scholarly journals DIP-2 suppresses ectopic neurite sprouting and axonal regeneration in mature neurons

2018 ◽  
Vol 218 (1) ◽  
pp. 125-133 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathaniel Noblett ◽  
Zilu Wu ◽  
Zhao Hua Ding ◽  
Seungmee Park ◽  
Tony Roenspies ◽  
...  

Neuronal morphology and circuitry established during early development must often be maintained over the entirety of animal lifespans. Compared with neuronal development, the mechanisms that maintain mature neuronal structures and architecture are little understood. The conserved disco-interacting protein 2 (DIP2) consists of a DMAP1-binding domain and two adenylate-forming domains (AFDs). We show that the Caenorhabditis elegans DIP-2 maintains morphology of mature neurons. dip-2 loss-of-function mutants display a progressive increase in ectopic neurite sprouting and branching during late larval and adult life. In adults, dip-2 also inhibits initial stages of axon regeneration cell autonomously and acts in parallel to DLK-1 MAP kinase and EFA-6 pathways. The function of DIP-2 in maintenance of neuron morphology and in axon regrowth requires its AFD domains and is independent of its DMAP1-binding domain. Our findings reveal a new conserved regulator of neuronal morphology maintenance and axon regrowth after injury.

2013 ◽  
Vol 288 (20) ◽  
pp. 14531-14543 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tao Sun ◽  
Nuo Yu ◽  
Lu-Kai Zhai ◽  
Na Li ◽  
Chao Zhang ◽  
...  

The development of neuronal polarity is essential for the establishment of the accurate patterning of neuronal circuits in the brain. However, little is known about the underlying molecular mechanisms that control rapid axon elongation during neuronal development. Here, we report that c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK)-interacting protein-3 (JIP3) is highly expressed at axon tips during the critical period for axon development. Using gain- and loss-of-function approaches, immunofluorescence analysis, and in utero electroporation, we find that JIP3 can enhance axon elongation in primary hippocampal neurons and cortical neurons in vivo. We further demonstrate that JIP3 promotes axon elongation in a kinesin- and JNK-dependent manner using several deletion mutants of JIP3. Next, we demonstrate that the successful transportation of JIP3 to axon tips by kinesin is a prerequisite for enhancing JNK phosphorylation in this area and therefore promotes axon elongation, constituting a novel mechanism for coupling JIP3 anterograde transport with JNK signaling at the distal axons and axon elongation. Finally, our immunofluorescence data suggest that the activation of JNK at axon tips facilitates axon elongation by modulating cofilin activity and actin filament dynamics. These findings may have important implications for our understanding of neuronal axon elongation during development.


Neurogenetics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katja Kloth ◽  
Bernarda Lozic ◽  
Julia Tagoe ◽  
Mariëtte J. V. Hoffer ◽  
Amelie Van der Ven ◽  
...  

AbstractANK3 encodes multiple isoforms of ankyrin-G, resulting in variegated tissue expression and function, especially regarding its role in neuronal development. Based on the zygosity, location, and type, ANK3 variants result in different neurodevelopmental phenotypes. Autism spectrum disorder has been associated with heterozygous missense variants in ANK3, whereas a more severe neurodevelopmental phenotype is caused by isoform-dependent, autosomal-dominant, or autosomal-recessive loss-of-function variants. Here, we present four individuals affected by a variable neurodevelopmental phenotype harboring a heterozygous frameshift or nonsense variant affecting all ANK3 transcripts. Thus, we provide further evidence of an isoform-based phenotypic continuum underlying ANK3-associated pathologies and expand its phenotypic spectrum.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aya Mikdache ◽  
Marie-José Boueid ◽  
Lorijn van der Spek ◽  
Emilie Lesport ◽  
Brigitte Delespierre ◽  
...  

AbstractThe Regulator of G protein signaling 4 (Rgs4) is a member of the RGS proteins superfamily that modulates the activity of G-protein coupled receptors. It is mainly expressed in the nervous system and is linked to several neuronal signaling pathways; however, its role in neural development in vivo remains inconclusive. Here, we generated and characterized a rgs4 loss of function model (MZrgs4) in zebrafish. MZrgs4 embryos showed motility defects and presented reduced head and eye sizes, reflecting defective motoneurons axon outgrowth and a significant decrease in the number of neurons in the central and peripheral nervous system. Forcing the expression of Rgs4 specifically within motoneurons rescued their early defective outgrowth in MZrgs4 embryos, indicating an autonomous role for Rgs4 in motoneurons. We also analyzed the role of Akt, Erk and mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling cascades and showed a requirement for these pathways in motoneurons axon outgrowth and neuronal development. Drawing on pharmacological and rescue experiments in MZrgs4, we provide evidence that Rgs4 facilitates signaling mediated by Akt, Erk and mTOR in order to drive axon outgrowth in motoneurons and regulate neuronal numbers.


