At least 25 genes,many involved in trafficking,localisation or shaping of membrane organelles,have been identified as causative genes for the neurodegenerative disorder hereditary spastic paraplegia（HSP）.One of the ...At least 25 genes,many involved in trafficking,localisation or shaping of membrane organelles,have been identified as causative genes for the neurodegenerative disorder hereditary spastic paraplegia（HSP）.One of the most commonly mutated HSP genes,atlastin-1, encodes a dynamin-like GTPase that mediates homotypic fusion of endoplasmic reticulum（ER） membranes.However,the molecular mechanisms of atlastin-1-related membrane fusion and axonopathy remain unclear.To better understand its mode of action,we used affinity purification coupled with mass spectrometry to identify protein interactors of atlastin in Drosophila.Analysis of 72 identified proteins revealed that the atlastin interactome contains many proteins involved in protein processing and transport,in addition to proteins with roles in mRNA binding,metabolism and mitochondrial proteins.The highest confidence interactor from mass spectrometry analysis, the ubiquitin-selective AAA-ATPase valosin-containing protein（VCP）,was validated as an atlastin-interacting protein,and VCP and atlastin showed overlapping subcellular distributions.Furthermore,VCP acted as a genetic modifier of atlastin：loss of VCP partially suppressed an eye phenotype caused by atlastin overexpression,whereas overexpression of VCP enhanced this phenotype.These interactions between atlastin and VCP suggest a functional relationship between these two proteins,and point to potential shared mechanisms between HSP and other forms of neurodegeneration.展开更多
Formation of the endoplasmic reticulum （ER） network requires homotypic membrane fusion, which involves a class of atlastin （ATL） GTPases. Purified Drosophila ATL is capable of mediating vesicle fusion in vitro, bu...Formation of the endoplasmic reticulum （ER） network requires homotypic membrane fusion, which involves a class of atlastin （ATL） GTPases. Purified Drosophila ATL is capable of mediating vesicle fusion in vitro, but such activity has not been reported for any other ATLs. Here, we determined the preliminary crystal structure of the cytosolic segment of Drosophila ATL in a GDP-bound state. The structure reveals a GTPase domain dimer with the subsequent three-helix bundles associating with their own GTPase domains and pointing in opposite directions. This conformation is similar to that of human ATL1, to which GDP and high concentrations of inor- ganic phosphate, but not GDP only, were included. Drosophila ATL restored ER morphology defects in mammalian cells lacking ATLs, and measurements of nucleotide-dependent dimerization and GTPase activity were comparable for Drosophila ATL and human ATL1. However, purified and reconstituted human ATL1 exhibited no in vitro fusion activity. When the cytosolic segment of human ATL1 was connected to the trans- membrane （TM） region and C-terminal tail （CT） of Dro- sophila ATL, the chimera still exhibited no fusion activity, though its GTPase activity was normal. These results suggest that GDP-bound ATLs may adopt mul- tiple conformations and the in vitro fusion activity of ATL cannot be achieved by a simple collection of functional domains.展开更多
Three-way junctions are characteristic structures of the tubular endoplasmic reticulum (ER) network. Junctions are formed through atlastin (ATL)-mediated membrane fusion and stabilized by lunapark (Lnp). However, how ...Three-way junctions are characteristic structures of the tubular endoplasmic reticulum (ER) network. Junctions are formed through atlastin (ATL)-mediated membrane fusion and stabilized by lunapark (Lnp). However, how Lnp is preferentially enriched at three-way junctions remains elusiveHere, we showed that Lnp loses its junction localization when ATLs are deleted. Reintroduction of ATL1 R77A and ATL3, which have been shown to cluster at the junctions, but not wild-type ATL1, relocates Lnp to the junctions. Mutations in the Nmyristoylation site or hydrophobic residues in the coiled coil (CC1) of Lnp N-terminus (NT) cause mis-targeting of LnpConversely, deletion of the lunapark motif in the C-terminal zinc fin ger domain, which affects the homooligomerization of Lnp, does not alter its localizationPurified Lnp-NT attaches to the membrane in a myristoylation- dependent manner. The mutation of hydrophobic residues in CC1 does not affect membrane association, but compromises ATL interactionsIn addition, Lnp-NT inhibits ATL-mediated vesicle fusion in vitro. These results suggest that CC1 in Lnp-NT contacts junction-enriched ATLs for proper localization;subsequently, further ATL activity is limited by Lnp after the junction is formed. The proposed mechanism ensures coordinated actions of ATL and Lnp in generating and maintaining three-way junctions.展开更多
