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Marchese M, Bernardi S, Vivarelli R, Doccini S, Santucci L, Ogi A, Licitra R, Zang J, Soliymani R, Mero S, Neuhauss SC, Ciarmoli L, Signore G, Lalowski MM, Santorelli FM. CLN5 deficiency impairs glucose uptake and uncovers PHGDH as a potential biomarker in Batten disease. Mol Psychiatry 2025:10.1038/s41380-025-03043-8. [PMID: 40346285 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-025-03043-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2024] [Revised: 04/14/2025] [Accepted: 04/30/2025] [Indexed: 05/11/2025]
Abstract
CLN5 disease, a form of juvenile dementia within the neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL), is associated with mutations in the CLN5 gene encoding the lysosomal bis(monoacylglycero)phosphate (BMP) synthase, essential for BMP production and lysosomal function. Limited knowledge of cellular mechanisms and unclear drug targets hinder translating this to children's treatment, which remains symptomatic. We developed and characterized a new cln5 knock-out zebrafish model that replicates key features and molecular signatures of the human disease. Loss of Cln5 function in vivo altered axonal growth of retinal ON-bipolar cells and disrupted calcium homeostasis in the cerebellum, revealing new disease features. Additionally, multi-omic analyses at different developmental stages revealed an impaired glucose metabolism as an original finding in NCL. A novel biomarker, PHGDH, was validated in zebrafish and human skin fibroblasts harboring pathogenic variants in CLN5, and in CLN7. We also tested metformin which improved the expression of PHGDH in patient-derived cells, and rescued zebrafish behavior. This work demonstrates the profound metabolic impact of CLN5 dysfunction, offering a promising avenue toward targeted therapies for juvenile dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Marchese
- Neurobiology and Molecular Medicine Unit, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, 56128, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Sara Bernardi
- Neurobiology and Molecular Medicine Unit, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, 56128, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy
| | - Rachele Vivarelli
- Neurobiology and Molecular Medicine Unit, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, 56128, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy
| | - Stefano Doccini
- Neurobiology and Molecular Medicine Unit, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, 56128, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Santucci
- Neurobiology and Molecular Medicine Unit, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, 56128, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy
| | - Asahi Ogi
- Neurobiology and Molecular Medicine Unit, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, 56128, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy
| | - Rosario Licitra
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Jingjing Zang
- University of Zurich, Department of Molecular Life Sciences, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Rabah Soliymani
- Meilahti Proteomics Unit, Department of Biochemistry & Developmental Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00290, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Serena Mero
- Neurobiology and Molecular Medicine Unit, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, 56128, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy
| | - Stephan Cf Neuhauss
- University of Zurich, Department of Molecular Life Sciences, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Lea Ciarmoli
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giovanni Signore
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, 56126, Pisa, Italy
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Maciej M Lalowski
- Meilahti Proteomics Unit, Department of Biochemistry & Developmental Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00290, Helsinki, Finland
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 6 St., 61-614, Poznań, Poland
| | - Filippo M Santorelli
- Neurobiology and Molecular Medicine Unit, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, 56128, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy.
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D'Anatro A, Calvelo J, Feijóo M, Giorello FM. Differential expression analyses and detection of SNP loci associated with environmental variables: Are salinity and temperature factors involved in population differentiation and speciation in Odontesthes? COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY. PART D, GENOMICS & PROTEOMICS 2024; 52:101262. [PMID: 38861850 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbd.2024.101262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2024] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
Environmental factors play a key role in individual adaptation to different local conditions. Because of this, studies about the physiological and genetic responses of individuals exposed to different natural environments offer clues about mechanisms involved in population differentiation, and as a subsequent result, speciation. Marine environments are especially suited to survey this kind of phenomena because they commonly harbor species adapted to different local conditions along a geographic continuum. Silversides belonging to Odontesthes are commonly distributed in tropical and temperate regions of South America and exhibit noticeable phenotypic plasticity, which allows them to adapt to contrasting environments. In this study, the genetic expression of O. argentinensis sampled along the Uruguayan Atlantic coast and estuarine adjacent areas was investigated. In addition, the correlation between individual genotypes and environmental variables was also analysed in O. argentinensis and O. bonariensis. Results obtained suggest a differential expression pattern of low magnitude among individuals from the different areas sampled and a correlation between several SNP loci and environmental variables. The analyses carried out did not show a clear differentiation among individuals sampled along different salinity regimens, but enriched GOTerms seem to be driven by water oxygen content. On the other hand, a total of 46 SNPs analysed in O. argentinensis and O. bonariensis showed a correlation with salinity and temperature. Although none of the correlated SNPs and corresponding genes from our both analyses were directly associated with hypoxia, genes related to the cardiovascular system and muscle cell differentiation were found. All these genes are interesting candidates for future studies since they are closely related to the differentially expressed genes. Although salinity was also mentioned as an important parameter limiting introgression between O. argentinensis and O. bonariensis, it was found that salinity does not drive differential expression in O. argentinensis, but rather oxygen levels. Moreover, salinity does not directly affect the structure and genetic divergence of the populations, they appear to be structured based on their degree of isolation and geographical distance between them. Further studies, like genome-wide analyses, could help to elucidate additional genes adapted to the different environments in these silverside species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro D'Anatro
- Laboratorio de Evolución y Sistemática, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11400, Uruguay.
