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Cheng H, Chen D, Li X, Al-Sheikh U, Duan D, Fan Y, Zhu L, Zeng W, Hu Z, Tong X, Zhao G, Zhang Y, Zou W, Duan S, Kang L. Phasic/tonic glial GABA differentially transduce for olfactory adaptation and neuronal aging. Neuron 2024; 112:1473-1486.e6. [PMID: 38447577 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2024.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 11/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Phasic (fast) and tonic (sustained) inhibition of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) are fundamental for regulating day-to-day activities, neuronal excitability, and plasticity. However, the mechanisms and physiological functions of glial GABA transductions remain poorly understood. Here, we report that the AMsh glia in Caenorhabditis elegans exhibit both phasic and tonic GABAergic signaling, which distinctively regulate olfactory adaptation and neuronal aging. Through genetic screening, we find that GABA permeates through bestrophin-9/-13/-14 anion channels from AMsh glia, which primarily activate the metabolic GABAB receptor GBB-1 in the neighboring ASH sensory neurons. This tonic action of glial GABA regulates the age-associated changes of ASH neurons and olfactory responses via a conserved signaling pathway, inducing neuroprotection. In addition, the calcium-evoked, vesicular glial GABA release acts upon the ionotropic GABAA receptor LGC-38 in ASH neurons to regulate olfactory adaptation. These findings underscore the fundamental significance of glial GABA in maintaining healthy aging and neuronal stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hankui Cheng
- Department of Neurology of the Fourth Affiliated Hospital and School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu 322000, China; MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain machine Integration, NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310053, China
| | - Du Chen
- Department of Neurology of the Fourth Affiliated Hospital and School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu 322000, China; MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain machine Integration, NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310053, China
| | - Xiao Li
- Department of Neurology of the Fourth Affiliated Hospital and School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu 322000, China; MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain machine Integration, NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310053, China
| | - Umar Al-Sheikh
- Department of Neurology of the Fourth Affiliated Hospital and School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu 322000, China; MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain machine Integration, NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310053, China
| | - Duo Duan
- Department of Neurology of the Fourth Affiliated Hospital and School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu 322000, China; MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain machine Integration, NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310053, China
| | - Yuedan Fan
- Department of Neurology of the Fourth Affiliated Hospital and School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu 322000, China; MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain machine Integration, NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310053, China
| | - Linhui Zhu
- Department of Neurology of the Fourth Affiliated Hospital and School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu 322000, China; MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain machine Integration, NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310053, China
| | - Wanxin Zeng
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhitao Hu
- Department of Neuroscience, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, China
| | - Xiajing Tong
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Guohua Zhao
- Department of Neurology of the Fourth Affiliated Hospital and School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu 322000, China
| | - Yongming Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology of the Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu 322000, China
| | - Wenjuan Zou
- Department of Neurology of the Fourth Affiliated Hospital and School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu 322000, China; MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain machine Integration, NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310053, China
| | - Shumin Duan
- MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain machine Integration, NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310053, China
| | - Lijun Kang
- Department of Neurology of the Fourth Affiliated Hospital and School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu 322000, China; MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain machine Integration, NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310053, China.
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2
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Essmann CL, Elmi M, Rekatsinas C, Chrysochoidis N, Shaw M, Pawar V, Srinivasan MA, Vavourakis V. The influence of internal pressure and neuromuscular agents on C. elegans biomechanics: an empirical and multi-compartmental in silico modelling study. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2024; 12:1335788. [PMID: 38558792 PMCID: PMC10978802 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2024.1335788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The function of a specific tissue and its biomechanics are interdependent, with pathologies or ageing often being intertwined with structural decline. The biomechanics of Caenorhabditis elegans, a model organism widely used in pharmacological and ageing research, has been established as biomarker for healthy ageing. However, the properties of the constituent tissues, and their contribution to the overall mechanical characteristics of the organism, remain relatively unknown. In this study we investigated the biomechanics of healthy C. elegans cuticle, muscle tissue, and pseudocoelom using a combination of indentation experiments and in silico modelling. We performed stiffness measurements using an atomic force microscope. To approximate the nematode's cylindrical body we used a novel three-compartment nonlinear finite element model, enabling us to analyse of how changes in the elasticity of individual compartments affect the bulk stiffness. We then fine-tuned the parameters of the model to match the simulation force-indentation output to the experimental data. To test the finite element model, we modified distinct compartments experimentally. Our in silico results, in agreement with previous studies, suggest that hyperosmotic shock reduces stiffness by decreasing the internal pressure. Unexpectedly, treatment with the neuromuscular agent aldicarb, traditionally associated with muscle contraction, reduced stiffness by decreasing the internal pressure. Furthermore, our finite element model can offer insights into how drugs, mutations, or processes such as ageing target individual tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara L. Essmann
- Department of Bioinformatics and Molecular Genetics, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany
- Department of Computer Science, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Muna Elmi
- Department of Computer Science, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Nikolaos Chrysochoidis
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Aeronautics, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Michael Shaw
- Department of Computer Science, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- National Physical Laboratory, Teddington, United Kingdom
| | - Vijay Pawar
- Department of Computer Science, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Vasileios Vavourakis
- Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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3
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Rahmani A, McMillen A, Allen E, Minervini C, Chew YL. Behavioral Tests for Associative Learning in Caenorhabditis elegans. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2746:21-46. [PMID: 38070077 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3585-8_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Learning is critical for survival as it provides the capacity to adapt to a changing environment. At the molecular and cellular level, learning leads to alterations within neural circuits that include synaptic rewiring, synaptic plasticity, and protein level/gene expression changes. There has been substantial progress in recent years on dissecting how learning and memory is regulated at the molecular and cellular level, including the use of compact invertebrate nervous systems as experimental models. This progress has been facilitated by the establishment of robust behavioral assays that generate a quantifiable readout of the extent to which animals learn and remember. This chapter will focus on protocols of behavioral tests for associative learning using the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, with its unparalleled genetic tractability, compact nervous system of ~300 neurons, high level of conservation with mammalian systems, and amenability to a suite of behavioral tools and analyses. Specifically, we will provide a detailed description of the methods for two behavioral assays that model associative learning, one measuring appetitive olfactory learning and the other assaying aversive gustatory learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aelon Rahmani
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, Australia
| | - Anna McMillen
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, Australia
| | - Ericka Allen
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, Australia
| | - Caitlin Minervini
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, Australia
| | - Yee Lian Chew
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, Australia.
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4
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Gowripriya T, Meharaj Afrin K, Paurna M, Yashwanth R, Bhaskar JP, Suresh R, Balamurugan K. Regulation of miR-61 and col-19 via TGF-β and Notch signalling in Caenorhabditis elegans against Klebsiella aerogenes infection. Microb Pathog 2024; 186:106505. [PMID: 38122874 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2023.106505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Klebsiella aerogenes, previously known as Enterobacter aerogenes, is a gram-negative bacterium typically present in the gastrointestinal tract. While numerous studies reported the pathogenicity and drug resistance of this bacterium there remains a lack of comprehensive research on K. aerogenes induced alterations in the host cellular mechanisms. In this study, we identify a previously uncharacterized C. elegans miR-61 that defines an evolutionarily conserved miRNA important for development and innate immunity regulation through Notch and TGF-β signaling pathway. We employed C. elegans wild-type (N2) as well as mutant strains, such as TGF-β (sma-6) and notch-signaling pathway mutants (adm-4 and mir-61). Our results have demonstrated that the K. aerogenes infected mutants exhibited significantly reduced survival rate, reduced pharyngeal pumping, altered swimming and chemotactic behavior. Moreover, K. aerogenes affects the healthspan by increasing ROS level in the mutants. The gene expression analysis revealed that K. aerogenes upregulated egl-30, tph-1 and sod-1 in adm-4, mir-61 mutants not in sma-6. The in-silico analysis indicated an interaction between mir-61 and col-19, which was confirmed by the upregulation of miR-61 expression and the downregulation of col-19 in sma-6, adm-4, and wild-type strains. These findings suggest that C. elegans activates mir-61 and col-19 regulation through the Notch and TGF-β signaling pathway against K. aerogenes infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thirumugam Gowripriya
- Department of Biotechnology, Science Campus, Alagappa University, Karaikudi, 630 003, India.
| | | | - Manikandan Paurna
- Department of Biotechnology, Science Campus, Alagappa University, Karaikudi, 630 003, India.
| | - Radhakrishnan Yashwanth
- ITC Life Sciences and Technology Centre, Peenya Industrial Area, Bangalore, 560 058, Karnataka, India.
| | - James Prabhanand Bhaskar
- ITC Life Sciences and Technology Centre, Peenya Industrial Area, Bangalore, 560 058, Karnataka, India.
| | - Ramamurthi Suresh
- ITC Life Sciences and Technology Centre, Peenya Industrial Area, Bangalore, 560 058, Karnataka, India.
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5
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Stevenson ME, Bieri G, Kaletsky R, St Ange J, Remesal L, Pratt KJB, Zhou S, Weng Y, Murphy CT, Villeda SA. Neuronal activation of G αq EGL-30/GNAQ late in life rejuvenates cognition across species. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113151. [PMID: 37713310 PMCID: PMC10627507 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Loss of cognitive function with age is devastating. EGL-30/GNAQ and Gαq signaling pathways are highly conserved between C. elegans and mammals, and murine Gnaq is enriched in hippocampal neurons and declines with age. We found that activation of EGL-30 in aged worms triples memory span, and GNAQ gain of function significantly improved memory in aged mice: GNAQ(gf) in hippocampal neurons of 24-month-old mice (equivalent to 70- to 80-year-old humans) rescued age-related impairments in well-being and memory. Single-nucleus RNA sequencing revealed increased expression of genes regulating synaptic function, axon guidance, and memory in GNAQ-treated mice, and worm orthologs of these genes were required for long-term memory extension in worms. These experiments demonstrate that C. elegans is a powerful model to identify mammalian regulators of memory, leading to the identification of a pathway that improves memory in extremely old mice. To our knowledge, this is the oldest age at which an intervention has improved age-related cognitive decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan E Stevenson
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA; Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Gregor Bieri
- Department of Anatomy, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Bakar Aging Research Institute, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Rachel Kaletsky
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA; Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Jonathan St Ange
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA; Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - L Remesal
- Department of Anatomy, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Bakar Aging Research Institute, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Karishma J B Pratt
- Department of Anatomy, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Bakar Aging Research Institute, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Shiyi Zhou
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA; Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Yifei Weng
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA; Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Coleen T Murphy
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA; Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA.
