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Zhu K, Wang H, Ye K, Chen G, Zhang Z. Netrin-1 signaling pathway mechanisms in neurodegenerative diseases. Neural Regen Res 2025; 20:960-972. [PMID: 38989931 PMCID: PMC11438344 DOI: 10.4103/nrr.nrr-d-23-01573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Netrin-1 and its receptors play crucial roles in inducing axonal growth and neuronal migration during neuronal development. Their profound impacts then extend into adulthood to encompass the maintenance of neuronal survival and synaptic function. Increasing amounts of evidence highlight several key points: (1) Diminished Netrin-1 levels exacerbate pathological progression in animal models of Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, and potentially, similar alterations occur in humans. (2) Genetic mutations of Netrin-1 receptors increase an individuals' susceptibility to neurodegenerative disorders. (3) Therapeutic approaches targeting Netrin-1 and its receptors offer the benefits of enhancing memory and motor function. (4) Netrin-1 and its receptors show genetic and epigenetic alterations in a variety of cancers. These findings provide compelling evidence that Netrin-1 and its receptors are crucial targets in neurodegenerative diseases. Through a comprehensive review of Netrin-1 signaling pathways, our objective is to uncover potential therapeutic avenues for neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kedong Zhu
- Department of Neurology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Hualong Wang
- Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University; Brain Aging and Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory of Heibei Province, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, China
| | - Keqiang Ye
- Faculty of Life and Health Sciences, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Guiqin Chen
- Department of Neurology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Zhaohui Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
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Yang J, Shen N, Shen J, Yang Y, Li HL. Complicated Role of Post-translational Modification and Protease-Cleaved Fragments of Tau in Alzheimer's Disease and Other Tauopathies. Mol Neurobiol 2024; 61:4712-4731. [PMID: 38114762 PMCID: PMC11236937 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03867-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Tau, a microtubule-associated protein predominantly localized in neuronal axons, plays a crucial role in promoting microtubule assembly, stabilizing their structure, and participating in axonal transport. Perturbations in tau's structure and function are implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases collectively known as tauopathies, the most common disorder of which is Alzheimer's disease (AD). In tauopathies, it has been found that tau has a variety of post-translational modification (PTM) abnormalities and/or tau is cleaved into a variety of fragments by some specific proteolytic enzymes; however, the precise contributions of these abnormal modifications and fragments to disease onset and progression remain incompletely understood. Herein, we provide an overview about the involvement of distinctive abnormal tau PTMs and different tau fragments in the pathogenesis of AD and other tauopathies and discuss the involvement of proteolytic enzymes such as caspases, calpains, and asparagine endopeptidase in mediating tau cleavage while also addressing the intercellular transmission role played by tau. We anticipate that further exploration into PTMs and fragmented forms of tau will yield valuable insights for diagnostic approaches and therapeutic interventions targeting AD and other related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Yang
- Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Naiting Shen
- Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Jianying Shen
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry, Hubei Province of China for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Ying Yang
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry, Hubei Province of China for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Hong-Lian Li
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry, Hubei Province of China for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
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Treccarichi S, Failla P, Vinci M, Musumeci A, Gloria A, Vasta A, Calabrese G, Papa C, Federico C, Saccone S, Calì F. UNC5C: Novel Gene Associated with Psychiatric Disorders Impacts Dysregulation of Axon Guidance Pathways. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:306. [PMID: 38540364 PMCID: PMC10970690 DOI: 10.3390/genes15030306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The UNC-5 family of netrin receptor genes, predominantly expressed in brain tissues, plays a pivotal role in various neuronal processes. Mutations in genes involved in axon development contribute to a wide spectrum of human diseases, including developmental, neuropsychiatric, and neurodegenerative disorders. The NTN1/DCC signaling pathway, interacting with UNC5C, plays a crucial role in central nervous system axon guidance and has been associated with psychiatric disorders during adolescence in humans. Whole-exome sequencing analysis unveiled two compound heterozygous causative mutations within the UNC5C gene in a patient diagnosed with psychiatric disorders. In silico analysis demonstrated that neither of the observed variants affected the allosteric linkage between UNC5C and NTN1. In fact, these mutations are located within crucial cytoplasmic domains, specifically ZU5 and the region required for the netrin-mediated axon repulsion of neuronal growth cones. These domains play a critical role in forming the supramodular protein structure and directly interact with microtubules, thereby ensuring the functionality of the axon repulsion process. We emphasize that these mutations disrupt the aforementioned processes, thereby associating the UNC5C gene with psychiatric disorders for the first time and expanding the number of genes related to psychiatric disorders. Further research is required to validate the correlation of the UNC5C gene with psychiatric disorders, but we suggest including it in the genetic analysis of patients with psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Treccarichi
- Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, 94018 Troina, Italy; (S.T.); (P.F.); (M.V.); (A.M.); (A.G.); (A.V.); (G.C.); (C.P.); (F.C.)
