scholarly journals NOVA1 Promotes SMN2 Exon 7 Splicing via Binding the UCAC Motif and Increases SMN Protein Expression

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lili Du ◽  
Junjie Sun ◽  
Zhiheng Chen ◽  
Yixiang Shao ◽  
Liucheng Wu
Keyword(s):  
Motor Neurons ◽  
Muscular Atrophy ◽  
Splicing Factors ◽  
Nissl Staining ◽  
Homologous Genes ◽  
Pathogenic Factors ◽  
Neural Tissues ◽  
Inclusion Rate ◽  
Smn Protein

Abstract Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a rare hereditary neuromuscular disease with high lethality rate in infants. Homologous genes SMN1 and SMN2 were reported to be SMA pathogenic factors. Studies showed that high inclusion of SMN2 exon 7 increased SMN expression which in turn ameliorated the severity of SMA. The inclusion rate of SMN2 exon 7 was higher in neural tissues than that in non-neural tissues. Expression of splicing factors that regulate inclusion of SMN2 exon 7 were significantly increased in neural tissues compared to non-neural ones. A positive correlation was checked between expression of neuro-oncological ventral antigen 1(NOVA1) and SMN in central nervous system. In addition, reduced number of neurons in the spinal cord anterior horn was determined by Nissl staining in SMA mice from postnatal day 1 to 7 continuously. Meanwhile, NOVA1 was presented in motor neurons and gradually decreased as SMA ongoing. Moreover, SMN2 exon 7 inclusion and protein level were enhanced by overexpressing NOVA1, while the enhancement was reversed when NOVA1 knockdown in vitro. Finally, the “YCAY” motif (Y is pyrimidine, U or C) was located in the exon 7 of SMN2 and was critical for NOVA1 binding and promoting the inclusion of exon 7. Mutagenesis experiments revealed that CA was essential for the exon 7 inclusion while less influence was detected by changing order of Y in the motif. Collectively, NOVA1 interacted with “YCAY” motif in exon 7 of SMN2 and thus enhanced the inclusion of exon 7 in SMN2 which in turn increased the level of SMN protein. Our data may provide new insights into the treatment of SMA disease.

scholarly journals SAM68 is a physiological regulator of SMN2 splicing in spinal muscular atrophy

2015 ◽  
Vol 211 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vittoria Pagliarini ◽  
Laura Pelosi ◽  
Maria Blaire Bustamante ◽  
Annalisa Nobili ◽  
Maria Grazia Berardinelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Muscular Atrophy ◽  
Motor Neurons ◽  
Messenger Rna ◽  
Muscular Atrophy ◽  
Splicing Factors ◽  
Hnrnp A1 ◽  
Smn1 Gene ◽  
Smn2 Gene ◽  
Physiological Regulator

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a neurodegenerative disease caused by loss of motor neurons in patients with null mutations in the SMN1 gene. The almost identical SMN2 gene is unable to compensate for this deficiency because of the skipping of exon 7 during pre–messenger RNA (mRNA) processing. Although several splicing factors can modulate SMN2 splicing in vitro, the physiological regulators of this disease-causing event are unknown. We found that knockout of the splicing factor SAM68 partially rescued body weight and viability of SMAΔ7 mice. Ablation of SAM68 function promoted SMN2 splicing and expression in SMAΔ7 mice, correlating with amelioration of SMA-related defects in motor neurons and skeletal muscles. Mechanistically, SAM68 binds to SMN2 pre-mRNA, favoring recruitment of the splicing repressor hnRNP A1 and interfering with that of U2AF65 at the 3′ splice site of exon 7. These findings identify SAM68 as the first physiological regulator of SMN2 splicing in an SMA mouse model.

Splicing efficiency of minor introns in a mouse model of SMA predominantly depends on their branchpoint sequence and can involve the contribution of major spliceosome components.

