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Gabaldon-Albero A, Mayo S, Martinez F. NR4A2 as a Novel Target Gene for Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathy: A Systematic Review of Related Disorders and Therapeutic Strategies. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5198. [PMID: 38791237 PMCID: PMC11120677 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25105198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2024] [Revised: 05/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The NR4A2 gene encodes an orphan transcription factor of the steroid-thyroid hormone-retinoid receptor superfamily. This review focuses on the clinical findings associated with the pathogenic variants so far reported, including three unreported cases. Also, its role in neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's or Alzheimer's disease, is examined, as well as a brief exploration on recent proposals to develop novel therapies for these neurological diseases based on small molecules that could modulate NR4A2 transcriptional activity. The main characteristic shared by all patients is mild to severe developmental delay/intellectual disability. Moderate to severe disorder of the expressive and receptive language is present in at least 42%, while neuro-psychiatric issues were reported in 53% of patients. Movement disorders, including dystonia, chorea or ataxia, are described in 37% patients, although probably underestimated because of its frequent onset in late adolescence-young adulthood. Finally, epilepsy was surprisingly present in 42% of patients, being drug-resistant in three of them. The age at onset varied widely, from five months to twenty-six years, as did the classification of epilepsy, which ranged from focal epilepsy to infantile spasms or Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. Accordingly, we propose that NR4A2 should be considered as a first-tier target gene for the genetic diagnosis of developmental and epileptic encephalopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alba Gabaldon-Albero
- Translational Research Group in Genetics, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, 46026 Valencia, Spain;
| | - Sonia Mayo
- Genetics and Inheritance Research Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre, 28041 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Genetics, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, 28041 Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco Martinez
- Translational Research Group in Genetics, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, 46026 Valencia, Spain;
- Genetics Unit, Hospital Universitario y Politecnico La Fe, 46026 Valencia, Spain
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Kinoshita K, Motomura K, Ushida K, Hirata Y, Konno A, Hirai H, Kotani S, Hitora-Imamura N, Kurauchi Y, Seki T, Katsuki H. Nurr1 overexpression in the primary motor cortex alleviates motor dysfunction induced by intracerebral hemorrhage in the striatum in mice. Neurotherapeutics 2024:e00370. [PMID: 38704311 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurot.2024.e00370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Hemorrhage-induced injury of the corticospinal tract (CST) in the internal capsule (IC) causes severe neurological dysfunction in both human patients and rodent models of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). A nuclear receptor Nurr1 (NR4A2) is known to exert anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects in several neurological disorders. Previously we showed that Nurr1 ligands prevented CST injury and alleviated neurological deficits after ICH in mice. To prove direct effect of Nurr1 on CST integrity, we examined the effect of Nurr1 overexpression in neurons of the primary motor cortex on pathological consequences of ICH in mice. ICH was induced by intrastriatal injection of collagenase type VII, where hematoma invaded into IC. Neuron-specific overexpression of Nurr1 was induced by microinjection of synapsin I promoter-driven adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector into the primary motor cortex. Nurr1 overexpression significantly alleviated motor dysfunction but showed only modest effect on sensorimotor dysfunction after ICH. Nurr1 overexpression also preserved axonal structures in IC, while having no effect on hematoma-associated inflammatory events, oxidative stress, and neuronal death in the striatum after ICH. Immunostaining revealed that Nurr1 overexpression increased the expression of Ret tyrosine kinase and phosphorylation of Akt and ERK1/2 in neurons in the motor cortex. Moreover, administration of Nurr1 ligands 1,1-bis(3'-indolyl)-1-(p-chlorophenyl)methane or amodiaquine increased phosphorylation levels of Akt and ERK1/2 as well as expression of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor and Ret genes in the cerebral cortex. These results suggest that the therapeutic effect of Nurr1 on striatal ICH is attributable to the preservation of CST by acting on cortical neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keita Kinoshita
- Department of Chemico-Pharmacological Sciences, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and School of Pharmacy, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Kensuke Motomura
- Department of Chemico-Pharmacological Sciences, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and School of Pharmacy, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Keisuke Ushida
- Department of Chemico-Pharmacological Sciences, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and School of Pharmacy, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Yuma Hirata
- Department of Chemico-Pharmacological Sciences, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and School of Pharmacy, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Ayumu Konno
- Department of Neurophysiology & Neural Repair, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Gunma, Japan
| | - Hirokazu Hirai
- Department of Neurophysiology & Neural Repair, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Gunma, Japan
| | - Shunsuke Kotani
- Global Center for Natural Resources Sciences, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Natsuko Hitora-Imamura
- Department of Chemico-Pharmacological Sciences, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and School of Pharmacy, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Yuki Kurauchi
- Department of Chemico-Pharmacological Sciences, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and School of Pharmacy, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Takahiro Seki
- Department of Chemico-Pharmacological Sciences, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and School of Pharmacy, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan; Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Himeji Dokkyo University, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Katsuki
- Department of Chemico-Pharmacological Sciences, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and School of Pharmacy, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.
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Català-Solsona J, Lutzu S, Lituma PJ, Fábregas-Ordoñez C, Siedlecki D, Giménez-Llort L, Miñano-Molina AJ, Saura CA, Castillo PE, Rodriguez-Álvarez J. Nr4a2 blocks oAβ-mediated synaptic plasticity dysfunction and ameliorates spatial memory deficits in the APP Sw,Ind mouse. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.24.577010. [PMID: 38328087 PMCID: PMC10849715 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.24.577010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease AD is associated with disruptions in neuronal communication, especially in brain regions crucial for learning and memory, such as the hippocampus. The amyloid hypothesis suggests that the accumulation of amyloid-beta oligomers (oAβ) contributes to synaptic dysfunction by internalisation of synaptic AMPA receptors. Recently, it has been reported that Nr4a2, a member of the Nr4a family of orphan nuclear receptors, plays a role in hippocampal synaptic plasticity by regulating BDNF and synaptic AMPA receptors. Here, we demonstrate that oAβ inhibits activity-dependent Nr4a2 activation in hippocampal neurons, indicating a potential link between oAβ and Nr4a2 down-regulation. Furthermore, we have observed a reduction in Nr4a2 protein levels in postmortem hippocampal tissue samples from early AD stages. Pharmacological activation of Nr4a2 proves effective in preventing oAβ-mediated synaptic depression in the hippocampus. Notably, Nr4a2 overexpression in the hippocampus of AD mouse models ameliorates spatial learning and memory deficits. In conclusion, the findings suggest that oAβ may contribute to early cognitive impairment in AD by blocking Nr4a2 activation, leading to synaptic dysfunction. Thus, our results further support that Nr4a2 activation is a potential therapeutic target to mitigate oAβ-induced synaptic and cognitive impairments in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease.
