101
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Tau clearance improves astrocytic function and brain glutamate-glutamine cycle. J Neurol Sci 2018; 391:90-99. [PMID: 30103978 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2018.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2018] [Revised: 06/07/2018] [Accepted: 06/12/2018] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Tau hyperphosphorylation is a critical factor in neurodegenerative diseases, including dementia and Parkinsonism. Existing animal models of tauopathies express tau in neurons within the forebrain and do not often show tau accumulation in the brainstem and astrocytes. This study aims to understand the effects of differential regional expression of tau on neurotransmitter balance in the brain. To obtain an animal model that expresses tau in the brainstem, we bred hemizygous mice that express P301L tau (TauP301L) and detected hyper-phosphorylated tau (p-tau) predominantly in the hippocampus, cortex, brainstem and thalamus. We previously demonstrated that TauP301L mice [26] express tau under the control of a prion promoter in both neurons and astrocytes, reminiscent of human tauopathies. We treated TauP301L mice with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) to determine the effects of tau clearance on neurotransmitter balance and astrocytic function. 13C/1H MRS reveals astrocytic dysfunction via reduced glial aspartate and impaired glutamate-glutamine cycle. An increase in glutamate and GABA and decrease in glutamine were observed in homozygous mice compared to hemizygous and control littermates. Daily treatment with TKIs, nilotinib or bosutinib led to p-tau clearance via autophagy and reversal of neurotransmitter imbalance. These data suggest that accumulation of p-tau in the brainstem does not alter dopamine metabolism but may trigger glutamate toxicity and astrocytic dysfunction in the TauP301L mouse. TKIs reverse tau effects via reversal of neurotransmitter imbalance.
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Bhurtel S, Katila N, Neupane S, Srivastav S, Park PH, Choi DY. Methylene blue protects dopaminergic neurons against MPTP-induced neurotoxicity by upregulating brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2018; 1431:58-71. [PMID: 29882218 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.13870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2017] [Revised: 04/30/2018] [Accepted: 05/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The relatively old, yet clinically used, drug methylene blue (MB) is known to possess neuroprotective properties by reducing aggregated proteins, augmenting the antioxidant response, and enhancing mitochondrial function and survival in various models of neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, we aimed to examine the effects of MB in Parkinson's disease (PD) in vivo and in vitro models by using 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)/1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+ ) with a focus on possible effects on induction of neurotrophic factors. Our results indicate that pretreatment with MB significantly attenuated MPTP-induced loss of dopaminergic neurons, glial cell activation, and depletion of dopamine. We also found that MB upregulated brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and activated its downstream signaling pathways, suggesting that BDNF might be a contributor to MB-associated neuroprotection. Specific inhibition of the BDNF receptor or extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk) reversed the MB-mediated protection against MPP+ toxicity, thus implying a role for BDNF and the Erk pathway in the neuroprotective effects. Taken together, our data suggest that MB protects neurons from MPTP neurotoxicity via induction of BDNF. Further study to determine whether MB preserves dopaminergic neurons in the brains of PD patients is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunil Bhurtel
- College of Pharmacy, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Nikita Katila
- College of Pharmacy, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Sabita Neupane
- College of Pharmacy, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Sunil Srivastav
- College of Pharmacy, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Pil-Hoon Park
- College of Pharmacy, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Young Choi
- College of Pharmacy, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, Republic of Korea
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103
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Tucker D, Lu Y, Zhang Q. From Mitochondrial Function to Neuroprotection-an Emerging Role for Methylene Blue. Mol Neurobiol 2018; 55:5137-5153. [PMID: 28840449 PMCID: PMC5826781 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-017-0712-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2017] [Accepted: 08/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Methylene blue (MB) is a well-established drug with a long history of use, owing to its diverse range of use and its minimal side effect profile. MB has been used classically for the treatment of malaria, methemoglobinemia, and carbon monoxide poisoning, as well as a histological dye. Its role in the mitochondria, however, has elicited much of its renewed interest in recent years. MB can reroute electrons in the mitochondrial electron transfer chain directly from NADH to cytochrome c, increasing the activity of complex IV and effectively promoting mitochondrial activity while mitigating oxidative stress. In addition to its beneficial effect on mitochondrial protection, MB is also known to have robust effects in mitigating neuroinflammation. Mitochondrial dysfunction has been identified as a seemingly unifying pathological phenomenon across a wide range of neurodegenerative disorders, which thus positions methylene blue as a promising therapeutic. In both in vitro and in vivo studies, MB has shown impressive efficacy in mitigating neurodegeneration and the accompanying behavioral phenotypes in animal models for such conditions as stroke, global cerebral ischemia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and traumatic brain injury. This review summarizes recent work establishing MB as a promising candidate for neuroprotection, with particular emphasis on the contribution of mitochondrial function to neural health. Furthermore, this review will briefly examine the link between MB, neurogenesis, and improved cognition in respect to age-related cognitive decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donovan Tucker
- Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Augusta University, 1120 15th Street, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA
| | - Yujiao Lu
- Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Augusta University, 1120 15th Street, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA
| | - Quanguang Zhang
- Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Augusta University, 1120 15th Street, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA.
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104
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Fujikake N, Shin M, Shimizu S. Association Between Autophagy and Neurodegenerative Diseases. Front Neurosci 2018; 12:255. [PMID: 29872373 PMCID: PMC5972210 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2018.00255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 131] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2017] [Accepted: 04/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Autophagy is a phylogenetically conserved mechanism that controls the degradation of subcellular constituents, including misfolded proteins, and damaged organelles. The progression of many neurodegenerative diseases is thought to be driven by the aggregation of misfolded proteins; therefore, autophagic activity is thought to affect disease severity to some extent. In some neurodegenerative diseases, the suppression of autophagic activity accelerates disease progression. Given that the induction of autophagy can potentially mitigate disease severity, various autophagy-inducing compounds have been developed and their efficacy has been evaluated in several rodent models of neurodegenerative diseases.
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105
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Chung KM, Hernández N, Sproul AA, Yu WH. Alzheimer's disease and the autophagic-lysosomal system. Neurosci Lett 2018; 697:49-58. [PMID: 29758300 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2018.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2017] [Revised: 05/08/2018] [Accepted: 05/10/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Age-related neurodegenerative diseases are of critical concern to the general population and research/medical community due to their health impact and socioeconomic consequences. A feature of most, if not all, neurodegenerative disorders is the presence of proteinopathies, in which misfolded or conformationally altered proteins drive disease progression and are often used as a primary neuropathological marker of disease. In particular, Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by abnormal accumulation of protein aggregates, primarily extracellular plaques composed of the Aβ peptide and intracellular tangles comprised of the tau protein, both of which may indicate a primary defect in protein clearance. Protein degradation is a key cellular mechanism for protein homeostasis and is essential for cell survival but is disrupted in neurodegenerative diseases. Dysregulation in proteolytic pathways - mainly the autophagic-lysosomal system (A-LS) and the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) - has been increasingly associated with proteinopathies in neurodegenerative diseases. Here we review the role of dysfunctional autophagy underlying AD-related proteinopathy and discuss how to model this aspect of disease, as well as summarize recent advances in translational strategies for targeted A-LS dysfunction in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyung Min Chung
- Taub Institute and the Department of Pathology & Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, United States
| | - Nancy Hernández
- Taub Institute and the Department of Pathology & Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, United States
| | - Andrew A Sproul
- Taub Institute and the Department of Pathology & Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, United States
| | - Wai Haung Yu
- Taub Institute and the Department of Pathology & Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, United States.
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106
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Xin SH, Tan L, Cao X, Yu JT, Tan L. Clearance of Amyloid Beta and Tau in Alzheimer's Disease: from Mechanisms to Therapy. Neurotox Res 2018; 34:733-748. [PMID: 29626319 DOI: 10.1007/s12640-018-9895-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2017] [Revised: 03/19/2018] [Accepted: 03/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease. Pathological proteins of AD mainly contain amyloid-beta (Aβ) and tau. Their deposition will lead to neuron damage by a series of pathways, and then induce memory and cognitive impairment. Thus, it is pivotal to understand the clearance pathways of Aβ and tau in order to delay or even halt AD. Aβ clearance mechanisms include ubiquitin-proteasome system, autophagy-lysosome, proteases, microglial phagocytosis, and transport from the brain to the blood via the blood-brain barrier (BBB), arachnoid villi and blood-CSF barrier, which can be named blood circulatory clearance. Recently, lymphatic clearance has been demonstrated to play a key role in transport of Aβ into cervical lymph nodes. The discovery of meningeal lymphatic vessels is another direct evidence for lymphatic clearance in the brain. Furthermore, periphery clearance also contributes to Aβ clearance. Tau clearance is almost the same as Aβ clearance. In this review, we will mainly introduce the clearance mechanisms of Aβ and tau proteins, and summarize corresponding targeted drug therapies for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu-Hui Xin
- Department of Neurology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, School of Medicine, Qingdao University, No.5 Donghai Middle Road, Qingdao, 266071, Shandong, China
| | - Lin Tan
- Department of Neurology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, School of Medicine, Qingdao University, No.5 Donghai Middle Road, Qingdao, 266071, Shandong, China
| | - Xipeng Cao
- Clinical Research Center, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Jin-Tai Yu
- Department of Neurology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, School of Medicine, Qingdao University, No.5 Donghai Middle Road, Qingdao, 266071, Shandong, China. .,Clinical Research Center, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China.
| | - Lan Tan
- Department of Neurology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, School of Medicine, Qingdao University, No.5 Donghai Middle Road, Qingdao, 266071, Shandong, China.
