1
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Mast N, Butts M, Pikuleva IA. Unbiased insights into the multiplicity of the CYP46A1 brain effects in 5XFAD mice treated with low dose-efavirenz. J Lipid Res 2024; 65:100555. [PMID: 38719151 PMCID: PMC11176809 DOI: 10.1016/j.jlr.2024.100555] [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: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Cytochrome P450 46A1 (CYP46A1) is the CNS-specific cholesterol 24-hydroxylase that controls cholesterol elimination and turnover in the brain. In mouse models, pharmacologic CYP46A1 activation with low-dose efavirenz or by gene therapy mitigates the manifestations of various brain disorders, neurologic, and nonneurologic, by affecting numerous, apparently unlinked biological processes. Accordingly, CYP46A1 is emerging as a promising therapeutic target; however, the mechanisms underlying the multiplicity of the brain CYP46A1 activity effects are currently not understood. We proposed the chain reaction hypothesis, according to which CYP46A1 is important for the three primary (unifying) processes in the brain (sterol flux through the plasma membranes, acetyl-CoA, and isoprenoid production), which in turn affect a variety of secondary processes. We already identified several processes secondary to changes in sterol flux and herein undertook a multiomics approach to compare the brain proteome, acetylproteome, and metabolome of 5XFAD mice (an Alzheimer's disease model), control and treated with low-dose efavirenz. We found that the latter had increased production of phospholipids from the corresponding lysophospholipids and a globally increased protein acetylation (including histone acetylation). Apparently, these effects were secondary to increased acetyl-CoA production. Signaling of small GTPases due to their altered abundance or abundance of their regulators could be affected as well, potentially via isoprenoid biosynthesis. In addition, the omics data related differentially abundant molecules to other biological processes either reported previously or new. Thus, we obtained unbiased mechanistic insights and identified potential players mediating the multiplicity of the CYP46A1 brain effects and further detailed our chain reaction hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Mast
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Makaya Butts
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Irina A Pikuleva
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA.
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2
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Abstract
Neuropathic pain is a debilitating form of pain arising from injury or disease of the nervous system that affects millions of people worldwide. Despite its prevalence, the underlying mechanisms of neuropathic pain are still not fully understood. Dendritic spines are small protrusions on the surface of neurons that play an important role in synaptic transmission. Recent studies have shown that dendritic spines reorganize in the superficial and deeper laminae of the spinal cord dorsal horn with the development of neuropathic pain in multiple models of disease or injury. Given the importance of dendritic spines in synaptic transmission, it is possible that studying dendritic spines could lead to new therapeutic approaches for managing intractable pain. In this review article, we highlight the emergent role of dendritic spines in neuropathic pain, as well as discuss the potential for studying dendritic spines for the development of new therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Curtis A Benson
- Department of Neurology and Center for Neuroscience and Regeneration Research, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Rehabilitation Research Center, Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jared F King
- Department of Neurology and Center for Neuroscience and Regeneration Research, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Rehabilitation Research Center, Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Marike L Reimer
- Department of Neurology and Center for Neuroscience and Regeneration Research, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Rehabilitation Research Center, Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Sierra D Kauer
- Department of Neurology and Center for Neuroscience and Regeneration Research, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Rehabilitation Research Center, Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Stephen G Waxman
- Department of Neurology and Center for Neuroscience and Regeneration Research, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Rehabilitation Research Center, Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Andrew M Tan
- Department of Neurology and Center for Neuroscience and Regeneration Research, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Rehabilitation Research Center, Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
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3
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Kim J, Bustamante E, Sotonyi P, Maxwell ND, Parameswaran P, Kent JK, Wetsel WC, Soderblom EJ, Rácz B, Soderling SH. Presynaptic Rac1 in the hippocampus selectively regulates working memory. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.18.585488. [PMID: 38562715 PMCID: PMC10983896 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.18.585488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
One of the most extensively studied members of the Ras superfamily of small GTPases, Rac1 is an intracellular signal transducer that remodels actin and phosphorylation signaling networks. Previous studies have shown that Rac1-mediated signaling is associated with hippocampal-dependent working memory and longer-term forms of learning and memory and that Rac1 can modulate forms of both pre- and postsynaptic plasticity. How these different cognitive functions and forms of plasticity mediated by Rac1 are linked, however, is unclear. Here, we show that spatial working memory is selectively impaired following the expression of a genetically encoded Rac1-inhibitor at presynaptic terminals, while longer-term cognitive processes are affected by Rac1 inhibition at postsynaptic sites. To investigate the regulatory mechanisms of this presynaptic process, we leveraged new advances in mass spectrometry to identify the proteomic and post-translational landscape of presynaptic Rac1 signaling. We identified serine/threonine kinases and phosphorylated cytoskeletal signaling and synaptic vesicle proteins enriched with active Rac1. The phosphorylated sites in these proteins are at positions likely to have regulatory effects on synaptic vesicles. Consistent with this, we also report changes in the distribution and morphology of synaptic vesicles and in postsynaptic ultrastructure following presynaptic Rac1 inhibition. Overall, this study reveals a previously unrecognized presynaptic role of Rac1 signaling in cognitive processes and provides insights into its potential regulatory mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaebin Kim
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical School, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Edwin Bustamante
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical School, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Peter Sotonyi
- Department of Anatomy and Histology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Nicholas D Maxwell
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical School, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Pooja Parameswaran
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical School, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Julie K Kent
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical School, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - William C Wetsel
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical School, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Mouse Behavioral and Neuroendocrine Analysis Core Facility, Duke University Medical School, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University Medical School, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Erik J Soderblom
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical School, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Mouse Behavioral and Neuroendocrine Analysis Core Facility, Duke University Medical School, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Bence Rácz
- Department of Anatomy and Histology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Scott H Soderling
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical School, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University Medical School, Durham, North Carolina, USA
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4
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Motaln H, Rogelj B. The Role of c-Abl Tyrosine Kinase in Brain and Its Pathologies. Cells 2023; 12:2041. [PMID: 37626851 PMCID: PMC10453230 DOI: 10.3390/cells12162041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Differentiated status, low regenerative capacity and complex signaling make neuronal tissues highly susceptible to translating an imbalance in cell homeostasis into cell death. The high rate of neurodegenerative diseases in the elderly population confirms this. The multiple and divergent signaling cascades downstream of the various stress triggers challenge researchers to identify the central components of the stress-induced signaling pathways that cause neurodegeneration. Because of their critical role in cell homeostasis, kinases have emerged as one of the key regulators. Among kinases, non-receptor tyrosine kinase (Abelson kinase) c-Abl appears to be involved in both the normal development of neural tissue and the development of neurodegenerative pathologies when abnormally expressed or activated. However, exactly how c-Abl mediates the progression of neurodegeneration remains largely unexplored. Here, we summarize recent findings on the involvement of c-Abl in normal and abnormal processes in nervous tissue, focusing on neurons, astrocytes and microglial cells, with particular reference to molecular events at the interface between stress signaling, DNA damage, and metabolic regulation. Because inhibition of c-Abl has neuroprotective effects and can prevent neuronal death, we believe that an integrated view of c-Abl signaling in neurodegeneration could lead to significantly improved treatment of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Motaln
- Department of Biotechnology, Jozef Stefan Institute, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Boris Rogelj
- Department of Biotechnology, Jozef Stefan Institute, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
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5
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Wang H, Yamahashi Y, Riedl M, Amano M, Kaibuchi K. The Evaluation of Rac1 Signaling as a Potential Therapeutic Target of Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11880. [PMID: 37569255 PMCID: PMC10418761 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241511880] [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: 06/03/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The Small GTPase Rac1 is critical for various fundamental cellular processes, including cognitive functions. The cyclical activation and inactivation of Rac1, mediated by Rac guanine nucleotide exchange factors (RacGEFs) and Rac GTPase-activating proteins (RacGAPs), respectively, are essential for activating intracellular signaling pathways and controlling cellular processes. We have recently shown that the Alzheimer's disease (AD) therapeutic drug donepezil activates the Rac1-PAK pathway in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) for enhanced aversive learning. Also, PAK activation itself in the NAc enhances aversive learning. As aversive learning allows short-term preliminary AD drug screening, here we tested whether sustained Rac1 activation by RacGAP inhibition can be used as an AD therapeutic strategy for improving AD-learning deficits based on aversive learning. We found that the RacGAP domain of breakpoint cluster region protein (Bcr) (Bcr-GAP) efficiently inhibited Rac1 activity in a membrane ruffling assay. We also found that, in striatal/accumbal primary neurons, Bcr knockdown by microRNA mimic-expressing adeno-associated virus (AAV-miRNA mimic) activated Rac1-PAK signaling, while Bcr-GAP-expressing AAV inactivated it. Furthermore, conditional knockdown of Bcr in the NAc of wild-type adult mice enhanced aversive learning, while Bcr-GAP expression in the NAc inhibited it. The findings indicate that Rac1 activation by RacGAP inhibition enhances aversive learning, implying the AD therapeutic potential of Rac1 signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huanhuan Wang
- Department of Cell Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, 65 Tsurumai, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan; (H.W.); (M.A.)
| | - Yukie Yamahashi
- Division of Cell Biology, International Center for Brain Science, Fujita Health University, Toyoake 470-1192, Japan; (Y.Y.); (M.R.)
| | - Marcel Riedl
- Division of Cell Biology, International Center for Brain Science, Fujita Health University, Toyoake 470-1192, Japan; (Y.Y.); (M.R.)
| | - Mutsuki Amano
- Department of Cell Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, 65 Tsurumai, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan; (H.W.); (M.A.)
| | - Kozo Kaibuchi
- Division of Cell Biology, International Center for Brain Science, Fujita Health University, Toyoake 470-1192, Japan; (Y.Y.); (M.R.)
