1
|
Cattabriga G, Giordani G, Gargiulo G, Cavaliere V. Effect of aminergic signaling on the humoral innate immunity response of Drosophila. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1249205. [PMID: 37693001 PMCID: PMC10483126 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1249205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Biogenic amines are crucial signaling molecules that modulate various physiological life functions both in vertebrates and invertebrates. In humans, these neurotransmitters influence the innate and adaptive immunity systems. In this work, we analyzed whether the aminergic neurotransmission of dopamine, serotonin, and octopamine could have an impact on the humoral innate immune response of Drosophila melanogaster. This is a powerful model system widely used to uncover the insect innate immunity mechanisms which are also conserved in mammals. We found that the neurotransmission of all these amines positively modulates the Toll-responsive antimicrobial peptide (AMP) drosomycin (drs) gene in adult flies infected with the Micrococcus luteus bacterium. Indeed, we showed that either blocking the neurotransmission in their specific aminergic neurons by expressing shibirets (Shits) or silencing the vesicular monoamine transporter gene (dVMAT) by RNAi caused a significantly reduced expression of the Toll-responsive drs gene. However, upon M. luteus infection, the block of aminergic transmission did not alter the expression of AMP attacin genes responding to the immune deficiency (Imd) and Toll pathways. Overall, our results not only reveal a neuroimmune function for biogenic amines in humoral immunity but also further highlight the complexity of the network controlling AMP gene regulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Cattabriga
- Dipartimento di Farmacia e Biotecnologie, Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giorgia Giordani
- Dipartimento di Farmacia e Biotecnologie, Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Gargiulo
- Dipartimento di Farmacia e Biotecnologie, Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Valeria Cavaliere
- Dipartimento di Farmacia e Biotecnologie, Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Interuniversity Center for Studies on Bioinspired Agro-Environmental Technology (BAT Center), University of Napoli “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Ferreira AAG, Desplan C. An Atlas of the Developing Drosophila Visual System Glia and Subcellular mRNA Localization of Transcripts in Single Cells. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.06.552169. [PMID: 37609218 PMCID: PMC10441313 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.06.552169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
Glial cells are essential for proper nervous system development and function. To understand glial development and function, we comprehensively annotated glial cells in a single-cell mRNA-sequencing (scRNAseq) atlas of the developing Drosophila visual system. This allowed us to study their developmental trajectories, from larval to adult stages, and to understand how specific types of glia diversify during development. For example, neuropil glia that are initially transcriptionally similar in larvae, split into ensheathing and astrocyte-like glia during pupal stages. Other glial types, such as chiasm glia change gradually during development without splitting into two cell types. The analysis of scRNA-seq allowed us to discover that the transcriptome of glial cell bodies can be distinguished from that of their broken processes. The processes contain distinct enriched mRNAs that were validated in vivo. Therefore, we have identified most glial types in the developing optic lobe and devised a computational approach to identify mRNA species that are localized to cell bodies or cellular processes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Claude Desplan
- Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Asuncion JD, Eamani A, Rohrbach EW, Knapp EM, Deshpande SA, Bonanno SL, Murphy JE, Lawal HO, Krantz DE. Precise CRISPR-Cas9-mediated mutation of a membrane trafficking domain in the Drosophila vesicular monoamine transporter gene. Curr Res Physiol 2023; 6:100101. [PMID: 37409154 PMCID: PMC10318446 DOI: 10.1016/j.crphys.2023.100101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Monoamine neurotransmitters such as noradrenalin are released from both synaptic vesicles (SVs) and large dense-core vesicles (LDCVs), the latter mediating extrasynaptic signaling. The contribution of synaptic versus extrasynaptic signaling to circuit function and behavior remains poorly understood. To address this question, we have previously used transgenes encoding a mutation in the Drosophila Vesicular Monoamine Transporter (dVMAT) that shifts amine release from SVs to LDCVs. To circumvent the use of transgenes with non-endogenous patterns of expression, we have now used CRISPR-Cas9 to generate a trafficking mutant in the endogenous dVMAT gene. To minimize disruption of the dVMAT coding sequence and a nearby RNA splice site, we precisely introduced a point mutation using single-stranded oligonucleotide repair. A predicted decrease in fertility was used as a phenotypic screen to identify founders in lieu of a visible marker. Phenotypic analysis revealed a defect in the ovulation of mature follicles and egg retention in the ovaries. We did not detect defects in the contraction of lateral oviducts following optogenetic stimulation of octopaminergic neurons. Our findings suggest that release of mature eggs from the ovary is disrupted by changing the balance of VMAT trafficking between SVs and LDCVs. Further experiments using this model will help determine the mechanisms that sensitize specific circuits to changes in synaptic versus extrasynaptic signaling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James D. Asuncion
- Medical Scientist Training Program, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- UCLA Neuroscience Interdepartmental Program, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Aditya Eamani
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Ethan W. Rohrbach
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- UCLA Neuroscience Interdepartmental Program, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Elizabeth M. Knapp
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Sonali A. Deshpande
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Shivan L. Bonanno
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Jeremy E. Murphy
- Department of Biological Sciences, Delaware State University, Dover, DE, USA, 19901, USA
| | - Hakeem O. Lawal
- Department of Biological Sciences, Delaware State University, Dover, DE, USA, 19901, USA
| | - David E. Krantz
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Li F, Artiushin G, Sehgal A. Modulation of sleep by trafficking of lipids through the Drosophila blood-brain barrier. eLife 2023; 12:e86336. [PMID: 37140181 PMCID: PMC10205086 DOI: 10.7554/elife.86336] [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: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Endocytosis through Drosophila glia is a significant determinant of sleep amount and occurs preferentially during sleep in glia of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). To identify metabolites whose trafficking is mediated by sleep-dependent endocytosis, we conducted metabolomic analysis of flies that have increased sleep due to a block in glial endocytosis. We report that acylcarnitines, fatty acids conjugated to carnitine to promote their transport, accumulate in heads of these animals. In parallel, to identify transporters and receptors whose loss contributes to the sleep phenotype caused by blocked endocytosis, we screened genes enriched in barrier glia for effects on sleep. We find that knockdown of lipid transporters LRP1&2 or of carnitine transporters ORCT1&2 increases sleep. In support of the idea that the block in endocytosis affects trafficking through specific transporters, knockdown of LRP or ORCT transporters also increases acylcarnitines in heads. We propose that lipid species, such as acylcarnitines, are trafficked through the BBB via sleep-dependent endocytosis, and their accumulation reflects an increased need for sleep.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fu Li
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Chronobiology and Sleep Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Perelman School of Medicine, University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaUnited States
| | - Gregory Artiushin
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Chronobiology and Sleep Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Perelman School of Medicine, University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaUnited States
| | - Amita Sehgal
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Chronobiology and Sleep Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Perelman School of Medicine, University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaUnited States
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Rosikon KD, Bone MC, Lawal HO. Regulation and modulation of biogenic amine neurotransmission in Drosophila and Caenorhabditis elegans. Front Physiol 2023; 14:970405. [PMID: 36875033 PMCID: PMC9978017 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.970405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurotransmitters are crucial for the relay of signals between neurons and their target. Monoamine neurotransmitters dopamine (DA), serotonin (5-HT), and histamine are found in both invertebrates and mammals and are known to control key physiological aspects in health and disease. Others, such as octopamine (OA) and tyramine (TA), are abundant in invertebrates. TA is expressed in both Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila melanogaster and plays important roles in the regulation of essential life functions in each organism. OA and TA are thought to act as the mammalian homologs of epinephrine and norepinephrine respectively, and when triggered, they act in response to the various stressors in the fight-or-flight response. 5-HT regulates a wide range of behaviors in C. elegans including egg-laying, male mating, locomotion, and pharyngeal pumping. 5-HT acts predominantly through its receptors, of which various classes have been described in both flies and worms. The adult brain of Drosophila is composed of approximately 80 serotonergic neurons, which are involved in modulation of circadian rhythm, feeding, aggression, and long-term memory formation. DA is a major monoamine neurotransmitter that mediates a variety of critical organismal functions and is essential for synaptic transmission in invertebrates as it is in mammals, in which it is also a precursor for the synthesis of adrenaline and noradrenaline. In C. elegans and Drosophila as in mammals, DA receptors play critical roles and are generally grouped into two classes, D1-like and D2-like based on their predicted coupling to downstream G proteins. Drosophila uses histamine as a neurotransmitter in photoreceptors as well as a small number of neurons in the CNS. C. elegans does not use histamine as a neurotransmitter. Here, we review the comprehensive set of known amine neurotransmitters found in invertebrates, and discuss their biological and modulatory functions using the vast literature on both Drosophila and C. elegans. We also suggest the potential interactions between aminergic neurotransmitters systems in the modulation of neurophysiological activity and behavior.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna D Rosikon
