1
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Timalsina B, Lee S, Kaang BK. Advances in the labelling and selective manipulation of synapses. Nat Rev Neurosci 2024:10.1038/s41583-024-00851-9. [PMID: 39174832 DOI: 10.1038/s41583-024-00851-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 08/24/2024]
Abstract
Synapses are highly specialized neuronal structures that are essential for neurotransmission, and they are dynamically regulated throughout the lifetime. Although accumulating evidence indicates that these structures are crucial for information processing and storage in the brain, their precise roles beyond neurotransmission are yet to be fully appreciated. Genetically encoded fluorescent tools have deepened our understanding of synaptic structure and function, but developing an ideal methodology to selectively visualize, label and manipulate synapses remains challenging. Here, we provide an overview of currently available synapse labelling techniques and describe their extension to enable synapse manipulation. We categorize these approaches on the basis of their conceptual bases and target molecules, compare their advantages and limitations and propose potential modifications to improve their effectiveness. These methods have broad utility, particularly for investigating mechanisms of synaptic function and synaptopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binod Timalsina
- Center for Cognition and Sociality, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Sangkyu Lee
- Center for Cognition and Sociality, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Bong-Kiun Kaang
- Center for Cognition and Sociality, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, South Korea.
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2
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Lebek T, Malaguti M, Boezio GL, Zoupi L, Briscoe J, Elfick A, Lowell S. PUFFFIN: an ultra-bright, customisable, single-plasmid system for labelling cell neighbourhoods. EMBO J 2024:10.1038/s44318-024-00154-w. [PMID: 38997504 DOI: 10.1038/s44318-024-00154-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Cell communication coordinates developmental processes, maintains homeostasis, and contributes to disease. Therefore, understanding the relationship between cells in a shared environment is crucial. Here we introduce Positive Ultra-bright Fluorescent Fusion For Identifying Neighbours (PUFFFIN), a cell neighbour-labelling system based upon secretion and uptake of positively supercharged fluorescent protein s36GFP. We fused s36GFP to mNeonGreen or to a HaloTag, facilitating ultra-bright, sensitive, colour-of-choice labelling. Secretor cells transfer PUFFFIN to neighbours while retaining nuclear mCherry, making identification, isolation, and investigation of live neighbours straightforward. PUFFFIN can be delivered to cells, tissues, or embryos on a customisable single-plasmid construct composed of interchangeable components with the option to incorporate any transgene. This versatility enables the manipulation of cell properties, while simultaneously labelling surrounding cells, in cell culture or in vivo. We use PUFFFIN to ask whether pluripotent cells adjust the pace of differentiation to synchronise with their neighbours during exit from naïve pluripotency. PUFFFIN offers a simple, sensitive, customisable approach to profile non-cell-autonomous responses to natural or induced changes in cell identity or behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamina Lebek
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Mattias Malaguti
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, UK
- Centre for Engineering Biology, Institute of Quantitative Biology, Biochemistry and Biotechnology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3FF, UK
| | | | - Lida Zoupi
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK
- Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK
| | | | - Alistair Elfick
- Institute for Bioengineering, School of Engineering, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 3DW, UK
- UK Centre for Mammalian Synthetic Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3BF, UK
| | - Sally Lowell
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, UK.
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3
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Zhang X, Mille-Fragoso LS, Kaseniit KE, Call CC, Zhang M, Hu Y, Xie Y, Gao XJ. Post-Transcriptional Modular Synthetic Receptors. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.03.592453. [PMID: 38746461 PMCID: PMC11092781 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.03.592453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Inspired by the power of transcriptional synthetic receptors and hoping to complement them to expand the toolbox for cell engineering, we establish LIDAR (Ligand-Induced Dimerization Activating RNA editing), a modular post-transcriptional synthetic receptor platform that harnesses RNA editing by ADAR. LIDAR is compatible with various receptor architectures in different cellular contexts, and enables the sensing of diverse ligands and the production of functional outputs. Furthermore, LIDAR can sense orthogonal signals in the same cell and produce synthetic spatial patterns, potentially enabling the programming of complex multicellular behaviors. Finally, LIDAR is compatible with compact encoding and can be delivered by synthetic mRNA. Thus, LIDAR expands the family of synthetic receptors, holding the promise to empower basic research and therapeutic applications.
