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Lebeda D, Fierenz A, Werfel L, Rosin-Arbesfeld R, Hofhuis J, Thoms S. Systematic and quantitative analysis of stop codon readthrough in Rett syndrome nonsense mutations. J Mol Med (Berl) 2024; 102:641-653. [PMID: 38430393 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-024-02436-6] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
Rett syndrome (RTT) is a neurodevelopmental disorder resulting from genetic mutations in the methyl CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2) gene. Specifically, around 35% of RTT patients harbor premature termination codons (PTCs) within the MeCP2 gene due to nonsense mutations. A promising therapeutic avenue for these individuals involves the use of aminoglycosides, which stimulate translational readthrough (TR) by causing stop codons to be interpreted as sense codons. However, the effectiveness of this treatment depends on several factors, including the type of stop codon and the surrounding nucleotides, collectively referred to as the stop codon context (SCC). Here, we develop a high-content reporter system to precisely measure TR efficiency at different SCCs, assess the recovery of the full-length MeCP2 protein, and evaluate its subcellular localization. We have conducted a comprehensive investigation into the intricate relationship between SCC characteristics and TR induction, examining a total of 14 pathogenic MeCP2 nonsense mutations with the aim to advance the prospects of personalized therapy for individuals with RTT. Our results demonstrate that TR induction can successfully restore full-length MeCP2 protein, albeit to varying degrees, contingent upon the SCC and the specific position of the PTC within the MeCP2 mRNA. TR induction can lead to the re-establishment of nuclear localization of MeCP2, indicating the potential restoration of protein functionality. In summary, our findings underscore the significance of SCC-specific approaches in the development of tailored therapies for RTT. By unraveling the relationship between SCC and TR therapy, we pave the way for personalized, individualized treatment strategies that hold promise for improving the lives of individuals affected by this debilitating neurodevelopmental disorder. KEY MESSAGES: The efficiency of readthrough induction at MeCP2 premature termination codons strongly depends on the stop codon context. The position of the premature termination codon on the transcript influences the readthrough inducibility. A new high-content dual reporter assay facilitates the measurement and prediction of readthrough efficiency of specific nucleotide stop contexts. Readthrough induction results in the recovery of full-length MeCP2 and its re-localization to the nucleus. MeCP2 requires only one of its annotated nuclear localization signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Lebeda
- Department for Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Medical School EWL, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Adrian Fierenz
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Lina Werfel
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Present Address: Department of Pediatric Kidney, Liver and Metabolic Diseases, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Rina Rosin-Arbesfeld
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Julia Hofhuis
- Department for Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Medical School EWL, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Sven Thoms
- Department for Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Medical School EWL, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany.
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.
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Ortega-Alarcon D, Claveria-Gimeno R, Vega S, Kalani L, Jorge-Torres OC, Esteller M, Ausio J, Abian O, Velazquez-Campoy A. Extending MeCP2 interactome: canonical nucleosomal histones interact with MeCP2. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:3636-3653. [PMID: 38321951 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
MeCP2 is a general regulator of transcription involved in the repression/activation of genes depending on the local epigenetic context. It acts as a chromatin regulator and binds with exquisite specificity to gene promoters. The set of epigenetic marks recognized by MeCP2 has been already established (mainly, cytosine modifications in CpG and CpA), as well as many of the constituents of its interactome. We unveil a new set of interactions for MeCP2 with the four canonical nucleosomal histones. MeCP2 interacts with high affinity with H2A, H2B, H3 and H4. In addition, Rett syndrome associated mutations in MeCP2 and histone epigenetic marks modulate these interactions. Given the abundance and the structural/functional relevance of histones and their involvement in epigenetic regulation, this new set of interactions and its modulating elements provide a new addition to the 'alphabet' for this epigenetic reader.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Ortega-Alarcon
- Institute of Biocomputation and Physics of Complex Systems (BIFI), Joint Unit GBsC-CSIC-BIFI, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Aragón (IIS Aragón), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | | | - Sonia Vega
- Institute of Biocomputation and Physics of Complex Systems (BIFI), Joint Unit GBsC-CSIC-BIFI, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Ladan Kalani
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BCV8W 2Y2, Canada
| | - Olga C Jorge-Torres
- Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), 08916 Badalona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Manel Esteller
- Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), 08916 Badalona, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer (CIBERONC), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Institucio Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), 08010 Barcelona, Spain
- Physiological Sciences Department, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona (UB), 08907 l'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan Ausio
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BCV8W 2Y2, Canada
| | - Olga Abian
- Institute of Biocomputation and Physics of Complex Systems (BIFI), Joint Unit GBsC-CSIC-BIFI, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Aragón (IIS Aragón), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en el Área Temática de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular y Celular, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Adrian Velazquez-Campoy
- Institute of Biocomputation and Physics of Complex Systems (BIFI), Joint Unit GBsC-CSIC-BIFI, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Aragón (IIS Aragón), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en el Área Temática de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular y Celular, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
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3
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Arezoumand KS, Roberts CT, Rastegar M. Metformin Induces MeCP2 in the Hippocampus of Male Mice with Sex-Specific and Brain-Region-Dependent Molecular Impact. Biomolecules 2024; 14:505. [PMID: 38672521 PMCID: PMC11048179 DOI: 10.3390/biom14040505] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Rett Syndrome (RTT) is a progressive X-linked neurodevelopmental disorder with no cure. RTT patients show disease-associated symptoms within 18 months of age that include developmental regression, progressive loss of useful hand movements, and breathing difficulties, along with neurological impairments, seizures, tremor, and mental disability. Rett Syndrome is also associated with metabolic abnormalities, and the anti-diabetic drug metformin is suggested to be a potential drug of choice with low or no side-effects. Previously, we showed that in vitro exposure of metformin in a human brain cell line induces MECP2E1 transcripts, the dominant isoform of the MECP2 gene in the brain, mutations in which causes RTT. Here, we report the molecular impact of metformin in mice. Protein analysis of specific brain regions in the male and female mice by immunoblotting indicated that metformin induces MeCP2 in the hippocampus, in a sex-dependent manner. Additional experiments confirm that the regulatory role of metformin on the MeCP2 target "BDNF" is brain region-dependent and sex-specific. Measurement of the ribosomal protein S6 (in both phosphorylated and unphosphorylated forms) confirms the sex-dependent role of metformin in the liver. Our results can help foster a better understanding of the molecular impact of metformin in different brain regions of male and female adult mice, while providing some insight towards its potential in therapeutic strategies for the treatment of Rett Syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Mojgan Rastegar
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9, Canada
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4
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Mykins M, Bridges B, Jo A, Krishnan K. Multidimensional Analysis of a Social Behavior Identifies Regression and Phenotypic Heterogeneity in a Female Mouse Model for Rett Syndrome. J Neurosci 2024; 44:e1078232023. [PMID: 38199865 PMCID: PMC10957218 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1078-23.2023] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Regression is a key feature of neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder, Fragile X syndrome, and Rett syndrome (RTT). RTT is caused by mutations in the X-linked gene methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MECP2). It is characterized by an early period of typical development with subsequent regression of previously acquired motor and speech skills in girls. The syndromic phenotypes are individualistic and dynamic over time. Thus far, it has been difficult to capture these dynamics and syndromic heterogeneity in the preclinical Mecp2-heterozygous female mouse model (Het). The emergence of computational neuroethology tools allows for robust analysis of complex and dynamic behaviors to model endophenotypes in preclinical models. Toward this first step, we utilized DeepLabCut, a marker-less pose estimation software to quantify trajectory kinematics and multidimensional analysis to characterize behavioral heterogeneity in Het in the previously benchmarked, ethologically relevant social cognition task of pup retrieval. We report the identification of two distinct phenotypes of adult Het: Het that display a delay in efficiency in early days and then improve over days like wild-type mice and Het that regress and perform worse in later days. Furthermore, regression is dependent on age and behavioral context and can be detected in the initial days of retrieval. Together, the novel identification of two populations of Het suggests differential effects on neural circuitry, opens new avenues to investigate the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms of heterogeneity, and designs better studies for stratifying therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Mykins
- Department of Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee
| | - Benjamin Bridges
- Department of Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee
| | - Angela Jo
- Department of Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee
| | - Keerthi Krishnan
- Department of Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee
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Huber A, Sarne V, Beribisky AV, Ackerbauer D, Derdak S, Madritsch S, Etzler J, Huck S, Scholze P, Gorgulu I, Christodoulou J, Studenik CR, Neuhaus W, Connor B, Laccone F, Steinkellner H. Generation and Characterization of a Human Neuronal In Vitro Model for Rett Syndrome Using a Direct Reprogramming Method. Stem Cells Dev 2024; 33:128-142. [PMID: 38164119 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2023.0233] [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] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Rett Syndrome (RTT) is a severe neurodevelopmental disorder, afflicting 1 in 10,000 female births. It is caused by mutations in the X-linked methyl-CpG-binding protein gene (MECP2), which encodes for the global transcriptional regulator methyl CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2). As human brain samples of RTT patients are scarce and cannot be used for downstream studies, there is a pressing need for in vitro modeling of pathological neuronal changes. In this study, we use a direct reprogramming method for the generation of neuronal cells from MeCP2-deficient and wild-type human dermal fibroblasts using two episomal plasmids encoding the transcription factors SOX2 and PAX6. We demonstrated that the obtained neurons exhibit a typical neuronal morphology and express the appropriate marker proteins. RNA-sequencing confirmed neuronal identity of the obtained MeCP2-deficient and wild-type neurons. Furthermore, these MeCP2-deficient neurons reflect the pathophysiology of RTT in vitro, with diminished dendritic arborization and hyperacetylation of histone H3 and H4. Treatment with MeCP2, tethered to the cell penetrating peptide TAT, ameliorated hyperacetylation of H4K16 in MeCP2-deficient neurons, which strengthens the RTT relevance of this cell model. We generated a neuronal model based on direct reprogramming derived from patient fibroblasts, providing a powerful tool to study disease mechanisms and investigating novel treatment options for RTT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Huber
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Center for Pathobiochemistry and Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Vienna Doctoral School of Pharmaceutical, Nutritional and Sport Sciences (PhaNuSpo), University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Victoria Sarne
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Center for Pathobiochemistry and Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Vienna Doctoral School of Pharmaceutical, Nutritional and Sport Sciences (PhaNuSpo), University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Alexander V Beribisky
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Center for Pathobiochemistry and Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Daniela Ackerbauer
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Center for Pathobiochemistry and Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sophia Derdak
- Core Facilities, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Silvia Madritsch
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Center for Pathobiochemistry and Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Julia Etzler
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Center for Pathobiochemistry and Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sigismund Huck
- Department of Pathobiology of the Nervous System, Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Petra Scholze
- Department of Pathobiology of the Nervous System, Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ilayda Gorgulu
- Department of Pathobiology of the Nervous System, Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - John Christodoulou
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Discipline of Child & Adolescent Health, Sydney Medical School, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Winfried Neuhaus
- Competence Unit Molecular Diagnostics, Center Health and Bioresources, AIT-Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Danube Private University, Krems an der Donau, Austria
| | - Bronwen Connor
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, Centre for Brain Research, School of Medical Science, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Franco Laccone
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Center for Pathobiochemistry and Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Hannes Steinkellner
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Center for Pathobiochemistry and Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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6
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Cao Z, Min X, Xie X, Huang M, Liu Y, Sun W, Xu G, He M, He K, Li Y, Yuan J. RIPK1 activation in Mecp2-deficient microglia promotes inflammation and glutamate release in RTT. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2320383121. [PMID: 38289948 PMCID: PMC10861890 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2320383121] [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: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Rett syndrome (RTT) is a devastating neurodevelopmental disorder primarily caused by mutations in the methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (Mecp2) gene. Here, we found that inhibition of Receptor-Interacting Serine/Threonine-Protein Kinase 1 (RIPK1) kinase ameliorated progression of motor dysfunction after onset and prolonged the survival of Mecp2-null mice. Microglia were activated early in myeloid Mecp2-deficient mice, which was inhibited upon inactivation of RIPK1 kinase. RIPK1 inhibition in Mecp2-deficient microglia reduced oxidative stress, cytokines production and induction of SLC7A11, SLC38A1, and GLS, which mediate the release of glutamate. Mecp2-deficient microglia release high levels of glutamate to impair glutamate-mediated excitatory neurotransmission and promote increased levels of GluA1 and GluA2/3 proteins in vivo, which was reduced upon RIPK1 inhibition. Thus, activation of RIPK1 kinase in Mecp2-deficient microglia may be involved both in the onset and progression of RTT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ze Cao
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai201203, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Aging Studies, Shanghai201210, China
| | - Xia Min
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100049, China
| | - Xingxing Xie
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100049, China
| | - Maoqing Huang
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100049, China
| | - Yingying Liu
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100049, China
| | - Weimin Sun
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai201203, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Aging Studies, Shanghai201210, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100049, China
| | - Guifang Xu
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai201203, China
| | - Miao He
- Institutes of Brain Science, Department of Neurology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and Ministry of Education Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai200032, China
| | - Kaiwen He
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100049, China
| | - Ying Li
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai201203, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Aging Studies, Shanghai201210, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100049, China
| | - Junying Yuan
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai201203, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Aging Studies, Shanghai201210, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100049, China
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7
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Xu FX, Wang XT, Cai XY, Liu JY, Guo JW, Yang F, Chen W, Schonewille M, De Zeeuw C, Zhou L, Shen Y. Purkinje-cell-specific MeCP2 deficiency leads to motor deficits and autistic-like behavior due to aberrations in PTP1B-TrkB-SK signaling. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113559. [PMID: 38100348 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113559] [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: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients with Rett syndrome suffer from a loss-of-function mutation of the Mecp2 gene, which results in various symptoms including autistic traits and motor deficits. Deletion of Mecp2 in the brain mimics part of these symptoms, but the specific function of methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2) in the cerebellum remains to be elucidated. Here, we demonstrate that Mecp2 deletion in Purkinje cells (PCs) reduces their intrinsic excitability through a signaling pathway comprising the small-conductance calcium-activated potassium channel PTP1B and TrkB, the receptor of brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Aberration of this cascade, in turn, leads to autistic-like behaviors as well as reduced vestibulocerebellar motor learning. Interestingly, increasing activity of TrkB in PCs is sufficient to rescue PC dysfunction and abnormal motor and non-motor behaviors caused by Mecp2 deficiency. Our findings highlight how PC dysfunction may contribute to Rett syndrome, providing insight into the underlying mechanism and paving the way for rational therapeutic designs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang-Xiao Xu
- Department of Physiology and Department of Psychiatry, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310000, China
| | - Xin-Tai Wang
- Department of Physiology and Department of Psychiatry, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310000, China; Institute of Life Sciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Xin-Yu Cai
- Department of Physiology and Department of Psychiatry, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310000, China
| | - Jia-Yu Liu
- Department of Physiology and Department of Psychiatry, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310000, China
| | - Jing-Wen Guo
- Department of Physiology and Department of Psychiatry, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310000, China
| | - Fan Yang
- Department of Biophysics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Department of Physiology and Department of Psychiatry, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310000, China
| | - Martijn Schonewille
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3000 DR Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Chris De Zeeuw
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3000 DR Rotterdam, the Netherlands; The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Dutch Academy of Arts and Science, 1105 CA Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Lin Zhou
- Department of Physiology and Department of Psychiatry, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310000, China.
| | - Ying Shen
- Department of Physiology and Department of Psychiatry, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310000, China; International Institutes of Medicine, Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu 322000, China; Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310000, China.
