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Šimić G, Vukić V, Babić M, Banović M, Berečić I, Španić E, Zubčić K, Golubić AT, Barišić Kutija M, Merkler Šorgić A, Vogrinc Ž, Lehman I, Hof PR, Sertić J, Barišić N. Total tau in cerebrospinal fluid detects treatment responders among spinal muscular atrophy types 1-3 patients treated with nusinersen. CNS Neurosci Ther 2024; 30:e14051. [PMID: 36513962 PMCID: PMC10915981 DOI: 10.1111/cns.14051] [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: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS Considering the substantial variability in treatment response across patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), reliable markers for monitoring response to therapy and predicting treatment responders need to be identified. The study aimed to determine if measured concentrations of disease biomarkers (total tau protein, neurofilament light chain, and S100B protein) correlate with the duration of nusinersen treatment and with scores obtained using functional scales for the assessment of motor abilities. METHODS A total of 30 subjects with SMA treated with nusinersen between 2017 and 2021 at the Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Croatia, were included in this study. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples were collected by lumbar puncture prior to intrathecal application of nusinersen. Protein concentrations in CSF samples were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 26 subjects. The motor functions were assessed using functional motor scales. RESULTS The main finding was significantly decreased total tau correlating with the number of nusinersen doses and motor improvement in the first 18-24 months of treatment (in all SMA patients and SMA type 1 patients). Neurofilament light chain and S100B were not significantly changed after administration of nusinersen. CONCLUSIONS The measurement of total tau concentration in CSF is a reliable index for monitoring the biomarker and clinical response to nusinersen therapy in patients with SMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Goran Šimić
- Department of Neuroscience, Croatian Institute for Brain ResearchUniversity of Zagreb School of MedicineZagrebCroatia
| | - Vana Vukić
- Department of PediatricsUniversity Hospital Centre ZagrebZagrebCroatia
| | - Marija Babić
- Department of Neuroscience, Croatian Institute for Brain ResearchUniversity of Zagreb School of MedicineZagrebCroatia
| | - Maria Banović
- Department of Neuroscience, Croatian Institute for Brain ResearchUniversity of Zagreb School of MedicineZagrebCroatia
| | - Ivana Berečić
- Department of Neuroscience, Croatian Institute for Brain ResearchUniversity of Zagreb School of MedicineZagrebCroatia
| | - Ena Španić
- Department of Neuroscience, Croatian Institute for Brain ResearchUniversity of Zagreb School of MedicineZagrebCroatia
| | - Klara Zubčić
- Department of Neuroscience, Croatian Institute for Brain ResearchUniversity of Zagreb School of MedicineZagrebCroatia
| | - Anja Tea Golubić
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Radiation ProtectionUniversity Hospital Centre ZagrebZagrebCroatia
| | | | - Ana Merkler Šorgić
- Department of Laboratory Diagnostics, Laboratory for Molecular DiagnosticsUniversity Hospital Centre ZagrebZagrebCroatia
| | - Željka Vogrinc
- Department of Laboratory DiagnosticsUniversity Hospital Centre ZagrebZagrebCroatia
| | - Ivan Lehman
- Department of PediatricsUniversity Hospital Centre ZagrebZagrebCroatia
| | - Patrick R. Hof
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, and Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer's DiseaseIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Jadranka Sertić
- Department of Laboratory DiagnosticsUniversity Hospital Centre ZagrebZagrebCroatia
- Department of Medical Chemistry and BiochemistryUniversity of Zagreb School of MedicineZagrebCroatia
| | - Nina Barišić
- Department of PediatricsUniversity Hospital Centre ZagrebZagrebCroatia
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2
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Gonzalez D, Vásquez-Doorman C, Luna A, Allende ML. Modeling Spinal Muscular Atrophy in Zebrafish: Current Advances and Future Perspectives. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1962. [PMID: 38396640 PMCID: PMC10888324 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25041962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disease characterized by degeneration of lower motor neurons (LMNs), causing muscle weakness, atrophy, and paralysis. SMA is caused by mutations in the Survival Motor Neuron 1 (SMN1) gene and can be classified into four subgroups, depending on its severity. Even though the genetic component of SMA is well known, the precise mechanisms underlying its pathophysiology remain elusive. Thus far, there are three FDA-approved drugs for treating SMA. While these treatments have shown promising results, their costs are extremely high and unaffordable for most patients. Thus, more efforts are needed in order to identify novel therapeutic targets. In this context, zebrafish (Danio rerio) stands out as an ideal animal model for investigating neurodegenerative diseases like SMA. Its well-defined motor neuron circuits and straightforward neuromuscular structure offer distinct advantages. The zebrafish's suitability arises from its low-cost genetic manipulation and optical transparency exhibited during larval stages, which facilitates in vivo microscopy. This review explores advancements in SMA research over the past two decades, beginning with the creation of the first zebrafish model. Our review focuses on the findings using different SMA zebrafish models generated to date, including potential therapeutic targets such as U snRNPs, Etv5b, PLS3, CORO1C, Pgrn, Cpg15, Uba1, Necdin, and Pgk1, among others. Lastly, we conclude our review by emphasizing the future perspectives in the field, namely exploiting zebrafish capacity for high-throughput screening. Zebrafish, with its unique attributes, proves to be an ideal model for studying motor neuron diseases and unraveling the complexity of neuromuscular defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Gonzalez
- Millennium Institute Center for Genome Regulation, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 7800003, RM, Chile
- Departamento de Ciencias Químicas y Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Bernardo O'Higgins, Santiago 8370854, RM, Chile
| | - Constanza Vásquez-Doorman
- Millennium Institute Center for Genome Regulation, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 7800003, RM, Chile
- Departamento de Ciencias Químicas y Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Bernardo O'Higgins, Santiago 8370854, RM, Chile
| | - Adolfo Luna
- Departamento de Ciencias Químicas y Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Bernardo O'Higgins, Santiago 8370854, RM, Chile
| | - Miguel L Allende
- Millennium Institute Center for Genome Regulation, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 7800003, RM, Chile
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3
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Miller N, Xu Z, Quinlan KA, Ji A, McGivern JV, Feng Z, Shi H, Ko CP, Tsai LH, Heckman CJ, Ebert AD, Ma YC. Mitigating aberrant Cdk5 activation alleviates mitochondrial defects and motor neuron disease symptoms in spinal muscular atrophy. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2300308120. [PMID: 37976261 PMCID: PMC10666147 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2300308120] [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: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), the top genetic cause of infant mortality, is characterized by motor neuron degeneration. Mechanisms underlying SMA pathogenesis remain largely unknown. Here, we report that the activity of cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5) and the conversion of its activating subunit p35 to the more potent activator p25 are significantly up-regulated in mouse models and human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) models of SMA. The increase of Cdk5 activity occurs before the onset of SMA phenotypes, suggesting that it may be an initiator of the disease. Importantly, aberrant Cdk5 activation causes mitochondrial defects and motor neuron degeneration, as the genetic knockout of p35 in an SMA mouse model rescues mitochondrial transport and fragmentation defects, and alleviates SMA phenotypes including motor neuron hyperexcitability, loss of excitatory synapses, neuromuscular junction denervation, and motor neuron degeneration. Inhibition of the Cdk5 signaling pathway reduces the degeneration of motor neurons derived from SMA mice and human SMA iPSCs. Altogether, our studies reveal a critical role for the aberrant activation of Cdk5 in SMA pathogenesis and suggest a potential target for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nimrod Miller
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL60611
- Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL60611
| | - Zhaofa Xu
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL60611
- Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL60611
| | - Katharina A. Quinlan
- Department of Neuroscience, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL60611
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL60611
- Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL60611
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, George and Anne Ryan Institute for Neuroscience, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI02881
| | - Amy Ji
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL60611
| | - Jered V. McGivern
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI53226
| | - Zhihua Feng
- Section of Neurobiology, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA90089
| | - Han Shi
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL60611
- Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL60611
| | - Chien-Ping Ko
- Section of Neurobiology, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA90089
| | - Li-Huei Tsai
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA02139
| | - Charles J. Heckman
- Department of Neuroscience, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL60611
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL60611
- Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL60611
| | - Allison D. Ebert
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI53226
| | - Yongchao C. Ma
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL60611
- Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL60611
- Department of Neuroscience, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL60611
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4
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Liu X, Zhang C, Wang X, Cui C, Cui H, Zhu B, Chen A, Zhang L, Xin J, Fu Q, Dionigi G, Sun H. Long non-coding RNA MFSD4A-AS1 promotes lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic metastasis of papillary thyroid cancer. Endocr Relat Cancer 2023; 30:e220221. [PMID: 36606578 PMCID: PMC9986400 DOI: 10.1530/erc-22-0221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Lymphatic metastasis is the leading cause responsible for recurrence and progression in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), where dysregulation of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) has been extensively demonstrated to be implicated. However, the specific lymphatic node metastatsis-related lncRNAs remain not identified in PTC yet. Lymphatic node metastatsis-related lncRNA, MFSD4A-AS1, was explored in the PTC dataset from The Cancer Genome Atlas and our clinical samples. The roles of MFSD4A-AS1 in lymphatic metastasis were investigated in vitro and in vivo. Bioinformatic analysis, luciferase assay and RNA immunoprecipitation assay were performed to identify the potential targets and the underlying pathway of MFSD4A-AS1 in lymphatic metastasis of PTC. MFSD4A-AS1 was specifically upregulated in PTC tissues with lymphatic metastasis. Upregulating MFSD4A-AS1 promoted mesh formation and migration of human umbilical vein endothelial cells and invasion and migration of PTC cells. Importantly and consistently, MFSD4A-AS1 promoted lymphatic metastasis of PTC cells in vivo by inducing the lymphangiogenic formation and enhancing the invasive capability of PTC cells. Mechanistic dissection further revealed that MFSD4A-AS1 functioned as competing endogenous RNA to sequester miR-30c-2-3p, miR-145-3p and miR-139-5p to disrupt the miRNA-mediated inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factors A and C, and further activated transforming growth factor (TGF)-β signaling by sponging miR-30c-2-3p that targeted TGFBR2 and USP15, both of which synergistically promoted lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic metastasis of PTC. Our results unravel novel dual mechanisms by which MFSD4A-AS1 promotes lymphatic metastasis of PTC, which will facilitate the development of anti-lymphatic metastatic therapeutic strategy in PTC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoli Liu