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6
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Wang W, Wang Z, Cao J, Dong Y, Chen Y. Roles of Rac1-Dependent Intrinsic Forgetting in Memory-Related Brain Disorders: Demon or Angel. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10736. [PMID: 37445914 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241310736] [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: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Animals are required to handle daily massive amounts of information in an ever-changing environment, and the resulting memories and experiences determine their survival and development, which is critical for adaptive evolution. However, intrinsic forgetting, which actively deletes irrelevant information, is equally important for memory acquisition and consolidation. Recently, it has been shown that Rac1 activity plays a key role in intrinsic forgetting, maintaining the balance of the brain's memory management system in a controlled manner. In addition, dysfunctions of Rac1-dependent intrinsic forgetting may contribute to memory deficits in neurological and neurodegenerative diseases. Here, these new findings will provide insights into the neurobiology of memory and forgetting, pathological mechanisms and potential therapies for brain disorders that alter intrinsic forgetting mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wang
- Neurobiology Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Zixu Wang
- Neurobiology Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Jing Cao
- Neurobiology Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yulan Dong
- Neurobiology Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yaoxing Chen
- Neurobiology Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
- Key Laboratory of Precision Nutrition and Food Quality, Key Laboratory of Functional Dairy, Ministry of Education, Beijing Laboratory of Food Quality and Safety, Department of Nutrition and Health, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China
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7
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Zhu X, Zhang F, You Y, Wang H, Yuan S, Wu B, Zhu R, Liu D, Yan F, Wang Z. S-Ketamine Exerts Antidepressant Effects by Regulating Rac1 GTPase Mediated Synaptic Plasticity in the Hippocampus of Stressed Rats. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2023; 43:299-314. [PMID: 35083636 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-021-01180-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Clinical studies have found that ketamine has a rapid and lasting antidepressant effect, especially in the case of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). The molecular mechanisms, however, remain unclear. In this study, we observe the effects of S-Ketamine on the expression of Rac1, neuronal morphology, and synaptic transmission function in the hippocampus of stressed rats. Chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) was used to construct stressed rats. The rats were given a different regimen of ketamine (20 mg/kg, i.p.) and Rac1 inhibitor NSC23766 (50 µg, ICV) treatment. The depression-like behavior of rats was evaluated by sucrose preference test and open-field test. The protein expression of Rac1, GluA1, synapsin1, and PSD95 in the hippocampus was detected by Western blot. Pull-down analysis was used to examine the activity of Rac1. Golgi staining and electrophysiological study were used to observe the neuronal morphology and long-term potentiation (LTP). Our results showed that ketamine can up-regulate the expression and activity of Rac1; increase the spine density and the expression of synaptic-related proteins such as GluA1, Synapsin1, and PSD95 in the hippocampus of stressed rats; reduce the CUMS-induced LTP impairments; and consequently improve depression-like behavior. However, Rac1 inhibitor NSC23766 could have effectively reversed ketamine-mediated changes in the hippocampus of rats and counteracted its antidepressant effects. The specific mechanism of S-Ketamine's antidepressant effect may be related to the up-regulation of the expression and activity of Rac1 in the hippocampus of stressed rats, thus enhancing synaptic plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianlin Zhu
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Central Hospital of Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Enshi City, 445000, Hubei Province, China
| | - Fan Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Bishan Hospital, Bishan, Chongqing, 402760, China
| | - Yufeng You
- Department of Radiology, The Central Hospital of Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Enshi City, 445000, Hubei Province, China
| | - Hongbai Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100000, China
| | - Su Yuan
- Department of Anesthesiology, Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100000, China
| | - Banglin Wu
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Central Hospital of Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Enshi City, 445000, Hubei Province, China
| | - Rongyu Zhu
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Central Hospital of Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Enshi City, 445000, Hubei Province, China
| | - Dawei Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Yongchuan Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 402160, China
| | - Fuxia Yan
- Department of Anesthesiology, Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100000, China.
| | - Zaiping Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Central Hospital of Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Enshi City, 445000, Hubei Province, China.
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8
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Wennagel D, Braz BY, Capizzi M, Barnat M, Humbert S. Huntingtin coordinates dendritic spine morphology and function through cofilin-mediated control of the actin cytoskeleton. Cell Rep 2022; 40:111261. [PMID: 36044862 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Compelling evidence indicates that in Huntington's disease (HD), mutation of huntingtin (HTT) alters several aspects of early brain development such as synaptogenesis. It is not clear to what extent the partial loss of wild-type HTT function contributes to these abnormalities. Here we investigate the function of HTT in the formation of spines. Although larger spines normally correlate with more synaptic activity, cell-autonomous depletion of HTT leads to enlarged spines but reduced excitatory synaptic function. We find that HTT is required for the proper turnover of endogenous actin and to recruit AMPA receptors at active synapses; loss of HTT leads to LIM kinase (LIMK) hyperactivation, which maintains cofilin in its inactive state. HTT therefore influences actin dynamics through the LIMK-cofilin pathway. Loss of HTT uncouples spine structure from synaptic function, which may contribute to the ultimate development of HD symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doris Wennagel
- University Grenoble Alpes, Inserm, U1216, Grenoble Institute Neurosciences, Bâtiment Edmond J. Safra, Chemin Fortuné Ferrini, 38000 Grenoble, La Tronche, France
| | - Barbara Yael Braz
- University Grenoble Alpes, Inserm, U1216, Grenoble Institute Neurosciences, Bâtiment Edmond J. Safra, Chemin Fortuné Ferrini, 38000 Grenoble, La Tronche, France
| | - Mariacristina Capizzi
- University Grenoble Alpes, Inserm, U1216, Grenoble Institute Neurosciences, Bâtiment Edmond J. Safra, Chemin Fortuné Ferrini, 38000 Grenoble, La Tronche, France; Institut du Cerveau-Paris Brain Institute (ICM), Sorbonne Université, Inserm, CNRS, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Monia Barnat
- University Grenoble Alpes, Inserm, U1216, Grenoble Institute Neurosciences, Bâtiment Edmond J. Safra, Chemin Fortuné Ferrini, 38000 Grenoble, La Tronche, France
| | - Sandrine Humbert
- University Grenoble Alpes, Inserm, U1216, Grenoble Institute Neurosciences, Bâtiment Edmond J. Safra, Chemin Fortuné Ferrini, 38000 Grenoble, La Tronche, France; Institut du Cerveau-Paris Brain Institute (ICM), Sorbonne Université, Inserm, CNRS, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France.
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9
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Zhang H, Ben Zablah Y, Zhang H, Liu A, Gugustea R, Lee D, Luo X, Meng Y, Li S, Zhou C, Xin T, Jia Z. Inhibition of Rac1 in ventral hippocampal excitatory neurons improves social recognition memory and synaptic plasticity. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:914491. [PMID: 35936771 PMCID: PMC9354987 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.914491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Rac1 is critically involved in the regulation of the actin cytoskeleton, neuronal structure, synaptic plasticity, and memory. Rac1 overactivation is reported in human patients and animal models of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and contributes to their spatial memory deficits, but whether Rac1 dysregulation is also important in other forms of memory deficits is unknown. In addition, the cell types and synaptic mechanisms involved remain unclear. In this study, we used local injections of AAV virus containing a dominant-negative (DN) Rac1 under the control of CaMKIIα promoter and found that the reduction of Rac1 hyperactivity in ventral hippocampal excitatory neurons improves social recognition memory in APP/PS1 mice. Expression of DN Rac1 also improves long-term potentiation, a key synaptic mechanism for memory formation. Our results suggest that overactivation of Rac1 in hippocampal excitatory neurons contributes to social memory deficits in APP/PS1 mice and that manipulating Rac1 activity may provide a potential therapeutic strategy to treat social deficits in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiwang Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong Medicine and Health Key Laboratory of Neurosurgery, Jinan, China
- Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Physiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Youssif Ben Zablah
- Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Physiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Haorui Zhang
- Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Physiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - An Liu
- The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Radu Gugustea
- Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Physiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Dongju Lee
- Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Physiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Xiao Luo
- Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Physiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Yanghong Meng
- Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Physiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Song Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Caoxian People’s Hospital, Caoxian, China
| | - Changxi Zhou
- Department of Geriatrics, The Second Medical Center and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Changxi Zhou,
| | - Tao Xin
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong Medicine and Health Key Laboratory of Neurosurgery, Jinan, China
- Tao Xin,
| | - Zhengping Jia
- Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Physiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Zhengping Jia,
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10
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Mai Le N, Li J. Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 role in Pathophysiology of Neurological diseases. BRAIN HEMORRHAGES 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.hest.2022.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
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11
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Duman JG, Blanco FA, Cronkite CA, Ru Q, Erikson KC, Mulherkar S, Saifullah AB, Firozi K, Tolias KF. Rac-maninoff and Rho-vel: The symphony of Rho-GTPase signaling at excitatory synapses. Small GTPases 2022; 13:14-47. [PMID: 33955328 PMCID: PMC9707551 DOI: 10.1080/21541248.2021.1885264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Synaptic connections between neurons are essential for every facet of human cognition and are thus regulated with extreme precision. Rho-family GTPases, molecular switches that cycle between an active GTP-bound state and an inactive GDP-bound state, comprise a critical feature of synaptic regulation. Rho-GTPases are exquisitely controlled by an extensive suite of activators (GEFs) and inhibitors (GAPs and GDIs) and interact with many different signalling pathways to fulfill their roles in orchestrating the development, maintenance, and plasticity of excitatory synapses of the central nervous system. Among the mechanisms that control Rho-GTPase activity and signalling are cell surface receptors, GEF/GAP complexes that tightly regulate single Rho-GTPase dynamics, GEF/GAP and GEF/GEF functional complexes that coordinate multiple Rho-family GTPase activities, effector positive feedback loops, and mutual antagonism of opposing Rho-GTPase pathways. These complex regulatory mechanisms are employed by the cells of the nervous system in almost every step of development, and prominently figure into the processes of synaptic plasticity that underlie learning and memory. Finally, misregulation of Rho-GTPases plays critical roles in responses to neuronal injury, such as traumatic brain injury and neuropathic pain, and in neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders, including intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer's Disease. Thus, decoding the mechanisms of Rho-GTPase regulation and function at excitatory synapses has great potential for combatting many of the biggest current challenges in mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph G. Duman
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Francisco A. Blanco
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Integrative Molecular and Biomedical Science Graduate Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Christopher A. Cronkite
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Qin Ru
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Kelly C. Erikson
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Shalaka Mulherkar
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ali Bin Saifullah
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Karen Firozi
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Kimberley F. Tolias
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
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12
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He J, Zeng Z, Wang Y, Deng J, Tang X, Liu F, Huang J, Chen H, Liang R, Zan X, Liu Z, Tong A, Guo G, Xu J, Zhu X, Zhou L, Peng Y. Characterization of novel CTNNB1 mutation in Craniopharyngioma by whole-genome sequencing. Mol Cancer 2021; 20:168. [PMID: 34922552 PMCID: PMC8684236 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-021-01468-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Craniopharyngioma (CP) is rare histologically benign but clinically challenging tumor because of its intimate relationship with the critical structure in the central brain. CP can be divided into two major histologic subtypes: adamantinomatous-type CP (ACP) and papillary-type CP (PCP). Although some genetic aberrations for both categories have been revealed in previous studies, the complete spectrum of genetic changes of this tumor remains unknown. Methods In this study, we conducted whole genome sequencing (WGS) on twenty-six CPs including 16 ACPs and 10 PCPs together with their matched blood samples. Somatic variants (SNVs, InDels, SVs and CNVs) were identified and mutational signatures were characterized for each patient. We investigated the impact of a novel CTNNB1 mutant on its protein stability, ubiquitination and Wnt pathway activity. Cell proliferation ability of the CTNNB1 mutant in ACP primary cells was additionally analyzed by CCK8 and colony formation assays. Results We found that CPs had showed less complexity with fewer somatic mutations compared with malignant tumors. Moreover, mutations in CTNNB1 (68.75% of ACP) and BRAF V600E (70.00% of PCP) are mutually exclusive in ACP and PCP, consolidating that the driving roles of these two genes in ACP and PCP, respectively. A novel mutation in the exon 3 of CTNNB1 which compromised both a transversion and in-frame deletion was identified in ACP. This mutation was experimentally validated to confer β-catenin increased stability by inhibiting its ubiquitination, thus activating Wnt-signaling pathway and promoting cell proliferation. Conclusions Whole genome landscape for CP was revealed by WGS analysis, and a novel mutation in the exon 3 of CTNNB1 was identified. This novel mutation activates Wnt-signaling pathway through increasing the stability of β-catenin. Our findings provided us with more comprehensive insight into the spectrum of genetic alterations in CP. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12943-021-01468-7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan He
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Zhen Zeng
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.,Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, China
| | - Yuelong Wang
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.,Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Jiaojiao Deng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 20040, China
| | - Xin Tang
- Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Fujun Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Jianhan Huang
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.,Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Hongxu Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Ruichao Liang
- Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xin Zan
- Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Zhiyong Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Aiping Tong
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Gang Guo
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Jianguo Xu
- Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xiaofeng Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, China.