| | - Javier Calvelo
- Laboratorio de Biología Computacional, Departamento de Desarrollo Biotecnológico, Instituto de Higiene, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Matías Feijóo
- Centro Universitario Regional Este, Sede Treinta y Tres, Universidad de la República, Treinta y Tres, Uruguay
| | - Facundo M Giorello
- Espacio de Biología Vegetal del Noreste, Centro Universitario de Tacuarembó, Universidad de la República, Tacuarembó, Uruguay
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Marchese M, Bernardi S, Ogi A, Licitra R, Silvi G, Mero S, Galatolo D, Gammaldi N, Doccini S, Ratto GM, Rapposelli S, Neuhauss SCF, Zang J, Rocchiccioli S, Michelucci E, Ceccherini E, Santorelli FM. Targeting autophagy impairment improves the phenotype of a novel CLN8 zebrafish model. Neurobiol Dis 2024; 197:106536. [PMID: 38763444 PMCID: PMC11163972 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2024.106536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024] Open
Abstract
CLN8 is an endoplasmic reticulum cargo receptor and a regulator of lysosome biogenesis whose loss of function leads to neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis. CLN8 has been linked to autophagy and lipid metabolism, but much remains to be learned, and there are no therapies acting on the molecular signatures in this disorder. The present study aims to characterize the molecular pathways involved in CLN8 disease and, by pinpointing altered ones, to identify potential therapies. To bridge the gap between cell and mammalian models, we generated a new zebrafish model of CLN8 deficiency, which recapitulates the pathological features of the disease. We observed, for the first time, that CLN8 dysfunction impairs autophagy. Using autophagy modulators, we showed that trehalose and SG2 are able to attenuate the pathological phenotype in mutant larvae, confirming autophagy impairment as a secondary event in disease progression. Overall, our successful modeling of CLN8 defects in zebrafish highlights this novel in vivo model's strong potential as an instrument for exploring the role of CLN8 dysfunction in cellular pathways, with a view to identifying small molecules to treat this rare disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Marchese
- Department of Neurobiology and Molecular Medicine, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Sara Bernardi
- Department of Neurobiology and Molecular Medicine, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy; Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Asahi Ogi
- Department of Neurobiology and Molecular Medicine, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy
| | - Rosario Licitra
- Department of Neurobiology and Molecular Medicine, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giada Silvi
- Department of Neurobiology and Molecular Medicine, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy
| | - Serena Mero
- Department of Neurobiology and Molecular Medicine, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy
| | - Daniele Galatolo
- Department of Neurobiology and Molecular Medicine, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy
| | - Nicola Gammaldi
- Department of Neurobiology and Molecular Medicine, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy; Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Stefano Doccini
- Department of Neurobiology and Molecular Medicine, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy
| | - Gian Michele Ratto
- National Enterprise for NanoScience and NanoTechnology (NEST), Istituto Nanoscienze, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR) and Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Stephan C F Neuhauss
- University of Zurich, Department of Molecular Life Sciences, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jingjing Zang
- University of Zurich, Department of Molecular Life Sciences, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Elena Michelucci
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, Pisa, Italy; Institute of Chemistry of Organometallic Compounds, National Research Council, Pisa, Italy
| | - Elisa Ceccherini
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, Pisa, Italy
| | - Filippo M Santorelli
- Department of Neurobiology and Molecular Medicine, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy.
