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Avarlaid A, Falkenberg K, Lehe K, Mudò G, Belluardo N, Di Liberto V, Frinchi M, Tuvikene J, Timmusk T. An upstream enhancer and MEF2 transcription factors fine-tune the regulation of the Bdnf gene in cortical and hippocampal neurons. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:107411. [PMID: 38796067 PMCID: PMC11234010 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The myocyte enhancer factor (MEF2) family of transcription factors, originally discovered for its pivotal role in muscle development and function, has emerged as an essential regulator in various aspects of brain development and neuronal plasticity. The MEF2 transcription factors are known to regulate numerous important genes in the nervous system, including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a small secreted neurotrophin responsible for promoting the survival, growth, and differentiation of neurons. The expression of the Bdnf gene is spatiotemporally controlled by various transcription factors binding to both its proximal and distal regulatory regions. While previous studies have investigated the connection between MEF2 transcription factors and Bdnf, the endogenous function of MEF2 factors in the transcriptional regulation of Bdnf remains largely unknown. Here, we aimed to deepen the knowledge of MEF2 transcription factors and their role in the regulation of Bdnf comparatively in rat cortical and hippocampal neurons. As a result, we demonstrate that the MEF2 transcription factor-dependent enhancer located at -4.8 kb from the Bdnf gene regulates the endogenous expression of Bdnf in hippocampal neurons. In addition, we confirm neuronal activity-dependent activation of the -4.8 kb enhancer in vivo. Finally, we show that specific MEF2 family transcription factors have unique roles in the regulation of Bdnf, with the specific function varying based on the particular brain region and stimuli. Altogether, we present MEF2 family transcription factors as crucial regulators of Bdnf expression, fine-tuning Bdnf expression through both distal and proximal regulatory regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annela Avarlaid
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia.
| | - Kaisa Falkenberg
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Karin Lehe
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Giuseppa Mudò
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostic, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Natale Belluardo
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostic, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Valentina Di Liberto
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostic, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Monica Frinchi
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostic, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Jürgen Tuvikene
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia; Protobios LLC, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Tõnis Timmusk
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia; Protobios LLC, Tallinn, Estonia.
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Han E, Lee SS, Park KH, Blum ID, Liu Q, Mehta A, Palmer I, Issa H, Han A, Brown MP, Sanchez-Franco VM, Velasco M, Tabuchi M, Wu MN. Tob Regulates the Timing of Sleep Onset at Night in Drosophila. J Neurosci 2024; 44:e0389232024. [PMID: 38485259 PMCID: PMC11063825 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0389-23.2024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Sleep is regulated by homeostatic sleep drive and the circadian clock. While tremendous progress has been made in elucidating the molecular components of the core circadian oscillator, the output mechanisms by which this robust oscillator generates rhythmic sleep behavior remain poorly understood. At the cellular level, growing evidence suggests that subcircuits in the master circadian pacemaker suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) in mammals and in the clock network in Drosophila regulate distinct aspects of sleep. Thus, to identify novel molecules regulating the circadian timing of sleep, we conducted a large-scale screen of mouse SCN-enriched genes in Drosophila Here, we show that Tob (Transducer of ERB-B2) regulates the timing of sleep onset at night in female fruit flies. Knockdown of Tob pan-neuronally, either constitutively or conditionally, advances sleep onset at night. We show that Tob is specifically required in "evening neurons" (the LNds and the fifth s-LNv) of the clock network for proper timing of sleep onset. Tob levels cycle in a clock-dependent manner in these neurons. Silencing of these "evening" clock neurons results in an advanced sleep onset at night, similar to that seen with Tob knockdown. Finally, sharp intracellular recordings demonstrate that the amplitude and kinetics of LNd postsynaptic potentials (PSPs) cycle between day and night, and this cycling is attenuated with Tob knockdown in these cells. Our data suggest that Tob acts as a clock output molecule in a subset of clock neurons to potentiate their activity in the evening and enable the proper timing of sleep onset at night.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Han
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
| | - Sang Soo Lee
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
| | - Kristen H Park
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
| | - Ian D Blum
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
| | - Qiang Liu
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
| | - Anuradha Mehta
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
| | - Isabelle Palmer
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
| | - Habon Issa
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
