1
|
Doke AA, Jha SK. Electrostatics Choreographs the Aggregation Dynamics of Full-Length TDP-43 via a Monomeric Amyloid Precursor. Biochemistry 2024; 63:1553-1568. [PMID: 38820318 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.4c00060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
TDP-43 is a ubiquitously expressed, multidomain functional protein that is distinctively known to form aggregates in many fatal neurodegenerative disorders. However, the information for arresting TDP-43 aggregation is missing due to a lack of understanding of the molecular mechanism of the aggregation and structural properties of TDP-43. TDP-43 is inherently prone to aggregation and has minimal protein solubility. Multiple studies have been performed on the smaller parts of TDP-43 or the full-length protein attached to a large solubilization tag. However, the presence of co-solutes or solubilization tags is observed to interfere with the molecular properties and aggregation mechanism of full-length TDP-43. Notably, this study populated and characterized the native, dimeric state of TDP-43 without the interference of co-solutes or protein modifications. We observed that the electrostatics of the local environment is capable of the partial unfolding and monomerization of the native dimeric state of TDP-43 into an amyloidogenic molten globule. By employing the tools of thermodynamics and kinetics, we reveal the structural characteristics and temporal order of the early intermediates and transition states during the transition of the molten globule to β-rich, amyloid-like aggregates of TDP-43, which is governed by the electrostatics of the environment. The current advanced understanding of the nature of native and early aggregation-prone intermediates, early steps, and the influence of electrostatics in TDP-43 aggregation is essential for drug design.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abhilasha A Doke
- Physical and Materials Chemistry Division, CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pune 411008, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Santosh Kumar Jha
- Physical and Materials Chemistry Division, CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pune 411008, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Fotouhi M, Worrall D, Ayoubi R, Southern K, McPherson PS, Laflamme C. A guide to selecting high-performing antibodies for RNA-binding protein TIA1 for use in Western Blot, immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence. F1000Res 2024; 12:745. [PMID: 38638178 PMCID: PMC11024596 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.133645.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
A member of the RNA-binding protein family, T-cell intracellular antigen-1 (TIA1) regulates mRNA translation and splicing as well as cellular stress by promoting stress granule formation. Variants of the TIA1 gene have implications in neurogenerative disorders including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Reproducible research on TIA1 would be enhanced with the availability of high-quality anti-TIA1 antibodies. In this study, we characterized twelve TIA1 commercial antibodies for Western Blot, immunoprecipitation, and immunofluorescence using a standardized experimental protocol based on comparing read-outs in knockout cell lines and isogenic parental controls. We identified many high-performing antibodies and encourage readers to use this report as a guide to select the most appropriate antibody for their specific needs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Fotouhi
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Structural Genomics Consortium, The Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Donovan Worrall
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Structural Genomics Consortium, The Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Riham Ayoubi
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Structural Genomics Consortium, The Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Kathleen Southern
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Structural Genomics Consortium, The Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Peter S. McPherson
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Structural Genomics Consortium, The Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Carl Laflamme
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Structural Genomics Consortium, The Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, H3A 2B4, Canada
| | | | - ABIF Consortium
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Structural Genomics Consortium, The Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, H3A 2B4, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Sinha IR, Sandal PS, Burns GD, Mallika AP, Irwin KE, Cruz ALF, Wang V, Rodríguez JL, Wong PC, Ling JP. Large-scale RNA-seq mining reveals ciclopirox triggers TDP-43 cryptic exons. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.27.587011. [PMID: 38585725 PMCID: PMC10996699 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.27.587011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Nuclear clearance and cytoplasmic aggregation of TDP-43 in neurons, initially identified in ALS-FTD, are hallmark pathological features observed across a spectrum of neurodegenerative diseases. We previously found that TDP-43 loss-of-function leads to the transcriptome-wide inclusion of deleterious cryptic exons in brains and biofluids post-mortem as well as during the presymptomatic stage of ALS-FTD, but upstream mechanisms that lead to TDP-43 dysregulation remain unclear. Here, we developed a web-based resource (SnapMine) to determine the levels of TDP-43 cryptic exon inclusion across hundreds of thousands of publicly available RNA sequencing datasets. We established cryptic exon inclusion across a variety of human cells and tissues to provide ground truth references for future studies on TDP-43 dysregulation. We then explored studies that were entirely unrelated to TDP-43 or neurodegeneration and found that ciclopirox olamine (CPX), an FDA-approved antifungal, can trigger the inclusion of TDP-43-associated cryptic exons in a variety of mouse and human primary cells. CPX induction of cryptic exon occurs via heavy metal toxicity and oxidative stress, suggesting that similar vulnerabilities could play a role in neurodegeneration. Our work demonstrates how diverse datasets can be linked through common biological features and underscores that public archives of sequencing data represent a vastly underutilized resource with tremendous potential for uncovering novel insights into complex biological mechanisms and diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Irika R Sinha
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Parker S Sandal
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Grace D Burns
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | | | - Katherine E Irwin
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Anna Lourdes F Cruz
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Vania Wang
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | | | - Philip C Wong
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Jonathan P Ling
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Zhong J, Wang C, Zhang D, Yao X, Zhao Q, Huang X, Lin F, Xue C, Wang Y, He R, Li XY, Li Q, Wang M, Zhao S, Afridi SK, Zhou W, Wang Z, Xu Y, Xu Z. PCDHA9 as a candidate gene for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2189. [PMID: 38467605 PMCID: PMC10928119 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46333-5] [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: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease. To identify additional genetic factors, we analyzed exome sequences in a large cohort of Chinese ALS patients and found a homozygous variant (p.L700P) in PCDHA9 in three unrelated patients. We generated Pcdhα9 mutant mice harboring either orthologous point mutation or deletion mutation. These mice develop progressive spinal motor loss, muscle atrophy, and structural/functional abnormalities of the neuromuscular junction, leading to paralysis and early lethality. TDP-43 pathology is detected in the spinal motor neurons of aged mutant mice. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that Pcdha9 mutation causes aberrant activation of FAK and PYK2 in aging spinal cord, and dramatically reduced NKA-α1 expression in motor neurons. Our single nucleus multi-omics analysis reveals disturbed signaling involved in cell adhesion, ion transport, synapse organization, and neuronal survival in aged mutant mice. Together, our results present PCDHA9 as a potential ALS gene and provide insights into its pathogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jie Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Chaodong Wang
- Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disease, Beijing, 100053, China.
| | - Dan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Xiaoli Yao
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Quanzhen Zhao
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xusheng Huang
- Department of Neurology, The First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Feng Lin
- Department of Neurology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, 350001, China
| | - Chun Xue
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Yaqing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Ruojie He
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Xu-Ying Li
- Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disease, Beijing, 100053, China
| | - Qibin Li
- Shenzhen Clabee Biotechnology Incorporation, Shenzhen, 518057, China
| | - Mingbang Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Birth Defects, Division of Neonatology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, National Center for Children's Health, Shanghai, 201102, China
| | - Shaoli Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Shabbir Khan Afridi
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Wenhao Zhou
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Birth Defects, Division of Neonatology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, National Center for Children's Health, Shanghai, 201102, China
| | - Zhanjun Wang
- Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disease, Beijing, 100053, China
| | - Yanming Xu
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Zhiheng Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
LaForce GR, Philippidou P, Schaffer AE. mRNA isoform balance in neuronal development and disease. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. RNA 2023; 14:e1762. [PMID: 36123820 PMCID: PMC10024649 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Balanced mRNA isoform diversity and abundance are spatially and temporally regulated throughout cellular differentiation. The proportion of expressed isoforms contributes to cell type specification and determines key properties of the differentiated cells. Neurons are unique cell types with intricate developmental programs, characteristic cellular morphologies, and electrophysiological potential. Neuron-specific gene expression programs establish these distinctive cellular characteristics and drive diversity among neuronal subtypes. Genes with neuron-specific alternative processing are enriched in key neuronal functions, including synaptic proteins, adhesion molecules, and scaffold proteins. Despite the similarity of neuronal gene expression programs, each neuronal subclass can be distinguished by unique alternative mRNA processing events. Alternative processing of developmentally important transcripts alters coding and regulatory information, including interaction domains, transcript stability, subcellular localization, and targeting by RNA binding proteins. Fine-tuning of mRNA processing is essential for neuronal activity and maintenance. Thus, the focus of neuronal RNA biology research is to dissect the transcriptomic mechanisms that underlie neuronal homeostasis, and consequently, predispose neuronal subtypes to disease. This article is categorized under: RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Geneva R LaForce
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Polyxeni Philippidou
- Department of Neurosciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Ashleigh E Schaffer
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Ishiguro A, Ishihama A. ALS-linked TDP-43 mutations interfere with the recruitment of RNA recognition motifs to G-quadruplex RNA. Sci Rep 2023; 13:5982. [PMID: 37046025 PMCID: PMC10097714 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-33172-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
TDP-43 is a major pathological protein in sporadic and familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and mediates mRNA fate. TDP-43 dysfunction leads to causes progressive degeneration of motor neurons, the details of which remain elusive. Elucidation of the molecular mechanisms of RNA binding could enhance our understanding of this devastating disease. We observed the involvement of the glycine-rich (GR) region of TDP-43 in the initial recognition and binding of G-quadruplex (G4)-RNA in conjunction with its RNA recognition motifs (RRM). We performed a molecular dissection of these intramolecular RNA-binding modules in this study. We confirmed that the ALS-linked mutations in the GR region lead to alteration in the G4 structure. In contrast, amino acid substitutions in the GR region alter the protein structure but do not void the interaction with G4-RNA. Based on these observations, we concluded that the structural distortion of G4 caused by these mutations interferes with RRM recruitment and leads to TDP-43 dysfunction. This intramolecular organization between RRM and GR regions modulates the overall G4-binding properties.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Akira Ishiguro
- Research Center for Micro-Nano Technology, Hosei University, Midori-cho 3-11-15, Koganei, Tokyo, 184-0003, Japan.
