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Naef V, Meschini MC, Tessa A, Morani F, Corsinovi D, Ogi A, Marchese M, Ori M, Santorelli FM, Doccini S. Converging Role for REEP1/SPG31 in Oxidative Stress. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043527. [PMID: 36834939 PMCID: PMC9959426 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the receptor expression-enhancing protein 1 gene (REEP1) are associated with hereditary spastic paraplegia type 31 (SPG31), a neurological disorder characterized by length-dependent degeneration of upper motor neuron axons. Mitochondrial dysfunctions have been observed in patients harboring pathogenic variants in REEP1, suggesting a key role of bioenergetics in disease-related manifestations. Nevertheless, the regulation of mitochondrial function in SPG31 remains unclear. To elucidate the pathophysiology underlying REEP1 deficiency, we analyzed in vitro the impact of two different mutations on mitochondrial metabolism. Together with mitochondrial morphology abnormalities, loss-of-REEP1 expression highlighted a reduced ATP production with increased susceptibility to oxidative stress. Furthermore, to translate these findings from in vitro to preclinical models, we knocked down REEP1 in zebrafish. Zebrafish larvae showed a significant defect in motor axon outgrowth leading to motor impairment, mitochondrial dysfunction, and reactive oxygen species accumulation. Protective antioxidant agents such as resveratrol rescued free radical overproduction and ameliorated the SPG31 phenotype both in vitro and in vivo. Together, our findings offer new opportunities to counteract neurodegeneration in SPG31.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Naef
- Molecular Medicine for Neurodegenerative and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy
| | - Maria C. Meschini
- Molecular Medicine for Neurodegenerative and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy
| | - Alessandra Tessa
- Molecular Medicine for Neurodegenerative and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy
| | - Federica Morani
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Debora Corsinovi
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Asahi Ogi
- Molecular Medicine for Neurodegenerative and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy
| | - Maria Marchese
- Molecular Medicine for Neurodegenerative and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy
| | - Michela Ori
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Filippo M. Santorelli
- Molecular Medicine for Neurodegenerative and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy
| | - Stefano Doccini
- Molecular Medicine for Neurodegenerative and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-050-886-311
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Corsinovi D, Usai A, Sarlo MD, Giannaccini M, Ori M. Zebrafish Avatar to Develop Precision Breast Cancer Therapies. Anticancer Agents Med Chem 2021; 22:748-759. [PMID: 33797388 DOI: 10.2174/1871520621666210402111634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Zebrafish (Danio rerio) is a vertebrate that has become a popular alternative model for the cellular and molecular study of human tumors and for drug testing and validating approaches. Notably, zebrafish embryos, thanks to their accessibility, allow rapid collection of in vivo results prodromal to validation in the murine models in respect to the 3R principles. The generation of tumor xenograft in zebrafish embryos and larvae, or zebrafish avatar, represents a unique opportunity to study tumor growth, angiogenesis, cell invasion and metastatic dissemination, interaction between tumor and host in vivo avoiding immunogenic rejection, representing a promising platform for the translational research and personalized therapies. OBJECTIVE In this mini-review we report recent advances in breast cancer research and drug testing that took advantage of the zebrafish xenograft model using both breast cancer cell lines and patient's biopsy. CONCLUSION Patient derived xenograft, together with the gene editing, the omics biotechnology, the in vivo time lapse imaging and the high-throughput screening that are already set up and largely used in zebrafish, could represent a step forward towards precision and personalized medicine in the breast cancer research field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debora Corsinovi
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Pisa. Italy
| | - Alice Usai
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa. Italy
| | | | | | - Michela Ori
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa. Italy
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Naef V, De Sarlo M, Testa G, Corsinovi D, Azzarelli R, Borello U, Ori M. The Stemness Gene Mex3A Is a Key Regulator of Neuroblast Proliferation During Neurogenesis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:549533. [PMID: 33072742 PMCID: PMC7536324 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.549533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Mex3A is an RNA binding protein that can also act as an E3 ubiquitin ligase to control gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. In intestinal adult stem cells, MEX3A is required for cell self-renewal and when overexpressed, MEX3A can contribute to support the proliferation of different cancer cell types. In a completely different context, we found mex3A among the genes expressed in neurogenic niches of the embryonic and adult fish brain and, notably, its expression was downregulated during brain aging. The role of mex3A during embryonic and adult neurogenesis in tetrapods is still unknown. Here, we showed that mex3A is expressed in the proliferative region of the developing brain in both Xenopus and mouse embryos. Using gain and loss of gene function approaches, we showed that, in Xenopus embryos, mex3A is required for neuroblast proliferation and its depletion reduced the neuroblast pool, leading to microcephaly. The tissue-specific overexpression of mex3A in the developing neural plate enhanced the expression of sox2 and msi-1 keeping neuroblasts into a proliferative state. It is now clear that the stemness property of mex3A, already demonstrated in adult intestinal stem cells and cancer cells, is a key feature of mex3a also in developing brain, opening new lines of investigation to better understand its role during brain aging and brain cancer development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Naef
- Unità di Biologia Cellulare e dello Sviluppo, Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Pisa, Pisa, Italy.,Molecular Medicine, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
| | - Miriam De Sarlo
- Unità di Biologia Cellulare e dello Sviluppo, Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giovanna Testa
- Unità di Biologia Cellulare e dello Sviluppo, Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Pisa, Pisa, Italy.,Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Debora Corsinovi
