Aberrant membranes and double-membrane structures accumulate in the axons of Atg5-null Purkinje cells before neuronal death

Autophagy (macroautophagy) is an evolutionally conserved process by which cytoplasmic proteins and organelles are surrounded by unique double membranes and are subsequently degraded upon fusion with lysosomes. Many autophagy-related genes (Atg) have been identified in yeast; a ubiquitin-like Atg12-Atg5 system is also essential for the elongation of the isolation membrane in mammalian cells. Nevertheless, the regulation of autophagy in neurons remains largely unknown. In this study, we crossed conditional knockout mice Atg5(flox/flox) with pcp2-Cre transgenic mice, which express Cre recombinase through a Purkinje cell-specific promoter, pcp2. In Atg5(flox/flox); pcp2-Cre mice, the Atg5 gene was excised as early as postnatal day 6; Purkinje cells started to degenerate after approximately 8 weeks, and the animals showed an ataxic gait from around 10 months. Initially, however, the Purkinje cells showed axonal swelling around its terminals from as early as 4 weeks after birth. An electron microscopic analysis revealed the accumulation of autophagosome-like double-membrane structures in the swollen regions, together with numerous membranous organelles, such as tubular or sheet-like smooth endoplasmic reticulum and vesicles. These results suggest that Atg5 plays important roles in the maintenance of axon morphology and membrane structures, and its loss of function leads to the swelling of axons, followed by progressive neurodegeneration in mammalian neurons.     

Intracellular Quality Control by Autophagy: How Does Autophagy Prevent Neurodegeneration?

Autophagy is an intracellular bulk degradation process, through which a portion of cytoplasm is delivered to lysosomes to be degraded. In many organisms, the primary role of autophagy is adaptation to starvation. However, we have found that autophagy is also important for intracellular protein quality control. Atg5^-/- mice die shortly after birth due, at least in part, to nutrient deficiency. These mice also exhibit an intracellular accumulation of protein aggregates in neurons and hepatocytes. We now report the generation of neural cell-specific Atg5-deficient mice. Atg5^flox/flox;Nestin-Cre mice show progressive deficits in motor function and degeneration of some neural cells. In autophagy-deficient cells, diffuse accumulation of abnormal proteins occurs, followed by the generation of aggregates and inclusions. This study emphasizes the point that basal autophagy is important even in individuals who do not express neurodegenerative disease-associated mutant proteins. Furthermore, the primary targets of autophagy are diffuse cytosolic proteins, not protein aggregates themselves.     

ERK Signaling Is Essential for Macrophage Development

Macrophages depend on colony stimulating factor 1 (also known as M-CSF) for their growth and differentiation, but the requirements for intracellular signals that lead to macrophage differentiation and function remain unclear. M-CSF is known to activate ERK1 and ERK2, but the importance of this signaling pathway in macrophage development is unknown. In these studies, we characterized a novel model of Erk1 ^-/- Erk2 ^flox/flox Lyz2 ^Cre/Cre mice in which the ERK2 isoform is deleted from macrophages in the background of global ERK1 deficiency. Cultures of M-CSF-stimulated bone marrow precursors from these mice yielded reduced numbers of macrophages. Whereas macrophages developing from M-CSF-stimulated bone marrow of Erk2 ^flox/flox Lyz2 ^Cre/Cre mice showed essentially complete loss of ERK2 expression, the reduced number of macrophages that develop from Erk1 ^-/- Erk2 ^flox/flox Lyz2 ^Cre/Cre bone marrow show retention of ERK2 expression, indicating selective outgrowth of a small proportion of precursors in which Cre-mediated deletion failed to occur. The bone marrow of Erk1 ^-/- Erk2 ^flox/flox Lyz2 ^Cre/Cre mice was enriched for CD11b⁺ myeloid cells, CD11b^hi Gr-1^hi neutrophils, Lin^- c-Kit⁺ Sca–1⁺ hematopoietic stem cells, and Lin^- c-Kit⁺ CD34⁺ CD16/32⁺ granulocyte-macrophage progenitors. Culture of bone marrow Lin^- cells under myeloid-stimulating conditions yielded reduced numbers of monocytes. Collectively, these data indicate that the defect in production of macrophages is not due to a reduced number of progenitors, but rather due to reduced ability of progenitors to proliferate and produce macrophages in response to M-CSF-triggered ERK signaling. Macrophages from Erk1 ^-/- Erk2 ^flox/flox Lyz2 ^Cre/Cre bone marrow showed reduced induction of M-CSF-regulated genes that depend on the ERK pathway for their expression. These data demonstrate that ERK1/ERK2 play a critical role in driving M-CSF-dependent proliferation of bone marrow progenitors for production of macrophages.     

