Fine-tuning motor neuron properties: signaling from the periphery

Expression of Pea3 protein subfamily members in hippocampus and potential regulation following neuronal stimulation

Pea3 proteins belong to a subfamily of the E-twentysix (ETS) domain superfamily of transcription factors, which play various roles during development. Polyoma Enhancer-Activator 3 (Pea3) proteins Pea3, ERM and Er81 are particularly involved in tissues with branching morphogenesis, including kidney, lung, mammary gland and nervous system development. A recent transcriptomic study on novel targets of Pea3 transcription factor revealed various axon guidance and nervous system development related targets, supporting a role of Pea3 proteins in motor neuron connectivity, as well as novel targets in signaling pathways involved in synaptic plasticity. This study focuses on the expression of Pea3 family members in hippocampal neurons, and regulation of putative Pea3 targets in Pea3-overexpressing cell lines and following induction of long-term potentiation or seizure in vivo. We show that Pea3 proteins are expressed in hippocampus in both neuronal and non-neuronal cells, and that Pea3 represses Elk-1 but activates Prkca and Nrcam expression in hippocampal cell lines. We also show that mRNA and protein levels of Pea3 family members are differentially regulated in the dentate gyrus and CA1 region upon MECS stimulation, but not upon LTP induction.

Transcriptomic profile of Pea3 family members reveal regulatory codes for axon outgrowth and neuronal connection specificity

PEA3 transcription factor subfamily is present in a variety of tissues with branching morphogenesis, and play a particularly significant role in neural circuit formation and specificity. Many target genes in axon guidance and cell-cell adhesion pathways have been identified for Pea3 transcription factor (but not for Erm or Er81); however it was not so far clear whether all Pea3 subfamily members regulate same target genes, or whether there are unique targets for each subfamily member that help explain the exclusivity and specificity of these proteins in neuronal circuit formation. In this study, using transcriptomics and qPCR analyses in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells, hypothalamic and hippocampal cell line, we have identified cell type-specific and subfamily member-specific targets for PEA3 transcription factor subfamily. While Pea3 upregulates transcription of Sema3D and represses Sema5B, for example, Erm and Er81 upregulate Sema5A and Er81 regulates Unc5C and Sema4G while repressing EFNB3 in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. We furthermore present a molecular model of how unique sites within the ETS domain of each family member can help recognize specific target motifs. Such cell-context and member-specific combinatorial expression profiles help identify cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix communication networks and how they establish specific connections.

In silico analyses and global transcriptional profiling reveal novel putative targets for Pea3 transcription factor related to its function in neurons

Pea3 transcription factor belongs to the PEA3 subfamily within the ETS domain transcription factor superfamily, and has been largely studied in relation to its role in breast cancer metastasis. Nonetheless, Pea3 plays a role not only in breast tumor, but also in other tissues with branching morphogenesis, including kidneys, blood vasculature, bronchi and the developing nervous system. Identification of Pea3 target promoters in these systems are important for a thorough understanding of how Pea3 functions. Present study particularly focuses on the identification of novel neuronal targets of Pea3 in a combinatorial approach, through curation, computational analysis and microarray studies in a neuronal model system, SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. We not only show that quite a number of genes in cancer, immune system and cell cycle pathways, among many others, are either up- or down-regulated by Pea3, but also identify novel targets including ephrins and ephrin receptors, semaphorins, cell adhesion molecules, as well as metalloproteases such as kallikreins, to be among potential target promoters in neuronal systems. Our overall results indicate that rather than early stages of neurite extension and axonal guidance, Pea3 is more involved in target identification and synaptic maturation.

Pea3 transcription factor promotes neurite outgrowth

Pea3 subfamily of E–twenty six transcription factors consist of three major -exhibit branching morphogenesis, the function of Pea3 family in nervous system development and regeneration is only beginning to unfold. In this study, we provide evidence that Pea3 can directs neurite extension and axonal outgrowth in different model systems, and that Serine 90 is important for this function. We have also identified neurofilament-L and neurofilament-M as two putative novel targets for Pea3.

Spatial organization of cortical and spinal neurons controlling motor behavior

A major task of the central nervous system (CNS) is to control behavioral actions, which necessitates a precise regulation of muscle activity. The final components of the circuitry controlling muscles are the motorneurons, which settle into pools in the ventral horn of the spinal cord in positions that mirror the musculature organization within the body. This 'musculotopic' motor-map then becomes the internal CNS reference for the neuronal circuits that control motor commands. This review describes recent progress in defining the neuroanatomical organization of the higher-order motor circuits in the cortex and spinal cord, and our current understanding of the integrative features that contribute to complex motor behaviors. We highlight emerging evidence that cortical and spinal motor command centers are loosely organized with respect to the musculotopic spatial-map, but these centers also incorporate organizational features that associate with the function of different muscle groups during commonly enacted behaviors.

