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Keiser AA, Dong TN, Kramár EA, Butler CW, Chen S, Matheos DP, Rounds JS, Rodriguez A, Beardwood JH, Augustynski AS, Al-Shammari A, Alaghband Y, Alizo Vera V, Berchtold NC, Shanur S, Baldi P, Cotman CW, Wood MA. Specific exercise patterns generate an epigenetic molecular memory window that drives long-term memory formation and identifies ACVR1C as a bidirectional regulator of memory in mice. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3836. [PMID: 38714691 PMCID: PMC11076285 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47996-w] [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: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Exercise has beneficial effects on cognition throughout the lifespan. Here, we demonstrate that specific exercise patterns transform insufficient, subthreshold training into long-term memory in mice. Our findings reveal a potential molecular memory window such that subthreshold training within this window enables long-term memory formation. We performed RNA-seq on dorsal hippocampus and identify genes whose expression correlate with conditions in which exercise enables long-term memory formation. Among these genes we found Acvr1c, a member of the TGF ß family. We find that exercise, in any amount, alleviates epigenetic repression at the Acvr1c promoter during consolidation. Additionally, we find that ACVR1C can bidirectionally regulate synaptic plasticity and long-term memory in mice. Furthermore, Acvr1c expression is impaired in the aging human and mouse brain, as well as in the 5xFAD mouse model, and over-expression of Acvr1c enables learning and facilitates plasticity in mice. These data suggest that promoting ACVR1C may protect against cognitive impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley A Keiser
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory (CNLM), University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders (UCI MIND), University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Tri N Dong
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory (CNLM), University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders (UCI MIND), University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Enikö A Kramár
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory (CNLM), University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders (UCI MIND), University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Christopher W Butler
- Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders (UCI MIND), University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Siwei Chen
- Institute for Genomics and Bioinformatics, School of Information and Computer Science, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Dina P Matheos
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory (CNLM), University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders (UCI MIND), University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Jacob S Rounds
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory (CNLM), University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders (UCI MIND), University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Alyssa Rodriguez
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory (CNLM), University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders (UCI MIND), University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Joy H Beardwood
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory (CNLM), University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders (UCI MIND), University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Agatha S Augustynski
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory (CNLM), University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders (UCI MIND), University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Ameer Al-Shammari
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory (CNLM), University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders (UCI MIND), University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Yasaman Alaghband
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory (CNLM), University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders (UCI MIND), University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Vanessa Alizo Vera
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory (CNLM), University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders (UCI MIND), University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Nicole C Berchtold
- Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders (UCI MIND), University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Sharmin Shanur
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory (CNLM), University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders (UCI MIND), University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Pierre Baldi
- Institute for Genomics and Bioinformatics, School of Information and Computer Science, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Carl W Cotman
- Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders (UCI MIND), University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Marcelo A Wood
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.
- Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory (CNLM), University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.
- Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders (UCI MIND), University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.
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Rezayof A, Ghasemzadeh Z, Sahafi OH. Addictive drugs modify neurogenesis, synaptogenesis and synaptic plasticity to impair memory formation through neurotransmitter imbalances and signaling dysfunction. Neurochem Int 2023; 169:105572. [PMID: 37423274 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2023.105572] [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: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Drug abuse changes neurophysiological functions at multiple cellular and molecular levels in the addicted brain. Well-supported scientific evidence suggests that drugs negatively affect memory formation, decision-making and inhibition, and emotional and cognitive behaviors. The mesocorticolimbic brain regions are involved in reward-related learning and habitual drug-seeking/taking behaviors to develop physiological and psychological dependence on the drugs. This review highlights the importance of specific drug-induced chemical imbalances resulting in memory impairment through various neurotransmitter receptor-mediated signaling pathways. The mesocorticolimbic modifications in the expression levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and the cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB) impair reward-related memory formation following drug abuse. The contributions of protein kinases and microRNAs (miRNAs), along with the transcriptional and epigenetic regulation have also been considered in memory impairment underlying drug addiction. Overall, we integrate the research on various types of drug-induced memory impairment in distinguished brain regions and provide a comprehensive review with clinical implications addressing the upcoming studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ameneh Rezayof
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Zahra Ghasemzadeh
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Oveis Hosseinzadeh Sahafi
- Department of Neurophysiology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
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Højgaard K, Szöllősi B, Henningsen K, Minami N, Nakanishi N, Kaadt E, Tamura M, Morris RGM, Takeuchi T, Elfving B. Novelty-induced memory consolidation is accompanied by increased Agap3 transcription: a cross-species study. Mol Brain 2023; 16:69. [PMID: 37749596 PMCID: PMC10521532 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-023-01056-4] [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: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Novelty-induced memory consolidation is a well-established phenomenon that depends on the activation of a locus coeruleus-hippocampal circuit. It is associated with the expression of activity-dependent genes that may mediate initial or cellular memory consolidation. Several genes have been identified to date, however, to fully understand the mechanisms of memory consolidation, additional candidates must be identified. In this cross-species study, we used a contextual novelty-exploration paradigm to identify changes in gene expression in the dorsal hippocampus of both mice and rats. We found that changes in gene expression following contextual novelty varied between the two species, with 9 genes being upregulated in mice and 3 genes in rats. Comparison across species revealed that ArfGAP with a GTPase domain, an ankyrin repeat and PH domain 3 (Agap3) was the only gene being upregulated in both, suggesting a potentially conserved role for Agap3. AGAP3 is known to regulate α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA)-type glutamate receptor trafficking in the synapse, which suggests that increased transcription of Agap3 may be involved in maintaining functional plasticity. While we identified several genes affected by contextual novelty exploration, we were unable to fully reverse these changes using SCH 23390, a dopamine D1/D5 receptor antagonist. Further research on the role of AGAP3 in novelty-induced memory consolidation could lead to better understanding of this process and guide future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristoffer Højgaard
- Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus N, DK8200, Denmark
- Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience - DANDRITE, Nordic-EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, DK8000, Denmark
| | - Bianka Szöllősi
- Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience - DANDRITE, Nordic-EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, DK8000, Denmark
| | - Kim Henningsen
- Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience - DANDRITE, Nordic-EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, DK8000, Denmark
| | - Natsumi Minami
- Neuroscience Research Unit, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, Kanagawa, 227-0033, Japan
| | - Nobuhiro Nakanishi
- Data Science Department, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, Kanagawa, 227-0033, Japan
| | - Erik Kaadt
- Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus N, DK8200, Denmark
| | - Makoto Tamura
- Neuroscience Research Unit, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, Kanagawa, 227-0033, Japan
- NeuroDiscovery Lab, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Holdings America Inc, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Richard G M Morris
- Laboratory for Cognitive Neuroscience, Edinburgh Neuroscience, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9JZ, UK
| | - Tomonori Takeuchi
- Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience - DANDRITE, Nordic-EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, DK8000, Denmark.
