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Jiang Y, Lin Y, Tetlow AM, Pan R, Ji C, Kong XP, Congdon EE, Sigurdsson EM. Single-domain antibody-based protein degrader for synucleinopathies. Mol Neurodegener 2024; 19:44. [PMID: 38816762 PMCID: PMC11140919 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-024-00730-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Synucleinopathies are a group of neurodegenerative diseases characterized by the accumulation of α-synuclein (α-syn) in the brain, leading to motor and neuropsychiatric symptoms. Currently, there are no known cures for synucleinopathies, and treatments mainly focus on symptom management. In this study, we developed a single-domain antibody (sdAb)-based protein degrader with features designed to enhance proteasomal degradation of α-syn. This sdAb derivative targets both α-syn and Cereblon (CRBN), a substrate-receptor for the E3-ubiquitin ligase CRL4CRBN, and thereby induces α-syn ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. Our results indicate that this therapeutic candidate enhances proteasomal degradation of α-syn, in addition to the endogenous lysosomal degradation machinery. By promoting proteasomal degradation of α-syn, we improved clearance of α-syn in primary culture and mouse models of synucleinopathy. These findings indicate that our sdAb-based protein degrader is a promising therapeutic candidate for synucleinopathies. Considering that only a small percentage of antibodies enter the brain, more potent sdAbs with greater brain entry than whole antibodies could enhance clinical benefits of antibody-based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yixiang Jiang
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, and Neuroscience Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Yan Lin
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, and Neuroscience Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Amber M Tetlow
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, and Neuroscience Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Ruimin Pan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Changyi Ji
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, and Neuroscience Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Xiang-Peng Kong
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Erin E Congdon
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, and Neuroscience Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Einar M Sigurdsson
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, and Neuroscience Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA.
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Jiang Y, Lin Y, Tetlow AM, Pan R, Ji C, Kong XP, Congdon EE, Sigurdsson EM. Single-Domain Antibody-Based Protein Degrader for Synucleinopathies. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.11.584473. [PMID: 38558982 PMCID: PMC10979981 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.11.584473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Synucleinopathies are a group of neurodegenerative diseases characterized by the accumulation of α-synuclein (α-syn) in the brain, leading to motor and neuropsychiatric symptoms. Currently, there are no known cures for synucleinopathies, and treatments mainly focus on symptom management. In this study, we developed a single-domain antibody (sdAb)-based protein degrader with features designed to enhance proteasomal degradation of α-syn. This sdAb derivative targets both α-syn and Cereblon (CRBN), a substrate-receptor for the E3-ubiquitin ligase CRL4CRBN, and thereby induces α-syn ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. Our results indicate that this therapeutic candidate enhances proteasomal degradation of α-syn, in addition to the endogenous lysosomal degradation machinery. By promoting proteasomal degradation of α-syn, we improved clearance of α-syn in primary culture and mouse models of synucleinopathy. These findings indicate that our sdAb-based protein degrader is a promising therapeutic candidate for synucleinopathies. Considering that only a small percentage of antibodies enter the brain, more potent sdAbs with greater brain entry than whole antibodies could enhance clinical benefits of antibody-based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yixiang Jiang
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, Neuroscience Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 435 East 30 Street, New York NY 10016, USA
| | - Yan Lin
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, Neuroscience Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 435 East 30 Street, New York NY 10016, USA
| | - Amber M Tetlow
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, Neuroscience Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 435 East 30 Street, New York NY 10016, USA
| | - Ruimin Pan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 435 East 30 Street, New York NY 10016, USA
| | - Changyi Ji
