The deubiquitinase USP6 affects memory and synaptic plasticity through modulating NMDA receptor stability

人类与其他动物相比的重要区别在于人类拥有高等认知能力，这种能力集中体现在学习记忆和语言表达方面。厦门大学医学院神经科学研究所王鑫教授团队发现人科动物特异性基因USP6作为一个新的NMDA受体调控因子，可通过去泛素化途径调节NMDA型谷氨酸受体的降解和稳定性，进而调控突触可塑性和学习记忆能力。 本研究工作由王鑫教授指导完成，博士生曾凡伟、马学海与硕士生朱琳为共同第一作者，王鑫教授为通讯作者。Ubiquitin-specific protease (USP) 6 is a hominoid deubiquitinating enzyme previously implicated in intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder. Although these findings link USP6 to higher brain function, potential roles for USP6 in cognition have not been investigated. Here, we report that USP6 is highly expressed in induced human neurons and that neuron-specific expression of USP6 enhances learning and memory in a transgenic mouse model. Similarly, USP6 expression regulates N-methyl-D-aspartate-type glutamate receptor (NMDAR)-dependent long-term potentiation and long-term depression in USP6 transgenic mouse hippocampi. Proteomic characterization of transgenic USP6 mouse cortex reveals attenuated NMDAR ubiquitination, with concomitant elevation in NMDAR expression, stability, and cell surface distribution with USP6 overexpression. USP6 positively modulates GluN1 expression in transfected cells, and USP6 down-regulation impedes focal GluN1 distribution at postsynaptic densities and impairs synaptic function in neurons derived from human embryonic stem cells. Together, these results indicate that USP6 enhances NMDAR stability to promote synaptic function and cognition.This work was partially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31871077, 81822014, 81571176 to XW; 81701349 to Hongfeng Z.; 81701130 to QZ; and 81471160 to HS), the National Key R&D Program of China (2016YFC1305900 to XW and HS), the Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province of China (2017J06021 to XW), the Fundamental Research Funds for the Chinese Central Universities (20720150061 to XW and 20720180040 to ZS), Open Research Fund of State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Xiamen University (SKLCSB2019KF012 to QZ), and China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (2017M612130 to QZ).该研究得到了国家自然科学基金面上项目和优秀青年基金项目的支持

Trisomy 21-induced Dysregulation of Microglial Homeostasis in Alzheimer’s Brains is Mediated by USP25

阿尔茨海默病（Alzheimer’s disease, AD）是一种最为常见的与记忆、认知能力退化相关的渐进性神经退行性疾病。唐氏综合征（Down’s syndrome, DS）是早发型阿尔茨海默病的一个重要风险因素，作为最常见的智力障碍遗传疾病，厦门大学医学院神经科学研究所王鑫教授团队揭示了治疗阿尔茨海默病和唐氏综合征新的治疗靶点，并且在小鼠模型上利用USP25小分子抑制剂成功地改善了阿尔茨海默病小鼠的认知功能，缓解了神经退行性病变的病理进程。该研究工作由王鑫教授指导完成，厦门大学医学院助理教授郑秋阳和博士生李桂林完成主要实验工作，王世华、朱琳、高月、邓青芳、张洪峰、张丽珊、吴美玲、狄安洁参与了部分研究工作。厦门大学医学院许华曦、赵颖俊和孙灏教授在研究过程中给予大力帮助和支持，清华大学董晨教授提供了Usp25基因敲除小鼠，厦门大学附属妇女儿童医院周裕林教授和郑良楷博士帮助收集了脑组织样品。Down syndrome (DS), caused by trisomy of chromosome 21, is the most significant risk factor for early-onset Alzheimer’s disease (AD); however, underlying mechanisms linking DS and AD remain unclear. Here, we show that triplication of homologous chromosome 21 genes aggravates neuroinflammation in combined murine DS-AD models. Overexpression of USP25, a deubiquitinating enzyme encoded by chromosome 21, results in microglial activation and induces synaptic and cognitive deficits, whereas genetic ablation of Usp25 reduces neuroinflammation and rescues synaptic and cognitive function in 5×FAD mice. Mechanistically, USP25 deficiency attenuates microglia-mediated proinflammatory cytokine overproduction and synapse elimination. Inhibition of USP25 reestablishes homeostatic microglial signatures and restores synaptic and cognitive function in 5×FAD mice. In summary, we demonstrate an unprecedented role for trisomy 21 and pathogenic effects associated with microgliosis as a result of the increased USP25 dosage, implicating USP25 as a therapeutic target for neuroinflammation in DS and AD.This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31871077, 81822014, and 81571176 to X.W.; 81701130 to Q.Z.), the National Key R&D Program of China (2016YFC1305900 to X.W.), the Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province of China (2017J06021 to X.W.), the Fundamental Research Funds for the Chinese Central Universities (20720150061 to X.W.), and the BrightFocus Foundation (A2018214F to Yingjun Zhao). 该研究工作得到国家重点研发计划项目、国家自然科学基金、福建省自然科学基金、厦门大学校长基金的资助和支持

Pregnancy with Concomitant Chorioangioma and Placental Mesenchymal Dysplasia: A Rare Placental Abnormality

Background. Pregnancy with concomitant chorioangioma and placental mesenchymal dysplasia (PMD) coexisting with a normal viable fetus is very rare. The literature was reviewed to explore the incidence and genetic origin of this condition. Case. The case was first identified by prenatal ultrasonography, but the prenatal diagnosis only included chorioangioma. PMD was then confirmed during postnatal evaluation, which included gross and histologic examination of the placenta. The macroscopic and microscopic findings were consistent with concomitant chorioangioma and placental mesenchymal dysplasia during pregnancy. Genetic findings confirmed genetic similarity of the chorioangioma and vesicle-like villi with the fetus. Conclusions. The case represents a rare placental abnormality whose pathogenesis and molecular basis need further research. Detailed histologic and genetic analyses are essential for accurate and differential diagnosis

A novel TEX11 mutation induces azoospermia: a case report of infertile brothers and literature review

Abstract Background Testis-expressed gene 11 (TEX11) is an X-linked gene and essential for meiotic recombination and chromosomal synapsis. TEX11 deficiency causes meiotic arrest and male infertility, and many TEX11 mutations have been found in azoospermic and infertile men. Case presentation This study reported one novel TEX11 mutation (2653G → T, in exon 29, GenBank accession number, NM_031276) in two brothers with azoospermia. This mutation was firstly screened out by whole-exome sequencing (WES) and further verified by amplifying and sequencing the specific exon 29. Surprisingly, the same exonic missense mutation (W856C) was observed in two brothers but not in their mother. Histological analysis of testicular biopsy from both brothers revealed meiotic arrest and no post-meiotic round spermatids and mature spermatozoa were observed in the seminiferous tubules. TEX11 expression was observed strongly in spermatogonia and weakly in spermatocytes, but not in Sertoli cells and interstitial cells. Conclusions We identified one novel TEX11 mutation in two brothers and summarized the literature regarding TEX11 mutations and male infertility. This study and previous literature indicate that TEX11 mutations are closely associated with male infertility, especially azoospermia, although auxiliary clinical analyses are needed to figure out the causes of male infertility