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Rybiczka-Tešulov M, Garritsen O, Venø MT, Wieg L, Dijk RV, Rahimi K, Gomes-Duarte A, Wit MD, van de Haar LL, Michels L, van Kronenburg NCH, van der Meer C, Kjems J, Vangoor VR, Pasterkamp RJ. Circular RNAs regulate neuron size and migration of midbrain dopamine neurons during development. Nat Commun 2024; 15:6773. [PMID: 39117691 PMCID: PMC11310423 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-51041-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Midbrain dopamine (mDA) neurons play an essential role in cognitive and motor behaviours and are linked to different brain disorders. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying their development, and in particular the role of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), remain incompletely understood. Here, we establish the transcriptomic landscape and alternative splicing patterns of circular RNAs (circRNAs) at key developmental timepoints in mouse mDA neurons in vivo using fluorescence-activated cell sorting followed by short- and long-read RNA sequencing. In situ hybridisation shows expression of several circRNAs during early mDA neuron development and post-transcriptional silencing unveils roles for different circRNAs in regulating mDA neuron morphology. Finally, in utero electroporation and time-lapse imaging implicate circRmst, a circRNA with widespread morphological effects, in the migration of developing mDA neurons in vivo. Together, these data for the first time suggest a functional role for circRNAs in developing mDA neurons and characterise poorly defined aspects of mDA neuron development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mateja Rybiczka-Tešulov
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center Utrecht, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Center for Pathobiochemistry and Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Oxana Garritsen
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center Utrecht, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Morten T Venø
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
- Omiics ApS, Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Laura Wieg
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center Utrecht, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Roland van Dijk
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center Utrecht, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- VectorY Therapeutics, Matrix Innovation Center VI, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Karim Rahimi
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, MA, Boston, USA
| | - Andreia Gomes-Duarte
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center Utrecht, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- VectorY Therapeutics, Matrix Innovation Center VI, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marina de Wit
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center Utrecht, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Lieke L van de Haar
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center Utrecht, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology, Max Delbrück Center, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lars Michels
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center Utrecht, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- VectorY Therapeutics, Matrix Innovation Center VI, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Nicky C H van Kronenburg
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center Utrecht, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Christiaan van der Meer
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center Utrecht, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jørgen Kjems
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Vamshidhar R Vangoor
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center Utrecht, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - R Jeroen Pasterkamp
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center Utrecht, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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2
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Thöny B, Ng J, Kurian MA, Mills P, Martinez A. Mouse models for inherited monoamine neurotransmitter disorders. J Inherit Metab Dis 2024; 47:533-550. [PMID: 38168036 DOI: 10.1002/jimd.12710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Several mouse models have been developed to study human defects of primary and secondary inherited monoamine neurotransmitter disorders (iMND). As the field continues to expand, current defects in corresponding mouse models include enzymes and a molecular co-chaperone involved in monoamine synthesis and metabolism (PAH, TH, PITX3, AADC, DBH, MAOA, DNAJC6), tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) cofactor synthesis and recycling (adGTPCH1/DRD, arGTPCH1, PTPS, SR, DHPR), and vitamin B6 cofactor deficiency (ALDH7A1), as well as defective monoamine neurotransmitter packaging (VMAT1, VMAT2) and reuptake (DAT). No mouse models are available for human DNAJC12 co-chaperone and PNPO-B6 deficiencies, disorders associated with recessive variants that result in decreased stability and function of the aromatic amino acid hydroxylases and decreased neurotransmitter synthesis, respectively. More than one mutant mouse is available for some of these defects, which is invaluable as different variant-specific (knock-in) models may provide more insights into underlying mechanisms of disorders, while complete gene inactivation (knock-out) models often have limitations in terms of recapitulating complex human diseases. While these mouse models have common phenotypic traits also observed in patients, reflecting the defective homeostasis of the monoamine neurotransmitter pathways, they also present with disease-specific manifestations with toxic accumulation or deficiency of specific metabolites related to the specific gene affected. This review provides an overview of the currently available models and may give directions toward selecting existing models or generating new ones to investigate novel pathogenic mechanisms and precision therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beat Thöny
- Division of Metabolism and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Joanne Ng
- Genetic Therapy Accelerator Centre, University College London, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Manju A Kurian
- Zayed Centre for Research into Rare Disease in Children, GOS Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Neurology, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, UK
| | - Philippa Mills
- Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Aurora Martinez
- Department of Biomedicine and Center for Translational Research in Parkinson's Disease, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Neuro-SysMed, Department of Neurology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
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Neuronal Dot1l Activity Acts as a Mitochondrial Gene-Repressor Associated with Human Brain Aging via H3K79 Hypermethylation. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021387. [PMID: 36674903 PMCID: PMC9862808 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021387] [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: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Methylation of histone 3 at lysine 79 (H3K79) and its catalyst, a disrupter of telomeric silencing (DOT1l), have been coupled to multiple forms of stress, such as bioenergetic and ER challenges. However, studies on H3K79 methylation and Dot1l in the (aging) brain and neurons are limited. This, together with the increasing evidence of a dynamic neuroepigenome, made us wonder if H3K79 methylation and its activator Dot1l could play important roles in brain aging and associated disorders. In aged humans, we found strong and consistent global hypermethylation of H3K79 in neurons. Specific in dopaminergic neurons, we found a strong increase in H3K79 methylation in lipofucsin positive neurons, which are linked to pathology. In animals, where we conditionally removed Dot1l, we found a rapid loss of H3K79 methylation. As a consequence, we found some decrease in specific dopaminergic genes, and surprisingly, a clear up-regulation of almost all genes belonging to the family of the respiratory chain. These data, in relation to the observed increase in global H3K79 methylation, suggest that there is an inverse relationship between H3K79 methylation and the capacity of energy metabolism in neuronal systems.
