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Nature Communications Jun 2024Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have a higher prevalence of social memory impairment. A series of our previous studies revealed that hippocampal ventral...
Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have a higher prevalence of social memory impairment. A series of our previous studies revealed that hippocampal ventral CA1 (vCA1) neurons possess social memory engram and that the neurophysiological representation of social memory in the vCA1 neurons is disrupted in ASD-associated Shank3 knockout mice. However, whether the dysfunction of Shank3 in vCA1 causes the social memory impairment observed in ASD remains unclear. In this study, we found that vCA1-specific Shank3 conditional knockout (cKO) by the adeno-associated virus (AAV)- or specialized extracellular vesicle (EV)- mediated in vivo gene editing was sufficient to recapitulate the social memory impairment in male mice. Furthermore, the utilization of EV-mediated Shank3-cKO allowed us to quantitatively examine the role of Shank3 in social memory. Our results suggested that there is a certain threshold for the proportion of Shank3-cKO neurons required for social memory disruption. Thus, our study provides insight into the population coding of social memory in vCA1, as well as the pathological mechanisms underlying social memory impairment in ASD.
Topics: Animals; Mice, Knockout; Male; Nerve Tissue Proteins; CA1 Region, Hippocampal; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Mice; Memory; Gene Editing; Social Behavior; Neurons; Dependovirus; Microfilament Proteins; Memory Disorders; Mice, Inbred C57BL
PubMed: 38866749
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48430-x -
Translational Psychiatry Jun 2024Phelan-McDermid syndrome (PMDS) arises from mutations in the terminal region of chromosome 22q13, impacting the SHANK3 gene. The resulting deficiency of the postsynaptic...
Phelan-McDermid syndrome (PMDS) arises from mutations in the terminal region of chromosome 22q13, impacting the SHANK3 gene. The resulting deficiency of the postsynaptic density scaffolding protein SHANK3 is associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We examined 12 different PMDS patient and CRISPR-engineered stem cell-derived neuronal models and controls and found that reduced expression of SHANK3 leads to neuronal hyperdifferentiation, increased synapse formation, and decreased neuronal activity. We performed automated imaging-based screening of 7,120 target-annotated small molecules and identified three compounds that rescued SHANK3-dependent neuronal hyperdifferentiation. One compound, Benproperine, rescued the decreased colocalization of Actin Related Protein 2/3 Complex Subunit 2 (ARPC2) with ß-actin and rescued increased synapse formation in SHANK3 deficient neurons when administered early during differentiation. Neuronal activity was only mildly affected, highlighting Benproperine's effects as a neurodevelopmental modulator. This study demonstrates that small molecular compounds that reverse developmental phenotypes can be identified in human neuronal PMDS models.
Topics: Humans; Nerve Tissue Proteins; Neurons; Chromosome Deletion; Phenotype; Chromosome Disorders; Synapses; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 22; Male; Female; Cell Differentiation; Microfilament Proteins; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Child
PubMed: 38858349
DOI: 10.1038/s41398-024-02947-3 -
Theranostics 2024Skin cells actively metabolize nutrients to ensure cell proliferation and differentiation. Psoriasis is an immune-disorder-related skin disease with hyperproliferation...
Skin cells actively metabolize nutrients to ensure cell proliferation and differentiation. Psoriasis is an immune-disorder-related skin disease with hyperproliferation in epidermal keratinocytes and is increasingly recognized to be associated with metabolic disturbance. However, the metabolic adaptations and underlying mechanisms of epidermal hyperproliferation in psoriatic skin remain largely unknown. Here, we explored the role of metabolic competition in epidermal cell proliferation and differentiation in psoriatic skin. Bulk- and single-cell RNA-sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, and glucose uptake experiments were used to analyze the metabolic differences in epidermal cells in psoriasis. Functional validation and was done using imiquimod-like mouse models and inflammatory organoid models. We observed the highly proliferative basal cells in psoriasis act as the winners of the metabolic competition to uptake glucose from suprabasal cells. Using single-cell metabolic analysis, we found that the "winner cells" promote OXPHOS pathway upregulation by COX7B and lead to increased ROS through glucose metabolism, thereby promoting the hyperproliferation of basal cells in psoriasis. Also, to prevent toxic damage from ROS, basal cells activate the glutathione metabolic pathway to increase their antioxidant capacity to assist in psoriasis progression. We further found that COX7B promotes psoriasis development by modulating the activity of the PPAR signaling pathway by bulk RNA-seq analysis. We also observed glucose starvation and high expression of SLC7A11 that causes suprabasal cell disulfide stress and affects the actin cytoskeleton, leading to immature differentiation of suprabasal cells in psoriatic skin. Our study demonstrates the essential role of cellular metabolic competition for skin tissue homeostasis.