Oncotarget ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (40) ◽  
pp. 26144-26156 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroaki Taniguchi ◽  
Akihiro Fujimoto ◽  
Hidetoshi Kono ◽  
Mayuko Furuta ◽  
Masashi Fujita ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dionysios Chartoumpekis ◽  
Panos Ziros ◽  
Cédric Renaud ◽  
Massimo Bongiovanni ◽  
Ioannis Habeos ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Familial non-toxic multinodular goiter (MNG) is a rare disease. KEAP1 gene (Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1) that encodes the main inhibitor of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related transcription factor 2 (Nrf2), a central mediator of antioxidant responses, has been found to be one of the mutated genes that lead to familial MNG. The proposed association of KEAP1 with familial MNG is based on only two loss-of-function mutations in respective Japanese families, only one of which included proper phenotyping and demonstration of co-segregation of phenotype and mutation. To date, there is no experimental evidence from model organisms to support that decreased Keap1 levels can cause goiter. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that enhanced Nrf2 signaling induced by loss of Keap1 function in mice can lead to goiter. Methods: To this end, male Keap1 hypomorphic C57BL/6J mice that express ~80% less Keap1 in their tissues (Keap1 knockdown mice:“Keap1KD”) were studied at 3 and 12 months of age and compared to wild-type mice (WT). Plasma, thyroids and pituitary glands were collected for assessment of thyroid function by radioimmunoassays and for histology as well as gene and protein expression by quantitative PCR and immunoblotting respectively. Results: Keap1KD showed diffuse goiter that began to develop in early adult life and became highly prominent at the age of 12 months when the thyroids of Keap1KD were 6-fold heavier than WT. Histomorphometry assessment of thyroids showed that Keap1KD had ~3-fold larger follicle area and colloid compartment but no thyroid nodules or hyperplasia was detected. Keap1KD also showed primary hypothyroidism already in early adult life that was eventually well-compensated over time by increased TSH levels (at age of 12 months: WT TSH=47.7±9.1 mU/L, Keap1KD TSH=460±74 mU/L). This was also reflected in the pituitary gland of Keap1KD where Tshb mRNA was ~3-fold higher than WT. Despite a known stimulatory effect of Nrf2 on Tg gene transcription and Tg protein abundance, these measures were decreased in the thyroid of Keap1KD mice. No clear patterns were observed in the expression profiles of other thyroid hormone synthesis-specific factors, such as Duox1, Duoxa1, Duox2, Duoxa2, Tpo, Nis, Dio1, Dio2, Dehal1 mRNA levels, with the exception of Tg-processing and Tg-degrading cathepsins, including an increase in mature forms of cathepsins D, L and S. Conclusions: Keap1KD mice showed age-dependent diffuse goiter and compensated hypothyroidism. The precise mechanism accounting for the thyroidal phenotype remains to be elucidated, but it may involve enhanced Tg solubilization and excessive lysosomal Tg degradation. This study unravels novel roles of the druggable Keap1/Nrf2 pathway in thyroid function and economy. Subclinical hypothyroidism in Keap1KD mice may have broader implications regarding their use in metabolic research.


eLife ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine M Drerup ◽  
Amy L Herbert ◽  
Kelly R Monk ◽  
Alex V Nechiporuk

Mitochondrial transport in axons is critical for neural circuit health and function. While several proteins have been found that modulate bidirectional mitochondrial motility, factors that regulate unidirectional mitochondrial transport have been harder to identify. In a genetic screen, we found a zebrafish strain in which mitochondria fail to attach to the dynein retrograde motor. This strain carries a loss-of-function mutation in actr10, a member of the dynein-associated complex dynactin. The abnormal axon morphology and mitochondrial retrograde transport defects observed in actr10 mutants are distinct from dynein and dynactin mutant axonal phenotypes. In addition, Actr10 lacking the dynactin binding domain maintains its ability to bind mitochondria, arguing for a role for Actr10 in dynactin-mitochondria interaction. Finally, genetic interaction studies implicated Drp1 as a partner in Actr10-dependent mitochondrial retrograde transport. Together, this work identifies Actr10 as a factor necessary for dynactin-mitochondria interaction, enhancing our understanding of how mitochondria properly localize in axons.


2015 ◽  
Vol 26 (7) ◽  
pp. 1296-1307 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wen Lu ◽  
Margot Lakonishok ◽  
Vladimir I. Gelfand

Understanding the mechanism underlying axon regeneration is of great practical importance for developing therapeutic treatment for traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries. Dramatic cytoskeleton reorganization occurs at the injury site, and microtubules have been implicated in the regeneration process. Previously we demonstrated that microtubule sliding by conventional kinesin (kinesin-1) is required for initiation of neurite outgrowth in Drosophila embryonic neurons and that sliding is developmentally down-regulated when neurite outgrowth is completed. Here we report that mechanical axotomy of Drosophila neurons in culture triggers axonal regeneration and regrowth. Regenerating neurons contain actively sliding microtubules; this sliding, like sliding during initial neurite outgrowth, is driven by kinesin-1 and is required for axonal regeneration. The injury induces a fast spike of calcium, depolymerization of microtubules near the injury site, and subsequent formation of local new microtubule arrays with mixed polarity. These events are required for reactivation of microtubule sliding at the initial stages of regeneration. Furthermore, the c-Jun N-terminal kinase pathway promotes regeneration by enhancing microtubule sliding in injured mature neurons.


