Expression of RNautophagy/DNautophagy-related genes is regulated under control of an innate immune receptor.

Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) is a molecular pattern uniquely produced in cells infected with various viruses as a product or byproduct of replication. Cells detect such molecules, which indicate non-self invasion, and induce diverse immune responses to eliminate them. The degradation of virus-derived molecules can also play a role in the removal of pathogens and suppression of their replication. RNautophagy and DNautophagy are cellular degradative pathways in which RNA and DNA are directly imported into a hydrolytic organelle, the lysosome. Two lysosomal membrane proteins, SIDT2 and LAMP2C, mediate nucleic acid uptake via this pathway. Here, we showed that the expression of both SIDT2 and LAMP2C is selectively upregulated during the intracellular detection of poly(I:C), a synthetic analog of dsRNA that mimics viral infection. The upregulation of these two gene products upon poly(I:C) introduction was transient and synchronized. We also observed that the induction of SIDT2 and LAMP2C expression by poly(I:C) was dependent on MDA5, a cytoplasmic innate immune receptor that directly recognizes poly(I:C) and induces various antiviral responses. Finally, we showed that lysosomes can target viral RNA for degradation via RNautophagy and may suppress viral replication. Our results revealed a novel degradative pathway in cells as a downstream component of the innate immune response and provided evidence suggesting that the degradation of viral nucleic acids via RNautophagy/DNautophagy contributes to the suppression of viral replication.

Nucleic acid uptake occurs independent of lysosomal acidification but dependent on ATP consumption during RNautophagy/DNautophagy.

RNautophagy/DNautophagy (RDA) is an autophagic process that refers to the direct uptake of nucleic acids by lysosomes for degradation. Autophagy relies on lysosomes and lysosomal acidification is crucial for the degradation of intracellular components. However, whether lysosomal acidification interferes with nucleic acid uptake during RDA is unclear. In this study, we focused on vacuolar H+-ATPase (V-ATPase), the major proton pump responsible for maintaining an acidic pH in lysosomes. Our results show that lysosomes take up nucleic acids independently of the intralysosomal acidic pH during RDA. Isolated lysosomes treated with bafilomycin A1, a potent V-ATPase inhibitor, did not degrade, but took up RNA at similar levels as the control lysosomes. Similarly, the knockdown of Atp6v1a, the gene that encodes V-ATPase catalytic subunit A, did not affect the RNA uptake ability of isolated lysosomes. In addition, we demonstrated that nucleic acid uptake by isolated lysosomes necessitates ATP consumption, although V-ATPase is not required for the uptake process. These results broaden our understanding of the mechanisms underlying nucleic acid degradation via autophagy.

Pathology-associated change in levels and localization of SIDT2 in postmortem brains of Parkinson's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies patients.

Parkinson's disease (PD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) are major neurodegenerative disorders that share commonalities in their pathology involving the formation of Lewy bodies, the main component of which is α-synuclein protein. Aberrancy and dysfunction in lysosomes have been suggested to play critical roles in the pathogenesis of Lewy body diseases. We recently identified a novel lysosomal degradation pathway in which various macromolecules, including α-synuclein protein, are directly imported into lysosomes and degraded. In this study, we analyzed the levels and localization of the lysosomal membrane protein SIDT2, a key factor in this pathway, in the postmortem brains of patients with PD and DLB. The levels of SIDT2 protein were significantly higher in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) of both PD and DLB cases than in age-matched control subjects, but this difference was not observed in the inferior frontal gyrus. The levels of SIDT2 also showed a strong correlation with α-synuclein levels in the ACC of all subjects, including controls. SIDT2 was colocalized with aggregates positive for phosphorylated α-synuclein protein, which is a hallmark of Lewy bodies, in all examined cases of both PD and DLB. These observations suggest that changes in the levels and localization of SIDT2 occur at the lesion site of Lewy body diseases in accordance with the progression of Lewy body pathology. Our findings provide mechanistic insights into the pathogenesis of Lewy body diseases, as well as other neurodegenerative disorders, and may provide clues for improved diagnosis, prevention, and therapeutic intervention for such diseases.

Perturbing the Normal Level of SIDT1 Suppresses the Naked ASO Effect.

