Ubiquitination of the GluA1 Subunit of AMPA Receptors Is Required for Synaptic Plasticity, Memory, and Cognitive Flexibility.

Activity-dependent changes in the number of AMPA-type glutamate receptors (AMPARs) at the synapse underpin the expression of LTP and LTD, cellular correlates of learning and memory. Post-translational ubiquitination has emerged as a key regulator of the trafficking and surface expression of AMPARs, with ubiquitination of the GluA1 subunit at Lys-868 controlling the post-endocytic sorting of the receptors into the late endosome for degradation, thereby regulating their stability at synapses. However, the physiological significance of GluA1 ubiquitination remains unknown. In this study, we generated mice with a knock-in mutation in the major GluA1 ubiquitination site (K868R) to investigate the role of GluA1 ubiquitination in synaptic plasticity, learning, and memory. Our results reveal that these male mice have normal basal synaptic transmission but exhibit enhanced LTP and deficits in LTD. They also display deficits in short-term spatial memory and cognitive flexibility. These findings underscore the critical roles of GluA1 ubiquitination in bidirectional synaptic plasticity and cognition in male mice.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Subcellular targeting and membrane trafficking determine the precise number of AMPA-type glutamate receptors at synapses, processes that are essential for synaptic plasticity, learning, and memory. Post-translational ubiquitination of the GluA1 subunit marks AMPARs for degradation, but its functional role in vivo remains unknown. Here we demonstrate that the GluA1 ubiquitin-deficient mice exhibit an altered threshold for synaptic plasticity accompanied by deficits in short-term memory and cognitive flexibility. Our findings suggest that activity-dependent ubiquitination of GluA1 fine-tunes the optimal number of synaptic AMPARs required for bidirectional synaptic plasticity and cognition in male mice. Given that increases in amyloid-ß cause excessive ubiquitination of GluA1, inhibiting that GluA1 ubiquitination may have the potential to ameliorate amyloid-ß-induced synaptic depression in Alzheimer's disease.

Synthesis of human amyloid restricted to liver results in an Alzheimer disease-like neurodegenerative phenotype.

Several lines of study suggest that peripheral metabolism of amyloid beta (Aß) is associated with risk for Alzheimer disease (AD). In blood, greater than 90% of Aß is complexed as an apolipoprotein, raising the possibility of a lipoprotein-mediated axis for AD risk. In this study, we report that genetic modification of C57BL/6J mice engineered to synthesise human Aß only in liver (hepatocyte-specific human amyloid (HSHA) strain) has marked neurodegeneration concomitant with capillary dysfunction, parenchymal extravasation of lipoprotein-Aß, and neurovascular inflammation. Moreover, the HSHA mice showed impaired performance in the passive avoidance test, suggesting impairment in hippocampal-dependent learning. Transmission electron microscopy shows marked neurovascular disruption in HSHA mice. This study provides causal evidence of a lipoprotein-Aß /capillary axis for onset and progression of a neurodegenerative process.

EHF is essential for epidermal and colonic epithelial homeostasis, and suppresses Apc-initiated colonic tumorigenesis.

Ets homologous factor (EHF) is a member of the epithelial-specific Ets (ESE) family of transcription factors. To investigate its role in development and epithelial homeostasis, we generated a series of novel mouse strains in which the Ets DNA-binding domain of Ehf was deleted in all tissues (Ehf-/-) or specifically in the gut epithelium. Ehf-/- mice were born at the expected Mendelian ratio, but showed reduced body weight gain, and developed a series of pathologies requiring most Ehf-/- mice to reach an ethical endpoint before reaching 1 year of age. These included papillomas in the facial skin, abscesses in the preputial glands (males) or vulvae (females), and corneal ulcers. Ehf-/-mice also displayed increased susceptibility to experimentally induced colitis, which was confirmed in intestinal-specific Ehf knockout mice. Gut-specific Ehf deletion also impaired goblet cell differentiation, induced extensive transcriptional reprogramming in the colonic epithelium and enhanced Apc-initiated adenoma development. The Ets DNA-binding domain of EHF is therefore essential for postnatal homeostasis of the epidermis and colonic epithelium, and its loss promotes colonic tumour development.

Generation of an HLA-DQ2.5 Knock-In Mouse.

