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Nekouei M, Aliahmadi A, Kiaei M, Ghassempour AR. Mutant Profilin1 Aggregation in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: An in Vivo Biochemical Analysis. Basic Clin Neurosci 2021; 12:213-222. [PMID: 34925718 PMCID: PMC8672666 DOI: 10.32598/bcn.12.2.1631.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2019] [Revised: 01/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Profilin1 (PFN1) is a ubiquitously expressed protein known for its function as a regulator of actin polymerization and dynamics. A recent discovery linked mutant PFN1 to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), which is a fatal and progressive motor neuron disease. We have also demonstrated that Gly118Val mutation in PFN1 is a cause of ALS, and the formation of aggregates containing mutant PFN1 may be a mechanism for motor neuron death. Hence, we were interested in investigating the aggregation of PFN1 further and searching for co-aggregated proteins in our mouse model overexpressing mutant PFN1. Methods We investigated protein aggregation in several tissues of transgenic and notransgenic mice using western blotting. To further understand the neurotoxicity of mutant PFN1, we conducted a pull-down assay using an insoluble fraction of spinal cord lysates from hPFN1G118V transgenic mice. For this assay, we expressed His6-tagged PFN1WT and PFN1G118V in E. coli and purified these proteins using the Ni-NTA column. Results In this study, we demonstrated that mutant PFN1 forms aggregate in the brain and spinal cord of hPFN1G118V mice, while WT-PFN1 remains soluble. Among these tissues, spinal cord lysates were found to have PFN1 bands at higher molecular weights recognized with anti-PFN1. Moreover, the pull-down assay using His6-PFN1G118V showed that Myelin Binding Protein (MBP) was present in the insoluble fraction. Conclusion Our analysis of PFN1 aggregation in vivo revealed further details of mutant PFN1 aggregation and its possible complex formation with other proteins, providing new insights into the ALS mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mina Nekouei
- Department of Phytochemistry, Medicinal Plants and Drugs Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Atousa Aliahmadi
- Department of Biology, Medicinal Plants and Drugs Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahmoud Kiaei
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Neurology, Department of Geriatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, USA
| | - Ali Reza Ghassempour
- Department of Phytochemistry, Medicinal Plants and Drugs Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
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2
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Bonifacino T, Zerbo RA, Balbi M, Torazza C, Frumento G, Fedele E, Bonanno G, Milanese M. Nearly 30 Years of Animal Models to Study Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Historical Overview and Future Perspectives. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222212236. [PMID: 34830115 PMCID: PMC8619465 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222212236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal, multigenic, multifactorial, and non-cell autonomous neurodegenerative disease characterized by upper and lower motor neuron loss. Several genetic mutations lead to ALS development and many emerging gene mutations have been discovered in recent years. Over the decades since 1990, several animal models have been generated to study ALS pathology including both vertebrates and invertebrates such as yeast, worms, flies, zebrafish, mice, rats, guinea pigs, dogs, and non-human primates. Although these models show different peculiarities, they are all useful and complementary to dissect the pathological mechanisms at the basis of motor neuron degeneration and ALS progression, thus contributing to the development of new promising therapeutics. In this review, we describe the up to date and available ALS genetic animal models, classified by the different genetic mutations and divided per species, pointing out their features in modeling, the onset and progression of the pathology, as well as their specific pathological hallmarks. Moreover, we highlight similarities, differences, advantages, and limitations, aimed at helping the researcher to select the most appropriate experimental animal model, when designing a preclinical ALS study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiziana Bonifacino
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Unit, Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, 16148 Genoa, Italy; (T.B.); (R.A.Z.); (M.B.); (C.T.); (G.F.); (G.B.); (M.M.)