- Neuroscience Program, Department of Biological Sciences, Delaware State University, Dover, DE, United States
| | - Megan C Bone
- Neuroscience Program, Department of Biological Sciences, Delaware State University, Dover, DE, United States
| | - Hakeem O Lawal
- Neuroscience Program, Department of Biological Sciences, Delaware State University, Dover, DE, United States
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Özel MN, Gibbs CS, Holguera I, Soliman M, Bonneau R, Desplan C. Coordinated control of neuronal differentiation and wiring by sustained transcription factors. Science 2022; 378:eadd1884. [PMID: 36480601 DOI: 10.1126/science.add1884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The large diversity of cell types in nervous systems presents a challenge in identifying the genetic mechanisms that encode it. Here, we report that nearly 200 distinct neurons in the Drosophila visual system can each be defined by unique combinations of on average 10 continuously expressed transcription factors. We show that targeted modifications of this terminal selector code induce predictable conversions of neuronal fates that appear morphologically and transcriptionally complete. Cis-regulatory analysis of open chromatin links one of these genes to an upstream patterning factor that specifies neuronal fates in stem cells. Experimentally validated network models describe the synergistic regulation of downstream effectors by terminal selectors and ecdysone signaling during brain wiring. Our results provide a generalizable framework of how specific fates are implemented in postmitotic neurons.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Claudia Skok Gibbs
- Flatiron Institute, Center for Computational Biology, Simons Foundation, New York, NY 10010, USA.,Center for Data Science, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA
| | - Isabel Holguera
- Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA
| | - Mennah Soliman
- Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA
| | - Richard Bonneau
- Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA.,Flatiron Institute, Center for Computational Biology, Simons Foundation, New York, NY 10010, USA.,Center for Data Science, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA
| | - Claude Desplan
- Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA.,New York University Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Petrelli F, Zehnder T, Laugeray A, Mondoloni S, Calì C, Pucci L, Molinero Perez A, Bondiolotti BM, De Oliveira Figueiredo E, Dallerac G, Déglon N, Giros B, Magrassi L, Mothet JP, Mameli M, Simmler LD, Bezzi P. Disruption of Astrocyte-Dependent Dopamine Control in the Developing Medial Prefrontal Cortex Leads to Excessive Grooming in Mice. Biol Psychiatry 2022; 93:966-975. [PMID: 36958999 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2022.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/07/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Astrocytes control synaptic activity by modulating perisynaptic concentrations of ions and neurotransmitters including dopamine (DA) and, as such, could be involved in the modulating aspects of mammalian behavior. METHODS We produced a conditional deletion of the vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) specifically in astrocytes (aVMTA2cKO mice) and studied the effects of the lack of VMAT2 in prefrontal cortex (PFC) astrocytes on the regulation of DA levels, PFC circuit functions, and behavioral processes. RESULTS We found a significant reduction of medial PFC (mPFC) DA levels and excessive grooming and compulsive repetitive behaviors in aVMAT2cKO mice. The mice also developed a synaptic pathology, expressed through increased relative AMPA versus NMDA receptor currents in synapses of the dorsal striatum receiving inputs from the mPFC. Importantly, behavioral and synaptic phenotypes were rescued by re-expression of mPFC VMAT2 and L-DOPA treatment, showing that the deficits were driven by mPFC astrocytes that are critically involved in developmental DA homeostasis. By analyzing human tissue samples, we found that VMAT2 is expressed in human PFC astrocytes, corroborating the potential translational relevance of our observations in mice. CONCLUSIONS Our study shows that impairment of the astrocytic control of DA in the mPFC leads to symptoms resembling obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders such as trichotillomania and has a profound impact on circuit function and behaviors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Petrelli
- Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Tamara Zehnder
- Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Anthony Laugeray
- Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Sarah Mondoloni
- Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Corrado Calì
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Luca Pucci
- Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Alicia Molinero Perez
- Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Glenn Dallerac
- Centre de Recherche en Neurobiologie et Neurophysiologie de Marseille, Aix-Marseille Université UMR7286 CNRS, Marseille, France
| | - Nicole Déglon
- Neurosciences Research Center, Laboratory of Neurotherapies and Neuromodulation, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Bruno Giros
- Department of Psychiatry, Douglas Hospital Research Center, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Lorenzo Magrassi
- Neurosurgery, Dipartimento di Scienze Clinico-Chirurgiche e Pediatriche, Università degli Studi di Pavia, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico S. Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Jean-Pierre Mothet
- Centre de Recherche en Neurobiologie et Neurophysiologie de Marseille, Aix-Marseille Université UMR7286 CNRS, Marseille, France; "Biophotonics and Synapse Physiopathology" Team, UMR9188 CNRS - ENS Paris Saclay, Orsay, France
| | - Manuel Mameli
- Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Linda D Simmler
- Department of Basic Neurosciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - Paola Bezzi
- Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
de Oliveira Figueiredo EC, Calì C, Petrelli F, Bezzi P. Emerging evidence for astrocyte dysfunction in schizophrenia. Glia 2022; 70:1585-1604. [PMID: 35634946 PMCID: PMC9544982 DOI: 10.1002/glia.24221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a complex, chronic mental health disorder whose heterogeneous genetic and neurobiological background influences early brain development, and whose precise etiology is still poorly understood. Schizophrenia is not characterized by gross brain pathology, but involves subtle pathological changes in neuronal populations and glial cells. Among the latter, astrocytes critically contribute to the regulation of early neurodevelopmental processes, and any dysfunctions in their morphological and functional maturation may lead to aberrant neurodevelopmental processes involved in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia, such as mitochondrial biogenesis, synaptogenesis, and glutamatergic and dopaminergic transmission. Studies of the mechanisms regulating astrocyte maturation may therefore improve our understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of schizophrenia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Corrado Calì
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.,Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, Orbassano, Italy
| | - Francesco Petrelli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Paola Bezzi
- Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Rome Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Lee KM, Talikoti A, Shelton K, Grotewiel M. Tyramine synthesis, vesicular packaging, and the SNARE complex function coordinately in astrocytes to regulate Drosophila alcohol sedation. Addict Biol 2021; 26:e13019. [PMID: 33538092 PMCID: PMC8225576 DOI: 10.1111/adb.13019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Identifying mechanisms underlying alcohol-related behaviors could provide important insights regarding the etiology of alcohol use disorder. To date, most genetic studies on alcohol-related behavior in model organisms have focused on neurons, leaving the causal roles of glial mechanisms less comprehensively investigated. Here, we report our studies on the role of Tyrosine decarboxylase 2 (Tdc2), which converts tyrosine to the catecholamine tyramine, in glial cells in Drosophila alcohol sedation. Using genetic approaches that drove transgene expression constitutively in all glia, constitutively in astrocytes and conditionally in glia during adulthood, we found that knockdown and overexpression of Tdc2, respectively, increased and decreased the sensitivity to alcohol sedation in flies. Manipulation of the genes tyramine β-hydroxylase and tyrosine hydroxylase, which respectively synthesize octopamine and dopamine from tyramine and tyrosine, had no discernable effect on alcohol sedation, suggesting that Tdc2 affects alcohol sedation by regulating tyramine production. We also found that knockdown of the vesicular monoamine transporter (VMAT) and disruption of the SNARE complex in all glia or selectively in astrocytes increased sensitivity to alcohol sedation and that both VMAT and the SNARE complex functioned downstream of Tdc2. Our studies support a model in which the synthesis of tyramine and vesicle-mediated release of tyramine from adult astrocytes regulates alcohol sedation in Drosophila. Considering that tyramine is functionally orthologous to norepinephrine in mammals, our results raise the possibility that gliotransmitter synthesis release could be a conserved mechanism influencing behavioral responses to alcohol as well as alcohol use disorder.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kristen M. Lee
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Ananya Talikoti
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Keith Shelton
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Mike Grotewiel
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
- Virginia Commonwealth University Alcohol Research Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Vesicular neurotransmitter transporters in Drosophila melanogaster. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2020; 1862:183308. [PMID: 32305263 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2020.183308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2020] [Revised: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Drosophila melanogaster express vesicular transporters for the storage of neurotransmitters acetylcholine, biogenic amines, GABA, and glutamate. The large array of powerful molecular-genetic tools available in Drosophila enhances the use of this model organism for studying transporter function and regulation.