The human MHC class II molecule HLA-DQ2.5 is implicated in multiple autoimmune disorders, including celiac disease, type 1 diabetes, and systemic lupus erythematosus. The pathogenic contribution of HLA-DQ2.5 in many of these disorders is not fully understood. There is thus a need for an HLA-DQ2.5 humanized mouse model with physiological expression of this MHC molecule that can be integrated into disease models. In this article, we report the generation of an HLA-DQ2.5 knock-in mouse strain on a C57BL/6 background in which sequences encoding the extracellular moieties of mouse MHC class II H2-IAa and H2-IAb1 have been replaced with those of HLA-DQA1*05:01 and HLA-DQB1*02:01 In heterozygous knock-in mice, the expression of HLA-DQ2.5 is superimposable with the expression of H2-IA. This was not the case in a regular untargeted HLA-DQ2.5 transgenic mouse. HLA-DQ2.5 in the knock-in animals is functional for T cell development and for Ag presentation to HLA-DQ2.5-restricted and gluten-specific T cells. Because C57BL/6 mice do not express H2-IEa, the only functional MHC class II molecule in homozygous HLA-DQ2.5 knock-in mice is the knock-in gene product. This alleviates the need for crossing with MHC class II knockout mice to study the isolated function of the MHC transgene. Our novel mouse strain provides an important tool to study the involvement of HLA-DQ2.5 in models of diseases with association to this HLA allotype.

Defective lysosome reformation during autophagy causes skeletal muscle disease.

The regulation of autophagy-dependent lysosome homeostasis in vivo is unclear. We showed that the inositol polyphosphate 5-phosphatase INPP5K regulates autophagic lysosome reformation (ALR), a lysosome recycling pathway, in muscle. INPP5K hydrolyzes phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate [PI(4,5)P2] to phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate [PI(4)P], and INPP5K mutations cause muscular dystrophy by unknown mechanisms. We report that loss of INPP5K in muscle caused severe disease, autophagy inhibition, and lysosome depletion. Reduced PI(4,5)P2 turnover on autolysosomes in Inpp5k-/- muscle suppressed autophagy and lysosome repopulation via ALR inhibition. Defective ALR in Inpp5k-/- myoblasts was characterized by enlarged autolysosomes and the persistence of hyperextended reformation tubules, structures that participate in membrane recycling to form lysosomes. Reduced disengagement of the PI(4,5)P2 effector clathrin was observed on reformation tubules, which we propose interfered with ALR completion. Inhibition of PI(4,5)P2 synthesis or expression of WT INPP5K but not INPP5K disease mutants in INPP5K-depleted myoblasts restored lysosomal homeostasis. Therefore, bidirectional interconversion of PI(4)P/PI(4,5)P2 on autolysosomes was integral to lysosome replenishment and autophagy function in muscle. Activation of TFEB-dependent de novo lysosome biogenesis did not compensate for loss of ALR in Inpp5k-/- muscle, revealing a dependence on this lysosome recycling pathway. Therefore, in muscle, ALR is indispensable for lysosome homeostasis during autophagy and when defective is associated with muscular dystrophy.

The testicular soma of Tsc22d3 knockout mice supports spermatogenesis and germline transmission from spermatogonial stem cell lines upon transplantation.

Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are adult stem cells that are slowly cycling and self-renewing. The pool of SSCs generates very large numbers of male gametes throughout the life of the individual. SSCs can be cultured in vitro for long periods of time, and established SSC lines can be manipulated genetically. Upon transplantation into the testes of infertile mice, long-term cultured mouse SSCs can differentiate into fertile spermatozoa, which can give rise to live offspring. Here, we show that the testicular soma of mice with a conditional knockout (conKO) in the X-linked gene Tsc22d3 supports spermatogenesis and germline transmission from cultured mouse SSCs upon transplantation. Infertile males were produced by crossing homozygous Tsc22d3 floxed females with homozygous ROSA26-Cre males. We obtained 96 live offspring from six long-term cultured SSC lines with the aid of intracytoplasmic sperm injection. We advocate the further optimization of Tsc22d3-conKO males as recipients for testis transplantation of SSC lines.

