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Hayden AN, Brandel KL, Merlau PR, Vijayakumar P, Leptich EJ, Pietryk EW, Gaytan ES, Ni CW, Chao HT, Rosenfeld JA, Arey RN. Behavioral screening of conserved RNA-binding proteins reveals CEY-1/YBX RNA-binding protein dysfunction leads to impairments in memory and cognition. bioRxiv 2024:2024.01.05.574402. [PMID: 38260399 PMCID: PMC10802296 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.05.574402] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) regulate translation and plasticity which are required for memory. RBP dysfunction has been linked to a range of neurological disorders where cognitive impairments are a key symptom. However, of the 2,000 RBPs in the human genome, many are uncharacterized with regards to neurological phenotypes. To address this, we used the model organism C. elegans to assess the role of 20 conserved RBPs in memory. We identified eight previously uncharacterized memory regulators, three of which are in the C. elegans Y-Box (CEY) RBP family. Of these, we determined that cey-1 is the closest ortholog to the mammalian Y-Box (YBX) RBPs. We found that CEY-1 is both necessary in the nervous system for memory ability and sufficient to increase memory. Leveraging human datasets, we found both copy number variation losses and single nucleotide variants in YBX1 and YBX3 in individuals with neurological symptoms. We identified one predicted deleterious YBX3 variant of unknown significance, p.Asn127Tyr, in two individuals with neurological symptoms. Introducing this variant into endogenous cey-1 locus caused memory deficits in the worm. We further generated two humanized worm lines expressing human YBX3 or YBX1 at the cey-1 locus to test evolutionary conservation of YBXs in memory and the potential functional significance of the p.Asn127Tyr variant. Both YBX1/3 can functionally replace cey-1, and introduction of p.Asn127Tyr into the humanized YBX3 locus caused memory deficits. Our study highlights the worm as a model to reveal memory regulators and identifies YBX dysfunction as a potential new source of rare neurological disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley N Hayden
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030
| | - Katie L Brandel
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030
| | - Paul R Merlau
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030
| | | | - Emily J Leptich
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030
| | - Edward W Pietryk
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030
| | - Elizabeth S Gaytan
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030
- Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030
| | - Connie W Ni
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030
- Department of Neuroscience, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005
| | - Hsiao-Tuan Chao
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neurology and Developmental Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030
- Cain Pediatric Neurology Research Foundation Laboratories, Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX, 77030
- McNair Medical Institute, The Robert and Janice McNair Foundation, Houston, TX, 77030
| | - Jill A Rosenfeld
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030
- Baylor Genetics Laboratories, Houston, TX 77021
| | - Rachel N Arey
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030
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2
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Hudgins AD, Zhou S, Arey RN, Rosenfeld MG, Murphy CT, Suh Y. A systems biology-based identification and in vivo functional screening of Alzheimer's disease risk genes reveal modulators of memory function. Neuron 2024:S0896-6273(24)00247-2. [PMID: 38692279 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2024.04.009] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have uncovered over 75 genomic loci associated with risk for late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD), but identification of the underlying causal genes remains challenging. Studies of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neurons from LOAD patients have demonstrated the existence of neuronal cell-intrinsic functional defects. Here, we searched for genetic contributions to neuronal dysfunction in LOAD using an integrative systems approach that incorporated multi-evidence-based gene mapping and network-analysis-based prioritization. A systematic perturbation screening of candidate risk genes in Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) revealed that neuronal knockdown of the LOAD risk gene orthologs vha-10 (ATP6V1G2), cmd-1 (CALM3), amph-1 (BIN1), ephx-1 (NGEF), and pho-5 (ACP2) alters short-/intermediate-term memory function, the cognitive domain affected earliest during LOAD progression. These results highlight the impact of LOAD risk genes on evolutionarily conserved memory function, as mediated through neuronal endosomal dysfunction, and identify new targets for further mechanistic interrogation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam D Hudgins
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Shiyi Zhou
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Rachel N Arey
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Michael G Rosenfeld
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, La Jolla, CA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Coleen T Murphy
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA; LSI Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA.
