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Clayworth K, Gilbert M, Auld V. Cell Biology Techniques for Studying Drosophila Peripheral Glial Cells. Cold Spring Harb Protoc 2024; 2024:pdb.top108159. [PMID: 37399179 DOI: 10.1101/pdb.top108159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
Glial cells are essential for the proper development and functioning of the peripheral nervous system (PNS). The ability to study the biology of glial cells is therefore critical for our ability to understand PNS biology and address PNS maladies. The genetic and proteomic pathways underlying vertebrate peripheral glial biology are understandably complex, with many layers of redundancy making it sometimes difficult to study certain facets of PNS biology. Fortunately, many aspects of vertebrate peripheral glial biology are conserved with those of the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster With simple and powerful genetic tools and fast generation times, Drosophila presents an accessible and versatile model for studying the biology of peripheral glia. We introduce here three techniques for studying the cell biology of peripheral glia of Drosophila third-instar larvae. With fine dissection tools and common laboratory reagents, third-instar larvae can be dissected, with extraneous tissues removed, revealing the central nervous system (CNS) and PNS to be processed using a standard immunolabeling protocol. To improve the resolution of peripheral nerves in the z-plane, we describe a cryosectioning method to achieve 10- to 20-µm thick coronal sections of whole larvae, which can then be immunolabeled using a modified version of standard immunolabeling techniques. Finally, we describe a proximity ligation assay (PLA) for detecting close proximity between two proteins-thus inferring protein interaction-in vivo in third-instar larvae. These methods, further described in our associated protocols, can be used to improve our understanding of Drosophila peripheral glia biology, and thus our understanding of PNS biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Clayworth
- Department of Zoology, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Mary Gilbert
- Department of Zoology, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Vanessa Auld
- Department of Zoology, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada
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2
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Sun Y, Xiao Z, Chen B, Zhao Y, Dai J. Advances in Material-Assisted Electromagnetic Neural Stimulation. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2400346. [PMID: 38594598 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202400346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Bioelectricity plays a crucial role in organisms, being closely connected to neural activity and physiological processes. Disruptions in the nervous system can lead to chaotic ionic currents at the injured site, causing disturbances in the local cellular microenvironment, impairing biological pathways, and resulting in a loss of neural functions. Electromagnetic stimulation has the ability to generate internal currents, which can be utilized to counter tissue damage and aid in the restoration of movement in paralyzed limbs. By incorporating implanted materials, electromagnetic stimulation can be targeted more accurately, thereby significantly improving the effectiveness and safety of such interventions. Currently, there have been significant advancements in the development of numerous promising electromagnetic stimulation strategies with diverse materials. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the fundamental theories, neural stimulation modulating materials, material application strategies, and pre-clinical therapeutic effects associated with electromagnetic stimulation for neural repair. It offers a thorough analysis of current techniques that employ materials to enhance electromagnetic stimulation, as well as potential therapeutic strategies for future applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuting Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Zhifeng Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Bing Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Yannan Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Jianwu Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300192, China
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3
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Mitra R, Richhariya S, Hasan G. Orai-mediated calcium entry determines activity of central dopaminergic neurons by regulation of gene expression. eLife 2024; 12:RP88808. [PMID: 38289659 PMCID: PMC10945566 DOI: 10.7554/elife.88808] [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] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Maturation and fine-tuning of neural circuits frequently require neuromodulatory signals that set the excitability threshold, neuronal connectivity, and synaptic strength. Here, we present a mechanistic study of how neuromodulator-stimulated intracellular Ca2+ signals, through the store-operated Ca2+ channel Orai, regulate intrinsic neuronal properties by control of developmental gene expression in flight-promoting central dopaminergic neurons (fpDANs). The fpDANs receive cholinergic inputs for release of dopamine at a central brain tripartite synapse that sustains flight (Sharma and Hasan, 2020). Cholinergic inputs act on the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor to stimulate intracellular Ca2+ release through the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) localised inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor followed by ER-store depletion and Orai-mediated store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE). Analysis of gene expression in fpDANs followed by genetic, cellular, and molecular studies identified Orai-mediated Ca2+ entry as a key regulator of excitability in fpDANs during circuit maturation. SOCE activates the transcription factor trithorax-like (Trl), which in turn drives expression of a set of genes, including Set2, that encodes a histone 3 lysine 36 methyltransferase (H3K36me3). Set2 function establishes a positive feedback loop, essential for receiving neuromodulatory cholinergic inputs and sustaining SOCE. Chromatin-modifying activity of Set2 changes the epigenetic status of fpDANs and drives expression of key ion channel and signalling genes that determine fpDAN activity. Loss of activity reduces the axonal arborisation of fpDANs within the MB lobe and prevents dopamine release required for the maintenance of long flight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rishav Mitra
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental ResearchBangaloreIndia
| | - Shlesha Richhariya
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental ResearchBangaloreIndia
- Department of Biology, Brandeis UniversityWalthamUnited States
| | - Gaiti Hasan
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental ResearchBangaloreIndia
