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Eck RJ, Stair JG, Kraemer BC, Liachko NF. Simple models to understand complex disease: 10 years of progress from Caenorhabditis elegans models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal lobar degeneration. Front Neurosci 2024; 17:1300705. [PMID: 38239833 PMCID: PMC10794587 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1300705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans are a powerful model system to study human disease, with numerous experimental advantages including significant genetic and cellular homology to vertebrate animals, a short lifespan, and tractable behavioral, molecular biology and imaging assays. Beginning with the identification of SOD1 as a genetic cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), C. elegans have contributed to a deeper understanding of the mechanistic underpinnings of this devastating neurodegenerative disease. More recently this work has expanded to encompass models of other types of ALS and the related disease frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD-TDP), including those characterized by mutation or accumulation of the proteins TDP-43, C9orf72, FUS, HnRNPA2B1, ALS2, DCTN1, CHCHD10, ELP3, TUBA4A, CAV1, UBQLN2, ATXN3, TIA1, KIF5A, VAPB, GRN, and RAB38. In this review we summarize these models and the progress and insights from the last ten years of using C. elegans to study the neurodegenerative diseases ALS and FTLD-TDP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Randall J. Eck
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Jade G. Stair
- Geriatrics Research Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Brian C. Kraemer
- Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Geriatrics Research Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Nicole F. Liachko
- Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Geriatrics Research Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, United States
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2
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Takla M, Keshri S, Rubinsztein DC. The post-translational regulation of transcription factor EB (TFEB) in health and disease. EMBO Rep 2023; 24:e57574. [PMID: 37728021 PMCID: PMC10626434 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202357574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcription factor EB (TFEB) is a basic helix-loop-helix leucine zipper transcription factor that acts as a master regulator of lysosomal biogenesis, lysosomal exocytosis, and macro-autophagy. TFEB contributes to a wide range of physiological functions, including mitochondrial biogenesis and innate and adaptive immunity. As such, TFEB is an essential component of cellular adaptation to stressors, ranging from nutrient deprivation to pathogenic invasion. The activity of TFEB depends on its subcellular localisation, turnover, and DNA-binding capacity, all of which are regulated at the post-translational level. Pathological states are characterised by a specific set of stressors, which elicit post-translational modifications that promote gain or loss of TFEB function in the affected tissue. In turn, the resulting increase or decrease in survival of the tissue in which TFEB is more or less active, respectively, may either benefit or harm the organism as a whole. In this way, the post-translational modifications of TFEB account for its otherwise paradoxical protective and deleterious effects on organismal fitness in diseases ranging from neurodegeneration to cancer. In this review, we describe how the intracellular environment characteristic of different diseases alters the post-translational modification profile of TFEB, enabling cellular adaptation to a particular pathological state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Takla
- Department of Medical Genetics, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research (CIMR)University of CambridgeCambridgeUK
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research (CIMR)University of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| | - Swati Keshri
- Department of Medical Genetics, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research (CIMR)University of CambridgeCambridgeUK
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research (CIMR)University of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| | - David C Rubinsztein
- Department of Medical Genetics, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research (CIMR)University of CambridgeCambridgeUK
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research (CIMR)University of CambridgeCambridgeUK
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3
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Giménez-Bejarano A, Alegre-Cortés E, Yakhine-Diop SMS, Gómez-Suaga P, Fuentes JM. Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Repeat Expansion Diseases. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:1593. [PMID: 37627588 PMCID: PMC10451345 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12081593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2023] [Revised: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Repeat expansion diseases are a group of neuromuscular and neurodegenerative disorders characterized by expansions of several successive repeated DNA sequences. Currently, more than 50 repeat expansion diseases have been described. These disorders involve diverse pathogenic mechanisms, including loss-of-function mechanisms, toxicity associated with repeat RNA, or repeat-associated non-ATG (RAN) products, resulting in impairments of cellular processes and damaged organelles. Mitochondria, double membrane organelles, play a crucial role in cell energy production, metabolic processes, calcium regulation, redox balance, and apoptosis regulation. Its dysfunction has been implicated in the pathogenesis of repeat expansion diseases. In this review, we provide an overview of the signaling pathways or proteins involved in mitochondrial functioning described in these disorders. The focus of this review will be on the analysis of published data related to three representative repeat expansion diseases: Huntington's disease, C9orf72-frontotemporal dementia/amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and myotonic dystrophy type 1. We will discuss the common effects observed in all three repeat expansion disorders and their differences. Additionally, we will address the current gaps in knowledge and propose possible new lines of research. Importantly, this group of disorders exhibit alterations in mitochondrial dynamics and biogenesis, with specific proteins involved in these processes having been identified. Understanding the underlying mechanisms of mitochondrial alterations in these disorders can potentially lead to the development of neuroprotective strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Giménez-Bejarano
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular y Genética, Facultad de Enfermería y Terapia Ocupacional, Universidad de Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, Spain; (A.G.-B.); (E.A.-C.); (S.M.S.Y.-D.); (P.G.-S.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Neurodegenerativa, Instituto de Salus Carlos III (CIBER-CIBERNED-ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Extremadura (INUBE), 10003 Cáceres, Spain
| | - Eva Alegre-Cortés
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular y Genética, Facultad de Enfermería y Terapia Ocupacional, Universidad de Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, Spain; (A.G.-B.); (E.A.-C.); (S.M.S.Y.-D.); (P.G.-S.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Neurodegenerativa, Instituto de Salus Carlos III (CIBER-CIBERNED-ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Extremadura (INUBE), 10003 Cáceres, Spain
| | - Sokhna M. S. Yakhine-Diop
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular y Genética, Facultad de Enfermería y Terapia Ocupacional, Universidad de Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, Spain; (A.G.-B.); (E.A.-C.); (S.M.S.Y.-D.); (P.G.-S.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Neurodegenerativa, Instituto de Salus Carlos III (CIBER-CIBERNED-ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Extremadura (INUBE), 10003 Cáceres, Spain
| | - Patricia Gómez-Suaga
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular y Genética, Facultad de Enfermería y Terapia Ocupacional, Universidad de Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, Spain; (A.G.-B.); (E.A.-C.); (S.M.S.Y.-D.); (P.G.-S.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Neurodegenerativa, Instituto de Salus Carlos III (CIBER-CIBERNED-ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Extremadura (INUBE), 10003 Cáceres, Spain
| | - José M. Fuentes
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular y Genética, Facultad de Enfermería y Terapia Ocupacional, Universidad de Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, Spain; (A.G.-B.); (E.A.-C.); (S.M.S.Y.-D.); (P.G.-S.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Neurodegenerativa, Instituto de Salus Carlos III (CIBER-CIBERNED-ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Extremadura (INUBE), 10003 Cáceres, Spain
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4
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Jiao F, Zhou B, Meng L. The regulatory mechanism and therapeutic potential of transcription factor EB in neurodegenerative diseases. CNS Neurosci Ther 2022; 29:37-59. [PMID: 36184826 PMCID: PMC9804079 DOI: 10.1111/cns.13985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The autophagy-lysosomal pathway (ALP) is involved in the degradation of protein aggregates and damaged organelles. Transcription factor EB (TFEB), a major regulator of ALP, has emerged as a leading factor in addressing neurodegenerative disease pathology, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), PolyQ diseases, and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In this review, we delineate the regulation of TFEB expression and its functions in ALP. Dysfunctions of TFEB and its role in the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative diseases are reviewed. We summarize the protective effects and molecular mechanisms of some TFEB-targeted agonists in neurodegenerative diseases. We also offer our perspective on analyzing the pros and cons of these agonists in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases from the perspective of drug development. More studies on the regulatory mechanisms of TFEB in other biological processes will aid our understanding of the application of TFEB-targeted therapy in neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengjuan Jiao
- School of Mental HealthJining Medical UniversityJiningChina,Shandong Key Laboratory of Behavioral Medicine, School of Mental HealthJining Medical UniversityJiningChina
| | - Bojie Zhou
- School of Mental HealthJining Medical UniversityJiningChina,Shandong Key Laboratory of Behavioral Medicine, School of Mental HealthJining Medical UniversityJiningChina
| | - Lingyan Meng
