RESUMO
OBJECTIVES: Laboratory testing for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has played an important role in the effort to prevent and contain local outbreaks. The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of a new fully automated SARS-CoV-2 laboratory-based antigen assay (CoV2Ag) and to explore the efficiency of a diagnostic algorithm combining antigen and conventional high-throughput molecular assays to address potential future challenges of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. METHODS: One thousand two hundred and twenty four consecutive nasopharyngeal swabs were tested using RT-PCR and CoV2Ag assay. RESULTS: The overall sensitivity and specificity of CoV2Ag were 79.1 and 97.8%, respectively. When the analysis was restricted to cases with Ct values ≤30, the sensitivity of the assay improved to 98.1%. Acceptable sensitivity was found when the analysis was limited to patients presenting within one or two to four days of symptom onset (80.5 and 84.8%, respectively). A retrospective analysis of the use of a two-step diagnostic approach combining the CoV2Ag assay and RT-PCR during an acute pandemic phase of 97 days showed a potential reduction in the number of RT-PCR tests by 36.1%, corresponding to savings in reagent costs and technician workload of approximately 8,000 and 10.5 h per day, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our data show that the proposed algorithm represents a valid alternative diagnostic approach to increase testing efficiency during future pandemic phases with high positivity rates (>20%) and elevated numbers of RT-PCR test requests.
Assuntos
COVID-19 , SARS-CoV-2 , Humanos , SARS-CoV-2/genética , COVID-19/diagnóstico , Teste para COVID-19 , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase em Tempo Real , Estudos Retrospectivos , Sensibilidade e Especificidade , ImunoensaioRESUMO
Cross-talk between the microtubule and actin networks has come under intense scrutiny following the realization that it is crucial for numerous essential processes, ranging from cytokinesis to cell migration. It is becoming increasingly clear that proteins long-considered highly specific for one or the other cytoskeletal system do, in fact, make use of both filament types. How this functional duality of "shared proteins" has evolved and how their coadaptation enables cross-talk at the molecular level remain largely unknown. We previously discovered that the mammalian adaptor protein melanophilin of the actin-associated myosin motor is one such "shared protein," which also interacts with microtubules in vitro. In a hypothesis-driven in vitro and in silico approach, we turn to early and lower vertebrates and ask two fundamental questions. First, is the capability of interacting with microtubules and actin filaments unique to mammalian melanophilin or did it evolve over time? Second, what is the functional consequence of being able to interact with both filament types at the cellular level? We describe the emergence of a protein domain that confers the capability of interacting with both filament types onto melanophilin. Strikingly, our computational modeling demonstrates that the regulatory power of this domain on the microscopic scale alone is sufficient to recapitulate previously observed behavior of pigment organelles in amphibian melanophores. Collectively, our dissection provides a molecular framework for explaining the underpinnings of functional cross-talk and its potential to orchestrate the cell-wide redistribution of organelles on the cytoskeleton.
Assuntos
Citoesqueleto/metabolismo , Transdução de Sinais , Vertebrados/fisiologia , Animais , Evolução Molecular , Regulação da Expressão Gênica , Vertebrados/genéticaRESUMO
Gene modifications in animal models have been greatly facilitated through the application of targeted genome editing tools. The prokaryotic CRISPR/Cas9 type II genome editing system has recently been applied in cell lines and vertebrates. However, we still have very limited information about the efficiency of mutagenesis, germline transmission rates and off-target effects in genomes of model organisms. We now demonstrate that CRISPR/Cas9 mutagenesis in zebrafish is highly efficient, reaching up to 86.0%, and is heritable. The efficiency of the CRISPR/Cas9 system further facilitated the targeted knock-in of a protein tag provided by a donor oligonucleotide with knock-in efficiencies of 3.5-15.6%. Mutation rates at potential off-target sites are only 1.1-2.5%, demonstrating the specificity of the CRISPR/Cas9 system. The ease and efficiency of the CRISPR/Cas9 system with limited off-target effects make it a powerful genome engineering tool for in vivo studies.
