bioRxiv Science⌕ Search

Biology subjects

Bandopadhyay, R.

Publications and source records attributed to Bandopadhyay, R..

7 recordsLinked to original sources

SupeRJump: Determining normal and leukemic differentiation fate through semi-supervised jump diffusion modeling

Single cell RNA-seq (scRNA) has provided unprecedented resolution into cellular and clonal heterogeneity. Computational approaches have enabled recovery of differentiation dynamics, yet current approaches do not evaluate discontinuous differentiation processes present in malignant leukemia. To address these gaps, we developed SupeRJump: a jump-drift-diffusion based supervised cell-fate model (https://github.com/namwob44/SupeRJump/). We deploy this approach in human bone marrow, murine aging hematopoiesis, and lentivirally barcoded mouse models of acute myeloid leukemia. Our framework introduces a semi-supervised pseudotime strategy to fit a jump-drift-diffusion model and batch correction for lineage fate predictions from absorbing Markov chains. We introduce metrics to quantify a cells skewness toward particular lineages, transitions through intermediate progenitor states toward terminally differentiated states, and discontinuous transition dynamics. We use these metrics to identify cells preferentially biased for differentiation, their underlying transcriptional networks, and gene programs responsible for differentiation discontinuity.

bioinformatics↗

scDNA: Single Cell DNA analysis software toolkit for subclonality discovery and assessment.

Advances in single cell multi-omics technologies have allowed for investigation into genotype-immunophenotype relationships and dynamic clonal changes in cancer patient samples. These technologies provide rich insights into genetic profiling, drivers of disease progression, and subclonal dynamics. Increased adoption and throughput of these technologies, necessitate accessible computational tools for processing and analysis. Toward developing easy to use computational tools, we introduce the Single Cell DNA (scDNA) package that allows for rapid analysis of single-cell molecular profiling. Our platform aims to provide a diagnostic summary tool for sample quality control, representative subclonal architecture within a sample, demultiplexing functionality for multi-sample processing, copy number variation, and mutation trajectory analysis to identify order of subclonal mutation acquisition. We showcase a series of vignettes on hematopoiesis datasets for each aim that reflects recently deployed uses of scDNA. Additionally, we show scDNA provides a modular, user-friendly framework that readily feeds into other standard software pipelines.

genomics↗

Differential LRRK2 signalling and gene expression in WT-LRRK2 and G2019S-LRRK2 mouse microglia treated with zymosan and MLi2.

IntroductionMutations in the Leucine Rich Repeat Kinase 2 (LRRK2) gene cause autosomal dominant Parkinsons disease (PD) with the most common causative mutation being the LRRK2 p.G2019S within the kinase domain. LRRK2 protein is highly expressed in the human brain and also in the periphery, and high expression of dominant PD genes in immune cells suggest involvement of microglia and macrophages in inflammation related to PD. LRRK2 is known to respond to extracellular signalling including TLR4 resulting in alterations in gene expression, with the response to TLR2 signalling through zymosan being less known. MethodsHere, we investigated the effects of zymosan, a TLR2 agonist and the potent and specific LRRK2 kinase inhibitor MLi-2 on gene expression in microglia from LRRK2-WT and LRRK2 p.G2019S knock-in mice by RNA-Sequencing analysis. ResultsWe observed both overlapping and distinct zymosan and MLi-2 mediated gene expression profiles in microglia. At least two candidate Genome-Wide Association (GWAS) hits for PD, CathepsinB (Ctsb) and Glycoprotein-nmb (Gpnmb), were notably downregulated by zymosan treatment. Genes involved in inflammatory response and nervous system development were up and downregulated respectively with zymosan treatment while MLi-2 treatment particularly exhibited upregulated genes for ion transmembrane transport regulation. Furthermore, we observed the top twenty most significantly differentially expressed genes in LRRK2 p.G2019S microglia show enriched biological processes in iron transport and response to oxidative stress. DiscussionOverall, these results suggest that microglial LRRK2 may contribute to PD pathogenesis through altered inflammatory pathways. Our findings should encourage future investigations of these putative avenues in the context of PD pathogenesis.

neuroscience↗

Prospective role of PAK6 and 14-3-3 gamma as biomarkers for Parkinson's disease

2.BackgroundParkinsons disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder mainly distinguished by sporadic aetiology, although a genetic component is also well established. Variants in the LRRK2 gene are associated with both familiar and sporadic disease. We have previously shown that PAK6 and 14-3-3{gamma} protein interact with and regulate the activity of LRRK2. ObjectivesThe aim of this study is to quantify PAK6 and 14-3-3{gamma} in plasma as a reliable biomarker strategy for the diagnosis of both sporadic and LRRK2-linked Parkinsons disease. MethodsAfter an initial quantification of PAK6 and 14-3-3{gamma} expression by means of Western blot in post-mortem human brains, we verified the presence of the two proteins in plasma by using quantitative ELISA tests. We analysed samples obtained from 39 healthy subjects, 40 patients with sporadic Parkinsons disease, 50 LRRK2-G2019S non-manifesting carriers and 31 patients with LRRK2-G2019S Parkinsons disease. ResultsThe amount of PAK6 and 14-3-3{gamma} is significantly different in patients with Parkinsons disease compared to healthy subjects. Moreover, the amount of PAK6 also varies with the presence of the G2019S mutation in the LRRK2 gene. Although the generalized linear models show a low association between the presence of PD and PAK6, the kinase can be added in a broader panel of biomarkers for the diagnosis of Parkinsons disease. ConclusionsChanges of PAK6 and 14-3-3{gamma} amount in plasma represent a shared readout for patients affected by sporadic and LRRK2-linked Parkinsons disease. Overall, they can contribute to the establishment of an extended panel of biomarkers for the diagnosis of Parkinsons disease.