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Ren X, Bok I, Vareberg A, Hai A. Stimulation-mediated reverse engineering of silent neural networks. J Neurophysiol 2023; 129:1505-1514. [PMID: 37222450 PMCID: PMC10311990 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00100.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Reconstructing connectivity of neuronal networks from single-cell activity is essential to understanding brain function, but the challenge of deciphering connections from populations of silent neurons has been largely unmet. We demonstrate a protocol for deriving connectivity of simulated silent neuronal networks using stimulation combined with a supervised learning algorithm, which enables inferring connection weights with high fidelity and predicting spike trains at the single-spike and single-cell levels with high accuracy. We apply our method on rat cortical recordings fed through a circuit of heterogeneously connected leaky integrate-and-fire neurons firing at typical lognormal distributions and demonstrate improved performance during stimulation for multiple subpopulations. These testable predictions about the number and protocol of the required stimulations are expected to enhance future efforts for deriving neuronal connectivity and drive new experiments to better understand brain function.NEW & NOTEWORTHY We introduce a new concept for reverse engineering silent neuronal networks using a supervised learning algorithm combined with stimulation. We quantify the performance of the algorithm and the precision of deriving synaptic weights in inhibitory and excitatory subpopulations. We then show that stimulation enables deciphering connectivity of heterogeneous circuits fed with real electrode array recordings, which could extend in the future to deciphering connectivity in broad biological and artificial neural networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxuan Ren
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States
| | - Ilhan Bok
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States
| | - Adam Vareberg
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States
| | - Aviad Hai
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States
- Wisconsin Institute for Translational Neuroengineering (WITNe), Madison, Wisconsin, United States
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Català-Solsona J, Lituma PJ, Lutzu S, Siedlecki-Wullich D, Fábregas-Ordoñez C, Miñano-Molina AJ, Saura CA, Castillo PE, Rodriguez-Álvarez J. Activity-Dependent Nr4a2 Induction Modulates Synaptic Expression of AMPA Receptors and Plasticity via a Ca 2+/CRTC1/CREB Pathway. J Neurosci 2023; 43:3028-3041. [PMID: 36931707 PMCID: PMC10146469 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1341-22.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcription factors have a pivotal role in synaptic plasticity and the associated modification of neuronal networks required for memory formation and consolidation. The nuclear receptors subfamily 4 group A (Nr4a) have emerged as possible modulators of hippocampal synaptic plasticity and cognitive functions. However, the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying Nr4a2-mediated hippocampal synaptic plasticity are not completely known. Here, we report that neuronal activity enhances Nr4a2 expression and function in cultured mouse hippocampal neurons (both sexes) by an ionotropic glutamate receptor/Ca2+/cAMP response element-binding protein/CREB-regulated transcription factor 1 (iGluR/Ca2+/CREB/CRTC1) pathway. Nr4a2 activation mediates BDNF production and increases expression of iGluRs, thereby affecting LTD at CA3-CA1 synapses in acute mouse hippocampal slices (both sexes). Together, our results indicate that the iGluR/Ca2+/CREB/CRTC1 pathway mediates activity-dependent expression of Nr4a2, which is involved in glutamatergic synaptic plasticity by increasing BDNF and synaptic GluA1-AMPARs. Therefore, Nr4a2 activation could be a therapeutic approach for brain disorders associated with dysregulated synaptic plasticity.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT A major factor that regulates fast excitatory synaptic transmission and plasticity is the modulation of synaptic AMPARs. However, despite decades of research, the underlying mechanisms of this modulation remain poorly understood. Our study identified a molecular pathway that links neuronal activity with AMPAR modulation and hippocampal synaptic plasticity through the activation of Nr4a2, a member of the nuclear receptor subfamily 4. Since several compounds have been described to activate Nr4a2, our study not only provides mechanistic insights into the molecular pathways related to hippocampal synaptic plasticity and learning, but also identifies Nr4a2 as a potential therapeutic target for pathologic conditions associated with dysregulation of glutamatergic synaptic function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judit Català-Solsona
- Institut de Neurociències and Departamento Bioquímica i Biología Molecular, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, 08193, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Madrid, 28031, Spain
| | - Pablo J Lituma
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York 10461
| | - Stefano Lutzu
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York 10461
| | - Dolores Siedlecki-Wullich
- Institut de Neurociències and Departamento Bioquímica i Biología Molecular, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, 08193, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Madrid, 28031, Spain
| | - Cristina Fábregas-Ordoñez
- Institut de Neurociències and Departamento Bioquímica i Biología Molecular, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, 08193, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Madrid, 28031, Spain
| | - Alfredo J Miñano-Molina
- Institut de Neurociències and Departamento Bioquímica i Biología Molecular, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, 08193, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Madrid, 28031, Spain
| | - Carlos A Saura
- Institut de Neurociències and Departamento Bioquímica i Biología Molecular, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, 08193, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Madrid, 28031, Spain
| | - Pablo E Castillo
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York 10461
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York 10461
| | - José Rodriguez-Álvarez
- Institut de Neurociències and Departamento Bioquímica i Biología Molecular, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, 08193, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Madrid, 28031, Spain
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York 10461
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Gamit N, Dharmarajan A, Sethi G, Warrier S. Want of Wnt in Parkinson's disease: Could sFRP disrupt interplay between Nurr1 and Wnt signaling? Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 212:115566. [PMID: 37088155 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
Nuclear receptor related 1 (Nurr1) is a transcription factor known to regulate the development and maintenance of midbrain dopaminergic (mDA) neurons. Reports have confirmed that defect or obliteration of Nurr1 results in neurodegeneration and motor function impairment leading to Parkinson's disease (PD). Studies have also indicated that Nurr1 regulates the expression of alpha-synuclein (α-SYN) and mutations in Nurr1 cause α-SYN overexpression, thereby increasing the risk of PD. Nurr1 is modulated via various pathways including Wnt signaling pathway which is known to play an important role in neurogenesis and deregulation of it contributes to PD pathogenesis. Both Wnt/β-catenin dependent and independent pathways are implicated in the activation of Nurr1 and subsequent downregulation of α-SYN. This review highlights the interaction between Nurr1 and Wnt signaling pathways in mDA neuronal development. We further hypothesize how modulation of Wnt signaling pathway by its antagonist, secreted frizzled related proteins (sFRPs) could be a potential route to treat PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naisarg Gamit
- Division of Cancer Stem Cells and Cardiovascular Regeneration, Manipal Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Bangalore 560 065, India
| | - Arun Dharmarajan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Technology and Research, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai 600 116, India; School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia 6102, Australia; Curtin Health and Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia 6102, Australia; School of Human Sciences, Faculty of Life and Physical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia 6009, Australia
| | - Gautam Sethi
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore 117 600, Singapore
| | - Sudha Warrier
- Division of Cancer Stem Cells and Cardiovascular Regeneration, Manipal Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Bangalore 560 065, India; Cuor Stem Cellutions Pvt Ltd, Manipal Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Bangalore 560 065, India.
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Transcriptomic analysis in the striatum reveals the involvement of Nurr1 in the social behavior of prenatally valproic acid-exposed male mice. Transl Psychiatry 2022; 12:324. [PMID: 35945212 PMCID: PMC9363495 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-022-02056-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Revised: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that exhibits neurobehavioral deficits characterized by abnormalities in social interactions, deficits in communication as well as restricted interests, and repetitive behaviors. The basal ganglia is one of the brain regions implicated as dysfunctional in ASD. In particular, the defects in corticostriatal function have been reported to be involved in the pathogenesis of ASD. Surface deformation of the striatum in the brains of patients with ASD and their correlation with behavioral symptoms was reported in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies. We demonstrated that prenatal valproic acid (VPA) exposure induced synaptic and molecular changes and decreased neuronal activity in the striatum. Using RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq), we analyzed transcriptome alterations in striatal tissues from 10-week-old prenatally VPA-exposed BALB/c male mice. Among the upregulated genes, Nurr1 was significantly upregulated in striatal tissues from prenatally VPA-exposed mice. Viral knockdown of Nurr1 by shRNA significantly rescued the reduction in dendritic spine density and the number of mature dendritic spines in the striatum and markedly improved social deficits in prenatally VPA-exposed mice. In addition, treatment with amodiaquine, which is a known ligand for Nurr1, mimicked the social deficits and synaptic abnormalities in saline-exposed mice as observed in prenatally VPA-exposed mice. Furthermore, PatDp+/- mice, a commonly used ASD genetic mouse model, also showed increased levels of Nurr1 in the striatum. Taken together, these results suggest that the increase in Nurr1 expression in the striatum is a mechanism related to the changes in synaptic deficits and behavioral phenotypes of the VPA-induced ASD mouse model.