Assuntos
Proteínas de Bactérias/genética , Proteínas Associadas a CRISPR/genética , Sistemas CRISPR-Cas , Endonucleases/genética , Edição de Genes/métodos , Peixe-Zebra/genética , Animais , Sequência de Bases , Proteína 9 Associada à CRISPR , Técnicas de Introdução de Genes , Genoma , Mutagênese , Oligonucleotídeos Antissenso/genética , Análise de Sequência de DNARESUMO
Mutations in the Tar DNA binding protein of 43 kDa (TDP-43; TARDBP) are associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal lobar degeneration with TDP-43(+) inclusions (FTLD-TDP). To determine the physiological function of TDP-43, we knocked out zebrafish Tardbp and its paralogue Tardbp (TAR DNA binding protein-like), which lacks the glycine-rich domain where ALS- and FTLD-TDP-associated mutations cluster. tardbp mutants show no phenotype, a result of compensation by a unique splice variant of tardbpl that additionally contains a C-terminal elongation highly homologous to the glycine-rich domain of tardbp. Double-homozygous mutants of tardbp and tardbpl show muscle degeneration, strongly reduced blood circulation, mispatterning of vessels, impaired spinal motor neuron axon outgrowth, and early death. In double mutants the muscle-specific actin binding protein Filamin Ca is up-regulated. Strikingly, Filamin C is similarly increased in the frontal cortex of FTLD-TDP patients, suggesting aberrant expression in smooth muscle cells and TDP-43 loss-of-function as one underlying disease mechanism.
Assuntos
Axônios/metabolismo , Proteínas de Ligação a DNA , Neurônios Motores/metabolismo , Atrofia Muscular/metabolismo , Mutação , Doenças Vasculares/metabolismo , Proteínas de Peixe-Zebra/metabolismo , Peixe-Zebra/metabolismo , Esclerose Lateral Amiotrófica/genética , Esclerose Lateral Amiotrófica/metabolismo , Esclerose Lateral Amiotrófica/patologia , Animais , Axônios/patologia , Proteínas Contráteis/genética , Proteínas Contráteis/metabolismo , Filaminas , Humanos , Proteínas dos Microfilamentos/genética , Proteínas dos Microfilamentos/metabolismo , Neurônios Motores/patologia , Atrofia Muscular/genética , Atrofia Muscular/patologia , Estrutura Terciária de Proteína , Doenças Vasculares/genética , Doenças Vasculares/patologia , Proteínas de Peixe-Zebra/genéticaRESUMO
Proteolytic shedding of cell surface proteins generates paracrine signals involved in numerous signaling pathways. Neuregulin 1 (NRG1) type III is involved in myelination of the peripheral nervous system, for which it requires proteolytic activation by proteases of the ADAM family and BACE1. These proteases are major therapeutic targets for the prevention of Alzheimer's disease because they are also involved in the proteolytic generation of the neurotoxic amyloid ß-peptide. Identification and functional investigation of their physiological substrates is therefore of greatest importance in preventing unwanted side effects. Here we investigated proteolytic processing of NRG1 type III and demonstrate that the ectodomain can be cleaved by three different sheddases, namely ADAM10, ADAM17, and BACE1. Surprisingly, we not only found cleavage by ADAM10, ADAM17, and BACE1 C-terminal to the epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like domain, which is believed to play a pivotal role in signaling, but also additional cleavage sites for ADAM17 and BACE1 N-terminal to that domain. Proteolytic processing at N- and C-terminal sites of the EGF-like domain results in the secretion of this domain from NRG1 type III. The soluble EGF-like domain is functionally active and stimulates ErbB3 signaling in tissue culture assays. Moreover, the soluble EGF-like domain is capable of rescuing hypomyelination in a zebrafish mutant lacking BACE1. Our data suggest that NRG1 type III-dependent myelination is not only controlled by membrane-retained NRG1 type III, but also in a paracrine manner via proteolytic liberation of the EGF-like domain.
