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Rani N, Alam MM, Jamal A, Bin Ghaffar U, Parvez S. Caenorhabditis elegans: A transgenic model for studying age-associated neurodegenerative diseases. Ageing Res Rev 2023; 91:102036. [PMID: 37598759 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2023.102036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are a heterogeneous group of aging-associated ailments characterized by interrupting cellular proteostasic machinery and the misfolding of distinct proteins to form toxic aggregates in neurons. Neurodegenerative diseases, which include Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Huntington's disease (HD), and others, are becoming an increasing threat to human health worldwide. The degeneration and death of certain specific groups of neurons are the hallmarks of these diseases. Over the past decades, Caenorhabditis eleganshas beenwidely used as a transgenic model to investigate biological processes related to health and disease. The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) has developed as a powerful tool for studying disease mechanisms due to its ease of genetic handling and instant cultivation while providing a whole-animal system amendable to several molecular and biochemical techniques. In this review, we elucidate the potential of C. elegans as a versatile platform for systematic dissection of the molecular basis of human disease, focusing on neurodegenerative disorders, and may help better our understanding of the disease mechanisms and search for new therapeutics for these devastating diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nisha Rani
- Department of Toxicology, School of Chemical & Life Sciences, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110062, India
| | - Mohammad Mumtaz Alam
- Drug Design and Medicinal Chemistry Lab, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110062, India
| | - Azfar Jamal
- Department of Biology, College of Science Al-Zulfi, Majmaah University, Al-Majmaah 11952, Saudi Arabia
| | - Usama Bin Ghaffar
- Department of Basic Science, College of Medicine, Majmaah University, Al-Majmaah 11952, Saudi Arabia
| | - Suhel Parvez
- Department of Toxicology, School of Chemical & Life Sciences, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110062, India.
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2
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Identification of a Novel Wnt Antagonist Based Therapeutic and Diagnostic Target for Alzheimer's Disease Using a Stem Cell-Derived Model. Bioengineering (Basel) 2023; 10:bioengineering10020192. [PMID: 36829686 PMCID: PMC9952699 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering10020192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Currently, all the existing treatments for Alzheimer's disease (AD) fail to stall progression due to longer duration of time between onset of the symptoms and diagnosis of the disease, raising the necessity of effective diagnostics and novel treatment. Specific molecular regulation of the onset and progression of disease is not yet elucidated. This warranted investigation of the role of Wnt signaling regulators which are thought to be involved in neurogenesis. The AD model was established using amyloid beta (Aβ) in human mesenchymal stem cells derived from amniotic membranes which were differentiated into neuronal cell types. In vivo studies were carried out with Aβ or a Wnt antagonist, AD201, belonging to the sFRP family. We further created an AD201-knockdown in vitro model to determine the role of Wnt antagonism. BACE1 upregulation, ChAT and α7nAChR downregulation with synapse and functionality loss with increases in ROS confirmed the neurodegeneration. Reduced β-catenin and increased AD201 expression indicated Wnt/canonical pathway inhibition. Similar results were exhibited in the in vivo study along with AD-associated behavioural and molecular changes. AD201-knockdown rescued neurons from Aβ-induced toxicity. We demonstrated for the first time a role of AD201 in Alzheimer's disease manifestation, which indicates a promising disease target and biomarker.
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3
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Modeling Alzheimer's Disease in Caenorhabditis elegans. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10020288. [PMID: 35203497 PMCID: PMC8869312 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10020288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most frequent cause of dementia. After decades of research, we know the importance of the accumulation of protein aggregates such as β-amyloid peptide and phosphorylated tau. We also know that mutations in certain proteins generate early-onset Alzheimer’s disease (EOAD), and many other genes modulate the disease in its sporadic form. However, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying AD pathology are still unclear. Because of ethical limitations, we need to use animal models to investigate these processes. The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans has received considerable attention in the last 25 years, since the first AD models overexpressing Aβ peptide were described. We review here the main results obtained using this model to study AD. We include works studying the basic molecular mechanisms of the disease, as well as those searching for new therapeutic targets. Although this model also has important limitations, the ability of this nematode to generate knock-out or overexpression models of any gene, single or combined, and to carry out toxicity, recovery or survival studies in short timeframes with many individuals and at low cost is difficult to overcome. We can predict that its use as a model for various diseases will certainly continue to increase.