- Division of Thyroid Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Surgical Translational Medicine, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Chunhai Zhang
- Division of Thyroid Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Surgical Translational Medicine, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Xiaomiao Wang
- Division of Thyroid Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Surgical Translational Medicine, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Can Cui
- Division of Thyroid Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Surgical Translational Medicine, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Hanwen Cui
- Division of Thyroid Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Surgical Translational Medicine, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Baishu Zhu
- Division of Thyroid Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Surgical Translational Medicine, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Anqi Chen
- Division of Thyroid Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Surgical Translational Medicine, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Lu Zhang
- Division of Thyroid Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Surgical Translational Medicine, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Jingwei Xin
- Division of Thyroid Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Surgical Translational Medicine, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Qingfeng Fu
- Division of Thyroid Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Surgical Translational Medicine, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Gianlorenzo Dionigi
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Department of Surgery, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
- Division of General Surgery, Endocrine Surgery Section, Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS (Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico), Milan, Italy
| | - Hui Sun
- Division of Thyroid Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Surgical Translational Medicine, Changchun, Jilin, China
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5
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Carlini MJ, Triplett MK, Pellizzoni L. Neuromuscular denervation and deafferentation but not motor neuron death are disease features in the Smn2B/- mouse model of SMA. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0267990. [PMID: 35913953 PMCID: PMC9342749 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0267990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by loss of motor neurons and skeletal muscle atrophy which is caused by ubiquitous deficiency in the survival motor neuron (SMN) protein. Several cellular defects contribute to sensory-motor circuit pathology in SMA mice, but the underlying mechanisms have often been studied in one mouse model without validation in other available models. Here, we used Smn2B/- mice to investigate specific behavioral, morphological, and functional aspects of SMA pathology that we previously characterized in the SMNΔ7 model. Smn2B/- SMA mice on a pure FVB/N background display deficits in body weight gain and muscle strength with onset in the second postnatal week and median survival of 19 days. Morphological analysis revealed severe loss of proprioceptive synapses on the soma of motor neurons and prominent denervation of neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) in axial but not distal muscles. In contrast, no evidence of cell death emerged from analysis of several distinct pools of lumbar motor neurons known to be lost in the disease. Moreover, SMA motor neurons from Smn2B/- mice showed robust nuclear accumulation of p53 but lack of phosphorylation of serine 18 at its amino-terminal, which selectively marks degenerating motor neurons in the SMNΔ7 mouse model. These results indicate that NMJ denervation and deafferentation, but not motor neuron death, are conserved features of SMA pathology in Smn2B/- mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria J. Carlini
- Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States of America
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Marina K. Triplett
- Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States of America
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Livio Pellizzoni
- Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States of America
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States of America
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States of America
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6
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Özer PZ, Koyunoğlu D, Son ÇD, Yurter HE, Bora G. SMN loss dysregulates microtubule-associated proteins in spinal muscular atrophy model. Mol Cell Neurosci 2022; 120:103725. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2022.103725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/26/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
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Johannsen J, Weiss D, Daubmann A, Schmitz L, Denecke J. Evaluation of putative CSF biomarkers in paediatric spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) patients before and during treatment with nusinersen. J Cell Mol Med 2021; 25:8419-8431. [PMID: 34312963 PMCID: PMC8419176 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.16802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a genetic neurodegenerative disorder leading to immobilization and premature death. Currently, three alternative therapeutic options are available. Therefore, biomarkers that might reflect or predict the clinical course of the individual patient with treatment are of great potential use. Currently, the antisense oligonucleotide nusinersen is the prevalent and longest validated therapy for SMA. We analysed CSF candidate biomarkers for degenerative CNS processes (namely phosphorylated heavy chain (pNf-H), light-chain neurofilaments (NfL), total tau protein (T-Tau), neurogranin, β-secretase BACE-1 and alpha-synuclein) in 193 CSF samples of 44 paediatric SMA types 1, 2 and 3 patients before and under nusinersen treatment and related them to standardized clinical outcome scores in a single-centre pilot study. pNf-H and NfL correlated with disease severity and activity, emphasizing their relevance as marker of neuronal loss and clinical outcome. T-Tau was significantly correlated with motor function scores in SMA type 1 making it an interesting marker for treatment response. Additionally, baseline T-Tau levels were elevated in most SMA patients possibly reflecting the extension of neuronal degeneration in paediatric-onset SMA. Further investigations of these CSF proteins might be beneficial for paediatric SMA subtypes and treatment modalities as an indicator for clinical outcome and should be analysed in larger cohorts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessika Johannsen
- Department of Pediatrics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Deike Weiss
- Department of Pediatrics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Anne Daubmann
- Medical Biometry and Epidemiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Leonie Schmitz
- Medical Biometry and Epidemiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jonas Denecke
- Department of Pediatrics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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Chaytow H, Faller KM, Huang YT, Gillingwater TH. Spinal muscular atrophy: From approved therapies to future therapeutic targets for personalized medicine. Cell Rep Med 2021; 2:100346. [PMID: 34337562 PMCID: PMC8324491 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2021.100346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a devastating childhood motor neuron disease that, in the most severe cases and when left untreated, leads to death within the first two years of life. Recent therapeutic advances have given hope to families and patients by compensating for the deficiency in survival motor neuron (SMN) protein via gene therapy or other genetic manipulation. However, it is now apparent that none of these therapies will cure SMA alone. In this review, we discuss the three currently licensed therapies for SMA, briefly highlighting their respective advantages and disadvantages, before considering alternative approaches to increasing SMN protein levels. We then explore recent preclinical research that is identifying and targeting dysregulated pathways secondary to, or independent of, SMN deficiency that may provide adjunctive opportunities for SMA. These additional therapies are likely to be key for the development of treatments that are effective across the lifespan of SMA patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Chaytow
- Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Edinburgh Medical School: Biomedical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Kiterie M.E. Faller
- Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Edinburgh Medical School: Biomedical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, UK
| | - Yu-Ting Huang
- Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Edinburgh Medical School: Biomedical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Thomas H. Gillingwater
- Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Edinburgh Medical School: Biomedical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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Impairment of the neurotrophic signaling hub B-Raf contributes to motoneuron degeneration in spinal muscular atrophy. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2007785118. [PMID: 33931501 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2007785118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a motoneuron disease caused by deletions of the Survival of Motoneuron 1 gene (SMN1) and low SMN protein levels. SMN restoration is the concept behind a number of recently approved drugs which result in impressive yet limited effects. Since SMN has already been enhanced in treated patients, complementary SMN-independent approaches are needed. Previously, a number of altered signaling pathways which regulate motoneuron degeneration have been identified as candidate targets. However, signaling pathways form networks, and their connectivity is still unknown in SMA. Here, we used presymptomatic SMA mice to elucidate the network of altered signaling in SMA. The SMA network is structured in two clusters with AKT and 14-3-3 ζ/δ in their centers. Both clusters are connected by B-Raf as a major signaling hub. The direct interaction of B-Raf with 14-3-3 ζ/δ is important for an efficient neurotrophic activation of the MEK/ERK pathway and crucial for motoneuron survival. Further analyses in SMA mice revealed that both proteins were down-regulated in motoneurons and the spinal cord with B-Raf being reduced at presymptomatic stages. Primary fibroblasts and iPSC-derived motoneurons from SMA patients both showed the same pattern of down-regulation. This mechanism is conserved across species since a Caenorhabditis elegans SMA model showed less expression of the B-Raf homolog lin-45 Accordingly, motoneuron survival was rescued by a cell autonomous lin-45 expression in a C. elegans SMA model resulting in improved motor functions. This rescue was effective even after the onset of motoneuron degeneration and mediated by the MEK/ERK pathway.
