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Falace A, Corbieres L, Palminha C, Guarnieri FC, Schaller F, Buhler E, Tuccari di San Carlo C, Montheil A, Watrin F, Manent JB, Represa A, de Chevigny A, Pallesi-Pocachard E, Cardoso C. FLNA regulates neuronal maturation by modulating RAC1-Cofilin activity in the developing cortex. Neurobiol Dis 2024; 198:106558. [PMID: 38852754 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2024.106558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Periventricular nodular heterotopia (PNH), the most common brain malformation diagnosed in adulthood, is characterized by the presence of neuronal nodules along the ventricular walls. PNH is mainly associated with mutations in the FLNA gene - encoding an actin-binding protein - and patients often develop epilepsy. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the neuronal failure still remain elusive. It has been hypothesized that dysfunctional cortical circuitry, rather than ectopic neurons, may explain the clinical manifestations. To address this issue, we depleted FLNA from cortical pyramidal neurons of a conditional Flnaflox/flox mice by timed in utero electroporation of Cre recombinase. We found that FLNA regulates dendritogenesis and spinogenesis thus promoting an appropriate excitatory/inhibitory inputs balance. We demonstrated that FLNA modulates RAC1 and cofilin activity through its interaction with the Rho-GTPase Activating Protein 24 (ARHGAP24). Collectively, we disclose an uncharacterized role of FLNA and provide strong support for neural circuit dysfunction being a consequence of FLNA mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Falace
- Pediatric Neurology and Muscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Istituto "Giannina Gaslini", Genova, Italy.
| | - Lea Corbieres
- INMED, INSERM UMR1249, Aix Marseille University, Parc Scientifique de Luminy, Marseille, France
| | - Catia Palminha
- INMED, INSERM UMR1249, Aix Marseille University, Parc Scientifique de Luminy, Marseille, France
| | - Fabrizia Claudia Guarnieri
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council (CNR), Vedano al Lambro (MB), Italy; IRCSS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Fabienne Schaller
- INMED, INSERM UMR1249, Aix Marseille University, Parc Scientifique de Luminy, Marseille, France
| | - Emmanuelle Buhler
- INMED, INSERM UMR1249, Aix Marseille University, Parc Scientifique de Luminy, Marseille, France
| | - Clara Tuccari di San Carlo
- Pediatric Neurology Unit and Laboratories, IRCCS Meyer Children's Hospital University of Florence, Firenze, Italy
| | - Aurelie Montheil
- INMED, INSERM UMR1249, Aix Marseille University, Parc Scientifique de Luminy, Marseille, France; INMED, INSERM UMR1249, Aix Marseille University, Molecular and Cellular Biology Platform, Parc Scientifique de Luminy, Marseille, France
| | - Françoise Watrin
- INMED, INSERM UMR1249, Aix Marseille University, Parc Scientifique de Luminy, Marseille, France
| | - Jean Bernard Manent
- INMED, INSERM UMR1249, Aix Marseille University, Parc Scientifique de Luminy, Marseille, France
| | - Alfonso Represa
- INMED, INSERM UMR1249, Aix Marseille University, Parc Scientifique de Luminy, Marseille, France
| | - Antoine de Chevigny
- INMED, INSERM UMR1249, Aix Marseille University, Parc Scientifique de Luminy, Marseille, France
| | - Emilie Pallesi-Pocachard
- INMED, INSERM UMR1249, Aix Marseille University, Parc Scientifique de Luminy, Marseille, France; INMED, INSERM UMR1249, Aix Marseille University, Molecular and Cellular Biology Platform, Parc Scientifique de Luminy, Marseille, France
| | - Carlos Cardoso
- INMED, INSERM UMR1249, Aix Marseille University, Parc Scientifique de Luminy, Marseille, France.
