Mind the (sr)GAP - roles of Slit-Robo GAPs in neurons, brains and beyond

The role of axon guidance molecules in the pathogenesis of epilepsy

Current treatments for epilepsy can only manage the symptoms of the condition but cannot alter the initial onset or halt the progression of the disease. Consequently, it is crucial to identify drugs that can target novel cellular and molecular mechanisms and mechanisms of action. Increasing evidence suggests that axon guidance molecules play a role in the structural and functional modifications of neural networks and that the dysregulation of these molecules is associated with epilepsy susceptibility. In this review, we discuss the essential role of axon guidance molecules in neuronal activity in patients with epilepsy as well as the impact of these molecules on synaptic plasticity and brain tissue remodeling. Furthermore, we examine the relationship between axon guidance molecules and neuroinflammation, as well as the structural changes in specific brain regions that contribute to the development of epilepsy. Ample evidence indicates that axon guidance molecules, including semaphorins and ephrins, play a fundamental role in guiding axon growth and the establishment of synaptic connections. Deviations in their expression or function can disrupt neuronal connections, ultimately leading to epileptic seizures. The remodeling of neural networks is a significant characteristic of epilepsy, with axon guidance molecules playing a role in the dynamic reorganization of neural circuits. This, in turn, affects synapse formation and elimination. Dysregulation of these molecules can upset the delicate balance between excitation and inhibition within a neural network, thereby increasing the risk of overexcitation and the development of epilepsy. Inflammatory signals can regulate the expression and function of axon guidance molecules, thus influencing axonal growth, axon orientation, and synaptic plasticity. The dysregulation of neuroinflammation can intensify neuronal dysfunction and contribute to the occurrence of epilepsy. This review delves into the mechanisms associated with the pathogenicity of axon guidance molecules in epilepsy, offering a valuable reference for the exploration of therapeutic targets and presenting a fresh perspective on treatment strategies for this condition.

Zebrafish models of human-duplicated SRGAP2 reveal novel functions in microglia and visual system development

The expansion of the human SRGAP2 family, resulting in a human-specific paralog SRGAP2C, likely contributed to altered evolutionary brain features. The introduction of SRGAP2C in mouse models is associated with changes in cortical neuronal migration, axon guidance, synaptogenesis, and sensory-task performance. Truncated SRGAP2C heterodimerizes with the full-length ancestral gene product SRGAP2A and antagonizes its functions. However, the significance of SRGAP2 duplication beyond neocortex development has not been elucidated due to the embryonic lethality of complete Srgap2 knockout in mice. Using zebrafish, we show that srgap2 knockout results in viable offspring and that these larvae phenocopy "humanized" SRGAP2C larvae, including altered morphometric features (i.e., reduced body length and inter-eye distance) and differential expression of synapse-, axonogenesis-, and vision-related genes. Through single-cell transcriptome analysis, we demonstrate a skewed balance of excitatory and inhibitory neurons that likely contribute to increased susceptibility to seizures displayed by Srgap2 mutant larvae, a phenotype resembling SRGAP2 loss-of-function in a child with early infantile epileptic encephalopathy. Single-cell data also shows strong endogenous expression of srgap2 in microglia with mutants exhibiting altered membrane dynamics and likely delayed maturation of microglial cells. Microglia cells expressing srgap2 were also detected in the developing eye together with altered expression of genes related to axonogenesis in mutant retinal cells. Consistent with the perturbed gene expression in the retina, we found that SRGAP2 mutant larvae exhibited increased sensitivity to broad and fine visual cues. Finally, comparing the transcriptomes of relevant cell types between human (+SRGAP2C) and non-human primates (-SRGAP2C) revealed significant overlaps of gene alterations with mutant cells in our zebrafish models; this suggests that SRGAP2C plays a similar role altering microglia and the visual system in modern humans. Together, our functional characterization of conserved ortholog Srgap2 and human SRGAP2C in zebrafish uncovered novel gene functions and highlights the strength of cross-species analysis in understanding the development of human-specific features.

