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Luo W, Egger M, Cruz-Ochoa N, Tse A, Maloveczky G, Tamás B, Lukacsovich D, Seng C, Amrein I, Lukacsovich T, Wolfer D, Földy C. Activation of feedforward wiring in adult hippocampal neurons by the basic-helix-loop-helix transcription factor Ascl4. PNAS NEXUS 2024; 3:pgae174. [PMID: 38711810 PMCID: PMC11071515 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgae174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Although evidence indicates that the adult brain retains a considerable capacity for circuit formation, adult wiring has not been broadly considered and remains poorly understood. In this study, we investigate wiring activation in adult neurons. We show that the basic-helix-loop-helix transcription factor Ascl4 can induce wiring in different types of hippocampal neurons of adult mice. The new axons are mainly feedforward and reconfigure synaptic weights in the circuit. Mice with the Ascl4-induced circuits do not display signs of pathology and solve spatial problems equally well as controls. Our results demonstrate reprogrammed connectivity by a single transcriptional factor and provide insights into the regulation of brain wiring in adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenshu Luo
- Laboratory of Neural Connectivity, Brain Research Institute, Faculties of Medicine and Science, University of Zürich, Zürich 8057, Switzerland
| | - Matteo Egger
- Laboratory of Neural Connectivity, Brain Research Institute, Faculties of Medicine and Science, University of Zürich, Zürich 8057, Switzerland
- Adaptive Brain Circuits in Development and Learning (AdaBD), University Research Priority Program (URPP), University of Zürich, Zürich 8057, Switzerland
| | - Natalia Cruz-Ochoa
- Laboratory of Neural Connectivity, Brain Research Institute, Faculties of Medicine and Science, University of Zürich, Zürich 8057, Switzerland
- Adaptive Brain Circuits in Development and Learning (AdaBD), University Research Priority Program (URPP), University of Zürich, Zürich 8057, Switzerland
| | - Alice Tse
- Laboratory of Neural Connectivity, Brain Research Institute, Faculties of Medicine and Science, University of Zürich, Zürich 8057, Switzerland
| | - Gyula Maloveczky
- Laboratory of Neural Connectivity, Brain Research Institute, Faculties of Medicine and Science, University of Zürich, Zürich 8057, Switzerland
| | - Bálint Tamás
- Laboratory of Neural Connectivity, Brain Research Institute, Faculties of Medicine and Science, University of Zürich, Zürich 8057, Switzerland
| | - David Lukacsovich
- Laboratory of Neural Connectivity, Brain Research Institute, Faculties of Medicine and Science, University of Zürich, Zürich 8057, Switzerland
| | - Charlotte Seng
- Laboratory of Neural Connectivity, Brain Research Institute, Faculties of Medicine and Science, University of Zürich, Zürich 8057, Switzerland
| | - Irmgard Amrein
- Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zürich, Zürich 8057, Switzerland
| | - Tamás Lukacsovich
- Laboratory of Neural Connectivity, Brain Research Institute, Faculties of Medicine and Science, University of Zürich, Zürich 8057, Switzerland
| | - David Wolfer
- Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zürich, Zürich 8057, Switzerland
- Institute of Human Movement Sciences and Sport, D-HEST, ETH Zürich, Zürich 8057, Switzerland
| | - Csaba Földy
- Laboratory of Neural Connectivity, Brain Research Institute, Faculties of Medicine and Science, University of Zürich, Zürich 8057, Switzerland
- Adaptive Brain Circuits in Development and Learning (AdaBD), University Research Priority Program (URPP), University of Zürich, Zürich 8057, Switzerland
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Song QH, Zhao KX, Huang S, Chen T, He L. Escape from X-chromosome inactivation and sex differences in Alzheimer's disease. Rev Neurosci 2024; 35:341-354. [PMID: 38157427 DOI: 10.1515/revneuro-2023-0108] [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: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Sex differences exist in the onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease. Globally, women have a higher prevalence, while men with Alzheimer's disease experience earlier mortality and more pronounced cognitive decline than women. The cause of sex differences in Alzheimer's disease remains unclear. Accumulating evidence suggests the potential role of X-linked genetic factors in the sex difference of Alzheimer's disease (AD). During embryogenesis, a remarkable process known as X-chromosome inactivation (XCI) occurs in females, leading to one of the X chromosomes undergoing transcriptional inactivation, which balances the effects of two X chromosomes in females. Nevertheless, certain genes exceptionally escape from XCI, which provides a basis for dual expression dosage of specific genes in females. Based on recent research findings, we explore key escape genes and their potential therapeutic use associated with Alzheimer's disease. Also, we discuss their possible role in driving the sex differences in Alzheimer's disease. This will provide new perspectives for precision medicine and gender-specific treatment of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing-Hua Song
- Department of Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutical University, No. 24 Tong Jia Xiang, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Ke-Xuan Zhao
- Department of Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutical University, No. 24 Tong Jia Xiang, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Shuai Huang
- Department of Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutical University, No. 24 Tong Jia Xiang, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Tong Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutical University, No. 24 Tong Jia Xiang, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Ling He
- Department of Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutical University, No. 24 Tong Jia Xiang, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu Province, China
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Marosi EL, Arszovszki A, Brunner J, Szabadics J. Similar Presynaptic Action Potential-Calcium Influx Coupling in Two Types of Large Mossy Fiber Terminals Innervating CA3 Pyramidal Cells and Hilar Mossy Cells. eNeuro 2023; 10:ENEURO.0017-23.2023. [PMID: 36697256 PMCID: PMC9907395 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0017-23.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Morphologically similar axon boutons form synaptic contacts with diverse types of postsynaptic cells. However, it is less known to what extent the local axonal excitability, presynaptic action potentials (APs), and AP-evoked calcium influx contribute to the functional diversity of synapses and neuronal activity. This is particularly interesting in synapses that contact cell types that show only subtle cellular differences but fulfill completely different physiological functions. Here, we tested these questions in two synapses that are formed by rat hippocampal granule cells (GCs) onto hilar mossy cells (MCs) and CA3 pyramidal cells, which albeit share several morphologic and synaptic properties but contribute to distinct physiological functions. We were interested in the deterministic steps of the action potential-calcium ion influx coupling as these complex modules may underlie the functional segregation between and within the two cell types. Our systematic comparison using direct axonal recordings showed that AP shapes, Ca2+ currents and their plasticity are indistinguishable in synapses onto these two cell types. These suggest that the complete module that couples granule cell activity to synaptic release is shared by hilar mossy cells and CA3 pyramidal cells. Thus, our findings present an outstanding example for the modular composition of distinct cell types, by which cells employ different components only for those functions that are deterministic for their specialized functions, while many of their main properties are shared.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - János Brunner
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, Budapest, 1083, Hungary
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