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Nassauer L, Staecker H, Huang P, Renslo B, Goblet M, Harre J, Warnecke A, Schott JW, Morgan M, Galla M, Schambach A. Protection from cisplatin-induced hearing loss with lentiviral vector-mediated ectopic expression of the anti-apoptotic protein BCL-XL. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2024; 35:102157. [PMID: 38450280 PMCID: PMC10915631 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2024.102157] [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] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Cisplatin is a highly effective chemotherapeutic agent, but it can cause sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) in patients. Cisplatin-induced ototoxicity is closely related to the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and subsequent death of hair cells (HCs) and spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs). Despite various strategies to combat ototoxicity, only one therapeutic agent has thus far been clinically approved. Therefore, we have developed a gene therapy concept to protect cochlear cells from cisplatin-induced toxicity. Self-inactivating lentiviral (LV) vectors were used to ectopically express various antioxidant enzymes or anti-apoptotic proteins to enhance the cellular ROS scavenging or prevent apoptosis in affected cell types. In direct comparison, anti-apoptotic proteins mediated a stronger reduction in cytotoxicity than antioxidant enzymes. Importantly, overexpression of the most promising candidate, Bcl-xl, achieved an up to 2.5-fold reduction in cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity in HEI-OC1 cells, phoenix auditory neurons, and primary SGN cultures. BCL-XL protected against cisplatin-mediated tissue destruction in cochlear explants. Strikingly, in vivo application of the LV BCL-XL vector improved hearing and increased HC survival in cisplatin-treated mice. In conclusion, we have established a preclinical gene therapy approach to protect mice from cisplatin-induced ototoxicity that has the potential to be translated to clinical use in cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa Nassauer
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Hinrich Staecker
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Kansas School of Medicine, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - Peixin Huang
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Kansas School of Medicine, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - Bryan Renslo
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Kansas School of Medicine, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - Madeleine Goblet
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence “Hearing4all”, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Jennifer Harre
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence “Hearing4all”, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Athanasia Warnecke
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence “Hearing4all”, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Juliane W. Schott
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Michael Morgan
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Melanie Galla
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Axel Schambach
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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2
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Aziz HA, Abdel-Salam ASG, Al-Obaide MAI, Alobydi HW, Al-Humaish S. Kynurenine 3-Monooxygenase Gene Associated With Nicotine Initiation and Addiction: Analysis of Novel Regulatory Features at 5' and 3'-Regions. Front Genet 2018; 9:198. [PMID: 29951083 PMCID: PMC6008986 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2018.00198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2018] [Accepted: 05/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Tobacco smoking is widespread behavior in Qatar and worldwide and is considered one of the major preventable causes of ill health and death. Nicotine is part of tobacco smoke that causes numerous health risks and is incredibly addictive; it binds to the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) in the brain. Recent studies showed α7nAChR involvement in the initiation and addiction of smoking. Kynurenic acid (KA), a significant tryptophan metabolite, is an antagonist of α7nAChR. Inhibition of kynurenine 3-monooxygenase enzyme encoded by KMO enhances the KA levels. Modulating KMO gene expression could be a useful tactic for the treatment of tobacco initiation and dependence. Since KMO regulation is still poorly understood, we aimed to investigate the 5' and 3'-regulatory factors of KMO gene to advance our knowledge to modulate KMO gene expression. In this study, bioinformatics