BACKGROUND Hereditary spastic paraplegias (HSPs) refer to a group of heterogeneous neurodegenerative diseases characterized by lower limbs spasticity and weakness. So far, over 72 genes have been found to cause HSP (S...BACKGROUND Hereditary spastic paraplegias (HSPs) refer to a group of heterogeneous neurodegenerative diseases characterized by lower limbs spasticity and weakness. So far, over 72 genes have been found to cause HSP (SPG1-SPG72). Among autosomal dominant HSP patients, spastic paraplegia 4 (SPG4/SPAST) gene is the most common pathogenic gene, and atlastin-1 (ATL1) is the second most common one. Here we reported a novel ATL1 mutation in a Chinese spastic paraplegia 3A (SPG3A) family, which expands the clinical and genetic spectrum of ATL1 mutations. CASE SUMMARY A 9-year-old boy with progressive spastic paraplegia accompanied by right hearing loss and mental retardation for five years was admitted to our hospital.Past history was unremarkable. The family history was positive, and his grandfather and mother had similar symptoms. Neurological examinations revealed hypermyotonia in his lower limbs, hyperreflexia in knee reflex, bilateral positive Babinski signs and scissors gait. The results of blood routine test, liver function test, blood glucose test, ceruloplasmin test and vitamin test were all normal. The serum lactic acid level was significantly increased. The testing for brainstem auditory evoked potential demonstrated that the right side hearing was impaired while the left was normal. Magnetic resonance imaging showed mild atrophy of the spinal cord. The gene panel test revealed that the proband carried an ATL1 c.752A>G p.Gln251Arg (p.Q251R) mutation, and Sanger sequencing confirmed the existence of family co-segregation. CONCLUSION We reported a novel ATL1 Q251R mutation and a novel clinical phenotype of hearing loss in a Chinese SPG3A family.展开更多
Hereditary spastic paraplegia （HSP） （MIM#182600） is a group of heterogeneous neurodegenerative disorders, with 35 underlying loci recognized by the HGNC （HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee; http：//www.gene.ucl.ac....Hereditary spastic paraplegia （HSP） （MIM#182600） is a group of heterogeneous neurodegenerative disorders, with 35 underlying loci recognized by the HGNC （HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee; http：//www.gene.ucl.ac.uk/nomenclature/） and 10 identified genes （ http ： //www. gene. ucl. ac. uk/cgi-bin/nomenc lature/ searchgenes.pl plus NIPA1, last search July 2006）. The mode of inheritance may be autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive or X-linked. Among these, autosomal dominant spastic paraplegia （AD-HSP） is the most common type, accounting for 70%-80% of all families. The disease is characterized by lower limb spasticity, hyperreflexia, progressive spastic gait and an extensor plantar response. Pes cavus is one of the commonly reported foot phenotypes.展开更多
BACKGROUND： Cortical motor neurons, also known as upper motor neurons, are large projection neurons whose axons convey signals to lower motor neurons to control the muscle movements. Degeneration of cortical motor ne...BACKGROUND： Cortical motor neurons, also known as upper motor neurons, are large projection neurons whose axons convey signals to lower motor neurons to control the muscle movements. Degeneration of cortical motor neuron axons is implicated in several debilitating disorders including hereditary spastic paraplegia （HSP）. Since the discovery of the first HSP gene, SPASTthat encodes spastin, over 70 distinct genetic loci associated with HSP have been identified. How the mutations of these functionally diverse genes result in axonal degeneration and why certain axons are affected in HSP remain largely unknown. The development of induced pluripotent stem cell （iPSC） technology has provided researchers an excellent resource to generate patient-specific