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Identification of activity-induced Egr3-dependent genes reveals genes associated with DNA damage response and schizophrenia. Transl Psychiatry 2022; 12:320. [PMID: 35941129 PMCID: PMC9360026 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-022-02069-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Bioinformatics and network studies have identified the immediate early gene transcription factor early growth response 3 (EGR3) as a master regulator of genes differentially expressed in the brains of patients with neuropsychiatric illnesses ranging from schizophrenia and bipolar disorder to Alzheimer's disease. However, few studies have identified and validated Egr3-dependent genes in the mammalian brain. We have previously shown that Egr3 is required for stress-responsive behavior, memory, and hippocampal long-term depression in mice. To identify Egr3-dependent genes that may regulate these processes, we conducted an expression microarray on hippocampi from wildtype (WT) and Egr3-/- mice following electroconvulsive seizure (ECS), a stimulus that induces maximal expression of immediate early genes including Egr3. We identified 69 genes that were differentially expressed between WT and Egr3-/- mice one hour following ECS. Bioinformatic analyses showed that many of these are altered in, or associated with, schizophrenia, including Mef2c and Calb2. Enrichr pathway analysis revealed the GADD45 (growth arrest and DNA-damage-inducible) family (Gadd45b, Gadd45g) as a leading group of differentially expressed genes. Together with differentially expressed genes in the AP-1 transcription factor family genes (Fos, Fosb), and the centromere organization protein Cenpa, these results revealed that Egr3 is required for activity-dependent expression of genes involved in the DNA damage response. Our findings show that EGR3 is critical for the expression of genes that are mis-expressed in schizophrenia and reveal a novel requirement for EGR3 in the expression of genes involved in activity-induced DNA damage response.
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A Nurr1 ligand C-DIM12 attenuates brain inflammation and improves functional recovery after intracerebral hemorrhage in mice. Sci Rep 2022; 12:11009. [PMID: 35773404 PMCID: PMC9246855 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-15178-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
We have previously reported that amodiaquine, a compound that binds to the ligand-binding domain of a nuclear receptor Nurr1, attenuates inflammatory responses and neurological deficits after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in mice. 1,1-Bis(3'-indolyl)-1-(p-chlorophenyl)methane (C-DIM12) is another Nurr1 ligand that recognizes a domain of Nurr1 different from the ligand-binding domain. In the present study, mice were treated daily with C-DIM12 (50 or 100 mg/kg, p.o.) or amodiaquine (40 mg/kg, i.p.), or twice daily with 1400 W (20 mg/kg, i.p.), an inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) inhibitor, from 3 h after ICH induction by microinjection of collagenase into the striatum. C-DIM12 improved the recovery of neurological function and prevented neuron loss in the hematoma, while suppressed activation of microglia/macrophages and expression of inflammatory mediators interleukin-6 and CC chemokine ligand 2. In addition, C-DIM12 as well as amodiaquine preserved axonal structures in the internal capsule and axonal transport function. We also found that C-DIM12 and amodiaquine suppressed the increases of iNOS mRNA expression after ICH. Moreover, 1400 W improved neurological function and prevented neuron loss, activation of microglia/macrophages and axonal transport dysfunction. These results suggest that suppression of iNOS induction contributes to several features of the therapeutic effects of Nurr1 ligands.
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Nurr1 Is Not an Essential Regulator of BDNF in Mouse Cortical Neurons. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23126853. [PMID: 35743300 PMCID: PMC9224520 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23126853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2022] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Nurr1 and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) play major roles in cognition. Nurr1 regulates BDNF in midbrain dopaminergic neurons and cerebellar granule cells. Nurr1 and BDNF are also highly expressed in the cerebral cortex, a brain area important in cognition. Due to Nurr1 and BDNF tissue specificity, the regulatory effect of Nurr1 on BDNF in different brain areas cannot be generalized. The relationship between Nurr1 and BDNF in the cortex has not been investigated previously. Therefore, we examined Nurr1-mediated BDNF regulation in cortical neurons in activity-dependent and activity-independent states. Mouse primary cortical neurons were treated with the Nurr1 agonist, amodiaquine (AQ). Membrane depolarization was induced by KCl or veratridine and reversed by nimodipine. AQ and membrane depolarization significantly increased Nurr1 (p < 0.001) and BDNF (pAQ < 0.001, pKCl < 0.01) as assessed by real-time qRT-PCR. However, Nurr1 knockdown did not affect BDNF gene expression in resting or depolarized neurons. Accordingly, the positive correlation between Nurr1 and BDNF expression in AQ and membrane depolarization experiments does not imply co-regulation because Nurr1 knockdown did not affect BDNF gene expression in resting or depolarized cortical neurons. Therefore, in contrast to midbrain dopaminergic neurons and cerebellar granule cells, Nurr1 does not regulate BDNF in cortical neurons.
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Willems S, Marschner JA, Kilu W, Faudone G, Busch R, Duensing‐Kropp S, Heering J, Merk D. Nurr1 Modulation Mediates Neuroprotective Effects of Statins. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 9:e2104640. [PMID: 35488520 PMCID: PMC9218776 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202104640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
The ligand-sensing transcription factor Nurr1 emerges as a promising therapeutic target for neurodegenerative pathologies but Nurr1 ligands for functional studies and therapeutic validation are lacking. Here pronounced Nurr1 modulation by statins for which clinically relevant neuroprotective effects are demonstrated, is reported. Several statins directly affect Nurr1 activity in cellular and cell-free settings with low micromolar to sub-micromolar potencies. Simvastatin as example exhibits anti-inflammatory effects in astrocytes, which are abrogated by Nurr1 knockdown. Differential gene expression analysis in native and Nurr1-silenced cells reveals strong proinflammatory effects of Nurr1 knockdown while simvastatin treatment induces several neuroprotective mechanisms via Nurr1 involving changes in inflammatory, metabolic and cell cycle gene expression. Further in vitro evaluation confirms reduced inflammatory response, improved glucose metabolism, and cell cycle inhibition of simvastatin-treated neuronal cells. These findings suggest Nurr1 involvement in the well-documented but mechanistically elusive neuroprotection by statins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Willems
- Institute of Pharmaceutical ChemistryGoethe University FrankfurtMax‐von‐Laue‐Str. 9Frankfurt60438Germany
| | - Julian A. Marschner
- Department of PharmacyLudwig‐Maximilians‐Universität MünchenButenandtstr. 5‐13Munich81377Germany
| | - Whitney Kilu
- Institute of Pharmaceutical ChemistryGoethe University FrankfurtMax‐von‐Laue‐Str. 9Frankfurt60438Germany
| | - Giuseppe Faudone
- Institute of Pharmaceutical ChemistryGoethe University FrankfurtMax‐von‐Laue‐Str. 9Frankfurt60438Germany
| | - Romy Busch
- Department of PharmacyLudwig‐Maximilians‐Universität MünchenButenandtstr. 5‐13Munich81377Germany
| | - Silke Duensing‐Kropp
- Department of PharmacyLudwig‐Maximilians‐Universität MünchenButenandtstr. 5‐13Munich81377Germany
| | - Jan Heering
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMPTheodor‐Stern‐Kai 7Frankfurt60596Germany
| | - Daniel Merk
- Institute of Pharmaceutical ChemistryGoethe University FrankfurtMax‐von‐Laue‐Str. 9Frankfurt60438Germany
- Department of PharmacyLudwig‐Maximilians‐Universität MünchenButenandtstr. 5‐13Munich81377Germany
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Català-Solsona J, Miñano-Molina AJ, Rodríguez-Álvarez J. Nr4a2 Transcription Factor in Hippocampal Synaptic Plasticity, Memory and Cognitive Dysfunction: A Perspective Review. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:786226. [PMID: 34880728 PMCID: PMC8645690 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.786226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Long-lasting changes of synaptic efficacy are largely mediated by activity-induced gene transcription and are essential for neuronal plasticity and memory. In this scenario, transcription factors have emerged as pivotal players underlying synaptic plasticity and the modification of neural networks required for memory formation and consolidation. Hippocampal synaptic dysfunction is widely accepted to underlie the cognitive decline observed in some neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer’s disease. Therefore, understanding the molecular pathways regulating gene expression profiles may help to identify new synaptic therapeutic targets. The nuclear receptor 4A subfamily (Nr4a) of transcription factors has been involved in a variety of physiological processes within the hippocampus, ranging from inflammation to neuroprotection. Recent studies have also pointed out a role for the activity-dependent nuclear receptor subfamily 4, group A, member 2 (Nr4a2/Nurr1) in hippocampal synaptic plasticity and cognitive functions, although the underlying molecular mechanisms are still poorly understood. In this review, we highlight the specific effects of Nr4a2 in hippocampal synaptic plasticity and memory formation and we discuss whether the dysregulation of this transcription factor could contribute to hippocampal synaptic dysfunction, altogether suggesting the possibility that Nr4a2 may emerge as a novel synaptic therapeutic target in brain pathologies associated to cognitive dysfunctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judit Català-Solsona
- Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Alfredo J Miñano-Molina
- Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - José Rodríguez-Álvarez
- Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain.,Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
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13
