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Gómez-Deza J, Nebiyou M, Alkaslasi MR, Nadal-Nicolás FM, Somasundaran P, Slavutsky AL, Ward ME, Li W, Watkins TA, Le Pichon CE. DLK-dependent axonal mitochondrial fission drives degeneration following axotomy. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.01.30.526132. [PMID: 36778383 PMCID: PMC9915495 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.30.526132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Currently there are no effective treatments for an array of neurodegenerative disorders to a large part because cell-based models fail to recapitulate disease. Here we developed a reproducible human iPSC-based model where laser axotomy causes retrograde axon degeneration leading to neuronal cell death. Time-lapse confocal imaging revealed that damage triggers an apoptotic wave of mitochondrial fission proceeding from the site of injury to the soma. We demonstrated that this apoptotic wave is locally initiated in the axon by dual leucine zipper kinase (DLK). We found that mitochondrial fission and resultant cell death are entirely dependent on phosphorylation of dynamin related protein 1 (DRP1) downstream of DLK, revealing a new mechanism by which DLK can drive apoptosis. Importantly, we show that CRISPR mediated Drp1 depletion protected mouse retinal ganglion neurons from degeneration after optic nerve crush. Our results provide a powerful platform for studying degeneration of human neurons, pinpoint key early events in damage related neural death and new focus for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Gómez-Deza
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States
| | - Matthew Nebiyou
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States
| | - Mor R Alkaslasi
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States
| | | | | | - Anastasia L Slavutsky
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States
| | - Michael E Ward
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States
| | - Wei Li
- National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States
| | - Trent A Watkins
- Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Department of Neurology, University of California at San Francisco
| | - Claire E Le Pichon
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States
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Wang J, Jiang J, Hu H, Chen L. MCU complex: Exploring emerging targets and mechanisms of mitochondrial physiology and pathology. J Adv Res 2024:S2090-1232(24)00075-4. [PMID: 38417574 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2024.02.013] [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: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/17/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Globally, the onset and progression of multiple human diseases are associated with mitochondrial dysfunction and dysregulation of Ca2+ uptake dynamics mediated by the mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU) complex, which plays a key role in mitochondrial dysfunction. Despite relevant studies, the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms have not yet been fully elucidated. AIM OF REVIEW This article provides an in-depth analysis of the current research status of the MCU complex, focusing on its molecular composition, regulatory mechanisms, and association with diseases. In addition, we conducted an in-depth analysis of the regulatory effects of agonists, inhibitors, and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) monomers on the MCU complex and their application prospects in disease treatment. From the perspective of medicinal chemistry, we conducted an in-depth analysis of the structure-activity relationship between these small molecules and MCU and deduced potential pharmacophores and binding pockets. Simultaneously, key structural domains of the MCU complex in Homo sapiens were identified. We also studied the functional expression of the MCU complex in Drosophila, Zebrafish, and Caenorhabditis elegans. These analyses provide a basis for exploring potential treatment strategies targeting the MCU complex and provide strong support for the development of future precision medicine and treatments. KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS OF REVIEW The MCU complex exhibits varying behavior across different tissues and plays various roles in metabolic functions. It consists of six MCU subunits, an essential MCU regulator (EMRE), and solute carrier 25A23 (SLC25A23). They regulate processes, such as mitochondrial Ca2+ (mCa2+) uptake, mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production, calcium dynamics, oxidative stress (OS), and cell death. Regulation makes it a potential target for treating diseases, especially cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, inflammatory diseases, metabolic diseases, and tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Wang
- Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Learning Key Laboratory for Pharmacoproteomics, Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
| | - Jinyong Jiang
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jishou University, Jishou 416000, China
| | - Haoliang Hu
- Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Learning Key Laboratory for Pharmacoproteomics, Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China; College of Medicine, Hunan University of Arts and Science, Changde 415000, China.
| | - Linxi Chen
- Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Learning Key Laboratory for Pharmacoproteomics, Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China.
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Optic Nerve Injury Enhanced Mitochondrial Fission and Increased Mitochondrial Density without Altering the Uniform Mitochondrial Distribution in the Unmyelinated Axons of Retinal Ganglion Cells in a Mouse Model. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054356. [PMID: 36901786 PMCID: PMC10002508 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054356] [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: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Glaucomatous optic neuropathy (GON), a major cause of blindness, is characterized by the loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and the degeneration of their axons. Mitochondria are deeply involved in maintaining the health of RGCs and their axons. Therefore, lots of attempts have been made to develop diagnostic tools and therapies targeting mitochondria. Recently, we reported that mitochondria are uniformly distributed in the unmyelinated axons of RGCs, possibly owing to the ATP gradient. Thus, using transgenic mice expressing yellow fluorescent protein targeting mitochondria exclusively in RGCs within the retina, we assessed the alteration of mitochondrial distributions induced by optic nerve crush (ONC) via in vitro flat-mount retinal sections and in vivo fundus images captured with a confocal scanning ophthalmoscope. We observed that the mitochondrial distribution in the unmyelinated axons of survived RGCs after ONC remained uniform, although their density increased. Furthermore, via in vitro analysis, we discovered that the mitochondrial size is attenuated following ONC. These results suggest that ONC induces mitochondrial fission without disrupting the uniform mitochondrial distribution, possibly preventing axonal degeneration and apoptosis. The in vivo visualization system of axonal mitochondria in RGCs may be applicable in the detection of the progression of GON in animal studies and potentially in humans.