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Bora G, Hensel N, Rademacher S, Koyunoğlu D, Sunguroğlu M, Aksu-Mengeş E, Balcı-Hayta B, Claus P, Erdem-Yurter H. Microtubule-associated protein 1B dysregulates microtubule dynamics and neuronal mitochondrial transport in spinal muscular atrophy. Hum Mol Genet 2021; 29:3935-3944. [PMID: 33410474 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddaa275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a devastating childhood disease primarily affecting lower motoneurons in the spinal cord. SMA is caused by the loss of functional survival of motoneuron (SMN) protein, leading to structural and functional alterations of the cytoskeleton in motoneurons and other cells. Loss of SMN results in impairments of microtubule architecture, but the underlying mechanisms are not completely understood. In this study, we mechanistically analyzed the effects of SMN deficiency on microtubules, demonstrating a reduced stability together with a reduction in alpha tubulin detyrosination. This was caused by increased levels of microtubule-associated protein 1B and tubulin tyrosine ligase, resulting in mitochondrial mislocalization in SMA. Our findings suggest that altered tubulin post-translational modifications and microtubule-associated proteins are involved in the pathomechanisms of SMA, such as an impaired axonal transport of mitochondria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gamze Bora
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara 06100, Turkey
| | - Niko Hensel
- Institute of Neuroanatomy and Cell Biology, OE 4140, Hannover Medical School, Hannover 30625, Germany.,Center for Systems Neuroscience (ZSN), Hannover, Germany
| | - Sebastian Rademacher
- Institute of Neuroanatomy and Cell Biology, OE 4140, Hannover Medical School, Hannover 30625, Germany
| | - Dila Koyunoğlu
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara 06100, Turkey
| | - Merve Sunguroğlu
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara 06100, Turkey
| | - Evrim Aksu-Mengeş
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara 06100, Turkey
| | - Burcu Balcı-Hayta
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara 06100, Turkey
| | - Peter Claus
- Institute of Neuroanatomy and Cell Biology, OE 4140, Hannover Medical School, Hannover 30625, Germany.,Center for Systems Neuroscience (ZSN), Hannover, Germany
| | - Hayat Erdem-Yurter
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara 06100, Turkey
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11
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Liu X, Fu Q, Bian X, Fu Y, Xin J, Liang N, Li S, Zhao Y, Fang L, Li C, Zhang J, Dionigi G, Sun H. Long Non-Coding RNA MAPK8IP1P2 Inhibits Lymphatic Metastasis of Thyroid Cancer by Activating Hippo Signaling via Sponging miR-146b-3p. Front Oncol 2021; 10:600927. [PMID: 33489905 PMCID: PMC7817949 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.600927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The principal issue derived from thyroid cancer is its high propensity to metastasize to the lymph node. Aberrant exprssion of long non-coding RNAs have been extensively reported to be significantly correlated with lymphatic metastasis of thyroid cancer. However, the clinical significance and functional role of lncRNA-MAPK8IP1P2 in lymphatic metastasis of thyroid cancer remain unclear. Here, we reported that MAPK8IP1P2 was downregulated in thyroid cancer tissues with lymphatic metastasis. Upregulating MAPK8IP1P2 inhibited, while silencing MAPK8IP1P2 enhanced anoikis resistance in vitro and lymphatic metastasis of thyroid cancer cells in vivo. Mechanistically, MAPK8IP1P2 activated Hippo signaling by sponging miR-146b-3p to disrupt the inhibitory effect of miR-146b-3p on NF2, RASSF1, and RASSF5 expression, which further inhibited anoikis resistance and lymphatic metastasis in thyroid cancer. Importantly, miR-146b-3p mimics reversed the inhibitory effect of MAPK8IP1P2 overexpression on anoikis resistance of thyroid cancer cells. In conclusion, our findings suggest that MAPK8IP1P2 may serve as a potential biomarker to predict lymphatic metastasis in thyroid cancer, or a potential therapeutic target in lymphatic metastatic thyroid cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoli Liu
- Division of Thyroid Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Surgical Translational Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Qingfeng Fu
- Division of Thyroid Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Surgical Translational Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Xuehai Bian
- Division of Thyroid Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Surgical Translational Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Yantao Fu
- Division of Thyroid Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Surgical Translational Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Jingwei Xin
- Division of Thyroid Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Surgical Translational Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Nan Liang
- Division of Thyroid Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Surgical Translational Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Shijie Li
- Division of Thyroid Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Surgical Translational Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Yishen Zhao
- Division of Thyroid Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Surgical Translational Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Li Fang
- Division of Thyroid Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Surgical Translational Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Changlin Li
- Division of Thyroid Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Surgical Translational Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Jiao Zhang
- Division of Thyroid Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Surgical Translational Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Gianlorenzo Dionigi
- Division for Endocrine and Minimally Invasive Surgery, Department of Human Pathology in Adulthood and Childhood "G. Barresi", University Hospital "G. Martino", University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Hui Sun
- Division of Thyroid Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Surgical Translational Medicine, Changchun, China
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12
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Zhu B, Wu Y, Niu L, Yao W, Xue M, Wang H, Yang J, Li J, Fan W. Silencing SAPCD2 Represses Proliferation and Lung Metastasis of Fibrosarcoma by Activating Hippo Signaling Pathway. Front Oncol 2021; 10:574383. [PMID: 33384953 PMCID: PMC7770171 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.574383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The primary problem associated with fibrosarcoma is its high potential to metastasize to the lung. Aberrant expression of SAPCD2 has been widely reported to be implicated in the progression and metastasis in multiple cancer types. However, the clinical significance and biological roles of SAPCD2 in fibrosarcoma remain unknown. Here, we reported that SAPCD2 expression was markedly elevated in fibrosarcoma tissues, and its expression was differentially upregulated in fibrosarcoma cell lines compared with that in several primary fibroblast cell lines. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed that SAPCD2 overexpression was significantly correlated with early progression and metastasis, and poor prognosis in fibrosarcoma patients. Our results further showed that silencing SAPCD2 inhibited the proliferation and increased the apoptosis of fibrosarcoma cells in vitro. Importantly, silencing SAPCD2 repressed lung metastasis of fibrosarcoma cells in vivo. Mechanistic investigation further demonstrated that silencing SAPCD2 inhibited the proliferation and lung metastasis of fibrosarcoma cells by activating the Hippo signaling pathway, as evidenced by the finding that constitutively active YAP1, YAP1-S127A, significantly reversed the inhibitory effect of SAPCD2 downregulation on the colony formation and anchorage-independent growth capabilities of fibrosarcoma cells, as well as the stimulatory effect on the apoptotic ratio of fibrosarcoma cells. In conclusion, SAPCD2 promotes the proliferation and lung metastasis of fibrosarcoma cells by regulating the activity of Hippo signaling, and this mechanism represents a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of lung metastatic fibrosarcoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bowen Zhu
- Department of Interventional Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanqin Wu
- Department of Interventional Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lizhi Niu
- Fuda Cancer Hospital, Jinan University School of Medicine, Guangzhou, China.,Fudan Institute of Cryosurgery for Cancer, Jinan University School of Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wang Yao
