101
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Intrinsic Disorder in Proteins Associated with Neurodegenerative Diseases. PROTEIN FOLDING AND MISFOLDING: NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASES 2008. [DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4020-9434-7_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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102
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Barnes CS, Yan J, Wilmot GR. A negative electroretinogram (ERG) in a case of probable multiple system atrophy (MSA). Doc Ophthalmol 2008; 118:247-56. [PMID: 19023607 DOI: 10.1007/s10633-008-9156-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2008] [Accepted: 10/30/2008] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Recent articles have described negative ERGs in a small number of patients with cerebellar degeneration. Five of the previously reported seven cases were hereditary (2/5 had spinocerebellar ataxia-1 (SCA-1) gene mutations) and the other two were sporadic. We report a negative ERG in a case of cerebellar degeneration that differs significantly from earlier cases. The 65-year-old man had a 5-year history of ataxia, unsteady gait, orthostatic hypotension, and bladder and erectile dysfunction, with no family history of neurological or retinal disease. Visual acuity was 20/30 OD, 20/40 OS, but reportedly was never 20/20. His fundus exam showed optic nerve pallor, but otherwise was normal. Visual fields had enlarged blind spots but no central scotomas. Autofluorescence was normal. Photopic flash and 30-Hz ERG responses were normal. Rod b-waves were reduced and delayed. Standard flash a-waves were normal, but the b-waves were smaller than the a-waves. Blood tests were negative for Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy, dominant optic atrophy, and for expansions in SCA genes including SCA-1. This is only the third reported case of sporadic ataxia with a negative ERG. The patient's prominent autonomic dysfunction differs from the previous cases, and meets the clinical criteria for probable multiple system atrophy (MSA). This introduces another possible diagnosis in cases of negative ERGs with ataxia, and suggests that the visual system may be affected in MSA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire S Barnes
- Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University, 1365B Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
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103
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Wenning GK, Stefanova N, Jellinger KA, Poewe W, Schlossmacher MG. Multiple system atrophy: a primary oligodendrogliopathy. Ann Neurol 2008; 64:239-46. [PMID: 18825660 DOI: 10.1002/ana.21465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 229] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
To this day, the cause of multiple system atrophy (MSA) remains stubbornly enigmatic. A growing body of observations regarding the clinical, morphological, and biochemical phenotypes of MSA has been published, but the interested student is still left without a clue as to its underlying cause. MSA has long been considered a rare cousin of Parkinson's disease and cerebellar degeneration; it is rich in acronyms but poor in genetic and environmental leads. Because of the worldwide research efforts conducted over the last two decades and the discovery of the alpha-synuclein-encoding SNCA gene as a cause of rare familial Parkinson's disease, the MSA field has seen advances on three fronts: the identification of its principal cellular target, that is, oligodendrocytes; the characterization of alpha-synuclein-rich glial cytoplasmic inclusions as a suitable marker at autopsy; and improved diagnostic accuracy in living patients resulting from detailed clinicopathological studies. The working model of MSA as a primary glial disorder was recently strengthened by the finding of dysregulation in the metabolism of myelin basic protein and p25alpha, a central nervous system-specific phosphoprotein (also called tubulin polymerization promoting protein, TPPP). Intriguingly, in early cases of MSA, the oligodendrocytic changes in myelin basic protein and p25alpha processing were recorded even before formation of glial cytoplasmic inclusions became detectable. Here, we review the evolving concept that MSA may not just be related to Parkinson's disease but also share traits with the family of demyelinating disorders. Although these syndromes vary in their respective cause of oligodendrogliopathy, they have in common myelin disruption that is often followed by axonal dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregor K Wenning
- Department of Neurology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria.
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104
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Abstract
Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by oligodendrocytic cytoplasmic inclusions containing abnormally aggregated alpha-synuclein. This aggregation has been linked to the neurodegeneration observed in MSA. Current MSA treatments are aimed at controlling symptoms rather than tackling the underlying cause of neurodegeneration. This study investigates the ability of the antibiotic rifampicin to reduce alpha-synuclein aggregation and the associated neurodegeneration in a transgenic mouse model of MSA. We report a reduction in monomeric and oligomeric alpha-synuclein and a reduction in phosphorylated alpha-synuclein (S129) upon rifampicin treatment. This reduction in alpha-synuclein aggregation was accompanied by reduced neurodegeneration. On the basis of its anti-aggregenic properties, we conclude that rifampicin may have therapeutic potential for MSA.