| | - Akira Ishihama
- Research Center for Micro-Nano Technology, Hosei University, Midori-cho 3-11-15, Koganei, Tokyo, 184-0003, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Choi HJ, Lee JY, Kim K. Glutathionylation on RNA-binding proteins: a regulator of liquid‒liquid phase separation in the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Exp Mol Med 2023; 55:735-744. [PMID: 37009800 PMCID: PMC10167235 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-023-00978-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) containing low-sequence complexity domains mediate the formation of cellular condensates and membrane-less organelles with biological functions via liquid‒liquid phase separation (LLPS). However, the abnormal phase transition of these proteins induces the formation of insoluble aggregates. Aggregates are pathological hallmarks of neurodegenerative diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The molecular mechanisms underlying aggregate formation by ALS-associated RPBs remain largely unknown. This review highlights emerging studies on various posttranslational modifications (PTMs) related to protein aggregation. We begin with the introduction of several ALS-associated RBPs that form aggregates induced by phase separation. In addition, we highlight our recent discovery of a new PTM involved in the phase transition during the pathogenesis of fused-in-sarcoma (FUS)-associated ALS. We suggest a molecular mechanism through which LLPS mediates glutathionylation in FUS-linked ALS. This review aims to provide a detailed overview of the key molecular mechanisms of LLPS-mediated aggregate formation by PTMs, which will help further the understanding of the pathogenesis and development of ALS therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hyun-Jun Choi
- Soonchunhyang Institute of Medi-bio Science, Soonchunhyang University, Cheonan, 31151, Korea
- Department of Integrated Biomedical Sciences, Soonchunhyang University, Cheonan, 31151, Korea
| | - Ji Young Lee
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Soonchunhyang University, Asan, 31538, Korea
- Department of Medical Science, Soonchunhyang University, Asan, 31538, Korea
| | - Kiyoung Kim
- Department of Medical Science, Soonchunhyang University, Asan, 31538, Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Aquilina-Reid C, Brennan S, Curry-Hyde A, Teunisse GM, Janitz M. Circular RNA Expression and Interaction Patterns Are Perturbed in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232314665. [PMID: 36498994 PMCID: PMC9739162 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232314665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a type of long noncoding RNA that are highly abundant and highly conserved throughout evolution and exhibit differential expression patterns in various tissue types in multiple diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The most well-known function of circRNAs is their ability to act as microRNA (miRNA) sponges. This entails circRNA binding to miRNA, which would otherwise target and degrade messenger RNA, thus affecting gene expression. This study analyzed ALS patient samples from three spinal cord regions to investigate circular transcriptome perturbation and circular RNA-microRNA-mRNA interactions. Using stringent statistical parameters, we identified 92 differentially expressed circRNAs across the spinal cord tissues with the aim of identifying specific circRNAs with biomarker potential. We also found evidence for differential expression of 37 linear RNAs possibly due to miRNA sequestration by circRNAs, thus revealing their potential as novel biomarkers and therapeutic candidates for ALS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ashton Curry-Hyde
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | | | | | - Michael Janitz
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- Paul Flechsig Institute for Brain Research, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +61-2-9065-1361
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Luo J, Harrison PM. Evolution of sequence traits of prion-like proteins linked to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). PeerJ 2022; 10:e14417. [PMID: 36415860 PMCID: PMC9676014 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.14417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Prions are proteinaceous particles that can propagate an alternative conformation to further copies of the same protein. They have been described in mammals, fungi, bacteria and archaea. Furthermore, across diverse organisms from bacteria to eukaryotes, prion-like proteins that have similar sequence characters are evident. Such prion-like proteins have been linked to pathomechanisms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in humans, in particular TDP43, FUS, TAF15, EWSR1 and hnRNPA2. Because of the desire to study human disease-linked proteins in model organisms, and to gain insights into the functionally important parts of these proteins and how they have changed across hundreds of millions of years of evolution, we analyzed how the sequence traits of these five proteins have evolved across eukaryotes, including plants and metazoa. We discover that the RNA-binding domain architecture of these proteins is deeply conserved since their emergence. Prion-like regions are also deeply and widely conserved since the origination of the protein families for FUS, TAF15 and EWSR1, and since the last common ancestor of metazoa for TDP43 and hnRNPA2. Prion-like composition is uncommon or weak in any plant orthologs observed, however in TDP43 many plant proteins have equivalent regions rich in other amino acids (namely glycine and tyrosine and/or serine) that may be linked to stress granule recruitment. Deeply conserved low-complexity domains are identified that likely have functional significance.
Collapse
|
10
|
Status of ALS Treatment, Insights into Therapeutic Challenges and Dilemmas. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12101601. [PMID: 36294741 PMCID: PMC9605458 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12101601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an extremely heterogeneous disease of motor neurons that eventually leads to death. Despite impressive advances in understanding the genetic, molecular, and pathological mechanisms of the disease, the only drug approved to date by both the FDA and EMA is riluzole, with a modest effect on survival. In this opinion view paper, we will discuss how to address some challenges for drug development in ALS at the conceptual, technological, and methodological levels. In addition, socioeconomic and ethical issues related to the legitimate need of patients to benefit quickly from new treatments will also be addressed. In conclusion, this brief review takes a more optimistic view, given the recent approval of two new drugs in some countries and the development of targeted gene therapies.
Collapse
|
11
|
Chio A, Moglia C, Canosa A, Manera U, Grassano M, Vasta R, Palumbo F, Gallone S, Brunetti M, Barberis M, De Marchi F, Dalgard C, Chia R, Mora G, Iazzolino B, Peotta L, Traynor B, Corrado L, D'Alfonso S, Mazzini L, Calvo A. Exploring the phenotype of Italian patients with ALS with intermediate ATXN2 polyQ repeats. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2022; 93:jnnp-2022-329376. [PMID: 36008116 PMCID: PMC9606535 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2022-329376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To detect the clinical characteristics of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) carrying an intermediate ATXN2 polyQ number of repeats in a large population-based series of Italian patients with ALS. METHODS The study population includes 1330 patients with ALS identified through the Piemonte and Valle d'Aosta Register for ALS, diagnosed between 2007 and 2019 and not carrying C9orf72, SOD1, TARDBP and FUS mutations. Controls were 1274 age, sex and geographically matched Italian subjects, identified through patients' general practitioners. RESULTS We found 42 cases and 4 controls with≥31 polyQ repeats, corresponding to an estimated OR of 10.4 (95% CI 3.3 to 29.0). Patients with≥31 polyQ repeats (ATXN2+) compared with those without repeat expansion (ATXN2-) had more frequently a spinal onset (p=0.05), a shorter diagnostic delay (p=0.004), a faster rate of ALSFRS-R progression (p=0.004) and King's progression (p=0.004), and comorbid frontotemporal dementia (7 (28.0%) vs 121 (13.4%), p=0.037). ATXN2+ patients had a 1-year shorter survival (ATXN2+ patients 1.82 years, 95% CI 1.08 to 2.51; ATXN2- 2.84 years, 95% CI 1.67 to 5.58, p=0.0001). ATXN2 polyQ intermediate repeats was independently related to a worse outcome in Cox multivariable analysis (p=0.006). CONCLUSIONS In our population-based cohort, ATXN2+ patients with ALS have a distinctive phenotype, characterised by a more rapid disease course and a shorter survival. In addition, ATXN2+ patients have a more severe impairment of cognitive functions. These findings have relevant implications on clinical practice, including the possibility of refining the individual prognostic prediction and improving the design of ALS clinical trials, in particular as regards as those targeted explicitly to ATXN2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adriano Chio
- 'Rita Levi Montalcini' Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Torino, Italy
- Neurology 1, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Cristina Moglia
- 'Rita Levi Montalcini' Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Torino, Italy
- Neurology 1, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Antonio Canosa
- 'Rita Levi Montalcini' Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Torino, Italy
- Neurology 1, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Umberto Manera
- 'Rita Levi Montalcini' Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Torino, Italy
- Neurology 1, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Maurizio Grassano
- 'Rita Levi Montalcini' Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | - Rosario Vasta
- 'Rita Levi Montalcini' Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | - Francesca Palumbo
- 'Rita Levi Montalcini' Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | - Salvatore Gallone
- Neurology 1, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Maura Brunetti
- 'Rita Levi Montalcini' Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | - Marco Barberis
- Genetics, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Fabiola De Marchi
- Neurology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Maggiore della Carità, Novara, Italy
| | - Clifton Dalgard
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology & Genetics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- The American Genome Center, Collaborative Health Initiative Research Program, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Ruth Chia
- Neuromuscular Diseases Research Section, Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, NIH, Porter Neuroscience Research Center, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Gabriele Mora
- 'Rita Levi Montalcini' Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | - Barbara Iazzolino
- 'Rita Levi Montalcini' Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | - Laura Peotta
- 'Rita Levi Montalcini' Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | - Bryan Traynor
- Neuromuscular Diseases Research Section, Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Lucia Corrado
- Department of Health Sciences Interdisciplinary Research Center of Autoimmune Diseases, University of Eastern Piedmont Amedeo Avogadro School of Medicine, Novara, Italy
| | - Sandra D'Alfonso
- Department of Health Sciences Interdisciplinary Research Center of Autoimmune Diseases, University of Eastern Piedmont Amedeo Avogadro School of Medicine, Novara, Italy
| | - Letizia Mazzini
- Neurology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Maggiore della Carità, Novara, Italy
| | - Andrea Calvo
- 'Rita Levi Montalcini' Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Torino, Italy
- Neurology 1, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Torino, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Yi Q, Deng Z, Yue J, He J, Xiong J, Sun W, Sun W. RNA binding proteins in osteoarthritis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:954376. [PMID: 36003144 PMCID: PMC9393224 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.954376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common chronic degenerative joint disease worldwide. The pathological features of OA are the erosion of articular cartilage, subchondral bone sclerosis, synovitis, and metabolic disorder. Its progression is characterized by aberrant expression of genes involved in inflammation, proliferation, and metabolism of chondrocytes. Effective therapeutic strategies are limited, as mechanisms underlying OA pathophysiology remain unclear. Significant research efforts are ongoing to elucidate the complex molecular mechanisms underlying OA focused on gene transcription. However, posttranscriptional alterations also play significant function in inflammation and metabolic changes related diseases. RNA binding proteins (RBPs) have been recognized as important regulators in posttranscriptional regulation. RBPs regulate RNA subcellular localization, stability, and translational efficiency by binding to their target mRNAs, thereby controlling their protein expression. However, their role in OA is less clear. Identifying RBPs in OA is of great importance to better understand OA pathophysiology and to figure out potential targets for OA treatment. Hence, in this manuscript, we summarize the recent knowledge on the role of dysregulated RBPs in OA and hope it will provide new insight for OA study and targeted treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qian Yi
- Department of Bone and Joint Surgery, Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital (The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University), Shenzhen, China
- Department of Orthopaedics, Affiliated Hospital of Putian University, Putian, China
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Zhenhan Deng
- Department of Sports Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jiaji Yue
- Department of Bone and Joint Surgery, Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital (The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University), Shenzhen, China
| | - Jinglong He
- Department of Bone and Joint Surgery, Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital (The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University), Shenzhen, China
| | - Jianyi Xiong
- Department of Bone and Joint Surgery, Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital (The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University), Shenzhen, China
| | - Wei Sun
- Department of Bone and Joint Surgery, Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital (The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University), Shenzhen, China
- *Correspondence: Wei Sun, ; Weichao Sun,
| | - Weichao Sun
- Department of Bone and Joint Surgery, Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital (The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University), Shenzhen, China
- The Central Laboratory, Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital (The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University), Shenzhen, China
- *Correspondence: Wei Sun, ; Weichao Sun,
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Regulating Phase Transition in Neurodegenerative Diseases by Nuclear Import Receptors. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11071009. [PMID: 36101390 PMCID: PMC9311884 DOI: 10.3390/biology11071009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 06/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) with a low-complexity prion-like domain (PLD) can undergo aberrant phase transitions and have been implicated in neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS and FTD. Several nuclear RBPs mislocalize to cytoplasmic inclusions in disease conditions. Impairment in nucleocytoplasmic transport is another major event observed in ageing and in neurodegenerative disorders. Nuclear import receptors (NIRs) regulate the nucleocytoplasmic transport of different RBPs bearing a nuclear localization signal by restoring their nuclear localization. NIRs can also specifically dissolve or prevent the aggregation and liquid–liquid phase separation of wild-type or disease-linked mutant RBPs, due to their chaperoning activity. This review focuses on the LLPS of intrinsically disordered proteins and the role of NIRs in regulating LLPS in neurodegeneration. This review also discusses the implication of NIRs as therapeutic agents in neurogenerative diseases.