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107
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Chen Q, Du Y, Zhang K, Liang Z, Li J, Yu H, Ren R, Feng J, Jin Z, Li F, Sun J, Zhou M, He Q, Sun X, Zhang H, Tian M, Ling D. Tau-Targeted Multifunctional Nanocomposite for Combinational Therapy of Alzheimer's Disease. ACS NANO 2018; 12:1321-1338. [PMID: 29364648 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.7b07625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 163] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) remains an incurable disease and lacks efficient diagnostic methods. Most AD treatments have focused on amyloid-β (Aβ) targeted therapy; however, it is time to consider the alternative theranostics due to accumulated findings of weak correlation between Aβ deposition and cognition, as well as the failures of Phase III clinical trial on Aβ targeted therapy. Recent studies have shown that the tau pathway is closely associated with clinical development of AD symptoms, which might be a potential therapeutic target. We herein construct a methylene blue (MB, a tau aggregation inhibitor) loaded nanocomposite (CeNC/IONC/MSN-T807), which not only possesses high binding affinity to hyperphosphorylated tau but also inhibits multiple key pathways of tau-associated AD pathogenesis. We demonstrate that these nanocomposites can relieve the AD symptoms by mitigating mitochondrial oxidative stress, suppressing tau hyperphosphorylation, and preventing neuronal death both in vitro and in vivo. The memory deficits of AD rats are significantly rescued upon treatment with MB loaded CeNC/IONC/MSN-T807. Our results indicate that hyperphosphorylated tau-targeted multifunctional nanocomposites could be a promising therapeutic candidate for Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Chen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET/CT Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University , Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310009, P.R. China
| | - Yang Du
- Institute of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University , 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, P.R. China
| | - Kai Zhang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET/CT Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University , Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310009, P.R. China
| | - Zeyu Liang
- Institute of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University , 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, P.R. China
| | - Jinquan Li
- Institute of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University , 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, P.R. China
| | - Hao Yu
- Institute of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University , 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, P.R. China
| | - Rong Ren
- College of Chemical & Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University , Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310027, P.R. China
| | - Jin Feng
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET/CT Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University , Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310009, P.R. China
| | - Zhiming Jin
- Jiangsu Huayi Technology Limited Company , Changshu, Jiangsu 215522, P.R. China
| | - Fangyuan Li
- Institute of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University , 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of the Ministry of Education, College of Biomedical Engineering & Instrument Science, Zhejiang University , Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, P.R. China
| | - Jihong Sun
- Department of Radiology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University , Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310016, P.R. China
| | - Min Zhou
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET/CT Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University , Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310009, P.R. China
| | - Qinggang He
- College of Chemical & Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University , Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310027, P.R. China
| | - Xiaolian Sun
- Laboratory of Molecular Imaging and Nanomedicine (LOMIN), National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB), National Institutes of Health , Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
| | - Hong Zhang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET/CT Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University , Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310009, P.R. China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Fudan University , Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Mei Tian
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET/CT Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University , Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310009, P.R. China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Fudan University , Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Daishun Ling
- Institute of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University , 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of the Ministry of Education, College of Biomedical Engineering & Instrument Science, Zhejiang University , Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, P.R. China
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108
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Schwab K, Frahm S, Horsley D, Rickard JE, Melis V, Goatman EA, Magbagbeolu M, Douglas M, Leith MG, Baddeley TC, Storey JMD, Riedel G, Wischik CM, Harrington CR, Theuring F. A Protein Aggregation Inhibitor, Leuco-Methylthioninium Bis(Hydromethanesulfonate), Decreases α-Synuclein Inclusions in a Transgenic Mouse Model of Synucleinopathy. Front Mol Neurosci 2018; 10:447. [PMID: 29375308 PMCID: PMC5767730 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2017.00447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2017] [Accepted: 12/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
α-Synuclein (α-Syn) aggregation is a pathological feature of synucleinopathies, neurodegenerative disorders that include Parkinson's disease (PD). We have tested whether N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-10H-phenothiazine-3,7-diaminium bis(hydromethanesulfonate) (leuco-methylthioninium bis(hydromethanesulfonate); LMTM), a tau aggregation inhibitor, affects α-Syn aggregation in vitro and in vivo. Both cellular and transgenic models in which the expression of full-length human α-Syn (h-α-Syn) fused with a signal sequence peptide to promote α-Syn aggregation were used. Aggregated α-Syn was observed following differentiation of N1E-115 neuroblastoma cells transfected with h-α-Syn. The appearance of aggregated α-Syn was inhibited by LMTM, with an EC50 of 1.1 μM, with minimal effect on h-α-Syn mRNA levels being observed. Two independent lines of mice (L58 and L62) transgenic for the same fusion protein accumulated neuronal h-α-Syn that, with aging, developed into fibrillary inclusions characterized by both resistance to proteinase K (PK)-cleavage and their ability to bind thiazin red. There was a significant decrease in α-Syn-positive neurons in multiple brain regions following oral treatment of male and female mice with LMTM administered daily for 6 weeks at 5 and 15 mg MT/kg. The early aggregates of α-Syn and the late-stage fibrillar inclusions were both susceptible to inhibition by LMTM, a treatment that also resulted in the rescue of movement and anxiety-related traits in these mice. The results suggest that LMTM may provide a potential disease modification therapy in PD and other synucleinopathies through the inhibition of α-Syn aggregation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karima Schwab
- Institute of Pharmacology, Charite – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Silke Frahm
- Institute of Pharmacology, Charite – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - David Horsley
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Janet E. Rickard
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Valeria Melis
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Elizabeth A. Goatman
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Mandy Magbagbeolu
- Institute of Pharmacology, Charite – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Morag Douglas
- Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Michael G. Leith
- Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas C. Baddeley
- Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Singapore, Singapore
| | - John M. D. Storey
- Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Singapore, Singapore
| | - Gernot Riedel
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Claude M. Wischik
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Singapore, Singapore
| | - Charles R. Harrington
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Singapore, Singapore
| | - Franz Theuring
- Institute of Pharmacology, Charite – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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109
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Ntsapi C, Lumkwana D, Swart C, du Toit A, Loos B. New Insights Into Autophagy Dysfunction Related to Amyloid Beta Toxicity and Neuropathology in Alzheimer's Disease. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2018; 336:321-361. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2017.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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110
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Mishra SK, Jain N, Shankar U, Tawani A, Mishra A, Kumar A. SMMDB: a web-accessible database for small molecule modulators and their targets involved in neurological diseases. DATABASE-THE JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL DATABASES AND CURATION 2018; 2018:1-12. [PMID: 30219840 PMCID: PMC6146116 DOI: 10.1093/database/bay082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2018] [Accepted: 07/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
High-throughput screening and better understanding of small molecule's structure-activity relationship (SAR) using computational biology techniques have greatly expanded the face of drug discovery process in better discovery of therapeutics for various disease. Small Molecule Modulators Database (SMMDB) includes >1100 small molecules that have been either approved by US Food and Drug Administration, are under investigation or were rejected in clinical trial for any kind of neurological diseases. The comprehensive information about small molecules includes the details about their molecular targets (such as protein or enzyme, DNA, RNA, antisense RNA etc.), pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties such as binding affinity to their targets (Kd, Ki, IC50 and EC50 if available), mode of action, log P-value, number of hydrogen bond donor and acceptors, their clinical trial status, their 2D and three-dimensional structures etc. To enrich the basic annotation of every small molecule entry present in SMMDB, it is hyperlinked to their description present in PubChem, DrugBank, PubMed and KEGG database. The annotation about their molecular targets was enriched by linking it with UniProt and GenBank and STRING database that can be utilized to study the interaction and relation between various targets involved in single neurological disease. All molecules present in the SMMDB are made available to download in single file and can be further used in establishing the SAR, structure-based drug designing as well as shape-based virtual screening for developing the novel therapeutics against neurological diseases. The scope of this database majorly covers the interest of scientific community and researchers who are engaged in putting their endeavor toward therapeutic development and investigating the pathogenic mechanism of various neurological diseases. The graphical user interface of the SMMDB is accessible on http://bsbe.iiti.ac.in/bsbe/smmdb.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subodh Kumar Mishra
- Discipline of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Indore, Simrol, India
| | - Neha Jain
- Discipline of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Indore, Simrol, India
| | - Uma Shankar
- Discipline of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Indore, Simrol, India
| | - Arpita Tawani
- Discipline of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Indore, Simrol, India
| | - Amit Mishra
- Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology Unit, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Amit Kumar
- Discipline of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Indore, Simrol, India
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111
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Wischik CM, Schelter BO, Wischik DJ, Storey JMD, Harrington CR. Modeling Prion-Like Processing of Tau Protein in Alzheimer's Disease for Pharmaceutical Development. J Alzheimers Dis 2018; 62:1287-1303. [PMID: 29226873 PMCID: PMC5870021 DOI: 10.3233/jad-170727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Following our discovery of a fragment from the repeat domain of tau protein as a structural constituent of the PHF-core in Alzheimer's disease (AD), we developed an assay that captured several key features of the aggregation process. Tau-tau binding through the core tau fragment could be blocked by the same diaminophenothiazines found to dissolve proteolytically stable PHFs isolated from AD brain. We found that the PHF-core tau fragment is inherently capable of auto-catalytic self-propagation in vitro, or "prion-like processing", that has now been demonstrated for several neurodegenerative disorders. Here we review the findings that led to the first clinical trials to test tau aggregation inhibitor therapy in AD as a way to block this cascade. Although further trials are still needed, the results to date suggest that a treatment targeting the prion-like processing of tau protein may have a role in both prevention and treatment of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claude M. Wischik
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Singapore
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Björn O. Schelter
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Singapore
- Institute for Complex Systems and Mathematical Biology, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Damon J. Wischik
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Singapore
- Computer Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - John M. D. Storey
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Singapore
- Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Charles R. Harrington
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Singapore
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
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112
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Wen J, Fang F, Guo SH, Zhang Y, Peng XL, Sun WM, Wei XR, He JS, Hung T. Amyloid β-Derived Diffusible Ligands (ADDLs) Induce Abnormal Autophagy Associated with Aβ Aggregation Degree. J Mol Neurosci 2017; 64:162-174. [DOI: 10.1007/s12031-017-1015-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2017] [Accepted: 12/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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113
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Clinical and biological phenotypes of frontotemporal dementia: Perspectives for disease modifying therapies. Eur J Pharmacol 2017; 817:76-85. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2017.05.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2016] [Revised: 03/28/2017] [Accepted: 05/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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114
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Annadurai N, Agrawal K, Džubák P, Hajdúch M, Das V. Microtubule affinity-regulating kinases are potential druggable targets for Alzheimer's disease. Cell Mol Life Sci 2017; 74:4159-4169. [PMID: 28634681 PMCID: PMC11107647 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-017-2574-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2017] [Revised: 06/13/2017] [Accepted: 06/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects normal functions of the brain. Currently, AD is one of the leading causes of death in developed countries and the only one of the top ten diseases without a means to prevent, cure, or significantly slow down its progression. Therefore, newer therapeutic concepts are urgently needed to improve survival and the quality of life of AD patients. Microtubule affinity-regulating kinases (MARKs) regulate tau-microtubule binding and play a crucial role in neurons. However, their role in hyperphosphorylation of tau makes them potential druggable target for AD therapy. Despite the relevance of MARKs in AD pathogenesis, only a few small molecules are known to have anti-MARK activity and not much has been done to progress these compounds into therapeutic candidates. But given the diverse role of MARKs, the specificity of novel inhibitors is imperative for their successful translation from bench to bedside. In this regard, a recent co-crystal structure of MARK4 in association with a pyrazolopyrimidine-based inhibitor offers a potential scaffold for the development of more specific MARK inhibitors. In this manuscript, we review the biological role of MARKs in health and disease, and draw attention to the largely unexplored area of MARK inhibitors for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narendran Annadurai
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacký University, Hněvotínská 5, 77900, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Khushboo Agrawal
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacký University, Hněvotínská 5, 77900, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Džubák
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacký University, Hněvotínská 5, 77900, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Marián Hajdúch
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacký University, Hněvotínská 5, 77900, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Viswanath Das
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacký University, Hněvotínská 5, 77900, Olomouc, Czech Republic.
