PMC9146098 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27103125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington’s disease (HD) is a dramatic neurodegenerative disorder caused by the abnormal expansion of a CAG triplet in the huntingtin gene, producing an abnormal protein. As it leads to the death of neurons in the cerebral cortex, the patients primarily present with neurological symptoms, but recently metabolic changes resulting from mitochondrial dysfunction have been identified as novel pathological features. The carnitine shuttle is a complex consisting of three enzymes whose function is to transport the long-chain fatty acids into the mitochondria. Here, its pharmacological modification was used to test the hypothesis that shifting metabolism to lipid oxidation exacerbates the HD symptoms. Behavioural and transcriptional analyses were carried out on HD Drosophila model, to evaluate the involvement of the carnitine cycle in this pathogenesis. Pharmacological inhibition of CPT1, the rate-limiting enzyme of the carnitine cycle, ameliorates the HD symptoms in Drosophila, likely acting on the expression of carnitine-related genes.
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Garrett LR, Niccoli T. Frontotemporal Dementia and Glucose Metabolism. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:812222. [PMID: 35281504 PMCID: PMC8906510 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.812222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD), hallmarked by antero-temporal degeneration in the human brain, is the second most common early onset dementia. FTD is a diverse disease with three main clinical presentations, four different identified proteinopathies and many disease-associated genes. The exact pathophysiology of FTD remains to be elucidated. One common characteristic all forms of FTD share is the dysregulation of glucose metabolism in patients’ brains. The brain consumes around 20% of the body’s energy supply and predominantly utilizes glucose as a fuel. Glucose metabolism dysregulation could therefore be extremely detrimental for neuronal health. Research into the association between glucose metabolism and dementias has recently gained interest in Alzheimer’s disease. FTD also presents with glucose metabolism dysregulation, however, this remains largely an unexplored area. A better understanding of the link between FTD and glucose metabolism may yield further insight into FTD pathophysiology and aid the development of novel therapeutics. Here we review our current understanding of FTD and glucose metabolism in the brain and discuss the evidence of impaired glucose metabolism in FTD. Lastly, we review research potentially suggesting a causal relationship between FTD proteinopathies and impaired glucose metabolism in FTD.
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Loganathan S, Wilson BA, Carey SB, Manzo E, Joardar A, Ugur B, Zarnescu DC. TDP-43 Proteinopathy Causes Broad Metabolic Alterations including TCA Cycle Intermediates and Dopamine Levels in Drosophila Models of ALS. Metabolites 2022; 12:metabo12020101. [PMID: 35208176 PMCID: PMC8876928 DOI: 10.3390/metabo12020101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
ALS is a fatal, complex neurodegenerative disorder that causes selective degeneration of motor neurons. ALS patients exhibit symptoms consistent with altered cellular energetics such as hypermetabolism, weight loss, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and altered glucose tolerance. Although evidence supports metabolic changes in ALS patients, metabolic alterations at a cellular level remain poorly understood. Here, we used a Drosophila model of ALS based on TDP-43 expression in motor neurons that recapitulates hallmark features of motor neuron disease including TDP-43 aggregation, locomotor dysfunction, and reduced lifespan. To gain insights into metabolic changes caused by TDP-43, we performed global metabolomic profiling in larvae expressing TDP-43 (WT or ALS associated mutant variant, G298S) and identified significant alterations in several metabolic pathways. Here, we report alterations in multiple metabolic pathways and highlight upregulation of TCA cycle metabolites and defects in neurotransmitter levels. We also show that modulating TCA cycle flux either genetically or by dietary intervention mitigates TDP-43-dependent locomotor defects. In addition, dopamine levels are significantly reduced in the context of TDP-43G298S, and we find that treatment with pramipexole, a dopamine agonist, improves locomotor function in vivo in Drosophila models of TDP-43 proteinopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suvithanandhini Loganathan
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; (S.L.); (B.A.W.); (S.B.C.); (E.M.); (A.J.)
| | - Bryce A. Wilson
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; (S.L.); (B.A.W.); (S.B.C.); (E.M.); (A.J.)
| | - Sara B. Carey
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; (S.L.); (B.A.W.); (S.B.C.); (E.M.); (A.J.)
| | - Ernesto Manzo
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; (S.L.); (B.A.W.); (S.B.C.); (E.M.); (A.J.)
| | - Archi Joardar
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; (S.L.); (B.A.W.); (S.B.C.); (E.M.); (A.J.)
| | - Berrak Ugur
- Departments of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA;
| | - Daniela C. Zarnescu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; (S.L.); (B.A.W.); (S.B.C.); (E.M.); (A.J.)
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
- Correspondence:
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Bonifacino T, Zerbo RA, Balbi M, Torazza C, Frumento G, Fedele E, Bonanno G, Milanese M. Nearly 30 Years of Animal Models to Study Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Historical Overview and Future Perspectives. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222212236. [PMID: 34830115 PMCID: PMC8619465 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222212236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal, multigenic, multifactorial, and non-cell autonomous neurodegenerative disease characterized by upper and lower motor neuron loss. Several genetic mutations lead to ALS development and many emerging gene mutations have been discovered in recent years. Over the decades since 1990, several animal models have been generated to study ALS pathology including both vertebrates and invertebrates such as yeast, worms, flies, zebrafish, mice, rats, guinea pigs, dogs, and non-human primates. Although these models show different peculiarities, they are all useful and complementary to dissect the pathological mechanisms at the basis of motor neuron degeneration and ALS progression, thus contributing to the development of new promising therapeutics. In this review, we describe the up to date and available ALS genetic animal models, classified by the different genetic mutations and divided per species, pointing out their features in modeling, the onset and progression of the pathology, as well as their specific pathological hallmarks. Moreover, we highlight similarities, differences, advantages, and limitations, aimed at helping the researcher to select the most appropriate experimental animal model, when designing a preclinical ALS study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiziana Bonifacino
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Unit, Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, 16148 Genoa, Italy; (T.B.); (R.A.Z.); (M.B.); (C.T.); (G.F.); (G.B.); (M.M.)
- Inter-University Center for the Promotion of the 3Rs Principles in Teaching & Research (Centro 3R), 56122 Genoa, Italy
| | - Roberta Arianna Zerbo
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Unit, Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, 16148 Genoa, Italy; (T.B.); (R.A.Z.); (M.B.); (C.T.); (G.F.); (G.B.); (M.M.)
| | - Matilde Balbi
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Unit, Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, 16148 Genoa, Italy; (T.B.); (R.A.Z.); (M.B.); (C.T.); (G.F.); (G.B.); (M.M.)
| | - Carola Torazza
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Unit, Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, 16148 Genoa, Italy; (T.B.); (R.A.Z.); (M.B.); (C.T.); (G.F.); (G.B.); (M.M.)
| | - Giulia Frumento
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Unit, Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, 16148 Genoa, Italy; (T.B.); (R.A.Z.); (M.B.); (C.T.); (G.F.); (G.B.); (M.M.)
| | - Ernesto Fedele
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Unit, Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, 16148 Genoa, Italy; (T.B.); (R.A.Z.); (M.B.); (C.T.); (G.F.); (G.B.); (M.M.)
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genoa, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Giambattista Bonanno
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Unit, Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, 16148 Genoa, Italy; (T.B.); (R.A.Z.); (M.B.); (C.T.); (G.F.); (G.B.); (M.M.)
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Marco Milanese
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Unit, Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, 16148 Genoa, Italy; (T.B.); (R.A.Z.); (M.B.); (C.T.); (G.F.); (G.B.); (M.M.)
- Inter-University Center for the Promotion of the 3Rs Principles in Teaching & Research (Centro 3R), 56122 Genoa, Italy
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Rossi S, Cozzolino M. Dysfunction of RNA/RNA-Binding Proteins in ALS Astrocytes and Microglia. Cells 2021; 10:cells10113005. [PMID: 34831228 PMCID: PMC8616248 DOI: 10.3390/cells10113005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Revised: 10/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is a neurological disease that primarily affects motor neurons in the cortex, brainstem, and spinal cord. The process that leads to motor neuron degeneration is strongly influenced by non-motor neuronal events that occur in a variety of cell types. Among these, neuroinflammatory processes mediated by activated astrocytes and microglia play a relevant role. In recent years, it has become clear that dysregulation of essential steps of RNA metabolism, as a consequence of alterations in RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), is a central event in the degeneration of motor neurons. Yet, a causal link between dysfunctional RNA metabolism and the neuroinflammatory processes mediated by astrocytes and microglia in ALS has been poorly defined. In this review, we will discuss the available evidence showing that RBPs and associated RNA processing are affected in ALS astrocytes and microglia, and the possible mechanisms involved in these events.
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Azpurua J, El-Karim EG, Tranquille M, Dubnau J. A behavioral screen for mediators of age-dependent TDP-43 neurodegeneration identifies SF2/SRSF1 among a group of potent suppressors in both neurons and glia. PLoS Genet 2021; 17:e1009882. [PMID: 34723963 PMCID: PMC8584670 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cytoplasmic aggregation of Tar-DNA/RNA binding protein 43 (TDP-43) occurs in 97 percent of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), ~40% of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and in many cases of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Cytoplasmic TDP-43 inclusions are seen in both sporadic and familial forms of these disorders, including those cases that are caused by repeat expansion mutations in the C9orf72 gene. To identify downstream mediators of TDP-43 toxicity, we expressed human TDP-43 in a subset of Drosophila motor neurons. Such expression causes age-dependent deficits in negative geotaxis behavior. Using this behavioral readout of locomotion, we conducted an shRNA suppressor screen and identified 32 transcripts whose knockdown was sufficient to ameliorate the neurological phenotype. The majority of these suppressors also substantially suppressed the negative effects on lifespan seen with glial TDP-43 expression. In addition to identification of a number of genes whose roles in neurodegeneration were not previously known, our screen also yielded genes involved in chromatin regulation and nuclear/import export- pathways that were previously identified in the context of cell based or neurodevelopmental suppressor screens. A notable example is SF2, a conserved orthologue of mammalian SRSF1, an RNA binding protein with roles in splicing and nuclear export. Our identification SF2/SRSF1 as a potent suppressor of both neuronal and glial TDP-43 toxicity also provides a convergence with C9orf72 expansion repeat mediated neurodegeneration, where this gene also acts as a downstream mediator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Azpurua
- Department of Anesthesiology, Stony Brook School of Medicine, Stony Brook, New York, United States of America
| | - Enas Gad El-Karim
- Department of Anesthesiology, Stony Brook School of Medicine, Stony Brook, New York, United States of America
| | - Marvel Tranquille
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, M.S. Program, Stony Brook School of Medicine, Stony Brook, New York, United States of America
| | - Josh Dubnau
- Department of Anesthesiology, Stony Brook School of Medicine, Stony Brook, New York, United States of America
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, United States of America
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Liguori F, Amadio S, Volonté C. Fly for ALS: Drosophila modeling on the route to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis modifiers. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:6143-6160. [PMID: 34322715 PMCID: PMC11072332 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-03905-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rare, devastating disease, causing movement impairment, respiratory failure and ultimate death. A plethora of genetic, cellular and molecular mechanisms are involved in ALS signature, although the initiating causes and progressive pathological events are far from being understood. Drosophila research has produced seminal discoveries for more than a century and has been successfully used in the past 25 years to untangle the process of ALS pathogenesis, and recognize potential markers and novel strategies for therapeutic solutions. This review will provide an updated view of several ALS modifiers validated in C9ORF72, SOD1, FUS, TDP-43 and Ataxin-2 Drosophila models. We will discuss basic and preclinical findings, illustrating recent developments and novel breakthroughs, also depicting unsettled challenges and limitations in the Drosophila-ALS field. We intend to stimulate a renewed debate on Drosophila as a screening route to identify more successful disease modifiers and neuroprotective agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Liguori
- Preclinical Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Via del Fosso di Fiorano 65, 00143, Rome, Italy
| | - Susanna Amadio
- Preclinical Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Via del Fosso di Fiorano 65, 00143, Rome, Italy
| | - Cinzia Volonté
- Preclinical Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Via del Fosso di Fiorano 65, 00143, Rome, Italy.
