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Parmasad JLA, Ricke KM, Nguyen B, Stykel MG, Buchner-Duby B, Bruce A, Geertsma HM, Lian E, Lengacher NA, Callaghan SM, Joselin A, Tomlinson JJ, Schlossmacher MG, Stanford WL, Ma J, Brundin P, Ryan SD, Rousseaux MWC. Genetic and pharmacological reduction of CDK14 mitigates synucleinopathy. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:246. [PMID: 38575601 PMCID: PMC10994937 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06534-8] [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: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a debilitating neurodegenerative disease characterized by the loss of midbrain dopaminergic neurons (DaNs) and the abnormal accumulation of α-Synuclein (α-Syn) protein. Currently, no treatment can slow nor halt the progression of PD. Multiplications and mutations of the α-Syn gene (SNCA) cause PD-associated syndromes and animal models that overexpress α-Syn replicate several features of PD. Decreasing total α-Syn levels, therefore, is an attractive approach to slow down neurodegeneration in patients with synucleinopathy. We previously performed a genetic screen for modifiers of α-Syn levels and identified CDK14, a kinase of largely unknown function as a regulator of α-Syn. To test the potential therapeutic effects of CDK14 reduction in PD, we ablated Cdk14 in the α-Syn preformed fibrils (PFF)-induced PD mouse model. We found that loss of Cdk14 mitigates the grip strength deficit of PFF-treated mice and ameliorates PFF-induced cortical α-Syn pathology, indicated by reduced numbers of pS129 α-Syn-containing cells. In primary neurons, we found that Cdk14 depletion protects against the propagation of toxic α-Syn species. We further validated these findings on pS129 α-Syn levels in PD patient neurons. Finally, we leveraged the recent discovery of a covalent inhibitor of CDK14 to determine whether this target is pharmacologically tractable in vitro and in vivo. We found that CDK14 inhibition decreases total and pathologically aggregated α-Syn in human neurons, in PFF-challenged rat neurons and in the brains of α-Syn-humanized mice. In summary, we suggest that CDK14 represents a novel therapeutic target for PD-associated synucleinopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Louis A Parmasad
- University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Konrad M Ricke
- University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
| | - Benjamin Nguyen
- University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
| | - Morgan G Stykel
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Brodie Buchner-Duby
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Amanda Bruce
- University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Haley M Geertsma
- University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
| | - Eric Lian
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Program in Neuroscience, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Ottawa Institute for Systems Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Nathalie A Lengacher
- University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
- Program in Neuroscience, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Steve M Callaghan
- University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
| | - Alvin Joselin
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Julianna J Tomlinson
- University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
- Program in Neuroscience, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Michael G Schlossmacher
- University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
- Program in Neuroscience, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - William L Stanford
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Program in Neuroscience, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Ottawa Institute for Systems Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Jiyan Ma
- Parkinson's Disease Center, Department of Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China
| | - Patrik Brundin
- Parkinson's Disease Center, Department of Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Scott D Ryan
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Maxime W C Rousseaux
- University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, USA.
- Ottawa Institute for Systems Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
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2
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Chato-Astrain I, Pronot M, Coppola T, Martin S. Molecular Organization and Regulation of the Mammalian Synapse by the Post-Translational Modification SUMOylation. Cells 2024; 13:420. [PMID: 38474384 DOI: 10.3390/cells13050420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Neurotransmission occurs within highly specialized compartments forming the active synapse where the complex organization and dynamics of the interactions are tightly orchestrated both in time and space. Post-translational modifications (PTMs) are central to these spatiotemporal regulations to ensure an efficient synaptic transmission. SUMOylation is a dynamic PTM that modulates the interactions between proteins and consequently regulates the conformation, the distribution and the trafficking of the SUMO-target proteins. SUMOylation plays a crucial role in synapse formation and stabilization, as well as in the regulation of synaptic transmission and plasticity. In this review, we summarize the molecular consequences of this protein modification in the structural organization and function of the mammalian synapse. We also outline novel activity-dependent regulation and consequences of the SUMO process and explore how this protein modification can functionally participate in the compartmentalization of both pre- and post-synaptic sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Chato-Astrain
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, Inserm, IPMC, Sophia Antipolis, F-06560 Valbonne, France
| | - Marie Pronot
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9XD, UK
| | - Thierry Coppola
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, Inserm, IPMC, Sophia Antipolis, F-06560 Valbonne, France
| | - Stéphane Martin
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, Inserm, IPMC, Sophia Antipolis, F-06560 Valbonne, France
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3
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Santhosh Kumar S, Naseri NN, Pather SR, Hallacli E, Ndayisaba A, Buenaventura C, Acosta K, Roof J, Fazelinia H, Spruce LA, Luk K, Khurana V, Rhoades E, Shalem O. Sequential CRISPR screening reveals partial NatB inhibition as a strategy to mitigate alpha-synuclein levels in human neurons. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadj4767. [PMID: 38335281 PMCID: PMC10857481 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adj4767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Alpha-synuclein (αSyn) protein levels correlate with the risk and severity of Parkinson's disease and related neurodegenerative diseases. Lowering αSyn is being actively investigated as a therapeutic modality. Here, we systematically map the regulatory network that controls endogenous αSyn using sequential CRISPR-knockout and -interference screens in an αSyn gene (SNCA)-tagged cell line and induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons (iNeurons). We uncover αSyn modifiers at multiple regulatory layers, with amino-terminal acetyltransferase B (NatB) enzymes being the most potent endogenous αSyn modifiers in both cell lines. Amino-terminal acetylation protects the cytosolic αSyn from rapid degradation by the proteasome in a Ube2w-dependent manner. Moreover, we show that pharmacological inhibition of methionyl-aminopeptidase 2, a regulator of NatB complex formation, attenuates endogenous αSyn in iNeurons carrying SNCA triplication. Together, our study reveals several gene networks that control endogenous αSyn, identifies mechanisms mediating the degradation of nonacetylated αSyn, and illustrates potential therapeutic pathways for decreasing αSyn levels in synucleinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saranya Santhosh Kumar
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Nima N. Naseri
- Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sarshan R. Pather
- Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Erinc Hallacli
- Division of Movement Disorders and Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alain Ndayisaba
- Division of Movement Disorders and Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Chris Buenaventura
- Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Karen Acosta
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jennifer Roof
- Proteomics Core Facility, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Hossein Fazelinia
- Proteomics Core Facility, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Biomedical and Health Informatics, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Lynn A. Spruce
- Proteomics Core Facility, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Kelvin Luk
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Vikram Khurana
- Division of Movement Disorders and Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Elizabeth Rhoades
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ophir Shalem
- Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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4
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Lockman S, Genung M, Sheikholeslami K, Sher AA, Kroft D, Buist M, Olson CO, Toor B, Rastegar M. Transcriptional Inhibition of the Mecp2 Promoter by MeCP2E1 and MeCP2E2 Isoforms Suggests Negative Auto-Regulatory Feedback that can be Moderated by Metformin. J Mol Neurosci 2024; 74:14. [PMID: 38277073 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-023-02177-0] [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: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
The epigenetic factor Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein 2 (MeCP2) is a nuclear protein that binds methylated DNA molecules (both 5-methylcytosine and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine) and controls gene transcription. MeCP2 is an important transcription factor that acts in a dose-dependent manner in the brain; thus, its optimal expression level in brain cells is important. As such, its deregulated expression, as well as gain- or loss-of-function mutation, lead to impaired neurodevelopment, and compromised structure and function of brain cells, particularly in neurons. Studies from others and us have characterized two well-recognized MeCP2 isoforms: MeCP2E1 and MeCP2E2. We have reported that in Daoy medulloblastoma brain cells, MeCP2E2 overexpression leads to MeCP2E1 protein degradation. Whether MeCP2 isoforms regulate the Mecp2 promoter regulatory elements remains unexplored. We previously showed that in Daoy cells, metformin (an anti-diabetic drug) induces MECP2E1 transcripts. However, possible impact of metformin on the Mecp2 promoter activity was not studied. Here, we generated stably transduced Daoy cell reporters to express EGFP driven by the Mecp2 promoter. Transduced cells were sorted into four EGFP-expressing groups (R4-to-R7) with different intensities of EGFP expression. Our results confirm that the Mecp2 promoter is active in Daoy cells, and that overexpression of either isoform inhibits the Mecp2 promoter activity, as detected by flow cytometry and luciferase reporter assays. Interestingly, metformin partially relieved the inhibitory effect of MeCP2E1 on the Mecp2 promoter, detected by flow cytometry. Taken together, our data provide important insight towards the regulation of MeCP2 isoforms at the promoter level, which might have biological relevance to the neurobiology of the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandhini Lockman
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, Max Rady College of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Matthew Genung
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, Max Rady College of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Kimia Sheikholeslami
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, Max Rady College of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Annan Ali Sher
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, Max Rady College of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Daniel Kroft
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, Max Rady College of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Marjorie Buist
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, Max Rady College of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Carl O Olson
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, Max Rady College of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Brian Toor
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, Max Rady College of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Mojgan Rastegar
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, Max Rady College of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.