| | - Saul A Villeda
- Department of Anatomy, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Bakar Aging Research Institute, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
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6
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Lockyer J, Reading A, Vicenzi S, Delandre C, Marshall O, Gasperini R, Foa L, Lin JY. Optogenetic inhibition of Gα signalling alters and regulates circuit functionality and early circuit formation. bioRxiv 2023:2023.05.06.539674. [PMID: 37214843 PMCID: PMC10197587 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.06.539674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Optogenetic techniques provide genetically targeted, spatially and temporally precise approaches to correlate cellular activities and physiological outcomes. In the nervous system, G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) have essential neuromodulatory functions through binding extracellular ligands to induce intracellular signaling cascades. In this work, we develop and validate a new optogenetic tool that disrupt Gαq signaling through membrane recruitment of a minimal Regulator of G-protein signaling (RGS) domain. This approach, Photo-induced Modulation of Gα protein - Inhibition of Gαq (PiGM-Iq), exhibited potent and selective inhibition of Gαq signaling. We alter the behavior of C. elegans and Drosophila with outcomes consistent with GPCR-Gαq disruption. PiGM-Iq also changes axon guidance in culture dorsal root ganglia neurons in response to serotonin. PiGM-Iq activation leads to developmental deficits in zebrafish embryos and larvae resulting in altered neuronal wiring and behavior. By altering the choice of minimal RGS domain, we also show that this approach is amenable to Gαi signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jayde Lockyer
- Tasmanian School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Andrew Reading
- Tasmanian School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Silvia Vicenzi
- Tasmanian School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia
- Current affiliation, Moores Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Division of Regenerative Medicine, University of California, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Caroline Delandre
- Menzies Institute of Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Owen Marshall
- Menzies Institute of Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Robert Gasperini
- Tasmanian School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Lisa Foa
- School of Psychological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia
| | - John Y. Lin
- Tasmanian School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia
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7
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Oda S, Sato-Ebine E, Nakamura A, Kimura KD, Aoki K. Optical Control of Cell Signaling with Red/Far-Red Light-Responsive Optogenetic Tools in Caenorhabditis elegans. ACS Synth Biol 2023; 12:700-708. [PMID: 36802521 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.2c00461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
Optogenetic techniques have been intensively applied to the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans to investigate its neural functions. However, as most of these optogenetics are responsive to blue light and the animal exhibits avoidance behavior to blue light, the application of optogenetic tools responsive to longer wavelength light has been eagerly anticipated. In this study, we report the implementation in C. elegans of a phytochrome-based optogenetic tool that responds to red/near-infrared light and manipulates cell signaling. We first introduced the SynPCB system, which enabled us to synthesize phycocyanobilin (PCB), a chromophore for phytochrome, and confirmed the biosynthesis of PCB in neurons, muscles, and intestinal cells. We further confirmed that the amount of PCBs synthesized by the SynPCB system was sufficient for photoswitching of phytochrome B (PhyB)-phytochrome interacting factor 3 (PIF3). In addition, optogenetic elevation of intracellular Ca2+ levels in intestinal cells induced a defecation motor program. These SynPCB system and phytochrome-based optogenetic techniques would be of great value in elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying C. elegans behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shigekazu Oda
- Division of Quantitative Biology, National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki 444-8787, Japan
| | - Emi Sato-Ebine
- Division of Quantitative Biology, National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki 444-8787, Japan
| | - Akinobu Nakamura
- Quantitative Biology Research Group, Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems (ExCELLS), National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki 444-8787, Japan
| | - Koutarou D Kimura
- Graduate School of Science, Nagoya City University, Nagoya 467-8501, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Aoki
- Division of Quantitative Biology, National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki 444-8787, Japan.,Quantitative Biology Research Group, Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems (ExCELLS), National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki 444-8787, Japan.,Department of Basic Biology, Faculty of Life Science, SOKENDAI (Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Okazaki 444-8787, Japan
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8
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Kropp PA, Rogers P, Kelly SE, McWhirter R, Goff WD, Levitan IM, Miller DM, Golden A. Patient-specific variants of NFU1/NFU-1 disrupt cholinergic signaling in a model of multiple mitochondrial dysfunctions syndrome 1. Dis Model Mech 2023; 16:286662. [PMID: 36645076 PMCID: PMC9922734 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.049594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuromuscular dysfunction is a common feature of mitochondrial diseases and frequently presents as ataxia, spasticity and/or dystonia, all of which can severely impact individuals with mitochondrial diseases. Dystonia is one of the most common symptoms of multiple mitochondrial dysfunctions syndrome 1 (MMDS1), a disease associated with mutations in the causative gene (NFU1) that impair iron-sulfur cluster biogenesis. We have generated Caenorhabditis elegans strains that recreated patient-specific point variants in the C. elegans ortholog (nfu-1) that result in allele-specific dysfunction. Each of these mutants, Gly147Arg and Gly166Cys, have altered acetylcholine signaling at neuromuscular junctions, but opposite effects on activity and motility. We found that the Gly147Arg variant was hypersensitive to acetylcholine and that knockdown of acetylcholine release rescued nearly all neuromuscular phenotypes of this variant. In contrast, we found that the Gly166Cys variant caused predominantly postsynaptic acetylcholine hypersensitivity due to an unclear mechanism. These results are important for understanding the neuromuscular conditions of MMDS1 patients and potential avenues for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter A Kropp
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Genetics, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.,Biology Department, Kenyon College, Gambier, OH 43022, USA
| | - Philippa Rogers
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Genetics, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Sydney E Kelly
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Genetics, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Rebecca McWhirter
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA
| | - Willow D Goff
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Genetics, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.,Biology Department, Colgate University, Hamilton, NY 13346, USA
| | - Ian M Levitan
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Genetics, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - David M Miller
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA.,Neuroscience Graduate Program, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA
| | - Andy Golden
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Genetics, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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9
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Wu N, Chen YA, Zhu Q, Son CH, Gu KZ, Zou CG, Wu QY, Ma YC. The EGL-30 pathway regulates experience-dependent aversive behavior of Caenorhabditis elegans to the pathogenic bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2023; 642:107-112. [PMID: 36566561 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2022.12.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Avoidance of harmful substances is survival strategy used cross invertebrates and vertebrates. For example, the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans evolves a sufficient avoidance response to pathogenic bacteria. Despite G protein has been found to exert neural plasticity for avoidance behaviours in C. elegans, the function of Gi/o and Gq subunit signalling in experience-dependent aversive behaviour remains unclear. In this study, we show that EGL-30/Gq coupled with EGL-8/UNC-13 regulates aversive behaviour of C. elegans to pathogenic bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA01 via acetylcholine and its receptor nAChR. Pyocyanin, a toxin secreted from P. aeruginosa, acts as a signal molecule to trigger aversive behaviour. ODR-3 and ODR-7 in AWA and AWC neurons function as upstream of EGL-30 to induce experience-dependent aversive behaviour to P. aeruginosa, respectively. These results suggested that a novel signalling pathway to regulate a behavioural response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan, 650091, China
| | - Yu-An Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan, 650091, China
| | - Qian Zhu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan, 650091, China
| | - Cai-Hua Son
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan, 650091, China
| | - Kun-Ze Gu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan, 650091, China
| | - Cheng-Gang Zou
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan, 650091, China
| | - Qin-Yi Wu
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Sinomedicine, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan, China.
| | - Yi-Cheng Ma
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan, 650091, China.
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10
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Johnson JR, Barclay JW. C. elegans dkf-1 (Protein Kinase D1) mutants have age-dependent defects in locomotion and neuromuscular transmission. MicroPubl Biol 2023; 2023:10.17912/micropub.biology.000800. [PMID: 37090152 PMCID: PMC10113962 DOI: 10.17912/micropub.biology.000800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
Changes in neuronal function that occur with age are an area of increasing importance. A potential significant contributor to age-dependent decline may be alterations to neurotransmitter release. Protein kinases, such as Protein Kinase C and Protein Kinase A, are well characterised modulators of neuronal function and neurotransmission. Protein Kinase D (PRKD) is a serine/threonine kinase whose role in neurons is less well characterised. Here we report that mutations in the C. elegans PRKD homolog, dkf-1 , show an acceleration in age-dependent decline of locomotion rate and an alteration to age-dependent changes in aldicarb sensitivity. These effects could be explained by a pre- or post-synaptic function of the protein kinase as the animal ages.
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Affiliation(s)
- James R. Johnson
- Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, England, United Kingdom
| | - Jeff W. Barclay
- Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, England, United Kingdom
- Correspondence to: Jeff W. Barclay (
)
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11
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Meunier FA, Hu Z. Functional Roles of UNC-13/Munc13 and UNC-18/Munc18 in Neurotransmission. Adv Neurobiol 2023; 33:203-231. [PMID: 37615868 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-34229-5_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
Neurotransmitters are released from synaptic and secretory vesicles following calcium-triggered fusion with the plasma membrane. These exocytotic events are driven by assembly of a ternary SNARE complex between the vesicle SNARE synaptobrevin and the plasma membrane-associated SNAREs syntaxin and SNAP-25. Proteins that affect SNARE complex assembly are therefore important regulators of synaptic strength. In this chapter, we review our current understanding of the roles played by two SNARE interacting proteins: UNC-13/Munc13 and UNC-18/Munc18. We discuss results from both invertebrate and vertebrate model systems, highlighting recent advances, focusing on the current consensus on molecular mechanisms of action and nanoscale organization, and pointing out some unresolved aspects of their functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frédéric A Meunier
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research (CJCADR), Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
| | - Zhitao Hu
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research (CJCADR), Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
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12
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SenGupta T, Lefol Y, Lirussi L, Suaste V, Luders T, Gupta S, Aman Y, Sharma K, Fang EF, Nilsen H. Krill oil protects dopaminergic neurons from age-related degeneration through temporal transcriptome rewiring and suppression of several hallmarks of aging. Aging (Albany NY) 2022; 14:8661-8687. [DOI: 10.18632/aging.204375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tanima SenGupta
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Department of Clinical Molecular Biology, University of Oslo, Oslo N-0318, Norway
- Section of Clinical Molecular Biology, Akershus University Hospital, Nordbyhagen N-1474, Norway
- Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo N-0318, Norway
| | - Yohan Lefol
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Department of Clinical Molecular Biology, University of Oslo, Oslo N-0318, Norway
| | - Lisa Lirussi
- Section of Clinical Molecular Biology, Akershus University Hospital, Nordbyhagen N-1474, Norway
| | - Veronica Suaste
- Department of Microbiology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo N-0424, Norway
- Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo N-0318, Norway
| | - Torben Luders
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Department of Clinical Molecular Biology, University of Oslo, Oslo N-0318, Norway
| | - Swapnil Gupta
- Section of Clinical Molecular Biology, Akershus University Hospital, Nordbyhagen N-1474, Norway
| | - Yahyah Aman
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Department of Clinical Molecular Biology, University of Oslo, Oslo N-0318, Norway
- Section of Clinical Molecular Biology, Akershus University Hospital, Nordbyhagen N-1474, Norway
| | - Kulbhushan Sharma
- Section of Clinical Molecular Biology, Akershus University Hospital, Nordbyhagen N-1474, Norway
| | - Evandro Fei Fang
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Department of Clinical Molecular Biology, University of Oslo, Oslo N-0318, Norway
- Section of Clinical Molecular Biology, Akershus University Hospital, Nordbyhagen N-1474, Norway
| | - Hilde Nilsen
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Department of Clinical Molecular Biology, University of Oslo, Oslo N-0318, Norway
- Section of Clinical Molecular Biology, Akershus University Hospital, Nordbyhagen N-1474, Norway
- Department of Microbiology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo N-0424, Norway
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13
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Liu Y, Zhou J, Zhang N, Wu X, Zhang Q, Zhang W, Li X, Tian Y. Two sensory neurons coordinate the systemic mitochondrial stress response via GPCR signaling in C. elegans. Dev Cell 2022; 57:2469-2482.e5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2022.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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14
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Huang W, Kew C, Fernandes SDA, Löhrke A, Han L, Demetriades C, Antebi A. Decreased spliceosome fidelity and egl-8 intron retention inhibit mTORC1 signaling to promote longevity. Nat Aging 2022; 2:796-808. [PMID: 37118503 PMCID: PMC10154236 DOI: 10.1038/s43587-022-00275-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
AbstractChanges in splicing fidelity are associated with loss of homeostasis and aging, yet only a handful of splicing factors have been shown to be causally required to promote longevity, and the underlying mechanisms and downstream targets in these paradigms remain elusive. Surprisingly, we found a hypomorphic mutation within ribonucleoprotein RNP-6/poly(U)-binding factor 60 kDa (PUF60), a spliceosome component promoting weak 3′-splice site recognition, which causes aberrant splicing, elevates stress responses and enhances longevity in Caenorhabditis elegans. Through genetic suppressor screens, we identify a gain-of-function mutation within rbm-39, an RNP-6-interacting splicing factor, which increases nuclear speckle formation, alleviates splicing defects and curtails longevity caused by rnp-6 mutation. By leveraging the splicing changes induced by RNP-6/RBM-39 activities, we uncover intron retention in egl-8/phospholipase C β4 (PLCB4) as a key splicing target prolonging life. Genetic and biochemical evidence show that neuronal RNP-6/EGL-8 downregulates mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling to control organismal lifespan. In mammalian cells, PUF60 downregulation also potently and specifically inhibits mTORC1 signaling. Altogether, our results reveal that splicing fidelity modulates lifespan through mTOR signaling.