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Linders LE, Patrikiou L, Soiza-Reilly M, Schut EHS, van Schaffelaar BF, Böger L, Wolterink-Donselaar IG, Luijendijk MCM, Adan RAH, Meye FJ. Stress-driven potentiation of lateral hypothalamic synapses onto ventral tegmental area dopamine neurons causes increased consumption of palatable food. Nat Commun 2022; 13:6898. [PMID: 36371405 PMCID: PMC9653441 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34625-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Stress can cause overconsumption of palatable high caloric food. Despite the important role of stress eating in obesity and (binge) eating disorders, its underlying neural mechanisms remain unclear. Here we demonstrate in mice that stress alters lateral hypothalamic area (LHA) control over the ventral tegmental area (VTA), thereby promoting overconsumption of palatable food. Specifically, we show that glutamatergic LHA neurons projecting to the VTA are activated by social stress, after which their synapses onto dopamine neurons are potentiated via AMPA receptor subunit alterations. We find that stress-driven strengthening of these specific synapses increases LHA control over dopamine output in key target areas like the prefrontal cortex. Finally, we demonstrate that while inducing LHA-VTA glutamatergic potentiation increases palatable fat intake, reducing stress-driven potentiation of this connection prevents such stress eating. Overall, this study provides insights in the neural circuit adaptations caused by stress that drive overconsumption of palatable food.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louisa E. Linders
- grid.5477.10000000120346234Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center, UMC Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Lefkothea Patrikiou
- grid.5477.10000000120346234Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center, UMC Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Mariano Soiza-Reilly
- grid.7345.50000 0001 0056 1981Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias (IFIBYNE), CONICET, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Evelien H. S. Schut
- grid.5477.10000000120346234Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center, UMC Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Bram F. van Schaffelaar
- grid.5477.10000000120346234Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center, UMC Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Leonard Böger
- grid.5477.10000000120346234Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center, UMC Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Inge G. Wolterink-Donselaar
- grid.5477.10000000120346234Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center, UMC Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Mieneke C. M. Luijendijk
- grid.5477.10000000120346234Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center, UMC Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Roger A. H. Adan
- grid.5477.10000000120346234Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center, UMC Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Frank J. Meye
- grid.5477.10000000120346234Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center, UMC Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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5
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van Zessen R, Flores-Dourojeanni JP, Eekel T, van den Reijen S, Lodder B, Omrani A, Smidt MP, Ramakers GMJ, van der Plasse G, Stuber GD, Adan RAH. Cue and Reward Evoked Dopamine Activity Is Necessary for Maintaining Learned Pavlovian Associations. J Neurosci 2021; 41:5004-5014. [PMID: 33888609 PMCID: PMC8197637 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2744-20.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 02/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Associating natural rewards with predictive environmental cues is crucial for survival. Dopamine (DA) neurons of the ventral tegmental area (VTA) are thought to play a crucial role in this process by encoding reward prediction errors (RPEs) that have been hypothesized to play a role in associative learning. However, it is unclear whether this signal is still necessary after animals have acquired a cue-reward association. In order to investigate this, we trained mice to learn a Pavlovian cue-reward association. After learning, mice show robust anticipatory and consummatory licking behavior. As expected, calcium activity of VTA DA neurons goes up for cue presentation as well as reward delivery. Optogenetic inhibition during the moment of reward delivery disrupts learned behavior, even in the continued presence of reward. This effect is more pronounced over trials and persists on the next training day. Moreover, outside of the task licking behavior and locomotion are unaffected. Similarly to inhibitions during the reward period, we find that inhibiting cue-induced dopamine (DA) signals robustly decreases learned licking behavior, indicating that cue-related DA signals are a potent driver for learned behavior. Overall, we show that inhibition of either of these DA signals directly impairs the expression of learned associative behavior. Thus, continued DA signaling in a learned state is necessary for consolidating Pavlovian associations.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Dopamine (DA) neurons of the ventral tegmental area (VTA) have long been suggested to be necessary for animals to associate environmental cues with rewards that they predict. Here, we use time-locked optogenetic inhibition of these neurons to show that the activity of these neurons is directly necessary for performance on a Pavlovian conditioning task, without affecting locomotor per se These findings provide further support for the direct importance of second-by-second DA neuron activity in associative learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruud van Zessen