methods were used to identify the regulatory sequences associated with expression of KMO. The displayed differential expression of KMO mRNA in the same tissue and different tissues suggested the specific usage of the KMO multiple alternative promoters. Eleven KMO alternative promoters identified at 5'-regulatory region contain TATA-Box, lack CpG Island (CGI) and showed dinucleotide base-stacking energy values specific to transcription factor binding sites (TFBSs). The structural features of regulatory sequences can influence the transcription process and cell type-specific expression. The uncharacterized LOC105373233 locus coding for non-coding RNA (ncRNA) located on the reverse strand in a convergent manner at the 3'-side of KMO locus. The two genes likely expressed by a promoter that lacks TATA-Box harbor CGI and two TFBSs linked to the bidirectional transcription, the NRF1, and ZNF14 motifs. We identified two types of microRNA (miR) in the uncharacterized LOC105373233 ncRNA, which are like hsa-miR-5096 and hsa-miR-1285-3p and can target the miR recognition element (MRE) in the KMO mRNA. Pairwise sequence alignment identified 52 nucleotides sequence hosting MRE in the KMO 3' UTR untranslated region complementary to the ncRNA LOC105373233 sequence. We speculate that the identified miRs can modulate the KMO expression and together with alternative promoters at the 5'-regulatory region of KMO might contribute to the development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm for tobacco smoking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hassan A Aziz
- College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Mohammed A I Al-Obaide
- School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX, United States
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3
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Villarroel-Campos D, Gonzalez-Billault C. The MAP1B case: an old MAP that is new again. Dev Neurobiol 2014; 74:953-71. [PMID: 24700609 DOI: 10.1002/dneu.22178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2014] [Revised: 03/27/2014] [Accepted: 03/31/2014] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The functions of microtubule-associated protein 1B (MAP1B) have historically been linked to the development of the nervous system, based on its very early expression in neurons and glial cells. Moreover, mice in which MAP1B is genetically inactivated have been used extensively to show its role in axonal elongation, neuronal migration, and axonal guidance. In the last few years, it has become apparent that MAP1B has other cellular and molecular functions that are not related to its microtubule-stabilizing properties in the embryonic and adult brain. In this review, we present a systematic review of the canonical and novel functions of MAP1B and propose that, in addition to regulating the polymerization of microtubule and actin microfilaments, MAP1B also acts as a signaling protein involved in normal physiology and pathological conditions in the nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Villarroel-Campos
- Laboratory of Cell and Neuronal Dynamics (Cenedyn), Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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4
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Riederer BM. Microtubule-associated protein 1B, a growth-associated and phosphorylated scaffold protein. Brain Res Bull 2006; 71:541-58. [PMID: 17292797 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2006.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2006] [Accepted: 11/28/2006] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Microtubule-associated protein 1B, MAP1B, is one of the major growth associated and cytoskeletal proteins in neuronal and glial cells. It is present as a full length protein or may be fragmented into a heavy chain and a light chain. It is essential to stabilize microtubules during the elongation of dendrites and neurites and is involved in the dynamics of morphological structures such as microtubules, microfilaments and growth cones. MAP1B function is modulated by phosphorylation and influences microtubule stability, microfilaments and growth cone motility. Considering its large size, several interactions with a variety of other proteins have been reported and there is increasing evidence that MAP1B plays a crucial role in the stability of the cytoskeleton and may have other cellular functions. Here we review molecular and functional aspects of this protein, evoke its role as a scaffold protein and have a look at several pathologies where the protein may be involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beat M Riederer
- Département de Biologie Cellulaire et de Morphologi), Université de Lausanne, 9 rue du Bugnon, CH-1005 Lausanne, Switzerland.
