The Jackson Laboratory Nathan Shock Center: impact of genetic diversity on aging.

Healthspan is a complex trait, influenced by many genes and environmental factors that accelerate or delay aging, reduce or increase disease risk, and extend or reduce lifespan. Thus, assessing the role of genetic variation in aging requires an experimental strategy capable of modeling the genetic and biological complexity of human populations. The goal of the The Jackson Laboratory Nathan Shock Center (JAX NSC) is to provide research resources and training for geroscience investigators that seek to understand the role of genetics and genetic diversity on the fundamental process of aging and diseases of human aging using the laboratory mouse as a model system. The JAX NSC has available novel, deeply characterized populations of aged mice, performs state-of-the-art phenotyping of age-relevant traits, provides systems genetics analysis of complex data sets, and provides all of these resources to the geroscience community. The aged animal resources, phenotyping capacity, and genetic expertise available through the JAX NSC benefit the geroscience community by fostering cutting-edge, novel lines of research that otherwise would not be possible. Over the past 15 years, the JAX NSC has transformed aging research across the geroscience community, providing aging mouse resources and tissues to researchers. All JAX NSC data and tools are publicly disseminated on the Mouse Phenome Database and the JAX NSC website, thus ensuring that the resources generated and expertise acquired through the Center are readily available to the aging research community. The JAX NSC will continue to enhance its ability to perform innovative research using a mammalian model to illuminate novel genotype-phenotype relationships and provide a rational basis for designing effective risk assessments and therapeutic interventions to boost longevity and disease-free healthspan

Melanosome Morphologies in Murine Models of Hermansky–Pudlak Syndrome Reflect Blocks in Organelle Development

Hermansky–Pudlak syndrome is an autosomal recessive disease characterized by pigment dilution and prolonged bleeding time. At least 15 mutant mouse strains have been classified as models of Hermansky–Pudlak syndrome. Some of the genes are implicated in intracellular vesicle trafficking: budding, targeting, and secretion. Many of the Hermansky–Pudlak syndrome genes remain uncharacterized and their functions are unknown. Clues to the functions of these genes can be found by analyzing the physiologic and cellular phenotypes. Here we have examined the morphology of the melanosomes in the skin of 10 of the mutant mouse Hermansky–Pudlak syndrome strains by transmission electron microscopy. We demonstrate that the morphologies reflect inhibition of organelle maturation or transfer. The Hermansky–Pudlak syndrome strains are classified into morphologic groups characterized by the step at which melanosome biogenesis or transfer to keratinocytes is inhibited, with the cappuccino strain observed to be blocked at the earliest step and gunmetal blocked at the latest step. We show that all Hermansky–Pudlak syndrome mutant strains except gunmetal have an increase in unpigmented or hypopigmented immature melanosomal forms, leading to the hypopigmented coat colors seen in these strains. In contrast, the hypopigmentation seen in the gunmetal strain is due to the retention of melanosomes in melanocytes, and inefficient transfer into keratinocytes

The loss of βΙ spectrin alters synaptic size and composition in the ja/ja mouse

IntroductionDeletion or mutation of members of the spectrin gene family contributes to many neurologic and neuropsychiatric disorders. While each spectrinopathy may generate distinct neuropathology, the study of βΙ spectrin’s role (Sptb) in the brain has been hampered by the hematologic consequences of its loss.MethodsJaundiced mice (ja/ja) that lack βΙ spectrin suffer a rapidly fatal hemolytic anemia. We have used exchange transfusion of newborn ja/ja mice to blunt their hemolytic pathology, enabling an examination of βΙ spectrin deficiency in the mature mouse brain by ultrastructural and biochemical analysis.ResultsβΙ spectrin is widely utilized throughout the brain as the βΙΣ2 isoform; it appears by postnatal day 8, and concentrates in the CA1,3 region of the hippocampus, dentate gyrus, cerebellar granule layer, cortical layer 2, medial habenula, and ventral thalamus. It is present in a subset of dendrites and absent in white matter. Without βΙ spectrin there is a 20% reduction in postsynaptic density size in the granule layer of the cerebellum, a selective loss of ankyrinR in cerebellar granule neurons, and a reduction in the level of the postsynaptic adhesion molecule NCAM. While we find no substitution of another spectrin for βΙ at dendrites or synapses, there is curiously enhanced βΙV spectrin expression in the ja/ja brain.DiscussionβΙΣ2 spectrin appears to be essential for refining postsynaptic structures through interactions with ankyrinR and NCAM. We speculate that it may play additional roles yet to be discovered