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4
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Kaldun JC, Lone SR, Humbert Camps AM, Fritsch C, Widmer YF, Stein JV, Tomchik SM, Sprecher SG. Dopamine, sleep, and neuronal excitability modulate amyloid-β-mediated forgetting in Drosophila. PLoS Biol 2021; 19:e3001412. [PMID: 34613972 PMCID: PMC8523056 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer disease (AD) is one of the main causes of age-related dementia and neurodegeneration. However, the onset of the disease and the mechanisms causing cognitive defects are not well understood. Aggregation of amyloidogenic peptides is a pathological hallmark of AD and is assumed to be a central component of the molecular disease pathways. Pan-neuronal expression of Aβ42Arctic peptides in Drosophila melanogaster results in learning and memory defects. Surprisingly, targeted expression to the mushroom bodies, a center for olfactory memories in the fly brain, does not interfere with learning but accelerates forgetting. We show here that reducing neuronal excitability either by feeding Levetiracetam or silencing of neurons in the involved circuitry ameliorates the phenotype. Furthermore, inhibition of the Rac-regulated forgetting pathway could rescue the Aβ42Arctic-mediated accelerated forgetting phenotype. Similar effects are achieved by increasing sleep, a critical regulator of neuronal homeostasis. Our results provide a functional framework connecting forgetting signaling and sleep, which are critical for regulating neuronal excitability and homeostasis and are therefore a promising mechanism to modulate forgetting caused by toxic Aβ peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenifer C. Kaldun
- Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Shahnaz R. Lone
- Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
- Department of Animal Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, India
| | | | - Cornelia Fritsch
- Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Yves F. Widmer
- Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Jens V. Stein
- Department of Medicine, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Seth M. Tomchik
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida, United States of America
| | - Simon G. Sprecher
- Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
- * E-mail:
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5
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Elovsson G, Bergkvist L, Brorsson AC. Exploring Aβ Proteotoxicity and Therapeutic Candidates Using Drosophila melanogaster. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms221910448. [PMID: 34638786 PMCID: PMC8508956 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease is a widespread and devastating neurological disorder associated with proteotoxic events caused by the misfolding and aggregation of the amyloid-β peptide. To find therapeutic strategies to combat this disease, Drosophila melanogaster has proved to be an excellent model organism that is able to uncover anti-proteotoxic candidates due to its outstanding genetic toolbox and resemblance to human disease genes. In this review, we highlight the use of Drosophila melanogaster to both study the proteotoxicity of the amyloid-β peptide and to screen for drug candidates. Expanding the knowledge of how the etiology of Alzheimer’s disease is related to proteotoxicity and how drugs can be used to block disease progression will hopefully shed further light on the field in the search for disease-modifying treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greta Elovsson
- Division of Molecular Biotechnology, Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, 58183 Linköping, Sweden;
| | - Liza Bergkvist
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institute, 17164 Solna, Sweden;
| | - Ann-Christin Brorsson
- Division of Molecular Biotechnology, Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, 58183 Linköping, Sweden;
- Correspondence:
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6
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Mauro M, Queiroz V, Arizza V, Campobello D, Custódio MR, Chiaramonte M, Vazzana M. Humoral responses during wound healing in Holothuria tubulosa (Gmelin, 1788). Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol 2020; 253:110550. [PMID: 33359143 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpb.2020.110550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Wounds in living organisms trigger tissue-repair mechanisms. The sea cucumber (Holoturia tubulosa) is an excellent model species for achieving a better understanding of the humoral and cellular aspects involved in such healing processes. Consequently, this study assesses data on its morphometric, physiological and humoral responses 1, 2, 6, 24 and 48h after wound induction. In particular, morphometric data on the weight, width, length and coelomic-fluid volume of the species were estimated at different times during our experiments. In addition, the humoral aspects related to the enzymatic activity of esterase, alkaline phosphatase and peroxidase, as well as the cytotoxic activity of cell lysates (CL) and cell-free coelomic fluids (CfCf) are evaluated for the first time. Our results reveal a significant decrease in body length and weight, along with time-dependent, significant changes in the esterase, alkaline phosphatase, peroxidase and cytotoxic activity in both the CL and CfCf. The data obtained lead to the pioneering finding that there is an important time-dependent involvement of morphometric (changes in weight and length) and humoral (enzymatic and cytotoxic) responses in wound healing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Mauro