- School of Mental HealthJining Medical UniversityJiningChina,Shandong Key Laboratory of Behavioral Medicine, School of Mental HealthJining Medical UniversityJiningChina
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5
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Houghton OH, Mizielinska S, Gomez-Suaga P. The Interplay Between Autophagy and RNA Homeostasis: Implications for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:838402. [PMID: 35573690 PMCID: PMC9096704 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.838402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia are neurodegenerative disorders that lie on a disease spectrum, sharing genetic causes and pathology, and both without effective therapeutics. Two pathways that have been shown to play major roles in disease pathogenesis are autophagy and RNA homeostasis. Intriguingly, there is an increasing body of evidence suggesting a critical interplay between these pathways. Autophagy is a multi-stage process for bulk and selective clearance of malfunctional cellular components, with many layers of regulation. Although the majority of autophagy research focuses on protein degradation, it can also mediate RNA catabolism. ALS/FTD-associated proteins are involved in many stages of autophagy and autophagy-mediated RNA degradation, particularly converging on the clearance of persistent pathological stress granules. In this review, we will summarise the progress in understanding the autophagy-RNA homeostasis interplay and how that knowledge contributes to our understanding of the pathobiology of ALS/FTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- O H Houghton
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, London, United Kingdom.,UK Dementia Research Institute at King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - S Mizielinska
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, London, United Kingdom.,UK Dementia Research Institute at King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - P Gomez-Suaga
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, London, United Kingdom.,Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular y Genética, Facultad de Enfermería y Terapia Ocupacional, Universidad de Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain.,Instituto Universitario de Investigación Biosanitaria de Extremadura (INUBE), Cáceres, Spain
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6
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Invited review: Unearthing the mechanisms of age-related neurodegenerative disease using Caenorhabditis elegans. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2022; 267:111166. [PMID: 35176489 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2022.111166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
As human life expectancy increases, neurodegenerative diseases present a growing public health threat, for which there are currently few effective treatments. There is an urgent need to understand the molecular and genetic underpinnings of these disorders so new therapeutic targets can be identified. Here we present the argument that the simple nematode worm Caenorhabditis elegans is a powerful tool to rapidly study neurodegenerative disorders due to their short lifespan and vast array of genetic tools, which can be combined with characterization of conserved neuronal processes and behavior orthologous to those disrupted in human disease. We review how pre-existing C. elegans models provide insight into human neurological disease as well as an overview of current tools available to study neurodegenerative diseases in the worm, with an emphasis on genetics and behavior. We also discuss open questions that C. elegans may be particularly well suited for in future studies and how worms will be a valuable preclinical model to better understand these devastating neurological disorders.
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7
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Jiang L, Zhang T, Lu K, Qi S. The progress in C9orf72 research: ALS/FTD pathogenesis, functions and structure. Small GTPases 2022; 13:56-76. [PMID: 33663328 PMCID: PMC9707547 DOI: 10.1080/21541248.2021.1892443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The hexanucleotide repeat (GGGGCC) expansion in C9orf72 is accounted for a large proportion of the genetic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). The hypotheses of how the massive G4C2 repeats in C9orf72 destroy the neurons and lead to ALS/FTD are raised and improving. As a multirole player, C9orf72 exerts critical roles in many cellular processes, including autophagy, membrane trafficking, immune response, and so on. Notably, the partners of C9orf72, through which C9orf72 participates in the cell activities, have been identified. Notably, the structures of the C9orf72-SMCR8-WDR41 complex shed light on its activity as GTPase activating proteins (GAP). In this manuscript, we reviewed the latest research progress in the C9orf72-mediated ALS/FTD, the physiological functions of C9orf72, and the putative function models of C9orf72/C9orf72-containing complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan Jiang
- Department of Urology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Tizhong Zhang
- Department of Urology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Kefeng Lu
- Department of Urology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Shiqian Qi
- Department of Urology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China,CONTACT Shiqian Qi Department of Urology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
These authors contributed equally to this work.
