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1.
Sci Rep ; 14(1): 14013, 2024 Jun 18.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38890402

The conventional design of steel structure objects relies on a first-order elastic analysis, where the entire object is treated as a set of individual structural elements requiring time-consuming, semi-empirical design calculations. Such an approach leads to inefficient design time and excessive material consumption and may additionally result in designing on the verge of structural safety. The AEC sector's technological and digitization advancement process forces designers to use advanced design methods. Hence, it is necessary to indicate the benefits of using effective optimization. The paper presents a comparative analysis of steel domes using two design approaches: traditional first-order analysis and an advanced second-order analysis. The latter method considers the influence of structural deformation on the magnitude of internal forces. Eight models were developed, varying in terms of the connection's stiffness. The work results identify the differences between the two selected design approaches and present opportunities for further structural performance of steel structures.

2.
Cell Mol Life Sci ; 81(1): 218, 2024 May 17.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38758395

The endocytic adaptor protein 2 (AP-2) complex binds dynactin as part of its noncanonical function, which is necessary for dynein-driven autophagosome transport along microtubules in neuronal axons. The absence of this AP-2-dependent transport causes neuronal morphology simplification and neurodegeneration. The mechanisms that lead to formation of the AP-2-dynactin complex have not been studied to date. However, the inhibition of mammalian/mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) enhances the transport of newly formed autophagosomes by influencing the biogenesis and protein interactions of Rab-interacting lysosomal protein (RILP), another dynein cargo adaptor. We tested effects of mTORC1 inhibition on interactions between the AP-2 and dynactin complexes, with a focus on their two essential subunits, AP-2ß and p150Glued. We found that the mTORC1 inhibitor rapamycin enhanced p150Glued-AP-2ß complex formation in both neurons and non-neuronal cells. Additional analysis revealed that the p150Glued-AP-2ß interaction was indirect and required integrity of the dynactin complex. In non-neuronal cells rapamycin-driven enhancement of the p150Glued-AP-2ß interaction also required the presence of cytoplasmic linker protein 170 (CLIP-170), the activation of autophagy, and an undisturbed endolysosomal system. The rapamycin-dependent p150Glued-AP-2ß interaction occurred on lysosomal-associated membrane protein 1 (Lamp-1)-positive organelles but without the need for autolysosome formation. Rapamycin treatment also increased the acidification and number of acidic organelles and increased speed of the long-distance retrograde movement of Lamp-1-positive organelles. Altogether, our results indicate that autophagy regulates the p150Glued-AP-2ß interaction, possibly to coordinate sufficient motor-adaptor complex availability for effective lysosome transport.


Autophagy , Dynactin Complex , Lysosomes , Animals , Humans , Mice , Adaptor Protein Complex 2/metabolism , Autophagosomes/metabolism , Dynactin Complex/metabolism , Lysosomal-Associated Membrane Protein 1/metabolism , Lysosomes/metabolism , Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1/metabolism , Neurons/metabolism , Protein Binding , Sirolimus/pharmacology
3.
Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol ; 50(2): e12974, 2024 Apr.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38562027

INTRODUCTION: Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is caused by variants in TSC1/TSC2, leading to constitutive activation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) complex 1. Therapy with everolimus has been approved for TSC, but variations in success are frequent. Recently, caudal late interneuron progenitor (CLIP) cells were identified as a common origin of the TSC brain pathologies such as subependymal giant cell astrocytomas (SEGA) and cortical tubers (CT). Further, targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) with afatinib, which is expressed in CLIP cells, reduces cell growth in cerebral TSC organoids. However, investigation of clinical patient-derived data is lacking. AIMS: Observation of EGFR expression in SEGA, CT and focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) 2B human brain specimen and investigation of whether its inhibition could be a potential therapeutic intervention for these patients. METHODS: Brain specimens of 23 SEGAs, 6 CTs, 20 FCD2Bs and 17 controls were analysed via immunohistochemistry to characterise EGFR expression, cell proliferation (via Mib1) and mTOR signalling. In a cell-based assay using primary patient-derived cells (CT n = 1, FCD2B n = 1 and SEGA n = 4), the effects of afatinib and everolimus on cell proliferation and cell viability were observed. RESULTS: EGFR overexpression was observed in histological sections of SEGA, CT and FCD2B patients. Both everolimus and afatinib decreased the proliferation and viability in primary SEGA, tuber and FCD2B cells. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates that EGFR suppression might be an effective alternative treatment option for SEGAs and tubers, as well as other mTOR-associated malformations of cortical development, including FCD2B.


