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Heesen SH, Köhr G. GABAergic interneuron diversity and organization are crucial for the generation of human-specific functional neural networks in cerebral organoids. Front Cell Neurosci 2024; 18:1389335. [PMID: 38665372 PMCID: PMC11044699 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2024.1389335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
This mini review investigates the importance of GABAergic interneurons for the network function of human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC)-derived brain organoids. The presented evidence suggests that the abundance, diversity and three-dimensional cortical organization of GABAergic interneurons are the primary elements responsible for the creation of synchronous neuronal firing patterns. Without intricate inhibition, coupled oscillatory patterns cannot reach a sufficient complexity to transfer spatiotemporal information constituting physiological network function. Furthermore, human-specific brain network function seems to be mediated by a more complex and interconnected inhibitory structure that remains developmentally flexible for a longer period when compared to rodents. This suggests that several characteristics of human brain networks cannot be captured by rodent models, emphasizing the need for model systems like organoids that adequately mimic physiological human brain function in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian H. Heesen
- Molecular and Behavioural Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Georg Köhr
- Department of Neurophysiology, Mannheim Center for Translational Neurosciences, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- Physiology of Neural Networks, Central Institute of Mental Health, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
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2
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Heider J, Stahl A, Sperlich D, Hartmann SM, Vogel S, Breitmeyer R, Templin M, Volkmer H. Defined co-cultures of glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons with a mutation in DISC1 reveal aberrant phenotypes in GABAergic neurons. BMC Neurosci 2024; 25:12. [PMID: 38438989 PMCID: PMC10910844 DOI: 10.1186/s12868-024-00858-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mutations in the gene DISC1 are associated with increased risk for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depression. The study of mutated DISC1 represents a well-known and comprehensively characterized approach to understand neuropsychiatric disease mechanisms. However, previous studies have mainly used animal models or rather heterogeneous populations of iPSC-derived neurons, generated by undirected differentiation, to study the effects of DISC1 disruption. Since major hypotheses to explain neurodevelopmental, psychiatric disorders rely on altered neuronal connectivity observed in patients, an ideal iPSC-based model requires accurate representation of the structure and complexity of neuronal circuitries. In this study, we made use of an isogenic cell line with a mutation in DISC1 to study neuronal synaptic phenotypes in a culture system comprising a defined ratio of NGN2 and ASCL1/DLX2 (AD2)-transduced neurons, enriched for glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons, respectively, to mimic properties of the cortical microcircuitry. RESULTS In heterozygous DISC1 mutant neurons, we replicated the expected phenotypes including altered neural progenitor proliferation as well as neurite outgrowth, deregulated DISC1-associated signaling pathways, and reduced synaptic densities in cultures composed of glutamatergic neurons. Cultures comprising a defined ratio of NGN2 and AD2 neurons then revealed considerably increased GABAergic synapse densities, which have not been observed in any iPSC-derived model so far. Increased inhibitory synapse densities could be associated with an increased efficiency of GABAergic differentiation, which we observed in AD2-transduced cultures of mutant neurons. Additionally, we found increased neuronal activity in GABAergic neurons through calcium imaging while the activity pattern of glutamatergic neurons remained unchanged. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, our results demonstrate phenotypic differences in a co-culture comprising a defined ratio of DISC1 mutant NGN2 and AD2 neurons, as compared to culture models comprising only one neuronal cell type. Altered synapse numbers and neuronal activity imply that DISC1 impacts the excitatory/inhibitory balance in NGN2/AD2 co-cultures, mainly through increased GABAergic input.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Heider
- Department of Pharma and Biotech, NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tübingen, 72770, Reutlingen, Germany
| | - Aaron Stahl
- Department of Pharma and Biotech, NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tübingen, 72770, Reutlingen, Germany
| | - Denise Sperlich
- Department of Pharma and Biotech, NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tübingen, 72770, Reutlingen, Germany
| | - Sophia-Marie Hartmann
- Department of Pharma and Biotech, NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tübingen, 72770, Reutlingen, Germany
| | - Sabrina Vogel
- Department of Pharma and Biotech, NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tübingen, 72770, Reutlingen, Germany
| | - Ricarda Breitmeyer
- Department of Pharma and Biotech, NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tübingen, 72770, Reutlingen, Germany
| | - Markus Templin
- Department of Pharma and Biotech, NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tübingen, 72770, Reutlingen, Germany
| | - Hansjürgen Volkmer
- Department of Pharma and Biotech, NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tübingen, 72770, Reutlingen, Germany.