| | - Alice Han
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
| | - Matt P Brown
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
| | | | - Miguel Velasco
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
| | - Masashi Tabuchi
- Department of Neurosciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106
| | - Mark N Wu
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
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3
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Zhang P, Lu R. The Molecular and Biological Function of MEF2D in Leukemia. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2024; 1459:379-403. [PMID: 39017853 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-62731-6_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/18/2024]
Abstract
Myocyte enhancer factor 2 (MEF2) is a key transcription factor (TF) in skeletal, cardiac, and neural tissue development and includes four isoforms: MEF2A, MEF2B, MEF2C, and MEF2D. These isoforms significantly affect embryonic development, nervous system regulation, muscle cell differentiation, B- and T-cell development, thymocyte selection, and effects on tumorigenesis and leukemia. This chapter describes the multifaceted roles of MEF2 family proteins, covering embryonic development, nervous system regulation, and muscle cell differentiation. It further elucidates the contribution of MEF2 to various blood and immune cell functions. Specifically, in B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-ALL), MEF2D is aberrantly expressed and forms a fusion protein with BCL9, CSF1R, DAZAP1, HNRNPUL1, and SS18. These fusion proteins are closely related to the pathogenesis of leukemia. In addition, it specifically introduces the regulatory effect of MEF2D fusion protein on the proliferation and growth of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) cells. Finally, we detail the positive feedback loop between MEF2D and IRF8 that significantly promotes the progression of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and the importance of the ZMYND8-BRD4 interaction in regulating the IRF8 and MYC transcriptional programs. The MEF2D-CEBPE axis is highlighted as a key transcriptional mechanism controlling the block of leukemic cell self-renewal and differentiation in AML. This chapter starts with the structure and function of MEF2 family proteins, specifically summarizing and analyzing the role of MEF2D in B-ALL and AML, mediating the complex molecular mechanisms of transcriptional regulation and exploring their implications for human health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengcheng Zhang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, USA
- O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Rui Lu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, USA.
- O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, USA.
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Das JK, Banskota N, Candia J, Griswold ME, Orenduff M, de Cabo R, Corcoran DL, Das SK, De S, Huffman KM, Kraus VB, Kraus WE, Martin C, Racette SB, Redman LM, Schilling B, Belsky D, Ferrucci L. Calorie restriction modulates the transcription of genes related to stress response and longevity in human muscle: The CALERIE study. Aging Cell 2023; 22:e13963. [PMID: 37823711 PMCID: PMC10726900 DOI: 10.1111/acel.13963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The lifespan extension induced by 40% caloric restriction (CR) in rodents is accompanied by postponement of disease, preservation of function, and increased stress resistance. Whether CR elicits the same physiological and molecular responses in humans remains mostly unexplored. In the CALERIE study, 12% CR for 2 years in healthy humans induced minor losses of muscle mass (leg lean mass) without changes of muscle strength, but mechanisms for muscle quality preservation remained unclear. We performed high-depth RNA-Seq (387-618 million paired reads) on human vastus lateralis muscle biopsies collected from the CALERIE participants at baseline, 12- and 24-month follow-up from the 90 CALERIE participants randomized to CR and "ad libitum" control. Using linear mixed effect model, we identified protein-coding genes and splicing variants whose expression was significantly changed in the CR group compared to controls, including genes related to proteostasis, circadian rhythm regulation, DNA repair, mitochondrial biogenesis, mRNA processing/splicing, FOXO3 metabolism, apoptosis, and inflammation. Changes in some of these biological pathways mediated part of the positive effect of CR on muscle quality. Differentially expressed splicing variants were associated with change in pathways shown to be affected by CR in model organisms. Two years of sustained CR in humans positively affected skeletal muscle quality, and impacted gene expression and splicing profiles of biological pathways affected by CR in model organisms, suggesting that attainable levels of CR in a lifestyle intervention can benefit muscle health in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jayanta Kumar Das
- Longitudinal Studies Section, Translation Gerontology BranchNational Institute on Aging, National Institutes of HealthBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Nirad Banskota
- Computational Biology and Genomics CoreNational Institute on Aging, National Institutes of HealthBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Julián Candia
- Longitudinal Studies Section, Translation Gerontology BranchNational Institute on Aging, National Institutes of HealthBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | | | - Melissa Orenduff
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute and Department of MedicineDuke University School of MedicineDurhamNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Rafael de Cabo