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Tesoriero C, Greco F, Cannone E, Ghirotto F, Facchinello N, Schiavone M, Vettori A. Modeling Human Muscular Dystrophies in Zebrafish: Mutant Lines, Transgenic Fluorescent Biosensors, and Phenotyping Assays. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:8314. [PMID: 37176020 PMCID: PMC10179009 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24098314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Muscular dystrophies (MDs) are a heterogeneous group of myopathies characterized by progressive muscle weakness leading to death from heart or respiratory failure. MDs are caused by mutations in genes involved in both the development and organization of muscle fibers. Several animal models harboring mutations in MD-associated genes have been developed so far. Together with rodents, the zebrafish is one of the most popular animal models used to reproduce MDs because of the high level of sequence homology with the human genome and its genetic manipulability. This review describes the most important zebrafish mutant models of MD and the most advanced tools used to generate and characterize all these valuable transgenic lines. Zebrafish models of MDs have been generated by introducing mutations to muscle-specific genes with different genetic techniques, such as (i) N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) treatment, (ii) the injection of specific morpholino, (iii) tol2-based transgenesis, (iv) TALEN, (v) and CRISPR/Cas9 technology. All these models are extensively used either to study muscle development and function or understand the pathogenetic mechanisms of MDs. Several tools have also been developed to characterize these zebrafish models by checking (i) motor behavior, (ii) muscle fiber structure, (iii) oxidative stress, and (iv) mitochondrial function and dynamics. Further, living biosensor models, based on the expression of fluorescent reporter proteins under the control of muscle-specific promoters or responsive elements, have been revealed to be powerful tools to follow molecular dynamics at the level of a single muscle fiber. Thus, zebrafish models of MDs can also be a powerful tool to search for new drugs or gene therapies able to block or slow down disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Tesoriero
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (C.T.); (F.G.); (F.G.); (A.V.)
| | - Francesca Greco
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (C.T.); (F.G.); (F.G.); (A.V.)
| | - Elena Cannone
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy;
| | - Francesco Ghirotto
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (C.T.); (F.G.); (F.G.); (A.V.)
| | - Nicola Facchinello
- Neuroscience Institute, Italian National Research Council (CNR), 35131 Padua, Italy
| | - Marco Schiavone
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy;
| | - Andrea Vettori
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (C.T.); (F.G.); (F.G.); (A.V.)
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Roles of miR-196a and miR-196b in Zebrafish Motor Function. Biomolecules 2023; 13:biom13030554. [PMID: 36979489 PMCID: PMC10046552 DOI: 10.3390/biom13030554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The exertion of motor function depends on various tissues, such as bones and muscles. miR-196 has been widely studied in cancer and other fields, but its effect on bone and skeletal muscle is rarely reported. In order to explore the role of miR-196 family in bone and skeletal muscle, we used the previously successfully constructed miR-196a-1 and miR-196b gene knockout zebrafish animal models for research. Methods: The behavioral trajectories of zebrafish from 4 days post-fertilization (dpf) to 7 dpf were detected to analyze the effect of miR-196a-1 and miR-196b on motor ability. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to detect the dorsal muscle tissue of zebrafish. The bone tissue of zebrafish was detected by microcomputed tomography (micro-CT). Real-time PCR was used to detect the expression levels of related genes, including vcp, dpm1, acta1b, mylpfb, col1a1a, bmp8a, gdf6a, and fgfr3. Results: The behavioral test showed that the total behavioral trajectory, movement time, and movement speed of zebrafish larvae were decreased in the miR-196a-1 and miR-196b gene knockout lines. Muscle tissue analysis showed that the structure of muscle fibers in the zebrafish lacking miR-196a-1 and miR-196b was abnormal and was characterized by vacuolar degeneration of muscle fibers, intranuclear migration, melanin deposition, and inflammatory cell infiltration. Bone CT examination revealed decreased bone mineral density and trabecular bone number. The real-time PCR results showed that the expression levels of vcp, dpm1, gdf6a, fgfr3, and col1a1a were decreased in the miR-196b gene knockout group. The expression levels of dpm1, acta1b, mylpfb, gdf6a, and col1a1a were decreased, and the expression level of fgfr3 was increased in the miR-196b gene knockout group compared with the wild-type group. Conclusions: miR-196a-1 and miR-196b play an important role in muscle fiber structure, bone mineral density, and bone trabecular quantity by affecting the expression of vcp, dpm1, acta1b, mylpfb, gdf6a, fgfr3, and col1a1a and then affect the function of the motor system