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3
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Comas M, De Pietri Tonelli D, Berdondini L, Astiz M. Ontogeny of the circadian system: a multiscale process throughout development. Trends Neurosci 2024; 47:36-46. [PMID: 38071123 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2023.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
The 24 h (circadian) timing system develops in mammals during the perinatal period. It carries out the essential task of anticipating daily recurring environmental changes to identify the best time of day for each molecular, cellular, and systemic process. Although significant knowledge has been acquired about the organization and function of the adult circadian system, relatively little is known about its ontogeny. During the perinatal period, the circadian system progressively gains functionality under the influence of the early environment. This review explores current evidence on the development of the circadian clock in mammals, highlighting the multilevel complexity of the process and the importance of gaining a better understanding of its underlying biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Comas
- Circadian Physiology of Neurons and Glia Laboratory, Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, 48940 Leioa, Basque Country, Spain
| | | | - Luca Berdondini
- Microtechnology for Neuroelectronics, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Mariana Astiz
- Circadian Physiology of Neurons and Glia Laboratory, Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, 48940 Leioa, Basque Country, Spain; Ikerbasque - Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain; Institute of Neurobiology, University of Lübeck, 23562 Lübeck, Germany.
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4
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Abstract
Brain development in humans is achieved through precise spatiotemporal genetic control, the mechanisms of which remain largely elusive. Recently, integration of technological advances in human stem cell-based modelling with genome editing has emerged as a powerful platform to establish causative links between genotypes and phenotypes directly in the human system. Here, we review our current knowledge of complex genetic regulation of each key step of human brain development through the lens of evolutionary specialization and neurodevelopmental disorders and highlight the use of human stem cell-derived 2D cultures and 3D brain organoids to investigate human-enriched features and disease mechanisms. We also discuss opportunities and challenges of integrating new technologies to reveal the genetic architecture of human brain development and disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhou
- Department of Neuroscience and Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Hongjun Song
- Department of Neuroscience and Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- The Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Guo-Li Ming
- Department of Neuroscience and Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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Zhang F, Yoon K, Kim NS, Ming GL, Song H. Cell-autonomous and non-cell-autonomous roles of NKCC1 in regulating neural stem cell quiescence in the hippocampal dentate gyrus. Stem Cell Reports 2023:S2213-6711(23)00200-X. [PMID: 37390823 PMCID: PMC10362507 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2023.05.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Quiescence is a hallmark of adult neural stem cells (NSCs) in the mammalian brain, and establishment and maintenance of quiescence is essential for life-long continuous neurogenesis. How NSCs in the dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus acquire their quiescence during early postnatal stages and continuously maintain quiescence in adulthood is poorly understood. Here, we show that Hopx-CreERT2-mediated conditional deletion of Nkcc1, which encodes a chloride importer, in mouse DG NSCs impairs both their quiescence acquisition at early postnatal stages and quiescence maintenance in adulthood. Furthermore, PV-CreERT2-mediated deletion of Nkcc1 in PV interneurons in the adult mouse brain leads to activation of quiescent DG NSCs, resulting in an expanded NSC pool. Consistently, pharmacological inhibition of NKCC1 promotes NSC proliferation in both early postnatal and adult mouse DG. Together, our study reveals both cell-autonomous and non-cell-autonomous roles of NKCC1 in regulating the acquisition and maintenance of NSC quiescence in the mammalian hippocampus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Zhang
- Department of Neuroscience and Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Kijun Yoon
- Department of Neuroscience and Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Nam-Shik Kim
- Department of Neuroscience and Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Guo-Li Ming
- Department of Neuroscience and Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Hongjun Song
- Department of Neuroscience and Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; The Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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Li YD, Luo YJ, Song J. Optimizing memory performance and emotional states: multi-level enhancement of adult hippocampal neurogenesis. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2023; 79:102693. [PMID: 36822141 PMCID: PMC10023407 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2023.102693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