Deciphering the molecular landscape of the FAM72 gene family: Implications for stem cell biology and cancer

Family with sequence similarity 72 (FAM72) is a protein-coding gene family located on chromosome 1 in humans, uniquely featuring four paralogs: FAM72A, FAM72B, FAM72C, and FAM72D. While FAM72's presence as a gene pair with the SLIT-ROBO Rho GTPase-activating protein 2 (SRGAP2) is intriguing, its functional roles, particularly in neural stem cells, remain incompletely understood. This review explores the distinct characteristics of FAM72, shedding light on its expression patterns, potential roles in cell cycle regulation, stem cell renewal and implications in neurogenesis and tumorigenesis.

A molecular and cellular perspective on human brain evolution and tempo

The evolution of the modern human brain was accompanied by distinct molecular and cellular specializations, which underpin our diverse cognitive abilities but also increase our susceptibility to neurological diseases. These features, some specific to humans and others shared with related species, manifest during different stages of brain development. In this multi-stage process, neural stem cells proliferate to produce a large and diverse progenitor pool, giving rise to excitatory or inhibitory neurons that integrate into circuits during further maturation. This process unfolds over varying time scales across species and has progressively become slower in the human lineage, with differences in tempo correlating with differences in brain size, cell number and diversity, and connectivity. Here we introduce the terms 'bradychrony' and 'tachycrony' to describe slowed and accelerated developmental tempos, respectively. We review how recent technical advances across disciplines, including advanced engineering of in vitro models, functional comparative genetics and high-throughput single-cell profiling, are leading to a deeper understanding of how specializations of the human brain arise during bradychronic neurodevelopment. Emerging insights point to a central role for genetics, gene-regulatory networks, cellular innovations and developmental tempo, which together contribute to the establishment of human specializations during various stages of neurodevelopment and at different points in evolution.

Stiff matrix induced srGAP2 tension gradients control migration direction in triple-negative breast cancer

Rationale: Cells migrating through interstitial matrix enables stiffening of the tumor micro-environment. To overcome the stiff resistance of extracellular matrix, aggressive cells require the extracellular mechanosensory activation and intracellular tension response. Mechanotransduction linker srGAP2 can synergistically control the mechanical-biochemical process of malignant cell migration. Methods: To mimic the tumor micro-environment containing abundant collagen fibers and moving durotaxis of triple-negative breast cancer cells, the stiff-directed matrix was established. The newly designed srGAP2 tension probe was used to real-time supervise srGAP2 tension in living cells. The phosphorylation sites responsible for srGAP2 tension were identified by phosphorylated mutagenesis. Transwell assays and Xenograft mouse model were performed to evaluate TNBC cells invasiveness in vitro and in vivo. Fluorescence staining and membrane protein isolation were used to detect protein localization. Results: The present study shows srGAP2 serves as a linker to transmit the mechanical signals among cytoskeleton and membrane. SrGAP2 exhibits tension gradients among different parts in the stiff-directionally migrating triple-negative breast cancer cells. Cells showing the polarized tension that increased in the leading edge move faster, particularly guided by the stiff interstitial matrix. The srGAP2 tension-directed cell migration results from the upstream events of PKCα-mediated phosphorylation at Ser²⁰⁶ in the F-bar domain of srGAP2. In addition, Syndecan-4 (SDC4), a transmembrane mechanoreceptor protein, drives PKCα regional recruit on the area of membrane trending deformation, which requires the distinct extent of extracellular mechanics. Conclusion: SDC4-PKCα polarized distribution leads to the intracellular tension gradient of srGAP2, presenting the extra- and intracellular physiochemical integration and essential for persistent cell migration in stiff matrix and caner progression. Targeting the srGAP2-related physicochemical signaling could be developed into the therapeutic strategies of inhibiting breast cancer cell invasion and durotaxis.

C. elegans srGAP is an α-catenin M domain-binding protein that strengthens cadherin-dependent adhesion during morphogenesis

The cadherin-catenin complex (CCC) is central to embryonic development and tissue repair, yet how CCC binding partners function alongside core CCC components remains poorly understood. Here, we establish a previously unappreciated role for an evolutionarily conserved protein, the slit-robo GTPase-activating protein SRGP-1/srGAP, in cadherin-dependent morphogenetic processes in the Caenorhabditis elegans embryo. SRGP-1 binds to the M domain of the core CCC component, HMP-1/α-catenin, via its C terminus. The SRGP-1 C terminus is sufficient to target it to adherens junctions, but only during later embryonic morphogenesis, when junctional tension is known to increase. Surprisingly, mutations that disrupt stabilizing salt bridges in the M domain block this recruitment. Loss of SRGP-1 leads to an increase in mobility and decrease of junctional HMP-1. In sensitized genetic backgrounds with weakened adherens junctions, loss of SRGP-1 leads to late embryonic failure. Rescue of these phenotypes requires the C terminus of SRGP-1 but also other domains of the protein. Taken together, these data establish a role for an srGAP in stabilizing and organizing the CCC during epithelial morphogenesis by binding to a partially closed conformation of α-catenin at junctions.