Collapse
|
14
|
Doke AA, Jha SK. Effect of In Vitro Solvation Conditions on Inter- and Intramolecular Assembly of Full-Length TDP-43. J Phys Chem B 2022; 126:4799-4813. [PMID: 35758053 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.2c02203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Cellular stress is a major cause of neurodegenerative diseases. In particular, in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), around 90% of the cases are believed to occur due to aggregation and misfolding of TDP-43 protein in neurons due to aging and chronic environmental stress. However, the physicochemical basis of how TDP-43 senses the change in solvation conditions during stress and misfolds remains very poorly understood. We show here that the full-length human TDP-43 can exist in equilibrium with multiple structural states. The equilibrium between these states is highly sensitive to changes in solvation conditions. We show that upon thermal and pH stress, amyloidogenic oligomers can form amyloid-like fibrils. However, the internal structure of the fibril depends upon the physicochemical nature of stress. Our results present a physical basis of the effect of solvation conditions on inter- and intramolecular assembly formation of TDP-43 and reconcile why the nature and the internal structure of the aggregated form have been found to be different when extracted from the brain of different ALS patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abhilasha A Doke
- Physical and Materials Chemistry Division, CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pune 411008, India.,Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Santosh Kumar Jha
- Physical and Materials Chemistry Division, CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pune 411008, India.,Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Henderson RD, Kepp KP, Eisen A. ALS/FTD: Evolution, Aging, and Cellular Metabolic Exhaustion. Front Neurol 2022; 13:890203. [PMID: 35711269 PMCID: PMC9196861 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.890203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia (ALS/FTD) are neurodegenerations with evolutionary underpinnings, expansive clinical presentations, and multiple genetic risk factors involving a complex network of pathways. This perspective considers the complex cellular pathology of aging motoneuronal and frontal/prefrontal cortical networks in the context of evolutionary, clinical, and biochemical features of the disease. We emphasize the importance of evolution in the development of the higher cortical function, within the influence of increasing lifespan. Particularly, the role of aging on the metabolic competence of delicately optimized neurons, age-related increased proteostatic costs, and specific genetic risk factors that gradually reduce the energy available for neuronal function leading to neuronal failure and disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Kasper Planeta Kepp
- Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Andrew Eisen
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Le Gall L, Duddy WJ, Martinat C, Mariot V, Connolly O, Milla V, Anakor E, Ouandaogo ZG, Millecamps S, Lainé J, Vijayakumar UG, Knoblach S, Raoul C, Lucas O, Loeffler JP, Bede P, Behin A, Blasco H, Bruneteau G, Del Mar Amador M, Devos D, Henriques A, Hesters A, Lacomblez L, Laforet P, Langlet T, Leblanc P, Le Forestier N, Maisonobe T, Meininger V, Robelin L, Salachas F, Stojkovic T, Querin G, Dumonceaux J, Butler Browne G, González De Aguilar JL, Duguez S, Pradat PF. Muscle cells of sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients secrete neurotoxic vesicles. J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle 2022; 13:1385-1402. [PMID: 35194965 PMCID: PMC8978001 DOI: 10.1002/jcsm.12945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2020] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The cause of the motor neuron (MN) death that drives terminal pathology in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) remains unknown, and it is thought that the cellular environment of the MN may play a key role in MN survival. Several lines of evidence implicate vesicles in ALS, including that extracellular vesicles may carry toxic elements from astrocytes towards MNs, and that pathological proteins have been identified in circulating extracellular vesicles of sporadic ALS patients. Because MN degeneration at the neuromuscular junction is a feature of ALS, and muscle is a vesicle-secretory tissue, we hypothesized that muscle vesicles may be involved in ALS pathology. METHODS Sporadic ALS patients were confirmed to be ALS according to El Escorial criteria and were genotyped to test for classic gene mutations associated with ALS, and physical function was assessed using the ALSFRS-R score. Muscle biopsies of either mildly affected deltoids of ALS patients (n = 27) or deltoids of aged-matched healthy subjects (n = 30) were used for extraction of muscle stem cells, to perform immunohistology, or for electron microscopy. Muscle stem cells were characterized by immunostaining, RT-qPCR, and transcriptomic analysis. Secreted muscle vesicles were characterized by proteomic analysis, Western blot, NanoSight, and electron microscopy. The effects of muscle vesicles isolated from the culture medium of ALS and healthy myotubes were tested on healthy human-derived iPSC MNs and on healthy human myotubes, with untreated cells used as controls. RESULTS An accumulation of multivesicular bodies was observed in muscle biopsies of sporadic ALS patients by immunostaining and electron microscopy. Study of muscle biopsies and biopsy-derived denervation-naïve differentiated muscle stem cells (myotubes) revealed a consistent disease signature in ALS myotubes, including intracellular accumulation of exosome-like vesicles and disruption of RNA-processing. Compared with vesicles from healthy control myotubes, when administered to healthy MNs the vesicles of ALS myotubes induced shortened, less branched neurites, cell death, and disrupted localization of RNA and RNA-processing proteins. The RNA-processing protein FUS and a majority of its binding partners were present in ALS muscle vesicles, and toxicity was dependent on the expression level of FUS in recipient cells. Toxicity to recipient MNs was abolished by anti-CD63 immuno-blocking of vesicle uptake. CONCLUSIONS ALS muscle vesicles are shown to be toxic to MNs, which establishes the skeletal muscle as a potential source of vesicle-mediated toxicity in ALS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Le Gall
- Northern Ireland Center for Stratified Medicine, Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Londonderry, UK.,Sorbonne Université, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Association Institut de Myologie, Centre de Recherche en Myologie, Paris, France
| | - William J Duddy
- Northern Ireland Center for Stratified Medicine, Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Londonderry, UK
| | | | - Virginie Mariot
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University College London, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health and Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Owen Connolly
- Northern Ireland Center for Stratified Medicine, Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Londonderry, UK
| | - Vanessa Milla
- Northern Ireland Center for Stratified Medicine, Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Londonderry, UK
| | - Ekene Anakor
- Northern Ireland Center for Stratified Medicine, Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Londonderry, UK
| | - Zamalou G Ouandaogo
- Sorbonne Université, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Association Institut de Myologie, Centre de Recherche en Myologie, Paris, France
| | | | - Jeanne Lainé
- Sorbonne Université, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Association Institut de Myologie, Centre de Recherche en Myologie, Paris, France
| | - Udaya Geetha Vijayakumar
- Northern Ireland Center for Stratified Medicine, Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Londonderry, UK
| | - Susan Knoblach
- Genetic Medicine, Children's National Medical Center, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Cedric Raoul
- The Neuroscience Institute of Montpellier, Inserm UMR1051, Univ Montpellier, Saint Eloi Hospital, Montpellier, France
| | - Olivier Lucas
- The Neuroscience Institute of Montpellier, Inserm UMR1051, Univ Montpellier, Saint Eloi Hospital, Montpellier, France
| | - Jean Philippe Loeffler
- Mécanismes Centraux et Périphériques de la Neurodégénérescence, Université de Strasbourg, INSERM UMR_S 1118, Strasbourg, France
| | - Peter Bede
- Computational Neuroimaging Group, Academic Unit of Neurology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,CNRS, INSERM, Laboratoire d'Imagerie Biomédicale, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France.,APHP, Département de Neurologie, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Centre référent SLA, Paris, France
| | - Anthony Behin
- APHP, Centre de Référence des Maladies Neuromusculaires Nord/Est/Ile de France, Institut de Myologie, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Helene Blasco
- Laboratoire de Biochimie et Biologie Moléculaire, Hôpital Bretonneau, CHRU de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Gaelle Bruneteau
- Sorbonne Université, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Association Institut de Myologie, Centre de Recherche en Myologie, Paris, France.,APHP, Département de Neurologie, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Centre référent SLA, Paris, France
| | - Maria Del Mar Amador
- APHP, Département de Neurologie, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Centre référent SLA, Paris, France
| | - David Devos
- INSERM U1171, Pharmacologie Médicale & Neurologie Université, Faculté de Médecine, CHU de Lille, Lille, France
| | - Alexandre Henriques
- Mécanismes Centraux et Périphériques de la Neurodégénérescence, Université de Strasbourg, INSERM UMR_S 1118, Strasbourg, France
| | - Adele Hesters
- APHP, Département de Neurologie, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Centre référent SLA, Paris, France
| | - Lucette Lacomblez
- CNRS, INSERM, Laboratoire d'Imagerie Biomédicale, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France.,APHP, Département de Neurologie, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Centre référent SLA, Paris, France
| | - Pascal Laforet
- Département de Neurologie, Centre de Référence Maladies Neuromusculaires Paris-Est, Hôpital Raymond-Poincaré, Garches, France
| | - Timothee Langlet
- APHP, Département de Neurologie, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Centre référent SLA, Paris, France
| | - Pascal Leblanc
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology of the Cell, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Nadine Le Forestier
- APHP, Département de Neurologie, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Centre référent SLA, Paris, France
| | - Thierry Maisonobe
- APHP, Département de Neurologie, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Centre référent SLA, Paris, France
| | | | - Laura Robelin
- Mécanismes Centraux et Périphériques de la Neurodégénérescence, Université de Strasbourg, INSERM UMR_S 1118, Strasbourg, France
| | - Francois Salachas
- APHP, Département de Neurologie, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Centre référent SLA, Paris, France
| | - Tanya Stojkovic
- APHP, Centre de Référence des Maladies Neuromusculaires Nord/Est/Ile de France, Institut de Myologie, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Giorgia Querin
- CNRS, INSERM, Laboratoire d'Imagerie Biomédicale, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France.,APHP, Département de Neurologie, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Centre référent SLA, Paris, France
| | - Julie Dumonceaux
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University College London, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health and Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Gillian Butler Browne
- Sorbonne Université, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Association Institut de Myologie, Centre de Recherche en Myologie, Paris, France
| | - Jose-Luis González De Aguilar
- Mécanismes Centraux et Périphériques de la Neurodégénérescence, Université de Strasbourg, INSERM UMR_S 1118, Strasbourg, France
| | - Stephanie Duguez
- Northern Ireland Center for Stratified Medicine, Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Londonderry, UK
| | - Pierre Francois Pradat
- Northern Ireland Center for Stratified Medicine, Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Londonderry, UK.,CNRS, INSERM, Laboratoire d'Imagerie Biomédicale, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France.,APHP, Département de Neurologie, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Centre référent SLA, Paris, France
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Milicevic K, Rankovic B, Andjus PR, Bataveljic D, Milovanovic D. Emerging Roles for Phase Separation of RNA-Binding Proteins in Cellular Pathology of ALS. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:840256. [PMID: 35372329 PMCID: PMC8965147 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.840256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) is emerging as a major principle for the mesoscale organization of proteins, RNAs, and membrane-bound organelles into biomolecular condensates. These condensates allow for rapid cellular responses to changes in metabolic activities and signaling. Nowhere is this regulation more important than in neurons and glia, where cellular physiology occurs simultaneously on a range of time- and length-scales. In a number of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), misregulation of biomolecular condensates leads to the formation of insoluble aggregates-a pathological hallmark of both sporadic and familial ALS. Here, we summarize how the emerging knowledge about the LLPS of ALS-related proteins corroborates with their aggregation. Understanding the mechanisms that lead to protein aggregation in ALS and how cells respond to these aggregates promises to open new directions for drug development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katarina Milicevic
- Center for Laser Microscopy, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Physiology and Biochemistry “Ivan Djaja”, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Branislava Rankovic
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Berlin, Germany
| | - Pavle R. Andjus
- Center for Laser Microscopy, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Physiology and Biochemistry “Ivan Djaja”, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Danijela Bataveljic
- Center for Laser Microscopy, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Physiology and Biochemistry “Ivan Djaja”, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Dragomir Milovanovic
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
The Multifunctional Faces of T-Cell Intracellular Antigen 1 in Health and Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031400. [PMID: 35163320 PMCID: PMC8836218 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
T-cell intracellular antigen 1 (TIA1) is an RNA-binding protein that is expressed in many tissues and in the vast majority of species, although it was first discovered as a component of human cytotoxic T lymphocytes. TIA1 has a dual localization in the nucleus and cytoplasm, where it plays an important role as a regulator of gene-expression flux. As a multifunctional master modulator, TIA1 controls biological processes relevant to the physiological functioning of the organism and the development and/or progression of several human pathologies. This review summarizes our current knowledge of the molecular aspects and cellular processes involving TIA1, with relevance for human pathophysiology.