- Inter-University Center for the Promotion of the 3Rs Principles in Teaching & Research (Centro 3R), 56122 Genoa, Italy
| | - Roberta Arianna Zerbo
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Unit, Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, 16148 Genoa, Italy; (T.B.); (R.A.Z.); (M.B.); (C.T.); (G.F.); (G.B.); (M.M.)
| | - Matilde Balbi
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Unit, Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, 16148 Genoa, Italy; (T.B.); (R.A.Z.); (M.B.); (C.T.); (G.F.); (G.B.); (M.M.)
| | - Carola Torazza
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Unit, Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, 16148 Genoa, Italy; (T.B.); (R.A.Z.); (M.B.); (C.T.); (G.F.); (G.B.); (M.M.)
| | - Giulia Frumento
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Unit, Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, 16148 Genoa, Italy; (T.B.); (R.A.Z.); (M.B.); (C.T.); (G.F.); (G.B.); (M.M.)
| | - Ernesto Fedele
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Unit, Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, 16148 Genoa, Italy; (T.B.); (R.A.Z.); (M.B.); (C.T.); (G.F.); (G.B.); (M.M.)
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genoa, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Giambattista Bonanno
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Unit, Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, 16148 Genoa, Italy; (T.B.); (R.A.Z.); (M.B.); (C.T.); (G.F.); (G.B.); (M.M.)
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Marco Milanese
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Unit, Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, 16148 Genoa, Italy; (T.B.); (R.A.Z.); (M.B.); (C.T.); (G.F.); (G.B.); (M.M.)
- Inter-University Center for the Promotion of the 3Rs Principles in Teaching & Research (Centro 3R), 56122 Genoa, Italy
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3
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Yu H, Zhao Y, Pan X, Liu C, Fu R. Upregulated Expression of Profilin1 on Dendritic Cells in Patients With Severe Aplastic Anemia. Front Immunol 2021; 12:631954. [PMID: 34220798 PMCID: PMC8242247 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.631954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe aplastic anemia (SAA) is a life-threatening form of bone marrow failure that is associated with very high mortality. Dendritic cells (DCs) are antigen presenting cells (APCs) with powerful movement ability, which is an important factor affecting immune function. The expression of profilin1 (Pfn1) plays an important role in the regulation of cell movement ability. We detected the expression of Pfn1 mRNA in the bone marrow (BM) myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs) from patients with SAA using RT-PCR. Next, we examined Pfn1 expression on mDCs using flow cytometry (FCM). We also assessed the relationship between Pfn1 expression and cytokine levels. Our data showed increased Pfn1 mRNA expression in patients with SAA. The expression of Pfn1 in BM mDCs increased in SAA patients. The expression of Pfn1 on mDCs and cytokines (TNF-α and IFN-γ) were positively correlated in the serum of untreated patients with SAA. Taken together, we found that the expression of Pfn1 on mDCs of SAA patients increased, which may affect the function of mDCs. Profilin 1 may be involved in the immunopathogenesis of SAA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Yu
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Yang Zhao
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaofeng Pan
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Chunyan Liu
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Rong Fu
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
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4
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Zhao YF, He XX, Song ZF, Guo Y, Zhang YN, Yu HL, He ZX, Xiong WC, Guo W, Zhu XJ. Human antigen R-regulated mRNA metabolism promotes the cell motility of migrating mouse neurons. Development 2020; 147:dev.183509. [PMID: 32098764 PMCID: PMC7097226 DOI: 10.1242/dev.183509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Neocortex development during embryonic stages requires the precise control of mRNA metabolism. Human antigen R (HuR) is a well-studied mRNA-binding protein that regulates mRNA metabolism, and it is highly expressed in the neocortex during developmental stages. Deletion of HuR does not impair neural progenitor cell proliferation or differentiation, but it disturbs the laminar structure of the neocortex. We report that HuR is expressed in postmitotic projection neurons during mouse brain development. Specifically, depletion of HuR in these neurons led to a mislocalization of CDP+ neurons in deeper layers of the cortex. Time-lapse microscopy showed that HuR was required for the promotion of cell motility in migrating neurons. PCR array identified profilin 1 (Pfn1) mRNA as a major binding partner of HuR in neurons. HuR positively mediated the stability of Pfn1 mRNA and influenced actin polymerization. Overexpression of Pfn1 successfully rescued the migration defects of HuR-deleted neurons. Our data reveal a post-transcriptional mechanism that maintains actin dynamics during neuronal migration. Summary: Maintaining actin dynamics is crucial for cell motility. Post-transcriptional regulation plays a pivotal role in supporting actin dynamics during neuronal migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Fei Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics, Ministry of Education, Institute of Genetics and Cytology, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
| | - Xiao-Xiao He
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics, Ministry of Education, Institute of Genetics and Cytology, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
| | - Zi-Fei Song
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics, Ministry of Education, Institute of Genetics and Cytology, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
| | - Ye Guo
- State Key Laboratory for Molecular and Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Yan-Ning Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics, Ministry of Education, Institute of Genetics and Cytology, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
| | - Hua-Li Yu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics, Ministry of Education, Institute of Genetics and Cytology, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