| | - Yousin Suh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA; Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
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3
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Brandel-Ankrapp KL, Arey RN. Uncovering novel regulators of memory using C. elegans genetic and genomic analysis. Biochem Soc Trans 2023; 51:161-171. [PMID: 36744642 PMCID: PMC10518207 DOI: 10.1042/bst20220455] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
How organisms learn and encode memory is an outstanding question in neuroscience research. Specifically, how memories are acquired and consolidated at the level of molecular and gene pathways remains unclear. In addition, memory is disrupted in a wide variety of neurological disorders; therefore, discovering molecular regulators of memory may reveal therapeutic targets for these disorders. C. elegans are an excellent model to uncover molecular and genetic regulators of memory. Indeed, the nematode's invariant neuronal lineage, fully mapped genome, and conserved associative behaviors have allowed the development of a breadth of genetic and genomic tools to examine learning and memory. In this mini-review, we discuss novel and exciting genetic and genomic techniques used to examine molecular and genetic underpinnings of memory from the level of the whole-worm to tissue-specific and cell-type specific approaches with high spatiotemporal resolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie L. Brandel-Ankrapp
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, U.S.A
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, U.S.A
| | - Rachel N. Arey
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, U.S.A
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, U.S.A
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4
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Logan RW, Ozburn AR, Arey RN, Ketchesin KD, Winquist A, Crain A, Tobe BTD, Becker-Krail D, Jarpe MB, Xue X, Zong W, Huo Z, Parekh PK, Zhu X, Fitzgerald E, Zhang H, Oliver-Smith J, DePoy LM, Hildebrand MA, Snyder EY, Tseng GC, McClung CA. Valproate reverses mania-like behaviors in mice via preferential targeting of HDAC2. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:4066-4084. [PMID: 33235333 PMCID: PMC8141541 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-020-00958-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Valproate (VPA) has been used in the treatment of bipolar disorder since the 1990s. However, the therapeutic targets of VPA have remained elusive. Here we employ a preclinical model to identify the therapeutic targets of VPA. We find compounds that inhibit histone deacetylase proteins (HDACs) are effective in normalizing manic-like behavior, and that class I HDACs (e.g., HDAC1 and HDAC2) are most important in this response. Using an RNAi approach, we find that HDAC2, but not HDAC1, inhibition in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) is sufficient to normalize behavior. Furthermore, HDAC2 overexpression in the VTA prevents the actions of VPA. We used RNA sequencing in both mice and human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from bipolar patients to further identify important molecular targets. Together, these studies identify HDAC2 and downstream targets for the development of novel therapeutics for bipolar mania.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan W. Logan
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Angela R. Ozburn
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Portland Alcohol Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA.,VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Rachel N. Arey
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Center for Precision Environmental Health, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Kyle D. Ketchesin
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Alicia Winquist
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.,Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Andrew Crain
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.,Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Brian T. D. Tobe
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.,Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Veterans Administration Medical Center, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Darius Becker-Krail
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Matthew B. Jarpe
- Regenacy Pharmaceuticals, 303 Wyman St, Suite 300, Waltham, MA, 02451, USA
| | - Xiangning Xue
- Department of Biostatistics, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA
| | - Wei Zong
- Department of Biostatistics, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA
| | - Zhiguang Huo
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Puja K. Parekh
- Brain and Mind Research Institute, Department of Psychiatry, and Sackler Institute for Developmental Psychobiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Xiyu Zhu
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, PA, 15260, USA
| | - Ethan Fitzgerald
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Hui Zhang
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA.,Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China 100730
| | - Jeffrey Oliver-Smith
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Lauren M. DePoy
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Mariah A. Hildebrand
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Evan Y. Snyder
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.,Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - George C. Tseng
- Department of Biostatistics, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA.,Department of Computational and Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Colleen A. McClung
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA.,Corresponding Author: Colleen A. McClung, Ph.D., Department of Psychiatry, 450 Technology Drive, Suite 223, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, , 412-624-5547
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5
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Abstract
Presynaptic protein synthesis is important in the adult central nervous system; however, the nervous system-wide set of mRNAs localized to presynaptic areas has yet to be identified in any organism. Here we differentially labeled somatic and synaptic compartments in adult C. elegans with fluorescent proteins, and isolated synaptic and somatic regions from the same population of animals. We used this technique to determine the nervous system-wide presynaptic transcriptome by deep sequencing. Analysis of the synaptic transcriptome reveals that synaptic transcripts are predicted to have specialized functions in neurons. Differential expression analysis identified 542 genes enriched in synaptic regions relative to somatic regions, with synaptic functions conserved in higher organisms. We find that mRNAs for pumilio RNA-binding proteins are abundant in synaptic regions, which we confirmed through high-sensitivity in situ hybridization. Presynaptic PUMILIOs regulate associative memory. Our approach enables the identification of new mechanisms that regulate synaptic function and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel N Arey
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Center for Precision Environmental Health, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology & LSI Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA
| | - Rachel Kaletsky
- Department of Molecular Biology & LSI Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA
| | - Coleen T Murphy
- Department of Molecular Biology & LSI Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA.
