scholarly journals PDK1–Akt pathway regulates radial neuronal migration and microtubules in the developing mouse neocortex

2016 ◽  
Vol 113 (21) ◽  
pp. E2955-E2964 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasuhiro Itoh ◽  
Maiko Higuchi ◽  
Koji Oishi ◽  
Yusuke Kishi ◽  
Tomohiko Okazaki ◽  
...  

Neurons migrate a long radial distance by a process known as locomotion in the developing mammalian neocortex. During locomotion, immature neurons undergo saltatory movement along radial glia fibers. The molecular mechanisms that regulate the speed of locomotion are largely unknown. We now show that the serine/threonine kinase Akt and its activator phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase 1 (PDK1) regulate the speed of locomotion of mouse neocortical neurons through the cortical plate. Inactivation of the PDK1–Akt pathway impaired the coordinated movement of the nucleus and centrosome, a microtubule-dependent process, during neuronal migration. Moreover, the PDK1–Akt pathway was found to control microtubules, likely by regulating the binding of accessory proteins including the dynactin subunit p150glued. Consistent with this notion, we found that PDK1 regulates the expression of cytoplasmic dynein intermediate chain and light intermediate chain at a posttranscriptional level in the developing neocortex. Our results thus reveal an essential role for the PDK1–Akt pathway in the regulation of a key step of neuronal migration.

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Qian-Hao Zhu ◽  
Warwick Stiller ◽  
Philippe Moncuquet ◽  
Stuart Gordon ◽  
Yuman Yuan ◽  
...  

Abstract Fiber mutants are unique and valuable resources for understanding the genetic and molecular mechanisms controlling initiation and development of cotton fibers that are extremely elongated single epidermal cells protruding from the seed coat of cottonseeds. In this study, we reported a new fuzzless-tufted cotton mutant (Gossypium hirsutum) and showed that fuzzless-tufted near-isogenic lines (NILs) had similar agronomic traits and a higher ginning efficiency compared to their recurrent parents with normal fuzzy seeds. Genetic analysis revealed that the mutant phenotype is determined by a single incomplete dominant locus, designated N5. The mutation was fine mapped to an approximately 250-kb interval containing 33 annotated genes using a combination of bulked segregant sequencing, SNP chip genotyping, and fine mapping. Comparative transcriptomic analysis using 0–6 days post-anthesis (dpa) ovules from NILs segregating for the phenotypes of fuzzless-tufted (mutant) and normal fuzzy cottonseeds (wild-type) uncovered candidate genes responsible for the mutant phenotype. It also revealed that the flanking region of the N5 locus is enriched with differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the mutant and wild-type. Several of those DEGs are members of the gene families with demonstrated roles in cell initiation and elongation, such as calcium-dependent protein kinase and expansin. The transcriptome landscape of the mutant was significantly reprogrammed in the 6 dpa ovules and, to a less extent, in the 0 dpa ovules, but not in the 2 and 4 dpa ovules. At both 0 and 6 dpa, the reprogrammed mutant transcriptome was mainly associated with cell wall modifications and transmembrane transportation, while transcription factor activity was significantly altered in the 6 dpa mutant ovules. These results imply a similar molecular basis for initiation of lint and fuzz fibers despite certain differences.


Author(s):  
Daniela Lötsch ◽  
Dominik Kirchhofer ◽  
Bernhard Englinger ◽  
Li Jiang ◽  
Konstantin Okonechnikov ◽  
...  

AbstractEpendymomas (EPN) are central nervous system tumors comprising both aggressive and more benign molecular subtypes. However, therapy of the high-risk subtypes posterior fossa group A (PF-A) and supratentorial RELA-fusion positive (ST-RELA) is limited to gross total resection and radiotherapy, as effective systemic treatment concepts are still lacking. We have recently described fibroblast growth factor receptors 1 and 3 (FGFR1/FGFR3) as oncogenic drivers of EPN. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms and their potential as therapeutic targets have not yet been investigated in detail. Making use of transcriptomic data across 467 EPN tissues, we found that FGFR1 and FGFR3 were both widely expressed across all molecular groups. FGFR3 mRNA levels were enriched in ST-RELA showing the highest expression among EPN as well as other brain tumors. We further identified high expression levels of fibroblast growth factor 1 and 2 (FGF1, FGF2) across all EPN subtypes while FGF9 was elevated in ST-EPN. Interrogation of our EPN single-cell RNA-sequencing data revealed that FGFR3 was further enriched in cycling and progenitor-like cell populations. Corroboratively, we found FGFR3 to be predominantly expressed in radial glia cells in both mouse embryonal and human brain datasets. Moreover, we detected alternative splicing of the FGFR1/3-IIIc variant, which is known to enhance ligand affinity and FGFR signaling. Dominant-negative interruption of FGFR1/3 activation in PF-A and ST-RELA cell models demonstrated inhibition of key oncogenic pathways leading to reduced cell growth and stem cell characteristics. To explore the feasibility of therapeutically targeting FGFR, we tested a panel of FGFR inhibitors in 12 patient-derived EPN cell models revealing sensitivity in the low-micromolar to nano-molar range. Finally, we gain the first clinical evidence for the activity of the FGFR inhibitor nintedanib in the treatment of a patient with recurrent ST-RELA. Together, these preclinical and clinical data suggest FGFR inhibition as a novel and feasible approach to combat aggressive EPN.