- Department of Interventional Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Miao Xue
- Department of Interventional Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hongyu Wang
- Department of Interventional Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jianyong Yang
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Medical Imaging, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiaping Li
- Department of Interventional Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenzhe Fan
- Department of Interventional Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
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13
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Simon CM, Van Alstyne M, Lotti F, Bianchetti E, Tisdale S, Watterson DM, Mentis GZ, Pellizzoni L. Stasimon Contributes to the Loss of Sensory Synapses and Motor Neuron Death in a Mouse Model of Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Cell Rep 2020; 29:3885-3901.e5. [PMID: 31851921 PMCID: PMC6956708 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.11.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2019] [Revised: 10/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Reduced expression of the survival motor neuron (SMN) protein causes the neurodegenerative disease spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Here, we show that adeno-associated virus serotype 9 (AAV9)-mediated delivery of Stasimon—a gene encoding an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-resident transmembrane protein regulated by SMN—improves motor function in a mouse model of SMA through multiple mechanisms. In proprioceptive neurons, Stasimon overexpression prevents the loss of afferent synapses on motor neurons and enhances sensory-motor neurotransmission. In motor neurons, Stasimon suppresses neurodegeneration by reducing phosphorylation of the tumor suppressor p53. Moreover, Stasimon deficiency converges on SMA-related mechanisms of p53 upregulation to induce phosphorylation of p53 through activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and pharmacological inhibition of this kinase prevents motor neuron death in SMA mice. These findings identify Stasimon dysfunction induced by SMN deficiency as an upstream driver of distinct cellular cascades that lead to synaptic loss and motor neuron degeneration, revealing a dual contribution of Stasimon to motor circuit pathology in SMA. SMN deficiency causes motor circuit dysfunction in SMA. Simon et al. show that Stasimon—an ER-resident protein regulated by SMN—contributes to sensory synaptic loss and motor neuron death in SMA mice through distinct mechanisms. In motor neurons, Stasimon dysfunction induces p38 MAPK-mediated phosphorylation of p53 whose inhibition prevents neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian M Simon
- Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Meaghan Van Alstyne
- Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Francesco Lotti
- Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Elena Bianchetti
- Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Sarah Tisdale
- Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - D Martin Watterson
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - George Z Mentis
- Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Livio Pellizzoni
- Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA.
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14
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Autophagy in motor neuron diseases. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2020; 172:157-202. [PMID: 32620242 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2020.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Motor neuron diseases (MNDs) are a wide group of neurodegenerative disorders characterized by the degeneration of a specific neuronal type located in the central nervous system, the motor neuron (MN). There are two main types of MNs, spinal and cortical MNs and depending on the type of MND, one or both types are affected. Cortical MNs innervate spinal MNs and these control a variety of cellular targets, being skeletal muscle their main one which is also affected in MNDs. A correct functionality of autophagy is necessary for the survival of all cellular types and it is particularly crucial for neurons, given their postmitotic and highly specialized nature. Numerous studies have identified alterations of autophagy activity in multiple MNDs. The scientific community has been particularly prolific in reporting the role that autophagy plays in the most common adult MND, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, although many studies have started to identify physiological and pathological functions of this catabolic system in other MNDs, such as spinal muscular atrophy and spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy. The degradation of selective cargo by autophagy and how this process is altered upon the presence of MND-causing mutations is currently also a matter of intense investigation, particularly regarding the selective autophagic clearance of mitochondria. Thorough reviews on this field have been recently published. This chapter will cover the current knowledge on the functionality of autophagy and lysosomal homeostasis in the main MNDs and other autophagy-related topics in the MND field that have risen special interest in the research community.
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15
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Walter MC, Wenninger S, Thiele S, Stauber J, Hiebeler M, Greckl E, Stahl K, Pechmann A, Lochmüller H, Kirschner J, Schoser B. Safety and Treatment Effects of Nusinersen in Longstanding Adult 5q-SMA Type 3 - A Prospective Observational Study. J Neuromuscul Dis 2020; 6:453-465. [PMID: 31594243 PMCID: PMC6918909 DOI: 10.3233/jnd-190416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Objective: Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a progressive autosomal recessive motor neuron disease caused by loss of the SMN1 gene. Based on randomized clinical trials in children with SMA type 1 and 2, Nusinersen has been approved as the first treatment for all types of SMA, including adults with SMA type 3. Methods: We evaluated the safety and treatment effects of Nusinersen in longstanding adult 5q-SMA type 3. Patients were treated with intrathecal loading doses at day 1, 14, 28 and 63, followed by maintenance dose every four months up to 300 days. We monitored the patients within SMArtCARE, a prospective open-label outcome study for disease progression, side effects and treatment efficacy, encompassing clinical examination including MRC sum score, vital capacity in sitting position (VC, VC % pred.), ALS Functional Rating Scale (ALS-FRS), 6-Minute-Walk-Test (6MWT), Revised Upper Limb Module (RULM), and Hammersmith Functional Rating Scale (HFMSE). We also measured biomarkers in the spinal fluid (phosphorylated neurofilament heavy chain pNFH, neuron-specific enolase NSE, proteins, ß-Amyloid 1–40, ß-Amyloid 1–42, tau and phospho-tau) and creatine kinase (CK). Assessments were performed at baseline, day 63 (V4), day 180 (V5) and day 300 (V6). For statistical analysis, we compared baseline to V4, V5 and V6, using the paired sample t-test. When there were significant differences, we added cohen's d and effect size r for evaluation of clinical meaningfulness. Results: 19 patients were included, 17 of them have completed the observation period of 10 months (day 300, V6). Patients were aged 18 to 59 years with disease duration ranging from 6 to 53 years. Except for the 6MWT, the RULM and the peak cough flow, there were no relevant significant changes in all functional outcome assessments at V4, V5 or V6, compared to baseline. For the 6MWT, there was a statistically significant improvement at visit 5 and at visit 6. RULM-score increased significantly at V6, and peak cough flow at visit 5. In biomarker studies, there was a significant decline in NSE and pTAU as well as a slight increase in proteins. In safety analysis, overall, Nusinersen applications were well tolerated. Eleven patients reported adverse events that were related to the study procedures, comprising back pain in seven patients and post-lumbar-puncture headache following intrathecal administration in four patients. Post-lumbar-puncture headache was reported in three females and one male, in total eleven times of 108 punctures (10%). No serious adverse events occurred. Conclusions: This prospective observational study indicates a mild treatment effect in adults with long-standing SMA3 after 10 months of treatment with Nusinersen, which had never occurred in the natural history of the disease. In our cohort, the most significant outcome measures were the 6MWT with statistically significant changes after day 180 and day 300, RULM after day 300 and peak cough flow after day 180.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maggie C Walter