Assuntos
Proteínas ADAM/metabolismo , Secretases da Proteína Precursora do Amiloide/metabolismo , Ácido Aspártico Endopeptidases/metabolismo , Neurregulinas/metabolismo , Comunicação Parácrina/fisiologia , Proteína ADAM17 , Animais , Membrana Celular/metabolismo , Células Cultivadas , Cricetinae , Cricetulus , Embrião de Mamíferos , Fator de Crescimento Epidérmico/análogos & derivados , Fator de Crescimento Epidérmico/química , Humanos , Imunoprecipitação , Neurregulinas/genética , Neurônios , Fosforilação , Proteólise , RNA Mensageiro/administração & dosagem , RNA Mensageiro/metabolismo , RNA Interferente Pequeno/metabolismo , Ratos , Ratos Sprague-Dawley , Células de Schwann , Transfecção , Peixe-ZebraRESUMO
Mutations in fused in sarcoma (FUS) are a cause of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (fALS). Patients carrying point mutations in the C-terminus of FUS show neuronal cytoplasmic FUS-positive inclusions, whereas in healthy controls, FUS is predominantly nuclear. Cytoplasmic FUS inclusions have also been identified in a subset of frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD-FUS). We show that a non-classical PY nuclear localization signal (NLS) in the C-terminus of FUS is necessary for nuclear import. The majority of fALS-associated mutations occur within the NLS and impair nuclear import to a degree that correlates with the age of disease onset. This presents the first case of disease-causing mutations within a PY-NLS. Nuclear import of FUS is dependent on Transportin, and interference with this transport pathway leads to cytoplasmic redistribution and recruitment of FUS into stress granules. Moreover, proteins known to be stress granule markers co-deposit with inclusions in fALS and FTLD-FUS patients, implicating stress granule formation in the pathogenesis of these diseases. We propose that two pathological hits, namely nuclear import defects and cellular stress, are involved in the pathogenesis of FUS-opathies.
Assuntos
Esclerose Lateral Amiotrófica/genética , Carioferinas/metabolismo , Mutação Puntual , Proteína FUS de Ligação a RNA/genética , Proteína FUS de Ligação a RNA/metabolismo , Transporte Ativo do Núcleo Celular , Sequência de Aminoácidos , Esclerose Lateral Amiotrófica/metabolismo , Esclerose Lateral Amiotrófica/patologia , Animais , Células Cultivadas , Grânulos Citoplasmáticos/patologia , Técnicas de Silenciamento de Genes , Células HeLa , Humanos , Carioferinas/genética , Dados de Sequência Molecular , Neurônios/patologia , Estrutura Terciária de Proteína , Proteína FUS de Ligação a RNA/análise , Proteína FUS de Ligação a RNA/química , Peixe-Zebra/embriologiaRESUMO
Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic relapsing inflammatory skin disease in which patients are sensitized towards a plethora of allergens. The hosts fungal microbiota, the mycobiota, that is believed to be altered in patients suffering from AD acts as such an allergen. The correlation context of specific sensitization, changes in mycobiota and its impact on disease severity however remains poorly understood. Objectives: We aim to enhance the understanding of the specific sensitization towards the mycobiota in AD patients in relation to their fungal skin colonization. Methods: Sensitization pattern towards the Malassezia spp. and Candida albicans of 16 AD patients and 14 healthy controls (HC) were analyzed with the newly developed multiplex-assay ALEX2® and the established singleplex-assay ImmunoCAP®. We compared these findings with the fungal skin colonization analyzed by DNA sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer region 1 (ITS1). Results: Sensitization in general and towards Malassezia spp. and C. albicans is increased in AD patients compared to HC with a quantitative difference in severe AD when compared to mild to moderate AD. Further we saw an association between sensitization towards and skin colonization with Candida spp. yet a negative correlation between sensitization towards and skin colonization with Malassezia spp. Conclusion: We conclude that AD in general and severe AD in particular is associated with increased sensitization towards the hosts own mycobiota. There is positive correlation in Candida spp. skin colonization and negative in Malassezia spp. skin colonization when compared to AD, AD severity as well as to specific sensitization patterns.