- Institute for Systems Analysis and Computer Science "A. Ruberti", National Research Council (IASI-CNR), Via dei Taurini 19, 00185, Rome, Italy.
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Loganathan S, Ball HE, Manzo E, Zarnescu DC. Measuring Glucose Uptake in Drosophila Models of TDP-43 Proteinopathy. J Vis Exp 2021:10.3791/62936. [PMID: 34424253 PMCID: PMC9643010 DOI: 10.3791/62936] [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] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a neurodegenerative disorder causing progressive muscle weakness and death within 2-5 years following diagnosis. Clinical manifestations include weight loss, dyslipidemia, and hypermetabolism; however, it remains unclear how these relate to motor neuron degeneration. Using a Drosophila model of TDP-43 proteinopathy that recapitulates several features of ALS including cytoplasmic inclusions, locomotor dysfunction, and reduced lifespan, we recently identified broad ranging metabolic deficits. Among these, glycolysis was found to be upregulated and genetic interaction experiments provided evidence for a compensatory neuroprotective mechanism. Indeed, despite upregulation of phosphofructokinase, the rate limiting enzyme in glycolysis, an increase in glycolysis using dietary and genetic manipulations was shown to mitigate locomotor dysfunction and increased lifespan in fly models of TDP-43 proteinopathy. To further investigate the effect on TDP-43 proteinopathy on glycolytic flux in motor neurons, a previously reported genetically encoded, FRET-based sensor, FLII12Pglu-700µδ6, was used. This sensor is comprised of a bacterial glucose-sensing domain and cyan and yellow fluorescent proteins as the FRET pair. Upon glucose binding, the sensor undergoes a conformational change allowing FRET to occur. Using FLII12Pglu-700µδ6, glucose uptake was found to be significantly increased in motor neurons expressing TDP-43G298S, an ALS causing variant. Here, we show how to measure glucose uptake, ex vivo, in larval ventral nerve cord preparations expressing the glucose sensor FLII12Pglu-700µδ6 in the context of TDP-43 proteinopathy. This approach can be used to measure glucose uptake and assess glycolytic flux in different cell types or in the context of various mutations causing ALS and related neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hannah E Ball
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson
| | - Ernesto Manzo
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson; Vollum Institute, Oregon Health and Science University
| | - Daniela C Zarnescu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson; Department of Neuroscience, University of Arizona, Tucson;
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11
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Coll-Tané M, Gong NN, Belfer SJ, van Renssen LV, Kurtz-Nelson EC, Szuperak M, Eidhof I, van Reijmersdal B, Terwindt I, Durkin J, Verheij MMM, Kim CN, Hudac CM, Nowakowski TJ, Bernier RA, Pillen S, Earl RK, Eichler EE, Kleefstra T, Kayser MS, Schenck A. The CHD8/CHD7/Kismet family links blood-brain barrier glia and serotonin to ASD-associated sleep defects. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:7/23/eabe2626. [PMID: 34088660 PMCID: PMC8177706 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abe2626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Sleep disturbances in autism and neurodevelopmental disorders are common and adversely affect patient's quality of life, yet the underlying mechanisms are understudied. We found that individuals with mutations in CHD8, among the highest-confidence autism risk genes, or CHD7 suffer from disturbed sleep maintenance. These defects are recapitulated in Drosophila mutants affecting kismet, the sole CHD8/CHD7 ortholog. We show that Kismet is required in glia for early developmental and adult sleep architecture. This role localizes to subperineurial glia constituting the blood-brain barrier. We demonstrate that Kismet-related sleep disturbances are caused by high serotonin during development, paralleling a well-established but genetically unsolved autism endophenotype. Despite their developmental origin, Kismet's sleep architecture defects can be reversed in adulthood by a behavioral regime resembling human sleep restriction therapy. Our findings provide fundamental insights into glial regulation of sleep and propose a causal mechanistic link between the CHD8/CHD7/Kismet family, developmental hyperserotonemia, and autism-associated sleep disturbances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mireia Coll-Tané
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud university medical center, 6525 GA, Nijmegen, Netherlands.
| | - Naihua N Gong
- Departments of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Chronobiology and Sleep Institute, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Samuel J Belfer
- Departments of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Chronobiology and Sleep Institute, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Lara V van Renssen
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud university medical center, 6525 GA, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | | | - Milan Szuperak
- Departments of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Chronobiology and Sleep Institute, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Ilse Eidhof
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud university medical center, 6525 GA, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Boyd van Reijmersdal
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud university medical center, 6525 GA, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Isabel Terwindt
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud university medical center, 6525 GA, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Jaclyn Durkin
- Departments of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Chronobiology and Sleep Institute, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Michel M M Verheij
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Centre for Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Chang N Kim
- Departments of Anatomy and Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143 USA
| | - Caitlin M Hudac
- Center for Youth Development and Intervention and Department of Psychology, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA
| | - Tomasz J Nowakowski
- Departments of Anatomy and Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143 USA
| | - Raphael A Bernier
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98185, USA
| | - Sigrid Pillen
- Center for Sleep Medicine, Kempenhaeghe, Heeze, Netherlands
| | - Rachel K Earl
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98185, USA
| | - Evan E Eichler
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Tjitske Kleefstra
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud university medical center, 6525 GA, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Matthew S Kayser
- Departments of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Chronobiology and Sleep Institute, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Annette Schenck
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud university medical center, 6525 GA, Nijmegen, Netherlands.
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12
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Liguori F, Amadio S, Volonté C. Where and Why Modeling Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22083977. [PMID: 33921446 PMCID: PMC8070525 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22083977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Revised: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the years, researchers have leveraged a host of different in vivo models in order to dissect amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a neurodegenerative/neuroinflammatory disease that is heterogeneous in its clinical presentation and is multigenic, multifactorial and non-cell autonomous. These models include both vertebrates and invertebrates such as yeast, worms, flies, zebrafish, mice, rats, guinea pigs, dogs and, more recently, non-human primates. Despite their obvious differences and peculiarities, only the concurrent and comparative analysis of these various systems will allow the untangling of the causes and mechanisms of ALS for finally obtaining new efficacious therapeutics. However, harnessing these powerful organisms poses numerous challenges. In this context, we present here an updated and comprehensive review of how eukaryotic unicellular and multicellular organisms that reproduce a few of the main clinical features of the disease have helped in ALS research to dissect the pathological pathways of the disease insurgence and progression. We describe common features as well as discrepancies among these models, highlighting new insights and emerging roles for experimental organisms in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Liguori
- Preclinical Neuroscience, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, 00143 Rome, Italy; (F.L.); (S.A.)
| | - Susanna Amadio
- Preclinical Neuroscience, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, 00143 Rome, Italy; (F.L.); (S.A.)
| | - Cinzia Volonté
- Preclinical Neuroscience, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, 00143 Rome, Italy; (F.L.); (S.A.)
- Institute for Systems Analysis and Computer Science “A. Ruberti”, National Research Council (IASI—CNR), 00185 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-06-50170-3084
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13
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Yamaguchi M, Lee IS, Jantrapirom S, Suda K, Yoshida H. Drosophila models to study causative genes for human rare intractable neurological diseases. Exp Cell Res 2021; 403:112584. [PMID: 33812867 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2021.112584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Drosophila is emerging as a convenient model for investigating human diseases. Functional homologues of almost 75% of human disease-related genes are found in Drosophila. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a severe neurodegenerative disease that causes defects in motoneurons. Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) is one of the most commonly found inherited neuropathies affecting both motor and sensory neurons. No effective therapy has been established for either of these diseases. In this review, after overviewing ALS, Drosophila models targeting several ALS-causing genes, including TDP-43, FUS and Ubiquilin2, are described with their genetic interactants. Then, after overviewing CMT, examples of Drosophila models targeting several CMT-causing genes, including mitochondria-related genes and FIG 4, are also described with their genetic interactants. In addition, we introduce Sotos syndrome caused by mutations in the epigenetic regulator gene NSD1. Lastly, several genes and pathways that commonly interact with ALS- and/or CMT-causing genes are described. In the case of ALS and CMT that have many causative genes, it may be not practical to perform gene therapy for each of the many disease-causing genes. The possible uses of the common genes and pathways as novel diagnosis markers and effective therapeutic targets are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masamitsu Yamaguchi
- Department of Applied Biology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Matsugasaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8585, Japan; Kansai Gakken Laboratory, Kankyo Eisei Yakuhin Co. Ltd., Seika-cho, Kyoto, 619-0237, Japan
| | - Im-Soon Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Konkuk University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Salinee Jantrapirom
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Kojiro Suda
- Department of Applied Biology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Matsugasaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8585, Japan
| | - Hideki Yoshida
- Department of Applied Biology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Matsugasaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8585, Japan.
