1
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Kalotay E, Klugmann M, Housley GD, Fröhlich D. Dominant aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase disorders: lessons learned from in vivo disease models. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1182845. [PMID: 37274211 PMCID: PMC10234151 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1182845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (ARSs) play an essential role in protein synthesis, being responsible for ligating tRNA molecules to their corresponding amino acids in a reaction known as 'tRNA aminoacylation'. Separate ARSs carry out the aminoacylation reaction in the cytosol and in mitochondria, and mutations in almost all ARS genes cause pathophysiology most evident in the nervous system. Dominant mutations in multiple cytosolic ARSs have been linked to forms of peripheral neuropathy including Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, distal hereditary motor neuropathy, and spinal muscular atrophy. This review provides an overview of approaches that have been employed to model each of these diseases in vivo, followed by a discussion of the existing animal models of dominant ARS disorders and key mechanistic insights that they have provided. In summary, ARS disease models have demonstrated that loss of canonical ARS function alone cannot fully account for the observed disease phenotypes, and that pathogenic ARS variants cause developmental defects within the peripheral nervous system, despite a typically later onset of disease in humans. In addition, aberrant interactions between mutant ARSs and other proteins have been shown to contribute to the disease phenotypes. These findings provide a strong foundation for future research into this group of diseases, providing methodological guidance for studies on ARS disorders that currently lack in vivo models, as well as identifying candidate therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Kalotay
- Translational Neuroscience Facility and Department of Physiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Matthias Klugmann
- Translational Neuroscience Facility and Department of Physiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Research Beyond Borders, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Gary D. Housley
- Translational Neuroscience Facility and Department of Physiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Dominik Fröhlich
- Translational Neuroscience Facility and Department of Physiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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2
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Smith AS, Kim JH, Chun C, Gharai A, Moon HW, Kim EY, Nam SH, Ha N, Song JY, Chung KW, Doo HM, Hesson J, Mathieu J, Bothwell M, Choi BO, Kim DH. HDAC6 Inhibition Corrects Electrophysiological and Axonal Transport Deficits in a Human Stem Cell-Based Model of Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease (Type 2D). Adv Biol (Weinh) 2022; 6:e2101308. [PMID: 34958183 PMCID: PMC8849597 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202101308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 2D (CMT2D), is a hereditary peripheral neuropathy caused by mutations in the gene encoding glycyl-tRNA synthetase (GARS1). Here, human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-based models of CMT2D bearing mutations in GARS1 and their use for the identification of predictive biomarkers amenable to therapeutic efficacy screening is described. Cultures containing spinal cord motor neurons generated from this line exhibit network activity marked by significant deficiencies in spontaneous action potential firing and burst fire behavior. This result matches clinical data collected from a patient bearing a GARS1P724H mutation and is coupled with significant decreases in acetylated α-tubulin levels and mitochondrial movement within axons. Treatment with histone deacetylase 6 inhibitors, tubastatin A and CKD504, improves mitochondrial movement and α-tubulin acetylation in these cells. Furthermore, CKD504 treatment enhances population-level electrophysiological activity, highlighting its potential as an effective treatment for CMT2D.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Changho Chun
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Ava Gharai
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Hyo Won Moon
- Department of Neurology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Young Kim
- Department of Neurology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Soo Hyun Nam
- Department of Neurology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine Institute, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul 06351, Republic of Korea
| | - Nina Ha
- CKD Research Institute, Yongin, 16995, Republic of Korea
| | - Ju Yong Song
- CKD Research Institute, Yongin, 16995, Republic of Korea
| | - Ki Wha Chung
- Department of Biological Sciences, Kongju National University, Gongju 32588, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Myung Doo
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, SAIHST, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul 06351, Republic of Korea.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Jennifer Hesson
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.,Department of Comparative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Julie Mathieu
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.,Department of Comparative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Mark Bothwell
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Washington, Seattle WA 98195, USA.,Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Byung-Ok Choi
- Authors share corresponding authorship: To whom correspondence should be addressed: Dr. Deok-Ho Kim, Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Ross Research Building, 724B, 720 Rutland Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21205, , Dr. Byung-Ok Choi, Department of Neurology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 81 Irwon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul 06351, Republic of Korea,
| | - Deok-Ho Kim
- Authors share corresponding authorship: To whom correspondence should be addressed: Dr. Deok-Ho Kim, Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Ross Research Building, 724B, 720 Rutland Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21205, , Dr. Byung-Ok Choi, Department of Neurology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 81 Irwon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul 06351, Republic of Korea,
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3
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Zuko A, Mallik M, Thompson R, Spaulding EL, Wienand AR, Been M, Tadenev ALD, van Bakel N, Sijlmans C, Santos LA, Bussmann J, Catinozzi M, Das S, Kulshrestha D, Burgess RW, Ignatova Z, Storkebaum E. tRNA overexpression rescues peripheral neuropathy caused by mutations in tRNA synthetase. Science 2021; 373:1161-1166. [PMID: 34516840 DOI: 10.1126/science.abb3356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
[Figure: see text].