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: The key pathological signature of ALS/ FTLD is the mis-localization of endogenous TDP-43 from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. However, TDP-43 gain of function in the cytoplasm is still poorly understood since TDP-43 animal models recapitulating mis-localization of endogenous TDP-43 from the nucleus to the cytoplasm are missing. METHODS: CRISPR/Cas9 technology was used to generate a zebrafish line (called CytoTDP), that mis-locates endogenous TDP-43 from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. Phenotypic characterization of motor neurons and the neuromuscular junction was performed by immunostaining, microglia were immunohistochemically localized by whole-mount tissue clearing and muscle ultrastructure was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. Behavior was investigated by video tracking and quantitative analysis of swimming parameters. RNA sequencing was used to identify mis-regulated pathways with validation by molecular analysis. RESULTS: CytoTDP fish have early larval phenotypes resembling clinical features of ALS such as progressive motor defects, neurodegeneration and muscle atrophy. Taking advantage of zebrafish's embryonic development that solely relys on yolk usage until 5 days post fertilization, we demonstrated that microglia proliferation and activation in the hypothalamus is independent from food intake. By comparing CytoTDP to a previously generated TDP-43 knockout line, transcriptomic analyses revealed that mis-localization of endogenous TDP-43, rather than TDP-43 nuclear loss of function, leads to early onset metabolic dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: The new TDP-43 model mimics the ALS/FTLD hallmark of progressive motor dysfunction. Our results suggest that functional deficits of the hypothalamus, the metabolic regulatory center, might be the primary cause of weight loss in ALS patients. Cytoplasmic gain of function of endogenous TDP-43 leads to metabolic dysfunction in vivo that are reminiscent of early ALS clinical non-motor metabolic alterations. Thus, the CytoTDP zebrafish model offers a unique opportunity to identify mis-regulated targets for therapeutic intervention early in disease progression.
Assuntos
Esclerose Lateral Amiotrófica , Proteínas de Ligação a DNA , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Neurônios Motores , Proteínas de Peixe-Zebra , Peixe-Zebra , Animais , Esclerose Lateral Amiotrófica/metabolismo , Esclerose Lateral Amiotrófica/patologia , Esclerose Lateral Amiotrófica/genética , Proteínas de Ligação a DNA/metabolismo , Proteínas de Ligação a DNA/genética , Neurônios Motores/metabolismo , Neurônios Motores/patologia , Proteínas de Peixe-Zebra/metabolismo , Proteínas de Peixe-Zebra/genética , Animais Geneticamente Modificados , Junção Neuromuscular/metabolismo , Junção Neuromuscular/patologiaRESUMO
TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) is a DNA/RNA-binding protein that regulates gene expression, and its malfunction in neurons has been causally associated with multiple neurodegenerative disorders. Although progress has been made in understanding the functions of TDP-43 in neurons, little is known about its roles in endothelial cells (ECs), angiogenesis, and vascular function. Using inducible EC-specific TDP-43-KO mice, we showed that TDP-43 is required for sprouting angiogenesis, vascular barrier integrity, and blood vessel stability. Postnatal EC-specific deletion of TDP-43 led to retinal hypovascularization due to defects in vessel sprouting associated with reduced EC proliferation and migration. In mature blood vessels, loss of TDP-43 disrupted the blood-brain barrier and triggered vascular degeneration. These vascular defects were associated with an inflammatory response in the CNS with activation of microglia and astrocytes. Mechanistically, deletion of TDP-43 disrupted the fibronectin matrix around sprouting vessels and reduced ß-catenin signaling in ECs. Together, our results indicate that TDP-43 is essential for the formation of a stable and mature vasculature.
