Biology subjects

Hanzel, M.

Publications and source records attributed to Hanzel, M..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2024

Mice lacking Astn2 have ASD-like behaviors and altered cerebellar circuit properties

Astrotactin 2 (ASTN2) is a transmembrane neuronal protein highly expressed in the cerebellum that functions in receptor trafficking and modulates cerebellar Purkinje cell (PC) synaptic activity. We recently reported a family with a paternally inherited intragenic ASTN2 duplication with a range of neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), learning difficulties, and speech and language delay. To provide a genetic model for the role of the cerebellum in ASD-related behaviors and study the role of ASTN2 in cerebellar circuit function, we generated global and PC-specific conditional Astn2 knockout (KO and cKO, respectively) mouse lines. Astn2 KO mice exhibit strong ASD-related behavioral phenotypes, including a marked decrease in separation-induced pup ultrasonic vocalization calls, hyperactivity and repetitive behaviors, altered social behaviors, and impaired cerebellar-dependent eyeblink conditioning. Hyperactivity and repetitive behaviors were also prominent in Astn2 cKO animals. By Golgi staining, Astn2 KO PCs have region-specific changes in dendritic spine density and filopodia numbers. Proteomic analysis of Astn2 KO cerebellum reveals a marked upregulation of ASTN2 family member, ASTN1, a neuron-glial adhesion protein. Immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy demonstrates a significant increase in Bergmann glia volume in the molecular layer of Astn2 KO animals. Electrophysiological experiments indicate a reduced frequency of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs), as well as increased amplitudes of both spontaneous EPSCs and inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) in the Astn2 KO animals, suggesting that pre- and postsynaptic components of synaptic transmission are altered. Thus, ASTN2 regulates ASD-like behaviors and cerebellar circuit properties.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2023

SEL1L-HRD1 ER-associated degradation is a new ataxia gene

The SEL1L-HRD1 protein complex represents the most conserved branch of endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-associated degradation (ERAD); however, definitive evidence for the importance of SEL1L in HRD1 ERAD is lacking. Here we report that attenuation of the interaction between SEL1L and HRD1 impairs HRD1 ERAD function and has pathological consequences in mice. Our data show that SEL1L variant p.Ser658Pro (SEL1LS658P) previously identified in Finnish Hound suffering cerebellar ataxia is a recessive hypomorphic mutation, causing partial embryonic lethality, developmental delay, and early-onset cerebellar ataxia in homozygous mice carrying the bi-allelic variant. Mechanistically, SEL1LS658P variant attenuates the SEL1L-HRD1 interaction and causes HRD1 dysfunction by generating electrostatic repulsion between SEL1L F668 and HRD1 Y30 residues. Proteomic screens of SEL1L and HRD1 interactomes revealed that the SEL1L-HRD1 interaction is prerequisite for the formation of a functional HRD1 ERAD complex, as SEL1L recruits not only the lectins OS9 and ERLEC1, but the E2 UBE2J1 and retrotranslocon DERLIN, to HRD1. These data underscore the pathophysiological importance and disease relevance of the SEL1L-HRD1 complex, and identify a key step in organizing the HRD1 ERAD complex.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2017

Cerebellar granule cell precursors can extend processes, undergo short migratory movements and express postmitotic markers before mitosis in the chick EGL

Cerebellar granule cell precursors (GCPs) form a secondary germinative epithelium, the external germinal layer (EGL) where they proliferate extensively to produce the most numerous cell type in the brain. The morphological sequence of events that characterizes the differentiation of GCPs in the EGL is well established. However, morphologies of individual GCP and their differentiation status have never been correlated. Here, we examine the morphological features and transitions of GCPs in the chicken cerebellum by labelling a subset of GCPs with a stable genomic expression of a GFP transgene and following their development within the EGL in fixed tissue and using time-lapse imaging. We use immunohistochemistry to observe cellular morphologies of mitotic and differentiating GCPs to better understand their differentiation dynamics. Results reveal that mitotic activities of GCPs are more complex and dynamic than currently appreciated. While most GCPs divide in the outer and middle EGL, some are capable of division in the inner EGL. Some GCPs remain mitotically active during process extension and tangential migration and retract their processes prior to each cell division. The mitotically active precursors can also express differentiation markers such as TAG1 and NeuroD1. Further, we explore the result of misexpression of NeuroD1 on granule cell development. When misexpressed in GCPs, NeuroD1 leads to premature differentiation, defects in migration and reduced cerebellar size and foliation. Overall, we provide the first characterisation of individual morphologies of mitotically active cerebellar GCPs in ovo and reaffirm the role of NeuroD1 as a differentiation factor in the development of cerebellar granule cells.

neuroscience↗