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Affiliation(s)
- Amila Zuko
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour and Faculty of Science, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Moushami Mallik
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour and Faculty of Science, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands.,Molecular Neurogenetics Laboratory, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster, Germany
| | - Robin Thompson
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Chemistry, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Emily L Spaulding
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME, USA.,Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, University of Maine, Orono, ME, USA
| | - Anne R Wienand
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour and Faculty of Science, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Marije Been
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour and Faculty of Science, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | | | - Nick van Bakel
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour and Faculty of Science, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Céline Sijlmans
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour and Faculty of Science, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Leonardo A Santos
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Chemistry, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Julia Bussmann
- Molecular Neurogenetics Laboratory, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster, Germany
| | - Marica Catinozzi
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour and Faculty of Science, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands.,Molecular Neurogenetics Laboratory, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster, Germany
| | - Sarada Das
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Chemistry, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Divita Kulshrestha
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour and Faculty of Science, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands.,Molecular Neurogenetics Laboratory, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster, Germany
| | - Robert W Burgess
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME, USA.,Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, University of Maine, Orono, ME, USA
| | - Zoya Ignatova
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Chemistry, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Erik Storkebaum
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour and Faculty of Science, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands.,Molecular Neurogenetics Laboratory, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster, Germany
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4
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Vinogradova ES, Nikonov OS, Nikonova EY. Associations between Neurological Diseases and Mutations in the Human Glycyl-tRNA Synthetase. BIOCHEMISTRY (MOSCOW) 2021; 86:S12-S23. [PMID: 33827397 PMCID: PMC7905983 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297921140029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Aminoacyl-RNA synthetases (aaRSs) are among the key enzymes of protein biosynthesis. They are responsible for conducting the first step in the protein biosynthesis, namely attaching amino acids to the corresponding tRNA molecules both in cytoplasm and mitochondria. More and more research demonstrates that mutations in the genes encoding aaRSs lead to the development of various neurodegenerative diseases, such as incurable Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease (CMT) and distal spinal muscular atrophy. Some mutations result in the loss of tRNA aminoacylation activity, while other mutants retain their classical enzyme activity. In the latter case, disease manifestations are associated with additional neuron-specific functions of aaRSs. At present, seven aaRSs (GlyRS, TyrRS, AlaRS, HisRS, TrpRS, MetRS, and LysRS) are known to be involved in the CMT etiology with glycyl-tRNA synthetase (GlyRS) being the most studied of them.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Oleg S Nikonov
- Institute of Protein Research, Pushchino, Moscow Region, 142290, Russia
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5
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Zhang H, Zhou ZW, Sun L. Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease: A gain or a loss? J Neurochem 2020; 157:351-369. [PMID: 33236345 PMCID: PMC8247414 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Revised: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth disease (CMT) is one of the most common inherited neurodegenerative disorders with an increasing number of CMT‐associated variants identified as causative factors, however, there has been no effective therapy for CMT to date. Aminoacyl‐tRNA synthetases (aaRS) are essential enzymes in translation by charging amino acids onto their cognate tRNAs during protein synthesis. Dominant monoallelic variants of aaRSs have been largely implicated in CMT. Some aaRSs variants affect enzymatic activity, demonstrating a loss‐of‐function property. In contrast, loss of aminoacylation activity is neither necessary nor sufficient for some aaRSs variants to cause CMT. Instead, accumulating evidence from CMT patient samples, animal genetic studies or protein conformational analysis has pinpointed toxic gain‐of‐function of aaRSs variants in CMT, suggesting complicated mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of CMT. In this review, we summarize the latest advances in studies on CMT‐linked aaRSs, with a particular focus on their functions. The current challenges, future direction and the promising candidates for potential treatment of CMT are also discussed. ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Zhang