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jacques P Flores-Dourojeanni
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Timon Eekel
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Siem van den Reijen
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Bart Lodder
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Azar Omrani
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marten P Smidt
- Molecular Neuroscience, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, 1090 GE Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Geert M J Ramakers
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Geoffrey van der Plasse
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Garret D Stuber
- Center for the Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion, Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195
| | - Roger A H Adan
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
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6
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Brignani S, Raj DDA, Schmidt ERE, Düdükcü Ö, Adolfs Y, De Ruiter AA, Rybiczka-Tesulov M, Verhagen MG, van der Meer C, Broekhoven MH, Moreno-Bravo JA, Grossouw LM, Dumontier E, Cloutier JF, Chédotal A, Pasterkamp RJ. Remotely Produced and Axon-Derived Netrin-1 Instructs GABAergic Neuron Migration and Dopaminergic Substantia Nigra Development. Neuron 2020; 107:684-702.e9. [PMID: 32562661 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2020.05.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Revised: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The midbrain dopamine (mDA) system is composed of molecularly and functionally distinct neuron subtypes that mediate specific behaviors and show select disease vulnerability, including in Parkinson's disease. Despite progress in identifying mDA neuron subtypes, how these neuronal subsets develop and organize into functional brain structures remains poorly understood. Here we generate and use an intersectional genetic platform, Pitx3-ITC, to dissect the mechanisms of substantia nigra (SN) development and implicate the guidance molecule Netrin-1 in the migration and positioning of mDA neuron subtypes in the SN. Unexpectedly, we show that Netrin-1, produced in the forebrain and provided to the midbrain through axon projections, instructs the migration of GABAergic neurons into the ventral SN. This migration is required to confine mDA neurons to the dorsal SN. These data demonstrate that neuron migration can be controlled by remotely produced and axon-derived secreted guidance cues, a principle that is likely to apply more generally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Brignani
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 100, 3584 CG Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Divya D A Raj
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 100, 3584 CG Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Ewoud R E Schmidt
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 100, 3584 CG Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Özge Düdükcü
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 100, 3584 CG Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Youri Adolfs
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 100, 3584 CG Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Anna A De Ruiter
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 100, 3584 CG Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Mateja Rybiczka-Tesulov
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 100, 3584 CG Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Marieke G Verhagen
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 100, 3584 CG Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Christiaan van der Meer
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 100, 3584 CG Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Mark H Broekhoven
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 100, 3584 CG Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Juan A Moreno-Bravo
- Institut de la Vision, Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, 17 Rue Moreau, 75012 Paris, France
| | - Laurens M Grossouw
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 100, 3584 CG Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Emilie Dumontier
- Montreal Neurological Institute, 3801 University, Montréal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
| | | | - Alain Chédotal
- Institut de la Vision, Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, 17 Rue Moreau, 75012 Paris, France
| | - R Jeroen Pasterkamp
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 100, 3584 CG Utrecht, the Netherlands.
