GGGGCC repeat expansion in C9orf72 compromises nucleocytoplasmic transport

Nature. 2015 Sep 3;525(7567):129-33. doi: 10.1038/nature14974. Epub 2015 Aug 26.

Abstract

The GGGGCC (G4C2) repeat expansion in a noncoding region of C9orf72 is the most common cause of sporadic and familial forms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia. The basis for pathogenesis is unknown. To elucidate the consequences of G4C2 repeat expansion in a tractable genetic system, we generated transgenic fly lines expressing 8, 28 or 58 G4C2-repeat-containing transcripts that do not have a translation start site (AUG) but contain an open-reading frame for green fluorescent protein to detect repeat-associated non-AUG (RAN) translation. We show that these transgenic animals display dosage-dependent, repeat-length-dependent degeneration in neuronal tissues and RAN translation of dipeptide repeat (DPR) proteins, as observed in patients with C9orf72-related disease. This model was used in a large-scale, unbiased genetic screen, ultimately leading to the identification of 18 genetic modifiers that encode components of the nuclear pore complex (NPC), as well as the machinery that coordinates the export of nuclear RNA and the import of nuclear proteins. Consistent with these results, we found morphological abnormalities in the architecture of the nuclear envelope in cells expressing expanded G4C2 repeats in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, we identified a substantial defect in RNA export resulting in retention of RNA in the nuclei of Drosophila cells expressing expanded G4C2 repeats and also in mammalian cells, including aged induced pluripotent stem-cell-derived neurons from patients with C9orf72-related disease. These studies show that a primary consequence of G4C2 repeat expansion is the compromise of nucleocytoplasmic transport through the nuclear pore, revealing a novel mechanism of neurodegeneration.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Active Transport, Cell Nucleus / genetics*
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / genetics
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / pathology
  • Animals
  • Animals, Genetically Modified
  • C9orf72 Protein
  • DNA Repeat Expansion / genetics*
  • Drosophila melanogaster / cytology*
  • Drosophila melanogaster / genetics
  • Drosophila melanogaster / metabolism*
  • Eye / metabolism
  • Female
  • Frontotemporal Dementia / genetics
  • Frontotemporal Dementia / pathology
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells / cytology
  • Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Male
  • Muscles / cytology
  • Muscles / metabolism
  • Neurons / cytology
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • Nuclear Pore / genetics
  • Nuclear Pore / metabolism
  • Nuclear Pore / pathology
  • Open Reading Frames / genetics*
  • Phenotype
  • Protein Biosynthesis
  • Proteins / genetics*
  • RNA / genetics
  • RNA / metabolism
  • RNA Transport / genetics*
  • Salivary Glands / cytology
  • Salivary Glands / metabolism
  • Salivary Glands / pathology

Substances

  • C9orf72 Protein
  • C9orf72 protein, human
  • Proteins
  • RNA