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Kwon D, Ahn J, Kim H, Kim H, Kim J, Wy S, Ko Y, Kim J. Convergent dwarfism consequences of minipigs under independent artificial selections. BMC Genomics 2024; 25:761. [PMID: 39107730 PMCID: PMC11301983 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10677-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/31/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Currently, diverse minipigs have acquired a common dwarfism phenotype through independent artificial selections. Characterizing the population and genetic diversity in minipigs is important to unveil genetic mechanisms regulating their body sizes and effects of independent artificial selections on those genetic mechanisms. However, full understanding for the genetic mechanisms and phenotypic consequences in minipigs still lag behind. RESULTS Here, using whole genome sequencing data of 41 pig breeds, including eight minipigs, we identified a large genomic diversity in a minipig population compared to other pig populations in terms of population structure, demographic signatures, and selective signatures. Selective signatures reveal diverse biological mechanisms related to body size in minipigs. We also found evidence for neural development mechanism as a minipig-specific body size regulator. Interestingly, selection signatures within those mechanisms containing neural development are also highly different among minipig breeds. Despite those large genetic variances, PLAG1, CHM, and ESR1 are candidate key genes regulating body size which experience different differentiation directions in different pig populations. CONCLUSIONS These findings present large variances of genetic structures, demographic signatures, and selective signatures in the minipig population. They also highlight how different artificial selections with large genomic diversity have shaped the convergent dwarfism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daehong Kwon
- Department of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Jiyeong Ahn
- Department of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeonji Kim
- Department of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Heesun Kim
- Department of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Junyoung Kim
- Department of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Suyeon Wy
- Department of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Younhee Ko
- Division of Biomedical Engineering, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Yongin, Gyeonggi-Do, 17035, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaebum Kim
- Department of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea.
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Shehjar F, Almarghalani DA, Mahajan R, Hasan SAM, Shah ZA. The Multifaceted Role of Cofilin in Neurodegeneration and Stroke: Insights into Pathogenesis and Targeting as a Therapy. Cells 2024; 13:188. [PMID: 38247879 PMCID: PMC10814918 DOI: 10.3390/cells13020188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
This comprehensive review explores the complex role of cofilin, an actin-binding protein, across various neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, schizophrenia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Huntington's) and stroke. Cofilin is an essential protein in cytoskeletal dynamics, and any dysregulation could lead to potentially serious complications. Cofilin's involvement is underscored by its impact on pathological hallmarks like Aβ plaques and α-synuclein aggregates, triggering synaptic dysfunction, dendritic spine loss, and impaired neuronal plasticity, leading to cognitive decline. In Parkinson's disease, cofilin collaborates with α-synuclein, exacerbating neurotoxicity and impairing mitochondrial and axonal function. ALS and frontotemporal dementia showcase cofilin's association with genetic factors like C9ORF72, affecting actin dynamics and contributing to neurotoxicity. Huntington's disease brings cofilin into focus by impairing microglial migration and influencing synaptic plasticity through AMPA receptor regulation. Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and schizophrenia exhibit 14-3-3 proteins in cofilin dysregulation as a shared pathological mechanism. In the case of stroke, cofilin takes center stage, mediating neurotoxicity and neuronal cell death. Notably, there is a potential overlap in the pathologies and involvement of cofilin in various diseases. In this context, referencing cofilin dysfunction could provide valuable insights into the common pathologies associated with the aforementioned conditions. Moreover, this review explores promising therapeutic interventions, including cofilin inhibitors and gene therapy, demonstrating efficacy in preclinical models. Challenges in inhibitor development, brain delivery, tissue/cell specificity, and long-term safety are acknowledged, emphasizing the need for precision drug therapy. The call to action involves collaborative research, biomarker identification, and advancing translational efforts. Cofilin emerges as a pivotal player, offering potential as a therapeutic target. However, unraveling its complexities requires concerted multidisciplinary efforts for nuanced and effective interventions across the intricate landscape of neurodegenerative diseases and stroke, presenting a hopeful avenue for improved patient care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faheem Shehjar
- Department of Medicinal and Biological Chemistry, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Toledo, OH 43614, USA; (F.S.); (R.M.)
| | - Daniyah A. Almarghalani
- Stroke Research Unit, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Reetika Mahajan
- Department of Medicinal and Biological Chemistry, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Toledo, OH 43614, USA; (F.S.); (R.M.)
| | - Syed A.-M. Hasan
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43614, USA;
| | - Zahoor A. Shah
- Department of Medicinal and Biological Chemistry, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Toledo, OH 43614, USA; (F.S.); (R.M.)
