1
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Cauchi RJ. SCFD1 in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: reconciling a genetic association with in vivo functional analysis. Neural Regen Res 2024; 19:1201-1202. [PMID: 37905864 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.386411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ruben J Cauchi
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building; Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
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2
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Herrera P, Cauchi RJ. Functional characterisation of the ACE2 orthologues in Drosophila provides insights into the neuromuscular complications of COVID-19. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2023; 1869:166818. [PMID: 37495086 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2023.166818] [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: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19), gains cellular entry via interaction with the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor of host cells. Although SARS-CoV-2 mainly targets the respiratory system, the neuromuscular system also appears to be affected in a large percentage of patients with acute or chronic COVID-19. The cause of the well-described neuromuscular manifestations resulting from SARS-CoV-2 infection remains unresolved. These may result from the neuromuscular-invasive capacity of the virus leading to direct injury. Alternatively, they may be the consequence of ACE2 inactivation either due to viral infection, ACE2 autoantibodies or both. Here, we made use of the Drosophila model to investigate whether ACE2 downregulation is sufficient to induce neuromuscular phenotypes. We show that moderate gene silencing of ACE2 orthologues Ance or Ance3 diminished survival on exposure to thermal stress only upon induction of neuromuscular fatigue driven by increased physical activity. A strong knockdown of Ance or Ance3 directed to muscle reduced or abolished adult viability and caused obvious motoric deficits including reduced locomotion and impaired flight capacity. Selective knockdown of Ance and Ance3 in neurons caused wing defects and an age-dependent decline in motor behaviour, respectively, in adult flies. Interestingly, RNA sequencing allowed us to discover several differentially spliced genes that are required for synaptic function downstream of Ance or Ance3 depletion. Our findings are therefore supportive of the notion that loss of a RAS-independent function for ACE2 contributes to the neuromuscular manifestations associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Herrera
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Malta, Msida, Malta; Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Ruben J Cauchi
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Malta, Msida, Malta; Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta.
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3
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Servettini I, Talani G, Megaro A, Setzu MD, Biggio F, Briffa M, Guglielmi L, Savalli N, Binda F, Delicata F, Bru–Mercier G, Vassallo N, Maglione V, Cauchi RJ, Di Pardo A, Collu M, Imbrici P, Catacuzzeno L, D’Adamo MC, Olcese R, Pessia M. An activator of voltage-gated K + channels Kv1.1 as a therapeutic candidate for episodic ataxia type 1. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2207978120. [PMID: 37487086 PMCID: PMC10401004 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2207978120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Loss-of-function mutations in the KCNA1(Kv1.1) gene cause episodic ataxia type 1 (EA1), a neurological disease characterized by cerebellar dysfunction, ataxic attacks, persistent myokymia with painful cramps in skeletal muscles, and epilepsy. Precision medicine for EA1 treatment is currently unfeasible, as no drug that can enhance the activity of Kv1.1-containing channels and offset the functional defects caused by KCNA1 mutations has been clinically approved. Here, we uncovered that niflumic acid (NFA), a currently prescribed analgesic and anti-inflammatory drug with an excellent safety profile in the clinic, potentiates the activity of Kv1.1 channels. NFA increased Kv1.1 current amplitudes by enhancing the channel open probability, causing a hyperpolarizing shift in the voltage dependence of both channel opening and gating charge movement, slowing the OFF-gating current decay. NFA exerted similar actions on both homomeric Kv1.2 and heteromeric Kv1.1/Kv1.2 channels, which are formed in most brain structures. We show that through its potentiating action, NFA mitigated the EA1 mutation-induced functional defects in Kv1.1 and restored cerebellar synaptic transmission, Purkinje cell availability, and precision of firing. In addition, NFA ameliorated the motor performance of a knock-in mouse model of EA1 and restored the neuromuscular transmission and climbing ability in Shaker (Kv1.1) mutant Drosophila melanogaster flies (Sh5). By virtue of its multiple actions, NFA has strong potential as an efficacious single-molecule-based therapeutic agent for EA1 and serves as a valuable model for drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilenio Servettini
- Section of Physiology, Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia06123, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Talani
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council, Monserrato09042, Italy
| | - Alfredo Megaro
- Section of Physiology, Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia06123, Italy
| | - Maria Dolores Setzu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato09042, Italy
| | - Francesca Biggio
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato09042, Italy
| | - Michelle Briffa
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, MsidaMSD2080, Malta
| | - Luca Guglielmi
- Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, CambridgeCB2 0QH, United Kingdom
| | - Nicoletta Savalli
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
| | - Francesca Binda
- Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne 1011, Switzerland
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives, Université de Strasbourg, StrasbourgF-67000, France
| | - Francis Delicata
- College of Pharmacy, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MBR3E 0T5, Canada
| | - Gilles Bru–Mercier
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain17666, United Arab Emirates
| | - Neville Vassallo
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, MsidaMSD2080, Malta
| | - Vittorio Maglione
- Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Neuromed, Pozzilli86077, Italy
| | - Ruben J. Cauchi
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, MsidaMSD2080, Malta
| | - Alba Di Pardo
- Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Neuromed, Pozzilli86077, Italy
| | - Maria Collu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato09042, Italy
| | - Paola Imbrici
- Department of Pharmacy–Drug Sciences, University of Bari ‘‘Aldo Moro”, 70125Bari, Italy
| | - Luigi Catacuzzeno
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, Perugia06123, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina D’Adamo
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Libera Università Mediterranea ‘‘Giuseppe DEGENNARO”, Casamassima 70010, Italy
| | - Riccardo Olcese
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
- Department of Physiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
| | - Mauro Pessia
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, MsidaMSD2080, Malta
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain17666, United Arab Emirates
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4
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Borg R, Herrera P, Purkiss A, Cacciottolo R, Cauchi RJ. Reduced levels of ALS gene DCTN1 induce motor defects in Drosophila. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1164251. [PMID: 37360176 PMCID: PMC10289029 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1164251] [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] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rapidly progressive neuromuscular disease that has a strong genetic component. Deleterious variants in the DCTN1 gene are known to be a cause of ALS in diverse populations. DCTN1 encodes the p150 subunit of the molecular motor dynactin which is a key player in the bidirectional transport of cargos within cells. Whether DCTN1 mutations lead to the disease through either a gain or loss of function mechanism remains unresolved. Moreover, the contribution of non-neuronal cell types, especially muscle tissue, to ALS phenotypes in DCTN1 carriers is unknown. Here we show that gene silencing of Dctn1, the Drosophila main orthologue of DCTN1, either in neurons or muscles is sufficient to cause climbing and flight defects in adult flies. We also identify Dred, a protein with high homology to Drosophila Dctn1 and human DCTN1, that on loss of function also leads to motoric impairments. A global reduction of Dctn1 induced a significant reduction in the mobility of larvae and neuromuscular junction (NMJ) deficits prior to death at the pupal stage. RNA-seq and transcriptome profiling revealed splicing alterations in genes required for synapse organisation and function, which may explain the observed motor dysfunction and synaptic defects downstream of Dctn1 ablation. Our findings support the possibility that loss of DCTN1 function can lead to ALS and underscore an important requirement for DCTN1 in muscle in addition to neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Borg
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Paul Herrera
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Angie Purkiss
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Rebecca Cacciottolo
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Ruben J. Cauchi
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
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5
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Borg R, Purkiss A, Cacciottolo R, Herrera P, Cauchi RJ. Loss of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis risk factor SCFD1 causes motor dysfunction in Drosophila. Neurobiol Aging 2023; 126:67-76. [PMID: 36944290 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2023.02.005] [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: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neuromuscular disease mostly resulting from a complex interplay between genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors. Common genetic variants in the Sec1 Family Domain Containing 1 (SCFD1) gene have been associated with increased ALS risk in the most extensive genome-wide association study (GWAS). SCFD1 was also identified as a top-most significant expression Quantitative Trait Locus (eQTL) for ALS. Whether loss of SCFD1 function directly contributes to motor system dysfunction remains unresolved. Here we show that moderate gene silencing of Slh, the Drosophila orthologue of SCFD1, is sufficient to cause climbing and flight defects in adult flies. A more severe knockdown induced a significant reduction in larval mobility and profound neuromuscular junction (NMJ) deficits prior to death before metamorphosis. RNA-seq revealed downregulation of genes encoding chaperones that mediate protein folding downstream of Slh ablation. Our findings support the notion that loss of SCFD1 function is a meaningful contributor to ALS and disease predisposition may result from erosion of the mechanisms protecting against misfolding and protein aggregation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Borg
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Malta, Msida, Malta; Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Angie Purkiss
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Malta, Msida, Malta; Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Rebecca Cacciottolo
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Malta, Msida, Malta; Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Paul Herrera
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Malta, Msida, Malta; Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Ruben J Cauchi
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Malta, Msida, Malta; Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta.