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, China
| | - Zhong-Wei Zhou
- School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Litao Sun
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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6
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Yu X, Chen B, Tang H, Li W, Fu Y, Zhang Z, Yan Y. A Novel Mutation of GARS in a Chinese Family With Distal Hereditary Motor Neuropathy Type V. Front Neurol 2018; 9:571. [PMID: 30083128 PMCID: PMC6064823 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2018.00571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2018] [Accepted: 06/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Glycyl-tRNA synthetase (GARS) gene mutations have been reported to be associated with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease 2D and distal hereditary motor neuropathy type V (dHMN-V). In this study, we report a novel GARS mutation in a Chinese family with dHMN-V. Clinical, electromyogram, genetic, and functional data were explored. The proband was an 11-year-old girl presented with progressive distal limb muscle weakness and atrophy due to peripheral motor neuropathy for 1 year. Another five members from three successive generations of the family showed similar symptoms during their first to second decades and demonstrated an autosomal dominant inheritance. The results of genetic testing revealed a novel c.383T>G mutation in the GARS gene in the affected individuals, showing apparent genetic cosegregation. Further bioinformatic analyses showed that the c.383T > G mutation resulted in L128R alteration in the second functional protein domain, and the mutation site was well conserved among different species. In silico analysis predicted that this mutation probably affected protein function. In vitro, this GARS mutation led to a different protein localization pattern than that of the wild-type enzyme. The study found a novel GARS mutation of c.383T > G causing dHMN-V with subcellular localization abnormity in a genetic cosegregation family. These findings broaden the mutational spectrum of GARS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueying Yu
- Department of Neurology, China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Bin Chen
- Department of Neurology, China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Hefei Tang
- Department of Neurology, China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Neurology, China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Fu
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Development of Endangered Crude Drugs in Northwest of China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Zaiqiang Zhang
- Department of Neurology, China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yaping Yan
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Development of Endangered Crude Drugs in Northwest of China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
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7
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Fuchs SA, Schene IF, Kok G, Jansen JM, Nikkels PGJ, van Gassen KLI, Terheggen-Lagro SWJ, van der Crabben SN, Hoeks SE, Niers LEM, Wolf NI, de Vries MC, Koolen DA, Houwen RHJ, Mulder MF, van Hasselt PM. Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase deficiencies in search of common themes. Genet Med 2018; 21:319-330. [PMID: 29875423 PMCID: PMC7091658 DOI: 10.1038/s41436-018-0048-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2017] [Accepted: 04/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Pathogenic variations in genes encoding aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (ARSs) are increasingly associated with human disease. Clinical features of autosomal recessive ARS deficiencies appear very diverse and without apparent logic. We searched for common clinical patterns to improve disease recognition, insight into pathophysiology, and clinical care. Methods Symptoms were analyzed in all patients with recessive ARS deficiencies reported in literature, supplemented with unreported patients evaluated in our hospital. Results In literature, we identified 107 patients with AARS, DARS, GARS, HARS, IARS, KARS, LARS, MARS, RARS, SARS, VARS, YARS, and QARS deficiencies. Common symptoms (defined as present in ≥4/13 ARS deficiencies) included abnormalities of the central nervous system and/or senses (13/13), failure to thrive, gastrointestinal symptoms, dysmaturity, liver disease, and facial dysmorphisms. Deep phenotyping of 5 additional patients with unreported compound heterozygous pathogenic variations in IARS, LARS, KARS, and QARS extended the common phenotype with lung disease, hypoalbuminemia, anemia, and renal tubulopathy. Conclusion We propose a common clinical phenotype for recessive ARS deficiencies, resulting from insufficient aminoacylation activity to meet translational demand in specific organs or periods of life. Assuming residual ARS activity, adequate protein/amino acid supply seems essential instead of the traditional replacement of protein by glucose in patients with metabolic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine A Fuchs
- Department of Metabolic Diseases, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Lundlaan 6, Utrecht, 3584 EA, The Netherlands.