Although antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) therapeutics can be taken up by living cells without carrier molecules, a large part of incorporated ASOs are trapped in the endosomes and do not exert therapeutic effects. To improve their therapeutic effects, it would be important to elucidate the mechanism of cellular uptake and intracellular trafficking of ASOs. In this study, we investigated how SIDT1 affects cellular uptake and intracellular trafficking of ASOs. Fluorescence microscopic analysis suggested that most of naked ASOs are trafficked to the lysosomes via the endosomes. The data obtained from flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy together showed that although the SIDT1 level barely affects the total cellular uptake of ASOs, it appears to affect the intracellular trafficking of ASOs. We also showed that SIDT1 exists mainly in the endoplasmic reticulum and that perturbing the normal level of SIDT1 suppresses the antisense effect of the naked ASO targeting miR-16.

Splice variants of lysosome­associated membrane proteins 2A and 2B are involved in sunitinib resistance in human renal cell carcinoma cells.

Sunitinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is among the first­line treatments for metastatic or advanced stage renal cell carcinoma (RCC). However, patients with RCC develop resistance to sunitinib. We have previously demonstrated that lysosome­associated membrane protein 2 (LAMP­2), which has three splice variants with different functions (LAMP­2A, LAMP­2B, and LAMP­2C), is involved in RCC. In the present study, we examined which splice variants of LAMP­2 contributed to sunitinib resistance in RCC cells. In vitro analysis using ACHN, human RCC cell line, revealed that the IC50 of sunitinib was significantly increased by overexpression of LAMP­2A and LAMP­2B, but not LAMP­2C (P<0.01). Kaplan­Meier survival analysis using clinical samples revealed an association between shorter survival and high expression of LAMP­2A and LAMP­2B, but not LAMP­2C, in patients with RCC treated with sunitinib (P=0.01). Furthermore, high expression of LAMP­2A and LAMP­2B in RCC revealed a weak to moderate inverse correlation with the tumor shrinkage rate and progression­free survival, respectively. Thus, high expression of LAMP­2A and LAMP­2B contributed to the acquisition of sunitinib resistance, indicating that the expression of these two variants can predict the efficacy of sunitinib treatment in patients with RCC.

Cytosolic domain of SIDT2 carries an arginine-rich motif that binds to RNA/DNA and is important for the direct transport of nucleic acids into lysosomes.

RNautophagy and DNautophagy (RDA) are unconventional autophagic pathways where nucleic acids are directly transported through the lysosomal membrane, then degraded inside lysosomes. We have previously shown that bitopic protein LAMP2C and putative RNA transporter SIDT2, both lysosomal membrane proteins, mediate the direct transport of nucleic acids into lysosomes and that LAMP2C interacts with the nucleic acids and functions as a receptor during RDA. Because SIDT2-mediated RDA occurs in isolated lysosomes that lack LAMP2C, in this study, we tested the hypothesis that SIDT2 itself could also interact with the nucleic acids. Our results show that SIDT2 directly binds RNA and DNA through an arginine-rich motif (ARM) located within its main cytosolic domain, and disruption of this motif dramatically impairs SIDT2-mediated RNautophagic activity. We also found that SIDT2 interacts with exon 1 of HTT (huntingtin) transcript through the ARM in a CAG-dependent manner. Moreover, overexpression of SIDT2 promoted degradation of HTT mRNA and reduced the levels of polyglutamine-expanded HTT aggregates, hallmarks of Huntington disease. In addition, a comparative analysis of LAMP2C and SIDT2 functions at the cellular level revealed that the two proteins exert a synergistic effect on RNautophagic activity and that the ARMs which mediate the interactions of SIDT2 and LAMP2C with RNA are essential for the synergy. Together, our results point out the importance of nucleic acid-binding capacity of SIDT2 for its function in translocating nucleic acids through the lipid bilayer and suggests a potential application of RNautophagy activation to reduce the expression levels of disease-causing toxic proteins. Abbreviations: ACTB/ß-actin: actin beta; ARM: arginine-rich motif; CBB: Coomassie Brilliant Blue; CD: cytosolic domain; COX4I1/COX4: cytochrome c oxidase subunit 4I1; E. coli: Escherichia coli; EGFP: enhanced green fluorescent protein; EtBr: ethidium bromide; FITC: fluorescein isothiocyanate; GAPDH: glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase; GOLGA2/GM130: golgin A2; GST: glutathione S-transferase; HRP: horseradish peroxidase; HSPA5/GRP78: heat shock protein family A (Hsp70) member 5; HTT: huntingtin; HTTex1: exon 1 of the HTT gene; LAMP2: lysosomal associated membrane protein 2; LMNA: lamin A/C; PAGE: polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis; PBS: phosphate-buffered saline; PEI: polyethyleneimine; polyQ: polyglutamine; qPCR: quantitative PCR; RAB5A: RAB5A, member RAS oncogene family; RDA: RNautophagy and DNautophagy; SCARB2/LIMP2: scavenger receptor class B member 2; SDS: sodium dodecyl sulfate; SID-1: systemic RNA interference deficient-1; SIDT2: SID1 transmembrane family member 2; WT: wild type.