human neurons to model human neuropathological processes including axonal defects. METHODS： In this article, we will first review the pathology and pathways affected in the common forms of liSP subtypes by searching the PubMed database. We will then summarize the findings and insights gained from studies using iPSC-based models, and discuss challenges and future directions. RESULTS： HSPs, a heterogeneous group of genetic neurodegenerative disorders, exhibit similar pathological changes that result from retrograde axonal degeneration of cortical motor neurons. Recently, iPSCs have been generated from several common forms of HSP including SPG4, SPG3A, and SPG11 patients. Neurons derived from HSP iPSCs exhibit impaired neurite outgrowth, increased axonal swellings, and reduced axonal transport, recapitulating disease-specific axonal defects. CONCLUSIONS： These patient-derived neurons offer a unique tool to study the pathogenic mechanisms and explore the treatments for rescuing axonal defects in HSP, as well as other diseases involving axonopathy.展开更多
Hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) is a group of neurodegenerative diseases. The genotypes and phenotypes of HSP are extremely heterogenous. SPG3A is one of the identified genes underlying HSP, and codes for a GTPase...Hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) is a group of neurodegenerative diseases. The genotypes and phenotypes of HSP are extremely heterogenous. SPG3A is one of the identified genes underlying HSP, and codes for a GTPase, atlastin. Mutations in SPG3A are currently believed to be associated with early onset and mild phenotypes. And most structura predictions could not detect gross changes in the mutant protein. However, in a severely affected HSP family we have identified a novel SPG3A mutation, c.1228G>A (p.G410R), in a Tibetan kindred. The mutation occurred at the highly conserved nucleotide and co-segregated with the disease, and was absent in the control subjects. Structural predictions showed that the Tibetan mutation occurred at the linking part between the guanylate-binding protein domain (GB, the ball region) and the transmembrane helices (TM, the rod region) at the start point of an α-helix, which may disrupt the helix, and cause changes in the overall structure of the transmembrane region of the molecule. Our results indicate that severe pheno- types can also arise from SPG3A mutations and the linking part of the guanylate-binding protein domainand the transmembrane helices might be crucial in determining the severity of the disease. This paper not only presents the first SPG3A mutational report from the Chinese population, but also provides po- tential evidence for a possible correlation between the severity of the phenotypes of HSP with the ex- tension of the changes in the protein structures of atlastin.展开更多
基金supported by Marie Curie Individual Fellowship 236777
文摘At least 25 genes,many involved in trafficking,localisation or shaping of membrane organelles,have been identified as causative genes for the neurodegenerative disorder hereditary spastic paraplegia（HSP）.One of the most commonly mutated HSP genes,atlastin-1, encodes a dynamin-like GTPase that mediates homotypic fusion of endoplasmic reticulum（ER） membranes.However,the molecular mechanisms of atlastin-1-related membrane fusion and axonopathy remain unclear.To better understand its mode of action,we used affinity purification coupled with mass spectrometry to identify protein interactors of atlastin in Drosophila.Analysis of 72 identified proteins revealed that the atlastin interactome contains many proteins involved in protein processing and transport,in addition to proteins with roles in mRNA binding,metabolism and mitochondrial proteins.The highest confidence interactor from mass spectrometry analysis, the ubiquitin-selective AAA-ATPase valosin-containing protein（VCP）,was validated as an atlastin-interacting protein,and VCP and atlastin showed overlapping subcellular distributions.Furthermore,VCP acted as a genetic modifier of atlastin：loss of VCP partially suppressed an eye phenotype caused by atlastin overexpression,whereas overexpression of VCP enhanced this phenotype.These interactions between atlastin and VCP suggest a functional relationship between these two proteins,and point to potential shared mechanisms between HSP and other forms of neurodegeneration.
