1
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Rubenstein JL, Nord AS, Ekker M. DLX genes and proteins in mammalian forebrain development. Development 2024; 151:dev202684. [PMID: 38819455 PMCID: PMC11190439 DOI: 10.1242/dev.202684] [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] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
The vertebrate Dlx gene family encode homeobox transcription factors that are related to the Drosophila Distal-less (Dll) gene and are crucial for development. Over the last ∼35 years detailed information has accrued about the redundant and unique expression and function of the six mammalian Dlx family genes. DLX proteins interact with general transcriptional regulators, and co-bind with other transcription factors to enhancer elements with highly specific activity in the developing forebrain. Integration of the genetic and biochemical data has yielded a foundation for a gene regulatory network governing the differentiation of forebrain GABAergic neurons. In this Primer, we describe the discovery of vertebrate Dlx genes and their crucial roles in embryonic development. We largely focus on the role of Dlx family genes in mammalian forebrain development revealed through studies in mice. Finally, we highlight questions that remain unanswered regarding vertebrate Dlx genes despite over 30 years of research.
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Affiliation(s)
- John L. Rubenstein
- UCSF Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Department of UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Nina Ireland Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Alex S. Nord
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior and Department of Psychiatry and 20 Behavioral Sciences, Center for Neuroscience, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95618, USA
| | - Marc Ekker
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, 30 Marie Curie, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
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2
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Pai ELL, Stafford AM, Vogt D. Cellular signaling impacts upon GABAergic cortical interneuron development. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1138653. [PMID: 36998738 PMCID: PMC10043199 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1138653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The development and maturation of cortical GABAergic interneurons has been extensively studied, with much focus on nuclear regulation via transcription factors. While these seminal events are critical for the establishment of interneuron developmental milestones, recent studies on cellular signaling cascades have begun to elucidate some potential contributions of cell signaling during development. Here, we review studies underlying three broad signaling families, mTOR, MAPK, and Wnt/beta-catenin in cortical interneuron development. Notably, each pathway harbors signaling factors that regulate a breadth of interneuron developmental milestones and properties. Together, these events may work in conjunction with transcriptional mechanisms and other events to direct the complex diversity that emerges during cortical interneuron development and maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Ling-Lin Pai
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - April M. Stafford
- Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
| | - Daniel Vogt
- Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
- Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
- *Correspondence: Daniel Vogt,
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3
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Regulatory Elements Inserted into AAVs Confer Preferential Activity in Cortical Interneurons. eNeuro 2020; 7:ENEURO.0211-20.2020. [PMID: 33199411 PMCID: PMC7768279 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0211-20.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Revised: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Cortical interneuron (CIN) dysfunction is thought to play a major role in neuropsychiatric conditions like epilepsy, schizophrenia and autism. It is therefore essential to understand how the development, physiology, and functions of CINs influence cortical circuit activity and behavior in model organisms such as mice and primates. While transgenic driver lines are powerful tools for studying CINs in mice, this technology is limited in other species. An alternative approach is to use viral vectors such as AAV, which can be used in multiple species including primates and also have potential for therapeutic use in humans. Thus, we sought to discover gene regulatory enhancer elements (REs) that can be used in viral vectors to drive expression in specific cell types. The present study describes the systematic genome-wide identification of putative REs (pREs) that are preferentially active in immature CINs by histone modification chromatin immunoprecipitation and sequencing (ChIP-seq). We evaluated two novel pREs in AAV vectors, alongside the well-established Dlx I12b enhancer, and found that they drove CIN-specific reporter expression in adult mice. We also showed that the identified Arl4d pRE could drive sufficient expression of channelrhodopsin for optogenetic rescue of behavioral deficits in the Dlx5/6+/- mouse model of fast-spiking CIN dysfunction.