Virtual screening identification of novel chemical inhibitors for aberrant interactions between pathogenic mutant SOD1 and tubulin.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a lethal neurodegenerative disease caused by selective motor neuron death. Mutations in the gene encoding copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD1) belong to one of the four major mutation clusters responsible for pathogenesis of ALS. Toxic gain-of-function (not loss-of-function) of SOD1 mutants causes motor neuron degeneration. Aberrant protein-protein interactions (PPI) between mutant SOD1 and other proteins are involved in this toxic gain-of-function. Therefore, PPI inhibitors of mutant SOD1 not only increase understanding of ALS pathogenesis, but can also be used as novel therapeutics for ALS. Although it is challenging to identify PPI inhibitors, prior knowledge of the binding site can increase success probability. We have previously reported that tubulin interacts with N-terminal residues 1-23 of mutant SOD1. In the present study, we performed virtual screening by docking simulation of 32,791 compounds using this N-terminal binding site as prior knowledge. An established assay system for interaction inhibition between mutant SOD1-tubulin was used as an in-house model system to identify mutant SOD1 PPI inhibitors, with the goal of developing novel therapeutics for ALS. Consequently, five of six assay-executable compounds among top-ranked compounds during docking simulation inhibited the mutant SOD1-tubulin interaction in vitro. Binding mode analysis predicted that some inhibitors might bind the tubulin binding site of G85R SOD1 by pi electron interaction with the aromatic ring of the Trp32 residue of G85R SOD1. Our screening methods may contribute to the identification of lead compounds for treating ALS.

Lysosomal targeting of SIDT2 via multiple YxxΦ motifs is required for SIDT2 function in the process of RNautophagy.

RNA degradation is an essential process for maintaining cellular homeostasis. Previously, we discovered a novel RNA degradation system, RNautophagy, during which direct import of RNA into lysosomes in an ATP-dependent manner followed by degradation takes place. The putative nucleic acid transporter SID-1 transmembrane family member 2 (SIDT2) predominantly localizes to lysosomes and mediates the translocation of RNA into lysosomes during RNautophagy. However, little is known about the mechanisms of sorting SIDT2 to lysosomes. Here, we show that three cytosolic YxxΦ motifs (in which x is any amino acid and Φ is an amino acid with a bulky hydrophobic side chain) are required for the lysosomal localization of SIDT2, and that SIDT2 interacts with adaptor protein complexes AP-1 and AP-2. We also find that localization to lysosomes by these three motifs is necessary for SIDT2 function in the process of RNautophagy, and that SIDT2 strikingly increases endogenous RNA degradation at the cellular level. To our knowledge, this is the first study to report an endogenous intracellular protein for which overexpression substantially increased intracellular RNA degradation. This study provides new insight into lysosomal targeting of proteins and intracellular RNA degradation, and further confirms the critical function of SIDT2 in RNautophagy.This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.

SIDT2 mediates gymnosis, the uptake of naked single-stranded oligonucleotides into living cells.

Single-stranded oligonucleotides (ssOligos) are efficiently taken up by living cells without the use of transfection reagents. This phenomenon called 'gymnosis' enables the sequence-specific silencing of target genes in various types of cells. Several antisense ssOligos are used for the treatment of human diseases. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the uptake of naked ssOligos into cells remains to be elucidated. Here, we show that systemic RNA interference deficient-1 (SID-1) transmembrane family 2 (SIDT2), a mammalian ortholog of the Caenorhabditis elegans double-stranded RNA channel SID-1, mediates gymnosis. We show that the uptake of naked ssOligos into cells is significantly downregulated by knockdown of SIDT2. Furthermore, knockdown of SIDT2 inhibited the effect of antisense RNA mediated by gymnosis. Overexpression of SIDT2 enhanced the uptake of naked ssOligos into cells, while a single amino acid mutation in SIDT2 abolished this effect. Our findings highlight the mechanism of extra- and intracellular RNA transport and may contribute to the further development of nucleic acid-based therapies.

