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Sharma G, Paganin M, Lauria F, Perenthaler E, Viero G. The SMN-ribosome interplay: a new opportunity for Spinal Muscular Atrophy therapies. Biochem Soc Trans 2024; 52:465-479. [PMID: 38391004 PMCID: PMC10903476 DOI: 10.1042/bst20231116] [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: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
The underlying cause of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is in the reduction of survival motor neuron (SMN) protein levels due to mutations in the SMN1 gene. The specific effects of SMN protein loss and the resulting pathological alterations are not fully understood. Given the crucial roles of the SMN protein in snRNP biogenesis and its interactions with ribosomes and translation-related proteins and mRNAs, a decrease in SMN levels below a specific threshold in SMA is expected to affect translational control of gene expression. This review covers both direct and indirect SMN interactions across various translation-related cellular compartments and processes, spanning from ribosome biogenesis to local translation and beyond. Additionally, it aims to outline deficiencies and alterations in translation observed in SMA models and patients, while also discussing the implications of the relationship between SMN protein and the translation machinery within the context of current and future therapies.
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Li ZW, Fan CL, Sun B, Huang L, Wang ZQ, Huang XJ, Zhang SQ, Ye WC, Wu ZL, Zhang XQ. Discovery of Unusual Ajmaline-Macroline Type Bisindole Alkaloids from Alstonia macrophylla by Building Blocks-Based Molecular Networking. Chemistry 2024; 30:e202303519. [PMID: 38018776 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202303519] [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: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
Three unusual ajmaline-macroline type bisindole alkaloids, alsmaphylines A-C, together with their postulated biogenetic precursors, were isolated from the stem barks and leaves of Alstonia macrophylla via the building blocks-based molecular network (BBMN) strategy. Alsmaphyline A represents a rare ajmaline-macroline type bisindole alkaloid with an S-shape polycyclic ring system. Alsmaphylines B and C are two novel ajmaline-macroline type bisindole alkaloids with N-1-C-21' linkages, and the former possesses an unconventional stacked conformation due to the presence of intramolecular noncovalent interactions. The chemical structures including absolute configurations of alsmaphylines A-C were established by comprehensive spectroscopic analyses, electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations, and single-crystal X-ray crystallography. In addition, a plausible biosynthetic pathway of these bisindole alkaloids as well as their ability to promote the protein synthesis on HT22 cells were discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi-Wei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules and Druggability Assessment, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, P.R. China
- Center for Bioactive Natural Molecules and Innovative Drugs Research, and Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM & New Drugs Research, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, P.R. China
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Modernization of TCM, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, P.R. China
| | - Chun-Lin Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules and Druggability Assessment, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, P.R. China
- Center for Bioactive Natural Molecules and Innovative Drugs Research, and Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM & New Drugs Research, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, P.R. China
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Modernization of TCM, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, P.R. China
| | - Biao Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules and Druggability Assessment, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, P.R. China
- Center for Bioactive Natural Molecules and Innovative Drugs Research, and Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM & New Drugs Research, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, P.R. China
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Modernization of TCM, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, P.R. China
| | - Lan Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules and Druggability Assessment, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, P.R. China
- Center for Bioactive Natural Molecules and Innovative Drugs Research, and Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM & New Drugs Research, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, P.R. China
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Modernization of TCM, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, P.R. China
| | - Zi-Qi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules and Druggability Assessment, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, P.R. China
- Center for Bioactive Natural Molecules and Innovative Drugs Research, and Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM & New Drugs Research, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, P.R. China
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Modernization of TCM, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, P.R. China
| | - Xiao-Jun Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules and Druggability Assessment, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, P.R. China
- Center for Bioactive Natural Molecules and Innovative Drugs Research, and Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM & New Drugs Research, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, P.R. China
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Modernization of TCM, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, P.R. China
| | - Shi-Qing Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules and Druggability Assessment, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, P.R. China
- Center for Bioactive Natural Molecules and Innovative Drugs Research, and Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM & New Drugs Research, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, P.R. China
