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Wang Y, Zhai Y, Wang J. Insight into the early pathogenesis and therapeutic strategies of spinocerebellar ataxia type 3/machado-joseph disease from mouse models. Parkinsonism Relat Disord 2024; 126:106991. [PMID: 38749872 DOI: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2024.106991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 03/31/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 09/05/2024]
Abstract
Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3), also known as Machado-Joseph disease (MJD), is the most common subtype of hereditary ataxia (HA), which is characterized by motor deficits and a lack of effective treatments, and imposes a huge physical, mental, and financial burden on patients and their families. Therefore, it is important to study the early pathogenesis of spinal cerebellar ataxia type 3 based on a mouse model for subsequent preventive treatment and seeking new therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Wang
- School of Medical and Life Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - YuYun Zhai
- School of Medical and Life Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Ju Wang
- Department of Rehabilitation, Traditional Chinese Hospital Medicine of Qing Yang District of Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
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2
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Sousa e Silva R, Sousa AD, Vieira J, Vieira CP. The Josephin domain (JD) containing proteins are predicted to bind to the same interactors: Implications for spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) studies using Drosophila melanogaster mutants. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1140719. [PMID: 37008788 PMCID: PMC10050893 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1140719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3, also known as Machado-Joseph disease (SCA3/ MJD), is the most frequent polyglutamine (polyQ) neurodegenerative disorder. It is caused by a pathogenic expansion of the polyQ tract, located at the C-terminal region of the protein encoded by the ATXN3 gene. This gene codes for a deubiquitinating enzyme (DUB) that belongs to a gene family, that in humans is composed by three more genes (ATXN3L, JOSD1, and JOSD2), that define two gene lineages (the ATXN3 and the Josephins). These proteins have in common the N-terminal catalytic domain (Josephin domain, JD), that in Josephins is the only domain present. In ATXN3 knock-out mouse and nematode models, the SCA3 neurodegeneration phenotype is not, however, reproduced, suggesting that in the genome of these species there are other genes that are able to compensate for the lack of ATXN3. Moreover, in mutant Drosophila melanogaster, where the only JD protein is coded by a Josephin-like gene, expression of the expanded human ATXN3 gene reproduces multiple aspects of the SCA3 phenotype, in contrast with the results of the expression of the wild type human form. In order to explain these findings, phylogenetic, as well as, protein–protein docking inferences are here performed. Here we show multiple losses of JD containing genes across the animal kingdom, suggesting partial functional redundancy of these genes. Accordingly, we predict that the JD is essential for binding with ataxin-3 and proteins of the Josephin lineages, and that D. melanogaster mutants are a good model of SCA3 despite the absence of a gene from the ATXN3 lineage. The molecular recognition regions of the ataxin-3 binding and those predicted for the Josephins are, however, different. We also report different binding regions between the two ataxin-3 forms (wild-type (wt) and expanded (exp)). The interactors that show an increase in the interaction strength with exp ataxin-3, are enriched in extrinsic components of mitochondrial outer membrane and endoplasmatic reticulum membrane. On the other hand, the group of interactors that show a decrease in the interaction strength with exp ataxin-3 is significantly enriched in extrinsic component of cytoplasm.