- Translation Gerontology Branch, National Institute on AgingNational Institutes of HealthBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - David L. Corcoran
- Department of GeneticsUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Sai Krupa Das
- Energy Metabolism, Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on AgingTufts UniversityBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Supriyo De
- Computational Biology and Genomics CoreNational Institute on Aging, National Institutes of HealthBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Kim Marie Huffman
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute and Department of MedicineDuke University School of MedicineDurhamNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Virginia B. Kraus
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute and Department of MedicineDuke University School of MedicineDurhamNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - William E. Kraus
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute and Department of MedicineDuke University School of MedicineDurhamNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Corby K. Martin
- Pennington Biomedical Research CenterLouisiana State UniversityBaton RougeLouisianaUSA
| | - Susan B. Racette
- College of Health SolutionsArizona State UniversityPhoenixArizonaUSA
| | - Leanne M. Redman
- Pennington Biomedical Research CenterLouisiana State UniversityBaton RougeLouisianaUSA
| | | | - Daniel W. Belsky
- Department of Epidemiology & Butler Columbia Aging CenterColumbia University Mailman School of Public HealthNew York CityNew YorkUSA
| | - Luigi Ferrucci
- Longitudinal Studies Section, Translation Gerontology BranchNational Institute on Aging, National Institutes of HealthBaltimoreMarylandUSA
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Gessner NR, Peiravi M, Zhang F, Yimam S, Springer D, Harbison ST. A conserved role for frizzled in sleep architecture. SLEEP ADVANCES : A JOURNAL OF THE SLEEP RESEARCH SOCIETY 2023; 4:zpad045. [PMID: 38033424 PMCID: PMC10684271 DOI: 10.1093/sleepadvances/zpad045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies of natural variants in Drosophila melanogaster implicated the Wnt signaling receptor frizzled in sleep. Given that the Wnt signaling pathway is highly conserved across species, we hypothesized that frizzled class receptor 1 (Fzd1), the murine homolog of frizzled, would also have a role in sleep. Using a CRISPR transgenic approach, we removed most of the Fzd1 coding region from C57BL/6N mice. We used a video assay to measure sleep characteristics in Fzd1-deficient mice. As Wnt signaling is known to affect visuospatial memory, we also examined the impact of the deletion on learning and memory using the novel object recognition (NOR) paradigm. Fzd1-deficient mice had altered sleep compared to littermate controls. The mice did not respond differently to the NOR paradigm compared to controls but did display anxiety-like behavior. Our strategy demonstrates that the study of natural variation in Drosophila sleep translates into candidate genes for sleep in vertebrate species such as the mouse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas R Gessner
- Laboratory of Systems Genetics, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Morteza Peiravi
- Murine Phenotyping Core, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Fan Zhang
- Transgenic Core, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Shemsiya Yimam
- Laboratory of Systems Genetics, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Danielle Springer
- Murine Phenotyping Core, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Susan T Harbison
- Laboratory of Systems Genetics, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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Dorsey SG, Mocci E, Lane MV, Krueger BK. Rapid effects of valproic acid on the fetal brain transcriptome: Implications for brain development and autism. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.01.538959. [PMID: 37205520 PMCID: PMC10187231 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.01.538959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
There is an increased incidence of autism among the children of women who take the anti-epileptic, mood stabilizing drug, valproic acid (VPA) during pregnancy; moreover, exposure to VPA in utero causes autistic-like symptoms in rodents and non-human primates. Analysis of RNAseq data obtained from fetal mouse brains 3 hr after VPA administration revealed that VPA significantly [p(FDR) ≤ 0.025] increased or decreased the expression of approximately 7,300 genes. No significant sex differences in VPA-induced gene expression were observed. Expression of genes associated with neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism as well as neurogenesis, axon growth and synaptogenesis, GABAergic, glutaminergic and dopaminergic synaptic transmission, perineuronal nets, and circadian rhythms was dysregulated by VPA. Moreover, expression of 400 autism risk genes was significantly altered by VPA as was expression of 247 genes that have been reported to play fundamental roles in the development of the nervous system, but are not linked to autism by GWAS. The goal of this study was to identify mouse genes that are: (a) significantly up- or down-regulated by VPA in the fetal brain and (b) known to be associated with autism and/or to play a role in embryonic neurodevelopmental processes, perturbation of which has the potential to alter brain connectivity in the postnatal and adult brain. The set of genes meeting these criteria provides potential targets for future hypothesis-driven approaches to elucidating the proximal underlying causes of defective brain connectivity in neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism.
