Neurobeachin, a promising target for use in the treatment of alcohol use disorder

Hazardous, heavy drinking increases risk for developing alcohol use disorder (AUD), which affects ~7% of adult Americans. Thus, understanding the molecular mechanisms promoting risk for heavy drinking is essential to developing more effective AUD pharmacotherapies than those currently approved by the FDA. Using genome-wide bisulfate sequencing, we identified DNA methylation (DNAm) signals within the nucleus accumbens core (NAcC) that differentiate nonheavy and heavy ethanol-drinking rhesus macaques. One differentially DNAm region (D-DMR) located within the gene neurobeachin (NBEA), which promotes synaptic membrane protein trafficking, was hypermethylated in heavy drinking macaques. A parallel study identified a similar NBEA D-DMR in human NAcC that distinguished alcoholic and nonalcoholic individuals. To investigate the role of NBEA in heavy ethanol drinking, we engineered a viral vector carrying a short hairpin RNA (shRNA) to reduce the expression of NBEA. Using two murine models of ethanol consumption: 4 days of drinking-in-the-dark and 4 weeks of chronic intermittent access, the knockdown of NBEA expression did not alter average ethanol consumption in either model. However, it did lead to a significant increase in the ethanol preference ratio. Following withdrawal, whole-cell patch clamp electrophysiological experiments revealed that Nbea knockdown led to an increase in spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic current amplitude with no alteration in spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents, suggesting a specific role of NBEA in trafficking of glutamatergic receptors. Together, our findings suggest that NBEA could be targeted to modulate the preference for alcohol use.

Sex-specific pubertal and metabolic regulation of Kiss1 neurons via Nhlh2

Hypothalamic Kiss1 neurons control gonadotropin-releasing hormone release through the secretion of kisspeptin. Kiss1 neurons serve as a nodal center that conveys essential regulatory cues for the attainment and maintenance of reproductive function. Despite this critical role, the mechanisms that control kisspeptin synthesis and release remain largely unknown. Using Drop-Seq data from the arcuate nucleus of adult mice and in situ hybridization, we identified Nescient Helix-Loop-Helix 2 (Nhlh2), a transcription factor of the basic helix-loop-helix family, to be enriched in Kiss1 neurons. JASPAR analysis revealed several binding sites for NHLH2 in the Kiss1 and Tac2 (neurokinin B) 5' regulatory regions. In vitro luciferase assays evidenced a robust stimulatory action of NHLH2 on human KISS1 and TAC3 promoters. The recruitment of NHLH2 to the KISS1 and TAC3 promoters was further confirmed through chromatin immunoprecipitation. In vivo conditional ablation of Nhlh2 from Kiss1 neurons using Kiss1Cre:Nhlh2fl/fl mice induced a male-specific delay in puberty onset, in line with a decrease in arcuate Kiss1 expression. Females retained normal reproductive function albeit with irregular estrous cycles. Further analysis of male Kiss1Cre:Nhlh2fl/fl mice revealed higher susceptibility to metabolic challenges in the release of luteinizing hormone and impaired response to leptin. Overall, in Kiss1 neurons, Nhlh2 contributes to the metabolic regulation of kisspeptin and NKB synthesis and release, with implications for the timing of puberty onset and regulation of fertility in male mice.

Characterization of SALL2 Gene Isoforms and Targets Across Cell Types Reveals Highly Conserved Networks

The SALL2 transcription factor, an evolutionarily conserved gene through vertebrates, is involved in normal development and neuronal differentiation. In disease, SALL2 is associated with eye, kidney, and brain disorders, but mainly is related to cancer. Some studies support a tumor suppressor role and others an oncogenic role for SALL2, which seems to depend on the cancer type. An additional consideration is tissue-dependent expression of different SALL2 isoforms. Human and mouse SALL2 gene loci contain two promoters, each controlling the expression of a different protein isoform (E1 and E1A). Also, several improvements on the human genome assembly and gene annotation through next-generation sequencing technologies reveal correction and annotation of additional isoforms, obscuring dissection of SALL2 isoform-specific transcriptional targets and functions. We here integrated current data of normal/tumor gene expression databases along with ChIP-seq binding profiles to analyze SALL2 isoforms expression distribution and infer isoform-specific SALL2 targets. We found that the canonical SALL2 E1 isoform is one of the lowest expressed, while the E1A isoform is highly predominant across cell types. To dissect SALL2 isoform-specific targets, we analyzed publicly available ChIP-seq data from Glioblastoma tumor-propagating cells and in-house ChIP-seq datasets performed in SALL2 wild-type and E1A isoform knockout HEK293 cells. Another available ChIP-seq data in HEK293 cells (ENCODE Consortium Phase III) overexpressing a non-canonical SALL2 isoform (short_E1A) was also analyzed. Regardless of cell type, our analysis indicates that the SALL2 long E1 and E1A isoforms, but not short_E1A, are mostly contributing to transcriptional control, and reveals a highly conserved network of brain-specific transcription factors (i.e., SALL3, POU3F2, and NPAS3). Our data integration identified a conserved molecular network in which SALL2 regulates genes associated with neural function, cell differentiation, development, and cell adhesion between others. Also, we identified PODXL as a gene that is likely regulated by SALL2 across tissues. Our study encourages the validation of publicly available ChIP-seq datasets to assess a specific gene/isoform’s transcriptional targets. The knowledge of SALL2 isoforms expression and function in different tissue contexts is relevant to understanding its role in disease.