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15
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Harrington S, Knox JJ, Burns AR, Choo KL, Au A, Kitner M, Haeberli C, Pyche J, D'Amata C, Kim YH, Volpatti JR, Guiliani M, Snider J, Wong V, Palmeira BM, Redman EM, Vaidya AS, Gilleard JS, Stagljar I, Cutler SR, Kulke D, Dowling JJ, Yip CM, Keiser J, Zasada I, Lautens M, Roy PJ. Egg-laying and locomotory screens with C. elegans yield a nematode-selective small molecule stimulator of neurotransmitter release. Commun Biol 2022; 5:865. [PMID: 36002479 PMCID: PMC9402605 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03819-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Nematode parasites of humans, livestock and crops dramatically impact human health and welfare. Alarmingly, parasitic nematodes of animals have rapidly evolved resistance to anthelmintic drugs, and traditional nematicides that protect crops are facing increasing restrictions because of poor phylogenetic selectivity. Here, we exploit multiple motor outputs of the model nematode C. elegans towards nematicide discovery. This work yielded multiple compounds that selectively kill and/or immobilize diverse nematode parasites. We focus on one compound that induces violent convulsions and paralysis that we call nementin. We find that nementin stimulates neuronal dense core vesicle release, which in turn enhances cholinergic signaling. Consequently, nementin synergistically enhances the potency of widely-used non-selective acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors, but in a nematode-selective manner. Nementin therefore has the potential to reduce the environmental impact of toxic AChE inhibitors that are used to control nematode infections and infestations. A C. elegans-based screening approach identifies nementin as a nematode-selective nematicide that can be used synergistically with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean Harrington
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,The Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Jessica J Knox
- The Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Andrew R Burns
- The Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Ken-Loon Choo
- The Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Aaron Au
- The Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Megan Kitner
- USDA-ARS Horticultural Crops Research Laboratory, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Cecile Haeberli
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss-Tropical and Public Health Institute, (Swiss TPH), Basel, Switzerland.,Faculty of Science, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jacob Pyche
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,The Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Cassandra D'Amata
- The Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Yong-Hyun Kim
- The Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Jonathan R Volpatti
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.,Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Maximillano Guiliani
- The Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Jamie Snider
- The Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Victoria Wong
- The Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Bruna M Palmeira
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Host-Parasite Interactions (HPI) Program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Elizabeth M Redman
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Host-Parasite Interactions (HPI) Program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Aditya S Vaidya
- Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA.,Department of Botany and Plant Sciences, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - John S Gilleard
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Host-Parasite Interactions (HPI) Program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Igor Stagljar
- The Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Mediterranean Institute for Life Sciences, Split, Croatia.,School of Medicine, University of Split, Split, Croatia
| | - Sean R Cutler
- Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA.,Department of Botany and Plant Sciences, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Daniel Kulke
- Research Parasiticides, Bayer Animal Health GmbH, Monheim, Germany.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA.,Global Innovation, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica GmbH, Ingelheim am Rhein, Germany
| | - James J Dowling
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.,Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Christopher M Yip
- The Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Jennifer Keiser
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss-Tropical and Public Health Institute, (Swiss TPH), Basel, Switzerland.,Faculty of Science, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Inga Zasada
- USDA-ARS Horticultural Crops Research Laboratory, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Mark Lautens
- The Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Peter J Roy
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. .,The Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. .,Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
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16
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Dhakal P, Chaudhry SI, Signorelli R, Collins KM. Serotonin signals through postsynaptic Gαq, Trio RhoGEF, and diacylglycerol to promote Caenorhabditis elegans egg-laying circuit activity and behavior. Genetics 2022; 221:iyac084. [PMID: 35579369 PMCID: PMC9252285 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyac084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Activated Gαq signals through phospholipase-Cβ and Trio, a Rho GTPase exchange factor (RhoGEF), but how these distinct effector pathways promote cellular responses to neurotransmitters like serotonin remains poorly understood. We used the egg-laying behavior circuit of Caenorhabditis elegans to determine whether phospholipase-Cβ and Trio mediate serotonin and Gαq signaling through independent or related biochemical pathways. Our genetic rescue experiments suggest that phospholipase-Cβ functions in neurons while Trio Rho GTPase exchange factor functions in both neurons and the postsynaptic vulval muscles. While Gαq, phospholipase-Cβ, and Trio Rho GTPase exchange factor mutants fail to lay eggs in response to serotonin, optogenetic stimulation of the serotonin-releasing HSN neurons restores egg laying only in phospholipase-Cβ mutants. Phospholipase-Cβ mutants showed vulval muscle Ca2+ transients while strong Gαq and Trio Rho GTPase exchange factor mutants had little or no vulval muscle Ca2+ activity. Treatment with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate that mimics 1,2-diacylglycerol, a product of PIP2 hydrolysis, rescued egg-laying circuit activity and behavior defects of Gαq signaling mutants, suggesting both phospholipase-C and Rho signaling promote synaptic transmission and egg laying via modulation of 1,2-diacylglycerol levels. 1,2-Diacylglycerol activates effectors including UNC-13; however, we find that phorbol esters, but not serotonin, stimulate egg laying in unc-13 and phospholipase-Cβ mutants. These results support a model where serotonin signaling through Gαq, phospholipase-Cβ, and UNC-13 promotes neurotransmitter release, and that serotonin also signals through Gαq, Trio Rho GTPase exchange factor, and an unidentified, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-responsive effector to promote postsynaptic muscle excitability. Thus, the same neuromodulator serotonin can signal in distinct cells and effector pathways to coordinate activation of a motor behavior circuit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pravat Dhakal
- Department of Biology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33146, USA
| | - Sana I Chaudhry
- Department of Biology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33146, USA
| | | | - Kevin M Collins
- Department of Biology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33146, USA
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17
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Hiroki S, Yoshitane H, Mitsui H, Sato H, Umatani C, Kanda S, Fukada Y, Iino Y. Molecular encoding and synaptic decoding of context during salt chemotaxis in C. elegans. Nat Commun 2022; 13:2928. [PMID: 35624091 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30279-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Animals navigate toward favorable locations using various environmental cues. However, the mechanism of how the goal information is encoded and decoded to generate migration toward the appropriate direction has not been clarified. Here, we describe the mechanism of migration towards a learned concentration of NaCl in Caenorhabditis elegans. In the salt-sensing neuron ASER, the difference between the experienced and currently perceived NaCl concentration is encoded as phosphorylation at Ser65 of UNC-64/Syntaxin 1 A through the protein kinase C(PKC-1) signaling pathway. The phosphorylation affects basal glutamate transmission from ASER, inducing the reversal of the postsynaptic response of reorientation-initiating neurons (i.e., from inhibitory to excitatory), guiding the animals toward the experienced concentration. This process, the decoding of the context, is achieved through the differential sensitivity of postsynaptic excitatory and inhibitory receptors. Our results reveal the mechanism of migration based on the synaptic plasticity that conceptually differs from the classical ones. The nematode C. elegans moves around to find an optimal environment. This work demonstrates how it can detect and move towards a previously learned salinity using the salt-sensing neuron ASER.
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18
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Tomioka M, Jang MS, Iino Y. DAF-2c signaling promotes taste avoidance after starvation in Caenorhabditis elegans by controlling distinct phospholipase C isozymes. Commun Biol 2022; 5:30. [PMID: 35017611 PMCID: PMC8752840 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02956-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Previously, we reported that DAF-2c, an axonal insulin receptor isoform in Caenorhabditis elegans, acts in the ASER gustatory neuron to regulate taste avoidance learning, a process in which worms learn to avoid salt concentrations experienced during starvation. Here, we show that secretion of INS-1, an insulin-like peptide, after starvation conditioning is sufficient to drive taste avoidance via DAF-2c signaling. Starvation conditioning enhances the salt-triggered activity of AIA neurons, the main sites of INS-1 release, which potentially promotes feedback signaling to ASER to maintain DAF-2c activity during taste avoidance. Genetic studies suggest that DAF-2c-Akt signaling promotes high-salt avoidance via a decrease in PLCβ activity. On the other hand, the DAF-2c pathway promotes low-salt avoidance via PLCε and putative Akt phosphorylation sites on PLCε are essential for taste avoidance. Our findings imply that animals disperse from the location at which they experience starvation by controlling distinct PLC isozymes via DAF-2c.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahiro Tomioka
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan.