2015 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 2349-2359 ◽  
Author(s):  
Youli Xi ◽  
Miaozong Wu ◽  
Hongxia Li ◽  
Siqi Dong ◽  
Erfei Luo ◽  
...  

Background/Aims: Obesity-associated fatty liver disease affects millions of individuals. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of baicalin to treat obesity and fatty liver in high fat diet-induced obese mice, and to study the potential molecular mechanisms. Methods: High fat diet-induced obese animals were treated with different doses of baicalin (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg/d). Whole body, fat pad and liver were weighed. Hyperlipidemia, liver steatosis, liver function, and hepatic Ca2+/CaM-dependent protein kinase kinase β (CaMKKβ) / AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) / acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) were further evaluated. Results: Baicalin significantly decreased liver, epididymal fat and body weights in high fat diet-fed mice, which were associated with decreased serum levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL, alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase, but increased serum HDL level. Pathological analysis revealed baicalin dose-dependently decreased the degree of hepatic steatosis, with predominantly diminished macrovesicular steatosis at lower dose but both macrovesicular and microvesicular steatoses at higher dose of baicalin. Baicalin dose-dependently inhibited hepatic CaMKKβ/AMPK/ACC pathway. Conclusion: These data suggest that baicalin up to 400 mg/kg/d is safe and able to decrease the degree of obesity and fatty liver diseases. Hepatic CaMKKβ/AMPK/ACC pathway may mediate the therapeutic effects of baicalin in high fat diet animal model.


2018 ◽  
Vol 50 (6) ◽  
pp. 2086-2096 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaohong  Zhang ◽  
Can Xiao ◽  
Hong Liu

Background/Aims: Ganoderic acid A (GAA) isolated from Ganoderma lucidum, shows various benefit activities, such as anti-tumor activity, anti-HIV activity and hepatoprotective activity. However, the potential effects of GAA on hypoxia-induced injury of cardiomyocytes are still unclear. In this study, we aimed to reveal the effects of GAA on hypoxic-induced H9c2 cell injury, as well as potential underlying molecular mechanisms. Methods: Rat H9c2 cardiomyocytes were cultured in hypoxia condition with different doses of GAA. Cell viability and apoptosis were detected by CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry, respectively. qRT-PCR was performed to assess the expression levels of microRNA-182-5p (miR-182-5p) and phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN). Cell transfection was conducted to change the expression levels of miR-182-5p and PTEN in H9c2 cells. Finally, protein levels of key factors involved in cell proliferation, cell apoptosis and PTEN/PI3K/AKT pathway were evaluated using western blotting. Results: Hypoxia treatment significantly induced H9c2 cell viability loss and apoptosis. GAA incubation remarkably protected H9c2 cells from hypoxia-induced viability loss, proliferation inhibition and apoptosis. In addition, GAA obviously enhanced the expression level of miR-182-5p in H9c2 cells. Suppression of miR-182-5p notably alleviated the protective effects of GAA on hypoxia-treated H9c2 cells. Furthermore, miR-182-5p negatively regulated the mRNA and protein levels of PTEN in H9c2 cells. GAA attenuated hypoxia-induced inactivation of PI3K/AKT pathway in H9c2 cells by up-regulating miR-182-5p and then down-regulating PTEN. Conclusion: GAA protected rat H9c2 cardiomyocytes from hypoxia-induced injury might via up-regulating miR-182-5p, down-regulating PTEN and then activating PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.


2010 ◽  
Vol 286 (3) ◽  
pp. 1959-1965 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takayuki Torisawa ◽  
Akiko Nakayama ◽  
Ken'ya Furuta ◽  
Masami Yamada ◽  
Shinji Hirotsune ◽  
...  