neuroscience↗

Pathological relevance of post-translationally modified alpha-synuclein (pSer87, pSer129, nTyr39) in idiopathic Parkinson's disease and Multiple System Atrophy.

Aggregated alpha-synuclein (-synuclein) is the main component of Lewy bodies (LBs), Lewy neurites (LNs), and glial cytoplasmic inclusions (GCIs), which are pathological hallmarks of idiopathic Parkinsons disease (IPD) and multiple system atrophy (MSA), respectively. Initiating factors that culminate in forming LBs/LNs/GCIs remain elusive. Several species of -synuclein exist, including phosphorylated and nitrated forms. It is unclear which -synuclein post-translational modifications (PTMs) appear within aggregates throughout disease pathology. Herein we aimed to establish the predominant -synuclein PTMs in post-mortem IPD and MSA pathology using immunohistochemistry. We examined the patterns of three -synuclein PTMs (pS87, pS129, nY39) simultaneously in pathology-affected regions of 15 PD, 5 MSA, 6 neurologically normal controls. All antibodies recognized LBs, LNs, and GCIs, albeit to a variable extent. pS129 -synuclein antibody was particularly immunopositive for LNs and synaptic dot-like structures followed by nY39 -synuclein antibody. GCIs, neuronal inclusions, and small threads were positive for nY39 -synuclein in MSA. Quantification of the LB scores revealed that pS129 -synuclein was the dominant and earliest -synuclein PTM followed by nY39 -synuclein, while lower amounts of pSer87 -synuclein appeared later in disease progression in PD. These results may have implications for novel biomarker and therapeutic developments.

neuroscience↗

Trafficking of the glutamate transporter is impaired in LRRK2-related Parkinson's disease

The Excitatory Amino Acid Transporter 2 (EAAT2) accounts for 80 % of brain glutamate clearance and is mainly expressed in astrocytic perisynaptic processes. EAAT2 function is finely regulated by endocytic events, recycling to the plasma membrane and degradation. Noteworthy, deficits in EAAT2 have been associated with neuronal excitotoxicity and neurodegeneration. In this study, we show that EAAT2 trafficking is impaired by the leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) pathogenic variant G2019S, a common cause of late-onset familial Parkinsons disease (PD). In LRRK2 G2019S human brains and experimental animal models, EAAT2 protein levels are significantly decreased, which is associated with elevated gliosis. The decreased expression of the transporter correlates with its reduced functionality in mouse LRRK2 G2019S purified astrocytic terminals and in Xenopus laevis oocytes expressing human LRRK2 G2019S. In LRRK2 G2019S knockin mouse brain, the correct surface localization of the endogenous transporter is impaired, resulting in its interaction with a plethora of endo-vesicular proteins. Mechanistically, we report that pathogenic LRRK2 kinase activity delays the recycling of the transporter to the plasma membrane via Rabs inactivation, causing its intracellular relocalization and degradation. Taken together, our results demonstrate that pathogenic LRRK2 interferes with the physiology of EAAT2, pointing to extracellular glutamate overload as a possible contributor to neurodegeneration in PD.

neuroscience↗

LRRK2 G2019S kinase activity triggers neurotoxic NSF aggregation

Parkinsons disease (PD) is characterized by the progressive degeneration of dopaminergic neurons within the substantia nigra pars compacta and the presence of protein aggregates in surviving neurons. LRRK2 G2019S mutation is one the major determinant of familial PD cases and leads to late-onset PD with pleomorphic pathology, including alpha-synuclein accumulation and deposition of protein inclusions. LRRK2 binds and phosphorylates N-ethylmaleimide sensitive factor (NSF). We observed aggregates containing NSF in basal ganglia specimens from G2019S carrier PD patients and in cellular and animal models expressing the LRRK2 G2019S variant. We found that LRRK2 G2019S kinase activity induces the accumulation of NSF in toxic aggregates. Noteworthy, the induction of autophagy cleared NSF aggregation and rescued motor and cognitive impairment observed in aged hG2019S BAC mice. We suggest that LRRK2 G2019S pathological phosphorylation hampers substrate catabolism, thus causing the formation of cytotoxic protein inclusions. HighlightsO_LILRRK2 phosphorylates NSF in vivo C_LIO_LINSF aggregates in complementary LRRK2 G2019S models C_LIO_LILRRK2 G2019S kinase activity induces NSF accumulation in toxic aggregates C_LIO_LIAutophagy induction rescues hG2019S BAC mice motor and cognitive impairment C_LI

neuroscience↗