- Dipartimento STEBICEF, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Via Archirafi, 18, 90123 Palermo, Italy
| | - Vinicius Queiroz
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências and Centro de Biologia Marinha (NP-BioMar), Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Vincenzo Arizza
- Dipartimento STEBICEF, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Via Archirafi, 18, 90123 Palermo, Italy
| | - Daniela Campobello
- Dipartimento STEBICEF, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Via Archirafi, 18, 90123 Palermo, Italy
| | - Márcio Reis Custódio
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências and Centro de Biologia Marinha (NP-BioMar), Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marco Chiaramonte
- Dipartimento STEBICEF, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Via Archirafi, 18, 90123 Palermo, Italy
| | - Mirella Vazzana
- Dipartimento STEBICEF, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Via Archirafi, 18, 90123 Palermo, Italy.
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Akhoon BA, Choudhary S, Tiwari H, Kumar A, Barik MR, Rathor L, Pandey R, Nargotra A. Discovery of a New Donepezil-like Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitor for Targeting Alzheimer’s Disease: Computational Studies with Biological Validation. J Chem Inf Model 2020; 60:4717-4729. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.0c00496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bashir Akhlaq Akhoon
- Discovery Informatics Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Canal Road, Jammu 180001, India
| | - Sushil Choudhary
- Division of PK-PD-Toxicology and Formulation Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Canal Road, Jammu 180001, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Harshita Tiwari
- Discovery Informatics Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Canal Road, Jammu 180001, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Ajay Kumar
- Division of PK-PD-Toxicology and Formulation Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Canal Road, Jammu 180001, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Manas Ranjan Barik
- Discovery Informatics Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Canal Road, Jammu 180001, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Laxmi Rathor
- Microbial Technology and Nematology Department, CSIR - Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow 226015, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Rakesh Pandey
- Microbial Technology and Nematology Department, CSIR - Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow 226015, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Amit Nargotra
- Discovery Informatics Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Canal Road, Jammu 180001, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
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8
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Dissel S. Drosophila as a Model to Study the Relationship Between Sleep, Plasticity, and Memory. Front Physiol 2020; 11:533. [PMID: 32547415 PMCID: PMC7270326 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.00533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2019] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Humans spend nearly a third of their life sleeping, yet, despite decades of research the function of sleep still remains a mystery. Sleep has been linked with various biological systems and functions, including metabolism, immunity, the cardiovascular system, and cognitive functions. Importantly, sleep appears to be present throughout the animal kingdom suggesting that it must provide an evolutionary advantage. Among the many possible functions of sleep, the relationship between sleep, and cognition has received a lot of support. We have all experienced the negative cognitive effects associated with a night of sleep deprivation. These can include increased emotional reactivity, poor judgment, deficit in attention, impairment in learning and memory, and obviously increase in daytime sleepiness. Furthermore, many neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s disease often have a sleep disorder component. In some cases, the sleep disorder can exacerbate the progression of the neurological disease. Thus, it is clear that sleep plays an important role for many brain functions. In particular, sleep has been shown to play a positive role in the consolidation of long-term memory while sleep deprivation negatively impacts learning and memory. Importantly, sleep is a behavior that is adapted to an individual’s need and influenced by many external and internal stimuli. In addition to being an adaptive behavior, sleep can also modulate plasticity in the brain at the level of synaptic connections between neurons and neuronal plasticity influences sleep. Understanding how sleep is modulated by internal and external stimuli and how sleep can modulate memory and plasticity is a key question in neuroscience. In order to address this question, several animal models have been developed. Among them, the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster with its unparalleled genetics has proved to be extremely valuable. In addition to sleep, Drosophila has been shown to be an excellent model to study many complex behaviors, including learning, and memory. This review describes our current knowledge of the relationship between sleep, plasticity, and memory using the fly model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephane Dissel