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Ochi S, Sekiya K, Abe N, Funahashi Y, Kumon H, Yoshino Y, Nishihara T, Boku S, Iga JI, Ueno SI. Neural precursor cells are decreased in the hippocampus of the delayed carbon monoxide encephalopathy rat model. Sci Rep 2021; 11:6244. [PMID: 33737717 PMCID: PMC7973557 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-85860-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The pathophysiology of delayed carbon monoxide (CO) encephalopathy remains unclear. In this study, the effects of CO exposure on the dentate gyrus (DG) were investigated in a Wistar rat model by histochemical and molecular methods. Model rats showed significant cognitive impairment in the passive-avoidance test beginning 7 days after CO exposure. Immunohistochemistry showed that compared to the control, the cell number of SRY (sex-determining region Y)-box 2 (SOX2)+/brain lipid binding protein (BLBP)+/glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)+ cells in the DG was significantly less, but the number of SOX2+/GFAP− cells was not, reflecting a decreased number of type 1 and type 2a neural precursor cells. Compared to the control, the numbers of CD11b+ cells and neuron glial antigen 2+ cells were significantly less, but the number of SOX2−/GFAP+ cells was not. Flow cytometry showed that the percent of live microglial cells isolated from the hippocampus in this CO rat model was significantly lower than in controls. Furthermore, mRNA expression of fibroblast growth factor 2 and glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor, which are neurogenic factors, was significantly decreased in that area. We conclude that, in this rat model, there is an association between delayed cognitive impairment with dysregulated adult hippocampal neurogenesis and glial changes in delayed CO encephalopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinichiro Ochi
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Molecules and Function, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Shitsukawa, Toon, Ehime, 791-0295, Japan
| | - Keisuke Sekiya
- Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Medicine, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Shitsukawa, Toon, Ehime, 791-0295, Japan
| | - Naoki Abe
- Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Medicine, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Shitsukawa, Toon, Ehime, 791-0295, Japan
| | - Yu Funahashi
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Molecules and Function, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Shitsukawa, Toon, Ehime, 791-0295, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Kumon
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Molecules and Function, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Shitsukawa, Toon, Ehime, 791-0295, Japan
| | - Yuta Yoshino
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Molecules and Function, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Shitsukawa, Toon, Ehime, 791-0295, Japan
| | - Tasuku Nishihara
- Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Medicine, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Shitsukawa, Toon, Ehime, 791-0295, Japan
| | - Shuken Boku
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Jun-Ichi Iga
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Molecules and Function, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Shitsukawa, Toon, Ehime, 791-0295, Japan.
| | - Shu-Ichi Ueno
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Molecules and Function, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Shitsukawa, Toon, Ehime, 791-0295, Japan
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14
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Hu L, Si L, Dai X, Dong H, Ma Z, Sun Z, Li N, Sha H, Chen Y, Qian Y, Zhang Z. Exosomal miR-409-3p secreted from activated mast cells promotes microglial migration, activation and neuroinflammation by targeting Nr4a2 to activate the NF-κB pathway. J Neuroinflammation 2021; 18:68. [PMID: 33750404 PMCID: PMC7945321 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-021-02110-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Neuroinflammation plays a critical role in central nervous system diseases. Exosomal miRNAs released from various cells are implicated in cell-to-cell communication. Prior studies have placed substantial emphasis on the role of cytokines in mast cell-microglia interactions during neuroinflammation. However, it has never been clearly determined whether exosomal miRNAs participate in the interaction between mast cells and microglia and thus mediate neuroinflammation. Methods The characteristics of exosomes isolated from cell culture supernatants were confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), nanoparticle-tracking analysis (NTA) and Western blot. The transfer of PKH67-labelled exosomes and Cy3-labelled miR-409-3p was observed by fluorescence microscopy. Migration and activation of murine BV-2 microglial cells were evaluated through Transwell assays and immunofluorescence staining for Iba1 and CD68. CD86, IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α were assessed via qRT-PCR and ELISA. MiR-409-3p was detected by qRT-PCR. Nr4a2 and NF-κB levels were measured by western blot. Regulatory effects were identified by luciferase reporter assays. Results Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated murine P815 mast cells secreted exosomes that were efficiently taken up by murine BV-2 cells, which promoted murine BV-2 cell migration and activation. LPS-P815 exosomes increased the CD86, IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α levels in murine BV-2 microglia. Furthermore, activated mast cells delivered exosomal miR-409-3p to murine BV-2 microglia. Upregulated miR-409-3p promoted murine BV-2 microglial migration, activation and neuroinflammation by targeting Nr4a2 to activate the NF-κB pathway. Conclusion Exosomal miR-409-3p secreted from activated mast cells promotes microglial migration, activation and neuroinflammation by targeting Nr4a2 to activate the NF-κB pathway, which provides evidence that not only cytokines but also exosomal miRNAs participate in neuroinflammation. In the future, targeting exosomal miRNAs may provide new insights into neuroinflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liuqing Hu
- Department of Anesthesiology, the First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Linjie Si
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Xiaonan Dai
- Department of Obstetrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210004, China
| | - Hongquan Dong
- Department of Anesthesiology, the First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Zijian Ma
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Zhaochu Sun
- Department of Anesthesiology, the First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Nana Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, the First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Huanhuan Sha
- Department of Anesthesiology, the First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Yinan Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, the First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Yanning Qian
- Department of Anesthesiology, the First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China.
| | - Zhiyuan Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China.
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15
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Ruiz-Sánchez E, Jiménez-Genchi J, Alcántara-Flores YM, Castañeda-González CJ, Aviña-Cervantes CL, Yescas P, del Socorro González-Valadez M, Martínez-Rodríguez N, Ríos-Ortiz A, González-González M, López-Navarro ME, Rojas P. Working memory deficits in schizophrenia are associated with the rs34884856 variant and expression levels of the NR4A2 gene in a sample Mexican population: a case control study. BMC Psychiatry 2021; 21:86. [PMID: 33563249 PMCID: PMC7871565 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-021-03081-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cognitive functions represent useful endophenotypes to identify the association between genetic variants and schizophrenia. In this sense, the NR4A2 gene has been implicated in schizophrenia and cognition in different animal models and clinical trials. We hypothesized that the NR4A2 gene is associated with working memory performance in schizophrenia. This study aimed to analyze two variants and the expression levels of the NR4A2 gene with susceptibility to schizophrenia, as well as to evaluate whether possession of NR4A2 variants influence the possible correlation between gene expression and working memory performance in schizophrenia. METHODS The current study included 187 schizophrenia patients and 227 controls genotyped for two of the most studied NR4A2 genetic variants in neurological and neuropsychiatric diseases. Genotyping was performed using High Resolution Melt and sequencing techniques. In addition, mRNA expression of NR4A2 was performed in peripheral mononuclear cells of 112 patients and 118 controls. A group of these participants, 54 patients and 87 controls, performed the working memory index of the WAIS III test. RESULTS Both genotypic frequencies of the two variants and expression levels of the NR4A2 gene showed no significant difference when in patients versus controls. However, patients homozygous for the rs34884856 promoter variant showed a positive correlation between expression levels and auditory working memory. CONCLUSIONS Our finding suggested that changes in expression levels of the NR4A2 gene could be associated with working memory in schizophrenia depending on patients' genotype in a sample from a Mexican population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Ruiz-Sánchez
- grid.419204.a0000 0000 8637 5954Laboratory of Neurotoxicology, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía, “Manuel Velasco Suárez”, SS, Av. Insurgentes Sur No. 3877, Col. La Fama, C.P. 14269 Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Janet Jiménez-Genchi
- Research Unit, Hospital Psiquiátrico Fray Bernardino Álvarez, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Yessica M. Alcántara-Flores
- grid.419204.a0000 0000 8637 5954Laboratory of Neurotoxicology, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía, “Manuel Velasco Suárez”, SS, Av. Insurgentes Sur No. 3877, Col. La Fama, C.P. 14269 Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | - Carlos L. Aviña-Cervantes
- grid.419204.a0000 0000 8637 5954Department of Psychiatry, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía, “Manuel Velasco Suárez”, SS, Av. Insurgentes Sur No. 3877, Col. La Fama, C.P. 14269 Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Petra Yescas
- grid.419204.a0000 0000 8637 5954Department of Genetics, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía, “Manuel Velasco Suárez”, SS, Av. Insurgentes Sur No. 3877, Col. La Fama, C.P. 14269 Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | - Nancy Martínez-Rodríguez
- grid.414757.40000 0004 0633 3412Epidemiology, Endocrinology & Nutrition Research Unit, Hospital Infantil de México “Federico Gómez”, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Antonio Ríos-Ortiz
- Research Unit, Hospital Psiquiátrico Fray Bernardino Álvarez, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Martha González-González
- grid.419204.a0000 0000 8637 5954Unit of Cognition and Behavior, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía, “Manuel Velasco Suárez”, SS, Av. Insurgentes Sur No. 3877, Col. La Fama, C.P. 14269 Mexico City, Mexico
| | - María E. López-Navarro
- grid.419204.a0000 0000 8637 5954Laboratory of Neurotoxicology, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía, “Manuel Velasco Suárez”, SS, Av. Insurgentes Sur No. 3877, Col. La Fama, C.P. 14269 Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Patricia Rojas
- Laboratory of Neurotoxicology, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía, "Manuel Velasco Suárez", SS, Av. Insurgentes Sur No. 3877, Col. La Fama, C.P. 14269, Mexico City, Mexico.
