In Vivo Delivery and Activation of Masked Fluorogenic Hydrolase Substrates by Endogenous Hydrolases in C.†elegans.

Protein expression and localization are often studied in vivo by tagging molecules with green fluorescent protein (GFP), yet subtle changes in protein levels are not easily detected. To develop a sensitive in vivo method to amplify fluorescence signals and allow cell-specific quantification of protein abundance changes, we sought to apply an enzyme-activated cellular fluorescence system in vivo by delivering ester-masked fluorophores to Caenorhabditis elegans neurons expressing porcine liver esterase (PLE). To aid uptake into sensory neuron membranes, we synthesized two novel fluorogenic hydrolase substrates with long hydrocarbon tails. Recombinant PLE activated these fluorophores in vitro. In vivo activation occurred in sensory neurons, along with potent activation in intestinal lysosomes quantifiable by imaging and microplate and partially attributable to gut esterase 1 (GES-1) activity. These data demonstrate the promise of biorthogonal hydrolases and their fluorogenic substrates as in vivo neuronal imaging tools and for characterizing endogenous C. elegans hydrolase substrate specificities.

The Anaphase-Promoting Complex (APC) ubiquitin ligase regulates GABA transmission at the C. elegans neuromuscular junction.

Regulation of both excitatory and inhibitory synaptic transmission is critical for proper nervous system function. Aberrant synaptic signaling, including altered excitatory to inhibitory balance, is observed in numerous neurological diseases. The ubiquitin enzyme system controls the abundance of many synaptic proteins and thus plays a key role in regulating synaptic transmission. The Anaphase-Promoting Complex (APC) is a multi-subunit ubiquitin ligase that was originally discovered as a key regulator of protein turnover during the cell cycle. More recently, the APC has been shown to function in postmitotic neurons, where it regulates diverse processes such as synapse development and synaptic transmission at glutamatergic synapses. Here we report that the APC regulates synaptic GABA signaling by acting in motor neurons to control the balance of excitatory (acetylcholine) to inhibitory (GABA) transmission at the Caenorhabditis elegans neuromuscular junction (NMJ). Loss-of-function mutants in multiple APC subunits have increased muscle excitation at the NMJ; this phenotype is rescued by expression of the missing subunit in GABA neurons. Quantitative imaging and electrophysiological analyses indicate that APC mutants have decreased GABA release but normal cholinergic transmission. Consistent with this, APC mutants exhibit convulsions in a seizure assay sensitive to reductions in GABA signaling. Previous studies in other systems showed that the APC can negatively regulate the levels of the active zone protein SYD-2 Liprin-α. Similarly, we found that SYD-2 accumulates in APC mutants at GABAergic presynaptic sites. Finally, we found that the APC subunit EMB-27 CDC16 can localize to presynapses in GABA neurons. Together, our data suggest a model in which the APC acts at GABAergic presynapses to promote GABA release and inhibit muscle excitation. These findings are the first evidence that the APC regulates transmission at inhibitory synapses and have implications for understanding nervous system pathologies, such as epilepsy, that are characterized by misregulated GABA signaling.

Cell non-autonomous signaling through the conserved C. elegans glycopeptide hormone receptor FSHR-1 regulates cholinergic neurotransmission.

Modulation of neurotransmission is key for organismal responses to varying physiological contexts such as during infection, injury, or other stresses, as well as in learning and memory and for sensory adaptation. Roles for cell autonomous neuromodulatory mechanisms in these processes have been well described. The importance of cell non-autonomous pathways for inter-tissue signaling, such as gut-to-brain or glia-to-neuron, has emerged more recently, but the cellular mechanisms mediating such regulation remain comparatively unexplored. Glycoproteins and their G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are well-established orchestrators of multi-tissue signaling events that govern diverse physiological processes through both cell-autonomous and cell non-autonomous regulation. Here, we show that follicle stimulating hormone receptor, FSHR-1, the sole Caenorhabditis elegans ortholog of mammalian glycoprotein hormone GPCRs, is important for cell non-autonomous modulation of synaptic transmission. Inhibition of fshr-1 expression reduces muscle contraction and leads to synaptic vesicle accumulation in cholinergic motor neurons. The neuromuscular and locomotor defects in fshr-1 loss-of-function mutants are associated with an underlying accumulation of synaptic vesicles, build-up of the synaptic vesicle priming factor UNC-10/RIM, and decreased synaptic vesicle release from cholinergic motor neurons. Restoration of FSHR-1 to the intestine is sufficient to restore neuromuscular activity and synaptic vesicle localization to fshr-1- deficient animals. Intestine-specific knockdown of FSHR-1 reduces neuromuscular function, indicating FSHR-1 is both necessary and sufficient in the intestine for its neuromuscular effects. Re-expression of FSHR-1 in other sites of endogenous expression, including glial cells and neurons, also restored some neuromuscular deficits, indicating potential cross-tissue regulation from these tissues as well. Genetic interaction studies provide evidence that downstream effectors gsa-1 / Gα S , acy-1 /adenylyl cyclase and sphk-1/ sphingosine kinase and glycoprotein hormone subunit orthologs, GPLA-1/GPA2 and GPLB-1/GPB5, are important for FSHR-1 modulation of the NMJ. Together, our results demonstrate that FSHR-1 modulation directs inter-tissue signaling systems, which promote synaptic vesicle release at neuromuscular synapses.