circRNAs expressed in human peripheral blood are associated with human aging phenotypes, cellular senescence and mouse lifespan.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are an emerging class of non-coding RNA molecules that are thought to regulate gene expression and human disease. Despite the observation that circRNAs are known to accumulate in older organisms and have been reported in cellular senescence, their role in aging remains relatively unexplored. Here, we have assessed circRNA expression in aging human blood and followed up age-associated circRNA in relation to human aging phenotypes, mammalian longevity as measured by mouse median strain lifespan and cellular senescence in four different primary human cell types. We found that circRNAs circDEF6, circEP300, circFOXO3 and circFNDC3B demonstrate associations with parental longevity or hand grip strength in 306 subjects from the InCHIANTI study of aging, and furthermore, circFOXO3 and circEP300 also demonstrate differential expression in one or more human senescent cell types. Finally, four circRNAs tested showed evidence of conservation in mouse. Expression levels of one of these, circPlekhm1, was nominally associated with lifespan. These data suggest that circRNA may represent a novel class of regulatory RNA involved in the determination of aging phenotypes, which may show future promise as both biomarkers and future therapeutic targets for age-related disease

Increased Reactive Oxygen Species and Cell Cycle Defects Contribute to Anemia in the RASA3 Mutant Mouse Model s

RASA3 is a Ras GTPase activating protein that plays a critical role in blood formation. The autosomal recessive mouse model scat (severe combined anemia and thrombocytopenia) carries a missense mutation in Rasa3. Homozygotes present with a phenotype characteristic of bone marrow failure that is accompanied by alternating episodes of crisis and remission. The mechanism leading to impaired erythropoiesis and peripheral cell destruction as evidenced by membrane fragmentation in scat is unclear, although we previously reported that the mislocalization of RASA3 to the cytosol of reticulocytes and mature red cells plays a role in the disease. In this study, we further characterized the bone marrow failure in scat and found that RASA3 plays a central role in cell cycle progression and maintenance of reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels during terminal erythroid differentiation, without inducing apoptosis of the precursors. In scat mice undergoing crises, there is a consistent pattern of an increased proportion of cells in the G0/G1 phase at the basophilic and polychromatophilic stages of erythroid differentiation, suggesting that RASA3 is involved in the G1 checkpoint. However, this increase in G1 is transient, and either resolves or becomes indiscernible by the orthochromatic stage. In addition, while ROS levels are normal early in erythropoiesis, there is accumulation of superoxide levels at the reticulocyte stage (DHE increased 40% in scat; p = 0.02) even though mitochondria, a potential source for ROS, are eliminated normally. Surprisingly, apoptosis is significantly decreased in the scat bone marrow at the proerythroblastic (15.3%; p = 0.004), polychromatophilic (8.5%; p = 0.01), and orthochromatic (4.2%; p = 0.02) stages. Together, these data indicate that ROS accumulation at the reticulocyte stage, without apoptosis, contributes to the membrane fragmentation observed in scat. Finally, the cell cycle defect and increased levels of ROS suggest that scat is a model of bone marrow failure with characteristics of aplastic anemia

Genetic differences and longevity-related phenotypes influence lifespan and lifespan variation in a sex-specific manner in mice.

Epidemiological studies of human longevity found two interesting features, robust advantage of female lifespan and consistent reduction of lifespan variation. To help understand the genetic aspects of these phenomena, the current study examined sex differences and variation of longevity using previously published mouse data sets including data on lifespan, age of puberty, and circulating insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) levels in 31 inbred strains, data from colonies of nuclear-receptor-interacting protein 1 (Nrip1) knockout mice, and a congenic strain, B6.C3H-Igf1. Looking at the overall data for all inbred strains, the results show no significant difference in lifespan and lifespan variation between sexes; however, considerable differences were found among and within strains. Across strains, lifespan variations of female and male mice are significantly correlated. Strikingly, between sexes, IGF1 levels correlate with the lifespan variation and maximum lifespan in different directions. Female mice with low IGF1 levels have higher variation and extended maximum lifespan. The opposite is detected in males. Compared to domesticated inbred strains, wild-derived inbred strains have elevated lifespan variation due to increased early deaths in both sexes and extended maximum lifespan in female mice. Intriguingly, the sex differences in survival curves of inbred strains negatively associated with age of female puberty, which is significantly accelerated in domesticated inbred strains compared to wild-derived strains. In conclusion, this study suggests that genetic factors are involved in the regulation of sexual disparities in lifespan and lifespan variation, and dissecting the mouse genome may provide novel insight into the underlying genetic mechanisms

Mutant KLF1 in Adult Anemic Nan Mice Leads to Profound Transcriptome Changes and Disordered Erythropoiesis.