| | - Liangxue Zhou
- Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Yong Peng
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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13
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Xiao Y, Sun Y, Lu Y, Du J, Tian X, Cai W, Wang Y. Loss function of Bcr mutation causes gastrointestinal dysmotility and brain developmental defects. Neurogastroenterol Motil 2021; 33:e14190. [PMID: 34190380 DOI: 10.1111/nmo.14190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 04/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The breakpoint cluster region (BCR) is a protein that originally forms a fusion protein with c-Abl tyrosine kinase and induces leukemia. Researchers have shown that BCR is enriched in the central nervous system and may contribute to neurological disorders. We aimed to investigate the physiological function of BCR in neural development in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and brain. METHODS Whole-exome sequencing was used to screen for mutations in the BCR. Bcr knockout mice (Bcr-/- , ΔExon 2-22) were generated using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. Transit of carmine red dye and glass bead expulsion assays were used to record total and proximal GI transit and distal colonic transit. KEY RESULTS In an infant with pediatric intestinal pseudo-obstruction, we found a heterozygous de novo mutation (NM_004327.3:c.3072+1G>A) in BCR. Bcr deficiency mice (Bcr-/- ) exhibited growth retardation and impaired gastrointestinal motility. Bcr-/- mice had a prolonged average total GI transit time with increased distal colonic transit and proximal GI transit in isolation. Morphology analysis indicated that Bcr-/- mice had a less number of neurons in the submucosal plexus and myenteric plexus. Bcr-/- mice exhibited apparent structural defects in the brain, particularly in the cortex. Additionally, Bcr- depletion in the mouse cortex altered the expression of Ras homologous (Rho) family small GTPases. CONCLUSIONS AND INFERENCES BCR mutations are associated with intestinal obstruction in children. Loss of Bcr can cause intestinal dysmotility and brain developmental defects may via regulation of Rho GTPases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongtao Xiao
- Shanghai Institute of Pediatric Research, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Sun
- Shanghai Institute of Pediatric Research, Shanghai, China
| | - Ying Lu
- Shanghai Institute of Pediatric Research, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Shanghai, China
| | - Jun Du
- Shanghai Institute of Pediatric Research, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Shanghai, China
| | - Xinbei Tian
- Shanghai Institute of Pediatric Research, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Cai
- Shanghai Institute of Pediatric Research, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Shanghai, China.,Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Xin Hua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.,Department of Pediatric Surgery, Xin Hua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ying Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Shanghai, China.,Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Xin Hua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
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14
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Noyes NC, Phan A, Davis RL. Memory suppressor genes: Modulating acquisition, consolidation, and forgetting. Neuron 2021; 109:3211-3227. [PMID: 34450024 PMCID: PMC8542634 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2021.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The brain has a remarkable but underappreciated capacity to limit memory formation and expression. The term "memory suppressor gene" was coined in 1998 as an attempt to explain emerging reports that some genes appeared to limit memory. At that time, only a handful of memory suppressor genes were known, and they were understood to work by limiting cAMP-dependent consolidation. In the intervening decades, almost 100 memory suppressor genes with diverse functions have been discovered that affect not only consolidation but also acquisition and forgetting. Here we highlight the surprising extent to which biological limits are placed on memory formation through reviewing the literature on memory suppressor genes. In this review, we present memory suppressors within the framework of their actions on different memory operations: acquisition, consolidation, and forgetting. This is followed by a discussion of the reasons why there may be a biological need to limit memory formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathaniel C Noyes
- Department of Neuroscience, Scripps Research Institute Florida, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Anna Phan
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, 11355 Saskatchewan Drive, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E9, Canada
| | - Ronald L Davis
- Department of Neuroscience, Scripps Research Institute Florida, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA.
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15
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Zhang H, Ben Zablah Y, Zhang H, Jia Z. Rho Signaling in Synaptic Plasticity, Memory, and Brain Disorders. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:729076. [PMID: 34671600 PMCID: PMC8520953 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.729076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Memory impairments are associated with many brain disorders such as autism, Alzheimer's disease, and depression. Forming memories involves modifications of synaptic transmission and spine morphology. The Rho family small GTPases are key regulators of synaptic plasticity by affecting various downstream molecules to remodel the actin cytoskeleton. In this paper, we will review recent studies on the roles of Rho proteins in the regulation of hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD), the most extensively studied forms of synaptic plasticity widely regarded as cellular mechanisms for learning and memory. We will also discuss the involvement of Rho signaling in spine morphology, the structural basis of synaptic plasticity and memory formation. Finally, we will review the association between brain disorders and abnormalities of Rho function. It is expected that studying Rho signaling at the synapse will contribute to the understanding of how memory is formed and disrupted in diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haorui Zhang
- Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Physiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Youssif Ben Zablah
- Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Physiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Haiwang Zhang
- Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Physiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Zhengping Jia
- Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Physiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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16
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Novel Alzheimer's disease risk variants identified based on whole-genome sequencing of APOE ε4 carriers. Transl Psychiatry 2021; 11:296. [PMID: 34011927 PMCID: PMC8134477 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-021-01412-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease associated with a complex genetic etiology. Besides the apolipoprotein E ε4 (APOE ε4) allele, a few dozen other genetic loci associated with AD have been identified through genome-wide association studies (GWAS) conducted mainly in individuals of European ancestry. Recently, several GWAS performed in other ethnic groups have shown the importance of replicating studies that identify previously established risk loci and searching for novel risk loci. APOE-stratified GWAS have yielded novel AD risk loci that might be masked by, or be dependent on, APOE alleles. We performed whole-genome sequencing (WGS) on DNA from blood samples of 331 AD patients and 169 elderly controls of Korean ethnicity who were APOE ε4 carriers. Based on WGS data, we designed a customized AD chip (cAD chip) for further analysis on an independent set of 543 AD patients and 894 elderly controls of the same ethnicity, regardless of their APOE ε4 allele status. Combined analysis of WGS and cAD chip data revealed that SNPs rs1890078 (P = 6.64E-07) and rs12594991 (P = 2.03E-07) in SORCS1 and CHD2 genes, respectively, are novel genetic variants among APOE ε4 carriers in the Korean population. In addition, nine possible novel variants that were rare in individuals of European ancestry but common in East Asia were identified. This study demonstrates that APOE-stratified analysis is important for understanding the genetic background of AD in different populations.
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17
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Guiler W, Koehler A, Boykin C, Lu Q. Pharmacological Modulators of Small GTPases of Rho Family in Neurodegenerative Diseases. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:661612. [PMID: 34054432 PMCID: PMC8149604 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.661612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Classical Rho GTPases, including RhoA, Rac1, and Cdc42, are members of the Ras small GTPase superfamily and play essential roles in a variety of cellular functions. Rho GTPase signaling can be turned on and off by specific GEFs and GAPs, respectively. These features empower Rho GTPases and their upstream and downstream modulators as targets for scientific research and therapeutic intervention. Specifically, significant therapeutic potential exists for targeting Rho GTPases in neurodegenerative diseases due to their widespread cellular activity and alterations in neural tissues. This study will explore the roles of Rho GTPases in neurodegenerative diseases with focus on the applications of pharmacological modulators in recent discoveries. There have been exciting developments of small molecules, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and natural products and toxins for each classical Rho GTPase category. A brief overview of each category followed by examples in their applications will be provided. The literature on their roles in various diseases [e.g., Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and Multiple sclerosis (MS)] highlights the unique and broad implications targeting Rho GTPases for potential therapeutic intervention. Clearly, there is increasing knowledge of therapeutic promise from the discovery of pharmacological modulators of Rho GTPases for managing and treating these conditions. The progress is also accompanied by the recognition of complex Rho GTPase modulation where targeting its signaling can improve some aspects of pathogenesis while exacerbating others in the same disease model. Future directions should emphasize the importance of elucidating how different Rho GTPases work in concert and how they produce such widespread yet different cellular responses during neurodegenerative disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Qun Lu
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, The Harriet and John Wooten Laboratory for Alzheimer’s and Neurogenerative Diseases Research, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States
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18
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Pellegrini C, Pirazzini C, Sala C, Sambati L, Yusipov I, Kalyakulina A, Ravaioli F, Kwiatkowska KM, Durso DF, Ivanchenko M, Monti D, Lodi R, Franceschi C, Cortelli P, Garagnani P, Bacalini MG. A Meta-Analysis of Brain DNA Methylation Across Sex, Age, and Alzheimer's Disease Points for Accelerated Epigenetic Aging in Neurodegeneration. Front Aging Neurosci 2021; 13:639428. [PMID: 33790779 PMCID: PMC8006465 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.639428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by specific alterations of brain DNA methylation (DNAm) patterns. Age and sex, two major risk factors for AD, are also known to largely affect the epigenetic profiles in brain, but their contribution to AD-associated DNAm changes has been poorly investigated. In this study we considered publicly available DNAm datasets of four brain regions (temporal, frontal, entorhinal cortex, and cerebellum) from healthy adult subjects and AD patients, and performed a meta-analysis to identify sex-, age-, and AD-associated epigenetic profiles. In one of these datasets it was also possible to distinguish 5-methylcytosine (5mC) and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) profiles. We showed that DNAm differences between males and females tend to be shared between the four brain regions, while aging differently affects cortical regions compared to cerebellum. We found that the proportion of sex-dependent probes whose methylation is modified also during aging is higher than expected, but that differences between males and females tend to be maintained, with only a few probes showing age-by-sex interaction. We did not find significant overlaps between AD- and sex-associated probes, nor disease-by-sex interaction effects. On the contrary, we found that AD-related epigenetic modifications are significantly enriched in probes whose DNAm varies with age and that there is a high concordance between the direction of changes (hyper or hypo-methylation) in aging and AD, supporting accelerated epigenetic aging in the disease. In summary, our results suggest that age-associated DNAm patterns concur to the epigenetic deregulation observed in AD, providing new insights on how advanced age enables neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Pellegrini
- Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Chiara Pirazzini
- Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Claudia Sala
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Luisa Sambati
- Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Igor Yusipov
- Institute of Information Technologies, Mathematics and Mechanics, Lobachevsky University, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
| | - Alena Kalyakulina
- Institute of Information Technologies, Mathematics and Mechanics, Lobachevsky University, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
| | - Francesco Ravaioli
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Katarzyna M. Kwiatkowska
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Danielle F. Durso
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Mikhail Ivanchenko
- Institute of Information Technologies, Mathematics and Mechanics, Lobachevsky University, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
| | - Daniela Monti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences “Mario Serio,” University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Raffaele Lodi
- Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Claudio Franceschi
- Institute of Information Technologies, Mathematics and Mechanics, Lobachevsky University, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
| | - Pietro Cortelli
- Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Paolo Garagnani
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Applied Biomedical Research Center, Policlinico S.Orsola-Malpighi Polyclinic, Bologna, Italy
- National Research Council of Italy Institute of Molecular Genetics “Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza,” Unit of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria Giulia Bacalini
- Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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19