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7
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van der Velden L, Vinck MA, Wadman WJ. Resonance in the Mouse Ventral Tegmental Area Dopaminergic Network Induced by Regular and Poisson Distributed Optogenetic Stimulation in-vitro. Front Comput Neurosci 2020; 14:11. [PMID: 32132914 PMCID: PMC7040182 DOI: 10.3389/fncom.2020.00011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurons in many brain regions exhibit spontaneous, intrinsic rhythmic firing activity. This rhythmic firing activity may determine the way in which these neurons respond to extrinsic synaptic inputs. We hypothesized that neurons should be most responsive to inputs at the frequency of the intrinsic oscillation frequency. We addressed this question in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), a dopaminergic nucleus in the midbrain. VTA neurons have a unique propensity to exhibit spontaneous intrinsic rhythmic activity in the 1-5 Hz frequency range, which persists in the in-vitro brain slice, and form a network of weakly coupled oscillators. Here, we combine in-vitro simultaneous recording of action potentials from a 60 channel multi-electrode-array with cell-type-specific optogenetic stimulation of the VTA dopamine neurons. We investigated how VTA neurons respond to wide-band stochastic (Poisson input) as well as regular laser pulses. Strong synchrony was induced between the laser input and the spike timing of the neurons, both for regular pulse trains and Poisson pulse trains. For rhythmically pulsed input, the neurons demonstrated resonant behavior with the strongest phase locking at their intrinsic oscillation frequency, but also at half and double the intrinsic oscillation frequency. Stochastic Poisson pulse stimulation provided a more effective stimulation of the entire population, yet we observed resonance at lower frequencies (approximately half the oscillation frequency) than the neurons' intrinsic oscillation frequency. The non-linear filter characteristics of dopamine neurons could allow the VTA to predict precisely timed future rewards based on past sensory inputs, a crucial component of reward prediction error signaling. In addition, these filter characteristics could contribute to a pacemaker role for the VTA in synchronizing activity with other regions like the prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luuk van der Velden
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Martin A Vinck
- Ernst Strüngmann Institute (ESI) for Neuroscience in Cooperation With Max Planck Society, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Wytse J Wadman
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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8
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Conditional, inducible gene silencing in dopamine neurons reveals a sex-specific role for Rit2 GTPase in acute cocaine response and striatal function. Neuropsychopharmacology 2020; 45:384-393. [PMID: 31277075 PMCID: PMC6901441 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-019-0457-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2018] [Revised: 06/26/2019] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Dopamine (DA) signaling is critical for movement, motivation, and addictive behavior. The neuronal GTPase, Rit2, is enriched in DA neurons (DANs), binds directly to the DA transporter (DAT), and is implicated in several DA-related neuropsychiatric disorders. However, it remains unknown whether Rit2 plays a role in either DAergic signaling and/or DA-dependent behaviors. Here we leveraged the TET-OFF system to conditionally silence Rit2 in Pitx3IRES2-tTA mouse DANs. Following DAergic Rit2 knockdown (Rit2-KD), mice displayed an anxiolytic phenotype, with no change in baseline locomotion. Further, males exhibited increased acute cocaine sensitivity, whereas DAergic Rit2-KD suppressed acute cocaine sensitivity in females. DAergic Rit2-KD did not affect presynaptic TH and DAT protein levels in females, nor was TH was affected in males; however, DAT was significantly diminished in males. Paradoxically, despite decreased DAT levels in males, striatal DA uptake was enhanced, but was not due to enhanced DAT surface expression in either dorsal or ventral striatum. Finally, patch recordings in nucleus accumbens (NAcc) medium spiny neurons (MSNs) revealed reciprocal changes in spontaneous EPSP (sEPSP) frequency in male and female D1+ and D2+ MSNs following DAergic Rit2-KD. In males, sEPSP frequency was decreased in D1+, but not D2+, MSNs, whereas in females sEPSP frequency decreased in D2+, but not D1+, MSNs. Moreover, DAergic Rit2-KD abolished the ability of cocaine to reduce sEPSP frequency in D1+, but not D2+, male MSNs. Taken together, our studies are among the first to acheive AAV-mediated, conditional and inducible DAergic knockdown in vivo. Importantly, our results provide the first evidence that DAergic Rit2 expression differentially impacts striatal function and DA-dependent behaviors in males and females.
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9
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Cardozo Pinto DF, Yang H, Pollak Dorocic I, de Jong JW, Han VJ, Peck JR, Zhu Y, Liu C, Beier KT, Smidt MP, Lammel S. Characterization of transgenic mouse models targeting neuromodulatory systems reveals organizational principles of the dorsal raphe. Nat Commun 2019; 10:4633. [PMID: 31604921 PMCID: PMC6789139 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-12392-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2019] [Accepted: 09/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The dorsal raphe (DR) is a heterogeneous nucleus containing dopamine (DA), serotonin (5HT), γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate neurons. Consequently, investigations of DR circuitry require Cre-driver lines that restrict transgene expression to precisely defined cell populations. Here, we present a systematic evaluation of mouse lines targeting neuromodulatory cells in the DR. We find substantial differences in specificity between lines targeting DA neurons, and in penetrance between lines targeting 5HT neurons. Using these tools to map DR circuits, we show that populations of neurochemically distinct DR neurons are arranged in a stereotyped topographical pattern, send divergent projections to amygdala subnuclei, and differ in their presynaptic inputs. Importantly, targeting DR DA neurons using different mouse lines yielded both structural and functional differences in the neural circuits accessed. These results provide a refined model of DR organization and support a comparative, case-by-case evaluation of the suitability of transgenic tools for any experimental application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel F Cardozo Pinto
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology and Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
- Nancy Pritzker Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Hongbin Yang
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology and Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Iskra Pollak Dorocic
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology and Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Johannes W de Jong
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology and Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Vivian J Han
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology and Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - James R Peck
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology and Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Yichen Zhu
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology and Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Christine Liu
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology and Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Kevin T Beier
- Departments of Physiology and Biophysics, Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Marten P Smidt
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, FNWI University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Stephan Lammel
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology and Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA.
