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Gilbert JW, Kennedy Z, Godinho BMDC, Summers A, Weiss A, Echeverria D, Bramato B, McHugh N, Cooper D, Yamada K, Hassler M, Tran H, Gao FB, Brown RH, Khvorova A. Identification of selective and non-selective C9ORF72 targeting in vivo active siRNAs. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2024; 35:102291. [PMID: 39233852 PMCID: PMC11372813 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2024.102291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 09/06/2024]
Abstract
A hexanucleotide (G4C2) repeat expansion (HRE) within intron one of C9ORF72 is the leading genetic cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). C9ORF72 haploinsufficiency, formation of RNA foci, and production of dipeptide repeat (DPR) proteins have been proposed as mechanisms of disease. Here, we report the first example of disease-modifying siRNAs for C9ORF72 driven ALS/FTD. Using a combination of reporter assay and primary cortical neurons derived from a C9-ALS/FTD mouse model, we screened a panel of more than 150 fully chemically stabilized siRNAs targeting different C9ORF72 transcriptional variants. We demonstrate the lack of correlation between siRNA efficacy in reporter assay versus native environment; repeat-containing C9ORF72 mRNA variants are found to preferentially localize to the nucleus, and thus C9ORF72 mRNA accessibility and intracellular localization have a dominant impact on functional RNAi. Using a C9-ALS/FTD mouse model, we demonstrate that divalent siRNAs targeting C9ORF72 mRNA variants specifically or non-selectively reduce the expression of C9ORF72 mRNA and significantly reduce DPR proteins. Interestingly, siRNA silencing all C9ORF72 mRNA transcripts was more effective in removing intranuclear mRNA aggregates than targeting only HRE-containing C9ORF72 mRNA transcripts. Combined, these data support RNAi-based degradation of C9ORF72 as a potential therapeutic paradigm.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Alexandra Weiss
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
| | | | | | | | - David Cooper
- RNA Therapeutic Institute, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
| | - Ken Yamada
- RNA Therapeutic Institute, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
| | | | - Hélène Tran
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
| | - Fen Biao Gao
- RNA Therapeutic Institute, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
| | - Robert H Brown
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
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2
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Ho PC, Hsieh TC, Tsai KJ. TDP-43 proteinopathy in frontotemporal lobar degeneration and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: From pathomechanisms to therapeutic strategies. Ageing Res Rev 2024; 100:102441. [PMID: 39069095 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2024.102441] [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: 05/31/2024] [Revised: 07/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
Proteostasis failure is a common pathological characteristic in neurodegenerative diseases. Revitalizing clearance systems could effectively mitigate these diseases. The transactivation response (TAR) DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) plays a critical role as an RNA/DNA-binding protein in RNA metabolism and synaptic function. Accumulation of TDP-43 aggregates in the central nervous system is a hallmark of frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Autophagy, a major and highly conserved degradation pathway, holds the potential for degrading aggregated TDP-43 and alleviating FTLD/ALS. This review explores the causes of TDP-43 aggregation, FTLD/ALS-related genes, key autophagy factors, and autophagy-based therapeutic strategies targeting TDP-43 proteinopathy. Understanding the underlying pathological mechanisms of TDP-43 proteinopathy can facilitate therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Chuan Ho
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Tsung-Chi Hsieh
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Kuen-Jer Tsai
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Research Center of Clinical Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
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3
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Steffke C, Agarwal S, Kabashi E, Catanese A. Overexpression of Toxic Poly(Glycine-Alanine) Aggregates in Primary Neuronal Cultures Induces Time-Dependent Autophagic and Synaptic Alterations but Subtle Activity Impairments. Cells 2024; 13:1300. [PMID: 39120329 PMCID: PMC11311834 DOI: 10.3390/cells13151300] [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: 07/04/2024] [Revised: 07/25/2024] [Accepted: 08/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
The pathogenic expansion of the intronic GGGGCC hexanucleotide located in the non-coding region of the C9orf72 gene represents the most frequent genetic cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). This mutation leads to the accumulation of toxic RNA foci and dipeptide repeats (DPRs), as well as reduced levels of the C9orf72 protein. Thus, both gain and loss of function are coexisting pathogenic aspects linked to C9orf72-ALS/FTD. Synaptic alterations have been largely described in C9orf72 models, but it is still not clear which aspect of the pathology mostly contributes to these impairments. To address this question, we investigated the dynamic changes occurring over time at the synapse upon accumulation of poly(GA), the most abundant DPR. Overexpression of this toxic form induced a drastic loss of synaptic proteins in primary neuron cultures, anticipating autophagic defects. Surprisingly, the dramatic impairment characterizing the synaptic proteome was not fully matched by changes in network properties. In fact, high-density multi-electrode array analysis highlighted only minor reductions in the spike number and firing rate of poly(GA) neurons. Our data show that the toxic gain of function linked to C9orf72 affects the synaptic proteome but exerts only minor effects on the network activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Steffke
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Ulm, 89069 Ulm, Germany; (C.S.); (S.A.)
- Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, 89069 Ulm, Germany
- International Graduate School in Molecular Medicine of Ulm (IGraDU), University of Ulm, 89069 Ulm, Germany
| | - Shreya Agarwal
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Ulm, 89069 Ulm, Germany; (C.S.); (S.A.)
| | - Edor Kabashi
- Institute Imagine, Necker-Enfants Malades Hospital, University Paris Descartes, 75015 Paris, France;
| | - Alberto Catanese
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Ulm, 89069 Ulm, Germany; (C.S.); (S.A.)
- Institute Imagine, Necker-Enfants Malades Hospital, University Paris Descartes, 75015 Paris, France;
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4
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Lin CY, Wu HE, Weng EFJ, Wu HC, Su TP, Wang SM. Fluvoxamine Exerts Sigma-1R to Rescue Autophagy via Pom121-Mediated Nucleocytoplasmic Transport of TFEB. Mol Neurobiol 2024; 61:5282-5294. [PMID: 38180612 PMCID: PMC11249700 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03885-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Expansion of the GGGGCC-RNA repeat is a known cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), which currently have no cure. Recent studies have indicated the activation of Sigma-1 receptor plays an important role in providing neuroprotection, especially in ALS and Alzheimer's disease. Nevertheless, the mechanisms underlying Sigma-1R activation and its effect on (G4C2)n-RNA-induced cell death remain unclear. In this study, we demonstrated that fluvoxamine is a Sigma-1R agonist that can increase chaperone activity and stabilize the protein expression of Pom121 in (G4C2)31-RNA-expressing NSC34 cells, leading to increased colocalization at the nuclear envelope. Interestingly, fluvoxamine treatment increased Pom121 protein expression without affecting transcription. In C9orf72-ALS, the nuclear translocation of TFEB autophagy factor decreased owing to nucleocytoplasmic transport defects. Our results showed that pretreatment of NSC34 cells with fluvoxamine promoted the shuttling of TFEB into the nucleus and elevated the expression of LC3-II compared to the overexpression of (G4C2)31-RNA alone. Additionally, even when used alone, fluvoxamine increases Pom121 expression and TFEB translocation. To summarize, fluvoxamine may act as a promising repurposed medicine for patients with C9orf72-ALS, as it stabilizes the nucleoporin Pom121 and promotes the translocation of TFEB in (G4C2)31-RNA-expressing NSC34 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Yu Lin
- School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Neuroscience and Brain Disease Center, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Hsiang-En Wu
- Cellular Pathobiology Section, Integrative Neuroscience Research Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, NIH/DHHS, Suite 3512, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Eddie Feng-Ju Weng
- Neuroscience and Brain Disease Center, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, 404333, Taiwan
| | - Hsuan-Cheng Wu
- Neuroscience and Brain Disease Center, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, 404333, Taiwan
| | - Tsung-Ping Su
- Cellular Pathobiology Section, Integrative Neuroscience Research Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, NIH/DHHS, Suite 3512, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Shao-Ming Wang
- Neuroscience and Brain Disease Center, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, 404333, Taiwan.
- Department of Neurology, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
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5
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d’Almeida NA, Tipping M. Flight to insight: maximizing the potential of Drosophila models of C9orf72-FTD. Front Mol Neurosci 2024; 17:1434443. [PMID: 38915937 PMCID: PMC11194461 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2024.1434443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Advancements in understanding the pathogenesis of C9orf72-associated frontotemporal dementia (C9orf72-FTD) have highlighted the role of repeat-associated non-ATG (RAN) translation and dipeptide repeat proteins (DPRs), with Drosophila melanogaster models providing valuable insights. While studies have primarily focused on RAN translation and DPR toxicity, emerging areas of investigation in fly models have expanded to neuronal dysfunction, autophagy impairment, and synaptic dysfunction, providing potential directions for new therapeutic targets and mechanisms of neurodegeneration. Despite this progress, there are still significant gaps in Drosophila models of C9orf72-FTD, namely in the areas of metabolism and circadian rhythm. Metabolic dysregulation, particularly lipid metabolism, autophagy, and insulin signaling, has been implicated in disease progression with findings from animal models and human patients with C9orf72 repeat expansions. Moreover, circadian disruptions have been observed in C9of72-FTD, with alterations in rest-activity patterns and cellular circadian machinery, suggesting a potential role in disease pathophysiology. Drosophila models offer unique opportunities to explore these aspects of C9orf72-FTD and identify novel therapeutic targets aimed at mitigating neurodegeneration.
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Mubeen H, Masood A, Zafar A, Khan ZQ, Khan MQ, Nisa AU. Insights into AlphaFold's breakthrough in neurodegenerative diseases. Ir J Med Sci 2024:10.1007/s11845-024-03721-6. [PMID: 38833116 DOI: 10.1007/s11845-024-03721-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases (ND) are disorders of the central nervous system (CNS) characterized by impairment in neurons' functions, and complete loss, leading to memory loss, and difficulty in learning, language, and movement processes. The most common among these NDs are Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD), although several other disorders also exist. These are frontotemporal dementia (FTD), amyotrophic lateral syndrome (ALS), Huntington's disease (HD), and others; the major pathological hallmark of NDs is the proteinopathies, either of amyloid-β (Aβ), tauopathies, or synucleinopathies. Aggregation of proteins that do not undergo normal configuration, either due to mutations or through some disturbance in cellular pathway contributes to the diseases. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and deep learning (DL) have proven to be successful in the diagnosis and treatment of various congenital diseases. DL approaches like AlphaFold (AF) are a major leap towards success in CNS disorders. This 3D protein geometry modeling algorithm developed by DeepMind has the potential to revolutionize biology. AF has the potential to predict 3D-protein confirmation at an accuracy level comparable to experimentally predicted one, with the additional advantage of precisely estimating protein interactions. This breakthrough will be beneficial to identify diseases' advancement and the disturbance of signaling pathways stimulating impaired functions of proteins. Though AlphaFold has solved a major problem in structural biology, it cannot predict membrane proteins-a beneficial approach for drug designing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hira Mubeen
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science & Technology, University of Central Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan.
| | - Ammara Masood
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science & Technology, University of Central Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Asma Zafar
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science & Technology, University of Central Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Zohaira Qayyum Khan
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science & Technology, University of Central Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Muneeza Qayyum Khan
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science & Technology, University of Central Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Alim Un Nisa
- Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Lahore, Pakistan
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7
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Jiang S, Xu R. The Current Potential Pathogenesis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Mol Neurobiol 2024:10.1007/s12035-024-04269-3. [PMID: 38829511 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-024-04269-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease mainly characterized by the accumulation of ubiquitinated proteins in the affected motor neurons. At present, the accurate pathogenesis of ALS remains unclear and there are still no effective treatment measures for ALS. The potential pathogenesis of ALS mainly includes the misfolding of some pathogenic proteins, the genetic variation, mitochondrial dysfunction, autophagy disorders, neuroinflammation, the misregulation of RNA, the altered axonal transport, and gut microbial dysbiosis. Exploring the pathogenesis of ALS is a critical step in searching for the effective therapeutic approaches. The current studies suggested that the genetic variation, gut microbial dysbiosis, the activation of glial cells, and the transportation disorder of extracellular vesicles may play some important roles in the pathogenesis of ALS. This review conducts a systematic review of these current potential promising topics closely related to the pathogenesis of ALS; it aims to provide some new evidences and clues for searching the novel treatment measures of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shishi Jiang
- Department of Neurology, Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital, Clinical College of Nanchang Medical College, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College, National Regional Center for Neurological Diseases, Xiangya Hospital of Center South University, Jiangxi Hospital. No. 152 of Aiguo Road, Donghu District, Nanchang, 330006, Jiangxi, China
- Medical College of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Renshi Xu
- Department of Neurology, Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital, Clinical College of Nanchang Medical College, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College, National Regional Center for Neurological Diseases, Xiangya Hospital of Center South University, Jiangxi Hospital. No. 152 of Aiguo Road, Donghu District, Nanchang, 330006, Jiangxi, China.