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Cheng J, Scala F, Blanco FA, Niu S, Firozi K, Keehan L, Mulherkar S, Froudarakis E, Li L, Duman JG, Jiang X, Tolias KF. The Rac-GEF Tiam1 Promotes Dendrite and Synapse Stabilization of Dentate Granule Cells and Restricts Hippocampal-Dependent Memory Functions. J Neurosci 2021; 41:1191-1206. [PMID: 33328293 PMCID: PMC7888217 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.3271-17.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2017] [Revised: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The dentate gyrus (DG) controls information flow into the hippocampus and is critical for learning, memory, pattern separation, and spatial coding, while DG dysfunction is associated with neuropsychiatric disorders. Despite its importance, the molecular mechanisms regulating DG neural circuit assembly and function remain unclear. Here, we identify the Rac-GEF Tiam1 as an important regulator of DG development and associated memory processes. In the hippocampus, Tiam1 is predominantly expressed in the DG throughout life. Global deletion of Tiam1 in male mice results in DG granule cells with simplified dendritic arbors, reduced dendritic spine density, and diminished excitatory synaptic transmission. Notably, DG granule cell dendrites and synapses develop normally in Tiam1 KO mice, resembling WT mice at postnatal day 21 (P21), but fail to stabilize, leading to dendrite and synapse loss by P42. These results indicate that Tiam1 promotes DG granule cell dendrite and synapse stabilization late in development. Tiam1 loss also increases the survival, but not the production, of adult-born DG granule cells, possibly because of greater circuit integration as a result of decreased competition with mature granule cells for synaptic inputs. Strikingly, both male and female mice lacking Tiam1 exhibit enhanced contextual fear memory and context discrimination. Together, these results suggest that Tiam1 is a key regulator of DG granule cell stabilization and function within hippocampal circuits. Moreover, based on the enhanced memory phenotype of Tiam1 KO mice, Tiam1 may be a potential target for the treatment of disorders involving memory impairments.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The dentate gyrus (DG) is important for learning, memory, pattern separation, and spatial navigation, and its dysfunction is associated with neuropsychiatric disorders. However, the molecular mechanisms controlling DG formation and function remain elusive. By characterizing mice lacking the Rac-GEF Tiam1, we demonstrate that Tiam1 promotes the stabilization of DG granule cell dendritic arbors, spines, and synapses, whereas it restricts the survival of adult-born DG granule cells, which compete with mature granule cells for synaptic integration. Notably, mice lacking Tiam1 also exhibit enhanced contextual fear memory and context discrimination. These findings establish Tiam1 as an essential regulator of DG granule cell development, and identify it as a possible therapeutic target for memory enhancement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinxuan Cheng
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Federico Scala
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Francisco A Blanco
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
- Integrative Molecular and Biomedical Science Graduate Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Sanyong Niu
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Karen Firozi
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Laura Keehan
- Department of Biosciences, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005
| | - Shalaka Mulherkar
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
| | | | - Lingyong Li
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Joseph G Duman
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Xiaolong Jiang
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Kimberley F Tolias
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
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20
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Chen F, Polsinelli B, Nava N, Treccani G, Elfving B, Müller HK, Musazzi L, Popoli M, Nyengaard JR, Wegener G. Structural Plasticity and Molecular Markers in Hippocampus of Male Rats after Acute Stress. Neuroscience 2020; 438:100-115. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2019] [Revised: 05/03/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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21
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Costa JF, Dines M, Lamprecht R. The Role of Rac GTPase in Dendritic Spine Morphogenesis and Memory. Front Synaptic Neurosci 2020; 12:12. [PMID: 32362820 PMCID: PMC7182350 DOI: 10.3389/fnsyn.2020.00012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2019] [Accepted: 03/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability to form memories in the brain is needed for daily functions, and its impairment is associated with human mental disorders. Evidence indicates that long-term memory (LTM)-related processes such as its consolidation, extinction and forgetting involve changes of synaptic efficacy produced by alterations in neural transmission and morphology. Modulation of the morphology and number of dendritic spines has been proposed to contribute to changes in neuronal transmission mediating such LTM-related processes. Rac GTPase activity is regulated by synaptic activation and it can affect spine morphology by controlling actin-regulatory proteins. Recent evidence shows that changes in Rac GTPase activity affect memory consolidation, extinction, erasure and forgetting and can affect spine morphology in brain areas that mediate these behaviors. Altered Rac GTPase activity is associated with abnormal spine morphology and brain disorders. By affecting Rac GTPase activity we can further understand the roles of spine morphogenesis in memory. Moreover, manipulation of Rac GTPase activity may serve as a therapeutic tool for the treatment of memory-related brain diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Raphael Lamprecht
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
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22
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Sasaki K, Arimoto K, Kankawa K, Terada C, Yamamori T, Watakabe A, Yamamoto N. Rho Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors Regulate Horizontal Axon Branching of Cortical Upper Layer Neurons. Cereb Cortex 2020; 30:2506-2518. [PMID: 31768529 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhz256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Revised: 08/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Axon branching is a crucial process for cortical circuit formation. However, how the cytoskeletal changes in axon branching are regulated is not fully understood. In the present study, we investigated the role of RhoA guanine nucleotide exchange factors (RhoA-GEFs) in branch formation of horizontally elongating axons (horizontal axons) in the mammalian cortex. In situ hybridization showed that more than half of all known RhoA-GEFs were expressed in the developing rat cortex. These RhoA-GEFs were mostly expressed in the macaque cortex as well. An overexpression study using organotypic cortical slice cultures demonstrated that several RhoA-GEFs strongly promoted horizontal axon branching. Moreover, branching patterns were different between overexpressed RhoA-GEFs. In particular, ARHGEF18 markedly increased terminal arbors, whereas active breakpoint cluster region-related protein (ABR) increased short branches in both distal and proximal regions of horizontal axons. Rho kinase inhibitor treatment completely suppressed the branch-promoting effect of ARHGEF18 overexpression, but only partially affected that of ABR, suggesting that these RhoA-GEFs employ distinct downstream pathways. Furthermore, knockdown of either ARHGEF18 or ABR considerably suppressed axon branching. Taken together, the present study revealed that subsets of RhoA-GEFs differentially promote axon branching of mammalian cortical neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kensuke Sasaki
- Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology Group, Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, 1-3 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Kei Arimoto
- Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology Group, Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, 1-3 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Kento Kankawa
- Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology Group, Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, 1-3 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Chikayo Terada
- Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology Group, Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, 1-3 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Tetsuo Yamamori
- Laboratory for Molecular Analysis of Higher Brain Function, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Akiya Watakabe
- Laboratory for Molecular Analysis of Higher Brain Function, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Nobuhiko Yamamoto
- Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology Group, Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, 1-3 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
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Yang XY, Stanley RE, Ross AP, Robitaille AM, Gray JA, Cheyette BNR. Sestd1 Encodes a Developmentally Dynamic Synapse Protein That Complexes With BCR Rac1-GAP to Regulate Forebrain Dendrite, Spine and Synapse Formation. Cereb Cortex 2020; 29:505-516. [PMID: 29293918 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhx333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2017] [Accepted: 11/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
SEC14 and Spectrin domain-1 (Sestd1) is a synapse protein that exhibits a striking shift from the presynaptic to postsynaptic space as neurons mature postnatally in the mouse hippocampus. Hippocampal pyramidal neurons from mice with global genetic deletion of Sestd1 have reduced dendrite arbors, spines, and excitatory synapses. Electrophysiologically this correlates with cell-autonomous reductions in both AMPA- and NMDA-excitatory postsynaptic currents in individual hippocampal neurons from which Sestd1 has been deleted in vivo. These neurodevelopmental and functional deficits are associated with increased activation of the Rho family GTPases Rac1 and RhoA. Co-immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry reveal that the Breakpoint Cluster Region protein, a Rho GTPase activating protein (GAP), forms complexes with Sestd1 in brain tissue. This complements earlier findings that Sestd1 can also partner with other Rho family GAPs and guanine nucleotide exchange factors. Our findings demonstrate that Sestd1 is a developmentally dynamic synaptic regulator of Rho GTPases that contributes to dendrite and excitatory synapse formation within differentiating pyramidal neurons of the forebrain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Yong Yang
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Robert E Stanley
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Adam P Ross
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Aaron M Robitaille
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington (UW), Seattle, WA, USA
| | - John A Gray
- Department of Neurology, Center for Neuroscience, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Benjamin N R Cheyette
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA, USA.,Graduate Programs in Neuroscience, Stem Cell & Developmental Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Tetrad, Pharmaceutical Sciences & Pharmacogenomics, UCSF, San Francisco, CA, USA
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24
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Jiang L, Wang L, Yin Y, Huo M, Liu C, Zhou Q, Yu D, Xu L, Mao R. Spaced Training Enhances Contextual Fear Memory via Activating Hippocampal 5-HT2A Receptors. Front Mol Neurosci 2020; 12:317. [PMID: 32038159 PMCID: PMC6992649 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2019.00317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Spaced training is robustly superior to massed training, which is a well-documented phenomenon in humans and animals. However, the mechanisms underlying the spacing effect still remain unclear. We have reported previously that spacing training exerts memory-enhancing effects by inhibiting forgetting via decreasing hippocampal Rac1 activity. Here, using contextual fear conditioning in rat, we found that spaced but not massed training increased hippocampal 5-HT2A receptors' expression. Furthermore, hippocampal administration of 5-HT2A receptor antagonist MDL11939 before spaced training blocked the enhanced memory, while hippocampal administration of 5-HT2A receptor agonist TCB-2 before massed training promoted the memory. Moreover, MDL11939 activated hippocampal Rac1, while TCB-2 decreased hippocampal Rac1 activity in naïve rats. These results indicated the possibility of interaction between 5-HT2A receptors and Rac1, which was demonstrated by co-immunoprecipitation experiments. Our study first demonstrates that activation of hippocampal 5-HT2A is a mechanism underlying the spacing effect, and forgetting related molecular Rac1 is engaged in this process through interacting with 5-HT2A receptors, which suggest a promising strategy to modulate abnormal learning in cognitive disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lizhu Jiang
- Department of Neuropsychopathy, Clinical Medical School, Dali University, Dali, China
- Key Lab of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming, China
- Department of Central Laboratory, The Third People’s Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
| | - Liping Wang
- Key Lab of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming, China
| | - Yan Yin
- Department of Central Laboratory, The Third People’s Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
| | - Mengke Huo
- Department of Neuropsychopathy, Clinical Medical School, Dali University, Dali, China
| | - Chao Liu
- Key Lab of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming, China
- Key Lab of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qixin Zhou
- Key Lab of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming, China
| | - Dafu Yu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First People’s Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
| | - Lin Xu
- Key Lab of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming, China
- Key Lab of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Rongrong Mao
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
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25