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Zlatic SA, Werner E, Surapaneni V, Lee CE, Gokhale A, Singleton K, Duong D, Crocker A, Gentile K, Middleton F, Dalloul JM, Liu WLY, Patgiri A, Tarquinio D, Carpenter R, Faundez V. Systemic proteome phenotypes reveal defective metabolic flexibility in Mecp2 mutants. Hum Mol Genet 2023; 33:12-32. [PMID: 37712894 PMCID: PMC10729867 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddad154] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Genes mutated in monogenic neurodevelopmental disorders are broadly expressed. This observation supports the concept that monogenic neurodevelopmental disorders are systemic diseases that profoundly impact neurodevelopment. We tested the systemic disease model focusing on Rett syndrome, which is caused by mutations in MECP2. Transcriptomes and proteomes of organs and brain regions from Mecp2-null mice as well as diverse MECP2-null male and female human cells were assessed. Widespread changes in the steady-state transcriptome and proteome were identified in brain regions and organs of presymptomatic Mecp2-null male mice as well as mutant human cell lines. The extent of these transcriptome and proteome modifications was similar in cortex, liver, kidney, and skeletal muscle and more pronounced than in the hippocampus and striatum. In particular, Mecp2- and MECP2-sensitive proteomes were enriched in synaptic and metabolic annotated gene products, the latter encompassing lipid metabolism and mitochondrial pathways. MECP2 mutations altered pyruvate-dependent mitochondrial respiration while maintaining the capacity to use glutamine as a mitochondrial carbon source. We conclude that mutations in Mecp2/MECP2 perturb lipid and mitochondrial metabolism systemically limiting cellular flexibility to utilize mitochondrial fuels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie A Zlatic
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory University, 615 Michael Steet, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
| | - Erica Werner
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory University, 615 Michael Steet, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
| | - Veda Surapaneni
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory University, 615 Michael Steet, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
| | - Chelsea E Lee
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory University, 615 Michael Steet, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
| | - Avanti Gokhale
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory University, 615 Michael Steet, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
| | - Kaela Singleton
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory University, 615 Michael Steet, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
| | - Duc Duong
- Department of Biochemistry, Emory University, 1510 Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
| | - Amanda Crocker
- Program in Neuroscience, Middlebury College, Bicentennial Way, Middlebury, VT 05753, United States
| | - Karen Gentile
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, 505 Irving Avenue, Syracuse, NY 13210, United States
| | - Frank Middleton
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, 505 Irving Avenue, Syracuse, NY 13210, United States
| | - Joseph Martin Dalloul
- Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory University, 1510 Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
| | - William Li-Yun Liu
- Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory University, 1510 Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
| | - Anupam Patgiri
- Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory University, 1510 Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
| | - Daniel Tarquinio
- Center for Rare Neurological Diseases, 5600 Oakbrook Pkwy, Norcross, GA 30093, United States
| | - Randall Carpenter
- Rett Syndrome Research Trust, 67 Under Cliff Rd, Trumbull, CT 06611, United States
| | - Victor Faundez
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory University, 615 Michael Steet, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
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9
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Kalani L, Kim BH, Vincent JB, Ausió J. MeCP2 ubiquitination and sumoylation, in search of a function†. Hum Mol Genet 2023; 33:1-11. [PMID: 37694858 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddad150] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
MeCP2 (Methyl CpG binding protein 2) is an intrinsically disordered protein that binds to methylated genome regions. The protein is a critical transcriptional regulator of the brain, and its mutations account for 95% of Rett syndrome (RTT) cases. Early studies of this neurodevelopmental disorder revealed a close connection with dysregulations of the ubiquitin system (UbS), notably as related to UBE3A, a ubiquitin ligase involved in the proteasome-mediated degradation of proteins. MeCP2 undergoes numerous post-translational modifications (PTMs), including ubiquitination and sumoylation, which, in addition to the potential functional outcomes of their monomeric forms in gene regulation and synaptic plasticity, in their polymeric organization, these modifications play a critical role in proteasomal degradation. UbS-mediated proteasomal degradation is crucial in maintaining MeCP2 homeostasis for proper function and is involved in decreasing MeCP2 in some RTT-causing mutations. However, regardless of all these connections to UbS, the molecular details involved in the signaling of MeCP2 for its targeting by the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) and the functional roles of monomeric MeCP2 ubiquitination and sumoylation remain largely unexplored and are the focus of this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ladan Kalani
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, 3800 Finnerty Rd, Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2, Canada
| | - Bo-Hyun Kim
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, 3800 Finnerty Rd, Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2, Canada
| | - John B Vincent
- Molecular Neuropsychiatry & Development (MiND) Lab, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College St, Toronto, ON M5T 1R8, Canada
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, 27 King's College Cir, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Juan Ausió
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, 3800 Finnerty Rd, Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2, Canada
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10
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Miranda-Lourenço C, Rosa J, Rei N, Belo RF, Lopes AL, Silva D, Vieira C, Magalhães-Cardoso T, Viais R, Correia-de-Sá P, Sebastião AM, Diógenes MJ. Adenosinergic System and BDNF Signaling Changes as a Cross-Sectional Feature of RTT: Characterization of Mecp2 Heterozygous Mouse Females. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16249. [PMID: 38003438 PMCID: PMC10671708 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242216249] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Rett Syndrome is an X-linked neurodevelopmental disorder (RTT; OMIM#312750) associated to MECP2 mutations. MeCP2 dysfunction is seen as one cause for the deficiencies found in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling, since BDNF is one of the genes under MeCP2 jurisdiction. BDNF signaling is also dependent on the proper function of the adenosinergic system. Indeed, both BDNF signaling and the adenosinergic system are altered in Mecp2-null mice (Mecp2-/y), a representative model of severe manifestation of RTT. Considering that symptoms severity largely differs among RTT patients, we set out to investigate the BDNF and ADO signaling modifications in Mecp2 heterozygous female mice (Mecp2+/-) presenting a less severe phenotype. Symptomatic Mecp2+/- mice have lower BDNF levels in the cortex and hippocampus. This is accompanied by a loss of BDNF-induced facilitation of hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP), which could be restored upon selective activation of adenosine A2A receptors (A2AR). While no differences were observed in the amount of adenosine in the cortex and hippocampus of Mecp2+/- mice compared with healthy littermates, the density of the A1R and A2AR subtype receptors was, respectively, upregulated and downregulated in the hippocampus. Data suggest that significant changes in BDNF and adenosine signaling pathways are present in an RTT model with a milder disease phenotype: Mecp2+/- female animals. These features strengthen the theory that boosting adenosinergic activity may be a valid therapeutic strategy for RTT patients, regardless of their genetic penetrance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catarina Miranda-Lourenço
- Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal; (C.M.-L.); (A.M.S.)
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Jéssica Rosa
- Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal; (C.M.-L.); (A.M.S.)
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Nádia Rei
- Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal; (C.M.-L.); (A.M.S.)
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Rita F. Belo
- Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal; (C.M.-L.); (A.M.S.)
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Ana Luísa Lopes
- Laboratório de Farmacologia e Neurobiologia/MedInUP, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar—Universidade do Porto (ICBAS-UP), 4050-313 Porto, Portugal (D.S.); (P.C.-d.-S.)
| | - Diogo Silva
- Laboratório de Farmacologia e Neurobiologia/MedInUP, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar—Universidade do Porto (ICBAS-UP), 4050-313 Porto, Portugal (D.S.); (P.C.-d.-S.)
| | - Cátia Vieira
- Laboratório de Farmacologia e Neurobiologia/MedInUP, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar—Universidade do Porto (ICBAS-UP), 4050-313 Porto, Portugal (D.S.); (P.C.-d.-S.)
| | - Teresa Magalhães-Cardoso
- Laboratório de Farmacologia e Neurobiologia/MedInUP, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar—Universidade do Porto (ICBAS-UP), 4050-313 Porto, Portugal (D.S.); (P.C.-d.-S.)
| | - Ricardo Viais
- Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal; (C.M.-L.); (A.M.S.)
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Paulo Correia-de-Sá
- Laboratório de Farmacologia e Neurobiologia/MedInUP, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar—Universidade do Porto (ICBAS-UP), 4050-313 Porto, Portugal (D.S.); (P.C.-d.-S.)
| | - Ana M. Sebastião
- Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal; (C.M.-L.); (A.M.S.)
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Maria J. Diógenes
- Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal; (C.M.-L.); (A.M.S.)
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
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11
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Abstract
Rett syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by loss-of-function mutations in the methyl-CpG binding protein-2 (MeCP2) gene that is characterized by epilepsy, intellectual disability, autistic features, speech deficits, and sleep and breathing abnormalities. Neurologically, patients with all three disorders display microcephaly, aberrant dendritic morphology, reduced spine density, and an imbalance of excitatory/inhibitory signaling. Loss-of-function mutations in the cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5) and FOXG1 genes also cause similar behavioral and neurobiological defects and were referred to as congenital or variant Rett syndrome. The relatively recent realization that CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD), FOXG1 syndrome, and Rett syndrome are distinct neurodevelopmental disorders with some distinctive features have resulted in separate focus being placed on each disorder with the assumption that distinct molecular mechanisms underlie their pathogenesis. However, given that many of the core symptoms and neurological features are shared, it is likely that the disorders share some critical molecular underpinnings. This review discusses the possibility that deregulation of common molecules in neurons and astrocytes plays a central role in key behavioral and neurological abnormalities in all three disorders. These include KCC2, a chloride transporter, vGlut1, a vesicular glutamate transporter, GluD1, an orphan-glutamate receptor subunit, and PSD-95, a postsynaptic scaffolding protein. We propose that reduced expression or activity of KCC2, vGlut1, PSD-95, and AKT, along with increased expression of GluD1, is involved in the excitatory/inhibitory that represents a key aspect in all three disorders. In addition, astrocyte-derived brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), and inflammatory cytokines likely affect the expression and functioning of these molecules resulting in disease-associated abnormalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santosh R D’Mello
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University Shreveport, Shreveport, LA 71104, USA
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12
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Tzeng CP, Whitwam T, Boxer LD, Li E, Silberfeld A, Trowbridge S, Mei K, Lin C, Shamah R, Griffith EC, Renthal W, Chen C, Greenberg ME. Activity-induced MeCP2 phosphorylation regulates retinogeniculate synapse refinement. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2310344120. [PMID: 37871205 PMCID: PMC10623012 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2310344120] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations in MECP2 give rise to Rett syndrome (RTT), an X-linked neurodevelopmental disorder that results in broad cognitive impairments in females. While the exact etiology of RTT symptoms remains unknown, one possible explanation for its clinical presentation is that loss of MECP2 causes miswiring of neural circuits due to defects in the brain's capacity to respond to changes in neuronal activity and sensory experience. Here, we show that MeCP2 is phosphorylated at four residues in the mouse brain (S86, S274, T308, and S421) in response to neuronal activity, and we generate a quadruple knock-in (QKI) mouse line in which all four activity-dependent sites are mutated to alanines to prevent phosphorylation. QKI mice do not display overt RTT phenotypes or detectable gene expression changes in two brain regions. However, electrophysiological recordings from the retinogeniculate synapse of QKI mice reveal that while synapse elimination is initially normal at P14, it is significantly compromised at P20. Notably, this phenotype is distinct from the synapse refinement defect previously reported for Mecp2 null mice, where synapses initially refine but then regress after the third postnatal week. We thus propose a model in which activity-induced phosphorylation of MeCP2 is critical for the proper timing of retinogeniculate synapse maturation specifically during the early postnatal period.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tess Whitwam
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02115
- Program in Neuroscience, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02115
| | - Lisa D. Boxer
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02115
| | - Emmy Li
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02115
| | | | - Sara Trowbridge
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02115
| | - Kevin Mei
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02115
| | - Cindy Lin
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02115
| | - Rebecca Shamah
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02115
| | - Eric C. Griffith
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02115
| | - William Renthal
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02115
| | - Chinfei Chen
- Department of Neurology, F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA02115
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13
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Musokhranova U, Grau C, Vergara C, Rodríguez-Pascau L, Xiol C, Castells AA, Alcántara S, Rodríguez-Pombo P, Pizcueta P, Martinell M, García-Cazorla A, Oyarzábal A. Mitochondrial modulation with leriglitazone as a potential treatment for Rett syndrome. J Transl Med 2023; 21:756. [PMID: 37884937 PMCID: PMC10601217 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04622-5] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rett syndrome is a neuropediatric disease occurring due to mutations in MECP2 and characterized by a regression in the neuronal development following a normal postnatal growth, which results in the loss of acquired capabilities such as speech or purposeful usage of hands. While altered neurotransmission and brain development are the center of its pathophysiology, alterations in mitochondrial performance have been previously outlined, shaping it as an attractive target for the disease treatment. METHODS We have thoroughly described mitochondrial performance in two Rett models, patients' primary fibroblasts and female Mecp2tm1.1Bird-/+ mice brain, discriminating between different brain areas. The characterization was made according to their bioenergetics function, oxidative stress, network dynamics or ultrastructure. Building on that, we have studied the effect of leriglitazone, a PPARγ agonist, in the modulation of mitochondrial performance. For that, we treated Rett female mice with 75 mg/kg/day leriglitazone from weaning until sacrifice at 7 months, studying both the mitochondrial performance changes and their consequences on the mice phenotype. Finally, we studied its effect on neuroinflammation based on the presence of reactive glia by immunohistochemistry and through a cytokine panel. RESULTS We have described mitochondrial alterations in Rett fibroblasts regarding both shape and bioenergetic functions, as they displayed less interconnected and shorter mitochondria and reduced ATP production along with increased oxidative stress. The bioenergetic alterations were recalled in Rett mice models, being especially significant in cerebellum, already detectable in pre-symptomatic stages. Treatment with leriglitazone recovered the bioenergetic alterations both in Rett fibroblasts and female mice and exerted an anti-inflammatory effect in the latest, resulting in the amelioration of the mice phenotype both in general condition and exploratory activity. CONCLUSIONS Our studies confirm the mitochondrial dysfunction in Rett syndrome, setting the differences through brain areas and disease stages. Its modulation through leriglitazone is a potential treatment for this disorder, along with other diseases with mitochondrial involvement. This work constitutes the preclinical necessary evidence to lead to a clinical trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uliana Musokhranova
- Synaptic Metabolism and Personalized Therapies Lab, Department of Neurology and MetabERN, Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, 39-57 Santa Rosa Street, Esplugues de Llobregat , 08950, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cristina Grau
- Synaptic Metabolism and Personalized Therapies Lab, Department of Neurology and MetabERN, Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, 39-57 Santa Rosa Street, Esplugues de Llobregat , 08950, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | | | - Clara Xiol
- Department of Medical Genetics, Institut de Recerca Pediàtrica, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alba A Castells
- Neural Development Lab, Departament de Patologia i Terapèutica Experimental, Institut de Neurociències, IDIBELL, Universitat de Barcelona, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Soledad Alcántara
- Neural Development Lab, Departament de Patologia i Terapèutica Experimental, Institut de Neurociències, IDIBELL, Universitat de Barcelona, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pilar Rodríguez-Pombo
- Centro de Diagnóstico de Enfermedades Moleculares, Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, CBM-CSIC, Departamento de Biología Molecular, Institute for Molecular Biology-IUBM, Universidad Autónoma Madrid, IDIPAZ, Madrid, Spain
- CIBERER-Spanish Biomedical Research Centre in Rare Diseases, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Marc Martinell
- Minoryx Therapeutics BE S.A., Gosselies, Charleroi, Belgium
- Minoryx Therapeutics S.L., Barcelona, Spain
| | - Angels García-Cazorla
- Synaptic Metabolism and Personalized Therapies Lab, Department of Neurology and MetabERN, Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, 39-57 Santa Rosa Street, Esplugues de Llobregat , 08950, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBERER-Spanish Biomedical Research Centre in Rare Diseases, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alfonso Oyarzábal
- Synaptic Metabolism and Personalized Therapies Lab, Department of Neurology and MetabERN, Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, 39-57 Santa Rosa Street, Esplugues de Llobregat , 08950, Barcelona, Spain.
