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Simoes FA, Christoforidou E, Cassel R, Dupuis L, Hafezparast M. Severe dynein dysfunction in cholinergic neurons exacerbates ALS-like phenotypes in a new mouse model. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2025; 1871:167540. [PMID: 39428001 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2024.167540] [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: 05/03/2024] [Revised: 09/12/2024] [Accepted: 10/06/2024] [Indexed: 10/22/2024]
Abstract
Cytoplasmic dynein 1, a motor protein essential for retrograde axonal transport, is increasingly implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In this study, we developed a novel mouse model that combines the Legs at odd angles (Loa, F580Y) point mutation in the dynein heavy chain with a cholinergic neuron-specific knockout of the dynein heavy chain. This model, for the first time, allows us to investigate the impact of Loa allele exclusivity in these neurons into adulthood. Our findings reveal that this selective increase in dynein dysfunction exacerbated the phenotypes observed in heterozygous Loa mice including pre-wean survival, reduced body weight and grip strength. Additionally, it induced ALS-like pathology in neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) not seen in heterozygous Loa mice. Notably, we also found a previously unobserved significant increase in neurons displaying TDP-43 puncta in both Loa mutants, suggesting early TDP-43 mislocalisation - a hallmark of ALS. The novel model also exhibited a concurrent rise in p62 puncta that did not co-localise with TDP-43, indicating broader impairments in autophagic clearance mechanisms. Overall, this new model underscores the fact that dynein impairment alone can induce ALS-like pathology and provides a valuable platform to further explore the role of dynein in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio A Simoes
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, United Kingdom
| | - Eleni Christoforidou
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, United Kingdom
| | | | - Luc Dupuis
- University of Strasbourg, INSERM, UMR-S1329, Strasbourg, France
| | - Majid Hafezparast
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, United Kingdom.
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2
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Nheu D, Petratos S. How does Nogo-A signalling influence mitochondrial function during multiple sclerosis pathogenesis? Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 163:105767. [PMID: 38885889 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105767] [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: 03/17/2024] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 06/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a severe neurological disorder that involves inflammation in the brain, spinal cord and optic nerve with key disabling neuropathological outcomes being axonal damage and demyelination. When degeneration of the axo-glial union occurs, a consequence of inflammatory damage to central nervous system (CNS) myelin, dystrophy and death can lead to large membranous structures from dead oligodendrocytes and degenerative myelin deposited in the extracellular milieu. For the first time, this review covers mitochondrial mechanisms that may be operative during MS-related neurodegenerative changes directly activated during accumulating extracellular deposits of myelin associated inhibitory factors (MAIFs), that include the potent inhibitor of neurite outgrowth, Nogo-A. Axonal damage may occur when Nogo-A binds to and signals through its cognate receptor, NgR1, a multimeric complex, to initially stall axonal transport and limit the delivery of important growth-dependent cargo and subcellular organelles such as mitochondria for metabolic efficiency at sites of axo-glial disintegration as a consequence of inflammation. Metabolic efficiency in axons fails during active demyelination and progressive neurodegeneration, preceded by stalled transport of functional mitochondria to fuel axo-glial integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danica Nheu
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Translational Medicine, Monash University, Prahran, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Steven Petratos
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Translational Medicine, Monash University, Prahran, VIC 3004, Australia.
