@article{14794, abstract = {Mosaic analysis with double markers (MADM) technology enables the sparse labeling of genetically defined neurons. We present a protocol for time-lapse imaging of cortical projection neuron migration in mice using MADM. We describe steps for the isolation, culturing, and 4D imaging of neuronal dynamics in MADM-labeled brain tissue. While this protocol is compatible with other single-cell labeling methods, the MADM approach provides a genetic platform for the functional assessment of cell-autonomous candidate gene function and the relative contribution of non-cell-autonomous effects. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Hansen et al. (2022),1 Contreras et al. (2021),2 and Amberg and Hippenmeyer (2021).3}, author = {Hansen, Andi H and Hippenmeyer, Simon}, issn = {2666-1667}, journal = {STAR Protocols}, number = {1}, publisher = {Elsevier}, title = {{Time-lapse imaging of cortical projection neuron migration in mice using mosaic analysis with double markers}}, doi = {10.1016/j.xpro.2023.102795}, volume = {5}, year = {2024}, } @article{10791, abstract = {The mammalian neocortex is composed of diverse neuronal and glial cell classes that broadly arrange in six distinct laminae. Cortical layers emerge during development and defects in the developmental programs that orchestrate cortical lamination are associated with neurodevelopmental diseases. The developmental principle of cortical layer formation depends on concerted radial projection neuron migration, from their birthplace to their final target position. Radial migration occurs in defined sequential steps, regulated by a large array of signaling pathways. However, based on genetic loss-of-function experiments, most studies have thus far focused on the role of cell-autonomous gene function. Yet, cortical neuron migration in situ is a complex process and migrating neurons traverse along diverse cellular compartments and environments. The role of tissue-wide properties and genetic state in radial neuron migration is however not clear. Here we utilized mosaic analysis with double markers (MADM) technology to either sparsely or globally delete gene function, followed by quantitative single-cell phenotyping. The MADM-based gene ablation paradigms in combination with computational modeling demonstrated that global tissue-wide effects predominate cell-autonomous gene function albeit in a gene-specific manner. Our results thus suggest that the genetic landscape in a tissue critically affects the overall migration phenotype of individual cortical projection neurons. In a broader context, our findings imply that global tissue-wide effects represent an essential component of the underlying etiology associated with focal malformations of cortical development in particular, and neurological diseases in general.}, author = {Hansen, Andi H and Pauler, Florian and Riedl, Michael and Streicher, Carmen and Heger, Anna-Magdalena and Laukoter, Susanne and Sommer, Christoph M and Nicolas, Armel and Hof, Björn and Tsai, Li Huei and Rülicke, Thomas and Hippenmeyer, Simon}, issn = {2753-149X}, journal = {Oxford Open Neuroscience}, number = {1}, publisher = {Oxford Academic}, title = {{Tissue-wide effects override cell-intrinsic gene function in radial neuron migration}}, doi = {10.1093/oons/kvac009}, volume = {1}, year = {2022}, } @article{8546, abstract = {Brain neurons arise from relatively few progenitors generating an enormous diversity of neuronal types. Nonetheless, a cardinal feature of mammalian brain neurogenesis is thought to be that excitatory and inhibitory neurons derive from separate, spatially segregated progenitors. Whether bi-potential progenitors with an intrinsic capacity to generate both lineages exist and how such a fate decision may be regulated are unknown. Using cerebellar development as a model, we discover that individual progenitors can give rise to both inhibitory and excitatory lineages. Gradations of Notch activity determine the fates of the progenitors and their daughters. Daughters with the highest levels of Notch activity retain the progenitor fate, while intermediate levels of Notch activity generate inhibitory neurons, and daughters with very low levels of Notch signaling adopt the excitatory fate. Therefore, Notch-mediated binary cell fate choice is a mechanism for regulating the ratio of excitatory to inhibitory neurons from common progenitors.