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14
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Lehmkuhl EM, Loganathan S, Alsop E, Blythe AD, Kovalik T, Mortimore NP, Barrameda D, Kueth C, Eck RJ, Siddegowda BB, Joardar A, Ball H, Macias ME, Bowser R, Van Keuren-Jensen K, Zarnescu DC. TDP-43 proteinopathy alters the ribosome association of multiple mRNAs including the glypican Dally-like protein (Dlp)/GPC6. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2021; 9:52. [PMID: 33762006 PMCID: PMC7992842 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-021-01148-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a genetically heterogeneous neurodegenerative disease in which 97% of patients exhibit cytoplasmic aggregates containing the RNA binding protein TDP-43. Using tagged ribosome affinity purifications in Drosophila models of TDP-43 proteinopathy, we identified TDP-43 dependent translational alterations in motor neurons impacting the spliceosome, pentose phosphate and oxidative phosphorylation pathways. A subset of the mRNAs with altered ribosome association are also enriched in TDP-43 complexes suggesting that they may be direct targets. Among these, dlp mRNA, which encodes the glypican Dally like protein (Dlp)/GPC6, a wingless (Wg/Wnt) signaling regulator is insolubilized both in flies and patient tissues with TDP-43 pathology. While Dlp/GPC6 forms puncta in the Drosophila neuropil and ALS spinal cords, it is reduced at the neuromuscular synapse in flies suggesting compartment specific effects of TDP-43 proteinopathy. These findings together with genetic interaction data show that Dlp/GPC6 is a novel, physiologically relevant target of TDP-43 proteinopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik M. Lehmkuhl
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Arizona, 1007 E. Lowell St, LSS RM 548A, Tucson, AZ 85721 USA
| | - Suvithanandhini Loganathan
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Arizona, 1007 E. Lowell St, LSS RM 548A, Tucson, AZ 85721 USA
| | - Eric Alsop
- Translational Genomics Research Institute, 445 N 5th St, Phoenix, AZ 85004 USA
| | - Alexander D. Blythe
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Arizona, 1007 E. Lowell St, LSS RM 548A, Tucson, AZ 85721 USA
| | - Tina Kovalik
- Department of Neurobiology, Barrow Neurological Institute, 350 W Thomas Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85013 USA
| | - Nicholas P. Mortimore
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Arizona, 1007 E. Lowell St, LSS RM 548A, Tucson, AZ 85721 USA
| | - Dianne Barrameda
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Arizona, 1007 E. Lowell St, LSS RM 548A, Tucson, AZ 85721 USA
| | - Chuol Kueth
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Arizona, 1007 E. Lowell St, LSS RM 548A, Tucson, AZ 85721 USA
| | - Randall J. Eck
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Arizona, 1007 E. Lowell St, LSS RM 548A, Tucson, AZ 85721 USA
| | - Bhavani B. Siddegowda
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Arizona, 1007 E. Lowell St, LSS RM 548A, Tucson, AZ 85721 USA
| | - Archi Joardar
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Arizona, 1007 E. Lowell St, LSS RM 548A, Tucson, AZ 85721 USA
| | - Hannah Ball
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Arizona, 1007 E. Lowell St, LSS RM 548A, Tucson, AZ 85721 USA
| | - Maria E. Macias
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Arizona, 1007 E. Lowell St, LSS RM 548A, Tucson, AZ 85721 USA
| | - Robert Bowser
- Department of Neurobiology, Barrow Neurological Institute, 350 W Thomas Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85013 USA
| | | | - Daniela C. Zarnescu
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Arizona, 1007 E. Lowell St, LSS RM 548A, Tucson, AZ 85721 USA
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Arizona, 1040 4th St, Tucson, AZ 85721 USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Arizona, 1501 N Campbell Ave, Tucson, AZ 85724 USA
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15
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Layalle S, They L, Ourghani S, Raoul C, Soustelle L. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Genes in Drosophila melanogaster. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22020904. [PMID: 33477509 PMCID: PMC7831090 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22020904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating adult-onset neurodegenerative disease characterized by the progressive degeneration of upper and lower motoneurons. Most ALS cases are sporadic but approximately 10% of ALS cases are due to inherited mutations in identified genes. ALS-causing mutations were identified in over 30 genes with superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD1), chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 (C9orf72), fused in sarcoma (FUS), and TAR DNA-binding protein (TARDBP, encoding TDP-43) being the most frequent. In the last few decades, Drosophila melanogaster emerged as a versatile model for studying neurodegenerative diseases, including ALS. In this review, we describe the different Drosophila ALS models that have been successfully used to decipher the cellular and molecular pathways associated with SOD1, C9orf72, FUS, and TDP-43. The study of the known fruit fly orthologs of these ALS-related genes yielded significant insights into cellular mechanisms and physiological functions. Moreover, genetic screening in tissue-specific gain-of-function mutants that mimic ALS-associated phenotypes identified disease-modifying genes. Here, we propose a comprehensive review on the Drosophila research focused on four ALS-linked genes that has revealed novel pathogenic mechanisms and identified potential therapeutic targets for future therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Layalle
- The Neuroscience Institute of Montpellier, INSERM, University of Montpellier, 34091 Montpellier, France; (S.L.); (L.T.); (S.O.)
| | - Laetitia They
- The Neuroscience Institute of Montpellier, INSERM, University of Montpellier, 34091 Montpellier, France; (S.L.); (L.T.); (S.O.)
| | - Sarah Ourghani
- The Neuroscience Institute of Montpellier, INSERM, University of Montpellier, 34091 Montpellier, France; (S.L.); (L.T.); (S.O.)
| | - Cédric Raoul
- The Neuroscience Institute of Montpellier, INSERM, University of Montpellier, 34091 Montpellier, France; (S.L.); (L.T.); (S.O.)
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia
- Correspondence: (C.R.); (L.S.)
| | - Laurent Soustelle
- The Neuroscience Institute of Montpellier, INSERM, University of Montpellier, 34091 Montpellier, France; (S.L.); (L.T.); (S.O.)
- Correspondence: (C.R.); (L.S.)
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16
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Lee S, Kim S, Kang HY, Lim HR, Kwon Y, Jo M, Jeon YM, Kim SR, Kim K, Ha CM, Lee S, Kim HJ. The overexpression of TDP-43 in astrocytes causes neurodegeneration via a PTP1B-mediated inflammatory response. J Neuroinflammation 2020; 17:299. [PMID: 33054766 PMCID: PMC7556969 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-020-01963-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cytoplasmic inclusions of transactive response DNA binding protein of 43 kDa (TDP-43) in neurons and astrocytes are a feature of some neurodegenerative diseases, such as frontotemporal lobar degeneration with TDP-43 (FTLD-TDP) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, the role of TDP-43 in astrocyte pathology remains largely unknown. METHODS To investigate whether TDP-43 overexpression in primary astrocytes could induce inflammation, we transfected primary astrocytes with plasmids encoding Gfp or TDP-43-Gfp. The inflammatory response and upregulation of PTP1B in transfected cells were examined using quantitative RT-PCR and immunoblot analysis. Neurotoxicity was analysed in a transwell coculture system of primary cortical neurons with astrocytes and cultured neurons treated with astrocyte-conditioned medium (ACM). We also examined the lifespan, performed climbing assays and analysed immunohistochemical data in pan-glial TDP-43-expressing flies in the presence or absence of a Ptp61f RNAi transgene. RESULTS PTP1B inhibition suppressed TDP-43-induced secretion of inflammatory cytokines (interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α)) in primary astrocytes. Using a neuron-astrocyte coculture system and astrocyte-conditioned media treatment, we demonstrated that PTP1B inhibition attenuated neuronal death and mitochondrial dysfunction caused by overexpression of TDP-43 in astrocytes. In addition, neuromuscular junction (NMJ) defects, a shortened lifespan, inflammation and climbing defects caused by pan-glial overexpression of TDP-43 were significantly rescued by downregulation of ptp61f (the Drosophila homologue of PTP1B) in flies. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that PTP1B inhibition mitigates the neuronal toxicity caused by TDP-43-induced inflammation in mammalian astrocytes and Drosophila glial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinrye Lee
- Dementia Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute (KBRI), Daegu, 41062, South Korea
| | - Seyeon Kim
- Dementia Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute (KBRI), Daegu, 41062, South Korea
- Department of Brain & Cognitive Sciences, DGIST, Daegu, 42988, South Korea
| | - Ha-Young Kang
- Gwangju Center, Korea Basic Science Institute (KBSI), Gwangju, 61886, South Korea
| | - Hye Ryeong Lim
- Research Division and Brain Research Core Facilities, Korea Brain Research Institute (KBRI), Daegu, 41062, South Korea
| | - Younghwi Kwon
- Dementia Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute (KBRI), Daegu, 41062, South Korea
- Department of Brain & Cognitive Sciences, DGIST, Daegu, 42988, South Korea
| | - Myungjin Jo
- Dementia Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute (KBRI), Daegu, 41062, South Korea
| | - Yu-Mi Jeon
- Dementia Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute (KBRI), Daegu, 41062, South Korea
| | - Sang Ryong Kim
- School of Life Sciences, BK21 Plus KNU Creative BioResearch Group, Institute of Life Science & Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41566, South Korea
- Brain Science and Engineering Institute, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41944, South Korea
| | - Kiyoung Kim
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Soonchunhyang University, Asan, 31538, South Korea
| | - Chang Man Ha
- Research Division and Brain Research Core Facilities, Korea Brain Research Institute (KBRI), Daegu, 41062, South Korea
| | - Seongsoo Lee
- Gwangju Center, Korea Basic Science Institute (KBSI), Gwangju, 61886, South Korea.
| | - Hyung-Jun Kim
- Dementia Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute (KBRI), Daegu, 41062, South Korea.
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17
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Golini E, Rigamonti M, Iannello F, De Rosa C, Scavizzi F, Raspa M, Mandillo S. A Non-invasive Digital Biomarker for the Detection of Rest Disturbances in the SOD1G93A Mouse Model of ALS. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:896. [PMID: 32982678 PMCID: PMC7490341 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.00896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease that affects both central and peripheral nervous system, leading to the degeneration of motor neurons, which eventually results in muscle atrophy, paralysis, and death. Sleep disturbances are common in patients with ALS, leading to even further deteriorated quality of life. Investigating methods to potentially assess sleep and rest disturbances in animal models of ALS is thus of crucial interest. We used an automated home cage monitoring system (DVC®) to capture irregular activity patterns that can potentially be associated with sleep and rest disturbances and thus to the progression of ALS in the SOD1G93A mouse model. DVC® enables non-intrusive 24/7 long term animal activity monitoring, which we assessed together with body weight decline and neuromuscular function deterioration measured by grid hanging and grip strength tests in male and female mice from 7 until 24 weeks of age. We show that as the ALS progresses over time in SOD1G93A mice, activity patterns start becoming irregular, especially during day time, with frequent activity bouts that are neither observed in control mice nor in SOD1G93A at a younger age. The increasing irregularities of activity pattern are quantitatively captured by designing a novel digital biomarker, referred to as Regularity Disruption Index (RDI). We show that RDI is a robust measure capable of detecting home cage activity patterns that could be related to rest/sleep-related disturbances during the disease progression. Moreover, the RDI rise during the early symptomatic stage parallels grid hanging and body weight decline. The non-intrusive long-term continuous monitoring of animal activity enabled by DVC® has been instrumental in discovering novel activity patterns potentially correlated, once validated, with sleep and rest disturbances in the SOD1G93A mouse model of the ALS disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Golini
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology-National Research Council (IBBC-CNR), CNR-Campus International Development (EMMA-INFRAFRONTIER-IMPC), Monterotondo, Italy
| | | | | | - Carla De Rosa
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology-National Research Council (IBBC-CNR), CNR-Campus International Development (EMMA-INFRAFRONTIER-IMPC), Monterotondo, Italy
| | - Ferdinando Scavizzi
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology-National Research Council (IBBC-CNR), CNR-Campus International Development (EMMA-INFRAFRONTIER-IMPC), Monterotondo, Italy
| | - Marcello Raspa
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology-National Research Council (IBBC-CNR), CNR-Campus International Development (EMMA-INFRAFRONTIER-IMPC), Monterotondo, Italy
| | - Silvia Mandillo
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology-National Research Council (IBBC-CNR), CNR-Campus International Development (EMMA-INFRAFRONTIER-IMPC), Monterotondo, Italy
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18
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Chung HL, Mao X, Wang H, Park YJ, Marcogliese PC, Rosenfeld JA, Burrage LC, Liu P, Murdock DR, Yamamoto S, Wangler MF, Chao HT, Long H, Feng L, Bacino CA, Bellen HJ, Xiao B. De Novo Variants in CDK19 Are Associated with a Syndrome Involving Intellectual Disability and Epileptic Encephalopathy. Am J Hum Genet 2020; 106:717-725. [PMID: 32330417 PMCID: PMC7212481 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2020.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
Abstract
We identified three unrelated individuals with de novo missense variants in CDK19, encoding a cyclin-dependent kinase protein family member that predominantly regulates gene transcription. These individuals presented with hypotonia, global developmental delay, epileptic encephalopathy, and dysmorphic features. CDK19 is conserved between vertebrate and invertebrate model organisms, but currently abnormalities in CDK19 are not known to be associated with a human disorder. Loss of Cdk8, the fly homolog of CDK19, causes larval lethality, which is suppressed by expression of human CDK19 reference cDNA. In contrast, the CDK19 p.Tyr32His and p.Thr196Ala variants identified in the affected individuals fail to rescue the loss of Cdk8 and behave as null alleles. Additionally, neuronal RNAi-mediated knockdown of Cdk8 in flies results in semi-lethality. The few eclosing flies exhibit severe seizures and a reduced lifespan. Both phenotypes are fully suppressed by moderate expression of the CDK19 reference cDNA but not by expression of the two variants. Finally, loss of Cdk8 causes an obvious loss of boutons and synapses at larval neuromuscular junctions (NMJs). Together, our findings demonstrate that human CDK19 fully replaces the function of Cdk8 in the fly, the human disease-associated CDK19 variants behave as strong loss-of-function variants, and deleterious CDK19 variants underlie a syndromic neurodevelopmental disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyung-Lok Chung
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Xiao Mao
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Birth Defects Research, Prevention, and Treatment, Hunan Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changsha 410008, China; Department of Medical Genetics, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hunan Province, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China
| | - Hua Wang
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Birth Defects Research, Prevention, and Treatment, Hunan Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changsha 410008, China; Department of Medical Genetics, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hunan Province, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China
| | - Ye-Jin Park
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Paul C Marcogliese
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jill A Rosenfeld
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Lindsay C Burrage
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Pengfei Liu
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Baylor Genetics, Houston, TX 22021, USA
| | - David R Murdock
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Shinya Yamamoto
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Michael F Wangler
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Hsiao-Tuan Chao
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neurology and Developmental Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; McNair Medical Institute, The Robert and Janice McNair Foundation, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Hongyu Long
- Neurology Department, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China
| | - Li Feng
- Neurology Department, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China
| | - Carlos A Bacino
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Hugo J Bellen
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - Bo Xiao
- Neurology Department, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China.