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7
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Asano F, Kim SJ, Fujiyama T, Miyoshi C, Hotta-Hirashima N, Asama N, Iwasaki K, Kakizaki M, Mizuno S, Mieda M, Sugiyama F, Takahashi S, Shi S, Hirano A, Funato H, Yanagisawa M. SIK3-HDAC4 in the suprachiasmatic nucleus regulates the timing of arousal at the dark onset and circadian period in mice. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2218209120. [PMID: 36877841 PMCID: PMC10089210 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2218209120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Mammals exhibit circadian cycles of sleep and wakefulness under the control of the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), such as the strong arousal phase-locked to the beginning of the dark phase in laboratory mice. Here, we demonstrate that salt-inducible kinase 3 (SIK3) deficiency in gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic neurons or neuromedin S (NMS)-producing neurons delayed the arousal peak phase and lengthened the behavioral circadian cycle under both 12-h light:12-h dark condition (LD) and constant dark condition (DD) without changing daily sleep amounts. In contrast, the induction of a gain-of-function mutant allele of Sik3 in GABAergic neurons exhibited advanced activity onset and a shorter circadian period. Loss of SIK3 in arginine vasopressin (AVP)-producing neurons lengthened the circadian cycle, but the arousal peak phase was similar to that in control mice. Heterozygous deficiency of histone deacetylase (HDAC) 4, a SIK3 substrate, shortened the circadian cycle, whereas mice with HDAC4 S245A, which is resistant to phosphorylation by SIK3, delayed the arousal peak phase. Phase-delayed core clock gene expressions were detected in the liver of mice lacking SIK3 in GABAergic neurons. These results suggest that the SIK3-HDAC4 pathway regulates the circadian period length and the timing of arousal through NMS-positive neurons in the SCN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fuyuki Asano
- International Institute for Integrative Sleep Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba305-8575, Japan
| | - Staci J. Kim
- International Institute for Integrative Sleep Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba305-8575, Japan
| | - Tomoyuki Fujiyama
- International Institute for Integrative Sleep Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba305-8575, Japan
| | - Chika Miyoshi
- International Institute for Integrative Sleep Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba305-8575, Japan
| | - Noriko Hotta-Hirashima
- International Institute for Integrative Sleep Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba305-8575, Japan
| | - Nodoka Asama
- International Institute for Integrative Sleep Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba305-8575, Japan
| | - Kanako Iwasaki
- International Institute for Integrative Sleep Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba305-8575, Japan
| | - Miyo Kakizaki
- International Institute for Integrative Sleep Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba305-8575, Japan
| | - Seiya Mizuno
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center in Transborder Medical Research Center, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba305-8575, Japan
| | - Michihiro Mieda
- Department of Integrative Neurophysiology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa920-8640, Japan
| | - Fumihiro Sugiyama
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center in Transborder Medical Research Center, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba305-8575, Japan
| | - Satoru Takahashi
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center in Transborder Medical Research Center, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba305-8575, Japan
| | - Shoi Shi
- International Institute for Integrative Sleep Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba305-8575, Japan
| | - Arisa Hirano
- International Institute for Integrative Sleep Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba305-8575, Japan
- Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba305-8575, Japan
| | - Hiromasa Funato
- International Institute for Integrative Sleep Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba305-8575, Japan
- Department of Anatomy, Toho University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo143-8540, Japan
| | - Masashi Yanagisawa
- International Institute for Integrative Sleep Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba305-8575, Japan
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX75390
- Life Science Center for Survival Dynamics, Tsukuba Advanced Research Alliance, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba305-8577, Japan