Blood ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 110 (7) ◽  
pp. 2371-2380 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin T. Kile ◽  
Athanasia D. Panopoulos ◽  
Roslynn A. Stirzaker ◽  
Douglas F. Hacking ◽  
Lubna H. Tahtamouni ◽  
...  

A pivotal mediator of actin dynamics is the protein cofilin, which promotes filament severing and depolymerization, facilitating the breakdown of existing filaments, and the enhancement of filament growth from newly created barbed ends. It does so in concert with actin interacting protein 1 (Aip1), which serves to accelerate cofilin's activity. While progress has been made in understanding its biochemical functions, the physiologic processes the cofilin/Aip1 complex regulates, particularly in higher organisms, are yet to be determined. We have generated an allelic series for WD40 repeat protein 1 (Wdr1), the mammalian homolog of Aip1, and report that reductions in Wdr1 function produce a dramatic phenotype gradient. While severe loss of function at the Wdr1 locus causes embryonic lethality, macrothrombocytopenia and autoinflammatory disease develop in mice carrying hypomorphic alleles. Macrothrombocytopenia is the result of megakaryocyte maturation defects, which lead to a failure of normal platelet shedding. Autoinflammatory disease, which is bone marrow–derived yet nonlymphoid in origin, is characterized by a massive infiltration of neutrophils into inflammatory lesions. Cytoskeletal responses are impaired in Wdr1 mutant neutrophils. These studies establish an essential requirement for Wdr1 in megakaryocytes and neutrophils, indicating that cofilin-mediated actin dynamics are critically important to the development and function of both cell types.


2001 ◽  
Vol 355 (3) ◽  
pp. 681-689 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guangpu LI ◽  
Zhimin LIANG

Ras-like GTPases contain a structurally conserved GTP-binding domain. An important element of the GTP-binding domain is the phosphate-binding loop, which contains two Gly residues (Gly12 and Gly13) in Ras. Because the two Gly residues are crucial for normal Ras function, it is intriguing that they are not conserved in other Ras-like GTPases, including the Rab GTPases; for example, the equivalent residues in Rab5 are Ser29 and Ala30. The present study builds on earlier biochemical characterizations of the Rab5 mutants containing substitutions at Ala30 and provides a comprehensive analysis of the structure–function relationship of the Rab5 phosphate-binding loop. We have generated 19 new mutants containing amino acid substitutions at Ser29 and determined whether these Ser29 mutants, as well as the Ala30 mutants, remain able to stimulate the endocytosis of horseradish peroxidase in baby hamster kidney cells. A total of 11 mutants lose the activity of stimulating endocytosis. Of these 11 mutants, 9 are defective in membrane association. In contrast, 27 mutants remain able to stimulate endocytosis. Five of them induce a novel cellular phenotype: cell rounding and detachment from culture dishes. They also induce super-large early endosomes such as the constitutively activated Rab5:Q79L mutant. Biochemical results suggest that the constitutive activation of Rab5 requires an increased nucleotide exchange rate and/or decreased GTPase activity. This study establishes functional significance for the phosphate-binding loop of Rab5 and shows that mutations in this region lead to either a loss-of-function or a gain-of-function phenotype, indicating a structure–function relationship distinct from that of Ras.


2013 ◽  
Vol 449 (3) ◽  
pp. 707-717 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vivien Landré ◽  
Emmanuelle Pion ◽  
Vikram Narayan ◽  
Dimitris P. Xirodimas ◽  
Kathryn L. Ball

Understanding the determinants for site-specific ubiquitination by E3 ligase components of the ubiquitin machinery is proving to be a challenge. In the present study we investigate the role of an E3 ligase docking site (Mf2 domain) in an intrinsically disordered domain of IRF-1 [IFN (interferon) regulatory factor-1], a short-lived IFNγ-regulated transcription factor, in ubiquitination of the protein. Ubiquitin modification of full-length IRF-1 by E3 ligases such as CHIP [C-terminus of the Hsc (heat-shock cognate) 70-interacting protein] and MDM2 (murine double minute 2), which dock to the Mf2 domain, was specific for lysine residues found predominantly in loop structures that extend from the DNA-binding domain, whereas no modification was detected in the more conformationally flexible C-terminal half of the protein. The E3 docking site was not available when IRF-1 was in its DNA-bound conformation and cognate DNA-binding sequences strongly suppressed ubiquitination, highlighting a strict relationship between ligase binding and site-specific modification at residues in the DNA-binding domain. Hyperubiquitination of a non-DNA-binding mutant supports a mechanism where an active DNA-bound pool of IRF-1 is protected from polyubiquitination and degradation.


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