Astrocytoma , Tuberous Sclerosis , Humans , Everolimus/pharmacology , Everolimus/therapeutic use , Tuberous Sclerosis/metabolism , Afatinib/therapeutic use , TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism , Astrocytoma/drug therapy , Astrocytoma/metabolism , Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1 , ErbB Receptors/therapeutic use
4.
Sensors (Basel) ; 24(5)2024 Feb 23.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38474991

Static flow sensors (e.g., thermal gas micro electro-mechanical sensors-MEMS-and ultrasonic time of flight) are becoming the prevailing technology for domestic gas metering and billing since they show advantages in respect to the traditional volumetric ones. However, they are expected to be influenced in-service by changes in gas composition, which in the future could be more frequent due to the spread of hydrogen admixtures in gas networks. In this paper, the authors present the results of an experimental campaign aimed at analyzing the in-service reliability of both static and volumetric gas meters with different hydrogen admixtures. The results show that the accuracy of volumetric and ultrasonic meters is always within the admitted limits for subsequent verification and even within those narrower of the initial verification. On the other hand, the accuracy of the first generation of thermal mass gas flow sensors is within the limits of the verification only when the hydrogen admixture is below 2%vol. At higher hydrogen content, in fact, the absolute weighted mean error ranges between 3.5% (with 5%vol of hydrogen) and 15.8% (with 10%vol of hydrogen).

5.
Mol Biol Cell ; 35(3): ar43, 2024 Mar 01.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38294869

Synaptic plasticity is a process that shapes neuronal connections during neurodevelopment and learning and memory. Autophagy is a mechanism that allows the cell to degrade its unnecessary or dysfunctional components. Autophagosomes appear at dendritic spines in response to plasticity-inducing stimuli. Autophagy defects contribute to altered dendritic spine development, autistic-like behavior in mice, and neurological disease. While several studies have explored the involvement of autophagy in synaptic plasticity, the initial steps of the emergence of autophagosomes at the postsynapse remain unknown. Here, we demonstrate a postsynaptic association of autophagy-related protein 9A (Atg9A), known to be involved in the early stages of autophagosome formation, with Rab11, a small GTPase that regulates endosomal trafficking. Rab11 activity was necessary to maintain Atg9A-positive structures at dendritic spines. Inhibition of mTOR increased Rab11 and Atg9A interaction and increased the emergence of LC3 positive vesicles, an autophagosome membrane-associated protein marker, in dendritic spines when coupled to NMDA receptor stimulation. Dendritic spines with newly formed LC3+ vesicles were more resistant to NMDA-induced morphologic change. Rab11 DN overexpression suppressed appearance of LC3+ vesicles. Collectively, these results suggest that initiation of autophagy in dendritic spines depends on neuronal activity and Rab11a-dependent Atg9A interaction that is regulated by mTOR activity.