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4
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Castaneda AN, Huda A, Whitaker IBM, Reilly JE, Shelby GS, Bai H, Ni L. Functional labeling of individualized postsynaptic neurons using optogenetics and trans-Tango in Drosophila (FLIPSOT). PLoS Genet 2024; 20:e1011190. [PMID: 38483970 PMCID: PMC10965055 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1011190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
A population of neurons interconnected by synapses constitutes a neural circuit, which performs specific functions upon activation. It is essential to identify both anatomical and functional entities of neural circuits to comprehend the components and processes necessary for healthy brain function and the changes that characterize brain disorders. To date, few methods are available to study these two aspects of a neural circuit simultaneously. In this study, we developed FLIPSOT, or functional labeling of individualized postsynaptic neurons using optogenetics and trans-Tango. FLIPSOT uses (1) trans-Tango to access postsynaptic neurons genetically, (2) optogenetic approaches to activate (FLIPSOTa) or inhibit (FLIPSOTi) postsynaptic neurons in a random and sparse manner, and (3) fluorescence markers tagged with optogenetic genes to visualize these neurons. Therefore, FLIPSOT allows using a presynaptic driver to identify the behavioral function of individual postsynaptic neurons. It is readily applied to identify functions of individual postsynaptic neurons and has the potential to be adapted for use in mammalian circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison N. Castaneda
- School of Neuroscience, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Ainul Huda
- School of Neuroscience, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Iona B. M. Whitaker
- School of Neuroscience, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Julianne E. Reilly
- School of Neuroscience, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Grace S. Shelby
- School of Neuroscience, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Hua Bai
- School of Neuroscience, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Lina Ni
- School of Neuroscience, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
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5
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Weinberg ZY, Soliman SS, Kim MS, Chen IP, Ott M, El-Samad H. De novo-designed minibinders expand the synthetic biology sensing repertoire. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.12.575267. [PMID: 38293112 PMCID: PMC10827046 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.12.575267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Synthetic and chimeric receptors capable of recognizing and responding to user-defined antigens have enabled "smart" therapeutics based on engineered cells. These cell engineering tools depend on antigen sensors which are most often derived from antibodies. Advances in the de novo design of proteins have enabled the design of protein binders with the potential to target epitopes with unique properties and faster production timelines compared to antibodies. Building upon our previous work combining a de novo-designed minibinder of the Spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 with the synthetic receptor synNotch (SARSNotch), we investigated whether minibinders can be readily adapted to a diversity of cell engineering tools. We show that the Spike minibinder LCB1 easily generalizes to a next-generation proteolytic receptor SNIPR that performs similarly to our previously reported SARSNotch. LCB1-SNIPR successfully enables the detection of live SARS-CoV-2, an improvement over SARSNotch which can only detect cell-expressed Spike. To test the generalizability of minibinders to diverse applications, we tested LCB1 as an antigen sensor for a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR). LCB1-CAR enabled CD8+ T cells to cytotoxically target Spike-expressing cells. Our findings suggest that minibinders represent a novel class of antigen sensors that have the potential to dramatically expand the sensing repertoire of cell engineering tools.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Matthew S. Kim
- Tetrad Gradudate Program, UCSF, San Francisco CA
- Cell Design Institute, San Francisco CA
| | - Irene P. Chen
- Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco CA
- Department of Medicine, UCSF, San Francisco CA
| | - Melanie Ott
- Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco CA
- Department of Medicine, UCSF, San Francisco CA
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub–San Francisco, San Francisco CA
| | - Hana El-Samad
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, UCSF, San Francisco CA
- Cell Design Institute, San Francisco CA
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub–San Francisco, San Francisco CA
- Altos Labs, San Francisco CA
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6
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Malaguti M, Lebek T, Blin G, Lowell S. Enabling neighbour labelling: using synthetic biology to explore how cells influence their neighbours. Development 2024; 151:dev201955. [PMID: 38165174 PMCID: PMC10820747 DOI: 10.1242/dev.201955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Cell-cell interactions are central to development, but exploring how a change in any given cell relates to changes in the neighbour of that cell can be technically challenging. Here, we review recent developments in synthetic biology and image analysis that are helping overcome this problem. We highlight the opportunities presented by these advances and discuss opportunities and limitations in applying them to developmental model systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattias Malaguti
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Tamina Lebek
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Guillaume Blin
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Sally Lowell
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
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7