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8
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Xu S, Ma Q, Shen J, Li N, Sun S, Wang N, Chen Y, Dong C, Tam KY, Prehn JH, Wang H, Ying Z. ALS-linked C9orf72 dipeptide repeats inhibit starvation-induced autophagy through modulating BCL2-BECN1 interaction. Acta Pharm Sin B 2024; 14:2026-2038. [PMID: 38799643 PMCID: PMC11119520 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2024.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Growing evidences indicate that dysfunction of autophagy contributes to the disease pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), two neurodegenerative disorders. The GGGGCC·GGCCCC repeat RNA expansion in chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 (C9orf72) is the most genetic cause of both ALS and FTD. According to the previous studies, GGGGCC·GGCCCC repeat undergoes the unconventional repeat-associated non-ATG translation, which produces dipeptide repeat (DPR) proteins. Although there is a growing understanding that C9orf72 DPRs have a strong ability to harm neurons and induce C9orf72-linked ALS/FTD, whether these DPRs can affect autophagy remains unclear. In the present study, we find that poly-GR and poly-PR, two arginine-containing DPRs which display the most cytotoxic properties according to the previous studies, strongly inhibit starvation-induced autophagy. Moreover, our data indicate that arginine-rich DPRs enhance the interaction between BCL2 and BECN1/Beclin 1 by inhibiting BCL2 phosphorylation, therefore they can impair autophagic clearance of neurodegenerative disease-associated protein aggregates under starvation condition in cells. Importantly, our study not only highlights the role of C9orf72 DPR in autophagy dysfunction, but also provides novel insight that pharmacological intervention of autophagy using SW063058, a small molecule compound that can disrupt the interaction between BECN1 and BCL2, may reduce C9orf72 DPR-induced neurotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiqiang Xu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases and College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Qilian Ma
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases and College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
- Dept. of Physiology & Medical Physics and FUTURE-NEURO Research Centre, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin D02 YN77, Ireland
| | - Junwen Shen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases and College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Ningning Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases and College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Shan Sun
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases and College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau 999078, China
| | - Nana Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases and College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Yang Chen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases and College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Chunsheng Dong
- Insititutes of Biology and Medical Science, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Kin Yip Tam
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau 999078, China
| | - Jochen H.M. Prehn
- Dept. of Physiology & Medical Physics and FUTURE-NEURO Research Centre, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin D02 YN77, Ireland
| | - Hongfeng Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases and College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
- MOE Key Laboratory of Geriatric Diseases and Immunology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Zheng Ying
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases and College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
- MOE Key Laboratory of Geriatric Diseases and Immunology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
- Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Precision Diagnostics and Therapeutics Development, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
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9
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Apostolopoulos A, Kawamoto N, Chow SYA, Tsuiji H, Ikeuchi Y, Shichino Y, Iwasaki S. dCas13-mediated translational repression for accurate gene silencing in mammalian cells. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2205. [PMID: 38467613 PMCID: PMC10928199 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46412-7] [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: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Current gene silencing tools based on RNA interference (RNAi) or, more recently, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)‒Cas13 systems have critical drawbacks, such as off-target effects (RNAi) or collateral mRNA cleavage (CRISPR‒Cas13). Thus, a more specific method of gene knockdown is needed. Here, we develop CRISPRδ, an approach for translational silencing, harnessing catalytically inactive Cas13 proteins (dCas13). Owing to its tight association with mRNA, dCas13 serves as a physical roadblock for scanning ribosomes during translation initiation and does not affect mRNA stability. Guide RNAs covering the start codon lead to the highest efficacy regardless of the translation initiation mechanism: cap-dependent, internal ribosome entry site (IRES)-dependent, or repeat-associated non-AUG (RAN) translation. Strikingly, genome-wide ribosome profiling reveals the ultrahigh gene silencing specificity of CRISPRδ. Moreover, the fusion of a translational repressor to dCas13 further improves the performance. Our method provides a framework for translational repression-based gene silencing in eukaryotes.
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Grants
- JP20H05784 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)
- JP21H05278 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)
- JP21H05734 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)
- JP23H04268 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)
- JP20H05786 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)
- JP23H02415 MEXT | Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)
- JP20K07016 MEXT | Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)
- JP23K05648 MEXT | Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)
- JP21K15023 MEXT | Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)
- JP23KJ2175 MEXT | Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)
- JP20gm1410001 Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED)
- JP20gm1410001 Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED)
- JP23gm6910005h0001 Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED)
- JP23gm6910005 Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED)
- JP20gm1410001 Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED)
- Pioneering Projects MEXT | RIKEN
- Pioneering Projects MEXT | RIKEN
- Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems (ExCELLS), 23EX601
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonios Apostolopoulos
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8561, Japan
- RNA Systems Biochemistry Laboratory, RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Naohiro Kawamoto
- RNA Systems Biochemistry Laboratory, RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Siu Yu A Chow
- Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 153-8505, Japan
| | - Hitomi Tsuiji
- Education and Research Division of Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Aichi Gakuin University, Nagoya, Aichi, 464-8650, Japan
| | - Yoshiho Ikeuchi
- Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 153-8505, Japan
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
- Institute for AI and Beyond, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Yuichi Shichino
- RNA Systems Biochemistry Laboratory, RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan.
| | - Shintaro Iwasaki
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8561, Japan.
- RNA Systems Biochemistry Laboratory, RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan.
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Gotoh S, Mori K, Fujino Y, Kawabe Y, Yamashita T, Omi T, Nagata K, Tagami S, Nagai Y, Ikeda M. eIF5 stimulates the CUG initiation of RAN translation of poly-GA dipeptide repeat protein (DPR) in C9orf72 FTLD/ALS. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:105703. [PMID: 38301895 PMCID: PMC10904283 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.105703] [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: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Tandem GGGGCC repeat expansion in C9orf72 is a genetic cause of frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Transcribed repeats are translated into dipeptide repeat proteins via repeat-associated non-AUG (RAN) translation. However, the regulatory mechanism of RAN translation remains unclear. Here, we reveal a GTPase-activating protein, eukaryotic initiation factor 5 (eIF5), which allosterically facilitates the conversion of eIF2-bound GTP into GDP upon start codon recognition, as a novel modifier of C9orf72 RAN translation. Compared to global translation, eIF5, but not its inactive mutants, preferentially stimulates poly-GA RAN translation. RAN translation is increased during integrated stress response, but the stimulatory effect of eIF5 on poly-GA RAN translation was additive to the increase of RAN translation during integrated stress response, with no further increase in phosphorylated eIF2α. Moreover, an alteration of the CUG near cognate codon to CCG or AUG in the poly-GA reading frame abolished the stimulatory effects, indicating that eIF5 primarily acts through the CUG-dependent initiation. Lastly, in a Drosophila model of C9orf72 FTLD/ALS that expresses GGGGCC repeats in the eye, knockdown of endogenous eIF5 by two independent RNAi strains significantly reduced poly-GA expressions, confirming in vivo effect of eIF5 on poly-GA RAN translation. Together, eIF5 stimulates the CUG initiation of poly-GA RAN translation in cellular and Drosophila disease models of C9orf72 FTLD/ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiho Gotoh
- Department of Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Kohji Mori
- Department of Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan.
| | - Yuzo Fujino
- Department of Neurology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka-Sayama, Japan; Department of Neurology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yuya Kawabe
- Department of Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Tomoko Yamashita
- Department of Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Tsubasa Omi
- Department of Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Kenichi Nagata
- Department of Precision Medicine for Dementia, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Shinji Tagami
- Department of Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Yoshitaka Nagai
- Department of Neurology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka-Sayama, Japan
| | - Manabu Ikeda
- Department of Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
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11
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Smeele PH, Cesare G, Vaccari T. ALS' Perfect Storm: C9orf72-Associated Toxic Dipeptide Repeats as Potential Multipotent Disruptors of Protein Homeostasis. Cells 2024; 13:178. [PMID: 38247869 PMCID: PMC10813877 DOI: 10.3390/cells13020178] [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: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Protein homeostasis is essential for neuron longevity, requiring a balanced regulation between protein synthesis and degradation. The clearance of misfolded and aggregated proteins, mediated by autophagy and the ubiquitin-proteasome systems, maintains protein homeostasis in neurons, which are post-mitotic and thus cannot use cell division to diminish the burden of misfolded proteins. When protein clearance pathways are overwhelmed or otherwise disrupted, the accumulation of misfolded or aggregated proteins can lead to the activation of ER stress and the formation of stress granules, which predominantly attempt to restore the homeostasis by suppressing global protein translation. Alterations in these processes have been widely reported among studies investigating the toxic function of dipeptide repeats (DPRs) produced by G4C2 expansion in the C9orf72 gene of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). In this review, we outline the modalities of DPR-induced disruptions in protein homeostasis observed in a wide range of models of C9orf72-linked ALS/FTD. We also discuss the relative importance of each DPR for toxicity, possible synergies between DPRs, and discuss the possible functional relevance of DPR aggregation to disease pathogenesis. Finally, we highlight the interdependencies of the observed effects and reflect on the importance of feedback and feedforward mechanisms in their contribution to disease progression. A better understanding of DPR-associated disease pathogenesis discussed in this review might shed light on disease vulnerabilities that may be amenable with therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Thomas Vaccari
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milan, Italy
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12
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Lee D, Jeong HC, Kim SY, Chung JY, Cho SH, Kim KA, Cho JH, Ko BS, Cha IJ, Chung CG, Kim ES, Lee SB. A comparison study of pathological features and drug efficacy between Drosophila models of C9orf72 ALS/FTD. Mol Cells 2024; 47:100005. [PMID: 38376483 PMCID: PMC10880080 DOI: 10.1016/j.mocell.2023.12.003] [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: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 11/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a devastating neurodegenerative disease with a complex genetic basis, presenting both in familial and sporadic forms. The hexanucleotide (G4C2) repeat expansion in the C9orf72 gene, which triggers distinct pathogenic mechanisms, has been identified as a major contributor to familial and sporadic Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis cases. Animal models have proven pivotal in understanding these mechanisms; however, discrepancies between models due to variable transgene sequence, expression levels, and toxicity profiles complicate the translation of findings. Herein, we provide a systematic comparison of 7 publicly available Drosophila transgenes modeling the G4C2 expansion under uniform conditions, evaluating variations in their toxicity profiles. Further, we tested 3 previously characterized disease-modifying drugs in selected lines to uncover discrepancies among the tested strains. Our study not only deepens our understanding of the C9orf72 G4C2 mutations but also presents a framework for comparing constructs with minute structural differences. This work may be used to inform experimental designs to better model disease mechanisms and help guide the development of targeted interventions for neurodegenerative diseases, thus bridging the gap between model-based research and therapeutic application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davin Lee
- Department of Brain Sciences, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu 42988, Republic of Korea
| | - Hae Chan Jeong
- Department of Brain Sciences, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu 42988, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Yeol Kim
- SK Biopharmaceuticals Co., Ltd., Seongnam 13494, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Yong Chung
- SK Biopharmaceuticals Co., Ltd., Seongnam 13494, Republic of Korea
| | - Seok Hwan Cho
- SK Biopharmaceuticals Co., Ltd., Seongnam 13494, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyoung Ah Kim
- Department of Brain Sciences, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu 42988, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Ho Cho
- Department of Brain Sciences, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu 42988, Republic of Korea
| | - Byung Su Ko
- Department of Brain Sciences, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu 42988, Republic of Korea
| | - In Jun Cha
- Brain Research Policy Center, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu 41068, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang Geon Chung
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Eun Seon Kim
- Department of Brain Sciences, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu 42988, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Bae Lee
- Department of Brain Sciences, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu 42988, Republic of Korea
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13
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Ito H, Machida K, Hasumi M, Ueyama M, Nagai Y, Imataka H, Taguchi H. Reconstitution of C9orf72 GGGGCC repeat-associated non-AUG translation with purified human translation factors. Sci Rep 2023; 13:22826. [PMID: 38129650 PMCID: PMC10739749 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-50188-z] [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: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Nucleotide repeat expansion of GGGGCC (G4C2) in the non-coding region of C9orf72 is the most common genetic cause underlying amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia. Transcripts harboring this repeat expansion undergo the translation of dipeptide repeats via a non-canonical process known as repeat-associated non-AUG (RAN) translation. In order to ascertain the essential components required for RAN translation, we successfully recapitulated G4C2-RAN translation using an in vitro reconstituted translation system comprising human factors, namely the human PURE system. Our findings conclusively demonstrate that the presence of fundamental translation factors is sufficient to mediate the elongation from the G4C2 repeat. Furthermore, the initiation mechanism proceeded in a 5' cap-dependent manner, independent of eIF2A or eIF2D. In contrast to cell lysate-mediated RAN translation, where longer G4C2 repeats enhanced translation, we discovered that the expansion of the G4C2 repeats inhibited translation elongation using the human PURE system. These results suggest that the repeat RNA itself functions as a repressor of RAN translation. Taken together, our utilization of a reconstituted RAN translation system employing minimal factors represents a distinctive and potent approach for elucidating the intricacies underlying RAN translation mechanism.
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Grants
- JPMJFS2112 Japan Science and Technology Agency
- JP26116002 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
- JP18H03984 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
- JP21H04763 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
- JP20H05925 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
- 2019-25 Mitsubishi Foundation
- 2019 Uehara Memorial Foundation
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayato Ito
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, S2-19, Nagatsuta 4259, Midori-ku, Yokohama, 226-8501, Japan
| | - Kodai Machida
- Graduate School of Engineering, University of Hyogo, Shosha, 2167, Himeji, Hyogo, 671-2280, Japan
| | - Mayuka Hasumi
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, S2-19, Nagatsuta 4259, Midori-ku, Yokohama, 226-8501, Japan
| | - Morio Ueyama
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Kindai University, Ohonohigashi 377-2, Osaka-Sayama, 589-8511, Japan
| | - Yoshitaka Nagai
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Kindai University, Ohonohigashi 377-2, Osaka-Sayama, 589-8511, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Imataka
- Graduate School of Engineering, University of Hyogo, Shosha, 2167, Himeji, Hyogo, 671-2280, Japan
| | - Hideki Taguchi
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, S2-19, Nagatsuta 4259, Midori-ku, Yokohama, 226-8501, Japan.
- Cell Biology Center, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, S2-19, Nagatsuta 4259, Midori-ku, Yokohama, 226-8501, Japan.