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4
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Wundrach D, Martinetti LE, Stafford AM, Bilinovich SM, Angara K, Prokop JW, Crandall SR, Vogt D. A Human TSC1 Variant Screening Platform in Gabaergic Cortical Interneurons for Genotype to Phenotype Assessments. Front Mol Neurosci 2020; 13:573409. [PMID: 33071758 PMCID: PMC7539171 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2020.573409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The TSC1 and TSC2 genes are connected to multiple syndromes from Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) to autism spectrum disorder (ASD), with uncertainty if genetic variants cause all or subsets of phenotypes based on the location and type of change. For TSC1, few have addressed if non-TSC associated genetic variants have direct contributions to changes in neurological genotype-to-phenotype impacts, including elevated rates of ASD and seizures. Dominant variants cause TSC, yet TSC1 has many heritable variants not dominant for TSC that are poorly understood in neurological function, with some associated with ASD. Herein, we examined how missense variants in TSC1, R336W, T360N, T393I, S403L, and H732Y, impacted the development of cortical inhibitory interneurons, cell-types whose molecular, cellular, and physiological properties are altered after the loss of mouse TSC1. We found these variants complemented a known phenotype caused by loss of TSC1, increased cell size. However, distinct variants, particularly S403L showed deficits in complementing an increase in parvalbumin levels and exhibited smaller amplitude after hyperpolarizations. Overall, these data show that subtle phenotypes can be induced by some TSC1 missense variants and provide an in vivo system to assess TSC1 variants’ neurological impact better.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dean Wundrach
- Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
| | - Luis E Martinetti
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States.,Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - April M Stafford
- Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
| | - Stephanie M Bilinovich
- Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
| | - Kartik Angara
- Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
| | - Jeremy W Prokop
- Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States.,Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States.,Center for Research in Autism, Intellectual and other Neurodevelopmental Disabilities, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Shane R Crandall
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States.,Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Daniel Vogt
- Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States.,Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States.,Center for Research in Autism, Intellectual and other Neurodevelopmental Disabilities, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
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5
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Le Guen Y, Leroy F, Philippe C, Mangin JF, Dehaene-Lambertz G, Frouin V. Enhancer Locus in ch14q23.1 Modulates Brain Asymmetric Temporal Regions Involved in Language Processing. Cereb Cortex 2020; 30:5322-5332. [DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhaa112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Revised: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Identifying the genes that contribute to the variability in brain regions involved in language processing may shed light on the evolution of brain structures essential to the emergence of language in Homo sapiens. The superior temporal asymmetrical pit (STAP), which is not observed in chimpanzees, represents an ideal phenotype to investigate the genetic variations that support human communication. The left STAP depth was significantly associated with a predicted enhancer annotation located in the 14q23.1 locus, between DACT1 and KIAA0586, in the UK Biobank British discovery sample (N = 16 515). This association was replicated in the IMAGEN cohort (N = 1726) and the UK Biobank non-British validation sample (N = 2161). This genomic region was also associated to a lesser extent with the right STAP depth and the formation of sulcal interruptions, “plis de passage,” in the bilateral STAP but not with other structural brain MRI phenotypes, highlighting its notable association with the superior temporal regions. Diffusion MRI emphasized an association with the fractional anisotropy of the left auditory fibers of the corpus callosum and with networks involved in linguistic processing in resting-state functional MRI. Overall, this evidence demonstrates a specific relationship between this locus and the establishment of the superior temporal regions that support human communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yann Le Guen
- UNATI, Neurospin, Institut Joliot, CEA, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette 91191, France
| | - François Leroy
- Cognitive Neuroimaging Unit, U992, INSERM, Neurospin, Institut Joliot, CEA, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette 91191, France
| | - Cathy Philippe
- UNATI, Neurospin, Institut Joliot, CEA, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette 91191, France
| | - Jean-François Mangin
- UNATI, Neurospin, Institut Joliot, CEA, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette 91191, France
| | - Ghislaine Dehaene-Lambertz
- Cognitive Neuroimaging Unit, U992, INSERM, Neurospin, Institut Joliot, CEA, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette 91191, France
| | - Vincent Frouin
- UNATI, Neurospin, Institut Joliot, CEA, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette 91191, France
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6
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Yang XY, Stanley RE, Ross AP, Robitaille AM, Gray JA, Cheyette BNR. Sestd1 Encodes a Developmentally Dynamic Synapse Protein That Complexes With BCR Rac1-GAP to Regulate Forebrain Dendrite, Spine and Synapse Formation. Cereb Cortex 2020; 29:505-516. [PMID: 29293918 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhx333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2017] [Accepted: 11/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