Di-retinoid-pyridinium-ethanolamine (A2E) Accumulation and the Maintenance of the Visual Cycle Are Independent of Atg7-mediated Autophagy in the Retinal Pigmented Epithelium

Autophagy is an evolutionarily conserved catabolic mechanism that relieves cellular stress by removing/recycling damaged organelles and debris through the action of lysosomes. Compromised autophagy has been implicated in many neurodegenerative diseases, including retinal degeneration. Here we examined retinal phenotypes resulting from RPE-specific deletion of the autophagy regulatory gene Atg7 by generating Atg7^flox/flox;VMD2-rtTA-cre+ mice to determine whether autophagy is essential for RPE functions including retinoid recycling. Atg7-deficient RPE displayed abnormal morphology with increased RPE thickness, cellular debris and vacuole formation indicating that autophagy is important in maintaining RPE homeostasis. In contrast, 11-cis-retinal content, ERGs and retinal histology were normal in mice with Atg7-deficient RPE in both fasted and fed states. Because A2E accumulation in the RPE is associated with pathogenesis of both Stargardt disease and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in humans, deletion of Abca4 was introduced into Atg7^flox/flox;VMD2-rtTA-cre+ mice to investigate the role of autophagy during A2E accumulation. Comparable A2E concentrations were detected in the eyes of 6-month-old mice with and without Atg7 from both Abca4^−/− and Abca4^+/+ backgrounds. To identify other autophagy-related molecules involved in A2E accumulation, we performed gene expression array analysis on A2E-treated human RPE cells and found up-regulation of four autophagy related genes; DRAM1, NPC1, CASP3, and EIF2AK3/PERK. These observations indicate that Atg7-mediated autophagy is dispensable for retinoid recycling and A2E deposition; however, autophagy plays a role in coping with stress caused by A2E accumulation.     

Acquired Deficiency of A20 Results in Rapid Apoptosis,Systemic Inflammation,and Abnormal Hematopoietic Stem Cell Function

A20 is a negative regulator of NF-κB, and mutational loss of A20 expression is involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases and B-cell lymphomas. To clarify the role of A20 in adult hematopoiesis, we generated conditional A20 knockout mice (A20^flox/flox) and crossed them with Mx–1Cre (MxCre ⁺) and ERT2Cre (ERT2Cre ⁺) transgenic mice in which Cre is inducibly activated by endogenous interferon and exogenous tamoxifen, respectively. A20^flox/flox MxCre ⁺ (A20Mx) mice spontaneously exhibited myeloid proliferation, B cell apoptosis, and anemia with overproduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Bone marrow transplantation demonstrated that these changes were caused by hematopoietic cells. NF-κB was constitutively activated in A20Mx hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), which caused enhanced cell cycle entry and impaired repopulating ability. Tamoxifen stimulation of A20^flox/flox ERT2Cre ⁺ (A20ERT2) mice induced fulminant apoptosis and subsequent myeloproliferation, lymphocytopenia, and progressive anemia with excessive production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, as observed in A20Mx mice. These results demonstrate that A20 plays essential roles in the homeostasis of adult hematopoiesis by preventing apoptosis and inflammation. Our findings provide insights into the mechanism underlying A20 dysfunction and human diseases in which A20 expression is impaired.     