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5
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Thuret S, Bhatt L, O'Leary DDM, Simon HH. Identification and developmental analysis of genes expressed by dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta. Mol Cell Neurosci 2004; 25:394-405. [PMID: 15033168 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2003.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2003] [Revised: 10/28/2003] [Accepted: 11/12/2003] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The hallmark of Parkinson's Disease is the degenerative loss of mesencephalic dopaminergic (mDA) neurons. Previous studies have shown that the homeobox transcription factors, engrailed-1 and -2, are essential for the survival of these cells. To identify genes downstream of engrailed-1 and -2, we performed a PCR-based differential display, comparing RNA from engrailed-1/2 double mutant and wild type ventral midbrain of different embryonic ages to adult olfactory bulb, a source of unrelated DA neurons. Here, we report the result of this experiment and describe the developmental expression pattern in the ventral midbrain of three of the isolated genes, HNF3alpha, synaptotagmin I, and Ebf3. Though not regulated by engrailed-1 and -2, the expression of all three genes is limited to mDA neurons and a few other brain areas. HNF3alpha appears in the precursors of mDA neurons at E9 and is expressed in the adult brain almost exclusively by this neuronal population. Synaptotagmin I is expressed from E14 into adulthood. Ebf3, in contrast, is transiently expressed during early postmitotic differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandrine Thuret
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology III, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
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6
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Darnell JC, Warren ST, Darnell RB. The fragile X mental retardation protein, FMRP, recognizes G-quartets. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2004; 10:49-52. [PMID: 14994288 DOI: 10.1002/mrdd.20008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Fragile X mental retardation is a disease caused by the loss of function of a single RNA-binding protein, FMRP. Identifying the RNA targets recognized by FMRP is likely to reveal much about its functions in controlling some aspects of memory and behavior. Recent evidence suggests that one of the predominant RNA motifs recognized by the FMRP protein is an intramolecular G-quartet and that the RGG box of FMRP mediates this interaction. Searching databases of mRNA sequence information, as well as compiled sequences of predicted FMRP targets based on biochemical identification, has revealed that many of these predicted FMRP targets contain intramolecular G-quartets. Interestingly, many of the G-quartet containing RNA targets encode proteins involved in neuronal development and synaptic function. Defects in the metabolism of this set of RNAs, presumably in the translation of their protein products, is likely to underlie the behavioral and cognitive changes seen in the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer C Darnell
- The Rockefeller University, Laboratory of Molecular Neuro-Oncology New York, New York 10021, USA.
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7
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8
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Emery DL, Royo NC, Fischer I, Saatman KE, McIntosh TK. Plasticity following Injury to the Adult Central Nervous System: Is Recapitulation of a Developmental State Worth Promoting? J Neurotrauma 2003; 20:1271-92. [PMID: 14748977 DOI: 10.1089/089771503322686085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The adult central nervous system (CNS) appears to initiate a transient increase in plasticity following injury, including increases in growth-related proteins and generation of new cells. Recent evidence is reviewed that the injured adult CNS exhibits events and patterns of gene expression that are also observed during development and during regeneration following damage to the mature peripheral nervous system (PNS). The growth of neurons during development or regeneration is correlated, in part, with a coordinated expression of growth-related proteins, such as growth-associated-protein-43 (GAP-43), microtubule-associated-protein-1B (MAP1B), and polysialylated-neural-cell-adhesion-molecule (PSA-NCAM). For each of these proteins, evidence is discussed regarding its specific role in neuronal development, signals that modify its expression, and reappearance following injury. The rate of adult hippocampal neurogenesis is also affected by numerous endogenous and exogenous factors including injury. The continuing study of developmental neurobiology will likely provide further gene and protein targets for increasing plasticity and regeneration in the mature adult CNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana L Emery
- Head Injury Center, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pennsylvania, USA
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9
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Nakayama A, Murakami H, Maeyama N, Yamashiro N, Sakakibara A, Mori N, Takahashi M. Role for RFX transcription factors in non-neuronal cell-specific inactivation of the microtubule-associated protein MAP1A promoter. J Biol Chem 2003; 278:233-40. [PMID: 12411430 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m209574200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Microtubule-associated protein MAP1A is expressed abundantly in mature neurons and is necessary for maintenance of neuronal morphology and localization of some molecules in association with the microtubule-based cytoskeleton. Previous studies indicated that its complementary expression together with MAP1B during nervous system development is regulated at the transcriptional level and that the mouse Map1A gene is transcribed under the control of 5' and intronic promoters. In this study, we investigated the regulatory mechanisms that govern the neuronal cell-specific activation of the MAP1A 5' promoter. We found that two regulatory factor for X box (RFX) binding sites in exon1 of both the mouse and human genes are important for effective transcriptional repression observed only in non-neuronal cells by reporter assays. Among RFX transcription factor family members, RFX1 and 3 mainly interact with repressive elements in vitro. Cotransfection studies indicated that RFX1, which is expressed ubiquitously, down-regulated the MAP1A 5' promoter activity in non-neuronal cells. Unexpectedly, RFX3, which is abundantly expressed in neuronal cells, down-regulated the transactivity as well, when it was expressed in non-neuronal cells. Both RFX1 and 3 did not down-regulate the transactivity in neuronal cells. These results suggest that RFX1 and 3 are pivotal factors in down-regulation of the MAP1A 5' promoter in non-neuronal cells. The cell type-specific down-regulation, however, does not depend simply on which RFX interacts with the elements, but seems to depend on underlying profound mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsuo Nakayama
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya 466-8550, Aichi, Japan.