- Friedrich-Baur-Institute, Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Stephan Wenninger
- Friedrich-Baur-Institute, Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Simone Thiele
- Friedrich-Baur-Institute, Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Julia Stauber
- Friedrich-Baur-Institute, Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Miriam Hiebeler
- Friedrich-Baur-Institute, Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Eva Greckl
- Friedrich-Baur-Institute, Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Kristina Stahl
- Friedrich-Baur-Institute, Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Astrid Pechmann
- Department of Neuropediatrics and Muscle Disorders, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Hanns Lochmüller
- Department of Neuropediatrics and Muscle Disorders, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany; and Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute; Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, The Ottawa Hospital; and Brain and Mind Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Janbernd Kirschner
- Department of Neuropediatrics and Muscle Disorders, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Department of Neuropaediatrics, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Benedikt Schoser
- Friedrich-Baur-Institute, Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
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16
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Janzen E, Mendoza-Ferreira N, Hosseinibarkooie S, Schneider S, Hupperich K, Tschanz T, Grysko V, Riessland M, Hammerschmidt M, Rigo F, Bennett CF, Kye MJ, Torres-Benito L, Wirth B. CHP1 reduction ameliorates spinal muscular atrophy pathology by restoring calcineurin activity and endocytosis. Brain 2019; 141:2343-2361. [PMID: 29961886 PMCID: PMC6061875 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awy167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2017] [Accepted: 04/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Autosomal recessive spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), the leading genetic cause of infant lethality, is caused by homozygous loss of the survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene. SMA disease severity inversely correlates with the number of SMN2 copies, which in contrast to SMN1, mainly produce aberrantly spliced transcripts. Recently, the first SMA therapy based on antisense oligonucleotides correcting SMN2 splicing, namely SPINRAZATM, has been approved. Nevertheless, in type I SMA-affected individuals—representing 60% of SMA patients—the elevated SMN level may still be insufficient to restore motor neuron function lifelong. Plastin 3 (PLS3) and neurocalcin delta (NCALD) are two SMN-independent protective modifiers identified in humans and proved to be effective across various SMA animal models. Both PLS3 overexpression and NCALD downregulation protect against SMA by restoring impaired endocytosis; however, the exact mechanism of this protection is largely unknown. Here, we identified calcineurin-like EF-hand protein 1 (CHP1) as a novel PLS3 interacting protein using a yeast-two-hybrid screen. Co-immunoprecipitation and pull-down assays confirmed a direct interaction between CHP1 and PLS3. Although CHP1 is ubiquitously present, it is particularly abundant in the central nervous system and at SMA-relevant sites including motor neuron growth cones and neuromuscular junctions. Strikingly, we found elevated CHP1 levels in SMA mice. Congruently, CHP1 downregulation restored impaired axonal growth in Smn-depleted NSC34 motor neuron-like cells, SMA zebrafish and primary murine SMA motor neurons. Most importantly, subcutaneous injection of low-dose SMN antisense oligonucleotide in pre-symptomatic mice doubled the survival rate of severely-affected SMA mice, while additional CHP1 reduction by genetic modification prolonged survival further by 1.6-fold. Moreover, CHP1 reduction further ameliorated SMA disease hallmarks including electrophysiological defects, smaller neuromuscular junction size, impaired maturity of neuromuscular junctions and smaller muscle fibre size compared to low-dose SMN antisense oligonucleotide alone. In NSC34 cells, Chp1 knockdown tripled macropinocytosis whereas clathrin-mediated endocytosis remained unaffected. Importantly, Chp1 knockdown restored macropinocytosis in Smn-depleted cells by elevating calcineurin phosphatase activity. CHP1 is an inhibitor of calcineurin, which collectively dephosphorylates proteins involved in endocytosis, and is therefore crucial in synaptic vesicle endocytosis. Indeed, we found marked hyperphosphorylation of dynamin 1 in SMA motor neurons, which was restored to control level by the heterozygous Chp1 mutant allele. Taken together, we show that CHP1 is a novel SMA modifier that directly interacts with PLS3, and that CHP1 reduction ameliorates SMA pathology by counteracting impaired endocytosis. Most importantly, we demonstrate that CHP1 reduction is a promising SMN-independent therapeutic target for a combinatorial SMA therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Janzen
- Institute of Human Genetics, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Institute for Genetics, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Natalia Mendoza-Ferreira
- Institute of Human Genetics, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Institute for Genetics, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Seyyedmohsen Hosseinibarkooie
- Institute of Human Genetics, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Institute for Genetics, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Svenja Schneider
- Institute of Human Genetics, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Institute for Genetics, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Kristina Hupperich
- Institute of Human Genetics, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Institute for Genetics, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Theresa Tschanz
- Institute of Human Genetics, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Institute for Genetics, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Vanessa Grysko
- Institute of Human Genetics, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Institute for Genetics, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Markus Riessland
- Institute of Human Genetics, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Institute for Genetics, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, The Rockefeller University, New York, USA
| | - Matthias Hammerschmidt
- Institute for Zoology, Developmental Biology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | | | | | - Min Jeong Kye
- Institute of Human Genetics, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Institute for Genetics, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Laura Torres-Benito
- Institute of Human Genetics, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Institute for Genetics, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Brunhilde Wirth
- Institute of Human Genetics, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Institute for Genetics, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Center for Rare Diseases Cologne, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
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17
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Converging Mechanisms of p53 Activation Drive Motor Neuron Degeneration in Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Cell Rep 2019; 21:3767-3780. [PMID: 29281826 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2017.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2017] [Revised: 11/09/2017] [Accepted: 11/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The hallmark of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), an inherited disease caused by ubiquitous deficiency in the SMN protein, is the selective degeneration of subsets of spinal motor neurons. Here, we show that cell-autonomous activation of p53 occurs in vulnerable but not resistant motor neurons of SMA mice at pre-symptomatic stages. Moreover, pharmacological or genetic inhibition of p53 prevents motor neuron death, demonstrating that induction of p53 signaling drives neurodegeneration. At late disease stages, however, nuclear accumulation of p53 extends to resistant motor neurons and spinal interneurons but is not associated with cell death. Importantly, we identify phosphorylation of serine 18 as a specific post-translational modification of p53 that exclusively marks vulnerable SMA motor neurons and provide evidence that amino-terminal phosphorylation of p53 is required for the neurodegenerative process. Our findings indicate that distinct events induced by SMN deficiency converge on p53 to trigger selective death of vulnerable SMA motor neurons.