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6
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Farrugia M, Vassallo N, Cauchi RJ. Disruption of Smn in glia impacts survival but has no effect on neuromuscular function in Drosophila. Neuroscience 2022; 491:32-42. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2022.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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7
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Hop PJ, Zwamborn RA, Hannon E, Shireby GL, Nabais MF, Walker EM, van Rheenen W, van Vugt JJ, Dekker AM, Westeneng HJ, Tazelaar GH, van Eijk KR, Moisse M, Baird D, Khleifat AA, Iacoangeli A, Ticozzi N, Ratti A, Cooper-Knock J, Morrison KE, Shaw PJ, Basak AN, Chiò A, Calvo A, Moglia C, Canosa A, Brunetti M, Grassano M, Gotkine M, Lerner Y, Zabari M, Vourc’h P, Corcia P, Couratier P, Pardina JSM, Salas T, Dion P, Ross JP, Henderson RD, Mathers S, McCombe PA, Needham M, Nicholson G, Rowe DB, Pamphlett R, Mather KA, Sachdev PS, Furlong S, Garton FC, Henders AK, Lin T, Ngo ST, Steyn FJ, Wallace L, Williams KL, Neto MM, Cauchi RJ, Blair IP, Kiernan MC, Drory V, Povedano M, de Carvalho M, Pinto S, Weber M, Rouleau GA, Silani V, Landers JE, Shaw CE, Andersen PM, McRae AF, van Es MA, Pasterkamp RJ, Wray NR, McLaughlin RL, Hardiman O, Kenna KP, Tsai E, Runz H, Al-Chalabi A, van den Berg LH, Van Damme P, Mill J, Veldink JH. Genome-wide study of DNA methylation shows alterations in metabolic, inflammatory, and cholesterol pathways in ALS. Sci Transl Med 2022; 14:eabj0264. [PMID: 35196023 PMCID: PMC10040186 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abj0264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [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] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease with an estimated heritability between 40 and 50%. DNA methylation patterns can serve as proxies of (past) exposures and disease progression, as well as providing a potential mechanism that mediates genetic or environmental risk. Here, we present a blood-based epigenome-wide association study meta-analysis in 9706 samples passing stringent quality control (6763 patients, 2943 controls). We identified a total of 45 differentially methylated positions (DMPs) annotated to 42 genes, which are enriched for pathways and traits related to metabolism, cholesterol biosynthesis, and immunity. We then tested 39 DNA methylation-based proxies of putative ALS risk factors and found that high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, body mass index, white blood cell proportions, and alcohol intake were independently associated with ALS. Integration of these results with our latest genome-wide association study showed that cholesterol biosynthesis was potentially causally related to ALS. Last, DNA methylation at several DMPs and blood cell proportion estimates derived from DNA methylation data were associated with survival rate in patients, suggesting that they might represent indicators of underlying disease processes potentially amenable to therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul J. Hop
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht 3584 CX, Netherlands
| | - Ramona A.J. Zwamborn
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht 3584 CX, Netherlands
| | - Eilis Hannon
- University of Exeter Medical School, College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter, Exeter EX1 2LU, UK
| | - Gemma L. Shireby
- University of Exeter Medical School, College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter, Exeter EX1 2LU, UK
| | - Marta F. Nabais
- University of Exeter Medical School, College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter, Exeter EX1 2LU, UK
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD4072, Australia
| | - Emma M. Walker
- University of Exeter Medical School, College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter, Exeter EX1 2LU, UK
| | - Wouter van Rheenen
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht 3584 CX, Netherlands
| | - Joke J.F.A. van Vugt
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht 3584 CX, Netherlands
| | - Annelot M. Dekker
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht 3584 CX, Netherlands
| | - Henk-Jan Westeneng
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht 3584 CX, Netherlands
| | - Gijs H.P. Tazelaar
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht 3584 CX, Netherlands
| | - Kristel R. van Eijk
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht 3584 CX, Netherlands
| | - Matthieu Moisse
- KU Leuven–University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Leuven 3000, Belgium
- VIB, Center for Brain and Disease Research, Leuven 3000, Belgium
- University Hospitals Leuven, Department of Neurology, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Denis Baird
- Translational Biology, Biogen, Boston, MA 02142, USA
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit (IEU), Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 2BN, UK
| | - Ahmad Al Khleifat
- Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Alfredo Iacoangeli
- Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London SE5 8AF, UK
- Department of Biostatistics and Health Informatics, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London SE5 8AF, UK
- National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre and Dementia Unit, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and King’s College London, London SE5 8AZ, UK
| | - Nicola Ticozzi
- Department of Neurology-Stroke Unit and Laboratory of Neuroscience, Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Milan 20149, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, “Dino Ferrari” Center, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan 20122, Italy
| | - Antonia Ratti
- Department of Neurology-Stroke Unit and Laboratory of Neuroscience, Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Milan 20149, Italy
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano 20145, Italy
| | - Jonathan Cooper-Knock
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2HQ, UK
| | - Karen E. Morrison
- School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Biomedical Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK
| | - Pamela J. Shaw
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2HQ, UK
| | - A. Nazli Basak
- Koc University, School of Medicine, Translational Medicine Research Center, NDAL, Istanbul, 34450, Turkey
| | - Adriano Chiò
- “Rita Levi Montalcini” Department of Neuroscience, ALS Centre, University of Torino, Turin 10126, Italy
- Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza, SC Neurologia 1U, Turin 10126, Italy
| | - Andrea Calvo
- “Rita Levi Montalcini” Department of Neuroscience, ALS Centre, University of Torino, Turin 10126, Italy
- Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza, SC Neurologia 1U, Turin 10126, Italy
| | - Cristina Moglia
- “Rita Levi Montalcini” Department of Neuroscience, ALS Centre, University of Torino, Turin 10126, Italy
- Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza, SC Neurologia 1U, Turin 10126, Italy
| | - Antonio Canosa
- “Rita Levi Montalcini” Department of Neuroscience, ALS Centre, University of Torino, Turin 10126, Italy
- Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza, SC Neurologia 1U, Turin 10126, Italy
| | - Maura Brunetti
- “Rita Levi Montalcini” Department of Neuroscience, ALS Centre, University of Torino, Turin 10126, Italy
| | - Maurizio Grassano
- “Rita Levi Montalcini” Department of Neuroscience, ALS Centre, University of Torino, Turin 10126, Italy
| | - Marc Gotkine
- Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
- Agnes Ginges Center for Human Neurogenetics, Department of Neurology, Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Yossef Lerner
- Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
- Agnes Ginges Center for Human Neurogenetics, Department of Neurology, Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Michal Zabari
- Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
- Agnes Ginges Center for Human Neurogenetics, Department of Neurology, Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Patrick Vourc’h
- Service de Biochimie et Biologie moléculaire, CHU de Tours, Tours 37044, France
- UMR 1253, Université de Tours, Inserm, Tours 37044, France
| | - Philippe Corcia
- UMR 1253, Université de Tours, Inserm, Tours 37044, France
- Centre de référence sur la SLA, CHU de Tours, Tours 37044, France
| | - Philippe Couratier
- Centre de référence sur la SLA, CHRU de Limoges, Limoges 87042, France
- UMR 1094, Université de Limoges, Inserm, Limoges 87025, France
| | | | - Teresa Salas
- Department of Neurology, Hospital La Paz-Carlos III, Madrid 28046, Spain
| | - Patrick Dion
- Montréal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Jay P. Ross
- Montréal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montréal, QC H3A 0C7, Canada
| | - Robert D. Henderson
- Department of Neurology, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Brisbane, QLD 4029, Australia
| | - Susan Mathers
- Calvary Health Care Bethlehem, Parkdale, VIC 3195, Australia
| | - Pamela A. McCombe
- Centre for Clinical Research, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4019, Australia
| | - Merrilee Needham
- Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth, WA 6150, Australia
- Notre Dame University, Fremantle, WA 6160, Australia
- Institute for Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Murdoch University, Perth, WA 6150, Australia
| | - Garth Nicholson
- ANZAC Research Institute, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2139, Australia
| | - Dominic B. Rowe
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Macquarie University, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Roger Pamphlett
- Discipline of Pathology and Department of Neuropathology, Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - Karen A. Mather
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia
- Neuroscience Research Australia Institute, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia
| | - Perminder S. Sachdev
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia
- Neuropsychiatric Institute, Prince of Wales Hospital, UNSW, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia
| | - Sarah Furlong
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Macquarie University, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Fleur C. Garton
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD4072, Australia
| | - Anjali K. Henders
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD4072, Australia
| | - Tian Lin
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD4072, Australia
| | - Shyuan T. Ngo
- Centre for Clinical Research, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4019, Australia
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
- Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Frederik J. Steyn
- Centre for Clinical Research, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4019, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Leanne Wallace
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD4072, Australia
| | - Kelly L. Williams
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Macquarie University, NSW 2109, Australia
| | | | | | | | - Ruben J. Cauchi
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking and Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, 2023 Msida, Malta
| | - Ian P. Blair
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Macquarie University, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Matthew C. Kiernan
- Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2050, Australia
- Department of Neurology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - Vivian Drory
- Department of Neurology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Centre, Tel-Aviv 64239, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Monica Povedano
- Functional Unit of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (UFELA), Service of Neurology, Bellvitge University Hospital, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona 08907, Spain
| | - Mamede de Carvalho
- Instituto de Fisiologia, Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon 1649-028, Portugal
| | - Susana Pinto
- Instituto de Fisiologia, Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon 1649-028, Portugal
| | - Markus Weber
- Neuromuscular Diseases Unit/ALS Clinic, Kantonsspital St. Gallen, 9007 St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Guy A. Rouleau
- Montréal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Vincenzo Silani
- Department of Neurology-Stroke Unit and Laboratory of Neuroscience, Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Milan 20149, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, “Dino Ferrari” Center, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan 20122, Italy
| | - John E. Landers
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
| | - Christopher E. Shaw
- Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Peter M. Andersen
- Department of Clinical Science, Umeå University, Umeå SE-901 85, Sweden
| | - Allan F. McRae
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD4072, Australia
| | - Michael A. van Es
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht 3584 CX, Netherlands
| | - R. Jeroen Pasterkamp
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, 3584 CX, Netherlands
| | - Naomi R. Wray
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD4072, Australia
- Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Russell L. McLaughlin
- Complex Trait Genomics Laboratory, Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin D02 PN40, Ireland
| | - Orla Hardiman
- Academic Unit of Neurology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin D02 PN40, Ireland
| | - Kevin P. Kenna
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht 3584 CX, Netherlands
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, 3584 CX, Netherlands
| | - Ellen Tsai
- Translational Biology, Biogen, Boston, MA 02142, USA
| | - Heiko Runz
- Translational Biology, Biogen, Boston, MA 02142, USA
| | - Ammar Al-Chalabi
- Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London SE5 8AF, UK
- King’s College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London SE5 9RS, UK
| | - Leonard H. van den Berg
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht 3584 CX, Netherlands
| | - Philip Van Damme
- KU Leuven–University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Leuven 3000, Belgium
- VIB, Center for Brain and Disease Research, Leuven 3000, Belgium
- University Hospitals Leuven, Department of Neurology, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Jonathan Mill
- University of Exeter Medical School, College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter, Exeter EX1 2LU, UK
| | - Jan H. Veldink
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht 3584 CX, Netherlands
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Abstract
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and its homologue ACE2 are key regulators of the renin-angiotensin system and thereby cardiovascular function through their zinc-metallopeptidase activity on vasoactive peptides. ACE2 also serves as the receptor for the cellular entry of various coronaviruses including the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which is responsible for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The unprecedented scale of the COVID-19 pandemic has spurred the use of mammalian models to investigate the SARS-ACE2 relationship and knowledge gained from such research has accelerated development of vaccines and therapeutics. Recent studies have just started to underscore the utility of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster as a model system to study virus-host interactions and pathogenicity. Notably, the remarkable existence of catalytically functional ACE and ACE2 orthologues in Drosophila, discovered more than two decades ago, provides a unique opportunity for further developing this model organism to better understand COVID-19 in addition to identifying coronavirus preventative and therapeutic interventions targeting ACE2. Here, we review the studies that revealed crucial insights on the biochemistry and physiology of Ance and Acer, two out of the six Drosophila ACE family members with the greatest homology to human ACE and ACE2. We highlight shared in vivo functions outside of the renin-angiotensin system, which is not conserved in flies. Importantly, we identify knowledge gaps that can be filled by further research and outline ways that can raise Drosophila to a powerful model system to combat SARS-CoV-2 and its threatening vaccine-evading variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Herrera
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Ruben J. Cauchi
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
- Corresponding author.