S100a4-Cre×Ddr2flox/flox条件敲除小鼠的繁育及基因型鉴定

目的:利用Cre-LoxP重组酶系统构建成纤维细胞中Ddr2特异性敲除的纯合子小鼠并鉴定,为进一步研究Ddr2在肺纤维化中的作用提供基础。方法:将购买的Ddr2 loxp小鼠和成纤维细胞特异表达的S100a4-Cre小鼠分别繁殖与鉴定,然后将两种小鼠杂交与鉴定,最终得到基因型为Cre~× Ddr2~(flox/flox)的纯合子小鼠就是在成纤维细胞中Ddr2条件性敲除小鼠。结果:成功繁殖并用PCR技术准确鉴定了基因型为Cre~× Ddr2~(flox/flox)的纯合子小鼠,Western blot结果表明纯合子小鼠的肺成纤维细胞中Ddr2已缺失。结论:本研究利用Cre-LoxP系统成功构建了在成纤维细胞中Ddr2特异性敲除的纯合子小鼠,为进一步研究Ddr2在肺纤维化发展中的机制提供了研究平台。     

Specific Disruption of Tsc1 in Ovarian Granulosa Cells Promotes Ovulation and Causes Progressive Accumulation of Corpora Lutea

Tuberous sclerosis complex 1 (Tsc1) is a tumor suppressor negatively regulating mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1). It is reported that mice lacking Tsc1 gene in oocytes show depletion of primordial follicles, resulting in premature ovarian failure and subsequent infertility. A recent study indicated that deletion of Tsc1 in somatic cells of the reproductive tract caused infertility of female mice. However, it is not known whether specific disruption of Tsc1 in granulosa cells influences the reproductive activity of female mice. To clarify this problem, we mated Tsc1^flox/flox mice with transgenic mice strain expressing cyp19-cre which exclusively expresses in granulosa cells of the ovary. Our results demonstrated that Tsc1^flox/flox; cyp19-cre mutant mice were fertile, ovulating more oocytes and giving birth to more pups than control Tsc1^flox/flox mice. Progressive accumulation of corpora lutea occurred in the Tsc1^flox/flox; cyp19-cre mutant mice with advanced age. These phenotypes could be explained by the elevated activity of mTORC1, as indicated by increased phosphorylation of rpS6, a substrate of S6 in the Tsc1^flox/flox; cyp19-cre mutant granulosa cells. In addition, rapamycin, a specific mTORC1 inhibitor, effectively rescued the phenotype caused by increased mTORC1 activity in the Tsc1^cko ovaries. Our data suggest that conditional knockout of Tsc1 in granulosa cells promotes reproductive activity in mice.     

Mice with selective elimination of striatal acetylcholine release are lean,show altered energy homeostasis and changed sleep/wake cycle

Cholinergic neurons are known to regulate striatal circuits; however, striatal‐dependent physiological outcomes influenced by acetylcholine (ACh) are still poorly under;?>stood. Here, we used vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT)^{D2‐Cre‐flox/flox} mice, in which we selectively ablated the vesicular acetylcholine transporter in the striatum to dissect the specific roles of striatal ACh in metabolic homeostasis. We report that VAChT^{D2‐Cre‐flox/flox} mice are lean at a young age and maintain this lean phenotype with time. The reduced body weight observed in these mutant mice is not attributable to reduced food intake or to a decrease in growth rate. In addition, changed activity could not completely explain the lean phenotype, as only young VAChT^{D2‐Cre‐flox/flox} mice showed increased physical activity. Interestingly, VAChT^{D2‐Cre‐flox/flox} mice show several metabolic changes, including increased plasma levels of insulin and leptin. They also show increased periods of wakefulness when compared with littermate controls. Taken together, our data suggest that striatal ACh has an important role in the modulation of metabolism and highlight the importance of striatum cholinergic tone in the regulation of energy expenditure. These new insights on how cholinergic neurons influence homeostasis open new avenues for the search of drug targets to treat obesity.     