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10
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Nystedt JM, Brandt AM, Mandelin J, Vilim FS, Ziff EB, Panula P. Analysis of human neuropeptide FF gene expression. J Neurochem 2002; 82:1330-42. [PMID: 12354280 DOI: 10.1046/j.1471-4159.2002.01035.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
As an initial step to study the function of the gene encoding the human neuropeptide FF (NPFF), we cloned a 4.7-kb sequence from the promoter region. Primer extension and 5'-rapid amplification of cDNA ends revealed multiple transcription initiation sites. Northern blot analysis of the mRNA expression revealed a specific signal only in poly(A) + RNA from medulla and spinal cord. Chimeric luciferase reporter gene constructs were transiently transfected in A549, U-251 MG, SK-N-SH, SK-N-AS and PC12 cells. The promoter activity was directly comparable with the level of endogenous NPFF mRNA as determined by real-time quantitative RT-PCR. The highest promoter activity was measured when a region from - 552 to - 830 bp of the 5'-flanking region was fused to the constructs, and a potential silencer element was localized between nucleotides -220 and -551. A twofold increase in NPFF mRNA was observed after 72 h of nerve growth factor stimulation of PC12 cells and the region between - 61 and - 214 bp of the 5'-flanking region was found to be responsive to this stimulation. We postulate that control of human NPFF gene expression is the result of both positive and negative regulatory elements and the use of multiple transcription initiation sites.
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MESH Headings
- 3' Untranslated Regions/genetics
- 5' Flanking Region/genetics
- Animals
- Base Sequence
- Blotting, Northern
- Cloning, Molecular
- Gene Expression Regulation
- Genes, Reporter
- Humans
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Mutagenesis, Site-Directed
- Oligopeptides/biosynthesis
- Oligopeptides/genetics
- PC12 Cells/cytology
- PC12 Cells/metabolism
- Promoter Regions, Genetic/physiology
- RNA, Messenger/analysis
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- Rats
- Regulatory Sequences, Nucleic Acid
- Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Sequence Analysis, DNA
- Sequence Deletion
- Transcription Initiation Site
- Transfection
- Tumor Cells, Cultured
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna M Nystedt
- Department of Biology, Abo Akademi University, Biocity, Turku, Finland
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11
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Illing RB, Michler SA, Kraus KS, Laszig R. Transcription factor modulation and expression in the rat auditory brainstem following electrical intracochlear stimulation. Exp Neurol 2002; 175:226-44. [PMID: 12009775 DOI: 10.1006/exnr.2002.7895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Neuronal activity in sensory organs elicited by adequate or electrical stimulation not only invokes fast electrical responses but may also trigger complex molecular changes inside central neurons. Following electrical intracochlear stimulation with a cochlear implant under urethane anesthesia, we observed changes in the phosphorylation state of the cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) and the expression of the immediate-early genes c-fos and egr-1, molecules known to act as transcription factors, in a tonotopically precise pattern in central auditory neurons. These neurons resided in the posteroventral and anteroventral cochlear nucleus, the dorsal cochlear nucleus, the lateral superior olive, the medial nucleus of the trapezoid body, the dorsal and ventral nucleus of the lateral lemniscus, and the central nucleus of the inferior colliculus. Moreover, effects of electrical stimulation were identified in the medial vestibular nucleus and the lateral parabrachial nucleus. Regionally, CREB was dephosphorylated wherever immediate-early gene expression went up. These massive stimulation-dependent modulations of transcription factors in the ascending auditory system are indicative of ongoing changes that modify the chemistry and structure of the affected cells and, consequently, their response characteristics to subsequent stimulation of the inner ear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert-Benjamin Illing
- Neurobiological Research Laboratory, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Freiburg, Killianstrasse 5, Freiburg, D-79106, Germany.