| | - Moon Sun Jang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
- Neuroscience Institute, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, 464-8602, Japan
| | - Yuichi Iino
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
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19
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Leone P, Tolomeo M, Piancone E, Puzzovio PG, De Giorgi C, Indiveri C, Di Schiavi E, Barile M. Mimicking human riboflavin responsive neuromuscular disorders by silencing flad-1 gene in C. elegans: Alteration of vitamin transport and cholinergic transmission. IUBMB Life 2021; 74:672-683. [PMID: 34558787 PMCID: PMC9292511 DOI: 10.1002/iub.2553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2021] [Revised: 08/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Riboflavin (Rf), or vitamin B2, is the precursor of FMN and FAD, redox cofactors of several dehydrogenases involved in energy metabolism, redox balance and other cell regulatory processes. FAD synthase, coded by FLAD1 gene in humans, is the last enzyme in the pathway converting Rf into FAD. Mutations in FLAD1 gene are responsible for neuromuscular disorders, in some cases treatable with Rf. In order to mimic these disorders, the Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) gene orthologue of FLAD1 (flad‐1) was silenced in a model strain hypersensitive to RNA interference in nervous system. Silencing flad‐1 resulted in a significant decrease in total flavin content, paralleled by a decrease in the level of the FAD‐dependent ETFDH protein and by a secondary transcriptional down‐regulation of the Rf transporter 1 (rft‐1) possibly responsible for the total flavin content decrease. Conversely an increased ETFDH mRNA content was found. These biochemical changes were accompanied by significant phenotypical changes, including impairments of fertility and locomotion due to altered cholinergic transmission, as indicated by the increased sensitivity to aldicarb. A proposal is made that neuronal acetylcholine production/release is affected by alteration of Rf homeostasis. Rf supplementation restored flavin content, increased rft‐1 transcript levels and eliminated locomotion defects. In this aspect, C. elegans could provide a low‐cost animal model to elucidate the molecular rationale for Rf therapy in human Rf responsive neuromuscular disorders and to screen other molecules with therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piero Leone
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnology, and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Maria Tolomeo
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnology, and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Piancone
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnology, and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Pier Giorgio Puzzovio
- Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics Unit, Institute for Drug Research, School of Pharmacy, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Carla De Giorgi
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnology, and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Cesare Indiveri
- Department DiBEST (Biologia, Ecologia, Scienze della Terra), Unit of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, Italy
| | - Elia Di Schiavi
- Institute of Biosciences and Bioresources (IBBR) CNR, Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Barile
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnology, and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
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20
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Rahmani A, Chew YL. Investigating the molecular mechanisms of learning and memory using Caenorhabditis elegans. J Neurochem 2021; 159:417-451. [PMID: 34528252 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 08/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Learning is an essential biological process for survival since it facilitates behavioural plasticity in response to environmental changes. This process is mediated by a wide variety of genes, mostly expressed in the nervous system. Many studies have extensively explored the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying learning and memory. This review will focus on the advances gained through the study of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. C. elegans provides an excellent system to study learning because of its genetic tractability, in addition to its invariant, compact nervous system (~300 neurons) that is well-characterised at the structural level. Importantly, despite its compact nature, the nematode nervous system possesses a high level of conservation with mammalian systems. These features allow the study of genes within specific sensory-, inter- and motor neurons, facilitating the interrogation of signalling pathways that mediate learning via defined neural circuits. This review will detail how learning and memory can be studied in C. elegans through behavioural paradigms that target distinct sensory modalities. We will also summarise recent studies describing mechanisms through which key molecular and cellular pathways are proposed to affect associative and non-associative forms of learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aelon Rahmani
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Yee Lian Chew
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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21
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Sahu R, Upadhayay S, Mehan S. Inhibition of extracellular regulated kinase (ERK)-1/2 signaling pathway in the prevention of ALS: Target inhibitors and influences on neurological dysfunctions. Eur J Cell Biol 2021; 100:151179. [PMID: 34560374 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2021.151179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell signal transduction pathways are essential modulators of several physiological and pathological processes in the brain. During overactivation, these signaling processes may lead to disease progression. Abnormal protein kinase activation is associated with several biological dysfunctions that facilitate neurodegeneration under different biological conditions. As a result, these signaling pathways are essential in understanding brain disorders' development or progression. Recent research findings indicate the crucial role of extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1/2 (ERK-1/2) signaling during the neuronal development process. ERK-1/2 is a key component of its mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) group, controlling certain neurological activities by regulating metabolic pathways, cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. ERK-1/2 also influences neuronal elastic properties, nerve growth, and neurological and cognitive processing during brain injuries. The primary goal of this review is to elucidate the activation of ERK1/2 signaling, which is involved in the development of several ALS-related neuropathological dysfunctions. ALS is a rare neurological disorder category that mainly affects the nerve cells responsible for regulating voluntary muscle activity. ALS is progressive, which means that the symptoms are getting worse over time, and there is no cure for ALS and no effective treatment to avoid or reverse. Genetic abnormalities, oligodendrocyte degradation, glial overactivation, and immune deregulation are associated with ALS progression. Furthermore, the current review also identifies ERK-1/2 signaling inhibitors that can promote neuroprotection and neurotrophic effects against the clinical-pathological presentation of ALS. As a result, in the future, the potential ERK-1/2 signaling inhibitors could be used in the treatment of ALS and related neurocomplications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rakesh Sahu
- Neuropharmacology Division, Department of Pharmacology, ISF College of Pharmacy, Moga, Punjab, India
| | - Shubham Upadhayay
- Neuropharmacology Division, Department of Pharmacology, ISF College of Pharmacy, Moga, Punjab, India
| | - Sidharth Mehan
- Neuropharmacology Division, Department of Pharmacology, ISF College of Pharmacy, Moga, Punjab, India.
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22
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Koopman M, Janssen L, Nollen EAA. An economical and highly adaptable optogenetics system for individual and population-level manipulation of Caenorhabditis elegans. BMC Biol 2021; 19:170. [PMID: 34429103 PMCID: PMC8386059 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-021-01085-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Optogenetics allows the experimental manipulation of excitable cells by a light stimulus without the need for technically challenging and invasive procedures. The high degree of spatial, temporal, and intensity control that can be achieved with a light stimulus, combined with cell type-specific expression of light-sensitive ion channels, enables highly specific and precise stimulation of excitable cells. Optogenetic tools have therefore revolutionized the study of neuronal circuits in a number of models, including Caenorhabditis elegans. Despite the existence of several optogenetic systems that allow spatial and temporal photoactivation of light-sensitive actuators in C. elegans, their high costs and low flexibility have limited wide access to optogenetics. Here, we developed an inexpensive, easy-to-build, modular, and adjustable optogenetics device for use on different microscopes and worm trackers, which we called the OptoArm. Results The OptoArm allows for single- and multiple-worm illumination and is adaptable in terms of light intensity, lighting profiles, and light color. We demonstrate OptoArm’s power in a population-based multi-parameter study on the contributions of motor circuit cells to age-related motility decline. We found that individual components of the neuromuscular system display different rates of age-dependent deterioration. The functional decline of cholinergic neurons mirrors motor decline, while GABAergic neurons and muscle cells are relatively age-resilient, suggesting that rate-limiting cells exist and determine neuronal circuit ageing. Conclusion We have assembled an economical, reliable, and highly adaptable optogenetics system which can be deployed to address diverse biological questions. We provide a detailed description of the construction as well as technical and biological validation of our set-up. Importantly, use of the OptoArm is not limited to C. elegans and may benefit studies in multiple model organisms, making optogenetics more accessible to the broader research community. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12915-021-01085-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Koopman
- European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
| | - L Janssen
- European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - E A A Nollen
- European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
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23
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Emerson S, Hay M, Smith M, Granger R, Blauch D, Snyder N, El Bejjani R. Acetylcholine signaling genes are required for cocaine-stimulated egg laying in Caenorhabditis elegans. G3 (Bethesda) 2021; 11:jkab143. [PMID: 33914087 PMCID: PMC8763240 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkab143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The toxicity and addictive liability associated with cocaine abuse are well-known. However, its mode of action is not completely understood, and effective pharmacotherapeutic interventions remain elusive. The cholinergic effects of cocaine on acetylcholine receptors, synthetic enzymes, and degradative enzymes have been the focus of relatively little empirical investigation. Due to its genetic tractability and anatomical simplicity, the egg laying circuit of the hermaphroditic nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans, is a powerful model system to precisely examine the genetic and molecular targets of cocaine in vivo. Here, we report a novel cocaine-induced behavioral phenotype in C. elegans, cocaine-stimulated egg laying. In addition, we present the results of an in vivo candidate suppression screen of synthetic enzymes, receptors, degradative enzymes, and downstream components of the intracellular signaling cascades of the main neurotransmitter systems that control C. elegans egg laying. Our results show that cocaine-stimulated egg laying is dependent on acetylcholine synthesis and synaptic release, functional nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, and the C. elegans acetylcholinesterases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soren Emerson
- Neuroscience Interdisciplinary Program, Davidson College, Davidson, NC 28035, USA
| | - Megan Hay
- Biology Department, Davidson College, Davidson, NC 28035, USA
| | - Mark Smith
- Neuroscience Interdisciplinary Program, Davidson College, Davidson, NC 28035, USA
- Psychology Department, Davidson College, Davidson, NC 28035, USA
| | - Ricky Granger
- Biology Department, Davidson College, Davidson, NC 28035, USA
| | - David Blauch
- Chemistry Department, Davidson College, Davidson, NC 28035 USA
| | - Nicole Snyder
- Chemistry Department, Davidson College, Davidson, NC 28035 USA
| | - Rachid El Bejjani
- Neuroscience Interdisciplinary Program, Davidson College, Davidson, NC 28035, USA
- Biology Department, Davidson College, Davidson, NC 28035, USA
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24
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Wasson JA, Harris G, Keppler-Ross S, Brock TJ, Dar AR, Butcher RA, Fischer SEJ, Kagias K, Clardy J, Zhang Y, Mango SE. Neuronal control of maternal provisioning in response to social cues. Sci Adv 2021; 7:7/34/eabf8782. [PMID: 34417172 PMCID: PMC8378817 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abf8782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Mothers contribute cytoplasmic components to their progeny in a process called maternal provisioning. Provisioning is influenced by the parental environment, but the molecular pathways that transmit environmental cues between generations are not well understood. Here, we show that, in Caenorhabditis elegans, social cues modulate maternal provisioning to regulate gene silencing in offspring. Intergenerational signal transmission depends on a pheromone-sensing neuron and neuronal FMRFamide (Phe-Met-Arg-Phe)-like peptides. Parental FMRFamide-like peptide signaling dampens oxidative stress resistance and promotes the deposition of mRNAs for translational components in progeny, which, in turn, reduces gene silencing. This study identifies a previously unknown pathway for intergenerational communication that links neuronal responses to maternal provisioning. We suggest that loss of social cues in the parental environment represents an adverse environment that stimulates stress responses across generations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gareth Harris