A Fiji process for quantifying fluorescent puncta in linear cellular structures.

Understanding the cell biology of protein trafficking and homeostasis requires reproducible methods for identifying and quantifying proteins within cells or cellular structures. Imaging protocols for measuring punctate protein accumulation in linear structures, for example the neurites of C. elegans, have relied on proprietary software for a full range of analysis capabilities. Here we describe a set of macros written for the NIH-supported imaging software ImageJ or Fiji (Fiji is Just ImageJ) that reliably identify protein puncta so that they can be analyzed with respect to intensity, density, and width at half-maximum intensity (Full-Width, Half-Maximum, FWHM). We provide an explanation of the workflow, data outputs, and limitations of the Fiji macro. As part of this integration, we also provide two independent data sets with side-by-side analyses using the proprietary IgorPro software and the Fiji macro (Hulsey-Vincent, et al. A, B., 2023 submitted). The Fiji macro is an important new tool because it provides robust, reproducible data analysis in a free, open-source format.

A Fiji protocol for analyzing puncta is a robust tool for measuring GLR-1::GFP accumulation in the ventral nerve cord of C. elegans.

In C. elegans, DAF-7/TGF-beta signaling regulates development, metabolism, and behavior. In addition loss of daf-7 leads to an increase of the glutamate receptor GLR-1. In daf-7(e1372) mutants, GLR-1 tagged with GFP (GLR-1::GFP) accumulates in wide puncta along the ventral nerve cord of the animal. Previous automated analyses of GLR-1::GFP accumulation relied on the proprietary software, IgorPro, for measurement of GLR-1::GFP puncta size, intensity, and density. We did a side-by-side comparison of analyses by IgorPro and an open source macro written for Fiji to analyze images from animals expressing GLR-1::GFP in wild type and daf-7(e1372) backgrounds. Analyses by the two programs were in strong agreement and are in accordance with previously published data on the effects of daf-7(e1372) on GLR-1::GFP accumulation. Based on these data, we conclude that the Fiji platform is a robust method for analyzing the accumulation of a fluorescently-tagged neurotransmitter receptor and that the Fiji puncta plugin will be applicable for image analysis for other neural markers.

Comparison and agreement between two image analysis tools for quantifying GFP::SNB-1 puncta in fshr-1 mutants of C. elegans.

Quantitative imaging of synaptic vesicle localization and abundance using fluorescently labeled synaptic vesicle associated proteins like GFP::SNB-1 is a well-established method for measuring changes in synapse structure at neuromuscular junctions (NMJ) in C. elegans . To date, however, the ability to easily and reproducibly measure key parameters at the NMJ - maximum intensity, size of GFP::SNB-1 puncta, density of puncta - has relied on the use of expensive, customizable software that requires coding skills to modify, precluding widespread access and thus preventing standardization within the field. We carried out a comparative evaluation of a new, open-source Fiji puncta plugin versus traditional Igor-based analysis of GFP::SNB-1 imaging data taken of cholinergic motor neurons in the dorsal nerve cord of loss of function mutants in fshr-1 , which encodes a G protein-coupled receptor known to impact GFP::SNB-1 accumulation. We analyzed images taken on a widefield fluorescence microscope, as well as on a spinning disk confocal microscope. Our data demonstrate strong concordance between the differences in GFP::SNB-1 localization in fshr-1 mutants compared to wild type worms across both analysis platforms (Fiji and Igor), as well as across microscope types (widefield and confocal). These data also agree with previously published observations related to synapse number and GFP::SNB-1 intensity in fshr-1 and wild type worms. Based on these findings, we conclude that the Fiji platform is viable as a method for analyzing synaptic vesicle localization and abundance at cholinergic dorsal nerve cord motor NMJs and expect the Fiji puncta plugin to be of broad utility in imaging across a variety of imaging platforms and synaptic markers.