- CIBERER-Spanish Biomedical Research Centre in Rare Diseases, Madrid, Spain.
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14
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Rupert DD, Pagliaro AH, Choe J, Shea SD. Selective Deletion of Methyl CpG Binding Protein 2 from Parvalbumin Interneurons in the Auditory Cortex Delays the Onset of Maternal Retrieval in Mice. J Neurosci 2023; 43:6745-6759. [PMID: 37625856 PMCID: PMC10552946 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0838-23.2023] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 08/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations in MECP2 cause the neurodevelopmental disorder Rett syndrome. MECP2 codes for methyl CpG binding protein 2 (MECP2), a transcriptional regulator that activates genetic programs for experience-dependent plasticity. Many neural and behavioral symptoms of Rett syndrome may result from dysregulated timing and thresholds for plasticity. As a model of adult plasticity, we examine changes to auditory cortex inhibitory circuits in female mice when they are first exposed to pups; this plasticity facilitates behavioral responses to pups emitting distress calls. Brainwide deletion of Mecp2 alters expression of markers associated with GABAergic parvalbumin interneurons (PVins) and impairs the emergence of pup retrieval. We hypothesized that loss of Mecp2 in PVins disproportionately contributes to the phenotype. Here, we find that deletion of Mecp2 from PVins delayed the onset of maternal retrieval behavior and recapitulated the major molecular and neurophysiological features of brainwide deletion of Mecp2 We observed that when PVin-selective mutants were exposed to pups, auditory cortical expression of PVin markers increased relative to that in wild-type littermates. PVin-specific mutants also failed to show the inhibitory auditory cortex plasticity seen in wild-type mice on exposure to pups and their vocalizations. Finally, using an intersectional viral genetic strategy, we demonstrate that postdevelopmental loss of Mecp2 in PVins of the auditory cortex is sufficient to delay onset of maternal retrieval. Our results support a model in which PVins play a central role in adult cortical plasticity and may be particularly impaired by loss of Mecp2 SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Rett syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder that includes deficits in both communication and the ability to update brain connections and activity during learning (plasticity). This condition is caused by mutations in the gene MECP2 We use a maternal behavioral test in mice requiring both vocal perception and neural plasticity to probe the role of Mecp2 in social and sensory learning. Mecp2 is normally active in all brain cells, but here we remove it from a specific population (parvalbumin neurons). We find that this is sufficient to delay learned behavioral responses to pups and recreates many deficits seen in whole-brain Mecp2 deletion. Our findings suggest that parvalbumin neurons specifically are central to the consequences of loss of Mecp2 activity and yield clues as to possible mechanisms by which Rett syndrome impairs brain function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah D Rupert
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior and Medical Scientist Training Program, School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794-8434
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York 11724
| | - Alexa H Pagliaro
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York 11724
| | - Jane Choe
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York 11724
| | - Stephen D Shea
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York 11724
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15
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Powers S, Likhite S, Gadalla KK, Miranda CJ, Huffenberger AJ, Dennys C, Foust KD, Morales P, Pierson CR, Rinaldi F, Perry S, Bolon B, Wein N, Cobb S, Kaspar BK, Meyer KC. Novel MECP2 gene therapy is effective in a multicenter study using two mouse models of Rett syndrome and is safe in non-human primates. Mol Ther 2023; 31:2767-2782. [PMID: 37481701 PMCID: PMC10492029 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2023.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 10/08/2022] [Revised: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The AAV9 gene therapy vector presented in this study is safe in mice and non-human primates and highly efficacious without causing overexpression toxicity, a major challenge for clinical translation of Rett syndrome gene therapy vectors to date. Our team designed a new truncated methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MECP2) promoter allowing widespread expression of MECP2 in mice and non-human primates after a single injection into the cerebrospinal fluid without causing overexpression symptoms up to 18 months after injection. Additionally, this new vector is highly efficacious at lower doses compared with previous constructs as demonstrated in extensive efficacy studies performed by two independent laboratories in two different Rett syndrome mouse models carrying either a knockout or one of the most frequent human mutations of Mecp2. Overall, data from this multicenter study highlight the efficacy and safety of this gene therapy construct, making it a promising candidate for first-in-human studies to treat Rett syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Powers
- Center for Gene Therapy, Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA; Neuroscience Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
| | - Shibi Likhite
- Center for Gene Therapy, Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Kamal K Gadalla
- Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, EH8 9XD Edinburgh, UK
| | - Carlos J Miranda
- Center for Gene Therapy, Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Amy J Huffenberger
- Center for Gene Therapy, Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Cassandra Dennys
- Center for Gene Therapy, Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Kevin D Foust
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Pablo Morales
- The Mannheimer Foundation Inc, Homestead, FL 33034, USA
| | - Christopher R Pierson
- The Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA; Department of Pathology and the Department of Biomedical Education & Anatomy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Federica Rinaldi
- Center for Gene Therapy, Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Stephanie Perry
- Center for Gene Therapy, Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | | | - Nicolas Wein
- Center for Gene Therapy, Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA; Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Stuart Cobb
- Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, EH8 9XD Edinburgh, UK
| | - Brian K Kaspar
- Center for Gene Therapy, Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA; Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Kathrin C Meyer
- Center for Gene Therapy, Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA; Neuroscience Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
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16
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Wang Q, Luo S, Xiong D, Xu X, Zhao X, Duan L. Quantitative investigation of the effects of DNA modifications and protein mutations on MeCP2-MBD-DNA interactions. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 247:125690. [PMID: 37423448 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.125690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
DNA methylation as an important epigenetic marker, has gained attention for the significance of three oxidative modifications (hydroxymethyl-C (hmC), formyl-C (fC), and carboxyl-C (caC)). Mutations occurring in the methyl-CpG-binding domain (MBD) of MeCP2 result in Rett. However, uncertainties persist regarding DNA modification and MBD mutation-induced interaction changes. Here, molecular dynamics simulations were used to investigate the underlying mechanisms behind changes due to different modifications of DNA and MBD mutations. Alanine scanning combined with the interaction entropy method was employed to accurately evaluate the binding free energy. The results show that MBD has the strongest binding ability for mCDNA, followed by caC, hmC, and fCDNA, with the weakest binding ability observed for CDNA. Further analysis revealed that mC modification induces DNA bending, causing residues R91 and R162 closer to the DNA. This proximity enhances van der Waals and electrostatic interactions. Conversely, the caC/hmC and fC modifications lead to two loop regions (near K112 and K130) closer to DNA, respectively. Furthermore, DNA modifications promote the formation of stable hydrogen bond networks, however mutations in the MBD significantly reduce the binding free energy. This study provides detailed insight into the effects of DNA modifications and MBD mutations on binding ability. It emphasizes the necessity for research and development of targeted Rett compounds that induce conformational compatibility between MBD and DNA, enhancing the stability and strength of their interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qihang Wang
- School of Physics and Electronics, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, China
| | - Song Luo
- School of Physics and Electronics, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, China
| | - Danyang Xiong
- School of Physics and Electronics, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, China
| | - Xiaole Xu
- School of Physics and Electronics, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, China
| | - Xiaoyu Zhao
- School of Physics and Electronics, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, China
| | - Lili Duan
- School of Physics and Electronics, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, China.
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Rahn RM, Yen A, Chen S, Gaines SH, Bice AR, Brier LM, Swift RG, Lee L, Maloney SE, Culver JP, Dougherty JD. Mecp2 deletion results in profound alterations of developmental and adult functional connectivity. Cereb Cortex 2023; 33:7436-7453. [PMID: 36897048 PMCID: PMC10267622 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhad050] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
As a regressive neurodevelopmental disorder with a well-established genetic cause, Rett syndrome and its Mecp2 loss-of-function mouse model provide an excellent opportunity to define potentially translatable functional signatures of disease progression, as well as offer insight into the role of Mecp2 in functional circuit development. Thus, we applied widefield optical fluorescence imaging to assess mesoscale calcium functional connectivity (FC) in the Mecp2 cortex both at postnatal day (P)35 in development and during the disease-related decline. We found that FC between numerous cortical regions was disrupted in Mecp2 mutant males both in juvenile development and early adulthood. Female Mecp2 mice displayed an increase in homotopic contralateral FC in the motor cortex at P35 but not in adulthood, where instead more posterior parietal regions were implicated. An increase in the amplitude of connection strength, both with more positive correlations and more negative anticorrelations, was observed across the male cortex in numerous functional regions. Widespread rescue of MeCP2 protein in GABAergic neurons rescued none of these functional deficits, nor, surprisingly, the expected male lifespan. Altogether, the female results identify early signs of disease progression, while the results in males indicate MeCP2 protein is required for typical FC in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel M Rahn
- Department of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, United States
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, United States
| | - Allen Yen
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, United States
| | - Siyu Chen
- Department of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, United States
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, United States
| | - Seana H Gaines
- Department of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, United States
| | - Annie R Bice
- Department of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, United States
| | - Lindsey M Brier
- Department of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, United States
| | - Raylynn G Swift
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, United States
| | - LeiLani Lee
- Department of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, United States
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, United States
| | - Susan E Maloney
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, United States
- Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, 660 South Euclid Avenue, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, United States
| | - Joseph P Culver
- Department of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, United States
- Department of Physics, Washington University School of Arts and Sciences, 1 Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University School of Engineering, 1 Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130, United States
| | - Joseph D Dougherty
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, United States
- Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, 660 South Euclid Avenue, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, United States
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18
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Pepe G, Fioriniello S, Marracino F, Capocci L, Maglione V, D'Esposito M, Di Pardo A, Della Ragione F. Blood–Brain Barrier Integrity Is Perturbed in a Mecp2-Null Mouse Model of Rett Syndrome. Biomolecules 2023; 13:biom13040606. [PMID: 37189354 DOI: 10.3390/biom13040606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Rett syndrome (RTT, online MIM 312750) is a devastating neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by motor and cognitive disabilities. It is mainly caused by pathogenetic variants in the X-linked MECP2 gene, encoding an epigenetic factor crucial for brain functioning. Despite intensive studies, the RTT pathogenetic mechanism remains to be fully elucidated. Impaired vascular function has been previously reported in RTT mouse models; however, whether an altered brain vascular homeostasis and the subsequent blood–brain barrier (BBB) breakdown occur in RTT and contribute to the disease-related cognitive impairment is still unknown. Interestingly, in symptomatic Mecp2-null (Mecp2-/y, Mecp2tm1.1Bird) mice, we found enhanced BBB permeability associated with an aberrant expression of the tight junction proteins Ocln and Cldn-5 in different brain areas, in terms of both transcript and protein levels. Additionally, Mecp2-null mice showed an altered expression of different genes encoding factors with a role in the BBB structure and function, such as Cldn3, Cldn12, Mpdz, Jam2, and Aqp4. With this study, we provide the first evidence of impaired BBB integrity in RTT and highlight a potential new molecular hallmark of the disease that might open new perspectives for the setting-up of novel therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Salvatore Fioriniello
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics 'A. Buzzati-Traverso', CNR, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Maurizio D'Esposito
- IRCCS Neuromed, 86077 Pozzilli, Italy
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics 'A. Buzzati-Traverso', CNR, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | | | - Floriana Della Ragione
- IRCCS Neuromed, 86077 Pozzilli, Italy
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics 'A. Buzzati-Traverso', CNR, 80131 Naples, Italy
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19
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Sun J, Osenberg S, Irwin A, Ma LH, Lee N, Xiang Y, Li F, Wan YW, Park IH, Maletic-Savatic M, Ballas N. Mutations in the transcriptional regulator MeCP2 severely impact key cellular and molecular signatures of human astrocytes during maturation. Cell Rep 2023; 42:111942. [PMID: 36640327 PMCID: PMC10857774 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Revised: 06/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the MECP2 gene underlie a spectrum of neurodevelopmental disorders, most commonly Rett syndrome (RTT). We ask whether MECP2 mutations interfere with human astrocyte developmental maturation, thereby affecting their ability to support neurons. Using human-based models, we show that RTT-causing MECP2 mutations greatly impact the key role of astrocytes in regulating overall brain bioenergetics and that these metabolic aberrations are likely mediated by dysfunctional mitochondria. During post-natal maturation, astrocytes rely on neurons to induce their complex stellate morphology and transcriptional changes. While MECP2 mutations cause cell-intrinsic aberrations in the astrocyte transcriptional landscape, surprisingly, they do not affect the neuron-induced astrocyte gene expression. Notably, however, astrocytes are unable to develop complex mature morphology due to cell- and non-cell-autonomous aberrations caused by MECP2 mutations. Thus, MECP2 mutations critically impact key cellular and molecular features of human astrocytes and, hence, their ability to interact and support the structural and functional maturation of neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jialin Sun
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Sivan Osenberg
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA; Departments of Pediatrics-Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Austin Irwin
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Li-Hua Ma
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Advanced Technology Cores, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Nigel Lee
- Departments of Pediatrics-Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Yangfei Xiang
- Department of Genetics, Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Feng Li
- Advanced Technology Cores, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Center for Drug Discovery and Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Ying-Wooi Wan
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - In-Hyun Park
- Department of Genetics, Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Mirjana Maletic-Savatic
- Departments of Pediatrics-Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - Nurit Ballas
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA.