Adult hippocampal neurogenesis (AHN) plays a key role in modulating memory and emotion processing. A fundamental question remains on how to effectively modulate AHN to improve hippocampal function. Here, we review recent work on how distinct aspects of hippocampal neurogenesis, including the number, maturation state, and activity of adult-born neurons (ABNs), contribute to overall hippocampal function. We propose multi-level enhancement of hippocampal neurogenesis with the combination of increased number, elevated activity, and enhanced maturation of ABNs as a potential strategy to optimize overall hippocampal performance. In addition, integration of ABNs induces significant remodeling of the local hippocampal circuits, which may in turn modulates brain-wide network dynamics. We discuss recent progress on how integration of ABNs contributes to local hippocampal circuit and brain-wide network dynamics during behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Dong Li
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA. https://twitter.com/yadlee2
| | - Yan-Jia Luo
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Juan Song
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
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Svalina MN, Sullivan R, Restrepo D, Huntsman MM. From circuits to behavior: Amygdala dysfunction in fragile X syndrome. Front Integr Neurosci 2023; 17:1128529. [PMID: 36969493 PMCID: PMC10034113 DOI: 10.3389/fnint.2023.1128529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by a repeat expansion mutation in the promotor region of the FMR1 gene resulting in transcriptional silencing and loss of function of fragile X messenger ribonucleoprotein 1 protein (FMRP). FMRP has a well-defined role in the early development of the brain. Thus, loss of the FMRP has well-known consequences for normal cellular and synaptic development leading to a variety of neuropsychiatric disorders including an increased prevalence of amygdala-based disorders. Despite our detailed understanding of the pathophysiology of FXS, the precise cellular and circuit-level underpinnings of amygdala-based disorders is incompletely understood. In this review, we discuss the development of the amygdala, the role of neuromodulation in the critical period plasticity, and recent advances in our understanding of how synaptic and circuit-level changes in the basolateral amygdala contribute to the behavioral manifestations seen in FXS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew N. Svalina
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Regina Sullivan
- Brain Institute, Nathan Kline Institute, Orangeburg, NY, United States
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Child Study Center, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Diego Restrepo
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Molly M. Huntsman
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
- *Correspondence: Molly M. Huntsman,
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8
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Zlomuzica A, Plank L, Dere E. A new path to mental disorders: Through gap junction channels and hemichannels. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 142:104877. [PMID: 36116574 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Behavioral disturbances related to emotional regulation, reward processing, cognition, sleep-wake regulation and activity/movement represent core symptoms of most common mental disorders. Increasing empirical and theoretical evidence suggests that normal functioning of these behavioral domains relies on fine graded coordination of neural and glial networks which are maintained and modulated by intercellular gap junction channels and unapposed pannexin or connexin hemichannels. Dysfunctions in these networks might contribute to the development and maintenance of psychopathological and neurobiological features associated with mental disorders. Here we review and discuss the evidence indicating a prominent role of gap junction channel and hemichannel dysfunction in core symptoms of mental disorders. We further discuss how the increasing knowledge on intercellular gap junction channels and unapposed pannexin or connexin hemichannels in the brain might lead to deeper mechanistic insight in common mental disorders and to the development of novel treatment approaches. We further attempt to exemplify what type of future research on this topic could be integrated into multidimensional approaches to understand and cure mental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Armin Zlomuzica
- Department of Behavioral and Clinical Neuroscience, Ruhr-University Bochum (RUB), Massenbergstraße 9-13, D-44787 Bochum, Germany.
| | - Laurin Plank
- Department of Behavioral and Clinical Neuroscience, Ruhr-University Bochum (RUB), Massenbergstraße 9-13, D-44787 Bochum, Germany
| | - Ekrem Dere
- Department of Behavioral and Clinical Neuroscience, Ruhr-University Bochum (RUB), Massenbergstraße 9-13, D-44787 Bochum, Germany; Sorbonne Université. Institut de Biologie Paris-Seine, (IBPS), Département UMR 8256: Adaptation Biologique et Vieillissement, UFR des Sciences de la Vie, Campus Pierre et Marie Curie, Bâtiment B, 9 quai Saint Bernard, F-75005 Paris, France.
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9
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Zacharopoulos G, Sella F, Cohen Kadosh K, Emir U, Cohen Kadosh R. The effect of parietal glutamate/GABA balance on test anxiety levels in early childhood in a cross-sectional and longitudinal study. Cereb Cortex 2022; 32:3243-3253. [PMID: 34963130 PMCID: PMC9340388 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhab412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The increased prevalence of test anxiety in our competitive society makes it a health issue of public concern. However, its neurobiological basis, especially during the years of formal education, is currently scant. Previous research has highlighted the association between neural excitation/inhibition balance and psychopathology and disease. We examined whether the glutamate/GABA profile tracks test anxiety levels in development, using a cross-sectional and longitudinal design in a cohort spanning from early childhood to early adulthood (N = 289), reassessed approximately 21 months later (N = 194). We used magnetic resonance spectroscopy to noninvasively quantify glutamate and gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels in the intraparietal sulcus (IPS) and the middle frontal gyrus. We show that the glutamate/GABA balance within the IPS relates to current individual variation in test anxiety levels and predict future test anxiety approximately 21 months later. Critically, this relationship was observed during early childhood but not during the later developmental stages. Our results extend the use of the excitation/inhibition balance framework to characterize the psychopathology mechanisms of test anxiety, an underexplored yet widespread and debilitating condition that can impact early child development. Our findings provide a better understanding of the neurotransmitter basis underlying the emergence of anxiety disorders during development.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Zacharopoulos