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115
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Galasso A, Cameron CS, Frenguelli BG, Moffat KG. An AMPK-dependent regulatory pathway in tau-mediated toxicity. Biol Open 2017; 6:1434-1444. [PMID: 28808138 PMCID: PMC5665459 DOI: 10.1242/bio.022863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative tauopathies are characterised by accumulation of hyperphosphorylated tau aggregates primarily degraded by autophagy. The 5′AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is expressed in most cells, including neurons. Alongside its metabolic functions, it is also known to be activated in Alzheimer's brains, phosphorylate tau, and be a critical autophagy activator. Whether it plays a neurotoxic or neuroprotective role remains unclear. In tauopathies stress conditions can result in AMPK activation, enhancing tau-mediated toxicity. Paradoxically, in these cases AMPK activation does not always lead to protective autophagic responses. Using a Drosophila in vivo quantitative approach, we have analysed the impact of AMPK and autophagy on tau-mediated toxicity, recapitulating the AMPK-mediated tauopathy condition: increased tau phosphorylation, without corresponding autophagy activation. We have demonstrated that AMPK binding to and phosphorylating tau at Ser-262, a site reported to facilitate soluble tau accumulation, affects its degradation. This phosphorylation results in exacerbation of tau toxicity and is ameliorated via rapamycin-induced autophagy stimulation. Our findings support the development of combinatorial therapies effective at reducing tau toxicity targeting tau phosphorylation and AMPK-independent autophagic induction. The proposed in vivo tool represents an ideal readout to perform preliminary screening for drugs promoting this process. Summary: Dissection of the impact of AMPK and autophagy on tau-mediated toxicity by using an in vivo Drosophila tool as readout to perform preliminary drug screening supported by quantitative analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Galasso
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Charles S Cameron
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
| | | | - Kevin G Moffat
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
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116
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Wang C, Telpoukhovskaia MA, Bahr BA, Chen X, Gan L. Endo-lysosomal dysfunction: a converging mechanism in neurodegenerative diseases. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2017; 48:52-58. [PMID: 29028540 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2017.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2017] [Accepted: 09/11/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Endo-lysosomal pathways are essential in maintaining protein homeostasis in the cell. Numerous genes in the endo-lysosomal pathways have been found to associate with neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Mutations of these genes lead to dysfunction in multiple steps of the endo-lysosomal network: autophagy, endocytic trafficking and lysosomal degradation, resulting in accumulation of pathogenic proteins. Although the exact pathogenic mechanism varies for different disease-associated genes, dysfunction of the endo-lysosomal pathways represents a converging mechanism shared by these diseases. Therefore, strategies that correct or compensate for endo-lysosomal dysfunction may be promising therapeutic approaches to treat neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Wang
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Maria A Telpoukhovskaia
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Ben A Bahr
- Biotechnology Research and Training Center, University of North Carolina at Pembroke, Pembroke, NC, USA
| | - Xu Chen
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.
| | - Li Gan
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.
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117
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Tau-based therapies in neurodegeneration: opportunities and challenges. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2017; 16:863-883. [DOI: 10.1038/nrd.2017.155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 155] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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118
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Delport A, Harvey BH, Petzer A, Petzer JP. Methylene blue and its analogues as antidepressant compounds. Metab Brain Dis 2017; 32:1357-1382. [PMID: 28762173 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-017-0081-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2017] [Accepted: 07/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Methylene Blue (MB) is considered to have diverse medical applications and is a well-described treatment for methemoglobinemias and ifosfamide-induced encephalopathy. In recent years the focus has shifted to MB as an antimalarial agent and as a potential treatment for neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease. Of interest are reports that MB possesses antidepressant and anxiolytic activity in pre-clinical models and has shown promise in clinical trials for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. MB is a noteworthy inhibitor of monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A), which is a well-established target for antidepressant action. MB is also recognized as a non-selective inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and guanylate cyclase. Dysfunction of the nitric oxide (NO)-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) cascade is strongly linked to the neurobiology of mood, anxiety and psychosis, while the inhibition of NOS and/or guanylate cyclase has been associated with an antidepressant response. This action of MB may contribute significantly to its psychotropic activity. However, these disorders are also characterised by mitochondrial dysfunction and redox imbalance. By acting as an alternative electron acceptor/donor MB restores mitochondrial function, improves neuronal energy production and inhibits the formation of superoxide, effects that also may contribute to its therapeutic activity. Using MB in depression co-morbid with neurodegenerative disorders, like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, also represents a particularly relevant strategy. By considering their physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties, analogues of MB may provide therapeutic potential as novel multi-target strategies in the treatment of depression. In addition, low MAO-A active analogues may provide equal or improved response with a lower risk of adverse effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anzelle Delport
- Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa
- Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa
| | - Brian H Harvey
- Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa
- Division of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa
| | - Anél Petzer
- Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa
- Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa
| | - Jacobus P Petzer
- Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa.
- Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa.
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119
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Wang C, Ward ME, Chen R, Liu K, Tracy TE, Chen X, Xie M, Sohn PD, Ludwig C, Meyer-Franke A, Karch CM, Ding S, Gan L. Scalable Production of iPSC-Derived Human Neurons to Identify Tau-Lowering Compounds by High-Content Screening. Stem Cell Reports 2017; 9:1221-1233. [PMID: 28966121 PMCID: PMC5639430 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2017.08.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 197] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2017] [Revised: 08/25/2017] [Accepted: 08/28/2017] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Lowering total tau levels is an attractive therapeutic strategy for Alzheimer's disease and other tauopathies. High-throughput screening in neurons derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) is a powerful tool to identify tau-targeted therapeutics. However, such screens have been hampered by heterogeneous neuronal production, high cost and low yield, and multi-step differentiation procedures. We engineered an isogenic iPSC line that harbors an inducible neurogenin 2 transgene, a transcription factor that rapidly converts iPSCs to neurons, integrated at the AAVS1 locus. Using a simplified two-step protocol, we differentiated these iPSCs into cortical glutamatergic neurons with minimal well-to-well variability. We developed a robust high-content screening assay to identify tau-lowering compounds in LOPAC and identified adrenergic receptors agonists as a class of compounds that reduce endogenous human tau. These techniques enable the use of human neurons for high-throughput screening of drugs to treat neurodegenerative disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Wang
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, 1650 Owens Street, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, 675 Nelson Rising Lane, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Michael E Ward
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, 1650 Owens Street, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, 675 Nelson Rising Lane, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, 35 Convent Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Robert Chen
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, 675 Nelson Rising Lane, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Kai Liu
- Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, 1650 Owens Street, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, 600 16th Street, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Tara E Tracy
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, 1650 Owens Street, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, 675 Nelson Rising Lane, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Xu Chen
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, 1650 Owens Street, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, 675 Nelson Rising Lane, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Min Xie
- Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, 1650 Owens Street, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, 600 16th Street, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Peter Dongmin Sohn
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, 1650 Owens Street, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, 675 Nelson Rising Lane, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Connor Ludwig
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, 675 Nelson Rising Lane, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Anke Meyer-Franke
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, 1650 Owens Street, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Celeste M Karch
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, 425 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Sheng Ding
- Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, 1650 Owens Street, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, 600 16th Street, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Li Gan
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, 1650 Owens Street, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, 675 Nelson Rising Lane, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.