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3
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Piasecki P, Wiatr K, Ruszkowski M, Marczak Ł, Trottier Y, Figiel M. Impaired interactions of ataxin-3 with protein complexes reveals their specific structure and functions in SCA3 Ki150 model. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1122308. [PMID: 37033372 PMCID: PMC10080164 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1122308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3/MJD) is a neurodegenerative disease caused by CAG expansion in mutant ATXN3 gene. The resulting PolyQ tract in mutant ataxin-3 protein is toxic to neurons and currently no effective treatment exists. Function of both normal and mutant ataxin-3 is pleiotropic by their interactions and the influence on protein level. Our new preclinical Ki150 model with over 150 CAG/Q in ataxin-3 has robust aggregates indicating the presence of a process that enhances the interaction between proteins. Interactions in large complexes may resemble the real-life inclusion interactions and was never examined before for mutant and normal ataxin-3 and in homozygous mouse model with long polyQ tract. We fractionated ataxin-3-positive large complexes and independently we pulled-down ataxin-3 from brain lysates, and both were followed by proteomics. Among others, mutant ataxin-3 abnormally interacted with subunits of large complexes such as Cct5 and 6, Tcp1, and Camk2a and Camk2b. Surprisingly, the complexes exhibit circular molecular structure which may be linked to the process of aggregates formation where annular aggregates are intermediate stage to fibrils which may indicate novel ataxin-3 mode of interactions. The protein complexes were involved in transport of mitochondria in axons which was confirmed by altered motility of mitochondria along SCA3 Ki150 neurites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piotr Piasecki
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Kalina Wiatr
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Milosz Ruszkowski
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Łukasz Marczak
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Yvon Trottier
- Institute of Genetics and Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Strasbourg, Illkirch, France
| | - Maciej Figiel
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznań, Poland
- *Correspondence: Maciej Figiel,
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4
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Surdyka M, Jesion E, Niewiadomska-Cimicka A, Trottier Y, Kalinowska-Pośka Ż, Figiel M. Selective transduction of cerebellar Purkinje and granule neurons using delivery of AAV-PHP.eB and AAVrh10 vectors at axonal terminal locations. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:947490. [PMID: 36176957 PMCID: PMC9513253 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.947490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based brain gene therapies require precision without off-targeting of unaffected neurons to avoid side effects. The cerebellum and its cell populations, including granule and Purkinje cells, are vulnerable to neurodegeneration; hence, conditions to deliver the therapy to specific cell populations selectively remain challenging. We have investigated a system consisting of the AAV serotypes, targeted injections, and transduction modes (direct or retrograde) for targeted delivery of AAV to cerebellar cell populations. We selected the AAV-PHP.eB and AAVrh10 serotypes valued for their retrograde features, and we thoroughly examined their cerebellar transduction pattern when injected into lobules and deep cerebellar nuclei. We found that AAVrh10 is suitable for the transduction of neurons in the mode highly dependent on placing the virus at axonal terminals. The strategy secures selective transduction for granule cells. The AAV-PHP.eB can transduce Purkinje cells and is very selective for the cell type when injected into the DCN at axonal PC terminals. Therefore, both serotypes can be used in a retrograde mode for selective transduction of major neuronal types in the cerebellum. Moreover, our in vivo transduction strategies are suitable for pre-clinical protocol development for gene delivery to granule cells by AAVrh10 and Purkinje cells by AAV-PHPeB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Surdyka
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Ewelina Jesion
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Anna Niewiadomska-Cimicka
- Institute of Genetics and Molecular and Cellular Biology, INSERM U1258, CNRS UMR7104, University of Strasbourg, Illkirch, France
| | - Yvon Trottier
- Institute of Genetics and Molecular and Cellular Biology, INSERM U1258, CNRS UMR7104, University of Strasbourg, Illkirch, France
| | - Żaneta Kalinowska-Pośka
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Maciej Figiel
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznań, Poland
- *Correspondence: Maciej Figiel
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Schuster KH, Putka AF, McLoughlin HS. Pathogenetic Mechanisms Underlying Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 3 Are Altered in Primary Oligodendrocyte Culture. Cells 2022; 11:2615. [PMID: 36010688 PMCID: PMC9406561 DOI: 10.3390/cells11162615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Emerging evidence has implicated non-neuronal cells, particularly oligodendrocytes, in the pathophysiology of many neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington's disease and Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3). We recently demonstrated that cell-autonomous dysfunction of oligodendrocyte maturation is one of the of the earliest and most robust changes in vulnerable regions of the SCA3 mouse brain. However, the cell- and disease-specific mechanisms that underlie oligodendrocyte dysfunction remain poorly understood and are difficult to isolate in vivo. In this study, we used primary oligodendrocyte cultures to determine how known pathogenic SCA3 mechanisms affect this cell type. We isolated oligodendrocyte progenitor cells from 5- to 7-day-old mice that overexpress human mutant ATXN3 or lack mouse ATXN3 and differentiated them for up to 5 days in vitro. Utilizing immunocytochemistry, we characterized the contributions of ATXN3 toxic gain-of-function and loss-of-function in oligodendrocyte maturation, protein quality pathways, DNA damage signaling, and methylation status. We illustrate the utility of primary oligodendrocyte culture for elucidating cell-specific pathway dysregulation relevant to SCA3. Given recent work demonstrating disease-associated oligodendrocyte signatures in other neurodegenerative diseases, this novel model has broad applicability in revealing mechanistic insights of oligodendrocyte contribution to pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alexandra F. Putka