Topics: Psoriasis; Glucose; Humans; Animals; Mice; Keratinocytes; Cell Proliferation; Cell Differentiation; Disease Models, Animal; Single-Cell Analysis; Epidermal Cells; Reactive Oxygen Species; Energy Metabolism; Epidermis; Imiquimod; Male
PubMed: 38855186
DOI: 10.7150/thno.93764 -
Neurobiology of Disease Aug 2024Periventricular nodular heterotopia (PNH), the most common brain malformation diagnosed in adulthood, is characterized by the presence of neuronal nodules along the...
Periventricular nodular heterotopia (PNH), the most common brain malformation diagnosed in adulthood, is characterized by the presence of neuronal nodules along the ventricular walls. PNH is mainly associated with mutations in the FLNA gene - encoding an actin-binding protein - and patients often develop epilepsy. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the neuronal failure still remain elusive. It has been hypothesized that dysfunctional cortical circuitry, rather than ectopic neurons, may explain the clinical manifestations. To address this issue, we depleted FLNA from cortical pyramidal neurons of a conditional Flna mice by timed in utero electroporation of Cre recombinase. We found that FLNA regulates dendritogenesis and spinogenesis thus promoting an appropriate excitatory/inhibitory inputs balance. We demonstrated that FLNA modulates RAC1 and cofilin activity through its interaction with the Rho-GTPase Activating Protein 24 (ARHGAP24). Collectively, we disclose an uncharacterized role of FLNA and provide strong support for neural circuit dysfunction being a consequence of FLNA mutations.
Topics: Animals; Mice; Actin Depolymerizing Factors; Cerebral Cortex; Filamins; GTPase-Activating Proteins; Mice, Transgenic; Neurogenesis; Neurons; Neuropeptides; Periventricular Nodular Heterotopia; Pyramidal Cells; rac1 GTP-Binding Protein
PubMed: 38852754
DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2024.106558 -
Communications Biology Jun 2024Robotically assisted proteomics provides insights into the regulation of multiple proteins achieving excellent spatial resolution. However, developing an effective...
Robotically assisted proteomics provides insights into the regulation of multiple proteins achieving excellent spatial resolution. However, developing an effective method for spatially resolved quantitative proteomics of formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue (FFPE) in an accessible and economical manner remains challenging. We introduce non-robotic In-insert FFPE proteomics approach, combining glass insert FFPE tissue processing with spatial quantitative data-independent mass spectrometry (DIA). In-insert approach identifies 450 proteins from a 5 µm thick breast FFPE tissue voxel with 50 µm lateral dimensions covering several tens of cells. Furthermore, In-insert approach associated a keratin series and moesin (MOES) with prolactin-induced protein (PIP) indicating their prolactin and/or estrogen regulation. Our data suggest that PIP is a spatial biomarker for hormonally triggered cytoskeletal remodeling, potentially useful for screening hormonally affected hotspots in breast tissue. In-insert proteomics represents an alternative FFPE processing method, requiring minimal laboratory equipment and skills to generate spatial proteotype repositories from FFPE tissue.
Topics: Humans; Proteomics; Paraffin Embedding; Cytoskeleton; Female; Biomarkers; Tissue Fixation; Prolactin; Formaldehyde; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; Microfilament Proteins; Membrane Transport Proteins
PubMed: 38851810
DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06354-8 -
European Journal of Cell Biology Jun 2024Actin organization is crucial for establishing cell polarity, which influences processes such as directed cell motility and division. Despite its critical role in living...
Actin organization is crucial for establishing cell polarity, which influences processes such as directed cell motility and division. Despite its critical role in living organisms, achieving similar polarity in synthetic cells remains challenging. In this study, we employ a bottom-up approach to investigate how molecular crowders facilitate the formation of cortex-like actin networks and how these networks localize and organize based on membrane shape. Using giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) as models for cell membranes, we show that actin filaments can arrange along the membrane to form cortex-like structures. Notably, this organization is achieved using only actin and crowders as a minimal set of components. We utilize surface micropatterning to examine actin filament organization in deformed GUVs adhered to various pattern shapes. Our findings indicate that at the periphery of spherical GUVs, actin bundles align along the membrane. However, in highly curved regions of adhered GUVs, actin bundles avoid crossing the highly curved edges perpendicular to the adhesion site and instead remain in the lower curved regions by aligning parallel to the micropatterned surface. Furthermore, the actin bundles increase the stiffness of the GUVs, effectively counteracting strong deformations when GUVs adhere to micropatterns. This finding is corroborated by real-time deformability cytometry on GUVs with synthetic actin cortices. By precisely manipulating the shape of GUVs, our study provides a minimal system to investigate the interplay between actin structures and the membrane. Our findings provide insights into the spatial organization of actin structures within crowded environments, specifically inside GUVs that resemble the size and shape of cells. This study advances our understanding of actin network organization and functionality within cell-sized compartments.