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Biology, California State University Channel Islands, Camarillo, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Abdul R Dar
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Rebecca A Butcher
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Sylvia E J Fischer
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Konstantinos Kagias
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jon Clardy
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Yun Zhang
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
| | - Susan E Mango
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
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25
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Ravi B, Zhao J, Chaudhry I, Signorelli R, Bartole M, Kopchock RJ, Guijarro C, Kaplan JM, Kang L, Collins KM. Presynaptic Gαo (GOA-1) signals to depress command neuron excitability and allow stretch-dependent modulation of egg laying in Caenorhabditis elegans. Genetics 2021; 218:6284136. [PMID: 34037773 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyab080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Egg laying in the nematode worm Caenorhabditis elegans is a two-state behavior modulated by internal and external sensory input. We have previously shown that homeostatic feedback of embryo accumulation in the uterus regulates bursting activity of the serotonergic HSN command neurons that sustains the egg-laying active state. How sensory feedback of egg release signals to terminate the egg-laying active state is less understood. We find that Gαo, a conserved Pertussis Toxin-sensitive G protein, signals within HSN to inhibit egg-laying circuit activity and prevent entry into the active state. Gαo signaling hyperpolarizes HSN, reducing HSN Ca2+ activity and input onto the postsynaptic vulval muscles. Loss of inhibitory Gαo signaling uncouples presynaptic HSN activity from a postsynaptic, stretch-dependent homeostat, causing precocious entry into the egg-laying active state when only a few eggs are present in the uterus. Feedback of vulval opening and egg release activates the uv1 neuroendocrine cells which release NLP-7 neuropeptides which signal to inhibit egg laying through Gαo-independent mechanisms in the HSNs and Gαo-dependent mechanisms in cells other than the HSNs. Thus, neuropeptide and inhibitory Gαo signaling maintains a bi-stable state of electrical excitability that dynamically controls circuit activity in response to both external and internal sensory input to drive a two-state behavior output.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhavya Ravi
- Neuroscience Program, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL USA 33136.,Department of Biology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL USA 33146
| | - Jian Zhao
- Department of Neuroscience, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.,Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA USA 02114
| | - I Chaudhry
- Department of Biology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL USA 33146
| | | | - Mattingly Bartole
- Neuroscience Program, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL USA 33136.,Department of Biology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL USA 33146
| | | | | | - Joshua M Kaplan
- Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA USA 02114
| | - Lijun Kang
- Department of Neuroscience, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Kevin M Collins
- Neuroscience Program, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL USA 33136.,Department of Biology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL USA 33146
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26
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Emperador-Melero J, Wong MY, Wang SSH, de Nola G, Nyitrai H, Kirchhausen T, Kaeser PS. PKC-phosphorylation of Liprin-α3 triggers phase separation and controls presynaptic active zone structure. Nat Commun 2021; 12:3057. [PMID: 34031393 PMCID: PMC8144191 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23116-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The active zone of a presynaptic nerve terminal defines sites for neurotransmitter release. Its protein machinery may be organized through liquid-liquid phase separation, a mechanism for the formation of membrane-less subcellular compartments. Here, we show that the active zone protein Liprin-α3 rapidly and reversibly undergoes phase separation in transfected HEK293T cells. Condensate formation is triggered by Liprin-α3 PKC-phosphorylation at serine-760, and RIM and Munc13 are co-recruited into membrane-attached condensates. Phospho-specific antibodies establish phosphorylation of Liprin-α3 serine-760 in transfected cells and mouse brain tissue. In primary hippocampal neurons of newly generated Liprin-α2/α3 double knockout mice, synaptic levels of RIM and Munc13 are reduced and the pool of releasable vesicles is decreased. Re-expression of Liprin-α3 restored these presynaptic defects, while mutating the Liprin-α3 phosphorylation site to abolish phase condensation prevented this rescue. Finally, PKC activation in these neurons acutely increased RIM, Munc13 and neurotransmitter release, which depended on the presence of phosphorylatable Liprin-α3. Our findings indicate that PKC-mediated phosphorylation of Liprin-α3 triggers its phase separation and modulates active zone structure and function.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Man Yan Wong
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shan Shan H Wang
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Giovanni de Nola
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hajnalka Nyitrai
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain and Disease Research, Campus Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tom Kirchhausen
- Departments of Cell Biology and Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School and Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Pascal S Kaeser
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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27
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Sakai Y, Hanafusa H, Shimizu T, Pastuhov SI, Hisamoto N, Matsumoto K. BRCA1-BARD1 Regulates Axon Regeneration in Concert with the Gqα-DAG Signaling Network. J Neurosci 2021; 41:2842-53. [PMID: 33593852 DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1806-20.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The breast cancer susceptibility protein BRCA1 and its partner BRCA1-associated RING domain protein 1 (BARD1) form an E3-ubiquitin (Ub) ligase complex that acts as a tumor suppressor in mitotic cells. However, the roles of BRCA1–BARD1 in postmitotic cells, such as neurons, remain poorly defined. Here, we report that BRC-1 and BRD-1, the Caenorhabditis elegans orthologs of BRCA1 and BARD1, are required for adult-specific axon regeneration, which is positively regulated by the EGL-30 Gqα–diacylglycerol (DAG) signaling pathway. This pathway is downregulated by DAG kinase (DGK), which converts DAG to phosphatidic acid (PA). We demonstrate that inactivation of DGK-3 suppresses the brc-1 brd-1 defect in axon regeneration, suggesting that BRC-1–BRD-1 inhibits DGK-3 function. Indeed, we show that BRC-1–BRD-1 poly-ubiquitylates DGK-3 in a manner dependent on its E3 ligase activity, causing DGK-3 degradation. Furthermore, we find that axon injury causes the translocation of BRC-1 from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, where DGK-3 is localized. These results suggest that the BRC-1–BRD-1 complex regulates axon regeneration in concert with the Gqα–DAG signaling network. Thus, this study describes a new role for breast cancer proteins in fully differentiated neurons and the molecular mechanism underlying the regulation of axon regeneration in response to nerve injury. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT BRCA1–BRCA1-associated RING domain protein 1 (BARD1) is an E3-ubiquitin (Ub) ligase complex acting as a tumor suppressor in mitotic cells. The roles of BRCA1–BARD1 in postmitotic cells, such as neurons, remain poorly defined. We show here that Caenorhabditis elegans BRC-1/BRCA1 and BRD-1/BARD1 are required for adult-specific axon regeneration, a process that requires high diacylglycerol (DAG) levels in injured neurons. The DAG kinase (DGK)-3 inhibits axon regeneration by reducing DAG levels. We find that BRC-1–BRD-1 poly-ubiquitylates and degrades DGK-3, thereby keeping DAG levels elevated and promoting axon regeneration. Furthermore, we demonstrate that axon injury causes the translocation of BRC-1 from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, where DGK-3 is localized. Thus, this study describes a new role for BRCA1–BARD1 in fully-differentiated neurons.
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28
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Liu H, Li L, Sheoran S, Yu Y, Richmond JE, Xia J, Tang J, Liu J, Hu Z. The M domain in UNC-13 regulates the probability of neurotransmitter release. Cell Rep 2021; 34:108828. [PMID: 33691106 PMCID: PMC8066380 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.108828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Revised: 12/25/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Synapses exhibit multiple forms of short-term plasticities, which have been attributed to the heterogeneity of neurotransmitter release probability. However, the molecular mechanisms that underlie the differential release states remain to be fully elucidated. The Unc-13 proteins appear to have key roles in synaptic function through multiple regulatory domains. Here, we report that deleting the M domain in Caenorhabditis elegans UNC-13MR leads to a significant increase in release probability, revealing an inhibitory function of this domain. The inhibitory effect of this domain is eliminated when the C1 and C2B domains are absent or activated, suggesting that the M domain inhibits release probability by suppressing the activity of C1 and C2B domains. When fused directly to the MUNC2C fragment of UNC-13, the M domain greatly enhances release probability. Thus, our findings reveal a mechanism by which the UNC-13 M domain regulates synaptic transmission and provides molecular insights into the regulation of release probability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haowen Liu
- Queensland Brain Institute, Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research (CJCADR), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Lei Li
- Queensland Brain Institute, Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research (CJCADR), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Seema Sheoran
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Yi Yu
- Queensland Brain Institute, Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research (CJCADR), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Janet E Richmond
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Jingyao Xia
- Queensland Brain Institute, Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research (CJCADR), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Jing Tang
- Queensland Brain Institute, Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research (CJCADR), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Jie Liu
- Neuroscience Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Zhitao Hu
- Queensland Brain Institute, Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research (CJCADR), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia.
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29
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Yang ZL, Chen JN, Lu YY, Lu M, Wan QL, Wu GS, Luo HR. Inositol polyphosphate multikinase IPMK-1 regulates development through IP3/calcium signaling in Caenorhabditis elegans. Cell Calcium 2020; 93:102327. [PMID: 33316585 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceca.2020.102327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Inositol polyphosphate multikinase (IPMK) is a conserved protein that initiates the production of inositol phosphate intracellular messengers and is critical for regulating a variety of cellular processes. Here, we report that the C. elegans IPMK-1, which is homologous to the mammalian inositol polyphosphate multikinase, plays a crucial role in regulating rhythmic behavior and development. The deletion mutant ipmk-1(tm2687) displays a long defecation cycle period and retarded postembryonic growth. The expression of functional ipmk-1::GFP was detected in the pharyngeal muscles, amphid sheath cells, the intestine, excretory (canal) cells, proximal gonad, and spermatheca. The expression of IPMK-1 in the intestine was sufficient for the wild-type phenotype. The IP3-kinase activity of IPMK-1 is required for defecation rhythms and postembryonic development. The defective phenotypes of ipmk-1(tm2687) could be rescued by a loss-of-function mutation in type I inositol 5-phosphatase homolog (IPP-5) and improved by a supplemental Ca2+ in the medium. Our work demonstrates that IPMK-1 and the signaling molecule inositol triphosphate (IP3) pathway modulate rhythmic behaviors and development by dynamically regulating the concentration of intracellular Ca2+ in C. elegans. Advances in understanding the molecular regulation of Ca2+ homeostasis and regulation of organism development may lead to therapeutic strategies that modulate Ca2+ signaling to enhance function and counteract disease processes. Unraveling the physiological role of IPMK and the underlying functional mechanism in C. elegans would contribute to understanding the role of IPMK in other species, especially in mammals, and benefit further research on the involvement of IPMK in disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhong-Lin Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Science, Kunming, Yunnan 650201, China; Graduate University of the Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Jian-Ning Chen
- Key Laboratory for Aging and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, China
| | - Yu-Yang Lu
- Key Laboratory for Aging and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, China
| | - Min Lu
- Key Laboratory for Aging and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, China
| | - Qin-Li Wan
- The Center for Precision Medicine of First Affiliated Hospital, Biomedical Translational Research Institute, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510632, China
| | - Gui-Sheng Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Science, Kunming, Yunnan 650201, China; Key Laboratory for Aging and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, China.
| | - Huai-Rong Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Science, Kunming, Yunnan 650201, China; Graduate University of the Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing, 100049, China; Key Laboratory for Aging and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, China.