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12
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Cassimeris L, Spittle C. Regulation of microtubule-associated proteins. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CYTOLOGY 2002; 210:163-226. [PMID: 11580206 DOI: 10.1016/s0074-7696(01)10006-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 158] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) function to regulate the assembly dynamics and organization of microtubule polymers. Upstream regulation of MAP activities is the major mechanism used by cells to modify and control microtubule assembly and organization. This review summarizes the functional activities of MAPs found in animal cells and discusses how these MAPs are regulated. Mechanisms controlling gene expression, isoform-specific expression, protein localization, phosphorylation, and degradation are discussed. Additional regulatory mechanisms include synergy or competition between MAPs and the activities of cofactors or binding partners. For each MAP it is likely that regulation in vivo reflects a composite of multiple regulatory mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Cassimeris
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, USA
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13
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De Benedictis L, Polizzi A, Cangiano G, Buttiglione M, Arbia S, Storlazzi CT, Rocchi M, Gennarini G. Alternative promoters drive the expression of the gene encoding the mouse axonal glycoprotein F3/contactin. BRAIN RESEARCH. MOLECULAR BRAIN RESEARCH 2001; 95:55-74. [PMID: 11687277 DOI: 10.1016/s0169-328x(01)00243-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
F3/Contactin is a neuronal glycoprotein which mediates axonal growth control via complex interactions with a number of cell surface or matrix components. As part of this developmental role, its expression undergoes differential regulation during the maturation of definite neuronal populations within the central and peripheral nervous tissue. To elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms we study here the organization of the regulatory region of the mouse F3/Contactin gene. We show that this region displays peculiar features in that it spans more than 80 kb, bears very large introns and includes four untranslated exons which undergo complex splicing events leading to 11 potential arrangements of the F3/Contactin mRNA 5' end. Within this region we identify three alternative neurospecific promoters which, as deduced from the developmental profile of the associated 5' exons (A1,C1,0), drive two different patterns of F3/Contactin gene expression. The activity of the A1 exon-associated promoter displays only minor developmental changes and is likely to contribute to the basal level of the F3/Contactin gene expression; by contrast, the activities of the exon C1- and exon 0-associated promoters are significantly upregulated at the end of the first postnatal week. The data indicate that differential regulation of the F3/Contactin expression during development may depend upon alternative utilization of distinct promoter elements and may involve complex splicing events of the 5' untranslated exons. Several consensuses for homeogene transcription factors are scattered within the identified regulatory region, in agreement with the general assumption of homeotic gene regulation of neural morphoregulatory molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- L De Benedictis
- Dipartimento di Farmacologia e Fisiologia Umana, Policlinico, Piazza Giulio Cesare, I-70124, Bari, Italy
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14
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Mantych KB, Ferreira A. Agrin differentially regulates the rates of axonal and dendritic elongation in cultured hippocampal neurons. J Neurosci 2001; 21:6802-9. [PMID: 11517268 PMCID: PMC6763100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/21/2023] Open
Abstract