- Center for Proteins in Memory - PROMEMO, Department of Biomedicine, Danish National Research Foundation, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, DK8000, Denmark.
- Gftd DeSci, Gftd DAO, Tokyo, 162-0044, Japan.
| | - Betina Elfving
- Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus N, DK8200, Denmark.
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Akiyoshi K, Fujimori T, Fu X, Shah AP, Yamaguchi A, Steenbergen C, Santhanam L, Berkowitz D, Tuday E, Baraban JM, Das S. Adenosine A 2A Receptor Regulates microRNA-181b Expression in Aorta: Therapeutic Implications for Large-Artery Stiffness. J Am Heart Assoc 2023:e028421. [PMID: 37421280 PMCID: PMC10382090 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.122.028421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023]
Abstract
Background The identification of large-artery stiffness as a major, independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease-associated morbidity and death has focused attention on identifying therapeutic strategies to combat this disorder. Genetic manipulations that delete or inactivate the translin/trax microRNA-degrading enzyme confer protection against aortic stiffness induced by chronic ingestion of high-salt water (4%NaCl in drinking water for 3 weeks) or associated with aging. Therefore, there is heightened interest in identifying interventions capable of inhibiting translin/trax RNase activity, as these may have therapeutic efficacy in large-artery stiffness. Methods and Results Activation of neuronal adenosine A2A receptors (A2ARs) triggers dissociation of trax from its C-terminus. As A2ARs are expressed by vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), we investigated whether stimulation of A2AR on vascular smooth muscle cells promotes the association of translin with trax and, thereby increases translin/trax complex activity. We found that treatment of A7r5 cells with the A2AR agonist CGS21680 leads to increased association of trax with translin. Furthermore, this treatment decreases levels of pre-microRNA-181b, a target of translin/trax, and those of its downstream product, mature microRNA-181b. To check whether A2AR activation might contribute to high-salt water-induced aortic stiffening, we assessed the impact of daily treatment with the selective A2AR antagonist SCH58261 in this paradigm. We found that this treatment blocked aortic stiffening induced by high-salt water. Further, we confirmed that the age-associated decline in aortic pre-microRNA-181b/microRNA-181b levels observed in mice also occurs in humans. Conclusions These findings suggest that further studies are warranted to evaluate whether blockade of A2ARs may have therapeutic potential in treating large-artery stiffness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kei Akiyoshi
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Baltimore MD USA
| | - Tomonari Fujimori
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Baltimore MD USA
| | - Xiuping Fu
- Department of Intelligent Medical Engineering, School of Life Science Tiangong University Tianjin China
| | - Aparna P Shah
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Baltimore MD USA
| | - Atsushi Yamaguchi
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Saitama Medical Center Jichi Medical University Saitama Japan
| | | | - Lakshmi Santhanam
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Baltimore MD USA
| | - Dan Berkowitz
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine The University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham AL USA
| | - Eric Tuday
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine University of Utah Salt Lake City UT USA
- Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center VA Salt Lake City Health Care System Salt Lake City UT USA
| | - Jay M Baraban
- Department of Intelligent Medical Engineering, School of Life Science Tiangong University Tianjin China
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Baltimore MD USA
| | - Samarjit Das
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Baltimore MD USA
- Department of Pathology Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Baltimore MD USA
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Cabej NR. On the origin and nature of nongenetic information in eumetazoans. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2023. [PMID: 37154677 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.15001] [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: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Nongenetic information implies all the forms of biological information not related to genes and DNA in general. Despite the deep scientific relevance of the concept, we currently lack reliable knowledge about its carriers and origins; hence, we still do not understand its true nature. Given that genes are the targets of nongenetic information, it appears that a parsimonious approach to find the ultimate source of that information is to trace back the sequential steps of the causal chain upstream of the target genes up to the ultimate link as the source of the nongenetic information. From this perspective, I examine seven nongenetically determined phenomena: placement of locus-specific epigenetic marks on DNA and histones, changes in snRNA expression patterns, neural induction of gene expression, site-specific alternative gene splicing, predator-induced morphological changes, and cultural inheritance. Based on the available evidence, I propose a general model of the common neural origin of all these forms of nongenetic information in eumetazoans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nelson R Cabej
- Department of Biology, University of Tirana, Tirana, Albania
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Weng YT, Chen HM, Chien T, Chiu FL, Kuo HC, Chern Y. TRAX Provides Neuroprotection for Huntington's Disease Via Modulating a Novel Subset of MicroRNAs. Mov Disord 2022; 37:2008-2020. [PMID: 35997316 DOI: 10.1002/mds.29174] [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: 02/20/2022] [Revised: 06/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disease caused by CAG-repeat expansions (>36) in exon 1 of HTT, which dysregulates multiple cellular machineries. Translin-associated protein X (TRAX) is a scaffold protein with diverse functions, including suppressing the microRNA (miRNA)-mediated silencing by degrading pre-miRNA. To date, the role of TRAX in neurodegenerative diseases remains unknown. OBJECTIVES We delineated the role of TRAX upregulation during HD progression. METHODS Expression of TRAX in the brains of humans and three mouse models with HD were analyzed by immunohistochemistry staining, western blot, and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Adeno-associated viruses harboring TRAX short hairpin RNA were intrastriatally injected into HD mice to downregulate TRAX. HD-like symptoms were analyzed by behavioral and biochemical assessments. The miRNA-sequencing and RNA-sequencing analyses were used to identify the TRAX- regulated miRNA-messenger RNA (mRNA) axis during HD progression. The identified gene targets were validated biochemically in mouse and human striatal cells. RESULTS We discovered that TRAX was upregulated in the brains of HD patients and three HD mouse models. Downregulation of TRAX enhanced 83 miRNAs (including miR-330-3p, miR-496a-3p) and subsequently changed the corresponding mRNA networks critical for HD pathogenesis (eg, DARPP-32 and brain-derived neurotrophic factor). Disruption of the TRAX-mediated miRNA-mRNA axis accelerated the progression of HD-like symptoms, including the degeneration of motor function, accumulation of mHTT aggregates, and shortened neurite outgrowth. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrated that TRAX upregulation is authentic and protective in HD. Our study provides a novel layer of regulation for HD pathogenesis and may lead to the development of new therapeutic strategies for HD. © 2022 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Ting Weng