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3
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Romero DM, Zaidi D, Cifuentes-Diaz C, Maillard C, Grannec G, Selloum M, Birling MC, Bahi-Buisson N, Francis F. A human dynein heavy chain mutation impacts cortical progenitor cells causing developmental defects, reduced brain size and altered brain architecture. Neurobiol Dis 2023; 180:106085. [PMID: 36933672 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106085] [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: 10/29/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Dynein heavy chain (DYNC1H1) mutations can either lead to severe cerebral cortical malformations, or alternatively may be associated with the development of spinal muscular atrophy with lower extremity predominance (SMA-LED). To assess the origin of such differences, we studied a new Dync1h1 knock-in mouse carrying the cortical malformation p.Lys3334Asn mutation. Comparing with an existing neurodegenerative Dync1h1 mutant (Legs at odd angles, Loa, +/p.Phe580Tyr), we assessed Dync1h1's roles in cortical progenitor and especially radial glia functions during embryogenesis, and assessed neuronal differentiation. p.Lys3334Asn /+ mice exhibit reduced brain and body size. Embryonic brains show increased and disorganized radial glia: interkinetic nuclear migration occurs in mutants, however there are increased basally positioned cells and abventricular mitoses. The ventricular boundary is disorganized potentially contributing to progenitor mislocalization and death. Morphologies of mitochondria and Golgi apparatus are perturbed in vitro, with different effects also in Loa mice. Perturbations of neuronal migration and layering are also observed in p.Lys3334Asn /+ mutants. Overall, we identify specific developmental effects due to a severe cortical malformation mutation in Dync1h1, highlighting the differences with a mutation known instead to primarily affect motor function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delfina M Romero
- INSERM UMR-S 1270, F-75005 Paris, France; Sorbonne University, F-75005 Paris, France; Institut du Fer à Moulin, F-75005 Paris, France
| | - Donia Zaidi
- INSERM UMR-S 1270, F-75005 Paris, France; Sorbonne University, F-75005 Paris, France; Institut du Fer à Moulin, F-75005 Paris, France
| | - Carmen Cifuentes-Diaz
- INSERM UMR-S 1270, F-75005 Paris, France; Sorbonne University, F-75005 Paris, France; Institut du Fer à Moulin, F-75005 Paris, France
| | - Camille Maillard
- Laboratory of Genetics and Development of the Cerebral Cortex, INSERM UMR-S 1163, Imagine Institute, Paris, France; Paris Descartes-Sorbonne Paris Cité University, Imagine Institute, Paris, France
| | - Gael Grannec
- INSERM UMR-S 1270, F-75005 Paris, France; Sorbonne University, F-75005 Paris, France; Institut du Fer à Moulin, F-75005 Paris, France
| | - Mohammed Selloum
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Illkirch, France; Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR7104, Illkirch, France; Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U964 Illkirch, France; Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France; CELPHEDIA, PHENOMIN, Institut Clinique de la Souris (ICS), Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France
| | - Marie-Christine Birling
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Illkirch, France; Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR7104, Illkirch, France; Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U964 Illkirch, France; Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France; CELPHEDIA, PHENOMIN, Institut Clinique de la Souris (ICS), Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France
| | - Nadia Bahi-Buisson
- Laboratory of Genetics and Development of the Cerebral Cortex, INSERM UMR-S 1163, Imagine Institute, Paris, France; Paris Descartes-Sorbonne Paris Cité University, Imagine Institute, Paris, France; Pediatric Neurology APHP- Necker Enfants Malades University Hospital, Paris, France.; Centre de Référence, Déficiences Intellectuelles de Causes Rares, APHP- Necker Enfants Malades University Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Fiona Francis
- INSERM UMR-S 1270, F-75005 Paris, France; Sorbonne University, F-75005 Paris, France; Institut du Fer à Moulin, F-75005 Paris, France.