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9
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van Rheenen W, van der Spek RAA, Bakker MK, van Vugt JJFA, Hop PJ, Zwamborn RAJ, de Klein N, Westra HJ, Bakker OB, Deelen P, Shireby G, Hannon E, Moisse M, Baird D, Restuadi R, Dolzhenko E, Dekker AM, Gawor K, Westeneng HJ, Tazelaar GHP, van Eijk KR, Kooyman M, Byrne RP, Doherty M, Heverin M, Al Khleifat A, Iacoangeli A, Shatunov A, Ticozzi N, Cooper-Knock J, Smith BN, Gromicho M, Chandran S, Pal S, Morrison KE, Shaw PJ, Hardy J, Orrell RW, Sendtner M, Meyer T, Başak N, van der Kooi AJ, Ratti A, Fogh I, Gellera C, Lauria G, Corti S, Cereda C, Sproviero D, D'Alfonso S, Sorarù G, Siciliano G, Filosto M, Padovani A, Chiò A, Calvo A, Moglia C, Brunetti M, Canosa A, Grassano M, Beghi E, Pupillo E, Logroscino G, Nefussy B, Osmanovic A, Nordin A, Lerner Y, Zabari M, Gotkine M, Baloh RH, Bell S, Vourc'h P, Corcia P, Couratier P, Millecamps S, Meininger V, Salachas F, Mora Pardina JS, Assialioui A, Rojas-García R, Dion PA, Ross JP, Ludolph AC, Weishaupt JH, Brenner D, Freischmidt A, Bensimon G, Brice A, Durr A, Payan CAM, Saker-Delye S, Wood NW, Topp S, Rademakers R, Tittmann L, Lieb W, Franke A, Ripke S, Braun A, Kraft J, Whiteman DC, Olsen CM, Uitterlinden AG, Hofman A, Rietschel M, Cichon S, Nöthen MM, Amouyel P, Traynor BJ, Singleton AB, Mitne Neto M, Cauchi RJ, Ophoff RA, Wiedau-Pazos M, Lomen-Hoerth C, van Deerlin VM, Grosskreutz J, Roediger A, Gaur N, Jörk A, Barthel T, Theele E, Ilse B, Stubendorff B, Witte OW, Steinbach R, Hübner CA, Graff C, Brylev L, Fominykh V, Demeshonok V, Ataulina A, Rogelj B, Koritnik B, Zidar J, Ravnik-Glavač M, Glavač D, Stević Z, Drory V, Povedano M, Blair IP, Kiernan MC, Benyamin B, Henderson RD, Furlong S, Mathers S, McCombe PA, Needham M, Ngo ST, Nicholson GA, Pamphlett R, Rowe DB, Steyn FJ, Williams KL, Mather KA, Sachdev PS, Henders AK, Wallace L, de Carvalho M, Pinto S, Petri S, Weber M, Rouleau GA, Silani V, Curtis CJ, Breen G, Glass JD, Brown RH, Landers JE, Shaw CE, Andersen PM, Groen EJN, van Es MA, Pasterkamp RJ, Fan D, Garton FC, McRae AF, Davey Smith G, Gaunt TR, Eberle MA, Mill J, McLaughlin RL, Hardiman O, Kenna KP, Wray NR, Tsai E, Runz H, Franke L, Al-Chalabi A, Van Damme P, van den Berg LH, Veldink JH. Common and rare variant association analyses in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis identify 15 risk loci with distinct genetic architectures and neuron-specific biology. Nat Genet 2021; 53:1636-1648. [PMID: 34873335 PMCID: PMC8648564 DOI: 10.1038/s41588-021-00973-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 170] [Impact Index Per Article: 56.7] [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: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease with a lifetime risk of one in 350 people and an unmet need for disease-modifying therapies. We conducted a cross-ancestry genome-wide association study (GWAS) including 29,612 patients with ALS and 122,656 controls, which identified 15 risk loci. When combined with 8,953 individuals with whole-genome sequencing (6,538 patients, 2,415 controls) and a large cortex-derived expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) dataset (MetaBrain), analyses revealed locus-specific genetic architectures in which we prioritized genes either through rare variants, short tandem repeats or regulatory effects. ALS-associated risk loci were shared with multiple traits within the neurodegenerative spectrum but with distinct enrichment patterns across brain regions and cell types. Of the environmental and lifestyle risk factors obtained from the literature, Mendelian randomization analyses indicated a causal role for high cholesterol levels. The combination of all ALS-associated signals reveals a role for perturbations in vesicle-mediated transport and autophagy and provides evidence for cell-autonomous disease initiation in glutamatergic neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wouter van Rheenen
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| | - Rick A A van der Spek
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Mark K Bakker
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Joke J F A van Vugt
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Paul J Hop
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Ramona A J Zwamborn
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Niek de Klein
- Department of Genetics, University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Harm-Jan Westra
- Department of Genetics, University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Olivier B Bakker
- Department of Genetics, University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Patrick Deelen
- Department of Genetics, University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
- Department of Genetics, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Gemma Shireby
- University of Exeter Medical School, College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Eilis Hannon
- University of Exeter Medical School, College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Matthieu Moisse
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Neurology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Denis Baird
- Translational Biology, Biogen, Boston, MA, USA
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit (IEU), Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Restuadi Restuadi
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | | | - Annelot M Dekker
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Klara Gawor
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Henk-Jan Westeneng
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Gijs H P Tazelaar
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Kristel R van Eijk
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Maarten Kooyman
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Ross P Byrne
- Complex Trait Genomics Laboratory, Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Mark Doherty
- Complex Trait Genomics Laboratory, Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Mark Heverin
- Academic Unit of Neurology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Ahmad Al Khleifat
- Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Alfredo Iacoangeli
- Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- Department of Biostatistics and Health Informatics, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre and Dementia Unit, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and King's College London, London, UK
| | - Aleksey Shatunov
- Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Nicola Ticozzi
- Department of Neurology, Stroke Unit and Laboratory of Neuroscience, Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Milan, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, 'Dino Ferrari' Center, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Johnathan Cooper-Knock
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Bradley N Smith
- Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Marta Gromicho
- Instituto de Fisiologia, Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Siddharthan Chandran
- Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Research, Edinburgh, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Suvankar Pal
- Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Research, Edinburgh, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Karen E Morrison
- School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Pamela J Shaw
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - John Hardy
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Richard W Orrell
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Michael Sendtner
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Meyer
- Charité University Hospital, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nazli Başak
- Koç University, School of Medicine, KUTTAM-NDAL, Istanbul, Turkey
| | | | - Antonia Ratti
- Department of Neurology, Stroke Unit and Laboratory of Neuroscience, Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Milan, Italy
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Isabella Fogh
- Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Cinzia Gellera
- Unit of Medical Genetics and Neurogenetics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico 'Carlo Besta', Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Lauria
- 3rd Neurology Unit, Motor Neuron Diseases Center, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico 'Carlo Besta', MIlan, Italy
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefania Corti
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, 'Dino Ferrari' Center, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
- Neurology Unit, IRCCS Foundation Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Cristina Cereda
- Genomic and Post-Genomic Center, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Daisy Sproviero
- Genomic and Post-Genomic Center, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Sandra D'Alfonso
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, Italy
| | - Gianni Sorarù
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Gabriele Siciliano
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Filosto
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Alessandro Padovani
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Adriano Chiò
- 'Rita Levi Montalcini' Department of Neuroscience, ALS Centre, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
- Neurologia 1, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy
| | - Andrea Calvo
- 'Rita Levi Montalcini' Department of Neuroscience, ALS Centre, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
- Neurologia 1, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy
| | - Cristina Moglia
- 'Rita Levi Montalcini' Department of Neuroscience, ALS Centre, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
- Neurologia 1, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy
| | - Maura Brunetti
- 'Rita Levi Montalcini' Department of Neuroscience, ALS Centre, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Antonio Canosa
- 'Rita Levi Montalcini' Department of Neuroscience, ALS Centre, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
- Neurologia 1, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy
| | - Maurizio Grassano
- 'Rita Levi Montalcini' Department of Neuroscience, ALS Centre, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Ettore Beghi
- Laboratory of Neurological Diseases, Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Pupillo
- Laboratory of Neurological Diseases, Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Logroscino
- Department of Clinical Research in Neurology, University of Bari at 'Pia Fondazione Card G. Panico' Hospital, Bari, Italy
| | - Beatrice Nefussy
- Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Department of Neurology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Alma Osmanovic
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Essener Zentrum für Seltene Erkrankungen (EZSE), University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Angelica Nordin
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Neurosciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Yossef Lerner
- Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
- Department of Neurology, the Agnes Ginges Center for Human Neurogenetics, Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Michal Zabari
- Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
- Department of Neurology, the Agnes Ginges Center for Human Neurogenetics, Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Marc Gotkine
- Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
- Department of Neurology, the Agnes Ginges Center for Human Neurogenetics, Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Robert H Baloh
- Center for Neural Science and Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Neuromuscular Division, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Shaughn Bell
- Center for Neural Science and Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Neuromuscular Division, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Patrick Vourc'h
- Service de Biochimie et Biologie Moléculaire, CHU de Tours, Tours, France
- UMR 1253, Université de Tours, Inserm, Tours, France
| | - Philippe Corcia
- UMR 1253, Université de Tours, Inserm, Tours, France
- Centre de référence sur la SLA, CHU de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Philippe Couratier
- Centre de référence sur la SLA, CHRU de Limoges, Limoges, France
- UMR 1094, Université de Limoges, Inserm, Limoges, France
| | - Stéphanie Millecamps
- ICM, Institut du Cerveau, Inserm, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | | | - François Salachas
- ICM, Institut du Cerveau, Inserm, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
- Département de Neurologie, Centre de référence SLA Ile de France, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | | | - Abdelilah Assialioui
- Functional Unit of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (UFELA), Service of Neurology, Bellvitge University Hospital, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ricardo Rojas-García
