Spatial characterization of the motor and non-motor somal and axonal transcriptome in adult healthy and mutant FUS mice
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT:
ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus
PROVIDER: GSE269707 | GEO | 2026/01/08
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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Project description:Spinal motor axons traverse large distances to innervate target muscle, and thus require local control of cellular events for proper functioning of the distal axon. To interrogate axon-specific processes we developed Axon-seq, a refined method incorporating microfluidic devices and stringent bioinformatic quality controls. Axon-seq demonstrates improved sensitivity and accuracy in whole-transcriptome sequencing of axons compared to previously published studies. Importantly, we show that axon transcriptomes are distinct from those of somas, displaying fewer detected genes and no contaminating astrocytic markers. We identified >5,000 transcripts in stem cell-derived spinal motor axons required for local oxidative energy production and ribosome generation. Axons contained unique transcription factor mRNAs, e.g. Ybx1, with implications for local axonal functions. Cross-comparison with existing mouse motor axon datasets, as well as our own human motor axon data identified a common axon transcriptome. As motor axons degenerate in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), we investigated their response to the disease-causing SOD1G93A mutation, identifying 121 ALS-dysregulated transcripts. Several of these are implicated in axonal and dendritic outgrowth, including Nrp1, Dbn1, and Nek1, a known ALS-causing gene. In conclusion, Axon-seq proves a robust and improved method for RNA-seq of axons, furthers our understanding of peripheral axon biology, and identifies novel therapeutic targets to maintain neural connectivity in disease.
2018-12-11 | GSE121069 | GEO
Project description:Gene expression changes in spinal motor neurons of the SOD1G93A-transgenic model for ALS after treatment with G-CSF. To gain insight into the mode of action of G-CSF, we performed gene expression profiling on isolated lumbar motor neurons from SOD1G93A mice, the most frequently studied animal model for ALS, with and without G-CSF treatment. A first group of SOD1G93A and WT mice was included in the study at week 11 of age when SOD1G93A mice present no signs of motor dysfunction but subtle signs of denervation detectable by electromyography. The second cohort of mice was treated with G-CSF or vehicle from week 11 to week 15. At the time of study completion, SOD1G93A mice presented clear motor impairment and motor neuron degeneration is documented. This design should provide information on genes altered in motor neurons of SOD1G93A mice from the clinically non-symptomatic to an early symptomatic stage, and give insight into genes influenced by G-CSF treatment. We sampled 300 motoneurons per mouse spinal cord by laser microdissection.
2014-09-15 | E-GEOD-60856 | biostudies-arrayexpress
Project description:Mutations in the RNA-binding protein FUS cause aggressive, early-onset forms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), leading to the progressive degeneration of the neuromuscular system. These mutations drive nuclear depletion and cytoplasmic mislocalisation of FUS, resulting in both loss and gain of function. We investigated these mechanisms and their impact on key pathophysiological processes in vivo, using a novel FUS-ALS mouse model. Adult mice presented widespread transcriptomic alterations consistent with nuclear loss of function, while translatome analysis revealed specific deficits associated with aberrant FUS-dependent cytoplasmic partitioning and gain of function. Mutant FUS expression selectively impaired neuromuscular junction (NMJ) innervation in FUS-ALS females. However, NMJ reinnervation following sciatic nerve crush was equally perturbed in homozygous mutants of both sexes, indicating impaired regeneration and damage responses. Additionally, we observed cargo-specific alterations in axonal transport, a process critical for neuronal function and maintenance; in vivo mitochondrial transport was impaired in homozygous FUS-ALS mice, whereas the retrograde transport of signalling endosomes was again only affected in mutant females, strengthening the link between endosomal transport impairment and NMJ denervation in ALS. Altogether, our findings establish FUS-ALS homozygous mice as a valuable model for investigating early cellular impairments driving ALS pathology, and identify broader and sex-dependent motor neuron dysfunction in FUS-ALS pathogenesis.
2025-05-29 | GSE298457 | GEO
Project description:Mutations in the RNA-binding protein FUS cause aggressive, early-onset forms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), leading to the progressive degeneration of the neuromuscular system. These mutations drive nuclear depletion and cytoplasmic mislocalisation of FUS, resulting in both loss and gain of function. We investigated these mechanisms and their impact on key pathophysiological processes in vivo, using a novel FUS-ALS mouse model. Adult mice presented widespread transcriptomic alterations consistent with nuclear loss of function, while translatome analysis revealed specific deficits associated with aberrant FUS-dependent cytoplasmic partitioning and gain of function. Mutant FUS expression selectively impaired neuromuscular junction (NMJ) innervation in FUS-ALS females. However, NMJ reinnervation following sciatic nerve crush was equally perturbed in homozygous mutants of both sexes, indicating impaired regeneration and damage responses. Additionally, we observed cargo-specific alterations in axonal transport, a process critical for neuronal function and maintenance; in vivo mitochondrial transport was impaired in homozygous FUS-ALS mice, whereas the retrograde transport of signalling endosomes was again only affected in mutant females, strengthening the link between endosomal transport impairment and NMJ denervation in ALS. Altogether, our findings establish FUS-ALS homozygous mice as a valuable model for investigating early cellular impairments driving ALS pathology, and identify broader and sex-dependent motor neuron dysfunction in FUS-ALS pathogenesis.