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Yadav V, Mishra R, Das P, Arya R. Cut homeodomain transcription factor is a novel regulator of growth and morphogenesis of cortex glia niche around neural cells. Genetics 2024; 226:iyad173. [PMID: 37751321 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyad173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Cortex glia in Drosophila central nervous system form a niche around neural cells for necessary signals to establish cross talk with their surroundings. These cells grow and expand their thin processes around neural cell bodies. Although essential for the development and function of the nervous system, how these cells make extensive and intricate connected networks remains largely unknown. In this study, we show that Cut, a homeodomain transcription factor, directly regulates the fate of the cortex glia, impacting neural stem cell (NSC) homeostasis. Focusing on the thoracic ventral nerve cord, we found that Cut is required for the normal growth and development of cortex glia and timely increase in DNA content through endocycle to later divide via acytokinetic mitosis. Knockdown of Cut in cortex glia significantly reduces the growth of cellular processes, the network around NSCs, and their progeny's cell bodies. Conversely, overexpression of Cut induces overall growth of the main processes at the expense of side ones. Whereas the Cut knockdown slows down the timely increase of DNA, the Cut overexpression results in a significant increase in nuclear size and volume and a 3-fold increase in DNA content of cortex glia. Further, we note that constitutively high Cut also interfered with nuclei separation during acytokinetic mitosis. Since the cortex glia form syncytial networks around neural cells, the finding identifies Cut as a novel regulator of glial growth and variant cell cycles to support a functional nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vaishali Yadav
- Cytogenetics Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India
| | - Ramkrishna Mishra
- Cytogenetics Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India
| | - Papri Das
- Cytogenetics Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India
| | - Richa Arya
- Cytogenetics Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India
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5
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Watanabe A, Guo C, Sjöström PJ. The developmental profile of visual cortex astrocytes. iScience 2023; 26:106828. [PMID: 37250801 PMCID: PMC10212985 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106828] [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: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
We investigated how astrocytes in layer 5 mouse visual cortex mature over postnatal days (P) 3-50. Across this age range, resting membrane potential increased, input resistance decreased, and membrane responses became more passive with age. Two-photon (2p) and confocal imaging of dye-loaded cells revealed that gap-junction coupling increased starting ∼P7. Morphological reconstructions revealed increased branch density but shorter branches after P20, suggesting that astrocyte branches may get pruned as tiling is established. Finally, we visualized spontaneous Ca2+ transients with 2p microscopy and found that Ca2+ events decorrelated, became more frequent and briefer with age. As astrocytes mature, spontaneous Ca2+ activity thus changes from relatively cell-wide, synchronous waves to local transients. Several astrocyte properties were stably mature from ∼P15, coinciding with eye opening, although morphology continued to develop. Our findings provide a descriptive foundation of astrocyte maturation, useful for the study of astrocytic impact on visual cortex critical period plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Airi Watanabe
- Centre for Research in Neuroscience, Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience Program, Department of Medicine, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal General Hospital, Montreal, QC H3G 1A4, Canada
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, Irving Ludmer Building, McGill University, 1033 Pine Avenue West, Montreal, QC H3A 1A1, Canada
| | - Connie Guo
- Centre for Research in Neuroscience, Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience Program, Department of Medicine, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal General Hospital, Montreal, QC H3G 1A4, Canada
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, McGill University, Strathcona Anatomy and Dentistry Building, 3640 University Street, Montreal, QC H3A 0C7, Canada
| | - Per Jesper Sjöström
- Centre for Research in Neuroscience, Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience Program, Department of Medicine, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal General Hospital, Montreal, QC H3G 1A4, Canada
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6
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Contreras EG, Klämbt C. The Drosophila blood-brain barrier emerges as a model for understanding human brain diseases. Neurobiol Dis 2023; 180:106071. [PMID: 36898613 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106071] [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: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The accurate regulation of the microenvironment within the nervous system is one of the key features characterizing complex organisms. To this end, neural tissue has to be physically separated from circulation, but at the same time, mechanisms must be in place to allow controlled transport of nutrients and macromolecules into and out of the brain. These roles are executed by cells of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) found at the interface of circulation and neural tissue. BBB dysfunction is observed in several neurological diseases in human. Although this can be considered as a consequence of diseases, strong evidence supports the notion that BBB dysfunction can promote the progression of brain disorders. In this review, we compile the recent evidence describing the contribution of the Drosophila BBB to the further understanding of brain disease features in human patients. We discuss the function of the Drosophila BBB during infection and inflammation, drug clearance and addictions, sleep, chronic neurodegenerative disorders and epilepsy. In summary, this evidence suggests that the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, can be successfully employed as a model to disentangle mechanisms underlying human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esteban G Contreras
- University of Münster, Institute of Neuro- and Behavioral Biology, Badestr. 9, Münster, Germany.
| | - Christian Klämbt
- University of Münster, Institute of Neuro- and Behavioral Biology, Badestr. 9, Münster, Germany.
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7
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SIK3 and Wnk converge on Fray to regulate glial K+ buffering and seizure susceptibility. PLoS Genet 2023; 19:e1010581. [PMID: 36626385 PMCID: PMC9870106 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Glial cells play a critical role in maintaining homeostatic ion concentration gradients. Salt-inducible kinase 3 (SIK3) regulates a gene expression program that controls K+ buffering in glia, and upregulation of this pathway suppresses seizure behavior in the eag, Shaker hyperexcitability mutant. Here we show that boosting the glial SIK3 K+ buffering pathway suppresses seizures in three additional molecularly diverse hyperexcitable mutants, highlighting the therapeutic potential of upregulating glial K+ buffering. We then explore additional mechanisms regulating glial K+ buffering. Fray, a transcriptional target of the SIK3 K+ buffering program, is a kinase that promotes K+ uptake by activating the Na+/K+/Cl- co-transporter, Ncc69. We show that the Wnk kinase phosphorylates Fray in Drosophila glia and that this activity is required to promote K+ buffering. This identifies Fray as a convergence point between the SIK3-dependent transcriptional program and Wnk-dependent post-translational regulation. Bypassing both regulatory mechanisms via overexpression of a constitutively active Fray in glia is sufficient to robustly suppress seizure behavior in multiple Drosophila models of hyperexcitability. Finally, we identify cortex glia as a critical cell type for regulation of seizure susceptibility, as boosting K+ buffering via expression of activated Fray exclusively in these cells is sufficient to suppress seizure behavior. These findings highlight Fray as a key convergence point for distinct K+ buffering regulatory mechanisms and cortex glia as an important locus for control of neuronal excitability.