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8
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Sonobe Y, Aburas J, Krishnan G, Fleming AC, Ghadge G, Islam P, Warren EC, Gu Y, Kankel MW, Brown AEX, Kiskinis E, Gendron TF, Gao FB, Roos RP, Kratsios P. A C. elegans model of C9orf72-associated ALS/FTD uncovers a conserved role for eIF2D in RAN translation. Nat Commun 2021; 12:6025. [PMID: 34654821 PMCID: PMC8519953 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26303-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
A hexanucleotide repeat expansion GGGGCC in the non-coding region of C9orf72 is the most common cause of inherited amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Toxic dipeptide repeats (DPRs) are synthesized from GGGGCC via repeat-associated non-AUG (RAN) translation. Here, we develop C. elegans models that express, either ubiquitously or exclusively in neurons, 75 GGGGCC repeats flanked by intronic C9orf72 sequence. The worms generate DPRs (poly-glycine-alanine [poly-GA], poly-glycine-proline [poly-GP]) and poly-glycine-arginine [poly-GR]), display neurodegeneration, and exhibit locomotor and lifespan defects. Mutation of a non-canonical translation-initiating codon (CUG) upstream of the repeats selectively reduces poly-GA steady-state levels and ameliorates disease, suggesting poly-GA is pathogenic. Importantly, loss-of-function mutations in the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2D (eif-2D/eIF2D) reduce poly-GA and poly-GP levels, and increase lifespan in both C. elegans models. Our in vitro studies in mammalian cells yield similar results. Here, we show a conserved role for eif-2D/eIF2D in DPR expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshifumi Sonobe
- grid.412578.d0000 0000 8736 9513University of Chicago Medical Center, 5841S. Maryland Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637 USA ,grid.412578.d0000 0000 8736 9513Department of Neurology, University of Chicago Medical Center, 5841S. Maryland Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637 USA ,grid.170205.10000 0004 1936 7822The Grossman Institute for Neuroscience, Quantitative Biology, and Human Behavior, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL USA
| | - Jihad Aburas
- grid.412578.d0000 0000 8736 9513University of Chicago Medical Center, 5841S. Maryland Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637 USA ,grid.170205.10000 0004 1936 7822The Grossman Institute for Neuroscience, Quantitative Biology, and Human Behavior, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL USA ,grid.170205.10000 0004 1936 7822Department of Neurobiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL USA
| | - Gopinath Krishnan
- grid.168645.80000 0001 0742 0364Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605 USA
| | - Andrew C. Fleming
- grid.16753.360000 0001 2299 3507The Ken & Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, USA
| | - Ghanashyam Ghadge
- grid.412578.d0000 0000 8736 9513University of Chicago Medical Center, 5841S. Maryland Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637 USA ,grid.412578.d0000 0000 8736 9513Department of Neurology, University of Chicago Medical Center, 5841S. Maryland Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637 USA ,grid.170205.10000 0004 1936 7822The Grossman Institute for Neuroscience, Quantitative Biology, and Human Behavior, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL USA
| | - Priota Islam
- grid.14105.310000000122478951MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, London, UK ,grid.7445.20000 0001 2113 8111Institute of Clinical Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Eleanor C. Warren
- grid.14105.310000000122478951MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, London, UK ,grid.7445.20000 0001 2113 8111Institute of Clinical Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Yuanzheng Gu
- grid.417832.b0000 0004 0384 8146Neuromuscular & Movement Disorders, Biogen, Cambridge, MA 02142 USA
| | - Mark W. Kankel
- grid.417832.b0000 0004 0384 8146Neuromuscular & Movement Disorders, Biogen, Cambridge, MA 02142 USA
| | - André E. X. Brown
- grid.14105.310000000122478951MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, London, UK ,grid.7445.20000 0001 2113 8111Institute of Clinical Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Evangelos Kiskinis
- grid.16753.360000 0001 2299 3507The Ken & Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, USA
| | - Tania F. Gendron
- grid.417467.70000 0004 0443 9942Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL USA
| | - Fen-Biao Gao
- grid.168645.80000 0001 0742 0364Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605 USA
| | - Raymond P. Roos