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Wever I, Largo-Barrientos P, Hoekstra EJ, Smidt MP. Lmx1b Influences Correct Post-mitotic Coding of Mesodiencephalic Dopaminergic Neurons. Front Mol Neurosci 2019; 12:62. [PMID: 30930745 PMCID: PMC6427837 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2019.00062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2018] [Accepted: 02/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The Lim Homeobox transcription factor 1 beta (LMX1b) has been identified as one of the transcription factors important for the development of mesodiencephalic dopaminergic (mdDA) neurons. During early development, Lmx1b is essential for induction and maintenance of the Isthmic Organizer (IsO), and genetic ablation results in the disruption of inductive activity from the IsO and loss of properly differentiated mdDA neurons. To study the downstream targets of Lmx1b without affecting the IsO, we generated a conditional model in which Lmx1b was selectively deleted in Pitx3-expressing cells from embryonic day (E)13 onward. Supporting previous data, no significant changes could be observed in general dopamine (DA) marks, like Th, Pitx3and Vmat2 at E14.5. However, in depth analysis by means of RNA-sequencing revealed that Lmx1b is important for the mRNA expression level of survival factors En1 and En2 and for the repression of mdDA subset mark Ahd2 during (late) development. Interestingly, the regulation of Ahd2 by Lmx1b was found to be Pitx3 independent, since Pitx3 mRNA levels were not altered in Lmx1b conditional knock-outs (cKOs) and Ahd2 expression was also up-regulated in Lmx1b/Pitx3 double mutants compared to Pitx3 mutants. Further analysis of Lmx1b cKOs showed that post-mitotic deletion of Lmx1b additional leads to a loss of TH+ cells at 3 months age both in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc). Remarkably, different cell types were affected in the SNc and the VTA. While TH+AHD2+ cells were lost the SNc, TH+AHD2- neurons were affected in the VTA, reflected by a loss of Cck expression, indicating that Lmx1b is important for the survival of a sub-group of mdDA neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iris Wever
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | | | - Elisa J Hoekstra
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Marten P Smidt
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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11
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Wever I, von Oerthel L, Wagemans CMRJ, Smidt MP. EZH2 Influences mdDA Neuronal Differentiation, Maintenance and Survival. Front Mol Neurosci 2019; 11:491. [PMID: 30705619 PMCID: PMC6344421 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2018] [Accepted: 12/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the last decade several components have been identified to be differentially expressed in subsets of mesodiencephalic dopaminergic (mdDA) neurons. These differences in molecular profile have been implied to be involved in the selective degeneration of the SNc neurons in Parkinson’s disease. The emergence and maintenance of individual subsets is dependent on different transcriptional programs already present during development. In addition to the influence of transcription factors, recent studies have led to the hypothesis that modifications of histones might also influence the developmental program of neurons. In this study we focus on the histone methyltransferase EZH2 and its role in the development and maintenance of mdDA neurons. We generated two different conditional knock out (cKO) mice; an En1Cre driven cKO, for deletion of Ezh2 in mdDA progenitors and a Pitx3Cre driven cKO, to study the effect of post-mitotic deletion of Ezh2 on mdDA neurons maturation and neuronal survival. During development Ezh2 was found to be important for the generation of the proper amount of TH+ neurons. The loss of neurons primarily affected a rostrolateral population, which is also reflected in the analysis of the subset marks, Ahd2 and Cck. In contrast to early genetic ablation, post-mitotic deletion of Ezh2 did not lead to major developmental defects at E14.5. However, in 6 months old animals Cck was found ectopically in the rostral domain of mdDA neurons and Ahd2 expression was reduced in more mediocaudal positioned cells. In addition, Pitx3Cre driven deletion of Ezh2 led to a progressive loss of TH+ cells in the VTA and these animals display reduced climbing behavior. Together, our data demonstrates that Ezh2 is important for the generation of mdDA neurons during development and that during adult stages Ezh2 is important for the preservation of proper neuronal subset identity and survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iris Wever
