scholarly journals Genotoxic Damage During Brain Development Presages Prototypical Neurodegenerative Disease

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Glen E. Kisby ◽  
Peter S. Spencer
Keyword(s):  
Dna Damage ◽  
Brain Development ◽  
Neurodegenerative Disease ◽  
Neurodegenerative Disorder ◽  
Epigenetic Modification ◽  
Adult Life ◽  
Neuronal Cultures ◽  
Brain Disorder ◽  
Cell Cycle Reentry ◽  
Sporadic Als

Western Pacific Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Parkinsonism-Dementia Complex (ALS/PDC) is a disappearing prototypical neurodegenerative disorder (tau-dominated polyproteinopathy) linked with prior exposure to phytogenotoxins in cycad seed used for medicine and/or food. The principal cycad genotoxin, methylazoxymethanol (MAM), forms reactive carbon-centered ions that alkylate nucleic acids in fetal rodent brain and, depending on the timing of systemic administration, induces persistent developmental abnormalities of the cortex, hippocampus, cerebellum, and retina. Whereas administration of MAM prenatally or postnatally can produce animal models of epilepsy, schizophrenia or ataxia, administration to adult animals produces little effect on brain structure or function. The neurotoxic effects of MAM administered to rats during cortical brain development (specifically, gestation day 17) are used to model the histological, neurophysiological and behavioral deficits of human schizophrenia, a condition that may precede or follow clinical onset of motor neuron disease in subjects with sporadic ALS and ALS/PDC. While studies of migrants to and from communities impacted by ALS/PDC indicate the degenerative brain disorder may be acquired in juvenile and adult life, a proportion of indigenous cases shows neurodevelopmental aberrations in the cerebellum and retina consistent with MAM exposure in utero. MAM induces specific patterns of DNA damage and repair that associate with increased tau expression in primary rat neuronal cultures and with brain transcriptional changes that parallel those associated with human ALS and Alzheimer’s disease. We examine MAM in relation to neurodevelopment, epigenetic modification, DNA damage/replicative stress, genomic instability, somatic mutation, cell-cycle reentry and cellular senescence. Since the majority of neurodegenerative disease lacks a solely inherited genetic basis, research is needed to explore the hypothesis that early-life exposure to genotoxic agents may trigger or promote molecular events that culminate in neurodegeneration.

Premature ovarian ageing following heterozygous loss of Senataxin

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
G N Subramanian ◽  
M Lavin ◽  
H A Homer
Keyword(s):  
Dna Damage ◽  
Neurodegenerative Disorder ◽  
Dna Helicase ◽  
Dna Integrity ◽  
Ovarian Activity ◽  
Homozygous Mutation ◽  
Female Mice ◽  
Mating Trial ◽  
High Prevalence

Abstract Premature loss of ovarian activity before 40 years of age is known as primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) and occurs in ∼1% of women. A more subtle decline in ovarian activity, known as premature ovarian ageing (POA), occurs in ∼10% of women. Despite the high prevalence of POA, very little is known regarding its genetic causation. Senataxin (SETX) is an RNA/DNA helicase involved in repair of oxidative stress-induced DNA damage. Homozygous mutation of SETX leads to the neurodegenerative disorder, ataxia oculomotor apraxia type 2 (AOA2). There have been reports of POI in AOA2 females suggesting a link between SETX and ovarian ageing. Here, we studied female mice lacking either one (Setx+/−) or both (Setx−/−) copies of SETX over a 12- to 14-month period. We find that DNA damage is increased in oocytes from 8-month-old Setx+/− and Setx−/− females compared with Setx+/+ oocytes leading to a marked reduction in all classes of ovarian follicles at least 4 months earlier than typically occurs in female mice. Furthermore, during a 12-month long mating trial, Setx+/− and Setx−/− females produced significantly fewer pups than Setx+/+ females from 7 months of age onwards. These data show that SETX is critical for preventing POA in mice, likely by preserving DNA integrity in oocytes. Intriguingly, heterozygous Setx loss causes an equally severe impact on ovarian ageing as homozygous Setx loss. Because heterozygous SETX disruption is less likely to produce systemic effects, SETX compromise could underpin some cases of insidious POA.