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4
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Lewis PA. Vesicular dysfunction and pathways to neurodegeneration. Essays Biochem 2021; 65:941-948. [PMID: 34897416 PMCID: PMC8709888 DOI: 10.1042/ebc20210034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Cellular control of vesicle biology and trafficking is critical for cell viability, with disruption of these pathways within the cells of the central nervous system resulting in neurodegeneration and disease. The past two decades have provided important insights into both the genetic and biological links between vesicle trafficking and neurodegeneration. In this essay, the pathways that have emerged as being critical for neuronal survival in the human brain will be discussed - illustrating the diversity of proteins and cellular events with three molecular case studies drawn from different neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick A Lewis
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, United States of America
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5
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Lu M, Qiu S, Jiang X, Wen D, Zhang R, Liu Z. Development and Validation of Epigenetic Modification-Related Signals for the Diagnosis and Prognosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Front Oncol 2021; 11:649093. [PMID: 34235075 PMCID: PMC8256693 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.649093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Increasing evidence has indicated that abnormal epigenetic factors such as RNA m6A modification, histone modification, DNA methylation, RNA binding proteins and transcription factors are correlated with hepatocarcinogenesis. However, it is unknown how epigenetic modification-associated genes contribute to the occurrence and clinical outcome of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Thus, we constructed the epigenetic modification-associated models that may enhance the diagnosis and prognosis of HCC. Methods In this study, we focused on the clinical value of epigenetic modification-associated genes for HCC. Our gene expression data were collected from TCGA and HCC data sets from the GEO database to ensure the reliability of the data. Their functions were analyzed by bioinformatics methods. We used lasso regression, Support vector machine (SVM), logistic regression and Cox regression to construct the diagnostic and prognostic models. We also constructed a nomogram of the practicability of the above-mentioned prognostic model. The above results were verified in an independent liver cancer data set from the ICGC database and clinical samples. Furthermore, we carried out pan-cancer analysis to verify the specificity of the above model and screened a wide range of drug candidates. Results Many epigenetic modification-associated genes were significantly different in HCC and normal liver tissues. The gene signatures showed a good ability to predict the occurrence and survival of HCC patients, as verified by DCA and ROC curve analysis. Conclusion Gene signatures based on epigenetic modification-associated genes can be used to identify the occurrence and prognosis of liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maoqing Lu
- Department of Endocrinology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Sheng Qiu
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xianyao Jiang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Diguang Wen
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ronggui Zhang
- Department of Endocrinology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zuojin Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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6
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Fang YL, Li N, Zhi XF, Zheng J, Liu Y, Pu LJ, Gu CY, Shu JB, Cai CQ. Discovery of specific mutations in spinal muscular atrophy patients by next-generation sequencing. Neurol Sci 2020; 42:1827-1833. [PMID: 32895776 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-020-04697-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a type of autosomal recessive genetic disease, which seriously threatens the health and lives of children and adolescents. We attempted to find some genes and mutations related to the onset of SMA. Eighty-three whole-blood samples were collected from 28 core families, including 28 probands with clinically suspected SMA (20 SMA patients, 5 non-SMA children, and 3 patients with unknown etiology) and their parents. The multiplex ligation probe amplification (MLPA) was performed for preliminary diagnosis. The high-throughput sequencing technology was used to conduct the whole-exome sequencing analysis. We analyzed the mutations in adjacent genes of SMN1 gene and the unique mutations that only occurred in SMA patients. According to the MLPA results, 20 probands were regarded as experimental group and 5 non-SMA children as control group. A total of 10 mutations were identified in the adjacent genes of SMN1 gene. GUSBP1 g.[69515863G>A], GUSBP1 g.[69515870C>T], and SMA4 g.[69515738C>A] were the top three most frequent sites. SMA4 g.[69515726A>G] and OCLN c.[818G>T] have not been reported in the existing relevant researches. Seventeen point mutations in the DYNC1H1 gene were only recognized in SMA children, and the top two most common mutations were c.[2869-34A>T] and c.[345-89A>G]; c.[7473+105C>T] was the splicing mutation that might change the mRNA splicing site. The mutations of SMA4 g.[69515726A>G], OCLN c.[818G>T], DYNC1H1 c.[2869-34A>T], DYNC1H1 c.[345-89A>G], and DYNC1H1 c.[7473+105C>T] in the adjacent genes of SMN1 gene and other genes might be related to the onset of SMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Lian Fang
- Institute of Pediatrics, Tianjin Children's Hospital, 238 Longyan Road, Beichen District, Tianjin, 300134, China
| | - Na Li
- Department of Neonatology, The Pediatric Clinical College, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300134, China.,Department of Neonatology, Tianjin Children's Hospital, Tianjin, 300134, China
| | - Xiu-Fang Zhi
- Graduate School, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Jie Zheng
- Graduate School, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Neonatology, The Pediatric Clinical College, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300134, China.,Department of Neonatology, Tianjin Children's Hospital, Tianjin, 300134, China
| | - Lin-Jie Pu
- Graduate School, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Chun-Yu Gu
- Graduate School, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Jian-Bo Shu
- Institute of Pediatrics, Tianjin Children's Hospital, 238 Longyan Road, Beichen District, Tianjin, 300134, China. .,Tianjin Key Laboratory of Birth Defects for Prevention and Treatment, Tianjin, 300134, China.