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19
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Presynaptic Homeostasis Opposes Disease Progression in Mouse Models of ALS-Like Degeneration: Evidence for Homeostatic Neuroprotection. Neuron 2020; 107:95-111.e6. [PMID: 32380032 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2020.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Revised: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Progressive synapse loss is an inevitable and insidious part of age-related neurodegenerative disease. Typically, synapse loss precedes symptoms of cognitive and motor decline. This suggests the existence of compensatory mechanisms that can temporarily counteract the effects of ongoing neurodegeneration. Here, we demonstrate that presynaptic homeostatic plasticity (PHP) is induced at degenerating neuromuscular junctions, mediated by an evolutionarily conserved activity of presynaptic ENaC channels in both Drosophila and mouse. To assess the consequence of eliminating PHP in a mouse model of ALS-like degeneration, we generated a motoneuron-specific deletion of Scnn1a, encoding the ENaC channel alpha subunit. We show that Scnn1a is essential for PHP without adversely affecting baseline neural function or lifespan. However, Scnn1a knockout in a degeneration-causing mutant background accelerated motoneuron loss and disease progression to twice the rate observed in littermate controls with intact PHP. We propose a model of neuroprotective homeostatic plasticity, extending organismal lifespan and health span.
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20
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Filipi T, Hermanova Z, Tureckova J, Vanatko O, Anderova M. Glial Cells-The Strategic Targets in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Treatment. J Clin Med 2020; 9:E261. [PMID: 31963681 PMCID: PMC7020059 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9010261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Revised: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurological disease, which is characterized by the degeneration of motor neurons in the motor cortex and the spinal cord and subsequently by muscle atrophy. To date, numerous gene mutations have been linked to both sporadic and familial ALS, but the effort of many experimental groups to develop a suitable therapy has not, as of yet, proven successful. The original focus was on the degenerating motor neurons, when researchers tried to understand the pathological mechanisms that cause their slow death. However, it was soon discovered that ALS is a complicated and diverse pathology, where not only neurons, but also other cell types, play a crucial role via the so-called non-cell autonomous effect, which strongly deteriorates neuronal conditions. Subsequently, variable glia-based in vitro and in vivo models of ALS were established and used for brand-new experimental and clinical approaches. Such a shift towards glia soon bore its fruit in the form of several clinical studies, which more or less successfully tried to ward the unfavourable prognosis of ALS progression off. In this review, we aimed to summarize current knowledge regarding the involvement of each glial cell type in the progression of ALS, currently available treatments, and to provide an overview of diverse clinical trials covering pharmacological approaches, gene, and cell therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tereza Filipi
- Department of Cellular Neurophysiology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, 14200 Prague, Czech Republic; (T.F.); (Z.H.); (J.T.); (O.V.)
- 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 15006 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Zuzana Hermanova
- Department of Cellular Neurophysiology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, 14200 Prague, Czech Republic; (T.F.); (Z.H.); (J.T.); (O.V.)
- 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 15006 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Tureckova
- Department of Cellular Neurophysiology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, 14200 Prague, Czech Republic; (T.F.); (Z.H.); (J.T.); (O.V.)
| | - Ondrej Vanatko
- Department of Cellular Neurophysiology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, 14200 Prague, Czech Republic; (T.F.); (Z.H.); (J.T.); (O.V.)
| | - Miroslava Anderova
- Department of Cellular Neurophysiology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, 14200 Prague, Czech Republic; (T.F.); (Z.H.); (J.T.); (O.V.)
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21
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Loganathan S, Lehmkuhl EM, Eck RJ, Zarnescu DC. To Be or Not To Be…Toxic-Is RNA Association With TDP-43 Complexes Deleterious or Protective in Neurodegeneration? Front Mol Biosci 2020; 6:154. [PMID: 31998750 PMCID: PMC6965497 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2019.00154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2019] [Accepted: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
TAR DNA binding protein (TDP-43) is a nucleic acid binding protein associated with insoluble cytoplasmic aggregates in several neurodegenerative disorders, including 97% of the ALS cases. In healthy individuals, TDP-43 is primarily localized to the nucleus; it can shuttle between the nucleus and the cytoplasm, and is involved in several aspects of RNA processing including transcription, splicing, RNA stability, transport, localization, stress granule (SG) formation, and translation. Upon stress, TDP-43 aggregates in the cytoplasm and associates with several types of RNA and protein assemblies, resulting in nuclear depletion of TDP-43. Under conditions of prolonged stress, cytoplasmic TDP-43 undergoes liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) and becomes less mobile. Evidence exists to support a scenario in which insoluble TDP-43 complexes sequester RNA and/or proteins causing disturbances in both ribostasis and proteostasis, which in turn contribute to neurodegeneration. However, the relationship between RNA binding and TDP-43 toxicity remains unclear. Recent studies provide conflicting views on the role of RNA in TDP-43 toxicity, with some finding RNA as a toxic factor whereby RNA binding contributes to TDP-43 toxicity, while others find RNA to be a protective factor that inhibits TDP-43 aggregation. Here we review and discuss these recent reports, which ultimately highlight the importance of understanding the heterogeneity of TDP-43 assemblies and collectively point to solubilizing TDP-43 as a potential therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Erik M Lehmkuhl
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Randall J Eck
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States.,Department of Neuroscience, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Daniela C Zarnescu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States.,Department of Neuroscience, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
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22
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Yang WR, Ardeljan D, Pacyna CN, Payer LM, Burns KH. SQuIRE reveals locus-specific regulation of interspersed repeat expression. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 47:e27. [PMID: 30624635 PMCID: PMC6411935 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gky1301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2018] [Revised: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 01/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Transposable elements (TEs) are interspersed repeat sequences that make up much of the human genome. Their expression has been implicated in development and disease. However, TE-derived RNA-seq reads are difficult to quantify. Past approaches have excluded these reads or aggregated RNA expression to subfamilies shared by similar TE copies, sacrificing quantitative accuracy or the genomic context necessary to understand the basis of TE transcription. As a result, the effects of TEs on gene expression and associated phenotypes are not well understood. Here, we present Software for Quantifying Interspersed Repeat Expression (SQuIRE), the first RNA-seq analysis pipeline that provides a quantitative and locus-specific picture of TE expression (https://github.com/wyang17/SQuIRE). SQuIRE is an accurate and user-friendly tool that can be used for a variety of species. We applied SQuIRE to RNA-seq from normal mouse tissues and a Drosophila model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In both model organisms, we recapitulated previously reported TE subfamily expression levels and revealed locus-specific TE expression. We also identified differences in TE transcription patterns relating to transcript type, gene expression and RNA splicing that would be lost with other approaches using subfamily-level analyses. Altogether, our findings illustrate the importance of studying TE transcription with locus-level resolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wan R Yang
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Daniel Ardeljan
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.,McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Clarissa N Pacyna
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.,Thomas C. Jenkins Department of Biophysics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Lindsay M Payer
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Kathleen H Burns
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.,McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.,Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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23
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Abstract
Motor neuron disorders are highly debilitating and mostly fatal conditions for which only limited therapeutic options are available. To overcome this limitation and develop more effective therapeutic strategies, it is critical to discover the pathogenic mechanisms that trigger and sustain motor neuron degeneration with the greatest accuracy and detail. In the case of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), several genes have been associated with familial forms of the disease, whilst the vast majority of cases develop sporadically and no defined cause can be held responsible. On the contrary, the huge majority of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) occurrences are caused by loss-of-function mutations in a single gene, SMN1. Although the typical hallmark of both diseases is the loss of motor neurons, there is increasing awareness that pathological lesions are also present in the neighbouring glia, whose dysfunction clearly contributes to generating a toxic environment in the central nervous system. Here, ALS and SMA are sequentially presented, each disease section having a brief introduction, followed by a focussed discussion on the role of the astrocytes in the disease pathogenesis. Such a dissertation is substantiated by the findings that built awareness on the glial involvement and how the glial-neuronal interplay is perturbed, along with the appraisal of this new cellular site for possible therapeutic intervention.