}, author = {Zhang, Tingting and Liu, Tengyuan and Mora, Natalia and Guegan, Justine and Bertrand, Mathilde and Contreras, Ximena and Hansen, Andi H and Streicher, Carmen and Anderle, Marica and Danda, Natasha and Tiberi, Luca and Hippenmeyer, Simon and Hassan, Bassem A.}, issn = { 22111247}, journal = {Cell Reports}, number = {10}, publisher = {Elsevier}, title = {{Generation of excitatory and inhibitory neurons from common progenitors via Notch signaling in the cerebellum}}, doi = {10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109208}, volume = {35}, year = {2021}, } @article{9603, abstract = {Mosaic analysis with double markers (MADM) offers one approach to visualize and concomitantly manipulate genetically defined cells in mice with single-cell resolution. MADM applications include the analysis of lineage, single-cell morphology and physiology, genomic imprinting phenotypes, and dissection of cell-autonomous gene functions in vivo in health and disease. Yet, MADM can only be applied to <25% of all mouse genes on select chromosomes to date. To overcome this limitation, we generate transgenic mice with knocked-in MADM cassettes near the centromeres of all 19 autosomes and validate their use across organs. With this resource, >96% of the entire mouse genome can now be subjected to single-cell genetic mosaic analysis. Beyond a proof of principle, we apply our MADM library to systematically trace sister chromatid segregation in distinct mitotic cell lineages. We find striking chromosome-specific biases in segregation patterns, reflecting a putative mechanism for the asymmetric segregation of genetic determinants in somatic stem cell division.}, author = {Contreras, Ximena and Amberg, Nicole and Davaatseren, Amarbayasgalan and Hansen, Andi H and Sonntag, Johanna and Andersen, Lill and Bernthaler, Tina and Streicher, Carmen and Heger, Anna-Magdalena and Johnson, Randy L. and Schwarz, Lindsay A. and Luo, Liqun and Rülicke, Thomas and Hippenmeyer, Simon}, issn = {22111247}, journal = {Cell Reports}, number = {12}, publisher = {Cell Press}, title = {{A genome-wide library of MADM mice for single-cell genetic mosaic analysis}}, doi = {10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109274}, volume = {35}, year = {2021}, } @phdthesis{9962, abstract = {The brain is one of the largest and most complex organs and it is composed of billions of neurons that communicate together enabling e.g. consciousness. The cerebral cortex is the largest site of neural integration in the central nervous system. Concerted radial migration of newly born cortical projection neurons, from their birthplace to their final position, is a key step in the assembly of the cerebral cortex. The cellular and molecular mechanisms regulating radial neuronal migration in vivo are however still unclear. Recent evidence suggests that distinct signaling cues act cell-autonomously but differentially at certain steps during the overall migration process. Moreover, functional analysis of genetic mosaics (mutant neurons present in wild-type/heterozygote environment) using the MADM (Mosaic Analysis with Double Markers) analyses in comparison to global knockout also indicate a significant degree of non-cell-autonomous and/or community effects in the control of cortical neuron migration. The interactions of cell-intrinsic (cell-autonomous) and cell-extrinsic (non-cell-autonomous) components are largely unknown. In part of this thesis work we established a MADM-based experimental strategy for the quantitative analysis of cell-autonomous gene function versus non-cell-autonomous and/or community effects. The direct comparison of mutant neurons from the genetic mosaic (cell-autonomous) to mutant neurons in the conditional and/or global knockout (cell-autonomous + non-cell-autonomous) allows to quantitatively analyze non-cell-autonomous effects. Such analysis enable the high-resolution analysis of projection neuron migration dynamics in distinct environments with concomitant isolation of genomic and proteomic profiles. Using these experimental paradigms and in combination with computational modeling we show and characterize the nature of non-cell-autonomous effects to coordinate radial neuron migration. Furthermore, this thesis discusses recent developments in neurodevelopment with focus on neuronal polarization and non-cell-autonomous mechanisms in neuronal migration.