Targeting the CDA1/CDA1BP1 Axis Retards Renal Fibrosis in Experimental Diabetic Nephropathy.

Targeting cell division autoantigen 1 (CDA1) is postulated to attenuate the profibrotic actions of transforming growth factor-ß in diabetic nephropathy. This study has identified a regulatory protein for CDA1 and has then used genetic and pharmacological approaches to test in vivo whether strategies to target this pathway would lead to reduced renal injury. A novel protein, named CDA1BP1 (CDA1 binding protein 1), was identified as critical in regulating the profibrotic activity of CDA1. Genetic deletion of CDA1BP1 attenuated key parameters of renal fibrosis in diabetic mice. Furthermore, a series of short synthetic CDA1BP1 peptides competitively inhibited CDA1-CDA1BP1 binding in vitro with a hybrid peptide, CHA-050, containing a 12mer CDA1BP1 peptide and a previously known "cell-penetrating peptide," dose-dependently reducing expression of collagens I and III in HK-2 cells. In vivo, a d-amino acid retro-inverso peptide, CHA-061, significantly attenuated diabetes-associated increases in the renal expression of genes involved in fibrotic and proinflammatory pathways. In a delayed intervention study, CHA-061 treatment reversed diabetes-associated molecular and pathological changes within the kidney. Specifically, CHA-061 significantly attenuated renal extracellular matrix accumulation and glomerular injury. Taken together, targeting the CDA1/CDA1BP1 axis is a safe, efficacious, and feasible approach to retard experimental diabetic nephropathy.

Generation and phenotypic characterisation of a cytochrome P450 4x1 knockout mouse.

Cytochrome P450 4x1 (Cyp4x1) is expressed at very high levels in the brain but the function of this protein is unknown. It has been hypothesised to regulate metabolism of fatty acids and to affect the activity of endocannabinoid signalling systems, which are known to influence appetite and energy metabolism. The objective of the present investigation was to determine the impact of Cyp4x1 on body weight and energy metabolism by developing a line of transgenic Cyp4x1-knock out mice. Mice were developed with a global knock-out of the gene; the full-length RNA was undetectable, and mice were viable and fertile. Both male and female Cyp4x1-knock out mice gained significantly more body weight on normal lab chow diet compared to control flox mice on the same genetic background. At necropsy, Cyp4x1-knock out male mice had significantly greater intra-abdominal fat deposits (P<0.01), and enlarged adipocytes. Metabolic rate and locomotor activity as inferred from VO2 measures and crossing of infrared beams in metabolic cages were not significantly affected by the mutation in either gender. The respiratory exchange ratio was significantly decreased in male knock out mice (P<0.05), suggesting a greater degree of fat oxidation, consistent with their higher adiposity. When mice were maintained on a high fat diet, VO2 was significantly decreased in both male and female Cyp4x1-knock out mice. We conclude that the Cyp4x1-knock out mouse strain demonstrates a mildly obese phenotype, consistent with the view that cytochrome P450 4x1 plays a role in regulating fat metabolism.

Modeling the ferrochelatase c.315-48C modifier mutation for erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) in mice.

Erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) is caused by deficiency of ferrochelatase (FECH), which incorporates iron into protoporphyrin IX (PPIX) to form heme. Excitation of accumulated PPIX by light generates oxygen radicals that evoke excessive pain and, after longer light exposure, cause ulcerations in exposed skin areas of individuals with EPP. Moreover, ∼5% of the patients develop a liver dysfunction as a result of PPIX accumulation. Most patients (∼97%) have a severe FECH mutation (Mut) in trans to an intronic polymorphism (c.315-48C), which reduces ferrochelatase synthesis by stimulating the use of an aberrant 3' splice site 63 nt upstream of the normal site for exon 4. In contrast, with the predominant c.315-48T allele, the correct splice site is mostly used, and individuals with a T/Mut genotype do not develop EPP symptoms. Thus, the C allele is a potential target for therapeutic approaches that modify this splicing decision. To provide a model for pre-clinical studies of such approaches, we engineered a mouse containing a partly humanized Fech gene with the c.315-48C polymorphism. F1 hybrids obtained by crossing these mice with another inbred line carrying a severe Fech mutation (named m1Pas) show a very strong EPP phenotype that includes elevated PPIX in the blood, enlargement of liver and spleen, anemia, as well as strong pain reactions and skin lesions after a short period of light exposure. In addition to the expected use of the aberrant splice site, the mice also show a strong skipping of the partly humanized exon 3. This will limit the use of this model for certain applications and illustrates that engineering of a hybrid gene may have unforeseeable consequences on its splicing.

