Dieter Swandulla

Glial cells are born with synapses

In postnatal rodent brain, certain NG2‐expressing oligodendroglial precursor cells (OPCs) are contacted by synaptic terminals from local neurons. However, it has remained elusive whether and when NG2+ cells are integrated into neuronal circuits. Here we use patch‐clamp recordings from mitotic cells in murine brain slices to show that, unlike any other cell in the central nervous system (CNS), cortical NG2+ cells divide and relocate while being linked to synaptic junctions. Together with bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) labeling, our recordings imply that cellular processes that bear synaptic junctions are surprisingly kept during cytokinesis and are inherited by the daughter cells. Cell cycle time (78 h) and relocation speed (5 μm/day) are slowed, and NG2+ cells largely divide symmetrically. Inheritance of synapses enables newborn glial cells to establish synaptic connections much faster than newborn neurons and ensures that the entire population of NG2+ cells is exposed to synaptic signals from local axons. The results suggest that synapses do not only transmit neuronal activity but also act as environmental cues for the development of glial cells. Inheritance of synapses allows for the direct transfer of environmental interactions to clonal descendants of OPCs, which might be important for effective colonization and myelination of the developing brain.—Kukley, M., Kiladze, M., Tognatta, R., Hans, M., Swandulla, D., Schramm, J., Dietrich, D. Glial cells are born with synapses. FASEB J. 22, 2957–2969 (2008)

Hyperpolarizing inhibition develops without trophic support by GABA in cultured rat midbrain neurons

During a limited period of early neuronal development, GABA is depolarizing and elevates [Ca2+]i, which mediates the trophic action of GABA in neuronal maturation. We tested the attractive hypothesis that GABA itself promotes the developmental change of its response from depolarizing to hyperpolarizing ( Ganguly et al. 2001 ). In cultured midbrain neurons we found that the GABA response changed from depolarizing to hyperpolarizing, although GABAA receptors had been blocked throughout development. In immature neurons prolonged exposure of the cells to nanomolar concentrations of GABA or brief repetitive applications of GABA strongly diminished the elevation of [Ca2+]i by GABA. As revealed by gramicidin perforated‐patch recording, reduced [Ca2+]i responses were due to a diminished driving force for Cl−. This suggests that immature neurons do not have an efficient inward transport that can compensate the loss of cytosolic Cl− resulting from sustained GABAA receptor activation by ambient GABA. Transient increases in external K+, which can induce voltage‐dependent Cl− entry, restored GABA‐induced [Ca2+]i elevations. In mature neurons, GABA reduced [Ca2+]i provided that background [Ca2+]i was elevated by the application of an L‐type Ca2+ channel agonist. This was probably due to a hyperpolarization of the membrane by Cl− currents. K+‐Cl− cotransport maintained the gradient for hyperpolarizing Cl− currents. We conclude that in immature midbrain neurons an inward Cl− transport is not effective although the GABA response is depolarizing. Further, GABA itself is not required for the developmental switch of GABAergic responses from depolarizing to hyperpolarizing in cultured midbrain neurons.

Mass spectrometry-based proteomic analysis of middle-aged vs. aged vastus lateralis reveals increased levels of carbonic anhydrase isoform 3 in senescent human skeletal muscle