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Yepes M. Urokinase-type plasminogen activator is a modulator of synaptic plasticity in the central nervous system: implications for neurorepair in the ischemic brain. Neural Regen Res 2020; 15:620-624. [PMID: 31638083 PMCID: PMC6975136 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.266904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The last two decades have witnessed a rapid decrease in mortality due to acute cerebral ischemia that paradoxically has led to a rapid increase in the number of patients that survive an acute ischemic stroke with various degrees of disability. Unfortunately, the lack of an effective therapeutic strategy to promote neurological recovery among stroke survivors has led to a rapidly growing population of disabled patients. Thus, understanding the mechanisms of neurorepair in the ischemic brain is a priority with wide scientific, social and economic implications. Cerebral ischemia has a harmful effect on synaptic structure associated with the development of functional impairment. In agreement with these observations, experimental evidence indicates that synaptic repair underlies the recovery of neurological function following an ischemic stroke. Furthermore, it has become evident that synaptic plasticity is crucial not only during development and learning, but also for synaptic repair after an ischemic insult. The plasminogen activating system is assembled by a cascade of enzymes and their inhibitors initially thought to be solely involved in the generation of plasmin. However, recent work has shown that in the brain this system has an important function regulating the development of synaptic plasticity via mechanisms that not always require plasmin generation. Urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) is a serine proteinase and one of the plasminogen activators, that upon binding to its receptor (uPAR) not only catalyzes the conversion of plasminogen into plasmin on the cell surface, but also activates cell signaling pathways that promote cell migration, proliferation and survival. The role of uPA is the brain is not fully understood. However, it has been reported while uPA and uPAR are abundantly found in the developing central nervous system, in the mature brain their expression is restricted to a limited group of cells. Remarkably, following an ischemic injury to the mature brain the expression of uPA and uPAR increases to levels comparable to those observed during development. More specifically, neurons release uPA during the recovery phase from an ischemic injury, and astrocytes, axonal boutons and dendritic spines recruit uPAR to their plasma membrane. Here we will review recent evidence indicating that binding of uPA to uPAR promotes the repair of synapses damaged by an ischemic injury, with the resultant recovery of neurological function. Furthermore, we will discuss data indicating that treatment with recombinant uPA is a potential therapeutic strategy to promote neurological recovery among ischemic stroke survivors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Yepes
- Division of Neuropharmacology and Neurologic Diseases, Yerkes National Primate Research Center; Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine; Department of Neurology, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Atlanta, GA, USA
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26
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Liu Y, Lv L, Wang L, Zhong Y. Social Isolation Induces Rac1-Dependent Forgetting of Social Memory. Cell Rep 2019; 25:288-295.e3. [PMID: 30304669 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2018.09.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2018] [Revised: 08/20/2018] [Accepted: 09/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Social isolation (SI) has detrimental effects on human and animal cognitive functions. In particular, acute isolation in adult mice impairs social recognition memory (SRM). Previous accounts of this impairment have focused primarily on memory consolidation. However, the current study suggests that impaired SRM results from enhanced forgetting. SI accelerates SRM decay without affecting memory formation. The impairment is caused by elevated Rac1 activity in the hippocampus. Using adeno-associated-virus-based genetic manipulation, we found that inhibition of Rac1 activity blocked forgetting of SRM in isolated adult mice, whereas activation of Rac1 accelerated forgetting in group-housed mice. Moreover, resocialization reversed the accelerated forgetting following isolation in correlation with suppression of Rac1 activity. In addition, accelerated long-term potentiation (LTP) decay in isolated mice brain slices was rescued by inhibition of Rac1 activity. Taken together, the findings lead us to conclude that social memory deficits in isolated mice are mediated by enhanced Rac1-dependent forgetting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunlong Liu
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Li Lv
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Lianzhang Wang
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Yi Zhong
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
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27
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Distinct Genetic Signatures of Cortical and Subcortical Regions Associated with Human Memory. eNeuro 2019; 6:ENEURO.0283-19.2019. [PMID: 31818829 PMCID: PMC6917897 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0283-19.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2019] [Revised: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the discovery of gene variants linked to memory performance, understanding the genetic basis of adult human memory remains a challenge. Here, we devised an unsupervised framework that relies on spatial correlations between human transcriptome data and functional neuroimaging maps to uncover the genetic signatures of memory in functionally-defined cortical and subcortical memory regions. Despite the discovery of gene variants linked to memory performance, understanding the genetic basis of adult human memory remains a challenge. Here, we devised an unsupervised framework that relies on spatial correlations between human transcriptome data and functional neuroimaging maps to uncover the genetic signatures of memory in functionally-defined cortical and subcortical memory regions. Results were validated with animal literature and showed that our framework is highly effective in identifying memory-related processes and genes compared to a control cognitive function. Genes preferentially expressed in cortical memory regions are linked to memory-related processes such as immune and epigenetic regulation. Genes expressed in subcortical memory regions are associated with neurogenesis and glial cell differentiation. Genes expressed in both cortical and subcortical memory areas are involved in the regulation of transcription, synaptic plasticity, and glutamate receptor signaling. Furthermore, distinct memory-associated genes such as PRKCD and CDK5 are linked to cortical and subcortical regions, respectively. Thus, cortical and subcortical memory regions exhibit distinct genetic signatures that potentially reflect functional differences in health and disease, and nominates gene candidates for future experimental investigations.
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28
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Zhu F, Collins MO, Harmse J, Choudhary JS, Grant SGN, Komiyama NH. Cell-type-specific visualisation and biochemical isolation of endogenous synaptic proteins in mice. Eur J Neurosci 2019; 51:793-805. [PMID: 31621109 PMCID: PMC7079123 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2019] [Revised: 09/07/2019] [Accepted: 10/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, the remarkable molecular complexity of synapses has been revealed, with over 1,000 proteins identified in the synapse proteome. Although it is known that different receptors and other synaptic proteins are present in different types of neurons, the extent of synapse diversity across the brain is largely unknown. This is mainly due to the limitations of current techniques. Here, we report an efficient method for the purification of synaptic protein complexes, fusing a high‐affinity tag to endogenous PSD95 in specific cell types. We also developed a strategy, which enables the visualisation of endogenous PSD95 with fluorescent‐protein tag in Cre‐recombinase‐expressing cells. We demonstrate the feasibility of proteomic analysis of synaptic protein complexes and visualisation of these in specific cell types. We find that the composition of PSD95 complexes purified from specific cell types differs from those extracted from tissues with diverse cellular composition. The results suggest that there might be differential interactions in the PSD95 complexes in different brain regions. We have detected differentially interacting proteins by comparing data sets from the whole hippocampus and the CA3 subfield of the hippocampus. Therefore, these novel conditional PSD95 tagging lines will not only serve as powerful tools for precisely dissecting synapse diversity in specific brain regions and subsets of neuronal cells, but also provide an opportunity to better understand brain region‐ and cell‐type‐specific alterations associated with various psychiatric/neurological diseases. These newly developed conditional gene tagging methods can be applied to many different synaptic proteins and will facilitate research on the molecular complexity of synapses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Zhu
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Mark O Collins
- Department of Biomedical Science, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Johan Harmse
- The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | - Jyoti S Choudhary
- Functional Proteomics Group, Chester Beatty Laboratories, Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Seth G N Grant
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK.,Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain (SIDB), University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Noboru H Komiyama
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain (SIDB), University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,The Patrick Wild Centre for Research into Autism, Fragile X Syndrome and Intellectual Disabilities, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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29
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Zhao J, Ying L, Liu Y, Liu N, Tu G, Zhu M, Wu Y, Xiao B, Ye L, Li J, Guo F, Zhang L, Wang H, Zhang L. Different roles of Rac1 in the acquisition and extinction of methamphetamine-associated contextual memory in the nucleus accumbens. Am J Cancer Res 2019; 9:7051-7071. [PMID: 31660086 PMCID: PMC6815963 DOI: 10.7150/thno.34655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2019] [Accepted: 07/30/2019] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Rationale: Repeated methamphetamine (METH) exposure induces long-term cognitive deficits and pathological drug-associated memory that can be disrupted by manipulating memory reconsolidation and extinction. The nucleus accumbens (NAc) is the key region of the brain reward system and predominantly consists of two subtypes of medium spiny neurons (MSNs) based on the expression of D1 or D2 dopamine receptors (D1-MSNs or D2-MSNs). Spine structural plasticity in the NAc is critical for the acquisition, reconsolidation and extinction of drug-associated memory. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying METH-associated memory and spine remodelling in each type of MSNs in the NAc remain unknown. Here, we explored whether Rac1 in the NAc mediates METH-associated contextual memory and spine remodelling. Methods: Pharmacological and genetic manipulations of Rac1 were used to investigate its role during the acquisition, reconsolidation and extinction of METH-associated contextual memory. Recombinant adeno-associated viruses expressing mCherry under the control of the dopamine D1 receptor gene promoter (Drd1-mCherry) or dopamine D2 receptor gene promoter (Drd2-mCherry) were used to specifically label D1-MSNs or D2-MSNs. Results: Using viral-mediated gene transfer, we demonstrated that decreased Rac1 activity was required for the acquisition of METH-associated contextual memory and the METH-induced increase in thin spine density, whereas increased Rac1 signalling was important for the extinction of METH-associated contextual memory and the related elimination of thin spines. Moreover, the increase of dendritic spines was both found in D1-MSNs and D2-MSNs during the acquisition process, but extinction training selectively decreased the spine density in D1-MSNs. Interestingly, Rac1 was responsible for METH-induced spine plasticity in D1-MSNs but not in D2-MSNs. Additionally, we found that microinjection of a Rac1 inhibitor or activator into the NAc was not sufficient to disrupt reconsolidation, and the pharmacological activation of Rac1 in the NAc facilitated the extinction of METH-associated contextual memory. Regarding cognitive memory, decreased Rac1 activity improved the METH-induced impairment in object recognition memory. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that Rac1 plays opposing roles in the acquisition and extinction of METH-associated contextual memory and reveal the cell-specific role of Rac1 in METH-associated spine remodelling, suggesting that Rac1 is a potential therapeutic target for reducing relapse in METH addiction and remediating METH-induced recognition memory impairment.
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Conditional Deletion of CC2D1A Reduces Hippocampal Synaptic Plasticity and Impairs Cognitive Function through Rac1 Hyperactivation. J Neurosci 2019; 39:4959-4975. [PMID: 30992372 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2395-18.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2018] [Revised: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Coiled-coil and C2 domain containing 1A (CC2D1A) is an evolutionarily conserved protein, originally identified as a nuclear factor-κB activator through a large-scale screen of human genes. Mutations in the human Cc2d1a gene result in autosomal recessive nonsyndromic intellectual disability. It remains unclear, however, how Cc2d1a mutation leads to alterations in brain function. Here, we have taken advantage of Cre/loxP recombinase-based strategy to conditionally delete Cc2d1a exclusively from excitatory neurons of male mouse forebrain to examine its role in hippocampal synaptic plasticity and cognitive function. We confirmed the expression of CC2D1A protein and mRNA in the mouse hippocampus. Double immunofluorescence staining showed that CC2D1A is expressed in both excitatory and inhibitory neurons of the adult hippocampus. Conditional deletion of Cc2d1a (cKO) from excitatory neurons leads to impaired performance in object location memory test and altered anxiety-like behavior. Consistently, cKO mice displayed a deficit in the maintenance of LTP in the CA1 region of hippocampal slices. Cc2d1a deletion also resulted in decreased complexity of apical and basal dendritic arbors of CA1 pyramidal neurons. An enhanced basal Rac1 activity was observed following Cc2d1a deletion, and this enhancement was mediated by reduced SUMO-specific protease 1 (SENP1) and SENP3 expression, thus increasing the amount of Rac1 SUMOylation. Furthermore, partial blockade of Rac1 activity rescued impairments in LTP and object location memory performance in cKO mice. Together, our results implicate Rac1 hyperactivity in synaptic plasticity and cognitive deficits observed in Cc2d1a cKO mice and reveal a novel role for CC2D1A in regulating hippocampal synaptic function.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT CC2D1A is abundantly expressed in the brain, but there is little known about its physiological function. Taking advantage of Cc2d1a cKO mice, the present study highlights the importance of CC2D1A in the maintenance of LTP at Schaffer collateral-CA1 synapses and the formation of hippocampus-dependent long-term object location memory. Our findings establish a critical link between elevated Rac1 activity, structural and synaptic plasticity alterations, and cognitive impairment caused by Cc2d1a deletion. Moreover, partial blockade of Rac1 activity rescues synaptic plasticity and memory deficits in Cc2d1a cKO mice. Such insights may have implications for the utility of Rac1 inhibitors in the treatment of intellectual disability caused by Cc2d1a mutations in human patients.