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Naef V, Meschini MC, Tessa A, Morani F, Corsinovi D, Ogi A, Marchese M, Ori M, Santorelli FM, Doccini S. Converging Role for REEP1/SPG31 in Oxidative Stress. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043527. [PMID: 36834939 PMCID: PMC9959426 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the receptor expression-enhancing protein 1 gene (REEP1) are associated with hereditary spastic paraplegia type 31 (SPG31), a neurological disorder characterized by length-dependent degeneration of upper motor neuron axons. Mitochondrial dysfunctions have been observed in patients harboring pathogenic variants in REEP1, suggesting a key role of bioenergetics in disease-related manifestations. Nevertheless, the regulation of mitochondrial function in SPG31 remains unclear. To elucidate the pathophysiology underlying REEP1 deficiency, we analyzed in vitro the impact of two different mutations on mitochondrial metabolism. Together with mitochondrial morphology abnormalities, loss-of-REEP1 expression highlighted a reduced ATP production with increased susceptibility to oxidative stress. Furthermore, to translate these findings from in vitro to preclinical models, we knocked down REEP1 in zebrafish. Zebrafish larvae showed a significant defect in motor axon outgrowth leading to motor impairment, mitochondrial dysfunction, and reactive oxygen species accumulation. Protective antioxidant agents such as resveratrol rescued free radical overproduction and ameliorated the SPG31 phenotype both in vitro and in vivo. Together, our findings offer new opportunities to counteract neurodegeneration in SPG31.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Naef
- Molecular Medicine for Neurodegenerative and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy
| | - Maria C. Meschini
- Molecular Medicine for Neurodegenerative and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy
| | - Alessandra Tessa
- Molecular Medicine for Neurodegenerative and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy
| | - Federica Morani
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Debora Corsinovi
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Asahi Ogi
- Molecular Medicine for Neurodegenerative and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy
| | - Maria Marchese
- Molecular Medicine for Neurodegenerative and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy
| | - Michela Ori
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Filippo M. Santorelli
- Molecular Medicine for Neurodegenerative and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy
| | - Stefano Doccini
- Molecular Medicine for Neurodegenerative and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-050-886-311
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Trehalose Treatment in Zebrafish Model of Lafora Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23126874. [PMID: 35743315 PMCID: PMC9224929 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23126874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the EPM2A gene encoding laforin cause Lafora disease (LD), a progressive myoclonic epilepsy characterized by drug-resistant seizures and progressive neurological impairment. To date, rodents are the only available models for studying LD; however, their use for drug screening is limited by regulatory restrictions and high breeding costs. To investigate the role of laforin loss of function in early neurodevelopment, and to screen for possible new compounds for treating the disorder, we developed a zebrafish model of LD. Our results showed the epm2a−/− zebrafish to be a faithful model of LD, exhibiting the main disease features, namely motor impairment and neuronal hyperexcitability with spontaneous seizures. The model also showed increased inflammatory response and apoptotic death, as well as an altered autophagy pathway that occurs early in development and likely contributes to the disease progression. Early administration of trehalose was found to be effective for rescuing motor impairment and neuronal hyperexcitability associated with seizures. Our study adds a new tool for investigating LD and might help to identify new treatment opportunities.
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8
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Doccini S, Marchese M, Morani F, Gammaldi N, Mero S, Pezzini F, Soliymani R, Santi M, Signore G, Ogi A, Rocchiccioli S, Kanninen KM, Simonati A, Lalowski MM, Santorelli FM. Lysosomal Proteomics Links Disturbances in Lipid Homeostasis and Sphingolipid Metabolism to CLN5 Disease. Cells 2022; 11:1840. [PMID: 35681535 PMCID: PMC9180748 DOI: 10.3390/cells11111840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 05/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
CLN5 disease (MIM: 256731) represents a rare late-infantile form of neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL), caused by mutations in the CLN5 gene that encodes the CLN5 protein (CLN5p), whose physiological roles stay unanswered. No cure is currently available for CLN5 patients and the opportunities for therapies are lagging. The role of lysosomes in the neuro-pathophysiology of CLN5 disease represents an important topic since lysosomal proteins are directly involved in the primary mechanisms of neuronal injury occurring in various NCL forms. We developed and implemented a lysosome-focused, label-free quantitative proteomics approach, followed by functional validations in both CLN5-knockout neuronal-like cell lines and Cln5-/- mice, to unravel affected pathways and modifying factors involved in this disease scenario. Our results revealed a key role of CLN5p in lipid homeostasis and sphingolipid metabolism and highlighted mutual NCL biomarkers scored with high lysosomal confidence. A newly generated cln5 knockdown zebrafish model recapitulated most of the pathological features seen in NCL disease. To translate the findings from in-vitro and preclinical models to patients, we evaluated whether two FDA-approved drugs promoting autophagy via TFEB activation or inhibition of the glucosylceramide synthase could modulate in-vitro ROS and lipid overproduction, as well as alter the locomotor phenotype in zebrafish. In summary, our data advance the general understanding of disease mechanisms and modifying factors in CLN5 disease, which are recurring in other NCL forms, also stimulating new pharmacological treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Doccini
- Molecular Medicine–IRCCS Stella Maris, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (M.M.); (N.G.); (S.M.); (A.O.)
| | - Maria Marchese
- Molecular Medicine–IRCCS Stella Maris, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (M.M.); (N.G.); (S.M.); (A.O.)
| | - Federica Morani
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Nicola Gammaldi
- Molecular Medicine–IRCCS Stella Maris, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (M.M.); (N.G.); (S.M.); (A.O.)