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5
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Zhou J, Cattoglio C, Shao Y, Tirumala HP, Vetralla C, Bajikar SS, Li Y, Chen H, Wang Q, Wu Z, Tang B, Zahabiyon M, Bajic A, Meng X, Ferrie JJ, LaGrone A, Zhang P, Kim JJ, Tang J, Liu Z, Darzacq X, Heintz N, Tjian R, Zoghbi HY. A novel pathogenic mutation of MeCP2 impairs chromatin association independent of protein levels. Genes Dev 2023; 37:883-900. [PMID: 37890975 PMCID: PMC10691473 DOI: 10.1101/gad.350733.123] [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: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
Loss-of-function mutations in MECP2 cause Rett syndrome (RTT), a severe neurological disorder that mainly affects girls. Mutations in MECP2 do occur in males occasionally and typically cause severe encephalopathy and premature lethality. Recently, we identified a missense mutation (c.353G>A, p.Gly118Glu [G118E]), which has never been seen before in MECP2, in a young boy who suffered from progressive motor dysfunction and developmental delay. To determine whether this variant caused the clinical symptoms and study its functional consequences, we established two disease models, including human neurons from patient-derived iPSCs and a knock-in mouse line. G118E mutation partially reduces MeCP2 abundance and its DNA binding, and G118E mice manifest RTT-like symptoms seen in the patient, affirming the pathogenicity of this mutation. Using live-cell and single-molecule imaging, we found that G118E mutation alters MeCP2's chromatin interaction properties in live neurons independently of its effect on protein levels. Here we report the generation and characterization of RTT models of a male hypomorphic variant and reveal new insight into the mechanism by which this pathological mutation affects MeCP2's chromatin dynamics. Our ability to quantify protein dynamics in disease models lays the foundation for harnessing high-resolution single-molecule imaging as the next frontier for developing innovative therapies for RTT and other diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Zhou
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Claudia Cattoglio
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Li Ka Shing Center for Biomedical and Health Sciences, California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) Center of Excellence, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
| | - Yingyao Shao
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Harini P Tirumala
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Carlo Vetralla
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Li Ka Shing Center for Biomedical and Health Sciences, California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) Center of Excellence, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milano 20126, Italy
| | - Sameer S Bajikar
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Hu Chen
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Qi Wang
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Zhenyu Wu
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Bing Tang
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Mahla Zahabiyon
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Aleksandar Bajic
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Xiangling Meng
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Jack J Ferrie
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Li Ka Shing Center for Biomedical and Health Sciences, California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) Center of Excellence, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
| | - Anel LaGrone
- Advanced Technology Cores, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Ping Zhang
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Jean J Kim
- Advanced Technology Cores, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Jianrong Tang
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Zhandong Liu
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Xavier Darzacq
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Li Ka Shing Center for Biomedical and Health Sciences, California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) Center of Excellence, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
| | - Nathaniel Heintz
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York 10065, USA
| | - Robert Tjian
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Li Ka Shing Center for Biomedical and Health Sciences, California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) Center of Excellence, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
| | - Huda Y Zoghbi
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA;
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
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6
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Yu M, Ye H, De-Paula RB, Mangleburg CG, Wu T, Lee TV, Li Y, Duong D, Phillips B, Cruchaga C, Allen GI, Seyfried NT, Al-Ramahi I, Botas J, Shulman JM. Functional screening of lysosomal storage disorder genes identifies modifiers of alpha-synuclein neurotoxicity. PLoS Genet 2023; 19:e1010760. [PMID: 37200393 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Heterozygous variants in the glucocerebrosidase (GBA) gene are common and potent risk factors for Parkinson's disease (PD). GBA also causes the autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder (LSD), Gaucher disease, and emerging evidence from human genetics implicates many other LSD genes in PD susceptibility. We have systemically tested 86 conserved fly homologs of 37 human LSD genes for requirements in the aging adult Drosophila brain and for potential genetic interactions with neurodegeneration caused by α-synuclein (αSyn), which forms Lewy body pathology in PD. Our screen identifies 15 genetic enhancers of αSyn-induced progressive locomotor dysfunction, including knockdown of fly homologs of GBA and other LSD genes with independent support as PD susceptibility factors from human genetics (SCARB2, SMPD1, CTSD, GNPTAB, SLC17A5). For several genes, results from multiple alleles suggest dose-sensitivity and context-dependent pleiotropy in the presence or absence of αSyn. Homologs of two genes causing cholesterol storage disorders, Npc1a / NPC1 and Lip4 / LIPA, were independently confirmed as loss-of-function enhancers of αSyn-induced retinal degeneration. The enzymes encoded by several modifier genes are upregulated in αSyn transgenic flies, based on unbiased proteomics, revealing a possible, albeit ineffective, compensatory response. Overall, our results reinforce the important role of lysosomal genes in brain health and PD pathogenesis, and implicate several metabolic pathways, including cholesterol homeostasis, in αSyn-mediated neurotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meigen Yu
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Hui Ye
- Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Ruth B De-Paula
- Quantitative and Computational Biology Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Carl Grant Mangleburg
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Timothy Wu
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Tom V Lee
- Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Yarong Li
- Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Duc Duong
- Departments of Biochemistry and Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Bridget Phillips
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- NeuroGenomics and Informatics, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Carlos Cruchaga
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- NeuroGenomics and Informatics, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Genevera I Allen
- Departments of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Computer Science, and Statistics, Rice University, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Nicholas T Seyfried
- Departments of Biochemistry and Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Ismael Al-Ramahi
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Center for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Juan Botas
- Quantitative and Computational Biology Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Center for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Joshua M Shulman
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Center for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
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7
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Bourquard T, Lee K, Al-Ramahi I, Pham M, Shapiro D, Lagisetty Y, Soleimani S, Mota S, Wilhelm K, Samieinasab M, Kim YW, Huh E, Asmussen J, Katsonis P, Botas J, Lichtarge O. Functional variants identify sex-specific genes and pathways in Alzheimer's Disease. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2765. [PMID: 37179358 PMCID: PMC10183026 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38374-z] [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: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The incidence of Alzheimer's Disease in females is almost double that of males. To search for sex-specific gene associations, we build a machine learning approach focused on functionally impactful coding variants. This method can detect differences between sequenced cases and controls in small cohorts. In the Alzheimer's Disease Sequencing Project with mixed sexes, this approach identified genes enriched for immune response pathways. After sex-separation, genes become specifically enriched for stress-response pathways in male and cell-cycle pathways in female. These genes improve disease risk prediction in silico and modulate Drosophila neurodegeneration in vivo. Thus, a general approach for machine learning on functionally impactful variants can uncover sex-specific candidates towards diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Bourquard
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Kwanghyuk Lee
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Ismael Al-Ramahi
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Center for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Minh Pham
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Dillon Shapiro
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Yashwanth Lagisetty
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Department of Biology and Pharmacology, UTHealth McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Shirin Soleimani
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Samantha Mota
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Kevin Wilhelm
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Maryam Samieinasab
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Young Won Kim
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Eunna Huh
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Jennifer Asmussen
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Panagiotis Katsonis
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Juan Botas
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Center for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Olivier Lichtarge
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
- Center for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
- Computational and Integrative Biomedical Research Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
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8
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Kim J, de Haro M, Al-Ramahi I, Garaicoechea LL, Jeong HH, Sonn JY, Tadros B, Liu Z, Botas J, Zoghbi HY. Evolutionarily conserved regulators of tau identify targets for new therapies. Neuron 2023; 111:824-838.e7. [PMID: 36610398 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2022.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Tauopathies are neurodegenerative diseases that involve the pathological accumulation of tau proteins; in this family are Alzheimer disease, corticobasal degeneration, and chronic traumatic encephalopathy, among others. Hypothesizing that reducing this accumulation could mitigate pathogenesis, we performed a cross-species genetic screen targeting 6,600 potentially druggable genes in human cells and Drosophila. We found and validated 83 hits in cells and further validated 11 hits in the mouse brain. Three of these hits (USP7, RNF130, and RNF149) converge on the C terminus of Hsc70-interacting protein (CHIP) to regulate tau levels, highlighting the role of CHIP in maintaining tau proteostasis in the brain. Knockdown of each of these three genes in adult tauopathy mice reduced tau levels and rescued the disease phenotypes. This study thus identifies several points of intervention to reduce tau levels and demonstrates that reduction of tau levels via regulation of this pathway is a viable therapeutic strategy for Alzheimer disease and other tauopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiyoen Kim
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Maria de Haro
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Ismael Al-Ramahi
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Center for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | | | - Hyun-Hwan Jeong
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jun Young Sonn
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Bakhos Tadros
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Zhandong Liu
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Juan Botas
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Molecular & Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Center for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Huda Yahya Zoghbi