Collapse
|
19
|
Eldeeb MA, Ragheb MA, Soliman MH, Fahlman RP. Regulation of Neurodegeneration-associated Protein Fragments by the N-degron Pathways. Neurotox Res 2022; 40:298-318. [PMID: 35043375 DOI: 10.1007/s12640-021-00396-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Among the most salient features that underpin the development of aging-related neurodegenerative disorders are the accumulation of protein aggregates and the decrease in cellular degradation capacity. Mammalian cells have evolved sophisticated quality control mechanisms to repair or eliminate the otherwise abnormal or misfolded proteins. Chaperones identify unstable or abnormal conformations in proteins and often help them regain their correct conformation. However, if repair is not an option, abnormal proteins are selectively degraded to prevent undesired interactions with other proteins or oligomerization into toxic multimeric complexes. The autophagic-lysosomal system and the ubiquitin-proteasome system mediate the selective and targeted degradation of abnormal or aberrant protein fragments. Despite an increasing understanding regarding the molecular responses that counteract the formation and clearance of dysfunctional protein aggregates, the role of N-degrons in these processes is poorly understood. Previous work demonstrated that the Arg-N-end rule degradation pathway (Arg-N-degron pathway) mediates the degradation of neurodegeneration-associated proteins, thereby regulating crucial signaling hubs that modulate the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. Herein, we discuss the functional interconnection between N-degron pathways and proteins associated with neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Parkinson's disease. We also highlight some future prospects related to how the molecular insights gained from these processes will help unveil novel therapeutic approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed A Eldeeb
- Chemistry Department (Biochemistry Division), Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt. .,Neurodegenerative Diseases Group, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill Parkinson Program, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
| | - Mohamed A Ragheb
- Chemistry Department (Biochemistry Division), Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Marwa H Soliman
- Chemistry Department (Biochemistry Division), Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Richard P Fahlman
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Boas SM, Joyce KL, Cowell RM. The NRF2-Dependent Transcriptional Regulation of Antioxidant Defense Pathways: Relevance for Cell Type-Specific Vulnerability to Neurodegeneration and Therapeutic Intervention. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 11:antiox11010008. [PMID: 35052512 PMCID: PMC8772787 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11010008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress has been implicated in the etiology and pathobiology of various neurodegenerative diseases. At baseline, the cells of the nervous system have the capability to regulate the genes for antioxidant defenses by engaging nuclear factor erythroid 2 (NFE2/NRF)-dependent transcriptional mechanisms, and a number of strategies have been proposed to activate these pathways to promote neuroprotection. Here, we briefly review the biology of the transcription factors of the NFE2/NRF family in the brain and provide evidence for the differential cellular localization of NFE2/NRF family members in the cells of the nervous system. We then discuss these findings in the context of the oxidative stress observed in two neurodegenerative diseases, Parkinson's disease (PD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and present current strategies for activating NFE2/NRF-dependent transcription. Based on the expression of the NFE2/NRF family members in restricted populations of neurons and glia, we propose that, when designing strategies to engage these pathways for neuroprotection, the relative contributions of neuronal and non-neuronal cell types to the overall oxidative state of tissue should be considered, as well as the cell types which have the greatest intrinsic capacity for producing antioxidant enzymes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie M. Boas
- Department of Neuroscience, Southern Research, 2000 9th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35205, USA; (S.M.B.); (K.L.J.)
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1720 2nd Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Kathlene L. Joyce
- Department of Neuroscience, Southern Research, 2000 9th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35205, USA; (S.M.B.); (K.L.J.)
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1720 2nd Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Rita M. Cowell
- Department of Neuroscience, Southern Research, 2000 9th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35205, USA; (S.M.B.); (K.L.J.)
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1720 2nd Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Song XH, He N, Xing YT, Jin XQ, Li YW, Liu SS, Gao ZY, Guo C, Wang JJ, Huang YY, Hu H, Wang LL. A Novel Age-Related Circular RNA Circ-ATXN2 Inhibits Proliferation, Promotes Cell Death and Adipogenesis in Rat Adipose Tissue-Derived Stromal Cells. Front Genet 2021; 12:761926. [PMID: 34858478 PMCID: PMC8630790 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.761926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Adipose tissue-derived stromal cells are promising candidates investigating the stem cell-related treatment. However, their proportion and utility in the human body decline with time, rendering stem cells incompetent to complete repair processes in vivo. The involvement of circRNAs in the aging process is poorly understood. Rat subcutaneous adipose tissue from 10-week-old and 27-month-old rats were used for hematoxylin and eosin (H and E) staining, TUNEL staining, and circRNA sequencing. Rat adipose tissue-derived stromal cells were cultured and overexpressed with circ-ATXN2. Proliferation was examined using xCELLigence real-time cell analysis, EdU staining, and cell cycle assay. Apoptosis was induced by CoCl2 and examined using flow cytometry. RT-PCR assay and Oil Red O staining were used to measure adipogenesis at 48 h and 14 days, respectively. H and E staining showed that the diameter of adipocytes increased; however, the number of cells decreased in old rats. TUNEL staining showed that the proportion of apoptotic cells was increased in old rats. A total of 4,860 and 4,952 circRNAs was detected in young and old rats, respectively. Among them, 67 circRNAs exhibited divergent expression between the two groups (fold change ≥2, p ≤ 0.05), of which 33 were upregulated (49.3%) and 34 were downregulated (50.7%). The proliferation of circ-ATXN2-overexpressing cells decreased significantly in vitro, which was further validated by xCELLigence real-time cell analysis, EdU staining, and cell cycle assay. Overexpression of circ-ATXN2 significantly increased the total apoptotic rate from 5.78 ± 0.46% to 11.97 ± 1.61%, early apoptotic rate from 1.76 ± 0.22% to 5.50 ± 0.66%, and late apoptosis rate from 4.02 ± 0.25% to 6.47 ± 1.06% in adipose tissue-derived stromal cells. Furthermore, in circ-ATXN2-overexpressing cells, RT-PCR assay revealed that the expression levels of adipose differentiation-related genes PPARγ and CEBP/α were increased and the Oil Red O staining assay showed more lipid droplets. Our study revealed the expression profile of circRNAs in the adipose tissue of old rats. We found a novel age-related circular RNA—circ-ATXN2—that inhibits proliferation and promotes cell death and adipogenesis in rat adipose tissue-derived stromal cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xing-Hui Song
- Core Facilities, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ning He
- Department of Basic Medicine Sciences and Department of Orthopaedics of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yue-Ting Xing
- Core Facilities, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Qin Jin
- China Medical Research Center, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yan-Wei Li
- Core Facilities, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shuang-Shuang Liu
- Core Facilities, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zi-Ying Gao
- School of Medicine, Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chun Guo
- Core Facilities, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jia-Jia Wang
- Core Facilities, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ying-Ying Huang
- Core Facilities, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hu Hu
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lin-Lin Wang
- Department of Basic Medicine Sciences and Department of Orthopaedics of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Diaz-Garcia S, Ko VI, Vazquez-Sanchez S, Chia R, Arogundade OA, Rodriguez MJ, Traynor BJ, Cleveland D, Ravits J. Nuclear depletion of RNA-binding protein ELAVL3 (HuC) in sporadic and familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Acta Neuropathol 2021; 142:985-1001. [PMID: 34618203 PMCID: PMC8568872 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-021-02374-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a progressive fatal neurodegenerative disease caused by loss of motor neurons and characterized neuropathologically in almost all cases by nuclear depletion and cytoplasmic aggregation of TDP-43, a nuclear RNA-binding protein (RBP). We identified ELAVL3 as one of the most downregulated genes in our transcriptome profiles of laser captured microdissection of motor neurons from sporadic ALS nervous systems and the most dysregulated of all RBPs. Neuropathological characterizations showed ELAVL3 nuclear depletion in a great percentage of remnant motor neurons, sometimes accompanied by cytoplasmic accumulations. These abnormalities were common in sporadic cases with and without intermediate expansions in ATXN2 and familial cases carrying mutations in C9orf72 and SOD1. Depletion of ELAVL3 occurred at both the RNA and protein levels and a short protein isoform was identified, but it is not related to a TDP-43-dependent cryptic exon in intron 3. Strikingly, ELAVL3 abnormalities were more frequent than TDP-43 abnormalities and occurred in motor neurons still with normal nuclear TDP-43 present, but all neurons with abnormal TDP-43 also had abnormal ELAVL3. In a neuron-like cell culture model using SH-SY5Y cells, ELAVL3 mislocalization occurred weeks before TDP-43 abnormalities were seen. We interrogated genetic databases, but did not identify association of ELAVL3 genetic structure with ALS. Taken together, these findings suggest that ELAVL3 is an important RBP in ALS pathogenesis acquired early and the neuropathological data suggest that it is involved by loss of function rather than cytoplasmic toxicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Diaz-Garcia
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0670 USA
| | - Vivian I. Ko
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0670 USA
| | - Sonia Vazquez-Sanchez
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0670 USA
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA USA
| | - Ruth Chia
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-3707 USA
| | | | - Maria J. Rodriguez
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0670 USA
| | - Bryan J. Traynor
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-3707 USA
| | - Don Cleveland
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0670 USA
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA USA
| | - John Ravits
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0670 USA
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
De Magistris P. The Great Escape: mRNA Export through the Nuclear Pore Complex. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222111767. [PMID: 34769195 PMCID: PMC8583845 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Nuclear export of messenger RNA (mRNA) through the nuclear pore complex (NPC) is an indispensable step to ensure protein translation in the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells. mRNA is not translocated on its own, but it forms ribonuclear particles (mRNPs) in association with proteins that are crucial for its metabolism, some of which; like Mex67/MTR2-NXF1/NXT1; are key players for its translocation to the cytoplasm. In this review, I will summarize our current body of knowledge on the basic characteristics of mRNA export through the NPC. To be granted passage, the mRNP cargo needs to bind transport receptors, which facilitate the nuclear export. During NPC transport, mRNPs undergo compositional and conformational changes. The interactions between mRNP and the central channel of NPC are described; together with the multiple quality control steps that mRNPs undergo at the different rings of the NPC to ensure only proper export of mature transcripts to the cytoplasm. I conclude by mentioning new opportunities that arise from bottom up approaches for a mechanistic understanding of nuclear export.