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16
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Lee CH. Change of Nurr1 expression in mouse hippocampal CA3 region following excitotoxic neuronal damage. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF BASIC MEDICAL SCIENCES 2020; 23:202-205. [PMID: 32405363 PMCID: PMC7211359 DOI: 10.22038/ijbms.2019.38712.9177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Objective(s): Nuclear receptor-related protein 1 (Nurr1), one of immediate-early genes, is a member of orphan nuclear receptor family. The aim of this study was to investigate the time-dependent change of Nurr1 protein expression in the mouse hippocampal CA3 region following kainic acid (KA)-induced excitotoxic neuronal damage. Materials and Methods: Male ICR mice were used as experimental animals, and 30 mg/kg KA was administered intraperitoneally. To confirm the KA-induced neuronal damage in the hippocampal CA3 region, Fluoro-Jade B histofluorescence staining was performed. In addition, the time-dependent change of Nurr1 protein expression was also examined using immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis. Results: Marked neuronal damage was observed in the hippocampal CA3 region at 24 hr after KA injection. In addition, both Nurr1 immunoreactivity and protein level were significantly increased at 6 hr and 12 hr after KA injection, and then decreased at 24 hr after KA injection. Conclusion: This result indicates that KA-induced alteration of Nurr1 protein expression may be associated with the neuronal degeneration in the hippocampal CA3 region after KA injection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Choong-Hyun Lee
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Dankook University, Cheonan 31116, Republic of Korea
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17
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Jeon SG, Yoo A, Chun DW, Hong SB, Chung H, Kim JI, Moon M. The Critical Role of Nurr1 as a Mediator and Therapeutic Target in Alzheimer's Disease-related Pathogenesis. Aging Dis 2020; 11:705-724. [PMID: 32489714 PMCID: PMC7220289 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2019.0718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2019] [Accepted: 07/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Several studies have revealed that the transcription factor nuclear receptor related 1 (Nurr1) plays several roles not only in the regulation of gene expression related to dopamine synthesis, but also in alternative splicing, and miRNA targeting. Moreover, it regulates cognitive functions and protects against inflammation-induced neuronal death. In particular, the role of Nurr1 in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease (PD) has been well investigated; for example, it has been shown that it restores behavioral and histological impairments in PD models. Although many studies have evaluated the connection between Nurr1 and PD pathogenesis, the role of Nurr1 in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) remain to be studied. There have been several studies describing Nurr1 protein expression in the AD brain. However, only a few studies have examined the role of Nurr1 in the context of AD. Therefore, in this review, we highlight the overall effects of Nurr1 under the neuropathologic conditions related to AD. Furthermore, we suggest the possibility of using Nurr1 as a therapeutic target for AD or other neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seong Gak Jeon
- 1Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Konyang University, Daejeon, 35365, Republic of Korea
| | - Anji Yoo
- 1Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Konyang University, Daejeon, 35365, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong Wook Chun
- 1Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Konyang University, Daejeon, 35365, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Bum Hong
- 1Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Konyang University, Daejeon, 35365, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyunju Chung
- 2Department of Core Research Laboratory, Clinical Research Institute, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong, Seoul 05278, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin-Il Kim
- 3Department of Nursing, College of Nursing, Jeju National University, Jeju-si 63243, Republic of Korea
| | - Minho Moon
- 1Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Konyang University, Daejeon, 35365, Republic of Korea
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18
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Marchetti B, Tirolo C, L'Episcopo F, Caniglia S, Testa N, Smith JA, Pluchino S, Serapide MF. Parkinson's disease, aging and adult neurogenesis: Wnt/β-catenin signalling as the key to unlock the mystery of endogenous brain repair. Aging Cell 2020; 19:e13101. [PMID: 32050297 PMCID: PMC7059166 DOI: 10.1111/acel.13101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2019] [Revised: 11/27/2019] [Accepted: 12/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
A common hallmark of age-dependent neurodegenerative diseases is an impairment of adult neurogenesis. Wingless-type mouse mammary tumor virus integration site (Wnt)/β-catenin (WβC) signalling is a vital pathway for dopaminergic (DAergic) neurogenesis and an essential signalling system during embryonic development and aging, the most critical risk factor for Parkinson's disease (PD). To date, there is no known cause or cure for PD. Here we focus on the potential to reawaken the impaired neurogenic niches to rejuvenate and repair the aged PD brain. Specifically, we highlight WβC-signalling in the plasticity of the subventricular zone (SVZ), the largest germinal region in the mature brain innervated by nigrostriatal DAergic terminals, and the mesencephalic aqueduct-periventricular region (Aq-PVR) Wnt-sensitive niche, which is in proximity to the SNpc and harbors neural stem progenitor cells (NSCs) with DAergic potential. The hallmark of the WβC pathway is the cytosolic accumulation of β-catenin, which enters the nucleus and associates with T cell factor/lymphoid enhancer binding factor (TCF/LEF) transcription factors, leading to the transcription of Wnt target genes. Here, we underscore the dynamic interplay between DAergic innervation and astroglial-derived factors regulating WβC-dependent transcription of key genes orchestrating NSC proliferation, survival, migration and differentiation. Aging, inflammation and oxidative stress synergize with neurotoxin exposure in "turning off" the WβC neurogenic switch via down-regulation of the nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2/Wnt-regulated signalosome, a key player in the maintenance of antioxidant self-defense mechanisms and NSC homeostasis. Harnessing WβC-signalling in the aged PD brain can thus restore neurogenesis, rejuvenate the microenvironment, and promote neurorescue and regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Marchetti
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences (BIOMETEC)Pharmacology and Physiology SectionsMedical SchoolUniversity of CataniaCataniaItaly
- Neuropharmacology SectionOASI Research Institute‐IRCCSTroinaItaly
| | - Cataldo Tirolo
- Neuropharmacology SectionOASI Research Institute‐IRCCSTroinaItaly
| | | | | | - Nunzio Testa
- Neuropharmacology SectionOASI Research Institute‐IRCCSTroinaItaly
| | - Jayden A. Smith
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences and NIHR Biomedical Research CentreUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| | - Stefano Pluchino
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences and NIHR Biomedical Research CentreUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| | - Maria F. Serapide
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences (BIOMETEC)Pharmacology and Physiology SectionsMedical SchoolUniversity of CataniaCataniaItaly
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19
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Moon H, Jeon SG, Kim JI, Kim HS, Lee S, Kim D, Park S, Moon M, Chung H. Pharmacological Stimulation of Nurr1 Promotes Cell Cycle Progression in Adult Hippocampal Neural Stem Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 21:E4. [PMID: 31861329 PMCID: PMC6982043 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21010004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2019] [Revised: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Nuclear receptor related-1 (Nurr1) protein performs a crucial role in hippocampal neural stem cell (hNSC) development as well as cognitive functions. We previously demonstrated that the pharmacological stimulation of Nurr1 by amodiaquine (AQ) promotes spatial memory by enhancing adult hippocampal neurogenesis. However, the role of Nurr1 in the cell cycle regulation of the adult hippocampus has not been investigated. This study aimed to examine changes in the cell cycle-related molecules involved in adult hippocampal neurogenesis induced by Nurr1 pharmacological stimulation. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis showed that AQ improved the progression of cell cycle from G0/G1 to S phase in a dose-dependent manner, and MEK1 or PI3K inhibitors attenuated this progression. In addition, AQ treatment increased the expression of cell proliferation markers MCM5 and PCNA, and transcription factor E2F1. Furthermore, pharmacological stimulation of Nurr1 by AQ increased the expression levels of positive cell cycle regulators such as cyclin A and cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK) 2. In contrast, levels of CDK inhibitors p27KIP1 and p57KIP2 were reduced upon treatment with AQ. Similar to the in vitro results, RT-qPCR analysis of AQ-administered mice brains revealed an increase in the levels of markers of cell cycle progression, PCNA, MCM5, and Cdc25a. Finally, AQ administration resulted in decreased p27KIP1 and increased CDK2 levels in the dentate gyrus of the mouse hippocampus, as quantified immunohistochemically. Our results demonstrate that the pharmacological stimulation of Nurr1 in adult hNSCs by AQ promotes the cell cycle by modulating cell cycle-related molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haena Moon
- Department of Core Research Laboratory, Medical Science Research Institute, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong, Seoul 134-727, Korea; (H.M.); (S.L.); (D.K.)
