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Marshall PR, Davies J, Zhao Q, Liau WS, Lee Y, Basic D, Periyakaruppiah A, Zajaczkowski EL, Leighton LJ, Madugalle SU, Musgrove M, Kielar M, Brueckner AM, Gong H, Ren H, Walsh A, Kaczmarczyk L, Jackson WS, Chen A, Spitale RC, Bredy TW. DNA G-Quadruplex Is a Transcriptional Control Device That Regulates Memory. J Neurosci 2024; 44:e0093232024. [PMID: 38418220 PMCID: PMC11007313 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0093-23.2024] [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: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024] Open
Abstract
The conformational state of DNA fine-tunes the transcriptional rate and abundance of RNA. Here, we report that G-quadruplex DNA (G4-DNA) accumulates in neurons, in an experience-dependent manner, and that this is required for the transient silencing and activation of genes that are critically involved in learning and memory in male C57/BL6 mice. In addition, site-specific resolution of G4-DNA by dCas9-mediated deposition of the helicase DHX36 impairs fear extinction memory. Dynamic DNA structure states therefore represent a key molecular mechanism underlying memory consolidation.One-Sentence Summary: G4-DNA is a molecular switch that enables the temporal regulation of the gene expression underlying the formation of fear extinction memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul R Marshall
- Cognitive Neuroepigenetics Laboratory, The Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
- Genome Sciences and Cancer Division & Eccles Institute of Neuroscience, John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra 2601, Australia
| | - Joshua Davies
- Cognitive Neuroepigenetics Laboratory, The Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Qiongyi Zhao
- Cognitive Neuroepigenetics Laboratory, The Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Wei-Siang Liau
- Cognitive Neuroepigenetics Laboratory, The Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Yujin Lee
- Cognitive Neuroepigenetics Laboratory, The Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Dean Basic
- Cognitive Neuroepigenetics Laboratory, The Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Ambika Periyakaruppiah
- Cognitive Neuroepigenetics Laboratory, The Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Esmi L Zajaczkowski
- Cognitive Neuroepigenetics Laboratory, The Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Laura J Leighton
- Cognitive Neuroepigenetics Laboratory, The Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Sachithrani U Madugalle
- Cognitive Neuroepigenetics Laboratory, The Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Mason Musgrove
- Cognitive Neuroepigenetics Laboratory, The Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Marcin Kielar
- Cognitive Neuroepigenetics Laboratory, The Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Arie Maeve Brueckner
- Cognitive Neuroepigenetics Laboratory, The Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Hao Gong
- Cognitive Neuroepigenetics Laboratory, The Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Haobin Ren
- Cognitive Neuroepigenetics Laboratory, The Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Alexander Walsh
- Cognitive Neuroepigenetics Laboratory, The Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Lech Kaczmarczyk
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (BKV), Division of Neurobiology (NEURO), Linköping University, Linköping 581 83, Sweden
| | - Walker S Jackson
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (BKV), Division of Neurobiology (NEURO), Linköping University, Linköping 581 83, Sweden
| | - Alon Chen
- Neurobiology of Stress Laboratory, Department Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Robert C Spitale
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California 92697
| | - Timothy W Bredy
- Cognitive Neuroepigenetics Laboratory, The Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
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2
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Paniri A, Hosseini MM, Akhavan-Niaki H. Alzheimer's Disease-Related Epigenetic Changes: Novel Therapeutic Targets. Mol Neurobiol 2024; 61:1282-1317. [PMID: 37700216 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03626-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023]
Abstract
Aging is a significant risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD), although the precise mechanism and molecular basis of AD are not yet fully understood. Epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation, mitochondrial DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), play a role in regulating gene expression related to neuron plasticity and integrity, which are closely associated with learning and memory development. This review describes the impact of dynamic and reversible epigenetic modifications and factors on memory and plasticity throughout life, emphasizing their potential as target for therapeutic intervention in AD. Additionally, we present insight from postmortem and animal studies on abnormal epigenetics regulation in AD, as well as current strategies aiming at targeting these factors in the context of AD therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alireza Paniri
- Genetics Department, Faculty of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
- Zoonoses Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Amol, Iran
| | | | - Haleh Akhavan-Niaki
- Genetics Department, Faculty of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
- Zoonoses Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Amol, Iran.
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3
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Ell MA, Schiele MA, Iovino N, Domschke K. Epigenetics of Fear, Anxiety and Stress - Focus on Histone Modifications. Curr Neuropharmacol 2024; 22:843-865. [PMID: 36946487 PMCID: PMC10845084 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x21666230322154158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Fear-, anxiety- and stress-related disorders are among the most frequent mental disorders. Given substantial rates of insufficient treatment response and often a chronic course, a better understanding of the pathomechanisms of fear-, anxiety- and stress-related disorders is urgently warranted. Epigenetic mechanisms such as histone modifications - positioned at the interface between the biological and the environmental level in the complex pathogenesis of mental disorders - might be highly informative in this context. The current state of knowledge on histone modifications, chromatin-related pharmacology and animal models modified for genes involved in the histone-related epigenetic machinery will be reviewed with respect to fear-, anxiety- and stress-related states. Relevant studies, published until 30th June 2022, were identified using a multi-step systematic literature search of the Pub- Med and Web of Science databases. Animal studies point towards histone modifications (e.g., H3K4me3, H3K9me1/2/3, H3K27me2/3, H3K9ac, H3K14ac and H4K5ac) to be dynamically and mostly brain region-, task- and time-dependently altered on a genome-wide level or gene-specifically (e.g., Bdnf) in models of fear conditioning, retrieval and extinction, acute and (sub-)chronic stress. Singular and underpowered studies on histone modifications in human fear-, anxiety- or stress-related phenotypes are currently restricted to the phenotype of PTSD. Provided consistent validation in human phenotypes, epigenetic biomarkers might ultimately inform indicated preventive interventions as well as personalized treatment approaches, and could inspire future innovative pharmacological treatment options targeting the epigenetic machinery improving treatment response in fear-, anxiety- and stressrelated disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco A. Ell
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany
| | - Miriam A. Schiele
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany
| | - Nicola Iovino
- Department of Chromation Regulation, Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Katharina Domschke
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany
- Center for Basics in NeuroModulation, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
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4
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Pavlou S, Foskolou S, Patikas N, Field SF, Papachristou EK, Santos CD, Edwards AR, Kishore K, Ansari R, Rajan SS, Fernandes HJR, Metzakopian E. CRISPR-Cas9 genetic screen leads to the discovery of L-Moses, a KAT2B inhibitor that attenuates Tunicamycin-mediated neuronal cell death. Sci Rep 2023; 13:3934. [PMID: 36894612 PMCID: PMC9998435 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-31141-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Accumulation of aggregated and misfolded proteins, leading to endoplasmic reticulum stress and activation of the unfolded protein response, is a hallmark of several neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Genetic screens are powerful tools that are proving invaluable in identifying novel modulators of disease associated processes. Here, we performed a loss-of-function genetic screen using a human druggable genome library, followed by an arrayed-screen validation, in human iPSC-derived cortical neurons. We identified and genetically validated 13 genes, whose knockout was neuroprotective against Tunicamycin, a glycoprotein synthesis inhibitor widely used to induce endoplasmic reticulum stress. We also demonstrated that pharmacological inhibition of KAT2B, a lysine acetyltransferase identified by our genetic screens, by L-Moses, attenuates Tunicamycin-mediated neuronal cell death and activation of CHOP, a key pro-apoptotic member of the unfolded protein response in both cortical and dopaminergic neurons. Follow-up transcriptional analysis suggested that L-Moses provided neuroprotection by partly reversing the transcriptional changes caused by Tunicamycin. Finally, L-Moses treatment attenuated total protein levels affected by Tunicamycin, without affecting their acetylation profile. In summary, using an unbiased approach, we identified KAT2B and its inhibitor, L-Moses, as potential therapeutic targets for neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Pavlou
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0AH, UK.
- Open Targets, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK.
| | - Stefanie Foskolou
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0AH, UK
- Open Targets, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Nikolaos Patikas
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0AH, UK
| | - Sarah F Field
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0AH, UK
- Open Targets, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Evangelia K Papachristou
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Li Ka Shing Centre, Robinson Way, Cambridge, CB2 0RE, UK
| | - Clive D' Santos
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Li Ka Shing Centre, Robinson Way, Cambridge, CB2 0RE, UK
| | - Abigail R Edwards
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Li Ka Shing Centre, Robinson Way, Cambridge, CB2 0RE, UK
| | - Kamal Kishore
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Li Ka Shing Centre, Robinson Way, Cambridge, CB2 0RE, UK
| | - Rizwan Ansari
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0AH, UK
| | - Sandeep S Rajan
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0AH, UK
- Open Targets, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Hugo J R Fernandes
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0AH, UK
- Open Targets, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Emmanouil Metzakopian
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0AH, UK.
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Environmental enrichment mitigates PTSD-like behaviors in adult male rats exposed to early life stress by regulating histone acetylation in the hippocampus and amygdala. J Psychiatr Res 2022; 155:120-136. [PMID: 36029624 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2022.07.067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Early life stress (ELS) can cause long-term changes in gene expression, affect cognition, mood, and behavior, and increase susceptibility to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in adulthood, in which the histone acetylation plays a crucial role. Studies have found that environmental enrichment (EE) mitigated the unfavorable outcomes of ELS. However, the underlying mechanism of the histone acetylation is not yet completely clear. The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of EE on the histone acetylation after ELS. In this study, using single prolonged stress (SPS) paradigm in early adolescent rats explored the long-term effects of ELS on behavior, the activity of histone acetyltransferases (HATs) and histone deacetylases (HDACs), as well as the acetylation levels of the lysine 9 site of histone H3 (H3K9) and lysine 12 site of histone H4 (H4K12) in the hippocampus and amygdala. Meanwhile, the protective effects of EE intervention were examined. We found that adult male rats exposed to ELS showed behavioral changes, including reduced locomotor activity, increased anxiety-like behaviors, impaired spatial learning and memory, enhanced contextual and cued fear memory, and the HATs/HDACs ratio and acetyl H3K9 (Ac-H3K9) and acetyl H4K12 (Ac-H4K12) were increased in the hippocampus and decreased in the amygdala. Furthermore, EE attenuated the behavioral abnormalities from ELS, possibly through down-regulating the activity of HATs in the hippocampus and up-regulating HDACs activities in the amygdala. These finding suggested that EE could ameliorate ELS-induced PTSD-like behaviors by regulating histone acetylation in the hippocampus and amygdala, reducing the susceptibility to PTSD in adulthood.