Collapse
|
11
|
LOVIT Is a Putative Vesicular Histamine Transporter Required in Drosophila for Vision. Cell Rep 2020; 27:1327-1333.e3. [PMID: 31042461 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.04.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2018] [Revised: 02/17/2019] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Classical fast neurotransmitters are loaded into synaptic vesicles and concentrated by the action of a specific vesicular transporter before being released from the presynaptic neuron. In Drosophila, histamine is distributed mainly in photoreceptors, where it serves as the main neurotransmitter for visual input. In a targeted RNAi screen for neurotransmitter transporters involved in concentrating photoreceptor synaptic histamine, we identified an SLC45 transporter protein, LOVIT (loss of visual transmission). LOVIT is prominently expressed in photoreceptor synaptic vesicles and is required for Drosophila visual neurotransmission. Null mutations of lovit severely reduced the concentration of histamine in photoreceptor terminals. These results demonstrate a LOVIT-dependent mechanism, maintaining the synaptic concentration of histamine, and provide evidence for a histamine vesicular transporter besides the vesicular monoamine transporter (VMAT) family.
Collapse
|
12
|
Petrelli F, Dallérac G, Pucci L, Calì C, Zehnder T, Sultan S, Lecca S, Chicca A, Ivanov A, Asensio CS, Gundersen V, Toni N, Knott GW, Magara F, Gertsch J, Kirchhoff F, Déglon N, Giros B, Edwards RH, Mothet JP, Bezzi P. Dysfunction of homeostatic control of dopamine by astrocytes in the developing prefrontal cortex leads to cognitive impairments. Mol Psychiatry 2020; 25:732-749. [PMID: 30127471 PMCID: PMC7156348 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-018-0226-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2017] [Revised: 06/28/2018] [Accepted: 07/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Astrocytes orchestrate neural development by powerfully coordinating synapse formation and function and, as such, may be critically involved in the pathogenesis of neurodevelopmental abnormalities and cognitive deficits commonly observed in psychiatric disorders. Here, we report the identification of a subset of cortical astrocytes that are competent for regulating dopamine (DA) homeostasis during postnatal development of the prefrontal cortex (PFC), allowing for optimal DA-mediated maturation of excitatory circuits. Such control of DA homeostasis occurs through the coordinated activity of astroglial vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) together with organic cation transporter 3 and monoamine oxidase type B, two key proteins for DA uptake and metabolism. Conditional deletion of VMAT2 in astrocytes postnatally produces loss of PFC DA homeostasis, leading to defective synaptic transmission and plasticity as well as impaired executive functions. Our findings show a novel role for PFC astrocytes in the DA modulation of cognitive performances with relevance to psychiatric disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Petrelli
- 0000 0001 2165 4204grid.9851.5Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, University of Lausanne, CH-1005 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Glenn Dallérac
- 0000 0001 2176 4817grid.5399.6Centre de Recherche en Neurobiologie et Neurophysiologie de Marseille, Aix-Marseille Université UMR7286 CNRS, 13344 Marseille, Cedex 15 France
| | - Luca Pucci
- 0000 0001 2165 4204grid.9851.5Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, University of Lausanne, CH-1005 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Corrado Calì
- 0000 0001 2165 4204grid.9851.5Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, University of Lausanne, CH-1005 Lausanne, Switzerland ,0000 0001 1926 5090grid.45672.32BESE division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, 23955-69000 Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Tamara Zehnder
- 0000 0001 2165 4204grid.9851.5Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, University of Lausanne, CH-1005 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Sébastien Sultan
- 0000 0001 2165 4204grid.9851.5Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, University of Lausanne, CH-1005 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Salvatore Lecca
- 0000 0001 2165 4204grid.9851.5Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, University of Lausanne, CH-1005 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Chicca
- 0000 0001 0726 5157grid.5734.5Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine (IBMM), University of Bern, Buehlstrasse, 28 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Andrei Ivanov
- “Biophotonics and Synapse Physiopathology” Team, UMR9188 CNRS – ENS Paris Saclay, 91405 Orsay, France
| | - Cédric S. Asensio
- 0000 0001 2297 6811grid.266102.1Departments of Neurology and Physiology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158 USA
| | - Vidar Gundersen
- 0000 0004 1936 8921grid.5510.1CMBN, Rikshospitalet, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Nicolas Toni
- 0000 0001 2165 4204grid.9851.5Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, University of Lausanne, CH-1005 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Graham William Knott
- 0000000121839049grid.5333.6BioEM Facility, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Fulvio Magara
- 0000 0001 2165 4204grid.9851.5Centre for Psychiatric Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry, Lausanne University Hospital Center, University of Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jürg Gertsch
- 0000 0001 0726 5157grid.5734.5Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine (IBMM), University of Bern, Buehlstrasse, 28 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Frank Kirchhoff
- 0000 0001 2167 7588grid.11749.3aDepartment of Molecular Physiology, University of Saarland, D-66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Nicole Déglon
- 0000 0001 0423 4662grid.8515.9Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland ,0000 0001 0423 4662grid.8515.9Neuroscience Research Center, Lausanne University Hospital, CH-1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Bruno Giros
- 0000 0004 1936 8649grid.14709.3bDepartment of Psychiatry, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H4H1R3 Canada ,0000 0001 2112 9282grid.4444.0INSERM, UMRS 1130; CNRS, UMR 8246; Sorbonne University UPMC, Neuroscience Paris-Seine, F-75005 Paris, France
| | - Robert H. Edwards
- 0000 0001 2297 6811grid.266102.1Departments of Neurology and Physiology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158 USA
| | - Jean-Pierre Mothet
- Centre de Recherche en Neurobiologie et Neurophysiologie de Marseille, Aix-Marseille Université UMR7286 CNRS, 13344, Marseille, Cedex 15, France. .,"Biophotonics and Synapse Physiopathology" Team, UMR9188 CNRS - ENS Paris Saclay, 91405, Orsay, France.
| | - Paola Bezzi
- Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, University of Lausanne, CH-1005, Lausanne, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Schatton A, Agoro J, Mardink J, Leboulle G, Scharff C. Identification of the neurotransmitter profile of AmFoxP expressing neurons in the honeybee brain using double-label in situ hybridization. BMC Neurosci 2018; 19:69. [PMID: 30400853 PMCID: PMC6219247 DOI: 10.1186/s12868-018-0469-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2018] [Accepted: 10/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND FoxP transcription factors play crucial roles for the development and function of vertebrate brains. In humans the neurally expressed FOXPs, FOXP1, FOXP2, and FOXP4 are implicated in cognition, including language. Neural FoxP expression is specific to particular brain regions but FoxP1, FoxP2 and FoxP4 are not limited to a particular neuron or neurotransmitter type. Motor- or sensory activity can regulate FoxP2 expression, e.g. in the striatal nucleus Area X of songbirds and in the auditory thalamus of mice. The DNA-binding domain of FoxP proteins is highly conserved within metazoa, raising the possibility that cellular functions were preserved across deep evolutionary time. We have previously shown in bee brains that FoxP is expressed in eleven specific neuron populations, seven tightly packed clusters and four loosely arranged groups. RESULTS The present study examined the co-expression of honeybee FoxP (AmFoxP) with markers for glutamatergic, GABAergic, cholinergic and monoaminergic transmission. We found that AmFoxP could co-occur with any one of those markers. Interestingly, AmFoxP clusters and AmFoxP groups differed with respect to homogeneity of marker co-expression; within a cluster, all neurons co-expressed the same neurotransmitter marker, within a group co-expression varied. We also assessed qualitatively whether age or housing conditions providing different sensory and motor experiences affected the AmFoxP neuron populations, but found no differences. CONCLUSIONS Based on the neurotransmitter homogeneity we conclude that AmFoxP neurons within the clusters might have a common projection and function whereas the AmFoxP groups are more diverse and could be further sub-divided. The obtained information about the neurotransmitters co-expressed in the AmFoxP neuron populations facilitated the search of similar neurons described in the literature. These comparisons revealed e.g. a possible function of AmFoxP neurons in the central complex. Our findings provide opportunities to focus future functional studies on invertebrate FoxP expressing neurons. In a broader context, our data will contribute to the ongoing efforts to discern in which cases relationships between molecular and phenotypic signatures are linked evolutionary.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Schatton
- Department of Animal Behavior, Freie Universität Berlin, Takustraße 6, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Julia Agoro
- Department of Animal Behavior, Freie Universität Berlin, Takustraße 6, 14195 Berlin, Germany
- Department of Neurobiology, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Straße 28-30, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Janis Mardink
- Department of Animal Behavior, Freie Universität Berlin, Takustraße 6, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Gérard Leboulle
- Department of Neurobiology, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Straße 28-30, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Constance Scharff
- Department of Animal Behavior, Freie Universität Berlin, Takustraße 6, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Big Lessons from Tiny Flies: Drosophila melanogaster as a Model to Explore Dysfunction of Dopaminergic and Serotonergic Neurotransmitter Systems. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19061788. [PMID: 29914172 PMCID: PMC6032372 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19061788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2018] [Revised: 06/11/2018] [Accepted: 06/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The brain of Drosophila melanogaster is comprised of some 100,000 neurons, 127 and 80 of which are dopaminergic and serotonergic, respectively. Their activity regulates behavioral functions equivalent to those in mammals, e.g., motor activity, reward and aversion, memory formation, feeding, sexual appetite, etc. Mammalian dopaminergic and serotonergic neurons are known to be heterogeneous. They differ in their projections and in their gene expression profile. A sophisticated genetic tool box is available, which allows for targeting virtually any gene with amazing precision in Drosophila melanogaster. Similarly, Drosophila genes can be replaced by their human orthologs including disease-associated alleles. Finally, genetic manipulation can be restricted to single fly neurons. This has allowed for addressing the role of individual neurons in circuits, which determine attraction and aversion, sleep and arousal, odor preference, etc. Flies harboring mutated human orthologs provide models which can be interrogated to understand the effect of the mutant protein on cell fate and neuronal connectivity. These models are also useful for proof-of-concept studies to examine the corrective action of therapeutic strategies. Finally, experiments in Drosophila can be readily scaled up to an extent, which allows for drug screening with reasonably high throughput.