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Pozo Devoto VM, Onyango IG, Stokin GB. Mitochondrial behavior when things go wrong in the axon. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:959598. [PMID: 35990893 PMCID: PMC9389222 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.959598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Axonal homeostasis is maintained by processes that include cytoskeletal regulation, cargo transport, synaptic activity, ionic balance, and energy supply. Several of these processes involve mitochondria to varying degrees. As a transportable powerplant, the mitochondria deliver ATP and Ca2+-buffering capabilities and require fusion/fission to maintain proper functioning. Taking into consideration the long distances that need to be covered by mitochondria in the axons, their transport, distribution, fusion/fission, and health are of cardinal importance. However, axonal homeostasis is disrupted in several disorders of the nervous system, or by traumatic brain injury (TBI), where the external insult is translated into physical forces that damage nervous tissue including axons. The degree of damage varies and can disconnect the axon into two segments and/or generate axonal swellings in addition to cytoskeletal changes, membrane leakage, and changes in ionic composition. Cytoskeletal changes and increased intra-axonal Ca2+ levels are the main factors that challenge mitochondrial homeostasis. On the other hand, a proper function and distribution of mitochondria can determine the recovery or regeneration of the axonal physiological state. Here, we discuss the current knowledge regarding mitochondrial transport, fusion/fission, and Ca2+ regulation under axonal physiological or pathological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victorio M. Pozo Devoto
- Translational Neuroscience and Ageing Program, Centre for Translational Medicine, International Clinical Research Centre, St. Anne's University Hospital, Brno, Czechia
| | - Isaac G. Onyango
- Translational Neuroscience and Ageing Program, Centre for Translational Medicine, International Clinical Research Centre, St. Anne's University Hospital, Brno, Czechia
| | - Gorazd B. Stokin
- Translational Neuroscience and Ageing Program, Centre for Translational Medicine, International Clinical Research Centre, St. Anne's University Hospital, Brno, Czechia
- Division of Neurology, University Medical Centre, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Department of Neurosciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
- *Correspondence: Gorazd B. Stokin
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Slater PG, Domínguez-Romero ME, Villarreal M, Eisner V, Larraín J. Mitochondrial function in spinal cord injury and regeneration. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:239. [PMID: 35416520 PMCID: PMC11072423 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04261-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Many people around the world suffer from some form of paralysis caused by spinal cord injury (SCI), which has an impact on quality and life expectancy. The spinal cord is part of the central nervous system (CNS), which in mammals is unable to regenerate, and to date, there is a lack of full functional recovery therapies for SCI. These injuries start with a rapid and mechanical insult, followed by a secondary phase leading progressively to greater damage. This secondary phase can be potentially modifiable through targeted therapies. The growing literature, derived from mammalian and regenerative model studies, supports a leading role for mitochondria in every cellular response after SCI: mitochondrial dysfunction is the common event of different triggers leading to cell death, cellular metabolism regulates the immune response, mitochondrial number and localization correlate with axon regenerative capacity, while mitochondrial abundance and substrate utilization regulate neural stem progenitor cells self-renewal and differentiation. Herein, we present a comprehensive review of the cellular responses during the secondary phase of SCI, the mitochondrial contribution to each of them, as well as evidence of mitochondrial involvement in spinal cord regeneration, suggesting that a more in-depth study of mitochondrial function and regulation is needed to identify potential targets for SCI therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula G Slater
- Center for Aging and Regeneration, Departamento de Biología Celular Y Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Alameda 340, 8331150, Santiago, Chile.
| | - Miguel E Domínguez-Romero
- Center for Aging and Regeneration, Departamento de Biología Celular Y Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Alameda 340, 8331150, Santiago, Chile
| | - Maximiliano Villarreal
- Center for Aging and Regeneration, Departamento de Biología Celular Y Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Alameda 340, 8331150, Santiago, Chile
| | - Verónica Eisner
- Center for Aging and Regeneration, Departamento de Biología Celular Y Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Alameda 340, 8331150, Santiago, Chile
- Departamento de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Alameda 340, 8331150, Santiago, Chile
| | - Juan Larraín
- Center for Aging and Regeneration, Departamento de Biología Celular Y Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Alameda 340, 8331150, Santiago, Chile
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