- Ph.D. Program in Neuroscience, University of Florence, 50121 Florence, Italy
| | - Serena Mero
- Molecular Medicine–IRCCS Stella Maris, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (M.M.); (N.G.); (S.M.); (A.O.)
| | - Francesco Pezzini
- Department of Surgery, Dentistry, Paediatrics and Gynaecology, University of Verona, 37129 Verona, Italy; (F.P.); (A.S.)
| | - Rabah Soliymani
- HiLIFE, Meilahti Clinical Proteomics Core Facility, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland;
| | - Melissa Santi
- NEST, Scuola Normale Superiore and Istituto Nanoscienze-CNR, 56127 Pisa, Italy;
| | | | - Asahi Ogi
- Molecular Medicine–IRCCS Stella Maris, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (M.M.); (N.G.); (S.M.); (A.O.)
| | | | - Katja M. Kanninen
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, 70210 Kuopio, Finland;
| | - Alessandro Simonati
- Department of Surgery, Dentistry, Paediatrics and Gynaecology, University of Verona, 37129 Verona, Italy; (F.P.); (A.S.)
| | - Maciej M. Lalowski
- HiLIFE, Meilahti Clinical Proteomics Core Facility, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland;
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, PAS, Department of Biomedical Proteomics, 61-704 Poznan, Poland
| | - Filippo M. Santorelli
- Molecular Medicine–IRCCS Stella Maris, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (M.M.); (N.G.); (S.M.); (A.O.)
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Efficient Neuroprotective Rescue of Sacsin-Related Disease Phenotypes in Zebrafish. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22168401. [PMID: 34445111 PMCID: PMC8395086 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Revised: 07/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Autosomal recessive spastic ataxia of Charlevoix-Saguenay (ARSACS) is a multisystem hereditary ataxia associated with mutations in SACS, which encodes sacsin, a protein of still only partially understood function. Although mouse models of ARSACS mimic largely the disease progression seen in humans, their use in the validation of effective therapies has not yet been proposed. Recently, the teleost Danio rerio has attracted increasing attention as a vertebrate model that allows rapid and economical screening, of candidate molecules, and thus combines the advantages of whole-organism phenotypic assays and in vitro high-throughput screening assays. Through CRISPR/Cas9-based mutagenesis, we generated and characterized a zebrafish sacs-null mutant line that replicates the main features of ARSACS. The sacs-null fish showed motor impairment, hindbrain atrophy, mitochondrial dysfunction, and reactive oxygen species accumulation. As proof of principle for using these mutant fish in high-throughput screening studies, we showed that both acetyl-DL-leucine and tauroursodeoxycholic acid improved locomotor and biochemical phenotypes in sacs−/− larvae treated with these neuroprotective agents, by mediating significant rescue of the molecular functions altered by sacsin loss. Taken together, the evidence here reported shows the zebrafish to be a valuable model organism for the identification of novel molecular mechanisms and for efficient and rapid in vivo optimization and screening of potential therapeutic compounds. These findings may pave the way for new interventions targeting the earliest phases of Purkinje cell degeneration in ARSACS.
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Keatinge M, Tsarouchas TM, Munir T, Porter NJ, Larraz J, Gianni D, Tsai HH, Becker CG, Lyons DA, Becker T. CRISPR gRNA phenotypic screening in zebrafish reveals pro-regenerative genes in spinal cord injury. PLoS Genet 2021; 17:e1009515. [PMID: 33914736 PMCID: PMC8084196 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 03/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Zebrafish exhibit robust regeneration following spinal cord injury, promoted by macrophages that control post-injury inflammation. However, the mechanistic basis of how macrophages regulate regeneration is poorly understood. To address this gap in understanding, we conducted a rapid in vivo phenotypic screen for macrophage-related genes that promote regeneration after spinal injury. We used acute injection of synthetic RNA Oligo CRISPR guide RNAs (sCrRNAs) that were pre-screened for high activity in vivo. Pre-screening of over 350 sCrRNAs allowed us to rapidly identify highly active sCrRNAs (up to half, abbreviated as haCRs) and to effectively target 30 potentially macrophage-related genes. Disruption of 10 of these genes impaired axonal regeneration following spinal cord injury. We selected 5 genes for further analysis and generated stable mutants using haCRs. Four of these mutants (tgfb1a, tgfb3, tnfa, sparc) retained the acute haCR phenotype, validating the approach. Mechanistically, tgfb1a haCR-injected and stable mutant zebrafish fail to resolve post-injury inflammation, indicated by prolonged presence of neutrophils and increased levels of il1b expression. Inhibition of Il-1β rescues the impaired axon regeneration in the tgfb1a mutant. Hence, our rapid and scalable screening approach has identified functional regulators of spinal cord regeneration, but can be applied to any biological function of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcus Keatinge
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | | | - Tahimina Munir
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Nicola J. Porter
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Juan Larraz
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Davide Gianni
- Biogen, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Hui-Hsin Tsai
- Biogen, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Catherina G. Becker
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - David A. Lyons
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas Becker
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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11