- Program in Molecular Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University and Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.,Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Mei Chen
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ting Chien
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Feng-Lan Chiu
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Chih Kuo
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yijuang Chern
- Program in Molecular Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University and Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.,Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
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7
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Ortega-de San Luis C, Ryan TJ. Understanding the physical basis of memory: Molecular mechanisms of the engram. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:101866. [PMID: 35346687 PMCID: PMC9065729 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.101866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Memory, defined as the storage and use of learned information in the brain, is necessary to modulate behavior and critical for animals to adapt to their environments and survive. Despite being a cornerstone of brain function, questions surrounding the molecular and cellular mechanisms of how information is encoded, stored, and recalled remain largely unanswered. One widely held theory is that an engram is formed by a group of neurons that are active during learning, which undergoes biochemical and physical changes to store information in a stable state, and that are later reactivated during recall of the memory. In the past decade, the development of engram labeling methodologies has proven useful to investigate the biology of memory at the molecular and cellular levels. Engram technology allows the study of individual memories associated with particular experiences and their evolution over time, with enough experimental resolution to discriminate between different memory processes: learning (encoding), consolidation (the passage from short-term to long-term memories), and storage (the maintenance of memory in the brain). Here, we review the current understanding of memory formation at a molecular and cellular level by focusing on insights provided using engram technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Ortega-de San Luis
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology and Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
| | - Tomás J Ryan
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology and Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Child & Brain Development Program, Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR), Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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Chatterjee S, Bahl E, Mukherjee U, Walsh EN, Shetty MS, Yan AL, Vanrobaeys Y, Lederman JD, Giese KP, Michaelson J, Abel T. Endoplasmic reticulum chaperone genes encode effectors of long-term memory. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabm6063. [PMID: 35319980 PMCID: PMC8942353 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abm6063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The mechanisms underlying memory loss associated with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) remain unclear, and no effective treatments exist. Fundamental studies have shown that a set of transcriptional regulatory proteins of the nuclear receptor 4a (Nr4a) family serve as molecular switches for long-term memory. Here, we show that Nr4a proteins regulate the transcription of genes encoding chaperones that localize to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). These chaperones fold and traffic plasticity-related proteins to the cell surface during long-lasting forms of synaptic plasticity and memory. Dysregulation of Nr4a transcription factors and ER chaperones is linked to ADRD, and overexpressing Nr4a1 or the chaperone Hspa5 ameliorates long-term memory deficits in a tau-based mouse model of ADRD, pointing toward innovative therapeutic approaches for treating memory loss. Our findings establish a unique molecular concept underlying long-term memory and provide insights into the mechanistic basis of cognitive deficits in dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Snehajyoti Chatterjee
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Ethan Bahl
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Genetics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Utsav Mukherjee
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Emily N. Walsh
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Mahesh Shivarama Shetty
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Amy L. Yan
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Yann Vanrobaeys
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Genetics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Joseph D. Lederman
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - K. Peter Giese
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Jacob Michaelson
- Department of Psychiatry, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Iowa Institute of Human Genetics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Ted Abel
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
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Neuroadaptations and TGF-β signaling: emerging role in models of neuropsychiatric disorders. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:296-306. [PMID: 34131268 PMCID: PMC8671568 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-021-01186-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Neuropsychiatric diseases are manifested by maladaptive behavioral plasticity. Despite the greater understanding of the neuroplasticity underlying behavioral adaptations, pinpointing precise cellular mediators has remained elusive. This has stymied the development of pharmacological interventions to combat these disorders both at the level of progression and relapse. With increased knowledge on the putative role of the transforming growth factor (TGF- β) family of proteins in mediating diverse neuroadaptations, the influence of TGF-β signaling in regulating maladaptive cellular and behavioral plasticity underlying neuropsychiatric disorders is being increasingly elucidated. The current review is focused on what is currently known about the TGF-β signaling in the central nervous system in mediating cellular and behavioral plasticity related to neuropsychiatric manifestations.