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The Role of MEF2 Transcription Factor Family in Neuronal Survival and Degeneration. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043120. [PMID: 36834528 PMCID: PMC9963821 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The family of myocyte enhancer factor 2 (MEF2) transcription factors comprises four highly conserved members that play an important role in the nervous system. They appear in precisely defined time frames in the developing brain to turn on and turn off genes affecting growth, pruning and survival of neurons. MEF2s are known to dictate neuronal development, synaptic plasticity and restrict the number of synapses in the hippocampus, thus affecting learning and memory formation. In primary neurons, negative regulation of MEF2 activity by external stimuli or stress conditions is known to induce apoptosis, albeit the pro or antiapoptotic action of MEF2 depends on the neuronal maturation stage. By contrast, enhancement of MEF2 transcriptional activity protects neurons from apoptotic death both in vitro and in preclinical models of neurodegenerative diseases. A growing body of evidence places this transcription factor in the center of many neuropathologies associated with age-dependent neuronal dysfunctions or gradual but irreversible neuron loss. In this work, we discuss how the altered function of MEF2s during development and in adulthood affecting neuronal survival may be linked to neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Webb JM, Fu YH. Recent advances in sleep genetics. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2021; 69:19-24. [PMID: 33360546 PMCID: PMC8217384 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2020.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Sleep regulation has a strong genetic component. In this review, we highlight the recent advances in sleep genetics from knockout, point mutation, and GWAS studies. We overview specific genetic effects on REM versus NREM sleep as well as how the implicated genes fall in broad functional categories. Furthermore, we elucidate how genes affect different aspects of sleep including sleep duration, sleep consolidation, recovery sleep, and the circadian timing of sleep, demonstrating that genetic studies can be powerful in understanding how the body regulates sleep.
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Affiliation(s)
- John M Webb
- Department of Neurology, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Kavli Institute for Fundamental Neuroscience, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Ying-Hui Fu
- Department of Neurology, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Kavli Institute for Fundamental Neuroscience, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
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10
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Wang D, Wang X, Huang H, Wang H. Triclosan regulates alternative splicing events of nerve-related genes through RNA-binding protein CELF2 to induce zebrafish neurotoxicity. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 413:125414. [PMID: 33621777 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.125414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Revised: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Herein, we demonstrated that triclosan (TCS) induced neurotoxicity mediated by pre-mRNA alternative splicing (AS). TCS exposure resulted in a series of phenotypic malformations, abnormal locomotor behavior, circadian rhythm disorder and inhibited AChE activity. High throughput mRNA sequencing revealed that TCS regulated the AS events of nerve-related genes. Meanwhile, abnormal expression was observed in marker genes related to nerve cell migration, axon guidance and myelination. The expression of mitochondrial apoptosis activator bcl2l11 was significantly increased under TCS exposure. Interestingly, CELF2 as one of the important RNA-binding proteins was closely related to the AS events, and its mRNA and protein expression levels were significantly increased in zebrafish brain under acute or chronic TCS exposure. Functional knock-down and over-expression of celf2 confirmed that TCS led to nervous system injury and developmental defects through the CELF2-mediated AS events of genes (mbpa, mef2d, u2af2b and matn3b). Histopathological injury, phenotypic malformation, abnormal locomotor behavior and changes in neuromarkers all confirmed the biological functions of CELF2 in zebrafish brain. These findings demonstrate that TCS might regulate some of the AS events of nerve-related genes through upregulating the expression of CELF2. Thus, CELF2 may serve as a target for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of contaminant-induced neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danting Wang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, China, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Xuedong Wang
- National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Municipal Sewage Resource Utilization Technology, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou 215009, China
| | - Haishan Huang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, China, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China.
| | - Huili Wang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, China, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China.