Assuntos
Células Endoteliais , Doenças Neuroinflamatórias , Camundongos , Animais , Células Endoteliais/metabolismo , Angiogênese , Neovascularização Fisiológica/genética , Proteínas de Ligação a DNA/genética , Proteínas de Ligação a DNA/metabolismoRESUMO
The ß-secretase ß-site APP cleaving enzyme (BACE1) is a central drug target for Alzheimer's disease. Clinically tested, BACE1-directed inhibitors also block the homologous protease BACE2. Yet little is known about physiological BACE2 substrates and functions in vivo. Here, we identify BACE2 as the protease shedding the lymphangiogenic vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 3 (VEGFR3). Inactivation of BACE2, but not BACE1, inhibited shedding of VEGFR3 from primary human lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) and reduced release of the shed, soluble VEGFR3 (sVEGFR3) ectodomain into the blood of mice, nonhuman primates, and humans. Functionally, BACE2 inactivation increased full-length VEGFR3 and enhanced VEGFR3 signaling in LECs and also in vivo in zebrafish, where enhanced migration of LECs was observed. Thus, this study identifies BACE2 as a modulator of lymphangiogenic VEGFR3 signaling and demonstrates the utility of sVEGFR3 as a pharmacodynamic plasma marker for BACE2 activity in vivo, a prerequisite for developing BACE1-selective inhibitors for safer prevention of Alzheimer's disease.
Assuntos
Doença de Alzheimer , Secretases da Proteína Precursora do Amiloide , Ácido Aspártico Endopeptidases , Transdução de Sinais , Receptor 3 de Fatores de Crescimento do Endotélio Vascular , Peixe-Zebra , Animais , Humanos , Camundongos , Doença de Alzheimer/metabolismo , Doença de Alzheimer/genética , Doença de Alzheimer/patologia , Doença de Alzheimer/enzimologia , Secretases da Proteína Precursora do Amiloide/metabolismo , Secretases da Proteína Precursora do Amiloide/genética , Secretases da Proteína Precursora do Amiloide/antagonistas & inibidores , Ácido Aspártico Endopeptidases/metabolismo , Ácido Aspártico Endopeptidases/genética , Ácido Aspártico Endopeptidases/antagonistas & inibidores , Células Endoteliais/metabolismo , Células Endoteliais/enzimologia , Células Endoteliais/patologia , Receptor 3 de Fatores de Crescimento do Endotélio Vascular/metabolismo , Receptor 3 de Fatores de Crescimento do Endotélio Vascular/genética , Peixe-Zebra/metabolismo , Peixe-Zebra/genética , Proteínas de Peixe-Zebra/genética , Proteínas de Peixe-Zebra/metabolismoRESUMO
The aspartyl protease BACE1 cleaves neuregulin 1 and is involved in myelination and is a candidate drug target for Alzheimer's disease, where it acts as the ß-secretase cleaving the amyloid precursor protein. However, little is known about other substrates in vivo. Here, we provide a proteomic workflow for BACE1 substrate identification from whole brains, combining filter-aided sample preparation, strong-anion exchange fractionation, and label-free quantification. We used bace1-deficient zebrafish and quantified differences in protein levels between wild-type and bace1 -/- zebrafish brains. Over 4500 proteins were identified with at least two unique peptides and quantified in both wild-type and bace1 -/- zebrafish brains. The majority of zebrafish membrane proteins did not show altered protein levels, indicating that Bace1 has a restricted substrate specificity. Twenty-four membrane proteins accumulated in the bace1 -/- brains and thus represent candidate Bace1 substrates. They include several known BACE1 substrates, such as the zebrafish homologs of amyloid precursor protein and the cell adhesion protein L1, which validate the proteomic workflow. Additionally, several candidate substrates with a function in neurite outgrowth and axon guidance, such as plexin A3 and glypican-1 were identified, pointing to a function of Bace1 in neurodevelopment. Taken together, our study provides the first proteomic analysis of knock-out zebrafish tissue and demonstrates that combining gene knock-out models in zebrafish with quantitative proteomics is a powerful approach to address biomedical questions.