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24
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François-Moutal L, Felemban R, Scott DD, Sayegh MR, Miranda VG, Perez-Miller S, Khanna R, Gokhale V, Zarnescu DC, Khanna M. Small Molecule Targeting TDP-43's RNA Recognition Motifs Reduces Locomotor Defects in a Drosophila Model of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). ACS Chem Biol 2019; 14:2006-2013. [PMID: 31241884 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.9b00481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
RNA dysregulation likely contributes to disease pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other neurodegenerative diseases. A pathological form of the transactive response (TAR) DNA binding protein (TDP-43) binds to RNA in stress granules and forms membraneless, amyloid-like TDP-43 aggregates in the cytoplasm of ALS motor neurons. In this study, we hypothesized that by targeting the RNA recognition motif (RRM) domains of TDP-43 that confer a pathogenic interaction between TDP-43 and RNA, motor neuron toxicity could be reduced. In silico docking of 50000 compounds to the RRM domains of TDP-43 identified a small molecule (rTRD01) that (i) bound to TDP-43's RRM1 and RRM2 domains, (ii) partially disrupted TDP-43's interaction with the hexanucleotide RNA repeat of the disease-linked c9orf72 gene, but not with (UG)6 canonical binding sequence of TDP-43, and (iii) improved larval turning, an assay measuring neuromuscular coordination and strength, in an ALS fly model based on the overexpression of mutant TDP-43. Our findings provide an instructive example of a chemical biology approach pivoted to discover small molecules targeting RNA-protein interactions in neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liberty François-Moutal
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85724, United States
- Center for Innovation in Brain Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Razaz Felemban
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85724, United States
- Center for Innovation in Brain Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
- King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Ministry of National Guard, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - David D. Scott
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85724, United States
- Center for Innovation in Brain Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Melissa R. Sayegh
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
- Department of Neurology, University of Arizona, Tucson Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Victor G. Miranda
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85724, United States
- Center for Innovation in Brain Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Samantha Perez-Miller
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85724, United States
- Center for Innovation in Brain Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Rajesh Khanna
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85724, United States
| | - Vijay Gokhale
- Bio5 Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Daniela C. Zarnescu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
- Department of Neurology, University of Arizona, Tucson Arizona 85721, United States
| | - May Khanna
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85724, United States
- Center for Innovation in Brain Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
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25
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Manzo E, Lorenzini I, Barrameda D, O'Conner AG, Barrows JM, Starr A, Kovalik T, Rabichow BE, Lehmkuhl EM, Shreiner DD, Joardar A, Liévens JC, Bowser R, Sattler R, Zarnescu DC. Glycolysis upregulation is neuroprotective as a compensatory mechanism in ALS. eLife 2019; 8:45114. [PMID: 31180318 PMCID: PMC6557627 DOI: 10.7554/elife.45114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder, with TDP-43 inclusions as a major pathological hallmark. Using a Drosophila model of TDP-43 proteinopathy we found significant alterations in glucose metabolism including increased pyruvate, suggesting that modulating glycolysis may be neuroprotective. Indeed, a high sugar diet improves locomotor and lifespan defects caused by TDP-43 proteinopathy in motor neurons or glia, but not muscle, suggesting that metabolic dysregulation occurs in the nervous system. Overexpressing human glucose transporter GLUT-3 in motor neurons mitigates TDP-43 dependent defects in synaptic vesicle recycling and improves locomotion. Furthermore, PFK mRNA, a key indicator of glycolysis, is upregulated in flies and patient derived iPSC motor neurons with TDP-43 pathology. Surprisingly, PFK overexpression rescues TDP-43 induced locomotor deficits. These findings from multiple ALS models show that mechanistically, glycolysis is upregulated in degenerating motor neurons as a compensatory mechanism and suggest that increased glucose availability is protective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ernesto Manzo
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, United States
| | - Ileana Lorenzini
- Department of Neurology, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, United States
| | - Dianne Barrameda
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, United States
| | - Abigail G O'Conner
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, United States
| | - Jordan M Barrows
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, United States
| | - Alexander Starr
- Department of Neurology, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, United States
| | - Tina Kovalik
- Department of Neurology, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, United States
| | - Benjamin E Rabichow
- Department of Neurology, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, United States
| | - Erik M Lehmkuhl
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, United States
| | - Dakotah D Shreiner
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, United States
| | - Archi Joardar
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, United States
| | | | - Robert Bowser
- Department of Neurology, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, United States
| | - Rita Sattler
- Department of Neurology, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, United States
| | - Daniela C Zarnescu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, United States.,Department of Neuroscience, University of Arizona, Tucson, United States.,Department of Neurobiology, University of Arizona, Tucson, United States
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26
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Jiang T, Handley E, Brizuela M, Dawkins E, Lewis KEA, Clark RM, Dickson TC, Blizzard CA. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis mutant TDP-43 may cause synaptic dysfunction through altered dendritic spine function. Dis Model Mech 2019; 12:dmm.038109. [PMID: 31036551 PMCID: PMC6550035 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.038109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Accepted: 04/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Altered cortical excitability and synapse dysfunction are early pathogenic events in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients and animal models. Recent studies propose an important role for TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43), the mislocalization and aggregation of which are key pathological features of ALS. However, the relationship between ALS-linked TDP-43 mutations, excitability and synaptic function is not fully understood. Here, we investigate the role of ALS-linked mutant TDP-43 in synapse formation by examining the morphological, immunocytochemical and excitability profile of transgenic mouse primary cortical pyramidal neurons that over-express human TDP-43A315T. In TDP-43A315T cortical neurons, dendritic spine density was significantly reduced compared to wild-type controls. TDP-43A315T over-expression increased the total levels of the α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropinionic acid (AMPA) glutamate receptor subunit GluR1, yet the localization of GluR1 to the dendritic spine was reduced. These postsynaptic changes were coupled with a decrease in the amount of the presynaptic marker synaptophysin that colocalized with dendritic spines. Interestingly, action potential generation was reduced in TDP-43A315T pyramidal neurons. This work reveals a crucial effect of the over-expression mutation TDP-43A315T on the formation of synaptic structures and the recruitment of GluR1 to the synaptic membrane. This pathogenic effect may be mediated by cytoplasmic mislocalization of TDP-43A315T. Loss of synaptic GluR1, and reduced excitability within pyramidal neurons, implicates hypoexcitability and attenuated synaptic function in the pathogenic decline of neuronal function in TDP-43-associated ALS. Further studies into the mechanisms underlying AMPA receptor-mediated excitability changes within the ALS cortical circuitry may yield novel therapeutic targets for treatment of this devastating disease. Summary: Loss of synaptic GluR1, and reduced excitability within pyramidal neurons, implicates hypoexcitability and attenuated synaptic function in the pathogenic decline of neuronal function in TDP-43-associated ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tongcui Jiang
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Medical Sciences Precinct, 17 Liverpool Street, Hobart, TAS 7000, Australia
| | - Emily Handley
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Medical Sciences Precinct, 17 Liverpool Street, Hobart, TAS 7000, Australia
| | - Mariana Brizuela
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Medical Sciences Precinct, 17 Liverpool Street, Hobart, TAS 7000, Australia
| | - Edgar Dawkins
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Medical Sciences Precinct, 17 Liverpool Street, Hobart, TAS 7000, Australia
| | - Katherine E A Lewis
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Medical Sciences Precinct, 17 Liverpool Street, Hobart, TAS 7000, Australia
| | - Rosemary M Clark
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Medical Sciences Precinct, 17 Liverpool Street, Hobart, TAS 7000, Australia
| | - Tracey C Dickson
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Medical Sciences Precinct, 17 Liverpool Street, Hobart, TAS 7000, Australia
| | - Catherine A Blizzard
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Medical Sciences Precinct, 17 Liverpool Street, Hobart, TAS 7000, Australia
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27
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Su TT. Drug screening in Drosophila; why, when, and when not? WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY 2019; 8:e346. [PMID: 31056843 DOI: 10.1002/wdev.346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2019] [Revised: 03/08/2019] [Accepted: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The best global seller among oncology drugs in 2018 is lenalidomide, an analog of thalidomide. It took 53 years and a circuitous route from the discovery of thalidomide to approval of an analog for use in treatment of cancer. We understand now a lot more about the genetic and molecular basis of diseases than we did in 1953 when thalidomide was discovered. We have also no shortage of chemical libraries with hundreds of thousands of compounds, both synthetic and natural. What we need are better ways to search among these rich resources for compounds with the potential to do what we want them to do. This review summarizes examples from the literature that make Drosophila melanogaster a good model to screen for drugs, and discusses knowledge gaps and technical challenges that make Drosophila models not as widely used as they could or should be. This article is categorized under: Technologies > Analysis of Cell, Tissue, and Animal Phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tin Tin Su
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado.,Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Comprehensive Cancer Center, Aurora, Colorado
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28
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Standardized phytotherapic extracts rescue anomalous locomotion and electrophysiological responses of TDP-43 Drosophila melanogaster model of ALS. Sci Rep 2018; 8:16002. [PMID: 30375462 PMCID: PMC6207707 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-34452-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2018] [Accepted: 10/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Findings from studies using animal models expressing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) mutations in RNA-binding proteins, such as Transactive Response DNA-binding protein-43 (TDP-43), indicate that this protein, which is involved in multiple functions, including transcriptional regulation and pre-mRNA splicing, represents a key candidate in ALS development. This study focuses on characterizing, in a Drosophila genetic model of ALS (TDP-43), the effects of Mucuna pruriens (Mpe) and Withania somnifera (Wse). Electrophysiological and behavioural data in TDP-43 mutant flies revealed anomalous locomotion (i.e. impaired climbing with unexpected hyperactivity) and sleep dysregulation. These features, in agreement with previous findings with a different ALS model, were at least partially, rescued by treatment with Mpe and Wse. In addition, electrophysiological recordings from dorsal longitudinal muscle fibers and behavioral observations of TDP-43 flies exposed to the volatile anaesthetics, diethyl ether or chloroform, showed paradoxical responses, which were normalized upon Mpe or Wse treatment. Hence, given the involvement of some potassium channels in the effects of anaesthetics, our results also hint toward a possible dysregulation of some potassium channels in the ALS-TDP-43 Drosophila model, that might shed new light on future therapeutic strategies pertaining to ALS.
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29
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Manzo E, O'Conner AG, Barrows JM, Shreiner DD, Birchak GJ, Zarnescu DC. Medium-Chain Fatty Acids, Beta-Hydroxybutyric Acid and Genetic Modulation of the Carnitine Shuttle Are Protective in a Drosophila Model of ALS Based on TDP-43. Front Mol Neurosci 2018; 11:182. [PMID: 29904341 PMCID: PMC5990617 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2017] [Accepted: 05/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
ALS patients exhibit dyslipidemia, hypermetabolism and weight loss; in addition, cellular energetics deficits have been detected prior to denervation. Although evidence that metabolism is altered in ALS is compelling, the mechanisms underlying metabolic dysregulation and the contribution of altered metabolic pathways to disease remain poorly understood. Here we use a Drosophila model of ALS based on TDP-43 that recapitulates hallmark features of the disease including locomotor dysfunction and reduced lifespan. We performed a global, unbiased metabolomic profiling of larvae expressing TDP-43 (wild-type, TDPWT or disease-associated mutant, TDPG298S) and identified several lipid metabolism associated alterations. Among these, we found a significant increase in carnitine conjugated long-chain fatty acids and a significant decrease in carnitine, acetyl-carnitine and beta-hydroxybutyrate, a ketone precursor. Taken together these data suggest a deficit in the function of the carnitine shuttle and reduced lipid beta oxidation. To test this possibility we used a combined genetic and dietary approach in Drosophila. Our findings indicate that components of the carnitine shuttle are misexpressed in the context of TDP-43 proteinopathy and that genetic modulation of CPT1 or CPT2 expression, two core components of the carnitine shuttle, mitigates TDP-43 dependent locomotor dysfunction, in a variant dependent manner. In addition, feeding medium-chain fatty acids or beta-hydroxybutyrate improves locomotor function, consistent with the notion that bypassing the carnitine shuttle deficit is neuroprotective. Taken together, our findings highlight the potential contribution of the carnitine shuttle and lipid beta oxidation in ALS and suggest strategies for therapeutic intervention based on restoring lipid metabolism in motor neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ernesto Manzo
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Abigail G O'Conner
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Jordan M Barrows
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Dakotah D Shreiner
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Gabriel J Birchak
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Daniela C Zarnescu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States.,Department of Neuroscience, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States.,Department of Neurology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
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30
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Coyne AN, Lorenzini I, Chou CC, Torvund M, Rogers RS, Starr A, Zaepfel BL, Levy J, Johannesmeyer J, Schwartz JC, Nishimune H, Zinsmaier K, Rossoll W, Sattler R, Zarnescu DC. Post-transcriptional Inhibition of Hsc70-4/HSPA8 Expression Leads to Synaptic Vesicle Cycling Defects in Multiple Models of ALS. Cell Rep 2018; 21:110-125. [PMID: 28978466 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2017.09.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2016] [Revised: 05/09/2017] [Accepted: 09/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a synaptopathy accompanied by the presence of cytoplasmic aggregates containing TDP-43, an RNA-binding protein linked to ∼97% of ALS cases. Using a Drosophila model of ALS, we show that TDP-43 overexpression (OE) in motor neurons results in decreased expression of the Hsc70-4 chaperone at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). Mechanistically, mutant TDP-43 sequesters hsc70-4 mRNA and impairs its translation. Expression of the Hsc70-4 ortholog, HSPA8, is also reduced in primary motor neurons and NMJs of mice expressing mutant TDP-43. Electrophysiology, imaging, and genetic interaction experiments reveal TDP-43-dependent defects in synaptic vesicle endocytosis. These deficits can be partially restored by OE of Hsc70-4, cysteine-string protein (Csp), or dynamin. This suggests that TDP-43 toxicity results in part from impaired activity of the synaptic CSP/Hsc70 chaperone complex impacting dynamin function. Finally, Hsc70-4/HSPA8 expression is also post-transcriptionally reduced in fly and human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) C9orf72 models, suggesting a common disease pathomechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alyssa N Coyne
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; Department of Neuroscience, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Ileana Lorenzini
- Department of Neurobiology, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ 85013, USA
| | - Ching-Chieh Chou
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Meaghan Torvund
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Robert S Rogers
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Kansas School of Medicine, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - Alexander Starr
- Department of Neurobiology, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ 85013, USA
| | - Benjamin L Zaepfel
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Jennifer Levy
- Department of Neurobiology, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ 85013, USA
| | - Jeffrey Johannesmeyer
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Jacob C Schwartz
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Hiroshi Nishimune
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Kansas School of Medicine, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - Konrad Zinsmaier
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; Department of Neuroscience, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Wilfried Rossoll
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Rita Sattler
- Department of Neurobiology, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ 85013, USA
| | - Daniela C Zarnescu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; Department of Neuroscience, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; Department of Neurology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA.