| | - Zi-Xuan He
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics, Ministry of Education, Institute of Genetics and Cytology, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
| | - Wen-Cheng Xiong
- Department of Neurosciences, Case Western Reserve University, School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Weixiang Guo
- State Key Laboratory for Molecular and Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China .,Graduate School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China
| | - Xiao-Juan Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics, Ministry of Education, Institute of Genetics and Cytology, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
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5
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de Medeiros FGM, Dupont S, Beney L, Roudaut G, Hoskin RT, da Silva Pedrini MR. Efficient stabilisation of curcumin microencapsulated into yeast cells via osmoporation. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2019; 103:9659-9672. [DOI: 10.1007/s00253-019-10196-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2019] [Revised: 10/08/2019] [Accepted: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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6
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Brettle M, Stefen H, Djordjevic A, Fok SYY, Chan JW, van Hummel A, van der Hoven J, Przybyla M, Volkerling A, Ke YD, Delerue F, Ittner LM, Fath T. Developmental Expression of Mutant PFN1 in Motor Neurons Impacts Neuronal Growth and Motor Performance of Young and Adult Mice. Front Mol Neurosci 2019; 12:231. [PMID: 31611772 PMCID: PMC6776973 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2019.00231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2019] [Accepted: 09/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease with limited treatment and no cure. Mutations in profilin 1 were identified as a cause of familial ALS (fALS) in 2012. We investigated the functional impact of mutant profilin 1 expression in spinal cords during mouse development. We developed a novel mouse model with the expression of profilin 1 C71G under the control of the Hb9 promoter, targeting expression to α-motor neurons in the spinal cord during development. Embryos of transgenic mice showed evidence of a significant reduction of brachial nerve diameter and a loss of Mendelian inheritance. Despite the lack of transgene expression, adult mice presented with significant motor deficits. Transgenic mice had a significant reduction in the number of motor neurons in the spinal cord. Further analysis of these motor neurons in aged transgenic mice revealed reduced levels of TDP-43 and ChAT expression. Although profilin 1 C71G was only expressed during development, adult mice presented with some ALS-associated pathology and motor symptoms. This study highlights the effect of profilin 1 during neurodevelopment and the impact that this may have in later ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merryn Brettle
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, NSW, Australia.,Biomedical Imaging Facility, Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Holly Stefen
- Dementia Research Centre and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Aleksandra Djordjevic
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Sandra Y Y Fok
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, NSW, Australia.,Biomedical Imaging Facility, Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Josephine W Chan
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Annika van Hummel
- Dementia Research Centre and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Julia van der Hoven
- Dementia Research Centre and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Magdalena Przybyla
- Dementia Research Centre and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Alexander Volkerling
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Yazi D Ke
- Dementia Research Centre and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Fabien Delerue
- Dementia Research Centre and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Lars M Ittner
- Dementia Research Centre and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Thomas Fath
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, NSW, Australia.,Dementia Research Centre and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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7
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Driven to decay: Excitability and synaptic abnormalities in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Brain Res Bull 2018; 140:318-333. [PMID: 29870780 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2018.05.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2018] [Revised: 05/26/2018] [Accepted: 05/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most common motor neuron (MN) disease and is clinically characterised by the death of corticospinal motor neurons (CSMNs), spinal and brainstem MNs and the degeneration of the corticospinal tract. Degeneration of CSMNs and MNs leads inexorably to muscle wastage and weakness, progressing to eventual death within 3-5 years of diagnosis. The CSMNs, located within layer V of the primary motor cortex, project axons constituting the corticospinal tract, forming synaptic connections with brainstem and spinal cord interneurons and MNs. Clinical ALS may be divided into familial (∼10% of cases) or sporadic (∼90% of cases), based on apparent random incidence. The emergence of transgenic murine models, expressing different ALS-associated mutations has accelerated our understanding of ALS pathogenesis, although precise mechanisms remain elusive. Multiple avenues of investigation suggest that cortical electrical abnormalities have pre-eminence in the pathophysiology of ALS. In addition, glutamate-mediated functional and structural alterations in both CSMNs and MNs are present in both sporadic and familial forms of ALS. This review aims to promulgate debate in the field with regard to the common aetiology of sporadic and familial ALS. A specific focus on a nexus point in ALS pathogenesis, namely, the synaptic and intrinsic hyperexcitability of CSMNs and MNs and alterations to their structure are comprehensively detailed. The association of extramotor dysfunction with neuronal structural/functional alterations will be discussed. Finally, the implications of the latest research on the dying-forward and dying-back controversy are considered.