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10
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Baraban JM, Tuday E, Berkowitz DE, Das S. Deciphering the Role of microRNAs in Large-Artery Stiffness Associated With Aging: Focus on miR-181b. Front Physiol 2021; 12:747789. [PMID: 34646165 PMCID: PMC8504676 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.747789] [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: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Large artery stiffness (LAS) is a major, independent risk factor underlying cardiovascular disease that increases with aging. The emergence of microRNA signaling as a key regulator of vascular structure and function has stimulated interest in assessing its role in the pathophysiology of LAS. Identification of several microRNAs that display age-associated changes in expression in aorta has focused attention on defining their molecular targets and deciphering their role in age-associated arterial stiffening. Inactivation of the microRNA-degrading enzyme, translin/trax, which reverses the age-dependent decline in miR-181b, confers protection from aging-associated arterial stiffening, suggesting that inhibitors targeting this enzyme may have translational potential. As LAS poses a major public health challenge, we anticipate that future studies based on these advances will yield innovative strategies to combat aging-associated arterial stiffening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jay M Baraban
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, ML, United States
| | - Eric Tuday
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States.,Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Dan E Berkowitz
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Sam Das
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, ML, United States.,Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Baltimore, ML, United States
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11
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Fu X, Shah AP, Keighron J, Mou TCM, Ladenheim B, Alt J, Fukudome D, Niwa M, Tamashiro KL, Tanda G, Sawa A, Cadet JL, Rais R, Baraban JM. Elevated body fat increases amphetamine accumulation in brain: evidence from genetic and diet-induced forms of adiposity. Transl Psychiatry 2021; 11:427. [PMID: 34392304 PMCID: PMC8364554 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-021-01547-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the high prevalence of obesity, little is known about its potential impact on the pharmacokinetics of psychotropic drugs. In the course of investigating the role of the microRNA system on neuronal signaling, we found that mice lacking the translin/trax microRNA-degrading enzyme display an exaggerated locomotor response to amphetamine. As these mice display robust adiposity in the context of normal body weight, we checked whether this phenotype might reflect elevated brain levels of amphetamine. To assess this hypothesis, we compared plasma and brain amphetamine levels of wild type and Tsn KO mice. Furthermore, we checked the effect of diet-induced increases in adiposity on plasma and brain amphetamine levels in wild type mice. Brain amphetamine levels were higher in Tsn KO mice than in wild type littermates and correlated with adiposity. Analysis of the effect of diet-induced increases in adiposity in wild type mice on brain amphetamine levels also demonstrated that brain amphetamine levels correlate with adiposity. Increased adiposity displayed by Tsn KO mice or by wild type mice fed a high-fat diet correlates with elevated brain amphetamine levels. As amphetamine and its analogues are widely used to treat attention deficit disorder, which is associated with obesity, further studies are warranted to assess the impact of adiposity on amphetamine levels in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuping Fu
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Aparna P Shah
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Jacqueline Keighron
- Medication Development Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Ta-Chung M Mou
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Bruce Ladenheim
- Molecular Neuropsychiatry Research Branch, Intramural Research Program, NIDA/NIH/DHHS, 251 Bayview Boulevard, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Jesse Alt
- John Hopkins Drug Discovery, Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Daisuke Fukudome
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Minae Niwa
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
| | - Kellie L Tamashiro
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Gianluigi Tanda
- Medication Development Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Akira Sawa
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Jean-Lud Cadet
- Molecular Neuropsychiatry Research Branch, Intramural Research Program, NIDA/NIH/DHHS, 251 Bayview Boulevard, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Rana Rais
- John Hopkins Drug Discovery, Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Jay M Baraban
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
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12
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Mews P, Calipari ES, Day J, Lobo MK, Bredy T, Abel T. From Circuits to Chromatin: The Emerging Role of Epigenetics in Mental Health. J Neurosci 2021; 41:873-882. [PMID: 33446519 PMCID: PMC7880276 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1649-20.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 12/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
A central goal of neuroscience research is to understand how experiences modify brain circuits to guide future adaptive behavior. In response to environmental stimuli, neural circuit activity engages gene regulatory mechanisms within each cell. This activity-dependent gene expression is governed, in part, by epigenetic processes that can produce persistent changes in both neural circuits and the epigenome itself. The complex interplay between circuit activity and neuronal gene regulation is vital to learning and memory, and, when disrupted, is linked to debilitating psychiatric conditions, such as substance use disorder. To develop clinical treatments, it is paramount to advance our understanding of how neural circuits and the epigenome cooperate to produce behavioral adaptation. Here, we discuss how new genetic tools, used to manipulate neural circuits and chromatin, have enabled the discovery of epigenetic processes that bring about long-lasting changes in behavior relevant to mental health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Mews
- Friedman Brain Institute, Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10129
| | - Erin S Calipari
- Departments of Pharmacology, Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research; Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37323
| | - Jeremy Day
- Department of Neurobiology, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294
| | - Mary Kay Lobo