Assuntos
Precursor de Proteína beta-Amiloide/genética , Ácido Aspártico Endopeptidases/genética , Encéfalo/metabolismo , Proteínas de Membrana/análise , Proteínas de Peixe-Zebra/análise , Peixe-Zebra/genética , Precursor de Proteína beta-Amiloide/metabolismo , Animais , Animais Geneticamente Modificados , Ácido Aspártico Endopeptidases/metabolismo , Fracionamento Químico/métodos , Glipicanas/metabolismo , Humanos , Proteínas de Membrana/genética , Proteínas de Membrana/metabolismo , Proteoma/genética , Proteoma/metabolismo , Receptores de Superfície Celular/metabolismo , Espectrometria de Massas em Tandem , Fluxo de Trabalho , Peixe-Zebra/metabolismo , Proteínas de Peixe-Zebra/genética , Proteínas de Peixe-Zebra/metabolismoRESUMO
Mitochondria provide ATP, maintain calcium homeostasis, and regulate apoptosis. Neurons, due to their size and complex geometry, are particularly dependent on the proper functioning and distribution of mitochondria. Thus disruptions of these organelles and their transport play a central role in a broad range of neurodegenerative diseases. While in vitro studies have greatly expanded our knowledge of mitochondrial dynamics, our understanding in vivo remains limited. To address this shortcoming, we developed tools to study mitochondrial dynamics in vivo in optically accessible zebrafish. We demonstrate here that our newly generated tools, including transgenic "MitoFish," can be used to study the in vivo "life cycle" of mitochondria and allows identifying pharmacological and genetic modulators of mitochondrial dynamics. Furthermore we observed profound mitochondrial transport deficits in real time in a zebrafish tauopathy model. By rescuing this phenotype using MARK2 (microtubule-affinity regulating kinase 2), we provide direct in vivo evidence that this kinase regulates axonal transport in a Tau-dependent manner. Thus, our approach allows detailed studies of the dynamics of mitochondria in their natural environment under normal and disease conditions.
Assuntos
Mitocôndrias/patologia , Doenças do Sistema Nervoso/patologia , Peixe-Zebra/fisiologia , Animais , Animais Geneticamente Modificados , Antineoplásicos/farmacologia , Transporte Biológico/fisiologia , Western Blotting , Processamento de Imagem Assistida por Computador , Mitocôndrias/ultraestrutura , Nocodazol/farmacologia , Fenótipo , RNA Mensageiro/biossíntese , RNA Mensageiro/genética , Células Receptoras Sensoriais/fisiologia , Células Receptoras Sensoriais/ultraestrutura , Proteínas tau/genéticaRESUMO
Zebrafish has become a popular model organism to study human diseases. We will highlight the advantages and limitations of zebrafish as a model organism to study neurodegenerative diseases and introduce zinc finger nucleases, transcription activator-like effector nucleases, and the recently established clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat-associated system for genome editing. The efficiency of the novel genome editing tools now greatly facilitates knock-out and, importantly, also makes knock-in approaches feasible in zebrafish. Genome editing in zebrafish avoids unspecific phenotypes caused by off-target effects and toxicity as frequently seen in conventional knock-down approaches.
Assuntos
Modelos Animais de Doenças , Engenharia Genética/métodos , Genoma , Doenças Neurodegenerativas/genética , Peixe-Zebra/genética , Animais , Animais Geneticamente Modificados , Repetições Palindrômicas Curtas Agrupadas e Regularmente Espaçadas , Desoxirribonucleases/genética , Técnicas de Introdução de Genes , Técnicas de Inativação de Genes , Humanos , Dedos de ZincoRESUMO
Alzheimer's disease is the most frequent dementia. Pathologically, Alzheimer's disease is characterized by the accumulation of senile plaques composed of amyloid ß-peptide (Aß). Two proteases, ß- and γ-secretase proteolytically generate Aß from its precursor, the ß-amyloid precursor protein (APP). Inhibition of ß-secretase, also referred to as beta-site APP cleaving enzyme (BACE1) or γ-secretase is therefore of prime interest for the development of amyloid-lowering drugs. To assess the in vivo function of zebrafish Bace1 (zBace1), we generated zBace1 knock out fish by zinc finger nuclease-mediated genome editing. bace1 mutants (bace1-/-) are hypomyelinated in the PNS while the CNS is not affected. Moreover, the number of mechanosensory neuromasts is elevated in bace1-/-. Mutations in zebrafish Bace2 (zBace2) revealed a distinct melanocyte migration phenotype, which is not observed in bace1-/-. Double homozygous bace1-/-; bace2-/- fish do not enhance the single mutant phenotypes indicating non-redundant distinct physiological functions. Single homozygous bace1 mutants as well as double homozygous bace1 and bace2 mutants are viable and fertile suggesting that Bace1 is a promising drug target without major side effects. The identification of a specific bace2 -/- associated phenotype further allows improving selective Bace1 inhibitors and to distinguish between Bace 1 and Bace 2 inhibition in vivo. Inhibition of BACE1 protease activity has therapeutic importance for Alzheimer's disease. Analysis of BACE1 and BACE2 knock-out zebrafish revealed that they exhibit distinct phenotypes. bace1 mutants display hypomyelination in the PNS and supernumerary neuromasts while in bace2 mutants the shape and migration of melanocytes is affected. These phenotypes are not further enhanced in the viable double mutants. Our data suggest that blocking BACE1 activity is a safe therapeutic approach.