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43614, USA;
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Al-Shalan HAM, Hu D, Wang P, Uddin J, Chopra A, Greene WK, Ma B. Transcriptomic Profiling of Influenza A Virus-Infected Mouse Lung at Recovery Stage Using RNA Sequencing. Viruses 2023; 15:2198. [PMID: 38005876 PMCID: PMC10675624 DOI: 10.3390/v15112198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Influenza A virus (IAV) is known to cause mild to severe respiratory illness. Under some conditions, the infection can lead to pneumonia (viral or bacterial), acute respiratory distress syndrome, and other complications that can be fatal, especially in vulnerable populations such as the elderly, young children, and individuals with underlying health conditions. Despite previous studies, little is known about the host immune response and neuroimmune interactions in IAV infection. Using RNA sequencing, we performed transcriptomic analysis of murine lung tissue 21 days post infection (dpi) with IAV (H1N1) in order to find the differentially expression genes (DEGs) related to the host immune response and neuroimmune interactions inside the lung during recovery. Among 792 DEGs, 434 genes were up-regulated, whereas 358 genes were down-regulated. The most prominent molecular functions of the up-regulated genes were related to the immune response and tissue repair, whereas a large proportion of the down-regulated genes were associated with neural functions. Although further molecular/functional studies need to be performed for these DEGs, our results facilitate the understanding of the host response (from innate immunity to adaptive immunity) and neuroimmune interactions in infected lungs at the recovery stage of IAV infection. These genes might have potential uses as mechanistic/diagnostic biomarkers and represent possible targets for anti-IAV therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huda A M Al-Shalan
- School of Medical, Molecular and Forensic Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6149, Australia
- Department of Microbiology/Virology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Baghdad University, Baghdad 10071, Iraq
| | - Dailun Hu
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, China
| | - Penghao Wang
- School of Medical, Molecular and Forensic Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6149, Australia
| | - Jasim Uddin
- School of Medical, Molecular and Forensic Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6149, Australia
| | - Abha Chopra
- Genomics Core Research Facility, Health Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6149, Australia
| | - Wayne K Greene
- School of Medical, Molecular and Forensic Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6149, Australia
| | - Bin Ma
- School of Medical, Molecular and Forensic Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6149, Australia
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Nik Akhtar S, Bunner WP, Brennan E, Lu Q, Szatmari EM. Crosstalk between the Rho and Rab family of small GTPases in neurodegenerative disorders. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1084769. [PMID: 36779014 PMCID: PMC9911442 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1084769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurodegeneration is associated with defects in cytoskeletal dynamics and dysfunctions of the vesicular trafficking and sorting systems. In the last few decades, studies have demonstrated that the key regulators of cytoskeletal dynamics are proteins from the Rho family GTPases, meanwhile, the central hub for vesicle sorting and transport between target membranes is the Rab family of GTPases. In this regard, the role of Rho and Rab GTPases in the induction and maintenance of distinct functional and morphological neuronal domains (such as dendrites and axons) has been extensively studied. Several members belonging to these two families of proteins have been associated with many neurodegenerative disorders ranging from dementia to motor neuron degeneration. In this analysis, we attempt to present a brief review of the potential crosstalk between the Rab and Rho family members in neurodegenerative pathologies such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
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Affiliation(s)
- Shayan Nik Akhtar
- The Harriet and John Wooten Laboratory for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases Research, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States
| | - Wyatt P. Bunner
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, Department of Physical Therapy, College of Allied Health Sciences, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States
| | - Elizabeth Brennan
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, Department of Physical Therapy, College of Allied Health Sciences, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States
| | - Qun Lu
- The Harriet and John Wooten Laboratory for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases Research, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States,*Correspondence: Erzsebet M. Szatmari Qun Lu
| | - Erzsebet M. Szatmari
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, Department of Physical Therapy, College of Allied Health Sciences, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States,*Correspondence: Erzsebet M. Szatmari Qun Lu