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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Garcia‐Moreno H, Prudencio M, Thomas‐Black G, Solanky N, Jansen‐West KR, Hanna AL‐Shaikh R, Heslegrave A, Zetterberg H, Santana MM, Pereira de Almeida L, Vasconcelos‐Ferreira A, Januário C, Infante J, Faber J, Klockgether T, Reetz K, Raposo M, Ferreira AF, Lima M, Schöls L, Synofzik M, Hübener‐Schmid J, Puschmann A, Gorcenco S, Wszolek ZK, Petrucelli L, Giunti P. Tau and neurofilament light-chain as fluid biomarkers in spinocerebellar ataxia type 3. Eur J Neurol 2022; 29:2439-2452. [PMID: 35478426 PMCID: PMC9543545 DOI: 10.1111/ene.15373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Clinical trials in spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) will require biomarkers for use as outcome measures. METHODS To evaluate total tau (t-tau), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCHL1) and neurofilament light-chain (NfL) as fluid biomarkers in SCA3, ATXN3 mutation carriers (n = 143) and controls (n = 172) were clinically assessed, and the plasma concentrations of the four proteins were analysed on the Simoa HD-1 platform. Eleven ATXN3 mutation carrier cerebrospinal fluid samples were analysed for t-tau and phosphorylated tau (p-tau181 ). A transgenic SCA3 mouse model (MJDTg) was used to measure cerebellar t-tau levels. RESULTS Plasma t-tau levels were higher in mutation carriers below the age of 50 compared to controls, and the Inventory of Non-Ataxia Signs was associated with t-tau in ataxic patients (p = 0.004). Pre-ataxic carriers showed higher cerebrospinal fluid t-tau and p-tau181 concentrations compared to ataxic patients (p = 0.025 and p = 0.014, respectively). Cerebellar t-tau was elevated in MJDTg mice compared to wild-type (p = 0.033) only in the early stages of the disease. GFAP and UCHL1 did not show higher levels in mutation carriers compared to controls. Plasma NfL concentrations were higher in mutation carriers compared to controls, and differences were greater for younger carriers. The Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia was the strongest predictor of NfL in ataxic patients (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Our results suggest that tau might be a marker of early disease stages in SCA3. NfL can discriminate mutation carriers from controls and is associated with different clinical variables. Longitudinal studies are required to confirm their potential role as biomarkers in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hector Garcia‐Moreno
- Ataxia CentreDepartment of Clinical and Movement NeurosciencesUCL Queen Square Institute of NeurologyUniversity College LondonLondonUK,Department of NeurogeneticsNational Hospital for Neurology and NeurosurgeryUniversity College London Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustLondonUK
| | - Mercedes Prudencio
- Department of NeuroscienceMayo ClinicJacksonvilleFloridaUSA,Neuroscience Graduate ProgramMayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical SciencesJacksonvilleFloridaUSA
| | - Gilbert Thomas‐Black
- Ataxia CentreDepartment of Clinical and Movement NeurosciencesUCL Queen Square Institute of NeurologyUniversity College LondonLondonUK,Department of NeurogeneticsNational Hospital for Neurology and NeurosurgeryUniversity College London Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustLondonUK
| | - Nita Solanky
- Ataxia CentreDepartment of Clinical and Movement NeurosciencesUCL Queen Square Institute of NeurologyUniversity College LondonLondonUK,Department of NeurogeneticsNational Hospital for Neurology and NeurosurgeryUniversity College London Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustLondonUK
| | | | | | - Amanda Heslegrave
- Department of Neurodegenerative DiseaseUCL Queen Square Institute of NeurologyLondonUK,UK Dementia Research Institute at UCLLondonUK
| | - Henrik Zetterberg
- Department of Neurodegenerative DiseaseUCL Queen Square Institute of NeurologyLondonUK,UK Dementia Research Institute at UCLLondonUK,Department of Psychiatry and NeurochemistryInstitute of Neuroscience and Physiologythe Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of GothenburgMölndalSweden,Clinical Neurochemistry LaboratorySahlgrenska University HospitalMölndalSweden
| | - Magda M. Santana
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell BiologyUniversity of CoimbraCoimbraPortugal
| | | | | | | | - Jon Infante
- Neurology ServiceUniversity Hospital Marqués de Valdecilla‐IDIVALUniversity of CantabriaCentro de Investigación en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED)SantanderSpain
| | - Jennifer Faber
- Department of NeurologyUniversity Hospital BonnBonnGermany,German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE)BonnGermany
| | - Thomas Klockgether
- Department of NeurologyUniversity Hospital BonnBonnGermany,German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE)BonnGermany
| | - Kathrin Reetz
- Department of NeurologyRWTH Aachen UniversityAachenGermany,JARA‐BRAIN Institute Molecular Neuroscience and NeuroimagingForschungszentrum JülichRWTH Aachen UniversityAachenGermany
| | - Mafalda Raposo
- Faculdade de Ciências e TecnologiaUniversidade dos AçoresPonta DelgadaPortugal,Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC)Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S)Universidade do PortoPortoPortugal
| | - Ana F. Ferreira
- Faculdade de Ciências e TecnologiaUniversidade dos AçoresPonta DelgadaPortugal,Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC)Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S)Universidade do PortoPortoPortugal