- MND Clinic, Neurology Department, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau de Barcelona, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Patrick A Dion
- Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jay P Ross
- Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | | | - Jochen H Weishaupt
- Division of Neurodegeneration, Department of Neurology, University Medicine Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - David Brenner
- Division of Neurodegeneration, Department of Neurology, University Medicine Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Axel Freischmidt
- Department of Neurology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Gilbert Bensimon
- Département de Pharmacologie Clinique, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, UPMC Pharmacologie, AP-HP, Paris, France
- Pharmacologie Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
- Institut du Cerveau, Paris Brain Institute ICM, Paris, France
- Laboratoire de Biostatistique, Epidémiologie Clinique, Santé Publique Innovation et Méthodologie (BESPIM), CHU-Nîmes, Nîmes, France
| | - Alexis Brice
- Sorbonne Université, Paris Brain Institute, APHP, INSERM, CNRS, Hôpital de la Pitié Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Alexandra Durr
- Sorbonne Université, Paris Brain Institute, APHP, INSERM, CNRS, Hôpital de la Pitié Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Christine A M Payan
- Département de Pharmacologie Clinique, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, UPMC Pharmacologie, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | | | - Nicholas W Wood
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, UK
| | - Simon Topp
- Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Rosa Rademakers
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Lukas Tittmann
- Popgen Biobank and Institute of Epidemiology, Christian Albrechts-University Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Lieb
- Popgen Biobank and Institute of Epidemiology, Christian Albrechts-University Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Andre Franke
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Stephan Ripke
- Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité-Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Alice Braun
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité-Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Julia Kraft
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité-Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - David C Whiteman
- Cancer Control Group, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Catherine M Olsen
- Cancer Control Group, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Andre G Uitterlinden
- Department of Internal Medicine, Genetics Laboratory, Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Albert Hofman
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Marcella Rietschel
- Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Central Institute of Mental Health, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Sven Cichon
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- Department of Genomics, Life and Brain Center, Bonn, Germany
- Division of Medical Genetics, University Hospital Basel and Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine INM-1, Research Center Juelich, Juelich, Germany
| | - Markus M Nöthen
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- Department of Genomics, Life and Brain Center, Bonn, Germany
| | - Philippe Amouyel
- INSERM UMR1167-RID-AGE LabEx DISTALZ-Risk Factors and Molecular Determinants of Aging-Related Diseases, University of Lille, Centre Hospitalier of the University of Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, Lille, France
| | - Bryan J Traynor
- Neuromuscular Diseases Research Section, Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, NIH, Porter Neuroscience Research Center, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Andrew B Singleton
- Molecular Genetics Section, Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, NIH, Porter Neuroscience Research Center, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - Ruben J Cauchi
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking and Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Roel A Ophoff
- University Medical Center Utrecht, Department of Psychiatry, Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, Utrecht, the Netherlands
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Center for Neurobehavioral Genetics, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Martina Wiedau-Pazos
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Vivianna M van Deerlin
- Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Julian Grosskreutz
- Hans Berger Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
- Precision Neurology Unit, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, University of Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany
| | | | - Nayana Gaur
- Hans Berger Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Alexander Jörk
- Hans Berger Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Tabea Barthel
- Hans Berger Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Erik Theele
- Hans Berger Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Benjamin Ilse
- Hans Berger Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | | | - Otto W Witte
- Hans Berger Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Robert Steinbach
- Hans Berger Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | | | - Caroline Graff
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lev Brylev
- Department of Neurology, Bujanov Moscow Clinical Hospital, Moscow, Russia
- Moscow Research and Clinical Center for Neuropsychiatry of the Healthcare Department, Moscow, Russia
- Department of Functional Biochemistry of the Nervous System, Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Vera Fominykh
- Department of Neurology, Bujanov Moscow Clinical Hospital, Moscow, Russia
- Department of Functional Biochemistry of the Nervous System, Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Vera Demeshonok
- ALS-Care Center, 'GAOORDI', Medical Clinic of the St. Petersburg, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Anastasia Ataulina
- Department of Neurology, Bujanov Moscow Clinical Hospital, Moscow, Russia
| | - Boris Rogelj
- Department of Biotechnology, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Biomedical Research Institute BRIS, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Blaž Koritnik
- Ljubljana ALS Centre, Institute of Clinical Neurophysiology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Janez Zidar
- Ljubljana ALS Centre, Institute of Clinical Neurophysiology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Metka Ravnik-Glavač
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Damjan Glavač
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Zorica Stević
- Clinic of Neurology, Clinical Center of Serbia, School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Vivian Drory
- Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Department of Neurology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Monica Povedano
- Functional Unit of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (UFELA), Service of Neurology, Bellvitge University Hospital, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ian P Blair
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Matthew C Kiernan
- Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Beben Benyamin
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Australian Centre for Precision Health and Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Robert D Henderson
- Centre for Clinical Research, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Department of Neurology, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Sarah Furlong
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Susan Mathers
- Calvary Health Care Bethlehem, Parkdale, Victoria, Australia
| | - Pamela A McCombe
- Department of Neurology, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Merrilee Needham
- Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Notre Dame University, Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Health Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Shyuan T Ngo
- Centre for Clinical Research, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Department of Neurology, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Garth A Nicholson
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Northcott Neuroscience Laboratory, ANZAC Research Institute, Concord, New South Wales, Australia
- Molecular Medicine Laboratory, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, Concord, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Roger Pamphlett
- Discipline of Pathology and Department of Neuropathology, Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Dominic B Rowe
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Frederik J Steyn
- Department of Neurology, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- The School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Kelly L Williams
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Karen A Mather
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Neuroscience Research Australia Institute, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Perminder S Sachdev
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Neuropsychiatric Institute, the Prince of Wales Hospital, UNSW, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Anjali K Henders
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Leanne Wallace
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Mamede de Carvalho
- Instituto de Fisiologia, Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Susana Pinto
- Instituto de Fisiologia, Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Susanne Petri
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Markus Weber
- Neuromuscular Diseases Unit/ALS Clinic, Kantonsspital St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Guy A Rouleau
- Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Vincenzo Silani
- Department of Neurology, Stroke Unit and Laboratory of Neuroscience, Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Milan, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, 'Dino Ferrari' Center, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Charles J Curtis
- Social Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London, London, UK
- NIHR BioResource Centre Maudsley, NIHR Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) & Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London, London, UK
| | - Gerome Breen
- Social Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London, London, UK
- NIHR BioResource Centre Maudsley, NIHR Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) & Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London, London, UK
| | - Jonathan D Glass
- Department Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Robert H Brown
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - John E Landers
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Christopher E Shaw
- Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Peter M Andersen
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Neurosciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Ewout J N Groen
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Michael A van Es
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - R Jeroen Pasterkamp
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Dongsheng Fan
- Department of Neurology, Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Fleur C Garton
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Allan F McRae
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - George Davey Smith
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit (IEU), Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Population Health Science, Bristol Medical School, Bristol, UK
| | - Tom R Gaunt
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit (IEU), Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Population Health Science, Bristol Medical School, Bristol, UK
| | | | - Jonathan Mill
- University of Exeter Medical School, College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Russell L McLaughlin
- Complex Trait Genomics Laboratory, Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Orla Hardiman
- Academic Unit of Neurology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Kevin P Kenna
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Naomi R Wray
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Ellen Tsai
- Translational Biology, Biogen, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Heiko Runz
- Translational Biology, Biogen, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lude Franke
- Department of Genetics, University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Ammar Al-Chalabi
- Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- King's College Hospital, London, UK
| | - Philip Van Damme
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Neurology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Leonard H van den Berg
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Jan H Veldink
