TDP-43-specific Autoantibody Decline in Patients With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: We hypothesize alterations in the quality and quantity of anti-43-kDa TAR DNA-binding protein (TDP-43) naturally occurring autoantibodies (NAbs) in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS); therefore, we assessed relative binding properties of anti-TDP-43 NAbs composite in plasma from patients with ALS in comparison with healthy individuals. METHODS: ELISA competition assay was used to explore the apparent avidity/affinity of anti-TDP-43 NAbs in plasma from 51 normal controls and 30 patients with ALS. Furthermore, the relative levels of anti-TDP-43 NAbs within the immunoglobulin (Ig) classes of IgG (isotype IgG1-4) and IgMs were measured using classical indirect ELISA. The occurring results were hereafter correlated with the measures of disease duration and disease progression. RESULTS: High-avidity/affinity anti-TDP-43 NAbs levels were significantly reduced in plasma samples from patients with ALS. In addition, a significant decrease in relative levels of anti-TDP-43 IgG3 and IgM NAbs and a significant increase in anti-TDP-43 IgG4 NAbs were observed in ALS plasma vs controls. Furthermore, a decrease in global IgM and an increase in IgG4 levels were observed in ALS. These aberrations of humoral immunity correlated with disease duration, but did not correlate with ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised scores. CONCLUSIONS: Our results may suggest TDP-43-specific immune aberrations in patients with ALS. The skewed immune profiles observed in patients with ALS could indicate a deficiency in the clearance capacity and/or blocking of TDP-43 transmission and propagation. The decrease in levels of high affinity/avidity anti-TDP-43 NAbs and IgMs correlates with disease progression and may be disease predictors.

The soluble neurexin-1ß ectodomain causes calcium influx and augments dendritic outgrowth and synaptic transmission.

Classically, neurexins are thought to mediate synaptic connections through trans interactions with a number of different postsynaptic partners. Neurexins are cleaved by metalloproteases in an activity-dependent manner, releasing the soluble extracellular domain. Here, we report that in both immature (before synaptogenesis) and mature (after synaptogenesis) hippocampal neurons, the soluble neurexin-1ß ectodomain triggers acute Ca2+-influx at the dendritic/postsynaptic side. In both cases, neuroligin-1 expression was required. In immature neurons, calcium influx required N-type calcium channels and stimulated dendritic outgrowth and neuronal survival. In mature glutamatergic neurons the neurexin-1ß ectodomain stimulated calcium influx through NMDA-receptors, which increased presynaptic release probability. In contrast, prolonged exposure to the ectodomain led to inhibition of synaptic transmission. This secondary inhibition was activity- and neuroligin-1 dependent and caused by a reduction in the readily-releasable pool of vesicles. A synthetic peptide modeled after the neurexin-1ß:neuroligin-1 interaction site reproduced the cellular effects of the neurexin-1ß ectodomain. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that the soluble neurexin ectodomain stimulates growth of neurons and exerts acute and chronic effects on trans-synaptic signaling involved in setting synaptic strength.

The S100A4 Protein Signals through the ErbB4 Receptor to Promote Neuronal Survival.

Understanding the mechanisms of neurodegeneration is crucial for development of therapies to treat neurological disorders. S100 proteins are extensively expressed in the injured brain but S100's role and signalling in neural cells remain elusive. We recently demonstrated that the S100A4 protein protects neurons in brain injury and designed S100A4-derived peptides mimicking its beneficial effects. Here we show that neuroprotection by S100A4 involves the growth factor family receptor ErbB4 and its ligand Neuregulin 1 (NRG), key regulators of neuronal plasticity and implicated in multiple brain pathologies. The neuroprotective effect of S100A4 depends on ErbB4 expression and the ErbB4 signalling partners ErbB2/Akt, and is reduced by functional blockade of NRG/ErbB4 in cell models of neurodegeneration. We also detect binding of S100A4 with ErbB1 (EGFR) and ErbB3. S100A4-derived peptides interact with, and signal through ErbB, are neuroprotective in primary and immortalized dopaminergic neurons, and do not affect cell proliferation/motility - features which make them promising as potential neuroprotectants. Our data suggest that the S100-ErbB axis may be an important mechanism regulating neuronal survival and plasticity.

Soluble Ectodomain of Neuroligin 1 Decreases Synaptic Activity by Activating Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor 2.

