Spatially coordinated kinase signaling regulates local axon degeneration

Selective phosphorylation of serine 345 on p47-phox serves as a priming signal of ROS-mediated axonal degeneration

Oxidative stress is a well-known inducer of two major neurodegenerative pathways, neuronal cell death and neurite degeneration. We previously reported that reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by NADPH oxidases induces EGFR-dependent phosphorylation and activation of ZNRF1 ubiquitin ligase in neurons, which promotes neuronal cell death and neurite degeneration. While these findings provide a potential therapeutic avenue for neurodegeneration, a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms of this pathway have emerged as key points of interest. Here, we show that a NADPH oxidase subunit p47-phox/neutrophil cytosolic factor 1 regulates ZNRF1 activity. Using an in vitro neurite degeneration model, we demonstrate that transection-induced phosphorylation of p47-phox at the 345th serine residue by p38 MAPK serves as an initiating signal to activate ZNRF1. The phosphorylated p47 (pS345) or a phospho-mimetic mutant p47-phox binds directly to ZNRF1 whereas a phosphorylation-resistant mutant p47-phox cannot bind to ZNRF1 and its overexpression in neurites significantly suppresses ZNRF1 activation, AKT ubiquitination, and degeneration after transection, suggesting that pS345 might enhance the EGFR-mediated phosphorylation-dependent activation of ZNRF1. These results suggest that pS345 might represent an important checkpoint to initiate the ZNRF1-mediated neurite degeneration. Our findings provide novel insights into the mechanism of ROS-mediated neurodegeneration.

Long-distance regressive signaling in neural development and disease

Nervous system development proceeds via well-orchestrated processes involving a balance between progressive and regressive events including stabilization or elimination of axons, synapses, and even entire neurons. These progressive and regressive events are driven by functionally antagonistic signaling pathways with the dominant pathway eventually determining whether a neural element is retained or removed. Many of these developmental sculpting events are triggered by final target innervation necessitating a long-distance mode of communication. While long-distance progressive signaling has been well characterized, particularly for neurotrophic factors, there remains relatively little known about how regressive events are triggered from a distance. Here we discuss the emergent phenomenon of long-distance regressive signaling pathways. In particular, we will cover (a) progressive and regressive cues known to be employed after target innervation, (b) the mechanisms of long-distance signaling from an endosomal platform, (c) recent evidence that long-distance regressive cues emanate from platforms like death receptors or repulsive axon guidance receptors, and (d) evidence that these pathways are exploited in pathological scenarios. This article is categorized under: Nervous System Development > Vertebrates: General Principles Signaling Pathways > Global Signaling Mechanisms Establishment of Spatial and Temporal Patterns > Cytoplasmic Localization.

Cell death in animal development

Cell death is an important facet of animal development. In some developing tissues, death is the ultimate fate of over 80% of generated cells. Although recent studies have delineated a bewildering number of cell death mechanisms, most have only been observed in pathological contexts, and only a small number drive normal development. This Primer outlines the important roles, different types and molecular players regulating developmental cell death, and discusses recent findings with which the field currently grapples. We also clarify terminology, to distinguish between developmental cell death mechanisms, for which there is evidence for evolutionary selection, and cell death that follows genetic, chemical or physical injury. Finally, we suggest how advances in understanding developmental cell death may provide insights into the molecular basis of developmental abnormalities and pathological cell death in disease.

System level characterization of small molecule drugs and their affected long noncoding RNAs

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have multiple regulatory roles and are involved in many human diseases. A potential therapeutic strategy based on targeting lncRNAs was recently developed. To gain insight into the global relationship between small molecule drugs and their affected lncRNAs, we constructed a small molecule lncRNA network consisting of 1206 nodes (1033 drugs and 173 lncRNAs) and 4770 drug-lncRNA associations using LNCmap, which reannotated the microarray data from the Connectivity Map (CMap) database. Based on network biology, we found that the connected drug pairs tended to share the same targets, indications, and side effects. In addition, the connected drug pairs tended to have a similar structure. By inferring the functions of lncRNAs through their co-expressing mRNAs, we found that lncRNA functions related to the modular interface were associated with the mode of action or side effects of the corresponding connected drugs, suggesting that lncRNAs may directly/indirectly participate in specific biological processes after drug administration. Finally, we investigated the tissue-specificity of drug-affected lncRNAs and found that some kinds of drugs tended to have a broader influence (e.g. antineoplastic and immunomodulating drugs), whereas some tissue-specific lncRNAs (nervous system) tended to be affected by multiple types of drugs.