The age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass and associated progressive decline in contractile strength is a serious pathophysiological issue in the elderly. In order to investigate global changes in the skeletal muscle proteome after the fifth decade of life, this study analysed total extracts from human vastus lateralis muscle by fluorescence difference in-gel electrophoresis. Tissue specimens were derived from middle-aged (47–62 years) vs. aged (76–82 years) individuals and potential changes in the protein expression profiles were compared between these two age groups by a comprehensive gel electrophoresis-based survey. Age-dependent alterations in the concentration of 19 protein spots were revealed and mass spectrometry identified these components as being involved in the excitation-contraction-relaxation cycle, muscle metabolism, ion handling and the cellular stress response. This indicates a generally perturbed protein expression pattern in senescent human muscle. Increased levels of mitochondrial enzymes and isoform switching of the key contractile protein, actin, support the idea of glycolytic-to-oxidative and fast-to-slow transition processes during muscle aging. Importantly, the carbonic anhydrase (CA)3 isoform displayed an increased abundance during muscle aging, which was independently verified by immunoblotting of differently aged human skeletal muscle samples. Since the CA3 isoform is relatively muscle-specific and exhibits a fibre type-specific expression pattern, this enzyme may represent an interesting new biomarker of sarcopenia. Increased levels of CA are indicative of an increased demand of CO2-removal in senescent muscle, and also suggest age-related fibre type shifting to slower-contracting muscles during human aging.

Label-free mass spectrometric analysis of the mdx-4cv diaphragm identifies the matricellular protein periostin as a potential factor involved in dystrophinopathy-related fibrosis

Proteomic profiling plays a decisive role in the identification of novel biomarkers of muscular dystrophy and the elucidation of new pathobiochemical mechanisms that underlie progressive muscle wasting. Building on the findings of recent comparative analyses of tissue samples and body fluids from dystrophic animals and patients afflicted with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, we have used here label‐free MS to study the severely dystrophic diaphragm from the not extensively characterized mdx‐4cv mouse. This animal model of progressive muscle wasting exhibits less dystrophin‐positive revertant fibers than the conventional mdx mouse, making it ideal for the future monitoring of experimental therapies. The pathoproteomic signature of the mdx‐4cv diaphragm included a significant increase in the fibrosis marker collagen and related extracellular matrix proteins (asporin, decorin, dermatopontin, prolargin) and cytoskeletal proteins (desmin, filamin, obscurin, plectin, spectrin, tubulin, vimentin, vinculin), as well as decreases in proteins of ion homeostasis (parvalbumin) and the contractile apparatus (myosin‐binding protein). Importantly, one of the most substantially increased proteins was identified as periostin, a matricellular component and apparent marker of fibrosis and tissue damage. Immunoblotting confirmed a considerable increase of periostin in the dystrophin‐deficient diaphragm from both mdx and mdx‐4cv mice, suggesting an involvement of this matricellular protein in dystrophinopathy‐related fibrosis.

Bisphenol A inhibits voltage-activated Ca 2+ channels in vitro: mechanisms and structural requirements

Bisphenol A (BPA), a high volume production chemical compound attracts growing attention as a health-relevant xenobiotic in humans. It can directly bind to hormone receptors, enzymes, and ion channels to become biologically active. In this study we show that BPA acts as a potent blocker of voltage-activated Ca2+ channels. We determined the mechanisms of block and the structural elements of BPA essential for its action. Macroscopic Ba2+/ Ca2+ currents through native L-, N-, P/Q-, T-type Ca2+ channels in rat endocrine GH3 cells, mouse dorsal root ganglion neurons or cardiac myocytes, and recombinant human R-type Ca2+ channels expressed in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells were rapidly and reversibly inhibited by BPA with similar potency (EC50 values: 26–35 μM). Pharmacological and biophysical analysis of R-type Ca2+ channels revealed that BPA interacts with the extracellular part of the channel protein. Its action does not require intracellular signaling pathways, is neither voltage- nor use-dependent, and does not affect channel gating. This indicates that BPA interacts with the channel in its resting state by directly binding to an external site outside the pore-forming region. Structure-effect analyses of various phenolic and bisphenolic compounds revealed that 1) a double-alkylated (R-C(CH3)2-R, R-C(CH3)(CH2CH3)-R), or double-trifluoromethylated sp3-hybridized carbon atom between the two aromatic rings and 2) the two aromatic moieties in angulated orientation are optimal for BPA’s effectiveness. Since BPA highly pollutes the environment and is incorporated into the human organism, our data may provide a basis for future studies relevant for human health and development.