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8
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Calvin-Cejudo L, Martin F, Mendez LR, Coya R, Castañeda-Sampedro A, Gomez-Diaz C, Alcorta E. Neuron-glia interaction at the receptor level affects olfactory perception in adult Drosophila. iScience 2022; 26:105837. [PMID: 36624835 PMCID: PMC9823236 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.105837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Some types of glia play an active role in neuronal signaling by modifying their activity although little is known about their role in sensory information signaling at the receptor level. In this research, we report a functional role for the glia that surround the soma of the olfactory receptor neurons (OSNs) in adult Drosophila. Specific genetic modifications have been targeted to this cell type to obtain live individuals who are tested for olfactory preference and display changes both increasing and reducing sensitivity. A closer look at the antenna by Ca2+ imaging shows that odor activates the OSNs, which subsequently produce an opposite and smaller effect in the glia that partially counterbalances neuronal activation. Therefore, these glia may play a dual role in preventing excessive activation of the OSNs at high odorant concentrations and tuning the chemosensory window for the individual according to the network structure in the receptor organ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Calvin-Cejudo
- Group of Neurobiology of the Sensory Systems (NEUROSEN), Department of Functional Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oviedo, 33006 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Fernando Martin
- Group of Neurobiology of the Sensory Systems (NEUROSEN), Department of Functional Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oviedo, 33006 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Luis R. Mendez
- Group of Neurobiology of the Sensory Systems (NEUROSEN), Department of Functional Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oviedo, 33006 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Ruth Coya
- Group of Neurobiology of the Sensory Systems (NEUROSEN), Department of Functional Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oviedo, 33006 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Ana Castañeda-Sampedro
- Group of Neurobiology of the Sensory Systems (NEUROSEN), Department of Functional Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oviedo, 33006 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Carolina Gomez-Diaz
- Group of Neurobiology of the Sensory Systems (NEUROSEN), Department of Functional Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oviedo, 33006 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Esther Alcorta
- Group of Neurobiology of the Sensory Systems (NEUROSEN), Department of Functional Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oviedo, 33006 Oviedo, Spain
- Corresponding author
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9
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De Backer JF, Grunwald Kadow IC. A role for glia in cellular and systemic metabolism: insights from the fly. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2022; 53:100947. [PMID: 35772690 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2022.100947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Revised: 06/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Excitability and synaptic transmission make neurons high-energy consumers. However, neurons do not store carbohydrates or lipids. Instead, they need support cells to fuel their metabolic demands. This role is assumed by glia, both in vertebrates and invertebrates. Many questions remain regarding the coupling between neuronal activity and energy demand on the one hand, and nutrient supply by glia on the other hand. Here, we review recent advances showing that fly glia, similar to their role in vertebrates, fuel neurons in times of high energetic demand, such as during memory formation and long-term storage. Vertebrate glia also play a role in the modulation of neurons, their communication, and behavior, including food search and feeding. We discuss recent literature pointing to similar roles of fly glia in behavior and metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-François De Backer
- Technical University of Munich, School of Life Sciences, Liesel-Beckmann-Str. 4, 85354 Freising, Germany; University of Bonn, Faculty of Medicine, UKB, Institute of Physiology II, Nussallee 11, 53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - Ilona C Grunwald Kadow
- Technical University of Munich, School of Life Sciences, Liesel-Beckmann-Str. 4, 85354 Freising, Germany; University of Bonn, Faculty of Medicine, UKB, Institute of Physiology II, Nussallee 11, 53115 Bonn, Germany.
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10
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Interplay between metabolic energy regulation and memory pathways in Drosophila. Trends Neurosci 2022; 45:539-549. [PMID: 35597687 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2022.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2022] [Revised: 04/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Regulating energy metabolism is critical to maintain homeostasis of cellular and systemic functions. In the brain, specialised centres for energy storage regulation finely communicate with the periphery and integrate signals about internal states. As a result, the behavioural responses can be directly adjusted accordingly to the energetic demands. In the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, one of these regulatory centres is the mushroom bodies (MBs), a brain region involved in olfactory memory. The integration of metabolic cues by the MBs has a crucial impact on learned behaviour. In this review, we explore recent advances supporting the interplay between energy metabolism and memory establishment, as well as the instructive role of energy during the switch between memory phases.
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11
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Arkov AL. Looking at the Pretty "Phase" of Membraneless Organelles: A View From Drosophila Glia. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:801953. [PMID: 35198559 PMCID: PMC8859445 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.801953] [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: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Membraneless granules assemble in different cell types and cellular loci and are the focus of intense research due to their fundamental importance for cellular organization. These dynamic organelles are commonly assembled from RNA and protein components and exhibit soft matter characteristics of molecular condensates currently characterized with biophysical approaches and super-resolution microscopy imaging. In addition, research on the molecular mechanisms of the RNA-protein granules assembly provided insights into the formation of abnormal granules and molecular aggregates, which takes place during many neurodegenerative disorders including Parkinson's diseases (PD), Alzheimer's disease (AD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). While these disorders are associated with formation of abnormal granules, membraneless organelles are normally assembled in neurons and contribute to translational control and affect stability of neuronal RNAs. More recently, a new subtype of membraneless granules was identified in Drosophila glia (glial granules). Interestingly, glial granules were found to contain proteins which are the principal components of the membraneless granules in germ cells (germ granules), indicating some similarity in the functional assembly of these structures in glia and germline. This mini review highlights recent research on glial granules in the context of other membraneless organelles, including their assembly mechanisms and potential functions in the nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexey L Arkov
- Department of Biological Sciences, Murray State University, Murray, KY, United States
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12
