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Tandon S, Aggarwal P, Sarkar S. Polyglutamine disorders: Pathogenesis and potential drug interventions. Life Sci 2024; 344:122562. [PMID: 38492921 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2024.122562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
Polyglutamine/poly(Q) diseases are a group nine hereditary neurodegenerative disorders caused due to abnormally expanded stretches of CAG trinucleotide in functionally distinct genes. All human poly(Q) diseases are characterized by the formation of microscopically discernable poly(Q) positive aggregates, the inclusion bodies. These toxic inclusion bodies are responsible for the impairment of several cellular pathways such as autophagy, transcription, cell death, etc., that culminate in disease manifestation. Although, these diseases remain largely without treatment, extensive research has generated mounting evidences that various events of poly(Q) pathogenesis can be developed as potential drug targets. The present review article briefly discusses the key events of disease pathogenesis, model system-based investigations that support the development of effective therapeutic interventions against pathogenesis of human poly(Q) disorders, and a comprehensive list of pharmacological and bioactive compounds that have been experimentally shown to alleviate poly(Q)-mediated neurotoxicity. Interestingly, due to the common cause of pathogenesis, all poly(Q) diseases share etiology, thus, findings from one disease can be potentially extrapolated to other poly(Q) diseases as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shweta Tandon
- Department of Genetics, University of Delhi South Campus, Benito Juarez Road, New Delhi 110021, India
| | - Prerna Aggarwal
- Department of Genetics, University of Delhi South Campus, Benito Juarez Road, New Delhi 110021, India
| | - Surajit Sarkar
- Department of Genetics, University of Delhi South Campus, Benito Juarez Road, New Delhi 110021, India.
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2
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Ahamad S, Bano N, Khan S, Hussain MK, Bhat SA. Unraveling the Puzzle of Therapeutic Peptides: A Promising Frontier in Huntington's Disease Treatment. J Med Chem 2024; 67:783-815. [PMID: 38207096 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative genetic disorder characterized by a mutation in the huntingtin (HTT) gene, resulting in the production of a mutant huntingtin protein (mHTT). The accumulation of mHTT leads to the development of toxic aggregates in neurons, causing cell dysfunction and, eventually, cell death. Peptide therapeutics target various aspects of HD pathology, including mHTT reduction and aggregation inhibition, extended CAG mRNA degradation, and modulation of dysregulated signaling pathways, such as BDNF/TrkB signaling. In addition, these peptide therapeutics also target the detrimental interactions of mHTT with InsP3R1, CaM, or Caspase-6 proteins to mitigate HD. This Perspective provides a detailed perspective on anti-HD therapeutic peptides, highlighting their design, structural characteristics, neuroprotective effects, and specific mechanisms of action. Peptide therapeutics for HD exhibit promise in preclinical models, but further investigation is required to confirm their effectiveness as viable therapeutic strategies, recognizing that no approved peptide therapy for HD currently exists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shakir Ahamad
- Department of Chemistry, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202002, India
| | - Nargis Bano
- Department of Zoology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202002, India
| | - Sameera Khan
- Department of Zoology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202002, India
| | | | - Shahnawaz A Bhat
- Department of Zoology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202002, India
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3
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Li C, Lin Y, Chen Y, Song X, Zheng X, Li J, He J, Chen X, Huang C, Wang W, Wu J, Wu J, Gao J, Tu Z, Li XJ, Yan S, Li S. A Specific Mini-Intrabody Mediates Lysosome Degradation of Mutant Huntingtin. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2301120. [PMID: 37688357 PMCID: PMC10625127 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202301120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
Accumulation of misfolded proteins leads to many neurodegenerative diseases that can be treated by lowering or removing mutant proteins. Huntington's disease (HD) is characterized by the intracellular accumulation of mutant huntingtin (mHTT) that can be soluble and aggregated in the central nervous system and causes neuronal damage and death. Here, an intracellular antibody (intrabody) fragment is generated that can specifically bind mHTT and link to the lysosome for degradation. It is found that delivery of this peptide by either brain injection or intravenous administration can efficiently clear the soluble and aggregated mHTT by activating the lysosomal degradation pathway, resulting in amelioration of gliosis and dyskinesia in HD knock-in (KI-140Q) mice. These findings suggest that the small intrabody peptide linked to lysosomes can effectively lower mutant proteins and provide a new approach for treating neurodegenerative diseases that are caused by the accumulation of mutant proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caijuan Li