p75NTR and DR6 Regulate Distinct Phases of Axon Degeneration Demarcated by Spheroid Rupture

The regressive events associated with trophic deprivation are critical for sculpting a functional nervous system. After nerve growth factor withdrawal, sympathetic axons derived from male and female neonatal mice maintain their structural integrity for ∼18 h (latent phase) followed by a rapid and near unison disassembly of axons over the next 3 h (catastrophic phase). Here we examine the molecular basis by which axons transition from latent to catastrophic phases of degeneration following trophic withdrawal. Before catastrophic degeneration, we observed an increase in intra-axonal calcium. This calcium flux is accompanied by p75 neurotrophic factor receptor-Rho-actin-dependent expansion of calcium-rich axonal spheroids that eventually rupture, releasing their contents to the extracellular space. Conditioned media derived from degenerating axons are capable of hastening transition into the catastrophic phase of degeneration. We also found that death receptor 6, but not p75 neurotrophic factor receptor, is required for transition into the catastrophic phase in response to conditioned media but not for the intra-axonal calcium flux, spheroid formation, or rupture that occur toward the end of latency. Our results support the existence of an interaxonal degenerative signal that promotes catastrophic degeneration among trophically deprived axons.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Developmental pruning shares several morphological similarities to both disease- and injury-induced degeneration, including spheroid formation. The function and underlying mechanisms governing axonal spheroid formation, however, remain unclear. In this study, we report that axons coordinate each other's degeneration during development via axonal spheroid rupture. Before irreversible breakdown of the axon in response to trophic withdrawal, p75 neurotrophic factor receptor-RhoA signaling governs the formation and growth of spheroids. These spheroids then rupture, allowing exchange of contents ≤10 kDa between the intracellular and extracellular space to drive death receptor 6 and calpain-dependent catastrophic degeneration. This finding informs not only our understanding of regressive events during development but may also provide a rationale for designing new treatments toward myriad neurodegenerative disorders.

Axon injury signaling and compartmentalized injury response in glaucoma

Axonal degeneration is an active, highly controlled process that contributes to beneficial processes, such as developmental pruning, but also to neurodegeneration. In glaucoma, ocular hypertension leads to vision loss by killing the output neurons of the retina, the retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). Multiple processes have been proposed to contribute to and/or mediate axonal injury in glaucoma, including: neuroinflammation, loss of neurotrophic factors, dysregulation of the neurovascular unit, and disruption of the axonal cytoskeleton. While the inciting injury to RGCs in glaucoma is complex and potentially heterogeneous, axonal injury is ultimately thought to be the key insult that drives glaucomatous neurodegeneration. Glaucomatous neurodegeneration is a complex process, with multiple molecular signals contributing to RGC somal loss and axonal degeneration. Furthermore, the propagation of the axonal injury signal is complex, with injury triggering programs of degeneration in both the somal and axonal compartment. Further complicating this process is the involvement of multiple cell types that are known to participate in the process of axonal and neuronal degeneration after glaucomatous injury. Here, we review the axonal signaling that occurs after injury and the molecular signaling programs currently known to be important for somal and axonal degeneration after glaucoma-relevant axonal injuries.

Therapeutic opportunities and pitfalls in the treatment of axon degeneration

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The current review analyzes recent findings that suggest that axon degeneration is a druggable process in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders and a subset of traumas.

RECENT FINDINGS

Emerging evidence reveals that axon degeneration is an active and regulated process in the early progression of some neurodegenerative diseases and acute traumas, which is orchestrated through a combination of axon-intrinsic and somatically derived signaling events. The identification of these pathways has presented appealing drug targets whose specificity for the nervous system and phenotypes in mouse models offers significant clinical opportunity.