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18
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Sharma S, Young RJ, Chen J, Chen X, Oh EC, Schiller MR. Minimotifs dysfunction is pervasive in neurodegenerative disorders. ALZHEIMER'S & DEMENTIA (NEW YORK, N. Y.) 2018; 4:414-432. [PMID: 30225339 PMCID: PMC6139474 DOI: 10.1016/j.trci.2018.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Minimotifs are modular contiguous peptide sequences in proteins that are important for posttranslational modifications, binding to other molecules, and trafficking to specific subcellular compartments. Some molecular functions of proteins in cellular pathways can be predicted from minimotif consensus sequences identified through experimentation. While a role for minimotifs in regulating signal transduction and gene regulation during disease pathogenesis (such as infectious diseases and cancer) is established, the therapeutic use of minimotif mimetic drugs is limited. In this review, we discuss a general theme identifying a pervasive role of minimotifs in the pathomechanism of neurodegenerative diseases. Beyond their longstanding history in the genetics of familial neurodegeneration, minimotifs are also major players in neurotoxic protein aggregation, aberrant protein trafficking, and epigenetic regulation. Generalizing the importance of minimotifs in neurodegenerative diseases offers a new perspective for the future study of neurodegenerative mechanisms and the investigation of new therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Surbhi Sharma
- Nevada Institute of Personalized Medicine, Las Vegas, NV, USA
- School of Life Sciences, Las Vegas, NV, USA
| | - Richard J. Young
- Nevada Institute of Personalized Medicine, Las Vegas, NV, USA
- School of Life Sciences, Las Vegas, NV, USA
| | - Jingchun Chen
- Nevada Institute of Personalized Medicine, Las Vegas, NV, USA
| | - Xiangning Chen
- Nevada Institute of Personalized Medicine, Las Vegas, NV, USA
- Department of Psychology, Las Vegas, NV, USA
| | - Edwin C. Oh
- Nevada Institute of Personalized Medicine, Las Vegas, NV, USA
- School of Medicine, Las Vegas, NV, USA
| | - Martin R. Schiller
- Nevada Institute of Personalized Medicine, Las Vegas, NV, USA
- School of Life Sciences, Las Vegas, NV, USA
- School of Medicine, Las Vegas, NV, USA
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19
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Bowerman M, Becker CG, Yáñez-Muñoz RJ, Ning K, Wood MJA, Gillingwater TH, Talbot K. Therapeutic strategies for spinal muscular atrophy: SMN and beyond. Dis Model Mech 2018; 10:943-954. [PMID: 28768735 PMCID: PMC5560066 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.030148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a devastating neuromuscular disorder characterized by loss of motor neurons and muscle atrophy, generally presenting in childhood. SMA is caused by low levels of the survival motor neuron protein (SMN) due to inactivating mutations in the encoding gene SMN1. A second duplicated gene, SMN2, produces very little but sufficient functional protein for survival. Therapeutic strategies to increase SMN are in clinical trials, and the first SMN2-directed antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) therapy has recently been licensed. However, several factors suggest that complementary strategies may be needed for the long-term maintenance of neuromuscular and other functions in SMA patients. Pre-clinical SMA models demonstrate that the requirement for SMN protein is highest when the structural connections of the neuromuscular system are being established, from late fetal life throughout infancy. Augmenting SMN may not address the slow neurodegenerative process underlying progressive functional decline beyond childhood in less severe types of SMA. Furthermore, individuals receiving SMN-based treatments may be vulnerable to delayed symptoms if rescue of the neuromuscular system is incomplete. Finally, a large number of older patients living with SMA do not fulfill the present criteria for inclusion in gene therapy and ASO clinical trials, and may not benefit from SMN-inducing treatments. Therefore, a comprehensive whole-lifespan approach to SMA therapy is required that includes both SMN-dependent and SMN-independent strategies that treat the CNS and periphery. Here, we review the range of non-SMN pathways implicated in SMA pathophysiology and discuss how various model systems can serve as valuable tools for SMA drug discovery. Summary: Translational research for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) should address the development of non-CNS and survival motor neuron (SMN)-independent therapeutic approaches to complement and enhance the benefits of CNS-directed and SMN-dependent therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Bowerman
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QX, UK
| | - Catherina G Becker
- Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Research and Centre for Neuroregeneration, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Rafael J Yáñez-Muñoz
- AGCTlab.org, Centre for Biomedical Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham Hill, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Ke Ning
- Department of Neuroscience, Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2HQ, UK
| | - Matthew J A Wood
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QX, UK
| | - Thomas H Gillingwater
- Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Research and Centre for Integrative Physiology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9XD, UK
| | - Kevin Talbot
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
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20
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Bai X, Hou X, Tian J, Geng J, Li X. CDK5 promotes renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis in diabetic nephropathy via ERK1/2/PPARγ pathway. Oncotarget 2017; 7:36510-36528. [PMID: 27145370 PMCID: PMC5095017 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.9058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2015] [Accepted: 04/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5) has been documented in podocyte injuries in diabetic nephropathy (DN), however its role in renal tubular epithelial cells has not been elucidated. We report here that CDK5 is detrimental and promotes tubulointerstitial fibrosis (TIF) via the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2)/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPRAγ) pathway in DN. In high glucose cultured NRK52E cells, blocking CDK5 activity inhibited epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and fibrosis via ERK1/2/PPARγ pathway. In diabetic rats, CDK5 inhibitor roscovitine decreased renal fibrosis and improved renal function as demonstrated by a decrease in levels of blood urine nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine and β2-microglobulin. Further studies revealed that improved renal fibrosis and function in diabetic rats were associated with inactivation of ERK1/2 and PPARγ signaling pathways. In late staged DN patients, the upregulation of CDK5 and p35 activated phosphorylated ERK1/2 and PPARγ, leading to decreased levels of E-cadherin but increased Vimentin and Collagen IV. Accordingly, renal fibrosis and function were worsened as revealed by decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and increased serum BUN, creatinine, β2-microglobulin, 24-hour proteinuria and urine albumin to creatinine ratio (UACR). These findings demonstrate a novel mechanism that CDK5 increases tubulointerstitial fibrosis by activating the ERK1/2/PPARγ pathway and EMT in DN. CDK5 might have therapeutic potential in diabetic nephropathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyan Bai
- Division of Nephrology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Kidney Disease, State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Institute of Nephrology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Xiaoyan Hou
- Division of Nephrology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Kidney Disease, State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Institute of Nephrology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China.,Division of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, PR China
| | - Jianwei Tian
- Division of Nephrology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Kidney Disease, State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Institute of Nephrology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Jian Geng
- Department of Pathology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Xiao Li
- Department of Emergency, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China
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21
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Inhibition of p25/Cdk5 Attenuates Tauopathy in Mouse and iPSC Models of Frontotemporal Dementia. J Neurosci 2017; 37:9917-9924. [PMID: 28912154 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0621-17.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2017] [Revised: 08/15/2017] [Accepted: 09/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Increased p25, a proteolytic fragment of the regulatory subunit p35, is known to induce aberrant activity of cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5), which is associated with neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease. Previously, we showed that replacing endogenous p35 with the noncleavable mutant p35 (Δp35) attenuated amyloidosis and improved cognitive function in a familial Alzheimer's disease mouse model. Here, to address the role of p25/Cdk5 in tauopathy, we generated double-transgenic mice by crossing mice overexpressing mutant human tau (P301S) with Δp35KI mice. We observed significant reduction of phosphorylated tau and its seeding activity in the brain of double transgenic mice compared with the P301S mice. Furthermore, synaptic loss and impaired LTP at hippocampal CA3 region of P301S mice were attenuated by blocking p25 generation. To further validate the role of p25/Cdk5 in tauopathy, we used frontotemporal dementia patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) carrying the Tau P301L mutation and generated P301L:Δp35KI isogenic iPSC lines using CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing. We created cerebral organoids from the isogenic iPSCs and found that blockade of p25 generation reduced levels of phosphorylated tau and increased expression of synaptophysin. Together, these data demonstrate a crucial role for p25/Cdk5 in mediating tau-associated pathology and suggest that inhibition of this kinase can remedy neurodegenerative processes in the presence of pathogenic tau mutation.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Accumulation of p25 results in aberrant Cdk5 activation and induction of numerous pathological phenotypes, such as neuroinflammation, synaptic loss, Aβ accumulation, and tau hyperphosphorylation. However, it was not clear whether p25/Cdk5 activity is necessary for the progression of these pathological changes. We recently developed the Δp35KI transgenic mouse that is deficient in p25 generation and Cdk5 hyperactivation. In this study, we used this mouse model to elucidate the role of p25/Cdk5 in FTD mutant tau-mediated pathology. We also used a frontotemporal dementia patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cell carrying the Tau P301L mutation and generated isogenic lines in which p35 is replaced with noncleavable mutant Δp35. Our data suggest that p25/Cdk5 plays an important role in tauopathy in both mouse and human model systems.
