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Bugaj AM, Kunath N, Saasen VL, Fernandez-Berrocal MS, Vankova A, Sætrom P, Bjørås M, Ye J. Dissecting gene expression networks in the developing hippocampus through the lens of NEIL3 depletion. Prog Neurobiol 2024; 235:102599. [PMID: 38522610 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2024.102599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 03/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
Gene regulation in the hippocampus is fundamental for its development, synaptic plasticity, memory formation, and adaptability. Comparisons of gene expression among different developmental stages, distinct cell types, and specific experimental conditions have identified differentially expressed genes contributing to the organization and functionality of hippocampal circuits. The NEIL3 DNA glycosylase, one of the DNA repair enzymes, plays an important role in hippocampal maturation and neuron functionality by shaping transcription. While differential gene expression (DGE) analysis has identified key genes involved, broader gene expression patterns crucial for high-order hippocampal functions remain uncharted. By utilizing the weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), we mapped gene expression networks in immature (p8-neonatal) and mature (3 m-adult) hippocampal circuits in wild-type and NEIL3-deficient mice. Our study unveiled intricate gene network structures underlying hippocampal maturation, delineated modules of co-expressed genes, and pinpointed highly interconnected hub genes specific to the maturity of hippocampal subregions. We investigated variations within distinct gene network modules following NEIL3 depletion, uncovering NEIL3-targeted hub genes that influence module connectivity and specificity. By integrating WGCNA with DGE, we delve deeper into the NEIL3-dependent molecular intricacies of hippocampal maturation. This study provides a comprehensive systems-level analysis for assessing the potential correlation between gene connectivity and functional connectivity within the hippocampal network, thus shaping hippocampal function throughout development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna M Bugaj
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine (IKOM), Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim 7491, Norway
| | - Nicolas Kunath
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine (IKOM), Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim 7491, Norway; Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim 7491, Norway; Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Trondheim, Trondheim 7491, Norway
| | - Vidar Langseth Saasen
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine (IKOM), Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim 7491, Norway
| | - Marion S Fernandez-Berrocal
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine (IKOM), Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim 7491, Norway
| | - Ana Vankova
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine (IKOM), Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim 7491, Norway
| | - Pål Sætrom
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine (IKOM), Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim 7491, Norway
| | - Magnar Bjørås
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine (IKOM), Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim 7491, Norway; Department of Microbiology, Oslo University Hospital, University of Oslo, Oslo 0424, Norway; Centre for Embryology and Healthy Development, University of Oslo, Oslo 0373, Norway.
| | - Jing Ye
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine (IKOM), Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim 7491, Norway.
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Rosenblum Y, Weber FD, Rak M, Zavecz Z, Kunath N, Breitenstein B, Rasch B, Zeising M, Uhr M, Steiger A, Dresler M. Sustained polyphasic sleep restriction abolishes human growth hormone release. Sleep 2024; 47:zsad321. [PMID: 38124288 DOI: 10.1093/sleep/zsad321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVES Voluntary sleep restriction is a common phenomenon in industrialized societies aiming to increase time spent awake and thus productivity. We explored how restricting sleep to a radically polyphasic schedule affects neural, cognitive, and endocrine characteristics. METHODS Ten young healthy participants were restricted to one 20-minute nap opportunity at the end of every 4 hours (i.e. six sleep episodes per 24 hours) without any extended core sleep window, which resulted in a cumulative sleep amount of just 2 hours per day (i.e. ~20 minutes per bout). RESULTS All but one participant terminated this schedule during the first month. The remaining participant (a 25-year-old male) succeeded in adhering to a polyphasic schedule for five out of the eight planned weeks. Cognitive and psychiatric measures showed modest changes during polyphasic as compared to monophasic sleep, while in-blood cortisol or melatonin release patterns and amounts were apparently unaltered. In contrast, growth hormone release was almost entirely abolished (>95% decrease), with the residual release showing a considerably changed polyphasic secretional pattern. CONCLUSIONS Even though the study was initiated by volunteers with exceptional intrinsic motivation and commitment, none of them could tolerate the intended 8 weeks of the polyphasic schedule. Considering the decreased vigilance, abolished growth hormone release, and neurophysiological sleep changes observed, it is doubtful that radically polyphasic sleep schedules can subserve the different functions of sleep to a sufficient degree.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yevgenia Rosenblum
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Frederik D Weber
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands
- Department of Sleep and Cognition, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Michael Rak
- Department of Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Zsófia Zavecz
- Center for Human Sleep Science, Department of Psychology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Nicolas Kunath
- Department of Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Björn Rasch
- Department of Psychology, Division of Biopsychology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marcel Zeising
- Klinikum Ingolstadt, Centre of Mental Health, Ingolstadt, Germany
| | - Manfred Uhr
- Department of Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Axel Steiger
- Department of Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Martin Dresler
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands
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Roliński M, Montaldo NP, Aksu ME, Fordyce Martin S, Brambilla A, Kunath N, Johansen J, Erlandsen S, Liabbak NB, Rian K, Bjørås M, Sætrom P, van Loon B. Loss of Mediator complex subunit 13 (MED13) promotes resistance to alkylation through cyclin D1 upregulation. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:1470-1484. [PMID: 33444446 PMCID: PMC7897519 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa1289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Alkylating drugs are among the most often used chemotherapeutics. While cancer cells frequently develop resistance to alkylation treatments, detailed understanding of mechanisms that lead to the resistance is limited. Here, by using genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 based screen, we identify transcriptional Mediator complex subunit 13 (MED13) as a novel modulator of alkylation response. The alkylation exposure causes significant MED13 downregulation, while complete loss of MED13 results in reduced apoptosis and resistance to alkylating agents. Transcriptome analysis identified cyclin D1 (CCND1) as one of the highly overexpressed genes in MED13 knock-out (KO) cells, characterized by shorter G1 phase. MED13 is able to bind to CCND1 regulatory elements thus influencing the expression. The resistance of MED13 KO cells is directly dependent on the cyclin D1 overexpression, and its down-regulation is sufficient to re-sensitize the cells to alkylating agents. We further demonstrate the therapeutic potential of MED13-mediated response, by applying combinatory treatment with CDK8/19 inhibitor Senexin A. Importantly, the treatment with Senexin A stabilizes MED13, and in combination with alkylating agents significantly reduces viability of cancer cells. In summary, our findings identify novel alkylation stress response mechanism dependent on MED13 and cyclin D1 that can serve as basis for development of innovative therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miłosz Roliński
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7049 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Nicola Pietro Montaldo
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7049 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Merdane Ezgi Aksu
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7049 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Sarah L Fordyce Martin
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7049 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Alessandro Brambilla
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7049 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Nicolas Kunath
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7049 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Jostein Johansen
- Bioinformatics core facility - BioCore; Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), 7491 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Sten Even Erlandsen
- Genomics core facility, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), 7491 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Nina-Beate Liabbak
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7049 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Kristin Rian
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7049 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Magnar Bjørås
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7049 Trondheim, Norway
- Department of Microbiology, Oslo University Hospital, 0027 Oslo, Norway; Department of Medical Biochemistry, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, 0372 Oslo, Norway
| | - Pål Sætrom
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7049 Trondheim, Norway
- Bioinformatics core facility - BioCore; Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), 7491 Trondheim, Norway
- K.G. Jebsen Center for Genetic Epidemiology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), 7491 Trondheim, Norway
- Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), 7491 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Barbara van Loon
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7049 Trondheim, Norway
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Kunath N, Müller NCJ, Tonon M, Konrad BN, Pawlowski M, Kopczak A, Elbau I, Uhr M, Kühn S, Repantis D, Ohla K, Müller TD, Fernández G, Tschöp M, Czisch M, Steiger A, Dresler M. Ghrelin modulates encoding-related brain function without enhancing memory formation in humans. Neuroimage 2016; 142:465-473. [PMID: 27402596 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2016.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2016] [Revised: 06/07/2016] [Accepted: 07/06/2016] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Ghrelin regulates energy homeostasis in various species and enhances memory in rodent models. In humans, the role of ghrelin in cognitive processes has yet to be characterized. Here we show in a double-blind randomized crossover design that acute administration of ghrelin alters encoding-related brain activity, however does not enhance memory formation in humans. Twenty-one healthy young male participants had to memorize food- and non-food-related words presented on a background of a virtual navigational route while undergoing fMRI recordings. After acute ghrelin administration, we observed decreased post-encoding resting state fMRI connectivity between the caudate nucleus and the insula, amygdala, and orbitofrontal cortex. In addition, brain activity related to subsequent memory performance was modulated by ghrelin. On the next day, however, no differences were found in free word recall or cued location-word association recall between conditions; and ghrelin's effects on brain activity or functional connectivity were unrelated to memory performance. Further, ghrelin had no effect on a cognitive test battery comprising tests for working memory, fluid reasoning, creativity, mental speed, and attention. In conclusion, in contrast to studies with animal models, we did not find any evidence for the potential of ghrelin acting as a short-term cognitive enhancer in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Kunath
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - N C J Müller
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - M Tonon
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - B N Konrad
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - M Pawlowski
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - A Kopczak
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - I Elbau
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - M Uhr
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - S Kühn
- Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin, Germany
| | - D Repantis