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6
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Alexander DC, Corman T, Mendoza M, Glass A, Belity T, Wu R, Campbell RR, Han J, Keiser AA, Winkler J, Wood MA, Kim T, Garcia BA, Cohen H, Mews P, Egervari G, Berger SL. Targeting acetyl-CoA metabolism attenuates the formation of fear memories through reduced activity-dependent histone acetylation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2114758119. [PMID: 35921439 PMCID: PMC9371679 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2114758119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Histone acetylation is a key component in the consolidation of long-term fear memories. Histone acetylation is fueled by acetyl-coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA), and recently, nuclear-localized metabolic enzymes that produce this metabolite have emerged as direct and local regulators of chromatin. In particular, acetyl-CoA synthetase 2 (ACSS2) mediates histone acetylation in the mouse hippocampus. However, whether ACSS2 regulates long-term fear memory remains to be determined. Here, we show that Acss2 knockout is well tolerated in mice, yet the Acss2-null mouse exhibits reduced acquisition of long-term fear memory. Loss of Acss2 leads to reductions in both histone acetylation and expression of critical learning and memory-related genes in the dorsal hippocampus, specifically following fear conditioning. Furthermore, systemic administration of blood-brain barrier-permeable Acss2 inhibitors during the consolidation window reduces fear-memory formation in mice and rats and reduces anxiety in a predator-scent stress paradigm. Our findings suggest that nuclear acetyl-CoA metabolism via ACSS2 plays a critical, previously unappreciated, role in the formation of fear memories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Desi C. Alexander
- aEpigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
- bDepartment of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Tanya Corman
- aEpigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Mariel Mendoza
- aEpigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
- cDepartment of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Andrew Glass
- dDepartment of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Tal Belity
- eDepartment of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, 8410501, Israel
| | - Ranran Wu
- aEpigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
- cDepartment of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Rianne R. Campbell
- fDepartment of Neurobiology and Behavior, Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Joseph Han
- fDepartment of Neurobiology and Behavior, Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Ashley A. Keiser
- fDepartment of Neurobiology and Behavior, Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Jeffrey Winkler
- dDepartment of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Marcelo A. Wood
- fDepartment of Neurobiology and Behavior, Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
| | | | - Benjamin A. Garcia
- aEpigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
- cDepartment of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Hagit Cohen
- eDepartment of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, 8410501, Israel
- hBeer-Sheva Mental Health Center, Ministry of Health, Anxiety and Stress Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, 8410501, Israel
| | - Philipp Mews
- iFishberg Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
- 2To whom correspondence may be addressed. , , or
| | - Gabor Egervari
- aEpigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
- jDepartment of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
- 2To whom correspondence may be addressed. , , or
| | - Shelley L. Berger
- aEpigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
- bDepartment of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
- jDepartment of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
- kDepartment of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
- 2To whom correspondence may be addressed. , , or
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Abbas EMH, Farghaly TA, Sabour R, Shaaban MR, Abdallah ZA. Design, synthesis, cytotoxicity, and molecular docking studies of novel thiazolyl-hydrazone derivatives as histone lysine acetyl-transferase inhibitors and apoptosis inducers. Arch Pharm (Weinheim) 2022; 355:e2200076. [PMID: 35393652 DOI: 10.1002/ardp.202200076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Revised: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Compounds containing both thiazole and arylsulfone moieties are recognized for their high biological activity and ability to fight a variety of ailments. Thus, in this context, new derivatives of (thiazol-2-yl)hydrazone with an arylsulfone moiety were synthesized as CPTH2 analogs with potent anti-histone lysine acetyl-transferase activity. Compounds 3, 4, 10b, and 11b showed an excellent inhibitory effect on P300 (E1A-associated protein p300), compared to CPTH2. Among all the tested derivatives, compound 10b revealed the highest activity against both P300 and pCAF. In addition, the new hits were tested for anticancer efficacy against two leukemia cell lines. Most of them showed a moderate to potent antitumor effect on the k562 and CCRF-CEM cell lines. Interestingly, the activity of compound 10b against the k562 cell line was found to be higher than that of CPTH2. Furthermore, it showed a good safety profile, better than CPTH2 on normal cells. Molecular docking analysis was carried out to reveal the crucial binding contacts in the inhibition of the P300 and pCAF enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eman M H Abbas
- Department of Chemistry, Natural and Microbial Products, National Research Center, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Thoraya A Farghaly
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Rehab Sabour
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy (Girls), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mohamed R Shaaban
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Applied Science, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Almukkarramah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Zeinab A Abdallah
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
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8
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Wei W, Zhao Q, Wang Z, Liau WS, Basic D, Ren H, Marshall PR, Zajaczkowski EL, Leighton LJ, Madugalle SU, Musgrove M, Periyakaruppiah A, Shi J, Zhang J, Mattick JS, Mercer TR, Spitale RC, Li X, Bredy TW. ADRAM is an experience-dependent long noncoding RNA that drives fear extinction through a direct interaction with the chaperone protein 14-3-3. Cell Rep 2022; 38:110546. [PMID: 35320727 PMCID: PMC9015815 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Here, we used RNA capture-seq to identify a large population of lncRNAs that are expressed in the infralimbic prefrontal cortex of adult male mice in response to fear-related learning. Combining these data with cell-type-specific ATAC-seq on neurons that had been selectively activated by fear extinction learning, we find inducible 434 lncRNAs that are derived from enhancer regions in the vicinity of protein-coding genes. In particular, we discover an experience-induced lncRNA we call ADRAM (activity-dependent lncRNA associated with memory) that acts as both a scaffold and a combinatorial guide to recruit the brain-enriched chaperone protein 14-3-3 to the promoter of the memory-associated immediate-early gene Nr4a2 and is required fear extinction memory. This study expands the lexicon of experience-dependent lncRNA activity in the brain and highlights enhancer-derived RNAs (eRNAs) as key players in the epigenomic regulation of gene expression associated with the formation of fear extinction memory. Wei et al. use targeted RNA capture sequencing to examine experience-dependent long noncoding RNA activity in the infralimbic prefrontal cortex of adult mice. They discover a gene, which they call ADRAM, that is directly involved in the epigenomic regulation of gene expression underlying memory formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wei
- Department of Neurosurgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; Brain Research Center, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; Medical Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
| | - Qiongyi Zhao
- Cognitive Neuroepigenetics Laboratory, Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Ziqi Wang
- Cognitive Neuroepigenetics Laboratory, Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Wei-Siang Liau
- Cognitive Neuroepigenetics Laboratory, Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Dean Basic
- Cognitive Neuroepigenetics Laboratory, Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Haobin Ren
- Cognitive Neuroepigenetics Laboratory, Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Paul R Marshall
- Cognitive Neuroepigenetics Laboratory, Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Esmi L Zajaczkowski
- Cognitive Neuroepigenetics Laboratory, Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Laura J Leighton
- Cognitive Neuroepigenetics Laboratory, Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Sachithrani U Madugalle
- Cognitive Neuroepigenetics Laboratory, Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Mason Musgrove
- Cognitive Neuroepigenetics Laboratory, Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Ambika Periyakaruppiah
- Cognitive Neuroepigenetics Laboratory, Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Jichun Shi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; Brain Research Center, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jianjian Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - John S Mattick
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Timothy R Mercer
- Australian Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Robert C Spitale
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, USA
| | - Xiang Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; Brain Research Center, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; Medical Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Timothy W Bredy
- Cognitive Neuroepigenetics Laboratory, Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
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9
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Creighton SD, Jardine KH, Desimone A, Zmetana M, Castellano S, Milite C, Sbardella G, Winters BD. Age-dependent attenuation of spatial memory deficits by the histone acetyltransferase p300/CBP-associated factor (PCAF) in 3xTG Alzheimer's disease mice. Learn Mem 2022; 29:71-76. [PMID: 35169045 PMCID: PMC8852226 DOI: 10.1101/lm.053536.121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Histone acetylation, catalyzed by histone acetyltransferases, has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy in Alzheimer's disease (AD). By longitudinally characterizing spatial memory at 3, 6, and 9 mo of age, we show that acute activation and inhibition of the histone acetyltransferase PCAF remediated memory impairments in 3xTG-AD mice in an age-related bidirectional manner. At 3 and 6 mo of age, PCAF activation ameliorated memory deficits. At 9 mo of age, PCAF activation had no effect on spatial memory, whereas PCAF inhibition improved memory deficits in females. This work reveals a complex potential therapeutic role for PCAF in AD, initially benefitting memory but becoming detrimental as the disease progresses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha D. Creighton
- Department of Psychology, Collaborative Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada,Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, Ontario L5L 1C6, Canada
| | - Kristen H. Jardine
- Department of Psychology, Collaborative Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Alexa Desimone
- Department of Psychology, Collaborative Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Megan Zmetana
- Department of Psychology, Collaborative Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Sabrina Castellano
- Department of Pharmacy, Epigenetic Med Chem Laboratory, University of Salerno, I-84084 Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
| | - Ciro Milite
- Department of Pharmacy, Epigenetic Med Chem Laboratory, University of Salerno, I-84084 Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
| | - Gianluca Sbardella
- Department of Pharmacy, Epigenetic Med Chem Laboratory, University of Salerno, I-84084 Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
| | - Boyer D. Winters
- Department of Psychology, Collaborative Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
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10
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Alexandra Kredlow M, Fenster RJ, Laurent ES, Ressler KJ, Phelps EA. Prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and threat processing: implications for PTSD. Neuropsychopharmacology 2022; 47:247-259. [PMID: 34545196 PMCID: PMC8617299 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-021-01155-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 44.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder can be viewed as a disorder of fear dysregulation. An abundance of research suggests that the prefrontal cortex is central to fear processing-that is, how fears are acquired and strategies to regulate or diminish fear responses. The current review covers foundational research on threat or fear acquisition and extinction in nonhuman animals, healthy humans, and patients with posttraumatic stress disorder, through the lens of the involvement of the prefrontal cortex in these processes. Research harnessing advances in technology to further probe the role of the prefrontal cortex in these processes, such as the use of optogenetics in rodents and brain stimulation in humans, will be highlighted, as well other fear regulation approaches that are relevant to the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder and involve the prefrontal cortex, namely cognitive regulation and avoidance/active coping. Despite the large body of translational research, many questions remain unanswered and posttraumatic stress disorder remains difficult to treat. We conclude by outlining future research directions related to the role of the prefrontal cortex in fear processing and implications for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Alexandra Kredlow
- grid.38142.3c000000041936754XDepartment of Psychology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA USA
| | - Robert J. Fenster
- grid.38142.3c000000041936754XDivision of Depression and Anxiety, McLean Hospital; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA USA
| | - Emma S. Laurent
- grid.38142.3c000000041936754XDepartment of Psychology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA USA
| | - Kerry J. Ressler
- grid.38142.3c000000041936754XDivision of Depression and Anxiety, McLean Hospital; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA USA
| | - Elizabeth A. Phelps
- grid.38142.3c000000041936754XDepartment of Psychology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA USA
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11
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Sikder S, Kaypee S, Kundu TK. Regulation of epigenetic state by non-histone chromatin proteins and transcription factors: Implications in disease. J Biosci 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s12038-019-9974-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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12
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Creighton SD, Stefanelli G, Reda A, Zovkic IB. Epigenetic Mechanisms of Learning and Memory: Implications for Aging. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E6918. [PMID: 32967185 PMCID: PMC7554829 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21186918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Revised: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The neuronal epigenome is highly sensitive to external events and its function is vital for producing stable behavioral outcomes, such as the formation of long-lasting memories. The importance of epigenetic regulation in memory is now well established and growing evidence points to altered epigenome function in the aging brain as a contributing factor to age-related memory decline. In this review, we first summarize the typical role of epigenetic factors in memory processing in a healthy young brain, then discuss the aspects of this system that are altered with aging. There is general agreement that many epigenetic marks are modified with aging, but there are still substantial inconsistencies in the precise nature of these changes and their link with memory decline. Here, we discuss the potential source of age-related changes in the epigenome and their implications for therapeutic intervention in age-related cognitive decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha D. Creighton
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON L5L 1C6, Canada; (S.D.C.); (G.S.)