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), GHM Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Yingqi Lin
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), GHM Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Yizhi Chen
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), GHM Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Xichen Song
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), GHM Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Xiao Zheng
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), GHM Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Jiawei Li
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), GHM Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Jun He
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Xiusheng Chen
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), GHM Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Chunhui Huang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), GHM Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), GHM Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Jianhao Wu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), GHM Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Jiaxi Wu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), GHM Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Jiale Gao
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), GHM Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Zhuchi Tu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), GHM Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Xiao-Jiang Li
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), GHM Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Sen Yan
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), GHM Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Shihua Li
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), GHM Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
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4
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Tseng YL, Lu PC, Lee CC, He RY, Huang YA, Tseng YC, Cheng TJR, Huang JJT, Fang JM. Degradation of neurodegenerative disease-associated TDP-43 aggregates and oligomers via a proteolysis-targeting chimera. J Biomed Sci 2023; 30:27. [PMID: 37101169 PMCID: PMC10131537 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-023-00921-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) associated with TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) aggregation has been considered as a lethal and progressive motor neuron disease. Recent studies have shown that both C-terminal TDP-43 (C-TDP-43) aggregates and oligomers were neurotoxic and pathologic agents in ALS and frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). However, misfolding protein has long been considered as an undruggable target by applying conventional inhibitors, agonists, or antagonists. To provide this unmet medical need, we aim to degrade these misfolding proteins by designing a series of proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) against C-TDP-43. METHODS By applying filter trap assay, western blotting, and microscopy imaging, the degradation efficiency of C-TDP-43 aggregates was studied in Neuro-2a cells overexpressing eGFP-C-TDP-43 or mCherry-C-TDP-43. The cell viability was characterized by alarmarBlue assay. The beneficial and disaggregating effects of TDP-43 PROTAC were examined with the YFP-C-TDP-43 transgenic C. elegans by motility assay and confocal microscopy. The impact of TDP-43 PROTAC on C-TDP-43 oligomeric intermediates was monitored by fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy and size exclusion chromatography in the Neuro-2a cells co-expressing eGFP-C-TDP-43 and mCherry-C-TDP-43. RESULTS Four PROTACs with different linker lengths were synthesized and characterized. Among these chimeras, PROTAC 2 decreased C-TDP-43 aggregates and relieved C-TDP-43-induced cytotoxicity in Neuro-2a cells without affecting endogenous TDP-43. We showed that PROTAC 2 bound to C-TDP-43 aggregates and E3 ligase to initiate ubiquitination and proteolytic degradation. By applying advanced microscopy, it was further shown that PROTAC 2 decreased the compactness and population of C-TDP-43 oligomers. In addition to cellular model, PROTAC 2 also improved the motility of transgenic C. elegans by reducing the C-TDP-43 aggregates in the nervous system. CONCLUSIONS Our study demonstrated the dual-targeting capacity of the newly-designed PROTAC 2 against both C-TDP-43 aggregates and oligomers to reduce their neurotoxicity, which shed light on the potential drug development for ALS as well as other neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Ling Tseng
- Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 106, Taiwan
| | - Po-Chao Lu
- Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 115, Taiwan
- Chemical Biology and Molecular Biophysics, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 115, Taiwan
- Department and Graduate Institute of Pharmacology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 100, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Chang Lee
- Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 115, Taiwan
| | - Ruei-Yu He
- Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 115, Taiwan
| | - Yung-An Huang
- Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 115, Taiwan
| | - Yin-Chen Tseng
- The Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 115, Taiwan
| | | | - Joseph Jen-Tse Huang
- Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 115, Taiwan.