| | - Seong Gak Jeon
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Konyang University, Daejeon 35365, Korea; (S.G.J.); (H.s.K.)
| | - Jin-il Kim
- Department of Nursing, College of Nursing, Jeju National University, Jeju 63243, Korea;
| | - Hyeon soo Kim
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Konyang University, Daejeon 35365, Korea; (S.G.J.); (H.s.K.)
| | - Sangho Lee
- Department of Core Research Laboratory, Medical Science Research Institute, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong, Seoul 134-727, Korea; (H.M.); (S.L.); (D.K.)
| | - Dongok Kim
- Department of Core Research Laboratory, Medical Science Research Institute, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong, Seoul 134-727, Korea; (H.M.); (S.L.); (D.K.)
| | - Seungjoon Park
- Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Korea;
| | - Minho Moon
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Konyang University, Daejeon 35365, Korea; (S.G.J.); (H.s.K.)
| | - Hyunju Chung
- Department of Core Research Laboratory, Medical Science Research Institute, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong, Seoul 134-727, Korea; (H.M.); (S.L.); (D.K.)
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20
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Park JH, Ahn JH, Kim DW, Lee TK, Park CW, Park YE, Lee JC, Lee HA, Yang GE, Won MH, Lee CH. Altered Nurr1 protein expression in the hippocampal CA1 region following transient global cerebral ischemia. Mol Med Rep 2019; 21:107-114. [PMID: 31746417 PMCID: PMC6896304 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2019.10828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2019] [Accepted: 09/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Nuclear receptor related 1 protein (Nurr1), a member of the nuclear receptor 4 family of orphan nuclear receptors, has been reported to display anti‑inflammatory properties. The present study investigated the alteration of Nurr1 immunoreactivity in the gerbil hippocampus proper following 5 min of transient global cerebral ischemia. In sham operated gerbils, Nurr1 immunoreactivity was observed in pyramidal neurons in all cornu ammonis 1‑3 (CA1‑3) subfields of the hippocampus proper. In ischemia‑operated gerbils, Nurr1 immunoreactivity was altered in the CA1 subfield. Nurr1 immunoreactivity in CA1 pyramidal neurons gradually decreased until 2 days post‑ischemia, and, at 4 days post‑ischemia, Nurr1 immunoreactivity was concentrated in CA1 pyramidal neurons. Additionally, Nurr1 immunoreactivity was newly expressed in microglia in the CA1 subfield at 4 days post‑ischemia. Conversely, in the CA2/3 subfield, time‑dependent alteration of Nurr1 immunoreactivity was not identified at any time following ischemia. These results indicated that the alteration of Nurr1 expression in the CA1 subfield in the hippocampus may be associated with the death of CA1 pyramidal neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joon Ha Park
- Department of Anatomy, College of Korean Medicine, Dongguk University, Gyeongju, Gyeongbuk 38066, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Hyeon Ahn
- Department of Biomedical Science, Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hallym University, Chuncheon 24252, Republic of Korea
| | - Dae Won Kim
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Research Institute of Oral Sciences, College of Dentistry, Gangneung‑Wonju National University, Gangneung, Gangwon 25457, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae-Kyeong Lee
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon 24341, Republic of Korea
| | - Cheol Woo Park
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon 24341, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Eun Park
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon 24341, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Chul Lee
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon 24341, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyang-Ah Lee
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon 24341, Republic of Korea
| | - Go Eun Yang
- Department of Radiology, Kangwon National University Hospital, Chuncheon, Gangwon 24289, Republic of Korea
| | - Moo-Ho Won
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon 24341, Republic of Korea
| | - Choong-Hyun Lee
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Dankook University, Cheonan, Chungcheongnam‑do 31116, Republic of Korea
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Function of Nr4a Orphan Nuclear Receptors in Proliferation, Apoptosis and Fuel Utilization Across Tissues. Cells 2019; 8:cells8111373. [PMID: 31683815 PMCID: PMC6912296 DOI: 10.3390/cells8111373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Revised: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The Nr4a family of nuclear hormone receptors is composed of three members-Nr4a1/Nur77, Nr4a2/Nurr1 and Nr4a3/Nor1. While currently defined as ligandless, these transcription factors have been shown to regulate varied processes across a host of tissues. Of particular interest, the Nr4a family impinge, in a tissue dependent fashion, on cellular proliferation, apoptosis and fuel utilization. The regulation of these processes occurs through both nuclear and non-genomic pathways. The purpose of this review is to provide a balanced perspective of the tissue specific and Nr4a family member specific, effects on cellular proliferation, apoptosis and fuel utilization.
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22
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Research on intelligent cognitive function enhancement of intelligent robot based on ant colony algorithm. COGN SYST RES 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cogsys.2018.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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23
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Kinoshita K, Matsumoto K, Kurauchi Y, Hisatsune A, Seki T, Katsuki H. A Nurr1 agonist amodiaquine attenuates inflammatory events and neurological deficits in a mouse model of intracerebral hemorrhage. J Neuroimmunol 2019; 330:48-54. [PMID: 30825859 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2019.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2018] [Revised: 02/05/2019] [Accepted: 02/21/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Inflammatory responses are considered to play pivotal roles in the pathogenesis of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Here we show that a nuclear receptor Nurr1 (NR4A2) was expressed prominently in microglia/macrophages and astrocytes in the perihematomal region in the striatum of mice after ICH. Daily administration of a Nurr1 agonist amodiaquine (40 mg/kg, i.p.) from 3 h after ICH induction diminished perihematomal activation of microglia/macrophages and astrocytes. Amodiaquine also suppressed ICH-induced mRNA expression of IL-1β, CCL2 and CXCL2, and ameliorated motor dysfunction of mice. These results suggest that Nurr1 serves a novel target for ICH therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keita Kinoshita
- Department of Chemico-Pharmacological Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 862-0973, Japan
| | - Kosei Matsumoto
- Department of Chemico-Pharmacological Sciences, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 862-0973, Japan
| | - Yuki Kurauchi
- Department of Chemico-Pharmacological Sciences, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 862-0973, Japan
| | - Akinori Hisatsune
- Priority Organization for Innovation and Excellence, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 860-8555, Japan; Program for Leading Graduate Schools "HIGO (Health life science: Interdisciplinary and Glocal Oriented) Program", Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 862-0973, Japan
| | - Takahiro Seki
- Department of Chemico-Pharmacological Sciences, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 862-0973, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Katsuki
- Department of Chemico-Pharmacological Sciences, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 862-0973, Japan.