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120
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Menzies FM, Fleming A, Caricasole A, Bento CF, Andrews SP, Ashkenazi A, Füllgrabe J, Jackson A, Jimenez Sanchez M, Karabiyik C, Licitra F, Lopez Ramirez A, Pavel M, Puri C, Renna M, Ricketts T, Schlotawa L, Vicinanza M, Won H, Zhu Y, Skidmore J, Rubinsztein DC. Autophagy and Neurodegeneration: Pathogenic Mechanisms and Therapeutic Opportunities. Neuron 2017; 93:1015-1034. [PMID: 28279350 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2017.01.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 751] [Impact Index Per Article: 107.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2016] [Revised: 01/23/2017] [Accepted: 01/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Autophagy is a conserved pathway that delivers cytoplasmic contents to the lysosome for degradation. Here we consider its roles in neuronal health and disease. We review evidence from mouse knockout studies demonstrating the normal functions of autophagy as a protective factor against neurodegeneration associated with intracytoplasmic aggregate-prone protein accumulation as well as other roles, including in neuronal stem cell differentiation. We then describe how autophagy may be affected in a range of neurodegenerative diseases. Finally, we describe how autophagy upregulation may be a therapeutic strategy in a wide range of neurodegenerative conditions and consider possible pathways and druggable targets that may be suitable for this objective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiona M Menzies
- Department of Medical Genetics, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Wellcome Trust/MRC Building, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0XY, UK
| | - Angeleen Fleming
- Department of Medical Genetics, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Wellcome Trust/MRC Building, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0XY, UK
| | - Andrea Caricasole
- Alzheimer's Research UK Cambridge Drug Discovery Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0AH, UK
| | - Carla F Bento
- Department of Medical Genetics, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Wellcome Trust/MRC Building, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0XY, UK
| | - Stephen P Andrews
- Alzheimer's Research UK Cambridge Drug Discovery Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0AH, UK
| | - Avraham Ashkenazi
- Department of Medical Genetics, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Wellcome Trust/MRC Building, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0XY, UK
| | - Jens Füllgrabe
- Department of Medical Genetics, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Wellcome Trust/MRC Building, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0XY, UK
| | - Anne Jackson
- Department of Medical Genetics, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Wellcome Trust/MRC Building, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0XY, UK
| | - Maria Jimenez Sanchez
- Department of Medical Genetics, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Wellcome Trust/MRC Building, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0XY, UK
| | - Cansu Karabiyik
- Department of Medical Genetics, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Wellcome Trust/MRC Building, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0XY, UK
| | - Floriana Licitra
- Department of Medical Genetics, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Wellcome Trust/MRC Building, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0XY, UK
| | - Ana Lopez Ramirez
- Department of Medical Genetics, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Wellcome Trust/MRC Building, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0XY, UK
| | - Mariana Pavel
- Department of Medical Genetics, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Wellcome Trust/MRC Building, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0XY, UK
| | - Claudia Puri
- Department of Medical Genetics, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Wellcome Trust/MRC Building, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0XY, UK
| | - Maurizio Renna
- Department of Medical Genetics, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Wellcome Trust/MRC Building, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0XY, UK
| | - Thomas Ricketts
- Department of Medical Genetics, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Wellcome Trust/MRC Building, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0XY, UK
| | - Lars Schlotawa
- Department of Medical Genetics, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Wellcome Trust/MRC Building, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0XY, UK
| | - Mariella Vicinanza
- Department of Medical Genetics, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Wellcome Trust/MRC Building, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0XY, UK
| | - Hyeran Won
- Department of Medical Genetics, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Wellcome Trust/MRC Building, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0XY, UK
| | - Ye Zhu
- Department of Medical Genetics, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Wellcome Trust/MRC Building, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0XY, UK
| | - John Skidmore
- Alzheimer's Research UK Cambridge Drug Discovery Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0AH, UK
| | - David C Rubinsztein
- Department of Medical Genetics, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Wellcome Trust/MRC Building, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0XY, UK.
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121
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Ji C, Tang M, Johnson GVW. Assessing the degradation of tau in primary neurons: The role of autophagy. Methods Cell Biol 2017; 141:229-244. [PMID: 28882304 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mcb.2017.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Tau is a neuronal cytosolic, highly regulated protein. Although first identified as a protein that binds and stabilizes microtubules, it is now clear that tau plays numerous other roles in neurons. In addition to its key physiological roles in neuronal structure and function, tau is also involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease and numerous other neurodegenerative disorders. In all tauopathies, there are pathogenic accumulations of tau. Given that tau homeostasis requires a balance of synthesis and degradation, understanding the pathways that mediate tau clearance and regulate this process in the disease state is of fundamental importance. In neurons, macroautophagy (referred to as autophagy in this chapter) plays a pivotal role in clearing damaged or misfolded proteins under normal conditions. However, in the disease state autophagy is impaired and tau may not be efficiently targeted for degradation which contributes to the increases in pathological tau species. Therefore, establishing model systems that allow for the analysis of tau clearance by autophagy and quantitative assessment of interventions that increase autophagy and tau clearance are needed. Of particular importance is the use of primary neurons as a model system, as they are more reflective of the relevant in vivo autophagy pathway than clonal or immortalized cell models. In this chapter we present detailed methods for the preparation of neurons, immunoblotting and imaging analyses, genetic and pharmacological manipulation of autophagy with analyses, and methods to quantitatively measure changes in tau and phospho-tau levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changyi Ji
- University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, Unites States
| | - Maoping Tang
- University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, Unites States
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122
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Jouanne M, Rault S, Voisin-Chiret AS. Tau protein aggregation in Alzheimer's disease: An attractive target for the development of novel therapeutic agents. Eur J Med Chem 2017; 139:153-167. [PMID: 28800454 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2017.07.070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 142] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2017] [Revised: 07/27/2017] [Accepted: 07/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative brain disorder in which many biological dysfunctions are involved. Among them, two main types of lesions were discovered and widely studied: the amyloid plaques and the neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs). These two lesions are caused by the dysfunction and the accumulation of two proteins which are, respectively, the beta-amyloid peptide and the tau protein. The process that leads these two proteins to aggregate is complex and is the subject of current studies. After a brief description of the aggregation mechanisms, we will provide an overview of new therapeutic agents targeting the different dysfunctions and toxic species found during aggregation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Jouanne
- Université Caen Normandie, France; UNICAEN, CERMN - EA 4258, FR CNRS 3038 INC3M, SF 4206 ICORE, bd Becquerel, F-14032 Caen, France
| | - Sylvain Rault
- Université Caen Normandie, France; UNICAEN, CERMN - EA 4258, FR CNRS 3038 INC3M, SF 4206 ICORE, bd Becquerel, F-14032 Caen, France
| | - Anne-Sophie Voisin-Chiret
- Université Caen Normandie, France; UNICAEN, CERMN - EA 4258, FR CNRS 3038 INC3M, SF 4206 ICORE, bd Becquerel, F-14032 Caen, France.
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123
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Rauch JN, Olson SH, Gestwicki JE. Interactions between Microtubule-Associated Protein Tau (MAPT) and Small Molecules. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2017; 7:cshperspect.a024034. [PMID: 27940599 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a024034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Tau aggregation is linked to multiple neurodegenerative disorders that are collectively termed tauopathies. Small molecules are powerful probes of the aggregation process, helping to reveal the key steps and serving as diagnostics and reporters. Moreover, some of these small molecules may have potential as therapeutics. This review details how small molecules and chemical biology have helped to elucidate the mechanisms of tau aggregation and how they are being used to detect and prevent tau aggregation. In addition, we comment on how new insights into tau prions are changing the approach to small molecule discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer N Rauch
- Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94158
| | - Steven H Olson
- Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94158
| | - Jason E Gestwicki
- Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94158
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124
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Khan A, Corbett A, Ballard C. Emerging amyloid and tau targeting treatments for Alzheimer’s disease. Expert Rev Neurother 2017; 17:697-711. [DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2017.1326819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ayesha Khan
- Institute for NanoBiotechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Anne Corbett
- King’s College London, Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, London, UK
| | - Clive Ballard
- King’s College London, Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, London, UK
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125
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Guo T, Noble W, Hanger DP. Roles of tau protein in health and disease. Acta Neuropathol 2017; 133:665-704. [PMID: 28386764 PMCID: PMC5390006 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-017-1707-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 562] [Impact Index Per Article: 80.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2017] [Revised: 03/26/2017] [Accepted: 03/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Tau is well established as a microtubule-associated protein in neurons. However, under pathological conditions, aberrant assembly of tau into insoluble aggregates is accompanied by synaptic dysfunction and neural cell death in a range of neurodegenerative disorders, collectively referred to as tauopathies. Recent advances in our understanding of the multiple functions and different locations of tau inside and outside neurons have revealed novel insights into its importance in a diverse range of molecular pathways including cell signalling, synaptic plasticity, and regulation of genomic stability. The present review describes the physiological and pathophysiological properties of tau and how these relate to its distribution and functions in neurons. We highlight the post-translational modifications of tau, which are pivotal in defining and modulating tau localisation and its roles in health and disease. We include discussion of other pathologically relevant changes in tau, including mutation and aggregation, and how these aspects impinge on the propensity of tau to propagate, and potentially drive neuronal loss, in diseased brain. Finally, we describe the cascade of pathological events that may be driven by tau dysfunction, including impaired axonal transport, alterations in synapse and mitochondrial function, activation of the unfolded protein response and defective protein degradation. It is important to fully understand the range of neuronal functions attributed to tau, since this will provide vital information on its involvement in the development and pathogenesis of disease. Such knowledge will enable determination of which critical molecular pathways should be targeted by potential therapeutic agents developed for the treatment of tauopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tong Guo
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, SE5 9NU, UK
| | - Wendy Noble
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, SE5 9NU, UK
| | - Diane P Hanger
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, SE5 9NU, UK.