SEC14 and Spectrin domain-1 (Sestd1) is a synapse protein that exhibits a striking shift from the presynaptic to postsynaptic space as neurons mature postnatally in the mouse hippocampus. Hippocampal pyramidal neurons from mice with global genetic deletion of Sestd1 have reduced dendrite arbors, spines, and excitatory synapses. Electrophysiologically this correlates with cell-autonomous reductions in both AMPA- and NMDA-excitatory postsynaptic currents in individual hippocampal neurons from which Sestd1 has been deleted in vivo. These neurodevelopmental and functional deficits are associated with increased activation of the Rho family GTPases Rac1 and RhoA. Co-immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry reveal that the Breakpoint Cluster Region protein, a Rho GTPase activating protein (GAP), forms complexes with Sestd1 in brain tissue. This complements earlier findings that Sestd1 can also partner with other Rho family GAPs and guanine nucleotide exchange factors. Our findings demonstrate that Sestd1 is a developmentally dynamic synaptic regulator of Rho GTPases that contributes to dendrite and excitatory synapse formation within differentiating pyramidal neurons of the forebrain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Yong Yang
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Robert E Stanley
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Adam P Ross
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Aaron M Robitaille
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington (UW), Seattle, WA, USA
| | - John A Gray
- Department of Neurology, Center for Neuroscience, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Benjamin N R Cheyette
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA, USA.,Graduate Programs in Neuroscience, Stem Cell & Developmental Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Tetrad, Pharmaceutical Sciences & Pharmacogenomics, UCSF, San Francisco, CA, USA
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7
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Malik R, Pai ELL, Rubin AN, Stafford AM, Angara K, Minasi P, Rubenstein JL, Sohal VS, Vogt D. Tsc1 represses parvalbumin expression and fast-spiking properties in somatostatin lineage cortical interneurons. Nat Commun 2019; 10:4994. [PMID: 31676823 PMCID: PMC6825152 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-12962-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2019] [Accepted: 10/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Medial ganglionic eminence (MGE)-derived somatostatin (SST)+ and parvalbumin (PV)+ cortical interneurons (CINs), have characteristic molecular, anatomical and physiological properties. However, mechanisms regulating their diversity remain poorly understood. Here, we show that conditional loss of the Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) gene, Tsc1, which inhibits the mammalian target of rapamycin (MTOR), causes a subset of SST+ CINs, to express PV and adopt fast-spiking (FS) properties, characteristic of PV+ CINs. Milder intermediate phenotypes also occur when only one allele of Tsc1 is deleted. Notably, treatment of adult mice with rapamycin, which inhibits MTOR, reverses the phenotypes. These data reveal novel functions of MTOR signaling in regulating PV expression and FS properties, which may contribute to TSC neuropsychiatric symptoms. Moreover, they suggest that CINs can exhibit properties intermediate between those classically associated with PV+ or SST+ CINs, which may be dynamically regulated by the MTOR signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruchi Malik
- Department of Psychiatry and UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, 675 Nelson Rising Ln, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
- Center for Integrative Neuroscience, University of California San Francisco, 1550 4th St., San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
- Sloan-Swartz Center for Theoretical Neurobiology, University of California San Francisco, 1550 4th St., San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - Emily Ling-Lin Pai
- Department of Psychiatry and UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, 675 Nelson Rising Ln, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
- Neuroscience Program, UCSF, University of California San Francisco, 1550 4th St., San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
- Nina Ireland Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology, University of California San Francisco, 1550 4th St., San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - Anna N Rubin
- Department of Psychiatry and UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, 675 Nelson Rising Ln, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
- Nina Ireland Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology, University of California San Francisco, 1550 4th St., San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - April M Stafford
- Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, 400 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, USA
| | - Kartik Angara
- Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, 400 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, USA
| | - Petros Minasi
- Department of Psychiatry and UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, 675 Nelson Rising Ln, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - John L Rubenstein
- Department of Psychiatry and UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, 675 Nelson Rising Ln, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
- Neuroscience Program, UCSF, University of California San Francisco, 1550 4th St., San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
- Nina Ireland Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology, University of California San Francisco, 1550 4th St., San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - Vikaas S Sohal
- Department of Psychiatry and UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, 675 Nelson Rising Ln, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA.
- Center for Integrative Neuroscience, University of California San Francisco, 1550 4th St., San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA.
- Sloan-Swartz Center for Theoretical Neurobiology, University of California San Francisco, 1550 4th St., San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA.
| | - Daniel Vogt
- Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, 400 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, USA.
- Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.