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
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9
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Lee RMQ, Koh TW. Genetic modifiers of synucleinopathies-lessons from experimental models. OXFORD OPEN NEUROSCIENCE 2023; 2:kvad001. [PMID: 38596238 PMCID: PMC10913850 DOI: 10.1093/oons/kvad001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
α-Synuclein is a pleiotropic protein underlying a group of progressive neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies. Together, these are known as synucleinopathies. Like all neurological diseases, understanding of disease mechanisms is hampered by the lack of access to biopsy tissues, precluding a real-time view of disease progression in the human body. This has driven researchers to devise various experimental models ranging from yeast to flies to human brain organoids, aiming to recapitulate aspects of synucleinopathies. Studies of these models have uncovered numerous genetic modifiers of α-synuclein, most of which are evolutionarily conserved. This review discusses what we have learned about disease mechanisms from these modifiers, and ways in which the study of modifiers have supported ongoing efforts to engineer disease-modifying interventions for synucleinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Min Qi Lee
- Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, 1 Research Link, Singapore, 117604, Singapore
| | - Tong-Wey Koh
- Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, 1 Research Link, Singapore, 117604, Singapore
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Block S3 #05-01, 16 Science Drive 4, Singapore, 117558, Singapore
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10
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Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is clinically, pathologically, and genetically heterogeneous, resisting distillation to a single, cohesive disorder. Instead, each affected individual develops a virtually unique form of Parkinson's syndrome. Clinical manifestations consist of variable motor and nonmotor features, and myriad overlaps are recognized with other neurodegenerative conditions. Although most commonly characterized by alpha-synuclein protein pathology throughout the central and peripheral nervous systems, the distribution varies and other pathologies commonly modify PD or trigger similar manifestations. Nearly all PD is genetically influenced. More than 100 genes or genetic loci have been identified, and most cases likely arise from interactions among many common and rare genetic variants. Despite its complex architecture, insights from experimental genetic dissection coalesce to reveal unifying biological themes, including synaptic, lysosomal, mitochondrial, andimmune-mediated mechanisms of pathogenesis. This emerging understanding of Parkinson's syndrome, coupled with advances in biomarkers and targeted therapies, presages successful precision medicine strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Ye
- Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA; ,
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Laurie A Robak
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA;
| | - Meigen Yu
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA;
| | - Matthew Cykowski
- Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA;
- Department of Neurology, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Joshua M Shulman
- Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA; ,
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA;
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA;
- Center for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
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11
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Pan X, Dutta D, Lu S, Bellen HJ. Sphingolipids in neurodegenerative diseases. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1137893. [PMID: 36875645 PMCID: PMC9978793 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1137893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative Diseases (NDDs) are a group of disorders that cause progressive deficits of neuronal function. Recent evidence argues that sphingolipid metabolism is affected in a surprisingly broad set of NDDs. These include some lysosomal storage diseases (LSDs), hereditary sensory and autonomous neuropathy (HSAN), hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP), infantile neuroaxonal dystrophy (INAD), Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA), as well as some forms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Parkinson's disease (PD). Many of these diseases have been modeled in Drosophila melanogaster and are associated with elevated levels of ceramides. Similar changes have also been reported in vertebrate cells and mouse models. Here, we summarize studies using fly models and/or patient samples which demonstrate the nature of the defects in sphingolipid metabolism, the organelles that are implicated, the cell types that are initially affected, and potential therapeutics for these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueyang Pan
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Debdeep Dutta
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Shenzhao Lu
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Hugo J Bellen
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, United States.,Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
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12
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Ahmed M, Muffat J, Li Y. Understanding neural development and diseases using CRISPR screens in human pluripotent stem cell-derived cultures. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1158373. [PMID: 37101616 PMCID: PMC10123288 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1158373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The brain is arguably the most complex part of the human body in form and function. Much remains unclear about the molecular mechanisms that regulate its normal and pathological physiology. This lack of knowledge largely stems from the inaccessible nature of the human brain, and the limitation of animal models. As a result, brain disorders are difficult to understand and even more difficult to treat. Recent advances in generating human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs)-derived 2-dimensional (2D) and 3-dimensional (3D) neural cultures have provided an accessible system to model the human brain. Breakthroughs in gene editing technologies such as CRISPR/Cas9 further elevate the hPSCs into a genetically tractable experimental system. Powerful genetic screens, previously reserved for model organisms and transformed cell lines, can now be performed in human neural cells. Combined with the rapidly expanding single-cell genomics toolkit, these technological advances culminate to create an unprecedented opportunity to study the human brain using functional genomics. This review will summarize the current progress of applying CRISPR-based genetic screens in hPSCs-derived 2D neural cultures and 3D brain organoids. We will also evaluate the key technologies involved and discuss their related experimental considerations and future applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mai Ahmed
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Julien Muffat
- Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Yun Li
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- *Correspondence: Yun Li,
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13
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Richter F, Stanojlovic M, Käufer C, Gericke B, Feja M. A Mouse Model to Test Novel Therapeutics for Parkinson's Disease: an Update on the Thy1-aSyn ("line 61") Mice. Neurotherapeutics 2023; 20:97-116. [PMID: 36715870 PMCID: PMC10119371 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-022-01338-0] [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] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Development of neuroprotective therapeutics for Parkinson's disease (PD) is facing a lack of translation from pre-clinical to clinical trials. One strategy for improvement is to increase predictive validity of pre-clinical studies by using extensively characterized animal models with a comprehensive set of validated pharmacodynamic readouts. Mice over-expressing full-length, human, wild-type alpha-synuclein under the Thy-1 promoter (Thy1-aSyn line 61) reproduce key features of sporadic PD, such as progressive loss of striatal dopamine, alpha-synuclein pathology, deficits in motor and non-motor functions, and elevation of inflammatory markers. Extensive work with this model by multiple laboratories over the past decade further increased confidence in its robustness and validity, especially for analyzing pathomechanisms of alpha-synuclein pathology and down-stream pathways, and for pre-clinical drug testing. Interestingly, while postnatal transgene expression is widespread in central and peripheral neurons, the extent and progression of down-stream pathology differs between brain regions, thereby replicating the characteristic selective vulnerability of neurodegenerative diseases. In-depth characterization of these readouts in conjunction with behavioral deficits has led to more informative endpoints for pre-clinical trials. Each drug tested in Thy1-aSyn line 61 enhances knowledge on how molecular targets, pathology, and functional behavioral readouts are interconnected, thereby further optimizing the platform towards predictive validity for clinical trials. Here, we present the current state of the art using Thy1-aSyn line 61 for drug target discovery, validation, and pre-clinical testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Richter
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bünteweg 17, 30559, Hannover, Germany.
- Center for Systems Neuroscience Hannover, Hannover, Germany.
| | - Milos Stanojlovic
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bünteweg 17, 30559, Hannover, Germany
| | - Christopher Käufer
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bünteweg 17, 30559, Hannover, Germany
| | - Birthe Gericke
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bünteweg 17, 30559, Hannover, Germany
- Center for Systems Neuroscience Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Malte Feja
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bünteweg 17, 30559, Hannover, Germany
- Center for Systems Neuroscience Hannover, Hannover, Germany
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14
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Ren M, Yang Y, Heng KHY, Ng LY, Chong CYY, Ng YT, Gorur-Shandilya S, Lee RMQ, Lim KL, Zhang J, Koh TW. MED13 and glycolysis are conserved modifiers of α-synuclein-associated neurodegeneration. Cell Rep 2022; 41:111852. [PMID: 36543134 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
α-Synuclein (α-syn) is important in synucleinopathies such as Parkinson's disease (PD). While genome-wide association studies (GWASs) of synucleinopathies have identified many risk loci, the underlying genes have not been shown for most loci. Using Drosophila, we screened 3,471 mutant chromosomes for genetic modifiers of α-synuclein and identified 12 genes. Eleven modifiers have human orthologs associated with diseases, including MED13 and CDC27, which lie within PD GWAS loci. Drosophila Skd/Med13 and glycolytic enzymes are co-upregulated by α-syn-associated neurodegeneration. While elevated α-syn compromises mitochondrial function, co-expressing skd/Med13 RNAi and α-syn synergistically increase the ratio of oxidized-to-reduced glutathione. The resulting neurodegeneration can be suppressed by overexpressing a glycolytic enzyme or treatment with deferoxamine, suggesting that compensatory glycolysis is neuroprotective. In addition, the functional relationship between α-synuclein, MED13, and glycolytic enzymes is conserved between flies and mice. We propose that hypoxia-inducible factor and MED13 are part of a druggable pathway for PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengda Ren
- Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, Singapore 117604, Singapore; Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117558, Singapore; Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 308207, Singapore; National Neuroscience Institute, Singapore 308433, Singapore
| | - Ying Yang
- Department of Pathology, Zhejiang University First Affiliated Hospital and School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310002, China
| | | | - Lu Yi Ng
- Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, Singapore 117604, Singapore
| | | | - Yan Ting Ng
- Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, Singapore 117604, Singapore
| | | | - Rachel Min Qi Lee
- Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, Singapore 117604, Singapore; Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117558, Singapore
| | - Kah Leong Lim
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 308207, Singapore; National Neuroscience Institute, Singapore 308433, Singapore
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Zhejiang University First Affiliated Hospital and School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310002, China; China National Health and Disease Human Brain Tissue Resource Center, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310002, China
| | - Tong-Wey Koh
- Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, Singapore 117604, Singapore; Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117558, Singapore.