Assuntos
Secretases da Proteína Precursora do Amiloide/genética , Melanócitos/fisiologia , Proteínas de Peixe-Zebra/genética , Peixe-Zebra/metabolismo , Secretases da Proteína Precursora do Amiloide/metabolismo , Animais , Animais Geneticamente Modificados , Movimento Celular , Técnicas de Inativação de Genes , Larva/genética , Larva/metabolismo , Modelos Animais , Mutação , Fenótipo , Peixe-Zebra/embriologia , Peixe-Zebra/genética , Peixe-Zebra/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Proteínas de Peixe-Zebra/metabolismoRESUMO
To enable rapid propagation of action potentials, axons are ensheathed by myelin, a multilayered insulating membrane formed by oligodendrocytes. Most of the myelin is generated early in development, resulting in the generation of long-lasting stable membrane structures. Here, we explored structural and dynamic changes in central nervous system myelin during development. To achieve this, we performed an ultrastructural analysis of mouse optic nerves by serial block face scanning electron microscopy (SBF-SEM) and confocal time-lapse imaging in the zebrafish spinal cord. We found that myelin undergoes extensive ultrastructural changes during early postnatal development. Myelin degeneration profiles were engulfed and phagocytosed by microglia using exposed phosphatidylserine as one "eat me" signal. In contrast, retractions of entire myelin sheaths occurred independently of microglia and involved uptake of myelin by the oligodendrocyte itself. Our findings show that the generation of myelin early in development is an inaccurate process associated with aberrant ultrastructural features that require substantial refinement.
Assuntos
Microglia , Bainha de Mielina , Nervo Óptico , Peixe-Zebra , Animais , Camundongos , Axônios/ultraestrutura , Microglia/ultraestrutura , Bainha de Mielina/ultraestrutura , Oligodendroglia/ultraestrutura , Nervo Óptico/ultraestrutura , Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura , Fagocitose , Imagem com Lapso de TempoRESUMO
Aggregation of the Tar DNA-binding protein of 43 kDa (TDP-43) is a pathological hallmark of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia and likely contributes to disease by loss of nuclear function. Analysis of TDP-43 function in knockout zebrafish identified an endothelial directional migration and hypersprouting phenotype during development prior lethality. In human umbilical vein cells (HUVEC) the loss of TDP-43 leads to hyperbranching. We identified elevated expression of FIBRONECTIN 1 (FN1), the VASCULAR CELL ADHESION MOLECULE 1 (VCAM1), as well as their receptor INTEGRIN α4ß1 (ITGA4B1) in HUVEC cells. Importantly, reducing the levels of ITGA4, FN1, and VCAM1 homologues in the TDP-43 loss-of-function zebrafish rescues the angiogenic defects indicating the conservation of human and zebrafish TDP-43 function during angiogenesis. Our study identifies a novel pathway regulated by TDP-43 important for angiogenesis during development.
RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: Cancer cells convert more glucose into lactate than healthy cells, what contributes to their growth advantage. Pyruvate kinase (PK) is a key rate limiting enzyme in this process, what makes it a promising potential therapeutic target. However, currently it is still unclear what consequences the inhibition of PK has on cellular processes. Here, we systematically investigate the consequences of PK depletion for gene expression, histone modifications and metabolism. METHODS: Epigenetic, transcriptional and metabolic targets were analysed in different cellular and animal models with stable knockdown or knockout of PK. RESULTS: Depleting PK activity reduces the glycolytic flux and causes accumulation of glucose-6-phosphate (G6P). Such metabolic perturbation results in stimulation of the activity of a heterodimeric pair of transcription factors MondoA and MLX but not in a major reprogramming of the global H3K9ac and H3K4me3 histone modification landscape. The MondoA:MLX heterodimer upregulates expression of thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) - a tumour suppressor with multifaceted anticancer activity. This effect of TXNIP upregulation extends beyond immortalised cancer cell lines and is applicable to multiple cellular and animal models. CONCLUSIONS: Our work shows that actions of often pro-tumorigenic PK and anti-tumorigenic TXNIP are tightly linked via a glycolytic intermediate. We suggest that PK depletion stimulates the activity of MondoA:MLX transcription factor heterodimers and subsequently, increases cellular TXNIP levels. TXNIP-mediated inhibition of thioredoxin (TXN) can reduce the ability of cells to scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) leading to the oxidative damage of cellular structures including DNA. These findings highlight an important regulatory axis affecting tumour suppression mechanisms and provide an attractive opportunity for combination cancer therapies targeting glycolytic activity and ROS-generating pathways.
Assuntos
Neoplasias , Piruvato Quinase , Animais , Piruvato Quinase/genética , Espécies Reativas de Oxigênio , Fatores de Transcrição de Zíper de Leucina e Hélice-Alça-Hélix Básicos/metabolismo , Neoplasias/genética , Neoplasias/metabolismo , Tiorredoxinas/química , Tiorredoxinas/metabolismoRESUMO
Diagnosis of Cutibacterium periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs) is challenging due to a long cultivation time of up to 14 days. Faster culture-independent diagnosis would improve patient care with early and accurate treatment. Specific primers and probes were designed for Cutibacterium acnes, Cutibacterium avidum, and Cutibacterium granulosum and evaluated in a multiplex TaqMan real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) format on 57 skin swabs and 20 culture-negative cerebrospinal fluid samples. The multiplex qPCR was tested in a PJI cohort of 41 sonication fluid samples from removed implants infected with different pathogens. All five culture-positive Cutibacterium PJIs were detected with the corresponding Cutibacterium-specific probe (100% positive percent agreement). The multiplex qPCR additionally detected C. avidum in two PJI sonication fluid samples that were diagnosed as Staphylococcus species infections according to culture (95% negative percent agreement). The new multiplex qPCR can provide a Cutibacterium PJI diagnosis within 1 day, allowing early and accurate antibiotic treatment. A prospective diagnostic trial in PJI with a high number of Cutibacterium species infections (shoulder PJI) is needed for further evaluation.
Assuntos
Artrite Infecciosa , Infecções Relacionadas à Prótese , Artrite Infecciosa/diagnóstico , Artrite Infecciosa/microbiologia , Humanos , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase Multiplex , Estudos Prospectivos , Infecções Relacionadas à Prótese/diagnóstico , Infecções Relacionadas à Prótese/microbiologia , SonicaçãoRESUMO
Beneficial microorganisms on the skin contribute to the first line of defense against attacking pathogens. However, instability of the skin microbiota is associated with skin diseases. Hence, temporal analyses are crucial because they serve as a baseline to understand the development of dysbiosis in disease. In this study, we aim to improve the understanding of the fungal skin microbiota, the mycobiota, in healthy subjects. Skin swabs were taken monthly for a year from four different skin sites, that is, antecubital crease, dorsal neck, glabella, and vertex, and analyzed by DNA sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer 1 region. The mycobiota on the skin was dominated by the class Malasseziomycetes, and the core community was composed of Malassezia restricta, M. globosa, and M. sympodialis at all skin sites. Over the period of 1 year, the intrapersonal mycobiota remained largely stable, with some fluctuations of low abundant non-Malassezia fungi. We conclude that despite fluctuations of low abundant classes, fungal skin communities form a temporally robust and individual fingerprint in healthy subjects.