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6
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Arey RN, Stein GM, Kaletsky R, Kauffman A, Murphy CT. Activation of G αq Signaling Enhances Memory Consolidation and Slows Cognitive Decline. Neuron 2018; 98:562-574.e5. [PMID: 29656871 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2018.03.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2017] [Revised: 12/06/2017] [Accepted: 03/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Perhaps the most devastating decline with age is the loss of memory. Therefore, identifying mechanisms to restore memory function with age is critical. Using C. elegans associative learning and memory assays, we identified a gain-of-function Gαq signaling pathway mutant that forms a long-term (cAMP response element binding protein [CREB]-dependent) memory following one conditioned stimulus-unconditioned stimulus (CS-US) pairing, which usually requires seven CS-US pairings. Increased CREB activity in AIM interneurons reduces the threshold for memory consolidation through transcription of a set of previously identified "long-term memory" genes. Enhanced Gαq signaling in the AWC sensory neuron is both necessary and sufficient for improved memory and increased AIM CREB activity, and activation of Gαq specifically in aged animals rescues the ability to form memory. Activation of Gαq in AWC sensory neurons non-cell autonomously induces consolidation after one CS-US pairing, enabling both cognitive function maintenance with age and restoration of memory function in animals with impaired memory performance without decreased longevity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel N Arey
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA; Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Geneva M Stein
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA; Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Rachel Kaletsky
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA; Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Amanda Kauffman
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA; Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Coleen T Murphy
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA; Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA.
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7
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Son HG, Seo M, Ham S, Hwang W, Lee D, An SWA, Artan M, Seo K, Kaletsky R, Arey RN, Ryu Y, Ha CM, Kim YK, Murphy CT, Roh TY, Nam HG, Lee SJV. RNA surveillance via nonsense-mediated mRNA decay is crucial for longevity in daf-2/insulin/IGF-1 mutant C. elegans. Nat Commun 2017; 8:14749. [PMID: 28276441 PMCID: PMC5347137 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms14749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2016] [Accepted: 01/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Long-lived organisms often feature more stringent protein and DNA quality control. However, whether RNA quality control mechanisms, such as nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD), which degrades both abnormal as well as some normal transcripts, have a role in organismal aging remains unexplored. Here we show that NMD mediates longevity in C. elegans strains with mutations in daf-2/insulin/insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor. We find that daf-2 mutants display enhanced NMD activity and reduced levels of potentially aberrant transcripts. NMD components, including smg-2/UPF1, are required to achieve the longevity of several long-lived mutants, including daf-2 mutant worms. NMD in the nervous system of the animals is particularly important for RNA quality control to promote longevity. Furthermore, we find that downregulation of yars-2/tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase, an NMD target transcript, by daf-2 mutations contributes to longevity. We propose that NMD-mediated RNA surveillance is a crucial quality control process that contributes to longevity conferred by daf-2 mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heehwa G. Son
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Gyeongbuk 37673, South Korea
| | - Mihwa Seo
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Gyeongbuk 37673, South Korea
- School of Interdisciplinary Bioscience and Bioengineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Gyeongbuk 37673, South Korea
- Center for Plant Aging Research, Institute for Basic Science, Daegu 42988, South Korea
| | - Seokjin Ham
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Gyeongbuk 37673, South Korea
| | - Wooseon Hwang
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Gyeongbuk 37673, South Korea
| | - Dongyeop Lee
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Gyeongbuk 37673, South Korea
| | - Seon Woo A. An
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Gyeongbuk 37673, South Korea
| | - Murat Artan
- Information Technology Convergence Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Gyeongbuk 37673, South Korea
| | - Keunhee Seo
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Gyeongbuk 37673, South Korea
| | - Rachel Kaletsky
- Department of Molecular Biology & LSI Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, USA
| | - Rachel N. Arey
- Department of Molecular Biology & LSI Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, USA