}, author = {Hansen, Andi H}, issn = {2663-337X}, keywords = {Neuronal migration, Non-cell-autonomous, Cell-autonomous, Neurodevelopmental disease}, pages = {182}, publisher = {Institute of Science and Technology Austria}, title = {{Cell-autonomous gene function and non-cell-autonomous effects in radial projection neuron migration}}, doi = {10.15479/at:ista:9962}, year = {2021}, } @article{8162, abstract = {In mammalian genomes, a subset of genes is regulated by genomic imprinting, resulting in silencing of one parental allele. Imprinting is essential for cerebral cortex development, but prevalence and functional impact in individual cells is unclear. Here, we determined allelic expression in cortical cell types and established a quantitative platform to interrogate imprinting in single cells. We created cells with uniparental chromosome disomy (UPD) containing two copies of either the maternal or the paternal chromosome; hence, imprinted genes will be 2-fold overexpressed or not expressed. By genetic labeling of UPD, we determined cellular phenotypes and transcriptional responses to deregulated imprinted gene expression at unprecedented single-cell resolution. We discovered an unexpected degree of cell-type specificity and a novel function of imprinting in the regulation of cortical astrocyte survival. More generally, our results suggest functional relevance of imprinted gene expression in glial astrocyte lineage and thus for generating cortical cell-type diversity.}, author = {Laukoter, Susanne and Pauler, Florian and Beattie, Robert J and Amberg, Nicole and Hansen, Andi H and Streicher, Carmen and Penz, Thomas and Bock, Christoph and Hippenmeyer, Simon}, issn = {0896-6273}, journal = {Neuron}, number = {6}, pages = {1160--1179.e9}, publisher = {Elsevier}, title = {{Cell-type specificity of genomic imprinting in cerebral cortex}}, doi = {10.1016/j.neuron.2020.06.031}, volume = {107}, year = {2020}, } @article{8569, abstract = {Concerted radial migration of newly born cortical projection neurons, from their birthplace to their final target lamina, is a key step in the assembly of the cerebral cortex. The cellular and molecular mechanisms regulating the specific sequential steps of radial neuronal migration in vivo are however still unclear, let alone the effects and interactions with the extracellular environment. In any in vivo context, cells will always be exposed to a complex extracellular environment consisting of (1) secreted factors acting as potential signaling cues, (2) the extracellular matrix, and (3) other cells providing cell–cell interaction through receptors and/or direct physical stimuli. Most studies so far have described and focused mainly on intrinsic cell-autonomous gene functions in neuronal migration but there is accumulating evidence that non-cell-autonomous-, local-, systemic-, and/or whole tissue-wide effects substantially contribute to the regulation of radial neuronal migration. These non-cell-autonomous effects may differentially affect cortical neuron migration in distinct cellular environments. However, the cellular and molecular natures of such non-cell-autonomous mechanisms are mostly unknown. Furthermore, physical forces due to collective migration and/or community effects (i.e., interactions with surrounding cells) may play important roles in neocortical projection neuron migration. In this concise review, we first outline distinct models of non-cell-autonomous interactions of cortical projection neurons along their radial migration trajectory during development. We then summarize experimental assays and platforms that can be utilized to visualize and potentially probe non-cell-autonomous mechanisms. Lastly, we define key questions to address in the future.}, author = {Hansen, Andi H and Hippenmeyer, Simon}, issn = {2296-634X}, journal = {Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology}, number = {9}, publisher = {Frontiers}, title = {{Non-cell-autonomous mechanisms in radial projection neuron migration in the developing cerebral cortex}}, doi = {10.3389/fcell.2020.574382}, volume = {8}, year = {2020}, } @article{7815, abstract = {Beginning from a limited pool of progenitors, the mammalian cerebral cortex forms highly organized functional neural circuits. However, the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms regulating lineage transitions of neural stem cells (NSCs) and eventual production of neurons and glia in the developing