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8
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Del Poggetto E, Toto A, Aloise C, Di Piro F, Gori L, Malatesta F, Gianni S, Chiti F, Bemporad F. Stability of an aggregation-prone partially folded state of human profilin-1 correlates with aggregation propensity. J Biol Chem 2018; 293:10303-10313. [PMID: 29760185 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.002087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2018] [Revised: 05/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
A set of missense mutations in the gene encoding profilin-1 has been linked to the onset of familial forms of ALS (fALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. The pathogenic potential of these mutations is linked to the formation of intracellular inclusions of the mutant proteins and correlates with the mutation-induced destabilization of its native, fully folded state. However, the mechanism by which these mutations promote misfolding and self-assembly is yet unclear. Here, using temperature-jump and stopped-flow kinetic measurements, we show that, during refolding, WT profilin-1 transiently populates a partially folded (PF) state endowed with hydrophobic clusters exposed to the solvent and with no detectable secondary structure. We observed that this conformational state is marginally stable at neutral pH but becomes significantly populated at mildly acidic pH. Interestingly, the fALS-associated mutations did not cause a change in the refolding mechanism of profilin-1, but induced a stabilization of the PF state. In the presence of preformed profilin-1 aggregates, the PF state, unlike the unfolded and folded states, could interact with these aggregates via nonspecific hydrophobic interactions and also increase thioflavin-T fluorescence, revealing its amyloidogenic potential. Moreover, in the variants tested, we found a correlation between conformational stability of PF and aggregation propensity, defining this conformational state as an aggregation-prone folding intermediate. In conclusion, our findings indicate that mutation-induced stabilization of a partially folded state can enhance profilin-1 aggregation and thereby contribute to the pathogenicity of the mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edoardo Del Poggetto
- From the Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio," University of Florence, Viale G. B. Morgagni 50, 50134, Firenze, Italy
| | - Angelo Toto
- the Dipartimento di Scienze Biochimiche "A. Rossi Fanelli," Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy, and
| | - Chiara Aloise
- From the Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio," University of Florence, Viale G. B. Morgagni 50, 50134, Firenze, Italy
| | - Francesco Di Piro
- From the Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio," University of Florence, Viale G. B. Morgagni 50, 50134, Firenze, Italy
| | - Ludovica Gori
- From the Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio," University of Florence, Viale G. B. Morgagni 50, 50134, Firenze, Italy
| | - Francesco Malatesta
- the Dipartimento di Scienze Biochimiche "A. Rossi Fanelli," Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy, and
| | - Stefano Gianni
- the Dipartimento di Scienze Biochimiche "A. Rossi Fanelli," Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy, and.,the Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti and Istituto di Biologia e Patologia Molecolari del CNR, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Chiti
- From the Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio," University of Florence, Viale G. B. Morgagni 50, 50134, Firenze, Italy
| | - Francesco Bemporad
- From the Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio," University of Florence, Viale G. B. Morgagni 50, 50134, Firenze, Italy,
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9
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Lutz C. Mouse models of ALS: Past, present and future. Brain Res 2018; 1693:1-10. [PMID: 29577886 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2018.03.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2017] [Revised: 03/14/2018] [Accepted: 03/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Genome sequencing of both sporadic and familial patients of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) has led to the identification of new genes that are both contributing and causative in the disease. This gene discovery has come at an unprecedented rate, and much of it in recent years. Knowledge of these genetic mutations provides us with opportunities to uncover new and related mechanisms, increasing our understanding of the disease and bringing us closer to defined therapies for patients. Mouse models have played an important role in our current understanding of the pathophysiology of ALS and have served as important preclinical models in testing new therapeutics. With these new gene discoveries, new mouse models will follow. The information derived from these new models will depend on the careful construction and importantly, an understanding of the capabilities and limitations of each of the models. The genetic discovery in ALS comes at a time when genetic engineering technologies in mice are highly efficient through CRISPR/Cas9 and can be applied to a wide array of genetic backgrounds. New mouse resources in the forms of the Collaborative Cross and Diversity Outbred panels provide us with unique opportunities to study these mutations on diverse genetic backgrounds, and importantly in the context of a population. This review focuses on the mouse models of the past and present, and discusses exciting new opportunities for mouse models of the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cathleen Lutz
- The Jackson Laboratory, 600 Main Street, Bar Harbor, Maine 04609, USA.