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Modernization of TCM, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, P.R. China
| | - Wen-Cai Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules and Druggability Assessment, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, P.R. China
- Center for Bioactive Natural Molecules and Innovative Drugs Research, and Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM & New Drugs Research, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, P.R. China
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Modernization of TCM, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, P.R. China
| | - Zhen-Long Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules and Druggability Assessment, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, P.R. China
- Center for Bioactive Natural Molecules and Innovative Drugs Research, and Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM & New Drugs Research, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, P.R. China
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Modernization of TCM, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, P.R. China
| | - Xiao-Qi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules and Druggability Assessment, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, P.R. China
- Center for Bioactive Natural Molecules and Innovative Drugs Research, and Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM & New Drugs Research, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, P.R. China
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Modernization of TCM, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, P.R. China
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3
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Gonzalo-Gobernado R, Moreno-Martínez L, González P, Dopazo XM, Calvo AC, Pidal-Ladrón de Guevara I, Seisdedos E, Díaz-Muñoz R, Mellström B, Osta R, Naranjo JR. Repaglinide Induces ATF6 Processing and Neuroprotection in Transgenic SOD1G93A Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15783. [PMID: 37958767 PMCID: PMC10648964 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242115783] [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: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The interaction of the activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6), a key effector of the unfolded protein response (UPR) in the endoplasmic reticulum, with the neuronal calcium sensor Downstream Regulatory Element Antagonist Modulator (DREAM) is a potential therapeutic target in neurodegeneration. Modulation of the ATF6-DREAM interaction with repaglinide (RP) induced neuroprotection in a model of Huntington's disease. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder with no cure, characterized by the progressive loss of motoneurons resulting in muscle denervation, atrophy, paralysis, and death. The aim of this work was to investigate the potential therapeutic significance of DREAM as a target for intervention in ALS. We found that the expression of the DREAM protein was reduced in the spinal cord of SOD1G93A mice compared to wild-type littermates. RP treatment improved motor strength and reduced the expression of the ALS progression marker collagen type XIXα1 (Col19α1 mRNA) in the quadriceps muscle in SOD1G93A mice. Moreover, treated SOD1G93A mice showed reduced motoneuron loss and glial activation and increased ATF6 processing in the spinal cord. These results indicate that the modulation of the DREAM-ATF6 interaction ameliorates ALS symptoms in SOD1G93A mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Gonzalo-Gobernado
- National Centre for Biotechnology (CNB), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 28049 Madrid, Spain; (R.G.-G.); (P.G.); (X.M.D.); (I.P.-L.d.G.); (E.S.); (R.D.-M.); (B.M.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (L.M.-M.); (A.C.C.)
| | - Laura Moreno-Martínez
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (L.M.-M.); (A.C.C.)
- LAGENBIO, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Zaragoza, Miguel Servet 177, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain
- Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón), Biomedical Research Centre of Aragón (CIBA), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- AgriFood Institute of Aragon-IA2 (UNIZAR-CITA), 50013 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Paz González
- National Centre for Biotechnology (CNB), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 28049 Madrid, Spain; (R.G.-G.); (P.G.); (X.M.D.); (I.P.-L.d.G.); (E.S.); (R.D.-M.); (B.M.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (L.M.-M.); (A.C.C.)
| | - Xose Manuel Dopazo
- National Centre for Biotechnology (CNB), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 28049 Madrid, Spain; (R.G.-G.); (P.G.); (X.M.D.); (I.P.-L.d.G.); (E.S.); (R.D.-M.); (B.M.)
| | - Ana Cristina Calvo
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (L.M.-M.); (A.C.C.)
- LAGENBIO, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Zaragoza, Miguel Servet 177, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain
- Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón), Biomedical Research Centre of Aragón (CIBA), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- AgriFood Institute of Aragon-IA2 (UNIZAR-CITA), 50013 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Isabel Pidal-Ladrón de Guevara
- National Centre for Biotechnology (CNB), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 28049 Madrid, Spain; (R.G.-G.); (P.G.); (X.M.D.); (I.P.-L.d.G.); (E.S.); (R.D.-M.); (B.M.)
| | - Elisa Seisdedos
- National Centre for Biotechnology (CNB), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 28049 Madrid, Spain; (R.G.-G.); (P.G.); (X.M.D.); (I.P.-L.d.G.); (E.S.); (R.D.-M.); (B.M.)
| | - Rodrigo Díaz-Muñoz
- National Centre for Biotechnology (CNB), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 28049 Madrid, Spain; (R.G.-G.); (P.G.); (X.M.D.); (I.P.-L.d.G.); (E.S.); (R.D.-M.); (B.M.)
| | - Britt Mellström
- National Centre for Biotechnology (CNB), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 28049 Madrid, Spain; (R.G.-G.); (P.G.); (X.M.D.); (I.P.-L.d.G.); (E.S.); (R.D.-M.); (B.M.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (L.M.-M.); (A.C.C.)
| | - Rosario Osta
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (L.M.-M.); (A.C.C.)