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15
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Kim G, Nakayama L, Blum JA, Akiyama T, Boeynaems S, Chakraborty M, Couthouis J, Tassoni-Tsuchida E, Rodriguez CM, Bassik MC, Gitler AD. Genome-wide CRISPR screen reveals v-ATPase as a drug target to lower levels of ALS protein ataxin-2. Cell Rep 2022; 41:111508. [PMID: 36288714 PMCID: PMC9664452 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the ataxin-2 gene (ATXN2) cause the neurodegenerative disorders amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2). A therapeutic strategy using antisense oligonucleotides targeting ATXN2 has entered clinical trial in humans. Additional ways to decrease ataxin-2 levels could lead to cheaper or less invasive therapies and elucidate how ataxin-2 is normally regulated. Here, we perform a genome-wide fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS)-based CRISPR-Cas9 screen in human cells and identify genes encoding components of the lysosomal vacuolar ATPase (v-ATPase) as modifiers of endogenous ataxin-2 protein levels. Multiple FDA-approved small molecule v-ATPase inhibitors lower ataxin-2 protein levels in mouse and human neurons, and oral administration of at least one of these drugs-etidronate-is sufficient to decrease ataxin-2 in the brains of mice. Together, we propose v-ATPase as a drug target for ALS and SCA2 and demonstrate the value of FACS-based screens in identifying genetic-and potentially druggable-modifiers of human disease proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garam Kim
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Stanford Neurosciences Interdepartmental Program, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Lisa Nakayama
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Jacob A Blum
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Stanford Neurosciences Interdepartmental Program, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Tetsuya Akiyama
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Steven Boeynaems
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Meenakshi Chakraborty
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Julien Couthouis
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | | | - Caitlin M Rodriguez
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Michael C Bassik
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Aaron D Gitler
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
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16
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Jones IR, Ren X, Shen Y. High-throughput CRISPRi and CRISPRa technologies in 3D genome regulation for neuropsychiatric diseases. Hum Mol Genet 2022; 31:R47-R53. [PMID: 35972825 PMCID: PMC9585669 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddac193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Advances in genomics have led to the identification of many risk loci with hundreds of genes and thousands of DNA variants associated with neuropsychiatric disorders. A significant barrier to understanding the genetic underpinnings of complex diseases is the lack of functional characterization of risk genes and variants in biological systems relevant to human health and connecting disease-associated variants to pathological phenotypes. Characterizing gene and DNA variant functions requires genetic perturbations followed by molecular and cellular assays of neurobiological phenotypes. However, generating null or mutant alleles is low throughput, making it impossible to characterize disease-associated variants in large quantities efficiently. CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) and CRISPR activation (CRISPRa) screens can be leveraged to dissect the biological consequences of the tested genes and variants in their native context. Nevertheless, testing non-coding variants associated with complex diseases remains non-trivial. In this review, we first discuss the current challenges of interpreting the function of the non-coding genome and approaches to prioritizing disease-associated variants in the context of the 3D epigenome. Second, we provide a brief overview of high-throughput CRISPRi and CRISPRa screening strategies applicable for characterizing non-coding sequences in appropriate biological systems. Lastly, we discuss the promising prospects of using CRISPR-based technologies to dissect DNA sequences associated with neuropsychiatric diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian R Jones
- Institute for Human Genetics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Xingjie Ren
- Institute for Human Genetics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Yin Shen
- Institute for Human Genetics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
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17
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Lagisetty Y, Bourquard T, Al-Ramahi I, Mangleburg CG, Mota S, Soleimani S, Shulman JM, Botas J, Lee K, Lichtarge O. Identification of risk genes for Alzheimer's disease by gene embedding. CELL GENOMICS 2022; 2:100162. [PMID: 36268052 PMCID: PMC9581494 DOI: 10.1016/j.xgen.2022.100162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Most disease-gene association methods do not account for gene-gene interactions, even though these play a crucial role in complex, polygenic diseases like Alzheimer's disease (AD). To discover new genes whose interactions may contribute to pathology, we introduce GeneEMBED. This approach compares the functional perturbations induced in gene interaction network neighborhoods by coding variants from disease versus healthy subjects. In two independent AD cohorts of 5,169 exomes and 969 genomes, GeneEMBED identified novel candidates. These genes were differentially expressed in post mortem AD brains and modulated neurological phenotypes in mice. Four that were differentially overexpressed and modified neurodegeneration in vivo are PLEC, UTRN, TP53, and POLD1. Notably, TP53 and POLD1 are involved in DNA break repair and inhibited by approved drugs. While these data show proof of concept in AD, GeneEMBED is a general approach that should be broadly applicable to identify genes relevant to risk mechanisms and therapy of other complex diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yashwanth Lagisetty
- Department of Biology and Pharmacology, UTHealth McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX 77030, USA,Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Thomas Bourquard
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Ismael Al-Ramahi
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA,Center for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Carl Grant Mangleburg
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Samantha Mota
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Shirin Soleimani
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Joshua M. Shulman
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA,Center for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA,Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA,Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Juan Botas
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA,Center for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Kwanghyuk Lee
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Olivier Lichtarge
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA,Center for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA,Computational and Integrative Biomedical Research Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA,Corresponding author
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18
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Lee WS, Al-Ramahi I, Jeong HH, Jang Y, Lin T, Adamski CJ, Lavery LA, Rath S, Richman R, Bondar VV, Alcala E, Revelli JP, Orr HT, Liu Z, Botas J, Zoghbi HY. Cross-species genetic screens identify transglutaminase 5 as a regulator of polyglutamine-expanded ataxin-1. J Clin Invest 2022; 132:e156616. [PMID: 35499073 PMCID: PMC9057624 DOI: 10.1172/jci156616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Many neurodegenerative disorders are caused by abnormal accumulation of misfolded proteins. In spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1), accumulation of polyglutamine-expanded (polyQ-expanded) ataxin-1 (ATXN1) causes neuronal toxicity. Lowering total ATXN1, especially the polyQ-expanded form, alleviates disease phenotypes in mice, but the molecular mechanism by which the mutant ATXN1 is specifically modulated is not understood. Here, we identified 22 mutant ATXN1 regulators by performing a cross-species screen of 7787 and 2144 genes in human cells and Drosophila eyes, respectively. Among them, transglutaminase 5 (TG5) preferentially regulated mutant ATXN1 over the WT protein. TG enzymes catalyzed cross-linking of ATXN1 in a polyQ-length-dependent manner, thereby preferentially modulating mutant ATXN1 stability and oligomerization. Perturbing Tg in Drosophila SCA1 models modulated mutant ATXN1 toxicity. Moreover, TG5 was enriched in the nuclei of SCA1-affected neurons and colocalized with nuclear ATXN1 inclusions in brain tissue from patients with SCA1. Our work provides a molecular insight into SCA1 pathogenesis and an opportunity for allele-specific targeting for neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Won-Seok Lee
- Integrative Molecular and Biomedical Science Program, and
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Ismael Al-Ramahi
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Hyun-Hwan Jeong
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Pediatrics-Neurology, and
| | - Youjin Jang
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Tao Lin
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Carolyn J. Adamski
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Houston, Texas, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Laura A. Lavery
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Smruti Rath
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Ronald Richman
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Houston, Texas, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Vitaliy V. Bondar
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Elizabeth Alcala
- Exceptional Research Opportunities Program, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Jean-Pierre Revelli
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Harry T. Orr
- Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Zhandong Liu
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Pediatrics-Neurology, and
| | - Juan Botas
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Huda Y. Zoghbi
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Pediatrics-Neurology, and
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Houston, Texas, USA
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19
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuronal uptake and subsequent spread of proteopathic seeds, such as αS (alpha-synuclein), Tau, and TDP-43, contribute to neurodegeneration. The cellular machinery participating in this process is poorly understood. One proteinopathy called multisystem proteinopathy (MSP) is associated with dominant mutations in Valosin Containing Protein (VCP). MSP patients have muscle and neuronal degeneration characterized by aggregate pathology that can include αS, Tau and TDP-43. METHODS We performed a fluorescent cell sorting based genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 screen in αS biosensors. αS and TDP-43 seeding activity under varied conditions was assessed using FRET/Flow biosensor cells or immunofluorescence for phosphorylated αS or TDP-43 in primary cultured neurons. We analyzed in vivo seeding activity by immunostaining for phosphorylated αS following intrastriatal injection of αS seeds in control or VCP disease mutation carrying mice. RESULTS One hundred fifty-four genes were identified as suppressors of αS seeding. One suppressor, VCP when chemically or genetically inhibited increased αS seeding in cells and neurons. This was not due to an increase in αS uptake or αS protein levels. MSP-VCP mutation expression increased αS seeding in cells and neurons. Intrastriatal injection of αS preformed fibrils (PFF) into VCP-MSP mutation carrying mice increased phospho αS expression as compared to control mice. Cells stably expressing fluorescently tagged TDP-43 C-terminal fragment FRET pairs (TDP-43 biosensors) generate FRET when seeded with TDP-43 PFF but not monomeric TDP-43. VCP inhibition or MSP-VCP mutant expression increases TDP-43 seeding in TDP-43 biosensors. Similarly, treatment of neurons with TDP-43 PFFs generates high molecular weight insoluble phosphorylated TDP-43 after 5 days. This TDP-43 seed dependent increase in phosphorlyated TDP-43 is further augmented in MSP-VCP mutant expressing neurons. CONCLUSION Using an unbiased screen, we identified the multifunctional AAA ATPase VCP as a suppressor of αS and TDP-43 aggregate seeding in cells and neurons. VCP facilitates the clearance of damaged lysosomes via lysophagy. We propose that VCP's surveillance of permeabilized endosomes may protect against the proteopathic spread of pathogenic protein aggregates. The spread of distinct aggregate species may dictate the pleiotropic phenotypes and pathologies in VCP associated MSP.