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX2 6GG, UK
- School of Psychology, Swansea University, Swansea, SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Francesco Sella
- Centre for Mathematical Cognition, Loughborough University, Loughborough, LE11 3TU, UK
| | - Kathrin Cohen Kadosh
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX2 6GG, UK
- School of Psychology, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7XH, UK
| | - Uzay Emir
- School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Human Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2051, USA
| | - Roi Cohen Kadosh
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX2 6GG, UK
- School of Psychology, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7XH, UK
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10
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Zhang Y, Heylen L, Partoens M, Mills JD, Kaminski RM, Godard P, Gillard M, de Witte PAM, Siekierska A. Connectivity Mapping Using a Novel sv2a Loss-of-Function Zebrafish Epilepsy Model as a Powerful Strategy for Anti-epileptic Drug Discovery. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:881933. [PMID: 35686059 PMCID: PMC9172968 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.881933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A (SV2A) regulates action potential-dependent neurotransmitter release and is commonly known as the primary binding site of an approved anti-epileptic drug, levetiracetam. Although several rodent knockout models have demonstrated the importance of SV2A for functional neurotransmission, its precise physiological function and role in epilepsy pathophysiology remains to be elucidated. Here, we present a novel sv2a knockout model in zebrafish, a vertebrate with complementary advantages to rodents. We demonstrated that 6 days post fertilization homozygous sv2a–/– mutant zebrafish larvae, but not sv2a+/– and sv2a+/+ larvae, displayed locomotor hyperactivity and spontaneous epileptiform discharges, however, no major brain malformations could be observed. A partial rescue of this epileptiform brain activity could be observed after treatment with two commonly used anti-epileptic drugs, valproic acid and, surprisingly, levetiracetam. This observation indicated that additional targets, besides Sv2a, maybe are involved in the protective effects of levetiracetam against epileptic seizures. Furthermore, a transcriptome analysis provided insights into the neuropathological processes underlying the observed epileptic phenotype. While gene expression profiling revealed only one differentially expressed gene (DEG) between wildtype and sv2a+/– larvae, there were 4386 and 3535 DEGs between wildtype and sv2a–/–, and sv2a+/– and sv2a–/– larvae, respectively. Pathway and gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis between wildtype and sv2a–/– larvae revealed several pathways and GO terms enriched amongst up- and down-regulated genes, including MAPK signaling, synaptic vesicle cycle, and extracellular matrix organization, all known to be involved in epileptogenesis and epilepsy. Importantly, we used the Connectivity map database to identify compounds with opposing gene signatures compared to the one observed in sv2a–/– larvae, to finally rescue the epileptic phenotype. Two out of three selected compounds rescued electrographic discharges in sv2a–/– larvae, while negative controls did not. Taken together, our results demonstrate that sv2a deficiency leads to increased seizure vulnerability and provide valuable insight into the functional importance of sv2a in the brain in general. Furthermore, we provided evidence that the concept of connectivity mapping represents an attractive and powerful approach in the discovery of novel compounds against epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifan Zhang
- Laboratory for Molecular Biodiscovery, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lise Heylen
- Laboratory for Molecular Biodiscovery, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Michèle Partoens
- Laboratory for Molecular Biodiscovery, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - James D. Mills
- Department of Neuropathology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom
- Chalfont Centre for Epilepsy, Chalfont St Peter, United Kingdom
| | - Rafal M. Kaminski
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland
- UCB Pharma, Braine-l’Alleud, Belgium
| | | | | | - Peter A. M. de Witte
- Laboratory for Molecular Biodiscovery, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- *Correspondence: Peter A. M. de Witte,
| | - Aleksandra Siekierska
- Laboratory for Molecular Biodiscovery, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Aleksandra Siekierska,
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Bukina ES, Kondratyev NV, Kozin SV, Golimbet VE, Artyuhov AS, Dashinimaev EB. SLC6A1 and Neuropsychiatric Diseases: The Role of Mutations and Prospects for Treatment with Genome Editing Systems. NEUROCHEM J+ 2021. [DOI: 10.1134/s1819712421040048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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12