| | - Gilda Stefanelli
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON L5L 1C6, Canada; (S.D.C.); (G.S.)
| | - Anas Reda
- Department of Cell & Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S, Canada;
| | - Iva B. Zovkic
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON L5L 1C6, Canada; (S.D.C.); (G.S.)
- Department of Cell & Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S, Canada;
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13
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Poon CH, Heng BC, Lim LW. New insights on brain-derived neurotrophic factor epigenetics: from depression to memory extinction. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2020; 1484:9-31. [PMID: 32808327 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Revised: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Advances in characterizing molecular profiles provide valuable insights and opportunities for deciphering the neuropathology of depression. Although abnormal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression in depression has gained much support from preclinical and clinical research, how it mediates behavioral alterations in the depressed state remains largely obscure. Environmental factors contribute significantly to the onset of depression and produce robust epigenetic changes. Epigenetic regulation of BDNF, as one of the most characterized gene loci in epigenetics, has recently emerged as a target in research on memory and psychiatric disorders. Specifically, epigenetic alterations of BDNF exons are heavily involved in mediating memory functions and antidepressant effects. In this review, we discuss key research on stress-induced depression from both preclinical and clinical studies, which revealed that differential epigenetic regulation of specific BDNF exons is associated with depression pathophysiology. Considering that BDNF has a central role in depression, we argue that memory extinction, an adaptive response to fear exposure, is dependent on BDNF modulation and holds promise as a prospective target for alleviating or treating depression and anxiety disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi Him Poon
- Neuromodulation Laboratory, School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Boon Chin Heng
- Peking University School of Stomatology, Beijing, China.,Department of Biological Sciences, Sunway University, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Lee Wei Lim
- Neuromodulation Laboratory, School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,Department of Biological Sciences, Sunway University, Selangor, Malaysia
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14
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Sikder S, Kaypee S, Kundu TK. Regulation of epigenetic state by non-histone chromatin proteins and transcription factors: Implications in disease. J Biosci 2020; 45:15. [PMID: 31965993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Besides the fundamental components of the chromatin, DNA and octameric histone, the non-histone chromatin proteins and non-coding RNA play a critical role in the organization of functional chromatin domains. The non-histone chromatin proteins therefore regulate the transcriptional outcome in both physiological and pathophysiological state as well. They also help to maintain the epigenetic state of the genome indirectly. Several transcription factors and histone interacting factors also contribute in the maintenance of the epigenetic states, especially acetylation by the induction of autoacetylation ability of p300/CBP. Alterations of KAT activity have been found to be causally related to disease manifestation, and thus could be potential therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sweta Sikder
- Transcription and Disease Laboratory, Molecular Biology and Genetics Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bengaluru 560 064, India
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15
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Berardino BG, Fesser EA, Belluscio LM, Gianatiempo O, Pregi N, Cánepa ET. Effects of cocaine base paste on anxiety-like behavior and immediate-early gene expression in nucleus accumbens and medial prefrontal cortex of female mice. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2019; 236:3525-3539. [PMID: 31280332 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-019-05321-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Accepted: 06/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Cocaine base paste (CBP) is an illegal drug of abuse usually consumed by adolescents in a socio-economically vulnerable situation. Repeated drug use targets key brain circuits disrupting the processes that underlie emotions and cognition. At the basis of such neuroadaptations lie changes in the expression of immediate-early genes (IEGs). Nevertheless, changes in transcriptional regulation associated with CBP consumption remain unknown. OBJECTIVES We aimed to describe behavioral phenotype related to locomotion, anxiety-like behavior, and memory of CBP-injected mice and to study IEGs expression after an abstinence period. METHODS Five-week-old female CF-1 mice were i.p. injected daily with vehicle or CBP (40 mg/kg) for 10 days and subjected to a 10-day period of abstinence. Open field and novel object recognition tests were used to evaluate locomotion and anxiety-like behaviors and recognition memory, respectively, during chronic administration and after abstinence. After abstinence, prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and nucleus accumbens (NAc) were isolated and gene expression analysis performed through real-time PCR. RESULTS We found an increase in locomotion and anxiety-like behavior during CBP administration and after the abstinence period. Furthermore, the CBP group showed impaired recognition memory after abstinence. Egr1, FosB, ΔFosB, Arc, Bdnf, and TrkB expression was upregulated in CBP-injected mice in NAc and FosB, ΔFosB, Arc, and Npas4 expression was downregulated in mPFC. We generated an anxiety score and found positive and negative correlations with IEGs expression in NAc and mPFC, respectively. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that chronic CBP exposure induced alterations in anxiety-like behavior and recognition memory. These changes were accompanied by altered IEGs expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno G Berardino
- Laboratorio de Neuroepigenética, Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, and Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, CONICET, C1428EGA, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Estefanía A Fesser
- Laboratorio de Neuroepigenética, Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, and Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, CONICET, C1428EGA, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Laura M Belluscio
- Laboratorio de Neuroepigenética, Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, and Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, CONICET, C1428EGA, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Octavio Gianatiempo
- Laboratorio de Neuroepigenética, Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, and Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, CONICET, C1428EGA, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Nicolás Pregi
- Laboratorio de Neuroepigenética, Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, and Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, CONICET, C1428EGA, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Eduardo T Cánepa
- Laboratorio de Neuroepigenética, Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, and Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, CONICET, C1428EGA, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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16
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The DNA modification N6-methyl-2'-deoxyadenosine (m6dA) drives activity-induced gene expression and is required for fear extinction. Nat Neurosci 2019; 22:534-544. [PMID: 30778148 PMCID: PMC6462436 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-019-0339-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2018] [Accepted: 01/10/2019] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
DNA modification is known to regulate experience-dependent gene expression. However, beyond cytosine methylation and its oxidated derivatives, very little is known about the functional importance of chemical modifications on other nucleobases in the brain. Here we report that in adult mice trained in fear extinction the DNA modification N6-methyl-2’-deoxyadenosine (m6dA) accumulates along promoters and coding sequences in activated prefrontal cortical neurons. The deposition of m6dA is associated with increased genome-wide occupancy of the mammalian m6dA methyltransferase, N6amt1, and this correlates with extinction-induced gene expression. The accumulation of m6dA is associated with transcriptional activation at the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (Bdnf) P4 promoter, which is required for Bdnf exon IV mRNA expression and for the extinction of conditioned fear. These results expand the scope of DNA modifications in the adult brain and highlight changes in m6dA as an epigenetic mechanism associated with activity-induced gene expression and the formation of fear extinction memory.
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17
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Affiliation(s)
- Andre Fischer
- Department for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.
- Department for Systems Medicine and Brain Diseases, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) site Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.