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20
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Petazzi P, Jorge-Torres OC, Gomez A, Scognamiglio I, Serra-Musach J, Merkel A, Grases D, Xiol C, O’Callaghan M, Armstrong J, Esteller M, Guil S. Global Impairment of Immediate-Early Genes Expression in Rett Syndrome Models and Patients Linked to Myelination Defects. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021453. [PMID: 36674969 PMCID: PMC9864472 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021453] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Rett syndrome (RTT) is a severe neurodevelopmental disease caused almost exclusively by mutations to the MeCP2 gene. This disease may be regarded as a synaptopathy, with impairments affecting synaptic plasticity, inhibitory and excitatory transmission and network excitability. The complete understanding of the mechanisms behind how the transcription factor MeCP2 so profoundly affects the mammalian brain are yet to be determined. What is known, is that MeCP2 involvement in activity-dependent expression programs is a critical link between this protein and proper neuronal activity, which allows the correct maturation of connections in the brain. By using RNA-sequencing analysis, we found several immediate-early genes (IEGs, key mediators of activity-dependent responses) directly bound by MeCP2 at the chromatin level and upregulated in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of the Mecp2-KO mouse. Quantification of the IEGs response to stimulus both in vivo and in vitro detected an aberrant expression pattern in MeCP2-deficient neurons. Furthermore, altered IEGs levels were found in RTT patient's peripheral blood and brain regions of post-mortem samples, correlating with impaired expression of downstream myelination-related genes. Altogether, these data indicate that proper IEGs expression is crucial for correct synaptic development and that MeCP2 has a key role in the regulation of IEGs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Petazzi
- Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Carrer Casanova 143, 400° floor, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- RICORS-TERAV, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Olga Caridad Jorge-Torres
- Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), Badalona, 08916 Barcelona, Spain
- Correspondence: (O.C.J.-T.); (S.G.); Tel.: +34-935572828 (O.C.J.-T. & S.G.)
| | - Antonio Gomez
- Biosciences Department, Faculty of Sciences and Technology (FCT), University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia (UVic-UCC), C. de la Laura, 13, 08500 Vic, Spain
| | - Iolanda Scognamiglio
- Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Program (PEBC), Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08908 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jordi Serra-Musach
- Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Program (PEBC), Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08908 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Angelika Merkel
- Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), Badalona, 08916 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Daniela Grases
- Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), Badalona, 08916 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Clara Xiol
- Fundación San Juan de Dios, 08950 Barcelona, Spain
- Servei de Medicina Genètica i Molecular, Institut de Recerca Pediàtrica, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, 08950 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mar O’Callaghan
- Clínica Rett, Neurology Department, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, 08950 Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER-ER (Biomedical Network Research Center for Rare Diseases), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Judith Armstrong
- Servei de Medicina Genètica i Molecular, Institut de Recerca Pediàtrica, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, 08950 Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER-ER (Biomedical Network Research Center for Rare Diseases), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Manel Esteller
- Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), Badalona, 08916 Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red Cancer (CIBERONC), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), 08010 Barcelona, Spain
- Physiological Sciences Department, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona (UB), 08907 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sonia Guil
- Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), Badalona, 08916 Barcelona, Spain
- Germans Trias i Pujol Health Science Research Institute, Badalona, 08916 Barcelona, Spain
- Correspondence: (O.C.J.-T.); (S.G.); Tel.: +34-935572828 (O.C.J.-T. & S.G.)
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21
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Shevkoplyas D, Vuu YM, Davie JR, Rastegar M. The Chromatin Structure at the MECP2 Gene and In Silico Prediction of Potential Coding and Non-Coding MECP2 Splice Variants. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232415643. [PMID: 36555295 PMCID: PMC9779294 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232415643] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Methyl CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2) is an epigenetic reader that binds to methylated CpG dinucleotides and regulates gene transcription. Mecp2/MECP2 gene has 4 exons, encoding for protein isoforms MeCP2E1 and MeCP2E2. MeCP2 plays key roles in neurodevelopment, therefore, its gain- and loss-of-function mutations lead to neurodevelopmental disorders including Rett Syndrome. Here, we describe the structure, functional domains, and evidence support for potential additional alternatively spliced MECP2 transcripts and protein isoforms. We conclude that NCBI MeCP2 isoforms 3 and 4 contain certain MeCP2 functional domains. Our in silico analysis led to identification of histone modification and accessibility profiles at the MECP2 gene and its cis-regulatory elements. We conclude that the human MECP2 gene associated histone post-translational modifications exhibit high similarity between males and females. Between brain regions, histone modifications were found to be less conserved and enriched within larger genomic segments named as "S1-S11". We also identified highly conserved DNA accessibility regions in different tissues and brain regions, named as "A1-A9" and "B1-B9". DNA methylation profile was similar between mid-frontal gyrus of donors 35 days-25 years of age. Based on ATAC-seq data, the identified hypomethylated regions "H1-H8" intersected with most regions of the accessible chromatin (A regions).
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22
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Ng KM, Ding Q, Tse YL, Chou OHI, Lai WH, Au KW, Lau YM, Ji Y, Siu CW, Tang CSM, Colman A, Tsang SY, Tse HF. Isogenic Human-Induced Pluripotent Stem-Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes Reveal Activation of Wnt Signaling Pathways Underlying Intrinsic Cardiac Abnormalities in Rett Syndrome. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232415609. [PMID: 36555252 PMCID: PMC9779632 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232415609] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Rett syndrome (RTT) is a severe neurodevelopmental disorder caused by MeCP2 mutations. Nonetheless, the pathophysiological roles of MeCP2 mutations in the etiology of intrinsic cardiac abnormality and sudden death remain unclear. In this study, we performed a detailed functional studies (calcium and electrophysiological analysis) and RNA-sequencing-based transcriptome analysis of a pair of isogenic RTT female patient-specific induced pluripotent stem-cell-derived cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CMs) that expressed either MeCP2wildtype or MeCP2mutant allele and iPSC-CMs from a non-affected female control. The observations were further confirmed by additional experiments, including Wnt signaling inhibitor treatment, siRNA-based gene silencing, and ion channel blockade. Compared with MeCP2wildtype and control iPSC-CMs, MeCP2mutant iPSC-CMs exhibited prolonged action potential and increased frequency of spontaneous early after polarization. RNA sequencing analysis revealed up-regulation of various Wnt family genes in MeCP2mutant iPSC-CMs. Treatment of MeCP2mutant iPSC-CMs with a Wnt inhibitor XAV939 significantly decreased the β-catenin protein level and CACN1AC expression and ameliorated their abnormal electrophysiological properties. In summary, our data provide novel insight into the contribution of activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling cascade to the cardiac abnormalities associated with MeCP2 mutations in RTT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kwong-Man Ng
- Cardiology Division, Department of Medicine, Li Ka-Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Center for Translational Stem Cell Biology, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Qianqian Ding
- School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yiu-Lam Tse
- Cardiology Division, Department of Medicine, Li Ka-Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Oscar Hou-In Chou
- Cardiology Division, Department of Medicine, Li Ka-Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Wing-Hon Lai
- Cardiology Division, Department of Medicine, Li Ka-Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ka-Wing Au
- Cardiology Division, Department of Medicine, Li Ka-Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yee-Man Lau
- Cardiology Division, Department of Medicine, Li Ka-Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yue Ji
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka-Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Chung-Wah Siu
- Cardiology Division, Department of Medicine, Li Ka-Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Clara Sze-Man Tang
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka-Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Dr. Li Dak-Sum Research Centre, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Alan Colman
- Harvard Department of Stem Cells and Regenerative Biology, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Suk-Ying Tsang
- School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- The Institute for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine (iTERM), The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Hung-Fat Tse
- Center for Translational Stem Cell Biology, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Hong Kong-Guangdong Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research Centre, The University of Hong Kong and Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Heart and Vascular Center, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen 518053, China
- Correspondence:
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23
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Caldwell ALM, Sancho L, Deng J, Bosworth A, Miglietta A, Diedrich JK, Shokhirev MN, Allen NJ. Aberrant astrocyte protein secretion contributes to altered neuronal development in multiple models of neurodevelopmental disorders. Nat Neurosci 2022; 25:1163-1178. [PMID: 36042312 PMCID: PMC10395413 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-022-01150-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Astrocytes negatively impact neuronal development in many models of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDs); however, how they do this, and if mechanisms are shared across disorders, is not known. In this study, we developed a cell culture system to ask how astrocyte protein secretion and gene expression change in three mouse models of genetic NDs (Rett, Fragile X and Down syndromes). ND astrocytes increase release of Igfbp2, a secreted inhibitor of insulin-like growth factor (IGF). IGF rescues neuronal deficits in many NDs, and we found that blocking Igfbp2 partially rescues inhibitory effects of Rett syndrome astrocytes, suggesting that increased astrocyte Igfbp2 contributes to decreased IGF signaling in NDs. We identified that increased BMP signaling is upstream of protein secretion changes, including Igfbp2, and blocking BMP signaling in Fragile X and Rett syndrome astrocytes reverses inhibitory effects on neurite outgrowth. This work provides a resource of astrocyte-secreted proteins in health and ND models and identifies novel targets for intervention in diverse NDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison L M Caldwell
- Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Neurosciences Graduate Program, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Laura Sancho
- Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - James Deng
- Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Neurosciences Graduate Program, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Alexandra Bosworth
- Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Neurosciences Graduate Program, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Audrey Miglietta
- Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Jolene K Diedrich
- Mass Spectrometry Core, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Maxim N Shokhirev
- Razavi Newman Integrative Genomics and Bioinformatics Core, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Nicola J Allen
- Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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24
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Smith M, Arthur B, Cikowski J, Holt C, Gonzalez S, Fisher NM, Vermudez SAD, Lindsley CW, Niswender CM, Gogliotti RG. Clinical and Preclinical Evidence for M 1 Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptor Potentiation as a Therapeutic Approach for Rett Syndrome. Neurotherapeutics 2022; 19:1340-1352. [PMID: 35670902 PMCID: PMC9587166 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-022-01254-3] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Rett syndrome (RTT) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is characterized by developmental regression, loss of communicative ability, stereotyped hand wringing, cognitive impairment, and central apneas, among many other symptoms. RTT is caused by loss-of-function mutations in a methyl-reader known as methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2), a protein that links epigenetic changes on DNA to larger chromatin structure. Historically, target identification for RTT has relied heavily on Mecp2 knockout mice; however, we recently adopted the alternative approach of performing transcriptional profiling in autopsy samples from RTT patients. Through this mechanism, we identified muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) as potential therapeutic targets. Here, we characterized a cohort of 40 temporal cortex samples from individuals with RTT and quantified significantly decreased levels of the M1, M2, M3, and M5 mAChRs subtypes relative to neurotypical controls. Of these four subtypes, M1 expression demonstrated a linear relationship with MeCP2 expression, such that M1 levels were only diminished in contexts where MeCP2 was also significantly decreased. Further, we show that M1 potentiation with the positive allosteric modulator (PAM) VU0453595 (VU595) rescued social preference, spatial memory, and associative memory deficits, as well as decreased apneas in Mecp2+/- mice. VU595's efficacy on apneas in Mecp2+/- mice was mediated by the facilitation of the transition from inspiration to expiration. Molecular analysis correlated rescue with normalized global gene expression patterns in the brainstem and hippocampus, as well as increased Gsk3β inhibition and NMDA receptor trafficking. Together, these data suggest that M1 PAMs could represent a new class of RTT therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mackenzie Smith
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, 60153, USA
- Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital, Hines, IL, 60141, USA
| | - Bright Arthur
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Jakub Cikowski
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, 60153, USA
- Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital, Hines, IL, 60141, USA
| | - Calista Holt
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, 60153, USA
- Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital, Hines, IL, 60141, USA
| | - Sonia Gonzalez
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, 60153, USA
- Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital, Hines, IL, 60141, USA
| | - Nicole M Fisher
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Sheryl Anne D Vermudez
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Craig W Lindsley
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Colleen M Niswender
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Rocco G Gogliotti
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, 60153, USA.
- Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital, Hines, IL, 60141, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.
- Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.
