Chipman, L. B. | Search bioRxiv

bioRxiv2023

Potentiating NaV1.1 in Dravet syndrome patient iPSC-derived GABAergic neurons increases neuronal firing frequency and decreases network synchrony

Dravet syndrome is a developmental and epileptic encephalopathy characterized by seizures, behavioral abnormalities, developmental deficits, and elevated risk of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). Most patient cases are caused by de novo loss-of-function mutations in the gene SCN1A, causing a haploinsufficiency of the alpha subunit of the voltage-gated sodium channel NaV1.1. Within the brain, NaV1.1 is primarily localized to the axons of inhibitory neurons, and decreased NaV1.1 function is hypothesized to reduce GABAergic inhibitory neurotransmission within the brain, driving neuronal network hyperexcitability and subsequent pathology. We have developed a human in vitro model of Dravet syndrome using differentiated neurons derived from patient iPSC and enriched for GABA expressing neurons. Neurons were plated on high definition multielectrode arrays (HD-MEAs), permitting recordings from the same cultures over the 7-weeks duration of study at the network, single cell, and subcellular resolution. Using this capability, we characterized the features of axonal morphology and physiology. Neurons developed increased spiking activity and synchronous network bursting. Recordings were processed through a spike sorting pipeline for curation of single unit activity and to assess the effects of pharmacological treatments. At 7-weeks, the application of the GABAAR receptor agonist muscimol eliminated network bursting, indicating the presence of GABAergic neurotransmission. To identify the role of NaV1.1 on neuronal and network activity, cultures were treated with a dose-response of the NaV1.1 potentiator {delta}-theraphotoxin-Hm1a. This resulted in a strong increase in firing rates of putative GABAergic neurons, an increase in the intraburst firing rate, and eliminated network bursting. These results validate that potentiation of NaV1.1 in Dravet patient iPSC-derived neurons results in decreased firing synchrony in neuronal networks through increased GABAergic neuron activity and support the use of human neurons and HD-MEAs as viable high-throughput electrophysiological platform to enable therapeutic discovery.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2023

Expression, not sequence, distinguishes miR-238 from its miR-239ab sister miRNAs in promoting longevity in Caenorhabditis elegans

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression by base-pairing to target sequences in messenger RNAs (mRNAs) and recruiting factors that induce translational repression and mRNA decay. In animals, nucleotides 2-8 at the 5 end of the miRNA, called the seed region, are often necessary and sometimes sufficient for functional target interactions. MiRNAs that contain identical seed sequences are grouped into families where individual members have the potential to share targets and act redundantly. A rare exception seemed to be the miR-238/239ab family in Caenorhabditis elegans, as previous work indicated that loss of miR-238 reduced lifespan while deletion of the miR-239ab locus resulted in enhanced longevity and thermal stress resistance. Here, we re-examined these potentially opposing roles using new strains that individually disrupt each miRNA sister. We confirmed that loss of miR-238 is associated with a shortened lifespan but could detect no longevity or stress phenotypes in animals lacking miR-239a or miR-239b, individually or in combination. Additionally, dozens of genes were mis-regulated in miR-238 mutants but almost no gene expression changes were detected in either miR-239a or miR-239b mutants compared to wild type animals. We present evidence that the lack of redundancy between miR-238 and miR-239ab is independent of their sequence differences; miR-239a or miR-239b could substitute for the longevity role of miR-238 when expressed from the miR-238 locus. Altogether, these studies disqualify miR-239ab as negative regulators of aging and demonstrate that expression, not sequence, dictates the specific role of miR-238 in promoting longevity. Author SummaryMicroRNAs (miRNAs) are tiny non-coding RNAs that function in diverse biological pathways. To exert their regulatory influence, miRNAs bind to specific target RNAs through partial base-pairing. A critical aspect of this miRNA-target engagement is the seed sequence, nucleotides 2-8 of the miRNA. MiRNAs that share seed sequences are grouped into families and presumed to have similar functions. Yet, other factors, such as non-seed sequences in the miRNA and its expression level, can also contribute to target regulation and result in distinct roles for miRNAs within a family. To better understand how miRNA family members can have specific functions, we focused on miR-238 and its sisters, miR-239a and miR-239b, because these miRNAs had previously been reported to play opposing longevity roles in the nematode C. elegans. Using new genetic tools, we found that loss of miR-238 alone leads to the misregulation of many genes and a reduced lifespan. However, the lack of miR-239a, miR-239b, or both sisters had almost no effect on gene expression or longevity compared to wild type animals. Strikingly, though, miR-239a or miR-239b could substitute for the aging role of miR-238 when expressed from the miR-238 locus. Thus, expression, not sequence, is the predominant distinguishing feature of mir-238 that bestows upon it a role in aging not shared with the other family members.

genetics↗