1998 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seishi Maeda ◽  
Sang-Yoon Nam ◽  
Masahiko Fujisawa ◽  
Nobuaki Nakamuta ◽  
Kenji Ogawa ◽  
...  

2000 ◽  
Vol 84 (3) ◽  
pp. 1279-1288 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kuei-Sen Hsu ◽  
Wen-Chia Ho ◽  
Chiung-Chun Huang ◽  
Jing-Jane Tsai

Previous work has shown that seizure-like activity can disrupt the induction of long-term potentiation (LTP). However, how seizure-like event disrupts the LTP induction remains unknown. To understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying this process better, a set of studies was implemented in area CA1 of rat hippocampal slices using extracellular recording methods. We showed here that prior transient seizure-like activity generated by perfused slices with Mg2+-free artificial cerebrospinal fluid (ACSF) exhibited a persistent suppression of LTP induction. This effect lasted between 2 and 3 h after normal ACSF replacement and was specifically inhibited by N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonistd-2-amino-5-phosphovaleric acid (d-APV) and L-type voltage-operated Ca2+ channel (VOCC) blocker nimodipine, but not by non-NMDA receptor antagonist 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX). In addition, this suppressive effect was specifically blocked by the selective protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor NPC-15437. However, neither Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II inhibitor KN-62 nor cAMP-dependent protein kinase inhibitor Rp-adenosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphothioate (Rp-cAMPS) affected this suppressive effect. This persistent suppression of LTP was not secondary to the long-lasting changes in NMDA receptor activation, because the isolated NMDA receptor–mediated responses did not show a long-term enhancement in response to a 30-min Mg2+-free ACSF application. Additionally, in prior Mg2+-free ACSF–treated slices, the entire frequency-response curve of LTP and long-term depression (LTD) is shifted systematically to favor LTD. These results suggest that the increase of Ca2+ influx through NMDA channels and L-type VOCCs in turn triggering a PKC-dependent signaling cascade is a possible cellular basis underlying this seizure-like activity-induced inhibition of LTP.


2001 ◽  
Vol 276 (17) ◽  
pp. 14067-14074 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu-Keung Mok ◽  
Kevin W.-H. Lo ◽  
Mingjie Zhang

2004 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 274-279
Author(s):  
Shigeaki Kanatani ◽  
Hidenori Tabata ◽  
Kazunori Nakajima

Cortical formation in the developing brain is a highly complicated process involving neuronal production (through symmetric or asymmetric cell division) interaction of radial glia with neuronal migration, and multiple modes of neuronal migration. It has been convincingly demonstrated by numerous studies that radial glial cells are neural stem cells. However, the processes by which neurons arise from radial glia and migrate to their final destinations in vivo are not yet fully understood. Recent studies using time-lapse imaging of neuronal migration are giving investigators an increasingly more detailed understanding of the mitotic behavior of radial glia and the migrating behavior of their daughter cells. In this review, we describe recent progress in elucidating neuronal migration in brain formation and how neuronal migration is disturbed by mutations in genes that control this process. ( J Child Neurol 2005;20:274—279).


Reproduction ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fenfen Xie ◽  
Junhui Zhang ◽  
Muxin Zhai ◽  
Yajing Liu ◽  
Hui Hu ◽  
...  

Emerging evidence has demonstrated that melatonin (MT) plays a crucial role in regulating mammalian reproductive functions. It has been reported that MT has a protective effect on polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). However, the protective mechanisms of MT remain poorly understood. This study aims to explore the effect of MT on ovarian function in PCOS and to elucidate the relevant molecular mechanisms in vivo and in vitro. Here, we first analysed MT expression levels in the follicular fluid of PCOS patients. A significant reduction in MT expression levels was noted in PCOS patients. Intriguingly, reduced MT levels correlated with serum testosterone and inflammatory cytokine levels in follicular fluid. Moreover, we confirmed the protective function of MT through regulating autophagy in a dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)-induced PCOS rat model. Autophagy was activated in the ovarian tissue of the PCOS rat model, whereas additional MT inhibited autophagy by increasing PI3K-Akt pathway expression. In addition, serum-free testosterone, inflammatory and apoptosis indexes were reduced after MT supplementation. Furthermore, we also found that MT suppressed autophagy and apoptosis by activating the PI3K-Akt pathway in the DHEA-exposed human granulosa cell line KGN. Our study showed that MT ameliorated ovarian dysfunction by regulating autophagy in DHEA-induced PCOS via the PI3K-Akt pathway, revealing a potential therapeutic drug target for PCOS.


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