- grid.412578.d0000 0000 8736 9513University of Chicago Medical Center, 5841S. Maryland Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637 USA ,grid.412578.d0000 0000 8736 9513Department of Neurology, University of Chicago Medical Center, 5841S. Maryland Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637 USA ,grid.170205.10000 0004 1936 7822The Grossman Institute for Neuroscience, Quantitative Biology, and Human Behavior, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL USA
| | - Paschalis Kratsios
- University of Chicago Medical Center, 5841S. Maryland Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA. .,The Grossman Institute for Neuroscience, Quantitative Biology, and Human Behavior, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA. .,Department of Neurobiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
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9
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Tang Q, Liu M, Liu Y, Hwang RD, Zhang T, Wang J. NDST3 deacetylates α-tubulin and suppresses V-ATPase assembly and lysosomal acidification. EMBO J 2021; 40:e107204. [PMID: 34435379 PMCID: PMC8488563 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2020107204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2020] [Revised: 07/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Lysosomes are key organelles maintaining cellular homeostasis in health and disease. Here, we report the identification of N‐deacetylase and N‐sulfotransferase 3 (NDST3) as a potent regulator of lysosomal functions through an unbiased genetic screen. NDST3 constitutes a new member of the histone deacetylase (HDAC) family and catalyzes the deacetylation of α‐tubulin. Loss of NDST3 promotes assembly of the V‐ATPase holoenzyme on the lysosomal membrane and thereby increases the acidification of the organelle. NDST3 is downregulated in tissues and cells from patients carrying the C9orf72 hexanucleotide repeat expansion linked to the neurodegenerative diseases amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Deficiency in C9orf72 decreases the level of NDST3, and downregulation of NDST3 exacerbates the proteotoxicity of poly‐dipeptides generated from the C9orf72 hexanucleotide repeats. These results demonstrate a previously unknown regulatory mechanism through which microtubule acetylation regulates lysosomal activities and suggest that NDST3 could be targeted to modulate microtubule and lysosomal functions in relevant diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Tang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Mingming Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ran-Der Hwang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Tao Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jiou Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
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10
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Braems E, Tziortzouda P, Van Den Bosch L. Exploring the alternative: Fish, flies and worms as preclinical models for ALS. Neurosci Lett 2021; 759:136041. [PMID: 34118308 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2021.136041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2020] [Revised: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an incurable neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the loss of upper and lower motor neurons. In general, patients succumb to respiratory insufficiency due to respiratory muscle weakness. Despite many promising therapeutic strategies primarily identified in rodent models, patient trials remain rather unsuccessful. There is a clear need for alternative approaches, which could provide directions towards the justified use of rodents and which increase the likelihood to identify new promising clinical candidates. In the last decades, the use of fast genetic approaches and the development of high-throughput screening platforms in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, in the fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) and in zebrafish (Danio rerio) have contributed to new insights into ALS pathomechanisms, disease modifiers and therapeutic targets. In this mini-review, we provide an overview of these alternative small animal studies, modeling the most common ALS genes and discuss the most recent preclinical discoveries. We conclude that small animal models will not replace rodent models, yet they clearly represent an important asset for preclinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elke Braems
- KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology, and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Leuven, Belgium; VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Paraskevi Tziortzouda
- KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology, and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Leuven, Belgium; VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ludo Van Den Bosch
- KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology, and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Leuven, Belgium; VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Leuven, Belgium.