An essential developmental function for murine phosphoglycolate phosphatase in safeguarding cell proliferation.

Mammalian phosphoglycolate phosphatase (PGP) is thought to target phosphoglycolate, a 2-deoxyribose fragment derived from the repair of oxidative DNA lesions. However, the physiological role of this activity and the biological function of the DNA damage product phosphoglycolate is unknown. We now show that knockin replacement of murine Pgp with its phosphatase-inactive PgpD34N mutant is embryonically lethal due to intrauterine growth arrest and developmental delay in midgestation. PGP inactivation attenuated triosephosphate isomerase activity, increased triglyceride levels at the expense of the cellular phosphatidylcholine content, and inhibited cell proliferation. These effects were prevented under hypoxic conditions or by blocking phosphoglycolate release from damaged DNA. Thus, PGP is essential to sustain cell proliferation in the presence of oxygen. Collectively, our findings reveal a previously unknown mechanism coupling a DNA damage repair product to the control of intermediary metabolism and cell proliferation.

Progranulin overexpression in sensory neurons attenuates neuropathic pain in mice: Role of autophagy.

Peripheral or central nerve injury is a frequent cause of chronic pain and the mechanisms are not fully understood. Using newly generated transgenic mice we show that progranulin overexpression in sensory neurons attenuates neuropathic pain after sciatic nerve injury and accelerates nerve healing. A yeast-2-hybrid screen revealed putative interactions of progranulin with autophagy-related proteins, ATG12 and ATG4b. This was supported by colocalization and proteomic studies showing regulations of ATG13 and ATG4b and other members of the autophagy network, lysosomal proteins and proteins involved in endocytosis. The association of progranulin with the autophagic pathway was functionally confirmed in primary sensory neurons. Autophagy and survival were impaired in progranulin-deficient neurons and improved in progranulin overexpressing neurons. Nerve injury in vivo caused an accumulation of LC3b-EGFP positive bodies in neurons of the dorsal root ganglia and nerves suggesting an impairment of autophagic flux. Overexpression of progranulin in these neurons was associated with a reduction of the stress marker ATF3, fewer protein aggregates in the injured nerve and enhanced stump healing. At the behavioral level, further inhibition of the autophagic flux by hydroxychloroquine intensified cold and heat nociception after sciatic nerve injury and offset the pain protection provided by progranulin. We infer that progranulin may assist in removal of protein waste and thereby helps to resolve neuropathic pain after nerve injury.

The Role of Dectin-2 for Host Defense Against Disseminated Candidiasis.

Despite the fact that Candida albicans is an important human fungal pathogen and Dectin-2 is a major pattern recognition receptor for fungi, our knowledge regarding the role of Dectin-2 for the host defense against disseminated candidiasis is limited. Dectin-2 deficient (Dectin-2(-/-)) mice were more susceptible to systemic candidiasis, and the susceptibility was mirrored by an elevated fungal load in the kidneys that correlated with the presence of large inflammatory foci. Phagocytosis of Candida by the macrophages lacking the Dectin-2 receptor was moderately decreased, while production of most of the macrophage-derived cytokines from Dectin-2(-/-) mice with systemic candidiasis was decreased. No striking differences among several Candida mutants defective in mannans could be detected between naïve wild-type and Dectin-2(-/-) mice, apart from the ß-mannan-deficient bmt1Δ/bmt2Δ/bmt5Δ triple mutant, suggesting that ß-mannan may partially mask α-mannan detection, which is the major fungal structure recognized by Dectin-2. Deciphering the mechanisms responsible for host defense against the majority of C. albicans strains represents an important step in understanding the pathophysiology of systemic candidiasis, which might lead to the development of novel immunotherapeutic strategies.

Exclusive transmission of the embryonic stem cell-derived genome through the mouse germline.