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
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10
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Farrugia Wismayer M, Borg R, Farrugia Wismayer A, Bonavia K, Vella M, Pace A, Vassallo N, Cauchi RJ. Occupation and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis risk: a case-control study in the isolated island population of Malta. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2021; 22:528-534. [PMID: 33821701 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2021.1905847] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Objective: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a mostly sporadic neurodegenerative disease. The role of environmental factors has been extensively investigated but associations remain controversial. Considering that a substantial proportion of adult life is spent at work, identifying occupations and work-related exposures is considered an effective way to detect factors that increase ALS risk. This process may be further facilitated in population isolates due to environmental and genetic homogeneity. Our study investigated occupations and occupational exposures potentially associated with ALS risk in the isolated island population of Malta, using a case-control study design. Methods: Patients with ALS and randomly identified matched controls (1:1) were recruited throughout a four-year window, from 2017 through 2020. Data on educational level, residence, main occupation, smoking, and alcohol history were collected. Results: We found that compared to controls (44.4%), a higher percentage (73.7%) of ALS patients reported a blue-collar job as their main occupation (OR 2.04, 95% CI 1.2-3.72; p = 0.0072). Through regression analysis, craft and related trades occupations such as carpentry and construction (ISCO-08 major group 7), were found to be positively associated with ALS, with patients in this occupational category found to be more prone to develop bulbar-onset ALS (p = 0.0297). Overall, patients with ALS reported a significantly higher exposure to work-related strenuous physical activity (OR 2.35, 95% CI 1.53-3.59; p = 0.0002). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that manual workers particularly those working in the carpentry and construction industries have an increased ALS risk, possibly due to a history of intense or sustained physical activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maia Farrugia Wismayer
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Malta, Msida, Malta.,Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Rebecca Borg
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Malta, Msida, Malta.,Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Andrew Farrugia Wismayer
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Karl Bonavia
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Malcolm Vella
- Department of Neuroscience, Mater Dei Hospital, Msida, Malta
| | - Adrian Pace
- Department of Neurology, Gozo General Hospital, Victoria, Gozo, Malta
| | - Neville Vassallo
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Malta, Msida, Malta.,Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Ruben J Cauchi
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Malta, Msida, Malta.,Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
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11
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Caruana M, Camilleri A, Farrugia MY, Ghio S, Jakubíčková M, Cauchi RJ, Vassallo N. Extract from the Marine Seaweed Padina pavonica Protects Mitochondrial Biomembranes from Damage by Amyloidogenic Peptides. Molecules 2021; 26:1444. [PMID: 33799979 PMCID: PMC7962105 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26051444] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The identification of compounds which protect the double-membrane of mitochondrial organelles from disruption by toxic confomers of amyloid proteins may offer a therapeutic strategy to combat human neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we exploited an extract from the marine brown seaweed Padina pavonica (PPE) as a vital source of natural bioactive compounds to protect mitochondrial membranes against insult by oligomeric aggregates of the amyloidogenic proteins amyloid-β (Aβ), α-synuclein (α-syn) and tau, which are currently considered to be major targets for drug discovery in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). We show that PPE manifested a significant inhibitory effect against swelling of isolated mitochondria exposed to the amyloid oligomers, and attenuated the release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria. Using cardiolipin-enriched synthetic lipid membranes, we also show that dye leakage from fluorophore-loaded vesicles and formation of channel-like pores in planar bilayer membranes are largely prevented by incubating the oligomeric aggregates with PPE. Lastly, we demonstrate that PPE curtails the ability of Aβ42 and α-syn monomers to self-assemble into larger β-aggregate structures, as well as potently disrupts their respective amyloid fibrils. In conclusion, the mito-protective and anti-aggregator biological activities of Padina pavonica extract may be of therapeutic value in neurodegenerative proteinopathies, such as AD and PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Caruana
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, 2023 Msida, Malta; (M.C.); (A.C.); (M.Y.F.); (S.G.); (M.J.); (R.J.C.)
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Malta, 2023 Msida, Malta
| | - Angelique Camilleri
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, 2023 Msida, Malta; (M.C.); (A.C.); (M.Y.F.); (S.G.); (M.J.); (R.J.C.)
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Malta, 2023 Msida, Malta
| | - Maria Ylenia Farrugia
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, 2023 Msida, Malta; (M.C.); (A.C.); (M.Y.F.); (S.G.); (M.J.); (R.J.C.)
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Malta, 2023 Msida, Malta
| | - Stephanie Ghio
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, 2023 Msida, Malta; (M.C.); (A.C.); (M.Y.F.); (S.G.); (M.J.); (R.J.C.)
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Malta, 2023 Msida, Malta
| | - Michaela Jakubíčková
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, 2023 Msida, Malta; (M.C.); (A.C.); (M.Y.F.); (S.G.); (M.J.); (R.J.C.)
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, 60300 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Ruben J. Cauchi
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, 2023 Msida, Malta; (M.C.); (A.C.); (M.Y.F.); (S.G.); (M.J.); (R.J.C.)
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Malta, 2023 Msida, Malta
| | - Neville Vassallo
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, 2023 Msida, Malta; (M.C.); (A.C.); (M.Y.F.); (S.G.); (M.J.); (R.J.C.)
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Malta, 2023 Msida, Malta
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12
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Borg R, Farrugia Wismayer M, Bonavia K, Farrugia Wismayer A, Vella M, van Vugt JJFA, Kenna BJ, Kenna KP, Vassallo N, Veldink JH, Cauchi RJ. Genetic analysis of ALS cases in the isolated island population of Malta. Eur J Hum Genet 2021; 29:604-614. [PMID: 33414559 PMCID: PMC8115635 DOI: 10.1038/s41431-020-00767-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Revised: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic isolates are compelling tools for mapping genes of inherited disorders. The archipelago of Malta, a sovereign microstate in the south of Europe is home to a geographically and culturally isolated population. Here, we investigate the epidemiology and genetic profile of Maltese patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), identified throughout a 2-year window. Cases were largely male (66.7%) with a predominant spinal onset of symptoms (70.8%). Disease onset occurred around mid-age (median age: 64 years, men; 59.5 years, female); 12.5% had familial ALS (fALS). Annual incidence rate was 2.48 (95% CI 1.59–3.68) per 100,000 person-years. Male-to-female incidence ratio was 1.93:1. Prevalence was 3.44 (95% CI 2.01–5.52) cases per 100,000 inhabitants on 31st December 2018. Whole-genome sequencing allowed us to determine rare DNA variants that change the protein-coding sequence of ALS-associated genes. Interestingly, the Maltese ALS patient cohort was found to be negative for deleterious variants in C9orf72, SOD1, TARDBP or FUS genes, which are the most commonly mutated ALS genes globally. Nonetheless, ALS-associated repeat expansions were identified in ATXN2 and NIPA1. Variants predicted to be damaging were also detected in ALS2, DAO, DCTN1, ERBB4, SETX, SCFD1 and SPG11. A total of 40% of patients with sporadic ALS had a rare and deleterious variant or repeat expansion in an ALS-associated gene, whilst the genetic cause of two thirds of fALS cases could not be pinpointed to known ALS genes or risk loci. This warrants further studies to elucidate novel genes that cause ALS in this unique population isolate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Borg
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Malta, Msida, Malta.,Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Maia Farrugia Wismayer
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Malta, Msida, Malta.,Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Karl Bonavia
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Andrew Farrugia Wismayer
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Malcolm Vella
- Department of Neuroscience, Mater Dei Hospital, Msida, Malta
| | - Joke J F A van Vugt
- Department of Neurology, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Brendan J Kenna
- Department of Neurology, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Kevin P Kenna
- Department of Neurology, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Neville Vassallo
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Malta, Msida, Malta.,Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Jan H Veldink
- Department of Neurology, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ruben J Cauchi
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Malta, Msida, Malta. .,Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta.
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13
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Farrugia MY, Caruana M, Ghio S, Camilleri A, Farrugia C, Cauchi RJ, Cappelli S, Chiti F, Vassallo N. Toxic oligomers of the amyloidogenic HypF-N protein form pores in mitochondrial membranes. Sci Rep 2020; 10:17733. [PMID: 33082392 PMCID: PMC7575562 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-74841-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [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: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies on the amyloidogenic N-terminal domain of the E. coli HypF protein (HypF-N) have contributed significantly to a detailed understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms in neurodegenerative diseases characterised by the formation of misfolded oligomers, by proteins such as amyloid-β, α-synuclein and tau. Given that both cell membranes and mitochondria are increasingly recognised as key targets of oligomer toxicity, we investigated the damaging effects of aggregates of HypF-N on mitochondrial membranes. Essentially, we found that HypF-N oligomers characterised by high surface hydrophobicity (type A) were able to trigger a robust permeabilisation of mito-mimetic liposomes possessing cardiolipin-rich membranes and dysfunction of isolated mitochondria, as demonstrated by a combination of mitochondrial shrinking, lowering of mitochondrial membrane potential and cytochrome c release. Furthermore, using single-channel electrophysiology recordings we obtained evidence that the type A aggregates induced currents reflecting formation of ion-conducting pores in mito-mimetic planar phospholipid bilayers, with multi-level conductances ranging in the hundreds of pS at negative membrane voltages. Conversely, HypF-N oligomers with low surface hydrophobicity (type B) could not permeabilise or porate mitochondrial membranes. These results suggest an inherent toxicity of membrane-active aggregates of amyloid-forming proteins to mitochondria, and that targeting of oligomer-mitochondrial membrane interactions might therefore afford protection against such damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Ylenia Farrugia
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Mario Caruana
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Stephanie Ghio
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Angelique Camilleri
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | | | - Ruben J Cauchi
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Sara Cappelli
- Section of Biochemistry, Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, 50134, Florence, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Chiti
- Section of Biochemistry, Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, 50134, Florence, Italy
| | - Neville Vassallo
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta.