In the present study, we examined the role of agrin in axonal and dendritic elongation in central neurons. Dissociated hippocampal neurons were grown in the presence of either recombinant agrin or antisense oligonucleotides designed to block agrin expression. Our results indicate that agrin differentially regulates axonal and dendritic growth. Recombinant agrin decreased the rate of elongation of main axons but induced the formation of axonal branches. On the other hand, agrin induced both dendritic elongation and dendritic branching. Conversely, cultured hippocampal neurons depleted of agrin extended longer, nonbranched axons and shorter dendrites when compared with controls. These changes in the rates of neurite elongation and branching were paralleled by changes in the composition of the cytoskeleton. In the presence of agrin, there was an upregulation of the expression of microtubule-associated proteins MAP1B, MAP2, and tau. In contrast, a downregulation of the expression of these MAPs was detected in agrin-depleted cells. Taken collectively, these results suggest an important role for agrin as a trigger of the transcription of neuro-specific genes involved in neurite elongation and branching in central neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- K B Mantych
- Institute for Neuroscience and Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA
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15
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Montesinos ML, Foucher I, Conradt M, Mainguy G, Robel L, Prochiantz A, Volovitch M. The neuronal microtubule-associated protein 1B is under homeoprotein transcriptional control. J Neurosci 2001; 21:3350-9. [PMID: 11331364 PMCID: PMC6762475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
To identify genes regulated by homeoprotein transcription factors in postnatal neurons, the DNA-binding domain (homeodomain) of Engrailed homeoprotein was internalized into rat cerebellum neurons. The internalized homeodomain (EnHD) acts as a competitive inhibitor of Engrailed and of several homeoproteins (Mainguy et al., 2000). Analysis by differential display revealed that microtubule-associated protein 1B (MAP1B) mRNA is upregulated by EnHD. This upregulation does not require protein synthesis, suggesting a direct effect of the homeodomain on MAP1B transcription. The promoter region of MAP1B was cut into several subdomains, and each subdomain was tested for its ability to bind Engrailed and EnHD and to associate with Engrailed-containing cerebellum nuclear extracts. In addition, the activity, and regulation by Engrailed, of each subdomain and of the entire promoter were evaluated in vivo by electroporation in the chick embryo neural tube. These experiments demonstrate that MAP1B promoter is regulated by Engrailed in vivo. Moreover, they show that one promoter domain that contains all ATTA homeoprotein cognate binding sites common to the rat and human genes is an essential element of this regulation. It is thus proposed that MAP1B, a cytoskeleton protein involved in neuronal growth and regeneration, is under homeoprotein transcriptional regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- M L Montesinos
- Centre Nationale de la Recherche Scientifique Unité Mixte de Recherche 8542, Ecole Normale Supérieure, 75230 Paris, Cedex 05 France
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16
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Nakayama A, Odajima T, Murakami H, Mori N, Takahashi M. Characterization of two promoters that regulate alternative transcripts in the microtubule-associated protein (MAP) 1A gene. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA 2001; 1518:260-6. [PMID: 11311937 DOI: 10.1016/s0167-4781(01)00173-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
We cloned and characterized the mouse gene for microtubule-associated protein (MAP) 1A, an important protein for neuronal morphology and mitotic spindle formation. We also investigated the 5' untranslated region of the gene to characterize the promoter units. Two alternative transcripts different in the 5' region were identified by 5' RACE. Both transcripts were principally observed in the brain. Genomic cloning revealed that exons 1, 2, and 4 generate the 5' part of a long transcript, whereas exons 3 and 4 generate a short transcript. Putative 5' and intronic promoters flanking exons 1 and 3, respectively, are GC-rich and lack a canonical TATA box. DNase I footprinting from mouse cells revealed that several potential cis-elements were occupied by nuclear proteins. A reporter assay system in conjunction with a number of deletion and mutation constructs was used to test the two putative promoters. Both putative promoters showed transactivity and their function was dependent upon Sp1 sites. In addition, an NF-1 site, an HNF3B site, and an AP-1/ATF site were necessary for basal promoter activity of the intronic promoter. Our data provide insight into the regulatory mechanisms that govern the expression of the MAP1A gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Nakayama
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya Univerty School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya 466-8550, Aichi, Japan.