Collapse
|
24
|
Li Y, Sun B, Wang Z, He Z, Yang F, Wang H, Cui F, Chen Z, Ling L, Wang C, Huang X. Mutation Screening of the GLE1 Gene in a Large Chinese Cohort of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Patients. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:595775. [PMID: 34025336 PMCID: PMC8131544 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.595775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal progressive neurodegenerative disease involving the upper and lower motor neurons of the spinal cord, brainstem, and cerebral cortex. At least 30 genes have been implicated in familial ALS (fALS) and sporadic ALS (sALS). Kaneb et al. (2015) first carried out a large-scale sequencing study in ALS patients and identified two loss-of-function (LOF) variants in the GLE1 gene. The LOF mutation-induced disruption of RNA metabolism through the haploinsufficiency mechanism is implicated in ALS pathogenesis. A total of 628 ALS patients and 522 individuals without neurodegenerative disorders were enrolled in this study to explore the GLE1 gene contribution to ALS in the Chinese population. All 16 exons and the flanking intron of GLE1 were screened by Sanger sequencing. In total, we identified seven rare GLE1 coding variants, including one novel nonsense mutation and six rare missense mutations in 628 ALS patients. The frequency of GLE1 LOF mutations was 0.16% (1/628) among Chinese sALS patients, implying that it is an uncommon genetic determinant of ALS in Chinese patients. Additionally, the rare missense variants in the hCG1-binding domain of GLE1 impairing the distribution of the hGle1B isoform at the nuclear pore complex (NPC) region may be involved in the pathogenesis of ALS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yanran Li
- Neurological Department of the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Bo Sun
- Geriatric Neurological Department of the Second Medical Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Zhanjun Wang
- Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhengqing He
- Neurological Department of the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Fei Yang
- Neurological Department of the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Hongfen Wang
- Neurological Department of the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Fang Cui
- Neurological Department of the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Zhaohui Chen
- Neurological Department of the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Li Ling
- Neurological Department of the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Chaodong Wang
- Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xusheng Huang
- Neurological Department of the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Keon M, Musrie B, Dinger M, Brennan SE, Santos J, Saksena NK. Destination Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Front Neurol 2021; 12:596006. [PMID: 33854469 PMCID: PMC8039771 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.596006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a prototypical neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive degeneration of motor neurons both in the brain and spinal cord. The constantly evolving nature of ALS represents a fundamental dimension of individual differences that underlie this disorder, yet it involves multiple levels of functional entities that alternate in different directions and finally converge functionally to define ALS disease progression. ALS may start from a single entity and gradually becomes multifactorial. However, the functional convergence of these diverse entities in eventually defining ALS progression is poorly understood. Various hypotheses have been proposed without any consensus between the for-and-against schools of thought. The present review aims to capture explanatory hierarchy both in terms of hypotheses and mechanisms to provide better insights on how they functionally connect. We can then integrate them within a common functional frame of reference for a better understanding of ALS and defining future treatments and possible therapeutic strategies. Here, we provide a philosophical understanding of how early leads are crucial to understanding the endpoints in ALS, because invariably, all early symptomatic leads are underpinned by neurodegeneration at the cellular, molecular and genomic levels. Consolidation of these ideas could be applied to other neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) and guide further critical thinking to unveil their roadmap of destination ALS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matt Keon
- GenieUs Genomics Pty Ltd., Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Marcel Dinger
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Jerran Santos
- Advanced Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Biology Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | |
Collapse
|
26
|
Gill AL, Premasiri AS, Vieira FG. Hypothesis and Theory: Roles of Arginine Methylation in C9orf72-Mediated ALS and FTD. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:633668. [PMID: 33833668 PMCID: PMC8021787 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.633668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Hexanucleotide repeat expansion (G4C2n) mutations in the gene C9ORF72 account for approximately 30% of familial cases of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), as well as approximately 7% of sporadic cases of ALS. G4C2n mutations are known to result in the production of five species of dipeptide repeat proteins (DRPs) through non-canonical translation processes. Arginine-enriched dipeptide repeat proteins, glycine-arginine (polyGR), and proline-arginine (polyPR) have been demonstrated to be cytotoxic and deleterious in multiple experimental systems. Recently, we and others have implicated methylation of polyGR/polyPR arginine residues in disease processes related to G4C2n mutation-mediated neurodegeneration. We previously reported that inhibition of asymmetric dimethylation (ADMe) of arginine residues is protective in cell-based models of polyGR/polyPR cytotoxicity. These results are consistent with the idea that PRMT-mediated arginine methylation in the context of polyGR/polyPR exposure is harmful. However, it remains unclear why. Here we discuss the influence of arginine methylation on diverse cellular processes including liquid-liquid phase separation, chromatin remodeling, transcription, RNA processing, and RNA-binding protein localization, and we consider how methylation of polyGR/polyPR may disrupt processes essential for normal cellular function and survival.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna L Gill
- ALS Therapy Development Institute, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
27
|
Integrated analysis of RNA-binding proteins in thyroid cancer. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0247836. [PMID: 33711033 PMCID: PMC7954316 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0247836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2020] [Accepted: 02/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, the incidence of thyroid cancer (THCA) has been on the rise. RNA binding proteins (RBPs) and their abnormal expression are closely related to the emergence and pathogenesis of tumor diseases. In this study, we obtained gene expression data and corresponding clinical information from the TCGA database. A total of 162 aberrantly expressed RBPs were obtained, comprising 92 up-regulated and 70 down-regulated RBPs. Then, we performed a functional enrichment analysis and constructed a PPI network. Through univariate Cox regression analysis of key genes and found that NOLC1 (p = 0.036), RPS27L (p = 0.011), TDRD9 (p = 0.016), TDRD6 (p = 0.002), IFIT2 (p = 0.037), and IFIT3 (p = 0.02) were significantly related to the prognosis. Through the online website Kaplan-Meier plotter and multivariate Cox analysis, we identified 2 RBP-coding genes (RPS27L and IFIT3) to construct a predictive model in the entire TCGA dataset and then validate in two subsets. In-depth analysis revealed that the data gave by this model, the patient's high-risk score is very closely related to the overall survival rate difference (p = 0.038). Further, we investigated the correlation between the model and the clinic, and the results indicated that the high-risk was in the male group (p = 0.011) and the T3-4 group (p = 0.046) was associated with a poor prognosis. On the whole, the conclusions of our research this time can make it possible to find more insights into the research on the pathogenesis of THCA, this could be beneficial for individualized treatment and medical decision making.
Collapse
|
28
|
Kim W, Kim DY, Lee KH. RNA-Binding Proteins and the Complex Pathophysiology of ALS. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22052598. [PMID: 33807542 PMCID: PMC7961459 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22052598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic analyses of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) have identified disease-causing mutations and accelerated the unveiling of complex molecular pathogenic mechanisms, which may be important for understanding the disease and developing therapeutic strategies. Many disease-related genes encode RNA-binding proteins, and most of the disease-causing RNA or proteins encoded by these genes form aggregates and disrupt cellular function related to RNA metabolism. Disease-related RNA or proteins interact or sequester other RNA-binding proteins. Eventually, many disease-causing mutations lead to the dysregulation of nucleocytoplasmic shuttling, the dysfunction of stress granules, and the altered dynamic function of the nucleolus as well as other membrane-less organelles. As RNA-binding proteins are usually components of several RNA-binding protein complexes that have other roles, the dysregulation of RNA-binding proteins tends to cause diverse forms of cellular dysfunction. Therefore, understanding the role of RNA-binding proteins will help elucidate the complex pathophysiology of ALS. Here, we summarize the current knowledge regarding the function of disease-associated RNA-binding proteins and their role in the dysfunction of membrane-less organelles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wanil Kim
- Division of Cosmetic Science and Technology, Daegu Haany University, Hanuidae-ro 1, Gyeongsan, Gyeongbuk 38610, Korea;
| | - Do-Yeon Kim
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Dentistry, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41940, Korea
- Correspondence: (D.-Y.K.); (K.-H.L.); Tel.: +82-53-660-6880 (D.-Y.K.); +82-53-819-7743 (K.-H.L.)
| | - Kyung-Ha Lee
- Division of Cosmetic Science and Technology, Daegu Haany University, Hanuidae-ro 1, Gyeongsan, Gyeongbuk 38610, Korea;
- Correspondence: (D.-Y.K.); (K.-H.L.); Tel.: +82-53-660-6880 (D.-Y.K.); +82-53-819-7743 (K.-H.L.)
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Volkening K, Farhan SMK, Kao J, Leystra-Lantz C, Ang LC, McIntyre A, Wang J, Hegele RA, Strong MJ. Evidence of synergism among three genetic variants in a patient with LMNA-related lipodystrophy and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis leading to a remarkable nuclear phenotype. Mol Cell Biochem 2021; 476:2633-2650. [PMID: 33661429 PMCID: PMC8192393 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-021-04103-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), can be clinically heterogeneous which may be explained by the co-inheritance of multiple genetic variants that modify the clinical course. In this study we examine variants in three genes in a family with one individual presenting with ALS and lipodystrophy. Sequencing revealed a p.Gly602Ser variant in LMNA, and two additional variants, one each in SETX (g.intron10-13delCTT) and FUS (p.Gly167_Gly168del). These latter genes have been linked to ALS. All family members were genotyped and each variant, and each combination of variants detected, were functionally evaluated in vitro regarding effects on cell survival, expression patterns and cellular phenotype. Muscle biopsy retrieved from the individual with ALS showed leakage of chromatin from the nucleus, a phenotype that was recapitulated in vitro with expression of all three variants simultaneously. Individually expressed variants gave cellular phenotypes there were unremarkable. Interestingly the FUS variant appears to be protective against the effects of the SETX and the LMNA variants on cell viability and may indicate loss of interaction of FUS with SETX and/or R-loops. We conclude that these findings support genetic modifications as an explanation of the clinical heterogeneity observed in human disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn Volkening
- Molecular Medicine, Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Sali M K Farhan
- Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit, Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Jessica Kao
- Molecular Medicine, Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Cheryl Leystra-Lantz
- Molecular Medicine, Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Lee Cyn Ang
- Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, London Health Sciences Centre-University Hospital, London, ON, Canada
| | - Adam McIntyre
- Blackburn Cardiovascular Genetics Lab, Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Jian Wang
- Blackburn Cardiovascular Genetics Lab, Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Robert A Hegele
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, London Health Sciences Centre-University Hospital, London, ON, Canada
- Blackburn Cardiovascular Genetics Lab, Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Michael J Strong
- Molecular Medicine, Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada.
- Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
TDP-43 Regulation of AChE Expression Can Mediate ALS-Like Phenotype in Zebrafish. Cells 2021; 10:cells10020221. [PMID: 33499374 PMCID: PMC7911940 DOI: 10.3390/cells10020221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The "distal axonopathy" hypothesis in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) proposes that pathological changes occur at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) early in the disease. While acetylcholinesterase (AChE) plays an important role in the functionality of the NMJ, its potential role in ALS remains unexplored. Here, we identified AChE as a limiting factor regulating muscle/motor neuron connection in a vertebrate model of ALS. Knockdown of the TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) orthologue in zebrafish resulted in early defects of motor functions coupled with NMJ disassembly. We found that a partially depleted tdp-43 caused a decrease of ache expression. Importantly, human AChE overexpression reduced the phenotypic defects in the tdp-43 loss of function model, with amelioration of post- and pre-synaptic deficits at the NMJ. In conclusion, our results provide a better understanding of the role of TDP-43 in the NMJ organization and indicate AChE as a contributing factor in the pathology of ALS. In particular, it may be implicated in the early defects that characterize NMJs in this major neurodegenerative disorder.
Collapse
|
31
|
Buratti E. Trends in Understanding the Pathological Roles of TDP-43 and FUS Proteins. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 1281:243-267. [PMID: 33433879 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-51140-1_15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Following the discovery of TDP-43 and FUS involvement in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal lobar dementia (FTLD), the major challenge in the field has been to understand their physiological functions, both in normal and disease conditions. The hope is that this knowledge will improve our understanding of disease and lead to the development of effective therapeutic options. Initially, the focus has been directed at characterizing the role of these proteins in the control of RNA metabolism, because the main function of TDP-43 and FUS is to bind coding and noncoding RNAs to regulate their life cycle within cells. As a result, we now have an in-depth picture of the alterations that occur in RNA metabolism following their aggregation in various ALS/FTLD models and, to a somewhat lesser extent, in patients' brains. In parallel, progress has been made with regard to understanding how aggregation of these proteins occurs in neurons, how it can spread in different brain regions, and how these changes affect various metabolic cellular pathways to result in neuronal death. The aim of this chapter will be to provide a general overview of the trending topics in TDP-43 and FUS investigations and to highlight what might represent the most promising avenues of research in the years to come.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emanuele Buratti
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Pathogenic Genome Signatures That Damage Motor Neurons in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Cells 2020; 9:cells9122687. [PMID: 33333804 PMCID: PMC7765192 DOI: 10.3390/cells9122687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most frequent motor neuron disease and a neurodegenerative disorder, affecting the upper and/or lower motor neurons. Notably, it invariably leads to death within a few years of onset. Although most ALS cases are sporadic, familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (fALS) forms 10% of the cases. In 1993, the first causative gene (SOD1) of fALS was identified. With rapid advances in genetics, over fifty potentially causative or disease-modifying genes have been found in ALS so far. Accordingly, routine diagnostic tests should encompass the oldest and most frequently mutated ALS genes as well as several new important genetic variants in ALS. Herein, we discuss current literatures on the four newly identified ALS-associated genes (CYLD, S1R, GLT8D1, and KIF5A) and the previously well-known ALS genes including SOD1, TARDBP, FUS, and C9orf72. Moreover, we review the pathogenic implications and disease mechanisms of these genes. Elucidation of the cellular and molecular functions of the mutated genes will bring substantial insights for the development of therapeutic approaches to treat ALS.