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Her Y, Pascual DM, Goldstone-Joubert Z, Marcogliese PC. Variant functional assessment in Drosophila by overexpression: what can we learn? Genome 2024; 67:158-167. [PMID: 38412472 DOI: 10.1139/gen-2023-0135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
The last decade has been highlighted by the increased use of next-generation DNA sequencing technology to identify novel human disease genes. A critical downstream part of this process is assigning function to a candidate gene variant. Functional studies in Drosophila melanogaster, the common fruit fly, have made a prominent contribution in annotating variant impact in an in vivo system. The use of patient-derived knock-in flies or rescue-based, "humanization", approaches are novel and valuable strategies in variant testing but have been recently widely reviewed. An often-overlooked strategy for determining variant impact has been GAL4/upstream activation sequence-mediated tissue-defined overexpression in Drosophila. This mini-review will summarize the recent contribution of ectopic overexpression of human reference and variant cDNA in Drosophila to assess variant function, interpret the consequence of the variant, and in some cases infer biological mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yina Her
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
- Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba (CHRIM), University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Danielle M Pascual
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
- Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba (CHRIM), University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Zoe Goldstone-Joubert
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
- Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba (CHRIM), University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Paul C Marcogliese
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
- Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba (CHRIM), University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
- Excellence in Neurodevelopment and Rehabilitation Research in Child Health (ENRRICH) Theme, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
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3
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Meunier C, Cassart M, Kostyla K, Simonis N, Monestier O, Tessier A. An unusual presentation of de novo RAC3 variation in prenatal diagnosis. Childs Nerv Syst 2024; 40:1597-1602. [PMID: 38214746 PMCID: PMC11026260 DOI: 10.1007/s00381-024-06285-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2024] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
Pathogenic variants in RAC3 cause a neurodevelopmental disorder with brain malformations and craniofacial dysmorphism, called NEDBAF. This gene encodes a small GTPase, which plays a critical role in neurogenesis and neuronal migration. We report a 31 weeks of gestation fetus with triventricular dilatation, and temporal and perisylvian polymicrogyria, without cerebellar, brainstem, or callosal anomalies. Trio whole exome sequencing identified a RAC3 (NM_005052.3, GRCh38) probably pathogenic de novo variant c.276 T>A p.(Asn92Lys). Eighteen patients harboring 13 different and essentially de novo missense RAC3 variants were previously reported. All the patients presented with corpus callosum malformations. Gyration disorders, ventriculomegaly (VM), and brainstem and cerebellar malformations have frequently been described. The only previous prenatal case associated with RAC3 variant presented with complex brain malformations, mainly consisting of midline and posterior fossa anomalies. We report the second prenatal case of NEDBAF presenting an undescribed pattern of cerebral anomalies, including VM and polymicrogyria, without callosal, cerebellar, or brainstem malformations. All neuroimaging data were reviewed to clarify the spectrum of cerebral malformations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colombine Meunier
- Institut de Pathologie et de Génétique, IPG, 25, Avenue Georges Lemaitre, 6041, Gosselies, Belgium.
| | - Marie Cassart
- Hôpitaux Iris Sud and CHU Saint-Pierre, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Nicolas Simonis
- Institut de Pathologie et de Génétique, IPG, 25, Avenue Georges Lemaitre, 6041, Gosselies, Belgium
| | - Olivier Monestier
- Institut de Pathologie et de Génétique, IPG, 25, Avenue Georges Lemaitre, 6041, Gosselies, Belgium
| | - Aude Tessier
- Institut de Pathologie et de Génétique, IPG, 25, Avenue Georges Lemaitre, 6041, Gosselies, Belgium
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4
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Donkó Á, Sharapova SO, Kabat J, Ganesan S, Hauck FH, Bergerson JRE, Marois L, Abbott J, Moshous D, Williams KW, Campbell N, Martin PL, Lagresle-Peyrou C, Trojan T, Kuzmenko NB, Deordieva EA, Raykina EV, Abers MS, Abolhassani H, Barlogis V, Milla C, Hall G, Mousallem T, Church J, Kapoor N, Cros G, Chapdelaine H, Franco-Jarava C, Lopez-Lerma I, Miano M, Leiding JW, Klein C, Stasia MJ, Fischer A, Hsiao KC, Martelius T, Sepännen MRJ, Barmettler S, Walter J, Masmas TN, Mukhina AA, Falcone EL, Kracker S, Shcherbina A, Holland SM, Leto TL, Hsu AP. Clinical and functional spectrum of RAC2-related immunodeficiency. Blood 2024; 143:1476-1487. [PMID: 38194689 PMCID: PMC11033590 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2023022098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Mutations in the small Rho-family guanosine triphosphate hydrolase RAC2, critical for actin cytoskeleton remodeling and intracellular signal transduction, are associated with neonatal severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), infantile neutrophilic disorder resembling leukocyte adhesion deficiency (LAD), and later-onset combined immune deficiency (CID). We investigated 54 patients (23 previously reported) from 37 families yielding 15 novel RAC2 missense mutations, including one present only in homozygosity. Data were collected from referring physicians and literature reports with updated clinical information. Patients were grouped by presentation: neonatal SCID (n = 5), infantile LAD-like disease (n = 5), or CID (n = 44). Disease correlated to RAC2 activity: constitutively active RAS-like mutations caused neonatal SCID, dominant-negative mutations caused LAD-like disease, whereas dominant-activating mutations caused CID. Significant T- and B-lymphopenia with low immunoglobulins were seen in most patients; myeloid abnormalities included neutropenia, altered oxidative burst, impaired neutrophil migration, and visible neutrophil macropinosomes. Among 42 patients with CID with clinical data, upper and lower respiratory infections and viral infections were common. Twenty-three distinct RAC2 mutations, including 15 novel variants, were identified. Using heterologous expression systems, we assessed downstream effector functions including superoxide production, p21-activated kinase 1 binding, AKT activation, and protein stability. Confocal microscopy showed altered actin assembly evidenced by membrane ruffling and macropinosomes. Altered protein localization and aggregation were observed. All tested RAC2 mutant proteins exhibited aberrant function; no single assay was sufficient to determine functional consequence. Most mutants produced elevated superoxide; mutations unable to support superoxide formation were associated with bacterial infections. RAC2 mutations cause a spectrum of immune dysfunction, ranging from early onset SCID to later-onset combined immunodeficiencies depending on RAC2 activity. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT00001355 and #NCT00001467.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ágnes Donkó
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Svetlana O. Sharapova
- Research Department, Belarusian Research Center for Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Immunology, Minsk, Belarus
| | - Juraj Kabat
- Research Technologies Branch, Biological Imaging Section, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Sundar Ganesan
- Research Technologies Branch, Biological Imaging Section, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Fabian H. Hauck
- Department of Pediatrics, Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Jenna R. E. Bergerson
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Louis Marois
- Department of Medicine, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Montréal and Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Medecine, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec, Université de Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Jordan Abbott
- University of Colorado School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Allergy and Immunology, Children’s Hospital of Colorado, Aurora, CO
| | - Despina Moshous
- Pediatric Hematology-Immunology and Rheumatology Department, Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades, Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris Centre Université de Paris, Paris, France
- Université de Paris, Imagine Institute, Laboratory of Genome Dynamics in the Immune System, INSERM UMR 1163, Paris, France
| | - Kelli W. Williams
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | | | - Paul L. Martin
- Division of Transplant and Cellular Therapy, Duke University Medical School, Durham, NC
| | - Chantal Lagresle-Peyrou
- Université Paris Cité, Imagine Institute, INSERM UMR 1163, Paris, France
- Biotherapy Clinical Investigation Center, Groupe Hospitalier Universitaire Ouest, Assistance Publique–Hôpitaux de Paris, INSERM, Paris, France
| | | | - Natalia B. Kuzmenko
- D. Rogachev National Medical and Research Center for Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Immunology, Moscow, Russia
| | - Ekaterina A. Deordieva
- D. Rogachev National Medical and Research Center for Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Immunology, Moscow, Russia
| | - Elena V. Raykina
- D. Rogachev National Medical and Research Center for Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Immunology, Moscow, Russia
| | - Michael S. Abers
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Hassan Abolhassani
- Division of Clinical Immunology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet at Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
- Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Pediatrics Center of Excellence, Children’s Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Vincent Barlogis
- Pediatric Hematology Unit, La Timone University Hospital, Marseille, France
| | - Carlos Milla
- Center for Excellence in Pulmonary Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
| | - Geoffrey Hall
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC
| | - Talal Mousallem
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Allergy and Immunology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC
| | - Joseph Church
- Pediatric Allergy/Immunology, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
- Clinical Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Neena Kapoor
- Division of Hematology, Oncology and Blood and Marrow Transplant, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Guilhem Cros
- Department of Medicine, Université de Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Hugo Chapdelaine
- Department of Medicine, Université de Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Clara Franco-Jarava