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14
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Xu X, Li M, Su Y, Wang Q, Qin P, Huang H, Zhang Y, Zhou Y, Yan J. Cdk5 phosphorylation-dependent C9orf72 degradation promotes neuronal death in Parkinson's disease models. CNS Neurosci Ther 2023; 29:3952-3966. [PMID: 37353944 PMCID: PMC10651984 DOI: 10.1111/cns.14319] [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: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS Chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 (C9orf72) is one of the most dazzling molecules in neurodegenerative diseases, albeit that its role in Parkinson's disease (PD) remains unknown. This article aimed to explore the potential mechanism of C9orf72 involved in the pathogenesis of PD. METHODS The expression and phosphorylation levels of C9orf72 were examined by Western blotting, RT-PCR, and immunoprecipitation using PD models. Multiple bioinformatics software was used to predict the potential phosphorylation sites of C9orf72 by Cdk5, followed by verification of whether Cdk5-inhibitor ROSCOVITINE could reverse the degradation of C9orf72 in PD. By constructing the sh-C9orf72-knockdown adenovirus and overexpressing the FLAG-C9orf72 plasmid, the effects of C9orf72 knockdown and overexpression, respectively, were determined. A short peptide termed Myr-C9orf72 was used to verify whether interfering with Cdk5 phosphorylation at the Ser9 site of the C9orf72 protein could alleviate autophagy disorder, neuronal death, and movement disorder in PD models. RESULTS The expression level of the C9orf72 protein was significantly reduced, albeit the mRNA expression was not changed in the PD models. Moreover, the phosphorylation level was enhanced, and its reduction was mainly degraded by the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. The key nervous system kinase Cdk5 directly phosphorylated the S9 site of the C9orf72 protein, which promoted the degradation of the C9orf72 protein. The knockdown of C9orf72 aggravated autophagy dysfunction and increased neuronal loss and motor dysfunction in substantia nigra neurons of PD mice. The overexpression of C9orf72 alleviated autophagy dysfunction in PD neurons. Specifically, interference with Cdk5 phosphorylation at the S9 site of C9orf72 alleviated autophagy dysfunction, neuronal death, and motor dysfunction mediated by C9orf72 protein degradation during PD. CONCLUSIONS Cumulatively, our findings illustrate the importance of the role of C9orf72 in the regulation of neuronal death during PD progression via the Cdk5-dependent degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingfeng Xu
- Department of PhysiologyGuilin Medical UniversityGuilinGuangxiChina
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive NeuroscienceGuilin Medical UniversityGuilinGuangxiChina
| | - Mao Li
- Department of PhysiologyGuilin Medical UniversityGuilinGuangxiChina
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive NeuroscienceGuilin Medical UniversityGuilinGuangxiChina
| | - Yan Su
- Department of PhysiologyGuilin Medical UniversityGuilinGuangxiChina
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive NeuroscienceGuilin Medical UniversityGuilinGuangxiChina
| | - Qi Wang
- Department of PhysiologyGuilin Medical UniversityGuilinGuangxiChina
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive NeuroscienceGuilin Medical UniversityGuilinGuangxiChina
| | - Peifang Qin
- Department of MicrobiologyGuilin Medical UniversityGuilinGuangxiChina
| | - Haitao Huang
- Department of MicrobiologyGuilin Medical UniversityGuilinGuangxiChina
| | - Yuting Zhang
- Department of MicrobiologyGuilin Medical UniversityGuilinGuangxiChina
| | - Yali Zhou
- Department of MicrobiologyGuilin Medical UniversityGuilinGuangxiChina
| | - Jianguo Yan
- Department of PhysiologyGuilin Medical UniversityGuilinGuangxiChina
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive NeuroscienceGuilin Medical UniversityGuilinGuangxiChina
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15
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Sattler R, Traynor BJ, Robertson J, Van Den Bosch L, Barmada SJ, Svendsen CN, Disney MD, Gendron TF, Wong PC, Turner MR, Boxer A, Babu S, Benatar M, Kurnellas M, Rohrer JD, Donnelly CJ, Bustos LM, Van Keuren-Jensen K, Dacks PA, Sabbagh MN. Roadmap for C9ORF72 in Frontotemporal Dementia and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Report on the C9ORF72 FTD/ALS Summit. Neurol Ther 2023; 12:1821-1843. [PMID: 37847372 PMCID: PMC10630271 DOI: 10.1007/s40120-023-00548-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023] Open
Abstract
A summit held March 2023 in Scottsdale, Arizona (USA) focused on the intronic hexanucleotide expansion in the C9ORF72 gene and its relevance in frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS; C9ORF72-FTD/ALS). The goal of this summit was to connect basic scientists, clinical researchers, drug developers, and individuals affected by C9ORF72-FTD/ALS to evaluate how collaborative efforts across the FTD-ALS disease spectrum might break down existing disease silos. Presentations and discussions covered recent discoveries in C9ORF72-FTD/ALS disease mechanisms, availability of disease biomarkers and recent advances in therapeutic development, and clinical trial design for prevention and treatment for individuals affected by C9ORF72-FTD/ALS and asymptomatic pathological expansion carriers. The C9ORF72-associated hexanucleotide repeat expansion is an important locus for both ALS and FTD. C9ORF72-FTD/ALS may be characterized by loss of function of the C9ORF72 protein and toxic gain of functions caused by both dipeptide repeat (DPR) proteins and hexanucleotide repeat RNA. C9ORF72-FTD/ALS therapeutic strategies discussed at the summit included the use of antisense oligonucleotides, adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated gene silencing and gene delivery, and engineered small molecules targeting RNA structures associated with the C9ORF72 expansion. Neurofilament light chain, DPR proteins, and transactive response (TAR) DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43)-associated molecular changes were presented as biomarker candidates. Similarly, brain imaging modalities (i.e., magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] and positron emission tomography [PET]) measuring structural, functional, and metabolic changes were discussed as important tools to monitor individuals affected with C9ORF72-FTD/ALS, at both pre-symptomatic and symptomatic disease stages. Finally, summit attendees evaluated current clinical trial designs available for FTD or ALS patients and concluded that therapeutics relevant to FTD/ALS patients, such as those specifically targeting C9ORF72, may need to be tested with composite endpoints covering clinical symptoms of both FTD and ALS. The latter will require novel clinical trial designs to be inclusive of all patient subgroups spanning the FTD/ALS spectrum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Sattler
- Barrow Neurological Institute, 2910 N Third Ave, Phoenix, AZ, 85013, USA.
| | - Bryan J Traynor
- Neuromuscular Diseases Research Section, Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Janice Robertson
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ludo Van Den Bosch
- VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology and KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sami J Barmada
- Department of Neurology, Neuroscience Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Clive N Svendsen
- Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Matthew D Disney
- Department of Chemistry, The Herbert Wertheim UF-Scripps Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL, USA
| | - Tania F Gendron
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Philip C Wong
- Departments of Pathology and Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Martin R Turner
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Adam Boxer
- Department of Neurology, Memory and Aging Center, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Suma Babu
- Sean M. Healey and AMG Center for ALS and the Neurological Clinical Research Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital-Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michael Benatar
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33129, USA
| | | | - Jonathan D Rohrer
- Dementia Research Centre, Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Christopher J Donnelly
- LiveLikeLou Center for ALS Research, Brain Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, USA
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Lynette M Bustos
- Barrow Neurological Institute, 2910 N Third Ave, Phoenix, AZ, 85013, USA
| | | | - Penny A Dacks
- The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration and FTD Disorders Registry, King of Prussia, PA, USA
| | - Marwan N Sabbagh
- Barrow Neurological Institute, 2910 N Third Ave, Phoenix, AZ, 85013, USA.
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16
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Zhang Y, Nelson SCK, Viera Ortiz AP, Lee EB, Fairman R. C9orf72 proline-arginine dipeptide repeats disrupt the proteasome and perturb proteolytic activities. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 2023; 82:901-910. [PMID: 37791472 PMCID: PMC10587997 DOI: 10.1093/jnen/nlad078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The hexanucleotide G4C2 repeat expansion in C9orf72 is the most frequent genetic cause of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Aberrant translation of this hexanucleotide sequence leads to production of 5 dipeptide repeats (DPRs). One of these DPRs is proline-arginine (polyPR), which is found in C9orf72-expanded ALS (C9ALS) patient brain tissue and is neurotoxic across multiple model systems. PolyPR was previously reported to bind and impair proteasomes in vitro. Nevertheless, the clinical relevance of the polyPR-proteasome interaction and its functional consequences in vivo are yet to be established. Here, we aim to confirm and functionally characterize polyPR-induced impairment of proteolysis in C9ALS patient tissue and an in vivo model system. Confocal microscopy and immunofluorescence studies on both human and Drosophila melanogaster brain tissues revealed sequestration of proteasomes by polyPR into inclusion-like bodies. Co-immunoprecipitation in D. melanogaster showed that polyPR strongly binds to the proteasome. In vivo, functional evidence for proteasome impairment is further shown by the accumulation of ubiquitinated proteins along with lysosomal accumulation and hyper-acidification, which can be rescued by a small-molecule proteasomal enhancer. Together, we provide the first clinical report of polyPR-proteasome interactions and offer in vivo evidence proposing polyPR-induced proteolytic dysfunction as a pathogenic mechanism in C9ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifan Zhang
- Department of Biology, Haverford College, Haverford, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Sophia C K Nelson
- Department of Biology, Haverford College, Haverford, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Ashley P Viera Ortiz
- Translational Neuropathology Research Laboratory, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 613A Stellar Chance Laboratories, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Edward B Lee
- Translational Neuropathology Research Laboratory, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 613A Stellar Chance Laboratories, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Robert Fairman
- Department of Biology, Haverford College, Haverford, Pennsylvania, USA
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17
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Zhang S, Tong M, Zheng D, Huang H, Li L, Ungermann C, Pan Y, Luo H, Lei M, Tang Z, Fu W, Chen S, Liu X, Zhong Q. C9orf72-catalyzed GTP loading of Rab39A enables HOPS-mediated membrane tethering and fusion in mammalian autophagy. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6360. [PMID: 37821429 PMCID: PMC10567733 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42003-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The multi-subunit homotypic fusion and vacuole protein sorting (HOPS) membrane-tethering complex is required for autophagosome-lysosome fusion in mammals, yet reconstituting the mammalian HOPS complex remains a challenge. Here we propose a "hook-up" model for mammalian HOPS complex assembly, which requires two HOPS sub-complexes docking on membranes via membrane-associated Rabs. We identify Rab39A as a key small GTPase that recruits HOPS onto autophagic vesicles. Proper pairing with Rab2 and Rab39A enables HOPS complex assembly between proteoliposomes for its tethering function, facilitating efficient membrane fusion. GTP loading of Rab39A is important for the recruitment of HOPS to autophagic membranes. Activation of Rab39A is catalyzed by C9orf72, a guanine exchange factor associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and familial frontotemporal dementia. Constitutive activation of Rab39A can rescue autophagy defects caused by C9orf72 depletion. These results therefore reveal a crucial role for the C9orf72-Rab39A-HOPS axis in autophagosome-lysosome fusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shen Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Department of Pathophysiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Mindan Tong
- Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Department of Pathophysiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Denghao Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Department of Pathophysiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Huiying Huang
- Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Department of Pathophysiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Linsen Li
- Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Department of Pathophysiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Christian Ungermann
- Osnabrück University, Department of Biology/Chemistry, Biochemistry section, Osnabrück, Germany
- Center of Cellular Nanoanalytic Osnabrück (CellNanOs), Osnabrück University, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Yi Pan
- Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Department of Pathophysiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hanyan Luo
- Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Department of Pathophysiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ming Lei
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 200011, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institute of Precision Medicine, 200125, Shanghai, China
| | - Zaiming Tang
- Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Department of Pathophysiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wan Fu
- Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Department of Pathophysiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - She Chen
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, 102206, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoxia Liu
- Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Department of Pathophysiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Qing Zhong
- Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Department of Pathophysiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
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18
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Sonobe Y, Lee S, Krishnan G, Gu Y, Kwon DY, Gao FB, Roos RP, Kratsios P. Translation of dipeptide repeat proteins in C9ORF72 ALS/FTD through unique and redundant AUG initiation codons. eLife 2023; 12:e83189. [PMID: 37675986 PMCID: PMC10541178 DOI: 10.7554/elife.83189] [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: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023] Open
Abstract
A hexanucleotide repeat expansion in C9ORF72 is the most common genetic cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). A hallmark of ALS/FTD pathology is the presence of dipeptide repeat (DPR) proteins, produced from both sense GGGGCC (poly-GA, poly-GP, poly-GR) and antisense CCCCGG (poly-PR, poly-PG, poly-PA) transcripts. Translation of sense DPRs, such as poly-GA and poly-GR, depends on non-canonical (non-AUG) initiation codons. Here, we provide evidence for canonical AUG-dependent translation of two antisense DPRs, poly-PR and poly-PG. A single AUG is required for synthesis of poly-PR, one of the most toxic DPRs. Unexpectedly, we found redundancy between three AUG codons necessary for poly-PG translation. Further, the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2D (EIF2D), which was previously implicated in sense DPR synthesis, is not required for AUG-dependent poly-PR or poly-PG translation, suggesting that distinct translation initiation factors control DPR synthesis from sense and antisense transcripts. Our findings on DPR synthesis from the C9ORF72 locus may be broadly applicable to many other nucleotide repeat expansion disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshifumi Sonobe
- University of Chicago Medical CenterChicagoUnited States
- Department of Neurology, University of Chicago Medical CenterChicagoUnited States
- Neuroscience Institute, University of ChicagoChicagoUnited States
| | - Soojin Lee
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical SchoolWorcesterUnited States
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical SchoolWorcesterUnited States
| | - Gopinath Krishnan
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical SchoolWorcesterUnited States
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical SchoolWorcesterUnited States
| | - Yuanzheng Gu
- Neuromuscular & Movement Disorders, BiogenCambridgeUnited States
| | - Deborah Y Kwon
- Neuromuscular & Movement Disorders, BiogenCambridgeUnited States
| | - Fen-Biao Gao
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical SchoolWorcesterUnited States
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical SchoolWorcesterUnited States
| | - Raymond P Roos
- University of Chicago Medical CenterChicagoUnited States
- Department of Neurology, University of Chicago Medical CenterChicagoUnited States
- Neuroscience Institute, University of ChicagoChicagoUnited States
| | - Paschalis Kratsios
- Neuroscience Institute, University of ChicagoChicagoUnited States
- Department of Neurobiology, University of ChicagoChicagoUnited States
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19
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Xu D, Vincent A, González-Gutiérrez A, Aleyakpo B, Anoar S, Giblin A, Atilano ML, Adams M, Shen D, Thoeng A, Tsintzas E, Maeland M, Isaacs AM, Sierralta J, Niccoli T. A monocarboxylate transporter rescues frontotemporal dementia and Alzheimer's disease models. PLoS Genet 2023; 19:e1010893. [PMID: 37733679 PMCID: PMC10513295 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Brains are highly metabolically active organs, consuming 20% of a person's energy at resting state. A decline in glucose metabolism is a common feature across a number of neurodegenerative diseases. Another common feature is the progressive accumulation of insoluble protein deposits, it's unclear if the two are linked. Glucose metabolism in the brain is highly coupled between neurons and glia, with glucose taken up by glia and metabolised to lactate, which is then shuttled via transporters to neurons, where it is converted back to pyruvate and fed into the TCA cycle for ATP production. Monocarboxylates are also involved in signalling, and play broad ranging roles in brain homeostasis and metabolic reprogramming. However, the role of monocarboxylates in dementia has not been tested. Here, we find that increasing pyruvate import in Drosophila neurons by over-expression of the transporter bumpel, leads to a rescue of lifespan and behavioural phenotypes in fly models of both frontotemporal dementia and Alzheimer's disease. The rescue is linked to a clearance of late stage autolysosomes, leading to degradation of toxic peptides associated with disease. We propose upregulation of pyruvate import into neurons as potentially a broad-scope therapeutic approach to increase neuronal autophagy, which could be beneficial for multiple dementias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongwei Xu
- Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, Institute of Healthy Ageing, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alec Vincent
- Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, Institute of Healthy Ageing, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Andrés González-Gutiérrez
- Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Neuroscience Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Benjamin Aleyakpo
- Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, Institute of Healthy Ageing, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sharifah Anoar
- Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, Institute of Healthy Ageing, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ashling Giblin
- Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, Institute of Healthy Ageing, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, Cruciform Building, London, United Kingdom
| | - Magda L. Atilano
- Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, Institute of Healthy Ageing, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, Cruciform Building, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mirjam Adams
- Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, Institute of Healthy Ageing, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Dunxin Shen
- Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, Institute of Healthy Ageing, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Annora Thoeng
- Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, Institute of Healthy Ageing, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom
| | - Elli Tsintzas
- Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, Institute of Healthy Ageing, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Marie Maeland
- Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, Institute of Healthy Ageing, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Adrian M. Isaacs
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, Cruciform Building, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jimena Sierralta
- Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Neuroscience Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Teresa Niccoli
- Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, Institute of Healthy Ageing, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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20
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Morón-Oset J, Fischer LKS, Jauré N, Zhang P, Jahn AJ, Supèr T, Pahl A, Isaacs AM, Grönke S, Partridge L. Repeat length of C9orf72-associated glycine-alanine polypeptides affects their toxicity. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2023; 11:140. [PMID: 37644512 PMCID: PMC10463776 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-023-01634-6] [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: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
G4C2 hexanucleotide repeat expansions in a non-coding region of the C9orf72 gene are the most common cause of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). G4C2 insertion length is variable, and patients can carry up to several thousand repeats. Dipeptide repeat proteins (DPRs) translated from G4C2 transcripts are thought to be a main driver of toxicity. Experiments in model organisms with relatively short DPRs have shown that arginine-rich DPRs are most toxic, while polyGlycine-Alanine (GA) DPRs cause only mild toxicity. However, GA is the most abundant DPR in patient brains, and experimental work in animals has generally relied on the use of low numbers of repeats, with DPRs often tagged for in vivo tracking. Whether repeat length or tagging affect the toxicity of GA has not been systematically assessed. Therefore, we generated Drosophila fly lines expressing GA100, GA200 or GA400 specifically in adult neurons. Consistent with previous studies, expression of GA100 and GA200 caused only mild toxicity. In contrast, neuronal expression of GA400 drastically reduced climbing ability and survival of flies, indicating that long GA DPRs can be highly toxic in vivo. This toxicity could be abolished by tagging GA400. Proteomics analysis of fly brains showed a repeat-length-dependent modulation of the brain proteome, with GA400 causing earlier and stronger changes than shorter GA proteins. PolyGA expression up-regulated proteins involved in ER to Golgi trafficking, and down-regulated proteins involved in insulin signalling. Experimental down-regulation of Tango1, a highly conserved regulator of ER-to Golgi transport, partially rescued GA400 toxicity, suggesting that misregulation of this process contributes to polyGA toxicity. Experimentally increasing insulin signaling also rescued GA toxicity. In summary, our data show that long polyGA proteins can be highly toxic in vivo, and that they may therefore contribute to ALS/FTD pathogenesis in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Morón-Oset
- Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing, Joseph-Stelzmann-Strasse 9B, 50931, Cologne, Germany
| | | | - Nathalie Jauré
- Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing, Joseph-Stelzmann-Strasse 9B, 50931, Cologne, Germany
| | - Pingze Zhang
- Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing, Joseph-Stelzmann-Strasse 9B, 50931, Cologne, Germany
| | - Annika Julia Jahn
- Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing, Joseph-Stelzmann-Strasse 9B, 50931, Cologne, Germany
| | - Tessa Supèr
- Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing, Joseph-Stelzmann-Strasse 9B, 50931, Cologne, Germany
| | - André Pahl
- Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing, Joseph-Stelzmann-Strasse 9B, 50931, Cologne, Germany
| | - Adrian M Isaacs
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Sebastian Grönke
- Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing, Joseph-Stelzmann-Strasse 9B, 50931, Cologne, Germany.
| | - Linda Partridge
- Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing, Joseph-Stelzmann-Strasse 9B, 50931, Cologne, Germany.
- Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, Institute of Healthy Ageing, University College London, Darwin Building, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK.
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21
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Seidel M, Rajkumar S, Steffke C, Noeth V, Agarwal S, Roger K, Lipecka J, Ludolph A, Guerrera CI, Boeckers T, Catanese A. Propranolol reduces the accumulation of cytotoxic aggregates in C9orf72-ALS/FTD in vitro models. CURRENT RESEARCH IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2023; 5:100105. [PMID: 37576491 PMCID: PMC10412779 DOI: 10.1016/j.crneur.2023.100105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the C9orf72 gene are the most common cause of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). The pathogenetic mechanisms linked to this gene are a direct consequence of an aberrant intronic expansion of a GGGGCC hexanucleotide located between the 1a and 1b non-coding exons, which can be transcribed to form cytotoxic RNA foci or even translated into aggregation-prone dipeptide repeat proteins. Importantly, the abnormal length of these repeats affects also the expression levels of C9orf72 itself, which suggests haploinsufficiency as additional pathomechanism. Thus, it appears that both toxic gain of function and loss of function are distinct but still coexistent features contributing to the insurgence of the disease in case of C9orf72 mutations. In this study, we aimed at identifying a strategy to address both aspects of the C9orf72-related pathobiochemistry and provide proof-of-principle information for a better understanding of the mechanisms leading to neuronal loss. By using primary neurons overexpressing toxic poly(GA), the most abundant protein product of the GGGGCC repeats, we found that the antiarrhythmic drug propranolol could efficiently reduce the accumulation of aberrant aggregates and increase the survival of C9orf72-related cultures. Interestingly, the improved catabolism appeared to not depend on major degradative pathways such as autophagy and the proteasome. By analyzing the proteome of poly(GA)-expressing neurons after exposure to propranolol, we found that the drug increased lysosomal degradation through a mechanism directly involving C9orf72 protein, whose levels were increased after treatment. Further confirmation of the beneficial effect of the beta blocker on aggregates' accumulation and survival of hiPSC-derived C9orf72-mutant motoneurons strengthened the finding that addressing both facets of C9orf72 pathology might represent a valid strategy for the treatment of these ALS/FTD cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mira Seidel
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University School of Medicine, Ulm, Germany
| | - Sandeep Rajkumar
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University School of Medicine, Ulm, Germany
| | - Christina Steffke
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University School of Medicine, Ulm, Germany
| | - Vivien Noeth
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University School of Medicine, Ulm, Germany
- International Graduate School in Molecular Medicine, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Shreya Agarwal
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University School of Medicine, Ulm, Germany
- International Graduate School in Molecular Medicine, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Kevin Roger
- Proteomics Platform Necker, Université Paris Cité - Structure Fédérative de Recherche Necker, INSERM US24/CNRS UAR3633, Paris, France
| | - Joanna Lipecka
- Proteomics Platform Necker, Université Paris Cité - Structure Fédérative de Recherche Necker, INSERM US24/CNRS UAR3633, Paris, France
| | - Albert Ludolph
- Department of Neurology, Ulm University School of Medicine, Ulm, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE), Ulm site, Ulm, Germany
| | - Chiara Ida Guerrera
- Proteomics Platform Necker, Université Paris Cité - Structure Fédérative de Recherche Necker, INSERM US24/CNRS UAR3633, Paris, France
| | - Tobias Boeckers
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University School of Medicine, Ulm, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE), Ulm site, Ulm, Germany
| | - Alberto Catanese
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University School of Medicine, Ulm, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE), Ulm site, Ulm, Germany
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22
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Fujino Y, Ueyama M, Ishiguro T, Ozawa D, Ito H, Sugiki T, Murata A, Ishiguro A, Gendron T, Mori K, Tokuda E, Taminato T, Konno T, Koyama A, Kawabe Y, Takeuchi T, Furukawa Y, Fujiwara T, Ikeda M, Mizuno T, Mochizuki H, Mizusawa H, Wada K, Ishikawa K, Onodera O, Nakatani K, Petrucelli L, Taguchi H, Nagai Y. FUS regulates RAN translation through modulating the G-quadruplex structure of GGGGCC repeat RNA in C9orf72-linked ALS/FTD. eLife 2023; 12:RP84338. [PMID: 37461319 PMCID: PMC10393046 DOI: 10.7554/elife.84338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Abnormal expansions of GGGGCC repeat sequence in the noncoding region of the C9orf72 gene is the most common cause of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia (C9-ALS/FTD). The expanded repeat sequence is translated into dipeptide repeat proteins (DPRs) by noncanonical repeat-associated non-AUG (RAN) translation. Since DPRs play central roles in the pathogenesis of C9-ALS/FTD, we here investigate the regulatory mechanisms of RAN translation, focusing on the effects of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) targeting GGGGCC repeat RNAs. Using C9-ALS/FTD model flies, we demonstrated that the ALS/FTD-linked RBP FUS suppresses RAN translation and neurodegeneration in an RNA-binding activity-dependent manner. Moreover, we found that FUS directly binds to and modulates the G-quadruplex structure of GGGGCC repeat RNA as an RNA chaperone, resulting in the suppression of RAN translation in vitro. These results reveal a previously unrecognized regulatory mechanism of RAN translation by G-quadruplex-targeting RBPs, providing therapeutic insights for C9-ALS/FTD and other repeat expansion diseases.
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Grants
- Scientific Research on Innovative Areas (Brain Protein Aging and Dementia Control) 17H05699 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
- Scientific Research on Innovative Areas (Brain Protein Aging and Dementia Control) 17H05705 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
- Transformative Research Areas (A) (Multifaceted Proteins) 20H05927 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
- Strategic Research Program for Brain Sciences 11013026 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
- Scientific Research (B) 21H02840 Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
- Scientific Research (B) 20H03602 Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
- Scientific Research (C) 15K09331 Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
- Scientific Research (C) 19K07823 Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
- Scientific Research (C) 17K07291 Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
- Young Scientists (A) 17H05091 Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
- Young Scientists (B) 25860733 Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
- Challenging Exploratory Research 24659438 Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
- Challenging Exploratory Research 18K19515 Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
- Health Labor Sciences Research Grant for Research on Development of New Drugs H24-Soyaku-Sogo-002 Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, Japan
- Strategic Research Program for Brain Sciences JP15dm0107026 Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development
- Strategic Research Program for Brain Sciences JP20dm0107061 Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development
- Practical Research Projects for Rare/Intractable Diseases JP16ek0109018 Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development
- Practical Research Projects for Rare/Intractable Diseases JP19ek0109222 Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development
- Practical Research Projects for Rare/Intractable Diseases JP20ek0109316 Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development
- Platform Project for Supporting Drug Discovery and Life Science Research JP19am0101072 Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development
- Intramural Research Grants for Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders 27-7 National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry
- Intramural Research Grants for Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders 27-9 National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry
- Intramural Research Grants for Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders 30-3 National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry
- Intramural Research Grants for Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders 30-9 National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry
- Intramural Research Grants for Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders 3-9 National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry
- IBC Grant H28 Japan Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association
- 2017 Takeda Science Foundation
- 2016 Takeda Science Foundation
- 2018 SENSHIN Medical Research Foundation
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuzo Fujino
- Department of Neurology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka-Sayama, Japan
- Department of Neurology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Morio Ueyama
- Department of Neurology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka-Sayama, Japan
- Department of Neurotherapeutics, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
- Department of Degenerative Neurological Diseases, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Taro Ishiguro
- Department of Degenerative Neurological Diseases, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Science, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Daisaku Ozawa
- Department of Neurology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka-Sayama, Japan
- Department of Neurotherapeutics, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Hayato Ito
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Toshihiko Sugiki
- Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Asako Murata
- Department of Regulatory Bioorganic Chemistry, The Institute of Scientific and28 Industrial Research, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Akira Ishiguro
- Research Center for Micro-nano Technology, Hosei University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tania Gendron
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, United States
| | - Kohji Mori
- Department of Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Eiichi Tokuda
- Department of Chemistry, Keio University, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Tomoya Taminato
- Department of Neurology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka-Sayama, Japan
- Department of Neurotherapeutics, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Takuya Konno
- Department of Neurology, Clinical Neuroscience Branch, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Akihide Koyama
- Department of Neurology, Clinical Neuroscience Branch, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Yuya Kawabe
- Department of Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Toshihide Takeuchi
- Department of Neurotherapeutics, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
- Life Science Research Institute, Kindai University, Osaka, Japan
| | | | - Toshimichi Fujiwara
- Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Manabu Ikeda
- Department of Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Toshiki Mizuno
- Department of Neurology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Hideki Mochizuki
- Department of Neurology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hidehiro Mizusawa
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Science, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Keiji Wada
- Department of Degenerative Neurological Diseases, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kinya Ishikawa
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Science, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Osamu Onodera
- Department of Neurology, Clinical Neuroscience Branch, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Nakatani
- Department of Regulatory Bioorganic Chemistry, The Institute of Scientific and28 Industrial Research, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | | | - Hideki Taguchi
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Japan
- Cell Biology Center, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Yoshitaka Nagai
- Department of Neurology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka-Sayama, Japan
- Department of Neurotherapeutics, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
- Department of Degenerative Neurological Diseases, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Neurology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
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23
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Jun YW, Lee S, Ban BK, Lee JA, Gao FB. Non-muscle MYH10/myosin IIB recruits ESCRT-III to participate in autophagosome closure to maintain neuronal homeostasis. Autophagy 2023; 19:2045-2061. [PMID: 36849436 PMCID: PMC10283425 DOI: 10.1080/15548627.2023.2169309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Dysfunction of the endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT) has been linked to frontotemporal dementia (FTD) due in part to the accumulation of unsealed autophagosomes. However, the mechanisms of ESCRT-mediated membrane closure events on phagophores remain largely unknown. In this study, we found that partial knockdown of non-muscle MYH10/myosin IIB/zip rescues neurodegeneration in both Drosophila and human iPSC-derived cortical neurons expressing FTD-associated mutant CHMP2B, a subunit of ESCRT-III. We also found that MYH10 binds and recruits several autophagy receptor proteins during autophagosome formation induced by mutant CHMP2B or nutrient starvation. Moreover, MYH10 interacted with ESCRT-III to regulate phagophore closure by recruiting ESCRT-III to damaged mitochondria during PRKN/parkin-mediated mitophagy. Evidently, MYH10 is involved in the initiation of induced but not basal autophagy and also links ESCRT-III to mitophagosome sealing, revealing novel roles of MYH10 in the autophagy pathway and in ESCRT-related FTD pathogenesis.Abbreviations: ALS: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; AP: autophagosome; Atg: autophagy-related; ESCRT: endosomal sorting complex required for transport; FTD: frontotemporal dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Woo Jun
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Soojin Lee
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Byung-Kwan Ban
- Department of Biotechnology and Biological Sciences, Hannam University, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin-A Lee
- Department of Biotechnology and Biological Sciences, Hannam University, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Fen-Biao Gao
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
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24
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Arnold FJ, Nguyen AD, Bedlack RS, Bennett CL, La Spada AR. Intercellular transmission of pathogenic proteins in ALS: Exploring the pathogenic wave. Neurobiol Dis 2023:106218. [PMID: 37394036 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
In patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), disease symptoms and pathology typically spread in a predictable spatiotemporal pattern beginning at a focal site of onset and progressing along defined neuroanatomical tracts. Like other neurodegenerative diseases, ALS is characterized by the presence of protein aggregates in postmortem patient tissue. Cytoplasmic, ubiquitin-positive aggregates of TDP-43 are observed in approximately 97% of sporadic and familial ALS patients, while SOD1 inclusions are likely specific to cases of SOD1-ALS. Additionally, the most common subtype of familial ALS, caused by a hexanucleotide repeat expansion in the first intron of the C9orf72 gene (C9-ALS), is further characterized by the presence of aggregated dipeptide repeat proteins (DPRs). As we will describe, cell-to-cell propagation of these pathological proteins tightly correlates with the contiguous spread of disease. While TDP-43 and SOD1 are capable of seeding protein misfolding and aggregation in a prion-like manner, C9orf72 DPRs appear to induce (and transmit) a 'disease state' more generally. Multiple mechanisms of intercellular transport have been described for all of these proteins, including anterograde and retrograde axonal transport, extracellular vesicle secretion, and macropinocytosis. In addition to neuron-to-neuron transmission, transmission of pathological proteins occurs between neurons and glia. Given that the spread of ALS disease pathology corresponds with the spread of symptoms in patients, the various mechanisms by which ALS-associated protein aggregates propagate through the central nervous system should be closely examined.