2025-05-29 | GSE298456 | GEO
Project description:Despite the discovery of many genetic risk factors, the cause of the motor neuron death that drives terminal pathology in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) remains unknown. We report that the skeletal muscle of ALS patients secretes exosomal vesicles that are specifically toxic to motor neurons. This could not be attributed to a trivial down-stream consequence of muscle denervation. In a study of muscle biopsies and biopsy-derived denervation-naïve differentiated muscle stem cells (myotubes) from 67 human subjects, including healthy and disease controls, ALS myotubes had a consistent signature of disrupted exosome biogenesis and RNA-processing, and their exosomes induced shortened, less branched, neurites, greater death, and disrupted localization of RNA and RNA-processing proteins in motor neurons. Toxicity was dependent on presence of the FUS protein, which is highly expressed in recipient motor neurons. As part of this work, we carried out gene expression analysis of myotubes (differentiated myoblasts) comparing ALS against two other motor neuron disorders as disease controls (SBMA, Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy; and Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 4, SMA-IV) and healthy controls.
2022-04-19 | GSE122261 | GEO
Project description:Mislocalization of the predominantly nuclear RNA/DNA binding protein, TDP-43, occurs in motor neurons of ~95% of ALS patients, but the contribution of axonal TDP-43 to this fatal neurodegenerative disease is unclear. Here, we find TDP-43 accumulation in the axons of intra-muscular nerves from ALS patients, and in motor neurons and neuromuscular junctions(NMJs) of a mouse model with TDP-43 mislocalization. This leads to the formation of G3BP1- and TDP-43-positive RNA-granules in motor neuron axons, and to inhibition of local protein synthesis in axons and NMJs. Specifically, the axonal and synaptic levels of nuclear-encoded mitochondria proteins are reduced. Clearance of axonal TDP-43 restored local translation of the nuclear-encoded mitochondrial proteins and rescued TDP-43-derived axonal and NMJ toxicity. These findings suggest that targeting TDP-43 axonal gain of function may mediata therapeutic effect in ALS.
2021-11-04 | PXD021876 | Pride
Project description:We conducted temporal RNA-seq profiling of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) and iPSC-derived motor neurons (iMNs) carrying C9orf72, FUS, TARDBP, or SOD1 mutations in both patients with ALS and healthy individuals. We discovered dysregulated gene expression and alternative splicing (AS) throughout iMN development and maturation, and iMNs with mutations in ALS-associated genes displayed enrichment of cytoskeletal defects and synaptic alterations from the premature stage to mature iMNs. Our findings indicate that synaptic gene dysfunction is a common molecular hallmark of familial ALS, which may result in neuronal susceptibility and progressive motor neuron degeneration. Analysis of upstream splicing factors revealed that differentially expressed RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) in iMNs from patients with ALS may cause abnormal AS events, highlighting the importance of studying RBP defects in ALS research. Overall, our research provides a comprehensive and valuable resource for gaining insights into the shared mechanisms of familial ALS pathogenesis during motor neuron development and maturation in iMN models.
2025-06-24 | GSE299997 | GEO
Project description:RNAseq of fluidically isolated human and mouse motor neuron somas and axons in vitro
| PRJNA495499 | ENA
Project description:Mutations in the gene fused-in-sarcoma (FUS) have been implicated in the motor neuron disease Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, it is poorly understood how these gene mutations lead to selective motor neuron (MN) degeneration and if there are common pathomechanisms across disease etiology. To address the biological impact of the FUS-P525L mutation on the transcriptome of neurons, we applied RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) method, using microfluidic chambers, to generate axonal as well as soma compartment specific profiles from isogenic induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)-derived motor neurons. We demonstrate high purity of axonal and soma fractions, and further show that the axonal transcriptome is very specific from somas with fewer number of transcripts. Notably, functional enrichment analysis revealed a unique and distinct transcriptional landscape in both axonal and soma compartments including specific transcript types, most of which were required for RNA metabolism and DNA damage/cell cycle related processes, that were likely altered by FUS mutation. Among altered transcripts, we identified robust upregulation of polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1), a master regulator of cell cycle-related events, in FUS-P525L mutant MNs and confirmed that inhibition of PLK1 increases late apoptotic or necrosis-induced neuronal cell death in mutant neurons compared to healthy controls. Taken together, our findings provide insights into compartment-specific transcriptomics in FUS-ALS neuronal model and we propose that PLK1 activation is a consequence of MN-specific upregulation, possibly contributing to the DNA-damage response and other associated pathways including cell cycle and cytoskeleton machinery.
2024-09-10 | GSE276214 | GEO
Project description:Non-neuronal cells, including astrocytes, play a crucial role in the selective motor neuron pathology in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). How astrocytes exactly contribute to the disease is not fully elucidated. Therefore, we characterised human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived astrocytes from FUS-ALS patients, and incorporated these astrocytes into a human motor unit model to investigate the astrocytic effect on hiPSC-derived motor neuron network and neuromuscular junctions (NMJs). We observed a dysregulation of astrocyte homeostasis, which resulted in a FUS-ALS-mediated increase in reactivity and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Upon coculture with motor neurons and myotubes, we detected a cytotoxic effect on motor neuron-neurite morphology and outgrowth, as well as on NMJ formation and functionality, which was improved or fully rescued by isogenic control astrocytes. We conclude that mutant astrocytes have both a gain-of-toxicity and loss-of-support function in ALS, ultimately contributing to the disruption of motor neuron homeostasis, intercellular networks and NMJs.
2023-01-19 | GSE196219 | GEO