SUMMARY

As the biology of axon degeneration becomes clear, so too has the realization that the pathways driving axon degeneration overlap in part with those that drive neuronal apoptosis and, importantly, axon regeneration. Axon-specific disorders like those seen in CIPN, where injury signaling to the nucleus is not a prominent feature, have been shown to benefit from disruption of Sarm1. In injury and disease contexts, where involvement of somatic events is prominent, inhibition of the MAP Kinase DLK exhibits promise for neuroprotection. Here, however, interfering with somatic signaling may preclude the ability of an axon or a circuit to regenerate or functionally adapt following acute injuries.

A Chemical-Genetic Approach Reveals the Distinct Roles of GSK3α and GSK3β in Regulating Embryonic Stem Cell Fate

Glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) plays a central role in diverse cellular processes. GSK3 has two mammalian isozymes, GSK3α and GSK3β, whose functions remain ill-defined because of a lack of inhibitors that can distinguish between the two highly homologous isozymes. Here, we show that GSK3α and GSK3β can be selectively inhibited in mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) using a chemical-genetic approach. Selective inhibition of GSK3β is sufficient to maintain mouse ESC self-renewal, whereas GSK3α inhibition promotes mouse ESC differentiation toward neural lineages. Genome-wide transcriptional analysis reveals that GSK3α and GSK3β have distinct sets of downstream targets. Furthermore, selective inhibition of individual GSK3 isozymes yields distinct phenotypes from gene deletion, highlighting the power of the chemical-genetic approach in dissecting kinase catalytic functions from the protein's scaffolding functions. Our study opens new avenues for defining GSK3 isozyme-specific functions in various cellular processes.

Physiological functions of non-apoptotic caspase activity in the nervous system

Caspases are cysteine proteases that play important and well-defined roles in apoptosis and inflammation. Increasing evidence point to alternative functions of caspases where restricted and localized caspase activation within neurons allows for a variety of non-apoptotic and non-inflammatory processes required for brain development and function. In this review, we highlight sublethal caspase functions in axon and dendrite pruning, neurite outgrowth and dendrite branches formation, as well as in long-term depression and synaptic plasticity. Importantly, as non-apoptotic activity of caspases is often confined in space and time in neurons, we also discuss the mechanisms that restrict caspase activity in order to maintain the neuronal networks in a healthy and functional state.

Selective Inhibitors of Dual Leucine Zipper Kinase (DLK, MAP3K12) with Activity in a Model of Alzheimer's Disease

Significant data exists to suggest that dual leucine zipper kinase (DLK, MAP3K12) is a conserved regulator of neuronal degeneration following neuronal injury and in chronic neurodegenerative disease. Consequently, there is considerable interest in the identification of DLK inhibitors with a profile compatible with development for these indications. Herein, we use structure-based drug design combined with a focus on CNS drug-like properties to generate compounds with superior kinase selectivity and metabolic stability as compared to previously disclosed DLK inhibitors. These compounds, exemplified by inhibitor 14, retain excellent CNS penetration and are well tolerated following multiple days of dosing at concentrations that exceed those required for DLK inhibition in the brain.

ApoE2, ApoE3, and ApoE4 Differentially Stimulate APP Transcription and Aβ Secretion

Human apolipoprotein E (ApoE) apolipoprotein is primarily expressed in three isoforms (ApoE2, ApoE3, and ApoE4) that differ only by two residues. ApoE4 constitutes the most important genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD), ApoE3 is neutral, and ApoE2 is protective. How ApoE isoforms influence AD pathogenesis, however, remains unclear. Using ES-cell-derived human neurons, we show that ApoE secreted by glia stimulates neuronal Aβ production with an ApoE4 > ApoE3 > ApoE2 potency rank order. We demonstrate that ApoE binding to ApoE receptors activates dual leucine-zipper kinase (DLK), a MAP-kinase kinase kinase that then activates MKK7 and ERK1/2 MAP kinases. Activated ERK1/2 induces cFos phosphorylation, stimulating the transcription factor AP-1, which in turn enhances transcription of amyloid-β precursor protein (APP) and thereby increases amyloid-β levels. This molecular mechanism also regulates APP transcription in mice in vivo. Our data describe a novel signal transduction pathway in neurons whereby ApoE activates a non-canonical MAP kinase cascade that enhances APP transcription and amyloid-β synthesis.