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18
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Marshall PR, Bredy TW. Neuroepigenetic mechanisms underlying fear extinction: emerging concepts. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2019; 236:133-142. [PMID: 30506235 PMCID: PMC7293886 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-018-5084-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2018] [Accepted: 10/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
An understanding of how memory is acquired and how it can be modified in fear-related anxiety disorders, with the enhancement of failing memories on one side and a reduction or elimination of traumatic memories on the other, is a key unmet challenge in the fields of neuroscience and neuropsychiatry. The latter process depends on an important form of learning called fear extinction, where a previously acquired fear-related memory is decoupled from its ability to control behaviour through repeated non-reinforced exposure to the original fear-inducing cue. Although simple in description, fear extinction relies on a complex pattern of brain region and cell-type specific processes, some of which are unique to this form of learning and, for better or worse, contribute to the inherent instability of fear extinction memory. Here, we explore an emerging layer of biology that may compliment and enrich the synapse-centric perspective of fear extinction. As opposed to the more classically defined role of protein synthesis in the formation of fear extinction memory, a neuroepigenetic view of the experience-dependent gene expression involves an appreciation of dynamic changes in the state of the entire cell: from a transient change in plasticity at the level of the synapse, to potentially more persistent long-term effects within the nucleus. A deeper understanding of neuroepigenetic mechanisms and how they influence the formation and maintenance of fear extinction memory has the potential to enable the development of more effective treatment approaches for fear-related neuropsychiatric conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul R Marshall
- Cognitive Neuroepigenetics Laboratory, Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia.
| | - Timothy W Bredy
- Cognitive Neuroepigenetics Laboratory, Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
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19
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Ploense KL, Li X, Baker-Andresen D, Carr AE, Woodward N, Bagley J, Szumlinski KK, Bredy TW, Kippin TE. Prolonged-access to cocaine induces distinct Homer2 DNA methylation, hydroxymethylation, and transcriptional profiles in the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex of Male Sprague-Dawley rats. Neuropharmacology 2018; 143:299-305. [PMID: 30268522 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.09.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2018] [Revised: 09/17/2018] [Accepted: 09/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Repeated cocaine administration induces many long-term structural and molecular changes in the dorsal medial prefrontal cortex (dmPFC) and are known to underlie aspects of cocaine-seeking behavior. DNA methylation is a key long-lasting epigenetic determinant of gene expression and is implicated in neuroplasticity, however, the extent to which this epigenetic modification is involved in the neuroplasticity associated with drug addiction has received limited attention. Here, we examine the relation between DNA methylation and gene expression within the dorsal medial prefrontal cortex (dmPFC) following limited cocaine self-administration (1 h/day), prolonged cocaine self-administration (6 h/day), and saline self-administration (1 h/day). Rats were fitted with intravenous catheters and allowed to lever press for saline or cocaine (0.25 mg/kg/0.1 mL infusion) in the different access conditions for 20 days. Prolonged-access rats exhibited escalation in cocaine intake over the course of training, while limited-access rats did not escalate cocaine intake. Additionally, limited-access and prolonged-access rats exhibited unique Homer2 epigenetic profiles and mRNA expression. In prolonged-access rats, Homer2 mRNA levels in the dmPFC were increased, which was accompanied by decreased DNA methylation and p300 binding within the Homer2 promoter. Limited-access animals exhibited decreased DNA methylation, decreased DNA hydroxymethylation, and increased p300 binding within the Homer2 promoter. These data indicate that distinct epigenetic profiles are induced by limited-versus prolonged-access self-administration conditions that contribute to transcriptional profiles and lend support to the notion that covalent modification of DNA is implicated in addiction-like changes in cocaine-seeking behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle L Ploense
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA; Institute for Collaborative Biotechnology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA; Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA.
| | - Xiang Li
- Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | | | - Amanda E Carr
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
| | - Nick Woodward
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
| | - Jared Bagley
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA; Department of Psychology, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY, USA
| | - Karen K Szumlinski
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA; Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA; Department of Molecular Cellular Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
| | - Timothy W Bredy
- Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Tod E Kippin
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA; Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA; Department of Molecular Cellular Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA; Institute for Collaborative Biotechnology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
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20
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Uchida S, Shumyatsky GP. Epigenetic regulation of Fgf1 transcription by CRTC1 and memory enhancement. Brain Res Bull 2018; 141:3-12. [PMID: 29477835 PMCID: PMC6128695 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2018.02.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2017] [Revised: 01/30/2018] [Accepted: 02/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Recent evidence demonstrates that epigenetic regulation of gene transcription is critically involved in learning and memory. Here, we discuss the role of histone acetylation and DNA methylation, which are two best understood epigenetic processes in memory processes. More specifically, we focus on learning-strength-dependent changes in chromatin on the fibroblast growth factor 1 (Fgf1) gene and on the molecular events that modulate regulation of Fgf1 transcription, required for memory enhancement, with the specific focus on CREB-regulated transcription coactivator 1 (CRTC1).
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Affiliation(s)
- Shusaku Uchida
- Division of Neuropsychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1-1 Minami-Kogushi, Ube, Yamaguchi 755-8505, Japan
| | - Gleb P Shumyatsky
- Department of Genetics, Rutgers University, 145 Bevier Rd., Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA.
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21
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Règue-Guyon M, Lanfumey L, Mongeau R. Neuroepigenetics of Neurotrophin Signaling: Neurobiology of Anxiety and Affective Disorders. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2018; 158:159-193. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2018.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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22
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A Functional Role for the Epigenetic Regulator ING1 in Activity-induced Gene Expression in Primary Cortical Neurons. Neuroscience 2017; 369:248-260. [PMID: 29158107 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2017.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2017] [Revised: 11/09/2017] [Accepted: 11/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetic regulation of activity-induced gene expression involves multiple levels of molecular interaction, including histone and DNA modifications, as well as mechanisms of DNA repair. Here we demonstrate that the genome-wide deposition of inhibitor of growth family member 1 (ING1), which is a central epigenetic regulatory protein, is dynamically regulated in response to activity in primary cortical neurons. ING1 knockdown leads to decreased expression of genes related to synaptic plasticity, including the regulatory subunit of calcineurin, Ppp3r1. In addition, ING1 binding at a site upstream of the transcription start site (TSS) of Ppp3r1 depends on yet another group of neuroepigenetic regulatory proteins, the Piwi-like family, which are also involved in DNA repair. These findings provide new insight into a novel mode of activity-induced gene expression, which involves the interaction between different epigenetic regulatory mechanisms traditionally associated with gene repression and DNA repair.
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23
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Neal M, Richardson JR. Epigenetic regulation of astrocyte function in neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2017; 1864:432-443. [PMID: 29113750 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2017.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2017] [Revised: 10/22/2017] [Accepted: 11/02/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Epigenetic mechanisms control various functions throughout the body, from cell fate determination in development to immune responses and inflammation. Neuroinflammation is one of the prime contributors to the initiation and progression of neurodegeneration in a variety of diseases, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Because astrocytes are the largest population of glial cells, they represent an important regulator of CNS function, both in health and disease. Only recently have studies begun to identify the epigenetic mechanisms regulating astrocyte responses in neurodegenerative diseases. These epigenetic mechanisms, along with the epigenetic marks involved in astrocyte development, could elucidate novel pathways to potentially modulate astrocyte-mediated neuroinflammation and neurotoxicity. This review examines the known epigenetic mechanisms involved in regulation of astrocyte function, from development to neurodegeneration, and links these mechanisms to potential astrocyte-specific roles in neurodegenerative disease with a focus on potential opportunities for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Neal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Center for Neurodegenerative Disease and Aging, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, OH 44201, USA
| | - Jason R Richardson
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Center for Neurodegenerative Disease and Aging, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, OH 44201, USA.
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24
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Delgado-Morales R, Agís-Balboa RC, Esteller M, Berdasco M. Epigenetic mechanisms during ageing and neurogenesis as novel therapeutic avenues in human brain disorders. Clin Epigenetics 2017; 9:67. [PMID: 28670349 PMCID: PMC5493012 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-017-0365-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2017] [Accepted: 06/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Ageing is the main risk factor for human neurological disorders. Among the diverse molecular pathways that govern ageing, epigenetics can guide age-associated decline in part by regulating gene expression and also through the modulation of genomic instability and high-order chromatin architecture. Epigenetic mechanisms are involved in the regulation of neural differentiation as well as in functional processes related to memory consolidation, learning or cognition during healthy lifespan. On the other side of the coin, many neurodegenerative diseases are associated with epigenetic dysregulation. The reversible nature of epigenetic factors and, especially, their role as mediators between the genome and the environment make them exciting candidates as therapeutic targets. Rather than providing a broad description of the pathways epigenetically deregulated in human neurological disorders, in this review, we have focused on the potential use of epigenetic enzymes as druggable targets to ameliorate neural decline during normal ageing and especially in neurological disorders. We will firstly discuss recent progress that supports a key role of epigenetic regulation during healthy ageing with an emphasis on the role of epigenetic regulation in adult neurogenesis. Then, we will focus on epigenetic alterations associated with ageing-related human disorders of the central nervous system. We will discuss examples in the context of psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia and posttraumatic stress disorders, and also dementia or Alzheimer's disease as the most frequent neurodegenerative disease. Finally, methodological limitations and future perspectives are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raúl Delgado-Morales
- Cancer Epigenetics Group, Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Program (PEBC), Bellvitge Biomedical Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), 3rd Floor, Hospital Duran i Reynals, Av. Gran Via 199-203, 08908L'Hospitalet, Barcelona, Catalonia Spain.,Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNs), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Roberto Carlos Agís-Balboa
- Psychiatric Diseases Research Group, Galicia Sur Health Research Institute, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Vigo (CHUVI), SERGAS, CIBERSAM, Vigo, Spain
| | - Manel Esteller
- Cancer Epigenetics Group, Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Program (PEBC), Bellvitge Biomedical Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), 3rd Floor, Hospital Duran i Reynals, Av. Gran Via 199-203, 08908L'Hospitalet, Barcelona, Catalonia Spain.,Department of Physiological Sciences II, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain
| | - María Berdasco
- Cancer Epigenetics Group, Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Program (PEBC), Bellvitge Biomedical Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), 3rd Floor, Hospital Duran i Reynals, Av. Gran Via 199-203, 08908L'Hospitalet, Barcelona, Catalonia Spain
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25
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Mitchnick KA, Creighton SD, Cloke JM, Wolter M, Zaika O, Christen B, Van Tiggelen M, Kalisch BE, Winters BD. Dissociable roles for histone acetyltransferases p300 and PCAF in hippocampus and perirhinal cortex-mediated object memory. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2017; 15:542-57. [PMID: 27251651 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2016] [Revised: 05/27/2016] [Accepted: 05/29/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The importance of histone acetylation for certain types of memory is now well established. However, the specific contributions of the various histone acetyltransferases to distinct memory functions remain to be determined; therefore, we employed selective histone acetyltransferase protein inhibitors and short-interference RNAs to evaluate the roles of CREB-binding protein (CBP), E1A-binding protein (p300) and p300/CBP-associated factor (PCAF) in hippocampus and perirhinal cortex (PRh)-mediated object memory. Rats were tested for short- (STM) and long-term memory (LTM) in the object-in-place task, which relies on the hippocampus and PRh for spatial memory and object identity processing, respectively. Selective inhibition of these histone acetyltransferases by small-interfering RNA and pharmacological inhibitors targeting the HAT domain produced dissociable effects. In the hippocampus, CBP or p300 inhibition impaired long-term but not short-term object memory, while inhibition of PCAF impaired memory at both delays. In PRh, HAT inhibition did not impair STM, and only CBP and PCAF inhibition disrupted LTM; p300 inhibition had no effects. Messenger RNA analyses revealed findings consistent with the pattern of behavioral effects, as all three enzymes were upregulated in the hippocampus (dentate gyrus) following learning, whereas only CBP and PCAF were upregulated in PRh. These results demonstrate, for the first time, the necessity of histone acetyltransferase activity for PRh-mediated object memory and indicate that the specific mnemonic roles of distinctive histone acetyltransferases can be dissociated according to specific brain regions and memory timeframe.
