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Wakasugi K, Takahashi N, Uchida H, Watanabe S. Species-specific functional evolution of neuroglobin. Mar Genomics 2011; 4:137-42. [DOI: 10.1016/j.margen.2011.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2011] [Revised: 03/03/2011] [Accepted: 03/05/2011] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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52
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Brittain T, Skommer J, Henty K, Birch N, Raychaudhuri S. A role for human neuroglobin in apoptosis. IUBMB Life 2011; 62:878-85. [PMID: 21190290 DOI: 10.1002/iub.405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Over the past decade, following the discovery of the human heme protein neuroglobin, many studies have searched for evidence for this protein's mechanism of action. Much data has accrued showing that high levels of neuroglobin will protect cells from apoptotic cell death, following a wide range of challenges. Various explanations of its actions, based on measured reactivity with oxygen, nitric oxide, or free radicals, have been proposed, but none have, as yet, been substantiated in vivo. Following preliminary experiments, it was previously hypothesised that "the central role of neuroglobin in highly metabolically active cells and retinal and brain neurons is to reset the trigger level of mitochondrial cytochrome c release necessary to commit the cells to apoptosis" (I.U.M.B.M. Life (2008) 60, 398). In this article, we review the evidence, which has accumulated to support this hypothesised mechanism of action of neuroglobin and integrate this data, with other reported intracellular functions of neuroglobin, to suggest a plausible central role for neuroglobin in the control of apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Brittain
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
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Dietz GPH. Protection by neuroglobin and cell-penetrating peptide-mediated delivery in vivo: a decade of research. Comment on Cai et al: TAT-mediated delivery of neuroglobin protects against focal cerebral ischemia in mice. Exp Neurol. 2011; 227(1): 224-31. Exp Neurol 2011; 231:1-10. [PMID: 21620833 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2011.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2011] [Revised: 05/04/2011] [Accepted: 05/10/2011] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
Over the last decade, numerous studies have suggested that neuroglobin is able to protect against the effects of ischemia. However, such results have mostly been based on models using transgenic overexpression or viral delivery. As a therapy, new technology would need to be applied to enable delivery of high concentrations of neuroglobin shortly after the patient suffers the stroke. An approach to deliver proteins in ischemia in vivo in a timely manner is the use of cell-penetrating peptides (CPP). CPP have been used in animal models for brain diseases for about a decade as well. In a recent issue of Experimental Neurology, Cai and colleagues test the effect of CPP-coupled neuroglobin in an in vivo stroke model. They find that the fusion protein protects the brain against the effect of ischemia when applied before stroke onset. Here, a concise review of neuroglobin research and the application of CPP peptides in hypoxia and ischemia is provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gunnar P H Dietz
- Dep. 851, Neurodegeneration II, H. Lundbeck A/S, Ottiliavej 9, 2500 Valby, Denmark.
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54
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Chen LM, Xiong YS, Kong FL, Qu M, Wang Q, Chen XQ, Wang JZ, Zhu LQ. Neuroglobin attenuates Alzheimer-like tau hyperphosphorylation by activating Akt signaling. J Neurochem 2011; 120:157-64. [PMID: 21496024 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2011.07275.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Neuroglobin (Ngb) is a recently identified member of hemoglobin family, distributed mainly in central and peripheral nervous systems. Recent studies suggest that Ngb can protect neural cells from β-amyloid-induced toxicity in Alzheimer disease (AD). Hyperphosphorylation of tau is another characterized pathological hallmark in the AD brains; however, it is not reported whether Ngb also affects tau phosphorylation. In this study, we found that the level of Ngb was significantly reduced in Tg2576 mice (a recognized mouse model of AD) and TgMAPt mice, and the level of Ngb was negatively correlated with tau phosphorylation. Over-expression of Ngb attenuates tau hyperphosphorylation at multiple AD-related sites induced by up-regulation of glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β), a crucial tau kinase. While Ngb activates Akt and thus inhibits GSK-3β, simultaneously inhibition of Akt abolishes the effects of Ngb on GSK-3β inhibition and tau hyperphosphorylation. Our data indicate that Ngb may attenuate tau hyperphosphorylation through activating Akt signaling pathway, implying a therapeutic target for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Ming Chen