| | - Manuela Lima
- Faculdade de Ciências e TecnologiaUniversidade dos AçoresPonta DelgadaPortugal,Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC)Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S)Universidade do PortoPortoPortugal
| | - Ludger Schöls
- Department for Neurodegenerative DiseasesHertie‐Institute for Clinical Brain Research and Center for NeurologyUniversity of TübingenTübingenGermany,German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE)TübingenGermany
| | - Matthis Synofzik
- Department for Neurodegenerative DiseasesHertie‐Institute for Clinical Brain Research and Center for NeurologyUniversity of TübingenTübingenGermany,German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE)TübingenGermany
| | | | - Andreas Puschmann
- Lund University, Skåne University HospitalClinical Sciences, NeurologyLundSweden
| | - Sorina Gorcenco
- Lund University, Skåne University HospitalClinical Sciences, NeurologyLundSweden
| | | | - Leonard Petrucelli
- Department of NeuroscienceMayo ClinicJacksonvilleFloridaUSA,Neuroscience Graduate ProgramMayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical SciencesJacksonvilleFloridaUSA
| | - Paola Giunti
- Ataxia CentreDepartment of Clinical and Movement NeurosciencesUCL Queen Square Institute of NeurologyUniversity College LondonLondonUK,Department of NeurogeneticsNational Hospital for Neurology and NeurosurgeryUniversity College London Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustLondonUK
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7
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Jansen-West K, Todd TW, Daughrity LM, Yue M, Tong J, Carlomagno Y, Del Rosso G, Kurti A, Jones CY, Dunmore JA, Castanedes-Casey M, Dickson DW, Wszolek ZK, Fryer JD, Petrucelli L, Prudencio M. Plasma PolyQ-ATXN3 Levels Associate With Cerebellar Degeneration and Behavioral Abnormalities in a New AAV-Based SCA3 Mouse Model. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:863089. [PMID: 35386195 PMCID: PMC8977414 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.863089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) is a dominantly inherited cerebellar ataxia caused by the expansion of a polyglutamine (polyQ) repeat in the gene encoding ATXN3. The polyQ expansion induces protein inclusion formation in the neurons of patients and results in neuronal degeneration in the cerebellum and other brain regions. We used adeno-associated virus (AAV) technology to develop a new mouse model of SCA3 that recapitulates several features of the human disease, including locomotor defects, cerebellar-specific neuronal loss, polyQ-expanded ATXN3 inclusions, and TDP-43 pathology. We also found that neurofilament light is elevated in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of the SCA3 animals, and the expanded polyQ-ATXN3 protein can be detected in the plasma. Interestingly, the levels of polyQ-ATXN3 in plasma correlated with measures of cerebellar degeneration and locomotor deficits in 6-month-old SCA3 mice, supporting the hypothesis that this factor could act as a biomarker for SCA3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Jansen-West
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
| | - Tiffany W. Todd
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
- Neurobiology of Disease Graduate Program, Mayo Graduate School, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, United States
| | | | - Mei Yue
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
| | - Jimei Tong
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
| | - Yari Carlomagno
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
- Neurobiology of Disease Graduate Program, Mayo Graduate School, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Giulia Del Rosso
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
- Neurobiology of Disease Graduate Program, Mayo Graduate School, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Aishe Kurti
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
| | - Caroline Y. Jones
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
| | - Judith A. Dunmore
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
| | | | - Dennis W. Dickson
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
- Neurobiology of Disease Graduate Program, Mayo Graduate School, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, United States
| | | | - John D. Fryer
- Neurobiology of Disease Graduate Program, Mayo Graduate School, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, United States
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ, United States
| | - Leonard Petrucelli
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
- Neurobiology of Disease Graduate Program, Mayo Graduate School, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Mercedes Prudencio
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
- Neurobiology of Disease Graduate Program, Mayo Graduate School, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, United States
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8
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Haas E, Incebacak RD, Hentrich T, Huridou C, Schmidt T, Casadei N, Maringer Y, Bahl C, Zimmermann F, Mills JD, Aronica E, Riess O, Schulze-Hentrich JM, Hübener-Schmid J. A Novel SCA3 Knock-in Mouse Model Mimics the Human SCA3 Disease Phenotype Including Neuropathological, Behavioral, and Transcriptional Abnormalities Especially in Oligodendrocytes. Mol Neurobiol 2022; 59:495-522. [PMID: 34716557 PMCID: PMC8786755 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-021-02610-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 is the most common autosomal dominant inherited ataxia worldwide, caused by a CAG repeat expansion in the Ataxin-3 gene resulting in a polyglutamine (polyQ)-expansion in the corresponding protein. The disease is characterized by neuropathological, phenotypical, and specific transcriptional changes in affected brain regions. So far, there is no mouse model available representing all the different aspects of the disease, yet highly needed for a better understanding of the disease pathomechanisms. Here, we characterized a novel Ataxin-3 