Synaptic cell adhesion molecules represent important targets for neuronal activity-dependent proteolysis. Postsynaptic neuroligins (NLs) form trans-synaptic complexes with presynaptic neurexins (NXs). Both NXs and NLs are cleaved from the cell surface by metalloproteases in an activity-dependent manner, releasing a soluble extracellular fragment and membrane-tethered C-terminal fragment. The cleavage of NL1 depresses synaptic transmission, but the mechanism by which this occurs is unknown. Metabotropic glutamate receptor 2 (mGluR2) are located primarily at the periphery of presynaptic terminals, where they inhibit the formation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and consequently suppress the release of glutamate and decrease synaptic transmission. In the present study, we found that the soluble ectodomain of NL1 binds to and activates mGluR2 in both neurons and heterologous cells, resulting in a decrease in cAMP formation. In a slice preparation from the hippocampus of mice, NL1 inhibited the release of glutamate from mossy fibers that project to CA3 pyramidal neurons. The presynaptic effect of NL1 was abolished in the presence of a selective antagonist for mGluR2. Thus, our data suggest that the soluble extracellular domain of NL1 functionally interacts with mGluR2 and thereby decreases synaptic strength.

A neuroligin-1-derived peptide stimulates phosphorylation of the NMDA receptor NR1 subunit and rescues MK-801-induced decrease in long-term potentiation and memory impairment.

Neuroligins (NLs) are postsynaptic adhesion molecules, interacting with presynaptic neurexins (NXs), which determine the differential formation of excitatory (glutamatergic, NL1) and inhibitory (GABAergic, NL2) synapses. We have previously demonstrated that treatment with a NL2-derived peptide, neurolide-2, reduces sociability and increase animal aggression. We hypothesized that interfering with NL1 function at the excitatory synapses might regulate synaptic plasticity and learning, and counteract memory deficits induced by N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor inhibition. First, neuronal NMDA receptor phosphorylation after treatment with NL1 or a mimetic peptide, neurolide-1, was quantified by immunoblotting. Subsequently, we investigated effects of neurolide-1 on long-term potentiation (LTP) induction in hippocampal slices compromised by NMDA receptor inhibitor MK-801. Finally, we investigated neurolide-1 effects on short- and long-term social and spatial memory in social recognition, Morris water-maze, and Y-maze tests. We found that subcutaneous neurolide-1 administration, restored hippocampal LTP compromised by NMDA receptor inhibitor MK-801. It counteracted MK-801-induced memory deficit in the water-maze and Y-maze tests after long-term treatment (24 h and 1-2 h before the test), but not after short-term exposure (1-2 h). Long-term exposure to neurolide-1 also facilitated social recognition memory. In addition, neurolide-1-induced phosphorylation of the NMDA receptor NR1 subunit on a site important for synaptic trafficking, potentially favoring synaptic receptor retention. Our findings emphasize the role of NL1-NMDA receptor interaction in cognition, and identify neurolide-1, as a valuable pharmacological tool to examine the in vivo role of postsynaptic NL1 in cognitive behavior in physiological and pathological conditions.

Neurexin-Neuroligin Synaptic Complex Regulates Schizophrenia-Related DISC1/Kal-7/Rac1 "Signalosome".

Neurexins (NXs) and neuroligins (NLs) are cell adhesion molecules that are localized at opposite sites of synaptic membranes. They interact with each other to promote the assembly, maintenance, and function of synapses in the central nervous system. Both NX and NL are cleaved from a membrane-attached intracellular domain in an activity-dependent manner, generating the soluble ectodomain of NX or NL. Expression of the NX1 and NX3 genes in the brain appears to be regulated by a schizophrenia-related protein, DISC1. Here, we show that soluble ecto-NX1ß can regulate the expression of DISC1 and induce signaling downstream of DISC1. We also show that NL1 binds to a well-characterized DISC1 interaction partner, Kal-7, and this interaction can be compromised by DISC1. Our results indicate that the NX/NL synaptic complex is intrinsically involved in the regulation of DISC1 function, thus contributing to a better understanding of the pathology of schizophrenia.

A matter of balance: role of neurexin and neuroligin at the synapse.