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Sorkaç A, Moșneanu RA, Crown AM, Savaş D, Okoro AM, Memiş E, Talay M, Barnea G. retro-Tango enables versatile retrograde circuit tracing in Drosophila. eLife 2023; 12:e85041. [PMID: 37166114 PMCID: PMC10208638 DOI: 10.7554/elife.85041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Transsynaptic tracing methods are crucial tools in studying neural circuits. Although a couple of anterograde tracing methods and a targeted retrograde tool have been developed in Drosophila melanogaster, there is still need for an unbiased, user-friendly, and flexible retrograde tracing system. Here, we describe retro-Tango, a method for transsynaptic, retrograde circuit tracing and manipulation in Drosophila. In this genetically encoded system, a ligand-receptor interaction at the synapse triggers an intracellular signaling cascade that results in reporter gene expression in presynaptic neurons. Importantly, panneuronal expression of the elements of the cascade renders this method versatile, enabling its use not only to test hypotheses but also to generate them. We validate retro-Tango in various circuits and benchmark it by comparing our findings with the electron microscopy reconstruction of the Drosophila hemibrain. Our experiments establish retro-Tango as a key method for circuit tracing in neuroscience research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Altar Sorkaç
- Department of Neuroscience, Brown UniversityProvidenceUnited States
- Carney Institute for Brain Science, Brown UniversityProvidenceUnited States
| | - Rareș A Moșneanu
- Department of Neuroscience, Brown UniversityProvidenceUnited States
- Carney Institute for Brain Science, Brown UniversityProvidenceUnited States
| | - Anthony M Crown
- Department of Neuroscience, Brown UniversityProvidenceUnited States
- Carney Institute for Brain Science, Brown UniversityProvidenceUnited States
| | - Doruk Savaş
- Department of Neuroscience, Brown UniversityProvidenceUnited States
- Carney Institute for Brain Science, Brown UniversityProvidenceUnited States
| | - Angel M Okoro
- Department of Neuroscience, Brown UniversityProvidenceUnited States
- Carney Institute for Brain Science, Brown UniversityProvidenceUnited States
| | - Ezgi Memiş
- Department of Neuroscience, Brown UniversityProvidenceUnited States
- Carney Institute for Brain Science, Brown UniversityProvidenceUnited States
| | - Mustafa Talay
- Department of Neuroscience, Brown UniversityProvidenceUnited States
- Carney Institute for Brain Science, Brown UniversityProvidenceUnited States
| | - Gilad Barnea
- Department of Neuroscience, Brown UniversityProvidenceUnited States
- Carney Institute for Brain Science, Brown UniversityProvidenceUnited States
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8
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Urenda JP, Del Dosso A, Birtele M, Quadrato G. Present and Future Modeling of Human Psychiatric Connectopathies With Brain Organoids. Biol Psychiatry 2023; 93:606-615. [PMID: 36759258 PMCID: PMC11229385 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2022.12.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Brain organoids derived from human pluripotent stem cells are emerging as a powerful tool to model cellular aspects of neuropsychiatric disorders, including alterations in cell proliferation, differentiation, migration, and lineage trajectory. To date, most contributions in the field have focused on modeling cellular impairment of the cerebral cortex, with few studies probing dysfunction in local network connectivity. However, it is increasingly more apparent that these psychiatric disorders are connectopathies involving multiple brain structures and the connections between them. Therefore, the lack of reproducible anatomical features in these 3-dimensional cultures represents a major bottleneck for effectively modeling brain connectivity at the micro(cellular) level and at the macroscale level between brain regions. In this perspective, we review the use of current organoid protocols to model neuropsychiatric disorders with a specific emphasis on the potential and limitations of the current strategies to model impairments in functional connectivity. Finally, we discuss the importance of adopting interdisciplinary strategies to establish next-generation, multiregional organoids that can model, with higher fidelity, the dysfunction in the development and functionality of long-range connections within the brain of patients affected by psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Paul Urenda
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Ashley Del Dosso
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Marcella Birtele
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Giorgia Quadrato
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California.
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9
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He L, Perrimon N. Synthetic Notch receptors and their applications to study cell-cell contacts in vivo. Dev Cell 2023; 58:171-173. [PMID: 36750017 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2023.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Physical cell-cell interaction is a fundamental mechanism that controls the development and physiology of multicellular organisms. However, methods to study cell contact within complex tissues are limited. In a recent issue of Science, Zhang et al. developed synthetic Notch (synNotch)-based tools that can monitor and trace cell-cell contacts in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li He
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Norbert Perrimon
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Boston, MA 02138, USA.
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10
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Genetic dissection of intercellular interactions in vivo by membrane-permeable protein. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2120582120. [PMID: 36574652 PMCID: PMC9910597 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2120582120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Unraveling cell-cell interaction is fundamental to understanding many biological processes. To date, genetic tools for labeling neighboring cells in mammals are not available. Here, we developed a labeling strategy based on the Cre-induced intercellular labeling protein (CILP). Cre-expressing donor cells release a lipid-soluble and membrane-permeable fluorescent protein that is then taken up by recipient cells, enabling fluorescent labeling of neighboring cells. Using CILP, we specifically labeled endothelial cells surrounding a special population of hepatocytes in adult mice and revealed their distinct gene signatures. Our results highlight the potential of CILP as a platform to reveal cell-cell interactions and communications in vivo.