Metabotropic glutamate receptors in neurodegeneration/neuroprotection: still a hot topic?

Moving from early studies, we here review the most recent evidence linking metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors to processes of neurodegeneration/neuroprotection. The use of knockout mice and subtype-selective drugs has increased our knowledge of the precise role played by individual mGlu receptor subtypes in these processes. Activation of mGlu1 and mGlu5 receptors may either amplify or reduce neuronal damage depending on the context and the nature of the toxic insults. In contrast, mGlu1 and mGlu5 receptors antagonists are consistently protective in in vitro and in vivo models of neuronal death. A series of studies suggest that mGlu1 receptor antagonists or negative allosteric modulators (NAMs) are promising candidates for the treatment of ischemic brain damage, whereas mGlu5 receptor NAMs, which have been clinically developed for the treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD) and l-DOPA-induced dyskinesias, protect nigro-striatal dopaminergic neurons against 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) toxicity in mice and monkeys. Activation of glial mGlu3 receptors promotes the formation of various neurotrophic factors, such as transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), nerve growth factor (NGF), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Hence, selective mGlu3 receptor agonists or positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) (not yet available) are potentially helpful in the treatment of chronic neurodegenerative disorders such as PD, Alzheimer's disease (AD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Selective mGlu2 receptor PAMs should be used with caution in AD patients because these drugs are shown to amplify β-amyloid neurotoxicity. Finally, mGlu4 receptor agonists/PAMs share with mGlu5 receptor NAMs the ability to improve motor symptoms associated with PD and attenuate nigro-striatal degeneration at the same time. No data are yet available on the role of mGlu7 and mGlu8 receptors in neurodegeneration/neuroprotection.

Serotonin controls the maturation of the GABA phenotype in the ventral spinal cord via 5-HT1b receptors

Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine or 5-HT) is a pleiotropic neurotransmitter known to play a crucial modulating role during the construction of brain circuits. Descending bulbo-spinal 5-HT fibers, coming from the caudal medullary cell groups of the raphe nuclei, progressively invade the mouse spinal cord and arrive at lumbar segments at E15.5 when the number of ventral GABA immunoreactive (GABA-ir) interneurons reaches its maximum. We thus raised the question of a possible interaction between these two neurotransmitter systems and investigated the effect of 5-HT descending inputs on the maturation of the GABA phenotype in ventral spinal interneurons. Using a quantitative anatomical study performed on acute and cultured embryonic mouse spinal cord, we found that the GABAergic neuronal population matured according to a similar rostro-caudal gradient both in utero and in organotypic culture. We showed that 5-HT delayed the maturation of the GABA phenotype in lumbar but not brachial interneurons. Using pharmacological treatments and mice lacking 5-HT(1B) or 5-HT(1A), we demonstrated that the 5-HT repressing effect on the GABAergic phenotype was specifically attributed to 5-HT(1B) receptors.

Squeeze involvement in the specification of Drosophila leucokinergic neurons: Different regulatory mechanisms endow the same neuropeptide selection

One of the most widely studied phenomena in the establishment of neuronal identity is the determination of neurosecretory phenotype, in which cell-type-specific combinatorial codes direct distinct neurotransmitter or neuropeptide selection. However, neuronal types from divergent lineages may adopt the same neurosecretory phenotype, and it is unclear whether different classes of neurons use different or similar components to regulate shared features of neuronal identity. We have addressed this question by analyzing how differentiation of the Drosophila larval leucokinergic system, which is comprised of only four types of neurons, is regulated by factors known to affect expression of the FMRFamide neuropeptide. We show that all leucokinergic cells express the transcription factor Squeeze (Sqz). However, based on the effect on LK expression of loss- and gain-of-function mutations, we can describe three types of Lk regulation. In the brain LHLK cells, both Sqz and Apterous (Ap) are required for LK expression, but surprisingly, high levels of either Sqz or Ap alone are sufficient to restore LK expression in these neurons. In the suboesophageal SELK cells, Sqz, but not Ap, is required for LK expression. In the abdominal ABLK neurons, inhibition of retrograde axonal transport reduces LK expression, and although sqz is dispensable for LK expression in these cells, it can induce ectopic leucokinergic ABLK-like cells when over-expressed. Thus, Sqz appears to be a regulatory factor for neuropeptidergic identity common to all leucokinergic cells, whose function in different cell types is regulated by cell-specific factors.

Pea3 expression is regulated by FGF signaling in developing retina

FGF signaling has been implicated as an important regulator of retinal development. As a first step in characterizing potential downstream targets of FGF signaling in the retina, we have analyzed expression of Pea3, a member of the Pea3 class of Ets-domain transcription factors, in the developing eye. We find that Pea3 is expressed in the developing retina, and its transcription is regulated by FGF receptor activation. In addition, FGF signaling activates Cath5, a gene necessary for retinal ganglion cell differentiation. These results suggest that FGF signaling via MAPK up-regulates transcription factors that in turn control retinal ganglion cell differentiation.