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25
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Steinkellner H, Kempaiah P, Beribisky AV, Pferschy S, Etzler J, Huber A, Sarne V, Neuhaus W, Kuttke M, Bauer J, Arunachalam JP, Christodoulou J, Dressel R, Mildner A, Prinz M, Laccone F. TAT-MeCP2 protein variants rescue disease phenotypes in human and mouse models of Rett syndrome. Int J Biol Macromol 2022; 209:972-983. [PMID: 35460749 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.04.080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [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: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Rett syndrome (RTT) is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by pathogenic variants leading to functional impairment of the MeCP2 protein. Here, we used purified recombinant MeCP2e1 and MeCP2e2 protein variants fused to a TAT protein transduction domain (PTD) to evaluate their transduction ability into RTT patient-derived fibroblasts and the ability to carry out their cellular function. We then assessed their transduction ability and therapeutic effects in a RTT mouse model. In vitro, TAT-MeCP2e2-eGFP reversed the pathological hyperacetylation of histones H3K9 and H4K16, a hallmark of abolition of MeCP2 function. In vivo, intraperitoneal administration of TAT-MeCP2e1 and TAT-MeCP2e2 extended the lifespan of Mecp2-/y mice by >50%. This was accompanied by rescue of hippocampal CA2 neuron size in animals treated with TAT-MeCP2e1. Taken together, these findings provide a strong indication that recombinant TAT-MeCP2 can reach mouse brains following peripheral injection and can ameliorate the phenotype of RTT mouse models. Thus, our study serves as a first step in the development of a potentially novel RTT therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannes Steinkellner
- Center for Pathobiochemistry and Genetics, Institute of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Prakasha Kempaiah
- Institute for Human Genetics, Georg August University, Universitätsmedizin Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany; Division of Infectious Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Alexander V Beribisky
- Center for Pathobiochemistry and Genetics, Institute of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Sandra Pferschy
- Center for Pathobiochemistry and Genetics, Institute of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Julia Etzler
- Center for Pathobiochemistry and Genetics, Institute of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Anna Huber
- Center for Pathobiochemistry and Genetics, Institute of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; Vienna Doctoral School of Pharmaceutical, Nutritional and Sport Sciences (PhaNuSpo), University of Vienna, Althanstraße 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Victoria Sarne
- Center for Pathobiochemistry and Genetics, Institute of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Winfried Neuhaus
- AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, Competence Center Molecular Diagnostics, 1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Mario Kuttke
- Institute for Vascular Biology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jan Bauer
- Department of Neuroimmunology, Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jayamuruga P Arunachalam
- Institute for Human Genetics, Georg August University, Universitätsmedizin Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany; Division of Infectious Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA; Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - John Christodoulou
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute and Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Discipline of Child & Adolescent Health, Sydney Medical School, Australia
| | - Ralf Dressel
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Georg August University, Universitätsmedizin Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Alexander Mildner
- Institute of Neuropathology, Medical Faculty, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany; Center for Basics in NeuroModulation (NeuroModulBasics), Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany; Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Marco Prinz
- Institute of Neuropathology, Medical Faculty, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany; Center for Basics in NeuroModulation (NeuroModulBasics), Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany; Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Franco Laccone
- Center for Pathobiochemistry and Genetics, Institute of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; Institute for Human Genetics, Georg August University, Universitätsmedizin Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany; Department of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Georg August University, Universitätsmedizin Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany.
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26
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Cordone V, Ferrara F, Pecorelli A, Guiotto A, Vitale A, Amicarelli F, Cervellati C, Hayek J, Valacchi G. The constitutive activation of TLR4-IRAK1- NFκB axis is involved in the early NLRP3 inflammasome response in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of Rett syndrome patients. Free Radic Biol Med 2022; 181:1-13. [PMID: 35085773 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2022.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Rett syndrome (RTT), a devastating neurodevelopmental disorder, is caused in 95% of the cases by mutations in the X-chromosome-localized MECP2 gene. To date, RTT is considered a broad-spectrum disease, due to multisystem disturbances affecting patients, associated with mitochondrial dysfunctions, subclinical inflammation and an overall OxInflammatory status. Inflammasomes are multi-protein complexes crucially involved in innate immune responses against pathogens and oxidative stress mediators. The assembly of NLRP3:ASC inflammasome lead to pro-caspase 1 activation, maturation of interleukins (IL)-1β and 18 and proteolytic cleavage of Gasdermin D leading eventually to pyroptosis and systemic inflammation. The possible de-regulation of this system, in parallel with upstream nuclear factor (NF)-κB p65 pathway, were analyzed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and plasma isolated from RTT patients and matching controls. RTT PBMCs showed a constitutive activation of the axis TLR4 (Toll-like receptor 4)-IRAK1 (interleukin-1 receptor associated kinase 1)-NF-κB p65, together with augmented ROS generation and enhanced IL-18 mRNA levels and NLRP3:ASC co-localization. The deregulation of inflammasome components was even found in THP-1 cells silenced for MECP2 and importantly, in plasma compartment of RTT subjects, from the earliest stages of the pathology or in correlation with the severity of MeCP2 mutations. Taken together, these data provide new insights into the mechanisms involved in RTT sub-clinical inflammatory status present in RTT patients, thus helping to reveal new targets for future therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Cordone
- Dept. of Environment and Prevention, University of Ferrara, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Francesca Ferrara
- Dept. of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Alessandra Pecorelli
- Animal Science Department, Plants for Human Health Institute, N.C. Research Campus, North Carolina State University, 28081, Kannapolis, NC, USA
| | - Anna Guiotto
- Dept. of Environment and Prevention, University of Ferrara, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Antonio Vitale
- Paediatric Unit, "San Giuseppe Moscati" National Hospital (AORN), 83100, Avellino, Italy
| | - Fernanda Amicarelli
- Dept. of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Carlo Cervellati
- Dept. of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Joussef Hayek
- Toscana Life Science Foundation, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Valacchi
- Dept. of Environment and Prevention, University of Ferrara, 44121, Ferrara, Italy; Animal Science Department, Plants for Human Health Institute, N.C. Research Campus, North Carolina State University, 28081, Kannapolis, NC, USA; Dept. of Food and Nutrition, Kyung Hee University, 02447, Seoul, South Korea.
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27
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Ribeiro MC, MacDonald JL. Vitamin D modulates cortical transcriptome and behavioral phenotypes in an Mecp2 heterozygous Rett syndrome mouse model. Neurobiol Dis 2022; 165:105636. [PMID: 35091041 PMCID: PMC8864637 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2022.105636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Rett syndrome (RTT) is an X-linked neurological disorder caused by mutations in the transcriptional regulator MECP2. Mecp2 loss-of-function leads to the disruption of many cellular pathways, including aberrant activation of the NF-κB pathway. Genetically attenuating the NF-κB pathway in Mecp2-null mice ameliorates hallmark phenotypes of RTT, including reduced dendritic complexity, raising the question of whether NF-κB pathway inhibitors could provide a therapeutic avenue for RTT. Vitamin D is a known inhibitor of NF-κB signaling; further, vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in RTT patients and male Mecp2-null mice. We previously demonstrated that vitamin D rescues the aberrant NF-κB activity and reduced neurite outgrowth of Mecp2-knockdown cortical neurons in vitro, and that dietary vitamin D supplementation rescues decreased dendritic complexity and soma size of neocortical projection neurons in both male hemizygous Mecp2-null and female heterozygous mice in vivo. Here, we have identified over 200 genes whose dysregulated expression in the Mecp2+/- cortex is modulated by dietary vitamin D. Genes normalized with vitamin D supplementation are involved in dendritic complexity, synapses, and neuronal projections, suggesting that the rescue of their expression could underpin the rescue of neuronal morphology. Further, there is a disruption in the homeostasis of the vitamin D synthesis pathway in Mecp2+/- mice, and motor and anxiety-like behavioral phenotypes in Mecp2+/- mice correlate with circulating vitamin D levels. Thus, our data indicate that vitamin D modulates RTT pathology and its supplementation could provide a simple and cost-effective partial therapeutic for RTT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayara C Ribeiro
- Department of Biology, Program in Neuroscience, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244, United States of America
| | - Jessica L MacDonald
- Department of Biology, Program in Neuroscience, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244, United States of America.
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Wu Y, Cui N, Xing H, Zhong W, Arrowood C, Johnson CM, Jiang C. In vivo evidence for the cellular basis of central hypoventilation of Rett syndrome and pharmacological correction in the rat model. J Cell Physiol 2021; 236:8082-8098. [PMID: 34077559 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30462] [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] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2020] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Rett syndrome (RTT) is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused mostly by mutations in the MECP2 gene. RTT patients show periodical hypoventilation attacks. The breathing disorder contributing to the high incidence of sudden death is thought to be due to depressed central inspiratory (I) activity via unknown cellular processes. Demonstration of such processes may lead to targets for pharmacological control of the RTT-type hypoventilation. We performed in vivo recordings from medullary respiratory neurons on the RTT rat model. To our surprise, both I and expiratory (E) neurons in the ventral respiratory column (VRC) increased their firing activity in Mecp2-null rats with severe hypoventilation. These I neurons including E-I phase-spanning and other I neurons remained active during apneas. Consistent with enhanced central I drive, ectopic phrenic discharges during expiration as well as apnea were observed in the Mecp2-null rats. Considering the increased I neuronal firing and ectopic phrenic activity, the RTT-type hypoventilation does not seem to be caused by depression in central I activity, neither reduced medullary I premotor output. This as well as excessive E neuronal firing as shown in our previous studies suggests inadequate synaptic inhibition for phase transition. We found that the abnormal respiratory neuronal firing, ectopic phrenic discharge as well as RTT-type hypoventilation all can be corrected by enhancing GABAergic inhibition. More strikingly, Mecp2-null rats reaching humane endpoints with severe hypoventilation can be rescued by GABAergic augmentation. Thus, defective GABAergic inhibition among respiratory neurons is likely to play a role in the RTT-type hypoventilation, which can be effectively controlled with pharmacological agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Wu
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Ningren Cui
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Hao Xing
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Weiwei Zhong
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Colin Arrowood
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | | | - Chun Jiang
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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29
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Golubiani G, Lagani V, Solomonia R, Müller M. Metabolomic Fingerprint of Mecp2-Deficient Mouse Cortex: Evidence for a Pronounced Multi-Facetted Metabolic Component in Rett Syndrome. Cells 2021; 10:cells10092494. [PMID: 34572143 PMCID: PMC8472238 DOI: 10.3390/cells10092494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Using unsupervised metabolomics, we defined the complex metabolic conditions in the cortex of a mouse model of Rett syndrome (RTT). RTT, which represents a cause of mental and cognitive disabilities in females, results in profound cognitive impairment with autistic features, motor disabilities, seizures, gastrointestinal problems, and cardiorespiratory irregularities. Typical RTT originates from mutations in the X-chromosomal methyl-CpG-binding-protein-2 (Mecp2) gene, which encodes a transcriptional modulator. It then causes a deregulation of several target genes and metabolic alterations in the nervous system and peripheral organs. We identified 101 significantly deregulated metabolites in the Mecp2-deficient cortex of adult male mice; 68 were increased and 33 were decreased compared to wildtypes. Pathway analysis identified 31 mostly upregulated metabolic pathways, in particular carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism, key metabolic mitochondrial/extramitochondrial pathways, and lipid metabolism. In contrast, neurotransmitter-signaling is dampened. This metabolic fingerprint of the Mecp2-deficient cortex of severely symptomatic mice provides further mechanistic insights into the complex RTT pathogenesis. The deregulated pathways that were identified—in particular the markedly affected amino acid and carbohydrate metabolism—confirm a complex and multifaceted metabolic component in RTT, which in turn signifies putative therapeutic targets. Furthermore, the deregulated key metabolites provide a choice of potential biomarkers for a more detailed rating of disease severity and disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gocha Golubiani
- Institut für Neuro- und Sinnesphysiologie, Zentrum Physiologie und Pathophysiologie, Universitätsmedizin Göttingen, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, D-37130 Göttingen, Germany;
- Institute of Chemical Biology, Ilia State University, 0162 Tbilisi, Georgia; (V.L.); (R.S.)
| | - Vincenzo Lagani
- Institute of Chemical Biology, Ilia State University, 0162 Tbilisi, Georgia; (V.L.); (R.S.)
| | - Revaz Solomonia
- Institute of Chemical Biology, Ilia State University, 0162 Tbilisi, Georgia; (V.L.); (R.S.)
| | - Michael Müller
- Institut für Neuro- und Sinnesphysiologie, Zentrum Physiologie und Pathophysiologie, Universitätsmedizin Göttingen, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, D-37130 Göttingen, Germany;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-551-39-22933
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30
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Mao Y, Evans EE, Mishra V, Balch L, Eberhardt A, Zauderer M, Gold WA. Anti-Semaphorin 4D Rescues Motor, Cognitive, and Respiratory Phenotypes in a Rett Syndrome Mouse Model. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22179465. [PMID: 34502373 PMCID: PMC8431088 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22179465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Rett syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by mutations of the methyl-CpG binding protein 2 gene. Abnormal physiological functions of glial cells contribute to pathogenesis of Rett syndrome. Semaphorin 4D (SEMA4D) regulates processes central to neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration including cytoskeletal structures required for process extension, communication, and migration of glial cells. Blocking SEMA4D-induced gliosis may preserve normal glial and neuronal function and rescue neurological dysfunction in Rett syndrome. We evaluated the pre-clinical therapeutic efficacy of an anti-SEMA4D monoclonal antibody in the Rett syndrome Mecp2T158A transgenic mouse model and investigated the contribution of glial cells as a proposed mechanism of action in treated mice and in primary glial cultures isolated from Mecp2T158A/y mutant mice. SEMA4D is upregulated in neurons while glial fibrillary acidic protein and ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1-positive cells are upregulated in Mecp2T158A/y mice. Anti-SEMA4D treatment ameliorates Rett syndrome-specific symptoms and improves behavioural functions in both pre-symptomatic and symptomatic cohorts of hemizygous Mecp2T158A/y male mice. Anti-SEMA4D also reduces astrocyte and microglia activation in vivo. In vitro experiments demonstrate an abnormal cytoskeletal structure in mutant astrocytes in the presence of SEMA4D, while anti-SEMA4D antibody treatment blocks SEMA4D–Plexin B1 signaling and mitigates these abnormalities. These results suggest that anti-SEMA4D immunotherapy may be an effective treatment option to alleviate symptoms and improve cognitive and motor function in Rett syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yilin Mao
- Molecular Neurobiology Research Laboratory, Kids Neuroscience Centre, Kids Research, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia;
- Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Elizabeth E. Evans
- Vaccinex Inc., Rochester, NY 14620, USA; (E.E.E.); (V.M.); (L.B.); (A.E.); (M.Z.)
| | - Vikas Mishra
- Vaccinex Inc., Rochester, NY 14620, USA; (E.E.E.); (V.M.); (L.B.); (A.E.); (M.Z.)
| | - Leslie Balch
- Vaccinex Inc., Rochester, NY 14620, USA; (E.E.E.); (V.M.); (L.B.); (A.E.); (M.Z.)