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8
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Vogt D, Cho KKA, Shelton SM, Paul A, Huang ZJ, Sohal VS, Rubenstein JLR. Mouse Cntnap2 and Human CNTNAP2 ASD Alleles Cell Autonomously Regulate PV+ Cortical Interneurons. Cereb Cortex 2018; 28:3868-3879. [PMID: 29028946 PMCID: PMC6455910 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhx248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2017] [Revised: 08/09/2017] [Accepted: 09/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Human mutations in CNTNAP2 are associated with an array of neuropsychiatric and neurological syndromes, including speech and language disorders, epilepsy, and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We examined Cntnap2's expression and function in GABAergic cortical interneurons (CINs), where its RNA is present at highest levels in chandelier neurons, PV+ neurons and VIP+ neurons. In vivo functions were studied using both constitutive Cntnap2 null mice and a transplantation assay, the latter to assess cell autonomous phenotypes of medial ganglionic eminence (MGE)-derived CINs. We found that Cntnap2 constitutive null mutants had normal numbers of MGE-derived CINs, but had reduced PV+ CINs. Transplantation assays showed that Cntnap2 cell autonomously regulated the physiology of parvalbumin (PV)+, fast-spiking CINs; no phenotypes were observed in somatostatin+, regular spiking, CINs. We also tested the effects of 4 human CNTNAP2 ASD missense mutations in vivo, and found that they impaired PV+ CIN development. Together, these data reveal that reduced CNTNAP2 function impairs PV+ CINs, a cell type with important roles in regulating cortical circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Vogt
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Kathleen K A Cho
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Samantha M Shelton
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Anirban Paul
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, USA
| | - Z Josh Huang
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, USA
| | - Vikaas S Sohal
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - John L R Rubenstein
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
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9
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DIXDC1 contributes to psychiatric susceptibility by regulating dendritic spine and glutamatergic synapse density via GSK3 and Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Mol Psychiatry 2018; 23:467-475. [PMID: 27752079 PMCID: PMC5395363 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2016.184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2016] [Revised: 08/30/2016] [Accepted: 09/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Mice lacking DIX domain containing-1 (DIXDC1), an intracellular Wnt/β-catenin signal pathway protein, have abnormal measures of anxiety, depression and social behavior. Pyramidal neurons in these animals' brains have reduced dendritic spines and glutamatergic synapses. Treatment with lithium or a glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3) inhibitor corrects behavioral and neurodevelopmental phenotypes in these animals. Analysis of DIXDC1 in over 9000 cases of autism, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia reveals higher rates of rare inherited sequence-disrupting single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) in these individuals compared with psychiatrically unaffected controls. Many of these SNVs alter Wnt/β-catenin signaling activity of the neurally predominant DIXDC1 isoform; a subset that hyperactivate this pathway cause dominant neurodevelopmental effects. We propose that rare missense SNVs in DIXDC1 contribute to psychiatric pathogenesis by reducing spine and glutamatergic synapse density downstream of GSK3 in the Wnt/β-catenin pathway.
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10
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Mulligan KA, Cheyette BNR. Neurodevelopmental Perspectives on Wnt Signaling in Psychiatry. MOLECULAR NEUROPSYCHIATRY 2017; 2:219-246. [PMID: 28277568 DOI: 10.1159/000453266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Mounting evidence indicates that Wnt signaling is relevant to pathophysiology of diverse mental illnesses including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and autism spectrum disorder. In the 35 years since Wnt ligands were first described, animal studies have richly explored how downstream Wnt signaling pathways affect an array of neurodevelopmental processes and how their disruption can lead to both neurological and behavioral phenotypes. Recently, human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) models have begun to contribute to this literature while pushing it in increasingly translational directions. Simultaneously, large-scale human genomic studies are providing evidence that sequence variation in Wnt signal pathway genes contributes to pathogenesis in several psychiatric disorders. This article reviews neurodevelopmental and postneurodevelopmental functions of Wnt signaling, highlighting mechanisms, whereby its disruption might contribute to psychiatric illness, and then reviews the most reliable recent genetic evidence supporting that mutations in Wnt pathway genes contribute to psychiatric illness. We are proponents of the notion that studies in animal and hiPSC models informed by the human genetic data combined with the deep knowledge base and tool kits generated over the last several decades of basic neurodevelopmental research will yield near-term tangible advances in neuropsychiatry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly A Mulligan