knock-in mouse model, expressing a heterozygous or homozygous expansion of 304 CAACAGs in the murine Ataxin-3 locus using biochemical, behavioral, and transcriptomic approaches. We compared neuropathological, and behavioral features of the new knock-in model with the in SCA3 research mostly used YAC84Q mouse model. Further, we compared transcriptional changes found in cerebellar samples of the SCA3 knock-in mice and post-mortem human SCA3 patients. The novel knock-in mouse is characterized by the expression of a polyQ-expansion in the murine Ataxin-3 protein, leading to aggregate formation, especially in brain regions known to be vulnerable in SCA3 patients, and impairment of Purkinje cells. Along these neuropathological changes, the mice showed a reduction in body weight accompanied by gait and balance instability. Transcriptomic analysis of cerebellar tissue revealed age-dependent differential expression, enriched for genes attributed to myelinating oligodendrocytes. Comparing these changes with those found in cerebellar tissue of SCA3 patients, we discovered an overlap of differentially expressed genes pointing towards similar gene expression perturbances in several genes linked to myelin sheaths and myelinating oligodendrocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Haas
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Centre for Rare Diseases, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Rana D Incebacak
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Centre for Rare Diseases, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Thomas Hentrich
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Centre for Rare Diseases, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Chrisovalantou Huridou
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Centre for Rare Diseases, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Thorsten Schmidt
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Centre for Rare Diseases, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Nicolas Casadei
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Centre for Rare Diseases, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- DFG NGS Competence Center Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Yacine Maringer
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Centre for Rare Diseases, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Carola Bahl
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Centre for Rare Diseases, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Frank Zimmermann
- Interfaculty Biomedical Facility (IBF) Biotechnology lab, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - James D Mills
- Department of (Neuro)Pathology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Eleonora Aronica
- Department of (Neuro)Pathology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Olaf Riess
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Centre for Rare Diseases, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- DFG NGS Competence Center Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Julia M Schulze-Hentrich
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Centre for Rare Diseases, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jeannette Hübener-Schmid
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
- Centre for Rare Diseases, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
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9
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CRISPR/Cas9 mediated gene correction ameliorates abnormal phenotypes in spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells. Transl Psychiatry 2021; 11:479. [PMID: 34535635 PMCID: PMC8448778 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-021-01605-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3/Machado-Joseph disease (SCA3/MJD) is a progressive autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disease caused by abnormal CAG repeats in the exon 10 of ATXN3. The accumulation of the mutant ataxin-3 proteins carrying expanded polyglutamine (polyQ) leads to selective degeneration of neurons. Since the pathogenesis of SCA3 has not been fully elucidated, and no effective therapies have been identified, it is crucial to investigate the pathogenesis and seek new therapeutic strategies of SCA3. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) can be used as the ideal cell model for the molecular pathogenesis of polyQ diseases. Abnormal CAG expansions mediated by CRISPR/Cas9 genome engineering technologies have shown promising potential for the treatment of polyQ diseases, including SCA3. In this study, SCA3-iPSCs can be corrected by the replacement of the abnormal CAG expansions (74 CAG) with normal repeats (17 CAG) using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated homologous recombination (HR) strategy. Besides, corrected SCA3-iPSCs retained pluripotent and normal karyotype, which can be differentiated into a neural stem cell (NSCs) and neuronal cells, and maintained electrophysiological characteristics. The expression of differentiation markers and electrophysiological characteristics were similar among the neuronal differentiation from normal control iPSCs (Ctrl-iPSCs), SCA3-iPSCs, and isogenic control SCA3-iPSCs. Furthermore, this study proved that the phenotypic abnormalities in SCA3 neurons, including aggregated IC2-polyQ protein, decreased mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and glutathione expressions, increased reactive oxygen species (ROS), intracellular Ca2+ concentrations, and lipid peroxidase malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, all were rescued in the corrected SCA3-NCs. For the first time, this study demonstrated the feasibility of CRISPR/Cas9-mediated HR strategy to precisely repair SCA3-iPSCs, and reverse the corresponding abnormal disease phenotypes. In addition, the importance of genetic control using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated iPSCs for disease modeling. Our work may contribute to providing a potential ideal model for molecular mechanism research and autologous stem cell therapy of SCA3 or other polyQ diseases, and offer a good gene therapy strategy for future treatment.