Disturbance in Maternal Environment Leads to Abnormal Synaptic Instability during Neuronal Circuitry Development.

Adverse maternal environment during gestation and lactation can have negative effects on the developing brain that persist into adulthood and result in behavioral impairment. Recent studies of human and animal models suggest epidemiological and experimental association between disturbances in maternal environments during brain development and the occurrence of neuropsychiatric disorders, including autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety, depression, and neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we summarize recent advances in understanding the effects of maternal metabolic and hormonal abnormalities on the developing brain by focusing on the dynamics of dendritic spine, an excitatory postsynaptic structure. We discuss the abnormal instability of dendritic spines that is common to developmental disorders and neurological diseases. We also introduce our recent studies that demonstrate how maternal obesity and hyperandrogenism leads to abnormal development of neuronal circuitry and persistent synaptic instability, which results in the loss of synapses. The aim of this review is to highlight the links between abnormal maternal environment, behavioral impairment in offspring, and the dendiric spine pathology of neuropsychiatric disorders.

Lysosomal degradation of intracellular nucleic acids-multiple autophagic pathways.

Cell metabolism can be considered as a process of serial construction and destruction of cellular components, both of which must be regulated accurately. In eukaryotic cells, a variety of cellular components are actively delivered into lysosomes/vacuoles, specialized compartments for hydrolysis of macromolecules. Such processes of 'self-eating' are called autophagy. Despite a wide variety of lysosomal/vacuolar hydrolases, much of the interest has been focused on the proteolytic functions of autophagy and less attention has been devoted to the degradation of other macromolecules such as nucleic acids. In this review, we focus on delivery and degradation of endogenous nucleic acids by autophagic systems, and discuss their molecular mechanisms and physiological/pathophysiological roles.

Lysosomal membrane protein SIDT2 mediates the direct uptake of DNA by lysosomes.

Lysosomes degrade macromolecules such as proteins and nucleic acids. We previously identified 2 novel types of autophagy, RNautophagy and DNautophagy, where lysosomes directly take up RNA and DNA, in an ATP-dependent manner, for degradation. We have also reported that SIDT2 (SID1 transmembrane family, member 2), an ortholog of the Caenorhabditis elegans putative RNA transporter SID-1 (systemic RNA interference defective-1), mediates RNA translocation during RNautophagy. In this addendum, we report that SIDT2 also mediates DNA translocation in the process of DNautophagy. These findings help elucidate the mechanisms underlying the direct uptake of nucleic acids by lysosomes and the physiological functions of DNautophagy.

Lysosomal putative RNA transporter SIDT2 mediates direct uptake of RNA by lysosomes.

Lysosomes are thought to be the major intracellular compartment for the degradation of macromolecules. We recently identified a novel type of autophagy, RNautophagy, where RNA is directly taken up by lysosomes in an ATP-dependent manner and degraded. However, the mechanism of RNA translocation across the lysosomal membrane and the physiological role of RNautophagy remain unclear. In the present study, we performed gain- and loss-of-function studies with isolated lysosomes, and found that SIDT2 (SID1 transmembrane family, member 2), an ortholog of the Caenorhabditis elegans putative RNA transporter SID-1 (systemic RNA interference deficient-1), mediates RNA translocation during RNautophagy. We also observed that SIDT2 is a transmembrane protein, which predominantly localizes to lysosomes. Strikingly, knockdown of Sidt2 inhibited up to ˜50% of total RNA degradation at the cellular level, independently of macroautophagy. Moreover, we showed that this impairment is mainly due to inhibition of lysosomal RNA degradation, strongly suggesting that RNautophagy plays a significant role in constitutive cellular RNA degradation. Our results provide a novel insight into the mechanisms of RNA metabolism, intracellular RNA transport, and atypical types of autophagy.

Maternal high-fat diet leads to persistent synaptic instability in mouse offspring via oxidative stress during lactation.