- LAGENBIO, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Zaragoza, Miguel Servet 177, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain
- Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón), Biomedical Research Centre of Aragón (CIBA), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- AgriFood Institute of Aragon-IA2 (UNIZAR-CITA), 50013 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - José Ramón Naranjo
- National Centre for Biotechnology (CNB), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 28049 Madrid, Spain; (R.G.-G.); (P.G.); (X.M.D.); (I.P.-L.d.G.); (E.S.); (R.D.-M.); (B.M.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (L.M.-M.); (A.C.C.)
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Luan W, Wright AL, Brown-Wright H, Le S, San Gil R, Madrid San Martin L, Ling K, Jafar-Nejad P, Rigo F, Walker AK. Early activation of cellular stress and death pathways caused by cytoplasmic TDP-43 in the rNLS8 mouse model of ALS and FTD. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:2445-2461. [PMID: 37012334 PMCID: PMC10611572 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02036-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023]
Abstract
TAR DNA binding protein 43 (TDP-43) pathology is a key feature of over 95% of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and nearly half of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) cases. The pathogenic mechanisms of TDP-43 dysfunction are poorly understood, however, activation of cell stress pathways may contribute to pathogenesis. We, therefore, sought to identify which cell stress components are critical for driving disease onset and neurodegeneration in ALS and FTD. We studied the rNLS8 transgenic mouse model, which expresses human TDP-43 with a genetically-ablated nuclear localisation sequence within neurons of the brain and spinal cord resulting in cytoplasmic TDP-43 pathology and progressive motor dysfunction. Amongst numerous cell stress-related biological pathways profiled using qPCR arrays, several critical integrated stress response (ISR) effectors, including CCAAT/enhancer-binding homologous protein (Chop/Ddit3) and activating transcription factor 4 (Atf4), were upregulated in the cortex of rNLS8 mice prior to disease onset. This was accompanied by early up-regulation of anti-apoptotic gene Bcl2 and diverse pro-apoptotic genes including BH3-interacting domain death agonist (Bid). However, pro-apoptotic signalling predominated after onset of motor phenotypes. Notably, pro-apoptotic cleaved caspase-3 protein was elevated in the cortex of rNLS8 mice at later disease stages, suggesting that downstream activation of apoptosis drives neurodegeneration following failure of early protective responses. Unexpectedly, suppression of Chop in the brain and spinal cord using antisense oligonucleotide-mediated silencing had no effect on overall TDP-43 pathology or disease phenotypes in rNLS8 mice. Cytoplasmic TDP-43 accumulation therefore causes very early activation of ISR and both anti- and pro-apoptotic signalling that switches to predominant pro-apoptotic activation later in disease. These findings suggest that precise temporal modulation of cell stress and death pathways may be beneficial to protect against neurodegeneration in ALS and FTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Luan
- Neurodegeneration Pathobiology Laboratory, Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Amanda L Wright
- Neurodegeneration Pathobiology Laboratory, Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Macquarie Medical School, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Heledd Brown-Wright
- Neurodegeneration Pathobiology Laboratory, Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Sheng Le
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Macquarie Medical School, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Rebecca San Gil
- Neurodegeneration Pathobiology Laboratory, Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Lidia Madrid San Martin
- Neurodegeneration Pathobiology Laboratory, Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Karen Ling
- Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Carlsbad, CA, 90201, USA
| | | | - Frank Rigo
- Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Carlsbad, CA, 90201, USA
| | - Adam K Walker
- Neurodegeneration Pathobiology Laboratory, Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia.