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Affiliation(s)
- K A Mitchnick
- Department of Psychology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada.,Collaborative Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - S D Creighton
- Department of Psychology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada.,Collaborative Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - J M Cloke
- Department of Psychology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada.,Collaborative Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - M Wolter
- Department of Psychology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - O Zaika
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - B Christen
- Department of Psychology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - M Van Tiggelen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - B E Kalisch
- Collaborative Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - B D Winters
- Department of Psychology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada.,Collaborative Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
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Enhanced Histone Acetylation in the Infralimbic Prefrontal Cortex is Associated with Fear Extinction. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2017; 37:1287-1301. [DOI: 10.1007/s10571-017-0464-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2016] [Accepted: 01/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Abstract
Aberrations in the epigenetic landscape are a hallmark of cancer. Alterations in enzymes that are “writers,” “erasers,” or “readers” of histone modification marks are common. Bromodomains are “readers” that bind acetylated lysines in histone tails. Their most important function is the regulation of gene transcription by the recruitment of different molecular partners. Moreover, proteins containing bromodomains are also epigenetic regulators, although little is known about the specific function of these domains. In recent years, there has been increasing interest in developing small molecules that can target specific bromodomains. First, this has helped clarify biological functions of bromodomain-containing proteins. Secondly, it opens a new front for combatting cancer. In this review we will describe the structures and mechanisms associated with Bromodomain and Extra-Terminal motif (BET) inhibitors and non-BET inhibitors, their current status of development, and their promising role as anti-cancer agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Montserrat Pérez-Salvia
- a Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Program (PEBC) , Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL) , Barcelona , Catalonia , Spain
| | - Manel Esteller
- a Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Program (PEBC) , Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL) , Barcelona , Catalonia , Spain.,b Department of Physiological Sciences II, School of Medicine , University of Barcelona , Barcelona , Catalonia , Spain.,c Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA) , Barcelona , Catalonia , Spain
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28
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Activating Transcription Factor 4 (ATF4) modulates Rho GTPase levels and function via regulation of RhoGDIα. Sci Rep 2016; 6:36952. [PMID: 27841340 PMCID: PMC5107905 DOI: 10.1038/srep36952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2016] [Accepted: 10/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
In earlier studies, we showed that ATF4 down-regulation affects post-synaptic development and dendritic spine morphology in neurons through increased turnover of the Rho GTPase Cell Division Cycle 42 (Cdc42) protein. Here, we find that ATF4 down-regulation in both hippocampal and cortical neuron cultures reduces protein and message levels of RhoGDIα, a stabilizer of the Rho GTPases including Cdc42. This effect is rescued by an shATF4-resistant active form of ATF4, but not by a mutant that lacks transcriptional activity. This is, at least in part, due to the fact that Arhgdia, the gene encoding RhoGDIα, is a direct transcriptional target of ATF4 as is shown in ChIP assays. This pathway is not restricted to neurons. This is seen in an impairment of cell migration on ATF4 reduction in non-neuronal cells. In conclusion, we have identified a new cellular pathway in which ATF4 regulates the expression of RhoGDIα that in turn affects Rho GTPase protein levels, and thereby, controls cellular functions as diverse as memory and cell motility.
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29
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Ganai SA, Banday S, Farooq Z, Altaf M. Modulating epigenetic HAT activity for reinstating acetylation homeostasis: A promising therapeutic strategy for neurological disorders. Pharmacol Ther 2016; 166:106-22. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2016.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2016] [Accepted: 06/28/2016] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
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30
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Blouin AM, Sillivan SE, Joseph NF, Miller CA. The potential of epigenetics in stress-enhanced fear learning models of PTSD. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016; 23:576-86. [PMID: 27634148 PMCID: PMC5026205 DOI: 10.1101/lm.040485.115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2016] [Accepted: 07/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Prolonged distress and dysregulated memory processes are the core features of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and represent the debilitating, persistent nature of the illness. However, the neurobiological mechanisms underlying the expression of these symptoms are challenging to study in human patients. Stress-enhanced fear learning (SEFL) paradigms, which encompass both stress and memory components in rodents, are emerging as valuable preclinical models of PTSD. Rodent models designed to study the long-term mechanisms of either stress or fear memory alone have identified a critical role for numerous epigenetic modifications to DNA and histone proteins. However, the epigenetic modifications underlying SEFL remain largely unknown. This review will provide a brief overview of the epigenetic modifications implicated in stress and fear memory independently, followed by a description of existing SEFL models and the few epigenetic mechanisms found to date to underlie SEFL. The results of the animal studies discussed here highlight neuroepigenetics as an essential area for future research in the context of PTSD through SEFL studies, because of its potential to identify novel candidates for neurotherapeutics targeting stress-induced pathogenic memories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley M Blouin
- Department of Metabolism and Aging and Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida 33458, USA
| | - Stephanie E Sillivan
- Department of Metabolism and Aging and Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida 33458, USA
| | - Nadine F Joseph
- Department of Metabolism and Aging and Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida 33458, USA
| | - Courtney A Miller
- Department of Metabolism and Aging and Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida 33458, USA
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31
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Pakos-Zebrucka K, Koryga I, Mnich K, Ljujic M, Samali A, Gorman AM. The integrated stress response. EMBO Rep 2016; 17:1374-1395. [PMID: 27629041 DOI: 10.15252/embr.201642195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1482] [Impact Index Per Article: 185.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2016] [Accepted: 08/23/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In response to diverse stress stimuli, eukaryotic cells activate a common adaptive pathway, termed the integrated stress response (ISR), to restore cellular homeostasis. The core event in this pathway is the phosphorylation of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 alpha (eIF2α) by one of four members of the eIF2α kinase family, which leads to a decrease in global protein synthesis and the induction of selected genes, including the transcription factor ATF4, that together promote cellular recovery. The gene expression program activated by the ISR optimizes the cellular response to stress and is dependent on the cellular context, as well as on the nature and intensity of the stress stimuli. Although the ISR is primarily a pro-survival, homeostatic program, exposure to severe stress can drive signaling toward cell death. Here, we review current understanding of the ISR signaling and how it regulates cell fate under diverse types of stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Pakos-Zebrucka
- Apoptosis Research Centre, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland School of Natural Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Izabela Koryga
- Apoptosis Research Centre, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland School of Natural Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Katarzyna Mnich
- Apoptosis Research Centre, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland School of Natural Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Mila Ljujic
- Apoptosis Research Centre, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland School of Natural Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Afshin Samali
- Apoptosis Research Centre, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland School of Natural Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Adrienne M Gorman
- Apoptosis Research Centre, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland School of Natural Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
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32
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Ko HG, Kim JI, Sim SE, Kim T, Yoo J, Choi SL, Baek SH, Yu WJ, Yoon JB, Sacktor TC, Kaang BK. The role of nuclear PKMζ in memory maintenance. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2016; 135:50-56. [PMID: 27321162 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2016.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2016] [Revised: 06/08/2016] [Accepted: 06/13/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Recently, protein kinase M ζ (PKMζ) has emerged as an important player for maintaining memory. It has been reported that PKMζ regulates the trafficking of GluA2 in postsynaptic membranes to maintain memory. However, there has been no study on PKMζ outside the synaptic region regarding memory maintenance. Here, we found that PKMζ is transported to the nucleus in a neural activity-dependent manner. Moreover, we found that PKMζ phosphorylates CREB-binding protein (CBP) at serine residues and that PKMζ inhibition reduces the acetylation of histone H2B and H3. Finally, we showed that the amnesic effect of PKMζ inhibition can be rescued by enhancing histone acetylation level. These results suggest the possibility that nuclear PKMζ has a crucial role in memory maintenance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyoung-Gon Ko
- School of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Ji-Il Kim
- School of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Su-Eon Sim
- School of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - TaeHyun Kim
- School of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Juyoun Yoo
- School of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Sun-Lim Choi
- School of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Sung Hee Baek
- School of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Won-Jin Yu
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jong-Bok Yoon
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Todd Charlton Sacktor
- Departments of Physiology and Pharmacology, Anesthesiology, and Neurology, The Robert F. Furchgott Center for Neural and Behavioral Science, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA
| | - Bong-Kiun Kaang
- School of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea.