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10
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Starr A, Sattler R. Synaptic dysfunction and altered excitability in C9ORF72 ALS/FTD. Brain Res 2018; 1693:98-108. [PMID: 29453960 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2018.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2017] [Revised: 02/06/2018] [Accepted: 02/10/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is characterized by a progressive degeneration of upper and lower motor neurons, resulting in fatal paralysis due to denervation of the muscle. Due to genetic, pathological and symptomatic overlap, ALS is now considered a spectrum disease together with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), the second most common cause of dementia in individuals under the age of 65. Interestingly, in both diseases, there is a large prevalence of RNA binding proteins (RBPs) that are mutated and considered disease-causing, or whose dysfunction contribute to disease pathogenesis. The most common shared genetic mutation in ALS/FTD is a hexanucleuotide repeat expansion within intron 1 of C9ORF72 (C9). Three potentially overlapping, putative toxic mechanisms have been proposed: loss of function due to haploinsufficient expression of the C9ORF72 mRNA, gain of function of the repeat RNA aggregates, or RNA foci, and repeat-associated non-ATG-initiated translation (RAN) of the repeat RNA into toxic dipeptide repeats (DPRs). Regardless of the causative mechanism, disease symptoms are ultimately caused by a failure of neurotransmission in three regions: the brain, the spinal cord, and the neuromuscular junction. Here, we review C9 ALS/FTD-associated synaptic dysfunction and aberrant neuronal excitability in these three key regions, focusing on changes in morphology and synapse formation, excitability, and excitotoxicity in patients, animal models, and in vitro models. We compare these deficits to those seen in other forms of ALS and FTD in search of shared pathways, and discuss the potential targeting of synaptic dysfunctions for therapeutic intervention in ALS and FTD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Starr
- Division of Neurobiology, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ 85013, United States
| | - Rita Sattler
- Division of Neurobiology, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ 85013, United States.
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Hensel N, Claus P. The Actin Cytoskeleton in SMA and ALS: How Does It Contribute to Motoneuron Degeneration? Neuroscientist 2017; 24:54-72. [PMID: 28459188 DOI: 10.1177/1073858417705059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) are neurodegenerative diseases with overlapping clinical phenotypes based on impaired motoneuron function. However, the pathomechanisms of both diseases are largely unknown, and it is still unclear whether they converge on the molecular level. SMA is a monogenic disease caused by low levels of functional Survival of Motoneuron (SMN) protein, whereas ALS involves multiple genes as well as environmental factors. Recent evidence argues for involvement of actin regulation as a causative and dysregulated process in both diseases. ALS-causing mutations in the actin-binding protein profilin-1 as well as the ability of the SMN protein to directly bind to profilins argue in favor of a common molecular mechanism involving the actin cytoskeleton. Profilins are major regulat ors of actin-dynamics being involved in multiple neuronal motility and transport processes as well as modulation of synaptic functions that are impaired in models of both motoneuron diseases. In this article, we review the current literature in SMA and ALS research with a focus on the actin cytoskeleton. We propose a common molecular mechanism that explains the degeneration of motoneurons for SMA and some cases of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niko Hensel
- 1 Institute of Neuroanatomy and Cell Biology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,2 Niedersachsen Network on Neuroinfectiology (N-RENNT), Hannover, Germany
| | - Peter Claus
- 1 Institute of Neuroanatomy and Cell Biology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,2 Niedersachsen Network on Neuroinfectiology (N-RENNT), Hannover, Germany.,3 Center for Systems Neuroscience (ZSN), Hannover, Germany
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12
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Fil D, DeLoach A, Yadav S, Alkam D, MacNicol M, Singh A, Compadre CM, Goellner JJ, O’Brien CA, Fahmi T, Basnakian AG, Calingasan NY, Klessner JL, Beal FM, Peters OM, Metterville J, Brown RH, Ling KK, Rigo F, Ozdinler PH, Kiaei M. Mutant Profilin1 transgenic mice recapitulate cardinal features of motor neuron disease. Hum Mol Genet 2017; 26:686-701. [PMID: 28040732 PMCID: PMC5968635 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddw429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2016] [Revised: 12/08/2016] [Accepted: 12/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The recent identification of profilin1 mutations in 25 familial ALS cases has linked altered function of this cytoskeleton-regulating protein to the