- Pathophysiology Department, Key Laboratory of Neurological Disease of Education Committee of China, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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Watanabe S, Wakasugi K. Module M1 of zebrafish neuroglobin acts as a structural and functional protein building block for a cell-membrane-penetrating activity. PLoS One 2011; 6:e16808. [PMID: 21304818 PMCID: PMC3033418 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0016808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2010] [Accepted: 12/31/2010] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroglobin (Ngb) is a recently discovered vertebrate globin that is expressed in the brain and can reversibly bind oxygen. Mammalian Ngb is involved in neuroprotection during oxidative stress that occurs, for example, during ischemia and reperfusion. Recently, we found that zebrafish, but not human, Ngb can translocate into cells. Moreover, we demonstrated that a chimeric ZHHH Ngb protein, in which the module M1 of human Ngb is replaced by the corresponding region of zebrafish Ngb, can penetrate cell membranes and protect cells against oxidative stress-induced cell death, suggesting that module M1 of zebrafish Ngb is important for protein transduction. Furthermore, we recently showed that Lys7, Lys9, Lys21, and Lys23 in module M1 of zebrafish Ngb are crucial for protein transduction activity. In the present study, we have investigated whether module M1 of zebrafish Ngb can be used as a building block to create novel cell-membrane-penetrating folded proteins. First, we engineered a chimeric myoglobin (Mb), in which module M1 of zebrafish Ngb was fused to the N-terminus of full-length human Mb, and investigated its functional and structural properties. Our results showed that this chimeric Mb protein is stable and forms almost the same heme environment and α-helical structure as human wild-type Mb. In addition, we demonstrated that chimeric Mb has a cell-membrane-penetrating activity similar to zebrafish Ngb. Moreover, we found that glycosaminoglycan is crucial for the cell-membrane-penetrating activity of chimeric Mb as well as that of zebrafish Ngb. These results enable us to conclude that such module substitutions will facilitate the design and production of novel functional proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seiji Watanabe
- Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Keisuke Wakasugi
- Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Precursory Research for Embryonic Science and Technology (PRESTO), Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), Saitama, Japan
- * E-mail:
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56
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Jin K, Mao XO, Xie L, John V, Greenberg DA. Pharmacological induction of neuroglobin expression. Pharmacology 2011; 87:81-4. [PMID: 21228614 DOI: 10.1159/000322998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2010] [Accepted: 11/19/2010] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Neuroglobin (Ngb) is an intracellular, oxygen-binding neuronal protein with protective effects against ischemia and related pathological processes. To identify small molecules capable of inducing Ngb protein expression, which might have therapeutic benefit, we examined Ngb expression by Western blot in cultured HN33 (mouse hippocampal neuron x N18TG2 neuroblastoma) cells. In addition to deferoxamine, which was shown previously to enhance Ngb levels, Ngb expression was increased by the short-chain fatty acids cinnamic acid and valproic acid (≥ 100 μmol/l), but not by other short-chain fatty acids, histone deacetylase inhibitors, or anticonvulsants. Drugs that stimulate the expression of neuroprotective proteins like Ngb may have therapeutic potential in the treatment of stroke and other neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kunlin Jin
- Buck Institute for Age Research, Novato, Calif 94945, USA
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57