| | - Chun-Quan Cai
- Institute of Pediatrics, Tianjin Children's Hospital, 238 Longyan Road, Beichen District, Tianjin, 300134, China. .,Tianjin Key Laboratory of Birth Defects for Prevention and Treatment, Tianjin, 300134, China. .,Department of Neurosurgery, Tianjin Children's Hospital, Tianjin, 300134, China.
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7
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Trott L, Hafezparast M, Madzvamuse A. A mathematical understanding of how cytoplasmic dynein walks on microtubules. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2018; 5:171568. [PMID: 30224978 PMCID: PMC6124060 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.171568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2017] [Accepted: 07/13/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Cytoplasmic dynein 1 (hereafter referred to simply as dynein) is a dimeric motor protein that walks and transports intracellular cargos towards the minus end of microtubules. In this article, we formulate, based on physical principles, a mechanical model to describe the stepping behaviour of cytoplasmic dynein walking on microtubules from the cell membrane towards the nucleus. Unlike previous studies on physical models of this nature, we base our formulation on the whole structure of dynein to include the temporal dynamics of the individual subunits such as the cargo (for example, an endosome, vesicle or bead), two rings of six ATPase domains associated with diverse cellular activities (AAA+ rings) and the microtubule-binding domains which allow dynein to bind to microtubules. This mathematical framework allows us to examine experimental observations on dynein across a wide range of different species, as well as being able to make predictions on the temporal behaviour of the individual components of dynein not currently experimentally measured. Furthermore, we extend the model framework to include backward stepping, variable step size and dwelling. The power of our model is in its predictive nature; first it reflects recent experimental observations that dynein walks on microtubules using a weakly coordinated stepping pattern with predominantly not passing steps. Second, the model predicts that interhead coordination in the ATP cycle of cytoplasmic dynein is important in order to obtain the alternating stepping patterns and long run lengths seen in experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- L. Trott
- Department of Mathematics, School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9QH, UK
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9QH, UK
| | - M. Hafezparast
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9QG, UK
| | - A. Madzvamuse
- Department of Mathematics, School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9QH, UK
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8
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Das J, Lilleker JB, Jabbal K, Ealing J. A missense mutation in DYNC1H1 gene causing spinal muscular atrophy - Lower extremity, dominant. Neurol Neurochir Pol 2017; 52:293-297. [PMID: 29306600 DOI: 10.1016/j.pjnns.2017.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2017] [Revised: 11/21/2017] [Accepted: 12/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a hereditary neuromuscular disorder, which causes progressive muscle weakness and in severe cases respiratory failure and death. Although the majority of the SMA cases are autosomal recessive, there is an autosomal dominant variant of SMA that primarily affects the lower extremities, known as 'spinal muscular atrophy - lower extremity, dominant' (SMALED). Mutations in the Dynein Cytoplasmic 1 Heavy Chain 1 (DYNC1H1) gene were the first to be associated with SMALED. Here we report a family with SMALED caused by a pathogenic heterozygous missense c.1809 A>T, p.glu603Asp mutation in DYNC1H1. The main clinical features were congenital hip displacement, talipes, delayed motor development, wasting and weakness in lower limbs with relative sparing of upper extremities and very slow disease progression. SMALED is extremely rare and only a handful of families have been reported. Over the years other phenotypes including Charcot Marie Tooth type 2 and hereditary mental retardation with cortical neural migration defects have also been reported to be caused by DYNC1H1 mutations. This report aims to increase our awareness of SMALED and various other phenotypes associated with mutations in this gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joyutpal Das
- Department of Neurology, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Glossop Road, Sheffield S10 2JF, United Kingdom.
| | - James B Lilleker
- Greater Manchester Neurosciences Centre, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Stott Lane, Salford M6 8HD, United Kingdom.
| | - Kavaldeep Jabbal
- Greater Manchester Neurosciences Centre, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Stott Lane, Salford M6 8HD, United Kingdom.
| | - John Ealing
- Greater Manchester Neurosciences Centre, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Stott Lane, Salford M6 8HD, United Kingdom.
