Neurodegenerative disorders as well as traumatic and ischemic injuries to the brain are characterized by neuronal cell death and axonal degeneration. Programmed cell death and axonal degenerative are distinct self-destructive programs that are invoked to eliminate damaged cells and/or axons; however, they are activated inappropriately in many neurological disorders. While the components of pathways leading to cell death are relatively well characterized, the mechanisms involved in axonal degeneration are largely unknown. Studies of the wlds mouse revealed that overexpression of Nmnat enzymes, which synthesize NAD, can prevent axonal degeneration and, more recently, a toll-like receptor adaptor protein called Sarm1 was discovered to be an important component of the intrinsic axon degeneration program. Additional studies, including from our own labs, show that Sarm1 can also promote cell death in neurons and other cells. Indeed, loss of Sarm1 protects neurons from metabolic stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. Together, these breakthroughs show that Sarm1 drives a general cell destruction program that we term sarmoptosis. Our molecular analysis of Sarm1 shows that the SAM domains are necessary for its multimerization, whereas the TIR domain is required for its ability to activate cell death and axonal degeneration. To study molecular aspects of sarmoptosis, we have developed a variety of tools including a regulable Sarm1 TIR domain dimerization system that allows us to trigger cell death or, using compartmentalized chambers, axonal degeneration in a controlled fashion. It is our goal to understand sarmoptosis so that therapeutic agents can be devised to block this process, as this could be a useful method for treating many neurological disorders. In this proposal, we outline experiments that utilize these reagents to define the molecular pathways engaged by Sarm1 to promote cell destruction. First, we will identify structural motifs in the Sarm1 TIR domain that activate cell destruction. We will identify these key functional residues by analyzing a series of site-directed TIR domain mutants. Second, we will identify the enzyme(s) involved in mediating the NAD depletion that occurs after Sarm1 activation. Third, we will identify proteins that function downstream in this destructive pathway using a suppressor screen. Mechanistic studies of identified suppressors will be performed to characterize their role in sarmoptosis.

Public Health Relevance

Our research is focused on defining the molecular underpinnings that cause neurons to die and their axons to degenerate in neurodegenerative disorders. We have identified a novel process that plays a role in both cell death and axon destruction. The identification of drugs to inhibit steps in this cell destruction pathway will be helpful in the treatment of a wide variety of disorders ranging from stroke and traumatic brain injury to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01NS087632-03
Application #
9058619
Study Section
Neural Oxidative Metabolism and Death Study Section (NOMD)
Program Officer
Gubitz, Amelie
Project Start
2014-09-01
Project End
2019-05-31
Budget Start
2016-06-01
Budget End
2017-05-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2016
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Washington University
Department
Genetics
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
068552207
City
Saint Louis
State
MO
Country
United States
Zip Code
63130
McGill, Bryan E; Barve, Ruteja A; Maloney, Susan E et al. (2018) Abnormal Microglia and Enhanced Inflammation-Related Gene Transcription in Mice with Conditional Deletion of Ctcf in Camk2a-Cre-Expressing Neurons. J Neurosci 38:200-219
Sasaki, Yo; Hackett, Amber R; Kim, Sungsu et al. (2018) Dysregulation of NAD+ Metabolism Induces a Schwann Cell Dedifferentiation Program. J Neurosci 38:6546-6562
Essuman, Kow; Summers, Daniel W; Sasaki, Yo et al. (2018) TIR Domain Proteins Are an Ancient Family of NAD+-Consuming Enzymes. Curr Biol 28:421-430.e4
Summers, Daniel W; Milbrandt, Jeffrey; DiAntonio, Aaron (2018) Palmitoylation enables MAPK-dependent proteostasis of axon survival factors. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 115:E8746-E8754
Essuman, Kow; Summers, Daniel W; Sasaki, Yo et al. (2017) The SARM1 Toll/Interleukin-1 Receptor Domain Possesses Intrinsic NAD+ Cleavage Activity that Promotes Pathological Axonal Degeneration. Neuron 93:1334-1343.e5
Walker, Lauren J; Summers, Daniel W; Sasaki, Yo et al. (2017) MAPK signaling promotes axonal degeneration by speeding the turnover of the axonal maintenance factor NMNAT2. Elife 6:
Summers, Daniel W; Gibson, Daniel A; DiAntonio, Aaron et al. (2016) SARM1-specific motifs in the TIR domain enable NAD+ loss and regulate injury-induced SARM1 activation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 113:E6271-E6280
Gerdts, Josiah; Summers, Daniel W; Milbrandt, Jeffrey et al. (2016) Axon Self-Destruction: New Links among SARM1, MAPKs, and NAD+ Metabolism. Neuron 89:449-60
Geisler, Stefanie; Doan, Ryan A; Strickland, Amy et al. (2016) Prevention of vincristine-induced peripheral neuropathy by genetic deletion of SARM1 in mice. Brain 139:3092-3108
Bhattacharya, Martha R C; Geisler, Stefanie; Pittman, Sara K et al. (2016) TMEM184b Promotes Axon Degeneration and Neuromuscular Junction Maintenance. J Neurosci 36:4681-9

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