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Cai B, Lin Y, Xue XH, Fang L, Wang N, Wu ZY. TAT-mediated delivery of neuroglobin protects against focal cerebral ischemia in mice. Exp Neurol 2011; 227:224-31. [DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2010.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2010] [Revised: 11/08/2010] [Accepted: 11/09/2010] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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58
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Neuroprotective changes of striatal degeneration-related gene expression by acupuncture in an MPTP mouse model of Parkinsonism: microarray analysis. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2010; 31:377-91. [PMID: 21107677 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-010-9629-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2010] [Accepted: 11/02/2010] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Acupuncture at acupoints GB34 and LR3 has been reported to inhibit nigrostriatal degeneration in Parkinsonism models, yet the genes related to this preventive effect of acupuncture on the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system remain elusive. This study investigated gene expression profile changes in the striatal region of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced Parkinsonism models after acupuncture at the acupoints GB34 and LR3 using a whole transcript genechip microarray (Affymetrix genechip mouse gene 1.0 ST array). It was confirmed that acupuncture at these acupoints could inhibit the decrease of tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine transporter in the nigrostriatal region of the MPTP model while acupuncture at the non-acupoints could not counteract this decrease. Genechip gene array analysis (fold change cutoff 1.3 and P < 0.05) showed that 12 of the 69 probes up-regulated in MPTP when compared to the control were down-regulated by acupuncture at the acupoints. Of these 12 probes, 11 probes (nine annotated genes) were exclusively down-regulated by acupuncture only at the acupoints; the Gfral gene was excluded because it was commonly down-regulated by acupuncture at both the acupoints and the non-acupoints. In addition, 28 of the 189 probes down-regulated in MPTP when compared to the control were up-regulated by acupuncture at the acupoints. Of these 28 probes, 19 probes (seven annotated genes) were exclusively up-regulated by acupuncture only at the acupoints while nine probes were commonly up-regulated by acupuncture at both the acupoints and the non-acupoints. The regulation patterns of representative genes in real-time RT-PCR correlated with those of the genes in the microarray. These results suggest that the 30 probes (16 annotated genes), which are affected by MPTP and acupuncture only at the acupoints, are responsible for exerting in the striatal regions the inhibitory effect of acupuncture at the acupoints on MPTP-induced striatal degeneration.
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Abstract
Neuroglobin (Ngb) is a recently discovered globin that affords protection against hypoxic/ischemic-induced cell injury in brain. Hypoxic/ischemic injury is associated with accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and/or reactive nitrogen species (RNS). In previous studies, we found that Ngb has antioxidative properties, and protects PC-12 cells against hypoxia- and β-amyloid-induced cell death. To further delineate the potential role of Ngb in protection against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in vivo, we developed a transgenic mouse line that overexpresses Ngb. Hippocampal ischemia-reperfusion injury was induced by a 10-minute bilateral occlusion of the common carotid arteries, and the animal brains were assessed 3 days later. CA1 neural injury was determined by cresyl violet staining. Lipid peroxidation was assessed using a malonyldialdehyde assay kit, whereas ROS/RNS accumulation was determined by Het staining in the CA1 hippocampal region. Hippocampal Ngb mRNA and protein expressions were assessed by reverse transcriptase-PCR and western blotting, respectively. Neuroglobin was successfully overexpressed in the hippocampus of Ngb transgenic mice. After ischemia-reperfusion, CA1 ROS/RNS production and lipid peroxidation were markedly decreased in Ngb transgenic mice compared with wild-type mice. Furthermore, CA1 neuronal injury was also markedly reduced. Thus, Ngb may confer protection against ischemia-reperfusion injury in the brain through its intrinsic antioxidant properties.