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22
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Hosseinibarkooie S, Schneider S, Wirth B. Advances in understanding the role of disease-associated proteins in spinal muscular atrophy. Expert Rev Proteomics 2017. [PMID: 28635376 DOI: 10.1080/14789450.2017.1345631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by alpha motor neuron loss in the spinal cord due to reduced survival motor neuron (SMN) protein level. While the genetic basis of SMA is well described, the specific molecular pathway underlying SMA is still not fully understood. Areas covered: This review discusses the recent advancements in understanding the molecular pathways in SMA using different omics approaches and genetic modifiers identified in both vertebrate and invertebrate systems. The findings that are summarized in this article were deduced from original articles and reviews with a particular focus on the latest advancements in the field. Expert commentary: The identification of genetic modifiers such as PLS3 and NCALD in humans or of SMA modulators such as Elavl4 (HuD), Copa, Uba1, Mapk10 (Jnk3), Nrxn2 and Tmem41b (Stasimon) in various SMA animal models improved our knowledge of impaired cellular pathways in SMA. Inspiration from modifier genes and their functions in motor neuron and neuromuscular junctions may open a new avenue for future SMA combinatorial therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyyedmohsen Hosseinibarkooie
- a Institute of Human Genetics , University of Cologne , Cologne , Germany.,b Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne , University of Cologne , Cologne , Germany.,c Institute for Genetics , University of Cologne , Cologne , Germany
| | - Svenja Schneider
- a Institute of Human Genetics , University of Cologne , Cologne , Germany.,b Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne , University of Cologne , Cologne , Germany.,c Institute for Genetics , University of Cologne , Cologne , Germany
| | - Brunhilde Wirth
- a Institute of Human Genetics , University of Cologne , Cologne , Germany.,b Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne , University of Cologne , Cologne , Germany.,c Institute for Genetics , University of Cologne , Cologne , Germany.,d Center for Rare Diseases Cologne , University Hospital of Cologne, University of Cologne , Cologne , Germany
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23
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Edens BM, Yan J, Miller N, Deng HX, Siddique T, Ma YC. A novel ALS-associated variant in UBQLN4 regulates motor axon morphogenesis. eLife 2017; 6:e25453. [PMID: 28463112 PMCID: PMC5451210 DOI: 10.7554/elife.25453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2017] [Accepted: 04/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The etiological underpinnings of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are complex and incompletely understood, although contributions to pathogenesis by regulators of proteolytic pathways have become increasingly apparent. Here, we present a novel variant in UBQLN4 that is associated with ALS and show that its expression compromises motor axon morphogenesis in mouse motor neurons and in zebrafish. We further demonstrate that the ALS-associated UBQLN4 variant impairs proteasomal function, and identify the Wnt signaling pathway effector beta-catenin as a UBQLN4 substrate. Inhibition of beta-catenin function rescues the UBQLN4 variant-induced motor axon phenotypes. These findings provide a strong link between the regulation of axonal morphogenesis and a new ALS-associated gene variant mediated by protein degradation pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittany M Edens
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Ann & Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, United States
| | - Jianhua Yan
- The Ken & Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, The Les Turner ALS Research and Patient Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, United States
| | - Nimrod Miller
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Ann & Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, United States
| | - Han-Xiang Deng
- The Ken & Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, The Les Turner ALS Research and Patient Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, United States
| | - Teepu Siddique
- The Ken & Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, The Les Turner ALS Research and Patient Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, United States
| | - Yongchao C Ma
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Ann & Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, United States
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24
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Ontiveros-Torres MÁ, Labra-Barrios ML, Díaz-Cintra S, Aguilar-Vázquez AR, Moreno-Campuzano S, Flores-Rodríguez P, Luna-Herrera C, Mena R, Perry G, Florán-Garduño B, Luna-Muñoz J, Luna-Arias JP. Fibrillar Amyloid-β Accumulation Triggers an Inflammatory Mechanism Leading to Hyperphosphorylation of the Carboxyl-Terminal End of Tau Polypeptide in the Hippocampal Formation of the 3×Tg-AD Transgenic Mouse. J Alzheimers Dis 2017; 52:243-69. [PMID: 27031470 DOI: 10.3233/jad-150837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a degenerative and irreversible disorder whose progressiveness is dependent on age. It is histopathologically characterized by the massive accumulation of insoluble forms of tau and amyloid-β (Aβ) asneurofibrillary tangles and neuritic plaques, respectively. Many studies have documented that these two polypeptides suffer several posttranslational modifications employing postmortem tissue sections from brains of patients with AD. In order to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the posttranslational modifications of key players in this disease, including Aβ and tau, several transgenic mouse models have been developed. One of these models is the 3×Tg-AD transgenic mouse, carrying three transgenes encoding APPSWE, S1M146V, and TauP301L proteins. To further characterize this transgenicmouse, we determined the accumulation of fibrillar Aβ as a function of age in relation to the hyperphosphorylation patterns of TauP301L at both its N- and C-terminus in the hippocampal formation by immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy. Moreover, we searched for the expression of activated protein kinases and mediators of inflammation by western blot of wholeprotein extracts from hippocampal tissue sections since 3 to 28 months as well. Our results indicate that the presence of fibrillar Aβ deposits correlates with a significant activation of astrocytes and microglia in subiculum and CA1 regions of hippocampus. Accordingly, we also observed a significant increase in the expression of TNF-α associated to neuritic plaques and glial cells. Importantly, there is an overexpression of the stress activated protein kinases SAPK/JNK and Cdk-5 in pyramidal neurons, which might phosphorylate several residues at the C-terminus of TauP301L. Therefore, the accumulation of Aβ oligomers results in an inflammatory environment that upregulates kinases involved in hyperphosphorylation of TauP301L polypeptide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Ángel Ontiveros-Torres
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (Cinvestav-IPN), Col. San Pedro Zacatenco, Ciudad de México, México
| | - María Luisa Labra-Barrios
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (Cinvestav-IPN), Col. San Pedro Zacatenco, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Sofía Díaz-Cintra
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Juriquilla, Querétaro, Qro., México
| | | | - Samadhi Moreno-Campuzano
- Departamento de Biomedicina Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (Cinvestav-IPN), Col. San Pedro Zacatenco, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Paola Flores-Rodríguez
- Departamento de Fisiología, Biofísica y Neurociencias, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (Cinvestav-IPN), Col. San Pedro Zacatenco, Ciudad de México, México.,Present address: Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina y Nutrición, Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango, Durango, Dgo., México
| | - Claudia Luna-Herrera
- Departamento de Fisiología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Campus Zacatenco, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Raúl Mena
- Departamento de Fisiología, Biofísica y Neurociencias, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (Cinvestav-IPN), Col. San Pedro Zacatenco, Ciudad de México, México
| | - George Perry
- College of Sciences, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Benjamín Florán-Garduño
- Departamento de Fisiología, Biofísica y Neurociencias, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (Cinvestav-IPN), Col. San Pedro Zacatenco, Ciudad de México, México
| | - José Luna-Muñoz
- Banco Nacional de Cerebros, Laboratorio Nacional de Servicios Experimentales, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (Cinvestav-IPN), Col. San Pedro Zacatenco, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Juan Pedro Luna-Arias
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (Cinvestav-IPN), Col. San Pedro Zacatenco, Ciudad de México, México
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25
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Activation of GABA A receptors controls mesiotemporal lobe epilepsy despite changes in chloride transporters expression: In vivo and in silico approach. Exp Neurol 2016; 284:11-28. [DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2016.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2016] [Revised: 07/12/2016] [Accepted: 07/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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26
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Doktor TK, Hua Y, Andersen HS, Brøner S, Liu YH, Wieckowska A, Dembic M, Bruun GH, Krainer AR, Andresen BS. RNA-sequencing of a mouse-model of spinal muscular atrophy reveals tissue-wide changes in splicing of U12-dependent introns. Nucleic Acids Res 2016; 45:395-416. [PMID: 27557711 PMCID: PMC5224493 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkw731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2016] [Revised: 08/09/2016] [Accepted: 08/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is a neuromuscular disorder caused by insufficient levels of the Survival of Motor Neuron (SMN) protein. SMN is expressed ubiquitously and functions in RNA processing pathways that include trafficking of mRNA and assembly of snRNP complexes. Importantly, SMA severity is correlated with decreased snRNP assembly activity. In particular, the minor spliceosomal snRNPs are affected, and some U12-dependent introns have been reported to be aberrantly spliced in patient cells and animal models. SMA is characterized by loss of motor neurons, but the underlying mechanism is largely unknown. It is likely that aberrant splicing of genes expressed in motor neurons is involved in SMA pathogenesis, but increasing evidence indicates that pathologies also exist in other tissues. We present here a comprehensive RNA-seq study that covers multiple tissues in an SMA mouse model. We show elevated U12-intron retention in all examined tissues from SMA mice, and that U12-dependent intron retention is induced upon siRNA knock-down of SMN in HeLa cells. Furthermore, we show that retention of U12-dependent introns is mitigated by ASO treatment of SMA mice and that many transcriptional changes are reversed. Finally, we report on missplicing of several Ca2+ channel genes that may explain disrupted Ca2+ homeostasis in SMA and activation of Cdk5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Koed Doktor