Neurexins and neuroligins are synaptic cell adhesion molecules. Neurexins are primary located on the presynaptic membrane, whereas neuroligins are strictly postsynaptic proteins. Since their discovery, the knowledge of neurexins and neuroligins has expanded, implicating them in various neuronal processes, including the differentiation, maturation, stabilization, and plasticity of both inhibitory and excitatory synapses. Here, we review the most recent results regarding the structure and function of these cell adhesion molecules.

The metastasis-promoting S100A4 protein confers neuroprotection in brain injury.

Identification of novel pro-survival factors in the brain is paramount for developing neuroprotective therapies. The multifunctional S100 family proteins have important roles in many human diseases and are also upregulated by brain injury. However, S100 functions in the nervous system remain unclear. Here we show that the S100A4 protein, mostly studied in cancer, is overexpressed in the damaged human and rodent brain and released from stressed astrocytes. Genetic deletion of S100A4 exacerbates neuronal loss after brain trauma or excitotoxicity, increasing oxidative cell damage and downregulating the neuroprotective protein metallothionein I+II. We identify two neurotrophic motifs in S100A4 and show that these motifs are neuroprotective in animal models of brain trauma. Finally, we find that S100A4 rescues neurons via the Janus kinase/STAT pathway and, partially, the interleukin-10 receptor. Our data introduce S100A4 as a therapeutic target in neurodegeneration, and raise the entire S100 family as a potentially important factor in central nervous system injury.

Neuroplastin: cell adhesion molecule and signaling receptor.

Neuroplastin (Np) is a glycoprotein that belongs to the immunoglobulin superfamily of cell adhesion molecules. It exists in two isoforms, Np55 and Np65, named according to their apparent molecular weights. Neuroplastins were first identified as synapse-specific proteins, but subsequent findings have shown that Np65 is indeed expressed only in the brain, whereas Np55 is found in wide range of tissues. Since their discovery, the knowledge of Nps expanded, implicating them in various processes, including neuronal differentiation and synaptic plasticity. Here, we will review the Np structure and mechanisms involved in Np signaling and discuss the functions of Nps in the nervous system.

Phencyclidine treatment increases NR2A and NR2B N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunit expression in rats.

Administration of noncompetitive N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonist phencyclidine to rats on postnatal days 7, 9, and 11 induces apoptosis in prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. In adulthood, these animals display cognitive impairment of working memory, reversal learning and attention that are similar to clinical observations in schizophrenia. In this study, expression of different NMDAR subunits, the postsynaptic mGlu5 receptor and the connecting NMDAR-mGluR5 intracellular postsynaptic density proteins have been measured in adult rats after treatment with phencyclidine on postnatal days 7, 9, and 11. We found that these animals exhibited elevated expression in medial prefrontal cortex of the NR2A and NR2B NMDA receptor subunits in adulthood. These results indicate how behavioral changes in a developmental model for cognitive dysfunction involve changes to specific molecular subsets of the cortical glutamate system.

Neuroplastin-65 and a mimetic peptide derived from its homophilic binding site modulate neuritogenesis and neuronal plasticity.

Neuroplastin-65 (Np65) is a brain-specific cell adhesion molecule belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily. Homophilic trans-interaction of Np65 mediates adhesion between cells and modulates synaptic plasticity. This interaction solely occurs through the first immunoglobulin (Ig) module of Np65, but the exact binding mechanism has not yet been elucidated. In this study, we identify the homophilic binding motif of Np65 and show that a synthetic peptide modeled after this motif, termed enplastin, binds to Np65. We demonstrate that both Np65- and enplastin-induced intracellular signaling depends on fibroblast growth factor receptor, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, Ca(2+) /calmodulin-dependent protein kinase, and cytoplasmic Ca(2+) concentration. In addition, we show that interference with Np65 homophilic binding by enplastin has an inhibitory effect on Np65-mediated neurite outgrowth in vitro and on the initial phase of spatial learning in rats.