| | - Allison Eberhardt
- Vaccinex Inc., Rochester, NY 14620, USA; (E.E.E.); (V.M.); (L.B.); (A.E.); (M.Z.)
| | - Maurice Zauderer
- Vaccinex Inc., Rochester, NY 14620, USA; (E.E.E.); (V.M.); (L.B.); (A.E.); (M.Z.)
| | - Wendy A. Gold
- Molecular Neurobiology Research Laboratory, Kids Neuroscience Centre, Kids Research, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia;
- Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
- Molecular Neurobiology Research Laboratory, The Children’s Medical Research Institute, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
- Correspondence:
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31
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Buist M, Fuss D, Rastegar M. Transcriptional Regulation of MECP2E1-E2 Isoforms and BDNF by Metformin and Simvastatin through Analyzing Nascent RNA Synthesis in a Human Brain Cell Line. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11081253. [PMID: 34439919 PMCID: PMC8391797 DOI: 10.3390/biom11081253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2021] [Revised: 08/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Methyl CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2) is the main DNA methyl-binding protein in the brain that binds to 5-methylcytosine and 5-hydroxymethyl cytosine. MECP2 gene mutations are the main origin of Rett Syndrome (RTT), a neurodevelopmental disorder in young females. The disease has no existing cure, however, metabolic drugs such as metformin and statins have recently emerged as potential therapeutic candidates. In addition, induced MECP2-BDNF homeostasis regulation has been suggested as a therapy avenue. Here, we analyzed nascent RNA synthesis versus steady state total cellular RNA to study the transcriptional effects of metformin (an anti-diabetic drug) on MECP2 isoforms (E1 and E2) and BNDF in a human brain cell line. Additionally, we investigated the impact of simvastatin (a cholesterol lowering drug) on transcriptional regulation of MECP2E1/E2-BDNF. Metformin was capable of post-transcriptionally inducing BDNF and/or MECP2E1, while transcriptionally inhibiting MECP2E2. In contrast simvastatin significantly inhibited BDNF transcription without significantly impacting MECP2E2 transcripts. Further analysis of ribosomal RNA transcripts confirmed that the drug neither individually nor in combination affected these fundamentally important transcripts. Experimental analysis was completed in conditions of the presence or absence of serum starvation that showed minimal impact for serum deprival, although significant inhibition of steady state MECP2E1 by simvastatin was only detected in non-serum starved cells. Taken together, our results suggest that metformin controls MECP2E1/E2-BDNF transcriptionally and/or post-transcriptionally, and that simvastatin is a potent transcriptional inhibitor of BDNF. The transcriptional effect of these drugs on MECP2E1/E2-BDNF were not additive under these tested conditions, however, either drug may have potential application for related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Mojgan Rastegar
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-(204)-272-3108; Fax: +1-(204)-789-3900
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Gallucci A, Patterson KC, Weit AR, Van Der Pol WJ, Dubois LG, Percy AK, Morrow CD, Campbell SL, Olsen ML. Microbial community changes in a female rat model of Rett syndrome. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2021; 109:110259. [PMID: 33548354 PMCID: PMC8724884 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2021.110259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Rett syndrome (RTT) is an X-linked neurodevelopmental disorder that is predominantly caused by alterations of the methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MECP2) gene. Disease severity and the presence of comorbidities such as gastrointestinal distress vary widely across affected individuals. The gut microbiome has been implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) as a regulator of disease severity and gastrointestinal comorbidities. Although the gut microbiome has been previously characterized in humans with RTT compared to healthy controls, the impact of MECP2 mutation on the composition of the gut microbiome in animal models where the host and diet can be experimentally controlled remains to be elucidated. By evaluating the microbial community across postnatal development as behavioral symptoms appear and progress, we have identified microbial taxa that are differentially abundant across developmental timepoints in a zinc-finger nuclease rat model of RTT compared to WT. We have additionally identified p105 as a key translational timepoint. Lastly, we have demonstrated that fecal SCFA levels are not altered in RTT rats compared to WT rats across development. Overall, these results represent an important step in translational RTT research.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Gallucci
- Graduate Program in Translational Biology Medicine and Health, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA 24014, United States of America; Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, United States of America
| | - K C Patterson
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1918 University Blvd., Birmingham, AL 35294, United States of America
| | - A R Weit
- School of Neuroscience, Virginia Polytechnic and State University, Life Sciences Building Room 213, 970 Washington St. SW, Blacksburg, VA 24061, United States of America
| | - W J Van Der Pol
- Biomedical Informatics, Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, United States of America
| | - L G Dubois
- Duke Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27708, United States of America
| | - A K Percy
- Department of Pediatrics, Neurology, Neurobiology, Genetics, and Psychology, Civitan International Research Center, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL 35233, United States of America
| | - C D Morrow
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1918 University Blvd., Birmingham, AL 35294, United States of America
| | - S L Campbell
- Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, United States of America.
| | - M L Olsen
- School of Neuroscience, Virginia Polytechnic and State University, Life Sciences Building Room 213, 970 Washington St. SW, Blacksburg, VA 24061, United States of America.
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Pan W, Xu X, Zhang M, Song X. Human urine-derived stem cell-derived exosomal miR-21-5p promotes neurogenesis to attenuate Rett syndrome via the EPha4/TEK axis. J Transl Med 2021; 101:824-836. [PMID: 33976355 DOI: 10.1038/s41374-021-00574-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Rett syndrome (RTT) is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder that results in multiple disabilities. Exosomal microRNA (miRs) from urine-derived stem cells (USCs) have been shown to induce neurogenesis and aid in functional recovery from brain ischemia. In the present study, we sought to determine whether that exosomal miR-21-5p from USCs could promote early neural formation in a model of RTT. USCs were isolated and evaluated by flow cytometry. Exosomes were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy, tunable resistive pulse sensing (TRPS), and western blotting. PKH26 fluorescent dyes were used to observe intake of exosomes in vivo and in vitro. An RTT mouse model was treated with exosomes for behavioral studies. Dual-luciferase report gene assays were conducted to evaluate the relationship between miR-21-5p and Eph receptor A4 (EphA4). In vitro, treatment with exosomes from human urine-derived stem cells (USC-Exos) increased the percentage of neuron-specific class III beta-tubulin (Tuj1)+ nerve cells as well as the transcription levels of β-III tubulin and doublecortin (DCX). A higher level of miR-21-5p was observed in USC-Exos, which promoted differentiation in NSCs by targeting the EPha4/TEK axis. In vivo, exosomal miR-21-5p improved the behavior, motor coordination, and cognitive ability of mice, facilitated the differentiation of NSCs in the subventricular zone of the lateral ventricle and promoted a marked rise in the number of DCX+ cells. Our data provide evidence that exosomal miR-21-5p from human USCs facilitate early nerve formation by regulating the EPha4/TEK axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Pan
- Department of Pediatrics, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoheng Xu
- Department of Pediatrics, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, People's Republic of China
| | - Meng Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, People's Republic of China
| | - Xingyu Song
- Department of Pediatrics, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, People's Republic of China.
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Thapa S, Venkatachalam A, Khan N, Naqvi M, Balderas M, Runge JK, Haag A, Hoch KM, Glaze DG, Luna RA, Motil KJ. Assessment of the gut bacterial microbiome and metabolome of girls and women with Rett Syndrome. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0251231. [PMID: 33956889 PMCID: PMC8101921 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0251231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [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: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gastrointestinal problems affect the health and quality of life of individuals with Rett syndrome (RTT) and pose a medical hardship for their caregivers. We hypothesized that the variability in the RTT phenotype contributes to the dysbiosis of the gut microbiome and metabolome in RTT, predisposing these individuals to gastrointestinal dysfunction. OBJECTIVES We characterized the gut bacterial microbiome and metabolome in girls and young women with RTT (n = 44) and unaffected controls (n = 21), and examined the relation between the composition of the microbiome and variations in the RTT phenotype. METHODS Demographics and clinical information, including growth and anthropometric measurements, pubertal status, symptoms, clinical severity score, bowel movement, medication use, and dietary intakes were collected from the participants. Fecal samples were collected for analysis of the gut microbiome using Illumina MiSeq-based next-generation sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene followed by bioinformatics analysis of microbial composition, diversity, and community structure. Selected end-products of microbial protein metabolism were characterized by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. RESULTS The gut bacterial microbiome differed within the RTT cohort based on pubertal status (p<0.02) and clinical severity scores (p<0.02) of the individuals and the type of diet (p<0.01) consumed. Although the composition of the gut microbiome did not differ between RTT and unaffected individuals, concentrations of protein end-products of the gut bacterial metabolome, including γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) (p<0.001), tyrosine (p<0.02), and glutamate (p<0.06), were lower in the RTT cohort. Differences in the microbiome within RTT groups, based on symptomatic anxiety, hyperventilation, abdominal distention, or changes in stool frequency and consistency, were not detected. CONCLUSIONS Although variability in the RTT phenotype contributes to the dysbiosis of the gut microbiome, we presently cannot infer causality between gut bacterial dysbiosis and gastrointestinal dysfunction. Nevertheless, alterations in the gut metabolome may provide clues to the pathophysiology of gastrointestinal problems in RTT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santosh Thapa
- Department of Pathology, Medical Metagenomics Laboratory, Texas Children’s Microbiome Center, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Alamelu Venkatachalam
- Department of Pathology, Medical Metagenomics Laboratory, Texas Children’s Microbiome Center, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Nabeel Khan
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Mohammed Naqvi
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Miriam Balderas
- Department of Pathology, Medical Metagenomics Laboratory, Texas Children’s Microbiome Center, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Jessica K. Runge
- Department of Pathology, Medical Metagenomics Laboratory, Texas Children’s Microbiome Center, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Anthony Haag
- Department of Pathology, Metabolomics and Proteomics Laboratory, Texas Children’s Microbiome Center, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Kathleen M. Hoch
- Department of Pathology, Metabolomics and Proteomics Laboratory, Texas Children’s Microbiome Center, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Daniel G. Glaze
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Ruth Ann Luna
- Department of Pathology, Medical Metagenomics Laboratory, Texas Children’s Microbiome Center, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Kathleen J. Motil
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- USDA/ARS Children’s Nutrition Research Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Gomes AR, Fernandes TG, Cabral JM, Diogo MM. Modeling Rett Syndrome with Human Pluripotent Stem Cells: Mechanistic Outcomes and Future Clinical Perspectives. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:3751. [PMID: 33916879 PMCID: PMC8038474 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22073751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Rett syndrome (RTT) is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by mutations in the gene encoding the methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2). Among many different roles, MeCP2 has a high phenotypic impact during the different stages of brain development. Thus, it is essential to intensively investigate the function of MeCP2, and its regulated targets, to better understand the mechanisms of the disease and inspire the development of possible therapeutic strategies. Several animal models have greatly contributed to these studies, but more recently human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) have been providing a promising alternative for the study of RTT. The rapid evolution in the field of hPSC culture allowed first the development of 2D-based neuronal differentiation protocols, and more recently the generation of 3D human brain organoid models, a more complex approach that better recapitulates human neurodevelopment in vitro. Modeling RTT using these culture platforms, either with patient-specific human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) or genetically-modified hPSCs, has certainly contributed to a better understanding of the onset of RTT and the disease phenotype, ultimately allowing the development of high throughput drugs screening tests for potential clinical translation. In this review, we first provide a brief summary of the main neurological features of RTT and the impact of MeCP2 mutations in the neuropathophysiology of this disease. Then, we provide a thorough revision of the more recent advances and future prospects of RTT modeling with human neural cells derived from hPSCs, obtained using both 2D and organoids culture systems, and its contribution for the current and future clinical trials for RTT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Rita Gomes
- Department of Bioengineering and IBB-Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal; (A.R.G.); (T.G.F.); (J.M.S.C.)
- Associate Laboratory i4HB-Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular-João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Tiago G. Fernandes
- Department of Bioengineering and IBB-Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal; (A.R.G.); (T.G.F.); (J.M.S.C.)
- Associate Laboratory i4HB-Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Joaquim M.S. Cabral
- Department of Bioengineering and IBB-Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal; (A.R.G.); (T.G.F.); (J.M.S.C.)
- Associate Laboratory i4HB-Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Maria Margarida Diogo
- Department of Bioengineering and IBB-Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal; (A.R.G.); (T.G.F.); (J.M.S.C.)
- Associate Laboratory i4HB-Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
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Adebayo OL, Dewenter I, Rinne L, Golubiani G, Solomonia R, Müller M. Intensified mitochondrial hydrogen peroxide release occurs in all brain regions, affects male as well as female Rett mice, and constitutes a life-long burden. Arch Biochem Biophys 2020; 696:108666. [PMID: 33160914 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2020.108666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 08/27/2020] [Revised: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The neurodevelopmental disorder Rett syndrome (RTT) affects mostly females. Upon an apparently normal initial development, cognitive impairment, irregular breathing, motor dysfunction, and epilepsy occur. The complex pathogenesis includes, among others, mitochondrial impairment, redox imbalance, and oxidative damage. As these arise already in neonatal Rett mice, they were proposed contributors of disease progression. Several mitochondrial studies in RTT used either full brains or selected brain regions only. Here, we mapped mitochondria-related ROS generation brain wide. Using sophisticated multi-sample spectrofluorimetry, H2O2 release by isolated mitochondria was quantified in a coupled reaction of Amplex UltraRed and horseradish peroxidase. All brain regions and the entire lifespan were characterized in male and female mice. In WT mice, mitochondrial H2O2 release was usually highest in cortex and lowest in hippocampus. Maximum rates occurred at postnatal day (PD) 10 and they slightly declined with further maturation. Already at PD 10, male and female Rett mice showed exaggerated mitochondrial H2O2 releases in first brain regions and persistent brain-wide increases from PD 50 on. Interestingly, female Rett mice were more intensely affected than male Rett mice, with their brainstem, midbrain and hippocampus being most severely struck. In conclusion, we used a reliable multi-sample cuvette-based assay on mitochondrial ROS release to perform brain-wide analyzes along the entire lifespan. Mitochondrial H2O2 release in Rett mice is intensified in all brain regions, affects hemizygous males and heterozygous females, and involves all maturational stages. Therefore, intensified mitochondrial H2O2 release seriously needs to be considered throughout RTT pathogenesis and may constitute a potential therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olusegun L Adebayo
- Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Universitätsmedizin Göttingen, Zentrum Physiologie und Pathophysiologie, Institut für Neuro- und Sinnesphysiologie, Germany; Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Redeemer's University, P.M.B. 230, Ede, Osun State, Nigeria
| | - Ina Dewenter
- Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Universitätsmedizin Göttingen, Zentrum Physiologie und Pathophysiologie, Institut für Neuro- und Sinnesphysiologie, Germany
| | - Lena Rinne
- Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Universitätsmedizin Göttingen, Zentrum Physiologie und Pathophysiologie, Institut für Neuro- und Sinnesphysiologie, Germany
| | - Gocha Golubiani
- Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Universitätsmedizin Göttingen, Zentrum Physiologie und Pathophysiologie, Institut für Neuro- und Sinnesphysiologie, Germany; Institute of Chemical Biology, Ilia State University, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Revaz Solomonia
- Institute of Chemical Biology, Ilia State University, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Michael Müller
- Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Universitätsmedizin Göttingen, Zentrum Physiologie und Pathophysiologie, Institut für Neuro- und Sinnesphysiologie, Germany.