Proteomics reveals drastic increase of extracellular matrix proteins collagen and dermatopontin in the aged mdx diaphragm model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a lethal genetic disease of childhood caused by primary abnormalities in the gene coding for the membrane cytoskeletal protein dystrophin. The mdx mouse is an established animal model of various aspects of X-linked muscular dystrophy and is widely used for studying fundamental mechanisms of dystrophinopathy and testing novel therapeutic approaches to treat one of the most frequent gender-specific diseases in humans. In order to determine global changes in the muscle proteome with the progressive deterioration of mdx tissue with age, we have characterized diaphragm muscle from mdx mice at three ages (8-weeks, 12-months and 22-months) using mass spectrometry-based proteomics. Altered expression levels in diaphragm of 8-week vs. 22-month mice were shown to occur in 11 muscle-associated proteins. Aging in the mdx diaphragm seems to be associated with a drastic increase in the extracellular matrix proteins, collagen and dermatopontin, the molecular chaperone αB-crystallin, and the intermediate filament protein vimentin, suggesting increased accumulation of connective tissue, an enhanced cellular stress response and compensatory stabilization of the weakened membrane cytoskeleton. These proteomic findings establish the aged mdx diaphragm as an excellent model system for studying secondary effects of dystrophin deficiency in skeletal muscle tissue.

Proteomic profiling of cardiomyopathic tissue from the aged mdx model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy reveals a drastic decrease in laminin, nidogen and annexin

The majority of patients afflicted with Duchenne muscular dystrophy develop cardiomyopathic complications, warranting large‐scale proteomic studies of global cardiac changes for the identification of new protein markers of dystrophinopathy. The aged heart from the X‐linked dystrophic mdx mouse has been shown to exhibit distinct pathological aspects of cardiomyopathy. In order to establish age‐related alterations in the proteome of dystrophin‐deficient hearts, cardiomyopathic tissue from young versus aged mdx mice was examined by label‐free LC‐MS/MS. Significant age‐dependent alterations were established for 67 proteins, of which 28 proteins were shown to exhibit a lower abundance and 39 proteins were found to be increased in their expression levels. Drastic changes were demonstrated for 17 proteins, including increases in Ig chains and transferrin, and drastic decreases in laminin, nidogen and annexin. An immunblotting survey of young and old wild‐type versus mdx hearts confirmed these proteomic findings and illustrated the effects of natural aging versus dystrophin deficiency. These proteome‐wide alterations suggest a disintegration of the basal lamina structure and cytoskeletal network in dystrophin‐deficient cardiac fibres, increased levels of antibodies in a potential autoimmune reaction of the degenerating heart, compensatory binding of excess iron and a general perturbation of metabolic pathways in dystrophy‐associated cardiomyopathy.

Comparative proteomic analysis of the contractile-protein-depleted fraction from normal versus dystrophic skeletal muscle.

In basic and applied myology, gel-based proteomics is routinely used for studying global changes in the protein constellation of contractile fibers during myogenesis, physiological adaptations, neuromuscular degeneration, and the natural aging process. Since the main proteins of the actomyosin apparatus and its auxiliary sarcomeric components often negate weak signals from minor muscle proteins during proteomic investigations, we have here evaluated whether a simple prefractionation step can be employed to eliminate certain aspects of this analytical obstacle. To remove a large portion of highly abundant contractile proteins from skeletal muscle homogenates without the usage of major manipulative steps, differential centrifugation was used to decisively reduce the sample complexity of crude muscle tissue extracts. The resulting protein fraction was separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, and 2D-landmark proteins were identified by mass spectrometry. To evaluate the suitability of the contractile-protein-depleted fraction for comparative proteomics, normal versus dystrophic muscle preparations were examined. The mass spectrometric analysis of differentially expressed proteins, as determined by fluorescence difference in-gel electrophoresis, identified 10 protein species in dystrophic mdx hindlimb muscles. Interesting new biomarker candidates included Hsp70, transferrin, and ferritin, whereby their altered concentration levels in dystrophin-deficient muscle were confirmed by immunoblotting.