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Bertoni A, Schaller F, Tyzio R, Gaillard S, Santini F, Xolin M, Diabira D, Vaidyanathan R, Matarazzo V, Medina I, Hammock E, Zhang J, Chini B, Gaiarsa JL, Muscatelli F. Oxytocin administration in neonates shapes hippocampal circuitry and restores social behavior in a mouse model of autism. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:7582-7595. [PMID: 34290367 PMCID: PMC8872977 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-021-01227-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Oxytocin is an important regulator of the social brain. In some animal models of autism, notably in Magel2tm1.1Mus-deficient mice, peripheral administration of oxytocin in infancy improves social behaviors until adulthood. However, neither the mechanisms responsible for social deficits nor the mechanisms by which such oxytocin administration has long-term effects are known. Here, we aimed to clarify these oxytocin-dependent mechanisms, focusing on social memory performance. Using in situ hybridization (RNAscope), we have established that Magel2 and oxytocin receptor are co-expressed in the dentate gyrus and CA2/CA3 hippocampal regions involved in the circuitry underlying social memory. Then, we have shown that Magel2tm1.1Mus-deficient mice, evaluated in a three-chamber test, present a deficit in social memory. Next, in hippocampus, we conducted neuroanatomical and functional studies using immunostaining, oxytocin-binding experiments, ex vivo electrophysiological recordings, calcium imaging and biochemical studies. We demonstrated: an increase of the GABAergic activity of CA3-pyramidal cells associated with an increase in the quantity of oxytocin receptors and of somatostatin interneurons in both DG and CA2/CA3 regions. We also revealed a delay in the GABAergic development sequence in Magel2tm1.1Mus-deficient pups, linked to phosphorylation modifications of KCC2. Above all, we demonstrated the positive effects of subcutaneous administration of oxytocin in the mutant neonates, restoring hippocampal alterations and social memory at adulthood. Although clinical trials are debated, this study highlights the mechanisms by which peripheral oxytocin administration in neonates impacts the brain and demonstrates the therapeutic value of oxytocin to treat infants with autism spectrum disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Bertoni
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) UMR 1249, Institut de Neurobiologie de la Méditerranée (INMED), Institut Marseille Maladies Rares (MarMaRa), Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France
| | - Fabienne Schaller
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) UMR 1249, Institut de Neurobiologie de la Méditerranée (INMED), Institut Marseille Maladies Rares (MarMaRa), Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France
| | - Roman Tyzio
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) UMR 1249, Institut de Neurobiologie de la Méditerranée (INMED), Institut Marseille Maladies Rares (MarMaRa), Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France
| | | | - Francesca Santini
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council (CNR), Vedano al Lambro, Italy. Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Marion Xolin
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) UMR 1249, Institut de Neurobiologie de la Méditerranée (INMED), Institut Marseille Maladies Rares (MarMaRa), Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France
| | - Diabé Diabira
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) UMR 1249, Institut de Neurobiologie de la Méditerranée (INMED), Institut Marseille Maladies Rares (MarMaRa), Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France
| | | | - Valery Matarazzo
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) UMR 1249, Institut de Neurobiologie de la Méditerranée (INMED), Institut Marseille Maladies Rares (MarMaRa), Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France
| | - Igor Medina
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) UMR 1249, Institut de Neurobiologie de la Méditerranée (INMED), Institut Marseille Maladies Rares (MarMaRa), Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France
| | | | - Jinwei Zhang
- Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine and Health, Hatherly Laboratories, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Bice Chini
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council (CNR), Vedano al Lambro, Italy. NeuroMI Center for Neuroscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Jean-Luc Gaiarsa
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) UMR 1249, Institut de Neurobiologie de la Méditerranée (INMED), Institut Marseille Maladies Rares (MarMaRa), Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France
| | - Françoise Muscatelli
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) UMR 1249, Institut de Neurobiologie de la Méditerranée (INMED), Institut Marseille Maladies Rares (MarMaRa), Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France.
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13
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Liu Y, Ouyang P, Zheng Y, Mi L, Zhao J, Ning Y, Guo W. A Selective Review of the Excitatory-Inhibitory Imbalance in Schizophrenia: Underlying Biology, Genetics, Microcircuits, and Symptoms. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:664535. [PMID: 34746116 PMCID: PMC8567014 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.664535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a chronic disorder characterized by specific positive and negative primary symptoms, social behavior disturbances and cognitive deficits (e.g., impairment in working memory and cognitive flexibility). Mounting evidence suggests that altered excitability and inhibition at the molecular, cellular, circuit and network level might be the basis for the pathophysiology of neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia. In the past decades, human and animal studies have identified that glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurotransmissions are critically involved in several cognitive progresses, including learning and memory. The purpose of this review is, by analyzing emerging findings relating to the balance of excitatory and inhibitory, ranging from animal models of schizophrenia to clinical studies in patients with early onset, first-episode or chronic schizophrenia, to discuss how the excitatory-inhibitory imbalance may relate to the pathophysiology of disease phenotypes such as cognitive deficits and negative symptoms, and highlight directions for appropriate therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Liu