文摘Formation of the endoplasmic reticulum （ER） network requires homotypic membrane fusion, which involves a class of atlastin （ATL） GTPases. Purified Drosophila ATL is capable of mediating vesicle fusion in vitro, but such activity has not been reported for any other ATLs. Here, we determined the preliminary crystal structure of the cytosolic segment of Drosophila ATL in a GDP-bound state. The structure reveals a GTPase domain dimer with the subsequent three-helix bundles associating with their own GTPase domains and pointing in opposite directions. This conformation is similar to that of human ATL1, to which GDP and high concentrations of inor- ganic phosphate, but not GDP only, were included. Drosophila ATL restored ER morphology defects in mammalian cells lacking ATLs, and measurements of nucleotide-dependent dimerization and GTPase activity were comparable for Drosophila ATL and human ATL1. However, purified and reconstituted human ATL1 exhibited no in vitro fusion activity. When the cytosolic segment of human ATL1 was connected to the trans- membrane （TM） region and C-terminal tail （CT） of Dro- sophila ATL, the chimera still exhibited no fusion activity, though its GTPase activity was normal. These results suggest that GDP-bound ATLs may adopt mul- tiple conformations and the in vitro fusion activity of ATL cannot be achieved by a simple collection of functional domains.
基金National Key Research and Development Program (Grant No. 2016YFA0500201)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 31225006 and 3142100024).
文摘Three-way junctions are characteristic structures of the tubular endoplasmic reticulum (ER) network. Junctions are formed through atlastin (ATL)-mediated membrane fusion and stabilized by lunapark (Lnp). However, how Lnp is preferentially enriched at three-way junctions remains elusiveHere, we showed that Lnp loses its junction localization when ATLs are deleted. Reintroduction of ATL1 R77A and ATL3, which have been shown to cluster at the junctions, but not wild-type ATL1, relocates Lnp to the junctions. Mutations in the Nmyristoylation site or hydrophobic residues in the coiled coil (CC1) of Lnp N-terminus (NT) cause mis-targeting of LnpConversely, deletion of the lunapark motif in the C-terminal zinc fin ger domain, which affects the homooligomerization of Lnp, does not alter its localizationPurified Lnp-NT attaches to the membrane in a myristoylation- dependent manner. The mutation of hydrophobic residues in CC1 does not affect membrane association, but compromises ATL interactionsIn addition, Lnp-NT inhibits ATL-mediated vesicle fusion in vitro. These results suggest that CC1 in Lnp-NT contacts junction-enriched ATLs for proper localization;subsequently, further ATL activity is limited by Lnp after the junction is formed. The proposed mechanism ensures coordinated actions of ATL and Lnp in generating and maintaining three-way junctions.
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.81171068
文摘BACKGROUND Hereditary spastic paraplegias (HSPs) refer to a group of heterogeneous neurodegenerative diseases characterized by lower limbs spasticity and weakness. So far, over 72 genes have been found to cause HSP (SPG1-SPG72). Among autosomal dominant HSP patients, spastic paraplegia 4 (SPG4/SPAST) gene is the most common pathogenic gene, and atlastin-1 (ATL1) is the second most common one. Here we reported a novel ATL1 mutation in a Chinese spastic paraplegia 3A (SPG3A) family, which expands the clinical and genetic spectrum of ATL1 mutations. CASE SUMMARY A 9-year-old boy with progressive spastic paraplegia accompanied by right hearing loss and mental retardation for five years was admitted to our hospital.Past history was unremarkable. The family history was positive, and his grandfather and mother had similar symptoms. Neurological examinations revealed hypermyotonia in his lower limbs, hyperreflexia in knee reflex, bilateral positive Babinski signs and scissors gait. The results of blood routine test, liver function test, blood glucose test, ceruloplasmin test and vitamin test were all normal. The serum lactic acid level was significantly increased. The testing for brainstem auditory evoked potential demonstrated that the right side hearing was impaired while the left was normal. Magnetic resonance imaging showed mild atrophy of the spinal cord. The gene panel test revealed that the proband carried an ATL1 c.752A>G p.Gln251Arg (p.Q251R) mutation, and Sanger sequencing confirmed the existence of family co-segregation. CONCLUSION We reported a novel ATL1 Q251R mutation and a novel clinical phenotype of hearing loss in a Chinese SPG3A family.