Axon degeneration: context defines distinct pathways

Axon degeneration is an essential part of development, plasticity, and injury response and has been primarily studied in mammalian models in three contexts: 1) Axotomy-induced Wallerian degeneration, 2) Apoptosis-induced axon degeneration (axon apoptosis), and 3) Axon pruning. These three contexts dictate engagement of distinct pathways for axon degeneration. Recent advances have identified the importance of SARM1, NMNATs, NAD+ depletion, and MAPK signaling in axotomy-induced Wallerian degeneration. Interestingly, apoptosis-induced axon degeneration and axon pruning have many shared mechanisms both in signaling (e.g. DLK, JNKs, GSK3α/β) and execution (e.g. Puma, Bax, caspase-9, caspase-3). However, the specific mechanisms by which caspases are activated during apoptosis versus pruning appear distinct, with apoptosis requiring Apaf-1 but not caspase-6 while pruning requires caspase-6 but not Apaf-1.

GSK3β regulates AKT-induced central nervous system axon regeneration via an eIF2Bε-dependent, mTORC1-independent pathway

Axons fail to regenerate after central nervous system (CNS) injury. Modulation of the PTEN/mTORC1 pathway in retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) promotes axon regeneration after optic nerve injury. Here, we report that AKT activation, downstream of Pten deletion, promotes axon regeneration and RGC survival. We further demonstrate that GSK3β plays an indispensable role in mediating AKT-induced axon regeneration. Deletion or inactivation of GSK3β promotes axon regeneration independently of the mTORC1 pathway, whereas constitutive activation of GSK3β reduces AKT-induced axon regeneration. Importantly, we have identified eIF2Bε as a novel downstream effector of GSK3β in regulating axon regeneration. Inactivation of eIF2Bε reduces both GSK3β and AKT-mediated effects on axon regeneration. Constitutive activation of eIF2Bε is sufficient to promote axon regeneration. Our results reveal a key role of the AKT-GSK3β-eIF2Bε signaling module in regulating axon regeneration in the adult mammalian CNS.

DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.11903.001

The central nervous system consists of the neurons that make up the brain, retina, and spinal cord. Neurons transmit electrical signals along a cable-like structure called an axon. However, an axon cannot regenerate itself, and so injuries that crush or sever the axons can lead to permanent damage. This happens for two reasons: neurons don’t have the same regenerative ability as other cells, and the environment in the central nervous system restricts cell growth.

The optic nerve transmits visual information from the eye to the brain. Studies in mice with a damaged optic nerve show that it is possible to regenerate the axons of neurons that lack a protein known as PTEN. These studies revealed one molecular pathway by which eliminating PTEN helps to boost the regrowth of axons.

Now, Guo et al. identify another independent pathway by which eliminating PTEN helps promote axon regeneration in damaged mouse optic nerves. This pathway starts with a growth-promoting enzyme called AKT, which is turned on in neurons that lack PTEN. Indeed, injecting mice with an active form of this enzyme caused the optic nerve fiber to regrow in mice whose optic nerve had been crushed.

Further experiments revealed that AKT activates a pathway in which another enzyme called GSK3β acts on a protein called eIF2Bε. A future challenge is to simultaneously manipulate the different signaling pathways that have been linked to axon regrowth to investigate whether this combined approach could help repair damage to the central nervous system.

DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.11903.002

Axon Degeneration Gated by Retrograde Activation of Somatic Pro-apoptotic Signaling

During development, sensory axons compete for limiting neurotrophic support, and local neurotrophin insufficiency triggers caspase-dependent axon degeneration. The signaling driving axon degeneration upon local deprivation is proposed to reside within axons. Our results instead support a model in which, despite the apoptotic machinery being present in axons, the cell body is an active participant in gating axonal caspase activation and axon degeneration. Loss of trophic support in axons initiates retrograde activation of a somatic pro-apoptotic pathway, which, in turn, is required for distal axon degeneration via an anterograde pro-degenerative factor. At a molecular level, the cell body is the convergence point of two signaling pathways whose integrated action drives upregulation of pro-apoptotic Puma, which, unexpectedly, is confined to the cell body. Puma then overcomes inhibition by pro-survival Bcl-xL and Bcl-w and initiates the anterograde pro-degenerative program, highlighting the role of the cell body as an arbiter of large-scale axon removal.