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60
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DellaValle B, Hempel C, Kurtzhals JAL, Penkowa M. In vivo expression of neuroglobin in reactive astrocytes during neuropathology in murine models of traumatic brain injury, cerebral malaria, and autoimmune encephalitis. Glia 2010; 58:1220-7. [PMID: 20544857 DOI: 10.1002/glia.21002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Neuroglobin (Ngb) is proposed to be a neuron-specific, hypoxia-responsive, neuroprotective protein. However, results are conflicting concerning both Ngb's physiological and pathological significance. This study was designed to investigate the in vivo localization and regulation of Ngb in different neuropathological models representing traumatic injury, infectious, autoimmune, and excitotoxic pathogeneses. We profiled Ngb immunohistochemistry in murine models of traumatic brain injury, cerebral malaria, experimental autoimmune encephalitis, and kainic acid (KA)-mediated epileptic seizures that, to our knowledge, have not been studied in the context of Ngb. In control mice Ngb was expressed exclusively in neurons. In all pathological models except KA, in addition to neurons Ngb was present in reactive astrocytes. Ngb positive astrocytes were found within regions associated with most severe pathology and the astroglial scar. This is the first report of Ngb present in reactive astroglia and in scar-forming astrocytes in response to different pathological conditions relevant to human disease. In light of previously reported cyto-protective properties of Ngb, further insight may result in therapeutic ramifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian DellaValle
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Section of Neuroprotection, Panum Institute, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
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61
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Brittain T, Skommer J, Raychaudhuri S, Birch N. An antiapoptotic neuroprotective role for neuroglobin. Int J Mol Sci 2010; 11:2306-21. [PMID: 20640154 PMCID: PMC2904918 DOI: 10.3390/ijms11062306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2010] [Revised: 05/24/2010] [Accepted: 05/24/2010] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell death associated with mitochondrial dysfunction is common in acute neurological disorders and in neurodegenerative diseases. Neuronal apoptosis is regulated by multiple proteins, including neuroglobin, a small heme protein of ancient origin. Neuroglobin is found in high concentration in some neurons, and its high expression has been shown to promote survival of neurons in vitro and to protect brain from damage by both stroke and Alzheimer's disease in vivo. Early studies suggested this protective role might arise from the protein's capacity to bind oxygen or react with nitric oxide. Recent data, however, suggests that neither of these functions is likely to be of physiological significance. Other studies have shown that neuroglobin reacts very rapidly with cytochrome c released from mitochondria during cell death, thus interfering with the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis. Systems level computational modelling suggests that the physiological role of neuroglobin is to reset the trigger level for the post-mitochondrial execution of apoptosis. An understanding of the mechanism of action of neuroglobin might thus provide a rational basis for the design of new drug targets for inhibiting excessive neuronal cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Brittain
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, 3 Symonds Street, Auckland, NZ, USA; E-Mails: (J.S.); (N.B.)
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: ; Tel.: +64-9-373-75991; Fax: +64-9-373-7414
| | - Joanna Skommer
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, 3 Symonds Street, Auckland, NZ, USA; E-Mails: (J.S.); (N.B.)
| | - Subadhip Raychaudhuri
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, 451 Health Sciences Drive, University of California, Davis, CA, USA; E-Mail:
| | - Nigel Birch
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, 3 Symonds Street, Auckland, NZ, USA; E-Mails: (J.S.); (N.B.)
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62
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Yang LX, Huang KX, Li HB, Gong JX, Wang F, Feng YB, Tao QF, Wu YH, Li XK, Wu XM, Zeng S, Spencer S, Zhao Y, Qu J. Design, synthesis, and examination of neuron protective properties of alkenylated and amidated dehydro-silybin derivatives. J Med Chem 2009; 52:7732-52. [PMID: 19673490 DOI: 10.1021/jm900735p] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
A series of C7-O- and C20-O-amidated 2,3-dehydrosilybin (DHS) derivatives ((+/-)-1a-f and (+/-)-2), as well as a set of alkenylated DHS analogues ((+/-)-4a-f), were designed and de novo synthesized. A diesteric derivative of DHS ((+/-)-3) and two C23 esterified DHS analogues ((+/-)-5a and (+/-)-5b) were also prepared for comparison. The cell viability of PC12 cells, Fe(2+) chelation, lipid peroxidation (LPO), free radical scavenging, and xanthine oxidase inhibition models were utilized to evaluate their antioxidative and neuron protective properties. The study revealed that the diether at C7-OH and C20-OH as well as the monoether at C7-OH, which possess aliphatic substituted acetamides, demonstrated more potent LPO inhibition and Fe(2+) chelation compared to DHS and quercetin. Conversely, the diallyl ether at C7-OH and C20-OH was more potent in protection of PC12 cells against H(2)O(2)-induced injury than DHS and quercetin. Overall, the more lipophilic alkenylated DHS analogues were better performing neuroprotective agents than the acetamidated derivatives. The results in this study would be beneficial for optimizing the therapeutic potential of lignoflavonoids, especially in neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Xiang Yang