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105
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Friedrich C, Rüdiger H, Schmidt C, Herting B, Prieur S, Junghanns S, Schweitzer K, Globas C, Schöls L, Berg D, Reichmann H, Ziemssen T. Baroreflex sensitivity and power spectral analysis in different extrapyramidal syndromes. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2008; 115:1527-36. [DOI: 10.1007/s00702-008-0127-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2008] [Accepted: 09/08/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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106
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Brodacki B, Staszewski J, Toczyłowska B, Kozłowska E, Drela N, Chalimoniuk M, Stępien A. Serum interleukin (IL-2, IL-10, IL-6, IL-4), TNFα, and INFγ concentrations are elevated in patients with atypical and idiopathic parkinsonism. Neurosci Lett 2008; 441:158-62. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2008.06.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 195] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2008] [Revised: 06/12/2008] [Accepted: 06/14/2008] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
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107
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Abstract
Aggregation and subsequent development of protein deposition diseases originate from conformational changes in corresponding amyloidogenic proteins. The accumulated data support the model where protein fibrillogenesis proceeds via the formation of a relatively unfolded amyloidogenic conformation, which shares many structural properties with the pre-molten globule state, a partially folded intermediate first found during the equilibrium and kinetic (un)folding studies of several globular proteins and later described as one of the structural forms of natively unfolded proteins. The flexibility of this structural form is essential for the conformational rearrangements driving the formation of the core cross-beta structure of the amyloid fibril. Obviously, molecular mechanisms describing amyloidogenesis of ordered and natively unfolded proteins are different. For ordered protein to fibrillate, its unique and rigid structure has to be destabilized and partially unfolded. On the other hand, fibrillogenesis of a natively unfolded protein involves the formation of partially folded conformation; i.e., partial folding rather than unfolding. In this review recent findings are surveyed to illustrate some unique features of the natively unfolded proteins amyloidogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir N Uversky
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
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108
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Armstrong RA, Lantos PL, Cairns NJ. What determines the molecular composition of abnormal protein aggregates in neurodegenerative disease? Neuropathology 2008; 28:351-65. [PMID: 18433435 DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1789.2008.00916.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Abnormal protein aggregates, in the form of either extracellular plaques or intracellular inclusions, are an important pathological feature of the majority of neurodegenerative disorders. The major molecular constituents of these lesions, viz., beta-amyloid (Abeta), tau, and alpha-synuclein, have played a defining role in the diagnosis and classification of disease and in studies of pathogenesis. The molecular composition of a protein aggregate, however, is often complex and could be the direct or indirect consequence of a pathogenic gene mutation, be the result of cell degeneration, or reflect the acquisition of new substances by diffusion and molecular binding to existing proteins. This review examines the molecular composition of the major protein aggregates found in the neurodegenerative diseases including the Abeta and prion protein (PrP) plaques found in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and prion disease, respectively, and the cellular inclusions found in the tauopathies and synucleinopathies. The data suggest that the molecular constituents of a protein aggregate do not directly cause cell death but are largely the consequence of cell degeneration or are acquired during the disease process. These findings are discussed in relation to diagnosis and to studies of to disease pathogenesis.
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109
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Chapter 6 Molecular and Cellular Biology of Synucleins. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2008; 270:225-317. [DOI: 10.1016/s1937-6448(08)01406-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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110
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Protein Aggregation Mechanisms in Synucleinopathies: Commonalities and Differences. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 2007; 66:965-74. [DOI: 10.1097/nen.0b013e3181587d64] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
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111
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Lincoln SJ, Ross OA, Milkovic NM, Dickson DW, Rajput A, Robinson CA, Papapetropoulos S, Mash DC, Farrer MJ. Quantitative PCR-based screening of alpha-synuclein multiplication in multiple system atrophy. Parkinsonism Relat Disord 2007; 13:340-2. [PMID: 17291816 PMCID: PMC2269731 DOI: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2006.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2006] [Revised: 10/24/2006] [Accepted: 12/05/2006] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is by nature a 'sporadic' disease with no evidence of familial aggregation observed. However, the alpha-synuclein locus (SNCA) multiplication families have clinically displayed parkinsonism and autonomic dysfunction. The present study did not find any SNCA multiplications in a series of 58 pathologically confirmed MSA cases excluding this event as a common cause of MSA. The question of a genetic component in MSA remains to be answered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah J. Lincoln
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Jacksonville, Florida
| | - Owen A. Ross
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Jacksonville, Florida
- *Corresponding author: Owen A. Ross PhD, Molecular Genetics Laboratory and Core, Morris K. Udall Parkinson’s Disease Research Center of Excellence, Mayo Clinic, Department of Neuroscience, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, FL 32224, Tel: (904)-953-7135, Fax: (904)-953-7370,
| | - Nicole M. Milkovic
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Jacksonville, Florida
| | - Dennis W. Dickson
- Department of Pathology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Jacksonville, Florida
| | - Alex Rajput
- Division of Neurology, University of Saskatchewan and Saskatoon Health Region, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
- Saskatchewan Center for Parkinson’s disease and Movement Disorders, Royal University Hospital, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada
| | - Christopher A. Robinson
- Department of Pathology, University of Saskatchewan and Saskatoon Health Region, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
- Saskatchewan Center for Parkinson’s disease and Movement Disorders, Royal University Hospital, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada
| | | | - Deborah C. Mash
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Matthew J. Farrer
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Jacksonville, Florida
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