Collapse
|
15
|
Challenges in Developing a Biochip for Intact Histamine Using Commercial Antibodies. CHEMOSENSORS 2017. [DOI: 10.3390/chemosensors5040033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
This study describes the development and the challenges in the development of an on-chip immunoassay for histamine using commercially available antibodies. Histamine can be used as an indicator of food freshness and quality, but it is also a relevant marker in clinical diagnostics. Due to its low molecular weight, simple structure and thus low immunogenicity production of high specificity and affinity antibodies is difficult. From six commercial anti-histamine antibodies tested, only two bound the histamine free in the solution. A fluorescent on-chip immunoassay for histamine was established with a dynamic range of 8–111 µg/mL using polyclonal anti-histamine antibody H7403 from Sigma (Mendota Heights, MN, USA). The anti-histamine antibodies described and used in published literature are thoroughly reviewed and the quality of commercial antibodies and their traceability and quality issues are highlighted and extensively discussed.
Collapse
|
16
|
Watanabe T, Kiyomoto T, Tadokoro R, Takase Y, Takahashi Y. Newly raised anti-VAChT and anti-ChAT antibodies detect cholinergic cells in chicken embryos. Dev Growth Differ 2017; 59:677-687. [DOI: 10.1111/dgd.12406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2017] [Revised: 09/06/2017] [Accepted: 09/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Tadayoshi Watanabe
- Department of Zoology; Graduate School of Science; Kyoto University; Sakyo-ku Kyoto 606-8502 Japan
| | - Takahiro Kiyomoto
- Department of Zoology; Graduate School of Science; Kyoto University; Sakyo-ku Kyoto 606-8502 Japan
| | - Ryosuke Tadokoro
- Department of Zoology; Graduate School of Science; Kyoto University; Sakyo-ku Kyoto 606-8502 Japan
| | - Yuta Takase
- Department of Zoology; Graduate School of Science; Kyoto University; Sakyo-ku Kyoto 606-8502 Japan
| | - Yoshiko Takahashi
- Department of Zoology; Graduate School of Science; Kyoto University; Sakyo-ku Kyoto 606-8502 Japan
- AMED Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology (AMED-CREST); Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED); Chiyoda-ku Tokyo 100-0004 Japan
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Mohylyak II, Chernyk YI. Functioning of glia and neurodegeneration in Drosophila melanogaster. CYTOL GENET+ 2017. [DOI: 10.3103/s0095452717030094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
|
18
|
Pankova K, Borst A. Transgenic line for the identification of cholinergic release sites in Drosophila melanogaster. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017; 220:1405-1410. [PMID: 28167805 PMCID: PMC5413067 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.149369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2016] [Accepted: 01/31/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The identification of neurotransmitter type used by a neuron is important for the functional dissection of neuronal circuits. In the model organism Drosophila melanogaster, several methods for discerning the neurotransmitter systems are available. Here, we expanded the toolbox for the identification of cholinergic neurons by generating a new line FRT-STOP-FRT-VAChT::HA that is a conditional tagged knock-in of the vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) gene in its endogenous locus. Importantly, in comparison to already available tools for the detection of cholinergic neurons, the FRT-STOP-FRT-VAChT::HA allele also allows for identification of the subcellular localization of the cholinergic presynaptic release sites in a cell-specific manner. We used the newly generated FRT-STOP-FRT-VAChT::HA line to characterize the Mi1 and Tm3 neurons in the fly visual system and found that VAChT is present in the axons of both cell types, suggesting that Mi1 and Tm3 neurons provide cholinergic input to the elementary motion detectors, the T4 neurons. Summary: A new transgenic Drosophila melanogaster line for the cell-type-specific identification of cholinergic release sites expands the available methods toolbox for discerning the neurotransmitter systems in the fly nervous system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katarina Pankova
- Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology, 82152 Martinsried, Germany .,Graduate School of Systemic Neurosciences, LMU Munich, 80539 Munich, Germany
| | - Alexander Borst
- Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology, 82152 Martinsried, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Chaturvedi R, Luan Z, Guo P, Li HS. Drosophila Vision Depends on Carcinine Uptake by an Organic Cation Transporter. Cell Rep 2016; 14:2076-2083. [PMID: 26923590 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2016.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2015] [Revised: 12/18/2015] [Accepted: 01/26/2016] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Recycling of neurotransmitters is essential for sustained neuronal signaling, yet recycling pathways for various transmitters, including histamine, remain poorly understood. In the first visual ganglion (lamina) of Drosophila, photoreceptor-released histamine is taken up into perisynaptic glia, converted to carcinine, and delivered back to the photoreceptor for histamine regeneration. Here, we identify an organic cation transporter, CarT (carcinine transporter), that transports carcinine into photoreceptors during histamine recycling. CarT mediated in vitro uptake of carcinine. Deletion of the CarT gene caused an accumulation of carcinine in laminar glia accompanied by a reduction in histamine, resulting in abolished photoreceptor signal transmission and blindness in behavioral assays. These defects were rescued by expression of CarT cDNA in photoreceptors, and they were reproduced by photoreceptor-specific CarT knockdown. Our findings suggest a common role for the conserved family of CarT-like transporters in maintaining histamine homeostasis in both mammalian and fly brains.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ratna Chaturvedi
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Zhuo Luan
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Peiyi Guo
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Hong-Sheng Li
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Stenesen D, Moehlman AT, Krämer H. The carcinine transporter CarT is required in Drosophila photoreceptor neurons to sustain histamine recycling. eLife 2015; 4:e10972. [PMID: 26653853 PMCID: PMC4739767 DOI: 10.7554/elife.10972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2015] [Accepted: 12/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Synaptic transmission from Drosophila photoreceptors to lamina neurons requires recycling of histamine neurotransmitter. Synaptic histamine is cleared by uptake into glia and conversion into carcinine, which functions as transport metabolite. How carcinine is transported from glia to photoreceptor neurons remains unclear. In a targeted RNAi screen for genes involved in this pathway, we identified carT, which encodes a member of the SLC22A transporter family. CarT expression in photoreceptors is necessary and sufficient for fly vision and behavior. Carcinine accumulates in the lamina of carT flies. Wild-type levels are restored by photoreceptor-specific expression of CarT, and endogenous tagging suggests CarT localizes to synaptic endings. Heterologous expression of CarT in S2 cells is sufficient for carcinine uptake, demonstrating the ability of CarT to utilize carcinine as a transport substrate. Together, our results demonstrate that CarT transports the histamine metabolite carcinine into photoreceptor neurons, thus contributing an essential step to the histamine–carcinine cycle. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.10972.001 Photoreceptors are light-sensitive neurons in the eyes of the fruit fly Drosophila that form connections with other neurons in the fly’s brain. At these connections, which are called synapses, the photoreceptors continuously release a chemical called histamine. Photoreceptors will release more or less histamine depending on changes in light intensity, but always tend to release more histamine than they can produce themselves from scratch. This means that the visual system in Drosophila relies on a pathway that recycles histamine. That is to say, glial cells (which support the activity of the neurons) remove the chemical from synapses and return it to the photoreceptor neurons in a slightly modified form called “carcinine”. The photoreceptors then quickly convert the chemical back into histamine, ready to be released. Stenesen et al. set out to identify the proteins that support this recycling pathway, and started by screening around 130 genes that encode transporter proteins for potential roles in histamine recycling. This screen identified a gene encoding a protein that was named CarT. This protein transports carcinine, the modified version of the histamine neurotransmitter. Stenesen et al. show that the photoreceptor neurons make the CarT protein and need this protein to take up the carcinine released by the supporting glial cells. Without CarT, photoreceptor neurons cannot transmit visual information, and so mutant flies in which the gene for CarT is deleted are blind. Follow-up studies related to this work could involve identifying the transporters that move histamine and carcinine in and out of the glia cells, and exploring what other neurons and behaviors in fruit flies rely on CarT’s activity. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.10972.002
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Drew Stenesen
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Andrew T Moehlman
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Helmut Krämer
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
|
22
|