- National Clinical Research Center on Mental Disorders and Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Department of Psychiatry, The Affiliated Brain Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Pan Ouyang
- National Clinical Research Center on Mental Disorders and Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yingjun Zheng
- Department of Psychiatry, The Affiliated Brain Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lin Mi
- Department of Psychiatry, The Affiliated Brain Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jingping Zhao
- National Clinical Research Center on Mental Disorders and Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yuping Ning
- Department of Psychiatry, The Affiliated Brain Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,The First School of Clinical Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenbin Guo
- National Clinical Research Center on Mental Disorders and Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
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14
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Trinchero MF, Giacomini D, Schinder AF. Dynamic interplay between GABAergic networks and developing neurons in the adult hippocampus. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2021; 69:124-130. [PMID: 33873060 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2021.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Neurogenesis is a powerful mechanism for structural and functional remodeling that occurs in restricted areas of the adult brain. Although different neurotransmitters regulate various aspects of the progression from neural stem cell quiescence to neuronal maturation, GABA is the main player. The developmental switch from excitation to inhibition combined with a heterogeneous population of GABAergic interneurons that target different subcellular compartments provides multiple points for the regulation of development and function of new neurons. This complexity is enhanced by feedback and feedforward networks that act as sensors and controllers of circuit activity, impinging directly or indirectly onto developing granule cells and, subsequently, on mature neurons. Newly generated granule cells ultimately connect with input and output partners in a manner that is largely sculpted by the activity of local circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariela F Trinchero
- Laboratory of Neuronal Plasticity, Leloir Institute (IIBBA - CONICET), Av. Patricias Argentinas 435, Buenos Aires, C1405BWE, Argentina
| | - Damiana Giacomini
- Laboratory of Neuronal Plasticity, Leloir Institute (IIBBA - CONICET), Av. Patricias Argentinas 435, Buenos Aires, C1405BWE, Argentina
| | - Alejandro F Schinder
- Laboratory of Neuronal Plasticity, Leloir Institute (IIBBA - CONICET), Av. Patricias Argentinas 435, Buenos Aires, C1405BWE, Argentina.
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15
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Wood ET, Cummings KK, Jung J, Patterson G, Okada N, Guo J, O'Neill J, Dapretto M, Bookheimer SY, Green SA. Sensory over-responsivity is related to GABAergic inhibition in thalamocortical circuits. Transl Psychiatry 2021; 11:39. [PMID: 33436538 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-020-01154-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Revised: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Sensory over-responsivity (SOR), extreme sensitivity to or avoidance of sensory stimuli (e.g., scratchy fabrics, loud sounds), is a highly prevalent and impairing feature of neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorders (ASD), anxiety, and ADHD. Previous studies have found overactive brain responses and reduced modulation of thalamocortical connectivity in response to mildly aversive sensory stimulation in ASD. These findings suggest altered thalamic sensory gating which could be associated with an excitatory/inhibitory neurochemical imbalance, but such thalamic neurochemistry has never been examined in relation to SOR. Here we utilized magnetic resonance spectroscopy and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging to examine the relationship between thalamic and somatosensory cortex inhibitory (gamma-aminobutyric acid, GABA) and excitatory (glutamate) neurochemicals with the intrinsic functional connectivity of those regions in 35 ASD and 35 typically developing pediatric subjects. Although there were no diagnostic group differences in neurochemical concentrations in either region, within the ASD group, SOR severity correlated negatively with thalamic GABA (r = -0.48, p < 0.05) and positively with somatosensory glutamate (r = 0.68, p < 0.01). Further, in the ASD group, thalamic GABA concentration predicted altered connectivity with regions previously implicated in SOR. These variations in GABA and associated network connectivity in the ASD group highlight the potential role of GABA as a mechanism underlying individual differences in SOR, a major source of phenotypic heterogeneity in ASD. In ASD, abnormalities of the thalamic neurochemical balance could interfere with the thalamic role in integrating, relaying, and inhibiting attention to sensory information. These results have implications for future research and GABA-modulating pharmacologic interventions.