The deubiquitinating enzyme USP-46 negatively regulates the degradation of glutamate receptors to control their abundance in the ventral nerve cord of Caenorhabditis elegans.

Ubiquitin-mediated endocytosis and post-endocytic trafficking of glutamate receptors control their synaptic abundance and are implicated in modulating synaptic strength. Ubiquitination is a reversible modification, but the identities and specific functions of deubiquitinating enzymes in the nervous system are lacking. Here, we show that the deubiquitinating enzyme ubiquitin-specific protease-46 (USP-46) regulates the abundance of the glutamate receptor GLR-1 in the ventral nerve cord of Caenorhabditis elegans. Mutants lacking usp-46 have decreased GLR-1 in the ventral nerve cord and corresponding defects in GLR-1-dependent behaviors. The amount of ubiquitinated GLR-1 is increased in usp-46 mutants. Mutations that block GLR-1 ubiquitination or receptor degradation in the multi-vesicular body/lysosome prevent the decrease in GLR-1 observed in usp-46 mutants. These data support a model in which USP-46 promotes GLR-1 abundance at synapses by deubiquitinating GLR-1 and preventing its degradation in the lysosome. This work suggests that the balance between the addition and removal of ubiquitin is important for glutamate receptor trafficking.

The role of deubiquitinating enzymes in synaptic function and nervous system diseases.

Posttranslational modification of proteins by ubiquitin has emerged as a critical regulator of synapse development and function. Ubiquitination is a reversible modification mediated by the concerted action of a large number of specific ubiquitin ligases and ubiquitin proteases, called deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs). The balance of activity of these enzymes determines the localization, function, and stability of target proteins. While some DUBs counter the action of specific ubiquitin ligases by removing ubiquitin and editing ubiquitin chains, other DUBs function more generally to maintain the cellular pool of free ubiquitin monomers. The importance of DUB function at the synapse is underscored by the association of specific mutations in DUB genes with several neurological disorders. Over the last decade, although much research has led to the identification and characterization of many ubiquitin ligases at the synapse, our knowledge of the relevant DUBs that act at the synapse has lagged. This review is focused on highlighting our current understanding of DUBs that regulate synaptic function and the diseases that result from dysfunction of these DUBs.

UBC-9 Acts in GABA Neurons to Control Neuromuscular Signaling in C. elegans.

Regulation of excitatory to inhibitory signaling balance is essential to nervous system health and is maintained by numerous enzyme systems that modulate the activity, localization, and abundance of synaptic proteins. SUMOylation is a key post-translational regulator of protein function in diverse cells, including neurons. There, its role in regulating synaptic transmission through pre- and postsynaptic effects has been shown primarily at glutamatergic central nervous system synapses, where the sole SUMO-conjugating enzyme Ubc9 is a critical player. However, whether Ubc9 functions globally at other synapses, including inhibitory synapses, has not been explored. Here, we investigated the role of UBC-9 and the SUMOylation pathway in controlling the balance of excitatory cholinergic and inhibitory GABAergic signaling required for muscle contraction in Caenorhabditis elegans. We found inhibition or overexpression of UBC-9 in neurons modestly increased muscle excitation. Similar and even stronger phenotypes were seen with UBC-9 overexpression specifically in GABAergic neurons, but not in cholinergic neurons. These effects correlated with accumulation of synaptic vesicle-associated proteins at GABAergic presynapses, where UBC-9 and the C. elegans SUMO ortholog SMO-1 localized, and with defects in GABA-dependent behaviors. Experiments involving expression of catalytically inactive UBC-9 [UBC-9(C93S)], as well as co-expression of UBC-9 and SMO-1, suggested wild type UBC-9 overexpressed alone may act via substrate sequestration in the absence of sufficient free SUMO, underscoring the importance of tightly regulated SUMO enzyme function. Similar effects on muscle excitation, GABAergic signaling, and synaptic vesicle localization occurred with overexpression of the SUMO activating enzyme subunit AOS-1. Together, these data support a model in which UBC-9 and the SUMOylation system act at presynaptic sites in inhibitory motor neurons to control synaptic signaling balance in C. elegans. Future studies will be important to define UBC-9 targets at this synapse, as well as mechanisms by which UBC-9 and the SUMO pathway are regulated.

Endothelial cell cortactin phosphorylation by Src contributes to polymorphonuclear leukocyte transmigration in vitro.