scholarly journals Inhibition of histone methyltransferase G9a attenuates liver cancer initiation by sensitizing DNA-damaged hepatocytes to p53-induced apoptosis

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Takuma Nakatsuka ◽  
Keisuke Tateishi ◽  
Hiroyuki Kato ◽  
Hiroaki Fujiwara ◽  
Keisuke Yamamoto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Damage ◽  
Epigenetic Modification ◽  
Histone Methyltransferase ◽  
Preventive Strategy ◽  
Tumor Initiation ◽  
Liver Transcriptome ◽  
Genetic Abnormalities ◽  
Responsive Element ◽  
Induced Apoptosis

AbstractWhile the significance of acquired genetic abnormalities in the initiation of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been established, the role of epigenetic modification remains unknown. Here we identified the pivotal role of histone methyltransferase G9a in the DNA damage-triggered initiation of HCC. Using liver-specific G9a-deficient (G9aΔHep) mice, we revealed that loss of G9a significantly attenuated liver tumor initiation caused by diethylnitrosamine (DEN). In addition, pharmacological inhibition of G9a attenuated the DEN-induced initiation of HCC. After treatment with DEN, while the induction of γH2AX and p53 were comparable in the G9aΔHep and wild-type livers, more apoptotic hepatocytes were detected in the G9aΔHep liver. Transcriptome analysis identified Bcl-G, a pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family member, to be markedly upregulated in the G9aΔHep liver. In human cultured hepatoma cells, a G9a inhibitor, UNC0638, upregulated BCL-G expression and enhanced the apoptotic response after treatment with hydrogen peroxide or irradiation, suggesting an essential role of the G9a-Bcl-G axis in DNA damage response in hepatocytes. The proposed mechanism was that DNA damage stimuli recruited G9a to the p53-responsive element of the Bcl-G gene, resulting in the impaired enrichment of p53 to the region and the attenuation of Bcl-G expression. G9a deletion allowed the recruitment of p53 and upregulated Bcl-G expression. These results demonstrate that G9a allows DNA-damaged hepatocytes to escape p53-induced apoptosis by silencing Bcl-G, which may contribute to the tumor initiation. Therefore, G9a inhibition can be a novel preventive strategy for HCC.

scholarly journals TDP-43 mutations link Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis with R-loop homeostasis and R loop-mediated DNA damage

PLoS Genetics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (12) ◽  
pp. e1009260
Author(s):  
Marta Giannini ◽  
Aleix Bayona-Feliu ◽  
Daisy Sproviero ◽  
Sonia I. Barroso ◽  
Cristina Cereda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Damage ◽  
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ◽  
Rna Binding ◽  
Neurodegenerative Disorder ◽  
Genome Instability ◽  
Neuronal Model ◽  
Dna Breaks ◽  
Dna And Rna ◽  
Double Strand Dna Breaks ◽  
Lateral Sclerosis

TDP-43 is a DNA and RNA binding protein involved in RNA processing and with structural resemblance to heterogeneous ribonucleoproteins (hnRNPs), whose depletion sensitizes neurons to double strand DNA breaks (DSBs). Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder, in which 97% of patients are familial and sporadic cases associated with TDP-43 proteinopathies and conditions clearing TDP-43 from the nucleus, but we know little about the molecular basis of the disease. After showing with the non-neuronal model of HeLa cells that TDP-43 depletion increases R loops and associated genome instability, we prove that mislocalization of mutated TDP-43 (A382T) in transfected neuronal SH-SY5Y and lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) from an ALS patient cause R-loop accumulation, R loop-dependent increased DSBs and Fanconi Anemia repair centers. These results uncover a new role of TDP-43 in the control of co-transcriptional R loops and the maintenance of genome integrity by preventing harmful R-loop accumulation. Our findings thus link TDP-43 pathology to increased R loops and R loop-mediated DNA damage opening the possibility that R-loop modulation in TDP-43-defective cells might help develop ALS therapies.

scholarly journals Heparan sulphate compounds regulate cholesterol metabolism in neurodegenerative disease models