Generation of PECAM‐1 (CD31) conditional knockout mice

Platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1 (PECAM‐1) is an adhesion and signaling receptor that is expressed on endothelial and hematopoietic cells and plays important roles in angiogenesis, vascular permeability, and regulation of cellular responsiveness. To better understanding the tissue specificity of PECAM‐1 functions, we generated mice in which PECAM1, the gene encoding PECAM‐1, could be conditionally knocked out. A targeting construct was created that contains loxP sites flanking PECAM1 exons 1 and 2 and a neomycin resistance gene flanked by flippase recognition target (FRT) sites that was positioned upstream of the 3′ loxP site. The targeting construct was electroporated into C57BL/6 embryonic stem (ES) cells, and correctly targeted ES cells were injected into C57BL/6 blastocysts, which were implanted into pseudo‐pregnant females. Resulting chimeric animals were bred with transgenic mice expressing Flippase 1 (FLP1) to remove the FRT‐flanked neomycin resistance gene and mice heterozygous for the floxed PECAM1 allele were bred with each other to obtain homozygous PECAM1 ^flox/flox offspring, which expressed PECAM‐1 at normal levels and had no overt phenotype. PECAM1 ^flox/flox mice were bred with mice expressing Cre recombinase under the control of the SRY‐box containing gene 2 (Sox2Cre) promoter to delete the floxed PECAM1 allele in offspring (Sox2Cre;PECAM1 ^del/WT), which were crossbred to generate Sox2Cre; PECAM1 ^del/del offspring. Sox2Cre; PECAM1 ^del/del mice recapitulated the phenotype of conventional global PECAM‐1 knockout mice. PECAM1 ^flox/flox mice will be useful for studying distinct roles of PECAM‐1 in tissue specific contexts and to gain insights into the roles that PECAM‐1 plays in blood and vascular cell function.     

aP2-Cre-Mediated Inactivation of Estrogen Receptor Alpha Causes Hydrometra

In this study we describe the reproductive phenotypes of a novel mouse model in which Cre-mediated deletion of ERα is regulated by the aP2 (fatty acid binding protein 4) promoter. ERα-floxed mice were crossed with transgenic mice expressing Cre-recombinase under the control of the aP2 promoter to generate aP2-Cre/ERα^flox/flox mice. As expected, ERα mRNA levels were reduced in adipose tissue, but in addition we also detected an 80% reduction of ERα levels in the hypothalamus of aP2-Cre/ERα^flox/flox mice. Phenotypic analysis revealed that aP2-Cre/ERα^flox/flox female mice were infertile. In line with this, aP2-Cre/ERα^flox/flox female mice did not cycle and presented 3.8-fold elevated estrogen levels. That elevated estrogen levels were associated with increased estrogen signaling was evidenced by increased mRNA levels of the estrogen-regulated genes lactoferrin and aquaporin 5 in the uterus. Furthermore, aP2-Cre/ERα^flox/flox female mice showed an accumulation of intra-uterine fluid, hydrometra, without overt indications for causative anatomical anomalies. However, the vagina and cervix displayed advanced keratosis with abnormal quantities of accumulating squamous epithelial cells suggesting functional obstruction by keratin plugs. Importantly, treatment of aP2-Cre/ERα^flox/flox mice with the aromatase inhibitor Letrozole caused regression of the hydrometra phenotype linking increased estrogen levels to the observed phenotype. We propose that in aP2-Cre/ERα^flox/flox mice, increased serum estrogen levels cause over-stimulation in the uterus and genital tracts resulting in hydrometra and vaginal obstruction.     