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11
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Nässel DR, Zandawala M. Endocrine cybernetics: neuropeptides as molecular switches in behavioural decisions. Open Biol 2022; 12:220174. [PMID: 35892199 PMCID: PMC9326288 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.220174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasticity in animal behaviour relies on the ability to integrate external and internal cues from the changing environment and hence modulate activity in synaptic circuits of the brain. This context-dependent neuromodulation is largely based on non-synaptic signalling with neuropeptides. Here, we describe select peptidergic systems in the Drosophila brain that act at different levels of a hierarchy to modulate behaviour and associated physiology. These systems modulate circuits in brain regions, such as the central complex and the mushroom bodies, which supervise specific behaviours. At the top level of the hierarchy there are small numbers of large peptidergic neurons that arborize widely in multiple areas of the brain to orchestrate or modulate global activity in a state and context-dependent manner. At the bottom level local peptidergic neurons provide executive neuromodulation of sensory gain and intrinsically in restricted parts of specific neuronal circuits. The orchestrating neurons receive interoceptive signals that mediate energy and sleep homeostasis, metabolic state and circadian timing, as well as external cues that affect food search, aggression or mating. Some of these cues can be triggers of conflicting behaviours such as mating versus aggression, or sleep versus feeding, and peptidergic neurons participate in circuits, enabling behaviour choices and switches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dick R. Nässel
- Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Meet Zandawala
- Neurobiology and Genetics, Theodor-Boveri-Institute, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland Würzburg 97074, Germany
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12
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Interneuronal dynamics facilitate the initiation of spike block in cortical microcircuits. J Comput Neurosci 2022; 50:275-298. [PMID: 35441302 DOI: 10.1007/s10827-022-00815-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Pyramidal cell spike block is a common occurrence in migraine with aura and epileptic seizures. In both cases, pyramidal cells experience hyperexcitation with rapidly increasing firing rates, major changes in electrochemistry, and ultimately spike block that temporarily terminates neuronal activity. In cortical spreading depression (CSD), spike block propagates as a slowly traveling wave of inactivity through cortical pyramidal cells, which is thought to precede migraine attacks with aura. In seizures, highly synchronized cortical activity can be interspersed with, or terminated by, spike block. While the identifying characteristic of CSD and seizures is the pyramidal cell hyperexcitation, it is currently unknown how the dynamics of the cortical microcircuits and inhibitory interneurons affect the initiation of hyperexcitation and subsequent spike block.We tested the contribution of cortical inhibitory interneurons to the initiation of spike block using a cortical microcircuit model that takes into account changes in ion concentrations that result from neuronal firing. Our results show that interneuronal inhibition provides a wider dynamic range to the circuit and generally improves stability against spike block. Despite these beneficial effects, strong interneuronal firing contributed to rapidly changing extracellular ion concentrations, which facilitated hyperexcitation and led to spike block first in the interneuron and then in the pyramidal cell. In all cases, a loss of interneuronal firing triggered pyramidal cell spike block. However, preventing interneuronal spike block was insufficient to rescue the pyramidal cell from spike block. Our data thus demonstrate that while the role of interneurons in cortical microcircuits is complex, they are critical to the initiation of pyramidal cell spike block. We discuss the implications that localized effects on cortical interneurons have beyond the isolated microcircuit and their contribution to CSD and epileptic seizures.
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13
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Cho KF, Gillespie SM, Kalogriopoulos NA, Quezada MA, Jacko M, Monje M, Ting AY. A light-gated transcriptional recorder for detecting cell-cell contacts. eLife 2022; 11:e70881. [PMID: 35311648 PMCID: PMC8937215 DOI: 10.7554/elife.70881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Technologies for detecting cell-cell contacts are powerful tools for studying a wide range of biological processes, from neuronal signaling to cancer-immune interactions within the tumor microenvironment. Here, we report TRACC (Transcriptional Readout Activated by Cell-cell Contacts), a GPCR-based transcriptional recorder of cellular contacts, which converts contact events into stable transgene expression. TRACC is derived from our previous protein-protein interaction recorders, SPARK (Kim et al., 2017) and SPARK2 (Kim et al., 2019), reported in this journal. TRACC incorporates light gating via the light-oxygen-voltage-sensing (LOV) domain, which provides user-defined temporal control of tool activation and reduces background. We show that TRACC detects cell-cell contacts with high specificity and sensitivity in mammalian cell culture and that it can be used to interrogate interactions between neurons and glioma, a form of brain cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelvin F Cho
- Cancer Biology Program, Stanford UniversityStanfordUnited States
- Department of Genetics, Stanford UniversityStanfordUnited States
| | - Shawn M Gillespie
- Cancer Biology Program, Stanford UniversityStanfordUnited States
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford UniversityStanfordUnited States
| | | | - Michael A Quezada
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford UniversityStanfordUnited States
| | | | - Michelle Monje
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford UniversityStanfordUnited States
- Department of Pathology, Stanford UniversityStanfordUnited States
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford UniversityStanfordUnited States
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford UniversityStanfordUnited States
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford UniversityStanfordUnited States
| | - Alice Y Ting
- Department of Genetics, Stanford UniversityStanfordUnited States
- Department of Biology, Stanford UniversityStanfordUnited States
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford UniversityStanfordUnited States
- Chan Zuckerberg BiohubSan FranciscoUnited States
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14
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Anterograde transneuronal tracing and genetic control with engineered yellow fever vaccine YFV-17D. Nat Methods 2021; 18:1542-1551. [PMID: 34824475 PMCID: PMC8665090 DOI: 10.1038/s41592-021-01319-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Transneuronal viruses are powerful tools for tracing neuronal circuits or delivering genes to specific neurons in the brain. While there are multiple retrograde viruses, few anterograde viruses are available. Further, available anterograde viruses often have limitations such as retrograde transport, high neuronal toxicity or weak signals. We developed an anterograde viral system based on a live attenuated vaccine for yellow fever-YFV-17D. Replication- or packaging-deficient mutants of YFV-17D can be reconstituted in the brain, leading to efficient synapse-specific and anterograde-only transneuronal spreading, which can be controlled to achieve either monosynaptic or polysynaptic tracing. Moreover, inducible transient replication of YFV-17D mutant is sufficient to induce permanent transneuronal genetic modifications without causing neuronal toxicity. The engineered YFV-17D systems can be used to express fluorescent markers, sensors or effectors in downstream neurons, thus providing versatile tools for mapping and functionally controlling neuronal circuits.
