scholarly journals GAIT-GM integrative cross-omics analyses reveal cholinergic defects in a C. elegans model of Parkinson′s disease

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danielle E Mor ◽  
Francisco Huertas ◽  
Alison M Morse ◽  
Rachel Kaletsky ◽  
Coleen T Murphy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neurodegenerative Disorder ◽  
Cholinergic Neurons ◽  
Cell Loss ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Integrative Analysis ◽  
Omics Data ◽  
C Elegans ◽  
Disease Mechanisms ◽  
Multiple Cell ◽  
Branched Chain

Background: Parkinson′s disease (PD) is a disabling neurodegenerative disorder in which multiple cell types, including dopaminergic and cholinergic neurons, are affected. The mechanisms of neurodegeneration in PD are unknown, limiting the development of therapies directed at disease-relevant molecular targets. C. elegans is a genetically tractable model system that can be used to disentangle disease mechanisms in complex diseases such as PD. Such mechanisms can be studied combining high-throughput molecular profiling technologies such as transcriptomics and metabolomics. However, the integrative analysis of multi-omics data in order to unravel disease mechanisms is a challenging task without advanced bioinformatics training. Galaxy, a widely-used resource for enabling bioinformatics analysis by the broad scientific community, has poor representation of multi-omics integration pipelines. Results: We present the integrative analysis of gene expression and metabolite levels of a C. elegans PD model using GAIT-GM, a new Galaxy tool for multi-omics data analysis. Using GAIT-GM, we discovered an association between branched-chain amino acid metabolism and cholinergic neurons in the C. elegans PD model. An independent follow-up experiment uncovered cholinergic neurodegeneration in the C. elegans model that is consistent with cholinergic cell loss observed in PD. Conclusion: GAIT-GM is an easy to use Galaxy-based tool for generating novel testable hypotheses of disease mechanisms involving gene-metabolite relationships.

scholarly journals α-Synuclein pre-formed fibrils induce prion-like protein aggregation and neurotoxicity in C. elegans models of Parkinson's disease

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Merry Chen ◽  
Julie Vincent ◽  
Alexis Ezeanii ◽  
Saurabh Wakade ◽  
Shobha Yerigenahally ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Neurodegenerative Disorder ◽  
Motor Deficit ◽  
Rodent Models ◽  
Neuron Degeneration ◽  
C Elegans ◽  
Dopaminergic Neurodegeneration ◽  
Disease Mechanisms ◽  
The Brain

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a debilitating neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive motor decline and the aggregation of α-synuclein protein. Growing evidence suggests that α-synuclein aggregates may spread from neurons of the digestive tract to the brain in a prion-like manner. While rodent models have recapitulated gut-to-brain α-synuclein transmission, animal models that are amenable to high-throughput investigations are needed to facilitate the discovery of disease mechanisms. Here we describe the first C. elegans models in which feeding with α-synuclein pre-formed fibrils (PFFs) induced prion-like dopamine neuron degeneration and seeding of aggregation of human α-synuclein expressed in the host. PFF acceleration of α-synuclein aggregation in C. elegans muscle cells was associated with a progressive motor deficit, whereas feeding with α-synuclein monomer produced much milder effects. RNAi-mediated knockdown of the C. elegans syndecan sdn-1, and enzymes involved in heparan sulfate proteoglycan biosynthesis, afforded protection from PFF-induced seeding of aggregation and toxicity, as well as dopaminergic neurodegeneration. This work offers new models by which to investigate gut-derived α-synuclein spreading and propagation of disease.

scholarly journals xbx-4, a homolog of the Joubert syndrome gene FAM149B1, acts via the CCRK and MAK kinase cascade to regulate cilia morphology

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashish K Maurya ◽  
Piali Sengupta
Keyword(s):  
Sensory Neuron ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Primary Cilia ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Joubert Syndrome ◽  
C Elegans ◽  
Kinase Cascade ◽  
Multiple Cell ◽  
Kinase Pathway ◽  
Sensory Functions