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Kozlowska U, Nichols C, Wiatr K, Figiel M. From psychiatry to neurology: Psychedelics as prospective therapeutics for neurodegenerative disorders. J Neurochem 2021; 162:89-108. [PMID: 34519052 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The studies of psychedelics, especially psychedelic tryptamines like psilocybin, are rapidly gaining interest in neuroscience research. Much of this interest stems from recent clinical studies demonstrating that they have a unique ability to improve the debilitating symptoms of major depressive disorder (MDD) long-term after only a single treatment. Indeed, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently designated two Phase III clinical trials studying the ability of psilocybin to treat forms of MDD with "Breakthrough Therapy" status. If successful, the use of psychedelics to treat psychiatric diseases like depression would be revolutionary. As more evidence appears in the scientific literature to support their use in psychiatry to treat MDD on and substance use disorders (SUD), recent studies with rodents revealed that their therapeutic effects might extend beyond treating MDD and SUD. For example, psychedelics may have efficacy in the treatment and prevention of brain injury and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's Disease. Preclinical work has highlighted psychedelics' ability to induce neuroplasticity and synaptogenesis, and neural progenitor cell proliferation. Psychedelics may also act as immunomodulators by reducing levels of proinflammatory biomarkers, including IL-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Their exact molecular mechanisms, and induction of cellular interactions, especially between neural and glial cells, leading to therapeutic efficacy, remain to be determined. In this review, we discuss recent findings and information on how psychedelics may act therapeutically on cells within the central nervous system (CNS) during brain injuries and neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Urszula Kozlowska
- Ludwik Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland.,Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Charles Nichols
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Kalina Wiatr
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Maciej Figiel
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Poland
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Wiatr K, Marczak Ł, Pérot JB, Brouillet E, Flament J, Figiel M. Broad Influence of Mutant Ataxin-3 on the Proteome of the Adult Brain, Young Neurons, and Axons Reveals Central Molecular Processes and Biomarkers in SCA3/MJD Using Knock-In Mouse Model. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:658339. [PMID: 34220448 PMCID: PMC8248683 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.658339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3/MJD) is caused by CAG expansion mutation resulting in a long polyQ domain in mutant ataxin-3. The mutant protein is a special type of protease, deubiquitinase, which may indicate its prominent impact on the regulation of cellular proteins levels and activity. Yet, the global model picture of SCA3 disease progression on the protein level, molecular pathways in the brain, and neurons, is largely unknown. Here, we investigated the molecular SCA3 mechanism using an interdisciplinary research paradigm combining behavioral and molecular aspects of SCA3 in the knock-in ki91 model. We used the behavior, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and brain tissue examination to correlate the disease stages with brain proteomics, precise axonal proteomics, neuronal energy recordings, and labeling of vesicles. We have demonstrated that altered metabolic and mitochondrial proteins in the brain and the lack of weight gain in Ki91 SCA3/MJD mice is reflected by the failure of energy metabolism recorded in neonatal SCA3 cerebellar neurons. We have determined that further, during disease progression, proteins responsible for metabolism, cytoskeletal architecture, vesicular, and axonal transport are disturbed, revealing axons as one of the essential cell compartments in SCA3 pathogenesis. Therefore we focus on SCA3 pathogenesis in axonal and somatodendritic compartments revealing highly increased axonal localization of protein synthesis machinery, including ribosomes, translation factors, and RNA binding proteins, while the level of proteins responsible for cellular transport and mitochondria was decreased. We demonstrate the accumulation of axonal vesicles in neonatal SCA3 cerebellar neurons and increased phosphorylation of SMI-312 positive adult cerebellar axons, which indicate axonal dysfunction in SCA3. In summary, the SCA3 disease mechanism is based on the broad influence of mutant ataxin-3 on the neuronal proteome. Processes central in our SCA3 model include disturbed localization of proteins between axonal and somatodendritic compartment, early neuronal energy deficit, altered neuronal cytoskeletal structure, an overabundance of various components of protein synthesis machinery in axons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kalina Wiatr