- Department of Immunology, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ingrid Lopez-Lerma
- Department of Immunology, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maurizio Miano
- Haematology Unit, Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Healthcare Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Jennifer W. Leiding
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
- Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, St. Petersburg, FL
| | - Christoph Klein
- Department of Pediatrics, Dr. von Hauner Children’s Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Marie José Stasia
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Grenoble Alpes, Pôle de Biologie, Centre Diagnostic et Recherche sur la Granulomatose Septique Chronique, Grenoble, France
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Centre National de le Recherche Scientifique, CEA, UMR5075, Institut de Biologie Structurale, Grenoble, France
| | - Alain Fischer
- Université Paris Cité, Imagine Institute, Laboratory of Human Lymphohematopoiesis, INSERM UMR 1163, Paris, France
| | - Kuang-Chih Hsiao
- Department of Immunology, Starship Child Health, Te Whatu Ora, Auckland, New Zealand
- Department of Paediatrics: Child and Youth Health, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Timi Martelius
- Inflammation Center/Infectious Diseases, University of Helsinki and HUS Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mikko R. J. Sepännen
- Adult Immunodeficiency Unit, Infectious Diseases, Inflammation Center, University of Helsinki and HUS Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
- ERN-RITA Core Center Member, RITAFIN, Helsinki, Finland
- Rare Disease Center and Pediatric Research Center, Children and Adolescents, University of Helsinki and HUS Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Research Program, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Sara Barmettler
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Jolan Walter
- University of South Florida at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, St. Petersburg, FL
| | - Tania N. Masmas
- Pediatric Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation and Immunodeficiency, The Child and Adolescent Department, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anna A. Mukhina
- D. Rogachev National Medical and Research Center for Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Immunology, Moscow, Russia
| | - Emilia Liana Falcone
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity and Infectious Diseases, Montreal Clinical Research Institute, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Sven Kracker
- Université Paris Cité, Imagine Institute, Laboratory of Human Lymphohematopoiesis, INSERM UMR 1163, Paris, France
| | - Anna Shcherbina
- D. Rogachev National Medical and Research Center for Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Immunology, Moscow, Russia
| | - Steven M. Holland
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Thomas L. Leto
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Amy P. Hsu
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
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Kim J, Bustamante E, Sotonyi P, Maxwell ND, Parameswaran P, Kent JK, Wetsel WC, Soderblom EJ, Rácz B, Soderling SH. Presynaptic Rac1 in the hippocampus selectively regulates working memory. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.18.585488. [PMID: 38562715 PMCID: PMC10983896 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.18.585488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
One of the most extensively studied members of the Ras superfamily of small GTPases, Rac1 is an intracellular signal transducer that remodels actin and phosphorylation signaling networks. Previous studies have shown that Rac1-mediated signaling is associated with hippocampal-dependent working memory and longer-term forms of learning and memory and that Rac1 can modulate forms of both pre- and postsynaptic plasticity. How these different cognitive functions and forms of plasticity mediated by Rac1 are linked, however, is unclear. Here, we show that spatial working memory is selectively impaired following the expression of a genetically encoded Rac1-inhibitor at presynaptic terminals, while longer-term cognitive processes are affected by Rac1 inhibition at postsynaptic sites. To investigate the regulatory mechanisms of this presynaptic process, we leveraged new advances in mass spectrometry to identify the proteomic and post-translational landscape of presynaptic Rac1 signaling. We identified serine/threonine kinases and phosphorylated cytoskeletal signaling and synaptic vesicle proteins enriched with active Rac1. The phosphorylated sites in these proteins are at positions likely to have regulatory effects on synaptic vesicles. Consistent with this, we also report changes in the distribution and morphology of synaptic vesicles and in postsynaptic ultrastructure following presynaptic Rac1 inhibition. Overall, this study reveals a previously unrecognized presynaptic role of Rac1 signaling in cognitive processes and provides insights into its potential regulatory mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaebin Kim
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical School, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Edwin Bustamante
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical School, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Peter Sotonyi
- Department of Anatomy and Histology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Nicholas D Maxwell
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical School, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Pooja Parameswaran