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33
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Wapenaar H, Dekker FJ. Histone acetyltransferases: challenges in targeting bi-substrate enzymes. Clin Epigenetics 2016; 8:59. [PMID: 27231488 PMCID: PMC4881052 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-016-0225-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 142] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2015] [Accepted: 05/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Histone acetyltransferases (HATs) are epigenetic enzymes that install acetyl groups onto lysine residues of cellular proteins such as histones, transcription factors, nuclear receptors, and enzymes. HATs have been shown to play a role in diseases ranging from cancer and inflammatory diseases to neurological disorders, both through acetylations of histone proteins and non-histone proteins. Several HAT inhibitors, like bi-substrate inhibitors, natural product derivatives, small molecules, and protein–protein interaction inhibitors, have been developed. Despite their potential, a large gap remains between the biological activity of inhibitors in in vitro studies and their potential use as therapeutic agents. To bridge this gap, new potent HAT inhibitors with improved properties need to be developed. However, several challenges have been encountered in the investigation of HATs and HAT inhibitors that hinder the development of new HAT inhibitors. HATs have been shown to function in complexes consisting of many proteins. These complexes play a role in the activity and target specificity of HATs, which limits the translation of in vitro to in vivo experiments. The current HAT inhibitors suffer from undesired properties like anti-oxidant activity, reactivity, instability, low potency, or lack of selectivity between HAT subtypes and other enzymes. A characteristic feature of HATs is that they are bi-substrate enzymes that catalyze reactions between two substrates: the cofactor acetyl coenzyme A (Ac-CoA) and a lysine-containing substrate. This has important—but frequently overlooked—consequences for the determination of the inhibitory potency of small molecule HAT inhibitors and the reproducibility of enzyme inhibition experiments. We envision that a careful characterization of molecular aspects of HATs and HAT inhibitors, such as the HAT catalytic mechanism and the enzyme kinetics of small molecule HAT inhibitors, will greatly improve the development of potent and selective HAT inhibitors and provide validated starting points for further development towards therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Wapenaar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Gene Modulation, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Frank J Dekker
- Department of Pharmaceutical Gene Modulation, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands
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34
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Epigenetic Mechanisms in Developmental Alcohol-Induced Neurobehavioral Deficits. Brain Sci 2016; 6:brainsci6020012. [PMID: 27070644 PMCID: PMC4931489 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci6020012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2016] [Revised: 03/17/2016] [Accepted: 04/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Alcohol consumption during pregnancy and its damaging consequences on the developing infant brain are significant public health, social, and economic issues. The major distinctive features of prenatal alcohol exposure in humans are cognitive and behavioral dysfunction due to damage to the central nervous system (CNS), which results in a continuum of disarray that is collectively called fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). Many rodent models have been developed to understand the mechanisms of and to reproduce the human FASD phenotypes. These animal FASD studies have provided several molecular pathways that are likely responsible for the neurobehavioral abnormalities that are associated with prenatal alcohol exposure of the developing CNS. Recently, many laboratories have identified several immediate, as well as long-lasting, epigenetic modifications of DNA methylation, DNA-associated histone proteins and microRNA (miRNA) biogenesis by using a variety of epigenetic approaches in rodent FASD models. Because DNA methylation patterns, DNA-associated histone protein modifications and miRNA-regulated gene expression are crucial for synaptic plasticity and learning and memory, they can therefore offer an answer to many of the neurobehavioral abnormalities that are found in FASD. In this review, we briefly discuss the current literature of DNA methylation, DNA-associated histone proteins modification and miRNA and review recent developments concerning epigenetic changes in FASD.
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35
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Kaypee S, Sudarshan D, Shanmugam MK, Mukherjee D, Sethi G, Kundu TK. Aberrant lysine acetylation in tumorigenesis: Implications in the development of therapeutics. Pharmacol Ther 2016; 162:98-119. [PMID: 26808162 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2016.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The 'language' of covalent histone modifications translates environmental and cellular cues into gene expression. This vast array of post-translational modifications on histones are more than just covalent moieties added onto a protein, as they also form a platform on which crucial cellular signals are relayed. The reversible lysine acetylation has emerged as an important post-translational modification of both histone and non-histone proteins, dictating numerous epigenetic programs within a cell. Thus, understanding the complex biology of lysine acetylation and its regulators is essential for the development of epigenetic therapeutics. In this review, we will attempt to address the complexities of lysine acetylation in the context of tumorigenesis, their role in cancer progression and emphasize on the modalities developed to target lysine acetyltransferases towards cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Kaypee
- Transcription and Disease Laboratory, Molecular Biology and Genetics Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Deepthi Sudarshan
- Transcription and Disease Laboratory, Molecular Biology and Genetics Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Muthu K Shanmugam
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117600, Singapore
| | - Debanjan Mukherjee
- Transcription and Disease Laboratory, Molecular Biology and Genetics Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Gautam Sethi
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117600, Singapore
| | - Tapas K Kundu
- Transcription and Disease Laboratory, Molecular Biology and Genetics Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
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36
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Kiritoshi T, Ji G, Neugebauer V. Rescue of Impaired mGluR5-Driven Endocannabinoid Signaling Restores Prefrontal Cortical Output to Inhibit Pain in Arthritic Rats. J Neurosci 2016; 36:837-50. [PMID: 26791214 PMCID: PMC4719019 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.4047-15.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2015] [Revised: 12/03/2015] [Accepted: 12/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) serves executive functions that are impaired in neuropsychiatric disorders and pain. Underlying mechanisms remain to be determined. Here we advance the novel concept that metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) fails to engage endocannabinoid (2-AG) signaling to overcome abnormal synaptic inhibition in pain, but restoring endocannabinoid signaling allows mGluR5 to increase mPFC output hence inhibit pain behaviors and mitigate cognitive deficits. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings were made from layer V pyramidal cells in the infralimbic mPFC in rat brain slices. Electrical and optogenetic stimulations were used to analyze amygdala-driven mPFC activity. A selective mGluR5 activator (VU0360172) increased pyramidal output through an endocannabinoid-dependent mechanism because intracellular inhibition of the major 2-AG synthesizing enzyme diacylglycerol lipase or blockade of CB1 receptors abolished the facilitatory effect of VU0360172. In an arthritis pain model mGluR5 activation failed to overcome abnormal synaptic inhibition and increase pyramidal output. mGluR5 function was rescued by restoring 2-AG-CB1 signaling with a CB1 agonist (ACEA) or inhibitors of postsynaptic 2-AG hydrolyzing enzyme ABHD6 (intracellular WWL70) and monoacylglycerol lipase MGL (JZL184) or by blocking GABAergic inhibition with intracellular picrotoxin. CB1-mediated depolarization-induced suppression of synaptic inhibition (DSI) was also impaired in the pain model but could be restored by coapplication of VU0360172 and ACEA. Stereotaxic coadministration of VU0360172 and ACEA into the infralimbic, but not anterior cingulate, cortex mitigated decision-making deficits and pain behaviors of arthritic animals. The results suggest that rescue of impaired endocannabinoid-dependent mGluR5 function in the mPFC can restore mPFC output and cognitive functions and inhibit pain. Significance statement: Dysfunctions in prefrontal cortical interactions with subcortical brain regions, such as the amygdala, are emerging as important players in neuropsychiatric disorders and pain. This study identifies a novel mechanism and rescue strategy for impaired medial prefrontal cortical function in an animal model of arthritis pain. Specifically, an integrative approach of optogenetics, pharmacology, electrophysiology, and behavior is used to advance the novel concept that a breakdown of metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype mGluR5 and endocannabinoid signaling in infralimbic pyramidal cells fails to control abnormal amygdala-driven synaptic inhibition in the arthritis pain model. Restoring endocannabinoid signaling allows mGluR5 activation to increase infralimbic output hence inhibit pain behaviors and mitigate pain-related cognitive deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Volker Neugebauer
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Center of Excellence for Translational Neuroscience and Therapeutics, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC), School of Medicine, Lubbock, Texas 79430-6592
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37
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Pasini S, Corona C, Liu J, Greene LA, Shelanski ML. Specific downregulation of hippocampal ATF4 reveals a necessary role in synaptic plasticity and memory. Cell Rep 2016; 11:183-91. [PMID: 25865882 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2015.03.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2014] [Revised: 01/26/2015] [Accepted: 03/10/2015] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Prior studies suggested that the transcription factor ATF4 negatively regulates synaptic plastic and memory. By contrast, we provide evidence from direct in vitro and in vivo knockdown of ATF4 in rodent hippocampal neurons and from ATF4-null mice that implicate ATF4 as essential for normal synaptic plasticity and memory. In particular, hippocampal ATF4 downregulation produces deficits in long-term spatial memory and behavioral flexibility without affecting associative memory or anxiety-like behavior. ATF4 knockdown or loss also causes profound impairment of both long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD) as well as decreased glutamatergic function. We conclude that ATF4 is a key regulator of the physiological state necessary for neuronal plasticity and memory.