Anemic Nan mice carry a mutation (E339D) in the second zinc finger of erythroid transcription factor KLF1. Nan-KLF1 fails to bind a subset of normal KLF1 targets and ectopically binds a large set of genes not normally engaged by KLF1, resulting in a corrupted fetal liver transcriptome. Here, we performed RNAseq using flow cytometric-sorted spleen erythroid precursors from adult Nan and WT littermates rendered anemic by phlebotomy to identify global transcriptome changes specific to the Nan Klf1 mutation as opposed to anemia generally. Mutant Nan-KLF1 leads to extensive and progressive transcriptome corruption in adult spleen erythroid precursors such that stress erythropoiesis is severely compromised. Terminal erythroid differentiation is defective in the bone marrow as well. Principle component analysis reveals two major patterns of differential gene expression predicting that defects in basic cellular processes including translation, cell cycle, and DNA repair could contribute to disordered erythropoiesis and anemia in Nan. Significant erythroid precursor stage specific changes were identified in some of these processes in Nan. Remarkably, however, despite expression changes in large numbers of associated genes, most basic cellular processes were intact in Nan indicating that developing red cells display significant physiological resiliency and establish new homeostatic set points in vivo

Differential effects of RASA3 mutations on hematopoiesis are profoundly influenced by genetic background and molecular variant.

Studies of the severely pancytopenic scat mouse model first demonstrated the crucial role of RASA3, a dual RAS and RAP GTPase activating protein (GAP), in hematopoiesis. RASA3 is required for survival in utero; germline deletion is lethal at E12.5-13.5 due to severe hemorrhage. Here, conditional deletion in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) using Vav-iCre recapitulates the null phenotype demonstrating that RASA3 is required at the stem and progenitor level to maintain blood vessel development and integrity and effective blood production. In adults, bone marrow blood cell production and spleen stress erythropoiesis are suppressed significantly upon induction of RASA3 deficiency, leading to pancytopenia and death within two weeks. Notably, RASA3 missense mutations in two mouse models, scat (G125V) and hlb381 (H794L), show dramatically different hematopoietic consequences specific to both genetic background and molecular variant. The mutation effect is mediated at least in part by differential effects on RAS and RAP activation. In addition, we show that the role of RASA3 is conserved during human terminal erythropoiesis, highlighting a potential function for the RASA3-RAS axis in disordered erythropoiesis in humans. Finally, global transcriptomic studies in scat suggest potential targets to ameliorate disease progression

Explorations, Vol. 3, No. 3

Cover: Artwork by Marcia Spencer, University of Maine art student. Articles include: Characterization of Normal and Carcinogen Induced Neoplastic Cells of Teleost Origin, by Tim Lyden Attitutdes and Opinions of Maine Dairy Farmers, by John Muth and James Leiby Background: the quest for the eighteen month oyster, by Kevin Scully The Quest for the Eighteen Month Oyster, by Kevin Scully Measurement of Surface Tension of Kraft Black Liquor, by Jayalakshmi Jaya Krishnagopalan From the former student, by Jayalakshmi Krishnagopalan From the faculty advisor, by Ivar H. Stockel Aquatic Fungal Decomposers in Two Adjacent Maine Lakes of Different Acidity, by Peter Wagner Studies on a New Mouse Mutation, by Luanne L. Peters Opportunities for Students: Maine Agricultural Experiment Station Research Programs, by Mark W. Anderson Experimental Embryogenesis in Red Pine, by Judy C. Gates The V-Notched Lobster in Maine, by Cheryl Waltz Undernutrition in a Pediatric Population, by Paula Quatromoni From the Advisor Archaeology of the Central Maine Coast, by Douglas Kellogg Marketing Strategies for Computer Consultants in Small Business, by Kimberly Dagher Our Cover Artist From the Advisor, by James Lineha

Neomorphic effects of the neonatal anemia (Nan-Eklf) mutation contribute to deficits throughout development

Transcription factor control of cell-specific downstream targets can be significantly altered when the controlling factor is mutated. We show that the semi-dominant neonatal anemia (Nan) mutation in the EKLF/KLF1 transcription factor leads to ectopic expression of proteins that are not normally expressed in the red blood cell, leading to systemic effects that exacerbate the intrinsic anemia in the adult and alter correct development in the early embryo. Even when expressed as a heterozygote, the Nan-EKLF protein accomplishes this by direct binding and aberrant activation of genes encoding secreted factors that exert a negative effect on erythropoiesis and iron use. Our data form the basis for a novel mechanism of physiological deficiency that is relevant to human dyserythropoietic anemia and likely other disease states