Dendritic Spines , N-Methylaspartate , Animals , Mice , Autophagosomes/metabolism , Autophagy , Dendritic Spines/metabolism , N-Methylaspartate/metabolism , TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism
6.
Nat Commun ; 14(1): 7664, 2023 Nov 23.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37996417

We present a comprehensive multi-omic analysis of the EPISTOP prospective clinical trial of early intervention with vigabatrin for pre-symptomatic epilepsy treatment in Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC), in which 93 infants with TSC were followed from birth to age 2 years, seeking biomarkers of epilepsy development. Vigabatrin had profound effects on many metabolites, increasing serum deoxycytidine monophosphate (dCMP) levels 52-fold. Most serum proteins and metabolites, and blood RNA species showed significant change with age. Thirty-nine proteins, metabolites, and genes showed significant differences between age-matched control and TSC infants. Six also showed a progressive difference in expression between control, TSC without epilepsy, and TSC with epilepsy groups. A multivariate approach using enrollment samples identified multiple 3-variable predictors of epilepsy, with the best having a positive predictive value of 0.987. This rich dataset will enable further discovery and analysis of developmental effects, and associations with seizure development in TSC.


Epilepsy , Tuberous Sclerosis , Child, Preschool , Humans , Infant , Epilepsy/genetics , Multiomics , Prospective Studies , Tuberous Sclerosis/genetics , Vigabatrin/therapeutic use , Infant, Newborn , Clinical Trials as Topic
7.
Acta Neurobiol Exp (Wars) ; 83(4): 331-358, 2023 Nov 22.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38224286

Dendritogenesis, a process of dendritic arbor development, is essential for the formation of functional neuronal networks, and in mammals, it begins in early life and continues into adulthood. It is a highly dynamic process in which dendritic branches form and regress until mature connectivity is achieved. Thereafter, dendritic branches are considered stable and do not undergo substantial rearrangements, although several exceptions have been described in the literature. After this long period of relative stability, significant changes in dendritic branching occur when the brain begins to age. Several neurological diseases, occurring both during development and in adulthood, have severe effects on the morphology of dendritic arbors, often associated with intellectual dysfunction. The molecular mechanisms of dendritogenesis are fairly well described. In contrast, knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of dendritic arbor stabilization and pathology­induced instability is still quite incomplete, and several important questions remain unanswered. We describe the dynamic changes during development and adulthood and in different pathologies. Whenever possible, we also provide details on the molecular mechanisms behind dendritic dynamics and stability.


Brain , Mammals , Animals
8.
Int J Mol Sci ; 23(22)2022 Nov 21.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36430972

The aim of this study was to assess the potential implication of microRNA on tuberous sclerosis (TSC) pathogenesis by performing microRNA profiling on cell lines silencing TSC1 or TSC2 genes using qPCR panels, before and after incubation with rapamycin. Significant differences in expression were observed between samples before and after rapamycin treatment in nineteen miRNAs in TSC1, five miRNAs in TSC2 and seven miRNAs in controls. Of miRNAs dysregulated before rapamycin treatment, three normalized after treatment in the TSC1 group (miR-21-3p, miR-433-3p, let-7g-3p) and one normalized in the TSC2 group (miR-1224-3p). Of the miRNAs dysregulated before rapamycin treatment in the TSC1 and TSC2 groups, two did not normalize after treatment (miR-33a-3p, miR-29a-3p). The results of the possible targets indicated that there are four common genes with seed regions susceptible to regulation by those miRNAs: ZBTB20, PHACTR2, PLXNC1 and ATP1B4. Our data show no changes in mRNA expression of these targets after rapamycin treatment. In conclusion, results of our study indicate the involvement of miRNA dysregulation in the pathogenesis of TSC. Some of the miRNA might be used as markers of treatment efficacy and autonomic miRNA as a target for future therapy.