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Kevenaar JT, Hoogenraad CC. The axonal cytoskeleton: from organization to function. Front Mol Neurosci 2015; 8:44. [PMID: 26321907 PMCID: PMC4536388 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2015.00044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2015] [Accepted: 07/31/2015] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The axon is the single long fiber that extends from the neuron and transmits electrical signals away from the cell body. The neuronal cytoskeleton, composed of microtubules (MTs), actin filaments and neurofilaments, is not only required for axon formation and axonal transport but also provides the structural basis for several specialized axonal structures, such as the axon initial segment (AIS) and presynaptic boutons. Emerging evidence suggest that the unique cytoskeleton organization in the axon is essential for its structure and integrity. In addition, the increasing number of neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases linked to defect in actin- and microtubule-dependent processes emphasizes the importance of a properly regulated cytoskeleton for normal axonal functioning. Here, we provide an overview of the current understanding of actin and microtubule organization within the axon and discuss models for the functional role of the cytoskeleton at specialized axonal structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josta T. Kevenaar
- Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht UniversityUtrecht, Netherlands
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Mi J, Shaw AE, Pak CW, Walsh KP, Minamide LS, Bernstein BW, Kuhn TB, Bamburg JR. A genetically encoded reporter for real-time imaging of cofilin-actin rods in living neurons. PLoS One 2013; 8:e83609. [PMID: 24391794 PMCID: PMC3877059 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0083609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2013] [Accepted: 11/05/2013] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Filament bundles (rods) of cofilin and actin (1:1) form in neurites of stressed neurons where they inhibit synaptic function. Live-cell imaging of rod formation is hampered by the fact that overexpression of a chimera of wild type cofilin with a fluorescent protein causes formation of spontaneous and persistent rods, which is exacerbated by the photostress of imaging. The study of rod induction in living cells calls for a rod reporter that does not cause spontaneous rods. From a study in which single cofilin surface residues were mutated, we identified a mutant, cofilinR21Q, which when fused with monomeric Red Fluorescent Protein (mRFP) and expressed several fold above endogenous cofilin, does not induce spontaneous rods even during the photostress of imaging. CofilinR21Q-mRFP only incorporates into rods when they form from endogenous proteins in stressed cells. In neurons, cofilinR21Q-mRFP reports on rods formed from endogenous cofilin and induced by all modes tested thus far. Rods have a half-life of 30-60 min upon removal of the inducer. Vesicle transport in neurites is arrested upon treatments that form rods and recovers as rods disappear. CofilinR21Q-mRFP is a genetically encoded rod reporter that is useful in live cell imaging studies of induced rod formation, including rod dynamics, and kinetics of rod elimination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianjie Mi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Neuroscience Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Alisa E. Shaw
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Neuroscience Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Chi W. Pak
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Neuroscience Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Keifer P. Walsh
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Neuroscience Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Laurie S. Minamide
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Neuroscience Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Barbara W. Bernstein
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Neuroscience Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Thomas B. Kuhn
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Neuroscience Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, Alaska, United States of America
| | - James R. Bamburg
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Neuroscience Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
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Schevzov G, Curthoys NM, Gunning PW, Fath T. Functional diversity of actin cytoskeleton in neurons and its regulation by tropomyosin. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2012; 298:33-94. [PMID: 22878104 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-394309-5.00002-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Neurons comprise functionally, molecularly, and spatially distinct subcellular compartments which include the soma, dendrites, axon, branches, dendritic spines, and growth cones. In this chapter, we detail the remarkable ability of the neuronal cytoskeleton to exquisitely regulate all these cytoplasmic distinct partitions, with particular emphasis on the microfilament system and its plethora of associated proteins. Importance will be given to the family of actin-associated proteins, tropomyosin, in defining distinct actin filament populations. The ability of tropomyosin isoforms to regulate the access of actin-binding proteins to the filaments is believed to define the structural diversity and dynamics of actin filaments and ultimately be responsible for the functional outcome of these filaments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Galina Schevzov
- Oncology Research Unit, Department of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Kensington, Australia
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