Autocrine/Paracrine Slit–Robo Signaling Controls Optic Lobe Development in Drosophila melanogaster

Cell segregation mechanisms play essential roles during the development of the central nervous system (CNS) to support its organization into distinct compartments. The Slit protein is a secreted signal, classically considered a paracrine repellent for axonal growth through Robo receptors. However, its function in the compartmentalization of CNS is less explored. In this work, we show that Slit and Robo3 are expressed in the same neuronal population of the Drosophila optic lobe, where they are required for the correct compartmentalization of optic lobe neuropils by the action of an autocrine/paracrine mechanism. We characterize the endocytic route followed by the Slit/Robo3 complex and detected genetic interactions with genes involved in endocytosis and actin dynamics. Thus, we report that the Slit-Robo3 pathway regulates the morphogenesis of the optic lobe through an atypical autocrine/paracrine mechanism in addition to its role in axon guidance, and in association with proteins of the endocytic pathway and small GTPases.

SLIT2/ROBO signaling in tumor-associated microglia and macrophages drives glioblastoma immunosuppression and vascular dysmorphia

SLIT2 is a secreted polypeptide that guides migration of cells expressing Roundabout 1 and 2 (ROBO1 and ROBO2) receptors. Herein, we investigated SLIT2/ROBO signaling effects in gliomas. In patients with glioblastoma (GBM), SLIT2 expression increased with malignant progression and correlated with poor survival and immunosuppression. Knockdown of SLIT2 in mouse glioma cells and patient-derived GBM xenografts reduced tumor growth and rendered tumors sensitive to immunotherapy. Tumor cell SLIT2 knockdown inhibited macrophage invasion and promoted a cytotoxic gene expression profile, which improved tumor vessel function and enhanced efficacy of chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Mechanistically, SLIT2 promoted microglia/macrophage chemotaxis and tumor-supportive polarization via ROBO1- and ROBO2-mediated PI3K-γ activation. Macrophage Robo1 and Robo2 deletion and systemic SLIT2 trap delivery mimicked SLIT2 knockdown effects on tumor growth and the tumor microenvironment (TME), revealing SLIT2 signaling through macrophage ROBOs as a potentially novel regulator of the GBM microenvironment and immunotherapeutic target for brain tumors.

Changes in SLIT2 expression are associated with the migration of human ovarian clear cell carcinoma cells

Ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC) is characterized by a poor survival of patients, which is mainly due to metastasis and treatment failure. Slit guidance ligand 2 (SLIT2), a secreted protein, has been reported to modulate the migration of neural cells and human cancer cells. However, the effect of changes in SLIT2 expression on the regulation of cell migration in OCCC remains unknown. The present study examined alterations in SLIT2 expression using OCCC cell models, including low- and high-mobility SKOV3 cells, as well as OCCC tissues. DNA methylation analysis suggested that promoter hypermethylation was responsible for the low expression levels of SLIT2 in OCCC cells. The demethylating agent 5-Aza-deoxycytosine was able to restore SLIT2 expression at both the mRNA and protein levels in high-mobility SKOV3 cells that harbored the relevant methylated promoter. Overexpression of SLIT2 inhibited the migration of high-mobility OCCC cells, as well as decreased the protein expression levels of β-catenin, phosphorylated (p)AKT and snail family transcriptional repressor 1 (SNAI1). On the other hand, knockdown of SLIT2 increased the migration of low-mobility OCCC cells, and enhanced the protein expression levels of β-catenin, pAKT and SNAI1. Overall, the results of the present study provided evidence that low expression levels of SLIT2 were associated with increased OCCC cell migration, and that SLIT2 may act as a suppressor gene of cancer cell migration.