The underlying mechanisms that regulate leukocyte transendothelial migration through the vascular endothelium remain unclear. Cortactin is a substrate of Src tyrosine kinases and a regulator of cytoskeletal dynamics. Previous studies demonstrated a role for Src phosphorylation of cortactin in clustering of E-selectin and intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 around adherent leukocytes. In the current study, we used an in vitro flow model to investigate the role of Src-induced cortactin phosphorylation in endothelium during polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) transmigration through human umbilical vein endothelium (HUVEC) monolayers preactivated with tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Inhibition of Src in HUVEC using Src kinase inhibitors PP2 and SU6656 reduced PMN transmigration by 45+/-8% and 36+/-6%, respectively. Live cell imaging of green fluorescent protein-tagged cortactin in HUVEC revealed redistribution of cortactin in the region surrounding transmigrating PMN. Knockdown of cortactin in HUVEC by small interfering RNA also impaired transmigration to a similar degree, and this phenotype was rescued by reexpression of wild-type cortactin. Analysis of the location of initial arrest and locomotion of PMN adherent to HUVEC demonstrated that inhibition of Src tyrosine kinases or pretreatment with cortactin small interfering RNA reduced PMN transmigration at endothelial cell-to-cell junctions and not adhesion. Tyrosine phosphorylation of cortactin was important for transmigration, because expression of a mutant, in which the tyrosine phosphorylation sites were mutated to phenylalanine (cortactin3F), failed to rescue PMN transmigration. Moreover, expression of cortactin3F alone partially blocked PMN transmigration. These data suggest a model whereby tyrosine phosphorylation of cortactin by Src family kinases regulates PMN transmigration.

The Anaphase-Promoting Complex (APC) ubiquitin ligase affects chemosensory behavior in C. elegans.

The regulation of fundamental aspects of neurobiological function has been linked to the ubiquitin signaling system (USS), which regulates the degradation and activity of proteins and is catalyzed by E1, E2, and E3 enzymes. The Anaphase-Promoting Complex (APC) is a multi-subunit E3 ubiquitin ligase that controls diverse developmental and signaling processes in post-mitotic neurons; however, potential roles for the APC in sensory function have yet to be explored. In this study, we examined the effect of the APC ubiquitin ligase on chemosensation in Caenorhabditis elegans by testing chemotaxis to the volatile odorants, diacetyl, pyrazine, and isoamyl alcohol, to which wild-type worms are attracted. Animals with loss of function mutations in either of two alleles (g48 and ye143) of the gene encoding the APC subunit EMB-27 APC6 showed increased chemotaxis towards diacetyl and pyrazine, odorants sensed by AWA neurons, but exhibited normal chemotaxis to isoamyl alcohol, which is sensed by AWC neurons. The statistically significant increase in chemotaxis in the emb-27 APC6 mutants suggests that the APC inhibits AWA-mediated chemosensation in C. elegans. Increased chemotaxis to pyrazine was also seen with mutants lacking another essential APC subunit, MAT-2 APC1; however, mat-2 APC1 mutants exhibited wild type responses to diacetyl. The difference in responsiveness of these two APC subunit mutants may be due to differential strength of these hypomorphic alleles or may indicate the presence of functional sub-complexes of the APC at work in this process. These findings are the first evidence for APC-mediated regulation of chemosensation and lay the groundwork for further studies aimed at identifying the expression levels, function, and targets of the APC in specific sensory neurons. Because of the similarity between human and C. elegans nervous systems, the role of the APC in sensory neurons may also advance our understanding of human sensory function and disease.

Implementation of a Collaborative Series of Classroom-Based Undergraduate Research Experiences Spanning Chemical Biology, Biochemistry, and Neurobiology.

Classroom undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) provide students access to the measurable benefits of undergraduate research experiences (UREs). Herein, we describe the implementation and assessment of a novel model for cohesive CUREs focused on central research themes involving faculty research collaboration across departments. Specifically, we implemented three collaborative CUREs spanning chemical biology, biochemistry, and neurobiology that incorporated faculty members' research interests and revolved around the central theme of visualizing biological processes like Mycobacterium tuberculosis enzyme activity and neural signaling using fluorescent molecules. Each CURE laboratory involved multiple experimental phases and culminated in novel, open-ended, and reiterative student-driven research projects. Course assessments showed CURE participation increased students' experimental design skills, attitudes and confidence about research, perceived understanding of the scientific process, and interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines. More than 75% of CURE students also engaged in independent scientific research projects, and faculty CURE contributors saw substantial increases in research productivity, including increased undergraduate student involvement and academic outputs. Our collaborative CUREs demonstrate the advantages of multicourse CUREs for achieving increased faculty research productivity and traditional CURE-associated student learning and attitude gains. Our collaborative CURE design represents a novel CURE model for ongoing laboratory reform that benefits both faculty and students.

