Failure of axonal regeneration in the central nervous system (CNS) is mainly attributed to a lack of intrinsic neuronal growth programs

The retinoic acid receptor (RAR) α system plays a key role in the adult brain, participating in the homeostatic control of synaptic plasticity, essential for memory function. Here we show that RARα signalling is down-regulated by amyloid beta (Aβ), which inhibits the synthesis of the endogenous ligand, retinoic acid (RA). This results in the counteraction of a variety of RARα-activated pathways that are key in the aetiopathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD) but which can be reversed by an RARα agonist. RARα signalling improves cognition in the Tg2576 mice, it has an anti-inflammatory effect and promotes Aβ clearance by increasing insulin degrading enzyme and neprilysin activity in both microglia and neurons. In addition, RARα signalling prevents tau phosphorylation. Therefore, stimulation of the RARα signalling pathway using a synthetic agonist, by both clearing Aβ and counteracting some of its toxic effects, offers therapeutic potential for the treatment of AD.

Stimulation of retinoic acid (RA) mediated signalling pathways following neural injury leads to regeneration in the adult nervous system and numerous studies have shown that the specific activation of the retinoic acid receptor β (RARβ) is required for this process. Here we identify a novel mechanism by which neuronal RARβ activation results in the endogenous synthesis of RA which is released in association with exosomes and acts as a positive cue to axonal/neurite outgrowth. Using an established rodent model of RARβ induced axonal regeneration, we show that neuronal RARβ activation upregulates the enzymes involved in RA synthesis in a cell specific manner; alcohol dehydrogenase7 (ADH7) in neurons and aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (Raldh2) in NG2 expressing cells (NG2 + cells). These release RA in association with exosomes providing a permissive substrate to neurite outgrowth. Conversely, deletion of Raldh2 in the NG2 + cells in our in vivo regeneration model is sufficient to compromise axonal outgrowth. This hitherto unidentified RA paracrine signalling is required for axonal/neurite outgrowth and is initiated by the activation of neuronal RARβ signalling.

Chronic infection by high risk human papillomavirus (HPV) strains may lead to cancer. Expression of the two viral oncoproteins E6 and E7 is largely responsible for immortalization of infected cells. The HPV E6 is a small (approximately 150 residues) two domain protein that interacts with a number of cellular proteins including the ubiquitin ligase E6-associated protein (E6AP) and several PDZ-domain containing proteins. Our aim was to design a high-affinity binder for HPV E6 by linking two of its cellular targets. First, we improved the affinity of the second PDZ domain from SAP97 for the C-terminus of HPV E6 from the high-risk strain HPV18 using phage display. Second, we added a helix from E6AP to the N-terminus of the optimized PDZ variant, creating a chimeric bivalent binder, denoted PDZbody. Full-length HPV E6 proteins are difficult to express and purify. Nevertheless, we could measure the affinity of the PDZbody for E6 from another high-risk strain, HPV16 (Kd = 65 nM). Finally, the PDZbody was used to co-immunoprecipitate E6 protein from HPV18-immortalized HeLa cells, confirming the interaction between PDZbody and HPV18 E6 in a cellular context.

The microtubule-associated protein tau is predominantly localized in the axonal compartment over the entire length of the axon in neurons. The mechanisms responsible for the localization of tau in axons at long distance from the cell body are not properly understood. Using fluorescence in situ hybridization, we show that tau mRNA is present in the central and distal parts of the axons of cultured rat cortical neurons. Axonal tau mRNA is associated with granules which are distributed throughout the entire length of the axon, including the growth cone. We also show that tau mRNA-containing axonal particles are associated with elongation factor 1A, a component of the protein translation machinery. The presence of tau mRNA in axons might be at least part of the process by which tau is localized to distal axons.

Determining the levels of protein–protein interactions is essential for the analysis of signaling within the cell, characterization of mutation effects, protein function and activation in health and disease, among others. Herein, we describe MolBoolean – a method to detect interactions between endogenous proteins in various subcellular compartments, utilizing antibody-DNA conjugates for identification and signal amplification. In contrast to proximity ligation assays, MolBoolean simultaneously indicates the relative abundances of protein A and B not interacting with each other, as well as the pool of A and B proteins that are proximal enough to be considered an AB complex. MolBoolean is applicable both in fixed cells and tissue sections. The specific and quantifiable data that the method generates provide opportunities for both diagnostic use and medical research.

Photo cross-linking of proteins with short RNA oligomers is a classical method to study RNA-protein interactions that are implicated in many aspects of RNA metabolism and function. Most commonly, this involves the use of [c-32 P]-labeled RNA probes. Although very sensitive, these procedures are complicated by the safety issues associated with the use of radioisotopes. Here, we describe a modified UV cross-linking method using oligonucleotide probes end labelled with the infrared dye IRDyeV R 800. After UV cross-linking, proteins are separated by SDS-PAGE and cross-linked products are visualized with the Odyssey V R Infrared Imaging system. This end labelling approach provides a streamlined alternative to random labelling which reduces the efficiency of in-vitro transcription. End labelling is also independent of the length of the probe, thus facilitating quantitative comparisons. To validate the method, we have confirmed the binding of HuD to the 3 0 -UTR of the mRNA for the microtubule-associated protein tau, implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. UV cross-linking of HuD with a labeled 21-mer probe was successfully performed using a recombinant purified glutathione-S-transferase-HuD fusion protein as well as with lysates from CHO cells transfected with HuD cDNA. UV cross-linking combined with infrared imaging offers a convenient and robust strategy to analyse RNA-protein interactions and their emerging importance in disease.