pathogenesis of motor neuron disease. To investigate the pathological role of mutant profilin1 in motor neuron disease, we generated transgenic lines of mice expressing human profilin1 with a mutation at position 118 (hPFN1G118V). One of the mouse lines expressing high levels of mutant human PFN1 protein in the brain and spinal cord exhibited many key clinical and pathological features consistent with human ALS disease. These include loss of lower (ventral horn) and upper motor neurons (corticospinal motor neurons in layer V), mutant profilin1 aggregation, abnormally ubiquitinated proteins, reduced choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) enzyme expression, fragmented mitochondria, glial cell activation, muscle atrophy, weight loss, and reduced survival. Our investigations of actin dynamics and axonal integrity suggest that mutant PFN1 protein is associated with an abnormally low filamentous/globular (F/G)-actin ratio that may be the underlying cause of severe damage to ventral root axons resulting in a Wallerian-like degeneration. These observations indicate that our novel profilin1 mutant mouse line may provide a new ALS model with the opportunity to gain unique perspectives into mechanisms of neurodegeneration that contribute to ALS pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Fil
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
| | | | | | - Duah Alkam
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
| | | | | | | | - Joseph J. Goellner
- Division of Endocrinology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, AR,
USA
| | - Charles A. O’Brien
- Division of Endocrinology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, AR,
USA
| | | | - Alexei G. Basnakian
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
- Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
| | - Noel Y. Calingasan
- Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New
York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Jodi L. Klessner
- Department of Neurology, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of
Medicine, 303 E. Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 6011, USA
| | - Flint M. Beal
- Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New
York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Owen M. Peters
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School,
Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Jake Metterville
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School,
Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Robert H. Brown
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School,
Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Karen K.Y. Ling
- Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New
York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Frank Rigo
- Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New
York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - P. Hande Ozdinler
- Department of Neurology, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of
Medicine, 303 E. Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 6011, USA
| | - Mahmoud Kiaei
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
- Physiology and Biophysics
- Center for Translational Neuroscience
- Department of Neurology
- Department of Geriatrics, The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences,
AR, USA
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13
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Brettle M, Patel S, Fath T. Tropomyosins in the healthy and diseased nervous system. Brain Res Bull 2016; 126:311-323. [PMID: 27298153 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2016.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2016] [Revised: 06/09/2016] [Accepted: 06/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Regulation of the actin cytoskeleton is dependent on a plethora of actin-associated proteins in all eukaryotic cells. The family of tropomyosins plays a key role in controlling the function of several of these actin-associated proteins and their access to actin filaments. In order to understand the regulation of the actin cytoskeleton in highly dynamic subcellular compartments of neurons such as growth cones of developing neurons and the synaptic compartment of mature neurons, it is pivotal to decipher the functional role of tropomyosins in the nervous system. In this review, we will discuss the current understanding and recent findings on the regulation of the actin cytoskeleton by tropomyosins and potential implication that this has for the dysregulation of the actin cytoskeleton in neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merryn Brettle
- Neurodegeneration and Repair Unit, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, 2052 Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Shrujna Patel
- Neurodegeneration and Repair Unit, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, 2052 Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Thomas Fath
- Neurodegeneration and Repair Unit, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, 2052 Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
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