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Lars von Oerthel
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Cindy M R J Wagemans
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Marten P Smidt
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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12
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Mesman S, Smidt MP. Tcf12 Is Involved in Early Cell-Fate Determination and Subset Specification of Midbrain Dopamine Neurons. Front Mol Neurosci 2017; 10:353. [PMID: 29163030 PMCID: PMC5671939 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2017.00353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2017] [Accepted: 10/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) protein family has previously been shown to be involved in the development of mesodiencephalic dopaminergic (mdDA) neurons in the murine midbrain. Specifically, Ngn2 and Mash1 are known to have a role in the specification of neural progenitors in the ventricular zone (VZ) of the midbrain towards an mdDA neuronal cell-fate. Furthermore, other members of the bHLH protein family, the E-box factors, are expressed in the developing midbrain and are thought to have a role in neuronal differentiation. Here we show that the E-box factor Tcf12 is implicated in early and late development of mdDA neurons. Tcf12 is expressed in the midbrain and in young TH-expressing mdDA neurons throughout development. Tcf12lox/lox;En1cre/+ embryos, that lose Tcf12 at ~embryonic day (E)9 throughout the En1 expression domain, have a changed spatial expression of Lmx1a and Nurr1 and a consistent loss of rostral TH expression. Expression of the subset marker Ahd2 is initially delayed, but recovers during development, eventually showing an ~10% increase in AHD2-expressing cells at postnatal day (P)30. Tcf12lox/lox;Pitx3cre/+ embryos, that lose Tcf12 at ~E12 in post-mitotic mdDA neurons, show no effect on the amount of TH-expressing neurons in the developing midbrain. However, similar as to Tcf12lox/lox;En1cre/+ embryos, subset specification is delayed during development. Taken together, we have identified Tcf12 as a novel factor in mdDA neuronal development. It serves a dual function; one in early cell-fate commitment of neural progenitors and one late in subset specification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Mesman
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, FNWI University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Marten P Smidt
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, FNWI University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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13
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Cardozo Pinto DF, Lammel S. Viral vector strategies for investigating midbrain dopamine circuits underlying motivated behaviors. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2017; 174:23-32. [PMID: 28257849 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2017.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2016] [Revised: 02/07/2017] [Accepted: 02/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Midbrain dopamine (DA) neurons have received significant attention in brain research because of their central role in reward processing and their dysfunction in neuropsychiatric disorders such as Parkinson's disease, drug addiction, depression and schizophrenia. Until recently, it has been thought that DA neurons form a homogeneous population whose primary function is the computation of reward prediction errors. However, through the implementation of viral vector strategies, an unexpected complexity and diversity has been revealed at the anatomical, molecular and functional level. In this review, we discuss recent viral vector approaches that have been leveraged to dissect how different circuits involving distinct DA neuron subpopulations may contribute to the role of DA in reward- and aversion-related behaviors. We focus on studies that have used cell type- and projection-specific optogenetic manipulations, discuss the strengths and limitations of each approach, and critically examine emergent organizational principles that have led to a reclassification of midbrain DA neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel F Cardozo Pinto
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, 142 Life Science Addition #3200, CA 94720, USA
| | - Stephan Lammel
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, 142 Life Science Addition #3200, CA 94720, USA; Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, 142 Life Science Addition #3200, CA 94720, USA.