Topics: Actin Cytoskeleton; Unilamellar Liposomes; Cell Membrane; Actins; Animals
PubMed: 38850712
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2024.151428 -
Cell Communication and Signaling : CCS Jun 2024Abnormally expressed BCR/ABL protein serves as the basis for the development of chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML). The F-actin binding domain (FABD), which is a crucial...
BACKGROUND
Abnormally expressed BCR/ABL protein serves as the basis for the development of chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML). The F-actin binding domain (FABD), which is a crucial region of the BCR/ABL fusion protein, is also located at the carboxyl end of the c-ABL protein and regulates the kinase activity of c-ABL. However, the precise function of this domain in BCR/ABL remains uncertain.
METHODS
The FABD-deficient adenovirus vectors Ad-BCR/ABL△FABD, wild-type Ad-BCR/ABL and the control vector Adtrack were constructed, and 32D cells were infected with these adenoviruses separately. The effects of FABD deletion on the proliferation and apoptosis of 32D cells were evaluated by a CCK-8 assay, colony formation assay, flow cytometry and DAPI staining. The levels of phosphorylated BCR/ABL, p73, and their downstream signalling molecules were detected by western blot. The intracellular localization and interaction of BCR/ABL with the cytoskeleton-related protein F-actin were identified by immunofluorescence and co-IP. The effect of FABD deletion on BCR/ABL carcinogenesis in vivo was explored in CML-like mouse models. The degree of leukaemic cell infiltration was observed by Wright‒Giemsa staining and haematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining.
RESULTS
We report that the loss of FABD weakened the proliferation-promoting ability of BCR/ABL, accompanied by the downregulation of BCR/ABL downstream signals. Moreover, the deletion of FABD resulted in a change in the localization of BCR/ABL from the cytoplasm to the nucleus, accompanied by an increase in cell apoptosis due to the upregulation of p73 and its downstream proapoptotic factors. Furthermore, we discovered that the absence of FABD alleviated leukaemic cell infiltration induced by BCR/ABL in mice.
CONCLUSIONS
These findings reveal that the deletion of FABD diminished the carcinogenic potential of BCR/ABL both in vitro and in vivo. This study provides further insight into the function of the FABD domain in BCR/ABL.
Topics: Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive; Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl; Animals; Humans; Mice; Cell Proliferation; Apoptosis; Actins; Carcinogenesis; Protein Domains; Cell Line, Tumor
PubMed: 38849885
DOI: 10.1186/s12964-024-01694-8 -
Bone Research Jun 2024DNAX-associated protein 12 kD size (DAP12) is a dominant immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM)-signaling adaptor that activates costimulatory signals...
DNAX-associated protein 12 kD size (DAP12) is a dominant immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM)-signaling adaptor that activates costimulatory signals essential for osteoclastogenesis. Although several DAP12-associated receptors (DARs) have been identified in osteoclasts, including triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM-2), C-type lectin member 5 A (CLEC5A), and sialic acid-binding Ig-like lectin (Siglec)-15, their precise role in the development of osteoclasts and bone remodeling remain poorly understood. In this study, mice deficient in Trem-2, Clec5a, Siglec-15 were generated. In addition, mice double deficient in these DAR genes and FcεRI gamma chain (FcR)γ, an alternative ITAM adaptor to DAP12, were generated. Bone mass analysis was conducted on all mice. Notably, Siglec-15 deficient mice and Siglec-15/FcRγ double deficient mice exhibited mild and severe osteopetrosis respectively. In contrast, other DAR deficient mice showed normal bone phenotype. Likewise, osteoclasts from Siglec-15 deficient mice failed to form an actin ring, suggesting that Siglec-15 promotes bone resorption principally by modulating the cytoskeletal organization of osteoclasts. Furthermore, biochemical analysis revealed that Sigelc-15 activates macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF)-induced Ras-associated protein-1 (RAP1)/Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (Rac1) pathway through formation of a complex with p130CAS and CrkII, leading to cytoskeletal remodeling of osteoclasts. Our data provide genetic and biochemical evidence that Siglec-15 facilitates M-CSF-induced cytoskeletal remodeling of the osteoclasts.