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16
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Belaïdouni Y, Diabira D, Zhang J, Graziano JC, Bader F, Montheil A, Menuet C, Wayman GA, Gaiarsa JL. The Chloride Homeostasis of CA3 Hippocampal Neurons Is Not Altered in Fully Symptomatic Mepc2-null Mice. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:724976. [PMID: 34602980 PMCID: PMC8484709 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.724976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Rett syndrome (RTT) is an X-linked neurodevelopmental disorder caused mainly by mutations in the MECP2 gene. Mouse models of RTT show reduced expression of the cation-chloride cotransporter KCC2 and altered chloride homeostasis at presymptomatic stages. However, whether these alterations persist to late symptomatic stages has not been studied. Here we assess KCC2 and NKCC1 expressions and chloride homeostasis in the hippocampus of early [postnatal (P) day 30-35] and late (P50-60) symptomatic male Mecp2-null (Mecp2 -/y) mice. We found (i) no difference in the relative amount, but an over-phosphorylation, of KCC2 and NKCC1 between wild-type (WT) and Mecp2 -/y hippocampi and (ii) no difference in the inhibitory strength, nor reversal potential, of GABA A -receptor-mediated responses in Mecp2 -/y CA3 pyramidal neurons compared to WT at any stages studied. Altogether, these data indicate the presence of a functional chloride extrusion mechanism in Mecp2 -/y CA3 pyramidal neurons at symptomatic stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasmine Belaïdouni
- Aix-Marseille University UMR 1249, Institut de Neurobiologie de la Méditerranée, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale Unité 1249, Parc Scientifique de Luminy, Marseille, France
| | - Diabe Diabira
- Aix-Marseille University UMR 1249, Institut de Neurobiologie de la Méditerranée, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale Unité 1249, Parc Scientifique de Luminy, Marseille, France
| | - Jinwei Zhang
- Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter, Hatherly Laboratories, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Jean-Charles Graziano
- Aix-Marseille University 105, Institut Paoli Calmettes, U1068, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U7258, Centre National de Recherche Scientifique, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille, Marseille, France
| | - Francesca Bader
- Aix-Marseille University UMR 1249, Institut de Neurobiologie de la Méditerranée, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale Unité 1249, Parc Scientifique de Luminy, Marseille, France
| | - Aurelie Montheil
- Aix-Marseille University UMR 1249, Institut de Neurobiologie de la Méditerranée, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale Unité 1249, Parc Scientifique de Luminy, Marseille, France
| | - Clément Menuet
- Aix-Marseille University UMR 1249, Institut de Neurobiologie de la Méditerranée, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale Unité 1249, Parc Scientifique de Luminy, Marseille, France
| | - Gary A. Wayman
- Program in Neuroscience, Department of Integrative Physiology and Neuroscience, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
| | - Jean-Luc Gaiarsa
- Aix-Marseille University UMR 1249, Institut de Neurobiologie de la Méditerranée, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale Unité 1249, Parc Scientifique de Luminy, Marseille, France
- *Correspondence: Jean-Luc Gaiarsa,
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17
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Wang J, Poliquin S, Mermer F, Eissman J, Delpire E, Wang J, Shen W, Cai K, Li BM, Li ZY, Xu D, Nwosu G, Flamm C, Liao WP, Shi YW, Kang JQ. Endoplasmic reticulum retention and degradation of a mutation in SLC6A1 associated with epilepsy and autism. Mol Brain 2020; 13:76. [PMID: 32398021 PMCID: PMC7218610 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-020-00612-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations in SLC6A1, encoding γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) transporter 1 (GAT-1), have been recently associated with a spectrum of epilepsy syndromes, intellectual disability and autism in clinic. However, the pathophysiology of the gene mutations is far from clear. Here we report a novel SLC6A1 missense mutation in a patient with epilepsy and autism spectrum disorder and characterized the molecular defects of the mutant GAT-1, from transporter protein trafficking to GABA uptake function in heterologous cells and neurons. The heterozygous missense mutation (c1081C to A (P361T)) in SLC6A1 was identified by exome sequencing. We have thoroughly characterized the molecular pathophysiology underlying the clinical phenotypes. We performed EEG recordings and autism diagnostic interview. The patient had neurodevelopmental delay, absence epilepsy, generalized epilepsy, and 2.5–3 Hz generalized spike and slow waves on EEG recordings. The impact of the mutation on GAT-1 function and trafficking was evaluated by 3H GABA uptake, structural simulation with machine learning tools, live cell confocal microscopy and protein expression in mouse neurons and nonneuronal cells. We demonstrated that the GAT-1(P361T) mutation destabilizes the global protein conformation and reduces total protein expression. The mutant transporter protein was localized intracellularly inside the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) with a pattern of expression very similar to the cells treated with tunicamycin, an ER stress inducer. Radioactive 3H-labeled GABA uptake assay indicated the mutation reduced the function of the mutant GAT-1(P361T), to a level that is similar to the cells treated with GAT-1 inhibitors. In summary, this mutation destabilizes the mutant transporter protein, which results in retention of the mutant protein inside cells and reduction of total transporter expression, likely via excessive endoplasmic reticulum associated degradation. This thus likely causes reduced functional transporter number on the cell surface, which then could cause the observed reduced GABA uptake function. Consequently, malfunctioning GABA signaling may cause altered neurodevelopment and neurotransmission, such as enhanced tonic inhibition and altered cell proliferation in vivo. The pathophysiology due to severely impaired GAT-1 function may give rise to a wide spectrum of neurodevelopmental phenotypes including autism and epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Wang
- Institute of Neuroscience and Department of Neurology of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University; Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, Guangzhou, 510260, China
| | - Sarah Poliquin
- The Neuroscience Program, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Felicia Mermer
- The Neuroscience Program, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Jaclyn Eissman
- The Neuroscience Program, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Eric Delpire
- Department of Anesthesiology, Vanderbilt University Department of Anesthesiology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Juexin Wang
- Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science and Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
| | - Wangzhen Shen
- Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, USA
| | - Kefu Cai
- Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, USA.,Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu, China
| | - Bing-Mei Li
- Institute of Neuroscience and Department of Neurology of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University; Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, Guangzhou, 510260, China
| | - Zong-Yan Li
- Institute of Neuroscience and Department of Neurology of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University; Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, Guangzhou, 510260, China
| | - Dong Xu
- Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science and Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
| | - Gerald Nwosu
- Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, USA.,Neuroscience Graduate Program, Vanderbilt-Meharry Alliance, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37235, USA
| | - Carson Flamm
- The Neuroscience Program, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Wei-Ping Liao
- Institute of Neuroscience and Department of Neurology of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University; Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, Guangzhou, 510260, China
| | - Yi-Wu Shi
- Institute of Neuroscience and Department of Neurology of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University; Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, Guangzhou, 510260, China
| | - Jing-Qiong Kang
- Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, USA. .,Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center of Human Development, Vanderbilt Brain Institute, 6147 MRBIII, 465 21st Ave. South, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.