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14
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Frizzled3 Controls Axonal Polarity and Intermediate Target Entry during Striatal Pathway Development. J Neurosci 2016; 35:14205-19. [PMID: 26490861 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1840-15.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED The striatum is a large brain nucleus with an important role in the control of movement and emotions. Medium spiny neurons (MSNs) are striatal output neurons forming prominent descending axon tracts that target different brain nuclei. However, how MSN axon tracts in the forebrain develop remains poorly understood. Here, we implicate the Wnt binding receptor Frizzled3 in several uncharacterized aspects of MSN pathway formation [i.e., anterior-posterior guidance of MSN axons in the striatum and their subsequent growth into the globus pallidus (GP), an important (intermediate) target]. In Frizzled3 knock-out mice, MSN axons fail to extend along the anterior-posterior axis of the striatum, and many do not reach the GP. Wnt5a acts as an attractant for MSN axons in vitro, is expressed in a posterior high, anterior low gradient in the striatum, and Wnt5a knock-out mice phenocopy striatal anterior-posterior defects observed in Frizzled3 mutants. This suggests that Wnt5a controls anterior-posterior guidance of MSN axons through Frizzled3. Axons that reach the GP in Frizzled3 knock-out mice fail to enter this structure. Surprisingly, entry of MSN axons into the GP non-cell-autonomously requires Frizzled3, and our data suggest that GP entry may be contingent on the correct positioning of "corridor" guidepost cells for thalamocortical axons by Frizzled3. Together, these data dissect MSN pathway development and reveal (non)cell-autonomous roles for Frizzled3 in MSN axon guidance. Further, they are the first to identify a gene that provides anterior-posterior axon guidance in a large brain nucleus and link Frizzled3 to corridor cell development. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Striatal axon pathways mediate complex physiological functions and are an important therapeutic target, underscoring the need to define how these connections are established. Remarkably, the molecular programs regulating striatal pathway development remain poorly characterized. Here, we determine the embryonic ontogeny of the two main striatal pathways (striatonigral and striatopallidal) and identify novel (non)cell-autonomous roles for the axon guidance receptor Frizzled3 in uncharacterized aspects of striatal pathway formation (i.e., anterior-posterior axon guidance in the striatum and axon entry into the globus pallidus). Further, our results link Frizzled3 to corridor guidepost cell development and suggest that an abnormal distribution of these cells has unexpected, widespread effects on the development of different axon tracts (i.e., striatal and thalamocortical axons).
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15
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Tillack K, Aboutalebi H, Kramer ER. An Efficient and Versatile System for Visualization and Genetic Modification of Dopaminergic Neurons in Transgenic Mice. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0136203. [PMID: 26291828 PMCID: PMC4546329 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0136203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2015] [Accepted: 07/30/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background & Aims The brain dopaminergic (DA) system is involved in fine tuning many behaviors and several human diseases are associated with pathological alterations of the DA system such as Parkinson’s disease (PD) and drug addiction. Because of its complex network integration, detailed analyses of physiological and pathophysiological conditions are only possible in a whole organism with a sophisticated tool box for visualization and functional modification. Methods & Results Here, we have generated transgenic mice expressing the tetracycline-regulated transactivator (tTA) or the reverse tetracycline-regulated transactivator (rtTA) under control of the tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) promoter, TH-tTA (tet-OFF) and TH-rtTA (tet-ON) mice, to visualize and genetically modify DA neurons. We show their tight regulation and efficient use to overexpress proteins under the control of tet-responsive elements or to delete genes of interest with tet-responsive Cre. In combination with mice encoding tet-responsive luciferase, we visualized the DA system in living mice progressively over time. Conclusion These experiments establish TH-tTA and TH-rtTA mice as a powerful tool to generate and monitor mouse models for DA system diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karsten Tillack
- Development and Maintenance of the Nervous System, Center for Molecular Neurobiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Helia Aboutalebi
- Development and Maintenance of the Nervous System, Center for Molecular Neurobiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Edgar R. Kramer
- Development and Maintenance of the Nervous System, Center for Molecular Neurobiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- * E-mail:
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16
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Watmuff B, Hartley BJ, Hunt CPJ, Fabb SA, Pouton CW, Haynes JM. Human pluripotent stem cell derived midbrain PITX3(eGFP/w) neurons: a versatile tool for pharmacological screening and neurodegenerative modeling. Front Cell Neurosci 2015; 9:104. [PMID: 25873861 PMCID: PMC4379917 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2015.00104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2014] [Accepted: 03/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