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126
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Trzeciakiewicz H, Tseng JH, Wander CM, Madden V, Tripathy A, Yuan CX, Cohen TJ. A Dual Pathogenic Mechanism Links Tau Acetylation to Sporadic Tauopathy. Sci Rep 2017; 7:44102. [PMID: 28287136 PMCID: PMC5347034 DOI: 10.1038/srep44102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2016] [Accepted: 02/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Tau acetylation has recently emerged as a dominant post-translational modification (PTM) in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and related tauopathies. Mass spectrometry studies indicate that tau acetylation sites cluster within the microtubule (MT)-binding region (MTBR), suggesting acetylation could regulate both normal and pathological tau functions. Here, we combined biochemical and cell-based approaches to uncover a dual pathogenic mechanism mediated by tau acetylation. We show that acetylation specifically at residues K280/K281 impairs tau-mediated MT stabilization, and enhances the formation of fibrillar tau aggregates, highlighting both loss and gain of tau function. Full-length acetylation-mimic tau showed increased propensity to undergo seed-dependent aggregation, revealing a potential role for tau acetylation in the propagation of tau pathology. We also demonstrate that methylene blue, a reported tau aggregation inhibitor, modulates tau acetylation, a novel mechanism of action for this class of compounds. Our study identifies a potential “two-hit” mechanism in which tau acetylation disengages tau from MTs and also promotes tau aggregation. Thus, therapeutic approaches to limit tau K280/K281 acetylation could simultaneously restore MT stability and ameliorate tau pathology in AD and related tauopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Trzeciakiewicz
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Jui-Heng Tseng
- Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Connor M Wander
- Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Victoria Madden
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Ashutosh Tripathy
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Chao-Xing Yuan
- Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc, New Haven, Connecticut 06510, USA
| | - Todd J Cohen
- Department of Neurology, UNC Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
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Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterised by a progressive loss of cognitive functions. Histopathologically, AD is defined by the presence of extracellular amyloid plaques containing Aβ and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles composed of hyperphosphorylated tau proteins. According to the now well-accepted amyloid cascade hypothesis is the Aβ pathology the primary driving force of AD pathogenesis, which then induces changes in tau protein leading to a neurodegenerative cascade during the progression of disease. Since many earlier drug trials aiming at preventing Aβ pathology failed to demonstrate efficacy, tau and microtubules have come into focus as prominent downstream targets. The article aims to develop the current concept of the involvement of tau in the neurodegenerative triad of synaptic loss, cell death and dendritic simplification. The function of tau as a microtubule-associated protein and versatile interaction partner will then be introduced and the rationale and progress of current tau-directed therapy will be discussed in the biological context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidia Bakota
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Osnabrück, Barbarastrasse 11, 49076, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Roland Brandt
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Osnabrück, Barbarastrasse 11, 49076, Osnabrück, Germany.
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Seripa D, Solfrizzi V, Imbimbo BP, Daniele A, Santamato A, Lozupone M, Zuliani G, Greco A, Logroscino G, Panza F. Tau-directed approaches for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease: focus on leuco-methylthioninium. Expert Rev Neurother 2016; 16:259-77. [PMID: 26822031 DOI: 10.1586/14737175.2016.1140039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Small molecular weight compounds able to inhibit formation of tau oligomers and fibrils have already been tested for Alzheimer's disease (AD) treatment. The most advanced tau aggregation inhibitor (TAI) is methylthioninium (MT), a drug existing in equilibrium between a reduced (leuco-methylthioninium) and oxidized form (MT(+)). MT chloride (also known as methylene blue) was investigated in a 24-week Phase II study in 321 mild-to-moderate AD patients at the doses of 69, 138, and 228 mg/day. This trial failed to show significant positive effects of MT in the overall patient population. The dose of 138 mg/day showed potential benefits on cognitive performance of moderately affected patients and cerebral blood flow in mildly affected patients. A follow-up compound (TRx0237) claimed to be more bioavailable and less toxic than MT, is now being developed. Phase III clinical trials on this novel TAI in AD and in the behavioral variant of frontotemporal dementia are underway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Seripa
- a Geriatric Unit & Laboratory of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Department of Medical Sciences , IRCCS 'Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza' , San Giovanni Rotondo , Foggia , Italy
| | - Vincenzo Solfrizzi
- b Geriatric Medicine-Memory Unit and Rare Disease Centre , University of Bari Aldo Moro , Bari , Italy
| | - Bruno P Imbimbo
- c Research & Development Department , Chiesi Farmaceutici , Parma , Italy
| | - Antonio Daniele
- d Institute of Neurology , Catholic University of Sacred Heart , Rome , Italy
| | - Andrea Santamato
- e Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Section, 'OORR' Hospital , University of Foggia , Foggia , Italy
| | - Madia Lozupone
- f Neurodegenerative Disease Unit, Department of Basic Medicine, Neuroscience, and Sense Organs , University of Bari Aldo Moro , Bari , Italy
| | - Giovanni Zuliani
- g Department of Medical Science, Section of Internal and Cardiopulmonary Medicine , University of Ferrara
| | - Antonio Greco
- a Geriatric Unit & Laboratory of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Department of Medical Sciences , IRCCS 'Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza' , San Giovanni Rotondo , Foggia , Italy
| | - Giancarlo Logroscino
- f Neurodegenerative Disease Unit, Department of Basic Medicine, Neuroscience, and Sense Organs , University of Bari Aldo Moro , Bari , Italy.,h Department of Clinical Research in Neurology , University of Bari Aldo Moro, 'Pia Fondazione Cardinale G. Panico' , Tricase , Lecce , Italy
| | - Francesco Panza
- a Geriatric Unit & Laboratory of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Department of Medical Sciences , IRCCS 'Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza' , San Giovanni Rotondo , Foggia , Italy.,f Neurodegenerative Disease Unit, Department of Basic Medicine, Neuroscience, and Sense Organs , University of Bari Aldo Moro , Bari , Italy.,h Department of Clinical Research in Neurology , University of Bari Aldo Moro, 'Pia Fondazione Cardinale G. Panico' , Tricase , Lecce , Italy
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129
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Tramutola A, Lanzillotta C, Di Domenico F. Targeting mTOR to reduce Alzheimer-related cognitive decline: from current hits to future therapies. Expert Rev Neurother 2016; 17:33-45. [PMID: 27690737 DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2017.1244482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The mTOR pathway is involved in the regulation of a wide repertoire of cellular functions in the brain and its dysregulation is emerging as a leitmotif in a large number of neurological disorders. In AD, altered mTOR signaling contributes to the inhibition of autophagy deposition of Aβ and tau aggregates and to the alteration of several neuronal metabolic pathways. Areas covered: In this review, we report all the current findings on the use of mTOR inhibitors (rapamycin, rapalogues) in the treatment of AD. These results support the role of mTOR inhibitors as potential therapeutic agents able to reduce AD hallmarks and recover cognitive performances. Expert commentary: Despite mTOR inhibitors appearing to be ideal compounds to counteract AD, further studies are needed in order to gain knowledge on the involvement of aberrant mTOR in AD, and to standardize a valuable therapeutic approach that can be translated to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Tramutola
- a Department of Biochemical Sciences , Sapienza University of Rome , Rome , Italy
| | - Chiara Lanzillotta
- a Department of Biochemical Sciences , Sapienza University of Rome , Rome , Italy
| | - Fabio Di Domenico
- a Department of Biochemical Sciences , Sapienza University of Rome , Rome , Italy
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130
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Sun W, Lee S, Huang X, Liu S, Inayathullah M, Kim KM, Tang H, Ashford JW, Rajadas J. Attenuation of synaptic toxicity and MARK4/PAR1-mediated Tau phosphorylation by methylene blue for Alzheimer's disease treatment. Sci Rep 2016; 6:34784. [PMID: 27708431 PMCID: PMC5052533 DOI: 10.1038/srep34784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2015] [Accepted: 09/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by genotypic and phenotypic heterogeneity. Critical components of the two AD pathological pathways, Aβ-amyloidosis and Tauopathy, have been considered as therapeutic targets. Among them, much effort is focused on aberrant Tau phosphorylation and targeting Tau-phosphorylating kinases. Methylene blue (MB), a phenothiazine dye that crosses the blood-brain barrier, has been shown to hit multiple molecular targets involved in AD and have beneficial effects in clinical studies. Here we present evidence that microtubule affinity-regulating kinase (MARK4) is a novel target of MB. MB partially rescued the synaptic toxicity in Drosophila larva overexpressing PAR1 (MARK analog). In 293T culture, MB decreased MARK4-mediated Tau phosphorylation in a dose dependent manner. Further studies revealed a two-fold mechanism by MB including down-regulation of MARK4 protein level through ubiquitin-proteasome pathway and inhibition of MARK4 kinase activity in vitro. This study highlights the importance of MARK4 as a viable target for Tauopathy and provides fresh insight into the complex mechanism used by MB to treat AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenchao Sun
- Biomaterial and Advanced Drug Delivery Lab, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Seongsoo Lee
- Biomaterial and Advanced Drug Delivery Lab, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA.,Gwangju Center, Korea Basic Science Institute, Gwangju 61186, Korea
| | - Xiaoran Huang
- Biomaterial and Advanced Drug Delivery Lab, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Song Liu
- Biomaterial and Advanced Drug Delivery Lab, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Mohammed Inayathullah
- Biomaterial and Advanced Drug Delivery Lab, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Kwang-Min Kim
- Biomaterial and Advanced Drug Delivery Lab, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Hongxiang Tang
- Biomaterial and Advanced Drug Delivery Lab, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - J Wesson Ashford
- War Related Illness and Injury Study Center (WRIISC), VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Jayakumar Rajadas
- Biomaterial and Advanced Drug Delivery Lab, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
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131
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Khanna MR, Kovalevich J, Lee VMY, Trojanowski JQ, Brunden KR. Therapeutic strategies for the treatment of tauopathies: Hopes and challenges. Alzheimers Dement 2016; 12:1051-1065. [PMID: 27751442 PMCID: PMC5116305 DOI: 10.1016/j.jalz.2016.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2016] [Accepted: 06/09/2016] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
A group of neurodegenerative diseases referred to as tauopathies are characterized by the presence of brain cells harboring inclusions of pathological species of the tau protein. These disorders include Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal lobar degeneration due to tau pathology, including progressive supranuclear palsy, corticobasal degeneration, and Pick's disease. Tau is normally a microtubule (MT)-associated protein that appears to play an important role in ensuring proper axonal transport, but in tauopathies tau becomes hyperphosphorylated and disengages from MTs, with consequent misfolding and deposition into inclusions that mainly affect neurons but also glia. A body of experimental evidence suggests that the development of tau inclusions leads to the neurodegeneration observed in tauopathies, and there is a growing interest in developing tau-directed therapeutic agents. The following review provides a summary of strategies under investigation for the potential treatment of tauopathies, highlighting both the promises and challenges associated with these various therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mansi R Khanna