MicroRNAs , Tuberous Sclerosis , Humans , Cell Line , MicroRNAs/genetics , MTOR Inhibitors , Sirolimus/pharmacology , TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/genetics , Tuberous Sclerosis/drug therapy , Tuberous Sclerosis/genetics
9.
Biomedicines ; 10(8)2022 Jul 29.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36009385

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a rare multi-system genetic disorder characterized by a high incidence of epilepsy and neuropsychiatric manifestations known as tuberous-sclerosis-associated neuropsychiatric disorders (TANDs), including autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intellectual disability (ID). MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small regulatory non-coding RNAs that regulate the expression of more than 60% of all protein-coding genes in humans and have been reported to be dysregulated in several diseases, including TSC. In the current study, RNA sequencing analysis was performed to define the miRNA and isoform (isomiR) expression patterns in serum. A Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to identify circulating molecular biomarkers, miRNAs, and isomiRs, able to discriminate the development of neuropsychiatric comorbidity, either ASD, ID, or ASD + ID, in patients with TSC. Part of our bioinformatics predictions was verified with RT-qPCR performed on RNA isolated from patients' serum. Our results support the notion that circulating miRNAs and isomiRs have the potential to aid standard clinical testing in the early risk assessment of ASD and ID development in TSC patients.

10.
Mol Neurobiol ; 59(10): 6502-6518, 2022 Oct.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35962299

In attempts to develop effective therapeutic strategies to limit post-ischemic injury, mitochondria emerge as a key element determining neuronal fate. Mitochondrial damage can be alleviated by various mechanisms including mitochondrial network remodelling, mitochondrial elimination and mitochondrial protein biogenesis. However, the mechanisms regulating relationships between these phenomena are poorly understood. We hypothesized that mitofusin 2 (Mfn2), a mitochondrial GTPase involved in mitochondrial fusion, mitochondria trafficking and mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) tethering, may act as one of linking and regulatory factors in neurons following ischemic insult. To verify this assumption, we performed temporal oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD/R) on rat cortical primary culture to determine whether Mfn2 protein reduction affected the onset of mitophagy, subsequent mitochondrial biogenesis and thus neuronal survival. We found that Mfn2 knockdown increased neuronal susceptibility to OGD/R, prevented mitochondrial network remodelling and resulted in prolonged mitophagosomes formation in response to the insult. Next, Mfn2 knockdown was observed to be accompanied by reduced Parkin protein levels and increased Parkin accumulation on mitochondria. As for wild-type neurons, OGD/R insult was followed by an elevated mtDNA content and an increase in respiratory chain proteins. Neither of these phenomena were observed for Mfn2 knockdown neurons. Collectively, our findings showed that Mfn2 in neurons affected their response to mild and transient OGD stress, balancing the extent of defective mitochondria elimination and positively influencing mitochondrial respiratory protein levels. Our study suggests that Mfn2 is one of essential elements for neuronal response to ischemic insult, necessary for neuronal survival.


Glucose , Mitophagy , Animals , Electron Transport , GTP Phosphohydrolases , Glucose/metabolism , Mitochondria/metabolism , Mitochondrial Proteins/metabolism , Neurons/metabolism , Oxygen/metabolism , Rats
11.
Cell Mol Life Sci ; 79(5): 278, 2022 May 04.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35505150

Alterations in social behavior are core symptoms of major developmental neuropsychiatric diseases such as autism spectrum disorders or schizophrenia. Hence, understanding their molecular and cellular underpinnings constitutes the major research task. Dysregulation of the global gene expression program in the developing brain leads to modifications in a number of neuronal connections, synaptic strength and shape, causing unbalanced neuronal plasticity, which may be important substrate in the pathogenesis of neurodevelopmental disorders, contributing to their clinical outcome. Serum response factor (SRF) is a major transcription factor in the brain. The behavioral influence of SRF deletion during neuronal differentiation and maturation has never been studied because previous attempts to knock-out the gene caused premature death. Herein, we generated mice that lacked SRF from early postnatal development to precisely investigate the role of SRF starting in the specific time window before maturation of excitatory synapses that are located on dendritic spine occurs. We show that the time-controlled loss of SRF in neurons alters specific aspects of social behaviors in SRF knock-out mice, and causes deficits in developmental spine maturation at both the structural and functional levels, including downregulated expression of the AMPARs subunits GluA1 and GluA2, and increases the percentage of filopodial/immature dendritic spines. In aggregate, our study uncovers the consequences of postnatal SRF elimination for spine maturation and social interactions revealing novel mechanisms underlying developmental neuropsychiatric diseases.