Collapse
|
33
|
Li CX, Chen J, Xu ZG, Yiu WK, Lin YT. The expression and prognostic value of RNA binding proteins in clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Transl Cancer Res 2020; 9:7415-7431. [PMID: 35117342 PMCID: PMC8797574 DOI: 10.21037/tcr-20-2393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Background RNA binding proteins (RBPs) have previously been demonstrated to be involved in the initiation and development of human cancers. However, its role in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is not yet clear. The study was intended to explore the diagnostic and prognostic value of RBPs in ccRCC via bioinformatics methods of public datasets. Methods Data download from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database was used to identify differentially expressed RBPs between normal renal samples and cancerous samples. Then, we performed the gene ontology (GO) annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) using the ClusterProfiler package. Next, the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was built by the online tool STRING database and Cytoscape software. The significant module and hub genes were screened by MCODE and Cytohubba plugin, respectively. Lastly, we performed a systematical analysis to investigate the diagnostic and prognostic value of candidate RBPs. Results A total of 133 DEGs, including 39 upregulated RBPs and 94 downregulated RBPs, were screened between ccRCC samples and noncancerous samples. From these data, eight candidate RBPs (RPS2, GAPDH, RPS20, EIF4A1, RPL18, RPL13, RPL18A, and RPS19) were identified. Conclusions In summary, we screened differentially expressed RBPs of ccRCC, which were enriched mainly in various biological processes and signaling pathways. Furthermore, we identified eight candidate RBPs, which could serve as potential biomarkers of ccRCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Can-Xuan Li
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jie Chen
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zheng-Guang Xu
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wing-Keung Yiu
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yen-Ting Lin
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Selective neuronal degeneration in MATR3 S85C knock-in mouse model of early-stage ALS. Nat Commun 2020; 11:5304. [PMID: 33082323 PMCID: PMC7576598 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-18949-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
A missense mutation, S85C, in the MATR3 gene is a genetic cause for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). It is unclear how the S85C mutation affects MATR3 function and contributes to disease. Here, we develop a mouse model that harbors the S85C mutation in the endogenous Matr3 locus using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. MATR3 S85C knock-in mice recapitulate behavioral and neuropathological features of early-stage ALS including motor impairment, muscle atrophy, neuromuscular junction defects, Purkinje cell degeneration and neuroinflammation in the cerebellum and spinal cord. Our neuropathology data reveals a loss of MATR3 S85C protein in the cell bodies of Purkinje cells and motor neurons, suggesting that a decrease in functional MATR3 levels or loss of MATR3 function contributes to neuronal defects. Our findings demonstrate that the MATR3 S85C mouse model mimics aspects of early-stage ALS and would be a promising tool for future basic and preclinical research.
Collapse
|
35
|
Zhang QJ, Chen Y, Zou XH, Hu W, Ye ML, Guo QF, Lin XL, Feng SY, Wang N. Promoting identification of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis based on label-free plasma spectroscopy. Ann Clin Transl Neurol 2020; 7:2010-2018. [PMID: 32951348 PMCID: PMC7545607 DOI: 10.1002/acn3.51194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Revised: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an adult‐onset fatal neurodegenerative disease which lacks identified biological markers. A label‐free plasma surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) method was developed to explore a simple and noninvasive test for ALS. Methods ALS patients were enrolled serially and plasma samples were collected at the time of diagnosis prior to the start of ALS treatment. SERS spectra were recorded using a Renishaw micro‐Raman system. Results To exclude the interference by varying disease severity, we enrolled three groups of ALS patients, including ALS‐1 (n = 60; ALSFRS‐R ≥ 42 and time interval ≤ 12 months), ALS‐2 (n = 61; ALSFRS‐R < 42 and time interval ≤ 12 months), and ALS‐3 (n = 61; ALSFRS‐R ≥ 38 and time interval> 12 months). The SERS spectra were analyzed using principal component analysis (PCA), which showed that ALS‐1, ALS‐2, ALS‐3, and control groups were separated significantly. Then, decision tree (DT) models and receiver operating characteristic curves were employed and identified that bands at 722 and 739 cm−1, and ratios of 635–722 cm−1 and 635–739 cm−1 were able to distinguish ALS from controls significantly. Finally, we highlighted six metabolism pathways correlated with ALS, including phenylalanine‐tyrosine‐tryptophan biosynthesis, aminoacyl‐tRNA biosynthesis, phenylalanine metabolism, pantothenate and CoA biosynthesis, porphyrin and chlorophyll metabolism, and pyrimidine metabolism. Interpretation: Plasma SERS could be a promising tool for the detection of ALS. The bands at 722 and 739 cm−1, and the ratios of 635–722 cm−1 and 635–739 cm−1 could serve as potential indicator for ALS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qi-Jie Zhang
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yang Chen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Huan Zou
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Wei Hu
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Min-Lu Ye
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Qi-Fu Guo
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xue-Liang Lin
- Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology for Medicine, Ministry of Education, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory for Photonics Technology, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Shang-Yuan Feng
- Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology for Medicine, Ministry of Education, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory for Photonics Technology, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Ning Wang
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.,Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Montalbano M, McAllen S, Puangmalai N, Sengupta U, Bhatt N, Johnson OD, Kharas MG, Kayed R. RNA-binding proteins Musashi and tau soluble aggregates initiate nuclear dysfunction. Nat Commun 2020; 11:4305. [PMID: 32855391 PMCID: PMC7453003 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-18022-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Oligomeric assemblies of tau and the RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) Musashi (MSI) are reported in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the role of MSI and tau interaction in their aggregation process and its effects are nor clearly known in neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we investigated the expression and cellular localization of MSI1 and MSI2 in the brains tissues of Alzheimer's disease (AD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) as well as in the wild-type mice and tau knock-out and P301L tau mouse models. We observed that formation of pathologically relevant protein inclusions was driven by the aberrant interactions between MSI and tau in the nuclei associated with age-dependent extracellular depositions of tau/MSI complexes. Furthermore, tau and MSI interactions induced impairment of nuclear/cytoplasm transport, chromatin remodeling and nuclear lamina formation. Our findings provide mechanistic insight for pathological accumulation of MSI/tau aggregates providing a potential basis for therapeutic interventions in neurodegenerative proteinopathies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mauro Montalbano
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA.,Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
| | - Salome McAllen
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA.,Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
| | - Nicha Puangmalai
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA.,Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
| | - Urmi Sengupta
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA.,Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
| | - Nemil Bhatt
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA.,Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
| | - Omar D Johnson
- School of Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
| | - Michael G Kharas
- Division of Molecular Pharmacology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Institute Cancer Center, New York City, NY, USA
| | - Rakez Kayed
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA. .,Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Ramesh N, Kour S, Anderson EN, Rajasundaram D, Pandey UB. RNA-recognition motif in Matrin-3 mediates neurodegeneration through interaction with hnRNPM. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2020; 8:138. [PMID: 32811564 PMCID: PMC7437177 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-020-01021-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an adult-onset, fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive loss of upper and lower motor neurons. While pathogenic mutations in the DNA/RNA-binding protein Matrin-3 (MATR3) are linked to ALS and distal myopathy, the molecular mechanisms underlying MATR3-mediated neuromuscular degeneration remain unclear. Methods We generated Drosophila lines with transgenic insertion of human MATR3 wildtype, disease-associated variants F115C and S85C, and deletion variants in functional domains, ΔRRM1, ΔRRM2, ΔZNF1 and ΔZNF2. We utilized genetic, behavioral and biochemical tools for comprehensive characterization of our models in vivo and in vitro. Additionally, we employed in silico approaches to find transcriptomic targets of MATR3 and hnRNPM from publicly available eCLIP datasets. Results We found that targeted expression of MATR3 in Drosophila muscles or motor neurons shorten lifespan and produces progressive motor defects, muscle degeneration and atrophy. Strikingly, deletion of its RNA-recognition motif (RRM2) mitigates MATR3 toxicity. We identified rump, the Drosophila homolog of human RNA-binding protein hnRNPM, as a modifier of mutant MATR3 toxicity in vivo. Interestingly, hnRNPM physically and functionally interacts with MATR3 in an RNA-dependent manner in mammalian cells. Furthermore, common RNA targets of MATR3 and hnRNPM converge in biological processes important for neuronal health and survival. Conclusions We propose a model of MATR3-mediated neuromuscular degeneration governed by its RNA-binding domains and modulated by interaction with splicing factor hnRNPM. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s40478-020-01021-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
|
38
|
Twenty Years of SynGAP Research: From Synapses to Cognition. J Neurosci 2020; 40:1596-1605. [PMID: 32075947 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0420-19.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2019] [Revised: 01/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
SynGAP is a potent regulator of biochemical signaling in neurons and plays critical roles in neuronal function. It was first identified in 1998, and has since been extensively characterized as a mediator of synaptic plasticity. Because of its involvement in synaptic plasticity, SynGAP has emerged as a critical protein for normal cognitive function. In recent years, mutations in the SYNGAP1 gene have been shown to cause intellectual disability in humans and have been linked to other neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorders and schizophrenia. While the structure and biochemical function of SynGAP have been well characterized, a unified understanding of the various roles of SynGAP at the synapse and its contributions to neuronal function remains to be achieved. In this review, we summarize and discuss the current understanding of the multifactorial role of SynGAP in regulating neuronal function gathered over the last two decades.
Collapse
|
39
|
Bajc Česnik A, Motaln H, Rogelj B. The Impact of ALS-Associated Genes hnRNPA1, MATR3, VCP and UBQLN2 on the Severity of TDP-43 Aggregation. Cells 2020; 9:cells9081791. [PMID: 32731393 PMCID: PMC7465640 DOI: 10.3390/cells9081791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Revised: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, characterized by cytoplasmic inclusions of RNA-binding protein TDP-43. Despite decades of research and identification of more than 50 genes associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the cause of TDP-43 translocation from the nucleus and its aggregation in the cytoplasm still remains unknown. Our study addressed the impact of selected ALS-associated genes on TDP-43 aggregation behavior in wild-type and aggregation prone TDP-43 in vitro cell models. These were developed by deleting TDP-43 nuclear localization signal and stepwise shortening its low-complexity region. The SH-SY5Y cells were co-transfected with the constructs of aggregation-prone TDP-43 and wild-type or mutant ALS-associated genes hnRNPA1, MATR3, VCP or UBQLN2. The investigated genes displayed a unique impact on TDP-43 aggregation, generating distinct types of cytoplasmic inclusions, similar to those already described as resembling prion strains, which could represent the basis for neurodegenerative disease heterogeneity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Bajc Česnik
- Department of Biotechnology, Jozef Stefan Institute, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (A.B.Č.); (H.M.)
- Graduate School of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Helena Motaln
- Department of Biotechnology, Jozef Stefan Institute, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (A.B.Č.); (H.M.)
| | - Boris Rogelj
- Department of Biotechnology, Jozef Stefan Institute, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (A.B.Č.); (H.M.)