Maternal obesity has negative effects on the neurodevelopment of the offspring. Pups from high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice exhibit peroxidized lipid accumulations in the brain and behavioral impairments. However, the synaptic basis of maternal HFD-induced brain dysfunction in offspring remains unclear. In the present study, we focused on the dynamics and morphology of postsynaptic dendritic spines and filopodia in the offspring of HFD-fed mouse dams, using in vivo two-photon imaging, chosen because of the involvement of peripheral organs and non-neuronal cells in the abnormal metabolic state. We observed instability of dendritic spines and filopodia in the cerebral cortex of offspring from HFD-fed dams. Interestingly, the synaptic instability persisted into adulthood with a lower spine density even when the offspring were fed with a normal diet after weaning. HFD-fed offspring from HFD-fed dams showed a severe disruption of dendritic spines. Synaptic instability and loss of spines were caused even by HFD exposure exclusively during lactation. The treatment of ascorbic acid, an antioxidant, during lactation ameliorated the synaptic impairments. These results suggest that maternal obesity leads to persistent synaptic impairments in the offspring, which may be associated with behavioral deficits in adulthood, and that these synaptic deficits may be due to oxidative stress from peroxidized lipid accumulations during the lactation period.

RNautophagy/DNautophagy possesses selectivity for RNA/DNA substrates.

Lysosomes can degrade various biological macromolecules, including nucleic acids, proteins and lipids. Recently, we identified novel nucleic acid-degradation systems termed RNautophagy/DNautophagy (abbreviated as RDA), in which RNA and DNA are directly taken up by lysosomes in an ATP-dependent manner and degraded. We also found that a lysosomal membrane protein, LAMP2C, the cytoplasmic region of which binds to RNA and DNA, functions, at least in part, as an RNA/DNA receptor in the process of RDA. However, it has been unclear whether RDA possesses selectivity for RNA/DNA substrates and the RNA/DNA sequences that are recognized by LAMP2C have not been determined. In the present study, we found that the cytosolic region of LAMP2C binds to poly-G/dG, but not to poly-A/dA, poly-C/dC, poly-dT or poly-U. Consistent with this binding activity, poly-G/dG was transported into isolated lysosomes via RDA, while poly-A/dA, poly-C/dC, poly-dT and poly-U were not. GGGGGG or d(GGGG) sequences are essential for the interaction between poly-G/dG and LAMP2C. In addition to poly-G/dG, G/dG-rich sequences, such as a repeated GGGGCC sequence, interacted with the cytosolic region of LAMP2C. Our findings indicate that RDA does possess selectivity for RNA/DNA substrates and that at least some consecutive G/dG sequence(s) can mediate RDA.

4-Hydroxynonenal induces persistent insolubilization of TDP-43 and alters its intracellular localization.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive degeneration of motor neurons. TDP-43 has been found to be a major component of ubiquitin-positive inclusions in ALS. Aberrant TDP-43, which is found in inclusions, is phosphorylated and is re-distributed from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. Alterations of TDP-43 protein, particularly insolubilization/aggregation and cytosolic distribution are thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of ALS. Levels of 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE), a marker of oxidative stress, have been reported to be elevated in sporadic ALS patients. However, the effects of HNE on TDP-43 are unclear. In this study, we found that HNE treatment of cells causes insolubilization, phosphorylation, and partial cytosolic localization of TDP-43. HNE-induced cytosolic TDP-43 was diffusely localized and only a small proportion of TDP-43 localized to stress granules, which are transient structures. HNE-induced TDP-43 insolubilization and phosphorylation were even observed 24 h after washout of HNE. We also showed that the cysteine residues of TDP-43 are responsible for HNE-induced insolubilization of TDP-43. Our results indicate that HNE can cause biochemical changes of TDP-43, which resemble the aberrant alterations of this protein in ALS, and suggest that upregulation of HNE could be a risk factor for ALS.

Property of lysosomal storage disease associated with midbrain pathology in the central nervous system of Lamp-2-deficient mice.