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31
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BCR: a promiscuous fusion partner in hematopoietic disorders. Oncotarget 2019; 10:2738-2754. [PMID: 31105873 PMCID: PMC6505627 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.26837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Accepted: 03/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Considerable advances have been made in our understanding of the molecular basis of hematopoietic cancers. The discovery of the BCR-ABL fusion protein over 50 years ago has brought about a new era of therapeutic progress and overall improvement in patient care, mainly due to the development and use of personalized medicine and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). However, since the detection of BCR-ABL, BCR has been identified as a commonly occurring fusion partner in hematopoietic disorders. BCR has been discovered fused to additional tyrosine kinases, including: Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 1 (FGFR1), Platelet-derived Growth Factor Receptor Alpha (PDGFRA), Ret Proto-Oncogene (RET), and Janus Kinase 2 (JAK2). While BCR translocations are infrequent in hematopoietic malignancies, clinical evidence suggests that patients who harbor these mutations benefit from TKIs and additional personalized therapies. The improvement of further methodologies for characterization of these fusions is crucial to determine a patient’s treatment regimen, and optimal outcome. However, potential relapse and drug resistance among patients’ highlights the need for additional treatment options and further understanding of these oncogenic fusion proteins. This review explores the mechanisms behind cancer progression of these BCR oncogenic fusion proteins, comparing their similarities and differences, examining the significance of BCR as a partner gene, and discussing current treatment options for these translocation-induced hematopoietic malignancies.
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32
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Chen F, Danladi J, Ardalan M, Elfving B, Müller HK, Wegener G, Sanchez C, Nyengaard JR. A Critical Role of Mitochondria in BDNF-Associated Synaptic Plasticity After One-Week Vortioxetine Treatment. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2018; 21. [PMID: 29514282 PMCID: PMC6007239 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyy022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Preclinical studies have indicated that antidepressant effect of vortioxetine involves increased synaptic plasticity and promotion of spine maturation. Mitochondria dysfunction may contribute to the pathophysiological basis of major depressive disorder. Taking into consideration that vortioxetine increases spine number and dendritic branching in hippocampus CA1 faster than fluoxetine, we hypothesize that new spines induced by vortioxetine can rapidly form functional synapses by mitochondrial support, accompanied by increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor signaling. METHODS Rats were treated for 1 week with vortioxetine or fluoxetine at pharmacologically relevant doses. Number of synapses and mitochondria in hippocampus CA1 were quantified by electron microscopy. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor protein levels were visualized with immunohistochemistry. Gene and protein expression of synapse and mitochondria-related markers were investigated with real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunoblotting. RESULTS Vortioxetine increased number of synapses and mitochondria significantly, whereas fluoxetine had no effect after 1-week dosing. BDNF levels in hippocampus DG and CA1 were significantly higher after vortioxetine treatment. Gene expression levels of Rac1 after vortioxetine treatment were significantly increased. There was a tendency towards increased gene expression levels of Drp1 and protein levels of Rac1. However, both gene and protein levels of c-Fos were significantly decreased. Furthermore, there was a significant positive correlation between BDNF levels and mitochondria and synapse numbers. CONCLUSION Our results imply that mitochondria play a critical role in synaptic plasticity accompanied by increased BDNF levels. Rapid changes in BDNF levels and synaptic/mitochondria plasticity of hippocampus following vortioxetine compared with fluoxetine may be ascribed to vortioxetine's modulation of serotonin receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fenghua Chen
- Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Risskov, Denmark
- Core Center for Molecular Morphology, Section for Stereology and Microscopy, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Correspondence: Fenghua Chen, Department of Clinical Medicine - Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Skovagervej 2, 8240 Risskov, Denmark ()
| | - Jibrin Danladi
- Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Risskov, Denmark
| | - Maryam Ardalan
- Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Risskov, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine - Center of Functionally Integrative Neuroscience, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Betina Elfving
- Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Risskov, Denmark
| | - Heidi K Müller
- Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Risskov, Denmark
| | - Gregers Wegener
- Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Risskov, Denmark
- Center of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
- AUGUST Centre, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Risskov, Denmark
| | - Connie Sanchez
- Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Risskov, Denmark
- Alkermes, Biotechnology, Waltham, MA
| | - Jens R Nyengaard
- Core Center for Molecular Morphology, Section for Stereology and Microscopy, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Centre for Stochastic Geometry and Advanced Bioimaging, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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33
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Acevedo A, González-Billault C. Crosstalk between Rac1-mediated actin regulation and ROS production. Free Radic Biol Med 2018; 116:101-113. [PMID: 29330095 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2018.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2017] [Revised: 01/03/2018] [Accepted: 01/05/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The small RhoGTPase Rac1 is implicated in a variety of events related to actin cytoskeleton rearrangement. Remarkably, another event that is completely different from those related to actin regulation has the same relevance; the Rac1-mediated production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) through NADPH oxidases (NOX). Each outcome involves different Rac1 downstream effectors; on one hand, events related to the actin cytoskeleton require Rac1 to bind to WAVEs proteins and PAKs that ultimately promote actin branching and turnover, on the other, NOX-derived ROS production demands active Rac1 to be bound to a cytosolic activator of NOX. How Rac1-mediated signaling ends up promoting actin-related events, NOX-derived ROS, or both is poorly understood. Rac1 regulators, including scaffold proteins, are known to exert tight control over its functions. Hence, evidence of Rac1 regulatory events leading to both actin remodeling and NOX-mediated ROS generation are discussed. Moreover, cellular functions linked to physiological and pathological conditions that exhibit crosstalk between Rac1 outcomes are analyzed, while plausible roles in neuronal functions (and dysfunctions) are highlighted. Together, discussed evidence shed light on cellular mechanisms which requires Rac1 to direct either actin- and/or ROS-related events, helping to understand crucial roles of Rac1 dual functionality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Acevedo
- FONDAP Geroscience Center for Brain Health and Metabolism, Santiago, Chile.
| | - Christian González-Billault
- FONDAP Geroscience Center for Brain Health and Metabolism, Santiago, Chile; Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Universidad de Chile, 7800024, Chile; The Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Novato, USA.
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Wang J, Hodes GE, Zhang H, Zhang S, Zhao W, Golden SA, Bi W, Menard C, Kana V, Leboeuf M, Xie M, Bregman D, Pfau ML, Flanigan ME, Esteban-Fernández A, Yemul S, Sharma A, Ho L, Dixon R, Merad M, Han MH, Russo SJ, Pasinetti GM. Epigenetic modulation of inflammation and synaptic plasticity promotes resilience against stress in mice. Nat Commun 2018; 9:477. [PMID: 29396460 PMCID: PMC5797143 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-02794-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 156] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2016] [Accepted: 12/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Major depressive disorder is associated with abnormalities in the brain and the immune system. Chronic stress in animals showed that epigenetic and inflammatory mechanisms play important roles in mediating resilience and susceptibility to depression. Here, through a high-throughput screening, we identify two phytochemicals, dihydrocaffeic acid (DHCA) and malvidin-3′-O-glucoside (Mal-gluc) that are effective in promoting resilience against stress by modulating brain synaptic plasticity and peripheral inflammation. DHCA/Mal-gluc also significantly reduces depression-like phenotypes in a mouse model of increased systemic inflammation induced by transplantation of hematopoietic progenitor cells from stress-susceptible mice. DHCA reduces pro-inflammatory interleukin 6 (IL-6) generations by inhibiting DNA methylation at the CpG-rich IL-6 sequences introns 1 and 3, while Mal-gluc modulates synaptic plasticity by increasing histone acetylation of the regulatory sequences of the Rac1 gene. Peripheral inflammation and synaptic maladaptation are in line with newly hypothesized clinical intervention targets for depression that are not addressed by currently available antidepressants. Polyphenols have partial antidepressant effect without known mechanism. Here, the authors identify two phytochemicals from bioactive dietary polyphenols, show their antidepressant effect in a rodent model of depression, and that this effect is mediated by epigenetic and anti-inflammatory mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Wang
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA.,Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, NY, 10468, USA
| | - Georgia E Hodes
- Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Hongxing Zhang
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Song Zhang
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Wei Zhao
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Sam A Golden
- Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Weina Bi
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Caroline Menard
- Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Veronika Kana
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute and Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Marylene Leboeuf
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute and Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Marc Xie
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Dana Bregman
- Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Madeline L Pfau
- Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Meghan E Flanigan
- Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | | | - Shrishailam Yemul
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Ali Sharma
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Lap Ho
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Richard Dixon
- Department of Biological Science, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, 76203, USA
| | - Miriam Merad
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute and Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Ming-Hu Han
- Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA.,Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Scott J Russo
- Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Giulio M Pasinetti
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA. .,Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, NY, 10468, USA.
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Martinez LA, Tejada-Simon MV. Pharmacological Rescue of Hippocampal Fear Learning Deficits in Fragile X Syndrome. Mol Neurobiol 2017; 55:5951-5961. [DOI: 10.1007/s12035-017-0819-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2017] [Accepted: 11/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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36
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Restorative effects of curcumin on sleep-deprivation induced memory impairments and structural changes of the hippocampus in a rat model. Life Sci 2017; 189:63-70. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2017.09.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2017] [Revised: 09/06/2017] [Accepted: 09/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Das A, Dines M, Alapin JM, Lamprecht R. Affecting long-term fear memory formation through optical control of Rac1 GTPase and PAK activity in lateral amygdala. Sci Rep 2017; 7:13930. [PMID: 29066727 PMCID: PMC5655381 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-13674-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2017] [Accepted: 09/26/2017] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Fear conditioning, a behavioral model for studying fear-related disorders, is believed to be formed by alterations of synaptic efficacy mediated by changes in synaptic transmission and neuronal morphology in lateral amygdala (LA). Rac GTPase and its downstream effector p21-activated kinase (PAK) are involved in such key neuronal functions. Here we show that optical activation of Rac1 GTPase using photoactivatable form of Rac1 (PA-Rac1) in amygdala led to phosphorylation of PAK and inhibition of long-term but not short-term auditory fear conditioning memory formation. Activation of PA-Rac1 in LA one day after fear conditioning had no effect on long-term fear memory tested 24 hrs after PA-Rac1 activation. Inhibition of PAK in LA by microinjection of the PAK inhibitor IPA-3 30 minutes before fear conditioning enhanced long-term but not short-term fear memory formation. Our results demonstrate that photoactivation of Rac1 GTPase in lateral amygdala impairs fear memory formation. Moreover, Rac1 effector PAK activity during fear conditioning constrains the formation of fear memory in LA. Thus, Rac GTPase and PAK proteins may serve as targets for treatment of fear and anxiety disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aniruddha Das
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences,, Haifa, Israel
| | - Monica Dines
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences,, Haifa, Israel
| | - Jessica M Alapin
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences,, Haifa, Israel
| | - Raphael Lamprecht
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences,, Haifa, Israel. .,The Integrated Brain and Behavior Research Center (IBBR), University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel.