neuroepithelium remains unclear. Methods to trace NSC division patterns and map the lineage of clonally related cells have advanced dramatically. However, many contemporary lineage tracing techniques suffer from the lack of cellular resolution of progeny cell fate, which is essential for deciphering progenitor cell division patterns. Presented is a protocol using mosaic analysis with double markers (MADM) to perform in vivo clonal analysis. MADM concomitantly manipulates individual progenitor cells and visualizes precise division patterns and lineage progression at unprecedented single cell resolution. MADM-based interchromosomal recombination events during the G2-X phase of mitosis, together with temporally inducible CreERT2, provide exact information on the birth dates of clones and their division patterns. Thus, MADM lineage tracing provides unprecedented qualitative and quantitative optical readouts of the proliferation mode of stem cell progenitors at the single cell level. MADM also allows for examination of the mechanisms and functional requirements of candidate genes in NSC lineage progression. This method is unique in that comparative analysis of control and mutant subclones can be performed in the same tissue environment in vivo. Here, the protocol is described in detail, and experimental paradigms to employ MADM for clonal analysis and lineage tracing in the developing cerebral cortex are demonstrated. Importantly, this protocol can be adapted to perform MADM clonal analysis in any murine stem cell niche, as long as the CreERT2 driver is present.}, author = {Beattie, Robert J and Streicher, Carmen and Amberg, Nicole and Cheung, Giselle T and Contreras, Ximena and Hansen, Andi H and Hippenmeyer, Simon}, issn = {1940-087X}, journal = {Journal of Visual Experiments}, number = {159}, publisher = {MyJove Corporation}, title = {{Lineage tracing and clonal analysis in developing cerebral cortex using mosaic analysis with double markers (MADM)}}, doi = {10.3791/61147}, year = {2020}, } @article{547, abstract = {The formation of the vertebrate brain requires the generation, migration, differentiation and survival of neurons. Genetic mutations that perturb these critical cellular events can result in malformations of the telencephalon, providing a molecular window into brain development. Here we report the identification of an N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea-induced mouse mutant characterized by a fractured hippocampal pyramidal cell layer, attributable to defects in neuronal migration. We show that this is caused by a hypomorphic mutation in Vps15 that perturbs endosomal-lysosomal trafficking and autophagy, resulting in an upregulation of Nischarin, which inhibits Pak1 signaling. The complete ablation of Vps15 results in the accumulation of autophagic substrates, the induction of apoptosis and severe cortical atrophy. Finally, we report that mutations in VPS15 are associated with cortical atrophy and epilepsy in humans. These data highlight the importance of the Vps15-Vps34 complex and the Nischarin-Pak1 signaling hub in the development of the telencephalon.}, author = {Gstrein, Thomas and Edwards, Andrew and Přistoupilová, Anna and Leca, Ines and Breuss, Martin and Pilat Carotta, Sandra and Hansen, Andi H and Tripathy, Ratna and Traunbauer, Anna and Hochstoeger, Tobias and Rosoklija, Gavril and Repic, Marco and Landler, Lukas and Stránecký, Viktor and Dürnberger, Gerhard and Keane, Thomas and Zuber, Johannes and Adams, David and Flint, Jonathan and Honzik, Tomas and Gut, Marta and Beltran, Sergi and Mechtler, Karl and Sherr, Elliott and Kmoch, Stanislav and Gut, Ivo and Keays, David}, journal = {Nature Neuroscience}, number = {2}, pages = {207 -- 217}, publisher = {Nature Publishing Group}, title = {{Mutations in Vps15 perturb neuronal migration in mice and are associated with neurodevelopmental disease in humans}}, doi = {10.1038/s41593-017-0053-5}, volume = {21}, year = {2018}, } @article{1107, abstract = {The generation, migration, and differentiation of neurons requires the functional integrity of the microtubule cytoskeleton. Mutations in the tubulin gene family are known to cause various neurological diseases including lissencephaly, ocular motor disorders, polymicrogyria and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. We have previously reported that mutations in TUBB5 cause microcephaly that is accompanied