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, CBF, Berlin, Germany
| | - K Ohla
- German Institute for Human Nutrition, Potsdam-Rehbrücke, Germany
| | - T D Müller
- Institute for Diabetes and Obesity, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany; Department of Medicine, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - G Fernández
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - M Tschöp
- Institute for Diabetes and Obesity, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany; Department of Medicine, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - M Czisch
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - A Steiger
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - M Dresler
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany; Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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Kunath N, Müller N, Tonon M, Kopczak A, Steiger A, Dresler M. Ghrelin does not act as a short-term cognitive enhancer in young male humans. Pharmacopsychiatry 2015. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1557967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Kunath N, Müller N, Tonon M, Kopczak A, Steiger A, Dresler M. Ghrelin does not act as a short-term cognitive enhancer in young male humans. Pharmacopsychiatry 2015. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1557968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Kunath N, Kumar A, Dozier-Sharpe M, Allison D, Van Groen T, Kadish I. Ghrelin agonist does not foster insulin resistance but improves cognition in an Alzheimerʼs disease mouse model. Pharmacopsychiatry 2015. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1557966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Kunath N, van Groen T, Allison DB, Kumar A, Dozier-Sharpe M, Kadish I. Ghrelin agonist does not foster insulin resistance but improves cognition in an Alzheimer's disease mouse model. Sci Rep 2015; 5:11452. [PMID: 26090621 PMCID: PMC4473679 DOI: 10.1038/srep11452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2015] [Accepted: 05/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The orexigenic hormone ghrelin, a potential antagonist of the insulin system, ensures sufficient serum glucose in times of fasting. In the race for new therapeutics for diabetes, one focus of study has been antagonizing the ghrelin system in order to improve glucose tolerance. We provide evidence for a differential role of a ghrelin agonist on glucose homeostasis in an Alzheimer’s disease mouse model fed a high–glycemic index diet as a constant challenge for glucose homeostasis. The ghrelin agonist impaired glucose tolerance immediately after administration but not in the long term. At the same time, the ghrelin agonist improved spatial learning in the mice, raised their activity levels, and reduced their body weight and fat mass. Immunoassay results showed a beneficial impact of long-term treatment on insulin signaling pathways in hippocampal tissue. The present results suggest that ghrelin might improve cognition in Alzheimer’s disease via a central nervous system mechanism involving insulin signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Kunath
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham AL, USA.,Department of Clinical Research, Max-Planck-Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Thomas van Groen
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham AL, USA
| | - David B Allison
- Office of Energetics; Nutrition Obesity Research Center; Department of Nutrition Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Ashish Kumar
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham AL, USA
| | - Monique Dozier-Sharpe
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham AL, USA
| | - Inga Kadish
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham AL, USA
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Anneser J, Kunath N, Krautheim V, Borasio GD. Needs, expectations, and concerns of medical students regarding end-of-life issues before the introduction of a mandatory undergraduate palliative care curriculum. J Palliat Med 2014; 17:1201-5. [PMID: 25075439 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2013.0614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the past, implementation of effective palliative care curricula has emerged as a priority in medical education. In order to gain insight into medical students' needs and expectations, we conducted a survey before mandatory palliative care education was introduced in our faculty. METHODS Seven hundred nine students answered a questionnaire mainly consisting of numeric rating scales (0-10). RESULTS Participants attributed a high importance to palliative care for their future professional life (mean, 7.51 ± 2.2). For most students, symptom control was crucial (7.72 ± 2.2). However, even higher importance was assigned to ethical and legal issues (8.16 ± 1.9). "Self-reflection regarding their own role as a physician caring for the terminally ill along with psychological support" was also regarded as highly important (7.25 ± 2.4). Most students were moderately concerned at the prospect of being confronted with suffering and death (5.13 ± 2.4). This emotional distress was rated significantly higher by female students (5.4 ± 2.4 versus 4.6 ± 2.4; p < 0.001). Seventeen percent of all students rated their distress as being 7 of 10 or higher, which indicates a considerable psychological strain in terms of dealing with end-of-life issues in the future. Professional or personal experience with terminally ill persons lowered these anxieties significantly (4.99 ± 2.34 versus 5.47 ± 2.5, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Medical students stated a remarkably high interest in learning palliative care competencies. Responding to their specific concerns and needs-especially with regard to the acquisition of emotional coping skills-may be key for the development of successful palliative care curricula.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Anneser
- 1 Palliative Care Team, Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University Munich , Munich, Germany
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Kunath N, Dresler M, Steiger A. Hunger and Decision-Making: State-dependent learned valuation in humans. Pharmacopsychiatry 2013. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1353308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Rak M, Kunath N, Breitenstein B, Pawlowski M, Steiger A, Dresler M. Endocrine and cognitive effects of a radically polyphasic sleep schedule. Pharmacopsychiatry 2013. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1353314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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