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark.,The Villum Center for Bioanalytical Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark
| | - Yimin Hua
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
| | - Henriette Skovgaard Andersen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark.,The Villum Center for Bioanalytical Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark
| | - Sabrina Brøner
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark.,The Villum Center for Bioanalytical Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark
| | - Ying Hsiu Liu
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
| | - Anna Wieckowska
- Department of Gamete and Embryo Biology, Division of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of Polish Academy of Sciences, 10-243 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Maja Dembic
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark.,The Villum Center for Bioanalytical Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark
| | - Gitte Hoffmann Bruun
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark.,The Villum Center for Bioanalytical Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark
| | - Adrian R Krainer
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
| | - Brage Storstein Andresen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark .,The Villum Center for Bioanalytical Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark
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27
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Miller N, Shi H, Zelikovich AS, Ma YC. Motor neuron mitochondrial dysfunction in spinal muscular atrophy. Hum Mol Genet 2016; 25:3395-3406. [PMID: 27488123 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddw262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2016] [Revised: 07/25/2016] [Accepted: 07/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), the leading genetic cause of infant mortality, predominantly affects high metabolic tissues including motor neurons, skeletal muscles and the heart. Although the genetic cause of SMA has been identified, mechanisms underlying tissue-specific vulnerability are not well understood. To study these mechanisms, we carried out a deep sequencing analysis of the transcriptome of spinal motor neurons in an SMA mouse model, in which we unexpectedly found changes in many genes associated with mitochondrial bioenergetics. Importantly, functional measurement of mitochondrial activities showed decreased basal and maximal mitochondrial respiration in motor neurons from SMA mice. Using a reduction-oxidation sensitive GFP and fluorescence sensors specifically targeted to mitochondria, we found increased oxidative stress level and impaired mitochondrial membrane potential in motor neurons affected by SMA. In addition, mitochondrial mobility was impaired in SMA disease conditions, with decreased retrograde transport but no effect on anterograde transport. We also found significantly increased fragmentation of the mitochondrial network in primary motor neurons from SMA mice, with no change in mitochondria density. Electron microscopy study of SMA mouse spinal cord revealed mitochondria fragmentation, edema and concentric lamellar inclusions in motor neurons affected by the disease. Intriguingly, these functional and structural deficiencies in the SMA mouse model occur during the presymptomatic stage of disease, suggesting a role in initiating SMA. Altogether, our findings reveal a critical role for mitochondrial defects in SMA pathogenesis and suggest a novel target for improving tissue health in the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nimrod Miller
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Han Shi
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Aaron S Zelikovich
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Yong-Chao Ma
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
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28
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Bondulich MK, Guo T, Meehan C, Manion J, Rodriguez Martin T, Mitchell JC, Hortobagyi T, Yankova N, Stygelbout V, Brion JP, Noble W, Hanger DP. Tauopathy induced by low level expression of a human brain-derived tau fragment in mice is rescued by phenylbutyrate. Brain 2016; 139:2290-306. [PMID: 27297240 PMCID: PMC4958900 DOI: 10.1093/brain/aww137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2015] [Accepted: 05/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Human neurodegenerative tauopathies exhibit pathological tau aggregates in the brain along with diverse clinical features including cognitive and motor dysfunction. Post-translational modifications including phosphorylation, ubiquitination and truncation, are characteristic features of tau present in the brain in human tauopathy. We have previously reported an N-terminally truncated form of tau in human brain that is associated with the development of tauopathy and is highly phosphorylated. We have generated a new mouse model of tauopathy in which this human brain-derived, 35 kDa tau fragment (Tau35) is expressed in the absence of any mutation and under the control of the human tau promoter. Most existing mouse models of tauopathy overexpress mutant tau at levels that do not occur in human neurodegenerative disease, whereas Tau35 transgene expression is equivalent to less than 10% of that of endogenous mouse tau. Tau35 mice recapitulate key features of human tauopathies, including aggregated and abnormally phosphorylated tau, progressive cognitive and motor deficits, autophagic/lysosomal dysfunction, loss of synaptic protein, and reduced life-span. Importantly, we found that sodium 4-phenylbutyrate (Buphenyl®), a drug used to treat urea cycle disorders and currently in clinical trials for a range of neurodegenerative diseases, reverses the observed abnormalities in tau and autophagy, behavioural deficits, and loss of synapsin 1 in Tau35 mice. Our results show for the first time that, unlike other tau transgenic mouse models, minimal expression of a human disease-associated tau fragment in Tau35 mice causes a profound and progressive tauopathy and cognitive changes, which are rescued by pharmacological intervention using a clinically approved drug. These novel Tau35 mice therefore represent a highly disease-relevant animal model in which to investigate molecular mechanisms and to develop novel treatments for human tauopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie K Bondulich
- 1 King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, 125 Coldharbour Lane, London SE5 9NU, UK
| | - Tong Guo
- 1 King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, 125 Coldharbour Lane, London SE5 9NU, UK
| | - Christopher Meehan
- 1 King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, 125 Coldharbour Lane, London SE5 9NU, UK
| | - John Manion
- 1 King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, 125 Coldharbour Lane, London SE5 9NU, UK
| | - Teresa Rodriguez Martin
- 1 King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, 125 Coldharbour Lane, London SE5 9NU, UK
| | - Jacqueline C Mitchell
- 1 King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, 125 Coldharbour Lane, London SE5 9NU, UK
| | - Tibor Hortobagyi
- 1 King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, 125 Coldharbour Lane, London SE5 9NU, UK
| | - Natalia Yankova
- 1 King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, 125 Coldharbour Lane, London SE5 9NU, UK
| | - Virginie Stygelbout
- 2 Laboratory of Histology, Neuroanatomy and Neuropathology (CP 620), ULB Neuroscience Institute, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Faculty of Medicine 808, route de Lennik, 1070 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jean-Pierre Brion
- 2 Laboratory of Histology, Neuroanatomy and Neuropathology (CP 620), ULB Neuroscience Institute, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Faculty of Medicine 808, route de Lennik, 1070 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Wendy Noble
- 1 King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, 125 Coldharbour Lane, London SE5 9NU, UK
| | - Diane P Hanger
- 1 King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, 125 Coldharbour Lane, London SE5 9NU, UK
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29
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Gibbs KL, Greensmith L, Schiavo G. Regulation of Axonal Transport by Protein Kinases. Trends Biochem Sci 2016; 40:597-610. [PMID: 26410600 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2015.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2015] [Revised: 08/05/2015] [Accepted: 08/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The intracellular transport of organelles, proteins, lipids, and RNA along the axon is essential for neuronal function and survival. This process, called axonal transport, is mediated by two classes of ATP-dependent motors, kinesins, and cytoplasmic dynein, which carry their cargoes along microtubule tracks. Protein kinases regulate axonal transport through direct phosphorylation of motors, adapter proteins, and cargoes, and indirectly through modification of the microtubule network. The misregulation of axonal transport by protein kinases has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several nervous system disorders. Here, we review the role of protein kinases acting directly on axonal transport and discuss how their deregulation affects neuronal function, paving the way for the exploitation of these enzymes as novel drug targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine L Gibbs
- Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders, UCL Institute of Neurology, University College London, WC1N 3BG London, UK
| | - Linda Greensmith
- Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders, UCL Institute of Neurology, University College London, WC1N 3BG London, UK
| | - Giampietro Schiavo
- Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders, UCL Institute of Neurology, University College London, WC1N 3BG London, UK.
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