by severe intellectual impairment and motor delay. Here we present the characterization of a Tubb5 mouse model that allows for the conditional expression of the pathogenic E401K mutation. Homozygous knockin animals exhibit a severe reduction in brain size and in body weight. These animals do not show any significant impairment in general activity, anxiety, or in the acoustic startle response, however, present with notable defects in motor coordination. When assessed on the static rod apparatus mice took longer to orient and often lost their balance completely. Interestingly, mutant animals also showed defects in prepulse inhibition, a phenotype associated with sensorimotor gating and considered an endophenotype for schizophrenia. This study provides insight into the behavioral consequences of tubulin gene mutations.}, author = {Breuss, Martin and Hansen, Andi H and Landler, Lukas and Keays, David}, issn = {01664328}, journal = {Behavioural Brain Research}, pages = {47 -- 55}, publisher = {Elsevier}, title = {{Brain specific knockin of the pathogenic Tubb5 E401K allele causes defects in motor coordination and prepulse inhibition}}, doi = {10.1016/j.bbr.2017.01.029}, volume = {323}, year = {2017}, } @article{1017, abstract = {The development of the vertebrate central nervous system is reliant on a complex cascade of biological processes that include mitotic division, relocation of migrating neurons, and the extension of dendritic and axonal processes. Each of these cellular events requires the diverse functional repertoire of the microtubule cytoskeleton for the generation of forces, assembly of macromolecular complexes and transport of molecules and organelles. The tubulins are a multi-gene family that encode for the constituents of microtubules, and have been implicated in a spectrum of neurological disorders. Evidence is building that different tubulins tune the functional properties of the microtubule cytoskeleton dependent on the cell type, developmental profile and subcellular localisation. Here we review of the origins of the functional specification of the tubulin gene family in the developing brain at a transcriptional, translational, and post-transcriptional level. We remind the reader that tubulins are not just loading controls for your average Western blot.}, author = {Breuss, Martin and Leca, Ines and Gstrein, Thomas and Hansen, Andi H and Keays, David}, issn = {10447431}, journal = {Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience}, pages = {58 -- 67}, publisher = {Academic Press}, title = {{Tubulins and brain development: The origins of functional specification}}, doi = {10.1016/j.mcn.2017.03.002}, volume = {84}, year = {2017}, } @article{1016, abstract = {The integrity and dynamic properties of the microtubule cytoskeleton are indispensable for the development of the mammalian brain. Consequently, mutations in the genes that encode the structural component (the α/β-tubulin heterodimer) can give rise to severe, sporadic neurodevelopmental disorders. These are commonly referred to as the tubulinopathies. Here we report the addition of recessive quadrupedalism, also known as Uner Tan syndrome (UTS), to the growing list of diseases caused by tubulin variants. Analysis of a consanguineous UTS family identified a biallelic TUBB2B mutation, resulting in a p.R390Q amino acid substitution. In addition to the identifying quadrupedal locomotion, all three patients showed severe cerebellar hypoplasia. None, however, displayed the basal ganglia malformations typically associated with TUBB2B mutations. Functional analysis of the R390Q substitution revealed that it did not affect the ability of β-tubulin to fold or become assembled into the α/β-heterodimer, nor did it influence the incorporation of mutant-containing heterodimers into microtubule polymers. The 390Q mutation in S. cerevisiae TUB2 did not affect growth under basal conditions, but did result in increased sensitivity to microtubule-depolymerizing drugs, indicative of a mild impact of this mutation on microtubule function. The TUBB2B mutation described here represents an unusual recessive mode of inheritance for missense-mediated tubulinopathies and reinforces the sensitivity of the developing cerebellum to microtubule defects.