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Ormerod KG, Scibelli AE, Littleton JT. Regulation of excitation-contraction coupling at the Drosophila neuromuscular junction. J Physiol 2021; 600:349-372. [PMID: 34788476 DOI: 10.1113/jp282092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The Drosophila neuromuscular system is widely used to characterize synaptic development and function. However, little is known about how specific synaptic alterations effect neuromuscular transduction and muscle contractility, which ultimately dictate behavioural output. Here we develop and use a force transducer system to characterize excitation-contraction coupling at Drosophila larval neuromuscular junctions (NMJs), examining how specific neuronal and muscle manipulations disrupt muscle contractility. Muscle contraction force increased with motoneuron stimulation frequency and duration, showing considerable plasticity between 5 and 40 Hz and saturating above 50 Hz. Endogenous recordings of fictive contractions revealed average motoneuron burst frequencies of 20-30 Hz, consistent with the system operating within this plastic range of contractility. Temperature was also a key factor in muscle contractility, as force was enhanced at lower temperatures and dramatically reduced with increasing temperatures. Pharmacological and genetic manipulations of critical components of Ca2+ regulation in both pre- and postsynaptic compartments affected the strength and time course of muscle contractions. A screen for modulators of muscle contractility led to identification and characterization of the molecular and cellular pathway by which the FMRFa peptide, TPAEDFMRFa, increases muscle performance. These findings indicate Drosophila NMJs provide a robust system to correlate synaptic dysfunction, regulation and modulation to alterations in excitation-contraction coupling. KEY POINTS: Larval muscle contraction force increases with stimulation frequency and duration, revealing substantial plasticity between 5 and 40 Hz. Fictive contraction recordings demonstrate endogenous motoneuron burst frequencies consistent with the neuromuscular system operating within the range of greatest plasticity. Genetic and pharmacological manipulations of critical components of pre- and postsynaptic Ca2+ regulation significantly affect the strength and time course of muscle contractions. A screen for modulators of the excitation-contraction machinery identified a FMRFa peptide, TPAEDFMRFa and its associated signalling pathway, that dramatically increases muscle performance. Drosophila serves as an excellent model for dissecting components of the excitation-contraction coupling machinery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiel G Ormerod
- The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Department of Biology, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - J Troy Littleton
- The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Department of Biology, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
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13
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Orts-Del'Immagine A, Dhanasekar M, Lejeune FX, Roussel J, Wyart C. A norepinephrine-dependent glial calcium wave travels in the spinal cord upon acoustovestibular stimuli. Glia 2021; 70:491-507. [PMID: 34773299 DOI: 10.1002/glia.24118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Although calcium waves have been widely observed in glial cells, their occurrence in vivo during behavior remains less understood. Here, we investigated the recruitment of glial cells in the hindbrain and spinal cord after acousto-vestibular (AV) stimuli triggering escape responses using in vivo population calcium imaging in larval zebrafish. We observed that gap-junction-coupled spinal glial network exhibits large and homogenous calcium increases that rose in the rostral spinal cord and propagated bi-directionally toward the spinal cord and toward the hindbrain. Spinal glial calcium waves were driven by the recruitment of neurons and in particular, of noradrenergic signaling acting through α-adrenergic receptors. Noradrenergic neurons of the medulla-oblongata (NE-MO) were revealed in the vicinity of where the calcium wave started. NE-MO were recruited upon AV stimulation and sent dense axonal projections in the rostro-lateral spinal cord, suggesting these cells could trigger the glial wave to propagate down the spinal cord. Altogether, our results revealed that a simple AV stimulation is sufficient to recruit noradrenergic neurons in the brainstem that trigger in the rostral spinal cord two massive glial calcium waves, one traveling caudally in the spinal cord and another rostrally into the hindbrain.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Claire Wyart
- Institut du cerveau, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
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14
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Weiss S, Clamon LC, Manoim JE, Ormerod KG, Parnas M, Littleton JT. Glial ER and GAP junction mediated Ca 2+ waves are crucial to maintain normal brain excitability. Glia 2021; 70:123-144. [PMID: 34528727 DOI: 10.1002/glia.24092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Revised: 08/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Astrocytes play key roles in regulating multiple aspects of neuronal function from invertebrates to humans and display Ca2+ fluctuations that are heterogeneously distributed throughout different cellular microdomains. Changes in Ca2+ dynamics represent a key mechanism for how astrocytes modulate neuronal activity. An unresolved issue is the origin and contribution of specific glial Ca2+ signaling components at distinct astrocytic domains to neuronal physiology and brain function. The Drosophila model system offers a simple nervous system that is highly amenable to cell-specific genetic manipulations to characterize the role of glial Ca2+ signaling. Here we identify a role for ER store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) pathway in perineurial glia (PG), a glial population that contributes to the Drosophila blood-brain barrier. We show that PG cells display diverse Ca2+ activity that varies based on their locale within the brain. Ca2+ signaling in PG cells does not require extracellular Ca2+ and is blocked by inhibition of SOCE, Ryanodine receptors, or gap junctions. Disruption of these components triggers stimuli-induced seizure-like episodes. These findings indicate that Ca2+ release from internal stores and its propagation between neighboring glial cells via gap junctions are essential for maintaining normal nervous system function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shirley Weiss
- The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Lauren C Clamon
- The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Julia E Manoim
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Kiel G Ormerod
- The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Moshe Parnas
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - J Troy Littleton
- The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
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15
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Glial glucose fuels the neuronal pentose phosphate pathway for long-term memory. Cell Rep 2021; 36:109620. [PMID: 34433052 PMCID: PMC8411112 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain function relies almost solely on glucose as an energy substrate. The main model of brain metabolism proposes that glucose is taken up and converted into lactate by astrocytes to fuel the energy-demanding neuronal activity underlying plasticity and memory. Whether direct neuronal glucose uptake is required for memory formation remains elusive. We uncover, in Drosophila, a mechanism of glucose shuttling to neurons from cortex glia, an exclusively perisomatic glial subtype, upon formation of olfactory long-term memory (LTM). In vivo imaging reveals that, downstream of cholinergic activation of cortex glia, autocrine insulin signaling increases glucose concentration in glia. Glucose is then transferred from glia to the neuronal somata in the olfactory memory center to fuel the pentose phosphate pathway and allow LTM formation. In contrast, our results indicate that the increase in neuronal glucose metabolism, although crucial for LTM formation, is not routed to glycolysis. Neuronal glucose metabolism is increased upon long-term memory formation Glial cells shuttle glucose to neurons following insulin signaling activation Glucose fuels the neuronal pentose phosphate pathway
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16
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Lim EY, Ye L, Paukert M. Potential and Realized Impact of Astroglia Ca 2 + Dynamics on Circuit Function and Behavior. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:682888. [PMID: 34163330 PMCID: PMC8215280 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.682888] [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: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Astroglia display a wide range of spontaneous and behavioral state-dependent Ca2+ dynamics. During heightened vigilance, noradrenergic signaling leads to quasi-synchronous Ca2+ elevations encompassing soma and processes across the brain-wide astroglia network. Distinct from this vigilance-associated global Ca2+ rise are apparently spontaneous fluctuations within spatially restricted microdomains. Over the years, several strategies have been pursued to shed light on the physiological impact of these signals including deletion of endogenous ion channels or receptors and reduction of intracellular Ca2+ through buffering, extrusion or inhibition of release. Some experiments that revealed the most compelling behavioral alterations employed chemogenetic and optogenetic manipulations to modify astroglia Ca2+ signaling. However, there is considerable contrast between these findings and the comparatively modest effects of inhibiting endogenous sources of Ca2+. In this review, we describe the underlying mechanisms of various forms of astroglia Ca2+ signaling as well as the functional consequences of their inhibition. We then discuss how the effects of exogenous astroglia Ca2+ modification combined with our knowledge of physiological mechanisms of astroglia Ca2+ activation could guide further refinement of behavioral paradigms that will help elucidate the natural Ca2+-dependent function of astroglia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eunice Y. Lim
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States,Center for Biomedical Neuroscience, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Liang Ye