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Simon RP, Robaa D, Alhalabi Z, Sippl W, Jung M. KATching-Up on Small Molecule Modulators of Lysine Acetyltransferases. J Med Chem 2016; 59:1249-70. [PMID: 26701186 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5b01502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The reversible acetylation of lysines is one of the best characterized epigenetic modifications. Its involvement in many key physiological and pathological processes has been documented in numerous studies. Lysine deacetylases (KDACs) and acetyltransferases (KATs) maintain the acetylation equilibrium at histones but also many other proteins. Besides acetylation, also other acyl groups are reversibly installed at the side chain of lysines in proteins. Because of their involvement in disease, KDACs and KATs were proposed to be promising drug targets, and for KDACs, indeed, five inhibitors are now approved for human use. While there is a similar level of evidence for the potential of KATs as drug targets, no inhibitor is in clinical trials. Here, we review the evidence for the diverse roles of KATs in disease pathology, provide an overview of structural features and the available modulators, including those targeting the bromodomains of KATs, and present an outlook.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roman P Simon
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Freiburg , Albertstraße 25, Freiburg 79104, Germany
| | - Dina Robaa
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University Halle-Wittenberg , Halle/Saale 06120, Germany
| | - Zayan Alhalabi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University Halle-Wittenberg , Halle/Saale 06120, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Sippl
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University Halle-Wittenberg , Halle/Saale 06120, Germany
| | - Manfred Jung
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Freiburg , Albertstraße 25, Freiburg 79104, Germany
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39
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Wille A, Maurer V, Piatti P, Whittle N, Rieder D, Singewald N, Lusser A. Impaired Contextual Fear Extinction Learning is Associated with Aberrant Regulation of CHD-Type Chromatin Remodeling Factors. Front Behav Neurosci 2015; 9:313. [PMID: 26635563 PMCID: PMC4649039 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2015.00313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2015] [Accepted: 11/03/2015] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Successful attenuation of fearful memories is a cognitive process requiring initiation of highly coordinated transcription programs. Chromatin-modulating mechanisms such as DNA methylation and histone modifications, including acetylation, are key regulators of these processes. However, knowledge concerning the role of ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling factors (ChRFs) being required for successful fear extinction is lacking. Underscoring the potential importance of these factors that alter histone-DNA contacts within nucleosomes are recent genome-wide association studies linking several ChRFs to various human cognitive and psychiatric disorders. To better understand the role of ChRFs in the brain, and since to date little is known about ChRF expression in the brain, we performed a comprehensive survey of expression levels of 24 ATP-dependent remodelers across different brain areas, and we identified several distinct high molecular weight complexes by chromatographic methods. We next aimed to gain novel insight into the potential regulation of ChRFs in different brain regions in association with normal and impaired fear extinction learning. To this end, we established the 129S1/SvImJ (S1) laboratory mouse strain as a model for compromised contextual fear extinction learning that can be rescued by dietary zinc restriction (ZnR). Using this model along with genetically related but fear extinction-competent 129S6/SvEv (S6) mice as controls, we found that impaired fear extinction in S1 was associated with enhanced ventral hippocampal expression of CHD1 and reduced expression of CHD5 that was normalized following successful rescue of impaired fear extinction. Moreover, a select reduction in CHD3 expression was observed in the ventral hippocampus (vHC) following successful rescue of fear extinction in S1 mice. Taken together, these data provide novel insight into the regulation of specific ChRFs following an impaired cognitive process and its rescue, and they suggest that imbalance of CHD-type remodeler levels, which consequently may lead to changes of transcriptional programs, may be an underlying mechanism involved in impaired fear extinction learning and its therapeutic rescue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Wille
- Division of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Verena Maurer
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Centre for Molecular Biosciences, Institute of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Leopold-Franzens University of Innsbruck Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Paolo Piatti
- Division of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Nigel Whittle
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Centre for Molecular Biosciences, Institute of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Leopold-Franzens University of Innsbruck Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Dietmar Rieder
- Division of Bioinformatics, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Nicolas Singewald
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Centre for Molecular Biosciences, Institute of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Leopold-Franzens University of Innsbruck Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Alexandra Lusser
- Division of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck Innsbruck, Austria
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Pizzimenti CL, Lattal KM. Epigenetics and memory: causes, consequences and treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder and addiction. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2015; 14:73-84. [PMID: 25560936 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2014] [Revised: 10/24/2014] [Accepted: 11/10/2014] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the interaction between fear and reward at the circuit and molecular levels has implications for basic scientific approaches to memory and for understanding the etiology of psychiatric disorders. Both stress and exposure to drugs of abuse induce epigenetic changes that result in persistent behavioral changes, some of which may contribute to the formation of a drug addiction or a stress-related psychiatric disorder. Converging evidence suggests that similar behavioral, neurobiological and molecular mechanisms control the extinction of learned fear and drug-seeking responses. This may, in part, account for the fact that individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder have a significantly elevated risk of developing a substance use disorder and have high rates of relapse to drugs of abuse, even after long periods of abstinence. At the behavioral level, a major challenge in treatments is that extinguished behavior is often not persistent, returning with changes in context, the passage of time or exposure to mild stressors. A common goal of treatments is therefore to weaken the ability of stressors to induce relapse. With the discovery of epigenetic mechanisms that create persistent molecular signals, recent work on extinction has focused on how modulating these epigenetic targets can create lasting extinction of fear or drug-seeking behavior. Here, we review recent evidence pointing to common behavioral, systems and epigenetic mechanisms in the regulation of fear and drug seeking. We suggest that targeting these mechanisms in combination with behavioral therapy may promote treatment and weaken stress-induced relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- C L Pizzimenti
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
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HDAC inhibitors as cognitive enhancers in fear, anxiety and trauma therapy: where do we stand? Biochem Soc Trans 2015; 42:569-81. [PMID: 24646280 PMCID: PMC3961057 DOI: 10.1042/bst20130233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
A novel strategy to treat anxiety and fear-related disorders such as phobias, panic and PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) is combining CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy), including extinction-based exposure therapy, with cognitive enhancers. By targeting and boosting mechanisms underlying learning, drug development in this field aims at designing CBT-augmenting compounds that help to overcome extinction learning deficits, promote long-term fear inhibition and thus support relapse prevention. Progress in revealing the role of epigenetic regulation of specific genes associated with extinction memory generation has opened new avenues in this direction. The present review examines recent evidence from pre-clinical studies showing that increasing histone acetylation, either via genetic or pharmacological inhibition of HDACs (histone deacetylases) by e.g. vorinostat/SAHA (suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid), entinostat/MS-275, sodium butyrate, TSA (trichostatin A) or VPA (valproic acid), or by targeting HATs (histone acetyltransferases), augments fear extinction and, importantly, generates a long-term extinction memory that can protect from return of fear phenomena. The molecular mechanisms and pathways involved including BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) and NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptor signalling are just beginning to be revealed. First studies in healthy humans are in support of extinction-facilitating effects of HDAC inhibitors. Very recent evidence that HDAC inhibitors can rescue deficits in extinction-memory-impaired rodents indicates a potential clinical utility of this approach also for exposure therapy-resistant patients. Important future work includes investigation of the long-term safety aspects of HDAC inhibitor treatment, as well as design of isotype(s)-specific inhibitors. Taken together, HDAC inhibitors display promising potential as pharmacological adjuncts to augment the efficacy of exposure-based approaches in anxiety and trauma therapy.
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Baldi E, Bucherelli C. Brain sites involved in fear memory reconsolidation and extinction of rodents. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2015; 53:160-90. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2015.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2014] [Revised: 03/30/2015] [Accepted: 04/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Milite C, Feoli A, Sasaki K, La Pietra V, Balzano AL, Marinelli L, Mai A, Novellino E, Castellano S, Tosco A, Sbardella G. A novel cell-permeable, selective, and noncompetitive inhibitor of KAT3 histone acetyltransferases from a combined molecular pruning/classical isosterism approach. J Med Chem 2015; 58:2779-98. [PMID: 25730130 DOI: 10.1021/jm5019687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Selective inhibitors of the two paralogue KAT3 acetyltransferases (CBP and p300) may serve not only as precious chemical tools to investigate the role of these enzymes in physiopathological mechanisms but also as lead structures for the development of further antitumor agents. After the application of a molecular pruning approach to the hardly optimizable and not very cell-permeable garcinol core structure, we prepared many analogues that were screened for their inhibitory effects using biochemical and biophysical (SPR) assays. Further optimization led to the discovery of the benzylidenebarbituric acid derivative 7h (EML425) as a potent and selective reversible inhibitor of CBP/p300, noncompetitive versus both acetyl-CoA and a histone H3 peptide, and endowed with good cell permeability. Furthermore, in human leukemia U937 cells, it induced a marked and time-dependent reduction in the acetylation of lysine H4K5 and H3K9, a marked arrest in the G0/G1 phase and a significant increase in the hypodiploid nuclei percentage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ciro Milite
- †Epigenetic Med Chem Lab, Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, I-84084 Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
| | - Alessandra Feoli
- †Epigenetic Med Chem Lab, Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, I-84084 Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
| | - Kazuki Sasaki
- ‡Chemical Genetics Laboratory, RIKEN Advanced Science Institute, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan.,§Precursory Research for Embryonic Science and Technology (PRESTO), Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), 4-1-8 Honcho, Kawaguchi, Saitama 332-0012, Japan
| | - Valeria La Pietra
- ∥Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Napoli "Federico II" Via D. Montesano 49, I-80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Amodio Luca Balzano
- †Epigenetic Med Chem Lab, Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, I-84084 Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
| | - Luciana Marinelli
- ∥Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Napoli "Federico II" Via D. Montesano 49, I-80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Antonello Mai
- ⊥Dipartimento di Chimica e Tecnologie del Farmaco, "Sapienza" Università di Roma, P.le A. Moro 5, I-00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Ettore Novellino
- ∥Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Napoli "Federico II" Via D. Montesano 49, I-80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Sabrina Castellano
- †Epigenetic Med Chem Lab, Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, I-84084 Fisciano, Salerno, Italy.,#Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università degli Studi di Salerno, Via Salvador Allende, I-84081 Baronissi, Salerno, Italy
| | - Alessandra Tosco
- †Epigenetic Med Chem Lab, Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, I-84084 Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
| | - Gianluca Sbardella
- †Epigenetic Med Chem Lab, Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, I-84084 Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
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Sigwald EL, Genoud ME, Giachero M, de Olmos S, Molina VA, Lorenzo A. Selective neuronal degeneration in the retrosplenial cortex impairs the recall of contextual fear memory. Brain Struct Funct 2015; 221:1861-75. [PMID: 25682264 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-015-1008-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2014] [Accepted: 02/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The retrosplenial cortex (RSC) is one of the largest cortical areas in rodents, and is subdivided in two main regions, A29 and A30, according to their cytoarchitectural organization and connectivities. However, very little is known about the functional activity of each RSC subdivision during the execution of complex cognitive tasks. Here, we used a well-established fear learning protocol that induced long-lasting contextual fear memory and showed that during evocation of the fear memory, the expression of early growth response gene 1 was up-regulated in A30, and in other brain areas implicated in fear and spatial memory, however, was down-regulated in A29, including layers IV and V. To search for the participation of A29 on fear memory, we triggered selective degeneration of neurons within cortical layers IV and V of A29 by using a non-invasive protocol that takes advantage of the vulnerability that these neurons have MK801-toxicity and the modulation of this neurodegeneration by testosterone. Application of 5 mg/kg MK801 in intact males induced negligible neuronal degeneration of A29 neurons and had no impact on fear memory retrieval. However, in orchiectomized rats, 5 mg/kg MK801 induced overt degeneration of layers IV-V neurons of A29, significantly impairing fear memory recall. Degeneration of A29 neurons did not affect exploratory or anxiety-related behavior nor altered unconditioned freezing. Importantly, protecting A29 neurons from MK801-toxicity by testosterone preserved fear memory recall in orchiectomized rats. Thus, neurons within cortical layers IV-V of A29 are critically required for efficient retrieval of contextual fear memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric L Sigwald
- Laboratorio de Neuropatología Experimental, Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra, INIMEC-CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Friuli 2434, 5016, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Manuel E Genoud
- Laboratorio de Neuropatología Experimental, Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra, INIMEC-CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Friuli 2434, 5016, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Marcelo Giachero
- Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, IFEC-CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Haya de la Torre esquina Medina Allende, Ciudad Universitaria, 5000, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Soledad de Olmos
- Laboratorio de Neuroanatomía e Histología Experimental, Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra, INIMEC-CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Friuli 2434, 5016, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Víctor A Molina
- Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, IFEC-CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Haya de la Torre esquina Medina Allende, Ciudad Universitaria, 5000, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Alfredo Lorenzo
- Laboratorio de Neuropatología Experimental, Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra, INIMEC-CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Friuli 2434, 5016, Córdoba, Argentina. .,Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, IFEC-CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Haya de la Torre esquina Medina Allende, Ciudad Universitaria, 5000, Córdoba, Argentina.