Balance between autophagic pathways preserves retinal homeostasis

Aging contributes to the appearance of several retinopathies and is the largest risk factor for aged‐related macular degeneration, major cause of blindness in the elderly population. Accumulation of undegraded material as lipofuscin represents a hallmark in many pathologies of the aged eye. Autophagy is a highly conserved intracellular degradative pathway that plays a critical role in the removal of damaged cell components to maintain the cellular homeostasis. A decrease in autophagic activity with age observed in many tissues has been proposed to contribute to the aggravation of age‐related diseases. However, the participation of different autophagic pathways to the retina physiopathology remains unknown. Here, we describe a marked reduction in macroautophagic activity in the retina with age, which coincides with an increase in chaperone‐mediated autophagy (CMA). This increase in CMA is also observed during retinal neurodegeneration in the Atg5^flox/flox; nestin‐Cre mice, a mouse model with downregulation of macroautophagy in neuronal precursors. In contrast to other cell types, this autophagic cross talk in retinal cells is not bi‐directional and CMA inhibition renders cone photoreceptor very sensitive to stress. Temporal and cell‐type‐specific differences in the balance between autophagic pathways may be responsible for the specific pattern of visual loss that occurs with aging. Our results show for the first time a cross talk of different lysosomal proteolytic systems in the retina during normal aging and may help the development of new therapeutic intervention for age‐dependent retinal diseases.     

Mice carrying a conditional Serca2 allele for the generation of Ca handling-deficient mouse models

Sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum calcium ATPases (SERCA) are cellular pumps that transport Ca²⁺ into the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). Serca2 is the most widely expressed gene family member. The very early embryonic lethality of Serca2^null mouse embryos has precluded further evaluation of loss of Serca2 function in the context of organ physiology. We have generated mice carrying a conditional Serca2^flox allele which allows disruption of the Serca2 gene in an organ-specific and/or inducible manner. The model was tested by mating Serca2^flox mice with MLC-2v^wt/Cre mice and with αMHC-Cre transgenic mice. In heterozygous Serca2^wt/floxMLC-2v^wt/Cre mice, the expression of SERCA2a and SERCA2b proteins were reduced in the heart and slow skeletal muscle, in accordance with the expression pattern of the MLC-2v gene. In Serca2^flox/flox Tg(αMHC-Cre) embryos with early homozygous cardiac Serca2 disruption, normal embryonic development and yolk sac circulation was maintained up to at least embryonic stage E10.5. The Serca2^flox mouse is the first murine conditional gene disruption model for the SERCA family of Ca²⁺ ATPases, and should be a powerful tool for investigating specific physiological roles of SERCA2 function in a range of tissues and organs in vivo both in adult and embryonic stages.     

E2 Polyubiquitin-conjugating Enzyme Ubc13 in Keratinocytes Is Essential for Epidermal Integrity

The E2 polyubiquitin-conjugating enzyme Ubc13 is a mediator of innate immune reactions. Ubc13 mediates the conjugation of keratin (K)63-linked polyubiquitin chains onto TNF receptor-associated factor 6 and IKKγ during NF-κB activation. In contrast to K48-linked polyubiquitin chains, K63-linked polyubiquitin chains function in nonproteasomal biological processes. Although Ubc13 has been shown to be critical for Toll-like receptor (TLR) and IL-1 receptor signaling, the function of Ubc13 in the epidermis has not been studied. We generated keratinocyte-specific Ubc13-deficient mice (Ubc13^flox/floxK5-Cre). At birth, the skin of the Ubc13^flox/floxK5-Cre mice was abnormally shiny and smooth; in addition, the mice did not grow and died by postnatal day 2. Histological analysis showed atrophy of the epidermis with keratinocyte apoptosis. Immunohistochemical analyses revealed reduced proliferation, abnormal differentiation, and apoptosis of keratinocytes in the Ubc13^flox/floxK5-Cre mouse epidermis. In culture, Ubc13^flox/floxK5-Cre keratinocyte growth was impaired, and spontaneous cell death occurred. Moreover, the deletion of Ubc13 from cultured Ubc13^flox/flox keratinocytes by means of an adenoviral vector carrying Cre recombinase also resulted in spontaneous cell death. Therefore, Ubc13 is essential for keratinocyte growth, differentiation, and survival. Analyses of intracellular signaling revealed that the IL-1 and TNF-induced activation of JNK, p38, and NF-κB pathways was impaired in Ubc13^flox/floxK5-Cre keratinocytes. In conclusion, Ubc13 appears to be essential for epidermal integrity in mice.     