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research, Institute on Aging, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jane Kovalevich
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research, Institute on Aging, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Virginia M-Y Lee
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research, Institute on Aging, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - John Q Trojanowski
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research, Institute on Aging, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Kurt R Brunden
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research, Institute on Aging, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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132
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Wang J, Zhao C, Kong P, Bian G, Sun Z, Sun Y, Guo L, Li B. Methylene blue alleviates experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis by modulating AMPK/SIRT1 signaling pathway and Th17/Treg immune response. J Neuroimmunol 2016; 299:45-52. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2016.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2016] [Revised: 08/05/2016] [Accepted: 08/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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133
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Congdon EE, Lin Y, Rajamohamedsait HB, Shamir DB, Krishnaswamy S, Rajamohamedsait WJ, Rasool S, Gonzalez V, Levenga J, Gu J, Hoeffer C, Sigurdsson EM. Affinity of Tau antibodies for solubilized pathological Tau species but not their immunogen or insoluble Tau aggregates predicts in vivo and ex vivo efficacy. Mol Neurodegener 2016; 11:62. [PMID: 27578006 PMCID: PMC5006503 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-016-0126-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2016] [Accepted: 08/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background A few tau immunotherapies are now in clinical trials with several more likely to be initiated in the near future. A priori, it can be anticipated that an antibody which broadly recognizes various pathological tau aggregates with high affinity would have the ideal therapeutic properties. Tau antibodies 4E6 and 6B2, raised against the same epitope region but of varying specificity and affinity, were tested for acutely improving cognition and reducing tau pathology in transgenic tauopathy mice and neuronal cultures. Results Surprisingly, we here show that one antibody, 4E6, which has low affinity for most forms of tau acutely improved cognition and reduced soluble phospho-tau, whereas another antibody, 6B2, which has high affinity for various tau species was ineffective. Concurrently, we confirmed and clarified these efficacy differences in an ex vivo model of tauopathy. Alzheimer’s paired helical filaments (PHF) were toxic to the neurons and increased tau levels in remaining neurons. Both toxicity and tau seeding were prevented by 4E6 but not by 6B2. Furthermore, 4E6 reduced PHF spreading between neurons. Interestingly, 4E6’s efficacy relates to its high affinity binding to solubilized PHF, whereas the ineffective 6B2 binds mainly to aggregated PHF. Blocking 4E6's uptake into neurons prevented its protective effects if the antibody was administered after PHF had been internalized. When 4E6 and PHF were administered at the same time, the antibody was protective extracellularly. Conclusions Overall, these findings indicate that high antibody affinity for solubilized PHF predicts efficacy, and that acute antibody-mediated improvement in cognition relates to clearance of soluble phospho-tau. Importantly, both intra- and extracellular clearance pathways are in play. Together, these results have major implications for understanding the pathogenesis of tauopathies and for development of immunotherapies. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13024-016-0126-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin E Congdon
- Departments of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University School of Medicine, Medical Science Building, MSB459, 550 First Avenue, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Yan Lin
- Departments of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University School of Medicine, Medical Science Building, MSB459, 550 First Avenue, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Hameetha B Rajamohamedsait
- Departments of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University School of Medicine, Medical Science Building, MSB459, 550 First Avenue, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Dov B Shamir
- Departments of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University School of Medicine, Medical Science Building, MSB459, 550 First Avenue, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Senthilkumar Krishnaswamy
- Departments of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University School of Medicine, Medical Science Building, MSB459, 550 First Avenue, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Wajitha J Rajamohamedsait
- Departments of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University School of Medicine, Medical Science Building, MSB459, 550 First Avenue, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Suhail Rasool
- Departments of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University School of Medicine, Medical Science Building, MSB459, 550 First Avenue, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Veronica Gonzalez
- Departments of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University School of Medicine, Medical Science Building, MSB459, 550 First Avenue, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Josien Levenga
- Departments of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University School of Medicine, Medical Science Building, MSB459, 550 First Avenue, New York, NY, 10016, USA.,Department of Integrative Physiology, Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA
| | - Jiaping Gu
- Departments of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University School of Medicine, Medical Science Building, MSB459, 550 First Avenue, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Charles Hoeffer
- Departments of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University School of Medicine, Medical Science Building, MSB459, 550 First Avenue, New York, NY, 10016, USA.,Department of Integrative Physiology, Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA
| | - Einar M Sigurdsson
- Departments of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University School of Medicine, Medical Science Building, MSB459, 550 First Avenue, New York, NY, 10016, USA. .,Departments of Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA.
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Cardoso S, Seiça RM, Moreira PI. Mitochondria as a target for neuroprotection: implications for Alzheimer´s disease. Expert Rev Neurother 2016; 17:77-91. [PMID: 27366815 DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2016.1205488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common form of dementia, is marked by progressive loss of memory and impairment of cognitive ability. Despite decades of intensive research and scientific advances, the intricate pathogenic mechanisms of AD are still not fully understood and, consequently, an effective treatment is yet to be developed. As widely accepted, the alterations of mitochondrial function are actively engaged in a plethora of neurodegenerative diseases, including AD. With growing interest in the mitochondria as a potential target for understanding AD, it has even been hypothesized that deficits in these organelles may be at the heart of the progression of AD itself. Areas covered: The purpose of this review is to summarize relevant studies that suggest a role for mitochondrial (dys)function in AD and to provide a survey on latest developments regarding AD-related mitochondrial therapeutics. Expert commentary: As outlined in a plethora of studies, there is no doubt that mitochondria play a major role in several stages of AD progression. Even though more in-depth studies are needed before pharmaceutical industry can apply such knowledge to human medicine, the continuous advances in AD research field will certainly facilitate and accelerate the development of more effective preventive or therapeutic strategies to fight this devastating disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susana Cardoso
- a CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology , University of Coimbra , Coimbra , Portugal.,b Institute for Interdisciplinary Research , University of Coimbra , Coimbra , Portugal
| | - Raquel M Seiça
- c Laboratory of Physiology - Faculty of Medicine , University of Coimbra , Coimbra , Portugal.,d IBILI-Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine , University of Coimbra , Coimbra , Portugal
| | - Paula I Moreira
- a CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology , University of Coimbra , Coimbra , Portugal.,c Laboratory of Physiology - Faculty of Medicine , University of Coimbra , Coimbra , Portugal
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135
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Cohen TJ, Constance BH, Hwang AW, James M, Yuan CX. Intrinsic Tau Acetylation Is Coupled to Auto-Proteolytic Tau Fragmentation. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0158470. [PMID: 27383765 PMCID: PMC4934699 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0158470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2016] [Accepted: 06/16/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Tau proteins are abnormally aggregated in a range of neurodegenerative tauopathies including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Recently, tau has emerged as an extensively post-translationally modified protein, among which lysine acetylation is critical for normal tau function and its pathological aggregation. Here, we demonstrate that tau isoforms have different propensities to undergo lysine acetylation, with auto-acetylation occurring more prominently within the lysine-rich microtubule-binding repeats. Unexpectedly, we identified a unique intrinsic property of tau in which auto-acetylation induces proteolytic tau cleavage, thereby generating distinct N- and C-terminal tau fragments. Supporting a catalytic reaction-based mechanism, mapping and mutagenesis studies showed that tau cysteines, which are required for acetyl group transfer, are also essential for auto-proteolytic tau processing. Further mass spectrometry analysis identified the C-terminal 2nd and 4th microtubule binding repeats as potential sites of auto-cleavage. The identification of acetylation-mediated auto-proteolysis provides a new biochemical mechanism for tau self-regulation and warrants further investigation into whether auto-catalytic functions of tau are implicated in AD and other tauopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Todd J. Cohen
- Department of Neurology, UNC Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Brian H. Constance
- Department of Neurology, UNC Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Andrew W. Hwang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute on Aging and Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Michael James
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute on Aging and Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Chao-Xing Yuan
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
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136
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Tau-Centric Targets and Drugs in Clinical Development for the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2016; 2016:3245935. [PMID: 27429978 PMCID: PMC4939203 DOI: 10.1155/2016/3245935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2015] [Accepted: 05/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The failure of several Phase II/III clinical trials in Alzheimer's disease (AD) with drugs targeting β-amyloid accumulation in the brain fuelled an increasing interest in alternative treatments against tau pathology, including approaches targeting tau phosphatases/kinases, active and passive immunization, and anti-tau aggregation. The most advanced tau aggregation inhibitor (TAI) is methylthioninium (MT), a drug existing in equilibrium between a reduced (leuco-methylthioninium) and oxidized form (MT+). MT chloride (methylene blue) was investigated in a 24-week Phase II clinical trial in 321 patients with mild to moderate AD that failed to show significant positive effects in mild AD patients, although long-term observations (50 weeks) and biomarker studies suggested possible benefit. The dose of 138 mg/day showed potential benefits on cognitive performance of moderately affected AD patients and cerebral blood flow in mildly affected patients. Further clinical evidence will come from the large ongoing Phase III trials for the treatment of AD and the behavioral variant of frontotemporal dementia on a new form of this TAI, more bioavailable and less toxic at higher doses, called TRx0237. More recently, inhibitors of tau acetylation are being actively pursued based on impressive results in animal studies obtained by salsalate, a clinically used derivative of salicylic acid.