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Affiliation(s)
- F J Arnold
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA; Department of Neurology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - A D Nguyen
- Department of Neurology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - R S Bedlack
- Department of Neurology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - C L Bennett
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA; Department of Neurology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
| | - A R La Spada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA; Department of Neurology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA; Departments of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; Department of Neurology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA; UCI Center for Neurotherapeutics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA.
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25
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De Marchi F, Franjkic T, Schito P, Russo T, Nimac J, Chami AA, Mele A, Vidatic L, Kriz J, Julien JP, Apic G, Russell RB, Rogelj B, Cannon JR, Baralle M, Agosta F, Hecimovic S, Mazzini L, Buratti E, Munitic I. Emerging Trends in the Field of Inflammation and Proteinopathy in ALS/FTD Spectrum Disorder. Biomedicines 2023; 11:1599. [PMID: 37371694 PMCID: PMC10295684 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11061599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Proteinopathy and neuroinflammation are two main hallmarks of neurodegenerative diseases. They also represent rare common events in an exceptionally broad landscape of genetic, environmental, neuropathologic, and clinical heterogeneity present in patients. Here, we aim to recount the emerging trends in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal degeneration (FTD) spectrum disorder. Our review will predominantly focus on neuroinflammation and systemic immune imbalance in ALS and FTD, which have recently been highlighted as novel therapeutic targets. A common mechanism of most ALS and ~50% of FTD patients is dysregulation of TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43), an RNA/DNA-binding protein, which becomes depleted from the nucleus and forms cytoplasmic aggregates in neurons and glia. This, in turn, via both gain and loss of function events, alters a variety of TDP-43-mediated cellular events. Experimental attempts to target TDP-43 aggregates or manipulate crosstalk in the context of inflammation will be discussed. Targeting inflammation, and the immune system in general, is of particular interest because of the high plasticity of immune cells compared to neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiola De Marchi
- Department of Neurology and ALS Centre, University of Piemonte Orientale, Maggiore Della Carità Hospital, Corso Mazzini 18, 28100 Novara, Italy; (F.D.M.); (A.M.)
| | - Toni Franjkic
- Laboratory for Molecular Immunology, Department of Biotechnology, University of Rijeka, R. Matejcic 2, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia;
- Metisox, Cambridge CB24 9NL, UK;
| | - Paride Schito
- Department of Neurology & Neuropathology Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology (INSPE), Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy; (P.S.); (T.R.)
| | - Tommaso Russo
- Department of Neurology & Neuropathology Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology (INSPE), Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy; (P.S.); (T.R.)
| | - Jerneja Nimac
- Department of Biotechnology, Jozef Stefan Institute, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (J.N.); (B.R.)
- Graduate School of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Anna A. Chami
- CERVO Research Centre, Laval University, Quebec City, QC G1J 2G3, Canada; (A.A.C.); (J.K.); (J.-P.J.)
| | - Angelica Mele
- Department of Neurology and ALS Centre, University of Piemonte Orientale, Maggiore Della Carità Hospital, Corso Mazzini 18, 28100 Novara, Italy; (F.D.M.); (A.M.)
| | - Lea Vidatic
- Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Disease Research, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruder Boskovic Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (L.V.); (S.H.)
| | - Jasna Kriz
- CERVO Research Centre, Laval University, Quebec City, QC G1J 2G3, Canada; (A.A.C.); (J.K.); (J.-P.J.)
| | - Jean-Pierre Julien
- CERVO Research Centre, Laval University, Quebec City, QC G1J 2G3, Canada; (A.A.C.); (J.K.); (J.-P.J.)
| | | | | | - Boris Rogelj
- Department of Biotechnology, Jozef Stefan Institute, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (J.N.); (B.R.)
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Jason R. Cannon
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA;
- Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | | | - Federica Agosta
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy;
| | - Silva Hecimovic
- Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Disease Research, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruder Boskovic Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (L.V.); (S.H.)
| | - Letizia Mazzini
- Department of Neurology and ALS Centre, University of Piemonte Orientale, Maggiore Della Carità Hospital, Corso Mazzini 18, 28100 Novara, Italy; (F.D.M.); (A.M.)
| | - Emanuele Buratti
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Padriciano 99, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Ivana Munitic
- Laboratory for Molecular Immunology, Department of Biotechnology, University of Rijeka, R. Matejcic 2, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia;
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26
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Banerjee P, Mehta AR, Nirujogi RS, Cooper J, James OG, Nanda J, Longden J, Burr K, McDade K, Salzinger A, Paza E, Newton J, Story D, Pal S, Smith C, Alessi DR, Selvaraj BT, Priller J, Chandran S. Cell-autonomous immune dysfunction driven by disrupted autophagy in C9orf72-ALS iPSC-derived microglia contributes to neurodegeneration. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eabq0651. [PMID: 37083530 PMCID: PMC10121169 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abq0651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Although microglial activation is widely found in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), the underlying mechanism(s) are poorly understood. Here, using human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived microglia-like cells (hiPSC-MG) harboring the most common ALS/FTD mutation (C9orf72, mC9-MG), gene-corrected isogenic controls (isoC9-MG), and C9orf72 knockout hiPSC-MG (C9KO-MG), we show that reduced C9ORF72 protein is associated with impaired phagocytosis and an exaggerated immune response upon stimulation with lipopolysaccharide. Analysis of the C9ORF72 interactome revealed that C9ORF72 interacts with regulators of autophagy and functional studies showed impaired initiation of autophagy in mC9-MG and C9KO-MG. Coculture studies with motor neurons (MNs) demonstrated that the autophagy deficit in mC9-MG drives increased vulnerability of mC9-MNs to excitotoxic stimulus. Pharmacological activation of autophagy ameliorated both cell-autonomous functional deficits in hiPSC-MG and MN death in MG-MN coculture. Together, these findings reveal an important role for C9ORF72 in regulating immune homeostasis and identify dysregulation in myeloid cells as a contributor to neurodegeneration in ALS/FTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Poulomi Banerjee
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Edinburgh, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh bioQuarter, Chancellor’s Building, 49 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Arpan R. Mehta
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Edinburgh, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh bioQuarter, Chancellor’s Building, 49 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
- Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Raja S. Nirujogi
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - James Cooper
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Edinburgh, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh bioQuarter, Chancellor’s Building, 49 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Owen G. James
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Edinburgh, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh bioQuarter, Chancellor’s Building, 49 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Jyoti Nanda
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Edinburgh, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh bioQuarter, Chancellor’s Building, 49 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
| | - James Longden
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Edinburgh, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh bioQuarter, Chancellor’s Building, 49 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Karen Burr
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Edinburgh, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh bioQuarter, Chancellor’s Building, 49 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Karina McDade
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Edinburgh, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh bioQuarter, Chancellor’s Building, 49 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
- Edinburgh Brain Bank, Academic Department of Neuropathology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Edinburgh Pathology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Andrea Salzinger
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Edinburgh, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh bioQuarter, Chancellor’s Building, 49 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Evdokia Paza
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Edinburgh, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh bioQuarter, Chancellor’s Building, 49 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Judith Newton
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
- Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
| | - David Story
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Edinburgh, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh bioQuarter, Chancellor’s Building, 49 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Suvankar Pal
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
- Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Colin Smith
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
- Edinburgh Brain Bank, Academic Department of Neuropathology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Edinburgh Pathology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Dario R. Alessi
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Bhuvaneish T. Selvaraj
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Edinburgh, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh bioQuarter, Chancellor’s Building, 49 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
- Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Josef Priller
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Edinburgh, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh bioQuarter, Chancellor’s Building, 49 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy; School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Ismaninger Str. 22, 81675 Munich, Germany
- Neuropsychiatry, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin and DZNE, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Siddharthan Chandran
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Edinburgh, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh bioQuarter, Chancellor’s Building, 49 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
- Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
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Parameswaran J, Zhang N, Braems E, Tilahun K, Pant DC, Yin K, Asress S, Heeren K, Banerjee A, Davis E, Schwartz SL, Conn GL, Bassell GJ, Van Den Bosch L, Jiang J. Antisense, but not sense, repeat expanded RNAs activate PKR/eIF2α-dependent ISR in C9ORF72 FTD/ALS. eLife 2023; 12:e85902. [PMID: 37073950 PMCID: PMC10188109 DOI: 10.7554/elife.85902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/20/2023] Open
Abstract
GGGGCC (G4C2) hexanucleotide repeat expansion in the C9ORF72 gene is the most common genetic cause of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The repeat is bidirectionally transcribed and confers gain of toxicity. However, the underlying toxic species is debated, and it is not clear whether antisense CCCCGG (C4G2) repeat expanded RNAs contribute to disease pathogenesis. Our study shows that C9ORF72 antisense C4G2 repeat expanded RNAs trigger the activation of the PKR/eIF2α-dependent integrated stress response independent of dipeptide repeat proteins that are produced through repeat-associated non-AUG-initiated translation, leading to global translation inhibition and stress granule formation. Reducing PKR levels with either siRNA or morpholinos mitigates integrated stress response and toxicity caused by the antisense C4G2 RNAs in cell lines, primary neurons, and zebrafish. Increased phosphorylation of PKR/eIF2α is also observed in the frontal cortex of C9ORF72 FTD/ALS patients. Finally, only antisense C4G2, but not sense G4C2, repeat expanded RNAs robustly activate the PKR/eIF2α pathway and induce aberrant stress granule formation. These results provide a mechanism by which antisense C4G2 repeat expanded RNAs elicit neuronal toxicity in FTD/ALS caused by C9ORF72 repeat expansions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nancy Zhang
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory UniversityAtlantaUnited States
| | - Elke Braems
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute, KU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
- Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB, Campus GasthuisbergLeuvenBelgium
| | | | - Devesh C Pant
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory UniversityAtlantaUnited States
| | - Keena Yin
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory UniversityAtlantaUnited States
| | - Seneshaw Asress
- Department of Neurology, Emory UniversityAtlantaUnited States
| | - Kara Heeren
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute, KU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
- Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB, Campus GasthuisbergLeuvenBelgium
| | - Anwesha Banerjee
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory UniversityAtlantaUnited States
| | - Emma Davis
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory UniversityAtlantaUnited States
| | | | - Graeme L Conn
- Department of Biochemistry, Emory UniversityAtlantaUnited States
| | - Gary J Bassell
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory UniversityAtlantaUnited States
| | - Ludo Van Den Bosch
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute, KU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
- Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB, Campus GasthuisbergLeuvenBelgium
| | - Jie Jiang
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory UniversityAtlantaUnited States
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28
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Ma L, Liang C, Wang J, Chang Q, Wang Y, Zhang W, Du Y, Sadan J, Chen JF. Reversing lysosome-ribosome circuit dysregulation mitigates C9FTD/ALS neurodegeneration and behaviors. Hum Mol Genet 2023; 32:1252-1265. [PMID: 36322143 PMCID: PMC10077508 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddac271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2022] [Revised: 10/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
G4C2 repeat expansion in C9orf72 causes the most common familial frontotemporal dementia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (C9FTD/ALS). The pathogenesis includes haploinsufficiency of C9orf72, which forms a protein complex with Smcr8, as well as G4C2 repeat-induced gain of function including toxic dipeptide repeats (DPRs). The key in vivo disease-driving mechanisms and how loss- and gain-of-function interplay remain poorly understood. Here, we identified dysregulation of a lysosome-ribosome biogenesis circuit as an early and key disease mechanism using a physiologically relevant mouse model with combined loss- and gain-of-function across the aging process. C9orf72 deficiency exacerbates FTD/ALS-like pathologies and behaviors in C9ORF72 bacterial artificial chromosome (C9-BAC) mice with G4C2 repeats under endogenous regulatory elements from patients. Single nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) and bulk RNA-seq revealed that C9orf72 depletion disrupts lysosomes in neurons and leads to transcriptional dysregulation of ribosomal protein genes, which are likely due to the proteotoxic stress response and resemble ribosomopathy defects. Importantly, ectopic expression of C9orf72 or its partner Smcr8 in C9FTD/ALS mutant mice promotes lysosomal functions and restores ribosome biogenesis gene transcription, resulting in the mitigation of DPR accumulation, neurodegeneration as well as FTD/ALS-like motor and cognitive behaviors. Therefore, we conclude that loss- and gain-of-function crosstalk in C9FTD/ALS converges on neuronal dysregulation of a lysosome-ribosome biogenesis circuit leading to proteotoxicity, neurodegeneration and behavioral defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Ma
- Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology, University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Chen Liang
- Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology, University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Qing Chang
- Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology, University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Yuan Wang
- Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology, University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Wei Zhang
- Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology, University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Yuanning Du
- Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology, University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Jotham Sadan
- Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology, University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Jian-Fu Chen
- Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology, University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
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29
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Cui Z, Joiner AMN, Jansen RM, Hurley JH. Amino acid sensing and lysosomal signaling complexes. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2023; 79:102544. [PMID: 36804703 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2023.102544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
Amino acid pools in the cell are monitored by dedicated sensors, whose structures are now coming into view. The lysosomal Rag GTPases are central to this pathway, and the regulation of their GAP complexes, FLCN-FNIP and GATOR1, have been worked out in detail. For FLCN-FNIP, the entire chain of events from the arginine transporter SLC38A9 to substrate-specific mTORC1 activation has been visualized. The structure GATOR2 has been determined, hinting at an ordering of amino acid signaling across a larger size scale than anticipated. The centerpiece of lysosomal signaling, mTORC1, has been revealed to recognize its substrates by more nuanced and substrate-specific mechanisms than previous appreciated. Beyond the well-studied Rag GTPase and mTORC1 machinery, another lysosomal amino acid sensor/effector system, that of PQLC2 and the C9orf72-containing CSW complex, is coming into structural view. These developments hold promise for further insights into lysosomal physiology and lysosome-centric therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhicheng Cui
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley CA 94720, USA; California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Aaron M N Joiner
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley CA 94720, USA; California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Rachel M Jansen
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley CA 94720, USA; California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - James H Hurley
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley CA 94720, USA; California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA; Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
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30
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Van't Spijker HM, Almeida S. How villains are made: The translation of dipeptide repeat proteins in C9ORF72-ALS/FTD. Gene 2023; 858:147167. [PMID: 36621656 PMCID: PMC9928902 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2023.147167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
A hexanucleotide repeat expansion in the C9ORF72 gene is the most common genetic alteration associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). These neurodegenerative diseases share genetic, clinical and pathological features. The mutation in C9ORF72 appears to drive pathogenesis through a combination of loss of C9ORF72 normal function and gain of toxic effects due to the repeat expansion, which result in aggregation prone expanded RNAs and dipeptide repeat (DPR) proteins. Studies in cellular and animal models indicate that the DPR proteins are the more toxic species. Thus, a large body of research has focused on identifying the cellular pathways most directly impacted by these toxic proteins, with the goal of characterizing disease pathogenesis and nominating potential targets for therapeutic development. The preventative block of the production of the toxic proteins before they can cause harm is a second strategy of intense focus. Despite the considerable amount of effort dedicated to this prophylactic approach, it is still unclear how the DPR proteins are synthesized from RNAs harboring repeat expansions. In this review, we summarize our current knowledge of the specific protein translation mechanisms shown to account for the synthesis of DPR proteins. We will then discuss how enhanced understanding of the composition of these toxic effectors could help in refining disease mechanisms, and paving the way to identify and design effective prophylactic therapies for C9ORF72 ALS-FTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heleen M Van't Spijker
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Sandra Almeida
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA.