Serum Response Factor/metabolism , Social Interaction , Animals , Dendritic Spines/physiology , Mice , Neuronal Plasticity , Serum Response Factor/genetics , Synapses/metabolism
12.
Cell Mol Biol Lett ; 26(1): 18, 2021 May 18.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34006213

BACKGROUND: Mammalian/mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) complexes are essential for cell proliferation, growth, differentiation, and survival. mTORC1 hyperactivation occurs in the tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). mTORC1 localizes to the surface of lysosomes, where Rheb activates it. However, mTOR was also found on the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and Golgi apparatus (GA). Recent studies showed that the same inputs regulate ER-to-GA cargo transport and mTORC1 (e.g., the level of amino acids or energy status of the cell). Nonetheless, it remains unknown whether mTOR contributes to the regulation of cargo passage through the secretory pathway. METHODS: The retention using selective hooks (RUSH) approach was used to image movement of model cargo (VSVg) between the ER and GA in various cell lines in which mTOR complexes were inhibited. We also investigated VSVg trafficking in TSC patient fibroblasts. RESULTS: We found that mTOR inhibition led to the overall enhancement of VSVg transport through the secretory pathway in PC12 cells and primary human fibroblasts. Also, in TSC1-deficient cells, VSVg transport was enhanced. CONCLUSIONS: Altogether, these data indicate the involvement of mTOR in the regulation of ER-to-GA cargo transport and suggest that impairments in exocytosis may be an additional cellular process that is disturbed in TSC.


Endoplasmic Reticulum/metabolism , Golgi Apparatus/metabolism , TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism , Animals , Biological Transport , Cell Line , Humans , PC12 Cells , Protein Transport , RNA Interference , RNA, Small Interfering/metabolism , Rats , TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/antagonists & inhibitors , Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 1 Protein/antagonists & inhibitors , Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 1 Protein/genetics , Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 1 Protein/metabolism
13.
Stem Cell Res ; 52: 102225, 2021 04.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33588215

Two human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) lines (IIMCBi001-A and IIMCBi002-A) were generated from dermal fibroblasts of healthy females 10 and 30 years old, respectively. For the reprogramming lentiviral vector expressing OCT4, SOX2, KLF4 and C-MYC was used. The generated hiPSCs showed typical embryonic stem cell-like morphology and correct diploid karyotype. Characterization of the hiPSC lines confirmed expression of pluripotency markers and demonstrated their ability to differentiate into the three-germ layers. Cell cycle analysis of the hiPSCs allowed to estimate population doubling time (DT), duration time of particular phases of the cell cycle and proportion of cells found at each phase.


Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells , Adolescent , Adult , Cell Cycle/genetics , Cell Differentiation , Cellular Reprogramming , Child , Female , Fibroblasts , Humans , Kruppel-Like Factor 4 , Young Adult
14.
Cell ; 184(3): 655-674.e27, 2021 02 04.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33497611

Ras GTPase-activating protein-binding proteins 1 and 2 (G3BP1 and G3BP2, respectively) are widely recognized as core components of stress granules (SGs). We report that G3BPs reside at the cytoplasmic surface of lysosomes. They act in a non-redundant manner to anchor the tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) protein complex to lysosomes and suppress activation of the metabolic master regulator mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) by amino acids and insulin. Like the TSC complex, G3BP1 deficiency elicits phenotypes related to mTORC1 hyperactivity. In the context of tumors, low G3BP1 levels enhance mTORC1-driven breast cancer cell motility and correlate with adverse outcomes in patients. Furthermore, G3bp1 inhibition in zebrafish disturbs neuronal development and function, leading to white matter heterotopia and neuronal hyperactivity. Thus, G3BPs are not only core components of SGs but also a key element of lysosomal TSC-mTORC1 signaling.


Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing/metabolism , DNA Helicases/metabolism , Lysosomes/metabolism , Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1/metabolism , Poly-ADP-Ribose Binding Proteins/metabolism , RNA Helicases/metabolism , RNA Recognition Motif Proteins/metabolism , RNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism , Signal Transduction , Tuberous Sclerosis/metabolism , Amino Acid Sequence , Animals , Breast Neoplasms/metabolism , Breast Neoplasms/pathology , Cell Line, Tumor , Cell Movement/drug effects , Cytoplasmic Granules/drug effects , Cytoplasmic Granules/metabolism , DNA Helicases/chemistry , Evolution, Molecular , Female , Humans , Insulin/pharmacology , Lysosomal Membrane Proteins/metabolism , Lysosomes/drug effects , Neurons/drug effects , Neurons/metabolism , Phenotype , Poly-ADP-Ribose Binding Proteins/chemistry , RNA Helicases/chemistry , RNA Recognition Motif Proteins/chemistry , Rats, Wistar , Signal Transduction/drug effects , Zebrafish/metabolism
15.
Neurol Neurochir Pol ; 55(1): 52-58, 2021.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33047785

AIM OF STUDY: To examine whether baseline characteristics, potential risk factors, clinical symptoms, radiological presentation, and long-term outcomes differ between internal carotid artery dissection (ICAD) and vertebral artery dissection (VAD). CLINICAL RATIONALE FOR STUDY: Cervical artery dissection (CeAD) is a major cause of cerebral ischaemia in young adults. Its clinical course is highly variable, resulting in challenges in making a proper diagnosis. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of 31 patients (mean age 42.2 years) with CeAD (18 with ICAD, 13 with VAD) treated in our neurology department from 2008 to 2018. Appropriate imaging confirmed the diagnosis of CeAD. RESULTS: Patients with ICAD presented Horner syndrome significantly more often (44.4% vs 7.6%; p = 0.04). Patients with VAD more often had ischaemic events (ischaemic stroke, TIA or transient blindness) (84.6% vs 44.6%; p = 0.0032). Ischaemic stroke was more severe in patients with ICAD [(median NIHSS 6, interquartile range 4-12) vs VAD (median NIHSS 4, interquartile range 1.5-5.5), p = 0,03]. Occlusion occurred more often in patients with VAD (69.2% vs 22.2%; p = 0.013). Most patients had a favourable outcome (mRS 0-2). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: In a series of patients with CeAD, we observed significant differences between VAD and ICAD in terms of clinical symptoms and radiological features.


Brain Ischemia , Carotid Artery, Internal, Dissection , Stroke , Vertebral Artery Dissection , Adult , Brain Ischemia/diagnostic imaging , Brain Ischemia/epidemiology , Carotid Artery, Internal, Dissection/diagnostic imaging , Carotid Artery, Internal, Dissection/epidemiology , Humans , Prognosis , Retrospective Studies , Stroke/diagnostic imaging , Stroke/epidemiology , Vertebral Artery Dissection/diagnostic imaging , Vertebral Artery Dissection/epidemiology , Young Adult
16.
Genet Med ; 22(9): 1489-1497, 2020 09.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32461669

PURPOSE: To perform comprehensive genotyping of TSC1 and TSC2 in a cohort of 94 infants with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) and correlate with clinical manifestations. METHODS: Infants were enrolled at age <4 months, and subject to intensive clinical monitoring including electroencephalography (EEG), brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and neuropsychological assessment. Targeted massively parallel sequencing (MPS), genome sequencing, and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) were used for variant detection in TSC1/TSC2. RESULTS: Pathogenic variants in TSC1 or TSC2 were identified in 93 of 94 (99%) subjects, with 23 in TSC1 and 70 in TSC2. Nine (10%) subjects had mosaicism. Eight of 24 clinical features assessed at age 2 years were significantly less frequent in those with TSC1 versus TSC2 variants including cortical tubers, hypomelanotic macules, facial angiofibroma, renal cysts, drug-resistant epilepsy, developmental delay, subependymal giant cell astrocytoma, and median seizure-free survival. Additionally, quantitative brain MRI analysis showed a marked difference in tuber and subependymal nodule/giant cell astrocytoma volume for TSC1 versus TSC2. CONCLUSION: TSC2 pathogenic variants are associated with a more severe clinical phenotype than mosaic TSC2 or TSC1 variants in TSC infants. Early assessment of gene variant status and mosaicism might have benefit for clinical management in infants and young children with TSC.