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Benjamin N R Cheyette
- Department of Psychiatry, Kavli Institute for Fundamental Neuroscience, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
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11
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Okerlund ND, Stanley RE, Cheyette BNR. The Planar Cell Polarity Transmembrane Protein Vangl2 Promotes Dendrite, Spine and Glutamatergic Synapse Formation in the Mammalian Forebrain. MOLECULAR NEUROPSYCHIATRY 2016; 2:107-14. [PMID: 27606324 DOI: 10.1159/000446778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2016] [Accepted: 05/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The transmembrane protein Vangl2, a key regulator of the Wnt/planar cell polarity (PCP) pathway, is involved in dendrite arbor elaboration, dendritic spine formation and glutamatergic synapse formation in mammalian central nervous system neurons. Cultured forebrain neurons from Vangl2 knockout mice have simpler dendrite arbors, fewer total spines, less mature spines and fewer glutamatergic synapse inputs on their dendrites than control neurons. Neurons from mice heterozygous for a semidominant Vangl2 mutation have similar but not identical phenotypes, and these phenotypes are also observed in Golgi-stained brain tissue from adult mutant mice. Given increasing evidence linking psychiatric pathophysiology to these subneuronal sites and structures, our findings underscore the relevance of core PCP proteins including Vangl2 to the underlying biology of major mental illnesses and their treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan D Okerlund
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University, Palo Alto, Calif., USA; Department of Psychiatry, Stanford University, Palo Alto, Calif., USA
| | - Robert E Stanley
- Department of Psychiatry, Stanford University, Palo Alto, Calif., USA; Tetrad Graduate Program, Stanford University, Palo Alto, Calif., USA
| | - Benjamin N R Cheyette
- Department of Psychiatry, Stanford University, Palo Alto, Calif., USA; Tetrad Graduate Program, Stanford University, Palo Alto, Calif., USA; UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, Calif., USA; Kavli Institute for Fundamental Neuroscience, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, Calif., USA
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12
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Vogt D, Cho KKA, Lee AT, Sohal VS, Rubenstein JLR. The parvalbumin/somatostatin ratio is increased in Pten mutant mice and by human PTEN ASD alleles. Cell Rep 2015; 11:944-956. [PMID: 25937288 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2015.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2014] [Revised: 02/22/2015] [Accepted: 04/08/2015] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the phosphatase PTEN are strongly implicated in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Here, we investigate the function of Pten in cortical GABAergic neurons using conditional mutagenesis in mice. Loss of Pten results in a preferential loss of SST(+) interneurons, which increases the ratio of parvalbumin/somatostatin (PV/SST) interneurons, ectopic PV(+) projections in layer I, and inhibition onto glutamatergic cortical neurons. Pten mutant mice exhibit deficits in social behavior and changes in electroencephalogram (EEG) power. Using medial ganglionic eminence (MGE) transplantation, we test for cell-autonomous functional differences between human PTEN wild-type (WT) and ASD alleles. The PTEN ASD alleles are hypomorphic in regulating cell size and the PV/SST ratio in comparison to WT PTEN. This MGE transplantation/complementation assay is efficient and is generally applicable for functional testing of ASD alleles in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Vogt
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Nina Ireland Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.
| | - Kathleen K A Cho
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Center for Integrative Neuroscience, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Sloan-Swartz Center for Theoretical Neurobiology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Anthony T Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Center for Integrative Neuroscience, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Sloan-Swartz Center for Theoretical Neurobiology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Vikaas S Sohal
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Center for Integrative Neuroscience, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Sloan-Swartz Center for Theoretical Neurobiology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - John L R Rubenstein
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Neuroscience Program, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Nina Ireland Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.