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11
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Li M, Wang Z, Wang P, Li H, Yang L. TFEB: A Emerging Regulator in Lipid Homeostasis for Atherosclerosis. Front Physiol 2021; 12:639920. [PMID: 33679452 PMCID: PMC7925399 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.639920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerosis, predominantly characterized by the disturbance of lipid homeostasis, has become the main causation of various cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, there is an urgent requirement to explore efficacious targets that act as lipid modulators for atherosclerosis. Transcription factor EB (TFEB), whose activity depends on post-translational modifications, such as phosphorylation, acetylation, SUMOylation, ubiquitination, etc., is significant for normal cell physiology. Recently, increasing evidence implicates a role of TFEB in lipid homeostasis, via its functionality of promoting lipid degradation and efflux through mediating lipophagy, lipolysis, and lipid metabolism-related genes. Furthermore, a regulatory effect on lipid transporters and lipid mediators by TFEB is emerging. Notably, TFEB makes a possible therapeutic target of atherosclerosis by regulating lipid metabolism. This review recapitulates the update and current advances on TFEB mediating lipid metabolism to focus on two intracellular activities: a) how cells perceive external stimuli and initiate transcription programs to modulate TFEB function, and b) how TFEB restores lipid homeostasis in the atherosclerotic process. In-depth research is warranted to develop potent agents against TFEB to alleviate or reverse the progression of atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manman Li
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Zitong Wang
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Pengyu Wang
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Hong Li
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Liming Yang
- Department of Pathophysiology, Harbin Medical University-Daqing, Daqing, China
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12
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Beckers J, Tharkeshwar AK, Van Damme P. C9orf72 ALS-FTD: recent evidence for dysregulation of the autophagy-lysosome pathway at multiple levels. Autophagy 2021; 17:3306-3322. [PMID: 33632058 PMCID: PMC8632097 DOI: 10.1080/15548627.2021.1872189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) are two clinically distinct classes of neurodegenerative disorders. Yet, they share a range of genetic, cellular, and molecular features. Hexanucleotide repeat expansions (HREs) in the C9orf72 gene and the accumulation of toxic protein aggregates in the nervous systems of the affected individuals are among such common features. Though the mechanisms by which HREs cause toxicity is not clear, the toxic gain of function due to transcribed HRE RNA or dipeptide repeat proteins (DPRs) produced by repeat-associated non-AUG translation together with a reduction in C9orf72 expression are proposed as the contributing factors for disease pathogenesis in ALS and FTD. In addition, several recent studies point toward alterations in protein homeostasis as one of the root causes of the disease pathogenesis. In this review, we discuss the effects of the C9orf72 HRE in the autophagy-lysosome pathway based on various recent findings. We suggest that dysfunction of the autophagy-lysosome pathway synergizes with toxicity from C9orf72 repeat RNA and DPRs to drive disease pathogenesis. Abbreviation: ALP: autophagy-lysosome pathway; ALS: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; AMPK: AMP-activated protein kinase; ATG: autophagy-related; ASO: antisense oligonucleotide; C9orf72: C9orf72-SMCR8 complex subunit; DENN: differentially expressed in normal and neoplastic cells; DPR: dipeptide repeat protein; EIF2A/eIF2α: eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2A; ER: endoplasmic reticulum; FTD: frontotemporal dementia; GAP: GTPase-activating protein; GEF: guanine nucleotide exchange factor; HRE: hexanucleotide repeat expansion; iPSC: induced pluripotent stem cell; ISR: integrated stress response; M6PR: mannose-6-phosphate receptor, cation dependent; MAP1LC3/LC3: microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3; MN: motor neuron; MTORC1: mechanistic target of rapamycin kinase complex 1; ND: neurodegenerative disorder; RAN: repeat-associated non-ATG; RB1CC1/FIP200: RB1 inducible coiled-coil 1; SLC66A1/PQLC2: solute carrier family 66 member 1; SMCR8: SMCR8-C9orf72 complex subunit; SQSTM1/p62: sequestosome 1; STX17: syntaxin 17; TARDBP/TDP-43: TAR DNA binding protein; TBK1: TANK binding kinase 1; TFEB: transcription factor EB; ULK1: unc-51 like autophagy activating kinase 1; UPS: ubiquitin-proteasome system; WDR41: WD repeat domain 41.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jimmy Beckers
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology, and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Arun Kumar Tharkeshwar
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology, and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Philip Van Damme
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology, and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Leuven, Belgium.,University Hospitals Leuven, Department of Neurology, Leuven, Belgium
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13