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137
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Li Q, Liu Y, Sun M. Autophagy and Alzheimer's Disease. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2016; 37:377-388. [PMID: 27260250 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-016-0386-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 219] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2015] [Accepted: 05/24/2016] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Autophagy is an essential degradation pathway in clearing abnormal protein aggregates in mammalian cells and is responsible for protein homeostasis and neuronal health. Several studies have shown that autophagy deficits occurred in early stage of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Autophagy plays an important role in generation and metabolism of β-amyloid (Aβ), assembling of tau and thus its malfunction may lead to the progress of AD. By considering the above evidences, autophagy may be a new target in developing drugs for AD. So far, a number of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)-dependent and independent autophagy modulators have been identified to have positive effects in AD treatment. In this review, we summarized the latest progress supporting the role for autophagy deficits in AD and the potential therapeutic effects of autophagy modulators in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Li
- Neuroscience Research Institute, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Liu
- Department of Neurology, Dalian Municipal Central Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116033, China
| | - Miao Sun
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, 675 Hoes Lane West, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA.
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138
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Current pharmacotherapy and putative disease-modifying therapy for Alzheimer's disease. Neurol Sci 2016; 37:1403-35. [PMID: 27250365 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-016-2625-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2016] [Accepted: 05/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an age-related neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system correlated with the progressive loss of cognition and memory. β-Amyloid plaques, neurofibrillary tangles and the deficiency in cholinergic neurotransmission constitute the major hallmarks of the AD. Two major hypotheses have been implicated in the pathogenesis of AD namely the cholinergic hypothesis which ascribed the clinical features of dementia to the deficit cholinergic neurotransmission and the amyloid cascade hypothesis which emphasized on the deposition of insoluble peptides formed due to the faulty cleavage of the amyloid precursor protein. Current pharmacotherapy includes mainly the acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor agonist which offer symptomatic therapy and does not address the underlying cause of the disease. The disease-modifying therapy has garnered a lot of research interest for the development of effective pharmacotherapy for AD. β and γ-Secretase constitute attractive targets that are focussed in the disease-modifying approach. Potentiation of α-secretase also seems to be a promising approach towards the development of an effective anti-Alzheimer therapy. Additionally, the ameliorative agents that prevent aggregation of amyloid peptide and also the ones that modulate inflammation and oxidative damage associated with the disease are focussed upon. Development in the area of the vaccines is in progress to combat the characteristic hallmarks of the disease. Use of cholesterol-lowering agents also is a fruitful strategy for the alleviation of the disease as a close association between the cholesterol and AD has been cited. The present review underlines the major therapeutic strategies for AD with focus on the new developments that are on their way to amend the current therapeutic scenario of the disease.
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139
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TFEB Overexpression in the P301S Model of Tauopathy Mitigates Increased PHF1 Levels and Lipofuscin Puncta and Rescues Memory Deficits. eNeuro 2016; 3:eN-NWR-0042-16. [PMID: 27257626 PMCID: PMC4876487 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0042-16.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2016] [Revised: 05/05/2016] [Accepted: 05/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcription factor EB (TFEB) was recently shown to be a master regulator of autophagy lysosome pathway. Here, we successfully generated and characterized transgenic mice overexpressing flag-TFEB. Enhanced autophagy in the flag-TFEB transgenic mice was confirmed by an increase in the cellular autophagy markers, as determined by both immunoblots and transmission electron microscopy. Surprisingly, in the flag-TFEB mice we observed increased activity of senescence-associated β-galactosidase by ∼66% of neurons in the cortex (p < 0.001) and 73% of neurons in the hippocampus (p < 0.001). More importantly, flag-TFEB expression remarkably reduced the levels of paired-helical filament (PHF)-tau from 372% in the P301S model of tauopathy to 171% (p < 0.001) in the cortex, and from 436% to 212% (p < 0.001) in the hippocampus. Significantly, reduced levels of NeuN in the cortex (38%, p < 0.001) and hippocampus (25%, p < 0.05) of P301S mice were almost completely restored to WT levels in the P301S/flag-TFEB double-transgenic mice. Also, levels of spinophilin in both the cortex (p < 0.001) and hippocampus (p < 0.001) were restored almost to WT levels. Most importantly, the age-associated lipofuscin granules, which are generally presumed to be nondegradable, were reduced by 57% (p < 0.001) in the cortex and by 55% (p < 0.001) in the hippocampus in the double-transgenic mice. Finally, TFEB overexpression in the P301S mice markedly reversed learning deficits in terms of spatial memory (Barnes maze), as well as working and reference memories (T maze). These data suggest that the overexpression of TFEB can reliably enhance autophagy in vivo, reduce levels of PHF-tau, and thereby reverse the deposition of lipofuscin granules and memory deficits.
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140
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Radons J. The human HSP70 family of chaperones: where do we stand? Cell Stress Chaperones 2016; 21:379-404. [PMID: 26865365 PMCID: PMC4837186 DOI: 10.1007/s12192-016-0676-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 358] [Impact Index Per Article: 44.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2015] [Revised: 01/29/2016] [Accepted: 01/29/2016] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The 70-kDa heat shock protein (HSP70) family of molecular chaperones represents one of the most ubiquitous classes of chaperones and is highly conserved in all organisms. Members of the HSP70 family control all aspects of cellular proteostasis such as nascent protein chain folding, protein import into organelles, recovering of proteins from aggregation, and assembly of multi-protein complexes. These chaperones augment organismal survival and longevity in the face of proteotoxic stress by enhancing cell viability and facilitating protein damage repair. Extracellular HSP70s have a number of cytoprotective and immunomodulatory functions, the latter either in the context of facilitating the cross-presentation of immunogenic peptides via major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens or in the context of acting as "chaperokines" or stimulators of innate immune responses. Studies have linked the expression of HSP70s to several types of carcinoma, with Hsp70 expression being associated with therapeutic resistance, metastasis, and poor clinical outcome. In malignantly transformed cells, HSP70s protect cells from the proteotoxic stress associated with abnormally rapid proliferation, suppress cellular senescence, and confer resistance to stress-induced apoptosis including protection against cytostatic drugs and radiation therapy. All of the cellular activities of HSP70s depend on their adenosine-5'-triphosphate (ATP)-regulated ability to interact with exposed hydrophobic surfaces of proteins. ATP hydrolysis and adenosine diphosphate (ADP)/ATP exchange are key events for substrate binding and Hsp70 release during folding of nascent polypeptides. Several proteins that bind to distinct subdomains of Hsp70 and consequently modulate the activity of the chaperone have been identified as HSP70 co-chaperones. This review focuses on the regulation, function, and relevance of the molecular Hsp70 chaperone machinery to disease and its potential as a therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jürgen Radons
- Scientific Consulting International, Mühldorfer Str. 64, 84503, Altötting, Germany.
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141
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Sala Frigerio C, De Strooper B. Alzheimer's Disease Mechanisms and Emerging Roads to Novel Therapeutics. Annu Rev Neurosci 2016; 39:57-79. [PMID: 27050320 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-neuro-070815-014015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Ten years of remarkable progress in understanding the fundamental biochemistry of Alzheimer's disease have been followed by ten years of remarkable and increasing clinical insight into the natural progression of the disorder. The concept of a long, intermediary, prodromal phase between the first appearance of amyloid plaques and tangles and the manifestation of dementia is now well established. The major challenge for the next decade is to chart the many cellular processes that underlie this phase and link the biochemical alterations to the clinical manifestation of Alzheimer's disease. We discuss here how genetics, new cell culture systems, and improved animal models will fuel this work. We anticipate that the resulting novel insights will provide a basis for further drug development for this terrible disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Sala Frigerio
- VIB Center for the Biology of Disease, Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie, Leuven 3000, Belgium; , .,Center for Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium.,Leuven Research Institute for Neuroscience & Disease (LIND), KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Bart De Strooper
- VIB Center for the Biology of Disease, Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie, Leuven 3000, Belgium; , .,Center for Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium.,Leuven Research Institute for Neuroscience & Disease (LIND), KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium.,Institute of Neurology, University College London, WC1N 3BG London, United Kingdom
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142
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Multitarget strategies in Alzheimer's disease: benefits and challenges on the road to therapeutics. Future Med Chem 2016; 8:697-711. [DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2016-0003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease is a multifactorial syndrome, for which effective cures are urgently needed. Seeking for enhanced therapeutic efficacy, multitarget drugs have been increasingly sought after over the last decades. They offer the attractive prospect of tackling intricate network effects, but with the benefits of a single-molecule therapy. Herein, we highlight relevant progress in the field, focusing on acetylcholinesterase inhibition and amyloid pathways as two pivotal features in multitarget design strategies. We also discuss the intertwined relationship between selected molecular targets and give a brief glimpse into the power of multitarget agents as pharmacological probes of Alzheimer's disease molecular mechanisms.