Oxidative stress-dependent phosphorylation activates ZNRF1 to induce neuronal/axonal degeneration

Oxidative stress is a well-known inducer of neuronal apoptosis and axonal degeneration. We previously showed that the E3 ubiquitin ligase ZNRF1 promotes Wallerian degeneration by degrading AKT to induce GSK3B activation. We now demonstrate that oxidative stress serves as an activator of the ubiquitin ligase activity of ZNRF1 by inducing epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mediated phosphorylation at the 103rd tyrosine residue and that the up-regulation of ZNRF1 activity by oxidative stress leads to neuronal apoptosis and Wallerian degeneration. We also show that nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-reduced oxidase activity is required for the EGFR-dependent phosphorylation-induced activation of ZNRF1 and resultant AKT degradation via the ubiquitin proteasome system to induce Wallerian degeneration. These results indicate the pathophysiological significance of the EGFR-ZNRF1 pathway induced by oxidative stress in the regulation of neuronal apoptosis and Wallerian degeneration. A deeper understanding of the regulatory mechanism for ZNRF1 catalytic activity via phosphorylation will provide a potential therapeutic avenue for neurodegeneration.

Sculpting neural circuits by axon and dendrite pruning

The assembly of functional neural circuits requires the combined action of progressive and regressive events. Regressive events encompass a variety of inhibitory developmental processes, including axon and dendrite pruning, which facilitate the removal of exuberant neuronal connections. Most axon pruning involves the removal of axons that had already made synaptic connections; thus, axon pruning is tightly associated with synapse elimination. In many instances, these developmental processes are regulated by the interplay between neurons and glial cells that act instructively during neural remodeling. Owing to the importance of axon and dendritic pruning, these remodeling events require precise spatial and temporal control, and this is achieved by a range of distinct molecular mechanisms. Disruption of these mechanisms results in abnormal pruning, which has been linked to brain dysfunction. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms of axon and dendritic pruning will be instrumental in advancing our knowledge of neural disease and mental disorders.

Scaffold-Hopping and Structure-Based Discovery of Potent, Selective, And Brain Penetrant N-(1H-Pyrazol-3-yl)pyridin-2-amine Inhibitors of Dual Leucine Zipper Kinase (DLK, MAP3K12)

Recent data suggest that inhibition of dual leucine zipper kinase (DLK, MAP3K12) has therapeutic potential for treatment of a number of indications ranging from acute neuronal injury to chronic neurodegenerative disease. Thus, high demand exists for selective small molecule DLK inhibitors with favorable drug-like properties and good CNS penetration. Herein we describe a shape-based scaffold hopping approach to convert pyrimidine 1 to a pyrazole core with improved physicochemical properties. We also present the first crystal structures of DLK. By utilizing a combination of property and structure-based design, we identified inhibitor 11, a potent, selective, and brain-penetrant inhibitor of DLK with activity in an in vivo nerve injury model.

Identification of 12/15-lipoxygenase as a regulator of axon degeneration through high-content screening

Axon degeneration is a programed process that takes place during development, in response to neuronal injury, and as a component of neurodegenerative disease pathology, yet the molecular mechanisms that drive this process remain poorly defined. In this study, we have developed a semi-automated, 384-well format axon degeneration assay in rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons using a trophic factor withdrawal paradigm. Using this setup, we have screened a library of known drugs and bioactives to identify several previously unappreciated regulators of axon degeneration, including lipoxygenases. Multiple structurally distinct lipoxygenase inhibitors as well as mouse DRG neurons lacking expression of 12/15-lipoxygenase display protection of axons in this context. Retinal ganglion cell axons from 12/15-lipoxygenase-null mice were similarly protected from degeneration following nerve crush injury. Through additional mechanistic studies, we demonstrate that lipoxygenases act cell autonomously within neurons to regulate degeneration, and are required for mitochondrial permeabilization and caspase activation in the axon. These findings suggest that these enzymes may represent an attractive target for treatment of neuropathies and provide a potential mechanism for the neuroprotection observed in various settings following lipoxygenase inhibitor treatment.