- Sustainable Chemical Science and Technology, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 115, Taiwan.
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Chiayi University, Chiayi City, 600, Taiwan.
- Neuroscience Program of Academia Sinica, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 115, Taiwan.
| | - Jim-Min Fang
- Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 106, Taiwan.
- The Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 115, Taiwan.
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5
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Lo WL, Wang YH, Chen EHL, Wang SM, Chen LC, Chen RPY. Biodistribution analysis of an intranasal-delivered peptide by the nanoSPECT/CT imaging. J Drug Deliv Sci Technol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jddst.2022.103454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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6
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Wahyuningtyas D, Chen WH, He RY, Huang YA, Tsao CK, He YJ, Yu CY, Lu PC, Chen YC, Wang SH, Ng KC, Po-Wen Chen B, Wei PK, Shie JJ, Kuo CH, Sun YH, Jen-Tse Huang J. Polyglutamine-Specific Gold Nanoparticle Complex Alleviates Mutant Huntingtin-Induced Toxicity. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2021; 13:60894-60906. [PMID: 34914364 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c18754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) belongs to protein misfolding disorders associated with polyglutamine (polyQ)-rich mutant huntingtin (mHtt) protein inclusions. Currently, it is indicated that the aggregation of polyQ-rich mHtt participates in neuronal toxicity and dysfunction. Here, we designed and synthesized a polyglutamine-specific gold nanoparticle (AuNP) complex, which specifically targeted mHtt and alleviated its toxicity. The polyglutamine-specific AuNPs were prepared by decorating the surface of AuNPs with an amphiphilic peptide (JLD1) consisting of both polyglutamine-binding sequences and negatively charged sequences. By applying the polyQ aggregation model system, we demonstrated that AuNPs-JLD1 dissociated the fibrillary aggregates from the polyQ peptide and reduced its β-sheet content in a concentration-dependent manner. By further integrating polyethyleneimine (PEI) onto AuNPs-JLD1, we generated a complex (AuNPs-JLD1-PEI). We showed that this complex could penetrate cells, bind to cytosolic mHtt proteins, dissociate mHtt inclusions, reduce mHtt oligomers, and ameliorate mHtt-induced toxicity. AuNPs-JLD1-PEI was also able to be transported to the brain and improved the functional deterioration in the HD Drosophila larva model. Our results revealed the feasibility of combining AuNPs, JLD1s, and cell-penetrating polymers against mHtt protein aggregation and oligomerization, which hinted on the early therapeutic strategies against HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devi Wahyuningtyas
- Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, No. 128, Sec. 2, Academia Road, Nankang District, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
- Sustainable Chemical Science and Technology, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica, No. 128, Sec. 2, Academia Road, Nankang District, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Science Building 2, 1001 Ta Hsueh Road, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Hao Chen
- Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, No. 128, Sec. 2, Academia Road, Nankang District, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Ruei-Yu He
- Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, No. 128, Sec. 2, Academia Road, Nankang District, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Yung-An Huang
- Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, No. 128, Sec. 2, Academia Road, Nankang District, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Kang Tsao
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, No. 128, Sec. 2, Academia Road, Nankang District, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Jung He
- Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, No. 128, Sec. 2, Academia Road, Nankang District, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Chu-Yi Yu
- Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, No. 128, Sec. 2, Academia Road, Nankang District, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Po-Chao Lu
- Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, No. 128, Sec. 2, Academia Road, Nankang District, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
- Chemical Biology and Molecular Biophysics, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica, No. 128, Sec. 2, Academia Road, Nankang District, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
- Department and Graduate Institute of Pharmacology, National Taiwan University, 11F, No. 1, Section 1, Ren'ai Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei 10051, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Cai Chen
- Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, No. 128, Sec. 2, Academia Road, Nankang District, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Sheng-Hann Wang
- Research Center for Applied Sciences, Academia Sinica, No. 128, Sec. 2, Academia Road, Nankang District, Taipei 115, Taiwan
| | - Ka Chon Ng
- Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, No. 128, Sec. 2, Academia Road, Nankang District, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Bryan Po-Wen Chen
- Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, No. 128, Sec. 2, Academia Road, Nankang District, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Kuen Wei