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, United States
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9
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A high throughput drug screening paradigm using transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans model of Alzheimer’s disease. TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE OF AGING 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tma.2019.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
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10
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Van Dam D, De Deyn PP. How does a researcher choose the best rodent model for their Alzheimer's disease drug discovery study? Expert Opin Drug Discov 2019; 15:269-271. [PMID: 31592694 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2020.1676719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Debby Van Dam
- Laboratory of Neurochemistry and Behaviour, Institute Born-Bunge, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk (Antwerp), Belgium.,Department of Neurology and Alzheimer Center Groningen, University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Peter Paul De Deyn
- Laboratory of Neurochemistry and Behaviour, Institute Born-Bunge, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk (Antwerp), Belgium.,Department of Neurology and Alzheimer Center Groningen, University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), Groningen, The Netherlands.,Department of Neurology, Memory Clinic of Hospital Network Antwerp (ZNA) Middelheim and Hoge Beuken, Antwerp, Belgium
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11
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Sharma N, Khurana N, Muthuraman A. Lower vertebrate and invertebrate models of Alzheimer's disease - A review. Eur J Pharmacol 2017; 815:312-323. [PMID: 28943103 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2017.09.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2017] [Revised: 08/20/2017] [Accepted: 09/13/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease is a common neurodegenerative disorder which is characterized by the presence of beta- amyloid protein and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) in the brain. Till now, various higher vertebrate models have been in use to study the pathophysiology of this disease. But, these models possess some limitations like ethical restrictions, high cost, difficult maintenance of large quantity and lesser reproducibility. Besides, various lower chordate animals like Danio rerio, Drosophila melanogaster, Caenorhabditis elegans and Ciona intestinalis have been proved to be an important model for the in vivo determination of targets of drugs with least limitations. In this article, we reviewed different studies conducted on theses models for the better understanding of the pathophysiology of AD and their subsequent application as a potential tool in the preclinical evaluation of new drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neha Sharma
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, India
| | - Navneet Khurana
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, India
| | - Arunachalam Muthuraman
- Department of Pharmacology, Akal College of Pharmacy and Technical Education, Mastuana Sahib, Sangrur, Punjab, India; Department of Pharmacology, JSS College of Pharmacy, Jagadguru Sri Shivarathreeshwara University, Mysuru 570015, Karnataka, India.
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12
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Abstract
Mitochondria are among a cell's most vital organelles. They not only produce the majority of the cell's ATP but also play a key role in Ca2+ buffering and apoptotic signaling. While proper allocation of mitochondria is critical to all cells, it is particularly important for the highly polarized neurons. Because mitochondria are mainly synthesized in the soma, they must be transported long distances to be distributed to the far-flung reaches of the neuron-up to 1 m in the case of some human motor neurons. Furthermore, damaged mitochondria can be detrimental to neuronal health, causing oxidative stress and even cell death, therefore the retrograde transport of damaged mitochondria back to the soma for proper disposal, as well as the anterograde transport of fresh mitochondria from the soma to repair damage, are equally critical. Intriguingly, errors in mitochondrial transport have been increasingly implicated in neurological disorders. Here, we describe how to investigate mitochondrial transport in three complementary neuronal systems: cultured induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons, cultured rat hippocampal and cortical neurons, and Drosophila larval neurons in vivo. These models allow us to uncover the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying transport issues that may occur under physiological or pathological conditions.