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical School, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Julie K Kent
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical School, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - William C Wetsel
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical School, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Mouse Behavioral and Neuroendocrine Analysis Core Facility, Duke University Medical School, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University Medical School, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Erik J Soderblom
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical School, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Mouse Behavioral and Neuroendocrine Analysis Core Facility, Duke University Medical School, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Bence Rácz
- Department of Anatomy and Histology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Scott H Soderling
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical School, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University Medical School, Durham, North Carolina, USA
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6
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Muñoz-Juan A, Benseny-Cases N, Guha S, Barba I, Caldwell KA, Caldwell GA, Agulló L, Yuste VJ, Laromaine A, Dalfó E. Caenorhabditis elegans RAC1/ced-10 mutants as a new animal model to study very early stages of Parkinson's disease. Prog Neurobiol 2024; 234:102572. [PMID: 38253120 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2024.102572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) display non-motor symptoms arising prior to the appearance of motor signs and before a clear diagnosis. Motor and non-motor symptoms correlate with progressive deposition of the protein alpha-synuclein (Asyn) both within and outside of the central nervous system, and its accumulation parallels neurodegeneration. The genome of Caenorhabditis elegans does not encode a homolog of Asyn, thus rendering this nematode an invaluable system with which to investigate PD-related mechanisms in the absence of interference from endogenous Asyn aggregation. CED-10 is the nematode homolog of human RAC1, a small GTPase needed to maintain the function and survival of dopaminergic neurons against human Asyn-induced toxicity in C. elegans. Here, we introduce C. elegans RAC1/ced-10 mutants as a predictive tool to investigate early PD symptoms before neurodegeneration occurs. Deep phenotyping of these animals reveals that, early in development, they displayed altered defecation cycles, GABAergic abnormalities and an increased oxidation index. Moreover, they exhibited altered lipid metabolism evidenced by the accumulation of lipid droplets. Lipidomic fingerprinting indicates that phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin, but not phosphatidylethanolamine or phosphatidylserine, were elevated in RAC1/ced-10 mutant nematodes. These collective characteristics reflect the non-motor dysfunction, GABAergic neurotransmission defects, upregulation of stress response mechanisms, and metabolic changes associated with early-onset PD. Thus, we put forward an easy-to-manipulate preclinical animal model to deepen our understanding of early-stage PD and accelerate the translational path for therapeutic target discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Muñoz-Juan
- Group of Nanoparticles and Nanocomposites, Institut Ciència de Materials de Barcelona, ICMAB-CSIC, Campus UAB, 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - N Benseny-Cases
- Biophysics Unit. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra 08193, Barcelona, Spain
| | - S Guha
- Nautilus Biotechnology, 835 Industrial Rd, San Carlos, CA 94070, USA
| | - I Barba
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia (UVic-UCC), Institute for Research and Innovation in Life Sciences and Health in Central Catalonia (IRIS-CC), Can Baumann, 08500 Vic, Spain
| | - K A Caldwell
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA; Department of Neurology, Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, and Nathan Shock Center of Excellence in the Basic Biology of Aging, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - G A Caldwell
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA; Department of Neurology, Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, and Nathan Shock Center of Excellence in the Basic Biology of Aging, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - L Agulló
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia (UVic-UCC), Institute for Research and Innovation in Life Sciences and Health in Central Catalonia (IRIS-CC), Can Baumann, 08500 Vic, Spain
| | - V J Yuste
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institut de Neurociències, Faculty of Medicine, M2, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra Campus, Cerdanyola del Vallés, Barcelona, Spain
| | - A Laromaine
- Group of Nanoparticles and Nanocomposites, Institut Ciència de Materials de Barcelona, ICMAB-CSIC, Campus UAB, 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - E Dalfó
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia (UVic-UCC), Institute for Research and Innovation in Life Sciences and Health in Central Catalonia (IRIS-CC), Can Baumann, 08500 Vic, Spain; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institut de Neurociències, Faculty of Medicine, M2, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra Campus, Cerdanyola del Vallés, Barcelona, Spain; Institute of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Campus UAB, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain.