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, Neuroscience Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 435 East 30 Street, New York NY 10016, USA
| | - Xiang-Peng Kong
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 435 East 30 Street, New York NY 10016, USA
| | - Erin E Congdon
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, Neuroscience Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 435 East 30 Street, New York NY 10016, USA
| | - Einar M Sigurdsson
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, Neuroscience Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 435 East 30 Street, New York NY 10016, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 435 East 30 Street, New York NY 10016, USA
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Hadi Ali Janvand S, Ladefoged LK, Zubrienė A, Sakalauskas A, Christiansen G, Dudutienė V, Schiøtt B, Matulis D, Smirnovas V, Otzen DE. Inhibitory effects of fluorinated benzenesulfonamides on insulin fibrillation. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 227:590-600. [PMID: 36529223 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.12.105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Amyloid fibrils are protein aggregates formed by protein assembly through cross β structures. Inhibition of amyloid fibril formation may contribute to therapy against amyloid-related disorders like Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and type 2 diabetes. Here we report that several fluorinated sulfonamide compounds, previously shown to inhibit human carbonic anhydrase, also inhibit the fibrillation of different proteins. Using a range of spectroscopic, microscopic and chromatographic techniques, we found that the two fluorinated sulfonamide compounds completely inhibit insulin fibrillation over a period of 16 h and moderately suppress α-synuclein and Aβ fibrillation. In addition, these compounds decreased cell toxicity of insulin incubated under fibrillation-inducing conditions. We ascribe these effects to their ability to maintain insulin in the native monomeric state. Molecular dynamic simulations suggest that these compounds inhibit insulin self-association by interacting with residues at the dimer interface. This highlights the general anti-aggregative properties of aromatic sulfonamides and suggests that sulfonamide compounds which inhibit carbonic anhydrase activity may have potential as therapeutic agents against amyloid-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saeid Hadi Ali Janvand
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark; Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics (IBB), University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Lucy Kate Ladefoged
- iNANO and Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Asta Zubrienė
- Department of Biothermodynamics and Drug Design, Institute of Biotechnology, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Andrius Sakalauskas
- Department of Biothermodynamics and Drug Design, Institute of Biotechnology, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Gunna Christiansen
- Department of Health Science and Technology, Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Aalborg University, Fredrik Bajers Vej 3b, DK-9220 Aalborg Ø, Denmark
| | - Virginija Dudutienė
- Department of Biothermodynamics and Drug Design, Institute of Biotechnology, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Birgit Schiøtt
- iNANO and Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Daumantas Matulis
- Department of Biothermodynamics and Drug Design, Institute of Biotechnology, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Vytautas Smirnovas
- Department of Biothermodynamics and Drug Design, Institute of Biotechnology, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Daniel E Otzen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
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Hydrogen Sulfide: Novel Endogenous and Exogenous Modulator of Oxidative Stress in Retinal Degeneration Diseases. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26092411. [PMID: 33919146 PMCID: PMC8122398 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26092411] [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: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress (OS) damage can cause significant injury to cells, which is related to the occurrence and development of many diseases. This pathological process is considered to be the first step to trigger the death of outer retinal neurons, which is related to the pathology of retinal degenerative diseases. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has recently received widespread attention as a physiological signal molecule and gas neuromodulator and plays an important role in regulating OS in eyes. In this article, we reviewed the OS responses and regulatory mechanisms of H2S and its donors as endogenous and exogenous regulators in retinal degenerative diseases. Understanding the relevant mechanisms will help to identify the therapeutic potential of H2S in retinal degenerative diseases.