Pathological axonal death through a MAPK cascade that triggers a local energy deficit

Axonal death disrupts functional connectivity of neural circuits and is a critical feature of many neurodegenerative disorders. Pathological axon degeneration often occurs independently of known programmed death pathways, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain largely unknown. Using traumatic injury as a model, we systematically investigate mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) families and delineate a MAPK cascade that represents the early degenerative response to axonal injury. The adaptor protein Sarm1 is required for activation of this MAPK cascade, and this Sarm1-MAPK pathway disrupts axonal energy homeostasis, leading to ATP depletion before physical breakdown of damaged axons. The protective cytoNmnat1/Wld(s) protein inhibits activation of this MAPK cascade. Further, MKK4, a key component in the Sarm1-MAPK pathway, is antagonized by AKT signaling, which modulates the degenerative response by limiting activation of downstream JNK signaling. Our results reveal a regulatory mechanism that integrates distinct signals to instruct pathological axon degeneration.

Glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3): regulation, actions, and diseases

Glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3) may be the busiest kinase in most cells, with over 100 known substrates to deal with. How does GSK3 maintain control to selectively phosphorylate each substrate, and why was it evolutionarily favorable for GSK3 to assume such a large responsibility? GSK3 must be particularly adaptable for incorporating new substrates into its repertoire, and we discuss the distinct properties of GSK3 that may contribute to its capacity to fulfill its roles in multiple signaling pathways. The mechanisms regulating GSK3 (predominantly post-translational modifications, substrate priming, cellular trafficking, protein complexes) have been reviewed previously, so here we focus on newly identified complexities in these mechanisms, how each of these regulatory mechanism contributes to the ability of GSK3 to select which substrates to phosphorylate, and how these mechanisms may have contributed to its adaptability as new substrates evolved. The current understanding of the mechanisms regulating GSK3 is reviewed, as are emerging topics in the actions of GSK3, particularly its interactions with receptors and receptor-coupled signal transduction events, and differential actions and regulation of the two GSK3 isoforms, GSK3α and GSK3β. Another remarkable characteristic of GSK3 is its involvement in many prevalent disorders, including psychiatric and neurological diseases, inflammatory diseases, cancer, and others. We address the feasibility of targeting GSK3 therapeutically, and provide an update of its involvement in the etiology and treatment of several disorders.

Mechanisms of developmental neurite pruning

The precise wiring of the nervous system is a combined outcome of progressive and regressive events during development. Axon guidance and synapse formation intertwined with cell death and neurite pruning sculpt the mature circuitry. It is now well recognized that pruning of dendrites and axons as means to refine neuronal networks, is a wide spread phenomena required for the normal development of vertebrate and invertebrate nervous systems. Here we will review the arising principles of cellular and molecular mechanisms of neurite pruning. We will discuss these principles in light of studies in multiple neuronal systems, and speculate on potential explanations for the emergence of neurite pruning as a mechanism to sculpt the nervous system.