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
| | - Timothy Bredy
- Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, Australia
| | - Ted Abel
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242
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13
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Schieweck R, Ninkovic J, Kiebler MA. RNA-binding proteins balance brain function in health and disease. Physiol Rev 2020; 101:1309-1370. [PMID: 33000986 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00047.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Posttranscriptional gene expression including splicing, RNA transport, translation, and RNA decay provides an important regulatory layer in many if not all molecular pathways. Research in the last decades has positioned RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) right in the center of posttranscriptional gene regulation. Here, we propose interdependent networks of RBPs to regulate complex pathways within the central nervous system (CNS). These are involved in multiple aspects of neuronal development and functioning, including higher cognition. Therefore, it is not sufficient to unravel the individual contribution of a single RBP and its consequences but rather to study and understand the tight interplay between different RBPs. In this review, we summarize recent findings in the field of RBP biology and discuss the complex interplay between different RBPs. Second, we emphasize the underlying dynamics within an RBP network and how this might regulate key processes such as neurogenesis, synaptic transmission, and synaptic plasticity. Importantly, we envision that dysfunction of specific RBPs could lead to perturbation within the RBP network. This would have direct and indirect (compensatory) effects in mRNA binding and translational control leading to global changes in cellular expression programs in general and in synaptic plasticity in particular. Therefore, we focus on RBP dysfunction and how this might cause neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. Based on recent findings, we propose that alterations in the entire regulatory RBP network might account for phenotypic dysfunctions observed in complex diseases including neurodegeneration, epilepsy, and autism spectrum disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rico Schieweck
- Biomedical Center (BMC), Department for Cell Biology and Anatomy, Medical Faculty, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Jovica Ninkovic
- Biomedical Center (BMC), Department for Cell Biology and Anatomy, Medical Faculty, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Michael A Kiebler
- Biomedical Center (BMC), Department for Cell Biology and Anatomy, Medical Faculty, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
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14
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Okuda K, Højgaard K, Privitera L, Bayraktar G, Takeuchi T. Initial memory consolidation and the synaptic tagging and capture hypothesis. Eur J Neurosci 2020; 54:6826-6849. [PMID: 32649022 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Revised: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Everyday memories are retained automatically in the hippocampus and then decay very rapidly. Memory retention can be boosted when novel experiences occur shortly before or shortly after the time of memory encoding via a memory stabilization process called "initial memory consolidation." The dopamine release and new protein synthesis in the hippocampus during a novel experience are crucial for this novelty-induced memory boost. The mechanisms underlying initial memory consolidation are not well-understood, but the synaptic tagging and capture (STC) hypothesis provides a conceptual basis of synaptic plasticity events occurring during initial memory consolidation. In this review, we provide an overview of the STC hypothesis and its relevance to dopaminergic signalling, in order to explore the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying initial memory consolidation in the hippocampus. We summarize electrophysiological STC processes based on the evidence from two-pathway experiments and a behavioural tagging hypothesis, which translates the STC hypothesis into a related behavioural hypothesis. We also discuss the function of two types of molecules, "synaptic tags" and "plasticity-related proteins," which have a crucial role in the STC process and initial memory consolidation. We describe candidate molecules for the roles of synaptic tag and plasticity-related proteins and interpret their candidacy based on evidence from two-pathway experiments ex vivo, behavioural tagging experiments in vivo and recent cutting-edge optical imaging experiments. Lastly, we discuss the direction of future studies to advance our understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying the STC process, which are critical for initial memory consolidation in the hippocampus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kosuke Okuda
- Department of Biomedicine, Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience - DANDRITE, Nordic-EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Kristoffer Højgaard
- Department of Biomedicine, Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience - DANDRITE, Nordic-EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark.,Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Lucia Privitera
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,School of Medicine, Ninewells Hospital, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Gülberk Bayraktar
- Department of Biomedicine, Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience - DANDRITE, Nordic-EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark.,Institut für Klinische Neurobiologie, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Tomonori Takeuchi
- Department of Biomedicine, Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience - DANDRITE, Nordic-EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
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15
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Brucato FH, Benjamin DE. Synaptic Pruning in Alzheimer's Disease: Role of the Complement System. GLOBAL JOURNAL OF MEDICAL RESEARCH 2020; 20:10.34257/gjmrfvol20is6pg1. [PMID: 32982106 PMCID: PMC7518506 DOI: 10.34257/gjmrfvol20is6pg1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Alz heimer’s disease (AD) continues to threaten aged individuals and health care systems around the world. Human beings have been trying to postpone, reduce, or eliminate the primary risk factor for AD, aging, throughout history. Despite this, there is currently only symptomatic treatment for AD and this treatment is limited to only a handful of FDA approved AD drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederic H Brucato
- Cascade Biotechnology Inc., Princeton Corporate Plaza 1 Deer Park Dr., Suite D5. Monmouth Junction NJ 08852
| | - Daniel E Benjamin
- Cascade Biotechnology Inc., Princeton Corporate Plaza 1 Deer Park Dr., Suite D5. Monmouth Junction NJ 08852