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Di Nottia M, Marchese M, Verrigni D, Mutti CD, Torraco A, Oliva R, Fernandez-Vizarra E, Morani F, Trani G, Rizza T, Ghezzi D, Ardissone A, Nesti C, Vasco G, Zeviani M, Minczuk M, Bertini E, Santorelli FM, Carrozzo R. A homozygous MRPL24 mutation causes a complex movement disorder and affects the mitoribosome assembly. Neurobiol Dis 2020; 141:104880. [PMID: 32344152 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2020.104880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2019] [Revised: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Mitochondrial ribosomal protein large 24 (MRPL24) is 1 of the 82 protein components of mitochondrial ribosomes, playing an essential role in the mitochondrial translation process. We report here on a baby girl with cerebellar atrophy, choreoathetosis of limbs and face, intellectual disability and a combined defect of complexes I and IV in muscle biopsy, caused by a homozygous missense mutation identified in MRPL24. The variant predicts a Leu91Pro substitution at an evolutionarily conserved site. Using human mutant cells and the zebrafish model, we demonstrated the pathological role of the identified variant. In fact, in fibroblasts we observed a significant reduction of MRPL24 protein and of mitochondrial respiratory chain complex I and IV subunits, as well a markedly reduced synthesis of the mtDNA-encoded peptides. In zebrafish we demonstrated that the orthologue gene is expressed in metabolically active tissues, and that gene knockdown induced locomotion impairment, structural defects and low ATP production. The motor phenotype was complemented by human WT but not mutant cRNA. Moreover, sucrose density gradient fractionation showed perturbed assembly of large subunit mitoribosomal proteins, suggesting that the mutation leads to a conformational change in MRPL24, which is expected to cause an aberrant interaction of the protein with other components of the 39S mitoribosomal subunit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Di Nottia
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Marchese
- Molecular Medicine & Neurogenetics, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
| | - Daniela Verrigni
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Alessandra Torraco
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Romina Oliva
- Department of Sciences and Technologies, University Parthenope of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Federica Morani
- Molecular Medicine & Neurogenetics, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giulia Trani
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Teresa Rizza
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniele Ghezzi
- Unit of Medical Genetics and Neurogenetics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy; Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Anna Ardissone
- Child Neurology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy; Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine DIMET, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Claudia Nesti
- Molecular Medicine & Neurogenetics, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
| | - Gessica Vasco
- Department of Neurosciences, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo Zeviani
- MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Michal Minczuk
- MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Enrico Bertini
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Rosalba Carrozzo
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
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12
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D'Amore A, Tessa A, Naef V, Bassi MT, Citterio A, Romaniello R, Fichi G, Galatolo D, Mero S, Battini R, Bertocci G, Baldacci J, Sicca F, Gemignani F, Ricca I, Rubegni A, Hirst J, Marchese M, Sahin M, Ebrahimi-Fakhari D, Santorelli FM. Loss of ap4s1 in zebrafish leads to neurodevelopmental defects resembling spastic paraplegia 52. Ann Clin Transl Neurol 2020; 7:584-589. [PMID: 32216065 PMCID: PMC7187712 DOI: 10.1002/acn3.51018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Revised: 02/26/2020] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Autosomal recessive spastic paraplegia 52 is caused by biallelic mutations in AP4S1 which encodes a subunit of the adaptor protein complex 4 (AP‐4). Using next‐generation sequencing, we identified three novel unrelated SPG52 patients from a cohort of patients with cerebral palsy. The discovered variants in AP4S1 lead to reduced AP‐4 complex formation in patient‐derived fibroblasts. To further understand the role of AP4S1 in neuronal development and homeostasis, we engineered the first zebrafish model of AP‐4 deficiency using morpholino‐mediated knockdown of ap4s1. In this model, we discovered several phenotypes mimicking SPG52, including altered CNS development, locomotor deficits, and abnormal neuronal excitability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelica D'Amore
- Department of Molecular Medicine, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy.,Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.,Department of Neurology & The F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Alessandra Tessa
- Department of Molecular Medicine, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
| | - Valentina Naef
- Department of Molecular Medicine, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Bassi
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Scientific Institute IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy
| | - Andrea Citterio
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Scientific Institute IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy
| | - Romina Romaniello
- Neuropsychiatry and Neurorehabilitation Unit, Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy
| | - Gianluca Fichi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
| | - Daniele Galatolo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
| | - Serena Mero
- Department of Molecular Medicine, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
| | - Roberta Battini
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giulia Bertocci
- Department of Molecular Medicine, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
| | - Jacopo Baldacci
- Department of Molecular Medicine, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
| | - Federico Sicca
- Department of Molecular Medicine, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy.,Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Ivana Ricca
- Department of Molecular Medicine, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
| | - Anna Rubegni
- Department of Molecular Medicine, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
| | - Jennifer Hirst
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Maria Marchese
- Department of Molecular Medicine, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
| | - Mustafa Sahin
- Department of Neurology & The F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Darius Ebrahimi-Fakhari