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Ortega-Alarcon D, Claveria-Gimeno R, Vega S, Jorge-Torres OC, Esteller M, Abian O, Velazquez-Campoy A. Molecular Context-Dependent Effects Induced by Rett Syndrome-Associated Mutations in MeCP2. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10111533. [PMID: 33182787 PMCID: PMC7696773 DOI: 10.3390/biom10111533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2020] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2) is a transcriptional regulator and a chromatin-binding protein involved in neuronal development and maturation. Loss-of-function mutations in MeCP2 result in Rett syndrome (RTT), a neurodevelopmental disorder that is the main cause of mental retardation in females. MeCP2 is an intrinsically disordered protein (IDP) constituted by six domains. Two domains are the main responsible elements for DNA binding (methyl-CpG binding domain, MBD) and recruitment of gene transcription/silencing machinery (transcription repressor domain, TRD). These two domains concentrate most of the RTT-associated mutations. R106W and R133C are associated with severe and mild RTT phenotype, respectively. We have performed a comprehensive characterization of the structural and functional impact of these substitutions at molecular level. Because we have previously shown that the MBD-flanking disordered domains (N-terminal domain, NTD, and intervening domain, ID) exert a considerable influence on the structural and functional features of the MBD (Claveria-Gimeno, R. et al. Sci Rep. 2017, 7, 41635), here we report the biophysical study of the influence of the protein scaffold on the structural and functional effect induced by these two RTT-associated mutations. These results represent an example of how a given mutation may show different effects (sometimes opposing effects) depending on the molecular context.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Ortega-Alarcon
- Institute of Biocomputation and Physics of Complex Systems (BIFI), Joint Units IQFR-CSIC-BIFI, and GBsC-CSIC-BIFI, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain; (D.O.-A.); (R.C.-G.); (S.V.)
| | - Rafael Claveria-Gimeno
- Institute of Biocomputation and Physics of Complex Systems (BIFI), Joint Units IQFR-CSIC-BIFI, and GBsC-CSIC-BIFI, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain; (D.O.-A.); (R.C.-G.); (S.V.)
- Instituto Aragonés de Ciencias de la Salud (IACS), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Aragón (IIS Aragón), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Sonia Vega
- Institute of Biocomputation and Physics of Complex Systems (BIFI), Joint Units IQFR-CSIC-BIFI, and GBsC-CSIC-BIFI, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain; (D.O.-A.); (R.C.-G.); (S.V.)
| | - Olga C. Jorge-Torres
- Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), 08916 Badalona, Spain; (O.C.J.-T.); (M.E.)
| | - Manel Esteller
- Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), 08916 Badalona, Spain; (O.C.J.-T.); (M.E.)
- Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red Cancer (CIBERONC), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Institucio Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), 08010 Barcelona, Spain
- Physiological Sciences Department, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona (UB), l’Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08907 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Olga Abian
- Institute of Biocomputation and Physics of Complex Systems (BIFI), Joint Units IQFR-CSIC-BIFI, and GBsC-CSIC-BIFI, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain; (D.O.-A.); (R.C.-G.); (S.V.)
- Instituto Aragonés de Ciencias de la Salud (IACS), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Aragón (IIS Aragón), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en el Área Temática de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular y Celular, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- Correspondence: (O.A.); (A.V.-C.); Tel.: +34-876-555-417 (O.A.); +34-976-762-996 (A.V.-C.)
| | - Adrian Velazquez-Campoy
- Institute of Biocomputation and Physics of Complex Systems (BIFI), Joint Units IQFR-CSIC-BIFI, and GBsC-CSIC-BIFI, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain; (D.O.-A.); (R.C.-G.); (S.V.)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Aragón (IIS Aragón), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en el Área Temática de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular y Celular, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- Fundación ARAID, Gobierno de Aragón, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- Correspondence: (O.A.); (A.V.-C.); Tel.: +34-876-555-417 (O.A.); +34-976-762-996 (A.V.-C.)
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Chhatbar K, Cholewa-Waclaw J, Shah R, Bird A, Sanguinetti G. Quantitative analysis questions the role of MeCP2 as a global regulator of alternative splicing. PLoS Genet 2020; 16:e1009087. [PMID: 33048927 PMCID: PMC7584252 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [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: 05/28/2020] [Revised: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
MeCP2 is an abundant protein in mature nerve cells, where it binds to DNA sequences containing methylated cytosine. Mutations in the MECP2 gene cause the severe neurological disorder Rett syndrome (RTT), provoking intensive study of the underlying molecular mechanisms. Multiple functions have been proposed, one of which involves a regulatory role in splicing. Here we leverage the recent availability of high-quality transcriptomic data sets to probe quantitatively the potential influence of MeCP2 on alternative splicing. Using a variety of machine learning approaches that can capture both linear and non-linear associations, we show that widely different levels of MeCP2 have a minimal effect on alternative splicing in three different systems. Alternative splicing was also apparently indifferent to developmental changes in DNA methylation levels. Our results suggest that regulation of splicing is not a major function of MeCP2. They also highlight the importance of multi-variate quantitative analyses in the formulation of biological hypotheses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kashyap Chhatbar
- School of Informatics, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- The Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Justyna Cholewa-Waclaw
- The Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Ruth Shah
- The Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Adrian Bird
- The Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Guido Sanguinetti
- School of Informatics, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA), Trieste, Italy
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Byiers BJ, Payen A, Feyma T, Panoskaltsis-Mortari A, Ehrhardt MJ, Symons FJ. Associations Among Diurnal Salivary Cortisol Patterns, Medication Use, and Behavioral Phenotype Features in a Community Sample of Rett Syndrome. Am J Intellect Dev Disabil 2020; 125:353-368. [PMID: 32936892 PMCID: PMC10699094 DOI: 10.1352/1944-7558-125.5.353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Rett syndrome (RTT) is a severe neurodevelopmental disorder resulting from mutations of the MECP2 gene. Hyperactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and abnormal stress responses have been observed in animal models of RTT, but little is known about HPA axis function among individuals with RTT. Diurnal salivary cortisol patterns from 30 females with RTT were examined in relation to mutation type, medication use, and features of the RTT behavioral phenotype. Cortisol patterns were significantly related to mutation severity, anticonvulsant medication status, and bruxism (tooth grinding). This study provides preliminary support for the hypothesis that RTT may be at risk for outcomes associated with aberrant HPA axis function, and that this risk may be mediated by mutation type.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ameante Payen
- Breanne J. Byiers and Ameante Payen, University of Minnesota
| | - Timothy Feyma
- Timothy Feyma, Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare, St. Paul, Minnesota
| | | | - Michael J Ehrhardt
- Angela Panoskaltsis-Mortari, Michael J. Ehrhardt, and Frank J. Symons, University of Minnesota
| | - Frank J Symons
- Angela Panoskaltsis-Mortari, Michael J. Ehrhardt, and Frank J. Symons, University of Minnesota
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Aldinger KA, Timms AE, MacDonald JW, McNamara HK, Herstein JS, Bammler TK, Evgrafov OV, Knowles JA, Levitt P. Transcriptome data of temporal and cingulate cortex in the Rett syndrome brain. Sci Data 2020; 7:192. [PMID: 32561870 PMCID: PMC7305197 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-020-0527-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Rett syndrome is an X-linked neurodevelopmental disorder caused by mutation in the methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 gene (MECP2) in the majority of cases. We describe an RNA sequencing dataset of postmortem brain tissue samples from four females clinically diagnosed with Rett syndrome and four age-matched female donors. The dataset contains 16 transcriptomes, including two brain regions, temporal and cingulate cortex, for each individual. We compared our dataset with published transcriptomic analyses of postmortem brain tissue from Rett syndrome and found consistent gene expression alterations among regions of the cerebral cortex. Our data provide a valuable resource to explore the biology of the human brain in Rett syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly A Aldinger
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA.
| | - Andrew E Timms
- Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - James W MacDonald
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Hanna K McNamara
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jennifer S Herstein
- Department of Psychiatry and the Behavioral Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Theo K Bammler
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Oleg V Evgrafov
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and the Behavioral Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA
| | - James A Knowles
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and the Behavioral Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA
| | - Pat Levitt
- Department of Pediatrics and Program in Developmental Neuroscience and Developmental Neurogenetics, The Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Xiang Y, Tanaka Y, Patterson B, Hwang SM, Hysolli E, Cakir B, Kim KY, Wang W, Kang YJ, Clement EM, Zhong M, Lee SH, Cho YS, Patra P, Sullivan GJ, Weissman SM, Park IH. Dysregulation of BRD4 Function Underlies the Functional Abnormalities of MeCP2 Mutant Neurons. Mol Cell 2020; 79:84-98.e9. [PMID: 32526163 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2020.05.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2019] [Revised: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Rett syndrome (RTT), mainly caused by mutations in methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2), is one of the most prevalent intellectual disorders without effective therapies. Here, we used 2D and 3D human brain cultures to investigate MeCP2 function. We found that MeCP2 mutations cause severe abnormalities in human interneurons (INs). Surprisingly, treatment with a BET inhibitor, JQ1, rescued the molecular and functional phenotypes of MeCP2 mutant INs. We uncovered that abnormal increases in chromatin binding of BRD4 and enhancer-promoter interactions underlie the abnormal transcription in MeCP2 mutant INs, which were recovered to normal levels by JQ1. We revealed cell-type-specific transcriptome impairment in MeCP2 mutant region-specific human brain organoids that were rescued by JQ1. Finally, JQ1 ameliorated RTT-like phenotypes in mice. These data demonstrate that BRD4 dysregulation is a critical driver for RTT etiology and suggest that targeting BRD4 could be a potential therapeutic opportunity for RTT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangfei Xiang
- Department of Genetics, Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Yoshiaki Tanaka
- Department of Genetics, Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Benjamin Patterson
- Department of Genetics, Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Sung-Min Hwang
- Department of Genetics, Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Eriona Hysolli
- Department of Genetics, Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Bilal Cakir
- Department of Genetics, Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Kun-Yong Kim
- Department of Genetics, Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Wanshan Wang
- Department of Genetics, Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Young-Jin Kang
- Department of Neurology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
| | - Ethan M Clement
- Department of Neurology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
| | - Mei Zhong
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Sang-Hun Lee
- Department of Neurology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
| | - Yee Sook Cho
- Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon 305-806, Republic of Korea
| | - Prabir Patra
- Department of Genetics, Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Bridgeport, Bridgeport, CT 06604, USA
| | - Gareth J Sullivan
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Hybrid Technology Hub - Centre of Excellence, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Oslo 0424, Norway; Department of Pediatric Research, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Oslo 0372, Norway
| | - Sherman M Weissman
- Department of Genetics, Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - In-Hyun Park
- Department of Genetics, Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
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Enikanolaiye A, Ruston J, Zeng R, Taylor C, Schrock M, Buchovecky CM, Shendure J, Acar E, Justice MJ. Suppressor mutations in Mecp2-null mice implicate the DNA damage response in Rett syndrome pathology. Genome Res 2020; 30:540-552. [PMID: 32317254 PMCID: PMC7197480 DOI: 10.1101/gr.258400.119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [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: 10/18/2019] [Accepted: 03/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Mutations in X-linked methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MECP2) cause Rett syndrome (RTT). To identify functional pathways that could inform therapeutic entry points, we carried out a genetic screen for secondary mutations that improved phenotypes in Mecp2/Y mice after mutagenesis with N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU). Here, we report the isolation of 106 founder animals that show suppression of Mecp2-null traits from screening 3177 Mecp2/Y genomes. Whole-exome sequencing, genetic crosses, and association analysis identified 22 candidate genes. Additional lesions in these candidate genes or pathway components associate variant alleles with phenotypic improvement in 30 lines. A network analysis shows that 63% of the genes cluster into the functional categories of transcriptional repression, chromatin modification, or DNA repair, delineating a pathway relationship with MECP2. Many mutations lie in genes that modulate synaptic signaling or lipid homeostasis. Mutations in genes that function in the DNA damage response (DDR) also improve phenotypes in Mecp2/Y mice. Association analysis was successful in resolving combinatorial effects of multiple loci. One line, which carries a suppressor mutation in a gene required for cholesterol synthesis, Sqle, carries a second mutation in retinoblastoma binding protein 8, endonuclease (Rbbp8, also known as CtIP), which regulates a DDR choice in double-stranded break (DSB) repair. Cells from Mecp2/Y mice have increased DSBs, so this finding suggests that the balance between homology-directed repair and nonhomologous end joining is important for neuronal cells. In this and other lines, two suppressor mutations confer greater improvement than one alone, suggesting that combination therapies could be effective in RTT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adebola Enikanolaiye
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Julie Ruston
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Rong Zeng
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Christine Taylor
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Marijke Schrock
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Christie M Buchovecky
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Jay Shendure
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA
- Brotman Baty Institute for Precision Medicine, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA
- Allen Discovery Center for Cell Lineage Tracing, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA
| | - Elif Acar
- The Centre for Phenogenomics, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 3H7, Canada
- Department of Statistics, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Monica J Justice
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 0A4, Canada
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- The Centre for Phenogenomics, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 3H7, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1A8, Canada
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Lavery LA, Ure K, Wan YW, Luo C, Trostle AJ, Wang W, Jin H, Lopez J, Lucero J, Durham MA, Castanon R, Nery JR, Liu Z, Goodell M, Ecker JR, Behrens MM, Zoghbi HY. Losing Dnmt3a dependent methylation in inhibitory neurons impairs neural function by a mechanism impacting Rett syndrome. eLife 2020; 9:e52981. [PMID: 32159514 PMCID: PMC7065908 DOI: 10.7554/elife.52981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2019] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Methylated cytosine is an effector of epigenetic gene regulation. In the brain, Dnmt3a is the sole 'writer' of atypical non-CpG methylation (mCH), and MeCP2 is the only known 'reader' for mCH. We asked if MeCP2 is the sole reader for Dnmt3a dependent methylation by comparing mice lacking either protein in GABAergic inhibitory neurons. Loss of either protein causes overlapping and distinct features from the behavioral to molecular level. Loss of Dnmt3a causes global loss of mCH and a subset of mCG sites resulting in more widespread transcriptional alterations and severe neurological dysfunction than MeCP2 loss. These data suggest that MeCP2 is responsible for reading only part of the Dnmt3a dependent methylation in the brain. Importantly, the impact of MeCP2 on genes differentially expressed in both models shows a strong dependence on mCH, but not Dnmt3a dependent mCG, consistent with mCH playing a central role in the pathogenesis of Rett Syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura A Lavery
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s HospitalHoustonUnited States
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
| | - Kerstin Ure
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s HospitalHoustonUnited States