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Martin Paukert
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States,Center for Biomedical Neuroscience, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States,*Correspondence: Martin Paukert,
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17
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Hidalgo S, Campusano JM, Hodge JJL. The Drosophila ortholog of the schizophrenia-associated CACNA1A and CACNA1B voltage-gated calcium channels regulate memory, sleep and circadian rhythms. Neurobiol Dis 2021; 155:105394. [PMID: 34015490 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2021.105394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia exhibits up to 80% heritability. A number of genome wide association studies (GWAS) have repeatedly shown common variants in voltage-gated calcium (Cav) channel genes CACNA1C, CACNA1I and CACNA1G have a major contribution to the risk of the disease. More recently, studies using whole exome sequencing have also found that CACNA1B (Cav2.2 N-type) deletions and rare disruptive variants in CACNA1A (Cav2.1 P/Q-type) are associated with schizophrenia. The negative symptoms of schizophrenia include behavioural defects such as impaired memory, sleep and circadian rhythms. It is not known how variants in schizophrenia-associated genes contribute to cognitive and behavioural symptoms, thus hampering the development of treatment for schizophrenia symptoms. In order to address this knowledge gap, we studied behavioural phenotypes in a number of loss of function mutants for the Drosophila ortholog of the Cav2 gene family called cacophony (cac). cac mutants showed several behavioural features including decreased night-time sleep and hyperactivity similar to those reported in human patients. The change in timing of sleep-wake cycles suggested disrupted circadian rhythms, with the loss of night-time sleep being caused by loss of cac just in the circadian clock neurons. These animals also showed a reduction in rhythmic circadian behaviour a phenotype that also could be mapped to the central clock. Furthermore, reduction of cac just in the clock resulted in a lengthening of the 24 h period. In order to understand how loss of Cav2 function may lead to cognitive deficits and underlying cellular pathophysiology we targeted loss of function of cac to the memory centre of the fly, called the mushroom bodies (MB). This manipulation was sufficient to cause reduction in both short- and intermediate-term associative memory. Memory impairment was accompanied by a decrease in Ca2+ transients in response to a depolarizing stimulus, imaged in the MB presynaptic terminals. This work shows loss of cac Cav2 channel function alone causes a number of cognitive and behavioural deficits and underlying reduced neuronal Ca2+ transients, establishing Drosophila as a high-throughput in vivo genetic model to study the Cav channel pathophysiology related to schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Hidalgo
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Faculty of Life Science, University of Bristol, UK; Departamento de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Chile
| | - Jorge M Campusano
- Departamento de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Chile
| | - James J L Hodge
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Faculty of Life Science, University of Bristol, UK.
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18
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Onur TS, Laitman A, Zhao H, Keyho R, Kim H, Wang J, Mair M, Wang H, Li L, Perez A, de Haro M, Wan YW, Allen G, Lu B, Al-Ramahi I, Liu Z, Botas J. Downregulation of glial genes involved in synaptic function mitigates Huntington's disease pathogenesis. eLife 2021; 10:64564. [PMID: 33871358 PMCID: PMC8149125 DOI: 10.7554/elife.64564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Most research on neurodegenerative diseases has focused on neurons, yet glia help form and maintain the synapses whose loss is so prominent in these conditions. To investigate the contributions of glia to Huntington's disease (HD), we profiled the gene expression alterations of Drosophila expressing human mutant Huntingtin (mHTT) in either glia or neurons and compared these changes to what is observed in HD human and HD mice striata. A large portion of conserved genes are concordantly dysregulated across the three species; we tested these genes in a high-throughput behavioral assay and found that downregulation of genes involved in synapse assembly mitigated pathogenesis and behavioral deficits. To our surprise, reducing dNRXN3 function in glia was sufficient to improve the phenotype of flies expressing mHTT in neurons, suggesting that mHTT's toxic effects in glia ramify throughout the brain. This supports a model in which dampening synaptic function is protective because it attenuates the excitotoxicity that characterizes HD. When a neuron dies, through injury or disease, the body loses all communication that passes through it. The brain compensates by rerouting the flow of information through other neurons in the network. Eventually, if the loss of neurons becomes too great, compensation becomes impossible. This process happens in Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's disease. In the case of Huntington's disease, the cause is mutation to a single gene known as huntingtin. The mutation is present in every cell in the body but causes particular damage to parts of the brain involved in mood, thinking and movement. Neurons and other cells respond to mutations in the huntingtin gene by turning the activities of other genes up or down, but it is not clear whether all of these changes contribute to the damage seen in Huntington's disease. In fact, it is possible that some of the changes are a result of the brain trying to protect itself. So far, most research on this subject has focused on neurons because the huntingtin gene plays a role in maintaining healthy neuronal connections. But, given that all cells carry the mutated gene, it is likely that other cells are also involved. The glia are a diverse group of cells that support the brain, providing care and sustenance to neurons. These cells have a known role in maintaining the connections between neurons and may also have play a role in either causing or correcting the damage seen in Huntington's disease. The aim of Onur et al. was to find out which genes are affected by having a mutant huntingtin gene in neurons or glia, and whether severity of Huntington’s disease improved or worsened when the activity of these genes changed. First, Onur et al. identified genes affected by mutant huntingtin by comparing healthy human brains to the brains of people with Huntington's disease. Repeating the same comparison in mice and fruit flies identified genes affected in the same way across all three species, revealing that, in Huntington's disease, the brain dials down glial cell genes involved in maintaining neuronal connections. To find out how these changes in gene activity affect disease severity and progression, Onur et al. manipulated the activity of each of the genes they had identified in fruit flies that carried mutant versions of huntingtin either in neurons, in glial cells or in both cell types. They then filmed the flies to see the effects of the manipulation on movement behaviors, which are affected by Huntington’s disease. This revealed that purposely lowering the activity of the glial genes involved in maintaining connections between neurons improved the symptoms of the disease, but only in flies who had mutant huntingtin in their glial cells. This indicates that the drop in activity of these genes observed in Huntington’s disease is the brain trying to protect itself. This work suggests that it is important to include glial cells in studies of neurological disorders. It also highlights the fact that changes in gene expression as a result of a disease are not always bad. Many alterations are compensatory, and try to either make up for or protect cells affected by the disease. Therefore, it may be important to consider whether drugs designed to treat a condition by changing levels of gene activity might undo some of the body's natural protection. Working out which changes drive disease and which changes are protective will be essential for designing effective treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarik Seref Onur
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States.,Genetics & Genomics Graduate Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
| | - Andrew Laitman
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States.,Quantitative & Computational Biosciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
| | - He Zhao
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States
| | - Ryan Keyho
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States
| | - Hyemin Kim
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States
| | - Jennifer Wang
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States
| | - Megan Mair
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States.,Genetics & Genomics Graduate Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
| | - Huilan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lifang Li
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States
| | - Alma Perez
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States
| | - Maria de Haro
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States