RNA ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. rna.078329.120
Author(s):  
Valentin Jacquier ◽  
Manon Prevot ◽  
Thierry Gostan ◽  
Remy Bordonne ◽  
Sofia Benkhelifa-Ziyyat ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Muscular Atrophy ◽  
Differential Splicing ◽  
Molecular Determinants ◽  
In Vitro Splicing ◽  
Splicing Efficiency ◽  
Smn Protein ◽  
Survival Of Motor Neuron ◽  
Branchpoint Sequence ◽  
First Time

Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease caused by reduced amounts of the ubiquitously expressed Survival of Motor Neuron (SMN) protein. In agreement with its crucial role in the biogenesis of spliceosomal snRNPs, SMN-deficiency is correlated to numerous splicing alterations in patient cells and various tissues of SMA mouse models. Among the snRNPs whose assembly is impacted by SMN-deficiency, those involved in the minor spliceosome are particularly affected. Importantly, splicing of several, but not all U12-dependent introns has been shown to be affected in different SMA models. Here, we have investigated the molecular determinants of this differential splicing in spinal cords from SMA mice. We show that the branchpoint sequence (BPS) is a key element controlling splicing efficiency of minor introns. Unexpectedly, splicing of several minor introns with suboptimal BPS is not affected in SMA mice. Using in vitro splicing experiments and oligonucleotides targeting minor or major snRNAs, we show for the first time that splicing of these introns involves both the minor and major machineries. Our results strongly suggest that splicing of a subset of minor introns is not affected in SMA mice because components of the major spliceosome compensate for the loss of minor splicing activity.

scholarly journals Mitochondrial defects in the respiratory complex I contribute to impaired translational initiation via ROS and energy homeostasis in SMA motor neurons

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maximilian Paul Thelen ◽  
Brunhilde Wirth ◽  
Min Jeong Kye
Keyword(s):  
Protein Synthesis ◽  
Motor Neuron ◽  
Motor Neurons ◽  
Complex I ◽  
Energy Homeostasis ◽  
Muscular Atrophy ◽  
Survival Motor Neuron ◽  
Translational Initiation ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Smn Protein

AbstractSpinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a neuromuscular disease characterized by loss of lower motor neurons, which leads to proximal muscle weakness and atrophy. SMA is caused by reduced survival motor neuron (SMN) protein levels due to biallelic deletions or mutations in the SMN1 gene. When SMN levels fall under a certain threshold, a plethora of cellular pathways are disturbed, including RNA processing, protein synthesis, metabolic defects, and mitochondrial function. Dysfunctional mitochondria can harm cells by decreased ATP production and increased oxidative stress due to elevated cellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Since neurons mainly produce energy via mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, restoring metabolic/oxidative homeostasis might rescue SMA pathology. Here, we report, based on proteome analysis, that SMA motor neurons show disturbed energy homeostasis due to dysfunction of mitochondrial complex I. This results in a lower basal ATP concentration and higher ROS production that causes an increase of protein carbonylation and impaired protein synthesis in SMA motor neurons. Counteracting these cellular impairments with pyruvate reduces elevated ROS levels, increases ATP and SMN protein levels in SMA motor neurons. Furthermore, we found that pyruvate-mediated SMN protein synthesis is mTOR-dependent. Most importantly, we showed that ROS regulates protein synthesis at the translational initiation step, which is impaired in SMA. As many neuropathies share pathological phenotypes such as dysfunctional mitochondria, excessive ROS, and impaired protein synthesis, our findings suggest new molecular interactions among these pathways. Additionally, counteracting these impairments by reducing ROS and increasing ATP might be beneficial for motor neuron survival in SMA patients.

scholarly journals Molecular Mechanisms of Neurodegeneration in Spinal Muscular Atrophy

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. JEN.S33122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saif Ahmad ◽  
Kanchan Bhatia ◽  
Annapoorna Kannan ◽  
Laxman Gangwani
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Muscular Atrophy ◽  
Motor Neuron ◽  
Motor Neurons ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Muscular Atrophy ◽  
Survival Motor Neuron ◽  
Skeletal Muscle Atrophy ◽  
Spinal Motor Neurons ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Smn Protein

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal recessive motor neuron disease with a high incidence and is the most common genetic cause of infant mortality. SMA is primarily characterized by degeneration of the spinal motor neurons that leads to skeletal muscle atrophy followed by symmetric limb paralysis, respiratory failure, and death. In humans, mutation of the Survival Motor Neuron 1 (SMN1) gene shifts the load of expression of SMN protein to the SMN2 gene that produces low levels of full-length SMN protein because of alternative splicing, which are sufficient for embryonic development and survival but result in SMA. The molecular mechanisms of the (a) regulation of SMN gene expression and (b) degeneration of motor neurons caused by low levels of SMN are unclear. However, some progress has been made in recent years that have provided new insights into understanding of the cellular and molecular basis of SMA pathogenesis. In this review, we have briefly summarized recent advances toward understanding of the molecular mechanisms of regulation of SMN levels and signaling mechanisms that mediate neurodegeneration in SMA.