Lysosome-associated membrane protein-2 (LAMP-2) is the gene responsible for Danon disease, which is characterized by cardiomyopathy, autophagic vacuolar myopathy, and variable mental retardation. To elucidate the function of LAMP-2 in the central nervous system, we investigated the neuropathological changes in Lamp-2-deficient mice. Immunohistochemical observations revealed that Lamp-1 and cathepsin D-positive lysosomal structures increased in the large neurons of the mouse brain. Ubiquitin-immunoreactive aggregates and concanavalin A-positive materials were detected in these neurons. By means of ultrastructural studies, we found various-shaped accumulations, including lipofuscin, glycolipid-like materials, and membranous structures, in the neurons and glial cells of Lamp-2-deficient brains. In deficient mice, glycogen granules accumulated in hepatocyte lysosomes but were not observed in neurons. These pathological features indicate lysosomal storage disease; however, the findings are unlikely a consequence of deficiency of a single lysosomal enzyme. Although previous study results have shown a large amount of autophagic vacuoles in parenchymal cells of the visceral organs, these findings were rarely detected in the brain tissue except for some axons in the substantia nigra, in which abundant activated microglial cells with increased lipid peroxidation were observed. Thus, LAMP-2 in the central nervous system has a possible role in the degradation of the various macromolecules in lysosomes and an additional function concerning protection from oxidative stress, especially in the substantia nigra.

Abnormal instability, excess density, and aberrant morphology of dendritic spines in prenatally testosterone-exposed mice.

Fetal brain development is programmed by the maternal intrauterine environment, and disturbance of the in utero environment leads to persisting deficits in brain functions of the offspring. Testosterone is an intrauterine environmental factor, and plays significant roles in fetal development. From human and animal model studies, it has been suggested that increased intrauterine testosterone concentration triggers subsequent autistic-like behavior of the offspring; however, the effects of maternal excess testosterone on synaptic development of the offspring remain unknown. In the present study, we employed prenatally testosterone-exposed mice, and by using in vivo two-photon imaging, we analyzed the dynamics, density, and morphology of the dendritic spine, an excitatory postsynaptic structure. We found that the offspring from testosterone-treated dams showed abnormal synaptic instability persisting into young adulthood, whereas dendritic spines in control mice became stabilized with normal synaptic maturation. In prenatally testosterone-exposed mice, the density of dendritic spines was excessively increased, and their morphology was abnormal. These results suggest that prenatally testosterone-exposed mice may have deficits in synaptic development, and furthermore that the observed pathological features of their dendritic spines may be the cause of the synaptic pathogenesis in prenatally testosterone-exposed mice.

An RNautophagy/DNautophagy receptor, LAMP2C, possesses an arginine-rich motif that mediates RNA/DNA-binding.

Lysosomes are sites for the degradation of diverse cellular components. We recently discovered novel lysosomal systems we termed RNautophagy and DNautophagy. In these systems, RNA and DNA, respectively, are directly imported into lysosomes and degraded. A lysosomal membrane protein, LAMP2C was identified as a receptor for these pathways. The short C-terminal cytosolic tail of LAMP2C binds directly to both RNA and DNA. In this study, we examined the mechanisms underlying recognition of nucleic acids by the cytosolic sequence of LAMP2C. We found that the sequence possesses features of the arginine-rich motif, an RNA-recognition motif found in a wide range of RNA-binding proteins. Substitution of arginine residues in the LAMP2C cytosolic sequence completely abolished its binding capacity for nucleic acids. A scrambled form of the sequence showed affinity to RNA and DNA equivalent to that of the wild-type sequence, as is the case for other arginine-rich motifs. We also found that cytosolic sequences of other LAMP family proteins, LAMP1 and CD68/LAMP4, also possess arginine residues, and show affinity for nucleic acids. Our results provide further insight into the mechanisms underlying RNautophagy and DNautophagy, and may contribute to a better understanding of lysosome function.

Association of ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase-L1 in cerebrospinal fluid with clinical severity in a cohort of patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an acute immune-mediated polyneuropathy. Although its pathogenic mechanism has been revealed and various therapeutic trials have been performed, a proportion of patients experience the severe sequelae associated with GBS. In this paper, we investigated whether the amount of the neuron-specific protein, ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase-L1 (UCH-L1), in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with GBS was correlated with the clinical course of the disease. UCH-L1 protein levels were greater in patients with GBS than in controls. The patients with GBS whose UCH-L1 protein levels were higher than those of the controls presented with more severe symptoms at peak. UCH-L1 protein levels tended to become elevated as the total protein levels were increased; however, elevated UCH-L1 without an increase in total protein might be correlated with severe disease course (bedridden or ventilator supported). These results suggest that UCH-L1 could be a biomarker associated with the severity of the disease at the acute phase of GBS.