| | - Ying-Wooi Wan
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States
| | - Genevera Allen
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States.,Departments of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Statistics and Computer Science, Rice University, Houston, United States
| | - Boxun Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ismael Al-Ramahi
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States
| | - Zhandong Liu
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States.,Quantitative & Computational Biosciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
| | - Juan Botas
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States.,Genetics & Genomics Graduate Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States.,Quantitative & Computational Biosciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
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19
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Böhme MA, McCarthy AW, Blaum N, Berezeckaja M, Ponimaskine K, Schwefel D, Walter AM. Glial Synaptobrevin mediates peripheral nerve insulation, neural metabolic supply, and is required for motor function. Glia 2021; 69:1897-1915. [PMID: 33811396 DOI: 10.1002/glia.24000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Peripheral nerves contain sensory and motor neuron axons coated by glial cells whose interplay ensures function, but molecular details are lacking. SNARE-proteins mediate the exchange and secretion of cargo by fusing vesicles with target organelles, but how glial SNAREs contribute to peripheral nerve function is largely unknown. We, here, identify non-neuronal Synaptobrevin (Syb) as the essential vesicular SNARE in Drosophila peripheral glia to insulate and metabolically supply neurons. We show that tetanus neurotoxin light chain (TeNT-LC), which potently inhibits SNARE-mediated exocytosis from neurons, also impairs peripheral nerve function when selectively expressed in glia, causing nerve disintegration, defective axonal transport, tetanic muscle hyperactivity, impaired locomotion, and lethality. While TeNT-LC disrupts neural function by cleaving neuronal Synaptobrevin (nSyb), it targets non-neuronal Synaptobrevin (Syb) in glia, which it cleaves at low rates: Glial knockdown of Syb (but not nSyb) phenocopied glial TeNT-LC expression whose effects were reverted by a TeNT-LC-insensitive Syb mutant. We link Syb-necessity to two distinct glial subtypes: Impairing Syb function in subperineurial glia disrupted nerve morphology, axonal transport, and locomotion, likely, because nerve-isolating septate junctions (SJs) could not form as essential SJ components (like the cell adhesion protein Neurexin-IV) were mistargeted. Interference with Syb in axon-encircling wrapping glia left nerve morphology and locomotion intact but impaired axonal transport, likely because neural metabolic supply was disrupted due to the mistargeting of metabolite shuffling monocarboxylate transporters. Our study identifies crucial roles of Syb in various glial subtypes to ensure glial-glial and glial-neural interplay needed for proper nerve function, animal motility, and survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathias A Böhme
- Molecular and Theoretical Neuroscience, Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie (FMP), FMP im CharitéCrossOver, Berlin, Germany.,Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anthony W McCarthy
- Molecular and Theoretical Neuroscience, Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie (FMP), FMP im CharitéCrossOver, Berlin, Germany
| | - Natalie Blaum
- Molecular and Theoretical Neuroscience, Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie (FMP), FMP im CharitéCrossOver, Berlin, Germany
| | - Monika Berezeckaja
- Molecular and Theoretical Neuroscience, Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie (FMP), FMP im CharitéCrossOver, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kristina Ponimaskine
- Molecular and Theoretical Neuroscience, Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie (FMP), FMP im CharitéCrossOver, Berlin, Germany
| | - David Schwefel
- Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Alexander M Walter
- Molecular and Theoretical Neuroscience, Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie (FMP), FMP im CharitéCrossOver, Berlin, Germany.,Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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20
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Abstract
One in three epilepsy cases is drug resistant, and seizures often begin in infancy, when they are life-threatening and when therapeutic options are highly limited. An important tool for prioritizing and validating genes associated with epileptic conditions, which is suitable for large-scale screening, is disease modeling in Drosophila. Approximately two-thirds of disease genes are conserved in Drosophila, and gene-specific fly models exhibit behavioral changes that are related to symptoms of epilepsy. Models are based on behavior readouts, seizure-like attacks and paralysis following stimulation, and neuronal, cell-biological readouts that are in the majority based on changes in nerve cell activity or morphology. In this review, we focus on behavioral phenotypes. Importantly, Drosophila modeling is independent of, and complementary to, other approaches that are computational and based on systems analysis. The large number of known epilepsy-associated gene variants indicates a need for efficient research strategies. We will discuss the status quo of epilepsy disease modelling in Drosophila and describe promising steps towards the development of new drugs to reduce seizure rates and alleviate other epileptic symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Lasko
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands
- Department of Biology, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Kevin Lüthy
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands
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21
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Puñal VM, Ahmed M, Thornton-Kolbe EM, Clowney EJ. Untangling the wires: development of sparse, distributed connectivity in the mushroom body calyx. Cell Tissue Res 2021; 383:91-112. [PMID: 33404837 PMCID: PMC9835099 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-020-03386-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Appropriate perception and representation of sensory stimuli pose an everyday challenge to the brain. In order to represent the wide and unpredictable array of environmental stimuli, principle neurons of associative learning regions receive sparse, combinatorial sensory inputs. Despite the broad role of such networks in sensory neural circuits, the developmental mechanisms underlying their emergence are not well understood. As mammalian sensory coding regions are numerically complex and lack the accessibility of simpler invertebrate systems, we chose to focus this review on the numerically simpler, yet functionally similar, Drosophila mushroom body calyx. We bring together current knowledge about the cellular and molecular mechanisms orchestrating calyx development, in addition to drawing insights from literature regarding construction of sparse wiring in the mammalian cerebellum. From this, we formulate hypotheses to guide our future understanding of the development of this critical perceptual center.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa M. Puñal
- Department of Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA,Department of Molecular & Integrative Physiology, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Maria Ahmed
- Department of Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Emma M. Thornton-Kolbe
- Department of Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA,Neuroscience Graduate Program, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - E. Josephine Clowney
- Department of Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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22
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Wrapping glia regulates neuronal signaling speed and precision in the peripheral nervous system of Drosophila. Nat Commun 2020; 11:4491. [PMID: 32901033 PMCID: PMC7479103 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-18291-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The functionality of the nervous system requires transmission of information along axons with high speed and precision. Conductance velocity depends on axonal diameter whereas signaling precision requires a block of electrical crosstalk between axons, known as ephaptic coupling. Here, we use the peripheral nervous system of Drosophila larvae to determine how glia regulates axonal properties. We show that wrapping glial differentiation depends on gap junctions and FGF-signaling. Abnormal glial differentiation affects axonal diameter and conductance velocity and causes mild behavioral phenotypes that can be rescued by a sphingosine-rich diet. Ablation of wrapping glia does not further impair axonal diameter and conductance velocity but causes a prominent locomotion phenotype that cannot be rescued by sphingosine. Moreover, optogenetically evoked locomotor patterns do not depend on conductance speed but require the presence of wrapping glial processes. In conclusion, our data indicate that wrapping glia modulates both speed and precision of neuronal signaling.