Slit/Robo signaling regulates Leydig cell steroidogenesis

BACKGROUND

First identified as a regulator of neuronal axon guidance, Slit/Robo signaling has since been implicated in additional physiologic and pathologic processes, such as angiogenesis, organogenesis and cancer progression. However, its roles in the regulation of testis function have been little explored.

METHODS

Immunohistochemistry and RT-qPCR analyses were performed to detect the expression of Slit/Robo signaling effectors in the adult mouse testis. To identify the roles and mechanisms of Slit/Robo signaling in the regulation of steroidogenesis, RT-qPCR, immunoblotting and hormone measurements were carried out using Leydig cells (primary cultures and the MA10 cell line) treated with exogenous SLIT ligands, and testes from Robo1-null mice.

RESULTS

Slit1, -2 and -3 and Robo1 and -2 expression was detected in the adult mouse testis, particularly in Leydig cells. In vitro treatment of Leydig cells with exogenous SLIT ligands led to a decrease in the expression of the steroidogenic genes Star, Cyp11a1, and Cyp17a1. SLIT2 treatment decreased the phosphorylation of the key steroidogenic gene regulator CREB, possibly in part by suppressing AKT activity. Furthermore, SLIT2 treatment reduced the responsiveness of MA10 cells to luteinizing hormone by decreasing the expression of Lhcgr. Consistent with these in vitro results, an increase in testicular Star mRNA levels and intra-testicular testosterone concentrations were found in Robo1-null mice. Finally, we showed that the expression of the Slit and Robo genes in Leydig cells is enhanced by testosterone treatment in vitro, by an AR-independent mechanism.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, these results suggest that Slit/Robo signaling represents a novel mechanism that regulates Leydig cell steroidogenesis. It may act in an autocrine/paracrine manner to mediate negative feedback by testosterone on its own synthesis. Video Abstract.

Gene Expression and Resistance to Glucocorticoid-Induced Apoptosis in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Brief Review and Update

BACKGROUND

Resistance to glucocorticoid (GC)-induced apoptosis in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), is considered one of the major prognostic factors for the disease. Prednisolone is a corticosteroid and one of the most important agents in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The mechanics of GC resistance are largely unknown and intense ongoing research focuses on this topic.

AIM

The aim of the present study is to review some aspects of GC resistance in ALL, and in particular of Prednisolone, with emphasis on previous and present knowledge on gene expression and signaling pathways playing a role in the phenomenon.

METHODS

An electronic literature search was conducted by the authors from 1994 to June 2019. Original articles and systematic reviews selected, and the titles and abstracts of papers screened to determine whether they met the eligibility criteria, and full texts of the selected articles were retrieved.

RESULTS

Identification of gene targets responsible for glucocorticoid resistance may allow discovery of drugs, which in combination with glucocorticoids may increase the effectiveness of anti-leukemia therapies. The inherent plasticity of clinically evolving cancer justifies approaches to characterize and prevent undesirable activation of early oncogenic pathways.

CONCLUSION

Study of the pattern of intracellular signal pathway activation by anticancer drugs can lead to development of efficient treatment strategies by reducing detrimental secondary effects.

SLIT2/ROBO1-signaling inhibits macropinocytosis by opposing cortical cytoskeletal remodeling

Macropinocytosis is essential for myeloid cells to survey their environment and for growth of RAS-transformed cancer cells. Several growth factors and inflammatory stimuli are known to induce macropinocytosis, but its endogenous inhibitors have remained elusive. Stimulation of Roundabout receptors by Slit ligands inhibits directional migration of many cell types, including immune cells and cancer cells. We report that SLIT2 inhibits macropinocytosis in vitro and in vivo by inducing cytoskeletal changes in macrophages. In mice, SLIT2 attenuates the uptake of muramyl dipeptide, thereby preventing NOD2-dependent activation of NF-κB and consequent secretion of pro-inflammatory chemokine, CXCL1. Conversely, blocking the action of endogenous SLIT2 enhances CXCL1 secretion. SLIT2 also inhibits macropinocytosis in RAS-transformed cancer cells, thereby decreasing their survival in nutrient-deficient conditions which resemble tumor microenvironment. Our results identify SLIT2 as a physiological inhibitor of macropinocytosis and challenge the conventional notion that signals that enhance macropinocytosis negatively regulate cell migration, and vice versa.