- Biomedical Research Institute BRIS, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +386-1-477-3611
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Qu WR, Sun QH, Liu QQ, Jin HJ, Cui RJ, Yang W, Song DB, Li BJ. Role of CPEB3 protein in learning and memory: new insights from synaptic plasticity. Aging (Albany NY) 2020; 12:15169-15182. [PMID: 32619199 PMCID: PMC7425470 DOI: 10.18632/aging.103404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The cytoplasmic polyadenylation element-binding (CPEB) protein family have demonstrated a crucial role for establishing synaptic plasticity and memory in model organisms. In this review, we outline evidence for CPEB3 as a crucial regulator of learning and memory, citing evidence from behavioral, electrophysiological and morphological studies. Subsequently, the regulatory role of CPEB3 is addressed in the context of the plasticity-related proteins, including AMPA and NMDA receptor subunits, actin, and the synaptic scaffolding protein PSD95. Finally, we delve into some of the more well-studied molecular mechanisms that guide the functionality of this dynamic regulator both during synaptic stimulation and in its basal state, including a variety of upstream regulators, post-translational modifications, and important structural domains that confer the unique properties of CPEB3. Collectively, this review offers a comprehensive view of the regulatory layers that allow a pathway for CPEB3’s maintenance of translational control that guides the necessary protein changes required for the establishment and maintenance of lasting synaptic plasticity and ultimately, long term learning and memory.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wen Rui Qu
- Department of Hand Surgery, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China.,Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory on Molecular and Chemical Genetic, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Qi Han Sun
- School of Pharmacy, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Qian Qian Liu
- Department of Hand Surgery, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China.,Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory on Molecular and Chemical Genetic, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Hong Juan Jin
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Ran Ji Cui
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory on Molecular and Chemical Genetic, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Wei Yang
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory on Molecular and Chemical Genetic, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - De Biao Song
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory on Molecular and Chemical Genetic, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Bing Jin Li
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory on Molecular and Chemical Genetic, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Pham J, Keon M, Brennan S, Saksena N. Connecting RNA-Modifying Similarities of TDP-43, FUS, and SOD1 with MicroRNA Dysregulation Amidst A Renewed Network Perspective of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Proteinopathy. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21103464. [PMID: 32422969 PMCID: PMC7278980 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21103464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2020] [Revised: 05/10/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Beyond traditional approaches in understanding amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), multiple recent studies in RNA-binding proteins (RBPs)-including transactive response DNA-binding protein (TDP-43) and fused in sarcoma (FUS)-have instigated an interest in their function and prion-like properties. Given their prominence as hallmarks of a highly heterogeneous disease, this prompts a re-examination of the specific functional interrelationships between these proteins, especially as pathological SOD1-a non-RBP commonly associated with familial ALS (fALS)-exhibits similar properties to these RBPs including potential RNA-regulatory capabilities. Moreover, the cytoplasmic mislocalization, aggregation, and co-aggregation of TDP-43, FUS, and SOD1 can be identified as proteinopathies akin to other neurodegenerative diseases (NDs), eliciting strong ties to disrupted RNA splicing, transport, and stability. In recent years, microRNAs (miRNAs) have also been increasingly implicated in the disease, and are of greater significance as they are the master regulators of RNA metabolism in disease pathology. However, little is known about the role of these proteins and how they are regulated by miRNA, which would provide mechanistic insights into ALS pathogenesis. This review seeks to discuss current developments across TDP-43, FUS, and SOD1 to build a detailed snapshot of the network pathophysiology underlying ALS while aiming to highlight possible novel therapeutic targets to guide future research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jade Pham
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of New South Wales, Kensington, Sydney, NSW 2033, Australia;
| | - Matt Keon
- Iggy Get Out, Neurodegenerative Disease Section, Darlinghurst, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia; (M.K.); (S.B.)
| | - Samuel Brennan
- Iggy Get Out, Neurodegenerative Disease Section, Darlinghurst, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia; (M.K.); (S.B.)
| | - Nitin Saksena
- Iggy Get Out, Neurodegenerative Disease Section, Darlinghurst, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia; (M.K.); (S.B.)
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Wang J, Yang C, Wang H, Li D, Li T, Sun Y, Zhao M, Ma J, Hua W, Yang Z. A New Rat Model of Chronic Cerebral Hypoperfusion Resulting in Early-Stage Vascular Cognitive Impairment. Front Aging Neurosci 2020; 12:86. [PMID: 32351379 PMCID: PMC7174718 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2020.00086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Currently, most models of vascular cognitive impairment are established by occluding the carotid arteries uni- or bilaterally to reduce the cerebral blood flow mimicking chronic cerebral hypoxia. Due to the sudden blood flow interruption, a gradual narrowing of the carotid artery cannot be completely imitated. This paper aims to establish a bilateral carotid stenosis model with mild cognitive dysfunction and mild white matter changes to simulate patients with vascular predementia. Methods Aged Wistar rats (18 months old) underwent either bilateral common carotid artery stenosis (BCAS) or occlusion (BCAO) surgery or a sham operation (control group). The cerebral blood flow in the frontal cortex was measured using Doppler flowmetry. Thirty days after surgery, cognitive function impairments were determined with the Morris water maze; cerebral magnetic resonance imaging was performed to detect changes in fractional anisotropy to assess white matter injuries, and histological studies were performed. Results The aged rats in the BCAS group showed a more gradual cerebral blood flow reduction and a lower mortality rate (11%) compared to rats in the BCAO group. The water maze test revealed a more marginal impairment affecting spatial learning and memory in rats with BCAS than in rats with BCAO. Diffusion tensor imaging detected white matter injuries in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex of BCAS rats. Particularly, a small portion of nerve fibers of the lateral somatosensory cortex was significantly different between rats of the BCAO and BCAS groups. In the BCAS group, the microscopic structure of the hippocampal CA1 region changed slightly after 30 days and sustained a slight mitochondrial crista crack. Fluorescence staining indicated that the number of GFAP-positive cells was increased in rat brains of the BCAS group, and this phenomenon was even more pronounced in the BCAO group. The hnRNPA2/B1 and GABAAR-α1 expression levels were significantly decreased in the hippocampus of rats with BCAS compared to those of controls. Conclusion Severe bilateral carotid stenosis induced mild cognitive dysfunction and slight structural changes in the brains of aged rats. Thus, a chronic cerebral hypoperfusion model was successfully established.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jinxin Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Third Central Clinical College of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin Third Central Hospital, Nankai University Affinity the Third Central Hospital, Tianjin Institute of Hepatobiliary Disease, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Extracorporeal Life Support for Critical Diseases, Tianjin, China
| | - Chenyi Yang
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Third Central Clinical College of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin Third Central Hospital, Nankai University Affinity the Third Central Hospital, Tianjin Institute of Hepatobiliary Disease, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Extracorporeal Life Support for Critical Diseases, Tianjin, China
| | - Haiyun Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Third Central Clinical College of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin Third Central Hospital, Nankai University Affinity the Third Central Hospital, Tianjin Institute of Hepatobiliary Disease, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Extracorporeal Life Support for Critical Diseases, Tianjin, China.,Medical College of Nankai University, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin Research Institute of Anesthesiology, Tianjin, China
| | - Dongxue Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Third Central Clinical College of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin Third Central Hospital, Nankai University Affinity the Third Central Hospital, Tianjin Institute of Hepatobiliary Disease, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Extracorporeal Life Support for Critical Diseases, Tianjin, China
| | - Tang Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Third Central Clinical College of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin Third Central Hospital, Nankai University Affinity the Third Central Hospital, Tianjin Institute of Hepatobiliary Disease, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Extracorporeal Life Support for Critical Diseases, Tianjin, China
| | - Yi Sun
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Third Central Clinical College of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin Third Central Hospital, Nankai University Affinity the Third Central Hospital, Tianjin Institute of Hepatobiliary Disease, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Extracorporeal Life Support for Critical Diseases, Tianjin, China
| | - Mingshu Zhao
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Third Central Clinical College of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin Third Central Hospital, Nankai University Affinity the Third Central Hospital, Tianjin Institute of Hepatobiliary Disease, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Extracorporeal Life Support for Critical Diseases, Tianjin, China
| | - Ji Ma
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Third Central Clinical College of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin Third Central Hospital, Nankai University Affinity the Third Central Hospital, Tianjin Institute of Hepatobiliary Disease, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Extracorporeal Life Support for Critical Diseases, Tianjin, China
| | - Wei Hua
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Third Central Clinical College of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin Third Central Hospital, Nankai University Affinity the Third Central Hospital, Tianjin Institute of Hepatobiliary Disease, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Extracorporeal Life Support for Critical Diseases, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhuo Yang
- Medical College of Nankai University, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Hergesheimer RC, Chami AA, de Assis DR, Vourc'h P, Andres CR, Corcia P, Lanznaster D, Blasco H. The debated toxic role of aggregated TDP-43 in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a resolution in sight? Brain 2020; 142:1176-1194. [PMID: 30938443 PMCID: PMC6487324 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awz078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2018] [Revised: 02/11/2019] [Accepted: 02/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Transactive response DNA-binding protein-43 (TDP-43) is an RNA/DNA binding protein that forms phosphorylated and ubiquitinated aggregates in the cytoplasm of motor neurons in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which is a hallmark of this disease. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a neurodegenerative condition affecting the upper and lower motor neurons. Even though the aggregative property of TDP-43 is considered a cornerstone of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, there has been major controversy regarding the functional link between TDP-43 aggregates and cell death. In this review, we attempt to reconcile the current literature surrounding this debate by discussing the results and limitations of the published data relating TDP-43 aggregates to cytotoxicity, as well as therapeutic perspectives of TDP-43 aggregate clearance. We point out key data suggesting that the formation of TDP-43 aggregates and the capacity to self-template and propagate among cells as a 'prion-like' protein, another pathological property of TDP-43 aggregates, are a significant cause of motor neuronal death. We discuss the disparities among the various studies, particularly with respect to the type of models and the different forms of TDP-43 used to evaluate cellular toxicity. We also examine how these disparities can interfere with the interpretation of the results pertaining to a direct toxic effect of TDP-43 aggregates. Furthermore, we present perspectives for improving models in order to better uncover the toxic role of aggregated TDP-43. Finally, we review the recent studies on the enhancement of the cellular clearance mechanisms of autophagy, the ubiquitin proteasome system, and endocytosis in an attempt to counteract TDP-43 aggregation-induced toxicity. Altogether, the data available so far encourage us to suggest that the cytoplasmic aggregation of TDP-43 is key for the neurodegeneration observed in motor neurons in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The corresponding findings provide novel avenues toward early therapeutic interventions and clinical outcomes for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Anna A Chami
- UMR 1253, iBRAIN, Université de Tours, INSERM, Tours, France
| | | | - Patrick Vourc'h
- UMR 1253, iBRAIN, Université de Tours, INSERM, Tours, France.,CHU de Tours, Service de Biochimie et Biologie Moléculaire, Tours, France
| | - Christian R Andres
- UMR 1253, iBRAIN, Université de Tours, INSERM, Tours, France.,CHU de Tours, Service de Biochimie et Biologie Moléculaire, Tours, France
| | - Philippe Corcia
- UMR 1253, iBRAIN, Université de Tours, INSERM, Tours, France.,CHU de Tours, Service de Neurologie, Tours, France
| | | | - Hélène Blasco
- UMR 1253, iBRAIN, Université de Tours, INSERM, Tours, France.,CHU de Tours, Service de Biochimie et Biologie Moléculaire, Tours, France