基金This study was supported by the grants from the Chinese 863 HiTech Project (No.2001AA221102)the Guangdong Provincial Natural Science Foundation (No.031673)the Guangzhou Municipal Science and Technology Bureau (No. 200223-C7191and No.2004Z3-C7501)
文摘Hereditary spastic paraplegia （HSP） （MIM#182600） is a group of heterogeneous neurodegenerative disorders, with 35 underlying loci recognized by the HGNC （HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee; http：//www.gene.ucl.ac.uk/nomenclature/） and 10 identified genes （ http ： //www. gene. ucl. ac. uk/cgi-bin/nomenc lature/ searchgenes.pl plus NIPA1, last search July 2006）. The mode of inheritance may be autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive or X-linked. Among these, autosomal dominant spastic paraplegia （AD-HSP） is the most common type, accounting for 70%-80% of all families. The disease is characterized by lower limb spasticity, hyperreflexia, progressive spastic gait and an extensor plantar response. Pes cavus is one of the commonly reported foot phenotypes.
文摘BACKGROUND： Cortical motor neurons, also known as upper motor neurons, are large projection neurons whose axons convey signals to lower motor neurons to control the muscle movements. Degeneration of cortical motor neuron axons is implicated in several debilitating disorders including hereditary spastic paraplegia （HSP）. Since the discovery of the first HSP gene, SPASTthat encodes spastin, over 70 distinct genetic loci associated with HSP have been identified. How the mutations of these functionally diverse genes result in axonal degeneration and why certain axons are affected in HSP remain largely unknown. The development of induced pluripotent stem cell （iPSC） technology has provided researchers an excellent resource to generate patient-specific human neurons to model human neuropathological processes including axonal defects. METHODS： In this article, we will first review the pathology and pathways affected in the common forms of liSP subtypes by searching the PubMed database. We will then summarize the findings and insights gained from studies using iPSC-based models, and discuss challenges and future directions. RESULTS： HSPs, a heterogeneous group of genetic neurodegenerative disorders, exhibit similar pathological changes that result from retrograde axonal degeneration of cortical motor neurons. Recently, iPSCs have been generated from several common forms of HSP including SPG4, SPG3A, and SPG11 patients. Neurons derived from HSP iPSCs exhibit impaired neurite outgrowth, increased axonal swellings, and reduced axonal transport, recapitulating disease-specific axonal defects. CONCLUSIONS： These patient-derived neurons offer a unique tool to study the pathogenic mechanisms and explore the treatments for rescuing axonal defects in HSP, as well as other diseases involving axonopathy.
基金supported by the Chinese 863 Hi-Tech Project(Grant No.2001AA221102)the Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province(Grant No.031673)the China Medical Board of New York(Grant No.01-759).
文摘Hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) is a group of neurodegenerative diseases. The genotypes and phenotypes of HSP are extremely heterogenous. SPG3A is one of the identified genes underlying HSP, and codes for a GTPase, atlastin. Mutations in SPG3A are currently believed to be associated with early onset and mild phenotypes. And most structura predictions could not detect gross changes in the mutant protein. However, in a severely affected HSP family we have identified a novel SPG3A mutation, c.1228G>A (p.G410R), in a Tibetan kindred. The mutation occurred at the highly conserved nucleotide and co-segregated with the disease, and was absent in the control subjects. Structural predictions showed that the Tibetan mutation occurred at the linking part between the guanylate-binding protein domain (GB, the ball region) and the transmembrane helices (TM, the rod region) at the start point of an α-helix, which may disrupt the helix, and cause changes in the overall structure of the transmembrane region of the molecule. Our results indicate that severe pheno- types can also arise from SPG3A mutations and the linking part of the guanylate-binding protein domainand the transmembrane helices might be crucial in determining the severity of the disease. This paper not only presents the first SPG3A mutational report from the Chinese population, but also provides po- tential evidence for a possible correlation between the severity of the phenotypes of HSP with the ex- tension of the changes in the protein structures of atlastin.