Tuberous Sclerosis , Child, Preschool , Humans , Infant , Mosaicism , Mutation , Phenotype , Tuberous Sclerosis/diagnostic imaging , Tuberous Sclerosis/genetics , Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 1 Protein/genetics , Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 2 Protein/genetics
17.
J Neurochem ; 155(1): 10-28, 2020 10.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32196676

One of the characteristic features of different classes of neurons that is vital for their proper functioning within neuronal networks is the shape of their dendritic arbors. To properly develop dendritic trees, neurons need to accurately control the intracellular transport of various cellular cargo (e.g., mRNA, proteins, and organelles). Microtubules and motor proteins (e.g., dynein and kinesins) that move along microtubule tracks play an essential role in cargo sorting and transport to the most distal ends of neurons. Equally important are motor adaptors, which may affect motor activity and specify cargo that is transported by the motor. Such transport undergoes very dynamic fine-tuning in response to changes in the extracellular environment and synaptic transmission. Such regulation is achieved by the phosphorylation of motors, motor adaptors, and cargo, among other mechanisms. This review focuses on the contribution of the dynein-dynactin complex, kinesins, their adaptors, and the phosphorylation of these proteins in the formation of dendritic trees by maturing neurons. We primarily review the effects of the motor activity of these proteins in dendrites on dendritogenesis. We also discuss less anticipated mechanisms that contribute to dendrite growth, such as dynein-driven axonal transport and non-motor functions of kinesins.


Dendrites , Dynactin Complex/physiology , Dyneins/physiology , Kinesins/physiology , Motor Neurons/physiology , Animals , Humans , Neurogenesis/physiology , Phosphorylation
18.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A ; 117(4): 2170-2179, 2020 01 28.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31932427

Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) is a rare genetic disease that manifests with early symptoms, including cortical malformations, childhood epilepsy, and TSC-associated neuropsychiatric disorders (TANDs). Cortical malformations arise during embryonic development and have been linked to childhood epilepsy before, but the underlying mechanisms of this relationship remain insufficiently understood. Zebrafish have emerged as a convenient model to study elementary neurodevelopment; however, without in-depth functional analysis, the Tsc2-deficient zebrafish line cannot be used for studies of TANDs or new drug screening. In this study, we found that the lack of Tsc2 in zebrafish resulted in heterotopias and hyperactivation of the mTorC1 pathway in pallial regions, which are homologous to the mammalian cortex. We observed commissural thinning that was responsible for brain dysconnectivity, recapitulating TSC pathology in human patients. The lack of Tsc2 also delayed axonal development and caused aberrant tract fasciculation, corresponding to the abnormal expression of genes involved in axon navigation. The mutants underwent epileptogenesis that resulted in nonmotor seizures and exhibited increased anxiety-like behavior. We further mapped discrete parameters of locomotor activity to epilepsy-like and anxiety-like behaviors, which were rescued by reducing tyrosine receptor kinase B (TrkB) signaling. Moreover, in contrast to treatment with vigabatrin and rapamycin, TrkB inhibition rescued brain dysconnectivity and anxiety-like behavior. These data reveal that commissural thinning results in the aberrant regulation of anxiety, providing a mechanistic link between brain anatomy and human TANDs. Our findings also implicate TrkB signaling in the complex pathology of TSC and reveal a therapeutic target.