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20
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Wang D, Xiu J, Zhao J, Luo J. miR‐AB, a miRNA‐based shRNA viral toolkit for multicolor‐barcoded multiplex RNAi at a single‐cell level. EMBO Rep 2022; 23:e53691. [PMID: 35201651 PMCID: PMC8982575 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202153691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Dapeng Wang
- Department of Immunology Binzhou Medical University Shandong China
| | - Jianbo Xiu
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Beijing China
| | - Jiangyue Zhao
- Department of Ophthalmology The 4th Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University Shenyang China
| | - Junli Luo
- Department of Molecular Medicine The Scripps Research Institute Jupiter FL USA
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21
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Burbidge K, Rademacher DJ, Mattick J, Zack S, Grillini A, Bousset L, Kwon O, Kubicki K, Simon A, Melki R, Campbell EM. LGALS3 (galectin 3) mediates an unconventional secretion of SNCA/α-synuclein in response to lysosomal membrane damage by the autophagic-lysosomal pathway in human midbrain dopamine neurons. Autophagy 2021; 18:1020-1048. [PMID: 34612142 PMCID: PMC9196737 DOI: 10.1080/15548627.2021.1967615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Numerous lines of evidence support the premise that the misfolding and subsequent accumulation of SNCA/α-synuclein (synuclein alpha) is responsible for the underlying neuronal pathology observed in Parkinson disease (PD) and other synucleinopathies. Moreover, the cell-to-cell transfer of these misfolded SNCA species is thought to be responsible for disease progression and the spread of cellular pathology throughout the brain. Previous work has shown that when exogenous, misfolded SNCA fibrils enter cells through endocytosis, they can damage and rupture the membranes of their endocytotic vesicles in which they are trafficked. Rupture of these vesicular membranes exposes intralumenal glycans leading to galectin protein binding, subsequent autophagic protein recruitment, and, ultimately, their introduction into the autophagic-lysosomal pathway. Increasing evidence indicates that both pathological and non-pathological SNCA species undergo autophagy-dependent unconventional secretion. While other proteins have also been shown to be secreted from cells by autophagy, what triggers this release process and how these specific proteins are recruited to a secretory autophagic pathway is largely unknown. Here, we use a human midbrain dopamine (mDA) neuronal culture model to provide evidence in support of a cellular mechanism that explains the cell-to-cell transfer of pathological forms of SNCA that are observed in PD. We demonstrate that LGALS3 (galectin 3) mediates the release of SNCA following vesicular damage. SNCA release is also dependent on TRIM16 (tripartite motif containing 16) and ATG16L1 (autophagy related 16 like 1), providing evidence that secretion of SNCA is mediated by an autophagic secretory pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Burbidge
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, Illinois, USA
| | - David J Rademacher
- Core Imaging Facility and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Loyola University of Chicago, Maywood, Illinois, USA
| | - Jessica Mattick
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University, Chicago, Maywood, Illinois, USA
| | - Stephanie Zack
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University, Chicago, Maywood, Illinois, USA
| | - Andrea Grillini
- Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, Illinois, USA
| | - Luc Bousset
- Institut Francois Jacob (Mircen), Cea and Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Cnrs, Fontenay-Aux-Roses Cedex, France
| | - Ochan Kwon
- Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, Illinois, USA
| | - Konrad Kubicki
- Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, Illinois, USA
| | - Alexander Simon
- Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, Illinois, USA
| | - Ronald Melki
- Institut Francois Jacob (Mircen), Cea and Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Cnrs, Fontenay-Aux-Roses Cedex, France
| | - Edward M Campbell
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, Illinois, USA.,Core Imaging Facility and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Loyola University of Chicago, Maywood, Illinois, USA
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22
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SCD Inhibition Protects from α-Synuclein-Induced Neurotoxicity But Is Toxic to Early Neuron Cultures. eNeuro 2021; 8:ENEURO.0166-21.2021. [PMID: 34301719 PMCID: PMC8387157 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0166-21.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Here, we report the independent discovery and validation of stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) as a modulator of α-synuclein (αSyn)-induced pathology and toxicity in cell-based Parkinson’s disease (PD) models. We identified SCD as top altered gene from transcriptional profiling in primary neurons exogenously expressing αSyn with the amplified familial PD mutation 3K. Thus, we sought to further explore SCD as a therapeutic target in neurodegeneration. We report that SCD inhibitors are toxic to early human and rat neuron cultures while displaying minimal toxicity to late cultures. The fatty acid product of SCD, oleic acid (OLA), fully rescues this toxicity in early cultures, suggesting on-target toxicity. Furthermore, SCD inhibition rescues αSyn 3K-induced toxicity in late primary neurons. We also confirm that SCD inhibitors reduce formation of αSyn accumulations, while OLA increases these accumulations in an αSyn 3K neuroblastoma model. However, we identify a caveat with this model where αSyn 3K levels can be suppressed by high SCD inhibitor concentrations, obscuring true effect size. Further, we show that both SCD1 or SCD5 knock-down reduce αSyn 3K accumulations and toxicity, making both a putative drug target. Overall, we confirm key findings of published data on SCD inhibition and its benefits in αSyn accumulation and stress models. The differential neurotoxicity induced by SCD inhibition based on neuron culture age must be accounted for when researching SCD in neuron models and has potential clinical implications. Lastly, our gene profiling studies also revealed novel putative genes connected to αSyn neurotoxicity that are worth further study.
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23
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Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder characterized by degeneration of the substantia nigra pars compacta and by accumulation of α-synuclein in Lewy bodies. PD is caused by a combination of environmental factors and genetic variants. These variants range from highly penetrant Mendelian alleles to alleles that only modestly increase disease risk. Here, we review what is known about the genetics of PD. We also describe how PD genetics have solidified the role of endosomal, lysosomal, and mitochondrial dysfunction in PD pathophysiology. Finally, we highlight how all three pathways are affected by α-synuclein and how this knowledge may be harnessed for the development of disease-modifying therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel E Vázquez-Vélez
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.,Program in Developmental Biology and Medical Scientist Training Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Huda Y Zoghbi
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.,Program in Developmental Biology and Medical Scientist Training Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.,Departments of Molecular and Human Genetics and Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA; .,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
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24
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Norouzi-Barough L, Bayat A. Validation strategies for identifying drug targets in dermal fibrotic disorders. Drug Discov Today 2021; 26:2474-2485. [PMID: 34229083 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2021.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Fibrotic skin disorders, such as keloid disease (KD), are common clinically challenging disorders with unknown etiopathogenesis and ill-defined treatment strategies that affect millions of people worldwide. Thus, there is an urgent need to discover novel therapeutics. The validation of potential drug targets is an obligatory step in discovering and developing new therapeutic agents for the successful treatment of dermal fibrotic conditions, such as KD. The integration of multi-omics data with traditional and modern technological approaches, such as RNA interference (RNAi) and genome-editing tools, would provide unique opportunities to identify and validate novel targets in KD during early drug development. Thus, in this review, we summarize the current and emerging drug discovery process with a focus on validation strategies of potential drug targets identified in dermal fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leyla Norouzi-Barough
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Ardeshir Bayat
- Centre for Dermatology Research, NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre, Stopford Building, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK; Medical Research Council-Wound Healing Unit, Division of Dermatology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
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25
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Genome-wide CRISPR screen identifies protein pathways modulating tau protein levels in neurons. Commun Biol 2021; 4:736. [PMID: 34127790 PMCID: PMC8203616 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02272-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Aggregates of hyperphosphorylated tau protein are a pathological hallmark of more than 20 distinct neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, progressive supranuclear palsy, and frontotemporal dementia. While the exact mechanism of tau aggregation is unknown, the accumulation of aggregates correlates with disease progression. Here we report a genome-wide CRISPR screen to identify modulators of endogenous tau protein for the first time. Primary screens performed in SH-SY5Y cells, identified positive and negative regulators of tau protein levels. Hit validation of the top 43 candidate genes was performed using Ngn2-induced human cortical excitatory neurons. Using this approach, genes and pathways involved in modulation of endogenous tau levels were identified, including chromatin modifying enzymes, neddylation and ubiquitin pathway members, and components of the mTOR pathway. TSC1, a critical component of the mTOR pathway, was further validated in vivo, demonstrating the relevance of this screening strategy. These findings may have implications for treating neurodegenerative diseases in the future. Using an unbiased genome-wide CRISPR screen approach, Sanchez et al. identified modulators of endogenous tau protein. This study suggests that chromatin modifiers, neddylation, ubiquitination, and the mTOR pathways regulate overall levels of tau protein in neurons, which could help in future identification of therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases.