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13
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Dissel S, Klose M, Donlea J, Cao L, English D, Winsky-Sommerer R, van Swinderen B, Shaw PJ. Enhanced sleep reverses memory deficits and underlying pathology in Drosophila models of Alzheimer's disease. Neurobiol Sleep Circadian Rhythms 2016; 2:15-26. [PMID: 29094110 PMCID: PMC5662006 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbscr.2016.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
To test the hypothesis that sleep can reverse cognitive impairment during Alzheimer's disease, we enhanced sleep in flies either co-expressing human amyloid precursor protein and Beta-secretase (APP:BACE), or in flies expressing human tau. The ubiquitous expression of APP:BACE or human tau disrupted sleep. The sleep deficits could be reversed and sleep could be enhanced when flies were administered the GABA-A agonist 4,5,6,7-tetrahydroisoxazolo-[5,4-c]pyridine-3-ol (THIP). Expressing APP:BACE disrupted both Short-term memory (STM) and Long-term memory (LTM) as assessed using Aversive Phototaxic Suppression (APS) and courtship conditioning. Flies expressing APP:BACE also showed reduced levels of the synaptic protein discs large (DLG). Enhancing sleep in memory-impaired APP:BACE flies fully restored both STM and LTM and restored DLG levels. Sleep also restored STM to flies expressing human tau. Using live-brain imaging of individual clock neurons expressing both tau and the cAMP sensor Epac1-camps, we found that tau disrupted cAMP signaling. Importantly, enhancing sleep in flies expressing human tau restored proper cAMP signaling. Thus, we demonstrate that sleep can be used as a therapeutic to reverse deficits that accrue during the expression of toxic peptides associated with Alzheimer's disease. THIP can be used to enhance sleep in two Drosophila models of Alzheimer's disease. Enhanced sleep reverses memory deficits in fly's expressing human APP:BACE and tau. Enhanced sleep restores cAMP levels in clock neurons expressing tau. Sleep can be used as a therapeutic to reverse Alzheimer's disease related deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephane Dissel
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University in St. Louis, 660 S. Euclid Ave, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.A
| | - Markus Klose
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University in St. Louis, 660 S. Euclid Ave, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.A
| | - Jeff Donlea
- Department of Neurobiology, University of California: Los Angeles Los Angeles, California, U.S.A
| | - Lijuan Cao
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University in St. Louis, 660 S. Euclid Ave, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.A
| | - Denis English
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University in St. Louis, 660 S. Euclid Ave, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.A
| | - Raphaelle Winsky-Sommerer
- Surrey Sleep Research Centre, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences University of Surrey Guildford Surrey, GU2 7XH, United Kingdom
| | - Bruno van Swinderen
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane Qld 4072 Australia
| | - Paul J Shaw
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University in St. Louis, 660 S. Euclid Ave, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.A
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Abstract
The rise in the prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases parallels the rapid increase in human lifespan. Despite intensive research, the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the onset and progression of these devastating diseases with age are still poorly understood. Many aspects of these diseases have been modelled successfully in experimental animals such as the mouse, the zebrafish Brachydanio rero, the nematode worm Caenorhaditis elegans and the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. This review will focus on the advantages offered by the genetic tools available in Drosophila for combining powerful strategies in order to tackle the causative factors of these complex pathologies and help to elaborate efficient drugs to treat them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Antoine Lepesant
- Institut Jacques-Monod, CNRS UMR 7592, Université Paris-Diderot, 15, rue Hélène-Brion, 75205 Paris cedex 13, France.