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
| | - Ying-Wooi Wan
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s HospitalHoustonUnited States
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
| | - Chongyuan Luo
- Genomic Analysis Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological StudiesLa JollaUnited States
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Salk Institute for Biological StudiesLa JollaUnited States
| | - Alexander J Trostle
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s HospitalHoustonUnited States
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
| | - Wei Wang
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s HospitalHoustonUnited States
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
| | - Haijing Jin
- Graduate Program in Quantitative and Computational Biosciences, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
| | - Joanna Lopez
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s HospitalHoustonUnited States
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
| | - Jacinta Lucero
- Computational Neurobiology Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological StudiesLa JollaUnited States
| | - Mark A Durham
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
| | - Rosa Castanon
- Genomic Analysis Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological StudiesLa JollaUnited States
| | - Joseph R Nery
- Genomic Analysis Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological StudiesLa JollaUnited States
| | - Zhandong Liu
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s HospitalHoustonUnited States
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Graduate Program in Quantitative and Computational Biosciences, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
| | - Margaret Goodell
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Center, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Department Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
| | - Joseph R Ecker
- Genomic Analysis Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological StudiesLa JollaUnited States
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Salk Institute for Biological StudiesLa JollaUnited States
| | - M Margarita Behrens
- Computational Neurobiology Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological StudiesLa JollaUnited States
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San DiegoLa JollaUnited States
| | - Huda Y Zoghbi
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s HospitalHoustonUnited States
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
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Abstract
Dysfunctions in GABAergic inhibitory neural transmission occur in neuronal injuries and neurological disorders. The potassium-chloride cotransporter 2 (KCC2, SLC12A5) is a key modulator of inhibitory GABAergic inputs in healthy adult neurons, as its chloride (Cl-) extruding activity underlies the hyperpolarizing reversal potential for GABAA receptor Cl- currents (EGABA). Manipulation of KCC2 levels or activity improve symptoms associated with epilepsy and neuropathy. Recent works have now indicated that pharmacological enhancement of KCC2 function could reactivate dormant relay circuits in an injured mouse's spinal cord, leading to functional recovery and the attenuation of neuronal abnormality and disease phenotype associated with a mouse model of Rett syndrome (RTT). KCC2 interacts with Huntingtin and is downregulated in Huntington's disease (HD), which contributed to GABAergic excitation and memory deficits in the R6/2 mouse HD model. Here, these recent advances are highlighted, which attest to KCC2's growing potential as a therapeutic target for neuropathological conditions resulting from dysfunctional inhibitory input.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bor Luen Tang
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117596, Singapore; ; Tel.: +65-6516-1040
- NUS Graduate School for Integrative Sciences and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119077, Singapore
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Hinz L, Torrella Barrufet J, Heine VM. KCC2 expression levels are reduced in post mortem brain tissue of Rett syndrome patients. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2019; 7:196. [PMID: 31796123 PMCID: PMC6892240 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-019-0852-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Rett Syndrome (RTT) is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by mutations in the Methyl CpG binding protein 2 (MECP2) gene. Deficient K+-Cl-co-transporter 2 (KCC2) expression is suggested to play a key role in the neurodevelopmental delay in RTT patients' neuronal networks. KCC2 is a major player in neuronal maturation by supporting the GABAergic switch, through the regulation of neuronal chlorine homeostasis. Previous studies suggest that MeCP2 mutations lead to changed KCC2 expression levels, thereby causing a disturbance in excitation/inhibition (E/I) balance. To investigate this, we performed protein and RNA expression analysis on post mortem brain tissue from RTT patients and healthy controls. We showed that KCC2 expression, in particular the KCC2a isoform, is relatively decreased in RTT patients. The expression of Na+-K+-Cl- co-transporter 1 (NKCC1), responsible for the inward transport of chlorine, is not affected, leading to a reduced KCC2/NKCC1 ratio in RTT brains. Our report confirms KCC2 expression alterations in RTT patients in human brain tissue, which is in line with other studies, suggesting affected E/I balance could underlie neurodevelopmental defects in RTT patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Hinz
- Department of Complex Trait Genetics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Joan Torrella Barrufet
- Department of Complex Trait Genetics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Vivi M Heine
- Department of Complex Trait Genetics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Pediatric Neurology, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Boelelaan 1085, 1081HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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46
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Ballinger EC, Schaaf CP, Patel AJ, de Maio A, Tao H, Talmage DA, Zoghbi HY, Role LW. Mecp2 Deletion from Cholinergic Neurons Selectively Impairs Recognition Memory and Disrupts Cholinergic Modulation of the Perirhinal Cortex. eNeuro 2019; 6:ENEURO.0134-19.2019. [PMID: 31562178 PMCID: PMC6825959 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0134-19.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2019] [Revised: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 09/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Rett Syndrome is a neurological disorder caused by mutations in the gene encoding methyl CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2) and characterized by severe intellectual disability. The cholinergic system is a critical modulator of cognitive ability and is affected in patients with Rett Syndrome. To better understand the importance of MeCP2 function in cholinergic neurons, we studied the effect of selective Mecp2 deletion from cholinergic neurons in mice. Mice with Mecp2 deletion from cholinergic neurons were selectively impaired in assays of recognition memory, a cognitive task largely mediated by the perirhinal cortex (PRH). Deletion of Mecp2 from cholinergic neurons resulted in profound alterations in baseline firing of L5/6 neurons and eliminated the responses of these neurons to optogenetic stimulation of cholinergic input to PRH. Both the behavioral and the electrophysiological deficits of cholinergic Mecp2 deletion were rescued by inhibiting ACh breakdown with donepezil treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth C Ballinger
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794
- Program in Neuroscience, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794
| | - Christian P Schaaf
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
- Institute of Human Genetics, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Akash J Patel
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
- Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Antonia de Maio
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Huifang Tao
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - David A Talmage
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794
- Center for Nervous System Disorders, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794
| | - Huda Y Zoghbi
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Lorna W Role
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794
- Center for Nervous System Disorders, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794
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47
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Vidal S, Xiol C, Pascual-Alonso A, O'Callaghan M, Pineda M, Armstrong J. Genetic Landscape of Rett Syndrome Spectrum: Improvements and Challenges. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20163925. [PMID: 31409060 PMCID: PMC6719047 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20163925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Revised: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 08/10/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Rett syndrome (RTT) is an early-onset neurodevelopmental disorder that primarily affects females, resulting in severe cognitive and physical disabilities, and is one of the most prevalent causes of intellectual disability in females. More than fifty years after the first publication on Rett syndrome, and almost two decades since the first report linking RTT to the MECP2 gene, the research community's effort is focused on obtaining a better understanding of the genetics and the complex biology of RTT and Rett-like phenotypes without MECP2 mutations. Herein, we review the current molecular genetic studies, which investigate the genetic causes of RTT or Rett-like phenotypes which overlap with other genetic disorders and document the swift evolution of the techniques and methodologies employed. This review also underlines the clinical and genetic heterogeneity of the Rett syndrome spectrum and provides an overview of the RTT-related genes described to date, many of which are involved in epigenetic gene regulation, neurotransmitter action or RNA transcription/translation. Finally, it discusses the importance of including both phenotypic and genetic diagnosis to provide proper genetic counselling from a patient's perspective and the appropriate treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Vidal
- Sant Joan de Déu Research Foundation, 08950 Barcelona, Spain
- Institut de Recerca Pediàtrica Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, 08950 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Clara Xiol
- Sant Joan de Déu Research Foundation, 08950 Barcelona, Spain
- Institut de Recerca Pediàtrica Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, 08950 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ainhoa Pascual-Alonso
- Sant Joan de Déu Research Foundation, 08950 Barcelona, Spain
- Institut de Recerca Pediàtrica Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, 08950 Barcelona, Spain
| | - M O'Callaghan
- Institut de Recerca Pediàtrica Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, 08950 Barcelona, Spain
- Neurology Service, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, 08950 Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER-ER (Biomedical Network Research Center for Rare Diseases), Institute of Health Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Mercè Pineda
- Sant Joan de Déu Research Foundation, 08950 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Judith Armstrong
- Institut de Recerca Pediàtrica Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, 08950 Barcelona, Spain.
- CIBER-ER (Biomedical Network Research Center for Rare Diseases), Institute of Health Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain.
- Molecular and Genetics Medicine Section, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, 08950 Barcelona, Spain.
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48
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Kahanovitch U, Patterson KC, Hernandez R, Olsen ML. Glial Dysfunction in MeCP2 Deficiency Models: Implications for Rett Syndrome. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20153813. [PMID: 31387202 PMCID: PMC6696322 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20153813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2019] [Revised: 08/01/2019] [Accepted: 08/02/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Rett syndrome (RTT) is a rare, X-linked neurodevelopmental disorder typically affecting females, resulting in a range of symptoms including autistic features, intellectual impairment, motor deterioration, and autonomic abnormalities. RTT is primarily caused by the genetic mutation of the Mecp2 gene. Initially considered a neuronal disease, recent research shows that glial dysfunction contributes to the RTT disease phenotype. In the following manuscript, we review the evidence regarding glial dysfunction and its effects on disease etiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uri Kahanovitch
- School of Neuroscience, Virginia Polytechnic and State University, Life Sciences I Building Room 212, 970 Washington St. SW, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Kelsey C Patterson
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1918 University Blvd., Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Raymundo Hernandez
- School of Neuroscience, Virginia Polytechnic and State University, Life Sciences I Building Room 212, 970 Washington St. SW, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
- Graduate Program in Translational Biology Medicine and Health, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VL 24014, USA
| | - Michelle L Olsen
- School of Neuroscience, Virginia Polytechnic and State University, Life Sciences I Building Room 212, 970 Washington St. SW, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.
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Tang X, Drotar J, Li K, Clairmont CD, Brumm AS, Sullins AJ, Wu H, Liu XS, Wang J, Gray NS, Sur M, Jaenisch R. Pharmacological enhancement of KCC2 gene expression exerts therapeutic effects on human Rett syndrome neurons and Mecp2 mutant mice. Sci Transl Med 2019; 11:eaau0164. [PMID: 31366578 PMCID: PMC8140401 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aau0164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2018] [Revised: 04/14/2019] [Accepted: 07/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Rett syndrome (RTT) is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by mutations in the methyl CpG binding protein 2 (MECP2) gene. There are currently no approved treatments for RTT. The expression of K+/Cl- cotransporter 2 (KCC2), a neuron-specific protein, has been found to be reduced in human RTT neurons and in RTT mouse models, suggesting that KCC2 might play a role in the pathophysiology of RTT. To develop neuron-based high-throughput screening (HTS) assays to identify chemical compounds that enhance the expression of the KCC2 gene, we report the generation of a robust high-throughput drug screening platform that allows for the rapid assessment of KCC2 gene expression in genome-edited human reporter neurons. From an unbiased screen of more than 900 small-molecule chemicals, we have identified a group of compounds that enhance KCC2 expression termed KCC2 expression-enhancing compounds (KEECs). The identified KEECs include U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved drugs that are inhibitors of the fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) or glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) pathways and activators of the sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) and transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1 (TRPV1) pathways. Treatment with hit compounds increased KCC2 expression in human wild-type (WT) and isogenic MECP2 mutant RTT neurons, and rescued electrophysiological and morphological abnormalities of RTT neurons. Injection of KEEC KW-2449 or piperine in Mecp2 mutant mice ameliorated disease-associated respiratory and locomotion phenotypes. The small-molecule compounds described in our study may have therapeutic effects not only in RTT but also in other neurological disorders involving dysregulation of KCC2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Tang
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Jesse Drotar
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Keji Li
- Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | | | | | - Austin J Sullins
- Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Hao Wu
- Fulcrum Therapeutics, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | | | - Jinhua Wang
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Nathanael S Gray
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Mriganka Sur
- Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Rudolf Jaenisch
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
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Segatto M, Tonini C, Pfrieger FW, Trezza V, Pallottini V. Loss of Mevalonate/Cholesterol Homeostasis in the Brain: A Focus on Autism Spectrum Disorder and Rett Syndrome. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20133317. [PMID: 31284522 PMCID: PMC6651320 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20133317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2019] [Revised: 07/03/2019] [Accepted: 07/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The mevalonate (MVA)/cholesterol pathway is crucial for central nervous system (CNS) development and function and consequently, any dysfunction of this fundamental metabolic pathway is likely to provoke pathologic changes in the brain. Mutations in genes directly involved in MVA/cholesterol metabolism cause a range of diseases, many of which present neurologic and psychiatric symptoms. This raises the question whether other diseases presenting similar symptoms are related albeit indirectly to the MVA/cholesterol pathway. Here, we summarized the current literature suggesting links between MVA/cholesterol dysregulation and specific diseases, namely autism spectrum disorder and Rett syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Segatto
- Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, Contrada Fonte Lappone, 86090 Pesche (IS), Italy
| | - Claudia Tonini
- Department of Science, University Roma Tre, Viale Marconi, 446, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Frank W Pfrieger
- Institute of Cellular and Integrative Neurosciences (INCI) CNRS UPR 3212, Université de Strasbourg, 5, rue Blaise Pascal, 67084 Strasbourg Cedex, France
| | - Viviana Trezza
- Department of Science, University Roma Tre, Viale Marconi, 446, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina Pallottini
- Department of Science, University Roma Tre, Viale Marconi, 446, 00146 Rome, Italy.
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