| | - Imre F Schene
- Department of Metabolic Diseases, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Lundlaan 6, Utrecht, 3584 EA, The Netherlands
| | - Gautam Kok
- Department of Metabolic Diseases, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Lundlaan 6, Utrecht, 3584 EA, The Netherlands
| | - Jurriaan M Jansen
- Department of Metabolic Diseases, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Lundlaan 6, Utrecht, 3584 EA, The Netherlands
| | - Peter G J Nikkels
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Lundlaan 6, Utrecht, 3584 EA, The Netherlands
| | - Koen L I van Gassen
- Department of Genetics, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Lundlaan 6, Utrecht, 3584 EA, The Netherlands
| | - Suzanne W J Terheggen-Lagro
- Department of Pediatric Pulmonology, Academic Medical Center Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, 1105 AZ, The Netherlands
| | - Saskia N van der Crabben
- Department of Clinical Genetics, VU University Medical Center, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, 1081HV, The Netherlands
| | - Sanne E Hoeks
- Department of Neonatology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Lundlaan 6, Utrecht, 3584 EA, The Netherlands
| | - Laetitia E M Niers
- Department of Pediatrics, Maxima Medical Centre Veldhoven, De Run 4600, Veldhoven, 5504 DB, The Netherlands
| | - Nicole I Wolf
- Department of Child Neurology, VU University Medical Center, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, 1081HV, The Netherlands
| | - Maaike C de Vries
- Nijmegen Centre for Mitochondrial Disorders at Department of Pediatrics, Radboud University Nijmegen Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - David A Koolen
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, 6500 HB, The Netherlands
| | - Roderick H J Houwen
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Lundlaan 6, Utrecht, 3584 EA, The Netherlands
| | - Margot F Mulder
- Department of Pediatrics, VU University Medical Center, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, 1081HV, The Netherlands
| | - Peter M van Hasselt
- Department of Metabolic Diseases, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Lundlaan 6, Utrecht, 3584 EA, The Netherlands
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8
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Mo Z, Zhao X, Liu H, Hu Q, Chen XQ, Pham J, Wei N, Liu Z, Zhou J, Burgess RW, Pfaff SL, Caskey CT, Wu C, Bai G, Yang XL. Aberrant GlyRS-HDAC6 interaction linked to axonal transport deficits in Charcot-Marie-Tooth neuropathy. Nat Commun 2018. [PMID: 29520015 PMCID: PMC5843656 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-03461-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Dominant mutations in glycyl-tRNA synthetase (GlyRS) cause a subtype of Charcot-Marie-Tooth neuropathy (CMT2D). Although previous studies have shown that GlyRS mutants aberrantly interact with Nrp1, giving insight into the disease’s specific effects on motor neurons, these cannot explain length-dependent axonal degeneration. Here, we report that GlyRS mutants interact aberrantly with HDAC6 and stimulate its deacetylase activity on α-tubulin. A decrease in α-tubulin acetylation and deficits in axonal transport are observed in mice peripheral nerves prior to disease onset. An HDAC6 inhibitor used to restore α-tubulin acetylation rescues axonal transport deficits and improves motor functions of CMT2D mice. These results link the aberrant GlyRS-HDAC6 interaction to CMT2D pathology and suggest HDAC6 as an effective therapeutic target. Moreover, the HDAC6 interaction differs from Nrp1 interaction among GlyRS mutants and correlates with divergent clinical presentations, indicating the existence of multiple and different mechanisms in CMT2D. Mutations in glycyl-tRNA synthetase (GlyRS) cause Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a neuromuscular disorder characterized by axonal degeneration. Here the authors show that mutant GlyRS interacts with histone deacetylase 6, resulting in increased deacetylation of α-tubulin and axonal transport deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongying Mo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Xiaobei Zhao
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Huaqing Liu
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Qinghua Hu
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Xu-Qiao Chen
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Jessica Pham
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Na Wei
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Ze Liu
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Jiadong Zhou
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | | | - Samuel L Pfaff