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Łukasz Marczak
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Jean-Baptiste Pérot
- Université Paris-Saclay, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique, Direction de la Recherche Fondamentale, Institut de Biologie François Jacob, Molecular Imaging Research Center, Neurodegenerative Diseases Laboratory, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Emmanuel Brouillet
- Université Paris-Saclay, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique, Direction de la Recherche Fondamentale, Institut de Biologie François Jacob, Molecular Imaging Research Center, Neurodegenerative Diseases Laboratory, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Julien Flament
- Université Paris-Saclay, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique, Direction de la Recherche Fondamentale, Institut de Biologie François Jacob, Molecular Imaging Research Center, Neurodegenerative Diseases Laboratory, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Maciej Figiel
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznań, Poland
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Sowa AS, Popova TG, Harmuth T, Weber JJ, Pereira Sena P, Schmidt J, Hübener-Schmid J, Schmidt T. Neurodegenerative phosphoprotein signaling landscape in models of SCA3. Mol Brain 2021; 14:57. [PMID: 33741019 PMCID: PMC7980345 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-020-00723-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) is a rare neurodegenerative disorder resulting from an aberrant expansion of a polyglutamine stretch in the ataxin-3 protein and subsequent neuronal death. The underlying intracellular signaling pathways are currently unknown. We applied the Reverse-phase Protein MicroArray (RPMA) technology to assess the levels of 50 signaling proteins (in phosphorylated and total forms) using three in vitro and in vivo models expressing expanded ataxin-3: (i) human embryonic kidney (HEK293T) cells stably transfected with human ataxin-3 constructs, (ii) mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEF) from SCA3 transgenic mice, and (iii) whole brains from SCA3 transgenic mice. All three models demonstrated a high degree of similarity sharing a subset of phosphorylated proteins involved in the PI3K/AKT/GSK3/mTOR pathway. Expanded ataxin-3 strongly interfered (by stimulation or suppression) with normal ataxin-3 signaling consistent with the pathogenic role of the polyglutamine expansion. In comparison with normal ataxin-3, expanded ataxin-3 caused a pro-survival stimulation of the ERK pathway along with reduced pro-apoptotic and transcriptional responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna S Sowa
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tuebingen, Calwerstrasse 7, 72076, Tuebingen, Germany.,Centre for Rare Diseases, University of Tuebingen, 72076, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Taissia G Popova
- Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine, College of Science, George Mason University, Manassas, VA, USA
| | - Tina Harmuth
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tuebingen, Calwerstrasse 7, 72076, Tuebingen, Germany.,Centre for Rare Diseases, University of Tuebingen, 72076, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Jonasz J Weber
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tuebingen, Calwerstrasse 7, 72076, Tuebingen, Germany.,Centre for Rare Diseases, University of Tuebingen, 72076, Tuebingen, Germany.,Department of Human Genetics, Ruhr-University Bochum, Universitaetsstrasse 150, 44801, Bochum, Germany
| | - Priscila Pereira Sena
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tuebingen, Calwerstrasse 7, 72076, Tuebingen, Germany.,Centre for Rare Diseases, University of Tuebingen, 72076, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Jana Schmidt
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tuebingen, Calwerstrasse 7, 72076, Tuebingen, Germany.,Centre for Rare Diseases, University of Tuebingen, 72076, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Jeannette Hübener-Schmid
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tuebingen, Calwerstrasse 7, 72076, Tuebingen, Germany.,Centre for Rare Diseases, University of Tuebingen, 72076, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Thorsten Schmidt
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tuebingen, Calwerstrasse 7, 72076, Tuebingen, Germany. .,Centre for Rare Diseases, University of Tuebingen, 72076, Tuebingen, Germany.