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30
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Huang K, Li J, Ito M, Takeda JI, Ohkawara B, Ogi T, Masuda A, Ohno K. Gene Expression Profile at the Motor Endplate of the Neuromuscular Junction of Fast-Twitch Muscle. Front Mol Neurosci 2020; 13:154. [PMID: 33117128 PMCID: PMC7549434 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2020.00154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is a prototypic chemical synapse between the spinal motor neuron and the motor endplate. Gene expression profiles of the motor endplate are not fully elucidated. Collagen Q (ColQ) is a collagenic tail subunit of asymmetric forms of acetylcholinesterase and is driven by two distinct promoters. pColQ1 is active throughout the slow-twitch muscle, whereas pColQ1a is active at the motor endplate of fast-twitch muscle. We made a transgenic mouse line that expresses nuclear localization signal (NLS)-attached Cre recombinase under the control of pColQ1a (pColQ1a-Cre mouse). RiboTag mouse expresses an HA-tagged ribosomal subunit, RPL22, in cells expressing Cre recombinase. We generated pColQ1a-Cre:RiboTag mouse, and confirmed that HA-tagged RPL22 was enriched at the NMJ of tibialis anterior (TA) muscle. Next, we confirmed that Chrne and Musk that are specifically expressed at the NMJ were indeed enriched in HA-immunoprecipitated (IP) RNA, whereas Sox10 and S100b, markers for Schwann cells, and Icam1, a marker for vascular endothelial cells, and Pax3, a marker for muscle satellite cells, were scarcely detected. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) of RNA-seq data showed that “phosphatidylinositol signaling system” and “extracellular matrix receptor interaction” were enriched at the motor endplate. Subsequent analysis revealed that genes encoding diacylglycerol kinases, phosphatidylinositol kinases, phospholipases, integrins, and laminins were enriched at the motor endplate. We first characterized the gene expression profile under translation at the motor endplate of TA muscle using the RiboTag technique. We expect that our gene expression profiling will help elucidate molecular mechanisms of the development, maintenance, and pathology of the NMJ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Huang
- Division of Neurogenetics, Center for Neurological Diseases and Cancer, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Jin Li
- Division of Neurogenetics, Center for Neurological Diseases and Cancer, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Mikako Ito
- Division of Neurogenetics, Center for Neurological Diseases and Cancer, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Jun-Ichi Takeda
- Division of Neurogenetics, Center for Neurological Diseases and Cancer, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Bisei Ohkawara
- Division of Neurogenetics, Center for Neurological Diseases and Cancer, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Tomoo Ogi
- Department of Genetics, Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (RIeM), Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Akio Masuda
- Division of Neurogenetics, Center for Neurological Diseases and Cancer, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Kinji Ohno
- Division of Neurogenetics, Center for Neurological Diseases and Cancer, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
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31
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Ching TT, Chen YC, Li G, Liu J, Xu XZS, Hsu AL. Short-term enhancement of motor neuron synaptic exocytosis during early aging extends lifespan in Caenorhabditis elegans. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2020; 245:1552-1559. [PMID: 32854519 DOI: 10.1177/1535370220950639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPACT STATEMENT The functional decline of motor activity is a common feature in almost all aging animals that leads to frailty, loss of independence, injury, and even death in the elderly population. Thus, understanding the molecular mechanism that drives the initial stage of this functional decline and developing strategies to increase human healthspan and even lifespan by targeting this process would be of great interests to the field. In this study, we found that by precisely targeting the motor neurons to potentiate its synaptic releases either genetically or pharmacologically, we can not only delay the functional aging at NMJs but also slow the rate of aging at the organismal level. Most importantly, we have demonstrated that a critical window of time, that is the early stage of NMJs functional decline, is required for the beneficial effects. A short-term treatment within this time period is sufficient to extend the animals' lifespan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsui-Ting Ching
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, National Yang Ming University, Taipei 112, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Chieh Chen
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, National Yang Ming University, Taipei 112, Taiwan
| | - Guang Li
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.,International Research Center for Sensory Biology and Technology of MOST, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of MOE, and College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China
| | - Jianfeng Liu
- International Research Center for Sensory Biology and Technology of MOST, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of MOE, and College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China
| | - X Z Shawn Xu
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.,Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Ao-Lin Hsu
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.,Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National Yang Ming University, Taipei 112, Taiwan.,Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Geriatric and Palliative Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.,Research Center for Healthy Aging and Institute of New Drug Development, China Medical University, Taichung 404, Taiwan
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Esse R, Grishok A. Caenorhabditis elegans Deficient in DOT-1.1 Exhibit Increases in H3K9me2 at Enhancer and Certain RNAi-Regulated Regions. Cells 2020; 9:cells9081846. [PMID: 32781660 PMCID: PMC7464606 DOI: 10.3390/cells9081846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Revised: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The methylation of histone H3 at lysine 79 is a feature of open chromatin. It is deposited by the conserved histone methyltransferase DOT1. Recently, DOT1 localization and H3K79 methylation (H3K79me) have been correlated with enhancers in C. elegans and mammalian cells. Since earlier research implicated H3K79me in preventing heterochromatin formation both in yeast and leukemic cells, we sought to inquire whether a H3K79me deficiency would lead to higher levels of heterochromatic histone modifications, specifically H3K9me2, at developmental enhancers in C. elegans. Therefore, we used H3K9me2 ChIP-seq to compare its abundance in control and dot-1.1 loss-of-function mutant worms, as well as in rde-4; dot-1.1 and rde-1; dot-1.1 double mutants. The rde-1 and rde-4 genes are components of the RNAi pathway in C. elegans, and RNAi is known to initiate H3K9 methylation in many organisms, including C. elegans. We have previously shown that dot-1.1(-) lethality is rescued by rde-1 and rde-4 loss-of-function. Here we found that H3K9me2 was elevated in enhancer, but not promoter, regions bound by the DOT-1.1/ZFP-1 complex in dot-1.1(-) worms. We also found increased H3K9me2 at genes targeted by the ALG-3/4-dependent small RNAs and repeat regions. Our results suggest that ectopic H3K9me2 in dot-1.1(-) could, in some cases, be induced by small RNAs.
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Modzelewska K, Brown L, Culotti J, Moghal N. Sensory regulated Wnt production from neurons helps make organ development robust to environmental changes in C. elegans. Development 2020; 147:dev186080. [PMID: 32586974 DOI: 10.1242/dev.186080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2019] [Accepted: 06/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Long-term survival of an animal species depends on development being robust to environmental variations and climate changes. We used C. elegans to study how mechanisms that sense environmental changes trigger adaptive responses that ensure animals develop properly. In water, the nervous system induces an adaptive response that reinforces vulval development through an unknown backup signal for vulval induction. This response involves the heterotrimeric G-protein EGL-30//Gαq acting in motor neurons. It also requires body-wall muscle, which is excited by EGL-30-stimulated synaptic transmission, suggesting a behavioral function of neurons induces backup signal production from muscle. We now report that increased acetylcholine during liquid growth activates an EGL-30-Rho pathway, distinct from the synaptic transmission pathway, that increases Wnt production from motor neurons. We also provide evidence that this neuronal Wnt contributes to EGL-30-stimulated vulval development, with muscle producing a parallel developmental signal. As diverse sensory modalities stimulate motor neurons via acetylcholine, this mechanism enables broad sensory perception to enhance Wnt-dependent development. Thus, sensory perception improves animal fitness by activating distinct neuronal functions that trigger adaptive changes in both behavior and developmental processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Modzelewska
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Louise Brown
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1X5, Canada
| | - Joseph Culotti
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1X5, Canada
| | - Nadeem Moghal
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre/University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1L7, Canada
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McCulloch KA, Jin Y. The muscarinic agonist arecoline suppresses motor circuit hyperactivity in C. elegans. MicroPubl Biol 2020; 2020. [PMID: 32626844 PMCID: PMC7326331 DOI: 10.17912/micropub.biology.000272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Katherine A McCulloch
- Neurobiology Section, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | - Yishi Jin
- Neurobiology Section, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
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LeBoeuf B, Chen X, Garcia LR. WNT regulates programmed muscle remodeling through PLC-β and calcineurin in Caenorhabditis elegans males. Development 2020; 147:dev181305. [PMID: 32317273 PMCID: PMC10679511 DOI: 10.1242/dev.181305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2019] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
The ability of a muscle to break down and reform fibers is vital for development; however, if unregulated, abnormal muscle remodeling can occur, such as in the heart following cardiac infarction. To study how normal developmental remodeling is mediated, we used fluorescently tagged actin, mutant analyses, Ca2+ imaging and controlled Ca2+ release to determine the mechanisms regulating a conspicuous muscle change that occurs in Caenorhabditis elegans males. In hermaphrodites and larval males, the single cell anal depressor muscle, used for waste expulsion, contains bilateral dorsal-ventral sarcomeres. However, prior to male adulthood, the muscle sex-specifically remodels its sarcomeres anteriorly-posteriorly to promote copulation behavior. Although WNT signaling and calcineurin have been implicated separately in muscle remodeling, we unexpectedly found that they participate in the same pathway. We show that WNT signaling through Gαo and PLC-β results in sustained Ca2+ release via IP3 and ryanodine receptors to activate calcineurin. These results highlight the utility of this new model in identifying additional molecules involved in muscle remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brigitte LeBoeuf
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Xin Chen
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Luis Rene Garcia
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
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Romero-Afrima L, Zelmanovich V, Abergel Z, Zuckerman B, Shaked M, Abergel R, Livshits L, Smith Y, Gross E. Ferritin is regulated by a neuro-intestinal axis in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Redox Biol 2019; 28:101359. [PMID: 31677552 PMCID: PMC6920132 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2019.101359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2019] [Revised: 10/17/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Iron is vital for the life of most organisms. However, when dysregulated, iron can catalyze the formation of oxygen (O2) radicals that can destroy any biological molecule and thus lead to oxidative injury and death. Therefore, iron metabolism must be tightly regulated at all times, as well as coordinated with the metabolism of O2. However, how is this achieved at the whole animal level is not well understood. Here, we explore this question using the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Exposure of worms to O2 starvation conditions (i.e. hypoxia) induces a major upregulation in levels of the conserved iron-cage protein ferritin 1 (ftn-1) in the intestine, while exposure to 21% O2 decreases ftn-1 level. This O2-dependent inhibition is mediated by O2-sensing neurons that communicate with the intestine through neurotransmitter and neuropeptide signalling, and requires the activity of hydroxylated HIF-1. By contrast, the induction of ftn-1 in hypoxia appears to be HIF-1-independent. This upregulation provides protection against Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria and oxidative injury. Taken together, our studies uncover a neuro-intestine axis that coordinates O2 and iron responses at the whole animal level. The expression of ferritin 1 (ftn-1) is tightly regulated by O2 tension. O2-sensing neurons inhibit the expression of ftn-1 in the intestine at 21% O2. Hydroxylated–HIF–1 inhibits the expression of ftn-1 at 21% O2. ftn-1 is important for protecting against Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonor Romero-Afrima
- Dept. of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, IMRIC, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Ein Kerem. P.O. Box 12271, Jerusalem, 9112102, Israel
| | - Veronica Zelmanovich
- Dept. of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, IMRIC, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Ein Kerem. P.O. Box 12271, Jerusalem, 9112102, Israel
| | - Zohar Abergel
- Dept. of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, IMRIC, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Ein Kerem. P.O. Box 12271, Jerusalem, 9112102, Israel
| | - Binyamin Zuckerman
- Dept. of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, IMRIC, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Ein Kerem. P.O. Box 12271, Jerusalem, 9112102, Israel
| | - Maayan Shaked
- Dept. of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, IMRIC, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Ein Kerem. P.O. Box 12271, Jerusalem, 9112102, Israel
| | - Rachel Abergel
- Dept. of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, IMRIC, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Ein Kerem. P.O. Box 12271, Jerusalem, 9112102, Israel
| | - Leonid Livshits
- Dept. of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, IMRIC, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Ein Kerem. P.O. Box 12271, Jerusalem, 9112102, Israel
| | - Yoav Smith
- Genomic Data Analysis Unit, The Hebrew University - Hadassah Medical School, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 91120, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Einav Gross
- Dept. of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, IMRIC, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Ein Kerem. P.O. Box 12271, Jerusalem, 9112102, Israel.