scholarly journals The Survival of Motor Neurons Protein Determines the Capacity for snRNP Assembly: Biochemical Deficiency in Spinal Muscular Atrophy

2005 ◽  
Vol 25 (13) ◽  
pp. 5543-5551 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lili Wan ◽  
Daniel J. Battle ◽  
Jeongsik Yong ◽  
Amelie K. Gubitz ◽  
Stephen J. Kolb ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Muscular Atrophy ◽  
Motor Neurons ◽  
Muscular Atrophy ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Small Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein ◽  
Cell Extracts ◽  
Smn Complex ◽  
Survival Of Motor Neurons ◽  
Smn Protein ◽  
Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein

ABSTRACT Reduction of the survival of motor neurons (SMN) protein levels causes the motor neuron degenerative disease spinal muscular atrophy, the severity of which correlates with the extent of reduction in SMN. SMN, together with Gemins 2 to 7, forms a complex that functions in the assembly of small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particles (snRNPs). Complete depletion of the SMN complex from cell extracts abolishes snRNP assembly, the formation of heptameric Sm cores on snRNAs. However, what effect, if any, reduction of SMN protein levels, as occurs in spinal muscular atrophy patients, has on the capacity of cells to produce snRNPs is not known. To address this, we developed a sensitive and quantitative assay for snRNP assembly, the formation of high-salt- and heparin-resistant stable Sm cores, that is strictly dependent on the SMN complex. We show that the extent of Sm core assembly is directly proportional to the amount of SMN protein in cell extracts. Consistent with this, pulse-labeling experiments demonstrate a significant reduction in the rate of snRNP biogenesis in low-SMN cells. Furthermore, extracts of cells from spinal muscular atrophy patients have a lower capacity for snRNP assembly that corresponds directly to the reduced amount of SMN. Thus, SMN determines the capacity for snRNP biogenesis, and our findings provide evidence for a measurable deficiency in a biochemical activity in cells from patients with spinal muscular atrophy.

SMN complexes of nucleus and cytoplasm: A proteomic study for SMA therapy

2010 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Heidi Fuller ◽  
Glenn Morris
Keyword(s):  
Motor Neurons ◽  
Muscular Atrophy ◽  
Ubiquitin Proteasome System ◽  
Neuromuscular Disorder ◽  
Nuclear Extracts ◽  
Smn Complex ◽  
Proteomic Study ◽  
Ubiquitin Proteasome ◽  
Survival Of Motor Neurons ◽  
Smn Protein

AbstractReduced levels of the survival of motor neurons protein (SMN), cause the inherited neuromuscular disorder, spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). The majority of therapeutic approaches to date have been focused on finding ways to increase expression of functional SMN protein, though stabilization of SMN protein may also be an important consideration. SMN interacts, directly or indirectly, stably or transiently, with a large number of other proteins, some of which contribute to SMN stability and may therefore be potential targets for SMA therapy. We recently characterized the nuclear SMN interactome using LC-MALDI-TOF/TOF analysis of anti-SMN pull-downs and identified myb-binding protein-1a (Mybbp1a) as a novel partner. In light of interest in cytoplasm-specific roles of the SMN complex, we have applied the same approach to characterise the cytoplasmic SMN interactome. We now show that SMN complexes from HeLa cytoplasmic extracts differ significantly from those found in nuclear extracts, with gemin5, importinbeta and annexin A2 easily detected only in the cytoplasmic extracts, whereas interaction of SMN with Mybbp1a appears to occur only in the nucleus. SMN is ubiquitinylated and we also found proteins of the ubiquitin-proteasome system associated with SMN in the cytoplasm.

In Vitro Restoration of Functional SMN Protein in Human Trophoblast Cells Affected by Spinal Muscular Atrophy by Small Fragment Homologous Replacement

2005 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
pp. 050701034702010
Author(s):  
Federica Sangiuolo ◽  
Antonio Filareto ◽  
Paola Spitalieri ◽  
Maria Lucia Scaldaferri ◽  
Ruggiero Mango ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Muscular Atrophy ◽  
Muscular Atrophy ◽  
Small Fragment ◽  
Trophoblast Cells ◽  
Human Trophoblast ◽  
Smn Protein ◽  
Human Trophoblast Cells

scholarly journals Circulating microRNAs as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets in spinal muscular atrophy