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De Vos KJ, Hafezparast M. Neurobiology of axonal transport defects in motor neuron diseases: Opportunities for translational research? Neurobiol Dis 2017; 105:283-299. [PMID: 28235672 PMCID: PMC5536153 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2017.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 159] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2016] [Revised: 01/26/2017] [Accepted: 02/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Intracellular trafficking of cargoes is an essential process to maintain the structure and function of all mammalian cell types, but especially of neurons because of their extreme axon/dendrite polarisation. Axonal transport mediates the movement of cargoes such as proteins, mRNA, lipids, membrane-bound vesicles and organelles that are mostly synthesised in the cell body and in doing so is responsible for their correct spatiotemporal distribution in the axon, for example at specialised sites such as nodes of Ranvier and synaptic terminals. In addition, axonal transport maintains the essential long-distance communication between the cell body and synaptic terminals that allows neurons to react to their surroundings via trafficking of for example signalling endosomes. Axonal transport defects are a common observation in a variety of neurodegenerative diseases, and mutations in components of the axonal transport machinery have unequivocally shown that impaired axonal transport can cause neurodegeneration (reviewed in El-Kadi et al., 2007, De Vos et al., 2008; Millecamps and Julien, 2013). Here we review our current understanding of axonal transport defects and the role they play in motor neuron diseases (MNDs) with a specific focus on the most common form of MND, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
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Affiliation(s)
- Kurt J De Vos
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2HQ, UK.
| | - Majid Hafezparast
- Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9QG, UK.
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10
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DYNC1H1 mutations associated with neurological diseases compromise processivity of dynein-dynactin-cargo adaptor complexes. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:E1597-E1606. [PMID: 28196890 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1620141114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the human DYNC1H1 gene are associated with neurological diseases. DYNC1H1 encodes the heavy chain of cytoplasmic dynein-1, a 1.4-MDa motor complex that traffics organelles, vesicles, and macromolecules toward microtubule minus ends. The effects of the DYNC1H1 mutations on dynein motility, and consequently their links to neuropathology, are not understood. Here, we address this issue using a recombinant expression system for human dynein coupled to single-molecule resolution in vitro motility assays. We functionally characterize 14 DYNC1H1 mutations identified in humans diagnosed with malformations in cortical development (MCD) or spinal muscular atrophy with lower extremity predominance (SMALED), as well as three mutations that cause motor and sensory defects in mice. Two of the human mutations, R1962C and H3822P, strongly interfere with dynein's core mechanochemical properties. The remaining mutations selectively compromise the processive mode of dynein movement that is activated by binding to the accessory complex dynactin and the cargo adaptor Bicaudal-D2 (BICD2). Mutations with the strongest effects on dynein motility in vitro are associated with MCD. The vast majority of mutations do not affect binding of dynein to dynactin and BICD2 and are therefore expected to result in linkage of cargos to dynein-dynactin complexes that have defective long-range motility. This observation offers an explanation for the dominant effects of DYNC1H1 mutations in vivo. Collectively, our results suggest that compromised processivity of cargo-motor assemblies contributes to human neurological disease and provide insight into the influence of different regions of the heavy chain on dynein motility.