Primary cilia are microtubule (MT)-based organelles that mediate sensory functions in multiple cell types. Disruption of cilia structure or function leads to a diverse collection of diseases termed ciliopathies. Mutations in the DUF3719 domain-containing protein FAM149B1 have recently been shown to elongate cilia via unknown mechanisms and result in the ciliopathy Joubert syndrome. The highly conserved CCRK and MAK/RCK kinases negatively regulate cilia length and structure in Chlamydomonas, C. elegans, and mammalian cells. How the activity of this kinase cascade is tuned to precisely regulate cilia architecture is unclear. Here we identify XBX-4, a DUF3719 domain-containing protein related to human FAM149B1, as a novel regulator of the DYF-18 CCRK and DYF-5 MAK kinase pathway in C. elegans. As in dyf-18 and dyf-5 mutants, sensory neuron cilia are elongated in xbx-4 mutants and exhibit altered axonemal MT stability. XBX-4 promotes DYF-18 CCRK activity to regulate DYF-5 MAK function and localization. We find that Joubert syndrome-associated mutations in the XBX-4 DUF3719 domain also elongate cilia in C. elegans. Our results identify a new metazoan-specific regulator of this highly conserved kinase pathway, and suggest that FAM149B1 may similarly act via the CCRK/MAK kinase pathway to regulate ciliary homeostasis in humans.

scholarly journals PolyQ-independent toxicity associated with novel translational products from CAG repeat expansions

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paige D. Rudich ◽  
Simon Watkins ◽  
Todd Lamitina
Keyword(s):  
Cell Types ◽  
Cag Repeat ◽  
Cag Repeats ◽  
C Elegans ◽  
Polyq Protein ◽  
Repeat Expansions ◽  
Multiple Cell ◽  
Nucleotide Repeats ◽  
Ran Translation

AbstractExpanded CAG nucleotide repeats are the underlying genetic cause of at least 14 incurable diseases, including Huntington’s disease (HD). The toxicity associated with many CAG repeat expansions is thought to be due to the translation of the CAG repeat to create a polyQ protein, which forms toxic oligomers and aggregates. However, recent studies show that HD CAG repeats undergo a non-canonical form of translation called Repeat-associated non-AUG dependent (RAN) translation. RAN translation of the CAG sense and CUG anti-sense RNAs produces six distinct repeat peptides: polyalanine (polyAla, from both CAG and CUG repeats), polyserine (polySer), polyleucine (polyLeu), polycysteine (polyCys), and polyglutamine (polyGln). The toxic potential of individual CAG-derived RAN polypeptides is not well understood. We developed pure C. elegans protein models for each CAG RAN polypeptide using codon-varied expression constructs that preserve RAN protein sequence but eliminate repetitive CAG/CUG RNA. While all RAN polypeptides formed aggregates, only polyLeu was consistently toxic across multiple cell types. In GABAergic neurons, which exhibit significant neurodegeneration in HD patients, codon-varied (Leu)38, but not (Gln)38, caused substantial neurodegeneration and motility defects. Our studies provide the first in vivo evaluation of CAG-derived RAN polypeptides and suggest that polyQ-independent mechanisms, such as RAN-translated polyLeu peptides, may have a significant pathological role in CAG repeat expansion disorders.

In silico and In vivo Evaluation of Oxidative Stress Inhibitors Against Parkinson`s Disease using the C. elegans Model

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (8) ◽  
pp. 814-826
Author(s):  
Pradeep Hanumanthappa ◽  
Arpitha Ashok ◽  
Inderjit Prakash ◽  
Carmel I. Priya ◽  
Julie Zinzala ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neuronal Death ◽  
Neurodegenerative Disorder ◽  
In Vivo Evaluation ◽  
Neuroprotective Effects ◽  
Ample Evidence ◽  
C Elegans ◽  
Rational Drug ◽  
Cullin 3 ◽  
Anti Oxidant

Background: Parkinson’s disease ranks second, after Alzheimer’s as the major neurodegenerative disorder, for which no cure or disease-modifying therapies exist. Ample evidence indicate that PD manifests as a result of impaired anti-oxidative machinery leading to neuronal death wherein Cullin-3 has ascended as a potential therapeutic target for diseases involving damaged anti-oxidative machinery. Objective: The design of target specific inhibitors for the Cullin-3 protein might be a promising strategy to increase the Nrf2 levels and to decrease the possibility of “off-target” toxic properties. Methods: In the present study, an integrated computational and wet lab approach was adopted to identify small molecule inhibitors for Cullin-3. The rational drug designing process comprised homology modeling and derivation of the pharmacophore for Cullin-3, virtual screening of Zinc natural compound database, molecular docking and Molecular dynamics based screening of ligand molecules. In vivo validations of an identified lead compound were conducted in the PD model of C. elegans. Results and Discussion: Our strategy yielded a potential inhibitor; (Glide score = -12.31), which was evaluated for its neuroprotective efficacy in the PD model of C. elegans. The inhibitor was able to efficiently defend against neuronal death in PD model of C. elegans and the neuroprotective effects were attributed to its anti-oxidant activities, supported by the increase in superoxide dismutase, catalase and the diminution of acetylcholinesterase and reactive oxygen species levels. In addition, the Cullin-3 inhibitor significantly restored the behavioral deficits in the transgenic C. elegans. Conclusion: Taken together, these findings highlight the potential utility of Cullin-3 inhibition to block the persistent neuronal death in PD. Further studies focusing on Cullin-3 and its mechanism of action would be interesting.