| | - Pinella Failla
- Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, 94018 Troina, Italy; (S.T.); (P.F.); (M.V.); (A.M.); (A.G.); (A.V.); (G.C.); (C.P.); (F.C.)
| | - Mirella Vinci
- Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, 94018 Troina, Italy; (S.T.); (P.F.); (M.V.); (A.M.); (A.G.); (A.V.); (G.C.); (C.P.); (F.C.)
| | - Antonino Musumeci
- Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, 94018 Troina, Italy; (S.T.); (P.F.); (M.V.); (A.M.); (A.G.); (A.V.); (G.C.); (C.P.); (F.C.)
| | - Angelo Gloria
- Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, 94018 Troina, Italy; (S.T.); (P.F.); (M.V.); (A.M.); (A.G.); (A.V.); (G.C.); (C.P.); (F.C.)
| | - Anna Vasta
- Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, 94018 Troina, Italy; (S.T.); (P.F.); (M.V.); (A.M.); (A.G.); (A.V.); (G.C.); (C.P.); (F.C.)
| | - Giuseppe Calabrese
- Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, 94018 Troina, Italy; (S.T.); (P.F.); (M.V.); (A.M.); (A.G.); (A.V.); (G.C.); (C.P.); (F.C.)
| | - Carla Papa
- Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, 94018 Troina, Italy; (S.T.); (P.F.); (M.V.); (A.M.); (A.G.); (A.V.); (G.C.); (C.P.); (F.C.)
| | - Concetta Federico
- Department Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Catania, Via Androne 81, 95124 Catania, Italy;
| | - Salvatore Saccone
- Department Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Catania, Via Androne 81, 95124 Catania, Italy;
| | - Francesco Calì
- Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, 94018 Troina, Italy; (S.T.); (P.F.); (M.V.); (A.M.); (A.G.); (A.V.); (G.C.); (C.P.); (F.C.)
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Wang J, Wang D, Setrerrahmane S, Martinez J, Xu HM. The peptide Acein promotes dopamine secretion through clec-126 to extend the lifespan of elderly C. elegans. Aging (Albany NY) 2023; 15:14651-14665. [PMID: 38154108 PMCID: PMC10781461 DOI: 10.18632/aging.205150] [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: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
Dopamine plays a crucial role in regulating brain activity and movement and modulating human behavior, cognition and mood. Regulating dopamine signaling may improve cognitive abilities and physical functions during aging. Acein, a nonapeptide of sequence H-Pro-Pro-Thr-Thr-Thr-Lys-Phe-Ala-Ala-OH is able to stimulate dopamine secretion in the brain. By using genetic editing and lifespan investigation in C. elegans, we showed that the lack of the C-type lectin domain-containing protein clec-126 significantly suppressed the aging phenotype and prolonged lifespan, while overexpression of clec-126 promoted aging-related phenotypes and accelerated the aging process. We examined the aging phenotype of C. elegans and showed that Acein could induce a decrease in clec-126 expression, prolonging the lifespan of aged C. elegans. The mechanism proceeds through the Acein-induced stimulation of dopamine secretion that ameliorates motor function decline and extends the healthy lifespan of aged C. elegans. In addition, we also observed an increase in brood number. Our study has shown that Acein regulates dopamine secretion and has good antiaging activity by decreasing clec-126 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqi Wang
- Synthetic Peptide Drug Discovery and Evaluation Engineering Research Center, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Dong Wang
- Synthetic Peptide Drug Discovery and Evaluation Engineering Research Center, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | | | - Jean Martinez
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron (IBMM), Université de Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, Pôle Chimie Balard Recherche, Montpellier cedex 5 34293, France
| | - Han-Mei Xu
- Synthetic Peptide Drug Discovery and Evaluation Engineering Research Center, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
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Huang J, Wang Y, Stein TD, Ang TFA, Zhu Y, Tao Q, Lunetta KL, Mez J, Au R, Farrer LA, Qiu WQ, Zhang X. The impact of blood MCP-1 levels on Alzheimer's disease with genetic variation of UNC5C and NAV3 loci. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3376348. [PMID: 37841863 PMCID: PMC10571626 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3376348/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
Background Previous study shows that monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), which is implicated in the peripheral proinflammatory cascade and blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption, modulates the genetic risks of AD in established AD loci. Methods In this study, we hypothesized that blood MCP-1 impacts the AD risk of genetic variants beyond known AD loci. We thus performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) using the logistic regression via generalized estimating equations (GEE) and the Cox proportional-hazards models to examine the interactive effects between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and blood MCP-1 level on AD in three cohorts: the Framingham Heart Study (FHS), Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) and Religious Orders Study/Memory and Aging Project (ROSMAP). Results We identified SNPs in two genes, neuron navigator 3 (NAV3, also named Unc-53 Homolog 3, rs696468) (p < 7.55×10- 9) and Unc-5 Netrin Receptor C (UNC5C rs72659964) (p < 1.07×10- 8) that showed an association between increasing levels of blood MCP-1 and AD. Elevating blood MCP-1 concentrations increased AD risk and AD pathology in genotypes of NAV3 (rs696468-CC) and UNC5C (rs72659964-AT + TT), but did not influence the other counterpart genotypes of these variants. Conclusions NAV3 and UNC5C are homologs and may increase AD risk through dysregulating the functions of neurite outgrowth and guidance. Overall, the association of risk alleles of NAV3 and UNC5C with AD is enhanced by peripheral MCP-1 level, suggesting that lowering the level of blood MCP-1 may reduce the risk of developing AD for people with these genotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinghan Huang
- Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
| | - Yixuan Wang
- Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
| | - Thor D Stein
- Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
| | | | - Yibo Zhu
- Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
| | - Qiushan Tao
- Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
| | | | - Jesse Mez
- Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
| | - Rhoda Au
- Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
| | | | - Wei Qiao Qiu
- Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
| | - Xiaoling Zhang
- Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
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The Asparaginyl Endopeptidase Legumain: An Emerging Therapeutic Target and Potential Biomarker for Alzheimer’s Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231810223. [PMID: 36142134 PMCID: PMC9499314 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is incurable dementia closely associated with aging. Most cases of AD are sporadic, and very few are inherited; the pathogenesis of sporadic AD is complex and remains to be elucidated. The asparaginyl endopeptidase (AEP) or legumain is the only recognized cysteine protease that specifically hydrolyzes peptide bonds after asparagine residues in mammals. The expression level of AEPs in healthy brains is far lower than that of peripheral organs. Recently, growing evidence has indicated that aging may upregulate and overactivate brain AEPs. The overactivation of AEPs drives the onset of AD through cleaving tau and amyloid precursor proteins (APP), and SET, an inhibitor of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A). The AEP-mediated cleavage of these peptides enhances amyloidosis, promotes tau hyperphosphorylation, and ultimately induces neurodegeneration and cognitive impairment. Upregulated AEPs and related deleterious reactions constitute upstream events of amyloid/tau toxicity in the brain, and represent early pathological changes in AD. Thus, upregulated AEPs are an emerging drug target for disease modification and a potential biomarker for predicting preclinical AD. However, the presence of the blood–brain barrier greatly hinders establishing body-fluid-based methods to measure brain AEPs. Research on AEP-activity-based imaging probes and our recent work suggest that the live brain imaging of AEPs could be used to evaluate its predictive efficacy as an AD biomarker. To advance translational research in this area, AEP imaging probes applicable to human brain and AEP inhibitors with good druggability are urgently needed.
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Netrin-1: A Serum Marker Predicting Cognitive Impairment after Spinal Cord Injury. DISEASE MARKERS 2022; 2022:1033197. [PMID: 35493300 PMCID: PMC9050267 DOI: 10.1155/2022/1033197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2022] [Revised: 03/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Objective Although cognitive impairment has received more attention in recent years as a result of spinal cord injury (SCI), the pathogenic process that causes it is still unknown. The neuroprotective effects of Netrin as a family of laminin-related secreted proteins were discovered. The purpose of this study was to determine the changes of serum Netrin-1 after SCI and its relationship with cognitive impairment. Methods 96 SCI patients and 60 controls were included in our study. We collected baseline data from all participants, measured their serum Netrin-1 levels, and followed up their cognitive levels 3 months later. Results The clinical baseline values between the control and SCI groups were not significantly different (p > 0.05). However, the serum Netrin-1 level in the SCI group was significantly lower than that in the control group (528.4 ± 88.3 pg/ml vs. 673.5 ± 97.2 pg/ml, p < 0.05). According to the quartile level of serum Netrin-1 level in the SCI group, we found that with the increase of serum Netrin-1 level, the MoCA score also increased significantly (p < 0.001), indicating that the serum Netrin-1 level was positively correlated with the MoCA score after SCI. After controlling for baseline data, multiple regression analysis revealed that Netrin-1 remained an independent risk factor for cognitive impairment after SCI (=0.274, p = 0.036). Conclusions Netrin-1 may be a neuroprotective factor for cognitive impairment, which may serve as a serum marker to predict cognitive impairment after SCI.
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