Search

SummaryAberrant condensation and localisation of the RNA-binding protein fused in sarcoma (FUS) occur in variants of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). ALS is also associated with cytoskeletal defects, genetically and through observations of compromised axonal transport. Here, we asked whether compromised axonal cytoskeletal organisation is an early feature of FUS-associated ALS/FTD. We used an ALS-associated mutant FUS(P525L) and the FTD-mimic hypomethylated FUS, FUS(16R), to investigate the common and distinct cytoskeletal changes found in these two reportedXenopusmodels. Combining a novel atomic force microscopy (AFM)-based approach forin vitrocytoskeletal characterisation andin vivoaxonal branching analysis, we found that mutant FUS reduced actin density in the dynamically remodelling growth cone, and reduced axonal branch complexity. We furthermore found evidence of an axon looping defect for FUS(P525L). Therefore, we show that compromised actin remodelling is potentially an important early event in FUS-associated pathogenesis.Abstract Figure

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) comprises morphologically and functionally distinct domains, sheets and interconnected tubules. These domains undergo dynamic reshaping, in response to changes in the cellular environment. However, the mechanisms behind this rapid remodeling within minutes are largely unknown. Here, we report that ER remodeling is actively driven by lysosomes, following lysosome repositioning in response to changes in nutritional status. The anchorage of lysosomes to ER growth tips is critical for ER tubule elongation and connection. We validate this causal link via the chemo- and optogenetically driven re-positioning of lysosomes, which leads to both a redistribution of the ER tubules and its global morphology. Lysosomes sense metabolic change in the cell and regulate ER tubule distribution accordingly. Dysfunction in this mechanism during axonal extension may lead to axonal growth defects. Our results demonstrate a critical role of lysosome-regulated ER dynamics and reshaping in nutrient responses and neuronal development.

During neuronal wiring, extrinsic cues trigger the local translation of specific mRNAs in axons via cell surface receptors. The coupling of ribosomes to receptors has been proposed as a mechanism linking signals to local translation but it is not known how broadly this mechanism operates, nor whether it can selectively regulate mRNA translation. We report that receptor-ribosome coupling is employed by multiple guidance cue receptors and this interaction is mRNA-dependent. We find that different receptors bind to distinct sets of mRNAs and RNA-binding proteins. Cue stimulation induces rapid dissociation of ribosomes from receptors and the selective translation of receptor-specific mRNAs in retinal axon growth cones. Further, we show that receptor-ribosome dissociation and cue-induced selective translation are inhibited by simultaneous exposure to translation-repressive cues, suggesting a novel mode of signal integration. Our findings reveal receptor-specific interactomes and provide a general model for the rapid, localized and selective control of cue-induced translation.

SUMMARYRibosomes are known to be assembled in the nucleolus, yet recent studies have revealed robust enrichment and translation of mRNAs encoding ribosomal proteins (RPs) in axons, far away from neuronal cell bodies. Using subcellular proteomics and live-imaging, we show that locally synthesized RPs incorporate into axonal ribosomes in a nucleolus-independent fashion. We revealed that axonal RP translation is regulated through a novel sequence motif, CUIC, that forms a RNA-loop structure in the region immediately upstream of the initiation codon. Inhibition of axonal CUIC-regulated RP translation leads to defects in local translation activity and axon branching, demonstrating the physiological relevance of the axonal ribosome remodeling. These results indicate that axonal translation supplies cytoplasmic RPs to maintain/modify local ribosomal function far from the nucleolus.

Tissue mechanics is important for development; however, the spatio-temporal dynamics of in vivo tissue stiffness is still poorly understood. We here developed tiv-AFM, combining time-lapse in vivo atomic force microscopy with upright fluorescence imaging of embryonic tissue, to show that in the developing Xenopus brain, a stiffness gradient evolves over time because of differential cell proliferation. Subsequently, axons turn to follow this gradient, underpinning the importance of time-resolved mechanics measurements.

mRNAs are transported, localized, and translated in axons of sensory neurons. However, little is known about the full repertoire of transcripts present in embryonic and adult sensory axons and how this pool of mRNAs dynamically changes during development. Here, we used a compartmentalized chamber to isolate mRNA from pure embryonic and adult sensory axons devoid of non-neuronal or cell body contamination. Genome-wide microarray analysis reveals that a previously unappreciated number of transcripts are localized in sensory axons and that this repertoire changes during development toward adulthood. Embryonic axons are enriched in transcripts encoding cytoskeletal-related proteins with a role in axonal outgrowth. Surprisingly, adult axons are enriched in mRNAs encoding immune molecules with a role in nociception. Additionally, we show Tubulin-beta3 (Tubb3) mRNA is present only in embryonic axons, with Tubb3 locally synthesized in axons of embryonic, but not adult neurons where it is transported, thus validating our experimental approach. In summary, we provide the first complete catalog of embryonic and adult sensory axonal mRNAs. In addition we show that this pool of axonal mRNAs dynamically changes during development. These data provide an important resource for studies on the role of local protein synthesis in axon regeneration and nociception during neuronal development.

Axon pathfinding in the developing animal involves a highly dynamic process in which the axonal growth cone makes continuous decisions as it navigates toward its target. Changes occurring in the growth cone with respect to retracting from or extending into complex new territories can occur in minutes. Thus, the advent of strategies to visualize axon path­finding in vivo in a live intact animal is crucial for a better understanding of how the growth cone makes such rapid decisions in response to multiple cues. Combining these strategies with loss-of-function and/or gain-of-function techniques, one can gain some insight as to which molecules are crucial to particular growth cone behaviors at specific choice points during navigation. The major advantage of using zebrafish lies in the accessibility of major axon tracts for live microscopy, as their embryonic development occurs ex utero. Furthermore, the robust embryos remain healthy during immobilization and allow for good imaging for long periods. This protocol describes the method for stabilizing and preparing live zebrafish embryos for imaging labeled axonal tracts at high spatial and temporal resolution for up to 72 h. It has been used for retinotectal axon pathfinding, but can be adapted to visualize other axon tracts of interest.