Rac1 Inhibition Via Srgap2 Restrains Inflammatory Osteoclastogenesis and Limits the Clastokine, SLIT3

The Rac1-specific guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase)-activating protein Slit-Robo GAP2 (Srgap2) is dramatically upregulated during RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis. Srgap2 interacts with the cell membrane to locally inhibit activity of Rac1. In this study, we determined the role of Srgap2 in the myeloid lineage on bone homeostasis and the osteoclastic response to TNFα treatment. The bone phenotype of mice specifically lacking Srgap2 in the myeloid lineage (Srgap2 ^f/f :LysM-Cre; Srgap2 conditional knockout [cKO]) was investigated using histomorphometric analysis, in vitro cultures and Western blot analysis. Similar methods were used to determine the impact of TNFα challenge on osteoclast formation in Srgap2 cKO mice. Bone parameters in male Srgap2 cKO mice were unaffected. However, female cKO mice displayed higher trabecular bone volume due to increased osteoblast surface and bone formation rate, whereas osteoclastic parameters were unaltered. In vitro, cells from Srgap2 cKO had strongly enhanced Rac1 activation, but RANKL-induced osteoclast formation was unaffected. In contrast, conditioned medium from Srgap2 cKO osteoclasts promoted osteoblast differentiation and had increased levels of the bone anabolic clastokine SLIT3, providing a possible mechanism for increased bone formation in vivo. Rac1 is rapidly activated by the inflammatory cytokine TNFα. Supracalvarial injection of TNFα caused an augmented osteoclastic response in Srgap2 cKO mice. In vitro, cells from Srgap2 cKO mice displayed increased osteoclast formation in response to TNFα. We conclude that Srgap2 plays a prominent role in limiting osteoclastogenesis during inflammation through Rac1, and restricts expression of the paracrine clastokine SLIT3, a positive regulator of bone formation. © 2019 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

A Study Based on the Correlation Between Slit2/Robo1 Signaling Pathway Proteins and Polymyositis/Dermatomyositis

AIMS

To investigate the role of Slit2 and Robo1 during the vascular disease of Polymyositis (PM) / dermatomyositis (DM).

BACKGROUND

PM and DM are nonsuppurative inflammatory myopathies that mainly invade the skeletal muscles.

OBJECTIVE

This study attempted to explore the specific mechanism of Slit2/Robo1 signaling pathway proteins during the vascular disease of PM/DM.

METHODS

The mRNA expressions of Slit2 and Robo1 in the muscle tissue were detected by RT-qPCR between newly-diagnosed PM/DM patients and healthy controls. The number of Slit2 and Robo1 positive cells in the serial sections of muscle paraffin tissues was measured by immunohistochemistry in 10 patients with PM, 10 patients with DM and 20 healthy controls.

RESULTS

The study results revealed that the mRNA expressions of Slit2 and Robo1 in muscle tissue in the PM and DM groups were higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). The positive expression rates of Slit2 and Robo1 in muscle tissue in the PM and DM groups were 80.0%, 80.0%, 70.0% and 70.0%, respectively. The difference was statistically significant (P<0.001), when compared to the control group (the positive expression rates were 0% and 10%, respectively).

CONCLUSION

The activation of the Slit2/Robo1 signaling pathway is an important mechanism leading to the development of PM/DM.

A genome-wide screen for human salicylic acid (SA)-binding proteins reveals targets through which SA may influence development of various diseases

Salicylic acid (SA) is the major metabolite and active ingredient of aspirin; both compounds reduce pain, fever, and inflammation. Despite over a century of research, aspirin/SA's mechanism(s) of action is still only partially understood. Here we report the results of a genome-wide, high-throughput screen to identify potential SA-binding proteins (SABPs) in human HEK293 cells. Following photo-affinity crosslinking to 4-azidoSA and immuno-selection with an anti-SA antibody, approximately 2,000 proteins were identified. Among these, 95 were enriched more than 10-fold. Pathway enrichment analysis with these 95 candidate SABPs (cSABPs) revealed possible involvement of SA in multiple biological pathways, including (i) glycolysis, (ii) cytoskeletal assembly and/or signaling, and (iii) NF-κB-mediated immune signaling. The two most enriched cSABPs, which corresponded to the glycolytic enzymes alpha-enolase (ENO1) and pyruvate kinase isozyme M2 (PKM2), were assessed for their ability to bind SA and SA's more potent derivative amorfrutin B1 (amoB1). SA and amoB1 bound recombinant ENO1 and PKM2 at low millimolar and micromolar concentrations, respectively, and inhibited their enzymatic activities in vitro. Consistent with these results, low millimolar concentrations of SA suppressed glycolytic activity in HEK293 cells. To provide insights into how SA might affect various human diseases, a cSABP-human disorder/disease network map was also generated.

