Yong Tang

All Publications

• A dynamic formin-dependent deep F-actin network in axons. The Journal of cell biology Ganguly, A., Tang, Y., Wang, L., Ladt, K., Loi, J., Dargent, B., Leterrier, C., Roy, S. 2015; 210 (3): 401–17

  Abstract

  Although actin at neuronal growth cones is well-studied, much less is known about actin organization and dynamics along axon shafts and presynaptic boutons. Using probes that selectively label filamentous-actin (F-actin), we found focal "actin hotspots" along axons-spaced ∼3-4 µm apart-where actin undergoes continuous assembly/disassembly. These foci are a nidus for vigorous actin polymerization, generating long filaments spurting bidirectionally along axons-a phenomenon we call "actin trails." Super-resolution microscopy reveals intra-axonal deep actin filaments in addition to the subplasmalemmal "actin rings" described recently. F-actin hotspots colocalize with stationary axonal endosomes, and blocking vesicle transport diminishes the actin trails, suggesting mechanistic links between vesicles and F-actin kinetics. Actin trails are formin-but not Arp2/3-dependent and help enrich actin at presynaptic boutons. Finally, formin inhibition dramatically disrupts synaptic recycling. Collectively, available data suggest a two-tier F-actin organization in axons, with stable "actin rings" providing mechanical support to the plasma membrane and dynamic "actin trails" generating a flexible cytoskeletal network with putative physiological roles.

  View details for DOI 10.1083/jcb.201506110

  View details for PubMedID 26216902

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC4523607

• α-synuclein multimers cluster synaptic vesicles and attenuate recycling. Current biology : CB Wang, L., Das, U., Scott, D. A., Tang, Y., McLean, P. J., Roy, S. 2014; 24 (19): 2319–26

  Abstract

  The normal functions and pathologic facets of the small presynaptic protein α-synuclein (α-syn) are of exceptional interest. In previous studies, we found that α-syn attenuates synaptic exo/endocytosis; however, underlying mechanisms remain unknown. More recent evidence suggests that α-syn exists as metastable multimers and not solely as a natively unfolded monomer. However, conformations of α-syn at synapses--its physiologic locale--are unclear, and potential implications of such higher-order conformations to synaptic function are unknown. Exploring α-syn conformations and synaptic function in neurons, we found that α-syn promptly organizes into physiological multimers at synapses. Furthermore, our experiments indicate that α-syn multimers cluster synaptic vesicles and restrict their motility, suggesting a novel role for these higher-order structures. Supporting this, α-syn mutations that disrupt multimerization also fail to restrict synaptic vesicle motility or attenuate exo/endocytosis. We propose a model in which α-syn multimers cluster synaptic vesicles, restricting their trafficking and recycling, and consequently attenuate neurotransmitter release.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.cub.2014.08.027

  View details for PubMedID 25264250

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC4190006

• Fast vesicle transport is required for the slow axonal transport of synapsin. journal of neuroscience Tang, Y., Scott, D., Das, U., Gitler, D., Ganguly, A., Roy, S. 2013; 33 (39): 15362-15375

  Abstract

  Although it is known that cytosolic/soluble proteins synthesized in cell bodies are transported at much lower overall velocities than vesicles in fast axonal transport, the fundamental basis for this slow movement is unknown. Recently, we found that cytosolic proteins in axons of mouse cultured neurons are conveyed in a manner that superficially resembles diffusion, but with a slow anterograde bias that is energy- and motor-dependent (Scott et al., 2011). Here we show that slow axonal transport of synapsin, a prototypical member of this rate class, is dependent upon fast vesicle transport. Despite the distinct overall dynamics of slow and fast transport, experimentally induced and intrinsic variations in vesicle transport have analogous effects on slow transport of synapsin as well. Dynamic cotransport of vesicles and synapsin particles is also seen in axons, consistent with a model where higher-order assemblies of synapsin are conveyed by transient and probabilistic associations with vesicles moving in fast axonal transport. We posit that such dynamic associations generate the slow overall anterogradely biased flow of the population ("dynamic-recruitment model"). Our studies uncover the underlying kinetic basis for a classic cytosolic/soluble protein moving in slow axonal transport and reveal previously unknown links between slow and fast transport, offering a clearer conceptual picture of this curious phenomenon.