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Alexpandi R, Prasanth MI, Ravi AV, Balamurugan K, Durgadevi R, Srinivasan R, De Mesquita JF, Pandian SK. Protective effect of neglected plant Diplocyclos palmatus on quorum sensing mediated infection of Serratia marcescens and UV-A induced photoaging in model Caenorhabditis elegans. J Photochem Photobiol B 2019; 201:111637. [PMID: 31706086 DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2019.111637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2019] [Revised: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 09/22/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Plants are considered to be a leading source for possible human therapeutic agents. This holistic study has investigated the anti-quorum sensing (anti-QS), anti-infection, antioxidant and anti-photoaging properties of neglected plant Diplocyclos palmatus. The results showed that D. palmatus methanolic leaf extract (DPME) effectively inhibited the quorum sensing (QS) regulated virulence factor production as well as biofilm formation in Serratia marcescens. The transcriptomic analysis revealed that DPME significantly downed the expression of QS-regulated genes such as fimA, fimC, flhC, bsmB, pigP and shlA in S. marcescens, which supports the outcome of in vitro bioassays. Further, the docking study revealed that the presence of active compounds, namely tocopherols and phytol, DPME exhibited its anti-QS activity against S. marcescens. In addition, DPME treatment extended the lifespan of S. marcescens infected C. elegans by the action of dropping the internal accumulation. Further, qPCR analysis clearly revealed that DPME treatment significantly up-regulated the expression of the lifespan-related gene (daf-16) and immune-related genes (clec-60, clec-87, lys-7 and bec-1) in S. marcescens infected C.elegans. On the other hand, DPME extensively reduced the UV-A induced ROS stress, thereby, extended the lifespan in UV-A photoaged C. elegans. Further, the qPCR analysis also confirmed the up-regulation of daf-16, clec-60, clec-87 and col-19 genes which advocated the improvement of the lifespan, healthspan and collagen production in UV-A photoaged C. elegans. Further bioassays evidenced that that the lifespan extension of photoaged C. elegans was accomplished by the actions of antioxidants such as tocopherols and phytol in DPME.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajaiah Alexpandi
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Biological Sciences, Science Campus, Alagappa University, Karaikudi 630 003, India
| | - Mani Iyer Prasanth
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Biological Sciences, Science Campus, Alagappa University, Karaikudi 630 003, India; Age-Related Inflammation and Degeneration Research Unit, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Arumugam Veera Ravi
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Biological Sciences, Science Campus, Alagappa University, Karaikudi 630 003, India.
| | - Krishnaswamy Balamurugan
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Biological Sciences, Science Campus, Alagappa University, Karaikudi 630 003, India
| | - Ravindran Durgadevi
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Biological Sciences, Science Campus, Alagappa University, Karaikudi 630 003, India
| | - Ramanathan Srinivasan
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Biological Sciences, Science Campus, Alagappa University, Karaikudi 630 003, India; Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Agroecological Processing and Safety Monitoring, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350 002, PR China; Key Laboratory of Crop Ecology and Molecular Physiology (Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University), Fujian Province University, Fuzhou 350 002, PR China
| | - Joelma Freire De Mesquita
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro State (UNIRIO), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Shunmugiah Karutha Pandian
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Biological Sciences, Science Campus, Alagappa University, Karaikudi 630 003, India
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Garcia
- Department of Biology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33146
| | - Kevin Collins
- Department of Biology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33146
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Labed SA, Wani KA, Jagadeesan S, Hakkim A, Najibi M, Irazoqui JE. Intestinal Epithelial Wnt Signaling Mediates Acetylcholine-Triggered Host Defense against Infection. Immunity 2019; 48:963-978.e3. [PMID: 29768179 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2018.04.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2017] [Revised: 02/02/2018] [Accepted: 04/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Regulated antimicrobial peptide expression in the intestinal epithelium is key to defense against infection and to microbiota homeostasis. Understanding the mechanisms that regulate such expression is necessary for understanding immune homeostasis and inflammatory disease and for developing safe and effective therapies. We used Caenorhabditis elegans in a preclinical approach to discover mechanisms of antimicrobial gene expression control in the intestinal epithelium. We found an unexpected role for the cholinergic nervous system. Infection-induced acetylcholine release from neurons stimulated muscarinic signaling in the epithelium, driving downstream induction of Wnt expression in the same tissue. Wnt induction activated the epithelial canonical Wnt pathway, resulting in the expression of C-type lectin and lysozyme genes that enhanced host defense. Furthermore, the muscarinic and Wnt pathways are linked by conserved transcription factors. These results reveal a tight connection between the nervous system and the intestinal epithelium, with important implications for host defense, immune homeostasis, and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sid Ahmed Labed
- Center for the Study of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Khursheed A Wani
- Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Sakthimala Jagadeesan
- Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Abdul Hakkim
- Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Mehran Najibi
- Center for the Study of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Javier Elbio Irazoqui
- Center for the Study of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA.
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Abstract
Neurotransmitters signal via G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) to modulate activity of neurons and muscles. C. elegans has ∼150 G protein coupled neuropeptide receptor homologs and 28 additional GPCRs for small-molecule neurotransmitters. Genetic studies in C. elegans demonstrate that neurotransmitters diffuse far from their release sites to activate GPCRs on distant cells. Individual receptor types are expressed on limited numbers of cells and thus can provide very specific regulation of an individual neural circuit and behavior. G protein coupled neurotransmitter receptors signal principally via the three types of heterotrimeric G proteins defined by the G alpha subunits Gαo, Gαq, and Gαs. Each of these G alpha proteins is found in all neurons plus some muscles. Gαo and Gαq signaling inhibit and activate neurotransmitter release, respectively. Gαs signaling, like Gαq signaling, promotes neurotransmitter release. Many details of the signaling mechanisms downstream of Gαq and Gαs have been delineated and are consistent with those of their mammalian orthologs. The details of the signaling mechanism downstream of Gαo remain a mystery. Forward genetic screens in C. elegans have identified new molecular components of neural G protein signaling mechanisms, including Regulators of G protein Signaling (RGS proteins) that inhibit signaling, a new Gαq effector (the Trio RhoGEF domain), and the RIC-8 protein that is required for neuronal Gα signaling. A model is presented in which G proteins sum up the variety of neuromodulator signals that impinge on a neuron to calculate its appropriate output level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael R Koelle
- Department of Molecular Biophysics & Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven CT 06520 USA
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Abstract
Synaptic transmission is central to nervous system function. Chemical and genetic screens are valuable approaches to probe synaptic mechanisms in living animals. The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is a prime system to apply these methods to discover genes and dissect the cellular pathways underlying neurotransmission. Here, we review key approaches to understand neurotransmission and the action of psychiatric drugs in C. elegans. We start with early studies on cholinergic excitatory signaling at the neuromuscular junction, and move into mechanisms mediated by biogenic amines. Finally, we discuss emerging work toward understanding the mechanisms driving synaptic plasticity with a focus on regulation of protein translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen M. Blazie
- Neurobiology Section, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Yishi Jin
- Neurobiology Section, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
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Ren M, Zhao L, Ding X, Krasteva N, Rui Q, Wang D. Developmental basis for intestinal barrier against the toxicity of graphene oxide. Part Fibre Toxicol 2018; 15:26. [PMID: 29929559 PMCID: PMC6013870 DOI: 10.1186/s12989-018-0262-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2017] [Accepted: 05/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intestinal barrier is crucial for animals against translocation of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) into secondary targeted organs. However, the molecular mechanisms for the role of intestinal barrier against ENMs toxicity are still largely unclear. The intestine of Caenorhabditis elegans is a powerful in vivo experimental system for the study on intestinal function. In this study, we investigated the molecular basis for intestinal barrier against toxicity and translocation of graphene oxide (GO) using C. elegans as a model animal. RESULTS Based on the genetic screen of genes required for the control of intestinal development at different aspects using intestine-specific RNA interference (RNAi) technique, we identified four genes (erm-1, pkc-3, hmp-2 and act-5) required for the function of intestinal barrier against GO toxicity. Under normal conditions, mutation of any of these genes altered the intestinal permeability. With the focus on PKC-3, an atypical protein kinase C, we identified an intestinal signaling cascade of PKC-3-SEC-8-WTS-1, which implies that PKC-3 might regulate intestinal permeability and GO toxicity by affecting the function of SEC-8-mediated exocyst complex and the role of WTS-1 in maintaining integrity of apical intestinal membrane. ISP-1 and SOD-3, two proteins required for the control of oxidative stress, were also identified as downstream targets for PKC-3, and functioned in parallel with WTS-1 in the regulation of GO toxicity. CONCLUSIONS Using C. elegans as an in vivo assay system, we found that several developmental genes required for the control of intestinal development regulated both the intestinal permeability and the GO toxicity. With the focus on PKC-3, we raised two intestinal signaling cascades, PKC-3-SEC-8-WTS-1 and PKC-3-ISP-1/SOD-3. Our results will strengthen our understanding the molecular basis for developmental machinery of intestinal barrier against GO toxicity and translocation in animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingxia Ren
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering in Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009 China
| | - Li Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering in Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009 China
| | - Xuecheng Ding
- College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095 China
| | - Natalia Krasteva
- Institute of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering, Bulgarian Academy of Science, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Qi Rui
- College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095 China
| | - Dayong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering in Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009 China
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Xu S, Pany S, Benny K, Tarique K, Al-Hatem O, Gajewski K, Leasure JL, Das J, Roman G. Ethanol Regulates Presynaptic Activity and Sedation through Presynaptic Unc13 Proteins in Drosophila. eNeuro 2018; 5:ENEURO. [PMID: 29911175 DOI: 10.1523/ENEURO.0125-18.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2018] [Revised: 05/09/2018] [Accepted: 05/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Ethanol has robust effects on presynaptic activity in many neurons, however, it is not yet clear how this drug acts within this compartment to change neural activity, nor the significance of this change on behavior and physiology in vivo. One possible presynaptic effector for ethanol is the Munc13-1 protein. Herein, we show that ethanol binding to the rat Munc13-1 C1 domain, at concentrations consistent with binge exposure, reduces diacylglycerol (DAG) binding. The inhibition of DAG binding is predicted to reduce the activity of Munc13-1 and presynaptic release. In Drosophila, we show that sedating concentrations of ethanol significantly reduce synaptic vesicle release in olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs), while having no significant impact on membrane depolarization and Ca2+ influx into the presynaptic compartment. These data indicate that ethanol targets the active zone in reducing synaptic vesicle exocytosis. Drosophila, haploinsufficent for the Munc13-1 ortholog Dunc13, are more resistant to the effect of ethanol on presynaptic inhibition. Genetically reducing the activity of Dunc13 through mutation or expression of RNAi transgenes also leads to a significant resistance to the sedative effects of ethanol. The neuronal expression of Munc13-1 in heterozygotes for a Dunc13 loss-of-function mutation can largely rescue the ethanol sedation resistance phenotype, indicating a conservation of function between Munc13-1 and Dunc13 in ethanol sedation. Hence, reducing Dunc13 activity leads to naïve physiological and behavioral resistance to sedating concentrations of ethanol. We propose that reducing Dunc13 activity, genetically or pharmacologically by ethanol binding to the C1 domain of Munc13-1/Dunc13, promotes a homeostatic response that leads to ethanol tolerance.