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15
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Zheng ZZ, Chao ML, Fan ZB, Zhao YJ, Song HS. Molecular cloning and characterization of presenilin gene in Bombyx mori. Mol Med Rep 2015; 12:5508-16. [PMID: 26133988 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2015.4019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2014] [Accepted: 06/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Presenilin (PS), the catalytic core of the γ-secretase complex, is considered to be a causative protein of the early‑onset familial form of Alzheimer's disease. Aging is a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease and a number of genetic studies have utilized Bombyx mori (B. mori) as a model, making it possible to use B. mori to investigate Alzheimer's disease. However, the homologous gene of human PS in B. mori has remained to be elucidated. In the present study, the PS homologue gene in B. mori was identified and characterized, and six B. mori presenilin (BmPS) mRNA transcripts were generated by selecting multiple transcription start sites and/or alternative splice sites. The longest mRNA of BmPS (termed BmPS1) contains a 153 nt 5' untranslated region (UTR), a 1,440 nt open reading frame and a 1,063 nt 3' UTR. The predicted protein of BmPS1 consists of 479 amino acid residues and has two highly‑conserved aspartate residues, which form the catalytic core of aspartic proteases. It exhibits a sequence identity of ~44 and 51% with homologues in Homo sapiens and Drosophila melanogaster, respectively. However, the amino acid sequence of the BmPS loop region does not completely match between the two B. mori strains R13Q and Dazao. Genomic analysis revealed that B. mori had a single copy of the BmPS gene, which was composed of 14 exons. A total of four isoforms of BmPS (BmPS‑A, ‑B, ‑C and ‑D) owing to multiple transcriptional start sites and alternative splice sites were identified. The alternative splicing events occurring in the loop region improved the diversity of the BmPS protein and were detectable in all tissues, as determined using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‑qPCR). Furthermore, the expression levels of BmPS in the brain at different developmental stages were detected using RT‑qPCR, and significantly higher expression levels of BmPS were found in the adult stage compared with those in the larval and pupal stages. The present study on BmPS provided insight into the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease and mechanisms of silkworm developmental regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeng-Zhang Zheng
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, P.R. China
| | - Meng-Ling Chao
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, P.R. China
| | - Zong-Biao Fan
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, P.R. China
| | - Yi-Jiao Zhao
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, P.R. China
| | - Hong-Sheng Song
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, P.R. China
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De Haes W, Van Sinay E, Detienne G, Temmerman L, Schoofs L, Boonen K. Functional neuropeptidomics in invertebrates. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2014; 1854:812-26. [PMID: 25528324 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2014.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2014] [Revised: 11/27/2014] [Accepted: 12/10/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Neuropeptides are key messengers in almost all physiological processes. They originate from larger precursors and are extensively processed to become bioactive. Neuropeptidomics aims to comprehensively identify the collection of neuropeptides in an organism, organ, tissue or cell. The neuropeptidome of several invertebrates is thoroughly explored since they are important model organisms (and models for human diseases), disease vectors and pest species. The charting of the neuropeptidome is the first step towards understanding peptidergic signaling. This review will first discuss the latest developments in exploring the neuropeptidome. The physiological roles and modes of action of neuropeptides can be explored in two ways, which are largely orthogonal and therefore complementary. The first way consists of inferring the functions of neuropeptides by a forward approach where neuropeptide profiles are compared under different physiological conditions. Second is the reverse approach were neuropeptide collections are used to screen for receptor-binding. This is followed by localization studies and functional tests. This review will focus on how these different functional screening methods contributed to the field of invertebrate neuropeptidomics and expanded our knowledge of peptidergic signaling. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Neuroproteomics: Applications in Neuroscience and Neurology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wouter De Haes
- Functional Genomics and Proteomics, Department of Biology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Naamsestraat 59, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Elien Van Sinay
- Functional Genomics and Proteomics, Department of Biology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Naamsestraat 59, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Giel Detienne
- Functional Genomics and Proteomics, Department of Biology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Naamsestraat 59, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Liesbet Temmerman
- Functional Genomics and Proteomics, Department of Biology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Naamsestraat 59, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Liliane Schoofs