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15
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Abstract
[Figure: see text].
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Affiliation(s)
- Liqun Luo
- Department of Biology and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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16
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Chen Z, Elowitz MB. Programmable protein circuit design. Cell 2021; 184:2284-2301. [PMID: 33848464 PMCID: PMC8087657 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2021.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2020] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
A fundamental challenge in synthetic biology is to create molecular circuits that can program complex cellular functions. Because proteins can bind, cleave, and chemically modify one another and interface directly and rapidly with endogenous pathways, they could extend the capabilities of synthetic circuits beyond what is possible with gene regulation alone. However, the very diversity that makes proteins so powerful also complicates efforts to harness them as well-controlled synthetic circuit components. Recent work has begun to address this challenge, focusing on principles such as orthogonality and composability that permit construction of diverse circuit-level functions from a limited set of engineered protein components. These approaches are now enabling the engineering of circuits that can sense, transmit, and process information; dynamically control cellular behaviors; and enable new therapeutic strategies, establishing a powerful paradigm for programming biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zibo Chen
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Michael B Elowitz
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA.
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17
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Yin J, Spillman E, Cheng ES, Short J, Chen Y, Lei J, Gibbs M, Rosenthal JS, Sheng C, Chen YX, Veerasammy K, Choetso T, Abzalimov R, Wang B, Han C, He Y, Yuan Q. Brain-specific lipoprotein receptors interact with astrocyte derived apolipoprotein and mediate neuron-glia lipid shuttling. Nat Commun 2021; 12:2408. [PMID: 33893307 PMCID: PMC8065144 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-22751-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Lipid shuttling between neurons and glia contributes to the development, function, and stress responses of the nervous system. To understand how a neuron acquires its lipid supply from specific lipoproteins and their receptors, we perform combined genetic, transcriptome, and biochemical analyses in the developing Drosophila larval brain. Here we report, the astrocyte-derived secreted lipocalin Glial Lazarillo (GLaz), a homolog of human Apolipoprotein D (APOD), and its neuronal receptor, the brain-specific short isoforms of Drosophila lipophorin receptor 1 (LpR1-short), cooperatively mediate neuron-glia lipid shuttling and support dendrite morphogenesis. The isoform specificity of LpR1 defines its distribution, binding partners, and ability to support proper dendrite growth and synaptic connectivity. By demonstrating physical and functional interactions between GLaz/APOD and LpR1, we elucidate molecular pathways mediating lipid trafficking in the fly brain, and provide in vivo evidence indicating isoform-specific expression of lipoprotein receptors as a key mechanism for regulating cell-type specific lipid recruitment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Yin
- Dendrite Morphogenesis and Plasticity Unit, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Emma Spillman
- Dendrite Morphogenesis and Plasticity Unit, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Ethan S Cheng
- Dendrite Morphogenesis and Plasticity Unit, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jacob Short
- Dendrite Morphogenesis and Plasticity Unit, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Yang Chen
- Dendrite Morphogenesis and Plasticity Unit, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jingce Lei
- Dendrite Morphogenesis and Plasticity Unit, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Mary Gibbs
- Dendrite Morphogenesis and Plasticity Unit, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Justin S Rosenthal
- Dendrite Morphogenesis and Plasticity Unit, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Chengyu Sheng
- Dendrite Morphogenesis and Plasticity Unit, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuki X Chen
- The City University of New York, Graduate Center-Advanced Science Research Center, New York, NY, USA
- The City College of New York, CUNY, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kelly Veerasammy
- The City University of New York, Graduate Center-Advanced Science Research Center, New York, NY, USA
- The City College of New York, CUNY, New York, NY, USA
| | - Tenzin Choetso
- The City University of New York, Graduate Center-Advanced Science Research Center, New York, NY, USA
- The City College of New York, CUNY, New York, NY, USA
| | - Rinat Abzalimov
- The City University of New York, Graduate Center-Advanced Science Research Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Bei Wang
- Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology and Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Chun Han
- Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology and Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Ye He
- The City University of New York, Graduate Center-Advanced Science Research Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Quan Yuan