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Coleman B, Topalidou I, Ailion M. Modulation of Gq-Rho Signaling by the ERK MAPK Pathway Controls Locomotion in Caenorhabditis elegans. Genetics 2018; 209:523-535. [PMID: 29615470 PMCID: PMC5972424 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.118.300977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2017] [Accepted: 03/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The heterotrimeric G protein Gq regulates neuronal activity through distinct downstream effector pathways. In addition to the canonical Gq effector phospholipase Cβ, the small GTPase Rho was recently identified as a conserved effector of Gq. To identify additional molecules important for Gq signaling in neurons, we performed a forward genetic screen in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans for suppressors of the hyperactivity and exaggerated waveform of an activated Gq mutant. We isolated two mutations affecting the MAP kinase scaffold protein KSR-1 and found that KSR-1 modulates locomotion downstream of, or in parallel to, the Gq-Rho pathway. Through epistasis experiments, we found that the core ERK MAPK cascade is required for Gq-Rho regulation of locomotion, but that the canonical ERK activator LET-60/Ras may not be required. Through neuron-specific rescue experiments, we found that the ERK pathway functions in head acetylcholine neurons to control Gq-dependent locomotion. Additionally, expression of activated LIN-45/Raf in head acetylcholine neurons is sufficient to cause an exaggerated waveform phenotype and hypersensitivity to the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor aldicarb, similar to an activated Gq mutant. Taken together, our results suggest that the ERK MAPK pathway modulates the output of Gq-Rho signaling to control locomotion behavior in C. elegans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brantley Coleman
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195
| | - Irini Topalidou
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195
| | - Michael Ailion
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195
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Arey RN, Stein GM, Kaletsky R, Kauffman A, Murphy CT. Activation of G αq Signaling Enhances Memory Consolidation and Slows Cognitive Decline. Neuron 2018; 98:562-574.e5. [PMID: 29656871 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2018.03.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2017] [Revised: 12/06/2017] [Accepted: 03/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Perhaps the most devastating decline with age is the loss of memory. Therefore, identifying mechanisms to restore memory function with age is critical. Using C. elegans associative learning and memory assays, we identified a gain-of-function Gαq signaling pathway mutant that forms a long-term (cAMP response element binding protein [CREB]-dependent) memory following one conditioned stimulus-unconditioned stimulus (CS-US) pairing, which usually requires seven CS-US pairings. Increased CREB activity in AIM interneurons reduces the threshold for memory consolidation through transcription of a set of previously identified "long-term memory" genes. Enhanced Gαq signaling in the AWC sensory neuron is both necessary and sufficient for improved memory and increased AIM CREB activity, and activation of Gαq specifically in aged animals rescues the ability to form memory. Activation of Gαq in AWC sensory neurons non-cell autonomously induces consolidation after one CS-US pairing, enabling both cognitive function maintenance with age and restoration of memory function in animals with impaired memory performance without decreased longevity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel N Arey
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA; Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Geneva M Stein
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA; Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Rachel Kaletsky
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA; Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Amanda Kauffman
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA; Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Coleen T Murphy
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA; Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA.
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Abstract
Synapses are specialized contact sites that mediate information flow between neurons and their targets. Important physical interactions across the synapse are mediated by synaptic adhesion molecules. These adhesions regulate formation of synapses during development and play a role during mature synaptic function. Importantly, genes regulating synaptogenesis and axon regeneration are conserved across the animal phyla. Genetic screens in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans have identified a number of molecules required for synapse patterning and assembly. C. elegans is able to survive even with its neuronal function severely compromised. This is in comparison with Drosophila and mice where increased complexity makes them less tolerant to impaired function. Although this fact may reflect differences in the function of the homologous proteins in the synapses between these organisms, the most likely interpretation is that many of these components are equally important, but not absolutely essential, for synaptic transmission to support the relatively undemanding life style of laboratory maintained C. elegans. Here, we review research on the major group of synaptic proteins, involved in the presynaptic machinery in C. elegans, showing a strong conservation between higher organisms and highlight how C. elegans can be used as an informative tool for dissecting synaptic components, based on a simple nervous system organization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Calahorro
- Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Life Sciences Building 85, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK.
| | - Patricia G Izquierdo
- Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Life Sciences Building 85, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK
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Topalidou I, Cooper K, Pereira L, Ailion M. Dopamine negatively modulates the NCA ion channels in C. elegans. PLoS Genet 2017; 13:e1007032. [PMID: 28968387 PMCID: PMC5638609 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1007032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2016] [Revised: 10/12/2017] [Accepted: 09/18/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The NALCN/NCA ion channel is a cation channel related to voltage-gated sodium and calcium channels. NALCN has been reported to be a sodium leak channel with a conserved role in establishing neuronal resting membrane potential, but its precise cellular role and regulation are unclear. The Caenorhabditis elegans orthologs of NALCN, NCA-1 and NCA-2, act in premotor interneurons to regulate motor circuit activity that sustains locomotion. Recently we found that NCA-1 and NCA-2 are activated by a signal transduction pathway acting downstream of the heterotrimeric G protein Gq and the small GTPase Rho. Through a forward genetic screen, here we identify the GPCR kinase GRK-2 as a new player affecting signaling through the Gq-Rho-NCA pathway. Using structure-function analysis, we find that the GPCR phosphorylation and membrane association domains of GRK-2 are required for its function. Genetic epistasis experiments suggest that GRK-2 acts on the D2-like dopamine receptor DOP-3 to inhibit Go signaling and positively modulate NCA-1 and NCA-2 activity. Through cell-specific rescuing experiments, we find that GRK-2 and DOP-3 act in premotor interneurons to modulate NCA channel function. Finally, we demonstrate that dopamine, through DOP-3, negatively regulates NCA activity. Thus, this study identifies a pathway by which dopamine modulates the activity of the NCA channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irini Topalidou
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- * E-mail: (IT); (MA)
| | - Kirsten Cooper
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Laura Pereira
- Department of Biological Sciences, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Michael Ailion
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- * E-mail: (IT); (MA)
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48
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Hoyt JM, Wilson SK, Kasa M, Rise JS, Topalidou I, Ailion M. The SEK-1 p38 MAP Kinase Pathway Modulates Gq Signaling in Caenorhabditis elegans. G3 (Bethesda) 2017; 7:2979-89. [PMID: 28696924 DOI: 10.1534/g3.117.043273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Gq is a heterotrimeric G protein that is widely expressed in neurons and regulates neuronal activity. To identify pathways regulating neuronal Gq signaling, we performed a forward genetic screen in Caenorhabditis elegans for suppressors of activated Gq. One of the suppressors is an allele of sek-1, which encodes a mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MAPKK) in the p38 MAPK pathway. Here, we show that sek-1 mutants have a slow locomotion rate and that sek-1 acts in acetylcholine neurons to modulate both locomotion rate and Gq signaling. Furthermore, we find that sek-1 acts in mature neurons to modulate locomotion. Using genetic and behavioral approaches, we demonstrate that other components of the p38 MAPK pathway also play a positive role in modulating locomotion and Gq signaling. Finally, we find that mutants in the SEK-1 p38 MAPK pathway partially suppress an activated mutant of the sodium leak channel, NCA-1/NALCN, a downstream target of Gq signaling. Our results suggest that the SEK-1 p38 pathway may modulate the output of Gq signaling through NCA-1(unc-77).
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49
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Ohno H, Sakai N, Adachi T, Iino Y. Dynamics of Presynaptic Diacylglycerol in a Sensory Neuron Encode Differences between Past and Current Stimulus Intensity. Cell Rep 2017; 20:2294-303. [DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2017.08.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2016] [Revised: 06/15/2017] [Accepted: 08/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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50
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Han M, Zou W, Chang H, Yu Y, Zhang H, Li S, Cheng H, Wei G, Chen Y, Reinke V, Xu T, Kang L. A Systematic RNAi Screen Reveals a Novel Role of a Spindle Assembly Checkpoint Protein BuGZ in Synaptic Transmission in C. elegans. Front Mol Neurosci 2017; 10:141. [PMID: 28553202 PMCID: PMC5425591 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2017.00141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2017] [Accepted: 04/25/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Synaptic vesicles (SV) store various neurotransmitters that are released at the synapse. The molecular mechanisms of biogenesis, exocytosis, and endocytosis for SV, however, remain largely elusive. In this study, using Complex Object Parametric Analysis and Sorter (COPAS) to monitor the fluorescence of synapto-pHluorin (SpH), we performed a whole-genome RNAi screen in C. elegans to identify novel genetic modulators in SV cycling. One hundred seventy six genes that up-regulating SpH fluorescence and 96 genes that down-regulating SpH fluorescence were identified after multi-round screen. Among these genes, B0035.1 (bugz-1) encodes ortholog of mammalian C2H2 zinc-finger protein BuGZ/ZNF207, which is a spindle assembly checkpoint protein essential for mitosis in human cells. Combining electrophysiology, imaging and behavioral assays, we reveal that depletion of BuGZ-1 results in defects in locomotion. We further demonstrate that BuGZ-1 promotes SV recycling by regulating the expression levels of endocytosis-related genes such as rab11.1. Therefore, we have identified a bunch of potential genetic modulators in SV cycling, and revealed an unexpected role of BuGZ-1 in regulating synaptic transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Han
- Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology of the Ministry of Health of China, Department of Neurobiology, Institute of Neuroscience, Zhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhou, China.,National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing, China.,Department of Genetics, Yale University School of MedicineNew Haven, CT, USA
| | - Wenjuan Zou
- Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology of the Ministry of Health of China, Department of Neurobiology, Institute of Neuroscience, Zhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhou, China
| | - Hao Chang
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing, China.,Department of Genetics, Yale University School of MedicineNew Haven, CT, USA
| | - Yong Yu
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing, China
| | - Haining Zhang
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing, China
| | - Shitian Li
- Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology of the Ministry of Health of China, Department of Neurobiology, Institute of Neuroscience, Zhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhou, China
| | - Hankui Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology of the Ministry of Health of China, Department of Neurobiology, Institute of Neuroscience, Zhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhou, China
| | - Guifeng Wei
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing, China
| | - Yan Chen
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing, China
| | - Valerie Reinke
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of MedicineNew Haven, CT, USA
| | - Tao Xu
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing, China
| | - Lijun Kang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology of the Ministry of Health of China, Department of Neurobiology, Institute of Neuroscience, Zhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhou, China
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