- Research Center for Applied Sciences, Academia Sinica, No. 128, Sec. 2, Academia Road, Nankang District, Taipei 115, Taiwan
| | - Jiun-Jie Shie
- Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, No. 128, Sec. 2, Academia Road, Nankang District, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Hong Kuo
- Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, No. 128, Sec. 2, Academia Road, Nankang District, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Y Henry Sun
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, No. 128, Sec. 2, Academia Road, Nankang District, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Joseph Jen-Tse Huang
- Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, No. 128, Sec. 2, Academia Road, Nankang District, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Chiayi University, No. 300, University Road, Chiayi 600, Taiwan
- Neuroscience Program of Academia Sinica, Academia Sinica, No. 128, Sec. 2, Academia Road, Nankang, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
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7
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Mamsa SSA, Meloni BP. Arginine and Arginine-Rich Peptides as Modulators of Protein Aggregation and Cytotoxicity Associated With Alzheimer's Disease. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:759729. [PMID: 34776866 PMCID: PMC8581540 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.759729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
A substantial body of evidence indicates cationic, arginine-rich peptides (CARPs) are effective therapeutic compounds for a range of neurodegenerative pathologies, with beneficial effects including the reduction of excitotoxic cell death and mitochondrial dysfunction. CARPs, therefore, represent an emergent class of promising neurotherapeutics with multimodal mechanisms of action. Arginine itself is a known chaotrope, able to prevent misfolding and aggregation of proteins. The putative role of proteopathies in chronic neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) warrants investigation into whether CARPs could also prevent the aggregation and cytotoxicity of amyloidogenic proteins, particularly amyloid-beta and tau. While monomeric arginine is well-established as an inhibitor of protein aggregation in solution, no studies have comprehensively discussed the anti-aggregatory properties of arginine and CARPs on proteins associated with neurodegenerative disease. Here, we review the structural, physicochemical, and self-associative properties of arginine and the guanidinium moiety, to explore the mechanisms underlying the modulation of protein aggregation by monomeric and multimeric arginine molecules. Arginine-rich peptide-based inhibitors of amyloid-beta and tau aggregation are discussed, as well as further modulatory roles which could reduce proteopathic cytotoxicity, in the context of therapeutic development for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Somayra S A Mamsa
- School of Molecular Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia.,Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, QEII Medical Centre, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Bruno P Meloni
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, QEII Medical Centre, Perth, WA, Australia.,Centre for Neuromuscular and Neurological Disorders, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia.,Department of Neurology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, QEII Medical Centre, Perth, WA, Australia
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8
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Zhang X, Zhang X, Li Y, Zhong M, Zhao P, Guo C, Xu H, Wang T, Gao H. Brain Targeting and Aβ Binding Bifunctional Nanoparticles Inhibit Amyloid Protein Aggregation in APP/PS1 Transgenic Mice. ACS Chem Neurosci 2021; 12:2110-2121. [PMID: 34042421 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.1c00035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an insidious and progressive neurodegenerative disease with few disease-modifying treatments. A variety of peptide/protein drugs have neuroprotective effects, which brings new hope for the treatment of AD. However, the application of these drugs is limited because of their low specificity and difficulty in crossing the blood-brain barrier. Herein, using the phage display technology, we identified the Aβ oligomer binding peptide (KH) and the brain targeting peptide (IS). We combined these peptides to develop a bifunctional nanoparticle (IS@NP/KH) for the delivery of Aβ1-42 oligomer binding peptide into the brain. Intranasal administration of IS@NP/KH significantly attenuated the cognitive and behavioral deficits and reduced the Aβ deposition in the brain of an AD animal model (APPswe/PS 1d9 double-transgenic mice). Our results suggest that intranasal IS@NP/KH administration could be a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiancheng Zhang
- College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China
- Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, China
| | - Xiaoyu Zhang
- College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China
- Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, China
| | - You Li
- College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China
| | - Manli Zhong
- College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China
| | - Pu Zhao
- College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China
| | - Chuang Guo
- College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China