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23
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Li Y, Li L, Wu J, Zhu Z, Feng X, Qin L, Zhu Y, Sun L, Liu Y, Qiu Z, Duan S, Yu YQ. Activation of astrocytes in hippocampus decreases fear memory through adenosine A 1 receptors. eLife 2020; 9:57155. [PMID: 32869747 PMCID: PMC7505657 DOI: 10.7554/elife.57155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes respond to and regulate neuronal activity, yet their role in mammalian behavior remains incompletely understood. Especially unclear is whether, and if so how, astrocyte activity regulates contextual fear memory, the dysregulation of which leads to pathological fear-related disorders. We generated GFAP-ChR2-EYFP rats to allow the specific activation of astrocytes in vivo by optogenetics. We found that after memory acquisition within a temporal window, astrocyte activation disrupted memory consolidation and persistently decreased contextual but not cued fear memory accompanied by reduced fear-related anxiety behavior. In vivo microdialysis experiments showed astrocyte photoactivation increased extracellular ATP and adenosine concentrations. Intracerebral blockade of adenosine A1 receptors (A1Rs) reversed the attenuation of fear memory. Furthermore, intracerebral or intraperitoneal injection of A1R agonist mimicked the effects of astrocyte activation. Therefore, our findings provide a deeper understanding of the astrocyte-mediated regulation of fear memory and suggest a new and important therapeutic strategy against pathological fear-related disorders. Memory is the record of what we learn over time and is essential to our survival. But not all memories are helpful. Repeatedly recalling a traumatic event – such as an assault – can be harmful. About 1 in 3 people who experience severe trauma go on to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), in which they re-live the traumatic event in the form of flashbacks and nightmares. Others develop panic disorder, phobias or depression. Preventing this chain of events is challenging because fear memories form rapidly and last a long time. Current treatments involve re-exposing individuals to the traumatic event. This could be real-life exposure in the case of a phobia. Or it could involve visualizing the event, in the case of PTSD. Controlled re-exposure can help individuals learn new coping strategies. But it does not erase the initial fear memory. A better approach might be to take advantage of the fact that new memories are unstable. To form a long-lasting memory trace, newly acquired information must go through a process called consolidation to stabilize it. This process takes place in an area of the brain called the hippocampus. If consolidation does not occur, new memory traces can fade away. Li, Li et al. now show that preventing consolidation in the rat brain stops the animals from forming lasting memories of a stressful event, namely a foot shock. In the study, the rats first learned to associate a foot shock with a tone. This training took place inside a specific chamber. After learning the association, the rats began to freeze – a sign of fear – whenever they entered the chamber. This happened even if the tone was not played. But Li, Li et al. showed that they could reduce this fear response by activating cells in the hippocampus known as astrocytes, shortly after the learning episode. Activating the astrocytes made them release a substance called adenosine. Molecules of adenosine then bound to and activated proteins called adenosine A1 receptors. Administering a drug that activated these receptors directly had the same effect as activating the astrocytes themselves. This suggests that drugs of this type could one day help patients with fear-related disorders such as PTSD and phobias. For this to become a reality, new studies must test different drugs and find the best ways of administering them. After testing in animal models, the next step will be preliminary clinical trials in people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulan Li
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Research and Brain-Machine Integration, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lixuan Li
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Research and Brain-Machine Integration, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jintao Wu
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Research and Brain-Machine Integration, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhenggang Zhu
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Research and Brain-Machine Integration, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiang Feng
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Research and Brain-Machine Integration, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Liming Qin
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Research and Brain-Machine Integration, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yuwei Zhu
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Research and Brain-Machine Integration, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Li Sun
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Research and Brain-Machine Integration, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yijun Liu
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Research and Brain-Machine Integration, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zilong Qiu
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Shumin Duan
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Research and Brain-Machine Integration, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Research Units for Emotion and Emotion Disorders, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yan-Qin Yu
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Research and Brain-Machine Integration, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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Ung K, Tepe B, Pekarek B, Arenkiel BR, Deneen B. Parallel astrocyte calcium signaling modulates olfactory bulb responses. J Neurosci Res 2020; 98:1605-1618. [PMID: 32426930 PMCID: PMC8147697 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Revised: 03/27/2020] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Astrocytes are the most abundant glial cell in the central nervous system. They modulate synaptic function through a variety of mechanisms, and yet remain relatively understudied with respect to overall neuronal circuit function. Exploiting the tractability of the mouse olfactory system, we manipulated astrocyte activity and examined how astrocytes modulate olfactory bulb responses. Toward this, we genetically targeted both astrocytes and neurons for in vivo widefield imaging of Ca2+ responses to odor stimuli. We found that astrocytes exhibited odor response maps that overlap with excitatory neuronal activity. By manipulating Ca2+ activity in astrocytes using chemical genetics we found that odor-evoked neuronal activity was reciprocally affected, suggesting that astrocyte activation inhibits neuronal odor responses. Subsequently, behavioral experiments revealed that astrocyte manipulations affect both odor detection threshold and discrimination, suggesting that astrocytes play an active role in olfactory sensory processing circuits. Together, these studies show that astrocyte calcium signaling contributes to olfactory behavior through modulation of sensory circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Ung
- Program in Developmental Biology, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Burak Tepe
- Program in Developmental Biology, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Brandon Pekarek
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Benjamin R. Arenkiel
- Program in Developmental Biology, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Benjamin Deneen
- Program in Developmental Biology, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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25
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Abstract
Investigations of the mechanisms generating epileptic seizures have primarily focused on neurons. However, more systemic research of brain circuits has highlighted an important role of non-neuronal cells such as glia in the genesis and spreading of generalized seizures in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard E Rosch
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK; Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, PA 19104, USA; Department of Paediatric Neurology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Éric Samarut
- Research Center of the University of Montreal Hospital Center (CRCHUM), Department of Neurosciences, Université de Montréal, Montréal H2X 0A9 QC, Canada; Modelis inc., Montreal, QC, Canada.