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11
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Yang CW, Chen CL, Chou WC, Lin HC, Jong YJ, Tsai LK, Chuang CY. An Integrative Transcriptomic Analysis for Identifying Novel Target Genes Corresponding to Severity Spectrum in Spinal Muscular Atrophy. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0157426. [PMID: 27331400 PMCID: PMC4917114 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0157426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2016] [Accepted: 05/31/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an inherited neuromuscular disease resulting from a recessive mutation in the SMN1 gene. This disease affects multiple organ systems with varying degrees of severity. Exploration of the molecular pathological changes occurring in different cell types in SMA is crucial for developing new therapies. This study collected 39 human microarray datasets from ArrayExpress and GEO databases to build an integrative transcriptomic analysis for recognizing novel SMA targets. The transcriptomic analysis was conducted through combining weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA) for gene module detection, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) for functional categorization and filtration, and Cytoscape (visual interaction gene network analysis) for target gene identification. Seven novel target genes (Bmp4, Serpine1, Gata6, Ptgs2, Bcl2, IL6 and Cntn1) of SMA were revealed, and are all known in the regulation of TNFα for controlling neural, cardiac and bone development. Sequentially, the differentially expressed patterns of these 7 target genes in mouse tissues (e.g., spinal cord, heart, muscles and bone) were validated in SMA mice of different severities (pre-symptomatic, mildly symptomatic, and severely symptomatic). In severely symptomatic SMA mice, TNFα was up-regulated with attenuation of Bmp4 and increase of Serpine1 and Gata6 (a pathway in neural and cardiac development), but not in pre-symptomatic and mildly symptomatic SMA mice. The severely symptomatic SMA mice also had the elevated levels of Ptgs2 and Bcl2 (a pathway in skeletal development) as well as IL6 and Cntn1 (a pathway in nervous system development). Thus, the 7 genes identified in this study might serve as potential target genes for future investigations of disease pathogenesis and SMA therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chung-Wei Yang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Environmental Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Lin Chen
- Stroke Center and Department of Neurology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Chun Chou
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Environmental Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Ho-Chen Lin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Environmental Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Yuh-Jyh Jong
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Departments of Pediatrics and Clinical Laboratory, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Li-Kai Tsai
- Stroke Center and Department of Neurology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- * E-mail: (LKT); (CYC)
| | - Chun-Yu Chuang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Environmental Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- * E-mail: (LKT); (CYC)
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12
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Identification of a de novo DYNC1H1 mutation via WES according to published guidelines. Sci Rep 2016; 6:20423. [PMID: 26846447 PMCID: PMC4742772 DOI: 10.1038/srep20423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2015] [Accepted: 01/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
De novo mutations that contribute to rare Mendelian diseases, including neurological disorders, have been recently identified. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) has become a powerful tool for the identification of inherited and de novo mutations in Mendelian diseases. Two important guidelines were recently published regarding the investigation of causality of sequence variant in human disease and the interpretation of novel variants identified in human genome sequences. In this study, a family with supposed movement disorders was sequenced via WES (including the proband and her unaffected parents), and a standard investigation and interpretation of the identified variants was performed according to the published guidelines. We identified a novel de novo mutation (c.2327C > T, p.P776L) in DYNC1H1 gene and confirmed that it was the causal variant. The phenotype of the affected twins included delayed motor milestones, pes cavus, lower limb weakness and atrophy, and a waddling gait. Electromyographic (EMG) recordings revealed typical signs of chronic denervation. Our study demonstrates the power of WES to discover the de novo mutations associated with a neurological disease on the whole exome scale, and guidelines to conduct WES studies and interpret of identified variants are a preferable option for the exploration of the pathogenesis of rare neurological disorders.