Peptides derived from the solvent-exposed loops 3 and 4 of BDNF bind TrkB and p75(NTR) receptors and stimulate neurite outgrowth and survival.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is critically involved in modeling the developing nervous system and is an important regulator of a variety of crucial functions in the mature CNS. BDNF exerts its action through interactions with two transmembrane receptors, either separately or in concert. BDNF has been implicated in several neurological disorders, and irregularities in BDNF function may have severe consequences. Administration of BDNF as a drug has thus far yielded few practicable results, and the potential side effects when using a multifunctional protein are substantial. In an effort to produce more specific compounds without side effects, small peptides mimicking protein function have been developed. The present study characterized two mimetic peptides, Betrofin 3 and Betrofin 4, derived from the BDNF sequence. Both Betrofins bound the cognate BDNF receptors, TrkB and p75(NTR), and induced neurite outgrowth and enhanced neuronal survival, probably by inducing signaling through tha Akt and MAPK pathways. Distinct, charged residues within the Betrofin sequences were identified as important for generating the neuritogenic response, which was also inhibited when BDNF was added together with either Betrofin, indicating partial agonistic effects of the peptides. Thus, two peptides derived from BDNF induced neurite outgrowth and enhanced neuronal survival, probably through binding to BDNF receptors.

Neuroplastin-55 binds to and signals through the fibroblast growth factor receptor.

Neuroplastin (Np) is a glycoprotein belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily of cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) and existing in two isoforms, Np55 and Np65, named according to their molecular weights. The extracellular part of Np65 contains three immunoglobulin (Ig)-like modules (Ig1, Ig2, and Ig3), whereas Np55 lacks the Ig1 module. Of these two isoforms, only Np65 is involved in homophilic interactions resulting in cell adhesion, whereas the role of Np55 is poorly understood. The present study reports for the first time the crystal structure of the ectodomain of Np55 at 1.95-A resolution and demonstrates that Np55 binds to and activates the fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1). Furthermore, we identify a sequence motif in the Ig2 module of Np55 interacting with FGFR1 and show that a synthetic peptide encompassing this motif, termed narpin, binds to and activates FGFR1. We show that both Np55 and the narpin peptide induce neurite outgrowth through FGFR1 activation and that Np55 increases synaptic calcium concentration in an FGFR1-dependent manner. Moreover, we demonstrate that narpin has an antidepressive-like effect in rats subjected to the forced swim test, suggesting that Np55-induced signaling may be involved in synaptic plasticity in vivo. Owczarek, S., Kiryushko, D., Larsen, M. H., Kastrup, J. S., Gajhede, M., Sandi, C., Berezin, V., Bock, E., Soroka, V. Neuroplastin-55 binds to and signals through the fibroblast growth factor receptor.

Aspergillus nidulans genes encoding reverse transsulfuration enzymes belong to homocysteine regulon.

Homocysteine is an intermediate in methionine synthesis in Aspergillus nidulans, but it can also be converted to cysteine by the reverse transsulfuration pathway involving cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS) and cystathionine gamma-lyase (CGL). Because homocysteine is toxic to the cell at high concentrations, this pathway also functions as a means of removal of its excess. We found that the transcription of the mecA and mecB genes encoding CBS and CGL was upregulated by excess of homocysteine as well as by shortage of cysteine. Homocysteine induced transcription of both genes when added to the growth medium or overproduced in a regulatory mutant. The derepressing effect of cysteine shortage was observed in some mutants and in the wild-type strain during sulfur starvation. An increase in the level of mecA or mecB transcript roughly parallel with the elevation of the respective enzyme activity. On the basis of the mode of mecA and mecB regulation by homocysteine, these genes may be classified in a group of genes upregulated directly or indirectly by this amino acid. We call this group of genes the "homocysteine regulon".

Relative role of upstream regulators of Akt, ERK and CREB in NCAM- and FGF2-mediated signalling.

Although a large number of signalling cascades are known to be activated downstream of NCAM, only little is known regarding the hierarchical relationship between the involved molecules in the individual cascades and the level of cross talk between the cascades. Here, we evaluated the requirement of putative upstream signalling cascades for the phosphorylation of the kinases extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and Akt and the transcription factor cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) response-element binding protein (CREB) following stimulation of NCAM in rat cerebellar granule neurons with an NCAM ligand, the C3d peptide. NCAM-mediated ERK phosphorylation depended on activation of the fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR), Src-family kinases, MEK (MAP and ERK kinase) and G(0)/G(i)-proteins, whereas NCAM-mediated CREB phosphorylation depended on the activity of Src-family kinases and MEK. NCAM-specific Akt phosphorylation depended on cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) and phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase (PI3K). All three phosphorylation events were independent of activation of the signalling molecules phospholipase C, protein kinase C, protein kinase A, and CamKII, which all have been demonstrated previously to be involved in NCAM signalling. For comparison, we also evaluated the role of upstream signalling cascades on fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2)-mediated phosphorylation of ERK, Akt, and CREB and found that FGF2 required the activity of both FGFR and Src-family kinases for phosphorylation of ERK, Akt, and CREB. MEK was required for phosphorylation of ERK and CREB, but not Akt, whereas G(0)/G(i)-proteins were necessary for phosphorylation of Akt and CREB, and cGMP was necessary for Akt phosphorylation. We thus demonstrate that even though NCAM and FGF2 have many signalling features in common, and even though both are known to activate FGFR, there are a number of differences in the intracellular signalling network activated by the NCAM ligand C3d and the FGFR ligand FGF2.