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Finger A, Kramer A. Mammalian circadian systems: Organization and modern life challenges. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 2021; 231:e13548. [PMID: 32846050 DOI: 10.1111/apha.13548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Revised: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Humans and other mammalian species possess an endogenous circadian clock system that has evolved in adaptation to periodically reoccurring environmental changes and drives rhythmic biological functions, as well as behavioural outputs with an approximately 24-hour period. In mammals, body clocks are hierarchically organized, encompassing a so-called pacemaker clock in the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), non-SCN brain and peripheral clocks, as well as cell-autonomous oscillators within virtually every cell type. A functional clock machinery on the molecular level, alignment among body clocks, as well as synchronization between endogenous circadian and exogenous environmental cycles has been shown to be crucial for our health and well-being. Yet, modern life constantly poses widespread challenges to our internal clocks, for example artificial lighting, shift work and trans-meridian travel, potentially leading to circadian disruption or misalignment and the emergence of associated diseases. For instance many of us experience a mismatch between sleep timing on work and free days (social jetlag) in our everyday lives without being aware of health consequences that may arise from such chronic circadian misalignment, Hence, this review provides an overview of the organization and molecular built-up of the mammalian circadian system, its interactions with the outside world, as well as pathologies arising from circadian disruption and misalignment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna‐Marie Finger
- Laboratory of Chronobiology Institute for Medical immunology Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin Berlin Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health (BIH) Berlin Germany
| | - Achim Kramer
- Laboratory of Chronobiology Institute for Medical immunology Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin Berlin Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health (BIH) Berlin Germany
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Zhang Q, Yin J, Xu F, Zhai J, Yin J, Ge M, Zhou W, Li N, Qin X, Li Y, Wang S. Isoflurane post-conditioning contributes to anti-apoptotic effect after cerebral ischaemia in rats through the ERK5/MEF2D signaling pathway. J Cell Mol Med 2021; 25:3803-3815. [PMID: 33621420 PMCID: PMC8051747 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.16282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Revised: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The mechanisms of brain protection during ischaemic reperfusion injury induced by isoflurane (ISO) post‐conditioning are unclear. Myocyte enhancement factor 2 (MEF2D) has been shown to promote neural survival in a variety of models, in which multiple survival and death signals converge on MEF2D and modulate its activity. Here, we investigated the effect of MEF2D on the neuroprotective effects of ISO post‐conditioning on rats after cerebral ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Rats underwent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) surgery with ischaemia for 90 minutes and reperfusion for 24‐48 hours. After MCAO, neurological status was assessed at 12, 24 and 48 hours by the Modified Neurological Severity Score (mNSS) test. The passive avoidance test (PAT) was used to assess cognition function. Histological and neuropathological evaluations were performed with HE staining and Nissl's staining, respectively. We measured the expression of MEF2D, ERK5, GFAP and caspase‐3 by immunofluorescent staining and Western blotting, and TUNEL staining to assess the severity of apoptosis in hippocampal CA1 area. We found that MEF2D was involved in nerve protection after I/R injury, and post‐treatment of ISO significantly promoted the phosphorylation of ERK5, increased MEF2D transcriptional activity, inhibited the expression of caspase‐3 and played a role of brain protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingtong Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Lu'an Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University, Lu'an People's Hospital, Lu'an, China
| | - Jiangwen Yin
- Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, China
| | - Feng Xu
- Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, China
| | - Jingwen Zhai
- Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, China
| | - Jieting Yin
- Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, China
| | - Mingyue Ge
- Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, China
| | - Wenyi Zhou
- Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, China
| | - Nian Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, China
| | - Xinlei Qin
- Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, China
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, China
| | - Sheng Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
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Finger AM, Dibner C, Kramer A. Coupled network of the circadian clocks: a driving force of rhythmic physiology. FEBS Lett 2020; 594:2734-2769. [PMID: 32750151 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.13898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Revised: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The circadian system is composed of coupled endogenous oscillators that allow living beings, including humans, to anticipate and adapt to daily changes in their environment. In mammals, circadian clocks form a hierarchically organized network with a 'master clock' located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus, which ensures entrainment of subsidiary oscillators to environmental cycles. Robust rhythmicity of body clocks is indispensable for temporally coordinating organ functions, and the disruption or misalignment of circadian rhythms caused for instance by modern lifestyle is strongly associated with various widespread diseases. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of our current knowledge about the molecular architecture and system-level organization of mammalian circadian oscillators. Furthermore, we discuss the regulatory roles of peripheral clocks for cell and organ physiology and their implication in the temporal coordination of metabolism in human health and disease. Finally, we summarize methods for assessing circadian rhythmicity in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna-Marie Finger
- Laboratory of Chronobiology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Berlin, Germany
| | - Charna Dibner
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Nutrition, and Patient Education, Department of Medicine, University Hospital of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.,Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.,Diabetes Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.,Institute of Genetics and Genomics in Geneva (iGE3), University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Achim Kramer
- Laboratory of Chronobiology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Berlin, Germany
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