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31
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Diab R, Pilotto F, Saxena S. Autophagy and neurodegeneration: Unraveling the role of C9ORF72 in the regulation of autophagy and its relationship to ALS-FTD pathology. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1086895. [PMID: 37006471 PMCID: PMC10060823 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1086895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The proper functioning of the cell clearance machinery is critical for neuronal health within the central nervous system (CNS). In normal physiological conditions, the cell clearance machinery is actively involved in the elimination of misfolded and toxic proteins throughout the lifetime of an organism. The highly conserved and regulated pathway of autophagy is one of the important processes involved in preventing and neutralizing pathogenic buildup of toxic proteins that could eventually lead to the development of neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) such as Alzheimer’s disease or Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The most common genetic cause of ALS and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a hexanucleotide expansion consisting of GGGGCC (G4C2) repeats in the chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 gene (C9ORF72). These abnormally expanded repeats have been implicated in leading to three main modes of disease pathology: loss of function of the C9ORF72 protein, the generation of RNA foci, and the production of dipeptide repeat proteins (DPRs). In this review, we discuss the normal physiological role of C9ORF72 in the autophagy-lysosome pathway (ALP), and present recent research deciphering how dysfunction of the ALP synergizes with C9ORF72 haploinsufficiency, which together with the gain of toxic mechanisms involving hexanucleotide repeat expansions and DPRs, drive the disease process. This review delves further into the interactions of C9ORF72 with RAB proteins involved in endosomal/lysosomal trafficking, and their role in regulating various steps in autophagy and lysosomal pathways. Lastly, the review aims to provide a framework for further investigations of neuronal autophagy in C9ORF72-linked ALS-FTD as well as other neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rim Diab
- Department of Neurology, Center for Experimental Neurology, Inselspital University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland
- Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Federica Pilotto
- Department of Neurology, Center for Experimental Neurology, Inselspital University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland
- Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Smita Saxena
- Department of Neurology, Center for Experimental Neurology, Inselspital University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland
- Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- *Correspondence: Smita Saxena,
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32
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Martella N, Pensabene D, Varone M, Colardo M, Petraroia M, Sergio W, La Rosa P, Moreno S, Segatto M. Bromodomain and Extra-Terminal Proteins in Brain Physiology and Pathology: BET-ing on Epigenetic Regulation. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11030750. [PMID: 36979729 PMCID: PMC10045827 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11030750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BET proteins function as histone code readers of acetylated lysins that determine the positive regulation in transcription of genes involved in cell cycle progression, differentiation, inflammation, and many other pathways. In recent years, thanks to the development of BET inhibitors, interest in this protein family has risen for its relevance in brain development and function. For example, experimental evidence has shown that BET modulation affects neuronal activity and the expression of genes involved in learning and memory. In addition, BET inhibition strongly suppresses molecular pathways related to neuroinflammation. These observations suggest that BET modulation may play a critical role in the onset and during the development of diverse neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease, fragile X syndrome, and Rett syndrome. In this review article, we summarize the most recent evidence regarding the involvement of BET proteins in brain physiology and pathology, as well as their pharmacological potential as targets for therapeutic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noemi Martella
- Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, Contrada Fonte Lappone, 86090 Pesche, Italy
| | - Daniele Pensabene
- Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, Contrada Fonte Lappone, 86090 Pesche, Italy
- Department of Science, University Roma Tre, Viale Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy
- Laboratory of Neurodevelopment, Neurogenetics and Neuromolecular Biology, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, 64 via del Fosso di Fiorano, 00179 Rome, Italy
| | - Michela Varone
- Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, Contrada Fonte Lappone, 86090 Pesche, Italy
| | - Mayra Colardo
- Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, Contrada Fonte Lappone, 86090 Pesche, Italy
| | - Michele Petraroia
- Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, Contrada Fonte Lappone, 86090 Pesche, Italy
| | - William Sergio
- Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, Contrada Fonte Lappone, 86090 Pesche, Italy
| | - Piergiorgio La Rosa
- Division of Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, via dei Marsi 78, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Sandra Moreno
- Department of Science, University Roma Tre, Viale Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy
- Laboratory of Neurodevelopment, Neurogenetics and Neuromolecular Biology, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, 64 via del Fosso di Fiorano, 00179 Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Segatto
- Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, Contrada Fonte Lappone, 86090 Pesche, Italy
- Correspondence:
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33
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Mori K, Gotoh S, Uozumi R, Miyamoto T, Akamine S, Kawabe Y, Tagami S, Ikeda M. RNA Dysmetabolism and Repeat-Associated Non-AUG Translation in Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration/Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis due to C9orf72 Hexanucleotide Repeat Expansion. JMA J 2023; 6:9-15. [PMID: 36793534 PMCID: PMC9908409 DOI: 10.31662/jmaj.2022-0160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuropathological features of frontotemporal dementia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) due to C9orf72 GGGGCC hexanucleotide repeat expansion include early dipeptide repeats, repeat RNA foci, and subsequent TDP-43 pathologies. Since the discovery of the repeat expansion, extensive studies have elucidated the disease mechanism of how the repeat causes neurodegeneration. In this review, we summarize our current understanding of abnormal repeat RNA metabolism and repeat-associated non-AUG translation in C9orf72 frontotemporal lobar degeneration/ALS. For repeat RNA metabolism, we specifically focus on the role of hnRNPA3, the repeat RNA-binding protein, and the EXOSC10/RNA exosome complex, an intracellular RNA-degrading enzyme. In addition, the mechanism of repeat-associated non-AUG translation inhibition via TMPyP4, a repeat RNA-binding compound, is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kohji Mori
- Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Shiho Gotoh
- Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Ryota Uozumi
- Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Tesshin Miyamoto
- Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan,Seifukai Ibaraki Hospital, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Shoshin Akamine
- Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Yuya Kawabe
- Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan,Minoh Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Minoh, Japan
| | - Shinji Tagami
- Minoh Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Minoh, Japan,Health and Counseling Center, Osaka University, Toyonaka, Japan
| | - Manabu Ikeda
- Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
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34
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Dane TL, Gill AL, Vieira FG, Denton KR. Reduced C9orf72 expression exacerbates polyGR toxicity in patient iPSC-derived motor neurons and a Type I protein arginine methyltransferase inhibitor reduces that toxicity. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1134090. [PMID: 37138766 PMCID: PMC10149854 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1134090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Intronic repeat expansions in the C9orf72 gene are the most frequent known single genetic causes of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). These repeat expansions are believed to result in both loss-of-function and toxic gain-of-function. Gain-of-function results in the production of toxic arginine-rich dipeptide repeat proteins (DPRs), namely polyGR and polyPR. Small-molecule inhibition of Type I protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs) has been shown to protect against toxicity resulting from polyGR and polyPR challenge in NSC-34 cells and primary mouse-derived spinal neurons, but the effect in human motor neurons (MNs) has not yet been explored. Methods To study this, we generated a panel of C9orf72 homozygous and hemizygous knockout iPSCs to examine the contribution of C9orf72 loss-of-function toward disease pathogenesis. We differentiated these iPSCs into spinal motor neurons (sMNs). Results We found that reduced levels of C9orf72 exacerbate polyGR15 toxicity in a dose-dependent manner. Type I PRMT inhibition was able to partially rescue polyGR15 toxicity in both wild-type and C9orf72-expanded sMNs. Discussion This study explores the interplay of loss-of-function and gain-of-function toxicity in C9orf72 ALS. It also implicates type I PRMT inhibitors as a possible modulator of polyGR toxicity.