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Mohan R, Tosolini AP, Morris R. Intramuscular Injections Along the Motor End Plates: A Minimally Invasive Approach to Shuttle Tracers Directly into Motor Neurons. J Vis Exp 2015. [PMID: 26273739 DOI: 10.3791/52846 (2015)] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Diseases affecting the integrity of spinal cord motor neurons are amongst the most debilitating neurological conditions. Over the last decades, the development of several animal models of these neuromuscular disorders has provided the scientific community with different therapeutic scenarios aimed at delaying or reversing the progression of these conditions. By taking advantage of the retrograde machinery of neurons, one of these approaches has been to target skeletal muscles in order to shuttle therapeutic genes into corresponding spinal cord motor neurons. Although once promising, the success of such gene delivery approach has been hampered by the sub-optimal number of transduced motor neurons it has so far shown to yield. Motor end plates (MEPs) are highly specialized regions on the skeletal musculature that are in direct synaptic contact to the spinal cord α motor neurons. In this regard, it is important to note that, so far, the efforts to retrogradely transfer genes into motor neurons were made without reference to the location of the MEP region in the targeted muscles. Here, we describe a simple protocol 1) to reveal the exact location of the MEPs on the surface of skeletal muscles and 2) to use this information to guide the intramuscular delivery and subsequent optimal retrograde transport of retrograde tracers into motor neurons. We hope to utilize the results from these tracing experiments in further studies into investigating retrograde transport of therapeutic genes to spinal cord motor neurons through the targeting of MEPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahul Mohan
- Translational Neuroscience Facility, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales
| | - Andrew P Tosolini
- Translational Neuroscience Facility, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales
| | - Renée Morris
- Translational Neuroscience Facility, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales;
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Mohan R, Tosolini AP, Morris R. Intramuscular Injections Along the Motor End Plates: A Minimally Invasive Approach to Shuttle Tracers Directly into Motor Neurons. J Vis Exp 2015:e52846. [PMID: 26273739 DOI: 10.3791/52846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Diseases affecting the integrity of spinal cord motor neurons are amongst the most debilitating neurological conditions. Over the last decades, the development of several animal models of these neuromuscular disorders has provided the scientific community with different therapeutic scenarios aimed at delaying or reversing the progression of these conditions. By taking advantage of the retrograde machinery of neurons, one of these approaches has been to target skeletal muscles in order to shuttle therapeutic genes into corresponding spinal cord motor neurons. Although once promising, the success of such gene delivery approach has been hampered by the sub-optimal number of transduced motor neurons it has so far shown to yield. Motor end plates (MEPs) are highly specialized regions on the skeletal musculature that are in direct synaptic contact to the spinal cord α motor neurons. In this regard, it is important to note that, so far, the efforts to retrogradely transfer genes into motor neurons were made without reference to the location of the MEP region in the targeted muscles. Here, we describe a simple protocol 1) to reveal the exact location of the MEPs on the surface of skeletal muscles and 2) to use this information to guide the intramuscular delivery and subsequent optimal retrograde transport of retrograde tracers into motor neurons. We hope to utilize the results from these tracing experiments in further studies into investigating retrograde transport of therapeutic genes to spinal cord motor neurons through the targeting of MEPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahul Mohan
- Translational Neuroscience Facility, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales
| | - Andrew P Tosolini
- Translational Neuroscience Facility, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales
| | - Renée Morris
- Translational Neuroscience Facility, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales;
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15
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Mohan R, Tosolini AP, Morris R. Intramuscular Injections Along the Motor End Plates: A Minimally Invasive Approach to Shuttle Tracers Directly into Motor Neurons. JOURNAL OF VISUALIZED EXPERIMENTS : JOVE 2015. [PMID: 26273739 DOI: 10.3791/52846+(2015)] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