Topics: Animals; Osteoclasts; Signal Transduction; Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor; rap1 GTP-Binding Proteins; Mice; Cytoskeleton; Mice, Knockout; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Membrane Proteins; rac GTP-Binding Proteins; Membrane Glycoproteins; Receptors, Immunologic; Immunoglobulins
PubMed: 38849345
DOI: 10.1038/s41413-024-00340-w -
Scientific Reports Jun 2024The proteasome-associated deubiquitinase USP14 is a potential drug target. Using an inducible USP14 knockout system in colon cancer cells, we found that USP14 depletion...
The proteasome-associated deubiquitinase USP14 is a potential drug target. Using an inducible USP14 knockout system in colon cancer cells, we found that USP14 depletion impedes cellular proliferation, induces cell cycle arrest, and leads to a senescence-like phenotype. Transcriptomic analysis revealed altered gene expression related to cell division and cellular differentiation. USP14 knockout cells also exhibited changes in morphology, actin distribution, and expression of actin cytoskeletal components. Increased ubiquitin turnover was observed, offset by upregulation of polyubiquitin genes UBB and UBC. Pharmacological inhibition of USP14 with IU1 increased ubiquitin turnover but did not affect cellular growth or morphology. BioGRID data identified USP14 interactors linked to actin cytoskeleton remodeling, DNA damage repair, mRNA splicing, and translation. In conclusion, USP14 loss in colon cancer cells induces a transient quiescent cancer phenotype not replicated by pharmacologic inhibition of its deubiquitinating activity.
Topics: Humans; Cellular Senescence; Colorectal Neoplasms; Cell Proliferation; Ubiquitin Thiolesterase; Cell Line, Tumor; Phenotype; Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex; Cell Cycle Checkpoints; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Ubiquitin
PubMed: 38844605
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63791-5 -
Neurobiology of Disease Aug 2024Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that severely affects the basal ganglia and regions of the cerebral cortex. While astrocytosis and microgliosis...
Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that severely affects the basal ganglia and regions of the cerebral cortex. While astrocytosis and microgliosis both contribute to basal ganglia pathology, the contribution of gliosis and potential factors driving glial activity in the human HD cerebral cortex is less understood. Our study aims to identify nuanced indicators of gliosis in HD which is challenging to identify in the severely degenerated basal ganglia, by investigating the middle temporal gyrus (MTG), a cortical region previously documented to demonstrate milder neuronal loss. Immunohistochemistry was conducted on MTG paraffin-embedded tissue microarrays (TMAs) comprising 29 HD and 35 neurologically normal cases to compare the immunoreactivity patterns of key astrocytic proteins (glial fibrillary acidic protein, GFAP; inwardly rectifying potassium channel 4.1, Kir4.1; glutamate transporter-1, GLT-1; aquaporin-4, AQP4), key microglial proteins (ionised calcium-binding adapter molecule-1, IBA-1; human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR; transmembrane protein 119, TMEM119; purinergic receptor P2RY12, P2RY12), and indicators of proliferation (Ki-67; proliferative cell nuclear antigen, PCNA). Our findings demonstrate an upregulation of GFAP protein expression attributed to the presence of more GFAP expressing cells in HD, which correlated with greater cortical mutant huntingtin (mHTT) deposition. In contrast, Kir4.1, GLT-1, and AQP4 immunoreactivity levels were unchanged in HD. We also demonstrate an increased number of IBA-1 and TMEM119 microglia with somal enlargement. IBA-1, TMEM119, and P2RY12 reactive microglia immunophenotypes were also identified in HD, evidenced by the presence of rod-shaped, hypertrophic, and dystrophic microglia. In HD cases, IBA-1 cells contained either Ki-67 or PCNA, whereas GFAP astrocytes were devoid of proliferative nuclei. These findings suggest cortical microgliosis may be driven by proliferation in HD, supporting the hypothesis of microglial proliferation as a feature of HD pathophysiology. In contrast, astrocytes in HD demonstrate an altered GFAP expression profile that is associated with the degree of mHTT deposition.
Topics: Humans; Huntington Disease; Microglia; Astrocytes; Male; Female; Middle Aged; Cell Proliferation; Adult; Aged; Cerebral Cortex; Calcium-Binding Proteins; Gliosis; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; Membrane Proteins; Microfilament Proteins
PubMed: 38844243
DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2024.106554