  View details for DOI 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1148-13.2013

  View details for PubMedID 24068803

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC3782618

• Activity-Induced Convergence of APP and BACE-1 in Acidic Microdomains via an Endocytosis-Dependent Pathway NEURON Das, U., Scott, D. A., Ganguly, A., Koo, E. H., Tang, Y., Roy, S. 2013; 79 (3): 447-460

  Abstract

  The convergence of APP (substrate) and BACE-1 (enzyme) is a rate-limiting, obligatory event triggering the amyloidogenic pathway-a key step in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology. However, as both APP/BACE-1 are highly expressed in brain, mechanisms precluding their unabated convergence are unclear. Exploring dynamic localization of APP/BACE-1 in cultured hippocampal neurons, we found that after synthesis via the secretory pathway, dendritic APP/BACE-1-containing vesicles are largely segregated in physiologic states. While BACE-1 is sorted into acidic recycling endosomes, APP is conveyed in Golgi-derived vesicles. However, upon activity induction-a known trigger of the amyloidogenic pathway-APP is routed into BACE-1-positive recycling endosomes via a clathrin-dependent mechanism. A partitioning/convergence of APP/BACE-1 vesicles is also apparent in control/AD brains, respectively. Considering BACE-1 is optimally active in an acidic environment, our experiments suggest that neurons have evolved trafficking strategies that normally limit APP/BACE-1 proximity and also uncover a pathway routing APP into BACE-1-containing organelles, triggering amyloidogenesis.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.neuron.2013.05.035

  View details for Web of Science ID 000323085100007

  View details for PubMedID 23931995

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC3741682

• The Slow Axonal Transport of Alpha-Synuclein-Mechanistic Commonalities Amongst Diverse Cytosolic Cargoes (vol 69, pg 506, 2012) CYTOSKELETON Tang, Y., Das, U., Scott, D. A., Roy, S. 2013; 70 (4): 240-240

  View details for DOI 10.1002/cm.21101

  View details for Web of Science ID 000317866100006

• Early and Selective Impairments in Axonal Transport Kinetics of Synaptic Cargoes Induced by Soluble Amyloid beta-Protein Oligomers TRAFFIC Tang, Y., Scott, D. A., Das, U., Edland, S. D., Radomski, K., Koo, E. H., Roy, S. 2012; 13 (5): 681-693

  Abstract

  The downstream targets of amyloid β (Aβ)-oligomers remain elusive. One hypothesis is that Aβ-oligomers interrupt axonal transport. Although previous studies have demonstrated Aβ-induced transport blockade, early effects of low-n soluble Aβ-oligomers on axonal transport remain unclear. Furthermore, the cargo selectivity for such deficits (if any) or the specific effects of Aβ on the motility kinetics of transported cargoes are also unknown. Toward this, we visualized axonal transport of vesicles in cultured hippocampal neurons treated with picomolar (pm) levels of cell-derived soluble Aβ-oligomers. We examined select cargoes thought to move as distinct organelles and established imaging parameters that allow organelle tracking with consistency and high fidelity - analyzing all data in a blinded fashion. Aβ-oligomers induced early and selective diminutions in velocities of synaptic cargoes but had no effect on mitochondrial motility, contrary to previous reports. These changes were N-methyl D-aspartate receptor/glycogen synthase kinase-3β dependent and reversible upon washout of the oligomers. Cluster-mode analyses reveal selective attenuations in faster-moving synaptic vesicles, suggesting possible decreases in cargo/motor associations, and biochemical experiments implicate tau phosphorylation in the process. Collectively, the data provide a biological basis for Aβ-induced axonal transport deficits.