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Gene Expression Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | | | - Chengbiao Wu
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.,Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, 92161, CA, USA
| | - Ge Bai
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Gene Expression Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Xiang-Lei Yang
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA.
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9
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Ognjenović J, Simonović M. Human aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases in diseases of the nervous system. RNA Biol 2017; 15:623-634. [PMID: 28534666 PMCID: PMC6103678 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2017.1330245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2017] [Revised: 05/05/2017] [Accepted: 05/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (AaRSs) are ubiquitously expressed enzymes that ensure accurate translation of the genetic information into functional proteins. These enzymes also execute a variety of non-canonical functions that are significant for regulation of diverse cellular processes and that reside outside the realm of protein synthesis. Associations between faults in AaRS-mediated processes and human diseases have been long recognized. Most recent research findings strongly argue that 10 cytosolic and 14 mitochondrial AaRSs are implicated in some form of pathology of the human nervous system. The advent of modern whole-exome sequencing makes it all but certain that similar associations between the remaining 15 ARS genes and neurologic illnesses will be defined in future. It is not surprising that an intense scientific debate about the role of translational machinery, in general, and AaRSs, in particular, in the development and maintenance of the healthy human neural cell types and the brain is sparked. Herein, we summarize the current knowledge about causative links between mutations in human AaRSs and diseases of the nervous system and briefly discuss future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Ognjenović
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, College of Medicine, The University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Miljan Simonović
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, College of Medicine, The University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
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10
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Sleigh JN, Dawes JM, West SJ, Wei N, Spaulding EL, Gómez-Martín A, Zhang Q, Burgess RW, Cader MZ, Talbot K, Yang XL, Bennett DL, Schiavo G. Trk receptor signaling and sensory neuron fate are perturbed in human neuropathy caused by Gars mutations. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:E3324-E3333. [PMID: 28351971 PMCID: PMC5402433 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1614557114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 2D (CMT2D) is a peripheral nerve disorder caused by dominant, toxic, gain-of-function mutations in the widely expressed, housekeeping gene, GARS The mechanisms underlying selective nerve pathology in CMT2D remain unresolved, as does the cause of the mild-to-moderate sensory involvement that distinguishes CMT2D from the allelic disorder distal spinal muscular atrophy type V. To elucidate the mechanism responsible for the underlying afferent nerve pathology, we examined the sensory nervous system of CMT2D mice. We show that the equilibrium between functional subtypes of sensory neuron in dorsal root ganglia is distorted by Gars mutations, leading to sensory defects in peripheral tissues and correlating with overall disease severity. CMT2D mice display changes in sensory behavior concordant with the afferent imbalance, which is present at birth and nonprogressive, indicating that sensory neuron identity is prenatally perturbed and that a critical developmental insult is key to the afferent pathology. Through in vitro experiments, mutant, but not wild-type, GlyRS was shown to aberrantly interact with the Trk receptors and cause misactivation of Trk signaling, which is essential for sensory neuron differentiation and development. Together, this work suggests that both neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative mechanisms contribute to CMT2D pathogenesis, and thus has profound implications for the timing of future therapeutic treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- James N Sleigh
- Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London WC1N 3BG, United Kingdom;
| | - John M Dawes
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DU, United Kingdom
| | - Steven J West
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DU, United Kingdom