Anxiety/metabolism , Epilepsy/metabolism , Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/metabolism , Receptor, trkB/metabolism , Tuberous Sclerosis/metabolism , Zebrafish Proteins/metabolism , Animals , Anxiety/genetics , Anxiety/psychology , Disease Models, Animal , Epilepsy/genetics , Epilepsy/psychology , Female , Humans , Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/genetics , Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1/genetics , Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1/metabolism , Receptor, trkB/genetics , Seizures/genetics , Seizures/metabolism , Seizures/psychology , Tuberous Sclerosis/genetics , Tuberous Sclerosis/psychology , Zebrafish , Zebrafish Proteins/genetics
19.
PLoS Biol ; 17(5): e3000253, 2019 05.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31042703

The angiomotin (Amot)-Yes-associated protein 1 (Yap1) complex plays a major role in regulating the inhibition of cell contact, cellular polarity, and cell growth in many cell types. However, the function of Amot and the Hippo pathway transcription coactivator Yap1 in the central nervous system remains unclear. We found that Amot is a critical mediator of dendritic morphogenesis in cultured hippocampal cells and Purkinje cells in the brain. Amot function in developing neurons depends on interactions with Yap1, which is also indispensable for dendrite growth and arborization in vitro. The conditional deletion of Amot and Yap1 in neurons led to a decrease in the complexity of Purkinje cell dendritic trees, abnormal cerebellar morphology, and impairments in motor coordination. Our results indicate that the function of Amot and Yap1 in dendrite growth does not rely on interactions with TEA domain (TEAD) transcription factors or the expression of Hippo pathway-dependent genes. Instead, Amot and Yap1 regulate dendrite development by affecting the phosphorylation of S6 kinase and its target S6 ribosomal protein.


Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing/metabolism , Cell Cycle Proteins/metabolism , Dendrites/metabolism , Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/metabolism , Locomotion/physiology , Microfilament Proteins/metabolism , Angiomotins , Animals , Hippocampus/cytology , Integrases/metabolism , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Morphogenesis , Motor Activity , Phosphorylation , Protein Binding , Purkinje Cells/metabolism , Rats, Wistar , Ribosomal Protein S6/metabolism , YAP-Signaling Proteins
20.
Mol Biol Cell ; 30(15): 1864-1877, 2019 07 15.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31116686

Previous studies demonstrated that cells inhibit protein synthesis as a compensatory mechanism for mitochondrial dysfunction. Protein synthesis can be attenuated by 1) the inhibition of mTOR kinase, which results in a decrease in the phosphorylation of S6K1 and 4E-BP1 proteins, and 2) an increase in the phosphorylation of eIF2α protein. The present study investigated both of these pathways under conditions of short-term acute and long-term mitochondrial stress. Short-term responses were triggered in mammalian cells by treatment with menadione, antimycin A, or CCCP. Long-term mitochondrial stress was induced by prolonged treatment with menadione or rotenone and expression of genetic alterations, such as knocking down the MIA40 oxidoreductase or knocking out NDUFA11 protein. Short-term menadione, antimycin A, or CCCP cell treatment led to the inhibition of protein synthesis, accompanied by a decrease in mTOR kinase activity, an increase in the phosphorylation of eIF2α (Ser51), and an increase in the level of ATF4 transcription factor. Conversely, long-term stress led to a decrease in eIF2α (Ser51) phosphorylation and ATF4 expression and to an increase in S6K1 (Thr389) phosphorylation. Thus, under long-term mitochondrial stress, cells trigger long-lasting adaptive responses for protection against excessive inhibition of protein synthesis.


Cytosol/metabolism , Mitochondria/metabolism , Protein Biosynthesis , Stress, Physiological , Cytosol/drug effects , Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-2/metabolism , HEK293 Cells , HeLa Cells , Humans , Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1/metabolism , Mitochondria/drug effects , Models, Biological , Phosphorylation/drug effects , Protein Biosynthesis/drug effects , Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism , Signal Transduction/drug effects , Stress, Physiological/drug effects , Vitamin K 3/pharmacology
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