PITX3 expression is confined to adult midbrain dopaminergic (mDA) neurons. In this study we describe the generation and basic functional characteristics of mDA neurons derived from a human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) line expressing eGFP under the control of the PITX3 promoter. Flow cytometry showed that eGFP was evident in 15% of the neuron population at day 12 of differentiation and this level was maintained until at least day 80. From days 20 to 80 of differentiation intracellular chloride decreased and throughout this period around ∼20% of PITX3eGFP/w neurons exhibited spontaneous Ca2+ transients (from 3.3 ± 0.3 to 5.0 ± 0.1 min-1, respectively). These neurons also responded to any of ATP, glutamate, acetylcholine, or noradrenaline with elevations of intracellular calcium. As neuronal cultures matured more dopamine was released and single PITX3eGFP/w neurons began to respond to more than one neurotransmitter. MPP+ and tumor necrosis factor (TNF), but not prostaglandin E2, caused death of the ∼50% of PITX3eGFP/w neurons (day 80). Tracking eGFP using time lapse confocal microscopy over 24 h demonstrated significant TNF-mediated neurite retraction over time. This work now shows that these PITX3eGFP/w neurons are amenable to flow cytometry, release dopamine and respond to multiple neurotransmitters with elevations of intracellular calcium, we believe that they represent a versatile system for neuropharmacological and neurotoxicological studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bradley Watmuff
- Stem Cell Biology Group, Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Brigham J Hartley
- Stem Cell Biology Group, Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Cameron P J Hunt
- Stem Cell Biology Group, Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Stewart A Fabb
- Stem Cell Biology Group, Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Colin W Pouton
- Stem Cell Biology Group, Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - John M Haynes
- Stem Cell Biology Group, Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University Parkville, VIC, Australia
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17
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Heumann R, Moratalla R, Herrero MT, Chakrabarty K, Drucker-Colín R, Garcia-Montes JR, Simola N, Morelli M. Dyskinesia in Parkinson's disease: mechanisms and current non-pharmacological interventions. J Neurochem 2014; 130:472-89. [DOI: 10.1111/jnc.12751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2013] [Revised: 04/23/2014] [Accepted: 04/27/2014] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Rolf Heumann
- Molecular Neurobiochemistry; Ruhr-University Bochum; Bochum Germany
| | | | - Maria Trinidad Herrero
- Clinical & Experimental Neuroscience (NiCE-CIBERNED); School of Health Sciences; University Jaume I; Castelló, and School of Medicine; University of Murcia; Murcia Spain
| | | | - René Drucker-Colín
- Instituto de Fisiología Celular; Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; Mexico City México
| | | | - Nicola Simola
- Department of Biomedical Sciences; Section of Neuropsychopharmacology; University of Cagliari; Cagliari Italy
| | - Micaela Morelli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences; Section of Neuropsychopharmacology; University of Cagliari; Cagliari Italy
- National Institute of Neuroscience (INN); University of Cagliari; Cagliari Italy
- National Research Council (CNR); Neuroscience Institute; Cagliari Italy
- Center of Excellence on Neurobiology of Dependence; University of Cagliari; Cagliari Italy
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18
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Hunt CP, Fabb SA, Pouton CW, Haynes JM. DNA-dependent protein kinase is a context dependent regulator of Lmx1a and midbrain specification. PLoS One 2013; 8:e78759. [PMID: 24194952 PMCID: PMC3806860 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0078759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2013] [Accepted: 09/18/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The identification of small molecules capable of directing pluripotent cell differentiation towards specific lineages is highly desirable to both reduce cost, and increase efficiency. Within neural progenitors, LIM homeobox transcription factor 1 alpha (Lmx1a) is required for proper development of roof plate and cortical hem structures of the forebrain, as well as the development of floor plate and midbrain dopaminergic neurons. In this study we generated homologous recombinant cell lines expressing either luciferase or β-lactamase under the control of the Lmx1a promoter, and used these cell lines to investigate kinase-mediated regulation of Lmx1a activity during neuronal differentiation. A screen of 143 small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors yielded 16 compounds that positively or negatively modulated Lmx1a activity. Inhibition of EGF, VEGF and DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) signaling significantly upregulated Lmx1a activity whereas MEK inhibition strongly downregulated its activity. Quantitative FACS analysis revealed that the DNA-PK inhibitor significantly increased the number of Lmx1a+ progenitors while subsequent qPCR showed an upregulation of Notch effectors, the basic helix-loop-helix genes, Hes5 and Hey1. FACS further revealed that DNA-PK-mediated regulation of Lmx1a+ cells is dependent on the rapamycin-sensitive complex, mTORC1. Interestingly, this DNA-PK inhibitor effect was preserved in a co-culture differentiation protocol. Terminal differentiation assays showed that DNA-PK inhibition shifted development of neurons from forebrain toward midbrain character as assessed by Pitx3/TH immunolabeling and corresponding upregulation of midbrain (En1), but not forebrain (FoxG1) transcripts. These studies show that Lmx1a signaling in mouse embryonic stem cells contributes to a molecular cascade establishing neuronal specification. The data presented here identifies a novel regulatory pathway where signaling from DNA-PK appears to suppress midbrain-specific Lmx1a expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cameron P. Hunt
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University (Parkville), Melbourne, Australia
| | - Stewart A. Fabb
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University (Parkville), Melbourne, Australia
| | - Colin W. Pouton
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University (Parkville), Melbourne, Australia
- * E-mail: (JMH); (CWP)
| | - John M. Haynes
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University (Parkville), Melbourne, Australia
- * E-mail: (JMH); (CWP)
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