| | - Na Wei
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037
| | - Emily L Spaulding
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME 04609
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469
| | - Adriana Gómez-Martín
- Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London WC1N 3BG, United Kingdom
| | - Qian Zhang
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037
| | - Robert W Burgess
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME 04609
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469
| | - M Zameel Cader
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DU, United Kingdom
| | - Kevin Talbot
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DU, United Kingdom
| | - Xiang-Lei Yang
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037
| | - David L Bennett
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DU, United Kingdom
| | - Giampietro Schiavo
- Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London WC1N 3BG, United Kingdom;
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Storkebaum E. Peripheral neuropathy via mutant tRNA synthetases: Inhibition of protein translation provides a possible explanation. Bioessays 2016; 38:818-29. [PMID: 27352040 PMCID: PMC5094542 DOI: 10.1002/bies.201600052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Recent evidence indicates that inhibition of protein translation may be a common pathogenic mechanism for peripheral neuropathy associated with mutant tRNA synthetases (aaRSs). aaRSs are enzymes that ligate amino acids to their cognate tRNA, thus catalyzing the first step of translation. Dominant mutations in five distinct aaRSs cause Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth (CMT) peripheral neuropathy, characterized by length‐dependent degeneration of peripheral motor and sensory axons. Surprisingly, loss of aminoacylation activity is not required for mutant aaRSs to cause CMT. Rather, at least for some mutations, a toxic‐gain‐of‐function mechanism underlies CMT‐aaRS. Interestingly, several mutations in two distinct aaRSs were recently shown to inhibit global protein translation in Drosophila models of CMT‐aaRS, by a mechanism independent of aminoacylation, suggesting inhibition of translation as a common pathogenic mechanism. Future research aimed at elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying the translation defect induced by CMT‐mutant aaRSs should provide novel insight into the molecular pathogenesis of these incurable diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik Storkebaum
- Molecular Neurogenetics Laboratory, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster, Germany.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
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12
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Mao CY, Yang J, Zhang SY, Luo HY, Song B, Liu YT, Wu J, Sun SL, Yang ZH, Du P, Wang YH, Shi CH, Xu YM. Exome capture sequencing identifies a novel CCM1 mutation in a Chinese family with multiple cerebral cavernous malformations. Int J Neurosci 2015; 126:1071-6. [PMID: 26643368 DOI: 10.3109/00207454.2015.1118628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) are vascular anomalies predominantly in the central nervous system but may include lesions in other tissues, such as the retina, skin and liver. The main clinical manifestations include seizures, hemorrhage, recurrent headaches and focal neurological deficits. Previous studies of familial CCMs (FCCMs) have mainly reported in Hispanic and Caucasian cases. Here, we report on FCCMs in a Chinese family further characterized by a novel CCM1 gene mutation. MATERIALS AND METHODS We investigated clinical and neuroradiological features of a Chinese family of 30 members. Furthermore, we used exome capture sequencing to identify the causing gene. The CCM1 mRNA expression level in three patients of the family and 10 wild-type healthy individuals were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (real-time RT-PCR). RESULTS Brain magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated multiple intracranial lesions in seven members. The clinical manifestation of CCM was found in five of these cases, including recurrent headaches, weakness, hemorrhage and seizures. Moreover, we identified a novel nonsense mutation c.1159G>T (p. E387*) in the CCM1 gene in the pedigree. Based on real-time RT-PCR results, we have found that the CCM1 mRNA expression level in three patients was reduced by 35% than that in wild-type healthy individuals. CONCLUSIONS Our finding suggests that the novel nonsense mutation c.1159G>T in CCM1 gene is associated with FCCM, and that CCM1 haploinsufficiency may be the underlying mechanism of CCMs. Furthermore, it also demonstrates that exome capture sequencing is an efficient and direct diagnostic tool to identify causes of genetically heterogeneous diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Yuan Mao