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Rosemary Heathcott
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Neurodegenerative Disease ◽  
Cell Line ◽  
Cholesterol Metabolism ◽  
Neurodegenerative Disorder ◽  
Heparan Sulphate ◽  
Amyloid Β ◽  
Neuronal Cell ◽  
Lysosomal Storage

<p>Heparan sulphate proteoglycans (HSPG) are central to numerous processes of the mammalian cell. The highly charged negative side chains of the heparan sulphate (HS) oligosaccharides are essential for the regulatory and structural functions of the proteoglycan. Synthetic HS compounds have potential therapeutic value due to their ability to mimic naturally occurring HS. Niemann-Pick disease type C (NPC) is a fatal childhood neurodegenerative disease with characteristic cholesterol and sphingolipid accumulation in the late endosome or lysosome. Alzheimer’s disease, another neurodegenerative disorder, shares alterations of cholesterol and amyloid β metabolism with NPC. In this study,a set of novel heparan sulphate compounds with a range of structures and oligosaccharide side groups with a variety of degrees of sulphation was investigated with regards to their effects on cholesterol and amyloid β metabolism in cell line models of these two diseases. Fluorescent staining of cholesterol and confocal microscopy showed highly sulphated compounds reduce the accumulation of cholesterol in the perinuclear lysosomal storage organelles in patient fibroblast cell lines. The compounds had no effect on secreted amyloid β levels or amyloid precursor protein levels in a neuronal cell line model of early onset Alzheimer’s disease. The mechanism of cholesterol reduction is unclear but may be related to a reduction in HSPG-associated endocytosis of LDL/cholesterol.</p>

scholarly journals Consumption of unregulated food items (false morels) and risk for neurodegenerative disease (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis)

2020 ◽  
pp. 94-99
Author(s):  
P.S. Spencer ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ◽  
Free Radicals ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Neurodegenerative Disease ◽  
Strong Evidence ◽  
Western Europe ◽  
World War ◽  
Food Items ◽  
Sporadic Als ◽  
Lateral Sclerosis

Unknown environmental factors are thought to contribute to the etiology of sporadic forms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Strong evidence supporting this view is found in the post-World War decline and disappearance of highincidence ALS in three Western Pacific populations that formerly utilized neurotoxic cycad seed as a traditional source of food and/or medicine. The principal toxins in cycads (cycasin) and in False Morel mushrooms (gyromitrin) generate methyl free radicals that damage DNA and cause mutation and uncontrolled division of cycling cells and degeneration of late-/postmitotic neurons. Since False Morels are scavenged for food in Finland, Russia, Spain, and USA, research studies are underway in Western Europe and USA to determine if the practice is associated with sporadic ALS.

scholarly journals Tau affects P53 function and cell fate during the DNA damage response

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Martina Sola ◽  
Claudia Magrin ◽  
Giona Pedrioli ◽  
Sandra Pinton ◽  
Agnese Salvadè ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Damage ◽  
Cell Fate ◽  
Neurodegenerative Disorder ◽  
Neuroblastoma Cells ◽  
Molecular Response ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Protein Deposition ◽  
Medical Need ◽  
Damage Response ◽  
Fate Decision

Abstract Cells are constantly exposed to DNA damaging insults. To protect the organism, cells developed a complex molecular response coordinated by P53, the master regulator of DNA repair, cell division and cell fate. DNA damage accumulation and abnormal cell fate decision may represent a pathomechanism shared by aging-associated disorders such as cancer and neurodegeneration. Here, we examined this hypothesis in the context of tauopathies, a neurodegenerative disorder group characterized by Tau protein deposition. For this, the response to an acute DNA damage was studied in neuroblastoma cells with depleted Tau, as a model of loss-of-function. Under these conditions, altered P53 stability and activity result in reduced cell death and increased cell senescence. This newly discovered function of Tau involves abnormal modification of P53 and its E3 ubiquitin ligase MDM2. Considering the medical need with vast social implications caused by neurodegeneration and cancer, our study may reform our approach to disease-modifying therapies.