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24
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Jakaria M, Haque ME, Cho DY, Azam S, Kim IS, Choi DK. Molecular Insights into NR4A2(Nurr1): an Emerging Target for Neuroprotective Therapy Against Neuroinflammation and Neuronal Cell Death. Mol Neurobiol 2019; 56:5799-5814. [PMID: 30684217 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-019-1487-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2018] [Accepted: 01/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
NR4A2 is a nuclear receptor and a transcription factor, with distinctive physiological features. In the cell nuclei of the central nervous system, it is widely expressed and identified as a crucial regulator of dopaminergic (DA) neuronal differentiation, survival, and maintenance. Importantly, it has regulated different genes crucial for dopaminergic signals, and its expression has been diminished in both aged and PD post-mortem brains and reduced in PD patients. In microglia and astrocytes, the expression of NR4A2 has been found where it can be capable of inhibiting the expression of proinflammatory mediators; hence, it protected inflammation-mediated DA neuronal death. In addition, NR4A2 plays neuroprotective role via regulating different signals. However, NR4A2 has been mainly focused on Parkinson's research, but, in recent times, it has been studied in Alzheimer's disease (AD), multiple sclerosis (MS), and stroke. Altered expression of NR4A2 is connected to AD progression, and activation of its may improve cognitive function. It is downregulated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of MS patients; nonetheless, its role in MS has not been fully clear. miR-145-5p known as a putative regulator of NR4A2 and in a middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion model, anti-miR-145-5p administration promoted neurological outcomes in rat. To date, various activators and modulators of NR4A2 have been discovered and investigated as probable therapeutic drugs in neuroinflammatory and neuronal cell death models. The NR4A2 gene and cell-based therapy are described as promising drug candidates for neurodegenerative diseases. Moreover, microRNA might have a crucial role in neurodegeneration via affecting NR4A2 expression. Herein, we present the role of NR4A2 in neuroinflammation and neuronal cell death focusing on neurodegenerative conditions and display NR4A2 as a promising therapeutic target for the therapy of neuroprotection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Jakaria
- Department of Applied Life Sciences and Integrated Bioscience, Graduate School, Konkuk University, Chungju, South Korea
| | - Md Ezazul Haque
- Department of Applied Life Sciences and Integrated Bioscience, Graduate School, Konkuk University, Chungju, South Korea
| | - Duk-Yeon Cho
- Department of Applied Life Sciences and Integrated Bioscience, Graduate School, Konkuk University, Chungju, South Korea
| | - Shofiul Azam
- Department of Applied Life Sciences and Integrated Bioscience, Graduate School, Konkuk University, Chungju, South Korea
| | - In-Su Kim
- Department of Applied Life Sciences and Integrated Bioscience, Graduate School, Konkuk University, Chungju, South Korea.,Department of Integrated Bioscience and Biotechnology, College of Biomedical and Health Sciences and Research Institute of Inflammatory Diseases (RID), Konkuk University, Chungju, South Korea
| | - Dong-Kug Choi
- Department of Applied Life Sciences and Integrated Bioscience, Graduate School, Konkuk University, Chungju, South Korea. .,Department of Integrated Bioscience and Biotechnology, College of Biomedical and Health Sciences and Research Institute of Inflammatory Diseases (RID), Konkuk University, Chungju, South Korea.
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25
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Sartor GC, Malvezzi AM, Kumar A, Andrade NS, Wiedner HJ, Vilca SJ, Janczura KJ, Bagheri A, Al-Ali H, Powell SK, Brown PT, Volmar CH, Foster TC, Zeier Z, Wahlestedt C. Enhancement of BDNF Expression and Memory by HDAC Inhibition Requires BET Bromodomain Reader Proteins. J Neurosci 2019; 39:612-626. [PMID: 30504275 PMCID: PMC6343644 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1604-18.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2018] [Revised: 10/05/2018] [Accepted: 11/11/2018] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors may have therapeutic utility in multiple neurological and psychiatric disorders, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we identify BRD4, a BET bromodomain reader of acetyl-lysine histones, as an essential component involved in potentiated expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and memory following HDAC inhibition. In in vitro studies, we reveal that pharmacological inhibition of BRD4 reversed the increase in BDNF mRNA induced by the class I/IIb HDAC inhibitor suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA). Knock-down of HDAC2 and HDAC3, but not other HDACs, increased BDNF mRNA expression, whereas knock-down of BRD4 blocked these effects. Using dCas9-BRD4, locus-specific targeting of BRD4 to the BDNF promoter increased BDNF mRNA. In additional studies, RGFP966, a pharmacological inhibitor of HDAC3, elevated BDNF expression and BRD4 binding to the BDNF promoter, effects that were abrogated by JQ1 (an inhibitor of BRD4). Examining known epigenetic targets of BRD4 and HDAC3, we show that H4K5ac and H4K8ac modifications and H4K5ac enrichment at the BDNF promoter were elevated following RGFP966 treatment. In electrophysiological studies, JQ1 reversed RGFP966-induced enhancement of LTP in hippocampal slice preparations. Last, in behavioral studies, RGFP966 increased subthreshold novel object recognition memory and cocaine place preference in male C57BL/6 mice, effects that were reversed by cotreatment with JQ1. Together, these data reveal that BRD4 plays a key role in HDAC3 inhibitor-induced potentiation of BDNF expression, neuroplasticity, and memory.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Some histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors are known to have neuroprotective and cognition-enhancing properties, but the underlying mechanisms have yet to be fully elucidated. In the current study, we reveal that BRD4, an epigenetic reader of histone acetylation marks, is necessary for enhancing brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression and improved memory following HDAC inhibition. Therefore, by identifying novel epigenetic regulators of BDNF expression, these data may lead to new therapeutic targets for the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory C Sartor
- Center for Therapeutic Innovation and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida 33136,
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269
| | - Andrea M Malvezzi
- Center for Therapeutic Innovation and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida 33136
| | - Ashok Kumar
- Departments of Neuroscience and Genetics and Genomics Program, Evelyn F. and William L. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, and
| | - Nadja S Andrade
- Center for Therapeutic Innovation and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida 33136
| | - Hannah J Wiedner
- Center for Therapeutic Innovation and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida 33136
| | - Samantha J Vilca
- Center for Therapeutic Innovation and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida 33136
| | - Karolina J Janczura
- Center for Therapeutic Innovation and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida 33136
| | - Amir Bagheri
- Center for Therapeutic Innovation and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida 33136
| | - Hassan Al-Ali
- Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida 33136
| | - Samuel K Powell
- Center for Therapeutic Innovation and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida 33136
| | - Peyton T Brown
- Center for Therapeutic Innovation and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida 33136
| | - Claude H Volmar
- Center for Therapeutic Innovation and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida 33136
| | - Thomas C Foster
- Departments of Neuroscience and Genetics and Genomics Program, Evelyn F. and William L. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, and
| | - Zane Zeier
- Center for Therapeutic Innovation and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida 33136
| | - Claes Wahlestedt
- Center for Therapeutic Innovation and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida 33136,
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26
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de Vera IMS, Munoz-Tello P, Zheng J, Dharmarajan V, Marciano DP, Matta-Camacho E, Giri PK, Shang J, Hughes TS, Rance M, Griffin PR, Kojetin DJ. Defining a Canonical Ligand-Binding Pocket in the Orphan Nuclear Receptor Nurr1. Structure 2018; 27:66-77.e5. [PMID: 30416039 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2018.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2018] [Revised: 08/17/2018] [Accepted: 10/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Nuclear receptor-related 1 protein (Nurr1/NR4A2) is an orphan nuclear receptor (NR) that is considered to function without a canonical ligand-binding pocket (LBP). A crystal structure of the Nurr1 ligand-binding domain (LBD) revealed no physical space in the conserved region where other NRs with solvent accessible apo-protein LBPs bind synthetic and natural ligands. Using solution nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, hydrogen/deuterium exchange mass spectrometry, and molecular dynamics simulations, we show that the putative canonical Nurr1 LBP is dynamic with high solvent accessibility, exchanges between two or more conformations on the microsecond-to-millisecond timescale, and can expand from the collapsed crystallized conformation to allow binding of unsaturated fatty acids. These findings should stimulate future studies to probe the ligandability and druggability of Nurr1 for both endogenous and synthetic ligands, which could lead to new therapeutics for Nurr1-related diseases, including Parkinson's disease and schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian Mitchelle S de Vera
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Paola Munoz-Tello
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Jie Zheng
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | | | - David P Marciano
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA; Skaggs Graduate School of Chemical and Biological Sciences, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Edna Matta-Camacho
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Pankaj Kumar Giri
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Jinsai Shang
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Travis S Hughes
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Mark Rance
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Patrick R Griffin
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA; Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Douglas J Kojetin
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA; Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA.