NCAM-derived peptides function as agonists for the fibroblast growth factor receptor.

The neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) directly interacts with the fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR). Both fibronectin type III (FN3) modules of NCAM are involved in this interaction. One of the NCAM-FGFR contact sites has been localized recently to the upper N-terminal part of the second NCAM FN3 module encompassing the F and G beta-strands and the interconnecting loop region. Here, we investigated whether any of the six putative strand-loop-strand regions in the first NCAM FN3 module are involved in FGFR interactions. Peptide sequences encompassing these regions, termed encamins, were synthesized and tested for their ability to bind and activate FGFR. Encamins localized to the N-terminal part of the first FN3 module did not interact with FGFR, whereas encamins localized to the C-terminal part, termed EncaminA, C and E, bound to and activated FGFR. The encamins induced FGFR-dependent neurite outgrowth, and EncaminC and E promoted neuronal survival and enhanced pre-synaptic function. In conclusion, the interaction between NCAM and FGFR probably involves multiple contact sites at an interface formed by the two NCAM FN3 modules and FGFR, and encamins could constitute important pharmacological tools for the study of specific functional aspects of NCAM, including neuroprotection and modulation of plasticity.

Multiple effects of pentyl-4-yn-VPA enantiomers: from toxicity to short-term memory enhancement.

2-n-Pentyl-4-pentynoic acid (PE-4-yn-VPA) is a derivative of the antiepileptic and mood-stabilizing drug valproic acid (VPA). PE-4-yn-VPA exists as R- and S-enantiomers, the latter being more teratogenic. PE-4-yn-VPA also possesses antiepileptic, antiproliferative, and cell-differentiating properties. Moreover, the less teratogenic enantiomer, R-PE-4-yn-VPA, was recently shown to improve learning and memory. We here present a detailed investigation of the enantioselective properties of PE-4-yn-VPA using a range of in vitro and in vivo assays including measurements of cellular growth and migration, neuronal differentiation and survival, intracellular signal transduction, synaptic plasticity and maturation, and short-term memory as determined by the social recognition test. The results show that the enantiomers of PE-4-yn-VPA largely had similar effects in vitro. However, in all in vitro experiments the more teratogenic enantiomer, S-PE-4-yn-VPA, exhibited a stronger potency than R-PE-4-yn-VPA, and only S-PE-4-yn-VPA had a detrimental effect on cell survival. Interestingly, both the R- and S-enantiomer improved learning and memory. In contrast, the beneficial effect of S-PE-4-yn-VPA on memory was lost by time, whereas the effect of R-PE-4-yn-VPA administration was longer lasting, suggesting that the beneficial effect of the S-enantiomer on memory formation may be counteracted by its detrimental effect on neuronal cell survival.

Identification of a bifunctional enzyme MnmC involved in the biosynthesis of a hypermodified uridine in the wobble position of tRNA.

The gene encoding the bifunctional enzyme MnmC that catalyzes the two last steps in the biosynthesis of 5-methylaminomethyl-2-thiouridine (mnm5s2U) in tRNA has been previously mapped at about 50 min on the Escherichia coli K12 chromosome, but to date the identity of the corresponding enzyme has not been correlated with any of the known open reading frames (ORFs). Using the protein fold-recognition approach, we predicted that the 74-kDa product of the yfcK ORF located at 52.6 min and annotated as "putative peptidase" comprises a methyltransferase domain and a FAD-dependent oxidoreductase domain. We have cloned, expressed, and purified the YfcK protein and demonstrated that it catalyzes the formation of mnm5s2U in tRNA. Thus, we suggest to rename YfcK as MnmC.