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18
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Yokoi S, Naruse K, Kamei Y, Ansai S, Kinoshita M, Mito M, Iwasaki S, Inoue S, Okuyama T, Nakagawa S, Young LJ, Takeuchi H. Sexually dimorphic role of oxytocin in medaka mate choice. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:4802-8. [PMID: 32071244 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1921446117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin is a central neuromodulator required for facilitating mate preferences for familiar individuals in a monogamous rodent (prairie vole), irrespective of sex. While the role of oxytocin in mate choice is only understood in a few monogamous species, its function in nonmonogamous species, comprising the vast majority of vertebrate species, remains unclear. To address this issue, we evaluated the involvement of an oxytocin homolog (isotocin, referred herein as oxt) in mate choice in medaka fish (Oryzias latipes). Female medaka prefer to choose familiar mates, whereas male medaka court indiscriminately, irrespective of familiarity. We generated mutants of the oxt ligand (oxt) and receptor genes (oxtr1 and oxtr2) and revealed that the oxt-oxtr1 signaling pathway was essential for eliciting female mate preference for familiar males. This pathway was also required for unrestricted and indiscriminate mating strategy in males. That is, either oxt or oxtr1 mutation in males decreased the number of courtship displays toward novel females, but not toward familiar females. Further, males with these mutations exhibited enhanced mate-guarding behaviors toward familiar females, but not toward novel females. In addition, RNA-sequencing (seq) analysis revealed that the transcription of genes involved in gamma-amino butyric acid metabolism as well as those encoding ion-transport ATPase are up-regulated in both oxt and oxtr1 mutants only in female medaka, potentially explaining the sex difference of the mutant phenotype. Our findings provide genetic evidence that oxt-oxtr1 signaling plays a role in the mate choice for familiar individuals in a sex-specific manner in medaka fish.
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19
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Larrick JW, Mendelsohn AR. Increased REST to Optimize Life Span? Rejuvenation Res 2019; 22:529-532. [PMID: 31762373 DOI: 10.1089/rej.2019.2287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Reduced levels of neural activity are associated with a longer life span in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans and in mice. Augmented neural activity is associated with a shorter life span. Recent studies show that levels of repressor element 1-silencing transcription factor (REST) increase with normal aging in mice and humans, and reduce neuronal excitation. In C. elegans, increased expression of spr-4, a functional REST homologue, increased the worm life span and is required for classical life span increase mediated by reduced DAF-2/insulin-IGF-1 and increased DAF-16. Preliminary evidence shows that REST and FOXO1, a DAF-16, homologue increase during mammalian aging, and that REST activity is needed for the age-related FOXO1 increase. On the contrary, REST is activated in epilepsy and plays a role in the pathogenesis of Huntington's disease. A simple unifying hypothesis suggests that REST is a "goldilocks-effect factor": too little REST promotes excitotoxic activity, which in turn leads to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's. Appropriate increased levels of REST maintain the excitation/inhibition (E-I) balance by reducing potential excitotoxic activity. Increased levels of REST beyond this are toxic as neurons become dysfunctional due to loss of a neuronal phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- James W Larrick
- Panorama Research Institute, Sunnyvale, California.,Regenerative Sciences Institute, Sunnyvale, California
| | - Andrew R Mendelsohn
- Panorama Research Institute, Sunnyvale, California.,Regenerative Sciences Institute, Sunnyvale, California
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