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Truby NL, Kim RK, Silva GM, Qu X, Picone JA, Alemu R, Atiyeh CN, Neve RL, Liu J, Cui X, Hamilton PJ. A zinc finger transcription factor enables social behaviors while controlling transposable elements and immune response in prefrontal cortex. Transl Psychiatry 2024; 14:59. [PMID: 38272911 PMCID: PMC10810849 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-024-02775-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The neurobiological origins of social behaviors are incompletely understood. Here we utilized synthetic biology approaches to reprogram the function of ZFP189, a transcription factor whose expression and function in rodent prefrontal cortex was previously demonstrated to be protective against stress-induced social deficits. We created novel synthetic ZFP189 transcription factors including ZFP189VPR, which activates the transcription of target genes and therefore exerts opposite functional control from the endogenous, transcriptionally repressive ZFP189WT. Following viral delivery of these synthetic ZFP189 transcription factors to mouse prefrontal cortex, we observe that ZFP189-mediated transcriptional control promotes mature dendritic spine morphology on transduced pyramidal neurons. Interestingly, inversion of ZFP189-mediated transcription in this brain area, achieved by viral delivery of synthetic ZFP189VPR, precipitates social behavioral deficits in terms of social interaction, motivation, and the cognition necessary for the maintenance of social hierarchy, without other observable behavioral deficits. RNA sequencing of virally manipulated prefrontal cortex tissues reveals that ZFP189 transcription factors of opposing regulatory function (ZFP189WT versus ZFP189VPR) have opposite influence on the expression of genetic transposable elements as well as genes that participate in adaptive immune functions. Collectively, this work reveals that ZFP189 function in the prefrontal cortex coordinates structural and transcriptional neuroadaptations necessary for complex social behaviors while regulating transposable element-rich regions of DNA and the expression of immune-related genes. Given the evidence for a co-evolution of social behavior and the brain immune response, we posit that ZFP189 may have evolved to augment brain transposon-associated immune function as a way of enhancing an animal's capacity for functioning in social groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie L Truby
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - R Kijoon Kim
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Gabriella M Silva
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Xufeng Qu
- Department of Biostatistics, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Joseph A Picone
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Rebecca Alemu
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Claire N Atiyeh
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Rachael L Neve
- Gene Delivery Technology Core, Massachusetts General Hospital, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jinze Liu
- Department of Biostatistics, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Xiaohong Cui
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Peter J Hamilton
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA.
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Truby NL, Kim RK, Silva GM, Qu X, Picone JA, Alemu R, Neve RL, Cui X, Liu J, Hamilton PJ. A zinc finger transcription factor tunes social behaviors by controlling transposable elements and immune response in prefrontal cortex. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.03.535374. [PMID: 37066210 PMCID: PMC10103968 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.03.535374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
The neurobiological origins of social behaviors are incompletely understood. Here we utilized synthetic biology approaches to reprogram the function of ZFP189, a transcription factor whose expression and function in the rodent prefrontal cortex was previously determined to be protective against stress-induced social deficits. We created novel synthetic ZFP189 transcription factors including ZFP189VPR, which activates the transcription of target genes and therefore exerts opposite functional control from the endogenous, transcriptionally repressive ZFP189WT. Upon viral delivery of these synthetic ZFP189 transcription factors to mouse prefrontal cortex, we observe that ZFP189-mediated transcriptional control promotes mature dendritic spine morphology on transduced pyramidal neurons. Interestingly, dysregulation of ZFP189-mediated transcription in this brain area, achieved by delivery of synthetic ZFP189VPR, precipitates social behavioral deficits in terms of social interaction, motivation, and the cognition necessary for the maintenance of social hierarchy, without other observable behavioral deficits. By performing RNA sequencing in virally manipulated prefrontal cortex tissues, we discover that ZFP189 transcription factors of opposing regulatory function have opposite influence on the expression of genetic transposable elements as well as genes that participate in immune functions. Collectively, this work reveals that ZFP189 function in the prefrontal cortex coordinates structural and transcriptional neuroadaptations necessary for social behaviors by binding transposable element-rich regions of DNA to regulate immune-related genes. Given the evidence for a co-evolution of social behavior and the brain immune response, we posit that ZFP189 may have evolved to augment brain transposon-associated immune function as a way of enhancing an animal's capacity for functioning in social groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie L. Truby