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16
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Fu X, Shah AP, Li Z, Li M, Tamashiro KL, Baraban JM. Genetic inactivation of the translin/trax microRNA-degrading enzyme phenocopies the robust adiposity induced by Translin (Tsn) deletion. Mol Metab 2020; 40:101013. [PMID: 32408014 PMCID: PMC7305343 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2020.101013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Revised: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Deletion of Translin (Tsn) from mice induces an unusual metabolic profile characterized by robust adiposity, normal body weight and glucose tolerance. Translin (TN) protein and its partner, trax (TX), form the TN/TX microRNA-degrading enzyme. Since the microRNA system plays a prominent role in regulating metabolism, we reasoned that the metabolic profile displayed by Tsn KO mice might reflect dysregulation of microRNA signaling. Methods To test this hypothesis, we inserted a mutation, E126A, in Tsnax, the gene encoding TX, that abolishes the microRNA-degrading enzymatic activity of the TN/TX complex. In addition, to help define the cell types that drive the adiposity phenotype, we have also generated mice with floxed alleles of Tsn or Tsnax. Results Introduction of the E126A mutation in Tsnax does not impair expression of TN or TX proteins or their co-precipitation. Furthermore, these mice display selective increases in microRNAs that match those induced by Tsn deletion, confirming that this mutation in Tsnax inactivates the microRNA-degrading activity of the TN/TX complex. Mice homozygous for the Tsnax (E126A) mutation display a metabolic profile that closely mimics that of Tsn KO mice. Selective deletion of Tsn or Tsnax from either adipocytes or hepatocytes, two candidate cell types, does not phenocopy the elevated adiposity displayed by mice with constitutive Tsn deletion or the Tsnax (E126A) mutation. Furthermore, global, conditional deletion of Tsn in adulthood does not elicit increased adiposity. Conclusion Taken together, these findings indicate that inactivation of the TN/TX microRNA-degrading enzyme during development is necessary to drive the robust adiposity displayed by Tsn KO mice. We inactivated the microRNA-degrading enzyme translin/trax in mice. These mice phenocopy the robust adiposity displayed by Tsn KO mice. Global conditional deletion of Tsn during adulthood does not elicit robust adiposity. Thus, loss of translin/trax activity in development mediates robust adiposity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuping Fu
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
| | - Aparna P Shah
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
| | - Zhi Li
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
| | - Mengni Li
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
| | - Kellie L Tamashiro
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
| | - Jay M Baraban
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
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17
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Rodriguez‐Ortiz CJ, Prieto GA, Martini AC, Forner S, Trujillo‐Estrada L, LaFerla FM, Baglietto‐Vargas D, Cotman CW, Kitazawa M. miR-181a negatively modulates synaptic plasticity in hippocampal cultures and its inhibition rescues memory deficits in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Aging Cell 2020; 19:e13118. [PMID: 32087004 PMCID: PMC7059142 DOI: 10.1111/acel.13118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2019] [Revised: 11/21/2019] [Accepted: 12/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs play a pivotal role in rapid, dynamic, and spatiotemporal modulation of synaptic functions. Among them, recent emerging evidence highlights that microRNA-181a (miR-181a) is particularly abundant in hippocampal neurons and controls the expression of key plasticity-related proteins at synapses. We have previously demonstrated that miR-181a was upregulated in the hippocampus of a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and correlated with reduced levels of plasticity-related proteins. Here, we further investigated the underlying mechanisms by which miR-181a negatively modulated synaptic plasticity and memory. In primary hippocampal cultures, we found that an activity-dependent upregulation of the microRNA-regulating protein, translin, correlated with reduction of miR-181a upon chemical long-term potentiation (cLTP), which induced upregulation of GluA2, a predicted target for miR-181a, and other plasticity-related proteins. Additionally, Aβ treatment inhibited cLTP-dependent induction of translin and subsequent reduction of miR-181a, and cotreatment with miR-181a antagomir effectively reversed the effects elicited by Aβ but did not rescue translin levels, suggesting that the activity-dependent upregulation of translin was upstream of miR-181a. In mice, a learning episode markedly decreased miR-181a in the hippocampus and raised the protein levels of GluA2. Lastly, we observed that inhibition of miR-181a alleviated memory deficits and increased GluA2 and GluA1 levels, without restoring translin, in the 3xTg-AD model. Taken together, our results indicate that miR-181a is a major negative regulator of the cellular events that underlie synaptic plasticity and memory through AMPA receptors, and importantly, Aβ disrupts this process by suppressing translin and leads to synaptic dysfunction and memory impairments in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gilberto Aleph Prieto
- Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological DisordersUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCalifornia
- Departamento de Neurobiología Celular y MolecularInstituto de NeurobiologíaUniversidad Nacional Autonoma de MéxicoQuerétaroMexico
| | - Alessandra C. Martini
- Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological DisordersUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCalifornia
| | - Stefania Forner
- Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological DisordersUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCalifornia
| | - Laura Trujillo‐Estrada
- Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological DisordersUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCalifornia
| | - Frank M. LaFerla
- Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological DisordersUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCalifornia
| | - David Baglietto‐Vargas
- Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological DisordersUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCalifornia
| | - Carl W. Cotman
- Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological DisordersUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCalifornia
- Department of Neurobiology and BehaviorUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCAUSA
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18