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13
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Vogt D, Wu PR, Sorrells SF, Arnold C, Alvarez-Buylla A, Rubenstein JLR. Viral-mediated Labeling and Transplantation of Medial Ganglionic Eminence (MGE) Cells for In Vivo Studies. J Vis Exp 2015:52740. [PMID: 25938985 PMCID: PMC4541591 DOI: 10.3791/52740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
GABAergic cortical interneurons, derived from the embryonic medial and caudal ganglionic eminences (MGE and CGE), are functionally and morphologically diverse. Inroads have been made in understanding the roles of distinct cortical interneuron subgroups, however, there are still many mechanisms to be worked out that may contribute to the development and maturation of different types of GABAergic cells. Moreover, altered GABAergic signaling may contribute to phenotypes of autism, schizophrenia and epilepsy. Specific Cre-driver lines have begun to parcel out the functions of unique interneuron subgroups. Despite the advances in mouse models, it is often difficult to efficiently study GABAergic cortical interneuron progenitors with molecular approaches in vivo. One important technique used to study the cell autonomous programming of these cells is transplantation of MGE cells into host cortices. These transplanted cells migrate extensively, differentiate, and functionally integrate. In addition, MGE cells can be efficiently transduced with lentivirus immediately prior to transplantation, allowing for a multitude of molecular approaches. Here we detail a protocol to efficiently transduce MGE cells before transplantation for in vivo analysis, using available Cre-driver lines and Cre-dependent expression vectors. This approach is advantageous because it combines precise genetic manipulation with the ability of these cells to disperse after transplantation, permitting greater cell-type specific resolution in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Vogt
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Francisco;
| | - Pei-Rung Wu
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Francisco
| | - Shawn F Sorrells
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California San Francisco
| | - Christine Arnold
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California San Francisco
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14
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Development of cortical interneurons. Neuropsychopharmacology 2015; 40:16-23. [PMID: 25103177 PMCID: PMC4262895 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2014.171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2014] [Revised: 06/16/2014] [Accepted: 06/26/2014] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Inhibitory local circuit neurons (LCNs), often called interneurons, have vital roles in the development and function of cortical networks. Their inhibitory influences regulate both the excitability of cortical projection neurons on the level of individual cells, and the synchronous activity of projection neuron ensembles that appear to be a neural basis for major aspects of cognitive processing. Dysfunction of LCNs has been associated with neurological and psychiatric diseases, such as epilepsy, schizophrenia, and autism. Here we review progress in understanding LCN fate determination, their nonradial migration to the cortex, their maturation within the cortex, and the contribution of LCN dysfunction to neuropsychiatric disorders.
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15
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A class of GABAergic neurons in the prefrontal cortex sends long-range projections to the nucleus accumbens and elicits acute avoidance behavior. J Neurosci 2014; 34:11519-25. [PMID: 25164650 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1157-14.2014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 136] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
GABAergic projections from the neocortex to subcortical structures have been poorly characterized. Using Dlxi12b-Cre mice, we found anatomical evidence for GABAergic neurons that project from the mouse medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) to multiple subcortical targets. We used a combination of patch-clamp electrophysiology, optogenetics, and pharmacology to confirm that Dlxi12b-labeled projections from the mPFC to the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) release GABA and do not corelease glutamate. Furthermore, optogenetic stimulation of these GABAergic projections from mPFC to NAcc induces avoidance behavior in a real-time place preference task, suggesting that these long-range projecting GABAergic neurons can transmit aversive signals. Finally, we found evidence for heterogeneous histochemical and/or electrophysiological properties of long-range projecting GABAergic neurons in the mPFC. Some of these neurons were labeled in parvalbumin-Cre and vasoactive intestinal peptide-Cre mice. We also used a novel intersectional targeting strategy to label GABAergic neurons in the mPFC that project to NAcc and found that these neurons have fast-spiking properties and express parvalbumin. These results define possible functions and properties for a class of long-range projecting GABAergic neurons in the neocortex.
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16
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Vogt D, Hunt RF, Mandal S, Sandberg M, Silberberg SN, Nagasawa T, Yang Z, Baraban SC, Rubenstein JLR. Lhx6 directly regulates Arx and CXCR7 to determine cortical interneuron fate and laminar position. Neuron 2014; 82:350-64. [PMID: 24742460 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2014.02.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/11/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Cortical GABAergic interneurons have essential roles for information processing and their dysfunction is implicated in neuropsychiatric disorders. Transcriptional codes are elucidating mechanisms of interneuron specification in the MGE (a subcortical progenitor zone), which regulate their migration, integration, and function within cortical circuitry. Lhx6, a LIM-homeodomain transcription factor, is essential for specification of MGE-derived somatostatin and parvalbumin interneurons. Here, we demonstrate that some Lhx6⁻/⁻ MGE cells acquire a CGE-like fate. Using an in vivo MGE complementation/transplantation assay, we show that Lhx6-regulated genes Arx and CXCR7 rescue divergent aspects of Lhx6⁻/⁻ cell-fate and laminar mutant phenotypes and provide insight into a neonatal role for CXCR7 in MGE-derived interneuron lamination. Finally, Lhx6 directly binds in vivo to an Arx enhancer and to an intronic CXCR7 enhancer that remains active in mature interneurons. These data define the molecular identity of Lhx6 mutants and introduce technologies to test mechanisms in GABAergic interneuron differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Vogt
- Department of Psychiatry, Neuroscience Program and the Nina Ireland Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.