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143
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Specific Knockdown of Endogenous Tau Protein by Peptide-Directed Ubiquitin-Proteasome Degradation. Cell Chem Biol 2016; 23:453-61. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2016.02.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2015] [Revised: 02/16/2016] [Accepted: 02/24/2016] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
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144
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Umeda T, Ono K, Sakai A, Yamashita M, Mizuguchi M, Klein WL, Yamada M, Mori H, Tomiyama T. Rifampicin is a candidate preventive medicine against amyloid-β and tau oligomers. Brain 2016; 139:1568-86. [PMID: 27020329 DOI: 10.1093/brain/aww042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2015] [Accepted: 01/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyloid-β, tau, and α-synuclein, or more specifically their soluble oligomers, are the aetiologic molecules in Alzheimer's disease, tauopathies, and α-synucleinopathies, respectively. These proteins have been shown to interact to accelerate each other's pathology. Clinical studies of amyloid-β-targeting therapies in Alzheimer's disease have revealed that the treatments after disease onset have little benefit on patient cognition. These findings prompted us to explore a preventive medicine which is orally available, has few adverse effects, and is effective at reducing neurotoxic oligomers with a broad spectrum. We initially tested five candidate compounds: rifampicin, curcumin, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, myricetin, and scyllo-inositol, in cells expressing amyloid precursor protein (APP) with the Osaka (E693Δ) mutation, which promotes amyloid-β oligomerization. Among these compounds, rifampicin, a well-known antibiotic, showed the strongest activities against the accumulation and toxicity (i.e. cytochrome c release from mitochondria) of intracellular amyloid-β oligomers. Under cell-free conditions, rifampicin inhibited oligomer formation of amyloid-β, tau, and α-synuclein, indicating its broad spectrum. The inhibitory effects of rifampicin against amyloid-β and tau oligomers were evaluated in APPOSK mice (amyloid-β oligomer model), Tg2576 mice (Alzheimer's disease model), and tau609 mice (tauopathy model). When orally administered to 17-month-old APPOSK mice at 0.5 and 1 mg/day for 1 month, rifampicin reduced the accumulation of amyloid-β oligomers as well as tau hyperphosphorylation, synapse loss, and microglial activation in a dose-dependent manner. In the Morris water maze, rifampicin at 1 mg/day improved memory of the mice to a level similar to that in non-transgenic littermates. Rifampicin also inhibited cytochrome c release from the mitochondria and caspase 3 activation in the hippocampus. In 13-month-old Tg2576 mice, oral rifampicin at 0.5 mg/day for 1 month decreased amyloid-β oligomer accumulation, tau hyperphosphorylation, synapse loss, and microglial activation, but not amyloid deposition. Rifampicin treatment to 14-15-month-old tau609 mice at 0.5 and 1 mg/day for 1 month also reduced tau oligomer accumulation, tau hyperphosphorylation, synapse loss, and microglial activation in a dose-dependent fashion, and improved the memory almost completely at 1 mg/day. In addition, rifampicin decreased the level of p62/sequestosome-1 in the brain without affecting the increased levels of LC3 (microtubule-associated protein light chain 3) conversion, suggesting the restoration of autophagy-lysosomal function. Considering its prescribed dose and safety in humans, these results indicate that rifampicin could be a promising, ready-to-use medicine for the prevention of Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomohiro Umeda
- Department of Neuroscience, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Kawaguchi, Japan
| | - Kenjiro Ono
- Department of Neurology and Neurobiology and Aging, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Ayumi Sakai
- Department of Neuroscience, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Minato Yamashita
- Department of Neuroscience, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Mineyuki Mizuguchi
- Laboratory of Structual Biology, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - William L Klein
- Department of Neurobiology, Weinberg College of Arts and Science, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Masahito Yamada
- Department of Neurology and Neurobiology and Aging, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Mori
- Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Kawaguchi, Japan Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Osaka City University Medical School, Osaka, Japan
| | - Takami Tomiyama
- Department of Neuroscience, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Kawaguchi, Japan
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145
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Panza F, Seripa D, Solfrizzi V, Imbimbo BP, Santamato A, Lozupone M, Capozzo R, Prete C, Pilotto A, Greco A, Logroscino G. Tau aggregation inhibitors: the future of Alzheimer’s pharmacotherapy? Expert Opin Pharmacother 2016; 17:457-61. [DOI: 10.1517/14656566.2016.1146686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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146
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147
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Abstract
Given the repeated failure of amyloid-based approaches in Alzheimer’s disease, there is increasing interest in tau-based therapeutics. Although methylthioninium (MT) treatment was found to be beneficial in tau transgenic models, the brain concentrations required to inhibit tau aggregation in vivo are unknown. The comparative efficacy of methylthioninium chloride (MTC) and leucomethylthioninium salts (LMTX; 5–75 mg/kg; oral administration for 3–8 weeks) was assessed in two novel transgenic tau mouse lines. Behavioural (spatial water maze, RotaRod motor performance) and histopathological (tau load per brain region) proxies were applied. Both MTC and LMTX dose-dependently rescued the learning impairment and restored behavioural flexibility in a spatial problem-solving water maze task in Line 1 (minimum effective dose: 35 mg MT/kg for MTC, 9 mg MT/kg for LMTX) and corrected motor learning in Line 66 (effective doses: 4 mg MT/kg). Simultaneously, both drugs reduced the number of tau-reactive neurons, particularly in the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex in Line 1 and in a more widespread manner in Line 66. MT levels in the brain followed a sigmoidal concentration–response relationship over a 10-fold range (0.13–1.38 μmol/l). These data establish that diaminophenothiazine compounds, like MT, can reverse both spatial and motor learning deficits and reduce the underlying tau pathology, and therefore offer the potential for treatment of tauopathies.
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148
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Abstract
Stroke is a leading cause of death and long-term disability. Methylene blue, a drug grandfathered by the Food and Drug Administration with a long history of safe usage in humans for treating methemoglobinemia and cyanide poisoning, has recently been shown to be neuroprotective in neurodegenerative diseases and brain injuries. The goal of this paper is to review studies on methylene blue in experimental stroke models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao Jiang
- Research Imaging Institute, Radiology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Timothy Q Duong
- Department of Ophthalmology, Radiology and Physiology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas, USA
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149
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Zare-Shahabadi A, Masliah E, Johnson GVW, Rezaei N. Autophagy in Alzheimer's disease. Rev Neurosci 2015; 26:385-95. [PMID: 25870960 DOI: 10.1515/revneuro-2014-0076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 142] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2014] [Accepted: 02/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Autophagy is a vesicle and lysosome-mediated degradative pathway that is essential for protein homeostasis and cell health. In particular, compared to nonneuronal cells, neurons are dependent on high basal autophagy for survival. There is emerging agreement that defects in autophagy are likely to contribute to the neurodegenerative processes in numerous diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Autophagy-lysosome defects occur early in the pathogenesis of AD and have been proposed to be a significant contributor to the disease process. Given the fact that autophagy deficits are likely major contributors to the etiology of AD, the focus of this review will be on recent studies that support a role for autophagy deficits in AD.
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150
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Yang SH, Li W, Sumien N, Forster M, Simpkins JW, Liu R. Alternative mitochondrial electron transfer for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and cancers: Methylene blue connects the dots. Prog Neurobiol 2015; 157:273-291. [PMID: 26603930 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2015.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2015] [Revised: 09/10/2015] [Accepted: 10/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Brain has exceptional high requirement for energy metabolism with glucose as the exclusive energy source. Decrease of brain energy metabolism and glucose uptake has been found in patients of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and other neurodegenerative diseases, providing a clear link between neurodegenerative disorders and energy metabolism. On the other hand, cancers, including glioblastoma, have increased glucose uptake and rely on aerobic glycolysis for energy metabolism. The switch of high efficient oxidative phosphorylation to low efficient aerobic glycolysis pathway (Warburg effect) provides macromolecule for biosynthesis and proliferation. Current research indicates that methylene blue, a century old drug, can receive electron from NADH in the presence of complex I and donates it to cytochrome c, providing an alternative electron transfer pathway. Methylene blue increases oxygen consumption, decrease glycolysis, and increases glucose uptake in vitro. Methylene blue enhances glucose uptake and regional cerebral blood flow in rats upon acute treatment. In addition, methylene blue provides protective effect in neuron and astrocyte against various insults in vitro and in rodent models of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's disease. In glioblastoma cells, methylene blue reverses Warburg effect by enhancing mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, arrests glioma cell cycle at s-phase, and inhibits glioma cell proliferation. Accordingly, methylene blue activates AMP-activated protein kinase, inhibits downstream acetyl-coA carboxylase and cyclin-dependent kinases. In summary, there is accumulating evidence providing a proof of concept that enhancement of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation via alternative mitochondrial electron transfer may offer protective action against neurodegenerative diseases and inhibit cancers proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shao-Hua Yang
- Center for Neuroscience Discovery, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA.
| | - Wenjun Li
- Center for Neuroscience Discovery, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA
| | - Nathalie Sumien
- Center for Neuroscience Discovery, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA
| | - Michael Forster
- Center for Neuroscience Discovery, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA
| | - James W Simpkins
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Center for Neuroscience, Health Science Center, West Virginia University, Medical Center Drive, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA
| | - Ran Liu
- Center for Neuroscience Discovery, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA
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