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17
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Abstract
MAP1B is a microtubule-associated phosphoprotein that is particularly highly expressed in developing neurons. There is experimental evidence that it plays an important role in neuronal differentiation, especially the extension of axons and dendrites, but exactly what role is unclear. Recent experiments have shed light on the gene structure of MAP1B and identified some of the kinases that phosphorylate the protein. Implicit in these findings is the idea that MAP1B regulates the organisation of microtubules in neurites and is itself regulated in a complex way and at a number of levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- P R Gordon-Weeks
- Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, GKT School of Biomedical Sciences, King's College London, London WC2B 5RL.
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18
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Motohashi H, Ohta J, Engel JD, Yamamoto M. A core region of the mafK gene IN promoter directs neurone-specific transcription in vivo. Genes Cells 1998; 3:671-84. [PMID: 9893024 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2443.1998.00222.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND MafK serves as a required subunit of erythroid transcription factor NF-E2 and also functions with various heterodimeric CNC family proteins. MafK expression begins in early mesoderm and is observed in mesenchymal and haematopoietic cells, as well as in neurones during mouse development. In mesodermal descendants, MafK mRNA begins with a distal first exon (called IM), whereas the mRNA in neurones begins with a proximal first exon (IN). RESULTS To elucidate the mechanisms that underlie the tissue-specific transcription of the mafK gene, and to gain insights into the functions of MafK during neural development, we analysed the activity of the mafK IN promoter. A detailed investigation of mafK expression in the embryonic spinal cord revealed that IN-initiated mRNA is expressed in the ventral side of the spinal cord. Transient transfection analysis of reporter plasmids bearing the IN promoter and upstream regions revealed that the 'core' region of this promoter (nt -67 to -9) is active and that its integrity is crucial for this activity. The core region was also capable of directing the tissue-specific transcription of a reporter gene in neural cells of the spinal cord in transgenic mice in vivo. CONCLUSION These results demonstrate that the specific expression of mafK in neural cells is determined, at least in part, by the core region of the IN promoter.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Motohashi
- Center for Tsukuba Advanced Research Alliance and Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba 305-8577, Japan
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Myers SJ, Peters J, Huang Y, Comer MB, Barthel F, Dingledine R. Transcriptional regulation of the GluR2 gene: neural-specific expression, multiple promoters, and regulatory elements. J Neurosci 1998; 18:6723-39. [PMID: 9712644 PMCID: PMC6792970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/1998] [Revised: 06/17/1998] [Accepted: 06/19/1998] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
To understand how neurons control the expression of the AMPA receptor subunit GluR2, we cloned the 5' proximal region of the rat gene and investigated GluR2 promoter activity by transient transfection. RNase protection and primer extension of rat brain mRNA revealed multiple transcription initiation sites from -340 to -481 bases upstream of the GluR2 AUG codon. The relative use of 5' start sites was different in cortex and cerebellum, indicating complexity of GluR2 transcript expression among different sets of neurons. When GluR2 promoter activity was investigated by plasmid transfection into cultured cortical neurons, cortical glia, and C6 glioma cells, the promoter construct with the strongest activity, per transfected cell, was 29.4-fold (+/- 3.7) more active in neurons than in non-neural cells. Immunostaining of cortical cultures showed that >97% of the luciferase-positive cells also expressed the neuronal marker MAP-2. Evaluation of internal deletion and substitution mutations identified a functional repressor element I RE1-like silencer and functional Sp1 and nuclear respiratory factor-1 (NRF-1) elements within a GC-rich proximal GluR2 promoter region. The GluR2 silencer reduced promoter activity in glia and non-neuronal cell lines by two- to threefold, was without effect in cortical neurons, and could bind the RE1-silencing transcription factor (REST) because cotransfection of REST into neurons reduced GluR2 promoter activity in a silencer-dependent manner. Substitution of the GluR2 silencer by the homologous NaII RE1 silencer further reduced GluR2 promoter activity in non-neuronal cells by 30-47%. Maximal positive GluR2 promoter activity required both Sp1 and NRF-1 cis elements and an interelement nucleotide bridge sequence. These results indicate that GluR2 transcription initiates from multiple sites, is highly neuronal selective, and is regulated by three regulatory elements in the 5' proximal promoter region.