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7
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Rani N, Boora N, Rani R, Kumar V, Ahalawat N. Molecular dynamics simulation of RAC1 protein and its de novo variants related to developmental disorders. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2023:1-10. [PMID: 37897175 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2275188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are conceptualized as childhood disability, but it has increasingly been recognized as lifelong neurological conditions that could notably impact adult functioning and quality of life. About 1%-3% of the general population suffers from NDDs including ADHD, ASD, IDD, communication disorders, motor disorders, etc. Studies suggest that Rho GTPases are key in neuronal development, highlighting the importance of altered GTPase signaling in NDDs. RAC1, a member of the Rho GTPase family, plays a critical role in neurogenesis, migration, synapse formation, axon growth, and regulation of actin cytoskeleton dynamics. We performed 6µs all-atom molecular dynamics simulation of native RAC1 (PDB: 3TH5) and three-point mutations (C18Y, N39S, and Y64D) related to developmental disorders to understand the impact of mutations on protein stability and functional dynamics. Our analysis, which included root mean square deviation (RMSD), root mean square fluctuation (RMSF), solvent accessible surface area (SASA), radius of gyration (Rg), free energy landscape (FEL), and principal component analysis (PCA), revealed that the N39S and Y64D mutations induced significant structural changes in RAC1. These alterations primarily occurred in the functional region adjacent to switch II, a region crucial for complex conformational rearrangements during the GDP and GTP exchange cycle.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nigam Rani
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, CCS Haryana Agricultural University Hisar, Hisar, India
| | - Nisha Boora
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, CCS Haryana Agricultural University Hisar, Hisar, India
| | - Reena Rani
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, CCS Haryana Agricultural University Hisar, Hisar, India
| | - Vinay Kumar
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, CCS Haryana Agricultural University Hisar, Hisar, India
| | - Navjeet Ahalawat
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, CCS Haryana Agricultural University Hisar, Hisar, India
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8
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Alexander MS, Velinov M. DOCK3-Associated Neurodevelopmental Disorder-Clinical Features and Molecular Basis. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1940. [PMID: 37895289 PMCID: PMC10606569 DOI: 10.3390/genes14101940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The protein product of DOCK3 is highly expressed in neurons and has a role in cell adhesion and neuronal outgrowth through its interaction with the actin cytoskeleton and key cell signaling molecules. The DOCK3 protein is essential for normal cell growth and migration. Biallelic variants in DOCK3 associated with complete or partial loss of function of the gene were recently reported in six patients with intellectual disability and muscle hypotonia. Only one of the reported patients had congenital malformations outside of the CNS. Further studies are necessary to better determine the prevalence of DOCK3-associated neurodevelopmental disorders and the frequency of non-CNS clinical manifestations in these patients. Since deficiency of the DOCK3 protein product is now an established pathway of this neurodevelopmental condition, supplementing the deficient gene product using a gene therapy approach may be an efficient treatment strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew S. Alexander
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham and Children’s of Alabama, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA;
- UAB Center for Exercise Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
- UAB Civitan International Research Center (CIRC), University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
- UAB Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics (CNET), University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Milen Velinov
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Genetics, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
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9
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Seyama R, Nishikawa M, Uchiyama Y, Hamada K, Yamamoto Y, Takeda M, Ochi T, Kishi M, Suzuki T, Hamanaka K, Fujita A, Tsuchida N, Koshimizu E, Misawa K, Miyatake S, Mizuguchi T, Makino S, Yao T, Ito H, Itakura A, Ogata K, Nagata KI, Matsumoto N. A missense variant at the RAC1-PAK1 binding site of RAC1 inactivates downstream signaling in VACTERL association. Sci Rep 2023; 13:9789. [PMID: 37328543 PMCID: PMC10275923 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-36381-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023] Open
Abstract