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26
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Onur TS, Laitman A, Zhao H, Keyho R, Kim H, Wang J, Mair M, Wang H, Li L, Perez A, de Haro M, Wan YW, Allen G, Lu B, Al-Ramahi I, Liu Z, Botas J. Downregulation of glial genes involved in synaptic function mitigates Huntington's disease pathogenesis. eLife 2021; 10:64564. [PMID: 33871358 PMCID: PMC8149125 DOI: 10.7554/elife.64564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Most research on neurodegenerative diseases has focused on neurons, yet glia help form and maintain the synapses whose loss is so prominent in these conditions. To investigate the contributions of glia to Huntington's disease (HD), we profiled the gene expression alterations of Drosophila expressing human mutant Huntingtin (mHTT) in either glia or neurons and compared these changes to what is observed in HD human and HD mice striata. A large portion of conserved genes are concordantly dysregulated across the three species; we tested these genes in a high-throughput behavioral assay and found that downregulation of genes involved in synapse assembly mitigated pathogenesis and behavioral deficits. To our surprise, reducing dNRXN3 function in glia was sufficient to improve the phenotype of flies expressing mHTT in neurons, suggesting that mHTT's toxic effects in glia ramify throughout the brain. This supports a model in which dampening synaptic function is protective because it attenuates the excitotoxicity that characterizes HD. When a neuron dies, through injury or disease, the body loses all communication that passes through it. The brain compensates by rerouting the flow of information through other neurons in the network. Eventually, if the loss of neurons becomes too great, compensation becomes impossible. This process happens in Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's disease. In the case of Huntington's disease, the cause is mutation to a single gene known as huntingtin. The mutation is present in every cell in the body but causes particular damage to parts of the brain involved in mood, thinking and movement. Neurons and other cells respond to mutations in the huntingtin gene by turning the activities of other genes up or down, but it is not clear whether all of these changes contribute to the damage seen in Huntington's disease. In fact, it is possible that some of the changes are a result of the brain trying to protect itself. So far, most research on this subject has focused on neurons because the huntingtin gene plays a role in maintaining healthy neuronal connections. But, given that all cells carry the mutated gene, it is likely that other cells are also involved. The glia are a diverse group of cells that support the brain, providing care and sustenance to neurons. These cells have a known role in maintaining the connections between neurons and may also have play a role in either causing or correcting the damage seen in Huntington's disease. The aim of Onur et al. was to find out which genes are affected by having a mutant huntingtin gene in neurons or glia, and whether severity of Huntington’s disease improved or worsened when the activity of these genes changed. First, Onur et al. identified genes affected by mutant huntingtin by comparing healthy human brains to the brains of people with Huntington's disease. Repeating the same comparison in mice and fruit flies identified genes affected in the same way across all three species, revealing that, in Huntington's disease, the brain dials down glial cell genes involved in maintaining neuronal connections. To find out how these changes in gene activity affect disease severity and progression, Onur et al. manipulated the activity of each of the genes they had identified in fruit flies that carried mutant versions of huntingtin either in neurons, in glial cells or in both cell types. They then filmed the flies to see the effects of the manipulation on movement behaviors, which are affected by Huntington’s disease. This revealed that purposely lowering the activity of the glial genes involved in maintaining connections between neurons improved the symptoms of the disease, but only in flies who had mutant huntingtin in their glial cells. This indicates that the drop in activity of these genes observed in Huntington’s disease is the brain trying to protect itself. This work suggests that it is important to include glial cells in studies of neurological disorders. It also highlights the fact that changes in gene expression as a result of a disease are not always bad. Many alterations are compensatory, and try to either make up for or protect cells affected by the disease. Therefore, it may be important to consider whether drugs designed to treat a condition by changing levels of gene activity might undo some of the body's natural protection. Working out which changes drive disease and which changes are protective will be essential for designing effective treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarik Seref Onur
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States.,Genetics & Genomics Graduate Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
| | - Andrew Laitman
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States.,Quantitative & Computational Biosciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
| | - He Zhao
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States
| | - Ryan Keyho
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States
| | - Hyemin Kim
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States
| | - Jennifer Wang
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States
| | - Megan Mair
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States.,Genetics & Genomics Graduate Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
| | - Huilan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lifang Li
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States
| | - Alma Perez
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States
| | - Maria de Haro
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States
| | - Ying-Wooi Wan
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States
| | - Genevera Allen
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States.,Departments of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Statistics and Computer Science, Rice University, Houston, United States
| | - Boxun Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ismael Al-Ramahi
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States
| | - Zhandong Liu
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States.,Quantitative & Computational Biosciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
| | - Juan Botas
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States.,Genetics & Genomics Graduate Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States.,Quantitative & Computational Biosciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
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27
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Lee WS, Lavery L, Rousseaux MWC, Rutledge EB, Jang Y, Wan YW, Wu SR, Kim W, Al-Ramahi I, Rath S, Adamski CJ, Bondar VV, Tewari A, Soleimani S, Mota S, Yalamanchili HK, Orr HT, Liu Z, Botas J, Zoghbi HY. Dual targeting of brain region-specific kinases potentiates neurological rescue in Spinocerebellar ataxia type 1. EMBO J 2021; 40:e106106. [PMID: 33709453 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2020106106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
A critical question in neurodegeneration is why the accumulation of disease-driving proteins causes selective neuronal loss despite their brain-wide expression. In Spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1), accumulation of polyglutamine-expanded Ataxin-1 (ATXN1) causes selective degeneration of cerebellar and brainstem neurons. Previous studies revealed that inhibiting Msk1 reduces phosphorylation of ATXN1 at S776 as well as its levels leading to improved cerebellar function. However, there are no regulators that modulate ATXN1 in the brainstem-the brain region whose pathology is most closely linked to premature death. To identify new regulators of ATXN1, we performed genetic screens and identified a transcription factor-kinase axis (ZBTB7B-RSK3) that regulates ATXN1 levels. Unlike MSK1, RSK3 is highly expressed in the human and mouse brainstems where it regulates Atxn1 by phosphorylating S776. Reducing Rsk3 rescues brainstem-associated pathologies and deficits, and lowering Rsk3 and Msk1 together improves cerebellar and brainstem function in an SCA1 mouse model. Our results demonstrate that selective vulnerability of brain regions in SCA1 is governed by region-specific regulators of ATXN1, and targeting multiple regulators could rescue multiple degenerating brain areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Won-Seok Lee
- Integrative Molecular and Biomedical Science Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Laura Lavery
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Maxime W C Rousseaux
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Eric B Rutledge
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA.,Department of Pediatrics-Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Youjin Jang
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ying-Wooi Wan
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sih-Rong Wu
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Wonho Kim
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ismael Al-Ramahi
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Smruti Rath
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Carolyn J Adamski
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Vitaliy V Bondar
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ambika Tewari
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Shirin Soleimani
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Samantha Mota
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Hari K Yalamanchili
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA.,Department of Pediatrics-Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Harry T Orr
- Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Zhandong Liu
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA.,Department of Pediatrics-Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Juan Botas
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Huda Y Zoghbi
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA.,Department of Pediatrics-Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Houston, TX, USA
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28
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Bowling EA, Wang JH, Gong F, Wu W, Neill NJ, Kim IS, Tyagi S, Orellana M, Kurley SJ, Dominguez-Vidaña R, Chung HC, Hsu TYT, Dubrulle J, Saltzman AB, Li H, Meena JK, Canlas GM, Chamakuri S, Singh S, Simon LM, Olson CM, Dobrolecki LE, Lewis MT, Zhang B, Golding I, Rosen JM, Young DW, Malovannaya A, Stossi F, Miles G, Ellis MJ, Yu L, Buonamici S, Lin CY, Karlin KL, Zhang XHF, Westbrook TF. Spliceosome-targeted therapies trigger an antiviral immune response in triple-negative breast cancer. Cell 2021; 184:384-403.e21. [PMID: 33450205 PMCID: PMC8635244 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2020.12.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Revised: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Many oncogenic insults deregulate RNA splicing, often leading to hypersensitivity of tumors to spliceosome-targeted therapies (STTs). However, the mechanisms by which STTs selectively kill cancers remain largely unknown. Herein, we discover that mis-spliced RNA itself is a molecular trigger for tumor killing through viral mimicry. In MYC-driven triple-negative breast cancer, STTs cause widespread cytoplasmic accumulation of mis-spliced mRNAs, many of which form double-stranded structures. Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-binding proteins recognize these endogenous dsRNAs, triggering antiviral signaling and extrinsic apoptosis. In immune-competent models of breast cancer, STTs cause tumor cell-intrinsic antiviral signaling, downstream adaptive immune signaling, and tumor cell death. Furthermore, RNA mis-splicing in human breast cancers correlates with innate and adaptive immune signatures, especially in MYC-amplified tumors that are typically immune cold. These findings indicate that dsRNA-sensing pathways respond to global aberrations of RNA splicing in cancer and provoke the hypothesis that STTs may provide unexplored strategies to activate anti-tumor immune pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Bowling
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jarey H Wang
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Medical Scientist Training Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Fade Gong
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - William Wu
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Medical Scientist Training Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Nicholas J Neill
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Ik Sun Kim
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Siddhartha Tyagi
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Mayra Orellana
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Sarah J Kurley
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Rocio Dominguez-Vidaña
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Hsiang-Ching Chung
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Tiffany Y-T Hsu
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Medical Scientist Training Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Julien Dubrulle
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Alexander B Saltzman
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Heyuan Li
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jitendra K Meena
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Gino M Canlas
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Srinivas Chamakuri
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Swarnima Singh
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Lukas M Simon
- Therapeutic Innovation Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Calla M Olson
- Therapeutic Innovation Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Lacey E Dobrolecki
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Michael T Lewis
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Bing Zhang
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Ido Golding
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jeffrey M Rosen
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Damian W Young
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Therapeutic Innovation Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Anna Malovannaya
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Fabio Stossi