| | - Youngjae Ryu
- Research Division, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu 41068, South Korea
| | - Chang Man Ha
- Research Division, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu 41068, South Korea
| | - Yoon Ki Kim
- Creative Research Initiatives Center for Molecular Biology of Translation, Korea University, Seoul 02841, South Korea
- Division of Life Sciences, Korea University, Seoul 02841, South Korea
| | - Coleen T. Murphy
- Department of Molecular Biology & LSI Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, USA
| | - Tae-Young Roh
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Gyeongbuk 37673, South Korea
- Division of Integrative Biosciences and Biotechnology, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Gyeongbuk 37673, South Korea
| | - Hong Gil Nam
- Center for Plant Aging Research, Institute for Basic Science, Daegu 42988, South Korea
- Department of New Biology, DGIST, Daegu 42988, South Korea
| | - Seung-Jae V. Lee
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Gyeongbuk 37673, South Korea
- School of Interdisciplinary Bioscience and Bioengineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Gyeongbuk 37673, South Korea
- Information Technology Convergence Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Gyeongbuk 37673, South Korea
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8
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Arey RN, Murphy CT. Conserved regulators of cognitive aging: From worms to humans. Behav Brain Res 2016; 322:299-310. [PMID: 27329151 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2016.06.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [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: 03/25/2016] [Revised: 05/27/2016] [Accepted: 06/17/2016] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Cognitive decline is a major deficit that arises with age in humans. While some research on the underlying causes of these problems can be done in humans, harnessing the strengths of small model systems, particularly those with well-studied longevity mutants, such as the nematode C. elegans, will accelerate progress. Here we review the approaches being used to study cognitive decline in model organisms and show how simple model systems allow the rapid discovery of conserved molecular mechanisms, which will eventually enable the development of therapeutics to slow cognitive aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel N Arey
- Department of Molecular Biology & LSI Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, United States
| | - Coleen T Murphy
- Department of Molecular Biology & LSI Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, United States.
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9
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Li LB, Lei H, Arey RN, Li P, Liu J, Murphy CT, Xu XZS, Shen K. The Neuronal Kinesin UNC-104/KIF1A Is a Key Regulator of Synaptic Aging and Insulin Signaling-Regulated Memory. Curr Biol 2016; 26:605-15. [PMID: 26877087 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2015.12.068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2015] [Revised: 11/23/2015] [Accepted: 12/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Aging is the greatest risk factor for a number of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Furthermore, normal aging is associated with a decline in sensory, motor, and cognitive functions. Emerging evidence suggests that synapse alterations, rather than neuronal cell death, are the causes of neuronal dysfunctions in normal aging and in early stages of neurodegenerative diseases. However, little is known about the mechanisms underlying age-related synaptic decline. Here, we uncover a surprising role of the anterograde molecular motor UNC-104/KIF1A as a key regulator of neural circuit deterioration in aging C. elegans. Through analyses of synapse protein localization, synaptic transmission, and animal behaviors, we find that reduced function of UNC-104 accelerates motor circuit dysfunction with age, whereas upregulation of UNC-104 significantly improves motor function at advanced ages and also mildly extends lifespan. In addition, UNC-104-overexpressing animals outperform wild-type controls in associative learning and memory tests. Further genetic analyses suggest that UNC-104 functions downstream of the DAF-2-signaling pathway and is regulated by the FOXO transcription factor DAF-16, which contributes to the effects of DAF-2 in neuronal aging. Together, our cellular, electrophysiological, and behavioral analyses highlight the importance of axonal transport in the maintenance of synaptic structural integrity and function during aging and raise the possibility of targeting kinesins to slow age-related neural circuit dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling-Bo Li
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Haoyun Lei
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China
| | - Rachel N Arey
- Department of Molecular Biology and LSI Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Pengpeng Li
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Jianfeng Liu
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China
| | - Coleen T Murphy
- Department of Molecular Biology and LSI Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA.