RAC1 at 7p22.1 encodes a RAC family small GTPase that regulates actin cytoskeleton organization and intracellular signaling pathways. Pathogenic RAC1 variants result in developmental delay and multiple anomalies. Here, exome sequencing identified a rare de novo RAC1 variant [NM_018890.4:c.118T > C p.(Tyr40His)] in a male patient. Fetal ultrasonography indicated the patient to have multiple anomalies, including persistent left superior vena cava, total anomalous pulmonary venous return, esophageal atresia, scoliosis, and right-hand polydactyly. After birth, craniofacial dysmorphism and esophagobronchial fistula were confirmed and VACTERL association was suspected. One day after birth, the patient died of respiratory failure caused by tracheal aplasia type III. The molecular mechanisms of pathogenic RAC1 variants remain largely unclear; therefore, we biochemically examined the pathophysiological significance of RAC1-p.Tyr40His by focusing on the best characterized downstream effector of RAC1, PAK1, which activates Hedgehog signaling. RAC1-p.Tyr40His interacted minimally with PAK1, and did not enable PAK1 activation. Variants in the RAC1 Switch II region consistently activate downstream signals, whereas the p.Tyr40His variant at the RAC1-PAK1 binding site and adjacent to the Switch I region may deactivate the signals. It is important to accumulate data from individuals with different RAC1 variants to gain a full understanding of their varied clinical presentations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rie Seyama
- Department of Human Genetics, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Fukuura 3-9, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama, 236-0004, Japan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masashi Nishikawa
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Institute for Developmental Research, Aichi Developmental Disability Center, 713-8 Kamiya, Kasugai, Aichi, 480-0392, Japan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yuri Uchiyama
- Department of Human Genetics, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Fukuura 3-9, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama, 236-0004, Japan
- Department of Rare Disease Genomics, Yokohama City University Hospital, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Keisuke Hamada
- Department of Biochemistry, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Yuka Yamamoto
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masahiro Takeda
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takanori Ochi
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Monami Kishi
- Department of Human Pathology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Toshifumi Suzuki
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Keiai Hospital, Saitama, Japan
| | - Kohei Hamanaka
- Department of Human Genetics, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Fukuura 3-9, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama, 236-0004, Japan
| | - Atsushi Fujita
- Department of Human Genetics, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Fukuura 3-9, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama, 236-0004, Japan
| | - Naomi Tsuchida
- Department of Human Genetics, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Fukuura 3-9, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama, 236-0004, Japan
- Department of Rare Disease Genomics, Yokohama City University Hospital, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Eriko Koshimizu
- Department of Human Genetics, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Fukuura 3-9, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama, 236-0004, Japan
| | - Kazuharu Misawa
- Department of Human Genetics, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Fukuura 3-9, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama, 236-0004, Japan
- RIKEN Center for Advanced Intelligence Project, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Satoko Miyatake
- Department of Human Genetics, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Fukuura 3-9, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama, 236-0004, Japan
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Yokohama City University Hospital, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Takeshi Mizuguchi
- Department of Human Genetics, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Fukuura 3-9, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama, 236-0004, Japan
| | - Shintaro Makino
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Juntendo University Urayasu Hospital, Urayasu, Japan
| | - Takashi Yao
- Department of Human Pathology, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hidenori Ito
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Institute for Developmental Research, Aichi Developmental Disability Center, 713-8 Kamiya, Kasugai, Aichi, 480-0392, Japan
| | - Atsuo Itakura
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Ogata
- Department of Biochemistry, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Koh-Ichi Nagata
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Institute for Developmental Research, Aichi Developmental Disability Center, 713-8 Kamiya, Kasugai, Aichi, 480-0392, Japan.
- Department of Neurochemistry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Nagoya, Japan, 466-8550.
| | - Naomichi Matsumoto
- Department of Human Genetics, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Fukuura 3-9, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama, 236-0004, Japan.
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