- Functional Genomics and Proteomics, Department of Biology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Naamsestraat 59, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kurt Boonen
- Functional Genomics and Proteomics, Department of Biology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Naamsestraat 59, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
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Mhatre SD, Michelson SJ, Gomes J, Tabb LP, Saunders AJ, Marenda DR. Development and characterization of an aged onset model of Alzheimer's disease in Drosophila melanogaster. Exp Neurol 2014; 261:772-81. [DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2014.08.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2014] [Revised: 08/14/2014] [Accepted: 08/19/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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Frost B, Götz J, Feany MB. Connecting the dots between tau dysfunction and neurodegeneration. Trends Cell Biol 2014; 25:46-53. [PMID: 25172552 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2014.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2014] [Revised: 07/22/2014] [Accepted: 07/24/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Tauopathies are devastating and ultimately fatal neurodegenerative diseases, which are histopathologically defined by insoluble filamentous deposits of abnormally phosphorylated tau protein within neurons and glia. Identifying the causes of abnormal tau phosphorylation and subsequent aggregation has been the focus of much research, and is currently a major target for the development of therapeutic interventions for tauopathies, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Much has recently been learned about the sequence of events that lead from tau dysfunction to neuronal death. This review focuses on the cascade of events that are catalyzed by pathological tau, and highlights current and potential therapeutic strategies to target this pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bess Frost
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jürgen Götz
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Mel B Feany
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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Mhatre SD, Satyasi V, Killen M, Paddock BE, Moir RD, Saunders AJ, Marenda DR. Synaptic abnormalities in a Drosophila model of Alzheimer's disease. Dis Model Mech 2014; 7:373-85. [PMID: 24487408 PMCID: PMC3944497 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.012104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an age-related neurodegenerative disease characterized by memory loss and decreased synaptic function. Advances in transgenic animal models of AD have facilitated our understanding of this disorder, and have aided in the development, speed and efficiency of testing potential therapeutics. Recently, we have described the characterization of a novel model of AD in the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, where we expressed the human AD-associated proteins APP and BACE in the central nervous system of the fly. Here we describe synaptic defects in the larval neuromuscular junction (NMJ) in this model. Our results indicate that expression of human APP and BACE at the larval NMJ leads to defective larval locomotion behavior, decreased presynaptic connections, altered mitochondrial localization in presynaptic motor neurons and decreased postsynaptic protein levels. Treating larvae expressing APP and BACE with the γ-secretase inhibitor L-685,458 suppresses the behavioral defects as well as the pre- and postsynaptic defects. We suggest that this model will be useful to assess and model the synaptic dysfunction normally associated with AD, and will also serve as a powerful in vivo tool for rapid testing of potential therapeutics for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siddhita D Mhatre
- Department of Biology, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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Prüßing K, Voigt A, Schulz JB. Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism for Alzheimer's disease. Mol Neurodegener 2013; 8:35. [PMID: 24267573 PMCID: PMC4222597 DOI: 10.1186/1750-1326-8-35] [Citation(s) in RCA: 136] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2013] [Accepted: 11/13/2013] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Drosophila melanogaster provides an important resource for in vivo modifier screens of neurodegenerative diseases. To study the underlying pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease, fly models that address Tau or amyloid toxicity have been developed. Overexpression of human wild-type or mutant Tau causes age-dependent neurodegeneration, axonal transport defects and early death. Large-scale screens utilizing a neurodegenerative phenotype induced by eye-specific overexpression of human Tau have identified several kinases and phosphatases, apoptotic regulators and cytoskeleton proteins as determinants of Tau toxicity in vivo. The APP ortholog of Drosophila (dAPPl) shares the characteristic domains with vertebrate APP family members, but does not contain the human Aβ42 domain. To circumvent this drawback, researches have developed strategies by either direct secretion of human Aβ42 or triple transgenic flies expressing human APP, β-secretase and Drosophila γ-secretase presenilin (dPsn). Here, we provide a brief overview of how fly models of AD have contributed to our knowledge of the pathomechanisms of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja Prüßing
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center, RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstrasse 30, D-52074 Aachen, Germany.
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