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Neural progenitors derived from Tuberous Sclerosis Complex patients exhibit attenuated PI3K/AKT signaling and delayed neuronal differentiation

ABSTRACT: Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) is a disease caused by autosomal dominant mutations in the TSC1 or TSC2 genes, and is characterized by tumor susceptibility, brain lesions, seizures and behavioral impairments. The TSC1 and TSC2 genes encode proteins forming a complex (TSC), which is a major regulator and suppressor of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) in complex 1 (mTORC1), a signaling complex that promotes cell growth and proliferation. TSC1/2 loss of heterozygosity (LOH) and the subsequent complete loss of TSC regulatory activity in null cells causes mTORC1 dysregulation and TSC-associated brain lesions or other tissue tumors. However, it is not clear whether TSC1/2 heterozygous brain cells are abnormal and contribute to TSC neuropathology. To investigate this issue, we generated induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from TSC patients and unaffected controls, and utilized these to obtain neural progenitor cells (NPCs) and differentiated neurons in vitro. These patient-derived TSC2 heterozygous NPCs were delayed in their ability to differentiate into neurons. Patient-derived progenitor cells also exhibited a modest activation of mTORC1 signaling downstream of TSC, and a marked attenuation of upstream PI3K/AKT signaling. We further show that pharmacologic AKT inhibition, but not mTORC1 inhibition, causes a neuronal differentiation delay, mimicking the patient phenotype. Together these data suggest that heterozygous TSC2 mutations disrupt neuronal development, potentially contributing to the disease neuropathology, and that this defect may result from dysregulated AKT signaling in neural progenitor cells.

ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens

PROVIDER: GSE111584 | GEO | 2018/08/26

REPOSITORIES: GEO

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Project description:Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is an inherited multi-system disorder caused by mutations in the TSC1 or TSC2 gene. TSC patients are often diagnosed with a range of neurodevelopmental (ND) manifestations termed TSC-associated neuropsychiatric disorders (TAND) including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), intellectual disability (ID), anxiety and mood disorders. Hamartin (TSC1) and tuberin (TSC2) proteins form a complex inhibiting mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) kinase signaling. Loss of TSC1 or TSC2 activates mTORC1 that, among several targets, controls protein synthesis by inhibiting translational repressor eIF4E-binding proteins. Using neural progenitor cells (NPCs) from patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), we recently reported early ND phenotypic changes, including increased cell proliferation and altered neurite outgrowth in CRISPR-modified TSC1-null NPCs, which were unaffected by mTORC1 inhibition by rapamycin,the only approved therapy for TSC1. Here, to assess TSC1-dependent gene expression programs in NPCs, we used polysome-profiling, which quantifies changes in mRNA abundance and translational efficiencies at a transcriptome-wide level. In addition to changes in mRNA abundance, this revealed numerous TSC1-dependent alterations in translational efficiencies. To assess the relevance of these gene expression alterations we performed polysome-profiling in post-mortem brains originating from ASD donors and matched controls. Strikingly, TSC1-dependent alterations in mRNA translation observed in NPCs were largely recapitulated in human brains. Furthermore, although polysome-profiling revealed a partial reversal of TSC1-associated gene expression alterations following rapamycin treatment, most genes related to neural activity/synaptic regulation or ASD that showed TSC1-dependent translation were rapamycin-insensitive. Therefore, we also examined whether early ND rapamycin-insensitive phenotypes in TSC1-null NPCs could be rescued by a third-generation bi-steric, mTORC1-selective inhibitor RMC-6272 (Revolution Medicines, Inc.). Unlike rapamycin, RMC-6272 strongly inhibited translation and reversed TSC1-associated proliferation and neurite outgrowth phenotypes. In summary, we reveal ample translational alterations in TSC1 patient-derived NPCs recapitulating human brain expression profiles and potential implications for treatment of TAND.

Project description:DallePezze2012 - TSC-independent mTORC2 regulation This model is described in the article: A dynamic network model of mTOR signaling reveals TSC-independent mTORC2 regulation. Dalle Pezze P, Sonntag AG, Thien A, Prentzell MT, Gödel M, Fischer S, Neumann-Haefelin E, Huber TB, Baumeister R, Shanley DP, Thedieck K. Sci Signal 2012 Mar; 5(217): ra25 Abstract: The kinase mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) exists in two multiprotein complexes (mTORC1 and mTORC2) and is a central regulator of growth and metabolism. Insulin activation of mTORC1, mediated by phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), Akt, and the inhibitory tuberous sclerosis complex 1/2 (TSC1-TSC2), initiates a negative feedback loop that ultimately inhibits PI3K. We present a data-driven dynamic insulin-mTOR network model that integrates the entire core network and used this model to investigate the less well understood mechanisms by which insulin regulates mTORC2. By analyzing the effects of perturbations targeting several levels within the network in silico and experimentally, we found that, in contrast to current hypotheses, the TSC1-TSC2 complex was not a direct or indirect (acting through the negative feedback loop) regulator of mTORC2. Although mTORC2 activation required active PI3K, this was not affected by the negative feedback loop. Therefore, we propose an mTORC2 activation pathway through a PI3K variant that is insensitive to the negative feedback loop that regulates mTORC1. This putative pathway predicts that mTORC2 would be refractory to Akt, which inhibits TSC1-TSC2, and, indeed, we found that mTORC2 was insensitive to constitutive Akt activation in several cell types. Our results suggest that a previously unknown network structure connects mTORC2 to its upstream cues and clarifies which molecular connectors contribute to mTORC2 activation. This model is hosted on BioModels Database and identified by: BIOMD0000000581. To cite BioModels Database, please use: BioModels Database: An enhanced, curated and annotated resource for published quantitative kinetic models. To the extent possible under law, all copyright and related or neighbouring rights to this encoded model have been dedicated to the public domain worldwide. Please refer to CC0 Public Domain Dedication for more information.

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Neural progenitors derived from Tuberous Sclerosis Complex patients exhibit attenuated PI3K/AKT signaling and delayed neuronal differentiation

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