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Teich AF, Nicholls RE, Puzzo D, Fiorito J, Purgatorio R, Fa’ M, Arancio O. Synaptic therapy in Alzheimer's disease: a CREB-centric approach. Neurotherapeutics 2015; 12:29-41. [PMID: 25575647 PMCID: PMC4322064 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-014-0327-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic attempts to cure Alzheimer's disease (AD) have failed, and new strategies are desperately needed. Motivated by this reality, many laboratories (including our own) have focused on synaptic dysfunction in AD because synaptic changes are highly correlated with the severity of clinical dementia. In particular, memory formation is accompanied by altered synaptic strength, and this phenomenon (and its dysfunction in AD) has been a recent focus for many laboratories. The molecule cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element-binding protein (CREB) is at a central converging point of pathways and mechanisms activated during the processes of synaptic strengthening and memory formation, as CREB phosphorylation leads to transcription of memory-associated genes. Disruption of these mechanisms in AD results in a reduction of CREB activation with accompanying memory impairment. Thus, it is likely that strategies aimed at these mechanisms will lead to future therapies for AD. In this review, we will summarize literature that investigates 5 possible therapeutic pathways for rescuing synaptic dysfunction in AD: 4 enzymatic pathways that lead to CREB phosphorylation (the cyclic adenosine monophosphate cascade, the serine/threonine kinases extracellular regulated kinases 1 and 2, the nitric oxide cascade, and the calpains), as well as histone acetyltransferases and histone deacetylases (2 enzymes that regulate the histone acetylation necessary for gene transcription).
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew F. Teich
- />Department of Pathology & Cell Biology, Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032 USA
| | - Russell E. Nicholls
- />Department of Pathology & Cell Biology, Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032 USA
| | - Daniela Puzzo
- />Department of Bio-Medical Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, Catania, 95125 Italy
| | - Jole Fiorito
- />Department of Pathology & Cell Biology, Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032 USA
| | - Rosa Purgatorio
- />Department of Pathology & Cell Biology, Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032 USA
| | - Mauro Fa’
- />Department of Pathology & Cell Biology, Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032 USA
| | - Ottavio Arancio
- />Department of Pathology & Cell Biology, Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032 USA
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Singewald N, Schmuckermair C, Whittle N, Holmes A, Ressler KJ. Pharmacology of cognitive enhancers for exposure-based therapy of fear, anxiety and trauma-related disorders. Pharmacol Ther 2014; 149:150-90. [PMID: 25550231 PMCID: PMC4380664 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2014.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 275] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2014] [Accepted: 12/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Pathological fear and anxiety are highly debilitating and, despite considerable advances in psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy they remain insufficiently treated in many patients with PTSD, phobias, panic and other anxiety disorders. Increasing preclinical and clinical evidence indicates that pharmacological treatments including cognitive enhancers, when given as adjuncts to psychotherapeutic approaches [cognitive behavioral therapy including extinction-based exposure therapy] enhance treatment efficacy, while using anxiolytics such as benzodiazepines as adjuncts can undermine long-term treatment success. The purpose of this review is to outline the literature showing how pharmacological interventions targeting neurotransmitter systems including serotonin, dopamine, noradrenaline, histamine, glutamate, GABA, cannabinoids, neuropeptides (oxytocin, neuropeptides Y and S, opioids) and other targets (neurotrophins BDNF and FGF2, glucocorticoids, L-type-calcium channels, epigenetic modifications) as well as their downstream signaling pathways, can augment fear extinction and strengthen extinction memory persistently in preclinical models. Particularly promising approaches are discussed in regard to their effects on specific aspects of fear extinction namely, acquisition, consolidation and retrieval, including long-term protection from return of fear (relapse) phenomena like spontaneous recovery, reinstatement and renewal of fear. We also highlight the promising translational value of the preclinial research and the clinical potential of targeting certain neurochemical systems with, for example d-cycloserine, yohimbine, cortisol, and L-DOPA. The current body of research reveals important new insights into the neurobiology and neurochemistry of fear extinction and holds significant promise for pharmacologically-augmented psychotherapy as an improved approach to treat trauma and anxiety-related disorders in a more efficient and persistent way promoting enhanced symptom remission and recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Singewald
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy and CMBI, Leopold-Franzens University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - C Schmuckermair
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy and CMBI, Leopold-Franzens University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - N Whittle
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy and CMBI, Leopold-Franzens University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - A Holmes
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Genomic Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - K J Ressler
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
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Jarome TJ, Lubin FD. Epigenetic mechanisms of memory formation and reconsolidation. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2014; 115:116-27. [PMID: 25130533 PMCID: PMC4250295 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2014.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2014] [Revised: 08/02/2014] [Accepted: 08/05/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Memory consolidation involves transcriptional control of genes in neurons to stabilize a newly formed memory. Following retrieval, a once consolidated memory destabilizes and again requires gene transcription changes in order to restabilize, a process referred to as reconsolidation. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of gene transcription during the consolidation and reconsolidation processes could provide crucial insights into normal memory formation and memory dysfunction associated with psychiatric disorders. In the past decade, modifications of epigenetic markers such as DNA methylation and posttranslational modifications of histone proteins have emerged as critical transcriptional regulators of gene expression during initial memory formation and after retrieval. In light of the rapidly growing literature in this exciting area of research, we here examine the most recent and latest evidence demonstrating how memory acquisition and retrieval trigger epigenetic changes during the consolidation and reconsolidation phases to impact behavior. In particular we focus on the reconsolidation process, where we discuss the already identified epigenetic regulators of gene transcription during memory reconsolidation, while exploring other potential epigenetic modifications that may also be involved, and expand on how these epigenetic modifications may be precisely and temporally controlled by important signaling cascades critical to the reconsolidation process. Finally, we explore the possibility that epigenetic mechanisms may serve to regulate a system or circuit level reconsolidation process and may be involved in retrieval-dependent memory updating. Hence, we propose that epigenetic mechanisms coordinate changes in neuronal gene transcription, not only during the initial memory consolidation phase, but are triggered by retrieval to regulate molecular and cellular processes during memory reconsolidation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy J Jarome
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, United States
| | - Farah D Lubin
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, United States.
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Castellano S, Milite C, Feoli A, Viviano M, Mai A, Novellino E, Tosco A, Sbardella G. Identification of structural features of 2-alkylidene-1,3-dicarbonyl derivatives that induce inhibition and/or activation of histone acetyltransferases KAT3B/p300 and KAT2B/PCAF. ChemMedChem 2014; 10:144-57. [PMID: 25333655 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201402371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2014] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Dysregulation of the activity of lysine acetyltransferases (KATs) is related to a variety of diseases and/or pathological cellular states; however, their role remains unclear. Therefore, the development of selective modulators of these enzymes is of paramount importance, because these molecules could be invaluable tools for assessing the importance of KATs in several pathologies. We recently found that diethyl pentadecylidenemalonate (SPV106) possesses a previously unobserved inhibitor/activator activity profile against protein acetyltransferases. Herein, we report that manipulation of the carbonyl functions of a series of analogues of SPV106 yielded different activity profiles against KAT2B and KAT3B (pure KAT2B activator, pan-inhibitor, or mixed KAT2B activator/KAT3B inhibitor). Among the novel compounds, a few derivatives may be useful chemical tools for studying the mechanism of lysine acetylation and its implications in physiological and/or pathological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Castellano
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084 Fisciano (SA) (Italy)
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Kwapis JL, Wood MA. Epigenetic mechanisms in fear conditioning: implications for treating post-traumatic stress disorder. Trends Neurosci 2014; 37:706-20. [PMID: 25220045 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2014.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2014] [Revised: 08/15/2014] [Accepted: 08/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other anxiety disorders stemming from dysregulated fear memory are problematic and costly. Understanding the molecular mechanisms that contribute to the formation and maintenance of these persistent fear associations is crucial to developing treatments for PTSD. Epigenetic mechanisms, which control gene expression to produce long-lasting changes in cellular function, may support the formation of fear memory underlying PTSD. We address here the role of epigenetic mechanisms in the formation, storage, updating, and extinction of fear memories. We also discuss methods of targeting these epigenetic mechanisms to reduce the initial formation of fear memory or to enhance its extinction. Epigenetic mechanisms may provide a novel target for pharmaceutical and other treatments to reduce aversive memory contributing to PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janine L Kwapis
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Marcelo A Wood
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA.
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Bukalo O, Pinard CR, Holmes A. Mechanisms to medicines: elucidating neural and molecular substrates of fear extinction to identify novel treatments for anxiety disorders. Br J Pharmacol 2014; 171:4690-718. [PMID: 24835117 DOI: 10.1111/bph.12779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2014] [Revised: 04/28/2014] [Accepted: 05/04/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The burden of anxiety disorders is growing, but the efficacy of available anxiolytic treatments remains inadequate. Cognitive behavioural therapy for anxiety disorders focuses on identifying and modifying maladaptive patterns of thinking and behaving, and has a testable analogue in rodents in the form of fear extinction. A large preclinical literature has amassed in recent years describing the neural and molecular basis of fear extinction in rodents. In this review, we discuss how this work is being harnessed to foster translational research on anxiety disorders and facilitate the search for new anxiolytic treatments. We begin by summarizing the anatomical and functional connectivity of a medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC)-amygdala circuit that subserves fear extinction, including new insights from optogenetics. We then cover some of the approaches that have been taken to model impaired fear extinction and associated impairments with mPFC-amygdala dysfunction. The principal goal of the review is to evaluate evidence that various neurotransmitter and neuromodulator systems mediate fear extinction by modulating the mPFC-amygdala circuitry. To that end, we describe studies that have tested how fear extinction is impaired or facilitated by pharmacological manipulations of dopamine, noradrenaline, 5-HT, GABA, glutamate, neuropeptides, endocannabinoids and various other systems, which either directly target the mPFC-amygdala circuit, or produce behavioural effects that are coincident with functional changes in the circuit. We conclude that there are good grounds to be optimistic that the progress in defining the molecular substrates of mPFC-amygdala circuit function can be effectively leveraged to identify plausible candidates for extinction-promoting therapies for anxiety disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olena Bukalo
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Genomic Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, MD, USA
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