- Key Laboratory of Southern Zhejiang TCM R&D, Pharmacy School of Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou 325035, China
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63
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objectives of this work were to update and summarize recent experimental works on neuroglobin, mainly focus on its neuroprotective effects and the mechanisms. METHODS The literature was reviewed using PubMed database, and some of the recent findings from our laboratory were included. RESULTS Neuroglobin is a recently discovered tissue globin with a high affinity for oxygen and is widely and specifically expressed in neurons of vertebrate's central and peripheral nervous systems. Investigations in the past several years have advanced our knowledge on the functions and mechanisms of neuroglobin, but many issues remain unclear. Emerging reports have shown that overexpression of neuroglobin confers neuroprotection against neuronal hypoxia or ischemia-induced damage in cultured neurons and in cerebral ischemic animal models. Accumulating findings suggest several possible neuroprotective roles and mechanisms including ligand binding and oxygen sensing, modulation of cell signaling pathways and maintenance of mitochondria function. CONCLUSION Emerging experimental works suggest that neuroglobin is neuroprotective against hypoxic/ischemic insults, probably via ligand binding and oxygen sensing, modulation of cell signaling pathways and maintenance of mitochondria function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhanyang Yu
- Neuroprotection Research Laboratory, Department of Neurology and Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
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64
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Lechauve C, Rezaei H, Celier C, Kiger L, Corral-Debrinski M, Noinville S, Chauvierre C, Hamdane D, Pato C, Marden MC. Neuroglobin and prion cellular localization: investigation of a potential interaction. J Mol Biol 2009; 388:968-77. [PMID: 19327369 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2009.03.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2008] [Revised: 02/18/2009] [Accepted: 03/18/2009] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Neuroglobin (Ngb) and the cellular prion protein (PrP(c)), proteins of unknown function in the nervous system, are known to be expressed in the retina and have been observed in different rat retinal cells. The retina is the site of the highest concentration for Ngb, a heme protein of similar size and conformation to myoglobin. In this study, we demonstrated by immunohistochemical analysis of retinal colocalization of Ngb and PrP(c) in the ganglion cell layer. Considering for these two a common protective role in relation to oxidative stress and a possible transient contact during migration of PrP(c) through the eye or upon neuronal degradation, we undertook in vitro studies of the interaction of the purified proteins. Mixing these two proteins leads to rapid aggregation, even at submicromolar concentrations. As observed with the use of dynamic light scattering, particles comprising both proteins evolve to hundreds of nanometers within several seconds, a first report showing that PrP(c) is able to form aggregates without major structural changes. The main effect would then appear to be a protein-protein interaction specific to the surface charge of the Ngb protein with PrP(c) N-terminal sequence. A dominant parameter is the solvent ionic force, which can significantly modify the final state of aggregation. PrP(c), normally anchored to the cell membrane, is toxic in the cytoplasm, where Ngb is present; this could suggest an Ngb function of scavenging proteins capable of forming deleterious aggregates considering a charge complementarity in the complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christophe Lechauve
- INSERM U779, Universités Paris VI et XI, Hopital de Bicêtre, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
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65
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Szymanski M, Wang R, Fallin MD, Bassett SS, Avramopoulos D. Neuroglobin and Alzheimer's dementia: genetic association and gene expression changes. Neurobiol Aging 2008; 31:1835-42. [PMID: 19010568 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2008.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2008] [Revised: 09/29/2008] [Accepted: 10/06/2008] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
We previously reported strong genetic linkage on chromosome 14q to Alzheimer's disease (AD) using the presence of co-morbid hallucinations as a covariate. Those results suggested the presence of a gene increasing the risk for a genetically homogeneous form of AD characterized by the absence of comorbid hallucinations. Here we report our follow up of that study through the analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in five functional candidate genes. This work provides significant evidence of association for the gene coding for neuroglobin (NGB), a nervous system globin known to protect cells against amyloid toxicity and to attenuate the AD phenotype of transgenic mice. On further experiments we found that NGB expression is reduced with increasing age and lower in women consistent with their increased risk. NGB expression is up-regulated in the temporal lobe of AD patients consistent with a response to the disease process, as reported for NGB and hypoxia. We speculate that a compromised response due to DNA variation might increase the risk for AD. Our and others' data strongly support the involvement of NGB in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Szymanski