- Dendrite Morphogenesis and Plasticity Unit, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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18
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Changes in Presynaptic Gene Expression during Homeostatic Compensation at a Central Synapse. J Neurosci 2021; 41:3054-3067. [PMID: 33608385 PMCID: PMC8026347 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2979-20.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Revised: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Homeostatic matching of pre- and postsynaptic function has been observed in many species and neural structures, but whether transcriptional changes contribute to this form of trans-synaptic coordination remains unknown. To identify genes whose expression is altered in presynaptic neurons as a result of perturbing postsynaptic excitability, we applied a transcriptomics-friendly, temperature-inducible Kir2.1-based activity clamp at the first synaptic relay of the Drosophila olfactory system, a central synapse known to exhibit trans-synaptic homeostatic matching. Twelve hours after adult-onset suppression of activity in postsynaptic antennal lobe projection neurons of males and females, we detected changes in the expression of many genes in the third antennal segment, which houses the somata of presynaptic olfactory receptor neurons. These changes affected genes with roles in synaptic vesicle release and synaptic remodeling, including several implicated in homeostatic plasticity at the neuromuscular junction. At 48 h and beyond, the transcriptional landscape tilted toward protein synthesis, folding, and degradation; energy metabolism; and cellular stress defenses, indicating that the system had been pushed to its homeostatic limits. Our analysis suggests that similar homeostatic machinery operates at peripheral and central synapses and identifies many of its components. The presynaptic transcriptional response to genetically targeted postsynaptic perturbations could be exploited for the construction of novel connectivity tracing tools. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Homeostatic feedback mechanisms adjust intrinsic and synaptic properties of neurons to keep their average activity levels constant. We show that, at a central synapse in the fruit fly brain, these mechanisms include changes in presynaptic gene expression that are instructed by an abrupt loss of postsynaptic excitability. The trans-synaptically regulated genes have roles in synaptic vesicle release and synapse remodeling; protein synthesis, folding, and degradation; and energy metabolism. Our study establishes a role for transcriptional changes in homeostatic synaptic plasticity, points to mechanistic commonalities between peripheral and central synapses, and potentially opens new opportunities for the development of connectivity-based gene expression systems.
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19
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Ni L. Genetic Transsynaptic Techniques for Mapping Neural Circuits in Drosophila. Front Neural Circuits 2021; 15:749586. [PMID: 34675781 PMCID: PMC8524129 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2021.749586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
A neural circuit is composed of a population of neurons that are interconnected by synapses and carry out a specific function when activated. It is the structural framework for all brain functions. Its impairments often cause diseases in the nervous system. To understand computations and functions in a brain circuit, it is of crucial importance to identify how neurons in this circuit are connected. Genetic transsynaptic techniques provide opportunities to efficiently answer this question. These techniques label synapses or across synapses to unbiasedly label synaptic partners. They allow for mapping neural circuits with high reproducibility and throughput, as well as provide genetic access to synaptically connected neurons that enables visualization and manipulation of these neurons simultaneously. This review focuses on three recently developed Drosophila genetic transsynaptic tools for detecting chemical synapses, highlights their advantages and potential pitfalls, and discusses the future development needs of these techniques.
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20
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Upgrading the Physiological Relevance of Human Brain Organoids. Neuron 2020; 107:1014-1028. [PMID: 32970996 PMCID: PMC10042151 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2020.08.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The recent advent of human pluripotent stem cell (PSC)-derived 3D brain organoids has opened a window into aspects of human brain development that were not accessible before, allowing tractable monitoring and assessment of early developmental processes. However, their broad and effective use for modeling later stages of human brain development and disease is hampered by the lack of a stereotypic anatomical organization, which limits maturation processes dependent upon formation of unique cellular interactions and short- and long-range network connectivity. Emerging methods and technologies aimed at tighter regulatory control through bioengineering approaches, along with newer unbiased organoid analysis readouts, should resolve several of the current limitations. Here, we review recent advances in brain organoid generation and characterization with a focus on highlighting future directions utilizing interdisciplinary strategies that will be important for improving the physiological relevance of this model system.