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Gabrielyan L, Liang H, Minalyan A, Hatami A, John V, Wang L. Behavioral Deficits and Brain α-Synuclein and Phosphorylated Serine-129 α-Synuclein in Male and Female Mice Overexpressing Human α-Synuclein. J Alzheimers Dis 2021; 79:875-893. [PMID: 33361597 PMCID: PMC8577576 DOI: 10.3233/jad-200983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alpha-synuclein (α-syn) is involved in pathology of Parkinson's disease, and 90% of α-syn in Lewy bodies is phosphorylated at serine 129 (pS129 α-syn). OBJECTIVE To assess behavior impairments and brain levels of α-syn and pS129 α-syn in mice overexpressing human α-syn under Thy1 promoter (Thy1-α-syn) and wild type (wt) littermates. METHODS Motor and non-motor behaviors were monitored, brain human α-syn levels measured by ELISA, and α-syn and pS129 α-syn mapped by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS Male and female wt littermates did not show differences in the behavioral tests. Male Thy1-α-syn mice displayed more severe impairments than female counterparts in cotton nesting, pole tests, adhesive removal, finding buried food, and marble burying. Concentrations of human α-syn in the olfactory regions, cortex, nigrostriatal system, and dorsal medulla were significantly increased in Thy1-α-syn mice, higher in males than females. Immunoreactivity of α-syn was not simply increased in Thy1-α-syn mice but had altered localization in somas and fibers in a few brain areas. Abundant pS129 α-syn existed in many brain areas of Thy1-α-syn mice, while there was none or only a small amount in a few brain regions of wt mice. The substantia nigra, olfactory regions, amygdala, lateral parabrachial nucleus, and dorsal vagal complex displayed different distribution patterns between wt and transgenic mice, but not between sexes. CONCLUSION The severer abnormal behaviors in male than female Thy1-α-syn mice may be related to higher brain levels of human α-syn, in the absence of sex differences in the altered brain immunoreactivity patterns of α-syn and pS129 α-syn.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilit Gabrielyan
- CURE/Digestive Disease Research Center, Med/Digestive, David Geffen Medical School, UCLA
| | - Honghui Liang
- CURE/Digestive Disease Research Center, Med/Digestive, David Geffen Medical School, UCLA
| | - Artem Minalyan
- CURE/Digestive Disease Research Center, Med/Digestive, David Geffen Medical School, UCLA
| | - Asa Hatami
- Drug Discovery Lab, Department of Neurology, UCLA
| | | | - Lixin Wang
- CURE/Digestive Disease Research Center, Med/Digestive, David Geffen Medical School, UCLA
- VA Great Los Angeles Health System
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Hydrogen Sulfide and β-Synuclein Are Involved and Interlinked in the Aging Glaucomatous Retina. J Ophthalmol 2020; 2020:8642135. [PMID: 32351728 PMCID: PMC7178476 DOI: 10.1155/2020/8642135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2019] [Revised: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Glaucoma, one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness worldwide, is a group of disorders characterized by progressive retinal ganglion cell (RGC) loss. Synucleins, a family of small proteins, have been of interest in studies of neurodegeneration and CNS. However, their roles and functions in glaucoma are still not completely understood and remain to be explored. Our previous studies showed that α-synuclein and H2S play a pivotal role in glaucoma. This study aims to (1) elucidate the potential roles and functions of synucleins in glaucoma throughout aging, (2) investigate the interaction between the synucleins and H2S, and better understand the mechanism of H2S in neuroprotection. Methods The chronic IOP elevation model was carried out in 12 animals at different ages (3 months and 14 months), and RGCs were quantified by Brn3a staining. Mass spectrometric-assisted proteomics analysis was employed to measure synuclein levels and H2S producing proteins in retina. Secondly, the acute IOP elevation model was carried out in 12 juvenile animals, with or without intravitreal injection of GYY4137 (a H2S donor). RGCs were quantified along with the abundancy of synucleins. Results RGCs and β-synuclein (SNCB) are significantly changed in old animals. Under chronic IOP elevation, there is a significant RGC loss in old animals, whereas no significant change in young animals; SNCB is significantly downregulated and 3MST is significantly upregulated in young animals due to IOP, while no significant changes in old ones are notable. Under acute IOP elevation (approx. 55 mmHg), a significant RGC loss is observed; exogenous H2S significantly reduced RGC loss and downregulated SNCB levels. Conclusion The present study indicates a strong link between ageing and SNCB regulation. In young animals SNCB is downregulated going along with less RGC loss. Furthermore, increasing endogenous H2S is effective to downregulate SNCB and is neuroprotective against acute IOP elevation.
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