- Department of Neurology & The F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
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13
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Distal motor neuropathy associated with novel EMILIN1 mutation. Neurobiol Dis 2020; 137:104757. [PMID: 31978608 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2020.104757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Revised: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 01/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Elastin microfibril interface-located proteins (EMILINs) are extracellular matrix glycoproteins implicated in elastogenesis and cell proliferation. Recently, a missense mutation in the EMILIN1 gene has been associated with autosomal dominant connective tissue disorder and motor-sensory neuropathy in a single family. We identified by whole exome sequencing a novel heterozygous EMILIN1 mutation c.748C>T [p.R250C] located in the coiled coil forming region of the protein, in four affected members of an autosomal dominant family presenting a distal motor neuropathy phenotype. In affected patient a sensory nerve biopsy showed slight and unspecific changes in the number and morphology of myelinated fibers. Immunofluorescence study of a motor nerve within a muscle biopsy documented the presence of EMILIN-1 in nerve structures. Skin section and skin derived fibroblasts displayed a reduced extracellular deposition of EMILIN-1 protein with a disorganized network of poorly ramified fibers in comparison with controls. Downregulation of emilin1a in zebrafish displayed developmental delay, locomotion defects, and abnormal axonal arborization from spinal cord motor neurons. The phenotype was complemented by wild-type zebrafish emilin1a, and partially the human wild-type EMILIN1 cRNA, but not by the cRNA harboring the novel c.748C>T [p.R250C]. These data suggest a role of EMILIN-1 in the pathogenesis of diseases affecting the peripheral nervous system.
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14
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Bailey EC, Alrowaished SS, Kilroy EA, Crooks ES, Drinkert DM, Karunasiri CM, Belanger JJ, Khalil A, Kelley JB, Henry CA. NAD+ improves neuromuscular development in a zebrafish model of FKRP-associated dystroglycanopathy. Skelet Muscle 2019; 9:21. [PMID: 31391079 PMCID: PMC6685180 DOI: 10.1186/s13395-019-0206-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Secondary dystroglycanopathies are muscular dystrophies that result from mutations in genes that participate in Dystroglycan glycosylation. Glycosylation of Dystroglycan is essential for muscle fibers to adhere to the muscle extracellular matrix (myomatrix). Although the myomatrix is disrupted in a number of secondary dystroglycanopathies, it is unknown whether improving the myomatrix is beneficial for these conditions. We previously determined that either NAD+ supplementation or overexpression of Paxillin are sufficient to improve muscle structure and the myomatrix in a zebrafish model of primary dystroglycanopathy. Here, we investigate how these modulations affect neuromuscular phenotypes in zebrafish fukutin-related protein (fkrp) morphants modeling FKRP-associated secondary dystroglycanopathy. Results We found that NAD+ supplementation prior to muscle development improved muscle structure, myotendinous junction structure, and muscle function in fkrp morphants. However, Paxillin overexpression did not improve any of these parameters in fkrp morphants. As movement also requires neuromuscular junction formation, we examined early neuromuscular junction development in fkrp morphants. The length of neuromuscular junctions was disrupted in fkrp morphants. NAD+ supplementation prior to neuromuscular junction development improved length. We investigated NMJ formation in dystroglycan (dag1) morphants and found that although NMJ morphology is disrupted in dag1 morphants, NAD+ is not sufficient to improve NMJ morphology in dag1 morphants. Ubiquitous overexpression of Fkrp rescued the fkrp morphant phenotype but muscle-specific overexpression only improved myotendinous junction structure. Conclusions These data indicate that Fkrp plays an early and essential role in muscle, myotendinous junction, and neuromuscular junction development. These data also indicate that, at least in the zebrafish model, FKRP-associated dystroglycanopathy does not exactly phenocopy DG-deficiency. Paxillin overexpression improves muscle structure in dag1 morphants but not fkrp morphants. In contrast, NAD+ supplementation improves NMJ morphology in fkrp morphants but not dag1 morphants. Finally, these data show that muscle-specific expression of Fkrp is insufficient to rescue muscle development and homeostasis. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13395-019-0206-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin C Bailey
- School of Biology and Ecology, University of Maine, Orono, ME, 04469, USA.,Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, University of Maine, 217 Hitchner Hall, Orono, ME, 04469, USA
| | | | - Elisabeth A Kilroy
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, University of Maine, 217 Hitchner Hall, Orono, ME, 04469, USA
| | - Emma S Crooks
- School of Biology and Ecology, University of Maine, Orono, ME, 04469, USA
| | - Daisy M Drinkert
- Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Maine, Orono, ME, 04469, USA
| | - Chaya M Karunasiri
- School of Biology and Ecology, University of Maine, Orono, ME, 04469, USA.,Present Address: Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02111, USA
| | - Joseph J Belanger
- School of Biology and Ecology, University of Maine, Orono, ME, 04469, USA.,Present Address: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Erie, PA, 16509, USA
| | - Andre Khalil
- Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, University of Maine, Orono, ME, 04469, USA.,Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, University of Maine, 217 Hitchner Hall, Orono, ME, 04469, USA
| | - Joshua B Kelley
- Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Maine, Orono, ME, 04469, USA.,Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, University of Maine, 217 Hitchner Hall, Orono, ME, 04469, USA
| | - Clarissa A Henry
- School of Biology and Ecology, University of Maine, Orono, ME, 04469, USA. .,Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, University of Maine, 217 Hitchner Hall, Orono, ME, 04469, USA.