Lee YM, Sun YH. Maintenance of glia in the optic lamina is mediated by EGFR signaling by photoreceptors in adult Drosophila. PLoS Genet 2015; 11:e1005187. [PMID: 25909451 PMCID: PMC4409299 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1005187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2014] [Accepted: 03/31/2015] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The late onset of neurodegeneration in humans indicates that the survival and function of cells in the nervous system must be maintained throughout adulthood. In the optic lamina of the adult Drosophila, the photoreceptor axons are surrounded by multiple types of glia. We demonstrated that the adult photoreceptors actively contribute to glia maintenance in their target field within the optic lamina. This effect is dependent on the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) ligands produced by the R1-6 photoreceptors and transported to the optic lamina to act on EGFR in the lamina glia. EGFR signaling is necessary and sufficient to act in a cell-autonomous manner in the lamina glia. Our results suggest that EGFR signaling is required for the trafficking of the autophagosome/endosome to the lysosome. The loss of EGFR signaling results in cell degeneration most likely because of the accumulation of autophagosomes. Our findings provide in vivo evidence for the role of adult neurons in the maintenance of glia and a novel role for EGFR signaling in the autophagic flux. Degeneration of the nervous system can be viewed as a failure to maintain cell survival or function in the nervous system. The late onset of neurodegeneration in humans indicates that the cell survival in the nervous system must be maintained throughout our lives. Neuronal survival is maintained by neurotrophic factors in adults; however, it is unclear whether glia survival is also maintained throughout adulthood. Here, we use the Drosophila visual system as a model to address the role played by adult neurons for the active maintenance of glia. We demonstrated that the adult photoreceptors secrete a signaling molecule, which is transported to the brain to act on the lamina glia and maintain its integrity. When this signaling pathway is blocked, the lamina glia undergoes a progressive and irreversible degeneration. The primary defect occurs in the trafficking from the late endosome and autophagosome to the lysosome. This defect leads to an accumulation of autophagosomes and subsequent cell degeneration as a result of autophagy. Our findings provide in vivo evidence for a novel aspect of the neuron-glia interaction and a novel role for EGFR signaling in regulating the maintenance and degeneration of the nervous system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuan-Ming Lee
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute of Genomic Sciences, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Y. Henry Sun
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute of Genomic Sciences, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Hanna ME, Bednářová A, Rakshit K, Chaudhuri A, O'Donnell JM, Krishnan N. Perturbations in dopamine synthesis lead to discrete physiological effects and impact oxidative stress response in Drosophila. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2015; 73:11-19. [PMID: 25585352 PMCID: PMC4699656 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2015.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2014] [Revised: 01/02/2015] [Accepted: 01/05/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The impact of mutations in four essential genes involved in dopamine (DA) synthesis and transport on longevity, motor behavior, and resistance to oxidative stress was monitored in Drosophila melanogaster. The fly lines used for this study were: (i) a loss of function mutation in Catecholamines up (Catsup(26)), which is a negative regulator of the rate limiting enzyme for DA synthesis, (ii) a mutant for the gene pale (ple(2)) that encodes for the rate limiting enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), (iii) a mutant for the gene Punch (Pu(Z22)) that encodes guanosine triphosphate cyclohydrolase, required for TH activity, and (iv) a mutant in the vesicular monoamine transporter (VMAT(Δ14)), which is required for packaging of DA as vesicles inside DA neurons. Median lifespans of ple(2), Pu(Z22) and VMAT(Δ14) mutants were significantly decreased compared to Catsup(26) and wild type controls that did not significantly differ between each other. Catsup(26) flies survived longer when exposed to hydrogen peroxide (80 μM) or paraquat (10mM) compared to ple(2), Pu(Z22) or VMAT(Δ14) and controls. These flies also exhibited significantly higher negative geotaxis activity compared to ple(2), Pu(Z22), VMAT(Δ14) and controls. All mutant flies demonstrated rhythmic circadian locomotor activity in general, albeit Catsup(26) and VMAT(Δ14) flies had slightly weaker rhythms. Expression analysis of some key antioxidant genes revealed that glutathione S-transferase Omega-1 (GSTO1) expression was significantly up-regulated in all DA synthesis pathway mutants and especially in Catsup(26) and VMAT(Δ14) flies at both mRNA and protein levels. Taken together, we hypothesize that DA could directly influence GSTO1 transcription and thus play a significant role in the regulation of response to oxidative stress. Additionally, perturbations in DA synthesis do not appear to have a significant impact on circadian locomotor activity rhythms per se, but do have an influence on general locomotor activity levels.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marley E Hanna
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology and Plant Pathology, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762, USA
| | - Andrea Bednářová
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology and Plant Pathology, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762, USA; Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre, Academy of Sciences and Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 31, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Kuntol Rakshit
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic School of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St. SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Anathbandhu Chaudhuri
- Department of Natural Sciences, Stinson Mathematics and Science Building, 3601 Stillman Blvd, Stillman College, Tuscaloosa, AL 35043, USA
| | - Janis M O'Donnell
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA
| | - Natraj Krishnan
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology and Plant Pathology, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Limmer S, Weiler A, Volkenhoff A, Babatz F, Klämbt C. The Drosophila blood-brain barrier: development and function of a glial endothelium. Front Neurosci 2014; 8:365. [PMID: 25452710 PMCID: PMC4231875 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2014.00365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 138] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2014] [Accepted: 10/23/2014] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The efficacy of neuronal function requires a well-balanced extracellular ion homeostasis and a steady supply with nutrients and metabolites. Therefore, all organisms equipped with a complex nervous system developed a so-called blood-brain barrier, protecting it from an uncontrolled entry of solutes, metabolites or pathogens. In higher vertebrates, this diffusion barrier is established by polarized endothelial cells that form extensive tight junctions, whereas in lower vertebrates and invertebrates the blood-brain barrier is exclusively formed by glial cells. Here, we review the development and function of the glial blood-brain barrier of Drosophila melanogaster. In the Drosophila nervous system, at least seven morphologically distinct glial cell classes can be distinguished. Two of these glial classes form the blood-brain barrier. Perineurial glial cells participate in nutrient uptake and establish a first diffusion barrier. The subperineurial glial (SPG) cells form septate junctions, which block paracellular diffusion and thus seal the nervous system from the hemolymph. We summarize the molecular basis of septate junction formation and address the different transport systems expressed by the blood-brain barrier forming glial cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Limmer
- Institut für Neuro- und Verhaltensbiologie, Universität Münster Münster, Germany
| | - Astrid Weiler
- Institut für Neuro- und Verhaltensbiologie, Universität Münster Münster, Germany
| | - Anne Volkenhoff
- Institut für Neuro- und Verhaltensbiologie, Universität Münster Münster, Germany
| | - Felix Babatz
- Institut für Neuro- und Verhaltensbiologie, Universität Münster Münster, Germany
| | - Christian Klämbt
- Institut für Neuro- und Verhaltensbiologie, Universität Münster Münster, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
DeSalvo MK, Hindle SJ, Rusan ZM, Orng S, Eddison M, Halliwill K, Bainton RJ. The Drosophila surface glia transcriptome: evolutionary conserved blood-brain barrier processes. Front Neurosci 2014; 8:346. [PMID: 25426014 PMCID: PMC4224204 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2014.00346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2014] [Accepted: 10/10/2014] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Central nervous system (CNS) function is dependent on the stringent regulation of metabolites, drugs, cells, and pathogens exposed to the CNS space. Cellular blood-brain barrier (BBB) structures are highly specific checkpoints governing entry and exit of all small molecules to and from the brain interstitial space, but the precise mechanisms that regulate the BBB are not well understood. In addition, the BBB has long been a challenging obstacle to the pharmacologic treatment of CNS diseases; thus model systems that can parse the functions of the BBB are highly desirable. In this study, we sought to define the transcriptome of the adult Drosophila melanogaster BBB by isolating the BBB surface glia with fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) and profiling their gene expression with microarrays. By comparing the transcriptome of these surface glia to that of all brain glia, brain neurons, and whole brains, we present a catalog of transcripts that are selectively enriched at the Drosophila BBB. We found that the fly surface glia show high expression of many ATP-binding cassette (ABC) and solute carrier (SLC) transporters, cell adhesion molecules, metabolic enzymes, signaling molecules, and components of xenobiotic metabolism pathways. Using gene sequence-based alignments, we compare the Drosophila and Murine BBB transcriptomes and discover many shared chemoprotective and small molecule control pathways, thus affirming the relevance of invertebrate models for studying evolutionary conserved BBB properties. The Drosophila BBB transcriptome is valuable to vertebrate and insect biologists alike as a resource for studying proteins underlying diffusion barrier development and maintenance, glial biology, and regulation of drug transport at tissue barriers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael K DeSalvo
- Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care, University of California San Francisco San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Samantha J Hindle
- Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care, University of California San Francisco San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Zeid M Rusan
- Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care, University of California San Francisco San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Souvinh Orng
- Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care, University of California San Francisco San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Mark Eddison
- Janelia Farm Research Campus, The Howard Hughes Medical Institute Ashburn, VA, USA
| | - Kyle Halliwill
- Pharmaceutical Sciences and Pharmacogenomics, University of California San Francisco San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Roland J Bainton
- Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care, University of California San Francisco San Francisco, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
The redistribution of Drosophila vesicular monoamine transporter mutants from synaptic vesicles to large dense-core vesicles impairs amine-dependent behaviors. J Neurosci 2014; 34:6924-37. [PMID: 24828646 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0694-14.2014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Monoamine neurotransmitters are stored in both synaptic vesicles (SVs), which are required for release at the synapse, and large dense-core vesicles (LDCVs), which mediate extrasynaptic release. The contributions of each type of vesicular release to specific behaviors are not known. To address this issue, we generated mutations in the C-terminal trafficking domain of the Drosophila vesicular monoamine transporter (DVMAT), which is required for the vesicular storage of monoamines in both SVs and LDCVs. Deletion of the terminal 23 aa (DVMAT-Δ3) reduced the rate of endocytosis and localization of DVMAT to SVs, but supported localization to LDCVs. An alanine substitution mutation in a tyrosine-based motif (DVMAT-Y600A) also reduced sorting to SVs and showed an endocytic deficit specific to aminergic nerve terminals. Redistribution of DVMAT-Y600A from SV to LDCV fractions was also enhanced in aminergic neurons. To determine how these changes might affect behavior, we expressed DVMAT-Δ3 and DVMAT-Y600A in a dVMAT null genetic background that lacks endogenous dVMAT activity. When expressed ubiquitously, DVMAT-Δ3 showed a specific deficit in female fertility, whereas DVMAT-Y600A rescued behavior similarly to DVMAT-wt. In contrast, when expressed more specifically in octopaminergic neurons, both DVMAT-Δ3 and DVMAT-Y600A failed to rescue female fertility, and DVMAT-Y600A showed deficits in larval locomotion. DVMAT-Y600A also showed more severe dominant effects than either DVMAT-wt or DVMAT-Δ3. We propose that these behavioral deficits result from the redistribution of DVMAT from SVs to LDCVs. By extension, our data suggest that the balance of amine release from SVs versus that from LDCVs is critical for the function of some aminergic circuits.
Collapse
|
27
|
Drosophila melanogaster as a genetic model system to study neurotransmitter transporters. Neurochem Int 2014; 73:71-88. [PMID: 24704795 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2014.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2013] [Revised: 03/20/2014] [Accepted: 03/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The model genetic organism Drosophila melanogaster, commonly known as the fruit fly, uses many of the same neurotransmitters as mammals and very similar mechanisms of neurotransmitter storage, release and recycling. This system offers a variety of powerful molecular-genetic methods for the study of transporters, many of which would be difficult in mammalian models. We review here progress made using Drosophila to understand the function and regulation of neurotransmitter transporters and discuss future directions for its use.
Collapse
|
28
|
Long-distance mechanism of neurotransmitter recycling mediated by glial network facilitates visual function in Drosophila. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2014; 111:2812-7. [PMID: 24550312 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1323714111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurons rely on glia to recycle neurotransmitters such as glutamate and histamine for sustained signaling. Both mammalian and insect glia form intercellular gap-junction networks, but their functional significance underlying neurotransmitter recycling is unknown. Using the Drosophila visual system as a genetic model, here we show that a multicellular glial network transports neurotransmitter metabolites between perisynaptic glia and neuronal cell bodies to mediate long-distance recycling of neurotransmitter. In the first visual neuropil (lamina), which contains a multilayer glial network, photoreceptor axons release histamine to hyperpolarize secondary sensory neurons. Subsequently, the released histamine is taken up by perisynaptic epithelial glia and converted into inactive carcinine through conjugation with β-alanine for transport. In contrast to a previous assumption that epithelial glia deliver carcinine directly back to photoreceptor axons for histamine regeneration within the lamina, we detected both carcinine and β-alanine in the fly retina, where they are found in photoreceptor cell bodies and surrounding pigment glial cells. Downregulating Inx2 gap junctions within the laminar glial network causes β-alanine accumulation in retinal pigment cells and impairs carcinine synthesis, leading to reduced histamine levels and photoreceptor synaptic vesicles. Consequently, visual transmission is impaired and the fly is less responsive in a visual alert analysis compared with wild type. Our results suggest that a gap junction-dependent laminar and retinal glial network transports histamine metabolites between perisynaptic glia and photoreceptor cell bodies to mediate a novel, long-distance mechanism of neurotransmitter recycling, highlighting the importance of glial networks in the regulation of neuronal functions.
Collapse
|
29
|
SLC18: Vesicular neurotransmitter transporters for monoamines and acetylcholine. Mol Aspects Med 2013; 34:360-72. [PMID: 23506877 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2012.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2012] [Accepted: 05/29/2012] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The exocytotic release of neurotransmitters requires active transport into synaptic vesicles and other types of secretory vesicles. Members of the SLC18 family perform this function for acetylcholine (SLC18A3, the vesicular acetylcholine transporter or VAChT) and monoamines such as dopamine and serotonin (SLC18A1 and 2, the vesicular monoamine transporters VMAT1 and 2, respectively). To date, no specific diseases have been attributed to a mutation in an SLC18 family member; however, polymorphisms in SLC18A1 and SLC18A2 may confer risk for some neuropsychiatric disorders. Additional members of this family include SLC18A4, expressed in insects, and SLC18B1, the function of which is not known. SLC18 is part of the Drug:H(+) Antiporter-1 Family (DHA1, TCID 2.A.1.2) within the Major Facilitator Superfamily (MFS, TCID 2.A.1).
Collapse
|
30
|
Dispensable, redundant, complementary, and cooperative roles of dopamine, octopamine, and serotonin in Drosophila melanogaster. Genetics 2012; 193:159-76. [PMID: 23086220 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.112.142042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
To investigate the regulation of Drosophila melanogaster behavior by biogenic amines, we have exploited the broad requirement of the vesicular monoamine transporter (VMAT) for the vesicular storage and exocytotic release of all monoamine neurotransmitters. We used the Drosophila VMAT (dVMAT) null mutant to globally ablate exocytotic amine release and then restored DVMAT activity in either individual or multiple aminergic systems, using transgenic rescue techniques. We find that larval survival, larval locomotion, and female fertility rely predominantly on octopaminergic circuits with little apparent input from the vesicular release of serotonin or dopamine. In contrast, male courtship and fertility can be rescued by expressing DVMAT in octopaminergic or dopaminergic neurons, suggesting potentially redundant circuits. Rescue of major aspects of adult locomotion and startle behavior required octopamine, but a complementary role was observed for serotonin. Interestingly, adult circadian behavior could not be rescued by expression of DVMAT in a single subtype of aminergic neurons, but required at least two systems, suggesting the possibility of unexpected cooperative interactions. Further experiments using this model will help determine how multiple aminergic systems may contribute to the regulation of other behaviors. Our data also highlight potential differences between behaviors regulated by standard exocytotic release and those regulated by other mechanisms.