Oligodendrocyte Precursor Cells Support Blood-Brain Barrier Integrity via TGF-β Signaling

Trophic coupling between cerebral endothelium and their neighboring cells is required for the development and maintenance of blood-brain barrier (BBB) function. Here we report that oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) secrete soluble factor TGF-β1 to support BBB integrity. Firstly, we prepared conditioned media from OPC cultures and added them to cerebral endothelial cultures. Our pharmacological experiments showed that OPC-conditioned media increased expressions of tight-junction proteins and decreased in vitro BBB permeability by activating TGB-β-receptor-MEK/ERK signaling pathway. Secondly, our immuno-electron microscopic observation revealed that in neonatal mouse brains, OPCs attach to cerebral endothelial cells via basal lamina. And finally, we developed a novel transgenic mouse line that TGF-β1 is knocked down specifically in OPCs. Neonates of these OPC-specific TGF-β1 deficient mice (OPC-specific TGF-β1 partial KO mice: Pdgfra^Cre/Tgfb1^flox/wt mice or OPC-specific TGF-β1 total KO mice: Pdgfra^Cre/Tgfb1^flox/flox mice) exhibited cerebral hemorrhage and loss of BBB function. Taken together, our current study demonstrates that OPCs increase BBB tightness by upregulating tight junction proteins via TGF-β signaling. Although astrocytes and pericytes are well-known regulators of BBB maturation and maintenance, these findings indicate that OPCs also play a pivotal role in promoting BBB integrity.     

Generation of cortactin floxed mice and cellular analysis of motility in fibroblasts

Cortactin is an F‐actin binding protein that has been suggested to play key roles in various cellular functions. Here, we generated mice carrying floxed alleles of the cortactin (Cttn) gene (Cttn^flox/flox mice). Expression of Cre recombinase in mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) isolated from Cttn^flox/flox embryos depleted cortactin within days, without disturbing F‐actin distribution and localization of multiple actin‐binding proteins. Cre‐mediated deletion of Cttn also did not affect cell migration. To obtain mice with a Cttn null allele, we next crossed Cttn^flox/flox mice with transgenic mice that express Cre recombinase ubiquitously. Western blot and immunocytochemical analysis confirmed complete elimination of cortactin expression in MEFs carrying homozygously Cttn null alleles. However, we found no marked alteration of F‐actin organization and cell migration in Cttn null‐MEFs. Thus, our results indicate that depletion of cortactin in MEFs does not profoundly influence actin‐dependent cell motility. genesis 47:638–646, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Conditional Mesenchymal Disruption of Pkd1 Results in Osteopenia and Polycystic Kidney Disease

Conditional deletion of Pkd1 in osteoblasts using either Osteocalcin(Oc)-Cre or Dmp1-Cre results in defective osteoblast-mediated postnatal bone formation and osteopenia. Pkd1 is also expressed in undifferentiated mesenchyme that gives rise to the osteoblast lineage. To examine the effects of Pkd1 on prenatal osteoblast development, we crossed Pkd1 ^flox/flox and Col1a1(3.6)-Cre mice, which has been used to achieve selective inactivation of Pkd1 earlier in the osteoblast lineage. Control Pkd1 ^flox/flox and Pkd1 ^flox/+, heterozygous Col1a1(3.6)-Cre;Pkd1 ^flox/+ and Pkd1 ^flox/null, and homozygous Col1a1(3.6)-Cre;Pkd1 ^flox/flox and Col1a1(3.6)-Cre;Pkd1 ^flox/null mice were analyzed at ages ranging from E14.5 to 8-weeks-old. Newborn Col1a1(3.6)-Cre;Pkd1 ^flox/null mice exhibited defective skeletogenesis in association with a greater reduction in Pkd1 expression in bone. Conditional Col1a1(3.6)-Cre;Pkd1 ^flox/+ and Col1a1(3.6)-Cre;Pkd1 ^flox/flox mice displayed a gene dose-dependent decrease in bone formation and increase in marrow fat at 6 weeks of age. Bone marrow stromal cell and primary osteoblast cultures from homozygous Col1a1(3.6)-Cre;Pkd1 ^flox/flox mice showed increased proliferation, impaired osteoblast development and enhanced adipogenesis ex vivo. Unexpectedly, we found evidence for Col1a1(3.6)-Cre mediated deletion of Pkd1 in extraskeletal tissues in Col1a1(3.6)-Cre;Pkd1 ^flox/flox mice. Deletion of Pkd1 in mesenchymal precursors resulted in pancreatic and renal, but not hepatic, cyst formation. The non-lethality of Col1a1(3.6)-Cre;Pkd1 ^flox/flox mice establishes a new model to study abnormalities in bone development and cyst formation in pancreas and kidney caused by Pkd1 gene inactivation.     