In silico screening of pyridoxine carbamates for Anti-Alzheimer’s activities

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dnyaneshwar Baswar ◽  
Abha Sharma ◽  
Awanish Mishra
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
In Silico ◽  
Neurodegenerative Disorder ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Cholinergic Neurons ◽  
In Silico Screening ◽  
In Silico Studies ◽  
Bbb Permeability ◽  
Ld50 Value

Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD), an irreversible complex neurodegenerative disorder, is most common type of dementia, with progressive loss of cholinergic neurons. Based on the multi- factorial etiology of Alzheimer’s disease, novel ligands strategy appears as up-coming approach for the development of newer molecules against AD. This study is envisaged to investigate anti-Alzheimer’s potential of 10 synthesized compounds. The screening of compounds (1-10) was carried out using in silico techniques. Methods: For in silico screening of physicochemical properties of compounds molinspiration property engine v.2018.03, Swiss ADME online web-server and pkCSM ADME were used. For pharmacodynamic prediction PASS software while toxicity profile of compounds were analyzed through ProTox-II online software. Simultaneously, molecular docking analysis was performed on mouse AChE enzyme (PDB ID:2JGE, obtained from RSCB PDB) using Auto Dock Tools 1.5.6. Results: Based on in silico studies, compound 9 and 10 have been found to have better drug likeness, LD50 value, and better anti-Alzheimer’s, nootropic activities. However, these compounds had poor blood brain barrier (BBB) permeability. Compound 4 and 9 were predicted with better docking score for AChE enzyme. Conclusion: The outcome of in silico studies have suggested, out of various substitutions at different positions of pyridoxine-carbamate, compound 9 have shown promising drug likeness, with better safety and efficacy profile for anti-Alzheimer’s activity. However, BBB permeability appears as one the major limitation of all these compounds. Further studies are required to confirm its biological activities.

scholarly journals Multiple cell types contribute to the atherosclerotic lesion fibrous cap by PDGFRβ and bioenergetic mechanisms

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 166-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra A. C. Newman ◽  
Vlad Serbulea ◽  
Richard A. Baylis ◽  
Laura S. Shankman ◽  
Xenia Bradley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atherosclerotic Lesion ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Fibrous Cap ◽  
Multiple Cell

scholarly journals Multiple Roles for Cholinergic Signaling from the Perspective of Stem Cell Function

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 666
Author(s):  
Toshio Takahashi
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Cell Function ◽  
Cell Activity ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Cholinergic Neurons ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Proliferative Potential ◽  
True Nature ◽  
Cholinergic Signaling

Stem cells have extensive proliferative potential and the ability to differentiate into one or more mature cell types. The mechanisms by which stem cells accomplish self-renewal provide fundamental insight into the origin and design of multicellular organisms. These pathways allow the repair of damage and extend organismal life beyond that of component cells, and they probably preceded the evolution of complex metazoans. Understanding the true nature of stem cells can only come from discovering how they are regulated. The concept that stem cells are controlled by particular microenvironments, also known as niches, has been widely accepted. Technical advances now allow characterization of the zones that maintain and control stem cell activity in several organs, including the brain, skin, and gut. Cholinergic neurons release acetylcholine (ACh) that mediates chemical transmission via ACh receptors such as nicotinic and muscarinic receptors. Although the cholinergic system is composed of organized nerve cells, the system is also involved in mammalian non-neuronal cells, including stem cells, embryonic stem cells, epithelial cells, and endothelial cells. Thus, cholinergic signaling plays a pivotal role in controlling their behaviors. Studies regarding this signal are beginning to unify our understanding of stem cell regulation at the cellular and molecular levels, and they are expected to advance efforts to control stem cells therapeutically. The present article reviews recent findings about cholinergic signaling that is essential to control stem cell function in a cholinergic niche.

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