| | - X Z Shawn Xu
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
| | - Kang Shen
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
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10
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Lakhina V, Arey RN, Kaletsky R, Kauffman A, Stein G, Keyes W, Xu D, Murphy CT. Genome-wide functional analysis of CREB/long-term memory-dependent transcription reveals distinct basal and memory gene expression programs. Neuron 2015; 85:330-45. [PMID: 25611510 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2014.12.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/05/2014] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Induced CREB activity is a hallmark of long-term memory, but the full repertoire of CREB transcriptional targets required specifically for memory is not known in any system. To obtain a more complete picture of the mechanisms involved in memory, we combined memory training with genome-wide transcriptional analysis of C. elegans CREB mutants. This approach identified 757 significant CREB/memory-induced targets and confirmed the involvement of known memory genes from other organisms, but also suggested new mechanisms and novel components that may be conserved through mammals. CREB mediates distinct basal and memory transcriptional programs at least partially through spatial restriction of CREB activity: basal targets are regulated primarily in nonneuronal tissues, while memory targets are enriched for neuronal expression, emanating from CREB activity in AIM neurons. This suite of novel memory-associated genes will provide a platform for the discovery of orthologous mammalian long-term memory components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanisha Lakhina
- Department of Molecular Biology & LSI Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Rachel N Arey
- Department of Molecular Biology & LSI Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Rachel Kaletsky
- Department of Molecular Biology & LSI Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Amanda Kauffman
- Department of Molecular Biology & LSI Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Geneva Stein
- Department of Molecular Biology & LSI Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - William Keyes
- Department of Molecular Biology & LSI Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Daniel Xu
- Department of Molecular Biology & LSI Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Coleen T Murphy
- Department of Molecular Biology & LSI Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA.
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Ozburn AR, Falcon E, Twaddle A, Nugent AL, Gillman AG, Spencer SM, Arey RN, Mukherjee S, Lyons-Weiler J, Self DW, McClung CA. Direct regulation of diurnal Drd3 expression and cocaine reward by NPAS2. Biol Psychiatry 2015; 77:425-433. [PMID: 25444159 PMCID: PMC4315729 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2014.07.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2014] [Revised: 07/31/2014] [Accepted: 07/31/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Circadian gene disruptions are associated with the development of psychiatric disorders, including addiction. However, the mechanisms by which circadian genes regulate reward remain poorly understood. METHODS We used mice with a mutation in Npas2 and adeno-associated virus-short hairpin RNA mediated knockdown of Npas2 and Clock in the nucleus accumbens (NAc). We performed conditioned place preference assays. We utilized cell sorting quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by deep sequencing. RESULTS Npas2 mutants exhibit decreased sensitivity to cocaine reward, which is recapitulated with a knockdown of neuronal PAS domain protein 2 (NPAS2) specifically in the NAc, demonstrating the importance of NPAS2 in this region. Interestingly, reducing circadian locomotor output cycles kaput (CLOCK) (a homologue of NPAS2) in the NAc had no effect, suggesting an important distinction in NPAS2 and CLOCK function. Furthermore, we found that NPAS2 expression is restricted to Drd1 expressing neurons while CLOCK is ubiquitous. Moreover, NPAS2 and CLOCK have distinct temporal patterns of DNA binding, and we identified novel and unique binding sites for each protein. We identified the Drd3 dopamine receptor as a direct transcriptional target of NPAS2 and found that NPAS2 knockdown in the NAc disrupts its diurnal rhythm in expression. Chronic cocaine treatment likewise disrupts the normal rhythm in Npas2 and Drd3 expression in the NAc, which may underlie behavioral plasticity in response to cocaine. CONCLUSIONS Together, these findings identify an important role for the circadian protein, NPAS2, in the NAc in the regulation of dopamine receptor expression and drug reward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela R. Ozburn
