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Kubat GB, Picone P. Skeletal muscle dysfunction in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a mitochondrial perspective and therapeutic approaches. Neurol Sci 2024:10.1007/s10072-024-07508-6. [PMID: 38676818 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-024-07508-6] [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: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive and fatal neuromuscular disease that results in the loss of motor neurons and severe skeletal muscle atrophy. The etiology of ALS is linked to skeletal muscle, which can activate a retrograde signaling cascade that destroys motor neurons. This is why satellite cells and mitochondria play a crucial role in the health and performance of skeletal muscles. This review presents current knowledge on the involvement of mitochondrial dysfunction, skeletal muscle atrophy, muscle satellite cells, and neuromuscular junction (NMJ) in ALS. It also discusses current therapeutic strategies, including exercise, drugs, stem cells, gene therapy, and the prospective use of mitochondrial transplantation as a viable therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gokhan Burcin Kubat
- Department of Mitochondria and Cellular Research, Gulhane Health Sciences Institute, University of Health Sciences, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Pasquale Picone
- Istituto Per La Ricerca E L'Innovazione Biomedica, Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche, Via U. La Malfa 153, 0146, Palermo, Italy.
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2
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Wang Y, Zhang Y, Wang Y, Chen H, Pan L, Liao X, Wang S. A Novel Form of Neuregulin 1 Type III Caused by N-Terminal Processing. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1756. [PMID: 38136627 PMCID: PMC10741733 DOI: 10.3390/biom13121756] [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: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Nrg1 (Neuregulin 1) type III, a susceptible gene of schizophrenia, exhibits a critical role in the central nervous system and is essential at each stage of Schwann's cell development. Nrg1 type III comprises double-pass transmembrane domains, with the N-terminal and C-terminal localizing inside the cells. The N-terminal transmembrane helix partially overlaps with the cysteine-rich domain (CRD). In this study, Nrg1 type III constructs with different tags were transformed into cultured cells to verify whether CRD destroyed the transmembrane helix formation. We took advantage of immunofluorescent and immunoprecipitation assays on whole cells and analyzed the N-terminal distribution. Astonishingly, we found that a novel form of Nrg1 type III, about 10% of Nrg1 type III, omitted the N-terminal transmembrane helix, with the N-terminal positioning outside the membrane. The results indicated that the novel single-pass transmembrane status was a minor form of Nrg1 type III caused by N-terminal processing, while the major form was a double-pass transmembrane status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukai Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
- Institute of Biomedical Innovation, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
- Institute of Biomedical Innovation, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Yingxing Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
- Institute of Biomedical Innovation, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Hong Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
- Institute of Biomedical Innovation, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Liangjing Pan
- Institute of Biomedical Innovation, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Xufeng Liao
- School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
- Institute of Biomedical Innovation, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Shunqi Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
- Institute of Biomedical Innovation, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
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3
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Qaisar R. Targeting neuromuscular junction to treat neuromuscular disorders. Life Sci 2023; 333:122186. [PMID: 37858716 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.122186] [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: 09/03/2023] [Revised: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
The integrity and preservation of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ), the interface between the motor neuron and skeletal muscle, is critical for maintaining a healthy skeletal muscle. The structural and/or functional defects in the three cellular components of NMJ, namely the pre-synaptic terminal, synaptic cleft, and post-synaptic region, negatively affect skeletal muscle mass and/or strength. Therefore, NMJ repair appears to be an appropriate therapy for muscle disorders. Mouse models provide a detailed molecular characterization of various cellular components of NMJ with relevance to human diseases. This review discusses different molecular targets on the three cellular components of NMJ for treating muscle diseases. The potential effects of these therapies on NMJ morphology and motor performance, their therapeutic efficacy, and clinical relevance are discussed. Collectively, the available data supports targeting NMJ alone or as an adjunct therapy in treating muscle disorders. However, the potential impact of such interventions on human patients with muscle disorders requires further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rizwan Qaisar
- Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates; Space Medicine Research Group, Sharjah Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates; Cardiovascular Research Group, Sharjah Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates.