  View details for DOI 10.1111/j.1600-0854.2012.01340.x

  View details for Web of Science ID 000302621300006

  View details for PubMedID 22309053

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC3593673

• A simple photoactivation and image analysis module for visualizing and analyzing axonal transport with high temporal resolution NATURE PROTOCOLS Roy, S., Yang, G., Tang, Y., Scott, D. A. 2012; 7 (1): 62-68

  Abstract

  We describe a strategy for analyzing axonal transport of cytosolic proteins (CPs) using photoactivatable GFP-PAGFP-with modifications of standard imaging components that can be retroactively fitted to a conventional epifluorescence microscope. The photoactivation and visualization are nearly simultaneous, allowing studies of proteins with rapidly mobile fractions. Cultured hippocampal neurons are transfected with PAGFP-tagged constructs, a discrete protein population within axons is photoactivated, and then the activated population is tracked by live imaging. We show the utility of this method in analyzing axonal transport of CPs that have inherent diffusible pools and distinguish this transport modality from passive diffusion and vesicle transport. The analytical tools used to quantify the motion are also described. Aside from the time needed for preparation of neuronal cultures/transfection, the experiment takes 2-3 h, during which time several axons can be imaged and analyzed. These methods should be easy to adopt by most laboratories and may also be useful for monitoring CP movement in other cell types.

  View details for DOI 10.1038/nprot.2011.428

  View details for Web of Science ID 000299108900006

  View details for PubMedID 22179592

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC3568933

• Mechanistic Logic Underlying the Axonal Transport of Cytosolic Proteins NEURON Scott, D. A., Das, U., Tang, Y., Roy, S. 2011; 70 (3): 441-454

  Abstract

  Proteins vital to presynaptic function are synthesized in the neuronal perikarya and delivered into synapses via two modes of axonal transport. While membrane-anchoring proteins are conveyed in fast axonal transport via motor-driven vesicles, cytosolic proteins travel in slow axonal transport via mechanisms that are poorly understood. We found that in cultured axons, populations of cytosolic proteins tagged to photoactivatable GFP (PAGFP) move with a slow motor-dependent anterograde bias distinct from both vesicular trafficking and diffusion of untagged PAGFP. The overall bias is likely generated by an intricate particle kinetics involving transient assembly and short-range vectorial spurts. In vivo biochemical studies reveal that cytosolic proteins are organized into higher order structures within axon-enriched fractions that are largely segregated from vesicles. Data-driven biophysical modeling best predicts a scenario where soluble molecules dynamically assemble into mobile supramolecular structures. We propose a model where cytosolic proteins are transported by dynamically assembling into multiprotein complexes that are directly/indirectly conveyed by motors.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.neuron.2011.03.022

  View details for Web of Science ID 000290926100007

  View details for PubMedID 21555071

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC3096075

• A Pathologic Cascade Leading to Synaptic Dysfunction in alpha-Synuclein-Induced Neurodegeneration JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE Scott, D. A., Tabarean, I., Tang, Y., Cartier, A., Masliah, E., Roy, S. 2010; 30 (24): 8083-8095

  Abstract

  Several neurodegenerative diseases are typified by intraneuronal alpha-synuclein deposits, synaptic dysfunction, and dementia. While even modest alpha-synuclein elevations can be pathologic, the precise cascade of events induced by excessive alpha-synuclein and eventually culminating in synaptotoxicity is unclear. To elucidate this, we developed a quantitative model system to evaluate evolving alpha-synuclein-induced pathologic events with high spatial and temporal resolution, using cultured neurons from brains of transgenic mice overexpressing fluorescent-human-alpha-synuclein. Transgenic alpha-synuclein was pathologically altered over time and overexpressing neurons showed striking neurotransmitter release deficits and enlarged synaptic vesicles; a phenotype reminiscent of previous animal models lacking critical presynaptic proteins. Indeed, several endogenous presynaptic proteins involved in exocytosis and endocytosis were undetectable in a subset of transgenic boutons ("vacant synapses") with diminished levels in the remainder, suggesting that such diminutions were triggering the overall synaptic pathology. Similar synaptic protein alterations were also retrospectively seen in human pathologic brains, highlighting potential relevance to human disease. Collectively the data suggest a previously unknown cascade of events where pathologic alpha-synuclein leads to a loss of a number of critical presynaptic proteins, thereby inducing functional synaptic deficits.

  View details for DOI 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1091-10.2010

  View details for Web of Science ID 000278856300004

  View details for PubMedID 20554859

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC2901533