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Shin, G. J.-e.

Publications and source records attributed to Shin, G. J.-e..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

MFN2-dependent recruitment of ATAT1 coordinates mitochondria motility with alpha-tubulin acetylation and is disrupted in CMT2A

Acetylated microtubules play key roles in the regulation of mitochondria dynamics. It has however remained unknown if the machinery controlling mitochondria dynamics functionally interacts with the -tubulin acetylation cycle. Mitofusin-2 (MFN2), a large GTPase residing in the mitochondrial outer membrane and mutated in Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 2 disease (CMT2A), is a regulator of mitochondrial fusion, transport and tethering with the endoplasmic reticulum. The role of MFN2 in regulating mitochondrial transport has however remained elusive. Here we show that mitochondrial contacts with microtubules are sites of -tubulin acetylation, which occurs through the MFN2-mediated recruitment of -tubulin acetyltransferase 1 (ATAT1). We discover that this activity is critical for MFN2-dependent regulation of mitochondria transport, and that axonal degeneration caused by CMT2A MFN2 associated mutations, R94W and T105M, may depend on the inability to release ATAT1 at sites of mitochondrial contacts with microtubules. Our findings reveal a function for mitochondria in regulating acetylated -tubulin and suggest that disruption of the tubulin acetylation cycle play a pathogenic role in the onset of MFN2-dependent CMT2A. O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=193 HEIGHT=200 SRC="FIGDIR/small/532838v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (41K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@3db8eorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@143821corg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1132b13org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1710383_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG HighlightsO_LIMitochondria contacts with MTs are hotspots of -tubulin acetylation through the recruitment of ATAT1 by MFN2 C_LIO_LIMutations in MFN2 associated with CMT2A disease lose this activity by sequestering ATAT1 C_LIO_LIDistal axonal degeneration caused by loss of MFN2 depends on acetylated tubulin-mediated mitochondria transport C_LI eTOCRecruitment of ATAT1 to mitochondria by MFN2 is critical for axonal viability through the regulation of mitochondria transport, and is disrupted in CMT2A

cell biology↗

Regulated alternative splicing of Dscam2 is required for somatosensory circuit wiring

Axon and dendrite placement and connectivity is guided by a wide range of secreted and surface molecules in the developing nervous system. Nevertheless, the extraordinary complexity of connections in the brain requires that this repertoire be further diversified to precisely and uniquely regulate cell-cell interactions. One important mechanism for molecular diversification is alternative splicing. Drosophila Down syndrome cell adhesion molecule (Dscam2) undergoes cell type-specific alternative splicing to produce two isoform-specific homophilic binding proteins. Regulated alternative splicing of Dscam2 is important for dendrite and axon patterning, but how this translates to circuit wiring and animal behavior is not well understood. Here, we examined the role of cell-type specific expression of Dscam2 isoforms in regulating synaptic partner selection in the larval somatosensory system. We found that synaptic partners in the nociceptive circuit express different Dscam2 isoforms. Forcing synaptic partners to express a common isoform resulted in nociceptive axon patterning defects and attenuated nocifensive behaviors, indicating that a role for Dscam2 alternative splicing is to ensure that synaptic partners do not express matching isoforms. These results point to a model in which regulated alternative splicing of Dscam2 across populations of neurons restricts connectivity to specific partners and prevents inappropriate synaptic connections.

neuroscience↗

Integrins protect nociceptive neurons in models of paclitaxel-mediated peripheral sensory neuropathy

Chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a major side effect from cancer treatment with no known method for prevention or cure in clinics. CIPN primarily affects unmyelinated nociceptive sensory terminals. Despite the high prevalence of CIPN, molecular and cellular mechanisms that lead to CIPN are still poorly understood. Here, we used a genetically tractable Drosophila model and primary sensory neurons isolated from adult mouse to examine the mechanisms underlying CIPN and identify protective pathways. We found that chronic treatment of Drosophila larvae with paclitaxel caused sensory neuron degeneration, altered the terminal branching pattern of nociceptive neurons, and reduced thermal nociceptive responses. We found that nociceptive neuron-specific overexpression of integrins, which are known to support neuronal maintenance in several systems, conferred protection from paclitaxel-mediated cellular and behavioral phenotypes. Live imaging and superresolution approaches provide evidence that paclitaxel treatment causes cellular changes that are consistent with alterations in endosome-mediated trafficking of integrins. We used primary dorsal root ganglia neuron cultures to test conservation of integrin-mediated protection. We show that overexpression of a human integrin {beta} subunit 1 (ITGB1) also prevented degeneration following paclitaxel treatment. Altogether, our study supports conserved mechanisms of paclitaxel-induced perturbation of integrin trafficking and a therapeutic potential of restoring integrin levels to antagonize paclitaxel-mediated toxicity in sensory neurons.

neuroscience↗