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - George Miles
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Matthew J Ellis
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Lihua Yu
- H3Biomedicine, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | | | - Charles Y Lin
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Therapeutic Innovation Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Kristen L Karlin
- Therapeutic Innovation Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Xiang H-F Zhang
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Thomas F Westbrook
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Therapeutic Innovation Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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29
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Nitschke L, Tewari A, Coffin SL, Xhako E, Pang K, Gennarino VA, Johnson JL, Blanco FA, Liu Z, Zoghbi HY. miR760 regulates ATXN1 levels via interaction with its 5' untranslated region. Genes Dev 2020; 34:1147-1160. [PMID: 32763910 PMCID: PMC7462065 DOI: 10.1101/gad.339317.120] [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: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Identifying modifiers of dosage-sensitive genes involved in neurodegenerative disorders is imperative to discover novel genetic risk factors and potential therapeutic entry points. In this study, we focus on Ataxin-1 (ATXN1), a dosage-sensitive gene involved in the neurodegenerative disease spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1). While the precise maintenance of ATXN1 levels is essential to prevent disease, the mechanisms that regulate ATXN1 expression remain largely unknown. We demonstrate that ATXN1's unusually long 5' untranslated region (5' UTR) negatively regulates its expression via posttranscriptional mechanisms. Based on recent reports that microRNAs (miRNAs) can interact with both 3' and 5' UTRs to regulate their target genes, we identify miR760 as a negative regulator that binds to a conserved site in ATXN1's 5' UTR to induce RNA degradation and translational inhibition. We found that delivery of Adeno-associated virus (AAV)-expressing miR760 in the cerebellum reduces ATXN1 levels in vivo and mitigates motor coordination deficits in a mouse model of SCA1. These findings provide new insights into the regulation of ATXN1 levels, present additional evidence for miRNA-mediated gene regulation via 5' UTR binding, and raise the possibility that noncoding mutations in the ATXN1 locus may act as risk factors for yet to be discovered progressive ataxias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa Nitschke
- Program in Integrative Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Ambika Tewari
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Stephanie L Coffin
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Program in Genetics and Genomics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Eder Xhako
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Program in Genetics and Genomics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Kaifang Pang
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Vincenzo A Gennarino
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Jennifer L Johnson
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Francisco A Blanco
- Program in Integrative Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Zhandong Liu
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Huda Y Zoghbi
- Program in Integrative Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Program in Genetics and Genomics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
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30
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Abstract
Neurodegenerative, neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders are among the greatest public health challenges, as many lack disease-modifying treatments. A major reason for the absence of effective therapies is our limited understanding of the causative molecular and cellular mechanisms. Genome-wide association studies are providing a growing catalogue of disease-associated genetic variants, and the next challenge is to elucidate how these variants cause disease and to translate this understanding into therapies. This Review describes how new CRISPR-based functional genomics approaches can uncover disease mechanisms and therapeutic targets in neurological diseases. The bacterial CRISPR system can be used in experimental disease models to edit genomes and to control gene expression levels through CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) and CRISPR activation (CRISPRa). These genetic perturbations can be implemented in massively parallel genetic screens to evaluate the functional consequences for human cells. CRISPR screens are particularly powerful in combination with induced pluripotent stem cell technology, which enables the derivation of differentiated cell types, such as neurons and glia, and brain organoids from cells obtained from patients. Modelling of disease-associated changes in gene expression via CRISPRi and CRISPRa can pinpoint causal changes. In addition, genetic modifier screens can be used to elucidate disease mechanisms and causal determinants of cell type-selective vulnerability and to identify therapeutic targets.
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31
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Ye H, Ojelade SA, Li-Kroeger D, Zuo Z, Wang L, Li Y, Gu JYJ, Tepass U, Rodal AA, Bellen HJ, Shulman JM. Retromer subunit, VPS29, regulates synaptic transmission and is required for endolysosomal function in the aging brain. eLife 2020; 9:e51977. [PMID: 32286230 PMCID: PMC7182434 DOI: 10.7554/elife.51977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 04/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Retromer, including Vps35, Vps26, and Vps29, is a protein complex responsible for recycling proteins within the endolysosomal pathway. Although implicated in both Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, our understanding of retromer function in the adult brain remains limited, in part because Vps35 and Vps26 are essential for development. In Drosophila, we find that Vps29 is dispensable for embryogenesis but required for retromer function in aging adults, including for synaptic transmission, survival, and locomotion. Unexpectedly, in Vps29 mutants, Vps35 and Vps26 proteins are normally expressed and associated, but retromer is mislocalized from neuropil to soma with the Rab7 GTPase. Further, Vps29 phenotypes are suppressed by reducing Rab7 or overexpressing the GTPase activating protein, TBC1D5. With aging, retromer insufficiency triggers progressive endolysosomal dysfunction, with ultrastructural evidence of impaired substrate clearance and lysosomal stress. Our results reveal the role of Vps29 in retromer localization and function, highlighting requirements for brain homeostasis in aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Ye
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Department of Neurology, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
| | | | - David Li-Kroeger
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
| | - Zhongyuan Zuo
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
| | - Liping Wang
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
| | - Yarong Li
- Department of Neurology, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
| | - Jessica YJ Gu
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of TorontoOntarioCanada
| | - Ulrich Tepass
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of TorontoOntarioCanada
| | | | - Hugo J Bellen
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Howard Hughes Medical InstituteHoustonUnited States
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children’s HospitalHoustonUnited States
| | - Joshua M Shulman
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Department of Neurology, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children’s HospitalHoustonUnited States
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32
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Large-Scale Transgenic Drosophila Resource Collections for Loss- and Gain-of-Function Studies. Genetics 2020; 214:755-767. [PMID: 32071193 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.119.302964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The Transgenic RNAi Project (TRiP), a Drosophila melanogaster functional genomics platform at Harvard Medical School, was initiated in 2008 to generate and distribute a genome-scale collection of RNA interference (RNAi) fly stocks. To date, it has generated >15,000 RNAi fly stocks. As this covers most Drosophila genes, we have largely transitioned to development of new resources based on CRISPR technology. Here, we present an update on our libraries of publicly available RNAi and CRISPR fly stocks, and focus on the TRiP-CRISPR overexpression (TRiP-OE) and TRiP-CRISPR knockout (TRiP-KO) collections. TRiP-OE stocks express single guide RNAs targeting upstream of a gene transcription start site. Gene activation is triggered by coexpression of catalytically dead Cas9 fused to an activator domain, either VP64-p65-Rta or Synergistic Activation Mediator. TRiP-KO stocks express one or two single guide RNAs targeting the coding sequence of a gene or genes. Cutting is triggered by coexpression of Cas9, allowing for generation of indels in both germline and somatic tissue. To date, we have generated >5000 TRiP-OE or TRiP-KO stocks for the community. These resources provide versatile, transformative tools for gene activation, gene repression, and genome engineering.
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33
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Huichalaf CH, Al-Ramahi I, Park KW, Grunke SD, Lu N, de Haro M, El-Zein K, Gallego-Flores T, Perez AM, Jung SY, Botas J, Zoghbi HY, Jankowsky JL. Cross-species genetic screens to identify kinase targets for APP reduction in Alzheimer's disease. Hum Mol Genet 2020; 28:2014-2029. [PMID: 30753434 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddz034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2018] [Revised: 01/07/2019] [Accepted: 02/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
An early hallmark of Alzheimer's disease is the accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ), inspiring numerous therapeutic strategies targeting this peptide. An alternative approach is to destabilize the amyloid beta precursor protein (APP) from which Aβ is derived. We interrogated innate pathways governing APP stability using a siRNA screen for modifiers whose own reduction diminished APP in human cell lines and transgenic Drosophila. As proof of principle, we validated PKCβ-a known modifier identified by the screen-in an APP transgenic mouse model. PKCβ was genetically targeted using a novel adeno-associated virus shuttle vector to deliver microRNA-adapted shRNA via intracranial injection. In vivo reduction of PKCβ initially diminished APP and delayed plaque formation. Despite persistent PKCβ suppression, the effect on APP and amyloid diminished over time. Our study advances this approach for mining druggable modifiers of disease-associated proteins, while cautioning that prolonged in vivo validation may be needed to reveal emergent limitations on efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ismael Al-Ramahi
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | | | - Nan Lu
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Maria de Haro
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Karla El-Zein
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Tatiana Gallego-Flores
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Alma M Perez
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Juan Botas
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics.,Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Huda Y Zoghbi
- Department of Neuroscience.,Department of Molecular and Human Genetics.,Department of Pediatrics.,Department of Neurology.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Joanna L Jankowsky
- Department of Neuroscience.,Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology.,Department of Neurology.,Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
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34
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Vinueza-Gavilanes R, Íñigo-Marco I, Larrea L, Lasa M, Carte B, Santamaría E, Fernández-Irigoyen J, Bugallo R, Aragón T, Aldabe R, Arrasate M. N-terminal acetylation mutants affect alpha-synuclein stability, protein levels and neuronal toxicity. Neurobiol Dis 2020; 137:104781. [PMID: 31991248 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2020.104781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Revised: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Alpha-synuclein (aSyn) protein levels are sufficient to drive Parkinson's disease (PD) and other synucleinopathies. Despite the biomedical/therapeutic potential of aSyn protein regulation, little is known about mechanisms that limit/control aSyn levels. Here, we investigate the role of a post-translational modification, N-terminal acetylation, in aSyn neurotoxicity. N-terminal acetylation occurs in all aSyn molecules and has been proposed to determine its lipid binding and aggregation capacities; however, its effect in aSyn stability/neurotoxicity has not been evaluated. We generated N-terminal mutants that alter or block physiological aSyn N-terminal acetylation in wild-type or pathological mutant E46K aSyn versions and confirmed N-terminal acetylation status by mass spectrometry. By optical pulse-labeling in living primary neurons we documented a reduced half-life and accumulation of aSyn N-terminal mutants. To analyze the effect of N-terminal acetylation mutants in neuronal toxicity we took advantage of a neuronal model where aSyn toxicity was scored by longitudinal survival analysis. Salient features of aSyn neurotoxicity were previously investigated with this approach. aSyn-dependent neuronal death was recapitulated either by higher aSyn protein levels in the case of WT aSyn, or by the combined effect of protein levels and enhanced neurotoxicity conveyed by the E46K mutation. aSyn N-terminal mutations decreased E46K aSyn-dependent neuronal death both by reducing protein levels and, importantly, by reducing the intrinsic E46K aSyn toxicity, being the D2P mutant the least toxic. Together, our results illustrate that the N-terminus determines, most likely through its acetylation, aSyn protein levels and toxicity, identifying this modification as a potential therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Vinueza-Gavilanes
- University of Navarra, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Neuroscience Program, Pamplona 31008, Spain; University of Navarra, School of Medicine, Graduate Program on Neuroscience and Cognition, Pamplona 31008, Spain.