| | - He Xu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Tao Wang
- College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China
| | - Huiling Gao
- College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China
- Key Laboratory of Data Analytics and Optimization for Smart Industry, Northeastern University, Ministry of Education, Shenyang 110819, China
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9
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Barrera EE, Zonta F, Pantano S. Dissecting the role of glutamine in seeding peptide aggregation. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2021; 19:1595-1602. [PMID: 33868596 PMCID: PMC8039506 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2021.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Poly glutamine and glutamine-rich peptides play a central role in a plethora of pathological aggregation events. However, biophysical characterization of soluble oligomers -the most toxic species involved in these processes- remains elusive due to their structural heterogeneity and dynamical nature. Here, we exploit the high spatio-temporal resolution of coarse-grained simulations as a computational microscope to characterize the aggregation propensity and morphology of a series of polyglutamine and glutamine-rich peptides. Comparative analysis of ab-initio aggregation pinpointed a double role for glutamines. In the first phase, glutamines mediate seeding by pairing monomeric peptides, which serve as primers for higher-order nucleation. According to the glutamine content, these low molecular-weight oligomers may then proceed to create larger aggregates. Once within the aggregates, buried glutamines continue to play a role in their maturation by optimizing solvent-protected hydrogen bonds networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Exequiel E. Barrera
- Instituto de Histología y Embriología (IHEM) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), CC56, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo (UNCuyo), Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Francesco Zonta
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Sergio Pantano
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
- Biomolecular Simulations Group, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Mataojo 2020, CP 11400 Montevideo, Uruguay
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10
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Minakawa EN, Nagai Y. Protein Aggregation Inhibitors as Disease-Modifying Therapies for Polyglutamine Diseases. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:621996. [PMID: 33642983 PMCID: PMC7907447 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.621996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The polyglutamine (polyQ) diseases are a group of inherited neurodegenerative diseases caused by the abnormal expansion of a CAG trinucleotide repeat that are translated into an expanded polyQ stretch in the disease-causative proteins. The expanded polyQ stretch itself plays a critical disease-causative role in the pathomechanisms underlying polyQ diseases. Notably, the expanded polyQ stretch undergoes a conformational transition from the native monomer into the β-sheet-rich monomer, followed by the formation of soluble oligomers and then insoluble aggregates with amyloid fibrillar structures. The intermediate soluble species including the β-sheet-rich monomer and oligomers exhibit substantial neurotoxicity. Therefore, protein conformation stabilization and aggregation inhibition that target the upstream of the insoluble aggregate formation would be a promising approach toward the development of disease-modifying therapies for polyQ diseases. PolyQ aggregation inhibitors of different chemical categories, such as intrabodies, peptides, and small chemical compounds, have been identified through intensive screening methods. Among them, recent advances in the brain delivery methods of several peptides and the screening of small chemical compounds have brought them closer to clinical utility. Notably, the recent discovery of arginine as a potent conformation stabilizer and aggregation inhibitor of polyQ proteins both in vitro and in vivo have paved way to the clinical trial for the patients with polyQ diseases. Meanwhile, expression reduction of expanded polyQ proteins per se would be another promising approach toward disease modification of polyQ diseases. Gene silencing, especially by antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), have succeeded in reducing the expression of polyQ proteins in the animal models of various polyQ diseases by targeting the aberrant mRNA with expanded CAG repeats. Of note, some of these ASOs have recently been translated into clinical trials. Here we overview and discuss these recent advances toward the development of disease modifying therapies for polyQ diseases. We envision that combination therapies using aggregation inhibitors and gene silencing would meet the needs of the patients with polyQ diseases and their caregivers in the near future to delay or prevent the onset and progression of these currently intractable diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eiko N Minakawa
- Department of Degenerative Neurological Diseases, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Japan
| | - Yoshitaka Nagai
- Department of Degenerative Neurological Diseases, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Japan.,Department of Neurotherapeutics, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
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