Molecular cross-talk in a unique parasitoid manipulation strategy

Envenomation of cockroach cerebral ganglia by the parasitoid Jewel wasp, Ampulex compressa, induces specific, long-lasting behavioural changes. We hypothesized that this prolonged action results from venom-induced changes in brain neurochemistry. Here, we address this issue by first identifying molecular targets of the venom, i.e., proteins to which venom components bind and interact with to mediate altered behaviour. Our results show that venom components bind to synaptic proteins and likely interfere with both pre- and postsynaptic processes. Since behavioural changes induced by the sting are long-lasting and reversible, we hypothesized further that long-term effects of the venom must be mediated by up or down regulation of cerebral ganglia proteins. We therefore characterize changes in cerebral ganglia protein abundance of stung cockroaches at different time points after the sting by quantitative mass spectrometry. Our findings indicate that numerous proteins are differentially expressed in cerebral ganglia of stung cockroaches, many of which are involved in signal transduction, such as the Rho GTPase pathway, which is implicated in synaptic plasticity. Altogether, our data suggest that the Jewel wasp commandeers cockroach behaviour through molecular cross-talk between venom components and molecular targets in the cockroach central nervous system, leading to broad-based alteration of synaptic efficacy and behavioural changes that promote successful development of wasp progeny.

Keratan sulfate (KS)-proteoglycans and neuronal regulation in health and disease: the importance of KS-glycodynamics and interactive capability with neuroregulatory ligands

Compared to the other classes of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), that is, chondroitin/dermatan sulfate, heparin/heparan sulfate and hyaluronan, keratan sulfate (KS), have the least known of its interactive properties. In the human body, the cornea and the brain are the two most abundant tissue sources of KS. Embryonic KS is synthesized as a linear poly-N-acetyllactosamine chain of d-galactose-GlcNAc repeat disaccharides which become progressively sulfated with development, sulfation of GlcNAc is more predominant than galactose. KS contains multi-sulfated high-charge density, monosulfated and non-sulfated poly-N-acetyllactosamine regions and thus is a heterogeneous molecule in terms of chain length and charge distribution. A recent proteomics study on corneal KS demonstrated its interactivity with members of the Slit-Robbo and Ephrin-Ephrin receptor families and proteins which regulate Rho GTPase signaling and actin polymerization/depolymerization in neural development and differentiation. KS decorates a number of peripheral nervous system/CNS proteoglycan (PG) core proteins. The astrocyte KS-PG abakan defines functional margins of the brain and is up-regulated following trauma. The chondroitin sulfate/KS PG aggrecan forms perineuronal nets which are dynamic neuroprotective structures with anti-oxidant properties and roles in neural differentiation, development and synaptic plasticity. Brain phosphacan a chondroitin sulfate, KS, HNK-1 PG have roles in neural development and repair. The intracellular microtubule and synaptic vesicle KS-PGs MAP1B and SV2 have roles in metabolite transport, storage, and export of neurotransmitters and cytoskeletal assembly. MAP1B has binding sites for tubulin and actin through which it promotes cytoskeletal development in growth cones and is highly expressed during neurite extension. The interactive capability of KS with neuroregulatory ligands indicate varied roles for KS-PGs in development and regenerative neural processes.