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38
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Smith KR, Rajgor D, Hanley JG. Differential regulation of the Rac1 GTPase-activating protein (GAP) BCR during oxygen/glucose deprivation in hippocampal and cortical neurons. J Biol Chem 2017; 292:20173-20183. [PMID: 29046349 PMCID: PMC5724004 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m117.796292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2017] [Revised: 09/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain ischemia causes oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) in neurons, triggering a cascade of events leading to synaptic accumulation of glutamate. Excessive activation of glutamate receptors causes excitotoxicity and delayed cell death in vulnerable neurons. Following global cerebral ischemia, hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons are more vulnerable to injury than their cortical counterparts, but the mechanisms that underlie this difference are unclear. Signaling via Rho-family small GTPases, their upstream guanine nucleotide exchange factors, and GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs) is differentially dysregulated in response to OGD/ischemia in hippocampal and cortical neurons. Increased Rac1 activity caused by OGD/ischemia contributes to neuronal death in hippocampal neurons via diverse effects on NADPH oxidase activity and dendritic spine morphology. The Rac1 guanine nucleotide exchange factor Tiam1 mediates an OGD-induced increase in Rac1 activity in hippocampal neurons; however, the identity of an antagonistic GAP remains elusive. Here we show that the Rac1 GAP breakpoint cluster region (BCR) associates with NMDA receptors (NMDARs) along with Tiam1 and that this protein complex is more abundant in hippocampal compared with cortical neurons. Although total BCR is similar in the two neuronal types, BCR is more active in hippocampal compared with cortical neurons. OGD causes an NMDAR- and Ca2+-permeable AMPAR-dependent deactivation of BCR in hippocampal but not cortical neurons. BCR knockdown occludes OGD-induced Rac1 activation in hippocampal neurons. Furthermore, disrupting the Tiam1–NMDAR interaction with a fragment of Tiam1 blocks OGD-induced Tiam1 activation but has no effect on the deactivation of BCR. This work identifies BCR as a critical player in Rac1 regulation during OGD in hippocampal neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharine R Smith
- Centre for Synaptic Plasticity and School of Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Bristol, University Walk, Bristol BS8 1TD, United Kingdom; Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado 80045.
| | - Dipen Rajgor
- Centre for Synaptic Plasticity and School of Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Bristol, University Walk, Bristol BS8 1TD, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan G Hanley
- Centre for Synaptic Plasticity and School of Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Bristol, University Walk, Bristol BS8 1TD, United Kingdom
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39
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Davis RL, Zhong Y. The Biology of Forgetting-A Perspective. Neuron 2017; 95:490-503. [PMID: 28772119 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2017.05.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 141] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2016] [Revised: 05/26/2017] [Accepted: 05/30/2017] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Pioneering research studies, beginning with those using Drosophila, have identified several molecular and cellular mechanisms for active forgetting. The currently known mechanisms for active forgetting include neurogenesis-based forgetting, interference-based forgetting, and intrinsic forgetting, the latter term describing the brain's chronic signaling systems that function to slowly degrade molecular and cellular memory traces. The best-characterized pathway for intrinsic forgetting includes "forgetting cells" that release dopamine onto engram cells, mobilizing a signaling pathway that terminates in the activation of Rac1/Cofilin to effect changes in the actin cytoskeleton and neuron/synapse structure. Intrinsic forgetting may be the default state of the brain, constantly promoting memory erasure and competing with processes that promote memory stability like consolidation. A better understanding of active forgetting will provide insights into the brain's memory management system and human brain disorders that alter active forgetting mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronald L Davis
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute Florida, Jupiter, FL, USA.
| | - Yi Zhong
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, School for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
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40
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Huang GH, Sun ZL, Li HJ, Feng DF. Rho GTPase-activating proteins: Regulators of Rho GTPase activity in neuronal development and CNS diseases. Mol Cell Neurosci 2017; 80:18-31. [PMID: 28163190 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2017.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2016] [Revised: 01/06/2017] [Accepted: 01/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The Rho family of small GTPases was considered as molecular switches in regulating multiple cellular events, including cytoskeleton reorganization. The Rho GTPase-activating proteins (RhoGAPs) are one of the major families of Rho GTPase regulators. RhoGAPs were initially considered negative mediators of Rho signaling pathways via their GAP domain. Recent studies have demonstrated that RhoGAPs also regulate numerous aspects of neuronal development and are related to various neurodegenerative diseases in GAP-dependent and GAP-independent manners. Moreover, RhoGAPs are regulated through various mechanisms, such as phosphorylation. To date, approximately 70 RhoGAPs have been identified; however, only a small portion has been thoroughly investigated. Thus, the characterization of important RhoGAPs in the central nervous system is crucial to understand their spatiotemporal role during different stages of neuronal development. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of RhoGAPs in the brain with an emphasis on their molecular function, regulation mechanism and disease implications in the central nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guo-Hui Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 201900, China
| | - Zhao-Liang Sun
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 201900, China
| | - Hong-Jiang Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 201900, China
| | - Dong-Fu Feng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 201900, China; Institute of Traumatic Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 201900, China.
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41
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Jiang L, Mao R, Tong J, Li J, Chai A, Zhou Q, Yang Y, Wang L, Li L, Xu L. Inhibition of Rac1 activity in the hippocampus impaired extinction of contextual fear. Neuropharmacology 2016; 109:216-222. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2016.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2015] [Revised: 06/01/2016] [Accepted: 06/17/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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42
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Liu Y, Du S, Lv L, Lei B, Shi W, Tang Y, Wang L, Zhong Y. Hippocampal Activation of Rac1 Regulates the Forgetting of Object Recognition Memory. Curr Biol 2016; 26:2351-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2016.06.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2016] [Revised: 06/22/2016] [Accepted: 06/24/2016] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
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43
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Valdez CM, Murphy GG, Beg AA. The Rac-GAP alpha2-chimaerin regulates hippocampal dendrite and spine morphogenesis. Mol Cell Neurosci 2016; 75:14-26. [PMID: 27297944 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2016.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2016] [Revised: 05/09/2016] [Accepted: 06/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Dendritic spines are fine neuronal processes where spatially restricted input can induce activity-dependent changes in one spine, while leaving neighboring spines unmodified. Morphological spine plasticity is critical for synaptic transmission and is thought to underlie processes like learning and memory. Significantly, defects in dendritic spine stability and morphology are common pathogenic features found in several neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders. The remodeling of spines relies on proteins that modulate the underlying cytoskeleton, which is primarily composed of filamentous (F)-actin. The Rho-GTPase Rac1 is a major regulator of F-actin and is essential for the development and plasticity of dendrites and spines. However, the key molecules and mechanisms that regulate Rac1-dependent pathways at spines and synapses are not well understood. We have identified the Rac1-GTPase activating protein, α2-chimaerin, as a critical negative regulator of Rac1 in hippocampal neurons. The loss of α2-chimaerin significantly increases the levels of active Rac1 and induces the formation of aberrant polymorphic dendritic spines. Further, disruption of α2-chimaerin signaling simplifies dendritic arbor complexity and increases the presence of dendritic spines that appear poly-innervated. Our data suggests that α2-chimaerin serves as a "brake" to constrain Rac1-dependent signaling to ensure that the mature morphology of spines is maintained in response to network activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris M Valdez
- Interdepartmental Program in Neuroscience, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
| | - Geoffrey G Murphy
- Interdepartmental Program in Neuroscience, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience Institute, Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
| | - Asim A Beg
- Interdepartmental Program in Neuroscience, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States.
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44
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Lee JR. Protein tyrosine phosphatase PTPRT as a regulator of synaptic formation and neuronal development. BMB Rep 2016; 48:249-55. [PMID: 25748173 PMCID: PMC4578563 DOI: 10.5483/bmbrep.2015.48.5.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
PTPRT/RPTPρ is the most recently isolated member of the type IIB receptor-type protein tyrosine phosphatase family and its expression is restricted to the nervous system. PTPRT plays a critical role in regulation of synaptic formation and neuronal development. When PTPRT was overexpressed in hippocampal neurons, synaptic formation and dendritic arborization were induced. On the other hand, knockdown of PTPRT decreased neuronal transmission and attenuated neuronal development. PTPRT strengthened neuronal synapses by forming homophilic trans dimers with each other and heterophilic cis complexes with neuronal adhesion molecules. Fyn tyrosine kinase regulated PTPRT activity through phosphorylation of tyrosine 912 within the membrane-proximal catalytic domain of PTPRT. Phosphorylation induced homophilic cis dimerization of PTPRT and resulted in the inhibition of phosphatase activity. BCR-Rac1 GAP and Syntaxin-binding protein were found as new endogenous substrates of PTPRT in rat brain. PTPRT induced polymerization of actin cytoskeleton that determined the morphologies of dendrites and spines by inhibiting BCR-Rac1 GAP activity. Additionally, PTPRT appeared to regulate neurotransmitter release through reinforcement of interactions between Syntaxin-binding protein and Syntaxin, a SNARE protein. In conclusion, PTPRT regulates synaptic function and neuronal development through interactions with neuronal adhesion molecules and the dephosphorylation of synaptic molecules. [BMB Reports 2015; 48(5): 249-255]
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae-Ran Lee
- Biomedical Translational Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience & Biotechnology, Daejeon 305-806, Korea
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45
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Developmental RacGAP α2-Chimaerin Signaling Is a Determinant of the Morphological Features of Dendritic Spines in Adulthood. J Neurosci 2016; 35:13728-44. [PMID: 26446225 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0419-15.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Morphological characteristics of dendritic spines form the basis of cognitive ability. However, molecular mechanisms involved in fine-tuning of spine morphology during development are not fully understood. Moreover, it is unclear whether, and to what extent, these developmental mechanisms determine the normal adult spine morphological features. Here, we provide evidence that α2-isoform of Rac-specific GTPase-activating protein α-chimaerin (α2-chimaerin) is involved in spine morphological refinement during late postnatal period, and furthermore show that this developmental α2-chimaerin function affects adult spine morphologies. We used a series of mice with global and conditional knock-out of α-chimaerin isoforms (α1-chimaerin and α2-chimaerin). α2-Chimaerin disruption, but not α1-chimaerin disruption, in the mouse results in an increased size (and density) of spines in the hippocampus. In contrast, overexpression of α2-chimaerin in developing hippocampal neurons induces a decrease of spine size. Disruption of α2-chimaerin suppressed EphA-mediated spine morphogenesis in cultured developing hippocampal neurons. α2-Chimaerin disruption that begins during the juvenile stage results in an increased size of spines in the hippocampus. Meanwhile, spine morphologies are unaltered when α2-chimaerin is deleted only in adulthood. Consistent with these spine morphological results, disruption of α2-chimaerin beginning in the juvenile stage led to an increase in contextual fear learning in adulthood; whereas contextual learning was recently shown to be unaffected when α2-chimaerin was deleted only in adulthood. Together, these results suggest that α2-chimaerin signaling in developmental stages contributes to determination of the morphological features of adult spines and establishment of normal cognitive ability. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Recent studies of neurodevelopmental disorders in humans and their animal models have led to an attractive hypothesis that spine morphogenesis during development forms the basis of adult cognition. In particular, the roles of Rac and its regulators, such as Rac-specific GTPase-activating proteins (RacGAPs) and Rac guanine nucleotide exchange factors, are a topic of focus in spine morphogenesis and cognitive ability. Using a series of mice with global and conditional knock-out (KO) of RacGAP α-chimaerin isoforms (α1-chimaerin and α2-chimaerin), we provide compelling evidence demonstrating that α2-chimaerin is involved in spine morphological refinement during late postnatal development and that this developmental α2-chimaerin function affects adult spine morphologies. Furthermore, our results clearly showed that α2-chimaerin signaling during late postnatal development contributes to normal cognitive ability in adult mice.