| | - Robert F Hunt
- Epilepsy Research Laboratory, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Shyamali Mandal
- Department of Psychiatry, Neuroscience Program and the Nina Ireland Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Cancer Biology and Pharmacology University of Illinois, Peoria, IL 61656, USA
| | - Magnus Sandberg
- Department of Psychiatry, Neuroscience Program and the Nina Ireland Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Shanni N Silberberg
- Department of Psychiatry, Neuroscience Program and the Nina Ireland Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Takashi Nagasawa
- Department of Immunology and Hematology, Institute for Frontier Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
| | - Zhengang Yang
- Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Scott C Baraban
- Epilepsy Research Laboratory, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - John L R Rubenstein
- Department of Psychiatry, Neuroscience Program and the Nina Ireland Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.
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17
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Suzuki D, Leu NA, Brice AK, Senoo M. Expression analysis of Dact1 in mice using a LacZ reporter. Gene Expr Patterns 2014; 15:21-30. [PMID: 24681206 DOI: 10.1016/j.gep.2014.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2014] [Revised: 03/12/2014] [Accepted: 03/15/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The Wnt signaling pathway is essential for cell fate decisions during embryonic development as well as for homeostasis after birth. Dapper antagonist of catenin-1 (Dact1) plays an important role during embryogenesis by regulating Wnt signaling pathways. Consequently, targeted disruption of the Dact1 gene in mice leads to perinatal lethality due to severe developmental defects involving the central nervous system, genitourinary system and distal digestive tract. However, the expression and potential function of Dact1 in other tissues during development and postnatal life have not been well studied. Here, we have generated reporter mice in which LacZ expression is driven by the Dact1 gene promoter and characterized Dact1-LacZ expression in embryos and adult tissues. Our data show that while Dact1-LacZ is expressed in multiple mesoderm- and neuroectoderm-derived tissues during development, high expression of Dact1-LacZ is restricted to a small subset of adult tissues, including the brain, eye, heart, and some reproductive organs. These results will serve as a basis for future investigation of Dact1 function in Wnt-mediated organogenesis and tissue homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisuke Suzuki
- Department of Animal Biology, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - N Adrian Leu
- Department of Animal Biology, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Angela K Brice
- University Laboratory Animal Resources, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Makoto Senoo
- Department of Animal Biology, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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18
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Arguello A, Cheyette BN. Dapper Antagonist of Catenin-1 (Dact1) contributes to dendrite arborization in forebrain cortical interneurons. Commun Integr Biol 2013; 6:e26656. [PMID: 24567777 PMCID: PMC3925456 DOI: 10.4161/cib.26656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2013] [Accepted: 09/30/2013] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
In mice, genetically engineered knockout of the Dapper Antagonist of Catenin-1 (Dact1) locus, which encodes a scaffold protein involved in Wnt signaling, leads to decreased excitatory input formation on dendrites of developing forebrain neurons. We have previously demonstrated this in both (excitatory, glutamatergic) pyramidal neurons of the hippocampus and in (inhibitory GABAergic) interneurons of the cortex. We have also demonstrated that knockout of the Dact1 locus leads to decreased dendrite complexity in cultured hippocampal pyramidal neurons, and to decreased spine formation on dendrites of forebrain pyramidal neurons in vitro and in vivo. Synapse phenotypes resulting from Dact1 loss in cultured cortical interneurons can be rescued by recombinant overexpression of the Dact1 binding partner, Dishevelled-1 (Dvl1), but not by recombinant expression of a constitutively active form of the small GTPase Rac1. This contrasts with dendrite spine phenotypes resulting from Dact1 loss in cultured hippocampal pyramidal neurons, which can be fully rescued by recombinant expression of activated Rac1. Taken together, these data suggest that in maturing forebrain neurons there are molecularly separate requirements for Dact1 in dendrite arborization/spine formation vs. synaptogenesis. Here, we show that the developmental requirement for Dact1 during dendrite arborization, which we previously demonstrated only in hippocampal pyramidal neurons, is also present in cortical interneurons, and we discuss mechanistic implications of this finding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annie Arguello
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program; University of California San Francisco; San Francisco, CA USA
| | - Benjamin Nr Cheyette
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program; University of California San Francisco; San Francisco, CA USA ; Department of Psychiatry; The Nina Ireland Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology; University of California San Francisco; San Francisco, CA USA
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