Ontogenic changes of the spinal GABAergic cell population are controlled by the serotonin (5-HT) system: implication of 5-HT1 receptor family

During the development of the nervous system, the acquisition of the GABA neurotransmitter phenotype is crucial for neural networks operation. Although both intrinsic and extrinsic signals such as transcription factors and growth factors have been demonstrated to govern the acquisition of GABA, few data are available concerning the effects of modulatory transmitters expressed by axons that progressively invade emerging neuronal networks. Among such transmitters, serotonin (5-HT) is a good candidate because serotonergic axons innervate the entire CNS at very early stages of development. We have shown previously that descending 5-HT slows the maturation of inhibitory synaptic transmission in the embryonic mouse spinal cord. We now report that 5-HT also regulates the spatiotemporal changes of the GABAergic neuronal population in the mouse spinal cord. Using a quantitative confocal study performed on acute and cultured spinal cords, we find that the GABAergic population matures according to a similar rostrocaudal temporal gradient both in utero and in organotypic culture. Moreover, we show that 5-HT delays the appearance of the spinal GABAergic system. Indeed, in the absence of 5-HT descending inputs or exogenous 5-HT, the GABAergic population matures earlier. In the presence of exogenous 5-HT, the GABA population matures later. Finally, using a pharmacological approach, we show that 5-HT exerts its action via the 5-HT1 receptor family. Together, our data suggest that, during the course of the embryonic development, 5-HT descending inputs delay the maturation of lumbar spinal motor networks relative to brachial networks.

Development of projection-specific interneurons and projection neurons in the embryonic mouse and rat spinal cord

Interneurons and projection neurons in the lumbar spinal cord of mouse and rat embryos were labeled retrogradely with fluorescent dextran amines from a distance of one segment from the segment of origin [lumbar segment (L) 2]. Six classes with specific axonal projections (ipsilateral ascending, descending, and bifurcating, and commissural ascending, descending, and bifurcating) were identified by differential labeling in both species and followed from embryonic day (E)12 to birth in the mouse. Neurons with shorter projections (intrasegmental interneurons) were not studied. We show that the four nonbifurcating neuron classes occupy characteristic, partially overlapping domains in the transverse plane, indicating a systematic pattern of migration and settlement related to axon trajectories. The number of neurons in each of the nonbifurcating classes increased steadily during development. Bifurcating neurons represented a minor fraction of the total throughout development and had relatively scattered positions within the ipsilateral and commissural neuron domains. Combination of retrograde tracing and immunohistochemistry for the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) showed that none of the spinal neurons in the six projection-specific classes was GABA positive, suggesting that all GABA-positive spinal neurons, including previously described GABA-positive commissural neurons, are unlikely to have projections exceeding one or two segments in either direction.

A Postmitotic Role for Isl-Class LIM Homeodomain Proteins in the Assignment of Visceral Spinal Motor Neuron Identity

LIM homeobox genes have a prominent role in the regulation of neuronal subtype identity and distinguish motor neuron subclasses in the embryonic spinal cord. We have investigated the role of Isl-class LIM homeodomain proteins in motor neuron diversification using mouse genetic methods. All spinal motor neuron subtypes initially express both Isl1 and Isl2, but Isl2 is rapidly downregulated by visceral motor neurons. Mouse embryos lacking Isl2 function exhibit defects in the migration and axonal projections of thoracic level motor neurons that appear to reflect a cell-autonomous switch from visceral to somatic motor neuron character. Additional genetic mutations that reduce or eliminate both Isl1 and Isl2 activity result in more pronounced defects in visceral motor neuron generation and erode somatic motor neuron character. Thus, an early phase of high Isl expression and activity in newly generated motor neurons permits the diversification of visceral and somatic motor neuron subtypes in the developing spinal cord.

Specification of neuropeptide cell identity by the integration of retrograde BMP signaling and a combinatorial transcription factor code

Individual neurons express only one or a few of the many identified neurotransmitters and neuropeptides, but the molecular mechanisms controlling their selection are poorly understood. In the Drosophila ventral nerve cord, the six Tv neurons express the neuropeptide gene FMRFamide. Each Tv neuron resides within a neuronal cell group specified by the LIM-homeodomain gene apterous. We find that the zinc-finger gene squeeze acts in Tv cells to promote their unique axon pathfinding to a peripheral target. There, the BMP ligand Glass bottom boat activates the Wishful thinking receptor, initiating a retrograde BMP signal in the Tv neuron. This signal acts together with apterous and squeeze to activate FMRFamide expression. Reconstituting this "code," by combined BMP activation and apterous/squeeze misexpression, triggers ectopic FMRFamide expression in peptidergic neurons. Thus, an intrinsic transcription factor code integrates with an extrinsic retrograde signal to select a specific neuropeptide identity within peptidergic cells.