scholarly journals ALU non-B-DNA conformations, flipons, binary codes and evolution

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 200222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan Herbert
Keyword(s):  
Dna Damage ◽  
Epigenetic Modification ◽  
Rapid Change ◽  
Sequence Motifs ◽  
Alu Elements ◽  
Evolutionary Innovation ◽  
Alu Insertion ◽  
Alu Sequence ◽  
Dna Conformations ◽  
Z Dna

ALUs contribute to genetic diversity by altering DNA's linear sequence through retrotransposition, recombination and repair. ALUs also have the potential to form alternative non-B-DNA conformations such as Z-DNA, triplexes and quadruplexes that alter the read-out of information from the genome. I suggest here these structures enable the rapid reprogramming of cellular pathways to offset DNA damage and regulate inflammation. The experimental data supporting this form of genetic encoding is presented. ALU sequence motifs that form non-B-DNA conformations under physiological conditions are called flipons. Flipons are binary switches. They are dissipative structures that trade energy for information. By efficiently targeting cellular machines to active genes, flipons expand the repertoire of RNAs compiled from a gene. Their action greatly increases the informational capacity of linearly encoded genomes. Flipons are programmable by epigenetic modification, synchronizing cellular events by altering both chromatin state and nucleosome phasing. Different classes of flipon exist. Z-flipons are based on Z-DNA and modify the transcripts compiled from a gene. T-flipons are based on triplexes and localize non-coding RNAs that direct the assembly of cellular machines. G-flipons are based on G-quadruplexes and sense DNA damage, then trigger the appropriate protective responses. Flipon conformation is dynamic, changing with context. When frozen in one state, flipons often cause disease. The propagation of flipons throughout the genome by ALU elements represents a novel evolutionary innovation that allows for rapid change. Each ALU insertion creates variability by extracting a different set of information from the neighbourhood in which it lands. By elaborating on already successful adaptations, the newly compiled transcripts work with the old to enhance survival. Systems that optimize flipon settings through learning can adapt faster than with other forms of evolution. They avoid the risk of relying on random and irreversible codon rewrites.

scholarly journals RT2 PCR array screening reveals distinct perturbations in DNA damage response signaling in FUS-associated motor neuron disease

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Haibo Wang ◽  
Suganya Rangaswamy ◽  
Manohar Kodavati ◽  
Joy Mitra ◽  
Wenting Guo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Damage ◽  
Dna Repair ◽  
Motor Neuron ◽  
Motor Neuron Disease ◽  
Dna Damage Response ◽  
Spinal Cord Tissue ◽  
Sporadic Als ◽  
Damage Response ◽  
Als Patients

AbstractAmyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a degenerative motor neuron disease that has been linked to defective DNA repair. Many familial ALS patients harbor autosomal dominant mutations in the gene encoding the RNA/DNA binding protein ‘fused in sarcoma’ (FUS) commonly inducing its cytoplasmic mislocalization. Recent reports from our group and others demonstrate a role of FUS in maintaining genome integrity and the DNA damage response (DDR). FUS interacts with many DDR proteins and may regulate their recruitment at damage sites. Given the role of FUS in RNA transactions, here we explore whether FUS also regulates the expression of DDR factors. We performed RT2 PCR arrays for DNA repair and DDR signaling pathways in CRISPR/Cas9 FUS knockout (KO) and shRNA mediated FUS knockdown (KD) cells, which revealed significant (> 2-fold) downregulation of BRCA1, DNA ligase 4, MSH complex and RAD23B. Importantly, similar perturbations in these factors were also consistent in motor neurons differentiated from an ALS patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) line with a FUS-P525L mutation, as well as in postmortem spinal cord tissue of sporadic ALS patients with FUS pathology. BRCA1 depletion has been linked to neuronal DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) accumulation and cognitive defects. The ubiquitin receptor RAD23 functions both in nucleotide excision repair and proteasomal protein clearance pathway and is thus linked to neurodegeneration. Together, our study suggests that the FUS pathology perturbs DDR signaling via both its direct role and the effect on the expression of DDR genes. This underscors an intricate connections between FUS, genome instability, and neurodegeneration.

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