Modulation of the Ca2+ conductance of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors by Lypd6.

The agonist binding sensitivity and desensitization kinetics of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) can be modulated by snake venom neurotoxins and related endogenous small proteins of the uPAR-Ly6 family. Here we identify Lypd6, a distantly related member of the u-PAR/Ly-6 family expressed in neurons as a novel modulator of nAChRs. Lypd6 overexpressed in trigeminal ganglia neurons selectively enhanced the Ca2+-component of nicotine-evoked currents through nAChRs, as evidenced by comparative whole-cell patch clamp recordings and Ca2+-imaging in wildtype and transgenic mice overexpressing Lypd6. In contrast, a knockdown of Lypd6 expression using siRNAs selectively reduced nicotine-evoked Ca2+-currents. Pharmacological experiments revealed that the nAChRs involved in this process are heteromers. Transgenic mice displayed behaviors that were indicative of an enhanced cholinergic tone, such as a higher locomotor arousal, increased prepulse-inhibition and hypoalgesia. These mice overexpressing Lypd6 mice were also more sensitive to the analgesic effects of nicotine. Transgenic mice expressing siRNAs directed against Lypd6 were unable to procreate, thus indicating a vital role for this protein. Taken together, Lypd6 seems to constitute a novel modulator of nAChRs that affects receptor function by selectively increasing Ca2+-influx through this ion channels.

Proteomic analysis of dystrophin deficiency and associated changes in the aged mdx-4cv heart model of dystrophinopathy-related cardiomyopathy

UNLABELLED Cardiomyopathy is a serious complication in Duchenne muscular dystrophy, an X-linked neuromuscular disease of childhood that is triggered by primary abnormalities in the dystrophin gene. In order to directly correlate the deficiency in the membrane cytoskeletal protein dystrophin to secondary abnormalities in the dystrophic heart, this study has used label-free mass spectrometry to compare protein expression patterns in the aged mdx-4cv heart model of dystrophinopathy versus wild type heart. This report is the first successful identification of members of the cardiac dystrophin-glycoprotein complex by comparative whole tissue proteomics. The mass spectrometric analysis confirmed the loss of dystrophin and concomitant reduction of syntrophin and sarcoglycans in the dystrophin-deficient heart. Proteomic profiling of secondary changes identified distinct alterations in the basal lamina component laminin, the Ca(2+)-binding protein sarcalumenin, the matricellular protein periostin, the proteoglycans asporin and lumican, the cardiac-specific myosin light chain kinase, heat shock proteins and a large number of mitochondrial and glycolytic enzymes. The proteomic findings indicate that the molecular pathogenesis of muscular dystrophy-associated cardiomyopathy is highly complex and involves impairments, modulations and/or adaptations of mitochondrial metabolism, glycolysis, protein chaperoning and ion homeostasis, as well as the maintenance of the contractile apparatus, the intracellular cytoskeleton and the extracellular matrisome. SIGNIFICANCE The X-linked inherited disorder Duchenne muscular dystrophy is the most frequently inherited neuromuscular disease of childhood. Primary abnormalities in the dystrophin gene trigger progressive skeletal muscle wasting and impaired cardiorespiratory functions. In order to improve our general understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of muscular dystrophy-associated cardiomyopathy and to identify new marker candidates of cardiac changes in dystrophinopathy, we have carried out a comparative proteomic study of the mdx-4cv mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The mass spectrometric profiling of whole heart preparations has identified the reduction in the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex and a large variety of secondary changes in the dystrophic heart. Cardiac proteins with a changed abundance were shown to be involved in fibre contraction, energy metabolism, cellular signalling, the cytoskeletal network, the extracellular matrix and the stress response. In the future, the newly identified cardiac proteins may be useful to improve predictive, diagnostic, prognostic or therapy-monitoring approaches in the field of muscular dystrophy and cardiomyopathy.