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, University of Malta, Msida, Malta.
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14
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Antoine M, Patrick KL, Soret J, Duc P, Rage F, Cacciottolo R, Nissen KE, Cauchi RJ, Krogan NJ, Guthrie C, Gachet Y, Bordonné R. Splicing Defects of the Profilin Gene Alter Actin Dynamics in an S. pombe SMN Mutant. iScience 2019; 23:100809. [PMID: 31927482 PMCID: PMC6957872 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2019.100809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2019] [Revised: 09/13/2019] [Accepted: 12/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a devastating motor neuron disorder caused by mutations in the survival motor neuron (SMN) gene. It remains unclear how SMN deficiency leads to the loss of motor neurons. By screening Schizosaccharomyces pombe, we found that the growth defect of an SMN mutant can be alleviated by deletion of the actin-capping protein subunit gene acp1+. We show that SMN mutated cells have splicing defects in the profilin gene, which thus directly hinder actin cytoskeleton homeostasis including endocytosis and cytokinesis. We conclude that deletion of acp1+ in an SMN mutant background compensates for actin cytoskeleton alterations by restoring redistribution of actin monomers between different types of cellular actin networks. Our data reveal a direct correlation between an impaired function of SMN in snRNP assembly and defects in actin dynamics. They also point to important common features in the pathogenic mechanism of SMA and ALS. Splicing defects in the profilin gene in an S. pombe SMN mutant SMN mutant contains excessively polymerized actin Altered actin dynamics in the SMN mutant hinders endocytosis and cytokinesis Deletion of the acp1 subunit restores actin dynamics in the SMN mutant
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Antoine
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, University of Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | | | - Johann Soret
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, University of Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - Pauline Duc
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, University of Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - Florence Rage
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, University of Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - Rebecca Cacciottolo
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | | | - Ruben J Cauchi
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | | | | | - Yannick Gachet
- Centre de Biologie Integrative, University of Toulouse, CNRS, Toulouse, France
| | - Rémy Bordonné
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, University of Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France.
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15
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Cacciottolo R, Ciantar J, Lanfranco M, Borg RM, Vassallo N, Bordonné R, Cauchi RJ. SMN complex member Gemin3 self-interacts and has a functional relationship with ALS-linked proteins TDP-43, FUS and Sod1. Sci Rep 2019; 9:18666. [PMID: 31822699 PMCID: PMC6904755 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-53508-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The predominant motor neuron disease in infants and adults is spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), respectively. SMA is caused by insufficient levels of the Survival Motor Neuron (SMN) protein, which operates as part of the multiprotein SMN complex that includes the DEAD-box RNA helicase Gemin3/DDX20/DP103. C9orf72, SOD1, TDP-43 and FUS are ranked as the four major genes causing familial ALS. Accumulating evidence has revealed a surprising molecular overlap between SMA and ALS. Here, we ask the question of whether Drosophila can also be exploited to study shared pathogenic pathways. Focusing on motor behaviour, muscle mass and survival, we show that disruption of either TBPH/TDP-43 or Caz/FUS enhance defects associated with Gemin3 loss-of-function. Gemin3-associated neuromuscular junction overgrowth was however suppressed. Sod1 depletion had a modifying effect in late adulthood. We also show that Gemin3 self-interacts and Gem3ΔN, a helicase domain deletion mutant, retains the ability to interact with its wild-type counterpart. Importantly, mutant:wild-type dimers are favoured more than wild-type:wild-type dimers. In addition to reinforcing the link between SMA and ALS, further exploration of mechanistic overlaps is now possible in a genetically tractable model organism. Notably, Gemin3 can be elevated to a candidate for modifying motor neuron degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Cacciottolo
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, CNRS-UMR 5535, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France.,Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta.,Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Joanna Ciantar
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta.,Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Maia Lanfranco
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, CNRS-UMR 5535, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France.,Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta.,Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Rebecca M Borg
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, CNRS-UMR 5535, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France.,Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta.,Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Neville Vassallo
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta.,Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Rémy Bordonné
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, CNRS-UMR 5535, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Ruben J Cauchi
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta. .,Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Malta, Msida, Malta.
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16
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Camilleri A, Ghio S, Caruana M, Weckbecker D, Schmidt F, Kamp F, Leonov A, Ryazanov S, Griesinger C, Giese A, Cauchi RJ, Vassallo N. Tau-induced mitochondrial membrane perturbation is dependent upon cardiolipin. Biochim Biophys Acta Biomembr 2019; 1862:183064. [PMID: 31521630 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2019.183064] [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] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2019] [Revised: 08/26/2019] [Accepted: 09/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Misfolding and aggregate formation by the tau protein has been closely related with neurotoxicity in a large group of human neurodegenerative disorders, which includes Alzheimer's disease. Here, we investigate the membrane-active properties of tau oligomers on mitochondrial membranes, using minimalist in vitro model systems. Thus, exposure of isolated mitochondria to oligomeric tau evoked a disruption of mitochondrial membrane integrity, as evidenced by a combination of organelle swelling, efflux of cytochrome c and loss of the mitochondrial membrane potential. Tau-induced mitochondrial dysfunction occurred independently of the mitochondrial permeability transition (mPT) pore complex. Notably, mitochondria were rescued by pre-incubation with 10-N-nonyl acridine orange (NAO), a molecule that specifically binds cardiolipin (CL), the signature phospholipid of mitochondrial membranes. Additionally, NAO prevented direct binding of tau oligomers to isolated mitochondria. At the same time, tau proteins exhibited high affinity to CL-enriched membranes, whilst permeabilisation of lipid vesicles also strongly correlated with CL content. Intriguingly, using single-channel electrophysiology, we could demonstrate the formation of non-selective ion-conducting tau nanopores exhibiting multilevel conductances in mito-mimetic bilayers. Taken together, the data presented here advances a scenario in which toxic cytosolic entities of tau protein would target mitochondrial organelles by associating with their CL-rich membrane domains, leading to membrane poration and compromised mitochondrial structural integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelique Camilleri
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Stephanie Ghio
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Mario Caruana
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | | | - Felix Schmidt
- Center for Neuropathology and Prion Research, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Frits Kamp
- Biomedical Center-BMC, Metabolic Biochemistry, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Andrei Leonov
- MODAG GmbH, Wendelsheim, Germany; Department of NMR Based Structural Biology, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Sergey Ryazanov
- Department of NMR Based Structural Biology, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Christian Griesinger
- Department of NMR Based Structural Biology, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Armin Giese
- Center for Neuropathology and Prion Research, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Ruben J Cauchi
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Neville Vassallo
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, University of Malta, Msida, Malta.
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17
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Ghio S, Camilleri A, Caruana M, Ruf VC, Schmidt F, Leonov A, Ryazanov S, Griesinger C, Cauchi RJ, Kamp F, Giese A, Vassallo N. Cardiolipin Promotes Pore-Forming Activity of Alpha-Synuclein Oligomers in Mitochondrial Membranes. ACS Chem Neurosci 2019; 10:3815-3829. [PMID: 31356747 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.9b00320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Aggregation of the amyloid-forming α-synuclein (αS) protein is closely associated with the etiology of Parkinson's disease (PD), the most common motor neurodegenerative disorder. Many studies have shown that soluble aggregation intermediates of αS, termed oligomers, permeabilize a variety of phospholipid membranes; thus, membrane disruption may represent a key pathogenic mechanism of αS toxicity. Given the centrality of mitochondrial dysfunction in PD, we therefore probed the formation of ion-permeable pores by αS oligomers in planar lipid bilayers reflecting the complex phospholipid composition of mitochondrial membranes. Using single-channel electrophysiology, we recorded distinct multilevel conductances (100-400 pS) with stepwise current transitions, typical of protein-bound nanopores, in mitochondrial-like membranes. Crucially, we observed that the presence of cardiolipin (CL), the signature phospholipid of mitochondrial membranes, enhanced αS-lipid interaction and the membrane pore-forming activity of αS oligomers. Further, preincubation of isolated mitochondria with a CL-specific dye protected against αS oligomer-induced mitochondrial swelling and release of cytochrome c. Hence, we favor a scenario in which αS oligomers directly porate a local lipid environment rich in CL, for instance outer mitochondrial contact sites or the inner mitochondrial membrane, to induce mitochondrial dysfunction. Pharmacological modulation of αS pore complex formation might thus preserve mitochondrial membrane integrity and alleviate mitochondrial dysfunction in PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Ghio
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry and Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Angelique Camilleri
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry and Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Mario Caruana
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry and Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Viktoria C. Ruf
- Center for Neuropathology and Prion Research, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Felix Schmidt
- Center for Neuropathology and Prion Research, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Andrei Leonov
- Department of NMR-based Structural Biology, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Sergey Ryazanov
- Department of NMR-based Structural Biology, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
- MODAG GmbH, Wendelsheim, Germany
| | - Christian Griesinger
- Department of NMR-based Structural Biology, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Ruben J. Cauchi
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry and Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Frits Kamp
- Biomedical Center, Metabolic Biochemistry, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Armin Giese