Polycomb represses a gene network controlling puberty via modulation of histone demethylase Kdm6b expression

Female puberty is subject to Polycomb Group (PcG)-dependent transcriptional repression. Kiss1, a puberty-activating gene, is a key target of this silencing mechanism. Using a gain-of-function approach and a systems biology strategy we now show that EED, an essential PcG component, acts in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus to alter the functional organization of a gene network involved in the stimulatory control of puberty. A central node of this network is Kdm6b, which encodes an enzyme that erases the PcG-dependent histone modification H3K27me3. Kiss1 is a first neighbor in the network; genes encoding glutamatergic receptors and potassium channels are second neighbors. By repressing Kdm6b expression, EED increases H3K27me3 abundance at these gene promoters, reducing gene expression throughout a gene network controlling puberty activation. These results indicate that Kdm6b repression is a basic mechanism used by PcG to modulate the biological output of puberty-activating gene networks.

Sirtuin (SIRT)-1: At the crossroads of puberty and metabolism

In the arcuate nucleus (ARC) of the hypothalamus reside two neuronal systems in charge of regulating feeding control and reproductive development. The melanocortin system responds to metabolic fluctuations adjusting food intake, whereas kisspeptin neurons are in charge of the excitatory control of Gonadotropin Hormone Releasing Hormone (GnRH) neurons. While it is known that the melanocortin system regulates GnRH neuronal activity, it was recently demonstrated that kisspeptin neurons not only innervate melanocortin neurons, but also play an active role in the control of metabolism. These two neuronal systems are intricately interconnected forming loops of stimulation and inhibition according to metabolic status. Furthermore, intracellular and epigenetic pathways respond to external environmental signals by changing DNA conformation and gene expression. Here we review the role of Silent mating type Information Regulation 2 homologue 1 (Sirt1), a class III NAD+ dependent protein deacetylase, in the ARC control of pubertal development and feeding behavior.

MKRN3 inhibits the reproductive axis through actions in kisspeptin-expressing neurons

The identification of loss-of-function mutations in MKRN3 in patients with central precocious puberty in association with the decrease in MKRN3 expression in the medial basal hypothalamus of mice before the initiation of reproductive maturation suggests that MKRN3 is acting as a brake on gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion during childhood. In the current study, we investigated the mechanism by which MKRN3 prevents premature manifestation of the pubertal process. We showed that, as in mice, MKRN3 expression is high in the hypothalamus of rats and nonhuman primates early in life, decreases as puberty approaches, and is independent of sex steroid hormones. We demonstrated that Mkrn3 is expressed in Kiss1 neurons of the mouse hypothalamic arcuate nucleus and that MKRN3 repressed promoter activity of human KISS1 and TAC3, 2 key stimulators of GnRH secretion. We further showed that MKRN3 has ubiquitinase activity, that this activity is reduced by MKRN3 mutations affecting the RING finger domain, and that these mutations compromised the ability of MKRN3 to repress KISS1 and TAC3 promoter activity. These results indicate that MKRN3 acts to prevent puberty initiation, at least in part, by repressing KISS1 and TAC3 transcription and that this action may involve an MKRN3-directed ubiquitination-mediated mechanism.

Data on SVCT2 transporter expression and localization in cancer cell lines and tissues

The data presented in this article are related to the research paper entitled “Increased expression of mitochondrial sodium-coupled ascorbic acid transporter-2 (mitSVCT2) as a central feature in breast cancer”, available in Free Radical Biology and Medicine Journal [1]. In this article, we examined the SVCT2 transporter expression in various breast cancer cell lines using RT-PCR and Western blot assays. In addition, we analyzed the subcellular localization of SVCT2 by immunofluorescence colocalization assays and cellular fractionation experiments. Finally, an analysis of different cancer tissue microarrays immunostained for SVCT2 and imaged by The Human Protein Atlas (https://www.proteinatlas.org) is presented.