- McKusick Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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66
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Neuroprotective function of human neuroglobin is correlated with its guanine nucleotide dissociation inhibitor activity. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2008; 369:695-700. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2008.02.089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2008] [Accepted: 02/16/2008] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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67
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Li RC, Morris MW, Lee SK, Pouranfar F, Wang Y, Gozal D. Neuroglobin protects PC12 cells against oxidative stress. Brain Res 2007; 1190:159-66. [PMID: 18083144 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2007.11.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2007] [Revised: 11/14/2007] [Accepted: 11/15/2007] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Neuroglobin (Ngb) is a newly discovered globin in the vertebrate brain that exhibits neuroprotection against hypoxic/ischemic injury. Hypoxic/ischemic brain injury is associated with accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and/or reactive nitrogen species (RNS), and antioxidants or ROS scavengers promote cell survival. Therefore, Ngb may serve as a scavenger of toxic reactive species, such as hydrogen peroxide. To examine the anti-oxidative role of neuroglobin, PC12 cells were transfected with wild type and mutant (H64 V/H96A) Ngb for 48 h and then treated with H2O2 (0.1, 0.2 and 0.4 mM) for 6 h. Ngb siRNA decreased the H2O2-induced Ngb expression and exacerbated H2O2-induced cell injury. Transient transfection of Ngb induced dose-dependent increases in Ngb protein expression and did not alter SOD, GPX, and catalase activities. Overexpression of wild type Ngb, but not of mutant Ngb, significantly attenuated H2O2-induced ROS/RNS accumulation and lipid peroxidation, decreased H2O2-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis, and promoted overall cell survival. Thus, Ngb plays a protective role against oxidative stress, which appears to be primarily mediated by intrinsic Ngb antioxidant properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard C Li
- Kosair Children's Hospital Research Institute, Department of Pediatrics, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
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68
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Jin K, Mao XO, Xie L, Khan AA, Greenberg DA. Neuroglobin protects against nitric oxide toxicity. Neurosci Lett 2007; 430:135-7. [PMID: 18035490 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2007.10.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2007] [Revised: 10/10/2007] [Accepted: 10/25/2007] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Neuroglobin (Ngb) is a novel vertebrate globin expressed principally in neurons. Ngb expression is induced by hypoxia and ischemia, and Ngb protects neurons against these insults. The mechanism of Ngb's protective action is unknown, but its ability to bind NO suggests that NO scavenging might be involved. To test this hypothesis, we treated wild type and Ngb-transfected HN33 (mouse hippocampal neuronxN18TG2 neuroblastoma) cells with NO donors and compared their sensitivity to NO-induced cell death. Ngb overexpression shifted concentration-toxicity curves to the right, indicating reduced susceptibility to NO or is metabolites. The results suggest that the ability of Ngb to neutralize the neurotoxic effects of reactive nitrogen species may be an important contributor to its neuroprotective properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kunlin Jin
- Buck Institute for Age Research, 8001 Redwood Boulevard, Novato, CA 94945, USA
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69
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Greenberg DA, Jin K, Khan AA. Neuroglobin: an endogenous neuroprotectant. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2007; 8:20-4. [PMID: 17942367 DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2007.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2007] [Accepted: 09/10/2007] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Cerebral hypoxia and ischemia trigger endogenous protective mechanisms that can prevent or limit brain damage. Understanding these mechanisms may lead to new therapeutic strategies for stroke and related disorders. Neuroglobin (Ngb), a recently discovered protein that is distantly related to hemoglobin and myoglobin, is expressed predominantly in brain neurons, and appears to modulate hypoxic-ischemic brain injury. Evidence includes the observations that neuronal hypoxia and cerebral ischemia induce Ngb expression, that enhancing Ngb expression reduces--and knocking down Ngb expression increases--hypoxic neuronal injury in vitro and ischemic cerebral injury in vivo, and that Ngb-overexpressing transgenic mice are resistant to cerebral infarction. However, the mechanisms that underlie hypoxic induction of Ngb and neuroprotection by Ngb are still unclear.
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