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4
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Lim WF, Rinaldi C. RNA Transcript Diversity in Neuromuscular Research. J Neuromuscul Dis 2023:JND221601. [PMID: 37182892 DOI: 10.3233/jnd-221601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Three decades since the Human Genome Project began, scientists have now identified more then 25,000 protein coding genes in the human genome. The vast majority of the protein coding genes (> 90%) are multi-exonic, with the coding DNA being interrupted by intronic sequences, which are removed from the pre-mRNA transcripts before being translated into proteins, a process called splicing maturation. Variations in this process, i.e. by exon skipping, intron retention, alternative 5' splice site (5'ss), 3' splice site (3'ss), or polyadenylation usage, lead to remarkable transcriptome and proteome diversity in human tissues. Given its critical biological importance, alternative splicing is tightly regulated in a tissue- and developmental stage-specific manner. The central nervous system and skeletal muscle are amongst the tissues with the highest number of differentially expressed alternative exons, revealing a remarkable degree of transcriptome complexity. It is therefore not surprising that splicing mis-regulation is causally associated with a myriad of neuromuscular diseases, including but not limited to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), and myotonic dystrophy type 1 and 2 (DM1, DM2). A gene's transcript diversity has since become an integral and an important consideration for drug design, development and therapy. In this review, we will discuss transcript diversity in the context of neuromuscular diseases and current approaches to address splicing mis-regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wooi Fang Lim
- Department of Paediatrics and Institute of Developmental and Regenerative Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Carlo Rinaldi
- Department of Paediatrics and Institute of Developmental and Regenerative Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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Kong L, Hassinan CW, Gerstner F, Buettner JM, Petigrow JB, Valdivia DO, Chan-Cortés MH, Mistri A, Cao A, McGaugh SA, Denton M, Brown S, Ross J, Schwab MH, Simon CM, Sumner CJ. Boosting neuregulin 1 type-III expression hastens SMA motor axon maturation. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2023; 11:53. [PMID: 36997967 PMCID: PMC10061791 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-023-01551-8] [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: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Intercellular communication between axons and Schwann cells is critical for attaining the complex morphological steps necessary for axon maturation. In the early onset motor neuron disease spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), many motor axons are not ensheathed by Schwann cells nor grow sufficiently in radial diameter to become myelinated. These developmentally arrested motor axons are dysfunctional and vulnerable to rapid degeneration, limiting efficacy of current SMA therapeutics. We hypothesized that accelerating SMA motor axon maturation would improve their function and reduce disease features. A principle regulator of peripheral axon development is neuregulin 1 type III (NRG1-III). Expressed on axon surfaces, it interacts with Schwann cell receptors to mediate axon ensheathment and myelination. We examined NRG1 mRNA and protein expression levels in human and mouse SMA tissues and observed reduced expression in SMA spinal cord and in ventral, but not dorsal root axons. To determine the impact of neuronal NRG1-III overexpression on SMA motor axon development, we bred NRG1-III overexpressing mice to SMA∆7 mice. Neonatally, elevated NRG1-III expression increased SMA ventral root size as well as axon segregation, diameter, and myelination resulting in improved motor axon conduction velocities. NRG1-III was not able to prevent distal axonal degeneration nor improve axon electrophysiology, motor behavior, or survival of older mice. Together these findings demonstrate that early SMA motor axon developmental impairments can be ameliorated by a molecular strategy independent of SMN replacement providing hope for future SMA combinatorial therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingling Kong
- Departments of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 855 North Wolfe Street, Rangos Building Room 234, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Cera W Hassinan
- Departments of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 855 North Wolfe Street, Rangos Building Room 234, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Florian Gerstner
- Carl-Ludwig-Institute for Physiology, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jannik M Buettner
- Carl-Ludwig-Institute for Physiology, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jeffrey B Petigrow
- Departments of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 855 North Wolfe Street, Rangos Building Room 234, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - David O Valdivia
- Departments of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 855 North Wolfe Street, Rangos Building Room 234, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Michelle H Chan-Cortés
- Departments of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 855 North Wolfe Street, Rangos Building Room 234, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Amy Mistri
- Departments of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 855 North Wolfe Street, Rangos Building Room 234, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Annie Cao
- Departments of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 855 North Wolfe Street, Rangos Building Room 234, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Scott Alan McGaugh
- Departments of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 855 North Wolfe Street, Rangos Building Room 234, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Madeline Denton
- Departments of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 855 North Wolfe Street, Rangos Building Room 234, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Stephen Brown
- Departments of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 855 North Wolfe Street, Rangos Building Room 234, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Joshua Ross
- Departments of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 855 North Wolfe Street, Rangos Building Room 234, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Markus H Schwab
- Department of Neuropathology, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Christian M Simon
- Carl-Ludwig-Institute for Physiology, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Charlotte J Sumner
- Departments of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 855 North Wolfe Street, Rangos Building Room 234, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- Departments of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
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Wang S, Wang Y, Zou S. A Glance at the Molecules That Regulate Oligodendrocyte Myelination. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2022; 44:2194-2216. [PMID: 35678678 PMCID: PMC9164040 DOI: 10.3390/cimb44050149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Oligodendrocyte (OL) myelination is a critical process for the neuronal axon function in the central nervous system. After demyelination occurs because of pathophysiology, remyelination makes repairs similar to myelination. Proliferation and differentiation are the two main stages in OL myelination, and most factors commonly play converse roles in these two stages, except for a few factors and signaling pathways, such as OLIG2 (Oligodendrocyte transcription factor 2). Moreover, some OL maturation gene mutations induce hypomyelination or hypermyelination without an obvious function in proliferation and differentiation. Herein, three types of factors regulating myelination are reviewed in sequence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shunqi Wang
- Institute of Life Science & School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China; (S.W.); (Y.W.)
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Yingxing Wang
- Institute of Life Science & School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China; (S.W.); (Y.W.)
| | - Suqi Zou
- Institute of Life Science & School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China; (S.W.); (Y.W.)
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
- Correspondence:
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