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Bauer CS, Webster CP, Shaw AC, Kok JR, Castelli LM, Lin YH, Smith EF, Illanes-Álvarez F, Higginbottom A, Shaw PJ, Azzouz M, Ferraiuolo L, Hautbergue GM, Grierson AJ, De Vos KJ. Loss of TMEM106B exacerbates C9ALS/FTD DPR pathology by disrupting autophagosome maturation. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:1061559. [PMID: 36619668 PMCID: PMC9812496 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.1061559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Disruption to protein homeostasis caused by lysosomal dysfunction and associated impairment of autophagy is a prominent pathology in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia (ALS/FTD). The most common genetic cause of ALS/FTD is a G4C2 hexanucleotide repeat expansion in C9orf72 (C9ALS/FTD). Repeat-associated non-AUG (RAN) translation of G4C2 repeat transcripts gives rise to dipeptide repeat (DPR) proteins that have been shown to be toxic and may contribute to disease etiology. Genetic variants in TMEM106B have been associated with frontotemporal lobar degeneration with TDP-43 pathology and disease progression in C9ALS/FTD. TMEM106B encodes a lysosomal transmembrane protein of unknown function that is involved in various aspects of lysosomal biology. How TMEM106B variants affect C9ALS/FTD is not well understood but has been linked to changes in TMEM106B protein levels. Here, we investigated TMEM106B function in the context of C9ALS/FTD DPR pathology. We report that knockdown of TMEM106B expression exacerbates the accumulation of C9ALS/FTD-associated cytotoxic DPR proteins in cell models expressing RAN-translated or AUG-driven DPRs as well as in C9ALS/FTD-derived iAstrocytes with an endogenous G4C2 expansion by impairing autophagy. Loss of TMEM106B caused a block late in autophagy by disrupting autophagosome to autolysosome maturation which coincided with impaired lysosomal acidification, reduced cathepsin activity, and juxtanuclear clustering of lysosomes. Lysosomal clustering required Rab7A and coincided with reduced Arl8b-mediated anterograde transport of lysosomes to the cell periphery. Increasing Arl8b activity in TMEM106B-deficient cells not only restored the distribution of lysosomes, but also fully rescued autophagy and DPR protein accumulation. Thus, we identified a novel function of TMEM106B in autophagosome maturation via Arl8b. Our findings indicate that TMEM106B variants may modify C9ALS/FTD by regulating autophagic clearance of DPR proteins. Caution should therefore be taken when considering modifying TMEM106B expression levels as a therapeutic approach in ALS/FTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia S. Bauer
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), Department of Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher P. Webster
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), Department of Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Allan C. Shaw
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), Department of Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Jannigje R. Kok
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), Department of Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Lydia M. Castelli
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), Department of Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Ya-Hui Lin
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), Department of Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Emma F. Smith
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), Department of Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Francisco Illanes-Álvarez
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), Department of Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Adrian Higginbottom
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), Department of Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Pamela J. Shaw
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), Department of Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Mimoun Azzouz
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), Department of Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Laura Ferraiuolo
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), Department of Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Guillaume M. Hautbergue
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), Department of Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew J. Grierson
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), Department of Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Kurt J. De Vos
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), Department of Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
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36
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Lu G, Wang Y, Shi Y, Zhang Z, Huang C, He W, Wang C, Shen H. Autophagy in health and disease: From molecular mechanisms to therapeutic target. MedComm (Beijing) 2022; 3:e150. [PMID: 35845350 PMCID: PMC9271889 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Macroautophagy/autophagy is an evolutionally conserved catabolic process in which cytosolic contents, such as aggregated proteins, dysfunctional organelle, or invading pathogens, are sequestered by the double-membrane structure termed autophagosome and delivered to lysosome for degradation. Over the past two decades, autophagy has been extensively studied, from the molecular mechanisms, biological functions, implications in various human diseases, to development of autophagy-related therapeutics. This review will focus on the latest development of autophagy research, covering molecular mechanisms in control of autophagosome biogenesis and autophagosome-lysosome fusion, and the upstream regulatory pathways including the AMPK and MTORC1 pathways. We will also provide a systematic discussion on the implication of autophagy in various human diseases, including cancer, neurodegenerative disorders (Alzheimer disease, Parkinson disease, Huntington's disease, and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), metabolic diseases (obesity and diabetes), viral infection especially SARS-Cov-2 and COVID-19, cardiovascular diseases (cardiac ischemia/reperfusion and cardiomyopathy), and aging. Finally, we will also summarize the development of pharmacological agents that have therapeutic potential for clinical applications via targeting the autophagy pathway. It is believed that decades of hard work on autophagy research is eventually to bring real and tangible benefits for improvement of human health and control of human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guang Lu
- Department of Physiology, Zhongshan School of MedicineSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Yu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, and West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic MedicineSichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center for BiotherapyChengduChina
| | - Yin Shi
- Department of BiochemistryZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
| | - Zhe Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, and West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic MedicineSichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center for BiotherapyChengduChina
| | - Canhua Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, and West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic MedicineSichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center for BiotherapyChengduChina
| | - Weifeng He
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Institute of Burn ResearchSouthwest HospitalArmy Medical UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Chuang Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Provincial Key Laboratory of PathophysiologyNingbo University School of MedicineNingboZhejiangChina
| | - Han‐Ming Shen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ministry of Education Frontiers Science Center for Precision OncologyUniversity of MacauMacauChina
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37
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Bauer CS, Cohen RN, Sironi F, Livesey MR, Gillingwater TH, Highley JR, Fillingham DJ, Coldicott I, Smith EF, Gibson YB, Webster CP, Grierson AJ, Bendotti C, De Vos KJ. An interaction between synapsin and C9orf72 regulates excitatory synapses and is impaired in ALS/FTD. Acta Neuropathol 2022; 144:437-464. [PMID: 35876881 PMCID: PMC9381633 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-022-02470-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Dysfunction and degeneration of synapses is a common feature of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia (ALS/FTD). A GGGGCC hexanucleotide repeat expansion in the C9ORF72 gene is the main genetic cause of ALS/FTD (C9ALS/FTD). The repeat expansion leads to reduced expression of the C9orf72 protein. How C9orf72 haploinsufficiency contributes to disease has not been resolved. Here we identify the synapsin family of synaptic vesicle proteins, the most abundant group of synaptic phosphoproteins, as novel interactors of C9orf72 at synapses and show that C9orf72 plays a cell-autonomous role in the regulation of excitatory synapses. We mapped the interaction of C9orf72 and synapsin to the N-terminal longin domain of C9orf72 and the conserved C domain of synapsin, and show interaction of the endogenous proteins in synapses. Functionally, C9orf72 deficiency reduced the number of excitatory synapses and decreased synapsin levels at remaining synapses in vitro in hippocampal neuron cultures and in vivo in the hippocampal mossy fibre system of C9orf72 knockout mice. Consistent with synaptic dysfunction, electrophysiological recordings identified impaired excitatory neurotransmission and network function in hippocampal neuron cultures with reduced C9orf72 expression, which correlated with a severe depletion of synaptic vesicles from excitatory synapses in the hippocampus of C9orf72 knockout mice. Finally, neuropathological analysis of post-mortem sections of C9ALS/FTD patient hippocampus with C9orf72 haploinsufficiency revealed a marked reduction in synapsin, indicating that disruption of the interaction between C9orf72 and synapsin may contribute to ALS/FTD pathobiology. Thus, our data show that C9orf72 plays a cell-autonomous role in the regulation of neurotransmission at excitatory synapses by interaction with synapsin and modulation of synaptic vesicle pools, and identify a novel role for C9orf72 haploinsufficiency in synaptic dysfunction in C9ALS/FTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia S Bauer
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), Department of Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, 385a Glossop Road, Sheffield, S10 2HQ, UK
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
| | - Rebecca N Cohen
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), Department of Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, 385a Glossop Road, Sheffield, S10 2HQ, UK
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
| | - Francesca Sironi
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156, Milan, Italy
| | - Matthew R Livesey
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), Department of Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, 385a Glossop Road, Sheffield, S10 2HQ, UK
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
| | - Thomas H Gillingwater
- Edinburgh Medical School: Biomedical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK
- Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Chancellor's Building, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK
| | - J Robin Highley
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), Department of Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, 385a Glossop Road, Sheffield, S10 2HQ, UK
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
| | - Daniel J Fillingham
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), Department of Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, 385a Glossop Road, Sheffield, S10 2HQ, UK
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
| | - Ian Coldicott
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), Department of Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, 385a Glossop Road, Sheffield, S10 2HQ, UK
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
| | - Emma F Smith
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), Department of Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, 385a Glossop Road, Sheffield, S10 2HQ, UK
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
| | - Yolanda B Gibson
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), Department of Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, 385a Glossop Road, Sheffield, S10 2HQ, UK
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
| | - Christopher P Webster
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), Department of Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, 385a Glossop Road, Sheffield, S10 2HQ, UK
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
| | - Andrew J Grierson
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), Department of Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, 385a Glossop Road, Sheffield, S10 2HQ, UK
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
| | - Caterina Bendotti
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156, Milan, Italy
| | - Kurt J De Vos
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), Department of Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, 385a Glossop Road, Sheffield, S10 2HQ, UK.
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK.
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Baud A, Derbis M, Tutak K, Sobczak K. Partners in crime: Proteins implicated in
RNA
repeat expansion diseases. WIRES RNA 2022; 13:e1709. [PMID: 35229468 PMCID: PMC9539487 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Baud
- Department of Gene Expression Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Adam Mickiewicz University Poznan Poland
| | - Magdalena Derbis
- Department of Gene Expression Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Adam Mickiewicz University Poznan Poland
| | - Katarzyna Tutak
- Department of Gene Expression Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Adam Mickiewicz University Poznan Poland
| | - Krzysztof Sobczak
- Department of Gene Expression Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Adam Mickiewicz University Poznan Poland
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Liu Y, Andreucci A, Iwamoto N, Yin Y, Yang H, Liu F, Bulychev A, Hu XS, Lin X, Lamore S, Patil S, Mohapatra S, Purcell-Estabrook E, Taborn K, Dale E, Vargeese C. Preclinical evaluation of WVE-004, aninvestigational stereopure oligonucleotide forthe treatment of C9orf72-associated ALS or FTD. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2022; 28:558-570. [PMID: 35592494 PMCID: PMC9092894 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2022.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
A large hexanucleotide (G4C2) repeat expansion in the first intronic region of C9orf72 is the most common genetic cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain how the repeat expansion drives disease, and we hypothesize that a variant-selective approach, in which transcripts affected by the repeat expansion are preferentially decreased, has the potential to address most of them. We report a stereopure antisense oligonucleotide, WVE-004, that executes this variant-selective mechanism of action. WVE-004 dose-dependently and selectively reduces repeat-containing transcripts in patient-derived motor neurons carrying a C9orf72-repeat expansion, as well as in the spinal cord and cortex of C9 BAC transgenic mice. In mice, selective transcript knockdown was accompanied by substantial decreases in dipeptide-repeat proteins, which are pathological biomarkers associated with the repeat expansion, and by preservation of healthy C9orf72 protein expression. These in vivo effects were durable, persisting for at least 6 months. These data support the advancement of WVE-004 as an investigational stereopure antisense oligonucleotide targeting C9orf72 for the treatment of C9orf72-associated ALS or FTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanjing Liu
- Wave Life Sciences, 733 Concord Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Amy Andreucci
- Wave Life Sciences, 733 Concord Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Naoki Iwamoto
- Wave Life Sciences, 733 Concord Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Yuan Yin
- Wave Life Sciences, 733 Concord Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Hailin Yang
- Wave Life Sciences, 733 Concord Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Fangjun Liu
- Wave Life Sciences, 733 Concord Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Alexey Bulychev
- Wave Life Sciences, 733 Concord Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Xiao Shelley Hu
- Wave Life Sciences, 733 Concord Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Xuena Lin
- Wave Life Sciences, 733 Concord Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Sarah Lamore
- Wave Life Sciences, 733 Concord Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Saurabh Patil
- Wave Life Sciences, 733 Concord Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | | | | | - Kristin Taborn
- Wave Life Sciences, 733 Concord Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Elena Dale
- Wave Life Sciences, 733 Concord Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Chandra Vargeese
- Wave Life Sciences, 733 Concord Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
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Bioenergetic and Autophagic Characterization of Skin Fibroblasts from C9orf72 Patients. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:antiox11061129. [PMID: 35740026 PMCID: PMC9219955 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11061129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study is to describe the alterations occurring during the neurodegenerative process in skin fibroblast cultures from C9orf72 patients. We characterized the oxidative stress, autophagy flux, small ubiquitin-related protein SUMO2/3 levels as well as the mitochondrial function in skin fibroblast cultures from C9orf72 patients. All metabolic and bioenergetic findings were further correlated with gene expression data obtained from RNA sequencing analysis. Fibroblasts from C9orf72 patients showed a 30% reduced expression of C9orf72, ~3-fold increased levels of oxidative stress and impaired mitochondrial function obtained by measuring the enzymatic activities of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes, specifically of complex III activity. Furthermore, the results also reveal that C9orf72 patients showed an accumulation of p62 protein levels, suggesting the alteration of the autophagy process, and significantly higher protein levels of SUMO2/3 (p = 0.03). Our results provide new data reinforcing that C9orf72 cells suffer from elevated oxidative damage to biomolecules and organelles and from increased protein loads, leading to insufficient autophagy and an increase in SUMOylation processes.
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Machine learning predicts translation initiation sites in neurologic diseases with nucleotide repeat expansions. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0256411. [PMID: 35648796 PMCID: PMC9159584 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0256411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
A number of neurologic diseases associated with expanded nucleotide repeats, including an inherited form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, have an unconventional form of translation called repeat-associated non-AUG (RAN) translation. It has been speculated that the repeat regions in the RNA fold into secondary structures in a length-dependent manner, promoting RAN translation. Repeat protein products are translated, accumulate, and may contribute to disease pathogenesis. Nucleotides that flank the repeat region, especially ones closest to the initiation site, are believed to enhance translation initiation. A machine learning model has been published to help identify ATG and near-cognate translation initiation sites; however, this model has diminished predictive power due to its extensive feature selection and limited training data. Here, we overcome this limitation and increase prediction accuracy by the following: a) capture the effect of nucleotides most critical for translation initiation via feature reduction, b) implement an alternative machine learning algorithm better suited for limited data, c) build comprehensive and balanced training data (via sampling without replacement) that includes previously unavailable sequences, and d) split ATG and near-cognate translation initiation codon data to train two separate models. We also design a supplementary scoring system to provide an additional prognostic assessment of model predictions. The resultant models have high performance, with ~85-88% accuracy, exceeding that of the previously published model by >18%. The models presented here are used to identify translation initiation sites in genes associated with a number of neurologic repeat expansion disorders. The results confirm a number of sites of translation initiation upstream of the expanded repeats that have been found experimentally, and predict sites that are not yet established.
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Houghton OH, Mizielinska S, Gomez-Suaga P. The Interplay Between Autophagy and RNA Homeostasis: Implications for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:838402. [PMID: 35573690 PMCID: PMC9096704 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.838402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia are neurodegenerative disorders that lie on a disease spectrum, sharing genetic causes and pathology, and both without effective therapeutics. Two pathways that have been shown to play major roles in disease pathogenesis are autophagy and RNA homeostasis. Intriguingly, there is an increasing body of evidence suggesting a critical interplay between these pathways. Autophagy is a multi-stage process for bulk and selective clearance of malfunctional cellular components, with many layers of regulation. Although the majority of autophagy research focuses on protein degradation, it can also mediate RNA catabolism. ALS/FTD-associated proteins are involved in many stages of autophagy and autophagy-mediated RNA degradation, particularly converging on the clearance of persistent pathological stress granules. In this review, we will summarise the progress in understanding the autophagy-RNA homeostasis interplay and how that knowledge contributes to our understanding of the pathobiology of ALS/FTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- O H Houghton
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, London, United Kingdom.,UK Dementia Research Institute at King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - S Mizielinska
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, London, United Kingdom.,UK Dementia Research Institute at King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - P Gomez-Suaga
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, London, United Kingdom.,Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular y Genética, Facultad de Enfermería y Terapia Ocupacional, Universidad de Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain.,Instituto Universitario de Investigación Biosanitaria de Extremadura (INUBE), Cáceres, Spain
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43
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Griffey CJ, Yamamoto A. Macroautophagy in CNS health and disease. Nat Rev Neurosci 2022; 23:411-427. [PMID: 35505254 DOI: 10.1038/s41583-022-00588-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Macroautophagy is an evolutionarily conserved process that delivers diverse cellular contents to lysosomes for degradation. As our understanding of this pathway grows, so does our appreciation for its importance in disorders of the CNS. Once implicated primarily in neurodegenerative events owing to acute injury and ageing, macroautophagy is now also linked to disorders of neurodevelopment, indicating that it is essential for both the formation and maintenance of a healthy CNS. In parallel to understanding the significance of macroautophagy across contexts, we have gained a greater mechanistic insight into its physiological regulation and the breadth of cargoes it can degrade. Macroautophagy is a broadly used homeostatic process, giving rise to questions surrounding how defects in this single pathway could cause diseases with distinct clinical and pathological signatures. To address this complexity, we herein review macroautophagy in the mammalian CNS by examining three key features of the process and its relationship to disease: how it functions at a basal level in the discrete cell types of the brain and spinal cord; which cargoes are being degraded in physiological and pathological settings; and how the different stages of the macroautophagy pathway intersect with diseases of neurodevelopment and adult-onset neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Griffey
- Doctoral Program in Neurobiology and Behaviour, Medical Scientist Training Program, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ai Yamamoto
- Departments of Neurology, and Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
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44
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Boivin M, Charlet-Berguerand N. Trinucleotide CGG Repeat Diseases: An Expanding Field of Polyglycine Proteins? Front Genet 2022; 13:843014. [PMID: 35295941 PMCID: PMC8918734 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.843014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Microsatellites are repeated DNA sequences of 3–6 nucleotides highly variable in length and sequence and that have important roles in genomes regulation and evolution. However, expansion of a subset of these microsatellites over a threshold size is responsible of more than 50 human genetic diseases. Interestingly, some of these disorders are caused by expansions of similar sequences, sizes and localizations and present striking similarities in clinical manifestations and histopathological features, which suggest a common mechanism of disease. Notably, five identical CGG repeat expansions, but located in different genes, are the causes of fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS), neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease (NIID), oculopharyngodistal myopathy type 1 to 3 (OPDM1-3) and oculopharyngeal myopathy with leukoencephalopathy (OPML), which are neuromuscular and neurodegenerative syndromes with overlapping symptoms and similar histopathological features, notably the presence of characteristic eosinophilic ubiquitin-positive intranuclear inclusions. In this review we summarize recent finding in neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease and FXTAS, where the causing CGG expansions were found to be embedded within small upstream ORFs (uORFs), resulting in their translation into novel proteins containing a stretch of polyglycine (polyG). Importantly, expression of these polyG proteins is toxic in animal models and is sufficient to reproduce the formation of ubiquitin-positive intranuclear inclusions. These data suggest the existence of a novel class of human genetic pathology, the polyG diseases, and question whether a similar mechanism may exist in other diseases, notably in OPDM and OPML.