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26
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Bittern J, Pogodalla N, Ohm H, Brüser L, Kottmeier R, Schirmeier S, Klämbt C. Neuron-glia interaction in the Drosophila nervous system. Dev Neurobiol 2020; 81:438-452. [PMID: 32096904 DOI: 10.1002/dneu.22737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Revised: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Animals are able to move and react in manifold ways to external stimuli. Thus, environmental stimuli need to be detected, information must be processed, and, finally, an output decision must be transmitted to the musculature to get the animal moving. All these processes depend on the nervous system which comprises an intricate neuronal network and many glial cells. Glial cells have an equally important contribution in nervous system function as their neuronal counterpart. Manifold roles are attributed to glia ranging from controlling neuronal cell number and axonal pathfinding to regulation of synapse formation, function, and plasticity. Glial cells metabolically support neurons and contribute to the blood-brain barrier. All of the aforementioned aspects require extensive cell-cell interactions between neurons and glial cells. Not surprisingly, many of these processes are found in all phyla executed by evolutionarily conserved molecules. Here, we review the recent advance in understanding neuron-glia interaction in Drosophila melanogaster to suggest that work in simple model organisms will shed light on the function of mammalian glial cells, too.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Bittern
- Institut für Neuro- und Verhaltensbiologie, Universität Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Nicole Pogodalla
- Institut für Neuro- und Verhaltensbiologie, Universität Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Henrike Ohm
- Institut für Neuro- und Verhaltensbiologie, Universität Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Lena Brüser
- Institut für Neuro- und Verhaltensbiologie, Universität Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Rita Kottmeier
- Institut für Neuro- und Verhaltensbiologie, Universität Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Stefanie Schirmeier
- Institut für Neuro- und Verhaltensbiologie, Universität Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Christian Klämbt
- Institut für Neuro- und Verhaltensbiologie, Universität Münster, Münster, Germany
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27
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Hassan MT, Lytton J. Potassium-dependent sodium-calcium exchanger (NCKX) isoforms and neuronal function. Cell Calcium 2020; 86:102135. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ceca.2019.102135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Revised: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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28
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Yu X, Nagai J, Khakh BS. Improved tools to study astrocytes. Nat Rev Neurosci 2020; 21:121-138. [DOI: 10.1038/s41583-020-0264-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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29
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Li H, Russo A, DiAntonio A. SIK3 suppresses neuronal hyperexcitability by regulating the glial capacity to buffer K + and water. J Cell Biol 2019; 218:4017-4029. [PMID: 31645458 PMCID: PMC6891094 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.201907138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2019] [Revised: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 09/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Glial regulation of extracellular potassium (K+) helps to maintain appropriate levels of neuronal excitability. While channels and transporters mediating K+ and water transport are known, little is understood about upstream regulatory mechanisms controlling the glial capacity to buffer K+ and osmotically obliged water. Here we identify salt-inducible kinase 3 (SIK3) as the central node in a signal transduction pathway controlling glial K+ and water homeostasis in Drosophila Loss of SIK3 leads to dramatic extracellular fluid accumulation in nerves, neuronal hyperexcitability, and seizures. SIK3-dependent phenotypes are exacerbated by K+ stress. SIK3 promotes the cytosolic localization of HDAC4, thereby relieving inhibition of Mef2-dependent transcription of K+ and water transport molecules. This transcriptional program controls the glial capacity to regulate K+ and water homeostasis and modulate neuronal excitability. We identify HDAC4 as a candidate therapeutic target in this pathway, whose inhibition can enhance the K+ buffering capacity of glia, which may be useful in diseases of dysregulated K+ homeostasis and hyperexcitability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hailun Li
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
| | - Alexandra Russo
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
| | - Aaron DiAntonio
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
- Needleman Center for Neurometabolism and Axonal Therapeutics, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
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30
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Hill AS, Jain P, Folan NE, Ben-Shahar Y. The Drosophila ERG channel seizure plays a role in the neuronal homeostatic stress response. PLoS Genet 2019; 15:e1008288. [PMID: 31393878 PMCID: PMC6687100 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuronal physiology is particularly sensitive to acute stressors that affect excitability, many of which can trigger seizures and epilepsies. Although intrinsic neuronal homeostasis plays an important role in maintaining overall nervous system robustness and its resistance to stressors, the specific genetic and molecular mechanisms that underlie these processes are not well understood. Here we used a reverse genetic approach in Drosophila to test the hypothesis that specific voltage-gated ion channels contribute to neuronal homeostasis, robustness, and stress resistance. We found that the activity of the voltage-gated potassium channel seizure (sei), an ortholog of the mammalian ERG channel family, is essential for protecting flies from acute heat-induced seizures. Although sei is broadly expressed in the nervous system, our data indicate that its impact on the organismal robustness to acute environmental stress is primarily mediated via its action in excitatory neurons, the octopaminergic system, as well as neuropile ensheathing and perineurial glia. Furthermore, our studies suggest that human mutations in the human ERG channel (hERG), which have been primarily implicated in the cardiac Long QT Syndrome (LQTS), may also contribute to the high incidence of seizures in LQTS patients via a cardiovascular-independent neurogenic pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis S. Hill
- Department of Biology, College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Poorva Jain
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Nicole E. Folan
- Department of Biology, College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Yehuda Ben-Shahar
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
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