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Macquarie Medical School, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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5
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Papikinos T, Krokidis MG, Vrahatis A, Vlamos P, Exarchos TP. Signature-Based Computational Drug Repurposing for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2023; 1424:201-211. [PMID: 37486495 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-31982-2_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a late-onset fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive loss of the upper and lower motor neurons. There are currently limited approved drugs for the disorder, and for this reason the strategy of repositioning already approved therapeutics could exhibit a successful outcome. Herein, we used CMAP and L1000CDS2 databases which include gene expression profiles datasets (genomic signatures) to identify potent compounds and classes of compounds which reverse disease's signature which could in turn reverse its phenotype. ALS signature was obtained by comparing gene expression of muscle biopsy specimens between diseased and healthy individuals. Statistical analysis was conducted to explore differentially transcripts in patients' samples. Then, the list of upregulated and downregulated genes was used to query both databases in order to determine molecules which downregulate the genes which are upregulated by ALS and vice versa. These compounds, based on their chemical structure along with known treatments, were clustered to reveal drugs with novel and potentially more effective mode of action with most of them predicted to affect pathways heavily involved in ALS. This evidence suggests that these compounds are strong candidates for moving to the next phase of the drug repurposing pipeline which is in vitro and in vivo experimental evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Papikinos
- Department of Informatics, Bioinformatics and Human Electrophysiology Laboratory, Ionian University, Corfu, Greece.
| | - Marios G Krokidis
- Department of Informatics, Bioinformatics and Human Electrophysiology Laboratory, Ionian University, Corfu, Greece
| | - Aris Vrahatis
- Department of Informatics, Bioinformatics and Human Electrophysiology Laboratory, Ionian University, Corfu, Greece
| | - Panagiotis Vlamos
- Department of Informatics, Bioinformatics and Human Electrophysiology Laboratory, Ionian University, Corfu, Greece
| | - Themis P Exarchos
- Department of Informatics, Bioinformatics and Human Electrophysiology Laboratory, Ionian University, Corfu, Greece
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6
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Cohen LD, Ziv T, Ziv NE. Synapse integrity and function: Dependence on protein synthesis and identification of potential failure points. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:1038614. [PMID: 36583084 PMCID: PMC9792512 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.1038614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Synaptic integrity and function depend on myriad proteins - labile molecules with finite lifetimes that need to be continually replaced with freshly synthesized copies. Here we describe experiments designed to expose synaptic (and neuronal) properties and functions that are particularly sensitive to disruptions in protein supply, identify proteins lost early upon such disruptions, and uncover potential, yet currently underappreciated failure points. We report here that acute suppressions of protein synthesis are followed within hours by reductions in spontaneous network activity levels, impaired oxidative phosphorylation and mitochondrial function, and, importantly, destabilization and loss of both excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic specializations. Conversely, gross impairments in presynaptic vesicle recycling occur over longer time scales (days), as does overt cell death. Proteomic analysis identified groups of potentially essential 'early-lost' proteins including regulators of synapse stability, proteins related to bioenergetics, fatty acid and lipid metabolism, and, unexpectedly, numerous proteins involved in Alzheimer's disease pathology and amyloid beta processing. Collectively, these findings point to neuronal excitability, energy supply and synaptic stability as early-occurring failure points under conditions of compromised supply of newly synthesized protein copies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurie D. Cohen
- Technion Faculty of Medicine, Rappaport Institute and Network Biology Research Laboratories, Haifa, Israel
| | - Tamar Ziv
- Smoler Proteomics Center, Lokey Interdisciplinary Center for Life Sciences & Engineering, Technion, Haifa, Israel
| | - Noam E. Ziv
- Technion Faculty of Medicine, Rappaport Institute and Network Biology Research Laboratories, Haifa, Israel,*Correspondence: Noam E. Ziv,
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7
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Chakravorty A, Sharma A, Sheeba V, Manjithaya R. Glutamatergic Synapse Dysfunction in Drosophila Neuromuscular Junctions Can Be Rescued by Proteostasis Modulation. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:842772. [PMID: 35909443 PMCID: PMC9337869 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.842772] [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: 12/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Glutamate is the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the nervous system, and the Drosophila glutamatergic neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) offer a tractable platform to understand excitatory synapse biology both in health and disease. Synaptopathies are neurodegenerative diseases that are associated with synaptic dysfunction and often display compromised proteostasis. One such rare, progressive neurodegenerative condition, Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 3 (SCA3) or Machado-Joseph Disease (MJD), is characterized by cerebellar ataxia, Parkinsonism, and degeneration of motor neuron synapses. While the polyQ repeat mutant protein