}, author = {Breuss, Martin and Nguyen, Thai and Srivatsan, Anjana and Leca, Ines and Tian, Guoling and Fritz, Tanja and Hansen, Andi H and Musaev, Damir and Mcevoy Venneri, Jennifer and Kiely, James and Rosti, Rasim and Scott, Eric and Tan, Uner and Kolodner, Richard and Cowan, Nicholas and Keays, David and Gleeson, Joseph}, issn = {09646906}, journal = {Human Molecular Genetics}, number = {2}, pages = {258 -- 269}, publisher = {Oxford University Press}, title = {{Uner Tan syndrome caused by a homozygous TUBB2B mutation affecting microtubule stability}}, doi = {10.1093/hmg/ddw383}, volume = {26}, year = {2017}, } @article{960, abstract = {The human cerebral cortex is the seat of our cognitive abilities and composed of an extraordinary number of neurons, organized in six distinct layers. The establishment of specific morphological and physiological features in individual neurons needs to be regulated with high precision. Impairments in the sequential developmental programs instructing corticogenesis lead to alterations in the cortical cytoarchitecture which is thought to represent the major underlying cause for several neurological disorders including neurodevelopmental and psychiatric diseases. In this review we discuss the role of cell polarity at sequential stages during cortex development. We first provide an overview of morphological cell polarity features in cortical neural stem cells and newly-born postmitotic neurons. We then synthesize a conceptual molecular and biochemical framework how cell polarity is established at the cellular level through a break in symmetry in nascent cortical projection neurons. Lastly we provide a perspective how the molecular mechanisms applying to single cells could be probed and integrated in an in vivo and tissue-wide context.}, author = {Hansen, Andi H and Düllberg, Christian F and Mieck, Christine and Loose, Martin and Hippenmeyer, Simon}, issn = {16625102}, journal = {Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience}, publisher = {Frontiers Research Foundation}, title = {{Cell polarity in cerebral cortex development - cellular architecture shaped by biochemical networks}}, doi = {10.3389/fncel.2017.00176}, volume = {11}, year = {2017}, } @article{1106, abstract = {Circumferential skin creases Kunze type (CSC-KT) is a specific congenital entity with an unknown genetic cause. The disease phenotype comprises characteristic circumferential skin creases accompanied by intellectual disability, a cleft palate, short stature, and dysmorphic features. Here, we report that mutations in either MAPRE2 or TUBB underlie the genetic origin of this syndrome. MAPRE2 encodes a member of the microtubule end-binding family of proteins that bind to the guanosine triphosphate cap at growing microtubule plus ends, and TUBB encodes a β-tubulin isotype that is expressed abundantly in the developing brain. Functional analyses of the TUBB mutants show multiple defects in the chaperone-dependent tubulin heterodimer folding and assembly pathway that leads to a compromised yield of native heterodimers. The TUBB mutations also have an impact on microtubule dynamics. For MAPRE2, we show that the mutations result in enhanced MAPRE2 binding to microtubules, implying an increased dwell time at microtubule plus ends. Further, in vivo analysis of MAPRE2 mutations in a zebrafish model of craniofacial development shows that the variants most likely perturb the patterning of branchial arches, either through excessive activity (under a recessive paradigm) or through haploinsufficiency (dominant de novo paradigm). Taken together, our data add CSC-KT to the growing list of tubulinopathies and highlight how multiple inheritance paradigms can affect dosage-sensitive biological systems so as to result in the same clinical defect.}, author = {Isrie, Mala and Breuss, Martin and Tian, Guoling and Hansen, Andi H and Cristofoli, Francesca and Morandell, Jasmin and Kupchinsky, Zachari A and Sifrim, Alejandro and Rodriguez Rodriguez, Celia and Dapena, Elena P and Doonanco, Kurston and Leonard, Norma and Tinsa, Faten and Moortgat, Stéphanie and Ulucan, Hakan and Koparir, Erkan and Karaca, Ender and Katsanis, Nicholas and Marton, Valeria and Vermeesch, Joris R and Davis, Erica E and Cowan, Nicholas J and Keays, David and Van Esch, Hilde}, journal = {The American Journal of Human Genetics}, number = {6}, pages = {790 -- 800}, publisher = {Cell Press}, title = {{Mutations in either TUBB or MAPRE2 cause circumferential skin creases Kunze type}}, doi = {10.1016/j.ajhg.2015.10.014}, volume = {97}, year = {2015}, }