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13
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Akçimen F, Martins S, Liao C, Bourassa CV, Catoire H, Nicholson GA, Riess O, Raposo M, França MC, Vasconcelos J, Lima M, Lopes-Cendes I, Saraiva-Pereira ML, Jardim LB, Sequeiros J, Dion PA, Rouleau GA. Genome-wide association study identifies genetic factors that modify age at onset in Machado-Joseph disease. Aging (Albany NY) 2020; 12:4742-4756. [PMID: 32205469 PMCID: PMC7138549 DOI: 10.18632/aging.102825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Machado-Joseph disease (MJD/SCA3) is the most common form of dominantly inherited ataxia worldwide. The disorder is caused by an expanded CAG repeat in the ATXN3 gene. Past studies have revealed that the length of the expansion partly explains the disease age at onset (AO) variability of MJD, which is confirmed in this study (Pearson’s correlation coefficient R2 = 0.62). Using a total of 786 MJD patients from five different geographical origins, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) was conducted to identify additional AO modifying factors that could explain some of the residual AO variability. We identified nine suggestively associated loci (P < 1 × 10−5). These loci were enriched for genes involved in vesicle transport, olfactory signaling, and synaptic pathways. Furthermore, associations between AO and the TRIM29 and RAG genes suggests that DNA repair mechanisms might be implicated in MJD pathogenesis. Our study demonstrates the existence of several additional genetic factors, along with CAG expansion, that may lead to a better understanding of the genotype-phenotype correlation in MJD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fulya Akçimen
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.,Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Sandra Martins
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,IPATIMUP - Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Calwing Liao
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.,Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Cynthia V Bourassa
- Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.,Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Hélène Catoire
- Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.,Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Garth A Nicholson
- University of Sydney, Department of Medicine, Concord Hospital, Concord, Australia
| | - Olaf Riess
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Mafalda Raposo
- Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade dos Açores e Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Marcondes C França
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, UNICAMP, São Paulo, Campinas, Brazil
| | - João Vasconcelos
- School of Medical Sciences, Department of Medical Genetics and Genomic Medicine, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), São Paulo, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Manuela Lima
- Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade dos Açores e Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Iscia Lopes-Cendes
- The Brazilian Institute of Neuroscience and Neurotechnology (BRAINN), São Paulo, Campinas, Brazil.,Departamento de Neurologia, Hospital do Divino Espírito Santo, Ponta Delgada, Portugal
| | - Maria Luiza Saraiva-Pereira
- Medical Genetics Service, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Depto. de Bioquímica - ICBS, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Laura B Jardim
- Medical Genetics Service, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Depto de Medicina Interna, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Jorge Sequeiros
- IPATIMUP - Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology (IBMC), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar (ICBAS), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Patrick A Dion
- Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.,Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Guy A Rouleau
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.,Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.,Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
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Da Silva JD, Teixeira-Castro A, Maciel P. From Pathogenesis to Novel Therapeutics for Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 3: Evading Potholes on the Way to Translation. Neurotherapeutics 2019; 16:1009-1031. [PMID: 31691128 PMCID: PMC6985322 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-019-00798-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3), also known as Machado-Joseph disease (MJD), is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by a polyglutamine expansion in the ATXN3 gene. In spite of the identification of a clear monogenic cause 25 years ago, the pathological process still puzzles researchers, impairing prospects for an effective therapy. Here, we propose the disruption of protein homeostasis as the hub of SCA3 pathogenesis, being the molecular mechanisms and cellular pathways that are deregulated in SCA3 downstream consequences of the misfolding and aggregation of ATXN3. Moreover, we attempt to provide a realistic perspective on how the translational/clinical research in SCA3 should evolve. This was based on molecular findings, clinical and epidemiological characteristics, studies of proposed treatments in other conditions, and how that information is essential for their (re-)application in SCA3. This review thus aims i) to critically evaluate the current state of research on SCA3, from fundamental to translational and clinical perspectives; ii) to bring up the current key questions that remain unanswered in this disorder; and iii) to provide a frame on how those answers should be pursued.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Diogo Da Silva
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Andreia Teixeira-Castro
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Patrícia Maciel
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
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