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Jackson L, Qifti A, Pearce KM, Scarlata S. Regulation of bifunctional proteins in cells: Lessons from the phospholipase Cβ/G protein pathway. Protein Sci 2019; 29:1258-1268. [PMID: 31867822 DOI: 10.1002/pro.3809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2019] [Revised: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Some proteins can serve multiple functions depending on different cellular conditions. An example of a bifunctional protein is inositide-specific mammalian phospholipase Cβ (PLCβ). PLCβ is activated by G proteins in response to hormones and neurotransmitters to increase intracellular calcium. Recently, alternate cellular function(s) of PLCβ have become uncovered. However, the conditions that allow these different functions to be operative are unclear. Like many mammalian proteins, PLCβ has a conserved catalytic core along with several regulatory domains. These domains modulate the intensity and duration of calcium signals in response to external sensory information, and allow this enzyme to inhibit protein translation in a noncatalytic manner. In this review, we first describe PLCβ's cellular functions and regulation of the switching between these functions, and then discuss the thermodynamic considerations that offer insight into how cells manage multiple and competitive associations allowing them to rapidly shift between functional states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lela Jackson
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Androniqi Qifti
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Katherine M Pearce
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Suzanne Scarlata
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, Massachusetts
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19
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Gupta A, Pillai VS, Chittela RK. Translin: A multifunctional protein involved in nucleic acid metabolism. J Biosci 2019; 44:139. [PMID: 31894120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Translin, a highly conserved, DNA/RNA binding protein, is abundantly expressed in brain, testis and in certain malignancies. It was discovered initially in the quest to find proteins that bind to alternating polypurines-polypyrimidines repeats. It has been implicated to have a role in RNA metabolism (tRNA processing, RNAi, RNA transport, etc.), transcription, DNA damage response, etc. Studies from human, mice, drosophila and yeast have revealed that it forms an octameric ring, which is important for its function. Translin is a cytoplasmic protein, but under genotoxic stress, it migrates into the nucleus, binds to the break point hot spots and therefore, thought to be involved in chromosomal translocation events as well as DNA damage related response. Its structure is known and DNA binding regions, GTP binding region and regions responsible for homotypic and heterotypic interaction are known. It forms a ball like structure with open central channel for accommodating the substrate nucleic acids. Besides this, translin protein binds to 3' and 5' UTR of certain mRNAs and probably regulates their availability for translation. It is also involved in mRNA transport and cell cycle progression. It forms a heteromeric complex with translin associated factor-X (TRAX) to form C3PO complex which is involved in RNA silencing process. Recently, it has been shown that translin is upregulated under starvation conditions in Drosophila and is involved in the integration of sleep and metabolic rate of the flies. Earlier studies classified translin as a DNA repair protein; however subsequent studies showed that it is a multifunctional protein. With this background, in this review we have summarized the translin biochemical activities, cellular function as well as structural properties of this important protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alka Gupta
- Molecular Damage and Repair Section, Molecular Biology Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400 085, India
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20
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Gupta A, Pillai VS, Chittela RK. Translin: A multifunctional protein involved in nucleic acid metabolism. J Biosci 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s12038-019-9947-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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21
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Weng YT, Chien T, Kuan II, Chern Y. The TRAX, DISC1, and GSK3 complex in mental disorders and therapeutic interventions. J Biomed Sci 2018; 25:71. [PMID: 30285728 PMCID: PMC6171312 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-018-0473-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2018] [Accepted: 09/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Psychiatric disorders (such as bipolar disorder, depression, and schizophrenia) affect the lives of millions of individuals worldwide. Despite the tremendous efforts devoted to various types of psychiatric studies and rapidly accumulating genetic information, the molecular mechanisms underlying psychiatric disorder development remain elusive. Among the genes that have been implicated in schizophrenia and other mental disorders, disrupted in schizophrenia 1 (DISC1) and glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) have been intensively investigated. DISC1 binds directly to GSK3 and modulates many cellular functions by negatively inhibiting GSK3 activity. The human DISC1 gene is located on chromosome 1 and is highly associated with schizophrenia and other mental disorders. A recent study demonstrated that a neighboring gene of DISC1, translin-associated factor X (TRAX), binds to the DISC1/GSK3β complex and at least partly mediates the actions of the DISC1/GSK3β complex. Previous studies also demonstrate that TRAX and most of its interacting proteins that have been identified so far are risk genes and/or markers of mental disorders. In the present review, we will focus on the emerging roles of TRAX and its interacting proteins (including DISC1 and GSK3β) in psychiatric disorders and the potential implications for developing therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Ting Weng
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, 128 Sec. 2, Academia Rd. Nankang, Taipei, 115, Taiwan, Republic of China.,Program in Molecular Medicine, National Yang-Ming University and Academia Sinica, No.155, Sec.2, Linong Street, Taipei, 112, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Ting Chien
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, 128 Sec. 2, Academia Rd. Nankang, Taipei, 115, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - I-I Kuan
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, 128 Sec. 2, Academia Rd. Nankang, Taipei, 115, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Yijuang Chern
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, 128 Sec. 2, Academia Rd. Nankang, Taipei, 115, Taiwan, Republic of China. .,Program in Molecular Medicine, National Yang-Ming University and Academia Sinica, No.155, Sec.2, Linong Street, Taipei, 112, Taiwan, Republic of China.