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Moore S, Rabichow BE, Sattler R. The Hitchhiker's Guide to Nucleocytoplasmic Trafficking in Neurodegeneration. Neurochem Res 2020; 45:1306-1327. [PMID: 32086712 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-020-02989-1] [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: 10/08/2019] [Revised: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The widespread nature of nucleocytoplasmic trafficking defects and protein accumulation suggests distinct yet overlapping mechanisms in a variety of neurodegenerative diseases. Detailed understanding of the cellular pathways involved in nucleocytoplasmic transport and its dysregulation are essential for elucidating neurodegenerative pathogenesis and pinpointing potential areas for therapeutic intervention. The transport of cargos from the nucleus to the cytoplasm is generally regulated by the structure and function of the nuclear pore as well as the karyopherin α/β, importin, exportin, and mRNA export mechanisms. The disruption of these crucial transport mechanisms has been extensively described in the context of neurodegenerative diseases. One common theme in neurodegeneration is the cytoplasmic aggregation of proteins, including nuclear RNA binding proteins, repeat expansion associated gene products, and tau. These cytoplasmic aggregations are partly a consequence of failed nucleocytoplasmic transport machinery, but can also further disrupt transport, creating cyclical feed-forward mechanisms that exacerbate neurodegeneration. Here we describe the canonical mechanisms that regulate nucleocytoplasmic trafficking as well as how these mechanisms falter in neurodegenerative diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Moore
- Department of Neurobiology, Barrow Neurological Institute, 350 W Thomas Road, Phoenix, AZ, 85013, USA.,School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Benjamin E Rabichow
- Department of Neurobiology, Barrow Neurological Institute, 350 W Thomas Road, Phoenix, AZ, 85013, USA
| | - Rita Sattler
- Department of Neurobiology, Barrow Neurological Institute, 350 W Thomas Road, Phoenix, AZ, 85013, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Kim KW. PIWI Proteins and piRNAs in the Nervous System. Mol Cells 2019; 42:828-835. [PMID: 31838836 PMCID: PMC6939654 DOI: 10.14348/molcells.2019.0241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Revised: 11/29/2019] [Accepted: 12/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
PIWI Argonaute proteins and Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are expressed in all animal species and play a critical role in cellular defense by inhibiting the activation of transposable elements in the germline. Recently, new evidence suggests that PIWI proteins and piRNAs also play important roles in various somatic tissues, including neurons. This review summarizes the neuronal functions of the PIWI-piRNA pathway in multiple animal species, including their involvement in axon regeneration, behavior, memory formation, and transgenerational epigenetic inheritance of adaptive memory. This review also discusses the consequences of dysregulation of neuronal PIWI-piRNA pathways in certain neurological disorders, including neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases. A full understanding of neuronal PIWI-piRNA pathways will ultimately provide novel insights into small RNA biology and could potentially provide precise targets for therapeutic applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kyung Won Kim
- Convergence Program of Material Science for Medicine and Pharmaceutics, Department of Life Science, Multidisciplinary Genome Institute, Hallym University, Chuncheon 24252,
Korea
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Trageser KJ, Smith C, Herman FJ, Ono K, Pasinetti GM. Mechanisms of Immune Activation by c9orf72-Expansions in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Front Neurosci 2019; 13:1298. [PMID: 31920478 PMCID: PMC6914852 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.01298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Accepted: 11/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) are neurodegenerative disorders with overlapping pathomechanisms, neurobehavioral features, and genetic etiologies. Individuals diagnosed with either disorder exhibit symptoms within a clinical spectrum. Symptoms of ALS involve neuromusculature deficits, reflecting upper and lower motor neurodegeneration, while the primary clinical features of FTD are behavioral and cognitive impairments, reflecting frontotemporal lobar degeneration. An intronic G4C2 hexanucleotide repeat expansion (HRE) within the promoter region of chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 (C9orf72) is the predominant monogenic cause of both ALS and FTD. While the heightened risk to develop ALS/FTD in response to C9orf72 expansions is well-established, studies continue to define the precise mechanisms by which this mutation elicits neurodegeneration. Studies show that G4C2 expansions undergo repeat-associated non-ATG dependent (RAN) translation, producing dipeptide repeat proteins (DRPs) with varying toxicities. Accumulation of DRPs in neurons, in particular arginine containing DRPs, have neurotoxic effects by potently impairing nucleocytoplasmic transport, nucleotide metabolism, lysosomal processes, and cellular metabolic pathways. How these pathophysiological effects of C9orf72 expansions engage and elicit immune activity with additional neurobiological consequences is an important line of future investigations. Immunoreactive microglia and elevated levels of peripheral inflammatory cytokines noted in individuals with C9orf72 ALS/FTD provide evidence that persistent immune activation has a causative role in the progression of each disorder. This review highlights the current understanding of the cellular, proteomic and genetic substrates through which G4C2 HREs may elicit detrimental immune activity, facilitating region-specific neurodegeneration in C9orf72 mediated ALS/FTD. We in particular emphasize interactions between intracellular pathways induced by C9orf72 expansions and innate immune inflammasome complexes, intracellular receptors responsible for eliciting inflammation in response to cellular stress. A further understanding of the intricate, reciprocal relationship between the cellular and molecular pathologies resulting from C9orf72 HREs and immune activation may yield novel therapeutics for ALS/FTD, which currently have limited treatment strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kyle J Trageser
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Chad Smith
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Francis J Herman
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Kenjiro Ono
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Showa University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Giulio Maria Pasinetti
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States.,Geriatrics Research, Education and Clinical Center, JJ Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, NY, United States
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Zou D, Li R, Huang X, Chen G, Liu Y, Meng Y, Wang Y, Wu Y, Mao Y. Identification of molecular correlations of RBM8A with autophagy in Alzheimer's disease. Aging (Albany NY) 2019; 11:11673-11685. [PMID: 31816601 PMCID: PMC6932873 DOI: 10.18632/aging.102571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2019] [Accepted: 11/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Our previous studies revealed RBM8A may play a role in various progressive neurological diseases. The present study aimed to explore the role of RBM8A in Alzheimer's disease (AD). RBM8A is significantly down-regulated in AD. Interestingly, 9186 differentially expressed genes are overlapped from comparisons of AD versus control and RBM8A-low versus RBM8A-high. Weight gene correlation analysis was performed and 9 functional modules were identified. Modules positively correlated with AD and RBM8A-low are significantly involved in the RAP1 signaling pathway, PI3K−AKT signaling pathway, hematopoietic cell lineage, autophagy and APELIN signaling pathway. Fifteen genes (RBM8A, RHBDF2, TNFRSF10B, ACP1, ANKRD39, CA10, CAMK4, CBLN4, LOC284214, NOVA1, PAK1, PPEF1, RGS4, TCEB1 and TMEM118) are identified as hub genes, and the hub gene-based LASSO model can accurately predict the occurrence of AD (AUC = 0.948). Moreover, the RBM8A-module-pathway network was constructed, and low expression of RBM8A down-regulates multiple module genes, including FIP200, Beclin 1, NRBF2, VPS15 and ATG12, which composes key complexes of autophagy. Thus, our study supports that low expression of RBM8A correlates with the decrease of the components of key complexes in autophagy, which could potentially contribute to pathophysiological changes of AD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Donghua Zou
- Department of Neurology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530022, China
| | - Rongjie Li
- Department of Neurology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530022, China
| | - Xiaohua Huang
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise 533000, China
| | - Guoying Chen
- Department of Neurology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530022, China
| | - Ying Liu
- Department of Neurology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530022, China
| | - Youshi Meng
- Department of Neurology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530022, China
| | - Yimei Wang
- Department of Neurology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530022, China
| | - Yuan Wu
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - Yingwei Mao
- Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Pushpalatha KV, Besse F. Local Translation in Axons: When Membraneless RNP Granules Meet Membrane-Bound Organelles. Front Mol Biosci 2019; 6:129. [PMID: 31824961 PMCID: PMC6882739 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2019.00129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2019] [Accepted: 11/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotic cell compartmentalization relies on long-known membrane-delimited organelles, as well as on more recently discovered membraneless macromolecular condensates. How these two types of organelles interact to regulate cellular functions is still largely unclear. In this review, we highlight how membraneless ribonucleoprotein (RNP) organelles, enriched in RNAs and associated regulatory proteins, cooperate with membrane-bound organelles for tight spatio-temporal control of gene expression in the axons of neuronal cells. Specifically, we present recent evidence that motile membrane-bound organelles are used as vehicles by RNP cargoes, promoting the long-range transport of mRNA molecules to distal axons. As demonstrated by recent work, membrane-bound organelles also promote local protein synthesis, by serving as platforms for the local translation of mRNAs recruited to their outer surface. Furthermore, dynamic and specific association between RNP cargoes and membrane-bound organelles is mediated by bi-partite adapter molecules that interact with both types of organelles selectively, in a regulated-manner. Maintaining such a dynamic interplay is critical, as alterations in this process are linked to neurodegenerative diseases. Together, emerging studies thus point to the coordination of membrane-bound and membraneless organelles as an organizing principle underlying local cellular responses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Florence Besse
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, Inserm, Institut de Biology Valrose, Nice, France
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Goodman LD, Bonini NM. Repeat-associated non-AUG (RAN) translation mechanisms are running into focus for GGGGCC-repeat associated ALS/FTD. Prog Neurobiol 2019; 183:101697. [PMID: 31550516 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2019.101697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2019] [Revised: 08/31/2019] [Accepted: 09/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Many human diseases are associated with the expansion of repeat sequences within the genes. It has become clear that expressed disease transcripts bearing such long repeats can undergo translation, even in the absence of a canonical AUG start codon. Termed "RAN translation" for repeat associated non-AUG translation, this process is becoming increasingly prominent as a contributor to these disorders. Here we discuss mechanisms and variables that impact translation of the repeat sequences associated with the C9orf72 gene. Expansions of a G4C2 repeat within intron 1 of this gene are associated with the motor neuron disease ALS and dementia FTD, which comprise a clinical and pathological spectrum. RAN translation of G4C2 repeat expansions has been studied in cells in culture (ex vivo) and in the fly in vivo. Cellular states that lead to RAN translation, like stress, may be critical contributors to disease progression. Greater elucidation of the mechanisms that impact this process and the factors contributing will lead to greater understanding of the repeat expansion diseases, to the potential development of novel approaches to therapeutics, and to a greater understanding of how these players impact biological processes in the absence of disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lindsey D Goodman
- Neuroscience Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Nancy M Bonini
- Neuroscience Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Martín-Doncel E, Rojas AM, Cantarero L, Lazo PA. VRK1 functional insufficiency due to alterations in protein stability or kinase activity of human VRK1 pathogenic variants implicated in neuromotor syndromes. Sci Rep 2019; 9:13381. [PMID: 31527692 PMCID: PMC6746721 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-49821-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2019] [Accepted: 08/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Very rare polymorphisms in the human VRK1 (vaccinia-related kinase 1) gene have been identified in complex neuromotor phenotypes associated to spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), pontocerebellar hypoplasia (PCH), microcephaly, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and distal motor neuron dysfunctions. The mechanisms by which these VRK1 variant proteins contribute to the pathogenesis of these neurological syndromes are unknown. The syndromes are manifested when both of these rare VRK1 polymorphic alleles are implicated, either in homozygosis or compound heterozygosis. In this report, to identify the common underlying pathogenic mechanism of VRK1 polymorphisms, we have studied all human VRK1 variants identified in these neurological phenotypes from a biochemical point of view by molecular modeling, protein stability and kinase activity assays. Molecular modelling predicted that VRK1 variant proteins are either unstable or have an altered kinase activity. The stability and kinase activity of VRK1 pathogenic variants detected two groups. One composed by variants with a reduced protein stability: R133C, R358X, L195V, G135R and R321C. The other group includes VRK1variants with a reduced kinase activity tested on several substrates: histones H3 and H2AX, p53, c-Jun, coilin and 53BP1, a DNA repair protein. VRK1 variants with reduced kinase activity are H119R, R133C, G135R, V236M, R321C and R358X. The common underlying effect of VRK1 pathogenic variants with reduced protein stability or kinase activity is a functional insufficiency of VRK1 in patients with neuromotor developmental syndromes. The G135 variant cause a defective formation of 53BP1 foci in response to DNA damage, and loss Cajal bodies assembled on coilin.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elena Martín-Doncel
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) - Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Ana M Rojas
- Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo (CABD), CSIC-Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Sevilla, Spain
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBIS), CSIC-Universidad de Sevilla, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Lara Cantarero
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) - Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
- Laboratorio de Neurogenética y Medicina Molecular, Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pedro A Lazo
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) - Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|