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21
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Cachero S, Gkantia M, Bates AS, Frechter S, Blackie L, McCarthy A, Sutcliffe B, Strano A, Aso Y, Jefferis GSXE. BAcTrace, a tool for retrograde tracing of neuronal circuits in Drosophila. Nat Methods 2020; 17:1254-1261. [PMID: 33139893 PMCID: PMC7610425 DOI: 10.1038/s41592-020-00989-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Animal behavior is encoded in neuronal circuits in the brain. To elucidate the function of these circuits, it is necessary to identify, record from and manipulate networks of connected neurons. Here we present BAcTrace (Botulinum Activated Tracer), a genetically encoded, retro-grade, transsynaptic labelling system. BAcTrace is based on C. botulinum neurotoxin A, Botox, which we have engineered to travel retrogradely between neurons to activate an otherwise silent transcription factor. We validate BAcTrace at three neuronal connections in the Drosophila olfactory system. We show that BAcTrace-mediated labeling allows electrophysiological recordings of connected neurons. Finally, in a challenging circuit with highly divergent connections, BAcTrace correctly identifies 12 out of 16 connections, which were previously observed by electron microscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Cachero
- Neurobiology Division, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Marina Gkantia
- Neurobiology Division, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, UK
| | - Alexander S Bates
- Neurobiology Division, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, UK
| | - Shahar Frechter
- Neurobiology Division, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, UK
| | - Laura Blackie
- Neurobiology Division, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, UK.,MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Amy McCarthy
- Neurobiology Division, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, UK.,Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Ben Sutcliffe
- Neurobiology Division, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, UK
| | - Alessio Strano
- Neurobiology Division, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, UK.,Department of Cancer and Developmental Biology & Zayed Centre for Research into Rare Disease in Children, University College London, London, UK
| | - Yoshinori Aso
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA, USA
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22
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Translation elongation factor 2 depletion by siRNA in mouse liver leads to mTOR-independent translational upregulation of ribosomal protein genes. Sci Rep 2020; 10:15473. [PMID: 32968084 PMCID: PMC7511953 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-72399-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to breakthroughs in RNAi and genome editing methods in the past decade, it is now easier than ever to study fine details of protein synthesis in animal models. However, most of our understanding of translation comes from unicellular organisms and cultured mammalian cells. In this study, we demonstrate the feasibility of perturbing protein synthesis in a mouse liver by targeting translation elongation factor 2 (eEF2) with RNAi. We were able to achieve over 90% knockdown efficacy and maintain it for 2 weeks effectively slowing down the rate of translation elongation. As the total protein yield declined, both proteomics and ribosome profiling assays showed robust translational upregulation of ribosomal proteins relative to other proteins. Although all these genes bear the TOP regulatory motif, the branch of the mTOR pathway responsible for translation regulation was not activated. Paradoxically, coordinated translational upregulation of ribosomal proteins only occurred in the liver but not in murine cell culture. Thus, the upregulation of ribosomal transcripts likely occurred via passive mTOR-independent mechanisms. Impaired elongation sequesters ribosomes on mRNA and creates a shortage of free ribosomes. This leads to preferential translation of transcripts with high initiation rates such as ribosomal proteins. Furthermore, severe eEF2 shortage reduces the negative impact of positively charged amino acids frequent in ribosomal proteins on ribosome progression.
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23
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Luo L, Callaway EM, Svoboda K. Genetic Dissection of Neural Circuits: A Decade of Progress. Neuron 2019; 98:256-281. [PMID: 29673479 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2018.03.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 231] [Impact Index Per Article: 46.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2018] [Revised: 03/16/2018] [Accepted: 03/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Tremendous progress has been made since Neuron published our Primer on genetic dissection of neural circuits 10 years ago. Since then, cell-type-specific anatomical, neurophysiological, and perturbation studies have been carried out in a multitude of invertebrate and vertebrate organisms, linking neurons and circuits to behavioral functions. New methods allow systematic classification of cell types and provide genetic access to diverse neuronal types for studies of connectivity and neural coding during behavior. Here we evaluate key advances over the past decade and discuss future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liqun Luo
- Department of Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Edward M Callaway
- Systems Neurobiology Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
| | - Karel Svoboda
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Janelia Research Campus, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA
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24
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Abstract
A handful of core intercellular signaling pathways play pivotal roles in a broad variety of developmental processes. It has remained puzzling how so few pathways can provide the precision and specificity of cell-cell communication required for multicellular development. Solving this requires us to quantitatively understand how developmentally relevant signaling information is actively sensed, transformed and spatially distributed by signaling pathways. Recently, single cell analysis and cell-based reconstitution, among other approaches, have begun to reveal the 'communication codes' through which information is represented in the identities, concentrations, combinations and dynamics of extracellular ligands. They have also revealed how signaling pathways decipher these features and control the spatial distribution of signaling in multicellular contexts. Here, we review recent work reporting the discovery and analysis of communication codes and discuss their implications for diverse developmental processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pulin Li
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Michael B Elowitz
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
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25
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Guo C, Pan Y, Gong Z. Recent Advances in the Genetic Dissection of Neural Circuits in Drosophila. Neurosci Bull 2019; 35:1058-1072. [PMID: 31119647 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-019-00390-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2018] [Accepted: 12/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Nervous systems endow animals with cognition and behavior. To understand how nervous systems control behavior, neural circuits mediating distinct functions need to be identified and characterized. With superior genetic manipulability, Drosophila is a model organism at the leading edge of neural circuit analysis. We briefly introduce the state-of-the-art genetic tools that permit precise labeling of neurons and their interconnectivity and investigating what is happening in the brain of a behaving animal and manipulating neurons to determine how behaviors are affected. Brain-wide wiring diagrams, created by light and electron microscopy, bring neural circuit analysis to a new level and scale. Studies enabled by these tools advances our understanding of the nervous system in relation to cognition and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Guo
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease of the Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Life Sciences, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China.