- Center for Neuropathology and Prion Research, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Neville Vassallo
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry and Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
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18
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Aquilina B, Cauchi RJ. Modelling motor neuron disease in fruit flies: Lessons from spinal muscular atrophy. J Neurosci Methods 2018; 310:3-11. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2018.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2017] [Revised: 04/06/2018] [Accepted: 04/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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19
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Lanfranco M, Cacciottolo R, Borg RM, Vassallo N, Juge F, Bordonné R, Cauchi RJ. Novel interactors of the Drosophila
Survival Motor Neuron (SMN) Complex suggest its full conservation. FEBS Lett 2017; 591:3600-3614. [DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.12853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2017] [Revised: 09/14/2017] [Accepted: 09/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Maia Lanfranco
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier; CNRS-UMR 5535; Université de Montpellier; France
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry; Faculty of Medicine and Surgery; University of Malta; Msida Malta
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking; University of Malta; Msida Malta
| | - Rebecca Cacciottolo
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry; Faculty of Medicine and Surgery; University of Malta; Msida Malta
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking; University of Malta; Msida Malta
| | - Rebecca M. Borg
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier; CNRS-UMR 5535; Université de Montpellier; France
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry; Faculty of Medicine and Surgery; University of Malta; Msida Malta
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking; University of Malta; Msida Malta
| | - Neville Vassallo
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry; Faculty of Medicine and Surgery; University of Malta; Msida Malta
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking; University of Malta; Msida Malta
| | - François Juge
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier; CNRS-UMR 5535; Université de Montpellier; France
| | - Rémy Bordonné
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier; CNRS-UMR 5535; Université de Montpellier; France
| | - Ruben J. Cauchi
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry; Faculty of Medicine and Surgery; University of Malta; Msida Malta
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking; University of Malta; Msida Malta
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20
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Abstract
Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is a neuromuscular disorder that results from decreased levels of the survival motor neuron (SMN) protein. SMN is part of a multiprotein complex that also includes Gemins 2–8 and Unrip. The SMN-Gemins complex cooperates with the protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) complex, whose constituents include WD45, PRMT5 and pICln. Both complexes function as molecular chaperones, interacting with and assisting in the assembly of an Sm protein core onto small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs) to generate small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs), which are the operating components of the spliceosome. Molecular and structural studies have refined our knowledge of the key events taking place within the crowded environment of cells and the numerous precautions undertaken to ensure the faithful assembly of snRNPs. Nonetheless, it remains unclear whether a loss of chaperoning in snRNP assembly, considered as a “housekeeping” activity, is responsible for the selective neuromuscular phenotype in SMA. This review thus shines light on in vivo studies that point toward disturbances in snRNP assembly and the consequential transcriptome abnormalities as the primary drivers of the progressive neuromuscular degeneration underpinning the disease. Disruption of U1 snRNP or snRNP assembly factors other than SMN induces phenotypes that mirror aspects of SMN deficiency, and splicing defects, described in numerous SMA models, can lead to a DNA damage and stress response that compromises the survival of the motor system. Restoring the correct chaperoning of snRNP assembly is therefore predicted to enhance the benefit of SMA therapeutic modalities based on augmenting SMN expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maia Lanfranco
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of MaltaMsida, Malta.,Center for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, University of MaltaMsida, Malta.,Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, Center National de la Recherche Scientifique-UMR 5535, Université de MontpellierMontpellier, France
| | - Neville Vassallo
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of MaltaMsida, Malta.,Center for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, University of MaltaMsida, Malta
| | - Ruben J Cauchi
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of MaltaMsida, Malta.,Center for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, University of MaltaMsida, Malta
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21
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Briffa M, Ghio S, Neuner J, Gauci AJ, Cacciottolo R, Marchal C, Caruana M, Cullin C, Vassallo N, Cauchi RJ. Extracts from two ubiquitous Mediterranean plants ameliorate cellular and animal models of neurodegenerative proteinopathies. Neurosci Lett 2017; 638:12-20. [PMID: 27919712 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2016.11.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [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: 06/08/2016] [Revised: 11/19/2016] [Accepted: 11/27/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
A signature feature of age-related neurodegenerative proteinopathies is the misfolding and aggregation of proteins, typically amyloid-β (Aβ) in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and α-synuclein (α-syn) in Parkinson's disease (PD), into soluble oligomeric structures that are highly neurotoxic. Cellular and animal models that faithfully replicate the hallmark features of these disorders are being increasing exploited to identify disease-modifying compounds. Natural compounds have been identified as a useful source of bioactive molecules with promising neuroprotective capabilities. In the present report, we investigated whether extracts derived from two ubiquitous Mediterranean plants namely, the prickly pear Opuntia ficus-indica (EOFI) and the brown alga Padina pavonica (EPP) alleviate neurodegenerative phenotypes in yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and fly (Drosophila melanogaster) models of AD and PD. Pre-treatment with EPP or EOFI in the culture medium significantly improved the viability of yeast expressing the Arctic Aβ42 (E22G) mutant. Supplementing food with EOFI or EPP dramatically ameliorated lifespan and behavioural signs of flies with brain-specific expression of wild-type Aβ42 (model of late-onset AD) or the Arctic Aβ42 variant (model of early-onset AD). Additionally, we show that either extract prolonged the survival of a PD fly model based on transgenic expression of the human α-syn A53T mutant. Taken together, our findings suggest that the plant-derived extracts interfere with shared mechanisms of neurodegeneration in AD and PD. This notion is strengthened by evidence demonstrating that EOFI and to a greater extent EPP, while strongly inhibiting the fibrillogenesis of both Aβ42 and α-syn, accumulate remodelled oligomeric aggregates that are less effective at disrupting lipid membrane integrity. Our work therefore opens new avenues for developing therapeutic applications of these natural plant extracts in the treatment of amyloidogenic neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Briffa
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta; Institute de Chimie et de Biologie des Membranes et des Nano-Objets, CNRS-UMR5248, Université Bordeaux, Pessac, France; Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Stephanie Ghio
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta; Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Johanna Neuner
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Alison J Gauci
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Rebecca Cacciottolo
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta; Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Christelle Marchal
- Institute de Chimie et de Biologie des Membranes et des Nano-Objets, CNRS-UMR5248, Université Bordeaux, Pessac, France
| | - Mario Caruana
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta; Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Christophe Cullin
- Institute de Chimie et de Biologie des Membranes et des Nano-Objets, CNRS-UMR5248, Université Bordeaux, Pessac, France
| | - Neville Vassallo
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta; Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Ruben J Cauchi
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta; Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Malta, Msida, Malta.
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22
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Borg RM, Fenech Salerno B, Vassallo N, Bordonne R, Cauchi RJ. Disruption of snRNP biogenesis factors Tgs1 and pICln induces phenotypes that mirror aspects of SMN-Gemins complex perturbation in Drosophila, providing new insights into spinal muscular atrophy. Neurobiol Dis 2016; 94:245-58. [PMID: 27388936 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2016.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2015] [Revised: 06/20/2016] [Accepted: 06/27/2016] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The neuromuscular disorder, spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), results from insufficient levels of the survival motor neuron (SMN) protein. Together with Gemins 2-8 and Unrip, SMN forms the large macromolecular SMN-Gemins complex, which is known to be indispensable for chaperoning the assembly of spliceosomal small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs). It remains unclear whether disruption of this function is responsible for the selective neuromuscular degeneration in SMA. In the present study, we first show that loss of wmd, the Drosophila Unrip orthologue, has a negative impact on the motor system. However, due to lack of a functional relationship between wmd/Unrip and Gemin3, it is likely that Unrip joined the SMN-Gemins complex only recently in evolution. Second, we uncover that disruption of either Tgs1 or pICln, two cardinal players in snRNP biogenesis, results in viability and motor phenotypes that closely resemble those previously uncovered on loss of the constituent members of the SMN-Gemins complex. Interestingly, overexpression of both factors leads to motor dysfunction in Drosophila, a situation analogous to that of Gemin2. Toxicity is conserved in the yeast S. pombe where pICln overexpression induces a surplus of Sm proteins in the cytoplasm, indicating that a block in snRNP biogenesis is partly responsible for this phenotype. Importantly, we show a strong functional relationship and a physical interaction between Gemin3 and either Tgs1 or pICln. We propose that snRNP biogenesis is the pathway connecting the SMN-Gemins complex to a functional neuromuscular system, and its disturbance most likely leads to the motor dysfunction that is typical in SMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca M Borg
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta; Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Malta, Msida, Malta; Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, CNRS-UMR5535, Université Montpellier 1 and 2, Montpellier, France
| | - Benji Fenech Salerno
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta; Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Neville Vassallo
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta; Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Rémy Bordonne
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, CNRS-UMR5535, Université Montpellier 1 and 2, Montpellier, France
| | - Ruben J Cauchi
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta; Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Malta, Msida, Malta.