- Department of Psychiatry and Translational Neuroscience Program, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
| | - Edgardo Falcon
- Department of Psychiatry, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390-9070
| | - Alan Twaddle
- Bioinformatics Analysis Core, Clinical and Translational Science Institute at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA
| | | | - Andrea G. Gillman
- Department of Psychiatry and Translational Neuroscience Program, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
| | - Sade M. Spencer
- Department of Psychiatry, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390-9070
| | - Rachel N. Arey
- Department of Psychiatry, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390-9070
| | - Shibani Mukherjee
- Department of Psychiatry, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390-9070
| | - James Lyons-Weiler
- Bioinformatics Analysis Core, Clinical and Translational Science Institute at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - David W. Self
- Department of Psychiatry, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390-9070
| | - Colleen A. McClung
- Department of Psychiatry and Translational Neuroscience Program, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15219,Corresponding Author: Colleen A. McClung, Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Translational Neuroscience Program, 450 Technology Drive, Suite 223, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, (412) 624-5547;
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12
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Arey RN, Enwright JF, Spencer SM, Falcon E, Ozburn AR, Ghose S, Tamminga C, McClung CA. An important role for cholecystokinin, a CLOCK target gene, in the development and treatment of manic-like behaviors. Mol Psychiatry 2014; 19:342-50. [PMID: 23399917 PMCID: PMC3783638 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2013.12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2012] [Revised: 12/17/2012] [Accepted: 01/02/2013] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Mice with a mutation in the Clock gene (ClockΔ19) have been identified as a model of mania; however, the mechanisms that underlie this phenotype, and the changes in the brain that are necessary for lithium's effectiveness on these mice remain unclear. Here, we find that cholecystokinin (Cck) is a direct transcriptional target of CLOCK and levels of Cck are reduced in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) of ClockΔ19 mice. Selective knockdown of Cck expression via RNA interference in the VTA of wild-type mice produces a manic-like phenotype. Moreover, chronic treatment with lithium restores Cck expression to near wild-type and this increase is necessary for the therapeutic actions of lithium. The decrease in Cck expression in the ClockΔ19 mice appears to be due to a lack of interaction with the histone methyltransferase, MLL1, resulting in decreased histone H3K4me3 and gene transcription, an effect reversed by lithium. Human postmortem tissue from bipolar subjects reveals a similar increase in Cck expression in the VTA with mood stabilizer treatment. These studies identify a key role for Cck in the development and treatment of mania, and describe some of the molecular mechanisms by which lithium may act as an effective antimanic agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel N. Arey
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry, Dallas, TX 75390-9070
| | - John F. Enwright
- Austin College, Department of Biology, Sherman, TX 75090,University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Translational Neuroscience Program, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
| | - Sade M. Spencer
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry, Dallas, TX 75390-9070
| | - Edgardo Falcon
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry, Dallas, TX 75390-9070
| | - Angela R. Ozburn
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry, Dallas, TX 75390-9070,University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Translational Neuroscience Program, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
| | - Subroto Ghose
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry, Dallas, TX 75390-9070
| | - Carol Tamminga
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry, Dallas, TX 75390-9070
| | - Colleen A. McClung
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry, Dallas, TX 75390-9070,University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Translational Neuroscience Program, Pittsburgh, PA 15219,Author to whom correspondence should be addressed, Colleen A. McClung, Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, 450 Technology Drive, Suite 223, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, (412) 624-5547 phone,
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