Diseases affecting the integrity of spinal cord motor neurons are amongst the most debilitating neurological conditions. Over the last decades, the development of several animal models of these neuromuscular disorders has provided the scientific community with different therapeutic scenarios aimed at delaying or reversing the progression of these conditions. By taking advantage of the retrograde machinery of neurons, one of these approaches has been to target skeletal muscles in order to shuttle therapeutic genes into corresponding spinal cord motor neurons. Although once promising, the success of such gene delivery approach has been hampered by the sub-optimal number of transduced motor neurons it has so far shown to yield. Motor end plates (MEPs) are highly specialized regions on the skeletal musculature that are in direct synaptic contact to the spinal cord α motor neurons. In this regard, it is important to note that, so far, the efforts to retrogradely transfer genes into motor neurons were made without reference to the location of the MEP region in the targeted muscles. Here, we describe a simple protocol 1) to reveal the exact location of the MEPs on the surface of skeletal muscles and 2) to use this information to guide the intramuscular delivery and subsequent optimal retrograde transport of retrograde tracers into motor neurons. We hope to utilize the results from these tracing experiments in further studies into investigating retrograde transport of therapeutic genes to spinal cord motor neurons through the targeting of MEPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahul Mohan
- Translational Neuroscience Facility, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales
| | - Andrew P Tosolini
- Translational Neuroscience Facility, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales
| | - Renée Morris
- Translational Neuroscience Facility, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales;
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Wiesner D, Sinniger J, Henriques A, Dieterlé S, Müller HP, Rasche V, Ferger B, Dirrig-Grosch S, Soylu-Kucharz R, Petersén A, Walther P, Linkus B, Kassubek J, Wong PC, Ludolph AC, Dupuis L. Low dietary protein content alleviates motor symptoms in mice with mutant dynactin/dynein-mediated neurodegeneration. Hum Mol Genet 2014; 24:2228-40. [PMID: 25552654 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddu741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations in components of the molecular motor dynein/dynactin lead to neurodegenerative diseases of the motor system or atypical parkinsonism. These mutations are associated with prominent accumulation of vesicles involved in autophagy and lysosomal pathways, and with protein inclusions. Whether alleviating these defects would affect motor symptoms remain unknown. Here, we show that a mouse model expressing low levels of disease linked-G59S mutant dynactin p150(Glued) develops motor dysfunction >8 months before loss of motor neurons or dopaminergic degeneration is observed. Abnormal accumulation of autophagosomes and protein inclusions were efficiently corrected by lowering dietary protein content, and this was associated with transcriptional upregulations of key players in autophagy. Most importantly this dietary modification partially rescued overall neurological symptoms in these mice after onset. Similar observations were made in another mouse strain carrying a point mutation in the dynein heavy chain gene. Collectively, our data suggest that stimulating the autophagy/lysosomal system through appropriate nutritional intervention has significant beneficial effects on motor symptoms of dynein/dynactin diseases even after symptom onset.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jérome Sinniger
- Inserm U1118, Mécanismes Centraux et Périphériques de la Neurodégénérescence, Strasbourg F-67085, France, Université de Strasbourg, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle (FMTS), UMRS1118, Strasbourg F-67085, France
| | - Alexandre Henriques
- Inserm U1118, Mécanismes Centraux et Périphériques de la Neurodégénérescence, Strasbourg F-67085, France, Université de Strasbourg, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle (FMTS), UMRS1118, Strasbourg F-67085, France
| | - Stéphane Dieterlé
- Inserm U1118, Mécanismes Centraux et Périphériques de la Neurodégénérescence, Strasbourg F-67085, France, Université de Strasbourg, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle (FMTS), UMRS1118, Strasbourg F-67085, France
| | | | | | - Boris Ferger
- CNS Diseases Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, 88397 Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Sylvie Dirrig-Grosch
- Inserm U1118, Mécanismes Centraux et Périphériques de la Neurodégénérescence, Strasbourg F-67085, France, Université de Strasbourg, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle (FMTS), UMRS1118, Strasbourg F-67085, France
| | - Rana Soylu-Kucharz
- Translational Neuroendocrine Research Unit, Department of Experimental Medical Sciences, Lund University, 22184 Lund, Sweden and
| | - Asa Petersén
- Translational Neuroendocrine Research Unit, Department of Experimental Medical Sciences, Lund University, 22184 Lund, Sweden and
| | - Paul Walther
- Central Facility for Electron Microscopy, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | | | | | - Philip C Wong
- Department of Pathology and Neuroscience and Division of Neuropathology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | | | - Luc Dupuis
- Inserm U1118, Mécanismes Centraux et Périphériques de la Neurodégénérescence, Strasbourg F-67085, France, Université de Strasbourg, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle (FMTS), UMRS1118, Strasbourg F-67085, France,
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