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 175628642097995
Author(s):  
Tai-Heng Chen
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Muscular Atrophy ◽  
Motor Neurons ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Muscular Atrophy ◽  
Therapeutic Targets ◽  
Homozygous Deletion ◽  
Survival Motor Neuron ◽  
Novel Mirna ◽  
Potential Applications ◽  
Smn Protein

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a leading genetic cause of infant death, is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by the selective loss of particular groups of motor neurons (MNs) in the anterior horn of the spinal cord with progressive muscle wasting. SMA is caused by a deficiency of the survival motor neuron (SMN) protein due to a homozygous deletion or mutation of the SMN1 gene. However, the molecular mechanisms whereby the SMN complex regulates MN functions are not fully elucidated. Emerging studies on SMA pathogenesis have turned the attention of researchers to RNA metabolism, given that increasingly identified SMN-associated modifiers are involved in both coding and non-coding RNA (ncRNA) processing. Among various ncRNAs, microRNAs (miRNAs) are the most studied in terms of regulation of posttranscriptional gene expression. Recently, the discovery that miRNAs are critical to MN function and survival led to the study of dysregulated miRNAs in SMA pathogenesis. Circulating miRNAs have drawn attention as a readily available biomarker due to their property of being clinically detectable in numerous human biofluids through non-invasive approaches. As there are recent promising findings from novel miRNA-based medicines, this article presents an extensive review of the most up-to-date studies connecting specific miRNAs to SMA pathogenesis and the potential applications of miRNAs as biomarkers and therapeutic targets for SMA.

scholarly journals Generating Diverse Spinal Motor Neuron Subtypes from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rickie Patani
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Motor Neuron ◽  
Motor Neurons ◽  
Pluripotent Stem Cells ◽  
Muscular Atrophy ◽  
Human Pluripotent Stem Cells ◽  
Disease Models ◽  
Differential Vulnerability ◽  
Neuronal Diversification

Resolving the mechanisms underlying human neuronal diversification remains a major challenge in developmental and applied neurobiology. Motor neurons (MNs) represent a diverse pool of neuronal subtypes exhibiting differential vulnerability in different human neurodegenerative diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). The ability to predictably manipulate MN subtype lineage restriction from human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) will form the essential basis to establishing accurate, clinically relevantin vitrodisease models. I first overview motor neuron developmental biology to provide some context for reviewing recent studies interrogating pathways that influence the generation of MN diversity. I conclude that motor neurogenesis from PSCs provides a powerful reductionist model system to gain insight into the developmental logic of MN subtype diversification and serves more broadly as a leading exemplar of potential strategies to resolve the molecular basis of neuronal subclass differentiation within the nervous system. These studies will in turn permit greater mechanistic understanding of differential MN subtype vulnerability usingin vitrohuman disease models.

scholarly journals A Drosophila melanogaster model of spinal muscular atrophy reveals a function for SMN in striated muscle

2007 ◽  
Vol 176 (6) ◽  
pp. 831-841 ◽  
Author(s):  
T.K. Rajendra ◽  
Graydon B. Gonsalvez ◽  
Michael P. Walker ◽  
Karl B. Shpargel ◽  
Helen K. Salz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Spinal Muscular Atrophy ◽  
Motor Neurons ◽  
Striated Muscle ◽  
Flight Muscle ◽  
Muscular Atrophy ◽  
Survival Motor Neurons ◽  
Protein Levels

Mutations in human survival motor neurons 1 (SMN1) cause spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and are associated with defects in assembly of small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs) in vitro. However, the etiological link between snRNPs and SMA is unclear. We have developed a Drosophila melanogaster system to model SMA in vivo. Larval-lethal Smn-null mutations show no detectable snRNP reduction, making it unlikely that these animals die from global snRNP deprivation. Hypomorphic mutations in Smn reduce dSMN protein levels in the adult thorax, causing flightlessness and acute muscular atrophy. Mutant flight muscle motoneurons display pronounced axon routing and arborization defects. Moreover, Smn mutant myofibers fail to form thin filaments and phenocopy null mutations in Act88F, which is the flight muscle–specific actin isoform. In wild-type muscles, dSMN colocalizes with sarcomeric actin and forms a complex with α-actinin, the thin filament crosslinker. The sarcomeric localization of Smn is conserved in mouse myofibrils. These observations suggest a muscle-specific function for SMN and underline the importance of this tissue in modulating SMA severity.

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