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23
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Borg RM, Bordonne R, Vassallo N, Cauchi RJ. Genetic Interactions between the Members of the SMN-Gemins Complex in Drosophila. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0130974. [PMID: 26098872 PMCID: PMC4476591 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0130974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2015] [Accepted: 05/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The SMN-Gemins complex is composed of Gemins 2–8, Unrip and the survival motor neuron (SMN) protein. Limiting levels of SMN result in the neuromuscular disorder, spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), which is presently untreatable. The most-documented function of the SMN-Gemins complex concerns the assembly of spliceosomal small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs). Despite multiple genetic studies, the Gemin proteins have not been identified as prominent modifiers of SMN-associated mutant phenotypes. In the present report, we make use of the Drosophila model organism to investigate whether viability and motor phenotypes associated with a hypomorphic Gemin3 mutant are enhanced by changes in the levels of SMN, Gemin2 and Gemin5 brought about by various genetic manipulations. We show a modifier effect by all three members of the minimalistic fly SMN-Gemins complex within the muscle compartment of the motor unit. Interestingly, muscle-specific overexpression of Gemin2 was by itself sufficient to depress normal motor function and its enhanced upregulation in all tissues leads to a decline in fly viability. The toxicity associated with increased Gemin2 levels is conserved in the yeast S. pombe in which we find that the cytoplasmic retention of Sm proteins, likely reflecting a block in the snRNP assembly pathway, is a contributing factor. We propose that a disruption in the normal stoichiometry of the SMN-Gemins complex depresses its function with consequences that are detrimental to the motor system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca M. Borg
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta GC
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, CNRS-UMR5535, Université Montpellier 1 and 2, Montpellier, France
| | - Rémy Bordonne
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, CNRS-UMR5535, Université Montpellier 1 and 2, Montpellier, France
| | - Neville Vassallo
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta GC
| | - Ruben J. Cauchi
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta GC
- * E-mail:
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24
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Abstract
The motor neuron degenerative disease spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) remains one of the most frequently inherited causes of infant mortality. Afflicted patients loose the survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene but retain one or more copies of SMN2, a homolog that is incorrectly spliced. Primary treatment strategies for SMA aim at boosting SMN protein levels, which are insufficient in patients. SMN is known to partner with a set of diverse proteins collectively known as GEMINs to form a macromolecular complex. The SMN-GEMINs complex is indispensible for chaperoning the assembly of small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs), which are key for pre-mRNA splicing. Pharmaceutics that alleviate the neuromuscular phenotype by restoring the fundamental function of SMN without augmenting its levels are also crucial in the development of an effective treatment. Their use as an adjunct therapy is predicted to enhance benefit to patients. Inspired by the surprising discovery revealing a premier role for GEMINs in snRNP biogenesis together with in vivo studies documenting their requirement for the correct function of the motor system, this review speculates on whether GEMINs constitute valid targets for SMA therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Borg
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta Msida, Malta
| | - Ruben J Cauchi
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta Msida, Malta
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25
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Cauchi RJ. Gem depletion: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and spinal muscular atrophy crossover. CNS Neurosci Ther 2014; 20:574-81. [PMID: 24645792 DOI: 10.1111/cns.12242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2013] [Revised: 01/25/2014] [Accepted: 01/27/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The determining factor of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), the most common motor neuron degenerative disease of childhood, is the survival motor neuron (SMN) protein. SMN and its Gemin associates form a complex that is indispensible for the biogenesis of small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs), which constitute the building blocks of spliceosomes. It is as yet unclear whether a decreased capacity of SMN in snRNP assembly, and, hence, transcriptome abnormalities, account for the specific neuromuscular phenotype in SMA. Across metazoa, the SMN-Gemins complex concentrates in multiple nuclear gems that frequently neighbour or overlap Cajal bodies. The number of gems has long been known to be a faithful indicator of SMN levels, which are linked to SMA severity. Intriguingly, a flurry of recent studies have revealed that depletion of this nuclear structure is also a signature feature of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the most common adult-onset motor neuron disease. This review discusses such a surprising crossover in addition to highlighting the most recent work on the intricate world of spliceosome building, which seems to be at the heart of motor neuron physiology and survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruben J Cauchi
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, University of Malta, Msida 2080, Malta
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Abstract
Background DEAD-box RNA helicase Gemin3 is an essential protein since its deficiency is lethal in both vertebrates and invertebrates. In addition to playing a role in transcriptional regulation and RNA silencing, as a core member of the SMN (survival of motor neurons) complex, Gemin3 is required for the biogenesis of spliceosomal snRNPs (small nuclear ribonucleoproteins), and axonal mRNA metabolism. Studies in the mouse and C. elegans revealed that loss of Gemin3 function has a negative impact on ovarian physiology and development. Findings This work reports on the generation and characterisation of gemin3 mutant germline clones in Drosophila adult females. Gemin3 was found to be required for the completion of oogenesis and its loss led to egg polarity defects, oocyte mislocalisation, and abnormal chromosome morphology. Canonical Cajal bodies were absent in the majority of gemin3 mutant egg chambers and histone locus bodies displayed an atypical morphology. snRNP distribution was perturbed so that on gemin3 loss, snRNP cytoplasmic aggregates (U bodies) were only visible in wild type. Conclusions These findings establish a conserved requirement for Gemin3 in Drosophila oogenesis. Furthermore, in view of the similarity to the phenotypes described previously in smn mutant germ cells, the present results confirm the close functional relationship between SMN and Gemin3 on a cellular level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruben J Cauchi
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine & Surgery, University of Malta, Msida MSD 2080, Malta G.C.
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Cauchi RJ, Sanchez-Pulido L, Liu JL. Drosophila SMN complex proteins Gemin2, Gemin3, and Gemin5 are components of U bodies. Exp Cell Res 2010; 316:2354-64. [PMID: 20452345 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2010.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2010] [Revised: 03/25/2010] [Accepted: 05/03/2010] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Uridine-rich small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (U snRNPs) play key roles in pre-mRNA processing in the nucleus. The assembly of most U snRNPs takes place in the cytoplasm and is facilitated by the survival motor neuron (SMN) complex. Discrete cytoplasmic RNA granules called U bodies have been proposed to be specific sites for snRNP assembly because they contain U snRNPs and SMN. U bodies invariably associate with P bodies, which are involved in mRNA decay and translational control. However, it remains unknown whether other SMN complex proteins also localise to U bodies. In Drosophila there are four SMN complex proteins, namely SMN, Gemin2/CG10419, Gemin3 and Gemin5/Rigor mortis. Drosophila Gemin3 was originally identified as the Drosophila orthologue of human and yeast Dhh1, a component of P bodies. Through an in silico analysis of the DEAD-box RNA helicases we confirmed that Gemin3 is the bona fide Drosophila orthologue of vertebrate Gemin3 whereas the Drosophila orthologue of Dhh1 is Me31B. We then made use of the Drosophila egg chamber as a model system to study the subcellular distribution of the Gemin proteins as well as Me31B. Our cytological investigations show that Gemin2, Gemin3 and Gemin5 colocalise with SMN in U bodies. Although they are excluded from P bodies, as components of U bodies, Gemin2, Gemin3 and Gemin5 are consistently found associated with P bodies, wherein Me31B resides. In addition to a role in snRNP biogenesis, SMN complexes residing in U bodies may also be involved in mRNP assembly and/or transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruben J Cauchi
- MRC Functional Genomics Unit, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QX, UK
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29
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Abstract
The survival motor neuron (SMN) protein, the determining factor for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), is complexed with a group of proteins in human cells. Gemin3 is the only RNA helicase in the SMN complex. Here, we report the identification of Drosophila melanogaster Gemin3 and investigate its function in vivo. Like in vertebrates, Gemin3 physically interacts with SMN in Drosophila. Loss of function of gemin3 results in lethality at larval and/or prepupal stages. Before they die, gemin3 mutant larvae exhibit declined mobility and expanded neuromuscular junctions. Expression of a dominant-negative transgene and knockdown of Gemin3 in mesoderm cause lethality. A less severe Gemin3 disruption in developing muscles leads to flightless adults and flight muscle degeneration. Our findings suggest that Drosophila Gemin3 is required for larval development and motor function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruben J. Cauchi
- Medical Research Council Functional Genomics Unit, Department of Physiology, Anatomy, and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Kay E. Davies
- Medical Research Council Functional Genomics Unit, Department of Physiology, Anatomy, and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Ji-Long Liu
- Medical Research Council Functional Genomics Unit, Department of Physiology, Anatomy, and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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Lee S, Sayin A, Cauchi RJ, Grice S, Burdett H, Baban D, van den Heuvel M. Genome-wide expression analysis of a spinal muscular atrophy model: towards discovery of new drug targets. PLoS One 2008; 3:e1404. [PMID: 18167563 PMCID: PMC2151137 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0001404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [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: 11/01/2007] [Accepted: 12/03/2007] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal Muscular Atrophy is a recessive genetic disease and affects lower motor neurones and muscle tissue. A single gene is disrupted in SMA: SMN1 activity is abolished but a second copy of the gene (SMN2) provides limited activity. While the SMN protein has been shown to function in the assembly of RNA-protein complexes, it is unclear how the overall reduction in SMN activity specifically results in the neuromuscular phenotypes. Similar to humans, reduced smn activity in the fly causes earliest phenotypes in neuromuscular tissues. To uncover the effects of reduced SMN activity, we have studied gene expression in control and diseased fly tissues using whole genome micro-arrays. A number of gene expression changes are recovered and independently validated. Identified genes show trends in their predicted function: several are consistent with the function of SMN, in addition some uncover novel pathways. This and subsequent genetic analysis in the fly indicates some of the identified genes could be taken for further studies as potential drug targets for SMA and other neuromuscular disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheena Lee
- OXION Initiative, Oxford Centre for Gene Function, Department of Human Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
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Cauchi RJ, van den Heuvel M. The fly as a model for neurodegenerative diseases: is it worth the jump? NEURODEGENER DIS 2007; 3:338-56. [PMID: 17192723 DOI: 10.1159/000097303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [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: 06/02/2006] [Accepted: 10/10/2006] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases are responsible for agonizing symptoms that take their toll on the fragile human life. Aberrant protein processing and accumulation are considered to be the culprits of many classical neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, tauopathies, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, hereditary spastic paraplegia and various polyglutamine diseases. However, recently it has been shown that toxic RNA species or disruption of RNA processing and metabolism may be partly to blame as clearly illustrated in spinal muscular atrophy, spinocerebellar ataxia 8 and fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome. At the dawn of the twenty-first century, the fruit fly or Drosophila melanogaster has taken its place at the forefront of an uphill struggle to unveil the molecular and cellular pathophysiology of both protein- and RNA-induced neurodegeneration, as well as discovery of novel drug targets. We review here the various fly models of neurodegenerative conditions, and summarise the novel insights that the fly has contributed to the field of neuroprotection and neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruben J Cauchi
- MRC Functional Genetics Unit, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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