Collapse
|
31
|
Rahman M, Ham H, Liu X, Sugiura Y, Orth K, Krämer H. Visual neurotransmission in Drosophila requires expression of Fic in glial capitate projections. Nat Neurosci 2012; 15:871-5. [PMID: 22544313 DOI: 10.1038/nn.3102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2012] [Accepted: 04/04/2012] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Fic domains can catalyze the addition of adenosine monophosphate to target proteins. To date, the function of Fic domain proteins in eukaryotic physiology remains unknown. We generated genetic models of the single Drosophila Fic domain–containing protein, Fic. Flies lacking Fic were viable and fertile, but blind. Photoreceptor cells depolarized normally following light stimulation, but failed to activate postsynaptic neurons, as indicated by the loss of ON transients in electroretinograms, consistent with a neurotransmission defect. Functional rescue of neurotransmission required expression of enzymatically active Fic on capitate projections of glia cells, but not neurons, supporting a role in the recycling of the visual neurotransmitter histamine. Histamine levels were reduced in the lamina of Fic null flies, and dietary histamine partially restored ON transients. These findings establish a previously unknown regulatory mechanism in visual neurotransmission and provide, to the best of our knowledge, the first evidence for a role of glial capitate projections in neurotransmitter recycling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mokhlasur Rahman
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
32
|
Borycz J, Borycz JA, Edwards TN, Boulianne GL, Meinertzhagen IA. The metabolism of histamine in the Drosophila optic lobe involves an ommatidial pathway: β-alanine recycles through the retina. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012; 215:1399-411. [PMID: 22442379 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.060699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Flies recycle the photoreceptor neurotransmitter histamine by conjugating it to β-alanine to form β-alanyl-histamine (carcinine). The conjugation is regulated by Ebony, while Tan hydrolyses carcinine, releasing histamine and β-alanine. In Drosophila, β-alanine synthesis occurs either from uracil or from the decarboxylation of aspartate but detailed roles for the enzymes responsible remain unclear. Immunohistochemically detected β-alanine is present throughout the fly's entire brain, and is enhanced in the retina especially in the pseudocone, pigment and photoreceptor cells of the ommatidia. HPLC determinations reveal 10.7 ng of β-alanine in the wild-type head, roughly five times more than histamine. When wild-type flies drink uracil their head β-alanine increases more than after drinking l-aspartic acid, indicating the effectiveness of the uracil pathway. Mutants of black, which lack aspartate decarboxylase, cannot synthesize β-alanine from l-aspartate but can still synthesize it efficiently from uracil. Our findings demonstrate a novel function for pigment cells, which not only screen ommatidia from stray light but also store and transport β-alanine and carcinine. This role is consistent with a β-alanine-dependent histamine recycling pathway occurring not only in the photoreceptor terminals in the lamina neuropile, where carcinine occurs in marginal glia, but vertically via a long pathway that involves the retina. The lamina's marginal glia are also a hub involved in the storage and/or disposal of carcinine and β-alanine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Janusz Borycz
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Life Sciences Centre, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada, B3H 4J1
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
33
|
Wang Z, Ferdousy F, Lawal H, Huang Z, Daigle JG, Izevbaye I, Doherty O, Thomas J, Stathakis DG, O'Donnell JM. Catecholamines up integrates dopamine synthesis and synaptic trafficking. J Neurochem 2011; 119:1294-305. [PMID: 21985068 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2011.07517.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The highly reactive nature of dopamine renders dopaminergic neurons vulnerable to oxidative damage. We recently demonstrated that loss-of-function mutations in the Drosophila gene Catecholamines up (Catsup) elevate dopamine pools but, paradoxically, also confer resistance to paraquat, an herbicide that induces oxidative stress-mediated toxicity in dopaminergic neurons. We now report a novel association of the membrane protein, Catsup, with GTP cyclohydrolase rate-limiting enzyme for tetrahydrobiopterin (BH(4)) biosynthesis and tyrosine hydroxylase, rate-limiting enzyme for dopamine biosynthesis, which requires BH(4) as a cofactor. Loss-of-function Catsup mutations cause dominant hyperactivation of both enzymes. Elevated dopamine levels in Catsup mutants coincide with several distinct characteristics, including hypermobility, minimal basal levels of 3,4-dihydroxy-phenylacetic acid, an oxidative metabolite of dopamine, and resistance to the vesicular monoamine transporter inhibitor, reserpine, suggesting that excess dopamine is synaptically active and that Catsup functions in the regulation of synaptic vesicle loading and release of dopamine. We conclude that Catsup regulates and links the dopamine synthesis and transport networks.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Wang
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
34
|
DeSalvo MK, Mayer N, Mayer F, Bainton RJ. Physiologic and anatomic characterization of the brain surface glia barrier of Drosophila. Glia 2011; 59:1322-40. [PMID: 21351158 PMCID: PMC3130812 DOI: 10.1002/glia.21147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2010] [Accepted: 12/20/2010] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Central nervous system (CNS) physiology requires special chemical, metabolic, and cellular privileges for normal function, and blood-brain barrier (BBB) structures are the anatomic and physiologic constructs that arbitrate communication between the brain and body. In the vertebrate BBB, two primary cell types create CNS exclusion biology, a polarized vascular endothelium (VE), and a tightly associated single layer of astrocytic glia (AG). Examples of direct action by the BBB in CNS disease are constantly expanding, including key pathophysiologic roles in multiple sclerosis, stroke, and cancer. In addition, its role as a pharmacologic treatment obstacle to the brain is long standing; thus, molecular model systems that can parse BBB functions and understand the complex integration of sophisticated cellular anatomy and highly polarized chemical protection physiology are desperately needed. Compound barrier structures that use two primary cell types (i.e., functional bicellularity) are common to other humoral/CNS barrier structures. For example, invertebrates use two cell layers of glia, perineurial and subperineurial, to control chemical access to the brain, and analogous glial layers, fenestrated and pseudocartridge, to maintain the blood-eye barrier. In this article, we summarize our current understanding of brain-barrier glial anatomy in Drosophila, demonstrate the power of live imaging as a screening methodology for identifying physiologic characteristics of BBB glia, and compare the physiologies of Drosophila barrier layers to the VE/AG interface of vertebrates. We conclude that many unique BBB physiologies are conserved across phyla and suggest new methods for modeling CNS physiology and disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael K. DeSalvo
- University of California at San Francisco, Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care, Program in Biological Sciences, Mission Bay Genentech Hall, 600 16th Street, San Francisco, CA 94158-2517
| | - Nasima Mayer
- University of California at San Francisco, Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care, Program in Biological Sciences, Mission Bay Genentech Hall, 600 16th Street, San Francisco, CA 94158-2517
| | - Fahima Mayer
- University of California at San Francisco, Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care, Program in Biological Sciences, Mission Bay Genentech Hall, 600 16th Street, San Francisco, CA 94158-2517
| | - Roland J. Bainton
- University of California at San Francisco, Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care, Program in Biological Sciences, Mission Bay Genentech Hall, 600 16th Street, San Francisco, CA 94158-2517
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Damulewicz M, Pyza E. The clock input to the first optic neuropil of Drosophila melanogaster expressing neuronal circadian plasticity. PLoS One 2011; 6:e21258. [PMID: 21760878 PMCID: PMC3124489 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0021258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2010] [Accepted: 05/26/2011] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
In the first optic neuropil (lamina) of the fly's visual system, two interneurons, L1 and L2 monopolar cells, and epithelial glial cells show circadian rhythms in morphological plasticity. These rhythms depend on clock gene period (per) and cryptochrome (cry) expression. In the present study, we found that rhythms in the lamina of Drosophila melanogaster may be regulated by circadian clock neurons in the brain since the lamina is invaded by one neurite extending from ventral lateral neurons; the so-called pacemaker neurons. These neurons and the projection to the lamina were visualized by green fluorescent protein (GFP). GFP reporter gene expression was driven by the cry promotor in cry-GAL4/UAS-GFP transgenic lines. We observed that the neuron projecting to the lamina forms arborizations of varicose fibers in the distal lamina. These varicose fibers do not form synaptic contacts with the lamina cells and are immunoreactive to the antisera raised against a specific region of Schistocerca gregaria ion transport peptide (ITP). ITP released in a paracrine way in the lamina cortex, may regulate the swelling and shrinking rhythms of the lamina monopolar cells and the glia by controlling the transport of ions and fluids across cell membranes at particular times of the day.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Milena Damulewicz
- Department of Cell Biology and Imaging, Institute of Zoology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Elzbieta Pyza
- Department of Cell Biology and Imaging, Institute of Zoology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
O'Kane CJ. Drosophila as a model organism for the study of neuropsychiatric disorders. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2011; 7:37-60. [PMID: 21225410 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2010_110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
The fruitfly Drosophila offers a model system in which powerful genetic tools can be applied to understanding the neurobiological bases of a range of complex behaviors. The Drosophila and human lineages diverged several hundred million years ago, and despite their obvious differences, flies and humans share many fundamental cellular and neurobiological processes. The similarities include fundamental mechanisms of neuronal signaling, a conserved underlying brain architecture and the main classes of neurotransmitter system. Drosophila also have a sophisticated behavioral repertoire that includes extensive abilities to adapt to experience and other circumstances, and is therefore susceptible to the same kinds of insults that can cause neuropsychiatric disorders in humans. Given the different physiologies, lifestyles, and cognitive abilities of flies and humans, many higher order behavioral features of the human disorders cannot be modeled readily in flies. However, an increasing understanding of the genetics of human neuropsychiatric disorders is suggesting parallels with underlying neurobiological mechanisms in flies, thus providing important insights into the possible mechanisms of these poorly understood disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cahir J O'Kane
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EH, UK,
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Jackson FR. Glial cell modulation of circadian rhythms. Glia 2010; 59:1341-50. [PMID: 21732426 DOI: 10.1002/glia.21097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2010] [Accepted: 09/22/2010] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Studies of Drosophila and mammals have documented circadian changes in the morphology and biochemistry of glial cells. In addition, it is known that astrocytes of flies and mammals contain evolutionarily conserved circadian molecular oscillators that are similar to neuronal oscillators. In several sections of this review, I summarize the morphological and biochemical rhythms of glia that may contribute to circadian control. I also discuss the evidence suggesting that glia-neuron interactions may be critical for circadian timing in both flies and mammals. Throughout the review, I attempt to compare and contrast findings from these invertebrate and vertebrate models so as to provide a synthesis of current knowledge and indicate potential research avenues that may be useful for better understanding the roles of glial cells in the circadian system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- F Rob Jackson
- Department of Neuroscience, Center for Neuroscience Research, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
The Drosophila vesicular monoamine transporter reduces pesticide-induced loss of dopaminergic neurons. Neurobiol Dis 2010; 40:102-12. [PMID: 20472063 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2010.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2010] [Revised: 05/04/2010] [Accepted: 05/06/2010] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Dopamine is cytotoxic and may play a role in the development of Parkinson's disease. However, its interaction with environmental risk factors such as pesticides remains poorly understood. The vesicular monoamine transporter (VMAT) regulates intracellular dopamine content, and we have tested the neuroprotective effects of VMAT in vivo using the model organism Drosophila melanogaster. We find that Drosophila VMAT (dVMAT) mutants contain fewer dopaminergic neurons than wild type, consistent with a developmental effect, and that dopaminergic cell loss in the mutant is exacerbated by the pesticides rotenone and paraquat. Overexpression of DVMAT protein does not increase the survival of animals exposed to rotenone, but blocks the loss of dopaminergic neurons caused by this pesticide. These results are the first to demonstrate an interaction between a VMAT and pesticides in vivo, and provide an important model to investigate the mechanisms by which pesticides and cellular DA may interact to kill dopaminergic cells.
