Tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) can be induced in rat hippocampal astrocytes and neurons with H 2 O 2 or serum depletion. Major cytoskeletal component of TNTs is F-actin. TNTs transfer endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, Golgi, endosome and intracellular as well as extracellular amyloid b. TNT development is a property of cells under stress. When two populations of cells are co-cultured, it is the stressed cells that always develop TNTs toward the unstressed cells. p53 is crucial for TNT development. When p53 function is deleted by either dominant negative construct or siRNAs, TNT development is inhibited. In addition, we find that among the genes activated by p53, epidermal growth factor receptor is also important to TNT development. Akt, phosphoinositide 3-kinase and mTOR are involved in TNT induction. Our data suggest that TNTs might be a mechanism for cells to respond to harmful signals and transfer cellular substances or energy to another cell under stress.

Accumulation of dysfunctional mitochondria is one of the hallmarks in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Mitophagy, a selective autophagy for eliminating damaged mitochondria, constitutes a key cellular pathway in mitochondrial quality control. Recent studies established that acute depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) using Δψm dissipation reagents in vitro induces Parkin-mediated mitophagy in many non-neuronal cell types or neuronal cell lines. However, neuronal pathways inducing mitophagy, particularly under pathophysiological relevant context in AD mouse models and patient brains, are largely unknown. Here, we reveal, for the first time, that Parkin-mediated mitophagy is robustly induced in mutant hAPP neurons and AD patient brains. In the absence of Δψm dissipation reagents, hAPP neurons exhibit increased recruitment of cytosolic Parkin to depolarized mitochondria. Under AD-linked pathophysiological conditions, Parkin translocation predominantly occurs in the somatodendritic regions; such distribution is associated with reduced anterograde and increased retrograde transport of axonal mitochondria. Enhanced mitophagy was further confirmed in AD patient brains, accompanied with depletion of cytosolic Parkin over disease progression. Thus, aberrant accumulation of dysfunctional mitochondria in AD-affected neurons is likely attributable to inadequate mitophagy capacity in eliminating increased numbers of damaged mitochondria. Altogether, our study provides the first line of evidence that AD-linked chronic mitochondrial stress under in vitro and in vivo pathophysiological conditions effectively triggers Parkin-dependent mitophagy, thus establishing a foundation for further investigations into cellular pathways in regulating mitophagy to ameliorate mitochondrial pathology in AD.

Netrin-1 is a guidance cue that can trigger either attraction or repulsion effects on migrating neurons, depending on the repertoire of receptors available on the growth cone. How a single chemotropic molecule can act in such contradictory ways has long been a puzzle at the molecular level. Here we present the crystal structure of netrin-1 in complex with the Deleted in Colorectal Cancer (DCC) receptor. We show that one netrin-1 molecule can simultaneously bind to two DCC molecules through a DCC-specific site and through a unique generic receptor binding site, where sulfate ions staple together positively charged patches on both DCC and netrin-1. Furthermore, we demonstrate that UNC5A can replace DCC on the generic receptor binding site to switch the response from attraction to repulsion. We propose that the modularity of binding allows for the association of other netrin receptors at the generic binding site, eliciting alternative turning responses.

BackgroundCoronary artery disease (CAD) is a major problem worldwide. Atherosclerosis and thrombosis underlying CAD involve multiple cell types. New and useful diagnostic markers are required. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of noncoding RNAs that posttranscriptionally regulate the gene expressions involved in various cellular processes. Endothelial dysfunction is implicated in early processes of athero-thrombosis. Thus, it was hypothesized that the level of vascular endothelium-enriched miRNAs would be altered in plasma samples of CAD patients.MethodsVascular endothelium-enriched miRNA (miR-126) level was analyzed in plasma from 31 patients with CAD and 36 patients without CAD (qRT-PCR analysis).ResultsMiR-126 was not significantly down-regulated or up-regulated in CAD patients. Interestingly, the level of miR-126 was significantly decreased in patients with CAD and high low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol level. In contrast, the level of miR-126 was significantly increased when LDL cholesterol was high in patients who had risk factors for CAD but did not have angiographically significant CAD.ConclusionMiR-126 was not significantly down-regulated or up-regulated in CAD patients and was not suitable for discriminating CAD patients from patients without CAD. The oppositely-directed relationship between miR-126 and LDL cholesterol in patients with or without CAD may have significant implications for identifying a potential role of miR-126 in cholesterol metabolism.

Axon pathology has been widely reported in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients and AD mouse models. Herein we report that increased miR-342–5p down-regulates the expression of ankyrin G (AnkG), a protein known to play a critical role in establishing selective filtering machinery at the axon initial segment (AIS). Diminished AnkG expression leads to defective AIS filtering in cultured hippocampal neurons from AD mouse models, as monitored by selective exclusion of large macromolecules from the axons. Furthermore, AnkG-deficiency impairs AIS localization of Nav 1.6 channels and confines NR2B to the somatodendritic compartments. The expression of exogenous AnkG improved the cognitive performance of 12-mo-old APP/PS1 mice; thus, our data suggest that AnkG and impairment of AIS filtering may play important roles in AD pathology.

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SummaryDeleted in colorectal cancer (DCC) is a receptor for the axon guidance cues netrin-1 and draxin. The interactions between these guidance cues and DCC play a key role in the development of the nervous system. In the present study, we reveal the crystal structure of the Nterminal four Ig-like domains of DCC. The molecule folds into a horseshoe-like configuration. We demonstrate that this horseshoe conformation of DCC is required for guidance-cue-mediated axonal attraction. Structure-based mutations that disrupt the DCC horseshoe indeed impair its function. A comparison of the DCC horseshoe with previously described horseshoe structures has revealed striking conserved structural features and important sequence signatures. Using these signatures, a genome-wide search allows us to predict the N-terminal horseshoe arrangement in a number of other cell surface receptors, nearly all of which function in the nervous system. The N-terminal horseshoe appears to be evolutionally selected as a platform for neural receptors.

Rationale:Calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) mutations can cause life-threatening neonatal severe hyperparathyroidism (NSHPT). The medical management of NSHPT is often challenging and complex. Here, we present a case of NSHPT caused by a novel homozygous CaSR mutation.Patient concerns:A Chinese female infant presented with poor feeding, constipation, severe hypotonia, and periodic bradycardia. Biochemistry tests revealed markedly elevated serum levels of Ca2+ and parathyroid hormone (PTH).Diagnoses:Genetic sequencing revealed a previously undescribed CaSR mutation in exon 3 (c.242T>A; p.I81K). A diagnosis of NSHPT secondary to homozygously inherited familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia syndrome was established.Interventions:Cinacalcet was administered after the common treatments (low-calcium intake, hydration, and furosemide), calcitonin, and pamidronate therapy all failed.Outcomes:Serum Ca2+ decreased and stabilized with cinacalcet therapy. During a 10-month follow-up, total calcium was maintained within the high-normal range and PTH was normalized.Lessons:A trial of cinacalcet therapy might be undertaken in cases of NSHPT while definitive results of the genetic analysis are awaited.