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31
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TDP-43 regulation of stress granule dynamics in neurodegenerative disease-relevant cell types. Sci Rep 2018; 8:7551. [PMID: 29765078 PMCID: PMC5953947 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-25767-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2018] [Accepted: 04/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Stress granules (SGs) are cytoplasmic foci that form in response to various external stimuli and are essential to cell survival following stress. SGs are studied in several diseases, including ALS and FTD, which involve the degeneration of motor and cortical neurons, respectively, and are now realized to be linked pathogenically by TDP-43, originally discovered as a component of ubiquitin-positive aggregates within patients’ neurons and some glial cells. So far, studies to undercover the role of TDP-43 in SGs have used primarily transformed cell lines, and thus rely on the extrapolation of the mechanisms to cell types affected in ALS/FTD, potentially masking cell specific effects. Here, we investigate SG dynamics in primary motor and cortical neurons as well as astrocytes. Our data suggest a cell and stress specificity and demonstrate a requirement for TDP-43 for efficient SG dynamics. In addition, based on our in vitro approach, our data suggest that aging may be an important modifier of SG dynamics which could have relevance to the initiation and/or progression of age-related neurodegenerative diseases.
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32
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Zhang K, Coyne AN, Lloyd TE. Drosophila models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with defects in RNA metabolism. Brain Res 2018; 1693:109-120. [PMID: 29752901 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2018.04.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2018] [Revised: 04/27/2018] [Accepted: 04/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The fruit fly Drosophila Melanogaster has been widely used to study neurodegenerative diseases. The conservation of nervous system biology coupled with the rapid life cycle and powerful genetic tools in the fly have enabled the identification of novel therapeutic targets that have been validated in vertebrate model systems and human patients. A recent example is in the study of the devastating motor neuron degenerative disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Mutations in genes that regulate RNA metabolism are a major cause of inherited ALS, and functional analysis of these genes in the fly nervous system has shed light on how mutations cause disease. Importantly, unbiased genetic screens have identified key pathways that contribute to ALS pathogenesis such as nucleocytoplasmic transport and stress granule assembly. In this review, we will discuss the utilization of Drosophila models of ALS with defects in RNA metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Zhang
- Department of Neurology, 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
| | - Thomas E Lloyd
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
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33
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Chou CC, Zhang Y, Umoh ME, Vaughan SW, Lorenzini I, Liu F, Sayegh M, Donlin-Asp PG, Chen YH, Duong DM, Seyfried NT, Powers MA, Kukar T, Hales CM, Gearing M, Cairns NJ, Boylan KB, Dickson DW, Rademakers R, Zhang YJ, Petrucelli L, Sattler R, Zarnescu DC, Glass JD, Rossoll W. TDP-43 pathology disrupts nuclear pore complexes and nucleocytoplasmic transport in ALS/FTD. Nat Neurosci 2018; 21:228-239. [PMID: 29311743 PMCID: PMC5800968 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-017-0047-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 367] [Impact Index Per Article: 61.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2017] [Accepted: 11/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The cytoplasmic mislocalization and aggregation of TAR DNA-binding protein-43 (TDP-43) is a common histopathological hallmark of the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia disease spectrum (ALS/FTD). However, the composition of aggregates and their contribution to the disease process remain unknown. Here we used proximity-dependent biotin identification (BioID) to interrogate the interactome of detergent-insoluble TDP-43 aggregates and found them enriched for components of the nuclear pore complex and nucleocytoplasmic transport machinery. Aggregated and disease-linked mutant TDP-43 triggered the sequestration and/or mislocalization of nucleoporins and transport factors, and interfered with nuclear protein import and RNA export in mouse primary cortical neurons, human fibroblasts and induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons. Nuclear pore pathology is present in brain tissue in cases of sporadic ALS and those involving genetic mutations in TARDBP and C9orf72. Our data strongly implicate TDP-43-mediated nucleocytoplasmic transport defects as a common disease mechanism in ALS/FTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ching-Chieh Chou
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Center for Neurodegenerative Disease, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Xiangya Hospital and Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Mfon E Umoh
- Center for Neurodegenerative Disease, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Spencer W Vaughan
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Ileana Lorenzini
- Department of Neurobiology, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Feilin Liu
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA.,Department of Ophthalmology, the Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Melissa Sayegh
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Paul G Donlin-Asp
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Max Planck Institute for Brain Research, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Yu Han Chen
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Duc M Duong
- Center for Neurodegenerative Disease, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Department of Biochemistry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Nicholas T Seyfried
- Center for Neurodegenerative Disease, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Department of Biochemistry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Maureen A Powers
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Thomas Kukar
- Center for Neurodegenerative Disease, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Department of Pharmacology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Chadwick M Hales
- Center for Neurodegenerative Disease, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Marla Gearing
- Center for Neurodegenerative Disease, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Nigel J Cairns
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Kevin B Boylan
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | | | - Rosa Rademakers
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Yong-Jie Zhang
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | | | - Rita Sattler
- Department of Neurobiology, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Daniela C Zarnescu
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Jonathan D Glass
- Center for Neurodegenerative Disease, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Emory ALS Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Wilfried Rossoll
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA. .,Center for Neurodegenerative Disease, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA. .,Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA.
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34
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Lehmkuhl EM, Zarnescu DC. Lost in Translation: Evidence for Protein Synthesis Deficits in ALS/FTD and Related Neurodegenerative Diseases. ADVANCES IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2018; 20:283-301. [PMID: 29916024 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-89689-2_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Cells utilize a complex network of proteins to regulate translation, involving post-transcriptional processing of RNA and assembly of the ribosomal unit. Although the complexity provides robust regulation of proteostasis, it also offers several opportunities for translational dysregulation, as has been observed in many neurodegenerative disorders. Defective mRNA localization, mRNA sequatration, inhibited ribogenesis, mutant tRNA synthetases, and translation of hexanucleotide expansions have all been associated with neurodegenerative disease. Here, we review dysregulation of translation in the context of age-related neurodegeneration and discuss novel methods to interrogate translation. This review primarily focuses on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a spectrum disorder heavily associated with RNA metabolism, while also analyzing translational inhibition in the context of related neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and Huntington's disease and the translation-related pathomechanisms common in neurodegenerative disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik M Lehmkuhl
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Daniela C Zarnescu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA. .,Department of Neuroscience, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA. .,Department of Neurology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.
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35
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Azuma Y, Mizuta I, Tokuda T, Mizuno T. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Model. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2018; 1076:79-95. [PMID: 29951816 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-13-0529-0_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease that affects upper and lower motor neurons in the brain and the spinal cord. Due to the progressive neurodegeneration, ALS leads to paralysis and death caused by respiratory failure 2-5 years after the onset of symptoms. There is no effective cure available. Most ALS cases are sporadic, without family history, whereas 10% of the cases are familial. Identification of variants in more than 30 different loci has provided insight into the pathogenic molecular mechanisms mediating disease pathogenesis. Studies of a Drosophila melanogaster model for each of the ALS genes can contribute to uncovering pathophysiological mechanism of ALS and finding targets of the disease-modifying therapy. In this review, we focus on three ALS-causing genes: TAR DNA-binding protein (TDP-43), fused in sarcoma/translocated in liposarcoma (FUS/TLS), and chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 (C9orf72).
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Affiliation(s)
- Yumiko Azuma
- Department of Neurology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan.