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Cang X, Wang Y, Zeng J, Gao J, Yu Q, Lu C, Xu F, Lin J, Zhu J, Wang X. C9orf72 knockdown alleviates hepatic insulin resistance by promoting lipophagy. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2022; 588:15-22. [PMID: 34942529 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2021.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Insulin resistance (IR) attributed by the deficiency of lipophagy, is an abnormal state of downregulation of insulin-mediated glucose uptake and use into the liver. Chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 (C9orf72) variously modulates autophagy. We investigated the role and the downstream pathway of C9orf72 in hepatic IR. We found that C9orf72 knockdown alleviated hepatic IR by lipophagy promotion in T2DM mice and in IR-challenged hepatocytes in vitro. C9orf72 interacted with and activated cell division cycle 42 (Cdc42) protein in IR-challenged hepatocytes, Which in turn, inhibits lipophagy by promoting neural Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (N-WASP) expression and activation. C9orf72 inhibited lipophagy by activating the Cdc42/N-WASP axis to facilitate hepatic IR; therefore, the knockdown of C9orf72 may be potentially therapeutic for the treatment of IR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaomin Cang
- Department of Endocrinology, Affiliated Hospital 2 of Nantong University, The First People's Hospital of Nantong, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Jintan Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Changzhou, China
| | - Jia Zeng
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Medical College, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jingwen Gao
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Qianqian Yu
- Department of Radiotherapy, Jintan Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Changzhou, China
| | - Chunfeng Lu
- Department of Endocrinology, Affiliated Hospital 2 of Nantong University, The First People's Hospital of Nantong, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Feng Xu
- Department of Endocrinology, Affiliated Hospital 2 of Nantong University, The First People's Hospital of Nantong, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jiaxi Lin
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jinzhou Zhu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
| | - Xueqin Wang
- Department of Endocrinology, Affiliated Hospital 2 of Nantong University, The First People's Hospital of Nantong, Nantong, Jiangsu, China.
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Licata NV, Cristofani R, Salomonsson S, Wilson KM, Kempthorne L, Vaizoglu D, D’Agostino VG, Pollini D, Loffredo R, Pancher M, Adami V, Bellosta P, Ratti A, Viero G, Quattrone A, Isaacs AM, Poletti A, Provenzani A. C9orf72 ALS/FTD dipeptide repeat protein levels are reduced by small molecules that inhibit PKA or enhance protein degradation. EMBO J 2022; 41:e105026. [PMID: 34791698 PMCID: PMC8724771 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2020105026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Intronic GGGGCC (G4C2) hexanucleotide repeat expansion within the human C9orf72 gene represents the most common cause of familial forms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) (C9ALS/FTD). Repeat-associated non-AUG (RAN) translation of repeat-containing C9orf72 RNA results in the production of neurotoxic dipeptide-repeat proteins (DPRs). Here, we developed a high-throughput drug screen for the identification of positive and negative modulators of DPR levels. We found that HSP90 inhibitor geldanamycin and aldosterone antagonist spironolactone reduced DPR levels by promoting protein degradation via the proteasome and autophagy pathways respectively. Surprisingly, cAMP-elevating compounds boosting protein kinase A (PKA) activity increased DPR levels. Inhibition of PKA activity, by both pharmacological and genetic approaches, reduced DPR levels in cells and rescued pathological phenotypes in a Drosophila model of C9ALS/FTD. Moreover, knockdown of PKA-catalytic subunits correlated with reduced translation efficiency of DPRs, while the PKA inhibitor H89 reduced endogenous DPR levels in C9ALS/FTD patient-derived iPSC motor neurons. Together, our results suggest new and druggable pathways modulating DPR levels in C9ALS/FTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nausicaa V Licata
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative BiologyUniversity of TrentoTrentoItaly
| | - Riccardo Cristofani
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e BiomolecolariUniversità degli Studi di MilanoMilanItaly
| | - Sally Salomonsson
- Department of Neurodegenerative DiseaseUCL Queen Square Institute of NeurologyLondonUK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCLUCL Queen Square Institute of NeurologyLondonUK
| | - Katherine M Wilson
- Department of Neurodegenerative DiseaseUCL Queen Square Institute of NeurologyLondonUK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCLUCL Queen Square Institute of NeurologyLondonUK
| | - Liam Kempthorne
- Department of Neurodegenerative DiseaseUCL Queen Square Institute of NeurologyLondonUK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCLUCL Queen Square Institute of NeurologyLondonUK
| | - Deniz Vaizoglu
- Department of Neurodegenerative DiseaseUCL Queen Square Institute of NeurologyLondonUK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCLUCL Queen Square Institute of NeurologyLondonUK
| | - Vito G D’Agostino
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative BiologyUniversity of TrentoTrentoItaly
| | - Daniele Pollini
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative BiologyUniversity of TrentoTrentoItaly
| | - Rosa Loffredo
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative BiologyUniversity of TrentoTrentoItaly
| | - Michael Pancher
- HTS Core Facility, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative BiologyUniversity of TrentoTrentoItaly
| | - Valentina Adami
- HTS Core Facility, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative BiologyUniversity of TrentoTrentoItaly
| | - Paola Bellosta
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative BiologyUniversity of TrentoTrentoItaly
- Department of MedicineNYU at Grossman School of MedicineNYUSA
| | - Antonia Ratti
- Department of NeurologyStroke Unit and Laboratory of NeuroscienceIstituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCSMilanItaly
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie Mediche e Medicina TraslazionaleUniversità degli Studi di MilanoMilanItaly
| | | | - Alessandro Quattrone
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative BiologyUniversity of TrentoTrentoItaly
| | - Adrian M Isaacs
- Department of Neurodegenerative DiseaseUCL Queen Square Institute of NeurologyLondonUK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCLUCL Queen Square Institute of NeurologyLondonUK
| | - Angelo Poletti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e BiomolecolariUniversità degli Studi di MilanoMilanItaly
| | - Alessandro Provenzani
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative BiologyUniversity of TrentoTrentoItaly
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The molecular pathogenesis of repeat expansion diseases. Biochem Soc Trans 2021; 50:119-134. [PMID: 34940797 DOI: 10.1042/bst20200143] [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] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Expanded short tandem repeats in the genome cause various monogenic diseases, particularly neurological disorders. Since the discovery of a CGG repeat expansion in the FMR1 gene in 1991, more than 40 repeat expansion diseases have been identified to date. In the coding repeat expansion diseases, in which the expanded repeat sequence is located in the coding regions of genes, the toxicity of repeat polypeptides, particularly misfolding and aggregation of proteins containing an expanded polyglutamine tract, have been the focus of investigation. On the other hand, in the non-coding repeat expansion diseases, in which the expanded repeat sequence is located in introns or untranslated regions, the toxicity of repeat RNAs has been the focus of investigation. Recently, these repeat RNAs were demonstrated to be translated into repeat polypeptides by the novel mechanism of repeat-associated non-AUG translation, which has extended the research direction of the pathological mechanisms of this disease entity to include polypeptide toxicity. Thus, a common pathogenesis has been suggested for both coding and non-coding repeat expansion diseases. In this review, we briefly outline the major pathogenic mechanisms of repeat expansion diseases, including a loss-of-function mechanism caused by repeat expansion, repeat RNA toxicity caused by RNA foci formation and protein sequestration, and toxicity by repeat polypeptides. We also discuss perturbation of the physiological liquid-liquid phase separation state caused by these repeat RNAs and repeat polypeptides, as well as potential therapeutic approaches against repeat expansion diseases.
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Guo S, Nguyen L, Ranum LPW. RAN proteins in neurodegenerative disease: Repeating themes and unifying therapeutic strategies. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2021; 72:160-170. [PMID: 34953315 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2021.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Microsatellite-expansion mutations cause >50 neurological diseases but there are no effective treatments. Mechanistic studies have historically focused on protein loss-of-function and protein or RNA gain-of-function effects. It is now clear that many expansion mutations are bidirectionally transcribed producing two toxic expansion RNAs, which can produce up to six mutant proteins by repeat associated non-AUG (RAN) translation. Multiple types of RAN proteins have been shown to be toxic in cell and animal models, to lead to common types of neuropathological changes, and to dysregulate key pathways. How RAN proteins are produced without the canonical AUG or close-cognate AUG-like initiation codons is not yet completely understood but RNA structure, flanking sequences and stress pathways have been shown to be important. Here, we summarize recent progress in understanding the role of RAN proteins, mechanistic insights into their production, and the identification of novel therapeutic strategies that may be applicable across these neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu Guo
- Center for NeuroGenetics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, USA; Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, USA
| | - Lien Nguyen
- Center for NeuroGenetics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, USA; Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, USA.
| | - Laura P W Ranum
- Center for NeuroGenetics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, USA; Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, USA; Genetics Institute, University of Florida, USA; McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, USA; Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases, University of Florida, USA.
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Tzou FY, Wen JK, Yeh JY, Huang SY, Chen GC, Chan CC. Drosophila as a model to study autophagy in neurodegenerative diseases and digestive tract. IUBMB Life 2021; 74:339-360. [PMID: 34874101 DOI: 10.1002/iub.2583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Autophagy regulates cellular homeostasis by degrading and recycling cytosolic components and damaged organelles. Disruption of autophagic flux has been shown to induce or facilitate neurodegeneration and accumulation of autophagic vesicles is overt in neurodegenerative diseases. The fruit fly Drosophila has been used as a model system to identify new factors that regulate physiology and disease. Here we provide a historical perspective of how the fly models have offered mechanistic evidence to understand the role of autophagy in neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Charcot-Marie-Tooth neuropathy, and polyglutamine disorders. Autophagy also plays a pivotal role in maintaining tissue homeostasis and protecting organism health. The gastrointestinal tract regulates organism health by modulating food intake, energy balance, and immunity. Growing evidence is strengthening the link between autophagy and digestive tract health in recent years. Here, we also discuss how the fly models have advanced the understanding of digestive physiology regulated by autophagy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei-Yang Tzou
- Graduate Institute of Physiology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jung-Kun Wen
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jui-Yu Yeh
- Graduate Institute of Physiology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Yi Huang
- Department of Medical Research, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Guang-Chao Chen
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Chiang Chan
- Graduate Institute of Physiology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
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Zhong S, Lian Y, Luo W, Luo R, Wu X, Ji J, Ji Y, Ding J, Wang X. Upstream open reading frame with NOTCH2NLC GGC expansion generates polyglycine aggregates and disrupts nucleocytoplasmic transport: implications for polyglycine diseases. Acta Neuropathol 2021; 142:1003-1023. [PMID: 34694469 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-021-02375-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease (NIID) is neurodegenerative disease characterized by widespread inclusions. Despite the identification of GGC repeat expansion in 5'UTR of NOTCH2NLC gene in adult-onset NIIDs, its pathogenic mechanism remains unclear. Gain-of-function poly-amino-acid proteins generated by unconventional translation have been revealed in nucleotide repeat expansion disorders, inspiring us to explore the possibility of unconventional translation in NIID. Here we demonstrated that NOTCH2NLC 5'UTR triggers the translation of a polyglycine (polyG)-containing protein, N2NLCpolyG. N2NLCpolyG accumulates in p62-positive inclusions in cultured cells, mouse models, and NIID patient tissues with NOTCH2NLC GGC expansion. Translation of N2NLCpolyG is initiated by an upstream open reading frame (uORF) embedding the GGC repeats. N2NLCpolyG tends to aggregate with the increase of GGC repeat units, and displays phase separation properties. N2NLCpolyG aggregation impairs nuclear lamina and nucleocytoplasmic transport but does not necessarily cause acute death on neuronal cells. Our study suggests a similarity of pathogenic mechanisms between NIID and another GGC-repeat disease, fragile X-associated tremor ataxia syndrome. These findings expand our knowledge of protein gain-of-function in NIID, and further highlight evidence for a novel spectrum of diseases caused by aberrant polyG protein aggregation, namely the polyG diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaoping Zhong
- Department of Neurology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yangye Lian
- Department of Neurology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Wenyi Luo
- Department of Neurology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Rongkui Luo
- Department of Pathology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoling Wu
- Department of Neurology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Jun Ji
- Department of Nephrology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuan Ji
- Department of Pathology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Ding
- Department of Neurology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.
- CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Shanghai, China.
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Neurology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.
- Department of The State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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