A Novel Divergent Gene Transcription Paradigm-the Decisive, Brain-Specific, Neural |-Srgap2-Fam72a-| Master Gene Paradigm

Brain development and repair largely depend on neural stem cells (NSCs). Here, we suggest that two genes, i.e., Srgap2 (SLIT-ROBO Rho GTPase-activating protein 2) and Fam72a (family with sequence similarity to 72, member A), constitute a single, NSC-specific, |-Srgap2-Fam72a-| master gene pair co-existing in reciprocal functional dependency. This gene pair has a dual, commonly used, intergenic region (IGR) promotor, which is a prerequisite in controlling human brain plasticity. We applied fluorescence cellular microscopy and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) to assess rat |-Srgap2-Fam72a-| master gene IGR promotor activity upon stimulation with two contrary growth factors: nerve growth factor (Ngf, a differentiation growth factor) and epidermal growth factor (Egf, a mitotic growth factor). We found that Ngf and Egf acted on the same IGR gene promotor element of the |-Srgap2-Fam72a-| master gene to mediate cell differentiation and proliferation, respectively. Ngf mediated Srgap2 expression and neuronal survival and differentiation while Egf activated Fam72a transcription and cell proliferation. Our data provide new insights into the specific regulation of the |-Srgap2-Fam72a-| master gene with its dual IGR promotor that controls two reverse-oriented functional-dependent genes located on opposite DNA strands. This structure represents a novel paradigm for controlling transcription of divergent genes in regulating NSC gene expression. This paradigm may allow for novel therapeutic approaches to restore or improve higher cognitive functions and cure cancers.

Link between short tandem repeats and translation initiation site selection

BACKGROUND

Despite their vast biological implication, the relevance of short tandem repeats (STRs)/microsatellites to the protein-coding gene translation initiation sites (TISs) remains largely unknown.

METHODS

We performed an Ensembl-based comparative genomics study of all annotated orthologous TIS-flanking sequences in human and 46 other species across vertebrates, on the genomic DNA and cDNA platforms (755,956 TISs), aimed at identifying human-specific STRs in this interval. The collected data were used to examine the hypothesis of a link between STRs and TISs. BLAST was used to compare the initial five amino acids (excluding the initial methionine), codons of which were flanked by STRs in human, with the initial five amino acids of all annotated proteins for the orthologous genes in other vertebrates (total of 5,314,979 pair-wise TIS comparisons on the genomic DNA and cDNA platforms) in order to compare the number of events in which human-specific and non-specific STRs occurred with homologous and non-homologous TISs (i.e., ≥ 50% and < 50% similarity of the five amino acids).

RESULTS

We detected differential distribution of the human-specific STRs in comparison to the overall distribution of STRs on the genomic DNA and cDNA platforms (Mann Whitney U test p = 1.4 × 10-11 and p < 7.9 × 10-11, respectively). We also found excess occurrence of non-homologous TISs with human-specific STRs and excess occurrence of homologous TISs with non-specific STRs on both platforms (p < 0.00001).

CONCLUSION

We propose a link between STRs and TIS selection, based on the differential co-occurrence rate of human-specific STRs with non-homologous TISs and non-specific STRs with homologous TISs.

Rho GTPases in Intellectual Disability: From Genetics to Therapeutic Opportunities

Rho-class small GTPases are implicated in basic cellular processes at nearly all brain developmental steps, from neurogenesis and migration to axon guidance and synaptic plasticity. GTPases are key signal transducing enzymes that link extracellular cues to the neuronal responses required for the construction of neuronal networks, as well as for synaptic function and plasticity. Rho GTPases are highly regulated by a complex set of activating (GEFs) and inactivating (GAPs) partners, via protein:protein interactions (PPI). Misregulated RhoA, Rac1/Rac3 and cdc42 activity has been linked with intellectual disability (ID) and other neurodevelopmental conditions that comprise ID. All genetic evidences indicate that in these disorders the RhoA pathway is hyperactive while the Rac1 and cdc42 pathways are consistently hypoactive. Adopting cultured neurons for in vitro testing and specific animal models of ID for in vivo examination, the endophenotypes associated with these conditions are emerging and include altered neuronal networking, unbalanced excitation/inhibition and altered synaptic activity and plasticity. As we approach a clearer definition of these phenotype(s) and the role of hyper- and hypo-active GTPases in the construction of neuronal networks, there is an increasing possibility that selective inhibitors and activators might be designed via PPI, or identified by screening, that counteract the misregulation of small GTPases and result in alleviation of the cognitive condition. Here we review all knowledge in support of this possibility.