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15
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Shi Z, Chen S, Han X, Peng R, Luo J, Yang L, Zheng Y, Wang H. The rare mutation in the endosome-associated recycling protein gene VPS50 is associated with human neural tube defects. Mol Cytogenet 2019; 12:8. [PMID: 30828385 PMCID: PMC6381738 DOI: 10.1186/s13039-019-0421-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2018] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Tight control of endosome trafficking is essential for the generation of a normally patterned embryo. Recent studies have found that VPS50 is a key ingredient in EARP which is required for recycling of internalized TfRs to the cell surface and dense-core vesicle maturation. However, the role of VPS50 in embryogenesis and human physiology are poorly understood. Results We identified a rare missense heterozygous VPS50 mutation (p. Gly169Val) in NTDs by high-throughput sequencing. In vitro functional analysis demonstrated that the p. Gly169Val was a loss-of-function mutation, delaying transferrin recycling and altering its interaction with VPS53. Using WISH during zebrafish embryogenesis, we demonstrated that vps50 gene was expressed throughout the early embryo, especially in the head. Abnormal body axis phenotypes were observed in those vps50 knock-down zebrafishes. Further rescue study in zebrafish suggested that the mutation displayed loss-of-function effects comparing with wild-type VPS50. Conclusions These findings thus demonstrated that the functional mutations in VPS50 might contribute to neurodevelopmental disorder and highlighted the critical importance of VPS50 function in cellular and organismal physiology. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13039-019-0421-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiwen Shi
- 1Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering at School of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200011 China.,2Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation of NPFPC, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032 China
| | - Shuxia Chen
- 1Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering at School of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200011 China.,2Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation of NPFPC, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032 China
| | - Xiao Han
- 1Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering at School of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200011 China.,2Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation of NPFPC, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032 China
| | - Rui Peng
- 1Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering at School of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200011 China.,2Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation of NPFPC, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032 China
| | - Jin Luo
- 1Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering at School of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200011 China.,2Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation of NPFPC, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032 China
| | - Luming Yang
- 2Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation of NPFPC, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032 China
| | - Yufang Zheng
- 2Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation of NPFPC, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032 China.,1Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering at School of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200011 China.,3Institute of Developmental Biology & Molecular Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433 China
| | - Hongyan Wang
- 2Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation of NPFPC, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032 China.,1Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering at School of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200011 China.,4Children's Hospital and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences of Fudan University, 399 Wanyuan Road, Shanghai, 201102 China
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16
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Sheikh MO, Halmo SM, Wells L. Recent advancements in understanding mammalian O-mannosylation. Glycobiology 2017; 27:806-819. [PMID: 28810660 PMCID: PMC6082599 DOI: 10.1093/glycob/cwx062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2017] [Revised: 06/25/2017] [Accepted: 06/28/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The post-translational glycosylation of select proteins by O-linked mannose (O-mannose or O-man) is a conserved modification from yeast to humans and has been shown to be necessary for proper development and growth. The most well studied O-mannosylated mammalian protein is α-dystroglycan (α-DG). Hypoglycosylation of α-DG results in varying severities of congenital muscular dystrophies, cancer progression and metastasis, and inhibited entry and infection of certain arenaviruses. Defects in the gene products responsible for post-translational modification of α-DG, primarily glycosyltransferases, are the basis for these diseases. The multitude of clinical phenotypes resulting from defective O-mannosylation highlights the biomedical significance of this unique modification. Elucidation of the various O-mannose biosynthetic pathways is imperative to understanding a broad range of human diseases and for the development of novel therapeutics. In this review, we will focus on recent discoveries delineating the various enzymes, structures and functions associated with O-mannose-initiated glycoproteins. Additionally, we discuss current gaps in our knowledge of mammalian O-mannosylation, discuss the evolution of this pathway, and illustrate the utility and limitations of model systems to study functions of O-mannosylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Osman Sheikh
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, 315 Riverbend Road, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Stephanie M Halmo
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, 315 Riverbend Road, Athens, GA 30602, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, 315 Riverbend Road, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Lance Wells
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, 315 Riverbend Road, Athens, GA 30602, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, 315 Riverbend Road, Athens, GA 30602, USA
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