ataxin-3 is implicated in MJD, it is unclear how it leads to impaired synaptic function. In this study, we indicated that a Drosophila model of MJD recapitulates characteristics of neurodegenerative disorders marked by motor neuron dysfunction. Expression of 78 polyQ repeats of mutant ataxin-3 protein in Drosophila motor neurons resulted in behavioral defects, such as impaired locomotion in both larval and adult stages. Furthermore, defects in eclosion and lifespan were observed in adult flies. Detailed characterization of larval glutamatergic neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) revealed defects in morphological features along with compromised NMJ functioning. Autophagy, one of the key proteostasis pathways, is known to be impaired in the case of several synaptopathies. Our study reveals that overexpression of the autophagy-related protein Atg8a rescued behavioral defects. Thus, we present a model for glutamatergic synapse dysfunction that recapitulates synaptic and behavioral deficits and show that it is an amenable system for carrying out genetic and chemical biology screens to identify potential therapeutic targets for synaptopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anushka Chakravorty
- Autophagy Laboratory, Molecular Biology and Genetics Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore, India
| | - Ankit Sharma
- Chronobiology and Behavioural Neurogenetics Laboratory, Neuroscience Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore, India
| | - Vasu Sheeba
- Chronobiology and Behavioural Neurogenetics Laboratory, Neuroscience Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore, India
- *Correspondence: Vasu Sheeba
| | - Ravi Manjithaya
- Autophagy Laboratory, Molecular Biology and Genetics Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore, India
- Neuroscience Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore, India
- Ravi Manjithaya
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8
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Kirola L, Mukherjee A, Mutsuddi M. Recent Updates on the Genetics of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Mol Neurobiol 2022; 59:5673-5694. [PMID: 35768750 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-022-02934-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) primarily affect the motor and frontotemporal areas of the brain, respectively. These disorders share clinical, genetic, and pathological similarities, and approximately 10-15% of ALS-FTD cases are considered to be multisystemic. ALS-FTD overlaps have been linked to families carrying an expansion in the intron of C9orf72 along with inclusions of TDP-43 in the brain. Other overlapping genes (VCP, FUS, SQSTM1, TBK1, CHCHD10) are also involved in similar functions that include RNA processing, autophagy, proteasome response, protein aggregation, and intracellular trafficking. Recent advances in genome sequencing have identified new genes that are involved in these disorders (TBK1, CCNF, GLT8D1, KIF5A, NEK1, C21orf2, TBP, CTSF, MFSD8, DNAJC7). Additional risk factors and modifiers have been also identified in genome-wide association studies and array-based studies. However, the newly identified genes show higher disease frequencies in combination with known genes that are implicated in pathogenesis, thus indicating probable digenetic/polygenic inheritance models, along with epistatic interactions. Studies suggest that these genes play a pleiotropic effect on ALS-FTD and other diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Ataxia, and Parkinsonism. Besides, there have been numerous improvements in the genotype-phenotype correlations as well as clinical trials on stem cell and gene-based therapies. This review discusses the possible genetic models of ALS and FTD, the latest therapeutics, and signaling pathways involved in ALS-FTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laxmi Kirola
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Ashim Mukherjee
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Mousumi Mutsuddi
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.
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9
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Zhao C, Liao Y, Rahaman A, Kumar V. Towards Understanding the Relationship Between ER Stress and Unfolded Protein Response in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:892518. [PMID: 35783140 PMCID: PMC9248913 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.892518] [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: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Biological stress due to the aberrant buildup of misfolded/unfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is considered a key reason behind many human neurodegenerative diseases. Cells adapted to ER stress through the activation of an integrated signal transduction pathway known as the unfolded protein response (UPR). Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by degeneration of the motor system. It has largely been known that ER stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of ALS through the dysregulation of proteostasis. Moreover, accumulating evidence indicates that ER stress and UPR are important players in TDP-43 pathology. In this mini-review, the complex interplay between ER stress and the UPR in ALS and TDP-43 pathology will be explored by taking into account the studies from in vitro and in vivo models of ALS. We also discuss therapeutic strategies to control levels of ER stress and UPR signaling components that have contrasting effects on ALS pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenxuan Zhao
- School of Engineering, College of Technology and Business, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yong Liao
- Center of Scientific Research, Maoming People’s Hospital, Maoming, China
- *Correspondence: Yong Liao Vijay Kumar
| | - Abdul Rahaman
- School of Food Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Vijay Kumar
- Amity Institute of Neuropsychology & Neurosciences (AINN), Amity University, Noida, India
- *Correspondence: Yong Liao Vijay Kumar
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