- Unità di Biologia Cellulare e dello Sviluppo, Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Roberta Azzarelli
- Unità di Biologia Cellulare e dello Sviluppo, Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Ugo Borello
- Unità di Biologia Cellulare e dello Sviluppo, Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Michela Ori
- Unità di Biologia Cellulare e dello Sviluppo, Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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Corsinovi D, Giannetti K, Cericola A, Naef V, Ori M. PDGF-B: The missing piece in the mosaic of PDGF family role in craniofacial development. Dev Dyn 2019; 248:603-612. [PMID: 31070827 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.47] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2019] [Revised: 04/09/2019] [Accepted: 04/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) family consists of four ligands (PDGF-A, PDGF-B, PDGF-C, PDGF-D) and two tyrosine kinase receptors (PDGFR-α and PDGFR-β). In vertebrates, PDGF signaling influences cell proliferation, migration, and matrix deposition, and its up-regulation is implicated in cancer progression. Despite this evidence, the role of each family member during embryogenesis is still incomplete and partially controversial. In particular, study of the role of pdgf signaling during craniofacial development has been focused on pdgf-a, while the role of pdgf-b is almost unknown due to the lethal phenotypes of pdgf-b-null mice. RESULTS By using a pdgf-b splice-blocking morpholino approach, we highlighted impairment of neural crest cell (NCC) migration in Xenopus laevis morphants, leading to alteration of NCC derivatives formation, such as cranial nerves and cartilages. We also uncovered a possible link between pdgf-b and the expression of cadherin superfamily members cdh6 and cdh11, which mediate cell-cell adhesion promoting NCC migration. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggested that pdgf-b signaling is involved in cranial NCC migration and it is required for proper formation of craniofacial NCC derivatives. Taken together, these data unveiled a new role for pdgf-b during vertebrate development, contributing to complete the picture of pdgf signaling role in craniofacial development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Michela Ori
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.,Inter-University Center for the Promotion of the 3Rs Principles in Teaching & Research (Centro 3R), Pisa, Italy
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Naef V, Monticelli S, Corsinovi D, Mazzetto MT, Cellerino A, Ori M. The age-regulated zinc finger factor ZNF367 is a new modulator of neuroblast proliferation during embryonic neurogenesis. Sci Rep 2018; 8:11836. [PMID: 30087422 PMCID: PMC6081467 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-30302-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2018] [Accepted: 07/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Global population aging is one of the major social and economic challenges of contemporary society. During aging the progressive decline in physiological functions has serious consequences for all organs including brain. The age-related incidence of neurodegenerative diseases coincides with the sharp decline of the amount and functionality of adult neural stem cells. Recently, we identified a short list of brain age-regulated genes by means of next-generation sequencing. Among them znf367 codes for a transcription factor that represents a central node in gene co-regulation networks during aging, but whose function in the central nervous system (CNS), is completely unknown. As proof of concept, we analysed the role of znf367 during Xenopus laevis neurogenesis. By means of a gene loss of function approach limited to the CNS, we suggested that znf367 might act as a key controller of the neuroblast cell cycle, particularly in the progression of mitosis and spindle checkpoint. A candidate gene approach based on a weighted-gene co-expression network analysis, revealed fancd2 and ska3 as possible targets of znf367. The age-related decline of znf367 correlated well with its role during embryonic neurogenesis, opening new lines of investigation also in adult neurogenesis to improved maintenance and even repair of neuronal function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Naef
- Unità di Biologia Cellulare e dello Sviluppo, Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Pisa, Pisa, I-56127, Italy
| | - Sara Monticelli
- Unità di Biologia Cellulare e dello Sviluppo, Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Pisa, Pisa, I-56127, Italy
| | - Debora Corsinovi
- Unità di Biologia Cellulare e dello Sviluppo, Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Pisa, Pisa, I-56127, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Mazzetto
- Scuola Normale Superiore, Laboratory of Biology (Bio@SNS), Pisa, I-56124, Italy
- Leibniz-Institut für Alternsforschung, Fritz-Lipmann Institut Jena, Jena, D-07745, Germany
| | - Alessandro Cellerino
- Scuola Normale Superiore, Laboratory of Biology (Bio@SNS), Pisa, I-56124, Italy
- Leibniz-Institut für Alternsforschung, Fritz-Lipmann Institut Jena, Jena, D-07745, Germany
| | - Michela Ori
- Unità di Biologia Cellulare e dello Sviluppo, Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Pisa, Pisa, I-56127, Italy.
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Giannetti K, Corsinovi D, Rossino C, Appolloni I, Malatesta P, Ori M. Platelet derived growth factor B gene expression in the Xenopus laevis developing central nervous system. Int J Dev Biol 2018; 60:175-9. [PMID: 27389987 DOI: 10.1387/ijdb.160045mo] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Platelet-derived growth factor B (PDGF-B) belongs to the mitogen and growth factor family and like the other members it has many roles in cell differentiation, proliferation and migration during development, adult life and in pathological conditions. Among them it has been observed that aberrant PDGF signalling is frequently linked to glioma development and progression, and Pdgf-b over-expression in mouse neural progenitors leads to the formation of gliomas. Despite this evidence, the mechanisms underlying PDGF-B driven tumorigenesis and its role during brain development are not fully understood. In order to contribute to clarifying possible new roles of pdgf-b signalling, we present here the embryonic gene expression pattern of pdgf-b, so far unknown in early vertebrate development. By using Xenopus laevis as a model system we performed qRT-PCR and whole mount in situ hybridization. Pdgf-b mRNA is expressed in discrete regions of the developing central nervous system, in the cranial nerve placodes and in the notochord. We also compared the gene expression of pdgf-b with that of its receptor pdgfr-α suggesting so far unsuspected roles for this signalling pathway during the development of specific embryonic structures.
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