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Pang W, Hu F. Cellular and physiological functions of C9ORF72 and implications for ALS/FTD. J Neurochem 2020; 157:334-350. [PMID: 33259633 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The hexanucleotide repeat expansion (HRE) in the C9ORF72 gene is the main cause of two tightly linked neurodegenerative diseases, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). HRE leads to not only a gain of toxicity from RNA repeats and dipeptide repeats but also reduced levels of C9ORF72 protein. However, the cellular and physiological functions of C9ORF72 were unknown until recently. Through proteomic analysis, Smith-Magenis chromosome regions 8 (SMCR8) and WD repeat-containing protein (WDR41) were identified as binding partners of C9ORF72. These three proteins have been shown to form a tight complex, but the exact functions of this complex remain to be characterized. Both C9ORF72 and SMCR8 contain a DENN domain, which has been shown to regulate the activities of small GTPases. The C9ORF72 complex has been implicated in many cellular processes, including vesicle trafficking, lysosome homeostasis, mTORC1 signaling , and autophagy. C9ORF72 deficiency in mice results in exaggerated inflammatory responses and human patients with C9ORF72 mutations have neuroinflammation phenotype. Recent studies indicate that C9ORF72 regulates trafficking and lysosomal degradation of inflammatory mediators, including toll-like receptors (TLRs) and STING, to affect inflammatory outputs. Further exploration of cellular and physiological functions of C9ORF72 will help dissect the pathological mechanism of ALS/FTD caused by C9ORF72 mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weilun Pang
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Fenghua Hu
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
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14
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Kim G, Gautier O, Tassoni-Tsuchida E, Ma XR, Gitler AD. ALS Genetics: Gains, Losses, and Implications for Future Therapies. Neuron 2020; 108:822-842. [PMID: 32931756 PMCID: PMC7736125 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2020.08.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 193] [Impact Index Per Article: 48.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Revised: 08/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder caused by the loss of motor neurons from the brain and spinal cord. The ALS community has made remarkable strides over three decades by identifying novel familial mutations, generating animal models, elucidating molecular mechanisms, and ultimately developing promising new therapeutic approaches. Some of these approaches reduce the expression of mutant genes and are in human clinical trials, highlighting the need to carefully consider the normal functions of these genes and potential contribution of gene loss-of-function to ALS. Here, we highlight known loss-of-function mechanisms underlying ALS, potential consequences of lowering levels of gene products, and the need to consider both gain and loss of function to develop safe and effective therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garam Kim
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Stanford Neurosciences Interdepartmental Program, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Olivia Gautier
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Stanford Neurosciences Interdepartmental Program, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Eduardo Tassoni-Tsuchida
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - X Rosa Ma
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Aaron D Gitler
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
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15
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Caldwell KA, Willicott CW, Caldwell GA. Modeling neurodegeneration in Caenorhabditis elegans. Dis Model Mech 2020; 13:13/10/dmm046110. [PMID: 33106318 PMCID: PMC7648605 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.046110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The global burden of neurodegenerative diseases underscores the urgent need for innovative strategies to define new drug targets and disease-modifying factors. The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans has served as the experimental subject for multiple transformative discoveries that have redefined our understanding of biology for ∼60 years. More recently, the considerable attributes of C. elegans have been applied to neurodegenerative diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease. Transgenic nematodes with genes encoding normal and disease variants of proteins at the single- or multi-copy level under neuronal-specific promoters limits expression to select neuronal subtypes. The anatomical transparency of C. elegans affords the use of co-expressed fluorescent proteins to follow the progression of neurodegeneration as the animals age. Significantly, a completely defined connectome facilitates detailed understanding of the impact of neurodegeneration on organismal health and offers a unique capacity to accurately link cell death with behavioral dysfunction or phenotypic variation in vivo. Moreover, chemical treatments, as well as forward and reverse genetic screening, hasten the identification of modifiers that alter neurodegeneration. When combined, these chemical-genetic analyses establish critical threshold states to enhance or reduce cellular stress for dissecting associated pathways. Furthermore, C. elegans can rapidly reveal whether lifespan or healthspan factor into neurodegenerative processes. Here, we outline the methodologies employed to investigate neurodegeneration in C. elegans and highlight numerous studies that exemplify its utility as a pre-clinical intermediary to expedite and inform mammalian translational research. Summary: While unsurpassed as an experimental system for fundamental biology, Caenorhabditis elegans remains undervalued for its translational potential. Here, we highlight significant outcomes from, and resources available for, C. elegans-based research into neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim A Caldwell
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA .,Departments of Neurobiology, Neurology, Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, and Nathan Shock Center of Excellence in the Basic Biology of Aging, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Corey W Willicott
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA
| | - Guy A Caldwell
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA.,Departments of Neurobiology, Neurology, Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, and Nathan Shock Center of Excellence in the Basic Biology of Aging, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
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