Mitochondrial dysfunction induces Sarm1-dependent cell death in sensory neurons

Mitochondrial dysfunction is the underlying cause of many neurological disorders, including peripheral neuropathies. Mitochondria rely on a proton gradient to generate ATP and interfering with electron transport chain function can lead to the deleterious accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Notably, loss of mitochondrial potential precedes cellular demise in several programmed cell destruction pathways, including axons undergoing Wallerian degeneration. Here, we demonstrate that mitochondrial depolarization triggers axon degeneration and cell death in primary mouse sensory neurons. These degenerative events are not blocked by inhibitors of canonical programmed cell death pathways such as apoptosis, necroptosis, and parthanatos. Instead, the axodestructive factor Sarm1 is required for this axon degeneration and cell death. In the absence of Sarm1, the mitochondrial poison CCCP still induces depolarization of mitochondria, ATP depletion, calcium influx, and the accumulation of ROS, yet cell death and axon degeneration are blocked. The survival of these neurons despite the accumulation of ROS indicates that Sarm1 acts downstream of ROS generation. Indeed, loss of Sarm1 protects sensory neurons and their axons from prolonged exposure to ROS. Therefore, Sarm1 functions downstream of ROS to induce neuronal cell death and axon degeneration during oxidative stress. These findings highlight the central role for Sarm1 in a novel form of programmed cell destruction that we term sarmoptosis.

Genetic analysis reveals that amyloid precursor protein and death receptor 6 function in the same pathway to control axonal pruning independent of β-secretase

In the developing brain, initial neuronal projections are formed through extensive growth and branching of developing axons, but many branches are later pruned to sculpt the mature pattern of connections. Despite its widespread occurrence, the mechanisms controlling pruning remain incompletely characterized. Based on pharmacological and biochemical analysis in vitro and initial genetic analysis in vivo, prior studies implicated a pathway involving binding of the Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP) to Death Receptor 6 (DR6) and activation of a downstream caspase cascade in axonal pruning. Here, we further test their involvement in pruning in vivo and their mechanism of action through extensive genetic and biochemical analysis. Genetic deletion of DR6 was previously shown to impair pruning of retinal axons in vivo. We show that genetic deletion of APP similarly impairs pruning of retinal axons in vivo and provide evidence that APP and DR6 act cell autonomously and in the same pathway to control pruning. Prior analysis had suggested that β-secretase cleavage of APP and binding of an N-terminal fragment of APP to DR6 is required for their actions, but further genetic and biochemical analysis reveals that β-secretase activity is not required and that high-affinity binding to DR6 requires a more C-terminal portion of the APP ectodomain. These results provide direct support for the model that APP and DR6 function cell autonomously and in the same pathway to control pruning in vivo and raise the possibility of alternate mechanisms for how APP and DR6 control pruning.

DLK-dependent signaling is important for somal but not axonal degeneration of retinal ganglion cells following axonal injury

Injury to retinal ganglion cell (RGC) axons triggers rapid activation of Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling, a major prodeath pathway in injured RGCs. Of the multiple kinases that can activate JNK, dual leucine kinase (Dlk) is known to regulate both apoptosis and Wallerian degeneration triggered by axonal insult. Here we tested the importance of Dlk in regulating somal and axonal degeneration of RGCs following axonal injury. Removal of DLK from the developing optic cup did not grossly affect developmental RGC death or inner plexiform layer organization. In the adult, Dlk deficiency significantly delayed axonal-injury induced RGC death. The activation of JUN was also attenuated in Dlk deficient retinas. Dlk deficiency attenuated the activation of the somal pool of JNK but did not prevent activation of the axonal pool of JNK after axonal injury, indicating that JNK activation in different cellular compartments of an RGC following axonal injury is regulated by distinct upstream kinases. In contrast to its robust influence on somal degeneration, Dlk deficiency did not alter RGC axonal degeneration after axonal injury as assessed using physiological readouts of optic nerve function.

Concepts for regulation of axon integrity by enwrapping glia

Long axons and their enwrapping glia (EG; Schwann cells (SCs) and oligodendrocytes (OLGs)) form a unique compound structure that serves as conduit for transport of electric and chemical information in the nervous system. The peculiar cytoarchitecture over an enormous length as well as its substantial energetic requirements make this conduit particularly susceptible to detrimental alterations. Degeneration of long axons independent of neuronal cell bodies is observed comparatively early in a range of neurodegenerative conditions as a consequence of abnormalities in SCs and OLGs . This leads to the most relevant disease symptoms and highlights the critical role that these glia have for axon integrity, but the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. The quest to understand why and how axons degenerate is now a crucial frontier in disease-oriented research. This challenge is most likely to lead to significant progress if the inextricable link between axons and their flanking glia in pathological situations is recognized. In this review I compile recent advances in our understanding of the molecular programs governing axon degeneration, and mechanisms of EG’s non-cell autonomous impact on axon-integrity. A particular focus is placed on emerging evidence suggesting that EG nurture long axons by virtue of their intimate association, release of trophic substances, and neurometabolic coupling. The correction of defects in these functions has the potential to stabilize axons in a variety of neuronal diseases in the peripheral nervous system and central nervous system (PNS and CNS).