Gene targeting in embryonic stem (ES) cells remains best practice for introducing complex mutations into the mouse germline. One aspect in this multistep process that has not been streamlined with regard to the logistics and ethics of mouse breeding is the efficiency of germline transmission: the transmission of the ES cell-derived genome through the germline of chimeras to their offspring. A method whereby male chimeras transmit exclusively the genome of the injected ES cells to their offspring has been developed. The new technology, referred to as goGermline, entails injecting ES cells into blastocysts produced by superovulated homozygous Tsc22d3 floxed females mated with homozygous ROSA26-Cre males. This cross produces males that are sterile due to a complete cell-autonomous defect in spermatogenesis. The resulting male chimeras can be sterile but when fertile, they transmit the ES cell-derived genome to 100% of their offspring. The method was validated extensively and in two laboratories for gene-targeted ES clones that were derived from the commonly used parental ES cell lines Bruce4, E14, and JM8A3. The complete elimination of the collateral birth of undesired, non-ES cell-derived offspring in goGermline technology fulfills the reduction imperative of the 3R principle of humane experimental technique with animals. genesis 54:326-333, 2016. © 2016 The Authors. Genesis Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The Inositol Polyphosphate 5-Phosphatase PIPP Regulates AKT1-Dependent Breast Cancer Growth and Metastasis.

Metastasis is the major cause of breast cancer mortality. Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) generated PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 activates AKT, which promotes breast cancer cell proliferation and regulates migration. To date, none of the inositol polyphosphate 5-phosphatases that inhibit PI3K/AKT signaling have been reported as tumor suppressors in breast cancer. Here, we show depletion of the inositol polyphosphate 5-phosphatase PIPP (INPP5J) increases breast cancer cell transformation, but reduces cell migration and invasion. Pipp ablation accelerates oncogene-driven breast cancer tumor growth in vivo, but paradoxically reduces metastasis by regulating AKT1-dependent tumor cell migration. PIPP mRNA expression is reduced in human ER-negative breast cancers associated with reduced long-term outcome. Collectively, our findings identify PIPP as a suppressor of oncogenic PI3K/AKT signaling in breast cancer.

Borrelia-induced cytokine production is mediated by spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) but is Dectin-1 and Dectin-2 independent.

Although it is known that Borrelia species express sugar-like structures on their outer surface, not much is known about the role of these structures in immune recognition by host cells. Fungi, like Candida albicans, are mainly recognized by C-type lectin receptors, in specific Dectin-1 and Dectin-2. In this study we assessed the role of Dectin-1 and Dectin-2 in the recognition process of Borrelia spirochetes. Using specific inhibitors against these receptors on human cells did not influenced cytokine production. Individuals carrying a SNP leading to an early stop codon in the DECTIN-1 gene also did not lead to differential induction of Borrelia-dependent cytokines. After injection of live Borrelia into knee joints of Dectin-2 deficient mice a trend towards lower inflammation was observed. Inhibition of Syk in human cells resulted in lower cytokine production after Borrelia stimulation. In conclusion, Dectin-1 and Dectin-2 seem not to play a major role in Borrelia recognition or Borrelia-induced inflammation. However, Syk seems to be involved in Borrelia-induced cytokine production.

The N-terminal SH2 domain of Syk is required for (hem)ITAM, but not integrin, signaling in mouse platelets.

We have used a novel knockin mouse to investigate the effect of disruption of phosphotyrosine binding of the N-terminal SH2 domain of Syk on platelet activation by GPVI, CLEC-2, and integrin αIIbß3. The Syk(R41Afl/fl) mouse was crossed to a PF4-Cre(+) mouse to induce expression of the Syk mutant in the megakaryocyte/platelet lineage. Syk(R41Afl/fl;PF4-Cre) mice are born at approximately 50% of the expected frequency and have a similar phenotype to Syk(fl/fl;PF4-Cre) mice, including blood-lymphatic mixing and chyloascites. Anastomosis of the venous and lymphatic vasculatures can be seen in the mesenteric circulation accounting for rapid and continuous mixing of the 2 vasculatures. Platelet activation by CLEC-2 and GPVI is abolished in Syk(R41Afl/fl;PF4-Cre) platelets. Syk phosphorylation on Tyr519/20 is blocked in CLEC-2-stimulated platelets, suggesting a model in which binding of Syk via its N-terminal SH2 domain regulates autophosphorylation. In contrast, outside-in signaling by integrin αIIbß3 is not altered, but it is inhibited in the presence of inhibitors of Src and Syk tyrosine kinases. These results demonstrate that αIIbß3 regulates Syk through an ITAM-independent pathway in mice and provide novel insight into the course of events underlying Syk activation and hemITAM phosphorylation by CLEC-2.