| | - Ignacio Íñigo-Marco
- University of Navarra, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Neuroscience Program, Pamplona 31008, Spain.
| | - Laura Larrea
- University of Navarra, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Neuroscience Program, Pamplona 31008, Spain.
| | - Marta Lasa
- University of Navarra, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Hematology-Oncology Program, Pamplona 31008, Spain.
| | - Beatriz Carte
- University of Navarra, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Gene Therapy and Regulation of Gene Expression Program, Pamplona 31008, Spain; Digestive System and Metabolism Diseases Department, Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), Pamplona 31008, Spain.
| | - Enrique Santamaría
- Proteored-Institute of Health Carlos III (ISCIII), Clinical Neuroproteomics Unit, Navarrabiomed, Navarra Health Department, Public University of Navarra, Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), Pamplona 31008, Spain.
| | - Joaquín Fernández-Irigoyen
- Proteored-Institute of Health Carlos III (ISCIII), Clinical Neuroproteomics Unit, Navarrabiomed, Navarra Health Department, Public University of Navarra, Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), Pamplona 31008, Spain.
| | - Ricardo Bugallo
- University of Navarra, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Neuroscience Program, Pamplona 31008, Spain; University of Navarra, School of Medicine, Graduate Program on Neuroscience and Cognition, Pamplona 31008, Spain.
| | - Tomás Aragón
- University of Navarra, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Gene Therapy and Regulation of Gene Expression Program, Pamplona 31008, Spain; Digestive System and Metabolism Diseases Department, Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), Pamplona 31008, Spain.
| | - Rafael Aldabe
- University of Navarra, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Gene Therapy and Regulation of Gene Expression Program, Pamplona 31008, Spain; Digestive System and Metabolism Diseases Department, Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), Pamplona 31008, Spain.
| | - Montserrat Arrasate
- University of Navarra, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Neuroscience Program, Pamplona 31008, Spain; University of Navarra, School of Medicine, Pamplona 31008, Spain; Neuroscience Department, Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), Pamplona 31008, Spain.
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35
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Vázquez-Vélez GE, Gonzales KA, Revelli JP, Adamski CJ, Alavi Naini F, Bajić A, Craigen E, Richman R, Heman-Ackah SM, Wood MJA, Rousseaux MWC, Zoghbi HY. Doublecortin-like Kinase 1 Regulates α-Synuclein Levels and Toxicity. J Neurosci 2020; 40:459-477. [PMID: 31748376 PMCID: PMC6948939 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1076-19.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2019] [Revised: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 10/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
α-Synuclein (α-Syn) accumulation is a pathological hallmark of Parkinson's disease. Duplications and triplications of SNCA, the gene coding for α-Syn, cause genetic forms of the disease, which suggests that increased α-Syn dosage can drive PD. To identify the proteins that regulate α-Syn, we previously performed a screen of potentially druggable genes that led to the identification of 60 modifiers. Among them, Doublecortin-like kinase 1 (DCLK1), a microtubule binding serine threonine kinase, emerged as a promising target due to its potent effect on α-Syn and potential druggability as a neuron-expressed kinase. In this study, we explore the relationship between DCLK1 and α-Syn in human cellular and mouse models of PD. First, we show that DCLK1 regulates α-Syn levels post-transcriptionally. Second, we demonstrate that knockdown of Dclk1 reduces phosphorylated species of α-Syn and α-Syn-induced neurotoxicity in the SNc in two distinct mouse models of synucleinopathy. Last, silencing DCLK1 in human neurons derived from individuals with SNCA triplications reduces phosphorylated and total α-Syn, thereby highlighting DCLK1 as a potential therapeutic target to reduce pathological α-Syn in disease.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT DCLK1 regulates α-Syn protein levels, and Dclk1 knockdown rescues α-Syn toxicity in mice. This study provides evidence for a novel function for DCLK1 in the mature brain, and for its potential as a new therapeutic target for synucleinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel E Vázquez-Vélez
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030
- Program in Developmental Biology
- Medical Scientist Training Program
| | - Kristyn A Gonzales
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics
| | - Jean-Pierre Revelli
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics
| | - Carolyn J Adamski
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Fatemeh Alavi Naini
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics
| | - Aleksandar Bajić
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics
| | - Evelyn Craigen
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics
| | - Ronald Richman
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Sabrina M Heman-Ackah
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QX, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew J A Wood
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QX, United Kingdom
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, United Kingdom, and
| | - Maxime W C Rousseaux
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics
| | - Huda Y Zoghbi
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030,
- Program in Developmental Biology
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics
- Medical Scientist Training Program
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Houston, Texas 77030
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36
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Bhattacharjee A, Szabó Á, Csizmadia T, Laczkó-Dobos H, Juhász G. Understanding the importance of autophagy in human diseases using Drosophila. J Genet Genomics 2019; 46:157-169. [PMID: 31080044 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2019.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2018] [Revised: 03/05/2019] [Accepted: 03/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Autophagy is a lysosome-dependent intracellular degradation pathway that has been implicated in the pathogenesis of various human diseases, either positively or negatively impacting disease outcomes depending on the specific context. The majority of medical conditions including cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, infections and immune system disorders and inflammatory bowel disease could probably benefit from therapeutic modulation of the autophagy machinery. Drosophila represents an excellent model animal to study disease mechanisms thanks to its sophisticated genetic toolkit, and the conservation of human disease genes and autophagic processes. Here, we provide an overview of the various autophagy pathways observed both in flies and human cells (macroautophagy, microautophagy and chaperone-mediated autophagy), and discuss Drosophila models of the above-mentioned diseases where fly research has already helped to understand how defects in autophagy genes and pathways contribute to the relevant pathomechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arindam Bhattacharjee
- Institute of Genetics, Biological Research Centre of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Temesvári Krt. 62., Szeged, H-6726, Hungary
| | - Áron Szabó
- Institute of Genetics, Biological Research Centre of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Temesvári Krt. 62., Szeged, H-6726, Hungary
| | - Tamás Csizmadia
- Department of Anatomy, Cell and Developmental Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Sétány 1/C, Budapest, H-1117, Hungary
| | - Hajnalka Laczkó-Dobos
- Institute of Genetics, Biological Research Centre of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Temesvári Krt. 62., Szeged, H-6726, Hungary
| | - Gábor Juhász
- Institute of Genetics, Biological Research Centre of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Temesvári Krt. 62., Szeged, H-6726, Hungary; Department of Anatomy, Cell and Developmental Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Sétány 1/C, Budapest, H-1117, Hungary.
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37
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Pharmacologic normalization of pathogenic dosage underlying genetic diseases: an overview of the literature and path forward. Emerg Top Life Sci 2019; 3:53-62. [PMID: 33523192 DOI: 10.1042/etls20180099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Revised: 02/22/2019] [Accepted: 02/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Most monogenic disorders are caused by a pathologic deficit or excess of a single transcript and/or protein. Given that small molecules, including drugs, can affect levels of mRNA and protein, the pharmacologic normalization of such pathogenic dosage represents a possible therapeutic approach for such conditions. Here, we review the literature exploring pharmacologic modulation of mRNA and/or protein levels for disorders with paralogous modifier genes, for haploinsufficient disorders (insufficient gene-product), as well as toxic gain-of-function disorders (surplus or pathologic gene-product). We also discuss challenges facing the development of rare disease therapy by pharmacologic modulation of mRNA and protein. Finally, we lay out guiding principles for selection of disorders which may be amenable to this approach.
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