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27
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Ahn JH, Lee JS, Cho JH, Park JH, Lee TK, Song M, Kim H, Kang SH, Won MH, Lee CH. Age-dependent decrease of Nurr1 protein expression in the gerbil hippocampus. Biomed Rep 2018; 8:517-522. [PMID: 29904610 PMCID: PMC5996841 DOI: 10.3892/br.2018.1094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2018] [Accepted: 05/02/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Nuclear receptor related-1 protein (Nurr1) serves important roles in hippocampal-dependent cognitive process. In the present study, the protein expression of Nurr1 was compared in the hippocampi of young [postnatal month 3 (PM 3)], adult (PM 12) and aged (PM 24) gerbils using western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. Results indicated that the protein level of Nurr1 was significantly and gradually decreased in the gerbil hippocampus with increasing age. In addition, strong Nurr1 immunoreactivity was primarily observed in pyramidal neurons and granule cells of the hippocampus in the young group, which was determined to be reduced in the adult group and to a greater extent in the aged group. Collectively the data demonstrated that Nurr1 immunoreactivity was gradually and markedly decreased during normal aging. These results indicate that gradual decrease of Nurr1 expression in the hippocampus may be associated with the normal aging process and a decline in hippocampus-dependent cognitive function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Hyeon Ahn
- Department of Biomedical Science and Research Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Gangwon 24252, Republic of Korea
| | - Joon Seok Lee
- Department of Emergency Medicine and Institute of Medical Sciences, Kangwon National University Hospital, School of Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon 24341, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun Hwi Cho
- Department of Emergency Medicine and Institute of Medical Sciences, Kangwon National University Hospital, School of Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon 24341, Republic of Korea
| | - Joon Ha Park
- Department of Biomedical Science and Research Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Gangwon 24252, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae-Kyeong Lee
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon 24341, Republic of Korea
| | - Minah Song
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon 24341, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyunjung Kim
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon 24341, Republic of Korea
| | - Seok Hoon Kang
- Department of Medical Education, School of Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon 24341, Republic of Korea
| | - Moo-Ho Won
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon 24341, Republic of Korea
| | - Choong Hyun Lee
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Dankook University, Cheonan, Chungcheongnam 31116, Republic of Korea
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28
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Liu Q, Qin Q, Sun H, Zhong D, An R, Tian Y, Chen H, Jin J, Wang H, Li G. Neuroprotective effect of olfactory ensheathing cells co-transfected with Nurr1 and Ngn2 in both in vitro and in vivo models of Parkinson's disease. Life Sci 2017; 194:168-176. [PMID: 29291419 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2017.12.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2017] [Revised: 12/20/2017] [Accepted: 12/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
AIMS The aim of the study is to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) with the overexpression of nuclear receptor-related factor 1 (Nurr1) and neurogenin 2 (Ngn2) in experimental models of Parkinson's disease (PD) and to elucidate the potential mechanism underlying the neuroprotective effects of OECs-Nurr1-Ngn2. MATERIALS AND METHODS In vitro study, OECs-Nurr1-Ngn2 conditioned medium (CM) was added to MPP+-treated PC12 cells for 24h, and then the viability of PC12 cells, oxidative stress and apoptosis were detected. In vivo study, 48 male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into four groups. OECs/VMCs and OECs-Nurr1-Ngn2/VMCs groups were transplanted with 2×105 cells each of OECs or OECs-Nurr1-Ngn2 and VMCs into the right striatum one week after a unilateral 6-OHDA lesion. Control and PD groups were injected with 0.9% NaCl and 0.2% ascorbic acid into the same region. Rotational behavior was determined at 2, 4, 6 and 8weeks after injection or implantation in all groups. Neuronal differentiation markers, oxidative stress- and apoptosis-related indicators were detected at 8weeks post-grafting. KEY FINDINGS OECs-Nurr1-Ngn2 increased the viability of PC12 cells, inhibited oxidative stress and apoptosis, and these effects could be reversed by pre-treatment of k252a, a TrkB receptor inhibitor. The behavioral deficits of PD rat were ameliorated by the transplantation of OECs-Nurr1-Ngn2/VMCs. SIGNIFICANCE These results suggest that OECs-Nurr1-Ngn2 exhibits substantial neuroprotective, anti-oxidant, and anti-apoptotic effects against PD via the up-regulation of the neurotrophic factor-TrkB pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingqing Liu
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, China
| | - Qi Qin
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, China
| | - Hongxue Sun
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, China
| | - Di Zhong
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, China
| | - Ran An
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, China
| | - Yushuang Tian
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, China
| | - Hongping Chen
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, China
| | - Jing Jin
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, China
| | - Haining Wang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, China
| | - Guozhong Li
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, China.
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29
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Kim JI, Jeon SG, Kim KA, Kim JJ, Song EJ, Jeon Y, Kim E, Lee KB, Kwak JH, Moon M. Platycodon grandiflorus Root Extract Improves Learning and Memory by Enhancing Synaptogenesis in Mice Hippocampus. Nutrients 2017; 9:nu9070794. [PMID: 28737698 PMCID: PMC5537907 DOI: 10.3390/nu9070794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2017] [Revised: 07/17/2017] [Accepted: 07/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Platycodon grandiflorus (Jacq.) A.DC. (PG) has long been used as an ingredient of foods and is known to have beneficial effects on cognitive functions as well. The present study examined the effect of each PG extract (PGE) from root, aerial part, and seeds on cognitive functions in mice. Changes in spatial learning and memory using a Y-maze test, and markers of adult hippocampal neurogenesis and synaptogenesis were examined. Moreover, changes in neuritogenesis and activation of the ERK1/2 pathway were investigated. Results indicated that mice administered PGE (root) showed increased spontaneous alternation in the Y-maze test and synaptogenesis in the hippocampus. In addition, PGE (root) and platycodin D, the major bioactive compound from the PG root, significantly stimulated neuritic outgrowth by phosphorylation of the ERK1/2 signaling pathway in vitro. These results indicate that the PGE (root), containing platycodin D, enhances cognitive function through synaptogenesis via activation of the ERK1/2 signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Il Kim
- Department of Nursing, College of Nursing, Jeju National University, Jeju-si 63243, Korea.
| | - Seong Gak Jeon
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Konyang University, Daejeon 35365, Korea.
| | - Kyoung Ah Kim
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Konyang University, Daejeon 35365, Korea.
| | - Jwa-Jin Kim
- Department of Biomedical Science, Jungwon University, Goesan-gun, Chungbuk 28024, Korea.
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea.
- LES Corporation Inc., 4 Munhwawon-ro 46beon-gil Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34167, Korea.
| | - Eun Ji Song
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Konyang University, Daejeon 35365, Korea.
| | - Yukyoung Jeon
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do 16419, Korea.
| | - Eunbin Kim
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do 16419, Korea.
| | - Kyung Bok Lee
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Konyang University, Daejeon 35365, Korea.
| | - Jong Hwan Kwak
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do 16419, Korea.
| | - Minho Moon
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Konyang University, Daejeon 35365, Korea.
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