A human sleep homeostasis phenotype in mice expressing a primate-specific PER3 variable-number tandem-repeat coding-region polymorphism.

In humans, a primate-specific variable-number tandem-repeat (VNTR) polymorphism (4 or 5 repeats 54 nt in length) in the circadian gene PER3 is associated with differences in sleep timing and homeostatic responses to sleep loss. We investigated the effects of this polymorphism on circadian rhythmicity and sleep homeostasis by introducing the polymorphism into mice and assessing circadian and sleep parameters at baseline and during and after 12 h of sleep deprivation (SD). Microarray analysis was used to measure hypothalamic and cortical gene expression. Circadian behavior and sleep were normal at baseline. The response to SD of 2 electrophysiological markers of sleep homeostasis, electroencephalography (EEG) θ power during wakefulness and δ power during sleep, were greater in the Per3(5/5) mice. During recovery, the Per3(5/5) mice fully compensated for the SD-induced deficit in δ power, but the Per3(4/4) and wild-type mice did not. Sleep homeostasis-related transcripts (e.g., Homer1, Ptgs2, and Kcna2) were differentially expressed between the humanized mice, but circadian clock genes were not. These data are in accordance with the hypothesis derived from human data that the PER3 VNTR polymorphism modifies the sleep homeostatic response without significantly influencing circadian parameters.

Role of Dectin-2 for host defense against systemic infection with Candida glabrata.

Although Candida glabrata is an important pathogenic Candida species, relatively little is known about its innate immune recognition. Here, we explore the potential role of Dectin-2 for host defense against C. glabrata. Dectin-2-deficient (Dectin-2(-/-)) mice were found to be more susceptible to C. glabrata infections, showing a defective fungal clearance in kidneys but not in the liver. The increased susceptibility to infection was accompanied by lower production of T helper 1 (Th1) and Th17-derived cytokines by splenocytes of Dectin-2(-/-) mice, while macrophage-derived cytokines were less affected. These defects were associated with a moderate yet significant decrease in phagocytosis of the fungus by the Dectin-2(-/-) macrophages and neutrophils. Neutrophils of Dectin-2(-/-) mice also displayed lower production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) upon challenge with opsonized C. glabrata or C. albicans. This study suggests that Dectin-2 is important in host defense against C. glabrata and provides new insights into the host defense mechanisms against this important fungal pathogen.

Genetic deletion of cell division autoantigen 1 retards diabetes-associated renal injury.

Cell division autoantigen 1 (CDA1) enhances TGF-ß signaling in renal and vascular cells, and renal expression of CDA1 is elevated in animal models of diabetes. In this study, we investigated the genetic deletion of Tspyl2, the gene encoding CDA1, in C57BL6 and ApoE knockout mice. The increased renal expression of TGF-ß1, TGF-ß type I and II receptors, and phosphorylated Smad3 associated with diabetes in wild-type mice was attenuated in diabetic CDA1 knockout mice. Notably, CDA1 deletion significantly reduced diabetes-associated renal matrix accumulation and immunohistochemical staining for collagens III and IV and attenuated glomerular and tubulointerstitial injury indices, despite the presence of persistent hyperglycemia, polyuria, renal hypertrophy, and hyperfiltration. Furthermore, CDA1 deletion reduced gene expression of TGF-ß1 receptors in the kidney, resulting in a functionally attenuated response to exogenous TGF-ß, including reduced levels of phosphorylated Smad3 and ERK1/2, in primary kidney cells from CDA1 knockout animals. Taken together, these data suggest that CDA1 deletion reduces but does not block renal TGF-ß signaling. Because direct antagonism of TGF-ß or its receptors has unwanted effects, CDA1 may be a potential therapeutic target for retarding DN and perhaps, other kidney diseases associated with TGF-ß-mediated fibrogenesis.