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - R. Kijoon Kim
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Gabriella M. Silva
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Xufeng Qu
- Department of Biostatistics, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Joseph A. Picone
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Rebecca Alemu
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Rachael L. Neve
- Gene Delivery Technology Core, Massachusetts General Hospital, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Xiaohong Cui
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Jinze Liu
- Department of Biostatistics, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Peter J. Hamilton
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA
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Cataracts Across the Tree of Life: A Roadmap for Prevention and Biomedical Innovation. Am J Ophthalmol 2023; 249:167-173. [PMID: 36716847 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajo.2023.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Spontaneous cataracts have been identified in the lenses of animals across a phylogenetically wide range of species. This can be a source of insights and innovation for human health professionals, but many persons may lack awareness of it. By providing a phylogenetic survey and analysis of species with cataract vulnerability, this paper demonstrates how a broad comparative perspective can provide critical information about environmental hazards to human visual health and can spark potential innovations in the prevention and treatment of cataracts in humans. DESIGN Perspectives. METHODS Review and synthesis of selected literature with interpretation and perspective. RESULTS We found 273 recorded cases of spontaneously occurring cataracts in 113 species of birds, 83 species of mammals, 30 species of actinopterygii fish, 10 species of amphibians, 6 species of reptiles, and 1 species of cephalopod. CONCLUSION A phylogenetically wide range of species, including many living in and around human environments, are vulnerable to cataracts. These animals may serve as sentinels for human visual health. Variation in cataract vulnerability across species may also facilitate the identification of resistance-conferring physiologies, leading to accelerated innovation in the prevention and treatment of cataracts in humans.
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Yap KN, Wong HS, Ramanathan C, Rodriguez-Wagner CA, Roberts MD, Freeman DA, Buffenstein R, Zhang Y. Naked mole-rat and Damaraland mole-rat exhibit lower respiration in mitochondria, cellular and organismal levels. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. BIOENERGETICS 2022; 1863:148582. [PMID: 35667393 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbabio.2022.148582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Naked mole-rats (NMR) and Damaraland mole-rats (DMR) exhibit extraordinary longevity for their body size, high tolerance to hypoxia and oxidative stress and high reproductive output; these collectively defy the concept that life-history traits should be negatively correlated. However, when life-history traits share similar underlying physiological mechanisms, these may be positively associated with each other. We propose that one such potential common mechanism might be the bioenergetic properties of mole-rats. Here, we aim to characterize the bioenergetic properties of two African mole-rats. We adopted a top-down perspective measuring the bioenergetic properties at the organismal, cellular, and molecular level in both species and the biological significance of these properties were compared with the same measures in Siberian hamsters and C57BL/6 mice, chosen for their similar body size to the mole-rat species. We found mole-rats shared several bioenergetic properties that differed from their comparison species, including low basal metabolic rates, a high dependence on glycolysis rather than on oxidative phosphorylation for ATP production, and low proton conductance across the mitochondrial inner membrane. These shared mole-rat features could be a result of evolutionary adaptation to tolerating variable oxygen atmospheres, in particular hypoxia, and may in turn be one of the molecular mechanisms underlying their extremely long lifespans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kang Nian Yap
- Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, United States of America; Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim 7491, Norway
| | - Hoi Shan Wong
- Calico Life Sciences LLC, South San Francisco, CA 94080, United States of America
| | - Chidambaram Ramanathan
- College of Health Sciences, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152, United States of America
| | | | - Michael D Roberts
- School of Kinesiology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, United States of America
| | - David A Freeman
- Department of Biological Science, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152, United States of America
| | - Rochelle Buffenstein
- Calico Life Sciences LLC, South San Francisco, CA 94080, United States of America.
| | - Yufeng Zhang
- College of Health Sciences, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152, United States of America.