| | - Ikuko Mizuta
- Department of Neurology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Takahiko Tokuda
- Department of Neurology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
- Molecular Pathobiology of Brain Diseases, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Toshiki Mizuno
- Department of Neurology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
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36
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Wu CH, Giampetruzzi A, Tran H, Fallini C, Gao FB, Landers JE. A Drosophila model of ALS reveals a partial loss of function of causative human PFN1 mutants. Hum Mol Genet 2017; 26:2146-2155. [PMID: 28379367 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddx112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2017] [Accepted: 03/16/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the profilin 1 (PFN1) gene are causative for familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (fALS). However, it is still not fully understood how these mutations lead to neurodegeneration. To address this question, we generated a novel Drosophila model expressing human wild-type and ALS-causative PFN1 mutants. We show that at larval neuromuscular junctions (NMJ), motor neuron expression of wild-type human PFN1 increases the number of ghost boutons, active zone density, F-actin content, and the formation of filopodia. In contrast, the expression of ALS-causative human PFN1 mutants causes a less pronounced phenotype, suggesting a loss of function of these mutants in promoting NMJ remodeling. Importantly, expression of human PFN1 in motor neurons results in progressive locomotion defects and shorter lifespan in adult flies, while ALS-causative PFN1 mutants display a less toxic effect. In summary, our study provides evidence that PFN1 is important in regulating NMJ morphology and influences survival and locomotion in Drosophila. Furthermore, our results suggest ALS-causative human PFN1 mutants display a partial loss of function relative to wild-type hPFN1 that may contribute to human disease pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi-Hong Wu
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Anthony Giampetruzzi
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Helene Tran
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Claudia Fallini
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Fen-Biao Gao
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - John E Landers
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
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37
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Coyne AN, Zaepfel BL, Zarnescu DC. Failure to Deliver and Translate-New Insights into RNA Dysregulation in ALS. Front Cell Neurosci 2017; 11:243. [PMID: 28860970 PMCID: PMC5562674 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2017.00243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2017] [Accepted: 07/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disease affecting both upper and lower motor neurons. The molecular mechanisms underlying disease pathogenesis remain largely unknown. Multiple genetic loci including genes involved in proteostasis and ribostasis have been linked to ALS providing key insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying disease. In particular, the identification of the RNA binding proteins TDP-43 and fused in sarcoma (FUS) as causative factors of ALS resulted in a paradigm shift centered on the study of RNA dysregulation as a major mechanism of disease. With wild-type TDP-43 pathology being found in ~97% of ALS cases and the identification of disease causing mutations within its sequence, TDP-43 has emerged as a prominent player in ALS. More recently, studies of the newly discovered C9orf72 repeat expansion are lending further support to the notion of defects in RNA metabolism as a key factor underlying ALS. RNA binding proteins are involved in all aspects of RNA metabolism ranging from splicing, transcription, transport, storage into RNA/protein granules, and translation. How these processes are affected by disease-associated mutations is just beginning to be understood. Considerable work has gone into the identification of splicing and transcription defects resulting from mutations in RNA binding proteins associated with disease. More recently, defects in RNA transport and translation have been shown to be involved in the pathomechanism of ALS. A central hypothesis in the field is that disease causing mutations lead to the persistence of RNA/protein complexes known as stress granules. Under times of prolonged cellular stress these granules sequester specific mRNAs preventing them from translation, and are thought to evolve into pathological aggregates. Here we will review recent efforts directed at understanding how altered RNA metabolism contributes to ALS pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alyssa N Coyne
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of ArizonaTucson, AZ, United States.,Department of Neuroscience, University of ArizonaTucson, AZ, United States
| | - Benjamin L Zaepfel
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of ArizonaTucson, AZ, United States
| | - Daniela C Zarnescu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of ArizonaTucson, AZ, United States.,Department of Neuroscience, University of ArizonaTucson, AZ, United States.,Department of Neurology, University of ArizonaTucson, AZ, United States
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38
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Krug L, Chatterjee N, Borges-Monroy R, Hearn S, Liao WW, Morrill K, Prazak L, Rozhkov N, Theodorou D, Hammell M, Dubnau J. Retrotransposon activation contributes to neurodegeneration in a Drosophila TDP-43 model of ALS. PLoS Genet 2017; 13:e1006635. [PMID: 28301478 PMCID: PMC5354250 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1006635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 138] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2016] [Accepted: 02/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) are two incurable neurodegenerative disorders that exist on a symptomological spectrum and share both genetic underpinnings and pathophysiological hallmarks. Functional abnormality of TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43), an aggregation-prone RNA and DNA binding protein, is observed in the vast majority of both familial and sporadic ALS cases and in ~40% of FTLD cases, but the cascade of events leading to cell death are not understood. We have expressed human TDP-43 (hTDP-43) in Drosophila neurons and glia, a model that recapitulates many of the characteristics of TDP-43-linked human disease including protein aggregation pathology, locomotor impairment, and premature death. We report that such expression of hTDP-43 impairs small interfering RNA (siRNA) silencing, which is the major post-transcriptional mechanism of retrotransposable element (RTE) control in somatic tissue. This is accompanied by de-repression of a panel of both LINE and LTR families of RTEs, with somewhat different elements being active in response to hTDP-43 expression in glia versus neurons. hTDP-43 expression in glia causes an early and severe loss of control of a specific RTE, the endogenous retrovirus (ERV) gypsy. We demonstrate that gypsy causes the degenerative phenotypes in these flies because we are able to rescue the toxicity of glial hTDP-43 either by genetically blocking expression of this RTE or by pharmacologically inhibiting RTE reverse transcriptase activity. Moreover, we provide evidence that activation of DNA damage-mediated programmed cell death underlies both neuronal and glial hTDP-43 toxicity, consistent with RTE-mediated effects in both cell types. Our findings suggest a novel mechanism in which RTE activity contributes to neurodegeneration in TDP-43-mediated diseases such as ALS and FTLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Krug
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, United States of America
- Watson School of Biological Sciences, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, United States of America
| | - Nabanita Chatterjee
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, United States of America
| | | | - Stephen Hearn
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, United States of America
| | - Wen-Wei Liao
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, United States of America
| | - Kathleen Morrill
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, United States of America
| | - Lisa Prazak
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, United States of America
- Department of Biology, Farmingdale State College, Farmingdale, NY United States of America
| | - Nikolay Rozhkov
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, United States of America
| | - Delphine Theodorou
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, United States of America
| | - Molly Hammell
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, United States of America
| | - Josh Dubnau
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, United States of America
- Watson School of Biological Sciences, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, United States of America
- Department of Anesthesiology, Stony Brook School of Medicine, Stony Brook, New York, United States of America
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Stony Brook School of Medicine, Stony Brook, New York, United States of America
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39
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Khalil B, Cabirol-Pol MJ, Miguel L, Whitworth AJ, Lecourtois M, Liévens JC. Enhancing Mitofusin/Marf ameliorates neuromuscular dysfunction in Drosophila models of TDP-43 proteinopathies. Neurobiol Aging 2017; 54:71-83. [PMID: 28324764 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2017.02.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2016] [Revised: 02/20/2017] [Accepted: 02/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Transactive response DNA-binding protein 43 kDa (TDP-43) is considered a major pathological protein in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal lobar degeneration. The precise mechanisms by which TDP-43 dysregulation leads to toxicity in neurons are not fully understood. Using TDP-43-expressing Drosophila, we examined whether mitochondrial dysfunction is a central determinant in TDP-43 pathogenesis. Expression of human wild-type TDP-43 in Drosophila neurons results in abnormally small mitochondria. The mitochondrial fragmentation is correlated with a specific decrease in the mRNA and protein levels of the Drosophila profusion gene mitofusin/marf. Importantly, overexpression of Marf ameliorates defects in spontaneous walking activity and startle-induced climbing response of TDP-43-expressing flies. Partial inactivation of the mitochondrial profission factor, dynamin-related protein 1, also mitigates TDP-43-induced locomotor deficits. Expression of TDP-43 impairs neuromuscular junction transmission upon repetitive stimulation of the giant fiber circuit that controls flight muscles, which is also ameliorated by Marf overexpression. We show here for the first time that enhancing the profusion gene mitofusin/marf is beneficial in an in vivo model of TDP-43 proteinopathies, serving as a potential therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bilal Khalil
- Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS, Centre de Recherche en Neurobiologie et Neurophysiologie de Marseille, UMR 7286, Marseille Cedex 15, France
| | - Marie-Jeanne Cabirol-Pol
- Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS, Centre de Recherche en Neurobiologie et Neurophysiologie de Marseille, UMR 7286, Marseille Cedex 15, France
| | - Laetitia Miguel
- Inserm, U1079, Rouen, France; IRIB Institute for Research and Innovation in Biomedicine, University of Rouen, Rouen, France
| | | | - Magalie Lecourtois
- Inserm, U1079, Rouen, France; IRIB Institute for Research and Innovation in Biomedicine, University of Rouen, Rouen, France
| | - Jean-Charles Liévens
- Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS, Centre de Recherche en Neurobiologie et Neurophysiologie de Marseille, UMR 7286, Marseille Cedex 15, France; MMDN, Université de Montpellier, EPHE, INSERM, U1198, Montpellier, France.
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40
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Coyne AN, Yamada SB, Siddegowda BB, Estes PS, Zaepfel BL, Johannesmeyer JS, Lockwood DB, Pham LT, Hart MP, Cassel JA, Freibaum B, Boehringer AV, Taylor JP, Reitz AB, Gitler AD, Zarnescu DC. Fragile X protein mitigates TDP-43 toxicity by remodeling RNA granules and restoring translation. Hum Mol Genet 2015; 24:6886-98. [PMID: 26385636 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddv389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2015] [Accepted: 09/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA dysregulation is a newly recognized disease mechanism in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Here we identify Drosophila fragile X mental retardation protein (dFMRP) as a robust genetic modifier of TDP-43-dependent toxicity in a Drosophila model of ALS. We find that dFMRP overexpression (dFMRP OE) mitigates TDP-43 dependent locomotor defects and reduced lifespan in Drosophila. TDP-43 and FMRP form a complex in flies and human cells. In motor neurons, TDP-43 expression increases the association of dFMRP with stress granules and colocalizes with polyA binding protein in a variant-dependent manner. Furthermore, dFMRP dosage modulates TDP-43 solubility and molecular mobility with overexpression of dFMRP resulting in a significant reduction of TDP-43 in the aggregate fraction. Polysome fractionation experiments indicate that dFMRP OE also relieves the translation inhibition of futsch mRNA, a TDP-43 target mRNA, which regulates neuromuscular synapse architecture. Restoration of futsch translation by dFMRP OE mitigates Futsch-dependent morphological phenotypes at the neuromuscular junction including synaptic size and presence of satellite boutons. Our data suggest a model whereby dFMRP is neuroprotective by remodeling TDP-43 containing RNA granules, reducing aggregation and restoring the translation of specific mRNAs in motor neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alyssa N Coyne
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Department of Neuroscience
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Donovan B Lockwood
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Department of Neuroscience
| | - Linh T Pham
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology
| | - Michael P Hart
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | | | - Brian Freibaum
- Department of Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Ashley V Boehringer
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Department of Neuroscience, Department of Neurology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - J Paul Taylor
- Department of Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | | | - Aaron D Gitler
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Daniela C Zarnescu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Department of Neuroscience, Department of Neurology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA,
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41
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Kim DH, Han MR, Lee G, Lee SS, Kim YJ, Adams ME. Rescheduling Behavioral Subunits of a Fixed Action Pattern by Genetic Manipulation of Peptidergic Signaling. PLoS Genet 2015; 11:e1005513. [PMID: 26401953 PMCID: PMC4581697 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1005513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2015] [Accepted: 08/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The ecdysis behavioral sequence in insects is a classic fixed action pattern (FAP) initiated by hormonal signaling. Ecdysis triggering hormones (ETHs) release the FAP through direct actions on the CNS. Here we present evidence implicating two groups of central ETH receptor (ETHR) neurons in scheduling the first two steps of the FAP: kinin (aka drosokinin, leucokinin) neurons regulate pre-ecdysis behavior and CAMB neurons (CCAP, AstCC, MIP, and Bursicon) initiate the switch to ecdysis behavior. Ablation of kinin neurons or altering levels of ETH receptor (ETHR) expression in these neurons modifies timing and intensity of pre-ecdysis behavior. Cell ablation or ETHR knockdown in CAMB neurons delays the switch to ecdysis, whereas overexpression of ETHR or expression of pertussis toxin in these neurons accelerates timing of the switch. Calcium dynamics in kinin neurons are temporally aligned with pre-ecdysis behavior, whereas activity of CAMB neurons coincides with the switch from pre-ecdysis to ecdysis behavior. Activation of CCAP or CAMB neurons through temperature-sensitive TRPM8 gating is sufficient to trigger ecdysis behavior. Our findings demonstrate that kinin and CAMB neurons are direct targets of ETH and play critical roles in scheduling successive behavioral steps in the ecdysis FAP. Moreover, temporal organization of the FAP is likely a function of ETH receptor density in target neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Do-Hyoung Kim
- Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California, United States of America
| | - Mi-Ran Han
- Department of Life Science, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju, South Korea
| | - Gyunghee Lee
- Department of Biochemistry and Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Sang Soo Lee
- Department of Cell Biology & Neuroscience, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California, United States of America
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California, United States of America
| | - Young-Joon Kim
- Department of Life Science, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju, South Korea
| | - Michael E. Adams
- Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California, United States of America
- Department of Cell Biology & Neuroscience, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California, United States of America
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California, United States of America
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Abstract
Messenger ribonucleoprotein (mRNP) granules are dynamic, self-assembling structures that harbor non-translating mRNAs bound by various proteins that regulate mRNA translation, localization, and turnover. Their importance in gene expression regulation is far reaching, ranging from precise spatial-temporal control of mRNAs that drive developmental programs in oocytes and embryos, to similarly exquisite control of mRNAs in neurons that underpin synaptic plasticity, and thus, memory formation. Analysis of mRNP granules in their various contexts has revealed common themes of assembly, disassembly, and modes of mRNA regulation, yet new studies continue to reveal unexpected and important findings, such as links between aberrant mRNP granule assembly and neurodegenerative disease. Continued study of these enigmatic structures thus promises fascinating new insights into cellular function, and may also suggest novel therapeutic strategies in various disease states.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Ross Buchan
- a Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology ; University of Arizona ; Tucson , AZ USA
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Romano G, Appocher C, Scorzeto M, Klima R, Baralle FE, Megighian A, Feiguin F. Glial TDP-43 regulates axon wrapping, GluRIIA clustering and fly motility by autonomous and non-autonomous mechanisms. Hum Mol Genet 2015; 24:6134-45. [PMID: 26276811 PMCID: PMC4599672 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddv330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2015] [Accepted: 08/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Alterations in the glial function of TDP-43 are becoming increasingly associated with the neurological symptoms observed in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), however, the physiological role of this protein in the glia or the mechanisms that may lead to neurodegeneration are unknown. To address these issues, we modulated the expression levels of TDP-43 in the Drosophila glia and found that the protein was required to regulate the subcellular wrapping of motoneuron axons, promote synaptic growth and the formation of glutamate receptor clusters at the neuromuscular junctions. Interestingly, we determined that the glutamate transporter EAAT1 mediated the regulatory functions of TDP-43 in the glia and demonstrated that genetic or pharmacological compensations of EAAT1 activity were sufficient to modulate glutamate receptor clustering and locomotive behaviors in flies. The data uncovers autonomous and non-autonomous functions of TDP-43 in the glia and suggests new experimentally based therapeutic strategies in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Romano
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Padriciano 99, Trieste 34149, Italy and
| | - Chiara Appocher
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Padriciano 99, Trieste 34149, Italy and
| | - Michele Scorzeto
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, via Marzolo 3, Padova 35131, Italy
| | - Raffaella Klima
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Padriciano 99, Trieste 34149, Italy and
| | - Francisco E Baralle
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Padriciano 99, Trieste 34149, Italy and
| | - Aram Megighian
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, via Marzolo 3, Padova 35131, Italy
| | - Fabian Feiguin
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Padriciano 99, Trieste 34149, Italy and
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Chou CC, Alexeeva OM, Yamada S, Pribadi A, Zhang Y, Mo B, Williams KR, Zarnescu DC, Rossoll W. PABPN1 suppresses TDP-43 toxicity in ALS disease models. Hum Mol Genet 2015; 24:5154-73. [PMID: 26130692 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddv238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2015] [Accepted: 06/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) is a major disease protein in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and related neurodegenerative diseases. Both the cytoplasmic accumulation of toxic ubiquitinated and hyperphosphorylated TDP-43 fragments and the loss of normal TDP-43 from the nucleus may contribute to the disease progression by impairing normal RNA and protein homeostasis. Therefore, both the removal of pathological protein and the rescue of TDP-43 mislocalization may be critical for halting or reversing TDP-43 proteinopathies. Here, we report poly(A)-binding protein nuclear 1 (PABPN1) as a novel TDP-43 interaction partner that acts as a potent suppressor of TDP-43 toxicity. Overexpression of full-length PABPN1 but not a truncated version lacking the nuclear localization signal protects from pathogenic TDP-43-mediated toxicity, promotes the degradation of pathological TDP-43 and restores normal solubility and nuclear localization of endogenous TDP-43. Reduced levels of PABPN1 enhances the phenotypes in several cell culture and Drosophila models of ALS and results in the cytoplasmic mislocalization of TDP-43. Moreover, PABPN1 rescues the dysregulated stress granule (SG) dynamics and facilitates the removal of persistent SGs in TDP-43-mediated disease conditions. These findings demonstrate a role for PABPN1 in rescuing several cytopathological features of TDP-43 proteinopathy by increasing the turnover of pathologic proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ching-Chieh Chou
- Department of Cell Biology, Center for Neurodegenerative Disease, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | | | - Shizuka Yamada
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA and
| | - Amy Pribadi
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA and
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Cell Biology, Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Bi Mo
- Department of Cell Biology
| | | | - Daniela C Zarnescu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA and
| | - Wilfried Rossoll
- Department of Cell Biology, Center for Neurodegenerative Disease, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA,
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Novel Mechanisms of Spinal Cord Plasticity in a Mouse Model of Motoneuron Disease. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 2015:654637. [PMID: 26064939 PMCID: PMC4433663 DOI: 10.1155/2015/654637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2014] [Accepted: 12/16/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
A hopeful spinal cord repairing strategy involves the activation of neural precursor cells. Unfortunately, their ability to generate neurons after injury appears limited. Another process promoting functional recovery is synaptic plasticity. We have previously studied some mechanisms of spinal plasticity involving BDNF, Shh, Notch-1, Numb, and Noggin, by using a mouse model of motoneuron depletion induced by cholera toxin-B saporin. TDP-43 is a nuclear RNA/DNA binding protein involved in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Interestingly, TDP-43 could be localized at the synapse and affect synaptic strength. Here, we would like to deepen the investigation of this model of spinal plasticity. After lesion, we observed a glial reaction and an activity-dependent modification of Shh, Noggin, and Numb proteins. By using multivariate regression models, we found that Shh and Noggin could affect motor performance and that these proteins could be associated with both TDP-43 and Numb. Our data suggest that TDP-43 is likely an important regulator of synaptic plasticity, probably in collaboration with other proteins involved in both neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity. Moreover, given the rapidly increasing knowledge about spinal cord plasticity, we believe that further efforts to achieve spinal cord repair by stimulating the intrinsic potential of spinal cord will produce interesting results.
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Astrocyte physiopathology: At the crossroads of intercellular networking, inflammation and cell death. Prog Neurobiol 2015; 130:86-120. [PMID: 25930681 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2015.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 139] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2014] [Revised: 04/15/2015] [Accepted: 04/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Recent breakthroughs in neuroscience have led to the awareness that we should revise our traditional mode of thinking and studying the CNS, i.e. by isolating the privileged network of "intelligent" synaptic contacts. We may instead need to contemplate all the variegate communications occurring between the different neural cell types, and centrally involving the astrocytes. Basically, it appears that a single astrocyte should be considered as a core that receives and integrates information from thousands of synapses, other glial cells and the blood vessels. In turn, it generates complex outputs that control the neural circuitry and coordinate it with the local microcirculation. Astrocytes thus emerge as the possible fulcrum of the functional homeostasis of the healthy CNS. Yet, evidence indicates that the bridging properties of the astrocytes can change in parallel with, or as a result of, the morphological, biochemical and functional alterations these cells undergo upon injury or disease. As a consequence, they have the potential to transform from supportive friends and interactive partners for neurons into noxious foes. In this review, we summarize the currently available knowledge on the contribution of astrocytes to the functioning of the CNS and what goes wrong in various pathological conditions, with a particular focus on Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Alzheimer's Disease and ischemia. The observations described convincingly demonstrate that the development and progression of several neurological disorders involve the de-regulation of a finely tuned interplay between multiple cell populations. Thus, it seems that a better understanding of the mechanisms governing the integrated communication and detrimental responses of the astrocytes as well as their impact towards the homeostasis and performance of the CNS is fundamental to open novel therapeutic perspectives.
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Futsch/MAP1B mRNA is a translational target of TDP-43 and is neuroprotective in a Drosophila model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J Neurosci 2015; 34:15962-74. [PMID: 25429138 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2526-14.2014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
TDP-43 is an RNA-binding protein linked to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) that is known to regulate the splicing, transport, and storage of specific mRNAs into stress granules. Although TDP-43 has been shown to interact with translation factors, its role in protein synthesis remains unclear, and no in vivo translation targets have been reported to date. Here we provide evidence that TDP-43 associates with futsch mRNA in a complex and regulates its expression at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) in Drosophila. In the context of TDP-43-induced proteinopathy, there is a significant reduction of futsch mRNA at the NMJ compared with motor neuron cell bodies where we find higher levels of transcript compared with controls. TDP-43 also leads to a significant reduction in Futsch protein expression at the NMJ. Polysome fractionations coupled with quantitative PCR experiments indicate that TDP-43 leads to a futsch mRNA shift from actively translating polysomes to nontranslating ribonuclear protein particles, suggesting that in addition to its effect on localization, TDP-43 also regulates the translation of futsch mRNA. We also show that futsch overexpression is neuroprotective by extending life span, reducing TDP-43 aggregation, and suppressing ALS-like locomotor dysfunction as well as NMJ abnormalities linked to microtubule and synaptic stabilization. Furthermore, the localization of MAP1B, the mammalian homolog of Futsch, is altered in ALS spinal cords in a manner similar to our observations in Drosophila motor neurons. Together, our results suggest a microtubule-dependent mechanism in motor neuron disease caused by TDP-43-dependent alterations in futsch mRNA localization and translation in vivo.
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Buratti E. Functional Significance of TDP-43 Mutations in Disease. ADVANCES IN GENETICS 2015; 91:1-53. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.adgen.2015.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 133] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Joardar A, Menzl J, Podolsky TC, Manzo E, Estes PS, Ashford S, Zarnescu DC. PPAR gamma activation is neuroprotective in a Drosophila model of ALS based on TDP-43. Hum Mol Genet 2014; 24:1741-54. [PMID: 25432537 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddu587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neuromuscular disease for which there is no cure. We have previously developed a Drosophila model of ALS based on TDP-43 that recapitulates several aspects of disease pathophysiology. Using this model, we designed a drug screening strategy based on the pupal lethality phenotype induced by TDP-43 when expressed in motor neurons. In screening 1200 FDA-approved compounds, we identified the PPARγ agonist pioglitazone as neuroprotective in Drosophila. Here, we show that pioglitazone can rescue TDP-43-dependent locomotor dysfunction in motor neurons and glia but not in muscles. Testing additional models of ALS, we find that pioglitazone is also neuroprotective when FUS, but not SOD1, is expressed in motor neurons. Interestingly, survival analyses of TDP or FUS models show no increase in lifespan, which is consistent with recent clinical trials. Using a pharmacogenetic approach, we show that the predicted Drosophila PPARγ homologs, E75 and E78, are in vivo targets of pioglitazone. Finally, using a global metabolomic approach, we identify a set of metabolites that pioglitazone can restore in the context of TDP-43 expression in motor neurons. Taken together, our data provide evidence that modulating PPARγ activity, although not effective at improving lifespan, provides a molecular target for mitigating locomotor dysfunction in TDP-43 and FUS but not SOD1 models of ALS in Drosophila. Furthermore, our data also identify several 'biomarkers' of the disease that may be useful in developing therapeutics and in future clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Daniela C Zarnescu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Department of Neuroscience Department of Neurology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
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