Increased expression of mitochondrial sodium-coupled ascorbic acid transporter-2 (mitSVCT2) as a central feature in breast cancer

The potential role of vitamin C in cancer prevention and treatment remains controversial. While normal human cells obtain vitamin C as ascorbic acid, the prevalent form of vitamin C in vivo, the uptake mechanisms by which cancer cells acquire vitamin C has remained unclear. The aim of this study is to characterize how breast cancer cells acquire vitamin C. For this, we determined the expression of vitamin C transporters in normal and breast cancer tissue samples, and in ZR-75, MCF-7, MDA-231 and MDA-468 breast cancer cell lines. At the same time, reduced (AA) and oxidized (DHA) forms of vitamin C uptake experiments were performed in all cell lines. We show here that human breast cancer tissues differentially express a form of SVCT2 transporter, that is systematically absent in normal breast tissues and it is increased in breast tumors. In fact, estrogen receptor negative breast cancer tissue, exhibit the most elevated SVCT2 expression levels. Despite this, our analysis in breast cancer cell lines showed that these cells are not able to uptake ascorbic acid and depend on glucose transporter for the acquisition of vitamin C by a bystander effect. This is consistent with our observations that this form of SVCT2 is completely absent from the plasma membrane and is overexpressed in mitochondria of breast cancer cells, where it mediates ascorbic acid transport. This work shows that breast cancer cells acquire vitamin C in its oxidized form and are capable of accumulated high concentrations of the reduced form. Augmented expression of an SVCT2 mitochondrial form appears to be a common hallmark across all human cancers and might have implications in cancer cells survival capacity against pro-oxidant environments.

Emerging Genetic and Epigenetic Mechanisms Underlying Pubertal Maturation in Adolescence

The adolescent transition begins with the onset of puberty which, upstream in the brain, is initiated by the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) pulse generator that activates the release of peripheral sex hormones. Substantial research in human and animal models has revealed a myriad of cellular networks and heritable genes that control the GnRH pulse generator allowing the individual to begin the process of reproductive competence and sexual maturation. Here, we review the latest knowledge in neuroendocrine pubertal research with emphasis on genetic and epigenetic mechanisms underlying the pubertal transition.

Hypothalamic epigenetics driving female puberty

Puberty involves a series of morphological, physiological and behavioural changes during the last part of the juvenile period that culminates in the attainment of fertility. The activation of the pituitary-gonadal axis by increased hypothalamic secretion of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is an essential step in the process. The current hypothesis postulates that a loss of transsynaptic inhibition and a rise in excitatory inputs are responsible for the activation of GnRH release. Similarly, a shift in the balance in the expression of puberty activating and puberty inhibitory genes exists during the pubertal transition. In addition, recent evidence suggests that the epigenetic machinery controls this genetic balance, giving rise to the tantalising possibility that epigenetics serves as a relay of environmental signals known for many years to modulate pubertal development. Here, we review the contribution of epigenetics as a regulatory mechanism in the hypothalamic control of female puberty.

Trithorax dependent changes in chromatin landscape at enhancer and promoter regions drive female puberty

Polycomb group (PcG) proteins control the timing of puberty by repressing the Kiss1 gene in hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARC) neurons. Here we identify two members of the Trithorax group (TrxG) of modifiers, mixed-lineage leukemia 1 (MLL1), and 3 (MLL3), as central components of an activating epigenetic machinery that dynamically counteracts PcG repression. Preceding puberty, MLL1 changes the chromatin configuration at the promoters of Kiss1 and Tac3, two genes required for puberty to occur, from repressive to permissive. Concomitantly, MLL3 institutes a chromatin structure that changes the functional status of a Kiss1 enhancer from poised to active. RNAi-mediated, ARC-specific Mll1 knockdown reduced Kiss1 and Tac3 expression, whereas CRISPR-Cas9-directed epigenome silencing of the Kiss1 enhancer selectively reduced Kiss1 activity. Both interventions delay puberty and disrupt reproductive cyclicity. Our results demonstrate that an epigenetic switch from transcriptional repression to activation is crucial to the regulatory mechanism controlling the timing of mammalian puberty.

Before the onset of puberty, Polycomb proteins repress the expression of Kiss1 in KNDy neurons of the arcuate nucleus. Here, by CRISPR-Cas9-directed epigenome editing and RNAi, the authors show that coordinated action of Mll proteins at the Kiss1 promoter and enhancer is required for correct timing of puberty.