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Park H, Yang J, Kim R, Li Y, Lee Y, Lee C, Park J, Lee D, Kim H, Kim E. Mice lacking the PSD-95-interacting E3 ligase, Dorfin/Rnf19a, display reduced adult neurogenesis, enhanced long-term potentiation, and impaired contextual fear conditioning. Sci Rep 2015; 5:16410. [PMID: 26553645 PMCID: PMC4639748 DOI: 10.1038/srep16410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2015] [Accepted: 10/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein ubiquitination has a significant influence on diverse aspects of neuronal development and function. Dorfin, also known as Rnf19a, is a RING finger E3 ubiquitin ligase implicated in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Parkinson's disease, but its in vivo functions have not been explored. We report here that Dorfin is a novel binding partner of the excitatory postsynaptic scaffolding protein PSD-95. Dorfin-mutant (Dorfin(-/-)) mice show reduced adult neurogenesis and enhanced long-term potentiation in the hippocampal dentate gyrus, but normal long-term potentiation in the CA1 region. Behaviorally, Dorfin(-/-) mice show impaired contextual fear conditioning, but normal levels of cued fear conditioning, fear extinction, spatial learning and memory, object recognition memory, spatial working memory, and pattern separation. Using a proteomic approach, we also identify a number of proteins whose ubiquitination levels are decreased in the Dorfin(-/-) brain. These results suggest that Dorfin may regulate adult neurogenesis, synaptic plasticity, and contextual fear memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanwool Park
- Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 305-701, Korea
| | - Jinhee Yang
- Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST, Daejeon 305-701, Korea
| | - Ryunhee Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST, Daejeon 305-701, Korea
| | - Yan Li
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon 305-701, Korea
| | - Yeunkum Lee
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon 305-701, Korea
| | - Chungwoo Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST, Daejeon 305-701, Korea
| | - Jongil Park
- Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST, Daejeon 305-701, Korea
| | - Dongmin Lee
- Department of Anatomy and Division of Brain Korea 21. Biomedical Science, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 136-704, Korea
| | - Hyun Kim
- Department of Anatomy and Division of Brain Korea 21. Biomedical Science, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 136-704, Korea
| | - Eunjoon Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST, Daejeon 305-701, Korea.,Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon 305-701, Korea
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Hua ZL, Emiliani FE, Nathans J. Rac1 plays an essential role in axon growth and guidance and in neuronal survival in the central and peripheral nervous systems. Neural Dev 2015; 10:21. [PMID: 26395878 PMCID: PMC4580344 DOI: 10.1186/s13064-015-0049-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2015] [Accepted: 09/04/2015] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rac1 is a critical regulator of cytoskeletal dynamics in multiple cell types. In the nervous system, it has been implicated in the control of cell proliferation, neuronal migration, and axon development. RESULTS To systematically investigate the role of Rac1 in axon growth and guidance in the developing nervous system, we have examined the phenotypes associated with deleting Rac1 in the embryonic mouse forebrain, in cranial and spinal motor neurons, in cranial sensory and dorsal root ganglion neurons, and in the retina. We observe a widespread requirement for Rac1 in axon growth and guidance and a cell-autonomous defect in axon growth in Rac1 (-/-) motor neurons in culture. Neuronal death, presumably a secondary consequence of the axon growth and/or guidance defects, was observed in multiple locations. Following deletion of Rac1 in the forebrain, thalamocortical axons were misrouted inferiorly, with the majority projecting to the contralateral thalamus and a minority projecting ipsilaterally to the ventral cortex, a pattern of misrouting that is indistinguishable from the pattern previously observed in Frizzled3 (-/-) and Celsr3 (-/-) forebrains. In the limbs, motor-neuron-specific deletion of Rac1 produced a distinctive stalling of axons within the dorsal nerve of the hindlimb but a much milder loss of axons in the ventral hindlimb and forelimb nerves, a pattern that is virtually identical to the one previously observed in Frizzled3 (-/-) limbs. CONCLUSIONS The similarities in axon growth and guidance phenotypes caused by Rac1, Frizzled3, and Celsr3 loss-of-function mutations suggest a mechanistic connection between tissue polarity/planar cell polarity signaling and Rac1-dependent cytoskeletal regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhong L Hua
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA. .,Present address: Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
| | - Francesco E Emiliani
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
| | - Jeremy Nathans
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA. .,Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA. .,Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA. .,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
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48
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Lee CC, Huang CC, Hsu KS. The phospholipid-binding protein SESTD1 negatively regulates dendritic spine density by interfering with Rac1-Trio8 signaling pathway. Sci Rep 2015; 5:13250. [PMID: 26272757 PMCID: PMC4536496 DOI: 10.1038/srep13250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2015] [Accepted: 07/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Dendritic spines are actin-rich protrusions from neuronal dendrites that harbor the majority of excitatory synapses. The balance of spine formation and retraction may influence dendritic integrity. While knowledge of the molecular mechanisms that promote dendritic spine formation has accumulated, little is known about the factors that limit spine formation. Here, we show that SESTD1, a phospholipid-binding protein containing a lipid-binding SEC14-like domain and two spectrin-repeat cytoskeleton interaction domains, negatively regulates dendritic spine density in cultured hippocampal neurons. Overexpression of SESTD1 decreases dendritic spine density in neurons by interfering with the interaction between Rac1 and its guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) Trio8. Conversely, knockdown of SESTD1 increases dendritic spine density. Further analysis reveals that the SPEC1 domain-mediated interaction with Rac1 is required for SESTD1 activity toward a decrease in dendritic spine density. Transfection of GEF domain of Trio8 into neurons rescues SESTD1-mediated decrease in dendritic spine density. More importantly, overexpression of SESTD1 results in a decrease in the frequency of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs), whereas SESTD1 knockdown increases the mEPSC frequency. These results suggest that SESTD1 may act as a negative regulator of the Rac1-Trio8 signaling pathway to reduce dendritic spine density and lower excitatory synaptic transmission in hippocampal neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Che Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Chiung-Chun Huang
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Kuei-Sen Hsu
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
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Choi SY, Han K, Cutforth T, Chung W, Park H, Lee D, Kim R, Kim MH, Choi Y, Shen K, Kim E. Mice lacking the synaptic adhesion molecule Neph2/Kirrel3 display moderate hyperactivity and defective novel object preference. Front Cell Neurosci 2015; 9:283. [PMID: 26283919 PMCID: PMC4517382 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2015.00283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2015] [Accepted: 07/10/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Synaptic adhesion molecules regulate diverse aspects of neuronal synapse development, including synapse specificity, formation, and maturation. Neph2, also known as Kirrel3, is an immunoglobulin superfamily adhesion molecule implicated in intellectual disability, neurocognitive delay associated with Jacobsen syndrome, and autism spectrum disorders. We here report mice lacking Neph2 (Neph2(-/-) mice) display moderate hyperactivity in a familiar, but not novel, environment and defective novel object recognition with normal performances in Morris water maze spatial learning and memory, contextual fear conditioning and extinction, and pattern separation tests. These mice also show normal levels of anxiety-like behaviors, social interaction, and repetitive behaviors. At the synapse level, Neph2(-/-) dentate gyrus granule cells exhibit unaltered dendritic spine density and spontaneous excitatory synaptic transmission. These results suggest that Neph2 is important for normal locomotor activity and object recognition memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Su-Yeon Choi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Kihoon Han
- Department of Neuroscience and Division of Brain Korea 21, Biomedical Science, College of Medicine, Korea University Seoul, South Korea
| | - Tyler Cutforth
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University Medical Center New York, NY, USA
| | - Woosuk Chung
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Haram Park
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Dongsoo Lee
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Ryunhee Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Myeong-Heui Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Yeeun Choi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Kang Shen
- Department of Biology, Stanford University Stanford, CA, USA ; Howard Hughes Medical Institute Chevy Chase, MD, USA
| | - Eunjoon Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology Daejeon, South Korea ; Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science Daejeon, South Korea
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50
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Komatsu M, Wheeler HE, Chung S, Low SK, Wing C, Delaney SM, Gorsic LK, Takahashi A, Kubo M, Kroetz DL, Zhang W, Nakamura Y, Dolan ME. Pharmacoethnicity in Paclitaxel-Induced Sensory Peripheral Neuropathy. Clin Cancer Res 2015; 21:4337-46. [PMID: 26015512 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-15-0133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2015] [Accepted: 05/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Paclitaxel is used worldwide in the treatment of breast, lung, ovarian, and other cancers. Sensory peripheral neuropathy is an associated adverse effect that cannot be predicted, prevented, or mitigated. To better understand the contribution of germline genetic variation to paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy, we undertook an integrative approach that combines genome-wide association study (GWAS) data generated from HapMap lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCL) and Asian patients. METHODS GWAS was performed with paclitaxel-induced cytotoxicity generated in 363 LCLs and with paclitaxel-induced neuropathy from 145 Asian patients. A gene-based approach was used to identify overlapping genes and compare with a European clinical cohort of paclitaxel-induced neuropathy. Neurons derived from human-induced pluripotent stem cells were used for functional validation of candidate genes. RESULTS SNPs near AIPL1 were significantly associated with paclitaxel-induced cytotoxicity in Asian LCLs (P < 10(-6)). Decreased expression of AIPL1 resulted in decreased sensitivity of neurons to paclitaxel by inducing neurite morphologic changes as measured by increased relative total outgrowth, number of processes and mean process length. Using a gene-based analysis, there were 32 genes that overlapped between Asian LCL cytotoxicity and Asian patient neuropathy (P < 0.05), including BCR. Upon BCR knockdown, there was an increase in neuronal sensitivity to paclitaxel as measured by neurite morphologic characteristics. CONCLUSIONS We identified genetic variants associated with Asian paclitaxel-induced cytotoxicity and functionally validated the AIPL1 and BCR in a neuronal cell model. Furthermore, the integrative pharmacogenomics approach of LCL/patient GWAS may help prioritize target genes associated with chemotherapeutic-induced peripheral neuropathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaaki Komatsu
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Heather E Wheeler
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Suyoun Chung
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois. Division of Cancer Development System, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Siew-Kee Low
- Laboratory for Statistical Analysis, Core for Genomic Medicine, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan. Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Human Genome Center, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Claudia Wing
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Shannon M Delaney
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Lidija K Gorsic
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Atsushi Takahashi
- Laboratory for Statistical Analysis, Core for Genomic Medicine, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Michiaki Kubo
- Laboratory for Genotyping Development, Core for Genomic Medicine, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Deanna L Kroetz
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Yusuke Nakamura
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois. Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Human Genome Center, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - M Eileen Dolan
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.
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