Collapse
|
39
|
Oland LA, Gibson NJ, Tolbert LP. Localization of a GABA transporter to glial cells in the developing and adult olfactory pathway of the moth Manduca sexta. J Comp Neurol 2010; 518:815-38. [PMID: 20058309 DOI: 10.1002/cne.22244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Glial cells have several critical roles in the developing and adult olfactory (antennal) lobe of the moth Manduca sexta. Early in development, glial cells occupy discrete regions of the developing olfactory pathway and processes of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic neurons extend into some of these regions. Because GABA is known to have developmental effects in a variety of systems, we explored the possibility that the glial cells express a GABA transporter that could regulate GABA levels to which olfactory neurons and glial cells are exposed. By using an antibody raised against a characterized high-affinity M. sexta GABA transporter with high sequence homology to known mammalian GABA transporters (Mbungu et al. [1995] Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 318:489-497; Umesh and Gill [2002] J. Comp. Neurol. 448:388-398), we found that the GABA transporter is localized to subsets of centrally derived glial cells during metamorphic adult development. The transporter persists into adulthood in a subset of the neuropil-associated glial cells, but its distribution pattern as determined by light-and electron-microscopic-level immunocytochemistry indicates that it could not serve to regulate GABA concentration in the synaptic cleft. Instead, its role is more likely to regulate extracellular GABA levels within the glomerular neuropil. Expression in the sorting zone glial cells disappears after the period of olfactory receptor axon ingrowth, but may be important during ingrowth if GABA regulates axon growth. Glial cells take up GABA, and that uptake can be blocked by L-2,4-diaminobutyric acid (DABA). This is the first molecular evidence that the central glial cell population in this pathway is heterogeneous.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lynne A Oland
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
40
|
Edwards TN, Meinertzhagen IA. The functional organisation of glia in the adult brain of Drosophila and other insects. Prog Neurobiol 2010; 90:471-97. [PMID: 20109517 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2010.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 147] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2009] [Revised: 01/14/2010] [Accepted: 01/14/2010] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
This review annotates and categorises the glia of adult Drosophila and other model insects and analyses the developmental origins of these in the Drosophila optic lobe. The functions of glia in the adult vary depending upon their sub-type and location in the brain. The task of annotating glia is essentially complete only for the glia of the fly's lamina, which comprise: two types of surface glia-the pseudocartridge and fenestrated glia; two types of cortex glia-the distal and proximal satellite glia; and two types of neuropile glia-the epithelial and marginal glia. We advocate that the term subretinal glia, as used to refer to both pseudocartridge and fenestrated glia, be abandoned. Other neuropiles contain similar glial subtypes, but other than the antennal lobes these have not been described in detail. Surface glia form the blood brain barrier, regulating the flow of substances into and out of the nervous system, both for the brain as a whole and the optic neuropiles in particular. Cortex glia provide a second level of barrier, wrapping axon fascicles and isolating neuronal cell bodies both from neighbouring brain regions and from their underlying neuropiles. Neuropile glia can be generated in the adult and a subtype, ensheathing glia, are responsible for cleaning up cellular debris during Wallerian degeneration. Both the neuropile ensheathing and astrocyte-like glia may be involved in clearing neurotransmitters from the extracellular space, thus modifying the levels of histamine, glutamate and possibly dopamine at the synapse to ultimately affect behaviour.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tara N Edwards
- Department of Biology, Life Sciences Centre, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada, B3H 4J1.
| | | |
Collapse
|
41
|
Grygoruk A, Fei H, Daniels RW, Miller BR, Diantonio A, Krantz DE. A tyrosine-based motif localizes a Drosophila vesicular transporter to synaptic vesicles in vivo. J Biol Chem 2010; 285:6867-78. [PMID: 20053989 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m109.073064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Vesicular neurotransmitter transporters must localize to synaptic vesicles (SVs) to allow regulated neurotransmitter release at the synapse. However, the signals required to localize vesicular proteins to SVs in vivo remain unclear. To address this question we have tested the effects of mutating proposed trafficking domains in Drosophila orthologs of the vesicular monoamine and glutamate transporters, DVMAT-A and DVGLUT. We show that a tyrosine-based motif (YXXY) is important both for DVMAT-A internalization from the cell surface in vitro, and localization to SVs in vivo. In contrast, DVGLUT deletion mutants that lack a putative C-terminal trafficking domain show more modest defects in both internalization in vitro and trafficking to SVs in vivo. Our data show for the first time that mutation of a specific trafficking motif can disrupt localization to SVs in vivo and suggest possible differences in the sorting of VMATs versus VGLUTs to SVs at the synapse.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Grygoruk
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, Hatos Center for Neuropharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, California 90095-1761, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
42
|
Drosophila vesicular monoamine transporter mutants can adapt to reduced or eliminated vesicular stores of dopamine and serotonin. Genetics 2008; 181:525-41. [PMID: 19033154 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.108.094110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Physiologic and pathogenic changes in amine release induce dramatic behavioral changes, but the underlying cellular mechanisms remain unclear. To investigate these adaptive processes, we have characterized mutations in the Drosophila vesicular monoamine transporter (dVMAT), which is required for the vesicular storage of dopamine, serotonin, and octopamine. dVMAT mutant larvae show reduced locomotion and decreased electrical activity in motoneurons innervating the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) implicating central amines in the regulation of these activities. A parallel increase in evoked glutamate release by the motoneuron is consistent with a homeostatic adaptation at the NMJ. Despite the importance of aminergic signaling for regulating locomotion and other behaviors, adult dVMAT homozygous null mutants survive under conditions of low population density, thus allowing a phenotypic characterization of adult behavior. Homozygous mutant females are sterile and show defects in both egg retention and development; males also show reduced fertility. Homozygotes show an increased attraction to light but are mildly impaired in geotaxis and escape behaviors. In contrast, heterozygous mutants show an exaggerated escape response. Both hetero- and homozygous mutants demonstrate an altered behavioral response to cocaine. dVMAT mutants define potentially adaptive responses to reduced or eliminated aminergic signaling and will be useful to identify the underlying molecular mechanisms.
Collapse
|