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Affiliation(s)
- S J Myers
- Department of Pharmacology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA
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Soares S, Fischer I, Ravaille-Veron M, Vincent JD, Nothias F. Induction of MAP1B phosphorylation in target-deprived afferent fibers after kainic acid lesion in the adult rat. J Comp Neurol 1998. [DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1096-9861(19980629)396:2<193::aid-cne5>3.0.co;2-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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Edwards YJ, Elgar G, Clark MS, Bishop MJ. The identification and characterization of microsatellites in the compact genome of the Japanese pufferfish, Fugu rubripes: perspectives in functional and comparative genomic analyses. J Mol Biol 1998; 278:843-54. [PMID: 9614946 DOI: 10.1006/jmbi.1998.1752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Fugu rubripes (Fugu) has one of the smallest recorded vertebrate genomes and is an economic tool for comparative DNA sequence analysis. Initial characterization of 128 kb of Fugu DNA attributed the compactness of this genome, in part, to a sparseness of repetitive DNA sequence compared with mammalian genomic sequences. This paper describes a new and comprehensive analysis in which 501 theoretically possible microsatellites with a repeat unit of one to six bases were used to query two orders of magnitude more Fugu DNA (i.e. 11.338 Mb). A total of 6042 microsatellites were identified and categorized. In decreasing order, the 20 most frequently occurring microsatellites are AC, A, C, AGG, AG, AGC, AAT, AAAT, ACAG, ACGC, ATCC, AAC, ATC, AGGG, AAAG, AAG, AAAC, AT, CCG and TTAGGG. The 20 most frequently occurring microsatellites represent 81.79% of all microsatellites identified. Our results indicate that one microsatellite occurs every 1.876 kb of DNA in Fugu, 11.55% of the microsatellites are detected in open reading frames that are predicted protein coding regions. With respect to the proportion of microsatellites present in open reading frames and the total abundance (bp) of all microsatellites, the genome of Fugu is similar to the genome of many other vertebrate species. Previous estimates performed indicate that approximately 1% of many vertebrate genomes are comprized of microsatellite sequences. However, many differences prevail in the abundance and frequency of the individual microsatellite classes. Many of the frequently occurring microsatellites in Fugu are known to code in other species for regions in proteins such as transcription factors, whilst others are associated with known functions, such as transcription factor binding sites and form part of promoter regions in DNA sequences of genes. Therefore, it is likely that such repeats in genomes have a role in the evolution of genes, regulation of gene expression and consequently the evolution of species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y J Edwards
- UK Human Genome Mapping Project Resource Centre, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
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Nunez J, Fischer I. Microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) in the peripheral nervous system during development and regeneration. J Mol Neurosci 1997; 8:207-22. [PMID: 9297633 DOI: 10.1007/bf02736834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
In this article, we have described the structure and distribution of the various variants of the microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs), tau, MAP2, MAP1A, and MAP1B, that are expressed in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and spinal cord during development and regeneration. We have summarized the data on their gene structure and compared the sequence of the major transcripts encoding these MAPs that are expressed in the brain, the spinal cord, and the DRG. Finally, we have surveyed the studies that used a variety of experimental approaches (e.g., antisense inhibition, transgenic knockouts, and expression in neuronal and nonneuronal cells) to understand the functional significance of MAPs heterogeneity and differences observed between the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS) both during development and regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Nunez
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Allegheny University, Philadelphia, PA 19129, USA
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