- a 1 Department of Neurology , The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University , Zhengzhou , China.,b 2 Institute of Clinical Medicine , The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University , Zhengzhou , China
| | - Jing Yang
- a 1 Department of Neurology , The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University , Zhengzhou , China
| | - Shu-Yu Zhang
- a 1 Department of Neurology , The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University , Zhengzhou , China.,b 2 Institute of Clinical Medicine , The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University , Zhengzhou , China
| | - Hai-Yang Luo
- a 1 Department of Neurology , The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University , Zhengzhou , China.,b 2 Institute of Clinical Medicine , The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University , Zhengzhou , China
| | - Bo Song
- a 1 Department of Neurology , The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University , Zhengzhou , China
| | - Yu-Tao Liu
- a 1 Department of Neurology , The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University , Zhengzhou , China
| | - Jun Wu
- a 1 Department of Neurology , The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University , Zhengzhou , China
| | - Shi-Lei Sun
- a 1 Department of Neurology , The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University , Zhengzhou , China
| | - Zhi-Hua Yang
- a 1 Department of Neurology , The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University , Zhengzhou , China.,b 2 Institute of Clinical Medicine , The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University , Zhengzhou , China
| | - Pan Du
- c 3 International Joint Research Laboratory for Cell and Gene Therapy of Henan Province , The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University , Zhengzhou , China
| | - Yao-He Wang
- c 3 International Joint Research Laboratory for Cell and Gene Therapy of Henan Province , The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University , Zhengzhou , China
| | - Chang-He Shi
- a 1 Department of Neurology , The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University , Zhengzhou , China.,b 2 Institute of Clinical Medicine , The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University , Zhengzhou , China
| | - Yu-Ming Xu
- a 1 Department of Neurology , The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University , Zhengzhou , China.,b 2 Institute of Clinical Medicine , The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University , Zhengzhou , China
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13
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CMT2D neuropathy is linked to the neomorphic binding activity of glycyl-tRNA synthetase. Nature 2015; 526:710-4. [PMID: 26503042 PMCID: PMC4754353 DOI: 10.1038/nature15510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2014] [Accepted: 08/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Selective neuronal loss is a hallmark of neurodegenerative diseases, which, counterintuitively, are often caused by mutations in widely expressed genes. Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) diseases are the most common hereditary peripheral neuropathies, for which there are no effective therapies. A subtype of these diseases--CMT type 2D (CMT2D)--is caused by dominant mutations in GARS, encoding the ubiquitously expressed enzyme glycyl-transfer RNA (tRNA) synthetase (GlyRS). Despite the broad requirement of GlyRS for protein biosynthesis in all cells, mutations in this gene cause a selective degeneration of peripheral axons, leading to deficits in distal motor function. How mutations in GlyRS (GlyRS(CMT2D)) are linked to motor neuron vulnerability has remained elusive. Here we report that GlyRS(CMT2D) acquires a neomorphic binding activity that directly antagonizes an essential signalling pathway for motor neuron survival. We find that CMT2D mutations alter the conformation of GlyRS, enabling GlyRS(CMT2D) to bind the neuropilin 1 (Nrp1) receptor. This aberrant interaction competitively interferes with the binding of the cognate ligand vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) to Nrp1. Genetic reduction of Nrp1 in mice worsens CMT2D symptoms, whereas enhanced expression of VEGF improves motor function. These findings link the selective pathology of CMT2D to the neomorphic binding activity of GlyRS(CMT2D) that antagonizes the VEGF-Nrp1 interaction, and indicate that the VEGF-Nrp1 signalling axis is an actionable target for treating CMT2D.
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