Sarm1-mediated axon degeneration requires both SAM and TIR interactions

Axon degeneration is an evolutionarily conserved pathway that eliminates damaged or unneeded axons. Manipulation of this poorly understood pathway may allow treatment of a wide range of neurological disorders. In an RNAi-based screen performed in cultured mouse DRG neurons, we observed strong suppression of injury-induced axon degeneration upon knockdown of Sarm1 [SARM (sterile α-motif-containing and armadillo-motif containing protein)]. We find that a SARM-dependent degeneration program is engaged by disparate neuronal insults: SARM ablation blocks axon degeneration induced by axotomy or vincristine treatment, while SARM acts in parallel with a soma-derived caspase-dependent pathway following trophic withdrawal. SARM is a multidomain protein that associates with neuronal mitochondria. Deletion of the N-terminal mitochondrial localization sequence disrupts SARM mitochondrial localization in neurons but does not alter its ability to promote axon degeneration. In contrast, mutation of either the SAM (sterile α motif) or TIR (Toll-interleukin-1 receptor) domains abolishes the ability of SARM to promote axonal degeneration, while a SARM mutant containing only these domains elicits axon degeneration and nonapoptotic neuronal death even in the absence of injury. Protein-protein interaction studies demonstrate that the SAM domains are necessary and sufficient to mediate SARM-SARM binding. SARM mutants lacking a TIR domain bind full-length SARM and exhibit strong dominant-negative activity. These results indicate that SARM plays an integral role in the dismantling of injured axons and support a model in which SAM-mediated multimerization is necessary for TIR-dependent engagement of a downstream destruction pathway. These findings suggest that inhibitors of SAM and TIR interactions represent therapeutic candidates for blocking pathological axon loss and neuronal cell death.

Excitotoxin-induced caspase-3 activation and microtubule disintegration in axons is inhibited by taxol

Background

Axon degeneration, a key pathological event in many neurodegenerative diseases and injury, can be induced by somatodendritic excitotoxin exposure. It is currently unclear, however, whether excitotoxin-induced axon degeneration is mechanistically similar to Wallerian degeneration, which occurs following axon transection, but does not involve axonal caspase activation.

Results

We have used mouse primary cortical neurons at 9 days in vitro, in a compartmented culture model that allows separation of the axon from the soma, to examine the pathological cascade of excitotoxin-induced axon degeneration. Excitotoxicity induced by chronic exposure to kainic acid, resulted in axonal fragmentation, which was associated with activation of caspase-3 in the axonal compartment. To examine the role of microtubules in these events, the microtubule-stabilizing agent, taxol, was added to either the axonal or somatodendritic compartment. Our results demonstrated that microtubule stabilization of axons resulted in a significant reduction in the number of fragmented axons following excitotoxin exposure. Interestingly, taxol exposure to either the somatodendritic or axonal compartment resulted in reduced caspase-3 activation in axons, suggesting that caspase activation is a downstream event of microtubule destabilization and involves signalling from the cell soma.

Conclusion

These data suggest that excitotoxin-induced axon degeneration shows some mechanistic differences to Wallerian degeneration, and that microtubule stabilization may assist in protecting nerve cells from excitotoxic effects.

Neurite pruning and neuronal cell death: spatial regulation of shared destruction programs

During development, neurons are initially overproduced and excess neurons are eliminated later on by programmed cell death. In a more refined developmental process termed pruning, excess axons and dendritic branches are removed while the cell body remains intact. In mature animals, axons that become disconnected as a result of injury are eliminated through a series of events collectively known as Wallerian degeneration. Recent evidence points to unexpected similarities between these three types of obliterative processes, as they share common regulators. These findings provide new ideas on how cellular destruction programs are spatially regulated in neurons.