Yes‐associated protein expression in germ cells is dispensable for spermatogenesis in mice

Yes‐associated protein (YAP), a key effector of the Hippo signaling pathway, is expressed in the nucleus of spermatogonia in mice, suggesting a potential role in spermatogenesis. Here, we report the generation of a conditional knockout mouse model (Yap^flox/flox; Ddx4^cre/+) that specifically inactivates Yap in the germ cells. The inactivation of Yap in spermatogonia was found to be highly efficient in this model. The loss of Yap in the germ cells had no observable effect on spermatogenesis in vivo. Histological examination of the testes showed no structural differences between mutant animals and age‐matched Yap^flox/flox controls, nor was any differences detected in gonadosomatic index, expression of germ cell markers or sperm counts. Cluster‐forming assay using undifferentiated spermatogonia, including spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs), also showed that YAP is dispensable for SSC cluster formation in vitro. However, an increase in the expression of spermatogenesis and oogenesis basic helix–loop–helix 1 (Sohlh1) and neurogenin 3 (Ngn3) was observed in clusters derived from Yap^flox/flox; Ddx4^cre/+ animals. Taken together, these results suggest that YAP fine‐tunes the expression of genes associated with spermatogonial fate commitment, but that its loss is not sufficient to alter spermatogenesis in vivo.     

Spreading of pathological TDP-43 along corticospinal tract axons induces ALS-like phenotypes in Atg5+/- mice

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease, characterized by phosphorylated TDP-43 (pTDP-43)-positive inclusions in neurons and glial cells. However, the pathogenic mechanism that underlies ALS remains largely unknown. To investigate the effects of autophagy deficiency in the formation and spreading of pathological TDP-43 along corticospinal tract axons, TDP-43 preformed fibrils (PFFs) were prepared and unilaterally injected into the fifth layer of the left primary motor cortex (M1) or the left anterior horn of the seventh cervical spinal cord segment (C7) of Atg5^+/- mice. After the injection of TDP-43 PFFs, the elevated levels of pTDP-43 were present in several pyramidal tract-associated regions of Atg5^+/- mice. Additionally, the occurrence of spontaneous potentials detected by electromyography demonstrates evidence of lower motor neuron dysfunction in M1-TDP-43 PFFs-injected Atg5^+/- mice, and prolonged central motor conduction time detected by motor evoked potentials provides evidence of upper motor neuron dysfunction in C7-TDP-43 PFFs-injected Atg5^+/- mice. These results show that injection of TDP-43 PFFs into the M1 or C7 of Atg5^+/- mice induces the spreading of pathological TDP-43 along corticospinal tract axons in both an anterograde and retrograde manner. Importantly, TDP-43 PFFs-injected Atg5^+/- mice also display ALS-like motor dysfunction. Taken together, our findings provide direct evidence that TDP-43 PFFs-injected Atg5^+/- mice exhibited ALS-like neuropathology and motor phenotypes, suggesting that autophagy deficiency promotes the formation and spreading of pathological TDP-43 in vivo.