The kinesin-3 family motor KLP-4 regulates anterograde trafficking of GLR-1 glutamate receptors in the ventral nerve cord of Caenorhabditis elegans.

The transport of glutamate receptors from the cell body to synapses is essential during neuronal development and may contribute to the regulation of synaptic strength in the mature nervous system. We previously showed that cyclin-dependent kinase-5 (CDK-5) positively regulates the abundance of GLR-1 glutamate receptors at synapses in the ventral nerve cord (VNC) of Caenorhabditis elegans. Here we identify a kinesin-3 family motor klp-4/KIF13 in a cdk-5 suppressor screen for genes that regulate GLR-1 trafficking. klp-4 mutants have decreased abundance of GLR-1 in the VNC. Genetic analysis of klp-4 and the clathrin adaptin unc-11/AP180 suggests that klp-4 functions before endocytosis in the ventral cord. Time-lapse microscopy indicates that klp-4 mutants exhibit decreased anterograde flux of GLR-1. Genetic analysis of cdk-5 and klp-4 suggests that they function in the same pathway to regulate GLR-1 in the VNC. Interestingly, GLR-1 accumulates in cell bodies of cdk-5 but not klp-4 mutants. However, GLR-1 does accumulate in klp-4-mutant cell bodies if receptor degradation in the multivesicular body/lysosome pathway is blocked. This study identifies kinesin KLP-4 as a novel regulator of anterograde glutamate receptor trafficking and reveals a cellular control mechanism by which receptor cargo is targeted for degradation in the absence of its motor.

Endothelial cell cortactin coordinates intercellular adhesion molecule-1 clustering and actin cytoskeleton remodeling during polymorphonuclear leukocyte adhesion and transmigration.

Endothelial cell ICAM-1 interacts with leukocyte beta(2) integrins to mediate adhesion and transmit outside-in signals that facilitate leukocyte transmigration. ICAM-1 redistribution and clustering appear necessary for leukocyte transmigration, but the mechanisms controlling ICAM-1 redistribution and clustering have not been identified. We recently reported that Src kinase phosphorylation of endothelial cortactin regulates polymorphonuclear cell (PMN) transmigration. In this study, we tested the hypotheses that the Src family kinase-cortactin pathway mediates association of ICAM-1 with the actin cytoskeleton and that this association is required for ICAM-1 clustering and leukocyte transmigration. Cross-linking ICAM-1 induced cytoskeletal remodeling and a decrease in ICAM-1 lateral mobility, as assessed by fluorescence recovery after photobleaching. Cytoskeletal remodeling after ICAM-1 cross-linking was reduced by knockdown of cortactin by small interfering RNA, by expression of a cortactin mutant deficient in Src phosphorylation sites (cortactin3F), and by the Src kinase inhibitor PP2. Pretreatment of cytokine-activated human endothelial monolayers with cortactin small interfering RNA significantly decreased both actin and ICAM-1 clustering around adherent PMN and the formation of actin-ICAM-1 clusters required for PMN transmigration. Our data suggest a model in which tyrosine phosphorylation of cortactin dynamically links ICAM-1 to the actin cytoskeleton, enabling ICAM-1 to form clusters and facilitate leukocyte transmigration.

Cortactin regulates cell migration through activation of N-WASP.

Cortactin is an actin-associated scaffolding protein that regulates cell migration. Amplification of the human gene, EMS1, has been detected in breast, head and neck tumors, where it correlates with increased invasiveness. Cortactin can regulate actin dynamics directly via its N-terminal half, which can bind and activate the Arp2/3 complex. The C-terminal portion of cortactin, however, is thought to have limited function in its regulation of the actin polymerization machinery. In this report, we identify a role for the cortactin C-terminus in regulating cell migration and, more specifically, actin dynamics. Overexpression of either full-length cortactin or cortactin C-terminus is sufficient to enhance migration of mammary epithelial cells. In vitro, cortactin binds to and activates, via its SH3 domain, a regulator of the Arp2/3 complex, neural Wiskott Aldrich Syndrome protein (N-WASP). This in vitro activation of N-WASP is likely to be important in vivo, as cortactin-enhanced migration is dependent upon N-WASP. Thus, our results suggest that cortactin has multiple mechanisms by which it can recruit and modulate the actin machinery and ultimately regulate cell migration.