| | - Yufeng Pan
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease of the Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Life Sciences, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China
| | - Zhefeng Gong
- Department of Neurobiology, Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology of the Ministry of Health of China, Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
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26
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Nässel DR, Zandawala M. Recent advances in neuropeptide signaling in Drosophila, from genes to physiology and behavior. Prog Neurobiol 2019; 179:101607. [PMID: 30905728 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2019.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 175] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2018] [Revised: 02/18/2019] [Accepted: 02/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
This review focuses on neuropeptides and peptide hormones, the largest and most diverse class of neuroactive substances, known in Drosophila and other animals to play roles in almost all aspects of daily life, as w;1;ell as in developmental processes. We provide an update on novel neuropeptides and receptors identified in the last decade, and highlight progress in analysis of neuropeptide signaling in Drosophila. Especially exciting is the huge amount of work published on novel functions of neuropeptides and peptide hormones in Drosophila, largely due to the rapid developments of powerful genetic methods, imaging techniques and innovative assays. We critically discuss the roles of peptides in olfaction, taste, foraging, feeding, clock function/sleep, aggression, mating/reproduction, learning and other behaviors, as well as in regulation of development, growth, metabolic and water homeostasis, stress responses, fecundity, and lifespan. We furthermore provide novel information on neuropeptide distribution and organization of peptidergic systems, as well as the phylogenetic relations between Drosophila neuropeptides and those of other phyla, including mammals. As will be shown, neuropeptide signaling is phylogenetically ancient, and not only are the structures of the peptides, precursors and receptors conserved over evolution, but also many functions of neuropeptide signaling in physiology and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dick R Nässel
- Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Meet Zandawala
- Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Neuroscience, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.
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27
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Petruccelli E, Kaun KR. Insights from intoxicated Drosophila. Alcohol 2019; 74:21-27. [PMID: 29980341 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2018.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2018] [Revised: 03/14/2018] [Accepted: 03/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Our understanding of alcohol use disorder (AUD), particularly alcohol's effects on the nervous system, has unquestionably benefited from the use of model systems such as Drosophila melanogaster. Here, we briefly introduce the use of flies in alcohol research, and highlight the genetic accessibility and neurobiological contribution that flies have made to our understanding of AUD. Future fly research offers unique opportunities for addressing unresolved questions in the alcohol field, such as the neuromolecular and circuit basis for cravings and alcohol-induced neuroimmune dysfunction. This review strongly advocates for interdisciplinary approaches and translational collaborations with the united goal of confronting the major health problems associated with alcohol abuse and addiction.
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28
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Franconville R, Beron C, Jayaraman V. Building a functional connectome of the Drosophila central complex. eLife 2018; 7:e37017. [PMID: 30124430 PMCID: PMC6150698 DOI: 10.7554/elife.37017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2018] [Accepted: 08/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The central complex is a highly conserved insect brain region composed of morphologically stereotyped neurons that arborize in distinctively shaped substructures. The region is implicated in a wide range of behaviors and several modeling studies have explored its circuit computations. Most studies have relied on assumptions about connectivity between neurons based on their overlap in light microscopy images. Here, we present an extensive functional connectome of Drosophila melanogaster's central complex at cell-type resolution. Using simultaneous optogenetic stimulation, calcium imaging and pharmacology, we tested the connectivity between 70 presynaptic-to-postsynaptic cell-type pairs. We identified numerous inputs to the central complex, but only a small number of output channels. Additionally, the connectivity of this highly recurrent circuit appears to be sparser than anticipated from light microscopy images. Finally, the connectivity matrix highlights the potentially critical role of a class of bottleneck interneurons. All data are provided for interactive exploration on a website.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Celia Beron
- Janelia Research CampusHoward Hughes Medical InstituteAshburnUnited States
| | - Vivek Jayaraman
- Janelia Research CampusHoward Hughes Medical InstituteAshburnUnited States
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29
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Clark MQ, Zarin AA, Carreira-Rosario A, Doe CQ. Neural circuits driving larval locomotion in Drosophila. Neural Dev 2018; 13:6. [PMID: 29673388 PMCID: PMC5907184 DOI: 10.1186/s13064-018-0103-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2018] [Accepted: 04/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
More than 30 years of studies into Drosophila melanogaster neurogenesis have revealed fundamental insights into our understanding of axon guidance mechanisms, neural differentiation, and early cell fate decisions. What is less understood is how a group of neurons from disparate anterior-posterior axial positions, lineages and developmental periods of neurogenesis coalesce to form a functional circuit. Using neurogenetic techniques developed in Drosophila it is now possible to study the neural substrates of behavior at single cell resolution. New mapping tools described in this review, allow researchers to chart neural connectivity to better understand how an anatomically simple organism performs complex behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Q Clark
- Institute of Neuroscience, Institute of Molecular Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, 97403, USA
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasedena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Aref Arzan Zarin
- Institute of Neuroscience, Institute of Molecular Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, 97403, USA
| | | | - Chris Q Doe
- Institute of Neuroscience, Institute of Molecular Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, 97403, USA.
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