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22
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Canestrari E, Paroo Z. Ribonucleases as Drug Targets. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2018; 39:855-866. [PMID: 30144949 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2018.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2018] [Revised: 07/19/2018] [Accepted: 07/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Across disease indications, there is immediate need for new drug targets. Target scarcity is reflected in a growing number of same-target drugs of marginal clinical value. Advances in RNA mechanisms of disease are revealing a windfall of targets for nucleic acids therapeutics. However, nucleic acids remain limited as pharmaceutical agents. Because enzymes are predominant drug targets, ribonucleases represent an established target class to capitalize on RNA mechanisms of disease. Analysis of the human proteome identified 122 ribonucleases. This small ribonucleome mediates the biosynthetic and catabolic processing of a large transcriptome. Thus, ribonucleases represent critical signaling targets. Similar to kinases, proteases, and epigenetic enzymes, ribonucleases are rational targets for development of therapies with novel mechanisms, expanding treatment options for improved patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuele Canestrari
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Zain Paroo
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
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23
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Trax: A versatile signaling protein plays key roles in synaptic plasticity and DNA repair. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2018; 159:46-51. [PMID: 30017897 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2018.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2018] [Revised: 06/20/2018] [Accepted: 07/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Translin-associated protein X (TSNAX), also called trax, was first identified as a protein that interacts with translin. Subsequent studies demonstrated that these proteins form a heteromeric RNase complex that mediates degradation of microRNAs, a pivotal finding that has stimulated interest in understanding the role of translin and trax in cell signaling. Recent studies addressing this question have revealed that trax plays key roles in both synaptic plasticity and DNA repair signaling pathways. In the context of synaptic plasticity, trax works together with its partner protein, translin, to degrade a subset of microRNAs. Activation of the translin/trax RNase complex reverses microRNA-mediated translational silencing to trigger dendritic protein synthesis critical for synaptic plasticity. In the context of DNA repair, trax binds to and activates ATM, a central component of the double-stranded DNA repair process. Thus, these studies focus attention on trax as a critical signaling protein that interacts with multiple partners to impact diverse signaling pathways. To stimulate interest in deciphering the multifaceted role of trax in cell signaling, we summarize the current understanding of trax biology and highlight gaps in our knowledge about this protean protein.
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24
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Kasai M, Ishida R, Nakahara K, Okumura K, Aoki K. Mesenchymal cell differentiation and diseases: involvement of translin/TRAX complexes and associated proteins. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2018; 1421:37-45. [PMID: 29740830 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.13690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2018] [Revised: 02/22/2018] [Accepted: 03/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Translin and translin-associated factor X (translin/TRAX) proteins have been implicated in a variety of cellular activities central to nucleic acid metabolism. Accumulating evidence indicates that translin/TRAX complexes participate in processes ensuring the replication of DNA, as well as cell division. Significant progress has been made in understanding the roles of translin/TRAX complexes in RNA metabolism, such as through RNA-induced silencing complex activation or the microRNA depletion that occurs in Dicer deficiency. At the cellular level, translin-deficient (Tsn-/- ) mice display delayed endochondral ossification or progressive bone marrow failure with ectopic osteogenesis and adipogenesis, suggesting involvement in mesenchymal cell differentiation. In this review, we summarize the molecular and cellular functions of translin homo-octamer and translin/TRAX hetero-octamer. Finally, we discuss the multifaceted roles of translin, TRAX, and associated proteins in the healthy and disease states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masataka Kasai
- Juntendo University School of Medicine, Atopy Research Center, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Immunology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Reiko Ishida
- Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Nakahara
- National Institution for Academic Degrees and Quality Enhancement of Higher Education, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ko Okumura
- Juntendo University School of Medicine, Atopy Research Center, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Katsunori Aoki
- Occupational Health Department, Sony Corporate Service Corporation, Kanagawa, Japan
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25
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Popper B, Demleitner A, Bolivar VJ, Kusek G, Snyder-Keller A, Schieweck R, Temple S, Kiebler MA. Staufen2 deficiency leads to impaired response to novelty in mice. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2018; 150:107-115. [PMID: 29496644 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2018.02.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2017] [Revised: 01/25/2018] [Accepted: 02/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Staufen2 (Stau2) is a double-stranded RNA-binding protein (RBP) involved in posttranscriptional gene expression control in neurons. In flies, staufen contributes to learning and long-term memory formation. To study the impact of mammalian Stau2 on behavior, we generated a novel gene-trap mouse model that yields significant constitutive downregulation of Stau2 (Stau2GT). In order to investigate the effect of Stau2 downregulation on hippocampus-dependent behavior, we performed a battery of behavioral assays, i.e. open field, novel object recognition/location (NOR/L) and Barnes maze. Stau2GT mice displayed reduced locomotor activity in the open field and altered novelty preference in the NOR and NOL paradigms. Adult Stau2GT male mice failed to discriminate between familiar and newly introduced objects but showed enhanced spatial novelty detection. Additionally, we observed deficits in discriminating different spatial contexts in a Barnes maze assay. Together, our data suggest that Stau2 contributes to novelty preference and explorative behavior that is a driver for proper spatial learning in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bastian Popper
- Biomedical Center (BMC), Department for Cell Biology & Anatomy, Medical Faculty, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany; Biomedical Center (BMC), Core Facility Animal Models, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Antonia Demleitner
- Biomedical Center (BMC), Department for Cell Biology & Anatomy, Medical Faculty, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Valerie J Bolivar
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY, USA; Department of Biomedical Sciences, University at Albany School of Public Health, State University of New York, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Gretchen Kusek
- Neural Stem Cell Institute, Regenerative Research Foundation, Rensselaer, NY, USA
| | - Abigail Snyder-Keller
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY, USA; Department of Biomedical Sciences, University at Albany School of Public Health, State University of New York, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Rico Schieweck
- Biomedical Center (BMC), Department for Cell Biology & Anatomy, Medical Faculty, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany.
| | - Sally Temple
- Neural Stem Cell Institute, Regenerative Research Foundation, Rensselaer, NY, USA
| | - Michael A Kiebler
- Biomedical Center (BMC), Department for Cell Biology & Anatomy, Medical Faculty, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany.
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