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Ragland NH, Compo NR, Wiltshire N, Shepard A, Troutman S, Kissil JL, Engelman RW. Housing and Husbandry Alternatives for Naked Mole Rat Colonies Used in Research Settings. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR LABORATORY ANIMAL SCIENCE : JAALAS 2022; 61:412-418. [PMID: 35944976 PMCID: PMC9536831 DOI: 10.30802/aalas-jaalas-22-000035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Naked mole rats (Heterocephalus glaber) are a unique rodent species originating in Africa and are increasingly being used in research. Their needs and characteristics differ from those of other rodents used in research. Unique housing systems are necessary to address the special macro- and microenvironmental requirements of NMRs. Naked mole rats are one of the 2 known eusocial mammalian species, are extremely long-living, are active burrowers, and are accustomed to a subterranean environment. Unlike typical rats and mice, naked mole rats need specific, unique housing systems that mimic their natural subterranean environment to support health and longevity. Here we provide an overview of naked mole rats and a housing method that can be used in research settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie H Ragland
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis,Corresponding author.
| | - Nicole R Compo
- Department of Comparative Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida,,H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, Florida
| | - Norman Wiltshire
- Department of Comparative Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida,,H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, Florida
| | - Alyssa Shepard
- H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, Florida
| | - Scott Troutman
- H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, Florida
| | - Joseph L Kissil
- H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, Florida
| | - Robert W Engelman
- Department of Comparative Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida,,H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, Florida
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Chua KO, Fatima I, Lau YY, Hong KW, Yin WF, Mardaryev A, Chan KG, Chang CY. Bacterial microbiome of faecal samples of naked mole-rat collected from the toilet chamber. BMC Res Notes 2022; 15:107. [PMID: 35303951 PMCID: PMC8932300 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-022-06000-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective The naked mole rats (NMRs, Heterocephalus glaber) are subterranean rodents that belong to the family Bathyergidae. They gained the attention of the scientific community for their exceptionally long lifespan of up to 30 years and have become an animal model of biomedical research on neurodegenerative diseases, aging and cancer. NMRs dig and survive in a maze of underground tunnels and chambers and demarcate toilet chambers for defecation and urination. Due to their coprophagic behaviours, we believed that the toilet chamber might play a role in maintaining optimal health of the NMRs. A 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing was performed to characterize the bacterial microbiome of faecal samples collected from the toilet chamber of a laboratory NMR colony. Results Four faecal samples were collected at different time points from the same toilet chamber of a laboratory NMR colony for analysis. The 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing revealed that bacterial phyla Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes were the dominant taxa in the bacterial microbiome of NMRs. The relative abundance of the bacterial taxa shifted substantially between time points, indicating a dynamic microbiome in the toilet chamber. The data provided an insight to the faecal microbiome of NMRs in the toilet chamber. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13104-022-06000-8.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kah-Ooi Chua
- Centre for Research in Biotechnology for Agriculture, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Iqra Fatima
- Centre for Skin Sciences, School of Chemistry and Biosciences, University of Bradford, Bradford, BD7 1DP, UK
| | - Yin Yin Lau
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, UCSI University Kuala Lumpur, 56000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Kar Wai Hong
- International Genome Centre, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China.,Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Wai-Fong Yin
- Institute of Marine Sciences, Shantou University, Shantou, 515063, China
| | - Andrei Mardaryev
- Centre for Skin Sciences, School of Chemistry and Biosciences, University of Bradford, Bradford, BD7 1DP, UK
| | - Kok-Gan Chan
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, UCSI University Kuala Lumpur, 56000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. .,International Genome Centre, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China. .,Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | - Chien-Yi Chang
- School of Dental Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4BW, UK.
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Holmes T. Science, sensitivity and the sociozoological scale: Constituting and complicating the human-animal boundary at the 1875 Royal Commission on Vivisection and beyond. STUDIES IN HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE 2021; 90:194-207. [PMID: 34735959 DOI: 10.1016/j.shpsa.2021.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Arnold Arluke and Clinton Sanders (1996) have argued that human societies index both humans and animals as belonging to particular rungs of the social hierarchy. They term this multispecies ranking the "sociozoological scale". This paper will investigate how claims at the 1875 Royal Commission on Vivisection about the sensitivity of particular species and breeds not only reflected assumptions about human social hierarchy but also blurred the boundaries between the human and the animal in the process. It will further be shown how these claims were informed by 18th and 19th century humanitarianism, classism, scientific racism and evolutionary theory, and how these influences combined in claims-making about the relative capacity of particular animals to sense pain and ethical duties towards them that followed from this sensitivity. Particular attention will be given to the opposing efforts of commissioners Thomas Henry Huxley and Richard Holt Hutton to demarcate human and animal sensitivity and exempt companion animals from vivisection respectively. The paper concludes by considering the sociozoological orders constituted by the 1876 Cruelty to Animals Act, particularly through its focus on calculating pain, and the legacy and limitations of this constitution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarquin Holmes
- Sociology Department, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, UK.
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